FI128595B

FI128595B - Mounting element, reader device and method of mounting

Info

Publication number: FI128595B
Application number: FI20195358A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Jarkko Mäkivaara; Ville Strandman
Original assignee: Aqva Io Oy
Priority date: 2019-05-03
Filing date: 2019-05-03
Publication date: 2020-08-31
Also published as: WO2020225478A1; FI20195358A1; EP3963295A1

Abstract

A mounting element (12, 12a), reader device (11) and method of mounting the reader device on a water meter (1) of a water pipe system (2) of a building (3). The mounting element comprises a frame part (31) and several friction surfaces movable relative to the frame part. The mounting element further comprises a force element for moving the friction surfaces and generating friction forces. The reader device is thereby mounted to the water meter by means of friction forces. Further, the reader device is provided with sensing device (17) for reading water meter readings and a data communication device (19) for sending the gathered data further on.

Description

Mounting element, reader device and method of mounting Background of the invention The invention relates to a remote sensing technology and especially to a mounting element for mounting a reader device on a water meter of a water pipe system of a building. The invention further relates to a reader device and method. The field of the invention is defined more specif- ically in the preambles of the independent claims. Traditionally water meter readings of water pipe systems are monitored manually. In order to track water consumption manual water meter readings are reported at intervals by letters or emails to a service provider, such as the water department. However, the manual monitoring leads to inaccurate water bills, and further, there is no possibility to notice water leaks by means of the manual monitoring. Therefore, camera based automated water meter reading systems are developed. In such remote monitoring systems cameras are placed by means of mounting means above normal main water meters of buildings and the gathered sens- ing data is transmitted forward through a data communication connection. However, the known remote monitoring systems and especially their mounting elements and have shown to contain some disadvantages. Documents CN-208366404-U, CN- N 207354499-U, JP-2017003536-A and JP-2000182021-A disclose 5 some prior art solutions.

I 5 Brief description of the invention = An object of the invention is to provide a novel * 30 and improved mounting element, reader device and method of O mounting a reader device 3 The mounting element according to the invention is Q characterized by the characterizing features of a first independent apparatus claim.

The arrangement according to the invention is char- acterized by the characterizing features of a second inde- pendent apparatus claim.

The reader device according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of a third independent apparatus claim.

The method according to the invention is character- ized by the charactering features and steps of an independ- ent method claim.

An idea of the disclosed solution is that in a re- mote water meter sensing system a reader device is mounted to a water meter by means of a friction forces. The reader device comprises a mounting system comprising a frame part and several friction surfaces movable relative to the frame part. The mounting system further comprises at least one force element for moving the mentioned friction surfaces and for generating friction forces.

An advantage of the disclosed solution is that the mounting element makes installing work of the reader device easy and quick. The mounting requires no modifications to the existing water meter. Further, the reader device can be easily removed and re-mounted to another location when needed. Thanks to the disclosed fastening principle, the solution is suitable for almost all available water meter o models. N According to an embodiment, the mounting element is 5 a separate element relative to the reader device. An ad- <? vantage of this solution is that the reader device may be O 30 provided with different mounting elements. The mounting el- E ement may be selected case by case. In other words, the 0 separate mounting element improves operational flexibility. A According to an embodiment, the mounting element is 2 an integrated inseparable part of the reader device. An N 35 advantage of this solution is that the structure may be compact and robust. The solution is also very easy to usewhen there is no several separate components. The integrated solution may also be beneficial regarding manufacturing costs. According to an embodiment, the mentioned at least one force element is configured to move the friction sur- faces apart from each other. In other words, the mounting surface intends to widen or spread under influence of the force element. This embodiment is intended for inside sur- faces and internal mounting.

According to an embodiment, the mentioned at least one force element is configured to move the friction sur- faces towards each other. Then the size of the mounting system intends to decrease. This embodiment is intended for outside surfaces and external mounting.

According to an embodiment, the mentioned at least one force element is an integrated part of the mounting element and is based on bending of material of the mounting element when external force 1s directed to it and is con- figured to generate spring forces when being bent. The force element may then be simple, durable and inexpensive.

According to an embodiment, the mentioned at least one force element is a screw member or wedge. An advantage of this solution is that very strong mounting forces can be generated by the mentioned mechanical force elements. On the other hand, magnitude of the mounting force is easy to o adjust accurately for different fastening situations.

N According to an embodiment, the mentioned friction 5 surfaces are inseparable pieces of the mounting element. <Q Then the structure may compact.

O 30 According to an embodiment, the mentioned friction E surfaces are detachable from the frame part. Then it is © possible to select special friction surfaces case by case. A There may be differently shaped and dimensioned friction 2 surfaces, and further, implementation of different materi- N 35 als is also possible.

According to an embodiment, in a remote water meter sensing system a reader device is mounted on a water meter by means of a separate mounting element, which is fastened to the water meter by means of friction forces.

The mounting element comprises a frame part and two branches connected to the frame part.

The branches are provided with curved fastening surfaces on their outer surfaces, and between distal ends of the branches is a gap allowing the branches to be pressed towards each other in order to decrease an initial fastening dimension defined by the curved fastening surfaces.

Further, the branches are bendable and are thereby configured to serve as spring elements when being pressed inwardly.

The mounting element is a monolithic piece.

According to an embodiment, the above mentioned branches of the mounting element are configured to bend during the mounting and are thereby configured to store spring energy.

When the pressing force directed to the branches is removed, then the stored spring energy is re- leased and the curved fastening surfaces of the branches are pressed radially against surfaces of the water meter.

According to an embodiment, the mounting element comprises a frame part and two branches connected to the frame part.

When the branches of the mounting element are pressed together, then the outer surfaces of the branches comply with circular shape, and when being released the o branches move a distance apart from each other whereby the S shape is deformed from the circular shape. 5 According to an embodiment, the mounting element <? comprises a frame part and two branches connected to the O 30 frame part.

The mounting element is configured to be uti- E lized in three shapes: initial non-circular shape; deformed © substantially circular shape when being fastened; and non- A circular mounting phase shape when the branches are being 2 pressed towards each other during the mounting.

N 35 According to an embodiment, the mounting element comprises a frame part and two branches connected to theframe part.

The mounting element is fastened to the water meter only by means of friction forces.

The mounting is also based on inner mounting principle.

Thus, the friction forces are formed between the fastening surfaces of the branches 5 and an inner circular surfaces of a reading opening or indicator opening of the water meter.

The present solution requires no modifications to the structure of the water meter.

The inner surfaces at the reading openings of the water meters are typically free of any other utilizations and are well accessible, and further, shape and dimensions of these surfaces are well suitable for the disclosed mount- ing of the mounting element.

Often the mentioned inner sur- faces are machined surfaces with good surface properties and accurate shapes and dimensions.

Thus, the inner surfaces of the water meters may serve as proper mounting surfaces.

According to an embodiment, the separate mounting element comprises a screw hole, which is located at the frame part, for fastening the mounting element to the read- ing device by means of a fastening screw.

Thus, the screw and the screw hole serve as the only fixed fastening between the mounting element and the reading device.

This embodi- ment simplifies the structure and mounting.

The branches are provided with axial shoulders o on their second sides facing towards the water meter, N whereby the shoulders are configured to be mounted against 5 a front face of a body of the water meter.

The axial shoul- ? ders are supported against the water meter thereby improving O 30 stability of the mounting.

E According to an embodiment, the mounting element © comprises a frame part and two branches connected to the A frame part.

The mounting element is made of resilient ma- 2 terial.

This means that the branches withstand bending with- N 35 out permanent deformation.

In other words the material and structure of the branches is bendable or flexible.

According to an embodiment, the mounting element comprises a frame part and two branches connected to the frame part. The mounting element has spring-like configu- ration. In other words, the mounting element has spring- acting branches. Thanks to the structural spring feature, there is no need to use separate spring elements. This way the disclosed integrated structure may be simple, durable, inexpensive and compact.

According to an embodiment, the mounting element comprises a frame part and two branches connected to the frame part. Distal ends of the branches of the mounting element comprise slanted counter surfaces. The mentioned surfaces are slanted relative to the radial direction of the mounting element. When the branches are moved towards each other, the size of the gap between the ends is reduced and direction of the gap deviates from the radial direction due to the slanted counter surfaces. An advantage of the slanted counter surfaces is that rays of light are prevented entering through the slanted gap inside the mounting ele- ment. This way undesirable reflections may be avoided and improved reading accuracy may be achieved.

According to an embodiment, the mounting element comprises a frame part and two branches connected to the frame part. Distal end portions of the both branches are provided with pressing surfaces for directing pressing o forces to mounting element during the mounting. When the O branches have properly shaped and clearly visible areas for + the gripping, the mounting is facilitated. Further, the <Q mentioned pressing surfaces may be provided with roughening O 30 for improving the manual handling. The shape of the pressing E surfaces may be designed to be ergonomic.

© According to an embodiment, the mounting element A comprises a frame part and two branches connected to the 2 frame part. The branches of the mounting element are made N 35 of bendable material and the branches bent the more thedistant they are from the frame part. In other words, mag- nitude of the bending of the branches is relative to the distance from the frame part. The force making the branches to move towards each other is directed to distal ends of the branches.

According to an embodiment, the mounting element is a separate piece and has one-piece configuration. The piece may be made of plastic material. Then the structure may be simple and compact.

According to an embodiment, the mounting element is made of plastic material and by utilizing injection molding techniques. Thereby, the mounting element may be inexpen- sive to manufacture and has good dimensional accuracy, smooth surface properties and good overall quality. The injection molding is an effective manufacturing technigue especially when production lots are large.

According to an embodiment, the mounting element is made by means of additive manufacturing (AM). This manufac- turing technique suits also for small production lots and allows making modifications to the products.

According to an embodiment, the mounting element is made of composite material comprising at least one matrix material and at least one reinforcing material. The matrix material may be resin material and the reinforcing material may be fibre glass or carbon fibre material, for example.

o According to an embodiment, the mounting element N has a first axial surface intended to be facing towards the 5 reading device. The first surface is provided with protru- <Q sions serving as slide portions decreasing contact area O 30 between the mounting element and the reader device and E thereby decreasing frictional forces during the mounting 0 and removal, i.e. when the branches of the mounting element A are being moved. When these friction forces are decreased, 2 the manual pressing of the branches requires less force and N 35 easier. This way mounting properties of the element are improved by means of the disclosed protrusions.

According to an embodiment, the frame part of the mounting element comprises one or more fastening pins or protrusions which are located on the first surface of the mounting element and which are directed axially.

The men- tioned fastening pins are configured to serve as a stopper elements for preventing lateral movement of the reading device.

According to an embodiment, cross-sectional form of the fastening pin, which is mentioned in the previous em- bodiment above, comprises two opposing halve circles and a two parallel lines connecting the mentioned halve circles.

According to an embodiment, the frame part of the mounting element comprises a fastening flange protruding radially from the frame part and being provided with a fastening opening.

The mentioned fastening flange is also inclined towards the first surface side of the mounting element.

In other words, the fastening flange is slightly slanted towards the reading device.

The fastening flange provides the mounting element with an easily accessible fastening place and the inclined direction of the flange improves stability of the mounting between the reading de- vice and the mounting element.

According to an embodiment, the above disclosed in- clination angle of the fastening flange is between 2 - 5° relative to a normal of the mounting element.

Let it be o mentioned that the definition for the term "normal” in ge- O ometry means perpendicular to a tangent line or derivative + of a surface. ? According to an embodiment, the inclined fastening O 30 flange disclosed above is configured to be bent from its E initial position when the fastening screw is tightened.

The o bending is configured to generate a pre-tensioning force 2 for the mounting element.

An advantage of the generated pre- 2 tensioning force is that fastening between the reading de- N 35 vice and the mounting element can be arranged by means ofone single fastening screw, because the pre-tensioning force is able to keep the components tightly against each other.

According to an embodiment, the solutions relates to a reader device for monitoring a water meter of a water pipe system of a building. The reader device comprises a main body and at least one sensing device mounted inside the body. The reader device further comprises at least one data communication device for sending sensing data to serv- ers and external electric devices. The reader device is mounted on the water meter by means of a mounting element, which is separate piece and comprises features and ad- vantages which are disclosed above.

According to an embodiment, the sensing device of the reader device is a camera. The camera is arranged to take pictures of a face of the water meter. The camera may a digital camera.

According to an embodiment, the sensing device of the reader device is an imaging device. Any kind of sensing device capable of sensing remotely readings of the water meter may be implemented.

According to an embodiment, the sensing device of the reader device is a scanner, such as laser scanner or Lidar. The scanner produces point cloud data and water meter readings may be recognized from the point cloud data by means of a suitable algorithms or computer program products. o According to an embodiment, the data communication N device of the reader device provides a wireless data com- 5 munication path. The data may be transmitted via Wi-Fi to <Q a router and further through the Internet to cloud services, O 30 servers and electronic terminal devices, for example. E According to an embodiment, the main body of the o reader device is a cylindrical piece provided with an open- 3 able cover piece at its first end. At a second end there 2 are axial counter surfaces which are mountable against the N 35 above mentioned mounting element. Between the main body, the cover piece and the mounting element is screw fastening,

whereby the structure is easy to mount and dismount. Fur- ther, the mentioned components may be fastened to each other by means of one single fastening screw. Then the structure is made extremely simple for the mounting.

According to an embodiment, the reader device com- prises three separate pieces connected to each other, namely the above disclosed main body, cover piece and mounting element. This kind of structure allows changes and updates to its components if need be. Further, the disclosed com- ponent structure is beneficial for possible maintenance, and also, space requirement for delivery packages may be minor.

According to an embodiment, a second end of the main body of the reader device facing towards the mounting ele- ment is provided with at least recess. The recess is con- figured to receive at least one axial fastening pin of the mounting element. Further, between the mentioned recess and the fastening pin there is clearance allowing a limited lateral movement for the fastening pin relative to the re- cess. Typically both branches of the mounting element are provided with their own fastening pins. The fastening pins and recesses prevent the reading device from turning side- ways. In other words, the fastening pins receive torque and the fastening screw receives axial forces. This is advan- tageous especially when there is a single screw fastening o principle between the mounting element and the reader device N is implemented. An advantage of the mentioned clearance is 5 that the connection between the pins and recesses do not <? prevent the branches of the mounting element moving radially O 30 relative to the reader device during the mounting measures. E According to an embodiment, the solution relates to © a method of mounting a reader device on a conventional water A meter of a water supply system of a building. The reader 2 device is mounted on the water meter by means of a mounting N 35 element so that one or more sensing devices of the reader device has access to sense readings presented on a face viewof the water meter. The method further comprises fastening the reader device to the water meter only by means of fric- tion forces. The friction forces may be directed against inner or outer surfaces of the water meter.

According to an embodiment, the solution relates to a method of mounting a reader device on a conventional water meter of a water supply system of a building. The reader device is mounted on the water meter by means of a mounting element so that one or more sensing devices of the reader device has access to sense readings presented on a face view of the water meter. The mounting element is fastened to inner surfaces of the water meter and the mounting element is mounted to a main body of the reader device. The mounting element and the entire reader device is kept in place above the face of the water meter by directing fastening forces towards the inner surfaces of the water meter by means of two bendable branches of the mounting element. In other words, the reader device is kept in place by means of fric- tional forces generated between the inner surfaces of the water meter and the bent branches.

According to an embodiment, the mounting method com- prises pressing the mentioned bendable branches manually towards each other where after the fastening surfaces of the branches are arranged against inner surfaces of the o water meter. Then the pressing force is released and the N fastening surfaces press against inner surfaces of the water 5 meter due to forces loaded into their structure as a kind <Q of spring forces. The mounting is remarkable easy and quick O 30 to execute and requires no special skills. The mounting is E tool free, as well as possible removal. The same principle © may be applied also in solutions where there is no branches A but the friction surfaces have different configuration. 2 According to an embodiment, the mounting method fur- N 35 ther comprises pre-mounting the mounting element with a fastening screw to the main body before mounting the readerdevice on the water meter. The disclosed single screw pre- mounting is easy and quick to execute for anyone.

According to an embodiment, the mounting method com- prises mounting the reader device on the water meter without using any tools and additional fastening means. Thus, anyone can mount the reading device.

The above disclosed embodiments may be combined in order to form suitable solutions having those of the above features that are needed.

Brief description of the figures Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a water meter provided with a remote sensing system for sensing readings of the water meter; Figure 2 is a schematic and partially sectional side view showing mounting principle of a reader device; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a reader device provided with a mounting element; Figure 4 is a schematic exploded view of a reader device; Figures 5 - 8 are schematic views of a separate mounting element is different view angles, Figure 9 is a schematic and partly sectional view of mounting principle utilizing friction mounting against N outer surfaces of the water meter, N Figure 10 is a schematic view of a reader device S comprising an integrated mounting element, O Figure 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating sev- = 30 eral alternative mounting principles and combinations of N mounting elements, and 9 Figure 12 is a schematic and partly sectional view 3 of a reader device according to another solution, which is NN directed to lighting a face of a monitored water meter.

For the sake of clarity, the figures show some em- bodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner.

In the figures, like reference numerals identify like ele- ments.

Detailed description of some embodiments Figure 1 shows a remote system for reading a water meter 1 of water pipe system 2 of a building 3. A main pipe 4 leading to the building 3 or apartment is typically pro- vided a main valve 5 following the water meter 1 and a manifold 6. Several branch tubes 7 are connected between the manifold 6 and water taps 8 lavatory bowls or other corresponding targets.

The water meter 1 comprises a face 9 provided with numerical counters and indicators for show- ing and monitoring the water consumption.

Typically the face 9 is located in a recess and is further protected by a hinged lid 10. The remote sensing system comprises a water meter reader device 11, which may comprise three separate components connected to each other.

Then the reader 11 com- prises a mounting element 12, a main body 13 and a cover piece 14. The mounting element 12 may be mounted against inner surfaces 15 of the recess of the water meter 1 and the mounting may be based on friction forces generated be- tween mating surfaces of the mounting element 12 and the inner surfaces 15. The reader device 11 may be connected to an electric power supply 16. The reader device 11 may comprise one or more sens- ing devices 17, such as cameras, for reading the readings N of the face 9. The sensing data may be transmitted through N a data communication connection 18, which is provided by S means of a data communication device 19, to one or more O external devices.

The connection 18 may be wireless and a = 30 Wi-Fi connection of corresponding connection may be utilized N between the device 19 and a router 20. The router 20 may be & connected through the Internet or another data network to 3 one or more cloud services 21 and one or more servers 22. NN The gathered sensing data may analysed and utilized in the cloud services 21 and servers 22 and the results may becommunicated to one or more external computers 23 and elec- tronic terminal devices 24. Figure 2 discloses that a body 25 of a water meter 1 may comprise a space for receiving and supporting a coun- ter unit 26 provided with a face 9 for showing the readings. The counter unit 26 may be locked in place by means of a sleeve like element 27, which may be screw mounted to the body 25. The sleeve like element 27 may form inner surfaces 15 against which fastening surfaces of a mounting element 12 may be pressed by means of internal spring forces gen- erated in the mounting element 12. The mounting element 12 may be made of flexible material and may comprise a gap 28 allowing its periphery to be decreased during the mounting. The mounting element 12 serves only as a mounting base for a reader device 11. Figure 2 further discloses that there are axial counter surfaces 29 between the water meter 1 and the mounting element 12. Let it be mentioned that the inner surfaces 15 serv- ing as friction mounting surfaces for the mounting element 12 may alternatively be formed directly to the base frame of the water meter 1. Figure 3 shows a basic structure of a reader device

11. The reader 11 comprises a mounting element 12, a main frame 13 and a cover 14. The components of the same reader 25 device 11 can be seen in more detailed in Figure 4. o At an upper part of the reader 11 the may be one or N more cable inlet ports 30 for electrical cables. 5 The mounting element 12 comprises a frame part 31 ? two branches 32a and 32b. The branches 32a, 32b are provided O 30 with curved fastening surfaces 33 on their outer surfaces. E Between distal ends of the branches 32 is a gap 28 allow- © ing the branches 32 to be pressed towards each other in A order to decrease the size of periphery defined by the 2 fastening surfaces 33. N 35 The components 12, 13 and 14 of the reader device 11 are connected to each other by means of one assembly orfastening screw, which passes through fastening holes 34 of the components.

Furthermore, the branches 32 may be provided with gripping portions 35 facilitating pressing the branches in- wardly during the mounting procedure.

At the gripping por- tions may be voids 36 for improving manufacture of the mounting element.

Figures 5 - 7 further disclose that the mounting element 12 may comprise slanted counter surfaces 37 at the ends of the branches 32, whereby the gap 28 deviates from radial direction.

The mounting element 12 has a first axial surface 38 intended to be facing towards the reader device.

The first surface 38 is provided with protrusions 39 serving as slide portions decreasing contact area between the branches 32 and the water meter and thereby decreasing frictional forces resisting movement of the branches 32. The frame part 31 comprises one or more fastening pins 40, which are located on the first surface side 38. The fastening pins 40 are configured to serve as stopper elements for preventing lateral movement of the reader de- vice.

The frame part 31 of the mounting element 12 may also comprise a fastening flange 41 protruding radially from the frame part 31 and being provided with the fastening o opening 34. The fastening flange 41 may be inclined towards N the first surface side 38, whereby there may be an incli- 5 nation angle A. <? Figure 9 discloses that the reader device 11 may be O 30 mounted against outer surfaces 51 of the water meter 1. The E disclosed external mounting may be utilize a separate mount- © ing element 12 or the reader device may be provided with an A integrated mounting element.

The mounting is based on fric- 2 tion forces between friction surfaces of the mounting ele- N 35 ment 12 and the outer surface of the water meter 1. Thefriction forces may be generated by means of spring ele- ments, mechanical force elements, actuator or structural bending and internally loaded spring forces. Figure 10 is a schematic view of a reader device 11 comprising an integrated mounting element 12a. At one end of a main body 13 may be formed movable elements 52 or portions which may serve as movable friction surfaces. Force F may be directed to the elements 52 for generating the required friction forces.

Figure 11 shows some possible mounting arrange- ments. As can be noted, there may be an adapter element 50, which is at first mounted to the water meter 1 and thereby mounting of the reader device 11 and the mounting element 12 is facilitated.

The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

Disclosure of a second solution excluded from the scope of the claim set of the present document.

This document further discloses solutions for mounting the sensing means inside the main body of the reader device and for illuminating a face of the water meter o during the sensing. Issues and features relating specifi- N cally to these aspects are disclosed below.

5 Figure 12 discloses a lighting system for improving <? monitoring conditions inside the reader device 11. The basic O 30 solution may be in accordance with the features disclosed E above in this document.

BD 2 The second solution may be defined in the following

O = manner: N 35 A reader device (11) for monitoring a water meter (1) of a water pipe system of a building;

wherein the reader device (11) comprises: a main body (12); at least one sensing device (17) inside the body (12); at least one data communication device (19) for providing the reader device (11) with a data communication connection (18) with at least external electric device; and a mounting element (12) or portion for mounting the reader device (11) on the water meter (1); characterized in that the reader device (11) comprises at least one illu- minating device (42), which is mounted inside the reader device (11); and the generated light beams (43) are configured to be diffused or scattered inside the reader device (11) before they exit the reader device and reach the water meter (1).

Additional features relating to the illuminating system of the second solution: a) The illuminating device 42 comprises several led- bulbs or led light sources. Number of the led-bulbs may be more than four.

b) The illuminating device 42, which may comprise several led-bulbs, is configured to direct the generated beam of light in lateral direction or angularly side wards, whereby the beam of light at first hits inner walls of the o main body and reflects further therefrom. Thus, the illu- N minating device 42 does not send any direct light beams 5 towards the water meter 1, whereby occurrence of detrimental <? reflections may be avoided. An advantage of this is that O 30 improved reading results may be gathered. In other words, E the light beams 43 reflect several times before reaching 0 the object to be illuminated, whereby proper ambient light- > ning conditions may be achieved. 2 c) Inner walls 44 of the device may be white or N 35 light colored in order to thereby serve as a proper re- flecting surface for the light beam 43. Alternatively, innersurfaces 44 of the device may be coated with suitable re- flective material. In other words, diffuse light can be obtained by reflecting light from white surfaces. Also mir- ror surfaces can be implemented.

d) Inside the device the reader device 11 may be one or more circuit boards 45, instruments and devices, and they have white color in order to improve the light beams of the illuminating device 42 to be reflected properly.

e) Inside the body is located at least one circuit board 45. The above mentioned led-bulbs or other illumina- tion devices 42 are mounted directly on the circuit board

45.

f) Inside the body is located at least one circuit board 45. The above mentioned sensing device 42 is mounted directly on the circuit board 45.

g) Inside the body is at least one diffuser element 46, which may also be called a light diffuser or optical diffuser. The diffuser element 46 diffuses or scatters light so that the light penetrated through it is made softer. The diffuser element may be made of opal glass or greyed glass. As an alternative to the material glass, a polycarbonate plate may be used. The diffusor element 46 may have 50% light penetration rate.

h) The diffuser element 46 mentioned above may be mounted at a pre-determined distance L from the illumination o device 42. In some cases the diffuser element 46 may be S located at a middle section of the reader device 11 when 5 seen in longitudinal direction of the reader device 11. <Q i) The sensing device 42 may be a camera and may O 30 comprise a lens 47. The above mentioned diffuser element 46 E may comprise an opening at the camera lens 47 so that the 0 lens 47 may protrude from the diffuser element 46 at the A water meter side of the reader device 11. In other words, 2 camera views are not taken through the diffuser element 46. N 35 J) The body comprises an end part of cover 14. The circuit board 45, sensing device 17 and the diffuser element

46 are supported to the end cover 14. The mounting element 12, the cylindrical main body part 13 and the cover part 14 eguipped with the mentioned components, are all connected to each other by means of one single fastening screw.

k) The structure of the reader device 11 is config- ured to prevent all natural light entering inside the struc- ture. Thus, the sensing measures are executed only in ar- tificial lightening.

1) The mechanical structure of the reader device may be as it is disclosed in this document. Then the mount- ing element may be a separate piece, or it may be integrated to be part of a basic structure of the reader device. Fur- ther, there may be an adapter piece or element between the water meter and the reader device.

m) Fastening principle of the reader device to the water meter may be as it is disclosed in this document. Fastening may be internal or external and is based on fric- tion forces. The needed fastening forces may be based on internal or external spring forces, or may be based on actuators or mechanical force members, such as screws, wedges, cams and levers. oO

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Claims

1. A mounting element (12, 12a) of a reader device (11), which mounting element is mountable to a water meter (1) of a water pipe system (2) of a building (3); the mounting element (12, 12a) comprises: a frame part and several friction surfaces movable relative to the frame part; and at least one force element for moving the mentioned friction surfaces and for generating friction forces; characterized in that the mentioned at least one force element is config- ured to move the friction surfaces apart from each other thereby allowing the mounting element to be fastenedagainst inner surfaces (15) of the water meter (1).

2. The mounting element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the mounting element (12) is a separate element relative to the reader device (1).

3. The mounting element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the mounting element (12a) is an integrated insep- arable part of the reader device (1). o D

4. The mounting element as claimed in any one of N the preceding claims 1 - 3, characterized in that Tr the mentioned at least one force element is an in- > 30 tegrated part of the mounting element (12, 12a) and is based E on bending of material of the mounting element when external o force is directed to it and is configured to generate spring > forces when being bent. > o N 35

5. The mounting element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 3, characterized in thatthe menticned at least one force element is a screw member or wedge.

6. An arrangement comprising: a water meter (1) of a water pipe system (2) of a building (3); a reader device (11) for sensing readings of the water meter (1); and wherein the reader device (11) is fastened to the water meter (11) only by means of friction forces; characterized in that the reader device (11) is fastened against inner surfaces (15) of the water meter (1).

7. A reader device (11) for monitoring a water meter (1) of a water pipe system (2) of a building (3); wherein the reader device (11) comprises: a main body (13); at least one sensing device (17) inside the body (13); at least one data communication device (19) for providing the reading device (11) with a data communication connection (18) with at least external electric device (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) ; a mounting element (12, 12a) for mounting the reader > device (11) on the water meter (1); O and wherein the mounting element (12, 12a) comprises N at least two friction surfaces movable relative to each i other by means of at least one force element and configured > 30 to generate friction forces for mounting the reader device z (11); 0o characterized in that e the reader device (11) is configured to be fastened 2 against inner surfaces (15) of the water meter (1). N 35

8. The reader device as claimed in claim 7, char- acterized in that the mounting element (12) is a separate piece con- nected to the main body (13) of the reader device (11).

9. A method of mounting a reader device (11) for monitoring a water meter (1) of a water pipe system (2) of a building (3); and wherein the method comprises: mounting the reader device (11) on the water meter (1) by means of a mounting element (12, 12a) so that at least one sensing device (17) of the reader device (11) has access to sense readings of the water meter (1); and fastening the reader device (11) to the water meter (1) only by means of friction forces; characterized by fastening the reader device (11) against inner sur- faces (15) of the water meter (1).

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, charac- terized by executing the fastening by initially directing ex- ternal forces to the mounting element (12, 12a) for produc- ing elastic transformation for at least part of the struc- ture of the mounting element (12, 12a), whereby internal > spring forces are generated in the structure of the mounting O element; N placing the mounting element (12, 12a) to desired N fastening position; and > 30 releasing the external forces whereby the generated E spring forces serve as fastening forces and the mentioned © friction forces are generated between the reader device (11) A and the water meter (1). >

N