A) TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to electronic energy meters and more particularly to sealing arrangement for energy meters.

B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An energy meter is a device that measures the amount of electrical energy supplied to or produced by a residence, business or machines. The energy meters are usually enclosed in an enclosure after the completion of the service test and then the meter is ready for use in industrial applications. Energy meters are commonly found with separate top cover and bottom cover which are fastened together to form the casing. The top and the bottom covers require a separate sealing arrangement to prevent the tampering of the energy meters. The meter cover should be sealed in such a way that the internal parts of the meter are not accessible to unauthorized persons. The sealing mechanism is used to provide a security seal to the meter cover and terminal block cover. But the currently available sealing arrangement is accessible from outside and can be tampered easily.

[0003] The energy meter usually includes many subassemblies. The top and bottom case encases these sub assemblies. Thus the assembling of the energy meter with several sub assemblies requires more time. Modern meters are ultrasonically welded to make them non-removable thereby increasing the cost of the energy meter. In addition, many meters are equipped with cover open detection facility. The meters log the event, when the top cover is opened. In the currently available energy meters, even though the sealing mechanism is ultrasonically welded to make it non removable, it can be easily accessed and tampered from outside.

[0004] Hence there is a need to provide an integrated cover and improved sealing mechanism to prevent the tampering of the energy meter.

C) OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to develop an energy meter with the top and bottom cover integrated into a single cover.

[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop an energy meter with a sealing arrangement which is not accessible after the assembly of the energy meter.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop an energy meter with simplified assembling process and reduced assembling time.

[0008] 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

[0009] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

[0010] The various embodiments of the present invention provide an energy meter with an integral sealing arrangement so that the seal is not accessible for tampering after the assembly of the energy meter.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrical energy meter has a single integrated cover assembly and a terminal block assembly. The single integrated cover assembly is formed by integrating a top cover and a bottom cover in the energy meter. All the components of the energy meter such as primary wire, current transformer, primary conductors, terminals, grub screws and printed circuit board are mounted on the terminal block to form the terminal block assembly. A printed circuit board assembly is provided at one side of the terminal block and a printing assembly is provided at the other side. The terminal block assembly is inserted into the integrated cover to complete an energy meter. A terminal cover is provided to enclose the grub screws mounted on the terminal block.

[0012] A sealing arrangement is provided between the terminal block and the top cover. The sealing arrangement is formed with a first set of complementary locking components mounted on the cover and the terminal block. For example, the locking components are hook type fasteners. A locking arrangement such as click fit arrangement is provided between the integrated cover and the terminal block to lock the cover with the terminal block assembly. The locking arrangements have a second set of complementary locking components that are mounted respectively in the integrated cover and the terminal blocks.

[0013] The sealing arrangement is visible to outside due to the transparent cover. But the tampering of the sealing arrangement is not possible from the outside as the sealing arrangement is provided inside the cover. The energy meter could not be opened without breaking the locking arrangement. The energy meter could not be assembled back after the opening of the energy meter once as the locking arrangement is broken/damaged. Thus the energy meter of the present invention provides a tamper proof sealing arrangement.

[0014] The bottom case and the top case are integrated in to a single unit to reduce the assembly time. The energy meter is assembled using the screw less technology. The cover is sealed from the inner side of the arrangement so that it is not possible to remove the meter assembly without breaking the cover or the terminal block.

[0015] Thus the energy meter of the present invention has the bottom and top cover integrated to form a single cover. The entire assembly except meter cover is made on a terminal block. The sealing arrangement is achieved between the terminal block and the cover internally. The seal is not accessible when the meter is assembled completely. It is not possible to manipulate or tamper the entire assembly without breaking open the cover or the terminal block. It provides single integrated housing and click fit arrangement thereby reducing the number components, simplifying the assembly process and reducing the assembling time. The conventional method of multi sealing is avoided.

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] 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:

[0017] FIG.1 shows an exploded perspective view of an energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG.2 shows the top view of the energy meter with locking and sealing arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG.3 shows the exploded and assembled view of the terminal block assembly in the energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG.4 shows the exploded and assembled view of the energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] 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

[0022] In the following detailed description, a 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.

[0023] The various embodiments of the present invention provide an energy meter with an integral sealing arrangement so that the seal is not accessible for tampering after the assembly of the energy meter.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrical energy meter has a single integrated cover assembly and a terminal block assembly. The single integrated cover is formed by integrating a top cover and a bottom cover in the energy meter. All the components of the energy meter such as primary wire, current transformer, primary conductors and printed circuit board are mounted on the terminal block to form the terminal block assembly. A printed circuit board assembly is provided at one side of the terminal block and a printing assembly is provided at the other side. The grub screws are fixed to the terminal block to secure the service cables. The terminal block assembly is inserted into the integrated cover to complete an energy meter. A terminal cover is provided to enclose the grub screws mounted on the terminal block.

[0025] A sealing arrangement is provided between the terminal block and the top cover. The sealing arrangement is formed with a first set of complementary locking components mounted on the cover and the terminal block. For example, the locking components are hook type fasteners. A locking arrangement such as click fit arrangement is provided between the integrated cover and the terminal block to lock the cover with the terminal block assembly. The locking arrangements have a second set of complementary locking components that are mounted respectively in the integrated cover and the terminal blocks.

[0026] The sealing arrangement is visible to outside due to the transparent cover. But the tampering of the sealing arrangement is not possible from the outside as the sealing arrangement is provided inside the cover. The energy meter could not be opened without breaking the locking arrangement. The energy meter could not be assembled back after the opening of the energy meter once as the locking arrangement is damaged. Thus the energy meter of the present invention provides a tamper proof sealing arrangement.

[0027] FIG.1 shows an exploded perspective view of the components in the energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.1, the energy meter comprises of a top case 1, a terminal cover 3 and a terminal block 2. All the components such as primary wire 4, current transformer 5, terminals 6, printed circuit board 7 and grub screws 8 are mounted on the terminal block 2. The grub screws are used to secure the service cables to the terminals mounted on the terminal block. A top cover 1 and a bottom cover are integrated to form a single cover. The terminal block assembly 2 is inserted into the top case cover 1 to form an energy meter. A sealing arrangement 9 is provided between the terminal block 2 and the top cover 1.

[0028] FIG.2 shows the top view of the energy meter with locking and sealing arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.2, the sealing arrangement is provided on terminal block and arranged between the terminal block and the top cover. A locking arrangement is provided between the top cover and the terminal block. The locking arrangements are provided with locking components 11 & 12 and 21 & 22 that are mounted respectively in the terminal block and in the cover case. The sealing arrangement is formed with the locking components 13 and 23 arranged respectively in the terminal block and in the cover case. The locking components 13, 23 are hook type locking components. This seal is not accessible when the meter is assembled completely. Since the top cover is transparent, the sealing mechanism is visible from the front side of the meter. A click fit arrangement including hooks is provided inside the top case and in the terminal block to hold both the terminal block and the top case. The sealing mechanism is provided at the inner side of the integrated cover assembly so that it is not possible to remove the meter assembly without breaking the cover or the terminal block.

[0029] FIG.3 shows the exploded and assembled view of the components in the terminal block of the energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.3, all the components such as primary wire 4, current transformer 5, terminals 6 and printed circuit board are mounted on the terminal block 2. The grub screws 8 are used to secure the service cables to the terminals 6 mounted on the terminal block 2. The terminal block 2 is extended to serve the fitment for assembly. A printed circuit board assembly is provided at one side of the terminal block 2 and a printing assembly is provided at the other side. The bottom case and the top case are integrated in to a single unit to reduce the assembly time. A click fit arrangement including hooks 10 is provided in the terminal block to hold both the terminal block 2 and the top case. The sealing mechanism is provided at the front inner side of the integrated cover assembly so that it is not possible to remove the meter assembly without breaking the cover assembly or the terminal block 2. A terminal cover is provided to enclose the grub screws mounted on the terminal block 2. A sealing arrangement 9 including hook type fasteners are mounted on the terminal block 2 to mate with the fasteners provided on the top cover so that the sealing arrangement is provided between the terminal block 2 and the top cover.

[0030] FIG.4 shows the exploded and the assembled view of the energy meter according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to F1G.4, the bottom cover and the top cover are integrated to form a single cover 1. The terminal block assembly mounted with the current transformer, the primary wire, printed circuit board assembly 7 and the terminals are inserted into the cover 1 and locked using a click fit arrangement. The sealing arrangement 9 is provided between the terminal block assembly and the top cover assembly. A terminal cover is provided to enclose the grub screws mounted on the terminal block assembly.

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The present invention provides an integrated sealing arrangement for energy meter. The locking and the sealing arrangements are provided internally between the cover and the terminal block. Hence the seal is not accessible when the meter is assembled completely. It is not possible to manipulate or tamper the entire assembly without breaking open the top cover or the terminal block. The top case of the meter cover is made transparent so that the seal is visible from the front side of the meter. It provides single integrated housing and click fit arrangement thereby reducing the number components, the assembly process and the assembly time. The conventional method of multi sealing is avoided. The top cover and the terminal block are fastened using a screw less arrangement.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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. An energy meter with tamper proof sealing mechanism comprising:

an integrated cover assembly;

a terminal block assembly inserted into the integrated cover assembly;

a sealing mechanism provided between the integrated cover assembly and the terminal block assembly; and

wherein the sealing mechanism is arranged at the inner side of the integrated cover assembly and is not accessible form outside.

2. The meter according to claim I, wherein the sealing mechanism includes a first set of complementary locking components mounted respectively on the integrated cover assembly and terminal block assembly.

3. The meter according to claim 2, wherein the first set of complementary locking components are hook type fasteners.

4. The meter according to claim 1, wherein the integrated cover assembly and the terminal block assembly are fastened together using a second set of complementary locking components mounted respectively on the integrated cover assembly and terminal block assembly.

5. The meter according to claim 4, wherein the second set of complementary locking components are hook type fasteners.

6. The meter according to claim 4, wherein the second sets of complementary locking components are click fit type fasteners.

7. The meter according to claim 1, wherein the terminal block assembly and the integrated cover assembly could not be dismantled without breaking open the locking components and the sealing arrangement.

8. The meter according to claim 1, wherein the integrated cover assembly is formed by integrating a top cover and a bottom cover.

9. The meter according to claim 1, wherein the terminal block assembly is formed by mounting primary wire, current transformer, terminals, printed circuit board and grub screws on a terminal block.

10. The meter according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal cover attached to the terminal block assembly to enclose the grub screws.