JP6534891B2 - Current sensor unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a current sensor unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the rising awareness of energy saving, homes that introduce a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) to power consumption management have increased. When it is going to manage the amount of use of electric power for every room of a home, it is necessary to attach a current sensor for every system of a distribution board. Conventionally, as a current sensor directed to such an application, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

Patent No. 4471657

  However, the current sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1 is for measuring the current of a single system, and in order to measure the current for each room of the home, a plurality of the current sensors are arranged in the distribution board. Must. Therefore, it may be difficult to install such a current sensor corresponding to all the systems in a recent space-saving type power distribution board.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described point, and one of its objects is to provide a compact current sensor unit capable of measuring currents of a plurality of systems.

  In order to solve the problems described above, an aspect of the present invention is a plurality of magnetic bodies each forming a separate magnetic circuit, wherein each magnetic circuit is provided with an air gap, and A plurality of magnetic sensors for separately detecting a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through a conductor passing through each of the magnetic circuits, and the plurality of magnetic sensors are mounted so as to be located in the air gaps of the corresponding magnetic bodies. And a common substrate.

  Moreover, the other one aspect of this invention is a current sensor unit which consists of a 1st magnetic body and a 2nd magnetic body which make the said each magnetic body border on the said space | gap in the said one aspect.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned one aspect, a first housing that accommodates each of the first magnetic members and the common substrate, and a second housing that accommodates each of the second magnetic members. And a current sensor unit.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the common substrate has a plurality of through holes, and each of the first magnetic bodies is inserted into the corresponding through hole in the first housing. It is a current sensor unit.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the conductor can be attached to and detached from each magnetic circuit in a state in which the first housing and the second housing are separated from each other, The current sensor unit is configured such that the magnetic circuit is configured by the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body in a state in which the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other.

  Moreover, the other one aspect of this invention is an electric current sensor unit which is further equipped with the housing | casing which accommodates the said several magnetic body and the said common board | substrate in the said one aspect.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the common substrate has a plurality of through holes, and each of the plurality of magnetic bodies is inserted into the corresponding through holes in the housing. , Current sensor unit.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the plurality of magnetic members are fixed to the housing, and the common substrate is slidably movable with respect to the plurality of fixed magnetic members. There is a current sensor unit.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned one aspect, the current sensor unit further comprising: a first housing for housing the common substrate; and a second housing for housing the plurality of magnetic bodies. is there.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the conductor can be attached to and detached from each magnetic circuit in a state in which the first housing and the second housing are separated from each other, The current sensor unit may be disposed at the position of the air gap of the magnetic body corresponding to the magnetic sensor in a state where the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a small-sized current sensor unit capable of measuring currents of a plurality of systems.

It is a perspective view showing composition of current sensor unit 100 concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing by the XZ surface of the current sensor unit 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the current sensor unit 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention was installed in the electricity distribution panel. It is a perspective view showing the composition of current sensor unit 200 concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing by XZ surface of the current sensor unit 200 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the composition of current sensor unit 300 concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing by XZ surface of the current sensor unit 300 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a current sensor unit 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, X, Y, and Z axes are taken in the directions shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the current sensor unit 100 in the XZ plane. Note that FIG. 1 illustrates the first magnetic body 110 a and the second magnetic body 110 b separated in order to make the configuration of the current sensor unit 100 easy to see, and also the first housing 140 and the second housing 150. Is not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the current sensor unit 100 includes one magnetic element 110-1, 110-2 and so on, and a plurality of magnetic sensors 120-1, 120-2 and so on. A substrate 130, a first housing 140, and a second housing 150 are provided. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the plurality of magnetic bodies 110-1, 110-2,..., It is referred to as the magnetic body 110, and similarly, the plurality of magnetic sensors 120-1, 120-2,. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of them, the magnetic sensor 120 is described. Although two magnetic bodies 110-1 and 110-2 and two magnetic sensors 120-1 and 120-2 are explicitly drawn in FIGS. 1 and 2, the magnetic body 110 included in the current sensor unit 100. The number of magnetic sensors 120 may be any number and does not limit the present invention.

  When the current sensor unit 100 is used, the conductors 51 and 52 through which the current to be measured flows are disposed in the current sensor unit 100 as illustrated. The current flowing through the conductors 51 and 52 generates a magnetic field (magnetic flux) around the conductors 51 and 52 according to the magnitude of each current and the direction in which the current flows.

  The magnetic body 110 forms a magnetic circuit. More specifically, the magnetic body 110 has a first magnetic circuit having a path around points A, B, C, D, E, F shown in FIG. 2 and points B, C, D, G, H, A second magnetic circuit is formed which comprises a path around I. The conductor 51 is disposed to penetrate the first magnetic circuit, and the conductor 52 is disposed to penetrate the second magnetic circuit. The first magnetic circuit collects magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 51, and the second magnetic circuit collects magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 52. That is, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductors 51 and 52 is concentrated in the inside of the magnetic circuit formed by the magnetic body 110. As a result, the magnetic flux density in the air gap 112 provided in the magnetic body 110 is increased, and the detection accuracy of the magnetic flux by the magnetic sensor 120 and hence the measurement accuracy of the current flowing through the conductors 51 and 52 are improved. The magnetic body 110 also functions to prevent the magnetic flux of noise that may exist outside the magnetic circuit created by the magnetic body 110 from entering the inside of the magnetic circuit. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic flux generated by the conductors 51 and 52 disposed in the magnetic body 110-1 does not enter the inside of the magnetic circuit created by the adjacent magnetic body 110-2, so It does not affect the sensor 120-2. In this manner, each magnetic sensor 120 is not affected by the magnetic flux of noise, so that the measurement error of the current flowing through the conductors 51 and 52 is reduced.

  The magnetic body 110 is comprised from two parts, the 1st magnetic body 110a and the 2nd magnetic body 110b. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first magnetic body 110 a is a lower half of the magnetic body 110, and the second magnetic body 110 b is an upper half of the magnetic body 110. The first magnetic body 110a includes a lower column 110c extending along the X axis, a right column 110d extending upward from the right end of the lower column 110c, and a left column extending upward from the left end of the lower column 110c. And 110e. The second magnetic body 110b includes an upper column 110f extending along the X axis, a right column 110g extending downward from the right end of the upper column 110f, and a left column extending downward from the left end of the upper column 110f. It is comprised from 110h and the middle pillar 110i extended below from the center vicinity of 110 f of upper pillars. As shown in FIG. 2, when using the current sensor unit 100, the upper end surfaces of the right columnar body 110d and the left columnar body 110e of the first magnetic body 110a, and the right columnar body 110g and the left pillar of the second magnetic body 110b. The first magnetic body 110 a and the second magnetic body 110 b are connected so that the lower end faces of the body 110 h are in contact with each other. At this time, an air gap 112 is formed between the lower end surface of the middle columnar body 110i of the second magnetic body 110b and the lower columnar body 110c of the first magnetic body 110a. Thus, the first magnetic circuit and the second magnetic circuit described above are formed by the magnetic body 110 in which the first magnetic body 110 a and the second magnetic body 110 b are connected. The first magnetic circuit and the second magnetic circuit have an air gap 112 in the middle of the circuit. The common substrate 130 and the magnetic sensor 120 are disposed in the air gap 112 as will be described later, but the size of the air gap 112 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) can place the common substrate 130 and the magnetic sensor 120 in the air gap 112 As long as it is, it should be as small as possible. This is for the magnetic sensor 120 to concentrate more magnetic flux without the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic circuit spreading out at the air gap 112. In order to narrow the air gap 112 in the vertical direction, for example, the middle columnar body 110i of the second magnetic body 110b is configured to extend downward as compared with that shown in FIG. A middle column (not shown) similar to the middle column 110i of the magnetic body 110b may be provided to face the middle column 110i.

  The common substrate 130 is a substrate having dimensions and a shape that spans the plurality of magnetic bodies 110-1, 110-2,. That is, only one common substrate 130 is provided for the plurality of magnetic bodies 110-1, 110-2,. For example, in the current sensor unit 100 in which eight magnetic bodies 110 are arranged in a line along the X axis, the width of the common substrate 130, that is, the length along the X axis corresponds to eight magnetic bodies 110. Greater than the width of Note that the common substrate 130 is not all of the plurality of magnetic bodies 110-1, 110-2,... Included in the current sensor unit 100, but a plurality of magnetic bodies 110 (for example, magnetic bodies 110-1 and 110) that are a part of them. It may be a substrate having a size and a shape ranging from 2) to 2). For example, in a current sensor unit 100 in which eight magnetic bodies 110 are arranged in a line along the X-axis, two common substrates 130 having dimensions and a shape spanning four magnetic bodies 110 may be used. Good.

  The common substrate 130 has a plurality of through holes 132. The right pillars 110 d and the left pillars 110 e of the first magnetic bodies 110 a are respectively inserted into the plurality of through holes 132 of the common substrate 130. Therefore, the common substrate 130 is disposed at a position crossing the air gap 112 existing between the right pillar 110d and the left pillar 110e of each first magnetic body 110a, and is combined with each first magnetic body 110a.

  A plurality of magnetic sensors 120-1, 120-2,... Are mounted on the common substrate 130. More specifically, each of the plurality of magnetic sensors 120-1, 120-2,... Is mounted on the common substrate 130 at a position below the middle column 110 i of the second magnetic body 110 b, ie, at the air gap 112. There is. For example, the magnetic sensor 120-1 is disposed in the air gap 112 of the magnetic body 110-1, the magnetic sensor 120-2 is disposed in the air gap 112 of the magnetic body 110-2, and similarly, any magnetic sensor 120 also corresponds It is disposed in the air gap 112 of the magnetic body 110. As described above, in the air gap 112 of each magnetic body 110, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductors 51 and 52 and collected by the magnetic circuit (first magnetic circuit and second magnetic circuit) produced by the magnetic body 110 Is passing. The magnetic flux is detected by each of the plurality of magnetic sensors 120-1, 120-2,. The output value from the magnetic sensor 120 thus obtained indicates the value of the current flowing through the conductors 51 and 52.

  For example, in the case where currents of the same size and in opposite directions flow in the conductor 51 and the conductor 52, the position of the magnetic sensor 120 is 2 compared to the case where only one of the conductors 51 or 52 is present. A magnetic flux of double density is collected, as a result, the output value of the magnetic sensor 120 is also doubled. Therefore, the half value of the current value corresponding to the output value of the magnetic sensor 120 is the value of the current actually flowing through the conductors 51 and 52. As described above, since each magnetic body 110 shuts off the noise magnetic field (magnetic flux) from the outside, the output value from each magnetic sensor 120 is the same as the magnetic body 110 where the magnetic sensor 120 is disposed. It is a value based only on the current flowing through the disposed conductors 51 and 52. For example, the output value of the magnetic sensor 120-1 indicates the current value of the conductors 51 and 52 penetrating the magnetic body 110-1.

  In the present embodiment, any type of device is applicable as the magnetic sensor 120 as long as it has the ability to detect a magnetic field. For example, a coil, a Hall element or the like can be used as the magnetic sensor 120. In addition, an electric circuit (for example, an amplifier or the like) for electrically processing an output signal of the magnetic sensor 120 or an output terminal for extracting a signal to the outside may be provided on the common substrate 130.

  In the first housing 140, the common substrate 130 and the plurality of first magnetic bodies 110a are accommodated in the through holes 132 of the common substrate 130 as described above, with the respective first magnetic bodies 110a being inserted. . In the second housing 150, the plurality of second magnetic bodies 110b are disposed and accommodated at positions facing the first magnetic bodies 110a corresponding to the respective second magnetic bodies 110b. The first housing 140 and the second housing 150 are configured to be able to take a first form in which they are separated from each other, and a second form in which they are connected to each other. The first form is illustrated by the perspective view of FIG. 1 (but the first casing 140 and the second casing 150 themselves are not illustrated in FIG. 1), and the second form is illustrated by the sectional view of FIG. .

  In the first embodiment, by separating the first housing 140 and the second housing 150, the plurality of first magnetic bodies 110a and the plurality of second magnetic bodies 110b are also separated from each other, and occur between the two. Conductors 51 and 52 are inserted from the outside to the inside of the magnetic circuit via the space (the space between right column 110d and right column 110g and the space between left column 110e and left column 110h) Conductors 51 and 52 can be taken out from the inside to the outside of the magnetic circuit, or vice versa. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, by connecting the first housing 140 and the second housing 150, as described above, the first magnetic body 110a and the second magnetic body 110b are connected, and the magnetic circuit 1) A magnetic circuit and a second magnetic circuit are formed.

  In order to measure the current using the current sensor unit 100, the first case 140 and the second case 150 are first arranged in the first form, and the conductors 51 and 52 through which the current to be measured flows are It passes through the space inside the magnetic body 110b, that is, the space between the left column 110h and the middle column 110i and the space between the right column 110g and the middle column 110i. As described above, in the first embodiment, since the first magnetic body 110a and the second magnetic body 110b are separated, the conductors 51 and 52 are inserted to the inside of the second magnetic body 110b through the gap created by the separation. It is possible. Next, the first magnetic body 110 a and the second magnetic body 110 b are mutually connected by arranging the first housing 140 and the second housing 150 in the second form. As a result, the gap between the first magnetic body 110a and the second magnetic body 110b generated in the first embodiment is closed, and noise from the outside is generated inside the magnetic circuit (the first magnetic circuit and the second magnetic circuit). Magnetic flux does not penetrate. Then, in the state where the first housing 140 and the second housing 150 are arranged in the second form as described above, an output value which is a result of detecting a magnetic field is obtained from each magnetic sensor 120, and based on the output value. The current values of the conductors 51 and 52 corresponding to each can be obtained.

  As described above, in the current sensor unit 100 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of magnetic members 110-1, 110-2, ... and the plurality of magnetic sensors 120-1, 120-2, ... using the common substrate 130 Can be reduced in size because it is configured as a unit. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in a distribution board (not shown), it is possible to measure currents of eight systems adjacent to a branch breaker 73 that branches the main trunk wiring 71 into eight indoor wirings 72. The configured current sensor unit 100 can be installed.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a current sensor unit 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the X, Y, and Z axes are oriented as shown in the figure. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the current sensor unit 200 along the XZ plane. In FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, a state in which the common substrate 230 is slightly slid in the X-axis direction is depicted, and in order to make the configuration of the current sensor unit 200 more visible, the first housing 240 and the second housing are illustrated. Body 250 is not shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the current sensor unit 200 includes one magnetic element 210-1, 210-2, and so on, and a plurality of magnetic sensors 220-1, 220-2, and so on. A substrate 230, a first housing 240, and a second housing 250 are provided. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the plurality of magnetic members 210-1, 210-2,..., It is referred to as the magnetic member 210, and similarly, the plurality of magnetic sensors 220-1, 220-2,. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of them, the magnetic sensor 220 is described. Although two magnetic members 210-1 and 210-2 and two magnetic sensors 220-1 and 220-2 are explicitly drawn in FIGS. 4 and 5, the magnetic members 210 included in the current sensor unit 200. The number of magnetic sensors 220 may be any number and does not limit the present invention.

  When using the current sensor unit 200, the conductor 51 in which the current to be measured flows is disposed in the current sensor unit 200 as illustrated. The current flowing through the conductor 51 generates a magnetic field (magnetic flux) around the conductor 51 according to the magnitude of the current and the direction in which the current flows.

  The magnetic body 210 forms a magnetic circuit. The conductor 51 is disposed to penetrate the magnetic circuit formed by the magnetic body 210. The magnetic circuit collects the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 51. That is, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 51 is concentrated in the inside of the magnetic circuit formed by the magnetic body 210. As a result, the magnetic flux density in the air gap 212 provided in the magnetic body 210 is increased, and the detection accuracy of the magnetic flux by the magnetic sensor 220 and hence the measurement accuracy of the current flowing through the conductor 51 are improved. The magnetic body 210 also functions to prevent the magnetic flux of noise that may exist outside the magnetic circuit created by the magnetic body 210 from entering the inside of the magnetic circuit. For example, since the magnetic flux generated by the conductor 51 disposed in the magnetic body 210-2 does not enter inside the magnetic circuit formed by the adjacent magnetic body 210-1, the magnetic sensor 220-1 is affected. Absent. Thus, each magnetic sensor 220 is not affected by the magnetic flux of noise, so that the measurement error of the current flowing through the conductor 51 is reduced.

  The magnetic body 210 includes a lower column 210a extending along the X axis, a right column 210b extending upward from the right end of the lower column 210a, and a lower column along the X axis from the upper end of the right column 210b. It is comprised from the upper column body 210c extended to the same side as 210a. An air gap 212 is provided between the left end of the lower column 210a and the left end of the upper column 210c. That is, the magnetic circuit formed by the magnetic body 210 has the air gap 212 in the middle of the circuit. The common substrate 230 and the magnetic sensor 220 are disposed in the air gap 212 as will be described later, but the size of the air gap 212 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) can place the common substrate 230 and the magnetic sensor 220 in the air gap 212 As long as it is, it should be as small as possible. This is to make it possible for the magnetic sensor 220 to concentrate more magnetic flux without the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic circuit spreading out at the air gap 212. In order to narrow the air gap 212 in the vertical direction, for example, the magnetic body 210 may be configured such that the tip of the lower column 210a extends upward and the tip of the upper column 210c extends downward.

  The common substrate 230 is a substrate having a size and a shape spanning the plurality of magnetic members 210-1, 210-2,. That is, only one common substrate 230 is provided for the plurality of magnetic members 210-1, 210-2,. For example, in the current sensor unit 200 in which eight magnetic bodies 210 are arranged in a line along the X axis, the width of the common substrate 230, that is, the length along the X axis corresponds to eight magnetic bodies 210. Greater than the width of It should be noted that the common substrate 230 is not all of the plurality of magnetic members 210-1, 210-2,... Included in the current sensor unit 200, but a plurality of magnetic members 210 (eg, magnetic members 210-1 and 210) It may be a substrate having a size and a shape ranging from 2) to 2). For example, in a current sensor unit 200 in which eight magnetic bodies 210 are arranged in a line along the X-axis, two common substrates 230 having dimensions and a shape spanning four magnetic bodies 210 may be used. Good.

  The common substrate 230 has a plurality of through holes 232. The right columns 210 b of the magnetic members 210 are respectively inserted into the plurality of through holes 232 of the common substrate 230. Therefore, the lower column 210a and the upper column 210c of each magnetic body 210 are disposed at positions opposite to each other (that is, the lower side and the upper side of the common substrate 230) with the common substrate 230 interposed therebetween.

  The common substrate 230 and the plurality of magnetic members 210-1, 210-2,... Are accommodated in the first housing 240. The second housing 250 is a lid that covers the upper opening of the first housing 240. In the first housing 240, the plurality of magnetic members 210-1, 210-2,... Are respectively fixed at prescribed positions. On the other hand, the common substrate 230 can slide in the first housing 240 along the X axis in the form of inserting the right column body 210b of each magnetic body 210 into the through hole 232 as described above. The common substrate 230 slides in the first housing 240, thereby separating the common substrate 230 from the air gap 212 of the magnetic body 210, and the common substrate 230 crossing the air gap 212 of the magnetic body 210. There are two possible forms. The first form is shown by the perspective view of FIG. 4 (but the first casing 240 and the second casing 250 themselves are not shown in FIG. 4), and the second form is shown by the cross-sectional view of FIG. .

  In the first embodiment, the conductor 51 is inserted from the outside of the magnetic circuit through the space created between the common substrate 230 and each magnetic body 210 by the common substrate 230 being detached from the air gap 212 of the magnetic body 210. , Or vice versa, the conductor 51 can be pulled out from the inside of the magnetic circuit. The second mode is an arrangement when the current of the conductor 51 is measured by the magnetic sensor 220.

  A plurality of magnetic sensors 220-1, 220-2,... Are mounted on the common substrate 230. More specifically, each of the plurality of magnetic sensors 220-1, 220-2,... Has a position on the common substrate 230 that enters the air gap 212 of each magnetic body 210 when the common substrate 230 takes the second form. , Mounted on the common substrate 230. That is, when the common substrate 230 takes the second form, for example, the magnetic sensor 220-1 is disposed in the air gap 212 of the magnetic body 210-1, and the magnetic sensor 220-2 is disposed in the air gap 212 of the magnetic body 210-2. Similarly, any magnetic sensor 220 is also disposed in the air gap 212 of the corresponding magnetic body 210. As described above, in the air gap 212 of each magnetic body 210, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 51 and collected by the magnetic circuit produced by the magnetic body 210 passes. The magnetic flux is detected by each of the plurality of magnetic sensors 220-1, 220-2,. The output value from the magnetic sensor 220 thus obtained indicates the value of the current flowing through the conductor 51.

  In order to measure the current using the current sensor unit 200, first, the common substrate 230 is disposed in the first form, and the conductor 51 through which the current to be measured flows is placed inside each magnetic body 210, that is, the lower column 210a. And the right column body 210b and the upper column body 210c respectively. Next, the common substrate 230 is slid and disposed in the second form, and in this state, an output value which is a result of detection of the magnetic field is obtained from each magnetic sensor 220. The current value of the conductor 51 corresponding to each magnetic sensor 220 can be obtained based on the output value acquired in this manner.

  As described above, in the current sensor unit 200 according to the present embodiment, using the common substrate 230, the plurality of magnetic members 210-1, 210-2, ... and the plurality of magnetic sensors 220-1, 220-2, ... Can be reduced in size because it is configured as a unit.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a current sensor unit 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the X, Y, and Z axes are oriented as shown in the figure. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the current sensor unit 300 taken along the XZ plane. In FIG. 6, for convenience of description, the magnetic body 310 is drawn slightly upward from the common substrate 330, and the first housing 340 and the second housing 340 are provided to make the configuration of the current sensor unit 300 more visible. The housing 350 is not shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the current sensor unit 300 includes one magnetic element 310-1, 310-2,... And one magnetic sensor 320-1, 320-2,. A substrate 330, a first housing 340, and a second housing 350 are provided. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the plurality of magnetic bodies 310-1, 310-2,..., It is referred to as the magnetic body 310, and similarly, the plurality of magnetic sensors 320-1, 320-2,. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of them, the magnetic sensor 320 is described. Although two magnetic members 310-1 and 310-2 and two magnetic sensors 320-1 and 320-2 are explicitly drawn in FIGS. 6 and 7, the magnetic members 310 included in the current sensor unit 300. The number of magnetic sensors 320 may be any number, and the present invention is not limited.

  When the current sensor unit 300 is used, the conductor 51 in which the current to be measured flows is disposed in the current sensor unit 300 as illustrated. The current flowing through the conductor 51 generates a magnetic field (magnetic flux) around the conductor 51 according to the magnitude of the current and the direction in which the current flows.

  The magnetic body 310 forms a magnetic circuit. The conductor 51 is disposed to penetrate the magnetic circuit formed by the magnetic body 310. The magnetic circuit collects the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 51. That is, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 51 is concentrated and present inside the magnetic circuit formed by the magnetic body 310. As a result, the magnetic flux density in the air gap 312 provided in the magnetic body 310 is increased, and the detection accuracy of the magnetic flux by the magnetic sensor 320 and hence the measurement accuracy of the current flowing through the conductor 51 are improved. The magnetic body 310 also functions to prevent the magnetic flux of noise that may exist outside the magnetic circuit created by the magnetic body 310 from entering the inside of the magnetic circuit. Since each magnetic sensor 320 is not affected by the magnetic flux of noise, the measurement error of the current flowing through the conductor 51 is reduced.

  The magnetic body 310 includes an upper column 310a extending along the X axis, a right column 310b extending downward from the right end of the upper column 310a, and a left column 310c extending downward from the left end of the upper column 310a. It consists of An air gap 312 is provided between the lower end of the right column 310b and the lower end of the left column 310c. That is, the magnetic circuit formed by the magnetic body 310 has the air gap 312 in the middle of the circuit. The sub-substrate 330b of the common substrate 330 and the magnetic sensor 320 are disposed in the air gap 312 as described later, but the size of the air gap 312 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) As long as 320 can be placed, it is better to be as small as possible. This is for the magnetic sensor 320 to concentrate more magnetic flux without the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic circuit spreading out at the air gap 312. In order to narrow the air gap 312 in the left-right direction, for example, the magnetic body 310 is extended, and the tip of the right pillar 310b extends to the left (left pillar 310c side), and the tip of the left pillar 310c is right (right pillar) It may be configured to extend to the body 310b side).

  The common substrate 330 is a substrate having a size and a shape spanning the plurality of magnetic bodies 310-1, 310-2,. That is, only one common substrate 330 is provided for the plurality of magnetic bodies 310-1, 310-2,. For example, in the current sensor unit 300 in which eight magnetic bodies 310 are arranged in a line along the X axis, the width of the common substrate 330, that is, the length along the X axis corresponds to eight magnetic bodies 310. Greater than the width of Note that the common substrate 330 is a substrate that has a size and a shape that spans a plurality of magnetic bodies 310 that are a part of the plurality of magnetic bodies 310-1, 310-2,. It may be.

  The common substrate 330 is configured by combining one main substrate 330 a configured with a plane parallel to the XY plane and a plurality of sub substrates 330 b configured with a plane parallel to the YZ plane. The sub substrate 330 b is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of magnetic bodies 310-1, 310-2,. Each sub substrate 330 b is disposed at a position where it is sandwiched between the right columnar body 310 b and the left columnar body 310 c of the corresponding magnetic body 310.

  The common substrate 330 is accommodated in the first housing 340, and the plurality of magnetic members 310-1, 310-2 are accommodated in the second housing 350. The first housing 340 and the second housing 350 are configured to be able to take a first form in which they are separated from each other, and a second form in which they are connected to each other. The first form is illustrated by the perspective view of FIG. 6 (but the first casing 340 and the second casing 350 themselves are not shown in FIG. 6), and the second form is illustrated by the cross-sectional view of FIG. .

  In the first embodiment, by separating the first housing 340 and the second housing 350 from the outside of the magnetic circuit through the space generated between the common substrate 330 and each magnetic body 310 by separating the first housing 340 and the second housing 350 from each other. The conductor 51 can be inserted inside, or vice versa, out of the inside of the magnetic circuit. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, by connecting the first housing 340 and the second housing 350, the sub-substrates 330b of the common substrate 330 are disposed to cross the air gaps 312 of the corresponding magnetic bodies 310, respectively. Be done. The second mode is an arrangement when the current of the conductor 51 is measured by the magnetic sensor 320.

  Magnetic sensors 320 are mounted on the respective sub substrates 330 b of the common substrate 330. More specifically, when the first housing 340 and the second housing 350 take the second form, the magnetic sensor 320 is mounted at a position on the sub-substrate 330 b that crosses the air gap 312 of each magnetic body 310. There is. That is, in the second embodiment, for example, the magnetic sensor 320-1 is disposed in the air gap 312 of the magnetic body 310-1, the magnetic sensor 320-2 is disposed in the air gap 312 of the magnetic body 310-2, and so forth The magnetic sensor 320 is also disposed in the air gap 312 of the corresponding magnetic body 310. As described above, in the air gap 312 of each magnetic body 310, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 51 and collected by the magnetic circuit produced by the magnetic body 310 passes. The magnetic flux is detected by each of the plurality of magnetic sensors 320-1, 320-2,. The output value from the magnetic sensor 320 thus obtained indicates the value of the current flowing through the conductor 51.

  In order to measure the current using the current sensor unit 300, first, the first housing 340 and the second housing 350 are disposed in the first form, and the conductor 51 through which the current to be measured flows is made of each magnetic body 310. Through the space enclosed by the upper column 310a, the right column 310b and the left column 310c. Next, the first housing 340 and the second housing 350 are arranged in the second form, and in this state, the output value which is the result of detecting the magnetic field from each magnetic sensor 320 is acquired. The current value of the conductor 51 corresponding to each magnetic sensor 320 can be obtained based on the output value acquired in this manner.

  As described above, in the current sensor unit 300 according to the present embodiment, using the common substrate 330, the plurality of magnetic members 310-1, 310-2, ... and the plurality of magnetic sensors 320-1, 320-2, ... Can be reduced in size because it is configured as a unit.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

100, 200, 300 Current sensor unit 110, 210, 310 Magnetic body 112, 212, 312 Air gap 120, 220, 320 Magnetic sensor 130, 230, 330 Common substrate 140, 240, 340 First housing 150, 250, 350 first 2 Case 51, 52 conductor

Claims (2)

A plurality of magnetic bodies, each of which comprises a separate magnetic circuit, wherein each magnetic circuit is provided with an air gap;
A plurality of magnetic sensors for separately detecting magnetic fields generated by current flowing in a conductor passing through each of the magnetic circuits;
One common substrate mounted such that each of the plurality of magnetic sensors is positioned in the air gap of the corresponding magnetic body;
A housing that accommodates the plurality of magnetic bodies and the common substrate;
Equipped with
The common substrate has a plurality of through holes, and each of the plurality of magnetic bodies is inserted into the corresponding through hole in the housing,
The plurality of magnetic bodies are fixed to the housing, and the common substrate is slidable with respect to the plurality of fixed magnetic bodies,
The conductor can be attached to and detached from the magnetic circuit by the conductor crossing the air gap of the magnetic body in a state where the common substrate is slid and separated from the air gap of the magnetic body. ,
Current sensor unit. A plurality of magnetic bodies, each of which comprises a separate magnetic circuit, wherein each magnetic circuit is provided with an air gap;
A plurality of magnetic sensors for separately detecting magnetic fields generated by current flowing in a conductor passing through each of the magnetic circuits;
A common substrate comprising one main substrate and a plurality of sub-substrates perpendicular to the main substrate, wherein each of the plurality of magnetic sensors is located on the corresponding air gap of the corresponding magnetic body. A common board mounted on the
A first case for housing the common substrate;
A second housing that accommodates the plurality of magnetic bodies;
Equipped with
The conductor can be attached to and detached from each magnetic circuit in a state in which the first housing and the second housing are separated from each other,
In a state in which the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other, the magnetic sensors on the sub-substrate are disposed at the positions of the air gaps of the corresponding magnetic bodies, respectively.
Current sensor unit.

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