Waterproof and moistureproof large-diameter intelligent water meter

Abstract

This invention relates to a waterproof and moisture-proof large-diameter smart water meter, comprising a large-diameter base meter, a sealing valve assembly, a sealing box assembly, and a signal conversion sensor box. The large-diameter base meter has a sealing valve connection hole. The sealing valve assembly is inserted into the sealing valve connection hole and is limited by it. The bottom end of the sealing box assembly cooperates with the sealing valve assembly for sealing, and the sealing box assembly is fixed to the large-diameter base meter by assembly screws. The sealing box assembly includes a stainless steel protective shell, a plastic shell support, a plastic shell antenna protective cover, and an inflation nozzle. The plastic shell support is fixed inside the stainless steel protective shell and has an electronic module and a lithium battery mounted on it. The plastic shell antenna protective cover and the inflation nozzle are both located on the top of the stainless steel protective shell. The plastic shell antenna protective cover has a protective cover sealing ring. The inflation nozzle has an O-ring sealing ring, and an inflation nozzle cap is provided on top to cover the inflation nozzle. Compared with the prior art, this invention has advantages such as waterproof and moisture-proof properties, good sealing performance, and avoidance of water bill losses.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of smart water meter manufacturing technology, and in particular to a waterproof and moisture-proof large-diameter smart water meter. Background Technology

[0002] Urban water supply pipelines are laid underground, with manholes installed at designated locations according to the plan. Valves, large-diameter water meters, and other equipment are installed in these manholes. The advantages are that the valves and water meters are directly connected to the water supply pipeline, making installation simple, minimizing pressure loss on the pipeline, and importantly, not occupying surface space. In the past, this installation method caused great inconvenience for water management personnel reading meters. They had to remove heavy manhole covers and climb into the damp and hot manholes to read the meter data, making the work strenuous and the working environment harsh. Even worse, water often accumulated in the manholes, especially in southern regions, sometimes submerging the water meters for extended periods. To read the meters, they had to pump out the water from the manholes, which was time-consuming and laborious. Later, with technological advancements, the application of various prepaid water meters, wired remote transmission, and wireless remote transmission smart water meters effectively solved this meter reading problem and became highly favored by water supply management departments. However, these advanced, battery-powered, low-power electronic devices have extremely stringent requirements for waterproofing and moisture resistance. Large-diameter water meters handle hundreds or even thousands of tons of water daily. For example, a DN150 water meter typically has a flow rate of 250 m³ / h. 3 Even if we measure this flow rate for 8 hours, the daily water consumption would be 2000 tons. If the water meter malfunctions and fails to measure properly, the resulting losses would be substantial. Currently, no sealing structure can completely prevent leakage, while the required service life of water meters is at least 6 years. For large-diameter smart water meters installed in underground wells, the sealed end of the plastic-cased antenna, the module and battery mounting port of the casing, and even the plastic material of the antenna cover itself, will be affected by water and water vapor penetration when immersed in water or in humid environments for extended periods.

[0003] In response to this problem, water meter manufacturers have increased their investment and are making every effort to develop new technologies to solve the existing problems, so that water meters can work normally in waterlogged and humid well environments for a long time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a waterproof and moisture-proof large-diameter smart water meter.

[0005] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A waterproof and moisture-proof large-diameter smart water meter includes a large-diameter base meter, a sealing valve assembly, a sealing box assembly, and a signal conversion sensor box. The large-diameter base meter has a sealing valve connection hole. The sealing valve assembly is inserted into the sealing valve connection hole and is limited by the connection hole to achieve a waterproof and moisture-proof seal. The bottom end of the sealing box assembly cooperates with the sealing valve assembly for sealing, and the sealing box assembly is fixed to the large-diameter base meter by mounting screws. The sealing box assembly includes a stainless steel protective shell, a plastic shell support, a plastic shell antenna protective cover, and an inflation nozzle for filling the stainless steel protective shell with nitrogen. The plastic shell support is fixed inside the stainless steel protective shell and has an electronic module and a lithium battery mounted on it. The plastic shell antenna protective cover and the inflation nozzle are both located on the top of the stainless steel protective shell. The plastic shell antenna protective cover has a protective cover sealing ring. The inflation nozzle has an O-ring seal and a top inflation nozzle cap for covering the inflation nozzle. A sealing ring is also provided inside the inflation nozzle cap.

[0007] Furthermore, the large-diameter base meter includes a water meter housing; an organic core is installed inside the water meter housing, and a flange end cover is fixed above it by an assembly screw; a flange end cover sealing gasket is installed below the flange end cover and presses against the water meter housing; a meter cover is threaded onto the flange end cover; a meter cover gasket, tempered glass, and a glass sealing gasket are sequentially arranged between the meter cover and the flange end cover.

[0008] Furthermore, the sealing valve connection hole is located on the flange end cover; the sealing box assembly is fixed on the flange end cover.

[0009] Furthermore, the sealing valve assembly includes a sealing valve stem; the top of the sealing valve stem is provided with an upper O-ring seal and the bottom is provided with a lower O-ring seal; the top of the sealing valve stem extends into the interior of the stainless steel protective shell, and the bottom is inserted into the sealing valve connection hole.

[0010] Furthermore, the electronic module is equipped with a pressure sensor and a wireless transmission module, which are used to transmit abnormal signals when the pressure is too low.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0012] (1) The present invention installs the electronic module and lithium battery inside the stainless steel protective shell, and seals the bottom with the valve stem of the sealing valve. Nitrogen gas is injected into the stainless steel protective shell through the air inlet, so that the pressure inside the shell is greater than the atmospheric pressure outside the shell, or the water pressure when immersed in water, thereby preventing water and water vapor outside the stainless steel protective shell from penetrating into the shell. Under the action of pressure difference, the valve stem of the sealing valve moves downward until it is limited by the upper end of the sealing valve connection hole. As the water meter installed in the well slowly leaks after long-term operation, the air pressure inside the stainless steel protective shell drops. The water pressure at the bottom of the valve stem of the sealing valve will push the valve stem of the sealing valve to move upward, so that the air pressure inside the stainless steel protective shell is stable within a set range for a long time. This ensures that the large-diameter smart water meter can work for a long time in the waterlogged well installation environment, is waterproof and moisture-proof, has a long service life, and improves the sealing performance and sealing cycle of the product.

[0013] (2) The present invention is equipped with a pressure sensor and a wireless remote transmission module on the electronic module. When the air pressure is lower than the set value, the wireless remote transmission module collects the pressure value of the pressure sensor and transmits the data remotely to the water management department to notify the management personnel to conduct on-site analysis and maintenance. The air is pressurized by the air inlet to ensure that the waterproof and moisture-proof performance of the large-diameter smart water meter is not affected, and to avoid the impact of sealing failure on the electronic metering performance of the water meter, resulting in water fee loss or disputes. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the large-diameter base surface structure provided by the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the sealing box assembly structure provided by the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the sealing valve assembly structure provided by the present invention.

[0018] The labels in the diagram indicate:

[0019] 1. Large-diameter base meter; 2. Sealing valve assembly; 3. Sealing box assembly; 4. Signal conversion sensor box; 5. Sealing valve connection hole; 6. Assembly screws; 7. Stainless steel protective shell; 8. Plastic shell bracket; 9. Plastic shell antenna protective cover; 10. Inflation nozzle; 11. Electronic module; 12. Lithium battery; 13. Protective cover sealing ring; 14. O-ring seal; 15. Inflation nozzle cap; 16. Water meter housing; 17. Mechanism; 18. Assembly screw; 19. Flange end cover; 20. Flange end cover sealing gasket; 21. Meter cover; 22. Meter cover gasket; 23. Tempered glass; 24. Glass sealing gasket; 25. Sealing valve stem; 26. Upper O-ring seal of sealing valve; 27. Lower O-ring seal of sealing valve. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0021] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0022] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0023] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this invention is usually placed during use. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0024] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0025] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0026] Example

[0027] like Figure 1 and 3 As shown, a waterproof and moisture-proof large-diameter smart water meter includes a large-diameter base meter 1, a sealing valve assembly 2, a sealing box assembly 3, and a signal conversion sensor box 4. The signal conversion sensor box 4 is used to convert the mechanical dial reading of the smart water meter into an electronic signal for measurement. The large-diameter base meter 1 is provided with a sealing valve connection hole 5. The sealing valve assembly 2 is inserted into the sealing valve connection hole 5 and is limited by the sealing valve connection hole 5 to achieve waterproof and moisture-proof sealing. The bottom end of the sealing box assembly 3 cooperates with the sealing valve assembly 2 for sealing, and the sealing box assembly 3 is fixed to the large-diameter base meter 1 by mounting screws 6. The sealing box assembly 3 includes a stainless steel protective shell 7, a plastic shell bracket 8, a plastic shell antenna protective cover 9, and a device for filling the stainless steel protective shell 7 with nitrogen gas. The inflation nozzle 10; the plastic shell bracket 8 is fixed inside the stainless steel protective shell 7, on which the electronic module 11 and lithium battery 12 are installed, which can prevent the electronic module 11 and lithium battery 12 from being damaged by moisture and water ingress; the plastic shell bracket 8 is filled with potting compound; the plastic shell antenna protective cover 9 and the inflation nozzle 10 are both set on the top of the stainless steel protective shell 7; the plastic shell antenna protective cover 9 is provided with a protective cover sealing ring 13 for better waterproof sealing; the plastic shell antenna protective cover 9 is provided with an antenna, which is integrated into the electronic module 11; the inflation nozzle 10 is provided with an O-ring sealing ring 14, and an inflation nozzle cover 15 is provided on the top to cover the inflation nozzle 10, and the inflation nozzle cover 15 is also provided with a sealing ring inside for better waterproof sealing.

[0028] like Figure 2As shown, the large-diameter base meter 1 includes a water meter housing 16; an organic core 17 is installed inside the water meter housing 16, and a flange end cover 19 is fixed above it by an assembly screw 18; a flange end cover sealing gasket 20 is installed below the flange end cover 19 and presses against the water meter housing 16; a meter cover 21 is threaded onto the flange end cover 19; a meter cover gasket 22, tempered glass 23, and a glass sealing gasket 24 are sequentially arranged between the meter cover 21 and the flange end cover 19, allowing the water meter reading to be observed through the tempered glass 23; a sealing valve connection hole 5 is located on the flange end cover 19; and a sealing box assembly 3 is fixed on the flange end cover 19, covering the sealing valve connection hole 5, so that the sealing valve assembly 2 forms an adjustable pressure air seal to the inside of the stainless steel protective shell 7.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, the sealing valve assembly 2 includes a sealing valve stem 25; the top of the sealing valve stem 25 is provided with an upper O-ring 26 and the bottom is provided with a lower O-ring 27; the top of the sealing valve stem 25 extends into the stainless steel protective shell 7 and the bottom is inserted into the sealing valve connection hole 5.

[0030] The electronic module 11 is equipped with a pressure sensor and a wireless remote transmission module. When the pressure is too low, it transmits an abnormal signal. When the air pressure is lower than the set value, the wireless remote transmission module collects the pressure value of the pressure sensor and transmits the data remotely to the water management department, notifying the management personnel to go to the site for analysis and maintenance. The meter is pressurized by the air inlet 10 to ensure that the waterproof and moisture-proof performance of the large-diameter smart water meter is not affected, thus avoiding the impact of sealing failure on the electronic metering performance of the water meter, which could lead to water bill losses or disputes.

[0031] The working principle of this invention is as follows:

[0032] First, open the inflation nozzle cover 15 and fill the stainless steel protective shell 7 with nitrogen through the inflation nozzle 10. This makes the pressure inside the shell greater than the atmospheric pressure outside the shell, or the water pressure when immersed in water, thus preventing water and water vapor from penetrating into the stainless steel protective shell 7. Under the pressure difference, the sealing valve stem 25 moves downwards until it is limited by the upper end of the sealing valve connection hole 5. At this point, inflation stops, and the inflation nozzle cover 15 is closed. As the water meter installed in the well operates for a long time, the internal nitrogen slowly leaks, causing a drop in the air pressure inside the stainless steel protective shell 7. The water pressure at the bottom of the sealing valve stem 25 pushes the valve stem 25 upwards, keeping the air pressure inside the stainless steel protective shell 7 stable within a set range. This ensures that the large-diameter smart water meter can operate for a long time in the damp environment of the well installation, providing waterproofing and moisture resistance, extending its service life, and preventing moisture from entering the stainless steel shell 7 and affecting the electronic module 11 and lithium battery 12. This improves the product's sealing performance and sealing cycle.

[0033] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of the present invention without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of the present invention through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A waterproof and moisture-proof large-diameter smart water meter, characterized in that, The system includes a large-diameter base meter (1), a sealing valve assembly (2), a sealing box assembly (3), and a signal conversion sensor box (4). The large-diameter base meter (1) has a sealing valve connection hole (5). The sealing valve assembly (2) is inserted into the sealing valve connection hole (5) and is limited by the sealing valve connection hole (5) to achieve a waterproof and moisture-proof seal. The bottom end of the sealing box assembly (3) cooperates with the sealing valve assembly (2) for sealing, and the sealing box assembly (3) is fixed to the large-diameter base meter (1) by mounting screws (6). The sealed box assembly (3) includes a stainless steel protective shell (7), a plastic shell bracket (8), a plastic shell antenna cover (9), and an inflation nozzle (10) for filling the stainless steel protective shell (7) with nitrogen. The plastic shell bracket (8) is fixed inside the stainless steel protective shell (7) and has an electronic module (11) and a lithium battery (12) mounted on it. The plastic shell antenna cover (9) and the inflation nozzle (10) are both located on the top of the stainless steel protective shell (7). The plastic shell antenna cover (9) is provided with a protective cover seal. O-ring (13); an O-ring (14) is provided on the inflation nozzle (10), and an inflation nozzle cover (15) is provided on the top to cover the inflation nozzle (10); a sealing ring is also provided inside the inflation nozzle cover (15); the sealing valve assembly (2) includes a sealing valve stem (25); an upper O-ring (26) is provided on the top of the sealing valve stem (25), and a lower O-ring (27) is provided on the bottom of the sealing valve stem (25); the top of the sealing valve stem (25) extends into the stainless steel protective shell. (7) Inside, the bottom is inserted into the sealing valve connection hole (5); after nitrogen is filled, the sealing valve stem (25) moves downward under the action of pressure difference until it is limited by the upper end of the sealing valve connection hole (5). At this time, the filling stops and the filling nozzle cover (15) is covered; when the internal nitrogen slowly leaks, causing the air pressure inside the stainless steel protective shell (7) to drop, the water pressure at the bottom of the sealing valve stem (25) will push the sealing valve stem (25) to move upward, so that the air pressure inside the stainless steel protective shell (7) is stable within a set range for a long time.

2. The waterproof and moisture-proof large-diameter smart water meter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The large-diameter base meter (1) includes a water meter housing (16); an organic core (17) is provided inside the water meter housing (16), and a flange end cap (19) is fixed above it by an assembly screw (18); a flange end cap sealing gasket (20) is provided below the flange end cap (19) and pressed on the water meter housing (16); a meter cover (21) is threaded onto the flange end cap (19); a meter cover gasket (22), tempered glass (23) and a glass sealing gasket (24) are arranged sequentially between the meter cover (21) and the flange end cap (19).

3. A waterproof and moisture-proof large-diameter smart water meter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sealing valve connection hole (5) is provided on the flange end cover (19); the sealing box assembly (3) is fixed on the flange end cover (19).

4. A waterproof and moisture-proof large-diameter smart water meter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic module (11) is equipped with a pressure sensor and a wireless remote transmission module, which are used to transmit abnormal signals when the pressure is too low.

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