JPH031853B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to communication coupler devices, and more particularly to communication couplers having magnetic and optical properties such as those capable of coupling pairs of magnetic couplers to enable the transfer of information between electronic devices. Regarding equipment.

The present invention is suitable for virtually any application in which it is desirable or required to electronically communicate with electronic circuitry inaccessibly housed within, for example, a hermetic envelope. In particular, the invention is suitable for use in electronically programmable utility meters with integrated computers. These types of meters are mostly installed at
For example, it is designed to be programmed or reprogrammed in a consumer residence or commercial establishment. Ideally, these types of meters are designed to allow electronic reading of the meter data (eg, accumulated kilowatt-hour power consumption, demand kilowatt-hour power consumption, etc.).

Programming and reading of meters of the above type is typically performed by a utility company meter reader or service personnel using a portable programmer/reader. This device is usually provided with a suitable type of plug-in device for attachment to the meter,
A programmer/reader is allowed to communicate with the electronics inside the meter's cover.

It is attractive to use optical couplers to program meters of the above type. .
This is because such couplers are economical in design and manufacturing cost. A further attractive feature is the high reliability of the light emitting and light sensing devices used in such couplers.

However, when light emitting and light sensing devices are coupled together for information communication, they must be precisely aligned and to prevent ambient light from interfering with the optical communication link between the coupled devices. shall be substantially shielded or screened. Accurate alignment and light shielding are two problems that must be overcome in obtaining a reliable optical communication coupler.

As currently known, the removable parts of all conventional optical couplers must be held in place by hand during operation of the coupler. This means that the person holding the Katsupura may unconsciously move the Katsupura while it is in operation.
This is a significant drawback since it can disrupt the communication link. Another drawback is that the person operating the coupler has to operate the various switches and control knobs, such as those commonly found on portable programmer/readers, to perform other required operating tasks. The main reason is that he cannot use both hands freely.

Therefore, it can be manufactured economically, achieves good alignment and light shielding, and still achieves the operations necessary for communication between electronic devices, yet requires both hands of the operator to perform the operations necessary for communication between electronic devices. There is a need for a removable optical communication coupler device that allows the user to keep the optical communication coupler free.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to overcome the problems and drawbacks mentioned above, the present invention provides electronic communication between an electronic circuit inaccessibly housed within the envelope and a source external to the envelope. A new and improved combination magnetic optical communication coupler device is provided. The present invention is advantageously applied to utility meters of the electronically programmable type, which in a preferred embodiment can be programmed externally by a portable programmer/reader.

When applying the device of the invention, the first coupler assembly is fixedly mounted via the meter cover.
This first coupler assembly is composed of magnets,
or can be manufactured from magnetically inductive materials. The coupler assembly includes a front portion that is attached to the exterior of the meter cover. An opening extends from this front portion into the coupler assembly. At least one optical communication means is disposed within the aperture and arranged within the aperture to provide a communication path through the aperture in the front portion of the coupler assembly. This optical communication means is connected to electronic circuitry inside the meter cover.

A second coupler assembly is provided that is magnetically attached to the first coupler assembly. This second coupler assembly may also consist of a magnet or may be manufactured from a magnetically inductive material. At least one or both of the coupler assemblies must be constructed of magnets.

The second coupler assembly includes a magnetized surface that magnetically couples to the front portion of the first coupler assembly. Similar to the first coupler assembly, the second coupler assembly also includes an aperture extending from the magnetized surface into the body of the second coupler assembly for receiving a second optical communication means. It's getting old. the second coupler within the opening of the second coupler assembly;
by properly arranging the optical communication means to form an optical communication path through the aperture, and when the two coupler assemblies are magnetically coupled, a communication link is established between the first and second optical communication means. do. Communication with the meter electronics via the optical coupler assembly is accomplished by connecting the portable programmer/reader to the second optical communication means.

When the alignment means is provided to magnetically couple the first and second coupler assemblies, the first and second coupler assemblies are magnetically coupled.
to obtain accurate optical coupling between optical communication means. Further, a shielding means is provided to prevent ambient light from entering between the joining portions of the two couplers;
Further improve optical coupling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical coupling device for electronic information transfer with improved structural and operational performance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic An object of the present invention is to provide an optical coupling device that can be freely attached and detached.

Another object of the invention is to provide an optical coupling device that allows communication between a source or electronic device external to the envelope and electronic circuitry inaccessibly housed within the envelope.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a meter system for use in a meter system for electronically communicating with electronic circuitry contained within a meter cover from a portable electronic communication device coupled to the exterior of the meter cover. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical coupler device having combination type magnetism.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic sensor which allows the operator of the portable electronic communication device to have both hands free to operate the communication device while communicating with the electronic circuitry in the cover of the meter. Our objective is to provide an optical coupler with

Another object of the present invention is to provide one-way or two-way communication with an electronically programmable meter from a programmer/reader coupled to the exterior of the meter's cover that is inaccessibly housed within the electronic device. The object of the present invention is to provide an optical coupler device having a combination type of magnetism that can be used in combination.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a meter system 10 using the present invention.
is shown to illustrate the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated wattmeter 12 is installed in a consumer's residence or power user's building 14 in a conventional manner known in the power industry. To operate the device of the invention, a service person at the power company or a meter reader 1
6 approaches the residence 14 while carrying the portable programmer/reader 18 suspended from a sling 20 around his neck. The meter reader 16 then attaches a magnetic optical reader or coupler assembly 22 to a corresponding coupler assembly 24 that is rigidly mounted through a portion 26 of the meter cover. The optical or optical communication device of the corresponding coupler assembly 24 is connected via conductive wires to electronic circuitry (not shown) within the meter cover 12. Similarly, the optical or optical communication device of the magnetic coupler assembly 22 is connected to the programmer/optical device via a cable or conductor 28.
It is electrically connected to the reader 18 .

As is clear from FIG.
2 and 24 are held in place on the meter cover 12 so that the meter reader's hands are free to operate the programmer/reader 18. As will be seen below, the hands freeing effect of the coupler device of the invention is made possible by the magnetic coupling of the device and the alignment means provided therein. The latter means of matching can be done by programming the meter/
Coupler assemblies 22 and 2 whenever interrogated or programmed by reader 18.
4 can be easily combined in an accurate matching relationship.

FIG. 2 shows, in cross-section, the first coupler assembly 24 of the present invention attached to the front face 26 of the meter cover 12. In broad terms, the coupler assembly 24 may be formed as a unitary housing or body 30 of magnetically inductive material. but,
The container or housing 24 can be formed of magnets.
The structure of the housing 30 is characterized by having a body 32 with a front portion 34 and at least one opening 36 extending into the body 32 from the front portion 34 .

As shown in FIG.
and at least one optical communication means or device 38 held in place by a circuit board shown as 42 . Circuit boards 40 and 42 are held apart by two spacers 44. Connect the leads of optical device 38 to circuit boards 40 and 42.
through the appropriate holes in the circuit boards and soldered to these circuit boards as shown at connection or conductor points 46 (see FIG. 4). Three conductors 48 of cable 49 are soldered to these terminal connection points. Optical device 38
and the entire assembly consisting of circuit boards 40, 42,
Two setscrews 5 as shown in Figures 2 and 4
0 to fix it in a predetermined position within the cavity 51 of the main body 32. These screws 50 pass through the spacer 44 and are secured to the body 32 by engaging threads (not shown) in the body 32.

The entire first coupler assembly 24 is securely attached to the meter cover 12 by a nut 52 that threadably engages the body 32 from inside the cover 12.
Protect the inside of the meter from external elements (e.g. moisture or dust)
Two gaskets 54 and 56 are placed on the outside and inside of the meter's cover, respectively, to protect against this. Further, a flat washer 58 is disposed between the gasket 56 and the nut 52, and the nut 52
This prevents damage to the gasket when tightening the gasket to the gasket 56. In one embodiment of the invention, the body 32 may be provided with a dowel pin on the back side of the annular shoulder 60 thereof, as shown in the end views of FIGS. Alignment with corresponding holes prevents rotation of the coupler assembly and ensures correct orientation of the coupler assembly when installed. This locating pin and the corresponding locating hole are
and is shown in broken lines as 62 in FIG.

Continuing with FIG. 2, a portion of the body 32 includes a front cover 64, which is preferably fabricated from a soft magnetically conductive material compatible with the material of the body 32. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cover 64 is attached to the main body 32 by three screws 66 threaded into the back of the cover 64 from the back of the shoulder 60. To complete the sealing structure of the coupler assembly, the gasket 68 is connected to the shoulder 60 and the cover 6.
Insert it between 4.

The cover 64 is provided with an optical path. cover 64
has an opening in the front portion to allow optical communication with the optical device 38 through the front surface of the cover. A transparent plate 7 is provided within the cover 64 to protect the optical device 38.
Place 0. The transparent plate 70 is preferably manufactured from a shatter-resistant, impact-resistant plastic or glass material. The sealing of the coupler assembly of FIG. 2 is further enhanced by another gasket 72 located between the glass 70 and the inside shoulder of the cover 64.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the body 32 and the cover 64 forming a part thereof have first alignment means 74 shown as a flat portion on the underside of the cover 64.
Also included. This alignment means is shaped to symmetrically align with a corresponding second alignment means of the removable coupler assembly 22, as described below.

In a preferred embodiment where information is transferred in two directions, the body 32
two openings 36' and 36'' are formed in the
(see figure). Optical communication devices 38' and 38'' are installed in these two openings, respectively.These devices are shown in FIG.
and a light receiving device (e.g., a photocell) 38''. FIG. 9 shows the wiring of a cable 49 connecting these optical communication devices to connection points 46 of circuit boards 40 and 42 of FIG.

Next, we move on to the explanation of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second coupler assembly according to the present invention, such as coupler assembly 22 of FIG. As previously discussed with respect to FIG. 1, this coupler assembly can be magnetically attached to a corresponding coupler assembly 24. Broadly speaking, the coupler assembly 22 of FIG. 5 may be a single magnet structure. The structure of the coupling assembly 22 is composed of a magnetic main body 76,
The main body preferably includes the coupler assembly 2 of FIG.
It has a front portion 78 that is symmetrically designed to match the front portion of the body 32 of No. 4. Similar to the coupler assembly 24 in FIG. 2, the coupler assembly 22
has an opening 80 extending from the front portion of the body 76 to the cavity for holding at least one other optical communication device 82 . Since only one-way communication is required, it is only necessary to place one optical communication device in aperture 80 of FIG. Communicate with the communication device. However, as previously discussed, if two-way communication is desired, two openings 80' and 80'' may be provided in the body 73, as shown in FIG.
are formed to hold a pair of optical communication devices similar to devices 38' and 38'' (see FIG. 9). Mounting of an optical communication device, such as device 82 of FIG. This is done in a manner similar to that described with respect to Figure 2. Therefore, as seen clearly in Figure 5, 8
A detailed explanation of how to install a device like 2 will be omitted.

To form the structure of the second coupler assembly 22 of FIG. 5, a magnet 84 is placed about the front annular shoulder portion 86 of the body 76. Attach the magnet 8 with a suitable adhesive, e.g. epoxy, as shown at 88 in FIG.
4 is preferably held in place to secure the magnet 84 to the body 76 or the entire structure.

A cover 90, which forms part of the body 76 and magnet 84 assembly, is secured to the body 76 with three countersunk screws 92. Only one of these screws 92 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. Cover 90 is preferably made of a magnetic or magnetically inductive material and serves approximately four purposes. The first purpose is to provide a partial protective cover for the coupler assembly 22. A second purpose is to form a light shield in the form of a lip 94 over the end of the front portion of the magnet and body assembly 84,76. Third, the cover 90 provides a second alignment means 96 formed as a flat portion at the front end of the lip or light shield 94. Alignment means 96
is the flat portion 74 of the first alignment means shown in FIG.
It is formed symmetrically so that it works together with the Fourth, the cover 90 acts as a return path for the magnetic flux, improving the hold on the magnet and increasing its retention.

To complete the coupler assembly of FIG. 5, a second rear cylindrical cover 98 is attached to the body 76 by threading three screws 100 into the body 76. As can be seen from Figure 5, the rear cover 9
The purpose of 8 is to protect the wiring extending from the circuit board inside the coupler assembly 22. A protective rubber collar 102 is preferably sandwiched between the body 76 and the cover 98 to prevent the wiring of the cable 28 from becoming unraveled.

The interrelationship of first coupler assembly 24 and second coupler assembly 22 is best shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a side view, partially in section, showing the relationship between coupler assemblies 22 and 24 when they are magnetically coupled. As shown, the lip of the cover 90 forming the light shield 94 is attached to the cover 64.
is tightly enclosed to create a substantially closed environment for the optical communication device and to prevent or prevent ambient light from entering between the front portions of the coupler assemblies. As further apparent from FIG. 8, the first and second coupler assemblies include two alignment means 74 and 96.
The engagement of the two coupler assemblies will always result in precise alignment, and thus the optical communication devices will always be in precise alignment whenever the two coupler assemblies are magnetically coupled.

It is believed that the advantages of the present invention are best realized using pulse code or binary communication systems. When using such a scheme, a light emitting device (e.g., diode 38') is pulsed by an electronic signal from an electronic device connected to it to send pulses of light across the communication link to a corresponding light receiving device (e.g., photodiode 38'). A photodetector converts these light pulses into electronic pulses that can be received by an electronic circuit connected to the photodetector. This type of communication method is
It is particularly advantageous when used in conjunction with meters containing programmable microprocessors that must be interrogated and programmed by an external device such as that shown at 18 in FIG.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an illustration showing the use of the magnetic and optical coupler device of the present invention by an operator of a portable programmer/reader communicating with an electronically programmable meter; FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the first coupler assembly of the present invention attached to the cover of FIG.
Figure 4 is an end view of the first coupler assembly in Figure 2 seen from the right side, Figure 5 is an end view of the first coupler assembly in Figure 2 and the magnetic FIG. 6 is a partially sectional side view showing a second coupler assembly of the present invention for coupling to the programmer/reader of FIG. 1 with a cable for connection to the programmer/reader of FIG. 7 is an end view of the second coupler assembly of FIG. 5 as seen from the right; FIG. 8 is an end view of the second coupler assembly of FIGS. FIG. 9 is a side view, partially cutaway, showing the coupler assembly coupled together and in an operative position in communication with a programmable meter, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing wiring of an optical communication device. 10...meter system, 12...meter,
18...Portable programmer/reader, 22,2
4...Katsupura assembly, 26...Meter cover, 28...Cable, 30...Housing, 3
2... Main body, 34... Front part, 36... Opening,
38... Optical communication device (optical device), 40, 42...
...Circuit board, 48...Conductor, 49...Cable, 5
2... Nut, 60... Annular shoulder, 62... Positioning pin, 64... Front cover, 70... Transparent glass, 74... First aligning means, 76... Magnetic body, 78... Front part, 80... Hole, 82
... Optical communication means (optical device), 84 ... Magnet, 8
6... Annular shoulder, 90... Cover, 94... Light shield, 96... Second alignment means, 98... Rear cover.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. In an apparatus of the type comprising a meter having electronic circuitry housed within a cover, comprising: (a) a fixed coupler assembly 24 of magnetically inductive material firmly attached to a portion of the cover of said meter; a) has a front portion 34 outwardly from the meter cover and includes an opening 36 extending inwardly from the front portion; a first type of optical communication means 38 for optically communicating with the outside; and (b) means 48 and 49 for connecting the first type of optical communication means to the electronic circuit to electronically communicate between them. (b) a magnet 84 having a surface at one end for coupling to the front portion of the fixed coupler assembly, and extending from the surface into the interior of the magnet; an aperture 80 positioned in the surface to align with the front portion of the fixed coupler assembly when the surface end of the magnet is coupled to the front portion of the fixed coupler assembly; a) a second magnetic coupler assembly 22 disposed within the opening of the magnet for optical communication with the outside of a surface edge of the magnet;
and (b) a closed loop magnetic circuit having a magnetic flux path surrounding and inductively coupled to the magnet to allow the magnetic flux generated by the magnet to flow between it and the magnet. a cover 90 of magnetically inductive material that increases the magnetic coercive force of the magnet by
A shield 94 is formed on the cover 90 and surrounds the magnet in the form of a lip that forms a part of the closed loop magnetic circuit and extends outward from the surface end of the magnet. The shield having the shape of is formed to closely surround the front portion of the fixed coupler assembly, so that when the fixed coupler assembly and the magnetic coupler assembly are magnetically coupled, aligning first and second types of optical communication means to prevent ambient light from entering between the front portion of the fixed coupler assembly and the surface edge of the magnet; to the stationary coupler assembly by configuring another magnetic flux path inserted into the closed loop magnetic circuit to allow magnetic flux to flow between the shield and the magnet through the stationary coupler assembly. (c) when the fixed coupler assembly and the magnetic coupler assembly are magnetically coupled, the magnetic coupler assembly further increases the holding force of the magnetic coupler assembly;
and to said second type of optical communication means in said magnetic coupler assembly for electronically communicating information to and from said electronic circuitry in said meter cover via a second type of optical communication means. A device characterized in that it comprises a combination of: a connected external communication means 28; 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second types of optical communication means is a light emitting diode and the other is a photocell. 3. said fixed coupler assembly further comprises a transparent protective shield located on said front portion thereof and protecting said first type of optical communication means disposed within said opening of said fixed coupler assembly; 70. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: 70. 4 comprising a cover and attachment means for attaching one of the two coupler assemblies to the cover so that it protrudes from the cover and is coupled to the other coupler assembly; (a) a first coupler assembly 24 of the coupler assemblies; (a) a front portion 34 and an opening extending inward from the front portion; 36; b) a first type of optical communication means disposed within the opening of the body for optical communication with the exterior of the front portion of the body; (b) The second coupler assembly 22 is
a magnet 84 having at one end a surface formed for magnetically coupling to the front portion of the coupler assembly and including an aperture 80 extending inwardly from the surface; wherein the magnet is positioned to align with the opening in the front portion of the first coupler assembly when a surface end of the magnet is aligned with the front portion of the first coupler assembly. The magnet and
b) a second type of optical communication means disposed within the opening of the magnet for optical communication with the exterior of the front end of the magnet; and c) surrounding and inductively coupled to the magnet. a cover 90 of magnetically inductive material that increases the magnetic coercive force of the magnet by configuring a closed loop magnetic circuit with a magnetic flux path that allows the magnetic flux generated by the magnet to flow between the magnet and the magnet; The cover is formed with a shield 94 that surrounds the magnet in the form of a lip that forms part of the closed loop magnetic circuit and extends outward from the surface edge of the magnet. The shaped shield is formed to closely surround the front portion of the first coupler assembly, so that when the first and second coupler assemblies are magnetically coupled, the aligning first and second optical communication means to prevent ambient light from entering between the front portion of the first coupler assembly and a surface edge of the magnet; the first by inserting a solid body into the closed loop magnetic circuit to define another magnetic flux path for flowing magnetic flux between the shield and the magnet through the first coupler assembly; A meter characterized in that the holding force of the second coupler assembly relative to the second coupler assembly is further increased. 5. A meter having an electronic circuit housed within the cover, and a device for electronically communicating the electronic circuit with the outside of the meter cover, comprising: (a) a magnetically inductive device firmly attached to a portion of the meter cover; Material fixing cutlet assembly 2
4, having a cylindrical body 30 having a substantially flat front portion 34 at one end outside the meter cover and in which a first alignment means 74 is formed; and includes first and second openings 36', 36'' passing through the body from the front end of the body;
(b) first light receiving device 38'';
C) The first light emitting device and the first light receiving device are installed in the first and second openings of the main body, and the first light emitting device and the first light receiving device are mounted in the first and second openings of the main body, respectively. c) device means 50 for enabling optical communication with the exterior of the meter cover via a front portion of the fixed coupler assembly; and c) connecting the first light emitting device and the first light receiving device to the meter. means 4 for electrically connecting to said electronic circuit inside the cover of the
(b) a substantially cylindrical member having a substantially flat magnetized surface at one end for magnetically coupling to the front portion of the fixed coupler assembly; shaped magnet 84
and the magnet has third and fourth openings 80', 80 extending therethrough from the magnetized surface.
0'' and wherein the third and fourth openings are positioned to align with the first and second openings, respectively, of the front portion of the fixed coupler assembly. 22, further comprising a) a second light receiving device;
b) a second light emitting device; c) the second light receiving device and the second light emitting device are respectively installed in the third and fourth openings in the magnet, and the second light receiving device mounting means for enabling a device and a second light emitting device to communicate at the magnetized surface of the magnet through the third and fourth apertures, respectively; and d) surrounding and inductively coupling to the magnet. a substantially magnetically inductive material that increases the magnetic coercive force of the magnet by configuring a closed loop magnetic circuit with a magnetic flux path that allows magnetic flux generated from the magnet to flow between the magnet and the magnet. includes a cylindrical cover 90 positioned over the magnet to form a lip 94 extending beyond the magnetized surface edge of the magnet and forming part of the closed loop magnetic circuit. the lip is formed to closely surround the front portion of the body of the fixed coupler assembly and the first alignment means in the front portion of the fixed coupler assembly including second alignment means configured to engage with the meter so as to provide optical communication for electronic communication between the exterior of the meter cover and the electronic circuitry within the cover. When the fixed coupler assembly and the removable coupler assembly are magnetically coupled, the first and second openings in the front portion of the fixed coupler assembly are magnetized. the first light-emitting device and the second light-receiving device are aligned with the third and fourth openings at the edge of the surface, respectively, and the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device communicate with each other; and blocking ambient light between the front portion of the fixed coupler assembly and the surface edge of the magnet, inserting the fixed coupler assembly into the closed loop magnetic circuit, and inserting the fixed coupler assembly into the closed loop magnetic circuit. the removable coupler assembly relative to the fixed coupler assembly by configuring another magnetic flux path for flowing magnetic flux between the lip of the cover and the magnet through the body of the fixed coupler assembly; and the removable coupler assembly having a further increased holding force.