JP2002074567A - Alarm device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a common alarm main body even when the kind of the detecting object or the level of a sensor is varied in an alarm device provided with a sensor part and the alarm main body separately. SOLUTION: An alarm level setting means 110 for setting an electrical signal level to be obtained from the output of a gas sensor 4 to be an alarm level in an alarm level setting state where the gas sensor 4 is in contact with a reference detecting object is provided in a sensor part 3 so that the alarm device may operate in accordance with the alarm level set by the means 110.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a sensor unit having at least a sensor that is electrically sensitive to a detection target, and an alarm unit for the sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit is provided with respect to the alarm unit. The present invention relates to a detachable alarm device. As such an alarm,
There are gas alarms and the like whose alarm is issued for combustible gas or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an integrated gas / fire alarm, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-339149. In this device, a fire sensor and a gas sensor are provided, and the gas sensor is configured separately from the fire sensor.
It is detachable from the fire detector.

[0003] In this alarm, the gas sensor section is detachable from the fire detecting section on the main body side, so that the gas sensor section having a short life can be replaced.
The body can be used for a long time.

In this prior art, a gas sensor is provided on a gas sensor side, and an alarm signal is generated on the gas sensor side by comparing the output of the sensor with a preset threshold value. Is sent to the main unit and output from the alarm. Such a comparison operation is performed by a determination circuit provided in the gas sensor unit, and the setting of the threshold value of the determination circuit is performed in advance according to a predetermined procedure when manufacturing or reprocessing the gas sensor unit. I can understand.

[0005]

In the above-described alarm device in which the sensor section is detachable from the alarm device main body, the alarm device main body is attached to any kind of gas or object to be detected. However, there is a demand for common use. That is, the power supply function and the alarm issuing function are left as main functions in the main body of the alarm device, and these are made to have a long life (for example, 10 years of use), and only the sensor part needs to be replaced. It is an attempt. However, in the current alarm, for example, the detection target of the sensor is actually limited to a specific gas type,
Furthermore, even in the detection of such a specified gas type,
No one is trying to issue a different alarm depending on the gas concentration or the like.

Further, when a flammable gas sensor is considered as a sensor, the sensitivity characteristics of this type of gas sensor may change depending on the conditions of the place where the sensor is used and the period of use, and the sensor may be changed. The sensitivity characteristics differ individually, and further, for each gas type to be detected.

Therefore, in the case of the separated type of the sensor and the alarm device main body, the installation condition and the use period of each sensor are individually calibrated (in other words, the above-described threshold setting).
Is necessary, but in the case of what is currently available,
There is no known solution to such a problem.

Further, when the alarm device is used for a long period of time, it becomes necessary to properly manage the life of the sensor unit and the abnormality of the sensor unit.

An object of the present invention is to provide an alarm device in which a sensor unit and an alarm device main body are separately provided, so that even if the type of the sensor, the type of the object to be detected by the sensor, or the level changes, the common unit is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alarm device that enables the use of the alarm device body that has been set and that can appropriately cope with conditions such as a use environment (particularly temperature) and a period of the alarm device.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sensor unit provided with a sensor which is electrically sensitive to an object to be detected. A characteristic configuration of the alarm device is, as described in claim 1, a conversion circuit for converting a change in an electrical property of the sensor into an electrical signal, and an electrical signal obtained from the conversion circuit. A sensor for comparing the level with a previously stored alarm level at which an alarm is to be generated and for generating an alarm signal, and for outputting an alarm signal generated by the alarm signal generating means to the alarm device main body Unit output means, in an alarm level setting state in which the sensor is sensitive to a reference detection target,
A configuration in which an alarm level setting unit that sets an electric signal level obtained from the conversion circuit to the alarm level is provided in the sensor unit, and the alarm signal generation unit operates according to the alarm level set by the alarm level setting unit. It is to adopt.

In this alarm device, the electrical property of the sensor element changes according to the state of the object to be detected. Based on this change, the alarm level and the electrical signal are transmitted through the conversion circuit and the alarm signal generating means. According to the relationship with the signal level,
An alarm signal is generated, and the alarm signal is transmitted to the main body of the alarm device and used for the subsequent operations.

This structure is similar to the conventional structure,
The sensor section of the alarm device of the present application is provided with alarm level setting means. Here, the alarm level is a level that is an output threshold value for determining whether to issue an alarm.
Essentially, it differs according to the environmental conditions of the sensor placement, the sensitivity characteristics, and the state of each sensor unit. Further, when the sensor unit has been used for a predetermined period, the characteristics of the sensor unit itself may change for each sensor unit.

Therefore, in the alarm device of the present invention, an alarm level setting means is provided for each sensor unit, and when the sensor unit is first attached to the alarm device main body or when a predetermined period has elapsed, The electric signal level in a state where the sensor responds to the reference detection target is set as the alarm level. The setting of the alarm level is performed in the sensor unit. Therefore, this means that the alarm level of each sensor unit is set independently for each sensor unit according to the situation in which the sensor unit is mounted.

As a result, when the sensor unit is replaced or when the object to be detected by the sensor unit is different (for example, only methane was previously detected, carbon monoxide was detected using a sensor having different characteristics). In the case where the alarm is to be detected), an appropriate alarm is generated on the sensor unit side and output to the main unit side without requiring a conversion process for the alarm level or the like on the alarm device main unit side. Even if the sensor unit is detachable and replaceable, an appropriate alarm can be issued without changing or adjusting the structure of the alarm device body.

In the alarm device having this configuration, as set forth in claim 2, in the setting of the alarm level by the alarm level setting means, a plurality of types of detection targets are set. An alarm level can be set, the alarm signal generating means generates the alarm signal corresponding to each of the plurality of alarm levels, and the sensor section output means outputs the alarm signal for each of the plurality of alarm levels. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which a signal is output to the alarm device main body.

For example, when methane is the main detection target and gas leakage of city gas or the like is a problem, the degree of alarm (for example, the frequency of alarm generation, It may be necessary to change the alarm intensity and the display state), but as described above, a plurality of alarm levels can be set for a specific type of sensor detection target, and the corresponding alarm signal is output. By enabling output, it is possible to respond to such a request for a multi-stage alarm. Also in this case, the fact that the multi-stage alarm level setting can be executed on the sensor unit side has a great significance from the viewpoint of the common use of the alarm device body.

Further, in the alarm device having the above-mentioned configuration, as set forth in claim 3, in the setting of the alarm level by the alarm level setting means, a plurality of types of detection targets are set. Each alarm level is configured to be settable, and the alarm signal generating means generates the alarm signal corresponding to each alarm level for each type, and the sensor unit output means outputs an alarm signal for each type. Is preferably output to the alarm device main body.

In the present application, since one object is to share the main body of the alarm device, even if there is a difference in the detection target type, as described above, the alarm level is individually set for another type of sensor detection target. By making it possible to set and output an alarm signal corresponding to this alarm level, it is possible to respond to such a request for various types of alarms. Also in this case, it is significant that the various alarm levels can be set on the sensor unit side.

In the above-described configuration, as described in claim 4, the sensor unit includes a temperature detecting unit for detecting a temperature of the sensor unit, and the sensor unit detects the temperature of the sensor unit. It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a temperature correcting means for correcting the alarm level according to the temperature.

In general, since the sensitivity characteristic of the sensor has a temperature dependency, in this configuration, the temperature of the sensor section is detected by the temperature detecting means and the alarm level set by the alarm level setting means is corrected. And With this configuration, an alarm signal can be generated based on the alarm level appropriately corresponding to the temperature of the sensor unit, and can be output to the main body, so that operation suitable for the temperature condition can be ensured.

Further, as described in claim 5,
A sensor unit equipped with a sensor that is electrically sensitive to the detection target is configured with an alarm device that is detachably attached to the alarm device main body.A change in the electrical property of the sensor is converted into an electric signal. A conversion circuit for converting, an electrical signal level obtained from the conversion circuit is compared with a previously stored alarm level at which an alarm is to be generated, and an alarm signal generating means for generating an alarm signal is provided, and the alarm signal generating means A sensor output unit that outputs a generated alarm signal to the alarm device main unit, and an integration detection unit that integrates and detects the time during which power is supplied from the alarm device main unit to the sensor unit.
It is preferable that the sensor unit is provided with a structure capable of outputting information relating to the time detected by the integrating means.

The basic concept in the present application is to leave a power supply function and an alarm issuing function on the alarm device main body side and to perform processing up to generation of an alarm signal which triggers an alarm issuance on the sensor side. At the same time, the alarm body is intended to be used for a longer period than that conventionally used. For this reason, a situation in which the sensor unit side is approaching its use limit but is still used is likely to occur.

Therefore, it is assumed that an integrating means is provided in the sensor section, and the integrated section detects the time during which power is supplied from the alarm device main body to the sensor section. Then, information related to the detection time (for example, a life signal indicating whether or not the usage time is near the life, a life signal indicating that the life is beyond the life, and the like) can be output. By doing so, it is possible to obtain information corresponding to the actual operation time of the sensor unit and appropriately perform an operation such as replacement of the sensor unit.

Further, in the alarm device described so far, as described in claim 6, an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of an electric circuit provided in the sensor unit is provided in the sensor unit. It is preferable that the state detected by the abnormality detecting means can be output. Since the sensor unit in the alarm device of the present application includes hardware such as a sensor itself and a conversion circuit, an abnormality may occur in the sensor unit. In such a case, the abnormal state is detected by the abnormal state detecting means and can be output from the alarm device, so that the sensor section or the like can be appropriately replaced based on the abnormal state of the sensor section. Further, in the configuration described so far, as described in claim 7,
It is preferable that the alarm device body includes a display output unit that performs a predetermined display in accordance with a state of attachment / detachment of the sensor unit. By providing such a display output means, it is possible to determine the attachment / detachment state of the sensor unit from the display output.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of an alarm device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows an external configuration of the alarm device 1 of the present application. The alarm device 1 includes an alarm device main body 2 and a sensor unit 3 which is detachably attached to the alarm device main body 2.
It is provided with.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor section 3 is provided with a sensor (specifically, a gas sensor 4) for detecting a detection target to which the alarm device 1 issues an alarm. The alarm device main body 2 is provided with a power source 5 for the sensor unit 3 and various devices provided in the alarm device main unit 2, and also issues an acoustic signal (e.g., an alarm signal) for an alarm signal output from the sensor unit 3. And an alarm output unit 6 for outputting as a sound signal from a speaker, a light signal (for example, a light emission signal from an LED), or an electric signal (an electric signal to another device).

Further, an attachment / detachment state detection mechanism 7 for detecting the attachment / detachment state of the sensor section 3 is provided between the alarm device main body 2 and the sensor section 3, and the sensor section 3 is brought into an attached state by this mechanism 7. A display output means 8 is provided for displaying the presence of the event when it is detected. The display output means 8 is specifically composed of an LED, and adopts a structure in which the display output means 8 is turned on when it is mounted. Further, when the sensor unit 3 is pulled out, it blinks for a certain period of time.

Therefore, in the present application, the alarm device body 2
Are configured to perform only functions as a power supply and an alarm output.

In the present application, the alarms are issued for gas leak alarms 1, 2, 3, carbon monoxide alarms 1, 2, 3, a sensor life alarm, and a sensor section alarm. here,
In the gas leak alarm and the carbon monoxide alarm, these are set to 1, 2, and 3 because alarms of different levels are issued in three stages for each gas. is there. Here, the gas leak means a leak of city gas mainly composed of methane. The carbon monoxide alarm means that the concentration of carbon monoxide in the environment has increased due to incomplete combustion or the like of the gas combustion equipment.

Next, the configuration of the sensor section 3 will be described. The sensor unit 3 includes a distribution unit 9 for receiving power from the alarm device main body 2 and supplying power to each device in the unit, and each functional unit that receives power from the distribution unit 9 and operates. ing. In the present application, a representative functional unit is a gas sensor 4 (specifically, a flammable gas sensor having a sensing unit made of a tin oxide semiconductor) that performs a gas sensing function, and a conversion circuit 4a attached thereto. A temperature sensor 10 (specifically, a thermistor) for measuring the temperature at the position where the gas sensor 4 is disposed, and a conversion circuit 10a for the temperature sensor 10; And a microprocessor 11 for performing the above processing. Here, each of the conversion circuits 4a and 10a converts a change in the electric property of each of the sensors 4 and 10 into an electric signal, and is a bridge circuit or the like provided with a power supply.

As shown in FIG. 1, the microprocessor 11 includes an alarm level setting unit 110, a storage unit 111, a temperature correction unit 112, and an alarm signal generation unit 11.
3. Sensor output means 114 is provided.

Further, a timer 12 is provided in the sensor section 3, and connected to the timer 12, an integration detecting means 13 is provided, and an abnormality detecting means for detecting a circuit abnormality or the like in the sensor section 3 is provided. 14 are provided.

The processing in the microprocessor 11 will be described. In a normal operation state, each unit operates as follows.

As shown in FIG. 1, the storage means 111 includes, for each gas type (specifically, two types of methane and carbon monoxide gas) and each alarm level (specifically, three levels). ), The alarm level (V1, V2, V3, v1, v2, v
3) are stored, and these alarm levels can be read and written. Such an operation of reading the alarm level is performed when an alarm signal is generated by the alarm signal generation unit 113 described later.

On the other hand, such an alarm level writing operation is executed when an alarm level is set by the alarm level setting means 110 described later. Further, in the storage means 111, coefficients (α (a), α (b)) of a correction formula for temperature correction of each alarm level are stored for each gas type. , Temperature correction means 11
2 is configured to be used when executed. Here, for each alarm level, the temperature t0 of the sensor unit at the time of setting the alarm level is stored.
The following temperature correction can be performed based on the temperature t0.

(B) Temperature correction means 112 This means corrects the alarm level when the alarm signal is generated by the alarm signal generation means 113. In this means, the temperature t from the temperature sensor 10 is used. In addition, the coefficients (α (a), α (b)) of the correction formula stored in the storage unit 111 and the temperature t0 at the time of setting the alarm level are used.

The correction equation is a linear equation as follows.

[0038]

V (t) = (t−t0) × α (a) + V (t0) v (t) = (t−t0) × α (b) + v (t0)

Here, V is V1, V according to the level.
2, V3, and v is v1, v2,
v3 corresponds. The temperature correction means 112 sets the corrected alarm level in accordance with the gas type and the level, respectively.
The signal is output in response to a request from the alarm signal generation means 113.

C. Alarm signal generating means 113 This means receives an electric signal from the gas sensor 4 and the conversion circuit 4a attached thereto, and sets the electric signal level and the electric signal level in advance. The alarm level at which an alarm should be generated (this is the temperature correction means 112
, Which is obtained for each gas type and level, and is a temperature-corrected alarm level to be inputted from now on), and when the electric signal level is high, an alarm signal is generated, and the generated alarm signal is detected by the sensor. Output to the side output means 114. This alarm signal is also an alarm signal for each gas type and each level.

D. Sensor output means 114 This means outputs an alarm signal output by the alarm signal generating means 113 to the alarm device main body for each gas type and each level. In the main body of the alarm device that receives the alarm signal in this mode, an alarm is issued from the alarm output unit 6 for each gas type and each level.

The above is the description of the parts that operate in the normal detection state. In the alarm device 1 of the present invention, the setting of the alarm level itself described above is executed on the sensor unit 3 side. It is configured to:

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a setting switch 15 is provided in the sensor unit 3, and an alarm level setting means 110 in the microprocessor 11 operates in accordance with the ON operation of the setting switch 15. Is configured. The function of this means will be described first.

(E) Alarm level setting means 110 This means sets the electric signal level obtained from the conversion circuit 4a as the pre-alarm level in the alarm level setting state where the gas sensor 4 is sensitive to the reference detection target.

Therefore, in setting such an alarm level, the operator turns on the setting switch 15 and, when the setting switch 15 is turned on, the methane concentration becomes three levels and the CO is turned off.
Concentration of 3 levels of reference gas (reference detection target)
An operation is performed so as to come into contact with the gas sensor 4. In accordance with this operation, the alarm level setting unit 110 individually sets an alarm level for each gas type and level, and
11, the alarm levels (V1, V2, V3,
The actual values of v1, v2, v3) are stored. In FIG.
The difference between the alarm levels when different gas sensors (first gas sensor and second gas sensor) set different alarm levels for different gas types is shown schematically.

At the same time, the temperature t0 of the sensor unit 3 at this time is
Is detected by the temperature sensor 10 and this temperature is also stored.
Served as previously described.

As described above, in the present application, the alarm level is set by the sensor unit 3, an alarm signal is generated based on the alarm level, and the alarm unit 2 issues an alarm. Information is given.

Now, in addition to the above means, the sensor section 3 has the timer 12 and the integration detecting means 1 as described above.
3. An abnormality detecting means 14 is provided.

F. Integration detecting means 13 This means is interlocked with the distributing means 9 and the timer 12, and integrates and detects the time during which power is supplied from the alarm device body 2 to the sensor section 3 side. The detection time thus integrated and detected is compared with a life threshold value stored in this means, and information related to the detection time (a first life signal indicating whether the use time is close to the life, a life (The second life signal indicating that the time has exceeded the limit)
4 and output from the means 114 to the alarm device main body 2. In the alarm device main body 2, this signal is output from the alarm output unit 6 in a predetermined manner.

G. Abnormality detecting means 14 This means is a means for detecting an abnormality in the sensor section 3, and the output from this means is also output to the sensor section output means 114 as abnormality information. In the alarm device main body 2, this signal is output from the alarm output unit 6 in a predetermined manner.

As a specific detection of abnormality, the conversion circuit 4
If the output from a is too large or too small, or if the output is not stable (large fluctuation), such a state is detected as abnormal.

H Sensor output means 114 As described above, this means includes an alarm signal generation means 113 which outputs alarm signals (2
3 kinds of signals, a total of 6 signals). further,
The integration detection means 13 outputs a life signal (a first life signal and a second life signal, a total of two signals) relating to the detection time and the life of the sensor unit 3, and an abnormality detection signal ( (One signal). Therefore, in the sensor section output means 114, the alarm device main body 2
In outputting the signals to the side, the signal transmission form is in accordance with pulse width modulation (PWM) in the form of a contact signal so as to output these signals in a distinguished manner. By doing so, individual signals can be reliably separated and transmitted to the main body side.

[Another Embodiment] (A) In the above embodiment, the case where an alarm is issued in relation to gas based on the output from the gas sensor has been described. However, a so-called temperature sensor for temperature correction is used. Also, since the electrical characteristics change depending on the state of the detection target, it can be set as the target of the present application, so that a fire alarm may be issued. That is, it is possible to configure so as to output a fire alarm when the output from the temperature sensor indicates a high temperature. In this case, the temperature correction can be omitted. Furthermore, a temperature sensor for fire alarm and a circuit attached thereto may be provided separately from the alarm device main body, and an alarm may be issued based on the output from this sensor.

(B) In the above embodiment, the signal transmission state between the sensor unit output means and the alarm device main body is a contact signal state in accordance with the PWM. In order to handle individually, those that change the output signal strength, those that take the form of message output,
Any known form can be adopted.

(C) In the above embodiment, the power source is not particularly limited. However, any power source that obtains power from a commercial power source or one that uses a battery can be used.

(D) In the above embodiment, the form of the gas sensor is not particularly limited.
A semiconductor type gas sensor, a contact combustion type gas sensor, or the like can be used, and any structure such as a so-called bead type gas sensor and a substrate type gas sensor can be adopted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a basic function of an alarm device of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing threshold states corresponding to different sensor units;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of various types and multi-stage outputs from a sensor unit to an alarm device main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 alarm device 2 alarm device main body 3 sensor unit 4 gas sensor 5 power supply 6 alarm output unit 8 display output unit 10 temperature sensor 12 timer 13 integration detection unit 14 abnormality detection unit 110 alarm level setting unit 111 storage unit 112 temperature correction unit 113 alarm Signal generating means 114 Sensor section output means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G08B 25/00 510 G08B 25/00 510H 29/04 29/04 F term (Reference) 2G046 AA02 AA11 AA19 CA09 DB05 DC02 DC12 DC14 DC16 DC17 DC18 FB02 FE39 2G060 AA02 AA04 AB08 AB17 AE19 BA01 EA06 HC02 HC21 HD03 5C087 AA12 AA23 AA32 AA44 CC02 DD04 DD07 EE16 FF01 FF04 FF10 FF13 GG07 GG11 GG31 GG19 GG19 GG19 GG19 GG19 GG19 GG23

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An alarm device comprising a sensor unit provided with a sensor electrically sensitive to a detection target, which is detachably attached to an alarm device main body. Signal conversion means for converting a change in physical property into an electrical signal, and an alarm signal generating means for comparing an electrical signal level obtained from the conversion circuit with a previously stored alarm level at which an alarm should be generated, and generating an alarm signal. And a sensor section outputting means for outputting an alarm signal generated by the alarm signal generating means to the alarm device main body, wherein the sensor is obtained from the conversion circuit in an alarm level setting state in response to a reference detection target. An alarm level setting means for setting an electric signal level to the alarm level is provided in the sensor unit, and the alarm level set by the alarm level setting means is provided. According, alarm devices the alarm signal generating means is operated. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the alarm level is performed by the alarm level setting means so that a plurality of alarm levels can be set for a kind of detection target, and the alarm signal generating means is configured to set the plurality of alarm levels. 2. The alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm signal is generated corresponding to each of the following, and the alarm signal is output to the alarm device main body for each of the alarm levels in the sensor unit output means. 3. The setting of the alarm level by the alarm level setting means, wherein each of the alarm levels can be set for a plurality of types of detection targets, and the alarm signal generating means is provided for each of the types. The alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm signal is generated corresponding to each of the alarm levels, and the alarm signal is output to the alarm device main body for each of the types in the sensor unit output means. 4. The sensor unit according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature detecting unit for detecting a temperature of the sensor unit, and a temperature correcting unit for correcting the alarm level according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit. Or the alarm according to 3. 5. An alarm device comprising a sensor unit provided with a sensor electrically sensitive to a detection target, which is detachably attached to an alarm device main body, wherein a change in an electrical property of the sensor is detected. A conversion circuit for converting the signal into an electric signal, an alarm signal generating means for comparing an electric signal level obtained from the conversion circuit with a previously stored alarm level to generate an alarm, and generating an alarm signal; The sensor unit further includes a sensor unit output unit that outputs an alarm signal generated by a signal generation unit to the alarm unit main unit, and an integration detection unit that integrates and detects a time during which power is supplied from the alarm unit main unit to the sensor unit. And an alarm device capable of outputting information related to the time detected by the integrating means. 6. The sensor unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an abnormality detection unit configured to detect an abnormality of an electric circuit provided in the sensor unit, wherein an abnormality state detected by the abnormality detection unit can be output. 2. The alarm according to claim 1. 7. The alarm device according to claim 1, further comprising a display output means for performing a predetermined display on the alarm device main body in accordance with a state of attachment and detachment of the sensor unit.