Transparent Block Encapsulated Meter Reading Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility meter reading devices lack the ability to provide electronic consumption data for billing and leak detection, and are often prone to contamination and misalignment issues when reading mechanical or digital displays, especially in harsh environments like pits or cupboards.
Innovation Solution
A meter reading device with cameras encapsulated in a transparent, unitary block that protects them from environmental contamination and ensures a consistent optical path, using UV curable adhesive for secure bonding and integrated illumination for clear imaging, with all electronics housed within the block for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cameras are exposed to read the meter display, then reading capability is achieved, but cameras are susceptible to contamination from water or mud
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent block acts as an intermediary between the cameras and the meter display. The block is bonded to the meter display surface and allows optical radiation to pass through while protecting the cameras from direct exposure to water and mud. The transparent block serves as a mediator that maintains the optical path while isolating the sensitive camera components from harmful environmental factors.
2Ease of manufacture
If cameras are mounted separately from optical components, then assembly flexibility is improved, but misalignment between cameras and meter surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cameras and optical components are merged into a single integrated unit by mounting them on a common board that is then bonded to the transparent block. This integration ensures that the cameras, optical components, and mounting structure move as a single rigid assembly, eliminating misalignment issues that would occur with separate mounted components while maintaining assembly flexibility through the bonding process.
3Strength
If UV curable adhesive is used for bonding, then strong bond is achieved, but uncured or weakly cured areas may occur causing poor adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding surface is segmented into multiple areas that can be independently cured. The transparent block is bonded at its meter engaging surface, allowing UV light to penetrate through the transparent material and cure adhesive in multiple locations simultaneously. This segmentation approach ensures uniform curing across the entire bonding surface, preventing uncured or weakly cured areas while maintaining strong bond strength.
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 reliable, contamination-resistant, and consistent meter reading, simplifying data collection and reducing alignment errors, while ensuring a strong and clean bond for easy removal and maintaining optical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the block being transparent to optical radiation
Implementation Method 2
UV curable adhesive for secure bonding
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The invention provides a meter reading device 4 comprising a plurality of cameras 112 to be directed at a meter display, the cameras 112 being mounted in and encapsulated by a unitary block of material 15 which is transparent to optical radiation, the block 15 defining a meter engaging end surface 76, the cameras 112 being directed towards the meter engaging end surface 76 of the block15.