Electric energy meter replacement connecting device and electric energy meter replacement system

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of power metering, and provides an electric energy meter replacement connecting device and an electric energy meter replacement system, which comprise a meter end quick connecting device, a connecting wire harness and a terminal box end connecting device; the meter end quick connecting device is provided with a let-in structure and a meter end elastic contact; the terminal box end connecting device comprises a second shell, a current elastic contact, a voltage elastic contact, a bent conductive member and a current loop switching module; the current elastic contact is connected with the meter end quick connecting device through the current loop switching module, so as to select a corresponding current loop according to a target terminal layout; the voltage elastic contact is in elastic abutment with a voltage terminal of a metering joint terminal box through the bent conductive member, and the bent conductive member avoids an operation let-in area on the second shell. The present application realizes flexible adaptation to different terminal box terminal layouts and tool-free safe connection of a full link in a non-power-off meter replacement operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of power supply metering technology, specifically to a power meter replacement connection device and a power meter replacement system. Background Technology

[0002] In power operation and maintenance, replacing electricity meters is a crucial step in ensuring accurate metering and safe electricity use. With the development of smart grids, uninterrupted meter replacement without power loss has become a mainstream requirement. Existing uninterrupted meter replacement technologies typically rely on dedicated connection devices or junction boxes to achieve parallel switching between old and new electricity meters. However, in practical applications, the following significant drawbacks have been found in the existing technology: First, the physical layout of current terminals varies between different regions and batches of metering junction boxes. For example, the arrangement order or spacing of the three-phase current input and output terminals are not the same. Existing connection devices mostly adopt fixed plug-in or crimp structures, which cannot flexibly adapt to the randomness of this terminal layout. This often leads to interface mismatch or the need for temporary rewiring during on-site operations, seriously affecting work efficiency. Second, although some devices have achieved quick plug-in and plug-out at the meter end, the traditional screw crimping method is still retained at the junction box end. Operators still need to use tools to repeatedly tighten and loosen the screws while the power is on. This not only increases the risk of electric shock but also easily leads to increased contact resistance or short circuit accidents due to improper operation. In addition, the existing devices often do not fully consider the spatial avoidance relationship with the original operating mechanism (such as shorting piece) of the junction box when connecting the voltage circuit. This makes it impossible to perform the necessary safety isolation operation simultaneously during meter replacement, limiting the versatility and practicality of the device. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a power meter replacement connection device and system that can flexibly adapt to various junction box terminal layouts and achieve tool-free flexible connection throughout the entire link. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the issues of poor adaptability of field terminal layout and low safety of live operation in existing technologies, this application achieves flexible adaptation to metering junction boxes of different specifications and tool-free, safe, and quick connection throughout the entire chain through an energy meter replacement connection device and an energy meter replacement system.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides an energy meter replacement connection device, including: a meter terminal quick-connect device, a connecting wire harness, and a junction box terminal connection device;

[0005] The quick-connect device is configured to cooperate with the tail terminal block of the energy meter. The quick-connect device has a clearance structure for operating the first terminal of the tail terminal block, and a meter end elastic contact for elastically abutting against the second terminal of the tail terminal block.

[0006] The junction box connection device includes a second housing, a current elastic contact, a voltage elastic contact, a bent conductive component, and a current loop switching module.

[0007] The input end of the current elastic contact is connected to the current loop switching module, and the output end of the current loop switching module is connected to the meter terminal quick-connect device through the connecting wire harness. The current loop switching module is configured to select and connect the corresponding current loop according to the layout of the target terminal block.

[0008] The voltage elastic contact is elastically abutted against the voltage terminal of the metering junction box by bending the conductive part. The housing is provided with an operation clearance area, and the bending direction of the bent conductive part avoids the operation clearance area.

[0009] In one embodiment, the current loop switching module includes a multiplexer switch, and the current elastic contacts are divided into multiple groups, with each group of current elastic contacts corresponding to multiple terminals of a phase current.

[0010] The top of each set of current elastic contacts is connected to the input terminal of the multiplexer switch. The output terminal of the multiplexer switch is connected to the meter terminal quick-connect device through a connecting wire harness. The multiplexer switch is configured to selectively connect some of the terminals among multiple terminals.

[0011] In one embodiment, the multiple sets of current-elastic contacts include a first set, a second set, and a third set; the multiplexer is a three-position switch, having a first position, a second position, and a third position.

[0012] When the multiplexer is in the first position, the connection corresponding to the first group is interrupted, and the connections corresponding to the second and third groups are connected.

[0013] When the multiplexer is in the second position, the connection corresponding to the second group is interrupted, and the connections corresponding to the first and third groups are connected.

[0014] When the multiplexer is in the third position, the connection corresponding to the third group is interrupted, and the connection corresponding to the first and second groups is connected.

[0015] In one embodiment, the operation clearance area includes an operation hole opened in the middle part of the housing, and a protruding structure is provided on the lower part of the housing, and a voltage elastic contact is installed in the protruding structure;

[0016] The bent conductive part is an L-shaped connecting piece. One end of the L-shaped connecting piece is fixed to the bottom end of the voltage elastic contact, and the other end of the L-shaped connecting piece is bent inward to avoid the operating hole and elastically abuts against the voltage terminal of the metering junction box.

[0017] In one embodiment, the voltage terminals of the metering junction box include phase A voltage terminals, phase B voltage terminals, phase C voltage terminals, and a grounding terminal N.

[0018] There are four operating holes, which are respectively aligned with the A-phase voltage, B-phase voltage, C-phase voltage and the shorting piece of the grounding terminal N of the metering junction box;

[0019] There are four voltage elastic contacts and four L-shaped connecting pieces. The four L-shaped connecting pieces elastically abut against the terminals of phase A voltage, phase B voltage, phase C voltage, and grounding terminal N, respectively.

[0020] In one embodiment, the clearance structure includes a plurality of operating holes formed on the first housing of the quick-connect device at the end of the meter, the operating holes corresponding one-to-one with the first terminals of the tail terminal block for operating the fasteners of the first terminals.

[0021] The end resilient contact includes multiple spring pin assemblies, the bottom pins of which are used to resiliently abut against the second terminals of the tail terminal block.

[0022] In one embodiment, the bottom pins of a plurality of spring pin assemblies extend out of the first housing of the quick-connect device, and the top of each spring pin assembly is connected to a wiring buckle, which is connected to a connecting harness via a wire.

[0023] In one embodiment, one end of the connecting harness is connected to the meter terminal quick-connect device via a wire, and the other end of the connecting harness is connected to the output terminal of the current loop switching module;

[0024] The top ends of the voltage elastic contact are connected to the meter terminal quick-connect device via connecting wire harnesses to form a parallel voltage and current transmission channel.

[0025] In one embodiment, the energy meter is a three-phase four-wire energy meter or a three-phase three-wire energy meter;

[0026] The metering junction box is one of the following: a three-phase four-wire metering junction box with one input and three outputs, a three-phase four-wire metering junction box with one input and one output, or a three-phase three-wire metering junction box with one input and one output.

[0027] In addition, the present invention also provides an energy meter replacement system, including: an energy meter, a metering junction box, and an energy meter replacement connection device as described above;

[0028] The quick-connect device at the meter end connects to the terminal block at the tail of the energy meter, and the junction box end connection device connects to the metering junction box.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are:

[0030] First, a reconfigurable current conduction topology is established by setting up a current loop switching module (such as a multiplexer) and grouped flexible current contacts. This structure utilizes the switch's position switching logic to physically select or disconnect specific current input paths, thereby actively adapting to different arrangements of three-phase current terminals in the metering junction box (such as changes in the position of the incoming line) without replacing hardware. This "adapting to change" mechanism effectively overcomes the dependence of traditional fixed connection devices on specific terminal layouts, significantly improves the compatibility of a single device with different field environments, and reduces the types of spare parts and management costs.

[0031] Secondly, by employing a design that integrates bent conductive components (such as L-shaped connecting pieces) with the space of the operating clearance area, the structural conflict between voltage access and safe operation is resolved. The specific geometry of the bent conductive components allows for stable contact between the voltage elastic contact and the junction box terminals within a limited housing space, while precisely avoiding areas with operating holes such as operating shorting tabs. This design ensures that maintenance personnel can still perform the original safety isolation or verification operations without hindrance when the connection device is mounted, maintaining the integrity of the original safety functions of the metering junction box and avoiding the risk of sacrificing safety redundancy due to the addition of auxiliary devices.

[0032] Third, the quick-connect device at the meter end, through its clearance structure and the synergy of the elastic contact components, enables tool-free connection to the electricity meter side. The operating hole provides a direct channel for fastening tools, while the spring-loaded pin assembly automatically compensates for installation tolerances and forms a low-impedance electrical connection through preset elastic force. This split-type interactive mode of "mechanical positioning + elastic conduction" completely replaces the traditional crimping method of tightening screws while the meter is powered. It not only eliminates the risk of contact heating caused by uneven torque due to human intervention, but also physically isolates the operator's hands from live metal parts, fundamentally reducing the risk of electric shock and short circuits, while significantly shortening the operation time for replacing a single meter. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the electricity meter replacement connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a front three-dimensional view of the quick-connect device for the end of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a top view of the quick-connect device at the end of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 This is a top view of the quick-connect device at the end of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention after the top cover plate has been removed;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the quick-connect device at the end of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 This is a front view of the quick-connect device at the end of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention after the top cover plate has been removed;

[0040] Figure 7 This is a front three-dimensional view of the quick-connect device at the end of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention after the top cover plate has been removed;

[0041] Figure 8 This is a bottom-view three-dimensional view of the quick-connect device of the end of the present invention after the top cover plate has been removed;

[0042] Figure 9 This is a front three-dimensional view of the junction box end connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 10 This is a top view of the junction box end connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional view of the back of the junction box end connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 12 This is a three-dimensional view of the internal structure of the junction box end connection device of this invention after the housing has been removed;

[0046] Figure 13 This is a top view of the internal structure of the junction box end connection device of this invention after the housing has been removed;

[0047] Figure 14 This is a structural diagram of the metering junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 15 This is a physical image of a three-phase four-wire energy meter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 16 This is a physical image of the junction box at the tail of the three-phase four-wire energy meter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 17 These are physical images of three metering junction boxes according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the adjustment method of the multi-channel selection switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 10-Quick-connect device for meter terminals; 101-First housing; 102-Spring pin assembly; 103-Operating hole; 20-Connecting harness; 30-Junction box terminal connection device; 301-Second housing; 302-Multiple-way selector switch; 303-Operating hole; 304-Protruding structure; 305-Voltage elastic contact; 306-Current elastic contact; 307-L-shaped connecting piece; 40-Metering junction box. Detailed Implementation

[0053] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are also within the scope of protection of this application.

[0054] Example 1

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides an electricity meter replacement connection device, which constitutes the core hardware foundation for uninterrupted meter replacement operations. The electricity meter replacement connection device includes: a meter-end quick-connect device 10, a connecting harness 20, and a junction box-end connection device 30. These three components together construct a temporary parallel transmission channel from the newly installed electricity meter to the on-site metering junction box 40. The meter-end quick-connect device 10 is responsible for rapid interaction with the new meter's tail, the junction box-end connection device 30 is responsible for adaptive docking with existing on-site facilities, and the connecting harness 20 acts as a flexible bridge to achieve electrical interconnection between the two. It should be understood that, although... Figure 1 A specific spatial layout is shown, but in other embodiments, the relative positions of the components can be adjusted according to the actual installation environment, as long as the above topological connection relationship is maintained.

[0056] The quick-connect device 10 is configured to cooperate with the tail terminal block of the energy meter. The quick-connect device 10 has a clearance structure for operating the first terminal of the tail terminal block, and a flexible contact for elastically contacting the second terminal of the tail terminal block. The clearance structure is designed to provide an unobstructed physical path for external operating tools or fasteners, allowing for necessary mechanical fixing or adjustment of the terminals even when the device is mounted. The flexible contact independently undertakes the electrical conduction task, automatically compensating for installation tolerances through preset elastic potential energy to ensure a continuous and stable low-impedance connection. This separate design of the "mechanical operating path" and the "electrical contact point" effectively solves the contact problems caused by operational interference in traditional integrated structures, achieving true tool-free electrical connection and mechanized installation in parallel.

[0057] The junction box connection device 30 includes a second housing 301, a current elastic contact 306, a voltage elastic contact 305, a bending conductive element, and a current loop switching module. These components are integrated within the second housing 301, forming a highly modular interface adapter unit. The input end of the current elastic contact 306 is connected to the current loop switching module, and the output end of the current loop switching module is connected to the meter terminal quick-connect device 10 via the connecting harness 20. The current loop switching module is configured to select and connect the corresponding current loop based on the layout of the target terminals. In this embodiment, the current loop switching module is defined as a functional unit with path reconfiguration capabilities, rather than being limited to a specific mechanical switch form. Its core mechanism lies in its ability to identify or adapt to differences in the arrangement of current terminals in the metering junction box 40 (e.g., the physical order of the A / B / C phase current input and output terminals may differ between junction boxes from different manufacturers or batches), and to guide the correct current signal to the connecting harness 20 through dynamic switching of the internal conductive path.

[0058] The voltage elastic contact 305 elastically abuts against the voltage terminal of the metering junction box 40 via a bent conductive element. The second housing 301 has an operation clearance area, and the bending direction of the bent conductive element avoids this area. Specifically, the metering junction box 40 typically retains operating mechanisms (such as shorting tab sliding grooves) for safety isolation or verification. These areas must remain open for maintenance personnel to operate at any time, forming the so-called "operation clearance area." However, voltage take-up points are often adjacent to these operating areas, and using a straight conductive structure can easily cause spatial conflicts or accidental contact risks. In this embodiment, the bent conductive element, through a specific geometric bending shape, cleverly bypasses the projection range of the operation clearance area in three-dimensional space. This ensures that the voltage elastic contact 305 can accurately and stably abut against the target voltage terminal, while also ensuring that the functional integrity of the operation clearance area is not obstructed or interfered with.

[0059] Example 2

[0060] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment further details the specific implementation and control logic of the current loop switching module. In this embodiment, the current loop switching module includes a multiplexer switch 302, and current elastic contacts 306 are divided into multiple groups, each group of current elastic contacts 306 corresponding to multiple terminals of one phase current. Specifically, as... Figure 9 and Figure 12As shown, the multiplexer 302 is mounted on the upper end of the second housing 301 of the junction box connection device 30, serving as a highly visible and easy-to-operate hardware interface. The current-elastic contact 306 is physically divided into several independent groups, each group specifically responsible for acquiring the signal of a single phase current (such as phase A, phase B, or phase C) in the metering junction box 40. Since metering junction boxes 40 from different manufacturers or batches often have multiple physical terminals (e.g., input terminal, output terminal, test terminal, or spare terminal) reserved for the same phase current, and only a portion of these terminals are typically used in actual operation, grouping the current-elastic contact 306 and cooperating with the multiplexer 302 enables hardware-level compatibility with differences in terminal layout. The top of each group of current-elastic contact 306 is connected to the input terminal of the multiplexer 302, and the output terminal of the multiplexer 302 is connected to the meter terminal quick-connect device 10 via the connecting harness 20. The multiplexer 302 is configured to selectively connect a portion of the multiple terminals. This connection establishes a complete electrical closed loop: the current signal flows from the terminals of the metering junction box 40 into the input terminal of the multiplexer 302 via the current elastic contact 306, and after being selected by the internal contacts of the switch, it flows out from the output terminal and is transmitted to the meter terminal quick-connect device 10 through the connecting harness 20.

[0061] To more accurately adapt to the common terminal arrangement patterns of three-phase four-wire metering junction boxes in the field, this embodiment specifies the position logic of the multiplexer switch 302. Multiple sets of current-elastic contacts 306 include a first set, a second set, and a third set; the multiplexer switch 302 is a three-position switch with a first position, a second position, and a third position. Here, "first set," "second set," and "third set" correspond to three different physical locations of the current-elastic contacts 306 in the same phase current loop. For example, for phase A current, the first set might correspond to the leftmost terminal, the second set to the middle terminal, and the third set to the rightmost terminal. A defined structure-state mapping relationship is established between the three position states of the multiplexer switch 302 and the on / off states of these three sets of contacts, as follows:

[0062] When the multiplexer 302 is in the first position, the connection corresponding to the first group is interrupted, while the connections corresponding to the second and third groups are connected. This state applies when the first column of terminals in the field junction box is unused or occupied for non-current functions. At this time, the internal mechanical contacts of the switch cut off the first group of input channels, while maintaining low-impedance conduction of the second and third groups of channels, ensuring that current flows into the new meter only through the effective last two columns of terminals.

[0063] When the multiplexer switch 302 is in the second position, the connection corresponding to the second group is interrupted, and the connections corresponding to the first and third groups are connected.

[0064] When the multiplexer switch 302 is in the third position, the connection corresponding to the third group is interrupted, while the connections corresponding to the first and second groups are connected. This state corresponds to a scenario where the third column of terminals is unavailable, and the device switches to using the first two columns of terminals for current transmission.

[0065] Combination Figure 18 The schematic diagram of the adjustment method shows that the three-position logic is not a simple operational step, but rather an inherent circuit topology attribute within the device. Through this preset "two-out-of-three" mutually exclusive logic, operators do not need complex electrical knowledge or to consult wiring diagrams; they only need to observe the actual terminal occupancy of the junction box on site to quickly match the correct current path by rotating or toggling the multiplexer 302. This design transforms the complex adaptation process, which originally relied on manual judgment and wiring modifications, into a standardized mechanical position selection action. This not only significantly reduces the risk of wiring errors but also allows the same device to seamlessly accommodate various specifications of metering junction boxes 40, greatly improving the equipment's versatility and on-site operational efficiency. It should be noted that although this embodiment uses a three-position switch and three sets of contacts as an example, if facing a special junction box with more terminal rows, the number of positions of the multiplexer 302 and the number of groups of the current elastic contacts 306 can be expanded accordingly, while the core principle of "group acquisition-selective conduction" remains unchanged.

[0066] Example 3

[0067] Based on Embodiments 1 and 2, this embodiment further describes in detail the clearance-type elastic abutment structure of the voltage circuit in the junction box terminal connection device 30. The operation clearance area includes an operation hole 303 opened in the middle of the second housing 301, and a protruding structure 304 is provided below the second housing 301. The voltage elastic contact 305 is installed within the protruding structure 304. Specifically, as... Figures 9 to 13As shown, the second housing 301 has multiple operating holes 303 spaced along its length in the middle section. These operating holes 303 are not ordinary heat dissipation or weight reduction holes, but functional windows specifically designed to accommodate the original safety operating mechanism of the metering junction box 40. During uninterrupted meter replacement or on-site calibration, maintenance personnel need to slide or toggle the terminal shorting pieces inside the metering junction box 40 through these operating holes 303 to achieve safe isolation or state switching of the voltage circuit. Therefore, the area of ​​the operating holes 303 constitutes a "no-entry zone" that must be kept physically open. No component of any connecting device may obstruct or extend into this area, otherwise it will directly undermine the safety redundancy design of the original equipment. At the same time, in order to achieve stable voltage signal acquisition without encroaching on the space of the operating holes 303, this embodiment provides a protruding structure 304 at the bottom of the second housing 301, and installs the voltage elastic contact 305 inside the protruding structure 304. This layout cleverly lowers or offsets the mounting reference plane of the electrical connection components from the main plane of the second housing 301, thereby avoiding the horizontal channel where the operating hole 303 is located in the vertical direction, providing the necessary space basis for subsequent bending and avoidance of conductive components.

[0068] The bent conductive component is an L-shaped connecting piece 307. One end of the L-shaped connecting piece 307 is fixed to the bottom end of the voltage elastic contact 305, and the other end of the L-shaped connecting piece 307 is bent inward to avoid the operating hole 303 and elastically abuts against the voltage terminal of the metering junction box 40. Specifically, since the voltage elastic contact 305 is placed in the protruding structure 304 that avoids the operating hole 303, the electrical lead-out point at its bottom end is not directly above the voltage terminal of the metering junction box 40, but has a certain horizontal offset.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the voltage terminals of the metering junction box 40 include phase A voltage terminals, phase B voltage terminals, phase C voltage terminals, and a grounding terminal (N). For this standard four-terminal layout, there are four operating holes 303, which are respectively aligned with the shorting tabs of the phase A, phase B, phase C, and grounding terminals (N) of the metering junction box 40. Correspondingly, there are four voltage elastic contacts 305 and four L-shaped connecting pieces 307, which elastically abut against the phase A, phase B, phase C, and grounding terminals (N). Figures 9 to 13As shown, the four independent voltage acquisition units are linearly arranged along the length of the second housing 301. Each unit includes an operating hole 303, a protruding structure 304, a voltage elastic contact 305, and an L-shaped connecting piece 307. This one-to-one modular design not only ensures that the voltage of each phase and the neutral line in the three-phase four-wire system can be acquired independently and reliably, but more importantly, it preserves an independent and non-interfering physical channel for the safe isolation operation of each phase. In actual operation, even when the connection device is in the power-on state, maintenance personnel can still freely slide the shorting piece of any phase through the four operating holes 303 without touching any live L-shaped connecting piece 307 or voltage elastic contact 305. This structural design fundamentally eliminates the risk of the original junction box's safety function failing due to the addition of auxiliary connection devices, achieving perfect compatibility between "seamless access" and "native safety". It should be noted that for metering junction boxes with only three voltage terminals, such as three-phase three-wire systems, the above structure can be adjusted to three sets of voltage acquisition units and three operating holes, while maintaining the core avoidance principle and connection logic. Through this avoidance-type flexible contact structure, this embodiment ensures low impedance and high reliability of the voltage circuit while fully preserving the original safe operating interface of the metering junction box. This effectively solves the industry problem of spatial interference between the connection device and the safety mechanism in existing technologies, significantly improving the safety and standardization of uninterrupted meter replacement operations.

[0070] Example 4

[0071] Based on Embodiments 1 to 3, this embodiment further describes in detail the tool-free flexible connection structure of the quick-connect device 10. The clearance structure includes a plurality of operating holes 103 formed on the first housing 101 of the quick-connect device 10. Each operating hole 103 corresponds one-to-one with a first terminal of the tail terminal block for operating the fasteners of the first terminals. Specifically, as... Figures 2 to 8 As shown, a row of operating holes 103 is horizontally arranged on the upper bottom edge of the first housing 101. The positions of these operating holes 103 are designed to ensure that when the quick-connect device 10 is attached to the tail of the energy meter, each operating hole 103 can be aligned with the upper row of screws (i.e., a specific manifestation of the first terminal) of the terminal block at the tail of the energy meter. This alignment relationship creates a tool operation channel through the first housing 101, allowing maintenance personnel to use screwdrivers or other fastening tools to directly tighten or loosen the upper row of screws through the operating holes 103 without disassembling or moving the quick-connect device 10 itself.

[0072] The end resilient contact includes multiple spring pin assemblies 102, the bottom pins of which are used to resiliently abut against the second terminals of the tail terminal block. Figures 4 to 8As can be seen, multiple spring-loaded pin assemblies 102 are horizontally arranged inside the first housing 101, with their bottom pins extending out of the bottom surface of the first housing 101 and forming a one-to-one elastic contact with the lower row of screws (i.e., a specific manifestation of the second terminal) of the terminal block at the tail of the energy meter. This "one-to-one elastic contact" refers not only to quantitative matching but also emphasizes precise positioning and adaptive mechanical compensation. Specifically, the compression spring inside the spring-loaded pin assembly 102 provides a preset axial elastic force. When the meter terminal quick-connect device 10 is installed in place, even if the energy meter terminal block has manufacturing tolerances, installation tilt, or uneven surface oxide layer thickness, the spring's extension and retraction stroke can automatically absorb these deviations, ensuring that the pin tip always maintains a constant positive pressure against the target terminal surface. This elastic compensation mechanism fundamentally eliminates the risk of overheating caused by poor contact in traditional rigid connections, while significantly reducing the stringent requirements for installation accuracy, allowing even non-professionals to quickly complete reliable electrical connections. It should be noted that although this embodiment uses a spring pin as the preferred implementation, in other embodiments, the elastic contact at the end can also be replaced by a cantilever spring, a conductive rubber block, an airbag contact, or other conductive structures with elastic reset capability. As long as adaptive elastic conduction with the second terminal can be achieved, they all fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0073] To further improve the electrical transmission path, the bottom pins of multiple spring pin assemblies 102 extend out of the first housing 101 of the quick-connect device 10. Each spring pin assembly 102 has a wiring buckle connected to its top, which is connected to the connecting harness 20 via a wire. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the connector is located inside the cavity of the first housing 101, serving as a transition interface between the spring pin assembly 102 and the external connecting harness 20. This built-in connector design has dual technical advantages: firstly, it encloses the electrical connection point inside the first housing 101, effectively preventing the risk of electric shock caused by exposed live parts, and also avoiding the corrosion of the contact point by dust and moisture; secondly, the connector is typically fixed to the wire using crimping or welding processes, which significantly improves its vibration resistance and long-term reliability compared to traditional screw crimping. The connecting harness 20 uses this connector to lead out the current or voltage signal collected by the spring pin assembly 102 and transmit it to the junction box end connection device 30.

[0074] Through the above structural design, this embodiment achieves a separate interactive mode of "mechanical positioning + elastic conduction" between the meter terminal quick-connect device 10 and the electricity meter terminal block. The operating hole 103 is dedicated to the mechanical fixing function, ensuring the stability and maintainability of the device mounting; the spring pin assembly 102 is dedicated to the electrical conduction function, automatically adapting to environmental changes through elastic potential energy, ensuring low impedance and high reliability of signal transmission. The two are physically independent yet functionally closely coordinated, completely changing the coupling mode of "tightening screws for both fixing and conduction" in traditional meter replacement operations. This decoupling design not only shortens the single meter replacement time from tens of minutes to several minutes, but more importantly, it physically isolates the operator's hands from live metal parts, fundamentally reducing the safety risks of uninterrupted power supply operations. In addition, since the elastic force parameters of the spring pin assembly 102 can be customized according to the material and specifications of the target terminal, the meter terminal quick-connect device 10 also has good cross-platform compatibility potential, and can be adapted to electricity meter terminal blocks of different manufacturers and models, further enhancing the versatility of the device.

[0075] Example 5

[0076] Based on the foregoing embodiments, this embodiment further provides an energy meter replacement system to demonstrate the complete application of the aforementioned energy meter replacement connection device in a real-world operation and maintenance environment. The energy meter replacement system includes: an energy meter, a metering junction box 40, and an energy meter replacement connection device as described in any of the foregoing embodiments. Specifically, as... Figure 1 As shown, in this system, the meter-end quick-connect device 10 is connected to the terminal block at the tail of the energy meter, and the junction box-end connection device 30 is connected to the metering junction box 40. This system-level architecture integrates the originally dispersed meter-end interface, junction box-end interface, and intermediate transmission link into a standardized temporary parallel bypass system. During actual assembly, the meter-end quick-connect device 10 achieves mechanical alignment with the tail of the energy meter through the positioning structure on its first housing 101, while the internal elastic contacts automatically complete electrical conduction; the junction box-end connection device 30 establishes a non-destructive connection with the terminal block of the metering junction box 40 through its elastic abutment component at the bottom. It should be understood that although... Figure 1 The specific spatial layout is shown, but in other application scenarios, the relative positions of each component can be adjusted according to the space of the cabinet or the wiring channel on site. As long as the electrical topology between the meter and the box remains unchanged, it is within the protection scope of this system.

[0077] One end of the connecting harness 20 is connected to the meter terminal quick-connect device 10 via a wire, and the other end of the connecting harness 20 is connected to the output terminal of the current loop switching module. The top end of the voltage elastic contact 305 is connected to the meter terminal quick-connect device 10 via the connecting harness 20 to form a parallel transmission channel for voltage and current. Here, "parallel transmission channel" has both structural and functional meanings. Structurally, it means that the voltage signal line and the current signal line are integrated and encapsulated within the same connecting harness 20, avoiding the wiring confusion and accidental contact risks caused by the tangling of multiple scattered wires in traditional operations. Functionally, it means that the voltage sampling circuit and the current sampling circuit are electrically independent but extend synchronously in physical paths, enabling the lossless transmission of electrical signals from the metering junction box 40 side to the newly installed energy meter simultaneously and along the same path. Specifically, the connecting harness 20 typically uses multi-core shielded cable or customized wire strips, where the voltage and current lines are isolated by an insulation layer and may be distinguished by color coding or foolproof plugs. This integrated design not only significantly reduces on-site wiring time, but also eliminates the uncertainty of contact resistance caused by manual crimping of wire heads through standardized wire harness interfaces, ensuring the continuity and accuracy of metering data during meter replacement.

[0078] To verify the broad applicability of this system, the energy meter can be a three-phase four-wire energy meter or a three-phase three-wire energy meter; the metering junction box 40 can be one of the following: a voltage one-input three-output three-phase four-wire metering junction box, a voltage one-input one-output three-phase four-wire metering junction box, or a voltage one-input one-output three-phase three-wire metering junction box. Combined with... Figures 14 to 17 The physical structures shown exhibit significant differences in terminal spacing, shorting tab positions, and input / output methods among different types of metering junction boxes 40. For example, voltage one-in-three-out junction boxes are typically used in multi-meter centralized metering scenarios, with a wider distribution of voltage terminals; while voltage one-in-one-out junction boxes are commonly found in dedicated transformer users, with a more compact structure. The system's compatibility with these various specifications is due to the adaptive mechanism constructed in the aforementioned embodiments: the multiplexer switch 302 in the junction box end connection device 30 solves the problem of random current terminal layout; the avoidance design of the L-shaped connecting piece 307 adapts to the space constraints of different shorting tab operating windows; and the elastic stroke of the spring pin assembly absorbs the height tolerances of different terminal block models.

[0079] In actual uninterrupted meter replacement operations, the technical effectiveness of this system has been fully demonstrated. The operator first snaps the junction box end connector 30 onto the surface of the metering junction box 40. At this point, the voltage and current elastic contacts 306 automatically engage to draw power, and the L-shaped connecting piece 307 avoids the shorting plate operating hole 303, ensuring that subsequent safety isolation operations are not affected. Then, based on the actual terminal occupancy of the junction box, the multi-way selector switch 302 is rotated to the corresponding position to complete the adaptive selection of the current loop. Next, the other end of the connecting harness 20 is connected to the meter end quick-connect device 10, and the meter end quick-connect device 10 is attached to the tail of the new meter. While the upper row of screws is tightened using the operating hole 103, the lower row of spring pins automatically completes the electrical connection. Finally, the old meter is removed and the new meter is installed. The entire process does not require tightening or loosening the junction box screws while the power is on, nor does it require the use of additional tools for wire crimping. This process transforms the traditionally complex live-line work, which takes tens of minutes, into a standardized sequence of "plug-unplug - knob - connection" actions. This not only reduces the time for replacing a single meter to minutes but also physically isolates personnel from direct contact with high-voltage live components, truly achieving the goals of rapid, safe, and tool-free maintenance. It should be noted that the above workflow is merely an illustrative example, intended to help understand the collaborative working principle of the system's components, and not to limit the scope of this invention. Without departing from the core technical concept of this invention, the specific sequence of operating steps or auxiliary methods can be appropriately adjusted according to on-site safety procedures.

[0080] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A replacement connection device for an electricity meter, characterized in that, include: The meter end quick-connect device (10), the connecting wire harness (20), and the junction box end connection device (30); The quick-connect device (10) is configured to cooperate with the tail terminal block of the energy meter. The quick-connect device (10) is provided with a clearance structure for operating the first terminal of the tail terminal block and a meter end elastic contact for elastically abutting against the second terminal of the tail terminal block. The junction box end connection device (30) includes a second housing (301), a current elastic contact (306), a voltage elastic contact (305), a bending conductive element, and a current loop switching module. The input end of the current elastic contact is connected to the current loop switching module, and the output end of the current loop switching module is connected to the meter terminal quick-connect device (10) through the connecting harness (20). The current loop switching module is configured to select and connect the corresponding current loop according to the layout of the target terminal block. The voltage elastic contact (305) elastically abuts against the voltage terminal of the metering junction box (40) through the bent conductive member. The housing is provided with an operation clearance area, and the bending direction of the bent conductive member avoids the operation clearance area.

2. The electricity meter replacement connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The current loop switching module includes a multi-way selection switch (302), and the current elastic contact (306) is divided into multiple groups, with each group of the current elastic contact (306) corresponding to multiple terminals of a phase current. The top of each set of current elastic contacts (306) is connected to the input terminal of the multiplexer (302), and the output terminal of the multiplexer (302) is connected to the meter quick-connect device (10) through the connecting harness (20). The multiplexer (302) is configured to selectively connect some of the multiple terminals.

3. The electricity meter replacement connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The multiple sets of current-elastic contacts (306) include a first set, a second set, and a third set; the multiplexer (302) is a three-position switch, and the multiplexer (302) has a first position, a second position, and a third position; When the multiplexer switch (302) is in the first position, the connection corresponding to the first group is interrupted, and the connection corresponding to the second group and the third group is connected; When the multiplexer switch (302) is in the second position, the connection corresponding to the second group is interrupted, and the connection corresponding to the first group and the third group is connected; When the multiplexer switch (302) is in the third position, the connection corresponding to the third group is interrupted, and the connections corresponding to the first group and the second group are connected.

4. The electricity meter replacement connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operation clearance area includes an operation hole (303) opened in the middle part of the housing, and a protruding structure (304) is provided on the lower part of the housing. The voltage elastic contact (305) is installed in the protruding structure (304). The bent conductive component is an L-shaped connecting piece (307). One end of the L-shaped connecting piece (307) is fixed to the bottom end of the voltage elastic contact (305), and the other end of the L-shaped connecting piece (307) is bent inward to avoid the operating hole (303) and elastically abuts against the voltage terminal of the metering junction box (40).

5. The electricity meter replacement connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The voltage terminals of the metering junction box (40) include phase A voltage terminal, phase B voltage terminal, phase C voltage terminal and grounding terminal N terminal; The number of operation holes (303) is four, and the four operation holes (303) are respectively aligned with the A-phase voltage, B-phase voltage, C-phase voltage and the terminal shorting piece of the grounding terminal N of the metering junction box (40); The number of voltage elastic contact (305) and the number of L-shaped connecting pieces (307) are both four. The four L-shaped connecting pieces (307) elastically abut against the terminals of phase A voltage, phase B voltage, phase C voltage and grounding terminal N, respectively.

6. The electricity meter replacement connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clearance structure includes a plurality of operating holes (103) on the first housing (101) of the quick-connect device (10) at the end, the operating holes (103) corresponding one-to-one with the first terminals of the tail terminal block for operating the fasteners of the first terminals; The end elastic contact includes a plurality of spring pin assemblies (102), the bottom pins of the plurality of spring pin assemblies (102) being elastically abutting against the second terminal of the tail terminal block one by one.

7. The electricity meter replacement connection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bottom pins of the plurality of spring pin assemblies (102) extend out of the first housing (101) of the quick-connect device (10) at the end of the meter. Each spring pin assembly (102) has a wire buckle connected to its top end, and the wire buckle is connected to the connecting harness (20) via a wire.

8. The electricity meter replacement connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the connecting harness (20) is connected to the meter terminal quick-connect device (10) via a wire, and the other end of the connecting harness (20) is connected to the output terminal of the current loop switching module; The top end of the voltage elastic contact (305) is connected to the meter terminal quick connector (10) through the connecting wire harness (20) to form a parallel voltage and current transmission channel.

9. The electricity meter replacement connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy meter is a three-phase four-wire energy meter or a three-phase three-wire energy meter; The metering junction box (40) is one of the following: a three-phase four-wire metering junction box with one voltage input and three outputs, a three-phase four-wire metering junction box with one voltage input and one output, or a three-phase three-wire metering junction box with one voltage input and one output.

10. An electricity meter replacement system, characterized in that, include: An electricity meter, a metering junction box (40), and an electricity meter replacement connection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; The meter end quick-connect device (10) is connected to the tail terminal block of the energy meter, and the junction box end connection device (30) is connected to the metering junction box (40).

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