Power failure communication guarantee device for metering terminal equipment and working method of power failure communication guarantee device

Abstract

The invention provides a power failure communication guarantee device for metering terminal equipment and a working method thereof, and relates to the technical field of power equipment. The device comprises a power supply module used for storing electric energy and providing a direct-current power supply; the inversion voltage stabilization module is connected with the power supply module and is used for converting the direct current power supply into a multi-gear selectable alternating current power supply for outputting; the main control module is electrically connected with the power supply module and the inversion voltage stabilization module and is used for controlling and coordinating the work of each module; and the intelligent load identification module is respectively connected with the main control module and the inversion voltage stabilization module. On the basis, multi-gear selectable alternating current power supply output is realized, and an intelligent load identification and safe self-locking mechanism is realized, so that the problems of power supply failure, equipment burning and safety accidents caused by voltage mismatching in the existing power failure emergency power supply device are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of power equipment technology, specifically to a power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment and its working method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of smart grids, smart metering terminal devices (such as smart meters and data acquisition terminals) are playing an increasingly important role in the power system. These devices are responsible for real-time collection and transmission of electricity consumption data, forming the basis for grid monitoring and billing. However, in situations such as grid fault repair, temporary power outages, or natural disasters, metering terminal devices often fail to function properly due to power outages, leading to data loss and communication interruptions, which in turn affects grid operation and maintenance efficiency and user electricity experience.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, some emergency power supply devices for power outages exist in the existing technology, typically portable inverters or small generators. For example, patent CN209823507U provides a simple benchtop micro power supply support device. However, most current emergency power supply devices suffer from a significant technical deficiency in practical applications: poor applicability and safety. Specifically, while they can provide temporary power, they often only support fixed voltage (e.g., 220 V) outputs. In contrast, various metering terminal devices exist on-site, with operating voltages potentially including single-phase 220 V, three-phase 380 V (line voltage), and even 100 V or 57.7 V (phase voltage) used by some specialized equipment. If a high-voltage connection is mistakenly made to a low-voltage device during an emergency power supply, the equipment will be instantly burned out, resulting in economic losses and safety accidents.

[0004] In addition, existing emergency power supply devices for power outages also have shortcomings such as inconvenience in maintenance and upgrades, generation of false metering data, insufficient endurance and power consumption management, and the risk of reverse power transmission. Specifically: Inconvenient maintenance and upgrades refer to the fact that in practical applications, the functions and firmware of the device may often need to be updated according to new communication protocols or business requirements; existing devices generally need to be returned to the factory or disassembled and upgraded by professionals with special tools on site, resulting in high maintenance costs and slow response times.

[0005] Generating false metering data refers to the fact that when a smart meter is powered by any external power source, the meter will usually treat it as normal energy consumption and accumulate the meter readings. If the device provides emergency power for several hours or even a whole day, it will generate a large number of false electricity readings, which will affect the accuracy of users' electricity bills and seriously interfere with the back-end main station system's analysis of key indicators such as actual line loss and regional load, resulting in inaccurate data.

[0006] Insufficient endurance and power consumption management refer to the high uncertainty of the duration of power outages on site, which places stringent requirements on the endurance of emergency power supply devices. However, existing devices generally adopt a constant power output mode, which supplies power at a constant power regardless of whether the load is in a busy state of high-frequency communication or in an idle state of long-term standby. This results in a large amount of energy waste and makes it difficult to meet the continuous power supply needs for a long time (such as more than 24 hours).

[0007] Facing the safety hazard of reverse power transmission refers to the situation where, while emergency power supply is in progress, if the fault on the grid side is cleared, the mains power will suddenly be restored. At this time, if the emergency power supply device is still connected to the metering terminal, a situation of two power sources in parallel will be formed. This will lead to a huge circulating current, which may burn out the power supply device and metering terminal at best, and may even trigger the tripping of the upstream line protection switch at worst, or even pose a safety threat to maintenance personnel working on the line. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a power outage communication protection device and its working method for metering terminal equipment. It can provide multi-level AC voltage output and can intelligently identify the connected load and execute safety protection mechanisms to solve the problems existing in the current power outage emergency power supply devices, such as power supply failure, equipment burnout and safety accidents caused by voltage mismatch.

[0009] This invention is achieved using the following technical solution: A power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment includes: a power supply module for storing electrical energy and providing DC power; an inverter voltage regulator module connected to the power supply module for converting the DC power into AC power with selectable multiple levels for output; a main control module electrically connected to both the power supply module and the inverter voltage regulator module for controlling and coordinating the operation of each module; and an intelligent load identification module connected to both the main control module and the inverter voltage regulator module. The intelligent load identification module is configured to: send a preset low-voltage detection signal to the metering terminal equipment to be connected before the inverter voltage regulator module outputs AC power, and identify its rated voltage level based on the response characteristics of the metering terminal equipment. The main control module is configured to: compare the current target output voltage level set for the inverter voltage regulator module with the rated voltage level identified by the intelligent load identification module; if the two do not match, lock the output of the inverter voltage regulator module and trigger an alarm; if the two match, allow the inverter voltage regulator module to output AC power at the set current target output voltage level.

[0010] The power outage communication protection device provided by this invention realizes a multi-level selectable AC power output through an inverter voltage regulator module, which can flexibly adapt to metering terminal equipment with different voltage requirements in the field. Furthermore, by setting up an intelligent load identification module and a main control module, it innovatively realizes an intelligent load identification and safety self-locking mechanism that identifies the load first and then supplies power, thereby effectively avoiding the risk of human error, that is, preventing the metering terminal equipment from being burned out due to incorrect manual selection of voltage level, thus ensuring personal and property safety.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a metering freeze interaction module, which is connected to the main control module and coupled to the output terminal of the inverter voltage regulator module; the main control module is configured to: after controlling the inverter voltage regulator module to output AC power, control the metering freeze interaction module to send a preset metering freeze command to the metering terminal device, so that the metering terminal device suspends its power metering accumulation function.

[0012] In the above solution, the intelligent interaction of metering freeze commands can be achieved by setting up a metering freeze interaction module. This ensures that the electricity meter does not register any readings during the power outage communication guarantee period and automatically resumes metering after the guarantee ends. This, in turn, ensures the fairness of electricity billing and the accuracy of power grid management data such as line loss analysis. Furthermore, it also includes a reverse power transmission prevention control module, which includes a grid recovery online monitoring unit and an automatic reverse power transmission prevention disconnect switch. The monitoring terminal of the grid recovery online monitoring unit is connected to the grid-side input terminal of the metering terminal equipment through a high-impedance isolation circuit, for real-time monitoring of whether there is restored mains voltage at the grid-side input terminal. The automatic reverse power transmission prevention disconnect switch is connected in series in the output circuit of the inverter voltage regulator module. The main control module is configured to continuously receive the monitoring signal from the grid recovery online monitoring unit during device operation; once the mains voltage is detected to be restored, it immediately controls the automatic reverse power transmission prevention disconnect switch to disconnect, thereby cutting off the electrical connection between the device and the metering terminal equipment.

[0013] In the above scheme, by setting up a reverse power transmission control module, reverse power transmission monitoring and response can be realized during the power outage communication protection process. This allows the electrical connection between the device and the metering terminal equipment to be automatically disconnected when the mains power is restored, thereby avoiding personal and equipment safety hazards caused by the connection status between the device and the metering terminal when the mains power is suddenly restored.

[0014] Furthermore, the intelligent load identification module includes a detection signal generation circuit, a signal coupling circuit, and a response signal acquisition circuit; the detection signal generation circuit is connected to the main control module and is used to generate the low-voltage detection signal according to instructions; the signal coupling circuit is used to inject the low-voltage detection signal into the output terminal of the device; the response signal acquisition circuit is used to acquire the voltage or current response signal generated by the metering terminal device in response to the detection signal; the main control module internally has a load characteristic fingerprint database and a matching identification algorithm; the matching identification algorithm is used to compare the acquired response signal with the fingerprint in the load characteristic fingerprint database to determine the rated voltage level of the metering terminal device.

[0015] Furthermore, the metering freeze interaction module includes a power line carrier modem, a signal power amplifier circuit, and an isolation coupling and filtering circuit; the power line carrier modem is connected to the main control module and is used to modulate the digital information of the metering freeze command into a high-frequency carrier signal; the signal power amplifier circuit is used to amplify the high-frequency carrier signal; the isolation coupling and filtering circuit includes a bandpass filter and an isolation transformer, and is used to superimpose the amplified high-frequency carrier signal onto the output AC power supply.

[0016] Furthermore, the power grid restoration online monitoring unit includes a high-impedance voltage divider sampling network, an opto-isolator, and a signal comparator circuit. The high-impedance voltage divider sampling network is used to proportionally reduce the voltage at the input terminal of the power grid side while ensuring safe isolation. The opto-isolator is used to transmit the reduced voltage to the detection pin of the main control module without potential. The signal comparator circuit is used to compare the voltage transmitted to the detection pin of the main control module with a preset voltage threshold and generate a logic level signal indicating whether the mains voltage has been restored.

[0017] Furthermore, the main control module is also configured to execute an adaptive power management strategy, which includes: monitoring the communication status or power consumption changes of the metering terminal device in real time or periodically; when the metering terminal device is detected to be in a communication silent state for a preset duration, controlling the inverter voltage regulator module to enter a low-power maintenance power supply mode; and when the metering terminal device is detected to have a communication activity request, controlling the inverter voltage regulator module to return to a full-power stable power supply mode.

[0018] In the above solution, by setting an adaptive power consumption management strategy, the effect of energy allocation on demand is achieved, which can significantly improve the efficiency of power utilization. As a result, with the same battery capacity, the effective battery life of this device can far exceed that of existing power supply devices with constant power output, thus meeting various complex and long-term emergency repair needs.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a display module and a communication module; the display module is connected to the main control module and is used to display relevant parameters and information of the device in real time; the communication module is connected to the main control module, supports wireless communication, and is used to realize remote uploading of device operation data and OTA online upgrade of firmware.

[0020] In the above solution, by setting up a display module and a communication module, this device is not limited to a simple power supply tool, but forms an intelligent power supply protection and management terminal, enabling maintenance personnel to clearly grasp various relevant information and operating data. In addition, this device supports OTA online firmware upgrades, breaking through the limitations of traditional power supply devices that require factory return or on-site upgrades, which can greatly improve the efficiency, safety and convenience of maintenance work, and significantly reduce the maintenance cost throughout the entire life cycle.

[0021] A method for operating a power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment, using the aforementioned power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment, includes the following steps: Step 1: Connection and initialization; Connect the output terminal of the device to the metering terminal equipment; Step 2: Gear setting and intelligent load identification; The system receives the current target output voltage level set by the user and performs intelligent load identification through the intelligent load identification module to identify the rated voltage level of the metering terminal equipment. Step 3: Security self-check and locking; The main control module compares the current target output voltage level with the identified rated voltage level; if they do not match, the output of the inverter voltage regulator module is locked and an alarm is triggered; if they match, the next step is executed. Step 4: Turn on the power; Start the inverter voltage regulator module to output AC power at the matched target output voltage level.

[0022] Furthermore, in step 4, while power is being supplied, the metering freeze command is sent to the metering terminal device through the metering freeze interaction module. This working method also includes: Step 5: Operation monitoring and management; During power supply periods, operational data is monitored in real time. Implement adaptive power management strategies to intelligently adjust the power supply mode; The power grid recovery online monitoring unit monitors in real time whether there is restored mains voltage at the power grid side input terminal of the metering terminal equipment; once the mains voltage is detected to be restored, the anti-reverse power supply automatic disconnect switch is immediately controlled to disconnect, so as to cut off the electrical connection between this device and the metering terminal equipment. Step 6: Task completion and metering recovery; When the power supply task ends, a metering recovery command is first sent to the metering terminal device through the metering freeze interaction module, and then the AC power output is disconnected.

[0023] The beneficial effects achieved by this invention are: This invention provides a power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment. By incorporating a power supply module, an inverter voltage regulator module, a main control module, and an intelligent load identification module, and based on the operating steps of each module, it enables emergency power supply to the metering terminal equipment in scenarios such as power grid fault repair, temporary power outages, or natural disasters. Specifically, this invention achieves multi-level selectable AC power output and implements an intelligent load identification and safety self-locking mechanism that prioritizes identification before power supply, allowing power output only when the current target output voltage level matches the rated voltage level of the metering terminal equipment. Therefore, compared to existing emergency power supply devices that only support fixed voltage output, this invention can flexibly adapt to metering terminal equipment with different voltage requirements in the field and effectively prevents damage to the metering terminal equipment due to incorrect manual voltage selection, thereby improving applicability and safety, and protecting personal and property safety. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram of the system structure of the power outage communication protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the working method of the power outage communication protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] Example 1 The first aspect of this embodiment provides a power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment, which adopts a portable integrated structure design. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1 Specifically, it includes a power supply module, a main control module, an inverter voltage regulator module, a voltage switching module, an intelligent load identification module, a metering freeze interaction module, a reverse power transmission prevention control module, a display module, and a communication module, as well as corresponding input and output interfaces. Specifically: The power supply module is the energy source for the entire device, used to store electrical energy and provide DC power. It includes a lithium battery pack and a battery management unit (BMS), wherein: The lithium battery pack preferably uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries or ternary lithium (NCM) batteries with high energy density and long cycle life; the total capacity of the battery pack can be designed according to the requirement of 24-hour full-load driving range, for example, 2kWh.

[0027] The Battery Management Unit (BMU) collects real-time data on the voltage of each cell string, the total current of the battery pack, and the temperature of key points through multiple sensors. Its main functions include: Data Monitoring: Transmitting the collected battery voltage, current, and temperature data to the main control module in real-time via CAN or UART bus. Safety Protection: Built-in hardware and software dual protection thresholds immediately activate the MOSFET switch to cut off the main circuit when any cell overvoltage, total voltage undervoltage, charging / discharging overcurrent, or excessively high / low temperature is detected, protecting the battery pack from permanent damage and reporting a fault code to the main control module. Cell Balancing: During charging or when stationary, passive or active balancing circuits perform micro-discharge on cells with higher voltage to ensure a highly consistent State of Charge (SOC) across all cells in the battery pack, maximizing the usable capacity and extending its lifespan. SOC Estimation: Accurately estimating the remaining percentage of battery charge using an ampere-hour integration method combined with open-circuit voltage correction, and providing this information to the main control module for display on the OLED screen.

[0028] The inverter and voltage regulator module is the core of the power conversion process. It is connected to both the power supply module and the main control module. It receives stable DC power (e.g., 48V DC) from the power supply module and, under the control of the main control module, converts the DC power into multi-level selectable AC power for output. The inverter voltage regulator module can use a high-frequency inverter circuit based on a full-bridge or half-bridge topology. The main control module can generate a sinusoidal pulse width modulation signal with corresponding amplitude and frequency according to the voltage level selected by the user. This sinusoidal pulse width modulation signal will drive the power switching transistors (such as IGBTs or MOSFETs) in the inverter bridge to switch at high speed. After LC filtering, the output is a pure sinusoidal AC power with extremely low distortion (THD<3%).

[0029] Furthermore, the inverter voltage regulator module works closely with the voltage regulator circuit; the main control module can form a fast closed-loop feedback control by sampling the voltage and current at the output terminal. That is, when the load changes or the battery voltage fluctuates, the main control module will adjust the pulse width of the sinusoidal pulse width modulation signal in real time, thereby accurately stabilizing the output voltage at the set value (such as 220V±1%) to ensure that a high-quality power supply is provided to the metering terminal equipment.

[0030] The voltage switching module is used to switch between multiple output AC power levels. In this embodiment, four output voltage levels are specifically set: 57.7V, 100V, 220V, and 380V. To achieve safe and arc-free switching, the voltage switching module preferably adopts an electronic switching scheme. This module can be composed of multiple solid-state relays (SSRs) or a specially designed contactor array, and is directly controlled by the main control module. The switching logic is as follows: When the user issues a switching command through an external knob or screen, the main control module first commands the inverter voltage regulator module to stop output and waits for the output voltage to drop to zero. Then, the main control module controls the voltage switching module to disconnect the relay of the current gear and close the relay corresponding to the new gear. After the relay is switched to the correct position, the main control module restarts the inverter voltage regulator module and uses a soft-start method to allow the output voltage to smoothly climb to the new set value. The entire switching process is completed in sub-seconds, prioritizing stability and safety, and effectively avoiding the arcing and transient impacts that may occur with traditional mechanical switches.

[0031] The main control module is the command center of the entire device, used to control and coordinate the work of each module. The main control module can use a 32-bit microcontroller of the ARM Cortex-M4 / M7 series, which has powerful computing capabilities and rich peripheral interfaces, and connects and controls all functional modules of the device.

[0032] The intelligent load identification module is connected to both the main control module and the inverter voltage regulator module, and can be physically integrated onto the control board of the main control module. The intelligent load identification module includes a detection signal generation circuit, a signal coupling circuit, and a response signal acquisition circuit. The detection signal generation circuit is connected to the main control module and is used to generate a low-voltage detection signal according to instructions. The signal coupling circuit is used to inject the low-voltage detection signal into the output terminal of the device. The response signal acquisition circuit is used to acquire the voltage or current response signal generated by the metering terminal equipment in response to the detection signal. Specifically, the detection signal generation circuit consists of a 12-bit DAC (digital-to-analog converter) and an operational amplifier controlled by the main control module via an SPI interface, capable of accurately generating preset waveforms (such as chirp sweep signals). The signal coupling circuit uses high-voltage CBB capacitors and power resistors to inject the signal into the output terminal. The response signal acquisition circuit consists of a high-speed, high-input-impedance differential amplifier and a 16-bit ADC, capable of accurately capturing the voltage and current responses of the load.

[0033] The main control module internally houses a load characteristic fingerprint database and a matching identification algorithm. The load characteristic fingerprint database records typical input impedance spectrum data of different models of metering terminal equipment in offline mode. The main control module is configured to: compare the acquired response signal with the fingerprint in the load characteristic fingerprint database using the matching identification algorithm to determine the rated voltage level of the metering terminal equipment; then, compare the current target output voltage level set for the inverter voltage regulator module with the identified rated voltage level; if the two do not match, the output of the inverter voltage regulator module is locked and an alarm is triggered; if the two match, the inverter voltage regulator module is allowed to output AC power at the set current target output voltage level.

[0034] The low-voltage detection signal can be in the form of impedance measurement or protocol handshake. Specifically, impedance measurement involves injecting a wideband pulse signal with an amplitude of several volts. The response signal acquisition circuit captures the response waveform generated by this pulse on the load. By analyzing the frequency characteristics of the response waveform through Fourier transform, the impedance spectrum of the load at different frequencies can be obtained. Since the input impedance characteristics (especially capacitive and inductive components) of the power supply circuit (usually a switching power supply) at the front end of metering terminal equipment of different voltage levels (such as single-phase meters and three-phase meters) differ significantly when not powered on, the main control module can perform pattern matching between the measured impedance spectrum and the internally pre-stored load characteristic fingerprint database to identify the load type. Protocol handshake refers to the detection signal being a low-speed data frame of a specific format, sent through a PLC-like principle, for more intelligent metering terminal equipment that supports pre-communication protocols. If the terminal can respond to the data frame and return its device information, the identification is successful.

[0035] The metering freeze interaction module is connected to the main control module and coupled to the output of the inverter voltage regulator module. It can also be integrated onto the main control board. The metering freeze interaction module includes a power line carrier modem, a signal power amplifier circuit, and an isolation coupling and filtering circuit. The power line carrier modem modulates the digital information of the metering freeze command into a high-frequency carrier signal. The signal power amplifier circuit amplifies the high-frequency carrier signal. The isolation coupling and filtering circuit, including a bandpass filter and an isolation transformer, superimposes the amplified high-frequency carrier signal onto the output AC power supply. The power line carrier modem connects to the main control module via an SPI or UART interface, and its output is connected to the signal power amplifier circuit. The amplifier's output is then safely coupled to the AC output bus of the inverter voltage regulator module through a bandpass filter and a coupling transformer.

[0036] The main control module is configured to: after controlling the inverter voltage regulator module to output AC power, control the metering freeze interaction module to send a preset metering freeze command to the metering terminal equipment, so that the metering terminal equipment suspends its power metering accumulation function.

[0037] The reverse power transmission prevention control module plays a safety monitoring role in the device, including: The reverse power transmission prevention control module includes a grid restoration online monitoring unit and an automatic reverse power transmission prevention disconnect switch. The monitoring terminal of the grid restoration online monitoring unit is connected to the grid-side input terminal of the metering terminal equipment through a high-impedance isolation circuit to monitor in real time whether there is restored mains voltage at the grid-side input terminal. The automatic reverse power transmission prevention disconnect switch is connected in series in the output circuit of the inverter voltage regulator module. Specifically: The power grid restoration online monitoring unit includes a high-impedance voltage divider sampling network, an opto-isolator, and a signal comparator circuit. The unit's probe pin is connected to the mains input side (i.e., in front of the meter) of the metering terminal equipment via an independent cable with a high-voltage probe. A 10MΩ high-resistance precision resistor is connected in series inside the probe, forming the first stage of a high-impedance voltage divider sampling network. This network is used to proportionally reduce the voltage at the mains input while ensuring safe isolation, ensuring that the sampling current of the mains is at the microamp level. The weak signal after voltage division is input to the LED terminal of an opto-isolator (such as TLP521). This opto-isolator is used to transmit the reduced voltage to the detection pin of the main control module without potential. The receiving transistor terminal of the optocoupler is located in the weak ground inside the device. Thus, the presence or absence of mains power is safely transmitted to the control circuit side via light. The output signal of the optocoupler is then passed through a signal comparator circuit (such as LM393) to compare the voltage transmitted to the detection pin of the main control module with a preset voltage threshold, generating a clean, jitter-free logic level indicating whether the mains voltage has recovered, and directly sending it to an external interrupt pin of the main control module.

[0038] The reverse power supply protection automatic disconnect switch is a high-current switch connected in series in the final output path of the inverter voltage regulator module; in this embodiment, a solid-state relay (SSR) with a rated current of 30A and a response time of less than 10ms is preferred. Its control terminal is directly controlled by a GPIO pin of the main control module through the drive circuit. During normal operation, the main control module keeps it closed.

[0039] The display module and communication module serve as the window and support for human-computer interaction and remote interaction, among which: The display module uses a high-contrast, self-emissive, high-brightness OLED display. The main control module drives the screen through an I2C or SPI interface to clearly display the device's relevant parameters and information in a graphical and digital manner, including the current output voltage (V), output current (A), output power (W), remaining battery percentage (with battery icon), internal device temperature (°C), WiFi connection status and signal strength, etc. In the event of a special event, prompt messages will also pop up, such as "Load identification in progress," "Voltage mismatch!", "Low battery!", etc.

[0040] The communication module connects to the main control module and has a built-in WiFi module integrating a TCP / IP protocol stack. This WiFi module can be configured to connect to on-site WiFi hotspots (such as hotspots shared by maintenance personnel's mobile phones) in STA mode. After successful connection, the device will periodically package and report all its operational status parameters to a designated cloud server via MQTT or HTTP protocols. Remote maintenance supervisors can view the location, status, and power of all support devices operating in the field in real time via PC or mobile app, achieving centralized and visualized management. Furthermore, when a new firmware version is released, the main control module will detect the update notification via the WiFi module. After user confirmation on the screen or at a preset idle time, the device will automatically download the firmware package to the internal backup Flash partition. After downloading, an MD5 checksum is performed to ensure file integrity. After successful checksum verification, the main control module will guide the system to boot from the backup partition and complete the firmware update. The entire process requires no manual intervention and is safe and reliable.

[0041] In this embodiment, the main control module is also configured to execute an adaptive power management strategy, including: monitoring the communication status or power consumption changes of the metering terminal device in real time or periodically; when the metering terminal device is detected to be in a communication silent state for a preset duration, controlling the inverter voltage regulator module to enter a low-power maintenance power supply mode; when the metering terminal device is detected to have a communication activity request, controlling the inverter voltage regulator module to return to the full-power stable power supply mode.

[0042] In addition, the outer shell of this device adopts a composite structure with a flame-retardant ABS engineering plastic top cover and an aluminum alloy main frame; the top is equipped with an integrated handle for easy carrying; the front panel integrates an OLED screen, operation knobs / buttons, and direct lead-out terminals with waterproof protective covers; the sides are equipped with a cooling fan and air duct, and the built-in temperature sensor is linked with the fan to achieve intelligent temperature control; the bottom is equipped with four large anti-slip rubber feet to ensure stable placement on various uneven ground surfaces; the whole machine has an IP54 protection rating, which can adapt to outdoor dusty and rainy environments.

[0043] The second aspect of this embodiment provides a method for operating a power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment. For the application of the power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment described above, please refer to... Figure 2 It includes the following steps: Step 1: Connection and initialization, specifically: The user connects the output terminal (output cable) of the device to the power input terminal of the metering terminal equipment; and clips the probe of the power grid restoration online monitoring unit to the mains power input line of the metering terminal equipment. Then, press the power switch of the device to start operation; during the device's power-on self-test, it initializes all hardware modules and checks whether the probe is properly connected. The OLED screen displays a welcome screen and battery level.

[0044] Step 2: Gear setting and intelligent load recognition, specifically: The user sets the current target output voltage level via the knob or touchscreen on the device panel, and then presses the power-on button. The main control module receives the user-set target output voltage level and performs intelligent load identification through the intelligent load identification module to identify the rated voltage level of the metering terminal equipment. The intelligent load identification process specifically includes the following steps: a. After the user sets the current target output voltage level and presses the start power button, the main control module first keeps the inverter voltage regulator module in the off state and triggers the intelligent load identification module; b. The intelligent load identification module generates and injects a low-voltage detection signal into the output terminal of the device through a detection signal generation circuit and a signal coupling circuit, so that the metering terminal equipment generates a voltage or current response signal to the detection signal; c. The response signal acquisition circuit in the intelligent load identification module acquires the response signal and sends it to the main control module. The main control module determines the rated voltage level of the metering terminal equipment based on the load characteristic fingerprint database and the matching identification algorithm.

[0045] Step 3: Security self-check and locking, specifically: The main control module compares the current target output voltage level with the identified rated voltage level. If they match, the next step is executed. If they do not match, the output of the inverter voltage regulator module is locked and an alarm is triggered, such as displaying "Error: 220V device detected, but 380V level selected! Output locked!" on the OLED screen and emitting a buzzer.

[0046] Step 4: Initiate the power supply and metering freeze command interaction, specifically: The main control module soft-starts the inverter voltage regulator module, enabling it to smoothly output a stable AC power supply according to the matched target output voltage level. Within a few hundred milliseconds after the output stabilizes, it immediately controls the metering freeze interaction module to send a metering freeze command to the metering terminal equipment, causing the metering terminal equipment to suspend metering. The metering freeze command interaction specifically includes the following steps: a. When the main control module decides to start power supply, it will construct a data packet containing digital information such as metering freeze command code, device serial number, and timestamp; b. The main control module sends the data packet to the metering freeze interaction module. The power line carrier modem modulates the digital information into a high-frequency carrier signal. After being processed by the signal power amplification circuit and the isolation coupling and filtering circuit, the amplified high-frequency carrier signal is superimposed on the output AC power. c. On the metering terminal equipment side, its built-in PLC communication module will constantly monitor the carrier signal on the power line; when it receives this specific metering freeze instruction data packet and verifies it, its main controller will execute the preset program, that is, suspend the data accumulation instruction for the power metering chip, but keep the CPU, memory, clock and the module (such as GPRS or RF) communicating with the main station running normally.

[0047] d. During power supply, the device can repeatedly send a metering freeze command every minute to prevent the terminal from accidentally restarting and exiting the freeze state.

[0048] Step 5: Operation monitoring and management, specifically: During power supply periods, the main control module monitors operational data in real time and periodically (e.g., once per second) collects and refreshes various parameters on the OLED screen; moreover, it executes adaptive power management strategies and power grid recovery monitoring and management, including: When implementing the adaptive power management strategy, the main control module monitors the output current of the metering terminal device in real time using a high-precision current sensor. During data communication, the instantaneous power consumption of the communication module (especially the GPRS / 4G module) increases significantly, leading to a noticeable pulse-like rise in the output current. The specific steps involved in implementing the adaptive power management strategy are as follows: a. The main control module is configured with a communication current threshold (e.g., 50mA) and a silent timer; b. During power supply, the main control module continuously monitors the output current of the metering terminal equipment; If the output current exceeds the communication current threshold at any time, it is determined that the metering terminal device is communicating (or has other high-power operations). At this time, the control power supply module is in full-power stable power supply mode, and the silent timer is cleared. In this mode, the sinusoidal pulse width modulation signal of the inverter voltage regulator module operates with the highest accuracy and the fastest response speed to ensure voltage stability. If the output current remains below the communication current threshold, a silent timer begins to accumulate. A mode switching time threshold is set (e.g., 3 minutes). When the silent timer accumulates beyond the mode switching time threshold, the main control module determines that the metering terminal device has entered a long-term idle standby state. At this time, the power supply module is controlled to maintain power supply in a low-power mode. In this mode, the main control module adjusts the parameters of the sinusoidal pulse width modulation signal, appropriately reducing the output voltage (e.g., from 220V to 200V, which is still within the allowable input range of most switching power supplies), or reducing the response speed and switching frequency of the control loop to reduce the static losses of the inverter itself. At this time, the power supply is only used to maintain the minimum standby power consumption of the terminal MCU and communication module. c. In low-power sustain power supply mode, the main control module still monitors the output current at a higher frequency (e.g., once every 10ms); once any sudden increase in output current is detected (indicating that the terminal is about to start communication), the main control module will immediately and seamlessly switch the power supply mode back to full-power stable power supply mode to ensure that the high power required by the terminal can be met instantly.

[0049] When performing power grid restoration monitoring and management, because the external interrupt function of the main control module is configured to be triggered by the online monitoring unit for power grid restoration, the main control module does not need to poll, and the power grid restoration signal will be detected by the processor with the highest priority and fastest speed. The specific steps for performing power grid restoration monitoring and management are as follows: a. The power grid recovery online monitoring unit collects the voltage at the input terminal of the power grid side, reduces it proportionally, and transmits the voltage to the detection pin of the main control module without potential. It then compares the voltage with a preset voltage threshold and generates a logic level signal indicating whether the mains voltage has been restored. b. The main control module continuously receives monitoring signals from the power grid recovery online monitoring unit; once the mains voltage is detected to have recovered, the logic level signal will change to trigger an external interrupt of the main control module, so that the interrupt service routine (ISR) is executed immediately, specifically including the following actions: Ⅰ. Immediately send a disconnect command to the control terminal of the reverse power supply automatic disconnect switch. The reverse power supply automatic disconnect switch can respond in microseconds and complete the main circuit disconnection in milliseconds. At the same time, send an emergency stop command to the inverter voltage regulator module. II. Display a prominent red alarm message on the OLED screen, such as "Warning: Mains power restored! Equipment has automatically and safely disconnected!", and emit a continuous beeping sound; Ⅲ. Send an event alarm, such as "Power restored, task automatically terminated" to the cloud server via the WiFi module; The entire process can be completed in 100 milliseconds, much faster than the settling time of any potentially harmful current surge.

[0050] Step 6: Task completion and meter restoration, specifically: When the power supply task ends, the user presses the power stop button. After receiving the instruction, the main control module does not immediately cut off the power. Instead, it first sends a metering recovery instruction to the metering terminal device through the metering freeze interaction module. After sending the instruction, it delays for one second before controlling the inverter voltage regulator module to stop outputting.

[0051] In summary, the power outage communication protection device and its working method for metering terminal equipment provided in this embodiment integrate intelligent load identification, metering freeze interaction, anti-grid recovery backfeed control, and adaptive power consumption management, and combined with advanced software and hardware design, to achieve a complete, safe, reliable, intelligent, and efficient power outage communication protection. Based on this, it not only solves many pain points in the prior art, but also greatly improves the automation level of power grid operation and maintenance and the accuracy of data management, and has very broad application prospects and important practical value.

[0052] It should be noted that the parts of the above solutions that are not described in detail or in detail are all prior art, and are not improvements made by this invention to the prior art, nor are they within the protection scope of the technical solutions of this invention. Therefore, they will not be elaborated on in this article.

[0053] Of course, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is also not limited to the above examples, and all equivalent changes and improvements made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention should fall within the patent coverage of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment, characterized in that, include: The power supply module is used to store electrical energy and provide DC power. An inverter voltage regulator module, connected to the power supply module, is used to convert the DC power supply into a multi-level selectable AC power supply for output; The main control module is electrically connected to the power supply module and the inverter voltage regulator module respectively, and is used to control and coordinate the operation of each module; The intelligent load identification module is connected to both the main control module and the inverter voltage regulator module. The intelligent load identification module is configured to send a preset low-voltage detection signal to the metering terminal device to be connected before the inverter voltage regulator module outputs AC power, and identify its rated voltage level based on the response characteristics of the metering terminal device. The main control module is configured to: compare the current target output voltage level set for the inverter voltage regulator module with the rated voltage level identified by the intelligent load identification module; if the two do not match, lock the output of the inverter voltage regulator module and trigger an alarm; if the two match, allow the inverter voltage regulator module to output AC power at the set current target output voltage level.

2. The power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a metering freeze interaction module, which is connected to the main control module and coupled to the output terminal of the inverter voltage regulator module; The main control module is configured to: after controlling the inverter voltage regulator module to output AC power, control the metering freeze interaction module to send a preset metering freeze command to the metering terminal device, so that the metering terminal device suspends its power metering accumulation function.

3. The power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a reverse power transmission prevention control module, which includes a grid restoration online monitoring unit and an automatic reverse power transmission prevention disconnect switch; the monitoring terminal of the grid restoration online monitoring unit is connected to the grid-side input terminal of the metering terminal equipment through a high-impedance isolation circuit, for real-time monitoring of whether there is restored mains voltage at the grid-side input terminal; the automatic reverse power transmission prevention disconnect switch is connected in series in the output circuit of the inverter voltage regulator module; The main control module is configured to: continuously receive monitoring signals from the power grid recovery online monitoring unit during device operation; and immediately control the anti-reverse power supply automatic disconnect switch to disconnect once the mains voltage is detected to cut off the electrical connection between the device and the metering terminal equipment.

4. The power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intelligent load identification module includes a detection signal generation circuit, a signal coupling circuit, and a response signal acquisition circuit; the detection signal generation circuit is connected to the main control module and is used to generate the low-voltage detection signal according to instructions. The signal coupling circuit is used to inject the low-voltage detection signal into the output terminal of the device; the response signal acquisition circuit is used to acquire the voltage or current response signal generated by the metering terminal equipment in response to the detection signal. The main control module is equipped with a load characteristic fingerprint database and a matching recognition algorithm. The matching recognition algorithm is used to compare the collected response signal with the fingerprint in the load characteristic fingerprint database to determine the rated voltage level of the metering terminal equipment.

5. The power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The metering freeze interaction module includes a power line carrier modem, a signal power amplifier circuit, and an isolation coupling and filtering circuit. The power line carrier modem is connected to the main control module and is used to modulate the digital information of the metering freeze command into a high-frequency carrier signal. The signal power amplifier circuit is used to amplify the high-frequency carrier signal. The isolation coupling and filtering circuit includes a bandpass filter and an isolation transformer and is used to superimpose the amplified high-frequency carrier signal onto the output AC power supply.

6. The power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The power grid restoration online monitoring unit includes a high-impedance voltage divider sampling network, an opto-isolator, and a signal comparator circuit. The high-impedance voltage divider sampling network is used to proportionally reduce the voltage at the input terminal of the power grid side while ensuring safe isolation. The opto-isolator is used to transmit the reduced voltage to the detection pin of the main control module without potential. The signal comparator circuit is used to compare the voltage transmitted to the detection pin of the main control module with a preset voltage threshold and generate a logic level signal indicating whether the mains voltage has been restored.

7. The power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main control module is also configured to execute an adaptive power management strategy, which includes: monitoring the communication status or power consumption changes of the metering terminal device in real time or periodically; when the metering terminal device is detected to be in a communication silent state for a preset duration, controlling the inverter voltage regulator module to enter a low-power maintenance power supply mode; and when the metering terminal device is detected to have a communication activity request, controlling the inverter voltage regulator module to return to a full-power stable power supply mode.

8. The power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a display module and a communication module; the display module is connected to the main control module and is used to display relevant parameters and information of the device in real time; the communication module is connected to the main control module, supports wireless communication, and is used to realize remote uploading of device operation data and OTA online upgrade of firmware.

9. A method for operating a power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment, employing the power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Connection and initialization; Connect the output terminal of the device to the metering terminal equipment; Step 2: Gear setting and intelligent load identification; The system receives the current target output voltage level set by the user and performs intelligent load identification through the intelligent load identification module to identify the rated voltage level of the metering terminal equipment. Step 3: Security self-check and locking; The main control module compares the current target output voltage level with the identified rated voltage level; if they do not match, the output of the inverter voltage regulator module is locked and an alarm is triggered; if they match, the next step is executed. Step 4: Turn on the power; Start the inverter voltage regulator module to output AC power at the matched target output voltage level.

10. The operating method of the power outage communication protection device for metering terminal equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that: In step 4, while power is being supplied, the metering freeze command is sent to the metering terminal device through the metering freeze interaction module. This working method also includes: Step 5: Operation monitoring and management; During power supply periods, operational data is monitored in real time. Implement adaptive power management strategies to intelligently adjust the power supply mode; The power grid recovery online monitoring unit monitors in real time whether there is restored mains voltage at the power grid side input terminal of the metering terminal equipment; once the mains voltage is detected to be restored, the anti-reverse power supply automatic disconnect switch is immediately controlled to disconnect, so as to cut off the electrical connection between this device and the metering terminal equipment. Step 6: Task completion and metering recovery; When the power supply task ends, a metering recovery command is first sent to the metering terminal device through the metering freeze interaction module, and then the AC power output is disconnected.

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