JP2021165667A - Watt-hour meter - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a watt-hour meter which reduces the burden on an operator by streamlining carrying work associated with replacement of instruments thereof.SOLUTION: A watt-hour meter is provided, comprising a housing configured to be separable from a terminal block connected to a power distribution line and to accommodate measurement components and display components, and a terminal cover configured to cover the terminal block, where the housing is provided with a terminal cover fixing part for fixing the terminal cover to the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an electric energy meter. In particular, the present invention relates to a watt-hour meter in which an instrument unit and a terminal unit are separably configured.

In general, some watt-hour meters have a configuration in which an instrument unit for measuring electric energy is separable from a terminal unit connected to a distribution line. The terminal portion that is separably configured from the instrument unit forms a terminal block, and the terminal metal fittings of the terminal block are electrically connected to the terminal metal fittings and the distribution line of the instrument unit. The watt hour meter further includes a terminal cover that protects the terminal portion. The instrument unit and the terminal cover are fixed to the terminal block via the respective fixing portions.

By the way, the transaction power meter has a certification deadline, and it is obligatory to replace the instrument unit at regular intervals. When replacing the instrument, the terminal block is left on the site while being connected to the distribution line, and the instrument unit is separated from the terminal block for replacement and transported. If the combination of the terminal cover and the instrument unit is incompatible, the terminal cover is also separated from the terminal block and carried with the instrument unit. At this time, the operator carries them together by putting them in a bag or the like so that the combination of the instrument unit and the terminal cover separated from each other is maintained. Not only is such a transportation operation complicated, but there is a risk that parts separated from each other may collide with each other and be damaged.

In order to reduce the burden on the operator during transportation, Patent Document 1 proposes a transportation jig that can be used when exchanging instruments. In the invention of Patent Document 1, the jig has a fixing portion for the instrument portion and a fixing portion for the terminal cover. Therefore, when the instrument unit is separated from the terminal block, the terminal cover and the instrument unit can be held in a fixed state by the jig. As a result, the transportation work can be easily performed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-20756

One of the problems of the present invention is to provide a watt-hour meter that can streamline the transportation work when exchanging the watt-hour meter and reduce the burden on the operator.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is a watt hour meter, which is configured to be separable from a terminal block connected to a distribution line, and covers a housing for accommodating measurement parts and display parts, and a terminal block. It is possible to provide a watt-hour meter, which comprises a terminal cover configured as described above, and the housing is provided with a terminal cover fixing portion for fixing the terminal cover to the housing.

It is a perspective view which shows the instrument part which is the component part of the watt hour meter according to one Embodiment of this invention together with a terminal block. It is a perspective view of the terminal cover which is a component part of the watt hour meter according to one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of a terminal cover. It is a figure explaining the fixing method of the terminal cover by the terminal cover fixing part. It is a figure which shows the arrangement of a communication device and a terminal cover with respect to an instrument part. It is an enlarged view which shows the communication device fixing part.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description is merely an example, and does not mean that the technical scope of the present invention is limited to the following embodiments. Further, in the drawings, the same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

In the watt hour meter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the instrument unit for measuring the electric energy amount is configured to be separable from the terminal unit connected to the distribution line. The terminal part that is separably configured from the instrument part forms a terminal block. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an instrument unit 20 of a watt hour meter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a terminal block 40 connected to the instrument unit 20. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the terminal cover 60, which is a further component of the watt hour meter 1. The watt-hour meter 1 of the present embodiment is an electronic watt-hour meter, and may be provided with a communication device described later.

The watt hour meter 1 includes an instrument unit 20 and a terminal cover 60, and the instrument unit 20 is configured to be separable with respect to the terminal block 40. The instrument unit 20 includes an instrument main body unit 21 including an electronic measurement component that calculates and stores the power consumption amount, a display component that displays the power consumption amount, and the like, and an instrument terminal unit 22. The instrument terminal portion 22 includes a terminal fitting 23 that can be connected to the terminal fitting of the terminal block 40.

The watt hour meter 1 can be installed on the wall surface of a house or a building with the terminal block 40 facing below the instrument unit 20. In FIG. 1, the arrow D1 indicates the vertical direction when the watt-hour meter 1 is installed, and the arrow D2 indicates the horizontal direction (in other words, the horizontal direction) with respect to the watt-hour meter 1. In the description of the present embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the terms indicating the directions such as up, down, front, rear, etc. indicate the directions in the installed state of the watt hour meter 1.

The instrument unit 20 has a resin base 24. A substrate (not shown) on which the above-mentioned electronic measurement parts, display parts, and the like are mounted is arranged on the upper part of the base 24. Further, an inner cover 25 having an opening 25a formed is also arranged on the upper portion of the base 24. The liquid crystal display plate 26 as a display component is visibly arranged through the opening 25a of the inner cover 25.

In the present embodiment, a transparent resin cover 27 is put on the upper part of the base 24 so as to protect the instrument main body 21. The cover 27 is sealed to the base 24 with a sealing screw (not shown). In this embodiment, the base 24 and the cover 27 form the housing of the watt hour meter 1.

The base 24 can form a terminal block accommodating portion 28 around the terminal fitting 23. In this case, the terminal block 40 is received at least partially by the terminal block accommodating portion 28 and is electrically connected to the terminal fitting 23 of the instrument unit 20. A fixing portion 30 for fixing the terminal block 40 arranged in the terminal block accommodating portion 28 to the instrument portion 20 may be provided, for example, on the front surface of the base 24. Specifically, the screw 42 can be passed through the opening 31 of the fixing portion 30 and the opening 41 of the terminal block 40 arranged so as to be aligned with the opening 31. However, the specific configuration of the fixing portion 30 for fixing the instrument unit 20 and the terminal block 40 is not limited to that of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the base 24 is configured such that the upper front surface 24a is connected to the lower front surface 24c via the stepped surface 24b, and the communication device 80 is connected between the stepped surface 24b of the base 24 and the lower front surface 24c. (Not shown in FIG. 1) can be installed. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 32 denotes an insertion port formed in the base 24 into which the terminal of the communication device 80 is inserted. Further, the base 24 is formed with an insertion port 33 into which an operation piece (not shown) formed on the back surface of the terminal cover 60 is inserted. A switch for detecting the terminal cover 60 can be attached to the substrate arranged on the base 24. The insertion port 33 is provided so as to guide the operation piece of the terminal cover 60 to the detection switch of the terminal cover. Reference numeral 34 denotes an engaging portion used for positioning the communication device 80. The housing of the communication device 80 is formed with appropriate protrusions or the like to be inserted into the engaging portion 34. However, in the present embodiment, the specific shape of the base 24 is not limited to that shown in the figure. Further, the specific shape of the cover 27 is not limited to the one shown in the figure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the terminal cover 60. The terminal cover 60 has a front surface portion 61, a side surface portion 62, and a lower surface portion 63. The lower surface portion 63 is formed with an insertion opening 64 for passing a distribution line connected to the terminal block 40.

The resin terminal cover 60 is arranged so as to cover the instrument terminal portion 22 and the terminal block 40. The terminal cover 60 may be arranged so that, for example, its upper side 60a is aligned with the lower side 27a of the cover 27, and the surface of the terminal cover 60 is connected to the surface of the cover 27 (see FIG. 5). In the present embodiment, the terminal cover 60 is fixed to the base 24 by the terminal cover fixing portion 35 provided on the base 24 of the instrument unit 20.

In the illustrated example, the terminal cover fixing portion 35 is provided on the side portion of the lower front surface 24c of the base 24 at a position aligned with the fixing portion 30. The terminal cover fixing portion 35 is perpendicular to the plate-shaped fixing surface portion (in other words, the first fixing surface portion) 35a arranged apart from the lower front surface 24c of the base 24 and from the fixing surface portion 35a toward the lower front surface 24c. A partition wall portion 35b extending into the can be included. The first fixing surface portion 35a has an opening (in other words, a first opening) 35c into which the shaft portion of the fixing screw 36 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted. In the present embodiment, the opening 35c has a notched form in which a part of the peripheral edge is notched. However, the opening 35c may have a form in which the peripheral edge is completely closed. The wall thickness of the fixed surface portion 35a and the wall thickness of the partition wall portion 35b are set so as to provide strength that can withstand the tightening torque of the fixing screw 36.

The partition wall portion 35b can define a space on the lower front surface 24c of the base 24 for accommodating the shaft portion of the fixing screw 36 inserted through the opening 35c. The partition wall portion 35b includes a step portion 35d protruding into this space, and the nut 37 can be arranged in the step portion 35d.

In the present embodiment, the terminal cover fixing portion 35 may be provided in the housing of the instrument unit 20 (base 24 in the illustrated example), and its specific structure and position are not particularly limited. For example, in the present embodiment, the opening 35c through which the fixing screw 36 is passed is formed in the fixing surface portion 35a provided apart from the lower front surface 24c of the base 24, but in other embodiments, the opening 35c is formed. May be formed directly on the lower front surface 24c of the base 24. In this case, the fixed surface portion 35a and the partition wall portion 35c can be omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal cover fixing portions 35 are provided at two positions on the left and right of the base 24, but the number of the terminal cover fixing portions 35 is not particularly limited. One or more terminal cover fixing portions 35 may be provided.

Further, the fixing method used in the terminal cover fixing portion 35 is not limited to tightening with screws. The method of fixing the terminal cover 60 to the instrument unit 20 may be, for example, a snap-fit method utilizing the elasticity of the material. Further, when a plurality of terminal cover fixing portions 35 are provided, they may use different fixing methods.

In the present embodiment, a fixing surface portion 66 having an opening (second opening) 65 through which the fixing screw 36 described above is passed can be formed on the upper left and right of the front surface portion 61 of the terminal cover 60. The wall thickness of the fixing surface portion 66 is set so as to provide strength that can withstand the tightening torque of the fixing screw 36.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of fixing the terminal cover 60 by the terminal cover fixing portion 35. For ease of understanding, in FIG. 4, the portion of the terminal cover 60 is shown in cross section. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the fixed surface portion 66 of the terminal cover 60 can include a cylindrical convex portion 66a formed on the back surface thereof. A space communicating with the opening 65 is formed inside the cylindrical convex portion 66a so as to receive the shaft portion of the fixing screw 36.

The terminal cover 60 is positioned so that the opening 65 and the opening 35c of the terminal cover fixing portion 35 are aligned with each other. At this time, the fixed surface portion 35a and the fixed surface portion 66 come into contact with each other via the end surface of the convex portion 66a. That is, in the present embodiment, the surfaces of the fixed surface portion 35a and the fixed surface portion 66 facing each other partially come into contact with each other (in the illustrated example, at the end surface of the convex portion 66a). However, the convex portion 66a of the fixed surface portion 66 does not necessarily have to be formed.

Next, the fixing screw 36 inserted in the opening 65 (hence, the convex portion 66a) is tightened to the nut 37 arranged in the step portion 35d. As a result, the fixed surface portion 35a and the fixed surface portion 66 can be tightened to each other, and the terminal cover 60 can be fixed to the base 24 of the instrument unit 20.

As described above, in the conventional watt hour meter, the instrument unit and the terminal cover are fixed to the terminal block via the respective fixing portions, and the instrument unit and the terminal cover are not fixed to each other. Therefore, when transporting only the instrument unit and the terminal cover, such as when replacing the instrument, it is necessary to put both in a bag or use a separate transport jig. In the embodiment of the present invention, the housing of the instrument unit 20 (base 24 in the illustrated example) is provided with the terminal cover fixing portion 35 for fixing the terminal cover 60. Therefore, even if the instrument unit 20 is separated from the terminal block 40, the instrument unit 20 and the terminal cover 60 can be easily transported while holding the combination thereof.

In the present embodiment, the watt-hour meter 1 is an electronic watt-hour meter and can include a communication device 80. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing the arrangement of the communication device 80 and the terminal cover 60 with respect to the instrument unit 20, and the terminal cover 60 is shown in cross section. The communication device 80 may be arranged on the base 24 in a state where an appropriate protrusion (not shown) or the like formed on the housing thereof is inserted into the engaging portion 34 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the communication device 80 can be fixed to the base 24 by the communication device fixing portion 67 provided on the terminal cover 60.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view of FIG. 5 showing the communication device fixing portion 67, and the terminal cover 60 is shown in cross section. As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the communication device fixing portion 67 may have the form of a fixing rib (in other words, a protrusion) 67 formed on the back surface of the terminal cover 60. When the terminal cover 60 is fixed to the base 24 by the terminal cover fixing portion 35, the rib 67 contacts the surface of the housing of the communication device 80, and the communication device 80 is connected to the base 24 (in the illustrated example, the stepped surface 24b). ) And the rib 67. In this way, the rib 67 can support and fix the communication device 80 to the base 24. While the instrument unit 20 is separated from the terminal block 40 and transported, the terminal cover 60 is placed in a state of being fixed to the instrument unit 20 by the terminal cover fixing unit 35. Therefore, during the transportation of the instrument unit 20, the rib 67 of the terminal cover 60 fixed to the instrument unit 20 can prevent the communication device 80 from rattling.

The specific position, shape, and number of the communication device fixing unit 67 are not particularly limited as long as the communication device 80 can be held between the communication device fixing unit 67 and the instrument unit 20. For example, the communication device fixing portion 67 may have the form of a rib protruding toward the lower front surface 24c so as to hold the communication device 80 between the base 24 and the lower front surface 24c. Further, a plurality of ribs 67 separated from each other may be provided, or a single rib 67 may be provided. For example, a pair of ribs 67 that sandwich the communication device 80 by contacting the left and right side surfaces of the housing of the communication device 80 may be provided on the back surface of the terminal cover 60. Various forms of communication device fixing portions 67 can be formed at various positions of the terminal cover 60 according to the outer shape of the housing of the communication device 80.

As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, since the terminal cover fixing portion 35 for fixing the terminal cover 60 is provided in the housing of the instrument unit 20 (base 24 in the illustrated example), the instrument unit Even if the 20 is separated from the terminal block 40, the instrument unit 20 and the terminal cover 60 can be easily transported while holding the combination thereof. Further, since the terminal cover 60 has the communication device fixing portion 67, the instrument unit 20 can be stably transported without rattling of the communication device 80.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments of the invention are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes an equivalent thereof. In addition, any combination or omission of the claims and the components described in the specification is possible within the range in which at least a part of the above-mentioned problems can be solved, or in the range in which at least a part of the effect is exhibited. Is.

The present invention includes the following aspects.
1. 1. It ’s a watt-hour meter,
A housing that is separably configured for the terminal block connected to the distribution line and houses measurement parts and display parts,
It is equipped with a terminal cover that is configured to cover the terminal block.
A watt-hour meter in which a terminal cover fixing portion for fixing the terminal cover to the housing is provided on the housing.
2. Electric energy meter includes communication device
The terminal cover includes a communication device fixing portion for fixing the communication device to the housing.
Above 1. Electric energy meter described in.
3. 3. The communication device fixing portion includes at least one rib formed on the back surface of the terminal cover.
The ribs are configured to support the communication device in contact with the housing.
Above 2. Electric energy meter described in.
4. The terminal cover fixing portion includes a first fixing surface portion having a first opening through which a fixing screw can be inserted.
The terminal cover includes a second fixing surface portion having a second opening through which the fixing screw can be inserted.
The first fixed surface portion and the second fixed surface portion can come into contact with each other at least partially at a position where the first opening and the second opening are aligned.
Above 1. ~ 3. The electricity meter described in any of.

The present invention can be widely applied to a watt-hour meter in which an instrument unit and a terminal unit are configured to be separable from each other.

D1 Vertical direction
D2 Left-right direction 1 Power meter 20 Instrument unit 21 Instrument body 22 Instrument terminal 23 Terminal bracket 24 Base 24a Upper front 24b Step surface 24c Lower front 25a Opening 25 Internal cover 26 LCD display board 27 Cover 27a Lower side 28 Terminal block housing 30 Fixing part 31 Opening 32 Inserting port 33 Inserting port 34 Engaging part 35 Terminal cover fixing part 35a Fixed surface part 35b Partition part 35c Opening 35d Step part 36 Fixing screw 37 Nut 40 Terminal block 41 Opening 42 Screw 60 Terminal cover 60a Upper side 61 Front part 62 Side part 63 Bottom part 64 Insertion opening 65 Opening 66 Fixed surface part 66a Convex part 67 Communication device Fixed part 80 Communication device

Claims (4)

It ’s a watt-hour meter,
A housing that is separably configured for the terminal block connected to the distribution line and houses measurement parts and display parts,
It is provided with a terminal cover configured to cover the terminal block.
A watt hour meter provided with a terminal cover fixing portion for fixing the terminal cover to the housing. The watt hour meter includes a communication device.
The terminal cover includes a communication device fixing portion for fixing the communication device to the housing.
The watt hour meter according to claim 1. The communication device fixing portion includes at least one rib formed on the back surface of the terminal cover.
The rib is configured to support the communication device in contact with the housing.
The watt hour meter according to claim 2. The terminal cover fixing portion includes a first fixing surface portion having a first opening through which a fixing screw can be inserted.
The terminal cover includes a second fixing surface portion having a second opening through which the fixing screw can be inserted.
The first fixed surface portion and the second fixed surface portion can come into contact with each other at least partially at a position where the first opening and the second opening are aligned.
The watt hour meter according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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