Switching device and electronic device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of liquid cooling heat dissipation, and provides a switching device and an electronic device. The switching device comprises a switching piece and a detection assembly. The switching piece has a connecting port for being connected with a liquid cooling plate and a liquid collecting bin below the connecting port. The detection assembly is at least partially arranged in the liquid collecting bin and comprises a liquid absorbing piece and a detection lead. The liquid absorbing piece is arranged on the bottom wall of the liquid collecting bin, and the detection lead is arranged in the liquid absorbing piece. The liquid absorbing piece can absorb the liquid collected in the liquid collecting bin and close the circuit of the detection lead, so that the detection assembly detects the liquid leakage information. The electronic device comprises the switching device. Both of them can directly and quickly detect the liquid leakage information at the interface of the liquid cooling plate and effectively prevent the short circuit damage of the electronic components caused by the leakage of the cooling liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of liquid cooling technology, and more particularly to an adapter and electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] As the performance of electronic devices continues to improve, their heat dissipation requirements also increase, and traditional air cooling is gradually failing to meet market demands. Liquid cooling, with its higher heat dissipation efficiency, more stable temperature control, and adaptability to higher heat-generating scenarios, is increasingly being applied to more electronic devices.

[0003] In related technologies, electronic devices generally have liquid cooling plates installed inside the device. The inlet and outlet of the liquid cooling plate are directly connected to the liquid supply system by welding. Due to oxidation and aging of the welding materials, the inlet and outlet of the liquid cooling plate are prone to leakage after a certain period of use. However, the electronic devices in related technologies do not have any design for leakage detection and leakage protection of the liquid cooling plate inlet and outlet. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides an adapter and electronic device to address the problem in related technologies where electronic devices lack liquid cooling plate inlet / outlet leakage detection and inlet / outlet leakage protection.

[0005] The adapter provided in this embodiment includes an adapter and a detection component; The adapter has a connection port for docking with the liquid cooling plate and a liquid collection tank located below the connection port; The detection component is at least partially disposed in the liquid collection chamber, and includes a liquid suction element and a detection lead; The liquid suction element is disposed on the bottom wall of the liquid collection chamber; The detection lead is disposed in the liquid suction element; The liquid suction element can absorb the liquid in the collection chamber and connect the detection lead, enabling the detection component to detect leakage information.

[0006] In one possible embodiment, the adapter is further provided with a drain port; The drain outlet is connected to the collection tank to discharge the liquid in the collection tank.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the drain port is located on the side of the adapter opposite to the connection port; The drain outlets are spaced apart above the bottom wall of the collection tank.

[0008] In one possible embodiment, the adapter further includes a waterproof gasket; The waterproof gasket is laid on the edge of the liquid collection tank near the liquid cooling plate, and can seal the edge of the tank to the liquid cooling plate.

[0009] In one embodiment, the liquid collection tank is further provided with a plurality of flow guide ribs at intervals; The top end of the flow guide rib is connected to the edge of the hopper opening, and the bottom end is connected to the bottom wall of the liquid collection hopper. The flow guide rib is inclined at an obtuse angle to the bottom wall.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the adapter further includes a docking interface for interfacing with the liquid supply system; The interface and the connection port are respectively located on opposite sides of the adapter.

[0011] In one possible embodiment, the adapter has an inlet buffer cavity and an outlet buffer cavity; At least one of the connection ports and at least one of the docking ports are connected to the liquid inlet buffer cavity; At least one of the connection ports and at least one of the interfaces are connected to the liquid outlet buffer cavity.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the adapter further includes mounting ears; The mounting ear has a mounting hole, and the adapter can be fixedly installed at the installation position through the mounting ear.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the detection component further includes: A connector is located outside the liquid collection tank, electrically connected to the detection lead via an extension wire, and capable of being electrically connected to an external controller; A waterproof rubber stopper, a sealing plug, is installed in the liquid collection tank through the through hole through which the extension wire passes; The connector can transmit the electrical signal of the detection lead to an external controller, so that the external controller can receive the detection information of the detection component.

[0014] In addition, this disclosure also provides an electronic device, which includes a device body and the above-described adapter; The device body is equipped with a liquid cooling plate; The adapter is fixedly installed on the housing of the device body, and the connection port in the adapter is connected to the liquid cooling plate.

[0015] The technical solution provided in this disclosure has the following advantages compared with related technologies: The adapter provided in this embodiment has a simple structure. The adapter can be universally adapted to the inlet and outlet of various liquid cooling plates. It can collect and temporarily store leaked coolant through the liquid collection tank in the adapter to prevent coolant leakage from causing short circuit damage to components in electronic equipment. Furthermore, the detection component in the adapter can also make a corresponding electrical connection after the coolant is collected in the liquid collection tank, so as to detect the leakage information and enable users to intuitively and quickly discover the leakage problem.

[0016] In addition, the electronic device provided in this embodiment includes the above-described adapter, which can achieve the same beneficial effects as the adapter, and will not be described again here.

[0017] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which: In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram from a first perspective of the adapter provided in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram from another perspective of the adapter provided in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing another perspective of the adapter provided in the embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the detection component in the adapter provided in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0020] The following are the labels in the diagram: 1. Adapter; 11. Connector; 12. Liquid collection tank; 121. Flow guide rib; 13. Drain outlet; 14. Connecting interface; 15. Inlet buffer cavity; 16. Outlet buffer cavity; 17. Mounting ear; 2. Detection component; 21. Suction component; 22. Detection lead wire; 23. Connector; 24. Waterproof rubber stopper; 3. Waterproof gasket; 4. Equipment body; 41. Liquid cooling plate. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0022] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides an adapter device, which includes an adapter 1 and a detection component 2. The adapter 1 has a connection port 11 for docking with a liquid cooling plate and a liquid collection chamber 12 located below the connection port 11. The detection component 2 is at least partially disposed in the liquid collection chamber 12 and includes a liquid suction member 21 and a detection lead 22. The liquid suction member 21 is disposed on the bottom wall of the liquid collection chamber 12. The detection lead 22 is disposed in the liquid suction member 21. The liquid suction member 21 can absorb the liquid in the liquid collection chamber 12 and conduct the detection lead 22, so that the detection component 2 can detect leakage information.

[0024] In practical use, the adapter provided in this embodiment can be welded to the inlet pipe and outlet pipe of the liquid cooling plate through the connection port 11 in the adapter 1. The adapter 1 is used for the transfer flow of coolant. Since the adapter 1 also has a liquid collection tank 12 below the connection port 11, when there is an accidental leak at the welding point between the connection port 11 and the liquid cooling plate, the liquid collection tank 12 can collect the leaked coolant, thereby preventing the coolant from flowing out and causing short circuit damage to the components in the electronic equipment.

[0025] Furthermore, the adapter also has a detection component 2 installed in the liquid collection tank 12. When a certain amount of coolant is collected in the liquid collection tank 12, the liquid suction component 21 installed at the bottom wall of the liquid collection tank 12 can absorb the coolant accordingly. The liquid suction component 21 can be, but is not limited to, an absorbent sponge. Some particulate solute can also be added to the liquid suction component 21. After the liquid suction component 21 absorbs the liquid, the particulate solute can be dissolved to form a conductive solution. This can close the detection lead 22 (the detection lead 22 can be, but is not limited to, two parallel and spaced copper wires) laid in the liquid suction component 21. In this way, the detection component 2 can detect the leakage information of the liquid cooling plate based on the closed-circuit current of the detection lead 22, so that the user can know and deal with the leakage problem in a timely manner.

[0026] In summary, the adapter provided in this embodiment has a simple structure. The adapter 1 can be universally adapted to the inlet and outlet of various liquid cooling plates. The liquid collection tank 12 in the adapter 1 can collect and temporarily store leaked coolant, preventing coolant leakage from causing short circuit damage to components in electronic devices. Furthermore, the detection component 2 in the adapter can also make a corresponding electrical connection after the coolant is collected in the liquid collection tank 12, so that the leakage information can be detected, allowing users to intuitively and quickly discover leakage problems.

[0027] In one embodiment, the adapter 1 is further provided with a drain port 13; the drain port 13 is connected to the liquid collection tank 12 to discharge the liquid in the liquid collection tank 12.

[0028] Specifically, in combination Figure 2 To explain in further detail, the adapter 1 is also provided with a drain port 13 that is connected to the liquid collection tank 12. The drain port 13 can discharge the liquid collected in the liquid collection tank 12. When a certain amount of coolant is collected in the liquid collection tank 12, for example, when the coolant accounts for 20%, 30%, or 40% of the total capacity of the liquid collection tank 12, the coolant level reaches the height of the drain port 13. At this time, the drain port 13 can discharge the coolant from the liquid collection tank 12, thereby avoiding the problem of coolant overflowing from the liquid collection tank 12 and causing short circuit damage to the components in the electronic equipment.

[0029] The specific arrangement of the above-mentioned drain port 13 can not only ensure that the liquid collection chamber 12 collects liquid normally and ensure the normal triggering function of the detection component 2, but also avoid the problem of overflow caused by excessive liquid collection in the liquid collection chamber 12.

[0030] In one embodiment, the drain port 13 is located on the side of the adapter 1 opposite to the connection port 11; the drain port 13 is spaced above the bottom wall of the collection tank 12.

[0031] Specifically, in combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 To explain in more detail, the drain port 13 is located on the side of the adapter 1 opposite to the connection port 11. In this way, the drain port 13 can discharge the coolant collected in the liquid collection tank 12 outwards from the liquid cooling plate, ensuring that the discharged coolant can flow away from the electronic equipment.

[0032] In addition, the drain port 13 is positioned above the bottom wall of the liquid collection tank 12, that is, there is a gap h between the lowest end face of the drain port 13 and the bottom wall of the liquid collection tank 12. This ensures that the liquid collection tank 12 has an effective and appropriate capacity, so that a certain amount of coolant can be effectively stored in the liquid collection tank 12 to meet the normal triggering requirements of the detection component 2.

[0033] In one embodiment, the adapter further includes a waterproof gasket 3; the waterproof gasket 3 is laid on the edge of the liquid collection tank 12 near the liquid cooling plate and can seal the edge of the tank to the liquid cooling plate.

[0034] Specifically, in combination Figure 1 and Figure 3 To elaborate further, the waterproof gasket 3 can be configured as a long strip structure and laid along its length on the edge of the liquid collection tank 12 near the liquid cooling plate. When the adapter 1 is installed and connected to the liquid cooling plate, the liquid collection tank 12 is located below the liquid cooling plate, and the edge of the liquid collection tank 12 can be pressed against the lower surface of the liquid cooling plate by the waterproof gasket 3, thereby ensuring a seamless connection between the liquid cooling plate and the edge of the liquid collection tank 12, thus effectively preventing the coolant collected in the liquid collection tank 12 from overflowing from the edge of the tank near the liquid cooling plate.

[0035] Of course, in addition to the long strip shape mentioned above, the waterproof gasket 3 can also be set in a frame shape, U shape, or other shapes to fully adapt to the shape of the opening of the liquid collection tank 12.

[0036] In one embodiment, a plurality of flow guide ribs 121 are also provided at intervals in the liquid collection tank 12; the top end of the flow guide rib 121 is connected to the edge of the tank opening, the bottom end is connected to the bottom wall of the liquid collection tank 12, and the flow guide rib 121 is inclined at an obtuse angle to the bottom wall.

[0037] Specifically, in combination Figure 1 and Figure 3 To elaborate further, multiple parallel guide ribs 121 can be arranged at intervals along the length of the liquid collection tank 12. The top end of the guide ribs 121 is connected to the edge of the tank opening, and the bottom end is connected to the bottom wall of the liquid collection tank 12. The guide ribs 121 are inclined at an obtuse angle to the bottom wall of the liquid collection tank 12. In this way, when coolant leaks from the liquid cooling plate interface and drips onto the guide ribs 121, the guide ribs 121 can better guide the coolant toward the bottom wall of the liquid collection tank 12, thereby enabling the coolant to more sensitively trigger the detection component 2.

[0038] In one embodiment, the adapter 1 further includes a docking interface 14 for interfacing with the liquid supply system; the docking interface 14 and the connection port 11 are respectively opened on both sides of the adapter 1, facing away from each other.

[0039] Specifically, in combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 To elaborate further, two interfaces 14 can be provided in adapter 1, which can be connected to the liquid supply line and the liquid return line in the liquid supply system respectively. Furthermore, interfaces 14 can also be connected to the liquid supply system by welding.

[0040] In addition, the interface 14 and the connection port 11 are respectively opened on both sides of the adapter 1, back to back, for example, on both sides along the thickness direction of the adapter 1. This can save the installation space occupied by the adapter, and the coolant can flow directly from the liquid supply system to the adapter 1, and then flow to the liquid cooling plate through the adapter 1.

[0041] In one embodiment, the adapter 1 has an inlet buffer cavity 15 and an outlet buffer cavity 16; and at least one connection port 11 and at least one interface 14 are connected to the inlet buffer cavity 15; and at least one connection port 11 and at least one interface 14 are connected to the outlet buffer cavity 16.

[0042] Specifically, in combination Figure 3 To explain in further detail, an inlet buffer cavity 15 and an outlet buffer cavity 16 are correspondingly provided inside the adapter 1. A connection port 11, a docking port 14 and the inlet buffer cavity 15 are interconnected, and a connection port 11, a docking port 14 and the outlet buffer cavity 16 are interconnected. In this way, the inlet buffer cavity 15 and the outlet buffer cavity 16 can be used as "slow flow sedimentation zones" for the coolant. This allows impurities (such as metal shavings) that may be contained in the coolant to settle in the inlet buffer cavity 15 and the outlet buffer cavity 16, preventing impurities in the coolant from causing blockage of the internal flow channels of the liquid cooling plate during the liquid cooling circulation process.

[0043] In one embodiment, the adapter 1 also has a mounting ear 17; the mounting ear 17 has a mounting hole, and the adapter 1 can be fixedly installed at the installation station through the mounting ear 17.

[0044] Specifically, in combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 To explain in further detail, the mounting ears 17 can be symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the adapter 1 along the length direction. The mounting holes in the mounting ears 17 can be set as threaded holes, so that the adapter 1 can be mounted on the installation position through the mounting ears 17 and fixed by screw connection.

[0045] In one embodiment, the detection component 2 further includes a connector 23 and a waterproof plug 24; the connector 23 is disposed outside the liquid collection tank 12, electrically connected to the detection lead 22 via an extension wire, and can be electrically connected to an external controller; the waterproof plug 24 is sealed in the through hole of the liquid collection tank 12 through which the extension wire passes; wherein, the connector 23 can transmit the electrical signal of the detection lead 22 to the external controller, so that the external controller can receive the detection information of the detection component 2.

[0046] Specifically, in combination Figure 1 and Figure 4To elaborate further, the detection component 2 is also equipped with a connector 23 and a waterproof plug 24. The connector 23 is electrically connected to the detection lead 22 via an extension wire and can be plugged into an external controller. In this way, the leakage information detected by the detection component 2 can be transmitted to the external controller (e.g., the CPU in an electronic device) through the connector 23. The external controller can then promptly power off the relevant electronic device based on the leakage information detected by the detection component 2, further preventing the electronic device from being damaged by short circuits due to immersion in liquid.

[0047] Furthermore, since the waterproof rubber plug 24 is installed in the through hole of the liquid collection chamber 12 for the extension wire to pass through, the waterproof rubber plug 24 will not affect the normal liquid collection function of the liquid collection chamber 12, ensuring that the coolant collected in the liquid collection chamber 12 can short-circuit and trigger the detection lead 22 in the detection component 2 in time.

[0048] In addition, this disclosure also provides an electronic device, which includes a device body 4 and the above-mentioned adapter; wherein, a liquid cooling plate 41 is provided in the device body 4; the adapter 1 is fixedly installed in the housing of the device body 4, and the connection port 11 in the adapter 1 is correspondingly connected to the liquid cooling plate 41.

[0049] Specifically, in combination Figure 5 To elaborate further, the electronic device may be, but is not limited to, a laptop, an all-in-one computer, a tablet computer, etc., and since the electronic device includes the aforementioned adapter, it can achieve all the beneficial effects of the aforementioned adapter, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0050] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0051] The above are merely specific embodiments of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A switching device, characterized in that, include: The adapter (1) has a connection port (11) for docking with the liquid cooling plate and a liquid collection tank (12) located below the connection port (11). The detection component (2) is at least partially disposed in the liquid collection chamber (12), and the detection component (2) includes a liquid suction element (21) and a detection lead (22). The liquid suction component (21) is disposed on the bottom wall of the liquid collection chamber (12); The detection lead (22) is disposed in the liquid suction member (21); The liquid suction element (21) can absorb the liquid in the liquid collection chamber (12) and connect the detection lead (22) so that the detection component (2) can detect the leakage information.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adapter (1) is also provided with a drain port (13); The drain port (13) is connected to the collection tank (12) to discharge the liquid in the collection tank (12).

3. The adapter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drain port (13) is located on the side of the adapter (1) opposite to the connection port (11); The drain outlets (13) are spaced apart above the bottom wall of the collection tank (12).

4. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adapter also includes a waterproof gasket (3). The waterproof gasket (3) is laid on the edge of the liquid collection tank (12) near the liquid cooling plate, and the edge of the tank is sealed to the liquid cooling plate.

5. The adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The liquid collection chamber (12) is also provided with several flow guide ribs (121) at intervals. The top end of the flow guide rib (121) is connected to the edge of the hopper opening, and the bottom end is connected to the bottom wall of the liquid collection hopper (12). The flow guide rib (121) and the bottom wall are inclined at an obtuse angle.

6. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adapter (1) also includes a docking interface (14) for connecting to the liquid supply system. The interface (14) and the connection port (11) are respectively opened on both sides of the adapter (1), facing away from each other.

7. The adapter according to claim 6, characterized in that, The adapter (1) has an inlet buffer cavity (15) and an outlet buffer cavity (16). At least one of the connection ports (11) and at least one of the docking ports (14) are connected to the liquid inlet buffer cavity (15); At least one of the connection ports (11) and at least one of the docking ports (14) are connected to the liquid outlet buffer cavity (16).

8. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adapter (1) also has mounting ears (17); The mounting ear (17) has a mounting hole, and the adapter (1) can be fixedly installed at the installation position through the mounting ear (17).

9. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The detection component (2) further includes: The connector (23) is located outside the liquid collection tank (12), and is electrically connected to the detection lead (22) via an extension wire, and can be plugged into an external controller; A waterproof rubber plug (24) is installed in the liquid collection tank (12) through the through hole through which the extension wire passes; The connector (23) can transmit the electrical signal of the detection lead (22) to an external controller so that the external controller can receive the detection information of the detection component (2).

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, Includes the device body (4) and the adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The device body (4) is provided with a liquid cooling plate (41). The adapter (1) is fixedly installed on the housing of the device body (4), and the connection port (11) in the adapter (1) is correspondingly connected to the liquid cooling plate (41).

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