Fire detector

Abstract

To solve the problem that an operation of an inspection test cannot be performed quickly since an internal voltage V of a fire sensor is unlikely to decrease when the fire sensor is removed from a power supply and the fire sensor is immediately connected to an inspection tester in order to perform the inspection test, a communication mode cannot be shifted to the communication mode for the inspection test.SOLUTION: A fire sensor is connected to an inspection tester by being removed from an installation part, and includes a sensor for measuring an angular velocity, in which a communication mode for the inspection tester is started when a constant angular change of the fire sensor is detected within a predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire detector that can be removed for testing.

Background Art

[0002] As a smoke detector used as a fire detector, it is stipulated by the Fire Service Act to conduct a sensitivity test once a year. The sensitivity test is performed by a qualified person using a sensitivity tester as shown in Patent Document 1. The sensitivity tester is a kind of inspection tester and is formed in a portable box shape. As shown in Fig. 1(c), the inspection tester four has a tester mounting base 42 for the fire detector together with the tester main body 41. Fig. 1(a) shows a situation where the fire detector 3 is attached to a ceiling mounting base 6 fixed to the ceiling 5 and is in a normal monitoring state, and Fig. 2(b) shows the fire detector 3 removed from the ceiling mounting base 6. Further, Fig. 1(c) shows a situation where the fire detector 3 is attached to the inspection tester 4. Then, as shown in Figs. 1(a) to (c), the fire detector 3 removed from the installation location is attached to the tester mounting base 42, and an inspection test is performed by measuring the sensitivity of the fire detector 3 in the state of Fig. 1(c).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The smoke detector (fire detector 3) receives a communication command for inspection and testing from the inspection tester (test unit 4) and switches to inspection and testing mode. However, if the fire detector 3 switches to inspection and testing mode while installed on a ceiling or other surface and performing normal monitoring, it may cause a false response to the receiver (not shown). Therefore, communication mode is prohibited under normal monitoring conditions. When the power supply to the fire detector changes from a no-supply state to a supply state, it detects the voltage rise and switches to a communication mode that allows communication with the inspection tester for a certain period of time. As a result, when the fire detector is attached to the inspection tester, power voltage is supplied and communication with the inspection tester is permitted for a certain period of time, for example, 30 seconds. If a communication command for inspection and testing is received during this permitted period of communication, the fire detector 3 enters inspection and testing mode and communicates with the inspection tester 4 for inspection and testing.

[0005] However, modern fire detectors consume little power, and the internal voltage V of the fire detector 3, once removed from the ceiling mounting base 6, decreases slowly, as shown on the horizontal axis from 0 to T1 in Figure 2(a) and from 0 to T2 in Figure 2(b). Figure 2 shows the time change of the internal voltage V in the fire detector 3 immediately after it is removed from the ceiling mounting base 6 installed on the ceiling 5 at t=0. The vertical axis represents the internal voltage V, and the horizontal axis represents time t. If the fire detector 3 installed on the ceiling 5, etc., is removed and immediately connected to the test equipment mounting base 42 of the inspection test equipment 4, the voltage changes as shown in Figure 2(a). Figure 2(a) shows the time change of the internal voltage V when the fire detector 3 is removed and connected to the test equipment mounting base 42 of the inspection test equipment 4 at time T1. At time T1, the power supply voltage is supplied to the fire detector 3 from the test equipment body 41 while the internal voltage V has hardly decreased. Therefore, the rising edge change of the internal voltage V when the fire detector 3 switches from a non-supply state to a supply state is not detected, and communication mode is not entered.

[0006] Figure 2(b) shows the time change of the internal voltage V when the fire detector is removed from the ceiling mounting base 6 and then attached to the test equipment mounting base 42 of the inspection test equipment 4 after a sufficient amount of time has passed. At T2, the internal voltage V has dropped sufficiently, and the fire detector 3 switches to communication mode as its internal voltage V rises sharply due to the power supply from the inspection test equipment 4. Then, the fire detector 3 can switch to inspection test mode in response to the signal from the inspection test equipment 4. In order for the fire detector 3 to enter communication mode, it is necessary to wait until the internal voltage V of the fire detector 3 has dropped sufficiently, as shown at T2 in Figure 2(b), before connecting it to the inspection test equipment 4. Thus, conventionally, it is not possible to connect the fire detector 3 to the inspection test equipment 4 until the internal voltage V has dropped sufficiently, which makes the inspection test time-consuming.

[0007] The present invention addresses the problem that when the fire detector is disconnected from the power supply, the internal voltage V does not drop easily, and when the fire detector is immediately connected to the inspection tester for inspection testing, it cannot switch to the communication mode for inspection testing, making it difficult to perform inspection testing quickly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention is a fire detector that can be removed from an installation unit and connected to an inspection tester, and is characterized in that it has a sensor for measuring angular velocity, and when a certain angular change of the fire detector is detected within a predetermined time, it starts a communication mode with the inspection tester. Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention is a fire detector that can be removed from an installation unit and connected to an inspection tester, and is characterized in that it has a magnetic sensor, and when the magnetic sensor detects a magnetic field from a magnet provided on the inspection tester, it starts a communication mode with the inspection tester. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This invention makes it possible to quickly perform inspection tests on fire detectors that do not experience a significant drop in internal voltage V when disconnected from a power source, by connecting them to an inspection tester. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This diagram shows a situation where a fire detector is removed and inspected using an inspection tester. [Figure 2] A graph showing the change in internal voltage of a fire detector after it has been removed from the ceiling. [Figure 3] A diagram showing a fire detector equipped with a geomagnetic sensor installed on the ceiling. [Figure 4] This diagram shows a fire detector equipped with a geomagnetic sensor attached to a test device. [Figure 5] A graph showing the allowable range T for the angle and intensity of the magnetic field detected by the geomagnetic sensor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Figure 3 shows the fire detector 1 in an embodiment of the present invention mounted on a ceiling mounting base 6 of the ceiling 5, which is the installation area. The fire detector 1 in this embodiment is a smoke detector and is of type P. The fire detector 1 has a geomagnetic sensor 11, which is a type of magnetic sensor, inside. A geomagnetic sensor can detect the direction of a magnetic field in the x, y, and z directions of the sensor itself. It is used in smartphones and the like, and because it is a high-performance and relatively inexpensive device, it can be used as the magnetic sensor in the present invention. The output of the geomagnetic sensor 11 is determined by a switch device 12, and the control device 13 controls the communication device 14 to start a communication mode with the inspection tester 2, which will be described later, when the switch device 12 is turned on. When the communication mode is started, the system is ready to perform an inspection test through communication from the inspection tester 2. In the state shown in Figure 3, no specific magnetic field is detected by the geomagnetic sensor 11, and the switch device 12 is off. Therefore, the communication mode is not activated. Even if a worker removes the fire detector 1 from the ceiling mounting base 6 for inspection or testing, the geomagnetic sensor 11 does not detect a specific magnetic field before it is attached to the inspection tester 2, the switch device 12 is off, and it does not enter communication mode. In this embodiment, the geomagnetic sensor 11 is not used to detect the Earth's magnetic field, but rather to detect a specific magnetic field, and is configured so that the Earth's magnetic field is not detected as a specific magnetic field.

[0012] Since the geomagnetic sensor 11 is located inside the fire detector 1, unlike a switch located outside the fire detector 1, workers and others cannot accidentally touch it. Furthermore, even if a child brings a magnet close to the fire detector 1 while it is mounted on the ceiling base 6, the switch device 12 will not turn on because the direction of the magnetic field differs from the predetermined direction. As will be described later, the switch device 12 will not turn on unless a specific magnetic field is detected.

[0013] Figure 4 shows the fire detector 1 in an embodiment of the present invention, detached from the ceiling mounting base 6 of the ceiling 5 where it is installed, and connected to the test equipment mounting base 22 of the inspection test equipment 2. The fire detector 1 receives power by being connected to the test equipment mounting base 22 and is in a power supply state. The geomagnetic sensor 11 detects the magnetic field generated by the magnet 23 and sends the detected magnetic field value to the switch device 12. The switch device 12 determines that the detected magnetic field value is a specific magnetic field and turns on. Then, the control device 13 starts the communication mode of the communication device 14.

[0014] When the fire detector 1 is mounted on the ceiling mounting base 6, the geomagnetic sensor 11 is affected by the geomagnetic field, but the switch device 12 will not turn on due to the strength of the geomagnetic field or other magnetic fields. When a worker removes the fire detector 1 from the ceiling mounting base 6 for inspection and testing, the fire detector 1 is not supplied with power. The internal voltage V then gradually decreases as shown in Figure 2. When the fire detector 1 is immediately attached to the test equipment mounting base 22 of the inspection test equipment 2, the internal voltage V rises as shown in Figure 2(a)T1. At this time, the geomagnetic sensor 11 of the fire detector 1 detects a specific magnetic field from the magnet 23 of the inspection test equipment 2. The switch device 12 then turns on when the geomagnetic sensor 11 detects a specific magnetic field from the magnet 23. When the switch device 12 turns on, it starts communication mode and becomes able to communicate with the inspection test equipment 2. The inspection test equipment 2 sends a communication command for inspection and testing to the fire detector 1. Fire detector 1 receives a communication command for inspection and testing and switches to inspection and testing mode.

[0015] The magnet 23 of the inspection tester 2 is positioned so that the +z direction in Figure 4 is the north pole. The switch device 12 of the fire detector 1 turns on when the geomagnetic sensor 11 detects a magnetic field with a north pole in the -z direction in Figure 4. Then, the control device 13 initiates communication with the tester body 21 via the communication device 14. Considering the magnetic field caused by tampering with the magnet, it is preferable to have a small allowable angle in the direction of the north pole.

[0016] Figure 5 shows a graph illustrating the allowable range T for the angle and intensity of the magnetic field detected by the geomagnetic sensor 11. The horizontal axis represents the deviation angle Δθ from the z direction, and the vertical axis represents the magnetic field strength H. The switch device 12 turns on when the angle and intensity of the magnetic field detected by the geomagnetic sensor 11 are within the allowable range T, which is a certain range between the deviation angle Δθ and the magnetic field strength H. The probability that the angle and intensity of the magnetic field detected by the geomagnetic sensor 11 will be within the allowable range T, which is a certain range between the deviation angle Δθ and the magnetic field strength H, when a magnet is brought close as a prank is small. In this way, by turning on the switch device 12 when the geomagnetic sensor 11 detects a magnetic field of a specific direction and intensity, the switch device 12 will not turn on in the case of a magnetic field caused by pranks, and the start of the communication mode is suppressed.

[0017] Furthermore, the detection of a specific magnetic field may be defined as detecting within a predetermined detection period the angle and strength of the magnetic field within a certain tolerance range T, which is a fixed range between the misalignment angle Δθ and the magnetic field strength H. In this case, for example, four detections are performed within a predetermined detection period of 1 second, and the switch device 12 turns on if the misalignment angle Δθ and the magnetic field strength H are within the tolerance range T shown in Figure 5 in all four detections. Even if a magnet is brought close as a prank, the probability that the misalignment angle Δθ and the magnetic field strength H are within the tolerance range T shown in Figure 5 in all four detections is extremely small. This further suppresses communication initiation due to pranks or other mischief.

[0018] The geomagnetic sensor 11, switch device 12, and control device 13 of the fire detector 1 are operated by the internal voltage V remaining in the fire detector 1. The operating voltage Vd at which these devices can operate is preferably less than or equal to the off voltage Voff, which allows detection of the rising edge change of the internal voltage V when the fire detector 1 switches from a non-supply state to a supply state. Even if it is not less than or equal to the off voltage Voff, it is preferable that the operating voltage Vd is a voltage close to the off voltage Voff. By setting the operating voltage Vd in this way, the fire detector 1 can quickly switch to communication mode even after some time has passed since it was removed from the ceiling mounting base 6.

[0019] The magnetic sensor may be provided inside the tester main body 21 as in the embodiment, or may be provided on the tester mounting base 22. The magnet provided in the inspection tester may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The switch device may be incorporated in the control device and realized by a program.

[0020] Also, in the embodiment, a geomagnetic sensor is used as the magnetic sensor, but other magnetic sensors or sensors for measuring angular velocity such as gyro sensors can also be used. When using a gyro sensor, when the fire detector 1 is upside down for attachment to the inspection tester, it is assumed that a method of detecting the angle and time and permitting communication is used. For example, when the state where the fire detector is attached to the ceiling is 0°, and the state where the fire detector is removed and turned upside down is 180°, communication can be permitted when a gyro sensor detects an angular change from 120° to 240° within a predetermined time.

[0021] In the embodiment, the fire detector attached to the ceiling is shown as an example, but a fire detector installed on a slanted ceiling or a wall etc. may also be used. Also, in the embodiment, the fire detector 1 is a P-type smoke detector, but other fire detectors and inspection testers that shift to the communication mode due to the rise of the internal voltage may also be used.

[0022] In addition, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiment, and design changes etc. within the range not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0023] 1 Fire detector, 11 Geomagnetic sensor, 12 Switch device, 13 Control device, 14 Communication device, 2 Inspection tester, 21 Tester main body, 22 Tester mounting base, 23 Magnet, 3 Fire detector, 4 Inspection tester, 41 Tester main body, 42 Tester mounting base, 5 Ceiling, 6 Ceiling mounting base

Claims

1. A fire detector that is removed from its installation location and connected to an inspection and testing device, It has a sensor that measures angular velocity, A fire detector characterized in that when the sensor detects a certain angle change of the fire detector within a predetermined time, it initiates a communication mode with the inspection tester.

2. A magnetic sensor is provided in place of the sensor that measures angular velocity. The fire detector according to claim 1, characterized in that when the magnetic sensor detects a magnetic field from a magnet provided on the inspection tester, it initiates a communication mode with the inspection tester.

3. A fire detector that is removed from its installation location and connected to an inspection and testing device, It has a magnetic sensor, A fire detector characterized in that, when the magnetic sensor detects a magnetic field from a magnet provided on the inspection tester, it initiates a communication mode with the inspection tester.

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