Testing equipment

Abstract

To reliably acquire test information when it is determined whether a sensor is normal or not by acquiring test information including a plurality of kinds of information indicated by lighting of pilot lamps from the sensor.SOLUTION: A tester 2 includes: a storage part 20 for storing a sensor 1 by covering, which transmits test information related to a test by transmission-line-encoding with the use of light flashing patterns of pilot lamps 13; and a plurality of light receivers 23 which is arranged in an area to be opposed to the pilot lamps 13 inside the storage part 20 when the storage part 20 covers the sensor 1, and outputs signals corresponding to the intensity of received light. The tester 2 determines whether the sensor 1 is normal or not based on the test information to be indicated by the signal to be output from at least one of the light receivers 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for a tester that tests a detector that detects fires and acquires information. [Background technology]

[0002] When a fire detector is activated, it lights up an indicator light so that the activated detector can be identified. This indicator light is mainly for people to check visually, but when a detector is activated for periodic inspection, the status of the detector can be determined by detecting the lighting status of this indicator light.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a fire detector equipped with a microcomputer that determines the sensitivity of the light-emitting circuit and the light-receiving circuit based on the output of the light-receiving circuit, and that, upon output of a single operating signal, causes a fire indicator light to light up at least three times at time intervals according to the sensitivity of the light-emitting circuit and the light-receiving circuit.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a test device that receives light emitted when an indicator light of a sensor is turned on, and detects a state related to the detection of an abnormality by the sensor based on the received light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-116333 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-177704 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, the information indicating the state of a detector includes various contents other than the distinction between abnormal and normal and the scalar value of sensitivity.

[0007] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the fire warning light must have a fixed time interval between two consecutive flashes and a time interval between the other two consecutive flashes that corresponds to the sensitivity of the detector's detection unit, requiring at least three flashes. Furthermore, in this technology, a sensitivity testing device that tests the sensitivity of a fire detector must wait for a fixed time interval and a time interval that corresponds to the sensitivity between the three flashes. Furthermore, in this technology, the fire warning light can only convey a single scalar value indicating sensitivity through the three flashes.

[0008] Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 2 merely determines whether the indicator light of the detector is turned on within the determination time. In other words, this technology does not embody information in the light emission operation of the indicator light, etc.

[0009] Since none of these technologies transmits complex and large amounts of information, for example, the technology of Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that the intensity of the pulsed light emitted by a fire indicator light can be detected with one sensitivity inspection device, and the technology of Patent Document 2 is based on the premise that the light-receiving part of the housing is placed directly below the indicator light of the detector.

[0010] The present invention aims to ensure the acquisition of test information containing multiple types of information indicated by the illumination of an indicator light from a sensor when determining whether the sensor is normal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, in one aspect, the present invention provides a tester for a detector having an indicator light that lights up when it detects a fire and issues a fire alarm, wherein the indicator light is turned on when the sensor detects an object to indicate that the detector has issued an alarm, and the detector transmits test information relating to the test, which includes identification information of the detector, encoded using a flashing pattern of the light from the indicator light, the detector having a light receiving unit that receives the light from the indicator light from the detector, an acquisition unit that acquires the test information using the flashing pattern of the light received by the light receiving unit, and a judgment unit that judges whether the detector is normal or not based on the test information acquired by the acquisition unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, when test information including multiple types of information indicated by the illumination of an indicator light is obtained from a sensor and it is determined whether the sensor is normal, the test information can be reliably obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a sensor test system 9. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the overall configuration of the sensor test system 9. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of test information 122. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tester 2. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of indicator lights 13 in the detector 1. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the light receiving unit 23 in the tester 2a. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an area A. [Figure 8] 4 is a diagram for explaining the distance from the indicator light 13 to the light receiving unit 23. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the detector 1 is covered with the container 20 of the tester 2. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a light receiving range of a light receiving section 23. FIG. [Figure 11]2A and 2B are diagrams showing examples of the appearance of a window 201. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a tester 2.

[0014] [Embodiment] [Overall configuration of detector test system] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a sensor testing system 9. The sensor testing system 9 has one or more sensors 1, one or more testers 2a, and a receiver 3. The sensor testing system 9 is a system that tests the sensor 1 using the tester 2a, and also causes the tester 2a to acquire test information stored by the sensor 1.

[0015] The detector 1 is a device that detects a fire and issues a fire alarm, and in the illustrated example is installed on the ceiling C. The tester 2a is a device that tests the detector 1 and acquires test information from the detector 1.

[0016] The receiver 3 is installed in a control room or the like, and is electrically connected to each of one or more detectors 1 installed in the monitored area. The receiver 3 is a device that receives fire signals from connected detectors and transmitters and transmits an alarm signal to audio equipment, smoke control equipment, etc. to notify of a fire, and is a device that receives notifications from detectors 1 and operates to manage the power supplied to those detectors 1. When any of the detectors 1 detects a fire, the receiver 3 receives the alarm signal from that detector 1 and supplies the detector 1 with the power necessary to issue a fire alarm.

[0017] The detector 1 shown in Fig. 1 has an indicator light 13 and a sensor 14. The tester 2a shown in Fig. 1 has a storage section 20, a light receiving section 23, a connecting section 24, a support rod 25, a supply section 26, and a sensitivity test unit U.

[0018] Sensor 14 detects targets that indicate a fire, and sensor 14 shown in Fig. 1 detects smoke, heat, infrared rays, etc., as targets that indicate a fire. When sensor 14 detects heat or smoke, indicator light 13, also called a confirmation light, lights up, and detector 1 is activated to notify that a fire has been alerted.

[0019] The support rod 25 is a rod that allows the user conducting the test to hold the tester 2a. One end of the support rod 25 is connected to each component of the tester 2a and supports them, as shown in Fig. 1. The other end of the support rod 25 (not shown in Fig. 1) is equipped with an operator such as a handle that the user holds and a lever for operation.

[0020] The housing 20 is configured in a bowl shape so as to cover the detector 1 and fit closely to the ceiling C. When the detector 1 is covered by the housing 20, the space around the detector 1 is separated into an inside and an outside of the housing 20.

[0021] The housing 20 is made of a material and color that makes it difficult for light from outside to penetrate inside. The material that makes up the housing 20 is preferably highly flexible, such as rubber or synthetic resin, so that no gap occurs between the housing 20 and the ceiling C. The housing 20 is also preferably made of a color, such as black, that blocks the red light emitted by the indicator light 13. In this case, the light emitted from the indicator light 13 of the sensor 1 is unlikely to leak outside the housing 20.

[0022] The supply unit 26 is a smoke supply unit that emits test smoke (including artificial smoke) and supplies it to the detector 1, and has, for example, a canister that emits smoke components that simulate smoke during a fire along with compressed gas.

[0023] Connecting part 24 is connected to a lid that covers the opening through which supplying part 26 emits smoke, and is also connected to an operator such as a lever provided at the other end of support rod 25. When the user operates the operator, connecting part 24 rotates and removes the lid of supplying part 26. This causes supplying part 26 to emit smoke toward the inside of detector 1 where sensor 14 is located.

[0024] As described above, when the sensor 14 detects the smoke components released from the supply unit 26, the detector 1 issues a fire alarm and turns on the indicator light 13. At this time, the detector 1 transmits the test information 122 performed on the detector 1 by encoding it through a transmission line using the blinking pattern of the light of the indicator light 13.

[0025] The light receiving section 23 receives light from the indicator lamp 13 and sends a signal (referred to as a light receiving signal) to the sensitivity test unit U according to the blinking pattern of the light.

[0026] The above-described housing section 20 may be provided with a window through which a person can visually check the light emitted from the indicator light 13 of the detector 1. This window is made of a transparent or translucent resin or the like, and separates the inside and outside spaces to prevent the inflow or outflow of substances, while allowing the light of the indicator light 13 to pass through to the outside. This window may be located, for example, behind the light-receiving section 23. With this arrangement, the light-receiving section 23 receives the light from the indicator light 13, but is less likely to receive light entering through the window.

[0027] The sensitivity test unit U has a processor, a memory, etc., and acquires the received light signal sent from the light receiving section 23 and extracts the test information that has been line-coded by the sensor 1 from this received light signal.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the overall configuration of a sensor testing system 9. The sensor testing system 9 has one or more sensors 1, one or more testers 2b, and a receiver 3. The tester 2a shown in Fig. 1 and the tester 2b shown in Fig. 2 will each be simply referred to as the tester 2 when there is no need to distinguish between them.

[0029] The tester 2b is similar to the tester 2a described above in that it is a device for testing the detector 1. However, the tester 2b differs from the tester 2a in that it does not have the supply unit 26. The tester 2b has a transmitter 28. The transmitter 28 transmits a test start signal to the detector 1 to instruct the detector 1 to start testing. The tester 2b may also have a sensitivity test unit U. In this case, the transmitter 28 may transmit the test start signal under the control of a processor in the sensitivity test unit U, for example. The detector 1 shown in FIG. 2 has a receiver 15, which, upon receiving the test start signal transmitted by the transmitter 28 of the tester 2b, turns on the indicator light 13, and transmits the test information 122 after line coding it using the blinking pattern of the indicator light 13.

[0030] [Exam information structure] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of test information 122. The detector 1 has a storage unit (not shown), and stores the test information 122 shown in Fig. 3 in that storage unit. The test information 122 is information in which a value is associated with each of a plurality of items. This test information 122 stores values ​​for the items "model code," "manufacturing date," "manufacturing number," "fire threshold," "amount of dirt," and "fire history."

[0031] The "model code" field is a field for storing a model code, which is identification information for identifying the model of the detector 1.

[0032] The "manufacturing date" field is a field for storing the date on which the detector 1 was manufactured.

[0033] The "Serial Number" column is a column for storing the serial number of the detector 1. This serial number is, for example, an example of identification information that uniquely identifies the detector 1.

[0034] Note that the "model code" and "manufacturing date" are information that indicate the model and manufacturing date of the detector 1, respectively, and although these may not identify an individual detector 1, they are information used to identify the group to which the detector 1 belongs. Therefore, the "model code" and "manufacturing date" are also included in the identification information of the detector. Furthermore, the "serial number" does not have to be identification information that uniquely identifies the detector 1, and may be information that becomes identification information that uniquely identifies the detector when combined with the "model code" and / or "manufacturing date," for example. In other words, the "model code," "manufacturing date," "serial number," and combinations thereof are examples of identification information of the detector 1.

[0035] "Fire threshold" is information that indicates the threshold for determining whether the sensitivity of a detector 1 is abnormal. For example, if the sensitivity measured exceeds a predetermined smoke density ratio or a predetermined temperature, such as 10% / m or 60°C, relative to the fire threshold, the detector 1 with that measured sensitivity is determined to be abnormal. Since each individual detector 1 has its own unique fire threshold, each detector 1 is tested before shipping from the factory, and the data is set according to the results.

[0036] "Amount of dirt" is an example of sensitivity information that indicates the sensitivity of the sensor 14. This amount of dirt is a scalar value that indicates how dirty the sensor 14 of the detector 1 is, and is expressed in, for example, 256 levels. The amount of dirt is estimated, for example, by how much the output voltage of an amplifier (not shown) connected to the sensor 14 in the internal electrical circuit of the detector 1 deviates from its initial value when the detector 1 is placed in a space without smoke.

[0037] "Fire history" is information indicating the number of times a "fire" has been detected within a predetermined period, such as one week. The "fire" detected here is not limited to an actual fire, but also includes, for example, when the sensor 14 detects test smoke. Furthermore, this "fire" may include one detected due to a malfunction of any component of the detector 1.

[0038] The sensor 1 has a transmitting unit (not shown), which converts the test information 122 that has been transmission path coded by a coding unit (not shown) into the turning on and off of the indicator light 13 in accordance with a predetermined method, and transmits this light to the tester 2 using a flashing pattern. [Test equipment configuration] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the tester 2. The tester 2 shown in FIG. 4 includes a processor 21, a memory 22, a light receiving unit 23, and a supply unit 26. These components are communicatively connected to each other, for example, via a bus. The processor 21 and the memory 22 constitute the above-mentioned sensitivity test unit U. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU that controls each unit of the tester 2 by reading and executing programs stored in the memory 22. The memory 22 is storage means that stores an operating system, various programs, data, etc. that are loaded into the processor 21, and includes RAM or ROM. The memory 22 may also include a solid-state drive, a hard disk drive, etc. The tester 2 may also include a transmission unit 28.

[0039] [Mechanical structure] The mechanical structures of detector 1 and tester 2 are explained below using diagrams. In the diagrams shown below, the space in which each component is placed is represented as an xyz right-handed coordinate space. Among the coordinate symbols shown in the diagrams, a dot in a circle represents an arrow pointing from the back of the page to the front, and a circle with two intersecting lines represents an arrow pointing from the front of the page to the back. The direction along the x-axis in space is called the x-axis direction. Within the x-axis direction, the direction in which the x component increases is called the +x direction, and the direction in which the x component decreases is called the -x direction. The y- and z-components are also defined as follows: y-axis, +y direction, -y direction, z-axis, +z direction, and -z direction, according to the above definitions. In the diagrams, the -z direction is the direction of gravity, i.e., downward.

[0040] [Location of indicator lights on detectors] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of indicator lights 13 in a smoke detector, as an example of detector 1. Fig. 5 shows detector 1 installed on ceiling C as viewed from below. When viewed along the +z direction, that is, from the floor toward the ceiling, the housing 10 of detector 1 has a circular outline (also referred to as the periphery).

[0041] This circular outline is centered on point O in the xy plane as shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, sensor 14 is provided in the internal space of a portion of housing 10 that protrudes downward (in the -z direction), as shown in Fig. 1. This portion that protrudes downward has a circular outline centered on point O, the same as the outer periphery of housing 10, in the xy plane.

[0042] Two indicator lights 13 shown in Fig. 5 are exposed on the outer peripheral surface of sensor 14, one at each end in the +y direction and one at the -y direction. These indicator lights 13 are, for example, made up of a continuous, integrated light-emitting element inside housing 10. These light-emitting elements are exposed through two holes respectively provided in housing 10, so that two indicator lights 13 can be recognized from the outside. Note that the number of indicator lights 13 recognized from the outside is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more.

[0043] [Location of the light receiving part in the tester] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the light receiving units 23 in the tester 2a. The tester 2 may have one or more light receiving units 23, but it is desirable to provide multiple light receiving units 23 so that the light receiving units 23 are more likely to face the indicator light 13 regardless of the direction in which they are applied to the sensor 1, regardless of the position of the light receiving units 23. In this embodiment, the tester 2a shown in FIG. 6 has a housing 20 and eight light receiving units 23. These eight light receiving units 23 are, for example, photodiodes, and their receiving wavelength bands include the wavelength of light emitted by the indicator light 13, and they output signals corresponding to the intensity of the received light. The arrangement of the light receiving units 23 in the tester 2b is similar.

[0044] When an operator presses the tester 2 against the ceiling C (see FIG. 5) so that the approximate center of the inner wall (also called the inner periphery) of the annular peripheral side surface 204 is aligned with the center of the sensor 1 (point O shown in FIG. 5), the bowl-shaped accommodating section 20 covers the housing 10 and accommodates the sensor 1. In other words, this accommodating section 20 is an example of an accommodating section that covers and accommodates the sensor 1, which transmits test information 122 related to the test after encoding it into transmission path data using the blinking pattern of the light of the indicator light 13.

[0045] The housing 20 has a window 201, a rib 202, and a nozzle receiving port 203. The window 201 is a window that allows the internal space of the tester 2 to be viewed from the outside. The window 201 may be a hole provided in the housing 20, but may also be made of a material that transmits a certain amount of light, such as transparent resin or glass. In FIG. 6, the window 201 is provided on the bottom surface 205, but it may also be provided on the peripheral side surface 204.

[0046] This window 201 allows an operator performing testing using the tester 2 to check, from outside the tester 2, the light emitted from the indicator light 13 of the detector 1 housed in the housing section 20. In other words, this window 201 is an example of a window that allows the light of the indicator light to be checked from outside.

[0047] The portions of the housing 20 other than the window 201 are made of a material that does not easily allow light from the outside to pass inside. The top surface of the housing 20, that is, the end surface in the +z direction, is O-shaped and flat. This top surface is covered with an elastically deformable material such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber. Therefore, when the housing 20 covers the sensor 1, the above-mentioned top surface adheres tightly to the smooth ceiling C, eliminating any gaps and reducing the amount of light that passes from the outside to the inside.

[0048] The above-mentioned multiple light receiving units 23 are provided inside the housing unit 20, for example, on a doughnut-shaped plate (not shown) provided on the bottom surface 205. Therefore, when the housing unit 20 covers the sensor 1, the amount of light received by the light receiving units 23 from the outside also decreases. In other words, this housing unit 20 is an example of a housing unit that has a window that allows the light of the indicator light to be confirmed from the outside, and that reduces the light received by the multiple light receiving units from the outside when the sensor is covered.

[0049] The doughnut-shaped plate has a cylindrical member (referred to as the "cylindrical member") extending from the edge of the inner hole toward the +z direction. Ribs 202 shown in FIG. 6 extend in the +z direction from the bottom surface 205 along the inner circumferential surface of this cylindrical member in the internal space of the housing section 20. In this embodiment, multiple ribs 202 are provided, and all are evenly spaced on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member. These ribs 202 increase the strength of the bottom surface 205 in the z-axis direction.

[0050] Nozzle receiving opening 203 is a hole that receives a nozzle that sprays smoke, which is provided at the upper end of supply unit 26 shown in Fig. 1. When this nozzle receiving opening 203 receives the above-mentioned nozzle, it fits tightly to supply unit 26 without any gaps, so when storage unit 20 is placed tightly against ceiling C, the smoke sprayed from the nozzle is supplied to the inside of storage unit 20 and does not leak to the outside.

[0051] Here, we will explain the area A that may face the indicator light 13 of the detector 1 in the internal space of the detector 20 when the detector 1 is covered by the detector 20. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of area A. In Fig. 7, the positions of the housing 10, indicator light 13, and sensor 14 of the detector 1 are shown by dashed lines.

[0052] When an operator places tester 2 directly below this detector 1 shown in Figure 7 and presses its top surface against ceiling C, storage section 20 of tester 2 can store detector 1 as long as its center is on an axis parallel to the z-axis that passes through point O (in other words, as long as the central axes of detector 1 and tester 2 roughly coincide). Therefore, storage section 20 can store detector 1 no matter how much it rotates through 360 degrees around the above-mentioned "axis parallel to the z-axis that passes through point O (also called the common axis)."

[0053] In this case, the area in the internal space of the housing 20 that can face the indicator lights 13 provided at two locations on the tester 2 is the doughnut-shaped area A shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the eight light receiving units 23 in the tester 2 are arranged in the area A shown in FIG. 7 within the internal space of the housing 20. In other words, these light receiving units 23 are arranged in an area in the housing that can face the indicator lights when the housing covers the sensor, that is, when the tester 2 is pointed toward the sensor 1, and are an example of multiple light receiving units that each output a signal according to the intensity of the light they receive. In this way, the sensor 1 can be housed without having to worry about the position of the light receiving units 23 of the tester 2.

[0054] It is desirable that the multiple light receiving units 23 in the tester 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the above-mentioned region A. For example, eight light receiving units 23 are provided in region A as shown in FIG. 6, and adjacent light receiving units 23 are arranged at equal intervals of 45 degrees on the xy plane around the above-mentioned common axis. This arrangement makes it easier for the multiple light receiving units 23 to receive light from the indicator light 13 than if they were arranged unevenly. In other words, these multiple light receiving units 23 are examples of light receiving units arranged at predetermined intervals within an area that can face the indicator light provided in the tester.

[0055] Furthermore, when the multiple light receiving units 23 receive light from the indicator light 13, any one or more of them may output a signal corresponding to the intensity of the light to the processor 21, and the processor 21 may determine whether the sensor 1 is normal or not based on the test information indicated by the signal output by at least one of the multiple light receiving units 23.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the distance from the indicator light 13 to the light-receiving unit 23. When multiple light-receiving units 23a, 23b, and 23c (when not distinguished from one another, simply referred to as "light-receiving units 23") are arranged facing the indicator light 13 as shown in FIG. 8(a), the light-receiving unit 23 closest to the indicator light 13 is the light-receiving unit 23b arranged directly below the indicator light 13. Therefore, the light received by the light-receiving unit 23b from the indicator light 13 is stronger than that received by the light-receiving units 23a and 23c. In this case, the multiple light-receiving units 23 may be configured such that, for example, only the light-receiving unit 23b, which receives the strongest light from the indicator light 13, outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of that light to the processor 21, while the other light-receiving units 23a and 23c do not output signals. Alternatively, all of the multiple light-receiving units 23 may output signals to the processor 21. 8(b), it is assumed that no light receiving unit 23 is located directly below the indicator light 13, and that light receiving units 23a and 23c are located at equal distances from the indicator light 13. In this case, the light receiving unit 23 closest to the indicator light 13 is not limited to a single unit. In this case, the multiple light receiving units 23 may output signals corresponding to the intensity of light to the processor 21 only from two or more light receiving units 23 (light receiving units 23a and 23c in the above example) that receive the strongest light from all of the light receiving units 23 that receive light from the indicator light 13, and no signals may be output from the other light receiving units 23 (not shown), or all of the multiple light receiving units 23 may output signals to the processor 21. As described above, various patterns including the above-mentioned patterns are conceivable for the position of the light receiving units 23, and the multiple light receiving units 23 may output signals in any of the above-mentioned ways.

[0057] Furthermore, the light receiving units 23 do not have to be arranged at a predetermined interval within an area that can face the indicator lights provided on the tester. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the housing unit 20 of the tester 2 is configured to be able to house the sensor 1 even when rotated at any angle within 360 degrees around the common axis, but this is not limited to this. A member that will collide with part of the sensor 1 depending on the rotation angle around the common axis may be arranged inside the tester 2. In this case, to prevent this member from colliding with the sensor 1, the range of rotation angles that the tester 2 can take relative to the sensor 1 may be smaller than 360 degrees.

[0058] [Window placement in the tester] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the detector 1 is covered with the housing 20 of the tester 2. Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the tester 2 with the detector 1 covered, cut along a plane parallel to the yz plane. As shown in Fig. 9, the light receiving unit 23 is positioned so that it can face the indicator light 13. The window 201 is provided below the light receiving unit 23, that is, on the bottom surface 205 in the -z direction.

[0059] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the light receiving range of the light receiving unit 23. The light receiving unit 23 has a light receiving element disposed in the center of an end face facing upward (i.e., in the +z direction), for example. For example, because this end face is recessed in the -z direction, the range in which the light receiving element can receive light (referred to as the light receiving range) is limited to range R. This range R does not include, for example, at least the area below the light receiving element.

[0060] On the other hand, window 201 is arranged below light receiving unit 23 having the above-mentioned light receiving element, that is, outside the light receiving range of light receiving unit 23. Due to this arrangement, window 201 transmits light from indicator lamp 13 to the outside, but does not allow light that transmits from the outside to the inside to reach light receiving unit 23. In other words, window 201 is an example of a window that is arranged outside the light receiving range of multiple light receiving units.

[0061] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the window 201. As shown in Fig. 11, the window 201 is provided on the bottom surface 205. This allows an operator to look at the housing section 20 of the tester 2 from below and check light leaking from portions of the window 201 that are not blocked by the connecting section 24 or the like.

[0062] [Functional configuration of tester] 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the tester 2. The processor 21 of the tester 2 executes a program stored in the memory 22 to function as an acquisition unit 211 and a determination unit 212. The processor 21 may also function as an instruction unit 213.

[0063] The light receiving unit 23 receives the light of the indicator light 13 from the detector 1. In other words, the light receiving unit 23 is an example of a light receiving unit that receives light from an indicator light from a detector that is equipped with an indicator light that lights up when it detects a fire and issues a fire alert, and that lights up the indicator light when the sensor detects an object in monitoring mode to indicate that the detector 1 has been activated, and that transmits test information, which is information related to a test and includes its own device identification information, by encoding the transmission path using the blinking pattern of the light of the indicator light.

[0064] When the light receiving unit 23 receives the light described above, it generates a signal corresponding to the blinking pattern of the received light and supplies it to the processor 21. This signal is the above-mentioned transmission line coded signal, and is supplied as, for example, a serial signal.

[0065] The acquiring unit 211 acquires the above-mentioned test information by decoding the serial signal supplied by the light receiving unit 23. In other words, the acquiring unit 211 is an example of an acquiring unit that acquires test information related to the test of the sensor 1, including identification information of the sensor 1, from the blinking pattern of light received by the light receiving unit.

[0066] The determination unit 212 determines whether the sensor 1 is normal or not based on the test information acquired by the acquisition unit 211. In other words, the determination unit 212 is an example of a determination unit that determines whether the sensor is normal or not based on the test information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0067] As described above, among the multiple light receiving units 23, at least one of the light receiving units 23 that receives light from the indicator lamp 13 may output a signal corresponding to the intensity of that light to the processor 21. In this case, the acquisition unit 211 acquires test information by decoding the serial signal output (supplied) by at least one of the multiple light receiving units 23. Then, the determination unit 212 determines whether the sensor 1 is normal or not based on this acquired test information. Furthermore, all of the multiple light receiving units 23 may each output a signal corresponding to the intensity of the light received to the processor 21. In this case, the determination unit 212 may determine whether the sensor is normal or not based on the multiple signals output from the light receiving units 23, or may select one of the multiple signals and determine whether the sensor is normal or not based on that signal.

[0068] As described above, supply unit 26 shown in Fig. 12 supplies test smoke toward detector 1. For example, when a user operates an operator provided on support rod 25 shown in Fig. 1, supply unit 26 emits smoke in response to this operation and reports this to processor 21. When determination unit 212 receives this report, it uses this as a trigger to monitor acquisition unit 211 from that point until a predetermined period for response (also referred to as a response period) has elapsed.

[0069] When the judgment unit 212 confirms, based on the monitoring results of the acquisition unit 211, that the light receiving unit 23 has received light from the indicator light 13 during a period other than the above-mentioned response period, it judges that the sensor 1 is not normal, i.e., abnormal.

[0070] On the other hand, when the determination unit 212 confirms that the light receiving unit 23 has received the light from the indicator light 13 within the response period and that other conditions are satisfied, it determines that the detector 1 is normal. In the above case, the determination unit 212 determines that the detector 1 is normal based on the condition that the light receiving unit 23 receives light when the supply unit supplies smoke. In other words, this determination unit 212 is an example of a determination unit that determines that the detector is normal when the light receiving unit receives light from the indicator light when the supply unit supplies smoke. Other conditions may be, for example, conditions related to sensitivity information indicating the sensitivity of the detector extracted from the test information acquired by the acquisition unit 211, or information defined by a fire threshold included in the test information of the detector.

[0071] Furthermore, the supply unit 26 and the transmission unit 28 report the content according to the operation to the processor 21, and the judgment unit 212 treats this report as a trigger, but these reports may also be made by an instruction unit that instructs the supply unit 26 or the transmission unit 28 to operate.

[0072] For example, the processor 21 may function as an instruction unit 213 indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 12. When the instruction unit 213 issues an instruction to the supply unit 26 to emit smoke, the instruction unit 213 may report that to the determination unit 212. Furthermore, when the instruction unit 213 issues an instruction to the transmission unit 28 to transmit a test start signal, the instruction unit 213 may report that to the determination unit 212. When the determination unit 212 receives these reports, it uses them as a trigger to monitor the acquisition unit 211 from that point until a predetermined period for response (also referred to as a response period) has elapsed.

[0073] The sensor 1 of the present invention line-codes test information 122 containing multiple types of information and outputs it as a serial signal, sequentially representing it by flashing the indicator light 13, allowing the tester 2 having the light-receiving unit 23 to acquire this test information 122. In doing so, the sensor 1 transmits test information 122 containing multiple values ​​using line coding in which, for example, on indicates "1" and off indicates "0," allowing the tester 2 to acquire more diverse information per unit time than if the sensor 1 transmitted a scalar value proportional to the interval between on-off states. Furthermore, because the tester 2 of the present invention uses light from the non-contact sensor 1, periodic operation checks can be performed without removing the sensor 1 from its mounting surface on the ceiling C, facilitating testing.

[0074] [Variations] The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the present invention, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Examples of such modifications are as follows. Note that two or more of the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0075] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the sensor 14 detects an object indicating a fire, but the detector 1 may have a sensor that detects other objects. For example, the sensor 14 may include a proximity sensor that detects when the tester 2 approaches within a predetermined distance.

[0076] The proximity sensor may use, for example, a magnet, a radio frequency identifier (RFID), near field communication (NFC), etc. to detect that the tester 2 has come within a predetermined distance. Alternatively, the proximity sensor may come into direct contact with a member extending from the tester 2 and detect the force received from the member at the contact surface, thereby detecting that the tester 2 has come within a predetermined distance.

[0077] (2) In the above-described embodiment, in the detector testing system 9, the detector 1 is provided with the indicator light 13 and the tester 2 is provided with the receiver 15. However, the detector 1 may also be provided with a light receiver and the tester 2 with a light emitter. In this case, the light receiver of the detector 1 may receive light emitted by the light emitter of the tester 2. Furthermore, the light emitter of the tester 2 may transmit information to the detector 1 using a flashing light pattern. The detector 1 may start communication, for example, triggered by the light receiver receiving light emitted by the light emitter of the tester 2. According to this modification, the detector 1 and the tester 2 can communicate bidirectionally by exchanging light with each other.

[0078] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the tester 2 can accommodate the sensor 1 regardless of the angle of the accommodation section 20 being rotated around the common axis through 360 degrees. However, the tester 2 may be configured to accommodate the sensor 1 only when the accommodation section 20 is rotated through a limited angle. For example, the tester 2 and the sensor 1 may have a positioning member that determines their relative positions when they come into contact with each other. The tester 2 may be configured to accommodate the sensor 1 only when their relative positions are determined by this positioning member. The positioning member of the tester 2 may be, for example, the rib 202 described above.

[0079] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the processor 21 is a CPU, but may have other configurations. At least one of the processors 21 may be, for example, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or may include an FPGA. Furthermore, at least one of the processors 21 may have an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other programmable logic device, and may perform control using these.

[0080] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the storage section 20 covers the detector 1, but the sensor 14 of the detector 1 is not limited to the smoke detector of the embodiment, and may be a heat detector that detects heat, such as a bimetal or a thermistor.

[0081] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the tester 2 has the housing 20 and the light receiving unit 23, but these may not be included. In this case, the tester 2 may be provided with an attachment that includes the housing 20 and the light receiving unit 23. This device is an example of an attachment for testing a sensor, which includes a housing that covers and houses a sensor that transmits test information related to the test through a flashing pattern of an indicator light after line coding, and multiple light receiving units that are arranged in an area within the housing that can face the indicator light when the housing covers the sensor, and that each output a signal according to the intensity of the light they receive. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...detector, 10...housing, 122...test information, 13...indicator light, 14...sensor, 15...receiving unit, 2 (2a, 2b)...tester, 20...accommodating unit, 201...window, 202...rib, 203...nozzle receiving port, 204...peripheral side, 205...bottom, 21...processor, 22...memory, 23 (23a, 23b, 23c)...light receiving unit, 24...connecting unit, 25...support rod, 26...supply unit, U...sensitivity test unit, 28...transmitting unit, 3...receiver, 9...detector testing system.

Claims

1. a housing section that covers and houses the sensor that transmits test information related to the test by encoding the transmission path using a blinking pattern of the indicator light; a plurality of light receiving units that are arranged in an area within the housing unit that can face the indicator light when the housing unit covers the sensor, and that output signals corresponding to the intensity of the light that the light receiving units receive; a determination unit that compares the intensities of the signals output from the plurality of light receiving units and determines whether the sensor is normal or not based on the test information indicated by one or more signals selected based on the comparison result; A tester having:

2. The light receiving sections are arranged at predetermined intervals within the region.

10. The tester of claim 1.

3. A housing that covers and houses a sensor that transmits test information related to the test by encoding the transmission path using a blinking pattern of the light of an indicator light; a plurality of light receiving units that are arranged in an area within the housing unit that can face the indicator light when the housing unit covers the sensor, and that output signals corresponding to the intensity of the light that the light receiving units receive; a determination unit that determines whether the sensor is normal or not based on the test information indicated by a signal output from at least one of the plurality of light receiving units; and The housing section has a window that allows the light of the indicator light to be seen from the outside, and when the sensor is covered, the tester reduces the amount of light received by the multiple light receiving sections from the outside.

4. The window is provided outside the light receiving range of the plurality of light receiving units.

4. The tester of claim 3.

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