Water Meter Anti-Tamper Sealing via Snap-Lock and Covering Ring

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the sealing ring onto the fixing ring before screwing the totalizer cover onto the tank cover. The sealing ring is positioned in advance to ensure it will be compressed and deformed during the screwing process, creating an immediate seal that prevents fraud while maintaining ease of assembly. This preliminary positioning of the sealing component resolves the contradiction by ensuring security is built-in from the start of assembly.

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the deformation properties of the sealing ring under compression. The sealing ring changes its physical state from a loose fit to a compressed, deformed seal as the totalizer cover is screwed onto the tank cover. This parameter change in the sealing ring's compression and deformation creates an effective seal that prevents cheating, while the overall assembly process remains simple and easy to perform.

The patent applies universality by designing the sealing ring to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the gap between the totalizer cover and tank cover to prevent fraud, it deformation during assembly to create the seal, and it integrates with the existing fixing ring structure. This multi-functionality of the sealing ring component resolves the contradiction by providing fraud prevention without requiring entirely separate security mechanisms, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.

The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the sealing ring onto the fixing ring, creating a nested structure where the sealing ring is positioned within or around the fixing ring assembly. This nesting integrates the sealing function into the existing structural components rather than adding completely separate elements, thereby providing fraud prevention while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing the sealing ring as a mediating component between the totalizer cover and the tank cover. The sealing ring allows the cover to be assembled and disassembled for maintenance while simultaneously acting as a barrier that prevents unauthorized access to the counting system. This intermediary sealing component resolves the contradiction by enabling legitimate maintenance access while blocking fraudulent tampering attempts.

The patent applies the disposable principle by using a sealing ring that is designed to be replaced periodically. The sealing ring provides fraud prevention and maintenance access control, and when it wears out or is compromised, it can be replaced without replacing entire components. This approach resolves the contradiction by providing ongoing security and access control through replaceable sealing elements rather than complex permanent security systems.