Metering box

Abstract

The invention discloses a metering box which comprises a box body internally provided with an equipment installation space and a box door hinged to the box body, a touch screen is arranged on the box door, a protection frame is arranged on the outer wall of the box door, a protection box is installed on one side of the interior of the protection frame, and a locking piece arranged opposite to the protection box is installed on the other side of the interior of the protection frame. An opening and a pull strip which is connected with one end of the touch screen and detachably seals the opening are formed in the side, facing the locking piece, of the protection box, the touch screen is a flexible OLED screen, and a winding mechanism used for winding the touch screen into the box in a reel shape is further installed in the protection box; and when the flexible touch screen is transversely pulled out by the pull strip so that the touch screen is completely unfolded, the pull strip is detachably fixed on the locking piece. The flexible OLED screen which is light, thin and flexible is adopted, the flexible OLED screen can be conveniently stored in the protection box in a scroll mode, the problem that the touch screen is directly exposed outside and is prone to damage is avoided, and the touch screen is transversely pulled out by pulling the pull strip during inspection and maintenance till the touch screen is completely unfolded in the protection frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of power equipment technology, and more specifically to a metering box. Background Technology

[0002] An electricity metering box is a collection of metering instruments and auxiliary equipment necessary for measuring electricity. It is classified into two types according to its usage: hanging type and floor-standing type, and according to its usage scenario: outdoor type and indoor type.

[0003] Currently, many metering boxes are equipped with touch screens, which, along with customized software, enable multi-dimensional data display and intelligent control of associated devices. However, due to the complex application scenarios of power equipment, some metering boxes are often placed in harsh environments. In such cases, the touch screens installed on the metering boxes are directly exposed. Under adverse conditions such as high temperature, humidity, dirt, and impact, the exposed touch screens are very likely to be damaged and malfunction, affecting data collection during user inspections and intelligent control of related equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to at least partially address the potential vulnerability of exposed touchscreens on metering boxes. In view of this, a metering box is provided, comprising a box body with internal equipment installation space, and a door hinged to the box body. The door has a touchscreen electrically connected to the equipment inside the box. A protective frame is provided on the outer wall of the door. A protective box is installed on one side of the interior of the protective frame, and a locking element is installed on the other side opposite to the protective box. The protective box has an opening on the side facing the locking element, and a pull strip connected to one end of the touchscreen and detachably sealing the opening. The touchscreen is a flexible OLED screen. The protective box also includes a winding mechanism for winding the touchscreen into the box in a roll-like shape. When the pull strip is pulled laterally to fully unfold the flexible touchscreen, the pull strip is detachably fixed to the locking element.

[0005] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages: by optimizing the structural design of the metering box with a touch screen, a protective frame and protective box structure are installed on the box door to hide the touch screen, and a thin and flexible OLED screen is further adopted, which is easy to roll up and store in the protective box, avoiding the problem of the touch screen being directly exposed and easily damaged. During inspection and maintenance, the pull bar is pulled to pull out the touch screen horizontally until the touch screen is fully unfolded in the protective frame. At the same time, the pull bar can be fixed on the locking part to facilitate the user to free up their hands to perform data collection or control operations.

[0006] According to one example of the present invention, the device further includes a flexible support assembly on which the touchscreen is attached and fixed; the flexible support assembly includes a plurality of hollow tubular support bars arranged in sequence, and elastic lines passing through and connecting each of the support bars in sequence; the touchscreen is fixed to the inner side of the flexible support assembly, and the pull bar is connected to the outermost support bar; or, the flexible support assembly includes a plurality of rectangular frames and a plurality of slender connecting tubes, with adjacent rectangular frames connected by connecting tubes; the touchscreen is fixed to the inner side of each flexible frame, and the pull bar is connected to the outermost rectangular frame.

[0007] According to one example of the present invention, the protective box is provided with a fixed shaft, and the winding mechanism is a plurality of coil springs. The coil springs are fixed to the side of the flexible support assembly opposite to the touch screen and extend in the same direction as the touch screen. One end of the coil springs is mounted on the fixed shaft.

[0008] According to one example of the present invention, the protective box is provided with a winding motor, and a winding cylinder is coaxially fixed on the output shaft of the winding motor, and one end of the flexible support assembly is fixed to the outer wall of the winding cylinder.

[0009] According to one example of the present invention, a foldable protective canopy is installed at the frame opening of the protective frame. The foldable protective canopy includes a rotating block with a rotation limiting groove and a plurality of skeletons rotatably mounted on the shaft hole of the rotating block. Adjacent skeletons are connected by a foldable flexible curtain, and the innermost skeleton is fixed to the protective frame.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cover plate movably mounted on the protective frame is further included. The protective frame has an annular groove, and an elastic sealing strip is respectively disposed on both sides of the groove opening. The elastic sealing strip extends obliquely towards the bottom of the annular groove, and a gap is left between the two opposing elastic sealing strips. The cover plate is provided with a U-shaped sealing strip, which is adapted to be inserted into the bottom of the annular groove through the groove opening. When the cover plate is fixed to the protective frame by the sealing strip, a sealing point is formed between the two sides of the sealing strip and the corresponding elastic sealing strip, and between the bottom of the sealing strip and the bottom of the annular groove.

[0011] According to one example of the present invention, the locking member is a locking piece with a slot, the inner wall of the slot being provided with locking teeth, and the pull bar being detachably inserted and fixed in the slot.

[0012] According to one example of the present invention, the locking element is a magnetic absorbing sheet made of magnetic material, and the pull strip is a metal strip that can be magnetically adsorbed onto the magnetic absorbing sheet.

[0013] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a first-position structural diagram of the metering box touch screen in the unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Enlarged view of part A;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a second-position structural diagram of the metering box touch screen in the unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 This is an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 Enlarged view of part B;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the second type of flexible support component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of part C;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the folding protective shed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the cover plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0024] 1. Cabinet body, 2. Cabinet door, 3. Touch screen, 4. Protective frame, 5. Protective box, 6. Pull strip, 7. Support strip, 8. Clamping teeth, 9. Rectangular plastic frame, 10. Connecting pipe, 11. Fixed shaft, 12. Coil spring, 13. Folding protective canopy, 14. Rotating block, 15. Frame, 16. Flexible curtain, 17. Cover plate, 18. Annular groove, 19. Elastic sealing strip, 20. Sealing strip, 21. Slot, 22. Locking piece. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0026] Example

[0027] Please see Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the present invention provides a metering box, including a box body 1 with an internal equipment installation space, and a box door 2 hinged to the box body 1. The box door 2 is equipped with a touch screen 3 electrically connected to the equipment inside the box. A protective frame 4 is provided on the outer wall of the box door 2. A protective box 5 is installed on one side of the interior of the protective frame 4, and a locking member is installed on the other side opposite to the protective box 5. The protective box 5 has an opening on the side facing the locking member, and a pull strip 6 connected to one end of the touch screen 3 and detachably sealing the opening. The touch screen 3 is a flexible OLED screen. The protective box 5 is also equipped with a winding mechanism for winding the touch screen 3 into the box in a roll shape. When the pull strip 6 is pulled out laterally so that the touch screen 3 is fully flattened, the pull strip 6 is detachably fixed to the locking member.

[0028] By optimizing the structural design of the metering box with touch screen 3, a protective frame 4 and a protective box 5 are installed on the door 2 to hide the touch screen 3. Furthermore, a thin and flexible OLED screen is adopted for the touch screen 3, which is easy to roll up and store in the protective box 5, avoiding the problem of the touch screen 3 being directly exposed and easily damaged. During inspection and maintenance, the pull bar 6 is pulled to pull out the touch screen 3 horizontally until the touch screen 3 is fully unfolded in the protective frame 4. At the same time, the pull bar 6 can be fixed to the locking part to allow the user to free up their hands to perform data collection or control operations.

[0029] Electricity metering boxes are common devices in power systems, primarily used to measure and record electrical energy consumption. The box typically houses meters, circuit breakers, and relays. The meter is the core component, measuring electrical energy consumption. Depending on the measurement method, meters can be categorized as mechanical, electronic, and smart meters. With the advancement of intelligent technology upgrades, smart meters are becoming increasingly widespread. Smart meters are multi-functional meters integrating communication, computing, and protection, allowing for remote control of the power system. Circuit breakers are protective devices in the metering box used to disconnect circuits, preventing damage from overloads, short circuits, and other conditions. When a circuit fault necessitates a power outage, the circuit breaker can be manually or automatically controlled to cut off the current. Circuit breakers can also be used for line isolation protection. Relays are used to measure electrical energy consumption and transmit the results to devices such as controllers and touch screens. This enables the automatic collection, processing, and storage of electrical energy usage data, facilitating electricity metering, billing, monitoring, and management. Depending on the application scenario, the relays inside the box can be static metering relays, microprocessor-based metering relays, etc. Through the power metering box, real-time monitoring and control of electrical energy consumption can be achieved, improving the operating efficiency of the power system, reducing the failure rate, and enhancing the safety and stability of the power system.

[0030] When the touchscreen 3 is a single, rollable flexible screen, although the screen is strong enough, it still needs an attached support structure to roll with the screen to provide stable support for the touchscreen 3. In this embodiment, the metering box also includes a flexible support component for flexible protection and support of the touchscreen 3, and the touchscreen 3 is attached and fixed to the flexible support component; as a first design, the flexible support component includes several hollow tubular support bars 7 arranged in sequence, and elastic lines that pass through and connect each support bar 7 in sequence. The entire flexible support component is a rollable flexible curtain shape with continuous support points. The touchscreen 3 is fixed to the inner side of the flexible support component, and the pull bar 6 is connected to the outermost support bar 7. As a second design, the flexible support component includes several rectangular frames 9 and several slender connecting tubes 10. Two adjacent rectangular frames 9 are connected by the connecting tubes 10. The touch screen 3 is fixed inside each flexible frame. The pull strip 6 is connected to the outermost rectangular frame 9. This design forms a continuous multi-segment frame-like support, which provides stable support for key parts of the touch screen 3, while reducing the structural complexity of the flexible support component.

[0031] As one design form of the winding mechanism, a fixed shaft 11 is provided inside the protective box 5. The winding mechanism consists of several coil springs 12. The coil springs 12 are fixed on the side of the flexible support component away from the touch screen 3 and extend in the same direction as the touch screen 3. One end of the coil spring 12 is installed on the fixed shaft 11. Using the deformation and reset performance of the coil spring 12, after the pull bar 6 is released, the flexible support component and the touch screen 3 are rolled back into the protective box 5 by the elastically reset coil spring 12.

[0032] As another design form of the winding mechanism, the protective box 5 is equipped with a winding motor, and a winding drum is coaxially fixed on the output shaft of the winding motor. One end of the flexible support component is fixed on the outer wall of the winding drum. Correspondingly, a battery and operation button electrically connected to the winding motor can be arranged inside the protective box 5. During inspection, the touch screen 3 is manually pulled out. After the inspection is completed, the operation button is pressed, and the winding motor reverses the preset angle according to the preset program, winding the touch screen 3 along with the flexible support component onto the winding drum for storage.

[0033] For some rainy or sun-exposed application scenarios, in this embodiment, an auxiliary protective structure can also be made on the protective frame 4. A foldable protective canopy 13 is installed at the frame opening of the protective frame 4. The foldable protective canopy 13 includes a rotating block 14 with a rotation limiting groove, and multiple skeletons 15 rotatably installed on the shaft hole of the rotating block 14. Adjacent skeletons 15 are connected by a foldable flexible curtain 16. The innermost skeleton 15 is fixed on the protective frame 4. During installation, the foldable protective canopy 13 can be opened according to the environmental season or weather conditions to form an auxiliary shielding structure above the protective frame 4, reducing the impact of rain and sun exposure on the internal area of ​​the protective frame 4, that is, reducing the impact on the protective box 5 inside the protective frame 4 and even the touch screen 3 inside the box to a certain extent. In some feasibility studies, shape memory alloy materials can be integrated into the unfolding and changing shape of the folding protective canopy 13. For example, shape memory metal strips can be installed on the protective frame 4. These strips maintain a first shape at room temperature and slowly deform to a second shape when a high temperature threshold is reached. The distal end of the shape memory metal strip can be designed to connect to the outermost frame 15 to control the folding protective canopy 13 to adapt to the temperature rise in a high-temperature exposure environment, thus providing adaptive sunshade. In another feasibility study, an environmental humidity sensor and an unfolding / retracting motor can be installed on the protective frame 4. Based on the humidity data obtained by the sensor, the unfolding / retracting motor can adaptively control the opening or closing of the protective canopy 13 to reduce the adverse effects of rainfall on the touch screen 3 inside the protective frame.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cover plate 17 is movably mounted on the protective frame 4. The outer side of the cover plate 17 is movably connected to the protective frame 4 via a hinge or an arc-shaped plastic strip. The protective frame 4 is provided with an annular groove 18. An elastic sealing strip 19 is respectively arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the groove opening of the annular groove 18. The elastic sealing strip 19 extends obliquely towards the bottom of the groove of the annular groove 18, and a gap is left between the two elastic sealing strips 19 arranged opposite to each other. A U-shaped sealing strip 20 is provided on the cover plate 17. The sealing strip 20 is adapted to be inserted into the bottom of the groove of the annular groove 18 through the groove opening. When the cover plate 17 is fixed to the protective frame 4 by the sealing strip, a sealing point is formed between the two sides of the sealing strip 20 and the corresponding elastic sealing strip 19, and between the bottom of the sealing strip 20 and the bottom of the annular groove 18. By designing a multi-point sealing structure, the connection between the cover plate 17 and the protective frame 4 forms multiple seals, reducing the possibility of foreign objects such as liquids and dust entering the interior of the frame.

[0035] In this embodiment, as one type of detachable fixing method for the pull bar 6 and the locking element, the locking element is a locking piece 22 with a slot 21. Multiple teeth 8 are provided on the inner wall of the slot 21. The pull bar 6 is detachably inserted and fixed in the slot 21. Specifically, a plastic handle is provided on the outer side of the pull bar 6. Two rows of teeth 8 are arranged opposite each other on the upper and lower inner walls of the slot 21. The plastic handle can be engaged between the teeth 8 when pulled to a set position. The buckle-fixing method makes disassembly and disassembly convenient and ensures a secure fixation. Alternatively, the locking element can be a magnetic sheet made of magnetic material, and the pull bar 6 can be a metal strip that can be magnetically attracted to the magnetic sheet. The two are fixed by magnetic attraction, resulting in a relatively simple structure and convenient operation.

[0036] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0038] For those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications will undoubtedly be apparent after reading the above description. Therefore, the appended claims should be construed as covering all changes and modifications that encompass the true intent and scope of the invention. Any and all equivalent scope and content within the scope of the claims should be considered to remain within the intent and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A metering box, comprising a box body (1) having internal equipment installation space, and a box door (2) hinged to the box body (1), characterized in that: The door (2) is equipped with a touch screen (3) that is electrically connected to the equipment inside the door. The outer wall of the door (2) is equipped with a protective frame (4). A protective box (5) is installed on one side of the interior of the protective frame (4), and a locking device is installed on the other side opposite to the protective box (5). The protective box (5) has an opening on the side facing the locking member, and a pull strip (6) connected to one end of the touch screen (3) and detachably sealing the opening. The touch screen (3) is a flexible OLED screen. The protective box (5) is also equipped with a winding mechanism for winding the touch screen (3) into the box in a roll shape. When the pull strip (6) is pulled out laterally so that the touch screen (3) is fully flattened, the pull strip (6) is detachably fixed to the locking member.

2. The metering box according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a flexible support component, on which the touch screen (3) is attached and fixed; the flexible support component includes several hollow tubular support bars (7) arranged in sequence, and elastic lines passing through and connecting each of the support bars (7) in sequence, the touch screen (3) is fixed on the inner side of the flexible support component, and the pull bar (6) is connected to the outermost support bar (7); or, the flexible support component includes several rectangular plastic frames (9) and several slender connecting tubes (10), two adjacent rectangular plastic frames (9) are connected by connecting tubes (10), the touch screen (3) is fixed on the inner side of each flexible plastic frame, and the pull bar (6) is connected to the outermost rectangular plastic frame (9).

3. The metering box according to claim 2, characterized in that: The protective box (5) is provided with a fixed shaft (11), and the winding mechanism consists of several coil springs (12). The coil springs (12) are fixed on the side of the flexible support assembly away from the touch screen (3) and extend in the same direction as the touch screen (3). One end of the coil springs (12) is mounted on the fixed shaft (11).

4. The metering box according to claim 2, characterized in that: The protective box (5) is equipped with a winding motor, and a winding cylinder is coaxially fixed on the output shaft of the winding motor. One end of the flexible support component is fixed on the outer wall of the winding cylinder.

5. The metering box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective frame (4) is equipped with a foldable protective canopy (13). The foldable protective canopy (13) includes a rotating block (14) with a rotation limiting groove, and multiple skeletons (15) rotatably installed on the shaft hole of the rotating block (14). Two adjacent skeletons (15) are connected by a foldable flexible curtain (16), and the innermost skeleton (15) is fixed on the protective frame (4).

6. The metering box according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a cover plate (17) movably mounted on the protective frame (4). The protective frame (4) is provided with an annular groove (18). An elastic sealing strip (19) is provided on each side of the groove opening of the annular groove (18). The elastic sealing strip (19) extends obliquely toward the bottom of the annular groove (18). A gap is left between the two elastic sealing strips (19) provided opposite to each other. The cover plate (17) is provided with a U-shaped sealing strip (20). The sealing strip (20) is adapted to be inserted into the bottom of the annular groove (18) through the groove opening. When the cover plate (17) is fixed on the protective frame (4) by the sealing strip (20), a sealing point is formed between the two sides of the sealing strip (20) and the corresponding elastic sealing strip (19), and between the bottom of the sealing strip (20) and the bottom of the annular groove (18).

7. The metering box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking component is a locking piece (22) with a slot (21), and the inner wall of the slot (21) is provided with a locking tooth (8). The pull bar (6) can be detachably inserted and fixed in the slot (21).

8. The metering box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking element is a magnetic absorbing sheet made of magnetic material, and the pull strip (6) is a metal strip that can be magnetically adsorbed onto the magnetic absorbing sheet.

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