Gas meter

Abstract

To provide a gas meter with which it is possible to easily search for an electric wire and smoothly discharge water in an accommodation chamber that accommodates a terminal block.SOLUTION: The gas meter comprises: a meter body 11 provided with an accommodation chamber 12 that accommodates a terminal block 21 to which an electric wire 23 can be connected; a terminal block cover 30 that is assembled to the meter body 11 for covering the accommodation chamber 12; a first packing 40 formed from an elastic material, which is mounted to an edge on the extraction side of the electric wire 23 that is connected at least to the terminal block 21 in the accommodation chamber 12 of the meter body 11 and led out from the accommodation chamber 12; and a second packing 50 formed from an elastic material, which is mounted to the terminal block cover 30 and contacted to the first packing 40 as the terminal block cover 30 is assembled to the meter body 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas meter. [Background technology]

[0002] Gas meters, which measure the flow rate of gas used and cut off the gas supply when they detect abnormalities, are equipped with a terminal block to which electrical wires such as communication cables are connected for input / output of various setting information and for meter reading. This type of gas meter is sometimes installed outdoors, but if water accumulates in the chamber that houses the terminal block, it may interfere with the input / output of signals and the retrieval of data via the electrical wires.

[0003] As a sealing structure for sealing such outdoor equipment, Patent Document 1 describes a sealing structure for inserting an electric wire into an annular packing, which seals the insertion portion of the electric wire. Patent Document 2 also discloses a sealing structure that includes a pair of half bodies that form a hollow space when closed together, and that blocks water from seeping in along the cable by closing the two half bodies together to sandwich the cable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-280813 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-158172 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a gas meter, it is required that the electric wires connected to the terminal block can be easily routed, that water is prevented from entering the terminal block from the point where the electric wires are pulled out, and that water in the accommodating chamber is smoothly discharged.

[0006] When the seal structure described in Patent Document 1 is applied to the electrical wire lead-out portion of such a gas meter, the electrical wire must be passed through a cylindrical packing every time it is connected to the terminal block, making the electrical wire routing work time-consuming. Also, with the seal structures described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is difficult to smoothly drain water that has entered the terminal block housing.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a gas meter that allows for easy wiring of electric wires and that allows for smooth drainage of water from the housing that houses the terminal block. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration. (1) A meter body having a housing chamber for housing a terminal block to which an electric wire can be connected; a terminal block cover attached to the meter body to cover the accommodation chamber; a first packing made of an elastic material and attached to an edge portion of the housing chamber of the meter body on a lead-out side of the electric wire connected to at least the terminal block and led out of the housing chamber; The terminal block cover is attached to the meter body, and the terminal block cover is assembled to the meter body. The second packing is disposed so as to face the first packing in a facing direction intersecting the drawing direction of the electric wire, and a second packing made of an elastic material and in contact with the first packing; Equipped with Each of the first packing and the second packing is the opposing direction and The wire has a shape extending in a direction intersecting the drawing direction of the electric wire, The first packing and the second packing have pressing portions that extend in the intersecting direction and are in contact with each other, The pressing portions of the first packing and the second packing both The outer surface of the pressing portion has a curved shape that is curved so as to protrude toward the pressing portion of the mating side and extends in the intersecting direction. Gas meter.

[0009] According to the gas meter having the configuration (1) above, by assembling the terminal block cover to the meter body, the second gasket of the terminal block cover comes into contact with the first gasket of the meter body. This allows the first gasket and the second gasket to seal the outlet of the electric wire connected to the terminal block in the housing chamber, preventing water, insects, and dust from entering through the outlet. This gas meter allows for easier wiring of the electric wire compared to a structure using a cylindrical gasket that requires the operator to insert the electric wire. Furthermore, this gas meter allows water that has entered the housing chamber to be discharged by its own weight from the contact point between the first gasket and the second gasket, each made of an elastic material, without providing a drain hole. Discharging water that has entered the housing chamber makes it less likely for water to accumulate in the housing chamber, reducing the likelihood of a short circuit.

[0010] (2) a meter body having an accommodation chamber for accommodating a terminal block to which an electric wire can be connected; a terminal block cover attached to the meter body to cover the accommodation chamber; a first packing made of an elastic material and attached to an edge portion of the housing chamber of the meter body on a lead-out side of the electric wire connected to at least the terminal block and led out of the housing chamber; a second packing made of an elastic material that is attached to the terminal block cover and that comes into contact with the first packing when the terminal block cover is assembled to the meter body; Equipped with At least one of the first packing and the second packing includes a pressing portion having a cavity. Ga Smeter.

[0011] According to the gas meter having the configuration (2) above, at least one of the first and second packings has a pressing portion with a hollow portion, which easily elastically deforms. With this configuration, water that has entered the storage chamber is smoothly discharged from the contact point between the first and second packings.

[0012] (3) The first packing has a slit into which the electric wire can be pushed. ( 2) A gas meter as described above.

[0013] According to the gas meter having the configuration (3) above, the electric wire connected to the terminal block can be easily held in the first gasket by pushing it into the slit in the first gasket, making it even easier to route the electric wire.

[0014] (4) a meter body having an accommodation chamber for accommodating a terminal block to which an electric wire can be connected; a terminal block cover attached to the meter body to cover the accommodation chamber; a first packing made of an elastic material and attached to an edge portion of the housing chamber of the meter body on a lead-out side of the electric wire connected to at least the terminal block and led out of the housing chamber; a second packing made of an elastic material that is attached to the terminal block cover and that comes into contact with the first packing when the terminal block cover is assembled to the meter body; Equipped with the first packing has a drainage portion that is elastically deformed in a direction away from the second packing by the weight of water in the storage chamber; Ga Smeter.

[0015] According to the gas meter having the configuration (4) above, even if water gets into the storage chamber, the weight of the water causes the drainage portion of the first packing to elastically deform and separate from the second packing, forming a gap. With this configuration, the water in the storage chamber is discharged from the gap between the drainage portion of the first packing and the second packing, thereby improving drainage performance.

[0016] (5) The drainage portion is provided at a width direction end portion of the first packing in a front view, The gas meter according to (4), wherein the first packing has a surface located inside the accommodating chamber that is inclined so as to become lower from the center in the width direction toward the drainage portion.

[0017] According to the gas meter having the configuration (5) above, water that has entered the accommodating chamber can be smoothly discharged by flowing it to the drainage section along the slope of the surface of the first packing located inside the accommodating chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gas meter in which electric wires can be easily routed and in which water can be smoothly discharged from the accommodation chamber that accommodates the terminal block.

[0019] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a gas meter according to this embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a perspective view with a terminal block cover removed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the terminal accommodating section with the terminal block cover open. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a terminal block accommodating portion of the gas meter taken along the vertical direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the first packing and the second packing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a gas meter according to a reference example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the vertical direction of a terminal block accommodating portion of a gas meter according to a reference example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of a gas meter according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a gas meter according to another embodiment with a terminal block cover removed. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the vertical direction of a terminal block accommodating portion of a gas meter according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the first packing, where (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a front view. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the terminal block accommodating portion with the terminal block cover removed, illustrating the wiring operation of the electric wires. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the first packing taken along line AA in FIG. 10 in a state where the terminal block cover is closed after the electric wires are routed. [Figure 15]Figure 15 is a diagram showing the state of the drainage section when the terminal block cover is closed, where (a) is a cross-sectional view equivalent to the BB cross section in Figure 10 of the first gasket in close contact with the second gasket of the terminal block cover, and (b) is a cross-sectional view equivalent to the BB cross section in Figure 10 of the first gasket showing the state when water passes between it and the second gasket of the terminal block cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a gas meter according to this embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a perspective view with a terminal block cover removed.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), a gas meter 10 according to this embodiment includes a flow rate measurement unit inside a meter body 11. An inlet 13 and an outlet 14 are provided at the top of the gas meter 10, and the inlet 13 and outlet 14 are each connected to a flow rate measurement unit provided inside the meter body 11. The flow rate measurement unit measures the flow rate of gas fed in from the inlet 13 and discharged from the outlet 14. The flow rate measurement unit also includes a shutoff valve (not shown). The shutoff valve closes the flow path to shut off the flow of gas, for example, when a certain amount of gas has been flowing for a long period of time, when an earthquake is detected, when gas pressure drops, or when an alarm warning of a gas leak or abnormal combustion is activated.

[0023] The gas meter 10 is provided with a display unit 15 at the top center. This display unit 15 displays gas usage information such as the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit and alarms. The gas meter 10 also has a reset button 16. This reset button 16 is located on the side of the display unit 15. The reset button 16 is a button that can be pressed by an operator, and pressing this reset button 16, for example, opens a shutoff valve that closes the flow path.

[0024] The gas meter 10 is provided at its bottom with a terminal block housing 20. A terminal block 21 is provided in this terminal block housing 20 (see FIG. 1(b)). The terminal block 21 is housed in a recessed housing chamber 12 formed in the meter main body 11 and fixed to the inner wall of the housing chamber 12. The housing chamber 12 is covered by a terminal block cover 30 attached to the meter main body 11 (see FIG. 1(a)).

[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view of the terminal accommodating section with the terminal block cover open. As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of electric wires 23 such as communication cables can be connected to the terminal block 21. The terminal block 21 has a plurality of terminal portions 22 arranged in a row, and ends of the electric wires 23 are connected to these terminal portions 22. The electric wires 23 connected to the terminal portions 22 of the terminal block 21 are drawn out below the gas meter 10 through a gap between the meter main body 11 and the terminal block cover 30. The electric wires 23 have a wire diameter of about 6 mm, and for example, about three electric wires 23 are connected to the terminal block 21.

[0026] Engagement portions 31 are formed on both ends of the upper edge of the terminal block cover 30, and these engagement portions 31 are capable of engaging with engagement claws (not shown) formed on both ends of the upper edge of the accommodation chamber 12. Furthermore, locking portions 33 are formed on both ends of the lower edge of the terminal block cover 30, and these locking portions 33 are capable of engaging with locking claws 34 formed on both ends of the lower edge of the accommodation chamber 12. The terminal block cover 30 is then rotated downward while engaging the engagement portions 31 with the engagement claws, and the locking portions 33 are engaged with the locking claws 34, whereby the terminal block cover 30 is assembled to the meter body 11 so as to close the accommodation chamber 12.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a terminal block accommodating portion of a gas meter along the vertical direction, Fig. 4 is a side view of a first packing and a second packing.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first packing 40 is attached to the lower edge of the accommodating chamber 12 in the meter body 11, and a second packing 50 is attached to the lower edge of the terminal block cover 30.

[0029] The first packing 40 has an engaging recess 41 on the side where it is attached to the lower edge of the storage chamber 12. The first packing 40 is attached to the lower edge of the storage chamber 12 by fitting an engaging protrusion 45 formed on the lower edge of the storage chamber 12 into the engaging recess 41. The first packing 40 has a pressing portion 43 on the side opposite to the side where it is attached to the lower edge of the storage chamber 12. The pressing portion 43 is formed in an annular shape in side view and has a hollow portion 44.

[0030] The second packing 50 has an engaging recess 51 on the side where it is attached to the lower edge of the terminal block cover 30. The second packing 50 is attached to the lower edge of the terminal block cover 30 by fitting an engaging protrusion 55 formed on the lower edge of the terminal block cover 30 into the engaging recess 51. The second packing 50 has a pressing portion 53 on the side opposite to the side where it is attached to the lower edge of the terminal block cover 30. The pressing portion 53 is formed in an annular shape in side view and has a hollow portion 54.

[0031] In this example, the first packing 40 and the second packing 50 have the same shape and are integrally molded from an elastic resin material.

[0032] The pressing portions 43, 53 of the first packing 40 and the second packing 50 come into contact with each other by assembling the terminal block cover 30 to the meter body 11. As a result, the electric wire 23 connected to the terminal portion 22 of the terminal block 21 and drawn out downward from the gas meter 10 is sandwiched and held by the pressing portions 43, 53 of the first packing 40 and the second packing 50.

[0033] In addition, in areas other than the holding portion of the electric wire 23, the pressing portions 43, 53 of the first packing 40 and the second packing 50 that are in contact with each other are elastically deformed (crushed) and tightly adhered to each other. As a result, the first packing 40 and the second packing 50 prevent water, insects, and dust from entering the accommodation chamber 12 of the terminal block accommodation portion 20 from below.

[0034] Furthermore, even if water gets into the accommodating chamber 12 constituting the terminal block accommodating portion 20, the water will be discharged from areas other than the sealed areas where the pressing portions 43, 53 of the first packing 40 and the second packing 50 are in close contact with each other between the edge of the accommodating chamber 12 and the terminal block cover 30. Water that collects in the areas where the pressing portions 43, 53 of the first packing 40 and the second packing 50 are in close contact will flow down the electric wire 23 through small gaps formed in the areas where the electric wire 23 is clamped. Furthermore, in areas other than the areas where the electric wire 23 is clamped, the pressing portions 43, 53 are elastically deformed by the weight of the water, forming gaps between the pressing portions 43, 53. As a result, water that collects in the areas where the pressing portions 43, 53 are in close contact will flow down from between the pressing portions 43, 53.

[0035] Here, it is conceivable to use sponge or low-resilience resin material, which is easily deformed and has excellent adhesion, as the material for the first packing 40 and the second packing 50. However, if a sponge is left in a fixed state for a long time, its shape will be fixed in that fixed state, making it difficult to properly hold the electric wire 23. Furthermore, low-resilience resin is easily deformed when draining, but has little elasticity, so there is a risk that the pressing portions 43, 53 will stick to each other if left for a long period of time.

[0036] For this reason, the first packing 40 and the second packing 50 are preferably formed from a rubber material that is resistant to sticking and has high elasticity, such as ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM).

[0037] Rubber materials have high resilience and are difficult to deform. Therefore, if the first and second gaskets 40 and 50 were made of rubber, the terminal block cover 30 would have to be firmly fixed to the meter body 11. However, the first and second gaskets 40 and 50 in this example have pressing portions 43 and 53 that are annular in side view and have cavities 44 and 54 at their contact points, allowing them to easily deform while maintaining sufficient hardness. This makes it easy to fix the terminal block cover 30 to the meter body 11 and simplifies the fixing structure. Furthermore, when water accumulates where the pressing portions 43 and 53 are in close contact, the weight of the water causes the pressing portions 43 and 53 to easily elastically deform, allowing the water to be smoothly discharged from between the pressing portions 43 and 53.

[0038] Here, a gas meter according to a reference example will be described. The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a gas meter according to a reference example, and Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the vertical direction of a terminal block accommodating portion of the gas meter according to the reference example.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , a gas meter 100 according to the reference example has a mounting recess 1 formed at the lower edge of a housing chamber 12 in which a terminal block 21 is provided, and a packing 2 having two cylindrical portions (annular portions) is fitted and attached to the mounting recess 1. An electric wire 23 connected to a terminal portion 22 of the terminal block 21 and drawn downward from the gas meter 100 is passed through the packing 2. A drain hole 3 is formed at the lower edge of the housing chamber 12 to drain water that has entered the housing chamber 12. A mesh (not shown) is provided in the drain hole 3 to prevent insects and dust from entering. In the gas meter 100, a terminal block cover 30 that covers the housing chamber 12 is fixed to the meter body 11 by screws. A plate-shaped packing 4 is attached to the surface of the terminal block cover 30 that is fixed to the meter body 11.

[0040] In the gas meter 100 according to this reference example, when wiring the electric wires 23, the electric wires 23 must be inserted into the cylindrical portions of the packing 2, connected to the terminal portions 22 of the terminal block 21, and then the packing 2 must be fitted into the mounting recess 1, which makes the wiring work time-consuming. Also, in this gas meter 100, there is a risk that the mesh of the drain hole 3 will become clogged, preventing water that has entered the inside of the accommodation chamber 12 from being smoothly discharged.

[0041] In contrast, with the gas meter 10 according to this embodiment, by assembling the terminal block cover 30 to the meter body 11, the second gasket 50 of the terminal block cover 30 comes into contact with the first gasket 40 of the meter body 11. As a result, the first gasket 40 and the second gasket 50 seal the outlet of the electric wire 23 connected to the terminal block 21 in the housing chamber 12, preventing water, insects, and dust from entering through the outlet of the electric wire 23. Furthermore, with this gas meter 10, the electric wire 23 can be easily routed compared to a structure including a gasket 2 that requires insertion work to pass the electric wire 23 through. Furthermore, without providing a drain hole 3, water that has entered the housing chamber 12 can be discharged by its own weight from the contact point of the first gasket 40 and the second gasket 50, each made of an elastic material.

[0042] In particular, since the first gasket 40 and the second gasket 50 have pressing portions 43, 53 with hollow portions 44, 54, these pressing portions 43, 53 easily deform elastically, allowing water that has entered the storage chamber 12 to be smoothly discharged from the contact points between the first gasket 40 and the second gasket 50.

[0043] Next, a gas meter according to another embodiment will be described. The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 7 is a front view of a gas meter according to another embodiment, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a gas meter according to another embodiment with a terminal block cover removed, and Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the vertical direction of a terminal block accommodating section of a gas meter according to another embodiment.

[0044] 7 to 9, a gas meter 10A according to another embodiment has a first packing 60 provided at the lower edge of the accommodation chamber 12 in which the terminal block 21 is provided. In addition, in this gas meter 10A, a terminal block cover 30 that covers the accommodation chamber 12 is fixed to the meter body 11 by screws. A plate-shaped second packing 70 is attached to the surface of this terminal block cover 30 that is fixed to the meter body 11.

[0045] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the first packing, (a) being a perspective view and (b) being a front view, Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 10.

[0046] As shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the first packing 60 has an engagement recess 61 on the side where it is attached to the lower edge of the storage chamber 12. The first packing 60 is attached to the lower edge of the storage chamber 12 by fitting the engagement protrusions 45 formed on the lower edge of the storage chamber 12 into the engagement recess 61. The upper surface of the first packing 60, i.e., the surface located inside the storage chamber 12, is inclined so that it gradually becomes lower from a central portion 60a toward both ends 60b. The central portion 60a is the center portion in the width direction of the first packing 60 when viewed from the front.

[0047] This first packing 60 has a pressing portion 63 on the side opposite to the side where it is attached to the lower edge of the accommodation chamber 12. Then, by assembling the terminal block cover 30 to the meter body 11, the second packing 70 comes into contact with the pressing portion 63 of the first packing 60.

[0048] 11 and 12, the pressing portion 63 of the first packing 60 is curved downward except for both ends 60b, and is formed in an arc-like cross section with the inside of this curve being a hollow portion 64. In addition, a protrusion 65 is formed in the pressing portion 63 along the longitudinal direction at the portion where it comes into contact with the second packing 70.

[0049] The pressing portion 63 of the first packing 60 has a plurality of slits 66 formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, thin-walled portions 67 that are circular in plan view and have a thinner wall thickness than the other portions are formed on the upper surface of the pressing portion 63 at positions corresponding to each slit 66, allowing for easy elastic deformation. Furthermore, the first packing 60 has drainage portions 68 near both ends 60b thereof. In these drainage portions 68, the wall thickness is thinner in the portions below the protrusions 65, allowing for easy elastic deformation (see FIG. 12).

[0050] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the terminal block accommodating section with the terminal block cover removed, illustrating the operation of wiring the electric wires. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view equivalent to the AA cross section in Fig. 10 of the first packing with the terminal block cover closed after wiring the electric wires. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the state of the drainage section with the terminal block cover closed. Fig. 15(a) is a cross-sectional view equivalent to the BB cross section in Fig. 10 of the first packing in close contact with the second packing of the terminal block cover, and Fig. 15(b) is a cross-sectional view equivalent to the BB cross section in Fig. 10 of the first packing showing the state when water passes between the first packing and the second packing of the terminal block cover.

[0051] 13 , in the gas meter 10A, when the electric wire 23 is routed, first, the end of the electric wire 23 is connected to the terminal portion 22 of the terminal block 21. Note that this example illustrates a case where the electric wire 23 has an end branched into two branches, and the branched ends of the electric wire 23 are connected to the terminal portions 22, respectively.

[0052] After connecting the electric wire 23 to the terminal portion 22, the electric wire 23 is pushed from the front side into the slit 66 formed in the pressing portion 63 of the first packing 60. Then, as shown in FIG. 14 , the electric wire 23 pushed into the slit 66 is passed through a thin-walled portion 67 that is circular in plan view and formed in a position corresponding to the slit 66. In this way, the electric wire 23 drawn out downward from the gas meter 10 is clamped and held between both edge portions of the slit 66 of the first packing 60.

[0053] Thereafter, the terminal block cover 30 is assembled to the meter body 11 to close the accommodation chamber 12. This brings the second packing 70 of the terminal block cover 30 and the pressing portion 63 of the first packing 60 into contact with each other. This causes the pressing portion 63 of the first packing 60 to elastically deform, and the protruding portion 65 of the pressing portion 63 of the first packing 60 to come into close contact with the second packing 70, so that the first packing 60 and the second packing 70 prevent water from entering the accommodation chamber 12 from below and insects and dust from getting inside the accommodation chamber 12. Note that in the gas meter 10A, the second packing 70 contacts the edge of the accommodation chamber 12 at a location other than the contact point with the first packing 60. This prevents water from entering the accommodation chamber 12 and insects and dust from getting inside the accommodation chamber 12 at a location other than the contact point between the second packing 70 and the pressing portion 63 of the first packing 60.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15(a), the protrusion portions 65 of the first gasket 60 are also in close contact with the second gasket 70 at the drainage portions 68 provided near both ends 60b, preventing water from entering from below and insects and dust from entering the interior of the accommodating chamber 12 of the terminal block accommodating portion 20.

[0055] In this gas meter 10A, if water enters the accommodation chamber 12 of the terminal block accommodation portion 20, the water flows toward the ends 60b on the upper surface of the first packing 60, which is gradually sloped from the center portion 60a toward the ends 60b. The water that flows toward the ends 60b of the first packing 60 then collects in the drainage portion 68, which has a thinner wall below the protrusions 65 and is therefore easily elastically deformable. As shown in FIG. 15(b), the weight of the water elastically deforms the drainage portion 68, forming a gap between the drainage portion 68 and the second packing 70, and the water flows down through this gap. This allows the water that has entered the accommodation chamber 12 of the terminal block accommodation portion 20 to be efficiently discharged.

[0056] In this way, in the case of the gas meter 10A according to the other embodiment, the outlet of the electric wire 23 connected to the terminal block 21 in the accommodation chamber 12 is also sealed with the first packing 60 and the second packing 70. This configuration makes it possible to prevent water, insects, and dust from entering through the outlet of the electric wire 23. Furthermore, the electric wire 23 can be easily routed, and water that has entered the accommodation chamber 12 can be discharged by its own weight from the contact points of the first packing 40 and the second packing 50, each made of an elastic material.

[0057] Furthermore, according to the gas meter 10A, the first packing 60 has slits 66 into which the electric wires 23 can be pushed from the front side. Therefore, by pushing the electric wires 23 connected to the terminal block 21 into the slits 66 of the first packing 60, the electric wires 23 can be easily held in the first packing 60, and the electric wires 23 can be routed even more easily.

[0058] The first packing 60 also includes a drainage portion 68 that elastically deforms in a direction away from the second packing 70 due to the weight of water in the storage chamber 12. Therefore, even if water enters the storage chamber 12, the weight of the water causes the drainage portion 68 of the first packing 60 to elastically deform and move away from the second packing 70, forming a gap. This allows the water in the storage chamber 12 to be discharged from the gap between the drainage portion 68 of the first packing 60 and the second packing 70, thereby improving drainage performance.

[0059] Furthermore, the upper surface of the first packing 60 is inclined downward from the central portion 60a to both ends 60b where the drainage portions 68 are provided, so that water that has entered the storage chamber 12 can be smoothly discharged by flowing along the inclination of the upper surface of the first packing 60 to the drainage portions 68.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0061] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the gas meter according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [5]. [1] A meter body (11) having an accommodation chamber (12) for accommodating a terminal block (21) to which an electric wire (23) can be connected; a terminal block cover (30) attached to the meter body (11) to cover the accommodation chamber (12); a first packing (40, 60) made of an elastic material and attached to an edge portion of the lead-out side of the electric wire (23) connected to at least the terminal block (21) in the accommodation chamber (12) of the meter body (11) and led out of the accommodation chamber (12); second packings (50, 70) made of an elastic material that are attached to the terminal block cover (30) and that come into contact with the first packings (40, 60) when the terminal block cover (30) is assembled to the meter body (11); A gas meter comprising: [2] The gas meter according to [1], wherein at least one of the first packing (40, 60) and the second packing (50, 70) includes a pressing portion (43, 53, 63) having a hollow portion (44, 54, 64). [3] The gas meter according to [1] or [2], wherein the first packing (60) has a slit (66) into which the electric wire (23) can be pushed. [4] The gas meter according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the first packing (60) has a drainage portion (68) that elastically deforms in a direction away from the second packing (70) due to the weight of water in the storage chamber (12). [5] The drainage portion (68) is provided at a widthwise end portion of the first packing (60) in a front view, The gas meter according to [4], wherein the surface of the first packing (60) located inside the storage chamber is inclined so as to become lower from the center in the width direction toward the drainage portion (68). [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10, 10A: Gas meter 11: Meter body 12: Containment Room 21:Terminal block 23:Electric wire 30: Terminal block cover 40,60: First packing 43, 53, 63: Pressing part 44,54,64: Cavity 50,70: Second packing 66: Slit 68: Drainage section

Claims

1. a meter body having an accommodation chamber for accommodating a terminal block to which an electric wire can be connected; a terminal block cover attached to the meter body to cover the accommodation chamber; a first packing made of an elastic material and attached to at least an edge portion of the housing chamber of the meter body on a lead-out side of the electric wire connected to the terminal block and led out of the housing chamber; a second packing made of an elastic material that is attached to the terminal block cover and that is disposed to face the first packing in an opposing direction that intersects with the direction in which the electric wires are drawn out and that comes into contact with the first packing when the terminal block cover is assembled to the meter body; and Equipped with each of the first packing and the second packing has a shape extending in a direction intersecting the opposing direction and the drawing direction of the electric wires; The first packing and the second packing have pressing portions that extend in the intersecting direction and are in contact with each other, The outer surfaces of the pressing portions of the first packing and the second packing each have a curved surface shape that is curved so as to protrude toward the pressing portion of the other packing and extends in the intersecting direction. Gas meter.

2. a meter body having an accommodation chamber for accommodating a terminal block to which an electric wire can be connected; a terminal block cover attached to the meter body to cover the accommodation chamber; a first packing made of an elastic material and attached to at least an edge portion of the housing chamber of the meter body on a lead-out side of the electric wire connected to the terminal block and led out of the housing chamber; a second packing made of an elastic material that is attached to the terminal block cover and that comes into contact with the first packing when the terminal block cover is assembled to the meter body; Equipped with At least one of the first packing and the second packing includes a pressing portion having a cavity. Gas meter.

3. The first packing has a slit into which the electric wire can be pushed.

3. The gas meter according to claim 2.

4. a meter body having an accommodation chamber for accommodating a terminal block to which an electric wire can be connected; a terminal block cover attached to the meter body to cover the accommodation chamber; a first packing made of an elastic material and attached to at least an edge portion of the housing chamber of the meter body on a lead-out side of the electric wire connected to the terminal block and led out of the housing chamber; a second packing made of an elastic material that is attached to the terminal block cover and that comes into contact with the first packing when the terminal block cover is assembled to the meter body; Equipped with the first packing includes a drainage portion that is elastically deformed in a direction away from the second packing by the weight of water in the storage chamber; Gas meter.

5. The drainage portion is provided at a width direction end portion of the first packing in a front view, The first packing has a surface located in the storage chamber that is inclined downward from the center in the width direction toward the drainage portion.

5. The gas meter according to claim 4.

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