Water Meter Extension Hooking Mechanism for Remote Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water meter reading methods, especially for mechanical meters without telemetric modules, require physical visits for consumption data collection, which is inconvenient and prone to interference, while electronic meters need secure housings to prevent unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
An extension for water meters featuring a housing with a hooking mechanism for stable mounting, incorporating an electronic transmission system with a flexible hook, hook clamp, and screw arrangement to allow remote reading and secure installation, using materials like ABS, PA, or PC, ensuring secure and convenient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mechanical water meter without telemetric module is used, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but physical visits are required for reading consumption which reduces productivity and increases loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The water meter system is divided into two independent parts: the base mechanical meter and the detachable extension. The extension contains the telemetric module and can be mounted on the meter body. This segmentation allows the meter to function as a simple mechanical device when the extension is not attached, while enabling remote reading capabilities when the extension is installed, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension serves multiple functions: it houses the telemetric module for wireless communication, provides a secure mounting structure with hooking mechanisms, and enables both remote reading and data transmission. This multi-functionality allows a single add-on component to address multiple needs, improving productivity without requiring complete system replacement.
2Reliability
If the extension is mounted securely to prevent unauthorized interference, then the reliability and security are improved, but the ease of operation for authorized maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism uses dynamic elements including a flexible hook that can deform during installation and a cam-based locking system that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The flexible hook allows the extension to be snapped onto the meter body securely, while the cam mechanism can be easily actuated by a tool to release the locking action, providing both security and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam-based locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the secure locked state and the accessible unlocked state. It provides a controlled transition that requires a simple tool input (screwdriver or similar) to switch between security modes, balancing protection against unauthorized access with ease of authorized maintenance.
3Strength
If a rigid mounting structure is used for the extension, then the stability and strength are improved, but the ease of manufacture and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism incorporates a flexible hook made from a thin, deformable material that can be elastically bent during installation and then springs back to engage with the meter body. This flexible element provides sufficient holding strength while being simple to manufacture from standard materials, avoiding complex rigid joint designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hook's material properties are selected to provide optimal elasticity - it must be rigid enough to maintain engagement strength but flexible enough to deform during installation. By carefully selecting material parameters (elastic modulus, yield strength), the design achieves both mounting stability and ease of installation without complex manufacturing processes.
Data Source
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Figure 3a
AI summary
The object of the invention is an extension for water meter, characterised in that it comprises an upper body (1) with a place reserved for an electronic teletransmission system and a lower body (2) having its shape adapted to the upper part of the water meter housing, equipped with a mounting means (2a, 2b, 2c, 3) for mounting the extension to the water meter (10), wherein the mounting means include at least one rigid hook (2c) and at least one hooking unit comprising a flexible hook (2a), a hook clamp (2b) and a screw (3) positioned relative to each other so that, after placing the extension on the water meter (10), the flexible hook (2a) falls into a hooking window (10a) of the water meter (10), and is blocked in this position by the hook clamp (2b) tightened with the screw (3).