Lid of meter box

Abstract

To provide a lid of a meter box capable of securing radio communication from a radio communication device even when a housing of the meter box is fully filled with water.SOLUTION: A lid 20 of a meter box 1 sealing an upper surface opening 5a of a housing 5 accommodating a water supply meter 71 and a radio communication device 72 having an antenna surface 721 on an upper surface in a state it is buried in the ground is provided with a lid body 3 and a surrounding wall 42 provided on a lower surface side of the lid body 3 and forming an air sump A upon water immersion in the housing 5, wherein the surrounding wall 42 surrounds the periphery of the radio communication device 72 and is arranged so that the antenna surface 721 is positioned in the air sump A in a state the upper surface opening 5a of the housing 5 is sealed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a meter box cover that closes the top opening of a housing that is buried underground and that houses a water meter and a communication device that is connected to the water meter and has an antenna (antenna surface) on its top surface. [Background technology]

[0002] The amount of water used in the water supply branched off from the waterworks is measured by a water meter installed before the water supply point. This water meter is housed in a meter box (water meter box) that has a housing buried underground and a lid that closes the top opening of the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Water meters are read by a meter reader who visits the site, for example, once every two months, opens the meter box lid, reads the water meter reading, enters the reading into a mobile device such as a handheld terminal, and mails out a notice of water usage. However, this type of work places a heavy burden on meter readers, especially under harsh environmental conditions or inclement weather, and also poses challenges such as a lack of human resources and reading errors.

[0003] For this reason, various demonstration experiments and implementations of systems that automate meter reading, known as smart meters, have begun in recent years. These smart meters consist of an electronic water meter and a communication device connected to the meter. The communication device transmits data (wireless communication) measured by the water meter, such as water usage, leak warnings, and abnormal water volume, via a wireless communication line. Smart meters allow meter readers to obtain flow data without visiting the site, significantly reducing the workload and costs of meter readers. Furthermore, because short-span flow data can be obtained in real time, it is possible to respond quickly to incidents such as water leaks. Furthermore, it is also considered that smart meters can be used to continuously analyze fluctuations in usage data, determine the degree of equipment deterioration, and monitor elderly people living alone. Furthermore, meter box covers and other devices with improved radio wave transparency have been proposed to support these smart meters (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-83138 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-160064 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the meter box housing the water meter and communications equipment has a top opening sealed with a retractable lid, and the side walls of the housing also have openings for water supply pipes. This makes it difficult to completely seal off the inside of the meter box, and rainwater, melting snow, groundwater, and other water sources can seep into the housing, submerging the communications equipment. While the communications equipment itself is waterproof, if the antenna surface (communication surface) on the top surface, which corresponds to the radio wave transmission point and the radio wave transmission direction, becomes submerged, wireless communication is disrupted, and data communication is disrupted until the device is no longer submerged and the antenna surface dries. This negates the aforementioned benefits of obtaining short-span flow rate data in real time.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a meter box cover that is designed to ensure wireless communication from communication equipment even when the meter box housing is filled with water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The meter box cover of the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned object, is a meter box cover that closes an upper opening of a housing that houses a water meter and a communication device having an antenna (antenna surface) on its upper surface while the meter box is buried underground, and The lid body and a surrounding wall provided on the underside of the lid body, which forms an air reservoir when the housing is flooded with water, When the top opening of the housing is closed, the surrounding wall surrounds the communication device and the antenna (antenna surface) of the communication device is positioned in the air cavity.

[0008] Here, when the housing is flooded, the antenna on the top surface of the communication device is positioned in the air reservoir, and other portions, such as the lower portion, may be submerged. The communication device may be connected to the water meter by wire, or may be integrally formed with the water meter. The housing may be box-shaped with a bottom plate, or may be frame-shaped without a bottom plate. The housing may also house a stop valve or the like in addition to the water meter and the communication device.

[0009] According to the meter box cover of the present invention, when the housing is flooded, the antenna of the communication device is located in the air gap formed by the surrounding wall. Therefore, even if the housing is filled with water due to flooding caused by rainwater, groundwater, etc., the antenna of the communication device can be prevented from being submerged. This prevents interruption of wireless communication due to the antenna being submerged, and ensures wireless communication from the communication device.

[0010] In addition, since the water flowing into the housing is muddy water, if the antenna is submerged, the antenna will be soiled by the muddy water, and even if the antenna is no longer submerged and dries, wireless communication may become unstable. With the meter box lid of the present invention, the antenna of the communication device is located in the air reservoir, so problems such as soiling of the antenna by muddy water or the like can be avoided.

[0011] The meter box lid of the present invention includes a waterproof cover attached to the underside of the lid body, The waterproof cover includes a top plate portion fixed to the underside of the lid body, and the surrounding wall extending downward from the top plate portion, The air reservoir may be defined by the top plate portion and the surrounding wall.

[0012] That is, the surrounding wall may constitute a part of the waterproof cover.

[0013] In the case where the communication device is connected to the water meter by a wire, the communication device may be fixed to the lid body together with the waterproof cover. By adopting this configuration, the communication device is prevented from accidentally moving due to water entering the housing, and the antenna can be stably positioned in the air reservoir.

[0014] In addition, in the meter box lid of the present invention, the lid body is made of iron and has an opening for passing communication radio waves from the communication device, The waterproof cover is made of resin, and the top plate portion has a protrusion that is inserted into the opening, The waterproof cover may be fixed to the lid body with the protrusion inserted into the opening.

[0015] By adopting this aspect, since the lid body is made of iron, even if the housing is filled with water, the weight of the lid body can prevent the lid body from accidentally floating up, etc. Furthermore, although there is a risk that wireless communication may be obstructed if the lid body is made of iron, since the waterproof cover is made of resin, it is possible to ensure wireless communication from the communication device via the protrusion inserted into the opening of the lid body.

[0016] The lid body also has an opening into which the protrusion of the waterproof cover is inserted. This prevents water from seeping in from the antenna to the boundary between the meter box and the ground. That is, the communication device can communicate with the ground above the meter box via the resin protrusion inserted into the opening. As a result, it is possible to avoid problems such as water seeping into the opening and disrupting wireless communication of the communication device.

[0017] Furthermore, in the meter box lid of the present invention, the surrounding wall is integrally formed on the back side of the lid body, The air reservoir may be defined by a lower surface of the lid body and the surrounding wall.

[0018] Here, the meter box lid having the surrounding wall integrally formed on the rear side of the lid body may be made of resin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a meter box cover that is designed to ensure wireless communication from communication devices even when the meter box housing is filled with water. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a meter box having a lid and a housing according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view showing the lid body of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a view showing the waterproof cover of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a view showing the support fitting of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams for conceptually explaining how the waterproof cover and the communication device are fixed to the lid body. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing the state in which the housing of the meter box shown in FIG. 1 is flooded and filled with water. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 of a meter box having a lid and a housing according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 of a meter box having a lid and a housing according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a view showing a lid according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a meter box 1 having a cover 20 and a housing 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the housing 5 buried underground, housing 5 housing a water meter 71 and a communication device 72. FIG. 1(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the direction in which a water supply pipe 74 connected to the water meter 71 extends, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the water supply pipe 74 extends. In the following description, the direction in which the water supply pipe 74 extends (the left-right direction in FIG. 1(a)) is referred to as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the water supply pipe 74 extends (the left-right direction in FIG. 1(b)) is referred to as the Y direction.

[0023] 1(a) and 1(b), the housing 5 of this embodiment is a rectangular frame with no bottom plate, and is manufactured by, for example, pressing a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet. A convex mounting portion 51 is formed at the upper end portion of the housing 5.

[0024] The lid 20 includes a lid body 3 made of, for example, ductile cast iron (metal) and a waterproof cover 4 made of, for example, resin. The lid body 3 is placed on the placement portion 51 of the housing 5, and the top opening 5a of the housing 5 is closed. With the top opening 5a of the housing 5 closed, the top surface of the lid body 3 is set to be approximately the same height as the ground G.

[0025] An insertion port 5b is formed in each wall portion on both sides of the housing 5 in the X direction. A water supply pipe 74 is inserted through the insertion port 5b and connected to the water meter 71. The communication device 72 is connected to the water meter 71 via wiring 73. That is, in this embodiment, the communication device 72 is connected to the water meter 71 via a wire. The communication device 72 has an antenna surface (antenna) 721 on its upper surface. This antenna surface 721 corresponds to the transmission point and direction of radio waves. Data measured by the water meter 71, such as water usage, water leak warnings, and abnormal water volume, is transmitted from the antenna surface 721 of the communication device 72 and transmitted to the water utility's management system or the like via the electricity smart meter communication network or the mobile phone communication network. This not only allows a meter reader to obtain flow rate data without visiting the site, but also enables quick response to situations such as water leaks or forgotten faucets. In this embodiment, the communication device 72, together with the waterproof cover 4, is fixed to the underside of the lid body 3 by a support bracket 6.

[0026] Next, the members that make up the lid 20 will be described in detail.

[0027] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the lid body 3 of Figure 1. Figure 2(a) is a plan view of the lid body 3, and Figure 2(b) is a rear view of the lid body 3. Figure 2(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 2(a), and Figure 2(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 2(a).

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, the lid body 3 is a rectangular plate-like member that is long in the X direction, and as described above, is made of ductile cast iron. A pair of circular openings 3a, 3a are formed at approximately the center in the Y direction, spaced a predetermined distance apart in the X direction. These openings 3a are for passing communication radio waves from the communication device 72 (see Fig. 1), and their size, shape, number, etc. are set so as to ensure good wireless communication of the communication device 72.

[0029] On both sides of the approximate center in the Y direction, a plurality of bolt holes 3b (three sets of six holes in the figure) are formed at predetermined intervals in the X direction. Here, reinforcing ribs or damming portions that stop water from falling onto the top surface of the lid main body 3 may be provided around the openings 3a and bolt holes 3b on the top surface of the lid main body 3. Note that surface patterns and the like are omitted in Figure 2(a) except for the openings 3a and bolt holes 3b.

[0030] A notch 31 is formed on the edge of one side in the Y direction of the lid main body 3 (the lower side in FIG. 2(a)) to allow a finger to be placed on when opening the lid 20 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 2(b), a rib 33 is formed on the underside of the lid main body 3. This rib 33 is formed in a lattice pattern and is formed so as to surround the opening 3a and the bolt hole 3b. Furthermore, hinge portions 32 are provided on both ends in the X direction of the part of the underside of the lid main body 3 opposite the notch 31 (the lower side in FIG. 2(b)). This hinge portion 32 is attached to a shaft (not shown) provided on the housing 5 so as to be freely insertable and detachable. The lid 20 is configured to be able to open and close around this shaft.

[0031] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the waterproof cover 4 of Figure 1. Figure 3(a) is a plan view of the waterproof cover 4, Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Figure 3(a), and Figure 3(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Figure 3(a).

[0032] 3, the waterproof cover 4 includes a rectangular top panel 41 that is long in the X direction, and a surrounding wall 42 that extends downward from the edge of the top panel 41. The surrounding wall 42 has a rectangular frame shape in plan view. The top panel 41 and the surrounding wall 42 are integrally formed from resin, as described above.

[0033] A pair of cylindrical protrusions 411, 411 are formed on the upper surface of the top plate 41 at approximately the center in the Y direction, with a predetermined gap in the X direction. The pair of cylindrical protrusions 411, 411 are portions that are inserted (fitted) into the pair of openings 3a, 3a (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the lid main body 3 described above. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the lid 20 closes the top opening 5a of the housing 5, the pair of cylindrical protrusions 411, 411 are set so that their upper ends are at approximately the same height as the upper surface of the lid main body 3.

[0034] 3, the waterproof cover 4 is defined by a top panel portion 41 (including a protrusion 411) and a surrounding wall 42, and has a space S that is open downward. This space S forms an air reservoir A when the housing 5 is flooded, as will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 , a communication device 72 is placed in the space S of the waterproof cover 4. For this reason, the size of the waterproof cover 4 is set with a sufficient margin so that any size of commonly used communication device 72 can be accommodated. The shape of the waterproof cover 4 is also not particularly limited as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of the relationship between the lid main body 3 and the housing 5 and can accommodate a commonly used communication device 72. For example, the shape may be square, circular, elliptical, or the like in a plan view. That is, the surrounding wall 42 may be a frame-like shape that is square, circular, elliptical, or the like in a plan view.

[0036] Figure 4 shows the support fitting 6 of Figure 1. Figure 4(a) is a plan view of the support fitting 6, and Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in Figure 4(a).

[0037] As shown in Fig. 1, the support bracket 6 is a member for fixing the communication device 72 together with the waterproof cover 4 to the underside of the lid main body 3. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the support bracket 6 has a support portion 61 extending in the X direction, a pair of rising portions 62, 62 rising from both ends of the support portion 61, and a pair of flanges 63, 63 bent outward from the upper ends of the pair of rising portions 62, 62. A bolt insertion hole 63a is formed in each of the pair of flanges 63, 63, and a bolt B is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 63a and fastened with a nut N.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram for conceptually explaining how the waterproof cover 4 and the communication device 72 are fixed to the lid main body 3. As shown in FIG.

[0039] To secure the waterproof cover 4 and the communication device 72 to the lid main body 3, as shown in Fig. 5, the pair of protrusions 411, 411 of the waterproof cover 4 are inserted into the openings 3a, 3a of the lid main body 3 from the underside of the lid main body 3, respectively, and the top plate portion 41 of the waterproof cover 4 is brought into close contact with the underside of the lid main body 3. Next, the antenna surface 721 (see Fig. 1), which is hidden in Fig. 5, is brought into close contact with the underside of the top plate portion 41 of the waterproof cover 4, and the upper portion of the communication device 72 is positioned in the space S (see Figs. 1 and 3) defined by the top plate portion 41 and the surrounding wall 42. Then, the waterproof cover 4 and the communication device 72 are supported by the support bracket 6, and nuts N are fastened to the bolts B inserted through the bolt holes 3b of the lid main body 3 and the bolt insertion holes 63a of the support bracket 6, thereby securing the waterproof cover 4 and the communication device 72 to the lid main body 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, two support brackets 6 are used, but the number of support brackets 6 used can be adjusted depending on the size of the communication device 72. That is, if the communication device 72 is small, one support bracket 6 can be used to fix the waterproof cover 4 and the communication device 72 to the lid body 3, and if the communication device 72 is large, three support brackets 6 can be used.

[0041] Then, when the lid 20 is closed to close the top opening 5a of the housing 5, the state shown in Fig. 1 is achieved. That is, when the lid 20 closes the top opening 5a of the housing 5, the antenna surface 721 of the communication device 72 is disposed in the space S defined by the top panel portion 41 and the surrounding wall 42.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the housing 5 of the meter box 1 shown in FIG. 1 is flooded and filled with water.

[0043] When the housing 5 is filled with water due to flooding caused by rainwater, groundwater, etc., the water meter 71 and the lower portion of the communication device 72 will be submerged, as shown in Fig. 6. However, an air reservoir A is formed in the space S (see Fig. 1) defined by the top panel portion 41 of the waterproof cover 4 and the surrounding wall 42, and the antenna surface 721 of the communication device 72 will be located in this air reservoir A. This prevents the antenna surface 721 of the communication device 72 from being submerged.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an opening 3a is formed in the lid body 3, and the protrusion 411 of the waterproof cover 4 is inserted into this opening 3a. As a result, the air chamber A where the antenna surface 721 is located is connected to the ground above the meter box 1 via the resin protrusion 411 inserted into the opening 3a, preventing submergence of the area extending from the antenna surface 721 of the communication device 72 through the opening 3a to the boundary surface inside and outside the housing 5 at the top end of the housing 5. As a result, interruptions to wireless communication due to submersion of the antenna surface 721 are prevented, and wireless communication from the communication device 72 can be ensured. In addition, problems such as soiling of the antenna surface 721 by muddy water can be prevented.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the communication device 72 is fixed to the ductile cast iron lid body 3 together with the waterproof cover 4 by the support bracket 6. Therefore, the weight of the lid body 3 prevents the lid body 3 from floating up, and the communication device 72 is prevented from accidentally moving due to water entering the housing 5. As a result, the antenna surface 721 can be stably positioned in the air reservoir A.

[0046] Next, other embodiments of the lid 20 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 will be described. In the other embodiments described below, differences from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 will be mainly described, and components with the same names as those in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 will be described using the same reference numerals used up to now, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted.

[0047] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 6 of the meter box 1 having the cover 21 and the housing 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. That is, it shows the state in which the housing 5 is filled with water.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7 , the lid 21 of this embodiment is used for a water meter 71 that is integrated with a communication device 72. Specifically, the surrounding wall 42 of the waterproof cover 4 extends below the antenna surface of the water meter 71. That is, the lower end of the surrounding wall 42 of the waterproof cover 4 is located below the antenna surface 721 of the water meter 71. This prevents submersion of the meter box 1 from the antenna surface 721 through the opening 3a to the boundary surface between the meter box 1 and the ground, ensuring wireless communication from the communication device 72. In this embodiment, the support bracket 6 supports the lower end of the surrounding wall 42 of the waterproof cover 4, thereby fixing the waterproof cover 4 to the underside of the lid body 3.

[0049] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 6 of the meter box 1 having the cover 22 and the housing 5 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. That is, it shows the state in which the housing 5 is filled with water.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 8, lid 22 of this embodiment is also used for water meter 71, which is integrally configured with communication device 72 and has antenna surface 721 on its upper surface. Specifically, attachment member 43 is provided, which is made of resin and includes top plate portion 431 and surrounding wall 432, and which forms a space inside. Attachment member 43 is attached, with its upper end portion positioned in air reservoir A of waterproof cover 4, to support bracket 6, which fixes waterproof cover 4 to lid body 3, via mounting bracket 9.

[0051] As a result, the antenna surface 721 of the water meter 71 is positioned in the air reservoir A of the attachment member 43, which is formed when the housing 5 is flooded. As a result, also in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent submersion from the antenna surface 721 through the opening 3a up to the boundary surface of the meter box 1 with the ground, and to ensure wireless communication from the communication device 72. In other words, it is possible to ensure wireless communication to the ground via the air reservoir A of the attachment member 43 and the air reservoir A of the waterproof cover 4, and through the resin protrusion 411.

[0052] Figure 9 shows a lid 23 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9(a) is a plan view of the lid 23, and Figure 9(b) is a rear view of the lid 23. Figure 9(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in Figure 9(a), and Figure 9(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in Figure 9(a).

[0053] The lid 23 of this embodiment is integrally formed from a metal such as ductile cast iron, and a rectangular frame-shaped surrounding wall 35 is integrally provided on the back surface of the lid main body 3. Similar to the lid main body 3 shown in FIG. 2, a pair of openings 3a, 3a are formed, and each of the pair of openings 3a, 3a is filled with a resin material 34 that transmits radio waves. Similar to the lid main body 3 shown in FIG. 2, the lid main body 3 of this embodiment also has a cutout portion 31 and a hinge portion 32. In FIG. 9(a), surface patterns and the like are omitted except for the opening 3a, and in FIGS. 9(c) and 9(d), ribs and the like provided on the back surface of the lid main body 3 other than the surrounding wall 35 are omitted.

[0054] 9(d), in this embodiment, the communication device 72 is fixed to the lid 23 by inserting the upper portion into the space S defined by the rear surface of the lid main body 3 and the surrounding wall 35. In other words, the antenna surface 721 formed on the upper surface of the communication device 72 is positioned in the space S.

[0055] 1, when the top opening 5a of the housing 5 is closed with the lid 23 of this embodiment, wireless communication from the antenna surface 721 can be ensured via the resin material 34. Furthermore, when the housing 5 is filled with water as shown in FIG. 6, an air reservoir A is formed in the space S defined by the rear surface of the lid main body 3 and the surrounding wall 35, and the antenna surface 721 is located in this air reservoir A. As a result, in this embodiment as well, submersion from the antenna surface 721 through the opening 3a to the boundary surface between the meter box 1 (see FIG. 6, etc.) and the ground can be prevented, and wireless communication from the communication device 72 can be ensured.

[0056] Here, the lid 23 may be formed integrally with the lid body 3 and the surrounding wall 35 using resin. If the lid 23 is formed using resin, the opening 23a in the lid body 3 is not necessary, but the lid is lighter than a lid made of metal such as ductile cast iron. For this reason, if the lid 23 is accidentally lifted up, water may enter the space S defined by the back surface of the lid body 3 and the surrounding wall 35, causing the air reservoir A to disappear or decrease, and the antenna surface 721 of the communication device 72 to become submerged. Therefore, when the lid 23 is formed using resin, it is preferable to provide a weight or a locking mechanism to prevent the lid 23 from lifting up.

[0057] According to the covers 20, 21, 22, and 23 of the meter box 1 described above, it is possible to ensure wireless communication from the communication device 72 even if the housing 5 is filled with water due to flooding.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a frame-shaped housing 5 without a bottom plate is used as an example, but the housing 5 may be a box-shaped housing with a bottom plate.

[0059] Note that even if a component is included only in the description of each of the above-described embodiments, that component may be applied to other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 meter box 20,21,22,23 Lid 3 Lid body 3a opening 34 Resin materials 4. Waterproof cover 42, 35, 432 Enclosure wall 43 Attachment member 5. Cabinet 5a Top opening 6 Support bracket 71 Water meter 72 Communication equipment 721 Antenna surface (antenna) S space A Air Reservoir

Claims

1. A meter box cover that closes the top opening of a housing that houses a water meter and a communication device having an antenna on its top surface while the housing is buried underground, The lid body and a surrounding wall provided on the underside of the lid body, which forms an air reservoir when the housing is flooded with water, A meter box lid characterized in that, when the top opening of the housing is closed, the surrounding wall surrounds the periphery of the communication equipment and the antenna of the communication equipment is positioned in the air cavity.

2. A waterproof cover is attached to the underside of the lid body, The waterproof cover includes a top plate portion fixed to the underside of the lid body, and the surrounding wall extending downward from the top plate portion, 2. The meter box cover according to claim 1, wherein the air reservoir is defined by the top plate portion and the surrounding wall.

3. The lid body is made of iron and has an opening for passing communication radio waves from the communication device, The waterproof cover is made of resin, and the top plate portion has a protrusion that is inserted into the opening, 3. The meter box lid according to claim 2, wherein the waterproof cover is fixed to the lid body with the protrusion inserted into the opening.

4. The surrounding wall is integrally formed on the back side of the lid body, 2. The meter box lid according to claim 1, wherein the air chamber is defined by a lower surface of the lid body and the surrounding wall.

Images