Intelligent electric meter dismounting device

Abstract

The invention discloses an intelligent electric meter dismounting device which is applied to the field of electric meter dismounting and comprises a fixing unit, an image recognition unit, a pneumatic tool unit and an electric tool unit, the fixing unit comprises a device frame, a meter position tray and a man-machine control platform, and the image recognition unit comprises a camera shooting assembly and an image processing assembly. The pneumatic tool unit comprises an air compressor, an X-direction moving shaft and a Z-direction moving shaft, and the electric tool unit comprises a drill motor and a bit motor. According to the invention, the electric meter and the screw type can be accurately identified, the accuracy of the dismounting operation is ensured, the electric meter damage caused by misoperation is effectively avoided, the maintenance cost is reduced, the device is compatible with a single-phase electric meter and a three-phase electric meter, the universality and flexibility of the device are improved, and the electric meter dismounting requirements in different scenes can be met.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electric meter disassembly, in particular to a smart electric meter disassembly device. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the popularity and accelerated replacement of smart electric meters, a large number of returned electric meters are generated, and the disassembly of returned electric meters becomes frequent and important. However, the existing disassembly technology has many deficiencies and cannot meet the growing demand.

[0003] In the prior art, manual disassembly is the most common method, but this method is inefficient and easy to cause damage to the electric meter due to improper operation, increasing maintenance costs. In addition, manual disassembly cannot accurately identify the type of electric meter and the type of screw, is prone to disassembly errors, affects the subsequent work process, and lacks uniform standards and specifications, with uneven quality. At the same time, some existing automatic disassembly equipment has single function, cannot be compatible with different types of electric meters, has poor adaptability, and cannot monitor the disassembly process in real time, cannot discover and handle problems in time, and has safety hazards.

[0004] Therefore, how to improve the efficiency and accuracy of electric meter disassembly has become a technical problem to be solved by those skilled in the art. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a smart electric meter disassembly device to disassemble different types of returned electric meters.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a smart electric meter disassembly device, comprising:

[0007] The fixed unit comprises a device frame, a meter position tray and a man-machine control platform.

[0008] The image recognition unit comprises a camera assembly and an image processing assembly.

[0009] The pneumatic tool unit comprises an air compressor, an X-direction motion shaft and a Z-direction motion shaft.

[0010] The electric tool unit comprises a drill bit motor and a batch head motor.

[0011] Further, the man-machine control platform further comprises a display.

[0012] The display is used to display the image recognition situation and receive control actions.

[0013] Further, the meter position tray is designed to accommodate at least two electric meters at the same time.

[0014] Further, the meter position tray stores position information through a separate scheme file to be compatible with single-phase electric meters and three-phase electric meters.

[0015] Further, the pneumatic tool unit controls the X-direction motion axis and the Z-direction motion axis to move to a specified position through a PLC.

[0016] Further, the device further comprises an emergency stop component and a reset component.

[0017] Further, the epitope tray is designed as a detachable tray.

[0018] Further, the device further comprises a data storage unit.

[0019] The data storage unit is used to record and store operation parameters during device operation.

[0020] Further, the electric tool unit further comprises a torque adjustment component.

[0021] The torque adjustment component adjusts the output torque of the drill motor and the bit motor according to the screw type.

[0022] Further, a safety shield is arranged on the epitope tray.

[0023] A through hole is arranged on the safety shield for the drill motor and the bit motor to pass through.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application are at least one of the following:

[0025] The device is equipped with an image recognition unit, which can accurately identify the electric meter and the screw type, ensuring the accuracy of the disassembly operation, effectively avoiding damage to the electric meter due to misoperation, reducing maintenance costs, and the man-machine control platform in the fixed unit is matched with a display, which can display the image recognition situation and receive control actions in real time, and the operator can directly control the disassembly process in real time and adjust the operation strategy in a timely manner. Through the storage of position information in different scheme files, single-phase electric meters and three-phase electric meters are compatible, improving the versatility and flexibility of the device and meeting the disassembly needs of electric meters in different scenarios. The data storage unit can record and store parameters during device operation, facilitating subsequent data analysis and troubleshooting, and providing data support for equipment maintenance and optimization. The torque adjustment component of the electric tool unit can adjust the output torque according to the screw type, further improving the accuracy and adaptability of disassembly. The design of the detachable tray facilitates cleaning and maintenance, prolonging the service life of the equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Fig. 1 It is a perspective view of the smart electric meter disassembly device in one of the embodiments of the present application;

[0027] Fig. 2This is a side view of a smart meter disassembly device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 3 This is a top view of a smart meter disassembly device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure label:

[0030] The components include: 1. First platform; 2. Second platform; 3. First start button; 4. Second start button; 5. Camera assembly; 6. Power tool unit; 7. Human-machine control platform; 8. Power switch; 9. Control button group; 10. X-axis motion axis; 11. Z-axis motion axis; 12. Drill bit motor; 13. Screwdriver bit motor; 14. First gauge tray; 15. Second gauge tray. Detailed Implementation

[0031] 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 purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] In the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," "third," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0033] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0034] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0035] In the maintenance and upgrading of power systems, meter removal is a frequent and important task. Both traditional mechanical meters and modern smart meters require regular replacement, repair, or upgrades. However, existing meter removal methods mostly rely on manual operation, which is not only inefficient but also prone to damage due to improper handling, increasing maintenance costs and workload. To improve the efficiency and safety of meter removal while reducing manual labor intensity, an embodiment of this invention provides a smart meter removal device. For details, please refer to... Figs. 1-3 The figure shows a structural diagram of a smart meter disassembly device according to one embodiment of the present invention, including a fixing unit, an image recognition unit, a pneumatic tool unit, and a power tool unit.

[0036] The fixed unit includes a device frame, a display tray, and a human-machine interface (HMI) control platform 7. The device frame, the main body of the equipment, consists of a first platform 1 and a second platform 2 on the left and right sides. Each platform has an independent start button: the first start button 3 for the first platform 1 and the second start button 4 for the second platform 2. The display tray includes a first display tray 14 and a second display tray 15. The HMI control platform 7 includes a display screen that shows images captured by the image recognition unit and the recognition status. The HMI control platform is a touchscreen that can receive control actions input by the operator and control the operation of the device based on the control information. A power switch 8 is located on one side of the device frame, allowing the operator to turn the device on and off.

[0037] The image recognition unit includes a camera component 5 and an image processing component. The image processing component receives the content captured by the camera component, processes it, and displays it on the human-machine control platform 7.

[0038] The camera assembly consists of a high-resolution camera capable of capturing images of the electricity meter, ensuring clear and accurate images. In this embodiment, the camera is equipped with autofocus, automatically adjusting the focus based on the distance to the electricity meter to ensure image clarity. Preferably, the camera is also equipped with auxiliary lighting (LED lights) to ensure high-quality meter images are acquired under various lighting conditions.

[0039] The image processing component analyzes and processes the acquired images to identify the meter model, screw locations, and other features on the meter surface for subsequent disassembly.

[0040] The pneumatic tool unit is the core actuator in the smart meter dismantling device. Its main function is to provide power to the dismantling tool and precisely control its movement. Specifically, it includes an air compressor, an X-axis (10), and a Z-axis (11). The air compressor serves as the power source for the pneumatic tool unit, providing a stable supply of compressed air. The X-axis and Z-axis are the actuators of the pneumatic tool unit, responsible for precisely adjusting the position of the dismantling tool according to a preset program and control signals. The X-axis controls the tool's horizontal movement, while the Z-axis controls its vertical movement.

[0041] The motion control of the pneumatic tool unit is implemented by a programmable logic controller (PLC). A PLC is an industrial-grade automation control device capable of precisely controlling the movement of the pneumatic tool unit according to a preset program and input signals. In the smart meter disassembly device, the PLC receives the meter screw position information from the image recognition unit, calculates the motion trajectory of the X and Z axes using complex algorithms, and sends control signals to drive the cylinder, enabling the disassembly tool to move accurately to the designated position.

[0042] The power tool unit 6 is an important component of the smart meter disassembly device, providing precise electric drive for the disassembly work. Specifically, it includes a drill bit motor 12 and a screwdriver bit motor 13, which are used for different disassembly tasks.

[0043] The drill motor 12 is mainly used for drilling or loosening meter screws. It has high speed and sufficient torque output, and can quickly and effectively handle various types of screws. The performance of the drill motor directly affects the efficiency and quality of disassembly. Therefore, this embodiment is equipped with a variety of drill bits to adapt to screws of different sizes and materials.

[0044] The bit motor 13 is used to tighten or loosen screws and is equipped with a variety of bits to accommodate different types of screws. The bit motor can provide appropriate torque output according to different screw types and disassembly requirements.

[0045] The torque adjustment component is a key component in the power tool unit. It can automatically adjust the output torque of the drill motor and the bit motor according to the type of screw and the disassembly requirements. The torque of both the drill motor 12 and the bit motor 13 is controlled by this torque adjustment component. Through built-in sensors and control algorithms, the torque adjustment component can monitor the tightening or loosening status of the screw in real time and automatically adjust the output torque of the motor to ensure that the screw can be loosened or tightened smoothly.

[0046] Furthermore, the meter tray in this embodiment is designed with work efficiency in mind, enabling it to accommodate at least two electricity meters simultaneously, greatly improving the continuity and efficiency of the dismantling process. For example, when faced with a large number of electricity meters to be dismantled, operators can place multiple meters sequentially on the meter tray, and then complete the dismantling through the automated operation of the device. This avoids the tedious process of placing a new electricity meter after dismantling a single meter, significantly shortening the overall dismantling time.

[0047] To accommodate the disassembly requirements of different electricity meters, the meter mounting tray stores location information through a modular design file, ensuring compatibility with both single-phase and three-phase meters. In practical applications, different types of meters vary in size, shape, and installation location, especially single-phase and three-phase meters. The modular design file allows the meter mounting tray to store corresponding fixing and positioning information for different meter types. When placing a single-phase meter, the tray automatically adjusts its internal fixing devices and positioning structure according to the single-phase meter's modular design file, ensuring the meter is securely placed on the tray in the optimal position for disassembly. Similarly, when placing a three-phase meter, the tray adjusts accordingly based on the three-phase meter's modular design file. This intelligent compatibility design enables the smart meter disassembly device to be widely used in the disassembly of various meters, efficiently and accurately completing the disassembly task for both single-phase and three-phase meters, expanding the device's applicability and improving its versatility in different scenarios.

[0048] During long-term use, the meter tray may require maintenance or replacement for various reasons, such as wear on the tray surface, damage to the fixing device, or the need to clean the tray to remove accumulated dust and debris. To address this, the meter tray in this embodiment is designed as a detachable tray. This design greatly facilitates the maintenance, cleaning, and upgrading of the device. The detachable design allows operators to easily remove the meter tray from the device frame for individual maintenance, cleaning, or replacement. This design also provides the possibility for device upgrades. As technology advances and different disassembly requirements arise, it may be necessary to improve or replace the meter tray with a more advanced one. The detachable tray design makes such upgrades simple and quick; simply remove the old tray and install the new one, without requiring large-scale modifications to the entire device, thereby extending the device's lifespan and reducing equipment replacement costs.

[0049] To address potential accidents during disassembly, such as flying screws or accidental tool slippage causing injury to operators, this embodiment incorporates a safety guard on the meter tray to ensure safety during operation. Specifically, the guard is made of transparent material, allowing clear observation of the disassembly process. The size and shape of the guard conform to the meter tray, ensuring the complete enclosure of the disassembly area and minimizing potential safety risks.

[0050] The safety guard has through holes on its upper part for the drill bits of the drill motor and the screwdriver bit motor to pass through. The size and position of these through holes are precisely calculated and designed to ensure that the drill motor and screwdriver bit motor can smoothly enter the disassembly area and reach the position of the meter screw without affecting the integrity of the safety guard. The edges of the through holes are rounded and equipped with wear-resistant sealing material to reduce friction between the tools and the through holes, while preventing dust and debris from entering the protective guard through the through holes, thus ensuring a clean disassembly environment and normal operation of the tools.

[0051] To address unforeseen circumstances during operation and ensure equipment stability, the device in this embodiment is equipped with an emergency stop component and a reset component. The emergency stop component is a prominent emergency stop button that can be quickly accessed by the operator in an emergency. When the operator presses the emergency stop button, the device will respond immediately, cutting off all power sources and instantly stopping all moving parts, including pneumatic tool units and electric tool units.

[0052] Meanwhile, the reset component is a reset button. When the device is troubleshooted or shut down normally, the operator can press the reset button to quickly and accurately restore the device to its initial standby state. After the reset button is triggered, the device will adjust each component to the appropriate position according to the preset program, restore the system parameters to their default values, and reinitialize the state of the control system.

[0053] In addition, the device in this embodiment also includes a pause component, and the control button group 9 consists of, from left to right, the switch buttons for the reset component, the emergency stop component, and the pause component.

[0054] The device in this embodiment also includes a data storage unit. During the operation of the disassembly device, the data storage unit records and stores various operating parameters in real time and accurately, covering every stage from the start to the completion of the disassembly task, including but not limited to the type of electricity meter, the torque value of the screws, the movement trajectory of the tools, the operator's control commands, and any abnormal situations that occur during the disassembly process. Through the recording function of the data storage unit, the operator can retrieve historical data at any time to review and analyze the completed disassembly tasks in detail.

[0055] To further describe the smart meter dismantling device of this application in detail, the dismantling process of a returned meter is recorded through the following procedure:

[0056] (1) Pre-operation inspection of equipment: Determine whether the power supply of the disassembly device is connected, whether the air supply is normal, and whether the emergency stop button is in the pulled-up position.

[0057] (2) Equipment startup: Turn on the power switch knob. After the equipment is powered on, click on the touch screen human-machine control platform. From the main screen, click the [File] button to enter the file screen. Create a new file name. After the file is created, return to the main screen and click the [Teach] button to enter the teaching screen.

[0058] (3) Setting the Action: Click the "Manual Axis" button in the touchscreen HMI control platform. First, set the drill bit's axis to the target point (3-5mm away from the product after the Z-axis is in position). Adjust the Z-axis descent locking coordinate appropriately according to the meter's height (the drill bit's function is to break the screw's plastic seal). Then, set the bit's axis to the target point (3-5mm away from the product after the Z-axis is in position). Adjust the Z-axis descent locking coordinate appropriately according to the meter's height (the bit's function is to remove the meter's screw).

[0059] (4) Save Settings: After all holes are aligned, click "Add Coordinates" to automatically add them. After adjusting, click "Confirm" and then "Save Coordinates" to save the settings. After completing the above operations, the camera will automatically take a picture and save the screw hole positions for subsequent automatic fine-tuning.

[0060] (5) Switching Mode: Click the [Manual] switch button to switch to semi-automatic or fully automatic mode. Semi-automatic mode: Place one energy meter in the meter position and press the corresponding start button. The device will automatically complete the sealing and screw removal of one energy meter. Fully automatic mode: Place two energy meters in the meter position and press either start button. The device will automatically complete the sealing and screw removal of both energy meters from left to right.

[0061] (6) Start Operation: Once the above operation is completed once, there is no need to repeat the setup. Place the electricity meter in the first or second meter position, which is fixed to the device base via the left and right platforms, respectively. Press the left platform start button on the front panel of the main unit, and the system will start automatically. The machine determines the position of the screw seal hole through the image recognition unit. After 1-2 seconds of recognition, the PLC controls the X-direction drill bit to reach the seal according to the set sequence. Then, the PLC controls the Z-direction motor to control the drill bit to probe down and break the screw seal. The PLC controls the X-direction bit to reach the seal according to the set sequence. Then, the motor controls the bit to probe down and automatically unscrew the screw, thus completing one sealing and screw automatic disassembly and opening operation.

[0062] (7) Emergency stop reset: If any unexpected situation occurs during the operation of the device, press the emergency stop button to stop the device; after the fault and hidden danger are eliminated, press the reset button to ensure that the device is reset.

[0063] (8) Equipment shutdown: After the device has completed its operation and reset, turn off the power switch knob.

[0064] This invention's smart meter disassembly device is equipped with an image recognition unit, enabling accurate identification of the meter and screw type. This ensures the accuracy of the disassembly operation, effectively preventing meter damage due to misoperation and reducing maintenance costs. The human-machine interface platform in the fixed unit, along with a display, can show the image recognition status and receive control actions in real time. Operators can directly control the disassembly process in real time and adjust operating strategies promptly. By storing location information in a segmented file, it is compatible with both single-phase and three-phase meters, improving the device's versatility and flexibility to meet meter disassembly needs in different scenarios. The data storage unit records and stores parameters during device operation, facilitating subsequent data analysis and troubleshooting, and providing data support for equipment maintenance and optimization. The torque adjustment component of the power tool unit can adjust the output torque according to the screw type, further improving disassembly accuracy and adaptability. The removable tray design facilitates cleaning and maintenance, extending the device's service life.

[0065] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A smart meter disassembly device, characterized in that, include: The fixed unit includes a device frame, a table tray, and a human-machine control platform; The image recognition unit includes a camera component and an image processing component; The pneumatic tool unit includes an air compressor, an X-axis motion axis, and a Z-axis motion axis; The power tool unit includes a drill motor and a screwdriver bit motor.

2. The smart meter disassembly device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The human-machine control platform also includes a display; The display is used to show the image recognition status and receive control actions.

3. The smart meter disassembly device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The meter tray is designed to accommodate at least two electricity meters at the same time.

4. The smart meter disassembly device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The meter tray stores location information through a sub-scheme file to ensure compatibility with both single-phase and three-phase meters.

5. The smart meter disassembly device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pneumatic tool unit uses a PLC to control the X-axis and Z-axis to move to a designated position.

6. The smart meter disassembly device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes an emergency stop component and a reset component.

7. The smart meter disassembly device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tabletop tray is configured as a detachable tray.

8. The smart meter disassembly device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes a data storage unit; The data storage unit is used to record and store operating parameters during device operation.

9. The smart meter disassembly device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The power tool unit also includes a torque adjustment component; The torque adjustment component adjusts the output torque of the drill motor and the screwdriver bit motor according to the screw type.

10. The smart meter disassembly device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The instrument tray is equipped with a safety protective cover; The safety guard is provided with a through hole on the top for the drill motor and the bit motor to pass through.

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