Liquid cooling connector and liquid cooling system

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid cooling connector and a liquid cooling system, and relates to the technical field of heat exchange. The invention discloses a liquid cooling joint, and the joint comprises a pedestal which is provided with a through hole; the cylinder part of the floating seat is arranged in the through hole in a penetrating manner, and the abutting part of the floating seat corresponds to the base; the through-flow pipe is arranged on the cylinder part of the floating seat in a penetrating manner; the liquid cooling connector further comprises a first elastic piece, and the first elastic piece is arranged in a groove hole in the peripheral side of the through hole and clamped by the abutting portion of the base and the floating seat. And the second elastic piece is clamped between the through-flow pipe and the barrel part. Through the structure, the plugging reliability of the liquid cooling connector in the liquid cooling equipment can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to the field of heat exchange technology, and in particular to a liquid cooling connector and a liquid cooling system. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of network technology, the computing power of network devices has increased dramatically. Correspondingly, network devices are developing towards higher density, and the heat generated during operation has also increased. Traditional air cooling has reached its limit, so liquid cooling, which has higher heat dissipation efficiency, has been introduced into network devices.

[0003] In network equipment, a manifold and internal circulation piping form a coolant circulation system within the network device. Externally, an external circulation piping system connects the internal and external circulation systems via liquid-cooled connectors that plug into the manifold, facilitating coolant exchange. Due to the high deployment density of network equipment, such as rack-mounted servers, one manifold may correspond to multiple network devices. Connecting the liquid-cooled connectors to the manifold is often done blindly, making it difficult for staff to visually confirm the connection status. Therefore, ensuring the reliability of the liquid-cooled connection is a pressing issue for those in the field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the problems existing in related technologies, this specification provides a liquid cooling connector and a liquid cooling system.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of this specification, a liquid cooling connector is provided, comprising: The base has a through hole. A floating seat, wherein the cylindrical portion of the floating seat passes through the through hole, and the abutting portion of the floating seat corresponds to the base; A flow passage pipe is inserted through the cylindrical portion of the floating seat; The liquid cooling connector further includes: The first elastic element is disposed in a slot on the periphery of the through hole and is held by the abutment portion of the base and the floating seat. The second elastic element is clamped between the flow tube and the cylindrical portion.

[0006] Optionally, the second elastic element is at least two leaf springs; The at least two reeds are arranged around the periphery of the flow passage.

[0007] Optionally, the number of springs is four, the fixing part of the spring is fixed to the periphery of the tube of the flow tube, the elastic part of the spring abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder, and the spring is accommodated in the limiting groove formed on the inner wall of the cylinder.

[0008] Optionally, the second elastic element is a first conical spring and a second conical spring, and a spacer wall is formed in the cylindrical portion; The first conical spring is sleeved on the front side of the tube portion of the flow tube and compressed between the front side of the tube portion and the spacer wall of the cylindrical portion, wherein the small diameter end of the first conical spring faces the front side of the tube portion; The second conical spring is sleeved on the rear side of the tube and compressed between the rear side of the tube and the spacer wall of the cylinder, wherein the small-diameter end of the second conical spring faces the rear side of the tube.

[0009] Optionally, stepped grooves are formed on both sides of the partition wall, and stop blocks are formed in the stepped grooves. The large diameter ends of the first cone spring and the second cone spring are respectively accommodated in the corresponding stepped grooves and abut against the stop blocks in the corresponding stepped grooves. The small-diameter end of the first conical spring abuts against the boss on the front side of the tube, and the small-diameter end of the second conical spring abuts against the bushing on the rear side of the tube.

[0010] Optionally, a boss is formed on the front side of the tube portion of the flow tube, and a first anti-rotation block is formed on the periphery of the boss; The abutment portion of the floating seat has a first anti-rotation groove corresponding to the first anti-rotation block, wherein the size of the first anti-rotation block is smaller than the size of the first anti-rotation groove.

[0011] Optionally, a male water nozzle is provided on the front side of the flow pipe, and the male water nozzle is plugged into the manifold corresponding to the liquid cooling connector; The liquid cooling connector further includes: A guide sleeve is provided, which passes through a first hole on the boss and a second hole on the base, wherein the guide hole formed on the guide sleeve cooperates with the guide pin on the water manifold for guidance.

[0012] Optionally, a second anti-rotation block is formed on the periphery of the cylindrical portion of the floating seat; A second anti-rotation groove is formed in the through hole of the base, and the second anti-rotation block is engaged in the second anti-rotation groove.

[0013] Optionally, the floating seat is fixed to the base by a first snap ring, and the floating seat is fixed to the flow pipe by a second snap ring.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of this specification, a liquid cooling system is provided, comprising: Water distribution unit; and, The liquid cooling connector described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the manifold and the liquid cooling connector are plugged into each other.

[0015] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this specification may include the following beneficial effects: In the embodiments described in this specification, a floating seat is used to connect the base and the flow tube in the liquid cooling connector. A first elastic element is provided between the floating seat and the base to provide axial floating for the liquid cooling connector, and a second elastic element is provided between the floating seat and the flow tube to provide radial floating for the liquid cooling connector. This allows the operator to provide a certain amount of floating when inserting the liquid cooling connector, meeting the requirements for blind insertion, thereby improving the reliability of the liquid cooling connector insertion in the liquid cooling equipment.

[0016] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this specification. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this specification and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this specification.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid cooling connector according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid cooling connector according to another embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This application Figure 1 An installation diagram of one type of liquid cooling connector involved; Figure 4 This application Figure 2 An installation diagram of one type of liquid cooling connector involved; Figure 5 This application Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid cooling joint involved; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid cooling system involved in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this specification. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this specification as detailed in the appended claims.

[0020] The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this specification. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in this specification and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0021] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used in this specification to describe various information, this information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another.

[0022] This application provides a liquid cooling connector 100, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, it includes: The base 1 has a through hole 10, which is located in the middle of the base 1. A floating seat 2, wherein a cylindrical portion 20 of the floating seat 2 passes through the through hole 10, the cylindrical portion 20 is opened in the middle of the floating seat 2 and corresponds to the through hole 10, and an abutting portion 21 of the floating seat 2 corresponds to the base 1, the abutting portion 21 extends outward from the periphery of the cylindrical portion 20, a portion of the abutting portion 21 corresponds to a portion of the periphery of the through hole 10 of the base 1, and a certain gap 22 is formed between the abutting portion 21 of the floating seat 2 and the base 1; A flow pipe 3 is inserted through the cylindrical portion 20 of the floating seat 2. A portion of the flow pipe 3 corresponds to a portion of the contact portion 21. The flow pipe 3 can abut against the side of the contact portion 21 that does not correspond to the base 1. There is a certain floating space 30 between the flow pipe 3 and the contact portion 21. A male water tap 31 is formed on one side of the flow pipe 3 for insertion into the water manifold. The male water tap 31 can be integrally formed with the flow pipe 3 or can be separately formed and connected by screws or other means. The liquid cooling connector 100 further includes: The first elastic element 4 is disposed in the slot 11 on the periphery of the through hole 10 and is held by the abutment part 21 of the base 1 and the floating seat 2. By compressing and releasing the first elastic element 4, and in conjunction with the gap 22 between the abutment part 21 of the base 1 and the floating seat 2, the axial floating of the liquid cooling connector 100 can be realized. The second elastic element 5 is clamped between the flow tube 3 and the cylindrical part 20. By compressing and releasing the second elastic element 5, and in conjunction with the floating space 30 between the flow tube 3 and the cylindrical part 20, the radial floating of the liquid cooling connector 100 can be realized.

[0023] The "front side" in the following description refers to the side of the liquid-cooled connector 100 facing the manifold, that is, the side of the male water tap 31 installed on the flow pipe 3, and the "rear side" refers to the side of the liquid-cooled connector 100 facing the external circulation pipe, that is, the side of the flow pipe 3 where the male water tap 31 is not installed.

[0024] In the liquid cooling connector, a floating seat connects the base and the flow tube. A first elastic element is set between the floating seat and the base to provide axial floating for the liquid cooling connector, and a second elastic element is set between the floating seat and the flow tube to provide radial floating for the liquid cooling connector. This allows the operator to provide the floating amount for insertion when the liquid cooling connector is inserted, meeting the requirements for blind insertion, thereby improving the reliability of the liquid cooling connector insertion in the liquid cooling equipment.

[0025] In one possible implementation, such as Figure 1 , 3 As shown, the second elastic element 5 consists of at least two springs 50. The springs 50 can be formed in an arch shape, with one or both ends fixed to one of the flow pipe 3 or the base 1 by means of screwing or other means, and abutting against the other, thereby achieving elastic floating through the arched part. The springs 50 can also achieve elastic floating through the cooperation of the free end and the fixed end. The at least two reeds 50 are arranged around the periphery of the tube portion 32 of the flow tube 3.

[0026] More preferably, in order to achieve reliable floating in multiple directions, four reeds 50 can be provided, which are equally spaced at angles around the periphery of the tube 32.

[0027] Specifically, the fixing part 50A of the spring 50 is fixed to the periphery of the tube 32 of the flow tube 3, and the spring 50 is accommodated in the limiting groove formed on the inner wall 24 of the cylindrical part 20.

[0028] With four springs 50, a limiting groove for accommodating the springs 50 can be provided on the inner wall 24 of the cylinder 20. Each limiting groove corresponds to one spring 50. With four springs 50, four limiting grooves can be provided. The springs 50 and limiting grooves are evenly distributed around the periphery. Taking a 360° periphery as an example, one spring 50 and one limiting groove can be provided every 90°. When the flow tube 3 floats, even distribution can prevent the springs 50 from separating from the limiting grooves when compressed to one side, thereby improving the reliability of the floating between the flow tube 3 and the floating seat 2.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the elastic part 50B of the spring 50 corresponds to the free end, and the fixed part 50A of the spring 50 corresponds to the fixed end. By compressing and releasing the free end in the radial direction, the flow tube 3 can move relative to the floating seat 2, thereby realizing the floating requirement of the flow tube 3.

[0030] In another possible implementation, such as Figure 2 , 4 As shown, the second elastic element 5 is a first cone spring 51 and a second cone spring 52, and a spacer wall 23 is formed in the cylindrical portion 20; The first conical spring 51 is sleeved on the front side of the tube portion 32 of the flow pipe 3 and compressed between the front side of the tube portion 32 and the spacer wall 23 of the cylindrical portion 20. The small diameter end 51A of the first conical spring 51 faces the front side of the tube portion 32. The front side of the tube portion 32 refers to the side facing the male water tap 31, and the rear side of the tube portion 32 refers to the side away from the male water tap 31. The second conical spring 52 is sleeved on the rear side of the tube 32 and compressed between the rear side of the tube 32 and the spacer wall 23 of the cylinder 20. The small diameter end 52A of the second conical spring 52 faces the rear side of the tube 32, which refers to the side away from the male water tap 31.

[0031] The first conical spring 51 can be formed with a small diameter end 51A and a large diameter end 51B, and the second conical spring 52 can be formed with a small diameter end 52A and a large diameter end 52B. By eccentrically compressing the small diameter ends 51A and 52A relative to the large diameter ends 51B and 52B, the flow tube 3 can be made to float radially relative to the floating seat 2.

[0032] Optional, such as Figure 4 , 5 As shown, stepped grooves 230 are formed on both sides of the partition wall 23. The two sides of the partition wall 23 are the side facing the front of the flow pipe 3 and the side facing the rear of the flow pipe 3. A stop block 231 is formed in the stepped groove 230. The large diameter end 51B of the first cone spring 51 and the large diameter end 52B of the second cone spring 52 are respectively accommodated in the corresponding stepped groove 230. That is, part of the large diameter ends 51B and 52B are inserted into the circular stepped groove 230 and abut against the stop block 231 in the corresponding stepped groove 230. The stop block 231 abutting against the corresponding stepped groove 230 refers to the end of the large diameter end 51B of the first cone spring 51 abutting against the stop block 231 of the stepped groove 230 on that side, and the end of the large diameter end 52B of the second cone spring 52 abutting against the stop block 231 of the stepped groove 230 on that side. The small-diameter end 51A of the first conical spring 51 abuts against the boss 34 on the front side of the tube 32. A first groove 33 can be formed on the rear side of the tube 32, and the bushing 6 can be inserted into the first groove 33 for fixation. The small-diameter end 52A of the second conical spring 52 abuts against the bushing 6 on the rear side of the tube 32.

[0033] The boss 34 formed on the tube portion 32 of the flow tube 3 and the stepped groove 230 formed on the spacer wall 23 can stably clamp the first cone spring 51 and the second cone spring 52, so that reliable floating can be achieved during blind insertion.

[0034] Alternatively, the stop block 231 can be respectively set on the side surface of the boss 34 facing the first cone spring 51 and the side surface of the bushing 6 facing the second cone spring 52, so as to realize the holding of the small diameter ends 51A and 52A of the first cone spring 51 and the second cone spring 52.

[0035] Optional, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, a boss 34 is formed on the front side of the pipe portion 32 of the flow pipe 3, and a first anti-rotation block 35 is formed on the periphery of the boss 34. The first anti-rotation block 35 may be formed by extending outward from both sides of the boss 34. The abutment portion 21 of the floating seat 2 is formed with a first anti-rotation groove 26 corresponding to the first anti-rotation block 35. The first anti-rotation groove 26 may be opened on the surface of the abutment portion 21 and the position corresponds to the first anti-rotation block 35. The size of the first anti-rotation block 35 is smaller than the size of the first anti-rotation groove 26.

[0036] During the installation of the floating seat 2 and the flow pipe 3, there will be a certain amount of rotation due to the applied force. The rotation range of the flow pipe 3 relative to the floating seat 2 can be limited by the cooperation of the first anti-rotation groove 26 and the first anti-rotation block 35, so as to avoid incorrect installation of the flow pipe 3.

[0037] Furthermore, after the installation of the base 1, floating seat 2, and flow tube 3 is completed, the first anti-rotation block 35 can be inserted into the first anti-rotation groove 26. Since the size of the first anti-rotation block 35 is smaller than that of the first anti-rotation groove 26, when the flow tube 3 floats radially relative to the floating seat 2, the movement range of the first anti-rotation block 35 can be limited by the first anti-rotation groove 26, thereby limiting the floating range of the flow tube 3 relative to the floating seat 2 and preventing excessive floating during blind insertion that could damage the liquid cooling connector 100.

[0038] Optional, such as Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figure 6, a male water tap 31 is provided on the front side of the flow pipe 3, and the male water tap 31 is plugged into the water manifold 200 corresponding to the liquid cooling connector 100. The liquid cooling connector 100 further includes: The guide sleeve 7 passes through the first sleeve hole 34A on the boss 34 and the second sleeve hole 12 on the base 1, wherein the guide hole 70 formed on the guide sleeve 7 cooperates with the guide pin 201 on the water collector 200 for guidance.

[0039] When the liquid cooling connector 100 is inserted into the manifold 200, the guide pin 201 first contacts the guide sleeve 7 and is guided to the guide hole 70. As it slides into the guide hole 70, the male water nozzle 31 abuts against the female water nozzle 202 of the manifold 200, thereby connecting the liquid cooling connector 100 and the manifold 200, and connecting the external circulation pipeline and the internal circulation pipeline of the coolant.

[0040] Optional, such as Figure 1 , 2 As shown, a second anti-rotation block 27 is formed on the periphery of the cylindrical portion 20 of the floating seat 2; A second anti-rotation groove 13 is formed in the through hole 10 of the base 1, and the second anti-rotation block 27 is engaged in the second anti-rotation groove 13.

[0041] By cooperating with the second anti-rotation block 27 and the second anti-rotation groove 13, the rotation between the floating seat 2 and the base 1 is restricted, and excessive rotation between the base 1 and the floating seat 2 is avoided, which would reduce the reliability of the connection between the liquid cooling connector 100 and the water manifold 200, thereby further improving the connection reliability of the liquid cooling connector 100.

[0042] Optional, such as Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the floating seat 2 is fixed to the base 1 by a first snap ring 80, and the floating seat 2 is fixed to the flow pipe 3 by a second snap ring 81. The first snap ring 80 can be snapped into the first slot 33 on the tube 32, and the second snap ring 81 can be snapped into the second slot 25 on the cylinder 20.

[0043] The fixing by the first snap ring 80 and the second snap ring 81 makes the connection between the base 1, the floating seat 2 and the flow pipe 3 in the liquid cooling connector 100 more secure. Furthermore, the connection is axial, which reduces the space occupied by each liquid cooling connector 100 in the radial direction and increases the density of the insertion between the liquid cooling connector 100 and the water manifold 200.

[0044] Correspondingly, this application also provides a liquid cooling system 300, such as Figure 6 As shown, it includes: Water manifold 200; and, The liquid cooling connector 100 mentioned above is connected to the water manifold 200. Specifically, this can be achieved through a male water tap 31 and a female water tap 202.

[0045] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this specification may include the following beneficial effects: In the embodiments described in this specification, a floating seat is used to connect the base and the flow tube in the liquid cooling connector. A first elastic element is provided between the floating seat and the base to provide axial floating for the liquid cooling connector, and a second elastic element is provided between the floating seat and the flow tube to provide radial floating for the liquid cooling connector. This allows the operator to provide a certain amount of floating when inserting the liquid cooling connector, meeting the requirements for blind insertion, thereby improving the reliability of the liquid cooling connector insertion in the liquid cooling equipment.

[0046] Other embodiments of this specification will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention claimed herein. This specification is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations that follow the general principles of this specification and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not claimed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this specification are indicated by the following claims.

[0047] It should be understood that this specification is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this specification is limited only by the appended claims.

[0048] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this specification and is not intended to limit this specification. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this specification should be included within the scope of protection of this specification.

Claims

1. A liquid-cooled connector, characterized in that, include: The base has a through hole. A floating seat, wherein the cylindrical portion of the floating seat passes through the through hole, and the abutting portion of the floating seat corresponds to the base; A flow passage pipe is inserted through the cylindrical portion of the floating seat; The liquid cooling connector further includes: The first elastic element is disposed in a slot on the periphery of the through hole and is held by the abutment portion of the base and the floating seat. The second elastic element is clamped between the flow tube and the cylindrical portion.

2. The liquid cooling joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second elastic element is at least two leaf springs; The at least two reeds are arranged around the periphery of the flow passage.

3. The liquid cooling joint according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of springs is four; the fixing part of the spring is fixed to the periphery of the tube of the flow pipe, and the elastic part of the spring is accommodated in the limiting groove formed on the inner wall of the cylinder.

4. The liquid cooling joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second elastic element is a first conical spring and a second conical spring, and a spacer wall is formed in the cylindrical portion; The first conical spring is sleeved on the front side of the tube portion of the flow tube and compressed between the front side of the tube portion and the spacer wall of the cylindrical portion, wherein the small diameter end of the first conical spring faces the front side of the tube portion; The second conical spring is sleeved on the rear side of the tube and compressed between the rear side of the tube and the spacer wall of the cylinder, wherein the small-diameter end of the second conical spring faces the rear side of the tube.

5. The liquid cooling joint according to claim 4, characterized in that, The partition wall has stepped grooves on both sides, and a stop block is formed in the stepped groove. The large diameter end of the first cone spring and the large diameter end of the second cone spring are respectively accommodated in the corresponding stepped groove and abut against the stop block in the corresponding stepped groove. The small-diameter end of the first conical spring abuts against the boss on the front side of the tube, and the small-diameter end of the second conical spring abuts against the bushing on the rear side of the tube.

6. The liquid-cooled connector according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, A boss is formed on the front side of the tube portion of the flow tube, and a first anti-rotation block is formed on the periphery of the boss. The abutment portion of the floating seat has a first anti-rotation groove corresponding to the first anti-rotation block, wherein the size of the first anti-rotation block is smaller than the size of the first anti-rotation groove.

7. The liquid cooling joint according to claim 6, characterized in that, A male water nozzle is provided on the front side of the flow pipe, and the male water nozzle is plugged into the water manifold corresponding to the liquid cooling connector; The liquid cooling connector further includes: A guide sleeve is provided, which passes through a first hole on the boss and a second hole on the base, wherein the guide hole formed on the guide sleeve cooperates with the guide pin on the water manifold for guidance.

8. The liquid-cooled connector according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, A second anti-rotation block is formed on the periphery of the cylindrical part of the floating seat; A second anti-rotation groove is formed in the through hole of the base, and the second anti-rotation block is engaged in the second anti-rotation groove.

9. The liquid cooling joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The floating seat is fixed to the base by a first snap ring, and the floating seat is fixed to the flow tube by a second snap ring.

10. A liquid cooling system, characterized in that, include: Water distribution unit; as well as, The liquid cooling connector according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the water manifold and the liquid cooling connector are plugged in.

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