TW202303532A - smoke detector - Google Patents

Abstract

A smoke detector that can sense smoke more quickly than conventional smoke detectors is provided. The smoke detection sensor (11) is equipped with a light emitting part (111), a light receiving part (113), a light receiving part (114) and a control unit (118). The light receiving part (113) receives the scattered light emitted from the light emitting part (111) and scattered by the particle group contained in the air in the area (A). The light receiving part (114) receives the reflected light emitted from the light emitting part (111) and reflected by the particles passing through the position (B). The control unit (118) counts the pulse waves presented by the light intensity signal output from the light receiving unit (114) as a function of time, thereby measuring the particles passing through the position (B) within the latest predetermined time length the number of The control unit (118) determines the presence or absence of smoke in the external space based on the number of particles thus measured and the amplitude of the light intensity signal output from the light receiving unit (113).

Description

smoke detector

The present invention relates to a technology for sensing smoke.

There is a smoke detector that senses the occurrence of smoke in an external space by sensing particles contained in air flowing from the external space into a sensing area.

The smoke detector called photoelectric smoke detector emits light from the light-emitting element to the sensing area, and the light is received by the light-receiving element and reflected by the particles in the air in the sensing area The reflected light, and then according to the intensity of the light received and measured by the light receiving element, the occurrence of smoke in the external space is sensed.

As one of the photoelectric smoke detectors, there is known a method of measuring the intensity of scattered light, which is the concentration of reflected light reflected by the particle group contained in the air flowing into the sensing area, and judging from the intensity The method of presence or absence of smoke (hereinafter referred to as "total scattered light method"). As a patent document disclosing the technology related to the photoelectric smoke detector of the total scattered light method, there is Patent Document 1, for example.

As another method of photoelectric smoke detection sensor, there is known a method of measuring the intensity of reflected light reflected by particles passing a predetermined position in the sensing area, and measuring the diameter (particle diameter) of the particle from the intensity. and the number of particles (particle count), and then determine the presence or absence of smoke from the measurement results (hereinafter referred to as "particle counter (particle counter) method"). There is Patent Document 2 as a patent document disclosing a technology related to a particle counter type photoelectric smoke detector. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Document]

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-53550 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-23460

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

In the case of a photoelectric smoke detector using the total scattered light method, the smoke concentration in the sensing area becomes higher, and the smoke will not be detected until the intensity of light received by the light receiving element reaches a predetermined threshold. sensed. Also, in the case of a photoelectric smoke detector using a particle counter method, the concentration of smoke in the sensing area becomes high, and the number of smoke particles passing through a predetermined position in the sensing area reaches a predetermined threshold. Up to the limit, smoke will not be sensed. Therefore, no matter which type of photoelectric smoke detector is used, it takes a certain amount of time from the generation of smoke to the detection of smoke.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a smoke detector that can sense smoke more quickly than conventional smoke detectors. [Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention proposes a smoke detector, which is equipped with: a first light intensity measuring means, which is to measure the amount of particles contained in the air flowing from the external space into a predetermined area in the sensing area. Concentrated intensity of reflected light; and second light intensity measuring means for measuring the intensity of light reflected by the individual particles flowing in from the aforementioned external space and passing through a predetermined position within the sensing region; and Judging means for judging the presence or absence of smoke in the external space based on the measured value of the first light intensity measuring means and the measured value of the second light intensity measuring means. [Invention effect]

According to the present invention, since the presence or absence of smoke can be determined by both the intensity of the reflected light produced by each smoke and the intensity of scattered light produced by the smoke particle group, it is compared with the case of either one of them. , can sense smoke quickly.

[implementation form]

A smoke detection and sensing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the composition of a smoke detection sensing system 1 . The smoke detection system 1 includes a smoke detection sensor 11 and an upper system 12 .

The smoke detector 11 is arranged in the space of the monitoring object where smoke occurs (hereinafter referred to as "monitoring space"), and takes in the air in the monitoring space, and senses as long as there is smoke in the taken-in air. The smoke is detected and, if smoke is sensed, devices of the high-level system 12 are notified of the occurrence of the smoke.

In FIG. 1 , although the number of smoke detection sensors 11 provided in the smoke detection sensing system 1 is one, the number of smoke detection sensors 11 provided in the smoke detection sensing system 1 depends on the number or width of the monitoring space. And change.

The high-level system 12 may be any of terminal devices for monitoring, smoke alarm panels, central monitoring systems, and the like. The high-level system 12 and the smoke detector 11 can communicate data with each other through wired, wireless, or mixed communication media.

Since the high-level system 12 is the same as the high-level system of the prior art, its description is omitted.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the smoke detector 11 . The smoke detection sensor 11 is equipped with a housing 110, a light emitting part 111, a lens (lens) 112, a light receiving part 113, a light receiving part 114, a lens 115, a fan (fan) 116, a filter (filter) 117 and a control unit ( control unit)118.

The casing 110 is a container forming a space inside. The casing 110 has an air intake P and an exhaust port Q. The air intake P is an opening functioning as an inlet for air flowing from the external space into the internal space, and the exhaust port Q is an opening functioning as an inlet for air flowing from the internal space. The opening for the outlet function to flow out to the outside space.

In addition, the housing 110 has a wall 1101, a pipe 1102 and a pipe 1103. The wall 1101 is used to form a sensing region S as a region for sensing smoke in the internal space. The air flow path from the air port P to the sensing area S, the pipe 1103 forms the air flow path from the sensing area S to the exhaust port Q.

The light emitting unit 111 (an example of a light emitting means) has, for example, an LED (an example of a light emitting element), and emits light toward the air flow path from the intake port P to the exhaust port Q.

The lens 112 performs the task of concentrating the light emitted by the light emitting part 111 and guiding the concentrated light to the position B in the sensing region S.

The light-receiving part 113 (an example of the first light intensity measuring means) has, for example, a photodiode (photodiode) (an example of a light-receiving element), and receives a part of the scattered light, and then displays a light intensity indicating the intensity of the received light. The signal is output to the control unit 118, and the scattered light is the concentration of the reflected light reflected by the particle group contained in the air flowing into the area A in the sensing area S from the external space of the light irradiated from the light emitting part 111. The light receiving unit 113 is arranged at a position not facing the light emitting unit 111 so that the light emitted by the light emitting unit 111 does not directly enter the light receiving unit 113 .

The light receiving unit 114 (an example of the second light intensity measuring means) has, for example, a photodiode (an example of a light receiving element), and the light irradiated from the light emitting unit 111 flows in from the external space and passes through the sensing region S. The individual particle at position B receives a part of the reflected light reflected by the particle, and then outputs a light intensity signal indicating the intensity of the received light to the control unit 118 . The light receiving unit 114 is arranged at a position not facing the light emitting unit 111 so that the light emitted by the light emitting unit 111 does not directly enter the light receiving unit 114 .

The lens 115 is a lens that concentrates the light directed from the position B to the light receiving unit 114 . That is, the focal point of the lens 115 is at position B. With the lens 115, the light-receiving unit 114 can capture the smoke generated by the smoke particles in an area that can be regarded as a point that is narrow enough to prevent two or more smoke particles from entering simultaneously at the center of the position B. Reflected reflected light.

The fan 116 generates a flow of air flowing into the sensing area S from the external space through the suction port P and flowing out to the external space through the exhaust port Q by rotating blades.

The filter 117 is arranged on the flow path of the air from the suction port P to the exhaust port Q, to capture the dust contained in the air flowing into the sensing area S from the external space, and prevent the dust from invading into the sensing area S .

The control unit 118 is a device for controlling the operation of the smoke sensor 11 and the like. The hardware of the control unit 118 is, for example, a computer, and the control unit 118 is realized by the computer performing processing according to a program used by the control unit 118 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the computer 10 employed as the hardware of the control unit 118 . The computer 10 is equipped with: a processor (processor) 101, which performs various data processing; and a memory (memory) 102, which stores various data; and an input and output interface (interface) 103, which is used for detecting smoke Signals are sent and received between components such as the light emitting unit 111 included in the tester 11; and the communication interface 104 is used to send and receive data with an external device (in this case, the high-level system 12).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 118 . That is, the control unit 118 having the constituent parts shown in FIG. 4 is realized by the computer 10 performing processing according to the program for the control unit 118 . Functional components included in the control unit 118 will be described below.

The light-emitting instruction means 1181 instructs the light-emitting unit 111 to emit light. The light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 acquires the light intensity signal output from the light receiving unit 113 . The light intensity signal acquisition means 1183 acquires the light intensity signal output from the light receiving unit 114 .

The timing means 1184 continuously measures the current time based on, for example, a clock signal generated by a clock included in the processor 101, and generates a time signal indicating the current time.

Counting (count) means 1185 (together with the light receiving unit 114 and the light intensity signal acquisition means 1183 constituting the particle number measuring means) is to count the nearest predetermined The number of particles passing through position B within a certain period of time (hereinafter referred to as "the number of particles"). Furthermore, the counting means 1185 uses the time signal generated by the timing means 1184 to specify the latest predetermined time to be counted for the grain number.

The judging means 1186 judges whether there is smoke in the external space according to the light intensity indicated by the light intensity signal obtained by the light intensity signal obtaining means 1182 and the number of particles counted by the counting means 1185. The procedure for judging the presence or absence of smoke by the judging means 1186 will be described later.

The communication means 1187 transmits the smoke occurrence notification data notifying the occurrence of smoke to the high-level system 12 when it is determined by the determination means 1186 that there is smoke in the external space.

Fig. 5 shows that when the air containing smoke has started to flow into the sensing area S from the external space, the amplitude of the light intensity signal obtained by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving part 113 varies with time ((a) in Fig. 5 ), and the time-varying graph of the amplitude of the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1183 from the light receiving unit 114 ((b) in FIG. 5 ).

The light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving unit 113 represents the reflected light that has reached the light receiving unit 113 among the reflected light reflected by a plurality of particles (particle groups) in the area A having a certain width. The overall intensity of light. Therefore, the amplitude of the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving unit 113 changes continuously with the change of the smoke density in the sensing area S.

On the other hand, the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1183 from the light receiving unit 114 represents the difference between the reflected light reflected by the particles passing through the extremely narrow area centered on the position B which can be regarded as a point substantially. Intensity of the reflected light that has reached the light receiving unit 114. Therefore, the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1183 from the light receiving unit 114 becomes a rising pulse signal at the moment when the particle passes through the position B. Then, the frequency of occurrence of the pulse signals, that is, the number of occurrences per predetermined time, changes with the change of the smoke density in the sensing area S.

The counting means 1185 counts the number of pulse signals represented by the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1183 from the light receiving part 114 .

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow of processing performed by the judging means 1186 . The judging means 1186 is to perform processing according to the flow shown in FIG. 6 each time a very short predetermined time elapses. The processing performed by the judging means 1186 will be described below.

The judging means 1186 firstly judges whether the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquiring means 1182 from the light receiving part 113 reaches a predetermined threshold value Z (step S101).

In step S101, when it has been determined that the light intensity signal obtained by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving unit 113 has not reached the threshold value Z (step S101: No), the determination means 1186 is to determine in step S104 The threshold value T used is set to a predetermined value X (step S102).

On the other hand, in step S101, when it has been determined that the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving unit 113 reaches the threshold value Z (step S101: Yes), the determination means 1186, in step S104 A predetermined value Y smaller than the value X is set as the threshold value T used in the judgment (step S103).

Following the processing of step S102 or S103, the judging means 1186 determines whether the number of grains being counted by the counting means 1185 reaches the threshold value T after the value has been set in step S102 or S103 (step S104).

In step S104, when it has been determined that the number of grains being counted by the counting means 1185 reaches the threshold value T (step S104: Yes), the determination means 1186 determines that smoke is occurring in the external space, and instructs the communication means 1187 Transmission of smoke occurrence notification data (step S105). The communication means 1187 transmits smoke occurrence notification data to the high-level system 12 according to the instruction of the determination means 1186 . Thereafter, the judging means 1186 ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 6 .

On the other hand, in step S104, when it has been determined that the number of particles being counted by the counting means 1185 has not reached the threshold value T (step S104: No), the determination means 1186 determines that smoke has not occurred in the external space, And the transmission of the smoke occurrence notification data is not instructed to the communication means 1187, and the series of processing shown in FIG. 6 ends.

As mentioned above, the judging means 1186 judges whether the number of particles passing the position B has reached the threshold value T in the latest predetermined time period counted by the counting means 1185. The presence or absence of smoke. Then, the judging means 1186 changes the threshold value T to be smaller than the normally used value X when the light intensity signal received by the light intensity signal acquiring means 1182 from the light receiving unit 113 reaches a predetermined threshold value Z. The value of Y. As a result, compared with the case where such a change of the threshold value T is not performed, smoke sensing can be performed more quickly.

[variation example] The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the present invention, and various changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Examples of such changes are shown below. In addition, two or more modification examples shown below may be combined appropriately.

(Variation 1) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the determination means 1186 is based on the light intensity signal obtained by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving part 113 (that is, the measured value of the light intensity measurement means), and changes the value based on the counting means 1185. The determination condition for the presence or absence of smoke set by the number of counted grains (that is, the determination condition for the presence or absence of smoke set by the means for measuring the number of grains).

Instead, the following configuration can also be adopted: the judging means 1186 determines the presence or absence of smoke based on the light intensity signal obtained by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving part 113, and based on the number of grains counted by the counting means 1185 ( That is, the measured value of the particle number measuring means) to change the judgment condition (that is, the smoke judgment condition set by the light intensity measuring means).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the flow of processing performed by the determination means 1186 in one example of this modification. The judging means 1186 performs processing according to the flow shown in FIG. 7 each time a very short predetermined time elapses. Next, the processing performed by the judging means 1186 shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

The judging means 1186 firstly judges whether the number of grains being counted by the counting means 1185 reaches a predetermined threshold value Y (step S201).

In step S201, when it has been determined that the number of particles being counted by the counting means 1185 has not reached the threshold value Y (step S201: No), the determination means 1186 is the threshold value used in the determination in step S204. T is set to a predetermined value W (step S202).

On the other hand, in step S201, when it has been determined that the number of grains being counted by the counting means 1185 has reached the predetermined threshold value Y (step S201: Yes), the determination means 1186 is based on the determination made in step S204. For the threshold value T to be used, a predetermined value Z smaller than the value W is set (step S203).

Following the processing in step S202 or S203, the judging means 1186 determines whether the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving unit 113 reaches the threshold value T ( Step S204).

In step S204, when it is determined that the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving unit 113 reaches the threshold value T (step S204: Yes), the determination means 1186 determines that smoke is occurring in the external space, And the transmission of the smoke occurrence notification data is instructed to the communication means 1187 (step S205). The communication means 1187 transmits smoke occurrence notification data to the high-level system 12 according to the instruction of the determination means 1186 . Thereafter, the judging means 1186 ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 7 .

On the other hand, in step S204, when it has been determined that the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving unit 113 has not reached the threshold value T (step S204: No), the determination means 1186 determines that the light intensity signal in the external space The middle smoke has not occurred, and the transmission of the smoke occurrence notification data is not instructed to the communication means 1187, and the series of processing shown in FIG. 7 is ended.

In this variation example, the judging means 1186 is based on the judging condition of whether the intensity of the scattered light generated by the particle group in the area A has reached the threshold value T indicated by the light intensity signal obtained by the light intensity signal obtaining means 1182 , to determine whether there is smoke in the external space. Then, the judging means 1186 changes the threshold value T to a value Z smaller than the normally used value W when the number of grains being counted by the counting means 1185 reaches a predetermined threshold value Y. As a result, compared with the case where such a change of the threshold value T is not performed, smoke sensing can be performed more quickly.

Also, according to the smoke detector 11 of this modification, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of smoke with a particle size that cannot be measured by the particle number measuring means in the external space.

For example, when the particle diameter of smoke is as small as that of black smoke, there may be the following cases: even if the particles of smoke pass through position B, the amount of reflected light reflected by the particles and reaching the light receiving unit 114 is still is small, and no clear pulse signal appears in the light intensity signal output from the light receiving unit 114 . In such a case, it is impossible to sense smoke based only on the number of particles counted by the counting means 1185 .

However, according to this variation example, even if the particle size of the smoke is small, as long as there are many particles in the area A, the amount of reflected light reflected by the particle groups and reaching the light receiving unit 113 will can still get quite large. Therefore, the determination in step S204 becomes Yes (Yes), and the smoke sensing can be performed.

(Variation 2) In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the determination condition for the presence or absence of smoke set by the particle number measuring means has been assumed to be the condition of whether the particle number has reached a predetermined threshold value, but the condition set by the particle number measuring means The determination condition for the presence or absence of smoke is not limited to this.

For example, a determination condition may be employed in which it is determined that smoke is being generated when the state after the number of particles reaches a predetermined threshold value has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer. In the case of this example, the judging means 1186 is based on the measured value of the light intensity measuring means. In addition to changing the threshold value related to the number of grains contained in the judging condition, or instead, it can also change the threshold value related to the continuation time. the threshold value.

For example, the judging means 1186, when the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquiring means 1182 from the light receiving part 113 has not reached the threshold value Z, determines that the time for the number of grains being counted by the counting means 1185 to reach the threshold value X has passed. Smoke is occurring when continuing above the threshold T1. On the other hand, judging means 1186, when the light intensity signal acquired by light intensity signal acquiring means 1182 from light receiving part 113 reaches threshold value Z, determines the time when the number of grains being counted by counting means 1185 reaches threshold value X Smoke is occurring above the threshold T2, which has continued to be smaller than the threshold T1.

Similarly, in the above-mentioned Variation 1, although the judging condition for the presence or absence of smoke set by the light intensity measuring means has been assumed to be the condition of whether the light intensity has reached a predetermined threshold value, but by the light intensity The conditions for judging the presence or absence of smoke set by the measuring means are not limited thereto.

For example, a determination condition may be employed in which it is determined that smoke is occurring when the state after the light intensity reaches a predetermined threshold value has continued for a predetermined time or more. In the case of this example, the judging means 1186 is based on the measured value of the particle number measuring means, in addition to changing the threshold value related to the light intensity contained in the judging condition, or instead, it can also change the threshold value related to the continuation time. the threshold value.

For example, the judging means 1186, when the number of grains being counted by the counting means 1185 has not reached the threshold value Y, judges that the time for the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving part 113 to reach the threshold value W has elapsed. Smoke is occurring when continuing above the threshold T1. On the other hand, the judging means 1186 is to determine the time when the light intensity signal obtained by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving part 113 reaches the threshold value W when the number of grains being counted by the counting means 1185 reaches the threshold value Y. Smoke is occurring above the threshold T2, which has continued to be smaller than the threshold T1.

(Variation 3) The shape of the pulse represented by the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1183 from the light receiving unit 114 varies depending on the particle diameter of the particle passing through the position B. FIG. 8 is a graph showing how the shape of the pulse represented by the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1183 from the light receiving unit 114 varies depending on the particle diameter.

(a) in Fig. 8 is a graph showing the change with time of the light intensity signal of the situation after the particles with a larger particle diameter than (b) in Fig. 8 pass through position B, and (b) in Fig. 8 is A graph showing the time-dependent change of the light intensity signal after the particles having smaller particle diameters than (a) in FIG. 8 pass through the position B. Furthermore, (a) in FIG. 8 and (b) in FIG. 8 are graphs of the case where the flow velocity (flow rate per unit time) of the air flowing in the sensing area S is the same.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the larger the particle size of the particle passing through the position B, the larger the width of the pulse in the time axis direction that appears in the light intensity signal becomes. Also, in general, the larger the particle diameter of the particle passing through the position B, the larger the amplitude of the pulse appearing in the light intensity signal.

Therefore, according to the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1183 from the light receiving unit 114, the particle diameter of the particles contained in the air flowing into the sensing area S from the external space, that is, the particle diameter of smoke can be specified.

However, when there is smoke in the sensing area S, even if the light intensity indicated by the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving unit 113 is the same, the density of the smoke will vary when the particle size of the smoke is different. different. Generally speaking, when the intensity of light indicated by the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving unit 113 is the same, the smaller the particle size of the smoke, the higher the density of the smoke.

Therefore, the smoke detector 11 can also be configured as follows: according to the amplitude of the light intensity signal obtained from the light receiving unit 113 by the light intensity signal obtaining means 1182 and the light intensity signal obtained from the light receiving unit 114 based on the light intensity signal obtaining means 1183 The particle size of the smoke specified by the shape of the presented pulse (width or amplitude in the time axis direction) is used to determine whether smoke is occurring in the external space.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 118 included in the smoke sensor 11 of this modification. Part of the constituent parts shown in FIG. 9 is common to the constituent parts of the control unit 118 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 . The same symbols as those already used in FIG. 4 are used for the constituent parts thereof. Hereinafter, components different from those shown in FIG. 4 among the components shown in FIG. 9 will be described.

Particle size calculating means 1188 calculates the particle size of the particles passing through position B. Specifically, the particle size calculation means 1188 multiplies the width (or amplitude) of the pulse wave in the time axis direction of the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1183 from the light receiving unit 114 over time (or amplitude) by The flow velocity of the air flowing in the sensing area S (the flow per unit time) is used to calculate the particle size of the particles passing through the position B. Instead, for example, the particle diameter calculating means 1188 may specify the particle diameter of the particle passing through the position B according to a correspondence table or a calculation formula. The correspondence table represents the width (or amplitude) corresponding to the pulse wave in the time axis direction As for the particle diameter, this calculation formula calculates the particle diameter by using the width (or amplitude) of the pulse wave in the time axis direction as a variable. The particle size calculating means 1188 is a particle size measuring means for measuring the particle size of the particles contained in the air flowing into the sensing area S from the external space together with the light receiving part 114 and the light intensity signal acquiring means 1183 .

Furthermore, when the flow velocity of the air flowing in the sensing area S changes, the smoke detector 11 is configured to be equipped with a flowmeter for measuring the flow velocity, and the particle size calculation means 1188 can only be used for pulses. The width in the direction of the time axis of the wave is multiplied by the flow velocity obtained as a measurement result of the flowmeter to calculate the particle diameter.

The judging means 1189 is based on the particle diameter calculated by the particle diameter calculating means 1188 (that is, the measured value of the particle diameter measuring means) and the light indicated by the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving part 113. Intensity (that is, the measured value of the light intensity measuring means) to determine whether smoke is occurring in the external space.

For example, the determining means 1189 identifies the particle diameter calculated by the particle diameter calculating means 1188 and the light intensity signal obtained by the light intensity signal acquiring means 1182 from the light receiving part 113 according to the correspondence table showing the concentration of smoke corresponding to the combination of the particle diameter and the intensity of light. The smoke density corresponding to the light intensity indicated by the acquired light intensity signal. Alternatively, the judging means 1189 may calculate the density of the smoke according to the formula for calculating the density of the smoke using the particle diameter and the intensity of light as variables.

Judging means 1189 is to judge that smoke is occurring in the external space when the smoke density specified above has reached a predetermined threshold value. In addition, the determination conditions used by the determination means 1189 to determine the presence or absence of smoke are not limited thereto. For example, a determination condition may be adopted that determines that smoke is occurring in the external space when the state in which the density of smoke specified by the determination means 1189 has reached a predetermined threshold value has continued for a predetermined length of time or longer.

Also, the judging means 1189 does not have to specify the density of the smoke. For example, the judging means 1189 may also compare the light intensity indicated by the light intensity signal acquired by the light intensity signal acquisition means 1182 from the light receiving part 113 with a threshold value instead of comparing the smoke concentration with the threshold value. Comparing with the structure of judging the presence or absence of smoke; and adjusting the light intensity shown in the light intensity signal obtained from the light receiving unit 113 according to the particle diameter calculated by the particle diameter calculation means 1188, or used for judging the presence or absence of smoke Threshold value of light intensity.

For example, the judging means 1189 multiplies the light intensity indicated by the light intensity signal acquired from the light receiving unit 113 by a larger multiplier to correct the measured value of the light receiving unit 113 as the specified particle size becomes smaller. Judgment means 1189 compares the measured value of light intensity thus corrected with a threshold value to judge whether smoke is occurring.

Or, in the judging means 1189, the smaller the specified particle size is, the smaller the multiplier is multiplied by the threshold value of the light intensity used for judging the presence or absence of smoke to correct the threshold value. The judging means 1189 compares the threshold value of the light intensity corrected in this way with the light intensity indicated by the light intensity signal obtained from the light receiving unit 113 to judge whether smoke is occurring.

As described above, the particle diameter calculated by the particle diameter calculating means 1188 is used for the measurement value of the light receiving unit 113 or the adjustment of the threshold value compared with the measurement value of the light receiving unit 113 . Therefore, the particle diameter calculated by the particle diameter calculation means 1188 may be an index value representing the diameter of the particle, and may not necessarily be a numerical value representing the diameter of the particle by its length (μm). Therefore, for example, the width of the pulse wave in the time axis direction can be used as it is as a value indicating the particle diameter. In addition, the pulse wave amplitude can also be used as a value indicating the particle diameter in its original state.

The communication means 1190 sends the particle size notification data notifying the particle size calculated by the particle size calculation means 1188 to the high-level system 12 together with the smoke detection sensing notification data when the judging means 1189 has sensed smoke. The particle size shown in the particle size notification data is information indicating the type of smoke (black smoke, white smoke, etc.). particle size, the specificity of the source of the fire or the specificity of the appropriate fire extinguishing method, etc.

(Variation 4) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the concentrated scattered light of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 113 and reflected by the particle group in the region A, and the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 114 and reflected by the particles passing through the position B are expressed as The light emitted from the same light emitting unit 111. Alternatively, the light emitting source of the light received by the light receiving unit 113 and the light emitting source of the light received by the light receiving unit 114 may have different configurations.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an example of the smoke detector 11 of such a modified example. The smoke detector 11 shown in FIG. 10 is provided with a light emitting part 111(1) and a light emitting part 111(2).

The light emitting unit 111 ( 1 ) emits light toward the area A. As shown in FIG. The light receiving unit 113 receives a part of scattered light which is concentrated reflected light emitted from the light emitting unit 111(1) and reflected by the particle group in the area A.

The light emitting unit 111 ( 2 ) irradiates light toward a position B in an area other than the area A. As shown in FIG. The light receiving unit 114 receives a part of the reflected light emitted from the light emitting unit 111(2) and reflected by the particles passing through the position B.

Furthermore, compared with the smoke detection sensor 11 of this modification, the smoke detection sensor 11 of the above-mentioned embodiment has a smaller number of necessary light emitting parts, so it can achieve miniaturization and cost reduction. better.

(Variation 5) In the above embodiment, the sensing area S including the area A where the scattered light received by the light receiving unit 113 is generated, and the sensing area S including the position B where the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 114 is generated are the same area. Alternatively, the area A and the position B may be included in different sensing areas.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an example of the smoke detector 11 of such a modified example. The casing 110 of the smoke detector 11 shown in FIG. 11 forms a sensing area S11 and a sensing area S12 belonging to different sensing areas inside. Here, the so-called different sensing areas refer to areas that are distinguished in such a way that the light emitted in one area does not substantially reach the other area, and it does not necessarily need to be completely separated. Area. The sensing area S11 includes the area A, and the sensing area S12 includes the position B.

The light emitting unit 111 included in the smoke detector 11 shown in FIG. 11 is disposed on the boundary between the sensing area S11 and the sensing area S12, and irradiates light to both the sensing area S11 and the sensing area S12. Moreover, the light emitting part 111 may also be composed of two different light emitting parts respectively arranged in the sensing area S11 and the sensing area S12 .

Furthermore, compared with the smoke detection sensor 11 of this modification, the smoke detection sensor 11 of the above-mentioned embodiment, because the sensing area including area A and the sensing area including position B are the same area, so It is preferable in that miniaturization can be achieved.

(Variation 6) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the light receiving unit 113 and the light receiving unit 114 respectively include different light receiving elements (for example, photodiodes), and receive light individually. Alternatively, the light receiving unit 113 and the light receiving unit 114 may also be configured to measure the intensity of light by the same light receiving element.

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the smoke detector 11 of this modification. 13 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 118 of this modification.

In this variation example, the light receiving unit 114 also serves as the light receiving unit 113 . In addition, in this modified example, the smoke detector 11 includes a light emitting unit 119 different from the light emitting unit 111 in addition to the light emitting unit 111 . The light emitting unit 119 irradiates light broadly to the region A closer to the light receiving unit 114 than the position B.

Then, in this modified example, the light emission instructing means 1191 instructs the light emission unit 111 and the light emission unit 119 to emit light at different periods. That is, the light emitting unit 111 and the light emitting unit 119 emit light with a time difference, and do not emit light simultaneously. Then, the light receiving unit 114 when the light emitting unit 119 is emitting light is to perform the task of the light receiving unit 113 (an example of the first light receiving means) in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the light receiving unit 114 when the light emitting unit 111 is emitting light is to perform the above-mentioned implementation. The role of the light receiving unit 114 (an example of the second light receiving means) of the form.

Counting means 1185 and judging means 1186 are for judging the light intensity signal received from light receiving unit 114 through light intensity signal acquiring means 1183, which indicates the intensity of light when either light emitting unit 111 or light emitting unit 119 emits light.

The counting means 1185 counts the number of particles passing through the position B by using the light intensity signal output from the light receiving unit 114 when the light emitting unit 111 is emitting light. The judging means 1186 judges the presence or absence of smoke according to the light intensity indicated by the light intensity signal output by the light receiving part 114 when the light emitting part 119 is emitting light and the number of grains counted by the counting means 1185.

In this variation, the light emitting unit 111 and the light emitting unit 119 may also be configured by the same light emitting element (LED, etc.) emitting light. For example, the smoke detector 11 is equipped with a mirror (mirror) that goes in and out between the light emitting part 111 and the lens 112, instead of having the light emitting part 119 shown in FIG. Between the lenses 112 , the light emitted from the light emitting unit 111 is guided to the area A. In this case, the light emitting unit 111 in the state where the lens is located between the light emitting unit 111 and the lens 112 performs the task of the light emitting unit 119 in FIG. 12 .

(other) In the above-mentioned embodiment, although it has been assumed that the hardware of the control unit 118 is a computer, the control unit 118, for example, can also be configured as a computer with ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array; field programmable gate array) and other dedicated devices for integrated circuits.

1: Smoke detection sensing system 10: computer 11: Smoke detector 12: Advanced system 101: Processor 102: Memory 103: Input and output interface 104: Communication interface 110: shell 111,119: Luminous Department 112,115: lens 113,114: light receiving part 116: fan 117: filter 118: Control unit 1101: wall 1102, 1103: pipe 1181, 1191: Luminous indicating means 1182,1183: Means of obtaining light intensity signal 1184: Timing means 1185: counting means 1186,1189: Judgment means 1187, 1190: means of communication 1188: Particle size calculation method A,B: position P: suction port Q: Exhaust port S, S11, S12: Sensing area T,Y,Z:Threshold value

[ Fig. 1 ] is a diagram showing the configuration of a smoke detection and sensing system according to an embodiment. [ Fig. 2 ] is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a smoke detector according to an embodiment. [FIG. 3] It is a figure which shows the structure of the computer (computer) used as the hardware (hardware) of the control unit of one embodiment. [ Fig. 4 ] is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a control unit according to an embodiment. [FIG. 5] It is a graph which shows the time-dependent change of the amplitude of the light intensity signal output from two light receiving parts with which the smoke detection sensor of one embodiment is equipped. [FIG. 6] It is a figure which exemplifies the process flow (flow) performed by the determination means of an embodiment. [FIG. 7] It is a figure which exemplifies the flow of the process performed by the determination means of a modification. [ Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a graph showing how the shape of a pulse represented by a light intensity signal output from a light receiving unit of a modification varies depending on the particle diameter. [FIG. 9] It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the control unit of a modification. [ Fig. 10 ] is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a modified example of a smoke detector. [ Fig. 11 ] is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a smoke detector of a modified example. [ Fig. 12 ] is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a smoke detector of a modified example. [ Fig. 13 ] is a diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of a control unit of a modified example.

11: Smoke detector

12: Advanced system

110: shell

111: Luminous department

112,115: lens

113,114: light receiving part

116: fan

117: filter

118: Control unit

1101: wall

1102, 1103: pipe

A,B: position

P: suction port

Q: Exhaust port

S: Sensing area

Claims (10)

A smoke detection sensor is provided with: The first means for measuring light intensity is to measure the concentrated intensity of light reflected by the particle group contained in the air flowing from the external space into the predetermined area within the sensing area; and The second light intensity measuring means is to individually measure the intensity of light reflected by the individual particles flowing in from the external space and passing through a predetermined position in the sensing region; and Judging means for judging the presence or absence of smoke in the external space based on the measured value of the first light intensity measuring means and the measured value of the second light intensity measuring means. The smoke detection sensor according to Claim 1, wherein the determination means changes the smoke intensity set by the measurement value of the first light intensity determination means based on the measurement value of the second light intensity determination means. Whether there is a judgment condition. The smoke detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein the determination means changes the smoke intensity set by the measurement value of the second light intensity determination means based on the measurement value of the first light intensity determination means. Whether there is a judgment condition. The smoke detector according to claim 1, wherein the judging means judges the presence or absence of smoke in the external space with a particle size that cannot be measured by the second light intensity measuring means. The smoke detection sensor as described in claim 1, wherein, it is provided with: means for measuring the number of particles, which measures the number of particles passing through the predetermined position according to the measured value of the second light intensity measuring means; The aforementioned judging means judges the presence or absence of smoke in the aforementioned external space based on the number of particles measured by the aforementioned particle number measuring means. The smoke detector as described in Claim 1, wherein, it is equipped with: a particle diameter measuring means, which is to measure the particle diameter of the particles passing through the predetermined position according to the measured value of the second light intensity measuring means; The aforementioned judging means judges the presence or absence of smoke in the aforementioned external space based on the particle size of the particles measured by the aforementioned particle size measuring means. The smoke detector as described in claim 6, wherein the determination means specifies the external part according to the measured value of the first light intensity measurement means and the particle size of the particles measured by the particle size measurement means. The concentration of smoke in the space, and according to the specified concentration to determine the presence or absence of smoke in the aforementioned external space. The smoke detection sensor as described in Claim 1, wherein, it is equipped with a light-emitting means for emitting light; The first light intensity measuring means and the second light intensity measuring means measure the intensity of reflected light of light emitted from the same light emitting means. The smoke detector according to claim 1, wherein the first light intensity measuring means and the second light intensity measuring means measure the light intensity by the same light receiving element; The aforementioned first light intensity measuring means is to measure the intensity of light by the aforementioned light receiving element when the aforementioned predetermined area is illuminated but the aforementioned predetermined position is not illuminated; The second light intensity measuring means is to measure the intensity of light by the light receiving element when light is emitted to the predetermined position but not to the predetermined area. The smoke detector according to claim 1, wherein the sensing area including the predetermined position and the sensing area including the predetermined area are the same area.

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