Measurement module, electronic apparatus, power supply tap, power supply unit, and built-in measurement module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9651583-B2
Application number	US-201414479159-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 5, 2014
Priority date	Mar 16, 2012
Publication date	May 16, 2017
Grant date	May 16, 2017

Abstract

A measurement module includes a pair of input terminals, a pair of current paths connected to the pair of input terminals, and a pair of output terminals. A partition that is a non-magnetic insulating portion partitions an internal space of the measurement module into two spaces. Low-current components such as a magnetic detection element are disposed in a space different from a space in which the pair of current paths are housed. The presence of the partition allows the low-current components and the pair of current paths to be disposed close to one another, thus making it possible to reduce the size of the measurement module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A measurement module for measuring a current, comprising:
a pair of input terminals configured to receive input of a current;
current paths connected to the pair of input terminals,
a pair of output terminals connected to the current paths and configured to output the current input by the pair of input terminals;
a terminal holding portion configured to hold the pair of input terminals;
an insulating portion provided along the current paths; and
a magnetic detection element configured to detect a current flowing through the current paths by detecting a magnetic field transmitted through the insulating portion from the current paths,
wherein the insulating portion is further configured to partition an inner space of the measurement module between the pair of input terminals and the pair of output terminals into a first space serving as a space on one surface and a second space serving as a space on another surface,
the terminal holding portion is disposed on the one surface of the insulating portion,
the current paths are fixed on said one surface of the insulating portion, and
the magnetic detection element is disposed on a circuit board supported by a leg member fixed on said another surface of the insulating portion.

2. The measurement module according to claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic shield disposed so as to cover, the second space.

3. The measurement module according to claim 1 , wherein a low-current component that is operated by a direct current supplied thereto is mounted in the second space.

4. The measurement module according to claim 1 ,
further comprising a voltage detection circuit configured to detect a voltage applied to the pair of input terminals,
wherein the voltage detection circuit includes:
a first voltage dividing element connected at one end to a first input terminal of the pair of input terminals; and
a second voltage dividing element connected at one end to a second input terminal of the pair of input terminals.

5. The measurement module according to claim 4 ,
wherein the first voltage dividing element and the second voltage dividing element are provided on the one surface,
the insulating portion is provided with hole portions through which another end of the first voltage dividing element and another end of the second voltage dividing element are inserted,
the other end of the first voltage dividing element is connected to one end of a third voltage dividing element on the other surface,
the other end of the second voltage dividing element is connected to one end of a fourth voltage dividing element on the other surface, and
a differential amplification circuit configured to differentially amplify a voltage divided by the first voltage dividing element and the third voltage dividing element and a voltage divided by the second voltage dividing element and the fourth voltage dividing element is further provided on the other surface.

6. The measurement module according to claim 4 ,
further comprising a power determination circuit provided on the other surface and configured to determine power from the current detected by the magnetic detection element and the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit.

7. The measurement module according to claim 1 ,
wherein the magnetic detection element is a magnetic impedance element, a fluxgate sensor, or a colossal magnetoresistive element.

8. The measurement module according to claim 1 ,
wherein at least one of the current paths includes a non-energized area for generating a magnetic field in a direction in which the current path extends, and
the magnetic detection element is disposed such that a magnetic field detection direction of the magnetic detection element extends along the direction in which the current path extends.

9. A measurement module for measuring a current, comprising:
a pair of input terminals configured to receive input of a current through a power supply cable;
a terminal holding portion configured to hold the pair of input terminals:
a pair of output terminals configured to output the current input by the pair of input terminals:
a case configured to cover a space located between the terminal holding portion and the pair of output terminals:
an insulating portion provided between the terminal holding portion and the pair of output terminals, and configured to partition the space;
current paths fixed on one surface of the insulating portion and configured to connect the pair of input terminals and the pair of output terminals;
a conductor provided on another surface of the insulating portion and configured to connect a ground input terminal located at the terminal holding portion to a ground output terminal exposed to outside of the case and located adjacent to the pair of output terminals; and
a magnetic detection element provided on a circuit board provided on another side of the insulating portion and configured to detect a magnetic field generated by the current paths.

10. A measurement module for measuring a voltage, comprising:
a pair of input terminals configured to receive input of a current;
current paths connected to the pair of input terminals;
a pair of output terminals connected to the current paths and configured to output the current input by the pair of input terminals;
an insulating portion provided along the current paths; and
a voltage detection circuit configured to detect a voltage applied to the pair of input terminals,
wherein the voltage detection circuit includes:
a first voltage dividing element connected at one end to a first input terminal of the pair of input terminals;
a second voltage dividing element connected at one end to a second input terminal of the pair of input terminals;
a third voltage dividing element to which another end of the first voltage dividing element is connected;
a fourth voltage dividing element to which another end of the second voltage dividing element is connected; and
a differential amplification circuit configured to differentially amplify a voltage divided by the first voltage dividing element and the third voltage dividing element and a voltage divided by the second voltage dividing element and the fourth voltage dividing element,
the insulating portion is provided with hole portions through which the other end of the first voltage dividing element and the other end of the second voltage dividing element are inserted,
the current paths, the first voltage dividing element, and the second voltage dividing element are provided on one surface of the insulating portion, and
the third voltage dividing element, the fourth voltage dividing element, and the differential amplification circuit are disposed on another surface of the insulating portion.

11. An electronic apparatus comprising a measurement module for measuring a current including:
a pair of input terminals configured to receive input of a current;
current paths connected to the pair of input terminals,
a pair of output terminals connected to the current paths and configured to output the current input by the pair of input terminals;
a terminal holding portion configured to hold the pair of input terminals;
an insulating portion provided along the current paths; and
a magnetic detection element configured to detect a current flowing through the current paths by detecting a magnetic field transmitted through the insulating portion from the current paths,
wherein the insulating portion is further configured to partition an inner space of the measurement module and located between the pair of input terminals and the pair of output terminals into a first space serving as a space on one surface an

Assignees

• Canon Denshi Kk

Inventors

• Kawase Masahiro

Classifications

• G01R15/207

  Constructional details independent of the type of device used · CPC title

• H01R13/6683 Primary

  with built-in sensor · CPC title

• G01R19/0038 Primary

  Circuits for comparing several input signals and for indicating the result of this comparison, e.g. equal, different, greater, smaller (comparing pulses or pulse trains according to amplitude) · CPC title

• G01R21/06

  by measuring current and voltage (G01R21/08 - G01R21/133 take precedence) · CPC title