JP5202182B2 - sensor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a sensor that senses that a physical quantity of an environment such as smoke, heat, and gas has exceeded a predetermined level in an environment such as a house.

  Generally, in an environment such as a house, a sensor that senses that the physical quantity of the environment has reached a predetermined level or more includes a detection unit that detects the physical quantity in the environment such as smoke, heat, and gas.

  Conventionally, as such a sensor, one configured to incorporate a battery in order to simplify the installation of the sensor by omitting wiring between the power source and the sensor body is known.

  However, in the conventional sensor configured to incorporate such a battery, for example, when the battery life is in the final stage and the alarm sound is output at a large volume, the sensor is reset due to the voltage drop of the battery. There was a problem that would not work properly.

  Therefore, various sensors having a configuration for determining whether or not the battery has run out by comparing the voltage value of the battery with a preset voltage threshold value have been developed.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery-type alarm that outputs a warning by battery driving, and has a battery shortage detection unit that detects whether or not the battery is in a low voltage state immediately after the alarm is released. A vessel has been disclosed and proposed.
JP 2008-65621 A

  However, in the battery-type alarm device disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when a battery such as a lithium (Li) battery is used, the internal resistance of the battery increases and the voltage value decreases at low temperatures. Thus, there is a problem that it is determined that the battery has run out early even though the battery is still usable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a sensor that can use a battery for a longer period of time by accurately determining whether the battery has run out, regardless of changes in battery characteristics, even if the battery temperature changes. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described object, the sensor according to claim 1 is a sensor that detects a physical quantity of an environment using a battery as a power source, and determines whether or not the battery is dead based on a voltage value of the battery. And a temperature sensing unit for detecting the temperature, and a notification unit for notifying that the battery has run out when the control unit determines that the battery has run out, and the control unit uses a voltage depending on the temperature detected by the temperature sensing unit. A threshold value is set, and it is determined whether or not the battery has run out by comparing the set voltage threshold value with the voltage value of the battery. When the temperature rises by a certain amount than the temperature detected by the unit, the notification unit notifies the battery running out, and when the temperature detected by the temperature sensing unit exceeds a predetermined temperature, the voltage is While making the threshold value constant, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor If it becomes less than the predetermined temperature, in response to the temperature detected by said temperature sensitive portions is reduced, it is characterized by increasing linearly gradually the voltage threshold.

The sensor according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit compares the battery voltage with the voltage threshold value a plurality of times at a predetermined comparison time after the battery voltage value falls below the voltage threshold value. In any case, when the voltage value of the battery is lower than the voltage threshold value, it is determined that the battery is dead.

According to a third aspect of the present invention , the sensor includes a notifying unit that notifies that the battery has run out when the control unit determines that the battery has run out. It is characterized in that the notification unit notifies the battery exhaustion.

  A battery such as a Li battery changes its characteristics depending on the temperature, for example, the internal resistance increases at a low temperature. According to the sensor of the first aspect, the voltage threshold value for determining whether the battery is exhausted is set according to the temperature. Therefore, even if the temperature of the battery changes, the battery is precisely and accurately measured regardless of the change in battery characteristics. The battery can be used for a longer period of time when it is determined that the battery has run out.

Also, since the battery threshold warning is output early by raising the voltage threshold at low temperatures, it is possible to notify normally without falling below the operating voltage range of the electronic component. By simplifying the control so as to increase the number of parts, for example, digital processing becomes possible, and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, since it is determined that the battery has run out from midnight to early morning and the battery running out alarm is output after a certain amount of temperature has risen, the alarm can be generated when the user is waking up.

Although the case of outputting the decision to alert battery exhaustion and battery exhaustion by mistake due to a rapid temperature change when changing the voltage threshold value by temperature may occur, according to the detector as in claim 2, predetermined Since the battery voltage and the voltage threshold are compared multiple times every time, even if the voltage threshold temporarily changes due to a temporary temperature change, a battery exhaustion alarm is output erroneously. There is no.

Furthermore, the room temperature is low from midnight to early morning in the cycle of one day. From low night to early morning, when the room temperature is low, the battery voltage drops and it becomes easy to detect battery exhaustion. is there. Therefore, according to the sensor of the third aspect, the battery wake-up alarm is output after a predetermined delay time has elapsed after determining whether the battery has run out from midnight to early morning. Alarm can be generated at time.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a schematic sectional view of the sensor according to the first embodiment, and (b) is Fig. 2 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a sensor. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature T and the voltage threshold value V in the sensor according to the first embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the sensor 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention generates an alarm in an environment such as a house by detecting that the concentration of smoke as a physical quantity of the environment exceeds a predetermined level. It is the sensor 1 to be made.

  The sensor 1 has a battery as a power source. The sensor body 2 includes a battery 3 as a driving source, a detection unit 4 that detects smoke concentration as a physical quantity of the environment, and a notification that issues an alarm. Unit 5, a temperature sensing unit 6 for detecting temperature, and a printed circuit board 7 for control. The detection unit 4 detects that the smoke concentration has exceeded a predetermined level, and issues a warning from the notification unit 5. It is configured to output.

  Here, the sensor main body 2 is a container for storing each component, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by a plastic or the like in a plan view. The sensor body 2 is attached to a structure such as a ceiling (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, the battery 3 is a Li battery.

  The detection unit 4 is a sensor that detects smoke as an environmental abnormality, and has a light emitting element and a light receiving element, although not shown in detail. Then, the light emitting element is driven at a predetermined cycle, and the emitted light is applied to the smoke particles flowing into the smoke sensing chamber, and the scattered light from the smoke particles is received by the light receiving element and converted into an electric signal, so that the smoke The concentration is detected.

  The notification unit 5 is composed of a normal alarm speaker for generating a sense by sound when the smoke density detected by the detection unit 4 exceeds a predetermined level.

  The temperature sensing unit 6 is a temperature measuring device provided inside the sensor 1 for detecting the temperature. In this embodiment, an industrial resistance thermistor sensor widely used for industry is employed. Has been. In the present embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 6 is provided independently from the printed circuit board 7 and wired to the printed circuit board 7.

  The printed circuit board 7 includes a control unit 8 that controls the alarm device 1, an audio IC 9 that generates an audio signal, and an amplifier 10 that amplifies the audio signal generated by the audio IC 9.

  Here, the control part 8 is comprised with the electronic components comprised by IC etc., and electric power is supplied from the battery 3 which is a drive source.

  The control unit 8 detects an environmental abnormality based on the signal from the detection unit 4, generates an audio signal by the audio IC 9, amplifies the audio signal generated by the audio IC 9 by the amplifier 10, and notifies the notification unit 5. It is configured to generate an alarm sound and voice message. The warning sound and the voice message from the notification unit 5 are once emitted and then issued until a stop button (not shown) is pressed.

  The control unit 8 is also configured to detect the voltage value VB of the battery 3 as the drive source 7 as a device abnormality of the sensor 1, and whether or not the battery has run out based on the voltage value VB of the battery 3. Determine.

  Here, in the Li battery employed in the present embodiment, the characteristics of the battery 3 change depending on the temperature, for example, the internal resistance increases at a low temperature.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 8 sets a voltage threshold value V1 according to the temperature T1 detected by the temperature sensing unit 6, and the set voltage threshold value V1 and the voltage of the battery 3 are set. By comparing with the value VB, it is determined whether or not the battery is dead, and the voice IC 9 is made to generate a voice signal that warns that the battery is dead. Here, the graph of FIG. 2 increases the voltage threshold as the temperature detected by the temperature sensing unit decreases so that the voltage threshold V corresponds to the temperature characteristics of the battery 3. It has a curve like this.

  Thus, in the battery 3 made of a Li battery, the characteristics of the battery 3 change depending on the temperature T, for example, the internal resistance increases at a low temperature. According to the first embodiment, the battery 3 corresponds to the temperature T. Since the voltage threshold value V for determining whether the battery has run out is set, the battery 3 can be used for a longer period of time by accurately determining whether the battery has run out regardless of changes in the characteristics of the battery 3 even if the temperature T of the battery 3 changes. it can.

  Next, a sensor 21 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature T and the voltage threshold V in the sensor 21 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the sensors 21 to 71 according to the following second to seventh embodiments, the configurations of the sensors 21 to 71 are the same as those of the sensor 1 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. The configuration of (b) is applied, and in the control unit 8, the relationship between the temperature T and the voltage threshold value V is different. In the following description, the same members as those of the sensor 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  In the sensor 21 according to the second embodiment, as shown in the graph of FIG. 3, the control unit 8 detects when the temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature T2. The voltage threshold V is configured to be constant. On the other hand, when the temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T2, the voltage threshold V is decreased in accordance with the decrease in the temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6. Is linearly gradually increased.

  When the temperature of the battery 3 such as a Li battery becomes low, the internal resistance increases, and the power supply voltage decreases greatly at the time of notification output. Problems such as alarms cannot be output normally.

  According to the second embodiment, when the temperature is low, the voltage threshold value V is raised and a battery exhaustion warning is output early, so that normal notification can be made without falling below the operating voltage range of the electronic component.

  In particular, by simplifying the control such that the voltage threshold value V is increased linearly, it is possible to reduce the cost of the components and reduce the number of components.

  The predetermined temperature T2 is generally set to approximately room temperature in general, but is set to be below room temperature or set to be above room temperature depending on the temperature condition of the installation location and the temperature characteristics of the battery. Various design changes are possible.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature T and the voltage threshold value V in the sensor 31 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the sensor 31 according to the third embodiment, as illustrated in the graph of FIG. 4, the control unit 8 is configured such that when the temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature T3, While the voltage threshold V is set to the first predetermined value, the voltage threshold V is set to the first predetermined value when the temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T3. Higher than the second predetermined value.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature T3, the voltage threshold value V is set to the first predetermined value. When the temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T3, the voltage threshold V is raised to a second predetermined value higher than the first predetermined value. In addition, since the control is simplified in a step-like manner, the cost of the component parts can be reduced and the number of parts can be reduced.

  In particular, when there is a temperature sensing unit 6 outside the control unit 8 and when it is considered that there is an error between the temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 and the temperature of the battery 3, the voltage threshold V Therefore, simplification in this way is effective in reducing the cost of components and reducing the number of components.

  The predetermined temperature T3 is generally set to approximately room temperature in general, but, as with the sensor 31 of the third embodiment, depending on the temperature conditions of the installation location and the temperature characteristics of the battery, Various design changes are possible, such as being set below normal temperature or above normal temperature.

  Further, by providing not only one point but also a plurality of predetermined temperatures T3, the relationship between the temperature T and the voltage threshold value V can be stepped. In this case, finer control is possible.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature T and the voltage threshold V in the sensor 41 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the sensor 41 according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in the graph of FIG. 4, the control unit 8 has a temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature T4 set to approximately room temperature. In this case, the voltage threshold value V is made constant. On the other hand, when the temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature T4, the voltage threshold value V is linearly changed as the temperature T detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 increases. To gradually lower.

  When the temperature of the battery 3 such as a Li battery increases, the internal resistance decreases, and the decrease in power supply voltage during notification output is reduced. Therefore, when the temperature is high, it is difficult for the phenomenon that the notification cannot be normally output below the operating voltage range of the electronic component.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the voltage threshold value V is lowered at a high temperature. Therefore, even if the battery life is the same, the time until the battery low alarm is output due to the voltage drop is lengthened, and the battery 3 is made longer. Can be used.

  Next, a sensor 51 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 are graphs showing temporal changes (values at time H) of the voltage value VB and the voltage threshold V of the battery 3 by the sensor 51 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 6 shows a case where it is determined that the battery has run out, and FIG. 7 shows a case where it is not determined that the battery has run out.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the sensor 51 according to the fifth embodiment, the control unit 8 performs a predetermined comparison time after the comparison time HA when the voltage value VB of the battery 3 falls below the voltage threshold value V. The voltage value VB of the battery 3 is compared with the voltage threshold V at the comparison times HB, HC, and HD a plurality of times for each H1, that is, in the present embodiment, three times. When the voltage value VB is low, it is determined that the battery is exhausted and a battery exhaustion alarm is output. That is, in FIG. 6, since the voltage value VB of the battery 3 is lower than the voltage threshold V at any of the comparison times HB, HC, and HD, it is determined that the battery is dead.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 7, since the voltage value VB of the battery 3 exceeds the voltage threshold value V at times HB, HC, and HD, it is not determined that the battery is dead.

  When the voltage threshold value V is changed according to the temperature T, there may occur a case where the battery is mistakenly determined to be out of battery due to a rapid temperature change, and a battery out alarm is output, but according to the fifth embodiment, a predetermined time Since the voltage VB of the battery 3 and the voltage threshold value V are compared multiple times for each H1, even if the voltage threshold value V temporarily changes due to a temporary temperature change, the battery exhaustion warning is erroneously performed. There is an advantage that there is no output.

  Next, a sensor 61 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a graph showing temporal changes (values at time H) of the voltage VB, the voltage threshold value V, and the temperature T of the battery 3 by the sensor 61 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the sensor 61 according to the sixth embodiment, after the voltage value VB of the battery 3 falls below the voltage threshold value V, the control unit 8 performs the voltage value of the battery 3 a plurality of times for each predetermined comparison time H1. A comparison is made between VB and the voltage threshold value V. When both of the voltage values of the battery 3 are lower than the voltage threshold value V, it is determined that the battery has run out. After the elapse of time, for example, at a time HF after elapse of several hours, a battery exhaustion warning is output.

  The room temperature T is low in the cycle of one day, for example, from midnight to early morning in winter, but the voltage of the battery 3 decreases due to the low temperature between midnight and early morning when the room temperature T is low. It becomes easy to detect a cut. According to the sixth embodiment, since it is determined that the battery has run out from midnight to early morning, a battery deadline alarm is output after a predetermined delay time H2 has elapsed, so an alarm is generated when the user is waking up Can be made.

  When determining whether the battery is dead at time HE, if the temperature T is low at this time, the condition of the temperature T should be added to the condition for judging whether the battery has run out. Thus, a more accurate determination can be made.

  FIG. 9 is a graph showing temporal changes (values at time H) of the voltage VB, the voltage threshold value V, and the temperature T of the battery 3 in the sensor 71 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

  In the sensor 71 according to the seventh embodiment, after the voltage value VB of the battery 3 falls below the voltage threshold value V, the control unit 8 performs the voltage value of the battery 3 a plurality of times every predetermined comparison time H1. A comparison is made between VB and the voltage threshold value V, and in both cases, when the voltage value of the battery 3 is lower than the voltage threshold value V, it is determined that the battery has run out. A battery exhaustion alarm is output at time HG when a certain amount of temperature dT rises from the temperature T5 detected by the temperature sensing unit 6 at times.

  The room temperature T is low in the cycle of one day, for example, from midnight to early morning in winter, but the voltage of the battery 3 decreases due to the low temperature between midnight and early morning in the low room temperature T. It becomes easy to detect battery exhaustion. According to the seventh embodiment, since the battery exhaustion alarm is output after a certain amount of temperature dT rises after the time HE when the battery exhaustion is determined between midnight and early morning, the user is awake. Alarm can be generated at time.

  When determining whether the battery is dead at time HE, if the temperature T is low at this time, the condition of the temperature T should be added to the condition for judging whether the battery has run out. Thus, a more accurate determination can be made.

  The above-described embodiment is merely a preferred specific example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, the sensors 1 to 71 are not limited to those that detect smoke as an environmental abnormality and issue an alarm. If it is a battery drive type, it can also be applied to a sensor that detects smoke, heat, gas, human intrusion, etc. in the dwelling environment.

  Also, the shape and material of the alarm device body 2 are not necessarily limited to the shape and material shown in the drawing, and various design changes are possible.

  Further, the battery 3 is not limited to the Li battery, and various batteries 3 can be employed.

  The configuration of the detection unit 4 is not limited to the configuration in which the scattered light from the smoke particles is received by the light receiving element and converted into an electrical signal, and various design changes are possible.

  Furthermore, the notification unit 5 is not limited to the one that generates a warning by voice as in the present embodiment, and various design changes such as a warning display by light may be used. Moreover, the alerting | reporting part 5 is not necessarily required, and it can also comprise so that the control part 8 may transmit an alarm signal to an external alarm device.

  Further, the temperature sensing unit 6 is not necessarily a resistance thermistor sensor, and various sensors can be employed.

  Further, the control of the control unit 8 is not limited to the single control according to the first to seventh embodiments, and various design changes such as a combination of these can naturally be adopted.

  Furthermore, the temperature sensing unit 6 is not necessarily provided independently of the printed circuit board 7, and may be provided in the control unit 8 or may be provided on the printed circuit board 7, for example. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a first modified example configured such that the temperature sensing unit 6 is provided in the control unit 8, and (a) is a schematic cross section of the sensor 1 of the first modified example. FIG. 2B shows a schematic circuit diagram of the sensor 1. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second modified example in which the temperature sensing unit 6 is provided on the printed circuit board. FIG. 11A shows the sensor 1 of the second modified example. FIG. 4B is a schematic side view of the sensor 1.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the sensor 81 according to the first modification, the temperature sensing unit 6 is provided in the control unit 8.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the sensor 91 according to the second modification, the temperature sensing unit 6 is provided on the printed circuit board 7.

  In addition, it goes without saying that various design changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the sensor of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a schematic sectional drawing of the sensor of 1st Embodiment, (b) is the outline of a sensor. The circuit diagram of is shown. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the temperature T and the voltage threshold value V in the sensor of 1st Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the temperature T and the voltage threshold value V in the sensor of 2nd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the temperature T and the voltage threshold value V in the sensor of 3rd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the temperature T and the voltage threshold value V in the sensor of 4th Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the time change (value in the time H) of the voltage value VB of the battery by the sensor of 5th Embodiment, and the voltage threshold value V, and has shown the case where it determines with a battery running out. It is a graph which shows the time change (value in the time H) of the voltage value VB and the voltage threshold value V of the battery by the sensor of 5th Embodiment, and has shown the case where it is not determined that a battery runs out. It is a graph which shows the time change (value in the time H) of the voltage VB of the battery, the voltage threshold value V, and the temperature T by the sensor of 6th Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the time change (value in the time H) of the voltage VB of the battery, the voltage threshold value V, and the temperature T by the sensor of 7th Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the 1st modification comprised so that a temperature sensing part may be provided in a control part, (a) is a schematic sectional drawing of the sensor of a 1st modification, (b) is Fig. 2 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a sensor. It is a side view which shows the 2nd modification comprised so that a temperature sensing part might be provided on a printed circuit board, (a) is a schematic sectional drawing of the sensor of a 1st modification, (b) 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a sensor.

Explanation of symbols

1 Sensor 3 Battery 6 Temperature Sensing Unit 8 Control Unit H1 Comparison Time H2 Delay Time T Temperature V Voltage Threshold VB Battery Voltage Value

Claims (3)

In a sensor that detects the physical quantity of the environment using a battery as a power source
A control unit for determining whether or not the battery is dead based on the voltage value of the battery;
A temperature sensing part for detecting the temperature;
When the control unit determines that the battery is exhausted, a notification unit that notifies the battery exhaustion ,
The control unit sets a voltage threshold according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensing unit, and determines whether or not the battery has run out by comparing the set voltage threshold with the voltage value of the battery. After determining whether the battery has run out, when the temperature rises by a certain amount from the temperature detected by the temperature sensing unit at the time of battery running judgment, the notifying unit is informed of the battery running out and is detected by the temperature sensing unit. When the temperature to be detected is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the voltage threshold value is made constant, while when the temperature detected by the temperature sensitive part is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the temperature sensitive part is The voltage threshold value is gradually increased linearly as the detected temperature decreases. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein
After the voltage value of the battery falls below the voltage threshold, the control unit compares the voltage of the battery with the voltage threshold several times at a predetermined comparison time. A sensor characterized by determining that the battery is dead when the voltage value is low. The sensor according to claim 1 or 2,
When the control unit determines that the battery has run out, a notification unit for notifying that the battery has run out,
The control unit causes the notification unit to notify the battery exhaustion after a lapse of a predetermined delay time from the determination of battery exhaustion.

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