Blockable Rotor Seal for Automated Meter Tamper Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals for measuring instruments lack efficiency in protecting against unauthorized access and disassembly, and their assembly process is not automated, leading to increased assembly time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A seal with a blockable rotor design featuring a transparent high-strength plastic body, a rotating rotor with flexible ratchet locks, and a blocking device with fork-shaped projections that allows for two-stage installation and irreversible locking, enabling automated assembly and information encoding via a bar code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional seal design with a rotor is used, then the seal can protect measuring instruments, but the assembly process is manual and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is pre-installed in the seal body before the rotor assembly is inserted. The fork-shaped projections are already positioned to engage with the cross-shaped blocking element, so that when the rotor is rotated into its blocking position, the locking occurs automatically without requiring manual intervention to install the blocking mechanism separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor itself serves dual functions: it acts as both the rotating component for cable access and as the blocking mechanism when rotated to the locked position. The cross-shaped blocking element on the rotor automatically engages with the fork-shaped projections of the pre-installed blocking device, allowing the rotor to lock itself without external assistance.
2Extent of automation
If a blocking device with fork-shaped projections is pre-installed, then automated assembly is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device with fork-shaped projections serves multiple functions: it provides the locking mechanism for automated assembly, guides the rotor into the correct blocking position, and structurally integrates with the seal body. The cross-shaped blocking element on the rotor similarly serves as both the locked position indicator and the engagement point with the fork-shaped projections.
Solution Approach 2:
The fork-shaped projections are asymmetrically designed to engage with the cross-shaped blocking element in only one specific orientation. This asymmetric geometry ensures that the rotor can only be locked in the correct blocking position, preventing incorrect installation while enabling automated assembly through shape complementarity rather than complex mechanical systems.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the seal body is made transparent, then visual inspection of the cable is enabled, but the strength and durability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is made from transparent plastic material that combines optical transparency with sufficient mechanical strength. The material allows visual inspection of the cable passing through the seal while maintaining the structural integrity needed to protect the measuring instrument. The blocking device components are made from opaque plastic, creating a composite structure where each material is used for its optimal properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The seal provides enhanced protection and reliability against unauthorized access, reduces assembly time and costs, and allows for efficient information encoding, ensuring secure and efficient sealing of measuring instruments.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor (6) able to rotate in one direction with the help of flexible ratchet locks (8) made on it, contacting with longitudinal ribs made on the inner side of the cavity (2)
Implementation Method 2
The lower side of the blocking device (5) is equipped with two fork-shaped projections (13)... The blocking device (5) and the body (1) of the seal are made of plastic... providing the opportunity to automate the assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to means for sealing measuring instruments and equipment, specifically to seals with a blockable rotor to enable monitoring for unauthorized access to instruments measuring consumption of electrical and heating energy, natural gas and water. A seal with a rotor comprises a transparent body (1) made from a high-strength plastic and formed with a cylindrical cavity (2) having a blind end and openings (3) which are formed on lateral sides of the cavity (2) and through which a flexible sealing element passes, and a rectangular cavity (4) which is installed at the open end of the cavity (2), transversely with respect to the latter, wherein the cavities (2) and (4) are interconnected. A rotor (6) is arranged in the cavity (2) so as to be rotatable in one direction. Openings for the flexible sealing element are formed in the lateral walls of the cavity (2) and in the rotor. A cross-shaped blocking element (9) is installed at one end of the rotor. A device (5) for blocking the rotation of the rotor is arranged in the cavity (4), one end of which device is provided with two projections in the form of a fork (13), between which a trapezoidal groove (15) is formed for securing the cross-shaped blocking element (9).