Side View Fluid Meter Counter Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas meters, especially those installed horizontally, often have mechanical counters that are difficult to read due to their end-facing orientation, which can be obstructed by walls or structures, limiting visibility.
Innovation Solution
A side view fluid meter counter assembly that includes a mounting bracket and a drive mechanism, such as a worm drive or bevel gears, to rotate the mechanical counter shaft, allowing the counter to be viewed from the side, enabling easier readability and versatile mounting options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the mechanical counter is mounted to face the end of the gas meter, then the counter can be driven directly by the drive shaft, but the counter becomes difficult to read when the meter is installed horizontally against a wall or structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viewing dimension of the counter from end-facing to side-facing. The mounting bracket positions the counter laterally on the meter housing, allowing observers to read the counter from the side rather than from the end. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by maintaining direct drive connection while enabling readability in wall-mounted horizontal installations.
2Device complexity
If the counter is positioned to face the end of the meter, then it can be directly connected to the drive shaft, but viewing is blocked by walls or structures in constrained spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The counter is repositioned from the longitudinal axis (end-facing) to a lateral position (side-facing) using a mounting bracket. This allows the counter to be viewed from directions other than the drive shaft end, enabling installation in constrained spaces such as against walls or within cabinets where the end of the meter is inaccessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket design provides universal adaptability for various installation scenarios. By positioning the counter on the side of the meter housing rather than at the end, the same counter assembly can be used in both free-standing installations (where end viewing works) and wall-mounted installations (where side viewing is required), increasing mounting location flexibility.
3Device complexity
If the counter shaft is oriented along the end facing direction, then the drive mechanism is simple, but the counter face is not viewable from the side
Solution Approach 1:
The counter shaft is reoriented from the longitudinal axis to a lateral axis through the mounting bracket. The bracket includes a lateral extension that carries the counter shaft perpendicular to the drive shaft axis, allowing the counter to rotate in a plane visible from the side while still being driven by the end-facing drive mechanism.
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 improved readability and versatility in mounting gas meters, allowing the counter to be easily viewed from the side, even in constrained spaces, enhancing the usability of gas meters in various installation locations.
Implementation Method 1
The drive mechanism may comprise a worm drive.
Implementation Method 2
The drive mechanism may comprise a pair of bevel gears in engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A side view fluid meter counter assembly comprises a mounting bracket to mount a mechanical counter to an end of a fluid meter (e.g. gas meter) and a drive mechanism to drive a counter shaft of the mechanical counter from rotational movement of a rotationally driven member of the fluid meter. The rotationally driven member has a drive shaft extending in an end facing direction to connect to the drive mechanism and the mounting bracket mounts the mechanical counter in an orthogonal direction to the end facing direction such that a face of the mechanical counter is viewable from a side of the meter. The drive mechanism may comprise a worm drive. The drive mechanism may further comprise a pair of bevel gears. The mounting bracket further mounts the drive mechanism. Further provided is a fluid meter having a side view counter.