Disconnector with volume compensation function

Abstract

The invention relates to a disconnector with a volume compensation function. The disconnector comprises a mounting shell, and the tail of the mounting shell is in sealed connection with a liquid cooling module; a floating shell is arranged in the mounting shell, a valve element assembly is further arranged in the floating shell, when the disconnector is in a disconnected state, the valve element assembly and the floating shell are matched and sealed to enable a flow channel in the floating shell to be closed, and when the disconnector is connected with an adaptive disconnector, the valve element assembly and the floating shell are unsealed to enable the flow channel in the floating shell to be opened; a first elastic piece enabling the floating shell to move backwards in the axial direction is further arranged in the installation shell, and a stopping structure is further arranged in the installation shell and matched with a limiting part on the floating shell to prevent the floating shell from being disengaged from the tail of the installation shell. And the floating shell is always kept in radial sealing with the mounting shell in the moving stroke of the floating shell. According to the disconnector, when an internal fluid medium reaches a certain threshold value, the internal structure is stressed to axially move forwards, so that the fluid containing space in the mounting shell is enlarged, and the fluid pressure is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of connectors, and particularly relates to a disconnecter with a volume compensation function. Background Art

[0002] The disconnecter is a key component in a heat exchange liquid cooling system and is widely used in fields such as electronics, aviation, and aerospace. The disconnecter is a quick connector that can connect or disconnect between liquid cooling modules, between a liquid cooling cold plate and a liquid cooling module, and between a liquid cooling cold plate and a liquid cooling chassis without the need for external tools, bringing great convenience to the installation and maintenance of the liquid cooling system.

[0003] When the disconnecter stores with a liquid cooling module or a liquid cooling cold plate and other components under pressure and with working medium, especially when in a high-temperature state or when there is still residual heat in the electronic components themselves, the internal pressure will rise sharply, which may cause damage to the liquid cooling module or the liquid cooling cold plate due to expansion.

[0004] Therefore, it is required that the disconnecter has the function of balancing or reducing the internal pressure when the internal pressure rises to solve such working conditions. Currently, the common one is an integrated disconnecter with a self-pressure relief function, which can meet the requirement of protecting the liquid cooling module or the liquid cooling cold plate from damage when the module is in an environment such as high temperature, resulting in a pressure rise condition.

[0005] When the current integrated disconnecter with a self-pressure relief function is used in a liquid cooling system, its self-pressure relief structure has certain defects. For example Figure 1 and Figure 2 , for a common disconnecter with a self-pressure relief function, when it is in a pressure relief state, the sleeve and the valve stem are in an axially protruding state, and the fluid medium inside the cavity forms a micro-channel leakage through the gap between the axially protruding manufactured shells, leaking a certain amount of fluid medium to reduce the internal pressure of the system. If there are electronic components near the leaked medium, the leaked fluid medium will surely contaminate the components; if it is some toxic medium, it may pollute the environment and even endanger human health. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a disconnecter with a volume compensation function, enabling it to adjust the fluid pressure through the change in the volume of the fluid contained inside itself, so that when the module is in an environment such as high temperature, resulting in a pressure rise condition, the pressure can be reduced through self-volume compensation, achieving the purpose of protecting the liquid cooling module or the liquid cooling cold plate from damage.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention and the technical problem solved are achieved by adopting the following technical solutions. According to the present invention, a disconnector with volume compensation function includes a mounting shell 1, which has a cavity extending in the axial direction and open at both ends, and the tail of the mounting shell 1 is sealed and connected to the liquid cooling module; the mounting shell 1 is also provided with a floating shell 2, which has a cavity open at both ends, and the floating shell 2 is also provided with a valve core assembly, when the disconnector is in a disconnected state, the valve core assembly cooperates with the floating shell 2 to seal so that the flow channel in the floating shell 2 is closed, and when the disconnector is connected to the adapter disconnector, the valve core assembly and the floating shell 2 are unsealed to open the flow channel in the floating shell 2; the mounting shell 1 is also provided with a first elastic member for moving the floating shell 2 axially backward, and the mounting shell 1 is also provided with a stop structure 11, which cooperates with the limit part 21 on the floating shell 2 to prevent it from escaping from the tail of the mounting shell 1; the floating shell 2 always maintains a radial seal with the mounting shell 1 during its moving stroke.

[0008] The purpose of the present invention and the solution to its technical problems can be further achieved by adopting the following technical measures.

[0009] In the aforementioned disconnector with volume compensation function, one end of the first elastic member is pressed on the front end surface of the boss 22 on the outer periphery of the floating housing 2, and the other end is pressed on the rear end surface of the pressing block 5, and the front end of the pressing block 5 is stopped and limited by the retaining spring 4 fixed on the inner wall of the mounting housing 1.

[0010] In the aforementioned disconnector with volume compensation function, the pressure block 5 has an L-shaped cross section, and the lateral side of the L-shape is located between the retaining spring 4 and the floating housing 2 to prevent the retaining spring 5 from falling off the mounting housing 1 .

[0011] The aforementioned disconnector with volume compensation function has a cavity in the mounting shell 1 that is a stepped hole structure that is larger at the front and smaller at the rear, wherein a stop structure 11 is formed between the large hole section and the small hole section, and the outer periphery of the floating shell 2 is also a structure that is larger at the front and smaller at the rear, wherein a limit portion 21 is formed between the large diameter section and the small diameter section.

[0012] In the aforementioned disconnector with volume compensation function, the floating housing 2 and the mounting housing are radially sealed by a first sealing ring 6 , and the first sealing ring 6 is located in a groove on the inner wall of the front end of the small hole section in the mounting housing 6 .

[0013] In the aforementioned disconnector with volume compensation function, the floating housing 2 and the mounting housing are radially sealed by a first sealing ring 6 , and the first sealing ring 6 is located in a groove on the outer periphery of the rear end of the small-diameter section of the floating housing 2 .

[0014] The above-mentioned disconnecter with volume compensation function, wherein the boss 22 is an annular boss, and the floating housing 2 and the mounting housing 1 are radially sealed by a first sealing ring 6, and the first sealing ring 6 is located in a groove on the outer periphery of the boss 22.

[0015] The above-mentioned disconnecter with volume compensation function, wherein there is one or more first sealing rings 6.

[0016] The above-mentioned disconnecter with volume compensation function, wherein the spool assembly includes a valve stem 7, a sliding sleeve 8 and a second elastic member 9. The valve stem 7 is fixed in the floating housing 2, and the second elastic member 9 provides power for the sliding sleeve 8 to axially move forward in the floating housing 2. When the sliding sleeve 8 is axially blocked and limited by the floating housing 2, the outer periphery of the sliding sleeve is sealed with the floating housing 2 through a second sealing ring 10, and the inner periphery is sealed with the valve stem 7 through a third sealing ring 12.

[0017] The above-mentioned disconnecter with volume compensation function, wherein the spool assembly includes a spool and an elastic member for providing power for the spool to axially move forward in the floating housing 2. When the spool is axially blocked and limited by the floating housing 2, the outer periphery of the spool is sealed with the floating housing 2.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. By means of the above technical solutions, the present invention can achieve considerable technical progressiveness and practicality, and has wide utilization value in the industry. It has at least the following advantages:

[0019] The internal volume compensation structure of the disconnecter of the present invention is mainly composed of an internal spring, a circlip, a pressing block, an internal disconnecter component structure, a mounting housing and a sealing ring structure. Relying on the deformable characteristic of spring compression, when the internal pressure of the disconnecter reaches a certain value, the spring is compressed, and then the overall internal conventional disconnecter component moves axially. After the movement, the cavity volume can be increased. Through the form of volume compensation, the internal pressure is reduced, and the internal pressure of the closed cavity is reduced, avoiding the working condition of rapid pressure rise due to temperature increase, so as to achieve the effect of protecting related electronic components such as cold plates and modules.

[0020] During the volume compensation process of the disconnecter of the present invention, the mounting housing, the O-ring cooperate with the internal conventional disconnecter component to ensure the cavity sealability. The whole system is affected by a high-temperature environment (due to high-temperature tests or internal waste heat in the system, etc.), the fluid medium absorbs heat, and the internal pressure of the system rises. Under the action of the medium pressure, the overall internal conventional disconnecter component can move axially. When moving axially, it is always in a sealed state with the O-ring and the mounting housing to ensure that the cooling medium does not leak.

[0021] Based on the existing developed disconnector, the present invention optimizes the structure, adds an installation housing and an elastic member. When the internal fluid medium reaches a certain threshold, the existing disconnector components inside the disconnector are forced to move axially forward. A part of the spatial structure can be formed between the internal cavity of the disconnector installation housing and the existing disconnector components, increasing the volume of the closed cavity, thereby reducing the pressure of the medium inside the closed cavity and improving the reliability of the entire liquid cooling and heat dissipation system. That is, based on the existing disconnector, the present invention protects the module by compensating the volume of the closed cavity to reduce the pressure, can be used for a long time, and has a stable and reliable structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the pressure relief state of an existing integrated disconnector with a self-pressure relief function;

[0023] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a partial enlarged view of

[0024] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a disconnector with a volume compensation function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic internal structure diagram of a disconnector with a volume compensation function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a disconnector with a volume compensation function according to an embodiment of the present invention after removing the internal structure;

[0027] Figure 6 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the compensation state of a disconnector with a volume compensation function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]

MAIN ELEMENT SYMBOL DESCRIPTION

[0029] 1: Installation housing

[0030] 2: Floating housing

[0031] 21: Limiting part

[0032] 22: Boss

[0033] 3: First spring

[0034] 4: Circlip

[0035] 5: Pressing block

[0036] 6: First sealing ring

[0037] 7: Valve stem

[0038] 8: Sliding sleeve

[0039] 9: Second spring

[0040] 10: Second sealing ring

[0041] 11: Stopping structure

[0042] 12: Third sealing ring

[0043] 13: Compensation volume Detailed implementation manners

[0044] To further elaborate on the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined invention purpose, the following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, details the specific implementation manners, structures, features, and effects of the disconnecter with volume compensation function proposed according to the present invention as follows.

[0045] Please refer to Figures 3 - 5 , which is a schematic diagram of the structures of various parts of the disconnecter with volume compensation function of the present invention. The disconnecter includes a mounting housing 1 and a floating housing 2 located inside the mounting housing. Both ends of the mounting housing 1 are open, and its tail is hermetically connected to the liquid cooling module. In this embodiment, the mounting housing 1 realizes the sealing connection with the liquid cooling module through at least one sealing ring on the outer periphery of its tail.

[0046] The floating housing 2 can axially move inside the mounting housing 1. The floating housing 2 has a normal position and a compensation position within its moving stroke. When in the normal position, the floating housing 2 realizes the axial backward stopping and limiting through the cooperation between the limiting portion 21 on its outer periphery and the stopping structure 11 on the mounting housing 1. When in the compensation position, there is a spacing between the limiting portion 21 on the outer periphery of the floating housing 2 and the stopping structure 11 on the mounting housing 1. A first elastic member for moving the floating housing 2 from the compensation position to the normal position is also provided between the mounting housing 1 and the floating housing 2. In this embodiment, the first elastic member is a first spring 3. The first spring 3 elastically expands and contracts along the axis of the mounting housing 1, with its front end pressing on the mounting housing 1 and its rear end pressing on the floating housing 2.

[0047] The compensation position of the floating housing 2 is a displacement section. At any position within this displacement section, the floating housing 2 makes a spacing exist between its limiting portion 21 and the stopping position 11 on the mounting housing 1 due to moving forward relative to the normal position.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cavity in the mounting housing 1 is a stepped hole structure. The front end of the cavity is a large hole section with a relatively large radial dimension, and the rear end is a small hole section with a relatively small radial dimension. A stepped surface is formed between the large hole section and the small hole section, and this stepped surface is the stop structure 11. The outer periphery of the floating housing 2 has a stepped shaft structure that is consistent with the shape of the inner cavity of the mounting housing 1. The large diameter section at the front end of the floating housing 2 is located in the large hole section at the front end of the mounting housing 1, and the small diameter section at the rear end is located in the small hole section at the rear end of the mounting housing 1. The stepped structure formed between the small diameter section and the large diameter section on the outer periphery of the floating housing 2 is the limiting portion 21.

[0049] A boss 22 is further provided on the outer periphery of the large diameter section of the floating housing 2, and the rear end of the first spring 3 presses against the front end face of this boss 22. In this embodiment, the rear end face of the boss 22 is flush with the limiting portion 22, but it is not limited thereto. The front end of the first spring 3 presses against the mounting housing 1 through a pressing block 5 and a snap ring 4. Among them, the pressing block 5 is located between the mounting housing 1 and the floating housing 2, and the snap ring 4 is fixed in the card slot on the inner side of the front end of the mounting housing 1. The first spring 3 presses against the rear end face of the pressing block 5, and the snap ring 4 provides an axially forward stop limit for the pressing block 5. Preferably, the pressing block 5 is an annular pressing block, and the cross section of this annular pressing block is L-shaped. The horizontal side of the L-shape is located inside the snap ring 4 and can fill the space between the inner peripheral surface of the snap ring 4 and the floating housing 2 to prevent the snap ring 4 from disengaging from the mounting housing 1.

[0050] During the axial movement stroke of the floating housing 2, it always maintains a seal with the mounting housing 1 through a seal to prevent fluid from leaking through the gap between the floating housing 2 and the mounting housing 1. In this embodiment, the seal is a first sealing ring 6, and this first sealing ring 6 is located in the groove on the inner wall of the front end of the small hole section in the mounting housing 6. Preferably, this first sealing ring 6 is an O-ring, but it is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, when the floating housing 2 is in the compensation position, the annular cavity formed between the stop structure 11 and the limiting portion 21 always maintains a liquid-free sealed state.

[0051] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first sealing ring 6 is located in the groove on the outer periphery of the rear end of the small diameter section of the floating housing 2. In this embodiment, when the floating housing 2 is in the compensation position, the annular cavity formed between the stop structure 11 and the limiting portion 21 also maintains a liquid-free sealed state.

[0052] In still another embodiment of the present invention, the first sealing ring 6 is located on the boss on the outer periphery of the boss 22 on the floating housing 2. In this embodiment, when the floating housing 2 is in the compensation position, liquid also enters the annular cavity formed between the stop structure 11 and the limiting portion 21. At this time, this annular cavity can also be used as a compensation volume to further reduce the liquid pressure in the liquid cooling module.

[0053] The floating housing 2 has a cavity with both ends open. A valve core assembly is provided in the cavity. When the front end of the disconnecter is inserted and connected to the mating disconnecter, the valve core assembly can make a flow channel for fluid to pass through in the floating housing 2, so that the fluid in the liquid cooling module can pass through the flow channel in the floating housing and enter the mating disconnecter, or send the fluid conveyed by the mating disconnecter into the liquid cooling module. And when the disconnecter is disconnected from the mating disconnecter, the valve core assembly can close the flow channel in the floating housing 2 to prevent the fluid in the liquid cooling module from leaking out.

[0054] In the embodiment of the present invention, the valve core assembly includes a valve rod 7 fixed in the floating housing 2 and a sliding sleeve 8 slidably arranged in the floating housing 2. The valve core assembly further includes a second spring 9 arranged between the floating housing 2 and the sliding sleeve 8. The second spring 9 provides power for the sliding sleeve 8 to move axially forward, and the sliding sleeve 8 is axially forward limited by the cooperation between its outer peripheral convex part and the stepped surface in the floating housing 2. When the sliding sleeve 8 is axially forward limited by the floating housing 2 under the action of the second spring 9, the sliding sleeve 8 is located between the valve rod 7 and the floating housing 2 and simultaneously maintains radial sealing with the floating housing 2 and the valve rod 7, so that the flow channel in the floating housing 2 is closed. And when the disconnecter of the present invention is connected to the mating disconnecter, the sliding sleeve 8 will axially move backward by compressing the second spring 9 under the action of the mating disconnecter, thereby releasing the seal between the floating housing 2 and the sliding sleeve 8, so that the flow channel in the floating housing 2 is opened. In this embodiment, the sliding sleeve 8 is hermetically sealed with the floating housing 2 through a second sealing ring 10 and hermetically sealed with the valve rod 7 through a third sealing ring 12, so as to realize the closing of the flow channel in the floating housing. Preferably, the second sealing ring 10 is located in the groove in the floating housing 2, and the third sealing ring 12 is located in the groove in the sliding sleeve 8, but it is not limited thereto.

[0055] In another embodiment of the present invention, the valve core assembly includes a valve core slidably arranged in the floating housing 2 and a spring for providing axial forward power for the valve core. The valve core is axially forward moved and limited by the cooperation between its outer peripheral protrusion and the limiting surface in the floating housing 2. And when the valve core is axially limited and cooperated with the floating housing 2 under the action of the spring, the outer peripheral surface of the valve core is hermetically sealed with the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the floating housing 2 through a sealing ring, so that the flow channel in the floating housing is closed. In this embodiment, when the disconnecter is connected to the mating disconnecter, the valve core is pushed by the valve rod at the mating end, moves backward by compressing the spring, and releases the seal with the floating housing, so that the flow channel is opened.

[0056] Since the spool assembly of the present invention can close the front end of the flow channel in the floating housing 2, when the pressure of the fluid in the flow channel increases, the pressure borne by the spool assembly increases, thereby generating an axial forward driving force. When the pressure increases to the set value, the spool assembly drives the floating housing 2 to compress the first spring 3 and move axially forward relative to the mounting housing, so that the space for accommodating the fluid in the mounting housing increases and the fluid pressure decreases.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 6 , when the internal liquid pressure of the disconnecter of the present invention increases, the floating housing 2 and the spool assembly therein move axially as a whole. The space left in the inner cavity of the mounting housing of the disconnecter after the floating housing moves can increase the volume of the entire internal cavity of the disconnecter, thereby realizing the increase of the space volume to reduce the pressure.

[0058] The floating housing 2 of the present invention and the spool assembly therein form a conventional disconnecter assembly for realizing fluid connection and disconnection. In the embodiment of the present invention, during the volume compensation process of the disconnecter, since the first sealing ring 6 is located in the small hole section of the mounting housing, the cavity formed by the mounting housing 1, the first sealing ring 6 and the internal conventional disconnecter structural components is always in a sealed state. Under the action of the medium pressure, the internal conventional disconnecter structural components are integral axially movable piston components, moving axially and always being in a sealed state with the first sealing ring and the mounting housing to ensure that the cooling medium does not leak. When the first sealing ring 6 is arranged on the boss 22 on the outer periphery of the large diameter end of the floating housing 2, the liquid can also enter the cavity formed by the mounting housing 1, the first sealing ring 6 and the internal conventional disconnecter structural components, and this cavity can also be used as a compensation volume.

[0059] The disconnecter of the present invention relies on the increase of the medium pressure inside the flow channel of the disconnecter, the spring is compressed, and then the internal conventional disconnecter structural components move axially as a whole. After the movement, the volume of the cavity can be increased, and through volume compensation, the internal pressure is reduced, realizing the reduction of the internal pressure of the cavity, so as to achieve the effect of protecting related electronic components such as cold plates and modules. After the liquid cooling system or the liquid cooling module reduces the pressure through this type of disconnecter, it is in an equilibrium state inside. If the temperature is higher than the surrounding environment temperature, it will dissipate heat to the surrounding. After a certain period of time, when the temperature drops to balance with the surrounding environment, the internal pressure of the cavity decreases, and the spring force of the first spring relied on by the disconnecter will gradually recover, and the volume to be compensated will also decrease accordingly. If the surrounding environment is relatively low, it can return to the initial state.

[0060] The present invention realizes the functions of protecting the cold plate and electronic components by reducing the cavity pressure through the volume compensation function without leaking any cooling medium.

[0061] The conventional disconnect component composed of a floating housing and a valve core assembly in the disconnect housing of the present invention can be a plug end (male head) or a socket end (female head). At the same time, the conventional disconnect component can also adopt different locking structures, such as bayonet type, steel ball locking type, screw locking type, blind plug type, etc. In the embodiment of the present invention, the conventional disconnect component composed of the valve core assembly is a socket end (female head), and it adopts a blind plug type locking structure.

[0062] The number of the first sealing ring, the second sealing ring, and the third sealing ring of the present invention can all be one or more than one, and they can be O-rings or made of other elastic sealing materials.

[0063] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it does not impose any form of limitation on the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments by using the disclosed technical content within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, as long as it does not depart from the content of the technical solution of the present invention, any simple modification, equivalent change, and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A disconnector with volume compensation function, characterized in that: It comprises an installation shell, the rear end of which is sealed and connected to the liquid cooling module; a floating shell is also arranged in the installation shell, the floating shell has a cavity with two ends open, and a valve core assembly is also arranged in the floating shell, when the disconnector is in a disconnected state, the valve core assembly cooperates with the floating shell to seal so that the flow channel in the floating shell is closed, and when the disconnector is connected to the adapter disconnector, the valve core assembly and the floating shell are unsealed to open the flow channel in the floating shell; a first elastic member is also arranged in the installation shell to enable the floating shell to move axially backward, and a stop structure is also arranged in the installation shell, the stop structure cooperates with the limiting part on the floating shell to prevent it from escaping from the rear end of the installation shell; the floating shell always maintains a radial seal with the installation shell during its moving stroke.

2. The disconnector with volume compensation function according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the first elastic member is pressed on the front end surface of the boss on the outer periphery of the floating housing, and the other end is pressed on the rear end surface of the pressing block. The front end of the pressing block is stopped and limited by a retaining spring fixed on the inner wall of the mounting housing.

3. The disconnector with volume compensation function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross section of the pressing block is L-shaped, and the horizontal side of the L-shape is located between the clamping spring and the floating housing to prevent the clamping spring from falling off the mounting housing.

4. The disconnector with volume compensation function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cavity in the installation shell is a stepped hole structure with a larger front and a smaller back, wherein a stop structure is formed between the large hole section and the small hole section. The outer periphery of the floating shell is also a structure with a larger front and a smaller back, wherein a limit portion is formed between the large diameter section and the small diameter section.

5. The disconnector with volume compensation function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The floating housing and the mounting housing are radially sealed by a first sealing ring, and the first sealing ring is located in a groove on the inner wall of the front end of the small hole section in the mounting housing.

6. The disconnector with volume compensation function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The floating housing and the mounting housing are radially sealed by a first sealing ring, and the first sealing ring is located in a groove on the outer periphery of the rear end of the small-diameter section of the floating housing.

7. The disconnector with volume compensation function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The boss is an annular boss, and the floating housing and the mounting housing are radially sealed by a first sealing ring, and the first sealing ring is located in a groove on the outer periphery of the boss.

8. The disconnector with volume compensation function according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: There is one or more first sealing rings.

9. The disconnector with volume compensation function according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The valve core assembly includes a valve stem, a sliding sleeve and a second elastic member, wherein the valve stem is fixed in a floating housing, the second elastic member provides the sliding sleeve with power to move axially forward in the floating housing, and when the sliding sleeve is stopped axially forward by the floating housing, the outer periphery of the sliding sleeve is sealed with the floating housing through a second sealing ring, and the inner periphery is sealed with the valve stem through a third sealing ring.

10. The disconnector with volume compensation function according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The valve core assembly includes a valve core and an elastic member for providing the valve core with power to move axially forward in a floating housing. When the valve core is stopped axially forward by the floating housing, the outer periphery of the valve core seals with the floating housing.

Images