EP1988525A2 - Notification device with test mechanism and special key for actuating test mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a housing (2), and a fragile unit e.g. glass plate (4), which closes the housing on both sides to a user and is broken by the user for manual activation of the device. A test mechanism is formed and/or arranged by initiating the testing of a displacement of fragile unit. The mechanism comprises an interface for operable by a special tool stage. A switch unit that issues an alarm during the actuation of the device is directly or indirectly operated by the fragile unit. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a special tool for testing an alarm device (2) a method for break-free testing of a function of an alarm device.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a message device with manual release, in particular a manual call point, with a housing and with a fragile element which closes the housing operator side to the user and which must be broken for manual activation of the reporting device by the user.

Manual call points are components of often complex fire detection systems and allow a user to trigger a fire alarm by manual operation. The manual call points are regulated, for example, in the standard EN 54-11, whereby a distinction is made between a type A and a type B. In type A design, an alarm is triggered by destroying or even moving an element. In the type B type, the manual operation of a trigger element, for example a push button, is additionally required.

A general state of the art to manual fire alarms forms the published patent application DE 198 35 318 A1 which relates to a manually operated type B detector. The detector has a housing with a front view window, behind which an actuating means for triggering a message in the form of a push button is arranged, and additional display means which can give the user different information about the purpose and / or the operating state of the detector.

Disclosure of the invention

In the context of the invention, a reporting device with the features of claim 1 and a special key with the features of claim 14 are optionally proposed in combination with the reporting device. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the subclaims, the following description and the accompanying figures.

According to the invention, a manual release alarm device is proposed, in particular a manual call point indicator and / or a fire push button detector, which is preferably designed in conformity with the standard EN 54-11, in particular with regard to the types A and B with a frangible element. Such signaling devices are used, for example, as components in complex fire detection systems installed in buildings or public places.

The signaling device has a housing which is designed, for example, as a housing lower part with a pivotable door or a housing lower part with a removable cover. The housing is user-terminated with a fragile element. The fragile element is preferably plate-shaped or formed as a plate and in particular made of glass or plastic. In the case of a plastic disc, this preferably has predetermined breaking points, so that these decays into predetermined portions upon manual activation by the user. The signaling device is designed such that upon manual triggering of the signaling device by the user, the fragile element is intentionally broken.

According to the invention, the reporting device has a test mechanism for a nondestructive functional test, in which in particular the fragile element is not destroyed. The test mechanism is embodied and / or arranged in such a way that the functional test comprises a displacement of the fragile element, whereby the signaling device is activated or triggered by the displacement. Preferably, the functional test and the resetting of the signaling device without an exchange of components is possible.

While, with the use of resettable elements, a functional test of the signaling devices can be easily performed by triggering the signaling device and resetting it after tripping, the test becomes a Message device with a frangible element so far, for example, performed by the housing of the reporting device is opened and an actuation of the reporting device is simulated.

In contrast, the invention proposes a test mechanism, which moves the fragile element during the functional test, but without destroying the fragile element, in order to simulate in this way, especially with the housing closed actuation application. Thus, the present invention describes an advantageous message device with a frangible element, which can be tested in a simple manner, but nevertheless offers a high degree of security against intentional or unwanted false tripping.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the test mechanism is designed such that during the functional test the displacement of the frangible element takes place along a plane that is parallel or identical to the surface extension of the frangible element. The direction of displacement of the fragile element is preferably formed perpendicular to the usual operating direction of the signaling device. With this design, the test mechanism can be integrated in a space-saving manner in the housing of the reporting device.

The signaling device preferably has a switching element which emits a message when actuated, wherein the switching element is actuated directly or indirectly by the frangible element. In the former case, the switching element is thus triggered directly by the fragile element, for example by the switching element and the fragile element having a common contact surface. In the second case, the movement of the frangible element is transmitted via at least one intermediate member to the switching element in order to switch or actuate this.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, this intermediate member is formed as a sliding plate, which preferably operates the switching element directly. The sliding plate is slidably disposed in the housing between a normal position - in an unresolved state of the signaling device - and a reporting position - in a triggered state of the signaling device. In the Normal position, the sliding plate is positively held by the fragile element, wherein it is preferably provided that the sliding plate is biased by a weight force or a spring force. Sliding plate and fragile element are coupled in such a way that the sliding plate can be transferred to the reporting position and / or transferred by the displacement of the fragile element.

In a preferred practical realization of the invention, the test mechanism comprises a support block, on which rests the fragile element and controls the displacement, wherein the fragile element preferably rests with a free side edge, in particular linearly on the support block.

In order to achieve the displacement of the fragile element, the support block is movable, in particular displaceable and / or rotatable. In particular, the support block has a normal support surface and a test support surface. If the fragile element lies on the normal support surface, then the optionally existing sliding plate is in the normal position. On the other hand, if the fragile element lies on the test support surface, then the fragile element is already displaced, so that the optionally present sliding plate is arranged in the reporting position. It is particularly preferred if the change of the support surface from the normal support surface to the test support surface can be implemented or implemented by a rotation of the support block, in particular about a rotation axis perpendicular to the surface extension of the fragile element.

In an advantageous and in particular structurally simple embodiment, the support block has a rectangular shape in cross-section or is formed as a rounded rectangle, wherein the normal support surface are arranged on a narrow side and the test support surface on a longitudinal side. This structurally simple embodiment of the invention has the advantage that the fragile element is always kept horizontal in the normal state and in the test state by defined bearing surfaces and / or rests linear. In addition, the particular embodiment of the support block has the advantage that a certain force must be applied to the operation. This is due to the fact that the fragile element is initially deflected against the actual displacement direction, since due to the rotation of the support block, the fragile element is guided over the diagonal or the corner region of the support block.

In a further development of the invention, the support block must be rotated and moved for testing, with accidentally triggered by the combined sliding / rotary motion is almost impossible.

To operate the test mechanism, it is preferred that it has a mechanical interface which can be actuated exclusively by a special key section, whereas an actuation by standard tools is blocked or prevented. This mechanical interface can be designed, for example, as an oval opening with a central retaining mandrel, so that the test mechanism can only be triggered by the special key section adapted to it, but triggering by, for example, a screwdriver etc. is not possible.

An optional, further protection against intentional false tripping, so in particular against vandalism, is given by the fact that the mechanical interface is secured by a cap, wherein the cap and / or the reporting device has a closure or together form the intended purpose only with a another special key section is open. In this case, the cap can be either completely removable or hinged to the housing of the reporting device, so that it can be swung away. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure comprises in particular two receiving openings in the housing, in which two nose-shaped extensions of the further special key section can engage in order to pry off the covering cap.

Another object of the invention relates to a special key, which has the special key portion and the other special key portion, wherein the portions are designed to serve the interface of the test mechanism or the closure of the cap as intended.

Optionally, the signaling device is convertible, wherein the sliding plate has projections which are designed to interact positively with a resettable element, which is used instead of the frangible element, so that an actuation of the resettable element to a displacement of the sliding plate from the normal position into a Message position leads. In particular, for a reset of the sliding plate, but optionally also for the mounting of the fragile element, the Special key on a third special key section, which is designed as a push rod. Message device and special key are adapted to each other that the third special key portion is inserted through a housing opening in the particular closed housing and causes a displacement of the sliding plate against the displacement direction.

Another object of the invention relates to a method for non-destructive testing of the function of the reporting device according to the features of independent claim 16.

Brief description of the drawings

Figur 1

eine schematische, dreidimensionale Draufsicht schräg von vorne auf einen Handfeuermelder als ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Figur 2

eine schematische, dreidimensionale Draufsicht schräg von vorne in den geöffneten Handfeuermelder in Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine ähnliche Ansicht wie in Figur 2 in den Handfeuermelder während der Betätigung des Testmechanismus;

Figur 4

den geschlossenen Handfeuermelder in gleicher Darstellung wie in der Figur 1 mit abgenommener Abdeckkappe;

Figur 5

den geschlossenen Handfeuermelder in Figur 1 in gleicher Darstellung mit angesetztem Spezialschlüssel für ein Öffnen der Abdeckkappe.

Further features, advantages and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures of a preferred embodiment. Showing:

FIG. 1

a schematic, three-dimensional plan view obliquely from the front of a manual call point as an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2

a schematic, three-dimensional plan view obliquely from the front in the open manual call point in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3

a similar view as in FIG. 2 in the manual call point during the operation of the test mechanism;

FIG. 4

the closed manual call point in the same representation as in the FIG. 1 with removed cap;

FIG. 5

the closed manual call point in FIG. 1 in the same representation with attached special key for opening the cap.

Corresponding parts or sizes are provided in the figures with corresponding or identical reference numerals.

Embodiment (s) of the invention

The FIG. 1 shows in a schematic three-dimensional view obliquely from the front of a manual call point 1, which may for example be part of a complex fire alarm system. The manual call point detector 1 comprises a housing 2, which in plan view shows a square or rectangular basic shape and in the edge side a cover cap 3 and in the middle a glass plate 4 is arranged. The glass plate 4 covers from the inside of the housing 2 from a front window 5 of the housing, which has a rectangular basic shape, wherein the height of the window 5 between one third and half the height of the housing 2 makes up and the width of the window 5 to projecting edge strip extends over the entire width of the housing 2.

To trigger the manual call point 1, the glass pane 4 must be broken by application of force, already breaking the glass plate 4 is sufficient to trigger the manual call point 1. Optionally, to acknowledge the tripping occurred within the housing 2 in areas 6, e.g. are formed as windows and / or normentsprechende symbols or pictograms, the background color, as will be explained in detail later. Thus, the manual fire detector 1 is in the untreated state with a arranged behind the glass 4 homogeneous background and in the tripped state by color highlighted areas 6. In addition, by striking the glass 4 a arranged inside the housing 2 switching element (not shown) triggered, which sends an electrical signal.

The FIG. 2 shows a schematic three-dimensional view into the housing 2 of the manual call point 1, wherein a lower housing part 7, which is for example formed as an integrally molded injection molded part, can be seen with a plurality of functional components used. At the observer facing the front of the housing base 7 this is completed by the glass 4, which has a rectangular basic shape and is held laterally via fastening clips 8. The manual call point detector 1 also has a sliding plate 9, which is arranged parallel to the glass plate 4 in the interior of the housing. The sliding plate 9 is slidably mounted between a normal position and a reporting position along the direction of arrow 10. The normal position corresponds to the unreleased state of the manual call point detector 1, whereas the message position corresponds to the tripped state. To implement the shift between normal position and message position the manual call point 1, a spring device 11, which biases the slide plate 9 in the direction 10.

In the normal position, the sliding plate 9 is, however, with a strip-like extension 12 on a side edge, in FIG. 2 on the lower edge of the glass pane 4, so that the sliding movement is positively locked. On the opposite side edge of the glass sheet 4, in FIG. 2 the upper edge, the glass plate 4 with the narrow side 13 of a support block 14 in Appendix. In summary, the sliding plate 9 is supported in the displacement direction 10 via the strip-like shoulder 12 at the lower edge of the glass plate 4, wherein the glass plate 4 is supported in the same direction with the upper edge on the narrow side 13 of the support block 14.

In a transition from the unresolved state in the tripped state, the glass plate 4 is destroyed as a fragile element by force, both the positive connection between the glass plate 4 and support block 14 and the positive connection between the sliding plate 9 and glass plate 4 is repealed. As a result of the reversed positive connection, the sliding plate 9 shifts under the action of force of the spring means 11 in the sliding direction 10 and changes from the normal position to the reporting position. In this change, a switching element, not shown, which is designed for example as a microswitch, actuated and deposited a message and optionally at the same time changed the background of the areas 6 color.

To carry out a functional test to check the functionality of the manual call point 1 or its connection in a fire alarm system, the manual call point 1 can be dismantled or opened and the switching element, not shown, manually triggered. After this procedure, however, is not completely ruled out that the manual call point 1 is inoperative during subsequent assembly, the points in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown hand fire detector 1 a test mechanism that allows a test of the manual call point 1 without opening the housing 2 and without destroying the glass plate 4. The test mechanism is realized in that the support block 14 is mounted rotatably and optionally displaceable and can be operated with the housing 2 closed.

The FIG. 3 shows the manual fire detector 1 in a test-release, wherein the glass plate 4, in contrast to the preceding figures diagrammatically transparent is shown. For this purpose, the support block 14 is rotated about a centrally disposed axis of rotation perpendicular to the surface extension of the glass plate 4, so that the glass plate 4 rests in the final state on a longitudinal side 15 of the support block 14. Optionally, a displacement against the displacement direction 10 to solve a lock is necessary to unlock the support block 14, so that a deliberate false triggering of the manual call point 1 is made difficult by unauthorized persons. Due to the bias of the sliding plate 9, the glass plate 4 is offset in the sliding direction 10 together with the sliding plate 9, wherein the sliding plate 9, the switching element, not shown, is triggered. Advantageous in the execution of the support block 14 with a rectangular basic shape with rounded corners, it is that both in the normal state when resting on the narrow side 13 and in the test state when resting on the longitudinal side 15, the glass plate 4 is supported in each case by the support block parallel to the overlying edge , In addition, it is necessary in the transition from the normal state to the test state of the support block 14 that an actuation resistance due to the corner regions of the support block 14 must be overcome, since first the glass 4 and the slide plate 9 must be moved against the direction of displacement 10.

As is clear from the FIG. 4 results in the hand fire detector 1 in the same representation as in FIG. 1 shows, but with removed cap 3, the support block 14 from outside the housing 2 is actuated. For this purpose, the support block 14 has a mechanical interface 16, which is formed as an oval or elliptical recess with a central mandrel in the support block 14 and via a slot-like or oval opening 17 which is arranged in the housing 2 behind the cover plate 3 is reachable. Due to the special design of the mechanical interface 16 ensures that a test-release can only be achieved by a special tool, which has a matched to the mechanical interface 16 functional section, and not, for example, with a commercially available screwdriver. This measure complicates a deliberate false triggering of the manual call point 1 by unauthorized persons.

To further protect against a desired false triggering the cap 3 and the housing 2 is secured with a closure, which is also open only with a special tool. The shutter has two receiving openings 18, which are arranged on the upper edge of the window 5 and the beginning of Form guide channels. The guide channels extend in the course initially protected within the housing 2 and are open in an area below the cap 3 to the outside. The guide channels allow the insertion of angled, nose-like domes of a special tool, wherein the end portions of the nose-like dome extend to the outwardly open areas. By a pivoting movement of the dome to support points, which are each arranged in the protected area of the guide channels, the cap 3 can be levered.

In the FIG. 5 Such a special tool 19 is shown, which engages with the angled, nose-like, parallel to each other arranged domes 20 in the receiving openings 18, so that by means of a lifting movement, the cap 3 can be levered.

The special tool 19 has at one end the dome 20 as functional elements for levering the cap 3. At another end, a special key 21 for actuating the support block 14 is formed with a correspondingly adapted, oval cross section with a central recess. At a third end, the special tool 19 on a push rod 22, which is adapted to move the slide plate 9 from the reporting position to the normal position, as shown in the FIG. 3 is shown.

Claims (15)

Signaling device (1) with manual release, in particular manual call point,
with a housing (2)
and with a frangible element (3) which closes the housing (2) to the user on the user side and which must be broken by the user for the manual triggering of the reporting device (1),
marked by
a test mechanism (14) for a nondestructive functional test of the signaling device (1), wherein the test mechanism (14) is formed and / or arranged to trigger by a displacement of the frangible element (4), the reporting device (1) testing. Message device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the test mechanism (14) is adapted to move the fragile element (4) in the plane of its surface extension or in a plane parallel to its surface extension. Signaling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a switching element which emits a message when actuated, wherein the switching element is actuated directly or indirectly by the frangible element (4). Signaling device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by a sliding plate (9) which actuates the switching element and which is arranged in the housing (2) displaceable between a normal position and a reporting position, wherein the sliding plate (9) in the normal position by the fragile Element (4) is held positively and by the displacement of the fragile element (4) can be transferred to the reporting position. Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the test mechanism comprises a support block (14) for controlling the displacement on which the frangible element (4) rests. Message device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the support block (14) is movable, in particular displaceable and / or rotatable, wherein the movement of the support block (14), the displacement of the frangible element is effected. Signaling device (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the support block (14) has a normal support surface (13) and a test support surface (15), wherein by a rotation of the support block (14) the fragile element (4) of a support on the normal support surface (13) is transferred to a support on the test support surface (15). Signaling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support block (14) has a rectangular cross-section, wherein the normal support surface (13) on a narrow side and the test support surface (15) is arranged on a longitudinal side. Message device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support block (14) has to be rotated and moved for testing. Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the test mechanism (14) has an interface (16) which can be actuated exclusively by a special key section (21) as intended. Signaling device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the interface (16) for actuating the test mechanism and / or the support block (14) is formed as an oval-shaped opening with an internal mandrel. Signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the interface (16) is protected by a cap (3), wherein the cap (3) is secured by a closure, which intended only by another special key section ( 20) is operable. Special key (19) designed for testing the signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and optionally in combination with it, characterized by a first special key section (21) for actuating the interface (16) of the test mechanism (14) and with a second special key portion (20) for actuating the closure of the cap (3). A special key (19) according to claim 14, characterized by a third special key portion (21), wherein the third special key portion (21) is complementary to an opening in the housing (2) adapted to the third special key portion (2 ) against a displacement direction (10) in the housing (2) can be inserted to move the sliding plate (9) against the displacement direction (10). Method for non-destructive testing of the function of a signaling device (1) with manual triggering, in particular a signaling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, with a special key (19), in particular a special key (19) according to one of claims 14 or 15, wherein an interface (16) of a test mechanism (14) of the signaling device (1) is actuated by means of a first special key section (21) of the special key (19), and a closure of an interface (16) of the test mechanism (14) is actuated by means of a second special key section (20) ) protective cap (3) is actuated.

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