A water meter tamper-evident device

Abstract

The utility model belongs to water gauge technical field, concretely relates to a water gauge anti -disassembly device, including water gauge base, the top of water gauge base is equipped with the upper cover, the upper side of upper cover is equipped with the anti -disassembly cover that can be shielded to the upper cover and water gauge base junction, the upper end of anti -disassembly cover is equipped with the unlocking slot for placing unlocking device, the outside of anti -disassembly cover is equipped with the rotating outer cover for shielding unlocking slot, be equipped with the thread ring between rotating outer cover and anti -disassembly cover, thread ring is connected with anti -disassembly cover thread, and the clamping between thread ring and rotating outer cover, through above structure through setting rotating outer cover and shielding anti -disassembly cover, avoid non -working personnel first time to find the disassembly position of this water gauge, set up and match unlocking device simultaneously, need to install or disassemble when water gauge, through the clamping of unlocking assembly to unlocking slot, realize the relative rotation of anti -disassembly cover and water gauge base, thereby make anti -disassembly cover separate from water gauge base, convenient continue to the disassembly operation of upper cover plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of water meter technology, and in particular relates to a water meter anti-tampering device. Background Technology

[0002] As a measuring instrument for measuring water consumption, water meters are sometimes illegally removed by some users in an attempt to reduce their water bills. This renders the water meter unable to perform its metering function, causing losses to the water supply department and wasting water resources. To prevent users from damaging the water meter, a one-time anti-tampering device has been designed. However, once damaged, it usually causes irreversible damage to the water meter itself, which can easily lead to resource waste.

[0003] Therefore, a reusable tamper-proof device is needed. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a water meter anti-tampering device to prevent users from disassembling the water meter themselves, while increasing the number of times the anti-tampering device can be reused, avoiding the single use of the anti-tampering device, and eliminating resource waste.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a water meter anti-tampering device, including a water meter base. The water meter base has an upper cover on its top, the upper cover being annular in structure. The upper cover is detachably connected to the water meter base, and a sealing ring is provided at the contact end between the two for sealing. An anti-tampering cover is provided on the upper side of the upper cover, and the anti-tampering cover is threadedly connected to the water meter base. The anti-tampering cover can block the connection between the upper cover and the water meter base. The upper end of the anti-tampering cover has an unlocking groove for placing an unlocking device. A rotating outer cover for blocking the unlocking groove is fitted around the outside of the anti-tampering cover. A threaded ring is provided between the rotating outer cover and the anti-tampering cover, and the threaded ring is threaded with the anti-tampering cover. The connection is such that the threaded ring is engaged with the rotating outer cover; the unlocking device includes an unlocking sleeve that can contact the upper cover, the outer diameter of the unlocking sleeve is smaller than the inner diameter of the rotating outer cover, and at least two sets of unlocking rod assemblies are provided on the inner side of the unlocking sleeve. Multiple sets of unlocking rod assemblies are hinged to unlocking pressure shafts, and the unlocking pressure shafts slide up and down to connect with the unlocking sleeves and extend to the outer side of the unlocking sleeves; each unlocking rod assembly includes two hinged hinge rods and an unlocking slide rod, the unlocking slide rods are horizontally arranged, one end of the unlocking slide rods can extend into the inner side of the unlocking groove, the other end of the unlocking slide rods is hinged to one end of the hinge rods, the other end of the hinge rods is hinged to the unlocking pressure shafts, and the hinge rods are inclined.

[0006] The above structure uses a rotating outer cover to conceal the tamper-evident cover, preventing unauthorized personnel from immediately discovering the disassembly location of the water meter. A matching unlocking device is also included; when the water meter needs to be installed or disassembled, the unlocking rod assembly engages with the locking slot, allowing the tamper-evident cover to rotate relative to the water meter base, thus detaching the tamper-evident cover from the base and facilitating further disassembly of the upper cover.

[0007] Furthermore, the rotating outer cover is provided with a normally closed retaining ring that can slide relative to it. The normally closed retaining ring can contact the upper cover. The rotating outer cover is provided with a downward-opening sliding groove. The normally closed retaining ring is disposed inside the sliding groove. An elastic element is provided between the normally closed retaining ring and the sliding groove. The elastic element can make the normally closed retaining ring contact the upper cover. When the normally closed retaining ring contacts the upper cover, it can block the unlocking groove.

[0008] Furthermore, a snap-fit ​​pin is provided between the rotating outer cover and the threaded ring. The snap-fit ​​pin can slide relative to the rotating outer cover. The rotating outer cover has a snap-fit ​​groove, and the snap-fit ​​pin is located inside the snap-fit ​​groove. The snap-fit ​​groove extends from one side of the rotating outer cover near the threaded ring to the other side. One end of the snap-fit ​​pin contacts the threaded ring. The outer surface of the threaded ring has multiple snap-fit ​​grooves that match the end of the snap-fit ​​pin. A snap-fit ​​spring is provided between the other end of the snap-fit ​​pin and the snap-fit ​​groove. The snap-fit ​​spring can keep the snap-fit ​​pin in an extended state, ensuring that the snap-fit ​​pin contacts the threaded ring.

[0009] Furthermore, a snap-fit ​​pin is provided between the rotating outer cover and the threaded ring. The snap-fit ​​pin can slide relative to the rotating outer cover. The rotating outer cover has a snap-fit ​​groove, and the snap-fit ​​pin is located inside the snap-fit ​​groove. The snap-fit ​​groove extends from one side of the rotating outer cover near the threaded ring to the other side. One end of the snap-fit ​​pin contacts the threaded ring. The outer surface of the threaded ring has multiple snap-fit ​​grooves that match the end of the snap-fit ​​pin. A snap-fit ​​spring is provided between the other end of the snap-fit ​​pin and the snap-fit ​​groove. The snap-fit ​​spring can keep the snap-fit ​​pin in an extended state, ensuring that the snap-fit ​​pin contacts the threaded ring.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner side of the unlocking groove is provided with a limiting component to prevent its rotation. The limiting component includes a locking pin that can slide up and down relative to the upper cover. The upper cover has a locking slide groove, and the locking pin is disposed inside the locking slide groove. A locking spring is provided between the lower end of the locking pin and the locking slide groove. The locking spring can keep the locking pin in an extended state. The elastic force of the locking spring is greater than the elastic force of the snap-fit ​​spring. One end of the locking spring contacts the locking pin, and the other end of the locking pin is provided with a locking plug. The locking plug is disposed in the locking slide groove and threadedly connected to it. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0012] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of this utility model;

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation relationship of the upper cover in this utility model;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation relationship of the tamper-evident cover in this utility model;

[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation relationship of the rotating outer cover in this utility model;

[0017] Figure 6 This is a partial view of the internal structure of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 7 This is a magnified view of part B in this utility model;

[0019] Figure 8 This is a partial enlarged view of point C in this utility model;

[0020] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking device in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation relationship between the unlocking device and the upper cover in this utility model.

[0022] In the diagram: 100-Water meter base, 101-Water inlet, 102-Water outlet, 201-Upper cover, 202-Observation window mounting slot, 203-Anti-tamper cover, 204-Rotating outer cover, 205-Threaded ring, 206-Unlocking groove, 207-Locking slide groove, 208-Locking pin, 209-Locking spring, 210-Locking seal, 211-Snap-fit ​​slide groove, 212-Snap-fit ​​pin, 213-Snap-fit ​​spring, 214-Normally closed retaining ring, 301-Unlocking sleeve, 302-Unlocking pressure shaft, 303-Hinge rod, 304-Unlocking slide rod. Detailed Implementation

[0023] See attached document Figure 1 Appendix Figure 2 This utility model provides a water meter anti-tampering device, including a water meter base 100. A flow meter is installed on the water meter base 100, and a flow channel for water flow is provided inside for flow measurement. The water meter base 100 has an inlet 101 and an outlet 102 at both ends, respectively. (See also...) Figure 3 The water meter base 100 has an upper cover 201 on its top. The upper cover 201 has a ring-shaped structure with a central section for observing the water meter reading. An annular observation window mounting groove 202 is located on the side of the upper cover 201 closest to the water meter base 100. A transparent partition, such as glass, can be installed inside the observation window mounting groove 202, allowing staff to view the water meter reading and obtain the user's water consumption. The upper cover 201 is detachably connected to the water meter base 100, for example, by screws, and a sealing ring is provided at the contact end for sealing.

[0024] See Figure 4 The upper cover 201 has an anti-tamper cover 203 on its upper side. The anti-tamper cover 203 is threadedly connected to the water meter base 100. The upper end of the anti-tamper cover 203 can block the connection between the upper cover 201 and the water meter base 100. The anti-tamper cover 203 has threads in the vertical direction for connecting with the water meter base 100, and the upper end of the anti-tamper cover 203 has an unlocking groove 206 for placing an unlocking device. With this structure, the upper cover 201 and the water meter base 100 cannot be removed without removing the anti-tamper cover 203, thus the anti-tamper cover 203 plays a role in preventing tampering.

[0025] See Figure 5The outer side of the tamper-evident cover 203 is fitted with a rotating outer cover 204 to block the unlocking groove 206. Vertically, a threaded ring 205 is provided between the rotating outer cover 204 and the tamper-evident cover 203, threadedly connected to the tamper-evident cover 203 and engaging with the rotating outer cover 204. Horizontally, at the upper end of the rotating outer cover 204, a normally closed retaining ring 214 is provided between the rotating outer cover 204 and the upper cover 201. The normally closed retaining ring 214 can slide up and down relative to the rotating outer cover 204. An elastic element, such as a spring, is provided between the normally closed retaining ring 214 and the rotating outer cover 204. A groove for placing the normally closed retaining ring is formed at one end of the rotating outer cover 204 near the upper cover 201, extending from one side of the rotating outer cover 204 near the upper cover 201 to the other side. The elastic element is located inside the groove.

[0026] See Figure 8 The engagement between the threaded ring 205 and the rotating outer cover 204 can be achieved as follows: a locking pin 212 is provided between the rotating outer cover 204 and the threaded ring 205. The locking pin 212 can slide relative to the rotating outer cover 204. The rotating outer cover 204 has a locking groove 211. The locking pin 212 is located inside the locking groove 211. The locking groove 211 extends from the side of the rotating outer cover 204 closest to the threaded ring 205 to the other side. One end of the locking pin 212 contacts the threaded ring 205. The outer surface of the threaded ring 205 has multiple locking grooves that match the end of the locking pin 212. A locking spring 213 is provided between the other end of the locking pin 212 and the locking groove 211. The locking spring 213 can keep the locking pin 212 in an extended state, ensuring that the locking pin 212 contacts the threaded ring 205.

[0027] See Figure 5 The rotating outer cover 204 is provided with a normally closed retaining ring 214 that can slide relative to it, and the normally closed retaining ring 214 can contact the upper cover 201. The rotating outer cover 204 has a downward-opening sliding groove, and the normally closed retaining ring 214 is disposed inside the sliding groove. An elastic element is provided between the normally closed retaining ring 214 and the sliding groove, and the elastic element can make the normally closed retaining ring 214 contact the upper cover 201. When the normally closed retaining ring 214 contacts the upper cover 201, it can block the unlocking groove 206. The rotating outer cover 204, in conjunction with the normally closed retaining ring 214, can completely block the unlocking groove 206.

[0028] This utility model also includes an unlocking device, see [link]. Figure 9 and Figure 10The unlocking device includes an unlocking sleeve 301 that can contact the upper surface of the upper cover 201. The outer diameter of the unlocking sleeve 301 is smaller than the inner diameter of the rotating outer cover 204. The inner side of the unlocking sleeve 301 is provided with at least two sets of unlocking rod assemblies. The unlocking rod assemblies are all hinged to the unlocking pressure shaft 302. The unlocking pressure shaft 302 slides up and down to connect the unlocking sleeve 301 and extends to the outer side of the unlocking sleeve 301. Each unlocking rod assembly includes two hinged rods 303 and an unlocking slide rod 304 that are hinged to each other. The unlocking slide rod 304 is horizontally set. One end of the unlocking slide rod 304 can contact the normally closed retaining ring 214 and can extend into the inner side of the unlocking groove 206. The other end of the unlocking slide rod 304 is hinged to one end of the hinge rod 303. The other end of the hinge rod 303 is hinged to the unlocking pressure shaft 302. The hinge rod 303 is tilted at a certain angle. When the unlocking pressure shaft 302 slides downward, the tilt angle of the hinge rod 303 changes, and at the same time, the unlocking slide rod 304 slides towards the unlocking groove 206 and extends into the inside of the unlocking groove 206. At this time, when the unlocking pressure shaft 302 is rotated, the unlocking pressure shaft 302 can drive the unlocking groove 206 to rotate at the same time, that is, the unlocking pressure shaft 302 can drive the anti-tamper cover 203 to rotate at the same time.

[0029] With the above structure, in the normal state of the water meter, the anti-tamper cover 203 and the water meter base 100 are fixed and the connection between the upper cover 201 and the water meter base 100 is blocked. The rotating outer cover 204 is fitted on the outside of the anti-tamper cover 203. When non-staff members want to disassemble the water meter by rotating the rotating outer cover 204: when the rotating outer cover 204 rotates, because the rotating outer cover 204 is engaged with the threaded ring 205, the threaded ring 205 can rotate simultaneously with the rotating outer cover 204. Furthermore, because the threaded ring 205 is engaged with the anti-tamper cover... The cover 203 is threaded, so the threaded ring 205 can move axially relative to the tamper-evident cover 203 when it rotates. Since the vertical height of the tamper-evident cover 203 is limited, when the threaded ring 205 moves axially to its limit position, the outer cover 204 continues to rotate. The rotational torque acts on the locking pin 212, which compresses the locking spring 213. The locking pin 212 moves away from the threaded ring 205. Therefore, when the axis of the threaded ring 205 moves to its limit position, the outer cover 204 can rotate relative to the threaded ring 205. Therefore, when unauthorized personnel attempt to disassemble the water meter, they will be unable to open the meter regardless of how they rotate the outer cover 204. This misleads unscrupulous individuals into believing that opening the outer cover 204 will allow them to disassemble the meter, thus preventing them from damaging the flow meter inside the meter base. When authorized personnel need to disassemble the water meter, they should first place the unlocking sleeve 301 on the upper surface of the upper cover 201, aligning the center of the unlocking sleeve 301 with the center of the upper cover 201. Next, press down on the unlocking shaft 302. Since the unlocking shaft 302 and the unlocking sleeve 301 are slidably connected, and multiple unlocking rod assemblies are hinged to the unlocking shaft 302, the tilt angle of the hinge rod 303 will change as the unlocking shaft 302 slides downward. According to the lever principle, this angle change will push the unlocking slide bar 304 to move horizontally, causing one end of the unlocking slide bar 304 to contact and push open the normally closed retaining ring 214. Simultaneously, this end of the unlocking slide bar 304 can extend into the inside of the unlocking groove 206. After the unlocking slide bar 304 extends into the unlocking groove 206, the unlocking pressure shaft 302 is rotated. Because the unlocking slide bar 304 engages with the unlocking groove 206, rotating the unlocking pressure shaft 302 will cause the unlocking groove 206 to rotate synchronously, thereby causing the tamper-evident cover 203 to rotate. The tamper-evident cover 203 is threadedly connected to the water meter base 100. As the tamper-evident cover 203 rotates, it will gradually detach from the water meter base 100, thus removing the obstruction at the connection between the upper cover 201 and the water meter base 100. At this point, further disassembly operations can be performed on the water meter, such as removing the upper cover 201 and other components.

[0030] Preferred, see Figure 6 and Figure 7A limiting component is provided on the inner side of the unlocking groove 206 to prevent it from rotating. The limiting component includes a locking pin 208 that can slide up and down relative to the upper cover 201. The upper cover 201 has a locking slide groove 207. The locking pin 208 is located on the inner side of the locking slide groove 207. A locking spring 209 is provided between the lower end of the locking pin 208 and the locking slide groove 207. The locking spring 209 can keep the locking pin 208 in an extended state, and the elastic force of the locking spring 209 is greater than the elastic force of the snap-fit ​​spring 213. One end of the locking spring 209 is in contact with the locking pin 208, and the other end of the locking pin 209 is provided with a locking plug 210. The locking plug 210 is located in the locking slide groove 207 and is threadedly connected to it. By setting the locking spring 209 to have a greater elastic force than the snap-fit ​​spring 213, when the threaded ring 205 is at its upper or lower limit position, the locking pin 208 can prevent the unlocking groove 206 from rotating relative to the upper cover 201 under the action of the locking spring 209. That is, the locking pin 208 can prevent the tamper-evident cover 203 from rotating relative to the upper cover 201.

[0031] This utility model uses a rotating outer cover to cover the tamper-evident cover, preventing non-staff members from immediately discovering the disassembly location of the water meter. It also includes a matching unlocking device. When the water meter needs to be installed or disassembled, the unlocking rod assembly engages with the unlocking slot, allowing the tamper-evident cover to rotate relative to the water meter base. This detaches the tamper-evident cover from the water meter base, facilitating the continued disassembly of the upper cover.

[0032] Of course, the above description is not intended to limit the present utility model, and the present utility model is not limited to the examples given above. Any changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present utility model should also fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A water meter anti-tampering device, comprising a water meter base, characterized in that, The water meter base has an upper cover on its top, which is annular in structure. The upper cover is detachably connected to the water meter base, and a sealing ring is provided at the contact end of the two for sealing. An anti-tamper cover is provided on the upper side of the upper cover, which is threadedly connected to the water meter base. The anti-tamper cover can block the connection between the upper cover and the water meter base. The upper end of the anti-tamper cover has an unlocking groove for placing an unlocking device. A rotating outer cover is fitted on the outside of the anti-tamper cover to block the unlocking groove. A threaded ring is provided between the rotating outer cover and the anti-tamper cover. The threaded ring is threadedly connected to the anti-tamper cover, and the threaded ring is engaged with the rotating outer cover. The unlocking device includes an unlocking sleeve capable of contacting the upper cover. The outer diameter of the unlocking sleeve is smaller than the inner diameter of the rotating outer cover. At least two sets of unlocking rod assemblies are provided on the inner side of the unlocking sleeve. Multiple sets of unlocking rod assemblies are hinged to unlocking pressure shafts. The unlocking pressure shafts slide up and down, connecting the unlocking sleeve and extending to the outer side of the unlocking sleeve. Each unlocking rod assembly includes two hinged hinge rods and an unlocking slide rod. The unlocking slide rods are horizontally arranged. One end of the unlocking slide rod can extend into the inner side of the unlocking groove. The other end of the unlocking slide rod is hinged to one end of the hinge rod. The other end of the hinge rod is hinged to the unlocking pressure shaft. The hinge rods are inclined.

2. The water meter anti-tampering device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating outer cover is provided with a normally closed retaining ring that can slide relative to it. The normally closed retaining ring can contact the upper cover. The rotating outer cover is provided with a downward-opening sliding groove. The normally closed retaining ring is disposed inside the sliding groove. An elastic element is provided between the normally closed retaining ring and the sliding groove. The elastic element can make the normally closed retaining ring contact the upper cover. When the normally closed retaining ring contacts the upper cover, it can block the unlocking groove.

3. The water meter anti-tampering device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A snap-fit ​​pin is provided between the rotating outer cover and the threaded ring. The snap-fit ​​pin can slide relative to the rotating outer cover. The rotating outer cover has a snap-fit ​​groove. The snap-fit ​​pin is located inside the snap-fit ​​groove. The snap-fit ​​groove extends from one side of the rotating outer cover near the threaded ring to the other side. One end of the snap-fit ​​pin contacts the threaded ring. The outer surface of the threaded ring has multiple snap-fit ​​grooves that match the end of the snap-fit ​​pin. A snap-fit ​​spring is provided between the other end of the snap-fit ​​pin and the snap-fit ​​groove. The snap-fit ​​spring can keep the snap-fit ​​pin in an extended state to ensure that the snap-fit ​​pin contacts the threaded ring.

4. The water meter anti-tampering device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A snap-fit ​​pin is provided between the rotating outer cover and the threaded ring. The snap-fit ​​pin can slide relative to the rotating outer cover. The rotating outer cover has a snap-fit ​​groove. The snap-fit ​​pin is located inside the snap-fit ​​groove. The snap-fit ​​groove extends from one side of the rotating outer cover near the threaded ring to the other side. One end of the snap-fit ​​pin contacts the threaded ring. The outer surface of the threaded ring has multiple snap-fit ​​grooves that match the end of the snap-fit ​​pin. A snap-fit ​​spring is provided between the other end of the snap-fit ​​pin and the snap-fit ​​groove. The snap-fit ​​spring can keep the snap-fit ​​pin in an extended state to ensure that the snap-fit ​​pin contacts the threaded ring.

5. A water meter anti-tampering device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The inner side of the unlocking groove is provided with a limiting component to prevent its rotation. The limiting component includes a locking pin that can slide up and down relative to the upper cover. The upper cover has a locking slide groove. The locking pin is located inside the locking slide groove. A locking spring is provided between the lower end of the locking pin and the locking slide groove. The locking spring can keep the locking pin in an extended state. The elastic force of the locking spring is greater than the elastic force of the snap-fit ​​spring. One end of the locking spring is in contact with the locking pin. The other end of the locking pin is provided with a locking plug. The locking plug is located in the locking slide groove and is threadedly connected to it.

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