Fire detectors and systems equipped with fire detectors

Abstract

To provide a fire detector and a system therewith that can communicate with other devices without using radio waves.SOLUTION: A fire detector includes a sensing unit for detecting changes in physical phenomena based on fire and a confirmation light for turning on when the sensing unit detects the occurrence of fire. The confirmation light outputs a Li-Fi signal when the sensing unit does not detect the occurrence of fire.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire detector and a system including the fire detector. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been proposed that includes a wireless fire detector equipped with a wireless communication unit connected to an antenna and that intermittently transmits messages in accordance with the standard for specific low-power radio stations in the 400 MHz band, for example, and a repeater that communicates with this fire detector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-19917 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The fire detector disclosed in Patent Document 1 transmits radio waves conforming to the standard for specified low-power radio stations, such as the 400 MHz band, to communicate with a repeater. Recently, Wi-Fi environments have been increasingly established in buildings where fire detectors are installed, and a wide variety of devices use radio waves. As a result, interference between these radio waves becomes a problem. Communication between fire detectors and other devices can occur when installing fire detectors in buildings or when inspecting fire detectors after installation. Both tasks require speed, and it is desirable to avoid delays in work due to communication delays caused by radio wave interference. It is also desirable to avoid radio wave interference that interferes with Wi-Fi communication and the use of radio waves by other devices. Therefore, a technology that enables communication between fire detectors and other devices without using radio waves has been desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a fire detector and a system equipped with a fire detector that can communicate with other devices without using radio waves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fire detector of the present invention comprises a sensing unit that detects changes in physical phenomena due to a fire, and a confirmation light that turns on when the sensing unit detects the occurrence of a fire, and the confirmation light outputs an Li-Fi (optical wireless communication) signal when the sensing unit does not detect the occurrence of a fire.

[0007] The system of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned fire detector, and a terminal having a light receiving element that receives the Li-Fi signal and an output device that outputs information based on the received Li-Fi signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the confirmation light installed in the fire detector, which lights up when a fire is detected, outputs a Li-Fi signal, so that the fire detector can output a signal to other devices without using radio waves. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system including a fire detector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a functional block diagram of a fire detector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a terminal according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Embodiments of a fire detector and a system equipped with a fire detector according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated aspects, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention also includes all possible combinations of the configurations shown in the following embodiments. In addition, in each drawing, components denoted with the same reference numerals are identical or equivalent, and this is common throughout the entire specification. In the following description, terms indicating directions will be used as appropriate to facilitate understanding, but these terms are for explanatory purposes and do not limit the present invention. Examples of directional terms include "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "rear."

[0011] Embodiment 1 (Configuration of system 100) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system 100 including a fire detector 10 according to a first embodiment. The system 100 detects a fire and outputs an alarm, and is installed in a building that is a fire prevention target, such as an apartment building or an underground facility such as an underground shopping mall. The system 100 includes a fire detector 10 having a confirmation light 11 and a terminal 20 that communicates with the fire detector 10. The system 100 of this embodiment further includes a fire receiver 30 connected to one or more fire detectors 10 via a signal line 31. While this embodiment illustrates the system 100 to which a P-type fire receiver 30 is connected, the present invention is also applicable to a system to which an R-type fire receiver is connected.

[0012] When the fire detector 10 detects a fire, the confirmation light 11 lights up to visually notify a user in the location where the fire detector 10 is installed of the occurrence of a fire, and the fire detector 10 outputs a fire signal via a signal line 31. The fire receiver 30 supplies power to the fire detector 10 via the signal line 31, and also receives the fire signal output from the fire detector 10 via the signal line 31. The signal line 31 is composed of a pair of electric wires. When the fire receiver 30 receives the fire signal from the fire detector 10, it activates one or more of various devices connected to the fire receiver 30 via a signal line (not shown), such as an audio alarm device, a visual alarm device, and an optical alarm device, to issue a fire alarm and also activates smoke control and exhaust devices such as fire doors and shutters.

[0013] In the example of Fig. 1, a building in which system 100 is installed is divided into multiple restricted areas, and a signal line 31 is laid in each restricted area and a fire receiver 30 is connected to it. In Fig. 1, the signal lines 31 for each restricted area are shown as separate sensor lines 32a, 32b, and 32c. Fires can be detected for each of the multiple sensor lines 32a to 32c.

[0014] Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) communication, which is wireless communication using visible light, is performed between the fire detector 10 and the terminal 20. The check light 11 of the fire detector 10 outputs an optical signal for Li-Fi communication, and the terminal 20 receives the optical signal output from the check light 11.

[0015] (fire detector 10) 2 is a functional block diagram of the fire detector 10 according to embodiment 1. The fire detector 10 includes a sensing unit 12, a confirmation light 11, a control unit 13, a memory unit 14, a lighting circuit 15, and a switching circuit 16.

[0016] The sensing unit 12 detects physical phenomena or changes in physical phenomena caused by a fire, such as smoke, infrared rays, ultraviolet rays, or combustion gases. Information on the physical phenomena or changes in physical phenomena caused by a fire detected by the sensing unit 12 is input as a signal to the control unit 13, which then determines whether a fire has occurred. If the fire detector 10 is a heat detector, the sensing unit 12 includes a temperature detection element such as a thermistor or a thermocouple that detects temperature. If the fire detector 10 is a smoke detector, the sensing unit 12 is an ionization or photoelectric smoke detector that detects smoke concentration. If the fire detector 10 is a flame detector, the sensing unit 12 is an ultraviolet or infrared flame detector. If the fire detector 10 is a gas detector, the sensing unit 12 is a gas sensor. If the fire detector 10 is a combination detector, the sensing unit 12 includes multiple sensing units 12 as exemplified above. In addition, if the fire detector 10 and the fire receiver 30 are analog, information on the physical phenomenon or change in the physical phenomenon detected by the fire detector 10 is input to the fire receiver 30, and the fire receiver 30 determines whether or not a fire has occurred.

[0017] The control unit 13 controls the overall operation of the fire detector 10. The control unit 13 determines whether or not a fire has occurred based on a signal of a physical phenomenon caused by a fire input from the detection unit 12. If it determines that a fire has occurred, the control unit 13 controls the lighting circuit 15 to light the confirmation light 11 and outputs a control signal to the switching circuit 16. The control unit 13 is configured by a dedicated control circuit, or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program stored in memory, or a combination of these. When the control unit 13 is a CPU, each function executed by the control unit 13 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0018] The storage unit 14 is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM. The storage unit 14 stores various information written when the fire detector 10 is manufactured, as well as various information written by the control unit 13 while the fire detector 10 is in operation. The storage unit 14 stores threshold data that is compared with information detected by the detection unit 12 when the control unit 13 determines whether a fire has occurred. The storage unit 14 also stores individual identification information that is uniquely assigned to each fire detector 10. The storage unit 14 also stores one or more of information indicating whether the fire detector 10 is a terminal terminal or not, and status information of the fire detector 10. These pieces of information will be described later.

[0019] The confirmation light 11 visually notifies that the fire detector 10 has detected a fire. The confirmation light 11 is a light emitting diode (LED) that emits visible light such as red. The confirmation light 11 may be provided in a circular ring shape on the outer surface of the housing of the fire detector 10, or two or more confirmation lights 11 may be provided so that the confirmation light 11 can be seen from any direction around the fire detector 10 that is installed on a ceiling, a wall, or the like.

[0020] The lighting circuit 15 controls the lighting state of the confirmation light 11 based on a signal from the control unit 13. When a switch provided in the lighting circuit 15 is turned on, the confirmation light 11 lights up. When the lighting circuit 15 is to keep the confirmation light 11 continuously lit, the lighting circuit 15 keeps this switch in the on state. When outputting an Li-Fi signal from the confirmation light 11, the lighting circuit 15 turns the switch on and off at high speed, causing the confirmation light 11 to output a high-speed modulated optical signal.

[0021] The switching circuit 16 is a self-holding circuit that is turned on based on a signal from the control unit 13. The switching circuit 16 is connected to a signal line 31. When the switching circuit 16 is maintained in the on state, the impedance between a pair of electric wires that make up the signal line 31 connected to the fire receiver 30 changes from high impedance to low impedance, and a fire signal is output to the fire receiver 30.

[0022] (Terminal 20) 3 is a functional block diagram of the terminal 20 according to the embodiment 1. The terminal 20 includes a receiving unit 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a display device 24.

[0023] The receiving unit 21 receives the Li-Fi signal output from the confirmation light 11 of the fire detector 10. The receiving unit 21 includes a photodiode that outputs the detected light as an electrical signal. The light receiving element of the photodiode is preferably provided with a lens for controlling the light receiving range of the light receiving element. The electrical signal output by the receiving unit 21 is input to the control unit 22. The receiving unit 21 is provided on the outer surface of the terminal 20 so as to be able to receive light from the confirmation light 11 of the fire detector 10.

[0024] The control unit 22 converts the electrical signal input from the receiving unit 21 into data such as numbers or characters. The control unit 22 stores the data such as numbers or characters in the storage unit 23, and also displays the data such as numbers or characters on the display unit 24 based on an instruction from an input device of the terminal 20 (not shown).

[0025] The storage unit 23 is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM, etc. The storage unit 23 stores various information written when the terminal 20 is manufactured, as well as information based on the Li-Fi signal from the fire detector 10 received via the receiving unit 21.

[0026] The display device 24 is a device that displays information based on the Li-Fi signal from the fire detector 10. The display device 24 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or electronic paper. The display device 24 is an example of an output device that outputs information. Instead of or in addition to the display device 24, a speaker that outputs information as sound may be provided as an output device.

[0027] (operation) The operation of the system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. The fire detector 10 is in a monitoring state where it routinely monitors for the occurrence of a fire. When the fire detector 10 in the monitoring state detects a fire, the confirmation light 11 lights up to alert the user of the fire, and a fire signal is output to the fire receiver 30.

[0028] Furthermore, when a fire detector 10 in a monitoring state does not detect a fire, it transmits information stored in the memory unit 14 of the fire detector 10 to the terminal 20 by outputting a Li-Fi signal from the confirmation light 11. The terminal 20 receives the Li-Fi signal from the fire detector 10 and displays the received information on the display device 24. This allows a worker using the terminal 20, such as a maintenance technician or an inspector, to check the information of the fire detector 10. The confirmation light 11 may be illuminated in different ways when alerting a fire and when outputting a Li-Fi signal. For example, the confirmation light 11 may be illuminated continuously when alerting a fire and flash when outputting a Li-Fi signal. By varying the illumination mode of the confirmation light 11 depending on the purpose of illumination in this way, it is less likely that a user will be confused as to whether or not a fire has been detected.

[0029] The following describes information output by the fire detector 10 using an Li-Fi signal. The fire detector 10 outputs one or more of the information stored in the memory unit 14 indicating whether the fire detector 10 is a terminal terminal or not, and the status information of the fire detector 10.

[0030] Information indicating whether a fire detector 10 is a terminal terminal will be described. A terminal terminal refers to a fire detector 10 including a terminating resistor or terminator connected to a signal line 31. In the example of FIG. 1, the fire detector 10 attached to the end of each signal line is a terminal terminal. The terminal terminal can be set, for example, using an address setting device after the fire detector 10 is installed, or by providing a DIP switch (not shown) in the fire detector 10 and turning on the DIP switch of the detector to be used as a terminal terminal. If the signal line 31 is divided into multiple sensor lines, a terminal terminal is provided for each sensor line. In the example of FIG. 1, there are three sensor lines 32a to 32c, and one of the fire detectors 10 connected to each of the sensor lines 32a to 32c is a terminal terminal. In a system 100 that is installed in a building and used for a long period of time, the location of the terminal terminal may become unclear after a certain amount of time has passed since installation. In particular, when the contractor for the system 100 and the contractor for maintaining the system 100 are different companies, it is difficult to share information about the terminal terminal. In order to find the terminal terminal during maintenance, it is necessary to remove the multiple fire detectors 10 installed in the building one by one or remove the covers of the fire detectors 10 to check them, and this workload increases as the scale of the system 100 increases. Therefore, by transmitting information about whether the fire detector 10 is a terminal terminal to the terminal 20 at the timing when an instruction signal is received from the terminal 20 or the fire receiver 30, the worker using the terminal 20 can easily find the terminal terminal from among the multiple fire detectors 10.

[0031] The information indicating the status of the fire detector 10 includes information on whether it is a terminal terminal or not, as well as one or more of sensitivity information of the sensing unit 12, information indicating the amount of dirt on the sensing unit 12, trend information, and manufacturing-related information. By transmitting such status information from the fire detector 10 to the terminal 20, the worker using the terminal 20 can grasp the information of the fire detector 10 without removing or disassembling the fire detector 10.

[0032] The sensitivity information indicates whether the sensitivity of the sensing unit 12 is normal or not and the degree of deviation from the reference sensitivity value. The sensitivity of the sensing unit 12, which detects smoke, infrared rays, ultraviolet rays, combustion gases, etc., changes over time, and also changes depending on the degree of dirt around the sensing unit 12. For this reason, the fire detector 10 is provided with a determination unit (not shown) that periodically determines whether the analog value (also called sensor output) of the sensing unit 12 stored in the memory unit 14 is an appropriate value and determines the degree of dirt (amount of dirt) of the sensing unit 12. The fire detector 10 stores the sensitivity information detected based on the degree of dirt in the memory unit 14. By transmitting such sensitivity information from the fire detector 10 to the terminal 20, an operator using the terminal 20 can easily obtain information regarding the sensitivity of the sensing unit 12 of the fire detector 10. Therefore, if there is an abnormality in sensitivity, it becomes easier to take measures such as cleaning the sensing unit 12 and its surroundings or replacing the fire detector 10, thereby maintaining the monitoring status of the fire detector 10 in good condition.

[0033] Trend information is a history of analog values ​​of physical phenomena detected by the sensing unit 12 over a certain period of time. The amount of smoke, infrared rays, ultraviolet rays, combustion gases, etc. detected by the sensing unit 12 may change rapidly or slowly depending on various conditions, such as the fire situation or the structure of the building. The fire detector 10 stores the analog values ​​of physical phenomena detected by the sensing unit 12 as history in the memory unit 14. For example, if the fire detector 10 is a heat detector, temperature information is stored as trend information, and if the fire detector 10 is a smoke detector, smoke concentration is stored as trend information. The trend information is stored in the memory unit 14, for example, in a ring buffer format. By transmitting the trend information from the fire detector 10 to the terminal 20, an operator using the terminal 20 can check the history of information detected by the sensing unit 12 of the fire detector 10. The trend information also indicates changes in the sensing unit 12 over time, so an operator can understand changes in the sensing unit 12 by checking the trend information on the terminal 20.

[0034] The manufacturing-related information of the fire detector 10 is information such as the manufacturing year, serial number, or model of the fire detector 10. By transmitting the manufacturing-related information from the fire detector 10 to the terminal 20, an operator using the terminal 20 can easily replace the fire detector 10 or other devices connected to the fire detector 10 when renewing the system 100.

[0035] Next, the timing at which the fire detector 10 outputs the above-mentioned information using a Li-Fi signal will be described. The fire detector 10 includes a transceiver (not shown) for communicating with the fire receiver 30. The fire detector 10 receives a signal from the fire receiver 30, and the control unit 13 performs necessary processing depending on the content of the signal. Here, the control unit 13 determines whether the signal from the fire receiver 30 is a signal to output terminal information, sensitivity information, or trend information, and outputs the corresponding Li-Fi signal. The Li-Fi signal can be output based on a signal acquired from the fire receiver 30 via the signal line 31. Specifically, the fire receiver 30 periodically, or when an operation to start a test is input to the fire receiver 30, transmits a test signal to the fire detector 10 via the signal line 31, instructing the fire detector 10 to perform a test. Upon receiving the test signal, the fire detector 10 outputs a Li-Fi signal from the confirmation light 11. When the fire detector 10 receives a test stop signal from the fire receiver 30 instructing the fire detector 10 to stop the test, the fire detector 10 stops outputting the Li-Fi signal. Alternatively, the fire detector 10 may stop outputting the Li-Fi signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since starting to output the Li-Fi signal.

[0036] Instead of or in addition to outputting a Li-Fi signal in response to a test signal from the fire receiver 30, the fire detector 10 may output a Li-Fi signal in response to a signal from the terminal 20. Specifically, the fire detector 10 includes a receiver (not shown) for communicating with the terminal 20 and receiving a signal from the terminal 20. Upon receiving the signal from the terminal 20, the control unit 13 performs necessary processing depending on the content of the signal. Here, the control unit 13 determines whether the signal from the terminal 20 is a signal for outputting terminal terminal information, sensitivity information, or trend information, and outputs the corresponding Li-Fi signal (similar function to the transceiver unit described above). The terminal 20 outputs a test signal using Li-Fi communication, and the fire detector 10 outputs a Li-Fi signal upon receiving the test signal from the terminal 20. In this case, the terminal 20 includes a lighting circuit and a light-emitting diode having functions equivalent to those of the lighting circuit 15 and confirmation light 11 of the fire detector 10. The fire detector 10 also includes a receiver on the outer surface of the housing, which includes a light-receiving element having functions equivalent to those of the receiver 21 of the terminal 20. In this way, by performing two-way communication using Li-Fi signals between the terminal 20 and the fire detector 10, the worker using the terminal 20 can have the fire detector 10 output a Li-Fi signal at any time.

[0037] Furthermore, the fire detector 10 may output a Li-Fi signal when a hardware operation unit, such as a button or switch, provided on the housing is operated. For example, if the fire detector 10 is provided with a hardware operation unit for performing a test or shutting down a fire, the fire detector 10 will output a Li-Fi signal when a special operation, such as a long press, is performed on the hardware operation unit. In this way, the operator can cause the fire detector 10 to output a Li-Fi signal at any timing desired. Furthermore, by utilizing the hardware operation unit provided on the fire detector 10, the timing of outputting the Li-Fi signal can be instructed without providing an additional structure to the fire detector 10.

[0038] As described above, the system 100 of this embodiment includes the fire detector 10 and the terminal 20. The fire detector 10 includes the sensing unit 12 that detects a change in a physical phenomenon due to a fire, and the confirmation light 11 that turns on when the sensing unit 12 detects a fire. The confirmation light 11 outputs an Li-Fi signal when the sensing unit 12 does not detect a fire. This allows the fire detector 10 to output a signal to the terminal 20 without using radio waves. The confirmation light 11 notifies the user of a fire and also functions as an optical communication device when no fire has occurred. Because the confirmation light 11 outputs an Li-Fi signal, the fire detector 10 does not need to be provided with a dedicated communication circuit for outputting a signal from the fire detector 10 to the terminal 20. This makes it possible to avoid increases in the manufacturing cost and size of the fire detector 10.

[0039] In the embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a Li-Fi signal is output using confirmation light 11, but a dedicated indicator light for outputting a Li-Fi signal may be provided in addition to confirmation light 11. Furthermore, since terminal 20 receives a Li-Fi signal from fire detector 10 and outputs information based on the Li-Fi signal using an output device such as display device 24, an operator using terminal 20 can easily grasp the information.

[0040] Furthermore, the confirmation light 11 of the fire detector 10 outputs, by Li-Fi signal, either or both of information indicating whether the fire detector 10 is the terminal terminal of the detector lines 32a to 32c and information indicating the status of the fire detector 10. Therefore, a worker using the terminal 20 that has acquired the Li-Fi signal from the fire detector 10 can grasp the information of the fire detector 10 without removing or disassembling the fire detector 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10 Fire detector, 11 Confirmation light, 12 Detection unit, 13 Control unit, 14 Memory unit, 15 Lighting circuit, 16 Switching circuit, 20 Terminal, 21 Receiving unit, 22 Control unit, 23 Memory unit, 24 Display device, 30 Fire receiver, 31 Signal line, 32a Detector line, 32b Detector line, 32c Detector line, 100 System.

Claims

1. a sensing unit that detects a change in a physical phenomenon due to a fire; a confirmation light that is turned on when the detection unit detects a fire, The confirmation light outputs a Li-Fi signal when the sensor does not detect the occurrence of a fire. fire detector.

2. The confirmation light outputs, via the Li-Fi signal, either or both of information indicating whether the fire detector is a terminal terminal in the detector line and information indicating the status of the fire detector.

2. The fire detector according to claim 1.

3. The fire detector according to claim 1 or 2; a terminal including a light receiving element that receives the Li-Fi signal and an output device that outputs information based on the received Li-Fi signal; A system with.

Images