Disaster prevention machinery

Abstract

To obtain a disaster prevention appliance which can indicate its current location by outputting an acoustic signal if necessary.SOLUTION: A disaster prevention appliance of the present disclosure is a disaster prevention appliance that comprises a fire factor detecting unit which detects a fire factor occurring in a fire monitoring area, that can be installed in the fire monitoring area, and that further comprises a ringing operation unit which performs a ringing operation using a predetermined acoustic signal based on a wireless signal from the outside. The disaster prevention appliance can easily identify the current location of the disaster prevention appliance and be effective when disasters such as landslide occur.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to disaster prevention equipment, and particularly to disaster prevention equipment capable of outputting an acoustic signal in response to an external command.

Background Art

[0002] Various types of fire detectors, fire alarms, and the like are used as disaster prevention equipment for detecting and notifying fires. Specific examples of types of fire detectors include, but are not limited to, differential spot-type detectors, constant-temperature spot-type detectors, and photoelectric spot-type detectors. A fire detector outputs a fire signal when it detects the occurrence of a fire by monitoring conditions that change due to an increase in ambient temperature or the generation of smoke.

[0003] As a specific example of a fire alarm system including such fire detectors, an automatic fire alarm facility can be mentioned, which is configured by arranging a fire receiver, a manual call point, a repeater, an acoustic device, and the like together with fire detectors at appropriate positions in a building, and protects people inside the building and the like from fires (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] In an automatic fire alarm facility, a fire detector detects heat, smoke, or flame, and then transmits a fire signal to the fire receiver. The fire receiver that has received the fire signal issues an alarm and sounds the acoustic device according to the location where the fire occurred, to notify people in the building of the occurrence of the fire.

[0005] The automatic fire alarm facility disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 can construct an appropriate system according to the use and scale of a building that is a fire protection target. However, when a small area such as the inside of a home is used as a fire monitoring area, the use of a large-scale system such as an automatic fire alarm facility is not appropriate in consideration of cost, installation, and other factors.

[0006] Therefore, residential fire alarms have been commercialized as fire prevention devices suitable for detecting fires in small areas such as homes (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). Residential fire alarms can be installed independently and have a function to output the detection result as an audible signal when a fire caused by smoke or heat is detected. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Nohmi Disaster Prevention Co., Ltd. Homepage, Automatic Fire Alarm System (URL: https: / / www.nohmi.co.jp / product / materiel / fid.html) [Non-Patent Document 2] Nohmi Disaster Prevention Co., Ltd. homepage, residential fire alarm (URL: https: / / www.nohmi.co.jp / jukeiki01 / products / index.html) [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Since the installation and maintenance of residential fire alarms and similar devices have become mandatory for all homes, it is expected that residential fire alarms like the one disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2 will be installed in more homes in the future.

[0009] Disasters that can occur in a house include not only fires, but also, depending on the environment, landslides. In the event of a landslide, there is a risk that the house will be swept away from its original location and buried in the mud.

[0010] In situations like this, knowing the location of rooms containing fire alarms and other disaster prevention equipment that are buried can be useful for saving lives.

[0011] This disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide disaster prevention equipment that can indicate its current location by outputting an acoustic signal as needed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The fire prevention device relating to this disclosure includes a fire cause detection unit that detects fire causes occurring in a fire monitoring area, and is a fire prevention device that can be installed in a fire monitoring area, further comprising a sounding unit that performs a sounding operation based on a predetermined acoustic signal based on an external wireless signal. The sounding unit has the function of identifying a first wireless signal and a second wireless signal as wireless signals. When the first wireless signal is received from an external source, it sounds an audible signal with a frequency band within the range of human hearing. When the second wireless signal is received from an external source, it sounds an audible signal with a high frequency band that exceeds the upper limit of the range of human hearing but is within the range of dog hearing. In order to indicate the current location of the disaster prevention equipment, it switches and outputs different audible signals according to the first and second wireless signals to sound an audible signal. It is. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to this disclosure, it is possible to obtain disaster prevention equipment that can indicate the current location by outputting an acoustic signal as needed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a functional block diagram of the disaster prevention equipment according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the case in which a differential spot-type detector 110 is used as the fire cause detection unit in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing the case in which a fixed-temperature spot-type detector 120 is used as the fire cause detection unit in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the case in which a photoelectric spot-type detector 130 is used as the fire cause detection unit in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a functional block diagram of the disaster prevention equipment according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the disaster prevention equipment described herein will be explained with reference to the drawings. The disaster prevention device according to the present disclosure is a disaster prevention device such as a fire detector or residential fire alarm that can be installed in a fire monitoring area, and is technically characterized in that it has a function of performing an alarm operation by a predetermined acoustic signal based on an external wireless signal.

[0016] As a result, the disaster prevention device according to the present disclosure can achieve the effect of notifying the current position of the disaster prevention device by outputting an acoustic signal in response to a wireless signal in situations such as when the house where the disaster prevention device is installed is swept away and buried by a landslide or the like.

[0017] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the disaster prevention device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The disaster prevention device 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes a fire factor detection unit 10 and an alarm unit 20. In the following description, a case where the disaster prevention device 1 is a fire detector will be described as an example.

[0018] The fire factor detection unit 10 has substantially the same function as the function of detecting any one of heat, smoke, and flame as a fire factor and outputting voice of the detection result in a general fire detector.

[0019] That is, the disaster prevention device 1 of the present disclosure, like various general fire detectors, monitors a condition that changes due to an increase in ambient temperature or the generation of smoke, and outputs a voice when a fire factor occurring in the fire monitoring area is detected.

[0020] Therefore, a specific example in which the configuration of a differential spot-type detector 110, a constant-temperature spot-type detector 120, and a photoelectric spot-type detector 130 is used as the fire factor detection unit 10 will be described in detail below.

[0021] <Configuration 1> When the configuration of the differential spot-type detector 110 is adopted as the fire factor detection unit 10 Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the case in which a differential spot-type detector 110 is adopted as the fire cause detection unit 10 in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The differential spot-type detector 110 emits a fire signal when the rate of increase of the temperature around the sensing unit exceeds a certain rate, and operates due to the thermal effect at a single location.

[0022] Figure 2(A) shows the normal state when no fire is detected in fire monitoring mode. Figure 2(B) shows the state when a fire is detected and a fire signal is output in fire monitoring mode.

[0023] The differential spot-type detector 110 has a structure in which a diaphragm 111 is pushed up by the expansion of air, mechanically closing the contact 112 and thereby transmitting a fire signal.

[0024] In Figure 2(A), the ambient temperature has not yet risen to a certain rate, so the diaphragm 111 is not pushed up enough, and the contact 112 is in the off state. In Figure 2(B), the ambient temperature has risen to a certain rate or higher, causing the diaphragm 111 to be pushed up and the contact 112 to turn on, resulting in the output of a fire signal.

[0025] Therefore, by adopting the configuration of the differential spot-type detector 110 as the fire cause detection unit 10, a fire signal can be transmitted when the rate of increase in ambient temperature due to the heat of flames or the like exceeds a certain rate in the fire monitoring area where the fire prevention equipment 1 is installed.

[0026] <Configuration 2> When the configuration of the fixed-temperature spot-type detector 120 is adopted as the fire cause detection unit 10 Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the case in which a fixed-temperature spot-type detector 120 is adopted as the fire cause detection unit 10 in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The fixed-temperature spot-type detector 120 emits a fire signal when the temperature around the detection unit exceeds a certain temperature, and operates due to the thermal effect at a single location.

[0027] Figure 3(A) shows the normal state when no fire is detected in fire monitoring mode. Figure 3(B) shows the state when a fire is detected and a fire signal is output in fire monitoring mode.

[0028] The fixed-temperature spot-type detector 120 has a structure that emits a fire signal when the bimetal 121 is distorted or reversed, mechanically closing the contact 122.

[0029] In Figure 3(A), the ambient temperature has not yet reached a certain level, the deformation of the bimetal 121 is small, and the contact 122 is in the off state. In Figure 3(B), the ambient temperature around the sensing unit rises above a certain level, causing the bimetal 121 to deform and the contact 122 to turn on, resulting in the output of a fire signal.

[0030] Therefore, by adopting the configuration of the fixed-temperature spot-type detector 120 as the fire cause detection unit 10, a fire signal can be transmitted when the ambient temperature in the fire monitoring area where the fire prevention equipment 1 is installed exceeds a certain temperature due to the heat of flames or other factors.

[0031] <Configuration 3> When the configuration of the photoelectric spot-type detector 130 is adopted as the fire cause detection unit 10 Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the case in which a photoelectric spot-type detector 130 is used as the fire cause detection unit 10 in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The photoelectric spot-type detector 130 has a light-emitting unit 131 and a light-receiving unit 132 provided in a dark box with a shape that allows airflow containing smoke from a fire to easily enter. When the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit when the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 131 is scattered by the smoke exceeds a threshold value, a fire signal is transmitted, and it is activated by smoke.

[0032] Furthermore, the photoelectric spot-type detector 130 is equipped with a light-shielding plate 133 to prevent light from the light-emitting unit 131 from being directly received by the light-receiving unit 132. Although not shown in the illustration, measures are also taken to prevent false alarms caused by natural light, external light from lighting fixtures, and the entry of insects, etc.

[0033] Figure 4(A) shows the normal state when no fire is detected in fire monitoring mode. Figure 4(B) shows the state when a fire is detected and a fire signal is output in fire monitoring mode.

[0034] The photoelectric spot-type detector 130 has a structure that determines that scattered light has increased due to the generation of smoke when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 132 exceeds a threshold, and transmits a fire signal.

[0035] In Figure 4(A), no scattered light is generated due to smoke, and the amount of received light is below the threshold, so no fire signal is output. In Figure 4(B), scattered light is generated due to smoke, the amount of received light exceeds the threshold, and as a result, a fire signal is output.

[0036] Therefore, by adopting the configuration of the photoelectric spot-type detector 130 as the fire cause detection unit 10, a fire signal can be transmitted in the fire monitoring area where the fire prevention equipment 1 is installed when the amount of light received due to scattered light from smoke exceeds a threshold.

[0037] Furthermore, the fire cause detection unit 10 according to this embodiment 1 can also be configured to combine multiple detection principles, such as including two or more different configurations, including a differential spot-type detector 110, a fixed-temperature spot-type detector 120, and a photoelectric spot-type detector 130, depending on the application.

[0038] Furthermore, other components, such as an infrared camera, can also be used as the fire cause detection unit 10.

[0039] Next, the function of the sound-generating unit 20 in Figure 1 will be explained. The sound-generating unit 20 has the function of performing a sound-generating operation based on a predetermined acoustic signal, which is determined based on an external wireless signal.

[0040] This function is not particularly necessary under normal circumstances, but it is included in anticipation of situations such as when a house equipped with disaster prevention device 1 collapses and is buried in mud due to a landslide or other event.

[0041] In a situation where the disaster prevention equipment itself is buried in mud and its location is unknown, the rescue team transmits a wireless signal to cause the sounding unit 20 to perform a predetermined sounding action based on an audible signal.

[0042] In response to this wireless signal, the sounding unit 20 can output a predetermined acoustic signal by performing a sounding operation. However, in order for the sounding unit 20 to reliably perform this sounding operation function even when buried in soil or other debris, it is desirable that the disaster prevention equipment be battery-powered and that the main body be robustly protected by waterproofing or other means.

[0043] The acoustic signal output from the sound-generating unit 20 is not limited to signals having a frequency range within the range of human hearing. For example, the sound-generating unit 20 could be configured to perform sound-generating operations using an acoustic signal that includes a high frequency range that exceeds the upper limit of the human hearing range but is within the range of dog hearing.

[0044] Generally, humans can hear sounds in the range of 20 to 20,000 hertz, but dogs can hear sounds up to approximately 50,000 hertz. In other words, dogs can hear higher-pitched sounds than humans. Furthermore, dogs' hearing is superior to that of humans, and it is said that they can hear sounds from a distance of more than 1 km.

[0045] Therefore, if the sounding unit 20 can emit an acoustic signal that includes high-frequency bands within the audible range of such dogs, rescue dogs will be able to hear this acoustic signal and easily pinpoint the location where the disaster prevention equipment 1 is buried.

[0046] If the sounding unit 20 wants to distinguish between acoustic signals that humans can hear and acoustic signals that humans cannot hear but dogs can hear, and switch to outputting only one of them, the following configuration can be considered.

[0047] In this case, the sounding unit 20 is configured to have the function of distinguishing between a first radio signal and a second radio signal as radio signals received from the outside. By having such a radio signal identification function, when the sounding unit 20 receives the first radio signal from the outside, it will sound within the range of human hearing. Zhou It becomes possible to switch the output so that signals with a specific frequency band are used as acoustic signals to perform sound-generating operations.

[0048] On the other hand, when the sounding unit 20 receives a second wireless signal from an external source, it can switch to outputting a signal that exceeds the upper limit of the human hearing range but has a high frequency band within the dog's hearing range as an acoustic signal to perform a sounding operation.

[0049] As described above, the disaster prevention equipment according to Embodiment 1 is equipped with a sound-emitting unit to handle situations such as when the facility on which the disaster prevention equipment is installed collapses due to a landslide or the like and is buried in soil or other debris. The sound-emitting unit can signal the current location of the disaster prevention equipment by emitting a predetermined audible signal when it receives an external wireless signal manually operated by a rescue team such as a fire brigade or rescue team.

[0050] By incorporating such a sound-emitting component, the current location of disaster prevention equipment can be easily determined based on its audible activity, even when the equipment itself is not visible. In particular, in situations where houses have been buried under mud and debris due to natural disasters, being able to pinpoint the current location of disaster prevention equipment enables rapid rescue operations.

[0051] Furthermore, depending on the disaster situation, for example, if disaster prevention equipment is buried deep inside, it may be difficult for humans to hear the acoustic signals. To address such situations, the disaster prevention equipment according to Embodiment 1 is further equipped with a function that allows it to operate by sounding an acoustic signal that includes high-frequency bands within the audible range of dogs. Therefore, it becomes possible to quickly rescue people by rescue dogs and rescue teams.

[0052] Embodiment 2. In this second embodiment, we will describe a case in which a disaster prevention device 2 is constructed by adding further disaster prevention functions to the disaster prevention device 1 shown in Figure 1 of the previous embodiment 1.

[0053] Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of a disaster prevention device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. The disaster prevention device 2 according to Embodiment 2 includes a fire cause detection unit 10, a sounding unit 20, a vibration detection unit 30, and an oxygen concentration detection unit 40.

[0054] Here, the fire cause detection unit 10 and the alarm unit 20 are the same as those provided in the fire prevention equipment 1 according to the previous embodiment 1, and therefore their explanation will be omitted.

[0055] The vibration detection unit 30 is installed in the main body of the fire prevention equipment 2 located in the fire monitoring area, and has the function of issuing a vibration alarm when it detects that the vibration in the fire monitoring area exceeds a predetermined level.

[0056] Specifically, the vibration detection unit 30 can issue a vibration alarm using different display colors or different audio outputs depending on the number of times it detects that the vibration has exceeded a predetermined level, or the intensity of the vibration.

[0057] Furthermore, the oxygen concentration detection unit 40 is located in the main body of the fire prevention equipment 2 installed in the fire monitoring area, and has the function of issuing an oxygen concentration alarm when it detects that the oxygen concentration in the fire monitoring area has fallen below a predetermined level.

[0058] Specifically, the oxygen concentration detection unit 40 can issue an oxygen concentration alarm when the oxygen concentration becomes low, through methods such as a warning message, flashing of a light source, or sounding an audible signal.

[0059] In other words, the vibration detection unit 30 has a function to notify vibration alarms as an additional disaster prevention function, and the oxygen concentration detection unit 40 has a function to notify oxygen concentration alarms as an additional disaster prevention function.

[0060] These additional functions, in addition to the fire cause monitoring function of the fire cause detection unit 10, further add vibration and oxygen concentration monitoring functions, contributing to the addition of further disaster prevention functions in the fire monitoring area where the disaster prevention equipment 2 is installed.

[0061] Furthermore, adding either the vibration detection unit 30 or the oxygen concentration detection unit 40 can contribute to the addition of further disaster prevention functions.

[0062] Furthermore, specific examples of other functions that can be added to the disaster prevention device 1 according to Embodiment 1 or the disaster prevention device 2 according to Embodiment 2 include additional functions 1 and 2, which will be explained in detail below.

[0063] <Additional Function 1: Application of Optical Camouflage Material> By using optical camouflage material for the main bodies of disaster prevention equipment 1 and 2, the body color can be matched to the installation environment, adding a function that does not detract from the scenery. For example, the main body can be formed from a glass-reflective material that reflects the surroundings like a mirror, or from a transparent body, thereby achieving optical camouflage and adding a function that does not detract from the scenery.

[0064] <Additional function 2: LED display that responds to temperature> By installing LEDs on the main body of disaster prevention equipment that change color according to the ambient temperature, a function to inform the user of the current temperature can be added. For example, if the ambient temperature rises to a pre-set temperature range, the LEDs can be illuminated in a specific color to warn that although there is no fire, the situation is different from normal.

[0065] While detectors are typically installed discreetly, using LED displays like these allows for proactive visibility of warning conditions, even in situations that haven't yet resulted in a fire. For example, it can be used as a warning at entrances and exits with high foot traffic, or as a warning when leaving schools, nursing homes, etc.

[0066] As described above, the disaster prevention device according to Embodiment 2 can selectively have various functions added in addition to the effect of the sounding unit according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, it is possible to construct disaster prevention devices equipped with appropriate functions according to the user's requests, installation environment, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1, 2 Disaster prevention equipment, 10 Fire cause detection unit, 20 Sounding unit, 30 Vibration detection unit, 40 Oxygen concentration detection unit.

Claims

1. A fire prevention device that can be installed in a fire monitoring area, comprising a fire cause detection unit for detecting fire causes occurring in the fire monitoring area, A sounding unit that performs a sounding operation based on a predetermined acoustic signal in response to an external wireless signal. Furthermore, The aforementioned vibrating part is, The aforementioned wireless signals have the function of distinguishing between a first wireless signal and a second wireless signal. When the first wireless signal is received from an external source, the sounding operation is performed using a signal having a frequency band within the range of human hearing as the sound signal. When the second wireless signal is received from an external source, the sound operation is performed using a signal that exceeds the upper limit of the human hearing range but has a high frequency band within the dog's hearing range as the sound signal. In order to indicate the current location of the disaster prevention equipment, the sounding operation is performed by switching and outputting different acoustic signals according to the first and second wireless signals. Disaster prevention equipment.

2. A vibration detection unit is installed in the fire prevention equipment unit located in the aforementioned fire monitoring area, and when it detects that vibration in the fire monitoring area exceeds a predetermined level, it issues a vibration alarm. The disaster prevention device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. An oxygen concentration detection unit is provided in the fire prevention equipment unit installed in the aforementioned fire monitoring area, and when it detects that the oxygen concentration in the fire monitoring area has fallen below a predetermined level, it issues an oxygen concentration alarm. The disaster prevention device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

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