Electric meter capable of identifying power supply state of communication module

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ammeter capable of identifying the power state of a communication module, belonging to the field of instruments and meters. The electricity meter comprises an electricity meter power supply branch, an energy storage capacitor and a communication module, the power supply output end of the electricity meter power supply branch is in power supply connection with the power supply input end of the communication module, and the energy storage capacitor is connected between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the power supply output end of the electricity meter power supply branch in parallel. The positive electrode of the power supply input end of the communication module is connected with the input end of the voltage sampling branch, and the output end of the voltage sampling branch is grounded. The energy storage capacitor is connected in parallel to the output end of the power supply branch of the electricity meter, so that the communication module can quickly and accurately distinguish the normal power-off state from the pull-out state by means of different voltage drop conditions corresponding to the situation that the energy storage capacitor can or cannot supply power to the communication module in a delayed manner under the two conditions of normal power-off and pull-out, thereby avoiding misjudgment and missed judgment of the power supply state, and improving the reliability of the communication module. Effective monitoring of the power supply state is realized through simple circuit design and judgment logic, and the reliability of the electric meter is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of instruments and meters, in particular to an electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module. Background Art

[0002] Electricity meters are instruments used to directly measure a user's electricity consumption. As meter intelligence advances, more and more users are upgrading to smart meters that include communication modules. As a key component of smart meters, the communication module plays a crucial role in receiving backend command data and uploading user electricity usage data. Therefore, accurately monitoring the power status of the communication module in the meter is crucial for its proper operation and maintenance.

[0003] Current methods for monitoring the power status of communication modules in electricity meters generally determine changes in the power status of the communication module by monitoring its voltage or current. However, this monitoring method has problems such as slow response speed, high misjudgment rate, or requires complex hardware design. More importantly, existing monitoring methods cannot distinguish between the power-off state and the unplugged state of the communication module. Therefore, it cannot successfully identify when the communication module in the electricity meter has been damaged and unplugged, resulting in insufficient security of the current electricity meter.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide an electric meter that can accurately identify the power status of the communication module therein is a technical problem that needs to be solved currently. Utility Model Content

[0005] In response to the above technical problems, the present invention provides an electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module, so as to solve the technical problem that current electric meters cannot quickly and accurately identify the power status of their internal communication modules.

[0006] In a first aspect, the utility model provides an electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module, comprising: an electric meter power supply branch, an energy storage capacitor, and a communication module;

[0007] The power supply output end of the power supply branch of the electric meter is connected to the power supply input end of the communication module, and the energy storage capacitor is connected in parallel between the positive and negative poles of the power supply output end of the power supply branch of the electric meter. The communication module includes a voltage sampling branch, the positive pole of the power supply input end of the communication module is connected to the input end of the voltage sampling branch, and the output end of the voltage sampling branch is grounded.

[0008] Optionally, the voltage sampling branch includes a first resistor and a second resistor;

[0009] The first resistor and the second resistor are connected in series, the input end of the voltage sampling branch is connected to one end of the first resistor, one end of the second resistor is connected to the output end of the voltage sampling branch, and the connection point between the first resistor and the second resistor is connected to the sampling output end of the voltage sampling branch.

[0010] Optionally, the voltage sampling branch further includes a first filter capacitor, one end of the first filter capacitor is connected to the output end of the voltage sampling branch, and the other end is connected to the sampling output end of the voltage sampling branch.

[0011] Optionally, the first filter capacitor is a non-polar capacitor.

[0012] Optionally, the communication module further includes a power failure detection branch, the positive pole of the power supply input end of the communication module is connected to the input end of the power failure detection branch, and the output end of the power failure detection branch is grounded.

[0013] Optionally, the power-off detection branch includes a third resistor and a fourth resistor;

[0014] The third resistor and the fourth resistor are connected in series, the input end of the power-off detection branch is connected to one end of the third resistor, one end of the fourth resistor is connected to the output end of the power-off detection branch, and the connection point of the third resistor and the fourth resistor is connected to the detection output end of the power-off detection branch.

[0015] Optionally, the power-off detection branch further includes a second filter capacitor, one end of the second filter capacitor is connected to the output end of the power-off detection branch, and the other end is connected to the detection output end of the power-off detection branch.

[0016] Optionally, the second filter capacitor is a non-polar capacitor.

[0017] Optionally, the energy storage capacitor is a polar capacitor, the positive pole of the polar capacitor is connected to the positive pole of the power supply output end of the power supply branch of the meter, and the negative pole of the polar capacitor is connected to the negative pole of the power supply output end of the power supply branch of the meter.

[0018] Optionally, the communication module further includes a microcontroller, the detection output of the power-off detection branch is connected to the power-off detection input of the microcontroller, and the sampling output of the voltage sampling branch is connected to the voltage sampling input of the microcontroller.

[0019] The above solution has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The utility model discloses an electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module, comprising an electric meter power supply branch, an energy storage capacitor, and a communication module. The power supply output terminal of the electric meter power supply branch is connected to the power supply input terminal of the communication module, the energy storage capacitor is connected in parallel between the positive and negative poles of the power supply output terminal of the electric meter power supply branch, the communication module comprises a voltage sampling branch, the positive pole of the power supply input terminal of the communication module is connected to the input terminal of the voltage sampling branch, and the output terminal of the voltage sampling branch is grounded. By connecting the energy storage capacitor in parallel to the output terminal of the power supply branch of the electric meter, the communication module can quickly and accurately distinguish between the two power supply states of normal power-off and being unplugged, by virtue of the difference in the voltage drop of the communication module corresponding to when the energy storage capacitor can or cannot provide delayed power to itself, thereby avoiding misjudgment and missed judgment of the power supply state. With simple circuit design and judgment logic, effective monitoring of the power supply state is achieved, thereby improving the reliability of the electric meter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a circuit structure for connecting an electric meter and a communication module for power supply provided in one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a circuit structure diagram of a power-off detection circuit and a supply voltage sampling circuit in a communication module provided in one embodiment of the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects solved by the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0024] It should be understood that the embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to implement the embodiments and to illustrate the best mode of implementing the embodiments. After reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the present disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not specifically mentioned herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims.

[0025] It should also be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0026] It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0027] It should also be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "bottom", "middle", "center", "top", etc. may be used in this document to describe various elements, and the indicated orientation or position relationship is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, so these elements should not be restricted by these terms.

[0028] These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element can be referred to as an "upper" element, and similarly, a second element can be referred to as an "upper" element based on the relative orientation of these elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0029] It is further understood that the terms “comprises,” “includes,” “includes,” and / or “comprising” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined as such herein.

[0031] In one embodiment, a method is provided as follows Figure 1 The electric meter shown in the figure can identify the power status of the communication module, and its circuit structure includes an electric meter power supply branch, an energy storage capacitor and a communication module.

[0032] Among them, the power supply branch of the meter is located at Figure 1 The main part of the meter shown on the left is used to connect the power supply. Figure 1 The communication module on the electric meter shown on the right, that is, the power supply output end of the power supply branch of the electric meter is connected to the power supply input end of the communication module.

[0033] Specifically, a storage capacitor is connected in parallel between the positive and negative electrodes of the output terminal of the power supply branch of the electric meter. A voltage sampling branch is provided in the communication module. The positive electrode of the power supply input terminal of the communication module is connected to the input terminal of the voltage sampling branch, and the output terminal of the voltage sampling branch is grounded. The type of communication module can be any existing feasible type, such as a GPRS communication module, and this embodiment does not specifically limit its type.

[0034] In such Figure 1 After connecting energy storage capacitors in parallel to the positive and negative poles of the output end of the power supply branch of the electric meter shown, when the electric meter is powered off normally and the communication module is not unplugged, the energy storage capacitor can continue to briefly power the communication module for a certain period of time, and enable the voltage sampling branch in the communication module to collect a voltage that slowly decreases as the energy storage capacitor discharges; when the communication module is directly unplugged, since the power supply connection between the communication module and the power supply branch of the electric meter is instantly cut off, the voltage sampling branch in the communication module collects a rapidly decreasing voltage.

[0035] That is, based on the energy storage capacitors connected in parallel to the positive and negative poles of the output end of the power supply branch of the electricity meter, the electricity meter in this embodiment can enable the communication module therein to detect significantly different voltage changes in itself when the power is normally turned off and when the communication module is unplugged, accurately and effectively distinguishing when the communication module is normally powered off and when it is unplugged, thereby accurately identifying the power status of the communication module in the electricity meter.

[0036] In one embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, a specific circuit structure of a voltage sampling branch is provided.

[0037] In this embodiment, the voltage sampling branch includes: Figure 2 The first resistor R3 and the second resistor R4 are shown, wherein the first resistor R3 and the second resistor R4 are connected in series, and the input end of the voltage sampling branch is Figure 2 The VIN terminal shown is connected to one end of the first resistor R3, one end of the second resistor R4 is connected to the output end of the voltage sampling branch, that is, the ground end, and the connection point between the first resistor R3 and the second resistor R4 is connected to the sampling output end of the voltage sampling branch, that is, the MCUADC end.

[0038] Based on the voltage sampling branch formed by the first resistor R3 and the second resistor R4 in this embodiment, the voltage specification of the sampling output end of the voltage sampling branch can be adjusted by the voltage dividing effect of the two resistors to accurately meet the voltage sampling specification requirements and realize voltage sampling.

[0039] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the voltage sampling branch further includes a first filter capacitor C3, one end of the first filter capacitor C3 is connected to the output end of the voltage sampling branch, that is, the ground end, and the other end is connected to the sampling output end of the voltage sampling branch, that is, the MCUADC end.

[0040] The first filter capacitor C3 can improve the accuracy and stability of the voltage output by the sampling output end of the voltage sampling branch, that is, the MCUADC end, thereby improving the accuracy of judging the power state of the communication module.

[0041] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the first filter capacitor is a non-polar capacitor.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first filter capacitor is preferably a non-polar capacitor, which can improve the filtering effect by taking advantage of the better high-frequency filtering performance of the non-polar capacitor, making the voltage collected by the voltage sampling branch more accurate, thereby further improving the accuracy of judging the power status of the communication module.

[0043] In one embodiment, the communication module of the electric meter preferably further includes a power failure detection branch, and the positive pole of the power supply input end of the communication module is connected to the input end of the power failure detection branch, and the output end of the power failure detection branch is grounded.

[0044] This embodiment further provides a power failure detection branch on the basis of the above embodiments which only include a voltage sampling branch. The power failure detection branch can be used to determine whether there is a power failure or a low voltage state, and the power failure can be used as a trigger condition for starting the voltage sampling branch.

[0045] Specifically, after the power-off detection branch is additionally set, the meter's judgment process on the power status of the communication module is as follows: first, the power-off detection branch detects whether the power supply voltage of the communication module drops to a preset threshold value (such as 1.2V), and after it has indeed dropped to the preset threshold value, it is determined that there is a power-off situation, and the voltage sampling branch is triggered to start working. The voltage sampling branch then begins to record the power supply voltage drop of the communication module. If the power supply voltage drop rate of the communication module reaches a preset change amount within a preset time period, the communication module is considered to be in an unplugged state, otherwise the communication module is considered to be in a normal power-off state.

[0046] The values ​​of the preset duration and the preset change amount need to be set by the operator according to the specific parameters of the devices used in the relevant branches of the meter, and are not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0047] By additionally providing the power failure detection branch in this embodiment, it is possible to avoid continuously recording the sampled voltage of the voltage sampling branch at all times. Instead, the sampled voltage of the voltage sampling branch only needs to be recorded and judged after the power failure is determined by the power failure detection branch, thereby greatly saving computing resources.

[0048] In one embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, a specific circuit structure of a power-off detection branch is provided.

[0049] In this embodiment, the power failure detection branch includes the following Figure 2 The third resistor R1 and the fourth resistor R2 are shown, wherein the third resistor R1 and the fourth resistor R2 are connected in series, and the input end of the power failure detection branch is Figure 2 The VIN terminal shown is connected to one end of the third resistor R1, one end of the fourth resistor R2 is connected to the output end of the power-off detection branch, that is, the ground end, and the connection point between the third resistor R1 and the fourth resistor R2 is connected to the detection output end of the power-off detection branch, that is, the MCUSVD end.

[0050] Based on the power-off detection branch formed by the third resistor R1 and the fourth resistor R2 in this embodiment, the voltage specification of the detection output end of the power-off detection branch can be adjusted by the voltage divider effect of the two resistors to accurately meet the voltage specification requirements of the power-off detection and realize power-off detection.

[0051] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the power failure detection branch further includes a second filter capacitor C2, one end of the second filter capacitor C2 is connected to the output end of the power failure detection branch, that is, the ground end, and the other end is connected to the detection output end of the power failure detection branch, that is, the MCUSVD end.

[0052] The second filter capacitor C2 can improve the accuracy and stability of the voltage output by the detection output terminal of the power-off detection branch, namely the MCUSVD terminal, thereby improving the accuracy of power-off status judgment and ultimately improving the accuracy of communication module power status judgment.

[0053] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the second filter capacitor is also a non-polar capacitor.

[0054] As in the above embodiment, in this embodiment, the second filter capacitor is preferably a non-polar capacitor, which can improve the filtering effect with the help of the better high-frequency filtering performance of the non-polar capacitor, making the voltage detected by the power-off detection branch more accurate, thereby further improving the accuracy of judging the power status of the communication module.

[0055] In one embodiment, the energy storage capacitor in the above embodiment is preferably a polar capacitor, the positive pole of the polar capacitor is connected to the positive pole of the power supply output end of the power supply branch of the meter, and the negative pole of the polar capacitor is connected to the negative pole of the power supply output end of the power supply branch of the meter.

[0056] Since the electric meter in the present invention can distinguish between the power-off and unplugged states of the communication module, it makes use of the delayed power supply provided by the energy storage capacitor connected in parallel to the power output end of the power supply branch of the electric meter. Therefore, in order to improve the distinction effect, this embodiment preferably uses a polarity capacitor with better energy storage effect as the energy storage capacitor, that is, the energy storage capacitor can provide a longer delayed power supply, so that the difference in voltage change state of the communication module in the electric meter in the two states of normal power-off and being unplugged is more obvious, thereby further improving the accuracy of judging the power state of the communication module.

[0057] Of course, in other embodiments, Figure 1 As shown, the energy storage capacitor is set to a non-polar capacitor. In this case, it is only necessary to select a capacitor with a larger capacity (such as 470μF) to achieve the above-mentioned effect of improving the accuracy of judging the power status of the communication module.

[0058] In one embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the communication module includes a microcontroller (MCU), the detection output end of the power-off detection branch, namely the MCUSVD end, is connected to the power-off detection input end of the microcontroller, and the sampling output end of the voltage sampling branch, namely the MCUADC end, is connected to the voltage sampling input end of the microcontroller.

[0059] This embodiment inputs the output of the power-off detection branch and the output of the voltage sampling branch into the same microcontroller, thereby avoiding the need for information interaction between different processors when the signals output by the two branches are processed by different processors, effectively avoiding unnecessary information interaction and transmission, thereby improving the response speed of judging the power status of the communication module to a certain extent.

[0060] The embodiments described above are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention, and should all be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module, characterized in that: include: Electric meter power supply branch, energy storage capacitor and communication module; The power supply output end of the power supply branch of the electric meter is connected to the power supply input end of the communication module, and the energy storage capacitor is connected in parallel between the positive and negative poles of the power supply output end of the power supply branch of the electric meter. The communication module includes a voltage sampling branch, the positive pole of the power supply input end of the communication module is connected to the input end of the voltage sampling branch, and the output end of the voltage sampling branch is grounded.

2. The electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The voltage sampling branch includes a first resistor and a second resistor; The first resistor and the second resistor are connected in series, the input end of the voltage sampling branch is connected to one end of the first resistor, one end of the second resistor is connected to the output end of the voltage sampling branch, and the connection point between the first resistor and the second resistor is connected to the sampling output end of the voltage sampling branch.

3. The electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The voltage sampling branch further includes a first filter capacitor, one end of which is connected to the output end of the voltage sampling branch, and the other end of which is connected to the sampling output end of the voltage sampling branch.

4. The electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first filter capacitor is a non-polar capacitor.

5. The electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The communication module further includes a power failure detection branch, the positive electrode of the power supply input end of the communication module is connected to the input end of the power failure detection branch, and the output end of the power failure detection branch is grounded.

6. The electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The power-off detection branch includes a third resistor and a fourth resistor; The third resistor and the fourth resistor are connected in series, the input end of the power-off detection branch is connected to one end of the third resistor, one end of the fourth resistor is connected to the output end of the power-off detection branch, and the connection point of the third resistor and the fourth resistor is connected to the detection output end of the power-off detection branch.

7. The electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The power-off detection branch further includes a second filter capacitor, one end of the second filter capacitor is connected to the output end of the power-off detection branch, and the other end is connected to the detection output end of the power-off detection branch.

8. The electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second filter capacitor is a non-polar capacitor.

9. The electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy storage capacitor is a polar capacitor, the positive electrode of the polar capacitor is connected to the positive electrode of the power supply output end of the power supply branch of the meter, and the negative electrode of the polar capacitor is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply output end of the power supply branch of the meter.

10. The electric meter capable of identifying the power status of a communication module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The communication module further includes a microcontroller, the detection output end of the power failure detection branch is connected to the power failure detection input end of the microcontroller, and the sampling output end of the voltage sampling branch is connected to the voltage sampling input end of the microcontroller.

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