Blind insertion type liquid adapter assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a blind insertion type liquid adapter assembly. The blind insertion type liquid adapter assembly comprises an insertion fixing base, a radial sliding piece and a rotary adapter. The insertion fixing seat is provided with a sliding space and a first liquid channel communicated with the sliding space. The radial sliding piece is provided with a ball socket and can be arranged in the sliding space in a radial sliding mode. The rotary adapter comprises a ball head part and an adapter part. The ball head part is provided with a second liquid channel communicated with the first liquid channel and is rotatably arranged in the ball socket. The switching part extends out of the ball head part and is used for being fixedly connected to a first liquid connector. When the first liquid connector is inserted into a second liquid connector in a blind mode, the radial sliding piece slides in the sliding space, and the ball head portion rotates relatively in the ball socket, so that a first center shaft of the first liquid connector is aligned with a second center shaft of the second liquid connector, and blind insertion is completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of liquid adapter assemblies, and in particular to a blind-plug liquid adapter assembly. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid advancement of technology, the power density of electronic devices (such as servers) continues to rise. Traditional air cooling can no longer meet the increasingly stringent heat dissipation requirements. To this end, data centers are actively upgrading their air-cooled servers to liquid-cooled servers.

[0003] Liquid-cooled servers typically connect to the manifold within the cabinet using male and female connectors that plug into each other to ensure smooth coolant flow. To improve operational efficiency and enable quick and easy assembly and disassembly, blind-mate connectors (such as the UQDB series) are widely used in the industry. Compared to conventional connectors, existing blind-mate connectors are designed with approximately one millimeter of radial float (using the UQDB series' technical specifications as an example), allowing for a certain degree of radial misalignment during blind-mate insertion.

[0004] However, in addition to radial deviation, due to the continuous accumulation of tolerances during the manufacturing and assembly process, significant angular deviations will occur, resulting in the need for repeated adjustments during the plug-in process, which not only consumes a lot of time but may even lead to plug-in failure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Given that in the background technology, blind-mate connectors only have a radial float of about one millimeter, although a certain degree of radial deviation can be allowed, in actual application, it is still easily affected by angular deviation, resulting in the need for repeated adjustments during the plugging process, which not only consumes a lot of time but may even cause plugging failure.

[0006] Therefore, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a blind-mating fluid adapter assembly that utilizes a radial sliding member that slides within a sliding space to accommodate radial deviations and a ball head that rotates relative to a socket to accommodate angular deviations, thereby achieving blind mating by aligning the first central axis of a first fluid connector secured to a rotating adapter with the second central axis of a second fluid connector. This solves the issues of time-consuming and potentially unsuccessful mating.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention addresses the problems of the prior art by providing a blind-mating liquid adapter assembly comprising a plug-in mount, a radially sliding member, and a rotary adapter. The plug-in mount has a sliding space and a first liquid passageway connected to the sliding space. Preferably, the plug-in mount comprises a base and a cover. The base has the first liquid passageway. The cover is locked to the base and, together with the base, encloses the sliding space.

[0008] More preferably, the base includes a receiving portion and a fixing portion. The receiving portion and the cover body together define a sliding space. The fixing portion extends from the receiving portion away from the cover body and defines a first liquid passage. More preferably, the cover body is provided with a limiting groove connected to the sliding space, and the limiting groove is used to limit the rotation angle of the adapter portion.

[0009] The radial slider includes a ball socket connected to the first liquid passage and is radially slidably disposed within the sliding space, thereby forming a sliding gap between the radial slider and the sliding space and isolating the first liquid passage from the sliding gap. Preferably, the radial slider comprises a first housing and a second housing. When assembled with the first housing, the second housing and the first housing together form the ball socket. More preferably, the blind-mate liquid adapter assembly further includes a second sealing rubber ring disposed between the first and second housings.

[0010] The rotary adapter includes a ball head and an adapter. The ball head has a second liquid channel connected to the first liquid channel and is rotatably arranged in the ball socket. The second liquid channel is kept isolated from the sliding gap by a radial sliding member.

[0011] The adapter portion extends from the ball head portion toward the first liquid channel and is used for being fixedly connected to a first liquid joint so as to connect the second liquid channel to a third liquid channel in the first liquid joint.

[0012] When blind-plugging the first liquid connector into the second liquid connector, the radial sliding member slides in the sliding space, and the ball head rotates relative to the ball socket, so that a first central axis of the first liquid connector is aligned with a second central axis of the second liquid connector, thereby completing the blind plugging. After the blind plugging is completed, the third liquid channel is connected to a fourth liquid channel located in the second liquid connector.

[0013] Based on the above necessary technical means, the following additional technical means can be derived. Preferably, the blind-plug liquid adapter assembly further includes a first sealing rubber ring. The first sealing rubber ring is disposed between the radial sliding member and the plug-in fixing seat, adjacent to the first liquid channel.

[0014] Based on the above necessary technical means, the following additional technical means can be derived. Preferably, the blind-plug liquid adapter assembly further includes a third sealing rubber ring. The third sealing rubber ring is disposed between the adapter portion and the first liquid connector.

[0015] Based on the above necessary technical means, the following auxiliary technical means can be derived. Preferably, the first liquid connector and the second liquid connector are respectively a first liquid male connector and a second liquid female connector.

[0016] Based on the above necessary technical means, the following auxiliary technical means can be derived. Preferably, the first liquid connector and the second liquid connector are respectively a first liquid female connector and a second liquid male connector.

[0017] In summary, the blind-mating fluid adapter assembly provided by the present invention utilizes a radial sliding member that slides within a sliding space to accommodate radial deviations, and a ball head that rotates relative to a socket to accommodate angular deviations. This allows the first central axis of a first fluid connector secured to a rotating adapter to align with the second central axis of a second fluid connector, thereby completing blind mating. This solves the issues of time-consuming mating and potential mating failures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a blind-mate liquid adapter assembly, a first liquid connector, and a second liquid connector provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic exploded perspective view of a blind-mate liquid adapter assembly and a first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 A perspective exploded schematic diagram of the blind-mate liquid adapter assembly and the first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention from another perspective;

[0022] Figure 4 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional cross section along the AA section;

[0023] Figure 5 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the plane section along the AA section;

[0024] Figure 6 A schematic planar cross-sectional view of a radial sliding member provided by an embodiment of the present invention sliding in a sliding space and a ball head portion rotating relative to a ball socket;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the blind-mate liquid adapter assembly and the first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention fixed before the liquid-cooled server;

[0026] Figure 8This is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention before being plugged into the second liquid connector;

[0027] Figure 9 A perspective exploded schematic diagram of the first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention before being plugged into the second liquid connector from another perspective; and

[0028] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention after being plugged into a second liquid connector.

[0029] Description of main component symbols:

[0030] In the figure, 100 is a blind-plug liquid adapter assembly; 200 is a first liquid connector; 300 is a second liquid connector; 400 is a liquid-cooled server; 500 is a cabinet; 501 is a manifold; 1 is a plug-in fixing seat; 11 is a seat body; 111 is a receiving portion; 112 is a fixing portion; 12 is a cover body; 2 is a radial sliding member; 21 is a first shell; 22 is a second shell; 3 is a rotating adapter; 31 is a ball head; 32 is an adapter; 4a is a first sealing rubber ring; 4b is a second sealing rubber ring; 4c is a third sealing rubber ring; 4d is a fourth sealing rubber ring; CA1 is a first center axis; CA2 is a second center axis; LC1 is a first liquid channel; LC2 is a second liquid channel; LC3 is a third liquid channel; LC4 is a fourth liquid channel; SS is a sliding space; LG is a limit groove; BS is a ball socket; SG is a sliding gap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Since the blind-mate liquid adapter assembly provided by the present invention can be widely used in various electronic devices, it will not be described in detail here. Only one preferred embodiment is listed for specific description. This embodiment is only used to conveniently and clearly assist in explaining the purpose and effect of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] See also Figures 1 to 6 , Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a blind-mating liquid adapter assembly, a first liquid connector, and a second liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of a blind-mate liquid adapter assembly and a first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A perspective exploded schematic diagram of the blind-mate liquid adapter assembly and the first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention from another perspective; Figure 4 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional cross section along the AA section;

[0033] Figure 5 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 1 A schematic plan cross-sectional view taken along the AA section; and Figure 6 It is a planar cross-sectional schematic diagram of the radial sliding member provided by an embodiment of the present invention sliding in the sliding space and the ball head rotating relatively in the ball socket.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a blind-mating liquid adapter assembly 100 includes a plug-in fixing base 1, a radial sliding member 2, and a rotary adapter 3. The plug-in fixing base 1 has a sliding space SS and a first liquid channel LC1 connected to the sliding space SS.

[0035] In this embodiment, the plug-in mount 1 comprises a base 11 and a cover 12. The base 11 defines a first liquid channel LC1. The cover 12 is secured to the base 11 and, together with the base 11, defines a sliding space SS. Furthermore, the cover 12 is provided with a limiting groove LG that communicates with the sliding space SS. The limiting groove LG is used to limit the rotation angle of the rotary adapter 3 (not shown).

[0036] In this embodiment, the base 11 includes a receiving portion 111 and a fixing portion 112. The receiving portion 111 and the cover 12 together form a sliding space SS. The fixing portion 112 extends from the receiving portion 111 away from the cover 12 and has a first liquid channel LC1. In addition, the fixing portion 112 is provided with an external thread for locking on a liquid-cooled server 400 (marked at Figure 7 In other embodiments, the fixing portion 112 may be fixed by other fixing means (such as integrally formed).

[0037] The radial slider 2 has a ball socket BS connected to the first liquid channel LC1. It is radially slidably disposed within the sliding space SS, forming a sliding gap SG between the radial slider 2 and the sliding space SS. This maintains the first liquid channel LC1 isolated from the sliding gap SG. In this embodiment, the radial slider 2 comprises a first housing 21 and a second housing 22. When assembled with the first housing 21, the second housing 22 and the first housing 21 together enclose the ball socket BS.

[0038] The rotatable adapter 3 comprises a ball head 31 and an adapter portion 32. The ball head 31 has a second liquid channel LC2 connected to the first liquid channel LC1 and is rotatably mounted in the ball socket BS. The radial slider 2 isolates the second liquid channel LC2 from the sliding gap SG. The adapter portion 32 extends from the ball head 31 away from the first liquid channel LC1 and is secured to a first liquid joint 200, thereby connecting the second liquid channel LC2 to the third liquid channel LC3 within the first liquid joint 200. Furthermore, the rotation angle of the adapter portion 32 is limited by a stopper LG. In this embodiment, the first liquid joint 200 has external threads, and the adapter portion 32 has internal threads corresponding to the external threads, allowing the adapter portion 32 to be interlocked with the first liquid joint.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first liquid connector 200 and the second liquid connector 300 are respectively a first liquid male connector (e.g., a UQDB series) and a second liquid female connector (e.g., a UQDB series), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first liquid connector 200 and the second liquid connector 300 can be respectively a first liquid female connector and a second liquid male connector.

[0040] In fact, in order to achieve the docking of the male and female connectors, the internal structure of the first liquid connector 200 and the second liquid connector 300 also includes a plurality of working components (not shown). However, since the main purpose of the present invention is to solve the problem of radial deviation and angular deviation, rather than the details of internal docking, the present invention is not Figures 4 to 6 It is only presented in schematic form, and the internal working components are appropriately omitted (ie, in fact, the two ends of the first liquid joint 200 are connected).

[0041] When blind-plugging the first liquid connector 200 into the second liquid connector 300, the radial slider 2 slides in the sliding space SS, and the ball head 31 rotates relative to the ball socket BS, so that the first central axis CA1 of the first liquid connector 200 is aligned with the second central axis CA2 of the second liquid connector 300, completing the blind plugging. After the blind plugging is completed, the third liquid channel LC3 is connected to the fourth liquid channel LC4 located in the second liquid connector 300.

[0042] Compared to the blind-mate connector with a radial float of about 1 mm (UQDB series as an example), the blind-mate liquid adapter assembly 100 of this embodiment has a radial float of about 6 mm (UQDB series as an example) by means of the radial sliding member 2. Figure 5 For example, it has a radial floating amount of 3 mm up and down), and has an angular floating amount of about 10 degrees (with Figure 5 For example, it has an angle fluctuation of 5 degrees up and down).

[0043] To prevent spillage of the working fluid (e.g., coolant), the blind-mate liquid adapter assembly 100 further includes a first sealing rubber ring 4a, a second sealing rubber ring 4b, a third sealing rubber ring 4c, and a fourth sealing rubber ring 4d. The first sealing rubber ring 4a is disposed between the radial sliding member 2 and the plug-in mounting base 1, adjacent to the first liquid channel LC1. The second sealing rubber ring 4b is disposed between the first housing 21 and the second housing 22. The third sealing rubber ring 4c is disposed between the adapter portion 32 and the first liquid connector 200. The fourth sealing rubber ring 4d is sleeved onto the mounting portion 112, adjacent to the accommodating portion 111.

[0044] See also Figures 7 to 10 , Figure 7 An exploded perspective view of the blind-mate liquid adapter assembly and the first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention fixed before a liquid-cooled server; Figure 8 An exploded perspective view of a first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention before being plugged into a second liquid connector; Figure 9 A perspective exploded schematic diagram of the first liquid connector provided by an embodiment of the present invention before being plugged into the second liquid connector from another perspective; and Figure 10 A three-dimensional diagram of the first liquid connector provided by the embodiment of the present invention after being plugged into the second liquid connector. Figures 1 to 6 .

[0045] like Figures 7 to 10 As shown, in actual use, the blind-mate liquid adapter assembly 100 is locked to a corresponding position on the liquid-cooled server 400 via the fixing portion 112 and is locked to the first liquid connector 200 via the adapter portion 32. To ensure the correct flow of coolant, a total of two blind-mate liquid adapter assemblies and two first liquid connectors are required to be assembled in the liquid-cooled server 400.

[0046] When a liquid-cooled server 400 is to be installed in a cabinet 500, the first liquid connector 200 is aligned with the second liquid connector 300 disposed on a manifold 501 and blind-mated. During the blind-mating process, even if there is radial or angular deviation, the blind-mating liquid adapter assembly 100 can automatically align and adjust to complete the blind-mating.

[0047] When a liquid-cooled server 400 is installed in a cabinet 500, it is sufficient to align the first liquid connector 200 with the second liquid connector 300 mounted on a manifold 501 and perform a blind-mating operation. Due to the inevitable cumulative tolerances during the manufacturing or assembly process, radial or angular misalignment may occur between the first and second liquid connectors 200, 300. This means that the first and second central axes CA1 and CA2 are not perfectly aligned before blind-mating. However, during the blind-mating process, even with radial or angular misalignment, the blind-mating liquid adapter assembly 100 automatically adjusts and completes the alignment, ensuring a smooth blind-mating process.

[0048] In summary, the blind-mate liquid adapter assembly 100 provided by the present invention utilizes the radial slider 2 to slide within the sliding space SS to accommodate radial deviations, and the ball head 31 to rotate relative to the ball socket BS to accommodate angular deviations. This allows the first central axis CA1 of the first liquid connector 200 fixed to the rotating adapter 3 to align with the second central axis CA2 of the second liquid connector 300, thereby completing blind mating. This solves the issues of time-consuming and potentially unsuccessful mating.

[0049] The above detailed description of the preferred embodiments is intended to more clearly illustrate the features and spirit of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention by the preferred embodiments disclosed above. On the contrary, its purpose is to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

Claims

1. A blind-mating liquid adapter assembly, characterized in that: The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly comprises: A plug-in fixing seat having a sliding space and a first liquid channel connected to the sliding space; a radial sliding member having a ball socket connected to the first liquid passage and radially slidably disposed in the sliding space to form a sliding gap between the radial sliding member and the sliding space, and to isolate the first liquid passage from the sliding gap; and A rotary adapter, comprising: a ball head having a second liquid passage connected to the first liquid passage and rotatably disposed in the ball socket, wherein the second liquid passage is kept isolated from the sliding gap by the radial sliding member; and a connecting portion extending from the ball head portion away from the first liquid channel and configured to be fixedly connected to a first liquid joint so as to connect the second liquid channel to a third liquid channel located in the first liquid joint; When the first liquid connector is blindly inserted into a second liquid connector, the radial sliding member slides in the sliding space, and the ball head rotates relative to the ball socket, so that a first central axis of the first liquid connector is aligned with a second central axis of the second liquid connector, thereby completing the blind insertion. After the blind insertion is completed, the third liquid channel is connected to a fourth liquid channel located in the second liquid connector.

2. The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The plug-in fixing seat includes: a base having the first liquid passage; and A cover body is locked on the base body and together with the base body forms the sliding space.

3. The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The seat body comprises: a receiving portion, which together with the cover body forms the sliding space; and A fixing portion extends from the accommodating portion toward the cover body and has the first liquid channel.

4. The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The cover system is provided with a limiting groove communicated with the sliding space, and the limiting groove is used to limit the rotation angle of the adapter portion.

5. The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly further includes: A first sealing rubber ring is disposed between the radial sliding member and the plug-in fixing seat and is adjacent to the first liquid channel.

6. The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The radial sliding member comprises: a first housing; and A second shell is assembled with the first shell to form the ball socket together with the first shell.

7. The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly further includes: A second sealing rubber ring is disposed between the first shell and the second shell.

8. The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly further includes: A third sealing rubber ring is disposed between the adapter portion and the first liquid joint.

9. The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first liquid connector and the second liquid connector are respectively a first liquid male connector and a second liquid female connector.

10. The blind-mate liquid adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first liquid connector and the second liquid connector are respectively a first liquid female connector and a second liquid male connector.

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