JP2002074544A - Method for testing gas leak alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for testing a gas leak alarm capable of performing a test easily and speedily. SOLUTION: A control means 20 is provided with a storage means 24 for overwriting and storing a gas sensor output value and a fire sensor output value periodically, a testing means 27 for generating a test starting signal and an idling means 29 to carry out the first judging procedure (software side test) for testing whether gas leak detection by the control means is to be performed normally or not by adding a value not smaller than a value, by which judgment that an alarming state is generated is made to the output value of the gas sensor stored in the storage means 24, during idling after supplying power to a device, and the second judging procedure (hardware side test) for judging whether a gas detecting function is normal or not by applying testing voltage, by which a state not lower than the alarming state is generated forcedly, to a gas sensor 11 with a timing different from output measurement every output sampling timing of the sensor 11 and for judging whether a fire detecting function is normal or not by applying testing voltage, by which a state not lower than the alarming state is generated forcedly, to the fire sensor 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a test method for a gas leak alarm which detects a gas leak with a gas sensor and issues a gas leak alarm.

[0002]

_2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gas sensor (for example, a SnO ₂ semiconductor sensor) detects a flammable gas such as CO or CH ₄ and notifies a gas leak or a thermistor as a heat detecting element (fire sensor). 2. Description of the Related Art Fire alarms are used to notify the occurrence of a fire by detecting temperature or infrared light emitted from a light emitting element is scattered by smoke particles and catching the scattered light to detect smoke.

[0003] The applicant of the present application has proposed a fire gas leak alarm device in which such a fire alarm device and a gas leak alarm device are housed in one housing, and a single unit detects a fire and a gas leak. ing.

[0004] In such a fire gas leak alarm, it is necessary to periodically test whether the fire alarm function and the gas leak alarm function normally operate in addition to the installation of the detector. Here, when the fire gas leak alarm is installed and periodic tests are performed, the fire alarm function test is performed by heating the fire sensor with a heat source such as a hair dryer, and when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the fire alarm is normally performed. Check if it works. In the smoke sensor, a dedicated smoke tester is used to check whether a fire alarm operates normally within a predetermined time.

The gas leak alarm function sends a test gas from a gas container to a gas sensor, and checks whether the gas leak alarm operates normally when the gas concentration exceeds a predetermined gas concentration.

[0006]

However, since such a fire gas leak alarm is usually provided near the ceiling, it can heat a fire sensor, inject smoke into a smoke sensor, or apply a gas to a gas sensor. When injecting, the tester had to step on a platform and work upward at a high position, which was troublesome.

Further, the gas sensor needs to be heated to several tens to several hundreds degrees Celsius by a built-in heater in order to maintain appropriate sensitivity to CO and CH ₄ (methane) gas and to clean the sensor surface. is there. This heating is not always performed in order to reduce the power consumption of the apparatus, but is performed at appropriate intervals, for example, at intervals of 20 to 30 seconds. At this interval, a heating voltage is applied to the heater so that appropriate heating is performed. Each gas is detected at an appropriate timing.

For this reason, the test of the gas leak alarm function must be performed after this gas detection timing, and there is a problem that the test takes a long time. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a test method of a fire gas leak alarm and a gas leak alarm which can automatically perform a test when power is turned on.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for testing a gas leak alarm device, which automatically generates a test signal after turning on a power supply, automatically performs a test, and sets each sensor to an alarm state. The test voltage is applied to Further, in the present invention, the control means includes a storage means for periodically overwriting and storing the gas sensor output value and the fire sensor output value, and a test means for generating a test signal after the idling and performing a test. A test is performed to determine whether a gas leak detection by the control means is normally performed by adding a value determined to be in an alarm state to the output value of the sensor stored in the storage means.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor unit having a gas sensor, and a control means having a detecting function of taking in a detection output of the gas sensor and determining the presence or absence of a gas to be detected based on the detection output. (CPU), the control means, the storage means for periodically storing the output value of the gas sensor,
An idling means for causing the gas leak alarm to perform an idling operation including a test operation when power is supplied to the gas leak alarm, and a test for generating a test signal when a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the idling operation and executing the test Means, when the test signal is generated, add a value that is determined to be in an alarm state to the output value of the gas sensor stored in the storage means, and the gas detection function of the control means is normal. It is a test method of a gas leak alarm including a determination procedure for testing whether or not a gas leak alarm is present.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a value exceeding the alarm value is set in a pseudo manner in the gas detection output stored in the control means just by turning on the power. Since the control means generates an alarm for gas detection based on this value, it is possible to easily perform the test of the gas leak alarm without the need to inject gas for testing into a gas sensor arranged at a high place.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor unit having a gas sensor, and a control means (CPU) having a detection function of taking in a detection output of the gas sensor and determining the presence or absence of a gas to be detected based on the detection output. ), Wherein the control means stores the output value of the gas sensor periodically, and performs a test operation on the gas leak alarm when the gas leak alarm is turned on. Idling means for performing an idling operation including:
Test means for generating a test signal after a lapse of a predetermined time after the start of the idling operation, and performing a test,

When the test signal is generated, a test voltage which is higher than an alarm state is applied to the gas sensor at a timing different from the output measurement of the gas sensor so as to be in an alarm state. It is a test method of a gas leak alarm including a judgment procedure for judging whether or not is normal.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the power is turned on, a test signal is generated after the idling has elapsed, and then a test is automatically performed. Applied. Since the control means outputs a gas detection alarm based on this value, it is possible to easily perform a test of the gas leak alarm without having to inject a gas into a gas sensor disposed at a high place for a test.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor unit having a gas sensor, and a control unit (CPU) for determining the presence or absence of a gas to be detected based on whether a detection output of the sensor unit exceeds a reference value. In the method for testing a gas leak alarm, the control means includes a storage means for periodically storing an output value of the gas sensor, and an idling means for causing the gas leak alarm to perform an idling operation including a test operation when power is turned on. A test means for generating a test signal after a lapse of a predetermined time after the start of the idling operation, and performing a test.When the test signal is generated, an alarm state is output to the output value of the gas sensor stored in the storage means. A first determination procedure for testing whether the gas detection function of the control means is normal by adding the above values, and when the test signal is generated, A test of a gas leak alarm including a second determination procedure for applying a test voltage that forcibly exceeds the alarm state at a different timing from the force measurement to the gas sensor to determine whether the gas detection function is normal. Is the way.

According to the third aspect of the invention, two types of tests can be performed only by turning on the power. That is, in the present invention, a first determination procedure for adding a value that is set to an alarm state to the output value of the gas sensor stored in the storage means and testing whether the gas detection function of the control means is normal is provided. A second determination procedure for applying a test voltage that forcibly exceeds the alarm state at a timing different from the output measurement of the gas detector when the power is turned on to the gas sensor to determine whether the gas detection function is normal; Is performed, the gas detection function can be tested twice, and the gas leak alarm can be tested more reliably.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor unit having a gas sensor and a fire sensor, and control means for judging the presence / absence of a gas to be detected and the occurrence of a fire based on whether the detection output of the sensor unit exceeds a reference value. (CPU) and a test method of a gas leak alarm device comprising:

The control means includes a storage means for periodically storing the gas sensor output value and the fire sensor output value; an idling means for causing the gas leak alarm to perform an idling operation including a test operation when the power is turned on; A test signal is generated after a lapse of a predetermined period after the start, and a test means for executing a test is provided.When the idling signal is generated, an alarm state is output to the output values of the gas sensor and the fire sensor stored in the storage means. This is a test method for a gas leak alarm including a determination procedure of adding values determined above and testing whether the gas detection function and the fire detection function of the control means are normal.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the values exceeding the alarm value are set in the gas detection output value and the fire output value stored in the test means in a simulated manner just by turning on the power. Since the control means generates a gas detection alarm based on this value, it is easy to inject gas into a gas sensor located at a high place for testing or to heat the fire sensor without any trouble such as heating. Test leak alarms.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor unit having a gas sensor and a fire sensor, and control means for judging the presence / absence of a gas to be detected and the occurrence of a fire based on whether the detection output of the sensor unit exceeds a reference value. (CPU) and a test method of a gas leak alarm device comprising:

The control means includes: an idling means for causing the gas leak alarm to perform an idling operation including a test operation when the power is turned on; a test means for generating a test signal after a lapse of a predetermined time after the start of the idling operation and executing a test. When the test signal is generated, a test voltage forcibly exceeding the alarm state is applied to the gas sensor at a timing different from the output measurement at each output sampling timing of the gas sensor, so that the gas detection function is normal. And a test voltage forcibly exceeding the alarm state is applied to the fire sensor to determine whether the fire detection function is normal. This is a test method.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the test voltage exceeding the alarm value is applied to the gas sensor and the fire sensor simply by turning on the power. Then, the control means generates an alarm for gas detection based on this value, so that it is easy to inject gas for testing into a gas sensor arranged at a high place for a test or to heat a fire sensor without trouble. Can test fire gas leak alarm.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor unit having a gas sensor and a fire sensor, and control means for judging the presence or absence of a gas to be detected and the occurrence of a fire based on whether or not the detection output of the sensor unit exceeds a reference value. (CPU), the control means includes a storage means for periodically overwriting and storing the gas sensor output value and the fire sensor output value, and a gas leak alarm device when the power is turned on. Idling means for performing an idling operation including a test operation, and a test means for generating a test signal after a lapse of a predetermined time after the start of the idling operation, and performing a test, wherein when the test signal is generated, the storage means The above values determined to be in the alarm state are added to the output values of the gas sensor and the fire sensor stored in the controller, and the gas detection function and the fire detection function of the control means are added. A first determination procedure for testing whether the function is normal, and a test voltage which forcibly exceeds the alarm state at a timing different from the output measurement at each output sampling timing of the gas sensor when the test signal is generated. Is applied to the gas sensor to determine whether the gas detection function is normal.Also, a test voltage that forcibly exceeds the alarm state is applied to the fire sensor to determine whether the fire detection function is normal. It is a test method of a gas leak alarm including a second judgment procedure for judging.

According to the present invention, two types of tests can be performed only by turning on the power. That is, according to the present invention, a value greater than an alarm state is added to the output values of the gas sensor and the fire sensor stored in the storage means to test whether the gas detection function and the fire detection function of the control means are normal. A first determination procedure to be performed, and a test voltage that forcibly exceeds the alarm state at a timing different from the output measurement of the gas detector when the power is turned on is applied to the gas sensor and the fire sensor, and the gas detection function is normal. Since the second judgment procedure for judging whether or not is performed, the gas detection function and the fire detection function can be double tested, and the fire gas leak alarm can be more reliably tested.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the gas leak alarm device includes a display alarm means, and when the power is turned on, a test signal is generated after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of idling to perform a test. A test method of a gas leak alarm according to claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, or claim 6.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the output of the display / warning means can use lighting and blinking of a lamp, display of characters and icons on a display screen, voice messages, and the like.

[0027] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the gas sensor comprises:
Claim 1 for detecting the CO and CH ₄ in one sensor, according to claim 2, claim 3, claim 4 is the claim 5, claim 6 or claim 7 gas leak alarms test methods described . According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the number of gas sensors can be reduced, the circuit configuration of the control device can be simplified, and the cost of the gas leak alarm can be reduced.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the gas sensor comprises:
Claim 1 for detecting CO, CH _4, with separate sensors, according to claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, in claim 5, claim 6 or claim 7 gas leak alarms test methods described is there.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a gas sensor having an optimum detection characteristic for each gas can be selected.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A test method for a fire gas leak alarm according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The fire gas leak alarm 30 according to the present example controls a sensor unit 10 in which a semiconductor gas sensor 11 as a gas sensor and a thermistor 14 as a fire element are arranged, as shown in FIG. In addition to detecting gas and heat and issuing an alarm, the control unit (CPU) 20 executes a test of each sensor of the sensor unit.

In this example, two types of gases, that is, CO and CH ₄ are detected by one gas sensor 11 disposed in the sensor section 10.

In the fire gas leak alarm 30 of this embodiment, the thermistor 14 is provided as a fire sensor as described above, and both the gas sensor 11 and the fire sensor 14 are controlled by one control device. It plays the role of gas leak detector and fire detector in the device. The gas sensor 11 of the fire gas leak alarm 30 according to the present embodiment includes a sensor detection unit 12 formed of a SnO ₂ semiconductor sensor and a heater unit 13 that overheats the sensor detection unit 12.

Then, the temperature control of the heater control signal A by the CPU 20 causes the voltage control circuit 4 including the heater control transistors indicated by reference numerals Q1 and Q2.
By changing the voltage applied to the heater unit 13 by switching control of 0, CO is detected at a low temperature (for example, low 0.2 V), and CH ₄ is detected at a high temperature (for example, high 0.9 V).
The detection signal is sent to the gas A / D input terminal. The CPU 20 samples the detection signal in synchronization with the control timing of the heater, detects the concentration of each gas, and outputs an alarm if necessary.

Further, Q3 in the sensor section 10 indicates a transistor for controlling a gas sensor test signal.
20 generates a test signal from the gas TEST terminal at a timing shifted from the gas concentration sampling timing, turns on the transistor Q3, and connects the resistor R1 to the sensor detector 12 in parallel. It is as if the input voltage to the / D input had dropped, that is, it was as if gas had been detected, and based on this voltage, it was determined whether gas detection was normally performed.

In this embodiment, the thermistor 14 has a resistance value corresponding to the ambient temperature, and outputs a voltage corresponding to the ambient temperature to the fire A.
/ D terminal, and the CPU 20 periodically samples the output, and detects the occurrence of a fire based on a rise rate of the environmental temperature.

A test resistor R2 is connected in parallel to the thermistor 14 via a transistor Q4. The transistor Q4 is turned on by a test signal from a fire TEST terminal, and the transistor Q4 is turned on. It is assumed that the thermistor 14 and the resistor R2 are connected in parallel, and it is as if the input voltage to the fire A / D input of the CPU 20 has dropped, that is, as if the environmental temperature has risen. It is determined whether it is performed. The test of the thermistor can be performed independently of the test of the gas sensor.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 20 of this embodiment receives the input signal from the gas sensor 11 and performs a gas detection process using a known algorithm.
And an input signal from the thermistor 14 to perform a fire signal detection process by a known algorithm, a heater control unit 23 to control the temperature of the heater, and overwrite the test results of the gas sensor and thermistor. The RAM 24, which is a storage means for storing the latest test results, that is, always storing the latest test results, a timer 25 for controlling gas concentration detection, fire detection and test timing of each sensor, and the above-described gas sensors and thermistors. The arithmetic unit 26 performs an arithmetic operation to determine whether or not each sensor is normal at the time of the test based on the signal, and performs an idling operation including a test operation in the gas leak alarm when the power is turned on. Idling means 29 for
A test unit 27 that generates a test signal after a predetermined time has elapsed after power-on and executes the test during an idling period.

Each of these functions is realized by processing a predetermined program in a microcomputer.

In this embodiment, the CPU 20 includes
The display alarm means 28 is provided, and idling is started by the idling means when the power is turned on, that is, when the gas alarm is attached to the wall surface,
A test signal is generated from the test means 27 during the idling, and the test is performed. In this example, when a test signal is generated after the test means 27 has turned on the power to the apparatus, the test result is output to the display / warning means 28. In addition, the display / warning means 28 warns and displays an abnormality in the gas concentration during normal monitoring after the test and a fire detection when a fire is detected.

The display / warning means 28 is provided with a portable terminal device such as a notebook personal computer if a test is to be carried out, in addition to the lighting / blinking display of a lamp, the display of character icons on a display screen, the voice message, and the like. Can also be used. As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a fire gas leak alarm in which a semiconductor gas sensor 11 as a gas sensor and smoke detecting means (scattered light type) are integrated can be used.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the gas detection section comprising the gas sensor 11 and its power supply control circuit 40 is the same as the example shown in FIG. 7, so that the smoke detection section 50 will be described. The smoke detection unit 50 outputs a voltage corresponding to the smoke concentration to the fire A /
The output is output to the D input terminal. The CPU 20 periodically samples this output, and determines that a fire has occurred if the output exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The infrared light emitted intermittently from the smoke detecting light emitting element (LED) 15 is scattered by the smoke particles flowing into the smoke detecting section. Light receiving element (photodiode) 17
Receives the scattered light, and if the received light output is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the CPU 20 determines that a fire has occurred.

A test LED 16 is arranged at a position facing the light receiving element 17. The test is started by a test signal from the fire test terminal of the CPU 20, and the test LED 16 emits light at a light emission amount corresponding to the scattered light amount indicating an alarm state.
Lights up. The light receiving element 17 receives the infrared light from the test LED 16, and the CPU 20 performs an arithmetic process of whether or not the received light output is normal, thereby determining whether the sensor is normal. The result is overwritten and stored in the RAM. By turning on the test switch 27,
The latest test result stored in the RAM is output.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the power is turned on (S1), for example, when this gas leak alarm is newly installed, idling is performed to stabilize the alarm circuit and the sensor (S2). ~ S6). This idling operation is performed not only when a new gas leak alarm is installed but also when the power is turned on again at any time when it is desired to execute the test.

During the idling, a test for each detection function is performed (S3, S4) at a stage after a lapse of a fixed time from the start of idling (S2), that is, at a stage when the device is stabilized. Then, when this time has elapsed, an automatic test is performed by the test means 27 (S
4, S5). If the test result is not good, an error is displayed and an alarm is issued. If the test result is good, the idling is terminated (S7), and the process shifts to normal monitoring (S8).

In normal monitoring, the gas sensor 11 detects C
For the detection of H ₄ and CO, the heater control signal A rises under the control of the heater control unit 23, and the gas sensor heater drive voltage becomes high (0.9 V). As a result, the heater 13 generates heat, and the gas sensor 11 reaches a temperature (for example, several hundred degrees Celsius) suitable for detecting CH ₄ . In this example, this heater
The high state lasts for 5 seconds.

Next, CO detection is performed. First, the heater control signal A falls under the control of the heater control unit 23, and the gas sensor heater drive voltage becomes low (0.2
V). As a result, the temperature of the gas sensor 11 decreases to a temperature (for example, several tens of degrees Celsius) suitable for detecting CO. In this example, the low state of the heater is maintained for 15 seconds (FIG. 4,
(2)).

Near the end of the cooling time of the gas sensor, that is, when the temperature condition has stabilized, the gas detection A / D signal is read (FIG. 4 (2)), and C0 is detected. This detection is performed in the gas signal processing unit 21,
When an abnormality is detected, a warning is issued from the display warning means 27.

In this embodiment, the measurement of the environmental temperature by the thermistor is performed periodically (every 20 seconds as in the test of the gas sensor) separately from the above gas detection. That is, at a predetermined time, the output of the thermistor 14 is read from the A / D terminal of the CPU 20, and a fire determination is performed.

The normal monitoring is performed by repeating the above series of processing. Then, the latest detection value of each sensor is overwritten and stored in the RAM 24.

Next, the case where the test of the alarm device is performed will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, when the power of the alarm device is turned on (SA1), idling is started by the idling means 29 (SA2). After a certain period of time has passed (FIGS. 4 (1), 6 (1)), the test means 27 generates a test signal (SA3, FIG. 6 (3)), and the gas test signal and the thermistor test signal are output. Two types of tests are performed.

In one test, the test signal is used as a trigger to add the values detected by the gas sensor and the thermistor stored in the RAM 24 to the values above which the gas sensor and the fire sensor are judged to be in an alarm state. Is for determining whether a gas leak and fire alarm are output (soft-side test) (SA4 to SA7).

In another test, the transistor Q
3 and Q4 are made conductive, and the resistor R1 and the resistor R2 are connected in parallel with the gas sensor 11 and the thermistor 14, so that the gas sensor 11 and the thermistor and the resistor R
1, the combined resistance with R2 is set to a gas detection state and a fire detection state, and a test is performed by the control means 20 to output a gas detection and a fire alarm (hard side test) (SA8 to SA1)
1).

Each test (SA4, SA8) is performed. If the test result is normal, a display indicating that the test is normal is performed (SA5, SA7, SA9, SA11). If an abnormality is detected, an abnormality display and an alarm are performed. (SA6, SA10).

When the result of each test is normal, idling is terminated (SA12) and the above-mentioned normal monitoring is executed (SA13) First, the software test will be described. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the power is turned on (SB1), idling starts (SB1).
2) Then, the heater 13 of the gas sensor 11 is turned on and off (FIG. 4 (2)). After a lapse of a certain time (SB
3, FIG. 4 (1)) When the test means 24 starts a test signal, the outputs of the gas sensor 11 and the thermistor 17 are stored in the RAM.
24 is overwritten (SB4). That is, the test means 2
When the test signal is output from No. 4, a certain constant is added to the data stored in the RAM 24 (SB5). This constant is a value that exceeds the value when the gas sensor 11 detects gas and the value that exceeds the value when the fire sensor detects a fire, and is predetermined. This state is referred to as control means 2
0 is detected as a fire and a fire alarm is output (SB
6) Depending on the reason, if a fire alarm is issued (SB7), it is determined that it is normal, and that fact is displayed. If no fire alarm is issued, a display and an alarm are output as abnormal (SB9).

Similarly, a test is performed depending on whether the control means 20 detects this state as a gas leak and outputs a gas leak alarm (SB8). That is, if a gas leak alarm is issued (SB10), it is displayed as normal, and if a fire alarm is not issued, a display and alarm are output as abnormal (S10).
B9).

Next, the hardware test will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the power is turned on (SC1).
Is started (SC2), and the gas sensor 1
The first heater 13 is turned on and off (FIG. 6 (2)).
After a lapse of a predetermined time, the test means 24 outputs a test signal (SC3). The operation so far is the operation described in the above-described software test.

When the test signal is output, the thermistor 14
And the test signal of the gas sensor 11 rise (SC4, SC8). With this signal, the transistor Q
3 and the transistor Q4 become conductive, and the resistor R
1. The resistor R2 is connected in parallel to each sensor.

In this state, the gas sensor 11 and the resistor R1
Is greater than the value when the gas sensor 11 detects gas leaks of CO and CH ₄ , and the thermistor 14
Exceeds the value when the fire was detected.

This state is detected by the control means 20 as a fire, and a test is performed depending on whether a fire alarm is output (SC5). That is, if a fire alarm is issued, it is displayed as normal (SC7), and if no fire alarm is issued, a display and an alarm are output as abnormal (SC6).

Similarly, a test of the gas leak detection function is performed depending on whether the control means 20 detects this state as a gas leak and outputs a gas leak alarm (SC9). That is, if a gas leak alarm is issued, the display is normal (SC11), and if no gas leak alarm is issued, a display and an alarm are output as abnormal (SC10).

When the smoke detection function is tested, the tests on the software side and the hardware side are performed in the same manner as the test on the thermistor.

As described above, according to the gas leak alarm device of this embodiment, a double test on the hard side and the soft side is performed during idling and the result is output only by turning on the power. In addition, the test result of the gas sensor and the test result of the fire detection element are output at a time, and the states of the gas sensor and the fire detection element of the gas leak alarm device can be grasped at once as a whole.

Further, in the above example, the gas leak detecting device provided with a thermistor in addition to the gas sensor has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to a simple gas leak detecting device having no thermistor.

In the above example, the gas sensor is CH
_{The case where 4} and CO are detected by one element has been described,
Each of them may be detected by a different element.

The method for testing a fire gas leak alarm according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0067]

As described above, according to the method for testing a gas leak alarm of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a value exceeding the alarm value is set in a pseudo manner in the gas detection output stored in the control means just by turning on the power. Since the control means generates an alarm for gas detection based on this value, it is possible to easily perform the test of the gas leak alarm without the need to inject gas for testing into a gas sensor arranged at a high place. Therefore, in addition to the test at the time of installing the gas leak alarm, when the test needs to be performed, the test can be automatically performed simply by turning on the power again.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the power is turned on, a test signal is generated after the idling has elapsed, a test is automatically performed, and a test voltage that causes an alarm state is applied to the gas sensor. Applied. Since the control means outputs a gas detection alarm based on this value, it is possible to easily perform a test of the gas leak alarm without having to inject a gas into a gas sensor disposed at a high place for a test.

According to the third aspect of the invention, two types of tests can be performed only by turning on the power. That is, in the present invention, a first determination procedure for adding a value that is set to an alarm state to the output value of the gas sensor stored in the storage means and testing whether the gas detection function of the control means is normal is provided. A second determination procedure for applying a test voltage that forcibly exceeds the alarm state at a timing different from the output measurement of the gas detector when the power is turned on to the gas sensor to determine whether the gas detection function is normal; Is performed, the gas detection function can be tested twice, and the gas leak alarm can be tested more reliably.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the values exceeding the alarm value are set in the gas detection output value and the fire output value stored in the test means in a pseudo manner just by turning on the power. Since the control means generates a gas detection alarm based on this value, it is easy to inject gas into a gas sensor located at a high place for testing or to heat the fire sensor without any trouble such as heating. Test leak alarms.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the test voltage exceeding the alarm value is applied to the gas sensor and the fire sensor simply by turning on the power. Then, the control means generates an alarm for gas detection based on this value, so that it is easy to inject gas for testing into a gas sensor arranged at a high place for a test or to heat a fire sensor without trouble. Can test fire gas leak alarm.

According to the present invention, two types of tests can be performed only by turning on the power. That is, according to the present invention, a value greater than an alarm state is added to the output values of the gas sensor and the fire sensor stored in the storage means to test whether the gas detection function and the fire detection function of the control means are normal. A first determination procedure to be performed, and a test voltage that forcibly exceeds the alarm state at a timing different from the output measurement of the gas detector when the power is turned on is applied to the gas sensor and the fire sensor, and the gas detection function is normal. Since the second judgment procedure for judging whether or not is performed, the gas detection function and the fire detection function can be double tested, and the fire gas leak alarm can be more reliably tested.

According to the gas leak alarm test method of the present invention, the result of the test can be accurately displayed, the output of the display alarm means can be appropriately selected, the lamp is turned on and blinked, and the character icon on the display screen is displayed. By using a display, a message by voice, or the like, an appropriate display can be performed according to the needs of the device. According to the test method of the gas leak alarm according to the eighth aspect, since a plurality of gases are detected by one detection element, the circuit configuration of another control device that can reduce the number of gas sensors is simplified. Can be
The cost of the gas leak alarm can be reduced.

According to the gas leak alarm testing method of the present invention, different gases are detected by different gas sensors, respectively, so that a gas sensor having an optimum detection characteristic for each gas is selected. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a process of a test method for a gas leak alarm according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of a test method of the gas leak alarm according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of a software-side test in the test method of the gas leak alarm device shown in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing processing of a software-side test shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of a hardware-side test in the test method of the gas leak alarm shown in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing processing of a hardware side test shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gas leak alarm to which the test method according to the embodiment is applied.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gas leak alarm to which a test method according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sensor part 11 Gas sensor 11 Semiconductor gas sensor 12 Sensor detection part 13 Heater part 14 Fire sensor (thermistor) 15 Smoke detection light emitting element (LED) 16 Test LED 17 Light receiving element (photodiode) 20 Control part (CPU) 21 Gas signal Processing unit 22 Fire signal processing unit 23 Heater control unit 25 Timer 26 Operation unit 27 Test unit 28 Display / warning unit 29 Idling unit 30 Alarm

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G08B 21/00 G08B 21/00 21/16 21/16 (72) Inventor Atsushi Manbon Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 2-10-43 Osaki, Ho Chiki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ichiro Endo 2-10-43 Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Intra-housing (72) Inventor Makoto Hayama Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 2-chome No. 10-43 Ho Chiki Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2G046 AA11 AA19 CA09 DB04 DB05 DC09 DC12 DC14 DC16 DC17 DC18 EB06 FB02 FE39 2G060 AB08 AB17 AE19 AF07 BA01 BB02 BB09 BD10 HA09 HB05 HB06 HC07 HC09 HC13 HC19 HD01 HD01 HE10 KA01 5C086 AA02 CB11 DA01 DA02 DA08 DA10 DA11 EA45

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A gas leak comprising: a sensor unit having a gas sensor; and a control means (CPU) having a detection function of receiving a detection output of the gas sensor and determining the presence or absence of a gas to be detected based on the detection output. In the test method for an alarm device, the control unit stores the output value of the gas sensor periodically, and causes the gas leak alarm device to perform an idling operation including a test operation when power is supplied to the gas leak alarm device. An idling means; and a test means for generating a test signal when a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the idling operation and executing a test, and when the test signal is generated, a gas sensor stored in the storage means. A gas leak alarm device including a judgment procedure of adding whether or not the gas detection function of the control means is normal by adding a value which is determined to be in an alarm state to the output value of the control means. Test method. 2. A gas leakage system comprising: a sensor unit having a gas sensor; and a control unit (CPU) having a detection function of receiving a detection output of the gas sensor and determining the presence or absence of a gas to be detected based on the detection output. In the test method for an alarm device, the control unit stores the output value of the gas sensor periodically, and an idling unit that causes the gas leak alarm to perform an idling operation including a test operation when the gas leak alarm is turned on. And a test means for generating a test signal after a lapse of a predetermined time after the start of the idling operation, and performing a test.When the test signal is generated, an alarm state or more at a timing different from the output measurement of the gas sensor. Is applied to the gas sensor so as to be in an alarm state, and it is determined whether the gas detection function of the control means is normal. A test method for a gas leak alarm that includes a judgment procedure. 3. A test method for a gas leak alarm device, comprising: a sensor unit having a gas sensor; and control means (CPU) for determining whether or not a detected gas is present based on whether a detection output of the sensor unit exceeds a reference value. In the control means, a storage means for periodically storing the output value of the gas sensor, an idling means for performing an idling operation including a test operation to the gas leak alarm when power is turned on, and a certain time after the start of the idling operation Test means for generating a test signal after a lapse of time, and executing a test, wherein when the test signal is generated, a value greater than an alarm state is added to an output value of the gas sensor stored in the storage means. A first determination procedure for testing whether the gas detection function of the control means is normal; and, when the test signal is generated, a time different from the output measurement of the gas sensor. A test method for a gas leak alarm including a second determination procedure of applying a test voltage that forcibly exceeds an alarm state by a gas to a gas sensor to determine whether a gas detection function is normal. 4. A sensor unit including a gas sensor and a fire sensor, and a control unit (CPU) for determining the presence or absence of a gas to be detected and the occurrence of a fire based on whether the detection output of the sensor unit exceeds a reference value. In the test method for a gas leak alarm, the control means includes a storage means for periodically storing the gas sensor output value and the fire sensor output value, and idling for causing the gas leak alarm to perform an idling operation including a test operation when power is turned on. Means for generating a test signal after a lapse of a certain period of time after the start of the idling operation, and a test means for executing a test. When the idling signal is generated, the gas sensor and the fire sensor stored in the storage means are provided. Add the value that is judged to be in the alarm state to the output value and test whether the gas detection function and fire detection function of the control means are normal. The method of testing gas leakage alarm including determination procedure. 5. A sensor comprising a gas sensor and a fire sensor, and a control means (CPU) for determining the presence or absence of a detected gas and the occurrence of a fire based on whether the detection output of the sensor exceeds a reference value. In the test method for a gas leak alarm, the control means includes: an idling means for causing the gas leak alarm to perform an idling operation including a test operation when a power is turned on; and When the test signal is generated, applying a test voltage to the gas sensor forcibly at or above the alarm state at a different timing from the output measurement at each output sampling timing of the gas sensor. , Determine whether the gas detection function is normal, and apply a test voltage to the fire sensor that forcibly exceeds the alarm state. Pressure, and a method of testing gas leakage alarm comprising determining procedure whether a fire detection function is normal. 6. A sensor unit having a gas sensor and a fire sensor, and a control means (CPU) for judging the presence or absence of a gas to be detected and the occurrence of a fire based on whether or not the detection output of the sensor unit exceeds a reference value. In the test method for a gas leak alarm, the control means includes a storage means for periodically overwriting and storing the gas sensor output value and the fire sensor output value, and an idling operation including a test operation in the gas leak alarm device at power-on. And a test means for generating a test signal after a lapse of a predetermined time after the start of the idling operation, and performing a test.When the test signal is generated, the gas sensor stored in the storage means and The output value of the fire sensor is added with a value that is determined to be in an alarm state, and whether the gas detection function and the fire detection function of the control means are normal is determined. A first determination procedure to test, when the test signal is generated, applying a test voltage to the gas sensor forcibly at or above the alarm state at a different timing from the output measurement for each output sampling timing of the gas sensor, A second determination is made to determine whether the gas detection function is normal, and to apply a test voltage that forcibly exceeds the alarm state to the fire sensor to determine whether the fire detection function is normal. Test method of gas leak alarm including procedure. 7. The gas leak alarm device according to claim 1, further comprising a display alarm unit, and outputting a test result when the test is completed.
The method for testing a gas leak alarm according to claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, or claim 6. 8. The gas sensor according to claim 1, wherein the gas sensor detects CO and CH ₄ with a single sensor. Test method for gas leak alarm. 9. The gas sensor according to claim 1, wherein the CO and CH ₄ are detected by different sensors, respectively. Test method of gas leak alarm in Japan.