JP4190307B2 - Energy meter with communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is installed between a power distribution line (service line) and a customer indoor wiring (customer line) in order to supply (feed) electric power to a customer from an electric power supplier such as an electric power company. It is related with the watt-hour meter with a communication terminal station which makes the watt-hour meter (WHM) used by providing a communication function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In addition to the automatic metering function or centralized metering function that automatically and intensively measures the total power consumption of each customer at a remote location such as a management center by providing a communication function in the watt-hour meter, Using the watt-hour meter installed in the center as a base point, contracts with the management center etc. for the signal relay function when ordering on / off commands of various electrical equipment such as air conditioners and videos from the outside, etc. In addition to a function for counting and checking every time zone, and a security function for remotely monitoring the indoor situation by turning on and off the switch of a security camera installed indoors, etc. It is possible to provide various functions that are meaningful in the operation of power supply operations and in daily life, and it is useful for both electric power supply providers and consumers.
[0003]
As an watt-hour meter having such a useful communication function, an inductive type comprising a meter driving part that conventionally measures power by measuring rotation of a rotor disk and displays the measured value as a pointer or a current character. The watt-hour meter incorporates a pulse transmission device that generates a certain number of electrical pulses for one rotation of the rotor disk, and sends a pulse signal from the pulse transmission device to the data processing device for data processing, or In addition, there is known a device that can perform automatic meter reading or intensive meter reading by sending it to a remote display device and displaying it (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Non-Patent Document 1]
Published by the Japanese Standards Association, “JIS electricity meter (single meter) C1211”, first published on January 31, 1995, p18-38
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional watt-hour meter described in Non-Patent Document 1, a built-in communication function device is a dedicated pulse transmission device for automatic meter reading or centralized meter reading. A variety of functions that are not directly related to the original functions of the energy meter such as a security function cannot be provided, and the range of usefulness due to the addition of a communication function is narrow. In addition, the number of pulses transmitted by the pulse transmission device must be exactly proportional to the number of rotations of the rotor disk in the instrument drive part because of the need to demonstrate a highly reliable meter-reading function. It was incorporated in the box-shaped case in an integrated state with the electricity meter main body. Therefore, when the watt-hour meter is tested every 10 years as stipulated by the Measurement Law, the entire watt-hour meter including the case and pulse transmitter is removed and tested. If it is determined that it can be used repeatedly, the entire watt-hour meter that has been removed needs to be repaired, so the work involved in the verification and repair itself is complicated, and extra time is required for the work. And costly. Also, if it is determined that replacement is required as a result of the verification, the entire watt-hour meter must be replaced, including the pulse transmitter that is still fully usable without any failure. There was a problem that the economic burden on the supplier was very large.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in addition to the automatic or centralized meter reading function, various functions such as a signal relay function and a security function can be easily added to an existing watt-hour meter as needed. When it is possible to verify only the power meter main body, simplify the work related to verification and repair, and minimize the economic burden when replacement is necessary, and when a communication function is added The purpose is to provide a watt-hour meter with a communication terminal that can also be effective in preventing mischief and finishing the appearance.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a watt-hour meter with a communication terminal station according to the present invention comprises a terminal block for connecting a power distribution line and a customer indoor wiring at a lower portion of a power measuring main body portion. A watt-hour meter with a communication terminal station comprising a watt-hour meter built in a box-shaped case with only the front surface of the block exposed, and covering the front surface of the terminal block A frame portion extending upward from at least one of positions corresponding to the outer surface dimensions of the left and right side plate portions of the box-shaped case on both sides in the width direction of the cover portion, and a measuring main body portion A box-shaped case with a built-in box and a communication terminal that is fixedly supported by a frame part at a position separated from the upper side of the cover part by a distance corresponding to the vertical dimension between the upper and lower surfaces of the cover part. Communication unit Constitute over, and is characterized in that it mounted detachably against the box-shaped case the communication unit cover from the front side of the power meter.
[0008]
According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the front exposure of the terminal block is achieved by attaching the communication unit cover having a U-shaped or U-shaped front view to the box-shaped case from the front side of the watt-hour meter with a one-touch operation. It is possible to easily add a communication function to an existing watt-hour meter that does not have a communication function by covering a part with a lower cover part and arranging a communication terminal station directly above the box-shaped case. In the attached state, since the communication terminal station is separate from the measurement main body, this communication terminal station can be used for various types of air conditioners, videos, etc. based on the watt-hour meter in addition to the automatic meter reading or centralized meter reading function. Signal relay function when ordering on / off of electrical equipment from outside the office, function to collect and check the amount of power used for different rates at the time of the contract at the management center, etc., and crime prevention installed indoors Effectively used as a communication function device for demonstrating a variety of functions that are meaningful in the operation of power supply operations and daily life, such as a security function that switches on and operates the camera from outside and monitors indoor conditions Is possible.
[0009]
In addition, the unit cover including the communication terminal station can be detached from the box-like case with built-in measurement main unit. Therefore, it is only necessary to remove the communication unit cover from the box-shaped case and target only the measuring body in the box-shaped case. Repair can be done very easily and at a low cost, and even if it is determined that replacement is required as a result of the verification, only the watt hour meter with a built-in metering unit needs to be replaced. It is possible to reduce the economic burden on the power supplier by minimizing it. Further, in the communication function addition state with the communication unit cover attached, the front surface of the terminal block is covered with the cover portion, and at least one of the outer surfaces of the left and right side plate portions of the box-shaped case is covered with the frame portion, and the upper surface of the box-shaped case Can be covered and sealed with a communication terminal station to prevent mischief with respect to the watt hour meter, and a clean and attractive finish can be obtained.
[0010]
In the watt-hour meter with a communication terminal station according to the present invention, as described in claim 2, the box-shaped case is electrically connected to the weighing main body portion and the weighing main body portion from the power distribution line and the customer indoor wiring. By adopting a configuration with a built-in switch section that can be turned on and off, it is required to be frequently installed, for example, in a house that is moving, such as a rental house, and to frequently switch between power supply stop and power supply depending on exit and entry. In the case of a watt-hour meter, the on / off operation of the switch unit necessary for the switching can be quickly and automatically performed from a remote position such as a management center using the communication function of the communication terminal station. Note that the switch unit may be omitted.
[0011]
Further, the communication terminal station in the watt-hour meter with the communication terminal station according to the present invention is preferably a bidirectional digital communication terminal unit such as a mobile phone. By using such a two-way communication terminal unit, in addition to the automatic metering or centralized metering function on the electric power supplier side, an answerback that notifies the power consumer of the results of power consumption, signal relay function, etc. Functions can also be added. In particular, when using a PHS communication terminal as described in claim 3, high-speed digital communication by PIAFS is possible by using it in combination with a personal computer, a mobile computer, etc., automatic meter reading function, signal relay function, Security functions can be effectively exhibited.
[0012]
Further, the present invention can be applied to an inductive watt-hour meter, but it is particularly preferable to apply to an electronic watt-hour meter as set forth in claim 4. Since this electronic watt-hour meter can substantially reduce the volume ratio by half as compared with the induction type, the communication unit cover can be made smaller and lighter, and the watt-hour meter with a communication terminal can be made compact.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of application to a single-phase three-wire or three-phase three-wire electronic watt-hour meter as a watt-hour meter with a communication terminal according to the present invention. The electric energy meter 1 includes an electronic metering main body 5 having a terminal block 4 having a plurality of female terminals 3 that can be electrically connected to a power distribution line (service line) and a customer's indoor wiring (customer line). Is built in a box-shaped case 2 made of resin or metal with only the front surface of the female terminal 3 in the terminal block 4 exposed forward. The box-like case 2 also includes an open / close switch unit (not shown) that can turn on and off the electrical continuity between the weighing main unit 5 and the power distribution line and customer indoor wiring.
[0014]
Apart from this electronic watt-hour meter 1, a plate-like cover portion 6 covering the front surface of the female terminal 3 in the terminal block 4 and both left and right side plate portions 2 a of the box-like case 2 on both sides in the width direction of the cover portion 6. , 2a and a pair of left and right frame portions 7, 7 extending upward from a position separated by a distance D1 corresponding to the distance L1 between the outer surfaces, and the pair of left and right frame portions 7, 7 and the upper side of the cover portion 6 6a from the position equivalent to 6a to the front by the communication terminal station 8 connected and fixed between the frame portions 7 and 7 at a distance D2 corresponding to the distance L2 between the upper and lower surfaces 2c and 2b of the box-like case 2. A communication unit cover 9 having a rectangular shape is configured, and the communication unit cover 9 is configured to be detachable from the front side of the box-shaped case 2 in the electronic watt-hour meter 1. Yes.
[0015]
The communication terminal station 8, which is a constituent member of the communication unit cover 9, is a weak wireless terminal station, an infrared communication terminal station, an Ethernet terminal station equipped with an Ethernet LAN interface, or a PHS communication terminal station. However, a PHS communication terminal station that can perform high-speed digital communication and has an answer back function is most preferable. Moreover, as a drive power supply of the communication terminal station 8, you may comprise so that it may supply from the measurement main-body part 5 side, or you may use a solar power supply.
[0016]
In the electronic watt-hour meter 1 having the above-described configuration, the communication unit cover 9 having a square shape in front view is touched to the box-shaped case 2 from the front side of the watt-hour meter 1 as shown in FIG. By mounting by operation, the exposed portion of the front surface of the female terminal 3 in the terminal block 4 is covered with the lower cover portion 6, and the communication terminal station 8 is disposed on the upper surface 2c of the box-shaped case 2 and has no communication function. A communication function can be easily added to the existing watt-hour meter 1 as needed. In this attached state, since the communication terminal station 8 is separate from the measurement main body unit 5, the communication terminal station 8 transmits the electric energy measured by the measurement main body unit 5 to a remote management center or the like. In addition to being able to be used for automatic meter reading or centralized meter reading function, in addition to that, signal relay function when instructing on / off of various electric devices such as air conditioner and video from the outside with watt-hour meter 1 as well as time A function that aggregates and confirms the amount of power used for different rates at each contract time zone at a management center, etc., and a security function that monitors the indoor conditions by operating the switch of a security camera installed indoors from the outside Thus, the present invention can be effectively used as a communication function device for exhibiting various functions that are meaningful in the operation of such power supply operations and in daily life.
[0017]
Further, since the communication unit cover 9 including the communication terminal station 8 can be detached from the box-like case 2 containing the measurement main body 5 as an external attachment, one cycle of 10 years stipulated by the Measurement Law is required. When receiving a test every time, the communication unit cover 9 can be detached from the box-shaped case 2 as shown in FIG. For this reason, if it is determined that it can be used repeatedly in the next cycle if it is repaired, it can be repaired very easily and at a low cost. It is only necessary to replace the quantity meter 1, and it is possible to reduce the cost required for the replacement and to reduce the economic burden on the power supply company.
[0018]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the communication function added state in which the unit cover 9 is attached to the box-shaped case 2, the exposed portion of the front surface of the female terminal 3 in the terminal block 4 is covered with the lower cover portion 6. The watt-hour meter 1 as a whole is covered with a pair of frame portions 7 and 7 and the upper surface 2c of the box-like case 2 is covered with a communication terminal 8. Since it can be sealed, it is useful for preventing mischief with respect to the watt-hour meter 1, and a finish that is clean and attractive in appearance can be obtained.
[0019]
Moreover, since the switch part is built in the box-shaped case 2 together with the measurement main body part 5, when the watt-hour meter 1 is installed in a house with a lot of moving, such as a rental house, the switch part corresponding to the entry / exit is provided. Switching between the power supply stop and the power supply start associated with the turning on / off operation is performed quickly and automatically from a remote location such as a management center using the communication function of the communication terminal station 8 to suppress a decrease in service in the power supply company. be able to.
[0020]
In the above embodiment, the case in which the open / close switch unit is incorporated in the box-shaped case 2 has been described. However, an electronic meter that does not incorporate the open / close switch unit may be used. You may apply.
[0021]
In the above embodiment, the communication unit cover 9 is formed in a square shape in the front view by the cover portion 6, the pair of left and right frame portions 7 and 7, and the communication terminal station 8. The communication unit cover 9 may be configured to have a U-shape when viewed from the front using only the portion 7, or the communication unit cover 9 may be designed in various shapes by making the frame portion 7 curved.
[0022]
Furthermore, as described in the above embodiment, the communication terminal station 8 is preferably a PHS communication terminal station, but in addition to this, a bidirectional digital communication terminal station such as a mobile phone may be used.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the shape of the front view including the cover portion covering the front surface of the terminal block in the watt hour meter and the communication terminal station disposed immediately above the box-shaped case of the watt hour meter is reduced. Communicate as needed to an existing watt-hour meter with an extremely simple operation of attaching a communication unit cover configured in a U-shape or U-shape to the box-shaped case with one touch from the front side of the watt-hour meter. In addition to automatic metering or centralized metering functions, it is possible to add functions, and in addition to automatic metering or centralized metering functions, command various electrical devices to be turned on and off from the outside based on watt-hour meters installed at the power consumer level. Signal relay function at the time of operation, a function to collect and check the amount of power used at different rates in the time zone for each contract time zone at the management center, etc., and remotely control the switch of the security camera installed indoors It can be effectively utilized in order to exert a meaningful various functions on to engage in the operational and daily life of the power supply business such like security feature that monitors.
[0024]
In addition, when the watt-hour meter is subject to verification every 10 years as defined by the Measurement Law, it is possible to make only the measurement main unit subject to verification by removing the communication unit cover from the box-shaped case. For this reason, if it is determined that it can be used repeatedly in the next cycle if it is repaired, it can be repaired very easily and at a low cost. It is only necessary to replace the meter, and the cost required for the replacement can be minimized to reduce the economic burden on the power supply company. In addition, when the communication function is added with the unit cover attached, the front of the terminal block is the cover part, at least one of the outer surfaces of the left and right side plates of the box-like case is the frame part, and the upper surface of the box-like case is communicating It can be covered and sealed at the terminal to prevent mischief with the watt hour meter, and it also has the effect of providing a clean and attractive finish.
[0025]
In particular, as described in claim 3, by using a PHS communication terminal station as a communication terminal station, high-speed digital communication by PIAFS is possible in combination with a personal computer, a mobile computer, etc., and a meter reading function and an answer back The function can be demonstrated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded external perspective view showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a single-phase three-wire or three-phase three-wire electronic watt-hour meter.
FIG. 2 is an overall external perspective view showing a state in which a communication function is added to the electronic watt-hour meter.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic type electric energy meter 2 Box-shaped case 2a, 2a Both right-and-left side plate part 2b Case lower surface 4 Terminal block 6 Cover part 6a for front cover of terminal block Upper part 7 Cover part 8 Frame part 8 Communication terminal station 9 For communication Unit cover

Claims (4)

A watt-hour meter built in a box-shaped case with a power metering main body provided with a terminal block at the bottom, to which power distribution lines and customer interior wiring can be connected, with only the front surface of the terminal block exposed. A watt-hour meter with a communication terminal configured with a communication terminal,
A cover portion that covers the front surface of the terminal block, and is extended upward from at least one of the positions that are separated from each other by a distance corresponding to the dimension between the outer surfaces of the left and right side plate portions of the box-like case on both sides in the width direction of the cover portion. And a communication terminal station fixedly supported by the frame portion at a position separated from the upper side of the cover portion by a distance corresponding to the vertical dimension between the upper and lower surfaces of the box-shaped case containing the weighing main unit. A communication terminal station comprising a U-shaped or U-shaped communication unit cover in front view, and the communication unit cover being detachably attached to the box-shaped case from the front side of the watt-hour meter. A watt hour meter.   2. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the box-like case incorporates a switch body capable of switching on and off electrical continuity between the measurement main body, the power distribution line, and the customer indoor wiring together with the measurement main body. A watt hour meter.   The watt-hour meter with a communication terminal station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication terminal station is a PHS communication terminal station.   The watt-hour meter with a communication terminal station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the target watt-hour meter is an electronic watt-hour meter.

Images