Smoke detection equipment

Abstract

To promptly, efficiently and certainly perform smoke detection specifying a generation position of smoke in a monitoring area.SOLUTION: A smoke detection facility comprises: a fixed type smoke detection device 100 which detects smoke in a computer room 104 as a monitoring area; and a portable type smoke detection device 10 which detects smoke contained in the sucked air as moving in the computer room 104 to specify a generation position of smoke, wherein sensitivity higher than detection sensitivity of the fixed type smoke detection device 100 for detecting smoke is fixed to initial sensitivity when detection is started, and fixation of the initial sensitivity is cancelled when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected in the portable type smoke detection device 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a smoke detection system that includes a portable smoke detection device and a fixed smoke detection device that detects minute amounts of smoke contained in the air drawn in from a monitored area. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, fixed smoke detectors that detect smoke with high sensitivity have been installed in computer rooms where servers and other equipment are installed, and in clean rooms in semiconductor manufacturing facilities, etc. These fixed smoke detectors suck in air from a sampling tube installed in the monitored area and are activated when they detect extremely low concentrations of smoke floating in the air.

[0003] When such a fixed smoke detection device is activated, the location of the smoke source may not be visible to the naked eye. Therefore, a portable smoke detection device with a sampling tube attached to the end of a hose is used to move around the monitored area and identify the location of the smoke source.

[0004] Furthermore, conventional fixed smoke detectors have a problem in that, because the sampling pipe has multiple sampling holes, even if smoke is detected, it is not possible to identify the location where the smoke is originating.

[0005] To solve this problem, photoelectric smoke detectors with suction ports are placed, for example at predetermined intervals, in a sampling pipe that draws in air from the protected space, and an address is assigned to each photoelectric smoke detector, so that the location of the smoke source can be identified based on the address of the photoelectric smoke detector that detected the smoke. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-106678 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-062820 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-062821 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-057791 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-078807 [Patent Document 6] International Publication No. W02013-031016 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when using conventional portable smoke detectors to identify the source of smoke, the smoke detection sensitivity of the portable smoke detector is set lower than that of fixed smoke detectors, but the smoke in the monitored area is often so thin that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. Furthermore, since the area where such thin smoke is present is often a small area of ​​the entire monitored area, if the smoke detection sensitivity is set lower than that of the fixed smoke detectors from the beginning, the location of the smoke source may be overlooked. Furthermore, the task of identifying the source of smoke while moving around the monitored area is time-consuming and laborious.

[0008] Furthermore, no method has been proposed for identifying the area where smoke is occurring within a monitoring area using a conventional fixed smoke detection device, and then identifying the exact location of the smoke occurrence using a portable smoke detection device.

[0009] Furthermore, in conventional fixed smoke detection devices, in order to identify the smoke-generating area, a photoelectric smoke detector must be installed at each suction position of the sampling pipe. This means that the number of photoelectric smoke detectors increases depending on the number of suction ports installed in the sampling pipe, which results in a problem of complex equipment configuration and a significant increase in equipment costs.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a smoke detection facility equipped with a portable smoke detection device that enables the location of smoke sources to be identified quickly, efficiently, and reliably while moving around a monitored area.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a smoke detection system equipped with a fixed smoke detection device that can identify the area where smoke is originating, without increasing complexity or requiring a significant increase in the equipment configuration, and at low equipment cost.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a smoke detection system that allows for the quick, efficient, and reliable narrowing down and identifying the location of smoke sources by using a portable smoke detection device to move around within a monitoring area identified by a fixed smoke detection device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] (Smoke detection equipment 1) The present invention provides a smoke detection system, comprising: a fixed smoke detection device for detecting smoke in the monitored area; A portable smoke detection device that detects smoke contained in the air drawn in while moving within a monitoring area and identifies the location of the smoke source; Equipped with The portable smoke detection device is characterized in that, at the start of detection, the detection sensitivity for detecting smoke is fixed to an initial sensitivity that is higher than the detection sensitivity of a fixed smoke detection device, and when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected, the initial sensitivity is released.

[0014] (Smoke detection equipment 2) In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smoke detection system, comprising: a fixed smoke detection device for detecting smoke in the monitored area; A portable smoke detection device that detects smoke contained in the air drawn in while moving within a monitoring area and identifies the location of the smoke source; Equipped with The portable smoke detection device is characterized in that, at the start of detection, the detection sensitivity for detecting smoke in the monitored area is fixed to a predetermined initial sensitivity, and when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected while at the initial sensitivity, the initial sensitivity is released and the detection sensitivity can be switched to a sensitivity lower than the initial sensitivity.

[0015] (Detection sensitivity switching function for portable smoke detectors) In a portable smoke detector, the detection sensitivity switching function does not function at the start of detection, but functions when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected.

[0016] (Initial sensitivity of portable smoke detectors) The initial sensitivity of the portable smoke detection device is a detection sensitivity that is higher than the detection sensitivity to which it can be switched when the detection sensitivity switching function is activated.

[0017] (Fixed smoke detection device to identify the area where smoke is generated) The surveillance area is divided into predetermined sections, The fixed smoke detection device detects smoke by identifying the smoke generating section where the smoke has occurred.

[0018] (Configuration of fixed smoke detection device) Fixed smoke detection devices are a sampling pipe laid in the monitoring area so that a sampling hole is located in each of the sections; an on-off valve provided corresponding to each sampling hole; Equipped with By controlling the opening and closing of each of the on-off valves, air in any desired compartment is sucked through the corresponding sampling hole.

[0019] (Fixed smoke detection device with indicator light) The fixed smoke detection device further includes an indicator light in each compartment; When a smoke generating section is identified and smoke is detected, the smoke generating section is indicated by an indicator light provided in the corresponding section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] [Basic effects of the first invention of the present application] According to the portable smoke detection device and method for locating the location of smoke sources of the present invention, when starting work to locate the location of smoke sources while moving around a monitored area, the smoke detection sensitivity of the portable smoke detection device is always set to the same smoke detection sensitivity as the fixed smoke detection device, or to a higher smoke detection sensitivity as the initial sensitivity. This prevents mistakes in setting the sensitivity when starting work related to switching operations, and prevents the conventional method of starting work with a low sensitivity, which results in a narrow detection range and the resulting loss of the smoke source location. This makes it possible to quickly, efficiently, and reliably locate the location of smoke sources while moving around a monitored area.

[0021] In addition, the initial sensitivity is set to a level equal to or higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of the smoke detection device itself in the fixed smoke detector, and the sensitivity switch does not function at this time. When used to locate the source of smoke, the operation begins with the initial smoke detection sensitivity, and when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected during use to locate the source of smoke, the smoke detection sensitivity switch becomes functional. This reliably prevents the operation from being started with a lower sensitivity than that of the fixed smoke detection device. Furthermore, when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected at the initial smoke detection sensitivity, the smoke detection sensitivity switch becomes functional. Thereafter, the smoke detection sensitivity can be manually or automatically lowered, or manually and automatically, or manually and automatically increased or decreased as needed, thereby narrowing down the source of smoke. This allows the smoke source to be located quickly, efficiently, and reliably.

[0022] In addition, by selectively combining the manual sensitivity switching function and the automatic sensitivity switching function for smoke detection sensitivity, for example, the manual sensitivity switching function can be selected initially and started at the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), and the smoke generation location can be searched for while moving while watching the reaction, and when a predetermined smoke detection signal is obtained, the sensitivity can be manually switched to low sensitivity. Therefore, the sensitivity can be narrowed down by switching to low sensitivity as appropriate, and once the smoke generation location has been significantly narrowed down, the automatic sensitivity switching function can be selected and restarted from the initial sensitivity, so there is no sudden loss of reaction, and the automatic sensitivity switching function immediately switches to the appropriate sensitivity (low sensitivity), and since the smoke generation location has already been significantly narrowed down, the work of identifying the smoke generation location can be carried out automatically without the hassle of switching operations.

[0023] Also, initially, the automatic sensitivity switching function is selected and the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity) is used, and the search for the smoke source is performed while moving and observing the reaction. When the specified smoke detection signal is obtained, the sensitivity is automatically switched to low, and the range is narrowed in this way. If the smoke detection signal suddenly becomes unavailable, the manual sensitivity switching function can be selected and the search for the smoke source can be restarted from the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), making it possible to efficiently proceed with the search for the smoke source according to the situation.

[0024] In addition, by providing a reset means for resetting the sensitivity automatically switched by the automatic sensitivity switching function, when operation starts, the automatic sensitivity switching function is selected and starts at the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), and the device searches for the smoke source location while moving and watching the reaction, and when a predetermined smoke detection signal is obtained, the device automatically switches to low sensitivity, thus narrowing the range, and if the smoke detection signal suddenly becomes unobtainable during the process, the automatic sensitivity switching function can be reset by the reset means, and the sensitivity can be forcibly returned to the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), and the device will restart from the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), making it possible to efficiently proceed with the search for the smoke source location according to the situation.

[0025] In addition, if the automatic sensitivity switching function starts at the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity) and then a manual switching operation is received using the manual sensitivity switching function during the operation, the automatic sensitivity switching function will restart the automatic sensitivity switching from the sensitivity that was manually forced to switch rather than restarting from the initial sensitivity.This makes it possible to skip the switching step in the automatic sensitivity switching function, and by carefully combining the automatic sensitivity switching function and the manual switching operation of the manual sensitivity switching function, it is possible to efficiently proceed with the search for the location of smoke generation.

[0026] [Basic effect of the second invention] The second invention of the present application is a portable smoke detection device that moves within a monitored area, sucks in the air within the monitored area through a sampling hole, detects the smoke contained in the sucked in air, and locates the location of the smoke source.The device is equipped with an alarm means that alerts with sound and / or vibration depending on changes in the detected smoke concentration, so that when starting to locate the location of the smoke source while moving within the monitored area, the worker can be notified of changes in smoke concentration by the sound and / or vibration alarm without having to look at the smoke concentration indicator.By moving while searching in the direction of increasing smoke concentration based on the sound and / or vibration alarm, the location of the smoke source can be efficiently narrowed down and located.

[0027] (Effect of notifying changes in smoke density) In addition, the alarm means changes the output form of sound and / or vibration according to changes in the detected smoke concentration, so that workers can efficiently narrow down and identify the location of the smoke source while moving through the alert area, recognizing changes in smoke concentration in real time from the sound and / or vibration that is notified.

[0028] (Effect of notifying the trend of changes in smoke density) In addition, the alarm means outputs different sounds and / or vibrations depending on the detected trend of change in smoke concentration, so that when an operator notices a downward trend in smoke concentration through the sound and / or vibration alarm, he or she can move away from that direction, and when an operator notices an upward trend in smoke concentration, he or she can move toward the direction showing that trend, thereby efficiently narrowing down and identifying the location where the smoke is coming from.

[0029] (Effect of notifying of rising smoke concentration) The alarm means is designed to be able to identify at least an upward trend among the predetermined change trends of the detected smoke concentration, such as rising, stagnating, or falling, through sound and / or vibration.Therefore, by being notified by sound and / or vibration, the worker can at least recognize the upward trend in smoke concentration and move in that direction, thereby efficiently narrowing down and identifying the location where the smoke is coming from.

[0030] (Effects of changing the output frequency of sound and / or vibration) In addition, the alarm means changes the output period of the specified sound and / or specified vibration, and when the detected smoke concentration increases, the output period of the sound and / or vibration is set to a specified short period, or the period is shortened in accordance with the increase in smoke concentration, and when the smoke concentration decreases, the output period of the specified sound and / or specified vibration is set to a specified long period, or the period is lengthened in accordance with the downward trend in smoke concentration, and when the change in smoke concentration tends to stagnate, the output period of the specified sound and / or specified vibration is set to a specified period between the specified short period and the specified long period, or is fixed to a specified period and does not change.As a result, while moving through the alert area, the worker can efficiently narrow down and identify the location of the smoke source by recognizing in real time changes in the smoke concentration, such as an increase, stagnation, or decrease, from the length of the output period of the specified sound and / or specified vibration that is notified.

[0031] (Effect of changes in sound and / or vibration output duty) In addition, the alarm means changes the output duty of the predetermined sound and / or predetermined vibration at each predetermined repetition period, and when the detected smoke density increases, the output duty of the predetermined sound and / or predetermined vibration is set to a predetermined maximum output duty, or the output duty is increased in accordance with the increase in smoke density, and when the smoke density decreases, the output duty of the predetermined sound and / or predetermined vibration is set to a predetermined minimum output duty, or the output duty is decreased in accordance with the decrease in smoke density, and when the change in smoke density tends to stagnate, the output duty of the predetermined sound and / or predetermined vibration is set to a predetermined output duty between the maximum output duty and the minimum output duty, or is fixed at the predetermined output duty and does not change.Therefore, while moving through the alert area, the worker can efficiently narrow down and identify the location of the smoke generation while recognizing in real time changing conditions such as an increase, stagnation, or decrease in smoke density from changes in the output duty of the predetermined sound or predetermined vibration that is notified.

[0032] [Basic effect of the third invention] The present invention relates to a fixed smoke detection device that is placed in a monitored area and detects smoke contained in air sucked in through a sampling tube, and is provided with an on-off valve provided corresponding to each of a predetermined number of sampling holes in the sampling tube, an on-off valve control unit that controls the opening and closing of the on-off valve so as to keep the amount of air sucked in through the sampling tube approximately constant, and a smoke detection control unit that, when smoke contained in the air sucked in through the sampling tube is detected, identifies the smoke generation location based on the control state of the on-off valve by the on-off valve control unit.Therefore, when smoke is detected, the smoke generation location is identified based on the control state of the multiple on-off valves that are controlled to open and close so as to keep the amount of air sucked in through the sampling tube approximately constant, and by reporting this, even if the smoke cannot be seen with the naked eye, the equipment generating the smoke can be identified and appropriate action can be taken by investigating the target equipment present at the smoke generation location.

[0033] Furthermore, even if multiple on-off valves are controlled to open and close in order to identify the location where smoke is being generated, the amount of air sucked in by the sampling tube is kept approximately constant, so there is no need to perform complex control such as varying the suction volume of the suction pump installed in the smoke detection device main body, which simplifies the device configuration.

[0034] (Effect of sequential opening of on-off valves) In addition, the on-off valve control unit repeatedly controls the opening of a predetermined number of on-off valves in a predetermined order for a predetermined period of time, and the closing of the remaining on-off valves, and the smoke detection control unit identifies the position corresponding to the on-off valve that is opened when smoke is detected as the smoke generation position.Therefore, by repeating the on-off control of opening and closing multiple on-off valves that are normally closed in order for a predetermined period of time, smoke is detected when an on-off valve close to the smoke generation position is opened for a certain period of time, and the smoke generation position can be identified and notified from the on-off valve that is opened when smoke is detected.

[0035] Furthermore, of the multiple on-off valves provided in the sampling pipe, at least one is driven open to suck in air, while the remaining on-off valves are driven closed. The amount of air sucked through the sampling pipe only needs to be the amount sucked in per on-off valve, which corresponds to the sampling hole. This significantly reduces the amount of air sucked in through the sampling pipe, and requires only a small suction pump, making it possible to make the device more compact and less expensive.

[0036] (Effect of open operation time of on-off valve) In addition, the open drive time for driving the multiple on-off valves open is set based on the time it takes for the air sucked in from the on-off valves to reach the smoke detection device main body through the sampling pipe, so that between the time the on-off valves are opened and closed, the air sucked in from the open on-off valves reaches the smoke detection device main body reliably, allowing the presence or absence of smoke to be detected.

[0037] (Effect of sequential closing of on-off valves) In addition, the on-off valve control unit drives a predetermined number of on-off valves to close for a predetermined period of time in a predetermined order, and sequentially repeats control to drive the remaining on-off valves to open, and the smoke detection control unit is configured to identify the position corresponding to the on-off valve that is being driven closed as the smoke generation position when the state changes from one in which smoke is detected to one in which smoke is not detected.Therefore, by repeating the on-off control to close multiple on-off valves that are always open in order for a predetermined period of time, smoke detection is cut off when the on-off valve close to the smoke generation position is driven closed for a certain period of time, and the smoke generation position can be identified and notified from the on-off valve that is being driven closed when the state changes to one in which smoke is not detected.

[0038] In addition, at least one of the multiple on-off valves installed in the sampling pipe is driven closed, while the remaining on-off valves are all open to suck in air.Even when the on-off valves are driven open and closed, smoke detection is carried out quickly and reliably, and at the same time, smoke detection is cut off when the valves are driven closed, so the location of the smoke generation can be reliably identified and reported.

[0039] (Effect of closing time of on-off valve) Furthermore, the closing drive time for driving the multiple on-off valves to close is set based on the time it takes for the air sucked in from the on-off valves to reach the smoke detection device main body through the sampling tube, so that between the time the on-off valves are closed and opened, the air containing the detected smoke that was sucked in from the on-off valves does not reach the smoke detection device main body, and smoke detection is reliably cut off, making it possible to identify the location where the smoke is originating.

[0040] (Effect of individually setting the number of on-off valves) In addition, the specified number of valves to be controlled to open and close can be set individually according to the number of control times repeated sequentially, so that suction conditions can be maintained optimally according to the equipment installation status, the environment of the alert area, the position of the sampling hole, etc.

[0041] (Basic effect of the fourth invention) The fourth invention of the present application uses a fixed smoke detection device to identify the smoke-generating area within the monitored area, and then uses a portable smoke detection device to identify the location of the smoke within that smoke-generating area.This makes the task of identifying the location of the smoke source more efficient, as the fixed smoke detection device identifies a specific smoke-generating area within the monitored area, and the portable smoke detection device can be used from within or near that area to identify the location of the smoke source.

[0042] (Effects of another embodiment of the fourth invention) In another aspect of the fourth invention of the present application, in a method for locating a smoke source location, a smoke generation area is identified using a fixed smoke detection device, and a portable smoke detection device is used in the smoke generation area to identify the smoke source location, when the portable smoke detection device is used to identify the fire location, an initial sensitivity is set to a higher level than the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device, and at this time, the smoke detection sensitivity switching does not function, and when the portable smoke detection device is used to locate the smoke source location while moving within the smoke generation area, operation begins from the initial sensitivity, and when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected during use to locate the smoke source location, the smoke detection sensitivity switching becomes functional, and then the smoke detection sensitivity is lowered, Since the location of smoke generation is narrowed down and identified, when a smoke generation area is identified by a fixed smoke detection device, and work begins to identify the location of the smoke generation while moving around the smoke generation area identified by the portable smoke detection device, the smoke detection sensitivity of the portable smoke detection device is always the same as the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device, or by starting with a higher smoke detection sensitivity as the initial sensitivity, this prevents mistakes in sensitivity setting when starting work related to switching operations, and prevents the location of smoke generation from being overlooked by starting work with a low sensitivity as in the past, making it possible to quickly, efficiently, and reliably identify the location of smoke generation while moving around the monitored area.

[0043] Furthermore, when starting work to identify the location of smoke generation using a portable smoke detection device, it is possible to reliably prevent the work from being started by switching to a lower smoke detection sensitivity than that of a fixed smoke detection device.Furthermore, when a specified smoke detection signal is detected at the initial sensitivity of the smoke detection sensitivity, the smoke detection sensitivity switching becomes functional, and it is then possible to narrow down the location of smoke generation while lowering the smoke detection sensitivity, thereby making it possible to identify the location of smoke generation quickly, efficiently, and reliably.

[0044] (Effect of controlling the opening and closing of the on-off valve) In addition, the fixed smoke detection device is provided with on-off valves provided corresponding to each of a predetermined number of sampling holes in the sampling pipe, an on-off valve control unit that controls the opening and closing of the on-off valves so as to keep the amount of air sucked through the sampling pipe approximately constant, and a smoke detection control unit that, when smoke contained in the air sucked through the sampling pipe is detected, identifies the smoke generation location based on the control state of the on-off valves by the on-off valve control unit.Therefore, when smoke is detected, the smoke generation location is identified based on the control state of the multiple on-off valves that control the opening and closing of the valves so as to keep the amount of air sucked through the sampling pipe approximately constant, and by reporting this, even if the smoke cannot be seen with the naked eye, the equipment generating the smoke can be identified and appropriate action can be taken by examining the target equipment present at the smoke generation location.

[0045] Furthermore, even if multiple on-off valves are controlled to open and close in order to identify the location where smoke is being generated, the amount of air sucked in by the sampling tube is kept approximately constant, so there is no need to perform complex control such as varying the suction volume of the suction pump installed in the smoke detection device main body, which simplifies the device configuration.

[0046] (Effect of warning of smoke-producing areas by indicator lights on the on-off valves) In addition, the fixed smoke detection device is designed to indicate the identified smoke-generating area using a display located at the position of the opening / closing valve, and the indicator light located on the opening / closing valve lights up or flashes to indicate the identified smoke detection area.This means that even in a large alert area, it is easy and simple to know where the smoke-generating area is, and work can begin to narrow down the location of the smoke using the portable smoke detection device.

[0047] (Effect of identifying areas where smoke is generated using smoke detectors) In addition, the fixed smoke detection device is equipped with a smoke detector that detects smoke contained in the sucked air at each suction position of the sampling pipe placed in the alert area, and the smoke-generating area is identified based on the ID information of the smoke detector.Therefore, although the installation costs increase by installing multiple smoke detectors, the smoke-generating area can be reliably identified by the smoke detection of the smoke detector through the simple control of sucking air through the sampling pipe. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0048] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a portable smoke detection device. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram showing the operation display unit attached to the portable smoke detector body. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of a portable smoke detection device that switches between different smoke detection sensitivity settings. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of identifying the location of smoke generation using the portable smoke detection device of this embodiment in a monitoring area of ​​a fixed smoke detection device. [Figure 5] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of a portable smoke detection device that allows the user to select between automatic and manual switching of smoke detection sensitivity. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram showing the operation display unit of Figure 5, which allows the selection of automatic and manual switching of smoke detection sensitivity. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a portable smoke detection device. [Figure 8] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the portable device that uses sound to notify changes in smoke density. [Figure 9]Time chart showing the buzzer sound output pattern corresponding to the decrease and increase in smoke density [Figure 10] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the portable smoke detector that vibrates to notify changes in smoke concentration [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a fixed smoke detection device according to the third invention of the present application. [Figure 12] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of the smoke detection device that detects smoke and identifies the location of the smoke source. [Figure 13] A time chart showing valve control that temporarily opens normally closed valves in sequence. [Figure 14] A flowchart showing smoke detection control for identifying the smoke source location by controlling the on-off valve of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] A time chart showing valve control that temporarily closes valves that are normally open. [Figure 16] A flowchart showing smoke detection control for identifying the smoke source location by controlling the on-off valve of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment for identifying the location of smoke using a fixed smoke detection device and a portable smoke detection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] [Embodiment of the First Invention] (Basic Concept of the Embodiment) Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a portable smoke detection device, Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation display unit provided on the portable smoke detection device main body, and Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the portable smoke detection device main body, which switches the smoke detection sensitivity.

[0050] The basic concept of an embodiment of the portable smoke detection device according to the first invention of the present application is that the portable smoke detection device 10 moves within a monitored area, sucks in air within the monitored area through a sampling hole, detects smoke contained in the sucked air, and locates the source of the smoke, and is equipped with a sensitivity switching control unit 42 that controls the switching of the smoke detection sensitivity, and when the sensitivity switching control unit 42 starts operation, it sets the initial sensitivity to a smoke detection sensitivity that is the same as or higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device 100 (described later in Figure 3) that detects smoke in the monitored area, and at this time, the smoke detection sensitivity switching does not function, and when the fixed smoke detection device 100 is used to locate the source of smoke while moving within the monitored area after detecting the generation of smoke, operation starts from the initial sensitivity, and when a specified smoke detection signal is detected during use to locate the source of smoke, the smoke detection sensitivity switching function is activated.

[0051] With such a portable smoke detection device 10, when starting work to identify the source of smoke while moving around the monitored area, the smoke detection sensitivity of the portable smoke detection device 10 is always set to the same level as the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device 100, or to a higher smoke detection sensitivity as the initial sensitivity. This prevents mistakes in setting the sensitivity when starting work related to switching operations, and eliminates the need to start work with a low sensitivity from the beginning, which results in a narrow detection range and the resulting loss of the source of smoke. This makes it possible to quickly, efficiently, and reliably identify the source of smoke while moving around the monitored area.

[0052] Another aspect of the first invention of the present application is a method for locating a smoke source, in which, after a fixed smoke detection device (100) that detects smoke in a monitored area detects the generation of smoke, a portable smoke detection device (10) is used to move within the monitored area, aspirating air within the monitored area through a sampling hole, and detecting smoke contained in the aspirated air to locate the source of the smoke, in which the portable smoke detection device (10) has switchable smoke detection sensitivity, and when it starts operating, it sets an initial sensitivity that is the same as or higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device (10), and the smoke detection sensitivity switch does not function at this time, and when it is used to locate the source of the smoke, it starts operating from the initial sensitivity, and when it detects a predetermined smoke detection signal while moving within the monitored area, the smoke detection sensitivity switch becomes functional, and the smoke source is located while switching the smoke detection sensitivity. This will be described in detail below.

[0053] (Configuration of smoke detection device) An embodiment of a portable smoke detection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, a portable smoke detector 10 in this embodiment has a sampling tube 14 detachably attached to a smoke detector main body 12 that can be carried around.

[0055] The sampling tube 14 has a suction pipe 14a connected to the tip of a holder portion 14c equipped with a handle 14d, and a sampling hole (suction hole) 14b at the tip of the suction pipe 14a. A flexible hose 14e is connected to the base end of the holder portion 14c, and the hose 14e is detachably connected to a hose connection port 16 of the smoke detection device main body 12.

[0056] The smoke detection device main body 12 can be carried by hand using a handle 18 or hung on the shoulder using a hanger belt or the like, and the location of smoke generation can be identified while the device is being carried. A power switch 20 is provided on the top, and an operation display unit 22 is provided on the front.

[0057] 2, the operation and display unit 22 has an alarm display unit 24 and a sensitivity switching operation unit 26. The alarm display unit 24 is provided with a caution light 24c, a warning light 24b, and a warning light 24a that are turned on in response to an increase in smoke density, as well as a suction check light 24d, a fault indicator light 24e, and a power light 24f. All or part of the operation and display unit 22 may be provided in the holder unit 14c. In that case, electrical wiring is provided as necessary to connect the smoke detection device main body 12 and the holder unit 14c.

[0058] Sensitivity switching operation unit 26 is a sensitivity switching means having a sensitivity switching function, and includes sensitivity switching buttons (switch buttons) 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d, allowing manual switching of smoke detection sensitivity among four levels. For example, sensitivity switching button 26a selects the highest smoke detection sensitivity, which operates at a smoke concentration of 0.005 to 0.1% / m; sensitivity switching button 26b selects the second smoke detection sensitivity, which operates at a smoke concentration of 0.1 to 0.2% / m; sensitivity switching button 26c selects the third smoke detection sensitivity, which operates at a smoke concentration of 0.2 to 0.5% / m; and sensitivity switching button 26d selects the lowest smoke detection sensitivity, which operates at a smoke concentration of 0.5 to 5.0% / m. Each sensitivity switching button is a self-illuminating (illuminated) switch, and the selected sensitivity is displayed.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, the smoke detection device main body 12 includes a control unit 30, a smoke detection unit 32, a suction unit 34, a battery power supply unit 36, a power switch 20, a sensitivity switching operation unit 26, and an alarm display unit 24.

[0060] The suction unit 34 is equipped with a suction fan driven by a motor, and when the suction fan is rotated, air containing smoke particles is sucked in from the target space, i.e., the monitored area, through the sampling hole 14b, and taken into the smoke detection unit 32 via the suction pipe 14a and hose 14e, and then exhausted from the exhaust hole.

[0061] The smoke detection unit 32 forms a smoke detection point by, for example, focusing laser light from a laser light source on the airflow it has sucked in, and receives the scattered light generated when smoke particles pass through this smoke detection point with a photodiode, outputs detection pulses, and counts them at predetermined time intervals.Based on this count, the unit detects smoke and outputs a smoke detection signal.

[0062] It should be noted that a light source other than a laser light source, such as an LED, may be used. The light receiving sensor is not limited to a photodiode, and various light receiving sensors may be used.

[0063] The battery power supply unit 36 ​​includes a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, and can be charged by connecting a charging unit to a connector 38. Power is supplied from the battery power supply unit 36 ​​to each of the other units.

[0064] The control unit 30 is composed of hardware such as a computer circuit equipped with a CPU, memory, various input / output ports, etc., and is provided with the functions of a smoke detection control unit 40 and a sensitivity switching control unit 42, which are realized by the CPU executing a program.

[0065] When a smoke detection signal detected according to the initial sensitivity or the smoke detection sensitivity set by the sensitivity switching control unit 42 is output from the smoke detection unit 32, the smoke detection control unit 40 sequentially lights up the caution light 24c, the warning light 24b, and the alarm light 24a provided on the alarm display unit 24 according to the caution level, the alert level, and the alarm level indicating an increase in smoke density of the smoke detection signal, thereby notifying the smoke detection and change in smoke density. Instead of or in addition to these indicator lights, an indicator may be provided that variably displays the detected smoke density according to the detection pulse count status. The smoke detection control unit 40 can roughly determine the currently detected smoke density from the currently set smoke detection sensitivity and the smoke detection signal (pulse count status, etc.). Based on this, the above-mentioned display corresponding to the currently detected smoke density can be performed.

[0066] For example, when the sensitivity selector button 26a is used to select the highest smoke detection sensitivity level, which operates at a smoke concentration of 0.005 to 0.1% / m, caution light 24c is illuminated when the smoke detection unit 32 outputs a smoke detection signal corresponding to a smoke concentration of 0.005% / m. Furthermore, when the smoke detection unit 32 outputs a smoke detection signal corresponding to a smoke concentration of, for example, 0.05% / m, warning light 24b is illuminated. Furthermore, when a smoke detection signal corresponding to a higher level of concentration is detected, alarm light 24a is illuminated. For example, when a smoke detection signal corresponding to a smoke concentration of 0.1% / m is output, alarm light 24a is illuminated. In this embodiment, illumination of alarm light 24a is considered to be equivalent to activation. This also applies to the other embodiments.

[0067] The sensitivity switching control unit 42 is equipped with a manual sensitivity switching function 43, and when operation begins after power is turned on by operating the power switch 20, as will be described later in Figure 4, it sets the initial sensitivity to a smoke detection sensitivity that is equal to or higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of a fixed smoke detection device installed in a monitored area such as a computer room, and at this time, the smoke detection sensitivity switching does not function.Therefore, when the fixed smoke detection device is used to identify the location of smoke in a monitored area when it is activated, operation begins with a smoke detection sensitivity that is equal to or higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device set as the initial sensitivity in the smoke detection device main body 12, and when a specified smoke detection signal is detected during use to identify the location of smoke, the sensitivity switching operation unit 26 performs control to switch the smoke detection sensitivity.

[0068] The initial sensitivity is registered in the memory of the control unit 30 by a dedicated setting device, for example, at the time of shipment from the factory. Alternatively, the set sensitivity may be read from a fixed smoke detection device, and a sensitivity higher than this may be registered in the memory of the control unit 30 as the initial sensitivity. When the power is turned on, the control unit 30 reads the initial sensitivity registered in memory using the manual sensitivity switching function 43 of the sensitivity switching control unit 42 and sets it in the smoke detection control unit 40 before starting operation. Note that the initial sensitivity can be set using a DIP switch or the like, in addition to being stored in memory.

[0069] Also, for example, after the power is turned on, a separately provided detection start switch or the like may be operated, and when this operation is performed, a suction fan or the like may be started to be driven, and before electrical software sampling begins, the manual sensitivity switching function 43 of the sensitivity switching control unit 42 may automatically set an initial sensitivity stored in advance in memory in the smoke detection control unit 40, and smoke detection based on the initial sensitivity may be started.

[0070] For example, if the smoke detection sensitivity of a fixed smoke detector installed to detect smoke in a monitored area is set to a detection sensitivity that activates at a smoke concentration of 0.1% / m (for example, the aforementioned "alert level"), the initial sensitivity corresponds to a higher sensitivity, i.e., a sensitivity that activates at a smoke concentration of 0.005 to 0.1% / m, selected by sensitivity switch button 26a, for example. Note that the initial sensitivity does not necessarily have to match the sensitivity that can be selected by sensitivity switch buttons 26a to 26d, and may be a higher sensitivity than the sensitivity selected by sensitivity switch button 26a, for example.

[0071] Here, the total length of the sampling pipe 14 and hose (flexible pipe) 14e connected to the portable smoke detection device 10 is made shorter than that of the sampling pipe connected to a fixed smoke detection device, the number of sampling holes is reduced, and the suction flow rate per unit time is kept the same, thereby increasing the spatial extent (smoke detection range) in which smoke can be effectively detected based on the amount of air suctioned per unit time from the sampling holes compared to a fixed smoke detection device. Therefore, the portable smoke detection device 10 can efficiently identify the location of smoke sources that are localized within a wide monitoring area.

[0072] Furthermore, in the case of a portable smoke detection device 10 in which the initial sensitivity is set to a smoke detection sensitivity that is the same as or higher than that of a fixed smoke detection device, when work begins at the initial sensitivity, the sensitivity switching function does not become functional and the sensitivity cannot be switched until a predetermined smoke detection signal, for example a smoke detection signal equivalent to the level at which the initial sensitivity activates, is obtained from the start of work at the initial sensitivity, thereby reliably preventing work from being started by switching to a sensitivity lower than that of the fixed smoke detection device.

[0073] Furthermore, when the portable smoke detection device 10 detects a predetermined smoke detection signal corresponding to the smoke detection sensitivity set as the initial sensitivity during the operation to identify the source of smoke, it sets a software flag, for example, and only when this flag is set does it become possible to switch the detection sensitivity using the sensitivity switching operation unit 26. Thereafter, the smoke detection sensitivity can be gradually lowered (up or down as needed) to narrow down the source of smoke.

[0074] The manual sensitivity switching function 43 of the sensitivity switching control unit 42 may set the aforementioned initial sensitivity in the smoke detection control unit 40 at the start of operation and prohibit or disable switching of the smoke detection sensitivity, and may perform control to cancel the prohibition or disablement of sensitivity switching when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected at the initial sensitivity during use to identify the location of smoke. Here, prohibiting or disabling sensitivity switching includes cases where the switching operation is possible but the manual sensitivity switching function 43 of the sensitivity switching control unit 42 does not effectively accept the switching operation, or where the detection operation associated with the sensitivity switching is performed but the detection result is not displayed on the alarm display unit 24, etc.

[0075] Furthermore, when prohibiting / cancelling sensitivity switching, a method can be adopted in which the manual sensitivity switching function 43 of the sensitivity switching control unit 42 controls, for example, a shutter mechanism to open and close the covers provided on the sensitivity switching buttons 26a to 26d, thereby switching between prohibiting and canceling the sensitivity switching operation, i.e., when the cover is closed, operation is disabled, and when the cover is open, operation is enabled.

[0076] With reference to FIG. 4, the operation of identifying the location of smoke generation by the portable smoke detection device of this embodiment in the monitoring area of ​​the fixed smoke detection device will be described.

[0077] In the example of Figure 4, a fixed smoke detection device 100 is installed in a computer room 104 where server racks 106 storing servers are located, and the monitored area is a computer room 104. A sampling pipe 102 is drawn out from the fixed smoke detection device main body 101 into the monitored area, and sampling holes are formed in the sampling pipe 102 at predetermined intervals, and air in the monitored area is drawn in through the sampling holes and sent to the fixed smoke detection device main body 101, which has the same configuration as the smoke detection device main body 12 in the portable smoke detection device 10, and is able to detect and issue an alarm even if the smoke is very thin (low concentration) and cannot be seen with the naked eye.

[0078] Here, as mentioned above, the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device 100 is set so that it detects and activates when smoke of a predetermined concentration, for example, 0.1% / m, is present in the space corresponding to the position of the sampling hole farthest from the fixed smoke detection device main body 101 among the multiple sampling holes provided in the sampling tube 102 (the spatial area where the air present there is effectively sucked in through the sampling hole).

[0079] When the fixed smoke detector main body 101 detects smoke and is activated, an alarm signal is sent to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 110 installed in the monitoring room 108, and a fire alarm is output.

[0080] When a specified smoke detection signal is detected by the fixed smoke detection device main body 101 and a fire alarm is output, an attendant brings the portable smoke detection device 10 of this embodiment into the computer room 104, which is the monitored area, and while moving around the computer room 104, begins the task of sucking in air through the sampling hole 14b at the tip of the sampling tube 14 to identify the location where the smoke is coming from.

[0081] At this time, the smoke detection sensitivity of the portable smoke detection device 10 is set to an initial sensitivity that is the same as or higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device 100, and in this state the sensitivity switching does not function, so even if work is started from a location far from the smoke source, smoke can be detected quickly, and the location of the smoke source will not be overlooked when work is started as in the past by setting the sensitivity to a low level in advance.

[0082] Furthermore, once work has begun and the portable smoke detection device 10 is activated by detecting a predetermined smoke detection signal, the sensitivity switching operation unit 26, which had not functioned until then, becomes functional, and the staff member can narrow down the location of the smoke source by gradually lowering the smoke detection sensitivity from, for example, the first smoke detection sensitivity of 0.005 to 0.1% / m corresponding to the sensitivity switching button 26a, which was set as the initial sensitivity, to the second, third, and fourth smoke detection sensitivity.

[0083] [Another embodiment for automatically switching detection sensitivity] Another embodiment of the portable smoke detection device main body that allows selection between automatic and manual switching of the smoke detection sensitivity will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.

[0084] The smoke detection device main body 12 in the portable smoke detection device 10 is equipped with a control unit 30, a smoke detection unit 32, a suction unit 34, a battery power supply unit 36, a power switch 20, an alarm display unit 24, and a sensitivity switching operation unit 26, as in Figure 3. The control unit 30 is equipped with a smoke detection control unit 40 and a sensitivity switching control unit 42, as in Figure 3, but the sensitivity switching control unit 42 is equipped with an automatic sensitivity switching function 44 in addition to the manual sensitivity switching function 43 of Figure 3, and as shown in Figure 6, the sensitivity switching operation unit 26 is equipped with a manual sensitivity switching button 48 and an automatic sensitivity switching button 50 which function as selection means.

[0085] When manual switching of the smoke detection sensitivity is selected using manual sensitivity switching button 48, manual switching of the smoke detection sensitivity is possible using manual sensitivity switching function 43 based on the operation of sensitivity switching buttons 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d, as in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3. When automatic switching of the smoke detection sensitivity is selected using automatic sensitivity switching button 50, sensitivity switching control is performed by automatic sensitivity switching function 44, which automatically switches the smoke detection sensitivity based on the smoke detection signal.

[0086] In addition, whether the smoke detection sensitivity is manually or automatically switched using the manual sensitivity switching function 43 or the automatic sensitivity switching function 44, the caution light 24c, the warning light 24b, and the alarm light 24a will light up in sequence in response to an increase in smoke concentration, allowing the user to know about smoke detection and changes in smoke concentration.

[0087] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, a smoke detection sensitivity equal to or higher than that of the fixed smoke detection device is registered as the initial sensitivity, and after power is turned on, the fixed smoke detection device starts at the initial sensitivity when used to detect smoke and identify the location of the smoke in the monitored area by using either the manual sensitivity switching function 43 or the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 selected by operating the manual sensitivity switching button 48 or the automatic sensitivity switching button 50, and at this time the sensitivity switching of the manual sensitivity switching function 43 or the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 is not functional. Then, when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected during use to identify the location of smoke at the initial sensitivity, the sensitivity switching of the manual sensitivity switching function 43 or the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 becomes functional.

[0088] When the sensitivity switching is enabled, if manual switching of the smoke detection sensitivity is selected using the manual sensitivity switching button 48, smoke is detected using the smoke detection sensitivity selected by switching using one of the sensitivity switching buttons 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d, as in the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3.On the other hand, if automatic switching of the smoke detection sensitivity is selected using the automatic sensitivity switching button 50, automatic sensitivity switching control is performed, in which the detection sensitivity is automatically switched based on the smoke detection signal.

[0089] The automatic sensitivity switching control by the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 automatically switches and controls the smoke detection sensitivity by, for example, AGC (Automatic Gain Control) so that the signal level of the smoke detection signal falls within a predetermined level range.

[0090] In other words, the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 uses electrical software processing to automatically switch the smoke detection sensitivity so that it falls within a predetermined level range, for example by lowering the gain of the signal amplifier when the signal level of the smoke detection signal output from the smoke detection unit 32 exceeds a predetermined upper threshold, and by increasing the gain of the amplifier when the signal level of the smoke detection signal falls below a predetermined lower threshold, thereby maintaining the smoke detection sensitivity if the signal level of the smoke detection signal is within the predetermined level range, and switching the smoke detection sensitivity to low sensitivity when the signal level exceeds the upper threshold, and switching the smoke detection sensitivity to high sensitivity when the signal level falls below the lower threshold.

[0091] The AGC control of automatic sensitivity switching by the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 is configured so that the control unit 30 controls an analog switch for switching the gain of the amplifier, a digital potentiometer, or an electronic volume (which correspond to sensitivity switching means) provided in the smoke detection unit 32.

[0092] As a result, the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 automatically reduces the smoke detection sensitivity as the smoke source approaches, allowing the operator to narrow down the location where the smoke is being generated.

[0093] [Embodiment combining manual and automatic switching of smoke detection sensitivity] As another embodiment of the portable smoke detection device shown in Figures 5 and 6, the sensitivity switching control unit 42 can efficiently identify the location of smoke generation by appropriately combining manual and automatic switching of the smoke detection sensitivity.

[0094] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a sensitivity switching control unit 42 is provided with a manual sensitivity switching function 43 and an automatic sensitivity switching function 44, and the sensitivity switching operation unit 26 shown in Figure 6 is provided with a manual sensitivity switching button 48 and an automatic sensitivity switching button 50 which function as selection means.

[0095] When operation starts or when selection is made using the manual sensitivity switching button 48 and the automatic sensitivity switching button 50, the sensitivity switching control unit 42 sets the initial sensitivity to a smoke detection sensitivity that is the same as or higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device that detects smoke in the monitored area, and at this time the smoke detection sensitivity switching does not function, but when a specified smoke detection signal is detected during use to identify the location of the smoke source, control is performed to enable the manual sensitivity switching function 43 or the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 selected using the manual sensitivity switching button 48 or the automatic sensitivity switching button 50, and by selecting and operating the manual sensitivity switching function 43 and the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 using the manual sensitivity switching button 48 and the automatic sensitivity switching button 50, the manual sensitivity switching function 43 and the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 can be appropriately combined, thereby making the search for the location of the smoke source more efficient.

[0096] For example, the manual sensitivity switching function 43 is selected by operating the manual sensitivity switching button 48 to start work at the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), and the position of the smoke source is searched for while watching the reaction and moving. Since the manual sensitivity switching function 43 can be manually switched to low sensitivity when a predetermined smoke detection signal is obtained, the sensitivity switching buttons 26a to 26d are switched to low sensitivity as appropriate to narrow down the search.

[0097] After the smoke source location has been narrowed down considerably in this way, if the automatic sensitivity switching button 50 is operated to select and change to the automatic sensitivity switching function 44, the sensitivity will be restarted from the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), so there will be no sudden loss of response and the sensitivity will be switched to an appropriate sensitivity (low sensitivity) by the automatic sensitivity switching function 44. At this point, the smoke source location has already been narrowed down considerably, so the smoke source location can be identified by the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 without the hassle of switching operations.

[0098] For example, the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 can be selected by operating the automatic sensitivity switching button 50, starting with the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), and the search for the smoke source can be performed while monitoring the response and moving. The automatic sensitivity switching function 44 automatically switches to low sensitivity when a predetermined smoke detection signal is obtained, thus narrowing the search area. If a sudden change occurs during the search, such as the smoke detection signal suddenly disappearing or becoming significantly louder, the manual sensitivity switching button 48 can be used to select the manual sensitivity switching function 43, which restarts the search from the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), reducing the possibility of losing track of the source. Furthermore, the sensitivity can be manually switched to and fixed at an appropriate level, allowing the search to be performed while suppressing the effects of large fluctuations. This allows the search for the smoke source to proceed efficiently.

[0099] [Embodiment with automatic sensitivity switching function and reset function] In another embodiment of the portable smoke detector in which the sensitivity switching control unit 42 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with an automatic sensitivity switching function 44, the sensitivity switching operation unit 26 is further provided with a reset switch that functions as a reset means.

[0100] The sensitivity switching control unit 42 of this embodiment is equipped with an automatic sensitivity switching function 44 that automatically switches the smoke detection sensitivity, and a reset switch that resets the sensitivity that is automatically switched by the automatic sensitivity switching function 44.When operation starts and when reset by the reset switch, the initial sensitivity is set to a smoke detection sensitivity that is the same as or higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of a fixed smoke detection device that detects smoke in the monitored area, and at this time the smoke detection sensitivity switching does not function, and when a specified smoke detection signal is detected during use to identify the location of the smoke source, the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 is controlled to function.

[0101] For this reason, for example, when the portable smoke detector is turned on and begins operation, it starts with the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity) due to the automatic sensitivity switching function 44, moves while watching for reactions, and searches for the location of the smoke source, and when a predetermined smoke detection signal is obtained, it automatically switches to low sensitivity, thus narrowing the range. If, during this process, the smoke detection signal suddenly stops being obtained, the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 can be reset by operating the reset switch, which forces it back to the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), and it will restart from the initial sensitivity (high sensitivity), so that a smoke detection signal can be obtained again, making it possible to efficiently search for the location of the smoke source.

[0102] [An embodiment in which the sensitivity is switched automatically and then manually adjusted] In another embodiment of the portable smoke detection device in which the sensitivity switching control unit 42 shown in Figure 5 is provided with a manual sensitivity switching function 43 and an automatic sensitivity switching function 44, the initial sensitivity switching in the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 is combined with manual sensitivity switching by the manual sensitivity switching function 43.

[0103] The sensitivity switching control unit 42 of this embodiment is equipped with an automatic sensitivity switching function 44 that automatically switches the smoke detection sensitivity, and a manual sensitivity switching function 43 that manually switches the smoke detection sensitivity. When operation starts, the initial sensitivity is set to a smoke detection sensitivity that is the same as or higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device that detects smoke in the monitored area. At this time, the smoke detection sensitivity switching does not function, and when a specified smoke detection signal is detected, the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 and the manual sensitivity switching function 43 become functional. At this time, when manual sensitivity switching is performed, the smoke detection sensitivity is automatically switched using the smoke detection sensitivity switched by the manual sensitivity switching function 43 as the initial sensitivity.

[0104] Therefore, the search operation to identify the location of smoke generation in this embodiment starts, for example, from an initial sensitivity (high sensitivity) by the automatic sensitivity switching function 44, and at this time, the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 and the manual sensitivity switching function 43 do not function to switch to low sensitivity, and when a specified smoke detection signal is obtained, the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 and the manual sensitivity switching function 43 become functional.

[0105] In this way, the task of searching for the location of smoke generation proceeds, and if a manual switching operation is received using sensitivity switching buttons 26a to 26d for manual sensitivity switching function 43 during the task, automatic sensitivity switching function 44 will not restart from the initial sensitivity, but will restart automatic sensitivity switching from the sensitivity that was manually forcibly switched.

[0106] This makes it possible to skip the switching step in the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 by switching the manual sensitivity switching function 43, and by carefully combining the manual switching operations of the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 and the manual sensitivity switching function 43, it becomes possible to efficiently proceed with the search work to identify the location of the smoke source.

[0107] [Modification of the first invention] In the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6, the smoke detection sensitivity is switched manually or automatically, but it is also possible to have only automatic switching of the smoke detection sensitivity. Sensitivity switching by the automatic sensitivity switching function 44 switches the sensitivity to smoke and includes various methods other than those described above. For example, instead of the amplifier gain, it is also possible to switch a threshold value (such as an activation threshold value) for the smoke detection signal level, or to switch a count threshold value for received light pulses. Furthermore, it is also possible to switch light emission conditions, such as the drive current of the light source in the smoke detection unit. These methods may also be combined. These methods may also be combined as appropriate.

[0108] Furthermore, the present invention includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the objects and advantages thereof, and is not limited to the numerical values ​​shown in the above embodiments.

[0109] [Embodiment of the Second Invention] (Basic Concept of the Embodiment) Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a portable smoke detection device according to the second invention of the present application, Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the portable smoke detection device main body that notifies changes in smoke concentration by sound, Figure 9 is a time chart showing the output pattern of a buzzer sound corresponding to a decrease and increase in smoke concentration, and Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the portable smoke detection device main body that notifies changes in smoke concentration by vibration.

[0110] The basic concept of the portable smoke detection device in the second invention of the present application is that it is a portable smoke detection device 10 that moves within a monitored area, sucks in the air within the monitored area through a sampling hole, detects the smoke contained in the sucked air, and locates the location of the smoke source, and is equipped with an acoustic alarm unit 70 as shown in Figure 8 or a vibration alarm unit 72 as shown in Figure 9 that functions as an alarm means that alerts with sound or vibration in response to changes in the detected smoke concentration.Therefore, when starting to locate the location of the smoke source while moving within a monitored area, the worker can be notified of changes in smoke concentration by the sound and / or vibration alarm without having to look at the smoke concentration indicator 60, and by moving while searching in the direction of the increasing smoke concentration based on the sound and / or vibration alarm, the worker can efficiently narrow down and locate the location of the smoke source.

[0111] For example, the acoustic alarm unit 70 or the vibration alarm unit 72 changes the form of the alarm by sound or vibration depending on the rising, stagnating, or falling trend of the smoke concentration detected by the smoke detection unit 32. This allows the worker to know not only the falling or rising trend of the smoke concentration, but also the stagnating trend of the smoke concentration change in the rising or falling trend. For example, when the smoke concentration changes from an increasing trend to a stagnating trend, the worker can recognize that the worker has moved closer to the smoke source, and can efficiently narrow down and identify the smoke source location. This will be explained in detail below.

[0112] [Outline of portable smoke detection device] 7(A), the portable smoke detection device 10 of this embodiment has a sampling tube 14 detachably attached to a portable smoke detection device main body 12, and a smoke density indicator 60 that displays smoke density using a bar graph is provided in a holder portion 14c of the sampling tube 14. Note that the smoke density indicator 60 may display the smoke density numerically, or may display a pointer or numerically on an indicator, in addition to a bar graph display.

[0113] The smoke density indicator 60 is provided with an acoustic hole 62, inside which an acoustic alarm unit such as a speaker or buzzer is provided. Correspondingly, a signal line is embedded in the hose 14e for connecting the smoke density indicator 60 and the acoustic alarm unit provided in the holder portion 14c to the portable smoke detection device main body 12. Since the other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the same reference numerals are used and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0114] (Functional configuration of the portable smoke detector unit) As shown in FIG. 8, the portable smoke detection device main body 12 is provided with a control unit 30, a smoke detection unit 32, a suction unit 34, a battery power supply unit 36, a power switch 20, a sensitivity switching operation unit 26, and an alarm display unit 28, and the configurations and functions of these are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0115] In addition, in this embodiment, a transmission unit 64 is provided, and on the sampling pipe 14 side connected by a hose, a transmission unit 66, a smoke concentration indicator 60, and an acoustic alarm unit 70 which functions as an acoustic alarm means are provided.

[0116] The smoke detection control unit 40 instructs the transmission unit 64 to transmit the smoke density detection signal output based on the number of detection pulses counted by the smoke detection unit 32 to the transmission unit 66 of the sampling pipe 14, and controls the smoke density display 60 to display the smoke density as a bar graph. The smoke density display 60 can switch the display range of the smoke density in conjunction with a switching operation or manual or automatic switching of the smoke detection sensitivity.

[0117] (Audible notification of smoke density) The smoke detection control unit 40 of the portable smoke detector main body 12 controls the acoustic alarm unit 70 provided on the sampling tube 14 side to change the sound in response to changes in smoke concentration in the smoke concentration detection signal output from the smoke detection unit 32. The change in smoke concentration may be determined based on a moving average process or the like.

[0118] The control by the smoke detection control unit 40 to change the sound from the acoustic alarm unit 70 in accordance with changes in smoke concentration is to alert the user to a predetermined change in the smoke concentration detected by the smoke detection unit 32 using sound and / or vibration, and for example, changes the form of the sound alarm depending on whether the detected smoke concentration is increasing, stagnating, or decreasing.

[0119] The control by the smoke detection control unit 40 to change the sound from the acoustic notification unit 70 in accordance with the change in smoke density is, for example, the following controls A1 to A3. (Control A1) When the detected smoke density is increasing (when there is a predetermined increasing trend), the sound output period is set to a predetermined short period, or the output period is shortened in accordance with the increasing smoke density. (Control A2) When the detected smoke density is decreasing (when there is a predetermined decreasing trend), the sound output period is set to a predetermined long period, or the output period is lengthened in accordance with the decreasing trend of the smoke density. (Control A3) If the detected change in smoke density is showing a predetermined stagnant tendency, the sound output period is set to a predetermined period between a predetermined long period and a predetermined short period wave, or is fixed to a predetermined period and not changed.

[0120] Due to the change in sound output period caused by controls A1 to A3 in response to changes in smoke concentration detected by the smoke detection unit 32, a worker who is working to identify the location of smoke generation while moving the portable smoke detection device 10 within the restricted area can intuitively recognize changes in the smoke concentration, such as an increase, stagnation, or decrease, in real time from the change in sound output period, and can efficiently narrow down and identify the location of smoke generation.

[0121] Furthermore, as another embodiment of the control for changing the sound from the acoustic alarm unit 70 in accordance with changes in smoke concentration by the smoke detection control unit 40, when the output duty of a predetermined buzzer sound from the acoustic alarm unit 50 is changed at predetermined intervals, the following controls B1 to B3 are used, for example. (Control B1) When the detected smoke density increases, the output duty of the buzzer sound is set to a predetermined maximum output duty, or the output duty of the buzzer sound is increased in accordance with the increase in smoke density. (Control B2) When the detected smoke density decreases, the output duty of the buzzer sound is set to a predetermined minimum output duty, or the output duty of the buzzer sound is reduced in accordance with the decrease in smoke density. (Control B3) If the detected change in smoke density is showing signs of stagnating, the output duty of the buzzer sound is fixed to a predetermined output duty between a predetermined maximum output duty and a predetermined minimum output duty, or is fixed to a predetermined output duty and not changed.

[0122] Figure 9 is a time chart showing the output pattern of the buzzer sound in response to a decrease and increase in smoke density. Figure 9(A) shows the case where the smoke density is decreasing, and the output duty is reduced by making the on-time T1 shorter than the off-time (T-T1) within the repetition period T. Figure 9(B) shows the case where the smoke density is increasing, and the on-time T2 and off-time (T-T2) are kept the same, and the output duty is increased.

[0123] By changing the output duty of the buzzer sounds of controls B1 to B3 in response to changes in smoke concentration detected by the smoke detection unit 32, a worker who is working to identify the location of smoke generation while moving the portable smoke detection device 10 within the alert area can intuitively recognize changes in the smoke concentration, such as an increase, stagnation, or decrease, in real time from the change in the output duty of the specified sound, and can efficiently narrow down and identify the location of smoke generation.

[0124] In addition, as a change in sound corresponding to a change in smoke density from the acoustic alarm unit 70, the output pitch of a predetermined sound such as "beep," "beep beep," "beep beep beep," etc. may be increased as the smoke density increases and decreased as the smoke density decreases, or the frequency or pitch of the sound may be changed.

[0125] (Vibration alarm for smoke concentration) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a vibration notification unit 72 including, for example, a piezoelectric vibrator is provided on the sampling pipe 14 side, which is connected to the portable smoke detector main body 12 by a hose.

[0126] The smoke detection control unit 40 of the portable smoke detection device main body 12 controls the vibration alarm unit 72 provided on the sampling tube 14 side to change the vibration in accordance with changes in the smoke concentration of the smoke concentration detection signal output from the smoke detection unit 32.

[0127] The control by the smoke detection control unit 40 to change the vibration from the vibration notification unit 72 in accordance with changes in smoke concentration is to notify by vibration of a predetermined change trend in the smoke concentration detected by the smoke detection unit 32, for example, by changing the form of the vibration notification in accordance with an increase, stagnation, or decrease trend in the detected smoke concentration.

[0128] The control by the smoke detection control unit 40 to change the vibration from the vibration notification unit 72 in response to a change in smoke density is, for example, the following controls C1 to C3. (Control C1) When the detected smoke density increases (when there is a predetermined increasing trend), the output period of the vibration is set to a predetermined short period, or the output period is shortened in accordance with the increase in smoke density. (Control C2) When the detected smoke density is decreasing (when there is a predetermined downward trend), the vibration output period is set to a predetermined long period, or the output period is lengthened according to the downward trend of the smoke density. (Control C3) If the detected change in smoke density is showing a predetermined stagnant trend, the output period of the vibration is set to a predetermined period between a predetermined long period and a predetermined short period wave, or is fixed at a predetermined period and not changed. The output period of the vibration to be changed is set to an output period corresponding to a frequency range of, for example, 10 or so Hz or less that can be sensed by an operator holding the holder portion 14c of the sampling tube 14 in his / her hand.

[0129] By changing the vibration output period by controls C1 to C3 in response to changes in smoke concentration detected by the smoke detection unit 32, a worker who is working to identify the location of smoke generation while moving the portable smoke detection device 10 within the restricted area can intuitively recognize changes in the smoke concentration, such as an increase, stagnation, or decrease, in real time from the change in the vibration output period, and can efficiently narrow down and identify the location of smoke generation.

[0130] Furthermore, as another embodiment of the control for changing the vibration from the vibration alarm unit 72 in response to changes in smoke concentration by the smoke detection control unit 40, when the output duty of a predetermined vibration from the vibration alarm unit 72 is changed at predetermined intervals, for example, the following controls D1 to D3 are used. (Control D1) When the detected smoke density increases, the output duty of the vibration is set to a predetermined maximum output duty, or the output duty of the vibration is increased in accordance with the increase in the smoke density. (Control D2) When the detected smoke density decreases, the output duty of the vibration is set to a predetermined minimum output duty, or the output duty of the vibration is reduced in accordance with the decrease in the smoke density. (Control D3) If the detected change in smoke density is showing signs of stagnation, the vibration output duty is fixed to a predetermined output duty between a predetermined maximum output duty and a predetermined minimum output duty, or is fixed to a predetermined output duty and not changed.

[0131] By changing the output duty of the predetermined vibration of controls D1 to D3 in response to changes in smoke concentration detected by the smoke detection unit 32, an operator who is working to identify the location of smoke generation while moving the portable smoke detection device 10 within the alert area can intuitively recognize changes in the smoke concentration, such as an increase, stagnation, or decrease, in real time from the change in the output duty of the predetermined vibration, and can efficiently narrow down and identify the location of smoke generation.

[0132] It is also possible to provide both the acoustic alarm unit 70 shown in FIG. 8 and the vibration alarm unit 72 shown in FIG. 10 in the holder portion 14c of the sampling tube 14 so that changes in the detected smoke concentration are notified by both sound and vibration.

[0133] [Embodiment of the Third Invention of the Present Application] (Basic Concept of an Embodiment of a Smoke Detector) FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a fixed smoke detection device according to the third invention of the present application, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the smoke detection device main body that detects smoke and identifies the location where the smoke is coming from.

[0134] The smoke detection device 100 of this embodiment is placed in a security area such as a computer room 122, and detects smoke contained in the air sucked in through the sampling pipe 14. On-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 are provided for each of a predetermined number of sampling holes in the sampling pipe 14, for example, corresponding to each sampling hole. The on-off valve control unit 46 repeatedly controls the on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 to be open for a predetermined period of time in a predetermined order, for example, one by one, in order to keep the amount of air sucked in per hour through the sampling pipe 14 approximately constant, and controls the remaining on-off valves to be closed. When the smoke detection control unit 44 detects smoke contained in the air sucked in through the sampling pipe 14, it identifies the location of the smoke source based on the control state of the on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 and notifies the user.

[0135] As a result, when smoke is detected, the smoke generation location is identified based on the position of the control valve that is being driven open among on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8. Specifically, for example, the control state of the on-off valve, i.e., which on-off valve is being controlled to be open when smoke is detected, determines the location of the sampling hole that sucked the smoke, and the location in the restricted area that corresponds to the sampling hole is identified as the smoke generation location.

[0136] Furthermore, even when the on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 are controlled to open and close in order to identify the location where smoke is being generated, the amount of air sucked per unit time by the sampling pipe 14 is kept approximately constant, so there is no need to perform complex control such as varying the suction volume of the suction pump provided in the fixed smoke detection device main body, and the device configuration can be simplified.

[0137] In addition, another smoke detection device 100 according to this embodiment repeatedly controls the on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 in a predetermined number of units, for example, one unit at a time, to be closed for a predetermined time in a predetermined order so that the on-off valve control unit 146 keeps the amount of air per unit time sucked in by the sampling tube 14 approximately constant, and controls the remaining on-off valves to be open, and identifies and notifies the location of the smoke generation based on the control state of the on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 when the smoke detection control unit 44 changes from a state in which smoke is detected to a state in which smoke is not detected.

[0138] In this case, too, when the state changes from a state in which smoke is detected to a state in which smoke is not detected, the smoke generation position is identified based on the position of the control valve among the multiple on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 that is being driven closed. Specifically, for example, the position of the sampling hole that sucked in the smoke can be determined based on the control state of the on-off valve, i.e., which on-off valve is being driven closed when the state changes from a state in which smoke is detected to a state in which smoke is not detected, and therefore the position in the restricted area corresponding to that sampling hole can be identified as the smoke generation position.

[0139] Furthermore, since the amount of air sucked by the sampling pipe 114 is kept substantially constant, there is no need to perform complex control such as varying the amount of air sucked by the suction pump provided in the fixed smoke detector main body 112 .

[0140] Although an example is shown here in which the on-off valves are sequentially driven to open or close one by one, this may be done in groups of several valves. Also, in order to keep the amount of air sucked through the sampling pipe 114 approximately constant, the number of valves to be driven may be set individually for each control operation, rather than in groups of a fixed number, as necessary, using a control table or the like registered in advance in the on-off valve control unit 46.

[0141] In this way, even if the smoke cannot be seen with the naked eye, the device that is emitting the smoke can be identified and appropriate action taken by examining the target device located at the location where the smoke is being emitted.

[0142] The smoke detection device 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0143] [Fixed smoke detection device overview] 11, a fixed smoke detection device 100 according to this embodiment is installed in a monitored area such as a computer room 122 in which a server rack 124 is located. The fixed smoke detection device 100 is composed of a fixed smoke detection device main body 112 fixed to a wall surface and a sampling pipe 114 installed in the monitored area.

[0144] The sampling pipe 114 is pulled upward from the top of the fixed smoke detection device main body 112, bent horizontally near the ceiling surface, and placed horizontally along the ceiling surface above the server rack 124, and on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 with sampling holes at predetermined intervals are arranged, for example, facing downward in the horizontal part of the sampling pipe 114.

[0145] The on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 are, for example, solenoid valves, and are normally closed solenoid valves that are closed when de-energized and open when energized. Signal lines (control lines) 120 are individually connected to the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 from the fixed smoke detection device main body 112 as shown by dotted lines, so that the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 can be individually driven to open and close under the control of the fixed smoke detection device main body 112.

[0146] In addition to being arranged as a straight pipe as in this embodiment, the sampling pipe 114 may be arranged appropriately depending on the object to be protected in the monitoring area, such as being divided into multiple branch systems. Furthermore, a suction pipe may be further connected to the sampling holes of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 provided in the sampling pipe 114 and linked to the housing of the server rack 124, so that air inside the housing can be sucked in for each server rack 124.

[0147] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 are provided corresponding to one of the sampling holes of the sampling pipe 114, but an on-off valve may be provided corresponding to every two or more predetermined number of sampling holes.

[0148] The fixed smoke detector main body 112 detects smoke contained in the air sucked in through the sampling pipe 114. The smoke concentration detected by the fixed smoke detector main body 112 is in the range of 0.005% / m to 5.0% / m, for example.

[0149] Furthermore, the fixed smoke detection device main body 112 repeatedly opens and closes the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 provided in the sampling pipe 114, one by one in order, starting with on-off valve 16-1, for a predetermined open drive time T1 to T8. As a result, the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 are opened one by one in order for a predetermined open drive time T1 to T8, and air is sucked in from the sampling hole of the open on-off valve 16-1 during each of the open drive times T1 to T8 and reaches the fixed smoke detection device main body 112 via the sampling pipe 114, where the presence or absence of smoke is detected.

[0150] Addresses A1 to A8 are preset in the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 as ID information indicating the location of smoke generation, and when the fixed smoke detection device main body 112 detects smoke, it identifies the location of smoke generation based on the address Ai of the on-off valve 16-i (i is any value from 1 to 8) that is currently operating open, and sends a signal indicating smoke detection and the location of smoke generation to an ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128 installed in a monitoring room 126, etc., which outputs (alerts) a smoke detection alarm (e.g., fire alarm display, fire alarm sound, etc.) indicating smoke detection and the location of smoke generation.

[0151] [Configuration of the smoke detector body] As shown in FIG. 12, the fixed smoke detector main body 112 includes a control unit 130, a smoke detection unit 132, a suction unit 134, an on-off valve driving unit 136, an operation unit 138, an alarm display unit 140, and a transmission unit 142.

[0152] The suction unit 134 is equipped with a suction fan driven by a motor, and when the suction fan is rotated, air is sucked in from the sampling pipe 114, passes through the smoke detection unit 132, and is exhausted from the exhaust port.

[0153] The smoke detection unit 132 forms a smoke detection point by, for example, focusing laser light from a laser light source on the airflow that it sucks in, and when the sucked in air contains smoke particles, the scattered light generated when the smoke particles pass through this smoke detection point is received by a photodiode, which outputs a detection pulse and counts it at predetermined time intervals, and detects smoke based on this count and outputs a smoke detection signal.

[0154] It should be noted that a light source other than a laser light source, such as an LED, may be used. The light receiving sensor is not limited to a photodiode, and various light receiving sensors may be used.

[0155] The on-off valve driving unit 136 connects a signal line 120 to the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 of FIG. 7 provided in the sampling pipe 114, and outputs an open drive signal to the signal line 120 to drive the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 to open individually one by one.

[0156] The operation unit 138 is provided with various operation switches required for smoke detection, such as a power switch, a reset switch, a sensitivity changeover switch, etc. The sensitivity changeover switch changes the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device main body 112.

[0157] The alarm display unit 140 displays an alarm when smoke is detected and displays a fault when a fault such as a blockage in the sampling pipe 114 is detected. The transmission unit 142 transmits a signal indicating the smoke detection and the location of the smoke source to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128 shown in FIG.

[0158] The control unit 130 is composed of hardware such as a computer circuit equipped with a CPU, memory, various input / output ports, etc., and is provided with the functions of a smoke detection control unit 144 and an on-off valve control unit 46, which are realized by the CPU executing a program.

[0159] The smoke detection control unit 144 detects smoke when the smoke detection signal output from the smoke detection unit 132 reaches a predetermined condition (here, a predetermined count number) corresponding to the smoke detection sensitivity (a predetermined concentration of smoke to be detected), and notifies the smoke detection by lighting or flashing an alarm light provided in the alarm display unit 140, which is an alarm output means, and also instructs the transmission unit 142 to transmit a signal indicating the smoke detection to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128 and output a smoke detection alarm (fire alarm). Alternatively or in addition to this, an alarm sound may be output.

[0160] In addition, the smoke detection control unit 144 identifies the smoke generation location based on the opening / closing control state of the opening / closing valves 16-1 to 16-8 by the opening / closing valve control unit 46 when smoke is detected, that is, it identifies the position corresponding to the opening / closing valve that is driven open when smoke is detected as the smoke detection position, and instructs the transmission unit 142 to send a signal indicating the smoke generation location to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128, thereby controlling the display of the smoke generation location (fire occurrence location).

[0161] The on-off valve control unit 46 targets the normally closed on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 and repeats control to open the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 for predetermined open drive times T1 to T8 in a cycle T0, starting from the on-off valve 16-1 closest to the fixed smoke detection device main body 112 to the on-off valve 16-8 located furthest from the on-off valve 16-1, as shown in the time chart of Figure 13.

[0162] Here, the open drive times T1 to T8 of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 are set as the time from when each of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 is opened as a sampling hole to when the sucked air travels a distance corresponding to the distance it travels to reach the smoke detection unit 132 of the fixed smoke detection device main body 112, plus a predetermined smoke detection time.

[0163] The open drive times T1 to T8 can be calculated from the distance the suction air travels from the sampling hole, the amount of air suctioned per hour by the suction unit 134, and the air movement speed, which is determined by the inner diameter of the sampling pipe 114.Furthermore, since the placement of the sampling pipe 114 differs depending on the alert area, smoke can be sucked in through the sampling holes of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 after installation as a test, and the time until smoke is detected can be measured and set based on this.

[0164] Furthermore, by controlling the opening and closing of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 one by one, the number of sampling holes, which is determined by the number of open on-off valves, is always one. Therefore, even if the on-off control is performed to control the opening and closing of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 one by one, the suction amount per hour of the sampling tube 114 is always roughly constant, and there is no need for complex control such as varying the suction amount depending on the number of sampling holes, which enables the suction unit 134 to suction air stably from the monitoring area.

[0165] Furthermore, by controlling the opening and closing of the opening and closing valves 16-1 to 16-8 by the opening and closing valve control unit 46, one opening and closing valve is always open for the sampling pipe 114 and air is sucked in from only one sampling hole. Therefore, the amount of air sucked in by the suction unit 134 needs to be a small amount corresponding to one sampling hole. As a result, the suction fan can be made smaller and the inner diameter of the sampling pipe 114 can also be made smaller, simplifying the equipment configuration and reducing costs.

[0166] [Smoke detection control with sequential opening control of on-off valves] Smoke detection control by the control unit 130 of Fig. 11 will be described based on the flowchart of Fig. 14. As shown in Fig. 14, in step S1, the control unit 130 of the fixed smoke detection device main body 112 initializes the addresses Ai and open drive times Ti of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 provided in the sampling pipe 114 to the address A1 and open drive time T1 of the on-off valve 16-1 that is to be driven open first, for example.

[0167] Next, the control unit 130 proceeds to step S2 and drives the on-off valve 16-1 at address A1 to open, while the other on-off valves 16-2 to 16-8 are closed at this time, and monitors whether smoke is detected or not in step S3, and if smoke is detected, sends a signal indicating smoke detection to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128 to output a smoke detection alarm (fire alarm).On the other hand, if smoke is not detected in step S3, the control unit 130 monitors the elapse of the open drive time T1 in step S4.

[0168] If the control unit 130 determines in step S3 that smoke is detected during the open drive time T1, it proceeds to step S5, and because the on-off valve 16-1 is being driven open at this time, it identifies the smoke generation location as the location corresponding to the sampling hole by the on-off valve 16-1 at address A1, and sends a signal indicating smoke detection and the identified smoke generation location to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128, which then outputs a smoke detection alarm indicating the identified smoke generation location. At the same time, it also causes its own alarm display unit 140 to output a smoke detection alarm.

[0169] On the other hand, when the open drive time T1 has elapsed without detecting smoke in steps S3 and S5, or after smoke is detected in steps S3 and S4 and a smoke detection alarm is issued identifying the location of the smoke, the control unit 130 determines in step S6 whether the address is the final address A8, and if it is not the final address A8, in step S7 it updates address A1 to the next address A2 and the open drive time T1 to T2, then returns to step S2, and similarly performs smoke detection by opening the next on-off valve 16-2.

[0170] Furthermore, when the control unit 130 determines the final address A8 in step S6, it returns to step S1, and again initializes the address A1 and the open drive time T1, and repeats the process from step S2.

[0171] In the above embodiment, the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 are repeatedly driven open for predetermined times T1 to T8 in a predetermined order, while the remaining on-off valves are repeatedly driven closed. However, it is also possible to repeatedly drive a predetermined number of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8, for example, every two valves, open for predetermined times in a predetermined order, while the remaining on-off valves are repeatedly driven closed. In this case, the position corresponding to the sampling holes of the two on-off valves that are open when smoke detection is determined is identified as the smoke generation position.

[0172] Even if smoke is detected and the smoke source location is identified in steps S3 and S5, once the open drive time Ti has elapsed, the process may be repeated from step S1 via step S6.

[0173] In the above control example, a smoke detection alarm is output when smoke is detected in step S3, and a smoke detection alarm specifying the smoke source location is output when the smoke source location is identified in step S5, but it is also possible to output a smoke detection alarm specifying the smoke source location when the smoke source location is identified in step S5 without outputting a smoke detection alarm when smoke is detected in step S13. This allows the smoke generation status to be checked repeatedly, improving reliability.

[0174] [Another embodiment for identifying the smoke generation location by sequentially closing the on-off valves] Next, another embodiment of a smoke detection device for identifying a smoke generation location based on the sequential closing of the on-off valves will be described.

[0175] In this embodiment, the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 provided in the sampling pipe 114 in Fig. 11 are normally open solenoid valves. For this reason, the on-off valve control section 46 of the control section 130 instructs the on-off valve driving section 136 to output a close drive signal, thereby driving the normally open on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 to close one by one in a predetermined order for a predetermined time, and controlling the remaining on-off valves to be in an open state.

[0176] As shown in the time chart of Figure 15, the on-off valve control unit 46 of the control unit 130 repeats control to close the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 one by one in sequence, starting from the on-off valve 16-1 closest to the fixed smoke detection device main body 112 to the on-off valve 16-8 located farthest from the fixed smoke detection device main body 112, for predetermined close drive times T11 to T18 in a cycle T10.

[0177] Furthermore, when smoke is detected from the sucked-in air while any of the on-off valves 16-i among the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 is open, and the state changes to one where smoke is not detected when the on-off valve 16-i is then temporarily closed to block the suction of air from there, the smoke detection control unit 144 identifies the smoke generation location corresponding to the on-off valve 16-i and instructs the transmission unit 142 to transmit a signal indicating smoke detection and the smoke generation location to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128, thereby controlling the output of a smoke detection alarm identifying the smoke generation location.

[0178] More specifically, when smoke is detected, a notice of smoke occurrence is sent to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128, and then the location of the smoke occurrence is identified and the smoke occurrence location information is sent to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128. The ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128 displays an alarm in succession.

[0179] Here, the closing drive times T11 to T18 of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 are set as the time from when each of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 is closed as a sampling hole to when the air sucked in before closing reaches the smoke detection unit 132 of the fixed smoke detection device main body 112, plus a predetermined smoke detection time. Note that the closing drive times T11 to T18 are set to be constant, but they may also be different times, and may be set by calculation or based on actual measurement.

[0180] In this way, by controlling the opening and closing of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 in sequence to close one by one, the number of sampling holes, determined by the number of open on-off valves, is always seven. Therefore, even when controlling the opening and closing of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 in sequence to close one by one, the suction amount per hour of the sampling tube 114 is always roughly constant, and there is no need for complex control such as varying the suction amount according to the number of sampling holes, making it possible for the suction unit 134 to suction air stably from the monitoring area.

[0181] [Smoke detection control with sequential closing control of on-off valves] Smoke detection control associated with the sequential closing control of the on-off valves by the control unit 130 in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 16, in step S11, the control unit 130 of the fixed smoke detection device main body 112 initializes the addresses Ai and close drive times T1i of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 provided in the sampling pipe 114 to the address A1 and close drive time T11 of the on-off valve 16-1, for example, which is to be driven close first.

[0183] Next, the control unit 130 proceeds to step S12 and drives the on-off valve 16-1 at address A1 to close, while the other on-off valves 16-2 to 16-8 are open, and monitors whether smoke is detected or not in step S13. If smoke is detected, a signal indicating smoke detection is sent to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128 to output a smoke detection alarm. On the other hand, if no smoke is detected in step S13, the control unit 130 monitors the elapse of the close drive time T11 in step S16.

[0184] Next, when the control unit 130 determines in step S16 that the close drive time T11 has elapsed, it determines in step S15 whether or not it is the final address, and since it is not the final address, it proceeds to step S16, updates address A1 to address A2, updates close drive time T11 to close drive time T, and drives on-off valve 16-2 to close in step S12, while the other on-off valves 16-1, 16-3 to 16-4 are open. In this control state, it monitors the elapse of drive time T12 by processing steps S13 and S16, and if it determines in step S13 that a change has occurred to a state in which smoke is not detected before the drive time T12 has elapsed, it identifies in step S14 the position corresponding to on-off valve 16-2 at address A2 as the smoke generation position, transmits smoke generation position information to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128, and causes a smoke detection alarm with the identified smoke generation position to be output.

[0185] Furthermore, if the control unit 130 determines in step S16 that smoke detection continues even after the closing drive time T12 has elapsed, it does not identify the location where the smoke is generated, but instead proceeds to step S17 via step S15, where it updates address A2 to address A3 and close drive time T12 to close drive time T13.

[0186] Thereafter, the control unit 130 repeats the process from step S12 while sequentially updating the address and the close drive time in step S17, and when the final address A8 is determined in step S15, the control unit 130 returns to step S11, where it again initializes the address A1 and the open drive time T11 and repeats the process from step S12.

[0187] Note that even if smoke is detected and the smoke source location is identified in steps S13 and S14, once the closing drive time Ti has elapsed, the process may be repeated from step S1 via step S6. This allows the smoke generation status to be repeatedly checked, improving reliability.

[0188] In the above control example, a smoke detection alarm is output when smoke is detected in step S13, and a smoke detection alarm specifying the location of the smoke is output when the location of the smoke is identified in step S14. However, it is also possible to output a smoke detection alarm specifying the location of the smoke when the location of the smoke is identified in step S5, rather than outputting a smoke detection alarm when smoke is detected in step S13. For example, the smoke detection alarm may be accompanied by a buzzer sound and a display corresponding to the area where the smoke is occurring. Alternatively, a voice message or the like may be used to announce the occurrence of smoke and its location.

[0189] In the above embodiment, the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8 are repeatedly driven to close for a predetermined time T11 to T18 in a predetermined order, while the remaining on-off valves are repeatedly driven to open. Alternatively, a predetermined number of the on-off valves 16-1 to 16-8, for example, every two on-off valves, may be repeatedly driven to close for a predetermined time in a predetermined order, while the remaining on-off valves are repeatedly driven to open. In this case, when it is determined that the state has changed to one in which smoke is not detected, the positions corresponding to the sampling holes of the two on-off valves that are driven to close are identified as the smoke generation positions.

[0190] [Selection between open drive control and closed drive control] Either the open drive control, which identifies the smoke generation position by driving the on-off valve to open as shown in the time chart of Fig. 13, or the close drive control, which identifies the smoke generation position by driving the on-off valve to close as shown in the time chart of Fig. 15, can be selected in consideration of the power required for controlling the on-off valve, etc. Alternatively, the device may be able to select between the open drive control and the close drive control.

[0191] [Modification of the third invention] In the above embodiment, a solenoid valve is used as a normally closed or normally open valve, but an electrically operated valve that is opened and closed by a motor may also be used. When an electrically operated valve is used as the on-off valve, the sampling hole opens and closes gradually over time, suppressing fluctuations in the constant suction amount through the sampling tube and enabling stable suction even when the on-off valve is opened and closed.

[0192] In addition, in the above embodiment, the opening and closing valves are driven to open or close in order starting from the side closest to the smoke detection device main body, but since it is sufficient that a predetermined number of the multiple opening and closing valves are driven to open or close in order, the order in which the opening and closing valves are driven to open or close can be determined appropriately as needed.

[0193] Furthermore, the above-described method of determining whether the door is open or closed may be selectable on the device side.

[0194] Furthermore, the present invention includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the objects and advantages thereof, and is not limited to the numerical values ​​shown in the above embodiments.

[0195] [Basic concept of the embodiment according to the fourth invention] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a method for identifying a smoke source location using a fixed smoke detection device and a portable smoke detection device.

[0196] The basic concept of an embodiment realizing the method for identifying the smoke source location of the present invention is to identify a smoke source area using a fixed smoke detection device 10 by sucking air from a sampling tube 14 placed in a security area such as a computer room 122, and then identify the smoke source location while moving a portable smoke detection device 100 equipped with a sampling tube 14 in the smoke source area identified by the fixed smoke detection device 10. When using the portable smoke detection device 100 to identify the fire location, an initial sensitivity higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device 10 is set, and at this time, the smoke detection sensitivity switching does not function. When used to identify the smoke source location while moving within the smoke source area, operation starts from the initial sensitivity, and when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected during use to identify the smoke source location, the smoke detection sensitivity switching becomes functional, and then the smoke detection sensitivity is lowered to narrow down and identify the smoke source location. When a smoke source area is identified, when work to identify the source of smoke begins while moving the portable smoke detection device 100 through the identified smoke source area, the smoke detection sensitivity of the portable smoke detection device 100 is always set to the same as the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device 10, or to a higher smoke detection sensitivity as the initial sensitivity. Therefore, when a smoke source area is identified with a fixed smoke detection device, when work to identify the source of smoke begins while moving within or near the smoke source area identified by the portable smoke detection device, the smoke detection sensitivity of the portable smoke detection device is always set to the same as the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device, or to a higher smoke detection sensitivity as the initial sensitivity. This prevents mistakes in setting the sensitivity when starting work related to switching operations, and prevents the location of the smoke source from being overlooked by starting work with a low sensitivity from the beginning as in the past. This makes it possible to quickly, efficiently, and reliably identify the source of smoke while moving through the monitored area.

[0197] Furthermore, when starting work to identify the source of smoke using a portable smoke detector, it is possible to reliably prevent the smoke detection sensitivity from being switched to a lower level than that of a fixed smoke detector, and further, when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected at the initial sensitivity of the smoke detection sensitivity, the smoke detection sensitivity switching function is activated, and thereafter, work can be done to narrow down the source of smoke while lowering the smoke detection sensitivity, thereby enabling the source of smoke to be identified quickly, efficiently, and reliably. This will be explained in detail below.

[0198] (Fixed smoke detection device) The fixed smoke detection device 10 shown in Figure 17 is the same as that shown in Figure 11, except that indicator lights 15 are provided on the on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 to indicate the smoke-generating compartment. Signal lines (control lines) 120 are individually connected to the on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 from the fixed smoke detection device main body 112, as shown by dotted lines, and the on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 can be individually driven to open and close under the control of the fixed smoke detection device main body 112, and indicator lights 150 are lit or flashing to indicate the identified smoke-generating compartment. The portable smoke detection device 10 is the same as the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0199] (Work to identify the location of smoke) The operation of the method for identifying the smoke generation position of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0200] 17, a fixed smoke detection device 100 is installed in a monitored area which is a computer room 122 in which server racks 124 housing servers are arranged. A sampling pipe 114 is drawn out from fixed smoke detection device main body 112 into the monitored area, and on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 are provided corresponding to each sampling hole of sampling pipe 114. Control is performed such that on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 are driven open for a predetermined period of time in a predetermined order for a predetermined number of units, for example, one unit at a time, and the remaining on-off valves are driven closed, so that the amount of air per unit time drawn by sampling pipe 114 is kept substantially constant, and when smoke contained in the air drawn through sampling pipe 114 is detected, the location of the smoke source is identified and an alarm is issued based on the control state of on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8.

[0201] When the fixed smoke detection device main body 112 detects smoke and activates, an alarm signal including information about the smoke-generating area is sent to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128 installed in the monitoring room 126, and a fire alarm indicating the smoke-generating area is output.In addition, among the indicator lights 150 installed at the locations of the on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 installed in the sampling pipe 114, the indicator light 150 of the identified smoke-generating area will, for example, flash to indicate the smoke-generating area.

[0202] When smoke is detected by the fixed smoke detection device main body 112 in this way and a fire alarm is output, an attendant brings in a portable smoke detection device 10, such as that shown in Figure 7, into the computer room 122, which is the monitored area, and finds out that the location of the on-off valve 116-i where the indicator light 150 is flashing is the smoke-generating area.The attendant then begins the task of identifying the location of the smoke-generating area by sucking in air from the sampling hole at the tip of the sampling tube 14 while moving the portable smoke detection device 10 around the smoke-generating area.

[0203] At this time, the smoke detection sensitivity of the portable smoke detection device 10 is set to an initial sensitivity that is the same as or higher than the smoke detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device 100, and in this state the sensitivity switching does not function, so even if work is started from a location far from the smoke source, smoke can be detected quickly, and the location of the smoke source will not be overlooked when work is started as in the past by setting the sensitivity to a low level in advance.

[0204] Furthermore, once work has begun and the portable smoke detection device 10 is activated by detecting a predetermined smoke detection signal, the sensitivity switch, which had not been functioning until then, becomes functional, and the staff member can narrow down the location of the smoke source by gradually lowering the smoke detection sensitivity from, for example, the first smoke detection sensitivity of 0.005 to 0.1% / m, which corresponds to the sensitivity switch button 26a shown in Figure 2 and was set as the initial sensitivity, to the second, third, and fourth smoke detection sensitivity.

[0205] As the staff member moves the portable smoke detection device 10 in this way to narrow down the location of the smoke source, the smoke density currently detected is displayed as a bar graph on the smoke density indicator 60, which is shown on the smoke density indicator 46 attached to the sampling tube 14 side of the portable smoke detection device 10. At the same time, a sound corresponding to the change in smoke density is output from the acoustic alarm unit 70 shown in Figure 8. For example, if the sound output cycle becomes longer while the staff member is moving, it means that the staff member is approaching the location of the smoke source, and if the sound output cycle becomes shorter, it means that the staff member is moving away from the location of the smoke source. Using these sound changes as a basis, the staff member can efficiently move to and narrow down the location of the smoke source, and discover and confirm the location of the fire.

[0206] (Fixed smoke detection device with a smoke detector installed at the suction point of the sampling tube) As a fixed smoke detection device 100 used in the method for identifying a smoke generation position according to the fourth invention of the present application, a photoelectric smoke detector may be provided instead of the on-off valves 116-1 to 116-8 provided in the sampling pipe 114 of FIG.

[0207] When the smoke detector installed at the suction position of the sampling pipe 114 detects smoke contained in the sucked air, it outputs a smoke detection signal to the fixed smoke detection device main body 112, which causes the fixed smoke detection device main body 12 to output a fire alarm signal identifying the smoke-generating area to the ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 128, and outputs a fire alarm identifying the fire-generating area (smoke-generating area) based on the ID information of the smoke detector.

[0208] Furthermore, the smoke detector provided in the sampling pipe 114 is equipped with an alarm indicator light, which lights up or flashes when it detects smoke, thereby indicating the area where the smoke is occurring.

[0209] In this way, a fixed smoke detection device 100 having a smoke detector installed at the suction position of the sampling pipe 114 increases equipment costs by installing multiple smoke detectors, but the smoke-generating area can be reliably identified by the smoke detector's detection of smoke through simple control of sucking air through the sampling pipe 114.

[0210] In addition, when a smoke-generating area is identified using a fixed smoke detection device 10 having a smoke detector installed at the suction position of the sampling pipe 114, the operations for identifying the smoke-generating location using a portable smoke detection device 10 are the same as those for a fixed smoke detection device 100 having opening / closing valves 116-1 to 116-8 installed in the sampling pipe 114.

[0211] Furthermore, the portable smoke detection device 10 used to identify the location of smoke generation in Figure 16 is not limited to the embodiment in Figure 7, and there is no prohibition on using portable smoke detection devices 10 in other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0212] 10: Portable smoke detector 12: Smoke detector body 14: Sampling tube 14b: Sampling hole 16: Hose connection port 18: Handle 20: Power switch 22: Operation display section 24: Alarm display section 26: Sensitivity switching operation section 26a~26d: Sensitivity switching buttons 30: Control unit 32: Smoke detection unit 34: Suction unit 36:Battery power supply section 40: Smoke detection control unit 42: Sensitivity switching control section 43:Manual sensitivity switching function 44: Automatic sensitivity switching function 48: Manual sensitivity switch button 50: Automatic sensitivity switching button 60:Smoke concentration indicator 62: Acoustic hole 64,66:Transmission section 70: Sound alarm unit 72: Vibration alarm unit 100: Fixed smoke detection device 112: Fixed smoke detector body 114: Sampling tube 116-1 to 116-8: On-off valve 120: Signal line 122: Computer Room 124: Server rack 126: Surveillance room 128: Ultra-high sensitivity smoke monitoring panel 130: Control unit 132: Smoke detection unit 134: Suction unit 136: Opening and closing valve drive unit 138:Operation section 140: Alarm display section 142: Transmission unit 144: Smoke detection control unit 146: Opening and closing valve control section 150: Indicator light

Claims

1. a fixed smoke detection device for detecting smoke in the monitored area; a portable smoke detection device that moves within the monitoring area, detects smoke contained in the air it draws in, and identifies the location of the smoke source; Equipped with The portable smoke detection device is characterized in that, when detection begins, the detection sensitivity for detecting smoke is fixed to an initial sensitivity that is higher than the detection sensitivity of the fixed smoke detection device, and when a specified smoke detection signal is detected, the initial sensitivity is released.

2. a fixed smoke detection device for detecting smoke in the monitored area; a portable smoke detection device that moves within the monitoring area, detects smoke contained in the air it draws in, and identifies the location of the smoke source; Equipped with The portable smoke detection device is characterized in that when detection begins, the detection sensitivity for detecting smoke in the monitored area is fixed to a predetermined initial sensitivity, and when a predetermined smoke detection signal is detected while at the initial sensitivity, the initial sensitivity is released and the detection sensitivity can be switched to a detection sensitivity lower than the initial sensitivity.

3. The smoke detection equipment according to claim 1 or 2, The portable smoke detection device is characterized in that the detection sensitivity switching does not function when the detection starts, but the detection sensitivity switching functions when the specified smoke detection signal is detected.

4. The smoke detection system according to claim 3, A smoke detection system characterized in that the initial sensitivity of the portable smoke detection device is higher than the detection sensitivity to which it can be switched when the detection sensitivity switching function is activated.

5. A smoke detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The monitoring area is divided into predetermined sections, The fixed smoke detection device is characterized in that it identifies the smoke generating section where the smoke has occurred and detects the smoke.

6. 6. The smoke detection system according to claim 5, The fixed smoke detection device is a sampling pipe laid in the monitoring area so that a sampling hole is located in each of the sections; an on-off valve provided corresponding to each of the sampling holes; Equipped with A smoke detection system characterized in that air in any compartment is sucked through the corresponding sampling hole by controlling the opening and closing of each of the on-off valves.

7. The smoke detection equipment according to claim 5 or 6, The fixed smoke detection device further includes an indicator light in each of the compartments; A smoke detection system characterized in that when the smoke generating section is identified and smoke is detected, the smoke generating section is indicated by the indicator light provided in the corresponding section.

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