A smart electric energy meter easy to install

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical fields of high temperature protection of smart electric energy meter, in particular to a smart electric energy meter easy to install, which comprises a shell, a fixed metering circuit wire and a mobile metering circuit wire connected with a power supply main line are arranged on the inner side of the shell, the connecting ends of the two are provided with contacts, the contacts are connected to power supply in normal state, a mechanical protection assembly is arranged on the inner side of the shell, wherein the present application is a pure mechanical high temperature power-off, the mechanical force generated by the gasification and expansion of low boiling point liquid is used to directly drive the metering circuit wire to disconnect, which does not depend on any electronic components, in the case of extreme high temperature leading to the complete failure of the electronic system, the power-off protection can still be reliably executed, the power-off times and the highest temperature are double recorded, by setting multiple counting strips with different distances from the ejector rod, not only the power-off times can be recorded, but also the highest temperature reached in the shell can be inversely deduced by moving and extruding the counting strips at different positions through the ejector rod, which provides complete evidence for accident analysis and meter maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of high-temperature protection technology for smart energy meters, specifically to an easy-to-install smart energy meter. Background Technology

[0002] Smart meters are a new generation of intelligent electricity metering devices, consisting of three core units: measurement, data processing, and communication. They are widely used in residential and industrial electricity metering. The devices are divided into single-phase residential meters and three-phase industrial meters, adapting to different voltage scenarios. They have multiple functions, including accurate metering, electricity monitoring, data storage, remote interaction, and automatic control. Compared with traditional meters, they have higher metering accuracy, more stable and durable operation, support tiered pricing and time-of-use electricity statistics, and can accurately reflect actual electricity consumption. At the same time, the devices can realize remote meter reading, eliminating the need for manual on-site statistics, greatly improving the efficiency of power management. They can also monitor abnormal power consumption in real time and have electricity safety protection capabilities. They not only facilitate users to check electricity details and control electricity costs, but also help the power grid intelligent dispatch, making them an indispensable basic terminal device for modern power systems.

[0003] When a smart meter operates under high load, poor heat dissipation, or extreme high temperature conditions, the internal temperature of the meter casing will rise sharply. When the temperature exceeds the rated operating range of the electronic components, the performance of the components will rapidly degrade or even cause a fire risk. Although some smart meters in the existing technology have temperature monitoring functions, their power failure protection mechanism relies entirely on the electronic control system. After the temperature sensor detects a high temperature signal, the control chip issues a power failure command to drive the relay or switch to perform the operation.

[0004] However, in some extreme high-temperature environments, the electronic control system itself may malfunction due to excessive temperature, leading to a dangerous state where power cannot be cut off. The cause may be sensor failure, chip malfunction, or relay jamming, thus completely losing the protection function. The present invention addresses this technical problem by designing an extreme environment adaptive mechanical trigger high-temperature power-off protection structure. It uses a purely mechanical method to achieve high-temperature power-off without relying on any electronic components, fundamentally solving the dilemma of electronic system failure under high temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides an easy-to-install smart energy meter that solves the problem of power-off components malfunctioning under high-temperature environments, resulting in the inability to cut off power in a timely manner.

[0006] This invention proposes an easy-to-install smart energy meter, comprising a housing, with a fixed metering circuit conductor and a movable metering circuit conductor connected to the power supply mains on the inner side of the housing. Both conductors have contacts at their connection ends, and under normal conditions, the contacts are energized. The inner side of the housing also includes a mechanical protection component, comprising: The heat-conducting chamber contains a low-boiling-point liquid. When heated, it vaporizes and expands, providing power to disconnect the contacts of the fixed metering circuit wire and the moving metering circuit wire, thus achieving mechanical power-off. The inner side of the casing also houses a mechanical counting component for recording the number of power outages and the highest temperature during a power outage, including: The push rod moves synchronously with the moving metering circuit guide wire; Multiple counting bars are used. The push rod moves and squeezes the counting bars downward. The number of power outages is obtained by the distance the counting bars move downward. The farther the counting bar is from the push rod, the higher the temperature required for the push rod to squeeze the counting bar, thus recording the highest temperature inside the shell.

[0007] Preferably, the heat-conducting chamber is located outside the moving metering loop conductor and in the heat dissipation area of ​​the core metering component of the smart energy meter. The boiling point temperature of the low-boiling-point liquid inside the heat-conducting chamber is lower than the safe operating temperature threshold of the smart energy meter.

[0008] Preferably, the heat-conducting chamber is fixedly installed inside the outer shell, and the inner side of the heat-conducting chamber has a pre-reserved mounting through hole for cooperating with the moving metering circuit wire, and a heat-conducting layer is provided inside the mounting through hole.

[0009] Preferably, the inner side of the heat-conducting chamber is provided with multiple vertically arranged partition plates that divide it evenly. Multiple micro-holes are opened through the middle of the partition plates to increase the length of the gas-liquid two-phase flow path when the low-boiling-point liquid vaporizes. This helps to suppress the sudden explosive expansion of vaporization, making the contact disconnection action smoother and avoiding impact damage to the contact.

[0010] Preferably, a sealing film is fixedly installed on the inner side of the top of the heat conduction chamber to seal it, a first connecting rod is slidably installed on the top of the heat conduction chamber, and a return spring is fixedly installed on the first connecting rod and the inner side of the heat conduction chamber. A second link is movably mounted at the end of the first link. A rotating shaft is rotatably mounted in the middle of the second link, near the bottom of the second link. The rotating shaft is rotatably mounted inside the housing. A third link is rotatably mounted at the bottom of the second link. Both ends of the second link have through slots to make way for the first and third links. A slider is rotatably mounted at the end of the third link. Multiple fixed rubber rings are fixedly mounted inside the slider. The moving metering circuit wire passes through the fixed rubber rings.

[0011] Preferably, the moving metering loop wire between the slider and the heat-conducting chamber is concave to reduce the bending resistance of the moving metering loop wire.

[0012] Preferably, a slide is fixedly installed on the outside of the heat conduction chamber, and the top of the slider is slidably engaged with the slide. Multiple balls are provided at the force-bearing point of the engagement, and the balls are rotatably installed on the inside of the slide.

[0013] Preferably, the top rod is fixedly installed on the outside of the slider, an installation strip is fixedly installed on the outside of the heat conduction chamber, multiple grooves are opened through the inner side of the installation strip, two fixed baffles are symmetrically fixedly installed on the top of the grooves, multiple linkage through holes are equidistantly opened on the outside of the counting strip, and movable baffles corresponding to the linkage through holes are symmetrically fixedly installed on the outside of the counting strip.

[0014] Preferably, a limiting rod is fixedly installed on the outer side of the counting bar, and the bottom end of the limiting rod is slidably connected to the mounting bar.

[0015] Preferably, a forced reset assembly is provided on the outer side of the housing. The forced reset assembly includes a reset wrench, which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft. A fixed through hole is provided at the top of the reset wrench.

[0016] Preferably, multiple mounting brackets are symmetrically fixedly installed on the top of the outer shell, and the mounting brackets are Z-shaped.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Purely mechanical high-temperature power-off with high reliability: It uses the mechanical force generated by the vaporization and expansion of low-boiling-point liquids to directly drive the metering circuit wires to disconnect, without relying on any electronic components. Even when extreme high temperatures cause the electronic system to fail completely, it can still reliably perform power-off protection.

[0018] Dual recording of power outages and highest temperature: By setting multiple counting bars at different distances from the push rod, not only can the number of power outages be recorded, but the highest temperature ever reached inside the casing can also be deduced by moving the push rod and squeezing the counting bars at different positions, providing a complete chain of physical evidence for accident analysis and meter maintenance.

[0019] Low motion resistance and sensitive response: Ball bearings are installed between the slider and the carriage, and the moving metering circuit wire is designed with a concave shape, which effectively reduces the frictional resistance and bending resistance of the moving parts, and improves the sensitivity of temperature response and the reliability of operation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the back structure of an easy-to-install smart energy meter provided by the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the external structure of an easy-to-install smart energy meter provided by the present invention; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the heat-conducting chamber connection for an easy-to-install smart energy meter provided by the present invention; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a ball bearing installation for an easy-to-install smart energy meter provided by the present invention; Figure 5A schematic diagram of the connection of the counting bar in an easy-to-install smart energy meter provided by the present invention; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the mounting strip structure for an easy-to-install smart energy meter provided by the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the partition plate connection for an easy-to-install smart energy meter provided by the present invention.

[0022] In the picture: 1. Outer shell; 2. Forced reset assembly; 21. Reset wrench; 22. Fixing through hole; 3. Mechanical protection components; 31. Heat-conducting chamber; 32. Sealing film; 33. First connecting rod; 34. Return spring; 35. Second connecting rod; 36. Third connecting rod; 37. Rotating shaft; 38. Slider; 39. Fixing rubber ring; 310. Carriage; 311. Ball bearing; 312. Heat-conducting layer; 313. Partition plate; 4. Mechanical counting assembly; 41. Top rod; 42. Mounting strip; 43. Slide groove; 44. Fixed stop bar; 45. Counting bar; 46. Linkage through hole; 47. Moving stop bar; 48. Limiting rod; 5. Secure the metering circuit wires; 6. Move the metering circuit wire; 7. Install the bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical means, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are described clearly and completely. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0025] like Figure 1-7 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides an easy-to-install smart energy meter, which includes a housing 1. Multiple Z-shaped mounting brackets 7 are symmetrically fixed on the top of the housing 1. The energy meter can be conveniently fixed to the installation position through the mounting brackets 7. The screw holes are located on the outer periphery of the housing 1 for easy installation. After installation, the housing 1 has a gap with the wall or other mounting surface to facilitate heat dissipation.

[0026] Inside the housing 1, there are fixed metering circuit wires 5 and mobile metering circuit wires 6 that are connected to the power supply trunk line. The connection ends of the fixed metering circuit wires 5 and the mobile metering circuit wires 6 are provided with contacts. Under normal working conditions, the contacts of the mobile metering circuit wires 6 and the contacts of the fixed metering circuit wires 5 are closed to form a metering circuit.

[0027] A mechanical protection component 3 is provided inside the outer casing 1. The mechanical protection component 3 includes a heat conduction chamber 31. The heat conduction chamber 31 is located outside the moving metering circuit wire 6 and in the heat dissipation area of ​​the core metering component of the smart energy meter. The heat conduction chamber 31 is fixedly installed inside the outer casing 1. An installation through hole is reserved inside the heat conduction chamber 31 to cooperate with the moving metering circuit wire 6. A heat conduction layer 312 is provided inside the installation through hole. The heat conduction layer 312 can be formed by coating with thermal grease to reduce the contact thermal resistance between the heat conduction chamber 31 and the moving metering circuit wire 6.

[0028] The heat-conducting chamber 31 is filled with a low-boiling-point liquid. In this embodiment, anhydrous ethanol is preferably used, which has a boiling point of about 78.37°C, which is lower than the safe operating temperature threshold of the smart energy meter.

[0029] The heat conduction chamber 31 is provided with multiple vertically arranged partition plates 313 that divide it evenly. Multiple micro-holes are opened through the middle of the partition plates 313, and the pore diameter of the micro-holes is preferably 0.2mm to 0.5mm.

[0030] In this embodiment, the design of the separator plate 313 and the micropores increases the length of the gas-liquid two-phase flow path when the low-boiling-point liquid vaporizes, which helps to suppress the sudden explosive expansion of vaporization, making the contact disconnection action smoother and avoiding impact damage to the contact.

[0031] A sealing film 32 is fixedly installed on the inner side of the top of the heat conduction chamber 31 to seal it. The sealing film 32 can be made of high-temperature resistant silicone rubber.

[0032] A first connecting rod 33 is slidably mounted on the top of the heat conduction chamber 31. A return spring 34 is fixedly mounted on the inner side of the heat conduction chamber 31 and the first connecting rod 33. A second connecting rod 35 is movably mounted on the end of the first connecting rod 33. A rotating shaft 37 is rotatably mounted on the middle of the second connecting rod 35. The rotating shaft 37 is close to the bottom end of the second connecting rod 35 and is rotatably mounted on the inner side of the outer shell 1. A third connecting rod 36 is rotatably mounted on the bottom of the second connecting rod 35. Both ends of the second connecting rod 35 are provided with through slots to make way for the first connecting rod 33 and the third connecting rod 36. A slider 38 is rotatably mounted on the end of the third connecting rod 36. Multiple fixed rubber rings 39 are fixedly mounted on the inner side of the slider 38. The moving metering circuit wire 6 passes through the fixed rubber rings 39 and is thus moved by the slider 38.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the internal temperature of the heat-conducting chamber 31 reaches the boiling point of the low-boiling-point liquid, the low-boiling-point liquid rapidly vaporizes and expands dramatically in volume. The resulting pressure pushes the sealing film 32 outward, which in turn pushes the first connecting rod 33 to move outward. The first connecting rod 33 drives the second connecting rod 35 to rotate around the rotating shaft 37. The second connecting rod 35 then drives the third connecting rod 36 to move, which in turn drives the slider 38 to slide. The slider 38 moves the moving metering circuit wire 6 through the fixed rubber ring 39, causing its contacts to disconnect from the contacts of the fixed metering circuit wire 5. The metering circuit is physically cut off, realizing mechanical power-off protection.

[0034] To reduce motion resistance, the moving metering circuit wire 6 between the slider 38 and the heat conduction chamber 31 is designed in a concave shape to reduce bending resistance. At the same time, a slide 310 is fixedly installed on the outside of the heat conduction chamber 31, and the top of the slider 38 is slidably engaged with the slide 310. Multiple balls 311 are provided at the force-bearing point of the engagement. The balls 311 are rotatably installed on the inside of the slide 310, and rolling friction replaces sliding friction to further reduce motion resistance and improve response sensitivity.

[0035] When the fault is cleared and the temperature drops below the boiling point, the low-boiling-point liquid condenses, the pressure inside the heat-conducting chamber 31 decreases, and under the elastic force of the reset spring 34, the first link 33, the second link 35, the third link 36 and the slider 38 move in the opposite direction to reset, and the contacts of the moving metering circuit wire 6 and the fixed metering circuit wire 5 close again, restoring power supply.

[0036] The inner side of the outer casing 1 is also equipped with a mechanical counting component 4, which is used to record the number of power outages and the highest temperature during the power outage. The mechanical counting component 4 includes a push rod 41 and multiple counting bars 45. The push rod 41 is fixedly installed on the outside of the slider 38 and moves synchronously with the slider 38. An installation strip 42 is fixedly installed on the outside of the heat conduction chamber 31. Multiple sliding grooves 43 are opened through the inner side of the installation strip 42. Two fixed baffles 44 are symmetrically fixedly installed on the top of the sliding grooves 43. Each counting bar 45 is slidably installed in the corresponding sliding groove 43. The initial distance between each counting bar 45 and the push rod 41 is different. The closer the counting bar 45 is to the push rod 41, the smaller the distance the push rod 41 needs to move to be squeezed by the push rod 41, and the lower the corresponding trigger temperature. The farther the counting bar 45 is from the push rod, the higher the temperature required to be squeezed. Therefore, by observing which counting bar 45 is squeezed and moved by the push rod 41, the highest temperature range reached inside the outer casing 1 can be deduced. At the same time, the cumulative number of times the counting bar 45 is squeezed is the number of power outages.

[0037] A movable stop bar 47 corresponding to the linkage through hole 46 is symmetrically fixedly installed on the outer side of the counting bar 45. Multiple linkage through holes 46 are equidistantly opened on the outer side of the counting bar 45. The axis of the push rod 41 is lower than the axis of the adjacent linkage through hole 46. The fixed stop bar 44 cooperates with the movable stop bar 47 and the linkage through hole 46 so that the counting bar 45 can move a fixed distance each time it is squeezed by the push rod 41, thereby realizing counting one by one.

[0038] In this embodiment, the end of the push rod 41 is arc-shaped and is pressed into the linkage through hole 46, causing the counting bar 45 to move downward, so that the moving stop bar 47 passes over the fixed stop bar 44. Subsequently, the push rod 41 disengages from the linkage through hole 46, and the counting bar 45 moves downward under the action of gravity until the next set of moving stop bars 47 moves downward and contacts the fixed stop bar 44. The force required for the moving stop bar 47 to pass over the fixed stop bar 44 is greater than the gravity of the counting bar 45.

[0039] A limiting rod 48 is also fixedly installed on the outside of the counting bar 45. The bottom end of the limiting rod 48 is slidably connected to the mounting bar 42 to prevent the counting bar 45 from coming out of the slide groove 43.

[0040] A forced reset component 2 is also provided on the outside of the outer casing 1 as a redundant backup for the automatic reset function.

[0041] The forced reset assembly 2 includes a reset wrench 21, which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 37. A fixing through hole 22 is provided through the top of the reset wrench 21, and a hole corresponding to the fixing through hole 22 is provided on the outer side of the outer shell 1, so that the operator can use a pin to fix the reset wrench 21 after it has been deflected.

[0042] In this embodiment, in an emergency, if the reset spring 34 fails to automatically reset due to factors such as adhesion or jamming, the maintenance personnel will operate the reset wrench 21, which will drive the second connecting rod 35 to rotate via the rotating shaft 37, forcibly resetting the entire transmission mechanism and the moving metering circuit wire 6 to a closed state, ensuring that the meter can restore power supply in a timely manner after the fault is cleared. After the reset is completed, a pin is inserted into the hole between the fixing through hole 22 and the outer side of the outer casing 1 to fix the reset wrench 21 and maintain the power supply state.

[0043] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "front", "rear", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0044] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An easy-to-install smart energy meter, comprising a housing (1), wherein a fixed metering circuit conductor (5) and a movable metering circuit conductor (6) connected to a power supply main line are provided on the inner side of the housing (1), and both are provided with contacts at their connection ends, and the contacts are normally connected and energized, characterized in that: The inner side of the outer casing (1) is provided with a mechanical protection component (3), including: The heat-conducting chamber (31) is filled with a low-boiling-point liquid. When heated, it vaporizes and expands, providing power to drive the fixed metering circuit wire (5) and the moving metering circuit wire (6) to disconnect the contacts and achieve mechanical power-off. The inner side of the outer casing (1) is also provided with a mechanical counting component (4) for recording the number of power outages and the highest temperature during power outages, including: The top rod (41) moves synchronously with the moving metering circuit guide wire (6); Multiple counting bars (45) are used. The push rod (41) moves and squeezes the counting bars (45) downward. The number of power outages is obtained by the downward distance of the counting bars (45). The farther the distance between the counting bars (45) and the push rod (41), the higher the temperature required for the push rod (41) to move and squeeze the counting bars (45), and thus the highest temperature inside the outer shell (1) is recorded. Multiple mounting brackets (7) are symmetrically fixed on the top of the outer shell (1), and the mounting brackets (7) are Z-shaped.

2. The easy-to-install smart energy meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-conducting chamber (31) is located outside the moving metering loop conductor (6) and in the heat dissipation area of ​​the core metering component of the smart energy meter. The boiling point temperature of the low-boiling-point liquid inside the heat-conducting chamber (31) is lower than the safe operating temperature threshold of the smart energy meter.

3. The easy-to-install smart energy meter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heat-conducting chamber (31) is fixedly installed inside the outer shell (1). The heat-conducting chamber (31) has a pre-reserved installation through hole that matches the moving metering circuit wire (6). A heat-conducting layer (312) is provided inside the installation through hole.

4. The easy-to-install smart energy meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-conducting chamber (31) is provided with multiple vertically arranged partition plates (313) that divide it evenly. Multiple micro-holes are opened through the middle of the partition plate (313) to increase the length of the gas-liquid two-phase flow path when the low-boiling-point liquid vaporizes. This helps to suppress the sudden explosive expansion of vaporization, making the contact disconnection action smoother and avoiding impact damage to the contact.

5. The easy-to-install smart energy meter according to claim 4, characterized in that: A sealing film (32) is fixedly installed on the inner side of the top of the heat conduction chamber (31) to seal it. A first connecting rod (33) is slidably installed on the top of the heat conduction chamber (31). A return spring (34) is fixedly installed on the inner side of the heat conduction chamber (31) and the first connecting rod (33). The first link (33) is movably mounted with the second link (35) at its end. The second link (35) is rotatably mounted with a rotating shaft (37) in the middle. The rotating shaft (37) is close to the bottom of the second link (35) and is rotatably mounted inside the outer casing (1). The bottom of the second link (35) is rotatably mounted with the third link (36). Both ends of the second link (35) are provided with through slots to make way for the first link (33) and the third link (36). The end of the third link (36) is rotatably mounted with a slider (38). Multiple fixed rubber rings (39) are fixedly mounted inside the slider (38). The moving metering circuit wire (6) passes through the fixed rubber rings (39).

6. The easy-to-install smart energy meter according to claim 5, characterized in that: The moving metering loop wire (6) between the slider (38) and the heat conduction chamber (31) is concave to reduce the bending resistance of the moving metering loop wire (6).

7. The easy-to-install smart energy meter according to claim 5, characterized in that: A slide (310) is fixedly installed on the outside of the heat conduction chamber (31). The top of the slider (38) is slidably engaged with the slide (310). Multiple balls (311) are provided at the force-bearing points of the two. The balls (311) are rotatably installed on the inside of the slide (310).

8. The easy-to-install smart energy meter according to claim 5, characterized in that: The top rod (41) is fixedly installed on the outside of the slider (38). An installation strip (42) is fixedly installed on the outside of the heat conduction chamber (31). Multiple sliding grooves (43) are opened through the inside of the installation strip (42). Two fixed baffles (44) are symmetrically fixedly installed on the top of the sliding grooves (43). Multiple linkage through holes (46) are equidistantly opened on the outside of the counting strip (45). Moving baffles (47) corresponding to the linkage through holes (46) are symmetrically fixedly installed on the outside of the counting strip (45).

9. The easy-to-install smart energy meter according to claim 8, characterized in that: A limiting rod (48) is fixedly installed on the outside of the counting bar (45), and the bottom end of the limiting rod (48) is slidably connected to the mounting bar (42).

10. A smart energy meter that is easy to install according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer shell (1) is provided with a forced reset assembly (2), which includes a reset wrench (21). The reset wrench (21) is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft (37). A fixed through hole (22) is provided through the top of the reset wrench (21). A hole corresponding to the fixed through hole (22) is provided on the outer shell (1) to facilitate the use of a pin to fix the deflected reset wrench (21).

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