A lead seal structure

Abstract

A lead-sealed structure includes a housing and an end cap connected to the housing. A circuit board is disposed within the housing, and a lead-sealed assembly is disposed between the end cap and the circuit board. The lead-sealed assembly includes a lead seal and a warning element electrically connected to the circuit board and connected to the lead seal. The end cap has a first locking structure adapted to the lead seal, and the housing has a second locking structure adapted to the lead seal. Compared with the prior art, the warning element is electrically connected to the circuit board and also connected to the lead seal. When the connection between the warning element and the lead seal is broken, the electrical connection between the warning element and the circuit board is also broken, at which point the circuit board will issue an alarm, thus achieving the protection of the electricity meter. No lead-sealing wire is required, ensuring that the lead-sealed structure will not fail due to accidental contact and guaranteeing the normal operation of the electricity meter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electricity meter technology, specifically to a lead seal structure. Background Technology

[0002] The lead seal structure of electricity meters is a crucial anti-counterfeiting and security device in electricity metering management. Its core functions are to prevent unauthorized opening, ensure metering accuracy, and trace illegal alterations. Its functions include: preventing electricity theft and tampering; the lead seal, through physical blocking (such as lead sealing wire, clips, and coding), ensures that the meter's outer casing or internal terminal cover cannot be illegally opened. Ensuring metering accuracy is also essential, as meter readings are directly related to the fairness of electricity transactions. As a "metering trust symbol," the lead seal can only be opened by qualified personnel (possessing sealing pliers), preventing reading deviations caused by unprofessional operation. Traditional lead seal structures primarily use lead pellets pressed against steel wire, relying on physical signs of damage to determine if unauthorized opening has occurred.

[0003] Chinese Patent Application No. 202121224230.8 discloses a lead-seal structure for a housing and an energy meter using the lead-seal structure. The disclosed lead-seal structure includes a front housing, a rear housing, a first lead-seal assembly, and a second lead-seal assembly. H1≥H2; one of the first lead-seal assembly and the second lead-seal assembly is selectively connected to the front housing and the rear housing. Chinese Patent Application No. 200920119720.4 discloses a lead seal structure for an electricity meter. The disclosed lead seal structure includes a meter base, a terminal cover, a terminal base, and a plastic lead seal. Its features include: the terminal base is mounted on the meter base; a rectangular hole is located on the front of the terminal base; the space behind the rectangular hole is greater than the product of the long side and the long side of the rectangular hole; the plastic lead seal is pressed onto the terminal cover; the upper end of the plastic lead seal is cylindrical, with a composite groove exposed on its outer surface to facilitate rotation of the plastic lead seal; a hole is located on the cylindrical surface for threading the lead seal wire; the lower end of the plastic lead seal has a rectangular locking tongue; when the rectangular locking tongue aligns with the rectangular hole in the terminal base, the terminal cover can be opened; when the plastic lead seal is rotated 90 degrees, the rectangular locking tongue is locked within the rectangular hole in the terminal base, preventing the terminal cover from opening. At this time, the lead seal wire hole on the plastic lead seal is exposed, allowing the lead seal wire to pass through.

[0004] In the aforementioned prior art, a lead sealing wire is threaded through the lead seal. However, since the lead sealing wire is exposed on the outside of the casing, it is easy to touch the lead sealing wire and break it during transportation or use of the meter, thereby causing the lead seal structure of the meter to fail and making the meter unable to be used normally. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the defects in the prior art and provide a lead seal structure that eliminates the need for lead seal wires and ensures that the lead seal of the electricity meter will not be accidentally touched and become invalid.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned utility model objectives, the present utility model adopts the following technical solution: a lead seal structure, including a housing and an end cap connected to the housing, a circuit board is provided inside the housing, and a lead seal assembly is provided between the end cap and the circuit board, the lead seal assembly including a lead seal element and a warning element electrically connected to the circuit board and connected to the lead seal element; the end cap is provided with a first locking structure adapted to the lead seal element, and the housing is provided with a second locking structure adapted to the lead seal element.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the lead seal includes a shaft and a head connected to each other, the shaft is provided with a locking block, and the top of the head is provided with a rotating groove.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first locking structure includes a first locking groove and a first through hole disposed at the bottom of the first locking groove, and a first through groove for the locking block to pass through is provided on one side of the first through hole.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side wall of the first locking groove is further provided with a limiting groove arranged in its circumferential direction, and the head is provided with a limiting protrusion that cooperates with the limiting groove.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second locking structure includes a second locking groove and a second through hole that penetrates the housing and communicates with the second locking groove. The locking block is located in the second locking groove, and the top of the second through hole is provided with a second through groove for the locking block to pass through.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a locking part is provided at the top of the second locking groove, and a contact pressure is generated between the top of the locking block and the locking part. A guide slope is formed at the connection between the locking part and the upper end face of the second locking groove.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a limiting block is provided at the top of the second locking groove, the locking block abuts against the limiting block, and one side of the limiting block is an arc-shaped surface, which is flush with the wall of the second through hole.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the warning component is provided with a mounting groove, a connecting shaft is provided in the mounting groove, a conductive structure is connected between the connecting shaft and the warning component, and the connecting shaft passes through the second through hole and is connected to the shaft portion.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the conductive structure is a deformable elastic structure.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the shaft is provided with a compression hole arranged along its axial direction, the connecting shaft is connected to the compression hole, and the compression hole and the connecting shaft are interference fit.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: 1. A lead seal assembly is provided between the circuit board and the end cover. The lead seal assembly includes a warning element and a lead seal. The lead seal is connected to the end cover and the housing. A first locking structure is provided on the end cover, and a second locking structure is provided on the housing. The lead seal is fixedly connected to the end cover through the first locking structure and fixed to the housing through the second locking structure, thereby realizing the connection and fixation of the lead seal, housing, and end cover. The warning element is electrically connected to the circuit board and the lead seal. When the connection between the warning element and the lead seal is broken, the electrical connection between the warning element and the circuit board will also be broken. At this time, the circuit board will sound an alarm, thereby achieving the protection of the meter. There is no need to use a lead seal wire, which ensures that the lead seal structure will not fail due to accidental contact and ensures the normal use of the meter. 2. Furthermore, the warning component is equipped with a connecting shaft that connects to the shaft of the lead seal. A deformable conductive structure is provided between the connecting shaft and the warning component. The lead seal compresses the connecting shaft, causing the guide structure to connect to the circuit board, thereby conducting the relevant circuits of the circuit board. When the lead seal is removed, the conductive structure loses the pressure of the connecting shaft, causing the conductive structure to detach from the circuit board, resulting in a circuit error. At this time, the circuit board alarms, thus achieving the protection and warning function of the meter. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first locking structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the second locking structure of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the locking part; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the warning device and the circuit board; Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the lead seal assembly; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the compression hole structure; Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the warning device. Reference numerals: housing 1, end cap 101, circuit board 102, first locking structure 2, first locking groove 201, limiting groove 2011, first through hole 202, first through groove 2021, second locking structure 3, second locking groove 301, locking part 3011, guide slope 3012, second through hole 302, second through groove 3021, limiting block 303, arc surface 3031, lead seal assembly 4, lead seal 401, shaft part 4011, head 4012, limiting protrusion 4013, rotating groove 4014, locking block 4015, compression hole 4016, warning element 402, mounting groove 4021, connecting shaft 4022, conductive structure 4023. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] like Figures 1-8 As shown, a lead seal structure includes a housing 1 and an end cap 101 connected to the housing 1. A circuit board 102 is provided inside the housing 1. A lead seal assembly 4 is provided between the end cap 101 and the circuit board 102. The lead seal assembly 4 includes a lead seal 401 and a warning element 402 electrically connected to the circuit board 102 and connected to the lead seal 401. The end cap 101 is provided with a first locking structure 2 adapted to the lead seal 401, and the housing 1 is provided with a second locking structure 3 adapted to the lead seal 401.

[0020] Furthermore, the end cap 101 is disposed at the end of the housing 1, the circuit board 102 is installed inside the housing 1, and the lead seal assembly 4 is connected between the end cap 101, the housing 1, and the circuit board 102. The bottom end of the lead seal 401 is connected to the warning element 402, and when the lead seal 401 is locked by the first locking structure 2 and the second locking structure 3, the lead seal 401 generates pressure on the warning element 402, so that the warning element 402 is electrically connected to the circuit board 102. The lead seal 401 is fixedly connected to the end cap 101 by the first locking structure 2, and the second locking structure 3 is fixedly connected by the second locking structure 3. The locking structure 3 is fixed to the housing 1, thereby connecting and fixing the lead seal 401, the housing 1, and the end cap 101. The warning element 402 is electrically connected to the circuit board 102, and the warning element 402 is connected to the lead seal 401. When the connection between the warning element 402 and the lead seal 401 is broken, the electrical connection between the warning element 402 and the circuit board 102 will also be broken. At this time, the circuit board 102 will issue an alarm, thereby achieving the protection of the meter. There is no need to use a lead seal wire, ensuring that the lead seal structure will not fail due to accidental contact, and ensuring the normal use of the meter.

[0021] The lead seal 401 includes a shaft portion 4011 and a head 4012 connected to each other. The shaft portion 4011 is provided with a locking block 4015, and the top of the head 4012 is provided with a rotating groove 4014. Furthermore, the shaft portion 4011 and the head 4012 are an integral structure, and both the shaft portion 4011 and the head 4012 are cylindrical structures. The diameter of the head 4012 is larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 4011. The locking block 4015 is provided on the side wall of the shaft portion 4011 and is used to lock the lead seal 401 onto the end cap 101 and the housing 1. The rotating groove 4014 is provided at the top of the head 4012. The rotating groove 4014 can be a cross structure, a slotted structure, an internal hexagonal structure, etc. A screwdriver rotates the lead seal 401 through the rotating groove 4014, thereby locking the lead seal 401.

[0022] The first locking structure 2 includes a first locking groove 201 and a first through hole 202 disposed at the bottom of the first locking groove 201. A first through groove 2021 for the locking block 4015 to pass through is provided on one side of the first through hole 202. Further, the first locking groove 201 is disposed on the end cover 101. The first locking groove 201 is a circular structure adapted to the head 4012. The inner diameter of the first through hole 202 is adapted to the diameter of the shaft 4011. The first through groove 2021 is locked on the hole wall of the first through hole 202. When the shaft 4011 passes through the first through hole 202, the locking block 4015 passes through the first through groove 2021. The lead seal 401 is connected and fixed to the end cover 101 through the first locking structure 2, and the end cover 101 is fixed to the housing 1, thereby ensuring the stability of the end cover connection.

[0023] The first locking groove 201 is also provided with a limiting groove 2011 arranged in its circumferential direction on its side wall, and the head 4012 is provided with a limiting protrusion 4013 that cooperates with the limiting groove 2011. Furthermore, the limiting protrusion 4013 slides in the limiting groove 2011. The cooperation between the limiting groove 2011 and the limiting protrusion 4013 realizes the rotational limiting of the lead seal 401, ensuring that the lead seal 401 is in the appropriate locking position during rotation locking, and there will be no situation of excessive rotation or insufficient rotation angle.

[0024] The second locking structure 3 includes a second locking groove 301 and a second through hole 302 that penetrates the housing 1 and communicates with the second locking groove 301. A locking block 4015 is located in the second locking groove 301, and the top of the second through hole 302 is provided with a second through groove 3021 through which the locking block 4015 passes. Further, the second locking groove 301 is disposed within the housing 1, and the second locking groove 301 is arranged in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the housing 1. The opening of the second locking groove 301 is located on the side of the housing 1, and the second through hole 302 is arranged vertically... The second through hole 302 is coaxially arranged with the first through hole 202 on the upper surface of the housing 1. The second through hole 302 penetrates the housing 1 and is connected to the second locking groove 301. A second through groove 3021 is provided on the hole wall of the second through hole 302. The second through groove 3021 is located above the second locking groove 301 and corresponds to the first through groove 2021. The locking block 4015 is arranged through the second through groove 3021 and rotates in the second locking groove 301.

[0025] The top of the second locking groove 301 is provided with a locking part 3011. A contact pressure is generated between the top of the locking block 4015 and the locking part 3011. A guide slope 3012 is formed at the connection between the locking part 3011 and the upper end face of the second locking groove 301. Furthermore, the locking part 3011 is a planar structure located at the top of the second locking groove 301 and lower than the upper end face of the second locking groove 301. When the locking block 4015 rotates onto the locking part 3011, the locking part 3011 and the locking block 4015... The tops of the two parts abut against each other, and the friction between them generates contact pressure, thereby locking the locking block 4015 onto the locking part 3011. In order to make it easier for the locking block 4015 to move onto the locking part 3011 during rotation, a guide slope 3012 is provided between the upper end face of the locking part 3011 and the second locking groove 301. The locking block 4015 is guided and transitioned by the guide slope 3012, thereby making it easier to move onto the locking part 3011, and thus reducing the difficulty of rotating the lead seal 401.

[0026] The top of the second locking groove 301 is provided with a limiting block 303. The locking block 4015 abuts against the limiting block 303, and one side of the limiting block 303 is an arc-shaped surface 3031, which is flush with the wall of the second through hole 302. Furthermore, the limiting block 303 is disposed on the upper end surface of the second locking groove 301, and the limiting block 303 is located at the end of the locking part 3011. That is, the limiting block 303 and the guide inclined surface 3012 are respectively located at opposite ends of the locking part 3011. When the locking block 4015 rotates and moves onto the locking part 3011, it is connected to the locking part 3011. The limiting block 303 locks and limits the locking block 4015. The limiting block 303, together with the limiting groove 2011 on the first locking structure 2 and the limiting protrusion 4013 on the head 4012, jointly locks and limits the locking block 4015, ensuring the locking effect of the lead seal 401. In addition, the side of the limiting block 303 is set with an arc surface 3031, and the arc surface 3031 is flush with the hole wall of the second through hole 302, ensuring that the shaft portion 4011 of the lead seal 401 will not be obstructed when passing through the second through hole 302.

[0027] The warning element 402 has a mounting groove 4021, in which a connecting shaft 4022 is provided. A conductive structure 4023 connects the connecting shaft 4022 and the warning element 402. The connecting shaft 4022 passes through the second through hole 302 and connects to the shaft portion 4011. Furthermore, the warning element 402 is fixedly mounted on the circuit board 102. The mounting groove 4021 is provided in the middle of the warning element 402. The connecting shaft 4022 is movably disposed in the mounting groove 4021. A conductive structure 4023 is provided at the bottom end of the connecting shaft 4022, which connects to the groove wall of the mounting groove 4021 (i.e., the warning element 402). The conductive structure 4023 is a deformable elastic structure. The bottom of the electrical structure 4023 is coated with a conductive carbon film, which enables conductivity. When the lead seal 401 presses down on the connecting shaft 4022, the conductive structure 4023 undergoes elastic deformation, causing it to abut against the circuit board 102. At this time, the conductive structure 4023 conducts the relevant circuits of the circuit board 102, allowing the meter to work normally. When the lead seal 401 is removed, the conductive structure 4023 loses the pressure of the connecting shaft 4022, causing it to detach from the circuit board 102. This results in a circuit error on the circuit board 102, triggering an alarm and thus protecting and warning the meter.

[0028] The shaft portion 4011 is provided with a compression hole 4016 arranged along its axial direction. The connecting shaft 4022 is connected to the compression hole 4016, and the compression hole 4016 and the connecting shaft 4022 are interference-fitted. Furthermore, the compression hole 4016 is located at the bottom end of the shaft portion 4011. When the shaft portion 4011 is connected to the connecting shaft 4022, the connecting shaft 4022 will be inserted into the compression hole 4016 under pressure. Because of the interference fit between the compression hole 4016 and the connecting shaft 4022, only the top portion of the connecting shaft 4022 is located in the compression hole 4016. It will not affect the downward pressure of the lead seal 401 on the connecting shaft 4022. The compression hole 4016 ensures the accuracy of the connection between the shaft 4011 and the connecting shaft 4022, ensuring that the shaft 4011 and the connecting shaft 4022 are on the same axis. This ensures that the connecting shaft 4022 can move vertically downward under pressure without tilting. It also ensures that the contact area between the conductive structure 4023 and the circuit board 102 is maximized after deformation, thus ensuring the stability of the circuit connection and avoiding poor contact between the conductive structure 4023 and the circuit board 102.

[0029] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention; therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0030] Although this article uses many reference numerals from the figures, such as housing 1, end cap 101, circuit board 102, first locking structure 2, first locking groove 201, limiting groove 2011, first through hole 202, first through groove 2021, second locking structure 3, second locking groove 301, locking part 3011, guide slope 3012, second through hole 302, second through groove 3021, limiting block 303, arc surface 3031, lead seal assembly 4, lead seal 401, shaft part 4011, head 4012, limiting protrusion 4013, rotating groove 4014, locking block 4015, compression hole 4016, warning element 402, mounting groove 4021, connecting shaft 4022, conductive structure 4023, etc., the possibility of using other terms is not excluded. The use of these terms is merely for the convenience of describing and explaining the essence of this utility model; interpreting them as any kind of additional limitation would be contrary to the spirit of this utility model.

Claims

1. A lead seal structure, comprising a housing (1) and an end cap (101) connected to the housing (1), wherein a circuit board (102) is disposed inside the housing (1), and a lead seal assembly (4) is disposed between the end cap (101) and the circuit board (102), characterized in that, The lead seal assembly (4) includes a lead seal (401) and a warning element (402) electrically connected to the circuit board (102) and connected to the lead seal (401); the end cap (101) is provided with a first locking structure (2) adapted to the lead seal (401), and the housing (1) is provided with a second locking structure (3) adapted to the lead seal (401).

2. The lead seal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lead seal (401) includes a shaft (4011) and a head (4012) connected to each other. The shaft (4011) is provided with a locking block (4015), and the top of the head (4012) is provided with a rotating groove (4014).

3. The lead seal structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first locking structure (2) includes a first locking groove (201) and a first through hole (202) disposed at the bottom of the first locking groove (201). A first through groove (2021) for the locking block (4015) to pass through is provided on one side of the first through hole (202).

4. A lead seal structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first locking groove (201) is also provided with a limiting groove (2011) arranged in its circumferential direction on its side wall, and the head (4012) is provided with a limiting protrusion (4013) that cooperates with the limiting groove (2011).

5. A lead seal structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second locking structure (3) includes a second locking groove (301) and a second through hole (302) that penetrates the housing (1) and communicates with the second locking groove (301). The locking block (4015) is located in the second locking groove (301), and the top of the second through hole (302) is provided with a second through groove (3021) through which the locking block (4015) passes.

6. A lead seal structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The top of the second locking groove (301) is provided with a locking part (3011), and the top of the locking block (4015) and the locking part (3011) generate contact pressure. A guide slope (3012) is formed at the connection between the locking part (3011) and the upper end face of the second locking groove (301).

7. A lead seal structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second locking groove (301) is provided with a limiting block (303) at the top. The locking block (4015) abuts against the limiting block (303), and one side of the limiting block (303) is an arc surface (3031), which is flush with the hole wall of the second through hole (302).

8. A lead seal structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The warning component (402) is provided with a mounting groove (4021), and a connecting shaft (4022) is provided in the mounting groove (4021). A conductive structure (4023) is connected between the connecting shaft (4022) and the warning component (402), and the connecting shaft (4022) passes through the second through hole (302) and is connected to the shaft part (4011).

9. A lead seal structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The conductive structure (4023) is a deformable elastic structure.

10. A lead seal structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The shaft (4011) is provided with a compression hole (4016) arranged along its axial direction, and the connecting shaft (4022) is connected to the compression hole (4016), and the compression hole (4016) and the connecting shaft (4022) are interference fit.

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