Detection device

Abstract

This disclosure aims to provide a detection device that can display information based on many device states while suppressing increases in size and cost. [Solution] The detection device according to this disclosure comprises a first light source 50 that emits light of a first color and a second light source 55 that emits light of a second color different from the first color. The first light source 50 and the second light source 55 emit light, thereby producing a third color of light different from the first and second colors, and the device status is displayed using the first, second, and third colored light.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a detection device such as a fire detector that detects heat, smoke, flame or the like caused by a fire occurring in a building and displays the result as a device status. [[Background Art]]

[0002] A fire alarm is known which includes two-color LEDs of red and green as alarm lamps, and displays the status by turning on or blinking the alarm lamp in red, blinking it in green, and turning off both (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-53790 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] According to conventional fire alarms, the status of the fire alarm is displayed by distinguishing between two colors, red and green. However, in recent years, as fire alarms have become more highly functional with the addition of communication functions and other enhancements, the number of statuses that need to be displayed by the fire alarm has increased. There has been a problem that it is impossible to properly identify and display all statuses only by distinguishing between two colors for the alarm lamp. In order to increase the number of displayable statuses, it is conceivable to provide light-emitting elements of three or more colors in the alarm lamp. However, increasing the number of light-emitting elements causes problems such as increased device size and increased manufacturing cost of the device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to obtain a detection device that can perform display based on a large number of device statuses, and can suppress an increase in size and an increase in manufacturing cost. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] The detection device according to this disclosure comprises a first light source that emits a first color of light and a second light source that emits a second color of light different from the first color. The first and second light sources, by emitting light, can produce a third color of light different from the first and second colors, and the device status is displayed using the first, second, and third colored light. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to obtain a detection device that can display information based on many device states while suppressing increases in size and cost. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a heat detector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the heat detector along the line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the heat detector along the line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing a smoke detector according to Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the detection device disclosed herein will be described with reference to the drawings. The detection device described herein is characterized by its configuration that enables the display of three emission colors from two light sources.

[0010] Embodiment 1. The heat detector 1, as a detection device, is installed in residences, offices, etc., and detects heat from flames. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the heat detector 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heat detector 1 in Figure 1 along the line II-II. Figure 1 shows the state of the heat detector 1 when viewed from below, looking up at the heat detector 1 installed on the ceiling.

[0011] The heat detector 1 comprises a base 10, a control board 20, a heat sensor 25, a cover 30, and two light-emitting mechanisms 40. Each light-emitting mechanism 40 includes a light guide member 35 supported by the cover 30, a first light source 50, a second light source 55, and a shielding member. The shielding member will be described later.

[0012] The number of light-emitting mechanisms 40 can be selected as needed. Accordingly, the light guide member 35, the first light source 50, the second light source 55, and the shielding member can also be selected as appropriate according to the number of light-emitting mechanisms 40.

[0013] The base 10 supports the control board 20 and the cover 30. The base 10 is attached and fixed to the ceiling of a living room, for example, using a mounting base (not shown). This allows the heat detector 1 to be installed on the ceiling.

[0014] The control board 20 supports two first light sources 50 and two second light sources 55. The control board 20 also supports a heat sensor 25, which is a thermistor for detecting heat. Furthermore, the control board 20 receives power necessary for the operation of the heat detector 1 from a fire alarm receiver (not shown).

[0015] The cover 30 is a component that constitutes the external appearance of the heat detector 1. The cover 30 is supported on the base 10 so as to cover the base 10 and the control board 20. When the cover 30 is supported on the base 10, an internal space is formed, which is the space enclosed by the base 10 and the cover 30.

[0016] The cover 30 supports two light guide members 35. The cover 30 has one through hole 31 and a support portion 32 formed for each light guide member 35. Each through hole 31 is a through-hole that leads from the internal space to the outside of the cover 30. One light guide member 35 is fitted into the corresponding through hole 31 and supported by the cover 30.

[0017] The cover 30 is formed with support portions 32 protruding from the edge of each through-hole 31 so as to extend into the internal space. Each support portion 32 has a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0018] Each light guide member 35 has a T-shaped shape. Each light guide member 35 is inserted into the corresponding through-hole 31 from the outside of the cover 30 toward the internal space, and is installed on the cover 30. In a state where each light guide member 35 is installed on the cover 30, the portion extending downward of the T-shape in each light guide member 35 is installed so as to extend toward the internal space.

[0019] The portion extending downward of the T-shape in each light guide member 35 is columnar, and the columnar portion is fitted into the hollow cylinder of the corresponding support portion 32. Each light guide member 35 has a hook that engages with the engagement portion of the support portion 32, and when the hook engages with the engagement portion, each light guide member 35 has a structure that does not easily come off from the through-hole 31.

[0020] Note that in the first embodiment, each light guide member 35 is T-shaped, and each support portion 32 is hollow cylindrical, but the shape is not limited thereto, and the shapes of each light guide member 35 and each support portion 32 can be appropriately selected.

[0021] Each light guide member 35 is made of a milky white translucent material. Thereby, the light emitted by the corresponding first light source 50 and second light source 55 is recognized from the outside of the cover 30 through the light guide member 35. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of the heat detector 1 in FIG. 1. The first light source 50 and the second light source 55 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0022] Each first light source 50 can emit red light as a first color. Each second light source 55 can emit green light as a second color. That is, each second light source 55 emits light of a second color different from the first color.

[0023] Each first light source 50 and each second light source 55 is an LED (light-emitting diode). The light emitted by an LED has directionality. Therefore, the axis along the light emitted by each first light source 50 is defined as the first light source axis L50, and the axis along the light emitted by each second light source 55 is defined as the second light source axis L55. Each first light source 50 and its corresponding second light source 55 are supported by the control board 20 such that the first light source axis L50 and the second light source axis L55 are parallel to each other and do not overlap. As mentioned above, LEDs have directionality, and the light emitted by an LED travels along an axis that aligns with that directionality. However, naturally, there is also light that does not travel along that axis but spreads out in a fan shape from the light source.

[0024] A switch (not shown) that controls the emission of light from each first light source 50 and each second light source 55, and a control unit (not shown) that controls the switches, are also located on the control board 20.

[0025] Each first light source 50 is positioned to face the corresponding light guide member 35. The axis along the longitudinal direction of the T-shaped portion extending downward in each light guide member 35 is defined as the light guide axis L35.

[0026] The arrangement of each first light source 50 so as to face its corresponding light guide member 35 means that each first light source 50 is positioned such that its first light source axis L50 and its corresponding light guide axis L35 lie on the same line. Since each first light source axis L50 and its corresponding second light source axis L55 are parallel to each other and do not overlap, each second light source 55 does not overlap its corresponding light guide axis L35.

[0027] In other words, each light guide member 35 is positioned on the corresponding first light source axis L50, and no light guide member 35 is positioned on the corresponding second light source axis L55.

[0028] Furthermore, each first light source 50 and the corresponding second light source 55 are arranged on a control board 20 which is a flat plate. Therefore, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the corresponding light guide axis L35, the distance from each first light source 50 to the end face of the corresponding light guide member 35 and the distance from the corresponding second light source 55 to the end face of the corresponding light guide member 35 are equal to each other.

[0029] Each support portion 32 is positioned to cover the cylindrical portion of the corresponding light guide member 35 along the corresponding light guide axis L35; that is, each support portion 32 is positioned along the corresponding light guide axis L35.

[0030] In other words, each support portion 32 is a cylindrical member that extends from the corresponding first light source 50 toward the cover 30 along the corresponding light guide member 35, and the light guide member 35 is arranged inside the cylindrical part of the corresponding support portion 32.

[0031] Each support portion 32 is positioned near the corresponding second light source 55, blocking a portion of the light emitted by the second light source 55 so that it does not reach the corresponding light guide member 35. Therefore, each support portion 32 functions as a shielding member that blocks light from the corresponding second light source 55. In other words, since each shielding member, which is the support portion 32, is positioned to cover the cylindrical portion of the corresponding light guide member 35, it can more reliably block light from the corresponding second light source 55.

[0032] The heat detector 1 displays its own status, or device status, through the color of the light emitted from each first light source 50 and the corresponding second light source 55, and by whether the light is on or flashing. Device statuses include normal operation, setup in progress, device malfunction, and fire detection (heat exceeding a set threshold). Furthermore, it can also display device statuses such as communicating with the fire alarm receiver and communication stopped.

[0033] Specifically, the first light source 50 and the corresponding second light source 55 are controlled by a control unit (not shown) to turn them on and off. This allows the device status to be confirmed by viewing the corresponding light guide members 35 through the light of a color corresponding to multiple device states. In other words, each light guide member 35 transmits light to indicate the device status.

[0034] When only the first light source 50 is lit, the light of the first color can be seen through the corresponding light guide member 35. When only the corresponding second light source 55 is lit, the light of the second color can be seen through the corresponding light guide member 35.

[0035] Furthermore, when each first light source 50 and its corresponding second light source 55 are lit and emitting light, a third color of light can be emitted, and this third color of light can be seen through the corresponding light guide member 35.

[0036] The third color is a color produced by mixing the first and second colors of light, and is a color distinct from both the first and second colors. In this embodiment 1, the first color is red and the second color is green, so the third color is yellow. In this way, three colors of light can be produced using two light sources.

[0037] Here, comparing the state when the first light source 50 and the second light source 55 are emitted individually under the same conditions, the first color has lower visibility than the second color. That is, the amount of light emitted by the green LED, which is the second light source 55, is greater than the amount of light emitted by the red LED, which is the first light source 50. Or, the color tone of the light emitted by the green LED, which is the second light source 55, is perceived more strongly than the color tone of the light emitted by the red LED, which is the first light source 50.

[0038] In other words, if each first light source 50 and its corresponding second light source 55 are positioned at equal distances from the corresponding light guide member 35, and no shielding member is used, the third color will be close to the highly visible second color, green, making it difficult to distinguish between the second and third colors.

[0039] On the other hand, in the heat detector 1 of this embodiment 1, each support portion 32, which is a shielding member, blocks a portion of the light emitted by the corresponding second light source 55. As a result, the third color, which is the color of light when the corresponding first light source 50 and the corresponding second light source 55 are lit, is a color that is more easily distinguishable from the first and second colors, respectively.

[0040] Therefore, each support portion 32 acts as a shielding member, blocking a portion of the light emitted by the corresponding second light source 55, thereby reducing the amount of light reaching the corresponding light guide member 35 from the second light source 55. This allows the color tone of the third color to be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the amount of light from the first and second colors, which have different visibility characteristics.

[0041] Specifically, the size, position, and spacing of each support portion 32, which is a shielding member, are adjusted. This is done to reduce the amount of light reaching the corresponding light guide member 35 when each second light source 55 emits light using the shielding member.

[0042] Since the amount of light from each second light source 55 that reaches the corresponding light guide member 35 is adjusted, the corresponding first light source 50 is positioned directly below the corresponding light guide member 35, that is, on the light guide axis L35 of the light guide member 35. In other words, the first light source 50 is positioned so that the light of the first color, which is less visible than the second color, reaches the corresponding light guide member 35 without being blocked by the support part 32, which is a shielding member.

[0043] This allows the amount of light reaching the corresponding light guide member 35 from the first light source 50 to be maximized, and the color tone of the third color can be adjusted by adjusting only the amount of light emitted by the corresponding second light source 55.

[0044] Embodiment 2. The detection device in Embodiment 2 is a smoke detector 2 that detects smoke, and differs from the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 in that it is equipped with a smoke detection member 60 that acts as a smoke sensor instead of a heat sensor 25. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the smoke detector 2 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2 along the line II-II shown in Figure 1.

[0045] The smoke detector 2 comprises a base 10, a control board 20, a cover 30, two light-emitting mechanisms 40, and a smoke detection member 60.

[0046] The smoke detection member 60 is a component of the smoke detection unit that detects smoke. The smoke detection member 60 is located in the internal space of the smoke detector 2, between the control board 20 and the cover 30. The smoke detection member 60 is arranged to be stacked on the control board 20.

[0047] The smoke detection member 60 is installed to appropriately guide the gas, i.e., smoke, flowing into the smoke detector 2. The smoke detection member 60 is superimposed on the control board 20, and therefore has appropriately through holes or notches formed so as not to obstruct the light from each first light source 50 and each second light source 55. The other configurations of the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2 are the same as those of the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1, so their description is omitted. The configurations of the smoke detector 2 that have been omitted from the description can be read from the description of Embodiment 1, where the heat detector 1 is replaced with the smoke detector 2.

[0048] In the smoke detector 2 of Embodiment 2, the smoke detection member 60 has a through-hole or notch formed so as not to block the light emitted by the second light source 55. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the smoke detection member 60 may be used as a shielding member. That is, the smoke detection member 60 may have a through-hole or notch formed so as to block a portion of the light emitted by the second light source 55 but not the light emitted by the first light source 50. This allows the smoke detection member 60 to also function as a shielding member, thereby reducing the costs of design, parts manufacturing, and assembly manufacturing.

[0049] In the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, the first color is red and the second color is green. However, this is not the only option. The first and second colors can be selected as appropriate, and the first light source 50 and the second light source 55 can use any light source capable of emitting the selected color. Furthermore, the first light source 50 and the second light source 55 are not limited to LEDs, and any other light source may be selected as appropriate.

[0050] Furthermore, in the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, the shielding member is the support portion 32 that supports the light guide member 35. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a part of the cover 30, such as a wall as a rib provided to improve the strength of the cover 30, or a wall that partitions the internal space, may be used as the shielding member. Moreover, a dedicated member may be installed in the internal space of the detection device, such as the heat detector 1 and the smoke detector 2, as the shielding member. The shielding member may be arranged on the cover 30, or it may be arranged on the control board 20. It is sufficient to appropriately select the position of the shielding member so that the amount of light reaching the light guide member 35 from the second light source 55 can be adjusted.

[0051] Furthermore, in the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, the shielding member is used to adjust the amount of light emitted by the second light source 55 that reaches the light guide member 35. However, this is not the only method. It is sufficient if the amount of light emitted by the second light source 55 can be adjusted to be reduced without using a shielding member.

[0052] For example, the first light source 50 may be positioned closer to the light guide member 35 than the second light source 55. That is, the distance from the first light source 50 to the end of the light guide member 35 may be shorter than the distance from the second light source 55 to the end of the light guide member 35. Specifically, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the corresponding light guide axis L35, the distance from each first light source 50 to the end face of the corresponding light guide member 35 may be shorter than the distance from the corresponding second light source 55 to the end face of the corresponding light guide member 35. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the second light source 55 that reaches the light guide member 35 is adjusted to be less than the amount of light emitted from the first light source 50 that reaches the light guide member 35.

[0053] Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 and 2, a heat detector 1 and a smoke detector 2 are used as detection devices. However, the invention is not limited to these. The detection devices may be fire detectors, fire alarms, gas detectors, and gas alarms, etc. That is, the configuration of this disclosure can be applied to detection devices that need to emit first, second, and third colored light from a first light source 50 and a second light source 55.

[0054] Furthermore, since the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2 do not have internal batteries, the battery level and other information are not displayed as part of the device status. However, this is not the only option. For example, in a detection device that has an internal battery, the low battery level or other information may be displayed as part of the device status.

[0055] The detection device, which is the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 or the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, comprises a first light source 50 that emits light of a first color and a second light source 55 that emits light of a second color different from the first color. Furthermore, the first light source 50 and the second light source 55 can emit light in a third color different from the first and second colors by each emitting light. In addition, the device status is displayed using the first, second, and third colors of light. Thus, the detection device can emit light of three colors with just two light sources. Consequently, it is possible to display information based on many device statuses, while suppressing increases in size and cost.

[0056] Furthermore, this allows for the generation of three colors of light without altering the current design, which uses two light sources, if, for example, a change in the standards for the detection device necessitates increasing the number of colors used for status indication. Consequently, the detection device can be made to produce more colors of light without significant design changes, minimizing the need for design modifications and changes to manufacturing equipment. This helps to suppress increases in costs associated with design and manufacturing changes and allows for quick responses to changes in standards.

[0057] Furthermore, this allows not only an increase in the number of colors, but also a change in color scheme. For example, changing the display colors from red and green to red and yellow can be done using the existing green light source of the detection device, eliminating the need to change to a yellow light source. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in costs associated with changes in procurement due to component changes.

[0058] The detection devices, which are the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, further include a cover 30 on which a light guide member 35 that transmits light for displaying the device status is arranged. In addition, the first light source 50 is positioned closer to the light guide member 35 than the second light source 55. As a result, more light emitted from the first light source 50 reaches the light guide member 35 than light emitted from the second light source 55. Therefore, the tone of the third color can be set by adjusting the positioning of the first light source 50 and the second light source 55. Thus, the tone of the third color can be set inexpensively without using complex mechanisms, power supply circuits, and electronic components for color adjustment.

[0059] The detection devices, which are the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, are further equipped with a support portion 32, which is a shielding member. The support portion 32, as a shielding member, reduces the amount of light emitted from the second light source 55 that reaches the light guide member 35 by blocking a portion of the light emitted from the second light source 55. As a result, the color tone of the third color can be adjusted simply by appropriately setting the shielding member that blocks the light from the second light source 55. Therefore, the color tone of the third color can be set inexpensively without using complex mechanisms, power supply circuits, and electronic components for color tone adjustment. Furthermore, as a result, there is no need to block the light from the first light source 50. Therefore, the amount of light from the first light source 50 is not reduced, and the device status can be displayed with bright light.

[0060] In the detection devices, which are the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, the support portion 32, which is a shielding member, is located on the cover 30. This allows any member installed on the cover 30 to be used as a shielding member as appropriate. Therefore, there is no need to design a special member separately to be used as a shielding member. Thus, the costs of designing, manufacturing, and installing the shielding member can be reduced.

[0061] In the detection devices, which are the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, the support portion 32, which is a shielding member, is a cylindrical member that extends from the first light source 50 toward the cover 30 along the light guide member 35. The light guide member 35 is also arranged inside the cylindrical part of the support portion 32, which is the shielding member. As a result, the support portion 32 that supports the light guide member 35 can be used as the shielding member. Therefore, there is no need to design a special member separately as a shielding member. Thus, the costs for designing, manufacturing, and installing the shielding member can be reduced. Furthermore, as a result, since the light guide member 35 is arranged inside the cylindrical part of the support portion 32, which is the shielding member, not only light from the second light source 55 but also light from the outside can be shielded more reliably. Therefore, the color tone of the third color can be adjusted more reliably.

[0062] In the detection devices, which are the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, LEDs are used for the first light source 50 and the second light source 55. Furthermore, when the axis along the light emitted from the first light source 50 is defined as the first light source axis L50, the light guide member 35 is positioned on the first light source axis L50. As a result, the light from the first light source 50 reaches the light guide member 35 directly. Therefore, the amount of light from the first light source 50 is not reduced, and the device status can be displayed with bright light.

[0063] In the detection devices, which are the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, the first color has lower visibility than the second color. As a result, by blocking only the light emitted by the second light source 55 without blocking the light emitted by the first light source 50, the third color can be set to an intermediate tone between the first and second colors. Therefore, by blocking only the light from the second light source 55, it is possible to make the first, second, and third colors easily distinguishable. Thus, the display of the device status becomes clearer, and the tone of the third color can be set inexpensively without using complex mechanisms, power supply circuits, and electronic components for color adjustment.

[0064] In the detection devices, which are the heat detector 1 in Embodiment 1 and the smoke detector 2 in Embodiment 2, the first color is red and the second color is green. This allows the use of readily available light sources, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, this allows the third color to be yellow, enabling the use of a highly visible color as an alarm color to indicate the device status. Thus, the device status can be more clearly identified. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1 Heat detector (detection device), 2 Smoke detector (detection device), 10 Base, 20 Control board, 30 Cover, 31 Through hole, 32 Support part (shielding member), 35 Light guide member, 40 Light emission mechanism, 50 First light source, 55 Second light source, 60 Smoke detection member, L35 Light guide axis, L50 First light source axis, L55 Second light source axis.

Claims

1. A first light source that emits light of the first color, A second light source that emits light of a second color different from the first color, Equipped with, The first light source and the second light source can emit light in a third color different from the first color and the second color, respectively. The device status is displayed using the first color, the second color, and the third color of light. Detection device.

2. The device further comprises a cover on which a light guide member that transmits light for displaying the status of the device is arranged, The first light source is positioned closer to the light guide member than the second light source. The detection device according to claim 1.

3. Further equipped with a shielding member, The shielding member reduces the amount of light emitted from the second light source that reaches the light guide member by blocking a portion of the light emitted from the second light source. The detection device according to claim 2.

4. The shielding member is positioned on the cover. The detection device according to claim 3.

5. The shielding member is a cylindrical member that extends from the first light source toward the cover along the light guide member, The light guide member is positioned inside the cylindrical part of the shielding member. The detection device according to claim 4.

6. The first light source and the second light source use LEDs. When the axis along the light emitted from the first light source is defined as the first light source axis, The light guide member is positioned on the first light source axis, The detection device according to claim 5.

7. The first color has lower visibility compared to the second color. The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The first color is red, The second color is green. The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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