MEASUREMENT MODULE, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, POWER SUPPLY TAP, POWER SUPPLY UNIT, AND BUILT-IN MEASUREMENT MODULE

• US 20140375305A1
• Filed: 09/05/2014
• Published: 12/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Hi-Tech Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Hi-Tech Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kawase, Masahiro
• Granted Patent: US 9,651,583 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/140.R
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/207 Constructional details independent of the type of device used
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/0038 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 Class Codes: G01R 21/06 by measuring current and voltage G01R21/08 - G01R21/133 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor

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.

Claims

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;

an insulating portion provided along the current paths; and

a magnetic detection element configured to detect a current flowing through the current paths by directly detecting a magnetic field transmitted through the insulating portion from the current paths,

wherein the current paths are disposed on one surface of the insulating portion, and

the magnetic detection element is disposed on another surface of the insulating portion.

2. The measurement module according to claim 1,

wherein the insulating portion functions as a partitioning portion configured to partition an inner space of the measurement module into a first space serving as a space on the one surface and a second space serving as a space on the other surface, and

the current paths are disposed in the first space and the magnetic detection element is disposed in the second space.

3. The measurement module according to claim 2,

further comprising a magnetic shield disposed so as to cover, together with the partitioning portion, the second space.

4. The measurement module according to claim 2,

wherein a low-current component that is operated by a direct current supplied thereto is mounted in the second space.

5. The measurement module according to claim 2,

further comprising a leg member attached to the insulating portion and a circuit board supported by the leg member, the leg member and the circuit board being in the second space,

wherein the magnetic detection element is mounted to the circuit board.

6. 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.

7. The measurement module according to claim 6,

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.

8. The measurement module according to claim 6,

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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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;

an insulating portion provided along the current paths; and

a magnetic detection element configured to detect a current flowing through the current paths by directly detecting a magnetic field transmitted through the insulating portion from the current paths,

wherein the current paths are disposed on one surface of the insulating portion, and

the magnetic detection element is disposed on another surface of the insulating portion.

13. A power supply tap 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;

an insulating portion provided along the current paths; and

a magnetic detection element configured to detect a current flowing through the current paths by directly detecting a magnetic field transmitted through the insulating portion from the current paths,

wherein the current paths are disposed on one surface of the insulating portion, and

the magnetic detection element is disposed on another surface of the insulating portion.

14. A power supply unit 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;

an insulating portion provided along the current paths; and

a magnetic detection element configured to detect a current flowing through the current paths by directly detecting a magnetic field transmitted through the insulating portion from the current paths,

wherein the current paths are disposed on one surface of the insulating portion, and

the magnetic detection element is disposed on another surface of the insulating portion.

15. A built-in measurement module comprising a measurement module for measuring a current as a module for being incorporated into an electronic apparatus,

the measurement module 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;

an insulating portion provided along the current paths; and

a magnetic detection element configured to detect a current flowing through the current paths by directly detecting a magnetic field transmitted through the insulating portion from the current paths,

wherein the current paths are disposed on one surface of the insulating portion, and

the magnetic detection element is disposed on another surface of the insulating portion.