JP2006338419A - Flame detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flame detector which can broadly detect flames and accurately specify a spot, in which a flames break out, without wrong operation. <P>SOLUTION: The flame detector is provided with; an infrared sensor 1; an ultraviolet sensor 2 which is arranged vertically so that the center of its flame detection range may accords with the center of the flame detection range of the infrared sensor 1; a rotation device 5 which horizontally and reciprocally rotates these sensors 1 and 2 in a range of prescribed angles; an angle detection device which detects the rotation angle positions of the sensors 1 and 2 rotated by the rotation device 5; and a control device 21 which stops the rotation by the rotation device 5 when the ultraviolet sensor 2 detects flames, and outputs flame detection reporting signals, to which the rotation position angles detected by the angle detection device are added, when flames are detected by the infrared sensor 1 in a prescribed period of time. In this arrangement, the wide-range detection is realized with the sensors 1 and 2, and a direction, in which flames occur, can be detected by the rotation position angles to specify a spot in which the flames occurs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a flame detector that detects a flame by detecting ultraviolet rays and infrared rays emitted from the flame.

As the detection principle of the flame detector,
(1). Infrared type to detect infrared rays emitted from the flame,
(2). UV type that detects the ultraviolet rays emitted from the flame,
(3). Combined type using both infrared and ultraviolet types,
(4). Flame combined type that combines infrared type and ultraviolet type,
There is.

Among flame detectors based on the above detection principle, an example of a combined flame detector is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
The flame detector disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape and a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side, and is provided at the center of one surface of the case provided inside the case. An infrared sensor arranged so as to detect, an ultraviolet sensor which is arranged on one side of the housing and located on the outer peripheral side of the infrared sensor, and processes each detection signal from the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet sensor. A detection circuit {detection angle (viewing angle) and detectable distance that each of the ultraviolet sensor and the infrared sensor has, each of which includes a processing circuit and a limiting adapter piece that restricts the viewing angle and detection shape of the infrared light incident on the infrared sensor. The effective detection area} is properly used according to the object to be detected (flame) so that the fire can be detected effectively.

  The restriction adapter piece can easily obtain a desired viewing angle without changing the mounting angle of the flame detector or without providing a shielding plate around the flame detector, and is adjacent to the fire alarm target. It is attached to make it easy to distinguish and sense each object.

  The processing circuit takes a logical product of the detection signals of the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet sensor, and outputs a fire detection signal when both sensors detect at the same time. It is configured not to output.

In general, ultraviolet sensors have the advantages of low cost and high sensitivity, and are known to have the disadvantages of being prone to malfunction and being vulnerable to dirt. Infrared sensors are also less prone to malfunction and are susceptible to dirt. It is known to have the advantages of being strong, expensive, and low sensitivity.
JP 2003-336881 A

  Conventional flame detectors, as described above, use the detection range of the ultraviolet sensor and infrared sensor appropriately according to the target (flame) to be detected, so that fire can be detected effectively. It was difficult to accurately determine at which position and angle of the flame the flame was occurring, and it was difficult to accurately grasp the flame detection position by attaching it to a moving body such as a robot . Further, when attached to a moving body, there has been a problem that the ultraviolet sensor and the infrared sensor are likely to malfunction due to the environment (temperature, humidity, illuminance, etc.) of the moving path.

  Further, since the ultraviolet sensor and the infrared sensor have disadvantages, it is desired to compensate for each other. Further, since each sensor has a limited detection range, detection in a wider range is desired.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a flame detector that can detect a flame in a wide range and can accurately identify the location where the flame has occurred without malfunctioning.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is a flame detector including an infrared sensor and an ultraviolet sensor,
The center of the flame detection range of the infrared sensor coincides with the center of the flame detection range of the ultraviolet sensor, the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet sensor are arranged up and down, and the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet sensor arranged above and below, A rotation device that rotates horizontally, an angle detection device that detects a rotation position angle of the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet sensor by the rotation device, and when the flame is detected by the ultraviolet sensor, the rotation by the rotation device is stopped for a predetermined time. When a flame is detected by the infrared sensor during this period, a control device is provided that outputs a flame detection notification signal with a rotational position angle detected by the angle detection device. .

  According to the above configuration, by rotating the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet sensor within a predetermined angle range, detection in a wide range is executed, and further, the flame detection direction (rotation position angle) is detected by the angle detection device. Thus, the generation position of the flame is specified by the rotation position angle and the detection distance of the sensor. Further, when both the ultraviolet sensor and the infrared sensor detect a flame, a malfunction detection is prevented by outputting a flame detection notification signal.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the control device is installed in a moving body that moves along a predetermined route, and the control device detects the flame when the ultraviolet sensor detects the flame. The rotation by the rotating device is stopped, and a movement stop command is output to the moving body.

  According to the above configuration, when the flame is detected by being installed on the moving body, the movement of the moving body is stopped when the flame is detected by the ultraviolet sensor, and thus the direction in which the flame is detected is prevented from being shifted. And detection accuracy is improved.

  The flame detector of the present invention can perform detection in a wide range by rotating the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet sensor within a range of a predetermined angle, and further, the flame detection direction is detected by the angle detection device. The occurrence position of the sensor can be specified by the detection angle and the detection distance of the sensor, and the malfunction detection can be prevented by outputting a flame detection signal when both the ultraviolet sensor and the infrared sensor detect the flame. have.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flame detector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flame detector.

  1 and 2, 1 is an infrared sensor, and 2 is an ultraviolet sensor. These sensors 1 and 2 are arranged so that the center of the flame detection range of the infrared sensor 1 coincides with the center of the flame detection range of the ultraviolet sensor 2. The detection windows 1a and 2a of the sensors 1 and 2 are housed and integrated in a first case 3 that is open. For example, the flame detection range of the infrared sensor 1 is “detection angle: 100 ° left and right, 100 ° up and down, detection distance: 3 m with 20 cm flame”, and the flame detection range of the ultraviolet sensor 2 is “detection angle: left and right” as an example. 120 °, up and down 120 °, detection distance: 5 m with 2 cm flame ”, the sensitivity of the ultraviolet sensor 2 is higher than the sensitivity of the infrared sensor 1.

  The first case 3 is mounted on a rotation shaft (hereinafter referred to as a case shaft) 4 that is vertically supported so as to be freely rotatable. The case shaft 4 has a predetermined angle range (for example, the front of the flame detector F). There is provided a rotating device 5 that reciprocally rotates the first case 3, that is, the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 within a predetermined angle range by reciprocating the center at 0 ° and + 90 ° to −90 °. Yes.

  The rotating device 5 includes a first gear 6 with the case shaft 4 fixed at the rotation center, a second gear 7 that meshes with the first gear 6, and a rotation shaft fixed at the rotation center of the second gear 7. The stepping motor 8 is housed in a second case 9 disposed below the first case 3. A reference position detection sensor 10 that is housed in the second case 9 and detects the reference position of the stepping motor 8 is provided. The reference position is a position where the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 face the front center (the angle is 0 °).

  A remote switch 11 and a single switch 12 are provided on the side surface of the second case 9. The remote switch 11 is a switch for setting whether the flame detector F is used alone or by an external controller 31 (for example, a moving body controller described later). When “single” is selected The flame detector F is driven when the single switch 12 is on, stopped when it is off, and when “remote” is selected, the flame detector F is driven by a start signal from the external controller 31, Stopped by stop signal.

  In the second case 9, a control device 21 connected to the infrared sensor 1, the ultraviolet sensor 2, the stepping motor 8, the reference position detection sensor 10, the remote switch 11 and the power switch 12 is provided. When the flame detector F is used “remotely” by selecting the remote switch 11, the external controller 31 is connected to the control device 21.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 21 includes a drive unit 22 for the stepping motor 8 and a determination unit 23.
The stepping motor 8 and the reference position detection sensor 10 are connected to the drive unit 22, and the predetermined angle range for rotating the case 3 (infrared sensor 1 and ultraviolet sensor 2) and the rotation speed are set to be freely changeable. Has the following functions.

  1. In response to a start command (described later) from the drive unit 22 with respect to the stepping motor 8, the detection position of the reference position detection sensor 10 is set as a center and a predetermined number of times based on the predetermined angle range and based on the rotation speed. By outputting a forward rotation drive pulse and a reverse rotation drive pulse at a pulse interval, the case 3 (infrared sensor 1 and ultraviolet sensor 2) is moved at a predetermined angle via the second gear 7, the first gear 6, and the case shaft 4. A function of rotating the case 3 back and forth within a range and a rotational speed and stopping the rotation of the case 3 in response to a stop command (described later) from the drive unit 22.

  2. It is reset by the input of the reference position detection sensor 10, adds a forward rotation drive pulse, and subtracts a reverse rotation drive pulse, whereby the angle (rotation position) at which the first case 3, that is, the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 are directed. A function of detecting an angle) and outputting it to the determination unit 23. With this function, the drive unit 22 also serves as an angle detection device that detects the rotation position angle of the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 by the rotation device 5.

The drive unit 22 may be provided with a digital switch or a dial-type potentiometer for setting a predetermined angle range and rotation speed.
The determination unit 23 is connected to the infrared sensor 1, the ultraviolet sensor 2, the stepping motor 8, the remote switch 11, the single switch 12, and the drive unit 22. When used in “remote”, an external controller 31 is connected.

The operation of the determination unit 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, it is determined whether the selection of the remote switch 11 is “single” or “remote” (step-1).

The operation when the selection of the remote switch 11 is determined to be “remote” in step-1 will be described first.
When an activation signal is input from the controller 31 (step-2), the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 are driven (step-3), and then an activation command is output to the drive unit 22 to output the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor. 2 is started (step -4).

  When a stop signal is input from the controller 31 (step-5), driving of the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 is stopped (step-6), and then a stop command is output to the drive unit 22 to output the infrared sensor. 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 are stopped from rotating (step -7), and the process ends.

  Subsequently, when the flame is detected by the ultraviolet sensor 2 and a flame detection signal is input (step -8), a stop command is output to the drive unit 22 to stop the rotation of the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 (step). -9) A detection confirmation in-progress signal (corresponding to a movement stop command) is output to the controller 31 (step -10). Subsequently, the flame detection signal of the infrared sensor 1 which faces the direction in which the flame is detected by the ultraviolet sensor 2 is monitored for a predetermined time (an example of a predetermined time) (steps 11 to 13). When the flame detection signal of the infrared sensor 1 is input during this fixed time (step -12), the rotation position angle (infrared sensor 1 and ultraviolet sensor input from the drive unit 22) to the controller 31 is input the flame detection notification signal. (An angle at which 2 is facing) is output (step-14).

  If the flame detection signal of the infrared sensor 1 cannot be detected during the predetermined time, the flame detection of the ultraviolet sensor 2 is determined to be a malfunction, and an activation command is output to the drive unit 22 again to output the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor. The rotation of the sensor 2 is resumed (step -15), the detection confirmation signal output to the controller 31 is turned off (step -16), and the process returns to step -5.

  In addition, after outputting the flame detection notification signal to the controller 31, when the flame detection signal of either the infrared sensor 1 or the ultraviolet sensor 2 is turned off (steps -17 and 18), after waiting for a predetermined time (step -19). 20), the flame detection notification signal output to the controller 31 is turned off (step-21), the process jumps to step-15, and the start command is output to the drive unit 22 again to send the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2. , And the detection confirmation signal is turned off.

  In Step 1, when the selection of the remote switch 11 is determined to be “single”, the on signal / off signal of the single switch 12 is used instead of the start signal / stop signal from the controller 31. Other operations are the same, and a description thereof will be omitted. The flame detection notification signal with the rotation position angle is an external output. The “detection confirmation signal” does not need to be output and is deleted.

  With such a configuration of the control device 21, when a flame is detected by the ultraviolet sensor 2, the rotation by the rotating device 5 is stopped, and when a flame is detected by the infrared sensor 1 for a certain time, a flame detection notification signal Is output with the rotational position angle detected by the drive unit 22. When the selection of the remote switch 11 is “remote”, a flame is detected by the ultraviolet sensor 2 with respect to the external controller 31, and when the rotation by the rotating device 5 is stopped, a detection confirming signal is output.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by rotating the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 within a predetermined angle range, detection in a wide range can be performed, and the flame detection direction (rotational position angle) can be set. By being detected, the flame generation position can be specified by the rotational position angle and the detection distance of the infrared sensor 1. Also, malfunction can be prevented by outputting a flame detection notification signal only when both the ultraviolet sensor 2 and the infrared sensor 1 detect a flame.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, first, a flame is detected using the high-sensitivity ultraviolet sensor 2, and then the flame is confirmed using the infrared sensor 1 with few malfunctions. It is possible to provide a flame detector that makes use of the characteristics, has high sensitivity, has few malfunctions, and is reliable.

An example in which the flame detector F is mounted on a moving body to detect a fire will be described.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an automatic guided vehicle (an example of a moving body) in which a flame detector is provided at the front center.
As shown in FIG. 6, the automatic guided vehicle 35 is a guided vehicle that moves while detecting a guide path (an example of a predetermined path) laid on the floor surface. The guide path 36 includes a plurality of paths. Thus, in order to guide the automatic guided vehicle 35 to each route, a branch detection body 37 is provided in front of the branch position of the route. In addition, an origin detection body 38 indicating the origin is provided at a position where the automatic guided vehicle 35 always passes in the route.

  The automatic guided vehicle 35 is large and includes a carriage main body 41 and a transfer device 43. The cart body 41 is a rectangular parallelepiped whose upper part is a flat surface, and has a shape in which a control box is placed on the rear part, that is, an L-shape when viewed from the side, and is supported by three wheels 42. The device 43 is installed on the front plane of the cart body 11 and is formed from a roller conveyor that transfers articles.

  A flame detector F and a pair of lights (illuminating devices) 46 for illuminating the front are provided on the front surface (front surface) of the cart body 11, and an optical transceiver for data transmission / reception is provided on the side surface of the cart body 41. 47 is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a line detection sensor 51 that detects the guide path 36, a branch detection sensor 52 that detects a branch detection object 37, and an origin detection body 37 are provided on the bottom surface of the automatic guided vehicle 35. An origin detection sensor 53 for detection is provided.

  Of the wheels 42, the front wheel 42 is a turning / driving wheel 42a, and the two rear wheels are formed as free driven wheels 42b. As a means for driving the drive wheel 42a, a conversion motor 55 and a travel motor 56 are provided. A conversion control device 57 and a travel control device 58 for controlling and driving the conversion motor 55 and the travel motor 56, respectively. Is provided. Further, a pulse encoder 59 is provided so as to be connected to the rotating shaft of the turning / driving wheel 42a.

  In the automatic guided vehicle 35 (cart body 41), there are an optical transmitter / receiver 47, a branch detection sensor 52, an origin detection sensor 53, a turning control device 57, a travel control device 58, a pulse encoder 59, a light 46, a flame detector. F, and a controller 31 (control device for the automatic guided vehicle 35; corresponding to the above external controller) 31 is provided which is connected to the transfer device 43 and runs the automatic guided vehicle 35 to transfer articles. In addition to this, the controller 31 is reset by a detection signal of the origin detection sensor 53 and counts the output pulses of the pulse encoder 59, thereby detecting a travel distance from the origin, a travel path (guidance path), and A function for obtaining the current position coordinates based on the detected current travel distance is provided.

  Further, a line detection sensor 51 is connected to the conversion control device 57, and conversion is performed by a conversion motor 55 so that the automatic guided vehicle 35 moves along the guide path 35 detected by the line detection sensor 51. Direction control is performed, and in accordance with a command from the controller 31, direction control for branching is performed to change the route. In addition, the travel control device 58 performs stop, low speed drive, and high speed drive of the travel motor 56 in response to a command from the controller 31.

  The operation between the controller 31 and the flame detector F will be described. The controller 31 selects a route according to the conveyance command input via the optical transceiver 47, drives the conversion control device 57 and the travel control device 58, and moves the automatic guided vehicle 35 along the guide path 36. To drive.

  When the running starts, the controller 31 outputs a start signal to the flame detector F. When the running stops, the controller 31 outputs a stop signal to the flame detector F (executes start / stop of the flame detector F). To do).

  When the detection confirmation signal (ON) is input from the activated flame detector F, a stop command is output to the traveling control device 58 to stop the automatic guided vehicle 35 from traveling. Thereby, in flame detector F, it is avoided that a shift occurs in the direction in which the flame is detected, and the detection accuracy is improved. When the detection confirmation signal is turned off, a traveling command is output to the traveling control device 58, and the traveling of the automatic guided vehicle 35 is resumed.

  When the flame detection notification signal (ON) is input from the activated flame detector F, a fire alarm signal including the rotation position angle included in the flame detection notification signal and the current position coordinates of the automatic guided vehicle 35 is formed. Then, a fire alarm signal is transmitted to the outside via the optical transceiver 47 to notify the occurrence of the fire. The fire occurrence is recognized by the fire alarm signal, and the fire occurrence position is specified by the position coordinate and the rotation position angle. When the flame detection signal is turned off, a fire alarm release signal is formed, and a fire alarm release signal is transmitted to the outside via the optical transceiver 47 to notify that the fire has been extinguished.

  As described above, when the flame detector F is installed in the automatic guided vehicle (moving body) 35 to detect the flame, the automatic sensor 35 detects the flame by the ultraviolet sensor 2 and outputs a detection confirmation signal. By stopping the movement of the flame, it is possible to avoid a shift in the direction in which the flame is detected in the flame detector F, and to improve the accuracy of flame detection. The automatic guided vehicle 35 has a function of detecting the current position coordinates. When the flame detection notification signal is input, the automatic detection vehicle 35 outputs the detection angle included in the flame detection notification signal including the current position coordinates of the automatic guided vehicle 35. Thus, it is possible to accurately identify the fire occurrence position.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined angle range and rotation speed of the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 by the rotating device 5 are set in the flame detector F (drive unit 22). Further, by inputting the traveling speed of the moving body (automatic guided vehicle 3) from the controller 31 to the drive unit 22, the range of the predetermined angle and the rotational speed are changed according to the traveling speed. It is also possible to do so.

  In the present embodiment, the rotating device 5 reciprocally rotates the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 horizontally within a range of a predetermined angle. However, the rotation angle is not limited to the predetermined angle, and the entire circumference (360 (°), and is not limited to reciprocal movement, and may be continuously rotated in one direction.

  In the present embodiment, when both the infrared sensor 1 and the ultraviolet sensor 2 output the flame detection signal, the flame detection notification signal is output. However, only the infrared sensor 1 outputs the flame detection signal. A preliminary flame detection notification signal for notifying that there is a possibility of fire may be output.

In this embodiment, the mobile body is an automatic guided vehicle. However, the mobile body is not limited to the automatic guided vehicle, and may be a simple mobile body, or may be a self-propelled robot or the like.
In the present embodiment, the fire alarm signal is output to the outside via the optical transceiver 47, but is not limited to the optical transceiver 47, and includes a communication device that can be connected to a wireless device and a mobile phone. When a flame detection notification signal is input, it is possible to connect to a mobile phone via this communication device and transmit a fire alarm signal to this mobile phone.

It is a perspective view of the flame detector in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the same flame detector. It is a control block diagram of the same flame detector. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the control apparatus of the flame detector. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the control apparatus of the flame detector. It is a perspective view of the automatic guided vehicle carrying the same flame detector. It is a control block diagram of the automatic guided vehicle carrying the same flame detector.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Infrared sensor 2 Ultraviolet sensor 4 Rotating shaft 5 Rotating device 8 Stepping motor 10 Reference position sensor 11 Remote switch 12 Single switch 21 Controller 31 External controller 35 Automatic guided vehicle 36 Guideway

Claims (2)

A flame detector equipped with an infrared sensor and an ultraviolet sensor,
The center of the flame detection range of the infrared sensor coincides with the center of the flame detection range of the ultraviolet sensor, and the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet sensor are arranged up and down,
A rotating device that horizontally rotates these infrared sensors and ultraviolet sensors arranged above and below,
An angle detecting device for detecting a rotational position angle of the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet sensor by the rotating device;
When the flame is detected by the ultraviolet sensor, the rotation by the rotation device is stopped, and when the flame is detected by the infrared sensor for a predetermined time, a flame detection notification signal is detected by the angle detection device. A flame detector comprising a control device that outputs a rotational position angle. It is installed on a moving body that moves along a predetermined route,
2. The flame detector according to claim 1, wherein when the flame is detected by the ultraviolet sensor, the control device stops rotation by the rotating device and outputs a movement stop command to the moving body.

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