Sealed Electronic Meter Register Bottom Formed by Sealing Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water meter registers face challenges with moisture resistance, durability, and cost efficiency, particularly when exposed to outdoor and underground environments, as they often require invasive installation and contain moving parts that are prone to mechanical stress and moisture intrusion.
Innovation Solution
A sealed electronic water meter register design featuring a durable, impact-resistant casing with a sealing material forming the bottom instead of a cover, allowing for improved moisture resistance and reduced part count, along with a dual-sealing system using softer and firmer materials to accommodate thermal expansion and mechanical stress, and positioning magnetic sensors for enhanced detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal bottom and glass lens are used in the meter register, then moisture resistance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bottom cover and sealing function into a single integrated component by forming the bottom directly from sealing material (epoxy resin) rather than using a separate metal bottom and glass lens assembly. This merging eliminates multiple parts while maintaining moisture resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical sealing system (metal bottom with butyl rubber sealant and glass lens) with an all-electronic sealed assembly using epoxy resin sealing material that is molded to form the bottom, eliminating the need for mechanical seals and reducing part complexity.
2Reliability
If a metal bottom and glass lens with butyl rubber sealant are used, then moisture resistance is improved, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturing steps and components into a single molded epoxy resin bottom that is formed in one operation, eliminating the need for separate assembly of metal bottom, glass lens, and rubber sealant, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing material is molded to form the bottom in advance during the casing manufacturing process, before final assembly. This preliminary formation of the sealed bottom structure eliminates subsequent sealing operations and reduces assembly complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If softer sealing material is used around the electronic display, then thermal expansion accommodation is improved, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties of sealing material to different locations: the epoxy resin is formulated with specific flexibility characteristics to accommodate thermal expansion of the electronic display while maintaining adequate structural strength for sealing and support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses epoxy resin as a composite sealing material that combines the properties of structural strength with flexibility to accommodate thermal expansion. The epoxy formulation creates a composite structure that provides both mechanical support and thermal compliance.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, non-invasive, and moisture-resistant electronic water meter register with improved durability and manufacturing efficiency, capable of withstanding environmental conditions and thermal cycling without mechanical stress, while maintaining accurate fluid flow detection.
Implementation Method 1
a body of sealant disposed in the casing in open areas around the circuit board and the electronic numerical display to seal the circuit board and a bottom portion of the electronic numerical display against intrusion of moisture
Implementation Method 2
The additional body of softer sealing material also cushions the visual display is the unit is inadvertently dropped or impacted
Data Source
AI summary
A sealed electronic meter register with no moving parts and no bottom wall or bottom cover includes a casing of plastic with an open bottom. A viewing window is snap fitted into a top wall of the casing. A gasket is placed on top of an electronic numerical display and under the viewing window. The display is placed on top of a frame that is positioned face down into the casing. An electronic circuit board with the processing circuitry of the device is attached to the bottom of the frame. A polyurethane compound sealing material is deposited though a hole in the circuit board and onto the backside of the display. An epoxy-resin sealant is then deposited from the bottom of the housing to seal over everything in the housing to protect the components and provide an exposed bottom surface for the assembly.