IoT water meters that can operate without electricity
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510134608.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-01
- Estimated Expiration
- 2045-02-05
AI Technical Summary
2、在需要较大功率驱动微型减速电动机关闭水表内阀门时,若因各种原因已配置电源或辅助电源(例如充电电容器等)无电、亏电、不能供给大电流,无法驱动水表电机关断阀门,则必然导致电子信息类水表的失控;特别是球阀因其固有特点的开关失控概率较大
[0019] 1. This invention fulfills the most fundamental legislative purpose of the metrology law: unified metrological standards and display readings. It resolves the structural defects of existing mechanical/electronic water meters that involve dual metering, dual display, and dual control. It may potentially end the current use of both mechanical and electronic metering data in the same electronic water metering device.
Smart Images

Figure CN119964296B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a flow measurement device; more specifically, it relates to an IoT water meter that uses a central management computer to centrally / decentrally manage, charge, and control distributed water supply terminals; the device's internal circuitry does not require power during water supply, only momentarily energizing during each water supply cycle to perform IoT charging management and open valves installed within the device; and it can automatically shut off the valves within the device when water supply conditions are not met, requiring no power supply. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, most publicly available electronically controlled water meters with management and control systems have valves installed on the water supply path of mechanical water meters. These valves are mostly ball valves, with a smaller number being ceramic valves or pilot valves. They are driven to open and close by a motor and its mechanical reduction gear. The opening and closing of the valves is controlled by circuitry superimposed on the mechanical water meter and electronic circuitry that exchanges data with a central management computer. The control method can be decentralized, but more often it is a combination of centralized and decentralized control. These electronic circuits on the water meters include IC cards, smart IC cards, and their readers; some IC cards are contact IC cards, while others are contactless IC cards. Some water meters require wired communication lines for reading, but the use of interactive wireless cryptographic communication technology is currently the major trend. With the development of electronic and network technologies, especially the use of IoT technology, security and the scope of practical applications are being effectively improved. Therefore, for decentralized physical terminal water supply points like water supply networks, the decentralized / centralized management of IoT-based interconnected devices should be the best application of electronic information technology at present. Regarding mechanical water meters, current mechanical water meters primarily use mechanical detection and measurement methods such as velocity and volumetric methods to detect the volume of water passing through the meter. Instantaneous and cumulative flow readings are displayed using a mechanical digital roller (digital wheel) or a digital indicator on the top of a gear. Mechanical water meters offer stable and reliable detection and measurement, and the technology is mature. In contrast, electronic information-based water meters utilize non-electrical quantity measurement technology by superimposing non-electrical quantity measuring devices onto the mechanical water meter. For example, a magnet is mounted on a rotating metering gear; the magnet passes over a magnetic reed switch or a magnetic semiconductor Hall element to obtain electronic pulse signals. Alternatively, mechanical rotation can convert a light source into a light pulse digital code signal, or an infrared light source into a corresponding electronic digital code signal. These methods convert the water flow signal passing through the mechanical water meter into electronic pulse digital information through electromechanical conversion (also known as analog-to-digital conversion or A / D conversion in electronics), thus obtaining the electronic reading of the mechanical water meter's flow rate, which is then accumulated into a cumulative flow reading. The water meter circuit transmits flow information to the central management computer via wired or wireless communication networks and the Internet of Things. The central management computer manages user data and, in conjunction with relevant management conditions and policy requirements, controls the valves inside the water meter to supply water.
[0003] As described above, 1. Existing electronic water meters have both mechanical and electronic data representing water flow, providing two types of readings: electronic digital display of water flow and mechanical display of water flow via two different readings. This dual measurement system enables both electronic and mechanical control for billing management. In other words, daily water supply, usage, and payment management all rely on electronic data. The detection, transmission, control, and display results of the metering are mechanical data, while the electronic data is merely a variation of the electronic pulses generated during the mechanical detection and metering process. A single water usage record can have two different readings: the electronic pulse variation is used for payment, and the electronic pulse variation is also used for controlling water supply and usage. However, in actual management, electronic data may differ from mechanical data. When discrepancies arise between mechanical and electronic readings, the water supply department may prioritize the larger reading, the mechanical display, or the electronic billing data, with the other reading serving only as a reference. 2. When a large power source is needed to drive the micro-geared motor to close the valve inside the water meter, if the power supply or auxiliary power source (such as a charging capacitor) is without power, low on power, or unable to supply a large current for various reasons, it will be impossible to drive the water meter motor to close the valve, inevitably leading to the malfunction of the electronic water meter; ball valves, in particular, have a higher probability of malfunction due to their inherent characteristics. 3. Existing electronic water meters require a 24-hour uninterrupted power supply. Even a very small power supply during circuit dormancy is necessary for electronic metering pulses. If the power supply fails, metering, billing, and valve closure cannot be achieved. If one or more of these functions fail, the electronic water meter's management will malfunction and become ineffective. However, even the world's best batteries have a certain failure rate within their normal lifespan. Summary of the Invention
[0004] During operation, this invention operates completely offline except for a brief power-on period when water fees are collected. It also features an automatic valve shut-off function that eliminates the need for power supply. Specifically, it automatically shuts off the valve and stops water supply in cases of unpaid water fees, attacks or damage, power outages or shortages in the circuit, mechanical failures, or electrical malfunctions. It unconditionally achieves closed-loop feedback between water fee input and water supply output. This is a special control function that automatically reverses to shut off the water supply if the required conditions are not met.
[0005] This invention aims to develop an IoT water meter with a unified mechanical metering display. From mechanical flow detection and measurement, instantaneous flow display, metered value transmission, cumulative metering readings, metering management, billing and deduction, to valve control, all functions of the mechanical water meter utilize only one type of mechanical metering reading. The IoT electronic circuitry's function is billing, meeting policy management requirements such as tiered water pricing. The functions of mechanical detection, metering, and water supply display belong to the mechanical water meter; the functions of billing and control under IoT management belong to the circuitry. The circuitry only momentarily powers on during billing and deduction. When no water payment is received from the user, the user is notified via various information methods, such as SMS or WeChat, without needing to activate the circuitry or supply power. The IoT water meter continues to supply the paid water volume and then automatically closes the valve to stop water supply. Similarly, existing data such as water meter codes, serial numbers, user names, addresses, contact information, population, water prices, times, tiered pricing, and deduction accounts in existing billing management systems using centralized / decentralized management computers need not be changed. The water meter circuitry only momentarily powers on during billing. The goal is to achieve unified metering, single transmission and display of water supply and usage data, stable and reliable closed-loop billing and water supply, prevention of illegal and non-destructive attacks, and the ability to shut off the valve inside the meter even if there is no water bill or electricity. This is an IoT water meter that can operate offline and is adapted to the current level of social, economic and technological development.
[0006] The first problem solved by this invention is the dual metering and dual-display problem of mechanical and electronic meters, achieving unified metering; the mechanical metering displays the metering results, while the electronic metering displays the billing results. This invention ensures that once mechanical metering data meets the billing unit requirement, a mandatory billing status appears, and only after feedback confirmation of water payment is received does the next water supply cycle begin; water supply data is transmitted and displayed unidirectionally, and the closed-loop billing and water supply system is stable and reliable.
[0007] The second technical problem solved by this invention is the issue of mechanical valves in electronic IoT water meters closing when there is no water to collect payment. This invention installs a valve that automatically closes when there is no power within the mechanical water meter: during the valve opening process, the energy required to close the valve is stored in the displacement of a magnet or the deformation of a spring. If the next water bill cannot be collected, or if the water meter's internal circuit fails, is out of power, or is subjected to various illegal non-destructive attacks, the valve will automatically close after the user (unless acting in good faith) has installed a battery for power, even if the collected water volume has been supplied. Failure to receive payment after the billing process has begun is also considered a closed-loop feedback signal for valve closure.
[0008] The third technical problem solved by this invention is that electronic water meters can work normally without power. Currently, electronic water meters still suffer from the problem that both internal and external battery power supplies fail, which results in the water meter's mechanical measurement being normal, but the electronic measurement and the conversion of mechanical analog data into electronic measurement data (A / D conversion) not working. Since this invention eliminates the electronic measurement and A / D conversion steps, this problem is completely solved.
[0009] The fourth technical problem solved by this invention is that the metering, instantaneous flow rate, and cumulative flow rate of the water meter are all completed by a mechanical structure; the collection of water fees is completed by a circuit. The circuit starts the valve opening drive when it receives water fees, and confirms that there is an arrears and does not start the valve opening drive when it does not receive water fees. The A / D conversion and D / A conversion in electronic / mechanical metering instruments are completely eliminated. Thus, a closed-loop management and control of water fee collection and water supply management is realized, and a highly reliable closed-loop payment and exchange of electronic money and physical goods is achieved.
[0010] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:
[0011] This solution proposes installing a valve that can be closed without power on the water supply path of a mechanical water meter. This valve automatically shuts off the water supply when there is no water, mechanical failure, circuit failure, or damage from an attack. An IoT (Internet of Things) billing circuit is superimposed on this mechanical water meter, creating an IoT water meter that complies with legal requirements for metering. The mechanical functions of the water meter are mechanical detection, metering, and water supply, displaying both instantaneous and cumulative meter readings. The superimposed IoT electronic circuit only powers on to communicate, collect fees, and display the water bill when payment is due. This completely replaces the currently prevalent analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion of mechanical metering into electronic pulses. It powers on when the user inquires about water supply and fees, displaying the fee information. The electronic structure and usage method maximize the combination of mechanical and electronic technologies to prevent various attacks and damage, achieving a complete closed-loop payment exchange between IoT-based electronic currency and physical goods. Specifically, the IoT water meter does not power on when water is supplied or not; it only powers on when billing is required. However, it can also be manually powered on when the user inquires.Each water meter is assigned a unique code and QR code associated with its internal circuitry and external markings via an internal IC circuit. This code facilitates information exchange with a central management computer through various communication networks, IoT networks, and IC card carriers. This maximizes the central management computer's functionality while simplifying the large and dispersed circuit structure and functions of the water meters. The central management computer's powerful database and management control functions collect and process water supply billing information and send management commands, enabling centralized management, billing, and control of the water supply. Instantaneous power-on ensures stable and reliable operation of the water supply equipment and effectively prevents external electronic attacks. A valve installed inside the water meter automatically closes when there is no water or power, further enhancing management and control reliability. The structure is simplified, with fewer components and more reliable overall operation. This achieves a complete closed-loop payment exchange between electronic currency and physical goods: the output water supply is instantly powered on during the supply process to initiate the billing process. The result (successful or failed billing) is fed back to the input, undergoing billing verification, metering detection, data transmission, process management, real-time control, and a decision to continue water supply (starting the process). (Start a new round of water supply drive); or if the payment is unsuccessful, after the water supply is completed, the valve will automatically close without power supply, and then restart (automatic restart or manual restart) the power-on payment program. If the payment is successful, start a new round of water supply drive; if the payment is unsuccessful, the valve will remain closed and the power will be cut off; thus achieving complete closed-loop control; the metering results display uniform metering data: the input water fee and the output water supply are always exactly the same; an alarm can be set when the water supply conditions are not met; during each round of water supply and payment, when the circuit is momentarily powered on and meets the water supply conditions, the internal motor is started to restore the control mechanism to the starting state of the new round of water supply; the single mechanical digital display is only the result of executing electronic digital instructions. Once the electronic instructions are executed and completed, they have the characteristic of being unconditionally forced to continue to be executed by the mechanical part and cannot be undone; when various water supply conditions are not met and water cannot be supplied to users, as a special means to ensure the user's water supply and use, a special button is set to pre-draw overdraft water fees, or an emergency water supply management mechanism is provided by using a conditionally open circuit button; a IoT water meter solution combining centralized charging management and control and decentralized management and control is successfully implemented.
[0012] The main inventive methods or ideas behind the technical solutions are:
[0013] On the water supply passage (53) of the mechanical water meter (50), there is a valve (5) that can automatically close when water supply needs to be stopped due to lack of water payment, water meter attack, battery depletion, circuit failure, or mechanical failure. The valve (5) is in an automatically closed state when no control is applied. During the opening of the valve (5), the drive arm (83) of the micro geared motor (19) drives the control arm (13) to rotate. Through the valve frame (10), the magnet 1 (11) on the control arm (13) that has not rotated to the center line above the magnetic slide valve (9) has a repulsive force with the magnetic slide valve (9), and the magnet 2 (12) on the control arm (13) has an attractive force with the magnetic slide valve (9). The control arm (13) is provided with kinetic energy to rotate in the direction of closing the valve, so that when the valve (5) is opened, the energy required to close the valve (5) is stored in the relative displacement of the magnet 1 (11), the magnet 2 (12) and the magnetic slide valve (9); the internal structure of the valve (5) consists of the valve body (6), the rubber cup (7), the lever (8), the magnetic slide valve (9), the support rod (27), and the slide valve (32); the rubber cup (7) has a pilot hole (28), a drain hole (29), and an ear (30); the rubber cup (7) has a cloth curtain (54) as a reinforcing rib inside the wall of the rubber cup (7), and a reinforcing plate (31) to increase the compressive strength is fixed in the double-layer sandwich at the bottom of the cloth curtain (54). The reinforcing plate (31) has a guide rod (35) on it. The valve (5) is fixed together with the double-layer curtain (54) by a reinforcing strip (71); the external structure of the valve (5) consists of a valve frame (10), a control arm (13), a drive arm (83), a micro geared motor (19), and a valve bracket (63); the control arm (13) is equipped with magnets 1 (11), magnet 2 (12), spring clip 1 (15), spring 1 (88), spring clip 3 (17), spring 3 (90), and a power-off rod (20); the drive arm (83) acts on the switch K2 (26) installed on the valve frame (10) through the power-off rod (20); the metering gear set (36) in the metering gear box (49) is connected to the metering gear through the transition gear (39). The counting wheel (64) is engaged; the counting wheel (64) has a counting shaft (65); the control notch 1 (66) on the counting shaft (65) corresponds to the position of the spring clip 1 (15) on the control arm (13); the control notch 3 (68) on the counting shaft (65) corresponds to the position of the spring clip 3 (17) on the control arm (13); the fan-shaped groove (93) on the control arm (13) contains a rotating shaft (21); the fan-shaped groove (93) limits the driving range of the drive arm (83) on the control arm (13); the Internet of Things circuit board (1) inside the outer shell (51) of the water meter has corresponding interactive communication or password communication, data exchange, control, charging, and protocol management functions; and has a forced power-on wake-up function.The IoT circuit board (1) has a power drive circuit that can execute the valve opening (5) command and drive the micro geared motor (19); the IC card inside the circuit board (1) is assigned a unique water meter code (62) or QR code (91) for each water meter, and has corresponding storage information; the water meter has a communication method (60) for contacting the water supply management party; the numbers displayed by the mechanical digit wheel (52) of each water meter and the internal IC card information of each water meter circuit board (1) correspond one-to-one with the corresponding water meter information and management content in the centralized management computer; the power-on protrusion (34) on the control arm (13) acts on the power-on switch K1 (25) installed on the valve frame (10) to power on the circuit board (1); when the circuit board (1) charges and meets the water supply conditions, it powers on the micro geared motor (19); pressing the emergency button (3) on the water meter casing (80) can power on the circuit board (1) and start the circuit board (1) to work.
[0014] If the requirements of automatic valve shut-off due to malfunction, automatic valve shut-off during destructive attack, or automatic valve shut-off due to failure to charge normally are taken into account, a self-closing valve spring (48) is set above the vent (29); the drive arm (83) of the micro geared motor (19) drives the control arm (13), and the magnet 2 (12) on the control arm (13) does not rotate to the center line above the magnetic slide valve (9) separated by the valve frame (10) when rotating. The like repulsion force between the magnet 2 (12) and the magnetic slide valve (9) provides the kinetic energy for the control arm (13) to rotate in the direction of valve shut-off; the magnetic slide valve (9) and the self-closing valve spring (48) work together to open / close the slide valve (32) of the vent (29) through the lever (8), so that when the valve (5) is opened, the energy required to close the valve (5) is stored in the relative displacement of the magnet 2 (12) and the magnetic slide valve (9) and the deformation of the self-closing valve spring (48) in compression.
[0015] The following is an explanation of the inventive method or concept:
[0016] In this invention, the charging management system uses a potential response signal for mechanical switch closure, not a pulse signal, and does not disappear instantly. It issues a valve opening command only after confirming receipt of the water fee. The valve opening command disappears only after the valve opening task is completed. Furthermore, there is no structure of repeated charging during a single water supply cycle, making it a completely reliable charging management system. The metering shaft (65) on the counting and metering wheel (64) leading from the water meter's metering gear set (36) has control notches 1 (66) and 3 (68) that correspond one-to-one with spring clips 1 (15) and 3 (17). When magnet 1 (11) rotates to above the magnetic slide valve (9), it is not completely aligned above, but rather slightly above the midline of the two magnets. This ensures that the repulsive force between the magnetic slide valve (9) and magnet 1 (11), and the attractive force from magnet 2 (12), will point towards the valve closing direction. One point to note is that, in actual use, the IoT water meter of the present invention, which can operate without electricity, will generate a water fee collection-drive-restore to the initial state of the new water supply when the water is supplied to about half a cubic meter in each round of water supply (for example, set to 1 cubic meter). This process is only the spring clip 1 (15) retracting and "bending" through the metering shaft (65), with a movement distance of only a few millimeters.
[0017] As for adding a self-closing valve spring (48) above the slide valve (32) in the internal structure of valve (5), only one magnet 2 (12) can be used on the control arm. When magnet 2 (12) rotates to the top of the magnetic slide valve (9), it is not completely aligned with the top, but slightly above the midline of the two magnets. Only then will the repulsive force between magnet 2 (12) and magnetic slide valve (9) point in the direction of valve closing. Whether using one magnet 2 (12) or two magnets, magnet 1 (11) and magnet 2 (12), the self-closing valve spring (48) can be installed in the internal structure of valve (5).
[0018] The implementation of this invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0019] 1. This invention fulfills the most fundamental legislative purpose of the metrology law: unified metrological standards and display readings. It resolves the structural defects of existing mechanical / electronic water meters that involve dual metering, dual display, and dual control. It may potentially end the current use of both mechanical and electronic metering data in the same electronic water metering device.
[0020] 2. This invention enables household electrical instruments to operate without power; it breaks through the classic mode of traditional non-electrical quantity measurement technology, which must rely on uninterrupted power supply to operate normally; and it improves the stability and reliability of water supply and metering.
[0021] 3. The non-electric valve built into this invention can still close the valve when water fees are not received, the water meter circuit is out of power, or there is a mechanical or electronic malfunction, or it is attacked or damaged, which greatly improves the quality and efficiency of management.
[0022] 4. This invention realizes a closed-loop payment and exchange between electronic currency and physical goods! Its input (payment and collection) and output (water supply) have a complete corresponding control relationship, that is, the result of the output end is fed back to the input end, realizing closed-loop automatic control. During the water supply process, the mechanical system is only powered on when payment is required, and the water supply is not immediately cut off if no payment is received. Instead, it notifies the user to pay the water fee through various information transmission methods such as alarms, SMS, payment software, WeChat, etc., and continues to supply water until the payment is received. When no power is needed, the valve automatically and stably closes. Once the electronic command is executed and completed, it has an unconditional and irrevocable nature that the mechanical part will force continued execution. This facilitates user use and water supply manager maintenance, unifying the interests of users and managers.
[0023] 5. The structure of charging once for each round of water supply in this invention conveniently meets the policy management requirements of tiered water pricing.
[0024] In short, this invention provides a good solution for water supply IoT management, offering powerful means for charging, controlling, and executing electricity-free IoT management from both equipment and technology perspectives; it solves the problem of dual metering, dual control, and dual display metering instruments with both electronic and mechanical data currently existing on a large scale across the entire water supply industry. Attached Figure Description
[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0026] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an IoT water meter that can operate without electricity
[0027] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the automatic shut-off state of an IoT water meter valve that can operate without power.
[0028] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the valve drive of an IoT water meter that can operate offline and return to the open state.
[0029] Figure 4 Mechanical program control diagram of IoT water meters that can operate offline
[0030] Figure 5 IoT-enabled water meter billing and water supply closed-loop payment exchange control diagram
[0031] Figure 6 Block diagram of IoT water meter circuit that can operate without power
[0032] Figure 7Schematic diagram of control arm structure
[0033] Figure 8 Rubber cup structure diagram
[0034] In the diagram: 1. Circuit board; 2. Circuit antenna; 3. Emergency button; 5. Valve; 6. Valve body; 7. Rubber cup; 8. Lever; 9. Magnetic slide valve; 10. Valve bracket; 11. Magnet 1; 12. Magnet 2; 13. Control arm; 15. Spring clip 1; 17. Spring clip 3; 19. Miniature geared motor; 20. Power-off lever; 21. Rotating shaft; 24. Magnetic slide valve housing; 25. Switch K1; 26. Switch K2 27. Support rod; 28. Pilot hole; 29. Drain hole; 30. Ear; 31. Reinforcing plate; 32. Slide valve; 33. Magnetic slide valve magnet; 34. Power-on protrusion; 35. Guide rod; 36. Metering gear set; 37. Internal battery; 38. External battery; 39. Transition gear; 40. IC card holder; 41. Guide rod hole; 42. Control arm gear; 43. Magnetic slide valve seat; 47. Card holder fixing screw; 48. Self-closing valve spring; 49. Metering gear box; 50. Mechanical water meter; 51. Mechanical water meter upper casing; 52. Digit wheel; 53. Water supply passage; 54. Curtain; 55. Mechanical water meter lower casing; 56. Battery box; 60. Communication method; 61. QR code; 62. Water meter code; 63. Valve bracket; 64. Counting and metering wheel; 65. Metering shaft; 66. Control notch 1; 68. Control notch 3 69. Sealed box cover; 70. Support column (71) reinforcing strip; 72. External antenna interface; 74. Sealing strip; 78. Water outlet end; 79. Water inlet end; 80. IoT water meter shell; 81. Valve port; 83. Drive arm; 84. Control arm shaft; 85. Knife 1; 86. Lever connecting rod; 87. Knife 3; 88. Spring 1; 90. Spring 3; 91. Circuit board display screen; 92. Drive arm shaft; 93. Drive sector groove. Detailed Implementation
[0035] This invention is implemented as follows: In a mechanical water meter, the water flow rate is measured by the rotating impeller or volumetric metering box, and then transmitted through the gears of the metering gear set (36) in the metering gear box (49). The measured value is displayed using a mechanical digital wheel (52) or a digital display with a directional pointer on the top of the gear to show the cumulative and instantaneous flow rates. In the water flow rate transmission wheel, an appropriate metering level is set. For example, a 15mm / 20mm diameter water meter commonly used in households is set on the 0.1 cubic meter metering wheel as the counting metering wheel, which is transmitted to the counting metering wheel (64) through the metering transition wheel (39). One rotation of this counting metering wheel (64) represents 1 cubic meter of water flow, which serves as the basic unit for charging for each round of water supply. For larger diameter water meters with larger water supply, the corresponding counting metering wheel is set at a higher metering level. At different heights on the counting and metering wheel (64) axle and metering shaft (65), two metering control notches, namely control notch 1 (66) and control notch 3 (68), are provided to facilitate sequential cyclic control during rotation. Corresponding to control notch 1 (66) is spring clip 1 (15) on the control arm (13), and corresponding to control notch 3 (68) is spring clip 3 (17). Spring clip 1 (15) contains spring 1 (88), and spring clip 3 (17) contains spring 3 (90). A bent piece is provided in the middle of spring clip 1 (15) and spring clip 3 (17) as a spring reserved for backup in the redundancy design. Spring clip 1 (15), spring clip 3 (17) are combined with spring 1 (88) and spring 3 (90) and mounted on the control arm (13).The control arm (13) has a gear (42) for the drive arm (83) to mesh with the driven control arm gear (42); the opening of the control arm (13) is achieved by the circuit board (1) being powered on, and after interactive password communication and successful payment, the power drive circuit of the circuit board is powered on, and the micro geared motor (19) is powered on, which drives the drive arm (83) to drive the control arm (13). The magnet 1 (11) on the control arm (13) is attracted to the magnetic slide valve magnet (33) of the magnetic slide valve (9) through the valve frame (10), and the magnet 2 (12) is repelled by the magnetic slide valve magnet (33) of the magnetic slide valve (9) with the same polarity. The magnetic slide valve (9) moves downward, and through the support rod (27), the lever (8) inserted into the ear (30) and the lever connecting rod (86), it pulls the rubber cup (7) and the slide valve (32) upward, and the slide valve (32) moves away from the support rod (27), the lever (8) inserted into the ear (30) and the lever connecting rod (86). Open the drain hole (29), the rubber cup (7) faces upward, the rubber cup (7) leaves the valve port (81), the guide rod (35) faces upward in the guide rod hole (41), the self-closing valve spring (48) is compressed, and the valve (5) is opened; when the control arm (13) is driven by the drive arm (83), the spring clip 3 (17) and spring clip 1 (15) on the control arm (13) are pressed in sequence during rotation and "bend" through the metering shaft (65) of the counting metering wheel (64), and the magnet 2 (12) on the control arm (13) is driven to a position that is not above the center line of the magnetic slide valve magnet (33); the drive arm (83) drives the medium pressure upper power-off action rod (20), the power-off action rod (20) touches the switch K2 (26), the circuit board (1) is de-energized, and the valve opening drive is completed. During water supply, the magnet 2 (12) on the control arm (13) is subjected to the repulsive force of the same pole of the magnetic slide valve magnet (33), which also becomes a force in the direction of valve closure, and the force in the direction of valve closure generated by the attraction between the opposite poles of the magnet 1 (11) and the magnetic slide valve magnet (33). The de-energizing rod (20) on the control arm (13) gradually moves away from the drive arm (83) during rotation, and the switch K2 (26) returns to the normally closed state. During continued water supply, the spring cutter 1 (15) gradually passes through the control gap 1 (66) from the metering shaft (65), and the spring cutter 3 (17) enters the control gap 3. (68) The power-on protrusion (34) presses the circuit start switch K1 (25). When switch K1 (25) is closed, the circuit board (1) is powered on and interactive password communication occurs, and payment is made. When payment is successful, the power drive circuit of the circuit board (1) is powered on, the micro geared motor (19) rotates, the drive arm (83) rotates, and the drive control arm (13) rotates. The above valve opening process is repeated, and the whole is restored to the initial state of the next round of valve opening. In one round of water supply, the drive arm (83) rotates one revolution, while the control arm (13) rotates about 10 degrees. Spring clip 3 (17) and spring clip 1.
[0036] (15) It only moves a few millimeters; if payment is unsuccessful, it notifies the user to pay the water bill via sound, light, SMS, WeChat and various other communication methods, while continuing to supply water until the paid water volume is exhausted. The valve can be shut off without electricity or a circuit board.
[0037] (1) When the power drive circuit is working, the magnet 1 (11) of the control arm (13) is attracted to the magnetic slide valve magnet (33) by opposite poles, and the magnet 2 (12) is repelled by the magnetic slide valve magnet (33) by the same poles. The spring clip 3 (17) on the control arm (13) passes through the control notch 3 (68). The magnetic slide valve magnet (33) and the magnetic slide valve magnet (33) are attracted to each other by opposite poles. The magnetic slide valve (9) moves upward. Through the lever (8), the support rod (27), and the lever connecting rod, the slide valve (32) moves downward to block the drain hole (29). The water flows into the rubber cup (7) from the pilot hole (28). The rubber cup (7) moves downward and presses the valve port (81). The guide rod (35) moves downward in the guide rod hole (41). The valve (5) is closed. The power-on protrusion (34) on the control arm (13) presses the switch K1 (25). The circuit board (1) is powered on or in standby mode. In normal water supply operations where there are no outstanding water bills, bank deductions, or unified settlement of water bills, it is impossible for the valve to be closed! The circuit board (1) is also not powered on. Except for the billing process and the process of restoring to the initial state of a new round of water supply, the entire water supply process is completely de-energized.
[0038] The following explanation is illustrated with examples. In the examples, some minor parts or parts of the original water meter structure that do not need to be described have been appropriately omitted; similarly, explanations that have already been detailed above have been appropriately omitted below.
[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the mechanical control structure of an IoT water meter, combined with... Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the automatic shut-off state of an IoT water meter valve that can operate without power, and Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the restoration of the valve drive to the open state of an IoT water meter that can operate offline is provided. Figure 1 In the current state, the drive arm (83) drives counterclockwise, causing the control arm (13) to rotate clockwise. After the drive arm (83) meshes with the control arm gear (42), it continues to drive the control arm (13) to rotate clockwise, and the valve opens. Figure 3 ; Figure 2 It's not that the water valve has been shut off yet; the whole process has been explained in detail earlier. Figure 4 This is a mechanical program control diagram for an IoT water meter that can operate offline. This control diagram briefly illustrates the working process of the present invention, which has been described in detail above. Figure 5This is a closed-loop payment exchange control diagram for water supply and billing in this invention, namely, a control diagram for the closed-loop payment exchange between electronic currency and physical goods. This diagram clearly illustrates the payment exchange between electronic currency and physical goods in water supply management and the process control of water supply management in this invention. Its output end feeds back to the input end to realize unconditional closed-loop control. Billing and water supply are a complete input / output closed-loop control relationship. Considering the special nature of water supply and people's lives, it can be set up to allow prepayment of a certain amount of water. Even if the water fee is not received, the water will not be cut off immediately, but will continue to be supplied, giving water users a buffer. Figure 6 This is a block diagram of the circuit principle of an IoT water meter that can operate offline. In this invention, the only functions of the circuit superimposed on the water meter are billing and restoring the water meter to the initial state of the next water supply cycle after billing. The various IoT circuits superimposed on the water meter, such as smart IC cards (contact or contactless), remote smart transmission, wireless remote transmission, etc., only contribute to the most basic functions of this invention: billing and, after successful billing, activating the power drive circuit to restore the water meter to the initial state of the next water supply cycle. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the control arm structure. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the rubber cup structure, which has been described in detail above. The invention has a simple structure and reliable control, so further explanation is unnecessary.
[0040] Figure 1 It can be used as a summary diagram for the instruction manual.
Claims
1. An IoT water meter capable of operating without power, comprising a mechanical water meter, a valve installed on the water supply path of the water meter, and an IoT centralized / decentralized billing management and control circuit superimposed on the water meter; The mechanical water meter includes a metering gear set (36) for metering transmission and a water supply display wheel (52); the valve (5) includes a valve body (6), an Internet of Things circuit board (1) for controlling the opening of the valve (5), and a mechanical control mechanism for the valve (5) to automatically close when there is no power. Its features are, On the water supply path (53) of the mechanical water meter (50), a valve (5) is installed that can automatically close when water supply needs to be stopped due to lack of water payment, water meter attack, battery depletion, circuit failure, or mechanical failure. The valve (5) is in its original stable state when it is automatically closed without control. During the opening of the valve (5), the drive arm (83) of the micro geared motor (19) drives the control arm (13) to rotate. Through the valve frame (10), the magnet 1 (11) on the control arm (13) that has not rotated to the center line above the magnetic slide valve (9) during rotation has a repulsive force with the magnetic slide valve (9) and a magnet 2 (12) on the control arm (13) that attracts the magnetic slide valve (9) with opposite poles. This provides the control arm (13) with the force of the magnet 1 (11) repulsing the magnetic slide valve (9) and the magnet 2 (12) on the control arm (13) attracting the magnetic slide valve (9). 3) The kinetic energy of the rotation in the direction of valve closure, so that when the valve (5) is opened, the energy required to close the valve (5) is stored in the relative displacement of magnet 1 (11), magnet 2 (12) and magnetic slide valve (9); the internal structure of valve (5) consists of valve body (6), rubber cup (7), lever (8), magnetic slide valve (9), support rod (27), slide valve (32); the rubber cup (7) has a pilot hole (28), a drain hole (29), and an ear (30); the rubber cup (7) has a cloth curtain (54) as a reinforcing rib inside the cup wall, and a reinforcing plate (31) to increase compressive strength is fixed in the double layer at the bottom of the cloth curtain (54), the reinforcing plate (31) has a guide rod (35), and the reinforcing plate (31) and the double layer cloth curtain (54) are connected by reinforcing strips ( 71) Fixed together; the external structure of the valve (5) consists of a valve frame (10), a control arm (13), a drive arm (83), a micro geared motor (19), and a valve bracket (63); the control arm (13) is equipped with magnets 1 (11), 2 (12), spring clips 1 (15), springs 1 (88), spring clips 3 (17), springs 3 (90), and a power-off action rod (20); a self-closing valve spring (48) is installed between the slide valve (32) in front of the drain hole (29) and the valve frame (10); the drive arm (83) acts on the switch K2 (26) installed on the valve frame (10) through the power-off action rod (20); the metering gear set (36) in the metering gear box (49) The meter is connected to the counting and metering wheel (64) by a transition gear (39); the counting and metering wheel (64) has a metering shaft (65); the control notch 1 (66) on the metering shaft (65) corresponds to the position of the spring clip 1 (15) on the control arm (13); the control notch 3 (68) on the metering shaft (65) corresponds to the position of the spring clip 3 (17) on the control arm (13); the fan-shaped groove (93) on the control arm (13) contains a rotating shaft (21); the fan-shaped groove (93) limits the driving range of the drive arm (83) on the control arm (13); the Internet of Things circuit board (1) inside the outer shell (51) of the water meter has corresponding interactive communication or password communication, wireless remote data transmission, data exchange, control, charging, and protocol management functions;It also has a forced power-on wake-up function; the IoT circuit board (1) has a power drive circuit that can execute the valve opening (5) command and drive the micro geared motor (19); the IC card inside the circuit board (1) is assigned a unique water meter code (62) or QR code (91) for each water meter, and has corresponding storage information; the water meter has a communication method (60) to contact the water supply management party; the numbers displayed by the mechanical digit wheel (52) of each water meter, the internal IC card information of each water meter circuit board (1), correspond one-to-one with the corresponding water meter information and management content in the centralized management computer; the power-on protrusion (34) on the control arm (13) acts on the power-on switch K1 (25) installed on the valve frame (10) to power on the circuit board (1), and when the circuit board (1) charges and meets the water supply conditions, it powers on the micro geared motor (19); pressing the emergency button (3) on the water meter casing (80) can power on the circuit board (1) and start the circuit board (1) to work.
2. The IoT water meter capable of operating offline according to claim 1, characterized in that: A self-closing valve spring (48) is installed between the slide valve (32) and the valve holder (10); the drive arm (83) of the micro geared motor (19) drives the control arm (13) to rotate and open the valve (5). Through the valve holder (10), the magnet 2 (12) on the control arm (13) does not rotate to the center line above the magnetic slide valve magnet (33) in the magnetic slide valve (9). The like repulsion force between the magnet 2 (12) and the magnetic slide valve magnet (33) provides the kinetic energy for the control arm (13) to rotate in the direction of closing the valve; the magnetic slide valve (9) acts together with the self-closing valve spring (48) through the lever (8) to open / close the vent hole (29) of the slide valve (32). Thus, when the valve (5) is opened, the energy required to close the valve (5) is stored in the relative displacement between the magnet 2 (12) and the magnetic slide valve (9) and the deformation of the self-closing valve spring (48) in compression.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Internet of things water meter
CN106768140A