Perceptor

Abstract

The present invention provides a sensor that can be mounted to the installation surface and the detection unit can be activated almost simultaneously. [Solution] The detector 1 comprises a base portion 2 and a main body portion 3 that is attached to the base portion 2 by rotation. The base portion 2 has a magnet 4 that can move in the circumferential direction C of the rotation from the start to the end of the rotation, and an inclined portion 5 provided between the starting position P1 at the start of the rotation and the ending position P2 at the end of the rotation, which changes the orientation of the magnet 4 from a first orientation to a second orientation before reaching the ending position P2. The main body portion 3 has a detection unit 6 that detects fire, a projection 7 that moves the magnet 4 from the starting position P1 to the ending position P2, a magnetic flux detection unit 8 that is arranged along the direction of the alignment of the magnetic poles of the magnet 4 at the ending position P2 and detects the magnetic flux of the magnet 4, a battery 9 that supplies power to the detection unit 6, and a control unit 31 that activates the detection unit 6 when it is determined that the magnet 4 is in the second orientation based on the magnetic flux detection result by the magnetic flux detection unit 8.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to sensors, and more particularly relates to a sensor including a base portion and a main body portion. [Background Art]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a smoke sensor. This smoke sensor includes a housing, a light-emitting unit, a light-receiving unit, and a substrate. The housing is attached to a mounted surface, and a smoke detection space for detecting smoke is formed inside the housing. The light-emitting unit irradiates light into the smoke detection space. The light-receiving unit receives light irradiated from the light-emitting unit and scattered in the smoke detection space. The substrate is provided inside the housing, and the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are mounted on the substrate. Furthermore, the smoke sensor of Patent Document 1 includes a battery that supplies operating power to various circuits provided on the substrate. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-161231 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] However, the smoke sensor of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is difficult to attach the sensor to a mounted surface (installation surface) such as a ceiling and supply operating power to various circuits (detection units) almost at the same time.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensor that can be attached to an installation surface and activate a detection unit almost simultaneously. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] A detector according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a base portion fixed to an installation surface and a main body portion attached to the base portion by rotational movement. The base portion includes a magnet that is movable in the circumferential direction of the rotational movement from the start to the end of the rotational movement, and an inclined portion provided between the start position of the magnet at the start and the end position at the end of the rotational movement, which changes the orientation of the magnet from a first orientation at the start position to a second orientation by the time it reaches the end position. The main body portion includes a detection unit for detecting fire, a projection portion that moves the magnet along the circumferential direction by the rotational movement from the start position to the end position, a magnetic flux detection unit arranged along the direction of alignment of the N pole and S pole of the magnet at the end position and for detecting the magnetic flux of the magnet, a battery for supplying power to the detection unit, and a control unit that, based on the magnetic flux detection result by the magnetic flux detection unit, determines that the magnet is in the second orientation, and starts supplying power from the battery to the detection unit to activate the detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, mounting to the installation surface and operation of the detection unit can be performed almost simultaneously. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing the sensor according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the same sensor. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing the main components of the sensor (when the magnet starts moving). [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A1 in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic plan view showing the main components of the sensor (with the magnet in motion). [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line A2-A2 in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic plan view showing the main part of the sensor (when the magnet movement has finished). [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line A3-A3 in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the magnet and the magnetic flux detection unit when the magnetic flux detection unit does not detect magnetic flux. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the magnet and the magnetic flux detection unit when the magnetic flux detection unit detects magnetic flux. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] 1. Overview Hereinafter, the sensor 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. This embodiment is merely one of many embodiments of the present disclosure. This embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of the present disclosure are achieved. The figures described in this disclosure are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the size and thickness of each component in each figure do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0010] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the installation surface 100 is the ceiling surface, and the direction perpendicular to the installation surface 100 is defined as the "up and down direction". Also in this embodiment, when the main body 3 is attached to the base 2, the magnet 4 inside the base 2 moves. Using the direction of movement of this magnet 4 as a reference, the direction of travel of the magnet 4 (the direction of the arrow in Figure 4) is defined as "forward", and the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the magnet 4 is defined as "backward". Also in this embodiment, "circumferential direction C" refers to the direction along the circumference of a virtual circle with respect to the center of rotation when an operator holding the main body 3 by hand and rotating the main body 3 while attaching it to the base 2. Also, "radial direction" refers to the direction outward or inward from the center of rotation during the rotation of the main body 3.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the sensor 1 according to this embodiment comprises a base portion 2 fixed to the installation surface 100 and a main body portion 3 attached to the base portion 2 by rotation.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the base portion 2 includes a magnet 4 and an inclined portion 5.

[0013] The magnet 4 is movable in the circumferential direction C of the rotational movement from the start to the end of the rotational movement.

[0014] The inclined portion 5 is provided between a start position P1 of the magnet 4 at the start of the movement and an end position P2 of the magnet 4 at the end of the movement. Furthermore, the inclined portion 5 changes the posture of the magnet 4, which is in a first posture at the start position P1, to a second posture before the magnet 4 reaches the end position P2.

[0015] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, the main body portion 3 includes a detection unit 6, a protrusion portion 7, a magnetic flux detection unit 8, a battery 9, and a control unit 31.

[0016] The detection unit 6 detects a fire.

[0017] The protrusion portion 7 moves the magnet 4 from the start position P1 to the end position P2 along the circumferential direction C by the rotational movement.

[0018] The magnetic flux detection unit 8 is arranged at the end position P2 along the arrangement direction of the N pole 41 and the S pole 42 of the magnet 4. Furthermore, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects the magnetic flux of the magnet 4.

[0019] The battery 9 supplies electric power to the detection unit 6.

[0020] When the control unit 31 determines that the magnet 4 is in the second posture based on the magnetic flux detection result obtained by the magnetic flux detection unit 8, the control unit 31 causes the detection unit 6 to start receiving power supply from the battery 9, and puts the detection unit 6 into an operating state.

[0021] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the attachment to the installation surface 100 and the activation of the detection unit 6 can be performed substantially simultaneously. Further, according to the present embodiment, malfunction of the detection unit 6 can be suppressed during transportation of the sensor 1 or the like.

[0022] 2. Details (1) Configuration of Sensor The detector 1 according to this embodiment will now be described in detail. As shown in Figure 1, the detector 1 is installed on the installation surface 100. The detector 1 comprises a base portion 2 and a main body portion 3. The main body portion 3 is attached to the base portion 2 by rotation. The circumferential direction C of the rotation is shown in Figure 1. For example, if a worker holds the main body portion 3 in their hand and places it on the lower surface of the base portion 2, and rotates it to the right relative to the base portion 2, the main body portion 3 can be attached to the base portion 2. After that, if necessary, the main body portion 3 can be removed from the base portion 2 by rotating it to the left relative to the base portion 2. In this way, the main body portion 3 can be attached to and detached from the base portion 2 by changing the direction of rotation. The mechanism for attachment and detachment is not particularly limited, but known mechanisms such as a bayonet mechanism can be used.

[0023] <Base section> The base portion 2 is fixed to the mounting surface 100. For example, the base portion 2 can be fixed to the mounting surface 100 with screws. The shape of the base portion 2 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment it is a flat cylindrical shape. The base portion 2 has a magnet 4 and a tunnel-shaped passage (closed passage) 20 (see Figures 3 to 8).

[0024] Magnet Magnet 4 is a permanent magnet. Magnetic poles (N pole 41 and S pole 42) are present at both ends of magnet 4. The shape of magnet 4 is not particularly limited, but examples include a rectangular parallelepiped, a prismatic shape, a cylindrical shape, etc.

[0025] Magnet 4 can assume a horizontal orientation as its first orientation (see Figure 4). The horizontal orientation is the orientation in which the magnetic poles at both ends of magnet 4 are facing horizontally.

[0026] Furthermore, the magnet 4 can change its orientation from horizontal to inclined (see Figure 6). Inclined orientation is an orientation in which the magnetic poles at both ends of the magnet 4 point in directions different from both the horizontal and vertical directions. In this embodiment, the north pole 41 points diagonally upward and forward, and the south pole 42 points diagonally downward and backward.

[0027] Furthermore, magnet 4 can change its orientation from the inclined position to a vertical position as a second orientation (see Figure 8). The vertical orientation is the orientation in which the magnetic poles at both ends of magnet 4 point vertically (up and down). The mechanism by which magnet 4 changes its orientation will be explained later in the section "(2) Attachment of the sensor to the mounting surface".

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the magnet 4 is placed inside the tunnel-shaped passage 20, which will be described later, and is movable within the tunnel-shaped passage 20. Furthermore, the magnet 4 is movable from the start to the end of the rotational movement of the main body 3. In addition, as shown in Figure 3, the magnet 4 is movable in the circumferential direction C of the rotational movement. Thus, the magnet 4 moves in conjunction with the rotational movement of the main body 3. Further details will be explained in the section "(2) Attachment of the sensor to the mounting surface" below.

[0029] ≪Tunnel-like passageway (closed passageway)≫ As shown in Figure 3, the tunnel-shaped passage 20 is a closed structure that extends in an arc shape along the circumferential direction C. The tunnel-shaped passage 20 is used to restrict the range of movement of the magnet 4. The tunnel-shaped passage 20 is located inside the base portion 2. Specifically, the tunnel-shaped passage 20 consists of a passage 20a and an enclosure portion 20b.

[0030] 〔aisle〕 The passage 20a is the path for the magnet 4. The magnet 4 moves along the passage 20a while maintaining one magnetic pole (in this case, the north pole 41) facing forward and the other magnetic pole (in this case, the south pole 42) facing backward. The passage 20a is a single path that extends in an arc along the circumferential direction C.

[0031] A through groove 28 is provided in the passage 20a. Specifically, the through groove 28 is provided at approximately the center of the passage 20a in the width direction and extends for almost the entire length of the passage 20a. The through groove 28 is formed from the inside of the tunnel-shaped passage 20 toward the bottom of the base portion 2. Thus, the through groove 28 opens at the bottom surface of the base portion 2.

[0032] The magnet 4 moves along the passage 20a while being supported by both edges of the through groove 28. The width of the through groove 28 is narrower than the width of the magnet 4. This prevents the magnet 4 from falling from the base 2 through the through groove 28.

[0033] The passage 20a has a flat surface 26, an inclined surface 50, and a landing surface 27. The flat surface 26, the inclined surface 50, and the landing surface 27 are arranged in this order in a line along the circumferential direction C. The magnet 4 starts moving from the flat surface 26, passes through the inclined surface 50, and ends its movement upon reaching the landing surface 27. The through groove 28 is provided continuously at approximately the center of the width direction of each of the flat surface 26, the inclined surface 50, and the landing surface 27.

[0034] The flat surface 26 is a flat surface located at the rear within the passage 20a. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the flat surface 26 includes the starting position P1. The starting position P1 is the position where the magnet 4 is located at the start of the rotational movement of the main body 3.

[0035] The inclined surface 50 is located in front of the flat surface 26 and is continuous with the flat surface 26. As shown in Figure 4, the inclined surface 50 is a surface whose height increases as it extends forward from the boundary with the flat surface 26. The inclination angle of the inclined surface 50 is not particularly limited. The inclined surface 50 is part of the inclined section 5. Thus, the base section 2 has the inclined section 5. The inclined section 5 is provided between the starting position P1 and the ending position P2 (see Figure 7), which will be described later. The inclined section 5 is provided to change the orientation of the magnet 4, which is in a first orientation (in this case, horizontal orientation) at the starting position P1, to a second orientation (in this case, vertical orientation) before the magnet 4 reaches the ending position P2.

[0036] The landing surface 27 is the surface located in front of the inclined section 5. That is, the landing surface 27 is the surface located in front within the passage 20a. As shown in Figure 4, the landing surface 27 is lower than the upper end of the inclined surface 50. The magnet 4 that falls from the upper end of the inclined surface 50 lands on the landing surface 27. Figure 6 illustrates the state of the magnet 4 just before it falls. As shown in Figure 7, the landing surface 27 includes the end position P2. The end position P2 is the position where the magnet 4 is located at the end of the rotational movement of the main body 3.

[0037] [Enclosure section] The enclosure 20b surrounds the passage 20a. In this way, the enclosure 20b prevents the magnet 4 from coming off the passage 20a. Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 to 8, the enclosure 20b has a rear wall 21, a front wall 22 (also simply called "wall 22"), an inner wall 23, an outer wall 24, and a top plate 25.

[0038] The rear wall portion 21 extends upward from the rear end of the flat surface 26. The rear wall portion 21 prevents the magnet 4 from moving behind the passage 20a.

[0039] The front wall portion 22 extends upward from the front end of the landing surface 27. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the front wall portion 22 faces the inclined portion 5 with the end position P2 in between. The front wall portion 22 prevents the magnet 4 from moving forward of the passage 20a.

[0040] Here, the distance between the front wall 22 and the inclined section 5 is shorter than the length of the magnet 4 (in this case, the distance between the magnetic poles at both ends of the magnet 4). This makes it easier for the magnet 4 to assume a vertical position when it lands on the landing surface 27. Conversely, it makes it difficult for the magnet 4 to assume a horizontal position on the landing surface 27.

[0041] The inner wall portion 23 extends upward from the radially inward end of the passage 20a. The inner wall portion 23 prevents the magnet 4 from moving radially inward beyond the passage 20a.

[0042] The outer wall portion 24 extends upward from the radially outer end of the passage 20a. In this way, the outer wall portion 24 faces the inner wall portion 23 in the radial direction. The outer wall portion 24 prevents the magnet 4 from moving radially outward beyond the passage 20a.

[0043] The front ends of the inner wall portion 23 and the outer wall portion 24 are connected to the front wall portion 22. On the other hand, the rear ends of the inner wall portion 23 and the outer wall portion 24 are connected to the rear wall portion 21. Each of the inner wall portion 23 and the outer wall portion 24 extends along the circumferential direction C from the rear wall portion 21 to the front wall portion 22.

[0044] Here, the distance between the inner wall portion 23 and the outer wall portion 24 (the width of the passage 20a) is greater than or equal to the width of the magnet 4, but shorter than the length of the magnet 4 (in this case, the distance between the magnetic poles at both ends of the magnet 4). This prevents the magnet 4 from reversing its orientation while it is moving. In other words, in this embodiment, the magnet 4 can move along the passage 20a while maintaining a state in which the north pole 41 faces forward and the south pole 42 faces backward, even if it sways very slightly from side to side relative to the direction of travel while moving. In this way, the magnet 4 can move along the circumferential direction C while being guided by the inner wall portion 23 and the outer wall portion 24.

[0045] The top plate portion 25 is connected to the upper ends of the rear wall portion 21, the front wall portion 22, the inner wall portion 23, and the outer wall portion 24. For example, even if the base portion 2 is upside down before it is fixed to the installation surface 100, the top plate portion 25 prevents the magnet 4 from coming out of the passage 20a.

[0046] The top plate 25 faces the passage 20a in the vertical direction. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the magnet 4 falls from the upper end of the inclined surface 50 and changes its orientation from an inclined position to a vertical position. Therefore, the height of the top plate 25 is set to a height that does not hinder this change in the orientation of the magnet 4.

[0047] <Main body> As previously described, the main body 3 is attached to the base 2 by rotation (see Figure 1). The main body 3 includes a projection 7, a detection unit 6, a magnetic flux detection unit (IC) 8, a battery 9, and a control unit (circuit unit) 31 (see Figures 1 and 2). In this embodiment, the main body 3 further includes a circuit board 30 on which the control unit 31, a switch such as a semiconductor switch (not shown), and an alarm unit (not shown) are mounted.

[0048] ≪Protrusion≫ The projection 7 is a part that pushes the magnet 4 forward to move it. As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the projection 7 moves the magnet 4 along the circumferential direction C from the starting position P1 to the ending position P2 by the rotational movement of the main body 3.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1, the projection 7 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the main body 3. As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the projection 7 is movable in the circumferential direction C while inserted into the through groove 28. Therefore, the thickness of the projection 7 is less than or equal to the width of the through groove 28.

[0050] When the projection 7 is inserted into the through groove 28 and the upper surface of the main body 3 is placed on the lower surface of the base 2, the upper end of the projection 7 is higher than the upper end of the inclined surface 50. This allows the magnet 4 to be moved from the lower end to the upper end of the inclined surface 50 by the projection 7.

[0051] ≪Detection Unit≫ The detection unit 6 is the part that detects fire. The detection unit 6 is not particularly limited, but examples include a smoke detection unit or a heat detection unit. In other words, the detector 1 may be a smoke detector or a heat detector. Alternatively, the detector 1 may be a combined smoke and heat detector equipped with both a smoke detection unit and a heat detection unit as the detection unit 6.

[0052] The following describes the case where the detection unit 6 is a smoke detection unit. The smoke detection unit is the part that detects smoke. The smoke detection unit is not particularly limited, but examples include a photoelectric sensor (scattering type). In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the detection unit 6 has an optical element 61, a light-receiving element 62, and a labyrinth unit 63. The optical element 61 is not particularly limited, but examples include an LED, a laser, etc. The light-receiving element 62 is not particularly limited, but examples include a photodiode, a phototransistor, etc. The labyrinth unit 63 has a structure that prevents light from entering from the outside and allows only smoke and air to flow in.

[0053] When the detection unit 6 is activated, the optical element 61 irradiates light into the labyrinth unit 63. Under normal conditions (when there is no smoke in the labyrinth unit 63), the light irradiated into the labyrinth unit 63 does not reach the light-receiving element 62. On the other hand, when smoke flows into the labyrinth unit 63, the light irradiated into the labyrinth unit 63 is scattered by the smoke particles present in the labyrinth unit 63, becoming scattered light, and this scattered light reaches the light-receiving element 62. In this way, the detection unit 6 detects smoke. When the detection unit 6 detects smoke, it transmits a "smoke present" signal to the control unit 31.

[0054] ≪Magnetic flux detection unit (IC)≫ The magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects the magnetic flux of the magnet 4. Specifically, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects the magnetic flux of the magnet 4 in a specific direction and / or the magnitude of the magnetic flux. The magnetic flux detection unit 8 is not particularly limited, but examples include a Hall effect sensor and a magnetoresistive sensor. In the following, the direction of the magnetic flux is almost synonymous with the direction of the magnetic field or the direction of the magnetic field lines.

[0055] Figure 9 illustrates the case where the magnetic flux detection unit 8 does not detect the magnetic flux of the magnet 4 if it is larger than a threshold. The magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects magnetic flux in a specific direction B2 and does not detect magnetic flux in any other direction. In Figure 9, the direction B2 of the magnetic flux that the magnetic flux detection unit 8 can detect is the vertical direction (up and down direction). In contrast, the magnet 4 is in a horizontal position, and the direction B1 of the magnetic flux of the magnet 4 is perpendicular to the specific direction B2 in the magnetic flux detection unit 8. Therefore, in the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 9, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 does not detect the magnetic flux of the magnet 4. In this case, when the magnetic flux detection unit 8 does not detect magnetic flux, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 sends an OFF signal to the control unit 31 to turn off the switch. When the switch is OFF, the circuit between the detection unit 6 and the battery 9 is OFF. In other words, no power is supplied to the detection unit 6.

[0056] On the other hand, Figure 10 illustrates the case where the magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects the magnetic flux of the magnet 4, which is larger than a threshold. In this case as well, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects the magnetic flux in a specific direction B2 and does not detect magnetic flux in directions other than that specific direction B2. In Figure 10, the direction B2 of the magnetic flux that the magnetic flux detection unit 8 can detect is the vertical direction (up and down direction). In contrast, the magnet 4 is in a vertical position, and the direction B1 of the magnetic flux of the magnet 4 is parallel to the specific direction B2 in the magnetic flux detection unit 8. In particular, in Figure 10, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 is positioned along the direction of the alignment of the magnetic poles of the magnet 4. Therefore, in the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 10, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects the magnetic flux of the magnet 4. When the magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects magnetic flux in this way, it transmits an ON signal to the control unit 31 to turn on the switch. When the switch is ON, the circuit between the detection unit 6 and the battery 9 is ON. In other words, power is supplied to the detection unit 6.

[0057] Since the magnetic flux detection unit 8 is included in the main body 3, it moves in conjunction with the rotational movement of the main body 3.

[0058] At the start of the rotational movement of the main body 3, as shown in Figure 4, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 is positioned directly below the magnet 4 at the starting position P1. At this time, the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 is the same as the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 9, so the magnetic flux detection unit 8 does not detect the magnetic flux of the magnet 4.

[0059] Furthermore, during the rotational movement of the main body 3, for example, the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 6 is different from the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 10, so the magnetic flux detection unit 8 does not detect the magnetic flux of the magnet 4.

[0060] Furthermore, at the end of the rotational movement of the main body 3, as shown in Figure 8, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 is positioned directly below the magnet 4 at the end position P2. The positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 at this time is the same as the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 10, so the magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects the magnetic flux of the magnet 4. In this way, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 is positioned along the direction of the alignment of the north pole 41 and south pole 42 of the magnet 4 at the end position P2.

[0061] ≪Battery≫ Battery 9 is the power source for sensor 1. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, when the magnetic flux detection unit 8 does not detect magnetic flux, battery 9 does not supply power to the detection unit 6, and therefore the detection unit 6 is inactive. However, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 is constantly supplied with power because it plays a role in periodically monitoring the presence or absence of magnetic flux. In this case, power consumption is kept to a minimum.

[0062] While not particularly limited, examples of batteries include lithium batteries and alkaline batteries.

[0063] ≪Control Unit (Circuit Section)≫ As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the control unit 31, based on the magnetic flux detection result from the magnetic flux detection unit 8, determines that the magnet 4 is in the second orientation (in this case, the vertical orientation), and then starts supplying power to the detection unit 6 from the battery 9 to activate the detection unit 6. The control unit 31 is constantly supplied with power because it is responsible for receiving an ON or OFF signal from the magnetic flux detection unit 8 and then transmitting an ON or OFF signal to the switch.

[0064] Unless the control unit 31 receives an ON signal from the magnetic flux detection unit 8, power is not supplied to the detection unit 6. As a result, the detection unit 6 remains in an inoperable state.

[0065] Meanwhile, when the control unit 31 receives an ON signal from the magnetic flux detection unit 8, it switches on the circuit between the detection unit 6 and the battery 9 from OFF to ON, and starts supplying power to the detection unit 6. As a result, the detection unit 6 becomes operational. Furthermore, when the control unit 31 receives a "smoke detected" signal from the operational detection unit 6, it issues an instruction to the alarm unit to issue an alarm. The alarm unit is not particularly limited, but examples include a buzzer, an LED, etc. Note that the sensor 1 according to this embodiment does not necessarily have an alarm unit. This point will be explained again in section 3. Modifications.

[0066] Circuit board The circuit board 30 is equipped with a magnetic flux detection unit 8, a control unit 31, and an alarm unit (not shown). As shown in Figure 1, the circuit board 30 is also included in the main body 3, and therefore moves in conjunction with the rotational movement of the main body 3.

[0067] (2) Installation of the sensor on the mounting surface Next, a method for attaching the sensor 1 according to this embodiment to the installation surface 100 will be described.

[0068] First, as shown in Figure 1, the base part 2 is fixed to the mounting surface 100 with screws or the like.

[0069] Next, the top surface of the main body 3 is placed on top of the bottom surface of the base 2. At this time, the projection 7 of the main body 3 is inserted into the through groove 28 of the base 2.

[0070] The projection 7 is inserted into the through groove 28 so that it is located behind the magnet 4 (see Figures 3 and 4). The magnet 4 is positioned horizontally at the starting position P1. At this time, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 does not detect the magnetic flux of the horizontally positioned magnet 4 because the direction B2 of the magnetic flux it can detect is vertical. In other words, the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 4 is the same as the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 9.

[0071] Next, the main body 3 is rotated relative to the base 2. This causes the projection 7 to push the magnet 4, moving it forward along the circumferential direction C. Pushed by the projection 7, the magnet 4 climbs the inclined surface 50 and reaches the upper end of the inclined surface 50, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this way, the inclined part 5 changes the orientation of the magnet 4 from a horizontal orientation to an inclined orientation.

[0072] The magnet 4, still being pushed by the projection 7, falls from the upper end of the inclined surface 50 with its north pole 41 facing downwards. As described above, the distance between the inclined section 5 and the front wall section 22 is shorter than the length of the magnet 4 (in this case, the distance between the magnetic poles at both ends of the magnet 4). This makes it easier for the magnet 4 to assume a vertical position when it lands on the landing surface 27. In this way, the inclined section 5 changes the orientation of the magnet 4 from an inclined position to a vertical position.

[0073] The projection 7 moves further forward, and as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the magnet 4 at the end position P2 is fixed between the projection 7 and the front wall 22 while maintaining a vertical position. Meanwhile, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 is positioned at the end position P2 on the opposite side of the magnet 4's south pole 42 to the magnet 4's north pole 41. Thus, at the end of the rotational movement of the main body 3, the magnet 4 is in a vertical position, and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects the magnetic flux of the magnet 4. In other words, the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 8 is the same as the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 10. When the magnetic flux detection unit 8 detects magnetic flux in this way, it transmits an ON signal to the control unit 31 to turn on the switch. When the control unit 31 receives the ON signal from the magnetic flux detection unit 8, it turns on the switch and starts supplying power to the detection unit 6. As a result, the detection unit 6 becomes operational.

[0074] As described above, the installation of the sensor 1 according to this embodiment to the installation surface 100 is completed.

[0075] (3) Advantages In this embodiment, the end of the rotational movement of the main body 3 coincides with the end of the attachment of the sensor 1 to the mounting surface 100. Then, as explained in section (2) Attachment of the sensor to the mounting surface, the detection unit 6 becomes operational almost simultaneously with the end of the rotational movement of the main body 3.

[0076] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the mounting of the sensor 1 to the installation surface 100 and the operation of the detection unit 6 can be performed almost simultaneously.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the magnet 4 at the end position P2 is fixed by being sandwiched between the projection 7 and the wall 22, so that the magnet 4 does not come off the end position P2 and the direction of the magnetic flux does not change.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the magnetic flux detection unit 8 is positioned at the end position P2 on the opposite side of the magnet 4 from the north pole 41 to the south pole 42 of the magnet 4, so that the magnetic flux detection unit 8 can detect the magnetic flux emanating from the north pole 41.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, malfunctions of the detection unit 6 can be suppressed during transportation of the sensor 1. That is, for example, when shipping the sensor 1, the sensor 1 is placed in an individual packaging box and then packed together in an inner box. At this time, multiple individual packaging boxes are often stacked on top of each other. In this embodiment, the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 of the sensor 1 in each individual packaging box is the same as the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 9. Therefore, the positional relationship between the magnet 4 of the sensor 1 in one individual packaging box that is vertically adjacent to the other individual packaging box and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 of another sensor 1 in the other individual packaging box is also the same as the positional relationship between the magnet 4 and the magnetic flux detection unit 8 shown in Figure 9.

[0080] Therefore, malfunctions of the detection unit 6 can be suppressed during transport of the sensor 1, etc. This allows for an extension of battery life.

[0081] 3. Variant The following describes some modifications of this embodiment. These modifications can be applied in appropriate combination with this embodiment.

[0082] The detector 1 according to this embodiment can be applied to a variety of disaster prevention applications. For example, by changing the detection unit 6 to a heat detection unit (such as a thermistor), it can be converted into a heat detector.

[0083] In this embodiment, the magnet 4 is moved while maintaining the state in which the north pole 41 is facing forward and the south pole 42 is facing backward, but the north pole 41 and south pole 42 may be reversed. Accordingly, the orientation of the magnetic flux detection unit 8 may also be reversed.

[0084] In this embodiment, the installation surface 100 is the ceiling surface, but it may also be a wall surface.

[0085] The detector 1 according to this embodiment may be connected wirelessly or via wired connections to other detectors or other disaster prevention equipment (e.g., repeaters, receivers, etc.). When the detector 1 according to this embodiment detects a fire, the connected detectors or other disaster prevention equipment may issue an alarm. In this case, the detector 1 according to this embodiment does not need to have an alarm unit.

[0086] The installation location of the detector 1 according to this embodiment is not particularly limited. Examples of installation locations include not only houses but also non-residential facilities such as buildings and commercial facilities.

[0087] 4. Appearance As will be apparent from the above embodiments and modifications, this disclosure includes the following aspects. In the following, reference numerals are enclosed in parentheses solely to indicate their correspondence with the embodiments.

[0088] The first embodiment is a sensor (1) comprising a base portion (2) fixed to an installation surface (100) and a main body portion (3) attached to the base portion (2) by rotational movement. The base portion (2) has a magnet (4) that is movable in the circumferential direction (C) of the rotational movement from the start to the end of the rotational movement, and an inclined portion (5) provided between the starting position (P1) of the magnet (4) at the start and the ending position (P2) at the end of the movement, which changes the orientation of the magnet (4), which is a first orientation at the starting position (P1), to a second orientation by the time it reaches the ending position (P2). The main body (3) includes a detection unit (6) for detecting a fire, a projection (7) that moves the magnet (4) from a starting position (P1) to an ending position (P2) along the circumferential direction (C) by rotation, a magnetic flux detection unit (8) positioned along the alignment of the N pole (41) and S pole (42) of the magnet (4) at the ending position (P2) for detecting the magnetic flux of the magnet (4), a battery (9) for supplying power to the detection unit (6), and a control unit (31) that, based on the magnetic flux detection result by the magnetic flux detection unit (8), determines that the magnet (4) is in a second position and starts supplying power to the detection unit (6) from the battery (9) to activate the detection unit (6).

[0089] According to this embodiment, the mounting to the installation surface (100) and the operation of the detection unit (6) can be performed almost simultaneously.

[0090] The second embodiment is a sensor (1) based on the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the base portion (2) further has a wall portion (22) that faces the inclined portion (5) with the end position (P2) in between. The magnet (4) at the end position (P2) is fixed by being sandwiched between the projection portion (7) and the wall portion (22).

[0091] According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the magnet (4) from moving away from the end position (P2) or the direction of the magnetic flux from changing.

[0092] A third embodiment is a sensor (1) based on the first or second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the magnetic flux detection unit (8) is positioned at the end position (P2) on the opposite side of the south pole (42) of the magnet (4) from the north pole (41) of the magnet (4).

[0093] In this embodiment, the magnetic flux detection unit (8) can detect the magnetic flux emanating from the north pole (41). [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 sensor 2 Base section 22 Wall section (front wall section) 3. Main body 31 Control Unit (Circuit Section) 4 Magnets 41 N pole 42 S pole 5 Slope 6. Detection Unit 7 Protrusion 8. Magnetic flux detection unit 9 batteries 100 Installation surface C circumferential direction P1 starting position P2 End position

Claims

1. A base that is fixed to the mounting surface, The system comprises a main body that is attached to the base by rotation, The base portion is A magnet that can move in the circumferential direction of the rotational motion from the start to the end of the rotational motion, The magnet has an inclined portion provided between the starting position at the start and the ending position at the end, which changes the orientation of the magnet from a first orientation at the starting position to a second orientation before reaching the ending position. The main body is, A detection unit that detects fire, A projection that moves the magnet along the circumferential direction from the starting position to the ending position by the rotational motion, A magnetic flux detection unit is positioned along the direction of alignment of the N and S poles of the magnet at the aforementioned end position and detects the magnetic flux of the magnet. A battery that supplies power to the detection unit, The control unit, which determines that the magnet is in the second position based on the magnetic flux detection result by the magnetic flux detection unit, starts supplying power from the battery to the detection unit to put the detection unit into an operating state, has the following components: sensor.

2. The base portion further has a wall portion that faces the inclined portion on either side of the end position, The magnet at the aforementioned end position is fixed by being sandwiched between the projection and the wall. The detector according to claim 1.

3. The magnetic flux detection unit is positioned at the end position on the opposite side of the magnet's south pole to the north pole of the magnet. The detector according to claim 1 or 2.

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