KR20000065933A - Sensor for detecting rotation of numeric wheel of metering apparatus and remote meter reading system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A rotation detecting sensor of a flow meter figure wheel and a remote checking system using the same are provided to easily and promptly check the used amount without visiting each house. CONSTITUTION: In a meter(10) displaying the used amount of the supplied object by accumulating rotational frequency of a plurality of figure wheels, a remote checking system for the used amount of the flow meter includes a detecting part(100) sensing the rotation of the figure wheel for generating a sensing signal every rotation period, and a display part(200) counting the used amount of the supplied object by using the sensing signal and displaying the counted used amount of the supplied object, wherein the detecting part uses photo sensing or magnetic sensing, the display part is combined with one or more detecting part by wire or wireless method.

Description

Rotation detection sensor of number wheel of meter and remote metering system using same {SENSOR FOR DETECTING ROTATION OF NUMERIC WHEEL OF METERING APPARATUS AND REMOTE METER READING SYSTEM USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a remote meter reading system of a meter, and more particularly, to detect the rotation of a specific number plate of the meter, to count the amount of feed used, and to use the counted amount of feed on a display panel installed at a position where the meter is easier to access. It relates to a remote meter reading device.

Suppliers, such as electricity, gas or water, charge subscribers according to the amount of their use. In order to charge, the subscriber's supply should be read at regular intervals. The amount of feed used is indicated by the number displayed on the meter wheel.

Meters are usually installed in the subscriber's home. In this case, the meter reader of the supplier shall enter the subscriber's house to read the meter directly or indirectly read the meter with the amount of the supply supplied by the subscriber outside the house. If the subscriber is absent, he must visit several times. In order to eliminate such inconvenience, a method of reading a subscriber's own home and recording the supply of the supply is also partially used. However, this method has a problem in that without a subscriber's cooperation, the meter can be directly read by the meter reader and the subscriber is burdened with regular meter reading and recording.

On the other hand, if information on the usage of the feed of the meters distributed in several places can be confirmed in one place, the effort to read the consumption of the feed can be greatly reduced. This requires a device that collects and displays usage information for each meter's feed.

By the way, it is desirable to solve the above problems and accommodate the demands at a minimum cost. For example, it would be undesirable to involve a replacement of the entire meter already in use, as it would incur a new cost.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor capable of detecting the number of revolutions of a number wheel of a meter that rotates in proportion to the amount of feed used.

Another object of the present invention is to count the number of revolutions of the number wheel of the meter to obtain the usage information of the supply, and transfer the obtained usage information to the display panel installed in a place where the reader is easy to access and display the metering operation conveniently and easily To provide a remote meter reading system

Figure 1 shows the configuration of a remote meter reading device of the meter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A shows an example in which a photodetector is installed on the uppermost wheel of the meter.

2B shows a state in which a reflector for a photodetector is attached to the lowest number wheel.

2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-B of FIG. 2A for explaining the installation and operation principle of the light detector.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a meter remote meter reading device when a detector and a display unit are wirelessly coupled as another example of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the installation and operation principle of the magnetic detection unit.

** Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawings **

10: meter 20: transparent plate 30: number wheel

30a: lowest number wheel 40: reflector

100: detector 100 ': photodetector 100 ": magnetic field detector

60: light emitter 70: light sensor

140: magnetic material 150: magnetic sensor

200: display unit 210: number display unit 210a: counter

210b: numeric display plate 300: cable 310: transmitter

330: receiver

In order to achieve the above object, it is applied to a meter that displays the amount of use of the feed by accumulating the number of revolutions of the number wheel is provided a system capable of remote metering the amount of feed of the meter. The meter remote meter reading system detects the rotation of the number wheel to generate a detection signal for each rotation period; And a display unit for counting the amount of feed used using the detection signal and displaying the counted amount of feed used.

The detection unit uses an optical sensor using photodetection or a magnetic sensor using magnetic field detection. The light detecting unit is a reflection plate fixed to the outer surface of the number wheel; It has a bottom and a cover to form a closed space to prevent external light from entering, the bottom is fixed to the top of the number wheel without disturbing the rotation of the number wheel, the bottom is formed a hole that can be closed by the number wheel Light blocking member having a partition extending from the upper end of the inner surface of the cover close to the hole to separate the sealed space; A light emitter mounted on an inner surface of the cover to radiate light toward a hole in the bottom; And an optical sensor provided on an inner surface of a cover in which the light emitter is not installed, and for detecting radiation of the light emitter reflected by the reflector when the reflector closes the hole. The magnetic detection unit generates a magnetic field externally, and is provided with a magnetic sensor fixed to the number wheel and integrally rotating with the number wheel and detecting a magnetic field generated by the magnetic material when it encounters the rotating magnetic material and outputting a detection signal. do.

The display unit includes a counter that counts the number of occurrences of the detection signal and converts the amount of the feed into a usage amount, and a numeric display that displays the usage amount of the feed converted by the counter as a number. In addition, the display unit receives the detection signal of the detector in a wired manner or wirelessly. The counter and the number plate are paired one-to-one with the detector to indicate the usage of each meter's feed separately.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a brief description of the configuration of the meter wheel, in particular the meter wheel of the present invention is applied as follows. The number wheel of the meter 10, which can be seen from the outside, is composed of several number wheels 30, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The number wheel 30 is in the shape of a drum and the numbers 0 to 9 are marked on the surface. Each number wheel represents one digit, usually only the top few digits (hereinafter referred to as 'significant digits') are actually used to determine usage, and the lower digits (hereinafter referred to as 'significances'). The values displayed by the number wheels are discarded when determining usage. For example, in the case of electricity supply, the supplier reads the usage of the feed in kilowatt hours (Kwh), so the lower digit wheel indicating the value below the decimal point is not used for the meter reading. Actual meters usually contain one or more sub-digits for accurate indication of feed usage.

On the other hand, when the subscriber uses a supply such as electricity, gas or water, the meter 10 on the subscriber side rotates the number wheels 30 at different speeds in proportion to the amount of the feed used. That is, the lowest number wheel 30a rotates at the fastest speed and the highest number wheel rotates the slowest. The speed ratio of a number wheel and the number wheel above it is 10 to 1. That is, whenever the lowest number wheel 30a rotates 10 times, the number wheel immediately to the left makes one rotation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the meter remote meter reading device according to the present invention includes one or more detection units 100 and a display unit 200 to which the detection units 100 are connected. The detection unit 100 and the display unit 200 are connected through a cable 300 as shown in the drawing. However, it may also be connected in a wireless manner as described below.

The detection unit 100 is installed on any one of the number wheels 30 of the meter 10 to detect the usage of the feed by detecting the rotation of the number wheel 30. Since it is also possible to directly check the consumption of the feed through the meter 10, the detection unit 100 is any one of the number wheel below the decimal point, rather than the number wheel above the decimal point, for example, the lowest number wheel (30a) as shown in Figures 2a and 2b It would be more desirable to install on The detection unit 100 generates a detection signal, for example, a pulse signal at every rotation period of the numeric wheel 30a in which it is installed. The pulse signal is transmitted to the display unit 200 through the cable 300. However, when the detection unit 100 and the display unit 200 are combined in a wireless manner to be described later, the detection signal is wirelessly transmitted to the display unit 200.

First embodiment of the detector (photodetector)

The photodetector 100 'according to the first embodiment uses photodetection. The light detector 100 ′ is composed of a reflector 40, a light blocking member 50, a light emitter 60, and an optical sensor 70. The reflecting plate 40 is fixed to the outer surface of the number wheel 30a. The reflecting plate 40 has a better light reflectivity and a better surface so as not to cause diffuse reflection. The light blocking member 50 has a bottom 50a and a cover 50c which form a closed space where external light does not enter. The bottom 50a is fixed to the top of the number wheel 30a without disturbing the rotation of the number wheel 30a. That is, the bottom 50a is fixed on the transparent plate 20 of the meter or the transparent plate 20 is peeled off and fixed directly on the number wheel 30a. The bottom 50a is formed with a small hole 50d that can be closed by the number wheel 30a. The partition 50b extends close to the hole 50d at the upper end of the inner surface of the cover 50c to separate the closed space of the photodetector 100 '. The light emitter 60 is a means for receiving power and converting it into light. For example, it may be configured using a light emitting diode (LED) that emits light when a current flows. The light emitter 60 is provided on the inner surface of the cover 50c to emit light toward the hole 50d formed in the bottom 50a. The optical sensor 70 is an optical sensor that converts the received light into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal. For example, a phototransistor for converting light received through its own lens into amplified current and outputting the light may be used as the optical sensor 70. The optical sensor 70 is installed on the inner surface of the cover in which the light emitter is not installed, and receives light emitted from the light emitter 60 reflected by the reflector 40 when the hole 50d is closed by the reflector 40. It generates a normal detection signal.

The driving power is received through the cable 300 of the light emitter 60 and the optical sensor 70. Therefore, the light emitter 60 continuously irradiates light toward the hole 50d of the bottom 50a. If the subscriber does not use a supply such as water, electricity or gas, the numeric wheel of the meter 10 on the subscriber side does not rotate. The optical sensor 70 may generate a detection signal only when the reflected light of the light emitter 60 is detected by the reflector 40. If the reflector 40 is not located under the hole 50d, the light irradiated by the light emitter 60 is mostly absorbed by the number wheel 30a, and part of it causes diffuse reflection, so that the optical sensor 70 does not generate a detection signal. can not do it. When the reflecting plate 40 does not rotate and continues to stop immediately below the hole 50d, the level of the detection signal, that is, the pulse signal remains high, but the counter of the display unit 200 that counts the number of occurrences of the pulse signal ( 210a, which will be described later, counts the rising frequency of the pulse signal, so that the number of revolutions of the number wheel 30a is accurately counted.

On the other hand, when the subscriber uses the feed, the number wheel 30a continues to rotate in proportion to the use of the feed. If the reflector 40 is not located below the hole 50d during the rotation of the number wheel 30a, the optical sensor 70 does not generate a detection signal for the reason described above. However, when the reflector 40 is positioned below the hole 50d during the rotation of the number wheel 30a, the light sensor 70 detects the light emitted by the light emitter 60 to generate an electric pulse signal.

Second Embodiment of the Detection Unit (Magnetic Detection Unit)

Another embodiment of the detector, the configuration of the magnetic detection unit 100 "is shown in Figure 4. The magnetic detection unit 100" is a magnetic body 140 and the magnetic field of the magnetic body 140 to form a magnetic field externally to the electrical It is composed of a magnetic sensor 150 for outputting a signal.

For example, the magnetic body 140 may be integrally rotated with the number wheel, and may be fixed to the outer surface of the lowest number wheel 30a or inserted therein. As the magnetic body 140, it is preferable to use a permanent magnet.

The magnetic sensor 150 is fixed to an appropriate position on or inside the transparent plate 20 of the meter 10. The position where the magnetic sensor 150 is fixed is preferably a position where the magnetic body 140 can experience the most magnetic field generated in the magnetic body 140 when the magnetic body 140 is closest to the transparent plate 20. The magnetic sensor 150 detects a magnetic field generated by the magnetic body 140 when it comes close to the rotating magnetic body 140 and outputs a detection signal such as a pulse signal. In principle, the magnetic sensor 150 may be any one that detects a change in the magnetic field and converts it into an electrical signal. Examples of general-purpose sensors that can be used as the magnetic sensor 150 include, for example, a coil that induces electromotive force by the temporal change of the linkage flux, and a magnetoresistive element that detects the magnetic field by changing the magnitude of current by converting the strength of the magnetic field into a change in resistance. (magnetoresistor), reed relays that magnetically open and close the contacts enclosed in glass tubes, Hall generators, semiconductor devices that convert magnetic fields into electromotive force using the Hall effect, A magnetodiode, a semiconductor device that increases or decreases current by changing its intensity, is used.

When the lowest number wheel 30a does not rotate, the magnetic field does not change, and thus the magnetic sensor 150 does not output a detection signal. However, when the lowest number wheel 30a rotates, the magnetic sensor 50 and the magnetic body 40 repeatedly approach each other regularly or irregularly. In this process, the magnetic sensor 150 experiences a change in the magnetic field while repeating the entry and exit of the magnetic field formed by the magnetic body 140. Each time the magnetic sensor 150 experiences a change in the magnetic field, the magnetic sensor 150 generates a detection signal.

Application of detection signal

The number of rising pulses is equal to the number of revolutions of the number wheel 30a. By this operation principle, the detection unit 100 may generate a detection signal corresponding to the usage amount of the feed of the meter 10. For example, in the case where one rotation of the lowest number wheel 30a means electric consumption at 0.1 kilowatt hour, 10 sensing signals, that is, 10 pulse signals, correspond to 1 kilowatt hour.

Such a detection signal may be used in various ways. As an example, it is possible to apply the detection signal to the numeric display panel to indicate the usage amount of the supply by using a number that can be convenient to read the meter.

The display unit 200 includes at least one numeric display unit 210 and is connected to an external power source to receive driving power. The number display unit 210 and the detection unit 100 are connected one to one as shown in FIG. One numeric display unit 210 includes a counter 210a connected to the cable 300 and a numeric display plate 210b connected to the counter 210a. The counter 210a counts the number of rising times of the detection signal, that is, the pulse signal of the detection unit 100 transmitted through the cable 300 and converts it into the amount of supply of the feed. In terms of the amount of feed used, it is a matter of course that the conversion ratio should be different depending on the position where the detection unit 100 is installed, that is, on which number wheel. Numeric display 210b shows the usage of the feed converted by counter 210a as a number. For example, the numeric display panel 210b may employ a liquid crystal display (LCD), which is widely used as a numeric display device.

The display unit 200 may display a usage amount of the total supply to date, that is, a number displayed on the number plate 30 of the meter 10 or display the usage amount of the feed for a predetermined time. The cumulative calculation of the consumption of the feed can be continued to display the total consumption of the feed. However, in order to show the usage of the feed over time, for example, the monthly feed, the usage of the feed may be counted again on a monthly basis. To do this, the counter 210a may be reset once a month, and then the count may be restarted. If a memory device (not shown) is provided inside the display unit 200, the amount of supply of the current month and the cumulative amount of supply of the present supply may be displayed. In addition, if the display method can be selected using a selection key (not shown), both the total supply and the monthly supply may be selectively displayed.

The display unit 200 and the detector 100 may be connected in a wireless manner. In order to connect the display unit 200 and the detection unit 100 by a wireless connection method, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the detection unit 100 may transmit a detection signal to the display unit 100 in a wireless manner. A transmitting antenna 320 is added, and a receiving antenna 330 and a receiving unit 330 which receive a radio signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 310 and provide it as an input signal of the counter 210a must be further added to the display unit 200. do. When the plurality of detection units 100 are used in combination with one display unit 200, the detection units should be distinguished from each other. An identification code is assigned to each detector to distinguish between the detectors. In addition, when transmitting the radio signal, in addition to the information on the detection signal, and transmits the information on the identification code given to each detection unit 100 to the receiver 330 together. The receiving unit 330 decodes the identification code and identifies the detecting unit providing the received detection signal. Then, the received detection signal is transmitted to the counter based on the identification result. After being delivered to the counter, the signal is processed as described above to indicate the usage of the feed.

Examples of the use of the detection signal obtained through the detection unit may be variously proposed. For example, if the detection signal is sent directly to the supplier's computer system, the meter reading may be omitted. In another example, the detection signal is transmitted to a counter installed in a multi-family house or an apartment hall far from the meter, and the counted value is displayed on the display panel using a liquid crystal display, and the meter reader visits each household. You will be able to perform the metering simply and quickly.

In addition, the detector can be easily added to the meter already in use and is economical since it does not involve the replacement or change of structure of the existing meter. Furthermore, the low power consumption eliminates the need for frequent battery changes.

Although the present invention has been described above according to an embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims (10)

In the meter that displays the amount of feed used by the accumulation of the number of revolutions of the number wheel, A detector for detecting a rotation of the number wheel and generating a detection signal at every rotation period; And And a display unit for counting the amount of supply of the supply using the detection signal and displaying a counted amount of supply of the supply. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection unit comprises: a reflection plate fixed to an outer surface of the number wheel; It has a bottom and a cover to form a closed space to prevent external light from entering, the bottom is fixed to the top of the number wheel without disturbing the rotation of the number wheel, the bottom is formed a hole that can be closed by the number wheel Light blocking member having a partition extending from the upper end of the inner surface of the cover close to the hole to separate the sealed space; A light emitter mounted on an inner surface of the cover to radiate light toward a hole in the bottom; And an optical sensor installed on an inner surface of the cover not provided with the light emitter and detecting the radiated light of the light emitter reflected by the reflecting plate when the reflecting plate closes the hole. Feed Usage Remote Metering System. According to claim 1, wherein the detection unit for generating a magnetic field on the outside, the magnetic body is fixed to the number wheel to rotate integrally with the number wheel; And And a magnetic sensor which detects a magnetic field generated by the magnetic material and outputs the detection signal when it encounters the rotating magnetic material. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises: a counter for counting the number of occurrences of the detection signal and converting the amount of supply into a usage amount; And a numeric display panel which shows the usage amount of the feed converted by the counter as a number, wherein at least one detection unit is connected to the display unit, and the set of counters and the numeric display unit are connected one-to-one with the detection unit. Remote metering system for meter feed. 5. The remote meter reading system of claim 4, wherein the numeric display panel of the display unit is configured by using a liquid crystal display device. The system of claim 1, wherein the display unit is connected to one or more of the detection units by one of wired and wireless methods. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein when the detector and the display unit are connected in a wireless manner, the detector further includes a transmitter and a transmission antenna for wirelessly transmitting the identification code and the detection signal of the detector, and the display unit comprises the identification code. And a receiving antenna and a receiving unit for receiving the detection signal, wherein the receiving unit decodes the identification code to identify a detection unit providing the detection signal and provides the detection signal to a counter corresponding to the identified detection unit. Remote meter reading system using the amount of feed of the meter. 2. The meter reading system of claim 1, wherein the display unit displays any one of i) total consumption of the feed, ii) usage of the feed over time, or a combination thereof. In the meter that displays the usage amount by the accumulation of the number of rotation of the number wheel, A reflection plate fixed to an outer surface of the number wheel; It has a bottom and a cover to form a closed space to prevent external light from entering, the bottom is fixed to the top of the number wheel without disturbing the rotation of the number wheel, the bottom is formed a hole that can be closed by the number wheel Light blocking member having a partition extending from the upper end of the inner surface of the cover close to the hole to separate the sealed space; A light emitter mounted on an inner surface of the cover to radiate light toward a hole in the bottom; And It is installed on the inner surface of the cover is not installed the light emitter, characterized in that it comprises an optical sensor for detecting the emitted light of the light emitter reflected by the reflecting plate when the reflecting plate closes the hole and converts it into an electrical signal and outputs it. Rotation sensor of the number wheel of the meter. In the meter that displays the usage amount by the accumulation of the number of rotation of the number wheel, A magnetic body that generates a magnetic field externally and is fixed to the number wheel to rotate integrally with the number wheel; And And a magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic field generated by the magnetic material and outputting a detection signal when the magnetic material is rotated.