WO2019234549A1 - Utility meter with conductor connection device - Google Patents

Utility meter with conductor connection device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2019234549A1
WO2019234549A1 PCT/IB2019/054400 IB2019054400W WO2019234549A1 WO 2019234549 A1 WO2019234549 A1 WO 2019234549A1 IB 2019054400 W IB2019054400 W IB 2019054400W WO 2019234549 A1 WO2019234549 A1 WO 2019234549A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
conductor
conductor connection
connection device
utility meter
contact
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2019/054400
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Pascal Petitjean
Original Assignee
Landis+Gyr Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Landis+Gyr Ag filed Critical Landis+Gyr Ag
Publication of WO2019234549A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019234549A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts
    • H01R13/447—Shutter or cover plate
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R1/00—Details of instruments or arrangements of the types included in groups G01R5/00 - G01R13/00 and G01R31/00
    • G01R1/02—General constructional details
    • G01R1/04—Housings; Supporting members; Arrangements of terminals
    • G01R1/0408—Test fixtures or contact fields; Connectors or connecting adaptors; Test clips; Test sockets
    • G01R1/0416—Connectors, terminals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R11/00—Electromechanical arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. of consumption
    • G01R11/02—Constructional details
    • G01R11/04—Housings; Supporting racks; Arrangements of terminals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R22/00—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
    • G01R22/06—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters by electronic methods
    • G01R22/061—Details of electronic electricity meters
    • G01R22/065—Details of electronic electricity meters related to mechanical aspects
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/51—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/515—Terminal blocks providing connections to wires or cables
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2105/00—Three poles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/20—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for testing or measuring purposes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
    • H01R4/4828—Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing
    • H01R4/48365—Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing with integral release means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a utility meter with a conductor connection device for connecting the utility meter to a conductor, and with an insulating housing for the conductor connection device.
  • Utility meters for example electricity meters, are known from the prior art and serve for determining the amount of consumption of a medium, like water or gas, or of electrical energy supplied.
  • the utility meter In order to connect the utility meter to a power supply or to a source of electrical energy to be supplied and metered, the utility meter comprises the conductor connection device.
  • Conductor connection devices are commonly used to electrically connect an electrical conductor, e.g. a line or a wire, to an apparatus and for example to a utility meter. Conductor connection devices need to be cheap and in particular are meant to facilitate making the connection to the conductor. In use, conductor connection devices conduct electricity and need to comprise an insulating housing to protect users, for example operators or installers of the utility meter, from the electricity. However, due to the requirements to the housing, known conductor connection devices are expensive to mount and manufacture.
  • an object of the present invention to at least partly mitigate some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of utility meters and their conductor connection devices known from the prior art.
  • an object underlying the invention is to provide a conductor connection device that can be manufactured and mounted at reasonable costs without compromising electrical safety of the utility meter.
  • the object is achieved according to the invention in that the insulating housing is provided by walls of the utility meter, the walls being provided separate from the conductor connection device and forming a receiving volume for accommodating the conductor connection device.
  • the conductor connection device may be arranged in the receiving volume in such a way that electrical insulation of at least one contact spring of the conductor connection device is at least in part provided by the walls of the utility meter.
  • an additional housing of the conductor connection device as known from the prior art may be omitted, such that not only material costs for the housing, but furthermore, production time and investments, e.g. for an injection moulding form for the housing, may be saved.
  • the insulating housing may be provided by another element of the utility meter, which in any way requires material, production time and, in case the other element is formed by injection moulding, a moulding form, no or negligible additional costs arise for forming and providing the insulating housing for the conductor connection device.
  • the insulating housing is at least partly or even completely provided or formed by a cover plate or panel of the utility meter as a single piece, wherein the cover plate separates an installation space for meter electronics from a user accessible space.
  • An advantage of this embodiment may be that at least parts of the insulating housing and of the cover plate may be formed in one step and for example in one single injection moulding shot, such that the amount of production steps and, thus, production costs may be reduced.
  • the insulating housing is at least partly or even completely provided or formed by a housing and/or a lid of the utility meter.
  • An advantage of this embodiment may be that at least parts of the insulating housing and the cover plate, the housing of the utility meter and/or the lid of the utility meter may be formed in a single step and for example by one single injection moulding shot, such that the amount of production steps and, thus, production costs may be reduced.
  • the receiving volume comprises a contact side with a contact opening that opens to the installation space.
  • the conductor connection device may readily and even directly connect or contact electronic components and for example a printed circuit board of the utility meter via the contact opening, such that a costly separate connection between the conductor connection device and the electronic components and for example the printed circuit board may be avoided.
  • the contact opening is covered by a printed circuit board of the utility meter, wherein the conductor connection device electrically contacts and is mechanically affixed to the printed circuit board.
  • An advantage of this embodiment may be that due to the electrical connection with and the mechanical fixation at the printed circuit board, the conductor connection device does not need to be affixed in addition to that.
  • the conductor connection device is not affixed to the housing.
  • An advantage of this embodiment may be that not affixing the conductor connection device to the housing may simplify design of the housing and the conductor connection device, and further may facilitate mounting the conductor connection device, as the conductor connection device may first be mounted to the printed circuit board, either manually or in an automated manner, and may be covered by or be inserted into the housing afterwards.
  • the insulating housing comprises an operating side with an operating element for operating the conductor connection device, the operating side differing from the contact side and for example being opposite to the contact side with the receiving volume therebetween.
  • the conductor connection device comprises a first side and a second side that differs from the first side, and an electrically conductive connection element, the connection element being provided with a conductor connection section for contacting a conductor, and with a contact section that contacts the printed circuit board, the conductor connection section being arranged at the first side and the contact section being arranged at the second side.
  • An advantage of this embodiment may be that arranging the conductor connection section and the contact section at different sides of the conductor connection device may improve accessibility of the conductor connection section.
  • the conductor connection section and the contact section essentially extend parallel to each other.
  • An advantage of this embodiment may be that the conductor can easily be brought in contact along the conductor connection section. For example, if the contact section extends in parallel to a side of the printed circuit board, the conductor can be simply moved along or parallel to the printed circuit board in order to bring the conductor in contact with the conductor connection section.
  • the conductor connection element has a meandering shape, for example like an S, or is U- or C- shaped, wherein the conductor connection section and the contact section are formed by parallel sections of the conductive connection element.
  • An advantage of this embodiment may be that the conductor connection element can be formed easily, and its form can be easily adapted in order to facilitate mounting the conductor connection device and to connect a conductor the its conductor connection section.
  • the conductor connection device comprises at least one latching element latching element arranged at the second side and latched to a counter latching element of the printed circuit board.
  • An advantage of this embodiment may be that by means of the latching element and the counter latching element, the conductor connection device may be easily affixable to the printed circuit board, either manually or in an automated manner.
  • the conductor connection device comprises two latching elements arranged at opposite ends of the second side.
  • An advantage of this embodiment may be that two latching elements arranged at a distance to each other more effectively absorb forces that seek to move and in particular to rotate the conductor connection device than one latching element, thereby preventing that the latch connection is unintentionally opened.
  • the conductor connection device comprises at least one positioning element that is arranged at the second side and that is engaged with a counter positioning element of the printed circuit board.
  • An advantage of this embodiment may be that the positioning element and the counter positioning element define the position of the conductor connection device with respect to the printed circuit board.
  • the conductor connection device comprises two latching elements that surmount and for example protrude from the second side, and a positioning element that is arranged between the two latching elements at the second side and that is engaged with a counter positioning element of the printed circuit board.
  • the positioning element may prevent that forces that seek to laterally move the conductor connection device with respect to the printed circuit board affect the engagement between the latching element and the counter latching element.
  • the conductor connection device has a predefined conductor connecting direction, along which a conductor is moved relative to the conductor connection device in order to connect the conductor to the conductor connection device, wherein the two latching elements are arranged after each other in a direction that extends perpendicular to the conductor connecting direction.
  • the conductor connection device has a predefined conductor connecting direction, in which a conductor is moved relative to the conductor connection device in order to connect the conductor to the conductor connection device, wherein the conductor connection device comprises a conductor fixation tongue that prevents that a conductor is moved against the conductor connecting direction in its connected state, wherein the conductor fixation tongue is accessible via the operating side.
  • the conductor fixation tongue protrudes from the conductor connection section of the connection element in a direction perpendicular to the conductor connection direction and in parallel to the operating side.
  • the operating element comprises an operation protrusion that extends perpendicular to the conductor connection direction from the operating side towards the contact side, wherein the operation protrusion is formed with a stop face that is aligned oblique to the conductor connection direction.
  • the housingless conductor connection device is advantageous on its own and without the remaining elements of the utility meter and may be used with other apparatuses that require connection with at least one electrical conductor.
  • Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a housing of a utility meter for a conductor connection device according to the present invention is a schematic perspective view
  • Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a conductor connection device according to the present invention in a schematic perspective view of
  • Figure 3 shows the conductor connection device of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figure 2 in another perspective view
  • Figure 4 shows the conductor connection device of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figures 2 and 3 in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view with a printed circuit board in a pre-mounted state
  • Figure 5 shows the conductor connection device and the printed circuit board of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figure 4 in a mounted state
  • Figure 6 shows the housing of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figure 1 in another perspective view and with the conductor connection device received in the housing
  • Figure 7 shows the housing and the conductor connection device illustrated in figure 6 in another perspective cross-sectional view
  • Figure 8 shows the exemplary embodiment of the housing according to the present invention in another schematic perspective view
  • Figure 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a utility meter according to the present invention in a schematic perspective view in a pre-assembled state
  • Figure 10 shows the utility meter illustrated in figure 9 in a fully assembled state. Ways of Executing the Invention
  • Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an insulating housing 1 for a conductor connection device according to the present invention (see figure 2).
  • the insulating housing 1 comprises side walls 2, 3, 4, 5, which may surround a receiving volume U for receiving the conductor connection device.
  • the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 are provided independently or separately from the conductor connection device by the utility meter, for example by a cover plate that separates an installation space for electronics of the utility meter from a user accessible space.
  • the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 may be provided in by an outer housing or a lid of the utility meter (see figure 10).
  • the insulating housing 1 may comprise a contact side C with a contact opening O, wherein the conductor connection device, when arranged in the receiving volume U can electrically and/or mechanically contact electronics of the utility meter and for example a printed circuit board of the utility meter via the contact opening O.
  • the contact opening O opens the insulating housing 1 to the installation space.
  • the insulating housing 1 may comprise an operating side capital S, via which the conductor connection device can be operated when being arranged inside of the insulating housing 1 .
  • an operating element 6 may be provided, i.e. in the receiving volume U.
  • the operating element 6 may be formed of an insulating material and may at least sectionwise close the insulating housing 1 at the operating side S.
  • the conductor connection device may be accessible, wherein the operating element 6 avoids that a user of the utility meter needs to directly contact the conductor connection device in order to operate the conductor connection device, for example in order to remove a conductor from the conductor connection device.
  • the operating element 6 may be formed as a lid that is affixed to the insulating housing 1 in a movable manner, such that the operating element 6 is movable into the insulating housing 1.
  • the operating element 6 is connected to the insulating housing 1 via a hinge, e.g. a film hinge.
  • a hinge e.g. a film hinge.
  • One of the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 and for example wall 4 may be provided with at least one guide opening.
  • wall 4 comprises three guide openings 7, 8, 9. Through the at least one guide opening, the conductor can extend into the insulating housing 1 along a conductor connection direction D.
  • FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a conductor connection device 10 according to the invention in a schematic perspective view.
  • the conductor connection device 10 may comprise a first side 1 1 and a second side 12, wherein the first and second sides 10 and 1 1 differ from each other and may be opposite sides of the conductor connection device 10.
  • the conductor connection device 10 may comprise an electrically conductive contact element 13 that, in a state in which a conductor is connected to the conductor connection device 10, electrically and mechanically contacts said conductor.
  • the contact element 13 may extend from the first side 1 1 to the second side 12.
  • a conductor connection section 14 of the contact element 13 may be arranged at the first side 1 1.
  • a contact section 15 of the contact element 13 may be arranged at the second side 12.
  • the conductor connection section 14 In the state, in which the conductor is connected to the conductor connection device 10, the conductor electrically and mechanically contacts the conductor connection section 14.
  • the contact section 15 of the contact element 13 In a mounted state of the conductor connection device 10, in which the conductor connection device 10 is mounted to the utility meter and for example to a printed circuit board of the utility meter, the contact section 15 of the contact element 13 electrically and mechanically contacts another electric or electronic part of the utility meter and for example a contact element of the printed circuit board.
  • the conductor connection section 14 and the contact section 15 may essentially extend in parallel to each other.
  • the contact element 13 may have be C- or U-shaped, wherein the legs of the C- or U-shape are formed by the conductor connection section 14 and the contact section 15, respectively.
  • the contact element 13 may have a meandering shape and may for example essentially be formed in an S-shape, the conductor connection section 14 and the contact section 15 forming the end sections of the S that extend parallel to each other.
  • the conductor connection device 10 may comprise a conductor fixation tongue 16 allocated to the at least one contact element 13.
  • a conductor fixation tongue 16 may be allocated to each of the contact elements 13.
  • the conductor fixation tongue 16 comprises a clamping leg 17, which is biased against the conductor connection section 14.
  • a conductor can be introduced between the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14 in the conductor connection direction D.
  • the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14 form a funnel, a clear width of which decreases along the conductor connection direction D.
  • the clamping leg 17 is inclined to the conductor connection direction D.
  • the conductor connection section 14 may be provided with a recess 18, through which the clamping leg 17 is accessible in an operation direction R.
  • the operation direction R may extend perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and to the first side 1 1 .
  • a section or part of the conductor fixation tongue 16 may be arranged behind the recess 18 in the operation direction R.
  • a clear width of the funnel formed by the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14 may extend along the operation direction R.
  • the conductor connection device 1 1 may comprise at least one latching element 19 arranged at the second side 12.
  • the latching element 19 may be adapted to form a latch connection with a counter latching element of the utility meter and for example of the printed circuit board of the utility meter.
  • the conductor connection device 1 1 may comprise at least one positioning element 21 for facilitated finding and securing of the position of the conductor were connection device 10 in its mounted state for example with respect to a printed circuit board of the utility meter.
  • the utility meter and for example the printed circuit board may comprise at least one counter positioning element, which may be formed complementary to the positioning element 21.
  • the at least one positioning element 21 may be provided at the second side 12.
  • the conductor connection device 10 comprises two latching elements 19, 20, the at least one positioning element 21 may be arranged between the two latching elements 19, 20.
  • the latching elements 19, 20 may be arranged subsequently after one other in a direction perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and/or the operational direction R.
  • the latching elements 19, 20 may be arranged at opposite ends of the second side 12.
  • the conductor connection device 10 comprises two positioning elements 21 , 22, the two position elements 21 , 22 may be arranged subsequently after one other in a direction perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and/or the operation direction R.
  • the conductor connection device 10 may comprise a base body 23 made of an insulating, i.e. dielectric, material.
  • the at least one contact element 13 or several contact elements 13 may be mounted to the base body 23.
  • the conductor fixation tongue 16 may be mounted to the base body 23.
  • the conductor fixation tongue 16 may be mounted to the contact element 13.
  • a mounting leg 24 of the conductor fixation tongue 16 may be affixed, for example by soldering, welding, gluey or riveting, to a part of the contact element 13 that extends parallel to its conductor connection section 14.
  • the mounting leg 24 may be fixed to the contact section 15 and in particular to a side of the contact section 15 that faces the conductor connection section 14. If the contact element 13 has the meandering shape shown in the exemplary embodiment of figure 2, the mounting leg 24 may be affixed to a middle section 25 of the contact element 13 and in particular to a side of the middle section 25 that faces the conductor connection section 14.
  • the middle section 25 may extend parallel to the conductor connection direction D and/or to the conductor connection section 14.
  • the at least one latching element 19, 20 and/or the at least one positioning element 21 , 22 may be formed as a part of the base body 23.
  • Figure 3 shows the conductor connection device 10 in another schematic perspective view with the first side 1 1 essentially facing out of the plane of projection.
  • the recess 18 in the conductor connection section 14 of the contact element 13 extends between a free end 26 of the conductor connection section 14 and a rear end 27 of the conductor connection section 14.
  • the free end 26 and the rear end 27 delimit the recess 18 in and against the conductor connection direction D.
  • the free end 26 and the rear end 27 may be opposite ends of the conductor connection section 14.
  • the recess 18 may be provided in a middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14, the middle part 28 being arranged between the free end 26 and the rear end 27 in the conductor connection direction D.
  • the free end 26 and/or the rear end 27 protrude from the middle part 28 in the protruding direction P, in which the recess 18 opens.
  • the free end 29 of the clamping leg 17 of the conductor fixation tongue 16 is arranged behind the middle part 28 and extends in the protruding direction P, such that a part of the free end 29 is arranged behind the recess 18 in the operation direction R, and another part of the free end 29 is arranged behind the middle part 28 in the operation direction R.
  • the free end 29 is accessible in the operation direction R through the recess 18. Therefore, the free end 29 can be pressed in the operation direction R in order to release a conductor that is held between the free end 29 and middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14.
  • Figure 4 shows the conductor connection device 10 illustrated in figures 2 and 3 in combination with an exemplary embodiment of a printed circuit board 30 according to the present invention in a pre-mounted state Y, and with a conductor 31 in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional plane A-A depicted in figure 2.
  • the printed circuit board 30 may be a printed circuit board for or of a utility meter, wherein the conductor connection device 10 is adapted to connect a conductor 31 and for example a bare wire 32 of the conductor 31 to the printed circuit board 30, which in turn, may be adapted to interconnect the conductor connection device 10 and other electronic or electric components of the utility meter.
  • the printed circuit board 30 may be provided with at least one counter latching element 33, wherein the at least one counter latching element 33 may simply be provided as a through- hole of the printed circuit board 30.
  • the amount of counter latching elements 33 may correspond to the amount of latching elements 19 of the conductor connection devicel O.
  • the printed circuit board 30 may be provided with at least one counter positioning element 34, 35, wherein the at least one counter positioning element 34, 35 may simply be provided as a through-hole or as a sink hole of the printed circuit board 30, in particular if the at least one positioning element 21 , 22 is formed as a pin.
  • the amount of counter positioning elements 34, 35 may correspond to the amount of positioning elements 21 , 22 of the conductor connection devicel O.
  • the printed circuit board 30 may comprise at least one counter contact element 36, 37, 38 for contacting the at least one contact element 13 and in particular its contact section 15.
  • the at least one counter contact element 36, 37, 38 may simply be provided as a contact pad or trace of the printed circuit board 30.
  • the amount of counter contact elements 36, 37, 38 may correspond to the amount of contact elements 13 of the conductor connection device 10.
  • At least a part of the contact section 15 may be formed as a curved contact spring 39 that curves in a convex manner with respect to the printed circuit board 30 and/or the second side 12 of the conductor connection device 10.
  • the contact spring 39 may form a free end of the contact section 15, the free end pointing in the conductor connection direction D.
  • the bare wire 32 of the conductor 31 has been introduced between the clamping leg 17 of the conductor fixation tongue 16 and the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14 in the conductor connection direction D.
  • the conductor 31 is shown in a connected state M, in which it is connected to the conductor connection device 10.
  • the clamping leg 17 elastically presses the bare wire 32 against the operation direction R against the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14, such that the bare wire 32 is in contact with the contact element 13 in an electrically conductive manner.
  • the conductor fixation tongue 16 is made of and an electrically conductive material, for example spring steel, and is affixed to the middle section 25 of the contact element 13 in an electrically conductive manner, the conductor fixation tongue 16 additionally connects the bare wire 31 to the middle section 25 of the contact element 13.
  • FIG. 5 shows the conductor connection device 10 with the printed circuit board 30 in a mounted state Z, in which the conductor connection device 10 is mounted to the printed circuit board 30.
  • the at least one latching element 19, 20 may form a latch connection with the at least one counter latching element 33 and/or the at least one positioning element 21 , 22 may be in a form-fit with the at least one counter positioning element 34, 35.
  • the conductor 31 shown in figure 4 is omitted in figure 5 for the sake of simplicity, such that the shape of the free end 26 of the conductor connection section 14 can be shown more easily.
  • the free end 26 may extend against the conductor connection direction D and the operation direction R, thereby widening the funnel formed by the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14 against the conductor connection direction D.
  • a part of the free end 26 that faces the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14 may be curved in the operation direction R, wherein the free end 26 is curved against the operation direction R when further extending against the conductor connection direction D.
  • Figure 6 shows the exemplary embodiment of the insulating housing 1 illustrated in figure 1 together with the conductor connection device 10 shown in figures 2 to 5 and arranged in the insulating housing 1.
  • the operating element 6 covers the open operating side S of the insulating housing 1 at least partly and may be formed as a plate that essentially extends along a plane formed by the conductor connection direction D and the protruding direction P.
  • the operating element 6 may form a lid that at least partly covers the operating side S, wherein the operating element 6 may be movable in and against the operation direction R.
  • the operating element 6 may be connected to the wall 2, which may be designated as the rear wall to of the insulating housing 1.
  • the rear wall 2 may be arranged opposite to wall 4, wherein wall 4 may be designated as front wall of the insulating housing 1 , the front wall may be the wall that faces the conductor connection direction D.
  • the operating element 6 may be connected to one of the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 by means of a hinge.
  • the hinge may be a film hinge formed together with the operating element 6 and the insulating housing 1 as a single piece, for example in one single injection moulding shot.
  • the at least one guide opening 7, 8, 9 in the wall 4 may be formed as a recess that completely extends through the wall 4 in the conductor connection a direction D and that opens against the operation a direction R, such that the conductor 31 can be easily introduced into the insulating housing 1 through the at least one guide opening 7, 8, 9.
  • the contact opening O opens the receiving volume U of the insulating housing 1
  • Figure 7 shows the insulating housing 1 with the conductor connection device 10 illustrated in figure 6 in combination with the printed circuit board 30 shown in figures 4 and 5 in the mounted state Z in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view with the cross-sectional plane as indicated in figure 2 by the plane A-A.
  • the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14 is omitted in order to be able to depict more details of the operating element 6.
  • the operating element 6 may comprise at least one operating protrusion 40 that extends in the operation direction R. If the conductor connection device 10 comprises more than one conductor fixation tongue 16, the amount of operating protrusions 40 may respond to the amount of conductor fixation tongues 16.
  • An operation side 41 of a free end 22 of the operation protrusion 40 faces in the operation direction R and towards the contact opening O of the insulating housing 1.
  • the free end 29 of the clamping leg 17 and the operation side 41 may face each other along the operation direction R.
  • the free end 29 of the clamping leg 16 may rest against the operation side 41 at least in a state in that no conductor 31 is connected to the conductor connection section 14 of the contact element 13.
  • the operating element 6 can be pressed in the operation direction R, for example if the conductor 31 shall be removed from the conductor connection device 10.
  • the operation side 41 may be provided with a slot or groove 43 that opens in the operating a direction R.
  • the slot or groove 43 may have a front side 44 and a rear side 45.
  • the front side 44 is arranged in front of the rear side 25.
  • the front side 44 may extend in the conductor connection direction D and against the operation direction R in order to facilitate movements of the free end 29 of the conductor connection section 14 in the operation direction R when pressing the operating element 6 in the operation direction R.
  • the rear side 45 may extend in the conductor connection direction D and in the operation direction R in order to form a stop face 45, i.e. a limited stop, which limits a sliding movement of the free end 29 of the conductor connection section 14 in the conductor connection direction D when the operating element 6 is pressed in the operation direction R.
  • the contact spring 39 formed by the contact section 15 of the contact element 13 may be compressed to be less curved than in the pre-mounted state Y or even be flat, such that the contact spring 39 presses against the counter contact element 36 with a resilient force and keeps this electrical and mechanical contact with the counter contact element 36 even if vibrations or other forces seek to open this contact.
  • it may not be necessary to affix the contact spring 39 to the counter contact element 36 e.g. by gluing or soldering or alike.
  • Figure 8 shows the insulating housing 1 in a schematic perspective view essentially against the operation direction R, but without the conductor connection device 10 or the printed circuit board 30.
  • the operating element 6 comprises a plurality of and in particular three operation protrusions 40, 46, 47, which are arranged one after the other in the protruding direction P.
  • the amount of operation protrusions 40, 46, 47 may correspond to the amount of conductor fixation tongues 16 with clamping legs 17.
  • the positions of the operation protrusions 40, 46, 47 may correspond to the recesses 18 of the conductor connection sections 14, such that the operation protrusions 40, 46, 47 each can engage with one of these recesses 18, at least when the operating element 6 is pressed in the operation direction R.
  • the insulating housing 1 is exemplarily shown as being part of a cover plate 48 for or of the utility meter. Alternatively, the insulating housing 1 may be provided by another element of the utility meter and for example by an outer housing or a lid for or of the utility meter.
  • FIG 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a utility meter 50 for example for metering electricity supplied to a facility or to a home, in a pre-assembled state E and without the cover plate 48.
  • the utility meter 50 comprises the conductor connection device 10, wherein the conductor connection device 10 may be mounted to a side of the printed circuit board 30 for or of the utility meter 50. Mounting the conductor connection device 10 to a side of the printed circuit board 30 may mean that the conductor connection device 10 is arranged on said side of the printed circuit board 30.
  • the conductor connection device 10 may be affixed to the printed circuit board 30 and for example at the side it is mounted to, such as by means of a form or force fit, e.g. provided by the at least one latching element 19 or a screw.
  • the printed circuit board 30 may comprise a mounting side for mounting at least selected electrical components of the utility meter 50, the mounting side facing into an outer housing 51 of the utility meter 50, and an operation side 52 that faces out of the outer housing 51 and in particular faces a user of a user interface 53 or an installer of the utility meter 50.
  • the conductor connection device 10 may be mounted to the operation side 52.
  • the mounting side faces into a housing 51 of the utility meter 50, such that the mounting side is not visible.
  • At least the printed circuit board 30 may be arranged in an installation space 54 provided in the housing 51.
  • the outer housing 51 comprises a front opening 55 that opens the outer housing 51 and in particular the installation space 54 towards the user or the installer, such that the user or installer can access the installation space 54, for example in order to install or access the printed circuit board 20 via the front opening 34.
  • the operation side 52 faces the user through the front opening 55 against the operation direction R.
  • the front opening 55 may extend perpendicular to the operation direction R.
  • the outer housing 51 may comprise a connection opening 56 for connecting the utility meter 50 and in particular the conductor connection device 10 to the conductor via the connection opening 56.
  • the connection opening 56 may extend in the operation direction R and may open the housing 51 against the conductor connection direction D.
  • the front opening 55 and the connection opening 56 may be formed continuously.
  • Figure 10 shows the utility meter 50 of the exemplary embodiment of figure 9 in a fully assembled state F, in which the housing 51 of the utility meter 50 is closed by a lid 57
  • the lid 57 may be adapted to close the front opening 55 of the housing 51. Additionally, the lid 57 may be adapted to close the connection opening 56 in the fully assembled state F of the utility meter 50.
  • the lid 57 may be formed with at least one recess that exposes the user interface 53.
  • the cover plate 48 which may comprise the insulating housing 1 , may be arranged below or behind the lid 57 and in particular between the printed circuit board
  • the outer housing 51 and/or the lid 57 and/or the cover plate 48 may provide the insulating housing 1 at least partly enclosing the conductor connection device.
  • the conductor connection device 10 may be formed as required for connecting at least one or even a plurality of conductors 31 to the utility meter 50.
  • the conductor connection device 10 may therefore comprise contact elements 13 and optionally conductor fixation tongues 16 in any number and form required for connecting the at least one or even a plurality of conductors
  • the operating element 6 may, furthermore, comprise the operating protrusion 40 in any number and form required for disconnecting the at least one or even a plurality of conductors 31 from the utility meter 50.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a utility meter (50) with a conductor connection device (10). In order to reduce production costs of the utility meter (50) without compromising operational safety, the conductor connection device (10) is provided without an insulating housing (1), wherein the insulating housing (1) is provided by another element of the utility meter (50).

Description

UTILITY METER WITH CONDUCTOR CONNECTION DEVICE
The present invention relates to a utility meter with a conductor connection device for connecting the utility meter to a conductor, and with an insulating housing for the conductor connection device.
Technological Background
Utility meters, for example electricity meters, are known from the prior art and serve for determining the amount of consumption of a medium, like water or gas, or of electrical energy supplied. In order to connect the utility meter to a power supply or to a source of electrical energy to be supplied and metered, the utility meter comprises the conductor connection device.
Conductor connection devices are commonly used to electrically connect an electrical conductor, e.g. a line or a wire, to an apparatus and for example to a utility meter. Conductor connection devices need to be cheap and in particular are meant to facilitate making the connection to the conductor. In use, conductor connection devices conduct electricity and need to comprise an insulating housing to protect users, for example operators or installers of the utility meter, from the electricity. However, due to the requirements to the housing, known conductor connection devices are expensive to mount and manufacture.
Description of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention, to at least partly mitigate some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of utility meters and their conductor connection devices known from the prior art. In particular, an object underlying the invention is to provide a conductor connection device that can be manufactured and mounted at reasonable costs without compromising electrical safety of the utility meter.
For the above-mentioned utility meter, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the insulating housing is provided by walls of the utility meter, the walls being provided separate from the conductor connection device and forming a receiving volume for accommodating the conductor connection device. Thereby, the conductor connection device may be arranged in the receiving volume in such a way that electrical insulation of at least one contact spring of the conductor connection device is at least in part provided by the walls of the utility meter. Thus, when designing and producing the conductor connection device, an additional housing of the conductor connection device as known from the prior art may be omitted, such that not only material costs for the housing, but furthermore, production time and investments, e.g. for an injection moulding form for the housing, may be saved. As the insulating housing may be provided by another element of the utility meter, which in any way requires material, production time and, in case the other element is formed by injection moulding, a moulding form, no or negligible additional costs arise for forming and providing the insulating housing for the conductor connection device.
Unless explicitly stated to the contrary, the solutions according to the invention can be combined as desired and further improved by the further following embodiments that are advantages on their own, in each case.
According to a possible embodiment, the insulating housing is at least partly or even completely provided or formed by a cover plate or panel of the utility meter as a single piece, wherein the cover plate separates an installation space for meter electronics from a user accessible space. An advantage of this embodiment may be that at least parts of the insulating housing and of the cover plate may be formed in one step and for example in one single injection moulding shot, such that the amount of production steps and, thus, production costs may be reduced.
According to a possible embodiment, the insulating housing is at least partly or even completely provided or formed by a housing and/or a lid of the utility meter. An advantage of this embodiment may be that at least parts of the insulating housing and the cover plate, the housing of the utility meter and/or the lid of the utility meter may be formed in a single step and for example by one single injection moulding shot, such that the amount of production steps and, thus, production costs may be reduced.
According to another possible embodiment, the receiving volume comprises a contact side with a contact opening that opens to the installation space. An advantage of this embodiment may be that the conductor connection device may readily and even directly connect or contact electronic components and for example a printed circuit board of the utility meter via the contact opening, such that a costly separate connection between the conductor connection device and the electronic components and for example the printed circuit board may be avoided. According to another possible embodiment, the contact opening is covered by a printed circuit board of the utility meter, wherein the conductor connection device electrically contacts and is mechanically affixed to the printed circuit board. An advantage of this embodiment may be that due to the electrical connection with and the mechanical fixation at the printed circuit board, the conductor connection device does not need to be affixed in addition to that.
According to another possible embodiment, the conductor connection device is not affixed to the housing. An advantage of this embodiment may be that not affixing the conductor connection device to the housing may simplify design of the housing and the conductor connection device, and further may facilitate mounting the conductor connection device, as the conductor connection device may first be mounted to the printed circuit board, either manually or in an automated manner, and may be covered by or be inserted into the housing afterwards.
According to another possible embodiment, the insulating housing comprises an operating side with an operating element for operating the conductor connection device, the operating side differing from the contact side and for example being opposite to the contact side with the receiving volume therebetween. An advantage of this embodiment may be that by providing the operating element, the conductor connection device may readily be operated, for example in order to release a conductor from the conductor connection device, without the need to provide the conductor connection device as such with an operating element. Providing the operation element may reduce complexity and, therefore, costs of the conductor connection device.
According to another possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises a first side and a second side that differs from the first side, and an electrically conductive connection element, the connection element being provided with a conductor connection section for contacting a conductor, and with a contact section that contacts the printed circuit board, the conductor connection section being arranged at the first side and the contact section being arranged at the second side. An advantage of this embodiment may be that arranging the conductor connection section and the contact section at different sides of the conductor connection device may improve accessibility of the conductor connection section. According to another possible embodiment, the conductor connection section and the contact section essentially extend parallel to each other. An advantage of this embodiment may be that the conductor can easily be brought in contact along the conductor connection section. For example, if the contact section extends in parallel to a side of the printed circuit board, the conductor can be simply moved along or parallel to the printed circuit board in order to bring the conductor in contact with the conductor connection section.
According to another possible embodiment, the conductor connection element has a meandering shape, for example like an S, or is U- or C- shaped, wherein the conductor connection section and the contact section are formed by parallel sections of the conductive connection element. An advantage of this embodiment may be that the conductor connection element can be formed easily, and its form can be easily adapted in order to facilitate mounting the conductor connection device and to connect a conductor the its conductor connection section. According to another possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises at least one latching element latching element arranged at the second side and latched to a counter latching element of the printed circuit board. An advantage of this embodiment may be that by means of the latching element and the counter latching element, the conductor connection device may be easily affixable to the printed circuit board, either manually or in an automated manner.
According to another possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises two latching elements arranged at opposite ends of the second side. An advantage of this embodiment may be that two latching elements arranged at a distance to each other more effectively absorb forces that seek to move and in particular to rotate the conductor connection device than one latching element, thereby preventing that the latch connection is unintentionally opened.
According to another possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises at least one positioning element that is arranged at the second side and that is engaged with a counter positioning element of the printed circuit board. An advantage of this embodiment may be that the positioning element and the counter positioning element define the position of the conductor connection device with respect to the printed circuit board.
According to another possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises two latching elements that surmount and for example protrude from the second side, and a positioning element that is arranged between the two latching elements at the second side and that is engaged with a counter positioning element of the printed circuit board. An advantage of this embodiment may be that the positioning element may prevent that forces that seek to laterally move the conductor connection device with respect to the printed circuit board affect the engagement between the latching element and the counter latching element. According to another possible embodiment, the conductor connection device has a predefined conductor connecting direction, along which a conductor is moved relative to the conductor connection device in order to connect the conductor to the conductor connection device, wherein the two latching elements are arranged after each other in a direction that extends perpendicular to the conductor connecting direction. An advantage of this embodiment may be that the space required for the latching connection does not affect placement of the conductor connection device along the conductor connection direction.
According to another possible embodiment, the conductor connection device has a predefined conductor connecting direction, in which a conductor is moved relative to the conductor connection device in order to connect the conductor to the conductor connection device, wherein the conductor connection device comprises a conductor fixation tongue that prevents that a conductor is moved against the conductor connecting direction in its connected state, wherein the conductor fixation tongue is accessible via the operating side. An advantage of this embodiment may be that unintentionally removing a conductor from the conductor connection device is prevented, whereas if the conductor shall be removed intentionally, the fixation tongue can be readily accessed.
According to another possible embodiment, the conductor fixation tongue protrudes from the conductor connection section of the connection element in a direction perpendicular to the conductor connection direction and in parallel to the operating side. An advantage of this embodiment may be that the conductor fixation tongue is readily accessible from the operating side, e.g. by the operating element, thereby simplifying the design and, thus, the production costs.
According to another possible embodiment, the operating element comprises an operation protrusion that extends perpendicular to the conductor connection direction from the operating side towards the contact side, wherein the operation protrusion is formed with a stop face that is aligned oblique to the conductor connection direction. An advantage of this embodiment may be that the stop face in cooperation with the fixation tongue limits a maximum deflection of the operating element and provides for a tactile response via the operating element signalising that the fixation tongue is in a release position, in which the conductor can be removed.
The housingless conductor connection device is advantageous on its own and without the remaining elements of the utility meter and may be used with other apparatuses that require connection with at least one electrical conductor. Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will be described hereinafter in more detail and in an exemplary manner using advantageous embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The described embodiments are only possible configurations in which, however, the individual features as described above can be provided independent of one another or can be omitted in the drawings:
Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a housing of a utility meter for a conductor connection device according to the present invention is a schematic perspective view,
Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a conductor connection device according to the present invention in a schematic perspective view of,
Figure 3 shows the conductor connection device of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figure 2 in another perspective view,
Figure 4 shows the conductor connection device of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figures 2 and 3 in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view with a printed circuit board in a pre-mounted state,
Figure 5 shows the conductor connection device and the printed circuit board of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figure 4 in a mounted state,
Figure 6 shows the housing of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figure 1 in another perspective view and with the conductor connection device received in the housing,
Figure 7 shows the housing and the conductor connection device illustrated in figure 6 in another perspective cross-sectional view,
Figure 8 shows the exemplary embodiment of the housing according to the present invention in another schematic perspective view, Figure 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a utility meter according to the present invention in a schematic perspective view in a pre-assembled state, and
Figure 10 shows the utility meter illustrated in figure 9 in a fully assembled state. Ways of Executing the Invention
Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an insulating housing 1 for a conductor connection device according to the present invention (see figure 2). The insulating housing 1 comprises side walls 2, 3, 4, 5, which may surround a receiving volume U for receiving the conductor connection device. The walls 2, 3, 4, 5 are provided independently or separately from the conductor connection device by the utility meter, for example by a cover plate that separates an installation space for electronics of the utility meter from a user accessible space. Alternatively, the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 may be provided in by an outer housing or a lid of the utility meter (see figure 10). The insulating housing 1 may comprise a contact side C with a contact opening O, wherein the conductor connection device, when arranged in the receiving volume U can electrically and/or mechanically contact electronics of the utility meter and for example a printed circuit board of the utility meter via the contact opening O. For example, the contact opening O opens the insulating housing 1 to the installation space.
At another side and for example at a side opposite to the contact side capital C, the insulating housing 1 may comprise an operating side capital S, via which the conductor connection device can be operated when being arranged inside of the insulating housing 1 . For example, at the operating side S, an operating element 6 may be provided, i.e. in the receiving volume U. The operating element 6 may be formed of an insulating material and may at least sectionwise close the insulating housing 1 at the operating side S. Via the operating side S and the operating element 6, the conductor connection device may be accessible, wherein the operating element 6 avoids that a user of the utility meter needs to directly contact the conductor connection device in order to operate the conductor connection device, for example in order to remove a conductor from the conductor connection device.
The operating element 6 may be formed as a lid that is affixed to the insulating housing 1 in a movable manner, such that the operating element 6 is movable into the insulating housing 1. For example, the operating element 6 is connected to the insulating housing 1 via a hinge, e.g. a film hinge. One of the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 and for example wall 4 may be provided with at least one guide opening. In the exemplary embodiment of figure 1 , wall 4 comprises three guide openings 7, 8, 9. Through the at least one guide opening, the conductor can extend into the insulating housing 1 along a conductor connection direction D.
Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a conductor connection device 10 according to the invention in a schematic perspective view. The conductor connection device 10 may comprise a first side 1 1 and a second side 12, wherein the first and second sides 10 and 1 1 differ from each other and may be opposite sides of the conductor connection device 10. Furthermore, the conductor connection device 10 may comprise an electrically conductive contact element 13 that, in a state in which a conductor is connected to the conductor connection device 10, electrically and mechanically contacts said conductor. The contact element 13 may extend from the first side 1 1 to the second side 12. A conductor connection section 14 of the contact element 13 may be arranged at the first side 1 1. A contact section 15 of the contact element 13 may be arranged at the second side 12. In the state, in which the conductor is connected to the conductor connection device 10, the conductor electrically and mechanically contacts the conductor connection section 14. In a mounted state of the conductor connection device 10, in which the conductor connection device 10 is mounted to the utility meter and for example to a printed circuit board of the utility meter, the contact section 15 of the contact element 13 electrically and mechanically contacts another electric or electronic part of the utility meter and for example a contact element of the printed circuit board.
The conductor connection section 14 and the contact section 15 may essentially extend in parallel to each other. For example, the contact element 13 may have be C- or U-shaped, wherein the legs of the C- or U-shape are formed by the conductor connection section 14 and the contact section 15, respectively. Alternatively and as shown in the exemplary embodiment of figure 2, the contact element 13 may have a meandering shape and may for example essentially be formed in an S-shape, the conductor connection section 14 and the contact section 15 forming the end sections of the S that extend parallel to each other. The conductor connection device 10 may comprise a conductor fixation tongue 16 allocated to the at least one contact element 13. In case the conductor connection device 10 comprise more than one contact element 13, a conductor fixation tongue 16 may be allocated to each of the contact elements 13. The conductor fixation tongue 16 comprises a clamping leg 17, which is biased against the conductor connection section 14. A conductor can be introduced between the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14 in the conductor connection direction D. The clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14 form a funnel, a clear width of which decreases along the conductor connection direction D. The clamping leg 17 is inclined to the conductor connection direction D. The conductor connection section 14 may be provided with a recess 18, through which the clamping leg 17 is accessible in an operation direction R. The operation direction R may extend perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and to the first side 1 1 . For example, a section or part of the conductor fixation tongue 16 may be arranged behind the recess 18 in the operation direction R. A clear width of the funnel formed by the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14may extend along the operation direction R. The conductor connection device 1 1 may comprise at least one latching element 19 arranged at the second side 12. The latching element 19 may be adapted to form a latch connection with a counter latching element of the utility meter and for example of the printed circuit board of the utility meter. The conductor connection device 1 1 may comprise at least one positioning element 21 for facilitated finding and securing of the position of the conductor were connection device 10 in its mounted state for example with respect to a printed circuit board of the utility meter. The utility meter and for example the printed circuit board may comprise at least one counter positioning element, which may be formed complementary to the positioning element 21. The at least one positioning element 21 may be provided at the second side 12. When the conductor connection device 10 comprises two latching elements 19, 20, the at least one positioning element 21 may be arranged between the two latching elements 19, 20. The latching elements 19, 20 may be arranged subsequently after one other in a direction perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and/or the operational direction R. In particular, the latching elements 19, 20 may be arranged at opposite ends of the second side 12. In case the conductor connection device 10 comprises two positioning elements 21 , 22, the two position elements 21 , 22 may be arranged subsequently after one other in a direction perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and/or the operation direction R.
The conductor connection device 10 may comprise a base body 23 made of an insulating, i.e. dielectric, material. The at least one contact element 13 or several contact elements 13 may be mounted to the base body 23. The conductor fixation tongue 16 may be mounted to the base body 23. Alternatively and as shown in the exemplary embodiment of figure 2, the conductor fixation tongue 16 may be mounted to the contact element 13. For example, a mounting leg 24 of the conductor fixation tongue 16 may be affixed, for example by soldering, welding, gluey or riveting, to a part of the contact element 13 that extends parallel to its conductor connection section 14. For example, in particular if the contact element 13 has a C- or Q-shape, the mounting leg 24 may be fixed to the contact section 15 and in particular to a side of the contact section 15 that faces the conductor connection section 14. If the contact element 13 has the meandering shape shown in the exemplary embodiment of figure 2, the mounting leg 24 may be affixed to a middle section 25 of the contact element 13 and in particular to a side of the middle section 25 that faces the conductor connection section 14.
The middle section 25 may extend parallel to the conductor connection direction D and/or to the conductor connection section 14. The at least one latching element 19, 20 and/or the at least one positioning element 21 , 22 may be formed as a part of the base body 23.
Figure 3 shows the conductor connection device 10 in another schematic perspective view with the first side 1 1 essentially facing out of the plane of projection. The recess 18 in the conductor connection section 14 of the contact element 13 extends between a free end 26 of the conductor connection section 14 and a rear end 27 of the conductor connection section 14. The free end 26 and the rear end 27 delimit the recess 18 in and against the conductor connection direction D. The free end 26 and the rear end 27 may be opposite ends of the conductor connection section 14. Hence, the recess 18 may be provided in a middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14, the middle part 28 being arranged between the free end 26 and the rear end 27 in the conductor connection direction D. In a protruding a direction P, that extends perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and the operation direction R, the free end 26 and/or the rear end 27 protrude from the middle part 28 in the protruding direction P, in which the recess 18 opens.
In the operation direction R, at least a free end 29 of the clamping leg 17 of the conductor fixation tongue 16 is arranged behind the middle part 28 and extends in the protruding direction P, such that a part of the free end 29 is arranged behind the recess 18 in the operation direction R, and another part of the free end 29 is arranged behind the middle part 28 in the operation direction R. Thus, the free end 29 is accessible in the operation direction R through the recess 18. Therefore, the free end 29 can be pressed in the operation direction R in order to release a conductor that is held between the free end 29 and middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14.
Figure 4 shows the conductor connection device 10 illustrated in figures 2 and 3 in combination with an exemplary embodiment of a printed circuit board 30 according to the present invention in a pre-mounted state Y, and with a conductor 31 in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional plane A-A depicted in figure 2. The printed circuit board 30 may be a printed circuit board for or of a utility meter, wherein the conductor connection device 10 is adapted to connect a conductor 31 and for example a bare wire 32 of the conductor 31 to the printed circuit board 30, which in turn, may be adapted to interconnect the conductor connection device 10 and other electronic or electric components of the utility meter.
The printed circuit board 30 may be provided with at least one counter latching element 33, wherein the at least one counter latching element 33 may simply be provided as a through- hole of the printed circuit board 30. The amount of counter latching elements 33 may correspond to the amount of latching elements 19 of the conductor connection devicel O. The printed circuit board 30 may be provided with at least one counter positioning element 34, 35, wherein the at least one counter positioning element 34, 35 may simply be provided as a through-hole or as a sink hole of the printed circuit board 30, in particular if the at least one positioning element 21 , 22 is formed as a pin. The amount of counter positioning elements 34, 35 may correspond to the amount of positioning elements 21 , 22 of the conductor connection devicel O.
Furthermore, the printed circuit board 30 may comprise at least one counter contact element 36, 37, 38 for contacting the at least one contact element 13 and in particular its contact section 15. The at least one counter contact element 36, 37, 38 may simply be provided as a contact pad or trace of the printed circuit board 30. The amount of counter contact elements 36, 37, 38 may correspond to the amount of contact elements 13 of the conductor connection device 10. At least a part of the contact section 15 may be formed as a curved contact spring 39 that curves in a convex manner with respect to the printed circuit board 30 and/or the second side 12 of the conductor connection device 10. In particular, the contact spring 39 may form a free end of the contact section 15, the free end pointing in the conductor connection direction D.
In figure 4, the bare wire 32 of the conductor 31 has been introduced between the clamping leg 17 of the conductor fixation tongue 16 and the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14 in the conductor connection direction D. Thus, the conductor 31 is shown in a connected state M, in which it is connected to the conductor connection device 10. The clamping leg 17 elastically presses the bare wire 32 against the operation direction R against the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14, such that the bare wire 32 is in contact with the contact element 13 in an electrically conductive manner. If the conductor fixation tongue 16 is made of and an electrically conductive material, for example spring steel, and is affixed to the middle section 25 of the contact element 13 in an electrically conductive manner, the conductor fixation tongue 16 additionally connects the bare wire 31 to the middle section 25 of the contact element 13.
If the clamping leg 17 is inclined to and/or in the conductor connection direction D and extends against the operating direction R, it not only presses the bare wire 32 against the conductor connection section 14. Rather, due to the inclination, the clamping leg 17 prevents that the bare wire 32 can be removed from the conductor connection device 10 against the conductor connection direction D. In order to be able to remove the bare wire 32 from the conductor connection device 10, the free end 29 of the clamping leg 17 needs to be moved away from the conductor connection section 14 and essentially in the operation direction R. Figure 5 shows the conductor connection device 10 with the printed circuit board 30 in a mounted state Z, in which the conductor connection device 10 is mounted to the printed circuit board 30. In the mounted state Z, the at least one latching element 19, 20 may form a latch connection with the at least one counter latching element 33 and/or the at least one positioning element 21 , 22 may be in a form-fit with the at least one counter positioning element 34, 35. The conductor 31 shown in figure 4 is omitted in figure 5 for the sake of simplicity, such that the shape of the free end 26 of the conductor connection section 14 can be shown more easily.
As shown in the exemplary embodiment of figure 4, the free end 26 may extend against the conductor connection direction D and the operation direction R, thereby widening the funnel formed by the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14 against the conductor connection direction D. In order to save installation space perpendicular to the operation direction R, a part of the free end 26 that faces the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14 may be curved in the operation direction R, wherein the free end 26 is curved against the operation direction R when further extending against the conductor connection direction D.
Figure 6 shows the exemplary embodiment of the insulating housing 1 illustrated in figure 1 together with the conductor connection device 10 shown in figures 2 to 5 and arranged in the insulating housing 1. The operating element 6 covers the open operating side S of the insulating housing 1 at least partly and may be formed as a plate that essentially extends along a plane formed by the conductor connection direction D and the protruding direction P. The operating element 6 may form a lid that at least partly covers the operating side S, wherein the operating element 6 may be movable in and against the operation direction R. For example, the operating element 6 may be connected to the wall 2, which may be designated as the rear wall to of the insulating housing 1. The rear wall 2 may be arranged opposite to wall 4, wherein wall 4 may be designated as front wall of the insulating housing 1 , the front wall may be the wall that faces the conductor connection direction D. For example, the operating element 6 may be connected to one of the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 by means of a hinge. The hinge may be a film hinge formed together with the operating element 6 and the insulating housing 1 as a single piece, for example in one single injection moulding shot. The at least one guide opening 7, 8, 9 in the wall 4 may be formed as a recess that completely extends through the wall 4 in the conductor connection a direction D and that opens against the operation a direction R, such that the conductor 31 can be easily introduced into the insulating housing 1 through the at least one guide opening 7, 8, 9. Essentially facing in the plane of projection and in the operation direction R, the contact opening O opens the receiving volume U of the insulating housing 1
Figure 7 shows the insulating housing 1 with the conductor connection device 10 illustrated in figure 6 in combination with the printed circuit board 30 shown in figures 4 and 5 in the mounted state Z in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view with the cross-sectional plane as indicated in figure 2 by the plane A-A. In figure 7, the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14 is omitted in order to be able to depict more details of the operating element 6. The operating element 6 may comprise at least one operating protrusion 40 that extends in the operation direction R. If the conductor connection device 10 comprises more than one conductor fixation tongue 16, the amount of operating protrusions 40 may respond to the amount of conductor fixation tongues 16.
An operation side 41 of a free end 22 of the operation protrusion 40 faces in the operation direction R and towards the contact opening O of the insulating housing 1. Thus, the free end 29 of the clamping leg 17 and the operation side 41 may face each other along the operation direction R. In particular, the free end 29 of the clamping leg 16 may rest against the operation side 41 at least in a state in that no conductor 31 is connected to the conductor connection section 14 of the contact element 13. In order to move the free end 20 of the clamping leg 17 away from the conductor connection section 14 and in the operation direction R, the operating element 6 can be pressed in the operation direction R, for example if the conductor 31 shall be removed from the conductor connection device 10. In order to avoid that the clamping leg 17 and/for the operating element 6 are moved too far in the operation direction R and/or to provide a tactile response, the operation side 41 may be provided with a slot or groove 43 that opens in the operating a direction R. The slot or groove 43 may have a front side 44 and a rear side 45. In the conductor connection direction D, the front side 44 is arranged in front of the rear side 25. The front side 44 may extend in the conductor connection direction D and against the operation direction R in order to facilitate movements of the free end 29 of the conductor connection section 14 in the operation direction R when pressing the operating element 6 in the operation direction R. The rear side 45 may extend in the conductor connection direction D and in the operation direction R in order to form a stop face 45, i.e. a limited stop, which limits a sliding movement of the free end 29 of the conductor connection section 14 in the conductor connection direction D when the operating element 6 is pressed in the operation direction R.
In the mounted state Z, the contact spring 39 formed by the contact section 15 of the contact element 13 may be compressed to be less curved than in the pre-mounted state Y or even be flat, such that the contact spring 39 presses against the counter contact element 36 with a resilient force and keeps this electrical and mechanical contact with the counter contact element 36 even if vibrations or other forces seek to open this contact. Thus, it may not be necessary to affix the contact spring 39 to the counter contact element 36, e.g. by gluing or soldering or alike. Figure 8 shows the insulating housing 1 in a schematic perspective view essentially against the operation direction R, but without the conductor connection device 10 or the printed circuit board 30. As an example, the operating element 6 comprises a plurality of and in particular three operation protrusions 40, 46, 47, which are arranged one after the other in the protruding direction P. In particular, the amount of operation protrusions 40, 46, 47 may correspond to the amount of conductor fixation tongues 16 with clamping legs 17. The positions of the operation protrusions 40, 46, 47 may correspond to the recesses 18 of the conductor connection sections 14, such that the operation protrusions 40, 46, 47 each can engage with one of these recesses 18, at least when the operating element 6 is pressed in the operation direction R. The insulating housing 1 is exemplarily shown as being part of a cover plate 48 for or of the utility meter. Alternatively, the insulating housing 1 may be provided by another element of the utility meter and for example by an outer housing or a lid for or of the utility meter.
Figure 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a utility meter 50 for example for metering electricity supplied to a facility or to a home, in a pre-assembled state E and without the cover plate 48. The utility meter 50 comprises the conductor connection device 10, wherein the conductor connection device 10 may be mounted to a side of the printed circuit board 30 for or of the utility meter 50. Mounting the conductor connection device 10 to a side of the printed circuit board 30 may mean that the conductor connection device 10 is arranged on said side of the printed circuit board 30. The conductor connection device 10 may be affixed to the printed circuit board 30 and for example at the side it is mounted to, such as by means of a form or force fit, e.g. provided by the at least one latching element 19 or a screw.
The printed circuit board 30 may comprise a mounting side for mounting at least selected electrical components of the utility meter 50, the mounting side facing into an outer housing 51 of the utility meter 50, and an operation side 52 that faces out of the outer housing 51 and in particular faces a user of a user interface 53 or an installer of the utility meter 50. The conductor connection device 10 may be mounted to the operation side 52. In the exemplary embodiment of figure 9, the mounting side faces into a housing 51 of the utility meter 50, such that the mounting side is not visible. At least the printed circuit board 30 may be arranged in an installation space 54 provided in the housing 51.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 9, the outer housing 51 comprises a front opening 55 that opens the outer housing 51 and in particular the installation space 54 towards the user or the installer, such that the user or installer can access the installation space 54, for example in order to install or access the printed circuit board 20 via the front opening 34. The operation side 52 faces the user through the front opening 55 against the operation direction R. Hence, the front opening 55 may extend perpendicular to the operation direction R. Additionally or alternatively, the outer housing 51 may comprise a connection opening 56 for connecting the utility meter 50 and in particular the conductor connection device 10 to the conductor via the connection opening 56. The connection opening 56 may extend in the operation direction R and may open the housing 51 against the conductor connection direction D. The front opening 55 and the connection opening 56 may be formed continuously.
Figure 10 shows the utility meter 50 of the exemplary embodiment of figure 9 in a fully assembled state F, in which the housing 51 of the utility meter 50 is closed by a lid 57 The lid 57 may be adapted to close the front opening 55 of the housing 51. Additionally, the lid 57 may be adapted to close the connection opening 56 in the fully assembled state F of the utility meter 50. The lid 57 may be formed with at least one recess that exposes the user interface 53. In the fully assembled state F, the cover plate 48, which may comprise the insulating housing 1 , may be arranged below or behind the lid 57 and in particular between the printed circuit board
30 and the lid 57. Alternatively, the outer housing 51 and/or the lid 57 and/or the cover plate 48 may provide the insulating housing 1 at least partly enclosing the conductor connection device.
Deviations from the above-described embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. The conductor connection device 10, the insulating housing 1 and the printed circuit board 30 and may be formed as required for connecting at least one or even a plurality of conductors 31 to the utility meter 50. The conductor connection device 10 may therefore comprise contact elements 13 and optionally conductor fixation tongues 16 in any number and form required for connecting the at least one or even a plurality of conductors
31 to the utility meter 50. The operating element 6 may, furthermore, comprise the operating protrusion 40 in any number and form required for disconnecting the at least one or even a plurality of conductors 31 from the utility meter 50.
Reference Signs
1 insulating housing/enclosure 39 contact spring
2 - 5 walls 40 operation protrusion
6 operating element 41 operation side of operation 7 - 9 guide opening 40 protrusion
10 conductor connection device 42 free end of operation protrusion
1 1 first side of conductor connection 43 slot/groove in operation side
utilize 44 front side of slot/groove
12 second side of conductor 45 rear side of slot/roof, stop face connection device 45 46, 47 operation protrusion
13 contact element 50 utility meter
14 conductor connection section of 51 outer housing of utility meter
contact element 52 operation side of printed circuit 15 contact section of contact element board
16 conductor fixation tongue
Figure imgf000017_0001
53 user interface of utility meter
17 clamping leg 54 installation space of utility meter
18 recess 55 front opening
19, 20 latching element 56 connection opening
21 , 22 positioning element 57 lid
23 base body
Figure imgf000017_0002
24 mounting leg C contact side of insulating housing
25 middle section D conductor connection direction
26 free end of conductor connection E pre-assembled state of utility meter section F fully assembled state of utility meter
27 rear end of conductor connection
Figure imgf000017_0003
M connected state
section O contact opening of insulating
28 middle part of conductor connection housing
section P protruding direction
29 free end of clamping leg R operation direction
30 printed circuit board 65 S operating side
31 conductor U receiving volume
32 bare wire V receiving volume of insulating
33 counter latching element housing
34, 35 counter positioning element Y pre-mounted state
36 - 38counter contact element 70 Z mounted state

Claims

Claims
1 . Utility meter (50) with a conductor connection device (10) for connecting the utility meter (50) to a conductor (31 ), and with an insulating housing (1 ) for the conductor connection device (10), characterised in that the insulating housing (1 ) is provided by walls (2 to 5) of the utility meter (50), the walls (2 to 5) being provided separate from the conductor connection device (10) and forming a receiving volume (U) for accomodating the conductor connection device (10).
2. Utility meter (50) according to claim 1 , characterised in that the insulating housing (1 ) constituted with by a cover plate (48) of the utility meter (50) as a single piece, wherein the cover plate (48) separates an installation space (54) for meter electronics from a user accessible space of the utility meter (50).
3. Utility meter (50) according to claim 2, characterised in that the insulating housing (1 ) comprises a contact side (C) with a contact opening (O) that opens to the installation space (54) and/or away from the cover plate (48).
4. Utility meter according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the contact opening (C) is covered by a printed circuit board (30), wherein the conductor connection device (10) electrically contacts and/or is mechanically affixed to the printed circuit board (30).
5. Utility meter (50) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises a first side (1 1 ) and a second side (12) that differs from the first side (1 1 ), and an electrically conductive connection element (13), the connection element (13) being provided with a conductor connection section (14) for contacting a conductor (31 ), and with a contact section (15) that contacts the printed circuit board (30), the conductor connection section (14) being arranged at the first side (1 1 ) and the contact section (15) being arranged at the second side (12).
6. Utility meter (50) according to claim 5, characterised in that the conductor connection section (14) and the contact section (15) essentially extend in parallel to each other.
7. Utility meter (50) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the conductor connection element (13) has a meandering shape or is U- or C-shaped, and in that the conductor connection section (14) and the contact section (15) are formed by essentially parallel sections of the conductive connection element (13).
8. Utility meter (50) according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises at least one latching element (19) arranged at the second side (12) for latching to a counter latching element (33) of the printed circuit board (30).
9. Utility meter (50) according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises two latching elements (19, 20) arranged at opposite ends of the second side (12).
10. Utility meter (50) according to any of claims 5 to 9, characterised in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises at least one positioning element (21 ) that is arranged at the second side (12) for engaging with a counter positioning element (34) of the printed circuit board (30).
1 1. Utility meter (50) according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises two latching elements (19, 20) that surmount the second side (12), and a positioning element (21 ) that is arranged between the two latching elements (19, 20) at the second side (12).
12. Utility meter (50) according to any of claims 9 to 1 1 , characterised in that the conductor connection device (10) has a predefined conductor connecting direction (D), along which a conductor (31 ) is to be moved relative to the conductor connection device (10) in order to connect the conductor (31 ) to the conductor connection device (10), wherein the two latching elements (19, 20) are arranged subsequently after each other in a direction (P) that extends perpendicular to the conductor connecting direction (D).
13. Utility meter (50) according to any of claims 9 to 1 1 , characterised in that the conductor connection device (10) has a predefined conductor connecting direction (D), in which a conductor (31 ) is to be moved relative to the conductor connection device (10) in order to connect the conductor (31 ) to the conductor connection device (10), wherein the conductor connection device (10) comprises a conductor fixation tongue (16) for preventing that a conductor (31 ) is moved against the conductor connecting direction (D) in its connected state (M), wherein the conductor fixation tongue (16) is accessible via an operating side (S) of the insulating housing (1 ), the operating side (S) being arranged opposite to the contact opening (O) .
14. Utility meter (50) according to claim 13, characterised in that the conductor fixation tongue (16) protrudes from the conductor connection section (14) of the connection element (13) in a direction (P) perpendicular to the conductor connection direction (D) and parallel to the operating side (S).
15. Utility meter (50) according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the operating element (6) comprises an operation protrusion (40) that essentially extends perpendicular to the conductor connection direction (D) from the operating side (S) towards the contact opening (O), wherein the operation protrusion (40) is provided with a stop face (45) that is aligned obliquely to the conductor connection direction (D).
PCT/IB2019/054400 2018-06-06 2019-05-28 Utility meter with conductor connection device WO2019234549A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH00723/18 2018-06-06
CH00723/18A CH715071B8 (en) 2018-06-06 2018-06-06 Consumption meter with wire connection device.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019234549A1 true WO2019234549A1 (en) 2019-12-12

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ID=63168217

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2019/054400 WO2019234549A1 (en) 2018-06-06 2019-05-28 Utility meter with conductor connection device

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WO (1) WO2019234549A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102021129064A1 (en) * 2021-11-09 2023-05-11 Metz Connect Tech Gmbh PCB terminal block

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1275182B (en) * 1963-09-28 1968-08-14 Siemens Ag Terminal block mounting
DE29707524U1 (en) * 1996-05-02 1997-09-04 Landis & Gyr Tech Innovat Arrangement for adapting a terminal strip connected in an electricity meter according to a first standard to a second standard
WO2000031830A1 (en) * 1998-11-25 2000-06-02 Supplie & Co. Import/Export Inc. Screwless terminal block
EP3226012A1 (en) * 2016-03-30 2017-10-04 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device for measuring the electrical energy of an alternating current

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1275182B (en) * 1963-09-28 1968-08-14 Siemens Ag Terminal block mounting
DE29707524U1 (en) * 1996-05-02 1997-09-04 Landis & Gyr Tech Innovat Arrangement for adapting a terminal strip connected in an electricity meter according to a first standard to a second standard
WO2000031830A1 (en) * 1998-11-25 2000-06-02 Supplie & Co. Import/Export Inc. Screwless terminal block
EP3226012A1 (en) * 2016-03-30 2017-10-04 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device for measuring the electrical energy of an alternating current

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CH715071A1 (en) 2019-12-13
CH715071B8 (en) 2022-03-15

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