Disaster prevention system, fire detection method, and program

Abstract

To provide high-level fire information.SOLUTION: A disaster prevention system includes: one or more sensors 1 arranged in a monitoring area; and a receiver Y1. The sensor 1 includes a plurality of heat detection elements 30, a determination section 91, and an estimation section E1. The determination section 91 acquires a plurality of detection values related to heat to be detected by the heat detection elements 30, so as to determine occurrence of a fire. The estimation section E1 estimates an occurrence direction of the fire in the monitoring area based on the detection results related to the heat in the heat detection elements 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a disaster prevention system, a fire determination method, and a program, and more particularly, to a disaster prevention system, a fire determination method, and a program provided with a sensor that senses heat generated by, for example, a fire.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fire detector provided with one rod-shaped thermistor having a thermistor chip serving as a heat-sensitive portion at its tip as a sensing means. The thermistor is mounted on the lower surface side of the circuit board so as to face downward in the mounted state of the fire detector. The fire detector has openings in the bottom plate and the peripheral wall of the protector to cover the outer periphery of the thermistor, and has a structure that allows ventilation from the detection space toward the thermistor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the fire detector disclosed in Patent Document 1, since there is only one location for detecting heat, there is a high possibility that only determination information (determination result) as to whether or not a fire has occurred can be obtained. Therefore, there may be a case where provision of more advanced fire information is desired.

[0005] In view of the above reasons, the present disclosure is made, and an object thereof is to provide a disaster prevention system, a fire determination method, and a program that make it easier to provide more advanced fire information.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A disaster prevention system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises one or more detectors having a plurality of thermal sensing elements, and an estimation unit. The estimation unit estimates the direction of fire occurrence in a monitored area based on thermal detection results from the plurality of thermal sensing elements. The detector further comprises one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. A fire prevention system according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises one or more detectors having a plurality of thermal sensing elements, and an estimation unit. The estimation unit estimates the direction of fire occurrence in a monitored area based on thermal detection results from the plurality of thermal sensing elements. The detector further comprises one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. The estimation unit is provided in the detector. The estimation unit estimates the direction of fire occurrence relative to itself based on the detection results. A disaster prevention system in yet another aspect of the present disclosure comprises one or more detectors having a plurality of thermal sensing elements, and an estimation unit. The estimation unit estimates the direction of fire occurrence in a monitored area based on thermal detection results from the plurality of thermal sensing elements. The detector further comprises one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. The detector further comprises a housing that accommodates the plurality of thermal sensing elements. The housing has a mark on its outer surface indicating a direction relative to the center of the housing when viewed along a direction intersecting the mounting surface on which the detector is installed. There is a correlation between the arrangement positions of the plurality of thermal sensing elements relative to the center of the housing and the position of the mark. A fire prevention system in yet another aspect of the present disclosure comprises one or more detectors having a plurality of thermal sensing elements, and an estimation unit. The estimation unit estimates the direction of fire in a monitored area based on thermal detection results from the plurality of thermal sensing elements. The detector further comprises one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. The fire prevention system comprises two or more detectors. The fire prevention system further comprises a identification unit that identifies the location of the fire source by integrating estimation results regarding the direction of fire based on each of the two or more detectors, based on the detection results from each of the detectors. A fire prevention system according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure comprises one or more detectors having a plurality of thermal sensing elements, and an estimation unit. The estimation unit estimates the direction of fire occurrence in a monitored area based on thermal detection results from the plurality of thermal sensing elements. The detector further comprises one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. The fire prevention system further comprises an output unit that outputs the estimation results of the estimation unit. The output unit includes local output units provided on one or more of the detectors. A fire prevention system according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure comprises one or more detectors having a plurality of thermal sensing elements, and an estimation unit. The estimation unit estimates the direction of fire in a monitored area based on thermal detection results from the plurality of thermal sensing elements. The detector further comprises one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. In addition to the detection results, the estimation unit estimates the direction of fire based on information about the installation environment in which the one or more detectors are installed.

[0007] A fire detection method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step and an estimation step. In the acquisition step, detection results related to heat are acquired from a plurality of thermal sensing elements of one or more detectors. In the estimation step, the direction of fire occurrence in a monitored area is estimated based on the acquired detection results. The detector further comprises one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. A fire detection method according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step and an estimation step. In the acquisition step, detection results related to heat are acquired from a plurality of thermal sensing elements of one or more detectors. In the estimation step, the direction of fire occurrence in a monitored area is estimated based on the acquired detection results. The detector further has one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. The function of the estimation step is provided in the detector. In the estimation step, the direction of fire occurrence relative to the detector is estimated based on the detection results. A fire detection method according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step and an estimation step. The acquisition step involves acquiring detection results related to heat from a plurality of thermal sensing elements of one or more detectors. The estimation step involves estimating the direction of fire occurrence in a monitored area based on the acquired detection results. The detector further comprises one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. The detector further comprises a housing that accommodates the plurality of thermal sensing elements. The housing has a mark on its outer surface indicating a direction relative to the center of the housing when viewed along a direction intersecting the mounting surface on which the detector is installed. There is a correlation between the position of the plurality of thermal sensing elements relative to the center of the housing and the position of the mark. A fire detection method in yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step and an estimation step. The acquisition step involves acquiring detection results for heat from a plurality of thermal sensing elements of one or more detectors. The estimation step involves estimating the direction of fire in a monitored area based on the acquired detection results. The detector further comprises one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. Two or more detectors are provided. The fire detection method further includes a identification step of identifying the location of the fire source by integrating estimation results for the direction of fire based on each of the two or more detectors, based on the detection results of each of the detectors. A fire detection method in yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step and an estimation step. The acquisition step involves acquiring detection results related to heat from a plurality of thermal sensing elements of one or more detectors. The estimation step involves estimating the direction of fire occurrence in a monitored area based on the acquired detection results. The detector further includes one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. The fire detection method further includes an output step for outputting the estimation result of the estimation step. The output step includes a local output step provided on one or more of the detectors. A fire detection method in yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step and an estimation step. In the acquisition step, detection results relating to heat are acquired from a plurality of thermal sensing elements of one or more detectors. In the estimation step, the direction of fire occurrence in a monitored area is estimated based on the acquired detection results. The detector further comprises one substrate. The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the one substrate. Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. In the estimation step, the direction of fire occurrence is estimated based on the detection results, as well as information about the installation environment in which one or more detectors are installed.

[0008] A program in one aspect of this disclosure is provided for one or more processors. any This is a program for executing a fire detection method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This disclosure has the advantage of making it easier to provide more advanced fire information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1A is an external perspective view of a sensor included in a disaster prevention system according to an embodiment. Figure 1B is a plan view seen from above in a state where the back cover is removed from the same sensor. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the same sensor. [Figure 3] Figure 3A is a block configuration diagram of the same sensor. Figure 3B is a block configuration diagram of a receiver included in the same disaster prevention system. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the same disaster prevention system. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example related to fire determination processing and estimation processing in the same sensor. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining position identification processing in the same disaster prevention system. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example related to position identification processing in the same disaster prevention system.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] (1) Overview Each figure described in the following embodiments is a schematic diagram, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of each component in each figure do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0012] The disaster prevention system 100 (see Figure 4) according to this embodiment includes one or more sensors 1 (six are shown in Figure 4) and a receiving terminal that communicates with one or more sensors 1 and receives notifications regarding the occurrence of a fire. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the disaster prevention system 100 is configured as an automatic fire alarm system introduced into a facility such as an office building 500 (see Figure 6). Therefore, it is assumed that the "receiving terminal" is the receiver Y1 (see Figures 3B and 4) of the automatic fire alarm system.

[0013] In addition to office buildings, the facility 500 may also be a theater, cinema, concert hall, game arcade, complex facility, restaurant, department store, school, hotel, inn, hospital, nursing home, kindergarten, library, museum, art museum, underground shopping street, station, airport, apartment building (mansion), or detached house, etc.

[0014] The receiving terminal is not limited to the receiver Y1 of the automatic fire alarm system. For example, if the facility 500 is a detached house, the receiving terminal may be a house information panel or a controller of a HEMS (Home Energy Management System). Also, the receiving terminal may be an information terminal such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or personal computer. Alternatively, the receiving terminal may be a server installed outside the facility 500.

[0015] The sensor 1 according to this embodiment is, for example, a fire sensor, and includes a heat detection unit 3 (see FIGS. 1B and 3A) that detects heat generated by a fire or the like. In other words, the sensor 1 is a sensor having at least a function of detecting heat. However, the sensor 1 may be a so-called composite fire sensor that further includes a smoke detection unit for detecting smoke. The sensor 1 may further include a detection unit for detecting the occurrence of flames, gas leakage, or CO (carbon monoxide) generated by incomplete combustion.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1A, the sensor 1 is installed on the installation surface X11 of a structure X1 (ceiling in the illustrated example), which is a building material of the ceiling (or wall, etc.) of the facility 500.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3A, the sensor 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of heat detection elements 30 and a determination unit 91. Here, as an example, the sensor 1 includes eight heat detection elements 30. The eight heat detection elements 30 are mounted on a substrate 2. The heat detection element 30 is, for example, a chip thermistor that detects the heat of the gas flowing in from the opening 7 of the housing 5.

[0018] The determination unit 91 is configured to determine the occurrence of a fire by comparing multiple heat-related detection values ​​detected by each of the multiple heat-sensing elements 30 with predetermined determination conditions. In other words, the objects to be compared with the predetermined determination conditions are the detection values ​​of all the heat-sensing elements 30. The "predetermined determination conditions" here include, for example, conditions related to determining (or selecting) a "target value" to be compared from the multiple detection values ​​to a threshold for fire determination. For example, the predetermined determination conditions include calculating the average value (target value) of the multiple detection values.

[0019] This configuration enables comprehensive fire detection using multiple detection values ​​from multiple heat sensing elements 30. Therefore, it reduces the possibility of variations in fire detection reliability due to the positional relationship between the location of the fire and the location of the fire detector. As a result, it is possible to improve the reliability of fire detection.

[0020] Furthermore, the fire detection method according to this embodiment includes an acquisition step and a determination step. In the acquisition step, multiple detection values ​​related to heat detected by each of the multiple heat detection elements 30 of the detector 1 are acquired. In the determination step, the acquired multiple detection values ​​are compared with predetermined determination conditions to determine the occurrence of a fire. Here, as an example, the fire detection method including this determination step is used on the detector 1. Even with this configuration, the reliability of fire detection can be improved. The fire detection method including the determination step can also be implemented in a program. The program according to this embodiment is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the fire detection method including the determination step.

[0021] Incidentally, the disaster prevention system 100 according to this embodiment comprises one or more detectors 1 having a plurality of heat detection elements 30, and an estimation unit E1 (see Figure 3A). The estimation unit E1 estimates the direction of fire occurrence D1 (see Figure 6) in the monitoring area R1 (see Figure 6) based on the heat detection results from the plurality of heat detection elements 30. Here, as an example, the function of the estimation unit E1 is provided in the control unit 9 of the detector 1, as shown in Figure 3A.

[0022] This configuration allows for the acquisition of not only determination information on whether or not a fire has occurred, but also estimated results regarding the direction D1 of fire origin. As a result, it becomes easier to provide more advanced fire information.

[0023] Furthermore, the fire detection method according to this embodiment includes an acquisition step and an estimation step. In the acquisition step, detection results related to heat are acquired from multiple heat detection elements 30 of one or more detectors 1. In the estimation step, the direction D1 of fire occurrence in the monitoring area R1 is estimated based on the acquired detection results. Here, as an example, this fire detection method including the estimation step is used on a disaster prevention system 100. Even with this configuration, it is possible to easily realize the provision of more advanced fire information. The fire detection method including the estimation step can also be implemented in a program. The program according to this embodiment is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the fire detection method including the estimation step.

[0024] (2) Details (2.1) Overall System Configuration The overall configuration of the disaster prevention system 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0025] As described above, the disaster prevention system 100 is assumed to be configured as an "automatic fire alarm system." The disaster prevention system 100 will be installed in facilities 500 such as office buildings (see Figure 6).

[0026] The disaster prevention system 100 comprises one receiver Y1 (receiving terminal) and multiple (two or more) sensors 1. The multiple sensors 1 are connected to the receiver Y1 by daisy-chain wiring using, for example, two signal lines L1 (two-wire system). Although a detailed explanation is omitted here, the disaster prevention system 100 is equipped with multiple signal lines L1 (three in Figure 4). Signal lines L1 are wired to each monitoring area R1 of the facility 500 (for example, each floor), and the multiple sensors 1 installed in each monitoring area R1 communicate with the receiver Y1 via these signal lines L1.

[0027] The disaster prevention system 100 further includes multiple termination devices 101. The termination devices 101 are located at the end of each signal line L1 (the end opposite to the receiver Y1). Each termination device 101 has a termination resistor, and the pair of wires of the signal line L1 are electrically connected via the termination resistor. Therefore, the receiver Y1 can detect a break in the signal line L1 by monitoring the current flowing between the pair of wires.

[0028] Multiple sensors 1 monitor the monitoring area R1 within the facility 500. In the example in Figure 6, for the sake of explanation, only three sensors 1 installed in a room such as a conference room, which corresponds to a part of the monitoring area R1, are shown. However, the number of sensors 1 is not particularly limited.

[0029] The details of the configuration of each sensor 1 will be described later, but as shown in Figure 3A, it comprises a heat detection unit 3 that detects heat and a communication unit 11 (communication interface). The communication unit 11 of each sensor 1 and the receiver Y1 can communicate with each other via the signal line L1.

[0030] Each detector 1 has a notification function. The notification function switches the signal line L1 from a non-short-circuit state to a short-circuit state. When each detector 1 detects the occurrence of a fire, it transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as "fire alarm") to the receiver Y1 via the notification function to notify the occurrence of a fire. In other words, the communication unit 11 of each detector 1 transmits a fire alarm via the signal line L1 to notify the occurrence of a fire. That is, the detector 1 here is a contact-type fire detector used in an automatic fire alarm system with a so-called P-type (Proprietary-type) communication method. However, the communication method is not limited to P-type. For example, detector 1 may transmit a fire alarm using a so-called R-type (Record-type) communication method. The disaster prevention system 100 may also further include one or more relays that relay communication between the receiver Y1 and the multiple detectors 1.

[0031] Each detector 1 also has a communication function in addition to its notification function. The communication function is a function that communicates bidirectionally with the receiver Y1 using the transmission signal transmitted on the signal line L1. When an alarm is triggered (when a fire alarm is transmitted), the communication unit 11 of each detector 1 receives a transmission signal from the receiver Y1 that includes an address request requesting the address (identifier) ​​of the source of the fire alarm, and uses its communication function to transmit a pre-assigned address to the receiver Y1.

[0032] The fire prevention system 100 is basically configured to detect the occurrence of a fire using a detector 1, and to notify the receiver Y1 of the fire from the detector 1. However, the fire prevention system 100 may also be equipped with one or more transmitters. A transmitter, for example, has a push-button switch, and when a person inside the facility 500 discovers a fire, they can manually operate (press) the push-button switch to notify the receiver Y1 of the fire. The transmitter can be connected to the receiver Y1 by daisy-chain wiring using a signal line L1, similar to the detector 1.

[0033] The disaster prevention system 100 may have a function to link with other equipment such as smoke control equipment or emergency broadcasting equipment. In this case, the disaster prevention system 100 can control the fire doors of the smoke control equipment or notify the occurrence of a fire by sound or voice using the emergency broadcasting equipment when a fire occurs.

[0034] (2.2) Sensor (2.2.1) Overall configuration of the detector The configuration of the detector 1 according to this embodiment will be described below, focusing on one of the multiple detectors 1.

[0035] It is assumed that sensor 1 is installed on the ceiling surface of facility 500 (one side of structure X1), as shown in the example in Figure 1A.

[0036] The vertical and horizontal directions of sensor 1 are defined and explained using the vertical and horizontal arrows shown in Figure 2. Here, the thickness direction of the substrate 2 of sensor 1 coincides with the vertical direction, and the direction of alignment of the pair of auxiliary openings 7C (vertical holes) coincides with the horizontal direction. These arrows are included merely to aid in the explanation and do not represent any actual physical dimensions. Furthermore, these directions are not intended to limit the direction in which sensor 1 can be used.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3A, the sensor 1 comprises a heat detection unit 3 having a total of eight heat detection elements 30, a control unit 9, a display unit 10, and the aforementioned communication unit 11. The sensor 1 also further comprises a circuit board 2 and a housing 5, as shown in Figures 1A, 1B, and 2. The sensor 1 further comprises a mounting part 12 (see Figure 2) for attachment to the structure X1. The sensor 1 is detachably attached to a disc-shaped mounting base fixed to the structure X1 via the mounting part 12.

[0038] The mounting portion 12 is mechanically connected to the mounting base on the structure X1 side, thereby achieving an electrical connection between the connection terminals inside the sensor 1 and the contact portion of the mounting base. As a result, the connection of the mounting portion 12 to the mounting base electrically connects the control unit 9 and the communication unit 11 mounted on the circuit board 2 to the wires (power supply line and signal line L1) on the back side of the structure X1 via the connection terminals and contact portion.

[0039] When the detector 1 detects a fire, it transmits a fire alarm to the receiver Y1 via the communication unit 11 to notify the receiver Y1 of the occurrence of the fire, and also receives a signal from the receiver Y1. The detector 1 is powered by the receiver Y1, a repeater, or a commercial power supply. However, the detector 1 may also be powered by a battery located inside the housing 5.

[0040] (2.2.2) Enclosure The housing 5 houses the circuit board 2, the heat sensing unit 3, the control unit 9, the display unit 10, and the communication unit 11, etc. In other words, the housing 5 houses multiple heat sensing elements 30.

[0041] The housing 5 is made of synthetic resin, for example, flame-retardant ABS resin. The housing 5 is formed as a whole in a cylindrical shape that is flattened in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 2, the housing 5 has a cylindrical front cover 51 with one side (the top surface in the illustrated example) open, and a disc-shaped back cover 52. The housing 5 has a facing surface 55 (see Figure 2) that faces the structure X1 when the housing 5 is attached to the structure X1. Here, the top surface of the back cover 52 corresponds to the facing surface 55. The housing 5 is constructed by assembling the back cover 52 to the front cover 51 from its open side.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1A and 2, the housing 5 has an opening 7 for allowing gas (hot air) to flow into the interior. The opening 7 has a plurality of side openings 7A (horizontal holes), one inlet 7B (vertical hole), and a pair of auxiliary openings 7C (vertical holes). Here, the opening 7 is provided in the front cover 51.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1A and 2, the front cover 51 includes a flattened cylindrical body 510 with open top and bottom ends, a disc-shaped base 511 located below the cylindrical body 510, and a plurality of columnar parts 512 connecting the cylindrical body 510 and the base 511.

[0044] The cylindrical body 510, the base 511, and the multiple columnar portions 512 are formed as a single unit. The multiple columnar portions 512 are arranged at approximately equal intervals along the circumferential direction on the peripheral edge of the base 511 and protrude from the peripheral edge toward the open lower edge of the cylindrical body 510. The multiple columnar portions 512 maintain a predetermined distance between the cylindrical body 510 and the base 511. The multiple side openings 7A are arranged at approximately equal intervals along the circumferential direction on the peripheral wall of the thus configured front cover 51.

[0045] Each side opening 7A is a roughly rectangular through-hole that penetrates the peripheral wall of the front cover 51 in the radial direction, and serves as an opening that connects the internal flow path of the housing 5 to the external space. Each side opening 7A is located between adjacent column portions 512. The inlet 7B is a circular through-hole that penetrates the base portion 511 in the thickness direction, and serves as an opening that connects the internal flow path of the housing 5 to the external space. The inlet 7B is provided on the outer surface 53 of the housing 5 opposite to the opposing surface 55 (i.e., the lower surface of the base portion 511). The inlet 7B is positioned, for example, in the center when viewed from the front of the outer surface 53. The pair of auxiliary openings 7C are located near the left and right edges of the outer surface 53, as shown in Figure 2. Each auxiliary opening 7C is a roughly rectangular through-hole that penetrates the base portion 511 in the thickness direction, and, like each side opening 7A and inlet 7B, serves as an opening that connects the internal flow path of the housing 5 to the external space.

[0046] The front cover 51 also has a plurality of ribs on its upper surface facing the substrate 2 to position the substrate 2. Furthermore, the front cover 51 has a plurality of control plates 522 (see Figure 1B) that control the flow of gas inside the housing 5. Specifically, a pair of control plates 522 are provided on the back side of each column 512 so as to expand inward. The plurality of control plates 522 control (guide) the airflow so that the gas flowing in from the side opening 7A flows more easily toward the heat sensing element 30.

[0047] (2.2.3) Circuit board Circuit board 2 is a printed circuit board. The circuit board 2 has a heat detection unit 3, a control unit 9, a display unit 10, a communication unit 11, and other circuit modules mounted on it.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1B, the substrate 2 is formed in a substantially circular shape overall in a plan view. As shown in Figure 2, the substrate 2 has a first surface 21 (here, the bottom surface) on the side of the inlet 7B and a second surface 22 (here, the top surface) on the opposite side of the first surface 21. In this embodiment, all eight thermal sensing elements 30 of the thermal sensing unit 3 are surface-mounted on the second surface 22 of one substrate 2. In other words, the sensor 1 comprises one substrate 2, and the multiple thermal sensing elements 30 are mounted on one substrate 2. Therefore, compared to, for example, a case where multiple thermal sensing elements 30 are distributed and mounted on multiple substrates, the increase in the number of components can be suppressed. Also, variations in the arrangement of the multiple thermal sensing elements 30 can be suppressed.

[0049] Multiple electronic components constituting the control unit 9 and communication unit 11, etc., are also mounted on the second surface 22 of the circuit board 2, for example. Note that the multiple electronic components constituting the control unit 9 and communication unit 11, etc., do not necessarily have to be mounted on only one circuit board 2; for example, another mounting board may be placed around the circuit board 2, and some or all of these components may be mounted on that mounting board.

[0050] The structure of the substrate 2 will be described in detail below. As shown in Figure 1B, the substrate 2 has a main body 200 and six extensions 201. The main body 200 is approximately circular in shape. The six extensions 201 are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the periphery of the main body 200, and each extension 201 extends away from the center of the main body 200. As an example, the substrate 2 has a shape that is symmetrical six times when rotated 60 degrees around its center.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1B and 2, the main body 200 has a hole 25 that penetrates through it in the thickness direction in its center. The hole 25 has a substantially circular opening. The hole 25 is positioned so as to overlap with the inlet 7B when viewed from the front of the inlet 7B.

[0052] As shown in Figure 2, the main body 200 has a pair of projections 26 that protrude from the opening edge of the hole 25, moving toward each other along the left-right direction. The tips of the pair of projections 26 are exposed from the inlet 7B when viewed from the front of the inlet 7B. A single thermal sensing element 30 (chip thermistor) is mounted on the upper surface near the tip of each projection 26.

[0053] Furthermore, one thermal sensing element 30 (chip thermistor) is mounted on the upper surface near the tip of each of the six extensions 201.

[0054] Hereinafter, of the total of eight heat sensing elements 30, the six heat sensing elements 30 located on the six extensions 201 will be referred to as "main heat sensing elements 30A," and the pair of heat sensing elements 30 located on the pair of protrusions 26 will be referred to as "auxiliary heat sensing elements 30B." The six main heat sensing elements 30A will be referred to as the 1st to 6th heat sensing elements 301 to 306, respectively, and of the pair of auxiliary heat sensing elements 30B, the right-hand heat sensing element 30 will be referred to as the 7th heat sensing element 307, and the left-hand heat sensing element 30 will be referred to as the 8th heat sensing element 308. The pair of auxiliary heat sensing elements 30B are mounted on the second surface 22 of the substrate 2 so as to follow the periphery of the inlet 7B when viewed from the front of the inlet 7B.

[0055] Furthermore, the substrate 2 has through holes 31 that penetrate the substrate 2 in the thickness direction near each heat sensing element 30. Specifically, the through holes 31 near each main heat sensing element 30A open in a roughly rectangular shape and are positioned on the opposite side (inward) from the side opening 7A of the main heat sensing element 30A. The through holes 31 near each auxiliary heat sensing element 30B open in a roughly triangular shape and are positioned on the opposite side (outward) from the hole portion 25 of the auxiliary heat sensing element 30B.

[0056] By providing such through-holes 31 next to each heat sensing element 30, the area occupied by the substrate 2 around the heat sensing element 30 can be reduced. Therefore, the through-holes 31 suppress the transfer of heat from multiple electronic components constituting the control unit 9 and communication unit 11, etc., through the substrate 2 and affecting the heat sensing element 30. The through-holes 31 also suppress the transfer of heat from the heat sensing element 30 through the substrate 2, which would lower the temperature of the heat sensing element 30. In other words, the through-holes 31 improve thermal insulation. It is desirable that the opening area of ​​the through-holes 31 be larger than the surface area of ​​the heat sensing element 30 (for example, the surface area viewed from above the substrate 2).

[0057] The display unit 10 has multiple light sources, such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The multiple light sources are mounted on the circuit board 2. The multiple light sources include two light sources that correspond to indicator lights. Light emitted from the indicator lights is released through a guide part such as a light guide lens and out of two window holes 533 (see Figure 1A) provided on the outer surface 53 of the front cover 51.

[0058] (2.2.4) Thermal detection unit and control unit As described above, the thermal sensing unit 3 has eight thermal sensing elements 30 mounted on the second surface 22 of the substrate 2. The number of thermal sensing elements 30 is not particularly limited, as long as there are two or more. In this embodiment, each thermal sensing element 30 is a chip thermistor that detects the heat of the gas flowing in from the opening 7, and is surface-mounted on the substrate 2. While it is assumed that NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistors are used as thermal sensing elements 30, PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) thermistors may also be used.

[0059] The six main thermal sensing elements 30A (multiple thermal sensing elements 30) are arranged in the peripheral region 50 surrounding the center 5A of the housing 5 (see Figure 1B), when viewed along the direction intersecting the installation surface X11 on which the sensor 1 is installed (in this case, the vertical direction). In Figure 1B, the peripheral region 50 is shown with dot hatching surrounded by a dashed line for easier understanding, but this is not intended to strictly limit the extent of the peripheral region 50. The six main thermal sensing elements 30A are arranged at approximately equal intervals within the peripheral region 50.

[0060] Furthermore, the six main heat sensing elements 30A are arranged so that they face each of the multiple side openings 7A of the opening 7 in a one-to-one ratio. In addition, the two extensions 201 on which the second heat sensing element 302 and the fifth heat sensing element 305 of the six main heat sensing elements 30A are mounted are arranged so as to face the two auxiliary openings 7C of the opening 7.

[0061] The first thermal sensing element 301, one of the six main thermal sensing elements 30A, is positioned as shown in Figure 1B on a virtual line segment Q1 connecting the mark M1 (described later) and the center 5A of the housing 5, when viewed from above the second surface 22 of the substrate 2. The second to sixth thermal sensing elements 302 to 306 are positioned at intervals of 60 degrees, 120 degrees, 180 degrees, 240 degrees, and 300 degrees counterclockwise from the line segment Q1, when viewed from above the second surface 22 of the substrate 2.

[0062] Each auxiliary heat sensing element 30B is mounted on the substrate 2 at a position that is roughly within the projection area of ​​the inlet 7B of the opening 7, or slightly outside the projection area, when viewed from the front of the inlet 7B of the opening 7.

[0063] The thermal sensing unit 3 is electrically connected to the control unit 9 via pattern wiring formed on the substrate 2. Each thermal sensing element 30 outputs an electrical signal (detection signal) to the control unit 9. In other words, the control unit 9 monitors the resistance value of each thermal sensing element 30, which may change depending on the temperature rise, through the electrical signals output from each thermal sensing element 30.

[0064] The heat detection unit 3 may further include, in addition to the heat detection element 30, an amplification circuit for amplifying the electrical signal from the heat detection element 30, and a conversion circuit for analog-to-digital conversion, or the amplification and conversion may be performed on the control unit 9 side.

[0065] The control unit 9 can be implemented, for example, by a computer system including one or more processors (microprocessors) and one or more memories. In other words, one or more processors execute one or more programs stored in one or more memories, thereby functioning as parts of the control unit 9. In this case, the programs are pre-recorded in the memory of the control unit 9, but they may also be provided via telecommunication lines such as the Internet, or recorded on non-temporary recording media such as memory cards.

[0066] As shown in Figure 3A, the control unit 9 includes a determination unit 91, a diagnostic unit 92, and an estimation unit E1. In other words, the control unit 9 has the functions of a determination unit 91, a diagnostic unit 92, and an estimation unit E1. Details of the estimation unit E1 will be explained in the next section.

[0067] The determination unit 91 is configured to receive detection signals from the heat detection unit 3 and determine whether or not a fire has occurred (fire determination process). Specifically, the determination unit 91 compares multiple detection values ​​related to heat detected by each of the multiple heat detection elements 30 with predetermined determination conditions to determine whether a fire has occurred in the monitoring area R1 (determination step). Specifically, the determination unit 91 monitors detection signals from the eight heat detection elements 30 of the heat detection unit 3 and compares the signal levels (multiple detection values) of these detection signals with predetermined determination conditions to determine whether a fire has occurred. The "detection value" here may be the voltage (value) output from the heat detection element 30, the resistance value of the heat detection element 30 calculated from that voltage value, or the temperature value corresponding to that resistance value. In the following explanation, as an example, the "detection value" will be the temperature value.

[0068] Here, we will explain the "predetermined criteria" in detail. The predetermined criteria include at least one of the following criteria 1 to 6.

[0069] The first determination condition is "to select the maximum value from among multiple detected values." If the predetermined determination conditions include the first determination condition, the determination unit 91 determines whether or not a fire has occurred, based at least on the maximum value. For example, the determination unit 91 selects the highest temperature value (maximum value) from among the eight temperature values ​​(detected values) of eight heat sensing elements 30 acquired at the same time (in this case, the predetermined determination conditions also include the fifth determination condition described later), and compares that temperature value with a temperature threshold for fire determination. The control unit 9 stores the temperature threshold (information) in memory in advance. If the highest temperature value exceeds the temperature threshold, the determination unit 91 determines that a fire has occurred. By applying the first determination condition, it becomes easier to shorten the time it takes for the determination unit 91 to determine that a fire has occurred compared to, for example, determining based on the lowest temperature value (minimum value) by comparison with the same temperature threshold (improvement in responsiveness regarding fire determination).

[0070] The second determination condition is "to select the minimum value from among multiple detected values." If the predetermined determination condition includes the second determination condition, the determination unit 91 determines whether or not a fire has occurred based on at least the minimum value. For example, the determination unit 91 selects the lowest temperature value (minimum value) from among the eight temperature values ​​(detected values) of eight heat sensing elements 30 acquired at the same time, and compares that temperature value with a temperature threshold for fire determination. If the lowest temperature value exceeds the temperature threshold, the determination unit 91 determines that a fire has occurred. By applying the second determination condition, the possibility of the determination unit 91 mistakenly determining that a fire has occurred can be reduced (reduction of false alarms) compared to, for example, determining based on the highest temperature value (maximum value) by comparison with the same temperature threshold.

[0071] The third determination condition is to "determine the number of heat detection elements 30 that detected a value exceeding a threshold for fire detection, out of the multiple heat detection elements 30 that each detected multiple values." If the predetermined determination conditions include the third determination condition, the determination unit 91 determines whether or not a fire has occurred based on at least the number of heat detection elements 30. For example, the determination unit 91 compares all eight temperature values ​​(detected values) of eight heat detection elements 30 acquired at the same time with a temperature threshold for fire detection. The control unit 9 stores the determination threshold (information) for determination in memory in advance. The determination unit 91 determines the number of temperature values ​​(detected values) that exceeded the temperature threshold for fire detection (i.e., the number of heat detection elements 30) and compares that number with the count threshold. If the number of heat detection elements 30 is equal to or greater than the count threshold (for example, 4), the determination unit 91 determines that a fire has occurred. By applying the third determination condition, the possibility of the determination unit 91 mistakenly determining that a fire has occurred can be reduced (reduction of false alarms).

[0072] The fourth determination condition is "to calculate the average value of multiple detected values." If the predetermined determination conditions include the fourth determination condition, the determination unit 91 determines whether or not a fire has occurred, based at least on the average value. For example, the determination unit 91 calculates an average temperature value (average value) from eight temperature values ​​(detected values) of eight heat sensing elements 30 acquired at the same time, and compares this average temperature value with a temperature threshold for fire determination. If the average temperature value exceeds the temperature threshold, the determination unit 91 determines that a fire has occurred. By applying the fourth determination condition, the reliability of fire determination is further improved.

[0073] The fifth determination condition is "to use multiple detection values ​​acquired at the same time from multiple heat detection elements 30." The determination unit 91 uses, for example, eight temperature values ​​(detection values) from eight heat detection elements 30 acquired at approximately the same time to perform a comparative determination regarding any of the first to fourth determination conditions described above. During fire monitoring, the determination unit 91 repeatedly acquires eight temperature values ​​(detection values) simultaneously according to a predetermined sampling period and performs a comparative determination. By applying the fifth determination condition, the responsiveness of fire determination can be improved.

[0074] However, it is not mandatory for the predetermined judgment conditions to include the fifth judgment condition. The judgment unit 91 may, for example, perform peak hold for a certain period of time for the temperature values ​​obtained from each thermal sensing element 30. The judgment unit 91 may determine the peak value (detected value) of the temperature value of each thermal sensing element 30 and perform a comparison judgment regarding any of the first to fourth judgment conditions using the eight peak values ​​of the eight thermal sensing elements 30.

[0075] The sixth judgment condition is to "identify outliers from multiple detected values ​​and use the detected values ​​obtained by excluding the outliers from the multiple detected values." In this embodiment, the judgment unit 91 basically compares all eight temperature values ​​(detected values) of the eight heat detection elements 30 with predetermined judgment conditions to determine if there is a fire. However, if any of the eight heat detection elements 30 experience an abnormality such as a malfunction or disconnection (which may also include dirt or deterioration over time), the temperature value from that heat detection element 30 may show an abnormal value. For example, the temperature value of one heat detection element 30 may be extremely small, extremely large, or almost unchanged (approximately constant) compared to the temperature values ​​of the other heat detection elements 30. If a comparison judgment regarding any of the first to fourth judgment conditions described above is performed using all eight temperature values ​​in a state that includes such abnormal values, it may take a long time to exceed the threshold, resulting in a delay in the time until a fire is detected, or it may result in a false judgment. The determination unit 91 considers such abnormal temperature values ​​as outliers, excludes them from the eight temperature values, and then performs a comparative determination based on one of the first to fourth determination conditions described above. By applying the sixth determination condition, when realizing a comprehensive fire determination using multiple detection values ​​detected by multiple heat detection elements 30, delays in detection and misjudgments due to the influence of outliers can be further reduced.

[0076] In this manner, the control unit 9 compares multiple detected values ​​against predetermined judgment conditions and, if it determines that a fire has occurred, transmits a signal (fire alarm) to the receiver Y1 via the communication unit 11 to indicate the occurrence of a fire. The control unit 9 also outputs a control signal to the lighting circuit to cause the light source of the display unit 10 (indicator light) to blink or light up.

[0077] The user or installer may, at the site, appropriately select which of the first to sixth judgment conditions the detector 1 applies, depending on the installation environment of the detector 1. For example, in response to an operation input to the receiver Y1, the receiver Y1 may transmit setting information to the detector 1, such as adopting the first judgment condition. The detector 1 selects and sets the first judgment condition based on the setting information received from the receiver Y1. Alternatively, the detector 1 may accept the setting of judgment conditions in response to an operation on a DIP switch or the like provided on the housing 5.

[0078] By the way, if a predetermined judgment condition includes two or more of the first to fourth judgment conditions described above, the temperature thresholds used for fire detection in each judgment condition may be set to the same value, or they may be set individually to different values. For example, if a predetermined judgment condition includes the first judgment condition (maximum value) and the fourth judgment condition (average value), the temperature threshold used in the first judgment condition may be stored separately in memory as a different value from the temperature threshold used in the fourth judgment condition. Furthermore, if a predetermined judgment condition includes two or more of the first to fourth judgment conditions, and for example, if all two or more judgment conditions indicate the occurrence of a fire, the control unit 9 transmits a fire alarm.

[0079] The diagnostic unit 92 is configured to diagnose the occurrence of internal events in the detector 1 itself based on multiple detected values. Here, "internal events" refers to abnormalities that can occur in the detector 1 itself, such as deterioration over time, dirt, malfunction, or disconnection of wires. The occurrence of internal events may affect the fire determination of the judgment unit 91. Therefore, the diagnostic unit 92 performs diagnostic processing periodically (for example, once a day) during fire monitoring. The diagnostic processing may be started in response to user operation on the operation unit of the detector 1 or the receiver Y1. In the diagnostic processing, the diagnostic unit 92 determines whether or not an internal event has occurred from eight temperature values ​​(detected values) from the eight heat sensing elements 30. For example, in the diagnostic processing, the diagnostic unit 92 determines whether or not there is an abnormal heat sensing element 30 among the eight heat sensing elements 30 from the individual values ​​or relative variations of the eight temperature values ​​(detected values). The control unit 9 may pre-store pattern information of current-voltage characteristics for the thermal sensing elements 30 according to the type of abnormality in memory, and in the diagnostic process, check the current-voltage characteristics of each thermal sensing element 30 and compare them with the pattern information in memory to determine the type of abnormality.

[0080] When the diagnostic process of the diagnostic unit 92 determines that an internal event has occurred, the control unit 9 transmits this information to the receiver Y1 via the communication unit 11. The receiver Y1 notifies the user of the occurrence of an internal event in the sensor 1 via the display unit Y12, etc. The control unit 9 also notifies the user of the occurrence of an internal event by changing the illumination state of the display unit 10 (operating light).

[0081] In this way, the detector 1 diagnoses the occurrence of internal events (such as deterioration over time, dirt, malfunction, or disconnection of wires) that may affect fire detection based on eight temperature values ​​(detected values), thereby further improving the reliability of fire detection.

[0082] Furthermore, if the control unit 9 finds an abnormal heat detection element 30 based on the results of the diagnostic process, it is preferable to exclude the detected value of that heat detection element 30 as an outlier in the sixth judgment condition described above during the actual fire determination process.

[0083] (2.2.5) Direction of fire origin The estimation unit E1 is configured to estimate the direction D1 of fire occurrence in the monitoring area R1 based on the detection results related to heat from the multiple heat detection elements 30 (estimation step). In this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 9 of the detector 1 has the function of the estimation unit E1. In other words, the estimation unit E1 is provided in the detector 1. Based on the detection results, the estimation unit E1 estimates the direction D1 of fire occurrence relative to itself.

[0084] The estimation unit E1 performs an estimation process to estimate the direction D1 of the fire's origin when the determination unit 91 determines that a fire has occurred. The control unit 9 generates estimation information based on the estimation result. The control unit 9 may transmit the estimation information to the receiver Y1 at the same time as the fire alarm, or it may transmit it to the receiver Y1 at a different time than the fire alarm.

[0085] Here, as an example, the estimation unit E1 estimates the direction D1 of fire occurrence using the detection values ​​of six main heat detection elements 30A located in the peripheral region 50, out of the eight heat detection elements 30. However, the estimation unit E1 may also additionally use the detection values ​​of the remaining two auxiliary heat detection elements 30B.

[0086] Here, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the housing 5 has a mark M1 on its outer surface 56. Mark M1 indicates a direction relative to the center 5A of the housing 5 when viewed along the direction intersecting the installation surface X11 on which the detector 1 is installed (in this case, the vertical direction). There is a correlation between the position of the multiple heat detection elements 30 relative to the center 5A of the housing 5 and the position of mark M1. In the illustrated example, mark M1, which is the letter "N" for North, is provided on the outer surface (outer surface 56) of the cylindrical body 510 of the front cover 51. As described above, mark M1 is positioned to correspond to the first heat detection element 301, which is one of the six main heat detection elements 30A. The detector 1 is installed on the installation surface X11 with mark M1 facing a specific direction (in this case, the north direction). The estimation unit E1 estimates the direction D1 of fire occurrence relative to the detector 1 based on the detection result and correlation. The "detection results" referred to here are the six temperature values ​​(detected values) from the six main thermal sensing elements 30A.

[0087] The estimation unit E1 analyzes the relative ranking of the six temperature values ​​(detected values) and makes a comprehensive determination of which main heat sensing element 30A has the most dominant high (or low) temperature value. The estimation unit E1 then estimates that the direction in which the main heat sensing element 30A with the dominant temperature value is located is the direction D1 of the fire origination.

[0088] In particular, assuming that the sensor 1 is positioned with mark M1 facing north, the control unit 9 stores the following correlation information in memory beforehand. The correlation information includes that the first heat detection element 301 corresponds to "north," the second heat detection element 302 corresponds to "northwest," and the third heat detection element 303 corresponds to "southwest." The correlation information also includes that the fourth heat detection element 304 corresponds to "south," the fifth heat detection element 305 corresponds to "southeast," and the sixth heat detection element 306 corresponds to "east-northeast." The estimation unit E1 estimates the direction of fire occurrence D1 by converting it into directions (north, south, east, west) based on the correlation information.

[0089] To explain in more detail, for example, if the temperature value of the fourth thermal detection element 304 is the most dominant value, the estimation unit E1 will determine the direction D1 of the fire origination as the "south" direction from the center 5A of the housing 5 toward the position of the fourth thermal detection element 304, when viewing the substrate 2 from above. The number of main thermal detection elements 30A that show the most dominant temperature value is not necessarily one. For example, if the temperature values ​​of the second thermal detection element 302 and the third thermal detection element 303 are the most dominant values, the estimation unit E1 will determine the direction D1 of the fire origination as the "west" direction from the center 5A toward the midpoint of the line segment connecting the second thermal detection element 302 and the third thermal detection element 303.

[0090] Thus, assuming that mark M1 is facing north, the estimation unit E1 estimates the direction of fire D1 from the detection result and the positional relationship of the six main heat detection elements 30A, and further generates estimation information in a manner that relates it to the cardinal directions (east, west, north, south). The generated estimation information is transmitted to the receiver Y1. The receiver Y1 obtains the direction of fire D1 estimated by the detector 1, which is the source of the estimation information, based on the detector 1 (itself) through the received estimation information.

[0091] In this embodiment, as described above, there is a correlation between the placement positions of the multiple heat sensing elements 30 relative to the center 5A of the housing 5 and the position of mark M1. Therefore, for example, the sensor 1 does not need to know (store, for example, in memory) which direction each heat sensing element 30 corresponds to in the actual installation environment. As a result, the configuration of the sensor 1 can be simplified. Furthermore, by installing the sensor 1 with mark M1 facing a specific direction, it becomes easier to link the placement positions of the multiple heat sensing elements 30 with the actual direction relative to the sensor 1.

[0092] The conversion function for directions (east, west, north, south) may be provided outside the sensor 1 (for example, on the receiver Y1). The estimation unit E1 may simply generate estimation information that includes information that allows the receiver Y1 to identify the main thermal sensing element 30A with the dominant temperature value (for example, identification information that allows the six main thermal sensing elements 30A to be individually identified) and transmit it to the receiver Y1.

[0093] Furthermore, the estimation unit E1 may generate estimation information in a manner in which it associates the direction of fire occurrence D1 with the "north, south, east, and west directions," for example, by associating the direction of fire occurrence D1 with a 360-degree angle with the position of the first heat detection element 301 as the reference (0 degrees).

[0094] Furthermore, the disaster prevention system 100 of this embodiment also includes an output unit G1 (see Figures 3A and 3B) that outputs the estimation results of the estimation unit E1. The output unit G1 includes a local output unit G2 that outputs the estimation results of the estimation unit E1 on the side of the sensor 1, and a central output unit G3 that outputs the estimation results of the estimation unit E1 on the side of the receiver Y1.

[0095] The local output unit G2 corresponds to the display unit 10 of each detector 1. The control unit 9 notifies people (users) around the detector 1 of the direction of the fire D1 by, for example, lighting (or flashing) only the corresponding light source among the multiple light sources of the display unit 10 according to the estimation result. In other words, the output unit G1 includes local output units G2 provided in one or more detectors 1. Note that not only the local output unit G2 of the detector 1 that detected the fire source, but also the local output units G2 of other detectors 1 may receive estimation results from the detector 1 or receiver Y1 and notify of the direction of the fire D1.

[0096] For example, the display unit 10 has multiple light sources, including two light sources for the operation lamp that emit light from the window opening 533, as well as six light sources (direction indicator lights 10A: see Figure 1B) that correspond one-to-one with six main heat sensing elements 30A. In Figure 1B, for the sake of explanation, the positions of the direction indicator lights 10A are simply shown as dots.

[0097] Each of the six directional indicator lights 10A is positioned on the first surface 21 (bottom surface) of the main body 200 of the circuit board 2, near the corresponding main heat sensing element 30A, and emits light to the outside of the housing 5 from a side opening 7A facing the corresponding main heat sensing element 30A. The control unit 9 lights up (or flashes) only the directional indicator lights 10A corresponding to the main heat sensing element 30A with the dominant temperature value estimated by the estimation unit E1. As a result, the user can visually determine the direction of the fire D1 by looking at the detector 1 and observing the direction of the light emitted from the directional indicator lights 10A from the side opening 7A. Therefore, the user can easily utilize the estimation results of the estimation unit E1 at the installation location where the detector 1 is installed. For example, the user can quickly head towards the direction of the fire D1 indicated by the directional indicator lights 10A to check whether it is a false alarm or not, and can easily evacuate to avoid the direction of the fire D1.

[0098] The indicator light may also function as the turn signal light 10A. Furthermore, six holes for emitting light from the six turn signal lights 10A may be provided at equal intervals along the periphery of the base 511.

[0099] The central output unit G3 corresponds to the display unit Y12 of the receiver Y1 (see Figure 3B). The display unit Y12 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The receiver Y1 displays on its screen, for example, as string data, information that identifies the location of the detector 1, which is the source of the estimated information, and information about the direction D1 of the fire estimated by the detector 1. As a result, the user can visually determine the direction D1 of the fire estimated by the detector 1 by looking at the display unit Y12 of the receiver Y1.

[0100] [Example of operation] Below, we will briefly explain the operation examples of the fire detection process and estimation process in each detector 1 of this embodiment, with reference to the flowchart in Figure 5. Here, as an example, we will assume that the predetermined determination conditions include a fourth determination condition (average value).

[0101] Detector 1 performs fire detection processing while in operation. That is, while in operation, detector 1 acquires detection values ​​from the eight heat detection elements 30 at any time (acquisition step) and monitors these detection values ​​(ST1).

[0102] Detector 1 calculates an average temperature value from the eight temperature values ​​(detected values) of the eight heat sensing elements 30 at a predetermined sampling period, and compares this average temperature value with a temperature threshold for fire detection (ST2: determination step). If the average temperature value exceeds the temperature threshold (ST2: Yes), Detector 1 determines that a fire has occurred and transmits a fire alarm to receiver Y1 (ST3). Detector 1 continues monitoring as long as the average temperature value is below the temperature threshold (ST2: No).

[0103] When detector 1 determines that a fire has occurred, it starts an estimation process to estimate the direction D1 of the fire's origin (ST4: estimation step).

[0104] In the estimation process, detector 1 estimates the direction D1 of the fire's origin, generates estimation information in a manner that associates it with the cardinal directions (east, west, north, south), and transmits it to receiver Y1 (ST5). Detector 1 also notifies nearby users of the estimated fire's origin D1 by illuminating (or flashing) only the corresponding direction indicator lights 10A on the display unit 10 (ST6).

[0105] Meanwhile, when receiver Y1 receives a fire alarm, it controls the fire doors of the smoke control and exhaust system and also notifies the occurrence of the fire by sound or voice via the emergency broadcasting system. Receiver Y1 also notifies the estimated direction D1 of the fire through display unit Y12.

[0106] The flowchart in Figure 5 is merely one example of the operation of sensor 1. For example, the order of processing may be changed as appropriate, and processing may be added or omitted as appropriate.

[0107] [advantage] In this embodiment, the determination unit 91 determines the occurrence of a fire in the monitoring area R1 by comparing multiple heat detection values ​​detected by the multiple heat detection elements 30 with predetermined determination conditions. Therefore, a comprehensive fire determination using multiple detection values ​​detected by the multiple heat detection elements 30 can be realized. Consequently, the possibility of variations in the reliability of the fire determination due to the positional relationship between the location where the fire occurred and the location of the detector 1 can be reduced. As a result, the reliability of the fire determination can be improved.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the estimation unit E1 estimates the direction D1 of fire occurrence in the monitoring area R1 based on the heat detection results from the multiple heat detection elements 30. Therefore, not only is it possible to determine whether or not a fire has occurred, but also to obtain an estimation result regarding the direction D1 of fire occurrence. As a result, it becomes easier to provide more advanced fire information.

[0109] Furthermore, since multiple heat detection elements 30 (six main heat detection elements 30A) are arranged in the peripheral region 50, the reliability of the fire detection in the determination unit 91 is further improved compared to, for example, when multiple heat detection elements 30 are arranged together in the center of the housing 5. In addition, the reliability of the estimation result regarding the direction of fire occurrence D1 in the estimation unit E1 can be improved.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the estimation unit E1 is provided in the detector 1 and estimates the direction D1 of fire origin based on the detection result, with respect to the unit itself (detector 1). Therefore, since the detector 1 alone can obtain the estimation result regarding the direction D1 of fire origin, the responsiveness until the estimation result is obtained is improved compared to the case where the estimation unit E1 is provided outside the detector 1.

[0111] (2.2.6) Identifying the location of the fire Next, we will describe the function of further identifying the location of the fire source from the estimated information of multiple detectors 1. The fire prevention system 100 of this embodiment is further equipped with a identification unit E2 (see Figure 3B) that identifies the location P1 of the fire source (see Figure 6). The identification unit E2 identifies the location P1 of the fire source by integrating the estimated results regarding the direction of fire occurrence D1 based on each detector 1, which are based on the detection results of two or more detectors 1. Here, as shown in the illustrated example, the function of the identification unit E2 is provided in the processing unit Y11 of the receiver Y1.

[0112] The processing unit Y11 can be implemented, for example, by a computer system including one or more processors (microprocessors) and one or more memories. In other words, one or more processors execute one or more programs stored in one or more memories, thereby functioning as parts of the processing unit Y11. The programs are pre-recorded in the memory of the processing unit Y11, but they may also be provided via telecommunication lines such as the Internet, or recorded on non-temporary recording media such as memory cards. As described above, the processing unit Y11 has a specific unit E2. The processing unit Y11 controls the display unit Y12 and the communication interface for communicating with each sensor 1.

[0113] When the identification unit E2 receives estimated information from multiple detectors 1 that have detected a fire, it performs a location identification process to identify the location P1 of the fire source. Based on the identification result, the identification unit E2 generates identification information. The identification unit E2 displays the identification information on the display unit Y12.

[0114] The location identification process will now be explained in detail with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 shows a floor plan of a portion of a floor within facility 500. In the example in Figure 6, three detectors 1 (1A-1C) are installed on the ceiling (structure X1) of a room such as a conference room, which corresponds to a portion of the monitoring area R1. In Figure 6, each detector 1 is schematically shown as a circle. For the sake of explanation, the three detectors 1 are positioned at locations corresponding to the vertices of an equilateral triangle, but this is not the only positional relationship shown. Also, as an example, let's assume that a fire occurs at the centroid of the equilateral triangle where detectors 1 are positioned at each vertex (see location P1 of the fire source in Figure 6).

[0115] As shown by the compass rose in Figure 6, the top of the diagram indicates north. All three detectors 1 are installed on the ceiling with mark M1 facing north.

[0116] Here, let's assume that receiver Y1 has received estimated information from each of the three sensors 1 shown in Figure 6.

[0117] The estimated information received from detector 1A includes information that the direction of the fire D1 is "southeast" relative to detector 1A (the unit itself) (as mentioned above, this may also be the identification information of the main heat detection element 30A that indicates the dominant temperature value). The estimated information received from detector 1B includes information that the direction of the fire D1 is "southwest" relative to detector 1B (the unit itself). Furthermore, the estimated information received from detector 1C includes information that the direction of the fire D1 is "north" relative to detector 1C (the unit itself).

[0118] Here, the processing unit Y11 stores and manages the coordinate information of the locations where the three sensors 1 are placed in its own memory. The processing unit Y11 also stores and manages map information of each floor within the facility 500 (for example, a floor plan as shown in Figure 6) in its own memory. The receiver Y1 may obtain the coordinate information of the sensors 1 and the map information of the facility 500 from, for example, a server located outside the facility 500.

[0119] The identification unit E2 combines the estimated information from detector 1A (southeast direction), detector 1B (southwest direction), and detector 1C (north direction). Specifically, the identification unit E2 identifies the coordinate information of the intersection point where the three fire origin directions D1 estimated by detectors 1A to 1C intersect on the X-axis-Y-axis plane.

[0120] The coordinate information may be not only the coordinates of a single point, but also a range of coordinates. In particular, the estimated directions D1 of multiple fires detected by multiple detectors 1 may not intersect at only one point. If multiple intersections exist, the identification unit E2 identifies the coordinate information as a coordinate range that encompasses those intersections.

[0121] The identification unit E2 identifies the coordinate information of the intersection point, generates identification information based on the identification result, and notifies the user of the estimated location P1 of the fire source. The coordinate information of the intersection point is converted into a form that is easy for the user to understand and notified. The processing unit Y11 displays the estimated location P1 of the fire source on the display unit Y12 in a form that can be seen on the floor plan (map information), for example, as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, the processing unit Y11 may estimate from the coordinate information of the intersection point that it is near the center of the conference room and display string data such as "The fire source is near the center of the conference room" on the display unit Y12.

[0122] In this way, the identification unit E2 identifies the location P1 of the fire source by integrating the estimation results regarding the direction D1 of fire occurrence from two or more detectors 1. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide more advanced fire information.

[0123] [Example of operation] Below, an example of the operation of the location identification process in the disaster prevention system 100 of this embodiment will be briefly explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 7.

[0124] When detector 1 determines that a fire has occurred, it sends a fire alarm to receiver Y1, performs estimation processing, and then sends estimated information to receiver Y1.

[0125] When receiver Y1 receives a fire alarm from one or more detectors 1 (ST11), it immediately controls the fire doors of the smoke control system and also notifies the occurrence of a fire by sound or voice via the emergency broadcasting system (ST12). On the other hand, when it comes to location identification processing, receiver Y1 suspends the start of that processing until it receives estimated information from two or more detectors 1 (ST13). That is, when receiver Y1 receives estimated information from two or more detectors 1 (ST13:Yes), it starts executing location identification processing (ST14), and when the number is less than two (ST13:No), it waits.

[0126] Receiver Y1, in its location determination process, integrates estimated information from two or more detectors 1 (ST15) to determine the coordinate information of the intersection where the directions of fire occurrence D1 intersect (ST16). Based on the determination result, receiver Y1 generates identification information and notifies the user of the estimated location P1 of the fire source (ST17).

[0127] Subsequently, if receiver Y1 receives additional estimated information from other detectors 1, it may integrate that additional estimated information, re-execute the location determination process, and update the location P1 of the fire source to the latest state.

[0128] The flowchart in Figure 7 is merely one example of the operation of the disaster prevention system 100. For example, the order of processing may be changed as appropriate, and processing may be added or omitted as appropriate.

[0129] (3) Variant This embodiment is merely one of many embodiments of the present disclosure. This embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of the present disclosure are achieved. Furthermore, functions similar to those of the detector 1 (especially the control unit 9) and the disaster prevention system according to the above embodiment may be embodied in a fire detection method, a computer program, or a non-temporary recording medium on which a computer program is stored.

[0130] The detector 1 and disaster prevention system in this disclosure include a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and memory as hardware. The processor executes a program recorded in the computer system's memory to realize the functions of the control unit 9 of the detector 1 and the processing unit Y11 of the receiver Y1 in this disclosure. The program may be pre-recorded in the computer system's memory, provided via a telecommunications line, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system consists of one or more electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs). The integrated circuits such as ICs or LSIs referred to here are named differently depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, VLSIs (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSIs (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) that are programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or logic devices that allow for the reconfiguration of junction relationships or circuit compartments within the LSI, can also be used as processors. Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated onto a single chip or distributed across multiple chips. Multiple chips may be integrated onto a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller also consists of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits or large-scale integrated circuits.

[0131] Furthermore, it is not essential that the multiple functions of each of the detector 1 and receiver Y1 be integrated into a single housing. For example, the components of detector 1 may be distributed across multiple housings. Conversely, the multiple functions of detector 1 may be integrated into a single housing. Moreover, at least some of the functions of each of detector 1 and receiver Y1, for example, some of the functions of detector 1, may be implemented by the cloud (cloud computing), etc.

[0132] The following lists modifications of the above embodiment. The modifications described below can be combined and applied as appropriate. In the following, the above embodiment may also be referred to as the "basic example."

[0133] In the basic example, board 2 is composed of a single printed circuit board. However, board 2 may be composed of two or more printed circuit boards. However, it is desirable that the multiple divided printed circuit boards be arranged on the same plane.

[0134] In the basic example, there are eight heat sensing elements 30, but the number is not particularly limited as long as there are two or more. In particular, the auxiliary heat sensing elements 30B may be omitted. For example, there may be only two main heat sensing elements 30A. In this case, it is preferable that one of the two main heat sensing elements 30A is placed on one end of the substrate 2 in the left-right direction, and the other is placed on the opposite side of the substrate 2. When there are only two main heat sensing elements 30A, the estimated direction D1 of the fire may be, for example, a choice between "north" or "south" (or a choice between "east" or "west").

[0135] The basic example detector 1 may be a fire alarm that outputs a sound such as an alarm when a fire occurs. That is, detector 1 may further include a speaker that outputs a sound such as an alarm, and an acoustic circuit. Detector 1 may also be a battery-operated fire alarm. That is, detector 1 may have a battery and a space for housing the battery. Detector 1 may also include an operating unit that accepts requests from the user to stop the alarm sound and to perform operational tests, and the operating unit may be exposed on the outer surface 53 of the front cover 51.

[0136] In the basic example, all heat sensing elements 30 are mounted on the second surface 22 (top surface) of the substrate 2. However, at least one of the multiple heat sensing elements 30 may be mounted on the first surface 21 (bottom surface) of the substrate 2. In particular, if the detector 1 is a composite fire detector further equipped with a smoke detection unit, it is highly likely that the smoke detection unit will be located on the upper side of the second surface 22 of the substrate 2. In this case, multiple heat sensing elements 30 may be mounted on the first surface 21 (bottom surface) of the substrate 2.

[0137] In the basic example, the estimation unit E1 is provided in each detector 1. However, the estimation unit E1 may also be provided in the receiver Y1 (receiving terminal). The estimation unit E1 estimates the direction D1 of the fire based on the detection results received from one or more detectors 1. In this case, the configuration of the detectors 1 can be simplified compared to the case where the estimation unit E1 is provided in each detector 1.

[0138] In the basic example, the identification unit E2 is located in the receiver Y1. However, the identification unit E2 may also be located in the sensor 1. The identification unit E2 may be located in a specific sensor 1 (e.g., a master unit) that manages multiple sensors 1 (slave units), and the identification unit E2 of the master unit may receive estimated information from the multiple slave units, generate identification information, and transmit it to the receiver Y1.

[0139] In the basic example, the estimation unit E1 may be configured to estimate the direction of fire D1 based on the detection result, as well as information about the installation environment in which one or more detectors 1 are installed (hereinafter referred to as "environmental information"). That is, the estimation unit E1 may estimate the direction of fire D1 based on the environmental information, in addition to the temperature values ​​(detection values) of the multiple heat detection elements 30.

[0140] The "environmental information" referred to here may include information about the installation location of the sensor 1, such as which floor and area (e.g., conference room) it is installed in, and further, whether it is installed on the ceiling near a wall, window, column, or door within that area. The "environmental information" may also include information such as which of the multiple heat sensing elements 30 is facing a wall, window, column, or door. The environmental information for each sensor 1 is registered in the receiver Y1 by the installer during the installation of the sensor 1.

[0141] Each detector 1, during the estimation process, sends a signal to the receiver Y1 requesting its own "environmental information," which it then obtains from the receiver Y1. The environmental information may be registered in the memory of the control unit 9 of each detector 1 during construction. If walls, windows, pillars, doors, etc., exist around the detector 1, their presence may affect the direction of hot air flow. The estimation unit E1 takes the environmental information into consideration and, for example, weights the temperature values ​​of each heat detection element 30 to estimate the direction of fire occurrence D1. As a result, the reliability of the estimation result regarding the direction of fire occurrence D1 can be further improved. Note that considering environmental information may also be applied to the location identification process performed by the identification unit E2 of the receiver Y1.

[0142] (4) Summary As described above, the disaster prevention system (100) according to the first embodiment comprises one or more detectors (1) having a plurality of heat detection elements (30), and an estimation unit (E1). The estimation unit (E1) estimates the direction (D1) of fire occurrence in the monitoring area (R1) based on the heat detection results from the plurality of heat detection elements (30). According to the first embodiment, not only determination information on whether or not a fire has occurred is obtained, but also estimation results regarding the direction (D1) of fire occurrence. As a result, it becomes easier to provide more advanced fire information.

[0143] With respect to the disaster prevention system (100) according to the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the detector (1) further has a housing (5) that houses a plurality of heat sensing elements (30). The plurality of heat sensing elements (30) are arranged in a peripheral region (50) surrounding the center of the housing (5) when viewed along a direction intersecting the installation surface (X11) on which the detector (1) is installed. According to the second embodiment, for example, the reliability of the estimation result regarding the direction of fire occurrence (D1) can be improved compared to the case in which the plurality of heat sensing elements (30) are arranged together in the center of the housing (5).

[0144] With respect to the disaster prevention system (100) according to the third embodiment, in the first or second embodiment, the sensor (1) further has one circuit board (2). Multiple thermal sensing elements (30) are mounted on one circuit board (2). According to the third embodiment, for example, compared to the case in which multiple thermal sensing elements (30) are distributed and mounted on multiple circuit boards, the increase in the number of components can be suppressed. Also, variations in the arrangement of multiple thermal sensing elements (30) can be suppressed.

[0145] The disaster prevention system (100) according to the fourth embodiment further comprises a receiving terminal (receiver Y1) that communicates with one or more detectors (1) and receives detection results in any one of the first to third embodiments. An estimation unit (E1) is provided in the receiving terminal (receiver Y1). The estimation unit (E1) estimates the direction of fire occurrence (D1) based on the detection results received from one or more detectors (1). According to the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the detectors (1) can be simplified compared to the case where an estimation unit (E1) is provided in each detector (1).

[0146] With respect to the fifth embodiment of the disaster prevention system (100), in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the estimation unit (E1) is provided on the detector (1). The estimation unit (E1) estimates the direction of fire occurrence (D1) relative to the unit itself based on the detection result. According to the fifth embodiment, since the detector (1) alone can obtain the estimation result regarding the direction of fire occurrence (D1), the responsiveness until the estimation result is obtained is improved compared to the case where the estimation unit (E1) is provided outside the detector (1).

[0147] Regarding the disaster prevention system (100) according to the sixth embodiment, in any one of the first to fifth embodiments, the detector (1) further has a housing (5) that houses a plurality of heat sensing elements (30). The housing (5) has a mark (M1) on its outer surface (56) that indicates a direction relative to the center of the housing (5) when viewed along a direction intersecting the installation surface (X11) on which the detector (1) is installed. There is a correlation between the arrangement positions of the plurality of heat sensing elements (30) relative to the center of the housing (5) and the position of the mark (M1). According to the sixth embodiment, for example, the detector (1) does not need to know (for example, store in memory, etc.) which direction each heat sensing element (30) corresponds to in the actual installation environment. As a result, the configuration of the detector (1) can be simplified.

[0148] With respect to the seventh embodiment of the fire prevention system (100), in the sixth embodiment, the detector (1) is installed on the installation surface (X11) with the mark (M1) facing a specific direction. The estimation unit (E1) estimates the direction of fire occurrence (D1) relative to the detector (1) based on the detection result and correlation. According to the seventh embodiment, by installing the detector (1) with the mark (M1) facing a specific direction, it becomes easier to link the placement positions of the multiple heat detection elements (30) with the actual direction relative to the detector (1). As a result, it becomes possible to provide even more advanced fire information.

[0149] The eighth embodiment of the fire prevention system (100) includes two or more detectors (1) in any one of the first to seventh embodiments. The fire prevention system (100) further includes a identifying unit (E2) that identifies the location of the fire source (P1) by integrating estimation results regarding the direction of fire occurrence (D1) based on each detector (1) based on the detection results of each of the two or more detectors (1). According to the eighth embodiment, it becomes possible to provide even more advanced fire information.

[0150] The disaster prevention system (100) according to the ninth embodiment further comprises an output unit (G1) that outputs the estimation result of the estimation unit (E1) in any one of the first to eighth embodiments. According to the ninth embodiment, the estimation result of the estimation unit (E1) becomes easier to use.

[0151] With respect to the disaster prevention system (100) according to the tenth embodiment, in the ninth embodiment, the output unit (G1) includes local output units (G2) provided on one or more sensors (1). According to the tenth embodiment, for example, the estimation results of the estimation unit (E1) can be easily used at the installation location where the sensors (1) are installed.

[0152] With respect to the disaster prevention system (100) according to the 11th embodiment, in any one of the 1st to 10th embodiments, the estimation unit (E1) estimates the direction of fire occurrence (D1) based on the detection result as well as information about the installation environment in which one or more detectors (1) are installed. According to the 11th embodiment, the reliability of the estimation result regarding the direction of fire occurrence (D1) can be further improved.

[0153] The fire determination method according to the 12th embodiment includes an acquisition step and an estimation step. In the acquisition step, detection results related to heat are acquired from multiple heat sensing elements (30) of one or more detectors (1). In the estimation step, the direction (D1) of the fire in the monitoring area (R1) is estimated based on the acquired detection results. According to the 12th embodiment, a fire determination method can be provided that facilitates the provision of more advanced fire information.

[0154] The program according to the 13th embodiment is a program that causes one or more processors to execute the fire determination method according to the 12th embodiment. According to the 13th embodiment, it is possible to provide a function that makes it easier to provide more advanced fire information.

[0155] The configurations relating to the second to eleventh aspects are not essential to the disaster prevention system (100) and can be omitted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 100 Disaster Prevention Systems 1 sensor 2 circuit boards 30 Thermal sensing elements 5 cabinets 50 Peripheral area 56 Exterior D1 Direction of occurrence E1 estimation part E2 Specific part G1 Output Section G2 Local Output Section M1 Mark P1 Location of the fire source R1 monitoring area Y1 Receiver (receiving terminal) X11 installation surface

Claims

1. One or more sensors having multiple heat sensing elements, An estimation unit that estimates the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area based on the heat detection results from the plurality of heat detection elements, Equipped with, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. Disaster prevention system.

2. The sensor further comprises a housing that accommodates the plurality of heat sensing elements. The plurality of heat sensing elements are arranged in a peripheral region surrounding the center of the housing, when viewed along a direction intersecting the mounting surface on which the sensor is installed. The disaster prevention system according to claim 1.

3. The system further comprises a receiving terminal that communicates with one or more of the aforementioned sensors and receives the detection results, The estimation unit is provided in the receiving terminal, The estimation unit estimates the direction of the fire based on the detection results received from one or more of the detectors. The disaster prevention system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. One or more sensors having a plurality of heat sensing elements, An estimation unit that estimates the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area based on the heat detection results from the plurality of heat detection elements, Equipped with, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate, The estimation unit is provided in the sensor, The estimation unit estimates the direction of the fire's origin relative to the machine itself, based on the detection results. Disaster prevention system.

5. One or more sensors having a plurality of heat sensing elements, An estimation unit that estimates the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area based on the heat detection results from the plurality of heat detection elements, Equipped with, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate, The sensor further comprises a housing that accommodates the plurality of heat sensing elements. The housing has a mark on its outer surface indicating a direction relative to the center of the housing when viewed along a direction intersecting the mounting surface on which the sensor is installed. There is a correlation between the arrangement positions of the multiple heat sensing elements relative to the center of the housing and the position of the mark. Disaster prevention system.

6. The sensor is installed on the mounting surface with the mark facing a specific direction. The estimation unit estimates the direction of the fire's origin based on the detection result and the correlation, with respect to the detector. The disaster prevention system according to claim 5.

7. One or more sensors having a plurality of heat sensing elements, An estimation unit that estimates the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area based on the heat detection results from the plurality of heat detection elements, Equipped with, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate, The system includes two or more of the aforementioned sensors, The system further includes a unit for identifying the location of the fire source by integrating the estimated results regarding the direction of fire origin, based on the detection results of each of the two or more detectors, with each detector as the reference. Disaster prevention system.

8. One or more sensors having a plurality of heat sensing elements, An estimation unit that estimates the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area based on the heat detection results from the plurality of heat detection elements, Equipped with, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate, The system further includes an output unit that outputs the estimation result of the estimation unit, The output unit includes local output units provided in one or more of the sensors. Disaster prevention system.

9. One or more sensors having a plurality of heat sensing elements, An estimation unit that estimates the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area based on the heat detection results from the plurality of heat detection elements, Equipped with, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate, The estimation unit estimates the direction of the fire based on the detection results and information about the installation environment in which one or more of the sensors are installed. Disaster prevention system.

10. An acquisition step of acquiring detection results related to heat in multiple heat sensing elements of one or more sensors, Based on the acquired detection results, an estimation step is performed to estimate the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area, Includes, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate. Fire detection method.

11. An acquisition step of acquiring detection results related to heat in multiple heat sensing elements of one or more sensors, Based on the acquired detection results, an estimation step is performed to estimate the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area, Includes, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate, The function of the estimation step is provided in the sensor, In the estimation step, the direction of the fire's origin is estimated based on the detection results, with the aircraft itself as the reference point. Fire detection method.

12. An acquisition step of acquiring detection results related to heat in multiple heat sensing elements of one or more sensors, Based on the acquired detection results, an estimation step is performed to estimate the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area, Includes, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate, The sensor further comprises a housing that accommodates the plurality of heat sensing elements. The housing has a mark on its outer surface indicating a direction relative to the center of the housing when viewed along a direction intersecting the mounting surface on which the sensor is installed. There is a correlation between the arrangement positions of the multiple heat sensing elements relative to the center of the housing and the position of the mark. Fire detection method.

13. An acquisition step of acquiring detection results related to heat in multiple heat sensing elements of one or more sensors, Based on the acquired detection results, an estimation step is performed to estimate the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area, Includes, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate, Two or more of the aforementioned sensors are provided. The process further includes a step of identifying the location of the fire source by integrating the estimation results regarding the direction of fire origin based on each of the two or more detectors, each detector being used as a reference. Fire detection method.

14. An acquisition step of acquiring detection results related to heat in multiple heat sensing elements of one or more sensors, Based on the acquired detection results, an estimation step is performed to estimate the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area, Includes, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate, The process further includes an output step that outputs the estimation result of the estimation step, The output step includes a local output step provided in one or more of the sensors. Fire detection method.

15. An acquisition step of acquiring detection results related to heat in multiple heat sensing elements of one or more sensors, Based on the acquired detection results, an estimation step is performed to estimate the direction of fire occurrence in the monitoring area, Includes, The sensor further comprises one circuit board, The plurality of thermal sensing elements are mounted on the single substrate, Each of the plurality of thermal sensing elements is a chip thermistor and has a surface facing the one substrate, In the estimation step, the direction of the fire is estimated based on the detection results and information about the installation environment in which one or more of the detectors are installed. Fire detection method.

16. A program for causing one or more processors to execute the fire detection method described in any one of claims 10 to 15.

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