All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to a fire detection apparatus.
Conventionally, there has been known a fire detection apparatus that detects a fire based on heat of a heat air current caused by the fire (for example, Patent Document 1).
In a fire detection apparatus of Patent Document 1, a fire is detected based on heat detected by a heat detection element (for example, a thermistor, etc.) provided in the fire detection apparatus. Therefore, from a viewpoint of improving accuracy of fire detection, it is important to reliably guide a heat air current to the heat detection element, and a technique therefor has been desired.
It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems of the above mentioned prior arts.
One aspect of the present invention provides a fire detection apparatus comprises: a heat detection element configured to detect heat of a heat air current generated in association with a fire in a monitoring area, the heat detection element being disposed so that a detector protrudes from a predetermined base portion of the fire detection apparatus; and a control structure that has a stepped portion higher than the predetermined base portion, the control structure being configured to guide the heat air current to the detector of the heat detection element along an outer peripheral wall of the stepped portion, wherein at least a part of the detector of the heat detection element is located on a base portion side lower than the uppermost part of the stepped portion.
An embodiment of a fire detection apparatus according to the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited by this embodiment.
First, a basic concept of the fire detection apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. The fire detection apparatus is an apparatus for detecting a fire in a monitoring area. The “monitoring area” is an area to be monitored by the fire detection apparatus, specifically is a concept indicating an indoor or outdoor area, and is, for example, a concept indicating an arbitrary space such as a room, a staircase, or a corridor.
Further, in the following embodiment, the case where the “monitoring area” is a room will be described as an example.
Next, specific content of the embodiment will be described.
(Configuration)
First, a configuration of a sensor of the present embodiment will be described.
Note that it is presumed that X-Y-Z axes of each figure are orthogonal to one another, a Z-axis indicates a vertical direction (that is, a longitudinal direction or a thickness direction in an installed state of the sensor 100), a −Z direction is referred to as a front side, and a +Z direction is referred to as a rear side. In addition, the X-axis and the Y-axis indicate a horizontal direction (that is, a transverse direction or a width direction in the installed state of the sensor 100). In addition, in an XY-plane of
Note that a reference line 801 of
A reference line 804 of
A reference line 806 of
Reference lines 810 and 811 of
The sensor 100 is a fire detection apparatus provided in the monitoring area, and is, for example, an apparatus for detecting a fire in the monitoring area. For example, the sensor 100 is installed on a ceiling 900, which is an installation target.
Note that the installation target of the sensor 100 is not limited to the ceiling 900. For example, a wall (not illustrated) of a room, etc. may be the installation target. However, in the present embodiment, the case where the installation target is the ceiling 900 (that is, the sensor 100 is installed on the ceiling 900) will be described as an example. Note that, in the present embodiment, it is presumed that a ceiling surface of the ceiling 900, which is the installation target, and an installation surface, among the ceiling surface, on which the sensor 100 is installed is a surface along the XY-plane, that is, a surface parallel to the XY-plane. In this instance, the reference line 801 of
As illustrated in
(Configuration—Outer Cover)
Note that reference lines 812 and 814 of
The outer cover 1 covers and houses elements of the sensor 100 (the inner cover 2, the smoke detector cover 3, etc.) from the front side, and forms a part of an outer shape of the sensor 100. For example, the outer cover 1 is made of resin. For example, the outer cover 1 includes a main body 11, a top plate portion 12, a connecting portion 13, an opening 14, a labyrinth portion 15, and a light guide opening 16 of
(Configuration—Outer Cover—Main Body)
The main body 11 is a substantially cylindrical portion having a predetermined diameter.
(Configuration—Outer Cover—Top Plate Portion)
The top plate portion 12 is a portion provided on the front side of the main body 11, and is a circular plate-shaped portion having a smaller diameter than that of an outer circumference of the main body.
(Configuration—Outer Cover—Connecting Portion)
The connecting portion 13 is a portion that connects the main body 11 and the top plate portion 12 to each other, and is, for example, a portion extending between the main body 11 and the top plate portion 12 as illustrated in
(Configuration—Outer Cover—Opening)
The opening 14 is an opening for allowing a heat air current to flow into the sensor 100 or allowing the heat air current to flow out from the inside of the sensor 100. The opening 14 is formed in a gap between the main body 11 and the top plate portion 12, and is divided into a plurality of parts by a plurality of connecting portions 13.
Note that the “heat air current” is a concept indicating a flow of a fluid or the fluid itself including a detection target generated in association with a fire in the monitoring area, and is, for example, a concept indicating a flow of a relatively high-temperature fluid or the fluid itself. The “detection target” is a target detected by the sensor 100, specifically is a target generated in association with a fire in the monitoring area, and is, for example, a concept including smoke particles generated in association with a fire.
(Configuration—Outer Cover—Labyrinth Portion)
The labyrinth portion 15 is a control structure that guides the heat air current to the detection element 700. For example, the labyrinth portion 15 guides a fluid including the detection target to a detection space 300 (
Note that the “control structure” is an element for guiding the heat air current to the detection element 700, and has, for example, the labyrinth portion 15 and the stepped portion 231 (described later). Note that a position of this control structure is any position. For example, the position may be a position near the detection element 700 or a position away from the detection element 700.
The “detection space 300” is a space for detecting smoke (more specifically, smoke particles), which is a detection target caused by a fire, and is a lightproof space. Note that the detection space 300 may be construed as corresponding to the “smoke detector”. A position or size of the detection space 300 is any position or any size. However, as illustrated in
(Configuration—Outer Cover—Light Guide Opening)
The light guide opening 16 is a penetrating opening for exposing a tip of the light guide 73 (
(Configuration—Inner Cover)
Note that a major axis 230 of
The inner cover 2 covers and houses an element (the smoke detector cover 3, etc.) of the sensor 100, and has a circular shape in a front view. For example, the inner cover 2 is made of resin. For example, the inner cover 2 has a first opening 21, a second opening 22, the protrusion 23, and a light guide opening 24 of
(Configuration—Inner Cover—First Opening)
The first opening 21 is an opening for allowing the heat air current to flow into the detection space 300 and allowing the heat air current to flow out from the inside of the detection space 300. As illustrated in
(Configuration—Inner Cover—Second Opening)
The second opening 22 is an opening which the detection element 700 is inserted through and is disposed in. As illustrated in
(Configuration—Inner Cover—Protrusion)
The protrusion 23 is a portion of the inner cover 2 protruding from the base portion 200 (
(Configuration—Inner Cover—Light Guide Opening)
The light guide opening 24 is an opening which the light guide 73 (
(Configuration—Smoke Detector Cover)
The smoke detector cover 3 covers the detection space 300 (
(Configuration—Smoke Detector Cover—Opening)
The opening 31 is an opening for allowing the heat air current to flow into the detection space 300 and allowing the heat air current to flow out from the inside of the detection space 300. As illustrated in
(Configuration—Smoke Detector Cover—Each Housing)
The light emitting-side housing 32 is a portion that houses the light emitting-side optical element 712 (
The light receiving-side housing 33 is a portion that houses the light receiving-side optical element 722 (
(Configuration—Smoke Detector Base)
Note that a reference line 816 of
The smoke detector base 5 covers the detection space 300 (
(Configuration—Smoke Detector Base—Each Housing)
The light emitting-side housing 51 is a portion for housing the light emitting-side optical element 712 (
The light receiving-side housing 52 is a portion for housing the light receiving-side optical element 722 (
(Configuration—Insect Screen)
The insect screen 61 of
(Configuration—Board)
The board 62 of
(Configuration—Terminal Board)
The terminal board 63 of
(Configuration—Engaging Metal Fitting)
The engaging metal fitting 64 is detachably attached to the terminal board 63 and an attachment structure on the ceiling 900 side (for example, a structure fit to or engaged with the engaging metal fitting 64 to fix and attach the engaging metal fitting 64). By using the engaging metal fitting 64, the sensor 100 including the terminal board 63 can be attached to the ceiling 900. Note that the engaging metal fitting 64 may be construed as corresponding to the “attachment portion”.
In addition, although not illustrated in the present embodiment, it is presumed that the sensor 100 is attached to the ceiling 900 using an attachment base that is a circular plate-shaped member having approximately the same diameter as that of the terminal board 63. When this attachment base is used, the attachment base may be construed as corresponding to the “attachment portion”. Note that the “attachment base” is a member provided between the sensor 100 and the ceiling 900 and used to install and attach the sensor 100 to the ceiling 900. Since a known configuration can be applied, a detailed description is omitted.
(Configuration—Detection Element)
The detection element 700 of
(Configuration—Light Emitting Portion)
The light emitting portion 71 of
(Configuration—Light Emitting Portion—Light Emitting Element)
The light emitting element 711 is an element that emits light (emission light), and may be configured using, for example, a light emitting diode (LED). The light emitting element 711 is mounted on the board 62.
(Configuration—Light Emitting Portion—Light Emitting-Side Optical Element)
The light emitting-side optical element 712 is an element that guides and emits emission light emitted by the light emitting element 711 into the detection space 300, and may be configured using, for example, a prism. For example, the light emitting-side optical element 712 is housed in the smoke detector cover 3 and the smoke detector base 5.
For example, the light emitting-side optical element 712 is configured to emit light from the light emitting element 711 mainly in a direction parallel to the smoke detector base 5 (that is, a direction parallel to the XY-plane of
(Configuration—Light Receiving Portion)
The light receiving portion 72 of
(Configuration—Light Receiving Portion—Light Receiving Element)
The light receiving element 721 is an element that receives light (scattered light, etc.), and may be configured using, for example, a photodiode. The light receiving element 721 is mounted on the board 62.
(Configuration—Light Receiving Portion—Light Receiving-Side Optical Element)
The light receiving-side optical element 722 is an element that guides light in the detection space 300 to the light receiving element 721, and may be configured using, for example, a prism. The light receiving-side optical element 722 is housed in the smoke detector cover 3 and the smoke detector base 5.
The light receiving-side optical element 722 is configured to guide scattered light, etc. scattered by the smoke particles and entering the light receiving-side optical element 722 to the light receiving element 721.
(Configuration—Light Guide)
The light guide 73 of
(Configuration—Details of Detection Element)
Next, details of the detection element 700 will be described.
Note that a reference line 820 of
As described above, the detection element 700 is a heat detection element that detects heat of the heat air current generated in association with the fire in the monitoring area. For example, the detection element 700 may be configured using a thermistor, etc. that detects a temperature corresponding to heat and outputs temperature information indicating the detected temperature. As illustrated in
The detector 701 is a portion for detecting heat in the detection element 700, and is, for example, a portion whose resistance value changes due to temperature fluctuation. The terminal portion 702 is a terminal for electrically connecting the detection element 700 to an electric circuit of the sensor 100.
The detection element 700 is mounted on the board 62 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Note that, for example, the uppermost step of the stepped portion 231 is a concept indicating a portion on the frontmost side of the stepped portion 231 (corresponding to a lowermost portion of the drawing in
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in
(Configuration—Details of Protrusion)
Next, details of the protrusion 23 illustrated in
The stepped portion 231 is the aforementioned control structure, and as illustrated in
As illustrated in
(Configuration—Details of Protrusion)
Next, details of the labyrinth portion 15 of
The partition walls 151 are provided by being fixed to a surface of the top plate portion 12 on the rear side, protrude from the top plate portion 12 toward the rear side by a predetermined height, and are provided adjacent to each other with a gap 152 therebetween. The partition walls 151 may be formed integrally with the top plate portion 12 or may be formed separately from the top plate portion 12 and then fixed thereto using an adhesive, etc. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the partition walls 151 are integrally formed.
In the sensor 100 of
Since such a configuration is adopted, the labyrinth portion 15 may be construed as an element of the stepped portion 231 in which the plurality of partition walls 151 is disposed with the gap 152 therebetween and erected from an upper surface of the stepped portion 231 along the outer periphery of the stepped portion 231.
(Assembly Procedure for Sensor)
Next, a procedure for assembling the sensor 100 will be described. Here, an example of the procedure for assembling the sensor 100 will be described mainly with reference to
First, the light emitting-side optical element 712 and the light receiving-side optical element 722 are housed in the light emitting-side housing 51 (
Next, the smoke detector cover 3 is attached to the smoke detector base 5 using any method (for example, a method using an engagement structure provided in each element, etc.). In this case, the light emitting-side optical element 712 and the light receiving-side optical element 722 are also housed in the light emitting-side housing 32 (
Next, the board 62 on which the light emitting element 711, the light receiving element 721, and the detection element 700 are mounted is attached to the terminal board 63 from the front side of the terminal board 63 (the upper side of the drawing of
Next, as illustrated in
Next, as illustrated in
Next, the insect screen 61 is provided in the first opening 21 of the inner cover 2.
Next, the outer cover 1 is attached to the terminal board 63 from the front side (the upper side of the drawing of
(Fire Detection Operation)
Next, a fire detection operation by the sensor 100 will be described. For example, the sensor 100 performs an operation of detecting a fire based on the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 72 or the temperature of the heat air current detected by the detection element 700. Since a known operation may be applied as this operation, only an outline will be described. In addition, since two detection elements 700 are provided in the sensor 100, a detection result of one of the two detection elements 700 detecting a higher temperature is used.
(Fire Detection Operation—when No Fire is Detected)
For example, when there is no fire in the monitoring area, no heat air current containing smoke particles flows into the detection space 300 of
In addition, since the heat air current containing smoke particles is not supplied to the detection element 700, the temperature detected by the detection element 700 is at a room temperature level. In this case, the sensor 100 does not detect a fire.
(Fire Detection Operation—when Fire is Detected)
On the other hand, for example, when a fire occurs in the monitoring area, a heat air current containing smoke particles flows into the detection space 300 of
In addition, for example, a heat air current containing smoke particles is supplied to the detection elements 700, causing a temperature detected by at least one of the two detection elements 700 to rise to a predetermined level. In this case, the sensor 100 detects a fire.
Note that the fire detection operation described herein is an example and is not limited. More specifically, the following operation may be performed.
For example, a fire may be detected when the light receiving portion 72 receives a relatively large amount of light and the temperature detected by the detection element 700 rises to a predetermined level. Alternatively, a fire may be detected when the temperature detected by the detection element 700 rises to a predetermined level, regardless of a light reception result of the light receiving portion 72.
(Supply of Heat Air Current)
Next, a description will be given of supply of a heat air current containing smoke particles, which is generated when a fire occurs in the monitoring area, to the sensor 100.
First, in
Next, a part of the introduced heat air current is guided along the outer peripheral wall 231A (
Meanwhile, another part of the introduced heat air current climbs over the stepped portion 231 and is guided and supplied to the inside from the outer peripheral side of the sensor 100 through the gap 152 (
Here, as illustrated in
(Temperature of Heat Air Current)
A description will be given of the case where heat air currents having the same temperature are supplied to the sensor 100 at the same flow rate. As illustrated in
On the other hand, as illustrated in
In addition, although not illustrated, when heat air currents are supplied toward the inside of the sensor 100 from all directions shifted from the minor axis 230A, a heat air current having substantially the same temperature as the temperature of the heat air current in the case of
These are caused by a temperature distribution of a heat air current determined by a configuration of the detection element 700 (in particular, arrangement position) and a configuration of the labyrinth portion 15 and the stepped portion 231 (in particular, a configuration related to an elliptical shape) functioning as a control structure. However, as a result of a predetermined experiment or simulation for confirming the temperature distribution of the heat air current, by adopting the configuration described in the embodiment, as described above, a heat air current having substantially the same temperature is supplied to at least one detection element 700 (for example, a detection element 700 detecting a higher temperature) regardless of a direction in which the heat air current is supplied to the sensor 100. That is, it is possible to suppress variation in the temperature of the heat air current detected by the detection element 700 based on the direction in which the heat air current is supplied.
Note that sizes of the labyrinth portion 15 and the stepped portion 231, a size and arrangement position of the detection element 700, etc. may be set in consideration of an acceptable range for normal operation of the sensor 100 with regard to the magnitude of the aforementioned variation (that is, variation of the temperature of the heat air current detected by the detection element 700 based on a direction of supply).
(Effect of Embodiment)
As described above, according to the embodiment, since the control structure is provided which includes the stepped portion 231 higher than the base portion 200 and guides the heat air current to the detector 701 of the detection element 700 along the outer peripheral wall 231A of the stepped portion 231, for example, the heat air current can be reliably guided to the detection element 700.
In addition, the labyrinth portion 15 is provided, and the labyrinth portion 15 introduces the heat air current to the detection space 300 provided inside the sensor 100 through the gap 152, supplies smoke particles (that is, particles of smoke) contained in the introduced heat air current to the detection space 300, and guides the heat air current to the detector 701 of the detection element 700 along the side end portion 151A corresponding to the outer peripheral wall 231A of the stepped portion 231 of the plurality of partition walls 151. In this way, for example, it is possible to reliably guide the heat air current to the detection element 700 and reliably supply smoke particles to the detection space 300 of the sensor 100, thereby improving fire detection accuracy.
Further, the heat air current containing smoke introduced into the labyrinth portion 15 is introduced to the detection space 300 disposed in the lower part of the control structure through the first opening 21 penetrating the stepped portion 231 of the control structure from the upper surface to the lower surface side. In this way, for example, it is possible to reliably supply smoke particles to the detection space 300 of the sensor 100.
In addition, the heat air current is supplied from the outer peripheral side of the sensor 100 toward the inside thereof, and the peripheral shape of the outer peripheral wall 231A of the stepped portion 231 of the control structure is elliptical. In this way, for example, it is possible to suppress variation in the temperature of the heat air current detected by the detection element 700 based on the direction in which the heat air current is supplied.
In addition, the detector 701 of the detection element 700 is disposed on the major axis 230 of the ellipse of the stepped portion 231 of the control structure and outside the outer peripheral wall 231A of the stepped portion 231. In this way, for example, the control structure can be used to reliably guide the heat air current to the detection element 700.
Further, the two detectors 701 of the detection element 700 are disposed outside the outer peripheral wall 231A of the stepped portion 231 so as to face each other with the control structure interposed therebetween. In this way, for example, it is possible to suppress variation in the temperature of the heat air current detected by at least one of the two detection elements 700 based on the direction in which the heat air current is supplied.
Even though the embodiments according to the invention have been described above, the specific configuration and units of the invention may be modified and improved in any manner within the scope of the technical ideas of each invention described in the claims. Such modifications will be described below.
(With Regard to Problem to be Solved and Effect of Invention)
First, the problem to be solved by the invention and the effect of the invention are not limited to the above-described content, and the invention may solve a problem not described above or achieve an effect not described above. In addition, the invention may solve a part of the problem described above or achieve a part of the effect described above.
(With Regard to Labyrinth Portion)
Even though the case where the labyrinth portion 15 of
(With Regard to Outer Peripheral Wall)
In the embodiment, a description has been given of the case where the outer peripheral wall 231A has, for example, an elliptical circumferential shape in the front view as illustrated in
(With Regard to Protrusion)
In the embodiment, as illustrated in
(With Regard to Interpretation of Terms)
In the embodiment, the stepped portion 231 has been described as corresponding to the “control structure”. However, for example, the protrusion 23 including the stepped portion 231 may be construed as corresponding to the “control structure”.
(With Regard to Combination)
The features of the embodiment and the features of the modifications may be combined in any manner.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a fire detection apparatus comprises: a heat detection element configured to detect heat of a heat air current generated in association with a fire in a monitoring area, the heat detection element being disposed so that a detector protrudes from a predetermined base portion of the fire detection apparatus; and a control structure that has a stepped portion higher than the predetermined base portion, the control structure being configured to guide the heat air current to the detector of the heat detection element along an outer peripheral wall of the stepped portion, wherein at least a part of the detector of the heat detection element is located on a base portion side lower than the uppermost part of the stepped portion.
According to this embodiment, since the control structure is provided which includes the stepped portion higher than the base portion and guides the heat air current to the detector of the heat detection element along the outer peripheral wall of the stepped portion, for example, the heat air current can be reliably guided to the detection element.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides the fire detection apparatus according to the above embodiment, further comprises: a smoke detector configured to detect smoke in association with the fire, wherein the control structure has a labyrinth portion in which a plurality of partition walls is disposed to be erected with a gap therebetween from an upper surface of the stepped portion along an outer periphery of the stepped portion, the labyrinth portion guides the heat air current to the smoke detector provided inside the fire detection apparatus through the gap, and supplies particles of the smoke contained in an introduced heat air current to the smoke detector, and the labyrinth portion guides the heat air current to the detector of the heat detection element along a side end portion corresponding to an outer peripheral side of the stepped portion of the plurality of partition walls.
According to this embodiment, since the labyrinth portion is provided, the labyrinth portion guides the heat air current to the smoke detector provided inside the fire detection apparatus through the gap, supplies particles of the smoke contained in the introduced heat air current to the smoke detector, and guides the heat air current to the detector of the heat detection element along the side end portion corresponding to the outer peripheral side of the stepped portion of the plurality of partition walls, for example, it is possible to reliably guide the heat air current to the heat detection element and reliably supply smoke particles to the smoke detector of the fire detection apparatus, thereby improving fire detection accuracy.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides the fire detection apparatus according to the above embodiment, wherein the heat air current containing smoke introduced into the labyrinth portion is introduced to the smoke detector disposed in a lower part of the control structure via an opening penetrating the stepped portion of the control structure from an upper surface to a lower surface side.
According to this embodiment, since the heat air current containing smoke introduced into the labyrinth portion is introduced to the smoke detector disposed in a lower part of the control structure via an opening penetrating the stepped portion of the control structure from an upper surface to a lower surface side, for example, it is possible to reliably supply smoke particles to the smoke detector of the fire detection apparatus.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides the fire detection apparatus according to the above embodiment, wherein the heat air current is supplied from an outer peripheral side of the fire detection apparatus toward an inside thereof, and a peripheral shape of the outer peripheral wall of the stepped portion of the control structure is an ellipse or an oval.
According to this embodiment, since the heat air current is supplied from an outer peripheral side of the fire detection apparatus toward an inside thereof, and a peripheral shape of the outer peripheral wall of the stepped portion of the control structure is an ellipse or an oval, for example, it is possible to suppress variation in the temperature of the heat air current detected by the heat detection element based on the direction in which the heat air current is supplied.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides the fire detection apparatus according to the above embodiment, wherein the detector of the heat detection element is disposed on a major axis of an ellipse or an oval of the stepped portion of the control structure and on an outside of the outer peripheral wall of the stepped portion.
According to this embodiment, since the detector of the heat detection element is disposed on a major axis of an ellipse or an oval of the stepped portion of the control structure and on an outside of the outer peripheral wall of the stepped portion, for example, the control structure can be used to reliably guide the heat air current to the heat detection element.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides the fire detection apparatus according to the above embodiment, wherein two detectors of the heat detection element are disposed to face each other with the control structure interposed therebetween on the outside of the outer peripheral wall of the stepped portion.
According to this embodiment, since two detectors of the heat detection element are disposed to face each other with the control structure interposed therebetween on the outside of the outer peripheral wall of the stepped portion, for example, it is possible to suppress variation in the temperature of the heat air current detected by at least one of the two heat detection elements based on the direction in which the heat air current is supplied.
The present application claims the benefit of the PCT application No. PCT/JP2022/000541 filed on Jan. 11, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/JP2022/000541 | Jan 2022 | US |
Child | 18237460 | US |