Hybrid voltage source for a measuring instrument

Abstract

An electronic device includes: a load circuit (M1) having a circuit input terminal (M1.1); a power supply circuit (M2) having a circuit input terminal (M2.1), two circuit output terminals (M2.2), (M2.3) and at least one rechargeable energy storage device (HLC); and a protection circuit (Mx) having two circuit input terminals (Mx.1), (Mx.2) and a circuit output terminal (Mx.3), wherein the at least one rechargeable energy storage device (HLC) is electrically connected to the circuit output terminal (M2.3) of the power supply circuit (M2), such that the battery voltage (V_BAT) of the energy storage device (HLC) or a voltage proportional to it is located at the circuit output terminal (M2.3). The circuit input terminal (Mx.2) is electrically connected to the circuit output terminal (M2.3), such that the input voltage applied to the circuit input terminal (Mx.2) corresponds to the battery voltage (V_BAT) provided by the energy storage device (HLC). Additionally, the circuit input terminal (M1.1) is at least sometimes electrically connected to the circuit output terminal (M2.2) so that, given the output voltage (V_SEK1; V_SEK2) at the circuit output terminal (M2.2), it supports the energy flow from the power supply circuit (M2) to the load circuit (M1), and the circuit output terminal (Mx.3) is electrically connected to the circuit input terminal (M2.1). The circuit input terminal (Mx.1) is adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit output terminal of an external energy source (ES) that provides the power supply voltage (V_EXT). Both the power supply circuit (M2) and the protection circuit (Mx) have at least two operating modes (M2...) in each case. I M2 II Mx I Mx II In operating mode (M2) I In the circuit, the energy storage device (HLC) is switched to the circuit output terminal (M2.2), so that the battery voltage provided by the energy storage device, or a voltage proportional to it, is applied as the output voltage (V_SEK1) to the circuit output terminal (M2.2) (V_BAT = V_SEK1), and in the operating mode (M2... II In this mode, the circuit input terminal (M2.1) is switched to the circuit output terminal (M2.3). In the operating mode (Mx)... I In the circuit input terminal (Mx.1), the circuit output terminal (Mx.3) is switched to the circuit output terminal (Mx.3), while in the operating mode (Mx... II In this circuit, the input terminal (Mx.1) and the output terminal (Mx.3) are electrically isolated from each other. Additionally, the protection circuit (Mx) is adapted to operate in mode (Mx... I The system monitors the battery voltage applied to the circuit input (Mx.2) to determine if its voltage level exceeds a predetermined maximum value and automatically deactivates the operating mode (Mx) under given conditions. I ).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device for measuring equipment and a measuring device having such electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] US-A 2010 / 0026518 discloses an electronic device for a measuring apparatus and a measuring apparatus having such electronic device and a measuring transducer. The electronic device includes an internal power supply circuit having a circuit input, a circuit output, and a load circuit having a microprocessor and a circuit input. The circuit input of the load circuit is electrically connected to the circuit output of the power supply circuit, such that an output voltage located at the circuit output of the power supply circuit supports current flow from a first circuit output to the circuit input, and a corresponding energy flow from the power supply circuit to the load circuit.

[0003] The power supply circuit is adapted to electrically connect its input terminal to the output terminal of an external energy source that provides power to the electronic device, thereby supplying electrical energy from the network to the load circuit. Furthermore, the power supply circuit includes at least one rechargeable energy storage device for the electrical energy, and is further adapted to apply the battery voltage of the energy storage device, or a voltage proportional to it, to the circuit output terminal, thereby supplying electrical energy to the load circuit, for example, when the circuit input terminal is not connected to an external energy source. The aforementioned energy storage device is formed by a capacitor (e.g., a double-layer capacitor) or by a secondary battery (e.g., a lithium iron phosphate rechargeable battery (LiFe-PO4), a lithium titanate rechargeable battery, a lithium cobalt nickel oxide rechargeable battery, a lithium manganese oxide rechargeable battery, a lithium polymer rechargeable battery (LiPoIy), a sodium-ion sulfur rechargeable battery, or a nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery).

[0004] In the case of electronic devices with such a hybrid energy supply (i.e., energy supplied partly by an internal battery and partly by an external network), a fault condition is particularly critical for the operational safety of the electronic device and the measuring equipment formed therefrom. In this case, the (network) voltage applied to the circuit input of the power supply circuit undesirably reaches the internal energy storage, resulting in overvoltage, i.e., a charging voltage exceeding the maximum permissible voltage is applied to the energy storage for a considerable period of time, i.e., a sufficiently long period of overcharging, which, under certain circumstances, may even damage the energy storage. For example, this fault condition may occur when other charging energy storage devices (such as capacitors) of the electronic device and / or external voltages are connected to the energy storage due to the failure of individual components of the electronic device. Furthermore, the destruction of the internal energy storage may lead to the complete failure of the electronic device, and thus the complete failure of the measuring equipment formed therefrom.

[0005] Starting with the prior art described above, the object of the present invention is to protect rechargeable energy storage devices provided in network-powered electronic devices from overvoltage, and in certain circumstances, even from the effects of overvoltage that could damage the energy storage device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention relates to an electronic device, such as an electronic device for measuring devices, the electronic device comprising:

[0007] A load circuit with a circuit input terminal, such as a load circuit with at least one microprocessor and / or at least one linear voltage regulator;

[0008] A power supply circuit having a circuit input terminal, a first circuit output terminal, a second circuit output terminal, and at least one rechargeable energy storage device for electrical energy, such as a chemical or electrochemical device, like a supercapacitor, or a power supply circuit formed by one or more DC-DC voltage converters; and

[0009] A protection circuit having a first circuit input terminal, a second circuit input terminal, and a circuit output terminal.

[0010] The rechargeable energy storage of the power supply circuit has a nominal capacity of, for example, greater than 500 As (ampere-seconds) and provides a battery voltage of, for example, greater than 3V (volts) when fully charged (State of Charge SoC = 100%).

[0011] In the electronic device of the present invention, a rechargeable energy storage device is electrically connected to a second circuit output terminal of a power supply circuit, such that the battery voltage of the rechargeable energy storage device or a voltage proportional to it exists at the second circuit output terminal, and the circuit input terminal of a load circuit is at least sometimes (e.g., permanently) electrically connected to a first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit, such that, in the case of the output voltage at the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit, current flow from the first circuit output terminal to the circuit input terminal is supported, for example, with a current level greater than 100 mA, and / or energy flow from the power supply circuit to the load circuit, for example, a total energy flow greater than 2000 Ws / h. Furthermore, the circuit output terminal of the protection circuit is electrically connected to the circuit input terminal of the power supply circuit, and the first circuit input terminal of the protection circuit is additionally adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit output terminal of an external energy source that provides power to the electronic device at a voltage level with a nominal value between 4V and 60V. The second circuit input terminal of the protection circuit is electrically connected to the second circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit, such that the input voltage applied to the second circuit input terminal corresponds to the battery voltage provided by the rechargeable energy storage device. In the case of the electronic device of the present invention, both the power supply circuit and the protection circuit have at least two operating modes in each case. In a first operating mode of the power supply circuit, its rechargeable energy storage is switched to the first circuit output, such that the battery voltage or a voltage proportional to it provided by the energy storage is applied to the first circuit output as a first output voltage; and in a second operating mode of the power supply circuit, its circuit input is switched to its first circuit output, for example, such that the input voltage applied to the circuit input is converted into a second output voltage with a constant and / or predetermined voltage level applied to the first circuit output, and / or, in the case of the input voltage applied to the circuit input, supports current flow from the circuit input to the first circuit output. Furthermore, in the first operating mode of the protection circuit, its first circuit input is switched to its circuit output, for example, such that when a voltage is applied to the first circuit input, current flow from the first circuit input to its circuit output is supported, and energy flow from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit is supported; and in the second operating mode of the protection circuit, its first circuit input and its circuit output are electrically isolated from each other, for example, such that even when a voltage level greater than 4V and less than 60V is applied to the first circuit input, only current flow with a current level of up to 100μA (microamps) from the first circuit input to the circuit output is supported, and / or only energy flow from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit is supported at a maximum of 20Ws / h (watt-seconds per hour).Furthermore, the protection circuit of the electronic device of the present invention is adapted to monitor the battery voltage applied to the input terminal of the second circuit in the first operating mode to determine whether its voltage level has exceeded a predetermined maximum value, such as being less than 0.2V higher than its nominal value, and under given circumstances, automatically deactivate its first operating mode, such as simultaneously activating its second operating mode, or automatically switch from its first operating mode to its second operating mode.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a measurement system formed by such electronic equipment and additionally includes a measurement transducer electrically coupled to the electronic equipment, the measurement transducer being adapted to record at least one, for example, physical or chemical, measured variable and to convert it into at least one measurement signal representing the measured variable.

[0013] In a first embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, it is also provided that in a second operating mode of the power supply circuit, its rechargeable energy storage is not switched to the output of the first circuit, such that its rechargeable energy storage and its first circuit output are electrically isolated from each other, and the battery voltage provided by the rechargeable energy storage is not applied to the output of the first circuit.

[0014] Furthermore, in a second embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, in a first operating mode of the protection circuit, its first circuit input is switched to its circuit output such that, when a voltage having a voltage level greater than 4V is applied to the first circuit input, a current flow having a current level greater than 100mA from the first circuit input to its circuit output is supported, and / or an energy flow from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit, for example, a total energy flow greater than 1000Ws / h, is supported.

[0015] In a third embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, a second operating mode of the protection circuit is also provided in which its first circuit input and its circuit output are electrically isolated from each other, such that even when a voltage with a voltage level greater than 4V and / or less than 60V is applied to the first circuit input and / or the first circuit input is electrically connected to a circuit output that supplies a power supply voltage with a voltage level between 4V and 60V, only a current flow with a current level of up to 100μA (microamps) from the first circuit input to the circuit output and / or only an energy flow of up to 20Ws / h (watt-seconds per hour) from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit is supported.

[0016] In a fourth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the power supply circuit is further provided to automatically activate the first operating mode, for example, automatically start the first operating mode, when the battery voltage of the rechargeable energy storage device has a voltage level not lower than a predetermined minimum value corresponding to, for example, a voltage level greater than 105% of the discharge terminal voltage of the rechargeable energy storage device, for example, when no input voltage is applied to the circuit input terminal or when the input voltage applied to the circuit input terminal has a voltage level lower than the predetermined minimum value.

[0017] Furthermore, in a fifth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the power supply circuit is provided to automatically activate the second operating mode, for example, automatically start or automatically change from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, when the input voltage applied to the input terminal of the circuit has a voltage level not exceeding a predetermined minimum value, for example, 4V or more.

[0018] Furthermore, in a sixth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the power supply circuit is provided to automatically disable the second operating mode when there is no input voltage at the circuit input terminal or when the input voltage applied to the circuit input terminal has a voltage level lower than a predetermined minimum value.

[0019] In a seventh embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, a load current circuit for the electronic device, which involves a current path derived from the rechargeable energy storage of the power supply circuit, is further provided through its circuit output terminal and to the circuit input terminal of the load circuit when the power supply circuit is operating in the first operating mode.

[0020] In an eighth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, a load current circuit of the electronic device is provided, which involves a current path derived from the first circuit input terminal of the protection circuit, when the power supply circuit is operating in the second operating mode and the protection circuit is operating in the first operating mode, is further provided through its circuit output terminal and to the first circuit input terminal of the power supply circuit and further through its circuit output terminal and to the circuit input terminal of the load circuit.

[0021] In a ninth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, a protection circuit for monitoring the battery voltage is further provided, comprising a comparator, for example, a comparator formed by means of at least one differential amplifier, having a first voltage input terminal, a second voltage input terminal, and a signal output terminal; and a first circuit input terminal of the protection circuit is formed by means of the first voltage input terminal of the comparator, while a second circuit input terminal of the protection circuit is formed by means of the second voltage input terminal of the comparator. Further developing this embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the protection circuit is also provided to activate its first operating mode or its second operating mode based on the signal level at the signal output terminal of the comparator.

[0022] In a tenth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the power supply circuit is further provided to include, for example, a first DC voltage converter configured as a boost converter or a buck converter, and the input terminal of the first DC voltage converter is electrically connected to the at least one rechargeable energy storage device, and a first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit is formed by means of the output terminal of the first DC voltage converter.

[0023] In an eleventh embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the power supply circuit is further provided to include a second DC-DC voltage converter, for example, a second DC-DC voltage converter configured as a buck converter, and the circuit input terminal of the power supply circuit is formed by means of the input terminal of the second DC-DC voltage converter, and the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit is formed by means of the output terminal of the second DC-DC voltage converter.

[0024] In a twelfth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the at least one rechargeable energy storage device is further provided to have a first connection electrode and a second connection electrode. Further developing this embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the power supply circuit is provided to include a first contact element and a second contact element for the at least one rechargeable energy storage device, and the rechargeable energy storage device is connected to the contact elements, for example, releasably connected, such that the first connection electrode of the rechargeable energy storage device conductively contacts the first contact element, and the second connection electrode of the rechargeable energy storage device conductively contacts the second contact element. Furthermore, the power supply circuit has at least one manually actuated switch, such as a DIP switch or a DIL switch, having first and second connection contacts and having, for example, a manually actuated switch operator, and the switch, in turn, electrically connects to the first contact element via its first connection contact and is adapted to selectively create or disconnect the conductive connection between the first contact element and the second connection contact by means of the switch operator, for example, so that the at least one rechargeable energy storage device can be integrated into the power supply circuit only when needed and / or during startup of the electronic device.

[0025] In a thirteenth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the power supply circuit is further provided to have at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device, for example, electrically connected in parallel with the rechargeable energy storage device (e.g., a lithium thionyl chloride battery), for storing electrical energy. Further developing this embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device is provided to have a nominal capacity greater than 10 Ah (ampere-hours), and / or the at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device provides a battery voltage having a nominal value greater than 3V and / or less than 4V (e.g., 3.6V), and / or the at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device is implemented as a D battery (IEC R20) and / or the at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device is adapted to charge the rechargeable energy storage device.

[0026] In a fourteenth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the nominal value of the battery voltage (V_BAT) of the at least one rechargeable energy storage device is provided to be less than 4V.

[0027] Furthermore, in a fifteenth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the nominal capacity of the at least one rechargeable energy storage device is provided to be greater than 400As and / or less than 1000As.

[0028] In a sixteenth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the at least one rechargeable energy storage device is further provided to be implemented as an AA battery (IEC R6, AA battery).

[0029] In a seventeenth embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the power supply circuit is further provided to have a third operating mode, and the power supply circuit is adapted in the third operating mode to convert the battery voltage provided by the energy storage device into a third output voltage applied to the output terminal of the first circuit, for example, such that when the power supply circuit is operating in the second operating mode, the voltage level of the third output voltage is higher than the voltage level of the battery voltage and / or the voltage level of the output voltage is lower than the nominal value of the battery voltage and / or the voltage level of the output voltage is lower than the voltage level of the second output voltage. Further developing this embodiment of the invention, the power supply circuit is adapted to automatically activate the third operating mode once the battery voltage provided by the energy storage device has a voltage level lower than a predetermined minimum value, for example, a total voltage less than 3.3V and / or greater than 80% of the nominal value.

[0030] In a first embodiment of the measurement system of the present invention, an electronic device is further provided that is adapted to receive and evaluate at least one measurement signal, for example, to determine the quantized measurement value of at least one measured variable based on the measurement signal.

[0031] In a second embodiment of the measurement system of the present invention, the load circuit of the electronic device is further provided to include an evaluator module adapted to determine, based on the at least one measurement signal, a quantified measurement value, such as a digital measurement value, of the measured variable. Further developing this embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the load circuit of the electronic device is also provided to include a radio module coupled to the evaluator module, the radio module being adapted to determine the measurement value determined by the evaluator module via a radio signal output.

[0032] The basic idea of ​​this invention is to detect potential fault states, particularly within the power supply circuitry of hybrid electronic devices—those partially powered by a network and partially powered by a battery—as early and as safely as possible by monitoring the battery voltage of the rechargeable energy storage device that at least partially ensures battery power for the electronic device. It has been surprisingly found that battery voltage, in particular, can be highly sensitive to many typical and equally important fault states in hybrid-powered electronic devices, such that a battery voltage with only a slight deviation (especially upward deviation) from its nominal value can be a very accurate indicator of such fault states. Because small changes in the battery voltage level can be recorded and evaluated, potential fault states can be detected sufficiently early to allow for the introduction of measures suitable for preventing damage to the electronic device, such as measures to isolate the electronic device from external power sources and / or isolate the current circuitry involving the energy storage device within the electronic device. Another advantage of this invention is that many fault states typically occurring in a fairly topologically distributed manner within the respective electronic device can be monitored very simply and safely based on only one operating parameter. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The invention and its advantageous embodiments will now be explained in more detail based on the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings, parts with the same or the same function or purpose have the same reference numerals; reference numerals shown in earlier drawings are omitted in subsequent drawings when caution is required or it would otherwise seem wise. Furthermore, other advantageous embodiments or additional developments are derived from the drawings and / or the claims themselves, particularly combinations of aspects of the invention that have been explained individually only initially.

[0034] The attached diagram is shown below:

[0035] Figure 1 Examples of embodiments of the electronic device of the present invention are illustrated schematically in block diagram form;

[0036] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagram schematically illustrates the concept. Figure 1 Examples of power supply circuits for electronic devices; and

[0037] Figure 4 The diagram schematically illustrates the concept. Figure 1 Another embodiment of the power supply circuit of an electronic device. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates an example embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention. The electronic device of the present invention may be, for example, a component of a communication device, which additionally has a signal receiver electrically connected to the electronic device, and in a given case, the signal receiver is also remotely connected to the electronic device. The signal receiver may be, for example, a remote controller (remote I / O), a programmable logic controller (PLC), or a bus master in a fieldbus, such as according to industry standard IEC 61158:1999, particularly according to one of the communication families CPF1 (Foundation Fieldbus), CPF3 (PROFIBUS), CPF9 (HART), or CPF15 (MODBUS), wherein the signal receiver may be network- and / or battery-powered. Alternatively or additionally, as... Figure 1 As shown, electronic equipment can also be a component of a measurement system, such as measuring and / or switching devices in industrial measurement and automation technologies, having a measuring transducer MT electrically coupled to the electronic equipment, such as a flow measuring transducer, which is further adapted to record at least one physical or chemical quantifiable variable of a measurand flowing in a pipe, such as flow rate and / or material parameters, and to transmit at least one measurement signal s1 representing the quantifiable variable, particularly for processing within the electronic equipment. Therefore, the electronic equipment can be adapted to receive the measurement signal s1 and process it accordingly, for example, to determine a quantifiable value of at least one quantifiable variable, in a given case, a digital measurement value. Furthermore, as also... Figure 1 As shown, the electronic equipment can be arranged within a protective housing H, which can, for example, be directly located on the aforementioned measuring transducer MT, to form a compact measuring device. Therefore, in an additional embodiment, for example, formed using a microcontroller (μC), the load circuit includes an evaluator module adapted to determine, based on the aforementioned at least one measurement signal s1, a quantized measurement value, such as a digital measurement value, of at least one measured variable. To transmit the measurement value determined by the electronic equipment to the aforementioned signal receiver, the load circuit of the electronic equipment can have, for example, a radio module coupled to the evaluator module, adapted to output the measurement value determined by the evaluator module via a radio signal. Alternatively or additionally, the evaluator module can also be adapted to output the measurement value via wires, for example, by means of an analog, current, or digital signal conforming to one of the aforementioned fieldbuses, to the aforementioned signal receiver.

[0039] The electronic device of the present invention includes a load circuit M1 having a circuit input terminal, a power supply circuit M2 having a circuit input terminal, a first circuit output terminal, a second circuit output terminal, and at least one chemical or electrochemical rechargeable energy storage device (HLC, e.g., a supercapacitor). Also as... Figure 1 As shown, the load circuit M1 can be formed, for example, by means of at least one microcontroller μC and / or at least one linear voltage regulator LDO.

[0040] The energy storage device HLC of the power supply circuit M2 has a nominal capacity of, for example, a total of 400 As (ampere-seconds) and is suitable for full charging, thus providing a battery voltage V_BAT with a nominal value of, for example, 3.6V (volts) at 100% state of charge (SoC). The energy storage device HLC is electrically connected to the second circuit output of the power supply circuit M2, such that the battery voltage V_BAT of the energy storage device HLC, or a voltage proportional to it, is located at the second circuit output.

[0041] To integrate the energy storage device (HLC) into the power supply circuit M2, and particularly to electrically connect the energy storage device (HLC) to the second circuit output of the power supply circuit M2, the energy storage device (HLC) may also have first and second connection electrodes, and the power supply circuit M2 may have corresponding first and second contact elements for at least one energy storage device (HLC), i.e., contact elements electrically connected to or even at least partially forming the second circuit output. Furthermore, in embodiments of the invention, the energy storage device (HLC) is specified to be releasably connected to the aforementioned contact elements, such that the first connection electrode of the energy storage device (HLC) conductively contacts the first contact element, and the second connection electrode of the energy storage device (HLC) conductively contacts the second contact element. In another embodiment of the invention, the power supply circuit M2 further includes at least one, particularly manually actuated, switch (DIL). The switch (DIL), for example, implemented as a DIP or DIL switch, includes first and second connection contacts and a switch operator that is manually actuated under given conditions, and is electrically connected to the first contact element of the energy storage device (HLC) through its first connection contact. Additionally, the switch DIL is adapted to selectively create or disconnect a conductive connection between the first contact element and the second connection contact via its switching operator, for example, to integrate the energy storage unit HLC into the power supply circuit only when needed and / or during the startup of the electronic device. Furthermore, the connection electrodes of the energy storage unit HLC and the contact elements of the power supply circuit M2 can also be adapted, for example, to create a secure, equally releasable mechanical connection between the energy storage unit HLC and the power supply circuit M2.

[0042] In the case of the electronic device of the present invention, the circuit input terminal of the load circuit M1 is provided to be electrically connected, at least sometimes, and in a given case, permanently, to the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit M2, such that when the output voltage (V_SEK1; V_SEK2) is present at the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit M2, current flow from the first circuit output terminal to the circuit input terminal and / or energy flow from the power supply circuit M2 to the load circuit M1 are supported; in particular, such that when the output voltage is in the range between 2V and 4V, the aforementioned current flow has a current level greater than 100mA and / or the aforementioned energy flow totals greater than 2000Ws / h.

[0043] To detect potential fault conditions within the electronic device (particularly within the power supply circuit M2), the electronic device of the present invention further includes a protection circuit Mx. The protection circuit Mx includes a first circuit input, a second circuit input, and a circuit output. The circuit output of the protection circuit Mx is electrically connected to the circuit input of the power supply circuit M2. Furthermore, the first circuit input of the protection circuit Mx is adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit output of an external energy source ES that provides a power supply voltage V_EXT (e.g., a DC power supply voltage) to the electronic device, and the second circuit input of the protection circuit Mx is electrically connected to the second circuit output of the power supply circuit M2, such that the input voltage applied to the second circuit input corresponds to the battery voltage V_BAT provided by the energy storage device HLC. In another embodiment, the power supply circuit M2 (and therefore the electronic device formed therefrom) is adapted to operate at a power supply voltage V_EXT (particularly the supplied DC voltage) having a nominal value (nominal voltage) between 4V and 60V.

[0044] Furthermore, in the case of the electronic device of the present invention, both the power supply circuit and the protection circuit have at least two operating modes (M2) in each case. I M2 II Mx I Mx II ), namely, the first operating mode M2 I and Mx I and at least the second operating mode M2 II and Mx II .

[0045] In the first operating mode M2 ​​of the power supply circuit I In this process, the energy storage device HLC is switched to the output of the first circuit, such that the battery voltage provided by the energy storage device or a voltage proportional to it is located at the output of the first circuit as the first output voltage V_SEK1 (V_BAT=V_SEK1), and in the second operating mode M2 ​​of the power supply circuit M2... IIIn this circuit, its input terminal is switched to its first circuit output terminal; specifically, this causes the input voltage V_EXT (e.g., DC voltage) applied to the circuit input terminal to be converted into a second output voltage V_SEK2 present at a constant and / or predetermined voltage level at the first circuit output terminal, and supports current flow from the circuit input terminal to the first circuit output terminal when the input voltage V_EXT is applied to the circuit input terminal, and / or as a result, completes the first load current circuit of the electronic device, which involves a current path drawn from the energy storage HLC through the circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit M2 and to the circuit input terminal of the load circuit M1. In another embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that in the second operating mode M2 ​​of the power supply circuit M2... II In this circuit, the energy storage unit HLC is not switched to the output of the first circuit, so that the energy storage unit HLC and the output of the first circuit are electrically isolated from each other, and the battery voltage provided by the energy storage unit is not present at the output of the first circuit.

[0046] In the case of the electronic device of the present invention, a first operating mode Mx in the protection circuit Mx is further provided. I In this circuit, its first circuit input is switched to its circuit output; specifically, this enables current flow from the first circuit input to its circuit output when a voltage is applied to the first circuit input, and also enables energy flow from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit; specifically, this also enables the completion of the second load current circuit of the electronic device in the first operating mode of the protection circuit and simultaneously in the second operating mode of the power supply circuit M2, which involves a current path drawn from the first circuit input of the protection circuit Mx through its circuit output to the first circuit input of the power supply circuit M2, and further through its circuit output to the circuit input of the load circuit M1.

[0047] In the second operating mode of protection circuit Mx II In this circuit, its first circuit input terminal and its circuit output terminal are electrically isolated from each other; specifically, this allows for current flow of only up to 100 μA (microamps) from the first circuit input terminal to the circuit output terminal, and / or energy flow of only up to 20 Ws / h (watt-seconds per hour) from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit, even when a voltage level greater than 4V and less than 60V is applied to the voltage at the first circuit input terminal. Furthermore, the protection circuit Mx of the electronic device of the present invention is adapted in the first operating mode to monitor whether its voltage level has exceeded a predetermined maximum value. (For example, less than 0.2V higher than its nominal value), the battery voltage applied to the input of the second circuit. Additionally, the protection circuit Mx is adapted to automatically disable its first operating mode, for example, simultaneously activating its second operating mode, or detecting that the battery voltage has exceeded the aforementioned maximum value in the case of monitoring the battery voltage of the energy storage unit HLC. In the event of a battery voltage exceeding a certain threshold, the protection circuit Mx automatically switches from its first operating mode to its second operating mode. To monitor the battery voltage, in another embodiment of the invention, the protection circuit Mx further includes a comparator, for example, formed by at least one differential amplifier, and having a first voltage input, a second voltage input, and a signal output (nominally having only two states). In this case, the first circuit input of the protection circuit can be formed by the first voltage input of the comparator, and in a given case, may also have an inserted voltage regulator and / or one or more Zener diodes providing a reference voltage derived from and / or further stabilized from the power supply voltage V_EXT, and the second circuit input of the protection circuit can be formed by the second voltage input of the comparator, and in a given case, may also have an inserted voltage divider for the battery voltage V_BAT. Furthermore, the protection circuit Mx can be adapted to activate its first operating mode or its second operating mode based on the signal level at the signal output of the comparator; this particularly enables the signal transmission to exceed the maximum value. The second operating mode of the protection circuit is immediately activated after the signal level at the signal output terminal that reaches the battery voltage changes.

[0048] In an additional embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, in a first operating mode of the protection circuit Mx, when a voltage level greater than 4V is applied to the first circuit input, current flow from the first circuit input to its circuit output with a current level greater than 100mA is supported, or energy flow from the protection circuit Mx to the power supply circuit M2 totaling greater than 1000Ws / h is supported, and / or, in a second operating mode of the protection circuit, current flow with a current level of only up to 100μA (microamps) is supported from the first circuit input to the circuit output, and / or energy flow from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit of only up to 20Ws / h (watt-seconds per hour) is supported; this is particularly relevant to situations where a voltage level greater than 4V and / or less than 60V exists at the first circuit input, and / or the first circuit input of the protection circuit Mx is electrically connected to the circuit output of an external energy source (ES) that delivers a power supply voltage with a voltage level between 4V and 60V.

[0049] In an additional embodiment of the invention, the power supply circuit M2 is also adapted to automatically activate the first operating mode, for example, even after connecting the energy storage device HLC, or even after actuating the aforementioned switch DIL; this is particularly true when the battery voltage of the energy storage device HLC has a voltage level not lower than a predetermined minimum (e.g., corresponding to a voltage level greater than 105% of the discharge terminal voltage of the energy storage device HLC), and / or when there is no input voltage at the circuit input or when the input voltage applied to the circuit input has a voltage level lower than the predetermined minimum. Alternatively or additionally, the power supply circuit M2 may be further adapted to automatically activate the second operating mode when the input voltage applied to the circuit input has a voltage level not lower than a predetermined minimum (e.g., a minimum of 4V), for example, automatically starting or automatically changing from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, and / or the power supply circuit may be adapted to automatically deactivate the second operating mode when there is no input voltage at the circuit input or when the input voltage applied to the circuit input has a voltage level lower than the predetermined minimum. The detection of the input voltage or its correct voltage level and / or the aforementioned (minimum) voltage level of the battery voltage can be achieved by one or more comparators, for example, in each case, one or more comparators are formed by one or more differential amplifiers and are accordingly set in the power supply circuit.

[0050] In another embodiment of the invention, the power supply circuit M2 further includes the two previously mentioned operating modes M2. I and M2 II In addition, it also includes an additional third operating mode M2. III This causes the power supply circuit M2 to operate in the third mode M2. III The power supply circuit M2 is adapted to convert the battery voltage V_BAT provided by the energy storage device HLC into a third output voltage V_SEK3 applied to the first circuit output terminal; specifically, this also makes the voltage level of the output voltage V_SEK3 higher than the voltage level of the battery voltage V_BAT of the energy storage device HLC, or lower than the nominal value of the battery voltage V_BAT. Alternatively or supplementarily, the voltage level of the output voltage V_SEK3 provided by the power supply circuit in the third operating mode may also differ from the specific voltage level of the output voltage V_SEK1 (and correspondingly V_SEK2) provided in each case of the first and / or second operating modes, specifically making the voltage level of the output voltage V_SEK3 lower than the voltage level of the output voltage V_SEK2 when the power supply circuit is operating in the second operating mode. Furthermore, the power supply circuit may be further adapted to automatically activate the third operating mode once the battery voltage V_BAT provided by the energy storage device HLC has a voltage level lower than a predetermined minimum value. The minimum value may, for example, be less than 3.3V and / or greater than 80% of the nominal value.

[0051] To convert the battery voltage V_BAT supplied by the energy storage unit HLC into a DC voltage derived therefrom, which is also stable and / or has a constant voltage level, for example, also used as the output voltage V_SEK3, in an additional embodiment, the power supply circuit includes a (first) DC-DC voltage converter BOOST, such that... Figure 2 As schematically shown, the input terminal of the DC-DC voltage converter BOOST is connected to at least one energy storage device HLC, and the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit M2 is formed by means of the output terminal of the DC-DC voltage converter BOOST; however, in particular, the second circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit M2 is not formed by means of the output terminal of the DC-DC voltage converter BOOST. The DC-DC voltage converter BOOST can advantageously be embodied as, for example, a boost converter or an inverting buck-boost converter.

[0052] Specifically, in the above situation, where the voltage V_EXT at the circuit input terminal of power supply circuit M2 in its second operating mode is a DC voltage, and furthermore, power supply circuit M2 also... Figure 3 As schematically shown, a second DC-DC voltage converter BUCK may be included. This second DC-DC voltage converter BUCK is, for example, configured as a buck converter and used to convert the input voltage V_EXT into an output voltage V_SEK2 output at the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit M2. The input terminal of the DC-DC voltage converter BUCK forms the circuit input terminal of the power supply circuit M2, and the output terminal of the DC-DC voltage converter BUCK forms the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit M2. In the above case, the power supply circuit M2 also includes a DC-DC voltage converter BOOST, the output of which can be electrically connected to the output of the DC-DC voltage converter BUCK, as shown above. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown.

[0053] In another embodiment of the invention, the energy storage device HLC has a nominal capacity greater than 400 As (ampere-seconds), particularly greater than 500 As, and the energy storage device HLC provides a fully charged battery voltage V_BAT, thus having a nominal value greater than 2.4V (volts) in a 100% state of charge (SoC). Particularly in the above-described case, where the electronic device is connected to an external power source (ES), the nominal capacity of at least one rechargeable energy storage device HLC may also total less than 1000 As. Alternatively or supplementarily, the nominal value of the battery voltage V_BAT of the energy storage device HLC may also total, for example, less than 4V. To increase the electrical energy supplied to the power supply circuit M2 by the battery, therefore in the first operating mode M2... IIn, or thus the electrical power available within the electronic device, the power supply circuit M2 can be, for example, as follows: Figure 4 As schematically illustrated, it also includes at least one non-rechargeable energy storage unit (LTC), such as a lithium thionyl chloride battery, connected in parallel with a rechargeable energy storage unit (HLC). Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention, the energy storage unit LTC is provided with a nominal capacity greater than 10 Ah (ampere-hours) and / or a voltage level greater than 2.4V and / or less than 3.9V. The energy storage unit LTC can be implemented, for example, as a D battery (IEC R20) and / or even adapted to charge a rechargeable energy storage unit LTC when needed.

Claims

1. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising: - A load circuit (M1) with a circuit input terminal (M1.1). - Power supply circuit (M2), has, -- Circuit input terminal (M2.1) -- First circuit output terminal (M2.2) -- Second circuit output terminal (M2.3) and -- At least one rechargeable energy storage device (HLC). The power supply circuit (M2) has an energy storage (HLC) with a nominal capacity and provides a battery voltage (V_BAT) at the nominal voltage level when fully charged. The energy storage device (HLC) is electrically connected to the second circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit (M2), such that the battery voltage (V_BAT) of the energy storage device (HLC) or a voltage proportional to it is located at the second circuit output terminal; and - Protection circuit (Mx), the protection circuit (Mx) having: -- First circuit input terminal (Mx.1) -- Second circuit input (Mx.2), and -- Circuit output terminal (Mx.3); - wherein, the circuit input terminal (M1.1) of the load circuit (M1) is at least sometimes electrically connected to the first circuit output terminal (M2.2) of the power supply circuit (M2), such that the output voltage (V_SEK1; V_SEK2) at the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit supports the flow of current from the first circuit output terminal to the circuit input terminal, and / or supports the flow of energy from the power supply circuit (M2) to the load circuit (M1); -The circuit output terminal (Mx.3) of the protection circuit is electrically connected to the circuit input terminal (M2.1) of the power supply circuit (M2); - wherein the first circuit input terminal (Mx.1) of the protection circuit (Mx) is adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit output terminal of an external energy source that provides a power supply voltage (V_EXT) to the electronic device, and wherein the second circuit input terminal (Mx.2) of the protection circuit (Mx) is electrically connected to the second circuit output terminal (M2.3) of the power supply circuit (M2), such that the input voltage applied to the second circuit input terminal (Mx.2) corresponds to the battery voltage (V_BAT) provided by the energy storage device (HLC). -In each case, both the power supply circuit (M2) and the protection circuit (Mx) have at least two operating modes (M2) I M2 II Mx I Mx II ), -wherein, in the first operating mode (M2) of the power supply circuit I In this circuit, the energy storage device is switched to the output of the first circuit, so that the battery voltage provided by the energy storage device or a voltage proportional to it is applied to the output of the first circuit as the first output voltage (V_SEK1). -In the second operating mode (M2) of the power supply circuit II In this circuit, its input terminal is switched to its first circuit output terminal; -In the first operating mode (Mx) of the protection circuit (Mx) I In this circuit, the first circuit input is switched to the circuit output. -In the second operating mode (Mx) of the protection circuit (Mx) II In this circuit, its first circuit input terminal and its circuit output terminal are electrically isolated from each other; and - Wherein, the protection circuit is adapted to monitor the battery voltage applied to the input of the second circuit in the first operating mode to determine whether its voltage level has exceeded a predetermined maximum value (Û). HLC Furthermore, under given circumstances, it automatically disables its first operating mode.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The electronic device is an electronic device used for measuring equipment.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The load circuit (M1) is a load circuit having at least one microprocessor (μC) and / or at least one linear voltage regulator (LDO).

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The power supply circuit (M2) is a power supply circuit formed by means of one or more DC voltage converters.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one rechargeable energy storage device (HLC) is a supercapacitor.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The energy flow from the power supply circuit (M2) to the load circuit (M1) is a total energy flow greater than 2000Ws / h.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, -in, In the second operating mode (M2) of the power supply circuit I In this circuit, the energy storage device is not switched to the output of the first circuit, so that the energy storage device and the output of the first circuit are electrically isolated from each other, and the battery voltage provided by the energy storage device is not applied to the output of the first circuit. and / or - In the first operating mode of the protection circuit, its first circuit input is switched to its circuit output, such that when a voltage of greater than 4V is applied to the first circuit input, a current flow of greater than 100mA is supported from the first circuit input to its circuit output, and / or energy flow is supported from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit; and / or - In the second operating mode of the protection circuit, its first circuit input and its circuit output are electrically isolated from each other, such that even when a voltage with a voltage level greater than 4V and / or less than 60V is applied to the first circuit input and / or the first circuit input is electrically connected to a circuit output that supplies an external energy source with a voltage level between 4V and 60V, only a current flow of up to 100μA from the first circuit input to the circuit output and / or only an energy flow of up to 20Ws / h from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit is supported.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein, The energy flow from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit is a total energy flow greater than 1000Ws / h.

9. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, ‥in, The power supply circuit is adapted to automatically activate the first operating mode and automatically start the first operating mode when the battery voltage of the energy storage device has a voltage level not lower than a predetermined minimum value corresponding to a voltage level greater than 105% of the discharge terminal voltage of the energy storage device, and when no input voltage is applied to the circuit input terminal or the input voltage applied to the circuit input terminal has a voltage level lower than the predetermined minimum value. and / or ...Wherein, the power supply circuit is adapted to automatically activate the second operating mode, automatically start or automatically change from the first operating mode to the second operating mode when the input voltage applied to the circuit input terminal has a predetermined minimum value not exceeding 4V; and / or ...Wherein, the power supply circuit is adapted to automatically disable the second operating mode when there is no input voltage at the circuit input terminal or when the input voltage applied to the circuit input terminal has a voltage level lower than a predetermined minimum value.

10. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, When the power supply circuit is operating in the first operating mode, the load current circuit of the electronic device involving the current path drawn from the energy storage of the power supply circuit is further completed through its circuit output terminal and the circuit input terminal to the load circuit.

11. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, When the power supply circuit is operating in the second operating mode and the protection circuit is operating in the first operating mode, the load current circuit of the electronic device involving the current path drawn from the first circuit input of the protection circuit is further completed through its circuit output terminal and to the first circuit input terminal of the power supply circuit, and further through its circuit output terminal and to the circuit input terminal of the load circuit.

12. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, -The protection circuit for monitoring the battery voltage includes a comparator, the comparator having, --First voltage input terminal, --Second voltage input terminal, and --Signal output terminal; and -in, The first circuit input terminal of the protection circuit is formed by means of the first voltage input terminal of the comparator, and the second circuit input terminal of the protection circuit is formed by means of the second voltage input terminal of the comparator.

13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein, The comparator is a comparator formed by means of at least one differential amplifier.

14. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein, The protection circuit is adapted to activate its first operating mode or its second operating mode based on the signal level at the signal output terminal of the comparator.

15. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, -in, The power supply circuit includes a first DC-DC voltage converter, and -in, The input terminal of the first DC-DC voltage converter is electrically connected to the at least one energy storage device, and the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit is formed by means of the output terminal of the first DC-DC voltage converter.

16. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein, The first DC voltage converter is configured as a boost converter or a buck converter.

17. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, -in, The power supply circuit includes a second DC-DC voltage converter, and -in, The circuit input terminal of the power supply circuit is formed by means of the input terminal of the second DC voltage converter, and the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit is formed by means of the output terminal of the second DC voltage converter.

18. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein, The second DC voltage converter is a second DC voltage converter configured as a buck converter.

19. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein, The output terminals of the first DC-DC voltage converter and the second DC-DC voltage converter are electrically connected to each other.

20. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The at least one rechargeable energy storage device has a first connection electrode and a second connection electrode.

21. The electronic device according to claim 20, -in, The power supply circuit includes a first contact element and a second contact element for the at least one energy storage device (HLC), and -in, The energy storage device (HLC) is releasably connected to the contact element such that a first connection electrode of the energy storage device (HLC) conductively contacts the first contact element, and a second connection electrode of the energy storage device (HLC) conductively contacts the second contact element.

22. The electronic device according to claim 21, -The power supply circuit has at least one manually actuated switch (DIL) having first and second contact points and a manually actuated switch operator, and -in, The switch is electrically connected to the first contact element via its first connecting contact point, and is adapted to selectively create or disconnect the conductive connection between the first contact element and the second connecting contact point by means of the switch operator.

23. The electronic device according to claim 22, - wherein the at least one manually actuable switch is a DIP switch or a DIL switch.

24. The electronic device according to claim 22, wherein, The switch (DIL) is adapted to integrate the at least one rechargeable energy storage device (HLC) into the power supply circuit only when needed and / or during the startup of the electronic device, such that the power supply circuit can then operate at least in the first operating mode or automatically activate the first operating mode.

25. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The power supply circuit has at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device (LTC) for storing electrical energy.

26. The electronic device according to claim 25, wherein, The at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device (LTC) is electrically connected in parallel with the rechargeable energy storage device (HLC).

27. The electronic device according to claim 25, wherein, The non-rechargeable energy storage device (LTC) is a lithium thionyl chloride battery.

28. The electronic device according to claim 25, -in, The at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device has a nominal capacity greater than 10Ah; and / or - wherein the at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device (LTC) provides a battery voltage with a nominal value greater than 3V and / or less than 4V; and / or - wherein the at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device (LTC) is implemented as a D battery; and / or - wherein the at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device (LTC) is adapted to charge the rechargeable energy storage device.

29. The electronic device according to claim 28, -in, The at least one non-rechargeable energy storage device (LTC) provides a battery voltage with a nominal voltage level of 3.6V.

30. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, - Wherein, the nominal value of the battery voltage (V_BAT) of the at least one rechargeable energy storage device (HLC) is less than 4V; and / or -in, The nominal capacity of the at least one rechargeable energy storage device (HLC) is greater than 400 As and / or less than 1000 As; and / or - wherein the at least one rechargeable energy storage device (HLC) is implemented as an AA battery.

31. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, -in, The power supply circuit (M2) has a third operating mode (M2 III ),as well as - wherein the power supply circuit is adapted in the third operating mode to convert the battery voltage (V_BAT) provided by the rechargeable energy storage device (HLC) into a third output voltage (V_SEK3) applied to the output terminal of the first circuit, such that when the power supply circuit is operating in the second operating mode, the voltage level of the third output voltage (V_SEK3) is higher than the voltage level of the battery voltage (V_BAT) and / or the voltage level of the output voltage (V_SEK3) is lower than the nominal value of the battery voltage (V_BAT) and / or the voltage level of the output voltage (V_SEK3) is lower than the voltage level of the second output voltage (V_SEK2).

32. The electronic device according to claim 31, wherein, The power supply circuit is adapted to automatically activate the third operating mode once the battery voltage (V_BAT) provided by the rechargeable energy storage device (HLC) has a voltage level below a predetermined minimum value, totaling less than 3.3V and / or greater than 80% of the nominal value.

33. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The energy storage device (HLC) of the power supply circuit (M2) has a nominal capacity of more than 500 As.

34. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The fully charged energy storage device (HLC) of the power supply circuit (M2) provides a battery voltage (V_BAT) with a nominal value greater than 3V.

35. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The circuit input terminal (M1.1) of the load circuit (M1) is permanently electrically connected to the first circuit output terminal (M2.2) of the power supply circuit (M2).

36. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The circuit input terminal (M1.1) of the load circuit (M1) is electrically connected to the first circuit output terminal (M2.2) of the power supply circuit (M2), such that, given the output voltage (V_SEK1; V_SEK2) at the first circuit output terminal of the power supply circuit, a current level greater than 100mA is used to support the current flow from the first circuit output terminal to the circuit input terminal, and / or to support the energy flow from the power supply circuit (M2) to the load circuit (M1), wherein the total energy flow is greater than 2000Ws / h.

37. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The first circuit input terminal (Mx.1) of the protection circuit (Mx) is adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit output terminal of an external energy source that provides a power supply voltage (V_EXT) to the electronic device at a voltage level with a nominal value between 4V and 60V.

38. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, In the second operating mode (M2) of the power supply circuit II In this circuit, the circuit input is switched to its first circuit output, such that the input voltage (V_EXT) applied to the circuit input is converted into a second output voltage (V_SEK2) with a constant and / or predetermined voltage level applied to the first circuit output, and / or supports current flow from the circuit input to the first circuit output in the case of the input voltage (V_EXT) applied to the circuit input.

39. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The first operating mode of the protection circuit (Mx) I In the circuit, its first circuit input is switched to its circuit output so that when a voltage is applied to the first circuit input, current flow from the first circuit input to its circuit output is supported, and energy flow from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit is supported.

40. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The second operating mode (Mx) of the protection circuit (Mx) II In this circuit, its first circuit input terminal and its circuit output terminal are electrically isolated from each other, such that even when a voltage greater than 4V and less than 60V is applied to the first circuit input terminal, only a current flow of up to 100μA from the first circuit input terminal to the circuit output terminal is supported, and / or only an energy flow of up to 20Ws / h from the protection circuit to the power supply circuit is supported.

41. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The protection circuit is adapted to monitor the battery voltage applied to the input of the second circuit in the first operating mode to determine whether its voltage level has exceeded a predetermined maximum value (Û). HLC The predetermined maximum value is less than 0.2V higher than its nominal value.

42. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The protection circuit is adapted to monitor the battery voltage applied to the input of the second circuit in the first operating mode to determine whether its voltage level has exceeded a predetermined maximum value (Û). HLC Furthermore, under given circumstances, it automatically deactivates its first operating mode and simultaneously activates its second operating mode, or automatically switches from its first operating mode to its second operating mode.

43. A measurement system, comprising: - An electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 42; as well as, - A measurement transducer (MT) electrically coupled to the electronic device, the measurement transducer (MT) being adapted to record at least one physical or chemical measured variable and convert it into at least one measurement signal (s1) representing the measured variable.

44. The measurement system according to claim 43, wherein, The electronic device is adapted to receive and evaluate the at least one measurement signal, and based on the measurement signal, determine the measurement value of the at least one measured variable.

45. The measurement system according to claim 43 or 44, wherein, The load circuit of the electronic device includes an evaluator module adapted to determine the quantified measurement value of the measured variable based on the at least one measurement signal.

46. ​​The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein, The measured values ​​are digital measurements.

47. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein, The load circuit of the electronic device includes a radio module coupled to the evaluator module, the radio module being adapted to determine the measurement value by means of the evaluator module via a radio signal output.

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