Fire detector

Abstract

To provide a fire detector capable of further shortening time when an address is set to the fire detector.SOLUTION: With a fire detector 1 capable of communicating with a fire receiver and provided with control means 4, communication means 3, and current limiting means 2, the communication means 3 is provided so as to be able to recognize to which of the fire receiver and an address setting device the fire sensor 1 is connected, and the current limiting means 2 limits a current to a circuit of the fire sensor 1. When the communication means 3 recognizes that the fire sensor is connected to the fire receiver, the control means 4 is assumed that a current limit is applied, and when the communication means recognizes that the fire sensor is connected to the address setting device, the control means is assumed that the current limit is removed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire detector, and more particularly to a fire detector capable of communicating with a fire receiver. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are fire detectors that are installed so that they can communicate with a fire receiver. Normally, automatic fire alarm systems are configured so that multiple fire detectors are connected to the fire receiver via a line, and so an address is set for each fire detector in order to identify it. This address is set using an address setting device (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-190097 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Normally, when setting the address of a fire detector, it is necessary to load the address setting program and setting data including the address stored in a microcomputer or other device on the circuit of the fire detector. The loading of this setting data requires a relatively large amount of current.

[0005] On the other hand, one type of fire receiver for automatic fire alarm systems is the P-type receiver. A P-type receiver determines whether there is a fire or a normal state based on the amount of current flowing through the circuit. If the amount of current flowing through the circuit is greater than a threshold, it is determined to be a fire, and conversely, if it is less than the threshold, it is determined to be normal. Therefore, in the fire detector connected to a P-type receiver, if current is allowed to flow through the circuit without any restrictions, the amount of current flowing through the circuit will increase, leading to a false determination of a fire, so the amount of current flowing through the circuit is limited in advance.

[0006] Due to this current limitation, the amount of current flowing through the fire detector circuit is less than the amount of current required to expand the setting data, so in conventional fire detectors, a capacitor must be installed on the circuit and charged to ensure the power required to expand the setting data.

[0007] However, since charging of this capacitor is also performed with a current limit imposed on the circuit, it takes a relatively long time to charge the capacitor to the point where the amount of current required to expand the setting data can be secured.

[0008] Therefore, particularly in fire detectors connected to P-type receivers, when setting the address, the current limit in the circuit takes time to charge the capacitor and expand the setting data, which generally makes address setting take a long time. In other words, this time becomes a bottleneck in the time required for address setting from when the fire detector is connected to the address setting device until the address setting is complete.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fire detector that can further reduce the time required to set an address in the fire detector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a fire alarm system including a control means, a communication means, a current limiting means, and a communication means that can be connected to a fire alarm control panel via a line in a manner that allows communication therewith. Charging means and power storage means; Equipped with , an address is set by an address setting device to identify each fire detector. 1. A fire detector, wherein the fire receiver comprises: It is a P-type receiver The communication means is configured such that the fire detector communicates with the fire receiver, Applicable The current limiting means is provided so as to be able to recognize whether the fire detector is connected to the address setting device or the address setting device, and in a state in which the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver via the line, In order to prevent false alarms from the fire receiver,A current limit is applied to the circuit of the fire detector so that the amount of current flowing through the line does not exceed a threshold value, and the control means sets the current limit to a state in which the current limit is applied when it recognizes that the communication means is connected to the fire receiver, and sets the current limit to a state in which the current limit is released when it recognizes that the communication means is connected to the address setting device. The storage means is charged by the charging means. This is a fire detector characterized by the above.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is a fire alarm system including a control means, a communication means, a current limiting means, and a communication means that can be connected to a fire alarm receiver via a line in a manner that allows communication therewith. Charging means and power storage means; Equipped with , an address is set by an address setting device to identify each fire detector. 1. A fire detector, wherein the fire receiver comprises: It is a P-type receiver The communication means is configured such that the fire detector communicates with the fire receiver, Applicable and the address setting device, the current limiting means is provided to be able to recognize communications by at least two communication methods, a first communication method which is a communication method between the fire receiver and the fire detector, and a second communication method which is different from the first communication method, and in a state where the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver via the line, In order to prevent false alarms from the fire receiver, A current limit is applied to the circuit of the fire detector so that the amount of current flowing through the line does not exceed a threshold value, and the control means temporarily releases the current limit when or after the communication means receives communication by at least the second communication method and recognizes that the fire detector is connected to the address setting device. The charging means charges the storage means. This is a fire detector characterized by the above.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is a fire alarm system that is communicably connected to a fire alarm receiver via a line, and includes: a control means, a communication means, a current limiting means, and a storage means; Charging means and power storage means; Equipped with , an address is set by an address setting device to identify each fire detector. 1. A fire detector, wherein the fire receiver comprises: It is a P-type receiver The communication means is configured such that the fire detector communicates with the fire receiver, Applicableand the address setting device, the current limiting means is provided to be able to recognize communications by at least two communication methods, a first communication method which is a communication method between the fire receiver and the fire detector, and a second communication method which is different from the first communication method, and in a state where the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver via the line, In order to prevent false alarms from the fire receiver, The current limit is applied to the fire detector circuit so that the amount of current flowing through the line does not exceed the threshold. memory The means stores setting data that can be expanded into an address setting program, and the control means temporarily releases the current limit when, or after, the communication means receives communication by at least the second communication method and recognizes that the fire detector is connected to the address setting device, and starts expanding the setting data in a state in which the current limit is released. The charging means charges the storage means. This is a fire detector characterized by the above.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for controlling the control means in a state in which the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver via the line, The aforementioned In order to recognize the address set by the address setting device, the timing of expanding the setting data including the address can be changed for each fire detector. . still In the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish the configuration of the present invention, and the numbers and order thereof have no particular meaning. The same applies to the term "third" that appears in the following description. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The present invention is configured so that the communication means of the fire detector can recognize whether it is connected to a fire receiver or an address setting device, and when it recognizes that it has been set to the address setting device, it temporarily releases the current limit on the fire detector circuit.This makes it possible to increase the amount of current flowing through the circuit when setting the address, and thereby further shortens the time required to set the address of the fire receiver. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic fire alarm system using this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the present embodiment, showing the first half of the address setting process. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the present embodiment, showing the latter half of the address setting process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. First, the configuration of a fire detector 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as detector 1) will be described. The detector 1 is provided so as to be communicably connected to a fire receiver R (hereinafter abbreviated as receiver R) via a line T, and together with the receiver R, constitutes part of an automatic fire alarm system. In order to identify each detector 1, an address is set to each detector 1.

[0017] A known fire receiver can be appropriately adopted as the receiver R, and in this embodiment, the receiver R is configured as a P-type receiver. Therefore, the receiver R determines whether or not there is a fire based on the amount of current flowing through the line T, and determines that there is a fire if the amount of current flowing through the line T is higher than a threshold, and determines that there is a normal state if the amount of current flowing through the line T is lower than the threshold.

[0018] The detector 1 is connectable to an address setting device A to set its address, and comprises current limiting means 2, communication means 3, and control means 4, and in this embodiment further comprises charging means 5, address setting means 6, switch means 7, and power storage means 8. The type of detector 1, for example, a smoke detector, heat detector, or flame detector, is not particularly important, and known configurations can be appropriately adopted for parts not specifically described.

[0019] The current limiting means 2 applies a current limit to the circuit of the detector 1, thereby preventing an increase in the amount of current flowing through the line T and preventing erroneous detection. In this embodiment, the current limiting means 2 has a switch means 7. The switch means 7 is provided to switch the power supply to the detector 1 on and off.

[0020] The communication means 3 is provided for communicating with the receiver R or the address setting device A, and is provided so that the sensor 1 can recognize whether it is connected to the receiver R or the address setting device A.

[0021] In this embodiment, the communication means 3 is configured to be able to recognize communication by at least two types of communication methods, one of which is a communication method (hereinafter referred to as a first communication method) used for communication with the receiver R, and the other communication method is a communication method (hereinafter referred to as a second communication method) different from the first communication method.

[0022] Furthermore, when the communication means 3 receives communication using the second communication method, it recognizes that it is connected to the address setting device A, and in any other state, that is, by default, it recognizes that it is connected to the receiver R.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the communication means 3 is capable of responding to communications using the first communication method, i.e., it is a two-way communication of receiving and transmitting. Also, the communication means 3 is not configured to respond to communications using the second communication method, and it is a one-way communication of receiving only. It is not particularly important whether the communication means 3 is capable of transmitting communications using the second communication method, and it is also possible for the communication means 3 to respond to communications using the second communication method.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first communication method is a communication method used for communication with a P-type receiver because the receiver R is a P-type receiver. Also, in this embodiment, the address setting device A is provided so that it can be shared by a fire detector connected to a P-type receiver and a fire detector connected to an R-type receiver, so the second communication method is a communication method used for communication with an R-type receiver.

[0025] The charging means 5 is provided to charge the power storage means 8 on the circuit, particularly when the current limitation by the current limiting means 2 is released. In this embodiment, the charging means 5 is configured to charge the power storage means 8 in accordance with the amount of current flowing on the circuit, regardless of whether or not there is current limitation by the current limiting means 2. In this embodiment, the power storage means 8 is provided as a capacitor mounted on the circuit of the sensor 1, and is provided to ensure power when setting the address.

[0026] The address setting means 6 has a storage means 9, and the storage means 9 stores setting data that can be expanded into an address setting program. The setting data includes the program and setting values ​​(addresses in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the storage means 9 also serves to store the addresses set in the detectors 1.

[0027] The control means 4 is a means for controlling the sensor 1, such as a microcomputer, and is responsible for at least controlling the current limit of the circuit of the sensor 1. Specifically, the control means 4 applies a current limit to the circuit when the communication means 3 recognizes that the sensor 1 is connected to the receiver R, and releases the current limit of the circuit when the communication means 3 recognizes that the sensor 1 is connected to the address setter.

[0028] In this embodiment, the control means 4 is configured to release the current limit of the circuit when or after the communication means 3 receives communication using the second communication method, and at that time, starts expanding the setting data recorded in the memory means 9.

[0029] Next, a method for setting an address for the sensor 1 in this embodiment will be described. (1) The detector 1 is connected to the address setting device A and the power supply of the address setting device A is turned on. At this time, power is supplied to the detector 1 with the current being limited by the current limiting means 2. Also, the charging means 5 starts charging the storage means 8 with the current flowing through the circuit with the current being limited, and the storage means 8 gradually stores electricity.

[0030] (2) The address setter A alternately repeats communication with the sensor 1 using the first communication method and communication using the second communication method, transmitting a start command (S1) using each communication method. The sensor 1 recognizes from the address setter A that it is connected to the address setter A when or after the communication means 3 receives communication using the second communication method, and the control means 4 temporarily releases the current limiting means 2 from the circuit. It is possible to appropriately select which of the communication using the first communication method and the communication using the second communication method should be performed first.

[0031] (3) The charging means 5 starts charging the power storage means 8 on the circuit with the current limit of the circuit released. The storage means 9 expands the setting data in parallel with the charging of the power storage means 8 and / or after the charging of the power storage means 8 is completed with the current limit of the circuit released.

[0032] At this time, since the current limit has been released, the amount of current flowing through the circuit exceeds the amount of current required to expand the setting data, and therefore the memory means 9 is able to expand the setting data by utilizing the current flowing through the circuit and / or the charge stored in the storage means 8.

[0033] (4) After that, when the communication means 3 receives the activation command transmitted (S1) by communication using the first communication method from the address setter A, it responds (S2) to the address setter A. When the address setter A receives the response (S2), it transmits (S3) an address setting command to the sensor 1 using communication using the first communication method.

[0034] (5) When the communication means 3 receives the address setting command transmitted (S3) from the address setter A, the control means 4 uses the address setting program to set an address in the detector 1. The set address is stored in the storage means 9, and the address setting of the detector 1 is completed.

[0035] In conventional fire detectors, the circuit is always under a current limit while charging the storage means on the circuit and expanding the setting data, so it takes approximately 6 seconds per detector to set the address. However, in detector 1 of this embodiment, the capacitor can be charged and the setting data can be expanded without a current limit being applied to the circuit, so the time required for address setting can be reduced to approximately 3 seconds per detector 1.

[0036] Automatic fire alarm systems in which fire detectors such as the detector 1 of this embodiment are connected to a fire receiver are often installed in relatively large facilities, which inevitably means that a large number of fire detectors are installed. Therefore, reducing the time required to set the address per fire detector from approximately 6 seconds to approximately 3 seconds leads to a considerable time savings.

[0037] Therefore, in the sensor 1 of this embodiment, when the communication means 3 receives communication by the second communication method from the address setter A, it recognizes that the sensor 1 is connected to the address setter A, and the control unit 1 temporarily releases the current limit of the circuit, which makes it possible to shorten the time required for address setting. Furthermore, this release of the current limit is temporary, and when the sensor 1 is connected to the receiver R via the line T, the circuit is in a current limited state, so there is no effect on the receiver R, and false alarms from the receiver R are prevented as before.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0039] (A) In the above embodiment, detector 1 was a fire detector connected to a P-type receiver, but the present invention can be applied to any fire detector that has a current limit applied to the circuit, regardless of the type of fire receiver connected.

[0040] (B) In the above embodiment, the first communication method is the communication method between the sensor 1 and the receiver R, but the communication method is not particularly limited, and it is also possible to adopt a communication method different from the communication method between the sensor 1 and the receiver R.

[0041] (C) In the above embodiment, the address setting device A can be used in both a fire detector connected to a P-type receiver and a fire detector connected to an R-type receiver, so the second communication method is the communication method used when communicating with the R-type receiver, but the communication method is not particularly limited as long as it is a communication method different from the first communication method. Furthermore, the second communication method may be one communication method or multiple communication methods.

[0042] (D) In ​​the above embodiment, multiple different communication methods (e.g., a first communication method and a second communication method) were used to make the sensor 1 recognize that it has connected to the address setter A. However, the address setter A may be configured to repeatedly communicate multiple communications with the sensor 1 using a single communication method, e.g., the first communication method, with different content and / or commands, and the receiver 1 may recognize that it has connected to the address setter A when it receives a communication from the address setter A with content and / or commands different from the activation command.

[0043] (E) The address setter A may be capable of transmitting and receiving communications by a communication method other than the first communication method and the second communication method (hereinafter referred to as a third communication method). In this case, the address setter A will transmit a start command to the sensor 1 by communication by the third communication method, but the communication means 3 of the sensor 1 will ignore the communication by the third communication method because it cannot recognize it.

[0044] (F) It is possible to control the control means 4 so as to change the timing at which the setting data in the storage means 9 is expanded for each sensor 1. Even when connected to the receiver R via the line T, the sensor 1 needs to expand the setting data in order to recognize its own address. By doing this, even when the sensor 1 is connected to the receiver R via the line T, it becomes possible to expand the setting data with the current limit released and preventing erroneous detection by the receiver R. Note that this timing can be set as appropriate, and for example, it is possible to select a timing that does not cause the expansion of the setting data of each sensor 1 to overlap.

[0045] (G) In the above embodiment, the sensor 1 is provided with the charging means 5 and the storage means 8, but it is also possible not to provide the charging means 5 and the storage means 8. In conventional sensors, the setting data is expanded with a current limit applied, so the amount of current flowing through the circuit is less than the amount of current required to expand the setting data, and therefore the storage means must be charged before the setting data can be expanded and address setting can be performed. However, in the present invention, the setting data can be expanded with the current limit released, so the amount of current flowing through the circuit exceeds the amount of current required to expand the setting data, and address setting can be performed without charging the storage means 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Fire detector 2 Current limiting means 3 Communication means 4 Control means 5 Charging means 6 Address setting means 7 Switch means 8 Power storage means 9 Storage means A Address setting device R Fire receiver T Line

Claims

1. A fire detector that is provided so as to be communicably connected to a fire detector via a line, and that includes a control means, a communication means, a current limiting means, a charging means, and a power storage means, and an address is set by an address setting device to identify each fire detector, wherein the fire detector is a P-type receiver, the communication means is provided so as to be able to recognize whether the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver or the address setting device, the current limiting means applies a current limit to the circuit of the fire detector so that the amount of current flowing through the line does not exceed a threshold in order to prevent a false alarm from being generated by the fire receiver when the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver via the line; the control means applies the current limitation when it recognizes that the communication means is connected to the fire control receiver, and releases the current limitation when it recognizes that the communication means is connected to the address setting device; A fire detector characterized in that the charging means charges the storage means.

2. A fire detector that is provided so as to be communicably connected to a fire detector via a line, and that includes a control means, a communication means, a current limiting means, a charging means, and a power storage means, and an address is set by an address setting device to identify each fire detector, wherein the fire detector is a P-type receiver, the communication means is provided to be able to recognize communications by at least two types of communication methods, a first communication method which is a communication method between the fire receiver and the fire detector, and a second communication method which is different from the first communication method, so as to be able to recognize whether the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver or the address setting device; the current limiting means applies a current limit to the circuit of the fire detector so that the amount of current flowing through the line does not exceed a threshold in order to prevent a false alarm from being generated by the fire receiver when the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver via the line; the control means temporarily releases the current limitation when or after the communication means receives communication by at least the second communication method and recognizes that the fire detector is connected to the address setting device; A fire detector characterized in that the charging means charges the storage means.

3. A fire detector that is provided so as to be communicably connected to a fire detector via a line, and that includes a control means, a communication means, a current limiting means, a memory means, a charging means, and a power storage means, and that has an address set by an address setting device to identify each fire detector, wherein the fire detector is a P-type receiver, the communication means is provided to be able to recognize communications by at least two types of communication methods, a first communication method which is a communication method between the fire receiver and the fire detector, and a second communication method which is different from the first communication method, so as to be able to recognize whether the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver or the address setting device; the current limiting means applies a current limit to the circuit of the fire detector so that the amount of current flowing through the line does not exceed a threshold in order to prevent a false alarm from being generated by the fire receiver when the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver via the line; The storage means stores setting data that can be expanded into an address setting program, the control means, when the communication means receives communication by at least the second communication method and recognizes that the fire detector is connected to the address setting device, or thereafter, temporarily releases the current limit and starts expanding the setting data in a state in which the current limit is released; A fire detector characterized in that the charging means charges the storage means.

4. The fire detector of claim 3, wherein the control means changes the timing of expanding the setting data including the address for each fire detector in order to recognize the address set by the address setting device when the fire detector is connected to the fire receiver via the line.

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