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

• US 9,651,583 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2014
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): MAHONEY, CHRISTOPHER E
• Application Number:
  US14/479,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20140375305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 324140 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;

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 and a second space serving as a space on another,

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.

12. 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;

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 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.

13. 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;

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 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.

14. 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;

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 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.