Meter reading device and gas equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a meter reading device and gas equipment, and belongs to the technical field of gas meters, the meter reading device comprises a shell, a partition plate and a shooting assembly, the partition plate is arranged in the shell, and a cavity of the shell is divided into an isolation cavity and a mounting cavity; the shell is provided with a mounting opening and an observation surface, the display surface of the gas meter enters the isolation cavity through the mounting opening, and the mounting opening and the observation surface are oppositely arranged; the installation cavity and the observation face are staggered, the shooting assembly is arranged in the installation cavity, the shooting direction of the shooting assembly faces the installation opening, and the shooting view angle of the shooting assembly covers the installation opening. The meter reading device is mounted on the gas meter, so that the meter reading device cannot shield the display surface of the gas meter, and a user can normally observe the reading on the gas meter; when automatic meter reading is needed, the display surface of the gas meter can be shot through the shooting assembly, so that the reading on the gas meter is automatically read, and the automatic meter reading operation is completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of gas meters, and in particular to a meter reading device and gas equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Gas is a general term for gaseous fuels that can burn and release heat. It is widely used in various fields and has brought many conveniences to our lives. A gas meter is a device that measures the amount of gas used, so that you can easily know how many cubic meters of gas have been used and pay the bill according to the number of cubic meters of gas consumed.

[0003] Currently, camera-based direct-reading meters all involve adding a camera component to the outside of a regular gas meter to capture images of the gas meter counter and identify the gas consumption data. However, the camera mounting component can obstruct the display surface, meaning the gas meter can only read the display value through the camera. When the camera is damaged, it needs to be repaired or removed to view the display value, causing inconvenience to users. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to improve the problem that existing gas meters with added meter reading devices can only be read from the display by a camera, and to provide a meter reading device and gas equipment.

[0005] The technical solutions for achieving the above objectives include the following:

[0006] A meter reading device includes: a housing, a partition, and a camera assembly, wherein the partition is disposed inside the housing and separates the cavity of the housing to form an isolation cavity and an installation cavity;

[0007] The housing has an installation port and an observation surface. The installation port allows the display surface of the gas meter to enter the isolation chamber. The installation port and the observation surface are arranged opposite to each other.

[0008] The mounting cavity is offset from the observation surface. The shooting component is located inside the mounting cavity, and the shooting direction of the shooting component is towards the mounting opening. The shooting angle of the shooting component covers the mounting opening.

[0009] In one embodiment, the partition is inclined and at least partially made of a transparent material;

[0010] The camera assembly is located at least partially on one side of the partition.

[0011] In one embodiment, the tilt angle formed between the partition and the observation surface is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

[0012] In one embodiment, the shooting component includes a bracket and a camera. The bracket is mounted on the bottom of the housing and is inclined. The bracket has a fixing groove, and the bottom of the fixing groove has a through hole. The camera is mounted in the fixing groove and is located at the through hole.

[0013] In one embodiment, the bracket includes a support base and a support plate. The fixing groove is formed on the support base, the support base is mounted on the support plate, the support plate has two fixing holes, the bottom of the outer shell has a positioning pin corresponding to the two fixing holes, the fixing holes are for fasteners to pass through, and the support plate is fixed to the positioning pin by fasteners.

[0014] In one embodiment, the support base includes a base plate, a first side plate, and two second side plates. The first side plate and the two second side plates are all mounted on the base plate. The two second side plates are arranged opposite to each other, and a wire hole is formed between the two second side plates. The wire hole corresponds to the first side plate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the camera assembly further includes a wire, a battery, and a sealing plate. The battery is disposed in the mounting cavity. The first end of the wire is electrically connected to the camera through a through-hole, and the second end of the wire is electrically connected to the battery. The sealing plate is mounted on the housing and seals the mounting cavity.

[0016] In one embodiment, the housing has mounting members on both sides, the mounting members being bent and forming a first slot, the first slot engaging with the gas meter.

[0017] In one embodiment, the mounting member further has mounting holes, and the housing further has a second slot, with the two mounting holes located on both sides of the second slot.

[0018] The present invention also proposes a gas equipment, characterized in that it includes a meter reading device as described above.

[0019] The technical solution provided by this invention has the following advantages and effects:

[0020] A partition separates the inner cavity of the outer casing into an isolation chamber and an installation chamber. The installation port allows the gas meter to enter the isolation chamber, which houses the gas meter's display surface. The observation surface is positioned opposite the installation port, allowing the reading to be observed through the observation surface when the gas meter's display surface is within the isolation chamber. The installation chamber is offset from the observation surface, and the imaging component is located within the installation chamber. This component can capture images of the installation port from within the installation chamber, with its viewing angle covering the gas meter's display surface above the installation port, thus enabling the imaging component to capture the display reading. Therefore, by installing this meter reading device on the gas meter, the device will not obstruct the gas meter's display surface, ensuring that the user can normally observe the gas meter's reading. When automatic meter reading is required, the imaging component can capture images of the gas meter's display surface to automatically read the reading, completing the automatic meter reading operation.

[0021] Furthermore, by offsetting the mounting cavity from the observation surface and placing the camera component inside the mounting cavity, the camera component is prevented from being positioned directly in front of the display surface. This reduces the overall thickness of the assembled gas meter and meter reading device. Excessive thickness would prevent the gas meter enclosure from closing properly. The offset positioning of the camera component from the display surface in this application avoids excessive thickness after assembly, facilitating easy closure of the enclosure and preventing interference with the gas meter's normal protection. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific examples of the technical solutions described in this invention and, together with the detailed embodiments, form part of the specification, serving to explain the technical solutions, principles, and effects of this invention.

[0023] Unless otherwise specified or defined, the same reference numerals in different figures represent the same or similar technical features, and different reference numerals may be used to represent the same or similar technical features.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the meter reading device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a meter reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the driving component in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the detection plate in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6This is a rendering taken by a camera in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0031] 100. Meter reading device; 1. Housing; 11. Isolation cavity; 111. Mounting port; 112. Positioning pin; 12. Mounting cavity; 13. Observation surface; 14. Partition plate; 15. Sealing plate; 151. Sealing ring; 16. Mounting component; 161. First slot; 162. Mounting hole; 17. Second slot; 18. Tilt angle; 2. Shooting component; 21. Bracket; 211. Fixing hole; 212. Support base; 2121. First side plate; 2122. Second side plate; 213. Support plate; 214. Fixing groove; 22. Camera; 23. Wire; 24. Battery. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Unless otherwise specified or defined, the terms "first," "second," etc., used in this document are for distinguishing names only and do not represent a specific number or order.

[0034] Unless otherwise stated or defined, the term “and / or” as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0035] It should be noted that when a component is considered "fixed" to another component, it can be directly fixed to the other component or there can be an intervening component; when a component is considered "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there can be an intervening component; when a component is considered "mounted" on another component, it can be directly mounted on the other component or there can be an intervening component; when a component is considered "placed" on another component, it can be directly placed on the other component or there can be an intervening component.

[0036] This invention proposes a meter reading device 100, such as... Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the device includes a housing 1, a partition 14, and a camera assembly 2. The partition 14 is disposed inside the housing 1 and separates the cavity of the housing 1 to form an isolation cavity 11 and a mounting cavity 12. The housing 1 has a mounting port 111 and an observation surface 13. The mounting port 111 allows the display surface of the gas meter to enter the isolation cavity 11. The mounting port 111 and the observation surface 13 are arranged opposite to each other. The mounting cavity 12 is offset from the observation surface 13. The camera assembly 2 is disposed inside the mounting cavity 12. The shooting direction of the camera assembly 2 is towards the mounting port 111, and the shooting angle of the camera assembly 2 covers the mounting port 111.

[0037] Specifically, a partition 14 separates the inner cavity of the outer casing 1 to form an isolation cavity 11 and an installation cavity 12. The installation port 111 allows the gas meter to enter the isolation cavity 11, which houses the gas meter's display surface. The observation surface 13 is positioned opposite the installation port 111. When the gas meter's display surface is within the isolation cavity 11, the reading can be observed through the observation surface 13. The installation cavity 12 is offset from the observation surface 13. The imaging component 2 is positioned within the installation cavity 12, allowing it to capture images of the installation port 111 and cover the gas meter's display surface at the installation port 111, thus capturing the reading. Therefore, by installing the meter reading device 100 onto the gas meter, the device will not obstruct the gas meter's display surface, ensuring the user can normally observe the reading. When automatic meter reading is required, the imaging component 2 can capture images of the gas meter's display surface to automatically read the reading, completing the automatic meter reading operation.

[0038] Furthermore, by offsetting the mounting cavity 12 from the observation surface 13, and placing the imaging component 2 within the mounting cavity 12, the imaging component 2 is prevented from being positioned directly in front of the display surface. This reduces the overall thickness of the assembled gas meter and meter reading device 100. If the assembled thickness is too large, the gas meter enclosure cannot be closed. The offset arrangement of the imaging component 2 from the display surface in this application avoids excessive thickness after the gas meter and meter reading device 100 are assembled, facilitating enclosure closure and preventing interference with the gas meter's normal protection.

[0039] Preferably, the partition 14 is inclined and at least partially made of transparent material; the imaging component 2 is at least partially located on one side of the partition 14 and is also inclined. Specifically, the partition 14 is inclined, one side of the partition 14 is used to install the imaging component 2, and the partition 14 is made of transparent material. The imaging light from the imaging component 2 penetrates the partition 14 and reads the reading on the gas meter, further completing the automatic meter reading operation.

[0040] like Figure 6 As shown, since the shooting component 2 is offset from the observation surface 13, its shooting angle cannot cover the display surface, resulting in unclear images and missed shots. However, the shooting component 2 is tilted, which allows for adjustment of its shooting angle. After adjustment, its focal length changes, allowing the shooting component 2 to capture a wider range. Since the gas meter has a wide reading range, the shooting component 2 can adapt perfectly and clearly capture the readings.

[0041] Furthermore, by using the partition 14 to offset the shooting component 2 from the observation surface 13, the shooting component 2 can clearly capture the display surface, while avoiding the shooting component 2 being set opposite to the display surface, reducing the thickness of the meter reading device 100, and also avoiding obstruction of the display surface. This is of great significance for adding the meter reading device 100 to the gas meter, making it as adaptable as possible to the gas meter housing, and facilitating the modification and upgrading of existing gas meters.

[0042] In some other embodiments, the tilt angle 18 formed between the partition 14 and the observation surface 13 is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. Preferably, the tilt angle 18 formed between the partition 14 and the observation surface 13 is 125 degrees to 130 degrees. This partition 14 is coated with an ultrasonically sprayed anti-reflective anti-reflective solution. By depositing a low-refractive-index material on the glass surface to form an anti-reflective coating, surface reflection loss can be significantly reduced, allowing more light to pass through. Setting the tilt angle 18 of the partition 14 to 125 degrees to 130 degrees can further improve the clarity of the image captured by the camera assembly 2.

[0043] Preferably, the shooting component 2 includes a bracket 21 and a camera 22. The bracket 21 is installed at the bottom of the housing 1 and is inclined. The bracket 21 has a fixing groove 214, and the bottom of the fixing groove 214 has a through hole. The camera 22 is installed in the fixing groove 214 and is located at the through hole. Specifically, by tilting the bracket 21 and installing the camera 22 in the fixing groove 214 on the bracket 21, the camera 22 is fixed by the fixing groove 214 and is also tilted. The shooting angle of the camera 22 passes through the through hole of the fixing groove 214 and is projected onto the display surface of the mounting port 111, thereby enabling the camera 22 to capture clear readings.

[0044] Preferably, the bracket 21 includes a support base 212 and a support plate 213. A fixing groove 214 is formed on the support base 212, and the support base 212 is mounted on the support plate 213. The support plate 213 has two fixing holes 211, and the bottom of the outer casing 1 has positioning pins 112 corresponding to the two fixing holes 211. The fixing holes 211 allow fasteners to pass through, and the support plate 213 is fixed to the positioning pins 112 by fasteners. Specifically, two fasteners pass through the two fixing holes 211 to fix the support plate 213 to the positioning pins 112, and the support base 212 is mounted on the support plate 213, thereby fixing the support base 212 inside the outer casing 1. The support base 212 is used to support or fix the camera 22, further realizing the installation of the camera 22 inside the outer casing 1.

[0045] Preferably, the support base 212 includes a base plate, a first side plate 2121, and two second side plates 2122. The first side plate 2121 and the two second side plates 2122 are all mounted on the base plate. The two second side plates 2122 are arranged opposite each other, and a through hole is formed between the two second side plates 2122, which corresponds to the first side plate 2121. Specifically, the two sides of the camera 22 abut against the two second side plates 2122 respectively, and the front end of the camera 22 abuts against the first side plate 2121. The first side plate 2121 and the two second side plates 2122 together form a fixing groove 214. The camera 22 is located in the fixing groove 214, and the wire 23 used to connect the camera 22 extends out of the fixing groove 214 through the through hole, so that it is electrically connected to the circuit board or the battery 24.

[0046] Preferably, the camera assembly further includes a wire 23, a battery 24, and a sealing plate 15. The battery 24 is disposed within the mounting cavity 12. The first end of the wire 23 is electrically connected to the camera 22 through a wire hole, and the second end of the wire 23 is electrically connected to the battery 24. The sealing plate 15 is mounted on the housing 1 and seals the mounting cavity 12. Specifically, the battery 24 is disposed within the mounting cavity 12 and is electrically connected to the camera 22 through the wire 23. A circuit board can be disposed within the mounting cavity 12 for controlling the start-up or shutdown of the camera 22. The sealing plate 15 also has a sealing ring 151, which is arranged circumferentially along the sealing plate 15. When the sealing plate 15 is mounted on the housing 1, the sealing ring 151 seals the gap between the sealing plate 15 and the housing 1, improving the sealing performance within the mounting cavity 12.

[0047] Preferably, the outer casing 1 has mounting members 16 on both sides. The mounting members 16 are bent and form a first slot 161, which cooperates with the gas meter. Specifically, by providing mounting members 16 on both sides of the outer casing 1, and bending the mounting members 16 to form the first slot 161, the first slot 161 is used to engage with the gas meter, thereby fixing the outer casing 1 to the gas meter.

[0048] Preferably, the mounting component 16 also has mounting holes 162, and the housing 1 also has a second slot 17, with the two mounting holes 162 located on both sides of the second slot 17. Specifically, this second slot 17 is also used to cooperate with the gas meter or the mounting housing to improve the stability between the housing 1 and the gas meter.

[0049] This invention also proposes a gas appliance, including the meter reading device 100 as described above. Specifically, the meter reading device 100 is applied to a gas appliance, making it easy to install on a gas meter without damaging the existing gas meter. The meter reading device 100 can be easily installed without screws, ropes, adhesives, or modifications to the gas pipeline. Furthermore, after installation, the display surface on the gas meter is not obstructed, and the tilted camera 22 can extend the focal length, expand the shooting range, and clearly capture the angle of the display surface. The camera component 2 is offset from the observation surface 13, which reduces the thickness of the meter reading device 100, allowing the gas tank to be closed after the meter is installed.

[0050] When referencing drawings, new features are explained. To avoid redundant references to drawings that would make the description less concise, features already described will not be referenced again on the drawings if the description is clear.

[0051] The purpose of the above embodiments is to reproduce and derive the technical solution of the present invention by way of example, and to fully describe the technical solution, purpose and effect of the present invention. The purpose is to enable the public to have a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the disclosure of the present invention, and not to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0052] The above embodiments are not an exhaustive list based on the present invention, and there may be many other embodiments not listed. Any substitutions and improvements made without departing from the concept of the present invention are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A meter reading device, characterized in that, include: The package includes a housing, a partition, and a camera assembly. The partition is disposed inside the housing and separates the cavity of the housing to form an isolation cavity and a mounting cavity. The housing has an installation port and an observation surface. The installation port allows the display surface of the gas meter to enter the isolation chamber. The installation port and the observation surface are arranged opposite to each other. The mounting cavity is offset from the observation surface. The shooting component is located inside the mounting cavity, and the shooting direction of the shooting component is towards the mounting opening. The shooting angle of the shooting component covers the mounting opening.

2. The meter reading device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The partition is inclined and is at least partially made of transparent material; The camera assembly is located at least partially on one side of the partition.

3. The meter reading device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The angle of inclination between the partition and the observation surface is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

4. The meter reading device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The shooting assembly includes a bracket and a camera. The bracket is installed at the bottom of the housing and is inclined. The bracket has a fixing groove and a through hole at the bottom of the fixing groove. The camera is installed in the fixing groove and is located at the through hole.

5. The meter reading device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The bracket includes a support base and a support plate. The fixing groove is formed on the support base, and the support base is mounted on the support plate. The support plate has two fixing holes. The bottom of the outer shell has a positioning pin corresponding to the two fixing holes. The fixing holes are for fasteners to pass through. The support plate is fixed to the positioning pin by fasteners.

6. The meter reading device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The support base includes a base plate, a first side plate, and two second side plates. The first side plate and the two second side plates are all mounted on the base plate. The two second side plates are arranged opposite each other, and a wire hole is formed between the two second side plates. The wire hole corresponds to the first side plate.

7. The meter reading device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The camera assembly also includes a wire, a battery, and a sealing plate. The battery is disposed in the mounting cavity. The first end of the wire is electrically connected to the camera through a through hole, and the second end of the wire is electrically connected to the battery. The sealing plate is mounted on the housing and seals the mounting cavity.

8. The meter reading device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The outer casing has mounting parts on both sides. The mounting parts are bent and form a first slot, which cooperates with the gas meter.

9. The meter reading device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The mounting component also has mounting holes, and the housing also has a second slot, with the two mounting holes located on both sides of the second slot.

10. A gas-fired appliance, characterized in that, Includes the meter reading device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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