Clamping Current Sensor with Distance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional current measurement devices, such as clamp-type and U-shaped sensors, require cumbersome operations involving the pulling out of conductors from wiring ducts for accurate measurements, which complicates the measurement process and necessitates additional space.
Innovation Solution
A current measurement device equipped with clamping parts, magnetoelectric conversion elements, and a distance measurement unit that allows for non-contact current measurement by clamping the conductor, using a pair of clamping parts and a distance measurement unit to correct for variations in magnetic field strength due to conductor thickness and coating, enabling accurate current calculation without the need to pull out the conductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional clamp-type current sensors are used to measure current in wiring ducts, then current measurement can be performed, but the conductor must be pulled out to a certain extent which makes the measurement operation cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement device is divided into separate functional components: clamping parts for securing the conductor, magnetoelectric conversion elements for field detection, and a distance measurement unit for measuring the gap. This segmentation allows the device to measure current accurately while clamping the conductor in place without requiring it to be pulled out of the wiring duct.
Solution Approach 2:
A distance measurement unit acts as an intermediary to measure the physical gap between the clamping parts and the conductor. This intermediate measurement enables the system to compensate for variations in distance and maintain measurement accuracy without requiring direct contact or pulling out the conductor.
2Ease of operation
If the conductor is clamped without pulling it out, then operational complexity is reduced, but the distance between the magnetoelectric conversion element and conductor varies affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The distance measurement unit provides feedback about the actual gap between the clamping parts and the conductor. This feedback information is used by the control unit to compensate for distance variations and calculate the current accurately, even when the conductor is clamped in different positions within the duct.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from direct magnetic field strength measurement to a corrected calculation that incorporates distance information. By measuring the distance parameter and using it to correct the current calculation, the system maintains accuracy despite variations in the conductor's position or thickness.
3Measurement precision
If U-shaped current sensor is used, then measurement can be conducted with conductor inside magnetic core, but wiring must be pressed to backmost part which still requires pulling out conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping parts are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing them to secure the conductor at any position within the wiring duct without requiring it to be pressed to a specific location like the backmost part. This dynamic clamping capability eliminates the need to pull out or reposition the conductor while maintaining measurement accuracy through distance compensation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and accurate current measurement within wiring ducts without the need to pull out conductors, reducing operational complexity and space requirements, while providing precise current values with minimal error.
Implementation Method 1
detect and measure a magnetic field strength on an end surface of the magnetic core by the magnetoelectric conversion elements
Implementation Method 2
magnetoelectric conversion elements such as Hall elements arranged across an opening of the magnetic core and configured to capture a magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of clamping parts clamp a conductor to be measured and biased in closing directions. A pair of gripping parts are provided to be able to change a distance between the respective clamping parts according to a distance therebetween. Magnetoelectric conversion element(s) for current measurement is/are provided on either one or both of the respective clamping parts. A distance measurement unit is provided to be able to measure a physical quantity corresponding to the distance between the respective gripping parts as a physical quantity corresponding to the distance between the respective clamping parts. A current calculation device is provided to obtain a current flowing in the conductor to be measured on the basis of a magnetic field detected by the magnetoelectric conversion element(s) for current measurement and the physical quantity measured by the distance measurement unit when the conductor to be measured is clamped by the respective clamping parts.