TWI475518B - Battery alarm - Google Patents

Description

Battery alarm

The present invention relates to alarms such as fire alarms, gas leak alarms, and the like, and more particularly to battery type alarms.

Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, in a fire alarm, the battery type is of course used for a long period of time, and any battery reaches a service life. That is, at the end of the use period, the voltage of the battery as the power source is lowered, and even when it is placed as it is, the function is finally stopped. Therefore, in the house fire alarm system, the following function is added: the voltage of the battery as the power source is constantly monitored, and when the battery voltage is close to the voltage value at which the function is stopped, the replacement battery is notified (or the replacement period of the entire alarm is coming). .

Next, in the invention of Patent Document 1, a reference value setting method for accurately and inexpensively monitoring the battery voltage drop of the voltage drop even in the delicate battery voltage value that has ended during the use period is proposed.

Further, the battery type alarm device is, for example, a gas leak alarm or the like, and is not limited to the above-described fire alarm. Among them, there are many types of commercial power sources (AC100V) that are obtained by using a plug or the like (of course, internally converted to, for example, DC5V and operated by a DC power source), but a battery type has recently been developed.

Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram of a conventional battery type gas leakage alarm.

The gas leakage alarm of the illustrated example has a battery unit 1 and a gas The sensor 2, the control circuit unit 3, the alarm unit 4, the ambient temperature detecting unit 5, the constant voltage circuit unit 6, the constant voltage circuit unit 7, the three switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and the load resistor R1. Among them, SW1, SW2, and SW3 are semiconductor switching elements such as bipolar transistors, and the control circuit unit 3 performs ON/OFF control. Further, the gas sensor 2 is composed of a sensor resistor 2a and a heater resistor 2b.

Here, the constant voltage circuit unit 6 will be referred to as a first constant voltage circuit unit 6, and the constant voltage circuit unit 7 will be referred to as a second constant voltage circuit unit 7, and will be described with ease in distinction.

First, gas detection using the above-described gas sensor 2 (consisting of the sensor resistance 2a and the heater resistor 2b) will be described.

For example, the sensor resistance 2a is a high resistance of 100 kΩ, and the heater resistance 2b is a low resistance of about 100 Ω. The operating temperature (about 400 ° C) of the sensor resistor 2a as the gas detecting element is heated by driving the heater resistor 2b. Therefore, a large current flows in the heater resistor 2b, and the amount of power consumption is large.

The control circuit unit 3 can determine the presence or absence of gas by measuring the resistance value of the sensor resistor 2a heated to the operating temperature as described above. Among them, the measurement/determination method is generally well known and is not specifically described herein. However, the time taken for the heating to the operating temperature is affected by the ambient temperature. Therefore, the processing of determining the driving time of the heater resistor 2b based on the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature detecting unit 5 is also performed. .

Regarding the sensor resistance 2a, formed by the sensor resistance 2a, the load A series circuit formed by the resistor R1 and the switch SW3. The heater resistor 2b is formed with a series circuit composed of the switch SW1, the first constant voltage circuit unit 6, the heater resistor 2b, and the switch SW2. The two series circuits are connected in parallel, and a predetermined voltage (for example, 3.3 V) due to the second constant voltage circuit portion 7 (for example, a booster circuit) is applied. Further, a predetermined voltage (for example, 2.0 V) due to the first constant voltage circuit portion 6 (step-down circuit) is applied to the heater resistor 2b.

Here, the control circuit unit 3 is a microcomputer or the like, and performs control of the gas leakage alarm by executing a predetermined application stored in advance in the internal memory. With a part of this control, a process of measuring the sensor value of the gas sensor 2 at a fixed period is performed.

This is supplied to the gas sensor 2 with a power supply of, for example, a 60 second period of about 100 ms. In this manner, all of the three switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 are ON-controlled for every 100 seconds (the ON signals are outputted by the output terminals OUT1, OUT2, and OUT3 shown). Thus, the sensor resistor 2a is supplied with the 3.3 V voltage generated by the second constant voltage circuit unit 7, and the heater resistor 2b is supplied with the first constant voltage circuit unit 6. The above voltage of 2.0 V is used to operate the gas sensor 2.

The control circuit unit 3 receives a voltage value indicating a change in the resistance value of the sensor resistor 2a from the input terminal AD2 shown in the drawing, and performs predetermined gas leak determination processing based thereon. Next, when it is determined that there is a gas leak, the alarm unit 4 is controlled and an alarm/notification is performed.

The alarm unit 4 includes an alarm sound output belonging to a buzzer or the like. The portion 4a, the alarm display unit 4b belonging to the LED, and the like, and an external alarm output unit 4c belonging to an interface for outputting a signal to the outside. The control circuit unit 3 controls these, for example, to emit a buzzer sound or to turn the LED on/off, thereby notifying that a gas leak has occurred.

Here, the battery unit 1 is the main power source of the gas leak alarm, and in this example, is a power source of a voltage of 3.0V. The power supply voltage (3.0 V) is supplied to the control circuit unit 3, the gas sensor 2, and the like which are boosted by the second constant voltage circuit unit 7 (in the case where the voltage is stepped down). It is assumed here to be boosted to 3.3V.

Further, the first constant voltage circuit unit 6 steps down the output voltage of the second constant voltage circuit unit 7 (here, 3.3 V as described above) to a step-down circuit of, for example, 2.0 V, and the voltage after the step-down (2.0). V) becomes the driving voltage of the heater resistor 2b. In other words, after the boosting of the heater resistor 2b is performed by the second constant voltage circuit unit 7, the first constant voltage circuit unit 6 steps down (3.0 V → 3.3 V → 2.0 V). The first constant voltage circuit unit 6 and the second constant voltage circuit unit 7 generate a double loss, and the efficiency is extremely poor, and a battery current is often used.

Among them, the heater resistor 2b is a component having a very large power consumption, and the power consumption of the control circuit unit 3 or the sensor resistor 2a is small compared to the heater resistor 2b.

Further, the first constant voltage circuit unit 6 is a DC-DC converter such as a step-down chopper. Further, the second constant voltage circuit unit 7 is also a DC-DC converter such as a boost chopper or a buck chopper.

Further, although not shown, there is no second constant voltage circuit unit 7 Conventional example. At this time, at the end of the battery use, if the battery voltage is lowered, in particular, based on the problem of the driving voltage of the heater resistor 2b, the battery cannot operate normally.

That is, in the case of this example, the power source voltage (the voltage of the battery unit 1 is 3.0 V) is supplied to the gas sensor 2 or the control circuit unit 3, and the first constant voltage circuit unit 6 supplies the power source voltage ( 3V) step down to the above 2.0V. When the voltage of the battery unit 1 is lowered at the end of the battery use, the output voltage of the first constant voltage circuit unit 6 is also lowered, and the driving voltage of the heater resistor 2b is lowered.

When the battery voltage is lowered as described above, the driving voltage of the heater resistor 2b is lowered, and it is impossible to heat up to the above operating temperature. Therefore, the above-described "resistance of the resistance of the sensor resistor 2a in the state of heating up to the operating temperature" cannot be performed, and normal measurement cannot be performed, and normal gas leakage determination cannot be performed. That is, it cannot operate normally.

On the other hand, as shown in the conventional example shown in Fig. 8, if the second constant voltage circuit unit 7 (boost chopper) is provided, even if there is no boost chopper as described above, even At the end of battery use, the battery voltage is reduced and it can operate normally for a longer period of time.

However, as described above, in the normal case, since the boost chopper and the step-down chopper are double-dissipated and the battery current is used in a large amount, there is a high possibility that the life is shortened.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-123347

Here, gas leak alarms are typically used for 5 years without maintenance. Therefore, even in a battery type gas leak alarm, it is necessary to use the battery for 5 years without replacing the battery.

If the number of batteries in the device is sufficient, it can fully satisfy the 5-year service period. However, in terms of product cost or product shape/product weight, it is also expected to reduce the number of batteries to be loaded, and it is necessary to reduce the number of batteries. Power consumption, while using a small number of batteries to meet the five-year use period.

In order to meet the market requirements as described above, it is preferable to perform normal operation as long as possible even at the end of the battery use, but as described above, if the power consumption is large in the usual time, the life of the alarm as the alarm cannot be lengthened. The possibility is extremely high.

Among them, the above Patent Document 1 does not consider any requirement relating to the above.

In the above-described conventional configuration, for example, when the first constant voltage circuit unit 6 is a step-down chopper or the like, and the control circuit unit 3 performs a so-called "chopper control" by a control signal from the output terminal OUT3, The duty ratio of the "chopper control" may be changed according to the voltage drop of the battery unit 1, and the driving voltage of the heater resistor 2b may be maintained at a predetermined value (2.0 V). However, there is a limit here. For example, when the voltage of the battery unit 1 is less than 2.2 V, the output of the first constant voltage circuit unit 6 is less than 2.0 V, and the normal operation cannot be performed.

The subject of the present invention is to provide a battery type alarm device, in particular With regard to the configuration of the sensor drive, it is possible to reduce the loss of battery consumption, and it is possible to extend the time during which the normal operation can be performed at the end of the battery use, thereby realizing a battery type alarm device in which the life of the alarm device is extended.

The battery type alarm device of the present invention has the following configuration on the premise of a battery type alarm device having at least a sensor portion and a battery.

First, there is a booster circuit unit that boosts the battery voltage.

Further, the present invention includes: a first power supply path for supplying the battery voltage to the sensor unit; and a first switching means provided on the first power supply path.

Further, the present invention includes a second power supply path for supplying a voltage boosted by the booster circuit unit to the sensor unit, and a second switching means provided on the second power supply path.

Further, there is provided a control means for ON/OFF control of the first switching means and the second switching means.

Next, the control means monitors the battery voltage, and when the battery voltage is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, when the sensor unit is driven, the first switching means is turned ON to control the battery voltage. It is supplied to the aforementioned sensor section. Further, when the battery voltage is less than a predetermined threshold, when the sensor unit is driven, the second switching means is controlled to be turned on by the booster circuit unit. The voltage is supplied to the aforementioned sensor section.

If the battery voltage is not reached by the predetermined threshold at the end of the battery use, the battery voltage will be insufficient with respect to the sensor drive. Therefore, by using the boosted voltage, it is possible to extend the normal use at the end of the battery. move The time of the work. Further, when the battery is used as described above, it is normal to use the battery voltage to reduce the loss of battery consumption. Therefore, the life of the battery type alarm device can be extended.

Battery alarms are for example gas leak alarms.

In this case, the sensor portion is, for example, a heater resistor in the gas sensor, and a step-down circuit connected in series with the heater resistor, and the step-down circuit is configured to apply the battery voltage or the boosted voltage. The step-down is performed, and the heater resistance is driven by the voltage after the step-down. In the case of this example, by driving the sensor unit by the voltage boosted by the booster circuit unit, the battery voltage is boosted by the booster circuit unit, and the voltage is stepped down by the step-down circuit. Formed as a double loss. On the other hand, as described above, by using the battery voltage, the loss of battery consumption can be reduced.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A circuit diagram of the battery type gas leakage alarm of this example is shown in Fig. 1.

Here, this is not limited to this example, as compared with the circuit diagram of the conventional battery type gas leakage alarm shown in FIG. 8, in order to easily understand the configuration of the circuit configuration of the alarm device of this example. In addition, it can also be applied to other alarms such as fire alarms, and is not limited to gas leakage alarms. However, it is of course limited to battery type alarms.

Among them, among the various components of the circuit of the battery-type gas leakage alarm 10 of the present example shown in Fig. 1, the learning shown in Fig. 8 The constituent elements of the circuit are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description or simplification is omitted.

In Fig. 1, the battery unit 1 is the main power source of the gas leak alarm 10, and is also a power source of 3 V voltage in this example, as in the prior art. Further, the gas sensor 2 has the same configuration as that of the prior art, and has a sensor resistance 2a and a heater resistance 2b. Further, regarding the sensor resistance 2a, the configuration in which the load resistor R1 and the switch SW3 are connected in series is also the same as the prior art. Similarly, the heater resistor 2b has the same configuration as that of the prior art in which the switch SW1, the first constant voltage circuit unit 6, and the switch SW2 are connected in series.

In addition, the alarm sound output unit 4a belonging to a buzzer or the like, the alarm display unit 4b belonging to an LED or the like, the alarm unit 4 including an external alarm output unit 4c for interfacing the external signal, and the like The control process of the control circuit unit 11 of the alarm unit 4 can be the same as the prior art. The control processing of the ambient temperature detecting unit 5 and the corresponding ambient temperature may be the same as the conventional technique.

However, the control circuit unit 11 performs substantially the same processing as the above-described control circuit unit 3, but also performs second (a), (b), and fourth (a), (b), and fifth, which will be described later. The processing of the processes (a), (b), 6 (a), (b), 7 (a), (b) and the like. This is the process of performing any one or more processes.

The control circuit unit 11 is a microcomputer or the like, and a predetermined application stored in advance in the built-in memory is executed by the CPU or the like, thereby realizing substantially the same processing as the above-described conventional technique or FIG. 2(a) and (b), which will be described later. Figure 4 (a), (b) ~ Figure 7 (a), (b) and other processes.

Further, the input/output terminals of the control circuit unit 11 are substantially the same as those of the above-described control circuit unit 3, and the same reference numerals are used, and the conventional output terminal OUT2 and the input terminal AD1 are provided. . The illustrated switch SW4 is turned ON/OFF by the ON/OFF output from the output terminal OUT2. Further, the input terminal AD1 is connected to the battery unit 1, and the control circuit unit 11 monitors the voltage (power supply voltage) of the battery unit 1.

Here, in the present circuit, the booster circuit unit 12 is provided instead of the second constant voltage circuit unit 7 in the conventional circuit of Fig. 8. However, in the prior art, the booster circuit is also exemplified as the second constant voltage circuit unit 7, and therefore, it can be considered as the same as the prior art.

However, in the conventional technique, the heater resistor 2b is driven by the boosted voltage of the booster circuit unit 12, but in the present circuit, the gas is sensed in the usual circuit. The heater resistor 2b of the device 2 supplies the voltage (battery voltage) of the battery unit 1. Next, for example, at the end or the like, the voltage (VDD) boosted by the booster circuit unit 12 is supplied to the heater resistor 2b. The above “supply” does not necessarily mean that the battery voltage or the boost voltage (VDD) is directly applied to the heater resistor 2b as it is, and in the example of FIG. 1 , the battery voltage or VDD is supplied by the constant voltage circuit unit. 6 is stepped down to become 2.0 V or the like, and the 2.0 V or the like is applied to the heater resistor 2b.

In order to achieve the above, the configuration of the switch SW4 is reset, and the second circuit (a) and (b), which will be described later, are executed by the control circuit unit 11. The processing of the flowcharts in Figs. 4(a) and (b) to Fig. 7 (a) and (b).

That is, first, in the present circuit, the power supply path to the heater resistor 2b of the gas sensor 2 is configured to pass the boosted voltage (VDD) through the booster circuit unit 12 through the switch. SW1 is supplied to the heater resistor 2b; and two power supply paths for supplying the battery voltage of the battery unit 1 to the heater resistor 2b through the switch SW4.

Next, similarly to the operation of the control circuit unit 3 described in the prior art, the control circuit unit 11 drives the gas sensor at regular intervals (for example, at the timing shown in FIG. 3). 2. When the sensor is driven, one of the switch SW1 and the switch SW4 is controlled to be ON, and the first constant voltage circuit unit 6 is supplied with electric power by one of the two paths, and the gas is sensed by approximately 2V. The heater resistor 2b of the detector 2 is driven.

However, when any of the switches SW1 and SW4 is turned on, the switch SW2 is also ON-controlled at the same timing. The ON/OFF control of the switch SW2 is the same as that of the conventional control circuit unit 3. Further, the sensor resistance 2a of the gas sensor 2 is ON/OFF controlled in the same manner as the conventional control circuit unit 3, and is not particularly described.

Further, among them, as shown in the figure, the switches SW1 and SW4 are pnp type transistors, and the switches SW2 and SW3 are npn type transistors.

Fig. 2 (a) and (b) are flowcharts (1) of the sensor drive in the control circuit unit 11.

Figure 2 (a) is the sensor when the sensor drive starts, Figure 2 (b) is the sensor Flowchart at the end of the drive. As shown in FIG. 3, every predetermined sensor driving period T1 (for example, a value in the range of 20 to 60 seconds; here, 60 seconds), that is, driven by a predetermined sensor The gas sensor 2 is driven during a time T2 (here, 100 ms).

The processing of Fig. 2(a) is performed for each of the above-described sensor driving periods T1, and is executed immediately before the sensor driving time T2 (100 ms). On the other hand, the processing of Fig. 2(b) is executed immediately after the sensor driving time T2 (100 ms).

First, the processing of Fig. 2(b) will be described.

The processing waits until the sensor driving of the sensor driving time T2 (100 ms) ends (repeated step S5, NO), and if the sensor driving is finished (step S5, YES), first according to the input terminal The input of AD1 measures the output voltage (battery voltage; power supply voltage) of the battery unit 1 (step S6). Next, it is determined whether or not the battery voltage is less than a predetermined predetermined threshold value (predetermined value) (step S7).

However, the predetermined value does not reach the output voltage (3 V) of the battery unit 1, and a voltage value higher than a voltage (for example, 2.2 V) in which the circuit is not normally operated is arbitrarily set in advance. For example, as described in the subject of the prior art, for example, if the voltage of the battery unit 1 is less than 2.2 V, the output of the first constant voltage circuit unit 6 is performed even if the "chopper control" is performed. It became unable to maintain 2.0V and became unable to operate normally.

Next, when the output voltage of the battery unit 1 is less than the predetermined threshold (battery voltage < predetermined value) (YES in step S7), it is determined that "the battery voltage drop by the sensor drive is established" (step) S8). Connect Keep the result of the decision. For example, a flag indicating that the battery voltage drop is established/not established is prepared in advance, and the flag is turned on in accordance with the execution of step S8. Then, the process ends.

In addition, the flag is referred to at any time by other processing not shown, and when the flag is ON, a warning (notification) of the battery voltage reduction is performed. For example, the control alarm unit 4 performs notification by an audio message indicating a voltage drop or a lighting/lighting mode of the LED (arbitrarily determined in advance).

On the other hand, if the output voltage of the battery unit 1 is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold (battery voltage ≧ predetermined value) (step S7, NO), the processing of step S8 is not performed, that is, the present processing is terminated. Therefore, at this time, for example, the flag is kept in the OFF state.

The processing of Fig. 2(a) is executed after the processing of Fig. 2(b) is completed, immediately before the start of the next sensor driving time T2, and the like.

The processing of Fig. 2(a) as described above is performed for each sensor driving period T1. Therefore, it is first determined whether the sensor drive period T1 has elapsed since the previous sensor was driven, that is, whether it has become the sensor drive start timing. When the sensor drive start timing is reached, the determination NO in step S1 is repeated, and if it is the sensor drive start timing (YES in step S1), it is determined whether or not the battery voltage is decreasing (step S2). For example, referring to the above flag, if the flag is ON, it is determined that the battery voltage is decreasing (step S2, YES).

Next, when it is determined that the battery voltage is not being lowered (for example, when the flag is OFF) (NO in step S2), the heater resistor 2b is driven by the battery unit 1 (power supply voltage) (step S3). That is, the switch SW4 will be ON control is performed during the above-described sensor driving time T2 (100 ms). In other words, during the period of the sensor driving time T2, the switch SW4 is controlled to be ON and the battery voltage is supplied to the heater resistor 2b. In the same manner as the prior art, the switches SW2 and SW3 are ON-controlled during the period of the sensor driving time T2 (100 ms).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the battery voltage is decreasing (for example, when the flag is ON) (YES in step S2), the boosted voltage boosted by the booster circuit unit 12 by the power supply voltage is used to cause the heater. The resistor 2b is driven (step S4). That is, the switch SW1 is ON-controlled during the above-described sensor driving time T2 (100 ms). In other words, during the period in which the sensor is driven for the time T2, the switch SW1 is turned on and the boosted voltage VDD is supplied to the heater resistor 2b. Of course, similarly to the conventional techniques, the switches SW2 and SW3 are ON-controlled during the period of the sensor drive time T2 (100 ms).

A timing chart of the sensor driving obtained by the processing of the above Fig. 2 is shown in Fig. 3.

As shown, the gas sensor 2 is driven with a predetermined sensor drive period T1, which is set to 100 ms here. Next, at the end of the sensor driving time T2, the processing of the above steps S6, S7 is performed. That is, the power supply voltage of the battery unit 1 is read, and it is checked whether the battery voltage value does not reach a predetermined value.

When the battery voltage value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it is regarded as normal (when the first sensor is driven as shown in FIG. 3), and the processing of step S8 is not performed. As a result, when the second sensor is driven as shown in FIG. 3, since the determination in step S2 is NO, the sensor is driven by the battery voltage.

On the other hand, if the battery voltage value does not reach the predetermined value, the battery voltage is considered to be lowered (abnormal), and the processing of step S8 (when the second sensor is driven as shown in FIG. 3) is executed. As a result, when the third sensor is driven as shown in FIG. 3, the determination in step S2 is YES. Therefore, the sensor is driven by the output voltage (boost voltage VDD) of the booster circuit unit 12.

However, when the process of step S4 is executed, the process of FIG. 2(b) may not be performed thereafter. Thereby, the flag is maintained in the ON state, and the determination in step S2 is necessarily YES, and the processing of step S4 is continuously performed. When the battery voltage is reduced to a certain level or more at the end of the battery use, the sensor is driven by the boost voltage (VDD), and then the function is stopped until the function is stopped, and is always formed by the boost voltage (VDD). ) is the sensor driver. That is, unnecessary determination processing (processing of FIG. 2(b)) is not performed.

However, not limited to this example, even in the case where the processing of step S4 is performed, the processing of FIG. 2(b) can be performed thereafter. Since there is a possibility that the battery voltage temporarily drops abnormally for some reason, as described above, it is possible to avoid erroneous switching to the sensor drive by the boost voltage (VDD) before becoming the final stage. Happening.

However, at this time (set to Modification 1), it is preferable to slightly change the processing of FIG. 2(b).

Fig. 4 (a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the sensor driving in the control circuit unit 11 of the first modification. Figure 4 (a) is the beginning of the sensor drive, Figure 4 (b) is a flow chart at the end of the sensor drive.

Here, in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the same steps as those in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the processing of Fig. 4(a) is the same as that of Fig. 2(a), and the description thereof is omitted. Further, as shown in the figure, the processing of FIG. 4(b) is substantially the same as that of FIG. 2(b) except that the processing of step S9 is added.

In other words, in the case of FIG. 2(b), even if the process of step S8 is executed, even if the determination in step S7 is NO, the flag is not turned off, and as a result, the determination in step S2 is The continuation is YES (there is no need to perform the processing of Fig. 2(b). Therefore, as described above, the processing of Fig. 2(b) may not be performed. Therefore, although not shown, for example, step S4 may be performed. After the processing is instantaneous, the processing of step S11 described later is executed. Thereby, the processing load is reduced, so that the power consumption can be suppressed, and the battery life can be prolonged.

On the other hand, in the fourth diagram (b), the process of step S9 is executed when the determination in step S7 is NO. That is, it is determined that "the battery voltage drop by the sensor drive is not established" (step S9). Then, the determination result is maintained. For example, the flag indicating that the battery voltage drop is established/not established is turned off.

According to the processing of FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), if the battery voltage temporarily drops abnormally for some reason, step S7 is executed in step S7 in the voltage drop, and step S2 is YES. The sensor drive is performed by the boost voltage (VDD). In other words, when the sensor unit (including the heater resistor 2b) is driven, the switch SW1 is controlled by ON. The voltage (VDD) boosted by the booster circuit unit 12 is supplied to the sensor unit (heater resistor 2b or the like).

However, since it is a temporary abnormality, when the battery voltage returns to the normal state, step S7 is NO, and step S9 (flag OFF or the like) is executed. Thereby, step S2 becomes NO, and returns to the sensor driving state (normal state) by the battery voltage. The normal state means that the switch SW4 is ON-controlled when the sensor section (including the heater resistor 2b) is driven, thereby supplying the battery voltage to the state of the sensor section (heater resistor 2b, etc.).

Next, when it is the final stage, the state of step S8 is executed by continuing step S7 to YES. Therefore, the step S2 is continued to the YES state, and thus the state of the sensor driving by the boosted voltage (VDD) is continuously performed, and substantially does not return to the sensor driving state by the battery voltage. .

In the battery type alarm device, there is a possibility that the battery voltage temporarily drops abnormally for some reason. However, according to the configuration of the first modification, even if the abnormality is lowered, switching occurs before the end of the period. In the case of the sensor drive caused by the boost voltage (VDD), it is also temporarily terminated, and returns to the sensor drive state by the battery voltage.

The first modification is a modification 1 which is one of the modifications. Other modifications will be described below.

First, the modification 2 will be described below.

In the first modification described above, although it is temporary, even if it is Before the end of the period, there will be a situation in which the sensor is driven by the boost voltage (VDD). On the other hand, in the second modification, even in the case where the battery voltage temporarily deteriorates abnormally for some reason, it is possible to avoid erroneous switching to the sensing by the boosted voltage (VDD) before the end period. Driven case.

Fig. 5 (a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the sensor drive in the control circuit unit 11 of the second modification. Fig. 5(a) shows the flow chart at the end of the sensor drive when the sensor drive starts, and Fig. 5(b) shows the end of the sensor drive.

Here, in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the same steps as those in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the processing of Fig. 5(a) is the same as that of Fig. 2(a), and the description thereof is omitted. Further, as shown in the figure, the processing of FIG. 5(b) is substantially the same as that of FIG. 2(b) except that the processing of step S10 is added.

That is, in the processing of Fig. 5(b), the processing of step S10 is added between step S7 and step S8. Even in the case where YES in step S7, the processing of step S8 is not immediately performed, but the processing of step S8 is performed only in the case of YES in the determination of step S10. In step S10, it is determined whether or not the determination of YES in step S7 is continuously set a predetermined number of times (N times; N is an integer of 2 or more, and may be an arbitrary number, and may be arbitrarily determined) (step S10).

This uses, for example, a counter, which counts up +1 every time the determination of step S7 is YES, and resets "0" every time the determination of step S7 is NO. Next, in step S10, the count value is compared with the predetermined number of times N to determine whether it is "count value ≧ predetermined number of times N "."

Then, when the predetermined number of times is predetermined or more and the step S7 is YES (for example, "the count value ≧ the predetermined number of times N"), the determination of the step S10 is YES, and the processing of the step S8 is executed. If it is not at this time (NO in step S10), the processing of step S8 is not executed, that is, the present processing is ended.

In this processing, since there is no processing for turning off the flag, once the flag is turned ON in step S8, the sensor driving by the boosted voltage (VDD) is always performed thereafter. When the step S7 is YES based on the above-described predetermined plurality of times or more, it is regarded as the end of the battery use.

In this case, it is also possible to perform the processing of FIG. 5(b) (or even the processing of FIG. 5(a)) after the flag is turned ON. Therefore, although not shown, the processing of step S11 described later may be executed immediately after the processing of step S4, for example. Thereby, the processing load is reduced, so that the power consumption can be suppressed, and the battery life can be prolonged.

Next, a modification 3 will be described below.

The third modification corresponds to the above-described "when the processing of step S4 is performed (in other words, when the battery voltage is detected to be less than a predetermined value), and then the processing of FIG. 2(b) is not performed".

Fig. 6 (a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the sensor driving in the control circuit unit 11 of the third modification. Fig. 6(a) shows the flow chart at the end of the sensor drive when the sensor drive starts, and Fig. 6(b) shows the end of the sensor drive.

Here, in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the same steps as those in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted. by Here, as shown in the figure, the processing of Fig. 6(b) is the same as that of Fig. 2(b), and the description thereof is omitted. Further, as shown in the figure, the processing of Fig. 6(a) is substantially the same as that of Fig. 2(a), except that the processing of step S11 is added.

That is, in the sixth diagram (a), the heater resistance 2b is driven by the boost voltage VDD by the determination of the battery voltage drop (flag ON) (step S2, YES) (step S4) Thereafter, the process of moving to the predetermined mode is additionally performed (step S11). This predetermined mode is, for example, the above-described mode in which the processing of FIG. 2(b) is not performed (the battery voltage is not monitored). Thereby, the flag is maintained in the ON state, and the determination in step S2 is always YES, and the process of step S4 is continuously executed. Then, since the processing of FIG. 2(b) is not performed, the processing load is reduced.

However, it is not limited to this example. In the predetermined mode described above, for example, the processing of "the second drawing (a) and (b) is not performed in advance, and the driving system of the heater resistor 2b is often performed by the boosting voltage (the sensor is often driven when the sensor is driven) The mode in which SW1 is ON) may be switched to the predetermined mode when step S4 is executed. In this case, not only the second drawing (b) but also the processing of the second drawing (a) is not executed, so that the processing load is further reduced.

However, in the above-described Modification 3, for example, the battery voltage temporarily abnormally drops due to some reasons described above, and when the abnormality as described above occurs, the boosted voltage is applied even after the abnormal state is released. The heater resistor 2b is driven.

On the other hand, it is considered that the processing of the above-described step S10 is added. However, in the following modification 4, the two types of threshold values using the first threshold value and the second threshold value described below are used. The decision is made to correspond.

"1st threshold"; if the output voltage (battery voltage; 3V) of the battery unit 1 is not higher than the voltage at which the circuit does not operate normally (for example, 2.2V), the voltage is set to a higher value. .

"Second threshold"; a voltage value that is higher than a voltage (for example, 2.2 V) that does not operate normally in the first threshold value, and is arbitrarily set, for example, a display battery The final state.

However, the first threshold value may be regarded as equivalent to the "predetermined value" used in the determination of the above-described step S7, but is not limited to this example.

Fig. 7 (a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the sensor driving in the control circuit unit 11 of the fourth modification. Fig. 7(a) shows the flow chart at the end of the sensor drive when the sensor drive starts, and Fig. 7(b) shows the end of the sensor drive.

Here, in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the same steps as those in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted. Thereby, as shown in the figure, the processing of Fig. 7(a) is added to the processing of steps S23 and S24 in the processing of Fig. 2(a). Further, as shown in the figure, the processing of Fig. 7(b) is added to step S20 instead of step S7 of Fig. 2(b), and the processing of steps S21 and S22 is additionally added.

First, Fig. 7(b) will be explained.

In the seventh diagram (b), if the determination in the above step S5 is YES, the process proceeds to step S6, and then the determination of "battery voltage <first threshold value?" is performed (step S20) instead of the second step as described above. The determination of "battery voltage <predetermined value?" in step S7 of Fig. (b). However, as described above, the first threshold value may be regarded as equivalent to the above-described "predetermined value". In this case, step S20 may be substantially regarded as the same as step S7.

When the battery voltage is less than the first threshold (YES in step S20), the process of step S8 is performed, and then the determination of "battery voltage <second threshold?" is performed (step S21). When the battery voltage is equal to or greater than the second threshold (NO in step S21), the processing is directly ended. On the other hand, when the battery voltage is less than the second threshold (YES in step S21), it is determined that "the final state is established" (step S22). Specifically, the process of step S22 is to turn on, for example, a flag indicating that the "final state is established" (referred to as a second flag), but is not limited to this example.

Next, Fig. 7(a) will be described.

When the process of the seventh step (a) is executed after the determination in the above step S20 is YES, the process of the above step S2 is YES, and the process of the above step S4 is performed. Next, the process of step S4 is continued to determine whether or not it is the final state (step S23). For example, referring to the second flag described above, if the second flag is ON, it is determined to be the final state, and if the second flag is OFF, it is determined that the second flag is not the final state.

If it is determined that it is not in the final state (NO in step S23), the processing is directly ended. If it is determined to be the final state (YES in step S23), the mode is shifted to the predetermined mode (step S24). Here, the "predetermined mode" may be substantially the same as, for example, the "predetermined mode" in the above step S11. That is, the "predetermined mode" may be, for example, a mode in which "the processing of FIG. 7(b) is not performed" (the battery voltage is not monitored). Alternatively, the "predetermined mode" may be "the processing of Fig. 7 (a), (b) is not performed, and the driving system of the heater resistor 2b is often performed by the boosted voltage (the SW1 is often turned ON during driving) Mode."

However, although not shown in FIG. 7(b), if the determination in step S20 is NO, the processing of step S9 described above can be executed in substantially the same manner as in FIG. 4(b). Therefore, even if the temporary abnormality of the battery voltage is lowered and the battery voltage is less than the first threshold value, the battery voltage is not lower than the second threshold value, and even if it is determined that "the battery voltage is lowered" In the state in which the boosted voltage is used, the battery voltage returns to the normal state, that is, returns to the state in which the battery voltage is used (normal state).

As described above, in the fourth modification, the first threshold value for switching between the battery voltage and the boosted voltage and the second threshold for determining whether or not the battery is used at the end of use are used. When the value is judged to be the end of the battery use, the battery voltage is not monitored since then. Thereby, the processing load is reduced, so that the power consumption can be suppressed and the time (battery life) of the normal operation can be prolonged. In addition, there may be cases where the battery voltage temporarily drops abnormally for some reason. That is to say, irrelevant to the end period, it is possible to avoid the case where the heater resistor 2b is driven by the boost voltage. Even if the heater resistor 2b is temporarily driven by the boost voltage, it is possible to return to the state in which the heater resistor 2b is driven by the battery voltage (normal state). Thereby, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the time for normal operation is shortened.

Among them, of course, when driven by the boost voltage, the power consumption is increased as compared with when the battery voltage is driven.

Further, the above "driving the heater resistor 2b by the boosted voltage" corresponds to driving in the sensor portion (including the heater resistor 2b). At this time, a boosted voltage is supplied to the sensor portion (heater resistor 2b, etc.). Similarly, the above "driving the heater resistor 2b by the battery voltage" corresponds to supplying the battery voltage to the sensor portion (the heater resistor 2b) when the sensor portion (including the heater resistor 2b) is driven. Wait).

As described above, in the present method, in the configuration of Fig. 1 described above, Fig. 2(a), (b), Fig. 4(a), (b) to Fig. 7(a), (b) are performed. Any processing, whereby the driving of the gas sensor 2, in normal times, can reduce the loss of battery consumption by the battery voltage supplied to the battery unit 1, and at the end of the battery use, the boosting circuit is provided. The boost voltage is switched in such a way as to extend the normal operation time. Thereby, the life of the alarm can be extended. In addition, it helps to meet the above requirements.

That is, as described in the subject of the prior art, regarding the battery type alarm, it is prescribed that the battery replacement is not allowed (so that the alarm itself is replaced if the life is reached), and normal operation for five years or more can be performed by this method. Achieving long life will help to fully meet this requirement.

However, the configuration of the first diagram and the processing of the second diagrams (a) and (b) are examples, and are not limited to this example. In addition, the application of this method may also be, for example, a fire alarm, etc., and is not limited to a gas leak alarm.

With the battery type alarm device or the like according to the present invention, with respect to the battery type alarm device, particularly regarding the configuration of the sensor drive, the loss of battery consumption can be reduced, and at the end of the battery use, the time for normal operation can be prolonged, thereby The life of the alarm can be extended.

1‧‧‧Battery Department

2‧‧‧ gas sensor

2a‧‧‧Sensor resistance

2b‧‧‧heater resistance

3‧‧‧Control Circuit Department

4‧‧‧Warning Department

4a‧‧‧Audio sound output

4b‧‧‧Alarm display

4c‧‧‧External alarm output

5‧‧‧ ambient temperature detection department

6‧‧‧1st fixed voltage circuit department

7‧‧‧2nd fixed voltage circuit

10‧‧‧ gas leak alarm

11‧‧‧Control Circuit Department

12‧‧‧Boost Circuit Division

AD1, AD2, AD3‧‧‧ input terminals

OUT1, OUT2, OUT3, OUT4, OUT5‧‧‧ output terminals

R1‧‧‧ load resistor

SW1~SW4‧‧‧ switch

VDD‧‧‧ boost voltage

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of a battery type gas leakage alarm of this example.

Fig. 2 (a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the processing of the sensor drive by the control circuit unit (1).

Figure 3 is a time diagram of the sensor drive.

Fig. 4 (a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the processing of the sensor drive by the control circuit unit (2).

Fig. 5 (a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the processing of the sensor drive by the control circuit unit (3).

Fig. 6 (a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the processing of the sensor drive by the control circuit unit (4).

Fig. 7 (a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the processing of the sensor drive by the control circuit unit (5).

Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram of a conventional battery type gas leakage alarm.

1‧‧‧Battery Department

2‧‧‧ gas sensor

2a‧‧‧Sensor resistance

2b‧‧‧heater resistance

4‧‧‧Warning Department

4a‧‧‧Audio sound output

4b‧‧‧Alarm display

4c‧‧‧External alarm output

5‧‧‧ ambient temperature detection department

6‧‧‧1st fixed voltage circuit department

10‧‧‧ gas leak alarm

11‧‧‧Control Circuit Department

12‧‧‧Boost Circuit Division

AD1, AD2, AD3‧‧‧ input terminals

OUT1, OUT2, OUT3, OUT4, OUT5‧‧‧ output terminals

R1‧‧‧ load resistor

SW1~SW4‧‧‧ switch

VDD‧‧‧ boost voltage

Claims (5)

A battery type alarm device comprising a battery type alarm device having at least a sensor portion and a battery, characterized by: a booster circuit portion for boosting a battery voltage; and supplying the battery voltage to the foregoing a first power supply path of the sensor unit; a first switching means provided on the first power supply path; and a voltage applied to the sensor unit by the voltage boosted by the booster circuit unit a second power supply path; a second switching means provided on the second power supply path; and a control means for ON/OFF controlling the first switching means and the second switching means, wherein the control means monitors the battery voltage When the battery voltage is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, when the sensor unit is driven, the first switching means is turned on and the battery voltage is supplied to the sensor unit. When the battery voltage is less than the threshold value, when the sensor unit is driven, the second switching means is turned ON, and the voltage boosted by the booster circuit unit is supplied to The aforementioned sensor part, the aforementioned feeling a heater resistor in the gas sensor and a step-down circuit connected in series with the heater resistor, wherein the step-down circuit steps down the battery voltage or the boosted voltage, the heater The resistor is driven by the stepped voltage. The battery type alarm device of claim 1, wherein the control means supplies the boosted voltage to the sensor even when it is detected that the battery voltage is less than the threshold value. In the case of the part, the battery voltage is continuously monitored, and when the battery voltage returns to the threshold value or more, when the sensor unit is driven, the first switching means is turned ON. The aforementioned battery voltage is supplied to the aforementioned sensor. A battery type alarm device comprising a battery type alarm device having at least a sensor portion and a battery, characterized by: a booster circuit portion for boosting a battery voltage; and supplying the battery voltage to the foregoing a first power supply path of the sensor unit; a first switching means provided on the first power supply path; and a voltage applied to the sensor unit by the voltage boosted by the booster circuit unit a second power supply path; a second switching means provided on the second power supply path; and a control means for ON/OFF controlling the first switching means and the second switching means, the control means being every predetermined period When the battery voltage is detected to be equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, when the sensor unit is driven, the first switching means is ON-controlled to supply the battery voltage. When the sensor voltage is detected to be less than a predetermined threshold value (N; an arbitrary integer of 2 or more) for the N or more consecutive times, the sensor unit is driven by the sensor unit. When the second switching means is ON-controlled, the voltage boosted by the boosting circuit unit is supplied to the sensor unit. A battery type alarm device comprising a battery type alarm device having at least a sensor portion and a battery, characterized by: a booster circuit portion for boosting a battery voltage; and supplying the battery voltage to the foregoing a first power supply path of the sensor unit; a first switching means provided on the first power supply path; and a voltage applied to the sensor unit by the voltage boosted by the booster circuit unit a second power supply path; a second switching means provided on the second power supply path; and a control means for ON/OFF controlling the first switching means and the second switching means, wherein the control means monitors the battery voltage When it is detected that the battery voltage is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value, when the sensor unit is driven, the first switching means is turned on and the battery voltage is supplied to the sense. When the detector unit detects that the battery voltage is less than the predetermined first threshold value, when the sensor unit is driven, the second switching means is turned on and controlled by the aforementioned The voltage boosted by the booster circuit section When the sensor unit is detected to have failed to reach the predetermined second threshold value, the control means does not monitor the battery voltage after the sensor unit is driven. The voltage boosted by the booster circuit unit is supplied to the sensor unit. A battery type alarm device comprising a battery type alarm device having at least a sensor portion and a battery, characterized by: a booster circuit portion for boosting a battery voltage; and supplying the battery voltage to the foregoing a first power supply path of the sensor unit; a first switching means provided on the first power supply path; and a voltage applied to the sensor unit by the voltage boosted by the booster circuit unit a second power supply path; a second switching means provided on the second power supply path; and a control means for ON/OFF controlling the first switching means and the second switching means, wherein the control means monitors the battery voltage When it is detected that the battery voltage is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value, when the sensor unit is driven, the first switching means is turned on and the battery voltage is supplied to the sense. When the detector unit detects that the battery voltage is less than the predetermined first threshold value, when the sensor unit is driven, the second switching means is turned on and controlled by the aforementioned The voltage boosted by the booster circuit section Provided to the sensor portion, and thereafter not monitoring the battery voltage, and when the sensor portion is driven, the voltage boosted by the booster circuit portion is supplied to the sensor unit.