JP2006018722A - Inspection method of gas leak alarm, gas sensor, and gas leak alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas sensor hardly causing poisoning of a gas detecting element, an inspection method of gas leak alarm capable of shortening the time required for inspection, and a gas sensor and a gas leak alarm suitable for the inspection method. <P>SOLUTION: In the inspection method of the gas leak alarm 2 including a gas inlet port 24, a cap having at least a miscellaneous gas filter 17 attached to a sensor base and the peripheral part thereof, and a gas sensor 1 with a built-in gas detecting element 11b contained in the inner part thereof, an injection needle V2 at the tip of a syringe V1 holding an inspection gas Vg is passed to the end part of the miscellaneous gas filter of the gas sensor via the gas inlet port, and the inspection gas is injected in the vicinity of the gas detection element through the injection needle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a gas leak alarm device that can easily inspect a gas detection function at the time of installation, a gas sensor used there, and a gas leak alarm device.

A gas to be detected by a home-use combined city gas leak alarm (hereinafter abbreviated as a gas leak alarm) is carbon monoxide gas generated during incomplete combustion of city gas as fuel gas and fuel gas. Since fuel gas and carbon monoxide gas have different properties, two types of gas detection elements corresponding to each of them are usually used.
In addition, miscellaneous gases that cause false alarms are mainly alcohol vapors used in cooking, and a filter using an adsorbent such as activated carbon is installed in the gas sensor package to prevent false alarms due to alcohol vapors. in use.
In general, gas leak alarms are installed at home by workers of gas sales companies, and the alarm function of the gas leak alarm is checked at the time of installation. As an inspection method, lighter gas (butane gas) is used for confirming the operation of the fuel gas. On the other hand, a method using carbon monoxide in the lighter gas combustion flame is known for confirming the operation of the carbon monoxide gas sensor. (For example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gas leak alarm attached to the wall surface. The gas leak detector 2 is hung on a latch 32 of a mounting jig 31 when installed on a wall surface. The mounting jig is usually a metal plate and is fixed to the wall surface by double-sided adhesive seal or screwing. The gas sensor 1 is mounted in the back of the flow hole 24 to which the lattice of the gas leak detector 2 is attached.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional gas leak alarm device taken along plane AA in FIG. Hereinafter, the sectional view of the gas leak alarm is the same sectional view. The outer shape of the gas leak alarm is composed of an upper cover 21 and a lower cover 22, and each peripheral edge portion is assembled and assembled. A gas sensor 1 is mounted on a printed circuit board 23 fixed to the lower cover 22 together with electronic components (not shown) necessary for processing a gas detection signal.
5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of a conventional gas sensor. FIG. 5A shows a catalytic combustion type gas sensor, and FIG. 5B shows a thin film semiconductor type gas sensor.

In the contact combustion type gas sensor 1A, a gas detection element 1a is stretched around a pin 14 penetrating the sensor base 12, and the gas detection element 1a is a sensor including a miscellaneous gas filter 17 made of activated carbon and a double metal mesh 16. The cap 15 is sealed by being fixed to the peripheral portion of the sensor base 12.
In the thin film semiconductor type gas sensor 1B, the thin film semiconductor type gas detection element 1b is attached to the sensor base 12 in a planar shape, and the thin film semiconductor type gas detection element 1b is activated carbon miscellaneous gas filter 17 as in FIG. The sensor cap 15 having the double metal mesh 16 is sealed by being fixed to the peripheral portion of the sensor base 12. The double metal mesh 16 prevents the explosion when the gas leaks when the gas concentration exceeds the lower explosion limit. In addition, gas sensors have been developed in which an activated carbon miscellaneous gas filter with a small hole covers a double metal mesh, or an activated carbon miscellaneous gas filter of the same structure is placed between the double mesh (for example, patents) Literature 2.).

In the inspection of the gas leak alarm using such a conventional gas sensor, the inspection gas is sprayed from the outside of the gas leak alarm using the inspection gas supply means V such as a dropper shown in FIG. A gas leak alarm was generated by introducing gas via the flow hole 24.
JP-A-8-105824 (2nd page-4th page, FIG. 1) JP-A-8-159999 (pages 4-7, FIG. 1)

The main component of city gas, which is the gas to be detected by the gas leak alarm for city gas, is methane gas, but as inspection gas, lighter butane gas that can be easily carried is used. However, the activated carbon filter does not adsorb hydrogen gas, carbon monoxide gas, and methane gas, which is a main component of city gas, but easily adsorbs gases such as butane gas and alcohol. For this reason, when using butane gas for a lighter, the inspection gas must be blown to the gas sensor portion for a long time, and the gas concentration in the vicinity of the sensor must be increased to a concentration at which an alarm can be issued.
In order to shorten the spraying time with such a lighter gas and improve the inspection performance, a gas sensor (for example, Patent Document 3) in which a minute hole is formed in the side surface or base of the sensor cap is used. A gas leak alarm having a hole for inspection at a position facing a minute hole on the side surface of the gas sensor has also been developed (for example, Patent Document 4).

However, in such a method, even during normal use, since miscellaneous gas reaches the gas sensor without passing through a filter, it is inevitable that the gas detection element is poisoned and the gas detection characteristics are deteriorated. .
An object of the present invention is to provide a gas sensor in which a gas detection element is not easily poisoned, a method for inspecting a gas leak alarm with a short time required for inspection, and a gas sensor and a gas leak alarm suitable for this inspection method. .
JP-A-7-55747 (2nd page to 5th page, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-121787 (2nd page to 5th page, FIG. 1)

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a gas leakage alarm including a gas introduction port and a cap having at least a miscellaneous gas filter attached to the peripheral portion of the sensor base and incorporating a gas sensor in which a gas detection element is incorporated. In the inspection method of the container, the injection needle at the tip of the syringe holding the inspection gas is passed through the gas introduction port to the end of the miscellaneous gas filter of the gas sensor, and the inspection gas is passed through the injection needle to the vicinity of the gas detection element. Inject.
The miscellaneous gas filter may be made of spherical activated carbon.
The particle size distribution of the spherical activated carbon preferably has a lower limit.
The inner diameter of the syringe needle of the syringe is preferably smaller than the lower limit value of the particle size distribution of the spherical activated carbon.
The spherical activated carbon is preferably packed so gently as not to lose fluidity.
Fibrous activated carbon is preferably used for the miscellaneous gas filter.

The miscellaneous gas filter is preferably made of sponge-like activated carbon.
In a gas sensor in which a cap having at least a miscellaneous gas filter is attached to the peripheral portion of the sensor base and a gas detection element is built in the cap, the miscellaneous gas filter is made of spherical activated carbon.
The particle size distribution of the spherical activated carbon preferably has a lower limit.
The spherical activated carbon is preferably packed so gently as not to lose fluidity.
Fibrous activated carbon is preferably used for the miscellaneous gas filter.
In a gas sensor in which a cap having at least a miscellaneous gas filter is attached to the peripheral portion of the sensor base and a gas detection element is incorporated therein, the miscellaneous gas filter is made of sponge activated carbon.

  In the gas leak alarm device incorporating a gas sensor having a miscellaneous gas filter between the gas introduction port and the gas detection element, any one of the above gas sensors is mounted.

According to the present invention, the injection needle at the tip of the syringe holding the inspection gas is passed through the gas inlet to the end of the miscellaneous gas filter of the gas sensor, and the inspection gas is injected into the vicinity of the gas detection element through this injection needle. Since the tip of the injection needle reaches the metal double mesh, the inspection gas immediately reaches the gas detection element, reaches the concentration required for the inspection in a short time, and the inspection time can be shortened.
Moreover, since the used spherical activated carbon has fluidity, it penetrates easily, and it is buried immediately after the injection needle is removed, and the filter function is not impaired. Further, since the injection needle does not crush the activated carbon, the fragments do not pass through the metal double mesh and the activated carbon does not adhere to the gas detection element, and the gas detection characteristics are not impaired.
The butane gas is supplied for a short time, and the butane gas is not adsorbed on the activated carbon, so that the gas leak alarm is immediately ready for gas detection.

Moreover, since the inner diameter of the injection needle is made smaller than the lower limit of the particle diameter of the spherical activated carbon, the activated carbon is not clogged in the injection needle, and the supply of the inspection gas can be performed without delay.
Further, when sponge-like activated carbon is used, because of its elasticity and shape restoring force, it is possible to remove the injection needle and supply the inspection gas without any problems as described above.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a gas leak alarm according to the present invention.
The outer shape of the gas leak alarm 2 is composed of an upper cover 21 and a lower cover 22, and each peripheral edge portion is assembled and assembled. The gas sensor 1 is mounted on the printed circuit board 23 fixed to the lower cover 22 together with necessary electronic components.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 1 in a state where an injection needle is inserted.
At the time of inspection, the injection needle V2 of the microsyringe V1 is made to reach the inside of the gas sensor 1 through the circular lattice-shaped flow hole 24. In the gas sensor 1, a thin film semiconductor type gas detection element 1b is affixed to the sensor base 12 in a planar shape, and the gas detection element 1b has a three-layered configuration in which spherical activated carbon 17a is sandwiched between fibrous activated carbon 17b. The sensor cap 15 provided with the gas filter, the double metal mesh 16, and the blow-off preventing projection 15 on the side surface is sealed by being fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the sensor base 12.

  Table 1 shows an example of the particle diameter of the spherical activated carbon and the dimensions of the injection needle V2.

Since the minimum particle size of the spherical activated carbon (which is the lower limit value of the particle size distribution) is about the outer diameter of the injection needle and sufficiently larger than the inner diameter, the spherical activated carbon does not enter the injection needle.
In addition, spherical activated carbon has a shape close to a true sphere and high fluidity, and is not completely densely packed, but is filled to have a gap that can be pushed away by the injection needle. It is easy to penetrate the spherical activated carbon part of the needle. Further, when the injection needle is pulled out, the spherical activated carbon moves and is buried in the penetrating portion, so that the filter function is not impaired.
Further, since the fibrous activated carbon is fibrous, it is possible to prevent the spherical activated carbon from coming out and to insert and remove the injection needle. However, since the spherical activated carbon is superior to the adsorption of various gases, the fibrous activated carbon layer is made thin so that the filter function is mainly spherical activated carbon.

When the gas leak alarm is actually installed, the orientation is often as shown in FIG. 3, and at this time, the printed circuit board 23 is parallel to the vertical plane. Spherical activated carbon is not completely densely packed, but is filled so as to have a clearance enough to be pushed away by the injection needle. Therefore, in the installation situation of the gas leak alarm as shown in FIG. A gap is generated on the side surface of the sensor cap 15. As it is, there is a path through which miscellaneous gas reaches the detection element 1b without passing through the spherical activated carbon. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, this can be prevented by providing a blow-off prevention protrusion 18 in a ring shape on the inner surface of the sensor cap 15.
Check the gas leak alarm as follows. First, butane gas is collected from a lighter and filled in the microsyringe V1.
Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the injection needle V <b> 2 is inserted into the gas sensor and penetrates to the front of the double metal mesh 16. Therefore, butane gas is injected from the microsyringe through the injection needle. At this time, there is only a metal double mesh between the tip of the injection needle and the gas detection element, and the butane gas immediately reaches the gas detection element. Therefore, if the gas leak alarm is normal, it is much shorter than the conventional inspection method. In time, an alarm is issued in response to butane gas, and the operation of the gas leak alarm can be checked.

Then, immediately after the alarm is issued, the injection needle is removed and the inspection work is completed.
Since the butane gas is supplied for a short time and the butane gas is not adsorbed on the activated carbon, the gas leak alarm is in a gas detectable state.
Even if the miscellaneous gas filter is sponge-like activated carbon, the inspection method of the present invention can be applied.
Sponge-like activated carbon is less likely to become elastic fragments, so that the inside of the injection needle is not clogged and can be easily inserted, and the through hole after being removed can be backfilled.

According to the present invention, activated carbon with high fluidity or sponge-like activated carbon is used for the miscellaneous gas filter, and at the time of inspection, an appropriately thin injection needle of a syringe is inserted and penetrated from the gas introduction part to the miscellaneous gas filter, The inspection gas is injected in the vicinity of the gas detection element, so that the operation of the gas leak alarm can be checked easily and reliably, and the normal filter yesterday is immediately displayed after the check. Is secured.
Since the inspection work can be completed in a short time, the installation cost of the gas leak alarm is reduced.

It is sectional drawing of the gas leak alarm device which concerns on this invention. It is an enlarged view of the B section in Drawing 1 in the state where the injection needle was inserted. It is a perspective view of the gas leak alarm attached to a wall surface. It is AA surface sectional drawing in FIG. 3 of the conventional gas leak alarm device. It is sectional drawing of the conventional gas sensor, (a) is a contact combustion type gas sensor, (b) has shown the thin film semiconductor type gas sensor.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas sensor 1A Contact combustion type gas sensor 1B Thin film semiconductor type gas sensor 1a Contact combustion type gas detection element 1b Thin film semiconductor type gas detection element 12 Sensor base 14 Pin 15 Cap 16 Metal double mesh 17 Miscellaneous gas filter 17a Spherical activated carbon 17b Fibrous activated carbon 18 Blow-out prevention protrusion 2 Gas leak alarm 21 Upper cover 22 Lower cover 23 Printed circuit board 24 Flow holes 25 Grid V Inspection means V1 Micro syringe V2 Injection needle Vg Inspection gas 31 Mounting jig 32 Latch

Claims (13)

A gas introduction port and a cap having at least a miscellaneous gas filter are attached to the periphery of the sensor base. A gas leak characterized in that an injection needle at the tip of a held syringe is passed through the gas introduction port to the end of the miscellaneous gas filter of the gas sensor, and an inspection gas is injected into the vicinity of the gas detection element through the injection needle. How to check the alarm. The method for checking a gas leak alarm according to claim 1, wherein the miscellaneous gas filter is made of spherical activated carbon. The method for checking a gas leak alarm according to claim 2, wherein a particle size distribution of the spherical activated carbon has a lower limit value. The method for checking a gas leak alarm according to claim 3, wherein an inner diameter of the injection needle of the syringe is smaller than a lower limit value of a particle size distribution of the spherical activated carbon. The method for checking a gas leak alarm according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the spherical activated carbon is gently packed so as not to lose fluidity. The method for checking a gas leak alarm according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein fibrous activated carbon is used for the miscellaneous gas filter. The method for checking a gas leak alarm according to claim 1, wherein the miscellaneous gas filter is made of sponge-like activated carbon. A gas sensor, wherein a cap having at least a miscellaneous gas filter is attached to a peripheral portion of the sensor base, and a gas detection element is incorporated therein, wherein the miscellaneous gas filter is made of spherical activated carbon. The gas sensor according to claim 8, wherein a particle size distribution of the spherical activated carbon has a lower limit value. The gas sensor according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the spherical activated carbon is gently packed so as not to lose fluidity. The gas sensor according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein fibrous activated carbon is used for the miscellaneous gas filter. The gas sensor according to claim 8, wherein the miscellaneous gas filter is made of sponge-like activated carbon. 12. A gas leak alarm incorporating a gas sensor having a miscellaneous gas filter between a gas inlet and a gas detection element, wherein the gas sensor according to claim 8 is mounted. Leak alarm.

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