Flame detector operation test device

Abstract

The present invention provides a flame detector operation test device that prevents the position of the internal lamp from shifting due to impacts caused by walking, thereby preventing misalignment of the optical axis. [Solution] An operational test device for a flame detector has a light-emitting unit equipped with a lamp (31) and a lens (23) positioned in front of the light-emitting unit at its front, and a main body case that houses a power supply unit and a light-emitting drive unit for the lamp, and is capable of irradiating light of a predetermined wavelength in a certain direction. The light-emitting unit comprises a socket (32) fixed to the front of the main body case into which the electrodes of the lamp are inserted, a reflector (13) having an opening through which the lamp can be inserted and reflecting the light emitted by the lamp forward, and a support bracket (33) formed of an elastic plate-shaped member that supports the lamp. The support bracket has at least a pair of side wall portions (33B) arranged opposite each other with the lamp in between, and at least a pair of support pieces (33C) provided at the end of the side wall portion closest to the lens and in contact with the outer surface of the lamp.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique effective for use in an operation test device for a flame detector that irradiates light of a predetermined wavelength to perform an operation test of the flame detector.

Background Art

[0002] Among the fire detectors used in a fire alarm system, there are various types such as a heat detector using a thermistor, a photoelectric smoke detector, and a flame detector that includes an element such as an infrared sensor and captures light of a wavelength specific to a flame for detection, and they are used appropriately according to the installation location. For example, in a hydrogen station equipped with facilities for supplying hydrogen, which is the fuel of a fuel cell vehicle, in order to detect a fire caused by hydrogen leakage that occurs when filling a hydrogen vehicle with hydrogen, as shown in FIG. 1, a flame detector 50 that detects light of a specific wavelength emitted by a hydrogen flame is installed at a high position of a building 40 such as a canopy (roof).

[0003] Conventionally, in order to periodically check the operation of a flame detector, a flame detector operation tester (hereinafter referred to as an operation tester) has been used. This operation tester is implemented by holding the tester main body or a handle provided on the main body by hand and irradiating a pseudo-flame (test light) of a wavelength specific to a hydrogen flame from a lamp built into the main body onto the flame detector. In addition, although the flame detector is generally installed at a high position inside the facility, since there is a desire that the operation of the operation tester be performed while the operator stands on the ground, the operation tester is configured such that the operator can operate it on the ground and irradiate test light obliquely upward. In addition, as inventions related to a flame detector operation tester having the above functions, there are those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0005] The flame detector is installed with its angle adjusted so that the area to be monitored is within its detection range. When performing an operational test of such a flame detector, as shown in Figure 7, it is necessary to irradiate the flame detector 50, which is installed at a high location, with test light at a precise angle. Therefore, the angle of the optical axis of the operational test device 10 must be adjusted with high precision to match the detection direction of the flame detector 50. Furthermore, since the operational test device is operated by an operator who moves to a predetermined position and holds it in their hand, it is desirable that the structure prevents the mounting position of the internal lamp from shifting due to the impact of walking while carrying it, thus preventing the optical axis from shifting. In addition, it is desirable that the structure allows for easy replacement of the lamp in case the performance of the internal lamp deteriorates. However, the inventions of operational testers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 address the challenges of power saving and cost reduction, and do not adequately consider or address the above-mentioned requirements and demands.

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide an operational test device for a flame detector that prevents the position and orientation of the internal lamp from shifting due to impacts caused by walking while carrying it, thereby preventing the optical axis from shifting. Another object of the present invention is to provide an operational test device for a flame detector that allows for easy lamp replacement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, this invention provides: In a flame detector operation test device having a light-emitting unit equipped with a lamp and a lens positioned in front of the light-emitting unit, a main body case containing a power supply unit and a light-emitting drive unit for the lamp, and capable of irradiating light of a predetermined wavelength in a certain direction, The light-emitting part is, A socket fixed to the front of the main body case into which the electrodes of the lamp are inserted, A reflector having an opening through which the lamp can be inserted, and which reflects the light emitted by the lamp forward, A support bracket formed of an elastic plate-like member that supports the lamp, The support bracket is configured to have at least a pair of side wall portions arranged opposite each other with the lamp in between, and at least a pair of support pieces provided at the ends of the side wall portions closest to the lens and in contact with the outer surface of the lamp.

[0008] According to the flame detector operation test device having the above configuration, since the lamp is supported by an elastic support bracket, the position and orientation of the lamp inside will not be shifted by external impacts, preventing deviations in the optical axis angle. As a result, the test light can be accurately and reproducibly irradiated onto the flame detector being tested, which is installed at a high location.

[0009] Here, preferably, each of the pair of support pieces has a notch formed therein that has a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the lamp. The notches of the pair of support pieces engage with a portion of the outer surface of the lamp from both sides, thereby configuring the support bracket to suppress the movement of the lamp within the main body case.

[0010] With the above configuration, the pair of support pieces are in close contact with the outer surface of the lamp from both sides, and the side wall portion can suppress the movement of the lamp, thus providing stable and secure support for the lamp without any rattling.

[0011] Furthermore, preferably, the front ends of the pair of side walls are provided with claws that protrude forward. With this configuration, the pair of side walls can be easily spread apart by placing a finger on the claw portion, allowing the lamp to be inserted and removed without being obstructed by the side walls.

[0012] Furthermore, preferably, the pair of side wall portions, the pair of support pieces, and the claw portions are configured to be formed by bending a single springy metal plate. According to such a configuration, since the side wall portions, the support pieces, and the claw portions are integrated, the number of components can be reduced, assembly becomes easier, and cost reduction can be achieved.

[0013] Also, preferably, the metal plate has a plate portion that connects the rear ends of the pair of side wall portions, and an opening through which the socket can be inserted is provided in the plate portion. The plate portion and the socket are configured to be attached to a wall body provided at the front portion of the main body case in a state of being coupled to a common attachment plate. According to such a configuration, the number of components can be further reduced.

Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the operating test device for a flame detector of the present invention, the position and posture of the internal lamp do not shift due to impacts associated with walking during carrying, etc., and there is no angular deviation of the optical axis. Also, there is an effect that the lamp can be easily replaced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is an external view showing an example of a hydrogen station where a flame detector is installed. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an operating test device for a flame detector according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view showing the state where the lens portion of the operating test device for a flame detector shown in FIG. 2 is disassembled. [Figure 4] (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the light-emitting portion and the lens portion of the operating tester in FIG. 2, and (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the periphery of the lens in (A) in an enlarged manner. [Figure 5] It is an exploded perspective view showing the state where the light-emitting portion of the operating tester of the embodiment is disassembled. [Figure 6]It is a perspective view showing a state where the light emitting part of the operation tester of the embodiment is assembled. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a state where test light is irradiated from an operation tester to a flame detector installed at a high place of a building.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment in the case where the operation test device for a flame detector according to the present invention is applied to an operation test device for a flame detector that detects a hydrogen flame as an example will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the operation test device for a flame detector, and FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the lens unit of the operation test device for a flame detector of FIG. 2 in a disassembled state. The operation test device for a flame detector of the present embodiment has a function of holding a handle provided on the tester body by a human hand and irradiating a pseudo-flame (test light) having a wavelength peculiar to a hydrogen flame from a lamp built into the main body to the flame detector.

[0017] The operation test device for a flame detector of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a tester) 10 includes, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a tester body 11 made of aluminum or resin forming a cylindrical frame, a lens unit 12 attached to the front end side of the tester body 11, and a back cover 13 attached so as to cover an opening on the rear end side of the tester body 11. A handle 14 is provided on the outer surface of the tester body 11, and a switch button 15 for lighting a light bulb is provided on the upper surface of the handle 14. Further, leg portions 16A and 16B for keeping the posture stable when the tester 10 is placed are provided at a portion of the outer surface of the tester body 11 opposite to the handle 14.

[0018] Meanwhile, the inside of the test apparatus body 11 houses the halogen lamp 31 that constitutes the light-emitting section, the bulb socket which serves as the lamp's receptacle, the bulb support bracket, as well as a battery, a charging connector, and the lamp's drive circuit. Of these, the light-emitting section is located at the front of the test apparatus body 11, and as shown in Figure 3, a lens section 12 that covers the front of the halogen lamp 31 is provided on the front side of the test apparatus body 11. Here, the halogen lamp 31 used emits light that is close to the spectrum of sunlight as test light, and this test light also includes ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths of light that are characteristic of hydrogen flames. The specific configuration of the light-emitting section will be explained later.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the lens section 12 includes a lens retaining nut 21 that can be fitted to the front opening edge of the tester body 11, a reflector 22 having an opening in the center through which a halogen lamp 31 is inserted and which reflects the light emitted by the halogen lamp 31 forward, a glass lens 23 for transmitting light, and a cylindrical lens cover 24 that is attached to the front of the tester body 11 with the reflector 22 and glass lens 23 housed inside. Although not particularly limited, a cup-shaped parabolic mirror is used for the reflector 22, and the glass lens 23 is made of quartz glass. The glass lens 23 is equipped with a filter function that transmits ultraviolet and infrared rays of wavelengths specific to hydrogen flames and blocks unwanted wavelengths of light. The glass lens 23 may have curvature and function as an optical lens, or it may be flat and without curvature. Preferably, the curvature of the glass lens 23 is designed in combination with the shape of the reflector 22.

[0020] A male threaded portion 11a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the front end of the test device body 11, and a female threaded portion 24a is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the front end of the lens cover 24, as shown in Figure 4(A). By screwing the female threaded portion 24a onto the male threaded portion 11a, the lens cover 24 is attached to the front side of the test device body 11 so as to cover the light-emitting part having the halogen lamp 31. In this configuration, the reflector 22 and the glass lens 23 are fixed in place by having their edges sandwiched between the lens retaining nut 21 and the front edge of the lens cover 24. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a thin, annular heat insulating spacer 25 made of a resin with low thermal conductivity is interposed between the reflector 22 and the glass lens 23, and a waterproof and heat insulating O-ring 26 made of heat-resistant rubber is interposed between the glass lens 23 and the lens cover 24.

[0021] The glass lens 23 and reflector 22 become hot due to the heat from the halogen lamp 31, but the presence of insulating spacers 25 and O-rings 26 in front of and behind the glass lens 23 makes it difficult for heat to transfer from the reflector 22 to the glass lens 23, and further from the glass lens 23 to the lens cover 24. Quartz glass can crack due to rapid changes in temperature or localized thermal strain (differences in temperature distribution), but the insulating rings 25 and O-rings 26 prevent the quartz glass lens 23 from cracking due to thermal stress. Furthermore, multiple heat dissipation fins 11b and 24b are provided on the outer circumference of the front of the tester body 11 and the outer circumference of the lens cover 24, and are configured to suppress the temperature rise of the light-emitting section having the halogen lamp 31.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(B), a gap a may be created on the front side of the edge of the glass lens 23, and a gap b may be created around the glass lens 23. By providing such gaps, heat can be less easily transferred from the glass lens 23 to the lens cover 24. Gap a is created by providing a right-angle step portion 24c on the inner surface of the lens cover 24 to restrict the forward position when screwing in the lens retaining nut 21. In other words, when screwing the lens retaining nut 21 all the way into the lens cover 24 to clamp the edge of the reflector 22, the vertical wall of the right-angle step portion 24c acts as a stopper, preventing further movement. Gap b can be created by setting the outer diameter of the glass lens 23 to be smaller than the inner diameter of the corresponding part of the lens cover 24.

[0023] Next, the specific configuration of the light-emitting section of the test device 10 in this embodiment will be described using Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the light-emitting section comprises a halogen lamp 31, a power socket 32 ​​into which a pair of electrodes 31a of the halogen lamp 31 are inserted, a support bracket 33 having a pair of arms that support the elongated halogen lamp 31 from both sides to prevent it from shaking, and a mounting plate 34 for attaching the power socket 32 ​​and the support bracket 33 to the front surface of a partition wall 17 provided near the front end opening of the test apparatus body 11.

[0024] The partition wall 17 of the test apparatus body 11 is provided with a pair of boss portions 17a having screw holes, and the support bracket 33 and mounting plate 34 each have a pair of screw insertion holes 33a and 34a corresponding to the pair of boss portions 17a, and the support bracket 33 and mounting plate 34 are configured to be fixed to the front surface of the partition wall 17 of the test apparatus body 11 by a pair of screws 35 inserted from the front through the screw insertion holes 33a and 34a. Furthermore, the mounting plate 34 is provided with a pair of screw holes 34b, and the power supply socket 32 ​​is provided with screw insertion holes (not shown) corresponding to the pair of screw holes 34b. The power supply socket 32 ​​is fixed to the front surface of the mounting plate 34 by inserting a pair of screws 36 through these screw insertion holes and screwing them into the screw holes 34b. In addition, the ends of a pair of power supply wires 37 are connected to the power supply socket 32, and these wires 37 are drawn out from inside the tester body 11 through through holes formed in the partition wall 17.

[0025] On the other hand, the support bracket 33 is formed to have a plate portion 33A having an opening 33b through which the power supply socket 32 ​​can be inserted, a pair of side wall portions 33B bent 90 degrees forward from both sides of the plate portion 33A, and a pair of support pieces 33C bent 90 degrees inward, i.e., toward each other, from the side wall portions 33B. Furthermore, the tips of the pair of support pieces 33C are provided with notches 33d that correspond to the shape of the outer surface of the halogen lamp 31, and the tips of the pair of side wall portions 33B are provided with claw portions 33D that are cut and bent to protrude forward. More specifically, the halogen lamp 31 used in this embodiment has a shape in which the cross section at the tip is circular and the cross section at the base is rectangular, and the notches 33d of the support pieces 33C are formed in a shape that corresponds to the part with a rectangular cross section. The support bracket 33 is made of a springy plate material.

[0026] Because the support bracket 33 is configured as described above, as shown in Figure 5, when the halogen lamp 31 is inserted into the power socket 32, the notches 33d of the pair of support pieces 33C engage with the sides of the halogen lamp 31. This ensures that the central part of the long halogen lamp 31 is supported from both sides by the support bracket 33, preventing the mounting position and orientation of the halogen lamp 31 from shifting due to impacts from walking when carrying the test equipment 10, and thus preventing a shift in the angle of the optical axis. The support pieces 33C can also prevent the halogen lamp 31 from shifting in the direction of the arrows X and Y shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, since the tip of the side wall portion 33B is provided with a claw portion 33D that protrudes forward, the support piece 33C can be prevented from getting in the way when inserting or removing the halogen lamp 31 by placing a finger on the claw portion 33D and spreading it outwards.

[0027] Although the present invention has been described above based on embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the claw portion 33D is provided at the tip of the side wall portion 33B by cutting the base of the pair of support pieces 33C forward, but the claw portion 33D may also be provided by folding the tip of the side wall portion 33B 180 degrees and then folding it 90 degrees inward. Furthermore, although the support bracket 33 is made of a single metal plate in the above embodiment, the plate portion 33A may be eliminated, and the pair of side wall portions 33B may be formed from separate metal plates that are separated from each other. Moreover, the support bracket 33 is not limited to being made of a metal plate, but may be a resin molded product. If it is a resin molded product, the insulation performance can be improved.

[0028] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the halogen lamp 31 inserted into the power socket 32 ​​is supported from both the left and right sides by a pair of support pieces 33C, each having a notch 33d. However, in addition to the support pieces 33C, a pair of arch-shaped pressing pieces may be provided, positioned back-to-back at a predetermined distance from each other (a distance slightly smaller than the thickness of the rectangular cross-section of the support piece 33C), so that the outer surface of the halogen lamp 31 can also be clamped from above and below. Also, although a halogen lamp is used in the above embodiment, lamps other than halogen lamps, such as xenon lamps, may also be used.

[0029] Furthermore, a laser pointer that emits laser light with a wavelength in the visible light range forward may be provided on the front of the test device body 11, for example, at the front end of the handle 14, so that the angle of the optical axis of the test device 10 can be easily adjusted when pointing the test device 10 towards the flame detector being tested. Furthermore, although the above embodiment described the application of the present invention to an operational tester for a flame detector that detects fires caused by hydrogen leaks, the present invention is not limited to flame detectors that detect fires caused by hydrogen leaks, but can be used in operational testers that are generally used for flame detectors that detect the occurrence of a fire by detecting wavelengths contained in the flame. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 10. Operational testing device for flame detectors (operational tester) 11. Tester unit (main unit case) 11a Male thread part 11b Fin 12 Lens section 13 Case back 14 Handle 15 Switch buttons 16A,16B Legs 17 Bulkhead 17a Boss section 21 Lens retaining nut 22 Reflectors 23 Glass lenses 24 Lens Cover 24a Threaded part 24b fins 24c Right angle step 25 Insulation Spacers 26 O-rings 31 Halogen lamp 31a electrode 32 Power sockets 33 Support bracket 33A Plate section 33B Side wall part 33C Support piece 33D claw part 33a Screw insertion hole 33b opening 33d Notch 34 Mounting plate 34a Screw insertion hole 35, 36 screws 37 Electric wire 50 Flame detectors

Claims

1. A flame detector operation test device having a light-emitting unit equipped with a lamp and a lens positioned in front of the light-emitting unit at its front, a main body case containing a power supply unit and a light-emitting drive unit for the lamp, and capable of irradiating light of a predetermined wavelength in a certain direction, The light-emitting part is, A socket fixed to the front of the main body case into which the electrodes of the lamp are inserted, A reflector having an opening through which the lamp can be inserted, and which reflects the light emitted by the lamp forward, A support bracket formed of an elastic plate-like member that supports the lamp, The flame detector operation test device is characterized in that the support bracket has at least a pair of side wall portions arranged opposite each other with the lamp in between, and at least a pair of support pieces provided at the end of the side wall portion closest to the lens and in contact with the outer surface of the lamp.

2. Each of the pair of support pieces has a notch formed therein that has a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the lamp. The flame detector operation test device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support bracket is configured to suppress the movement of the lamp within the main body case by engaging the notches of the pair of support pieces with a part of the outer surface of the lamp from both sides.

3. The flame detector operation test device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the pair of side wall portions is provided with a claw portion that protrudes forward at its front end.

4. The flame detector operation test device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pair of side walls, the pair of support pieces, and the claw portion are formed by bending a single springy metal plate.

5. The metal plate has a plate portion that connects the rear ends of the pair of side wall portions, and the plate portion is provided with an opening through which the socket can be inserted. The flame detector operation test device according to claim 4, characterized in that the plate portion and the socket are attached to a wall provided on the front of the main body case while coupled to a common mounting plate.

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