Compact Water Meter With Optical Sensing and Remote Shut-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart water meters are complex, costly to produce, and require high power consumption, lacking the ability to remotely shut off the water supply in case of failure or malfunction, and their design differs significantly from conventional mechanical meters.
Innovation Solution
A compact water meter design featuring a rotary valve with an optical sensor and electric motor for remote reading and control, using low energy consumption, and integrating with a mobile app for operation, maintaining a simple structure akin to mechanical meters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If smart water meters with remote reading capability are implemented, then water consumption monitoring is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water meter integrates multiple functions into a single device: mechanical water consumption measurement, optical detection, wireless communication for remote reading, and automated shut-off capability. This multi-functionality approach allows the device to perform remote monitoring and control tasks without requiring separate systems, thereby improving automation while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical reading mechanisms with optical sensors and wireless communication systems. The optical sensor detects the rotation of the impeller shaft mechanically, but converts this mechanical motion into optical signals that are transmitted wirelessly for remote reading, eliminating the need for manual mechanical inspection and reducing overall system complexity at the user interface level.
2Reliability
If remote shut-off capability is added to water meters, then water loss prevention is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water meter employs periodic optical detection instead of continuous power consumption. The optical sensor detects impeller rotation events periodically as water flows through the meter, rather than maintaining continuous active monitoring. This periodic action allows the system to maintain reliable detection capability for water loss prevention while consuming power only during brief detection intervals, significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The shut-off mechanism is designed to operate automatically upon detection of abnormal conditions such as pipe ruptures or unauthorized usage. The system uses the kinetic energy of flowing water to drive the impeller, which mechanically triggers the optical detection system and subsequent shut-off actions without requiring external power sources during the critical detection and response phase, enabling the system to serve itself during emergency situations.
3Measurement precision
If optical sensors and electric motors are integrated into water meters, then measurement precision and control capability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical sensor, electric motor, impeller detection system, and wireless communication components into a single integrated housing unit. This merging of components allows for standardized mass production of the complete assembly, reducing per-unit manufacturing costs compared to producing and assembling separate components. The integrated design also simplifies installation and maintenance procedures, further reducing overall system costs despite the advanced functionality provided by optical and motorized components.
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 compact water meter enables remote reading and shut-off with low energy use, matching conventional meter design, requiring no special maintenance and reducing power consumption to zero in idle states.
Implementation Method 1
An infrared light source and an infrared sensor are placed over the shaft. When the impeller and its shaft rotate, the reflective and non-reflective surface sections alternate below the light source and the sensor. The infrared light source emits short impulses, which are reflected into the sensor in a greater proportion from the reflective sections than from the non-reflective sections.
Implementation Method 2
equipped with an optical sensor and electric motor for remote reading and control
Data Source
AI summary
A compact water meter having a meter casing equipped with an inlet stub and an outlet stub, as well as a rotary valve in the cavity of the meter casing equipped with a through-flow channel. A rotatably embedded impeller is placed in the cylindrical seat of the rotary valve, an optical sensor is mounted via the sensor mounting bores formed in its rectangular seat, and a thermometer is placed in the measuring device bore. A closing cover including a switching lever is affixed to the meter casing, on which an electric motor and at least one battery is mounted, and which furthermore has a fitting casing including an electric control unit affixed to it.