CA1306778C - Remote switching device for smoke detector - Google Patents
Remote switching device for smoke detectorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1306778C CA1306778C CA000549297A CA549297A CA1306778C CA 1306778 C CA1306778 C CA 1306778C CA 000549297 A CA000549297 A CA 000549297A CA 549297 A CA549297 A CA 549297A CA 1306778 C CA1306778 C CA 1306778C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- battery
- switching device
- winding
- terminals
- smoke detector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 42
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000009194 climbing Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000252067 Megalops atlanticus Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000003985 ceramic capacitor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- KRTSDMXIXPKRQR-AATRIKPKSA-N monocrotophos Chemical compound CNC(=O)\C=C(/C)OP(=O)(OC)OC KRTSDMXIXPKRQR-AATRIKPKSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Fire-Detection Mechanisms (AREA)
- Fire Alarms (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The switching device is enclosed in a casing fixed to a wall below a ceiling-mounted conventional smoke detector, so as to be accessible. The switching device includes a holding relay, a dry-cell battery and a time-delay circuit. The dry-cell battery replaces a similar battery normally in the smoke detector itself, In normal position, the holding relay connects the battery of the switching device to the circuit of the smoke detector, Whenever the smoke detector sounds a false alarm, a house occupant actuates the holding relay to disconnect the smoke detector circuit and stop the alarm. The battery in the switching device thereafter is connected to the time-delay circuit which returns the holding relay to its normal position after a period of, say, twenty minutes,
The switching device is enclosed in a casing fixed to a wall below a ceiling-mounted conventional smoke detector, so as to be accessible. The switching device includes a holding relay, a dry-cell battery and a time-delay circuit. The dry-cell battery replaces a similar battery normally in the smoke detector itself, In normal position, the holding relay connects the battery of the switching device to the circuit of the smoke detector, Whenever the smoke detector sounds a false alarm, a house occupant actuates the holding relay to disconnect the smoke detector circuit and stop the alarm. The battery in the switching device thereafter is connected to the time-delay circuit which returns the holding relay to its normal position after a period of, say, twenty minutes,
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present inventlon relates to ceilin~-mounted smoke detectors and, more specifically, to a remote switching devi~e for such smoke detectors.
C~C~N~ O~ IU~ OU
The ma~ority of households are today fitted with smoke detectors of one type or the other. The most simple smoke detector is a battery-operated unit which is generally mounted on the ceiling in a passage, hallway, staircase or the like, in a location where there is at least a partial air flow, so that if.a fire does occur, smoke will be monitored by the smoke detector, and a signal given. Most o~ these smoke detectors have a horn or a buzzer which sounds when the smoke is detected.
- One o the problems encountered with these kinds o~
smoke detectors is the dif~iculty in resettiny the alarm a~ter lt has gone o~ due to a ~alse signal. This false signal u5Ually 20 occurs when cookiny or i a fireplace is lit. Once the al~rm on the smoke detector begin~" it can contlnue up to 30 minutes beiore the mechanlsm of the detecting device resets itself.
Thus, the householder has to put up with this alarm for as long as 30 minutes, which i5 generally considered intolerable. In most cases, householders disconnect the smoke detector, and thls ~,3,~t,7,~
has to be done by climbing up and disconnecting the battery.
Once the battery is disconnected, it is usually forgo~ten and not reconnected; therefore, the smoke detector remains inoperative and stays that way, Thus, the whole purpose of the smoke detector is destroyed.
Canadian Patent 1,188,773 dated June ll, 1985 and entitled: SMOKE DETECTOR INDICATOR", inventor: Laurent Cormier, describes a ceiling-mounted smoke detector which can be turned off in the event of a false alarm and which gives a visual indication of such ~urn-off condition. However, in thls system, the person wishing to turn off ~he smoke detector still has to climb up to the detector itsel~ or use a long stick to open the switch .
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The object of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problem by providing a switching device that allows to instantaneously disconnect the power source of a smoke detector if it has been accidentally triggered and that. it has a means to visually remind the householder that the smoke detector is disconnected.
Another ob~ect of the invention is to provide a switching device that facilitates the operation of changlng the battery of the smoke detector if it is discharged.
A still further object of the invention i5 the provision of a switching device that eliminates the necessity of climbing up to the ceiling to access the battery of the smoke ~ ' ~
~3Q6'7'78 detector.
A still urther o~ject of the invention is to provide a switching devlce extremely easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is disclosed a swltching device for a smoke detector of the dry-cell operated type, including a casing adapted to be secured to a ceiling or similar out-of-reach elevated location, a smoke-detecting alarm circuit with positive and negative connectors and adapted to be connected to a dry-cell battery in said casing, said devlce comprising a housing adapted to be secured in an accessible location below the smoke detector, a holding relay having a winding and armature, a dry-cell battery, a pair of terminals and a time-delay circult located in said housing, said battery connected to said armature and to one of said terminals, said termlnals adapted to be connected by wires to the connectors in said smoke detector casing in lieu of said battery, said armature having a first normal posltion in which it connects said battery across sald terminals, and a second position held by sald winding in which it disconnects said battery from the other o said termlnAls and connect* said battery, sald winding and tlme-delay circuit; and ~urther including spring means to return the armature to said first position upon opening of said time-delay circuit. The switchlng device preferably includes a warning ligh~ indicatlng that the smoke detector is in non-operative mode, sald light belng mounted in the housiny of said switching device.
. ~. ;
~3067~3 Preerably, said light source is A light-emittlng dlode and the time delay circuit lncludes an integrated circult serving as switching means and coupled to an R C. circuit.
The above will better be understood in reference to the following description and drawings of the switching device of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIOPi OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a smoke detector and of the switching device of the invention connected thereto; and Figure 2 is a schematic electric circuit of the components located within the housing of tha switching device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED F.MBODIMENT
Figure 1 shows a conventional ceiling-mounted smoke detector of the type including a smoke-detecting and ~larm circuit provided with a connector element having female and male snap-on connectors to be connected to a conventional dry-cell 9-volt battery, which i~ normally located in the casing 1 o~ the smoke detector.
In accordance with the inventlon, the battery in the casing 1 is removed and a pair of wires 2 are connected to the snap-on conne~tors of the smoke detector at one endl ~nd connected at their other ends to terminals 3 and 4 (see Figure 2) located in a housing 5 of the switchlng device in accordance with the invention. Said housing 5 is normally secured to a wall adjacent the smoke detector 1 and below the samel so a~ to be conveniently accessible to a person standing on the floor o~ the `:
06t7J7~
room where the smoke detector is located, Referring to Figure 1, it is noted that housiny 5 carries at lts top front face an indicator light source 6 and a push-button 7, both schematically represented in Flgure 23 the light source 6 belng in the form of a liyht-emittlng diode.
The switching circuit of the invention, ~hown in Flgure 2, includes a holdlng relay, generally indicated at 8, and including a movable armature 9 and a relay winding 10. The positive pole of a dry-cell battery 11 is connected to the 1~ armature 9. Armature 9 is normally biased by the coll spring 7a of the push-button 7 to a normal position ln which it abwts contact 12 of the relay 8, so as to complete the circuit from battery la to the smoke detector circult thro~gh the following wires: ~rom the positive pole of ba~tery 11l wire 13, armature 9I contact 12, terminal 3I return terminal 4 through thc wires ~, - wires 14 and 15 to the negatlve pole o~ the battery. Thu~, the circuit of the smoke detector is con6tantly ed by ~atter~ 11 in the switching device housing 5. S'hould such battery n~ed replacement, it is conveniently accessible.
When smoke detector 1 emits a false alarm, a person simply pushes on push-button 7 to move the armatur~ 9 to a second position in which lt a~uts contact 16 of the holding relay 8.
The armature 9 ls held in this second position by the winding 10 in the following manner: an integrated electronic circuit 17 is provided, This chip has code name U1555. Its termin~l 2 is connected by wires 18 and 19 and 15 to the negative pole o ' ;
~ :
-` ~3~67~78 battery ll Its terminal 8 is connected by wlre 20 ko the contact 16 of the holding relay 8. Its terminal 3 is connected through light-emitting diode 6, resistance R2 and wire 21 to one side of relay winding lO, while the other side of th~ relay winding is connected by wire 22 ~nd wire 15 to the negative slde of battery 11. Terminal 2 of chip 17 is the trigger terminal o a transistor switch in the chip 17, whereby, upon armature 19 abutting contact 16, a negative pulse is imparted at terminal 2, closing the relay winding circuit through battery ll, wlre 13, armature 9, contact 16, wire 20, terminals 8, 3, light-emitting diode 6, resistance R2, wire 21, winding lO, wire 22, wire 15 to the negative side of battery ll.
A resistance Rl is connected to terminals 4 and 7 of chip 17, while a capacitor Cl is connected between termlnals~6 and 7 of chip 17 on the one hand, and to terminal l of chip 17 on the other hand~ This provides a time-delay circuit, the duration of which is determined by the respective values of Rl and Cl, whereby the connection between terminals 3 and 8 opens after a certain time delay, namely: about twenty minutes. Upon openlng of the circuit between terminals 3 and 8 of chip 17, rel~y windin~ 10 is de-enar~ized and the armature 9 o~ the ralay returns to its original position, shown in ull line in Figure 2, under the action of the compression coil spring 7A of the push-button 7. Therefore, after about twenty minutes, the smoke detector is returned to operative position; then the warning light 6 comes off.
6 (~) ~3~ ~6t7r7~3 A diode 25 i5 connected across wir~s 15 and 21 ~nd serves to reduce .the voltage surge produced by the rel~y winding upon de energization of the latter, A resistance R3 ls connected across wires 20 and 18 and a capacitor C2 is series connected in wire 19. Resistance R3 and capacitor C2 serve to generate the pulse necessary to trig~er the time-delay circuit upon armature 9 abutting contact 16 of the holding rel~y 8.
Preferably, the various components have the following values: Rl ~ lOM ohms one^quarter watt resistance, R2 is a 100 ohm one-quarter watt resistance; R3 is a 1,2 K ohms one-quarter watt resistance; diode 6 is a light-emitting red diode; diodP 25 bears code number lN 414B; capacitor C1 is an electrolytic capacitor of 100 micro-farads uf and 16 volts; capacitor C2 is a ceramic capacitor of 0.01 micro-farads uf, Wires 13 and 15 are preerably connec,te~ to the battery 11 by a snap-on female and male connector. Battery ll is a 9-volt dry-cell battery.
The present inventlon relates to ceilin~-mounted smoke detectors and, more specifically, to a remote switching devi~e for such smoke detectors.
C~C~N~ O~ IU~ OU
The ma~ority of households are today fitted with smoke detectors of one type or the other. The most simple smoke detector is a battery-operated unit which is generally mounted on the ceiling in a passage, hallway, staircase or the like, in a location where there is at least a partial air flow, so that if.a fire does occur, smoke will be monitored by the smoke detector, and a signal given. Most o~ these smoke detectors have a horn or a buzzer which sounds when the smoke is detected.
- One o the problems encountered with these kinds o~
smoke detectors is the dif~iculty in resettiny the alarm a~ter lt has gone o~ due to a ~alse signal. This false signal u5Ually 20 occurs when cookiny or i a fireplace is lit. Once the al~rm on the smoke detector begin~" it can contlnue up to 30 minutes beiore the mechanlsm of the detecting device resets itself.
Thus, the householder has to put up with this alarm for as long as 30 minutes, which i5 generally considered intolerable. In most cases, householders disconnect the smoke detector, and thls ~,3,~t,7,~
has to be done by climbing up and disconnecting the battery.
Once the battery is disconnected, it is usually forgo~ten and not reconnected; therefore, the smoke detector remains inoperative and stays that way, Thus, the whole purpose of the smoke detector is destroyed.
Canadian Patent 1,188,773 dated June ll, 1985 and entitled: SMOKE DETECTOR INDICATOR", inventor: Laurent Cormier, describes a ceiling-mounted smoke detector which can be turned off in the event of a false alarm and which gives a visual indication of such ~urn-off condition. However, in thls system, the person wishing to turn off ~he smoke detector still has to climb up to the detector itsel~ or use a long stick to open the switch .
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The object of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problem by providing a switching device that allows to instantaneously disconnect the power source of a smoke detector if it has been accidentally triggered and that. it has a means to visually remind the householder that the smoke detector is disconnected.
Another ob~ect of the invention is to provide a switching device that facilitates the operation of changlng the battery of the smoke detector if it is discharged.
A still further object of the invention i5 the provision of a switching device that eliminates the necessity of climbing up to the ceiling to access the battery of the smoke ~ ' ~
~3Q6'7'78 detector.
A still urther o~ject of the invention is to provide a switching devlce extremely easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is disclosed a swltching device for a smoke detector of the dry-cell operated type, including a casing adapted to be secured to a ceiling or similar out-of-reach elevated location, a smoke-detecting alarm circuit with positive and negative connectors and adapted to be connected to a dry-cell battery in said casing, said devlce comprising a housing adapted to be secured in an accessible location below the smoke detector, a holding relay having a winding and armature, a dry-cell battery, a pair of terminals and a time-delay circult located in said housing, said battery connected to said armature and to one of said terminals, said termlnals adapted to be connected by wires to the connectors in said smoke detector casing in lieu of said battery, said armature having a first normal posltion in which it connects said battery across sald terminals, and a second position held by sald winding in which it disconnects said battery from the other o said termlnAls and connect* said battery, sald winding and tlme-delay circuit; and ~urther including spring means to return the armature to said first position upon opening of said time-delay circuit. The switchlng device preferably includes a warning ligh~ indicatlng that the smoke detector is in non-operative mode, sald light belng mounted in the housiny of said switching device.
. ~. ;
~3067~3 Preerably, said light source is A light-emittlng dlode and the time delay circuit lncludes an integrated circult serving as switching means and coupled to an R C. circuit.
The above will better be understood in reference to the following description and drawings of the switching device of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIOPi OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a smoke detector and of the switching device of the invention connected thereto; and Figure 2 is a schematic electric circuit of the components located within the housing of tha switching device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED F.MBODIMENT
Figure 1 shows a conventional ceiling-mounted smoke detector of the type including a smoke-detecting and ~larm circuit provided with a connector element having female and male snap-on connectors to be connected to a conventional dry-cell 9-volt battery, which i~ normally located in the casing 1 o~ the smoke detector.
In accordance with the inventlon, the battery in the casing 1 is removed and a pair of wires 2 are connected to the snap-on conne~tors of the smoke detector at one endl ~nd connected at their other ends to terminals 3 and 4 (see Figure 2) located in a housing 5 of the switchlng device in accordance with the invention. Said housing 5 is normally secured to a wall adjacent the smoke detector 1 and below the samel so a~ to be conveniently accessible to a person standing on the floor o~ the `:
06t7J7~
room where the smoke detector is located, Referring to Figure 1, it is noted that housiny 5 carries at lts top front face an indicator light source 6 and a push-button 7, both schematically represented in Flgure 23 the light source 6 belng in the form of a liyht-emittlng diode.
The switching circuit of the invention, ~hown in Flgure 2, includes a holdlng relay, generally indicated at 8, and including a movable armature 9 and a relay winding 10. The positive pole of a dry-cell battery 11 is connected to the 1~ armature 9. Armature 9 is normally biased by the coll spring 7a of the push-button 7 to a normal position ln which it abwts contact 12 of the relay 8, so as to complete the circuit from battery la to the smoke detector circult thro~gh the following wires: ~rom the positive pole of ba~tery 11l wire 13, armature 9I contact 12, terminal 3I return terminal 4 through thc wires ~, - wires 14 and 15 to the negatlve pole o~ the battery. Thu~, the circuit of the smoke detector is con6tantly ed by ~atter~ 11 in the switching device housing 5. S'hould such battery n~ed replacement, it is conveniently accessible.
When smoke detector 1 emits a false alarm, a person simply pushes on push-button 7 to move the armatur~ 9 to a second position in which lt a~uts contact 16 of the holding relay 8.
The armature 9 ls held in this second position by the winding 10 in the following manner: an integrated electronic circuit 17 is provided, This chip has code name U1555. Its termin~l 2 is connected by wires 18 and 19 and 15 to the negative pole o ' ;
~ :
-` ~3~67~78 battery ll Its terminal 8 is connected by wlre 20 ko the contact 16 of the holding relay 8. Its terminal 3 is connected through light-emitting diode 6, resistance R2 and wire 21 to one side of relay winding lO, while the other side of th~ relay winding is connected by wire 22 ~nd wire 15 to the negative slde of battery 11. Terminal 2 of chip 17 is the trigger terminal o a transistor switch in the chip 17, whereby, upon armature 19 abutting contact 16, a negative pulse is imparted at terminal 2, closing the relay winding circuit through battery ll, wlre 13, armature 9, contact 16, wire 20, terminals 8, 3, light-emitting diode 6, resistance R2, wire 21, winding lO, wire 22, wire 15 to the negative side of battery ll.
A resistance Rl is connected to terminals 4 and 7 of chip 17, while a capacitor Cl is connected between termlnals~6 and 7 of chip 17 on the one hand, and to terminal l of chip 17 on the other hand~ This provides a time-delay circuit, the duration of which is determined by the respective values of Rl and Cl, whereby the connection between terminals 3 and 8 opens after a certain time delay, namely: about twenty minutes. Upon openlng of the circuit between terminals 3 and 8 of chip 17, rel~y windin~ 10 is de-enar~ized and the armature 9 o~ the ralay returns to its original position, shown in ull line in Figure 2, under the action of the compression coil spring 7A of the push-button 7. Therefore, after about twenty minutes, the smoke detector is returned to operative position; then the warning light 6 comes off.
6 (~) ~3~ ~6t7r7~3 A diode 25 i5 connected across wir~s 15 and 21 ~nd serves to reduce .the voltage surge produced by the rel~y winding upon de energization of the latter, A resistance R3 ls connected across wires 20 and 18 and a capacitor C2 is series connected in wire 19. Resistance R3 and capacitor C2 serve to generate the pulse necessary to trig~er the time-delay circuit upon armature 9 abutting contact 16 of the holding rel~y 8.
Preferably, the various components have the following values: Rl ~ lOM ohms one^quarter watt resistance, R2 is a 100 ohm one-quarter watt resistance; R3 is a 1,2 K ohms one-quarter watt resistance; diode 6 is a light-emitting red diode; diodP 25 bears code number lN 414B; capacitor C1 is an electrolytic capacitor of 100 micro-farads uf and 16 volts; capacitor C2 is a ceramic capacitor of 0.01 micro-farads uf, Wires 13 and 15 are preerably connec,te~ to the battery 11 by a snap-on female and male connector. Battery ll is a 9-volt dry-cell battery.
Claims (7)
1. A switching device for a smoke detector of the dry-cell operated type, including a casing adapted to be secured to a ceiling, or similar out-of-reach elevated location, a smoke-detecting and alarm circuit with positive and negative connectors adapted to be connected to a dry-cell battery in said casing, said device comprising a housing adapted to be secured to an accessible location below said smoke detector, a holding relay having a winding and an armature, a dry-cell battery, a pair of terminals and a time-delay circuit located in said housing said terminals adapted to be connected by wires to said connectors in said casing; said battery in said housing connected to said armature and parallel-connected to one of said terminals and to said winding; the latter in turn connected to said time delay circuit, said armature having a first normal position in which it connects said battery across said terminals, and a second position held by said winding in which it disconnects said battery from the other of said terminals and connects said battery to said time-delay circuit, and spring means to return said armature to said first position upon opening of said time delay circuit.
2. A switching device as defined in claim 1, further including a light source connected to said winding to be energized when said winding is energized.
3. A switching device as defined in claim 2, wherein said time-delay circuit comprises a switching means held closed by an R.C. circuit.
4, A switching device as defined in claim 3, wherein said light source is series connected with said winding.
5, A switching device as defined in claim 4, wherein said light source is a light-emitting diode.
6, A switching device as defined in claim 4, further including a rectifier diode connected across said winding to prevent voltage surge upon de-energization of the latter.
7. A switching device as defined in claim 5, wherein said relay has a first and a second contact engaged by said armature in the first and second positions of said armature, respectively, wherein said time-delay circuit includes an integrated circuit defined by code name U1-555 having terminals numbered 1, 2, 31 4, 6, 7, and 8, terminals 1, 4, 6, and 7 being connected to the R.C. circuit; terminals 1, 2, 4, and interconnected and connected to one end of said winding, to the negative pole of said battery, and to the second contact of said relay, and terminal 3 connected to the other side of said winding. :
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000549297A CA1306778C (en) | 1987-10-14 | 1987-10-14 | Remote switching device for smoke detector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000549297A CA1306778C (en) | 1987-10-14 | 1987-10-14 | Remote switching device for smoke detector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1306778C true CA1306778C (en) | 1992-08-25 |
Family
ID=4136654
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000549297A Expired - Lifetime CA1306778C (en) | 1987-10-14 | 1987-10-14 | Remote switching device for smoke detector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1306778C (en) |
-
1987
- 1987-10-14 CA CA000549297A patent/CA1306778C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |