Flowmeter impeller support fixing structure and assembly method

Abstract

This invention discloses a flowmeter impeller support fixing structure and assembly method, belonging to the technical field of fluid measurement equipment. To solve the problem of unstable fixing and easy unidirectional deformation of elastic support components in existing technologies, this invention provides a fixing structure that achieves bidirectional locking through pre-tightening force. It includes a first housing component with a limiting surface, an elastic support component with a force-bearing part, and a second housing component with a pressing structure. During assembly, the pressing structure applies assembly pressure to the force-bearing part, causing the elastic support component to generate pre-tightening force and simultaneously abut against the limiting surface and the pressing structure, preventing it from expanding outward and contracting inward. The elastic support component is made of non-magnetic metal materials such as SUS305 or TA1 pure titanium, is non-magnetic, and meets the requirements for food contact materials, making it suitable for flow metering in the food and beverage industry. This invention has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, and provides reliable fixing, significantly improving the measurement accuracy and long-term reliability of the flowmeter.

Description

Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of fluid measurement equipment technology, specifically to a flow meter impeller support fixing structure and assembly method. Background Technology

[0003] In the field of fluid measurement, impeller flow meters are a common type of metering instrument that calculates the flow rate of a fluid by measuring the speed at which a fluid-driven impeller rotates. The core components of this type of flow meter typically include a rotating impeller that can rotate under the action of the fluid, an elastic support for supporting the rotating impeller, and a housing that houses these components and forms a fluid passage.

[0004] To ensure measurement accuracy, the rotating impeller must be able to rotate stably around its axis; any unnecessary shaking or displacement will interfere with the measurement results. Therefore, firmly fixing the elastic support within the housing is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring the rotational stability of the impeller.

[0005] In existing technologies, there are various ways to fix the support components. Some designs use screws or additional clips to fix the bracket to the housing. Although this method provides a good fixation effect, it adds extra parts, complicates the assembly process, and increases manufacturing costs accordingly.

[0006] To simplify the structure and reduce costs, some designs incorporate single-sided blocks or ribs on the inner wall of the housing to restrain the support and prevent it from moving outward. However, this single-sided restraint method has significant drawbacks. When the support is made of a material with a certain degree of elasticity (e.g., an elastic support made of stamped metal), although the blocks on the housing can prevent the support from expanding outward, they cannot prevent it from contracting and deforming inward under the influence of factors such as fluid impact, vibration, or temperature changes. This unidirectional deformation can also cause the rotation axis of the rotating impeller to deviate, thereby affecting measurement accuracy and the long-term reliability of the equipment. Therefore, there is an urgent need in the prior art for a simple, reliable, and effective fixing solution that can prevent bidirectional deformation of the support.

[0007] Furthermore, in flow meters that measure impeller speed using magnetoelectric induction, the choice of material for the support components also affects measurement reliability. Traditional stainless steel materials (such as SUS304 and SUS316) often possess weak magnetic permeability after stamping, which may interfere with the magnetic field detection between the magnet and the Hall sensor inside the rotating impeller, thus affecting measurement accuracy. Additionally, for flow meters used in applications with high hygiene requirements, such as food and beverage manufacturing, components in contact with the fluid, such as the support components, must also meet the relevant requirements for food contact materials. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the technical problem of unstable fixing of elastic support components in existing technologies, particularly the inability to effectively prevent inward shrinkage and deformation, this invention provides a flowmeter impeller bracket fixing structure and assembly method. This solution achieves bidirectional locking of the elastic support component by generating a pre-tightening force during assembly, thereby ensuring its positional stability.

[0009] This invention provides a flow meter impeller support fixing structure, comprising: a first housing component having a limiting surface for restricting the outward movement of an elastic support member; the elastic support member being disposed within the first housing component and adjacent to the limiting surface, the elastic support member having a force-bearing portion for elastic deformation under assembly pressure; and a second housing component having a pressing structure. When the second housing component is assembled with the first housing component, the pressing structure applies the assembly pressure to the force-bearing portion of the elastic support member, causing the elastic support member to elastically deform and generate a preload. The preload causes the elastic support member to simultaneously abut against the limiting surface and the pressing structure, thereby restricting the outward expansion and inward contraction of the elastic support member. In this way, by utilizing the preload generated during the assembly process, bidirectional locking of the elastic support member in both inward and outward directions is achieved, significantly improving its fixing stability.

[0010] Furthermore, the first housing component is a bottom shell, and the limiting surface is the inner wall of the support spring placement groove formed within the bottom shell; the second housing component is an upper cover, and the compression structure is a constraint compression block extending downward from the upper cover. This structure provides a clearly defined receiving space and an outward reaction surface for the elastic support member, facilitating reliable positioning and force application.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic support member is a U-shaped support spring, and the force-bearing part is an outwardly protruding compression deformation part formed on one support arm of the support spring. The U-shaped support spring has two opposing support arms, and the support arms have support holes and slots for mounting the shaft of the rotating impeller. This outwardly protruding structure provides a concentrated force-bearing area for applying assembly pressure, facilitating controllable elastic deformation and generating a stable preload; at the same time, it provides stable rotational support for the rotating impeller.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner wall of the constraint compression block is fitted to the outer wall of the U-shaped support spring, and the constraint compression block is provided with a recessed structure that abuts against the upper end face of the U-shaped support spring. This precise fit not only applies a compressive force that generates pre-tightening force, but also provides additional positioning and limiting effects through multi-faceted contact, further enhancing the fixing effect.

[0013] Furthermore, the bottom shell is provided with locking points, and the upper cover is provided with snap holes that mate with the locking points. This snap-fit ​​connection provides a convenient and quick way to assemble and fix the shell without tools.

[0014] Furthermore, the flow meter impeller support fixing structure also includes a rotating impeller supported by the elastic support member; and a sensor for sensing the rotation of the rotating impeller; a magnet is provided inside the rotating impeller, and the sensor is a Hall sensor mounted on the second housing component. This configuration enables non-contact measurement of the impeller speed, avoids mechanical wear, and improves the sensitivity and service life of the measurement system.

[0015] Furthermore, the second housing component has a thin-walled structure at a position opposite the Hall sensor to shorten the distance between the magnet and the Hall sensor, thereby enhancing the magnetic signal strength. Based on the principle that magnetic field strength is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, the thin-walled design effectively shortens the physical distance between the magnet and the Hall sensor, thus enhancing the magnetic signal strength that the Hall sensor can detect and improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0016] Preferably, the U-shaped support spring is made of a non-magnetic metal material, such as SUS305 or TA1 pure titanium. The U-shaped support spring has a precision-smooth metal bearing working surface, used to reduce the frictional torque during impeller rotation, enabling the impeller to respond sensitively under low flow conditions. The thermal conductivity of the metal material is higher than that of plastic materials, used to quickly conduct and diffuse the frictional heat generated at the impeller's shaft tip contact position. Under dry operating conditions lacking liquid lubrication, the U-shaped support spring, relying on its own thermal conductivity and wear-resistant bearing working surface, prevents the impeller's shaft tip from melting, scratching, and wear. The U-shaped support spring is non-magnetic and will not interfere with the magnetic field detection between the magnet and the Hall sensor inside the impeller. The U-shaped support spring meets the requirements for food contact materials and is suitable for flow metering in the food and beverage industry.

[0017] Optionally, the elastic support member has a U-shaped, H-shaped, or V-shaped structure; the force-bearing part is an outwardly protruding bulge, a bent rib, or a stamped spring arm. These alternative forms can all achieve elastic deformation and be subjected to the pressure of the extrusion structure during assembly, thereby generating a preload.

[0018] The present invention also provides a method for assembling a flow meter, comprising the following steps: providing a first housing component, the first housing component having a groove for accommodating an elastic support member; placing an elastic support member having a force-bearing portion into the groove; and covering the first housing component with a compression structure, wherein, in the covering step, the compression structure compresses the force-bearing portion of the elastic support member to cause the elastic support member to undergo elastic deformation and generate a preload force, the preload force fixing the elastic support member between the inner wall of the groove and the compression structure.

[0019] Furthermore, before placing the elastic support member into the groove, the rotational support point of the rotating impeller is first inserted into the support hole groove of the elastic support member, so that the rotating impeller and the elastic support member form a pre-assembled assembly.

[0020] Furthermore, the elastic support is made of a non-magnetic metal material, such as SUS305 or TA1 pure titanium; the elastic support is non-magnetic and will not interfere with the magnetic field detection between the magnet and the Hall sensor inside the rotating impeller, and meets the requirements for food contact materials, making it suitable for flow measurement in the food and beverage industry.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages: First, this invention applies pressure to the force-bearing portion of the elastic support member during the assembly of the first and second housing components using a compression structure, causing elastic deformation and generating a preload. This preload subjectes the elastic support member to both inward compression and outward support, achieving bidirectional locking of its inward contraction and outward expansion. This design fundamentally solves the problem of unstable support member position caused by unilateral limiting in existing technologies, ensuring the stability of the rotating impeller axis and significantly improving the flow meter's measurement accuracy and long-term operational reliability.

[0022] Secondly, the fixing structure of this invention is cleverly integrated into the housing component, eliminating the need for screws, glue, or other separate fasteners, thus reducing the number of parts and simplifying the assembly process. The housing assembly and the secure fixing of the support component can be completed simultaneously through the simple action of stacking the two housing components, effectively reducing manufacturing costs and assembly difficulty, and improving production efficiency.

[0023] Third, the elastic support is made of metal, and its precise and smooth metal bearing working surface can reduce the frictional torque when the impeller rotates, which is beneficial for the impeller to respond sensitively under low flow conditions and avoid signal lag. The high thermal conductivity of metal can quickly conduct and diffuse the frictional heat generated at the shaft tip contact position, avoid local heat accumulation, and improve heat dissipation performance. The stable low friction state helps to ensure that the impeller speed and the actual flow rate maintain a linear correspondence, reduce the measurement error caused by rotational resistance throughout the entire range, and improve measurement accuracy. Under dry operation conditions without liquid lubrication, the metal support, relying on its own thermal conductivity and wear-resistant bearing working surface, can prevent the impeller shaft tip from melting, scratching, and wearing, extend the product service life, and prevent premature failure caused by dry operation.

[0024] Fourth, the elastic support component is made of non-magnetic metal materials such as SUS305 or TA1 pure titanium. TA1 pure titanium is completely non-magnetic, and SUS305 is low-magnetic stainless steel; neither interferes with the magnetic field detection between the magnet and the Hall sensor inside the rotating impeller, thus ensuring the accuracy and stability of magnetoelectric induction measurement. Simultaneously, this material meets the requirements for food contact materials, satisfying the flow metering needs of industries with high hygiene requirements such as food and beverage, and broadening the application range of the flow meter.

[0025] Fifth, the preload force creates a tight contact interface between the elastic support and the extrusion structure and the support spring placement groove, which can play a certain auxiliary sealing role and help prevent unnecessary flow or leakage of fluid around the elastic support.

[0026] Sixth, the concave structure on the extrusion structure abuts against the upper end face of the elastic support, which not only transmits the main downward pressure, but also plays a role in vertical limiting, preventing the elastic support from moving up and down when subjected to fluid impact, and further enhancing the overall fixation stability. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a structural exploded view of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall appearance of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first housing component in this invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic support component in this invention.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the second housing component in this invention.

[0032] Figure 6 This is an assembly cross-sectional view of the core components of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A partially enlarged sectional view of the fixed structure of the medium elastic support component.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled state of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating impeller in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the embodiments of this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings described herein are schematic diagrams and are only used to illustrate the principles of this invention, and are not strictly drawn to scale.

[0037] In fluid measurement equipment, especially impeller flow meters, ensuring the rotational stability of the impeller is crucial. Existing technologies often use a single-sided limiting structure within the housing to fix the impeller support. While this prevents the support from expanding outwards, it cannot effectively prevent inward contraction and deformation under external forces such as fluid impact or vibration, thus affecting measurement accuracy. This invention aims to provide an impeller support fixing structure that, through ingenious mechanical design, applies a preload to the elastic support member during assembly, restricting its movement in both inward and outward directions—a bidirectional limiting mechanism. This significantly improves fixing reliability and measurement stability without adding additional fasteners. The "preload" referred to here is the continuous internal stress generated by the elastic deformation of the elastic support member under pressure, causing it to simultaneously abut against the inner and outer limiting structures.

[0038] Reference Figures 1 to 9 This invention provides a specific embodiment of an impeller support fixing structure. The structure mainly includes a first housing component 1, an elastic support component 3, and a second housing component 5. These components work together to form a stable and reliable support system. This fixing structure can be applied in a flow meter to support a rotating impeller 2. In a complete flow meter application scenario, it may also include a sensor for sensing the rotation of the rotating impeller 2, such as a Hall sensor 71 mounted on a circuit board 7, and a sealing ring 8 for preventing fluid leakage.

[0039] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the first housing component 1 in this embodiment is specifically a bottom shell. The first housing component 1 internally defines a fluid channel 11 and is provided with an inlet end 12 and an outlet end 13 for guiding fluid flow through the rotating impeller 2. Crucially, the first housing component 1 is provided with a support spring placement groove 4, the inner wall of which forms a limiting surface for restricting the outward movement of the elastic support member 3. The size and shape of the support spring placement groove 4 match the lower half of the elastic support member 3, providing an initial positioning reference for the elastic support member 3 and serving as a reaction force bearing surface when preload is generated.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the elastic support 3 in this embodiment is preferably a U-shaped structure, which is stamped from a metal material with good elasticity. The elastic support 3 has two opposing support arms 31. Each support arm 31 is specifically provided with a force-receiving part 32, which in this embodiment is specifically an outwardly protruding structure. The provision of this force-receiving part 32 is key to realizing the core function of this invention; it serves as a concentrated point of application of assembly pressure, enabling the pressure to be efficiently converted into the elastic potential energy of the elastic support.

[0041] As a preferred material selection, SUS305 or TA1 pure titanium are chosen as the metal materials. Traditional SUS304 and SUS316 stainless steel, after stamping, tend to have weak magnetic permeability, which can interfere with impeller rotation. SUS305, on the other hand, is a low-magnetic stainless steel, and TA1 pure titanium is a completely non-magnetic metal. The U-shaped support spring 3 made from these two materials will not interfere with the magnetoelectric induction measurement in the flowmeter, thus ensuring the stability of the measurement signal. Furthermore, both SUS305 and TA1 pure titanium meet the requirements for food contact materials, making them suitable for flow metering scenarios in the food and beverage industry where high hygiene standards are required. In addition, the metal support itself possesses several characteristics that enhance the performance of the flow meter: the precision-smooth metal bearing working surface reduces frictional torque compared to all-plastic bearings, allowing the rotating impeller 2 to respond sensitively even under low flow conditions, avoiding signal lag; the high thermal conductivity of metal materials enables rapid conduction and diffusion of frictional heat generated at the shaft tip contact position, preventing local heat accumulation and improving heat dissipation performance; the stable low-friction state helps ensure a linear correspondence between the rotating impeller speed and the actual flow rate, reducing measurement errors caused by rotational resistance across the entire range and improving measurement accuracy; under dry operation conditions lacking liquid lubrication, the metal support, relying on its own thermal conductivity and wear-resistant bearing working surface, can prevent melting, scratching, and wear of the shaft tip of the rotating impeller 2, extending product service life and preventing premature failure due to dry operation.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, the second housing component 5 in this embodiment is specifically an upper cover. This second housing component 5 is used to cover the first housing component 1, together forming the closed outer shell of the flow meter. Unlike existing technologies, the inner wall of this second housing component 5 is provided with a pressing structure 51. In this embodiment, the pressing structure 51 is a block-shaped structure extending downwards from the second housing component 5. The position and shape of this pressing structure 51 are precisely designed so that it can accurately interfere with the force-bearing portion 32 on the elastic support member 3 during assembly.

[0043] like Figure 4 and Figure 9 As shown, the support arm 31 of the elastic support member 3 also has a support slot 33 for mounting the rotating impeller 2. Correspondingly, both ends of the rotating impeller 2 are provided with rotation support points 22 as the shaft. During assembly, the rotation support points 22 of the rotating impeller 2 can be engaged into the two opposing support slots 33, thereby allowing the rotating impeller 2 to rotate freely with the elastic support member 3 as the fulcrum. Since the elastic support member 3 is bidirectionally locked, its position is extremely stable, thus ensuring that the rotation axis of the rotating impeller 2 will not deviate, providing a reliable mechanical basis for accurate flow measurement.

[0044] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, to further optimize force transmission and contact stability, the contact method between the extrusion structure 51 and the elastic support 3 has been refined. In this embodiment, the inner wall of the extrusion structure 51 is designed to fit snugly against the outer wall of the elastic support 3. Furthermore, the extrusion structure 51 is also provided with a recessed platform structure, which abuts against the upper surface of the elastic support 3 after assembly. This design brings dual benefits: firstly, the fit of the inner wall increases the contact area, allowing the assembly pressure to be applied more evenly to the support arm 31; secondly, the abutment of the recessed platform structure against the upper surface of the elastic support 3 not only transmits the main downward pressure but also acts as a vertical limit, preventing the elastic support 3 from shifting vertically when subjected to fluid impact, further enhancing the overall stability.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, to achieve a quick and reliable connection between the first housing component 1 and the second housing component 5, this embodiment employs a snap-fit ​​connection method. Specifically, at least one locking point 100 is provided on the outer wall of the first housing component 1, and a corresponding snap hole 500 is provided on the side wall of the second housing component 5 to mate with the locking point 100. During the closing process, when the second housing component 5 is in place, the locking point 100 automatically snaps into the snap hole 500, emitting a crisp sound to indicate that the assembly is complete, and providing a firm axial locking force. This snap-fit ​​connection method is simple to operate, requires no special tools, and greatly improves production assembly efficiency.

[0046] The following is combined Figure 6 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The core fixing mechanism and assembly process of this invention are explained in detail.

[0047] First, the rotating support point 22 of the rotating impeller 2 is inserted into the support hole groove 33 on the two support arms 31 of the U-shaped support spring 3, so that the rotating impeller 2 and the elastic support 3 form a pre-assembled assembly. A magnet 21 is provided inside the rotating impeller 2.

[0048] Next, as Figure 5 As shown, the sealing ring 8 is placed in the sealing ring placement groove 52 of the second housing component 5; the circuit board 7 with the Hall sensor 71 is placed in the circuit board placement groove 53 of the second housing component 5.

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown, the pre-installed elastic support 3 (including the rotating impeller 2) is placed into the support spring placement groove 4 of the first housing component 1. At this time, the bottom of the elastic support 3 is in contact with the bottom of the support spring placement groove 4, and there may be a small gap or slight contact between its outer wall and the inner wall (limiting surface) of the support spring placement groove 4. The elastic support 3 is in a naturally relaxed state, and the force-bearing part 32 has not yet been compressed.

[0050] Align the second housing component 5 with the first housing component 1 and close it downwards. Initially, the pressing structure 51 has not yet contacted the force-bearing portion 32. As the second housing component 5 continues to move downwards, the inner wall of the pressing structure 51 begins to contact the force-bearing portion 32 of the elastic support member 3. The pressing structure 51 applies inward pressure to the force-bearing portion 32, causing the two support arms 31 to undergo inward elastic deformation. The elastic support member 3 stores elastic potential energy, generating an outward restoring force, i.e., a preload force.

[0051] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, when the second housing component 5 continues to move downwards until it is fully engaged, the locking point 100 engages with the locking hole 500, emitting a beep to indicate that the assembly is in place. At this time, the outer wall of the elastic support 3 is pressed tightly against the limiting surface of the support spring placement groove 4 to prevent it from expanding outwards; the inner side of the elastic support 3 (especially the force-bearing area 32) is continuously subjected to the pressure of the compression structure 51 to prevent it from contracting inwards. The elastic support 3 is bidirectionally locked between the limiting surface and the compression structure 51. The sealing ring 8 is compressed to achieve a seal. The rotation support point 22 of the rotating impeller 2 is stably supported in the support hole groove 33, and the rotation axis will not deviate.

[0052] After assembly, the assembly status can be determined by checking whether the impeller 2 can rotate freely. If the impeller 2 is stuck, it may be because the elastic support 3 has collapsed too much inward, and the dimensions of the extrusion structure 51 need to be checked. If the impeller 2 shakes significantly, it may be because the gap between the limiting surface and the elastic support 3 is too large, and the dimensions of the support spring placement groove 4 need to be checked.

[0053] The preload produces a dual fixing effect: on the one hand, it ensures that the outer wall of the elastic support 3 is tightly and continuously pressed against the limiting surface of the support spring placement groove 4, effectively preventing the elastic support 3 from expanding outward. On the other hand, the inner side of the elastic support 3, especially the force-bearing area 32, is also continuously subjected to pressure from the extrusion structure 51. Thus, the elastic support 3 is firmly clamped between the limiting surface and the extrusion structure 51, achieving bidirectional locking against both outward expansion and inward contraction. Furthermore, this highly fitted state generated by the preload also creates a tight contact interface between the elastic support 3, the extrusion structure 51, and the support spring placement groove 4, thus providing a certain degree of auxiliary sealing and helping to prevent unnecessary flow or leakage of fluid around the elastic support 3. This design eliminates the need for additional screws or complex clips; the support is securely fixed solely through the assembly of the housing, simplifying the assembly process and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0054] It should be noted that the dual limiting concept in this embodiment can be further understood as follows: the limiting surface of the support spring placement groove 4 is equivalent to the outer limiting ribs set on both sides of the elastic support 3 body, used to constrain the outward elastic expansion of the elastic support 3 caused by assembly stress; if this limiting is missing, the movement gap between the elastic support 3 and the rotating impeller 2 will increase, causing the impeller to eccentrically swing, resulting in serious measurement deviation. The limiting surface fixes the outer contour of the elastic support 3, which is conducive to maintaining a stable and accurate movement gap. The constraint pressing block 51 of the upper cover 5 is equivalent to the pin structure inserted downward from both sides of the upper cover 5, supporting the elastic support 3 from the inside and preventing it from bending and deforming inward; if the elastic support 3 collapses inward, it will hold the shaft tip of the rotating impeller 2, causing the rotor to jam and the flow signal to be interrupted. The pin structure can stabilize the bearing cavity size and eliminate jamming faults. Together, the two constitute a dual anti-deformation limiting for the elastic support 3.

[0055] The scope of protection of this invention also covers a flow meter that includes the aforementioned impeller support fixing structure. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 8As shown, the flow meter includes the aforementioned impeller support fixing structure (composed of a first housing component 1, a second housing component 5, and an elastic support 3), a rotating impeller 2 supported by the elastic support 3, and a sensor 71 for sensing the rotation of the rotating impeller 2. When fluid flows through the fluid channel 11, it drives the rotating impeller 2 to rotate, and its rotational speed is proportional to the fluid flow rate.

[0056] In a specific sensing scheme, such as Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, a magnet 21 is encapsulated or fixed inside the rotating impeller 2. Correspondingly, the sensor 71 is a Hall sensor 71 sensitive to magnetic fields. This Hall sensor 71 is usually mounted on a circuit board 7, which is placed in a circuit board placement slot 53 inside the second housing component 5. When the rotating impeller 2 rotates, the magnet 21 inside it also rotates synchronously, generating a periodically changing magnetic field. The Hall sensor 71 detects this magnetic field change and converts it into a series of electrical pulse signals. These pulse signals are counted and frequency analyzed by the processing unit on the circuit board 7, and the calculation results are transmitted to an external controller through the connection line 6, so that the instantaneous flow rate and cumulative flow rate of the fluid can be accurately calculated. It should be noted that since the elastic support 3 is made of a non-magnetic or low-magnetic metal material (TA1 pure titanium or SUS305), it will not interfere with the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnet 21 inside the rotating impeller 2, which helps to ensure the accuracy and stability of the signal detected by the Hall sensor 71 and improves the anti-interference capability of the measurement system.

[0057] To improve measurement sensitivity and anti-interference capability, this invention also provides an optimized design. (Refer to...) Figure 5 and Figure 8 The second housing component 5, located at the bottom of the circuit board placement slot 53, opposite the Hall sensor 71, can be designed with a thin-walled structure. This means that the wall thickness in this area is significantly less than the wall thickness of other parts of the second housing component 5. Based on the principle that magnetic field strength is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, this thin-walled design effectively shortens the physical distance between the magnet 21 inside the rotating impeller 2 and the Hall sensor 71, thereby enhancing the intensity of the magnetic signal that the Hall sensor 71 can sense. A stronger signal means a higher signal-to-noise ratio, enabling the flow meter to maintain high sensitivity and accuracy even at low flow rates, while also enhancing its resistance to external stray magnetic fields.

[0058] To ensure the flow meter's sealing performance and prevent fluid leakage from the joint between the first housing component 1 and the second housing component 5, this embodiment also includes a sealing structure. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, a sealing ring placement groove 52 is formed on the mating surface of the second housing component 5. During assembly, an O-ring or irregularly shaped sealing ring 8 is placed in the sealing ring placement groove 52. When the second housing component 5 and the first housing component 1 are closed and locked through the locking point 100 and the snap hole 500, the sealing ring 8 is compressed, filling and sealing the gap between them, thereby providing reliable waterproof and leak-proof protection.

[0059] It should be understood that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. For example, the shape of the elastic support 3 is not limited to U-shape, but can also be H-shape, V-shape, or any other structure capable of elastic deformation. The specific form of the force-bearing part 32 is not limited to a convex bulge, but can be a bent rib, a stamped spring arm, etc., as long as it can be subjected to the pressure of the extrusion structure 51 during assembly and guide the elastic support 3 to undergo the expected elastic deformation. Similarly, the fixing method between the first housing component 1 and the second housing component 5 is not limited to snap-fit, but can be any method that can provide sufficient assembly pressure and locking force, such as screw connection, ultrasonic welding, interference fit, etc. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow meter impeller support fixing structure, characterized in that, include: A first housing component (1) is provided with a limiting surface for restricting the outward movement of an elastic support member (3); the elastic support member (3) is disposed inside the first housing component (1) and adjacent to the limiting surface, and the elastic support member (3) is provided with a force-bearing part (32), which is used to undergo elastic deformation when subjected to assembly pressure; a second housing component (5) is provided with a pressing structure (51); wherein, when the second housing component (5) is assembled with the first housing component (1), the pressing structure (51) applies the assembly pressure to the force-bearing part (32) of the elastic support member (3) to cause the elastic support member (3) to undergo elastic deformation and generate a preload force, the preload force causing the elastic support member (3) to simultaneously abut against the limiting surface and the pressing structure (51), thereby restricting the elastic support member (3) from expanding outward and contracting inward.

2. The flow meter impeller support fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first housing component is a bottom shell (1), and the limiting surface is the inner wall of the support spring placement groove (4) formed in the bottom shell (1); the second housing component is an upper cover (5), and the extrusion structure is a constraint extrusion block (51) extending downward from the upper cover (5).

3. The flow meter impeller support fixing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic support is a U-shaped support spring (3), and the force-bearing part is an outwardly protruding extrusion deformation part (32) formed on a support arm (31) of the support spring (3). The U-shaped support spring (3) has two opposing support arms (31), and the support arms (31) have support holes (33) for mounting the rotating shaft (22) of the rotating impeller (2).

4. The flow meter impeller support fixing structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner wall of the constraint compression block (51) is attached to the outer wall of the U-shaped support spring (3), and the constraint compression block (51) is provided with a recessed platform structure, which abuts against the upper end face of the U-shaped support spring (3).

5. The flow meter impeller support fixing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom shell (1) is provided with a locking point (100), and the upper cover (5) is provided with a buckle hole (500) that cooperates with the locking point (100).

6. The flow meter impeller support fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a rotating impeller (2) supported by the elastic support member (3); and a sensor (71) for sensing the rotation of the rotating impeller (2), wherein a magnet (21) is provided inside the rotating impeller (2), and the sensor (71) is a Hall sensor (71) provided on the second housing component (5).

7. The flow meter impeller support fixing structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second housing component (5) has a thin-walled structure at a position opposite to the Hall sensor (71) to shorten the distance between the magnet (21) and the Hall sensor (71) and enhance the magnetic signal strength.

8. The flow meter impeller support fixing structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The U-shaped support spring (3) is made of a non-magnetic metal material, which is SUS305 or TA1 pure titanium. The U-shaped support spring (3) has a precision smooth metal bearing working surface, which is used to reduce the frictional torque when the rotating impeller (2) rotates, so that the rotating impeller (2) responds sensitively under low flow conditions; the thermal conductivity of the metal material is higher than that of the plastic material, which is used to quickly conduct and diffuse the frictional heat generated at the contact position of the shaft tip of the rotating impeller (2); under dry operation conditions without liquid lubrication, the U-shaped support spring (3) relies on its own thermal conductivity and wear-resistant bearing working surface to avoid melting, scratching and wear of the shaft tip of the rotating impeller (2); the U-shaped support spring (3) is not magnetic and will not interfere with the magnetic field detection between the magnet (21) and the Hall sensor (71) inside the rotating impeller (2); the U-shaped support spring (3) meets the requirements of food contact materials and is suitable for flow measurement in the food and beverage industry.

9. The flow meter impeller support fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic support (3) is a U-shaped, H-shaped or V-shaped structure; the force-bearing part (32) is an outwardly protruding bulge, a bent rib or a stamped spring arm.

10. A method for assembling a flow meter, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: A first housing component (1) is provided, the first housing component (1) having a groove (4) for accommodating an elastic support member (3); an elastic support member (3) having a force-bearing portion (32) is placed into the groove (4); a second housing component (5) having a pressing structure (51) is fitted onto the first housing component (1), wherein, in the fitting step, the pressing structure (51) presses the force-bearing portion (32) of the elastic support member (3) to cause the elastic support member (3) to undergo elastic deformation and generate a preload force, the preload force fixing the elastic support member (3) between the inner wall of the groove (4) and the pressing structure (51).

11. The assembly method of the flow meter according to claim 10, characterized in that, Before placing the elastic support (3) into the groove (4), the rotation support point (22) of the rotating impeller (2) is first inserted into the support hole groove (33) of the elastic support (3) so that the rotating impeller (2) and the elastic support (3) form a pre-assembled assembly.

12. The assembly method of the flow meter according to claim 10, characterized in that, The elastic support (3) is made of a non-magnetic metal material, which is SUS305 or TA1 pure titanium. The elastic support (3) is non-magnetic and will not interfere with the magnetic field detection between the magnet (21) inside the rotating impeller (2) and the Hall sensor (71). It also meets the requirements for food contact materials and is suitable for flow measurement in the food and beverage industry.

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