Valve control water meter with limiting structure
By introducing a limit structure of a magnetic sleeve and a contact switch assembly into the valve-controlled water meter, the problem of misjudgment caused by the lack of sensors in the valve-controlled water meter is solved, and more accurate valve status judgment and stable operation are achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing valve-controlled smart water meters, in their modular design, lack sensors to monitor the real-time status of valves. This leads to the program misjudging the valve's opening and closing status when the current increases, and is prone to jamming, affecting the reliability of product operation.
A magnetic sleeve and a contact switch assembly are installed in the valve-controlled water meter to form a limit structure. The valve opening and closing status can be accurately determined by the cooperation of the magnet and the contact switch, avoiding misjudgment by the program.
This improves the accuracy of valve-controlled water meter judgments, ensures more stable and reliable product operation, reduces misjudgments, and enhances product quality.
Smart Images
Figure CN224095210U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of valve-controlled water meter technology, and in particular to a valve-controlled water meter with a limiting structure. Background Technology
[0002] In recent years, most smart water meters have adopted a modular design. This involves a base meter module, consisting of mechanical components such as the meter casing, movement, and tempered glass that come into contact with water, and an electronic module, comprising a battery, electronic circuit board module, electromechanical conversion sensor, and sealed protective box. Both sets of modules can be produced simultaneously. Based on customer needs, the electronic module can be assembled with base meter modules of different diameters to create a complete meter, improving production efficiency. Furthermore, the electronic circuit boards, sensors, and other electronic components are manufactured and sealed in a temperature- and humidity-controlled cleanroom, enhancing product quality. In later maintenance, this modular design provides convenience for operators, facilitating fault diagnosis and on-site replacement. Based on these advantages, the modular design is becoming increasingly prevalent in future smart water meter products.
[0003] However, some problems have emerged in the actual use of valve-controlled smart water meters that adopt this structural design. For example... Figure 1 As shown, current valve-controlled smart water meters, when adopting a modular design, typically integrate a micro-motor within the electronic module. The motor drives a gearbox on the base meter via magnetic transmission, rotating through multi-stage speed changes to reduce speed and increase output torque. This torque is then transmitted through sector teeth, driving the valve stem. The valve ball, connected to the stem, rotates synchronously to perform the valve opening and closing function. The motor, connected to the electronic module, rotates clockwise or counterclockwise according to a pre-programmed sequence, driving the sector teeth. When the sidewall of the sector teeth contacts the limit block on the gearbox, the motor generates a significant stall current. The electronic module detects this stall current and determines whether the valve is fully open or closed. While this structure is simple, convenient, and easy to implement, the lack of sensors to monitor the valve's real-time status has led to numerous problems in actual use. For example, if the ball gets stuck in mud or sand during rotation, increasing rotational resistance and causing a surge in current, the program may misjudge whether the valve is fully open or closed. Furthermore, if the valve is manually operated, the electronic smart module cannot recognize the real-time opening and closing status due to the absence of sensors, causing inconvenience for management. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the defects of the existing technology and provide a valve-controlled water meter with a limiting structure.
[0005] The objective of this utility model can be achieved through the following technical solutions:
[0006] A valve-controlled water meter with a limiting structure includes a base meter module assembly and an electronic module assembly. The electronic module assembly is fixed to the base meter module assembly by mounting screws. The base meter module assembly is equipped with a ball valve and a gearbox that is fitted and fixed to the outer wall of the ball valve. A valve ball core is provided inside the ball valve. A gear set and a valve stem are provided inside the gearbox. The valve stem passes through the gearbox and the ball valve and is fixedly connected to the valve ball core. A sector tooth is fixed on the valve stem. The sector tooth is connected to the gear set. A magnetic sleeve is also provided inside the gearbox. A square groove is provided at the bottom of the magnetic sleeve, and the magnetic sleeve is fitted onto the top of the valve stem through the square groove at the bottom. Two magnetic mounting holes are provided on the magnetic sleeve. The two magnetic mounting holes are set at a 90-degree angle and staggered vertically. A magnet is installed in each of the two magnetic mounting holes by interference fit.
[0007] Furthermore, the electronic module assembly includes a lower cover and an upper cover covering the lower cover; a micro motor and two contact switch assemblies are disposed within the lower cover; the two contact switch assemblies are staggered left and right and are fixedly mounted on the lower cover using self-tapping screws; the micro motor is connected to a gear set via magnetic transmission; a sealing partition for sealing the micro motor and contact switch assemblies is also disposed within the lower cover; the sealing partition is fixed to the lower cover by partition mounting screws; an electronic module is also disposed within the lower cover; the electronic module is electrically connected to the micro motor; and a transparent sealing cover is provided on top of the electronic module.
[0008] Furthermore, the contact switch assembly includes a contact magnet, a spring, a movable shaft, a contact switch, a sleeve, and a fixed bracket; the contact switch is electrically connected to the electronic module; the fixed bracket is fixed inside the lower cover; the contact switch is fixed to the fixed bracket by a snap-fit; one end of the movable shaft is connected to the contact magnet, and the other end passes through the fixed bracket and contacts the contact switch; the spring is sleeved on the movable shaft, and one end of it is fixed inside the fixed bracket; a sleeve is sleeved on the movable shaft, and the sleeve is connected to the fixed bracket by a thread.
[0009] Furthermore, the top end faces of the two magnets are respectively aligned with the contact magnets of the two contact switch assemblies. Furthermore, the micromotor is a DC micromotor.
[0010] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:
[0011] This utility model, by setting a magnetic steel sleeve with two magnets and corresponding two contact switch assemblies, forms a limiting structure. This allows the electronic module to more accurately judge the opening and closing of the valve, preventing program misjudgments, greatly improving the product quality of the valve-controlled water meter, and making the product operation more stable and reliable. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a traditional valve-controlled water meter provided by this utility model;
[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the valve-controlled water meter provided by this utility model;
[0014] Figure 3 is a front sectional view of the valve-controlled water meter provided by this utility model;
[0015] Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the valve-controlled water meter provided by this utility model;
[0016] Figure 5 is a top sectional view of the valve-controlled water meter provided by this utility model;
[0017] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the electronic module component structure provided by this utility model;
[0018] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the gearbox structure provided by this utility model;
[0019] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the magnetic steel sleeve structure provided by this utility model;
[0020] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the contact switch assembly provided by this utility model.
[0021] The labels in the diagram indicate:
[0022] 1. Base module assembly; 2. Electronic module assembly; 3. Ball valve; 4. Gearbox; 5. Assembly screws; 6. Gear set; 7. Valve stem; 8. Valve ball core; 9. Sector teeth; 10. Magnet sleeve; 11. Square groove; 12. Magnet mounting hole; 13. Magnet; 14. Lower cover; 15. Upper cover; 16. Micro motor; 17. Contact switch assembly; 18. Self-tapping screws; 19. Magnetic transmission teeth; 20. Sealing partition; 21. Partition mounting screws; 22. Electronic module; 23. Transparent sealing cover; 24. Contact magnet; 25. Spring; 26. Movable shaft; 27. Contact switch; 28. Sleeve; 29. Fixed bracket. Detailed Implementation
[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.
[0024] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example
[0025] As shown in Figures 2-9, a valve-controlled water meter with a limiting structure includes a base meter module assembly 1 and an electronic module assembly 2. The electronic module assembly 2 is fixed to the base meter module assembly 1 by mounting screws 5. The base meter module assembly 1 is provided with a ball valve 3 and a gearbox 4 that is fitted and fixed to the outer wall of the ball valve 3. A valve ball core 8 is provided inside the ball valve 3. A gear set 6 and a valve stem 7 are provided inside the gearbox 4. The valve stem 7 passes through the gearbox 4 and the ball valve 3 and is fixedly connected to the valve ball core 8. A sector tooth 9 is fixed on the valve stem 7. The sector tooth 9 is connected to the gear set 6. A magnetic steel sleeve 10 is also provided inside the gearbox 4. A square groove 11 is provided at the bottom of the magnetic steel sleeve 10, and the magnetic steel sleeve 10 is fitted onto the top of the valve stem 7 through the square groove 11 at the bottom. Two magnetic steel mounting holes 12 are provided on the magnetic steel sleeve 10. They are set at a 90-degree angle and staggered vertically; magnets 13 are installed in both of the aforementioned magnet mounting holes 12 by interference fit.
[0026] The electronic module assembly 2 includes a lower cover 14 and an upper cover 15 covering the lower cover 14. The lower cover 14 houses a micro motor 16 and two contact switch assemblies 17. The micro motor 16 is a DC micro motor. The two contact switch assemblies 17 are staggered left-right and fixed to the lower cover 14 using self-tapping screws 18. The micro motor 16 is connected to a gear set 6 via magnetic transmission teeth 19. The lower cover 14 also houses a sealing partition 20 for sealing the micro motor 16 and the contact switch assemblies 17. The sealing partition 20 is fixed to the lower cover 14 by partition mounting screws 21. The lower cover 14 also houses an electronic module 22. The electronic module 22 is electrically connected to the micro motor 16. The electronic module 22 is covered by a transparent sealing cover 23. The contact switch assembly 17 includes a contact magnet 24, a spring 25, and a movable shaft 26. The assembly comprises a contact switch 27, a sleeve 28, and a fixed bracket 29; the contact switch 27 is electrically connected to the electronic module 22; the fixed bracket 29 is fixed inside the lower cover 14; the contact switch 27 is fixed to the fixed bracket 29 by a snap-fit; one end of the movable shaft 26 is connected to the contact magnet 24, and the other end passes through the fixed bracket 29 and contacts the contact switch 27; the spring 25 is sleeved on the movable shaft 26, and one end of it is fixed inside the fixed bracket 29; the sleeve 28 is sleeved on the movable shaft 26, and the sleeve 28 is connected to the fixed bracket 29 by a thread; the top end faces of the two magnets 13 are respectively aligned with the contact magnets 24 of the two contact switch assemblies 17.
[0027] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:
[0028] First, the electronic module 22 supplies power to the micro motor 16 according to the set program. The micro motor 16 rotates, which in turn drives the gear set 6 to rotate through the magnetic transmission gear 19. The gear set 6 drives the sector gear 9 to rotate counterclockwise. The valve stem 7 rotates synchronously with the sector gear 9, and the valve ball core 8 connected to the valve stem 7 rotates together. When the valve is in the open state, the magnet 13 on the top of the magnet sleeve 10 installed on the valve stem 7 is aligned with the contact switch assembly 17 located on the right side inside the lower cover 14. The magnetic force pushes the contact magnet 24 inside the contact switch assembly 17, causing the movable shaft 26 connected to it to overcome the elastic force of the spring 25 and move to the right to squeeze the contact switch 27. The electronic module 22 connected to the contact switch 27 detects the switch conduction signal, determines that the valve is now in the open state, and stops supplying power to the micro motor 16. At this time, the side of the sector gear 9 will abut against the limit block inside the gearbox 4 and stop rotating. At this time, the right contact switch 27 is in the ON state, and the left contact switch 27 is in the OFF state. When the program issues a valve closing command, the electronic module 22 supplies reverse power to the micro motor 16, thereby driving the sector gear 9 to rotate clockwise. The magnetic sleeve 10 rotates synchronously with the valve stem 7. The magnet 13 at the top of the magnetic sleeve 10 is offset from the contact magnet 24 of the right contact switch assembly 17. The movable shaft 26 moves to the left under the action of the spring 25, disengaging from the contact switch 27. When the other side wall of the sector gear 9 abuts against the limit block inside the gearbox 4, the other magnet 13 on the magnetic sleeve 10 aligns with the left contact switch 27. The magnetic force causes the left contact switch 27 to be in the ON state. After the electronic module detects the signal, it determines that the valve is closed. This prevents misjudgment by the program, greatly improving the product quality of the valve-controlled water meter and making the product operation more stable and reliable.
[0029] The preferred embodiments of this utility model have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of this utility model without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of this utility model through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A valve-controlled water meter with a limiting structure, characterized in that, The valve-controlled water meter includes a base meter module assembly (1) and an electronic module assembly (2); the electronic module assembly (2) is fixed to the base meter module assembly (1) by mounting screws (5); the base meter module assembly (1) is provided with a ball valve (3) and a gearbox (4) fitted and fixed to the outer wall of the ball valve (3); a valve ball core (8) is provided inside the ball valve (3); a gear set (6) and a valve stem (7) are provided inside the gearbox (4); the valve stem (7) passes through the gearbox (4) and the ball valve (3) and is fixedly connected to the valve ball core (8); the valve stem ( 7) A sector tooth (9) is fixed on the top; the sector tooth (9) is connected to the gear set (6); a magnetic sleeve (10) is also provided in the gearbox (4); a square groove (11) is provided at the bottom of the magnetic sleeve (10), and the magnetic sleeve (10) is sleeved on the top of the valve stem (7) through the square groove (11) at the bottom; two magnetic mounting holes (12) are provided on the magnetic sleeve (10); the two magnetic mounting holes (12) are set at a 90-degree angle and staggered in the upper and lower positions; a magnet (13) is installed in both of the magnetic mounting holes (12) by interference fit.
2. A valve-controlled water meter with a limiting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic module assembly (2) includes a lower cover (14) and an upper cover (15) covering the lower cover (14); a micro motor (16) and two contact switch assemblies (17) are provided inside the lower cover (14); the two contact switch assemblies (17) are staggered in a left-right structure and are fixedly installed in the lower cover (14) using self-tapping screws (18); the micro motor (16) is connected to a gear set (6) through a magnetic transmission gear (19); a sealing partition (20) for sealing the micro motor (16) and the contact switch assembly (17) is also provided inside the lower cover (14); the sealing partition (20) is fixed inside the lower cover (14) by partition mounting screws (21); an electronic module (22) is also provided inside the lower cover (14); the electronic module (22) is electrically connected to the micro motor (16); and a transparent sealing cover (23) covers the electronic module (22).
3. A valve-controlled water meter with a limiting structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The contact switch assembly (17) includes a contact magnet (24), a spring (25), a movable shaft (26), a contact switch (27), a sleeve (28), and a fixed bracket (29); the contact switch (27) is electrically connected to the electronic module (22); the fixed bracket (29) is fixed inside the lower cover (14); the contact switch (27) is fixed to the fixed bracket (29) by a snap fastener; one end of the movable shaft (26) is connected to the contact magnet (24), and the other end passes through the fixed bracket (29) and contacts the contact switch (27); the spring (25) is sleeved on the movable shaft (26), and one end of it is fixed inside the fixed bracket (29); the sleeve (28) is sleeved on the movable shaft (26), and the sleeve (28) is connected to the fixed bracket (29) by a thread.
4. A valve-controlled water meter with a limiting structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The top end faces of the two magnets (13) are respectively aligned with the contact magnets (24) of the two contact switch assemblies (17).
5. A valve-controlled water meter with a limiting structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The micro motor (16) is a DC micro motor.