WO1998001839A1

WO1998001839A1 - Smoke generating deterrent system

Info

Publication number: WO1998001839A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/001175
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Grycza; Christian Authie
Original assignee: Etienne Lacroix Tous Artifices S.A.
Priority date: 1996-07-03
Filing date: 1997-07-01
Publication date: 1998-01-15
Also published as: CA2259280A1; FR2750783A1; FR2750783B1; EP0909439A1; AU3545497A

Abstract

The invention concerns a smoke generator, in particular to be used as a deterrent against attempts at intrusion into a building, comprising a case (100) housing at least a smoke generating source (200) and a control device (300) to be coupled with a sensor to initiate the smoke generating source (200) when an attempt at intrusion is detected. The invention is characterised in that it further comprises a buffer chamber (150) between the smoke generating source (200) outlet and the external diffusing grid (122) provided on the case(100).

Description

SMOKE GENERATING DETERRENCE SYSTEM

The present invention relates to the field of deterrent devices for combating attempts at instrusion, theft and vandalism in premises. Many devices for this purpose have already been proposed.

In particular, various devices have already been proposed designed to generate opaque and annoying smoke (possibly accompanied by other effects, such as bright flashes and / or high-power sound alarms) when an attempted intrusion into a room is detected.

However, the known devices are not entirely satisfactory.

These known smoke-producing devices present in particular risks of generation and propagation of inflammation when flammable materials are moved or stored in their vicinity, or even when a simple lit cigarette is approached by these devices.

The present invention aims to improve the situation.

This object is achieved according to the present invention, thanks to a smoke device for deterrent system against attempted intrusion into a room, of the known type comprising a box which houses at least one smoke source and a control device designed to be connected. at least one detector, in order to initiate the smoke source upon detection of a determined event, characterized in that the smoke source comprises a smoke composition capable of ignition and an associated igniter and that it also comprises a buffer chamber between the outlet of the smoke source and the external diffusion grid provided on the box.

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of non-imitative example and in which:

FIG. 1 represents a front face view of a device according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 represents a similar view of the same device, front cover removed, FIG. 3 represents a view in vertical section of the device according to the cutting plane referenced III-III in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 represents a view in horizontal section of the device according to the cutting plane referenced IV-IV in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 represents a perspective view of a smoke module in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 6 represents a view in longitudinal section of this smoke module,

FIG. 7 represents a perspective view of a covering shell for such a smoke module, and

- Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an electrical connection blade integrated into this smoke module.

The device according to the present invention is designed to generate a non-toxic smoke smoke adapted to surprise, worry, panic and annoy an intruder. This device is also designed to adapt to existing alarm control panels.

It essentially comprises a box 100 which houses at least one smoke module 200, an initiation management electronics 300 and a blower 400. If necessary, the box 100 also houses or supports an electrical supply 500, a signaling device 600 and a control module 700.

This device is preferably adapted to be coupled to an external intrusion detector belonging to an alarm center. However, as a variant, such an intrusion detector can be integrated into the cabinet.

More specifically, the system according to the present invention is preferably adapted to be activated by an order from an alarm center and by a confirmation detector. If necessary, several boxes 100 in accordance with the present invention can be connected to the same alarm center.

The system control 700 can be remote as well as part of its signaling 600.

The device according to the present invention is compatible with all types of detectors, in particular with perimeter detection and volumetric so that the alarm center and the detector can be formed of conventional articles available on the market.

The box 100 is advantageously metallic. According to the preferred embodiment it consists of a generally parallelepiped housing.

More specifically, according to the invention, the box 100 comprises on the one hand a casing 110 adapted to be fixed on a support, for example a wall wall, and on the other hand a removable front cover 120, in particular to allow the change of the smoke modules 200. On the front face, as seen in particular in FIG. 1, the cover 120 comprises a grid 122 for the diffusion of the smoke smoke and various indicator lights 602, 604, 606. The grid 122 is advantageously provided in the upper part of the front face of the cover 120. There are, for example, three tell-tales 602, 604, 606, respectively for viewing the operation of a smoke module 200, a standby mode and a connection to an alarm.

A particular and non-limiting layout of the device according to the present invention appears in FIG. 2.

On this one, we can see on the left in the box 100, the electronic assembly 300 for initiation management and a power supply module 500. On the right in the box, and at the bottom, we can see two smoke modules 200, and above them a buffer chamber 150.

Above the buffer chamber 150, that is to say in the upper part of the box 100, the fan or blower module 400 is installed, facing the outlet grid 122.

At least one air intake 112 is provided in the lower part of the box 100.

The buffer chamber 150 is preferably formed of an interchangeable box. This arrangement avoids regular cleaning of the buffer chamber 150. Typically but not limited to the height of the buffer chamber 150, that is to say the distance separating the outlet from the smoke modules 200 and the outlet grille 122 provided on the box 100 is at least of the order of 17 cm. As will be understood on reading the description of the present patent application, the buffer chamber 150 makes it possible to prevent the smoke emission developed by the modules 200 from directly reaching the outlet grid 122, or even in other words that the output of the smoke modules 200 is directly adjacent to this outlet gate 122.

Thus, the provision of a buffer chamber 150 between the smoke source 200 and the diffusion grid 122 makes it possible to avoid any risk of ignition outside the box 100.

It will be noted that preferably the casing 110 forms a rear casing to avoid any direct thermal contact between the smoke sources 200 and the support facade.

The smoke modules 200 can give rise to numerous variant embodiments.

Preferably, several smoke modules 200 are provided in the same box 100. According to the particular embodiment given in the appended figures, two smoke modules 200 are thus provided. This number should not however be considered as limiting.

The use of several smoke modules 200 in the same box allows a redundancy of operation, that is to say a reuse by new diffusion of smoke in the event of an attempted recurrence of intrusion.

Furthermore, according to the invention, each consumable smoke module 200 is designed to be replaced easily without specific tools. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, each smoke module 200 consists of a smoke composition 202 associated with a primer 204, placed in a pot 210 preferably produced in the form of a cylindrical tin box. This pot 210 is itself placed in a shell 220, preferably cylindrical, and for example of cardboard. It will be noted on examining FIG. 5 that this shell

220 preferably comprises a washer 222 at its upper part, provided with a central lumen 224 placed opposite a cover of the pot

210. The shell 220 preferably further comprises a cardboard washer 226 placed under the pot 210. The shell 220 is itself placed in a housing 230, of preferably plastic. The structure based on the shell 220 and the housing 230 defines an effective double-walled confinement to mitigate any risk of explosion or projection of particles from the bread of smoke-producing composition 202. Preferably the housing 230 is formed of two shells complementary 232, 234, one of which is illustrated schematically in FIG. 7.

Preferably the two shells 232 and 234 are assembled by snap-fastening. They define a support 236 for the aforementioned washer 226.

The two shells 232 and 234 define in combination a generally cylindrical housing 230, but however preferably having two planar truncated faces 238 diametrically opposite. In the upper part the shells 232, 234 have a flange 240 having an annular groove 242. This groove 242 is designed to be engaged in a complementary cutout formed on an openwork support plate 114 integral with the box 100. Thus each smoke module 200 rests on the support plate 114 and is clamped when the box 100 is closed by the cover 120. It will be noted that preferably the face of the flange 240 adjacent to the cover 120 is generally rounded and of geometry complementary to the internal face of the cover 120 to ensure a sealing therewith.

An electrical interface or connection is also provided between each smoke module 200 and contacts provided on the support plate 114 to ensure the controlled supply of the primers 204 and thus the implementation of the smoke bombs. Preferably, these electrical connections between the smoke modules 200 and the support plate 114 are produced by means of elastic contact blades 250 driven out on the shells 232, 234 respectively, in housings 249 which open into the groove 242, so that said blades 250 come into contact with electrically conductive tracks formed on the plate 1 14.

A non-limiting example of embodiment of such an elastic contact strip 250 is illustrated in FIG. 8. The smoke-producing material 202 used in the context of the present The invention is preferably non-toxic, and without significant deposit of dust, which avoids any need for cleaning after operation.

The structure of the electronics 300 ensuring the management of the initiation of the smoke-producing compositions 202 will not be described in detail below.

However, it should be noted that this electronics 300 is preferably responsible for managing the following information: alarm conditions, orders issued by the alarm center, validation by a source of a specific detector, self-monitoring information to the alarm center.

Furthermore, preferably, its structure is adapted to allow:

- the setting of an entry delay between 0 and 50 seconds (provided by the installer), - the choice of an inhibition time between 5 and 10 minutes (provided by the installer),

- the visualization, by an indicator, of the power-up,

- the display by another indicator of the monitoring of the box, - the display by another indicator of a smoke operation,

- the display by another indicator of the alarm memory of the confirmation detector,

- a continuity test of the firing lines, and

- maintenance of short-circuited smoke trigger circuits. The pulser 400 is placed in the upper part of the box, at the top of the buffer chamber 150, to be in communication both with the outlet of the smoke modules 200, via the buffer chamber 150 and with the external diffusion grid 122.

The role of the blower 400 is, on the one hand to stir the air in the buffer chamber 150 to reduce the temperature in the box 100, and on the other hand to stir the smoke outside the box, that is, to facilitate the distribution of the program in the desired area.

To this end, the blower 400 can be formed from any conventional structure commercially available from an electrically controlled fan. The power supply 500 can be formed from a purely external power supply connected to the box 100 by wire connections.

However, preferably it is an autonomous power supply internal to the box 100. Thus the device can operate even if isolated after breaking of the wires connected to it.

Depending on the case, the main power supply may come from the alarm center or from the mains, thus requiring the integration of a charger in the box. In FIG. 2, there is thus diagrammatically a power supply 500 comprising a charger 502 and a battery 504. The charger 502 receives an alternating supply voltage from the outside (coming from the alarm center or from the sector). The battery 504 is charged by the DC voltage coming from the charger 502. The signaling 600 is preferably carried out by means of colored lights 602, 604, 606 visible on the front face of the cover 120. These lights are preferably mounted directly on the electronic circuit 300 opposite the orifices located on the front face of the cover 120. However, certain warning lights, such as those serving as indicators for line continuity tests, may not be visible on the front face of the device. The number and function of the indicators may differ depending on the options of the selected device.

Preferably, in the context of the invention, 3 visible indicators are provided on the front face of the housing 120: an indicator 602 for the presence of external power supply, an indicator 604 for operating the cabinet, which flashes during the exit delay, and a memory indicator 606, fixed in the event of a trip and flashing in the event of a false alarm. In addition, in the context of the invention, it is preferably provided two additional indicators not visible on the front face, for validation of line continuity tests.

It will be noted that in the case of a remote signaling module, only the operating light 604 is preferably remote.

The control module 700 is preferably formed of a lock controlled by a bipolar lock which ensures the activation and deactivation of the system. The operation of the deterrent device according to the present invention is essentially as follows.

When an intrusion attempt is detected and confirmed by an alarm center, the latter sends an order to ignite the smoke composition 202 of one of the modules 200 to the electronics 300. The latter ensures the supply of the corresponding electric igniter 204 which ignites the smoke composition 202. This is consumed within two minutes.

The smoke smoke then develops via the buffer chamber 150 via the blower 400 and the outlet grid 122.

The double protection 220, 230 of each smoke module as well as the buffer chamber 150 effectively contain and limit the harmful effects of significant heat release (of the order of 300 ° C) found on the skin of the container. metallic 210 and projections of a few grams which may be incandescent formed at the outlet of the smoke module 200.

Thus the device according to the present invention allows rapid diffusion of a thick cloud of smoke which obscures the premises, depriving the burglar of landmarks and vision. The rapid diffusion of smoke annoys the burglar and prevents him from acting, totally disoriented, he has only one idea: to flee.

The loss of visibility occurs very quickly, it is accompanied by a feeling of stress and dismay which lead to immediate flight. The long-lasting effect of smoke gives the intervention service plenty of time to arrive on the scene.

In addition, the smoke product in accordance with the present invention is inconvenient but completely harmless. The smoke generated is clean and leaves no deposit or lingering odor. It does not alter any material (textile, clothing, etc.) or any material (computer, etc.). The device according to the present invention is compatible with all alarm systems. It is installed as easily as a siren or any other accessory. In addition, in the context of the present invention, several deterrent systems can be connected to the same alarm installation. More precisely still, according to a nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, the electronic module 300 controls the following operating sequence from the instant T1 of reception of a confirmed order for generation of smoke from the central d 'alarm :

- Tl: power supply to electric blower 400,

- Tl + 3 sec = T2: triggering of a smoke smoke by initiation of an igniter 204,

- T2 + 3 min 30: power supply to the pulser 400 stops, - Tl + 14 min: resets the unit to standby mode.

If a further intrusion attempt is subsequently detected and confirmed, before the smoke module used has been replaced, the electronic module 300 automatically supplies the second available smoke module. It will be noted that the deterrent device according to the present invention notably offers the following advantages:

- it allows smoke emission in a closed environment, non-toxic, without visible deposit, but inconvenient for intruders,

thanks to its buffer chamber 150, it allows the emission at the outlet of the box to be cooled, to contain the projections and to avoid any sabotage attempts, for example by ignition of the emission or obstruction of the smoke vent hole,

- the propulsion of the emission ensured by the blower 400 makes it possible to limit the smoke pressure, - the box formed by the casing 110 makes it possible to protect the support

(tapestry ...) against any thermal effect.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which has just been described but extends to all variants in accordance with its spirit.

Claims

1. Smoke device for deterrent system against attempted intrusion into a room, of the known type comprising a box (100) which houses at least one smoke source (200) and a control device (300) designed to be connected to at least one detector in order to initiate the smoke source (200) upon detection of a determined event, characterized in that the smoke source (200) comprises a smoke composition (202) capable of ignition and an igniter ( 204) associated and that it further comprises a buffer chamber (150) between the outlet of the smoke source (200) and the external diffusion grid (122) provided on the box (100).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an electric blower (400) interposed between the output of the smoke modules (200) and the external grid (122).

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises two smoke modules (200).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises management and initiation electronics (300) adapted to be validated by an order from an alarm center and / or by a confirmation detector.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each smoke source (200) is produced in the form of a replaceable module (200).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each smoke source (200) is placed in a container (210).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the smoke composition (202) is placed in a metal pot (210), housed in a shell (220) itself placed in an external housing ( 230).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the shell (220) is made of cardboard.

9. Device according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that the external housing (230) is formed of two complementary shells (232, 234) made of plastic.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each smoke source consists of a module (200) adapted to be clamped on a support plate (114) integral with the cabinet.

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each smoke module (200) comprises an electrical connector (250) designed to ensure the electrical connections between an internal electric igniter (204) and the module external power supply (300).

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that each smoke module (200) comprises a flange (240) provided with a groove (242) at the level of which are accessible two elastic blades (230) electrically conductive, connected to an electric igniter (204) to ensure the connection thereof when the smoke module (200) is clamped on a support plate (114).

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the smoke composition (202) is non-toxic and without visible deposit outside the box.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the box (100) is metallic and comprises a rear casing (110) designed to be fixed on a support wall and a removable front cover (120).

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the buffer chamber (150) is made in the form of an interchangeable box.

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the height of the buffer chamber (150) separating the outlet of a smoke module (200) and the external diffusion grid (122) is at least around 17cm.

17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the box (100) defines a box (1 10) interposed between the smoke modules (200) and the support facade to protect the latter against any effect thermal.