Sensor device and electrical device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a sensor device. The sensor device comprises a power supply management unit configured to selectively receive internal power or external power and to supply power to internal circuits; a port adapted to be coupled to an external auxiliary power source for providing external power or a sensing device; a signal detection unit having a first end coupled to the power supply management unit and a second end coupled to the port, the signal detection unit configured to receive a sensing input signal and output a sensing output signal in a case that the port is coupled to the sensing device; and an external auxiliary power source on unit having a first end coupled to the power supply management unit and a second end coupled to the port, the external auxiliary power source on unit configured to cause power to be transmitted to the power supply management unit in response to receiving power from the port in a case that the port is coupled to the external auxiliary power source. In this way, by port multiplexing, the number of ports can be reduced and the wiring can be reduced, thereby reducing the size of the sensor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the electrical field, and in particular, to a sensor device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Low-power sensor devices, when in operation, usually utilize current induction to take and supply power. When taking power by current induction, a large primary activation current is needed to obtain normal power suitable for the sensor device. However, in the case of debugging, testing, maintenance or exhibition demonstration, it is not safe and inconvenient to provide a large activation current. In addition, the power obtained by current induction is low, resulting in a long charging time, and thus often unable to realize online upgrading of the sensor device. Then, if there is some software failure or some features need to be updated, the entire sensor can need to be completely replaced.

[0003] To this end, in order to be able to safely debug and maintain, an external auxiliary power supply is conventionally provided for the sensor device. However, this requires additional power supply and wiring, resulting in an increase in installation complexity, and there is a potential safety hazard when used in high-voltage switchgear. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a sensor device that can solve the above technical problems. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides a sensor that at least partially overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages. Embodiments according to a first aspect of the present disclosure provide a sensor device. The sensor device comprises a power supply management unit configured to selectively receive internal power or external power and to supply power to internal circuits; a port adapted to be coupled to an external auxiliary power supply for providing external power or a sensing device; a signal detection unit having a first end coupled to the power supply management unit and a second end coupled to the port, the signal detection unit being configured to receive a sensing input signal and output a sensing output signal in a case where the port is coupled to the sensing device; and an external auxiliary power supply on unit having a first end coupled to the power supply management unit and a second end coupled to the port, the external auxiliary power supply on unit being configured to, in a case where the port is coupled to the external auxiliary power supply, in response to receiving power from the port, cause the power to be transmitted to the power supply management unit.

[0005] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the port of the sensor device can be coupled to both the sensing device to transmit the sensed signal to the signal detection unit and the external auxiliary power supply to receive the external electric power and supply the external electric power to the internal circuit in the sensor device, thereby realizing multiplexing of the port of the sensor device. Thus, during the maintenance phase of the sensor device, such as software upgrade, the sensor can be powered by the external power supply with lower voltage after the sensor is powered off to realize internal upgrade, thereby not requiring replacement of the entire sensor, reducing the maintenance cost. In addition, multiplexing of the external power supply port and the signal detection port can reduce the number of ports, while reducing the wiring, thereby reducing the size of the sensor.

[0006] In some embodiments, the external auxiliary power-on unit includes a unidirectional conduction device, an input of which is coupled to the port and an output of which is coupled to the power supply management unit, and the unidirectional conduction device is configured to conduct in response to receiving electric power from the port, so that the external electric power is transmitted to the power supply management unit. In such embodiments, the unidirectional conduction device and the signal detection unit are connected in parallel between the port and the power supply management unit. When the port is coupled to the sensing device, the unidirectional conduction device is cut off, at which time the signal from the port is transmitted to the signal detection unit. Conversely, when the port is coupled to the external auxiliary power supply, the unidirectional conduction device is conducted, at which time the unidirectional conduction device directly connects the port and the power supply management unit, at which time the electric power from the port is directly transmitted to the power supply management unit to realize external power supply to the power supply management unit.

[0007] In some embodiments, the unidirectional conduction device includes a diode. In such embodiments, an anode of the diode is coupled to the port, and a cathode of the diode is coupled to the power supply management unit. When the port is coupled to the external auxiliary power supply, the anode of the diode is loaded with a positive voltage, so that the diode is conducted to transmit the electric power of the external auxiliary power supply to the power supply management unit.

[0008] In some embodiments, the diode is configured to clip the sensing signal when the port is coupled to the sensing device. In such embodiments, when the port is coupled to the sensing device for measurement, the diode can clip the sensing signal at the port to realize protection of the circuit.

[0009] In some embodiments, the external auxiliary power on unit comprises a switch device, a first end of which is coupled to the port and a second end of which is coupled to the power management unit, and the switch device is configured to be turned on in response to the port being coupled to the external auxiliary power source, so that the external electric energy is transmitted to the power management unit. In such embodiments, the switch device is a normally open switch, which is turned off when the port is coupled to the sensing device, so that the sensing signal from the sensing device is transmitted to the signal sensing unit. When the port is coupled to the external auxiliary power source, the switch device is closed, transmitting the electric energy from the external auxiliary power source to the power management unit.

[0010] In some embodiments, the switch device comprises a P-channel MOSFET. The gate of the P-channel MOSFET is configured to receive a control signal, the drain of the P-channel MOSFET is coupled to the port, and the source of the P-channel MOSFET is coupled to the power management unit. The P-channel MOSFET is configured to be turned off in response to the control signal being high, and to be turned on in response to the control signal being low. In such embodiments, when the port is coupled to the sensing device, the gate of the P-channel MOSFET receives a high-level control signal to turn off the P-channel MOSFET, so that the sensing signal from the sensing device is transmitted to the signal sensing unit. When the port is coupled to the external auxiliary power source, the gate of the P-channel MOSFET receives a low-level control signal to turn on the P-channel MOSFET, so that the electric energy from the external auxiliary power source is transmitted to the power management unit.

[0011] In some embodiments, the gate is coupled to the self-induction power taking unit and is configured to receive a control signal from the self-induction power taking unit, wherein the control signal is high when the self-induction power taking unit is running, and the control signal is low when the self-induction power taking unit is not running. In such embodiments, when the port is coupled to the external auxiliary power source, at this time the self-induction power taking unit is not running, the gate of the P-channel MOSFET receives a low-level control signal to turn on, so that the electric energy from the external auxiliary power source is transmitted to the power management unit. When the self-induction power taking unit is running, i.e. the external sensor device obtains electric energy from the self-induction power taking unit, at this time the port is coupled to the sensing device and measurement is performed, the gate of the P-channel MOSFET receives a high-level control signal to turn off, so that the sensing signal from the sensing device is transmitted to the signal sensing unit.

[0012] In some embodiments, the gate is coupled to the control unit and configured to receive a control signal from the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to detect a port voltage at the port, and send a low level control signal to the gate in response to determining that the port voltage is higher than a predetermined threshold, and send a high level control signal to the gate in response to determining that the port voltage is lower than the predetermined threshold. In such embodiments, the control unit is able to sense the voltage at the port, and in the case that the voltage at the port is greater than the predetermined threshold, determine that the port is coupled to an external auxiliary power supply, and send a low level control signal to the gate to turn on the P-channel MOSFET, so that the electrical energy from the external auxiliary power supply is transmitted to the power management unit. In the case that the voltage at the port is less than the predetermined threshold, the control unit is able to determine that the port is coupled to a sensing device, and send a high level control signal to the gate to turn off the P-channel MOSFET, so that the sensing signal from the sensing device is transmitted to the signal detection unit.

[0013] In some embodiments, the self-induction power taking unit is further coupled to the power management unit and configured to generate internal electrical energy for transmission to the power management unit. In such embodiments, this can be achieved by the self-induction power taking unit when the port of the sensor device is not coupled to an external auxiliary power supply.

[0014] In some embodiments, the power management unit comprises an electrical energy conversion device coupled to the power management unit and configured to convert the generated electrical energy into the power supply electrical energy of the sensor device through rectification and voltage stabilization. In such embodiments, the external electrical energy or the internal electrical energy obtained by the power management unit can not have a voltage value suitable for the internal devices of the sensor device or can not be stable enough. By setting the electrical energy conversion device to rectify, stabilize and convert the obtained electrical energy, electrical energy suitable for the sensor device can be obtained.

[0015] In some embodiments, the electrical energy conversion device comprises a reverse protection device. In such embodiments, when the port is coupled to an external auxiliary power supply, the electrical energy from the external auxiliary power supply is transmitted to the power management unit to the electrical energy conversion device. At this time, the direction of the electrical energy is opposite to that when the electrical energy conversion device is working, which can cause damage to the electrical energy conversion device. Therefore, by setting the reverse protection device, the port can be prevented from being damaged when it is coupled to an external auxiliary power supply.

[0016] In some embodiments, the signal detection unit further comprises a filtering device configured to filter the sensing signal, and a buffering device configured to suppress the sensing signal filtered by the filtering device at a predetermined voltage threshold or a predetermined current threshold. In such embodiments, by filtering, interference in the sensing signal can be suppressed or eliminated; by the buffering device, the voltage or current of the received electrical energy can be prevented from being too large, thereby improving the accuracy of the sensor.

[0017] In some embodiments, the signal detection unit comprises a voltage dividing device and an output, and the port comprises a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein a first end of the voltage dividing device is coupled to the power supply management unit and a second end is coupled to the first terminal and the output, and the second terminal is grounded.

[0018] In some embodiments, the sensing device comprises a thermistor, and wherein in the case that the port is coupled to the sensing device, the second end of the voltage dividing device is coupled to the thermistor such that a voltage sensing signal is formed at the second end of the voltage dividing device, the voltage sensing signal being indicative of a temperature sensed by the sensing device. In such embodiments, the sensing device typically comprises a variable thermistor, when the first and second terminals of the port are coupled to the sensing device, the thermistor of the sensing device is in series with the voltage dividing device between the power supply management unit and ground, and divides the power supplied by the power supply management unit, thereby generating a sensing signal and transmitting the sensing signal to the control unit through the output, enabling measurement of the temperature.

[0019] In some embodiments, the sensor device comprises a set of signal detection units, a set of external auxiliary power on units, and a set of ports, wherein a first port of the set of ports is coupled to a sensing device and a second port of the set of ports is coupled to an external auxiliary power supply. In such embodiments, the sensor device comprises multiple ports, each of which can be multiplexed to be selectively coupled to either the external auxiliary power supply or the sensing device. When one port is coupled to the external auxiliary power supply, the devices in the sensor device can be powered by the external power from the external auxiliary power supply, so that the sensing device coupled at another port can perform measurement. Thereby, the flexibility of the sensor device in use is improved.

[0020] Signal detection (the signal detection unit can detect a voltage or a current detection signal)

[0021] Embodiments according to the second aspect of the disclosure provide an electrical device. The electrical device comprises a sensor device according to the first aspect of the disclosure. The electrical device can be, for example, a circuit breaker, a switchgear, etc. The sensor device can be used, for example, to detect temperature rising components in the electrical device, such as copper bar connection points, cable connection points, etc. The electrical device can be, in particular, a copper bar or a cable joint. Here, the sensor device can be a wireless sensor, which can transmit operating parameters in the high-voltage device to the operation and maintenance personnel in a wireless manner.

[0022] It should be understood that the description in the summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the disclosure or to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the disclosure will be apparent from review of the disclosure, which is discussed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] The above-described and other features, advantages, and aspects of the present disclosure will become more apparent as various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in greater detail. One or more of the drawings (e.g., FIGS. 1-8) illustrate the described embodiments, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.

[0024] FIG. 1 A schematic diagram of a sensor device is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIGS. 2A-2B A schematic diagram of a port multiplexing circuit is shown in accordance with different embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIGS. 3A-3B A schematic diagram of a sensor device when coupled to different devices is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0027] FIGS. 4A-4B A schematic diagram of a sensor device when coupled to different devices is shown in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings. Throughout the following description, like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements or components. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to facilitate a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It can be evident, however, that such embodiment(s) can be practiced without using all of the specific details described below. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description of one or more embodiments. A simplified overview of one or more embodiments is presented in advance to provide a basic understanding of the embodiments. This overview is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of all embodiments or to delineate the scope of any or all embodiments.

[0029] Reference to "an embodiment" or "one embodiment" in the framework of this description means that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment" or "in one embodiment" in one or more places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular configurations, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0030] Unless otherwise indicated, when two elements are referred to as "connected" or "coupled," it is intended that the two elements are in direct contact, unless otherwise indicated. When two elements are referred to as being "coupled," it is intended that the two elements can be either connected or they can be coupled via one or more other elements.

[0031] In the following disclosure, unless otherwise indicated, when referring to absolute positional modifiers such as the terms "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," etc., or relative positional modifiers such as the terms "above," "below," "higher," "lower," etc., or when referring to orientational modifiers such as "horizontal," "vertical," etc., the orientation shown in the figure is used. Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "about," "approximately," "basically," and "approximately" indicate within 10%, preferably within 5%.

[0032] The following will combine FIGS. 1-4B The structure and working principle of the sensor device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0033] FIG. 1 A schematic diagram of a sensor device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. (As shown) FIG. 1 As shown, the sensor device 10 includes a power management unit 100, a three-port multiplexing circuit, a self-inductive power supply circuit 500, and a control unit 600. The power management unit 100 can selectively receive internal power from the self-inductive power supply circuit 500 or receive external power using the port multiplexing circuit. Then, the power management unit 100 processes the received power and uses the processed power to supply power to the internal circuitry. The power management unit 100 can, for example, be coupled to the internal circuitry or devices of the sensor device 10 to transmit the received processed power to the respective devices. It should be understood that in FIG. 1 The port multiplexing circuit shown is merely exemplary. Sensor device 10 may have one port multiplexing circuit and other circuitry solely for signal detection. This disclosure is not intended to be limiting.

[0034] The self-inductive power supply circuit 500 can generate electrical energy, for example, by inducing a magnetic field generated by the current in the power supply wire of the electrical device where the sensor device 10 is located, or it can be any circuit capable of generating electrical energy using external energy. This disclosure is not intended to be limiting. The control unit 600 can be, for example, a microcontroller unit (MCU) in the sensor device 10. The control unit 600 is coupled to and obtains power from the power management unit 100. The control unit 600 can receive various sensing signals from the sensor device 10 and send control signals to the controlled devices within the sensor device 10.

[0035] The first port multiplexing circuit includes port 200-1, and signal detection unit 300-1 and external auxiliary power on unit 400-1 connected in parallel between power management unit 100 and port 200-1. Correspondingly, the second port multiplexing circuit includes port 200-2, and signal detection unit 300-2 and external auxiliary power on unit 400-2 connected in parallel between power management unit 100 and port 200-2. The third port multiplexing circuit includes port 200-3 (collectively referred to as port 200 with port 200-1, 200-2), and signal detection unit 300-3 (collectively referred to as signal detection unit 300 with signal detection unit 300-1, 300-2) and external auxiliary power on unit 400-3 (collectively referred to as external auxiliary power on unit 400 with external auxiliary power on unit 400-1, 400-2) connected in parallel between power management unit 100 and port 200-3. Signal detection unit 300 is capable of generating a sensing signal in the case that port 200 is coupled to a sensing device. In the case that port 200 is coupled to an external auxiliary power source, if external auxiliary power on unit 400 receives external electric energy from port 200, then external auxiliary power on unit 400 causes the received electric energy to be transmitted to power management unit 100. The detailed structure of the port multiplexing circuit will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B The detailed structure of the port multiplexing circuit will be described below with reference to

[0036] FIG. 2A A schematic diagram of a port multiplexing circuit according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the port multiplexing circuit includes port 200, and signal detection unit 300 and external auxiliary power on unit 400 connected in parallel between power management unit 100 and port 200. Signal detection unit 300 is capable of generating a sensing signal in the case that port 200 is coupled to a sensing device. In the case that port 200 is coupled to an external auxiliary power source, if external auxiliary power on unit 400 receives external electric energy from port 200, then external auxiliary power on unit 400 causes the received electric energy to be transmitted to power management unit 100. FIG. 2AAs shown, the power supply management unit 100 comprises a power conversion device 110. The power conversion device 110 is coupled to the self-induction power taking unit 500 and configured to convert the power generated by the self-induction power taking unit 500 into the power supply power of the sensor device 10 after rectification and voltage stabilization. The power conversion device 110 can be, for example, a low dropout regulator (LDO). The signal detection unit 300 comprises a voltage dividing device 310 coupled between the power supply management unit 100 and the port 200 and an output terminal 320 for outputting the signal. When the sensor device 10 is installed and operated in an electrical device, for example, the port 200 is coupled to the sensing device 20 (not shown here). At this time, the power conversion device 110 can convert the power generated by the self-induction power taking unit 500 into the power supply power and transmit it to the signal detection unit 300. The voltage dividing device 310 divides the power from the power conversion device 110 with the sensing device 20 coupled to the port 200, and forms a voltage sensing signal at the second end of the voltage dividing device 310 coupled to the port 200. In addition, a filtering device 330 and a buffering device 340 are also connected in series between the second end of the voltage dividing device 310 and the output terminal 320. The filtering device 330 filters the sensing signal to suppress or remove interference in the signal. The buffering device 340 suppresses the sensing signal at a predetermined voltage threshold or a predetermined current threshold to avoid the voltage or current of the sensing signal being too large to damage the control unit 600.

[0037] In FIG. 2A In the embodiment shown, the external auxiliary power-on unit 400 comprises a unidirectional conduction device 410. The input end of the unidirectional conduction device 410 is coupled to the port 200 and its output end is coupled to the power supply management unit 100. The unidirectional conduction device 410 is conductive when it receives external power at its input end from the port 200. At this time, the signal detection unit 300 is short-circuited, so that the external power is directly transmitted to the power supply management unit 100. When the power is transmitted from the port 200 to the power supply management unit 100, the current direction is opposite to that of the power converted by the power conversion device 110. In order to avoid damage to the power conversion device 110, the power conversion device 110 comprises a reverse protection device. In some embodiments, the unidirectional conduction device 410 can be, for example, a diode or a triode with a corresponding controller, etc.

[0038] - FIG. 2B A schematic diagram of a port multiplexing circuit according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Unlike the circuit shown in FIG. 2A The difference between the circuit shown in FIG. 2BThe external auxiliary power supply unit 400 of the port multiplexing circuit shown includes a switching device 420. A first end of the switching device 420 is coupled to port 200 and a second end is coupled to power management unit 100. When port 200 is coupled to external auxiliary power supply 20, the switching device 420 closes to allow external power to be transmitted to power management unit 100.

[0039] FIG. 3A A schematic diagram is shown of a sensor device 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure when coupled to a sensing device 20. For example... FIG. 3A As shown, the sensor device 10 includes a power management unit 100, a three-port multiplexing circuit, a self-inductive power supply circuit 500, and a control unit 600. The first port multiplexing circuit includes port 200-1, a signal detection unit 300-1, and a diode D-1 serving as an external auxiliary power supply connection unit 400-1. Correspondingly, the second port multiplexing circuit includes port 200-2, a signal detection unit 300-2, and a diode D-2 serving as an external auxiliary power supply connection unit 400-2. The third port multiplexing circuit includes port 200-3, a signal detection unit 300-3, and a diode D-3 serving as an external auxiliary power supply connection unit 400-3. Port 200-1 includes a first terminal 210-1 and a second terminal 220-1; port 200-2 includes a first terminal 210-2 and a second terminal 220-2; port 200-3 includes a first terminal 210-3 and a second terminal 220-3.

[0040] Specifically, the signal detection unit 300-1 includes a resistor R1-1, a capacitor C-1, a resistor R2-1, and an output terminal 320-1. The first end of resistor R1-1 is coupled to the power management unit 100 and the first end of diode D-1. The second end of resistor R1-1 is coupled to the first end of resistor R2-1, the first end of capacitor C-1, the second end of diode D-1, and the first terminal 210-1 of port 200-1. The second end of the first end of resistor R2-1 is coupled to the output terminal 320-1 of the signal detection unit 300-1. Here, resistor R1-1 serves as a voltage divider. Capacitor C-1 and resistor R2-1 together form an anti-aliasing filter. Furthermore, resistor R2-1 also serves as a buffer device.

[0041] Similarly, signal detection unit 300-2 includes resistor R1-2, capacitor C-2, resistor R2-2, and output terminal 320-2, all with the same connection method and function as the corresponding components in signal detection unit 300-1. Signal detection unit 300-3 also includes resistor R1-3, capacitor C-3, resistor R2-3, and output terminal 320-3, all with the same connection method and function as the corresponding components in signal detection unit 300-1.

[0042] existFIG. 3A In the illustrated embodiment, port 200-3 is coupled to sensing device 20. Sensing device 20 is, for example, a temperature sensor and includes a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. The first terminal of the NTC thermistor is coupled to the first terminal 210-3 of port 200-3 and further coupled to the second terminal of resistor R1-3. Simultaneously, the second terminal of the NTC thermistor is coupled to the second terminal 220-3 of port 200-3 and further grounded. In this embodiment, power management unit 100 obtains power from self-inductive power supply unit 500. The voltage at the cathode of diode D-3 is higher than the voltage at the anode of diode D-3, therefore diode D-3 is turned off. Thus, resistor R1-3 and the NTC thermistor are connected in series between power management unit 100 and ground, and the power supplied to power management unit 100 and applied to the first terminal of resistor R1-3 is divided, thereby forming a sensing signal with a corresponding voltage at the second terminal of resistor R1-3. The sensed signal is filtered and buffered before reaching the output terminal 320-3 of the signal detection unit 300-3, where it is further transmitted to the control unit 600 for processing.

[0043] FIG. 3B A schematic diagram of a sensor device 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown when coupled to an external auxiliary power supply 30. FIG. 3B In the illustrated embodiment, the structure of the sensor device 10 is similar to... FIG. 3A The sensor device 10 in this example is the same, and its structure will not be described further for the sake of simplicity. FIG. 3B As shown, port 200-3 is coupled to an external auxiliary power supply 30. The external auxiliary power supply 30 may include, for example, a transformer power supply (VAPS). The positive terminal of the external auxiliary power supply 30 is coupled to the first terminal 210-3 of port 200-3 and further coupled to the second terminal of resistor R1-3. Simultaneously, the negative terminal of the external auxiliary power supply 30 is coupled to the second terminal 220-3 of port 200-3 and further grounded. In this embodiment, the power management unit 100 does not draw power from the self-inductive power supply unit 500 and therefore does not supply power to the signal detection unit 300-3. At this time, the voltage at the anode of diode D-3 is higher than the voltage at the cathode of diode D-3, therefore diode D-3 is turned on. Thus, power from the external auxiliary power supply 30 is directly transferred from port 200-3 to the power management unit 100, and then supplied by the power management unit 100 to other internal components.

[0044] FIG. 4A A schematic diagram of a sensor device 10 coupled to a sensing device 20 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. FIG. 4AIn the illustrated embodiment, the sensor device 10 includes a power management unit 100, a port 200, a signal detection unit 300, a self-inductive power supply unit 500, and a control unit. FIG. 3A The sensor device 10 is the same as that described above; for the sake of simplicity, its structure will not be described further. FIG. 3A The difference is that the external auxiliary power supply unit 400 of each port multiplexing circuit includes P-channel MOSFETs M-1, M-2, and M-3 (collectively referred to as P-channel MOSFETs M). For example... FIG. 4A As shown, the gate of the P-channel MOSFET M is coupled to the output terminal of the self-inductive power supply unit 500, its drain is coupled to the first terminal 210 of the port 200, and its source is coupled to the power management unit.

[0045] In this embodiment, power is transmitted from the self-inductive power supply unit 500 to the power management unit 100, and also to the gate of the P-channel MOSFET M. At this time, the gate receives a high-level control signal, causing the drain and source of the P-channel MOSFET M to be in a cut-off state. Consequently, resistors R1-3 and the NTC thermistor are connected in series between the power management unit 100 and ground, and the power supplied to the power management unit 100 is divided at the first terminal of resistor R1-3, thereby forming a sensing signal with a corresponding voltage at the second terminal of resistor R1-3. The sensing signal is filtered and buffered before reaching the output terminal 320-3 of the signal detection unit 300-3, where it is further transmitted to the control unit 600 for processing.

[0046] FIG. 4B A schematic diagram of a sensor device 10 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure when coupled to an external auxiliary power supply 30 is shown. FIG. 4B In the illustrated embodiment, the structure of the sensor device 10 is similar to... FIG. 4A The sensor device 10 in this example is the same, and its structure will not be described further for the sake of simplicity. FIG. 4B As shown, port 200-3 is coupled to an external auxiliary power supply 30. At this time, the positive terminal of the external auxiliary power supply 30 is coupled to the first terminal 210-3 of port 200-3 and further coupled to the second terminal of resistor R1-3. Simultaneously, the negative terminal of the external auxiliary power supply 30 is coupled to the second terminal 220-3 of port 200-3 and further grounded. In this embodiment, the power management unit 100 does not draw power from the self-inductive power supply unit 500 and therefore does not supply power to the signal detection unit 300-3. Simultaneously, the gate of the P-channel MOSFET M-3 is at a low level, causing the P-channel MOSFET M-3 to conduct. Thus, power from the external auxiliary power supply 30 is directly transferred from port 200-3 to the power management unit 100, and then supplied by the power management unit 100 to other internal components.

[0047] It should be appreciated that the sensing device 20 for detecting temperature is only exemplary, and the sensor apparatus 10 can also be coupled to a passive sensing device for measuring other physical quantities, and have a signal detection unit corresponding to the passive sensing device. In some embodiments, the sensor apparatus can be coupled to a voltage sensing device and / or a current sensing device to detect, for example, a voltage or a current in an electrical device.

[0048] In some embodiments, the gate of the P-channel MOSFET M can also be coupled to the control unit 600 and receive a control signal from the control unit 600. The control unit 600 is capable of detecting a port voltage at the port 200, and sending a low-level control signal to the gate when determining that the port voltage is higher than a predetermined threshold, and sending a high-level control signal to the gate when determining that the port voltage is lower than the predetermined threshold.

[0049] The details and embodiments can vary, even significantly, with respect to what is described by way of example only, without departing from the scope of protection. The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide additional embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above- described detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited to the disclosure.

Claims

1. A sensor device (1) comprising: a power supply management unit (100) configured to selectively receive internal power or external power and to supply power to internal circuitry; a port (200) adapted to be coupled to a sensing arrangement (20) or to an external auxiliary power source (30) for providing said external power; a signal detection unit (300) having a first end coupled to said power supply management unit (100) and a second end coupled to said port (200), said signal detection unit (300) being configured to generate a sensing signal in case said port (200) is coupled to said sensing arrangement; and an external auxiliary power on unit (400) having a first end coupled to said power supply management unit (100) and a second end coupled to said port (200), said external auxiliary power on unit (400) being configured to cause said power to be transferred to said power supply management unit (100) in response to receiving said power from said port (200) in case said port (200) is coupled to said external auxiliary power source, wherein said port (200) is coupled to said sensing arrangement (20) when said power supply management unit (100) receives internal power or to said external auxiliary power source (30) when said power supply management unit (100) receives external power, thereby enabling multiplexing of an external power port and a signal detection port in the same said port (200).

2. The sensor device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the external auxiliary power-on unit (400) comprises: a unidirectional conduction device (410) having an input end coupled to said port (200) and an output end coupled to said power supply management unit (100), and being configured to conduct in response to receiving power from said port (200) to cause said external power to be transferred to said power supply management unit (100).

3. The sensor device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said unidirectional conduction device (410) comprises a diode (D).

4. The sensor device (1) according to claim 3, wherein said diode (D) is configured to clip said sensing signal in case said port (200) is coupled to said sensing arrangement (20).

5. The sensor device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the external auxiliary power-on unit (400) comprises: a switch device (420) having a first end coupled to said port (200) and a second end coupled to said power supply management unit (100), and being configured to conduct in response to said port (200) being coupled to said external auxiliary power source (30) to cause said external power to be transferred to said power supply management unit (100).

6. The sensor device (1) according to claim 5, wherein said switch device (420) comprises: a P-channel MOSFET (M) having a gate configured to receive a control signal, a drain coupled to said port (200), and a source coupled to said power supply management unit (100), wherein said P-channel MOSFET (M) is configured to be off in response to said control signal being high and to be on in response to said control signal being low.

7. The sensor device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the gate is coupled to a self- induced power harvesting unit (500) and configured to receive the control signal from the self- induced power harvesting unit (500), wherein the control signal is high when the self-induced power harvesting unit (500) is running and the control signal is low when the self-induced power harvesting unit (500) is not running.

8. The sensor device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the gate is coupled to a control unit (600) and configured to receive the control signal from the control unit (600), wherein the control unit (600) is configured to detect a port voltage at the port (200) and to send a low level of the control signal to the gate in response to determining that the port voltage is higher than a predetermined threshold and to send a high level of the control signal to the gate in response to determining that the port voltage is lower than a predetermined threshold.

9. The sensor device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the self-induced power harvesting unit (500) is further coupled to the power supply management unit (100) and configured to generate the internal electric energy for transmission to the power supply management unit (100).

10. The sensor device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the power supply management unit (100) comprises: an electric energy conversion device (110) coupled to the self-induced power harvesting unit (500) and configured to convert the electric energy generated by the self-induced power harvesting unit (500) into a power supply electric energy of the sensor device (1) by rectification and voltage stabilization.

11. The sensor device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the electric energy conversion device (110) comprises a reverse protection device.

12. The sensor device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the signal detection unit (300) comprises: a filtering device (330) configured to filter a sensing signal, and / or a buffer device (340) configured to suppress a sensing signal at a predetermined voltage threshold or a predetermined current threshold.

13. The sensor device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the signal detection unit (300) comprises a voltage dividing device (310) and an output terminal (320), and the port (200) comprises a first terminal (210) and a second terminal (220), wherein a first end of the voltage dividing device (310) is coupled to the power supply management unit (100) and a second end is coupled to the first terminal (210) and the output terminal (320), and the second terminal (220) is grounded.

14. The sensor device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the sensing means (20) comprises a thermistor, and wherein in case the port (200) is coupled to the sensing means (20), a second end of the voltage dividing means (310) is coupled to the thermistor such that a voltage sensing signal is formed at the second end of the voltage dividing means (310) indicative of a temperature sensed by the sensing means (20).

15. The sensor device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a set of signal detection units (300), a set of external auxiliary power on units (400), and a set of ports (200), wherein a first port (200) of the set of ports (200) is coupled to the sensing means (20) and a second port (200) of the set of ports (200) is coupled to the external auxiliary power supply (30).

16. An electrical device comprising a sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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