CN217880466U

CN217880466U - Smoke alarm

Info

Publication number: CN217880466U
Application number: CN202220300576.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丹尼尔·赞帕雷利; 费赞·扎胡尔
Original assignee: Green Planet Ltd
Current assignee: Green Planet Ltd
Priority date: 2021-02-18
Filing date: 2022-02-15
Publication date: 2022-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-15
Also published as: AU2021236433A1; CN114973552A

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a smoke alarm comprising: a mains power connection adapted to be coupled to a mains supply; a long-life battery located in the sealed chamber; a microcontroller; a smoke detector coupled to the microcontroller so as to generate a trigger when the smoke detector detects smoke; a power supply selector for selecting between the mains supply and the long-life battery to supply power to the microcontroller based on the presence of the mains supply; and a buzzer for sounding an alarm when the microcontroller is triggered by the smoke detector detecting the presence of smoke.

Description

Smoke alarm

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a smoke alarm. In particular, the invention relates to smoke alarms configured to operate using either of two primary power sources.

Background

Smoke alarms are commonly installed in commercial and residential settings to provide a warning to occupants when the presence of smoke is detected. Smoke alarms include a detector for detecting the presence of smoke. Two common detectors include ionization detectors and photodetectors. Due to aging of the active detection element, the smoke alarm should be replaced after 10 years.

Existing smoke alarms have a single primary power supply. Some smoke alarms are powered by batteries. Battery powered smoke alarms can often be installed by untrained personnel without the need for an electrician. In some cases, consumer grade batteries are used because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace.

In many cases, battery powered smoke alarms use 9V batteries. The recommended life of a 9V battery in a smoke alarm is 6 months. This requires the user to be kept alert when replacing the battery to ensure that the smoke alarm is functioning properly. To enable the consumer grade battery to be replaced, the battery is located in a chamber of the smoke alarm which can be easily opened by the user.

Many battery-powered smoke alarms include circuitry configured to sound an audible warning when the battery level falls below a preset threshold. These audible warnings can be very annoying because the warning can be triggered at any time, disturbing the overall well being and calm. Even without an imminent threat of danger, these warnings can disrupt the ability to sleep, work, and talk. Furthermore, replacing the battery may require a ladder to access the ceiling mounted alarm and the ladder may not be easily found. Therefore, occupants must endure an audible warning or evacuate the building before replacing the battery.

If the battery cannot be replaced immediately, one typically removes the battery to stop the audible warning. Unfortunately, removing the battery disables the alarm, so any occupants are at undetected risk of fire when the smoke alarm is disabled. It may take days, weeks, or longer to purchase a replacement battery. In the worst case, the smoke alarm is forgotten and the battery is never replaced, which can be life threatening. In fact, in houses equipped with smoke alarms, death events occur due to fire or smoke inhalation, while the batteries of these smoke alarms have been removed and never replaced.

The 9V batteries typically used with battery powered smoke alarms may be left on retail shelves for months or even years before purchase. Over time, batteries lose performance due to current leakage and general degradation of the battery cells, even though the battery remains in its original package and has never been used. With battery powered smoke alarms, the older battery may result in a shortened service life. This can cause the inconvenience of having to replace the batteries more frequently.

Older or defective batteries can also cause "false alarms" in which a smoke alarm sounds even if no smoke is present. False alarms can be extremely frustrating because occupants may unjustly evacuate a building at any time of day or night, but find no threat. Smoke alarms that emit multiple false positives are often ignored by occupants and can delay critical responses when a true smoke threat exists. In some cases, the user will remove the battery from the smoke alarm giving a false alarm, thereby removing protection from the occupants of the building and endangering them in the event of a real smoke or fire event.

An alternative to battery powered smoke alarms is to use a long life battery, such as a lithium battery. Such long life batteries are typically available for 10 years and are sealed within the smoke alarm. A user cannot service a smoke alarm powered by a sealed, long-life battery, and the battery is not replaceable.

In contrast, other smoke alarms are hard wired to the mains supply. Most countries deliver mains electricity in the range of 220V to 240V. A few countries deliver mains electricity in the range of 100V to 127V. Mains electricity smoke alarms must be connected by a licensed electrician to prevent electrical shock hazards. Mains power smoke alarms rely on a steady supply of power from a power supplier. Mains powered smoke alarms are often equipped with a short-life backup battery intended to power the smoke alarm for a short period of time until mains power is restored, as the power supply may be cut off during storms and maintenance, resulting in a power outage.

Due to the presence of both battery-powered smoke alarms and mains-powered smoke alarms, stores and installers are often required to carry both types of smoke alarms. This may result in an increase in inventory.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide an improved smoke alarm.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present disclosure relates to a smoke alarm with connectivity for dual primary power sources.

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a smoke alarm comprising:

a mains power connection adapted to be coupled to a mains supply;

a long life battery located in the sealed chamber;

a microcontroller;

a smoke detector coupled to the microcontroller to generate a trigger when the smoke detector detects smoke;

a power supply selector for selecting between the mains supply and the long-life battery to supply power to the microcontroller based on the presence of the mains supply; and

a buzzer for sounding an alarm when the microcontroller is triggered by the smoke detector detecting the presence of smoke.

In some embodiments, the smoke detector is at least one of an ionized smoke detector and a photoelectric smoke detector.

In some embodiments, the smoke alarm further comprises:

a first light associated with the mains power connection; and

a second light associated with the long life battery;

wherein the first light is illuminated when the smoke detector is coupled to mains power, an

Wherein the second light is illuminated when the smoke detector is powered by the long life battery and is not coupled to mains power.

In some embodiments, the first and second lights are Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). In some embodiments, the first light and the second light are different colors. In some embodiments, the first light is illuminated in a preset flashing sequence. In some embodiments, the second light is illuminated in a preset flashing sequence.

In some embodiments, the long life battery is a lithium battery.

In some embodiments, the long life battery is capable of powering the smoke detector for at least 10 years.

In some embodiments, the smoke alarm further comprises:

a housing defining a chamber in which the long life battery is located, wherein the chamber is covered by a lid to form the sealed chamber.

In some embodiments, the cover is secured to the housing using at least one of clips, lugs, threads, fasteners, and adhesives.

In some embodiments, the power supply selector comprises a fixed voltage regulator that:

outputting a higher voltage than the long life battery when mains power is coupled with the mains power connection; and

outputting a zero voltage when mains power is not coupled to the mains power connection.

In some embodiments, the power supply selector further comprises a reverse biased diode to prevent current flow from the long life battery when mains power is coupled to the smoke detector.

In some embodiments, the smoke alarm further comprises:

a Radio Frequency (RF) module coupled to the microcontroller, wherein the RF module is configured to transmit a wireless radio frequency signal when the microcontroller is triggered by the smoke detector.

In some embodiments, the smoke alarm further comprises:

a connection circuit for coupling the smoke detector to a remote smoke alarm, wherein the smoke detector sends an activation signal to the remote smoke alarm through the connection circuit upon a trigger generated by the smoke detector upon detection of smoke.

In some embodiments, when the smoke detector triggers the microcontroller, the microcontroller outputs a preset buzzer frequency to the buzzer.

In some embodiments, the smoke alarm further comprises a third light which illuminates when the microcontroller is triggered by the smoke detector detecting the presence of smoke. In some embodiments, the third light is a red LED that emits light by periodically flashing at a preset frequency.

Other aspects of the disclosure are also provided.

Drawings

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of specific examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic block diagram representative of a smoke alarm having dual primary power supplies;

figure 2 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of a smoke alarm with dual primary power supplies;

FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram of a microcontroller suitable for use in the circuit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a lead-out diagram of a smoke detector suitable for use in the circuit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram for illuminating the circuitry of the different visual indicators of a smoke alarm having dual primary power sources;

FIG. 6 is a drop-out diagram of an RF integrated circuit suitable for use with the circuit of FIG. 2 to implement the RF module 170 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a line drawing of a buzzer booster; and is

Fig. 8 is a key of the circuit of fig. 2.

Method steps or features in the figures having the same reference numerals are considered to have the same function or operation unless expressed or implied to the contrary.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure provides a smoke alarm with dual primary power supply connectivity. Smoke alarms are equipped to receive power from one of two main power sources: (i) a mains power connection; (ii) A sealed long life battery to provide power to the smoke detector. A long life battery is a battery suitable for providing 10 years of power to a smoke alarm, 10 years being the standard life of a smoke alarm due to the life of the smoke detector. Providing a smoke alarm with two primary power sources enables a user to use the smoke alarm throughout the 10 year (or longer) life of the smoke detector without having to replace batteries or handle low battery noise and false alarms.

The smoke alarm includes a fixed voltage regulator which controls power from a long life battery when the smoke alarm is not connected to the mains supply or from the mains supply when the smoke alarm is connected to the mains supply.

A smoke alarm equipped with dual mains power connections, one of which is a sealed long life battery, provides a single product that can be used in both commercial and residential settings without the need to inspect or replace short life commercial batteries.

Furthermore, such a smoke alarm provides a safer environment, as the smoke alarm will continue to operate at least during the life of a long-life battery, regardless of whether the smoke alarm is also connected to the mains supply. In large environmental disasters such as storms, cyclones, hurricanes, landslides, earthquakes, etc., mains electricity can be interrupted for days, weeks, months or even years. In the event that a smoke alarm is attached to the mains supply and the supply is interrupted, the long-life battery ensures that the smoke alarm will continue to be supplied until the mains supply is restored.

Furthermore, by providing a smoke alarm that can be activated as a mains-powered smoke alarm or a battery-powered smoke alarm, suppliers and installers need only stock a single type of smoke alarm.

In some embodiments, the smoke alarm includes a plurality of lights, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), that illuminate to indicate which power source is operating. To aid in identification, the lights may be different colors, such that a first light associated with the mains power and a second light associated with the battery are of different colors. In one embodiment, the first light is a blue LED and the second light is a red LED. It should be understood that any color may be used depending on the application.

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram representing a smoke alarm 100 with dual mains power connectivity. The smoke alarm 100 comprises a mains power input circuit 110 which provides a mains power interface for connecting the smoke alarm 100 to mains power. The mains power is typically an Alternating Current (AC) in the range of 220V to 240V and at a frequency of between 50Hz and 60 Hz. As mentioned above, a few countries provide mains electricity in the range of 100V to 127V. The mains power interface may take different forms depending on the application and local regulations. For example, the mains power interface may be implemented using a plug that plugs into the mains supply, a socket that receives a plug connected to the mains supply, or a wire connected by an electrician to the mains supply.

The smoke alarm 100 also includes a long life battery 130. The long life battery 130 is sealed to prevent tampering and ensure the integrity of the smoke alarm 100. In some embodiments, the long life battery 130 is located in a sealed compartment of the housing of the smoke alarm 100. In some embodiments, long life battery 130 is sealed during manufacture as a result of a cover being attached to the housing, where the cover is not designed to be removed from the housing. In some embodiments, the lid is secured to the housing using engagement clips, lugs, threads, fasteners, adhesives, or any combination thereof. The fasteners may include, for example, screws, such as cross screws, box screws, or tamper-resistant screws. The long life battery 130 may be implemented using any suitable battery that can provide 10 years of power to the smoke alarm 100. Suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries.

Both the mains power input circuit 110 and the long life battery 130 are connected to a power supply selector 120, the power supply selector 120 controlling whether the long life battery 120 is used to provide power to the smoke alarm 100 based on whether mains power is connected to the mains power input circuit 110. In one embodiment, the power supply selector 120 uses a fixed voltage regulator that outputs 3.3V when the mains power is connected to the mains power input circuit 110 and 0V when the mains power is not connected to the mains power input circuit 110.

The power selector 120 also utilizes a diode to which a long-life battery 130 is coupled. The output of the long-life battery 120 is 3V, and the long-life battery 120 is supplied with power through a diode. When mains power is coupled to the mains power input circuit 110, the mains power is reduced to 12V, fed through the safety metering capacitor C2 and the regulator ZD2 and supplied to the fixed voltage regulator U1 which outputs 3.3V. Since 3.3V is greater than the 3V output of the long-life battery 120, the diode is reverse biased during the time that mains power is present, so power flows from mains power through the mains power input circuit 110, rather than from the long-life battery 120 through the mains power input circuit 110. Conversely, when mains power is not coupled to the mains power input circuit 110, the fixed voltage regulator outputs 0V, causing the diode to be forward biased and current to flow from the long life battery 130 through the fuse F1 and the switching diode D6.

The use of a power supply selector 120 of the type shown in figure 2 is in contrast to the circuitry of existing mains-powered smoke alarms having a short-life backup battery, in which the mains power is connected in parallel to the short-life backup battery, so that the mains power can be used to charge the backup battery. The diode D6 of the power selector 120 of fig. 2 prevents mains power from charging the long-life battery 120, while allowing the long-life battery 120 to provide power to the smoke detector 200 when mains power is not present.

The smoke alarm 100 further comprises a microcontroller 150, a buzzer 140 and a smoke detector 160. The power output from the power selector 120 is supplied to the microcontroller 150. The smoke detector 160 detects the presence of smoke and, upon detecting the presence of smoke, the smoke detector 160 activates the microcontroller 150. Upon activation by the smoke detector 160, the microcontroller 150 activates the buzzer 140 to sound an audible alarm. Depending on the implementation, the microcontroller may also issue a visual alarm, such as activating a light. The lamp may be, for example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

The smoke detector 160 may be implemented using an ionizing smoke detector of a small amount of radioactive material placed between two charged capacitive plates. The radioactive material ionizes the air between the plates, enabling an electric current to flow between the two plates. When smoke is present, it disturbs the flow of ionized air between the plates, causing the current between the plates to be reduced or interrupted, thereby triggering an alarm.

In an alternative arrangement, the smoke detector 160 is implemented using a photoelectric smoke detector that utilizes a light source remote from the sensor within the detection chamber. When smoke is present, the light scatters upon impact with smoke particles, causing the light to strike the sensor and then trigger an alarm.

In another alternative arrangement, the smoke detector 160 utilizes a combination of an ionizing smoke detector and a photoelectric smoke detector. While this combination requires more space within the smoke alarm 100 and creates additional cost, the combination of an ionizing smoke detector and a photoelectric smoke detector provides a higher level of protection because ionizing smoke detectors are generally more sensitive to flames, while photoelectric smoke detectors are generally more sensitive to smoldering fires.

The smoke alarm 100 in the example of fig. 1 optionally includes a Radio Frequency (RF) module 170 coupled to the microcontroller 150. The RF module 170 is used to transmit wireless radio frequency signals to RF modules on other smoke alarms, thereby providing a smoke alarm network. When the associated smoke detector detects the presence of smoke and activates any one of the smoke alarms, the RF module sends a wireless alarm signal to activate the other smoke alarms. A smoke alarm network is operated to provide a safer environment by issuing an alarm to occupants within range of any smoke alarm (not just the smoke alarm that performs the initial detection of smoke). Thus, the occupant may have more time to react to the presence of smoke.

The smoke alarm 100 optionally includes a connection circuit 190 for coupling the smoke alarm 100 to a remote smoke alarm using a wired connection. As described above with reference to the RF module 170, the connection circuitry 190 enables the smoke alarms to communicate with each other to trigger the connected alarms and thus provide an early warning to a wider area.

Figure 2 is a circuit diagram 200 of one embodiment of a smoke alarm with dual primary power supplies. The circuit diagram 200 includes a mains power input circuit 110, a power selector 120 and a sealed long-life battery 130.

The mains power input circuit 110 comprises a coupling AC1 to which mains power can be connected. The coupling AC1 comprises a pin 1 for connecting to live wire, a pin 2 for connecting to neutral wire and a pin 3 for wired interconnection to a remote smoke alarm. In the example of fig. 2, the smoke alarm 100 includes a connection circuit 190 to enable the smoke alarm to be coupled to other smoke alarms. The connection circuit 190 is coupled to an I/O connection point on the circuit and enables other smoke alarms to be physically coupled to the smoke alarm of figure 2 by a wired connection. By physically interconnecting the smoke alarms, a single smoke alarm can trigger other smoke alarms, thereby giving an alarm over a larger area.

The connection circuit 190 is coupled to an I/O connection point, which in turn is connected to pin 3 of AC1. When a remote smoke alarm physically connected to the connection circuit 190 detects the presence of smoke and activates, it sends 3V to the I/O connection point and then 3V to pin 3 of AC1. The I/O connection point is also coupled to an I/O pin of the microcontroller, an example of which is discussed below with reference to fig. 3, to activate a buzzer for the local smoke alarm. Conversely, when a smoke alarm implemented using the circuit 200 of fig. 2 detects the presence of smoke, pin 3 of AC1 will send a 3V activation signal through the I/O connection to any remote smoke alarms physically connected to the connection circuit to activate those remote smoke alarms.

The power supply selector 120 is implemented using a fixed voltage regulator in the form of an integrated circuit model HT7533-3 manufactured by Holtek Semiconductor inc. As described above with respect to FIG. 1, integrated circuit HT7533-3 receives as input any voltage applied to the mains power input circuit 110. If the mains power is coupled to the mains power input circuit 110, then HT7533-3 outputs +3.3V. If the mains power is not coupled to the mains power input circuit 110, then HT7533-3 outputs 0V. The output from the long life battery 130 is provided through a fuse F1 to a diode labeled D6. If HT7533-3 outputs 3.3V, then the diode is reverse biased and no current flows from long life battery 130. If HT7533-3 outputs 0V, then current flows from long-life battery 130. Thus, VCC is 3V when powered by the long-life battery 130 without connection to mains power, and 3.3V when powered by mains power coupled to the mains power input circuit 110.

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram of a microcontroller 300 suitable for use in the circuit 200 of fig. 2. In the example of fig. 3, microcontroller 300 is implemented using an integrated circuit model BA45F5240-2 1696OP, which is a smoke detector flash memory microcontroller unit produced by Holtek Semiconductor Inc. The microcontroller 300 is coupled to the circuit 200 of fig. 2 according to the tag on the pin of the microcontroller 300. Table 1 shows the connections to the pins of microcontroller 300.

TABLE 1

In the various circuit diagrams shown in the attached documents, points B +1, B-1, VCC, GND, PA0, PA2, BI _ P1, and BI _ N1 are all pads for testing and programming. These pads are therefore optional and do not play any role during operation of the smoke alarm 100.

Figure 4 is a drawing of a lead-out line of a smoke detector 400 suitable for use in the circuit 200 of figure 2. Smoke detector 400 includes a photodetector using an infrared emitting diode D7 and an infrared receiving tube D8, the infrared receiving tube D8 being connected to pin 3 (A0 PI) and pin 4 (A0 NI) of microcontroller 300 of fig. 3. In the absence of smoke, receiver tube D8 receives a strong signal from D7. When smoke is present, it interferes with the transmission of infrared signals from D7 to D8. Microcontroller 300 includes an internal analog-to-digital (a/D) converter that processes the received signal from D8 and detects the presence of smoke when the received signal at D8 is below a preset threshold. Upon detecting the presence of smoke, the controller 300 activates a buzzer connected to pin 12 and a red LED connected to pin 10.

Figure 5 is a circuit diagram for illuminating the circuitry of the different visual indicators of a smoke alarm having two primary power sources to provide an indication to a user of the power status of the smoke alarm having two primary power sources. In the example of figure 5, the smoke alarm is provided with a set of visual indicators in the form of blue LEDs 510, red LEDs 520 and green LEDs 180 in the mains circuit of figure 1. Various combinations of visual indicators may be activated to indicate different states of the alarm. In particular, the different visual indicators may be illuminated according to respective preset flashing sequences. The preset flashing sequence may include permanently on, permanently off, periodically emitting light at a preset frequency, or periodically emitting light in a preset sequence of flashes on and off.

In one embodiment, the state of the smoke alarm is as shown in table 2 below.

TABLE 2

In the example of fig. 5, when the smoke detector detects the presence of smoke, a smoke alarm is triggered (i.e., "activated"). Upon triggering, the smoke alarm will sound a visual and audible alarm. Visual and audible alerts can be customized for a particular application. However, there are various standards for audio and visual alarms.

In some embodiments, the smoke alarm is configured to operate in accordance with the standard defined by ISO 8201. In these embodiments, the triggered smoke alarm emits visual and audible alarms following the sequence defined by ISO8201, where a buzzer within the smoke alarm plays three repeating sequences of 500 ms audible tones at 500 ms intervals followed by a 1.5 second mute. Each tone is accompanied by a flashing of the red LED 520. In the example of fig. 5, when the smoke alarm is not yet activated, the red LED520 blinks for 5ms every 50 seconds during normal operation to indicate that the smoke alarm is operating using mains electricity, but without distracting the occupants. It should be appreciated that other frequencies and duration periods may be implemented as well, depending on the implementation.

In some scenarios, smoke alarms within a facility are coupled to each other. Coupling between smoke alarms may be achieved using a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination thereof. For example, some smoke alarms are equipped with a Radio Frequency (RF) module for wireless communication with other similarly equipped smoke alarms. When a first smoke alarm detects the presence of smoke and is activated, the first smoke alarm sends a trigger signal to the other smoke alarms coupled thereto. Those other smoke alarms also emit the same audible alarm as the audible alarm emitted by the first smoke alarm but do not activate the red LED to flash. Thus, the occupant receives an audible alarm regarding the presence of smoke, and the presence or absence of a flashing red LED provides an indication of the location where smoke is detected.

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of an RF transceiver integrated circuit 600 suitable for use with the circuit 200 of fig. 2 to implement the RF module 170 of fig. 1. In the example of FIG. 6, the RF integrated circuit 600 is implemented using a low RX current FSK/GFSK RF transceiver manufactured by Holtek, model number BC3602 Sub-1 GHx. RF transceiver IC 600 may be used to couple smoke alarm 100 to other smoke alarms that are also equipped with a suitable RF transceiver.

In some embodiments, the RF integrated circuit 600 includes a pairing function that enables the first smoke alarm to be wirelessly paired with one or more other remote smoke alarms. During the pairing operation, one smoke alarm sends a wireless transmission including the unique identifier of the transmitting smoke alarm to the receiving smoke alarm, which responds by sending its own unique identifier. Paired smoke alarms are capable of sending and receiving data to and from each other. When smoke alarms are paired with each other, the smoke alarms may choose to flash one or more lights (e.g., LEDs) in a predetermined manner to indicate that pairing is in progress and to confirm that pairing has been successfully completed. In some embodiments, the RF circuit 600 transmits a unique identifier associated with the smoke alarm in which the RF circuit 600 is installed, and the smoke alarms receiving the RF transmission only act on messages that include identifiers of smoke alarms paired with those smoke alarms. As described herein, smoke alarms that are coupled to each other by a wired or wireless connection may be used to provide more extensive protection by alerting occupants who are not located close to the location where smoke was initially detected. Early warning is critical to minimize injury to personnel and property.

RF integrated circuit 600 has 8 pins that are connected as shown with reference to circuit 200 of fig. 2 and microcontroller 300 of fig. 3. RF integrated circuit 600 of fig. 6 utilizes a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) interface bus to transmit and receive data between the smoke alarm and other remote smoke alarms with which the smoke alarm is paired. Specifically, pin 1 is connected to VCC, pin 3 is a GIO general input/output pin coupled to pin 9 of microcontroller 300, pin 4 is SDIO coupled to pin 16 of microcontroller 300, pin 5 is SCK/TX and is coupled to pin 15 of microcontroller 300, pin 6 is SCS/RX and is coupled to pin 14 of microcontroller 300, and pin 7 is grounded.

The microcontroller 300 instructs the RF integrated circuit 600 to send an RF signal using the SPI communication pins (SCS, SCK, SDIO) when smoke is detected, and the chip 600 sends a trigger signal to the GIO1 pin of the microcontroller 300 when the RF signal is received, sounding an alarm by activating a buzzer, but not flashing.

Although the circuit 200 of fig. 2 does not show the RF module 170, the RF module 170 may be easily connected to the circuit 200. In some embodiments, circuit 200 includes a coupling to enable RF module 170 to be easily coupled to circuit 200, for example using RF integrated circuit 600, such that the pins of RF integrated circuit 600 are connected to the correct pins of microcontroller 300. Providing such a coupling enables the RF module 170 to be provided as an optional module and easily coupled to the circuit 200. The coupling can be implemented in many different ways. For example, the coupling may be a female coupling for receiving a corresponding male portion of the RF module 170. Rather, the coupling may be a male coupling for receiving a corresponding female portion of the RF module 170.

In some embodiments, a smoke alarm with dual power supplies includes connection circuitry 190 for enabling wired connections to remote smoke alarms and an RF module 170 for wireless connections to other smoke alarms. In other embodiments, the RF module 170 replaces the connection circuitry 190 such that the smoke alarm has wireless connectivity but is not configured for wired connection with other smoke alarms. In other embodiments, the smoke alarm includes only the connection circuitry 190 for making a wired connection to other smoke alarms.

Figure 7 is a drop-out line diagram of buzzer enhancer 700 coupled to pin 12 of microcontroller 300 of figure 3. In the example of fig. 7, the buzzer booster integrated circuit is implemented using a DC010 SOP14 manufactured by don Electronics co. When pin 3 of microcontroller 300 is triggered by smoke detector 400 to activate microcontroller 300, output pin 12 of microcontroller 300 goes high, activating pin 1 of buzzer enhancer 700 to which pin 12 of microcontroller 300 is connected. When the buzzer booster 700 is activated, the buzzer booster 700 emits an audible alarm signal. In the example of fig. 3, microcontroller 300 is programmed to output a frequency on pin 12 for use by buzzer booster 700. Depending on the implementation of the microcontroller, the frequency may be changed by different firmware, for example by flashing an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM). It should be understood that the output frequency may be changed by additional circuitry (not shown) to tailor the frequency to a particular application.

Fig. 8 is a key 800 for the circuit 200 of fig. 2. The key 800 provides a test button by which the low voltage (0V) of the key circuit is tested. When the button of key 800 is pressed, a test alarm is activated. The key node on circuit 800 is coupled to pin 13 of microcontroller 300 and enables the user to test the function of the smoke alarm. When the user presses switch S1 or switch S2, pin 13 is grounded, activating the buzzer of microcontroller 300 to confirm that the smoke alarm is functioning properly. The button can be pressed again to turn off the alarm. In a simpler embodiment, a single toggle switch may be used in place of switches S1 and S2.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The described arrangement is applicable to the electrical industry and the safety industry.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, which is by way of illustration and not of limitation.

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" and its associated grammatical structures means "including primarily but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including" rather than "consisting only of … …". Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprises" and "comprising", have correspondingly different meanings.

As used throughout this specification, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc., to describe a common or related object, indicate that a reference is being made to different instances of those common or related objects, whether in time, space, sequence, or in any other manner, not necessarily to provide or locate the objects so described in a given sequence or order.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," or "embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure.

Although some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

Furthermore, some embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of performing the function. A processor having the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or elements of a method thus forms a means for carrying out the method or elements of a method. Further, the elements of the apparatus embodiments described herein are examples of means for performing the functions performed by the elements for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Note that when a described method includes several elements, e.g., several steps, the order of the elements, e.g., the order of the steps, is not implied unless specifically stated.

The term "coupled" should not be construed as limited to only direct connections. The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other, but may be synonymous with each other. Thus, the scope of the expression "device a coupled to device B" should not be limited to devices or systems in which an input or output of device a is directly connected to an output or input of device B. This means that there is a path between device a and device B, which may be a path including other devices or intermediate apparatuses. Further, "coupled to" does not imply a direction. Thus, the expression "device a is coupled to device B" may be synonymous with the expression "device B is coupled to device a". "coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Claims

1. A smoke alarm, comprising:

a mains power connection adapted to be coupled to a mains supply;

a long-life battery located in the sealed chamber;

a microcontroller;

2. The smoke alarm of claim 1, wherein the smoke detector is at least one of an ionizing smoke detector and a photoelectric smoke detector.

3. The smoke alarm according to any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising:

a first light associated with the mains power connection; and

a second light associated with the long life battery;

4. The smoke alarm of claim 3, wherein the first and second lights are Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

5. A smoke alarm according to claim 3, wherein the first and second lights are different colours.

6. A smoke alarm according to claim 3 wherein the first light is illuminated in a predetermined flashing sequence.

7. A smoke alarm according to claim 3 wherein the second light is illuminated in a predetermined flashing sequence.

8. A smoke alarm according to any one of claims 1-2 wherein the long life battery is a lithium battery.

9. The smoke alarm of any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising:

10. The smoke alarm of claim 9, wherein said cover is secured to said housing using at least one of clips, lugs, threads, fasteners, and adhesives.

11. A smoke alarm according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the power supply selector comprises a fixed voltage regulator which:

12. The smoke alarm of claim 11, wherein the power supply selector further comprises a reverse biased diode to prevent current from flowing from the long life battery when mains power is coupled to the smoke detector.

13. The smoke alarm of any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising:

14. The smoke alarm of any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising:

a connection circuit for coupling the smoke detector to a remote smoke alarm, wherein upon the smoke detector generating a trigger upon detection of smoke, the smoke detector sends an activation signal to the remote smoke alarm via the connection circuit.

15. The smoke alarm of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein when the smoke detector triggers the microcontroller, the microcontroller outputs a preset buzzer frequency to the buzzer.

16. The smoke alarm of any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising:

a third light that illuminates when the microcontroller is triggered by the smoke detector detecting the presence of smoke.

17. The smoke alarm of claim 16, wherein said third light is a red LED that illuminates by periodically flashing at a preset frequency.