Device for protecting a fluid meter against moisture

Abstract

Device for protecting a fluid meter against humidity. The present invention relates to a (1) device for protecting electronic components (31) of a fluid measuring meter (9) against humidity, characterized in that the device (1) comprises: a housing (11) including: at least one opening (112) associated with a closing means (2) and configured to cooperate with each other for partitioning the housing (11), an internal volume (113) defining at least, on the one hand, a first portion (1131) configured for housing electronic components (31) and / or electrical accumulators (32) and, on the other hand, a second portion (1132) incorporating at least one desiccant material, the first portion (1131) and the second portion (1132) of the internal volume of the housing (11) being configured to allow gaseous communication between them, a mounting and / or fixing interface (12) for the housing (11). at the level of a part of a measuring counter (9).Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for protecting a fluid meter against moisture

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of meters for measuring fluids and more particularly to the field of devices enabling the protection against humidity of electronic components of such meters.

[0002] Traditionally, the retrieval of measurements taken by fluid flow meters on pipes, for example in water or gas distribution networks, was carried out by an operator who visually recorded the measurements displayed by each meter on a dial. In order to save time, given the recurring difficulties in accessing each meter individually, electronic measurement transmission systems have been developed combining, on the one hand, a data retrieval mechanism and, on the other hand, a signal transmission interface associated with each meter and a receiving device used by the operator responsible for collecting the measurements.Electronic measurement transmission systems generally rely on the use of technologies that allow, on the one hand, the reception of signals over short distances, for example by inductive sensor in the context of retrieving measurements at the level of a data storage component and, on the other hand, the transmission of signals over long distances, for example of the type of radio waves, ultrasound or even infrared for the communication of measurement data to a device operated by a user.

[0003] However, the presence of meters in often humid environments, such as cellars or underground spaces, or in close proximity to the fluid whose volume or flow rate is being measured, necessitates the installation of a watertight protective covering for the electronic signal-emitting interface associated with the meter. One solution is to coat the transmitting electronic interface with a resin. This hydrophobic resin thus forms a protective casing that ensures the electronic interface is watertight against moisture. However, due to space constraints, electrical and electronic components are generally installed in particularly confined spaces.Given this positioning, the resin encapsulation of the installed electronic components is constrained by the difficulty of efficiently distributing this resin, which is quite viscous before solidification, within narrow gaps, without the formation of air bubbles that could compromise the sealing properties of the resin. Furthermore, during the encapsulation process, the resin is generally applied in the form of a [missing word - likely "molding"]. The mixture incorporates curing agents. Consequently, the time frame within which the resin can flow and distribute around electrical and electronic components is particularly limited. Therefore, this resin coating process often requires multiple stages and a complex system for resin management and storage. Furthermore, in addition to the complexity of applying the resin around the electrical components and electronic interface to create a watertight barrier, the hardened resin is particularly difficult to remove, for example, when work is required on the electronic interface, such as during repairs or maintenance.Therefore, generally, when a malfunction occurs in this electronic interface associated with the meter and encased in resin, the difficulty or even the impossibility of easily intervening on the device leads to the replacement of the entire electronic interface or even the meter itself.

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a solution which ensures effective protection against moisture of the electronic and electrical elements present at the meter while being easy to implement and allowing easy access to these electronic and electrical elements in the event of a possible intervention during a malfunction.

[0005] The invention relates to a moisture protection device for electronic components of a fluid measuring meter, characterized in that the device comprises: - a case containing: - at least one opening associated with a closing mechanism and configured to cooperate with each other for the partitioning of the casing, - an internal volume defining at least, on the one hand, a first portion configured for housing electronic components and / or electrical accumulators and, on the other hand, a second portion incorporating at least one desiccant material, the first and second portions of the internal volume of the casing being configured to allow gaseous communication between them, - an interface for mounting and / or fixing the housing to a part of a measuring meter.

[0006] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0007] [Fig. 1] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a moisture protection device for electronic components according to the invention mounted on a meter,

[0008] [Fig.2] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a moisture protection device for electronic components according to the invention detached from a meter,

[0009] [Fig.3] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a moisture protection device for electronic components according to the invention mounted on a meter, in a sectional view detailing the internal volume of the device's housing,

[0010] [Fig.4] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a moisture protection device for electronic components according to the invention, from a top view detailing the first portion of the internal volume of the device's housing,

[0011] [Fig.5] represents a schematic illustration according to an exploded view of part of the different elements which make up a device for protecting against humidity of electronic components according to the invention.

[0012] The present invention relates to a device 1 for protecting against humidity electronic components 31 of a fluid measuring meter 9, characterized in that the device 1 comprises: - an 11-inch case comprising: - at least one opening 112 associated with a closing means 2 and configured to cooperate with each other for the partitioning of the housing 11, - an internal volume 113 defining at least, on the one hand, a first portion 1131 configured for housing electronic components 31 and / or electrical accumulators 32 and, on the other hand, a second portion 1132 incorporating at least one desiccant material 4, the first portion 1131 and the second portion 1132 of the internal volume of the housing 11 being configured to allow gaseous communication between them, - a mounting and / or fixing interface 12 for the housing 11 at the level of a part of a measuring counter 9.

[0013] The device 1 of the invention is thus based on the use of a desiccant material 4 to maintain and ensure a dry environment at the level of the electronic components 31 and / or electrical accumulators 32 that participate in the retrieval and / or transmission of measurements from a counter 9. The desiccant material 4 is thus integrated into a housing 11 common to the various electronic components 31 and / or electrical accumulators 32. This integration is also coupled to the various specific sealing properties of the material used for the manufacture of the The housing 11 is designed so that the desiccant material 4 limits, or even prevents, the presence of moisture which, through diffusion through the structural material of the housing 11, could otherwise be suspended in the internal atmosphere of the housing 11. This technical solution has the advantage of not requiring positioning around the electronic components 31 and / or the electrical accumulators 32 by forming a thickness between, on the one hand, the electronic element 31 or electrical element 32 and, on the other hand, the inner wall of the housing 11. Also, unlike a resin that coats the electronic components 31, the use of a desiccant material 4 allows the positioning of an electronic element 31 for receiving short-range signals, for example, an inductive sensor, as close as possible to the counter 9 for the retrieval of measurements transmitted by this counter 9.Unlike a coating resin, the desiccant material 4 present inside the housing 11 does not create an additional thickness forming an obstacle between the electronic signal receiving element 31 and the counter 9.

[0014] It should be noted that, inside the housing 11, the desiccant material 4 is arranged in close proximity to the electronic components 31 and / or the electrical accumulators 32 for gas exchange. This construction, in which the desiccant material 4 and the electronic elements 31 and / or electrical elements 32 share a common atmosphere, ensures efficient gas circulation between the different elements inside the housing 11.

[0015] Preferably, the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 is arranged to present an architecture of shapes complementary to a part of the external surfaces of the various elements, in particular electronic elements 31, electrical elements 32 and desiccants 4, intended to be positioned and installed inside the housing 11. This complementarity of shape coupled with an optimized juxtaposition of the elements 31, 32, 4 so as to limit the bulk inside the housing 11, allows for optimal support of these elements 31, 32, 4 so that they are respectively wedged between at least one surface of the internal wall of the housing 11 and one or more juxtaposed elements with which a portion 1131, 1132 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 is shared.When the housing 11 is closed by the closing means 2, this closing means 2 is preferably welded to the peripheral edge of the opening 112 of the housing 11, the closing means 2 having a shape and dimensions substantially similar, or even identical, to those of the opening 112 of the housing 11. Similarly, preferably, in the context of the installation of the closing means 2 on the opening 112 of the housing 11, the inner surface of the closing means 2 exerts pressure towards the inside of the housing 11 against at least a part of some of the elements 31, 32, 4 housed in the housing 11 so that the set of elements 31, 32, 4 positioned between the closing means 2 and the bottom. The parts of the housing 11 are pinched and clamped in position. In this way, these various elements 31, 32, 4 are blocked and / or wedged inside the housing 11 without risk of unintentional or accidental movement.

[0016] According to an example of construction relating to a first variant of the invention, when the closing means 2 partitions the opening 112 of the housing 11, the inner surface of the closing means 2 comprises at least one relief oriented towards the inside of the housing 11 and configured to press against at least one surface of an element 31, 32, 4 positioned inside the housing 11. This particular arrangement of the closing means 2 thus makes it possible to have a complementary surface of one or more surfaces of the elements 31, 32, 4 positioned inside the housing 11.The relief of the inner face of the closure means 2 is thus capable of comprising one or more protrusions 21 oriented towards the inside of the housing 11 to be inserted deep inside the housing 11 so that the ends of these protrusions 21 are able to bear against at least one surface of one of the elements 31, 32, 4 housed inside the housing 11 and / or against an inner surface of the housing 11. In this way, these different elements 31, 32, 4, even positioned deep inside the housing 11 relative to the opening 112, are able to be blocked and / or wedged by the closure means 2 mounted as a partition of the opening 112 of the housing 11.

[0017] According to an example of construction relating to another embodiment of the invention that can be combined with either of the previously detailed embodiments, the housing 11 and / or the closure means 2 is made of a material essentially composed of at least one polycarbonate. Polycarbonate has the advantage of exhibiting significant stability in humid environments. Polycarbonate also has the advantage of allowing the closure means 2 to be assembled and secured to the opening 112 of the housing 11 using ultrasonic welding technology, or even capillary bonding technology involving a resin located only at the junction between the closure means 2 and the opening 112 of the housing 11.

[0018] According to a construction example relating to another embodiment of the invention which provides an alternative construction to the previous embodiment, the housing 11 and / or the closure means 2 is made of a material essentially composed of at least one polyolefin. Preferably, the polyolefins used are polypropylene, polyethylene, or polymethylpentene, or a mixture combining these different components. In addition to their properties of not absorbing water and exhibiting chemical resistance to a large number of compounds, polyolefins also have the advantage of offering superior sealing capabilities compared to polycarbonate, despite their rigidity. less important than polycarbonate. Under these conditions, a polyolefin housing 11 can have a thinner material thickness than the same housing 11 made of polycarbonate. Therefore, using a polyolefin housing 11 allows for optimization of the overall dimensions of the housing 11 and the device 1 on the meter 9. For example, a polyolefin housing 11 with a thickness of approximately 1 mm to 3 mm has similar properties, particularly in terms of sealing, to a polycarbonate housing 11 with a thickness of 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0019] According to an example of construction relating to another embodiment of the invention which provides an alternative construction to the two preceding embodiments, the housing 11 and / or the closure means 2 is made of a material essentially composed of at least one polyethylene terephthalate. The use of such a material makes it possible to produce a housing 11 that is essentially transparent and / or translucent, which allows the integration of a display among the electronic components 31 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11. This display, for example an LCD screen, is thus able to be seen through the transparent structure of the housing 11.

[0020] According to an example of construction relating to another embodiment of the invention that can be combined with either of the previously detailed embodiments, the housing 11 may include an additional opening on one of its surfaces, or even possibly through the closure means 2, to allow the passage of a connector or cable. This opening has a shape and dimensions complementary to those of the cable or connector mounted through the housing 11. Sealing at this additional opening, at the junction between the housing 11 and the periphery of the cable or connector, may be achieved by positioning a resin at this junction.The resin thus positioned makes it possible to seal the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 without interacting with the electronic components 31 and / or the electrical accumulators 32, or even the desiccant material 4 housed inside the housing 11.

[0021] According to an example of construction relating to another embodiment of the invention capable of being combined with either of the previously detailed embodiments, the internal volume of the housing 11 comprises at least one separation interface 114 positioned between the first portion 1131 and the second portion 1132 and arranged to form a separation between the two portions 1131, 1132 of the internal volume 113 without creating a total partition between these portions 1131, 1132. This separation interface 114 is configured to ensure a physical separation of the elements 31, 32, 4 respectively positioned inside each of the two portions 1131, 1132 of the housing 11 while maintaining gaseous communication between these two portions 1131, 1132 and the elements 31, 32, 4 housed inside the housing 11. Preferably, to limit the size of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11, this separation interface 114 has a substantially planar arrangement, for example with a plate-shaped structure whose first surface is oriented towards the first portion 1131 intended for housing electronic components 31 and / or electrical accumulators 32 and a second surface is oriented towards the second portion 1132 intended for housing the desiccant material 4.This separation interface 114 makes it possible in particular to avoid direct contact between the desiccant material 4 and the electronic components 31 and / or the electrical accumulators 32, particularly when these elements 31, 32, 4 are subjected to compression, or even slight crushing, for example during their insertion or their respective positioning inside the housing 11 or during the positioning of the closure means 2 for partitioning the housing 11. By avoiding this direct contact, the separation interface 114 also makes it possible to keep the desiccant material 4 away from the electronic elements 31 and electrical elements 32 and thus avoid any risk of physical and / or chemical interaction between them.Furthermore, by preventing any direct physical interaction between the elements 31, 32, and 4 housed within the casing 11, the separation interface 114 protects the desiccant material 4, and more specifically its container, from potential friction against electronic components 31 or electrical components 32, and thus from tearing. This eliminates the risk of the desiccant material 4 dispersing within the volume 113 of the casing 11. Gas exchange through the separation interface 114 is achieved by a partial partition between the two portions 1131 and 1132 of the internal volume 113 of the casing 11. According to a first construction example, this partial partition is achieved by perforations through the structure or thickness of the separation interface 114.According to this example, the different edges of the separation interface 114 are in contact with the inner surface of the housing 11 to separate the two portions 1131 and 1132 of the inner volume 113 of the housing 11 while one or more through perforations ensure gas exchange between the two portions 1131 and 1132 of this inner volume 113. These perforations are likely to take the form of orifices distributed according to a mesh on at least a part of the separation interface 114 and / or in the form of through grooves. According to a second construction example, the partial partitioning between the two portions 1131 and 1132 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 is achieved by means of an opening positioned at the level of at least one of the edges of the separation interface 114. According to this example, only a part of the different edges of the separation interface 114 is in contact with the internal surface of the housing 11.At least one of the edges of the separation interface 114 is positioned opposite. screw and at a distance from the inner surface of the housing 11. It should be noted that the arrangements of these two construction examples are capable of being combined with each other. Furthermore, it should be noted that, preferably, at the junction between the two portions 1131 and 1132 of the inner volume 113, the sealing surface of the separation interface 114 is at least greater than the sum of all the through surfaces allowing gas exchange between these two portions 1131 and 1132. As a construction example, at least one of the peripheral edges of the separation interface 114 is arranged to cooperate by complementary shape with a portion of the inner surface of the housing 11. This complementary shape may correspond to a groove on the inner surface of the housing 11 with a width substantially complementary to the thickness of the separation interface 114.As an example of construction, complementary or alternative to the previous example, a portion of at least one surface of the separation interface 114 is positioned against an internal surface of the housing 11, forming for example a flat surface.

[0022] According to an example of construction relating to a variant of the invention specific to the variant detailed above, at least one separation interface 114 is provided by at least a portion of an electronic board 311 which carries at least a portion of the electronic components 31. According to this construction variant, the electronic board 311 is arranged to carry at least a portion of the electronic components 31 at the level of its surface oriented towards the first portion 1131 intended for housing electronic components 31 and / or electrical accumulators 32. This electronic board 311, which provides a separation interface between the two portions 1131, 1132 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11, is arranged to partially partition the junction between these two portions 1131, 1132 of the housing 11.This partial partitioning can be achieved, on the one hand, by arranged perforations passing through the thickness of the electronic board 311 and / or, on the other hand, by an opening positioned at the level of at least one of the edges of this electronic board 311 so that at least one of the edges of the separation interface 114 is positioned opposite and at a distance from the inner surface of the housing 11.

[0023] According to an example of construction relating to another embodiment of the invention capable of being combined with either of the previously detailed embodiments, at least one separation interface 114 is achieved by juxtaposing, in parallel planes, on the one hand, an electronic board 311 carrying at least some of the electronic components and, on the other hand, a perforated wall 1141. According to this embodiment, the separation provided by the electronic board 311 is supplemented by a perforated wall 1141. Preferably, this perforated wall 1141 has a substantially planar arrangement, for example with a plate-like structure. A first surface of this perforated wall 1141 is oriented towards the first portion 1131 intended for housing electronic components 31 and / or electrical accumulators 32, and a second surface is oriented towards the second portion 1132 intended for housing the desiccant material 4. Preferably, the perforated wall 1141 is positioned on the side of the second portion 1132 intended for housing the desiccant material 4 relative to the electronic board 311. The perforated wall 1141 may be positioned directly against the surface of the electronic board 311, but may also be positioned at a distance from this electronic board 311 such that a gap is present between the respective planes of the electronic board 311 and the perforated wall 1141.Furthermore, preferably, the through perforations in the perforated wall 1141 are arranged opposite the perforations or the opening in the partial partition of the electronic board 311. According to an alternative arrangement, the through perforations in the perforated wall 1141 are arranged offset from the perforations and / or the opening in the partial partition of the electronic board 311. This offset in alignment of the openings in the perforated wall 1141 relative to those in the electronic board 311, combined with a positioning of the perforated wall 1141 away from the electronic board 311, allows gas exchange to be maintained between the two portions 1131, 1132 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 while creating a double mechanical barrier between these two portions 1131, 1132.This double mechanical barrier with openings or perforations not aligned or offset between them thus allows, in the event of detachment of one of the elements or breakage of a part of one of the elements positioned inside the housing 11, to limit the risk of movement of this element or part of element from one of the two portions 1131, 1132 to the other portion and therefore to reduce any risk of accidental contact between the different parts or components present in each of the two portions 1131, 1132 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11. .

[0024] According to an example of construction relating to another embodiment of the invention that can be combined with either of the previously detailed embodiments, the first portion 1131 of the internal volume 113 is approximately 50% to 90% of the total internal volume of the housing 11, and the second portion 1132 of the internal volume 113 is approximately 10% to 50% of the total internal volume of the housing 11. This difference in respective volumes allocated to each of the portions 1131 and 1132 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 allows for optimization of the overall dimensions of the housing 11, particularly by taking advantage of the small volume required to house a desiccant material 4 compared to the volume required for the housing electronic components 31 and / or electrical accumulators 32 inside the housing 11.

[0025] According to an example of construction relating to another variant of the invention which can be combined with either of the variants detailed above, the second portion 1132 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 is positioned between, on the one hand, the opening 112 of the housing 11 and, on the other hand, the first portion 1131 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11. Such an arrangement of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 allows the insertion and positioning of the various elements 31, 32, 4 inside the housing 11 while allowing easy access to the desiccant material 4 to allow its possible renewal when its moisture absorption capacities are saturated. The replacement of the desiccant material 4 can therefore be carried out without requiring the removal of electronic components 31 and / or electrical accumulators 32.

[0026] According to an example of construction relating to another variant of the invention forming an alternative to the variant previously detailed, the first portion 1131 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 is positioned between, on the one hand, the opening 112 and, on the other hand, the second portion 1132 of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11. Such an arrangement of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 allows the insertion and positioning of the various elements 31, 32, 4 inside the housing 11 while allowing easy access to the electronic components 31 and / or the electrical accumulators 32 so as to allow intervention, for example for a repair, without the need to remove the desiccant material 4.

[0027] It should be noted that for each of the two construction examples detailed above, the device 1 of the invention comprises only one opening 112 for accessing the internal volume 113 of the housing 11. This construction with a single access to the inside of the housing 11 through this single opening 112 makes it possible to limit the number of entry points into the inside of the housing 11 and therefore the areas at risk of moisture infiltration into the inside 113 of the volume of the housing 11. Indeed, a multiplication of the number of access points into the inside of the housing 11 leads to an increased risk of infiltration, in particular when the partitioning of the internal volume 113 of the housing 11 by a closing means 2 is not optimal, or even defective.

[0028] According to an example of construction relating to another embodiment of the invention that can be combined with either of the previously detailed embodiments, the desiccant material 4 is of the aluminosilicate type or corresponds to a porous material such as clay, zeolite, or even a molecular sieve or a mixture of these different materials. It should also be noted that the desiccant material 4 can correspond to any type of material or mixture of materials which has moisture absorption properties identical or similar, or even equivalent, to those of the desiccant materials mentioned.

[0029] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (1) for protecting electronic components (31) of a fluid measuring meter (9) against moisture, characterized in that the device (1) comprises: - a housing (11) including: - at least one opening (112) associated with a closing means (2) and configured to cooperate with each other for partitioning the housing (11), - an internal volume (113) defining at least, on the one hand, a first portion (1131) configured for housing electronic components (31) and / or electrical accumulators (32) and, on the other hand, a second portion (1132) incorporating at least one desiccant material (4), the first portion (1131) and the second portion (1132) of the internal volume of the housing (11) being configured to allow gaseous communication between them, - a mounting and / or fixing interface (12) for the housing (11) at a part of a measuring counter (9).

2. A moisture protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (11) and / or the closure means (2) is made of a material essentially composed of at least one polyolefin.

3. A moisture protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (11) and / or the closure means (2) is made of a material essentially composed of at least one polycarbonate.

4. A moisture protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (11) and / or the closure means (2) is made of a material essentially composed of at least one polyethylene terephthalate.

5. A moisture protection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal volume of the housing (11) comprises at least one separation interface (114) positioned between the first portion (1131) and the second portion (1132) and arranged to form a separation between the two portions (1131, 1132) of the internal volume (113) without achieving total partitioning between these portions (1131, 1132).

6. A moisture protection device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one separation interface (114) is made by at least one part of an electronic board (311) which carries at least one part of the electronic components (31).

7. A moisture protection device (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one separation interface (114) is achieved by juxtaposing in parallel planes, on the one hand, an electronic board (311) which carries at least part of the electronic components and, on the other hand, a perforated wall (1141).

8. A moisture protection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second portion (1132) of the internal volume (113) of the housing (11) is positioned between, on the one hand, the opening (112) of the housing (11) and, on the other hand, the first portion (1131) of the internal volume (113) of the housing (11).

9. A moisture protection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first portion (1131) of the internal volume (113) of the housing (11) is positioned between, on the one hand, the opening (112) and, on the other hand, the second portion (1132) of the internal volume (113) of the housing (11).

10. A moisture protection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the closure means (2) partitions the opening (112) of the housing (11), the inner surface of the closure means (2) comprises at least one relief oriented towards the inside of the housing (11) and configured to press against at least one surface of an element (31, 32, 4) positioned inside the housing (11).

11. A moisture protection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the desiccant material (4) is of the aluminosilicate type or corresponds to a porous material of the clay type, zeolite, or even a molecular sieve or a mixture of these different materials.

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