JP7780412B2 - Sound equipment and automatic fire alarm systems - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an acoustic device with an operational test function and an automatic fire alarm system including an acoustic device with an operational test function.

Automatic fire alarm systems are available that are equipped with receivers, transmitters, repeaters, acoustic devices, sensors, etc., and protect people inside buildings and other fire-prevention targets from fires (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). In automatic fire alarm systems, the sensors detect heat or smoke and send a fire signal to the receiver. Upon receiving the fire signal, the receiver issues an alarm and activates the acoustic device depending on the location of the fire, informing people inside the fire-prevention target of the occurrence of a fire.

Nohmi Bosai Co., Ltd. website, Automatic Fire Alarm System (URL: https://www.nohmi.co.jp/product/materiel/fid.html)

Such automatic fire alarm systems are subject to installation standards set according to the purpose and scale of the fire protection target, and there is also an obligation to conduct regular statutory inspections. For emergency bells installed in the sound devices included in automatic fire alarm systems, statutory inspections require confirmation of their ringing once every six months, and confirmation of their ringing and sound pressure once a year.

When checking the operation and sound pressure of emergency bells, consideration must be given to facility users, so work that produces noise is often done at night or on holidays. Therefore, in order to ensure a healthy working environment for inspectors and reduce overtime, it is strongly recommended that the amount of work done at night and on holidays be reduced.

This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an acoustic device and automatic fire alarm equipment equipped with a function for testing the operation of sounds.

The acoustic device according to the present disclosure has a motor, a bell, and a ringing mechanism, and is configured such that when a drive voltage is applied to the motor from the outside, the ringing mechanism is driven and the bell rings. The acoustic device further has an operation confirmation circuit that, during an operation test of the acoustic device, detects whether the motor or the ringing mechanism exhibits normal behavior in accordance with the operation test voltage when an operation test voltage is applied from the outside via the same wiring path as the drive voltage is applied during fire monitoring. When the operation test voltage is applied, the operation confirmation circuit executes a detection process that outputs a confirmation result indicating normal behavior if it can detect a current value flowing through the motor in accordance with the operation test voltage, or the operation of the ringing mechanism in accordance with the operation test voltage .

The automatic fire alarm system according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of acoustic devices according to the present disclosure, and further includes a fire receiver that applies a drive voltage to each of the acoustic devices during fire monitoring to ring the bell of the acoustic device, and applies an operation test voltage during an operation test to cause the operation check circuit to perform a detection process.

This disclosure provides an acoustic device and automatic fire alarm system equipped with a function for testing the operation of sounds.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic fire alarm system including an acoustic device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a functional block diagram of an audio device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a flowchart showing a series of processes relating to a sound confirmation method executed in an automatic fire alarm system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the acoustic device and automatic fire alarm system of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
The acoustic device and automatic fire alarm system disclosed herein have a technical feature in that they are equipped with a function to automatically determine whether the acoustic device has a disconnection or operational abnormality based on an operational test voltage applied from the outside at a desired timing.

Embodiment 1.
First, the overall system will be described.
1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an automatic fire alarm system including an acoustic device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. A fire receiver 10 is connected to an addressable transmitter 20, fire detectors 31 and 32, a detector repeater 40, and a smoke control repeater 50 via a signal line SG1.

Multiple fire detectors are connected to the detector repeater 40. Figure 1 shows two fire detectors 41 and 42. The smoke prevention and exhaust control repeater 50 is also connected to a fire door 51, a smoke exhaust fan 52, a shutter 53, and a siding wall 54.

Furthermore, the fire control receiver 10 is connected to audio devices 61 and 62 and an audio device repeater 70 via signal line SG2. Furthermore, multiple audio devices are connected to the audio device repeater 70. Figure 1 shows two audio devices 71 and 72 as an example.

Here, fire detectors 31, 32 and fire detectors 41, 42 correspond to multiple fire detectors that detect the occurrence of a fire in each of the pre-set fire monitoring areas.

Furthermore, the fire doors 51, smoke exhaust fan 52, shutters 53, and drop walls 54 operate in conjunction with the detection results of multiple fire detectors, and function to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, etc.

Furthermore, sound devices 61, 62 and sound devices 71, 72 correspond to multiple local sound devices that notify of the occurrence of a fire in each of the pre-set areas.

Each of the multiple fire detectors is assigned address information in advance to identify the individual fire detector. Each of the multiple fire detectors can then transmit fire-related information to the fire receiver 10, including the address information assigned to that detector. Meanwhile, the fire receiver 10 can transmit the necessary information to the desired fire detector by adding address information when transmitting the information.

In addition, each of the multiple terminal devices is assigned address information in advance to identify it. Therefore, the fire alarm control device 10 can send commands to operate the desired terminal device by adding address information and transmitting the information.

Furthermore, each of the multiple audio devices is assigned address information in advance to identify the individual audio device. Therefore, the fire control device 10 can send a command to activate the desired audio device by adding address information and transmitting the information.

With this configuration, the fire receiver 10 collects fire-related information from multiple fire detectors and addressable transmitters 20 installed in various predetermined fire monitoring areas. Based on the collected fire-related information, the fire receiver 10 can then issue a fire alarm and activate a group of terminal equipment.

Furthermore, based on the collected fire-related information, the fire receiver 10 can ring the bells of sound devices installed in areas where an alarm is required. Each of the multiple sound devices is pre-defined to ring in conjunction with the detection result of a specific fire detector.

In addition, although not shown in the figure, the fire receiver 10 can output an alarm signal based on the collected fire-related information, activate fire extinguishing equipment to begin fire-fighting operations, issue a fire alarm or provide evacuation guidance via an emergency broadcast device, and transmit fire-related information to a higher-level device via a network.

In this first embodiment, the operation for implementing the sound confirmation function for the local sound device in the automatic fire alarm system will be specifically described based on Figure 1, but the subject of the operational test according to this disclosure is not limited to the local sound device. Although not shown in Figure 1, it is conceivable that the sound confirmation function can also be executed at a desired timing for sound confirmation of the main sound device.

The sound devices included in automatic fire alarm systems with this configuration are required to undergo statutory inspections to check their ringing and sound pressure. Currently, statutory inspections require that the bell be rung to be tested.

However, if it were possible to conduct ringing tests at desired times outside of statutory inspections, without ringing the bell or by ringing the bell quietly and for a short time, it would be possible to discover abnormalities before the statutory inspection and prepare for repairs before or during the statutory inspection. Furthermore, if it were possible to easily detect whether the sound device has any disconnections or operational abnormalities while suppressing the volume emitted by the sound device during statutory inspections, it is expected that the workload of inspectors could be reduced.

Here, we will now provide a detailed description of an acoustic device and automatic fire alarm system that are configured to perform a sound confirmation function at the desired timing. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of an acoustic device according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The acoustic device 200 shown in Figure 2 corresponds to the local acoustic device shown in Figure 1 or the main acoustic device (not shown).

The acoustic device 200 includes a motor 201, a ringing mechanism 202, a bell 203, and an operation confirmation circuit 204. When an external drive voltage is applied to the motor 201, the ringing mechanism 202 is driven and rings the bell 203. For example, the ringing mechanism 202 has a gear and a gong, and the gong is driven by the operation of the motor 201, and the gong strikes the bell 203, causing the bell 203 to ring. Furthermore, the acoustic device 200 according to this embodiment 1 includes an operation confirmation circuit 204 for implementing the ringing confirmation function.

The operation confirmation circuit 204 is composed of a first circuit 204a and a second circuit 204b. The first circuit 204a is a circuit that executes a detection process to detect when an operation test voltage is applied from outside and output the confirmation result. Specifically, the first circuit 204a confirms whether the operation test voltage, which is applied via the same wiring path as the driving voltage during fire monitoring during operation confirmation, is received within the allowable voltage range and outputs the confirmation result.

The second circuit 204b is a circuit that executes a detection process to detect whether the motor 201 behaves normally in response to an externally applied operational test voltage, and outputs the result as a confirmation result. Specifically, the following methods 1 to 3 are possible.

In method 1, when a voltage value lower than the drive voltage applied during normal monitoring operation is applied as the operation test voltage, the second circuit 204b can determine that normal behavior has been demonstrated by detecting that a minute current corresponding to the operation test voltage flows through the motor 201.

In method 2, when a voltage having a predetermined pulse width is applied as an operational test voltage, the second circuit 204b can determine that normal behavior has been demonstrated by detecting that a minute current corresponding to the operational test voltage flows through the motor.

In method 3, the second circuit 204b is provided with a current-reducing resistor to reduce the voltage when a voltage value equivalent to the drive voltage is applied as an operational test voltage, and normal behavior can be determined by detecting that a minute current corresponding to the reduced voltage value flows through the motor 201.

As method 4, when a voltage having a predetermined pulse width is applied as an operational test voltage, the second circuit 204b detects whether the ringing mechanism 202 is driven very slowly or slightly enough so as not to ring the bell 203, thereby determining that normal behavior has been demonstrated.

The second circuit 204b can output the confirmation results when any of the operational tests using methods 1 to 4 is performed. By using a voltage that causes a small current to flow as the operational test voltage or by using a driving method for the ringing mechanism 202 that does not ring the bell 203, the second circuit 204b can confirm whether current flows through the motor 201 or whether the ringing mechanism 202 operates while suppressing the volume of the sound generated by the audio device.

In the configuration of Figure 1, when testing the performance of audio device 61 or audio device 62, fire control device 10 can apply a performance test voltage to the audio device being tested. Also, in the configuration of Figure 1, when testing the performance of audio device 71 or audio device 72, audio device repeater 70 can apply a performance test voltage to the audio device being tested based on a command from fire control device 10.

In other words, the operational test voltage can be applied from the fire control signal 10 or the audio device repeater 70 to the audio device being tested. Then, the fire control signal 10 or the audio device repeater 70 can receive a confirmation result from the audio device being tested in response to applying the operational test voltage.

In addition, the confirmation results can be stored as data history within the fire receiver 10. Furthermore, the fire receiver 10 can store the data history and confirmation results on a server as needed, or notify the customer via email or other means.

In addition, the supplier of the automatic fire alarm system can access the fire receiver 10 from outside and obtain the confirmation results. Alternatively, the supplier of the automatic fire alarm system can access the fire receiver 10 from outside as needed, execute the alarm confirmation function at the desired timing, and then obtain the confirmation results.

The alarm confirmation function can be activated by operating the fire detector 10 on-site, as in the case of a statutory inspection, or by having the detector activate a test alarm to operate in conjunction with the alarm. It can also be activated manually or automatically at regular intervals remotely via a network.

Next, a series of processes executed in the automatic fire alarm system according to the present disclosure will be described using a flowchart. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a series of processes related to the sound confirmation method executed in the automatic fire alarm system according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 3 explains a specific example in which sound confirmation of the audio device 200 is performed from the fire receiver 10.

First, in step S301, the fire control signal 10 applies an operational test voltage to the acoustic device 200, which is the subject of the operational test. During normal fire monitoring, if the fire control signal 10 determines that it is necessary to sound the acoustic device 200 based on the detection results of a detector or the like, it applies a drive voltage to the acoustic device 200 to sound the bell 203.

On the other hand, when the fire control device 10 performs an operational test of the audio device 200 at the desired timing, it applies an operational test voltage to the audio device 200 in step S301.

Next, in step S302, the operation check circuit 204 in the audio device 200 performs the operation check function using either the first circuit or the second circuit depending on the operation test voltage, and returns the check result to the fire control signal 10.

Next, in step S303, the fire receiver 10 receives the confirmation result from the audio device 200 in response to applying the operation test voltage and performing the operation confirmation function, and performs the necessary processing, such as storage processing and notification processing.

As described above, according to this first embodiment, the volume generated by the audio device can be suppressed, and the audio device's operation check function can be performed at the desired timing. By utilizing this function, audio-related disconnections or operational abnormalities can be detected before a statutory inspection, allowing for repairs to be made before or during the statutory inspection.

Furthermore, during statutory inspections that require tests in which the bell is actually rung, the operation confirmation function of the audio device according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure can be effectively utilized to discover any audio-related disconnections or operational abnormalities.

10 Fire receiver, 61, 62, 71, 72, 200 Sound device, 70 Sound device repeater, 201 Motor, 202 Sounding mechanism, 203 Bell, 204 Operation confirmation circuit, 204a First circuit, 204b Second circuit.

Claims (5)

An acoustic device having a motor, a bell, and a ringing mechanism, wherein an external drive voltage is applied to the motor to drive the ringing mechanism and ring the bell,
an operation confirmation circuit that detects whether the motor or the sounding mechanism behaves normally in response to an operation test voltage when the operation test voltage is applied from the outside via the same wiring path as the driving voltage during fire monitoring during an operation test of the sound device;
and
When the operation test voltage is applied, the operation check circuit:
a current value flowing through the motor according to the operational test voltage, or
driving the sounding mechanism in response to the operational test voltage;
If the above is detected, a detection process is executed to output a confirmation result indicating the normal behavior.
sound equipment. 2. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation confirmation circuit determines that the normal behavior has been exhibited when a voltage value smaller than the drive voltage is applied as the operation test voltage by detecting that a minute current corresponding to the operation test voltage flows through the motor, or by detecting that the ringing mechanism is driven so slowly or slightly that it does not ring. 2. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation confirmation circuit determines that the normal behavior has been exhibited by detecting that a minute current corresponding to the operation test voltage flows through the motor when a voltage having a predetermined pulse width is applied as the operation test voltage. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation confirmation circuit is provided with a current-reducing resistor for reducing the voltage value when a voltage value equivalent to the drive voltage is applied as the operation test voltage, and determines that the normal behavior has been demonstrated by detecting that a minute current corresponding to the reduced voltage value flows through the motor. A plurality of the acoustic devices according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided,
The automatic fire alarm system further includes a fire receiver that applies the drive voltage to each of the plurality of acoustic devices during fire monitoring to ring the bell of the acoustic device, and applies the operation test voltage to each of the acoustic devices during an operation test to cause the operation confirmation circuit to execute the detection process.