Multi-channel relay assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of relays, in particular to a multi-channel relay assembly. The multi-channel relay assembly comprises at least two relays arranged in parallel, each relay comprises a relay body, an input conducting bar and an output conducting bar, the input conducting bar and the output conducting bar are connected to the relay body, each input conducting bar is provided with a sampling resistor disc, and the side faces, in the thickness direction, of the sampling resistor discs of every two adjacent relays are opposite. And the interval distribution direction of the sampling resistor discs of the relays is consistent with the parallel direction of the relays. According to the relay assembly, the distance between relays can be reduced while the performance of resisting power frequency interference is met, the structure is compact, the occupied space of the relay assembly is reduced, the size of an electric energy meter using the relay assembly can be further reduced, cost is saved, and field installation and operation are facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of relay technology, and more specifically to a multi-channel relay assembly. Background Technology

[0002] An electricity meter is an instrument used to measure electrical energy; it is also called an energy meter, kilowatt-hour meter, or kilowatt-hour meter. Traditional single-phase electronic electricity meters have only one metering channel. To increase the number of metering channels, the only way is to increase the number of electricity meters. However, as the number of electricity meters increases, the corresponding metering box must also increase in size, and the technical requirements for internal power line assembly also increase accordingly. Therefore, its manufacturing and installation costs are relatively high.

[0003] Currently, existing technologies include multi-channel relay assemblies with two or even more channels. For example, Chinese invention patent CN108962685B discloses a multi-channel combined magnetic latching relay structure, which includes multiple magnetic latching relays, a first connecting piece, a second connecting piece, a third connecting piece, rivets, a manganese copper current sampling piece, relay coil control lines, voltage detection lines, and current detection lines. The first and second connecting pieces are connected to the magnetic latching relays respectively, and the third connecting piece is connected to each of the first connecting pieces by rivets. The manganese copper current sampling piece is located in the middle of the first connecting piece. The first connecting piece forms an input busbar, the second connecting piece forms an output busbar, and the manganese copper current sampling piece forms a sampling resistor. Multiple magnetic latching relays are riveted together by first connecting pieces, second connecting pieces, third connecting pieces, and rivets to form a multi-channel parallel combination structure. The metering of electrical energy is achieved through manganese copper current sampling pieces, current detection lines, and voltage detection lines in each channel. This reduces the number of single-channel smart meters required, effectively shortens the size of the power distribution box for the power meter, and reduces the procurement and installation costs of the power meter.

[0004] Although the above-mentioned relay component structure design achieves multiple channels in a single meter, it still occupies a relatively large space, resulting in a large overall size of the electricity meter. This still places relatively high demands on the space required for on-site assembly, and on-site installation and construction operations remain inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-channel relay assembly to solve the problem that current multi-channel relay assemblies occupy relatively large space.

[0006] The technical solution of the multi-channel relay assembly of the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A multi-channel relay assembly includes at least two relays arranged in parallel. Each relay includes a relay body and an input busbar and an output busbar respectively connected to the relay body. The input busbar is provided with a sampling resistor. The sides of the sampling resistors of two adjacent relays face each other in the thickness direction. The spacing distribution direction of the sampling resistors of each relay is consistent with the parallel direction of each relay.

[0008] Furthermore, the input busbar and the output busbar are located on opposite sides of the relay body, respectively.

[0009] Furthermore, the multi-channel relay assembly is defined to have a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction that are perpendicular to each other. The direction in which the relays are arranged side by side is the first direction. The thickness direction of the sampling resistor is the first direction. The input bus and the output bus are located on both sides of the relay body in the second direction. The current flow path direction in the sampling resistor is the third direction.

[0010] Furthermore, the input busbar includes an angle conversion input busbar and an angle conversion output busbar. Both the angle conversion input busbar and the angle conversion output busbar have two mutually perpendicular segments. One segment extends along a third direction and is connected to the sampling resistor, while the other segment extends along a first direction. The segments of the angle conversion input busbar and the angle conversion output busbar extending along the first direction are opposite to each other in the third direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the output busbar of the relay and the pins used to connect the control circuit are located on the same side of the relay body.

[0012] Furthermore, the multi-channel relay assembly includes an input bus, with the input conductors of each relay connected to the same input bus, and the input bus having an inlet terminal for connecting to the main circuit.

[0013] Furthermore, the input busbar and the input conductive busbar are fixedly connected by bolts.

[0014] Furthermore, the input busbar is equipped with a press-fit nut to cooperate with the bolts to fix it to the input busbar.

[0015] Furthermore, the thickness of the input bus is greater than the thickness of the input conductor bus.

[0016] Furthermore, the input bus has a bus connection section fixed to the input conductor of each relay, and the thickness direction of the bus connection section is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the sampling resistor.

[0017] Beneficial Effects: The multi-channel relay assembly of this invention modifies existing technology by setting the sampling resistors of each relay in a thickness-direction opposite arrangement, with the thickness direction of the sampling resistors aligned with the parallel direction of the relays. Compared to the existing technology's sampling resistor arrangement with opposite width directions, this reduces the distance between relays while maintaining the required spacing between adjacent sampling resistors. The spacing of the sampling resistors affects the performance against power frequency interference; excessively close spacing can generate significant power frequency interference. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure adequate spacing. In existing technologies, to meet the required spacing of the sampling resistors with opposite width directions, the distance between relays is relatively large. However, the thickness-direction opposite arrangement of the sampling resistors in this invention reduces the distance between relays while maintaining the performance against power frequency interference. This results in a compact structure, reducing the space occupied by the relay assembly, and consequently, reducing the size of the energy meter using this relay assembly, saving costs, and facilitating on-site installation and operation. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the input side view of a multi-channel relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the output side view of a multi-channel relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a top view of a multi-channel relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a bottom view of a multi-channel relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Input conductive busbar;

[0023] 2. First relay connecting screw; 3. Second relay connecting screw; 4. Third relay connecting screw; 5. Fourth relay connecting screw;

[0024] 6. First current sampling angle conversion input conductive copper busbar; 7. Second current sampling angle conversion input conductive copper busbar; 8. Third current sampling angle conversion input conductive copper busbar; 9. Fourth current sampling angle conversion input conductive copper busbar;

[0025] 10. First manganin current sampling chip; 11. Second manganin current sampling chip; 12. Third manganin current sampling chip; 13. Fourth manganin current sampling chip;

[0026] 14. First current sampling angle conversion output conductive copper busbar; 15. Second current sampling angle conversion output conductive copper busbar; 16. Third current sampling angle conversion output conductive copper busbar; 17. Fourth current sampling angle conversion output conductive copper busbar;

[0027] 18. First relay body; 19. Second relay body; 20. Third relay body; 21. Fourth relay body;

[0028] 22. First relay output conductive copper busbar; 23. Second relay output conductive copper busbar; 24. Third relay output conductive copper busbar; 25. Fourth relay output conductive copper busbar. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The basic concept of the multi-channel relay assembly of the present invention is to set the sampling resistors of each relay in a form with opposite thickness directions. The thickness direction of the sampling resistors is consistent with the parallel direction of each relay. In this way, while satisfying the anti-power frequency interference performance by maintaining the spacing between two adjacent sampling resistors, the spacing between relays can be reduced, resulting in a compact structure, reducing the space occupied by the relay assembly, and improving heat dissipation performance.

[0030] The following detailed description is provided in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0031] Embodiments of the multi-channel relay assembly of the present invention:

[0032] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the multi-channel relay assembly includes multiple relays arranged in parallel. In this embodiment, there are four relays; in other embodiments, there may be two, three, or other numbers of relays. It can be installed in the same energy meter to form multiple metering channels.

[0033] A relay consists of a relay body and input and output busbars connected to the relay body. The relay body is roughly square in shape, with all relay bodies being the same size and aligned. The busbars are conductive metal sheets of a certain thickness, allowing for easy bending. The input busbar is connected to the output busbar via internal contacts within the relay body. The input and output busbars are on the main circuit, used to transmit large currents. The current flows sequentially through the input busbar, the internal circuitry of the relay body, and the output busbar. The relay body has pins for connecting to a control circuit to control the opening and closing of the internal contacts. The input busbar has a sampling resistor with current detection points; this sampling resistor is a manganin current sampling element.

[0034] The input busbar includes a current sampling angle conversion input conductive copper busbar, a manganin current sampling chip, and a current sampling angle conversion output conductive copper busbar. The current sampling angle conversion input conductive copper busbar is the angle conversion input side busbar, and the current sampling angle conversion output conductive copper busbar is the angle conversion output side busbar. The output busbar is a relay output conductive copper busbar.

[0035] The four relays are designated as the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, and the fourth relay, respectively:

[0036] The first relay includes a first current sampling angle conversion input conductive copper busbar 6, a first manganese copper current sampling piece 10, a first current sampling angle conversion output conductive copper busbar 14, a first relay body 18, and a first relay output conductive copper busbar 22.

[0037] The second relay includes a second current sampling angle conversion input conductive copper busbar 7, a second manganese copper current sampling piece 11, a second current sampling angle conversion output conductive copper busbar 15, a second relay body 19, and a second relay output conductive copper busbar 23.

[0038] The third relay includes a third current sampling angle conversion input conductive copper busbar 8, a third manganese copper current sampling piece 12, a third current sampling angle conversion output conductive copper busbar 16, a third relay body 20, and a third relay output conductive copper busbar 24.

[0039] The fourth relay includes a fourth current sampling angle conversion input conductive copper busbar 9, a fourth manganese copper current sampling piece 13, a fourth current sampling angle conversion output conductive copper busbar 17, a fourth relay body 21, and a fourth relay output conductive copper busbar 25.

[0040] The relay assembly also includes an input bus. The input conductive bus of each relay is connected to the same input bus. The input bus is the input conductive bus 1. The current sampling angle conversion input conductive bus of each relay is connected to the input conductive bus 1 by bolts. These bolts are the relay connection screws. The relay connection screws of the four relays are the first relay connection screw 2, the second relay connection screw 3, the third relay connection screw 4, and the fourth relay connection screw 5.

[0041] In this design, the manganese copper current sampling elements of any two adjacent relays face each other along their thickness direction. The thickness direction of the manganese copper current sampling element is the same as the thickness direction of the element itself. Its length direction is consistent with the current direction, and its width direction is perpendicular to both the thickness and length directions. The spacing of the manganese copper current sampling elements in each relay is consistent with the parallel direction of the relays. The spacing of the sampling resistor elements affects the performance against power frequency interference. If the sampling resistor elements are too close together, significant power frequency interference will occur. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the spacing of the sampling resistor elements. By setting the sampling resistor elements of each relay to face each other along their thickness direction, the spacing between the relays can be reduced while still meeting the spacing requirements between adjacent sampling resistor elements. This results in a compact structure, reduces the space occupied by the relay assembly, and consequently reduces the size of the energy meter using this relay assembly, saving costs and facilitating on-site installation and operation.

[0042] The input and output busbars are located on opposite sides of the relay body, meaning the input and output sides are opposite sides of the relay. The input and output busbars extend from the corresponding sides of the relay body, respectively, on two sides of the relay body, rather than being connected or led out from a single side. This allows for the concentrated arrangement of the busbars using the larger space on the input and output sides, avoiding the occupation of space in other directions, improving space utilization, and helping to reduce the size of the energy meter. In other embodiments, the input and output busbars can also be led out from the same side of the relay body and extend to the other opposite sides, utilizing space in three directions to arrange the busbars.

[0043] This multi-channel relay assembly is defined with three mutually perpendicular directions: a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction. The direction in which the relays are arranged side-by-side is the first direction. The thickness direction of the manganese copper current sampling element is also the first direction. The input and output busbars are located on opposite sides of the relay body in the second direction. The width direction of the manganese copper current sampling element is the second direction. The current flow path direction within the manganese copper current sampling element is the third direction, and the length direction of the manganese copper current sampling element is also the third direction. The input and output sides of the relay are on opposite sides of the second direction. Setting the current flow path direction of the manganese copper current sampling element along the third direction of the relay body reduces the space occupied in the second direction, resulting in a compact structure and reducing the required installation space. In other embodiments, where space permits, the current flow path direction of the manganese copper current sampling element can also be set along the second direction of the relay body.

[0044] Both the angle conversion input and output conductive busbars have two mutually perpendicular sections. One section extends along a third direction and connects to the manganin current sampling element, while the other section extends along a first direction. The sections extending along the first direction of the angle conversion input and output conductive busbars are opposite each other in the third direction. The angle conversion input and output conductive busbars are used to adjust the arrangement angle of the sampling resistor elements and save space. The section extending along the first direction of the angle conversion output conductive busbar has a portion extending to the side of the relay body for connection to the relay body. The manganin current sampling elements are parallel to each other. The spatial angle position of the manganin current sampling elements is adjusted by the current sampling angle conversion output conductive busbar and the current sampling angle conversion input conductive busbar, avoiding power frequency interference caused by other conductive positions on the manganin current sampling elements of the relay, effectively reducing inter-household interference of the energy meter.

[0045] The output conductor of the relay and the pins used to connect the control circuit are located on the same side of the relay body. This arrangement of pins on the output side and their wiring operation is space-saving.

[0046] The input bus has an input terminal for connecting to the main circuit. The input bus has a section extending in a first direction and a section extending in a second direction. The input bus and the input conductive bus are located on the same side of the current collector body. Each input conductive bus is fixedly connected to the first direction extension section of the input bus, which is the bus connection section. The input terminal is located on the second direction extension section of the input bus. The manganin current sampling element is perpendicular to the input bus. The thickness direction of the bus connection section of the input bus is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the sampling resistor element, which is beneficial for anti-interference.

[0047] The thickness of the input busbar is greater than that of the input conductor busbar, increasing the current-carrying area of ​​the busbar and accommodating larger currents. The relay assembly uses a one-in-multiple-out configuration to control the current path.

[0048] The unified structure of multiple relays facilitates relay manufacturing and reduces production costs. The relays are securely connected to the input busbar via press-fit nuts and screws, ensuring reliable locking, simplifying production, reducing manufacturing costs, and lowering defect rates. The structure is more compact and smaller. The width occupied by the relay assembly (parallel direction dimension) is less than 67mm, making it suitable for manufacturing 4P width rail multi-user energy meters. The length of the input busbar can be extended, but this requires increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the input busbar and the number of relay assemblies (n) to accommodate (4+n)P multi-user energy meters.

[0049] The temperature rise of a multi-channel energy meter using the relay assembly of the present invention when carrying a 63A current can be controlled at approximately 37K, which is far superior to the industry average temperature rise of 60K.

[0050]

[0051] The temperature effect of the relay assembly of this invention was tested on a multi-channel energy meter. The average temperature coefficient limit was tested, and the test data are shown in the table below. The result is 0.006% / K when the power factor (PF) is 1.0 and 0.006% / K when the power factor is 0.5L. This is far within the average temperature coefficient limit requirements of 0.05% / K (power factor 1.0) and 0.07% / K (power factor 0.5L) in the "JJF 1245.1-2019 Type Evaluation Outline for Installed Energy Meters - Active Energy Meters". The average temperature coefficient can be calculated using the following formula: In the formula, c is the average temperature coefficient (% / K). The upper limit of temperature error (%) The lower limit of temperature error (%) This represents the upper limit temperature (°C) of the temperature interval. This is the lower limit temperature (°C) of the temperature interval.

[0052]

[0053] The inter-user influence test of multi-channel energy meters using the relay assembly of the present invention can be performed under conditions exceeding existing standards.

[0054]

[0055] This relay assembly reduces the space requirements for electricity meter production and assembly, decreases the size of the electricity meter, reduces the space requirements for electricity meter installation and construction, and lowers production, manufacturing, and installation costs. It effectively solves the temperature rise problem of current components, greatly improves the electricity meter's resistance to power frequency interference, and enhances inter-household interference indicators.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments without creative effort, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-channel relay assembly, characterized in that, It includes at least two relays arranged in parallel. Each relay includes a relay body and an input busbar and an output busbar respectively connected to the relay body. The input busbar is provided with a sampling resistor. The sides of the sampling resistors of two adjacent relays face each other in the thickness direction. The spacing distribution direction of the sampling resistors of each relay is consistent with the parallel direction of each relay.

2. The multi-channel relay assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The input busbar and the output busbar are located on opposite sides of the relay body, respectively.

3. The multi-channel relay assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, a definition is provided. The multi-channel relay assembly has a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction that are perpendicular to each other. The direction in which the relays are arranged in parallel is the first direction. The thickness direction of the sampling resistor is the first direction. The input busbar and the output busbar are located on both sides of the relay body in the second direction. The current flow path direction in the sampling resistor is the third direction.

4. The multi-channel relay assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the input busbar includes an angle conversion input busbar and an angle conversion output busbar, both the angle conversion input busbar and the angle conversion output busbar having two mutually perpendicular segments, one segment extending along a third direction and connected to the sampling resistor, and the other segment extending along a first direction, the segments of the angle conversion input busbar and the angle conversion output busbar extending along the first direction being opposite each other in the third direction.

5. The multi-channel relay assembly according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The output busbar of the relay and the pins used to connect the control circuit are located on the same side of the relay body.

6. The multi-channel relay assembly according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The multi-channel relay assembly includes an input bus, with the input conductors of each relay connected to the same input bus, and the input bus having an inlet terminal for connecting to the main circuit.

7. The multi-channel relay assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The input busbar and the input conductor busbar are fixedly connected by bolts.

8. The multi-channel relay assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The input busbar is equipped with a press-fit nut to be used with bolts to fix it to the input busbar.

9. The multi-channel relay assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The thickness of the input bus is greater than the thickness of the input conductor bus.

10. The multi-channel relay assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The input bus has a bus connection section fixed to the input conductor of each relay, and the thickness direction of the bus connection section is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the sampling resistor.

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