JP7607251B1 - Fire detector inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To easily inspect fire detectors.
[Solution] A fire detector inspection device for inspecting fire detectors installed on a ceiling surface is composed of a number of storage sections in which long plates are wound up like a tape measure and stored within the device, a tape body consisting of a number of long plates unwound upward from each storage section, a base section fixed to the upper end of the tape body and on which a testing device used to inspect fire detectors is detachably attached, and a drive section which unwound the tape body outside the device to move the base section upward and rewound the tape body into the device to move the base section downward.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

This disclosure relates to a fire detector inspection device used to inspect fire detectors.

Conventionally, automatic fire alarm systems have been used that detect the occurrence of a fire using fire detectors and sound an alarm. Fire detectors detect the occurrence of a fire by heat and smoke. In buildings such as apartment complexes and public facilities, automatic fire alarm systems are installed that receive the results of detection by the fire detectors to a receiver and sound an alarm from the alarm, and regular inspection of each device is mandatory. Fire detector inspections are performed by actually generating heat and smoke using a test device brought close to the fire detector. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection device that inspects fire detectors installed on the ceiling by attaching a smoke-applying test device to the end of a support rod.

JP 2008-250858 A

However, with the above-mentioned conventional technology, it was necessary to keep the support rod raised and the tester pressed against the fire detector on the ceiling until it was confirmed that the fire detector was working properly, which placed a burden on the inspector. In buildings with a high floor-to-ceiling height, the fire detector cannot be reached with just the support rod, and inspections had to be performed using equipment for working at height, such as stepladders, rolling towers, and aerial work vehicles, which posed problems such as the dangers of working at height and the effort and cost required to prepare the equipment.

This disclosure was made in consideration of the prior art, including the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a fire detector inspection device that makes it easy to inspect fire detectors.

The fire detector inspection device according to the present disclosure is a fire detector inspection device for inspecting fire detectors installed on a ceiling surface, and includes a number of storage sections for winding up long plates like a tape measure and storing them inside the device, a tape body consisting of a number of long plates unwound upward from each storage section, a base section fixed to the upper end of the tape body and on which a tester used to inspect the fire detector is detachably attached, and a drive section for unwinding the tape body outside the device to move the base section upward, and for rewinding the tape body into the device to move the base section downward.

The above configuration may further include an aiming device that projects a mark indicating the position corresponding to the tester onto the ceiling surface on which the fire detector is installed.

In the above configuration, the aiming device may include a plurality of illumination devices arranged so that a linear mark obtained by illuminating the ceiling surface with light passes through a position corresponding to the tester.

The above configuration may further include a camera that captures an image of the ceiling surface on which the mark is projected, and a display unit that displays the image captured by the camera.

The above configuration may further include a camera that captures an image of the ceiling surface on which the mark is projected, and a communication unit that communicates with an external device, and the image captured by the camera may be displayed on a display unit of the external device via the communication unit.

The above configuration may further include a sensor that detects deviation of the payout direction of the tape body from the vertical direction, and an alarm unit that notifies the result of comparison between the detection result of the sensor and a predetermined threshold value.

In the above configuration, a horizontal mechanism may be further provided that changes the inclination of the multiple storage sections relative to the horizontal plane, and the payout direction of the tape body may be adjusted vertically by the horizontal mechanism.

In the above configuration, the horizontal mechanism may include a table to which the multiple storage units are fixed, and multiple height adjustment members that are spaced apart at multiple locations on the table and change the height of the table at each location.

The above configuration may further include a sensor that detects the inclination of the multiple storage sections relative to a horizontal plane, and a horizontal mechanism drive unit that drives the horizontal mechanism, and the horizontal mechanism drive unit may be controlled based on the detection result of the sensor to adjust the payout direction of the tape body vertically.

The above configuration may further include a first movement mechanism that moves the multiple storage sections in a first direction, and a second movement mechanism that moves the multiple storage sections in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

In the above configuration, the first moving mechanism may include a first screw shaft having an axial direction in the first direction and a first moving table that moves in the first direction as the first screw shaft rotates, and the second moving mechanism may include a second screw shaft having an axial direction in the second direction and a second moving table that moves in the second direction as the second screw shaft rotates, and the second moving mechanism may be fixed to the first moving table, and the multiple storage units may be fixed to the second moving table.

The above configuration may further include an aiming device that projects a mark indicating the position corresponding to the tester on the ceiling surface on which the fire detector is installed, a camera that captures an image of the mark and the fire detector, and a movement mechanism drive unit that drives the first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism, and the positions of the multiple storage units may be adjusted by controlling the movement mechanism drive unit based on an image captured by the camera so that the position corresponding to the tester indicated by the mark overlaps with the position of the fire detector.

The above configuration may further include a main body in which the multiple storage sections are housed, and an auxiliary tool that is detachably attached to the main body with the tape body sandwiched therebetween below the platform that has moved upward after unwinding the tape body from the main body, and the auxiliary tool attached to the main body may include a support surface that supports the tape body at a position spaced above the top surface of the main body.

In the above configuration, the auxiliary tool may be capable of moving in the vertical direction while holding the tape body therebetween, and may have a shape that allows multiple auxiliary tools to be connected in the vertical direction.

In the above configuration, the robot device may further include a traveling mechanism that allows the robot to travel on wheels and change the direction of travel, and a traveling mechanism drive unit that drives the traveling mechanism, and the robot device may control the traveling mechanism drive unit to perform the inspection of the fire detector while traveling independently.

With the fire detector inspection device disclosed herein, the inspector does not need to hold the support rod to which the tester is attached. This makes it easier to inspect fire detectors, reducing the workload of the inspector.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a fire detector inspection device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of using the tester. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the aiming device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the fire detector inspection device. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the internal configuration of the fire detector inspection device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the tape measure unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a roller used for feeding and storing the tape body. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining how to use the assisting tool. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the assisting tool. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of connecting the assisting device. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a method of connecting the assisting tool. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a fire detector inspection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of a fire detector inspection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of automatic processing executed by the fire detector inspection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of use of the fire detector inspection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fire detector inspection device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of automatic processing executed by the fire detector inspection device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another example of detachment of the tester. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the tape measure unit. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the assisting tool. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a method of using the assisting tool shown in FIG. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing yet another configuration example of the assisting tool. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another example of the tape body. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of an auxiliary tool corresponding to the tape body shown in FIG.

Below, an embodiment of a fire detector inspection device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The type of fire detector to be inspected by the fire detector inspection device is not particularly limited, but inspection targets include fire detectors that detect smoke and fire detectors that detect heat. Since the method of inspecting fire detectors is conventionally known, detailed explanations will be omitted, but inspection of smoke-detecting fire detectors is performed by covering the fire detector with a smoke tester and generating smoke inside. Inspection of heat-detecting fire detectors is performed by covering the fire detector with a heating tester and heating the inside. Hereinafter, inspection equipment that generates smoke, heat, etc. will be referred to as a "tester" to distinguish it from the fire detector inspection device.

[Embodiment 1]
1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a fire detector inspection device 1 according to embodiment 1. The fire detector inspection device 1 includes a main body 10, a tape body 100 that is reeled out and stored from the main body 10, and a tester 200 that is detachably fixed to a base 110 at the tip of the tape body 100.

Figure 1 shows orthogonal three-dimensional coordinate axes. Some of the other figures also show coordinate axes to indicate the relationship between the components shown in each figure. The XY plane indicates the horizontal plane, and the Z axis indicates the up-down direction. The Y axis indicates the width direction of the tape body 100.

The fire detector inspection device 1 can move the tester 200 vertically by unwinding and rewinding the tape body 100 using a tape measure mechanism. Unwinding the tape body 100 outside the device and storing it inside the device causes the tester 200 to move back and forth in a straight line vertically. The tape body 100 is unwound upward from the main body 10 of the fire detector inspection device 1, and the tester 200 is raised to the installation position of the fire detector 2, thereby inspecting the fire detector 2. In the following explanation, the fire detector inspection device will be referred to as the "inspection device" and the fire detector will be referred to as the "detector".

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of wheels 20 are attached to the bottom surface of the main body 10 of the inspection device 1, allowing the inspection device 1 to be moved along the floor surface. The wheels 20 are provided with a locking mechanism (not shown), and when the wheels 20 are locked by the locking mechanism, the position of the main body 10 on the floor surface is fixed. However, the main body 10 is not limited to having wheels 20, and the main body 10 without wheels 20 may be lifted and transported, or may be moved on a cart or the like.

The main body 10 is provided with an operating unit 31. A user of the inspection device 1 can operate the operating unit 31 to raise the tester 200 by unwinding the tape body 100 upward from the main body 10. A user can operate the operating unit 31 to lower the tester 200 by winding and storing the tape body 100 inside the main body 10. The operating unit 31 may be a mechanical operator such as a push button, or may be a touch panel type liquid crystal operator.

The main body 10 may be provided with a display unit 32 that displays information regarding the use of the inspection device 1. For example, before starting an inspection operation, information instructing the tape body 100 to be unreeled and stored vertically is displayed on the display unit 32. A liquid crystal display device may be provided on the top surface of the main body 10 and used as the display unit 32, or a touch panel type liquid crystal display device may be used as the operation unit 31 and the display unit 32.

The main body 10 may be provided with a notification unit 33 that notifies information regarding the use of the inspection device 1. For example, when a user operates the operation unit 31 to raise the tester 200, if the unwinding direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 deviate from the vertical direction, the notification unit 33 notifies the user. The notification may be performed by emitting a sound or by changing the light emission state. The angle between the unwinding direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 and the vertical direction may be detected using a conventionally known sensor. Instead of or in addition to the notification by the notification unit 33, the notification may be performed by displaying predetermined information on the display unit 32.

The tape body 100 is composed of a plurality of long plates 100a, 100b (see FIG. 6(a)). Each of the long plates 100a, 100b has a cross-sectional curved shape in which a thin metal plate is curved in an arc shape in the width direction (Y-axis direction). For example, the long plates 100a, 100b are made of stainless steel such as SUS304, which is 0.3 mm thick and 50 mm wide, and curved to a width of about 30 to 35 mm. The two long plates 100a, 100b are arranged in a positional relationship in which the convex surfaces face each other at approximately the center of the width direction of the curved shape, and are used as the tape body 100. However, as long as the tape body 100 can be unwound and stored as described in this embodiment, the material, dimensions, and shape of the tape body 100 are not particularly limited.

A base 110 for mounting a tester 200 is fixed to the tip of the tape body 100. The detector 2 is inspected using the tester 200, which is removably fixed to the base 110.

Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining how to use the tester 200. As shown in Figure 2 (a), multiple types of testers 200, such as a smoke-type tester 200 and a heat-type tester 200, can be attached to the base 110. Depending on the type of detector 2 and the purpose of inspection, the tester 200 on the base 110 is changed to inspect the detector 2. As shown in Figure 1, even after the tester 200 is fixed to the base 110, the main body 220 of the tester 200 can rotate around the axis 201.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), a detachable part 240 is provided on the bottom surface of the support part 230 that rotatably supports the main body part 220, and the detachable part 240 is detachably fixed to the base part 110. As long as the support part 230 can be fixed to the base part 110, there is no particular limitation on the method of detachment. Attachment and detachment can be performed by a conventionally known method such as a screw type, a snap fit type, a magnet type, a ratchet type, or a fitting type.

The tester 200 is supported by the support 230 with its top surface horizontal. As shown in FIG. 2(b), if the detector 2 is attached at an angle, when the tape body 100 is unwound from the main body 10 of the inspection device 1 to raise the tester 200, only a portion of the top surface of the main body 220 first comes into contact with the ceiling surface. When the tester 200 is further raised, the main body 220 starts to rotate around the axis 201 and tilt. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2(c), almost the entire top surface of the main body 220 of the tester 200 comes into contact with the tilted ceiling surface, and the detector 2 can be inspected by placing the detector 2 inside the main body 220.

The targeting device 210 (210a, 210b) is provided on the upper part of the main body 220 of the tester 200. As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1, the targeting device 210 projects marks 250 (250a, 250b) onto the ceiling surface so that the position corresponding to the central axis of the main body 220, which has a cylindrical shape, can be determined.

Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the aiming device 210. The aiming device 210 includes multiple laser devices 210a, 210b. The laser devices 210a, 210b are line marker type irradiation devices that irradiate linear laser light. Each laser device 210a, 210b is fixed to the main body 220 by adjusting its position so that the linear line marks 250a, 250b projected onto the ceiling surface pass through the central axis of the main body 220 of the tester 200. The intersection of the multiple line marks 250a, 250b projected onto the ceiling surface from each laser device 210a, 210b identifies the position corresponding to the tester 200, i.e., the position corresponding to the central axis of the main body 220 of the tester 200.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, two laser devices 210a and 210b are fixed to the main body 220 so that one projects a line mark 250a in the Y-axis direction and the other projects a line mark 250b in the X-axis direction, and the two line marks 250a and 250b are perpendicular to each other. As shown in FIG. 1, even if the tester 200 is far below the ceiling surface, the aiming device 210 projects a mark 250 that can identify the position corresponding to the tester 200 onto the ceiling surface. The user can move the inspection device 1 while checking the mark 250 on the ceiling surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the user moves the inspection device 1 to adjust the position of the tester 200 so that the position corresponding to the central axis of the main body 220 of the tester 200 shown on the ceiling surface by the multiple line marks 250a and 250b overlaps with the center position of the sensor 2, and then operates the operation unit 31 to raise the tester 200 and inspect the sensor 2.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the inspection device 1. In addition to the components shown in Figures 1 to 3, the inspection device 1 includes a memory unit 40, a control unit 50, a drive unit 60, and an inclination sensor 70.

The memory unit 40 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the inspection device 1. The drive unit 60 is an actuator such as a motor that drives the tape measure mechanism to pay out and store the tape body 100. The tilt sensor 70 is a sensor that can detect the tilt direction and tilt angle, and is fixed to the inspection device 1 to detect whether the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 coincide with the vertical direction.

The control unit 50 controls each component of the inspection device 1. The control unit 50 includes a vertical detection unit 50a, a notification control unit 50b, and a payout/storage control unit 50c. For example, programs corresponding to these are pre-stored in the memory unit 40, and the functions and operations of the control unit 50 are realized by hardware such as a CPU executing the programs.

The vertical detection unit 50a judges whether the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 are vertical or not based on the detection result by the tilt sensor 70. The notification control unit 50b executes notification processing based on the judgment result of the vertical detection unit 50a. For example, when the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 deviate from the vertical direction beyond a predetermined error range, notification processing to notify the user is executed using the display unit 32 and/or the notification unit 33. When the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 deviate from the vertical direction beyond a predetermined threshold, the user is notified by sound, light, information display, etc.

The payout/storage control unit 50c controls the drive unit 60 based on the operation performed by the operation unit 31 to pay out the tape body 100 from the main body unit 10 and store the tape body 100 in the main body unit 10.

Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the internal configuration of the inspection device 1. Figure 5(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inspection device 1. Figure 5(b) is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the inspection device 1. The components shown in Figure 5(a) are housed inside the main body 10 as shown in Figure 5(b). In Figure 5(b), some of the components 300, 301 shown in Figure 5(a) are indicated by dashed lines.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), the tape measure unit 300, which includes a tape measure mechanism for unwinding and storing the tape body 100, is provided with an inclination sensor 70 and a drive unit 60 (60a, 60b) for unwinding and storing the tape body 100. The tape measure unit 300 is fixed to the table 90 via moving mechanisms 81, 82 for moving the position of the tape measure unit 300. The tape measure unit 300 is fixed so that the unwinding and storing directions of the tape body 100 are vertical when the table 90 is in a horizontal state. The inclination sensor 70 detects deviations from the vertical direction of the unwinding and storing directions of the tape body 100, i.e., deviations from the horizontal state of the table 90. There are no particular limitations on the location where the inclination sensor 70 is provided, and it may be provided on the table 90.

Height adjustment screws 91-93 are spaced apart at multiple locations on the table 90 to change the position of the table 90 in the height direction at each location. There is no particular limit to the number of adjustment screws, but in the example shown in FIG. 5(a), height adjustment screws 91-93 are provided at each of three ends corresponding to the vertices of the table 90, which has a roughly triangular flat plate shape. The horizontal mechanism including the table 90 and the height adjustment screws 91-93 can change the horizontal state of the table 90, i.e., the inclination of the tape measure unit 300 fixed to the table 90 relative to the horizontal plane.

When the height adjustment screws 91-93 are tightened, the table 90 rises, and when the height adjustment screws 91-93 are loosened, the table 90 falls. Dials 191-193 are fixed to the height adjustment screws 91-93. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the dials 191-193 are arranged so that at least a portion of them is exposed to the outside of the main body 10. The user can perform leveling work by rotating the dials 191-193 forward or backward to change the inclination of the table 90 and make it horizontal. When the table 90 is horizontal after leveling, the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 become vertical.

The table 90 is provided with a moving mechanism 81 that moves the tape measure unit 300 in the first horizontal axis direction on the leveled table 90, and a moving mechanism 82 that moves the tape measure unit 300 in the second horizontal axis direction perpendicular to the first horizontal axis. The moving mechanisms 81 and 82 are ball screw type moving mechanisms including a screw shaft and moving tables 281 and 282 that move in the axial direction of the screw shaft as the screw shaft rotates. The moving mechanism 82 is fixed to the moving table 281 of the moving mechanism 81, and the tape measure unit 300 is fixed to the moving table 282 of the moving mechanism 82. When the screw shaft of the moving mechanism 81 is rotated forward, the moving table 281 and the moving mechanism 82 fixed to the moving table 281 move forward along the screw shaft, and when the screw shaft is rotated reversely, the moving table 281 moves reversely along the screw shaft. When the screw shaft of the moving mechanism 82 is rotated in the forward direction, the moving table 282 and the tape measure unit 300 fixed to the moving table 282 move in the forward direction along the screw shaft, and when the screw shaft is rotated in the reverse direction, the tape measure unit 300 moves in the reverse direction along the screw shaft.

In the example shown in FIG. 5(a), after the table 90 is leveled, when the screw shaft of the moving mechanism 81 is rotated, the moving mechanism 82 and the tape measure unit 300 move in the Y-axis direction, and when the screw shaft of the moving mechanism 82 is rotated, the tape measure unit 300 moves in the X-axis direction.

Handles 181, 182 for rotating the screw shaft are provided on one end of the screw shaft of each moving mechanism 81, 82. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the handles 181, 182 are exposed to the outside of the main body 10 of the inspection device 1. The user can change the position of the tape measure unit 300 by rotating the handles 181, 182 forward and backward.

As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 5(b), the components below the tape measure unit 300 shown in FIG. 5(a) are housed inside the box-shaped main body 10 with at least a portion of the dials 191-193 and the handles 181, 182 exposed from the main body 10. The lower ends of the height adjustment screws 91-93 are rotatably fixed to the inside bottom surface of the box-shaped main body 10 to restrict the horizontal movement of the table 90, while the inclination of the table 90 can be changed by rotating the dials 191-193 to adjust the level. Note that the dials 191-193 and the handles 181, 182 are not shown in FIG. 1 and other figures.

As shown in FIG. 5(b), the main body 10 has a cylindrical neck 10a formed on its top surface. The components shown in FIG. 5(a) are fixed inside the main body 10 so that the payout opening 301 can move inside the neck 10a in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. For example, the payout opening 301 can move about 20 to 30 mm in each of the X-axis and Y-axis directions inside the neck 10a. This makes it possible to change the position of the tape measure section 300 including the payout opening 301, i.e., the position of the tape body 100 that is paid out upward, while keeping the position of the main body 10 fixed on the floor surface.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the tape measure unit 300. Figure 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the tape measure unit 300. Figure 6(b) is a diagram for explaining a method of driving the tape measure unit 300 to realize the tape measure mechanism.

The tape measure section 300 includes a reel 301 for the tape body 100. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6(a), the reel 301 has a cylindrical shape hollowed out to match the cross-sectional shape of the long plates 100a and 100b arranged facing each other so that the convex surfaces of the curved shapes are aligned. For example, the reel 301 has a shape in which a through hole with an approximately X-shaped upper surface is formed in the cylindrical axial direction of a hard resin having a cylindrical shape, matching the cross-sectional shape of the tape body 100. The reel 301 can support the curved long plates 100a and 100b along their shape by the inner surface 301a extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) that forms the through hole. The reel 301 can regulate the reel position of the long plates 100a and 100b in the horizontal plane by the inner surface 301a. When the table 90 is in a horizontal position, the inner surface 301a of the payout opening 301 can vertically regulate the payout and storage directions of the long plates 100a, 100b.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), the tape measure section 300 contains a pair of storage sections 320 (320a, 320b) that store the long plates 100a, 100b that make up the tape body 100, and a pair of rollers 310 (310a, 310b) that pay out and store the tape body 100. The rollers 310a and 310b have the same structure. The storage sections 320a and 320b have the same structure.

The storage units 320a, 320b wind up the long plates 100a, 100b like a tape measure and store them. Each storage unit 320a, 320b includes a drum with one end of the long plates 100a, 100b fixed to the base unit 110 and the other end fixed to the outer periphery. The storage units 320a, 320b rotate the drum to wind up the long plates 100a, 100b in a spiral shape around the outer periphery of the drum and store them. When unwound from the unwound outlet 301, the long plates 100a, 100b return to a shape curved in the width direction, and when wound up on the drum, they are wound up in a substantially flat shape.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), the rollers 310a, 310b are arranged facing each other with the long plates 100a, 100b in between. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the rotation shafts 311a, 311b of the rollers 310a, 310b are arranged apart in the X-axis direction with their axial direction parallel to the Y-axis. The rotation shafts 311a, 311b are supported by the tape measure unit 300 so as to be rotatable with the outer circumferential surfaces of the rollers 310a, 310b pressed against the long plates 100a, 100b from both outside. When one of the two rollers 310a, 310b is rotated, the long plates 100b, 100a move due to frictional force, and the other roller rotates accordingly.

The rotating shaft 311a of the roller 310a is connected to a rotation sensor such as a rotary encoder. The payout/storage control unit 50c can determine the payout amount of the tape body 100 based on the amount of rotation of the roller 310a detected by the rotation sensor and the outer diameter of the roller 310a. The payout/storage control unit 50c can stop the payout of the tape body 100 when the payout amount of the tape body 100 reaches a preset value. For example, the payout/storage control unit 50c can automatically stop the payout of the tape body 100 at a payout amount that requires the attachment of an auxiliary device, which will be described later.

The rotation sensor is also used to control the storage of the tape body 100. When storing the tape body 100 unwound from the storage section 320, the tape body 100 is wound around the drum of the storage section 320, and when the bottom surface of the base section 110 fixed to the upper end of the tape body 100 comes into contact with the upper surface of the unwinding opening 301, the tape body 100 cannot move and the rotation of the roller 310 stops. By detecting this with the rotation sensor, the unwinding/storage control section 50c can determine that the storage of the tape body 100 is complete and stop the storage of the tape body 100. The unwinding/storage control section 50c may use the rotation sensor to detect the unwound and wound amounts of the tape body 100, and stop the storage of the tape body 100 by the drive sections 60a and 60b based on the fact that the wound amount of the tape body 100 matches the unwound amount.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), the driving unit 60a provided near the roller 310b rotates the rotating shaft 311b to drive the roller 310b to rotate. When the driving unit 60a drives the roller 310b to rotate, the long plates 100a and 100b, which are pressed against the outer circumferential surfaces of the rollers, move between the rollers 310b and 310a. As the long plate 100a moves, the roller 310a rotates in the opposite direction to the roller 310b. That is, by receiving the driving force from the driving unit 60a, the rollers 310a and 310b rotate in the opposite directions at the same rotational speed.

As shown by the arrow in FIG. 6(b), when the driving unit 60a rotates the roller 310b clockwise, the roller 310a rotates counterclockwise at the same rotational speed, and the tape body 100, which is made up of the two long plates 100a, 100b, is unwound upward from the reel opening 301. When the driving unit 60a rotates the roller 310b counterclockwise, the roller 310a rotates clockwise at the same rotational speed, and the tape body 100 is rewound from the reel opening 301 and stored in the storage unit 320.

As shown in FIG. 6(b), a pair of gears 330 (330a, 330b) are fixed to the rotating shafts 321a, 321b of the drums that wind the long plates 100a, 100b in each storage section 320a, 320b. Gears 330a and 330b have the same structure. The rotating shafts 321a, 321b are spaced apart in the X-axis direction with their axial directions parallel to the Y-axis. The rotation of gears 330a, 330b rotates the drums of each storage section 320a, 320b. Note that the present invention is not limited to an embodiment in which the drum and gear 330 are separate structures, and the gear 330 may constitute the drum. For example, a bobbin-shaped drum having a body between two gears 330a spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, and a bobbin-shaped drum having a body between two gears 330b may be used to wind the long plates 100a, 100b around the body of each drum.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), when the driving unit 60b provided near the storage unit 320b drives the rotating shaft 321b to rotate, the drum of the storage unit 320b fixed on the shaft rotates. When the gear 330b fixed to the rotating shaft 321b rotates, the gear 330a rotates in the opposite direction at the same rotation speed as the gear 330b. As the gear 330a rotates, the drum of the storage unit 320a fixed to the same rotating shaft 321a also rotates. That is, by receiving the driving force from the driving unit 60b, the drum that pays out and winds the long plate 100a in the storage unit 320a and the drum that pays out and winds the long plate 100b in the storage unit 320b rotate in the opposite directions at the same rotation speed.

As shown by the arrows in FIG. 6(b), when the driving unit 60b rotates the drum of the storage unit 320b clockwise, the drum of the storage unit 320a rotates counterclockwise at the same rotational speed, and each of the long plates 100a, 100b is unwound from the storage units 320a, 320b. When the driving unit 60b rotates the drum of the storage unit 320b counterclockwise, the drum of the storage unit 320a rotates clockwise at the same rotational speed, and each of the long plates 100a, 100b is stored in the storage units 320a, 320b.

When the tape body 100 is unwound from the tape measure unit 300, the unwinding/storage control unit 50c controls the two drive units 60a, 60b so that the unwinding speed of the tape body 100 by the roller 310 and the unwinding speed of the long plates 100a, 100b by the storage unit 320 are the same. When the tape body 100 is stored in the tape measure unit 300, the unwinding/storage control unit 50c controls the two drive units 60a, 60b so that the storage speed of the tape body 100 by the roller 310 and the storage speed of the long plates 100a, 100b by the storage unit 320 are the same.

The tape measure unit 300 can reliably unwind and store the tape body 100 by forcibly rotating the rollers 310a, 310b and the drums of the storage units 320a, 320b in a synchronous manner. When using thick metal long plates 100a, 100b, the long plates 100a, 100b may not be wound around the drums properly using only the restoring force of a spiral spring as in the conventional tape measure mechanism. The tape measure unit 300 can reliably wind the long plates 100a, 100b around the drums and store them in the storage units 320a, 320b by forcibly rotating the drums. Note that the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the drive unit 60a for the rollers 310 and the drive unit 60b for the drums of the storage unit 320 are provided separately, and one drive unit 60 may rotate and drive both the rollers 310 and the gears 330 using a gear mechanism that transmits driving force to the rollers 310 and the gears 330.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of rollers 310a, 310b used for unwinding and storing the tape body 100. The rollers 310a, 310b include metallic inner circumferential parts 313a, 313b including the rotating shafts 311a, 311b, and non-metallic outer circumferential parts 314a, 314b fixed to the outer circumferential surfaces of the inner circumferential parts 313a, 313b. The outer circumferential parts 314a, 314b made of high friction material such as resin or rubber are fixed to the metallic inner circumferential parts 313a, 313b, which have high strength and durability. For example, by using rollers 310a, 310b with urethane outer circumferential parts 314a, 314b, slippage does not occur between the long plates 100a, 100b and the rollers 310a, 310b. By using the outer periphery 314a, 314b made of an elastic material, the roller 310, which is arranged facing the long plates 100a, 100b with its outer periphery pressed against them, can rotate while deforming its outer periphery to conform to the long plates 100a, 100b, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 7.

Here, an example of how a user uses the inspection device 1 will be described. First, the user attaches the tester 200 to the base 110 fixed to the tip of the tape body 100, i.e., the tip of the multiple long plates 100a, 100b, as described in FIG. 2. The user turns on the power of the aiming device 210, and projects the aiming mark 250 onto the ceiling surface on which the detector 2 is installed, as described in FIG. 3. The user moves the inspection device 1 on the floor surface so that the position of the central axis of the tester 200 indicated by the mark 250 projected onto the ceiling surface as shown in FIG. 1 is aligned with the center position of the detector 2, and then locks the wheels 20 to fix the position of the inspection device 1.

As described in FIG. 5, the user operates the dials 191 to 193 to level the table 90. For example, if the table 90 is not level, i.e., if the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 deviate from the vertical direction, this is detected by the tilt sensor 70 and the display unit 32 and/or the notification unit 33 notify the user by sound, light, information display, etc. Based on this notification, the user can turn the dials 191 to 193 to level the table. A level may be provided on the top surface of the main body 10 of the inspection device 1, and the user may turn the dials 191 to 193 while checking the level to level the table. The vertical detection unit 50a may display information indicating the tilt state of the table 90 on the display unit 32 based on the output value of the tilt sensor 70, and the user may level the table by referring to the display on the display unit 32.

After completing the leveling, the user checks again the positional relationship between the mark 250 projected onto the ceiling surface and the detector 2, and fine-tunes the position of the tester 200 as necessary. As explained in FIG. 5, the user can adjust the position of the tester 200 by turning the handles 181, 182. Although the wheels 20 are locked and the position of the main body 10 is fixed, the user can turn the handles 181, 182 to move the position of the tape measure 300 within the main body 10, thereby fine-tuning the position of the tester 200, i.e., the payout position of the tape body 100.

After completing the position adjustment, the user operates the operation unit 31 to raise the tester 200. As described in FIG. 6, the payout/storage control unit 50c controls the drive unit 60 in response to the operation performed on the operation unit 31, whereby the tape body 100 is paid out from the tape measure unit 300 and the tester 200 is raised.

When the user operates to raise the tester 200, the vertical detection unit 50a uses the inclination sensor 70 to determine whether the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 are vertical. If the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 deviate from the vertical direction, the vertical detection unit 50a notifies this via the notification unit 33. Even if the user forgets to perform the leveling work and the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 deviate from the vertical direction, the user will notice this when notified by the notification unit 33 and can perform the leveling work. By setting the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 to the vertical direction before raising the tester 200 to a high position, it is possible to prevent the tester 200 from rising diagonally upward and the tape body 100 from buckling.

Before the pay-out/storage control unit 50c operates the drive unit 60 in response to a user's operation, the vertical detection unit 50a may execute a determination process, and if it determines that the pay-out direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 deviate from the vertical direction, the pay-out/storage control unit 50c may not operate the drive unit 60. Until the vertical detection unit 50a determines that the pay-out direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 are vertical, the drive unit 60 is not driven even if the operation unit 31 is operated, and the tester 200 is not raised, thereby reliably preventing buckling of the tape body 100.

The user raises the tester 200 to inspect the detector 2. After completing the inspection, the user again operates the operation unit 31 to lower the tester 200 and complete the inspection work.

The inspection device 1 is capable of using an auxiliary tool to prevent buckling of the tape body 100. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining how to use the auxiliary tool 401. Figure 8(a) shows how to attach the auxiliary tool 401 to the inspection device 1, and Figure 8(b) shows the auxiliary tool 401 after attachment.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the auxiliary tool 401 is composed of two members 401a and 401b. A plurality of convex portions 404a are formed on one member 401a, and concave portions 404b of a shape corresponding to each convex portion 404a are formed on the other member 401b at positions corresponding to each convex portion 404a. The convex portions 404a and the concave portions 404b are formed on the mating surfaces when assembling the two members 401a and 401b. As long as the two members 401a and 401b can be positioned and assembled detachably, the shape, material, dimensions and number of the convex portions 404a and the concave portions 404b are not particularly limited. For example, a cylindrical pin may be the convex portion 404a, and a hole that fits with the pin may be the concave portion 404b. The convex portions 404a and the concave portions 404b may be slid vertically to realize a dovetail-shaped fitting mode. The convex portion 404a and the concave portion 404b may be arranged to realize a fitting manner such as a screw-type, snap-fit type, magnetic type, or ratchet type.

As shown by the arrows in FIG. 8(a), the tape body 100 is sandwiched between the two members 401a, 401b by inserting each of the convex portions 404a into the corresponding concave portions 404b, and the two members 401a, 401b are positioned and fixed together. The neck portion 10a of the main body 10 is inserted into the lower end portion 403 (403a, 403b) of the auxiliary tool 401, which has been integrated into a roughly cylindrical shape. This positions and fixes the auxiliary tool 401 relative to the main body 10, as shown in FIG. 8(b).

9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the auxiliary tool 401. As shown in FIG. 9(a), support surfaces 412 (412a, 412b) and 413 (413a, 413b) are formed on the upper end portions 402 (402a, 402b) of the two members 401a and 401b, respectively, to match the shape of the tape body 100. When the convex portion 404a of the member 401a is inserted into the concave portion 404b of the member 401b and integrated as shown in FIG. 9(b), the support surfaces 412a and 412b form inner surfaces extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) to match the cross-sectional curved shape of the long plates 100a and 100b. The support surfaces 412a and 412b extending in the vertical direction support the long plates 100a and 100b from both outer sides along the cross-sectional curved shape. The support surfaces 413 (413a, 413b) extending in the vertical direction form inner surfaces that restrict the movement of the long plates 100a, 100b in the width direction (Y-axis direction) from both outside.

The upper end 402 can support the long plates 100a, 100b curved in the width direction (Y-axis direction) inside an axial through hole with inner surfaces that function as support surfaces 412, 413. The upper end 402 can regulate the extension position of the long plates 100a, 100b in a horizontal plane with the inner surface. The upper end 402 can regulate the extension and storage directions of the long plates 100a, 100b in the vertical direction with the inner surface.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the tape body 100 is supported only by the upper end portion 402, but the auxiliary tool 401 may support the tape body 100 in the axial direction of the auxiliary tool 401 in substantially the entire area except for the lower end portion 403 into which the neck portion 10a is inserted, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9(b).

As shown in FIG. 9B, the upper end 402 of the auxiliary tool 401, which is formed by assembling and integrating two members 401a and 401b, has a stepped cylindrical shape. Specifically, the upper end 402 has a stepped shape in which the outer diameter is the same as the outer diameter of the neck 10a of the main body 10 in a portion from the upper end in the axial direction (Z-axis direction), and the outer diameter is enlarged in at least a portion of the lower portion. In other words, the upper portion of the upper end 402 has a stepped shape that reproduces the shape from the upper surface of the main body 10 to the neck 10a. This allows the upper end 402, which reproduces the neck 10a, to be inserted into the lower end 403 of another auxiliary tool 401 and connected. The other auxiliary tool 401 connected from above is stopped and fixed at the stepped portion formed on the upper end 402 of the lower auxiliary tool 401.

Figure 10 is a diagram for explaining how to connect the auxiliary devices 401 and 411. Although different reference numerals are used to simplify the explanation, the auxiliary devices 401 and 411 are the same item. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between them, they will be referred to as auxiliary device 401.

The auxiliary tool 401 attached to the neck part 10a of the main body 10 as shown in FIG. 8(b) is slid upward as shown in FIG. 10(a). The auxiliary tool 401 has a cylindrical shape through which the tape body 100 is inserted, so that the auxiliary tool 401 can be slid upward in an integrated state without being divided into two members 401a and 401b.

With the auxiliary tool 401 retracted upward, another auxiliary tool 411 is attached as shown in FIG. 10(a). The auxiliary tool 411 is fixed to the main body 10 by assembling two members 411a and 411b with the tape body 100 sandwiched therebetween, in the same manner as when assembling the auxiliary tool 401, and inserting the neck portion 10a into the lower end portion 403.

After the auxiliary tool 411 is fixed to the main body 10, the auxiliary tool 401, which has been retracted upward, is slid downward as shown in FIG. 10(b). The upper end 402 of the lower auxiliary tool 411 is inserted into the lower end 403 of the upper auxiliary tool 401, whereby the auxiliary tool 401 and the auxiliary tool 411 are connected and fixed.

Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the method of connecting the auxiliary devices 401 and 411. Figure 11(a) corresponds to Figure 8, and Figure 11(b) corresponds to Figure 10. Note that in Figure 11, the illustration of the protrusion 404 and the like is omitted, and the configuration necessary for explaining the connecting method is shown.

As shown in the left-hand diagram of FIG. 11(a), when the neck portion 10a of the main body portion 10 is inserted into the lower end portion 403 of the integrated auxiliary device 401, the auxiliary device 401 is fixed to the upper surface of the main body portion 10, as shown in the right-hand diagram of FIG. 11(a).

As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 11(b), the auxiliary tool 401 fixed to the main body 10 is once slid upward, and then another auxiliary tool 411 is fixed to the top surface of the main body 10 in the same manner as the auxiliary tool 401. As shown in the right diagram of FIG. 11(b), the auxiliary tool 401, which had been retracted upward, is slid downward, and the upper end 402 of the auxiliary tool 411, which has the same shape as the neck 10a, is inserted into the lower end 403 of the auxiliary tool 401, thereby connecting and fixing the auxiliary tool 401 and the auxiliary tool 411.

Figure 11 is a view from the X-axis direction, so the entire width of the tape body 100 is visible, but as explained in Figure 9, the tape body 100 is supported from both outside in the X-axis direction by at least the inner surfaces formed on the upper ends 402 of each auxiliary tool 401, 411. For example, the tape body 100 is supported by the inner surfaces formed in the area from the upper end of each auxiliary tool 401, 411 to the lower end of the outer diameter enlarged area that forms a stepped shape. The inner surfaces of the auxiliary tools 401, 411 also restrict movement of the tape body 100 in the Y-axis direction, so that the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 are vertical.

The upper end 402 of each auxiliary tool 401, 411 supports the tape body 100 in the same manner as the payout opening 301 of the tape measure unit 300 described in FIG. 6. By attaching the auxiliary tools 401, 411, the same effect as moving the payout opening 301 upward can be obtained. For example, attaching an auxiliary tool 401 with an axial length of 1 m creates the same situation as moving the main body 10 to a height of 1 m from the floor and paying out the tape body 100 at this position.

For example, if the tape body 100 can be unwound to a height of 5 m without buckling, then attaching a 1 m auxiliary tool 401 will allow the tape body 100 to be unwound to a height of 6 m. By connecting multiple auxiliary tools 401, the tape body 100 can be unwound to an even higher position.

[Embodiment 2]
4 and 5 in the first embodiment, an example in which the leveling of the table 90 and the movement of the tape measure unit 300 are performed manually have been described, but these may be performed automatically. In the first embodiment, an example in which the mark 250 projected onto the ceiling surface by the aiming device 210 is visually confirmed has been described, but the inspection device 1 may be provided with a camera that captures an image of the mark 250, and the mark 250 may be confirmed using the image captured by the camera.

In the second embodiment, an example of an inspection device 1 is described that is equipped with a camera and automatically performs leveling of the table 90 and position adjustment of the tape measure unit 300. Below, the same components as those in the inspection device 1 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the following description focuses on the differences from the inspection device 1 of the first embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the inspection device 1 according to the second embodiment. In addition to the configuration shown in Fig. 4, the inspection device 1 shown in Fig. 12 includes a camera 75, a communication unit 80, a horizontal mechanism drive unit 83, and a movement mechanism drive unit 85. In addition to the configuration shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 50 shown in Fig. 12 includes a camera control unit 50d, a horizontal control unit 50e, and a position control unit 50f.

The camera 75 captures the mark 250 projected onto the ceiling surface by the aiming device 210 and the surrounding area. The communication unit 80 is used for wireless or wired communication with the camera 75 and an external device. External devices include communication terminals such as smartphones and tablets equipped with touch-panel liquid crystal display devices.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the inspection device 1 according to the second embodiment. The inspection device 1 shown in Figure 13 differs from the configuration shown in Figure 5 in that it includes a camera 75, that it includes horizontal mechanism drive units 83 (83a-83c) instead of dials 191-193, and that it includes movement mechanism drive units 85 (85a, 85b) instead of handles 181, 182.

As shown in FIG. 13, the camera 75 is provided in the main body 220 of the tester 200, similar to the laser devices 210a and 210b that constitute the aiming device 210. The horizontal mechanism drivers 83a to 83c are provided corresponding to the height adjustment screws 91 to 93, and are actuators such as motors that rotate each of the height adjustment screws 91 to 93 forward and reverse. The movement mechanism drivers 85a and 85b are provided corresponding to the movement mechanisms 81 and 82, and are actuators such as motors that rotate the screw shafts of each movement mechanism.

The camera control unit 50d wirelessly communicates with the camera 75, which has a wireless communication function, via the communication unit 80 to acquire images captured by the camera 75. The camera control unit 50d can display the images captured by the camera 75 on the display unit 32.

The camera control unit 50d can wirelessly communicate with an external device via the communication unit 80 to display an image captured by the camera 75 on a display unit of the external device. For example, the camera control unit 50d can wirelessly communicate with a communication terminal such as a smartphone or tablet to display an image captured by the camera 75 on the screen of the communication terminal.

The user can check the positional relationship between the mark 250 captured by the camera 75 and the detector 2 on the display unit 32 or the display screen of an external device, and adjust the position of the main body 10 and the position of the payout opening 301, i.e., the payout position of the tape body 100.

The horizontal control unit 50e controls the horizontal mechanism drive unit 83 to level the table 90 based on the detection result of the inclination sensor 70. If the vertical detection unit 50a determines that the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 deviate from the vertical direction based on the detection result of the inclination sensor 70, the horizontal control unit 50e executes the leveling. The horizontal control unit 50e controls the horizontal mechanism drive units 83a to 83c to rotate each of the height adjustment screws 91 to 93 to perform the leveling. The horizontal control unit 50e calculates the direction and amount of rotation of each of the height adjustment screws 91 to 93 based on the output value of the inclination sensor 70, and controls the horizontal mechanism drive units 83a to 83c based on the calculation result, thereby automatically leveling the table 90, and thereby adjusting the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 to the vertical direction.

The position control unit 50f analyzes the image captured by the camera 75 to determine the positional relationship between the mark 250 and the detector 2, and controls the movement mechanism driving unit 85 based on the determination result. The position control unit 50f controls the movement mechanism driving unit 85 so that the center position of the tester 200 indicated by the mark 250, i.e., the payout position of the tape body 100, coincides with the center position of the detector 2.

Specifically, the position control unit 50f first rotates the screw shafts of the moving mechanisms 81 and 82 by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction using the moving mechanism driving units 85a and 85b to identify the moving direction and amount of movement of the mark 250 on the image captured by the camera 75. Based on the identified moving direction and amount of movement of the mark 250 and the direction and distance from the center position of the mark 250 on the captured image to the center position of the detector 2, the position control unit 50f calculates the rotation direction and amount of rotation of each screw shaft for moving the center position of the mark 250 to the center position of the detector 2. The position control unit 50f controls the moving mechanism driving units 85a and 85b based on the calculation result to move the tape measure unit 300, thereby automatically adjusting the position so that the center position of the mark 250 coincides with the center position of the detector 2. The position control unit 50f may automatically perform position adjustment by feedback control that controls the moving mechanism driving units 85a and 85b while checking the image captured by the camera 75.

For example, when a user aligns the approximate position of the inspection device 1 with the sensor 2, locks the wheels 20, and performs a specified operation with the operation unit 31, the horizontal control unit 50e automatically performs leveling of the table 90 as described above. After the table 90 becomes horizontal, that is, after the payout direction and storage direction of the tape body 100 become vertical, the position control unit 50f then automatically performs position adjustment of the tape measure unit 300 as described above.

After the table 90 has been automatically adjusted to a horizontal state, the notification control unit 50b notifies the completion of leveling through the notification unit 33. After the position of the tape measure unit 300 has been automatically adjusted by the position control unit 50f, the notification control unit 50b notifies the completion of position adjustment through the notification unit 33. The notification is performed by the notification unit 33 emitting a sound, emitting a light, or changing the light emission state. The completion of each process is notified to the user by emitting a different sound or emitting a different color light after completion of leveling and after completion of position adjustment.

For example, an illuminant such as an LED included in the notification unit 33 initially lights up in red, changes to yellow after leveling is complete, and changes to blue after position adjustment is complete. When the notification unit 33 turns blue, the user recognizes that adjustment of the inspection device 1 is complete and can begin inspection work. Note that instead of or in addition to notification by the notification unit 33, notification may be provided by displaying specific information on the display unit 32 or the display unit of a communication terminal connected for communication via the communication unit 80.

Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of automatic processing executed by the inspection device 1 according to the second embodiment. The inspection device 1 judges the horizontal state of the table 90 (step S1). If the table 90 is not in a horizontal state (step S1; No), the inspection device 1 automatically adjusts the horizontal state (step S2). When the table 90 is in a horizontal state (step S1; Yes), the inspection device 1 then judges whether or not the position of the tester 200, i.e., the payout position of the tape body 100, needs to be adjusted (step S3). The judgment is made by analyzing the captured image of the mark 250 and the detector 2 captured by the camera 75. If the position of the tester 200 needs to be adjusted (step S3; No), the inspection device 1 automatically adjusts the position (step S4). If there is no problem with the position of the tester 200 (step S3; Yes), the inspection device 1 ends the automatic processing.

Figure 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of use of the inspection device 1 according to embodiment 2. In the example shown in Figure 15, the main body 10 of the inspection device 1 has a case shape with wheels 20 and a handle 11 like a suitcase, and the case can store an operation terminal 600, which is a tablet-type communication terminal, and multiple auxiliary tools 401 inside.

As shown in FIG. 15(a), the user holds the handle 11 and pulls the main body 10 to move to the inspection location of the detector 2. When the user arrives at the inspection location, he or she removes the operation terminal 600 and the assistive device 401 from the main body 10, as shown in FIG. 15(b). An image 620 captured by the camera 75 is displayed on the screen 610 of the operation terminal 600. While checking the screen of the operation terminal 600, the user aligns the approximate position of the main body 10 with the detector 2, and then locks the wheels 20 to fix the position of the main body 10 on the floor.

When the user performs a specified operation on the operation terminal 600, as described above, the leveling of the table 90 is automatically performed inside the main body 10, and information 630 indicating that the leveling is complete is displayed on the screen 610. After that, the position adjustment of the tape measure unit 300 is automatically performed inside the main body 10, and information 630 indicating that the position adjustment is complete is displayed on the screen 610.

Once leveling and position adjustments have been completed, the user can operate buttons 640 on the screen 610 of the operation terminal 600 to raise and lower the tester 200. The user operates the raise button 640 to raise the tester 200 and inspect the detector 2. After completing the inspection, the user operates the lower button 640 to lower the tester 200 and complete the inspection work.

During the inspection, the user attaches the auxiliary tool 401 to the tape body 100 as necessary. As described in FIG. 6, the payout/storage control unit 50c can calculate the payout amount of the tape body 100 when the drive unit 60 pays out the tape body 100. When the payout amount of the tape body 100 reaches a predetermined threshold, the notification control unit 50b notifies the user by displaying information indicating this on the screen of the operation terminal 600. Upon receiving the notification, the user can suspend the lifting of the tester 200, attach the auxiliary tool 401, and then resume the lifting of the tester 200 to perform the inspection. For example, if there is a possibility that the tape body 100 will buckle when the payout amount reaches 5 m, the threshold can be set to 4 m to prompt the user to attach the auxiliary tool 401.

When the payout amount of the tape body 100 reaches a predetermined threshold, the notification control unit 50b may issue a warning to instruct the user to attach the auxiliary device 401 to ensure safety. At the time of the warning, even if the user is operating the ascent button 640, the payout/storage control unit 50c may stop the payout of the tape body 100 by the drive unit 60 and may not pay out the tape body 100 until the user performs a predetermined operation to cancel the warning. After receiving the warning, the user can resume inspection by putting on the auxiliary device 401 and canceling the warning.

Even after the auxiliary tool 401 is attached and the inspection is resumed, a notification or warning is issued to inform the user that additional auxiliary tool 401 needs to be attached, based on the amount of tape body 100 that has been unwound. For example, if there is a possibility that the tape body 100 will buckle when the amount of tape body 100 that has been unwound reaches 5 m, a notification or warning is issued when the amount of tape body 100 that has been unwound reaches 4 m, and after the user attaches 1 m of auxiliary tool 401, a notification or warning is issued again when the amount of tape body 100 that has been unwound reaches 5 m. Each time a notification or warning is received, the user can add an auxiliary tool 401, connect it to the auxiliary tool 401 that has already been attached, and resume the inspection.

[Embodiment 3]
The inspection device 1 may be an autonomous robot device that can move by itself to the installation location of the detector 2 and automatically performs the inspection. If the inspection can be performed automatically, even if multiple detectors 2 are installed in a building, each detector 2 can be easily inspected.

In the third embodiment, an example of an inspection device 1 that automatically performs inspections while moving autonomously will be described. Below, the same components as those in the inspection device 1 of the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the differences from the inspection device 1 of the second embodiment will be mainly described.

Figure 16 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an inspection device 1 according to embodiment 3. The inspection device 1 shown in Figure 16 includes a travel mechanism drive unit 87 in addition to the configuration shown in Figure 12. The control unit 50 shown in Figure 16 includes a travel mechanism control unit 50g in addition to the configuration shown in Figure 12.

The traveling mechanism drive unit 87 drives a traveling mechanism including a plurality of wheels 20 provided on the bottom surface of the main body 10, and rotates and drives at least one of the wheels 20 to move the inspection device 1 on its own. The traveling mechanism also includes a mechanism for changing the moving direction of the inspection device 1, and the traveling mechanism drive unit 87 can also change the moving direction of the inspection device 1. The traveling mechanism control unit 50g controls the traveling mechanism drive unit 87 to control the direction and amount of self-propelled movement of the inspection device 1.

Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of automatic processing executed by the inspection device 1 according to the third embodiment. For example, when coordinate information indicating the installation positions of each of the multiple detectors 2 is registered in the memory unit 40, the inspection device 1 moves autonomously to the installation locations of the detectors 2 based on the coordinate information (step S11). The travel mechanism control unit 50g controls the travel mechanism drive unit 87 based on the coordinate information, causing the inspection device 1 to move autonomously.

When the inspection device 1 arrives at the installation location of the detector 2, it automatically performs steps S12 to S15 to level the table 90 and adjust the position of the tape measure unit 300. These processes are performed in the same manner as steps S1 to S4 described in FIG. 14.

After leveling the table 90 and adjusting the position of the tape measure unit 300, the inspection device 1 raises the tester 200 to inspect the detector 2 (step S16). The extension and storage control unit 50c controls the drive unit 60 to raise the tester 200, thereby carrying out the inspection.

For example, the aiming device 210 may be provided with a laser device for measuring the distance to the ceiling surface in addition to the laser device for the mark 250, and the distance from the top surface of the tester 200 to the ceiling surface may be measured, and the pay-out/storage control unit 50c may pay out the tape body 100 based on the measurement result, raise the tester 200, and perform the inspection. A pressure sensor capable of wireless communication via the communication unit 80 may be provided on the top surface of the tester 200, and the pay-out/storage control unit 50c may detect that the tester 200 has come into contact with the ceiling surface based on the output value of the pressure sensor, stop the lifting of the tester 200, and perform the inspection. Information regarding the installation height of each detector 2 may be registered in the memory unit 40, and the pay-out/storage control unit 50c may pay out the tape body 100 based on the registered installation height.

When inspection of the tester 200 is completed, the payout storage control unit 50c controls the drive unit 60 to lower the tester 200. If there are still detectors 2 to be inspected (step S17; No), the travel mechanism control unit 50g controls the travel mechanism drive unit 87 based on the coordinate information of the next detector 2 registered in the memory unit 40, and the inspection device 1 moves autonomously to the installation location of the next detector 2 (step S18). In this way, by repeating the processes of steps S12 to S18, the inspection device 1 inspects multiple detectors 2 in sequence while moving autonomously.

When inspection of all sensors 2 whose installation locations are registered in the memory unit 40 is completed (step S17; Yes), the inspection device 1 ends the process. For example, the inspection device 1 returns to the standby location before the start of the inspection and waits until the next inspection.

[Modification]
2, an example has been described in which the targeting device 210 is provided on the main body 220 of the tester 200 rotatably supported on the support 230, and the tester 200 is attached to and detached from the base 110 using the detachable part 240 on the bottom surface of the support 230, thereby changing the type of the tester 200. The method of changing the tester 200 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the type of the tester 200 may be changed by fixing the support 230, which rotatably supports the frame 260 provided with the targeting device 210, to the base 110, and attaching and detaching the tester 200 (200a, 200b) to and from the frame 260.

In FIG. 6, an example is described in which the drum is rotated in both storage sections 320a, 320b, while only one of the rollers 310a, 310b, roller 310b, is rotated, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which both rollers 310a, 310b are rotated.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19, a pair of gears 315 (315a, 315b) may be provided on the rotation shafts 311a, 311b of rollers 310a, 310b, and both rollers 310a, 310b may be rotated by the drive unit 60a. When the rotation shaft 311b of gear 315b is rotated by the drive unit 60a, roller 310b and gear 315b fixed on the shaft rotate. As gear 315b rotates, gear 315a rotates in the opposite direction at the same rotation speed as gear 315b, and roller 310a fixed to the rotation shaft 311a of gear 315a rotates. That is, rollers 310a and 310b rotate in the opposite directions at the same rotation speed by receiving the driving force from the drive unit 60a.

The payout/storage control unit 50c controls the drive units 60a and 60b so that the feed speed of the long plates 100a and 100b by the roller 310 is the same as the feed speed of the long plates 100a and 100b by the drum of the storage unit 320, and drives the roller 310 and the drum of the storage unit 320 to rotate, so that the tape body 100 can be paid out and stored more reliably.

In addition, since both rollers 310a, 310b are driven to rotate, roller 310a may continue to rotate even after base 110 comes into contact with pay-out opening 301 when storing tape body 100, and the contact of base 110 with pay-out opening 301 may not be detected by stopping rotation of roller 310a. In this case, for example, a sensor (not shown) may be provided to detect the load on drive units 60a, 60b when rollers 310a, 310b are driven to rotate, and the sensor may detect that base 110 has come into contact with pay-out opening 301 based on the load on drive units 60a, 60b increasing to an overload state, and then storage of tape body 100 by drive units 60a, 60b may be stopped. For example, a rotation sensor provided on the rotating shaft 311a may be used to detect the amount of tape 100 that has been paid out and the amount that has been taken up, and storage of the tape 100 by the drive units 60a and 60b may be stopped when the amount of tape 100 that has been taken up matches the amount that has been paid out.

Although an example has been described in which the drum of the storage section 320 is driven to rotate to store the long plates 100a, 100b, this does not exclude the use of a tape measure mechanism that uses an elastic member such as a spiral spring to store the long plates 100a, 100b as in the past. As in the past, if the tape body 100 can be stored by the restoring force of the long plates 100a, 100b in the winding direction that the elastic member exerts on the drum, the drum may not be driven by the driving section 60b, and a conventional drum may be used. A drum that uses an elastic member such as a spiral spring may be driven to rotate by the driving section 60b as described above while utilizing the restoring force of the elastic member.

In Figs. 8 to 11, an example is described in which two members 401a and 401b having a roughly semi-cylindrical shape are assembled and integrated to form the assisting device 401, but the configuration of the assisting device 401 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 20, the assisting device may be realized by using a pipe 510 and a connector 501 (501a, 501b).

As shown in FIG. 20(a), the two members 501a and 501b constituting the connector 501 include shafts 502a and 502b that can be inserted into the pipe 510 at both ends in the vertical direction. As with the auxiliary tool 401, as shown in FIG. 20(b), the members 501a and 501b are formed with convex portions 504a and concave portions 504b that are used for positioning and fixing.

As shown in FIG. 20(b), the upper and lower shafts 502a, 502b of the two members 501a, 501b are inserted into the pipe 510, and the convex portion 504a is inserted into the concave portion 504b to integrate them, thereby realizing an auxiliary device that supports the tape body 100. By using the cylindrical pipe 510, as shown in FIG. 20(c), the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 510 can be made to contact the approximate center in the width direction of the long plates 100a, 100b that are curved in the width direction (Y-axis direction), thereby supporting the long plates 100a, 100b.

For example, by selecting the outer diameter of a resin pipe 510 to match the curved shape of the long plates 100a, 100b and preparing a connector 501 having a shaft 502 that matches the inner diameter of the pipe 510, an auxiliary device can be realized inexpensively and easily. Multiple pipes 510 can also be connected in the vertical direction via the connector 501 for use.

For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the neck 10a of the main body 10 can be shaped to include a cylindrical shaft 302 (302a, 302b) that is matched to the inner diameter of the pipe 510, and the shaft 302 can be inserted into the pipe 510 to be used as an auxiliary tool.

As shown in FIG. 21(a), the lower side of the shaft 502 of the connector 501, which is assembled and integrated by sandwiching the tape body 100, is inserted from the upper end of the pipe 510. As shown in FIG. 21(b), the upper side of the shaft 502 of the connector 501 is inserted into another pipe 510, and multiple pipes 510 are connected and fixed together, allowing the auxiliary tool to be easily extended upward.

In Figs. 8 to 11, an example of the assisting tool 401 in which two members 401a, 401b are assembled and integrated has been described, but the two members 401a, 401b may be rotatably connected by a hinge-type connecting member 450 as shown in Fig. 22(a). Similarly, the connecting tool 501 constituting the assisting tool shown in Figs. 20 and 21 may be rotatably connected by a hinge-type connecting member 550 as shown in Fig. 22(b). Using the connecting members 450, 550 makes it easy to attach and detach the assisting tool.

6 and other figures show an example in which the tape body 100 is made up of two long plates 100a, 100b, but the tape body 100 may be made up of three or more long plates. For example, as shown in FIG. 23(a), both widthwise ends of three curved long plates 100a to 100c may be brought into contact with the widthwise ends of adjacent long plates to be used as the tape body 100.

Three rollers 340 for extending and storing are arranged corresponding to each long plate 100a to 100c. Three rollers 350 are arranged facing each roller 350 with the long plate 100a to 100c in between. A pair of rollers 340, 350 are arranged facing each other with their respective rotation axes 341, 351 parallel on the same horizontal plane. By rotating each roller 340, it is possible to extend and store the long plate 100a to 100c against which the outer circumferential surface of the roller is pressed. By pressing the outer circumferential surface of the roller 340 against the long plate 100a to 100c and receiving it with the opposing roller 350, it is possible to extend and store the long plate 100a to 100c while rotating the roller 350 when the roller 340 is rotated.

The rollers 340, 350 may be configured to include a rubber or resin outer periphery like the roller 310 described in FIG. 7, and may rotate while deforming the outer periphery pressed against the long plates 100a-100c into a shape that conforms to the long plates 100a-100c. However, the rollers 340, 350 are not limited to having a rectangular outer shape as viewed from the top-bottom direction (Z-axis direction). For example, as shown in FIG. 23(b), the outer shape of the roller 340 may be a barrel shape that matches the curved cross-sectional shape of the long plates 100a-100c. The outer shape of the roller 350 may be a hand drum shape that matches the curved cross-sectional shape of the long plates 100a-100c.

When using a tape body 100 consisting of three long plates 100a to 100c as shown in Figure 23, an auxiliary tool as shown in Figure 24 may be used. The shape of the inner surface of the upper end 402 supporting the tape body 100 is shaped to fit one long plate 100a at one upper end 402a, and to fit two long plates 100b, 100c at the other upper end 402b, as shown in Figure 24(a). This allows the long plates 100a to 100c to be supported from the outside in a manner that follows the curved shapes of each plate when the convex portion 404a is inserted into the concave portion 404b and integrated, as shown in Figure 24(b). The through hole of the payout port 301 described in FIG. 6(a) may also be shaped like the triangle shown in FIG. 24(b) with each side curved inward, so that the inner surface 301a of the payout port 301 supports each of the three long plates 100a to 100c from the outside along the curved shape.

In this specification, multiple embodiments of the inspection device 1 have been described, but the contents described in each embodiment are not excluded from being realized in other embodiments. For example, the notification, warning, removal work, etc. regarding the auxiliary tool 401 described in each embodiment may be performed by the inspection device 1 of other embodiments. The use of the camera 75 described in embodiment 2 may be performed by the inspection device 1 of embodiment 1. The inspection device 1 of embodiment 1 may include the horizontal mechanism drive unit 83 and the moving mechanism drive unit 85 described in embodiment 2, and while the user presses the button of the operation unit 31, the horizontal mechanism drive unit 83 and the moving mechanism drive unit 85 operate to perform leveling and position adjustment. The manual operation described in embodiment 1 and the display and notification of information related thereto may be performed by the inspection device 1 of embodiment 2 and embodiment 3. The inspection device 1 according to the present invention is not limited to the description of each embodiment, and may be implemented by adding various improvements, changes, and modifications within the scope of knowledge possessed by a person skilled in the art, as long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention.

As described above, the fire detector inspection device disclosed herein is useful for easily inspecting fire detectors.

1 Fire detector inspection device 2 Fire detector 10 Main body 20 Wheels 31 Operation unit 32 Display unit 33 Notification unit 40 Memory unit 50 Control unit 60 Drive unit 70 Tilt sensor 75 Camera 80 Communication unit 81, 82 Movement mechanism 83 Horizontal mechanism drive unit 85 Movement mechanism drive unit 87 Travel mechanism drive unit 90 Table 100 Tape body 100a to 100c Long plate 110 Base unit 181, 182 Handle 191 to 193 Dial 200 Tester 210 Aiming device 300 Tape measure unit 301 Payout port 401, 411 Auxiliary tool 501 Connection tool

Claims (15)

A fire detector inspection device for inspecting a fire detector installed on a ceiling surface,
a plurality of storage units for winding up the long plate like a tape measure and storing it in the device;
a tape body including a plurality of long plates fed upward from each storage section;
a base portion fixed to an upper end portion of the tape body and on which a tester used for inspecting the fire detector is detachably mounted;
A fire detector inspection device characterized by comprising a drive unit that reeles out the tape body outside the device to move the base portion upward, and rewinds the tape body into the device to move the base portion downward. 2. The fire detector inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising an aiming device for projecting a mark indicating a position corresponding to the tester onto a ceiling surface on which the fire detector is installed. The fire detector inspection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the aiming device includes a plurality of illumination devices arranged so that a linear mark obtained by illuminating a ceiling surface with light passes through a position corresponding to the tester. a camera for capturing an image of the ceiling surface on which the mark is projected;
The fire detector inspection device according to claim 2 , further comprising a display unit that displays an image captured by the camera. a camera for capturing an image of the ceiling surface on which the mark is projected;
A communication unit that communicates with an external device,
3. The fire detector inspection device according to claim 2, wherein the image captured by the camera is displayed on a display unit of the external device via the communication unit. a sensor that detects deviation of the payout direction of the tape body from a vertical direction;
2. The fire detector inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm unit that notifies a result of comparison between the detection result of the sensor and a predetermined threshold value. A horizontal mechanism for changing the inclination of the plurality of storage sections with respect to a horizontal plane is further provided,
2. The fire detector inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal mechanism adjusts the payout direction of the tape body in a vertical direction. The horizontal mechanism includes:
a table to which the plurality of storage units are fixed;
8. The fire detector inspection device according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of height adjustment members provided at a plurality of locations on the table at intervals to change the height of the table at each location. A sensor that detects an inclination of the plurality of storage units with respect to a horizontal plane;
a horizontal mechanism drive unit that drives the horizontal mechanism,
8. The fire detector inspection device according to claim 7, wherein the horizontal mechanism drive unit is controlled based on the detection result of the sensor, and the payout direction of the tape body is adjusted to a vertical direction. A first moving mechanism that moves the plurality of storage units in a first direction;
The fire detector inspection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a second moving mechanism that moves the plurality of storage sections in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first moving mechanism includes a first screw shaft having an axial direction in the first direction and a first moving table that moves in the first direction in accordance with rotation of the first screw shaft,
The second moving mechanism includes a second screw shaft having an axial direction in the second direction and a second moving table that moves in the second direction in accordance with rotation of the second screw shaft,
The fire detector inspection device according to claim 10, wherein the second moving mechanism is fixed to the first moving table, and the plurality of storage sections are fixed to the second moving table. A targeting device that projects a mark indicating a position corresponding to the tester onto a ceiling surface on which the fire detector is installed;
a camera for capturing an image of the mark and the fire detector;
a movement mechanism drive unit that drives the first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism,
The fire detector inspection device described in claim 10, characterized in that the positions of the multiple storage sections are adjusted by controlling the moving mechanism drive unit based on the image captured by the camera so that the position corresponding to the tester indicated by the mark overlaps with the position of the fire detector. a main body having the plurality of storage units housed therein;
and an auxiliary tool that is detachably attached to the main body with the tape body sandwiched therebetween below the platform that has moved upward after unwinding the tape body from the main body,
2. The fire detector inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary tool attached to the main body portion includes a support surface that supports the tape body at a position spaced above an upper surface of the main body portion. The fire detector inspection device according to claim 13, characterized in that the auxiliary tool is capable of moving in the vertical direction while holding the tape body therebetween, and has a shape that allows multiple auxiliary tools to be connected in the vertical direction. A traveling mechanism that enables the vehicle to travel by wheels and change its direction of travel;
A traveling mechanism drive unit that drives the traveling mechanism,
2. The fire detector inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a robot device that controls the traveling mechanism drive unit to perform the inspection of the fire detector while moving autonomously.

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