Optical Meter Housing Opening Detection Against Gel Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detection devices for meter casings, particularly those used in water and gas meters, are rendered inoperative by polymerizing gel, and consume excessive electrical energy, making them susceptible to manipulation and fraud.
Innovation Solution
A detection method utilizing light emission, internal reflection, and capture by a phototransistor, with minimal electrical consumption, to determine the opening of a meter housing, employing a microcontroller to analyze optical reflections and account for ambient light interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electromechanical contact is used to detect housing opening, then the detection function is provided, but the gel blocks the contact and renders the device inoperative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromechanical contact system with an optical detection system. Instead of using mechanical contacts that can be blocked by gel, the invention uses a light source and photodetector to detect housing opening through optical means, which are not affected by the gel medium inside the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical components (light source and photodetector) as intermediaries to detect housing opening. These components detect changes in light transmission or reflection caused by housing opening, providing a detection mechanism that operates reliably even in the presence of gel.
2Reliability
If traditional detection devices are used, then housing opening can be detected, but electrical energy consumption is excessive for battery-powered meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed operation of the light source and photodetector rather than continuous operation. The system activates these components only when needed for detection, significantly reducing electrical energy consumption while maintaining reliable detection capability for battery-powered meters.
3Reliability
If the housing is filled with polymerizing gel, then manipulation resistance is improved, but electromechanical contacts are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based detection with an optical detection system. The light source and photodetector detect housing opening through optical changes without requiring mechanical contact, allowing the housing to be filled with gel for manipulation resistance while maintaining detection functionality.
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 effectively detects meter housing openings with minimal power consumption, resisting gel interference and ambient light, while thwarting fraud attempts, and is adaptable to various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter 21 and a receiver 22, mounted on the electrical card 3. The transmitter 21 is arranged to emit light signals, and the receiver 22 is arranged to receive the light signals after they have been reflected against an internal wall 23 of the housing 1
Implementation Method 2
the receiver 22 is arranged to receive the light signals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Equipment (1) comprising a housing (2) in which are integrated a light signal emitter (21), a receiver (22) arranged to receive the light signals after they have been reflected against an internal wall (23) of the housing, and a processing unit (15) arranged to: ∘ drive the emitter (21) so that it emits a detection light signal (S1); ∘ acquire a first electrical signal (V1) produced by the receiver (22) when it receives the detection light signal; ∘ detect, as a function of a first level of the first electrical signal, whether the housing (2) is open or closed.