JP2015041210A - Alarm device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alarm device capable of switching over between a low power consumption mode and a supervision/alarm mode with simpler operation.SOLUTION: An alarm device includes: a battery that supplies power; a light-receiving element that generates a voltage upon receiving light; and a controller 4 switching over between a supervision/alarm mode 7 and a low power consumption mode 8 for performing a standby operation with lower power consumption than that of the supervision/alarm mode 7, the monitoring/alarm mode 7 being switched to/from the low power consumption mode 8 when the light-receiving element receives light.

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery-driven alarm device that can be switched from a low power consumption mode to a monitoring alarm mode that performs monitoring and alarm operations such as gas leakage and fire.

  As a conventional alarm device, for example, the one shown in Patent Document 1 is known. When the alarm device described in this document is switched from the low power consumption mode set at the time of shipment from the factory to the monitoring alarm mode, the inspection switch provided in the alarm device is operated differently from the normal inspection operation. It is configured as follows.

Japanese Patent No. 4585778

  In order to switch the alarm device to the monitoring alarm mode, the user needs to check the position and operation method of the inspection switch in advance by reading the instruction manual, etc., which improves the user friendliness when using it. There was room left.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an alarm device capable of switching between a low power consumption mode and a monitoring alarm mode with a simpler operation.

  The first characteristic configuration relating to the alarm device of the present invention includes a battery for supplying power, a light receiving element that generates a voltage when receiving light, a low power consumption that performs a standby operation with less power consumption than in the monitoring alarm mode and the monitoring alarm mode. And a controller that switches between power modes, and the light receiving element receives light to switch between the monitoring alarm mode and the low power consumption mode.

[Action and effect]
According to this configuration, when the light receiving element receives light (for example, sunlight, a flashlight, and a fluorescent light), the low power consumption mode and the monitoring alarm mode can be automatically switched. Therefore, for example, the user can easily switch the alarm device from the low power consumption mode to the monitoring alarm mode without using the instruction manual as long as the user unpacks the alarm device having this configuration in a bright room. Is also possible.

  A second characteristic configuration is that the light receiving element also functions as a light emitting element of a power supply display unit.

[Action and effect]
Since the light receiving element also functions as a light emitting element, it is not necessary to provide an element for each of light reception and light emission, and the number of elements to be provided can be reduced.

  The third characteristic configuration is that the light receiving element is provided separately from the light emitting element of the power supply display section.

[Action and effect]
By making the light receiving element and the light emitting element separate, for example, the light receiving element receives light when the light receiving element receives light when the light emitting element performs light emission display and when the light emitting element does not perform light emission display. More detailed instructions can be received by a combination of light emission display by the light emitting element and light reception by the light receiving element, such as different control depending on time.

  The fourth characteristic configuration is that a removable light-shielding member is applied to the power display unit.

[Action and effect]
According to this configuration, for example, when the low power consumption mode is set in advance, the user can easily switch the alarm device from the low power consumption mode to the monitoring alarm mode at any timing by removing the light shielding member. .

It is the block diagram which showed the circuit structure in embodiment of the alarm device of this invention.

  Hereinafter, as one embodiment of an alarm device of the present invention, a fire alarm device having the characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, the fire alarm device 1 of the present embodiment includes a sensor unit 2 that detects a fire, a power display unit 3 that displays an energization state of a power source, a control unit 4 having various control circuits, The speaker 9 is configured to output a voice message or alarm sound of a fire occurrence, an alarm display unit 10 that displays the fire occurrence by a blinking operation of light, and a battery (not shown) that supplies power.

  The sensor unit 2 is provided with a conventionally known smoke detection mechanism, for example, a scattered light type smoke detection mechanism that senses smoke by detecting scattered light generated when the projected light is scattered by the smoke. Yes.

  The power supply display unit 3 includes a light emitting member (for example, a light emitting diode or a photodiode). When the power indicator 3 is lit, it indicates that the fire alarm 1 is in the monitoring alarm mode 7 described later. When the power indicator 3 is not lit, the fire alarm 1 is indicated later. The low power consumption mode 8 is indicated.

The control unit 4 includes a monitoring control unit 5 and a mode setting unit 6.
The monitoring control unit 5 receives a signal from the sensor unit 2 and performs a monitoring operation to monitor whether or not the signal satisfies a predetermined condition, and when the signal satisfies the predetermined condition, that is, a fire occurs. When it is detected that the alarm has occurred, each of the speaker 9 and the alarm display unit 10 has a monitoring alarm function for performing an alarm operation for the occurrence of a fire. Furthermore, the monitoring control unit 5 has an inspection function for causing the speaker 9 and the alarm display unit 10 to perform an alarm operation when receiving an inspection operation signal during a normal monitoring operation.

  The mode setting unit 6 stops the monitoring alarm mode 7 for implementing the monitoring alarm function of the monitoring control unit 5 and the monitoring alarm function of the monitoring control unit 5 to perform standby operation with less power consumption than in the monitoring alarm mode 7 A mode switching function for switching between the low power consumption mode 8 to be performed is provided.

  The alarm display unit 10 is provided with a light emitting member (for example, a light emitting diode or a photodiode) and is normally in a non-lighting state, but in the event of a fire, the monitoring control unit 5 causes the light emitting member to blink or the like. An alarm action is performed.

  In the fire alarm device 1 of the present embodiment, a predetermined power source suitable for each of the sensor unit 2, the power supply display unit 3, the control unit 4, the speaker 9, the alarm display unit 10 and the like from a battery (not shown) through a power supply circuit (not shown). A voltage is output.

(Switching between low power consumption mode and monitoring alarm mode)
The fire alarm device 1 according to the present embodiment switches between the low power consumption mode 8 and the monitoring alarm mode 7 by irradiating the power display unit 3 with light (for example, sunlight, a flashlight, and a fluorescent light). It is configured to be.

  The light emitting member of the power supply display unit 3 functions as a light emitting element in the monitoring alarm mode 7 to turn on the power supply display unit 3, while also functioning as a light receiving element, and by receiving a constant light, a constant voltage ( For example, in the case of a light emitting diode, about 1.5 V) can be generated.

  For example, the fire alarm device 1 according to the present embodiment may be set to the low power consumption mode 8 in a state where a battery is assembled and fixed in advance at the time of factory shipment and power is supplied from the battery.

  When the power display unit 3 is irradiated with light, a voltage is generated in the light emitting member. By detecting this voltage, the mode setting unit 6 of the fire alarm 1 is configured to cancel the low power consumption mode 8 set so far and switch to the monitoring alarm mode 7.

  Therefore, for example, as long as the packed fire alarm 1 is unpacked in a bright room or the like, the power display unit 3 is illuminated and automatically switches from the low power consumption mode 8 to the monitoring alarm mode 7. Therefore, the user does not need to read an instruction manual or the like, and can easily switch the fire alarm 1 from the low power consumption mode 8 to the monitoring alarm mode 7.

  Further, a removable light shielding member (for example, a light shielding tape or the like) may be applied to the power supply display unit 3. According to this, it is convenient when the user does not use it immediately after unpacking, and the user can easily switch the alarm device from the low power consumption mode to the monitoring alarm mode at any timing by removing the light shielding member. Can do. It should be noted that it is certain that there is a description on the light shielding member that it is to be removed when used, but even if there is no such description, the user can clearly attach such a light shielding member to the fire alarm 1. Therefore, it can be understood sensibly that the light-shielding member must be removed when used.

(Inspection operation)
The fire alarm device 1 according to the present embodiment irradiates the alarm display unit 10 with light as a check operation signal during a normal monitoring operation in order to confirm whether the alarm operation is normally performed. By doing so, the inspection operation is performed.

  Since the light emitting member of the alarm display unit 10 functions not only as a light emitting element but also as a light receiving element, the user can generate a voltage by irradiating the alarm display unit 10 with light.

  The monitoring control unit 5 in the fire alarm device 1 of the present embodiment activates an inspection function by detecting a voltage generated from the light emitting member of the alarm display unit 10, and each of the speaker 9 and the alarm display unit 10 as an inspection operation. Is set to perform an alarm action.

  Therefore, even if the fire alarm device 1 is installed in a dark place or installed in a narrow place that is difficult for the user to reach, a fire in which the user is in a monitoring operation and is not lit As long as the alarm display unit 10 of the alarm device 1 is irradiated with light with a flashlight or the like, the inspection work can be easily performed. In the fire alarm device 1 of the present embodiment, there is no need to separately provide a push button type inspection switch, etc., the number of parts is small, and the configuration is simplified, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and waterproofing is possible. Performance is also improved.

  Further, the alarm display unit 10 may be provided with a removable light shielding member (for example, a light shielding tape) in the same manner as the power supply display unit 3.

(About light-emitting members)
It is desirable to use a light emitting diode or a photodiode as a light emitting member used in the power supply display unit 3 and the alarm display unit 10 described above.

  The light-emitting diode is difficult to generate a voltage that can be detected by the monitoring control unit 5 and the mode setting unit 6 in a general room light (for example, several hundred lux), and is stronger like sunlight or a flashlight. Light (for example, illuminance of 1000 lux or more) is required. Therefore, when a light emitting diode is used, it is desirable to irradiate light having a wavelength close to the emission wavelength in order to increase power generation efficiency. For example, in the case of a light emitting diode that emits light close to red, it is desirable to irradiate light having a wavelength close to infrared light.

  On the other hand, the photodiode can generate a voltage that can be detected by the monitoring control unit 5 and the mode setting unit 6 even with weak light (for example, about several lux). However, when using a photodiode, the reactivity to light may be too good and the usability may deteriorate. Therefore, an attenuation film may be provided on the fire alarm device 1 as necessary. At this time, it is desirable that the attenuation film is configured to be removable. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately replace and use an attenuation film having a different attenuation rate according to the brightness of the installed room and the illuminance of the irradiated light. Of course, an attenuation film may be applied to the above-described light-emitting diode as necessary.

[Other Embodiments]
1. In the above-described embodiment, the threshold for switching the mode by the mode setting unit 6 and the threshold for activating the inspection function by the monitoring control unit 5 are adjusted by adjusting the illuminance of irradiation light and the irradiation time. You may set suitably.
For example, the mode setting unit 6 detects a predetermined voltage (for example, about 1.5 V) generated according to the illuminance of light irradiated to the light emitting member of the power supply display unit 3 for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds or more). The low power consumption mode 8 that has been set up to that point may be canceled and switched to the monitoring alarm mode 7, and the monitoring control unit 5 is similarly irradiated to the light emitting member of the alarm display unit 10. The inspection function may be activated by detecting a predetermined voltage generated according to the illuminance of the light to be detected for a predetermined time. The mode switching and inspection function activation at this time are set to be performed when the irradiation time has passed a predetermined time, or are performed when irradiation is stopped for a predetermined time or more and irradiation is stopped. You may set as follows.
With this configuration, for example, even if the user does not intend to use or check and the power display unit 3 or the alarm display unit 10 is accidentally exposed to light, the low level is obtained regardless of the user's intention. It is possible to prevent the mode switching from the power consumption mode 8 to the monitoring alarm mode 7 and the inspection operation.
In the above-described embodiment, the threshold for mode switching by the mode setting unit 6 and the threshold for activating the inspection function by the monitoring control unit 5 are set to different values. For example, when the light with high illuminance is irradiated, mode switching by the mode setting unit 6 is performed, and when the light with low illuminance is irradiated, the inspection function by the monitoring control unit 5 is activated, or the light is turned on. When the light is irradiated for a long time, the mode is switched by the mode setting unit 6, and when the light is irradiated for a short time, the inspection function by the monitoring control unit 5 is activated, or alternatively, the power display unit 3 and the alarm For example, the light emitting members of the display unit 10 are of different types. Thereby, for example, when the fire alarm device 1 is irradiated with light and switched from the low power consumption mode 8 to the monitoring alarm mode 7, it is possible to avoid a state in which the inspection operation is erroneously performed together. .

  2. In the above-described embodiment, only the configuration in which the mode setting unit 6 switches from the low power consumption mode 8 to the monitoring alarm mode 7 by light irradiation is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The mode setting unit 6 may be configured to switch from the monitoring alarm mode 7 to the low power consumption mode 8 by light irradiation. In other words, different modes may be selected depending on the illuminance of the irradiated light and the irradiation time. For example, the low-power consumption mode 8 is switched to the monitoring alarm mode 7 when irradiation is performed for a long time, and the monitoring alarm mode 7 is switched to the low power consumption mode 8 when irradiation is performed for a short time. Of course, the same applies to the monitoring control unit 5, and the execution and stop of the inspection operation may be selected depending on the illuminance of the irradiated light and the irradiation time. For example, the inspection operation is performed when irradiation is performed for a long time, and the inspection operation is stopped when irradiation is performed for a short time.

  3. In the above-described embodiment, the light emitting member of the power supply display unit 3 has both a function of turning on the power supply display unit 3 as a light emitting element and a function of generating a voltage as a light receiving element, but is limited to this configuration. Instead of this, a dedicated light receiving element may be provided separately. Further, the light emitting member of the alarm display unit 10 has both a function of blinking the alarm display unit 10 as a light emitting element and a function of generating a voltage as a light receiving element in the event of a fire, but is not limited to this configuration. Alternatively, a dedicated light receiving element may be provided separately. When the light emitting member has both the function of the light emitting element and the function of the light receiving element, it is desirable to use a light emitting diode as the light emitting member, and when a dedicated light receiving element is provided separately, It is desirable to use a diode.

  4). In the fire alarm device 1 of the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which one light receiving element is provided in order to perform mode switching by the mode setting unit 6 is described. However, the configuration is not limited to this configuration, and many more A mode may be set and a plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to each mode may be provided to select or switch modes.

  5. The fire alarm device 1 of the above-described embodiment is configured to cause each of the speaker 9 and the alarm display unit 10 to perform an alarm operation as an inspection operation, but is not limited to this configuration. In addition, a plurality of inspection operations are set, and conditions corresponding to each of the plurality of inspection operations are set in advance by changing at least one of light irradiation time, illuminance, and light type. In addition, it may be configured such that any of the plurality of inspection operations can be selected by selecting light of any condition and irradiating the alarm display unit 10 with the light. In addition to a configuration in which one light receiving element is provided, various inspection operations may be set, and a plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to each inspection operation may be provided to select or switch the inspection operation. .

6). In the fire alarm device 1 of the above-described embodiment, when the power display unit 3 is irradiated with light, the mode is switched, and when the alarm display unit 10 is irradiated with light, an inspection operation is performed. The mode may be switched when the light is irradiated, and the inspection operation may be performed when the power display unit 3 is irradiated with the light.
Further, when one of the power supply display unit 3 and the alarm display unit 10 is irradiated with light, mode switching and inspection operations may be performed. In this case, it is only necessary to determine whether the mode is switched or an inspection operation is performed according to illuminance or time.

  7). The configuration relating to the alarm device of the present invention may be applied not only to various alarm devices such as a fire alarm device and a gas leak alarm device, but also to various detectors such as a gas detector.

  The alarm device of the present invention can be applied not only to a fire alarm device but also to a gas leak alarm device or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fire alarm 2 Sensor part 3 Power supply display part 4 Control part 5 Monitoring control part 6 Mode setting part 7 Monitoring alarm mode 8 Low power consumption mode 9 Speaker 10 Alarm display part

Claims (4)

A battery to supply power;
A light receiving element that generates a voltage when receiving light; and
A controller that switches between a monitoring alarm mode and a low power consumption mode that performs a standby operation with less power consumption than in the monitoring alarm mode, and
An alarm device, wherein the monitoring alarm mode and the low power consumption mode are switched when the light receiving element receives light.   The alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving element also functions as a light emitting element of a power supply display unit.   The alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving element is provided separately from the light emitting element of the power display unit.   The alarm device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a removable light-shielding member is applied to the power supply display section.

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