JP7060944B2 - Smoke detector and its optical axis alignment method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a smoke detector in which a light emitter and a light receiver are arranged so as to face the monitoring space.

Conventionally, in a photoelectric separation type sensor, a light emitter containing a light emitting element and a light receiving device containing a light receiving element face each other at a high place (usually 10 to 15 m above the ground) with a monitoring distance of usually 5 to 100 m. Deploy. In the presence of smoke between the photophore and the photophore, the photoelectric separation detector detects the attenuation of the light and detects the fire. Further, the integrated detector has a light receiving device in which a light emitting device and a light receiving device are housed in one housing, and a reflector is arranged so as to face each other in the light receiving and emitting direction of the light receiving and emitting device. When smoke is present between the light receiver and the reflector, the integrated detector also detects the decay of light and detects a fire, similar to the photoelectric separation type detector. Therefore, in order for both the photoelectric separation type sensor and the integrated sensor to operate correctly, it is necessary that the optical axes of the light emitter and the light receiver are aligned.

Patent Document 1 discloses a photoelectric separation type sensor capable of adjusting the optical axis using a collimation hole. In the photoelectric separation type detector described in this document, first, a horizontal angle adjustment male screw and a vertical angle adjustment male screw are used while confirming the position of the receiver using a collimation hole, a peephole, and a reflector. Turn to make rough adjustments to the horizontal and vertical angles of the optical table. Then, while checking the light receiving output level using a voltmeter or the like, the horizontal angle and the vertical angle of the optical table are finely adjusted so that a predetermined output can be obtained.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-57984

For a type of smoke detector that detects smoke by attenuation of light, various optical axis adjusting methods have been proposed, including the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. However, in the conventional method, the optical axis adjustment work must be performed at a high place, and the work is dangerous.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a smoke detector capable of easily adjusting the optical axis.

The smoke detector of the present invention is a smoke detector having a light emitting device having a light emitting element and a light receiving device having a light receiving element, and detecting a fire by detecting the attenuation of light due to smoke in the monitoring space. The light emitter is provided between an optical table on which the light emitting element is mounted and swingably supported with respect to the housing, and the housing and the optical table, and the tilt of the optical table with respect to the housing. The light receiver is provided with a piezoelectric actuator that changes the number of the light receiving elements, and is interposed between the housing and the optical base, and an optical base that is swingably supported with respect to the housing. A piezoelectric actuator for changing the inclination of the optical table with respect to the housing is provided, and the light emitter and / or the piezoelectric actuator of the light receiver is controlled based on the amount of light received by the light receiver to control the light emitter and / or the light receiver. The optical axis of the receiver is aligned.

By controlling the piezoelectric actuator interposed between the swingable optical base and the housing based on the amount of light received, it is automatic even if the worker does not manually perform the work at a high place. The optical axis can be aligned.

In the smoke detector of the present invention, the light emitter and the light receiver may be arranged so as to face each other with at least a part of the monitoring space interposed therebetween. In the separable smoke detector in which the light emitter and the light receiver are arranged to face each other in this way, the optical axis can be appropriately aligned.

In the smoke detector of the present invention, the light emitter and the light receiver may be composed of one light receiver and may have a reflector facing the light receiver. At that time, instead of the optical table that supports the light emitting element and the light receiving element, a common optical table that supports the light emitting element and the light receiving element is provided, and the space between the housing and the common optical table is provided. A piezoelectric actuator that changes the inclination of the optical table with respect to the housing may be provided. Even in a reflective smoke detector in which a light emitter and a light receiver are integrated in this way, the optical axis can be appropriately aligned.

In the smoke detector of the present invention, the light emitter and / or the light receiver may be provided with a hinge that swingably supports the optical table.

With this configuration, the optical table can be swingably supported around the rotation axis of the hinge.

In the smoke detector of the present invention, the light emitter and / or the light receiver has a spherical surface portion that swingably supports the optical table and an elastic member that urges the optical table with respect to the spherical surface portion. You may prepare. Further, the light emitter and / or the light receiver is formed in a shape corresponding to the first spherical surface portion provided on the optical table and the first spherical surface portion in the housing, and the first spherical surface portion is formed. A second spherical surface portion that comes into surface contact with the portion may be provided.

With these configurations, the optical table can be swung in any direction, and the optical table can be tilted in a desired direction depending on how the piezoelectric actuators are arranged.

The smoke detector of the present invention includes a control unit that controls the direction of the optical axis of the light emitter and / or the light receiver, and the control unit is piezoelectric at the time of initial setting of the light emitter and / or the light receiver. The optical axis of the light emitter and the light receiver may be aligned based on the amount of light received when the value of the actuator is displaced.

In this way, at the time of initial setting before operating the smoke detector, the initial setting work can be easily performed by aligning the optical axis based on the amount of light received when the piezoelectric actuator is displaced. The "initial setting" is typically when the smoke detector is first installed, but when a worker stops the smoke detector and resets it when something goes wrong. included.

The smoke detector of the present invention includes a control unit that controls the direction of the optical axis of the light emitter and / or the light receiver, and when the light receiving amount satisfies a predetermined condition during operation, the control unit may be used. Fire detection may be performed intermittently while aligning the optical axes of the light emitter and the light receiver.

As described above, when the amount of received light satisfies a predetermined condition during operation and the deviation of the optical axis is detected, the optical axis can be automatically aligned. In addition, by intermittently detecting the fire while aligning the optical axis, the fire can be detected even while the optical axis of the light emitter and the receiver is being aligned, so the optical axis can be aligned safely. It can be carried out.

In the smoke detector of the present invention, the predetermined condition may be that the received light amount is higher than the threshold value for detecting a fire and is lower than the first threshold value for a predetermined time.

When the state higher than the threshold value for detecting a fire and lower than the first threshold value continues for a predetermined time, it is considered that the optical axes of the light emitter and the light receiver are displaced and the amount of light received is reduced. Therefore, it is desirable to start the optical axis alignment.

The smoke detector of the present invention may be provided with a notification unit for notifying when the amount of received light received after the optical axis alignment does not reach the second threshold value.

If the amount of light received does not reach the second threshold even after the optical axis alignment is performed and the optical axis alignment cannot be performed sufficiently, the worker is notified that the automatic adjustment cannot be performed to align the optical axis. Can be done.

In the method of aligning the optical axis of the smoke detector of the present invention, a light emitter capable of controlling the light emitting direction and a light receiving device capable of controlling the light receiving direction are arranged toward the monitoring space, and a fire is detected by detecting the attenuation of light due to smoke. It is a method of aligning the optical axis of the smoke detector that detects When this is done, a step of intermittently performing fire detection based on the amount of light received by the light receiver is provided while aligning the optical axes of the light emitter and the light receiver.

As described above, when the amount of received light satisfies a predetermined condition during operation and the deviation of the optical axis is detected, the optical axis can be automatically aligned. In addition, by intermittently detecting the fire while aligning the optical axis, the fire can be detected even while the optical axis of the light emitter and the receiver is being aligned, so the optical axis can be aligned safely. It can be carried out.

In the optical axis alignment method of the smoke detector of the present invention, the predetermined condition is that the received light amount is higher than the threshold value for detecting a fire and is lower than the first threshold value for a predetermined time. good.

When the state higher than the threshold value for detecting a fire and lower than the first threshold value continues for a predetermined time, it is considered that the optical axis is displaced and the amount of light received is reduced. It is desirable to start.

The optical axis alignment method of the smoke detector of the present invention may include a step of notifying that the amount of light received after the optical axis alignment does not reach the second threshold value.

If the amount of light received does not reach the second threshold even after the optical axis alignment is performed and the optical axis alignment cannot be performed sufficiently, the worker is notified that the automatic adjustment cannot be performed to align the optical axis. Can be done.

According to the present invention, the piezoelectric actuator interposed between the swingable optical table and the housing is controlled based on the amount of light received by the amount of light received, so that the worker does not have to perform manual work at a high place. Optical axis alignment can be performed automatically.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the photoelectric separation type sensor of embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the receiver of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the support of the optical table of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the judgment of the photoelectric separation type sensor. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the receiver of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the support of the optical table of the 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the receiver of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the support of the optical table of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of optical axis alignment of a photoelectric separation type sensor. It is a flowchart explaining the operation at the time of operation of a photoelectric separation type sensor.

Hereinafter, the smoke detector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, the photoelectric separation type detector will be mainly described, but the integrated smoke detector is also included in the scope of the present invention.
(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a photoelectric separation type sensor 1. The photoelectric separation type detector 1 is configured by arranging a light emitter 40 and a light receiver 10 facing each other in a monitoring space. Since the light emitting device 40 and the light receiving device 10 have almost the same configuration except for the light emitting element, the light receiving element, and related circuits thereof, the light receiving device 10 will be described as an example in the following description.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light receiver 10 according to the first embodiment. The photophore 10 has a housing 11 in which a window 14 for taking in light emitted from the light emitter 40 is formed, and has a light receiving element 13 mounted on an optical table 12 inside the housing 11. There is. The light receiving element 13 has a function of converting the light received on the light receiving surface into an electric signal corresponding to the amount of light received, and inputs the converted electric signal to an electric circuit (not shown) formed on the optical table 12 to generate electricity. Detect a fire in the circuit.

The light receiving surface of the light receiving element 13 is directed toward the window 14 of the housing 11, and a lens 15 is provided between the light receiving element 13 and the window 14. The lens 15 has a role of concentrating the light incident from the window 14 on the light receiving surface.

The optical table 12 is swingably supported with respect to the inner wall of the housing 11. Specifically, the hinge 16 is attached to one side of the optical table 12. The piezoelectric actuator 20 is interposed between the optical base 12 and the housing 11, and the distance between the optical base 12 and the housing 11 is secured by the height of the piezoelectric actuator 20. A support shaft 17 penetrating the optical table 12 is provided near the side of the optical table 12 opposite to the hinge 16. A spring 19 as an elastic member is arranged between the head 18 of the support shaft 17 and the optical base 12, and the optical base 12 is urged toward the housing 11. A washer or the like may be provided between the spring 19 and the optical base 12 so that the spring 19 reliably pushes the optical base 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge 16, the piezoelectric actuator 20, and the support shaft 17 are arranged on a substantially straight line. Since the piezoelectric actuator 20 is interposed between the optical base 12 and the housing 11, when the optical base 12 is urged toward the housing 11 by the spring 19, the distance corresponding to the height of the piezoelectric actuator 20 is reached. The optical table 12 is fixed in a state of holding. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator 20, the piezoelectric actuator 20 expands and contracts according to the applied voltage, and the inclination of the optical table 12 changes, whereby the optical axis of the light receiving element 13 can be changed.

A lead wire 21 connected to the light emitter 40 is connected to the optical table 12. By connecting the light receiver 10 and the light emitter 40 by the lead wire 21, the light receiver 10 and the light emitter 40 can cooperate with each other to detect a fire and align the optical axis. Further, the lead wire 21 is connected to a monitoring device (not shown) and has a function of communicating a fire signal or a failure signal to the monitoring device.

Although the configuration of the light receiving device 10 has been described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the light emitting device 40 includes a light emitting element instead of the light receiving element 13, and an electric circuit for controlling the light emitting element. It is basically the same as the configuration of the light receiver 10 except that the light receiver 10 is provided.

The photoelectric separation type detector 1 has a control unit that controls a light receiver 10 and a light emitter 40. The control unit may be provided in either the light receiver 10 or the light emitter 40. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the receiver 10 is provided with the control unit 22. When the light receiver 10 is provided with the control unit 22, a control signal is transmitted to the light emitter 40 through the lead wire 21, and the light emitter 40 emits light at a predetermined angle and at a predetermined timing based on the control signal.

The control unit 22 has a function of detecting a fire, a function of aligning the optical axis, and a function of detecting an obstacle. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing what kind of determination is made by the control unit 22 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element 13. The photoelectric separation type detector 1 stores the light receiving amount at the time of initial setting as an initial setting value, and determines the light receiving amount with reference to the initial setting value. While the light receiving amount in the light receiving element 13 holds 80% or more of the initial set value, it is determined to be normal. When the amount of light received by the light receiving element 13 is less than 80% but held at 50% or more, if this state continues for a predetermined time, it is determined that the optical axis has shifted, and the optical axis alignment is started autonomously. do. When the amount of light received by the light receiving element 13 is less than 50%, it is determined that a fire has occurred. However, if the light receiving amount in the light receiving element 13 does not go through the state of 50% to 10% and the light receiving amount suddenly falls below 10%, it is determined that the photoelectric separation type sensor 1 has a failure. .. The determination threshold values (80%, 50%, 10%) described here are examples, and each threshold value can be appropriately set. The control unit 22 automatically aligns the optical axis in cooperation with the photophore 10 and the light emitter 40, and this operation will be described later.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the light receiver 10 of the photoelectric separation type sensor according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the support of the optical table 12. The basic configuration of the photoelectric separation type sensor of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the photoelectric separation type sensor 1 of the first embodiment, but the method of supporting the optical table 12 is different. different.

In the second embodiment, the optical table 12 is supported by the optical table 12 by the support shafts 17, 23, 25 and two piezoelectric actuators 20 interposed between the optical table 12 and the housing 11. .. The support shaft 17 penetrates the optical base 12. A spring 19 is arranged between the head 18 of the support shaft 17 and the optical base 12, and the optical base 12 is urged toward the housing 11.

The support shaft 23 has a spherical head 24. A female screw is formed on the head 24, and the support shaft 25 screwed into the female screw penetrates the optical base 12. A spring 27 as an elastic member is arranged between the head 26 of the support shaft 25 and the optical base 12, and the optical base 12 is urged by the head 24 of the support shaft 23.

The spring 27 provided on the support shaft 25 has a larger spring constant than the spring 19 provided on the support shaft 17, and the optical base 12 is pressed against the head 24 of the support shaft 23 by the spring 27. Since the head 24 of the support shaft 23 is spherical, the optical table 12 rotates about the head 24 of the support shaft 23. A washer or the like may be provided between the springs 19 and 27 and the optical base 12, so that the springs 19 and 27 reliably push the optical base 12.

As shown in FIG. 6, the two support shafts 17 and 23 are provided on the diagonal line of the optical table 12. Further, a piezoelectric actuator 20 is interposed between the housing 11 and the optical base 12 near two adjacent sides of the optical base 12, and the optical base 12 is urged toward the housing 11 by the spring 19. The optical table 12 is supported against the above. By applying a voltage to the two piezoelectric actuators 20, the inclination of the optical table 12 can be changed.

Although the configuration of the light receiving device 10 has been described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the light emitting device 40 includes a light emitting element instead of the light receiving element 13, and an electric circuit for controlling the light emitting element. It is basically the same as the configuration of the light receiver 10 except that the light receiver 10 is provided.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the light receiver 10 of the photoelectric separation type sensor according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the support of the optical table 12. The basic configuration of the photoelectric separation type sensor according to the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the photoelectric separation type sensor 1 according to the first embodiment, but the method of supporting the optical table 12 is different. different.

In the third embodiment, a first spherical surface portion 28 projecting toward the housing 11 is formed at the central position of the optical table 12. The first spherical surface portion 28 is formed by bending the optical table 12 toward the housing 11, and as shown in FIG. 7, has a hemispherical surface having a uniform curvature over the entire spherical surface portion 28.

On the other hand, the housing 11 is formed with a rising portion 29 protruding toward the optical table 12. A second spherical surface portion 30 is formed at the end portion of the rising portion 29 on the optical table 12 side. The second spherical surface portion 30 has a shape corresponding to the first spherical surface portion 28, that is, is formed in a spherical shape protruding toward the housing 11 at the end portion of the rising portion 29 on the optical table 12 side, and has a curvature thereof. It is assumed that the curvature of the spherical surface portion 28 of 1 is substantially the same. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the first spherical surface portion 28 and the second spherical surface portion 30 are arranged adjacent to each other, and a second spherical surface portion 28 is placed on the side surface of the first spherical surface portion 28 on the housing 11 side. The side surfaces of the spherical surface portion 30 on the optical table 12 side are in contact with each other, and the first spherical surface portion 28 and the second spherical surface portion 30 are in surface contact with each other, so that the optical table 12 and the housing 11 are linked.

Further, two piezoelectric actuators 20 are interposed between the housing 11 and the optical base 12. That is, the optical table 12 is supported by the two piezoelectric actuators 20 and the surface contact between the first spherical surface portion 28 and the rising portion 29 described above. As shown in FIG. 8, the two actuators are located in two orthogonal directions with the first spherical surface portion 28 as the center. Thereby, by applying a voltage to the two piezoelectric actuators 20, the inclination of the optical table 12 can be changed along the two axes.

Although the configuration of the light receiving device 10 has been described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the light emitting device 40 includes a light emitting element instead of the light receiving element 13, and an electric circuit for controlling the light emitting element. It is basically the same as the configuration of the light receiver 10 except that the light receiver 10 is provided.

(Operation of optical axis alignment)
The photoelectric separation type detectors of the first to third embodiments described above all have a configuration in which the inclination of the optical table 12 can be changed by the piezoelectric actuator 20, and the light is received by the light receiving element 13. The optical axis is automatically aligned based on the amount.

When the worker installs the photoelectric separation type sensor in the monitoring area and then starts the optical axis alignment operation by pressing the optical axis alignment button or the like, the photoelectric separation type detector receives the amount of light received by the receiver 10. Align the optical axis based on. Basically, the photoelectric separation type detector determines the optical axis direction of the light receiver 10 and the light emitter 40 so that the amount of light received by the light receiver 10 is maximized. Specifically, the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 is displaced by a predetermined step, and the optical axis of the light receiver 10 and the optical axis of the light emitter 40 are gradually shifted to measure the amount of light received, and the amount of light received is maximized. The set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 is obtained.

Hereinafter, the operation of optical axis alignment of the photoelectric separation type sensor of the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 9. First, the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 of the light receiver 10 is set to the minimum (S10), and in that state, the light emitter 40 emits light (S11) and the light receiver 10 receives light (S12). The light receiver 10 stores the amount of light received at this time. Next, it is determined whether or not the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 of the light receiver 10 is the maximum value (S13), and if the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 is not the maximum value (NO in S13), the piezoelectric actuator 20 The set value of is increased by one step (S14), the light emitted by the light emitter 30 is received again by the light receiver 10 (S12), and the amount of light received at this time is stored. Similarly, the operation of gradually increasing the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 (S14) and receiving light from the light receiver 10 is repeated until the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 reaches the maximum value (YES in S13). ..

The value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 of the light receiver 10 that maximizes the amount of light received is determined based on the amount of light received while changing the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 from the minimum value to the maximum value (S15). Then, the light receiver 10 fixes the angle of the optical table 12 by using the determined value, that is, the optical axis direction of the light receiver 10 is fixed.

Next, the same adjustment is made for the light emitter 40. That is, the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 of the light emitter 40 is set to the minimum (S16), and in that state, the light emitter 40 emits light (S17) and the light receiver 10 receives light (S18). The light receiver 10 stores the amount of light received at this time. Next, it is determined whether or not the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 of the light emitter 40 is the maximum value (S19), and if the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 is not the maximum value (NO in S19), the piezoelectric actuator 20 The set value of is increased by one step (S20), the light is emitted again by the light emitter 40 (S17), the light is received by the light receiver 10 (S18), and the amount of light received at this time is stored. Similarly, the operation of gradually increasing the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 (S20) and receiving light from the light receiver 10 is repeated until the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 reaches the maximum value (YES in S19). ..

The value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 of the light emitter 40 that maximizes the amount of light received is determined based on the amount of light received while changing the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 from the minimum value to the maximum value (S21). Then, the light emitter 40 fixes the angle of the optical table 12 by using the determined value, that is, the optical axis direction of the light emitter 40 is fixed.

As described above, in the photoelectric separation type detector of the present embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator 20 of the light receiver 10 and the light emitter 40 is swept, and the piezoelectric of the light receiver 10 and the light emitter 40 having the maximum light receiving amount is obtained. The optical axis is automatically aligned by the method of determining the set value of the actuator 20.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the optical axis of the light emitter 10 is determined first and then the optical axis of the light emitter 40 is determined has been described. However, the optical axis of the light emitter 40 may be determined first. good. Of the light receiver 10 and the light emitter 40, it is desirable to determine the one with the higher directivity first. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 is displaced from the lower side to the higher side, but conversely, it may be displaced from the higher side to the lower side.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the one-dimensional adjustment method is taken as an example, but the optical table 12 is used as in the photoelectric separation type detector of the second embodiment and the third embodiment. When swinging with respect to two axes, two-dimensional adjustment is performed. That is, the light receiving amount is measured for all combinations of the values (x, y) of the two piezoelectric actuators 20, and the combination of the set values having the maximum light receiving amount (x, y) is determined.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example of changing the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 from the minimum value to the maximum value step by step is given, but first, the set value is roughly shaken to increase the amount of light received. The set value may be finely shaken in the vicinity of the angle. As a result, the set value that maximizes the amount of light received can be quickly obtained.

(Operation of photoelectric separation type sensor)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the photoelectric separation type sensor during operation. Since the photoelectric separation type sensor makes the determination shown in FIG. 4 according to the amount of received light, the determination to realize this is made.

The photoelectric separation type detector receives the light emitted by the light emitter 40 by the light receiver 10 (S30), and determines whether the light reception amount is 50% or less of the initial set value (S31). When the light receiving amount is 50% or less (YES in S31), the photoelectric separation type sensor 1 determines whether or not the light receiving amount is 10% or less of the initial set value (S32). If the amount of light received is not 10% or less of the initial setting value (NO in S32), that is, if the amount of light received is 10% to 50% of the initial setting value, it is determined that a fire has occurred (S33), and the outside is external. Output a fire signal to. When the amount of received light is 10% or less of the initial set value (YES in S32), the photoelectric separation type sensor 1 determines that a failure has occurred (S34), and outputs a failure occurrence signal to the outside.

In the case of a fire, the optical path between the light emitter 40 and the light receiver 10 is blocked by smoke and the light is attenuated, so that the amount of light received does not suddenly drop below 10%, and the amount of light received is 10% to 50%. When it reaches%, the decrease in the amount of received light can be captured. The amount of light received suddenly becomes 10% or less, for example, when an impact is applied to the light receiver 10 or the light emitter 40 and the optical axes of the light receiver 10 and the light emitter 40 are greatly deviated, or the light receiving element 13 or the like. Since it is considered to be a failure, it is judged to be a failure rather than a fire.

When the light receiving amount is not 50% or less (NO in S31), the photoelectric separation type sensor 1 determines whether or not the light receiving amount is 80% or less (S35). If the amount of light received is not 80% or less (NO in S35), that is, if the amount of light received exceeds 80%, the timer is reset (S36), and the light emitted by the light emitter 40 is returned to the light receiver. The step of receiving light at 10 is performed (S30). The step of receiving the light emitted by the light emitter 40 may be performed at predetermined intervals (for example, every 3 seconds).

If it is determined in step S35 that the amount of received light is 80% or less (YES in S35), the timer is started if the timer has not already started (S37). This timer is a timer that counts the duration in order to detect the optical axis deviation and start the optical axis alignment when the time when the light receiving amount is 50% to 80% continues for a predetermined time or more.

The photoelectric separation type sensor determines whether or not the timer value exceeds a predetermined threshold value (for example, 24 hours) (S38). If the timer value does not reach a predetermined threshold value (NO in S38), the step of receiving the light emitted by the light emitter 40 again by the light receiver 10 is performed (S30).

When the timer value becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value (YES in S38), the photoelectric separation type sensor aligns the optical axis (S39). The optical axis alignment is basically performed according to the flow described with reference to FIG. 9, except that it is necessary to continue the fire detection during the operation of the photoelectric separation type detector. Specifically, in the flow shown in FIG. 9, the optical axes of the light emitter 40 and the light receiver 10 are aligned with each other before the set value of the piezoelectric actuator 20 is increased (S14, S20) to measure the light receiving amount. It is determined whether or not a fire has occurred (that is, whether or not the amount of received light is 10% to 50% or less) by returning to the angle before the operation and measuring the amount of received light.

For optical axis alignment, for example, if the amount of received light is measured in 20 steps for each of the X-axis and the Y-axis, the condition is 20 × 20 = 400 for the light receiver 10 alone, and 800 conditions including the light emitter 40. It is necessary to measure the amount of received light, and the time required for this is 40 minutes even if it is 3 seconds per condition. Therefore, if no fire is detected while the optical axis is aligned, the occurrence of a fire may be overlooked. By intermittently detecting a fire during the optical axis alignment as in the present embodiment, there is no risk of overlooking the occurrence of a fire, and the optical axis alignment can be performed safely.

When the optical axis alignment is completed, the photoelectric separation type sensor 1 determines whether or not the amount of light received after the optical axis alignment is 60% or more (S40). If the amount of light received is less than 60% (NO in S40) even though the optical axis is aligned, it is determined that a failure has occurred (S34), and the failure signal is output to the outside. Here, the fault signal output to the outside corresponds to a signal for notifying when the amount of received light received after the optical axis alignment does not reach a predetermined threshold value. When the light receiving amount is 60% or more (YES in S40), the light receiving amount after the optical axis alignment is set as the reference light receiving amount (S41), and the process returns to the beginning of the flow.

In the operation described here, it is first determined whether or not there is a possibility of fire based on whether or not the amount of light received is 50% or less (S31), and when the amount of light received is not 50% or less (in S31). NO) The determination of whether or not to perform optical axis alignment is performed (S35), but the determination of whether or not to perform optical axis alignment may be performed separately from the determination of whether or not the amount of received light is 50% or less. .. In this case, the condition for whether or not to align the optical axis is that the light receiving amount is below the threshold value (for example, 80%) higher than the threshold value for detecting a fire for a predetermined time.

The configuration and operation of the photoelectric separation type sensor of the embodiment have been described above. The photoelectric separation type detector of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a light receiving element 13 and a light emitting element are mounted on an optical base 12 that can swing with respect to a housing 11, and the angle of the optical base 12 is changed by a piezoelectric actuator 20. Therefore, the photoelectric separation type sensor can control the piezoelectric actuator 20 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element 13 and automatically align the optical axis. As a result, it is possible to save labor in adjusting the photoelectric separation type detector at the time of construction. Further, the photoelectric separation type detector of the embodiment detects that the optical axis is displaced based on the amount of received light during operation and automatically adjusts the optical axis, so that an appropriate monitoring state can be maintained.

In the photoelectric separation type detector 1 of the first embodiment, the optical base 12 on which the light receiving element 13 and the light emitting element are mounted is swingably supported by the hinge 16 and its inclination is changed by the piezoelectric actuator 20. Therefore, the optical table 12 can be swung along the rotation axis of the hinge 16.

Since the photoelectric separation type detectors of the second embodiment and the third embodiment adjust the inclination of the optical table 12 by the two piezoelectric actuators 20, they can be swung along the two axes. , Appropriate optical axis alignment can be performed.

Although the smoke detector of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the optical table is supported by a hinge or a support shaft has been described as an example, but the optical table may be supported only by the piezoelectric actuator. For example, three or four or more piezoelectric actuators may be adhered to the optical table with an adhesive to support the optical table. With this configuration, the optical table can be supported and its inclination can be changed.

Further, an optical table that can be swung by arbitrarily combining the configurations (hinge 16, springs 19, 27, first spherical surface portion 28 and rising portion 29) described in the first to third embodiments described above. May be configured.

In the above-described embodiment, the optical axis alignment has been described by taking a photoelectric separation type sensor as an example, but in the case of the reflection type smoke detector, the optical axis alignment configuration is the same as in the above-described embodiment. It can be realized. The reflective smoke detector is configured to include a light receiver having a light emitter and a light receiver, and a reflector arranged so as to face the light receiver. There are two types of light receivers: a type in which a light emitter and a light receiver are mounted on the same optical stand, and a type in which a light emitter and a light receiver are mounted on different optical stands. In either type, the optical table is swingably supported with respect to the housing, and the angle is controlled by a piezoelectric actuator according to the amount of light received, so that the worker does not have to perform manual work at a high place. Optical axis alignment can be performed automatically. As a method of supporting the swingable shape, a hinge, an elastic member, a spherical contact, or the like can be considered as in the above-described embodiment.

The present invention is useful as a smoke detector in which a light emitter and a light receiver are arranged toward a monitoring space.

1 Photoelectric separation type detector 10 Receiver 11 Housing 12 Optical base 13 Light receiving element 14 Window 15 Lens 16 Hinge 17, 23, 25 Support shaft 18, 24, 26 Support shaft head 19, 27 Spring 20 Piezoelectric actuator 21 Lead wire 22 Control unit 28 First spherical surface unit 29 Raising unit 30 Second spherical surface unit 40 Light emitter

Claims (8)

Smoke that has a light emitter and a light receiver installed facing each other across the monitoring space, and detects the attenuation of light from the light emitter that is received by the light receiver due to the smoke existing in the monitoring space to detect a fire. It ’s a sensor,
During operation after the initial setting, it is determined whether or not the amount of light received by the photophore satisfies a predetermined condition, and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the optical axis of the light emitter and / or the above. Equipped with a control unit that automatically controls the direction of the optical axis of the photophore to align the optical axis .
When the optical axis alignment is performed , the control unit intermittently controls the direction of the optical axis of the light emitter and / or the optical axis of the light receiver during the execution period of the control. A smoke detector that detects fire. It has a light receiving device including a light emitting device and a light receiving device, and a reflector, and the light receiving device and the reflecting plate are installed facing each other with a monitoring space in between, and light from the light emitting device is reflected by the reflecting plate. Smoke detection that detects the fire by detecting the attenuation of the light from the light emitter reflected by the reflector that receives the light received by the photophore due to the smoke existing in the monitoring space. It ’s a vessel,
During operation after the initial setting, it is determined whether or not the amount of light received by the photophore satisfies a predetermined condition, and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the optical axis of the light emitter and / or the above. Equipped with a control unit that automatically controls the direction of the optical axis of the photophore to align the optical axis .
When the optical axis alignment is performed , the control unit intermittently controls the direction of the optical axis of the light emitter and / or the optical axis of the light receiver during the execution period of the control. Detect fire,
Smoke detectors. When the amount of light received from the light emitter received by the light receiver is higher than the threshold value for detecting a fire and lower than the first threshold value for a predetermined time during the operation of the smoke detector, the above-mentioned The control unit intermittently performs the fire detection while controlling the direction of the optical axis of the light emitter and / or the optical axis of the light receiver, and intermittently performs the fire detection during the implementation period of the control, according to claim 1 or 2. The smoke detector described. When the amount of light received from the light emitter that is received by the light receiver after the control implementation period of the optical axis of the light emitter and / or the direction of the optical axis of the light receiver does not reach the second threshold value, the light is received. The smoke detector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a notification unit for notifying the effect. Smoke that has a light emitter and a light receiver installed facing each other across the monitoring space, and detects the attenuation of light from the light emitter that is received by the light receiver due to the smoke existing in the monitoring space to detect a fire. It is a method of aligning the optical axis of the sensor.
During operation after the initial setting of the smoke detector, it is determined whether or not the amount of light received by the light receiver satisfies a predetermined condition, and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the light of the light emitter is used. A process of automatically controlling the direction of the axis and / or the optical axis of the light receiver to align the optical axis , and
When the optical axis alignment is performed, the step of intermittently performing the fire detection and the step of performing the fire detection during the implementation period of the control step are
How to align the optical axis of the smoke detector. It has a light receiving device including a light emitting device and a light receiving device, and a reflector, and the light receiving device and the reflecting plate are installed facing each other with a monitoring space in between, and light from the light emitting device is reflected by the reflecting plate. Smoke detection that detects the fire by detecting the attenuation of the light from the light emitter reflected by the reflector that receives the light received by the photophore due to the smoke existing in the monitoring space. It is a method of aligning the optical axis of the vessel.
During operation after the initial setting of the smoke detector, it is determined whether or not the amount of light received by the light receiver satisfies a predetermined condition, and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the light of the light emitter is used. A process of automatically controlling the direction of the optical axis of the axis and / or the light receiver to align the optical axis , and
When the optical axis alignment is performed, the step of performing the fire detection intermittently during the implementation period of the control step and the step of performing the fire detection are performed.
How to align the optical axis of the smoke detector. Whether or not the amount of light received from the light emitter received by the light receiver during the operation of the smoke detector continues to be higher than the threshold for detecting a fire and lower than the first threshold for a predetermined time. Judgment process and
When it is determined in the determination step that the amount of light received from the light emitter received by the light receiver is higher than the threshold value for detecting a fire and lower than the first threshold value continues for a predetermined time, the above-mentioned It comprises a step of controlling the direction of the optical axis of the light emitter and / or the optical axis of the light receiver, and intermittently performing the fire detection during the implementation period of the control step.
The method for aligning the optical axis of the smoke detector according to claim 5. When the amount of light received from the light emitter that is received by the light receiver after the control implementation period of the optical axis of the light emitter and / or the direction of the optical axis of the light receiver does not reach the second threshold value, the light is received. The method for aligning the optical axis of the smoke detector according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a step of notifying the effect.

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