JPS61237042A - Testing of gas leak alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent misjudgement positively, by determining that an alarm is normal when the output time and down time of an alarm signal detected by a detection means are within a specified time period. CONSTITUTION:Any gas leakage above a set concentration is detected and an alarm siganl is outputted intermittently to perform a test of a gas leakage alarm. Here, a detection means of an alarm signal is provided in proximity of the alarm 1 arranged in a gas atmosphere of a set density. The detection means herein used is a photosensor 2 and a microphone 3 which detect an optical signal and a voice signal to output a received light signal and a voice- electricity conversion signal. The alarm 1 is determined to operate normally when the output time and the down time of the alarm signal detected by the detection means are within a specified time range. This can prevent misjudgement due to disturbance by a change in the power source positively.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is directed to testing a gas leak alarm that detects a gas leak exceeding a set concentration and outputs an alarm signal intermittently. Regarding the method.

[Conventional technology]

Gas leak alarms used in general households that detect and issue an alarm when leaking city gas or other gas with a concentration higher than a set concentration include a light-emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as an LED) as a light-emitting display means and an alarm sound generating means. If there is no gas leak, the buzzer will not operate and the LED will illuminate continuously to indicate that the alarm is energized or on standby, and if there is a gas leak, the alarm will not be placed. When the gas temperature in the atmosphere reaches the set concentration, the LED starts blinking and at the same time the buzzer starts operating and an alarm sounds intermittently.

When testing whether this type of gas leak alarm operates normally, conventionally, multiple gas leak alarms are placed in a test chamber, and the LED and buzzer of each alarm are placed close to each other. A light sensor as a light detection means and a microphone (hereinafter referred to as a microphone) as an alarm sound detection means are installed to gradually increase the gas concentration in the test tank, and when the gas concentration in the test tank reaches the set concentration. , the determination means detects the fall of the light reception signal from the optical sensor due to the start of blinking of the LED of the alarm, and the rise of the audio-1 electrical conversion signal from the microphone due to the start of intermittent operation of the alarm's buzzer. , This alarm is normal. The product was judged to be of good quality,
Gas leak alarms that cause the LED to blink or the buzzer to operate intermittently before the gas concentration in the test chamber reaches the set concentration, and those that do not blink continuously even when the gas concentration in the test chamber reaches the set concentration. A gas leak alarm that remains lit or the buzzer remains off without intermittent operation.
It will be determined that it is a defective product that does not function properly.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in such a gas leak alarm device, the LEDs may be turned off due to disturbances such as voltage fluctuations in the power source that supplies power to the alarm device, which are not related to the characteristics of the alarm device itself. may turn off momentarily and the buzzer may emit noise. As mentioned above, the test method for gas leak alarms is to detect the falling edge of the light reception signal from the optical sensor and the rising edge of the conversion signal from 8 and the microphone. When determining good or defective products based on the presence or absence of
If the above-mentioned disturbance occurs after the gas concentration in the test chamber reaches the set concentration, the determination means will cause the LED to turn off momentarily and the light reception signal from the optical sensor to fall due to noise from the buzzer 8 and the microphone. When the rising edge of the conversion signal from the test tank is detected and the gas concentration in the test tank reaches the set concentration, the LED will blink and the fuser will emit an alarm intermittently.It is determined that the product is good and the appropriate gas leak alarm is activated. Even if there is, there is a problem that it will be judged as a defective product that does not function properly.

On the other hand, if the above-mentioned disturbance occurs after the gas in the test tank reaches the set concentration, the determination means determines
The fall of the light reception signal from the optical sensor due to the momentary turning off of the LED and the noise from the buzzer and the rise of the conversion signal from the microphone 9 are detected, and even if the gas concentration in the test chamber reaches the set a degree, the LED will not turn off. There is a problem in that even though the gas leak alarm is determined to be a defective product because it does not blink and the buzzer does not operate intermittently, it is determined to be a good product that operates normally.

[Means for solving problems]

This invention has been made with the above-mentioned points in mind, and is designed to eliminate false judgments of normal operation of gas leak alarms due to disturbances such as power fluctuations, and to detect gas leaks exceeding a set concentration and send an alarm signal. In a method for testing a gas leak alarm that intermittently outputs a gas leak alarm, a means for detecting the alarm No. 1 is provided in proximity to the alarm placed in a gas atmosphere having the set concentration. , characterized in that the alarm is determined to be operating normally when the output time and rest time of the alarm signal detected by the detection means are each within a predetermined time i*'5 range. This is a test method for gas leak alarms.

[Effect]

Therefore, in the present invention, it is determined that the alarm is operating normally when the output time and rest time of the alarm signal detected by the detection means provided close to the gas leak alarm are each within a predetermined time. Even if the alarm outputs or stops outputting a pulsed signal due to a disturbance such as a power fluctuation, it is determined that the output time or the resting time of the pulsed signal is not within a predetermined time range, and the pulsed signal is output. This signal is excluded as not being a normal alarm signal.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to drawings showing embodiments thereof.

First, in Fig. 1, fll is a gas leak alarm equipped with a sensor that detects the concentration of gas such as city gas, natural gas, propane gas, etc. in a general household. An LED that blinks when a gas leaks and intermittently outputs a light signal as an alarm signal, and an LED that stops operating when on standby and operates intermittently when a gas leaks above a set concentration and outputs an audio signal as an alarm signal intermittently. Equipped with a buzzer.

+21, ' +31 is an optical sensor and a microphone as detection means, which are provided close to the alarm fil and detect the optical signal and the audio signal, respectively, and output a light reception signal and an audio-electrical conversion signal; 141, 1it is An amplifier (6) is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) which amplifies the received light signal and the converted signal from the optical sensor 12) and the microphone (31), respectively, and amplifies the received light signal and the converted signal from the optical sensor 12) and the microphone (31). an input means into which a converted signal is input, and a rest time of the optical signal and audio signal that detects falling and rising edges of the light reception signal and the converted signal input to the input means, and determines a low level period of both the signals. a first counter that counts rising edges of the light reception signal and the conversion signal input to the input means, and each of the times counted by the two counters and the allowable lower limit time X.

a comparison means for comparing each of the allowable upper limit times x, (>X,), and a range from time X, which is a predetermined time range, to Alarm when inside ft
The optical sensor 1 is provided with a determination means for determining that the optical sensor 1 is operating normally and outputting a determination signal from the output terminal (7).
2), microphone (3), amplifier 14), fil.

The microcomputer (6) constitutes a test device (8) for the alarm (1).

In addition, the LED may blink due to noise, power fluctuations, etc.

In order to eliminate buzzer intermittent, the time period X1. X! is selected as appropriate depending on the model of the alarm (1).

Next, the test procedure for the alarm full will be explained with reference to the drawings from FIG. 2 onwards.

First, the alarm (1), optical sensor 12), and microphone (3) are placed in the test tank as in the past, and the test tank is filled with the specified gas, so that the gas concentration in the test tank reaches the set concentration. If the alarm fil is activated when the alarm reaches +11
It is determined whether the operation is normal or not according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Now, as shown in the same figure, at step 81, the microcomputer (6) determines whether the input signal to the input means before the activation of the alarm fi+ is at a low level, and if YES. It is assumed that the input signal to the input means is a signal based on the audio signal from the buzzer of the alarm (1), and the process moves to step S2. If No, the input signal to the input means is a signal based on the audio signal from the buzzer of the alarm (1). Assuming that the signal is based on an optical signal, the process moves to step S3, and the operations in the subsequent steps are performed.

Then, as shown in the waveform diagram of FIG. 3, at time t1, the microphone (3
) rises, in step S2 shown in FIG. 2, the microcomputer (6) determines whether or not the rising edge of the converted signal has been detected by the second counter. For example, the process moves to step S4, where the second counter starts counting the time from time t1, and if the determination in step S2 is No, the process is repeated until the determination in step S2 is passed again with YES.

Next, after the second counter starts counting the time, as shown in FIG. 3, time t! When the conversion signal from the microphone (3) falls based on the interruption of the output of the audio signal due to the turning off of the buzzer, the microcomputer (6) in step S5 shown in FIG. A determination is made as to whether or not the detection has been made by the second counter, and if YES, the process moves to step S6.
If ζNo, the process is repeated until the judgment in step S5 is passed with YES, and by passing the judgment in step S5 with YES, the microcomputer (6) detects that the high level period of the conversion signal has ended, and the above-mentioned The second counter finishes counting the time from time t1, and in step S6, the time T from the time t counted by the second counter to t.

That is, the output time T1 of the audio signal and the allowable lower limit time X1. set in the comparison means. Maximum allowable time X.

The comparing means determines whether the output time T8 is within the range from time X to X, that is, whether X, ≦T, ≦X. If the determination is YES, the process moves to step S7, and if the result is NO, the process moves to step 811, which will be described later.

Furthermore, in step S7, the first counter starts counting the time from time t, and as shown in FIG. When the conversion signal rises again, in step S8 shown in FIG. 2, the microcomputer (6) determines whether the rise of the conversion signal has been detected by the first counter, and if YES, step S8 is performed. The process moves to S9, and if the result is NO, the process is repeated until the judgment in step S8 is passed with YES, and by passing the judgment in step S8 with YES,
The microcomputer (6) detects that the low level period of the conversion signal has ended, and the first counter finishes counting the time from time t, and in step S9, the time t counted by the IEI counter is
, the time T from t3 to t3, that is, the pause time T of the audio signal, the allowable lower limit time X, e allowable upper limit time X,
A comparison is made by the comparing means, and a comparison is made by the determining means with the pause time +11. It is determined whether or not l is within the range from time X1 to X, that is, whether or not X1≦I≦X, and if YES, the process moves to step 81G and the buzzer operates normally. If the determination is NO, the operations from step S4 onwards are repeated.

On the other hand, if the light reception signal from the optical sensor 121 falls due to the output stop due to the light signal from the LED being turned off at the above-mentioned time, in step S3 shown in FIG. A determination is made as to whether or not the falling edge of is detected by the first counter. If YES, the process moves to step 811 and the IE1 counter starts counting the time from the time t1, and if the determination in step S8 is NO. If so, the process is repeated until the determination in step S8 is passed again with YES.

Next, after the first counter starts counting the time, when the audio signal from the optical sensor 121 rises at time t,' based on the output of the optical signal caused by the lighting of the LED, step 812 shown in FIG. In the microcomputer (6
), it is determined whether or not the rising edge of the light reception signal has been detected by the first counter, and if YES, the process moves to step 818, and if NO, the process continues until step 812 is passed with YES. returned,
By passing the determination in step 812 with YES,
The microcomputer 16) detects that the low level period of the master light reception signal has ended, and the gt counter finishes counting the time from time t1, and in step 81B, the time t counted by the first counter is , to t, I, that is, the pause time T1' of about 2 optical signals, and the allowable lower limit time X.

The comparing means compares the tolerable upper limit time
Whether it is within the range from to X, that is, X,≦T
It is determined whether 1'≦X, and if YES, the process moves to step 814, and if No, the process moves to step S4.

Further, in step 814, the second counter starts counting the time from time 21, and the second counter starts counting the time from time 21.
When the light reception signal from the optical sensor (2) falls again based on the re-output of the optical signal due to the LED being turned off at I, in step 815 shown in FIG.
), it is determined whether or not the fall of the light reception signal is detected by the second counter, and if YES, the process moves to step 816, and if no, the process continues until the process passes through the determination of step 815 with YES. manipulated back,
By passing step 815 with YES, the microcomputer (6) indicates that the high level period of the optical signal has ended.
' is detected by the second counter at time t,
1, and in step 816, the time t counted by the second counter,
The time T, l from I to t, I, that is, the output period T,' of the optical signal and the allowable lower limit 1'\P X1. The comparison means compares the output time T,l with the allowable upper limit time X, and the determination means determines whether the output time T,l is from time X1 to X!
Whether it is within the range of X, ≦T, ′≦X
, and if YES, step S
The process moves to IO, where it is determined that the LED is operating normally, and if No, the operations from step 811 onwards are repeated.

Then, as described above, the process goes through steps 81 to 89 to reach step 81G, and step Sl.

Only when step 810 is reached from sa, sst through 816, it is determined that the alarm fi+ to be tested is a good product that operates normally, and only one of the buzzer and LED is functioning normally. If it is determined that the alarm fi+ is activated, it is determined that the alarm fi+ to be tested is a defective product that does not operate normally.

2. Before the gas concentration in the test tank reaches the set concentration, the LED flashes and the buzzer operates intermittently.
+ or L even if the gas concentration in the test chamber exceeds the set concentration.
Alarm il+ where ED does not flash and buzzer does not operate intermittently
is determined to be a defective product without even performing the test operation shown in the flowchart described above.

By the way, the above-mentioned allowable lower limit and upper limit time X,, X, respectively are Xl = 80m5etc, X! = 600m5
et:, when the concentration of gas # in the test chamber reaches the set concentration, the conversion signal output from the microphone (31) changes from time ta to tb as shown in FIG. 50m5 IC time high level, time tb
800 m5ec time from time tc to tc Low level 6 time 200m5ec time from time tc to td High level, from time td to te (D 300 m5ec time)
Assuming that R+'al has become low level, according to the flowchart of FIG. 2, the rise of the conversion signal at time ta is detected in step S2, and the counting of time by the second counter is started in step S4. In step S5, the fall of the conversion signal at time tb is detected, and in step S6, the fall of the conversion signal at time tb is detected.
The high level period of the conversion signal from tb to tb (= 50 m5t
rt: ) and the time X,,X, are compared, but as described above, since x, = s o m5ec, the process passes through step S6 with NO and moves to step 811, and from step 811 The operations up to 818 are repeated, and in step 813, the low level period (=800 mSeC) of the conversion signal from time tb to tc and the time X.

A comparison is made with X, as described above.

= 5 Q Q m5ttc, so step 81
3 with No, and returns to step S4 again, and at time ta
High-level pulses from tb to tb are excluded as abnormal signals due to noise from the buzzer or the like.

Furthermore, by the operations from step 54fi) to step S9, the high level pulse C=200pnsec)2 of the conversion signal from time tc to td and the low level period (=3QOmStC) from time td to te are also changed. From time X+ (= 80m5ec) to Xl
(= 600 m5ec), and at time te, it is determined that the converted signal in FIG. 4 is a normal signal based on the audio signal due to the normal intermittent operation of the buzzer, and It is determined that the buzzer is operating normally.

On the other hand, when the gas concentration in the test tank reaches the set concentration, the light reception signal output from the optical sensor 121 is 5 Q from time tf to tg, for example, as shown in FIG.
Assuming that it is low level for a time of Qmsec and becomes high level for a time of 400m5ec from time tg to th, step 83゜811 of the flowchart shown in Fig. 2
By the operations from to step 816, from time tf to t
The low level period of the light reception signal up to g (=500m5
ec ) and the No. 1 level period (=400 msec) from time tg to th are both the above-mentioned time X1 (=8
0 mstrc) to Xl (=600 m5ec), and at time th, it is determined that the light reception signal in FIG. 5 is a normal signal based on the light signal due to normal blinking of the LED, It will be determined that the LED is operating normally.

Note that it goes without saying that the alarm (1) may include only a buzzer.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the test method for a gas leak alarm of the present invention, the output time and pause time of the light signal and audio signal as alarm signals from the LED and buzzer of the alarm (1) are each within a predetermined time range. In order to determine that the alarm fi1 is operating normally when Even if the optical signal momentarily pauses or an audio signal is momentarily output from the buzzer, the momentary optical signal pause time 2
It is determined that both the output time of the audio signal and the output time of the audio signal are not within the predetermined time range, and the pulse-like signal from the alarm device fil due to the disturbance can be excluded as not being a normal alarm signal. It is possible to reliably prevent erroneous judgments in which a proper gas leak alarm device is judged to be a defective product, or conversely, a gas leak alarm device is judged to be a good product even though it is judged to be a defective product. Remarkable.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the gas leak alarm testing method of the present invention, the IEI diagram is a block diagram, FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation, and FIGS. 8 to 5 are each for explaining the operation. It is a waveform diagram of a signal. +11-...Gas leak alarm, +21-...Light sensor,
(31...Mike, +61-...Microcomputer. Agent: Patent Attorney Fuji 1) Ryutabe Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] [1] In a test method for a gas leak alarm that detects a gas leak at a set concentration or higher and intermittently outputs an alarm signal, the alarm is placed in a gas atmosphere having the set concentration. a detection means for the alarm signal is provided in proximity to the alarm, and when the output time and rest time of the alarm signal detected by the detection means are each within a predetermined time range, the alarm is operating normally. A test method for a gas leak alarm, characterized by determining that there is a gas leak alarm.