JP2016095942A - Terminal block unit, communication device, communication unit and distribution board - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal block unit, a communication device, a communication unit and a distribution board in which power supply from a power source to a communication device is enabled irrespective of turn-on or turn-off of a master breaker.SOLUTION: A terminal block unit 1 has a first terminal 11, a second terminal 12 and an electrical path member 13. The first terminal 11 is electrically connected to a power source. The second terminal 12 is electrically connected to a master breaker. The electrical path member 13 is electrically connected between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. Here, at least one of the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12 and the electrical path member 13 has a connection portion 14 to which a communication unit 2 having a communication function is electrically connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a terminal block unit, a communication device, a communication unit, and a distribution board, and more specifically, a terminal block unit, a communication device, a communication unit, used for a communication device that operates by receiving power supply from a power source, And distribution board.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a communication device that is directly connected to a system power line inside a distribution board and operates by receiving power supplied from the system power line (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The communication device described in Patent Document 1 is provided inside a cabinet (housing) of a distribution board, and is connected to a secondary terminal (output terminal) of the main breaker via a main line.

  Moreover, the communication apparatus described in Patent Document 1 communicates with an outdoor smart meter (power meter) by power line carrier communication via a power line. As a result, the communication device communicates with the smart meter in a wired manner, so that it is not affected by the structure of the building (arrangement of reinforcing bars, wall material, thickness), etc., compared to wireless communication. Good communication quality can be secured stably.

International Publication No. 2013/073548

  By the way, since the communication apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is connected to the secondary terminal of the main breaker, when the main breaker is in an off (cut-off) state, power supply from the power supply (system power supply) to the communication apparatus is The communication device stops operating.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and provides a terminal block unit, a communication device, a communication unit, and a distribution board that enable power supply from a power source to a communication device regardless of whether the main breaker is on or off. For the purpose.

  The terminal block unit of the present invention includes a first terminal electrically connected to a power source, a second terminal electrically connected to the main breaker, and an electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal. And at least one of the first terminal, the second terminal, and the electric circuit member has a connection part to which a communication unit having a communication function is electrically connected. To do.

  The communication device of the present invention includes a terminal block unit that is electrically connected to a power source and a main breaker and electrically connects the power source and the main breaker, and a communication unit having a communication function, and the communication unit Has a communication circuit and a first connection part electrically connected to the communication circuit, and the terminal block unit has a second connection part electrically connected to the first connection part. It is characterized by.

  The communication unit of the present invention includes a communication circuit and a connection portion electrically connected to the communication circuit, and the connection portion is electrically connected to a power source and a main breaker, and the power source and the main breaker are connected to each other. It is configured to be electrically connected to a terminal block unit that is electrically connected to each other.

  The distribution board of the present invention includes the cabinet to which the terminal block unit is attached, and the main breaker is attached to the cabinet.

  The distribution board of the present invention includes the cabinet to which the communication device is attached, and the main breaker is attached to the cabinet.

  The present invention has an advantage that power can be supplied from the power source to the communication device regardless of whether the main breaker is on or off.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a communication device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a first embodiment. It is a front view which shows the electricity distribution panel of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the terminal block unit of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a front view which shows the terminal block unit of Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a communication device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing an attachment form of the terminal block unit of Embodiment 1, FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing an attachment form of the communication unit of Embodiment 1, and FIG. 7C is a perspective view showing an attachment form of the communication device of Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of Configuration Example 1 of Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of Configuration Example 2 of Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of Configuration Example 3 of Embodiment 2.

(Embodiment 1)
The terminal block unit 1 of this embodiment is provided with the 1st terminal 11, the 2nd terminal 12, and the electric circuit member 13, as shown in FIG.

  The first terminal 11 is electrically connected to a power source (see FIG. 2) 3. The second terminal 12 is electrically connected to the main breaker 101 (see FIG. 2). The electric circuit member 13 electrically connects the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12.

  Here, at least one of the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, and the electric path member 13 has a connection portion 14 to which the communication unit 2 having a communication function is electrically connected.

  According to this configuration, the second terminal 12 of the terminal block unit 1 is connected not to the secondary side terminal of the main breaker 101 but to the primary side terminal 111 (see FIG. 3) on the input side (power source 3 side). The main breaker 101 is connected to the power source 3 regardless of whether it is on or off. Furthermore, since the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 are electrically connected by the electric circuit member 13, the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, and the electric circuit member 13 are all turned on the main breaker 101, The power supply 3 is connected regardless of the off state. And since the communication unit 2 which has a communication function is electrically connected to the connection part 14 provided in at least 1 of the 1st terminal 11, the 2nd terminal 12, and the electrical circuit member 13, the communication unit 2 is also connected. Further, the main breaker 101 is connected to the power source 3 regardless of whether it is on or off. Here, the terminal block unit 1 constitutes a communication device 10 together with the communication unit 2. Therefore, if the terminal block unit 1 of this embodiment is used, there exists an advantage that the electric power supply from the power supply 3 to the communication apparatus 10 is attained regardless of ON / OFF of the main breaker 101.

  Moreover, the communication apparatus 10 of this embodiment is provided with the terminal block unit 1 and the communication unit 2, as shown in FIG.

  The terminal block unit 1 here is electrically connected to the power source 3 and the main breaker 101 as described above, and electrically connects the power source 3 and the main breaker 101. The communication unit 2 has a communication function.

  Here, the communication unit 2 includes a communication circuit 21 (see FIG. 2) and a first connection part (also simply referred to as “connection part”) 22 electrically connected to the communication circuit 21. The terminal block unit 1 has a second connection portion (also simply referred to as “connection portion”) 14 that is electrically connected to the first connection portion 22.

  In addition, the communication unit 2 according to the present embodiment includes a communication circuit 21 (see FIG. 2) and a connection unit 22 that is electrically connected to the communication circuit 21. The connecting portion 22 is configured to be electrically connected to the terminal block unit 1.

  The terminal block unit 1 here is electrically connected to the power source 3 and the main breaker 101 as described above, and electrically connects the power source 3 and the main breaker 101.

  Moreover, the distribution board 100 of this embodiment is provided with the cabinet 103 (refer FIG. 3) to which the said terminal block unit 1 is attached. A trunk breaker 101 is attached to the cabinet 103.

  Furthermore, the distribution board 100 of the present embodiment may include a cabinet 103 (see FIG. 3) to which the communication device 10 is attached. A trunk breaker 101 is attached to the cabinet 103.

  Hereinafter, the terminal block unit 1, the communication unit 2, the communication device 10 including the terminal block unit 1 and the communication unit 2, and the distribution board 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. The distribution board 100 includes the terminal block unit 1 or the communication device 10. However, the configuration described below is only an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated from this embodiment. Various changes can be made in accordance with the design or the like as long as they are not.

  In the present embodiment, a case where the distribution board 100 is a residential distribution board installed in a house (detached house) will be described as an example. However, not limited to this example, the terminal block unit 1, the communication unit 2, the communication device 10, and the distribution board 100 may be used, for example, in a building such as each dwelling unit, office, store, or factory of an apartment house. . In the following description, the top, bottom, left, and right (up, down, left, and right in FIG. 3) when the distribution board 100 is attached to the wall are the top, bottom, left and right, and the direction perpendicular to the wall (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3) However, it is not intended to limit the direction in which the distribution board 100 is attached.

  In the present embodiment, a case where the power source 3 is a system power source supplied from an electric power company will be described as an example. However, the power source 3 is not limited to the system power source, and may be a distributed power source owned by the local government, for example.

<Overall configuration>
As described above, the communication device 10 according to the present embodiment is composed of the two units of the terminal block unit 1 and the communication unit 2. First, the terminal block unit 1 and the communication unit 2 are combined into one communication unit. The apparatus 10 will be described.

  The communication device 10 is electrically connected in series with the smart meter 4 between the power supply 3 and the main breaker 101 as shown in FIG. The communication device 10 and the smart meter 4 are connected in the order of the smart meter 4 and the communication device 10 from the power source 3 side. The smart meter 4 is a power meter that is installed in each house and has a measurement function for measuring the amount of power used in the house, and further has a communication function with a management server of a supplier such as an electric power company. Yes. As a result, the smart meter 4 uses the measurement result of the power consumption as meter reading information, and enables remote meter reading by transmitting the meter reading information to the management server.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the smart meter 4 has a communication function with the communication apparatus 10 installed in a house. Thereby, the communication apparatus 10 can acquire the power consumption (meter reading information) measured by the smart meter 4. Further, the communication device 10 receives information distributed from a management server such as a power saving request (DR request) via the smart meter 4, or transmits information on the device 5 in the house to the management server. It becomes possible to do. Here, the power saving request is information for requesting power saving in a house, and includes at least the start and end times (date and time) of the period for requesting power saving.

  The communication device 10 is provided in the distribution board 100 in this embodiment. The distribution board 100 includes a main breaker 101 and a plurality of branch breakers 102, 102. The main breaker 101 is electrically connected to the power source 3 via the communication device 10 and the smart meter 4. The main breaker 101 has a side connected to the power source 3 as a primary side, a side connected to a plurality of branch breakers 102, 102... As a secondary side, and can cut off an electric circuit between the primary side and the secondary side. It is configured. That is, when the main breaker 101 is in the off (shut off) state, the power supply from the power source 3 to the plurality of branch breakers 102, 102.

  The communication device 10 is configured to be able to communicate not only with the smart meter 4 but also with a device 5 in a house. The device 5 here is an electric device having a communication function, for example, a device compatible with HEMS (Home Energy Management System). The HEMS-compatible device includes not only a device as an electric load that consumes electric power, such as an air conditioner, a lighting fixture, a hot water supply device, but also a device such as a power generation facility. Further, the device 5 includes a controller and a display device that control these devices (electric load, power generation facility, etc.), or an information terminal connected to a network such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and a personal computer (personal computer).

  With the configuration as described above, the communication device 10 visualizes (visualizes) the power information by displaying the meter reading information acquired from the smart meter 4 on the device 5 in the house, or the device 5 based on the meter reading information. Can be controlled. In addition, when the communication device 10 communicates with the controller, the controller can control the device 5 based on the meter reading information transmitted from the communication device 10.

  Here, the smart meter 4 and the communication device 10 are electrically connected by a first electric wire 61. The communication device 10 and the main breaker 101 are electrically connected by a second electric wire 62. The first electric wire 61 is electrically connected to the first terminal 11 of the communication device 10, and the second electric wire 62 is electrically connected to the second terminal 12 of the communication device 10. The first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 are electrically short-circuited (conducted with low impedance) by the electric circuit member 13. Therefore, the smart meter 4 and the main breaker 101 are electrically connected via the first electric wire 61 and the second electric wire 62. In other words, the power source 3 and the main breaker 101 are in an electrically connected state via the communication device 10.

  In the present embodiment, a case where the power source 3 is a single-phase three-wire system will be described as an example. For this reason, three sets of charging units including the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, and the electric circuit member 13 are provided so as to correspond to the neutral line (N) and the pair of voltage lines (L1, L2), respectively. It is done. However, unless otherwise specified, only one set of charging units (the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, and the electric circuit member 13) will be described below, and the remaining two sets of charging units have the same configuration. The description will be omitted as appropriate.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the communication system between the communication apparatus 10 and the smart meter 4 is power line carrier communication (PLC: Power Line Communications) which communicates using the 1st electric wire (power line) 61 as a transmission medium. Suppose there is. Further, it is assumed that the communication method between the communication device 10 and the device 5 is wireless communication using radio waves such as a specific low power wireless of 920 MHz band, Zigbee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc., for example. . However, the communication method between the communication device 10 and the smart meter 4 and the communication method between the communication device 10 and the device 5 are not limited to these methods. For example, between the communication device 10 and the device 5 The communication method may be wired communication.

  The communication device 10 configured as described above is used in a state of being attached to the cabinet 103 of the distribution board 100 as shown in FIG. The cabinet 103 is formed in a box shape having a horizontally long rectangular front view and an open front surface, and is used by being attached to a wall of a house. The cabinet 103 is provided with an outer lid that can be opened and closed between a position where the front opening is closed and a position where the opening is opened. Furthermore, an inner lid is attached to the inside of the outer lid in the cabinet 103 so as to close the opening on the front surface of the cabinet 103. This inner lid is formed with a window hole for exposing at least a part of the main breaker 101 and a plurality of branch breakers 102, 102. In the communication device 10, a display unit and an operation unit may be provided on the front surface of the main body 23 of the communication unit 2 to be described later. In this case, the display unit and the operation unit are forward from the window hole of the inner lid. It is preferable to be exposed to. FIG. 3 shows the distribution board 100 with the outer lid and the inner lid removed. Note that it is not essential that the outer lid and the inner lid are attached to the cabinet 103. For example, only one of the outer lid and the inner lid may be attached to the cabinet 103.

  The cabinet 103 has a space for installing the main breaker 101 in the center in the left-right direction. Further, the cabinet 103 has a space on the right side of the main breaker 101 to which a plurality of branch breakers 102, 102. Further, the cabinet 103 has a space on the left side of the main breaker 101 in which the communication device 10 is attached. That is, the communication device 10 is disposed on the opposite side of the plurality of branch breakers 102, 102. For example, a wooden mounting plate 104 is provided in a space of the cabinet 103 where the communication device 10 is attached in order to fix the communication device 10.

<Specific configuration of communication device>
The communication device 10 of this embodiment includes a terminal block unit 1 and a communication unit 2, and is configured by electrically connecting the communication unit 2 to the terminal block unit 1. The communication device 10 is used in a state where it is attached to the cabinet 103 of the distribution board 100 as described above. Therefore, in the following, with respect to the communication device 10, the top, bottom, left, and right (up, down, left, and right in FIG. 3) are the top, bottom, left and right, and the direction perpendicular to the wall (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3) This will be described as a direction. However, these directions are not intended to limit the orientation when the communication device (terminal block unit 1 and communication unit 2) 10 is used.

  First, a specific configuration of the terminal block unit 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5.

  The terminal block unit 1 further includes a base 15 in addition to the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, and the electric path member 13. The base 15 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is configured to hold the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. In the present embodiment, the base 15 is formed in a rectangular shape whose front view is long in the vertical direction. The first terminal 11 is disposed at the upper end portion of the base 15, and the second terminal 12 is disposed at the lower end portion of the base 15.

  The electric circuit member 13 is made of a long metal plate extending in the direction (vertical direction) in which the first terminals 11 and the second terminals 12 are arranged. Here, the electric circuit member 13 is a copper bar as an example. The electric circuit member 13 is held on the base 15 in a form embedded in the base 15. Therefore, the base 15 is insert-molded, for example, so as to embed the electric path member 13. One end portion (here, the upper end portion) in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the electric circuit member 13 is connected to the first terminal 11, and the other end portion (here, the lower end portion) is connected to the second terminal 12.

  Three electric circuit members 13 are provided so as to correspond to the neutral line (N) and the pair of voltage lines (L1, L2), respectively. The three electric circuit members 13, 13, and 13 are arranged at equal intervals in each short direction (left-right direction). Three first terminals 11 and two second terminals 12 are provided so as to correspond to the three circuit members 13, 13, and 13, respectively. Thereby, the charging parts (the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, and the electric circuit member 13) having different polarities are electrically insulated from each other, and the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 having the same polarity are connected to the electric circuit member 13. It is electrically connected through.

  In the present embodiment, each of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 is a screw terminal. Specifically, the first terminal 11 mechanically holds the electric wire member (first electric wire 61) introduced from the introduction hole 152 opened on the upper surface of the base 15 and electrically connects the electric circuit member 13. Connect. The first terminal 11 holds the first electric wire 61 by tightening a terminal screw operated through an operation hole 153 opened in the front surface of the base 15, and holds the first electric wire 61 by loosening the terminal screw. To release. Similarly, the second terminal 12 mechanically holds the tip of the electric wire (second electric wire 62) introduced from the introduction hole 152 opened on the lower surface of the base 15 and is electrically connected to the electric circuit member 13. Connecting. The second terminal 12 holds the second electric wire 62 by tightening the terminal screw operated through the operation hole 153 opened in the front surface of the base 15, and holds the second electric wire 62 by loosening the terminal screw. To release.

  In addition, a pair of fixing holes 154 and 154 penetrating in the front-rear direction are formed in the base 15 of the terminal block unit 1. One fixing hole 154 is formed between the two first terminals 11, 11, and the other fixing hole 154 is formed between the two second terminals 12, 12. The base 15 is fixed to the cabinet 103 by fastening the fixing screw 16 to the mounting plate 104 (see FIG. 7A) through a pair of fixing holes 154 and 154. That is, the base 15 is configured to be attachable to the cabinet 103 of the distribution board 100. That is, the terminal block unit 1 is configured to be attachable to the cabinet 103 of the distribution board 100.

  Here, the part between the 1st terminal 11 and the 2nd terminal 12 among the front surfaces of the base 15 is formed in the shape dented back. This dent constitutes an attachment portion 151 to which the communication unit 2 is detachably attached. That is, the base 15 has the attachment part 151 to which the communication unit 2 is attached. The terminal block unit 1 mechanically holds the communication unit 2 in a state in which the communication unit 2 is mounted on the mounting portion 151 of the base 15, whereby the terminal block unit 1 and the communication unit 2 are integrally handled. be able to.

  Further, the attachment portion 151 of the base 15 is formed with an insertion port 155 into which a plug blade 22A (see FIG. 6) of the communication unit 2 described later is inserted. The insertion port 155 has a rectangular shape whose opening surface is long in the vertical direction, and is formed so as to penetrate the base 15 in the front-rear direction from the front surface of the base 15 (the bottom surface of the mounting portion 151). The insertion port 155 is disposed at a position corresponding to the electric circuit member 13, and three insertion ports 155 are provided so as to correspond to the three electric circuit members 13, 13, and 13.

  In the present embodiment, the terminal block unit 1 has a blade receiving portion 14A (see FIG. 1) as the (second) connecting portion 14 to which the communication unit 2 is electrically connected. The blade receiving portion 14 </ b> A is a part of the electric circuit member 13, is disposed in the insertion port 155, and has a hole through which the plug blade 22 </ b> A inserted into the insertion port 155 passes. As a result, the plug blade 22A inserted into the insertion port 155 is electrically connected to the blade receiving portion 14A so as to penetrate the electric path member 13 in the insertion port 155. Note that the blade receiving portion 14A preferably has a blade receiving spring configured to sandwich, for example, the plug blade 22A from both sides in the thickness direction (left and right direction), whereby a sufficient space between the plug blade 22A and the blade receiving portion 14A is sufficient. Contact pressure (contact pressure) can be secured.

  Next, a specific configuration of the communication unit 2 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6.

  The communication unit 2 has a main body 23 including a communication circuit 21 (see FIG. 2) and a plug blade 22A as a (first) connection portion 22 electrically connected to the communication circuit 21. As described above, the communication circuit 21 has a communication function with the smart meter 4 and a communication function with the device 5 in the house.

  The main body 23 has a communication circuit 21 in a housing made of, for example, a synthetic resin and formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The dimension in the left-right direction of the main body 23 is set to be substantially the same as that of the base 15, and the dimension in the vertical direction of the main body 23 is set to be substantially the same as that of the mounting portion 151. Thereby, the main body 23 is attached to the base 15 so as to be fitted into the attachment portion 151 of the base 15. Here, with the main body 23 attached to the base 15, a hooking portion that mechanically couples the base 15 and the main body 23 by being hooked to each other is provided on the main body 23 and the base 15. preferable. An appropriate configuration such as a nail and a nail, or a nail and a hole can be adopted for the hook portion. The hooking part may be configured not to release the mechanical coupling between the base 15 and the main body 23 unless the release button is operated.

  The longitudinal dimension of the main body 23 is set to be larger than the depth dimension of the mounting portion 151 of the base 15. Therefore, in a state where the main body 23 is attached to the base 15, the front surface of the main body 23 protrudes forward from the front surface of the base 15.

  The plug blade 22 </ b> A is configured to protrude from a surface 231 of the main body 23 facing the terminal block unit 1. In the present embodiment, the facing surface 231 is the back surface of the main body 23, and the plug blade 22 </ b> A protrudes rearward from the facing surface 231. The plug blade 22 </ b> A is made of a long metal plate extending in the front-rear direction, and is electrically connected to the communication circuit 21 in the housing of the main body 23. The plug blade 22 </ b> A is disposed at a position corresponding to the insertion port 155 of the terminal block unit 1, and three are provided so as to correspond to the three electric circuit members 13, 13, and 13. The three plug blades 22A, 22A, 22A are arranged at equal intervals in each thickness direction (left-right direction). The length of the plug blade 22A is such that the electrical connection between the blade receiving portion 14A and the plug blade 22A can be secured in a state where the plug blade 22A is inserted into the insertion port 155, and the plug blade 155 is plugged from the insertion port 155. The dimension is set such that the blade 22A does not protrude.

  With the configuration described above, the plug blade 22 </ b> A as the first connection portion 22 of the communication unit 2 is connected to the base unit 15 of the terminal block unit 1 with the main body 23 of the communication unit 2 attached to the base 15 of the terminal block unit 1. It will be electrically connected to the blade receiving portion 14A as the two connecting portion 14. In other words, the connection part 22 and the connection part 14 are electrically connected to each other, and an electrical connection between the terminal block unit 1 and the communication unit 2 is ensured. Here, the connection portion 22 of the communication unit 2 is connected to the communication circuit 21, and the connection portion 14 of the terminal block unit 1 is at least one of the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, and the electric path member 13 (in this embodiment). It is provided in the electric circuit member 13). Therefore, the communication circuit 21 of the communication unit 2 is electrically connected to the electric path member 13 of the terminal block unit 1 through the connection portion 22 and the connection portion 14.

  Here, when the first terminal 11 is electrically connected to the smart meter 4 by the first electric wire 61, the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, and the electric circuit member 13 of the terminal block unit 1 are Are also electrically connected to the power source 3. Therefore, in the state where the connection part 22 and the connection part 14 are connected to each other as described above, the communication circuit 21 of the communication unit 2 is electrically connected to the power supply 3 via the terminal block unit 1 and the first electric wire 61. Thus, the power supply from the power source 3 is received to operate.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the communication method between the communication device 10 and the smart meter 4 is power line carrier communication (PLC) in which communication is performed using the first electric wire 61 as a transmission medium. And in the state where the connection part 22 and the connection part 14 were mutually connected as mentioned above, the communication circuit 21 of the communication unit 2 includes the terminal block unit 1 and the first electric wire 61 between the smart meter 4. A supply path is formed. Therefore, the communication circuit 21 can communicate with the smart meter 4 using this power supply path as a transmission medium.

  In the present embodiment, three plug blades 22A as the first connection part 22 and three blade receiving parts 14A as the second connection part 14 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this example. . That is, the communication circuit 21 can receive power supply from the power supply 3 as long as it is connected to the neutral line (N) of the power supply 3 and one of the voltage lines (L1 or L2). Therefore, the plug blade 22A as the first connection portion 22 and the blade receiving portion 14A as the second connection portion 14 correspond to the neutral line (N) and one of the voltage lines (L1 or L2), It is only necessary to provide two each.

<Attachment form of communication device to cabinet>
Below, the attachment form of the communication apparatus 10 to the cabinet 103 of the distribution board 100 is demonstrated, referring FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C.

  The terminal block unit 1 of the communication device 10 is attached to the cabinet 103 using fixing screws 16 as shown in FIG. 7A. That is, the operator attaches the terminal block unit 1 to the attachment plate 104 of the cabinet 103 with the fixing screws 16. As a result, the terminal block unit 1 is fixed to the cabinet 103.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the worker connects the first electric wire 61 to the first terminal 11 of the terminal block unit 1 and connects the second electric wire 62 to the second terminal 12. The first electric wire 61 is connected to the smart meter 4 outside the cabinet 103. The second electric wire 62 is connected to the primary side terminal 111 of the main breaker 101 in the cabinet 103. As a result, the power source 3 and the main breaker 101 are electrically connected via the communication device (terminal block unit 1) 10.

  Here, when the distribution board 100 is newly installed at the time of new construction of a house, the terminal block unit 1 may be attached to the cabinet 103 and wired before the use of the distribution board 100 is started. Communication device 100 may be attached to existing distribution board 100. In this case, if another device such as a service breaker is mounted in the mounting space (mounting plate 104) of the terminal block unit 1, the operator removes the other device and then mounts and wirings the terminal block unit 1. May be performed. That is, the terminal block unit 1 is attached to the cabinet 103 instead of other devices such as a service breaker.

  Further, the worker attaches the communication unit 2 to the terminal block unit 1 as shown in FIG. 7C. At this time, the first connection portion (here, the blade 22A) 22 of the communication unit 2 is electrically connected to the second connection portion (here, the blade receiving portion 14A) 14 of the terminal block unit 1. Thereby, since the communication unit 2 is electrically connected to the power source 3 and the smart meter 4 via the terminal block unit 1, the communication unit 2 operates by receiving power supply from the power source 3 and can communicate with the smart meter 4. become.

<Effect>
According to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, the terminal block unit 1 is connected between the power source 3 and the main breaker 101, and the main breaker 101 is connected to the power source 3 via the terminal block unit 1. That is, the second terminal 12 of the terminal block unit 1 is connected to the primary side terminal 111 on the input side (power source 3 side) instead of the secondary side terminal of the main breaker 101, so that the main breaker 101 is turned on / off. Regardless, it is connected to the power source 3. Furthermore, since the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 are electrically connected by the electric circuit member 13, the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, and the electric circuit member 13 are all turned on the main breaker 101, The power supply 3 is connected regardless of the off state. And since the communication unit 2 which has a communication function is electrically connected to the connection part 14 provided in at least 1 of the 1st terminal 11, the 2nd terminal 12, and the electrical circuit member 13, the communication unit 2 is also connected. Further, the main breaker 101 is connected to the power source 3 regardless of whether it is on or off.

  Here, the terminal block unit 1 configures the communication device 10 together with the communication unit 2 in a state where the communication unit 2 is electrically connected to the connection unit 14. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the communication device 10 is connected to the primary side instead of the secondary side of the main breaker 101. As a result, if the terminal block unit 1 of this embodiment is used, there is an advantage that power can be supplied from the power source 3 to the communication device 10 regardless of whether the main breaker 101 is on or off.

  Moreover, the communication apparatus 10 of this embodiment is provided with the terminal block unit 1 and the communication unit 2 having the above-described configuration. Therefore, according to the communication device 10 of the present embodiment, there is an advantage that power can be supplied from the power source 3 to the communication device 10 regardless of whether the main breaker 101 is on or off.

  Similarly, the communication unit 2 of this embodiment comprises the communication apparatus 10 with the terminal block unit 1 of the said structure. Therefore, according to the communication unit 2 of the present embodiment, there is an advantage that power can be supplied from the power source 3 to the communication device 10 regardless of whether the main breaker 101 is on or off.

  Moreover, the distribution board 100 of this embodiment is provided with the cabinet 103 in which the terminal block unit 1 of the said structure is attached. Therefore, according to the distribution board 100 of this embodiment, there exists an advantage that the electric power supply from the power supply 3 to the communication apparatus 10 is attained irrespective of ON / OFF of the main breaker 101. FIG.

  Furthermore, the communication device 10 of the present embodiment is configured such that the communication unit 2 communicates with the smart meter 4 by power line carrier communication (PLC). For this reason, the communication device 10 is connected to the primary side of the main breaker 101, so that the communication quality with the smart meter 4 is improved compared to the case where it is connected to the secondary side of the main breaker 101. be able to. That is, since the communication device 10 is connected at a position close to the smart meter 4, the signal intensity exchanged with the smart meter 4 can be increased, and various devices connected to the plurality of branch breakers 102, 102. Can reduce the influence of noise.

  By the way, the communication apparatus 10 of this embodiment is a state between the first electric wire 61 and the second electric wire 62 even when the communication unit 2 is removed from the terminal block unit 1 (the state shown in FIG. 7B). Are electrically connected by the terminal block unit 1. In other words, the terminal block unit 1 functions as a relay device that relays power between the power source 3 (or smart meter 4) and the main breaker 101. Therefore, for example, at the time of maintenance or failure of the communication unit 2, the operator can remove or replace the communication unit 2 without stopping the power supply from the power source 3 to the main breaker 101, that is, without power failure. .

  In addition, when the terminal block unit 1 is mounted and wired in advance in the cabinet 103 before the start of use of the distribution board 100, after the start of use of the distribution board 100, there is no power failure and communication is performed if necessary. Unit 2 can be added. That is, the operator can attach the communication unit 2 without stopping the power supply from the power source 3 to the main breaker 101 after the distribution board 100 starts to be used.

  In short, according to the communication device 10 of the present embodiment, the communication unit 2 can be removed, replaced, or attached without interrupting the power supply to the house, even though it is configured to be connected to the primary side of the main breaker 101. There is an advantage that is possible.

  Further, in the terminal block unit 1, the electric circuit member 13 is made of a long metal plate extending in the direction in which the first terminals 11 and the second terminals 12 are arranged as in the present embodiment, and one end portion in the longitudinal direction is It is preferable that the other end of the first terminal 11 is connected to the second terminal 12. According to this configuration, since the electric circuit member 13 is a metal plate having a smaller electric resistance than a general electric wire, the terminal block unit 1 is a power relayed between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. Loss can be minimized. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and the electric circuit member 13 is not limited to a long metal plate, and it is only necessary to electrically connect the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12.

  Moreover, the terminal block unit 1 is further provided with the base 15 holding the 1st terminal 11 and the 2nd terminal 12 like this embodiment, and the base 15 is the attachment part 151 to which the communication unit 2 is attached so that attachment or detachment is possible. It is preferable to have. According to this configuration, the terminal block unit 1 and the communication unit 2 can be handled integrally in a state where the communication unit 2 is attached to the base 15 of the terminal block unit 1. Therefore, the communication apparatus 10 can suppress an installation space small compared with the structure in which the terminal block unit 1 and the communication unit 2 are installed separately. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and the terminal block unit 1 may not have the attachment portion 151 to which the communication unit 2 is attached.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the terminal block unit 1 is comprised so that the base 15 can be attached to the cabinet 103 of the electricity distribution panel 100 like this embodiment. That is, the communication device 10 is preferably configured such that the terminal block unit 1 can be attached to the cabinet 103 of the distribution board 100 as in the present embodiment. According to this configuration, the communication device 10 can be used in a state where the terminal block unit 1 is attached to the cabinet 103 of the distribution board 100, so that a space for installing the communication device 10 around the distribution board 100 is necessary. Absent. In addition, with this configuration, the wiring for connecting the communication device 10 and the main breaker 101 can be housed in the cabinet 103 of the distribution board 100.

  In the communication device 10, as in the present embodiment, the communication unit 2 includes a main body 23 and a plug blade 22 </ b> A as the first connection portion 22, and the second connection portion 14 includes a blade receiving portion. 14A is preferred. Here, the main body 23 includes the communication circuit 21, and the plug blade 22 </ b> A protrudes from the surface 231 of the main body 23 facing the terminal block unit 1. The blade receiving portion 14A is electrically connected to the plug blade 22A when the plug blade 22A is inserted. According to this configuration, the communication unit 2 is configured such that the plug blade 22A as the first connection portion 22 is inserted into the blade receiving portion 14A as the second connection portion 14 of the terminal block unit 1, thereby It is electrically connected to the electric circuit member 13. Therefore, the connection work between the communication unit 2 and the terminal block unit 1 is simple. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and the connecting portion 22 of the communication unit 2 is not limited to the plug blade 22A, and the connecting portion 14 of the terminal block unit 1 is not limited to the blade receiving portion 14A. Furthermore, since the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, and the electric circuit member 13 are electrically equivalent, the connection portion 14 of the terminal block unit 1 is not limited to the electric circuit member 13, and the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. And at least one of the electric circuit members 13 may be provided.

(Embodiment 2)
The communication device 10 of the present embodiment is different from the communication device 10 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the (first) connection unit 22 of the communication unit 2 and the (second) connection unit 14 of the terminal block unit 1. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate. In the present embodiment, configuration examples 1 to 3 are illustrated as configurations of the (first) connection portion 22 of the communication unit 2 and the (second) connection portion 14 of the terminal block unit 1. 8 to 10 are diagrams showing the inside of the region surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

<Configuration example 1>
In the configuration example 1, as shown in FIG. 8, the communication unit 2 includes a main body 23 including a communication circuit 21 and a first connection portion 22 provided on a facing surface 231 between the terminal block unit 1 in the main body 23. And a contact terminal 22B. The second connection portion 14 is a contact surface 14B that is electrically connected to the contact terminal 22B by contacting the contact terminal 22B.

  In the configuration example 1, the insertion port 155 formed in the mounting portion 151 of the base 15 does not penetrate the base 15 in the front-rear direction, and is rearward from the front surface of the base 15 (the bottom surface of the mounting portion 151). It is formed in a concave shape. The electric circuit member 13 is provided so as to be exposed at the bottom surface of the insertion port 155, and a portion of the electric circuit member 13 exposed at the bottom surface of the insertion port 155 becomes the contact surface 14 </ b> B.

  The contact terminal 22 </ b> B is formed of a substantially L-shaped metal plate that protrudes obliquely downward from the facing surface 231 of the main body 23 and has a distal end bent toward the facing surface 231. The contact terminal 22 </ b> B is electrically connected to the communication circuit 21 in the housing of the main body 23. The contact terminals 22 </ b> B are arranged at positions corresponding to the insertion ports 155 of the terminal block unit 1, and three contact terminals 22 </ b> B are provided so as to correspond to the three electric circuit members 13, 13, and 13. The three contact terminals 22B, 22B, and 22B are arranged at equal intervals in each lateral direction (left-right direction).

  With the configuration described above, the contact terminal 22 </ b> B as the first connection portion 22 of the communication unit 2 is connected to the base unit 15 of the terminal block unit 1 with the main body 23 of the communication unit 2 attached to the base 15 of the terminal block unit 1. 2 is electrically connected to the contact surface 14B as the connecting portion 14. Therefore, the connection work between the communication unit 2 and the terminal block unit 1 is simple. In addition, it is preferable that the contact terminal 22B has a spring property, and thereby, a sufficient contact pressure (contact pressure) between the contact terminal 22B and the contact surface 14B can be secured.

<Configuration example 2>
In the configuration example 2, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the communication unit 2 includes a main body 23 including the communication circuit 21 and a connection line 22 </ b> C serving as the first connection portion 22 drawn from the main body 23. The second connection portion 14 is a screw type terminal 14C that fixes the connection line 22C with screws.

  In the configuration example 2, the insertion port 155 formed in the mounting portion 151 of the base 15 does not penetrate the base 15 in the front-rear direction, and is rearward from the front surface of the base 15 (the bottom surface of the mounting portion 151). It is formed in a concave shape. The electric circuit member 13 is provided so as to be exposed on the bottom surface of the insertion port 155, and the screw type terminal 14 </ b> C is provided on a portion of the electric circuit member 13 exposed on the bottom surface of the insertion port 155.

  The connection line 22C is drawn out from the facing surface 231 of the main body 23, and the distal end is connected to the screw terminal 14C. The connection line 22 </ b> C is electrically connected to the communication circuit 21 in the housing of the main body 23. The connection line 22 </ b> C is disposed at a position corresponding to the insertion port 155 of the terminal block unit 1, and three connection lines 22 </ b> C are provided so as to correspond to the three electric circuit members 13, 13, 13.

  The screw-type terminal 14 </ b> C mechanically holds and electrically connects the distal end portion of the connection line 22 </ b> C introduced from the insertion port 155 to the electric circuit member 13. The screw-type terminal 14C holds the connection line 22C by tightening a terminal screw operated through the insertion port 155, and releases the holding of the connection line 22C by loosening the terminal screw. Note that the connection line 22C has a length sufficient to separate the main body 23 from the base 15 so that the connection line 22C can be connected to the screw terminal 14C before the main body 23 is attached to the base 15. ing.

  With the configuration described above, the connection line 22 </ b> C as the first connection portion 22 of the communication unit 2 is electrically connected to the screw-type terminal 14 </ b> C as the second connection portion 14 of the terminal block unit 1. Therefore, the configuration of both the communication unit 2 and the terminal block unit 1 becomes relatively simple, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and the connection portion 14 of the terminal block unit 1 is not limited to the screw-type terminal 14C, and may be a fast connection terminal that can be connected by simply inserting the tip end of the connection wire 22C, for example. . Furthermore, the screw type terminal 14 </ b> C may be provided on the first terminal 11 or the second terminal 12.

<Configuration example 3>
In Configuration Example 3, as shown in FIG. 10, the communication unit 2 includes a main body 23 including a communication circuit 21 and a first connector 22 </ b> D serving as a first connection portion 22 exposed from the main body 23. . The second connection unit 14 is a second connector 14D corresponding to the first connector 22D.

  In the configuration example 3, the attachment portion 151 of the base 15 does not have the insertion port 155 (see FIG. 1), and the second connector 14D is disposed in the attachment portion 151. The second connector 14 </ b> D has three contacts (contacts) so as to correspond to the three electric circuit members 13, 13, and 13.

  The main body 23 has a recess 232 that avoids the second connector 14D at a position corresponding to the second connector 14D on the facing surface 231 facing the terminal block unit 1. The first connector 22D is drawn from the recess 232 of the main body 23 and is connected to the second connector 14D. The first connector 22 </ b> D is electrically connected to the communication circuit 21 in the housing of the main body 23. The first connector 22D has three contacts (contacts) so as to correspond to the second connector 14D.

  Then, by connecting the first connector 22D to the second connector 14D, the contact of the first connector 22D and the contact of the second connector 14D are electrically connected. Note that the cable of the first connector 22D is separated from the base 15 so that the first connector 22D can be connected to the second connector 14D before the main body 23 is attached to the base 15. It has a sufficient length.

  With the configuration described above, when the first connector 22D is connected to the second connector 14D, the contact of the first connector 22D and the contact of the second connector 14D are electrically connected. Therefore, the connection work between the communication unit 2 and the terminal block unit 1 is simple. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration. For example, the second connector 14 </ b> D may be provided at the first terminal 11 or the second terminal 12.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal block unit 2 Communication unit 3 Power supply 10 Communication apparatus 11 1st terminal 12 2nd terminal 13 Electrical path member 14 (2nd) Connection part 14A Blade receiving part 14B Contact surface 14C Screw type terminal 14D 2nd connector 15 Base 21 Communication circuit 22 (first) connection portion 22A plug blade 22B contact terminal 22C connection line 22D first connector 23 main body 100 distribution board 101 main breaker 103 cabinet 151 mounting portion 231 facing surface

Claims (13)

A first terminal electrically connected to the power source;
A second terminal electrically connected to the main breaker;
An electrical path member that electrically connects the first terminal and the second terminal;
At least one of the first terminal, the second terminal, and the electrical path member has a connection portion to which a communication unit having a communication function is electrically connected. The electric circuit member is made of a long metal plate extending in a direction in which the first terminal and the second terminal are arranged, one end in the longitudinal direction is connected to the first terminal, and the other end is the second. The terminal block unit according to claim 1, wherein the terminal block unit is connected to a terminal. A base for holding the first terminal and the second terminal;
The terminal block unit according to claim 1, wherein the base includes an attachment portion to which the communication unit is detachably attached. The terminal block unit according to claim 3, wherein the base is configured to be attachable to a cabinet of a distribution board. A terminal block unit electrically connected to a power source and a main breaker, and electrically connected between the power source and the main breaker;
A communication unit having a communication function,
The communication unit includes a communication circuit and a first connection unit electrically connected to the communication circuit,
The terminal block unit includes a second connection portion that is electrically connected to the first connection portion. The communication unit has a main body including the communication circuit, and a connection line as the first connection portion drawn out from the main body,
The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the second connection unit is a screw-type terminal that screws the connection line. The communication unit has a main body including the communication circuit, and a contact terminal as the first connection portion provided on a surface of the main body facing the terminal block unit,
The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the second connection portion is a contact surface that is electrically connected to the contact terminal by being in contact with the contact terminal. The communication unit has a main body including the communication circuit, and a plug blade as the first connection portion protruding from a surface of the main body facing the terminal block unit,
The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the second connection unit is a blade receiving unit that is electrically connected to the plug blade when the plug blade is inserted. The communication unit has a main body including the communication circuit, and a first connector as the first connection portion exposed from the main body,
The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the second connection unit is a second connector corresponding to the first connector. The communication device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the terminal block unit is configured to be attachable to a cabinet of a distribution board. A communication circuit;
A connection part electrically connected to the communication circuit;
The connecting portion is configured to be electrically connected to a terminal block unit that is electrically connected to a power source and a main breaker and electrically connects the power source and the main breaker. A featured communication unit. The cabinet to which the terminal block unit according to claim 4 is attached,
The distribution board characterized in that the main breaker is attached to the cabinet. The cabinet to which the communication device according to claim 10 is attached,
The distribution board characterized in that the main breaker is attached to the cabinet.

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