Gas meter counter for light sampling

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of gas meter metering, in particular to a gas meter counter for light sampling, which realizes fast and accurate acquisition of gas counting in a manner of enabling photoelectric emission and receiving to correspond to a sampling wheel, and effectively shields a photoelectric tube and the sampling wheel in cooperation with a light shielding plate, so that the gas counting accuracy is improved. Incident interference of external light is avoided, the practical problems of false triggering and inaccurate counting are effectively avoided, a constant-current power supply and a high-low level threshold interval are adopted, the effectiveness and sensitivity of photoelectric sensing signals are further improved, and the detection accuracy is improved. A positive and effective technical improvement scheme and a technical upgrading direction are provided for gas counting in a light sampling mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of gas meter measurement technology, specifically a gas meter counter for optical sampling. Background Technology

[0002] The photoelectric sampling counter used in gas meters is an automated detection device that combines photoelectric conversion technology with counting function. Its core function is to sense the change in the counter inside the gas meter through optical signals and convert it into a countable electrical signal, so as to achieve quantitative statistics or parameter monitoring of the target.

[0003] In the prior art, such as the Chinese invention patent with application number CN202321275615.6 entitled "A Photoelectric Sampling Counter Structure for a Gas Meter", although it discloses the use of black and white light identification components in conjunction with a photoelectric transmitting and receiving device to realize the function of light sampling and counting, it does not take into account the interference of external ambient light on photoelectric reception and its false triggering problem, and its structural design and installation are also relatively complicated.

[0004] Based on the above reasons, this invention designs a gas meter counter for optical sampling. The counter can be fixed with screws and can be flexibly installed with a light shield to prevent external irradiation of the sampling wheel. At the same time, it is easy to disassemble and maintain, and provides a positive improvement for accurate and stable measurement of gas data. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a gas meter counter for optical sampling. The counter can be fixed with screws and can be flexibly installed with a light shield to prevent external irradiation of the sampling wheel. At the same time, it is easy to disassemble and maintain, and provides a positive improvement for accurate and stable measurement of gas data.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a gas meter counter for optical sampling, comprising a faceplate and a base meter. A counter assembly is connected to the upper part of the base meter by screws. The last output wheel of the counter assembly meshes with a sampling wheel. The outer surface of the sampling wheel is composed of a black sampling sheet and a white sampling sheet. A sampling circuit board is provided in the middle of the base meter. A photoelectric emitter and a photoelectric receiver are provided at one corner of the sampling circuit board, corresponding to the position of the outer surface of the sampling wheel and electrically connected to the MCU on the sampling circuit board. A light shield is installed on the sampling circuit board at the position of the photoelectric emitter and the photoelectric receiver.

[0007] The inner diameter of the circular groove on the light-shielding plate is consistent with the outer diameter of the sampling wheel, and their positions correspond to the same projection.

[0008] The light-shielding plate is located on the outside of the sampling circuit board.

[0009] The overall structure of the light-shielding plate is rectangular and it blocks the through holes on the sampling circuit board.

[0010] The photoelectric emitter is an infrared light-emitting diode with a wavelength of 850nm.

[0011] The phototransistor is either a phototransistor or a photodiode.

[0012] The distance between the photoelectric transmitter and the photoelectric receiver ranges from 2 to 5 mm.

[0013] The distance between the photoelectric emitting tube, the photoelectric receiving tube and the outer surface of the sampling wheel is 2-5mm.

[0014] The photoelectric emitter is electrically connected to the constant current power supply on the sampling circuit board.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: Traditional Hall effect sampling in gas meters relies on the interaction of magnets and Hall elements, making it susceptible to interference from external magnetic fields. Furthermore, the stability of pulse signals transmitted through wires is poor, affecting metering accuracy. In contrast, the optical sampling technology of this invention uses photoelectric signal transmission, eliminating the need for magnetic fields and fundamentally preventing electromagnetic interference from affecting the sampling results. This makes it suitable for installation and use in complex electromagnetic environments. Moreover, addressing potential issues such as gas meter jitter and reverse gas flow, the optical sampling device can identify and clear false signals caused by jitter through the signal sequence identification of dual optical receivers. It also distinguishes between forward and reverse gas flow signals, promptly triggering protective actions such as valve closure and alarms to avoid metering errors caused by reverse flow, significantly improving the stability of equipment operation.

[0016] Furthermore, this invention features a rational layout within the gas meter base, allowing for the rapid and flexible installation of a counter assembly and sampling circuit board. By corresponding photoelectric transmitters and receivers with the sampling wheel, it achieves rapid and accurate gas counting. The effective shielding of the phototube and sampling wheel by a light-shielding plate avoids interference from external light, effectively preventing false triggering and inaccurate counting. The use of a constant current power supply and high / low level threshold ranges further enhances the effectiveness and sensitivity of the photoelectric sensing signal, providing a positive and effective technical improvement and upgrade direction for gas counting via optical sampling. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic representation of the cover base of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the explosion of the counter assembly of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sampling circuit board of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sampling wheel of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the combined state of the sampling techniques of the present invention.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Cover, 2. Light shield, 3. Sampling circuit board, 4. Screws, 5. Counter assembly, 6. Sampling wheel, 6-1. Black sampling piece, 6-2. White sampling piece, 7. Base meter, 8. Output wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] See Figures 1-5 This invention provides a gas meter counter for optical sampling, comprising a cover 1 and a base meter 7. A counter assembly 5 is connected to the upper part of the base meter 7 via screws 4. The last output wheel 8 of the counter assembly 5 engages with a sampling wheel 6. The outer surface of the sampling wheel 6 is composed of a black sampling piece 6-1 and a white sampling piece 6-2. A sampling circuit board 3 is disposed in the middle of the base meter 7. A photoelectric emitter and a photoelectric receiver, corresponding to the position on the outer surface of the sampling wheel 6 and electrically connected to the MCU on the sampling circuit board 3, are disposed at one corner of the sampling circuit board 3. The MCU is programmed with high and low level threshold ranges to filter out noise signals caused by voltage fluctuations and light scattering. A light-shielding plate 2 is installed on the sampling circuit board 3 at the positions of the photoelectric emitter and photoelectric receiver.

[0025] The inner diameter of the circular groove on the light shield 2 is consistent with the outer diameter of the sampling wheel 6 and their positions correspond to the same projection.

[0026] The light shield 2 is located on the outside of the sampling circuit board 3.

[0027] The overall structure of the light shield 2 is rectangular and it blocks the through holes on the sampling circuit board 3.

[0028] The photoelectric emitter is an infrared light-emitting diode with a wavelength of 850nm. The invisible infrared light at this wavelength has a strong resistance to light interference from the environment.

[0029] The phototransistor, also known as a photodiode, is responsible for sensing the reflected light from the transmitter and converting the light signal into an electrical signal.

[0030] The distance between the photoelectric emitter and the photoelectric receiver is 2-5mm. This distance ensures effective transmission and reception of infrared light, while also preventing the PCB from being damaged by the rotation and friction of the sampling wheel 6 during long-term operation due to excessive distance.

[0031] The distance between the photoelectric emitting tube, the photoelectric receiving tube and the outer surface of the sampling wheel 6 is 2-5mm.

[0032] The photoelectric emitter is electrically connected to the constant current power supply on the sampling circuit board 3. Since the working current of the photoelectric emitter directly affects the light intensity, the constant current power supply can avoid the light intensity from weakening due to the drop in battery voltage, which in turn causes errors in counting.

[0033] Working principle: See Figures 1-5 This invention requires minimal debugging during use. When the gas meter is operating, the counter assembly 5 calculates the gas consumption according to counting rules. The count is transmitted through the last stage output wheel 8 in the gear assembly to the sampling wheel 6, which meshes with it. The sampling wheel 6 rotates synchronously, causing the black sampling piece 6-1 and the white sampling piece 6-2 on its surface to rotate alternately. At this time, the photoelectric receiver tube corresponding to its position continuously emits infrared light under the control of the MCU. The light shines directly onto the surface of the rotating sampling wheel 6. When the light hits the white stripe, it is largely reflected and captured by the photoelectric receiver tube. When the light hits the black stripe, it is completely absorbed, and the photoelectric receiver tube receives almost no light signal. When the photoelectric receiver tube receives reflected light, it is internally conductive, outputting a low level; when there is no reflected light, it is internally cut off, outputting a high level. The MCU continuously monitors the level changes of the photoelectric receiver tube. Each high-low level transition indicates that the disc has rotated past one stripe. Combining the number of stripes on the disc and the gear ratio, the "number of level transitions" can be converted into the actual volume of gas (e.g., 100 transitions = 0.01m³). 3 (Gas). Since the light shield 2 is located on the outside of the photoelectric emitter and receiver tubes on the sampling circuit board 3, and its circular part is the same as the sampling wheel 6, it can effectively prevent external light from interfering with the photoelectric tubes and the sampling wheel 6, greatly reducing interference.

[0034] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, intended only to aid in understanding the method and core ideas of this application. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments; all technical solutions falling within the scope of the present invention's concept are within its protection. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principles of the present invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] This invention comprehensively addresses the shortcomings of existing optical sampling gas counting technologies, such as interference from external ambient light and complex structures. By combining a simple counting and photoelectric structure with a light-shielding plate and constant current power supply, it not only prevents external light from affecting the photoelectric acquisition process but also ensures stable photoelectric transmission. Overall, it achieves stable, effective, and accurate optical sampling and counting. Furthermore, the overall structural design is reasonable, easy to manufacture and maintain, and provides guidance for the upgrading of related technologies in this field, as well as technical improvement effects in real-world working environments.

Claims

1. A gas meter counter for optical sampling, comprising a faceplate (1) and a base meter (7), characterized in that, The upper part of the base meter (7) is connected to a counter assembly (5) by screws (4). The last output wheel (8) of the counter assembly (5) meshes with the sampling wheel (6). The outer surface of the sampling wheel (6) is composed of a black sampling piece (6-1) and a white sampling piece (6-2). A sampling circuit board (3) is provided in the middle of the base meter (7). A photoelectric emitter and a photoelectric receiver are provided at one corner of the sampling circuit board (3) corresponding to the position of the outer surface of the sampling wheel (6) and electrically connected to the MCU on the sampling circuit board (3). A light shield (2) is installed on the sampling circuit board (3) at the position of the photoelectric emitter and the photoelectric receiver.

2. The gas meter counter for optical sampling according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the circular groove on the light shield (2) is consistent with the outer diameter of the circumference of the sampling wheel (6) and their positions correspond to the same projection.

3. The gas meter counter for optical sampling according to claim 2, characterized in that, The light-shielding plate (2) is located outside the sampling circuit board (3).

4. The gas meter counter for optical sampling according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light-shielding plate (2) has a rectangular overall structure and blocks the through holes on the sampling circuit board (3).

5. The gas meter counter for optical sampling according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photoelectric emitter is an infrared light-emitting diode with a wavelength of 850nm.

6. The gas meter counter for optical sampling according to claim 5, characterized in that, The phototransistor is a phototransistor or a photodiode.

7. The gas meter counter for optical sampling according to claim 6, characterized in that, The distance between the photoelectric transmitter and the photoelectric receiver is 2-5mm.

8. The gas meter counter for optical sampling according to claim 7, characterized in that, The distance between the photoelectric emitting tube, the photoelectric receiving tube and the outer surface of the sampling wheel (6) is 2-5 mm.

9. The gas meter counter for optical sampling according to claim 8, characterized in that, The photoelectric emitter is electrically connected to the constant current power supply on the sampling circuit board (3).

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