An improved fluid meter

Abstract

Meter (1) of a fluid, in particular for measuring at least one quantity of a fluid, preferably for the measurement of the flow rate and / or volume of a liquid or of at least one gas, characterised in that it comprises: - a duct (100) which is configured to, and is intended to, be traversed longitudinally by the fluid to be measured, - at least one measuring unit (101) which is operatively associated with the duct (100) traversed by the fluid to be measured and which is configured to detect at least one quantity of the fluid traversing said duct (100), - a containment structure (2) which is configured to define within it a housing volume (3) which is substantially closed and separated from the external environment, - at least one electronic board (7) which is housed in said containment structure (2), - a command interface (8) which is defined or associated with the containment structure (2) to be thus accessible by a user acting on the meter itself, and characterized in that: - said command interface (8) comprises at least one contact / pressure zone (80) for a finger of the user, - said contact / pressure zone (80) is defined by a zone of the containment structure (2) or by an element that is rigidly fixed to the containment structure (2), - said contact / pressure zone (80) is mechanically connected to said electronic board (7) which is housed inside the containment structure (2), - on the electronic board (7) at least one sensor (13) is mounted which is configured to detect the mechanical stresses of said electronic board (7) and / or the mechanical stresses applied on said sensor (13), and wherein said mechanical stresses derive from the mechanical stresses of the contact / pressure zone (80) following an action exerted by the user on the contact / pressure zone (80), - a control and / or processing unit which is electronically connected to said at least one sensor (13) to thereby provide said control and / or processing unit with data representative of the mechanical stresses detected by said at least one sensor (13), said control and / or processing unit being configured to identify or determine a command given by the user acting on the command interface (8) on the basis of said data representative of the mechanical stresses detected by said at least one sensor (13).

Description

[0001] AN IMPROVED FLUID METER.

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a meter of at least one quantity of a fluid, preferably of a liquid (e.g. water) or of a gas.

[0004] In more detail, the present invention relates to a meter for measuring at least one quantity of the flow of a fluid, preferably a liquid (e.g., water) or a gas. Preferably, the meter is suitable for measuring at least the flow rate and / or volume of said fluid.

[0005] Preferably, said fluid is a liquid and, more preferably, said fluid is water.

[0006] Preferably, said fluid is a gas and, more preferably, it is natural gas or other gases produced in a decentralized manner, such as biomethane or hydrogen.

[0007] Preferably, the meter is a meter for water (also called a “water meter"’) or a meter for gas (also called a “gas meter"’).

[0008] Therefore, the invention finds advantageous application in the technical sector of the production and marketing of fluid metering apparatuses and can be used advantageously in both domestic and industrial settings. Conveniently, the meter according to the invention can be used to measure the consumption of a fluid, particularly liquid (e.g. water) or gas, in a domestic or industrial system, or more generally to measure the consumption of a fluid, particularly liquid (e.g. water) or gas, for example, when exiting a container.

[0009] STATE OF THE ART

[0010] There are currently various known meters that are suitable for measuring the flow of fluid, such as water, passing through them.

[0011] Generally, the known “smart meter” type meters comprise:

[0012] - a containment structure (made of metallic, plastic or glassy material), wherein the electronic components are housed,

[0013] - a tubular duct for the passage of the fluid flow to be measured, and

[0014] - at least one measuring sensor operatively associated with the tubular duct to measure and thus detect one or more fluid quantities.

[0015] In known meters, the user interface (i.e. the part arranged for interaction with the user) comprises a display with buttons, which are generally made using electromechanical components, such as push-buttons or magnetic buttons, which require a certain mechanical flexibility of the containment structure of the meter in the area surrounding the buttons to allow them to be pressed.

[0016] This solution is not entirely satisfactory and, in particular, has the following drawbacks. In more detail, the containment structure, in order to be adequately flexible in the area where each button is positioned, requires that this area has a smaller thickness. However, this results in more complicated moulding of the plastic material, in less constant mechanical tolerances and in unsatisfactory tactile or haptic feedback.

[0017] In cases where the positioning area of each button is made of a different material in order to increase the flexibility of that area, the moulding process becomes more complicated as it is necessary to co-mould the plastic with a second material (usually rubber). Alternatively, techniques - such as ultrasonic or thermal welding, laser welding, or gluing - which require a significant initial investment and require a dedicated phase during the manufacturing of the housing, thus increasing production costs, have to be used to join two different materials.

[0018] Furthermore, rigid (non-flexible) materials, such as metal and glass, cannot be used in the installation area of each button. Gap-filling techniques, such as potting or resin potting, which involve inserting a filler (such as resin or other material) inside the containment structure to protect the electronic components housed within the structure from moisture, are also not possible; indeed, these techniques would compromise the necessary flexibility in the area where the button is installed and could cause damage to the electromechanical component of the button due to the infiltration of the filler.

[0019] Furthermore, traditional solutions make it more complicated to design the meter to the IP68 standard and may compromise the IP rating once the device is in use in the field.

[0020] Furthermore, there is a need to detect the opening of the containment structure of the meter to record possible tampering. Currently, to this end, the electronic board is enabled for this detection again using electromechanical components which, however, do not allow for gap-filling techniques to address the same issues stated above. Furthermore, the mechanical part that activates the electromagnetic component is easy to locate from outside the containment structure of the meter, thus undesirably simplifying the risk of tampering and fraud.

[0021] Solutions of a known type are described for example in EP1983311 , US2008 / 123259, US5353200 and US2016 / 334254.

[0022] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The object of the present invention is to propose a meter of a fluid that allows to overcome, at least in part, the aforementioned drawbacks present in the solutions of the prior art cited above.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter that has no discontinuities of material in its containment structure. Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter that has a containment structure free of areas that are significantly weaker from a structural point of view.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter that can be easily waterproofed, at least in its electronic components, without compromising the functionality of the user / command interface.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter wherein it is possible to insert a filler (such as resin or other material) inside the containment structure, thus allowing the use of gap-filling techniques.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter that has an overall rigid containment structure.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter resistant to water and dust, and in particular with an IP rating equal to or greater than IP67.

[0029] Another object of the invention is to propose a meter wherein the inside of its containment structure is suitably insulated from the external environment and also sealed from the fluid passing through the duct with which the device is provided.

[0030] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter that is more resistant and durable than traditional solutions.

[0031] Another object of the invention is to propose a meter that is more complicated to tamper with and / or alter.

[0032] Another object of the invention is to propose a meter wherein it is possible to determine the opening of the containment structure of the meter to thus record a possible tampering.

[0033] Another object of the invention is to propose a meter that can be produced simply, quickly and at low cost.

[0034] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter of easy, quick and economical maintenance.

[0035] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter that has a reduced number of components.

[0036] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter with small dimensions or with a command interface having small dimensions.

[0037] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter that allows to obtain a pleasant overall aesthetic effect and that gives the observer the sensation of being in front of a high quality product, both aesthetically and functionally.

[0038] Another object of the present invention is to propose a meter that is an improvement and / or alternative to traditional solutions. Another object of the invention is to propose a meter that presents high standards of safety and operability.

[0039] Another object of the invention is to propose a meter that has an alternative characterization, both in terms of construction and functionality, compared to traditional ones.

[0040] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0041] All the objects mentioned herein, considered either individually or in any combination thereof, and others which will result from the following description are achieved, according to the invention, with a meter according to claim 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0042] The present invention is further clarified below in some of its preferred examples of practical embodiments reported for purely exemplifying and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0043] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the meter according to the invention,

[0044] Figure 2 shows a lateral section of an internal detail of the containment structure of the meter in Fig. 1 ,

[0045] Figure 3 schematically shows a meter according to the invention in a first embodiment,

[0046] Figure 4 schematically shows a meter according to the invention in a second embodiment,

[0047] Figure 5 schematically shows a meter according to the invention in a third embodiment,

[0048] Figure 6 schematically shows a meter according to the invention in a fourth embodiment,

[0049] Figure 7 schematically shows a meter according to the invention in a fifth embodiment, and

[0050] Figure 8 schematically shows a meter according to the invention in a sixth embodiment.

[0051] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] As can be seen from the figures, the present invention relates to a meter of a fluid - indicated globally with the reference number “1” - for measuring at least one quantity of a fluid, preferably of a liquid or of (at least) a gas.

[0053] Preferably, said liquid can be water. Preferably, said gas can be natural gas or another type of gas produced in a decentralized manner, such as biomethane or hydrogen. Preferably, said fluid can be a mixture of gases. Preferably, the meter 1 is a meter for water (also called a “water meter"’) or a meter for gas (also called a “gas meter"’).

[0054] Preferably, the meter 1 is suitable for measuring at least the flow rate and / or volume of said fluid. More preferably, the meter 1 can be configured to provide an indication of the fluid volume as a function of the performed flow rate measurement.

[0055] Preferably, said meter 1 is a counter and, in particular, can be used for counting the consumption of water or gas / mixture of gases in a domestic system or in an industrial system, or for counting the consumption of water or gas / mixture of gases in general, for example when exiting a container, or for counting the calories deriving from a fluid carrier of a heating / thermo-hydraulic system.

[0056] The meter 1 comprises a duct 100 which is configured for and is intended to be longitudinally traversed by the fluid to be measured.

[0057] Furthermore, the meter 1 comprises (at least) one measuring unit 101 that is operatively associated with the duct 100 traversed by the fluid to be measured and that is configured to detect at least one quantity - and in particular the flow rate and / or volume of fluid - that passes through the duct 100 of the meter 1. Conveniently, the measuring unit 101 comprises one or more measurement sensors - preferably static sensors, for example ultrasonic or thermo-massive or electromagnetic - capable of detecting one or more quantities useful for the direct or indirect measurement (i.e. through processing of the detected data) of the flow rate and / or volume of the fluid. Conveniently, the configuration of the flow rate or volume measuring unit 101 can be obtained in a manner known per se to the person skilled in the art and is therefore not described in detail below.

[0058] The meter 1 comprises a containment structure 2 which houses at least one electronic board inside it.

[0059] Preferably, the containment structure 2 is configured to internally define a housing volume 3 and comprises a bottom wall, which is provided with a first surface facing inward with respect to said housing volume and a second surface facing outward with respect to said housing volume. Preferably, the containment structure 2 is hermetically sealed, in particular to prevent the ingress of the fluid to be measured from the outside to the inside of the housing volume. In particular, the housing volume delimited by the containment structure 2 is fluidically separated from the fluid passage duct.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the duct 100 is external to the containment structure 2, however in some possible alternative embodiments of the present invention (not shown in the figures), the duct 100 - or at least a part thereof - can pass through the inside of the containment structure 2.

[0061] Preferably, the containment structure 2 can be substantially shaped as a parallelepiped, with a lower wall, an upper wall, and side walls that structurally connect the lower wall and the upper wall. In other possible embodiments, the containment structure 2 can have substantially any shape as long as it is compatible with the function of containing the components of the meter 1 .

[0062] Conveniently, the containment structure 2 can be made of polymeric material, preferably plastic and more preferably by molding plastic material, or it can be made of metal or glassy material. Conveniently, the containment structure 2 can be made of composite material, for example of reinforced polymer material.

[0063] Conveniently, the containment structure 2 is configured to have an IP protection rating - defined according to the international standard I EC 60529 (EN 60529) and any subsequent amendments - which is:

[0064] - equal to or greater than 6 as the first characteristic digit,

[0065] - equal to or greater than 7, preferably equal to or greater than 8, as the second characteristic digit.

[0066] Preferably, the containment structure 2 may comprise at least two pieces configured so that, when joined, they define the containment structure 2 which delimits within it a housing volume 3 closed and separated from the external environment. Conveniently, said (at least) two pieces defining the containment structure 2 engage mechanically with each other and, at the areas of mutual contact, a sealing element may be provided, and in particular a gasket or a chemical sealant or an adhesive. Conveniently, the containment structure 2 may comprise a base 30 which is closed by a lid 40. In more detail, the containment structure 2 may comprise a base 30 (first piece)

[0067] - with a bottom wall and with at least one side wall which extends in a perimeter projection starting from the bottom wall and laterally delimits the housing volume 3 - and a lid 40 (second piece) mechanically associable / associated with the free edges of the side wall of the base 30, substantially opposite the bottom wall and configured to delimit the housing volume 3 from above.

[0068] Conveniently, a single / only one electronic board may be housed inside the containment structure 2, which is electronically connected to the measuring unit 101 , and in particular to the measuring sensor(s) of said measuring unit, and also to an outwards data communication module. Conveniently, two electronic boards that are electrically connected to each other may be housed inside the containment structure 2, and in particular, a first electronic board may be housed that is electronically connected to the measuring unit 101 , and in particular to the measuring sensor(s) of said measuring unit, and a second electronic board may also be housed for an outwards data communication module.

[0069] Conveniently, at least one control unit, such as a microcontroller or microprocessor, is mounted on each electronic board. In particular, said measurement sensors are electronically connected to a corresponding electronic board and are configured to send a signal relating to the detection of the quantity of the fluid to be measured to the same electronic board. Preferably, the control unit mounted on the same electronic board or on another electronic board can be configured to process the data received from these measurement sensors.

[0070] The meter 1 comprises (at least) one command interface 8 that is defined by / on the containment structure 2 or that is associated with the containment structure 2, and in particular is mounted on the latter, so as to be accessible to the user who operates or interacts with the meter itself. Preferably, the command interface 8 is defined and / or positioned externally on the upper wall of the containment structure 2. For example, in a possible embodiment, the command interface 8 is defined or mounted on the lid 40 of the containment structure 2.

[0071] Preferably, the command interface 8 is defined on the containment structure 2 without creating surface discontinuities. Preferably, the command interface 8 connects continuously (i.e. without surface discontinuities) with the parts of the containment structure 2 that surround the command interface itself.

[0072] The command interface 8 comprises at least one contact / pressure zone 80 for (at least) one finger of the user. Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 can have a larger surface area - more preferably much larger - than the area typically covered by the fingertip.

[0073] Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 is defined by a zone of the containment structure 2. More preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 involves a portion of the containment structure 2 itself.

[0074] Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 may be defined by an element that is integral and rigidly mounted / fixed to the containment structure 2.

[0075] Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 connects continuously (i.e. without surface discontinuities) with the surrounding parts, in particular with the surrounding parts of the containment structure 2.

[0076] Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 can be engraved and / or comprise grooves, recesses or the like to facilitate and / or increase its bending / strain following the contact / pressure action exerted by a user and also to visually highlight the presence of the command interface 8. Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 is free of through cuts and / or through holes obtained on the containment structure 2, i.e. it connects continuously, possibly via said engravings, grooves, recesses or the like, to the surrounding parts of the containment structure 2.

[0077] Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 is defined on the upper wall of the containment structure 2. Preferably, the lid 40 comprises the contact / pressure zone 80 of the command interface 8.

[0078] Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 can be made of the same material as the containment structure 2, and in particular the lid 40.

[0079] Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 may be made of plastic material, such as polycarbonate or polyamide (PA), or mineral glass.

[0080] The contact / pressure zone 80 of the command interface 8 is mechanically connected to an electronic board 7 which is housed inside the containment structure 2. Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 is mechanically connected to the electronic board 7 even when it is not pressed by an operator, i.e. it is mechanically connected in a stable manner to the electronic board 7.

[0081] Conveniently, in a possible embodiment (cf. fig. 3), the lid 40 (or in any case the second piece of the containment structure 2) has a different thickness and / or can be made of a different material than that of the base 30 (or in any case of the first piece of the containment structure 2).

[0082] Conveniently, in a possible embodiment (cf. fig. 4), the lid 40 (or in any case the second piece of the containment structure 2) has the same thickness and / or can be made of the same material as the base 30 (or in any case the first piece of the containment structure 2).

[0083] Conveniently, in one possible embodiment, the meter 1 comprises at least one display 11 which is electronically mounted on said electronic board 7. Preferably, the command interface 8 with the contact / pressure zone 80 may be defined above the display 11 , thus protecting the latter.

[0084] Preferably, the contact / pressure zone 80 of the command interface 8 is (at least partly) made of transparent material or in any case suitable to allow the visualisation from the outside of the underlying display 11 .

[0085] Conveniently, said electronic board 7 may be (in particular in the case of a single electronic board housed inside the containment structure 2) the same electronic board that is directly electrically connected to the measuring unit 101 and on which the outwards data communication module is mounted; or (in particular in the case of multiple electronic boards, connected to each other, both housed inside the containment structure 2) the electronic board 7 may be the electronic board on which the outwards data communication module is mounted, while the measuring unit 101 is in direct electrical connection with another electronic board.

[0086] The electronic board 7 has a substantially laminar extension with a first face 77' which is closer to the contact / pressure zone 80, and preferably faces the contact / pressure zone 80, and a second face 77" which is opposite to said first face (thus being further away from the contact / pressure zone 80). Preferably, the electronic board has a thickness between 0.1 mm - 2mm, preferably between 0.3mm - 1 mm, for example it can be approximately 0.4mm.

[0087] Preferably, the electronic board 7 is a pre-printed electronic board and, in particular, it is a PCB.

[0088] Conveniently, the containment structure 2 comprises support means 60 configured to support the electronic board 7 within the housing volume 3. Preferably, as mentioned, the containment structure 2 may comprise (at least) two pieces that are mechanically joined to each other and, in this case, the support means 60 of the electronic board 7 are defined on (or associated with) a first piece while the contact / pressure zone 80 is defined on (or associated with) a second / distinct piece. More preferably, the support means 60 of the electronic board 7 are defined on (or associated with) the base 30 while the contact / pressure zone 80 is defined on (or associated with) the lid 40.

[0089] Preferably, the support means 60 are configured to support the electronic board 7 in a suspended condition within the housing volume 3 of the containment structure 2; more preferably, the electronic board 7 is supported by said means 60 so as to be spaced from the bottom wall of the containment structure 2.

[0090] Preferably, the electronic board 7 housed inside the containment structure 2 is supported by the support means 60 only or in any case mainly at or near its perimeter edges and / or its extreme sections.

[0091] Conveniently, the contact / pressure zone 80 of the command interface 8 is mechanically connected to the electronic board 7 so as to transmit / transfer (at least in part) to the board itself the stresses applied on the contact / pressure zone 80.

[0092] Conveniently, the contact / pressure zone 80 of the command interface 8 may be mechanically connected to the electronic board 7 by means of transmission means 70 configured to transfer the mechanical stresses from the contact / pressure zone 80 to the electronic board 7. Conveniently, in one possible embodiment, the contact / pressure zone 80 may be mechanically connected directly to the electronic board 7. Preferably, said transmission means 70 may comprise (at least) one element, which may be substantially rigid and / or may comprise articulated elements (for example, levers or the like). Conveniently, said rigid element of the transmission means 70, such as for example the internal extension 71 described below, may be shaped like a rod, peg or the like.

[0093] Preferably, the transmission means 70 comprises at least one element made of rigid material, preferably of the same material as the contact / pressure zone 80 and, more preferably, made in single piece with said contact / pressure zone 80 or fixed to said contact / pressure zone 80.

[0094] Preferably, the transmission means 70 may comprise at least one elastically deformable element, preferably made of elastically deformable material.

[0095] Preferably, the elastically deformable element of the transmission means 70 can be arranged between the contact / pressure zone 80 and the electronic board 7 so that it is elastically loaded (i.e. it is preloaded / precompressed).

[0096] Preferably, the transmission means 70 may comprise at least one element made of rigid material and at least one elastically deformable element, preferably made of elastically deformable material.

[0097] Preferably, in a possible embodiment, said transmission means 70 comprise an internal extension 71 which extends from the internal surface of the contact / pressure zone 80 (i.e. it extends towards the inside of the housing volume 3 delimited by the containment structure 2) towards the electronic board 7, to thus transfer towards the latter the stress deriving from the action exerted by the user on the contact / pressure zone 80.

[0098] Conveniently, said internal extension 71 is integrated, integral or in any case rigidly fixed with the contact / pressure zone 80. Preferably, said internal extension 71 is made in a single piece with the contact / pressure zone 80.

[0099] Conveniently, said internal extension 71 can be defined by an elongated section but can be made in various configurations, for example it can be divided into two or more elongated bodies or it can have two or more contact points at the end closest to the electronic board 7, or it can be a stout body, i.e. a body that is wider than it is long.

[0100] Preferably, a connecting element 72 can be inserted / interposed between the internal extension 71 and the electronic board 7. Conveniently, the connecting element 72 can be fixed (for example, it can be glued) to the internal extension 71 and / or it can be fixed (for example, it can be glued) to the electronic board 7. Advantageously, the connecting element 72 thus defines a mechanical continuity between the internal extension 71 of the contact / pressure zone 80 and the electronic board 7. Advantageously, the connecting element 72 thus eliminates and reduces possible play or interference between said internal extension 71 and the electronic board 7. Advantageously, the connecting element 72 transmits the mechanical stresses (resulting from the action carried out by the user on the contact / pressure zone 80) from the internal extension 71 to the electronic board 7, cushioning the stresses on the board itself and also allowing to apply a preload to the board.

[0101] More preferably, the internal extension 71 is made of a more rigid material than the connecting element 72. For example, the internal extension 71 may be made of the same material as the lid 40).

[0102] Conveniently, the connecting element 72 may be elastically deformable and, preferably, is made of elastically deformable material, such as rubber. Conveniently, the connecting element 72 is configured to generate mechanical compression which then allows the mechanical transmission of mechanical stresses from the internal extension 71 of the contact / pressure zone 80 to the electronic board 7.

[0103] On the electronic board 7 at least one sensor 13 is mounted which is configured to detect the mechanical stresses of said electronic board 7 and, in particular, the mechanical stresses of said electronic board 7 resulting from the mechanical stresses of the contact / pressure zone 80 which have been transmitted to said electronic board 7 following an action exerted by the user on the contact / pressure zone 80. Preferably, the sensor 13 is configured to measure said mechanical stresses.

[0104] The meter 1 also comprises a control and / or processing unit (not shown) which is electronically connected to said at least one sensor 13 to thereby provide said control and / or processing unit with data representative of the mechanical stresses detected by said at least one sensor 13. Said control and / or processing unit is configured to identify or determine a command given by the user which acts on the contact / pressure zone 80 of the command interface 8 on the basis of said data representative of the mechanical stresses detected by said at least one sensor 13.

[0105] Preferably, said control and / or processing unit comprises a microcontroller or microprocessor. Preferably, said control and / or processing unit is housed within the containment structure 2. More preferably, said control and / or processing unit is mounted on the same electronic board 7 on which the sensor 13 is mounted, or it can be mounted on another electronic board housed within the containment structure 2. Advantageously, the sensor 13 is configured to output data representative of the mechanical stresses detected on the electronic board 7 on which it is mounted.

[0106] Preferably, said at least one sensor 13 is integrated onto the electronic board 7, or in any case is in direct contact with said electronic board 7 to thus directly and promptly detect the stresses of said board. Ideally, the sensor 13 can be soldered to the electronic board 7.

[0107] Preferably, said at least one sensor 13 is a strain sensor, and therefore measures the strain of the electronic board 7 caused by the force / pressure applied / transmitted to the board itself. For example, in some possible embodiments such as those illustrated in Figures 3 - 7, the sensor 13 is a strain sensor.

[0108] Preferably, said at least one sensor 13 may be a force sensor, and therefore measures the force applied / transmitted on the electronic board 7. For example, in some possible embodiments such as the one illustrated in figure 8, the sensor 13 is a force sensor.

[0109] Conveniently, the transmission means 70 for transferring the mechanical stresses from the contact / pressure zone 80 to the electronic board 7 are positioned internally below the contact / pressure zone 80 without acting directly on the sensor 13. Advantageously, the contact / pressure zone 80 is not mechanically connected directly to the sensor 13 and, in essence, the action exerted by the user on the contact / pressure zone 80 is not transferred directly to the sensor 13, thus avoiding breakage or damage to the sensor.

[0110] Preferably, the sensor 13 is mounted on the electronic board 7 in a distinct / separate position or in any case spaced (even if nearby) with respect to the transmission means 70. In particular, the sensor 13 is mounted in a distinct / separate position or in any case spaced with respect to the position at which the internal extension 71 comes into contact (directly or via the connecting element 72) with the electronic board 7.

[0111] Preferably, the support means 60 are made in a single piece with the containment structure 2.

[0112] Preferably, the support means 60 of the containment structure 2 can be configured to support the electronic board 7 so that the latter can flex and thus undergo strains, preferably they are configured to support the electronic board 7 at or near the edges / ends precisely to allow its greater flexure. Advantageously, the positioning of the internal extension 71 with respect to the electronic board 7 and the support means 60 of the electronic board 7 within the containment structure 2 are suitably configured to increase the strain of the board itself resulting from the action performed by the user on the contact / pressure zone 80 and then transmitted to the board itself through the internal extension 71. Conveniently, the spaced positioning of the internal extension 71 with respect to the sensor 13 and the support of the electronic board 7, by the support means 60, at / in proximity to its edges / ends causes strains of the board of greater entity and also more easily distinguishable from the background noise (mainly consisting of involuntary contacts or vibration), and also allows for a more precise discrimination between the contact / pressure condition (activation) and the non-contact / pressure condition (deactivation).

[0113] In a different embodiment (cf. fig. 8), the sensor 13 is configured to detect the mechanical stresses applied to the sensor itself, and wherein said mechanical stresses derive from the mechanical stresses of the contact / pressure zone 80 following an action exerted by the user on the contact / pressure zone 80. Conveniently, the sensor 13 may be a force sensor and be positioned between the electronic board 7 and the internal extension 71 , or in any case in order to receive directly from the transmission means 70 the mechanical stresses deriving from the action exerted by the user on the contact / pressure zone 80.

[0114] Preferably, the sensor 13 can be a MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical System), in particular it is a MEMS piezoresistive transducer.

[0115] Preferably, the sensor 13 remains substantially always active and continues to detect the mechanical stresses on the electronic board 7. Therefore, in the absence of external action on the contact / pressure zone 80, the mechanical stresses of the electronic board 7 and detected by the sensor 13 are substantially all equal to or close to a predefined value. When, however, there is an external action by the user on the contact / pressure zone 80, then the mechanical stresses of the electronic board 7 and detected by the sensor 13 highlight the presence of peaks / pulses (for example of approximately 20 - 300 grams-force).

[0116] Preferably, in a possible embodiment, the connecting element 72 positioned between the internal extension 71 (or in any case between the transmission means 70 configured to transfer the mechanical stresses from the contact / pressure zone 80 towards the electronic board 7) and the electronic board 7 is elastically deformable and can be partially compressed (preloaded) even in the situation wherein no action is exerted on the contact / pressure zone 80 of the command interface 8. In essence, the connecting element 72 is interposed, already elastically compressed (preloaded), between the internal extension 71 and the electronic board 7.

[0117] This is particularly advantageous as it allows to detect damages of the meter 1 , in particular it allows to detect any attempts to tamper with the meter 1 .

[0118] Conveniently, when the containment structure 2 is correctly closed and assembled and in the absence of external action on the contact / pressure zone 80, the mechanical stresses of the electronic board 7 and detected by the sensor 13 are substantially all equal to or close to a threshold value substantially deriving from the thrust of the connecting element 72 which is inserted so as to be elastically compressed between the internal extension 71 and the electronic board. In essence, the threshold value corresponds to a condition of absence of opening of the containment structure 2 and absence of external action on the contact / pressure zone 80 by the user.

[0119] Conveniently, when - always in the condition of the containment structure 2 correctly closed and assembled, and therefore in the absence of opening of the structure - there is an external action by the user on the contact / pressure area 80, then the mechanical stresses of the electronic board 7 and detected by the sensor 13 highlight the presence of a series of peaks / pulses (for example of approximately 20 - 300 grams-force) that exceed the threshold value, thus identifying a condition wherein the user has given a command by acting on the contact / pressure area 80 of the command interface 8.

[0120] Instead, when the contact / pressure zone 80 defined on (or associated with) the lid 40 (or on a piece) of the containment structure 2 is distanced from the base 30 (or from the other piece) which internally supports the electronic board 7, or vice versa, then the mechanical stresses of the electronic board 7 and detected by the sensor 13 drop with respect to the threshold value since the compressive action of the connecting element 72 no longer acts on said electronic board 7 (and this is because the latter is removed as it is attached to the internal extension 71 or because the feedback / retention provided by the internal extension 71 is no longer present). This substantially identifies a condition wherein the containment structure 2 has been opened, and therefore a potential tampering of the meter 1.

[0121] Conveniently, for this purpose, the control and / or processing unit (preferably mounted on the same electronic board 7, but could be mounted on another electronic board housed inside the containment structure 2) which receives the data from the sensor 13 can be programmed so that:

[0122] - if the data provided by the sensor 13 are substantially equal to or close to a preset threshold value (preferably resulting from the thrust of the connecting element 72, which is elastically deformable or made of elastically deformable material and which is compressed between the internal extension 71 and the electronic board 7), then a rest condition is identified / determined,

[0123] - if the data provided by sensor 13 exceed the aforementioned preset threshold value, then a condition is identified / determined wherein the user has given a command,

[0124] - if the data provided by sensor 13 drop below the aforementioned preset threshold value, then it is identified / determined a condition wherein the containment structure 2 has been opened, and hence a potential tampering of meter 1. Conveniently, it is understood that the determination of the command condition and the open / tampered condition of the meter 1 can be reversed with respect to the above, i.e. if the data provided by sensor 13 falls below the threshold value, then a condition is identified / determined where the user has given a command, while if they exceed the threshold value, it is identified / determined a condition wherein the containment structure 2 has been opened, and therefore a potential tampering of meter 1.

[0125] Advantageously, the solution according to the invention simultaneously functions as both a user command interface and a device to detect the opening of the meter 1 , thus identifying potential tampering. Advantageously, the solution according to the invention for identifying possible tampering with the meter 1 is neither visible nor accessible from the outside of the meter, thus being safer and more effective.

[0126] In a possible embodiment (cf. Fig. 5), the transmission means 70 configured to transfer the mechanical stresses from the contact / pressure zone 80 to the electronic board 7 comprises an element 79 which is preferably made of elastically deformable material. Conveniently, at one end, the element 79 is fixed - preferably by means of an adhesive layer 78 - to the contact / pressure zone 80, while at its other end it is in direct contact with the electronic board 7. Preferably, in this case, the sensor 13 is mounted on the second face 77" of the electronic board 7 (but it could also be mounted on the first face 77'). Advantageously, the tamper identification system as described above, and wherein the element 79 made of elastically deformable material acts as the connecting section 72, can also be implemented for this embodiment.

[0127] In a further possible embodiment of the meter 1 (cf. fig. 6), the electronic board 7 can be mechanically connected directly to the contact / pressure zone 80, for example by gluing using an adhesive layer 78. Preferably, in this case, the sensor 13 is mounted on the second face 77" of the electronic board 7 which is opposite to the first face 77' which is connected via the adhesive layer 78 to the internal surface of the contact / pressure zone 80.

[0128] Conveniently, in another possible further embodiment of the meter 1 , the command interface 8 may comprise two or more contact / pressure zones 80 placed side by side or adjacent to each other.

[0129] Preferably, the command interface 8 may comprise a number of contact / pressure zones 80 (for example, three in Figure 7), each of which defines / identifies a corresponding command, which is greater than the number of sensors 13 (for example, two in Figure 7) mounted on the electronic board 7. Conveniently, the mechanical stresses detected on the electronic board 7 are different depending on which of the three contact / pressure zones 80 has been activated by the user and, correspondingly, it is possible to identify the respective command associated with each zone. Advantageously, this allows the number of sensors 13 used to be reduced compared to the number of commands provided in the command interface 8. Advantageously, this allows the implementation of a sliding command (the so-called “slider1’).

[0130] Advantageously, as illustrated in Figure 7, in the presence of at least one contact / pressure zone 80 which is mechanically connected at the bottom to the electronic board 7, at least one further contact / pressure zone 81 can be provided which is not mechanically connected at the bottom to the electronic board 7. In particular, in this case, the recognition of the action on said further contact / pressure zone 81 can take place through appropriate programming of the control and / or processing unit of the electronic board 7 (or another board), so that the mechanical stresses of the electronic board 7 deriving from the user's action on said further zone 81 are detected on the basis of the data provided by the two sensors 13 provided. For example, two sensors 13 may be used to operate two contact / pressure zones 80, which are mechanically connected to the electronic board 7, and between which is positioned a further contact / pressure zone 81 which is not mechanically connected to the electronic board 7. The two sensors 13 are mounted on the electronic board 7 in positions closest to the respective contact / pressure zones 80, so that the action on the further contact / pressure zone 81 , which is positioned centrally between said two zones 80, can be identified through the detection by the two sensors 13 of mechanical stress values which are substantially identical to each other.

[0131] In a possible embodiment, a filler is inserted / arranged within the housing volume 3 of the containment structure 2 of the meter 1 for the so-called potting or gap-filling process, in particular to protect the electronic components of the meter 1 housed within the containment structure, in particular for protection from humidity, dust and other external agents. Conveniently, the filler can occupy a part or the entire housing volume. Preferably, the filler is arranged (at least) at the electronic board 7 or other electronic components housed in the containment structure 2.

[0132] Preferably, the filler can be homogeneously interposed between the part underneath the contact / pressure zone 80 and the electronic board 7 with the sensor 13.

[0133] Preferably, said filler may be a resin or other equivalent known materials used for potting or gap-filling, e.g. silicone, and / or may also comprise rigid materials such as polymeric plastics or glassy materials. Conveniently, in a preferred embodiment, the transmission means 70 for transferring the mechanical stresses from the contact / pressure zone 80 to the electronic board 7 comprises a potting or gap-filling filler, which is inserted / arranged inside the housing volume 3 (at least) between the contact / pressure zone 80 and the electronic board 7.

[0134] Advantageously, the solution according to the invention does not require the use of electro-mechanical components for the command interface 8 and also does not present discontinuities in materials or thickness at the contact / pressure zones 80 (which in the state of the art are required to obtain flexibility when pressing traditional buttons), thus allowing - at least in part - the filling (also called potting or gap-filling ) of the housing volume 3 of the containment structure 2 of the meter 1.

[0135] Advantageously, the meter according to the invention does not use electromechanical, optical and / or magnetic techniques for the implementation of the command interface 8.

[0136] The operation of the meter 1 for measuring a quantity of the flow of a fluid passing through the duct 100 is substantially traditional. The duct 100 is connected, for example, to a fluid transport and / or distribution network, and at least one quantity of the fluid, for example the flow rate, is measured via the measurement sensors of the measuring unit 101. Conveniently, the measurement sensors comprise transducers that convert the detected physical quantity into an electrical signal that is then sent to an electronic board (which may be the same electronic board 7 or another electronic board housed within the containment structure 2), which processes the signal and transmits the desired measurement as output. Preferably, the meter 1 comprises a display 11 on which the measurement, which may also be transmitted via cable or wirelessly to a device external to the meter 1 via appropriate communication modules housed within the containment structure 2 of the meter 1 , can be directly read.

[0137] From what has been said it is clear that the meter according to the invention is particularly advantageous compared to traditional solutions, and in particular:

[0138] - it allows to avoid using different or less rigid materials or the creation of thinner areas to ensure the flexure of the command interface and thus transfer the pressure on the buttons,

[0139] - allows to obtain a more resistant containment structure, without structurally weaker areas,

[0140] - allows the insertion of a filling material for the potting / gap-filling of the containment structure, thus increasing the seal and the IP degree,

[0141] - it is easier to produce (especially in terms of molding) and assemble, - it allows the implementation, substantially without adding further dedicated components, of a tamper identification system which is particularly effective and which is also not accessible or visible from the outside,

[0142] - it is more resistant to water and dust, - it consists of a small number of components,

[0143] - it may have smaller dimensions compared to traditional solutions with electromechanical buttons,

[0144] - it may have a more compact command interface (even with multiple contact / pressure zones for corresponding commands) than traditional solutions. The present invention has been illustrated and described in some of its preferred embodiments, but it is intended that executive variations may be made to it in practice, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present industrial invention patent.

Claims

C L A I M S1. Meter (1 ) of a fluid, in particular for measuring at least one quantity of a fluid, preferably for the measurement of the flow rate and / or volume of a liquid or of at least one gas, characterised in that it comprises:- a duct (100) which is configured to, and is intended to, be traversed longitudinally by the fluid to be measured,- at least one measuring unit (101 ) which is operatively associated with the duct (100) traversed by the fluid to be measured and which is configured to detect at least one quantity of the fluid traversing said duct (100),- a containment structure (2) which is configured to define within it a housing volume (3) which is substantially closed and separated from the external environment,- at least one electronic board (7) which is housed in said containment structure (2),- a command interface (8) which is defined or associated with the containment structure (2) to be thus accessible by a user acting on the meter itself, and characterized in that:- said command interface (8) comprises at least one contact / pressure zone (80) for a finger of the user,- said contact / pressure zone (80) is defined by a zone of the containment structure (2) or by an element that is rigidly fixed to the containment structure (2),- said contact / pressure zone (80) is mechanically connected to said electronic board (7) which is housed inside the containment structure (2),- on the electronic board (7) at least one sensor (13) is mounted which is configured to detect the mechanical stresses of said electronic board (7) and / or the mechanical stresses applied on said sensor (13), and wherein said mechanical stresses derive from the mechanical stresses of the contact / pressure zone (80) following an action exerted by the user on the contact / pressure zone (80),- a control and / or processing unit which is electronically connected to said at least one sensor (13) to thereby provide said control and / or processing unit with data representative of the mechanical stresses detected by said at least one sensor (13), said control and / or processing unit being configured to identify or determine a command given by the user acting on the command interface (8) on the basis of said data representative of the mechanical stresses detected by said at least one sensor2. Meter according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor (13) is a strain sensor which is configured to detect strains of the electronic board (7), preferably it is a MEMS piezoresistive transducer.

3. Meter according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor (13) mounted on the electronic board (7) is a force sensor and receives directly from transmission means (70) the mechanical stresses deriving from the action exerted by the user on the contact / pressure area (80).

4. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said sensor (13) is configured to measure the mechanical stresses of said electronic board and / or the mechanical stresses applied on said sensor (13).

5. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said sensor (13) is integrated on the electronic board (7), or in any case is in direct contact with said electronic board (7), to thus directly and promptly detect the stresses of said board.

6. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said sensor (13) remains substantially always active and continues to detect mechanical stresses on the electronic board (7), and wherein:- in the absence of external action on the contact / pressure zone (80), the mechanical stresses on the electronic board (7) and detected by the sensor (13) are substantially all equal to or close to a predefined value,- when there is an external action by the user on the contact / pressure area (80), the mechanical stresses on the electronic board (7) and detected by the sensor (13) highlight the presence of peaks / pulses.

7. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the contact / pressure zone (80) of the command interface (8) is mechanically connected to the electronic board (7) by means of transmission means (70) configured to transfer the mechanical stresses from the contact / pressure zone (80) to the electronic board (7).

8. Meter according to the preceding claim, wherein the transmission means (70) comprise at least one element made of rigid material, preferably of the same material as the contact / pressure zone (80) and, more preferably, made in one piece with said contact / pressure zone (80) or fixed to said contact / pressure zone (80).

9. Meter according to claims 7 or 8, wherein the transmission means (70) comprise at least one elastically deformable element, preferably made of elastically deformable material.

10. Meter according to the previous claim, wherein said elastically deformable element is arranged between the contact / pressure zone (80) and the electronic board (7) so as to be elastically loaded.11 . Meter according to claims 7 - 10, wherein the transmission means (70) comprise an internal extension (71) which extends from the internal surface of the contact / pressure zone (80) towards the electronic board (7), to thus transfer towards the latter the stress deriving from the action exerted by the user on the contact / pressure zone (80).

12. Meter according to the previous claim, wherein said internal extension (71 ) is made in one piece with the contact / pressure zone (80).

13. Meter according to claims 11 or 12, wherein a connecting element (72) is inserted / interposed between the internal extension (71) and the electronic board (7).

14. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said control and / or processing unit, which is electronically connected to said at least one sensor (13), is configured so that:- if the data from the sensor (13) are substantially equal to or close to a threshold value, it identifies / determines a rest condition,- if the data from the sensor (13) substantially exceed a threshold value, it identifies / determines a condition wherein the user has given a command,- if the data from the sensor (13) are substantially lower than a threshold value, it identifies / determines a condition wherein the containment structure (2) has been opened, and hence a potential tampering with the meter (1 ), or vice versa.

15. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said control and / or processing unit is mounted on the same electronic board (7) on which the sensor (13) is mounted.

16. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the contact / pressure zone (80) is made of the same material as the containment structure (2).

17. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the contact / pressure zone (80) connects continuously with the surrounding parts, in particular with the surrounding parts of the containment structure (2).

18. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the contact / pressure zone (80) is made of plastic material or mineral glass.

19. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the containment structure (2) comprises support means (60) configured to support theelectronic board (7) in a suspended condition within the housing volume (3) of the containment structure (2).

20. Meter according to the preceding claim, wherein said support means (60) are configured to support the electronic board (7) at or near the edges / ends of said electronic board (7).

21. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the containment structure (2) comprises a base (30) closed by a lid (40) and wherein the contact / pressure zone (80) is obtained on the lid (40) of the containment structure (2).

22. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising transmission means (70) configured to transfer the mechanical stresses from the contact / pressure zone (80) to the electronic board (7) and wherein the sensor (13) is mounted on the electronic board (7) in a distinct position, preferably in proximity, with respect to the transmission means (70).

23. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic board (7) is mechanically connected directly to the contact / pressure zone (80), preferably by gluing using an adhesive layer (78).

24. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a potting or gap-filling filler is inserted / arranged inside the housing volume (3) of the containment structure (2) at least at the electronic board (7).

25. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising transmission means (70) configured to transfer the mechanical stresses from the contact / pressure zone (80) to the electronic board (7) and wherein said transmission means (70) comprise a potting or gap-filling filler which is inserted / arranged inside the housing volume (3) between the contact / pressure zone (80) and the electronic board (7).

26. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least one display (11) which is electronically mounted on said electronic board (7) and wherein the command interface (8) with the contact / pressure zone (80) is defined above the display (11) and is at least partly made of transparent material or in any case suitable to allow the visualisation from the outside of the underlying display (11).

27. Meter according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a number of contact / pressure zones (80), each of which defines / identifies a corresponding command, which is greater than the number of sensors (13) mounted on the electronic board (7).

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