Ammeter shell

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric meter shell, which comprises a shell main body, a hanger connected with the shell main body and a fastener used for connecting the hanger with an electric meter box, and is characterized in that the hanger is positioned on the outer side of the shell main body and comprises a half-accommodating area I; a half-accommodating area II is arranged in the shell main body; the first half-containing area and the second half-containing area jointly form a nail containing cavity used for containing and installing fasteners. The fastener is partially located in the first half-containing area and partially located in the second half-containing area. According to the utility model, the space utilization of the electric meter box is optimized, the internal volume of the shell main body is not excessively occupied, the internal layout of the PCB is not influenced, the high-efficiency utilization of the space of the electric meter box and the free layout of the PCB assembly are realized under the condition of not influencing the fixation of the electric meter, and the economic benefit and the market value are better.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to instrument technology, in particular to an electric meter shell. Background Art

[0002] The meter PCB is a key component in smart meters. It integrates and supports the key electronic components required for energy measurement, transmits energy signals, processes and stores data, and provides a user interface and security protection. These ensure accurate metering, stable operation, and remote communication and monitoring, meeting the efficient management and control requirements of modern smart grids. To ensure the safety and stability of the meter PCB, it is typically equipped with a specially designed enclosure. The meter enclosure consists of a main body and a pendant. The main body acts as a shield for the PCB, protecting it from potential physical damage. To ensure stable installation within the meter box, pendants are installed around the main body of the enclosure. Installers use these pendants, combined with bolts, to securely anchor the meter to the designated location in the meter box.

[0003] There are two main types of meter enclosure pendant designs. In one design, the space for the fastener head is completely outside the main enclosure. An additional component with a hole is fixed to the edge of the main enclosure, leaving it completely exposed and forming a protrusion relative to the main enclosure. However, this design inevitably increases the overall volume of the meter enclosure. Its main disadvantage is that, given the limited internal space of the meter box and the need to accommodate multiple meters, this design requires additional space to accommodate the protrusion. This limits the number of meters that can be installed within the meter box, hindering efficient space utilization.

[0004] In order to address the space occupation problem caused by the traditional pendant design, the existing technology has introduced a completely embedded pendant, in which the space for accommodating the head of the fastener is completely located in the recessed area provided in the shell body. This solution is achieved by providing a recessed area on the side of the shell body that needs to contact the meter box, and surrounding this area with a panel with holes, thereby creating enough space between the recessed area and the panel with holes to accommodate the head of the fastener, that is, the pendant is completely embedded in the shell body. The tail of the fastener is fixed to the meter box, thereby achieving a stable installation of the meter on the meter box. However, this embedded pendant design also has its limitations. Since the recessed part occupies the space inside the shell body, the layout and design of the components on the PCB board are restricted to a certain extent. Especially in smart meters with compact space, this limitation may affect the functionality and scalability of the circuit board. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the present invention provides an electric meter housing, which saves the space of the electric meter box and does not occupy too much internal space of the housing body due to the presence of pendants, thereby affecting the internal layout of the PCB board.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present utility model is:

[0007] A meter casing comprises a casing body, a hanging ear connected to the casing body, and a fastener for connecting the hanging ear to the meter box, wherein the hanging ear is located outside the casing body and includes a semi-accommodating area 1; a semi-accommodating area 2 is provided inside the casing body; the semi-accommodating area 1 and the semi-accommodating area 2 together constitute a nail receiving cavity for accommodating and installing the fastener; the fastener is partially located in the semi-accommodating area 1 and partially located in the semi-accommodating area 2.

[0008] The second semi-containment area is formed by the inward depression of the shell body. The second semi-containment area is used to accommodate part of the fastener head that passes through the hanging ear, such as the head of a bolt. During installation and use, the tail of the bolt is firmly fixed on the meter box, thereby ensuring that the meter shell is securely fixed in the meter box. In addition, the hanging ear is located on the outside of the shell body, and the fastener is partially located in the first semi-containment area of ​​the hanging ear and partially located in the second semi-containment area. The side of the shell body only slightly extends out of the hanging ear. This design significantly reduces the volume of the protruding part of the side of the shell body. In the process of installing the meter to the meter box, this feature makes it unnecessary to reserve a large amount of space for the hanging ear, thereby achieving more efficient utilization within the limited space of the meter box.

[0009] Preferably, the hanging ear includes a reinforcing rib connected to the shell body.

[0010] Reinforcement ribs are provided on both sides of the connection between the hanging ear and the shell body to increase the strength and rigidity of the hanging ear structure, prevent deformation and cracking, and thus improve the overall performance and durability of the product.

[0011] Preferably, the hanging ear includes a mounting hole for fixing the fastener and a through hole for the fastener to pass through; the mounting hole and the through hole are connected; the opening diameter of the mounting hole is smaller than the opening diameter of the through hole.

[0012] The through hole is a large hole that allows the fastener head to pass through, while the mounting hole is a small hole that only allows the fastener tail to enter, achieving actual fastening. During installation, align the fastener head with the through hole. The through hole diameter should be larger than the fastener head diameter to ensure smooth insertion. Then, slightly move the meter so that the mounting hole is over the through hole, allowing the fastener tail to enter the mounting hole. The fastener can then be tightened further. The through hole also ensures that the fastener is correctly positioned initially.

[0013] Preferably, the hanging ear includes a guiding slope for facilitating the fastener to pass through the through hole.

[0014] Because in many cases the meter is hung obliquely on the fastener head on the meter box during installation, the role of the guide bevel is to provide an inclined guiding surface. The guide bevel can expand the pass area of ​​the through hole to better help align and guide the fastener, making it easier and more accurate to assemble.

[0015] Preferably, the hanging ear includes a deformation hole for balancing weight and preventing cracking.

[0016] Electricity meter casings are typically made of plastic. When designing plastic, the thickness of certain parts must be kept to a minimum, otherwise it will affect the uniformity of the overall weight. By providing deformation holes, material usage is reduced, thereby reducing the overall weight of the product's local mounting lugs and balancing the overall weight. Furthermore, if certain components are too thick, the plastic material will concentrate internal stress after cooling, leading to the risk of breakage or cracking. Providing deformation holes effectively disperses internal stress and reduces the risk of cracking.

[0017] Preferably, there are two deformation holes, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the mounting hole.

[0018] Symmetrically arranging the deformation holes can further evenly distribute the stress inside the mounting ear, thereby avoiding local cracking caused by uneven local stress distribution.

[0019] Preferably, the shell body includes a main frame and an edge externally arranged on the main frame, and the distance that the edge protrudes relative to the main frame is the same as the distance that the hanging ear protrudes relative to the main frame.

[0020] The main frame of the meter housing features protruding edges that create a closed environment for installing the PCB. These edges extend a certain distance from the main frame. When installing the meter housing into the meter box, the necessary space must be reserved for these edges to ensure smooth installation. The protruding length of the mounting lugs matches the extended distance of the edges, eliminating the need to reserve extra space for the mounting lugs during installation. This ensures efficient use of the internal space within the meter box and minimizes space waste.

[0021] Preferably, the hanging ear includes a magnetic layer for adsorbing the meter box.

[0022] The magnetic layer, located on the side where the mounting bracket contacts the meter housing, provides a stable, secure attachment to the meter housing, providing an additional layer of protection against accidental detachment. If the meter housing needs to be adjusted during installation, the magnetic layer allows for easy fine-tuning or repositioning.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are embodied in:

[0024] 1. The design of fasteners located partially outside and partially inside the housing body not only optimizes the space utilization of the meter box, but also does not occupy too much internal volume of the housing body and affect the internal layout of the PCB board. Without affecting the fixing of the meter, it achieves efficient utilization of the meter box space and free layout of PCB board components, which has good economic benefits and market value.

[0025] 2. Reinforcement ribs significantly enhance the mechanical strength and stability of the mounting brackets. By rationally distributing material thickness, they effectively control product weight and cost. Ribs can withstand high stresses, increasing rigidity and bending resistance in localized areas and reducing the risk of deformation and cracking.

[0026] 3. The use of guide bevels can reduce alignment difficulty and errors during assembly, reduce operational complexity, improve assembly efficiency, and reduce component damage caused by misalignment or excessive force, thereby protecting the product and extending its service life.

[0027] 4. The combination of through holes and mounting holes improves the accuracy and convenience of meter installation, reducing operational difficulty and the risk of material damage.

[0028] 5. The protruding length of the mounting lug is the same as the distance it extends from the edge of the meter housing. During installation, there is no need to reserve additional space for the mounting lug, which also improves the space utilization efficiency inside the meter box, significantly improving the product's practicality and cost-effectiveness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the electric meter housing of Example 1;

[0030] Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the hanging ear of the electric meter housing of Example 1;

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the electric meter housing of Example 1;

[0032] Figure 4 is a bottom view schematic diagram of the electric meter housing of Example 1;

[0033] Figure 5 1 is a side view schematic diagram of the electric meter housing of Example 1.

[0034] in:

[0035] 1-housing body; 11-semi-accommodation area 2; 12-main frame; 13-edge; 2-hanging ear; 21-semi-accommodation area 1; 22-reinforcement rib; 23-mounting hole; 24-through hole; 25-guide slope; 26-deformation hole; 3-fastener. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of the utility model easier to understand, the utility model is further explained with reference to specific figures. However, the utility model is not limited to the following implementation cases.

[0037] It should be noted that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in the drawings in this specification are only used to match the contents disclosed in the specification so that people familiar with this technology can understand and read them. They are not used to limit the conditions under which the present invention can be implemented. Therefore, they have no substantive technical significance. Any structural modifications, changes in proportional relationships, or adjustments in size should still fall within the scope of the technical contents disclosed in this utility model without affecting the efficacy and purpose that can be achieved by the present utility model.

[0038] Example 1:

[0039] like Figure 1 The electric meter housing shown in FIG. 1 comprises a housing body 1, a hanging ear 2 connected to the housing body 1, and a fastener 3 for connecting the hanging ear 2 to the electric meter box. Figure 2 As shown, the mounting lug 2 is located outside the housing body 1 and includes a semi-accommodation area 1 21. A semi-accommodation area 2 11 is provided inside the housing body 1, formed by an inward depression of the housing body 1. Semi-accommodation area 2 11 is used to accommodate a portion of the head of a fastener 3, such as the head of a bolt, that passes through the mounting lug 2. Considering the limited space within the housing body 1, semi-accommodation area 2 11 can be designed to be just large enough to accommodate the head of the fastener 3, avoiding unnecessary space occupation and providing greater freedom for component layout and design on the PCB. Semi-accommodation area 1 21 and semi-accommodation area 2 11 together form a nail-receiving cavity for accommodating and installing the fastener 3. The mounting lug 2 is located outside the housing body 1, with the side of the housing body 1 only slightly extending beyond the mounting lug 2. During installation, the head of the fastener 3 is partially located in semi-accommodation area 1 21 and partially located in semi-accommodation area 2 11. The tail of the fastener 3 is securely fixed to the meter box, ensuring that the meter housing is securely fixed within the meter box.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, reinforcing ribs 22 are provided on both sides of the mounting ear 2 where it is connected to the shell body 1 , so as to increase the strength and rigidity of the mounting ear 2 structure, prevent deformation and cracking, and thus improve the overall performance and durability of the product.

[0041] like Figure 4As shown, the hanging ear 2 includes a mounting hole 23 for fixing the fastener 3 and a through hole 24 for the fastener 3 to pass through; the mounting hole 23 and the through hole 24 are connected; the aperture of the mounting hole 23 is smaller than the aperture of the through hole 24. The through hole 24 is a large hole that the head of the fastener 3 can pass through, and the mounting hole 23 is a small hole that only the tail of the fastener 3 can enter to achieve actual fastening. During installation, align the head of the fastener 3 with the through hole 24. The diameter of the through hole 24 is larger than the diameter of the head of the fastener 3 so that the head of the fastener 3 can be smoothly inserted. Then slightly move the meter so that the mounting hole 23 is located above the through hole 24, and the tail of the fastener 3 enters the mounting hole 23, and then the fastener 3 can be further tightened. The through hole 24 can also be used to ensure that the initial position of the fastener 3 is accurate.

[0042] The lug 2 includes a guide bevel 25 for facilitating the passage of the fastener 3 through the through hole 24. During installation, the guide bevel 25 provides an inclined guide surface, which expands the passage area of ​​the through hole 24 to better help align and guide the fastener 3, making it easier and more accurate to assemble.

[0043] The mounting lug 2 includes deformation holes 26 for weight balance and crack prevention. These holes reduce material usage, thereby reducing the overall weight of the product's mounting lug 2 and balancing the overall weight. These holes 26 effectively disperse internal stress and reduce the risk of cracking. In this embodiment, two deformation holes 26 are symmetrically located on either side of the mounting hole 23, further evenly distributing stress within the mounting lug 2 and preventing cracking caused by uneven localized stress distribution.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, the housing body 1 comprises a main frame 12 and an edge 13 attached to the main frame 12. The distance that the edge 13 protrudes from the main frame 12 is the same as the distance that the mounting lugs 2 protrude from the main frame 12. The edges 13 are used to form a closed environment for installing PCBs. These edges 13 extend outward from the main frame 12 of the meter housing by a certain distance. The protrusion of the mounting lugs 2 matches the distance of the edges 13. During installation, there is no need to reserve additional space for the mounting lugs 2, thus ensuring efficient use of the internal space of the meter box and minimizing space waste.

[0045] The mounting bracket 2 contains a magnetic layer for attaching to the meter box. During installation, the magnetic layer can be used to adjust the meter casing's position, fine-tune, or reposition it, without first inserting the fastener 3. Once the meter casing is secured, the magnetic layer provides a stable attachment force, keeping it securely fixed to the box and reducing the risk of accidental detachment.

Claims

1. An electric meter housing, comprising a housing body (1), a hanging ear (2) connected to the housing body (1), and a fastener (3) for connecting the hanging ear (2) to the electric meter box, characterized in that: The hanging ear (2) is located on the outside of the shell body (1) and includes a semi-accommodating area 1 (21); a semi-accommodating area 2 (11) is provided inside the shell body (1); the semi-accommodating area 1 (21) and the semi-accommodating area 2 (11) together constitute a nail receiving cavity for accommodating and installing the fastener (3); the fastener (3) is partially located in the semi-accommodating area 1 (21) and partially located in the semi-accommodating area 2 (11).

2. The electric meter housing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hanging ear (2) includes a reinforcing rib (22) connected to the shell body (1).

3. The electric meter housing according to claim 1, wherein: The hanging ear (2) comprises a mounting hole (23) for fixing the fastener (3) and a through hole (24) for the fastener (3) to pass through; the mounting hole (23) and the through hole (24) are connected; the opening diameter of the mounting hole (23) is smaller than the opening diameter of the through hole (24).

4. The electric meter housing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The hanging ear (2) includes a guiding inclined surface (25) for facilitating the fastener (3) to pass through the through hole (24).

5. The electric meter housing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The hanging ear (2) includes a deformation hole (26) for balancing weight and preventing cracking.

6. The electric meter housing according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are two deformation holes (26), which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the mounting hole (23).

7. The electric meter housing according to claim 1, wherein: The shell body (1) comprises a main frame (12) and an edge (13) externally arranged on the main frame (12), wherein the distance by which the edge (13) protrudes relative to the main frame (12) is the same as the distance by which the hanging ear (2) protrudes relative to the main frame (12).

8. The electric meter housing according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The hanging ear (2) comprises a magnetic layer for adsorbing the electric meter box.

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