Smoke detector

Abstract

A smoke detector is provided to reduce the risk of users accidentally resetting the filter's usage time. The smoke detector (11) includes a light-emitting part (111) and a light-receiving part (112) disposed in a sensing area (S1). The light emitted by the light-emitting part (111) is scattered light scattered by particles contained in the air flowing into the sensing area (S1) from the outside space, which is received by the light-receiving part (112) to determine whether there is smoke in the air, and to sense the occurrence of smoke in the outside space based on the determination result. The smoke detector (11) includes: a filter (114) for capturing and removing dust contained in the air flowing into the sensing area (S1) from the outside space; a switch (116) for detecting the installation and removal of the filter (114); and a switch (115) disposed at the position covered by the filter (114). The control unit (117) resets the filter's usage time when the status switch (115) is pressed and held after the filter (114) has been removed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a technology for sensing smoke. Prior Technology

[0002] There is a smoke detector that detects the generation of smoke in the external space by sensing particles contained in the air flowing into the sensing area from the external space.

[0003] For example, a smoke sensor known as a photoelectric smoke sensor emits light from a light-emitting element to a sensing area, and uses a light-receiving element to receive the scattered light reflected by particles in the air within the sensing area. Then, based on the intensity of the light received and measured by the light-receiving element, it senses the particles contained in the air flowing into the sensing area from the outside space, thereby sensing the occurrence of smoke in the outside space.

[0004] Patent document 1 is one example of a patent document that discloses the technology of photoelectric smoke detectors. The photoelectric smoke detector described in Patent Document 1 has the following invention: when smoke particles that are not hot air or the like flow into the smoke detection space (sensing area) and when smoke flows into the smoke detection space, the focus is on the method of the change of the output signal of the light-receiving element over time, and the output signal output from the light-receiving element is delayed by only a predetermined delay time, thereby avoiding the failure to detect smoke falsely when hot air or the like occurs. [Previous Technical Documents] [Patent Literature]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-61423 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [The problem that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] When dust-laden air flows into the smoke-sensing area of ​​a smoke sensor, there is a risk that the smoke sensor may mistake the dust for smoke particles. Therefore, most smoke sensors incorporate a filter in the airflow path from the outside space into the sensing area. This filter has a mesh size that allows smoke to pass through but prevents dust particles larger than smoke from passing through, thus capturing the dust contained in the air.

[0008] With the use of smoke sensors, the filters within them will become clogged with captured dust. When this clogging exceeds a certain limit, the following dangers arise: insufficient airflow from the outside space to the sensing area means that even if smoke occurs in the outside space, the smoke sensor will not be able to detect it quickly.

[0009] Therefore, the filters in smoke detectors are often designed with a usable time that is much shorter than the time required for the filter to become clogged to the limit under normal operating conditions. In this case, maintenance personnel need to replace the filter after it has been used for the required time and before the filter becomes clogged.

[0010] One type of smoke sensor, designed to allow maintenance personnel to readily confirm the timing of filter replacement, continuously calculates the elapsed time (hereinafter referred to as "usage time") since the filter was first used. Such smoke sensors typically include an operation device for maintenance personnel to reset the usage time in the timer. When the maintenance personnel perform a predetermined operation on this device, the smoke sensor resets the currently calculated usage time to zero, and then continues to calculate the elapsed time since the predetermined operation was performed as the usage time.

[0011] Hereinafter, although the timing device used by maintenance personnel to reset the filter's usage time is conveniently referred to as the "reset button", the type of device is not necessarily limited to buttons.

[0012] In some cases, maintenance personnel may unintentionally touch the reset button while performing tasks such as replacing or inspecting parts other than the filter. As a result, when the filter usage time recorded by the smoke sensor is reset, the maintenance personnel will not be able to determine the correct filter replacement sequence.

[0013] In view of the above, the present invention provides a smoke detector to reduce the risk of a user accidentally resetting the filter's usage time. [Methods for solving problems]

[0014] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention proposes a smoke detector that detects the generation of smoke in the external space by sensing particles contained in the air flowing into the sensing area from the external space. The smoke detector comprises: a removable filter disposed in the airflow path into the sensing area to capture dust contained in the air; an operating element that accepts operations performed by a user and is disposed in a position where the user cannot substantially operate it after the filter is installed; and a timing means for calculating the elapsed time after the operating element has received a predetermined operation. [Invention Effects]

[0015] According to the present invention, since the operating components will not be accidentally operated by the user as long as the filter is not removed for replacement or the like, the risk of the filter's usage time being reset due to error is reduced. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0016] [Figure 1] is a diagram showing the configuration of a smoke detection system in one embodiment. [Figure 2] is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a smoke detector in one embodiment. [Figure 3] is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer, which uses the hardware of a control unit as an embodiment. [Figure 4] is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a control unit in one embodiment. [Figure 5] is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of a timing method in one embodiment. [Figure 6] is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of one example of a smoke detector with variations. [Figure 7] is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of one example of a smoke detector. [Figure 8] is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of one example of a smoke detector with variations. [Figure 9] is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of one example of a smoke detector with variations. [Figure 10] is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a control unit in a variation example. [Figure 11] is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of a variation of the timing method. Implementation

[0017] [Implementation Mode]

[0018] The following describes a smoke detection system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the smoke detection system 1. The smoke detection system 1 includes a smoke sensor 11 and an upper system 12.

[0019] The smoke sensor 11 is a device that is installed in the space of the monitored object where smoke is generated (hereinafter referred to as the "monitoring space"), and takes in the air in the monitoring space. As long as the air taken in contains smoke, it will detect the smoke and send a smoke alarm to the higher-level system 12 when smoke is detected.

[0020] In Figure 1, although the smoke detection system 1 has only one smoke sensor 11, the number of smoke sensors 11 in the smoke detection system 1 varies depending on the number or width of the monitored space.

[0021] The advanced system 12 can also be any of the following: a maintenance terminal device, a monitoring terminal device, a smoke alarm panel, a central monitoring system, etc. The advanced system 12 and the smoke sensor 11 can communicate with each other via wired, wireless, or hybrid communication media.

[0022] For example, when the high-level system 12 is a maintenance terminal device, users such as maintenance personnel can temporarily connect the high-level system 12 (maintenance terminal device) and the smoke sensor 11 via wireless or communication cable when performing maintenance work on the smoke sensor 11, and use the display of the high-level system 12 (maintenance terminal device) to check the data stored in the smoke sensor 11 or the data generated by the smoke sensor 11.

[0023] Since the higher-order system 12 is the same as the higher-order system of the prior art, its description is omitted.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the smoke sensor 11 (viewed from above). Furthermore, in order to show the configuration within the housing of the smoke sensor 11, Figure 2 conveniently shows the state after the wall covering the upper surface of the housing of the smoke sensor 11 has been removed (as is the case in Figures 6 to 8). Figure 2(a) schematically shows the smoke sensor 11 with the filter 114 installed (hereinafter referred to as "installed state") and the cover 1102 closed (hereinafter referred to as "closed state"). Figure 2(b) schematically shows the smoke sensor 11 with the filter 114 removed (hereinafter referred to as "removed state") and the cover 1102 open (hereinafter referred to as "open state").

[0025] The smoke detector 11 includes a housing 110, a light-emitting part 111, a light-receiving part 112, a fan 113, a filter 114, a switch 115, a switch 116, and a control unit 117.

[0026] The housing 110 is a container that forms a space inside. In the example of Figure 2, the housing 110 has a partition 1101 that divides the internal space into a sensing area S1, which is a region for sensing smoke, and a receiving area S2, which houses the control unit 117.

[0027] Furthermore, within the housing 110, the wall portion forming the sensing area S1 is provided with an air intake port P and an air exhaust port Q. The air intake port P is an opening that functions as an inlet for air to flow from the external space into the internal space, and the air exhaust port Q is an opening that functions as an outlet for air to flow from the internal space into the external space.

[0028] Furthermore, a portion of the wall of the housing 110 forms an openable and closable cover 1102. The operator opens the cover 1102 to inspect and replace the internal components of the smoke sensor 11. Moreover, in the example of Figure 2, although the air intake P is located on the cover 1102, the air intake P can also be located on the wall of the housing 110 outside the cover 1102.

[0029] The light-emitting unit 111 has, for example, an LED, and emits light from the LED under the control of the control unit 117. The light emitted by the light-emitting unit 111 is used to sense smoke within the sensing area S1. The light-emitting unit 111 emits light facing the airflow path from the intake port P to the exhaust port Q. Furthermore, the light-emitting unit 111 is positioned so as not to face the light-receiving unit 112, so that the emitted light does not directly incident on the light-receiving unit 112.

[0030] The light-receiving unit 112 has, for example, a photodiode, for receiving a portion of the scattered light from the light-emitting unit 111 that is scattered by particles in the sensing area S1, and outputs a light intensity signal, representing the intensity of the received light, to the control unit 117.

[0031] The fan 113 operates under the control of the control unit 117 and performs the following tasks: by rotating the blades, it generates the flow of air that flows from the external space into the sensing area S1 through the intake port P and flows out into the external space through the exhaust port Q.

[0032] The filter 114 comprises a cylindrical housing and a filter body disposed within the housing. The filter 114 is positioned in the airflow path from the intake port P to the exhaust port Q. The filter body captures dust contained in the air flowing from the external space towards the sensing area S1 and prevents dust from entering the sensing area S1. Furthermore, the cover 1102 is an openable and closable cover that externally separates the receiving space for housing the filter 114 (in this case, the space between the fan 113 and the cover 1102), and performs the following function: by maintaining the filter 114 in its installed position in the closed state, the filter 114 performs its function.

[0033] Switch 115 (an example of an operating element) is an operating element that accepts a predetermined operation by the user to reset the timer for the filter's usage period. Switch 115 is disposed within the receiving space of the filter 114 (in this case, the space between the fan 113 and the cover 1102). Furthermore, switch 115 is disposed in a position covered by the fan 114 (the filter body).

[0034] Switch 115 has a button 1151 that is pressed outwards (right side in the example of Figure 2). Switch 115 outputs an ON (connected) signal to control unit 117 when button 1151 is pressed by the user, and outputs an OFF (disconnected) signal to control unit 117 when button 1151 is not pressed by the user. Hereinafter, the ON and OFF signals will be referred to together as the operation signal.

[0035] Switch 116 (an example of a loading / unloading detection method) is a component that performs the task of detecting the loading / unloading of filter 114, i.e., its installed and unloaded states. Switch 116 has a button 1161 that is spring-loaded towards filter 114 (downward in the example of Figure 2). Switch 116 outputs an installation signal to control unit 117 when filter 114 is in the installed state and button 1161 is pressed, and outputs a unloading signal to control unit 117 when filter 114 is in the unloaded state and button 1161 is not pressed. Hereinafter, the installation signal and the unloading signal will be referred to together as the loading / unloading signal.

[0036] The control unit 117 is a device for controlling the operation of the smoke sensor 11. The hardware of the control unit 117 is, for example, a computer, and the control unit 117 is implemented by the computer performing processing according to the program used by the control unit 117.

[0037] Figure 3 shows the configuration of the computer 10, which is used as the hardware of the control unit 117. The computer 10 includes: a processor 101 for performing various data processing; a memory 102 for storing various data; an input / output interface 103 for receiving and transmitting signals with components such as the light-emitting part 111 of the smoke sensor 11; and a communication interface 104 for sending and receiving data with external devices (in this case, the high-level system 12).

[0038] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 117. That is, the control unit 117, which has the configuration shown in Figure 4, is implemented by the computer 10 performing processing according to the program used by the control unit 117. The functional configuration of the control unit 117 will be described below.

[0039] The light-emitting indicator 1171 is used to instruct the light-emitting part 111 to emit light. The light-emitting indicator 1171 instructs the light-emitting part 111 to emit light each time, for example, a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0040] The light intensity signal acquisition means 1172 acquires the light intensity signal output from the light receiving unit 112.

[0041] The smoke detection means 1173 determines whether smoke exists in the air around the smoke sensor 11 by judging whether the intensity of the light intensity signal obtained by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1172 meets the predetermined conditions for smoke detection. The predetermined conditions for smoke detection, for example, refer to the condition that the light intensity signal remains within the reference range indicating the presence of smoke for a predetermined time or longer.

[0042] Smoke detection method 1173 generates smoke occurrence notification data when smoke is detected. The smoke occurrence notification data generated by smoke detection method 1173 is sent to higher-level system 12 via communication method 1177.

[0043] The light-emitting indicator 1171, the light-emitting part 111, the light-receiving part 112, the light intensity signal acquisition means 1172, and the smoke detection means 1173 are configured to sense particles in the air within the sensing area S1 and to sense smoke based on the sensing results.

[0044] Operation signal acquisition means 1174 obtains operation signals from switch 115. Loading / unloading signal acquisition means 1175 obtains loading / unloading signals from switch 116.

[0045] The timing method 1176, for example, uses a clock signal generated by the clock provided by the processor 101 to continuously measure the elapsed time after the predetermined operation to reset the switch 115 is performed, as the usage time of the filter, and generates usage time data representing the measured usage time.

[0046] Communication means 1177 is used to send and receive various data with the higher-level system 12. For example, as described above, communication means 1177 sends smoke generation notification data generated by smoke determination means 1173 to the higher-level system 12. Also, communication means 1177 sends the latest usage time data generated by timing means 1176 to the higher-level system 12 in response to requests from, for example, the higher-level system 12.

[0047] For example, in the case where the high-level system 12 is a central monitoring system, the user (e.g., the administrator of the smoke detection system 1) can use the display of the central monitoring system to confirm the smoke occurrence notification data sent from the smoke sensor 11 to the central monitoring system, thereby knowing that there is a higher probability that a fire is occurring in the monitored space where the smoke sensor 11 is installed.

[0048] Furthermore, when the high-level system 12 is a maintenance terminal device, the user (e.g., the maintenance personnel of the smoke detection system 1) can use the display of the maintenance terminal device to confirm the filter usage time data received from the smoke detection sensor 11 by the maintenance terminal device, which is temporarily connected to the smoke detection sensor 11 during maintenance work, thereby easily knowing the period when the filter 114 should be replaced.

[0049] As described above, timing means 1176 continuously measures the elapsed time after the predetermined operation for resetting switch 115 is performed, and uses this time as the filter usage time. The predetermined operation for resetting can be any operation that is unlikely to be performed by the user, such as pressing button 1151 continuously for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) or pressing button 1151 twice within a predetermined time (e.g., 1 second).

[0050] In this embodiment, the timing means 1176 is designed to further reduce the risk of the user unintentionally resetting the filter's usage time. When the switch 116 (an example of a removal detection means) detects that the filter 114 has been removed, the switch 115 is used to perform a predetermined operation to reset the filter's usage time. The elapsed time after this is then calculated as the new filter's usage time.

[0051] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the timing means 1176 after the user operates the switch 115 and the operation signal acquisition means 1174 acquires the ON signal from the switch 115. However, the flowchart in Figure 5 illustrates the case where the predetermined operation to be reset is a long press.

[0052] The timing means 1176, when it detects that the operation signal continuously received from the switch 115 through the operation signal acquisition means 1174 has changed from the OFF signal to the ON signal, first determines whether the loading / unloading signal continuously received from the switch 116 through the loading / unloading signal acquisition means 1175 is an unloading signal (step S101).

[0053] If filter 114 is not removed, switch 116 outputs an installation signal. In this case, timing means 1176 determines in step S101 that the removal signal has not been received (step S101: No), and ends the series of processes shown in FIG5.

[0054] On the other hand, when filter 114 is removed, switch 116 outputs a removal signal. In this case, timing means 1176 determines in step S101 that the removal signal has been received (step S101: Yes). In this case, timing means 1176 determines whether the operation signal received from switch 115 through operation signal acquisition means 1174 is an ON signal (step S102).

[0055] When the user removes their finger from button 1151 of switch 115 at that time, timing means 1176 determines in step S102 that no ON signal has been received (step S102: no), and ends the series of processes shown in FIG5.

[0056] On the other hand, when the user maintains the pressing of button 1151 of switch 115 at that time, switch 115 outputs an ON signal. In this case, timing means 1176 determines in step S102 that the ON signal is accepted (step S102: Yes). In this case, timing means 1176 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start time of the process according to the flow of FIG. 5, that is, the time when the operation signal has changed from OFF signal to ON signal (step S103). Here, the predetermined time refers to the time (e.g., 2 seconds) during which button 1151 is continuously pressed for reset.

[0057] If it is determined in step S103 that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S103: No), the timing means 1176 repeats the determination in step S103 at very short time intervals. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S103: Yes), the timing means 1176 resets the usage time of the filter that will continue timing to zero (step S104), and ends the series of processes shown in FIG5.

[0058] Based on the smoke sensor system 1 described above, the following deficiency is less likely to occur: the user accidentally touches the switch 115, and the filter usage time calculated by the smoke sensor 11 is unintentionally reset.

[0059] [Example of variation] The above-described embodiments are specific examples of the present invention, and various changes can be made within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The following are examples showing such changes. Furthermore, two or more of the following variations can also be appropriately combined.

[0060] (1) In the above embodiment, the switch 115 is disposed in a position covered by the filter 114 (filter body). Alternatively, the switch 115 may also be disposed in a position not covered by the filter 114.

[0061] Figure 7 schematically shows an example of a smoke sensor 11 configured within a housing containing the filter 114, although the switch 115 is not covered by the filter 114. Typically, because the housing containing the filter 114 is relatively narrow, when the switch 115 is configured within this housing, the user cannot effectively operate the switch 115 after the filter 114 is installed. Therefore, the following drawback is less likely to occur: the user unintentionally touches the switch 115 and resets the filter's usage time.

[0062] In the smoke sensor 11 shown in Figures 2 and 7, the switch 115 is disposed within the housing space containing the filter 114. The switch 115 can be disposed in a position where the user cannot substantially operate it after the filter 114 is installed, or it can be disposed outside the housing space containing the filter 114. Figure 8 schematically shows an example of a smoke sensor 11 with the switch 115 disposed outside the housing space containing the filter 114. In the smoke sensor 11 of Figure 8, with the cover 1102 open, when the filter 114 is removed and the fan 113 is subsequently removed, the switch 115 is disposed in a position where the user can operate it. Even in the smoke sensor 11 configured as shown in Figure 8, it is less likely that the user will unintentionally reset the filter's usage time, resulting in a loss of time.

[0063] (2) In the above embodiment, even if the switch 115 is operated as intended, the smoke sensor 11 will not reset the filter's usage time unless the switch 116 outputs a removal signal. Instead, the smoke sensor 11 may also reset the filter's usage time only in response to the operation signal output by the switch 115, without considering the installation / removal signal output by the switch 116. Even in this case, as long as the user cannot substantially operate the switch 115 except when the filter 114 has been removed, it is less likely that the user will unintentionally touch the switch 115 and reset the filter's usage time.

[0064] (3) In the above embodiment, the installation and removal of filter 114 is directly detected by switch 116. Alternatively, the installation and removal of filter 114 may be detected indirectly.

[0065] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of one example of such a modified smoke sensor 11. The smoke sensor 11 shown in Figure 6 differs from the smoke sensor 11 in the following embodiment: the switch 116 does not directly detect the installation or removal of the filter 114, but indirectly detects the installation or removal of the filter 114 by detecting the opening and closing of the cover 1102 used to cover the filter 114.

[0066] That is, in this variation, the button 1161 of switch 116 is pressed towards the cover 1102. Then, while the cover 1102 is closed and the button 1161 is pressed, switch 116 outputs an installation signal to control unit 117 indicating that the filter 114 is securely held in a predetermined position by the cover 1102. On the other hand, while the cover 1102 is open and the button 1161 is not pressed, switch 116 outputs a removal signal to control unit 117 indicating the possibility that the filter 114 is not held by the cover 1102 and may detach from the predetermined position.

[0067] In other words, in this variation, switch 116 (an example of a loading / unloading detection method) detects the open state of cover 1102 as the state after filter 114 has been removed, and detects the closed state of cover 1102 as the state after filter 114 has been installed.

[0068] (4) In the above embodiment, the means of detecting the loading and unloading of the detection filter 114 is a switch 116. The type of means of detecting the loading and unloading of the detection filter 114 is not limited to a switch. For example, an object detection sensor using light can also be used as a means of detecting the loading and unloading of the detection filter 114.

[0069] (5) In the above-described embodiment, although the operating device (switch 115) used by the user to reset the predetermined operation is a physical operating device (an operating device with a part that moves physically), it may also be a virtual operating device such as a button displayed on the display.

[0070] (6) In the above embodiment, the filter usage time is reset after the user performs a predetermined operation on switch 115. Alternatively, the smoke sensor 11 may be configured such that when the switch 116 detects a change from the state after filter 114 has been removed to the state after filter 114 has been installed, the filter usage time is reset.

[0071] Figure 9 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the smoke sensor 11 in this variation. Figure 9(a) is a side view of the smoke sensor 11. As shown in Figure 9(a), the smoke sensor 11 in this variation has an openable and closable cover 1102, which is arranged to cover the upper surface of the housing 110. Figures 9(b) and 9(c) are top views of the smoke sensor 11 with the cover 1102 open. Furthermore, the cover 1102 is omitted from the illustrations in Figures 9(b) and 9(c) for convenience. Figure 9(b) shows the state after the filter 114 is installed, and Figure 9(c) shows the state after the filter 114 is removed. Also, the higher-order system 12 shown in Figures 2, etc., is omitted from Figure 9.

[0072] In this variation, the user can inspect the components inside the housing 110 without removing the filter 114 after opening the cover 1102. Therefore, the installation and removal of the filter 114 to the smoke sensor 11 is limited to the time when the filter is replaced.

[0073] With the cover 1102 open, the user pulls out the filter 114 in an upward direction (the direction of arrow X in Figure 9(a), and the forward direction in Figure 9(b)) to remove the old filter 114 from the smoke sensor 11. Then, the user can install the new filter 114 on the smoke sensor 11 by inserting the filter 114 in the opposite direction.

[0074] As shown in Figures 9(b) and 9(c), the smoke sensor 11 in this variation does not have a switch 115. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 117 of the smoke sensor 11 in this variation. In this variation, the control unit 117 does not have an operation signal acquisition means 1174.

[0075] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the timing means 1176 of the control unit 117 in this variation example. The timing means 1176 performs the processing according to the flow shown in Figure 11 when the loading / unloading signal output from the switch 116 and acquired by the loading / unloading signal acquisition means 1175 has changed.

[0076] Timing method 1176 determines whether the loading / unloading signal has changed from the installation signal to the unloading signal or from the unloading signal to the installation signal when a change in the loading / unloading signal is detected (step S201).

[0077] When the user removes the old filter 114 from the smoke sensor 11, the installation / removal signal changes from an installation signal to a removal signal. In this case, the timing means 1176 determines that the installation / removal signal has changed from an installation signal to a removal signal (step S201: "1"), and stops timing the filter's usage time (step S202). Afterward, the timing means 1176 ends the series of processes shown in FIG11.

[0078] When the user installs the new filter 114 onto the smoke sensor 11, the installation / removal signal changes from a removal signal to an installation signal. In this case, the timing means 1176 determines that the installation / removal signal has changed from a removal signal to an installation signal (step S201: "2"), resets the filter's usage time to zero (step S203), and then restarts the timing of the filter's usage time (step S204). That is, the timing means 1176 calculates the elapsed time detected by the switch 116 (an example of an installation / removal detection means) after the change from the state after the filter 114 was removed to the state after the filter 114 was installed. Afterwards, the timing means 1176 ends the series of processes shown in FIG11.

[0079] According to this modified smoke sensor 11, the filter's usage time will not be reset unless the user reinstalls the filter 114 on the smoke sensor 11 after the filter 114 has been removed. Therefore, it is less likely that the user will unintentionally reset the filter's usage time.

[0080] (7) In the above embodiment, although it is assumed that the hardware of the control unit 117 is a computer, the control unit 117 may also be configured as a dedicated device with integrated circuits such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0081] 1: Smoke Detection System 10: Computer 11: Smoke Detector 12: Higher-order systems 101: Processor 102: Memory 103: Input / Output Interface 104: Communication Interface 110: Shell 111: Light-emitting part 112: Light-receiving part 113: Fan 114: Filter 115, 116: Switches 117: Control Unit 1101: Divider 1102: Cover 1151, 1161: Buttons 1171: Illuminated Indicator 1172: Methods for acquiring light intensity signals 1173: Smoke Determination Methods 1174: Means of acquiring operation signals 1175: Means of obtaining loading and unloading signals 1176: Timing Method 1177:Means of communication P: Intake port Q: Exhaust port S1: Sensing area S2: Accommodation Area

Claims

1. A smoke detector that senses the generation of smoke in the external space by sensing particles contained in air flowing into a sensing area from the external space, characterized by comprising: a removable filter disposed in the airflow path into the sensing area for capturing dust contained in the air; an operating member that accepts operation performed by a user and is disposed on the downstream side of the airflow flowing into the sensing area, further than the receiving space containing the filter; and a timing means for calculating the elapsed time after the operating member accepts the predetermined operation.

2. A smoke detector that senses the generation of smoke in the external space by sensing particles contained in air flowing into the sensing area from the external space, characterized by comprising: a removable filter disposed in the airflow path into the sensing area for capturing dust contained in the air; an operating member that receives an operation performed by a user and is disposed in a receiving space that houses the filter; and a timing means for calculating the elapsed time after the operating member receives a predetermined operation.

3. The smoke detector as described in claim 2, wherein, The aforementioned operating element is positioned at the location covered by the aforementioned filter.

4. The smoke detector as described in claim 1, wherein, It possesses: a loading and unloading detection means for detecting the loading and unloading of the aforementioned filter; and a timing means for calculating the elapsed time after the aforementioned operating component has received the aforementioned predetermined operation when the aforementioned loading and unloading detection means detects the state after the aforementioned filter has been removed.

5. The smoke detector as described in claim 4, wherein, It has: a cover that can be opened and closed, which separates the receiving space for accommodating the aforementioned filter from the outside; the aforementioned loading and unloading detection means detects the open state of the aforementioned cover as the state after the aforementioned filter has been removed, and detects the closed state of the aforementioned cover as the state after the aforementioned filter has been installed.

6. A smoke sensor that senses the generation of smoke in the external space by sensing particles contained in air flowing into a sensing area from the external space, characterized by comprising: a removable filter disposed in the airflow path into the sensing area for capturing dust contained in the air; a removal detection means for detecting the removal or installation of the filter; and a timing means for calculating the elapsed time from the state after the filter was removed to the state after the filter was installed, as detected by the removal detection means.

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