Micro-channel optical module bidirectional cut-off floating blind plug structure

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of optical communication equipment cooling, and discloses a micro-channel optical module bidirectional cut-off floating blind plug structure, which is used for connecting or disconnecting an optical module and a liquid cooling system, and comprises a male head assembly and a female head assembly which are matched with each other, wherein the male head assembly comprises a male head base and a male head main body which is coaxially arranged on the male head base; the female head assembly comprises a female head base and a female head main body which is coaxially arranged on the female head base; the male head base is provided with a first connector which is used for detachably connecting with the optical module, and the female head base is provided with a second connector which is used for connecting with the liquid cooling system; and the male head main body and the female head main body are inserted into each other to connect the optical module and the liquid cooling system. The male head assembly and the female head assembly are detachably connected with the optical module and the liquid cooling system respectively, and replace the traditional integrated customized design, so that the micro-channel optical module and the cooling system of different specifications can be adapted, the universality is improved, and the use cost and the adaptation difficulty of the user are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of optical communication equipment cooling technology, and specifically relates to a bidirectional cutoff floating blind insertion structure for microchannel optical modules. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of internet technology and the widespread adoption of networked terminal devices, the demand for data transmission is growing exponentially. Optical communication technology, with its advantages of large bandwidth, low transmission loss, strong resistance to electromagnetic interference, and stable transmission quality, has become a core technology in the field of data communication. As the core component in optical communication systems that converts photoelectric signals, the performance of optical modules directly determines the data transmission rate and stability. With the continuous improvement of optical module transmission rates, their operating power is constantly increasing, and the heat flux density generated during operation is significantly increasing. Meanwhile, the integration of optical modules is constantly improving, and their size is continuously miniaturizing. Efficient heat dissipation has become a core bottleneck in the design of high-power optical modules.

[0003] Liquid cooling technology, with its advantages of high heat exchange efficiency, low noise, and small space occupation, has gradually become the mainstream heat dissipation solution for high-power microchannel optical modules. In order to achieve rapid connection between optical modules and liquid cooling systems, quick-connect connectors have become the core supporting components of liquid-cooled optical modules.

[0004] The current industry standard for liquid-cooled quick-connect connectors integrates the male connector onto the optical module body, while the female connector is fixedly connected to the water distributor of the liquid cooling system. The male and female connectors are mated together by the insertion of the optical module, which in turn enables the liquid cooling system to automatically connect with the microchannel cooling circuit inside the optical module. When the connector is disconnected, it can achieve bidirectional cutoff to prevent coolant leakage.

[0005] However, this type of solution has the following shortcomings: the male connector and optical module, and the female connector and water distributor are all integrated fixed designs, belonging to the customized matching structure of optical modules. They cannot be adapted to optical modules and water distributors of different specifications, limiting customer usage scenarios, resulting in extremely poor versatility and preventing standardized mass application. At the same time, dimensional and positional tolerances are unavoidable during the processing and installation of optical modules and water distributors, which can easily lead to misalignment of the male and female connectors. In existing solutions, the male and female connectors are rigidly connected structures without effective tolerance compensation structures, making them prone to jamming during insertion and even causing connection problems. Damage to the connector structure or the optical module itself affects the normal operation and lifespan of the optical module. Some existing solutions incorporate a floating structure at the male connector end to address tolerance compensation issues. However, the installation space for the optical module is extremely limited, severely restricting the design of the floating structure at the male connector end. This results in insufficient floating margin, limited tolerance compensation, and further increases the size of the male connector, contradicting the trend towards miniaturization of optical modules. Additionally, the floating male connector end can lead to uneven stress on the sealing structure of the internal flow channels of the optical module, potentially causing seal failure over long-term use. Furthermore, existing quick-connect connectors often employ a multi-part disassembly and assembly design, with sealing and radial positioning functions implemented by different independent components. This results in accumulated coaxiality tolerances during assembly, making the valve stem prone to eccentricity during opening and closing. This leads to uneven wear and compression of the seals, potentially causing seal failure and coolant leakage over long-term use.

[0006] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a bidirectional cutoff floating blind insertion structure for microchannel optical modules, thereby overcoming the defects in the prior art.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a bidirectional cut-off floating blind-mating structure for microchannel optical modules. The blind-mating structure is used to connect or disconnect the optical module and the liquid cooling system, and includes a male connector assembly and a female connector assembly that are mutually adapted. The male connector assembly includes a male connector base and a male connector body coaxially disposed on the male connector base. The female head assembly includes a female head base and a female head body coaxially disposed on the female head base; The male connector base is provided with a first connector for detachable connection with the optical module, and the female connector base is provided with a second connector for connection with the liquid cooling system; the male connector body and the female connector body are inserted to conduct the optical module and the liquid cooling system.

[0009] Preferably, the female head base and the female head body are provided with an axial angle runout allowance to allow the female head base to wobble and float.

[0010] Preferably, the axial angle runout margin is ≥ ±0.5°.

[0011] Preferably, a gap is provided between the female head base and the female head body to allow for radial floating of the female head base, and the radial floating gap is ≥0.5mm.

[0012] Preferably, the first connector is provided with a first threaded connection portion for detachable connection with the optical module; the second connector is provided with a second threaded connection portion for detachable connection with the liquid cooling system.

[0013] Preferably, the outer diameter of the second threaded connection is ≤8.5mm.

[0014] Preferably, the male head body is provided with a male head valve core and a first elastic element adapted to the male head valve core; the female head body is provided with a female head valve core and a second elastic element adapted to the female head valve core; one end of the female head valve core is engaged with the female head base, and the other end is used to engage with the male head valve core; a first sealing ring is provided between the female head valve core and the female head base.

[0015] Preferably, the female valve core includes a valve head, a valve stem, and a sliding sealing structure, wherein the sliding sealing structure cooperates with the female base, and the valve head cooperates with the male valve core.

[0016] Preferably, the valve head, valve stem, and sliding sealing surface are an integral structure.

[0017] Preferably, the valve stem has a hollow structure.

[0018] Preferably, the sliding sealing structure is provided with a sealing groove.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, one aspect of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention allows for the detachable connection of the male connector and female connector to the optical module and liquid cooling system, respectively, replacing the traditional integrated customized design. It can be adapted to microchannel optical modules and cooling systems of different specifications, improving versatility and reducing user costs and adaptation difficulties. This invention provides an axial angular offset allowance between the female head base and the female head body to accommodate the swaying and floating of the female head base. This allows for positional tolerance compensation during the mating process, overcoming the limitations of the narrow space in the optical module section on the floating structure. It enables a larger floating allowance and avoids mating jamming caused by processing and installation tolerances. In addition, the floating of the female head end will not generate additional stress on the inside of the optical module, further reducing the risk of internal sealing failure of the optical module. The female valve core of the present invention adopts an integrated structure, which eliminates the cumulative coaxiality tolerance of multi-part assembly, avoids the eccentricity problem in the valve stem opening and closing process from the root, and improves the sealing reliability. The valve stem of the present invention is also provided with a hollow structure. The hollow structure, as a flow channel, significantly reduces the liquid flow pressure and can achieve a synergistic balance of anti-eccentric positioning, high-reliability sealing and low flow resistance performance. This invention controls the outer diameter of the second threaded connection part of the female head base to within 8.5mm, which conforms to the development trend of miniaturization and high integration of optical modules and greatly enhances the market competitiveness of the product. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the application of a bidirectional cutoff floating blind insertion structure for a microchannel optical module according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a male connector assembly of a bidirectional cutoff floating blind-plug structure for a microchannel optical module according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a female connector assembly of a bidirectional cutoff floating blind-plug structure for a microchannel optical module according to the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the male connector assembly of a bidirectional cutoff floating blind-plug structure for a microchannel optical module according to the present invention; Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the female connector assembly of a bidirectional cutoff floating blind-plug structure for a microchannel optical module according to the present invention. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the female connector assembly of a bidirectional cutoff floating blind-plug structure for a microchannel optical module according to the present invention; Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a microchannel optical module bidirectional cutoff floating blind mating structure during mating according to the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the female valve core during the insertion of a bidirectional cutoff floating blind mating structure for a microchannel optical module according to the present invention. The attached figures are labeled as follows: 10-Optical module, 20-Liquid cooling system, 1-Male connector assembly, 11-Male connector base, 12-Male connector body, 13-First connector, 131-First threaded connection, 14-Male valve core, 15-First elastic body, 2-Female connector assembly, 21-Female connector base, 22-Female connector body, 23-Second connector, 231-Second threaded connection, 24-Axial angle runout allowance, 25-Female valve core, 251-Valve head, 252-Valve stem, 253-Sliding sealing structure, 254-Hollowed structure, 255-Sealing groove, 26-Second elastic element, 27-Pressure block, 3-First sealing ring, 4-Second sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below, but it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments.

[0022] Unless otherwise expressly stated, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprising" or its variations such as "including" or "comprises" shall be understood to include the stated elements or components without excluding other elements or other components. Example 1:

[0023] like Figures 1-8 As shown, a microchannel optical module bidirectional cut-off floating blind mating structure is provided. The blind mating structure is used to connect or disconnect the optical module 10 and the liquid cooling system 20. It includes a male connector assembly 1 and a female connector assembly 2 that are adapted to each other. The male connector assembly 1 includes a male connector base 11 and a male connector body 12 coaxially disposed on the male connector base 11. The female head assembly 2 includes a female head base 21 and a female head body 22 coaxially disposed on the female head base 21; The male connector base 11 is provided with a first connector 13 for detachable connection with the optical module 10, and the female connector base 21 is provided with a second connector 23 for connection with the liquid cooling system 20; the male connector body 12 and the female connector body 22 are inserted to conduct the optical module 10 and the liquid cooling system 20.

[0024] In this case, as a specific solution, the first connector 13 is provided with a first threaded connection part 131, which is used for detachable connection with the optical module 10; the second connector 23 is provided with a second threaded connection part 231, which is used for detachable connection with the liquid cooling system 20; through the threaded structure, it can be freely connected to the optical module 10 and the cooling system 20, without being restricted by customization, and can be adapted to microchannel optical modules and cooling systems of different specifications, improving versatility and reducing user costs and adaptation difficulties.

[0025] In this specific solution, the female connector base 21 and the female connector body 22 are provided with an axial angle deviation margin 24 that satisfies the swaying and floating of the female connector base 21. This axial angle deviation margin 24 allows the female connector base 21 to have an angle deviation of ≥±0.5°, and allows the radial unilateral floating of the female connector base 21 and the female connector body 22 to be ≥0.5mm. This enables positional tolerance compensation during the mating process of the male connector assembly 1 and the female connector assembly 2, overcomes the limitation of the narrow space of the optical module section on the floating structure, achieves a larger floating margin, and avoids mating jamming caused by processing and installation tolerances. In addition, the floating of the female connector end will not generate additional stress on the inside of the optical module, further reducing the risk of internal sealing failure of the optical module.

[0026] In this case, as a more specific solution, the outer diameter of the second threaded connection 231 is ≤8.5mm; this size design conforms to the development trend of miniaturization and high integration of optical modules, and greatly enhances the market competitiveness of the product.

[0027] In this case, as a specific solution, the male head body 12 is provided with a male head valve core 14 and a first elastic element 15 adapted to the male head valve core 14; the female head body 22 is provided with a female head valve core 25 and a second elastic element 26 adapted to the female head valve core 25; one end of the female head valve core 25 is engaged with the female head base 21, and the other end is used to engage with the male head valve core 14; a first sealing ring 3 is provided between the female head valve core 25 and the female head base 21.

[0028] More specifically, the first elastic element 15 is a spring structure that can adapt to the axial displacement of the male valve core 14. Similarly, the second elastic element 26 is a spring structure that can adapt to the axial displacement of the female valve core 25. When the male assembly 1 and the female assembly 2 are inserted, the end of the male body 12 is inserted into the female body 22, wherein the male valve core 14 and the female valve core 25 are connected. Under the compression of the two elastic elements, the channel around the valve core is opened to allow fluid to pass through. When the male assembly 1 and the female assembly 2 are separated, under the action of the two elastic elements, the male valve core 14 and the female valve core 25 are reset respectively, blocking the channel of the male body 12 and the female body 22, thereby achieving the flow-stopping function.

[0029] More specifically, the female connector assembly 2 also includes a pressure block 27, which limits the male connector base 11 and the female connector valve core 25 within the male connector body 22, while the axial angle runout margin 24 is the gap between the pressure block and the female connector base 21.

[0030] In this case, more specifically, the female valve core 25 includes a valve head 251, a valve stem 252, and a sliding sealing structure 253. The sliding sealing structure 253 cooperates with the female base 21, and the valve head 251 cooperates with the male valve core 14.

[0031] More specifically, the sliding sealing structure 253 is a disc-shaped structure adapted to the inner diameter of the female head body 22; the valve head 251, valve stem 252 and sliding sealing structure 253 are an integral structure, that is, they are made in one piece, and the sliding sealing structure 253 is a disc-shaped structure that can fit with the inner wall of the female head body 22, eliminating the cumulative coaxiality tolerance of the assembly of multiple parts, fundamentally avoiding the eccentricity problem in the valve stem opening and closing process, and improving the sealing reliability.

[0032] More specifically, the first sealing ring 3 is disposed between the sliding sealing surface 253 and the female head base 21; the valve stem 252 is provided with a hollow structure 254; the hollow structure 254 is distributed along the axial direction of the valve stem 252, and the hollow structure 254, as a flow channel, significantly reduces the liquid flow pressure, and can achieve a synergistic balance of anti-eccentric positioning, high-reliability sealing and low flow resistance performance.

[0033] More specifically, the sliding sealing structure 253 is provided with a sealing groove 255, and a second sealing ring 4 is provided in the sealing groove 255.

[0034] The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the invention is for illustrative and explanatory purposes. These descriptions are not intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it will be apparent that many changes and variations can be made in accordance with the foregoing teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the specific principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to implement and utilize various different exemplary embodiments of the invention, as well as various different choices and variations. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A bidirectional cutoff floating blind-mating structure for a microchannel optical module, the blind-mating structure being used to connect or disconnect the optical module and the liquid cooling system, comprising mutually compatible male and female connector assemblies, characterized in that: The male connector assembly includes a male connector base and a male connector body coaxially disposed on the male connector base; The female head assembly includes a female head base and a female head body coaxially disposed on the female head base; The male connector base is provided with a first connector for detachable connection with the optical module, and the female connector base is provided with a second connector for connection with the liquid cooling system; the male connector body and the female connector body are inserted to conduct the optical module and the liquid cooling system.

2. The microchannel optical module bidirectional cutoff floating blind mating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The female head base and the female head body are provided with an axial angle runout margin to allow for the female head base to wobble and float.

3. The microchannel optical module bidirectional cutoff floating blind insertion structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The axial angle runout margin is ≥ ±0.5°.

4. The microchannel optical module bidirectional cutoff floating blind mating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The female head base and the female head body are provided with a gap that allows the female head base to float radially, and the radial floating gap is ≥0.5mm.

5. The microchannel optical module bidirectional cutoff floating blind mating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first connector is provided with a first threaded connection part, which is used for detachable connection with the optical module; the second connector is provided with a second threaded connection part, which is used for detachable connection with the liquid cooling system.

6. The microchannel optical module bidirectional cutoff floating blind mating structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the second threaded connection is ≤8.5mm.

7. The microchannel optical module bidirectional cutoff floating blind mating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The male head body contains a male head valve core and a first elastic element adapted to the male head valve core; the female head body contains a female head valve core and a second elastic element adapted to the female head valve core; one end of the female head valve core mates with the female head base, and the other end mates with the male head valve core; a first sealing ring is provided between the female head valve core and the female head base.

8. The microchannel optical module bidirectional cutoff floating blind mating structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The female valve core includes a valve head, a valve stem, and a sliding sealing structure. The sliding sealing structure cooperates with the female base, and the valve head cooperates with the male valve core.

9. A bidirectional cutoff floating blind-mating structure for a microchannel optical module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The valve head, valve stem, and sliding sealing surface are an integral structure.

10. A bidirectional cutoff floating blind-mating structure for a microchannel optical module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The sliding sealing structure is provided with a sealing groove.

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