Through-Beam Multi-Digit Dry Meter Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-digit meters for gas, electricity, and water face challenges in assembly complexity, high error rates, and limited space for character wheels, making them difficult to produce and assemble efficiently, especially for large flow measurements.
Innovation Solution
A through-beam multi-digit dry meter design featuring a lower and upper holding plate with a 180° curved frame, light-transmitting hollow character wheels, and a flexible printed circuit with strategically positioned black strips and transmitting tubes, allowing for direct reading of three to eight digits and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional meters use more character wheels to measure large flow rates, then measurement range increases, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The character wheels are segmented into multiple independent wheels (3-8 wheels) that can be individually assembled on the light-transmitting shaft. Each wheel is a separate component that can be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing overall assembly complexity while enabling measurement of large flow rates through multi-digit display
Solution Approach 2:
The meter uses a universal light-transmitting character wheel shaft that can accommodate 3-8 character wheels depending on measurement requirements. The same basic structure serves multiple measurement ranges, reducing the need for different assembly procedures for different digit counts
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional meters increase the number of character wheels for large flow measurement, then measurement capability improves, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The character wheels are pre-assembled on the light-transmitting shaft as a complete unit during manufacturing. The FPC board with transmitting tubes is pre-configured with the exact number of tube groups needed (5 tubes per character wheel). This preliminary assembly eliminates time-consuming on-site assembly operations and reduces manufacturing costs through standardized production
Solution Approach 2:
The meter uses identical light-transmitting character wheels with standardized structures that can be mass-produced. Each character wheel is a copy of the same design, allowing for efficient manufacturing and assembly. The FPC board replicates the same transmitting tube group pattern for each character wheel position
3Ease of operation
If conventional meters use traditional assembly methods for multi-digit displays, then direct reading is achieved, but error rate increases and precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical transmission and display mechanisms with an optical system. Light-transmitting character wheels are used instead of opaque mechanical digits, and light transmission through the wheels is detected by transmitting tubes on the FPC board. This optical approach eliminates mechanical errors and provides more precise measurement while maintaining direct reading capability
Solution Approach 2:
The character wheels are made of light-transmitting material with specific optical properties. The material allows light to pass through when the wheel is in the correct position, creating a visual signal that can be detected and converted to electrical signals. This optical property provides precise positioning and reduces measurement errors
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
Enables accurate and efficient measurement of large flow rates within national standards, reducing production costs and assembly complexity while ensuring precise direct reading of multi-digit numbers.
Implementation Method 1
a light-transmitting hollow character wheel shaft is set on the engagement holes; character wheels are set on the light-transmitting hollow character wheel shaft, wherein the character wheels are made of light-transmitting material
Implementation Method 2
groups of transmitting tubes are welded on the FPC; every group of the transmitting tube is corresponding to a character wheel; every group of the transmitting tube comprises five transmitting tubes
Data Source
AI summary
A through-beam multi-digit dry meter is disclosed, wherein a lower and an upper holding plate are fastened together; two brackets are integrally connected on the lower holding plate. A 180° curved frame is between the brackets, on which is a flexible printed circuit. Engagement holes are in the brackets. A light-transmitting hollow character wheel shaft is in the engagement holes. Character wheels are on the light-transmitting hollow character wheel shaft and made of light-transmitting material. On the left and/or right side of a character wheel, short black strips are stamped. Long black strips are stamped on the character part of the character wheel head to tail, on which numbers are printed. The meter enables direct reading of three to eight character wheels to measure gas, electricity of water of large flow within the national standard limitation, which is easy to produce and assemble and saves the cost.