Electricity meter with tamper-resistant closure

Abstract

The utility model relates to an electric meter with a tamper-proof sealing piece, in particular to an electric meter combined with one or more anti-tear safety pins.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an electricity meter with an tamper-proof sealing element. More specifically, this utility model relates to an electricity meter incorporating one or more tamper-proof safety pins. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, an electric meter consists of a casing, which is composed of two interlocking parts called the base and the cover; the two parts of the casing are usually made of thermoplastic material by molding process.

[0003] The casing defines the internal compartments of the meter, which, in typical use, contain electrical components such as PCBs, power supplies, capacitors, etc.

[0004] In the prior art, a variety of methods and / or components are used to join and fasten the base and the cover together, for example, as non-limiting examples: metric screws, self-forming screws, self-locking screws, hot blade welding processes, adhesive processes, and conventional snap fasteners.

[0005] However, while these types of fastening methods and / or components ensure proper connection between the base and the cover, they allow for limited control over irregular and unauthorized opening (tampering) of the instrument.

[0006] In fact, it is especially necessary for instruments to have tamper-proof features, that is, to provide evidence of irregular and unauthorized attempts to open them, so that operators can verify whether the instrument is working properly and has not been illegally tampered with or damaged.

[0007] Currently, in attempts to solve this problem, one or more external seals are added to the instrument. When the base and cover separate from each other, the external seals break, making it clear that the instrument has been opened.

[0008] However, this solution has some drawbacks. In particular, the overall cost of manufacturing the instrument increases, which is also a result of applying these seals, which are not strictly necessary for the operation of the instrument itself. Utility Model Content

[0009] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to overcome the limitations of the prior art by providing an electricity meter that is structurally robust and meets the construction requirements of specific applications, while also having tamper-proof features.

[0010] Another purpose of this instrument is to enable assembly through a quick and safe assembly process.

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide an instrument with low total cost, without lacking robustness, secure enclosure, and tamper-proof security.

[0012] According to this utility model, the electricity meter that achieves the above results has the features defined by the first claim in the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The present invention will be illustrated in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 The assembled electricity meter is shown;

[0015] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 An exploded view of the instruments in the diagram;

[0016] Figure 3 A perspective view showing a section cut along the axis of the anti-tear pin is shown;

[0017] Figures 4 to 6 The steps for inserting the anti-tear pin into the appropriate housing are shown in sequence;

[0018] Figure 7a A separate meter cover was shown;

[0019] Figure 7b A perspective view of the engagement portion of the anti-tear pin housing is shown; and

[0020] Figure 7c It shows Figure 7b Detailed view of the joint portion;

[0021] Figure 8a A perspective view of the anti-tear pin is shown;

[0022] Figure 8b A side view of the anti-tear pin is shown; and

[0023] Figure 8c Details of the anti-tear pin are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Now for reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The figure illustrates an electricity meter comprising a box-shaped housing 1 that defines a compartment 10. According to common usage, electrical components such as a PCB, power supply, capacitors, etc., are integrated within the internal compartment 10. These components are not shown in the figure.

[0025] In addition, the instrument includes two half-shells, a base 2 and a cover 3, which define the aforementioned box-shaped housing 1 by engaging with each other.

[0026] The base 2 and the cover 3 each include principal planes 20 and 30 that define the planes X and Y.

[0027] The sidewalls 21 and 31, arranged in a vertical orientation, rise from the main planes 20 and 30, that is, they rise along the axis Z, which is perpendicular to the aforementioned planes XY.

[0028] Side walls 21 and 31 can be continuous walls or defined by multiple planes arranged continuously to each other.

[0029] Sidewalls 21 and 31 define flat surfaces 22 and 32 arranged parallel to the plane XY at their free ends. These flat surfaces may correspond to the free edges of sidewalls 21 and 31 or to shoulders formed thereon.

[0030] Similarly, the engagement between the base 2 and the cover 3 occurs by their mutual superposition along the axis Z, abutting against the aforementioned mutually flat surfaces 22 and 32. Thus, when the base and the cover are engaged, the corresponding sidewalls 21 and 31 are seamlessly arranged, continuously defining the sidewalls of the box-shaped housing.

[0031] More specifically, the instrument also includes at least one housing 11 manufactured on an outer box-shaped casing and at least one pin 4 for connecting the base 2 and the cover 3. In particular, at least one pin 4 is irreversibly inserted into the housing 11. Thus, the pin 4 forms an irreversible connection between the base 2 and the cover 3.

[0032] In the following description, pin 4 will also be referred to as a tear-resistant pin or a safety pin.

[0033] In the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, at least one anti-tear pin 4 is arranged according to axis Z.

[0034] In a preferred but non-limiting manner, at least one anti-tear pin 4 is made of metal. Examples of non-exhaustive metals suitable for the specifically described applications include: steel, brass, aluminum, copper, and zamak zinc alloy.

[0035] This should be taken into special consideration now. Figures 4 to 6 These images show a housing 11 for accommodating a tear-resistant pin 4, which is manufactured on a box-shaped housing 1 and arranged along axis Z.

[0036] The housing 11 relates to the sidewalls of the outer shell (i.e., the sidewalls 21 and 31 of the base 2 and the cover 3, respectively). Basically, the first portion 111 of the housing 11 relates to the sidewall 21 of the base 2, while the second portion 112 of the housing 11 relates to the sidewall 31 of the cover 3. The first and second portions are arranged seamlessly to each other along the axis Z.

[0037] The first part is the inlet portion 111 of the safety pin 4, which is the part where the pin is first installed; the second part is the engagement portion 112 of the safety pin 4, which is the part where the safety pin is clamped, as will be more clearly described later.

[0038] The inlet portion 111 has a cross section (considered in a plane XY perpendicular to the axis Z) that is substantially circular over its entire extension according to Z.

[0039] Please refer to again Figures 4 to 6 Clearly, the inlet portion 111 has a seamlessly arranged first section 111A with an increasing diameter and a second section 111B with a decreasing diameter. An abutment surface 111C is defined between the two sections, which serves as an abutment for the head of the inserted pin, thereby preventing the pin from penetrating further into the housing.

[0040] exist Figures 7a to 7c The joining portion 112 is shown more clearly in the image. This portion has a trilobed cross section with a plane of 120°, adapted to accommodate the insertion strain of the pin while preventing it from being pulled out.

[0041] exist Figures 8a to 8c At least one safety pin 4 is shown separately; the pin has a shaft 40 with a substantially circular cross-section, at one end of which there is a head 41 with a diameter larger than that shaft. Preferably, the head 41 is completely smooth, that is, it has no notch or other lead wire for inserting a tool (e.g., a screwdriver).

[0042] The free end of the shaft supports a fastener 42. In the example shown in the figures, this fastener includes an overlapping tapered portion 420 having a reduced diameter, which defines a radially peripheral edge 421 adapted to be retained within the engagement portion 112.

[0043] The trilobal cross-section of the joint portion 112 facilitates this retention.

[0044] exist Figure 4 , 5 The assembly sequence of at least one anti-tear-out pin 4 is better described in section 6, which includes inserting the pin into the appropriate housing along axis Z, inserting it along the inlet portion 111 on the base 2. Insertion continues until a portion of the engagement portion 112 formed on the cover 3 is penetrated, thereby initially centering the pin. Stable assembly is completed by applying an axial thrust P until the pin 4 reaches the limit stop on the abutment surface 111C. In this position, the pin is thus stably anchored in the engagement portion 112 by interference with the cover 3. The special tapered shape of the fastener 42 facilitates good insertion of the pin, and the fastener 42 prevents the pin from being pulled out in the opposite direction.

[0045] Insertion from the side of base 2 is considered exemplary, as the entire system can be used by reversing the functions of base 2 and cover 3 to achieve insertion from the side of cover 3. In the latter case, at least one pin 4 remains visible from the user side, thus enhancing the safety function.

[0046] Once the pin is installed, its head 41 is recessed into the housing 11 at the end of the first segment 111A of the inlet portion. Therefore, it is difficult to reach the head of the pin from the outside with a tool.

[0047] As can be clearly seen from the above, once at least one safety pin 4 is installed, it cannot be pulled out without causing the pin itself or the housing 11 to break, thus causing the base 2 and / or the cover 3 to break. This breakage clearly indicates that the meter has been opened or attempted to be opened, and therefore has been tampered with or attempted to be tampered with.

[0048] In some solutions, it may be convenient to arrange the instrument cover using multiple tear-resistant pins 4. For example, the figure shows an instrument with four pins. In this solution, the instrument is completely enclosed, using only tear-resistant pins 4.

[0049] In other solutions, it is advantageous to use at least one tear-resistant safety pin 4 to ensure one or more sealing and tamper-proof points, as well as other classic types of pins or locking systems, such as those already mentioned, such as metric screws, self-forming screws, self-locking screws, hot-blade welding processes, adhesive processes, and conventional snaps. In this way, due to the use of at least one safety pin, the instrument will not only be closed regularly and stably, but also has tamper-proof security features.

[0050] If the meter includes, for example, at least one snap (e.g., such as...) Figure 1 (The one shown by reference numeral 12 in the attached figure) can be used to reversibly close the base and cover during assembly and testing steps; once the test is completed, the instrument is irreversibly closed by the insertion of at least one safety pin.

[0051] Therefore, the instrument according to this invention satisfies the objectives listed above, namely, it forms a stable and tamper-proof seal while reducing production costs because it does not require additional tamper-proof seals. In fact, the safety pin 4 combines the instrument's stable locking function with its tamper-proof security function.

[0052] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated above, but includes any additional variations thereof.

Claims

1. An electricity meter comprising a box-like casing (1) defining a compartment (10), said electricity meter comprising: - a base (2) and a lid (3) assembled to each other to define said box-like casing (1); - at least one housing (11) made on said box-like casing (1); - at least one pin (4) for connecting said base (2) to said lid (3); said electricity meter being characterized in that said at least one pin (4) is inserted in said at least one housing (11) in an irreversible manner.

2. The electricity meter of claim 1, wherein, Said at least one housing (11) of said at least one pin (4) comprises a first portion (111) and a second portion (112) arranged seamlessly, wherein said first portion (111) houses a head (41) of said pin (4) and said second portion (112) houses a free end segment of a shaft of said pin (4) supporting a fastener (42) of said pin.

3. The electricity meter of claim 2, wherein, Said fastener (42) comprises superimposed tapered portions (420) of decreasing diameter defining a radially peripheral edge (421) adapted to be held inside said second portion (112).

4. The electricity meter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said second portion (112) has a trilobal section with a plan of 120°.

5. The electricity meter of claim 2 or 3, wherein, Said head (41) of said at least one pin (4) is smooth.

6. The electricity meter of claim 2 or 3, wherein, Said head (41) is inserted in said first portion (111).

7. The electricity meter of claim 6, wherein, Said first portion (111) comprises a first segment (111A) of increasing diameter and a second segment (111B) of decreasing diameter arranged seamlessly, defining between them an abutment surface (111C) which acts as an abutment for said head (41) of said pin (4) when said pin (4) is inserted in said housing.

8. The electricity meter according to claim 1, comprising at least one pin (4) and at least one snap coupling between said base (2) and said lid (3).

9. The electricity meter of claim 2 wherein, Said base (2) and said lid (3) comprise respectively a flat main face (20, 30) defining a plane XY and a lateral wall (21, 31) defining an axis Z perpendicular to plane XY, said lateral wall rising perpendicularly from said flat main face (20, 30).

10. The electricity meter of claim 9, wherein, Each of said lateral walls (21, 31) defines at its free end a flat surface (22, 32) arranged parallel to plane XY, the mutual engagement between said base (2) and said lid (3) occurring by mutual overlapping along axis Z, against said flat surfaces (22, 32).

11. The electricity meter of claim 9 or 10, wherein, Said at least one housing (11) is arranged according to said axis Z.

12. The electricity meter of claim 9 or 10, wherein, Said at least one pin (4) is arranged according to said axis Z.

13. The electricity meter of claim 9 or 10, wherein, Said housing (11) involves respectively said lateral wall (21, 31) of said base (2) and of said lid (3), said first portion (111) involving said lateral wall (21) of said base (2) and said second portion (112) involving said lateral wall (31) of said lid (3).

14. The electricity meter of claim 1, wherein, Said pin (4) is made of metal.

15. The electricity meter of claim 14, wherein, The pin is made of steel, brass, aluminum, copper, Zamak zinc alloy. The pin is made of steel, brass, aluminum, copper, Zamak zinc alloy.

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