Tamper-Proof Adapter for Electronic Household Meters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters for electronic household meters lack economic production, easy assembly, and tamper-proof security, particularly in areas where electrical current has already been recorded, increasing the risk of manipulation.
Innovation Solution
An adapter that allows electronic household meters to dock in one direction with a mechanical locking mechanism hidden under a sealed cover, using a sliding plate to secure the meter's feet, and includes a communication interface with a bridging adapter to ensure uninterrupted power supply and secure data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic household meter is sealed with a lead pin going straight through the meter and adapter, then the meter is fixed in position and cannot be sealed, but the sealing technique interferes with the area where electrical current has already been recorded, increasing the risk of manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the meter body and relocated to a separate cover that protects the connecting device. The lead seal now seals the cover rather than penetrating the meter and adapter assembly, thereby separating the sealing function from the electrical current recording area.
Solution Approach 2:
A cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the sealing mechanism and the electrical components. This cover acts as a protective barrier that can be sealed without interfering with the electrical current recording area, while still providing tamper-proof security.
2Reliability
If the electronic household meter is docked in two mutually perpendicular directions of movement, then the meter can be securely attached to the adapter, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The docking process is segmented into distinct functional elements: the adapter body with its mounting structure, the electronic household meter with its feet, and the cover with the sealing function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing operation is inverted from being part of the docking process to being a separate final step. Instead of sealing during the two-directional docking, the meter is first docked securely, then the cover is placed and sealed, reversing the traditional sequence and simplifying the main docking operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the adapter is designed to accommodate electronic household meters with standard three-point attachment, then existing meter positions can be used, but the adapter requires modifications to handle the additional sealing and locking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with universal compatibility for standard three-point attachment meter positions while integrating multiple functions: mechanical support, electrical connection, and sealable cover protection. This multi-functionality is achieved through modular design elements that can be adapted to existing infrastructure without requiring complete redesign.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An adapter (10) serving as a mounting and contacting device (BKE) for an electronic household meter (12) having projecting contact tongues and mounting feet (24) has a connection device (15) that prevents unauthorized access to the inlet and outlet lines of the adapter (10) and secures it by means of a seal. The mating contacts of the adapter (10) for the contact tongues of the electronic household meter (12) are designed exclusively as plug-in contacts, so that contact between them is established solely by sliding the contact tongues in one direction into the mating contacts. Furthermore, a mechanical locking device is provided for an electronic household meter (12) that is contacted onto the adapter (10). The actuating device for this locking device is located under the cover (60) of the connection device, which is protected by a seal.