R485 connector of smart meter
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521798947.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-23
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-08-22
AI Technical Summary
[0004]本实用新型针对现有技术中手牵手接线方式时无法快速将智能电表从RS485线路中断开的技术问题,提供一种智能电表的RS485接线器
本实用新型支持智能电表以手牵手的方式接入RS485线路中,例如在接线时,智能电表两侧信号主线的A线和B线分别连接对应A1、B1端口,智能电表的A口利用两根跳线分别连接本实用新型的两个A2端口,B口利用两根跳线分别连接本实用新型的B2端口。最后转动旋钮使其指示“开”,此时同一侧的A1端口和A2端口之间、B1端口和B2端口之间均导通,实现智能电表的手牵手接入。
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Figure CN224888745U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of smart meter technology, specifically relating to an RS485 connector for a smart meter. Background Technology
[0002] Most smart meters that support remote meter reading use the RS485 protocol for communication. The actual wiring methods of the RS485 protocol are divided into daisy-chain connection, star connection, tree connection, etc. Since star connection and tree connection are prone to communication instability due to signal reflection, the RS485 specification requires the use of daisy-chain connection.
[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, in a daisy-chain connection, multiple smart meters are connected in series one after another to form a chain structure. During field wiring, the RS485 signal main line is typically connected directly to the smart meters. When it is necessary to disconnect a specific smart meter from the RS485 line, the RS485 signal main line must first be disconnected from the smart meter, and then the signal main lines on both sides must be reconnected, which is inconvenient. Utility Model Content
[0004] This invention addresses the technical problem in the prior art where it is impossible to quickly disconnect a smart meter from the RS485 line when using a daisy-chain wiring method, by providing an RS485 connector for a smart meter.
[0005] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is: An RS485 connector for a smart meter is provided, comprising four rectangularly distributed terminals on each of its two opposite end faces, and a rotatably connected insulating post in the center. Two opposing conductive arc plates are embedded on the periphery of each end of the insulating post. Each terminal is fixedly connected to a conductive spring, which elastically overlaps the conductive arc plates. The four conductive arc plates and the insulating post are combined to form a cylinder, wherein the length of each conductive arc plate is greater than 1 / 3 and less than 1 / 2 of the circumference of the cylinder.
[0006] Furthermore, a knob is provided at one end of the insulating post.
[0007] Furthermore, the connector housing is provided with an indicator for indicating the on / off state, the indicator being located around the knob.
[0008] Furthermore, the conductive spring sheet has a raised, smooth contact at the overlap with the conductive arc sheet, and the conductive arc sheet has concave grooves at both ends for engaging the contact.
[0009] Furthermore, the depth of the groove is not less than the height of the protrusion of the contact point.
[0010] Furthermore, the connection between the contact and the conductive spring sheet, and the connection between the groove and the conductive arc sheet, are all smoothly transitioned.
[0011] Furthermore, the distance between adjacent contacts on the same layer is equal; the distance between adjacent grooves is equal.
[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This invention supports daisy-chaining of smart meters into an RS485 line. For example, during wiring, the A and B lines of the main signal lines on both sides of the smart meter are connected to the corresponding A1 and B1 ports, respectively. The A port of the smart meter is connected to the two A2 ports of this invention using two jumpers, and the B port is connected to the B2 port of this invention using two jumpers. Finally, rotating the knob to indicate "on" enables conduction between ports A1 and A2, and between ports B1 and B2 on the same side, thus achieving daisy-chaining of the smart meter.
[0013] This invention supports quick disconnection of the smart meter from the RS485 line. When disconnection is required, simply turn knob 3 to the "off" position. At this time, direct conduction occurs between the two A1 ports, the two B1 ports, the two A2 ports, and the two B2 ports. Disconnection occurs between A1 and A2 ports and between B1 and B2 ports on the same side, thereby disconnecting the smart meter while maintaining normal conduction of the main signal line, ensuring uninterrupted RS485 communication.
[0014] This invention utilizes a centrally rotating insulating post and conductive arc plates embedded in its surface to achieve conductivity between different terminals. The conductive arc plates have concave grooves at both ends, and the conductive springs of the terminals have raised contacts. When the knob indicates "on" or "off," the contacts slide into the grooves. This interlocking design of the contacts and grooves provides a clear tactile feedback for knob rotation and prevents accidental rotation of the insulating post due to vibration, ensuring a stable electrical connection.
[0015] This invention also supports connecting industrial control equipment, sensing equipment, and other devices to the RS485 line in a daisy-chain manner, and also supports quickly disconnecting these devices from the RS485 line. Attached Figure Description
[0016] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017] Figure 1 : Schematic diagram of RS485 wiring method for smart meters; Figure 2 : A schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 3 : A schematic diagram of the internal structure of this utility model; Figure 4 : Exploded view of the internal structure of this utility model; Wherein: 1-outer shell, 2-terminal block, 3-knob, 4-insulating post, 5-conductive spring, 51-contact, 6-conductive arc plate, 61-groove; A1, A2, B1, and B2 are all terminals. Detailed Implementation
[0018] To better understand this utility model, the content of this utility model is further explained clearly below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. However, the protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the embodiments described below. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a more thorough understanding of this utility model. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this utility model can be practiced without one or more of these details.
[0019] Smart meters that support remote meter reading communicate using the RS485 protocol, such as Figure 1 As shown, RS485 is typically wired in a daisy-chain configuration, with the RS485 signal main line directly connected to the smart meter. However, this wiring method does not allow for quick disconnection of the smart meter from the RS485 line.
[0020] Example 1: See Figures 2-4 The purpose of this embodiment is to provide an RS485 connector for a smart meter. The connector has a square outer casing 1, with four rectangularly distributed terminals 2 on each of its two opposite end faces. An insulating post 4, rotatably connected to the casing 1, is located in the center. Each terminal 2 is fixedly connected to a conductive spring 5, which elastically overlaps the insulating post 4 after bending. Two opposing conductive arc plates 6 are embedded on the circumference of each end of the insulating post 4. The four conductive arc plates 6 and the insulating post 4 combine to form a cylinder. The length of each conductive arc plate 6 is greater than 1 / 3 and less than 1 / 2 of the cylinder's circumference, thus providing mutual insulation between the four conductive arc plates 6. Simultaneously, the position (height) of the conductive arc plates 6 corresponds to the position of the terminal 2, enabling the conductive arc plates 6 to conduct electricity between two adjacent conductive springs 5 on the same layer, thereby achieving conductivity between the corresponding terminal 2.
[0021] A knob 3 is provided on the top of the outer casing 1. The knob 3 is inserted into the insulating post 4. Rotating the knob 3 can drive the insulating post 4 to rotate, thereby switching the conduction or disconnection of adjacent terminals 2 on the same layer.
[0022] The top surface of the outer casing 1 is also provided with an indicator to show the on / off state of the knob 3, such as... Figure 1 The Chinese characters for "open" and "close".
[0023] like Figure 4 As shown, the eight terminals 2 are labeled. Two terminals 2 on the same side (front or back) of the same layer use the same label, such as A1, B1, A2, and B2. The following describes one wiring method for a smart meter using these labels as an example. The main signal lines A on both sides of the smart meter are connected to port A1, and the main signal lines B are connected to port B1. The first ends of the two A jumpers are connected to port A2, and the second ends are simultaneously connected to port A of the smart meter's RS485 connector. The first ends of the two B jumpers are connected to port B2, and the second ends are simultaneously connected to port B of the smart meter's RS485 connector. Finally, rotate knob 3 to indicate "on". At this point, there is continuity between ports A1 and A2, and between ports B1 and B2 on the same side, while there is disconnection between the two A1 ports, the two B1 ports, the two A2 ports, and the two B2 ports, achieving a tandem connection of the smart meter.
[0024] When it is necessary to disconnect the smart meter, simply turn knob 3 to the "off" position. At this time, the two A1 ports, the two B1 ports, the two A2 ports, and the two B2 ports are directly connected, while the A1 and A2 ports and the B1 and B2 ports on the same side are disconnected, thereby disconnecting the smart meter and ensuring normal signal transmission.
[0025] Of course, the above wiring method is only an example. You can also use the same wiring method: connect the smart meter to port A1 and port B1, and connect the main signal line to port A2 and port B2.
[0026] Example 2: See Figure 4 The RS485 connector for the smart meter provided in this embodiment has been improved in the following ways compared with Embodiment 1: The conductive spring 5 and the conductive arc sheet 6 are provided with a raised, smooth contact 51 at the joint. The conductive arc sheet 6 is provided with concave grooves 61 at both ends. When the knob 3 indicates "on" or "off", the contact 51 slides into the groove 61.
[0027] This embodiment, through the engaging design of the contact 51 and the groove 61, can provide a clear sense of the rotation of the knob 3, and can also prevent the insulating post 4 from rotating unexpectedly due to vibration or other reasons, thus ensuring a stable electrical connection.
[0028] The connection between contact 51 and conductive spring 5, and the connection between groove 61 and conductive arc sheet 6, are all smoothly transitioned.
[0029] Preferably, the recessed depth of the groove 61 is not less than the protruding height of the contact 51.
[0030] Preferably, the distance between adjacent contacts 51 on the same layer is equal; at the same time, after the four conductive arc plates 6 and the insulating pillars 4 are combined into a cylinder, the distance between adjacent grooves 61 is equal.
[0031] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Any other modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of this utility model, as long as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model, should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. An RS485 connector for a smart meter, characterized in that, The connector has four terminals arranged in a rectangular pattern on each of its two opposite end faces, and an insulating post rotatably connected in the middle. Two opposing conductive arc plates are embedded on the periphery of each end of the insulating post. Each terminal is fixedly connected to a conductive spring, which elastically overlaps the conductive arc plate. The four conductive arc plates and the insulating post are combined to form a cylinder. The length of each conductive arc plate is greater than 1 / 3 and less than 1 / 2 of the circumference of the cylinder.
2. The RS485 connector for a smart meter according to claim 1, characterized in that, A knob is provided at one end of the insulating post.
3. The RS485 connector for a smart meter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connector housing has an indicator for indicating the on / off state, and the indicator is located around the knob.
4. The RS485 connector for a smart meter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive spring sheet has a raised, smooth contact at the overlap with the conductive arc sheet, and the conductive arc sheet has concave grooves at both ends for engaging the contact.
5. The RS485 connector for a smart meter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The depth of the groove is not less than the height of the protrusion of the contact point.
6. The RS485 connector for a smart meter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connection between the contact and the conductive spring, and the connection between the groove and the conductive arc sheet, are all smoothly transitioned.
7. The RS485 connector for a smart meter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The distance between adjacent contacts on the same layer is equal; the distance between adjacent grooves is equal.