Spot-type fire detectors and fire detection systems

Abstract

To further reduce the possibility of malfunctions due to shocks, earthquake tremors, in fire detection using spot-type fire detectors, and perform various operations depending on a cause of vibration.SOLUTION: A spot-type fire detector includes: fire detection means for detecting a fire; vibration detection means for detecting vibration of the fire detection means; storage means for storing vibration patterns corresponding to a cause of vibration; and determination means for determining a vibration signal obtained by the vibration detection means. The determination means determines the cause of vibration by means of the vibration patterns stored in the storage means, and checks or adjusts the sensitivity of the fire detection means according to a result of the determination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spot-type fire detector equipped with an acceleration sensor. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a photoelectric sensor in which the light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit are installed separately. In a separated photoelectric sensor, the optical axis is adjusted during installation to properly position the light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit, and the light receiving level is also adjusted. In Patent Document 1, if the photoelectric sensor is subjected to an impact or vibration, the adjustment of the optical axis and the light receiving level will be disrupted, so the sensor detects the impact and performs self-diagnosis and adjustment.

[0003] Because spot-type fire detectors are constructed as an integrated unit, they are less susceptible to misalignment of the optical axis than separate photoelectric detectors. Furthermore, vibration tests are conducted during the development and manufacturing process of spot-type fire detectors to ensure quality. These tests are conducted to ensure that there are no abnormalities, such as false alarms or sensitivity changes, during or after the test. Therefore, there is little chance of sensitivity abnormalities occurring due to shocks or earthquakes during use after the fire detector is installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-115077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even in fire detection using spot-type fire detectors, it is preferable to further reduce the possibility of false activation due to shocks, earthquake shaking, etc. In addition, it is preferable to perform various operations depending on the cause of vibration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A spot-type fire detector according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a fire detection means for detecting a fire, a vibration detection means for detecting vibrations of the fire detection means, a storage means for storing vibration patterns corresponding to causes of vibrations, and a determination means for determining the vibration signals obtained by the vibration detection means. Sensitivity confirmation means; the determining means determines the cause of the vibration based on the vibration pattern stored in the storage means, The sensitivity confirmation means confirms the sensitivity of the fire detection means when the determination means determines that the cause of the vibration is an impact due to a collision. The fire detection system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a fire detection means provided in a spot-type fire detector for detecting a fire, a vibration detection means for detecting vibrations of the fire detection means, and a determination means for determining a cause of vibration from a vibration signal obtained by the vibration detection means. Sensitivity confirmation means; Equipped with When the determining means determines that the cause of the vibration is an impact due to a collision, the sensitivity confirming means Sensitivity of the fire detection means of confirmation Do It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a vibration detection means is provided to detect vibration and determine the cause of vibration. death , due to vibration versus The response can be carried out. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a house in which a smoke detector according to a first embodiment is installed. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of a house in which a smoke detector according to a first embodiment is installed. [Figure 3] The smoke detector of Example 1 installed inside a sloped ceiling. [Figure 4] 1 shows the internal structure of the smoke detector of Example 1. [Figure 5] 1 shows a circuit configuration of a smoke detector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the smoke detector of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view of a building in which a smoke detector according to a second embodiment is installed. [Figure 8] 10 shows a circuit configuration of a smoke detector according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of the fire control receiver according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Example]

[0009] The spot-type fire detector of Example 1 is a wireless smoke detector. Fig. 1 shows a side view of a house 3 in which a smoke detector 1 of the example and a regular smoke detector 4 are installed, and Fig. 2 shows a plan view. Smoke detectors 1 and 4 have batteries and are wirelessly linked to other smoke detectors 1, so they can be installed anywhere within the house 3. When any one of the smoke detectors 1 and 4 detects smoke, fire information is wirelessly transmitted to the other smoke detectors 1 and 4, and all of the smoke detectors 1 and 4 sound their internal buzzers to alert the fire. Smoke detector 1 detects vibrations, but smoke detector 4 does not.

[0010] 1 and 2 show a situation in which smoke detectors 4 are installed on ceiling panels 36 in the kitchen 31, living room 32, etc., and smoke detector 1 is installed in the attic 33 under a sloped ceiling 37 adjacent to the roof. Smoke detectors 1 can also be installed on sloped ceilings or vertical walls. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, smoke detectors 1 are also installed in closets 34 and storage rooms 35. In the attics 33, closets 34, and storage rooms 35 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, smoke detectors are sometimes installed at low positions. In such cases, there is a risk that a person or object may collide with the smoke detector and cause a shock. Smoke detectors 1 that detect vibrations are preferably installed in locations where there is a risk of a person or object colliding with the smoke detector 1. Smoke detectors 4 that do not detect vibrations are preferably installed in locations where there is little risk of a person or object colliding with the smoke detector 4, such as the kitchen 31 or living room 32.

[0011] FIG. 3 shows a side view of smoke detector 1 installed under a sloped ceiling 37 in attic 33. A mounting base 2 is fixed to sloped ceiling 37, and smoke detector 1 is installed on sloped ceiling 37 by fitting it into mounting base 2. The same applies to smoke detectors 1, 4 installed in locations other than attic 33, as they are installed by fitting into a fixed mounting base 2. As shown in FIG. 3, a smoke inlet 171 is provided on the side of smoke detector 1 opposite the mounting surface. Smoke enters smoke detector 1 through smoke inlet 171 and is detected by fire detection means 11 provided on the inside of smoke detector 1 on the mounting surface side, and smoke detector 1 detects a fire.

[0012] Vibration detection means 15 is provided inside smoke detector 1 in Example 1. Vibration detection means 15 is attached to the inner surface of bottom cover 172, which covers the lower part. In smoke detector 1, bottom cover 172 is at the position that protrudes most from the mounting surface. Because vibration detection means 15 is attached to the inner surface of bottom cover 172, when a person or object collides with smoke detector 1, it can detect vibrations with high sensitivity and detect the collision.

[0013] FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of the smoke detector 1 near the fire detection means 11. FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the smoke detector 1 shown in FIG. 3, viewed from the opposite mounting surface. In the fire detection means 11, the light-emitting diode 111 and the light-receiving element 112 are installed with their optical axes offset by 120°. A light-shielding wall 173 that blocks direct light is provided between the light-emitting diode 111 and the light-receiving element 112. A variable reflection panel 16 is also provided along the optical axis of the light-emitting diode 111. The light-emitting diode 111 intermittently emits infrared light L, indicated by the black dotted line. If smoke entering through the smoke inlet 171 is present in the detection area R, indicated by the dotted circle, scattering occurs, and scattered light D, indicated by the white arrow, enters the light-receiving element 112. This allows the smoke detector 1 to detect smoke and thus a fire. If there is no smoke in the detection area R, the infrared light L travels in a straight line. In the first embodiment, the infrared light L is absorbed by the variable reflection panel 16 in the light absorbing state, and the light does not enter the light receiving element 112 .

[0014] FIG. 5 shows the internal circuit configuration of the smoke detector 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the smoke detector 1 is equipped with a light-emitting diode 111 and a light-receiving element 112. In addition to the light-emitting diode 111 and the light-receiving element 112, the fire detection means 11 is equipped with a control means 113 and a storage means 114. The light-emitting diode 111 is controlled by the control means 113 to emit light intermittently. The output detected by the light-receiving element 112 is input to the control means 113. A control switch (not shown) is provided between the light-emitting diode 111 and the control means 113. An A / D converter (not shown) is provided between the light-receiving element 112 and the control means 113. The control means 113 is connected to the storage means 114, and the control means 113 operates according to a program stored in the storage means 114. The storage means 114 also stores vibration patterns corresponding to vibration causes. In this embodiment, the cause of vibration, "impact," is stored as a vibration pattern in which acceleration of acceleration value A or greater ends within 0.5 seconds, and the cause of vibration, "earthquake," is stored as a vibration pattern in which acceleration of acceleration value B or greater, which is smaller than acceleration value A, continues for 1 second or more.

[0015] The control means 113 is connected to the buzzer 12 via a control switch (not shown). When the fire detection means 11 detects a fire, the control means 113 goes into a fire alarm state and transmits a sounding signal to the buzzer 12. Upon receiving the sounding signal, the buzzer 12 sounds to alert the fire.

[0016] In addition, the control means 113 is connected to the wireless transmission / reception means 13. When the fire detection means 11 detects a fire, the wireless transmission / reception means 13 transmits fire detection information by radio waves. In addition, when the wireless transmission / reception means 13 receives fire detection information by radio waves, the control means 113 goes into a fire alarm state and transmits a sounding signal to the buzzer 12, causing the buzzer 12 to sound. The control means 113 and the storage means 114 also perform functions other than those of the fire detection means 11.

[0017] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the control means 113 is connected to the vibration detection means 15. The vibration detection means 15 has an acceleration sensor (not shown) and converts an acceleration value obtained by the acceleration sensor into a digital signal and outputs it. The control means 113 and the storage means 114 also function as a determination means for determining the vibration signal obtained by the vibration detection means 15 and a sensitivity change means for increasing the sensitivity of the fire detection means 11.

[0018] Furthermore, the control means 113 is connected to the variable reflective panel 16 via a control switch (not shown). The variable reflective panel 16 has a liquid crystal panel 162 provided on the light incident side of a reflective panel 161 that reflects infrared rays L. The liquid crystal panel 162 absorbs infrared rays L when no voltage is applied, and transmits infrared rays L when voltage is applied. Therefore, the variable reflective panel 16 absorbs infrared rays L when the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel 162 are short-circuited and no voltage is applied, and reflects infrared rays L when voltage is applied.

[0019] In the smoke detector 1, the internal circuits such as the light-emitting diode 111, the light-receiving element 112, the control means 113, the memory means 114, the buzzer 12, the wireless transmission / reception means 13, the vibration detection means 15, and the variable reflection panel 16 operate using power from a battery 14 installed inside the smoke detector 1, and are not supplied with power from an external source.

[0020] Next, the operation of the fire detection means 11 when the smoke detector 1 is subjected to vibration will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0021] The control means 113 monitors whether vibrations exceeding a threshold are detected by the vibration detection means 15 (step S11). If vibrations exceeding the threshold are detected, the control means 113 starts storing the vibration signal (step S12). Since it is necessary to store the vibration signal for a certain period of time or more in order to determine the cause of vibration from the vibration signal pattern, the control means 113 stores the vibration signal for a predetermined period of time or more (steps S12 and S13). If the vibration signal is stored for a predetermined period of time or more, the control means 113 determines the cause of vibration. Then, the control means 113 determines whether the stored vibration signal pattern is caused by a collision based on the vibration pattern corresponding to the vibration cause stored in the storage means 114 (step S14). If it is determined that a collision is the cause, the control means 113 checks the sensitivity of the smoke detector 1 and terminates (step S15). If it is not determined that a collision is the cause, the control means 113 determines whether the stored vibration signal pattern is caused by an earthquake based on the vibration pattern corresponding to the vibration cause stored in the storage means 114 (step S16). If it is determined that an earthquake is the cause, the control means 113 increases the sensitivity of the fire detection means 11 and terminates (step S17). If it is not determined that the cause is an earthquake, the process ends, and the process starts again from step S11.

[0022] <Sensitivity check> In step S15, if the vibration signal indicates that the cause of the vibration is a collision, the sensitivity is confirmed. When confirming the sensitivity, the control means 113 applies a voltage to the liquid crystal panel 162 shown in FIG. 4. This causes the variable reflective panel 16 to reflect infrared light L, generating reflected light T indicated by the white dotted arrow in FIG. 4. The reflected light T reflected by the variable reflective panel 16 is then incident on the light receiving element 112, and the output value of the light receiving element 112 is inspected by the control means 113 to confirm the sensitivity. The control means 113 and the memory means 114 also constitute a sensitivity confirmation means for confirming the sensitivity of the fire detection means 11.

[0023] If the output value is too low or too high as a result of the sensitivity check, a sensitivity abnormality is determined. Specifically, the sensitivity check means compares the output value stored in the storage means 114 with the factory default output value. If the checked sensitivity value is above or below a predetermined value, a sensitivity abnormality is determined. Then, the control means 113 sends an intermittent sound signal to the buzzer 12, which intermittently emits a "beep, beep, beep, beep, beep" sound. This allows the user to recognize that an abnormality has occurred in the smoke detector 1 and replace the smoke detector 1. Even if a sensitivity abnormality occurs due to an impact, the system transitions to the sensitivity check operation, reducing the likelihood of a false fire alarm or a false alarm. Furthermore, since the vibration detection means 15 is located inside the bottom cover 172 as shown in FIG. 3, it is easy to detect vibrations when a person or object collides with it.

[0024] <Increased sensitivity> Furthermore, if it is determined in step S16 that the cause of the vibration is an earthquake based on the vibration signal, the sensitivity of the smoke detector 1 is increased in step S17. The sensitivity increase is carried out for a predetermined period of time. In the first embodiment, the sensitivity is increased for 30 minutes, and the sensitivity returns to normal after 30 minutes have passed. The increased sensitivity lowers the threshold value of scattered light D used to determine a fire. This allows a fire caused by an earthquake to be quickly detected and alerted by the buzzer 12. The smoke detector 1 of this embodiment is powered by a battery 14. Therefore, it can function effectively even in the event of a fire occurring during a power outage after a major earthquake.

[0025] Furthermore, in the smoke detector 1 that determines that an earthquake has occurred, the control means 113 controls the wireless transmission / reception means 13 to transmit a sensitivity increase signal. In response, the smoke detectors 1 and 4 that receive the sensitivity increase signal increase their sensitivity for a predetermined period of time. In Example 1, the smoke detectors 1 and 4 that receive the signal also increase their sensitivity for 30 minutes. In particular, increasing the sensitivity of the smoke detector 4 installed in the kitchen 31 allows for prompt notification of a fire that occurs in the kitchen 31 after an earthquake. The control means 113 and the storage means 114 also function as sensitivity change means that increase the sensitivity of the fire detection means 11 in the smoke detector 1 and send sensitivity increase signals to the other smoke detectors 1 and 4. As described above, the cause of vibration is determined using the vibration pattern stored in the storage means 114, and the sensitivity of the fire detection means 11 is confirmed or adjusted depending on the determination result.

[0026] 5. Furthermore, the storage means 114 does not store any programs for vibration detection, etc. However, when the smoke detector 4 detects a fire, it goes into a fire alarm state, sounds the buzzer 12 to alert the fire, and transmits fire detection information by radio wave to sound the other smoke detectors 1 and 4.

[0027] In the smoke detection system using the smoke detector 1 of Example 1, smoke detectors 1 that detect vibrations and smoke detectors 4 that do not detect vibrations are used interchangeably, but a smoke detection system using only smoke detectors 1 that detect vibrations may also be installed in the house 3. If many smoke detectors 1 are able to detect earthquakes and issue sensitivity increase signals, sensitivity increases due to earthquakes can be performed quickly and reliably.

[0028] The vibration pattern used to determine the cause of vibration may be the threshold value of acceleration value and time as described above, or vibration frequency or the like may be used. [Example]

[0029] In the second embodiment, a fire detection system is shown in which a plurality of smoke detectors 5 are connected to a fire receiver 6. The spot-type fire detector of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is a wired smoke detector 5. In a building 9, a plurality of smoke detectors 5 are connected to the fire receiver 6 via a transmission line 7. In addition, a plurality of speakers 8 are connected to the fire receiver 6 via wiring. The fire receiver 6 is provided with a control means 61 and a storage means 62. The control means 61 operates according to a program stored in the storage means 62.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows the internal circuit configuration of the smoke detector 5. Like the smoke detector 1 of Example 1, the smoke detector 5 includes a light-emitting diode 511 and a light-receiving element 512. In addition to the light-emitting diode 511 and the light-receiving element 512, the fire detection means 51 includes a control means 513 and a storage means 514. The light-emitting diode 511 is controlled by the control means 513 to emit light intermittently. The output detected by the light-receiving element 512 is input to the control means 513, and brightness data of the scattered light D is obtained. A control switch (not shown) is provided between the light-emitting diode 511 and the control means 513. An A / D converter (not shown) is provided between the light-receiving element 512 and the control means 513. The control means 513 is connected to the storage means 514, and the control means 513 operates according to a program stored in the storage means 514.

[0031] Furthermore, the control means 513 is connected to the wired transmission / reception means 52. The fire detection means 51 transmits brightness data of the scattered light D from the wired transmission / reception means 52 to the fire receiver 6 via the transmission line 7. When the control means 61 of the fire receiver 6 determines that a fire has occurred based on the brightness data, it transmits a sound signal to the speaker 8 shown in Figure 7, causing the speaker 8 to sound and issue an alarm.

[0032] Next, the operation of the smoke detector 5 when it receives vibration will be described with reference to the flow diagram of Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows the operation flow of the fire control receiver 6.

[0033] The control means 513 of the smoke detector 5 monitors whether there is any vibration exceeding the threshold value using the vibration detection means 53. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the vibration detection means 53 is provided inside the bottom cover (not shown), making it easy to detect vibration when a person or object collides with it. The smoke detector 5 also sends brightness data of the scattered light D detected by the light receiving element 512 to the transmission line 7. In the fire receiver 6, the control means 61 monitors the brightness data of each smoke detector 5 and determines whether a fire has occurred. When the smoke detector 5 detects an acceleration value exceeding the threshold value, it sends a vibration detection signal to the transmission line 7. Each smoke detector 5 has an individual address, and the vibration detection signal sent to the transmission line 7 includes the address of the smoke detector 5.

[0034] The fire receiver 6 monitors whether a vibration detection signal has been received (step S51). When a vibration detection signal is received, it determines whether a vibration detection signal has been received from another smoke detector 5 within a predetermined time period (step S52). In the second embodiment, the predetermined time period is set to 5 seconds. If a vibration detection signal is received from another smoke detector 5 within 5 seconds, this indicates widespread vibration, and the cause of the vibration is determined to be an earthquake. A sensitivity increase signal is then sent to all smoke detectors 5 (step S53), and the process ends. As a result, the threshold value for scattered light that triggers a fire alarm is lowered in all smoke detectors 5, thereby increasing the smoke detection sensitivity. The sensitivity increase is performed over a predetermined period, as in the first embodiment. If a vibration detection signal is not received from another smoke detector 5 within the predetermined time period of 5 seconds, it determines that the cause of the vibration is a collision, and the sensitivity of the smoke detector 5 is checked (step S54), and the process ends. After the process ends, the process starts again from step S51.

[0035] <Checking the sensitivity of smoke detector 5> In step S54, the sensitivity of the smoke detector 5 is confirmed by transmitting a sensitivity confirmation signal to the smoke detector 5 that transmitted the vibration detection signal. The sensitivity confirmation signal contains the same address as the vibration detection signal, and only the smoke detector 5 that transmitted the vibration detection signal can receive the sensitivity confirmation signal. The smoke detector 5 that receives the sensitivity confirmation signal performs sensitivity confirmation in the same manner as in Example 1 using the variable reflective panel 54, and transmits the result to the fire receiver 6 as a sensitivity confirmation result signal. The sensitivity confirmation result signal also has an address unique to the smoke detector 5. If the sensitivity confirmation result signal indicates an abnormal sensitivity, the fire receiver 6 emits an alarm and displays the code of the smoke detector 5 that has the abnormal sensitivity.

[0036] The control means 61 and storage means 62 of the fire receiver 6 also function as a determination means for determining the vibration signal obtained by the vibration detection means 53 of the smoke detector 5, and as a sensitivity change means for increasing the sensitivity of fire detection. The determination means determines the cause of the vibration, and checks or adjusts the sensitivity of the smoke detector 5, which is the fire detection means, according to the result of the determination.

[0037] In the second embodiment, if only one smoke detector 5 detects vibration within a predetermined time period, it is determined to be an impact, and if two or more smoke detectors 5 detect vibration within a predetermined time period, it is determined to be an earthquake. However, it may be determined to be an impact if one or two smoke detectors 5 detect vibration, and an earthquake if three or more smoke detectors 5 detect vibration. Alternatively, it may be determined to be an impact if one smoke detector 5 detects vibration, and an earthquake if four or more smoke detectors 5 detect vibration. In this way, the cause of vibration may be determined based on the number of smoke detectors 5 that detect vibration, but the cause of vibration may also be determined by comparing with the vibration pattern, as in the first embodiment. In this case, the determination of the cause of vibration may be made by the smoke detector 5 or the fire receiver 6.

[0038] The smoke detector may be a flame detector or other fire detector. Some fire detectors have a delay process that alerts a fire if an abnormality such as smoke is detected for a predetermined period of time to prevent false fire alarms. In Examples 1 and 2, the threshold is lowered and the sensitivity is increased when the cause of vibration is determined to be an earthquake, but the sensitivity can also be increased by shortening the delay time.

[0039] In addition, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and the present invention includes design changes within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in the purpose, configuration, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 smoke detector, 11 fire detection means, 111 light emitting diode, 112 light receiving element, 113 control means, 114 memory means, 12 buzzer, 13 wireless transmission / reception means, 14 battery, 15 vibration detection means, 16 variable reflective panel, 161 reflective panel, 162 liquid crystal panel, 171 smoke inlet, 172 bottom cover, 173 light shielding wall, 2 mounting base, 3 House, 31 Kitchen, 32 Living room, 33 Attic, 34 Closet, 35 Storeroom, 36 Ceiling board, 37 Sloped ceiling, 4 smoke detectors, 5 Smoke detector, 51 Fire detection means, 511 Light emitting diode, 512 Light receiving element, 513 Control means, 514 Storage means, 52 Wired transmission / reception means, 53 Vibration detection means, 54 Variable reflection panel 6 Fire receiver, 61 Control means, 62 Storage means 7 transmission lines, 8 speakers, 9 buildings, R detection area, L infrared light, D scattered light, T reflected light

Claims

1. a fire detection means for detecting a fire; a vibration detection means for detecting vibrations of the fire detection means; a storage means for storing vibration patterns corresponding to causes of vibration; a determination means for determining the vibration signal obtained by the vibration detection means; A sensitivity confirmation means, the determining means determines the cause of the vibration based on the vibration pattern stored in the storage means, The spot-type fire detector is characterized in that the sensitivity confirmation means confirms the sensitivity of the fire detection means when the determination means determines that the cause of the vibration is an impact due to a collision.

2. a fire detection means provided in the spot-type fire detector for detecting a fire; a vibration detection means for detecting vibrations of the fire detection means; a determining means for determining a cause of vibration from the vibration signal obtained by the vibration detecting means; A sensitivity confirmation means, The fire detection system is characterized in that the sensitivity confirmation means confirms the sensitivity of the fire detection means when the determination means determines that the cause of the vibration is an impact due to a collision.

3. A fire detection means provided in the spot-type fire detector for detecting a fire; a vibration detection means for detecting vibrations of the fire detection means; a storage means for storing vibration patterns corresponding to causes of vibration; a determination means for determining the vibration signal obtained by the vibration detection means; a sensitivity change means for increasing the sensitivity of the fire detection means when the determination means determines that the cause of the vibration is an earthquake, At least two spot-type fire detectors each equipped with the fire detection means are provided, A fire detection system characterized in that the sensitivity change means transmits a sensitivity increase signal for increasing the sensitivity of the other spot-type fire detectors.

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