Multi-loop electric energy meter suitable for extreme environment
By designing a multi-layered sealed protective shell and a heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit, the sealing and heat dissipation problems of multi-circuit energy meters in extreme environments have been solved, enabling stable and reliable operation and long service life in regions such as Xinjiang.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YANTAI DONGFANG WISDOM ELECTRIC
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing multi-circuit energy meters are difficult to operate stably and reliably in extreme environments such as Xinjiang, and have problems with sealing, heat dissipation and weather resistance, resulting in decreased metering accuracy and equipment damage.
It adopts a multi-layer sealed protective shell, a heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit, and an integrated multi-loop metering module. Combined with labyrinth seals, low-temperature resistant rubber rings, and heat-conducting media, it achieves efficient heat dissipation through heat conduction channels and temperature-equalizing plates. It uses weather-resistant materials and a wide temperature range design to ensure the stability and reliability of the equipment in extreme environments.
It effectively resists the intrusion of high winds, sand, rain, snow and condensation, ensuring a clean and dry internal environment, improving the long-term operational reliability and service life of the equipment in extreme environments, resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation and sealing, and avoiding the decrease in metering accuracy and damage to components due to overheating.
Smart Images
Figure CN224263288U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of electricity meter technology, specifically relating to a multi-circuit electricity meter suitable for extreme environments. Background Technology
[0002] With the advancement of the "coal-to-electricity" project and the transformation of energy consumption structure, the electricity demand of urban and rural residents in Xinjiang and other regions is showing a diversified and complex trend. User scenarios such as "one household with two meters" (e.g., "residential + single-phase electric heating," "residential + three-phase electric heating") and even "one household with three meters" (e.g., "residential + electric heating + commercial," "residential + electric heating + three-phase power") are becoming increasingly common. While this "one household with multiple meters" model meets the differentiated electricity needs of users, it also leads to problems such as a significant increase in investment in power grid equipment, limited installation space, increased pressure on grassroots operation and maintenance services, and a significant increase in management complexity.
[0003] To address these challenges, the State Grid Corporation of China, in its "Three-Year Action Plan for the Construction of a Modern Advanced Measurement System," explicitly proposed promoting the integration and intelligent upgrading of metering equipment. Currently, some multi-circuit energy meters have appeared on the market, such as those disclosed in CN201720442437.X, CN201520922567.4, CN202021520485.4, and CN201510957201.5, aiming to meter multiple electricity consumptions through a single device. However, these existing devices are structurally unsuitable for stable and reliable operation in the extreme environments of regions like Xinjiang. Specifically, Xinjiang experiences harsh climate conditions, characterized by extreme cold (down to -40°C), high altitude (low air pressure), high winds and sandstorms, and intense heat and dryness (strong ultraviolet radiation and significant diurnal temperature variations). The casing sealing, material weather resistance, and internal heat dissipation of existing multi-circuit energy meters are often not designed for these conditions. For example, in order to integrate multiple metering units, the density of electronic components inside the equipment increases, resulting in concentrated heat generation. The internal heat cannot be dissipated in time, which can easily lead to overheating of components, decreased metering accuracy, or even equipment damage in high-temperature environments. In extremely cold conditions, ordinary plastic shells may become brittle and crack. Large temperature differences between day and night can easily cause condensation inside the equipment, leading to short circuits. High wind and sand environments may corrode sealing components, allowing sand and dust to intrude and affecting electrical connections and component lifespan.
[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a multi-circuit energy meter that can adapt to extreme climatic conditions and effectively solve multiple contradictions such as heat dissipation, sealing, and weather resistance in its structure. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address the technical problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides a multi-circuit energy meter suitable for extreme environments.
[0006] In this embodiment of the utility model, a multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments includes a multi-layer sealed protective housing, an integrated multi-loop metering module installed inside the multi-layer sealed protective housing, and a heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit. The multi-layer sealed protective housing includes, from the outside to the inside, an outer protective shell, an intermediate heat-insulating layer for mitigating the impact of external extreme temperatures on the internal environment of the multi-layer sealed protective housing, and an inner support frame. The integrated multi-loop metering module is fixed on the inner support frame and is used to simultaneously meter energy for at least two loops with different power consumption characteristics. The heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit includes a heat-conducting medium attached to the main heating element of the integrated multi-loop metering module and a heat-conducting channel that directs heat to the inner wall of the multi-layer sealed protective housing.
[0007] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the superior technical solution of this utility model include:
[0008] 1. By combining a multi-layered sealed protective shell with a labyrinth seal and low-temperature resistant rubber rings, the intrusion of high winds, sand, rain, snow, and condensation is effectively resisted, ensuring the cleanliness and dryness of the internal environment of the multi-layered sealed protective shell. At the same time, the weather-resistant material of the outer protective shell, the wide temperature range stability of the inner supporting frame, and the buffering effect of the middle heat insulation layer enable this multi-circuit energy meter to withstand extreme cold, high dry heat, and strong ultraviolet radiation. The structure does not become brittle, deform, or age, improving the long-term operational reliability and service life in extreme environments such as Xinjiang.
[0009] 2. A passive thermal management system employing a "pure conduction" approach utilizes a highly efficient heat conduction path: "Heating chip of the integrated multi-loop metering module → Thermally conductive medium (filling gaps, reducing thermal resistance) → Heat spreader (rapid temperature equalization, heat diffusion) → Thermally conductive channel (efficient conduction) → Thermally conductive reinforcing ribs on the inner wall of the outer protective shell (increasing contact area) → Thermal conduction of the outer protective shell material → Outer surface of the outer protective shell (final heat dissipation) → External environment." This actively removes internal heat and utilizes the entire outer protective shell as a heat dissipation surface. Thus, without compromising the integrity and sealing of the outer protective shell, it achieves heat dissipation efficiency comparable to an external heat sink, resolving the inherent conflict between sealing and heat dissipation in multi-loop energy meters, and preventing decreased metering accuracy and component damage due to internal overheating. Attached Figure Description
[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-loop energy meter applicable to extreme environments, as shown in the embodiment.
[0011] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include: multi-layer sealed protective shell 10, outer protective shell 11, middle heat insulation layer 12, inner support frame 13, thermally conductive reinforcing rib 14, integrated multi-loop metering module 20, thermally conductive temperature equalization unit 30, thermally conductive medium 31, thermally conductive channel (metal heat pipe) 32, temperature equalization plate 33, and terminal block 40. Detailed Implementation
[0012] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.
[0013] This embodiment provides a multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments, such as... Figure 1 As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the multi-loop energy meter includes a multi-layer sealed protective housing 10, an integrated multi-loop metering module 20 installed within the multi-layer sealed protective housing 10, and a heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit 30. The heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit 30 is used to efficiently conduct the heat generated by the heating element in the integrated multi-loop metering module 20 to the outer surface of the multi-layer sealed protective housing 10, and finally dissipate it to the external environment.
[0014] Specifically, the multi-layer sealed protective housing 10 includes, from the outside to the inside, an outer protective housing 11, a middle heat insulation layer 12, and an inner support frame 13. The middle heat insulation layer 12 is used to mitigate the impact of extreme external temperatures on the internal environment of the multi-layer sealed protective housing 10. An integrated multi-loop metering module 20 is fixed to the inner support frame 13 and is used to simultaneously meter at least two circuits with different power consumption characteristics, including residential, electric heating, and industrial / commercial or three-phase power. The heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit 30 includes a heat-conducting medium 31 attached to the main heating element of the integrated multi-loop metering module 20, and heat-conducting channels 32 that guide heat to the inner wall of the multi-layer sealed protective housing 10. In actual layout, the heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit 30 should be set according to the specific location of the heating element, for example... Figure 1 As shown, a heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit 30 is arranged on the rear and lower sides of the integrated multi-loop metering module 20, respectively.
[0015] It should be noted that the integrated multi-loop metering module 20 in this utility model is an electronic component that integrates main control, multiple independent metering channels, communication and power management functions. Its physical carrier is a PCB circuit board with precise layout and partition design. This integrated multi-loop metering module 20 can be implemented using existing mature technologies and is not the focus of innovation of this utility model, so it will not be described in detail here.
[0016] In this invention, the outer protective shell 11 is made of weather-resistant engineering plastic or metal material. Its seams feature a labyrinth-style sealing structure and a low-temperature resistant sealing ring, achieving excellent sealing performance and effectively resisting the intrusion of high winds, sand, rain, snow, and moisture. The inner support frame 13 is an integrally die-cast aluminum or magnesium alloy frame, possessing not only excellent mechanical strength to stably support the weight and installation stress of the internal integrated multi-loop metering module 20, but also serving as a good thermal conductor, providing an efficient heat conduction path for the overall heat dissipation system. The intermediate heat insulation layer 12 is made of aerogel or polyurethane foam. Filled between the outer protective shell 11 and the inner support frame 13, the aerogel or polyurethane foam significantly reduces the impact of extreme external temperatures on the internal environment of the device, effectively blocking direct heat transfer under extremely cold or high temperature conditions. This maintains the stable operating temperature of internal components in complex climatic environments, ensuring the long-term operational reliability of the device.
[0017] In this invention, the thermally conductive medium 31 is in the form of a high thermal conductivity, aging-resistant silicone pad, a high thermal conductivity insulating pad, or a thermally conductive pad coated with thermally conductive gel / thermal grease. This thermally conductive medium 31 maintains good elasticity and thermal stability over a wide temperature range of -45℃ to 125℃, effectively adapting to extreme temperature variations in Xinjiang. By completely covering the heating area of the integrated multi-loop metering module 20 with the thermally conductive medium 31 and mechanically pressing it together, such as by screws or independent spring clips, the heating element, the thermally conductive medium 31, and the underlying heat spreader 33 (mentioned later) are tightly pressed together. This establishes a low-thermal-resistance, high-efficiency thermal bridge between the heating element and the heat dissipation path, effectively eliminating air gaps at the contact interface and significantly reducing contact thermal resistance.
[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit 30 further includes a temperature-equalizing plate 33 embedded in the inner support frame 13. The heat-conducting channel 32 is a metal heat pipe that penetrates the inner support frame 13. One end of the metal heat pipe 32 is connected to the temperature-equalizing plate 33, and the other end of the metal heat pipe 32 is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the outer protective shell 11. The temperature-equalizing plate 33 is embedded in the inner support frame 13, and its area covers the projected area of all the main heating elements on the integrated multi-loop metering module 20. The edge or specific area of the temperature-equalizing plate 33 is firmly connected to the metal heat pipe 32 by welding or pressure welding, so as to transfer heat to the metal heat pipe 32.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the vapor chamber 33 is a vacuum chamber vapor chamber plate filled with a working fluid suitable for low-temperature startup. Specifically, the inner wall of the vapor chamber 33 has a capillary wick structure and is filled with a small amount of working fluid (such as water or acetone, selected according to the operating temperature range). The working principle of the vapor chamber 33 is to utilize the phase change of the working fluid to achieve efficient two-dimensional heat diffusion, rapidly transferring locally concentrated heat to the outer protective shell 11 connected to the metal heat pipe 32, thereby achieving temperature equilibrium inside the multi-layer sealed protective shell 10 and improving overall heat dissipation efficiency. As a "secondary heat distributor," the vapor chamber 33 receives heat from various dispersed heating elements (transferred through the heat-conducting medium 31) and rapidly and evenly conducts it to the metal heat pipe 32 or the outer protective shell 11, achieving efficient heat removal and distribution, and preventing the formation of "hot spots."
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, multiple metal heat pipes 32 are arranged corresponding to the distribution positions of the main heating elements in the integrated multi-loop metering module 20. When the heat source is widely distributed, the multiple metal heat pipes 32 are distributed in a "grid-like or radial" pattern below the heat spreader 33 to ensure that heat can be "transported" from various areas of the heat spreader 33 in a timely manner.
[0021] In another preferred embodiment of this invention, a thermally conductive reinforcing rib 14 is provided on the inner wall of the outer protective shell 11 in the contact area with the metal heat pipe 32. The end of the metal heat pipe 32 away from the heat spreader 33 is connected to the thermally conductive reinforcing rib 14, which greatly increases the contact area between the metal heat pipe 32 and the inner wall of the outer protective shell 11, thereby reducing the contact thermal resistance between them. Preferably, the thermally conductive reinforcing rib 14 is fixed to the inner wall of the outer protective shell 11 by a high thermal conductivity material (e.g., by welding metal materials or bonding with thermally conductive adhesive), which is used to efficiently conduct heat to the entire outer protective shell 11.
[0022] The contact area between the metal heat pipe 32 and the outer protective shell 11 is a small "point" or "line". If the end of the metal heat pipe 32 is directly attached to the smooth inner wall of the outer protective shell 11, heat will concentrate in this small contact area, causing the temperature of that part to rise sharply (forming a "hot spot"), while the temperature of most other areas of the outer protective shell 11 remains low, resulting in low heat dissipation efficiency. By incorporating built-in thermally conductive reinforcing ribs 14 in the contact area, it is equivalent to installing a "heat diffuser" between the metal heat pipe 32 and the inner wall of the outer protective shell 11. The contact area is multiplied, and the thermal resistance is significantly reduced. It's like building an overpass between a narrow country road and a wide highway, resulting in a dramatic increase in thermal conductivity.
[0023] In this invention, the multi-circuit energy meter also includes a wide-temperature-range, condensation-resistant terminal block 40. The terminal block 40 serves as an interface for connecting external incoming and outgoing cables. It is made of a high-density, high-insulation ceramicized composite material, suitable for ambient temperatures ranging from -45℃ to 85℃. One end of the terminal block 40 is outside the multi-layer sealed protective housing 10, used to connect the thick cables from the power grid and the user's load; the other end is inside the housing, connected to the integrated multi-circuit metering module 20 via internal wires. The wide-temperature-range, condensation-resistant terminal block ensures stable and safe electrical connections under large temperature differences, providing extremely high insulation strength even at low pressures, preventing current from flowing to unwanted locations.
[0024] The terminal block 40 is installed in the reserved interface of the outer protective shell 11 through an integrated potting molding process. Specifically, the outer protective shell 11 has a through hole for installing the terminal block 40, through which the metal guide strip of the terminal block 40 passes. The through hole and the bottom of the terminal block are integrally potted using epoxy resin or polyurethane potting compound with high insulation and high bonding strength to form a sealing barrier. This barrier can effectively fill all micro gaps and has excellent moisture-proof and anti-condensation performance. Preferably, the reserved interface for installing the terminal block 40 in the multi-layer sealed protective shell 10 adopts a double-layer shrink-fit sealing kit, with an inner silicone sealing ring and an outer heat-shrink waterproof cap to achieve ultimate sealing.
[0025] In this utility model, metal shielding partitions are provided between the metering units in the integrated multi-circuit metering module 20, and the power supply and signal lines of each metering unit are physically isolated on the PCB board to effectively suppress electromagnetic interference and signal crosstalk between different types of power circuits (such as high-power electric heating and sensitive residential electricity), ensuring the independence and accuracy of each metering circuit.
[0026] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A multi-circuit energy meter suitable for extreme environments, characterized in that, It includes a multi-layer sealed protective housing, an integrated multi-loop metering module and a heat-conducting temperature equalization unit installed inside the multi-layer sealed protective housing; The multi-layer sealed protective shell includes, from the outside to the inside, an outer protective shell, an intermediate heat insulation layer for mitigating the impact of external extreme temperatures on the internal environment of the multi-layer sealed protective shell, and an inner support frame. The integrated multi-loop metering module is fixed on the inner support frame and is used to simultaneously meter the power consumption of at least two loops with different power consumption characteristics. The heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit includes a heat-conducting medium attached to the main heating element of the integrated multi-loop metering module, and a heat-conducting channel that directs heat to the inner wall of the multi-layer sealed protective housing.
2. The multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer protective shell is made of weather-resistant engineering plastic or metal material, and its seams are equipped with a labyrinth-type sealing structure and a low-temperature resistant sealing ring. And / or the inner support skeleton is an integrally die-cast aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy skeleton.
3. The multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intermediate heat insulation layer is made of aerogel or polyurethane foam, and the aerogel or polyurethane foam is filled between the outer protective shell and the inner support skeleton.
4. The multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermally conductive medium is a high thermal conductivity, aging-resistant silicone pad, a high thermal conductivity insulating pad, or a thermally conductive pad coated with thermally conductive gel / thermally conductive grease.
5. A multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The heat-conducting and temperature-equalizing unit also includes a temperature-equalizing plate embedded in the inner support frame. The heat-conducting channel is a metal heat pipe that penetrates the inner support frame. One end of the metal heat pipe is connected to the temperature-equalizing plate, and the other end is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the outer protective shell.
6. The multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heat spreader is a vacuum chamber heat spreader, which is filled with a working fluid suitable for low-temperature start-up.
7. The multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments according to claim 5, characterized in that, The metal heat pipes are provided in multiple sections and are arranged corresponding to the distribution positions of the main heating elements in the integrated multi-loop metering module. Multiple metal heat pipes are distributed in a "grid-like or radial" pattern below the heat spreader.
8. The multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner wall of the outer protective shell has thermally conductive reinforcing ribs in the contact area with the metal heat pipe, and the end of the metal heat pipe away from the heat spreader is connected to the thermally conductive reinforcing ribs.
9. The multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments according to claim 8, characterized in that, The thermally conductive reinforcing ribs are integrally connected to the inner wall of the outer protective shell using a highly thermally conductive material, which is used to efficiently conduct heat to the entire outer protective shell.
10. A multi-loop energy meter suitable for extreme environments according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The multi-circuit energy meter also includes a wide-temperature-range, anti-condensation terminal block, which is an interface for connecting external incoming cables and external outgoing cables. The terminal block is made of high-density, high-insulation ceramic composite material.