TWI874790B - Non-magnetic water meter structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a non-magnetic water meter structure, including: a casing having an accommodation space; a fixture seat fixed in the accommodation space; an impeller pivotally mounted in the fixture seat in an axial direction, wherein the impeller is provided with a sensing portion projected from the impeller in the axial direction, and a plurality of metallic reaction layers and non-metallic reaction layers are disposed around the sensing portion in a radial direction; a sensing unit having a receiving portion in the radial direction at a position corresponding to the sensing portion, wherein a sensing device is disposed in the receiving portion and configured for sensing the plurality of metallic reaction layers and non-metallic reaction layers in the radial direction. Thereby, the area of the sensing portion can be reduced so that the sensing portion will not tilt during rotation so as to avoid excessive wear which may cause the impeller to become failed, damaged, or out of function.

Description

Non-magnetic water meter structure

The present invention relates to a water meter sensing structure that can reduce the overall area of the sensing part so that it will not malfunction, be damaged or fail due to wear.

Traditional water meters are mainly mechanical structures, which use turbine blades to drive gear sets to rotate. After long-term use, components may be worn or interfered by magnets, causing failure.

Therefore, there is the patent case of invention No. I730810 "Electronic Water Meter" announced on June 11, 2011. It discloses: the fluid module includes a sensing blade and an impeller. The sensing blade is pivoted on the impeller. When the impeller rotates due to the flow of the fluid, the impeller drives the sensing blade to rotate together. The sensing module and the fluid module are separated in an independent space, and the two are connected by magnetism. The sensing module includes a waterproof shell and a sensing circuit. The waterproof shell is wrapped under the sensing circuit and isolates the fluid from contacting the sensing circuit. The sensing circuit generates a magnetic field downward, and the sensing circuit obtains the characteristic pattern of the fluid signal through the disturbance of the magnetic field caused by the magnetic change of the rotating sensing blade.

The patent application is to detect the flow rate and direction of water flow through a non-contact sensing method.

The sensing method of magnetic water meter is disclosed in the patent case No. I588451 "Non-contact and continuous sensing device and method for flow meter" published on June 21, 2017. It discloses that: the movable part inside the flow meter is connected to an acting part, and the movable part is linked to the acting part to make displacement movement when driven by the fluid. A projector is installed above the acting part to project a signal to the acting part. The acting part is divided into at least two areas facing the projector, and at least one area will reflect the continuous signal projected thereto, so that the signal density in the space between the projector and the acting part changes when the acting part passes through, which affects the projection power of the projector, thereby sensing the movement state of the acting part and correspondingly knowing the flow state of the fluid.

Since the above two patents use the impeller to drive the action member to rotate, the projector can sense that the action member has a plurality of scattered action areas in the axial direction, and these areas have a metal reaction layer and a non-metal reaction layer, so as to generate a sensing signal and obtain the flow rate and direction of the water flow through the water meter. However, since these action areas are located in the axial direction of the action member, the area of the action member is too large, and the area of each action area is different, and the weight is different. Therefore, when the impeller is far away from the rotation center of the impeller, the impeller will deviate due to the unstable center of gravity when rotating, which will cause wear and damage over time, resulting in inaccurate sensing and even loss of sensing function. Therefore, it is still not ideal in use.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the current non-magnetic water meter structure, the present invention provides a non-magnetic water meter structure, including: a housing, which is provided with a chamber; a fixing seat, which is fixed in the chamber, and the fixing seat is located on a water flow path through which water flows; an impeller, which is pivotally arranged in the fixing seat in an axial direction, and the impeller is located on the water flow path, and the impeller is provided with a sensing part protruding in the axial direction, and the sensing part is provided with at least one metal reaction layer and a non-metal reaction layer in a radial direction; a sensing unit, which is fixed to the housing, and the sensing unit is opposite to the sensing part in the radial direction, and a sensing element is provided in the interval, and the sensing element can sense the metal reaction layers and the non-metal reaction layers in the radial direction.

The periphery of the shell is relatively provided with a first interface and a second interface which respectively penetrate into the chamber, and the first interface and the second interface are located on the water flow path.

The top edge of the housing is provided with a threaded opening connected to the chamber, and the sensing unit is screwed to the opening to close the chamber.

The fixing seat is provided with a recessed portion, a first shaft is provided in the recessed portion, the first shaft has an end portion, the impeller is provided with a first shaft hole, the first shaft is passed through the first shaft hole, so that the impeller rotates on the first shaft.

The peripheral ring of the fixing seat is provided with a plurality of guide ports connected to the recessed portion. The impeller is pivotally arranged in the recessed portion. The peripheral ring of the impeller is provided with a plurality of blades.

A shaft seat is further provided. A positioning hole is provided inside the sensing part and is connected to the first shaft hole. The shaft seat is fixed in the positioning hole. A second shaft is protruded from one end of the shaft seat and protrudes from the positioning hole. A concave abutment is provided at the other end of the shaft seat. The concave abutment is used to abut the end of the first shaft to limit rotation.

A cap is further provided, which covers the periphery of the sensing part and has a through hole for the second shaft to pass through. The bottom of the sensing unit is provided with a groove for the cap to be inserted into. A second shaft hole is concavely provided in the groove for the second shaft to be inserted into the second shaft hole for pivoting.

The above-mentioned plurality of metal reaction layers and non-metal reaction layers are arranged alternately and spaced in the radial direction of the sensing portion.

The above-mentioned plurality of metal reaction layers and non-metal reaction layers are provided, and the areas of the metal reaction layers are equal or unequal, and the areas of the non-metal reaction layers are equal or unequal.

The sensing unit is provided with a receiving portion at a position radially opposite to the sensing portion, and the sensing element is placed in the receiving portion.

The sensing part is integrally formed in the axial direction of the impeller.

The above technical features have the following advantages:

1. The metal reaction layer and the non-metal reaction layer are radially arranged around the sensing part, so that the overall area of the impeller sensing part can be reduced, so that the impeller will not deflect due to unstable center of gravity when rotating, and excessive wear can be avoided, which may cause the impeller to malfunction, damage or failure.

2. Since the metal reaction layer and the non-metal reaction layer are radially located around the sensing part, they are quite close to the rotation center of the impeller. Even if the metal reaction layer and the non-metal reaction layer are of different sizes and have different weights, when the impeller rotates, the difference in weight is almost negligible and will not affect the rotation of the impeller. It will not deflect due to unstable center of gravity, which can extend the service life of the impeller and the water meter as a whole to ensure the accuracy of the water meter.

Please refer to the first, second and third figures, the embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing 1, a fixing base 2, an impeller 3, a shaft base 4, a cap 5 and a sensing unit 6, wherein:

The housing 1 has a chamber 11 disposed therein. A first interface 12 and a second interface 13 are disposed on the periphery of the housing 1. The first interface 12 and the second interface 13 penetrate the chamber 11 respectively. A threaded opening 14 is disposed on the top edge of the housing 1. The opening 14 is connected to the chamber 11.

The fixing base 2 is fixed in the chamber 11 and is located on a water flow path where water flows through the first interface 12 and the second interface 13. The fixing base 2 is provided with a recessed portion 21, and a first axis 22 is provided in the recessed portion 21. The first axis 22 has an end 221. The fixing base 2 is provided with a plurality of guide ports 23 on the periphery thereof, and the guide ports 23 are connected to the recessed portion 21.

As shown in the first, fourth and fifth figures, the impeller 3 is pivoted in the recessed portion 21 in an axial direction X and is located on the water flow path. A first axial hole 31 is provided at the axis of the impeller 3, and the first axial hole 31 is provided for the first shaft 22 to pass through so that the impeller 3 can rotate on the first shaft 22. The impeller 3 is provided with a sensing portion 32 protruding in the axial direction X along the first axial hole 31, and the sensing portion 32 is integrally formed on the impeller 3 in the axial direction X. At least one metal reaction layer 321 and a non-metal reaction layer 322 are disposed on a radial direction Y of the sensing portion 32. In the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the metal reaction layers 321 and the non-metal reaction layers 322 are disposed. The metal reaction layers 321 and the non-metal reaction layers 322 are arranged alternately and spaced on the radial direction Y of the sensing portion 32. The areas of the metal reaction layers 321 are equal or unequal, and the areas of the non-metal reaction layers 322 are equal or unequal. A positioning hole 33 is disposed inside the sensing portion 32, and the positioning hole 33 is connected to the first axial hole 31. In addition, a plurality of blades 34 are provided around the periphery of the impeller 3.

The shaft seat 4 is fixed in the positioning hole 33 of the impeller 3. A second shaft 41 is protruded from one end of the shaft seat 4. The second shaft 41 protrudes from the positioning hole 33. A concave abutment portion 42 is provided at the other end of the shaft seat 4. The concave abutment portion 42 can be abutted by the end portion 221 of the first shaft 22, so that the impeller 3 can be limited in rotation.

The cap 5 covers the periphery of the sensing portion 32 of the impeller 3. The cap 5 protects the sensing portion 32 from being directly impacted by the water flow and being displaced or damaged, thereby causing sensing failure. The cap 5 is provided with a through hole 51 at a position corresponding to the second shaft 41, so that the second shaft 41 can pass through the through hole 51.

The sensing unit 6 is screwed to the opening 14 of the housing 1 to seal the chamber 11. The bottom of the sensing unit 6 is provided with a groove 61, and the cap 5 is provided therein. The groove 61 is further provided with a second shaft hole 62 so that the second shaft 41 can be provided therein for pivoting. The groove 61 is further provided with an accommodation portion 63 at intervals at a position relative to the sensing portion 32 on the radial direction Y. A sensing element 64 is disposed in the accommodating portion 63. The sensing element 64 can sense the rotation state of the metal reaction layer 321 and the non-metal reaction layer 322 of the sensing portion 32 in the radial direction Y, thereby generating a sensing signal for calculating the flow rate and flow direction of the water flowing through the water flow path. The method and principle of the sensing unit 6 sensing the flow rate and flow direction of the water flow is a known technology and will not be further illustrated or described.

When in use, as shown in the first, sixth and seventh figures, the first interface 12 and the second interface 13 of the housing 1 are connected to a water pipe a and b respectively. When the two water pipes a and b are conveying the water flow, they can automatically control the supply source of the water flow and are respectively transformed into a water inlet pipe or a water outlet pipe, and the flow direction of the conveyed water flow can be interchanged. When it is necessary to sense the flow rate or flow direction of the water flow, it is only necessary to control the water flow to flow in through the first interface 12 and flow out through the second interface 13, or to flow in through the second interface 13 and flow out through the first interface 12. The embodiment of the present invention is explained with the implementation state of the water flow flowing into the first interface 12 and flowing out of the second interface 13. The water flow delivered by the water pipe a or b can flow into the recessed portion 21 through the first interface 12 or the second interface 13 along the water flow path from the guide ports 23 of the fixing base 2, and then the water flow can drive the blades 34 of the impeller 3 to rotate. The impeller 3 rotates with the first shaft 22 and the second shaft 41 as the axis support, and can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise according to the flow direction of the water flow. When the impeller 3 rotates, the sensing portion 32 can be linked to rotate, so the metal reaction layers 321 and the non-metal reaction layers 322 of the sensing portion 32 on the radial direction Y can also rotate. The sensing element 64 can send a projection signal to the sensing portion 32 to sense the rotation state of the metal reaction layers 321 and the non-metal reaction layers 322 on the sensing portion 32, and can send the sensing signal and transmit the sensing signal to a remote water supply plant or control center, so as to calculate the flow rate and flow direction of the water flowing through the water flow path.

Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention utilizes the metal reaction layer 321 and the non-metal reaction layer 322, and is arranged on the periphery of the sensing portion 32 in the radial direction Y, so that the overall area of the sensing portion 32 of the impeller 3 can be reduced, so that the impeller 3 will not deflect due to unstable center of gravity when rotating, and excessive wear can be avoided, which may cause the impeller 3 to malfunction, be damaged or fail. Furthermore, since the metal reaction layers 321 and the non-metal reaction layers 322 are located on the periphery of the sensing portion 32 in the radial direction Y, they are relatively close to the rotation center of the impeller 3. Even if the metal reaction layers 321 and the non-metal reaction layers 322 are of different sizes and have different weights, when the impeller 3 is rotating, the difference in weight is almost negligible and will not affect the rotation of the impeller 3. The impeller 3 will not deflect due to an unstable center of gravity, thereby extending the service life of the impeller 3 and the entire device and ensuring the accuracy of the water meter.

Combined with the description of the above embodiments, the operation, use and effects of the present invention can be fully understood. However, the above embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and cannot be used to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. In other words, simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention and the content of the invention description are all within the scope of the present invention.

1: Shell 11: Chamber 12: First interface 13: Second interface 14: Opening 2: Fixing seat 21: Recessed portion 22: First axis 221: End 23: Diversion port 3: Impeller 31: First axis hole 32: Sensing portion 321: Metal reaction layer 322: Non-metal reaction layer 33: Positioning hole 34: Blade 4: Shaft seat 41: Second axis 42: Recessed portion 5: Cap 51: Through hole 6: Sensing unit 61: Groove 62: Second axis hole 63: Receptacle 64: Sensing element a, b: Water pipe X: Axial Y: Radial

[Figure 1] is a three-dimensional exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2] is a three-dimensional combination diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 3] is a combined cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 4] is an enlarged schematic diagram of the impeller of an embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 5] is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of the fixing seat, impeller, shaft seat and cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 6] is a schematic diagram of the water flow path of the water flow when the embodiment of the present invention is used.

[FIG. 7] is a schematic diagram of the sensing metal reaction layer and the non-metal reaction layer of the sensing element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1: Shell 11: Chamber 12: First interface 13: Second interface 14: Opening 2: Fixing seat 21: Recessed portion 22: First axis 221: End portion 23: Flow guide port 3: Impeller 32: Sensing portion 321: Metal reaction layer 322: Non-metal reaction layer 33: Positioning hole 34: Blade 4: Shaft seat 41: Second axis 5: Cap 51: Through hole 6: Sensing unit 61: Groove 64: Sensing element

Claims (4)

A non-magnetic water meter structure includes: A housing having a chamber; A fixing seat fixed in the chamber, the fixing seat being located on a water flow path through which water flows, the fixing seat having a recessed portion, a first shaft being disposed in the recessed portion, and the first shaft having an end portion; An impeller is pivotally arranged in the fixing seat in an axial direction. The impeller is located on the water flow path. The impeller is provided with a sensing part protruding in the axial direction. The sensing part is provided with a plurality of metal reaction layers and non-metal reaction layers in a radial ring. The metal reaction layers and non-metal reaction layers are arranged alternately and spaced in the radial direction of the sensing part. The areas between the metal reaction layers are equal or unequal, and the areas between the non-metal reaction layers are equal or unequal. The impeller is provided with a first axial hole. The first shaft is passed through the first axial hole so that the impeller can rotate on the first shaft; A shaft seat, the interior of the sensing part is provided with a positioning hole connected to the first shaft hole, the shaft seat is fixed in the positioning hole, one end of the shaft seat is provided with a second shaft protruding from the positioning hole, and the other end of the shaft seat is provided with a concave abutment portion, the concave abutment portion is provided for the end of the first shaft to abut against and limit the rotation; A sensing unit is fixed to the housing, the sensing unit is provided with a receiving portion at a position relative to the sensing part in the radial direction, and a sensing element is provided in the receiving portion, the sensing element can sense the rotation state of the metal reaction layer and the non-metal reaction layer in the radial direction, so as to send a sensing signal for calculating the flow rate and flow direction of the water flowing through the water flow path; A cap is covered on the periphery of the sensing part. The cap is provided with a through hole for the second shaft to pass through. The bottom of the sensing unit is provided with a groove for the cap to be inserted into. The groove is concavely connected to a second shaft hole for the second shaft to be inserted into the second shaft hole for pivoting. As in the non-magnetic water meter structure of claim 1, a first interface and a second interface are relatively provided on the periphery of the shell and penetrate into the chamber respectively, and the first interface and the second interface are located on the water flow path. As in the non-magnetic water meter structure of claim 1, a threaded opening is provided on the top edge of the housing and connected to the chamber, and the sensing unit is screwed to the opening to close the chamber. As in claim 1, the non-magnetic water meter structure, wherein the peripheral ring of the fixing seat is provided with a plurality of guide ports connected to the recessed portion, the impeller is pivotally arranged in the recessed portion, and the peripheral ring of the impeller is provided with a plurality of blades.

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