EP3417433B1 - Modular multi-sensor fire- and/or spark detector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a modular multi-sensor fire alarm and a fire alarm system with the same.

Fire detectors and spark detectors are used in a generally known manner in order to monitor objects such as machines, manufacturing processes, gas turbines, warehouses, etc. for the occurrence of fire hazards. This is done by using sensors to detect risk parameters, so-called fire or spark parameters. Fire alarm systems are known from the prior art, in which one or more fire alarms are installed in a room or in an area to be monitored. If the sensors installed in the fire detectors detect the respective fire parameter, they send an alarm signal to an alarm signal receiving device. According to the invention, this is understood to mean, for example, a gas detection control panel, a spark detection control panel, a fire alarm control panel and/or extinguishing control panel, a control panel for controlling non-extinguishing functions (e.g. for shutting down systems, for operating shut-off devices for material or energy flows, for opening and closing material discharge flaps) and the like .

According to the invention, a fire detector is understood to be a detector for detecting fire and/or hazard parameters and for detecting sparks, fire parameters and/or hazard parameters being in particular electromagnetic Radiation, aerosols (in particular smoke aerosols), temperatures, gas concentrations, gas compositions and/or changes in the concentration of certain gaseous components of fire gases, thermal decomposition products, toxic or combustible gases are understood.

So-called two-stage systems are known, in which the fire detector is arranged in the danger area, while the alarm signal receiving device is positioned at another location, sometimes far away.

The document DE 10 2006 055 617 A1 relates to the fire protection of technical systems and system buildings, in particular a fire alarm system. The fire alarm system includes a fire alarm control panel coupled with various sensors for detecting environmental conditions. The sensors are a danger area to detect dangers and their sizes. The sensors represent fire detectors, for example. The fire alarm control panel is not located in or near the danger area, but is placed at a different location, for example in a different room. The document DE 198 45 553 C2 relates to a fire detector with a sensor system, which is formed from various sensors and with a control and evaluation device. The fire detector sends an evaluated fire alarm signal to a fire alarm control panel via a bus interface.

The document EP 1 052 607 A1 discloses a method and a device for parameterizing a security system. The security system includes a control center from which several hazard detectors, such as fire or intrusion detectors, are connected via a detector bus. The control panel is parameterized via a PC connected to the interface of the control panel via a communication connection.

U.S. 2013/0315605 A1 refers to a security system such as a fire alarm system within a building. The system has a large number of detectors that are connected to one another or coupled to one another via a network. Each of the fire alarm sensors is registered in the fire alarm system and registered accordingly. If a sensor is replaced, the newly installed sensor is reconfigured in the system in order to at least be able to localize it in the fire alarm system.

Multi-sensor fire detectors are also known, in which several sensors are permanently installed in a housing together with an evaluation unit. The disadvantage here is that if one component fails, for example one of the sensors, the entire detector has to be replaced and no monitoring can take place for this period of time. The area of application of such detectors is also very limited.

U.S. 4,839,527 A relates to a detection device having a plurality of detection cells interconnected by a plurality of fiber optic cables. U.S. 2001/0241877 A1 refers to an evacuation system with multiple sensor nodes, each of which includes multiple sensors and an evaluation unit integrated in the sensor node.

In order to carry out the necessary technical functions, evaluation electronics are installed in addition to the pure sensors in a fire alarm according to the state of the art. Since fire detectors have to be installed in or at least very close to the danger area in order to be able to reliably guarantee danger detection, the fire detectors have to meet high safety requirements and environmental requirements, for example with regard to their suitability for use in potentially explosive areas (ignition protection), their resistance to high temperatures, electromagnetic radiation, or tightness against fluid ingress (gaseous or liquid). Depending on the working environment, the fire detectors must also be protected against dust.

Accommodating the fire detectors in housings that are classified as safe requires a great deal of effort in terms of design and formal approval.

Furthermore, not just one, but several potential sources of danger have to be monitored in certain rooms, or more than one fire detector is necessary in order to be able to reliably determine the occurrence of a dangerous event. The latter is known in the prior art as multi-pointer dependency. A first detector reports a hazard that a second detector of the same or different type must first verify before concluding that there is a risk of fire and/or sparks can be. In the prior art, this analysis of the signals from a number of detectors is carried out by the alarm signal receiving device, which requires a great deal of effort there. In addition, the complexity of installing such a multi-detector system and its coordination with the alarm signal receiving device is perceived as disadvantageous. This applies in particular in complex objects to be monitored with a large number of areas to be monitored and a correspondingly large number of detectors.

Against this background, the invention was based on the object of specifying a fire detector which overcomes the disadvantages found in the prior art as far as possible. In particular, the invention was based on the object of specifying a fire detector which, with low system costs, offers an undiminished high level of protection for the sensors against environmental influences in the danger zones. Furthermore, the invention was based in particular on the object of specifying a fire alarm that can be installed in fire alarm systems with little effort and, above all, can be retrofitted, serviced and repurposed for detecting other risk parameters. In addition, the invention was based in particular on the object of proposing a fire detector that can be handled flexibly with regard to its installation and, in particular, can be installed in particularly cramped conditions, such as in the object protection of machine tools.

The invention solves the problem on which it is based by proposing a modular multi-sensor fire detector according to claim 1 .

The invention accordingly makes use of the knowledge that the protection of the sensor head, which is arranged directly in the danger area, has a higher priority than the protection of the evaluation unit, which does not necessarily have to be arranged in the danger area. According to the invention, following this approach, the sensor heads are spatially separated from the evaluation unit. This has several advantages: On the one hand, the sensor heads allow for a much more compact design than the prior art due to their separation from the evaluation unit and they can be installed in places where conventional detectors cannot be used. On the other hand, the flexibility of use and maintainability increase; the evaluation unit, which is locally remote from both the sensor head and the alarm signal receiving device, converts the detector architecture into a three-stage system in which the sensor head represents the first stage, the evaluation unit the second stage, and the alarm signal receiving device the third stage of a fire alarm system.

“Locally remote” is understood to mean that the elements designated in this way are structurally separate from one another, in particular not integrated in a common housing or in a plurality of housings assembled together, and are spatially spaced apart from one another. The evaluation unit, the sensor heads and the alarm signal receiving device are not integrated in a common housing or in several housings assembled together. According to the invention, it is now possible to protect only the sensor heads against environmental influences in accordance with local requirements, while a standard housing can be used for all applications for the evaluation unit itself, while sensor heads used in hazardous areas are specially protected, namely by means of explosion-proof, dust- and/or or gas-ingress-protected housing This significantly reduces component complexity and leads to a more favorable cost balance for the overall system.

According to the invention, the evaluation unit is set up to be selectively connected in a signal-conducting manner to a plurality of sensor heads of different or the same type. This significantly increases the flexibility of the fire detector according to the invention to the effect that the same evaluation unit can always be used in conjunction with a combination of sensor heads that is required locally.

According to the invention, the evaluation unit is preferably set up to send an alarm signal adapted to the communication with the alarm signal receiving device to the latter, independently of the sensor head used and compatible with it. This significantly reduces the effort involved in setting up and programming the alarm signal receiving device. Irrespective of which sensors are used, the appropriate signal is always transmitted to the alarm signal receiving device in the event of a hazard. In this way, the evaluation unit, as an upstream signal processing or interpretation unit, takes over the evaluation of the alarm signals transmitted by the sensor heads. The technical effect of the "distributed intelligence" in this way leads to a reduction in reaction times, since the alarm signal receiving unit is relieved by the upstream, decentralized evaluation unit.

The invention is further developed in that the evaluation unit has a plurality of first interfaces for the signal-conducting connection of the evaluation unit to the sensor heads, and at least one second interface for the signal-conducting connection of the Evaluation unit with the alarm signal receiving device. With regard to the alarm signal receiving device, reference is made to the above definition.

The evaluation unit is preferably set up for bidirectional data transmission using the first and/or second interface. This means that the interfaces themselves are also set up for the aforementioned bidirectional data transmission. Furthermore, this means that the sensor head and/or the alarm signal receiving device are also set up for bidirectional data transmission by means of a corresponding interface. The bidirectionality of the data transmission not only makes it possible to send danger signals from the sensor heads in the direction of the evaluation unit and corresponding alarm signals from this in the direction of the alarm signal reception direction, but vice versa also to send information from the alarm signal receiving device to the evaluation unit, and from the evaluation unit to the sensor heads.

In a further preferred embodiment of the detector according to the invention, the evaluation unit is set up to interpret danger signals received from the sensor heads by means of the first interfaces to indicate the presence of an alarm and, if an alarm occurs, to generate an alarm signal that is representative of the alarm and by means of the second interface to send to the alarm signal receiving device. For this purpose, the evaluation unit preferably has an appropriately programmed computer unit.

More preferably, the evaluation unit is set up to interpret the hazard signals as a function of one or more configuration parameters. The configuration parameters are preferably stored in the evaluation unit, and/or the evaluation unit is set up to receive the configuration parameters using the second interface and/or using a dedicated third interface. By means of the configuration parameters, the evaluation unit is "taught" how to deal with a wide variety of sensor heads, in that the configuration parameters define how the evaluation unit has to interpret the danger signals received from the respective sensor heads.

• Anzahl der Sensorköpfe,
• Typ oder Typen der Sensorköpfe,
• einen oder mehrere Schwellwerte der von den Sensorköpfen übermittelten Gefahrensignale, infolge deren Überschreitung die Auswerteinheit das Gefahrensignal vom jeweiligen Sensorkopf registriert,
• Anzahl erforderlicher Gefahrensignalregistrierungen durch die Sensorköpfe, infolge derer die Auswerteinheit ein Alarmsignal mittels der zweiten Schnittstelle übermittelt,
• erforderliche zeitliche Abfolge der Gefahrensignalregistrierungen, infolge deren Auftreten die Auswerteinheit ein Alarmsignal mittels der zweiten Schnittstelle übermittelt,
• Bereich eines erforderlichen zeitlichen Abstands, vorzugsweise maximaler zeitlicher Abstand, zwischen mehreren Gefahrensignalregistrierungen, infolge dessen Einhaltung die Auswerteinheit ein Alarmsignal mittels der zweiten Schnittstelle übermittelt.

The configuration parameters preferably include one, more or all of the following:

• number of sensor heads,
• type or types of sensor heads,
• one or more threshold values of the danger signals transmitted by the sensor heads, as a result of which the evaluation unit registers the danger signal from the respective sensor head,
• Number of necessary hazard signal registrations by the sensor heads, as a result of which the evaluation unit transmits an alarm signal via the second interface,
• Necessary chronological sequence of the hazard signal registrations, as a result of which the evaluation unit transmits an alarm signal via the second interface,
• Area of a required time interval, preferably maximum time interval, between several hazard signal registrations, as a result of which the evaluation unit transmits an alarm signal via the second interface.

According to the invention, the evaluation unit is set up to receive, preferably by means of the second interface, at least one of: firmware, configuration data, control commands, each for the sensor heads, and to forward the received data to the sensor heads. Configuration data is understood to mean, for example, threshold values for a measured parameter above which a danger signal is generated, or threshold values above which a malfunction of the sensor head is detected, for example the degree of soiling for optical sensors.

As an alternative to the second interface, the evaluation unit is preferably set up to receive the aforementioned elements via the third interface.

In a further preferred refinement, at least one of the sensor heads is set up to carry out a function self-test depending on the receipt of a corresponding control command, and an information element representative of whether the function self-test has passed or not, for example in the form of a file or a discrete value , tags, etc., to be stored in a memory and/or to be transmitted to the evaluation unit. More preferably, the control commands include a command to carry out the function self-test. The existing configuration data is used for this, for example.

The detector according to the invention is further developed in that the sensor head or at least one of the sensor heads has a data memory and is set up to store the measured fire and/or hazard variable values in the data memory deposit, wherein the control commands include a command to read and / or reset the data memory.

• eine vorbestimmte Anzahl zuletzt erfasster Brand- und/oder Gefahrengrößenwerte, und/oder
• die Maxima und/oder Minima der erfassten Brand- und/oder Gefahrengrößenwerte jeweils mit Zeitstempel im Datenspeicher in einer Wert-Historie zu hinterlegen.

The sensor head is preferably set up to

• a predetermined number of fire and/or hazard quantity values last recorded, and/or
• to store the maxima and/or minima of the recorded fire and/or hazard variable values with a time stamp in the data memory in a value history.

• eine vorbestimmte Anzahl zuletzt erfasster Temperaturwerte aus dem Inneren des Sensorkopfes, und/oder
• die Maxima und/oder Minima der erfassten Temperatur im Inneren des Sensorkopfes jeweils mit Zeitstempel im Datenspeicher in einer Wert-Historie zu hinterlegen.

In addition to its main sensor for detecting the fire and/or hazard parameters or sparks, the sensor head preferably has a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the sensor head and is further preferably set up to

• a predetermined number of last recorded temperature values from inside the sensor head, and/or
• to store the maxima and/or minima of the recorded temperature inside the sensor head with a time stamp in the data memory in a value history.

Examples of value history include, but are not limited to, the current temperature inside the sensor head, minimum and/or maximum temperature the sensor head has been exposed to, minimum and/or maximum smoke aerosol, gas, and/or radiation concentrations.

Recording and storing the temperatures that have occurred on the sensor head offers the possibility of creating a temperature history that documents when the sensor head was exposed to which temperatures. With increasing temperatures, the sensors installed in the sensor heads sometimes age faster, depending on the type. Accordingly, a sensor that has been exposed to high temperatures on a number of occasions may have a slightly different response than a sensor that has not yet been. By reading out the temperature value memory, an operator, for example maintenance personnel, or preferably the evaluation unit itself, can identify whether the sensor head can still be used or needs to be replaced. The resetting of the temperature value memory is advantageously used when the sensor head has been repaired, for example by changing a sensor array or the like.

More preferably, the sensor head is set up to register predetermined events and to store them in each case with a time stamp as an event history in the data memory (or a dedicated data memory).

Predetermined events include, for example, the number of function tests performed, the number of self-calibrations performed, the number of maintenance performed, the number of faults that have occurred, the number of past hazard signal messages, and resetting of the value history and/or the event history.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sensor head or at least one of the sensor heads is set up to carry out a self-calibration depending on the receipt of a corresponding control command, the control commands comprising a command for carrying out the self-calibration. As part of the self-calibration of the sensor head, the threshold values stored in the sensor head for triggering a danger signal are preferably adapted to those background parameters that are already present in the absence of the fire parameter and are detected by the sensor head. For this purpose, the sensor head is preferably designed to execute a program routine, by means of which background disturbance variables such as the ambient temperature, a basic level of electromagnetic radiation, a gas concentration or concentration values of various gases, smoke particle concentrations, etc. are detected. The background disturbance variables are preferably stored in a memory of the sensor head and/or the evaluation unit. The sensor head is preferably set up to define threshold values and/or to select sensitivity levels of the sensor system as part of the self-calibration on the basis of (depending on) the background interference variables, with switching to predefined sensitivity levels being initiated in particular. More preferably, the sensor head is set up to store the previously specified threshold values for the background disturbance variables and/or the set sensitivity level in a memory.

More preferably, the evaluation unit or the sensor head or at least one of the sensor heads is set up to reset the value history and/or the event history in the data memory, depending on the receipt of a corresponding control command (B), the control commands being a command for carrying out the reset include.

In a further preferred embodiment of the detector, the evaluation unit, in particular its computer unit, is set up to send a request signal to the sensor heads via the first interfaces and to receive sensor head data from a memory in the sensor heads as a response to the request signal.

The sensor head data includes in particular one, several or all of the following: the sensor type, a sensor ID, manufacturing data of the sensor head, the software or firmware version used by the sensor head, status data of the sensor, such as accumulated operating hours, maintenance intervals, remaining number of operating hours until the next maintenance interval is reached, configuration data of the sensor head, the value history and/or the event history from the data memory of the sensor head.

The evaluation unit is preferably set up to identify the sensor heads connected by means of the respectively addressed interface as a function of the sensor head data received. This makes it possible to connect a correspondingly preconfigured evaluation unit to the required sensor heads on site using plug and play, whereupon the evaluation unit preferably automatically identifies the connected sensor heads and sets itself up.

The embodiment of the detector according to the invention with a third interface is preferably further developed in that the third interface is set up for connecting a configuration device, in particular a portable computer, tablet, proprietary service device or mobile phone, for feeding in, reading out and/or processing the following: configuration parameters, Sensor head data Configuration data, content of the sensor head data memory, firmware, control commands. The connection is understood here to mean the signal-conducting connection for data exchange, which can take place both wired and wireless.

Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation unit is set up to receive one, several or all of the following from the alarm signal receiving device via the second interface: configuration parameters, sensor head data, configuration data, firmware, control commands, with the alarm signal receiving device preferably being set up to feed in, read out and read out the aforementioned elements /or to edit.

The evaluation unit is preferably set up to forward at least the configuration data and/or the firmware and/or the control commands to the sensor head.

Alternatively or in addition to configuring the evaluation unit using the configuration parameters from the second or third interface or one of the other interfaces, the detector preferably has one or more hardware switches, preferably DIP switches and/or coded rotary switches for manually selecting the configuration parameters for the first interfaces with which the sensor heads are to be connected.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the evaluation unit, in particular a computer unit integrated into the evaluation unit, is set up to carry out a set-up mode for identifying the sensor heads connected to the evaluation unit, and preferably for automatically selecting suitable configuration parameters depending on the identification of the connected sensor heads. The computer unit is preferably programmed using appropriate software. Furthermore, the evaluation unit preferably has at least one switching element that can be controlled externally, in particular manually, for activating, preferably starting, and preferably ending the set-up mode, the switching element being designed, for example, as a magnetic field sensor, button, or magnetically actuated reed contact.

The setup mode described below shows the advantages of the modular multi-sensor concept according to the invention. The set-up mode represents a method which, particularly executed on a fire detector according to one of the preferred embodiments described above and below, represents a preferred embodiment of the fire detector as a function of the evaluation unit implemented in terms of programming.

• Bereitstellen, vorzugsweise Übermitteln von Konfigurationsparametern an die Auswerteinheit, beispielsweise mittels Konfigurationsgerät, für jede der ersten Schnittstellen, mit der ein Sensorkopf verbunden werden soll;
• Aktivieren des Einrichtungsmodus;
• Anschließen der Sensorköpfe an die Auswerteinheit mittels derjenigen Schnittstellen, für die Konfigurationsparameter bereitgestellt wurden;
• Auslesen der Sensorkopfdaten, beispielsweise automatisch oder mittels Senden eines Anforderungssignals S_req von der Auswerteinheit an die Sensorköpfe;
• Überprüfung, ob die ausgelesenen Sensorkopfdaten mit den jeweiligen Konfigurationsparametern für die jeweilige erste Schnittstelle übereinstimmen;
• Ausgeben eines Bestätigungssignals bei Übereinstimmung zwischen den jeweiligen Konfigurationsparametern und Sensorkopfdaten für jede der Sensorkopfschnittstellen, oder Ausgeben eines Störungssignals bei Nichtübereinstimmung zwischen den jeweiligen Konfigurationsparametern und Sensorkopfdaten,
• Beendigung des Einrichtungsmodus, und
• Übergang in den Betriebsmodus.

The setup mode preferably includes the following steps:

• Providing, preferably transmitting, configuration parameters to the evaluation unit, for example by means of a configuration device, for each of the first interfaces to which a sensor head is to be connected;
• enter setup mode;
• Connecting the sensor heads to the evaluation unit by means of those interfaces for which configuration parameters have been provided;
• Reading out the sensor head data, for example automatically or by sending a request signal S _req from the evaluation unit to the sensor heads;
• Checking whether the read sensor head data match the respective configuration parameters for the respective first interface;
• outputting an acknowledgment signal when there is a match between the respective configuration parameters and sensor head data for each of the sensor head interfaces, or outputting an error signal when there is a mismatch between the respective configuration parameters and sensor head data,
• exit setup mode, and
• Transition to operating mode.

The operating mode means that the sensor heads are working and detecting fire and/or hazard parameters or spark parameters, and the evaluation unit is ready to receive hazard signals at the first interfaces.

Preferably, the sensor heads are connected first before entering setup mode.

In a preferred refinement, the evaluation unit is set up to continue the operating mode in the operating mode if there is a fault signal from one or more sensor heads and to wait for danger signals from those sensor heads which are not reporting a fault.

More preferably, the evaluation unit is set up to resolve the multiple detector dependency in an operating mode in which a multiple detector dependency is specified by means of the configuration parameters if there is a fault in one of the sensor heads included in the multiple detector dependency and to wait for danger signals from those sensor heads in a single detector dependency that do not have any Report fault.

In a further preferred embodiment, the evaluation unit is set up to report an interference signal after a sensor head reporting an interference has been removed. Preferably, the evaluation unit is additionally set up to acknowledge the interference signal itself when a sensor head of the same type is connected instead of the previously removed sensor head.

When a sensor head of a different type is connected, the evaluation unit is preferably set up to output a request signal for acknowledging the interference signal and for carrying out a renewed identification of the connected sensor head instead of the previously removed sensor head.

Alternatively, the evaluation unit is set up to acknowledge the interference signal itself when a sensor head of a different type is connected instead of the previously removed sensor head and to automatically carry out a renewed identification of the connected sensor head.

1. a) automatisch, sobald für mindestens einen verbundenen Sensorkopf, vorzugsweise für jeden der verbundenen Sensorköpfe, ein Bestätigungssignal vorliegt und, vorzugsweise innerhalb eines vorbestimmten Zeitraums ab Start des Einrichtungsmodus, kein Störsignal vorliegt, oder
2. b) automatisch, sobald vorzugsweise für alle verbundenen Sensorköpfe ein Störsignal vorliegt, oder
3. c) manuell.

The setup mode is preferably terminated

1. a) automatically as soon as there is an acknowledgment signal for at least one connected sensor head, preferably for each of the connected sensor heads, and preferably within a predetermined period of time from the start of the setup mode, there is no interference signal, or
2. b) automatically as soon as there is an interference signal, preferably for all connected sensor heads, or
3. c) manually.

At least the following should be provided as configuration parameters: the number of those first interfaces by means of which a sensor head is to be connected to the evaluation unit in a signal-conducting manner, and preferably the respective sensor type for the corresponding first interface. The fire and/or wireless detector architecture described with reference to the above embodiments is set up to be used with a large number of different sensor heads in any combination. The sensor heads of the detector according to the invention preferably have at least one housing, a (main) sensor and an interface for transmitting a hazard signal and are designed to detect electromagnetic radiation from sparks and/or flames, to detect a temperature, preferably the ambient temperature or the housing temperature inside the Sensor head, the detection of gas concentrations and / or gas compositions and / or changes in concentration of certain gaseous components of fire gases, thermal decomposition products, toxic or combustible gases, or aerosols, especially smoke aerosols set up.

1. a) zwei oder mehrere Funkensensorköpfe,
2. b) zwei oder mehrere Flammenmelder-Sensorköpfe,
3. c) zwei oder mehrere Temperatur-Sensorköpfe,
4. d) zwei oder mehrere Gas-Sensorköpfe,
5. e) eine der Varianten a) bis c), kombiniert mit einem oder mehreren Gas-Sensorköpfen,
6. f) eine der Varianten a), b) oder d), kombiniert mit einem oder mehreren Temperatur-Sensorköpfen,
7. g) eine der Varianten a), c) oder d), kombiniert mit einem oder mehreren Flammenmelder-Sensorköpfen,
8. h) eine der Varianten b) bis d), kombiniert mit einem oder mehreren Funkensensorköpfen,
9. i) ein Funkensensorkopf, kombiniert mit einem Flammenmelder-Sensorkopf und einem Temperatur-Sensorkopf,
10. j) ein Funkensensorkopf, kombiniert mit einem Flammenmelder-Sensorkopf und einem Gas-Sensorkopf,
11. k) ein Flammenmelder-Sensorkopf, kombiniert mit einem Temperatur-Sensorkopf und einem Gas-Sensorkopf,
12. l) ein Temperatur-Sensorkopf, kombiniert mit einem Funkensensorkopf und einem Gas-Sensorkopf.

Particularly preferred combinations of sensor heads on the fire and/or spark detector according to the invention are:

1. a) two or more spark sensor heads,
2. b) two or more flame detector sensor heads,
3. c) two or more temperature sensor heads,
4. d) two or more gas sensor heads,
5. e) one of the variants a) to c), combined with one or more gas sensor heads,
6. f) one of the variants a), b) or d), combined with one or more temperature sensor heads,
7. g) one of the variants a), c) or d), combined with one or more flame detector sensor heads,
8. h) one of the variants b) to d), combined with one or more spark sensor heads,
9. i) a spark sensor head combined with a flame detector sensor head and a temperature sensor head,
10. j) a spark sensor head combined with a flame detector sensor head and a gas sensor head,
11. k) a flame detector sensor head combined with a temperature sensor head and a gas sensor head,
12. l) a temperature sensor head combined with a spark sensor head and a gas sensor head.

As can be seen from the examples above, the system architecture offers flexible adaptation to different protection concepts and enables the recording of a wide variety of fire parameters depending on the fire risk in the respective environment. For example, flexible adaptation for a wide variety of manufacturing processes, types of material storage or material transport and the material is made possible, for example even when monitoring logistical processes in factories. In a further preferred embodiment of the detector, the sensor heads each have a signal processing unit which is set up to normalize the danger signal and transmit it to the evaluation unit as a normalized sensor head output signal. In this case, the danger signal is preferably converted into a discrete value, for example 0 or 1, with the respective converted discrete value representing danger or no danger. For example, using 0 and 1 as an example, the discrete value 0 represents "no danger" while the discrete value 1 represents "danger". The standardization on the sensor head side simplifies the signal and data processing on the evaluation unit side and standardizes the signal output for the sensor heads. The evaluation unit then has to be configured to a lesser extent since it "knows" from the outset that only the standardized values for "danger" or "no danger" are transmitted to it from the sensor heads.

The invention also relates to a fire alarm system. According to the invention, this is understood to be a system for fire and/or spark detection and/or gas detection analogous to the multisensor fire detector.

The invention solves the task on which it is based and described at the outset in a fire alarm system in that it is designed according to claim 16, i.e. has at least one modular multi-sensor fire alarm according to one of the preferred embodiments described above, and an alarm signal receiving device which is signal-conducting with the modular multi-sensor -Fire detector connected and remote from it. With regard to the advantages and preferred embodiments of the fire alarm system, reference is made to the preferred embodiments and explanations for the detector according to the invention above. It is precisely the possibility of combining different types of sensor heads and having this combination appear as one detector in the fire alarm system in relation to the alarm signal receiving device that represents a solution with outstanding flexibility elsewhere, the sparks or particles are sometimes not detected due to their rapid extinction. Nevertheless, a smoldering fire can develop that would not be detected with a pure spark detector. However, if, for example, a spark sensor head is operated in combination with a fire gas sensor head in the fire alarm system, a fire alarm can still be sent by means of the gas detection despite the undetected spark or glowing particle.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Melders gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Figuren 2a-c

verschiedene Ansichten einer Auswerteinheit des Melders gemäß Figur 1, und

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines Brandmeldesystems gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached figures using a preferred exemplary embodiment. Here show:

figure 1

a schematic representation of a detector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figures 2a-c

according to different views of an evaluation unit of the detector figure 1 , and

figure 3

a schematic representation of a fire alarm system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

figure 1 shows a modular multi-sensor fire and/or spark detector 300 (hereinafter: detector 300). The detector 300 has a plurality of sensor heads 100 which are each set up to detect a fire parameter, for example to detect electromagnetic radiation, gas, smoke and/or temperatures. The sensor heads 100 are all shown the same for the sake of simplicity, but can be of different types of sensor heads.

In addition to the sensor heads 100, the detector 300 has a spatially spaced evaluation unit 200. The evaluation unit 200 is connected in a signal-conducting manner to the sensor heads 100, which in turn are spatially spaced apart from it, in the present exemplary embodiment by means of a data line 150. The data line preferably serves as an energy supply for the sensor heads. Alternatively, the signal-conducting connection between the evaluation unit 200 and the sensor heads 100 could also be wireless, with the sensor heads having a dedicated power supply in that case. The evaluation unit 200 has a plurality of first interfaces 219, by means of which the sensor heads 100 are connected to the evaluation unit 200 in a signal-conducting manner. For this purpose, the sensor heads 100 each have a corresponding interface 104 . The distances between the sensor heads and the evaluation unit are preferably 20 cm or more, in particular up to several meters. There are no limits to the distance from the evaluation unit to the alarm signal receiving device within the scope of the possible remote data transmission types.

While sensor heads 100 have a flameproof, dust- and liquid-tight housing and a particularly compact design that enables installation in cramped monitoring areas, such as machine tools, evaluation unit 200 has a relatively larger housing 201 than sensor heads 100 lower protection class. The evaluation unit 200 also has a second interface 208, which is used for preferably bidirectional data transmission with an alarm signal receiving device (301) (see figure 3 ) is trained. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second interface 208 is at the same time the current or voltage supply for the evaluation unit 200. However, other second interfaces are also advantageous as an alternative or in addition, which, for example, enable wireless communication with the alarm signal receiving unit 301 (cf. figure 3 ) guarantee.

In addition to their main sensor for detecting one of the fire or hazard parameters or sparks listed above, the sensor heads preferably each have a temperature sensor 110 which is set up to detect the temperature inside the housing of the sensor heads 100 . The sensor heads are preferably also designed with a data storage memory 105 . The sensor heads 100 also have a signal processing unit 106 . A value history and/or an event history are also stored in the data memory 105 in accordance with the preferred embodiments generally described above.

The data lines 150 preferably each have an identification label 151 on which operator information such as the type of data line or the type of the connected sensor head 100 is stored.

The Figures 2a-c show the evaluation unit 200 in several views. In addition to the representation according to figure 1 is in the Figures 2a-c a protective cap 203 is shown, which is attached to the housing 201 on the side of the first interfaces 219 . The protective cap 203 protects against an unintentional detachment of the data lines from the first interfaces 219 and protects the connection against the effects of external forces (e.g. impacts, blows). The protective cap 203 is captively attached to the housing 201 by means of fastening means 205, for example screw connections. In Figure 2a a third interface 222 is indicated in addition to the second interface 208 . The third interface 222 is set up to communicate preferably bidirectionally with a configuration device such as a portable computer, tablet, service device or mobile phone.

More information about the data communication processes can be found in the following Figure 3. Figure 3 shows schematically the structure of a fire alarm system 400. In addition to the detector 300, the evaluation unit 200 and the sensor heads 100, the fire alarm system 400 also includes the alarm signal receiving device 301, which is preferably designed according to the preferred embodiments described above. The evaluation unit 200 is spatially at a distance from the alarm signal receiving device 301, which in this exemplary embodiment is embodied as a fire alarm and/or extinguishing control center.

The evaluation unit 200 is preferably configured via one or more hardware switching elements 242, for example DIP switches, and/or via the third interface 222. The third interface 222 preferably receives from a Configuration device 221, such as a portable computer, tablet, service device or mobile phone, one or more of the following: configuration parameters K, firmware F, configuration data D, control commands B. The received elements are processed by an electronic assembly 212, comprising a computer unit 206, for example in Form of a microcontroller, processed and / or forwarded by means of the first interfaces 219 to the sensor heads 100. This applies in particular to any firmware data F, configuration data D for configuring the sensor heads 100, or control commands B for driving the sensor heads 100, for example for self-function tests or self-calibration measures. Alternatively, the elements K, F, D and B could also be imported using the third interface 222 and/or from the alarm signal receiving device 301 and via the second interface 208, provided the respective interfaces are set up for bidirectional data transmission.

The evaluation unit 200 is set up by means of the electronic assembly 212 and the computer unit 206 to store the received configuration parameters K in a memory 215 and to configure the first interfaces 219 on the basis of the configuration parameters K. The first interfaces 219 are preferably configured at least in such a way that the evaluation unit 300 assigns for each of the first interfaces 219 whether a sensor head 100 is to be connected to the interface for operation, and preferably what type of sensor head 100 is to be connected . Furthermore, the evaluation unit 200 is set up to generate an alarm signal S _A on the basis of the configuration parameters K if hazard signals S _G or normalized hazard signals S _out are received by the first interfaces 219 in a predefined constellation. Various constellations can be, for example, the following:

A prescribed sequence of the signal inputs at the first interfaces 219, a prescribed (maximum) time interval between the signal inputs at the first interfaces 219, the number of required signal inputs at the first interfaces 219.

First interfaces 219, which are not to be used during operation, are preferably sealed by means of a sealing cap 220.

The setup of the detector 300 in the fire alarm system 400 will be described below. To install the Detector 300 in a to be monitored First, one or more configuration parameters K are provided, either directly by means of the hardware switching elements 242, from the memory 215 of the evaluation unit 200 or by means of the third interface 222. In addition, a setup mode is started on the evaluation unit 200, either by means of the configuration device 221 via the third interface 222, or via one or more separate switching elements 216, 217 that can be actuated externally, in particular manually, and that are preferably designed as reed contacts that can be actuated magnetically. After the setup mode has started, the evaluation unit 200 sends a request signal S _req via those first interfaces 219 which are assigned to a sensor head 100 by means of the configuration parameters K. If the request signal S _req is received by the sensor heads 100 via the interface 104, the sensor heads 100 transmit sensor head data 117 to the first interfaces 219. If the signal S _req does not go through to the sensor heads 100, an interference signal is generated.

The evaluation unit is set up to compare the sensor head data received from the sensor heads 100 with the configuration parameters K previously made available to it. If the sensor head data 117 for the respective sensor head 100 at the respective first interface 219 match, i.e. if the sensor head that was previously assigned using the configuration parameters K is actually connected to the first interface 219, the evaluation unit 200 preferably generates an acknowledgment signal or information element.

If there are confirmation signals or information elements for all of the first interfaces 219 previously configured by means of the configuration parameters K for the connection of sensor heads 100, the setup mode is preferably ended automatically and a transition is made to the operating mode. If an interference signal is present, the operator is informed of this, preferably by an optical and/or acoustic display, and the set-up mode is also ended, but without a transition to the operating mode.

An interference signal is preferably generated not only when sensor head data has not been transmitted to evaluation unit 200, but also when sensor head data 117 has been transmitted but does not match the configuration parameters K provided in advance for the respective first interface 219.

As can be seen from the explanations above, the invention provides a particularly simple option for installing a complex, modular, multi-sensor fire and/or spark detection system. The setup and interpretation of the danger signals provided by the sensor heads is preferably automatically taken over by the evaluation unit, so that the rather complex multi-sensor detector communicates externally, ie to the alarm signal receiving device 301, like a single detector. In the case of complex objects in particular, with a large number of areas to be monitored and a large number of detectors used, this relieves the burden on the alarm signal receiving device considerably. In addition, the multi-sensor fire detector according to the invention plays to the strength of its compact design and distributed architecture in cramped environments.

Reference List

sensor heads 100 Sensor head interface 104 central data storage 105 signal processing unit 106 temperature sensor 110 sensor head data 117 data line 150 identification tag 151 evaluation unit 200 Housing 201 protective cap 203 fasteners 205 computing unit 206 second interface 208 electronic assembly 212 Storage 215 switching elements 216, 217 first interface 219 sealing cap 220 configuration device 221 third interface 222 hardware switching elements 242 detector 300 alarm signal receiving unit 301 fire alarm system 400 configuration parameters K firmware f configuration data D control commands B alarm signal S _A danger signals S _G Standardized danger signals S _out request signal S _req

Claims (16)

1. A modular multi-sensor fire detector (300) having

   - an evaluation unit (200) and

   - a plurality of sensor heads (100) which are arranged spaced-apart from the evaluation unit (200) and are connected to the evaluation unit (200) in a signal-conducting manner,

   wherein the evaluation unit (200) can be connected in a signal-conducting manner to an spaced-apart alarm signal receiving device (301), such that the evaluation unit (200), the sensor heads (100), and the alarm signal receiving device (301) are not integrated into one common housing or into a plurality of housings mounted together, and

   wherein the sensor heads comprise a housing which is explosionproof, dustproof and/or protected from the ingress of gas,

   wherein the evaluation unit (200) is configured to receive at least one of: firmware (F), configuration data (D), control commands (B), for the sensor heads (100) in each case, and to forward the received data to the sensor heads (100).
2. The detector (300) as claimed in claim 1,
   wherein the evaluation unit (200) has a plurality of first interfaces (219) for connecting the evaluation unit to the sensor heads (100) in a signal-conducting manner and at least one second interface (208) for connecting the evaluation unit (200) to the alarm signal receiving device (301) in a signal-conducting manner.
3. The detector (300) as claimed in claim 2,
   wherein the evaluation unit (200) is configured to interpret hazard signals (S_G) received from the sensor heads (100) by means of the first interfaces (219) for the presence of an alarm situation and, if an alarm situation is present, to generate an alarm signal (S_A) representative of the alarm situation and to transmit it to the alarm signal receiving device (301) by means of the second interface (208).
4. The detector (300) as claimed in claim 3,

   wherein the evaluation unit (200) is configured to interpret the hazard signals (S_G) on the basis of one or more configuration parameters (K), wherein preferably the configuration parameters (K) are stored in the evaluation unit (200), and/or

   wherein the evaluation unit (200) is preferably configured to receive the configuration parameters (K) by means of the second interface (208) and/or by means of a dedicated third interface (222).
5. The detector (300) as claimed in claim 4,
   wherein the configuration parameters (K) comprise one, a plurality of or all of the following:

   - number of sensor heads (100),

   - type or types of sensor heads (100),

   - one or more threshold values of the hazard signals (S_G) transmitted by the sensor heads (100), as a result of the exceeding of which the evaluation unit (200) registers the hazard signal (S_G) from the respective sensor head (100),

   - number of required hazard signal registrations by the sensor heads (100), as a result of which the evaluation unit (200) transmits an alarm signal (S_A) by means of the second interface (208),

   - required temporal sequence of the hazard signal registrations, on account of the occurrence of which the evaluation unit (200) transmits an alarm signal (S_A) by means of the second interface (208),

   - range of a required interval of time, preferably a maximum interval of time, between a plurality of hazard signal registrations, on account of the compliance with which the evaluation unit (200) transmits an alarm signal (S_A) by means of the second interface (208).
6. The detector (300) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

   wherein at least one of the sensor heads (100) is configured to carry out a function self-test on the basis of the reception of a corresponding control command (B) and to store an information element representative of the passing or failing of the function self-test in a memory (105) and/or to transmit it to the evaluation unit (200), and wherein

   the control commands (B) comprise a command to carry out the function self-test.
7. The detector (300) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

   wherein the sensor head (100) or at least one of the sensor heads (100) has a data memory (105) and is configured to store the measured fire and/or hazard characteristic variables in the data memory (105), and wherein

   the control commands (B) comprise a command to read and/or reset the data memory (105), wherein the sensor head (100) is preferably configured

   - to store a predetermined number of fire and/or hazard variable values captured last, and/or

   - to store the maxima and/or minima of the captured fire and/or hazard variable values each with a time stamp in a value history in the data memory.
8. The detector (300) as claimed in claim 7,

   wherein the sensor head (100) has a temperature sensor (110) for capturing the temperature inside the sensor head and is preferably configured to store a predetermined number of temperature values captured last from inside the sensor head, and/or

   - to store the maxima and/or minima of the captured temperature inside the sensor head each with a time stamp in a value history in the data memory (105),

   and/or

   wherein the sensor head (100) is configured to register predetermined events and to store each of them with a time stamp as an event history in the data memory (105).
9. The detector (300) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

   wherein the sensor head (100) or at least one of the sensor heads (100) is configured to carry out a self-calibration on the basis of the reception of a corresponding control command (B), and wherein

   the control commands (B) comprise a command to carry out the self-calibration.
10. The detector (300) as claimed in one of the claims 2 to 9,

    wherein the evaluation unit (200) is configured to transmit a request signal (S_req) to the sensor heads (100) by means of the first interfaces (219) and to receive sensor head data (117) from a memory (105) of the sensor heads (100) in response to the request signal (S_req),

    wherein the evaluation unit (200) is preferably configured to identify the sensor heads (100) connected by means of the respective first interface (219) on the basis of the received sensor head data (117).
11. The detector (300) as claimed in one of the claims 2 to 10,

    wherein the third interface (222) is configured to connect a configuration device (221) for supplying, reading and/or processing one, a plurality of or all of the following: configuration parameters, sensor head data, contents of the data memory of the sensor head, configuration data, firmware, control commands, and/or

    wherein the evaluation unit (200) is configured to receive one, a plurality of or all of the following from the alarm signal receiving device (301) by means of the second interface (208): configuration parameters, sensor head data, configuration data, firmware, control commands.
12. The detector as claimed in one of the claims 2 to 11,
    having one or more hardware switches (242) for manually selecting the configuration parameters (K) for the first interfaces (219), to which the sensor heads are to be connected.
13. The detector (300) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the evaluation unit (200) is configured to carry out a configuration mode for identifying the sensor heads (100) connected to the evaluation unit (200) and preferably for automatically selecting suitable configuration parameters (K) on the basis of the identification of the connected sensor heads (100) and preferably has at least one switching element (216, 217) which can be controlled from the outside, in particular manually, and is intended to activate, and preferably terminate, the configuration mode.
14. The detector (300) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the sensor heads (100) are configured to capture

    - electromagnetic radiation from sparks and/or flames,

    - a temperature, preferably the ambient temperature or the housing temperature inside the sensor head (100),

    - gas concentrations, gas compositions and/or concentration changes of particular gaseous components of combustion gases, thermal decomposition products, toxic or flammable gases, or

    - aerosols, in particular smoke aerosols.
15. The detector (300) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the sensor heads (100) each have a signal processing unit (106) which is configured to normalize the hazard signal (S_G) and to transmit it as a normalized sensor head output signal (S_out) to the evaluation unit (200).
16. A fire detection system (400),
    having at least one modular multi-sensor fire detector (300) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 15 and an alarm signal receiving device (301) which is connected to the modular multisensor fire and/or spark detector (300) in a signal-conducting manner and is locally at a distance from it.

Images