Hidden camera visual recognition intelligent valve control water meter

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of water meter technology, specifically a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter. It includes a water meter body, a control box housing mounted on top of the water meter body, a control box cover mounted on top of the control box housing, and a counting mechanism and a vision component installed inside the control box housing. The counting mechanism includes a mounting base fixed inside the control box housing, and a multi-level digital wheel group composed of multiple digital wheels rotatably mounted on the top of the mounting base. The digital wheels include a first group of staggered digital wheels and a second group of digital wheels. Compared to traditional manual meter reading, this invention is more efficient and less labor-intensive in reading data, significantly reducing meter reading costs and manpower. Building upon the traditional pulse-based meter reading method of smart water meters, it combines a hidden camera structure design to achieve dual meter reading methods. Furthermore, it possesses excellent anti-vandalism and anti-interference performance, strong structural protection, and adaptability to complex installation environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water meter technology, and in particular to a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional water meters typically feature a dial for displaying real-time flow, requiring water companies to periodically send personnel to read the meters and record water consumption. This method is labor-intensive and inefficient. To address this issue, camera-based smart valve-controlled water meters have emerged. These meters integrate a camera into the meter body, controlled by a remote meter reading module. When meter reading is needed, the terminal system sends a command to the water meter via the remote reading module. The camera then captures the dial reading, converts it into a digital signal, and transmits it to the water management unit, achieving remote data collection.

[0003] However, in existing camera-based water meters, the dial remains unchanged, and the camera directly captures images of it. On one hand, the camera directly facing the dial obstructs the view, making it inconvenient for users to check the readings and for meter inspection. Furthermore, if the camera is positioned directly over the dial, the captured reading will not match the actual meter reading, requiring manual conversion to obtain the correct reading. On the other hand, traditional dials are designed for manual viewing and are therefore relatively large. For the camera to capture the entire dial, it must maintain a sufficient distance, resulting in a large overall meter size and requiring significant installation space. Therefore, a concealed camera-based visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a hidden camera-based visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter, including a water meter body, a control box housing installed on the top of the water meter body, a control box cover installed on the top of the control box housing, and a counting mechanism and a vision component installed inside the control box housing; The counting mechanism includes a mounting base fixed inside the control box housing. A multi-level digital wheel group composed of multiple digital wheels is rotatably mounted on the top of the mounting base. The digital wheels include a first group of character wheels and a second group of character wheels that are staggered. The characters on the first group of character wheels on each digital wheel can be observed through the control box housing. The vision component includes a vision mechanism fixed inside the control box housing that performs visual recognition and capture of the character wheel group two on each digital wheel. The character observed by the control box housing is the same as the character of the corresponding character wheel group two on the corresponding digital wheel that is visually recognized by the vision mechanism.

[0006] Preferably, the mounting base is provided with a cover plate above it, and multiple number wheels are located between the cover plate. The bottom of the cover plate is provided with an integrally formed side plate, which is fixedly connected to the mounting base. The top of the mounting base is provided with multiple windows II distributed at equal intervals, which are located above the number wheel group I of the corresponding number wheel. The side plate is provided with multiple windows I distributed at equal intervals, which are located on one side of the number wheel group II of the corresponding number wheel.

[0007] Preferably, a shaft is installed on the mounting base, the shaft passes through multiple digital wheels and is coaxially arranged with the multiple digital wheels, and a dial is fixedly installed on the top of the cover plate, the dial having rectangular holes adapted to the multiple windows.

[0008] Preferably, the number wheel includes two coaxially arranged wheel 1s, which move synchronously, and the character wheel group 1 and character wheel group 2 are respectively arranged on the two wheel 1s.

[0009] Preferably, the number wheel includes a second wheel, and both the first and second number wheel groups are disposed on the second wheel.

[0010] Preferably, the vision component further includes a mounting box fixed inside the control box housing, and the vision mechanism further includes a circuit board fixedly connected to the bottom inner wall of the mounting box. A smart vision sensor is fixedly mounted on the bottom of the circuit board. A mounting hole is provided on the bottom inner wall of the mounting box, and the smart vision sensor extends through the mounting hole to the outside of the mounting box and faces multiple windows.

[0011] Preferably, the counting mechanism is provided with a non-magnetic / magnetic reluctance sensor that is rotatably mounted, and the circuit board has a slot coaxially arranged with the non-magnetic / magnetic reluctance sensor. Multiple Hall effect sensors are evenly distributed around the center of the slot on the top of the circuit board.

[0012] Preferably, an actuator and a battery are fixedly installed inside the control box housing, and both the actuator and the battery are located below the vision component.

[0013] Preferably, the control box cover includes an upper housing fixedly connected to the control box housing, a protective cover is fixedly installed on the upper housing, an observation window is provided on the protective cover, and a protective cover adapted to the observation window is rotatably installed on the protective cover.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: Compared to traditional manual meter reading, this invention is more efficient and less labor-intensive in reading data, significantly reducing meter reading costs and manpower. Based on the traditional smart water meter's pulse-based meter reading method, it combines a hidden camera structure design to achieve dual meter reading methods, avoiding the problem of meter reading data errors. In addition, it has excellent anti-vandalism and anti-interference performance, strong structural protection, and can adapt to complex installation environments.

[0015] This invention abandons the traditional method of installing intelligent vision sensors externally or directly opposite the dial. Instead, it integrates the vision mechanism hidden inside the water meter and places it on the side of the digital wheel. It uses camera technology to collect readings, which not only avoids the physical obstruction of the digital wheel's view by the vision mechanism, allowing users to directly and clearly view the digital wheel, but also improves the overall aesthetics and integration of the water meter. In addition, the readings captured by the intelligent vision sensor are consistent with the actual readings, eliminating the need for conversion and providing a WYSIWYG experience.

[0016] This invention addresses the problem of bulky size in traditional water meters due to the need to maintain a sufficient shooting distance. It achieves full-view capture of the digital wheel at an extremely short distance. This design makes the overall structure of the water meter more compact, significantly reducing the space occupied during installation and facilitating installation in old residential area renovations or narrow meter wells.

[0017] This invention relies on the remote automatic meter reading function of a hidden vision mechanism, which allows water companies to accurately obtain readings without manual on-site visits. This fundamentally solves the problems of high cost, low efficiency, and difficulty in accessing homes for manual meter reading. At the same time, since the intelligent vision sensor does not obstruct the observation window, quality supervision departments or water companies can visually verify the readings without disassembling the water meter when conducting periodic inspections or anomaly reviews, making the operation more convenient.

[0018] This invention hides the vision mechanism inside the water meter, which, compared to external camera devices, effectively avoids recognition failures caused by water vapor condensation, dial fogging, external scratches, or human damage. The enclosed, hidden environment provides better physical protection for the precision electronic components, ensuring long-term stable operation in humid and dusty environments. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter proposed in this invention; Figure 2 The local explosion of a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter proposed in this invention. Figure 1 ; Figure 3 The local explosion of a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter proposed in this invention. Figure 2 ; Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the vision mechanism in a hidden camera vision recognition smart valve-controlled water meter proposed in this invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the counting mechanism in a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter proposed in this invention; Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the counting mechanism in a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter proposed in this invention; Figure 7 This invention presents a schematic diagram of the digital wheel in a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter. Figure 1 ; Figure 8 This invention presents a schematic diagram of the digital wheel in a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter. Figure 2 ; Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the control box cover of a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve water meter proposed in this invention.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Water meter body; 2. Control box housing; 3. Control box cover; 4. Counting mechanism; 5. Vision assembly; 6. Actuator; 7. Battery; 31. Protective cover; 311. Observation window; 312. Protective cover; 32. Upper shell; 41. Mounting base; 42. Shaft; 43. Number wheel; 431. Number wheel assembly one; 432. Number wheel assembly two; 433. Wheel one; 434. Wheel two; 44. Cover plate; 441. Side plate; 442. Window one; 443. Window two; 45. Dial; 451. Rectangular hole; 46. Non-magnetic / magnetic resistance sensor; 51. Mounting box; 52. Mounting hole; 53. Vision mechanism; 531. Circuit board; 532. Hall effect sensor; 533. Intelligent vision sensor; 534. Slot. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] Please refer to Figures 1-9 The present invention provides a technical solution: a hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter, including a water meter body 1, a control box housing 2 installed on the top of the water meter body 1, a control box cover 3 installed on the top of the control box housing 2, and a counting mechanism 4 and a vision component 5 installed inside the control box housing 2; The counting mechanism 4 includes a mounting base 41 fixed inside the control box housing 2. A multi-level digital wheel group composed of multiple digital wheels 43 is rotatably mounted on the top of the mounting base 41. The digital wheels 43 include a first character wheel group 431 and a second character wheel group 432 that are staggered. The characters on the first character wheel group 431 on each digital wheel 43 can be observed through the control box housing 2. The vision component 5 includes a vision mechanism 53 fixed inside the control box housing 2 for visual recognition and imaging of the character wheel group 432 on each number wheel 43. The characters observed by the control box housing 2 on the character wheel group 431 of each number wheel 43 are the same as the characters visually recognized by the vision mechanism 53 on the corresponding character wheel group 432 of the number wheel 43.

[0023] A cover plate 44 is provided above the mounting base 41, and multiple number wheels 43 are located between the cover plate 44. A side plate 441 is integrally formed at the bottom of the cover plate 44. The side plate 441 is fixedly connected to the mounting base 41. Multiple windows 443 are evenly distributed at the top of the mounting base 41. The multiple windows 443 are located above the number wheel group 431 of the corresponding number wheel 43. Multiple windows 442 are evenly distributed at the side plate 441. The multiple windows 442 are located on one side of the number wheel group 432 of the corresponding number wheel 43.

[0024] A shaft 42 is installed on the mounting base 41. The shaft 42 passes through multiple digital wheels 43 and is coaxially arranged with the multiple digital wheels 43. A dial 45 is fixedly installed on the top of the cover plate 44. A rectangular hole 451 is opened on the dial 45 to match the multiple windows 443.

[0025] like Figure 7 As shown, the number wheel 43 includes two coaxially arranged wheel 433, which move synchronously. The character wheel group 431 and the character wheel group 432 are respectively arranged on the two wheel 433.

[0026] like Figure 8 As shown, the number wheel 43 includes a second wheel 434, and the first wheel group 431 and the second wheel group 432 are both mounted on the second wheel 434.

[0027] Furthermore, such as Figures 6-8 As shown, staff can directly observe the corresponding characters on each character wheel group 431 on the number wheel 43 through multiple windows 443, while the intelligent vision sensor 533 can observe the corresponding characters on each character wheel group 432 on the number wheel 43 through the corresponding window 442. When observing the same number wheel 43 from the corresponding windows 442 and 443, the characters displayed on the observed character wheel group 432 are the same as the characters displayed on the character wheel group 431.

[0028] The vision component 5 also includes a mounting box 51 fixed inside the control box housing 2. The vision mechanism 53 also includes a circuit board 531 fixedly connected to the bottom inner wall of the mounting box 51. A smart vision sensor 533 is fixedly mounted on the bottom of the circuit board 531. A mounting hole 52 is provided on the bottom inner wall of the mounting box 51. The smart vision sensor 533 extends through the mounting hole 52 to the outside of the mounting box 51 and faces multiple windows 442.

[0029] Furthermore, the intelligent vision sensor 533 can not only clearly recognize the characters of the digital wheel 43 in low light or even dark environments, but also perform preprocessing such as noise reduction and enhancement on the original photos to optimize image quality and make the captured images clearer. The intelligent vision sensor 533 can also be replaced by a less expensive infrared camera or a camera with a built-in fill light.

[0030] The counting mechanism 4 is provided with a non-magnetic / magnetic resistance sensor 46 that is rotatably mounted. The circuit board 531 has a slot 534 that is coaxially arranged with the non-magnetic / magnetic resistance sensor 46. Multiple Hall effect sensors 532 are evenly distributed around the center of the slot 534 on the top of the circuit board 531.

[0031] The actuator 6 and the battery 7 are fixedly installed inside the control box housing 2. Both the actuator 6 and the battery 7 are located below the vision component 5.

[0032] The control box cover 3 includes an upper housing 32 that is fixedly connected to the control box housing 2. A protective cover 31 is fixedly installed on the upper housing 32. An observation window 311 is provided on the protective cover 31. A protective cover 312 that is adapted to the observation window 311 is rotatably installed on the protective cover 31.

[0033] Furthermore, the upper housing 32 and the control box housing 2 are fixedly connected by multiple fasteners, and the upper housing 32 is made of colorless and transparent composite material, and a sealing ring is provided between the two, so as to ensure that all electronic components of the entire device are located between the control box housing 2 and the upper housing 32. By isolating the main components and electronic components in the device from the external environment, it can not only play a sealing role, but also prevent external water vapor from corroding the electronic components in the device. At the same time, by isolating the electronic components in the device from the external environment, it is possible to prevent damage to the main components and electronic components from impacts.

[0034] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hidden camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter, comprising a water meter body (1), characterized in that: The water meter body (1) is equipped with a control box housing (2) on top, and a control box cover (3) is installed on the top of the control box housing (2). A counting mechanism (4) and a vision component (5) are installed inside the control box housing (2). The counting mechanism (4) includes a mounting base (41) fixed inside the control box housing (2). A multi-level digital wheel group consisting of multiple digital wheels (43) is rotatably mounted on the top of the mounting base (41). The digital wheels (43) include a first character wheel group (431) and a second character wheel group (432) that are staggered. The characters of the first character wheel group (431) on each digital wheel (43) can be observed through the control box housing (2). The vision component (5) includes a vision mechanism (53) fixed inside the control box housing (2) for visual recognition and imaging of the character wheel group two (432) on each number wheel (43). The characters observed by the control box housing (2) on each number wheel (43) are the same as the characters visually recognized by the vision mechanism (53) on the corresponding number wheel (43) on the character wheel group two (432).

2. The concealed camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting base (41) is provided with a cover plate (44) above it. Multiple number wheels (43) are located between the cover plate (44). The bottom of the cover plate (44) is provided with an integrally formed side plate (441). The side plate (441) is fixedly connected to the mounting base (41). The top of the mounting base (41) is provided with multiple windows (443) that are evenly distributed. The multiple windows (443) are located above the number wheel group (431) of the corresponding number wheel (43). The side plate (441) is provided with multiple windows (442) that are evenly distributed. The multiple windows (442) are located on one side of the number wheel group (432) of the corresponding number wheel (43).

3. The concealed camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter according to claim 2, characterized in that: A shaft (42) is installed on the mounting base (41). The shaft (42) passes through multiple digital wheels (43) and is coaxially arranged with multiple digital wheels (43). A dial (45) is fixedly installed on the top of the cover plate (44). A rectangular hole (451) is opened on the dial (45) to match multiple windows (443).

4. The concealed camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number wheel (43) includes two wheel 1 (433) arranged coaxially, and the two wheel 1 (433) move synchronously. The character wheel group 1 (431) and character wheel group 2 (432) are respectively arranged on the two wheel 1 (433).

5. The concealed camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number wheel (43) includes a second wheel (434), and the first character wheel group (431) and the second character wheel group (432) are both mounted on the second wheel (434).

6. The concealed camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The vision component (5) further includes a mounting box (51) fixed inside the control box housing (2). The vision mechanism (53) further includes a circuit board (531) fixedly connected to the bottom inner wall of the mounting box (51). A smart vision sensor (533) is fixedly mounted on the bottom of the circuit board (531). A mounting hole (52) is provided on the bottom inner wall of the mounting box (51). The smart vision sensor (533) extends through the mounting hole (52) to the outside of the mounting box (51) and faces multiple windows (442).

7. The concealed camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter according to claim 6, characterized in that: The counting mechanism (4) is provided with a non-magnetic / magnetic resistance sensor (46) that is rotatably mounted. The circuit board (531) is provided with a slot (534) that is coaxially arranged with the non-magnetic / magnetic resistance sensor (46). The top of the circuit board (531) is provided with a plurality of Hall effect sensors (532) that are evenly distributed around the axis of the slot (534).

8. The concealed camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuator (6) and the battery (7) are fixedly installed inside the control box housing (2), and both the actuator (6) and the battery (7) are located below the vision component (5).

9. The concealed camera visual recognition smart valve-controlled water meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control box cover (3) includes an upper shell (32) fixedly connected to the control box housing (2). A protective cover (31) is fixedly installed on the upper shell (32). An observation window (311) is provided on the protective cover (31). A cover (312) adapted to the observation window (311) is rotatably installed on the protective cover (31).

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