JP2019082365A - Lid body and water meter equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a lid body for a city water meter capable of accurately reading the meter without opening or closing the lid body even when a meter person stands upright, and the water meter equipped with the lid body.SOLUTION: A lid body 20 is attached to a water meter main body 10 provided with a display part 101 for displaying a measurement value indicating the consumed amount of water. The lid body 20 includes a lid part 21 having an opening portion, and a lens part 22 fixed to the opening portion. When the lid body 20 is attached to the water meter main body 10, the lens part 22 forms a virtual image in which the entire measurement value of the display part 101 is enlarged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a lid for a water meter, and a water meter equipped with the same.

  In general, a water meter is provided with a display unit such as a meter that indicates the usage of water supply, and the display unit is covered with a transparent cover such as glass. Water meters are required by law to be fitted with a lid covering the transparent cover of the display unit. The lid of the water meter is attached with identification information or the like for managing the water meter.

  A meter-reader usually performs a meter-reading operation by opening a lid when reading the amount of water used. Patent Document 1 below discloses a water meter equipped with a transparent or translucent lid, in order to reduce the work load when visually identifying the identification information of the water meter and the amount of water used. In the lid of Patent Document 1, the upper surface side of the lid is curved so that dirt such as mud adhering to the lid surface does not remain.

JP, 2009-92598, A

  In the case of the water meter of Patent Document 1, since the lid is transparent or translucent, it is possible to save time and effort for opening and closing the lid. However, in general, water meters are often located at low positions near the ground. In addition, in the low birthrate and aging society in recent years, the aging of meter readers is inevitable. Therefore, it is difficult for a meter reader to visually identify the amount of water consumption correctly only by making the part of a lid transparent. Also, the color of the lid of the water meter is predetermined by the water department, and it is practically difficult to make the entire lid transparent.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a cover for a water meter that can be accurately read even when a meter reader stands without opening and closing the cover, and a water meter provided with the same.

  The lid in one embodiment of the present invention is a lid mounted on a water meter main body provided with a display unit for displaying a measured value indicating the amount of water consumption, and a lid having an opening, and the opening And a fixed lens unit, and when mounted on the water meter main body, the lens unit forms a virtual image in which at least the entire measurement value is enlarged.

  According to the present invention, accurate reading can be performed even in a state in which a meter reader stands without opening and closing the lid.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water meter according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of the water meter shown in FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a lid of the water meter shown in FIG. FIG. 3B is a plan view of the lid shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the lid shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3D is a rear view of the lid shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3E is a front view of the lid shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3F is a right side view of the lid shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lens portion of the lid shown in FIG. 3B taken along the line B-B. FIG. 5: is a schematic sectional drawing of the AA of the water meter shown in FIG. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a convex lens portion of a lens portion according to a modification (1). FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a convex lens portion different from FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of a convex lens portion different from FIGS. 6A and 6B.

  The lid in one embodiment of the present invention is a lid mounted on a water meter main body provided with a display unit for displaying a measured value indicating the amount of water consumption, and a lid having an opening, and the opening A fixed lens unit, and when mounted on the water meter main body, the lens unit forms a virtual image in which at least the entire measurement value is enlarged (first configuration).

  According to the first configuration, when the lid is attached to the water meter main body, it is possible to form a virtual image in which the entire measurement value of the display unit is enlarged by the lens unit. Therefore, the meter reading person can easily visually recognize the amount of water consumption displayed on the display unit even in a standing state without opening and closing the lid, and can reduce the burden of the reading operation and the erroneous reading needle.

  In the first configuration, the lens unit has a curved surface portion which is convexly curved in the surface direction of the lid portion, and the curved portion is exposed in the surface direction from the opening portion. It is good also as being engage | inserted from the back surface side to the said opening part (2nd structure).

  In the second configuration, on a surface of the lens unit, a part of the area on the opposite side of the direction of the characters of the display unit when mounted on the water meter main body is larger than the curved surface portion. May have a low magnification surface forming a low virtual image (third configuration).

  According to the third configuration, the low enlargement ratio surface is provided in a partial region of the lens unit disposed on the opposite side of the direction of the characters of the display unit. Since the meter reader usually stands to face in the same direction as the direction of the characters on the display unit, the low magnification surface is disposed on the near side of the meter reader. Therefore, even when observing from a low angle with respect to the surface of the lid, it is possible to make it easy to read the water consumption letter through the low magnification surface.

  In any one of the first to third configurations, the lens unit may be configured to be capable of observing the virtual image in a direction of at least 40 ° and at most 60 ° with respect to the surface of the lid. Good (4th configuration).

  According to the fourth configuration, it is easy to accurately view the water consumption when the meter reader stands.

  A water meter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes any of the first to fourth lids and a water meter main body (fifth configuration)

  According to the fifth configuration, in the state where the lid is attached to the water meter main body, the lens unit can form a virtual image in which the entire measurement value is enlarged. Therefore, the meter reading person can easily visually recognize the amount of water consumption displayed on the display unit even in a standing state without opening and closing the lid, and can reduce the burden of the reading operation and the erroneous reading needle.

  In the fifth configuration, the display unit may be rotatable about an axis normal to the surface of the display unit as an axis, and the lid may be rotated with the rotation of the display unit (sixth embodiment). Configuration).

  According to the sixth configuration, even when the display unit is not disposed in front of the meter reader, the lid and the display unit can be rotated to a position where the characters of the display unit can be easily read. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work load of the meter reader and to improve the work efficiency.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings have the same reference characters allotted and description thereof will not be repeated. In order to make the description easy to understand, in the drawings referred to in the following, the configuration is simplified or schematically shown, or some constituent members are omitted. Also, the dimensional ratios among the components shown in the drawings do not necessarily indicate the actual dimensional ratios.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water meter according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the water meter shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. The water meter of the present embodiment is, for example, a tangential flow impeller type water meter.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water meter 1 includes a water meter main body 10, a lid 20 attached to the water meter main body 10, and a rotating portion provided between the water meter main body 10 and the lid 20. And 30. Each part will be described below.

  The water meter main body 10 has a nozzle portion 10 a, a measuring chamber 10 b, and a display portion 101. The measuring chamber 10b has a cylindrical shape, and houses therein a measuring mechanism (not shown) such as an impeller unit for measuring the amount of water used. The measuring chamber 10 b is provided at its side surface with an outwardly projecting protrusion 102. The nozzle portion 10a has a tubular shape and is connected to the side surface of the measuring chamber 10b, and the nozzle portion 10a is connected inside the measuring chamber 10b.

  The display unit 101 is provided on the measuring chamber 10 b and displays the measured value of the amount of water. The display unit 101 has a circular shape, and the upper surface thereof is covered by a cover such as glass. The display unit 101 is provided rotatably about an axis normal to the surface. In addition, although only the measured value of the amount of water is displayed here, a liter needle etc. may be provided in the display part 101. FIG.

  The rotating unit 30 has a ring shape, is provided between the display unit 101 and the lid 20, and is connected to the display unit 101 and the lid 20. Therefore, the rotating unit 30, the display unit 101, and the lid 20 rotate in conjunction with each other. The rotating portion 30 has a protruding portion 301 protruding outward in the vicinity of a connecting portion (not shown) with the lid 20. The protruding portion 301 is formed to be in contact with the protruding portion 102 of the water meter main body 10 when the rotating portion 30 is rotated. That is, the lid 20, the rotation unit 30, and the display unit 101 rotate only to the position where the projection 102 of the water meter main body 10 is provided.

  The measuring mechanism (not shown) of the measuring chamber 10 b is provided with a magnet (not shown) for transmitting the rotation of the impeller to the display unit 101. Moreover, the magnet and gear (all are not shown) which follow and rotate the magnet provided in the impeller also in the display part 101 side are provided. When the display unit 101 is rotated 360 °, the positions of the N pole and the S pole of the magnet on the display unit 101 side change, and the measurement value of the display unit 101 also changes. In the present embodiment, the display unit 101 is configured not to rotate by 360 ° by the projection 301 provided on the rotation unit 30. Therefore, the measured value does not change even if the display unit 101 rotates.

  The lid 20 is pivotally supported by the rotating portion 30 so as to be able to open and close with respect to the water meter main body 10.

  Here, FIGS. 3A to 3F show a perspective view, a plan view, a bottom view, a rear view, a front view, and a side view of the lid 20. FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration of the lid 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3F.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3F, the lid 20 has a lid 21 and a lens portion 22. The lid portion 21 is made of, for example, an opaque material of a predetermined color determined by the water department or the like. The outer shape of the lid 21 has a substantially circular shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, a rectangular opening 21 a is provided inside the lid 21. The area of the opening part 21a is larger than the area of the display part 101 of the water meter main body 10 shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. The lens unit 22 covers the opening 21 a from the bottom surface side of the cover unit 21 and is fitted to the cover unit 21 so that a part of the lens unit 22 is exposed on the upper surface side (Z-axis positive direction) of the cover unit 21. .

  Here, FIG. 4 shows a B-B cross section of the lens portion 22 shown in FIG. 3B. As shown in FIG. 4, the lens portion 22 is configured by bonding a convex lens portion 221 and a plate-like lens portion 222 provided on the bottom surface side of the convex lens portion 221. The convex lens portion 221 and the plate-like lens portion 222 are made of, for example, colorless and transparent glass or resin.

  The convex lens portion 221 can use, for example, a cylindrical lens. The convex lens portion 221 has a curved surface convexly curved, a bottom surface having a planar shape, and a side surface perpendicular to the bottom surface. Hereinafter, the curved surface portion of the convex lens portion 221 may be referred to as the upper surface of the convex lens portion 221.

  The bottom area of the convex lens portion 221 is substantially equal to the area of the opening 21 a of the lid 21 described above. Further, the height of the side surface of the convex lens portion 221 is substantially equal to the height of the opening 21 a of the lid 21. In a state where the lens portion 22 is fitted into the opening 21a of the lid 21, the upper surface portion of the convex lens portion 221 is exposed in the surface direction of the lid 21 from the opening 21a (see FIGS. 3A and 3F and the like).

  The plate-like lens portion 222 has a rectangular shape larger than the bottom area of the convex lens portion 221 and the area of the opening 21 a of the lid 21. In a state in which the lens portion 22 is fitted into the opening 21a of the lid 21, the plate-like lens portion 222 is arranged to cover the opening 21a from the bottom surface side of the lid 21 (see FIG. 3C).

  Here, the positional relationship between the lens unit 22 of the lid 20 and the measurement value of the display unit 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5: is a schematic sectional drawing in the AA of the water meter 1 shown in FIG. In addition, illustration of the specific measurement mechanism in the inside of the water meter main body 10 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the display unit 101 is provided under the transparent cover 120 in the measuring chamber 10 b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the direction (direction) of the characters of the measurement value on the display unit 101 coincides with the Y-axis positive direction. The convex lens portion 221 is provided at the opening 21 a of the lid 21 so that the cut surface in the Y-axis direction has an arc shape. Further, the convex lens portion 221 is provided in the opening 21 a of the lid 21 so that the entire measurement value of the display portion 101 can be contained inside the width of the convex lens portion 221 in the Y-axis direction. More specifically, the position 101a of the center of the measurement value in the Y-axis direction in the display unit 101 is shifted to the Y-axis positive direction side with respect to the center (optical axis) P of the convex lens portion 221. The positional relationship between the measurement value of the display unit 101 and the convex lens unit 221 does not change even if the display unit 101 rotates.

  When observing the display unit 101 from substantially directly above the convex lens unit 221, the lens unit 22 is positioned so that the center position 101a of the measurement value in the display unit 101 substantially coincides with the center (optical axis) P of the convex lens unit 221. If arranged, it is easy to visually recognize a virtual image obtained by enlarging the entire measurement value of the display unit 101. However, when observing a character on the display unit 101, an observer such as a meter reader usually displays the character standing upright in the direction in which the character can be read correctly, that is, the same direction as the direction of the character (Y axis positive direction). Observe part 101. That is, an observer such as a meter reader observes the display unit 101 from an obliquely upward direction on the opposite side (the negative direction of the Y axis) of the direction of the characters on the display unit 101. In this case, the inventors obtained the finding that the angle θ between the line of sight of the observer and the surface of the lid 21 is likely to be 40 ° or more and 60 ° or less. Therefore, the position of the convex lens portion 221 in the lid 20 is adjusted so that the entire virtual image obtained by enlarging the measurement value of the display unit 101 can be visually recognized even if the lens unit 22 is observed from this direction. That is, the convex lens portion is arranged such that the center (optical axis) P of the convex lens portion 221 is disposed at a position shifted by a predetermined distance on the observation side (Y-axis negative direction side) with respect to the central position 101a of the measurement value of the display portion 101 I placed 221. Thereby, the reflected light from the measurement value of the display unit 101 is imaged within the range of the angle θ on the observation side (Y-axis negative direction side) from the optical axis P, and in this direction, the measurement value of the display unit 101 is It becomes easy to visually recognize the enlarged virtual image.

  Generally, the top of the water meter is likely to be provided with another meter such as electricity or gas, and the water meter is located relatively close to the ground. Therefore, conventionally, a meter reader of a water meter has to take a posture such as squatting or becoming a waist in order to check the measurement value. In the embodiment described above, when the display unit 101 is observed facing the water meter 1 and facing the same direction as the direction of the characters of the display unit 101, a virtual image obtained by enlarging the entire measurement value of the display unit 101 is visually recognized. it can. In particular, a virtual image obtained by enlarging the entire measurement value of the display unit 101 from the direction of 40 ° or more and 60 ° or less with respect to the upper surface of the lid 20 is easily visible. Therefore, the meter reading person can check the measurement value accurately in a standing state without opening and closing the lid 20, and can prevent an erroneous meter reading.

  In addition, in the case of an apartment complex etc., the water meter is housed in the meter box together with other meters, but in the meter box, the measured values of the display unit 101 are arranged laterally instead of in front of the meter box door. May be In this case, the tester may rotate the rotating unit 30 so that the measurement value can be easily read. Since the direction of the measurement value of the display unit 101 can be changed by the rotation of the rotating unit 30, it is possible to prevent an erroneous reading by a meter reader.

As mentioned above, although an example of a lid for water meters concerning the present invention and a water meter was explained, a lid and a water meter concerning the present invention are not limited to composition of an embodiment mentioned above, but are considered as various modification composition. be able to. Hereafter, the modification is demonstrated.

  (1) In the embodiment described above, when the display unit 101 is observed at an angle of at least 40 ° or more and 60 ° or less with respect to the upper surface of the lid 20, the same direction as the direction of the characters of the display unit 101 A virtual image obtained by enlarging the measurement value of the display unit 101 can be visually recognized through the unit 22. However, from a low angle of 40 ° or less, the measured value of the display unit 101 may be hidden by the lid 21 and the like, which may make it difficult to view. So, in this modification, even if it is a case where it observes from a low angle of 40 degrees or less to the upper surface of lid 20, composition of lid 20 which is easy to read a measured value of indicator 101 is explained.

  6A to 6C are examples of cross-sectional views of a convex lens portion according to the present modification. Upper surface portions 2210 of the convex lens portions 221 a to 221 c shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C are portions exposed from the opening 21 a ′ of the lid 21. The opening 21a 'of the lid 21 in the present modification is longer in the Y-axis direction than the opening 21a in the above-described embodiment.

  The upper surface portion 2210 of the convex lens portion 221a shown in FIG. 6A has a curved surface portion 2212a having substantially the same curvature radius, and a curved surface portion 2212b having a gentler curved surface than the curved surface portion 2212a. The curved surface portion 2212 b is a partial region on the viewer's near side in the upper surface portion 2210 when observing in the same direction as the direction of the characters of the display portion 101. The radius of curvature of the curved surface portion 2212b is larger than that of the curved surface portion 2212a, and the radius of curvature is larger as it gets closer to the viewer. Therefore, when observing in the same direction as the direction of the characters of the display unit 101, the magnification of the virtual image of the measurement value of the display unit 101 observed through the curved surface portion 2212b is the virtual image of the measurement value observed through the curved surface portion 2212a. Less than the magnification rate of That is, the curved surface portion 2212a is a low magnification surface that has a magnification smaller than that of the curved surface portion 2212a. Therefore, even when the meter reading person observes from a low angle of 40 ° or less with respect to the upper surface of the lid 20, the measurement value of the display unit 101 is easily visible.

  In FIG. 6A, an example is described in which the cross section of the low magnification surface of the convex lens portion 221a has a gentle arc shape, but the cross sectional shape of the low magnification surface is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the cross section of the low magnification ratio surface 2212c of the convex lens portion 221b may be a gently inclined linear shape. In this case, the surface of the low magnification surface 2212c is planar, and thus does not function as a magnifying glass. That is, the virtual image of the display unit 101 observed through the low magnification ratio surface 2212 c has substantially the same size as the real image. Therefore, even in this case, even if the meter reader looks in the same direction as the direction of the characters on the display unit 101 and observes the display unit 101 from a low angle of 40 ° or less with respect to the upper surface of the lid 20 Measurement values are easy to see.

  Further, the upper surface portion 2210 of the convex lens portion 221c shown in FIG. 6C has a curved surface portion 2213a having substantially the same curvature radius, and a flat surface portion 2213b having a flat surface. The flat surface portion 2213 b is a partial region on the viewer's near side in the upper surface portion 2210 when observing in the same direction as the direction of the characters of the display portion 101. The flat portion 2213 b does not function as a magnifying glass because the surface is flat. That is, the virtual image of the display unit 101 observed through the flat surface portion 2213 b has substantially the same size as the real image, and the flat surface portion 2213 b is a low magnification surface having a lower magnification than the curved surface portion 2213 a. Therefore, even in this case, even if the meter reader looks in the same direction as the direction of the characters on the display unit 101 and observes the display unit 101 from a low angle of 40 ° or less with respect to the upper surface of the lid 20 Measurement values are easy to see.

  (2) In the embodiment described above, an example in which the lens unit 22 is configured by bonding the convex lens unit and the plate-like lens unit has been described, but even if the convex lens unit and the plate-like lens unit are integrally molded Good.

  (3) Although the lens part 221 demonstrated the example provided with the one convex lens part 221 in embodiment mentioned above, the structure of a lens part is not limited to this. That is, the lens unit may be a lens capable of observing a virtual image obtained by enlarging the entire measurement value when the display unit 101 is observed in the same direction as the direction of the characters of the display unit 101.

  (4) Although the tangential flow impeller type water meter has been described as an example in the embodiment described above, the water meter on which the lid 20 is mounted is not limited to this. For example, a water meter may be a vertical axial flow impeller type, or an electromagnetic water meter for obtaining a flow rate using electromotive force generated by applying a constant magnetic field perpendicularly to the flow of water. Good.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Water meter, 10 ... Water meter main body, 10a ... Nozzle part, 10b ... Measurement chamber, 20 ... Lid, 21 ... Lid part, 22 ... Lens part, 30 ... Rotation part, 101 ... Display part, 102, 301 ... Projection part 221, 221a to 221c: convex lens part 222: plate-like lens part, 2210: upper surface part (curved surface part), 2212a, 2213a: curved surface part, 2212b to 2213b: low magnification ratio surface

Claims (6)

A lid mounted on a water meter main body provided with a display unit for displaying a measured value indicating water consumption,
A lid having an opening,
And a lens unit fixed to the opening.
The lid body, when mounted on the water meter main body, forms a virtual image obtained by enlarging at least the entire measurement value.   The lens portion has a curved surface portion which is convexly curved in the surface direction of the lid portion, and the opening portion from the back surface side of the lid portion so that the curved surface portion is exposed in the surface direction from the opening portion. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid is fitted in.   A virtual image having a magnification rate lower than that of the curved surface portion is formed on a part of the surface of the lens unit which is disposed on the opposite side of the direction of the characters of the display unit when mounted on the water meter main body. A lid according to claim 2, having a low magnification surface.   The lid according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lens unit is configured to be able to observe the virtual image at least in a direction of 40 ° or more and 60 ° or less with respect to the surface of the lid. body. The lid according to any one of claims 1 to 4;
Water meter body,
Water meter equipped with. The display unit is provided rotatably about an axis normal to the surface of the display unit.
The water meter according to claim 5, wherein the lid rotates with the rotation of the display unit.

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