A) TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to energy meters and particularly to a cover assembly for energy meters. The present invention more particularly relates to housing for current transformers in cover assembly for energy meters.
B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electrical energy meters, also referred to as watt-hour meters, are used on a widespread basis in commercial and industrial applications. It measures the electrical energy consumed by residence, factory commercial establishment or other such facility. A common form of meter utilizes current transformers to sense the electrical current being supplied. The current sensed by the current transformers is transmitted to circuit boards included in the meter to facilitate the measurement of the amount of electrical energy being consumed.
[0003] The current transformers, bus bars and printed circuit board assembly (PCA) are positioned inside the meter housing in a variety of ways. One way of securing current transformers, bus bars and PCA to a meter base is by using screws and nuts. The conventional electrical energy meters make use of mechanical fasteners such as screws, rivets, eyelets and pins in the assembly of the mechanical package. The large number of different parts used in the typical meter assembly is one of the major cost factors in manufacturing. Using automated assembly equipment has made it possible to manufacture these more complicated meter designs at a reasonable cost only because of the high volume of meters produced.

[0004] However, many meters have complex packages that are difficult to assemble which leads to increased costs and lower reliability. Therefore, there remains a need for an electronic meter package that is easy to asserrible and reliable.
[0005] Conventional electrical energy meters incorporate a relatively large number of fasteners such as screws, rivets, eyelets, pins, etc., to secure the various components on the bottom cover of the meters. These fasteners increase the overall parts count and the assembly time of the meter, and thereby increasing the manufacturing cost.
[0006] The currently available energy meters are provided with multiple housings to store the plurality of the transformers thereby increasing the assembly time and cost. Hence there is a need to develop a cover assembly with a single integrated housing to accommodate the plurality of the current transformers thereby reducing the cost and assembly time of the housing. Also there is a need to develop a cover assembly to provide a support for the snap lock to prevent the compression of the snap lock inside.
C) OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The primary object of the present invention is to develop an energy meter provided with a single integrated housing to accommodate the plurality of current transformers thereby reducing the number of components used in the assembly of cover for energy meter.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to develop an energy meter provided with a single integrated housing to accommodate the plurality of current transformers thereby reducing the assembly time.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop an energy meter provided with a single integrated housing to accommodate the plurality of current transformers thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the cover assembly for energy meter.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop an energy meter provided with a cover assembly provided with snap fit locks for current transformer to hold the integrated housing for current transformer rigidly.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop an energy meter provided with cover assembly arranged with slots to receive the printed circuit assembly.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop an energy meter provided with snap fit lock to prevent the vertical movement of the conductors.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop an energy meter provided with screw less click fit mechanism to hold the current transformer housing and the printed circuit assembly.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
[0016] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a cover assembly for an energy meter, with a single integrated housing to accommodate the plurality of the current transformers thereby reducing the assembly time and cost. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the energy meter has a bottom cover assembly provided with a single integrated housing to accommodate plurality of the current transformers. The single integrated housing is formed in a flower shape in one embodiment to hold the plurality of the current transformers. The housing has plurality of individual storage spaces integrated together to store the plurality of the current transformer. The storage space may be a cup. A current transformer is housed in each cup. A rubber gasket is arranged inside the cup before placing the current transformer. A metallic washer is arranged above the current transformers stored inside the housing. A lid is placed above the housing to cover the current transformer housing. The flower shaped housing is secured to the bottom plate of the cover assembly with fasteners. The housing has slots to receive the fasteners. The fasteners are collapsible protrusions with ribs at the top. The protrusions are inserted into the slots. The ribs act as stoppers to arrest the vertical and the horizontal movement of the current transformer housing in cover assembly. Pluralities of pillar shaped protrusions are mounted at the corners of the base of the cover assembly to hold a printed circuit assembly. The pillared protrusions are provided with guide grooves at the top portion

to hold the PCA. Pluralities of stoppers are mounted at the base of the bottom cover assembly to support the bottom surface of the PCA.
[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an assembly method is provided for the bottom cover assembly of the energy meters. A current transformer housing is formed by integrating three cup shaped cases used for storing the current transformers. A rubber gasket is installed inside the housing before storing the current transformers in the housing. A lid with metallic washer is placed above the current transformers stored inside the housing to close the current transformer housing. The current transformer housing is mounted on the base of the cover by inserting the locks into the slots provided in the housing. Then the bus bars such as copper conductors are inserted into recesses in the snap fit locks so that the vertical movement of the copper conductors are prevented by the locks. The PCA is inserted into the guide grooves provided in the support pillar mounted at the comers of the bottom cover to hold the PCA.
[0018] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] Figure 1 shows the perspective view of the components of the cover assembly for energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 2 shows the exploded view of current transformer housing in a cover assembly for energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 3 shows the top side perspective view of the cover assembly for energy meter, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the current transformer housing is mounted on the base of the cover assembly.
[0023] Figure 4 shows top side perspective view of cover assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention in which the bus bars are being mounted after installing the current transformer housing at the base.
[0024] Figure 5 shows the top side perspective view of the cover assembly for energy meter, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the Bus' bars are inserted and locked by snap, provided in bottom cover.
[0025] Figure 6. shows the perspective view of the cover assembly mounted with PCA, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Figure 7 shows the cross sectional view of bottom cover assembly mounted with PCA and CT, for energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 shows the various stages during the assembly process of cover assembly for energy meter according to on embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.
F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0030] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a cover assembly for an energy meter, with a single integrated housing to accommodate the plurality of the current transformers thereby reducing the assembly time and cost. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the energy meter has a bottom cover assembly provided with a single integrated housing to accommodate plurality of the current transformers. The housing is formed in a flower shape in one embodiment to

hold the plurality of the current transformers. The housing has plurality of individual storage spaces integrated together to store the plurality of the current transformer. The storage space may be a cup. A current transformer is housed inside each cup. A rubber gasket is arranged inside the cup and provided above and below the current transformer to provide isolation to the current transformer. A lid with metallic washer is arranged above the current transformers stored inside the housing to close the current transformer housing. The flower shaped housing is secured to the bottom plate of the cover assembly with fasteners. The housing has slots to receive the fasteners. The fasteners are collapsible protrusions with ribs at the top. The protrusions are inserted into the slots. The ribs act as stoppers to arrest the vertical and the horizontal movement of the current transformer housing in cover assembly. Pluralities of pillar shaped protrusions are mounted at the comers of the base of the cover assembly to hold a printed circuit assembly. The pillared protrusions are provided with guide grooves at the top portion to hold the PCA. Pluralities of stoppers are mounted at the base of the bottom cover assembly to support the bottom surface of the PCA. The bus bars are soldered to the PCA to provide better conductivity and to provide rigidity to the PCA.
[0031] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an assembly method is provided for the bottom cover assembly of the energy meters. Current transformer housing is formed by integrating three cup shaped cases used for storing the current transformers. A rubber gasket is installed inside the housing and provided above and below the current transformers stored inside the housing. A lid with metallic washer is placed above the current transformers stored inside the housing to close the current transformer housing. The housing is mounted on the base plate of the

cover by inserting the snap fit locks into the slots provided in the housing. Then the copper conductors/ bus bars are inserted into recesses in the locks so that the vertical movement of the copper conductors are prevented by the locks. The PCA is inserted into the guide grooves provided in the support pillar mounted at the comers of the bottom cover to hold the PCA.
[0032] The Figure 1 shows the perspective view of the components of the cover assembly for energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention, while the Figure 2 shows the exploded view of current transformer housing in a cover assembly for energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 1 and FIG.2, the cover assembly has a base 1 mounted with snap fit locks to receive a single integrated housing 2 used for storing the plurality of the current transformers 4. The base 1 is provided with support pillars at four comers to hold and support a printed circuit assembly (PCA). The pillar has guide grooves to receive and hold the PCA.
[0033] The single integrated housing 2 is mounted on the base 1 of the cover assembly to accommodate plurality of the current transformers 4. The housing 2 is formed in a flower shape in one embodiment to hold the plurality of the current transformers 4. The housing 2 has plurality of individual storage spaces formed in cup shape and integrated together to store the plurality of the current transformers 4. A current transformer 4 is housed in each cup. A mbber gasket 3 is arranged inside the cup and provided above and below the current transformers 4 stored inside the housing. A lid with metallic washer 5 is arranged above the current transformers 4 stored inside the housing 2 to cover the current transformer housing 2. The flower

shaped housing 2 is secured to the bottom plate 1 of the cover assembly with fasteners. The housing 2 has slots to receive the fasteners. The fasteners are collapsible protrusions with ribs at the top. The protrusions are inserted into the slots. The ribs act as stoppers to arrest the vertical and the horizontal movement of the current transformer housing 2 in cover assembly. With the use of the snap fit lock the horizontal and the vertical movement of the housing mounted on the base of the cover assembly is prevented. Each snap fit lock has grooves at the centre to receive the bus bar. The bus bar includes copper conductor and neutral conductor.
[0034] Pluralities of pillar shaped protrusions are mounted at the comers of the base 1 of the cover assembly to hold a printed circuit assembly. The pillared protrusions are provided with guide grooves at the top portion to hold the PCA. Pluralities of stoppers are mounted at the base 1 of the bottom cover assembly to support the bottom surface of the PCA.
[0035] The Figure 3 shows the top side perspective view of the cover assembly for energy meter, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the current transformer housing is mounted on the base of the cover assembly. With respect to FIG.3, the single integrated current transformer housing 2 is mounted on the base 1 of the cover assembly for energy meters using the snap fit locks fixed on the base 1 of the cover assembly. Each snap fit lock is collapsible and has ribs at the top. The lock is inserted into the slots provided at the current transformer housing 2. The ribs at the top act as a stopper to hold the current transformer housing at the base and to prevent the vertical movement of the housing 2. With the use of the snap fit lock the horizontal and the vertical movement of the housing mounted on the base of the

cover assembly is prevented. Each snap fit lock has aperture at the centre to receive the bus bar and neutral conductor. The bus bar may be a copper conductor or a neutral conductor.
[0036] Figure 4 shows top side perspective view of cover assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention in which the copper conductor are being mounted after installing the current transformer housing at the base. With respect to FIG.4, single integrated current transformer housing packed with current transformers is mounted on the base of the cover assembly using the snap fit locks as mentioned above. Pluralities of bus bars are inserted in the guide grooves provided at the snap fit locks which are mounted on the base to hold the current transformer housing thereby preventing the vertical movement of the bus bars. The bus bars include copper current conductor, neutral conductor, etc. The bus bars have a profile at the top surface to couple with the PCA.
[0037] Figure 5 shows the top side perspective view of the cover assembly for energy meter, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the Bus' bars are inserted and locked by snap, provided in bottom cover. With respect to FIG. 5, the current transformer housing is mounted on the base of the cover assembly using the snap fit locks. The bus bars are inserted into the central guide holes in the snap fit locks as mentioned above.
[0038] The Figure 6 shows the perspective view of the cover assembly mounted with PCA, according to one embodiment of the present invention, while the Figure 7 shows the cross sectional view of bottom cover assembly mounted with PCA and CT,

for energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to the FIG.6 and FIG.7, a single integrated current transformer housing 2 packed with current transformers 4 is mounted on the base 1 of the cover assembly using the snap fit locks. A rubber gasket 3 is placed inside the housing 2 and arranged above and below the current transformer 4 stored in the housing 2. A lid with metallic gasket is arranged above the current transformers 4 accommodated in the housing 2 to close the housing 2 after packing the housing 2 with the current transformers 4. The bus bars are inserted into the slots at the snap fit locks. The PC A is mounted and supported on the cover assembly with the help of the support pillars. The PC A is held in its position by inserting the PC A into the guide grooves provided at the top portion of the support pillars. Pluralities are stoppers in the forms of posts mounted on the base of the cover assembly to support the bottom surface of the PC A.
[0039] Figure 8 shows the various stages during the assembly process of cover assembly for energy meter according to on embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.8, single integrated current transformer housing is formed by integrating three cup shaped cases used for storing the current transformers. A rubber gasket is installed inside the housing and provided above and below the current transformers in the housing. A lid with metallic washer is placed above the current transformers stored inside the housing to close the current transformer housing. The housing is mounted on the base of the cover by inserting the snap fit locks installed in the base of the cover assembly into the holes provided in the housing. Then the bus bars including the copper conductors and the neutral conductors are inserted into the slots provided in the locks so that the vertical movement of the copper conductors are

prevented by the locks. The PCA is inserted into the guide grooves provided in the support pillar mounted at the comers of the bottom cover to hold the PCA.
G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0040] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a cover assembly for an energy meter, with a single integrated housing to accommodate the plurality of the current transformers thereby reducing the assembly time and cost. The cover assembly has a single integrated housing to accommodate the plurality of current transformers thereby reducing the number of components used in the assembly of cover for energy meter. The cover assembly is provided with snap fit locks for current transformer to prevent the compression of the snap fit lock for current transformer to avoid the failure of the energy meter during the vibration test. The cover assembly is arranged with slots to receive the printed circuit assembly. The cover assembly is provided whh snap fit lock to prevent the vertical movement of the conductors. The cover assembly is provided with screw less click fit mechanism to hold the current transformer housing and the printed circuit assembly.
[0041] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[0042] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the

statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A cover assembly for energy meter comprising:
A base plate
Single integrated housing mounted on the base plate; Fasteners mounted on the base plate to hold the single integrated housing; Wherein the single integrated housing is mounted on the base plate to accommodate the plurality of the current transformers.
2. The cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the single integrated housing is provided with plurality of storage spaces to store the current transformers.
3. The cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein each storage space is cup shaped to accommodate one current transformer.
4. The cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the single integrated housing is formed in flower shape.
5. The cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the single integrated housing has slots to receive the fasteners to mount the single integrated housing on the base plate.
6. The cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is a snap fit mechanism.


7. The cover assembly according to claim 6, wherein the snap fit mechanism is a
collapsible lock mechanism.
8. The cover assembly according to claim 6, wherein the snap fit mechanism has
ribs provided at the top portion to engage with the lid of the single integrated
housing to prevent the vertical movement of the single integrated housing.
9. The cover assembly according to claim 6, wherein the snap fit mechanism has
recesses to receive the bus bars.
10. The cover assembly according to claim 1, further comprises support pillars mounted at four comers of the base plate.
11. The cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support pillars hold a printed circuit assembly.