FR2779857A1 - ELECTRONIC MONITORING MODULE FOR A FIRE PROTECTION AND / OR MONITORING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The monitoring module (2) is associated with an autonomous detector (1), and it makes it possible to put the latter in communication with a monitoring center (11). This module comprises: - a transducer (3) which captures the sound and / or mechanical vibrations emitted by the autonomous detector (1), and converts them into an electrical signal; - amplification (4) and processing means (5 ) of this signal; - communication means (7; 8) which emit, on a transmission channel (9; 10) directed towards the central (11), these signals responding to the recognition, for the processing means (5 ), a signal from the transducer; - electrical supply means (13). Application: protection and / or monitoring against fire in premises.

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic monitoring module,

  more particularly designed for monitoring sound and / or mechanical vibrations, and suitable for protection and

  fire surveillance, especially in premises.

  Fire protection and / or surveillance devices, currently known, allow on the one hand to warn of an anomaly occurring in the premises to be monitored, and on the other hand, for some of them, to automatically initiate fire fighting actions. These "fire safety" systems can be classified into two main families, namely: - so-called "wired" systems, organized in networks of detectors interconnected by signal transmission wires to a central monitoring station, these systems generally equipping large installations (see for example French patent application no 2,501,880); - systems made up of autonomous detectors, such as smoke, carbon monoxide, gas detectors, etc., capable of signaling a fault by means of the local emission of a high-power sound signal, but which cannot , in general, not communicate with a

  central which would gather the information coming from various detectors.

  The invention aims to remedy this drawback of systems with autonomous detectors, and it therefore aims to provide means which allow these autonomous detectors to communicate with

  a central monitoring station, the means proposed being simple and reliable.

  To this end, the subject of the present invention is an electronic monitoring module for a fire protection and / or monitoring system, the module essentially comprising, in combination: - a transducer provided for picking up sound and / or mechanical vibrations emitted by an autonomous detector, with which the monitoring module is associated, and to convert said vibrations into an electrical signal, - means for amplifying and processing the electrical signal coming from the transducer, - means of communication capable of transmitting on a remote transmission channel, to a central monitoring station, a signal responding to the recognition, by the processing means, of a signal coming from the transducer and corresponding to vibrations of the autonomous detector, and - means of electrical supply Thus , The invention provides a device, called a monitoring riodule, which is associated with an autonomous detector of known type, and which is capable of recognizing the sound and / or mechanical vibrations emitted by this autonomous detector, in the event of detection of a fault. The signals thus picked up and identified are shaped to be sent, according to a defined transmission protocol, to a remote monitoring center which, of course, can also be put in communication with other monitoring modules produced and operating on the same principle, associated with other autonomous detectors. The monitoring module is preferably fixed directly, for example by gluing, on the associated autonomous detector. Such a monitoring module, presented externally as a small box, can thus equip an autonomous detector already previously in place, or a newly installed autonomous detector. In all cases, the proximity of the monitoring module relative to the autonomous detector allows it to "listen" permanently to this autonomous detector, for example by means of a piezoelectric type transducer, the electrical signal delivered by the transducer then being put shaped by the amplification means, intended to increase the amplitude of the initial signal. This signal should also be processed to eliminate any unwanted "noise". To this end, according to one embodiment of the invention, the means for processing the electrical signal, coming from the transducer, comprise a bandpass filter interposed between the amplification means and the communication means. This filter eliminates ambient noise, and transmits only the frequencies corresponding to those of

  sound and / or mechanical vibrations expected from the autonomous detector.

  According to another possibility, possibly combined with the previous one, the means for processing the electrical signal, coming from the transducer, comprise a microcontroller interposed between the amplification means and the communication means), the microcontroller being provided: - to perform a phase learning in which it analyzes and stores the signal from the amplification means during operation of the associated autonomous detector, - then, in current operation, to compare any signal from the amplification means with the stored signal, and to activate the means of communication in case of correspondence between the two

compared signals.

  In all cases, the processing means activate the communication means, to transmit information to the central monitoring station located remotely, when recognizing a signal emitted by the autonomous detector and significant of a fault :. Various transmission techniques can be used: - according to a first possibility, the means of communication include an electronic device for wireless communication, associated with a radio link with the central monitoring station; - according to another possibility, the means of communication comprise an electronic "wired" communication member, associated with a transmission line terminating at the monitoring station; - other modes of transmission, for example by fibers

optical, are also possible.

  The electrical supply means of the monitoring module, object of the invention, are advantageously produced in the form of an autonomous supply, which makes this module entirely autonomous with respect to the systems which surround it, such as the detector. Preferably, this autonomous power supply itself comprises an automatic monitoring device, designed to transmit to the monitoring center a signal indicating a power supply fault on the module

concerned.

  To control the proper functioning of the monitoring module, it may also include: - a light indicator, connected to the processing means and capable of lighting up when sound and / or mechanical vibrations are detected by the transducer and / or during the transmission of a signal by the communication means; and / or - a test button activating said means of communication, for the transmission of a signal by the latter to the central

  monitoring, without involving the autonomous detector.

  Overall, the invention thus provides a simple and reliable device which makes it possible to transform a set of autonomous detectors into an "interconnected" system, in which all of these detectors are

  communication with a central monitoring station, which is common to them.

  In any case, the invention will be better understood using the

  description which follows, with reference to the attached schematic drawing

  representing, by way of example, some embodiments of this monitoring module for a fire protection and / or monitoring system: FIG. 1 represents, in the form of a block diagram, a first embodiment of this monitoring module; Figure 2 shows, in the form of a block diagram similar to the

  Figure 1, a second embodiment of this monitoring module.

  In all cases, the monitoring module is associated with an autonomous detector shown diagrammatically in 1, which in known manner generates sound and / or mechanical vibrations to signal a detected fault, such as the presence of smoke or a toxic gas. The monitoring module, designated as a whole by the reference 2, is advantageously fixed directly to the autonomous detector 1, by

example by collage.

  Considering more particularly the embodiment of FIG. 1, the monitoring module 2 comprises a transducer 3, capable of converting the sound and / or mechanical vibrations, coming from the autonomous detector 1, into an electrical signal; it can be an electrodynamic, electret, piezodynamic, etc. transducer. The transducer 3 is connected to the input of an electronic amplification chain, which may include at least one operational amplifier 4, or any other known means of electronic amplification, notably including active components of the

like transistors.

  The output of amplifier 4, or the like, is connected to the input of an electronic bandpass filter 5, which has the function of letting a certain frequency band pass, by eliminating the other frequencies. The frequency band thus authorized corresponds to that of sound and / or mechanical vibrations in which the autonomous detector 1 transmits its signals. The calibration of the filter 5 on the frequency band concerned can either be carried out and locked during manufacture, or adjustable on site, by the installer or the user of the monitoring module 2, this by means of suitable components such as potentiometer. and switches, as symbolized in 6. The filter 5 thus defined allows an elimination of ambient noise, therefore risks of taking into account untimely sound and / or mechanical vibrations, not corresponding to an emission from the autonomous detector 1 and not being

  therefore not significant of a defect.

  The output of the bandpass filter 5 is connected to a communication device, which can in particular be an electrical wireless communication device, by radio, symbolized at 7, of the frequency modulation or amplitude modulation type, or a device "wired" communication electronics 8. The amplified and filtered electrical signal, coming from the bandpass filter 5, is applied to the communication device 7 or 8, which then emits a corresponding signal of predefined form by a transmission channel without wire 9 or on a transmission line 10, such as a current loop, towards a central monitoring station 1 1, located at

  distance, which is able to pick up and identify this signal.

  The output of the filter 5 is also connected to a light indicator 12, in particular in the form of a light-emitting diode, provided on the monitoring module 2 to provide a visual indication of operation, the light indicator 12 lighting up in particular during a detection of vibrations and / or during the emission of a signal by the

communication 7 or 8.

  The monitoring module 2 also has an autonomous electrical supply 13, connected to its various components. Preferably, the power supply 13 has its own automatic monitoring device 14, which constantly checks whether the level of electrical energy available is sufficient to ensure the correct functioning of the module 2. In the event of observation, for the monitoring device 14, of an unavailability or insufficiency of the electrical supply 13, a specific signal indicating this fault is emitted, and transmitted to the central

1 1.

  Figure 2, in which the elements common to those of Figure 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, shows another embodiment of the monitoring module 2. It always includes a transducer 3 and amplification means 4 The output of the latter is connected to an input of an electronic microcontroller 15, integrating input / output functions, active and / or read only memory and digital processing. It can be, for example, a microcontroller commercially available under the name MICROCHIP PIC 12C509,

or equivalent.

  The microcontroller 15 makes it possible to carry out, initially, a phase of learning or recognition of the signal delivered by the amplification means 4, during the emission, by the autonomous detector 1, of sound and / or mechanical vibrations. This phase can be fully automatic, or initialized by the installer or the user, for example by action on a push button or on an interface device accessible to the installer or the user. The learning phase allows the microcontroller 15 to analyze the amplified signal received from the amplification means 4, and to memorize the characteristics

essentials of this signal.

  Then, in current operation, that is to say in the monitoring phase, as soon as a sufficient level of sound and / or mechanical vibrations is reached, the microcontroller 15 performs an automatic comparison of the signal from the amplification means 4 with the signal memorized in the learning phase. In the event of coincidence of the two signals, defined by a certain correlation rate (the signals not necessarily being completely identical), the microcontroller 15 determines the need to communicate fault or alarm information, transmitted here again by the communication organ 7 or

  8 to the remote monitoring center 1 1.

  As appears from the above, the microcontroller 15 plays here, in a way, the role of the filter 5 of the first embodiment, by eliminating the signals not corresponding to the characteristic signal of

  fault, recorded in the learning phase.

  The microcontroller 15 has still other functions. In particular, it is in relation with the monitoring device 14 of the electrical supply 13, to identify any supply fault and trigger the corresponding warning signal. The microcontroller 15 can also be connected to a test push-button 16, which can be used by the installer or the user to check the correct functioning of the communication device 7 or 8 transmitting a signal to the monitoring center 11, this without making use of the autonomous detector 1. It will be noted that, during such a test, the light indicator 12 lights up to indicate a

correct transmission.

  While a single monitoring module 2 has been described so far, it is clear that a practical installation will generally comprise a plurality of such monitoring modules, ensuring respectively the connection between a plurality of autonomous detectors 1, placed in various locations, and a central monitoring unit 11 common to all these detectors. Insofar as a plurality of autonomous detectors 1 are thus put in communication with a single central monitoring station 11, the nature of the information transmitted from the respective monitoring modules 2 to said central station 11 must be adapted to the software and physical protocols of reception of this central, and must also allow, by an addressing system, the identification of each transmitter module 2, or at least the location of the area from which the transmission of a signal

fault indicator.

  It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this monitoring module for

  fire protection and / or monitoring described above

  above, as examples; it embraces, on the contrary, all the variants of implementation and application respecting the same principle; in particular, we would not depart from the scope of the invention: - by combining the characteristics described above separately with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, but which are not necessarily mutually exclusive, for example by associating a bandpass filter 5 with a microcontroller 15; - by using all equivalent bodies to those mentioned, in particular with regard to the transducer 3 capturing sound and / or mechanical vibrations, the amplification 4 and filtering means 5 and the communication means 7 and 8, various types transmission of information to the surveillance control 11 being conceivable; - by performing the functions of monitoring the electrical supply 13, and / or operating test from the push button 16, by one or more active or passive circuits external to the microcontroller (and not integrated therein) ; - by providing for all additional functions; : are useful, especially for checking the proper functioning of the - nodule

monitoring 2.

Claims (8)

  1) Electronic monitoring module for a fire protection and / or monitoring system, characterized in that it comprises, in combination: - a transducer (3) designed to pick up sound and / or mechanical vibrations emitted by a autonomous detector (1), with which the monitoring module (2) is associated, and for converting said vibrations into an electrical signal, amplification (4) and processing means: 5; 15) of the electrical signal coming from the transducer (3), - communication means (7; 8) capable of emitting: being on a remote transmission channel (9; 10), to a central monitoring station (11), a signal responding to the recognition, by the processing means (5; 15), of a signal coming from the transducer (3) and corresponding to vibrations of the autonomous detector (1), and   - electrical supply means (13).   2) monitoring module according to claim 1, characterized in that it is fixed directly, for example by gluing, on the detector autonomous (1) associated.   3) Monitoring module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for processing the electrical signal, coming from the transducer (3), comprise a bandpass filter (5) interposed between   the amplification means (4) and the communication means (7; 8).   4) Monitoring module according to any one of   claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for processing the   electrical signal, coming from the transducer (3), comprise a microcontroller (15) interposed between the amplification means (4) and the communication means (7; 8), the microcontroller (15) being provided: to perform a phase d learning in which it analyzes and stores the signal from the amplification means (4) during operation of the associated autonomous detector (1), - then, in current operation, to compare any signal from the amplification means with the stored signal, and to activate the communication means (7; 8) in case of correspondence between the two signals compared.   ) Monitoring module according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the supply means   electrical are made in the form of an autonomous power supply (13), which preferably comprises an automatic monitoring device (14), designed to transmit to the monitoring center (11 a signal   indicating a power supply fault.   6) Monitoring module according to any one of   Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises an indicator   light (12), connected to the processing means (5; 15) and capable of lighting up when sound and / or mechanical vibrations are detected by the transducer (3) and / or during the emission of a signal by the means of communication (7; 8).   7) Monitoring module according to any one of   Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a button   test (16) activating the communication means (7; 8), for the transmission of a signal by the latter to the monitoring center (11), without doing   intervene the autonomous detector (1).   8) Monitoring module according to any one of   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the means of communication   comprise an electronic wireless communication device (7),   associated with a radio link (9) with the central monitoring station (1 1).   9) Monitoring module according to any one of   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the means of communication   comprise an electronic "wired" communication device (8), associated with a transmission line (10) leading to the central surveillance (1 1).