Detection sensors and measurement systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a detection sensor configured to detect a signal relating to the voltage applied to an electric wire, and which can be relatively easily positioned relative to the electric wire. [Solution] The detection sensor comprises a detection sensor body and a cable. The detection sensor body is fixed to the electric wire and configured to detect the above signal. The cable is electrically connected to the detection sensor body and configured to transmit the signal detected by the detection sensor body to a measuring device. The detection sensor body includes a band and an electrode part. The electrode part is attached to the band and faces the electric wire when the band is wrapped around the electric wire. The band includes a band-shaped band body and a fixing mechanism. The fixing mechanism is configured to fix the band body so that the band body remains wrapped around the electric wire.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection sensor and a measurement system.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-153181 (Patent Document 1) discloses a voltage probe. This voltage probe includes a conductive sponge. The conductive sponge is wound around an electric wire. In a state where the conductive sponge is wound around the electric wire, the voltage probe measures the voltage between the electric wire and the ground.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, in order to fix the voltage probe to the electric wire, it is necessary to wind the conductive sponge around the electric wire and further wind a strip-shaped fixing band around the conductive sponge. It is not always easy to wind a fixing band around the conductive sponge while maintaining the state where the conductive sponge is wound around the electric wire.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a detection sensor configured to detect a signal related to the voltage applied to an electric wire, and the detection sensor can relatively easily stabilize its position with respect to the electric wire.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A detection sensor according to a certain aspect of the present invention is configured to detect a signal relating to a voltage applied to an electric wire. The detection sensor comprises a detection sensor body and a cable. The detection sensor body is fixed to the electric wire and configured to detect the above signal. The cable is electrically connected to the detection sensor body and is configured to transmit the signal detected by the detection sensor body to a measuring device. The detection sensor body includes a band and an electrode portion. The band is wrapped around the electric wire. The electrode portion is attached to the band and faces the electric wire when the band is wrapped around it. The band includes a band-shaped band body and a fixing mechanism. The fixing mechanism is configured to fix the band body so that the band body remains wrapped around the electric wire.

[0007] In this detection sensor, a fixing mechanism secures the band body so that it remains wrapped around the wire. Therefore, with this detection sensor, the position of the electrode part relative to the wire can be stabilized relatively easily, and signals related to the voltage applied to the wire can be detected with relatively high accuracy.

[0008] In this detection sensor, the fixing mechanism may include a head portion provided at the first longitudinal end of the band body and configured to allow the second longitudinal end of the band body to pass through it, and the head portion may fix the outer circumference length of the loop formed by the second end passing through the head portion.

[0009] In this detection sensor, simply passing the second end of the band body through the penetration point positions the electrode portion opposite the electric wire, fixing the outer circumference length of the loop formed by the band. Therefore, with this detection sensor, the position of the electrode portion relative to the electric wire can be stabilized relatively easily, and signals related to the voltage applied to the electric wire can be detected with relatively high accuracy.

[0010] In the above-mentioned detection sensor, the band may be made of cable ties.

[0011] In this detection sensor, the band is made of cable ties. Therefore, with this detection sensor, the position of the electrode part relative to the wire is stable, and thus it is possible to detect signals related to the voltage applied to the wire with relatively high accuracy.

[0012] In the above-described detection sensor, the detection sensor body may further include a retaining part that is fixed to a band and configured to hold a cable.

[0013] In this detection sensor, the cable electrically connected to the detection sensor body is held by a holding part of the detection sensor body. Therefore, with this detection sensor, the load on the connection point between the detection sensor body and the cable is reduced because the cable is held by the holding part, thus maintaining a more stable connection between the detection sensor body and the cable.

[0014] In the above-described detection sensor, the electrode portion may be composed of metal arranged from the first surface to the second surface of the band, the region of the metal located on the first surface may face the wire when the band is wrapped around the wire, and the region of the metal located on the second surface may be electrically connected to the detection sensor body and the cable.

[0015] In this detection sensor, the connection part that connects the detection sensor body and the cable, and the electrode part, are located on opposite sides of the band. Therefore, with this detection sensor, the connection part and the electrode part are not on the same side of the band, and the connection part does not obstruct the position where the electrode part and the wire face each other, thus making the position of the electrode part relative to the wire more stable.

[0016] In the above-described detection sensor, the detection sensor body may further include an insulator covering the metal.

[0017] In this detection sensor, the metal is covered by an insulator. Therefore, according to this detection sensor, even if the coating of the electric wire is damaged, the conduction between the electric wire and the electrode portion can be suppressed.

[0018] A measurement system according to another aspect of the present invention includes the above detection sensor and a measuring device.

[0019] According to this measurement system, since a signal related to the voltage applied to the electric wire is detected with relatively high accuracy, the voltage applied to the electric wire can be measured with relatively high accuracy.

[0020] A measurement system according to another aspect of the present invention includes first and second detection sensors each constituted by the above detection sensor, and a measuring device. The cable included in the first detection sensor and the cable included in the second detection sensor are at least partially bundled into one cable.

[0021] In this measurement system, the cable included in the first detection sensor and the cable included in the second detection sensor are at least partially bundled into one cable. Therefore, according to this measurement system, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the cable included in the first detection sensor and the cable included in the second detection sensor are entangled with each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a detection sensor configured to detect a signal related to the voltage applied to an electric wire, and which can relatively easily stabilize its position with respect to the electric wire.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of a power measurement system including a voltage detection sensor. [Figure 2] It is a diagram schematically showing the mechanical configuration of the voltage detection sensor. [Figure 3]It is a diagram schematically showing the first surface side of the detection sensor body. [Figure 4] It is a diagram schematically showing the second surface (the back surface of the first surface) side of the detection sensor body. [Figure 5] It is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of an electric wire in a state where the detection sensor body is wound around. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram showing the first surface side of the detection sensor body in more detail. [Figure 7] It is a diagram schematically showing the first surface side of the detection sensor body in a state where the fluorine tape is omitted. [Figure 8] It is a diagram schematically showing the second surface side of the detection sensor body in a state where the fluorine tape is omitted. [Figure 9] It is a diagram schematically showing the cross-section IX-IX of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a diagram schematically showing the second surface of the band in a state where only the caulking fitting is attached. [Figure 11] It is a diagram schematically showing the first surface of the band in a state where only the caulking fitting is attached. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the power measurement procedure in the power measurement system.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter, also referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are not repeated. Also, for ease of understanding, each drawing is schematically drawn with appropriate omissions or exaggerations of the subject.

[0025] [1. Overview] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of a power measurement system 10 including a voltage detection sensor 100 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the power measurement system 10 is configured to measure the power supplied through an electric wire, and includes a voltage detection sensor 100, a current detection sensor 200, and a measurement device 300.

[0026] The voltage detection sensor 100 is configured to detect a signal related to the voltage applied to the electric wire (hereinafter also referred to as the "voltage signal") and transmit the detected voltage signal to the measuring device 300. The current detection sensor 200 is configured to detect a signal related to the current occurring in the electric wire (hereinafter also referred to as the "current signal") and transmit the detected current signal to the measuring device 300.

[0027] The measuring device 300 includes, for example, a control unit 310 and a communication unit 320. The control unit 310 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and is configured to control each component according to information processing. The communication unit 320 is configured to communicate with a server outside the measuring device 300, for example, via the Internet. The communication unit 320 is composed of, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) module or a wireless LAN module. The control unit 310 calculates power based on voltage signals and current signals and controls the communication unit 320 to transmit the calculation results to the server.

[0028] As will be described in detail later, the voltage detection sensor 100 detects voltage signals while wrapped around an electric wire. In order to detect voltage signals with high accuracy, the voltage detection sensor 100 needs to be in stable contact with the electric wire. In the voltage detection sensor 100 according to this embodiment, it is possible to stabilize its position relative to the electric wire relatively easily. The mechanical configuration of the voltage detection sensor 100 and the operation of the power measurement system 10 will be described in order below.

[0029] [2. Mechanical configuration of the voltage detection sensor] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the mechanical configuration of the voltage detection sensor 100. Referring to Figure 2, the voltage detection sensor 100 is configured to detect, for example, the voltage signal of each wire connected to a three-phase three-wire power supply. The voltage detection sensor 100 includes detection sensor bodies 110A, 110B, 110C, coaxial cables 120A, 120B, 120C, a six-core cable 130, and a connector 140.

[0030] As will be described in detail later, each of the detection sensor bodies 110A, 110B, and 110C is fixed to the wire being measured and configured to detect the voltage signal of the wire being measured. Detection sensor body 110A is fixed to, for example, the R-phase wire. Detection sensor body 110B is fixed to, for example, the T-phase wire. Detection sensor body 110C is fixed to, for example, the S-phase wire. Note that detection sensor bodies 110A, 110B, and 110C have the same structure as each other.

[0031] Each of the coaxial cables 120A, 120B, and 120C is electrically connected to one of the detection sensor bodies 110 and is configured to transmit the voltage signal detected by the detection sensor body 110 to the measuring device 300 (see Figure 1). The coaxial cables 120A, 120B, and 120C are connected to the detection sensor bodies 110A, 110B, and 110C, respectively. The coaxial cables 120A, 120B, and 120C have the same structure as each other.

[0032] The 6-core cable 130 is constructed by bundling coaxial cables 120A, 120B, and 120C together. The 6-core cable 130 includes, for example, a wire connected to the HOT (hot) terminal of the R phase, a wire connected to the GND (ground) terminal of the R phase, a wire connected to the HOT terminal of the S phase, a wire connected to the GND terminal of the S phase, a wire connected to the HOT terminal of the T phase, and a wire connected to the GND terminal of the T phase. Since the coaxial cables 120A, 120B, and 120C are bundled together in at least part of a single cable, the occurrence of entanglement between the coaxial cables 120A, 120B, and 120C can be suppressed.

[0033] Connector 140 is connected to the 6-core cable 130 and is configured to connect to the measuring device 300. Voltage signals detected by each detection sensor body 110 are transmitted to the measuring device 300 through the coaxial cable 120, the 6-core cable 130, and the connector 140.

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the first side of the detection sensor body 110. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the second side (the back side of the first side) of the detection sensor body 110. Note that some components included in the detection sensor body 110 are omitted in Figures 3 and 4.

[0035] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the detection sensor body 110 includes a band 111 and an electrode portion 112. The band 111 is configured to be wrapped around the wire to be measured. The band 111 is made of, for example, a cable tie. The band 111 includes a strip-shaped band body 113 and a head portion 114. The band 111 is wrapped around the wire when the tip of the band body 113 is pulled, with the outer surface of the wire to be measured facing the first surface of the band 111 and the tip of the band body 113 passing through the through hole O1 of the head portion 114.

[0036] On the first surface of the detection sensor body 110, a printed section NP1 is formed on the band body 113. Multiple numerical values ​​are printed on the printed section NP1. Each of the multiple numerical values ​​corresponds to the thickness of the electric wire. When the band 111 is properly wrapped around the electric wire, the portion of the band body 113 with the numerical value corresponding to the thickness of the electric wire being measured is slightly passing through the through hole O1. The user can determine whether the band 111 is properly wrapped around the electric wire by checking whether the numerical value indicating the thickness of the electric wire being measured is visible when the band 111 is wrapped around the electric wire.

[0037] On the second surface of the detection sensor body 110, serrations 118 are formed on the band body 113. Multiple irregularities are formed along the longitudinal direction of the band body 113 on the serrations 118. The serrations 118 have, for example, a sawtooth shape.

[0038] The head portion 114 is provided at the end of the band body 113 opposite to the tip. The head portion 114 has a through hole O1 through which the tip of the band body 113 passes. A claw portion 119 is formed inside the through hole O1. The claw portion 119 is configured to bend in the direction that allows the serrations 118 to pass when the band body 113 passes through the through hole O1, but not to bend in the direction that allows the serrations 118 to pass when a force is applied in the direction that pulls the band body 113 out of the through hole O1. In other words, the claw portion 119 functions as a fixing mechanism that fixes the outer circumference length of the loop formed when the tip of the band body 113 passes through the through hole O1 of the head portion 114.

[0039] The electrode portion 112 is made of, for example, metal placed on a fluororesin substrate 115 and attached to the band body 113. The electrode portion 112 has a T-shape on the fluororesin substrate 115. The fluororesin substrate 115 is fixed to the band body 113 in a bent state. The fluororesin substrate 115 is bent so that the part of the electrode portion 112 above the T-shaped constriction is located on the first surface of the band body 113 (the same side as the first surface of the detection sensor body 110), and the part of the electrode portion 112 below the T-shaped constriction is located on the second surface of the band body 113 (the same side as the second surface of the detection sensor body 110). In other words, the electrode portion 112 is formed extending from the first surface to the second surface of the band body 113.

[0040] In the electrode portion 112, the soldering portion SD1 located on the second surface of the band body 113 electrically connects the electrode portion 112 and the coaxial cable 120. Thus, the soldering portion SD1 connecting the detection sensor body 110 and the coaxial cable 120, and the portion of the electrode portion 112 facing the wire, are located on opposite sides of the band 111. Therefore, with the voltage detection sensor 100, the portion of the electrode portion 112 facing the wire and the soldering portion SD1 are not on the same surface of the band 111, and the soldering portion SD1 does not obstruct the position where the electrode portion 112 and the wire face each other, thus making the position of the electrode portion 112 relative to the wire more stable.

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of the electric wire EW1 with the detection sensor body 110 wrapped around it. Referring to Figure 5, the electric wire EW1 includes a copper wire CL1 and a covering portion TK1 that covers the copper wire CL1. The covering portion TK1 is made of an insulator. With the detection sensor body 110 wrapped around the electric wire EW1, the electrode portion 112 faces the electric wire EW1. When a voltage is applied to the electric wire EW1, capacitive coupling occurs between the electrode portion 112 and the copper wire CL1, and a voltage signal is detected by the detection sensor body 110.

[0042] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the first side of the detection sensor body 110 in more detail. Referring to Figure 6, in the detection sensor body 110, the electrode portion 112 (see Figures 3 and 4) is covered with fluorocarbon tape 116. The fluorocarbon tape 116 is an insulator and is attached to both sides of the detection sensor body 110. According to the voltage detection sensor 100, even if there is damage to the coating portion TK1 of the electric wire EW1, the electrode portion 112 is covered with fluorocarbon tape 116, so electrical conductivity between the copper wire CL1 of the electric wire EW1 and the electrode portion 112 can be suppressed.

[0043] Figure 7 schematically shows the first side of the detection sensor body 110 with the fluorine tape 116 omitted. Figure 8 schematically shows the second side of the detection sensor body 110 with the fluorine tape 116 omitted. Figure 9 schematically shows the IX-IX cross section of Figure 8.

[0044] Referring to Figures 7, 8, and 9, a crimping fitting 117 is positioned on the second surface of the band body 113. The crimping fitting 117 is fixed to the band body 113, and the fluororesin substrate 115 and the electrode portion 112 are fixed on the crimping fitting 117. The crimping fitting 117 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the band body 113 and includes a holding portion GR1 that crimps and holds the coaxial cable 120. The coaxial cable 120 includes an inner conductor 121, an insulator 122 that covers the inner conductor 121, and an outer conductor 123 arranged around the insulator 122. The holding portion GR1 crimps and holds the outer conductor 123 (see Figure 9). According to the voltage detection sensor 100, the coaxial cable 120 is held by the holding part GR1, which reduces the load on the connection point (soldering part SD1) between the detection sensor body 110 and the coaxial cable 120. As a result, the connection state between the detection sensor body 110 and the coaxial cable 120 can be maintained more stably.

[0045] Figure 10 schematically shows the second surface of the band 111 with only the crimping fitting 117 attached. Figure 11 schematically shows the first surface of the band 111 with only the crimping fitting 117 attached.

[0046] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the crimping fitting 117 includes a body BD1, two mounting parts MT1, two connecting parts CT1, and a retaining part GR1. The body BD1 is located on the second surface of the band body 113 and has a rectangular shape. Two connecting parts CT1 extend from the body BD1 in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction of the band body 113. Each of the two connecting parts CT1 is provided with a mounting part MT1 at the end of its extension. Each of the connecting parts CT1 and the mounting part MT1 has a rectangular shape. The crimping fitting 117 is fixed to the band body 113 by bending both longitudinal ends of each mounting part MT1.

[0047] In a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the band body 113, the length of each connection part CT1 is shorter than the respective lengths of the body BD1 and the mounting part MT1. As a result, a total of four weight-reducing cutouts LT1 are formed at both ends of the two connection parts CT1. The formation of these weight-reducing cutouts LT1 makes it easier for the crimping fitting 117 to bend in the direction in which the band 111 is wrapped, compared to when these weight-reducing cutouts LT1 are not formed, thus making it easier to wrap the band 111 around the electric wire EW1.

[0048] The retaining portion GR1 extends from the body BD1 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the band body 113. The retaining portion GR1 has a T-shape. The coaxial cable 120 is held by the retaining portion GR1 by crimping the portion of the retaining portion GR1 that extends along the longitudinal direction of the band body 113.

[0049] [3. Operation of the power measurement system] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the power measurement procedure in the power measurement system 10. The process shown in this flowchart is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals by the control unit 310 of the measuring device 300.

[0050] Referring to Figure 12, the control unit 310 acquires voltage signals and current signals from the voltage detection sensor 100 and the current detection sensor 200, respectively (step S100). The control unit 310 calculates a power value based on the acquired voltage and current signals (step S110). The control unit 310 controls the communication unit 320 to transmit the calculated power value to a server outside the measuring device 300 (step S120).

[0051] [4. Features] As described above, in the voltage detection sensor 100 according to this embodiment, the electrode portion 112 faces the electric wire EW1 and the outer circumference length of the loop formed by the band 111 is fixed simply by passing the tip of the band body 113 through the through hole O1 of the head portion 114. Therefore, with the voltage detection sensor 100, the position of the electrode portion 112 relative to the electric wire EW1 can be stabilized relatively easily, and a signal related to the voltage applied to the electric wire EW1 can be detected with relatively high accuracy.

[0052] [5. Other Embodiments] The concept of the above embodiments is not limited to those described above. Examples of other embodiments to which the concept of the above embodiments can be applied will be described below.

[0053] <5-1> In the above embodiment, the voltage detection sensor 100 included three detection sensor bodies 110. However, the number of detection sensor bodies 110 included in the voltage detection sensor 100 is not limited to this. The number of detection sensor bodies 110 included in the voltage detection sensor 100 may be, for example, two or fewer, or four or more.

[0054] <5-2> In the above embodiment, the detection sensor body 110 was attached to each wire connected to a three-phase, three-wire power supply. However, the objects to which the detection sensor body 110 is attached are not limited to this. The detection sensor body 110 may be attached to each wire connected to a single-phase, three-wire power supply, or to each wire connected to a single-phase, two-wire power supply, or to each wire connected to a single-phase, four-wire power supply.

[0055] <5-3> In the above embodiment, the band 111 is made of a cable tie. When the band 111 is made of a cable tie, the band 111 may be made of a reusable type of cable tie or a non-reusable type of cable tie.

[0056] <5-4> In the above embodiment, the electrode portion 112 was covered with fluoropolymer tape 116. However, the electrode portion 112 does not necessarily have to be covered with fluoropolymer tape 116. Also, the material covering the electrode portion 112 can be an insulator and does not necessarily have to be fluoropolymer tape 116.

[0057] <5-5> In the above embodiment, the electrode portion 112 was formed on the fluororesin substrate 115. However, the location where the electrode portion 112 is formed is not limited to this. The location where the electrode portion 112 is formed can be any insulator on which a metal pattern can be formed.

[0058] Embodiments of the present invention have been described illustratively above. That is, a detailed description and accompanying drawings have been disclosed for illustrative purposes. Therefore, some of the components described in the detailed description and accompanying drawings may not be essential for solving the problem. Consequently, the mere fact that these non-essential components are described in the detailed description and accompanying drawings does not mean that they should be immediately assumed to be essential.

[0059] Furthermore, the above embodiments are merely illustrative in every respect of the present invention. The above embodiments can be improved or modified in various ways within the scope of the present invention. For example, at least a part of the configuration of one embodiment may be combined with at least a part of the configuration of any other embodiment. In other words, in carrying out the present invention, specific configurations can be appropriately adopted depending on the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Power measurement system, 100 Voltage detection sensor, 110 Detection sensor body, 111 Band, 112 Electrode part, 113 Band body, 114 Head part, 115 Fluororesin substrate, 116 Fluorine tape, 117 Crimping fitting, 118 Serration, 119 Claw part, 120 Coaxial cable, 121 Inner conductor, 122 Insulator, 123 Outer conductor, 130 6-core cable, 140 Connector, 200 Current detection sensor, 300 Measuring device, 310 Control unit, 320 Communication unit, BD1 Body part, EW1 Electric wire, CL1 Copper wire, CT1 Connection part, GR1 Holding part, LT1 Cutout part, MT1 Mounting part, TK1 Covering part, NP1 Printed part, O1 Through hole, SD1 Soldering part.

Claims

1. A detection sensor configured to detect a signal relating to the voltage applied to a power line, A detection sensor body, which is fixed to the aforementioned electric wire and configured to detect the aforementioned signal, The system includes a cable electrically connected to the detection sensor body and configured to transmit the signal detected by the detection sensor body to a measuring device, The aforementioned detection sensor body A band that is wrapped around the aforementioned electric wire, It includes an electrode portion attached to the band and facing the wire when the band is wrapped around the wire, The aforementioned band, The band-shaped main body and A detection sensor comprising a fixing mechanism configured to fix the band body so that the band body remains wrapped around the electric wire.

2. The fixing mechanism includes a head portion provided at the first longitudinal end of the band body and configured such that the second longitudinal end of the band body passes through it. The detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein the head portion fixes the outer circumference length of the loop formed when the second end penetrates the head portion.

3. The detection sensor according to claim 2, wherein the band is made of a cable tie.

4. The detection sensor according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the detection sensor body further includes a holding portion configured to be fixed to the band and to hold the cable.

5. The electrode portion is composed of metal arranged from the first surface to the second surface of the band, Of the metal, the region located on the first surface faces the electric wire when the band is wrapped around the electric wire. The detection sensor according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the detection sensor body and the cable are electrically connected to each other in the region of the metal located on the second surface.

6. The detection sensor according to claim 5, wherein the detection sensor body further includes an insulator covering the metal.

7. A detection sensor according to claim 1 or claim 2, A measurement system comprising the aforementioned measuring device.

8. A first detection sensor comprising the detection sensor described in claim 1 or claim 2, A second detection sensor comprising the detection sensor described in claim 1 or claim 2, The device includes the aforementioned measuring device, A measurement system in which the cable included in the first detection sensor and the cable included in the second detection sensor are bundled together in at least part of a single cable.

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