SE2250337A1 - Electricity meter with a communication module - Google Patents

Abstract

An electricity meter with a communication module comprises a base (1) and a communication module (2) disposed on the base (1); a module cover (3) covers on the base (1) at a position corresponding to the communication module (2), and the communication module (2) is located between the base (1) and the module cover (3); the communication module (2) has a plurality of wire connectors (4) for connecting a plurality of external antennas (6); the module cover (3) has a hole (31) corresponding to the wire connector (4) for the wire connector (4) to pass through. It can realize the connection of the external antenna (6) without opening the module cover (3), and the sealed connection prolonging the service life of the communication module (2).

Description

Electricity Meter With A Communication Module Technical Field of the Invention[0001] particular, to an electricity meter With a communication module.

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of electricity meters, and in Background of the Invention[0002] meter, an energy meter and a kiloWatt-hour meter, Which refers to a meter for measuring various An electricity meter is a meter for metering electricity, and it is also called an electric electrical quantities. At present, the electricity meter is more and more Widely used in industrialproduction and life due to its advantages of small size, high precision, good reliability,convenience in installation, and the like. 3. 3. id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3"

[0003] Specifically, an accommodating cavity for installing the communication module is disposed in At present, a communication module is usually disposed in the electricity meter. the electricity meter. A module box is disposed outside the communication module. An openingfor installing an antenna is formed in a Wall plate of the module box of the module, so as tofacilitate subsequent installation of the antenna. For example, a Chinese Utility Model patentCN207067205U (patent NO.: CN201720745380.0) titled "Single Phase Intelligent ElectricityMeter",Board Assembly (PCBA) and a Third Generation-Programmable Logic Controller (GS-PLC) disclosed an electricity meter Which comprises a bottom box and a Printed Circuit communication module installed in the bottom box. A module box and an antenna installingcomponent are disposed in the bottom box. The module box and the PCBA are connectedintegrally. A gap for installing the antenna component is formed in a position, corresponding tothe module box, of a side Wall of the bottom box. The bottom box is arranged to install a GeneralPacket Radio Service (GRPS) communication module. The antenna installing component isdisposed to position an intemal antenna or position a connecting line of an extemal antennaconnector. The above electricity meter realizes subsequent installation of an extemal antenna.HoWever, during long-terrn use, Water may enter the module box through the gap in the side Wallof the bottom box to cause the damage to an electrical element of the communication module,Which may lead to a failure of the communication of an electricity meter, affect meter reading,and shorten the service life of the electricity meter. In addition, during installation, theinstallation of the extemal antenna can only be implemented by opening a housing located at themodule, Which increases the inconvenience in installation. 4. 4. id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4"

[0004] Therefore, the existing electricity meter needs to be further improved. _1_ SUMMARY[0005] electricity meter with a communication module, which can directly install or replace an external A first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an antenna without opening a module cover.[0006] electricity meter capable of preventing water and dust from entering the interior of a A second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an communication module through the connection of an extemal antenna.[0007] conventional short antenna inside a module cover, and to provide an antenna connector exposed A third technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to install a out of a meter. At the connector, the antenna is directly welded with a PCB (Printed CircuitBoard) of the module, reducing signal attenuation and interference and improving the signalintensity of the antenna. 8. 8. id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8"

[0008] electricity meter which can automatically switch between an intemal antenna function and an A fourth technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an extemal antenna function, improve the wireless information transmission efficiency of theelectricity meter, and reduce the trouble of manual operation.[0009] module comprises a base; a module cover; and a communication module, an intemal antenna To solve the first technical problem, the electricity meter with a communication module, an extemal antenna module, and a processing module disposed on the base;characterized in that, the module cover covers on the base at a position corresponding to thecommunication module, and the communication module is located between the base and themodule cover; the communication module has a plurality of wire connectors for connecting aplurality of extemal antennas, and the module cover has a hole corresponding to the wireconnector for the wire connector to pass through. . . id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10"

[0010][0011] Preferably, the hole is an oblate hole to avoid at least two extemal antennas.

To solve the second technical problem, preferably, when the module cover covers onthe base, the module cover is sealed connected to the communication module through a sealingpiece, and the sealing piece is located on the hole. 12. 12. id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12"

[0012] The sealing piece may be disposed inside the module cover, and is tightly attached to afront wall of the communication module after being assembled. Preferably, the sealing piece is asealing ring disposed at the back of the module cover. 13. 13. id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13"

[0013] In order to facilitate the installation of the sealing ring, preferably, the module cover _2_ has a first annular flange and a second annular flange disposed at interval at the back of themodule cover, extending towards the communication module; the sealing ring is located betweenthe first annular flange and the second annular flange. 14. 14. id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14"

[0014] In order to further prevent water from penetrating through the edge of the hole to be incontact with the communication module, preferably, an inner peripheral wall of the hole extendstowards the communication module to form the first annular flange, when the module covercovers on the base, a rear surface of the first annular flange resists against a front surface of thecommunication module. . . id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15"

[0015] board disposed inside the module box, the module box has a plurality of through holes for one Preferably, the communication module comprises a module box and a first circuit end of each wire connector to pass through, the through holes are located corresponding to thehole; the other end of each wire connector has an inserting piece capable of being inserted intothe first circuit board. The formation of the through holes facilitates the connection of the wireconnector and the first circuit board. 16. 16. id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16"

[0016] the module box is disposed on an upper portion of the base, and the module box comprises a In order to make the structure of the whole electricity meter more compact, preferably, lower box body and an upper box body covering the lower box body; a chamber for receivingthe first circuit board is enclosed between the lower box body and the upper box body, and thethrough holes are located on a front wall of the upper box body. 17. 17. id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17"

[0017] preferably, the upper box body has at least three connecting plates protruding downward from an In order to facilitate the installation of the upper box body and the lower box body, edge of the upper box body, each connecting plate has a connecting hole; correspondingly, thelower box body has at least three inserting portions which can insert into the correspondingconnecting hole, so as to make the lower box body to be connected to the upper box body. Thesnap-fitted connection of the upper box body and the lower box body is more convenient. 18. 18. id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18"

[0018] module cover, and a second circuit board is disposed in a space between the meter cover and the Preferably, a meter cover is disposed on the base, the meter cover is located below the base; the first circuit board is connected to the second circuit board through a connector, and thelower box body has an avoiding hole for receiving the connector at a bottom of the lower boxbody. The arrangement of the meter cover, the module cover, the first circuit board, and thesecond circuit board improves the structural compactness of the electricity meter and facilitatesthe connection of the first circuit board and the second circuit board. 19. 19. id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19"

[0019] There are many ways to form an accommodating cavity. Preferably, the base has a _3_ supporting plate extending forward from the an upper end of the base; the meter cover has a topplate spliced with the supporting plate face to face, and an opening for receiving the connector isforrned between the top plate and the supporting plate; an accommodating cavity for mountingthe module box is forrned among the supporting plate, the top plate of the meter cover, and a rearwall of the base. . . id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20"

[0020] generate a gap with the module cover, preferably, the module box has a plurality of limiting ribs In order to prevent the module box from shaking in the accommodating cavity to extending backward from a rear plate of the module box; when the module box is mounted, arear end of each limiting rib resists against the rear wall. The module box is prevented fromshaking in the accommodating cavity, so as to prevent a gap from being generated between themodule box and the module cover at the hole, thereby preventing water from penetrating throughthe hole to be in contact with the module box. In addition, the existence of the limiting ribsincreases the strength of the module box. Preferably, the limiting ribs extend up and down andare disposed on a rear plate of the upper box body, at least two limiting ribs are disposed left andright at interval. 21. 21. id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21"

[0021] Preferably, the electricity meter with the communication module further comprises agating switch and a detection module; the intemal antenna module and the extemal antennamodule are respectively connected to the communication module through the gating switch, anoutput end of the processing module is connected to the gating switch. 22. 22. id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22"

[0022] The detection module is connected between the extemal antenna module and theprocessing module to detect a Direct Current (DC) voltage value between the extemal antennamodule and the gating switch; the processing module controls the gating switch to be connectedto the intemal antenna module or the extemal antenna module according to the DC voltage valuetransmitted by the detection module. 23. 23. id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23"

[0023]Analog-to-Digital (AD) sampling module; one end of the AD sampling module is connected Preferably, the detection module comprises a DC voltage source and anbetween the extemal antenna module and the gating switch, and the other end is connected to theprocessing module; the collected DC voltage value between the extemal antenna module and thegating switch is transmitted to the processing module. 24. 24. id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24"

[0024] Preferably, the extemal antenna module comprises an extemal antenna, and a firstresistor with one end connected to the extemal antenna and the other end grounded. . . id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25"

[0025] 26. 26. id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26"

[0026] Preferably, the gating switch is a Radio Frequency (RF) switch.

Preferably, the AD sampling module comprises a second resistor with one end connected to the DC voltage source and the other end electrically connected to one end of thefirst resistor; the AD sampling module collects the DC voltage value between the first resistorand the second resistor. 27. 27. id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27"

[0027] isolating an Altemating Current (AC) RF signal generated from the external antenna module; Preferably, the AD sampling module further comprises a first isolation module for one end of the first isolation module is connected between the extemal antenna and the firstresistor, and the other end is connected to the other end of the second resistor. 28. 28. id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28"

[0028] Preferably, the AD sampling module further comprises a second isolation module forisolating an AC signal; one end of the second isolation module is connected to the other end ofthe second resistor, and the other end is connected to an input end of the processing module.[0029]is a Resistance-Capacitance (RC) low pass filter. . . id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30"

[0030] Preferably, the first isolation module is an inductor L, and the second isolation module Preferably, the RC low pass filter comprises a third resistor and a second capacitor; oneend of the third resistor is connected to the other end of the second resistor, and the other end isconnected to the input end of the processing module; one end of the second capacitor isconnected between the third resistor and the input end of the processing module, and the otherend is grounded. 31. 31. id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31"

[0031] the present disclosure, the communication module has a plurality of wire connectors for Compared with the prior art, in the electricity meter with a communication module of connecting a plurality of extemal antennas. The module cover has a hole corresponding to thewire connector for the wire connector to pass through. In this way, when the extemal antennaneeds to be installed, the extemal antenna can be connected to the wire connector in the hole torealize the connection of the extemal antenna without opening the module cover, therefore theconnection of the extemal antenna is more convenient and faster, the whole structure isreasonable, and the time for connecting the extemal antenna is shortened. The sealing piece isdisposed between the module cover and the communication module outside the hole. The sealedconnection is formed between the module cover and the communication module by means of thesealing piece, thereby preventing the water, the dust, etc. from penetrating into the module coverto be in contact with the communication module through an inner edge of the hole, andprolonging the service life of the communication module. A resistor is connected between theextemal module and the ground, the DC voltage source and the AD sampling module aredisposed, and the DC voltage value between the extemal antenna module and the gating switch is detected by the AD sampling module and is transmitted to the processing module, so that the _5_ processing module deterrnines whether the external antenna module is connected to the circuitaccording to the value, so as to automatically determine whether the electricity meter uses theextemal antenna to transmit and receive data or uses the intemal antenna to transmit and receivedata. The automatic switching function improves the information transmission efficiency of the electricity meter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 32. 32. id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32"

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electricity meter installed with an extemal antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. 33. 33. id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33"

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 when the extemal antenna is removed. 34. 34. id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34"

[0034] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 1. . . id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35"

[0035] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of Part-A in FIG. 3. 36. 36. id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36"

[0036] FIG. 5 is a sectional view at another angle of FIG. 1. 37. 37. id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37"

[0037] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of Part-B in FIG. 5. 38. 38. id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38"

[0038] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG. 1. 39. 39. id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39"

[0039] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of part of the electricity meter according to the embodimentof the present invention. 40. 40. id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40"

[0040] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of part of the electricity meter in FIG. 8. 41. 41. id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41"

[0041] FIG. 10 is a perspective view at another view of FIG. 9. 42. 42. id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42"

[0042] FIG. 11 is an exploded view at another view of part of the electricity meter in FIG. 8.[0043] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 from another angle. 44. 44. id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44"

[0044] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of part of the electricity meter in FIG. 1. 45. 45. id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45"

[0045] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of part of the electricity meter in FIG. 2. 46. 46. id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46"

[0046] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the electricity meter installed with another extemal antenna according to the embodiment of the present invention.[0047] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the electric meter capable of automatically switchingintemal and extemal antennas according to the embodiment of the present invention. 48. 48. id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48"

[0048] FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram of the electric meter capable of automatically switching intemal and extemal antennas according to the embodiment of in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 49. 49. id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49"

[0049] The present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to accompanying drawings and embodiments. 50. 50. id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50"

[0050] electricity meter with a communication module 2 comprises a base 1, and a communication Figs. 1-15 show an embodiment of the electricity meter of the present invention. The module 2, a module cover 3, and a meter cover 7 disposed on the base 1.[0051] end of the base 1. An upper end of a rear wall 111 of the base 1 extends forwards to form a As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 13, the communication module 2 is disposed at an upper supporting plate 13 for supporting the communication module 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the metercover 7 is disposed on the base 1 and is located below the module cover 3. As shown in Fig. 4and Fig. 5, the meter cover 7 has a top plate 71 spliced with the supporting plate 13 face to face,and an accommodating cavity la for mounting a module box 21 is formed among the supportingplate 13, the top plate 71 of the meter cover 7, and a rear wall 111 of the base 1. The modulecover 3 covers on the base 1 at a position corresponding to the communication module 2, and thecommunication module 2 is located between the base 1 and the module cover 3. As shown inFig. 4, a front part of the communication module 2 has a plurality of wire connectors 4 forconnecting a plurality of extemal antennas 6. There are two forms of the extemal antenna 6,which are specifically shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 15. In addition, a lower end of one surface,facing the accommodating cavity la, of the module cover 3 has a raised rib 35 extending in acircumferential direction thereof. Correspondingly, the surface, facing the module cover 3, of themeter cover 7 has a groove 711 for accommodating the raised rib 35. When the module cover 3covers on the base 1, the raised rib 35 is limited in the groove 711, which is specifically shownin Fig. 5. As shown in Fig.1 and Fig.7, the module cover 3 has a hole 31 corresponding to thewire connector 4 for the wire connector 4 to pass through, and the wire connector 4 partly passesthrough the hole 31. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 8-10, the communication module 2comprises a module box 21 and a first circuit board 22 disposed inside the module box 21, afront wall of the module box 21 has a plurality of through holes 21a for a front end of each wireconnector 4 to pass through. There are two through holes 21a disposed side by side, the twothrough holes 21a are located corresponding to the hole 31, and the hole 31 is an oblate hole thatavoids at least two extemal antennas 6. A rear end of each wire connector 4 has an insertingpiece 41 that capable of being inserted into the first circuit board 22, which is specifically shownin Fig. 8. The above first circuit board 22 extends in a front-back direction, and is parallel to atop surface of the upper box body 212. The inserting piece 41 is L-shaped. When thecommunication module 2 is installed, the part, adjacent to a front end, of the wire connector 4 islocated above the first circuit board 22. 52. 52. id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52"

[0052] As shown in Figs. 5-11, the above module box 21 comprises a lower box body 211 and an upper box body 212 covering the lower box body 211. As shown in Fig. 6, a Chamber 21b forreceiving the first circuit board 22 is enclosed between the lower box body 211 and the upperbox body 212, and the through holes 21a are located on a front wall of the upper box body 212,specifically shown in Fig. 9. In addition, the upper box body 212 is connected to the lower boxbody 211 by means of snap-fitted structures. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 8-11, the upper boxbody 212 has at least three connecting plates 213 protruding downward from an edge of theupper box body 212. In the present embodiment, there are four connecting plates 213. Eachconnecting plate 213 has a connecting hole 2131; correspondingly, the lower box body 211 hasat least three inserting portions 2111 which can insert into the corresponding connecting hole2131, so as to make the lower box body 211 to be connected to the upper box body 212. Theabove inserting portions 2111 and the connecting holes 2131 form the described insertingstructures. In addition, as shown in Fig. 12, a plurality of positioning ribs 2123 extendingdownwards and disposed in pairs left and right at interval are formed on an inner side of a frontwall of the upper box body 212. When the upper box body covers the lower box body, theinserting piece 41 of the wire connector 4 is located between adjacent two positioning ribs 2123,thus, the wire connector 4 is prevented from moving left and right, and the strength of the frontwall of the upper box body is increased. 53. 53. id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53"

[0053]ribs 2121 extending backward from a rear plate of the upper box body 212 of the module box 21.

In addition, as shown in Fig.6 and Fig.7, the module box 21 has a plurality of limiting The limiting ribs 2121 extend up and down and are disposed on a rear plate of the upper boxbody 212, at least two limiting ribs 2121 are disposed left and right at interval. When the modulebox 21 is mounted, a rear end of each limiting rib 2121 resists against the rear wall 111,specifically shown in Fig. 6. 54. 54. id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54"

[0054] cover 7 and the base 1. The second circuit board 8 is connected to the first circuit board 22 As shown in Fig. 5, a second circuit board 8 is disposed in a space between the meter through a connector 9. Specifically, the lower box body 211 has an avoiding hole 2112 forreceiving the connector 9 at a bottom of the lower box body 211, specifically shown in Fig. 11.The top plate 71 of the meter cover 7 is spliced with the supporting plate 13 face to face, and anopening 72 for receiving the connector 9 is formed between the top plate 71 and the supportingplate 13, then the connector 9 is connected to the second circuit board 8 after passing through theavoiding hole 2112 and the opening 72, specifically shown in Fig. 14. The connector 9 is a pinheader-female header. One end of the connector 9 is connected to the first circuit board 22, and the other end of the connector 9 is connected to the second circuit board 8. Thus, the first circuit board 22 is connected to the second circuit board 8 through the connector 9.[0055] Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, and Fig. 8, when the module cover 3 covers on thebase 1, the module cover 3 is sealed connected to the communication module 2 through a sealingpiece, and the sealing piece is located on the hole 31. As shown in Fig. 8, the module cover 3 hasa first annular flange 32 and a second annular flange 33 disposed at interval at the back of themodule cover 3, extending towards the communication module 2. An inner peripheral wall of thehole 31 extends towards the communication module 2 to form the first annular flange 32, whenthe module cover 3 covers on the base 1, a rear surface of the first annular flange 32 resistsagainst a front surface 20 of the module box of the communication module 2, specifically shownin Fig. 4. The above sealing piece is a sealing ring 5 disposed between the first annular flange 32and the second annular flange 33 at the back of the module cover 3. The existence of the sealingring 5 realizes the sealed connection between the module cover 3 and the communicationmodule 2, so as to prevent water, dust, etc. from penetrating into the module cover 3 to be incontact with an electrical element in the communication module through an inner edge of thehole 31, thereby affecting the service life of the electrical element. 56. 56. id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56"

[0056] Figs. 16-17 show a schematic diagram and a corresponding circuit diagram of anelectricity meter capable of automatically switching between an intemal antenna function and anextemal antenna function of the present invention. The electricity meter comprises an intemalantenna module la, an extemal antenna module 2a, a communication module 2, and a processingmodule 4a, and further comprises a gating switch 5a and a detection module 6a. The intemalantenna module la and the extemal antenna module 2a are respectively connected to thecommunication module 2 through the gating switch 5a, an output end of the processing module4a is connected to the gating switch 5a; the detection module 6a is connected between theextemal antenna module 2a and the processing module 4a to detect a Direct Current (DC)voltage value between the extemal antenna module 2a and the gating switch 5a, and transmit thedetected DC voltage value to the processing module 4a. The processing module 4a deterrnineswhether the extemal antenna module 2a is connected to a circuit according to the value, and thencontrols the gating switch to be connected to the intemal antenna module or the extemal antennamodule.[0057] Specific to the present embodiment, the detection module 6a comprises a DC voltagesource 61a and an Analog-to-Digital (AD) sampling module 62a; one end of the AD sampling module 62a is connected between the extemal antenna module 2a and the gating switch 5a, and the other end is connected to the processing module 4a; the collected DC voltage value between _9_ the external antenna module 2a and the gating switch 5a is transmitted to the processing module4a.[0058] circuit, the present application skillfully converts this problem into the measurement of a voltage In order to accurately determine whether the extemal antenna is connected to the value, which specifically corresponds to integrating a resistor inside the extemal antenna in acircuit diagram, that is, the extemal antenna module 2a comprises an extemal antenna 2la, and afirst resistor R1 with one end connected to the extemal antenna 2la and the other end grounded.The R1 is installed inside the extemal antenna. The resistance value is very large, which does notaffect the impedance of the antenna in a Working frequency band. 59. 59. id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59"

[0059] connected in parallel to the Working ground on the gating switch for connecting the extemal Whether the extemal antenna is connected or not deterrnines whether there is a resistor antenna. In the present application, the gating switch 5a is an RF switch. Automatic switchingbetween the intemal antenna and the extemal antenna is realized by using the RF switch, that is,when it is deterrnined that the extemal antenna is not connected to the circuit, an electricitymeter system uses an intemal antenna by default. When it is found that the extemal antenna isconnected to the circuit, the system gives priority to using the extemal antenna. 60. 60. id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60"

[0060] to the DC voltage source 61a and the other end electrically connected to one end of the first The AD sampling module 62a comprises a second resistor R2 with one end connected resistor R1. The AD sampling module can determine whether the extemal antenna is connectedto the meter or not by collecting the DC voltage value between the first resistor R1 and thesecond resistor R2, that is, VCC of the DC voltage source 61a provides a DC bias voltagethrough the second resistor R2. If the extemal antenna is connected, voltage will be divided bythe R1 and the R2, and whether the extemal antenna is connected or not may be detected bydeterrnining a voltage value. 61. 61. id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61"

[0061] Specifically, when an extemal antenna is not installed, there is only the resistor R2 inthe circuit. At this moment, the value obtained by AD sampling is the value of the DC voltagesource 61a, that is VCC, and then the processing module 4a commands the RF switch to directlyconnect the intemal antenna module according to the value. After the extemal antenna ismounted, the first resistor R1 appears in the circuit, the value obtained by the AD sampling is thevalue of the VCC after R1/R2 voltage division. At this moment, the processing module 4adeterrnines that the RF switch is connected to the extemal antenna module according to the obtained DC voltage value on an RF signal line, that is, according to the voltage value between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2, so as to switch to give the priority to using the _10_ external antenna for data exchange, thereby improving the data transmission efficiency by usingthe advantages of the external antenna.[0062] isolation module 63a for isolating an Altemating Current (AC) RF signal generated from the In the present application, the AD sampling module 62a further comprises a first extemal antenna module 2a; one end of the first isolation module 63a is connected between theextemal antenna 2la and the first resistor Rl, and the other end is connected to the other end ofthe second resistor R2. Specifically, the first isolation module is an inductor Ll. The inductor L1can achieve an effect of blocking the RF signal, so that the RF signal is not affected by the ADsampling circuit at a rear end, and meanwhile, DC voltage division of the Rl/R2 is not affected. 63. 63. id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63"

[0063] isolating an AC signal; one end of the second isolation module 64a is connected to the other end The AD sampling module 62a further comprises a second isolation module 64a for of the second resistor R2, and the other end is connected to an input end of the processingmodule 4a. Specifically, the second isolation module is an RC low pass filter, which comprises athird resistor R3 and a second capacitor C2; one end of the third resistor R3 is connected to theother end of the second resistor R2, and the other end is connected to the input end of theprocessing module 4a; one end of the second capacitor C2 is connected between the thirdresistor R3 and the input end of the processing module 4a, and the other end is grounded. 64. 64. id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64"

[0064] by the processing module. If it is deterrnined that the extemal antenna has been installed, the According to the present application, a switching action of the RF switch is controlled extemal antenna is gated to work. If it is not deterrnined that the extemal antenna is connected,the intemal antenna is gated to work, so that respective advantages of the extemal antenna andthe intemal antenna are fully utilized, which improves the data transmission efficiency of theelectricity meter. 65. 65. id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65"

[0065] described in this description. Any changes and replacements made on the basis of the scope of The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to each embodiments the present invention patent and of the description shall be included in the scope of the present invention patent. _11_

Claims (22)

1. 1. An electricity meter with a communication module, comprising: a base (1); a communication module (2), an intemal antenna module (la), an extemal antenna module(2a), and a processing module (4a) disposed on the base (1); characterized in that, a module cover (3) covers on the base (1) at a position corresponding to the communicationmodule (2), and the communication module (2) is located between the base (1) and the modulecover (3); the communication module (2) has a plurality of wire connectors (4) for connecting aplurality of extemal antennas (6), and the module cover (3) has a hole (31) corresponding to the wire connector (4) for the wire connector (4) to pass through.

2. The electricity meter according to claim 1, characterized in that the hole (31) is an oblate hole to avoid at least two extemal antennas (6).

3. The electricity meter according to claim 2, characterized in that when the module cover(3) covers on the base (1), the module cover (3) is sealed connected to the communication module (2) through a sealing piece, and the sealing piece is located on the hole (31).

4. The electricity meter according to claim 3, characterized in that the sealing piece is a sealing ring (5) disposed at the back of the module cover (3).

5. The electricity meter according to claim 4, characterized in that the module cover (3) hasa first annular flange (32) and a second annular flange (33) disposed at interval at the back of themodule cover (3), extending towards the communication module (2); the sealing ring (5) is located between the first annular flange (32) and the second annularflange (33).

6. The electricity meter according to claim 5, characterized in that an inner peripheral wallof the hole (31) extends towards the communication module (2) to form the first annular flange(32), when the module cover (3) covers on the base (1), a rear surface of the first annular flange (32) resists against a front surface (20) of the communication module (2).

7. The electricity meter according to anyone of claims 1-6, characterized in that thecommunication module (2) comprises a module box (21) and a first circuit board (22) disposed inside the module box (21), the module box (21) has a plurality of through holes (21a) for one end of each wire connector (4) to pass through, the through holes (21a) are locatedcorresponding to the hole (31); the other end of each wire connector (4) has an inserting piece(41) capable of being inserted into the first circuit board (22).

8. The electricity meter according to claim 7, characterized in that the module box (21) isdisposed on an upper portion of the base (1), and the module box (21) comprises a lower boxbody (211) and an upper box body (212) covering the lower box body (211); a chamber (21b) for receiving the first circuit board (22) is enclosed between the lower boxbody (211) and the upper box body (212), and the through holes (21a) are located on a front wallof the upper box body (212).

9. The electricity meter according to claim 8, characterized in that the upper box body (212)has at least three connecting plates (213) protruding downward from an edge of the upper boxbody (212), each connecting plate (213) has a connecting hole (2131); correspondingly, thelower box body (211) has at least three inserting portions (2111) which can insert into thecorresponding connecting hole (2131), so as to make the lower box body (211) to be connectedto the upper box body (212).

10. The electricity meter according to claim 8, characterized in that a meter cover (7) isdisposed on the base (1), the meter cover (7) is located below the module cover (3), and a secondcircuit board (8) is disposed in a space between the meter cover (7) and the base (1); the first circuit board (22) is connected to the second circuit board (8) through a connector(9), and the lower box body (211) has an avoiding hole (2112) for receiving the connector (9) ata bottom of the lower box body (211).

11. The electricity meter according to claim 9, characterized in that the base (1) has asupporting plate (13) extending forward from the an upper end of the base (1); the meter cover (7) has a top plate (71) spliced with the supporting plate (13) face to face,and an opening (72) for receiving the connector (9) is formed between the top plate (71) and thesupporting plate (13); an accommodating cavity (la) for mounting the module box (21) is formed among the supporting plate (13), the top plate (71) of the meter cover (7), and a rear wall (111) of the base(1).

12. The electricity meter according to claim 11, characterized in that the module box (21)has a plurality of limiting ribs (2121) extending backward from a rear plate of the module box(21); when the module box (21) is mounted, a rear end of each limiting rib (2121) resists against_13_ the rear wall (1 1 1).

13. The electricity meter according to claim 12, characterized in that the limiting ribs(2121) extend up and down and are disposed on a rear plate of the upper box body (212), at leasttwo limiting ribs (2121) are disposed left and right at interVal.

14. The electricity meter according to anyone of claims 1-6, characterized in that furthercomprises a gating switch (5a) and a detection module (6a); the intemal antenna module (la) and the external antenna module (2a) are respectiVelyconnected to the communication module (2) through the gating switch (5a), an output end of theprocessing module (4a) is connected to the gating switch (5a); the detection module (6a) is connected between the extemal antenna module (2a) and theprocessing module (4a) to detect a Direct Current (DC) Voltage Value between the extemalantenna module (2a) and the gating switch (5a); the processing module (4a) controls the gating switch (5a) to be connected to the intemalantenna module (la) or the extemal antenna module (2a) according to the DC Voltage Value transmitted by the detection module (6a).

15. The electricity meter according to claim 14, characterized in that the detection module(6a) comprises a DC Voltage source (61a) and an Analog-to-Digital (AD) sampling module(62a); one end of the AD sampling module (62a) is connected between the extemal antennamodule (2a) and the gating switch (5a), and the other end is connected to the processing module(4a); the collected DC Voltage Value between the extemal antenna module (2a) and the gating switch (5 a) is transmitted to the processing module (4a).

16. The electricity meter according to claim 15, characterized in that the extemal antennamodule (2a) comprises an extemal antenna (21a), and a first resistor (Rl) with one end connected to the extemal antenna (2la) and the other end grounded.

17. The electricity meter according to claim 14, characterized in that the gating switch (5a) is a Radio Frequency switch.

18. The electricity meter according to claim 16, characterized in that the AD samplingmodule (62a) comprises a second resistor (R2) with one end connected to the DC Voltage source(61a) and the other end electrically connected to one end of the first resistor (Rl); the AD sampling module (62a) collects the DC Voltage Value between the first resistor (Rl)_14_ and the second resistor (R2).

19. The electricity meter according to claim 18, characterized in that the AD samplingmodule (62a) further comprises a first isolation module (63a) for isolating an AltematingCurrent (AC) RF signal generated from the extemal antenna module (2a); one end of the first isolation module (63a) is connected between the extemal antenna (2)and the first resistor (R1), and the other end is connected to the other end of the second resistor(R2).

20. The electricity meter according to claim 18, characterized in that the AD samplingmodule (62a) further comprises a second isolation module (64a) for isolating an AC signal;one end of the second isolation module (64a) is connected to the other end of the second resistor (R2), and the other end is connected to an input end of the processing module (4a).

21. The electricity meter according to claim 20, characterized in that the first isolationand the Resistance-Capacitance (RC) low pass filter. module (63a) is an inductor L, second isolation module (64a) is a

22. The electricity meter according to claim 21, characterized in that the RC low pass filtercomprises a third resistor (RS) and a second capacitor (C2); one end of the third resistor (R3) is connected to the other end of the second resistor (R2),and the other end is connected to the input end of the processing module (4a); one end of the second capacitor (C2) is connected between the third resistor (R3) and the input end of the processing module (4a), and the other end is grounded.