Patent Publication Number: US-2023134011-A1

Title: Sel-reporting monitor for integrity and conditions of manhole cover

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202111276021.2, filed on Oct. 29, 2021 and Chinese patent application No. 202122639177.4, filed on Oct. 29, 2021, in China National Intellectual Property Administration, which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD 
     The subject matter herein generally relates to urban maintenance, specifically relates to a monitor for manhole cover. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Smart city becomes a trend of urban development in the world, a manner of managing manhole covers embedded in a road which relies on traditional municipal public facilities manner does not meet a requirement of developing the smart city. The manhole covers relate to a convenience of a city, there is large number of the manhole covers, and managing all of them is difficult. The manhole covers may have issues in sinking, tilting, illegal removal, and theft, the like, which are hard to notice immediately and resolve based on manual inspections. A monitor mounted on the manhole cover can monitor the state of the manhole cover in time. Existing monitors for mounting on the manhole cover need to be installed professionally using tools and auxiliary materials, such as a percussive drill hammer, an electric screwdriver, self-tapping screws, expansion bolts, and the like. It is a complex process. 
     There is room for improvement in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Implementations of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures. 
         FIG.  1    is an exploded view illustrating an embodiment of a monitor and a manhole cover according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-section of the monitor of the disclosure mounted on the manhole cover of  FIG.  1    according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view illustrating an embodiment of the monitor of  FIG.  1    according to the present disclosure; the monitor comprising a casing with a shell, a cover, and an extended interface. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the shell of  FIG.  3    viewed from another angle according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the casing, the cover plate, and the extended interface of  FIG.  3    according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the monitor of  FIG.  1    according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is described with reference to accompanying drawings and the embodiments. It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely part of all embodiments, not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understandable to a person skilled in the art, any other embodiments obtained by persons skilled in the art without creative effort shall all fall into the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The relationships of orientations or positions denoted by the terms of terms “center”, “longitudinal”, “lateral”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “horizontal”, “left”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside”, “clockwise”, “anticlockwise” used herein refer to those illustrated in the accompany drawings, which are only for conveniently describing the invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that a device or member has to be in a specific orientation or configured or operated in a specific orientation. In addition, the terms of “first” and “second” are for the purpose of describing only and should not be constructed to indicate or imply the relative importance. In the present disclosure, the term of “some” means two or more than two, unless otherwise expressly stated. 
     In the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly stated, the terms “mounted”, “link”, and “connect” should be understood broadly, unless otherwise specified and defined, for example, they may be a fixed connection or a removable connection, they may be mechanical connection or electrical connection, and also inner communication between two members, they may direct connection, and also indirect connection via a medium, the skilled persons in the art will understand the meanings of above terms according to specific situations. 
     In the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly stated, a structure in which a first feature is “on” or “below” a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, and may also include an embodiment in which the first feature and the second feature are not in direct contact with each other, but have an additional feature formed therebetween. Furthermore, a first feature “on,” “above,” or “on top of” a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely “on,” “above,” or “on top of” the second feature, or may mean that the first feature is at a height higher than that of the second feature; while a first feature “below,” “under,” or “on bottom of” a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely “below,” “under,” or “on bottom of” the second feature, or may mean that the first feature is at a height lower than that of the second feature. 
       FIG.  1    shows a monitor  100  and a manhole cover  500 . The monitor  100  monitors conditions of the manhole cover  500 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the monitor  100  includes a casing  200  and a base  600 . The casing  200  includes a shell  21  and a cover plate  23 . 
       FIG.  3    shows an exploded view of the monitor  100 . The shell  21  includes a bottom plate  210 , an outside wall  211 , and an inner wall  212 . 
     The outside wall  211  and the inner wall  212  are disposed on the bottom plate  210 . In one embodiment, the bottom plate  210  is substantially flat and horizontal. The outside wall  211  and the inner wall  212  are disposed on edges of the bottom plate  210  and altogether form a substantially hemispherical cavity which is very strongly protected. The bottom plate  210  defines two electrode holes  213 . In one embodiment, the two electrode holes  213  are symmetrically disposed. 
     The bottom plate  210  further defines a slot  214 . A label with characteristics of the monitor  100  can be pasted in the slot  214 . The label can include a serial number of the monitor  100 , a nominal voltage, a nominal current, and the like. 
     The outside wall  211  defines several inward clamping portions  215  (being concaved to the inner wall  212 ). A shape and a structure of each clamping portion  215  matches with fingers of a user, convenient for the user for manipulating the monitor  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the shell  21  further defines several mounting holes  216 . For example, each mounting hole  216  is disposed on the outside wall  211  and is at a bottom wall  217  of each clamping portion  215 . The mounting holes  216  cooperate with assembly holes  630  (as shown in  FIG.  1   ) for mounting the base  600 . Each mounting hole  216  corresponds to one opening  232  (as shown in  FIG.  5   ). 
     The outside wall  211  further defines several weep holes  218 . Water entering the shell  21  can seep out through the weep holes  218 . The number and the position of the weep holes  218  are not limited. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , an inward connection portion  219  is defined in the outside wall  211 . The connection portion  219  defines a connecting hole  220  at the bottom surface. The connected hole  220  passes through the outside wall  211  and the inner wall  212 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the outside wall  211  and the inner wall  212  connected with the bottom plate  210  are distanced from each other to from a gap  221  therebetween. A seal portion  222  is disposed on the inner wall  212  adjacent to the cover plate  23 . The seal portion  222  is used for preventing liquid, such as water, flowing into the shell  21  through a joint between the cover plate  23  and the shell  21 . Thus, seepage of water into the shell  21  is avoided. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the cover plate  23  and the shell  21  are detachably assembled together to form a receiving space  25 . 
     The cover plate  23  includes a top surface  231 . The top surface  231  is substantially circular. The openings  232  are defined at edges of the top surface  231 , at constant intervals. 
     The top surface  231  of the cover plate  23  further defines several connection holes  233 . Connection components (not shown) of the shell  21  can pass through the connection holes  233 . In one embodiment, the connection component can be a screw, and the connection hole  233  is a screw hole. The cover plate  23  and the shell  21  are assembled together by screwing the connection component into the connection hole  233 , and the receiving space  25  is formed. 
     In one embodiment, positions of the connection holes  233  are not limited. For example, in one embodiment, several mounting slots  234  are defined, radially extending from a middle point of the top surface  231 . A number of the mounting slots  234  is equal to that of the openings  232 . Each mounting slot  234  extends to the opening  232 . Thus, the connection holes  233  can be disposed on opposite sides of the mounting slot  234 . 
     The shell  21  and the cover plate  23  can be made of waterproof material, such as PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/ABS Alloy). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the base  600  connects with the manhole cover  500  and the casing  200 . The base  600  defines a receiving portion  610 . The receiving portion  610  is substantially circular. The receiving portion  610  can be a through hole passing through the base  600 . The receiving portion  610  can receive a circular magnet  620 . The magnet  620  has a strong magnetic attraction for the manhole cover  500 . 
     A stepped portion  611  is disposed at an end of the receiving portion  610  adjacent to the manhole cover  500 . A protrusion portion  621  is disposed at an end of the magnet  620 . The protrusion portion  621  resists the stepped portion  611  when the magnet  620  is received in the receiving portion  610 . 
     In some embodiments, the receiving portion  610  can be a hollow structure (not shown) in the base  600 , and the magnet  620  is received in the hollow structure. 
     The base defines the assembly holes  630  for connecting with the casing  200 . The assembly hole  630  can be a screw hole. 
     In one embodiment, the casing  200  connects the manhole cover  500  to the base  600 . In other embodiments, the shell  21  can be mounted on the manhole cover  500  through a support (not shown) without the base  600 . The support can be disposed in the mounting slot  234 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3    again, the monitor  100  further includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  400 . The PCB  400  is in the receiving space  25  formed by the shell  21  and the cover plate  23 . 
       FIG.  6    shows the modules in the monitor  100 . The monitor  100  includes a control module  110 , a first communication module  120 , and a detection module  130 . The first communication module  120  and the detection module  130  are electrically connected with the control module  110 . The first communication module  120  establishes a communication connection between the  100  and external device. The detection module  130  monitors conditions of the manhole cover  500 . The control module  110  processes data related to the conditions. The control module  110  can be a microprocessor. In one embodiment, the control module  110  is a BLUETOOTH chip. 
     In one embodiment, the first communication module  120  uses a narrow band internet of thins (NB-IOT) technology. The first communication module  120  includes a narrow band (NB) unit, a NB antenna unit  123 , and a subscriber identity module (SIM) card unit  122 . The NB unit  121  is electrically connected with the control module  110 . The NB antenna unit  123  is electrically connected with the NB unit  121 . The NB antenna unit  123  cooperates with the NB unit  121  for receiving and sending radio frequency (RF) signals, and a wireless communication in multi-band frequency is established. The SIM card unit  122  is electrically connected with the NB unit  1212 , for example being embedded in the NB unit  121 . The SIM card unit  122  provides communication services from an operator. 
     In one embodiment, the detection module  130  includes a posture sensor  131 . The posture sensor  131  is electrically connected with the control module  110  and senses an angle and a change in the angle of the manhole cover  500 . The angle change is converted by the control module  110  to obtain a changed angle value of the manhole cover  500 . The control module  110  further compares the changed angle value with a predefined angle value. When the changed angle value is larger than the predefined angle value, the manhole cover  500  is deemed to be in an abnormal state. There can be multiple predefined angle values. The abnormal state can be a sunken state, a tilted state, a displaced state, and the like. Different predefined angle values correspond to different abnormal states respectively. For example, when the changed angle value exceeds 5 degrees, the control module  110  determines the manhole cover  500  is sunken. When the changed angle value exceeds 15 degrees, the control module  110  determines the manhole cover  500  is in the tilted state. When the changed angle value exceeds 60 degrees, the control module  110  determines that the manhole cover  500  is in the displaced state. The predefined angle values can be set according to different requirements, not being limited thereto. 
     The posture sensor  131  can be a sensor for detecting an angle change of the manhole cover  500 . For example, the posture sensor  131  can be one or a combination of a gravity sensor, a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis acceleration sensor, and the like. In one embodiment, the posture sensor  131  is a three-axis acceleration sensor. When an acceleration of the manhole cover  500  changes, the posture sensor  131  sends a first interrupt signal to the control module  110 . The control module  110  calculates acceleration values in different directions for calculating the changed angle value based on the first interrupt signal. Then, the control module  110  determines the state of the manhole cover  500  based on the comparison of the calculated changed angle value and the predefined angle values. 
     If it is determined that the manhole cover  500  is in the abnormal state, the control module  110  sends a first warning signal to an Internet of Things (IoT) platform through the NB unit  121 . 
     In one embodiment, the monitor  100  further detects a loose state of the manhole cover  500  based on the posture sensor  131  and the control module  110 . For example, the control module  110  presets a predefined acceleration value. When the acceleration sensed by the posture sensor  131  exceeds the predefined acceleration value, the control module  110  controls a count value of an embedded vibration counter (not shown) to increment one. The control module  110  periodically transmits the count value to the IoT platform through the NB unit  121 . When the accumulated count value of the vibration counter reaches a predefined time value, such as 100, the control module  110  determines that the manhole cover  500  is in the loose state and generates a second warning signal. The second warning signal is transmitted to the IoT platform through the NB unit  121 . 
     In one embodiment, the monitor  100  further includes a second communication module  124 . The second communication module  124  is a wireless communication module, such as a BLUETOOTH module. In this embodiment, the second communication module  124  is a BLUETOOTH module, the second communication module  124  can be an independent component, and is electrically connected with the control module  110 . The second communication module  124  also can be embedded in the control module  110 . The second communication module  124  connects with external terminal by BLUETOOTH. The current conditions of the monitor  100  can be read and set by operators through the external terminal. For example, an uploading frequency of data in the NB unit  121  can be set, the serial number of the monitor  100  and signal intensity of the first communication module  120  and the second communication module  124  can be viewed. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  6   , in one embodiment, the monitor  100  further includes an overflow monitor interface  137 . The overflow monitor interface  137  is electrically connected with an overflow sensor  132 . The overflow sensor  132  is used for determining whether a level of liquid (run-off rainwater for example) beneath the manhole cover  500  is too high. The overflow sensor  132  can be a water level electrode. When the water level electrode is short-circuited, the liquid level is too high. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the overflow sensor  132 , such as the water level electrode, can be received in the electrode hole  213 . 
     In detail, there are two water level electrodes disposed on the monitor  100 . When the water level is below the water level electrodes, the water level electrodes are unconnected and open-circuit. When the water level rises and the water contacts the water level electrodes, the water level electrodes are short-circuited by the dirty water. The overflow sensor  132  generates a second interrupt signal to the control module  110 . The control module  110  sends a third warning signal to the IoT platform through the NB unit  121  within a time duration (such as 10 seconds). 
     When the water level falls, and the level of water is below the water level electrodes, the water level electrodes are open-circuit. The control module  110  sends a third warning all-clear signal to the IoT platform through the NB unit  121  within a certain time duration (such as 1 minute). 
     In one embodiment, the monitor  100  is inactive. When inactive, the first communication module  120  and the detection module  130  work under a low-power and sleep state. When mounting the monitor  100 , the water level electrodes are connected with each other to be short-circuited by a metal wire for a certain time duration, (such as 5 seconds), thus the second communication module  124  can be activated. Then the terminal, such as a phone with an application installed, connects with the monitor  100  through the second communication module  124  for setting. After settings are applied by the application in the phone, the monitor  100  is activated, and the first communication module  120  and the detection module  130  work under a normal state. 
     By being set as inactive, the monitor  100  is under low-power after leaving factory and before being activated, which increases a life time of the monitor  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the monitor  100  further includes an extended interface  138 . The extended interface  138  is electrically connected with the control module  110 , and connects with other function modules for extending functions of the monitor  100 . For example, the monitor  100  connects with one or more of a water level monitor unit  133 , a temperature sensor  134 , a gas sensor  135 , and a location unit  136  through the extended interface  138 . Some of the function modules (such as the water level monitor unit  133 ) outside of the shell  21  connect with the extended interface  138  through the connection portion  219  (as shown in  FIG.  4   ). 
     In detail, when the monitor  100  connects with the water level monitor unit  133  through the extended interface  138 , the water level monitor unit  133  can determine whether the water level beneath the manhole cover  500  reaches a warning level. For example, when the water level monitor unit  133  is a float switch, the float switch is electrically connected with the control module  11  through a wire and the extended interface  138 . A weight is disposed between the float switch and the control module  110 . The weight can establish a connection between the float switch and the control module  110  when the water level rises, and cut the connection when the water level falls back down. 
     The float switch rises with the water level beneath the manhole cover  500 , and the float switch also rises. When the water level reaches a position of the weight, the float switch switches from a turned-off state into a turned-on state. The position of the weight is at such level as equals the warning level. When the float switch is in the turned-on state, the control module  110  sends a fourth warning signal to the IoT platform through the NB unit  121 . When the water level falls below the position of the weight, the float switch switches from the turned-on state into the turned-off state, the control module  110  sends a fourth warning all-clear signal to the IoT platform through the NB unit  121 . 
     In one embodiment, the monitor  100  further connects with the temperature sensor  134  and the gas sensor  135  through the extended interface  138 . The temperature sensor  134  senses a temperature beneath the manhole cover  500 , and the gas sensor  135  senses a gas concentration beneath the manhole cover  500 . Thus, the temperature and a gas concentration beneath the manhole cover  500  can be sensed in good time by the temperature sensor  134  and the gas sensor  135 . 
     In one embodiment, the monitor  100  further connects with the location unit  136  through the extended interface  138 . The location unit  136  acquires position information of the manhole cover  500 , and sends the acquired position information to the IoT platform through the NB unit  121 . By the location unit  136 , the position of the manhole cover  500  can be established. Further, if the manhole cover  500  has been stolen, the current location of the manhole cover  500  can still be established based on the location unit  136 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the monitor  100  further includes an extended connector  300 . An end of the extended connector  300  is electrically connected with the extended interface  138  through a connecting hole  220 , and another end of the extended connector  300  is electrically connected with one or more external sensors, such as the water level monitor unit  133 , the temperature sensor  134 , the gas sensor  135 , and the location unit  136 . Therefore, the function of the monitor  100  is extended. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the control module  110 , the first communication module  120 , the detection module  130 , the overflow monitor interface  137 , and the extended interface  138  are disposed on the PCB  400 . For example, the control module  110 , the NB unit  121  of the first communication module  120 , and the posture sensor  131  of the detection module  130  are disposed on a surface of the PCB  400 . The overflow monitor interface  137  of the detection module  130 , the extended interface  138 , and the SIM card unit  122 , and the NB antenna unit  123  of the first communication module  120  are disposed on opposite surface of the PCB  400 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  6   , the monitor  100  further includes a power supply module  140 . The power supply module  140  electrically connected with the control module  110  powers the control module  110 , the first communication module  120 , and the detection module  130 . In one embodiment, the power supply module  140  is received in the shell  21 . The power supply module  140  is pasted on a surface of the cover plate  23  opposite to the top surface  231 . 
     The monitor  100  is strongly held to the manhole cover  500  through the magnet  620  of the base  600 , and the base  600  is connected with the shell  21 , thus the manhole cover  500  is fixed with the monitor  100 . A mounting operation of the monitor  100  is simple, and mounting time for permanent installation is saved. 
     Besides, many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the invention and various described embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.