Water meter reflector recognition device

By using a combination of reflectors and photoelectric sensors in the water meter and the use of light concentrators, the problem of low accuracy of existing water meter recognition devices is solved, and accurate measurement of water flow is achieved.

CN222652310UActive Publication Date: 2025-03-21SHENZHEN XINGYUAN INTELLIGENT INSTR TECH
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202420873556.0
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-04-24
Publication Date
2025-03-21
Estimated Expiration
2034-04-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The accuracy of existing water meter recognition devices is not high, especially the cost of non-magnetic induction counters and there is a problem of identification blur, while the infrared light counter has the problem of poor accuracy due to light scattering.

Method used

The water meter reflector recognition device is adopted, which includes a photoelectric sensor and a reflector. The reflector is connected to the internal impeller of the water meter. The photoelectric sensor emits and receives light signals through the light concentrator. The number of rotation circles of the reflector is calculated by reflecting and receiving the light signal, and the flow rate flowing through the water meter is obtained.

Benefits of technology

The light concentrator constrains the light signal not to scatter, reduces external light interference, improves recognition accuracy, and achieves accurate measurement of water flow.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of intelligent water meters, in particular to a water meter reflector recognition device which comprises a box covering a water meter and further comprises a photoelectric sensor installed on the inner side wall of the box and used for collecting signals, a reflector capable of reflecting light signals is arranged on the water meter, and the reflector is connected with an impeller in the water meter. When water flows in the water meter, the reflector can be driven to move along a circular path; a light condensation piece is arranged between the photoelectric sensor and the water meter, a light condensation groove is formed in the light condensation piece, and the photoelectric sensor is inserted into the light condensation groove; the photoelectric sensor can transmit and receive optical signals; the photoelectric sensor is arranged corresponding to the motion path of the reflector, the photoelectric sensor comprises a transmitting tube used for transmitting optical signals and a receiving tube used for receiving the optical signals, and the reflector can receive the optical signals transmitted by the transmitting tube and reflect the optical signals to the receiving tube in the motion process. The water meter recognition device has the effect of improving the recognition precision.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of smart water meters, and in particular to a water meter reflective sheet recognition device. Background Art

[0002] Water meters are instruments used to measure water flow and are mostly used in homes, apartments, and commercial buildings. With the development of electronic technology, water meters have gradually been upgraded, and more convenient smart water meters have emerged.

[0003] The smart water meter adds an electronic recognition device based on the traditional water meter. After the counter recognizes the rotation of the character wheel, it displays the numbers on the electronic screen, making it convenient for staff to read the numbers directly.

[0004] Common sensors used in electronic identification devices include non-magnetic induction counters and infrared light counters. Both of the above counters have certain problems during use. For example, non-magnetic induction counters are more expensive and have the problem of fuzzy recognition. Infrared light counters have the problem of light scattering, resulting in poor accuracy. Therefore, the identification devices in the related art are not accurate during use. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to improve the accuracy of water meter readings, the present application provides a water meter reflective sheet recognition device.

[0006] The water meter reflective sheet recognition device provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A water meter reflective sheet recognition device comprises a box body which is covered on the outside of the water meter and a photoelectric sensor which is installed on the inner wall of the box body and is used to collect signals. The water meter is provided with a reflective sheet which can reflect light signals. The reflective sheet is connected to an impeller inside the water meter and can drive the reflective sheet to move along a circular path when water flows inside the water meter. A focusing piece is provided between the photoelectric sensor and the water meter, and a focusing groove is provided on the focusing piece. The photoelectric sensor is inserted into the focusing groove. The photoelectric sensor can emit and receive light signals. The photoelectric sensor is arranged corresponding to the movement path of the reflective sheet. The photoelectric sensor comprises a transmitting tube for emitting light signals and a receiving tube for receiving light signals. During the movement of the reflective sheet, the light signal emitted by the transmitting tube can be reflected to the receiving tube to calculate the number of revolutions of the reflective sheet.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, the photoelectric sensor transmits and receives light signals, and the reflective sheet circulates through the photoelectric sensor during rotation, so that the light signal can be reflected to the photoelectric sensor multiple times. The processor counts the number of times the light signal is received to obtain the number of turns of the reflective sheet, and then obtains the flow rate through the water meter. The light signal emitted by the photoelectric sensor can be constrained by the focusing element to prevent scattering, and at the same time, external light can be blocked from entering the focusing element, reducing the interference of external light sources in the process of the photoelectric sensor receiving or transmitting signals, thereby achieving the effect of improving the recognition accuracy of the recognition device.

[0009] Optionally, the distance between the sides of the light focusing element and the reflective sheet that are close to each other is not greater than 4 mm.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the distance between the light concentrator and the reflective sheet is controlled to ensure the light concentrator blocks external light from entering the interior of the light concentrator.

[0011] Optionally, a plurality of the photoelectric sensors are evenly spaced around the rotation path of the reflective sheet.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, during the rotation of the reflective sheet, it corresponds to multiple photoelectric sensors in sequence, so that the multiple photoelectric sensors receive light signals in sequence. The rotation direction of the reflective sheet can be determined by the order in which the photoelectric sensors receive the light signals.

[0013] Optionally, the reflector is a fan-shaped structure coaxial with its own movement path, and the angle of the reflector is not less than the angle between two adjacent photoelectric sensors.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the reflector is set to be fan-shaped, and its angle is not less than the angle between two adjacent sensors, so that at any time there is at least one sensor corresponding to the reflector, that is, the receiving tube of at least one photoelectric sensor can receive the light signal reflected by the reflector, so as to determine the position of the reflector. Optionally, an indicator disk is rotatably provided on the water meter, and the reflector is fixedly connected to the indicator disk.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution and providing the indicator plate, the installation of the reflective sheet is facilitated.

[0016] Optionally, a mounting hole is provided on the reflective sheet, a hot melt column is passed through the mounting hole, one end of the hot melt column is fixedly connected to the indicator plate, and the other end is passed through the mounting hole; a flange is provided on the hot melt column, and the flange is used to prevent the reflective sheet from detaching from the hot melt column.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the reflective sheet is prevented from falling off the hot melt column by the flange on the hot melt column, thereby achieving fixed installation of the reflective sheet.

[0018] Optionally, a hook is provided on the light concentrator, and the light concentrator is hung on the box body through the hook.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the light concentrator is hooked on the box body by the hook, so that the light concentrator is fixedly installed.

[0020] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0021] 1. By setting a focusing element between the photoelectric sensor and the reflective sheet, light scattering can be restrained and external light can be blocked from entering the focusing element, thereby reducing the influence of external environmental factors on the accuracy of the recognition device.

[0022] 2. A plurality of photoelectric sensors are provided, and the rotation direction of the reflective sheet can be determined according to the order in which the photoelectric sensors receive light signals, thereby facilitating the user's actual water consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 2 This is an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 Enlarged view of part A.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the reflective sheet structure of an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination of the reflective sheet and the indicator plate of an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure numerals: 1, water meter; 2, box body; 3, photoelectric sensor; 4, reflective sheet; 41, mounting hole; 42, hot melt column; 5, indicator plate; 6, focusing element; 61, focusing groove; 62, diaphragm; 7, hook. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following is combined with Figure 1-4 This application is described in further detail.

[0029] The embodiment of the present application discloses a water meter reflective sheet recognition device.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2A water meter reflective sheet recognition device comprises a box body 2 covered on the dial of the water meter 1, a photoelectric sensor 3 and a reflective sheet 4, wherein the reflective sheet 4 is mounted on an indicator disk 5 on the water meter 1, and the indicator disk 5 is connected to an impeller inside the water meter 1. The reflective sheet 4 is located on the indicator disk 5 away from its own rotation axis, and when water flows through the water meter 1, the indicator disk 5 can drive the reflective sheet 4 to move along a circular track. A PCB board is arranged in the box body 2, and the photoelectric sensor 3 is mounted on the PCB board and connected to the processor through a circuit.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The photoelectric sensor 3 includes a transmitting tube and a receiving tube that are closely connected to each other, and realizes the functions of transmitting and receiving light signals. During the use of the water meter 1, the photoelectric sensor 3 transmits a light signal, and the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor 3 is reflected after irradiating the reflective sheet 4, and the light signal is received by the receiving tube of the photoelectric sensor 3. When the water flows, the reflective sheet 4 is driven to reflect the light signal toward the photoelectric sensor 3 many times. After the photoelectric sensor 3 receives the light signal, the processor counts it and obtains the number of revolutions of the indicator disk 5 within a specific time, and then obtains the water consumption within the time period, so as to realize the collection and processing of flow information.

[0032] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the reflective sheet 4 is a metal sheet with a smooth surface. The reflective sheet 4 is provided with a mounting hole 41, and a hot melt column 42 is inserted into the mounting hole 41. One end of the hot melt column 42 is integrally formed with the indicator plate 5, and the other end is inserted into the mounting hole 41. The end of the hot melt column 42 away from the indicator plate 5 is heated and melted to form a flange for preventing the reflective sheet 4 from separating from the hot melt column 42, thereby fixing the reflective sheet 4. In order to improve the stability of the reflective sheet 4 after installation, a plurality of mounting holes 41 can be provided, and a plurality of hot melt columns 42 are provided corresponding to the mounting holes 41.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The mounting hole 41 forms an opening on the side perpendicular to the thickness of the reflective sheet 4 so that a portion of the hot melt column 42 is located outside the reflective sheet 4, reducing the influence of the hot melt column 42 on the reflective performance of the reflective sheet 4.

[0034] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 A black light-collecting member 6 is provided on the inner wall of the box body 2 at a position corresponding to the photoelectric sensor 3. The light-collecting member 6 is a cylindrical structure, and a light-collecting groove 61 is provided on the light-collecting member 6. The light-collecting groove 61 opens toward the indicator plate 5, and the photoelectric sensor 3 is embedded in the light-collecting groove 61. The side wall of the light-collecting groove 61 constrains the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor 3 from being scattered, thereby improving the accuracy of the signal transmission process, and further improving the recognition accuracy of the recognition device.

[0035] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 A diaphragm 62 is provided in the focusing groove 61, and the diaphragm 62 divides the focusing groove 61 into two cavities, and the transmitting tube and the receiving tube of the photoelectric sensor 3 are respectively located in the two cavities. After the transmitting tube emits light, the diaphragm 62 can block the light from extending to the receiving tube, thereby reducing the mutual interference between the two.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the distance between the side surfaces of the condenser 6 and the reflector 4 close to each other is not greater than 4 mm, and in this embodiment, the distance between the side surfaces of the condenser 6 and the reflector 4 close to each other is 4 mm. This ensures that the condenser 6 blocks external light. The distance between the inner side wall of the box body 2 of the universal water meter 1 and the reflector 4 parallel to the dial is 12 mm, so the size of the condenser 6 in the direction perpendicular to the dial in this embodiment is 8 mm.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 A hook 7 is provided on the side of the light concentrator 6 away from the water meter 1. The hook 7 is an L-shaped structure as a whole, one end of which is vertically fixedly connected to the side of the light concentrator 6 away from the water meter 1. The other end is hooked on the PCB board to fix the light concentrator 6.

[0038] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the actual water use process, the opening and closing of the valve will cause the fluctuation of the internal pressure of the water pipe to produce the water hammer effect. Therefore, in the actual water use process, the reflector 4 will produce forward and reverse rotation. The actual water consumption of the user is equal to the number of forward rotations of the reflector 4 minus the number of reverse rotations of the reflector 4. To this end, a plurality of photoelectric sensors 3 are evenly spaced along the rotation trajectory of the reflector 4. In this embodiment, three are set, and the center points of the three photoelectric sensors 3 are connected to form an equilateral triangle. When water flows through the water meter 1, the reflector 4 rotates and passes through the plurality of photoelectric sensors 3 in turn, and reflects light signals to the plurality of photoelectric sensors 3 in turn. The three photoelectric sensors 3 are defined as A, B, and C, respectively, and their states at t1, t2, and t3 are shown in the following table (where the photoelectric sensor 3 outputs an electrical signal of 1 when it receives light, and outputs an electrical signal of 0 when it does not receive light)

[0039] A B C t1 1 0 0 t2 0 1 0 t3 0 0 1

[0040] The electrical signal from the first moment to the second moment is intercepted, and the rotation direction of the reflective sheet can be determined by determining the order in which the photoelectric sensor 3 receives the light signal.

[0041] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4The reflector 4 is a fan-shaped structure, and its angle is not less than 120°. In this embodiment, the angle of the reflector is 180°; in other embodiments, the angle of the reflector 4 can be 140°, 200°, etc. The axis of the reflector 4 coincides with the rotation axis of the indicator disk 5, and the axis of the reflector 4 is spaced from the photoelectric sensor 3. At least one photoelectric sensor 3 can receive the light signal at any time, which facilitates the processor on the PCB board to determine the position of the reflector 4 at any time.

[0042] The implementation principle of the water meter reflective sheet recognition device of the present application embodiment is as follows: the photoelectric sensor 3 emits a light signal, which passes through the focusing groove 61 to constrain the light signal emitted by the photoelectric sensor 3 from being scattered. At the same time, it can block external light from entering the focusing element 6 and affecting the signal received by the photoelectric sensor 3, thereby achieving the effect of improving the signal collection accuracy of the photoelectric sensor 3.

[0043] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Therefore, any equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A water meter reflective sheet recognition device, comprising a box body (2) arranged outside the water meter (1), and also comprising a photoelectric sensor (3) mounted on the inner wall of the box body (2) for collecting signals, characterized in that: The water meter (1) is provided with a reflective sheet (4) capable of reflecting light signals, the reflective sheet (4) being connected to an impeller inside the water meter (1), and being able to drive the reflective sheet (4) to move along a circular path when water flows inside the water meter (1); a light collecting member (6) is provided between the photoelectric sensor (3) and the water meter (1), the light collecting member (6) being provided with a light collecting groove (61), and the photoelectric sensor (3) being inserted into the light collecting groove (61); the photoelectric sensor (3) is capable of transmitting and receiving light signals; the photoelectric sensor (3) is arranged corresponding to the movement path of the reflective sheet (4), the photoelectric sensor (3) comprising a transmitting tube for transmitting light signals and a receiving tube for receiving light signals, and during the movement of the reflective sheet (4), the light signal emitted by the transmitting tube can be reflected to the receiving tube, so as to calculate the number of revolutions of the reflective sheet (4).

2. A water meter reflective sheet recognition device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the side surfaces of the light concentrator (6) and the reflective sheet (4) that are close to each other is no greater than 4 mm.

3. A water meter reflective sheet recognition device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of photoelectric sensors (3) are evenly spaced along the rotation path of the reflective sheet (4).

4. A water meter reflective sheet recognition device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The reflective sheet (4) is a fan-shaped structure coaxial with its own movement path, and the angle of the reflective sheet (4) is not less than the angle between two adjacent photoelectric sensors (3), and the axes of the photoelectric sensors (3) and the reflective sheet (4) are spaced apart.

5. A water meter reflective sheet recognition device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A hook (7) is provided on the light collecting member (6), and the light collecting member (6) is hooked on the box body (2) via the hook (7).

6. A water meter reflective sheet recognition device according to claim 2, characterized in that: An indicator disk (5) is rotatably provided on the water meter (1), and the reflective sheet (4) is fixedly connected to the indicator disk (5).

7. A water meter reflective sheet recognition device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The reflective sheet (4) is provided with a mounting hole (41), a hot melt column (42) is inserted into the mounting hole (41), one end of the hot melt column (42) is fixedly connected to the indicator plate (5), and the other end is inserted into the mounting hole (41); a flange is provided on the hot melt column (42), and the flange is used to prevent the reflective sheet (4) from being separated from the hot melt column (42).