Positioning sleeve and floating centering joint structure comprising same

Abstract

The present application provides a positioning sleeve and a floating center joint structure comprising the same. The positioning sleeve comprises a rear sleeve portion, a front sleeve portion and a cavity. The rear sleeve portion is located at one end of the positioning sleeve, and the front sleeve portion is located at the other end of the positioning sleeve. The cavity penetrates through the rear sleeve portion and the front sleeve portion and is provided for a joint to pass through. A fulcrum structure is provided on an inner side surface of the cavity of the rear sleeve portion, and the fulcrum structure protrudes from the inner side surface toward the center of the cavity. When the joint is pushed and deviated by external force, the joint is resisted by the fulcrum structure to form a fulcrum, so that the joint can produce a swing angle relative to the positioning sleeve with the fulcrum as the center. In this way, the positioning sleeve can provide a support position for the joint when the joint is forced to swing, so that the swing action of the joint is stable and controllable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of connector technology, and in particular to a positioning sleeve and a floating centering connector structure including the positioning sleeve. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of data center and server technologies, quick connectors have become an indispensable component in water-cooling systems. To overcome center position misalignment caused by manufacturing tolerances or assembly errors, existing technologies have proposed connector designs with floating structures, allowing the connector end to slide radially relative to the fixed base, thereby compensating for mating deviations and improving reliability.

[0003] However, existing floating joint structures still have many shortcomings in practical applications. Most existing floating joint centering structures only provide radial clearance or sliding space, and rely heavily on the clearance between the fixed seat and the nut to achieve angular misalignment and centering. While this can compensate for assembly deviations, clearance tolerances are difficult to control in practice. Excessive clearance leads to poor centering accuracy and difficulty in precisely controlling the misalignment angle. Consequently, if the joint is still in an offset position when reassembling after separation, a greater insertion force will be required during the reassembly process, reducing operational convenience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a positioning sleeve and a floating centering joint structure including the positioning sleeve, wherein the positioning sleeve can provide a support position when the joint is pushed and deflected by an external force through its inner fulcrum structure, so that the joint can stably deflect relative to the positioning sleeve to compensate for the positional and angular deviations between the joint and the mating parts.

[0005] According to the above-mentioned objective of the present invention, a positioning sleeve is provided, comprising a rear cylindrical portion, a front cylindrical portion, and a cavity with a fulcrum structure. The rear cylindrical portion is located at one end of the positioning sleeve, and the front cylindrical portion is located at the other end of the positioning sleeve. The cavity extends through the rear cylindrical portion and the front cylindrical portion, and provides for a connector to pass through. The rear cylindrical portion has a fulcrum structure on an inner surface corresponding to the cavity. The fulcrum structure is disposed on the inner surface of the cavity corresponding to the rear cylindrical portion, protruding from the inner surface of the rear cylindrical portion toward the center of the cavity, and is configured to form a fulcrum with the connector when it is pushed and shifted by an external force, allowing the connector to swing relative to the positioning sleeve around the fulcrum.

[0006] A fixing structure is provided on the outer side of the rear cylinder.

[0007] The fixing structure includes a threaded structure or a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0008] This includes a radial flange portion located between the rear cylinder portion and the front cylinder portion, and protruding radially outward.

[0009] The fulcrum structure is a ring-shaped protrusion.

[0010] The fulcrum structure includes a plurality of protruding support portions arranged circumferentially at intervals along the inner surface of the rear cylinder.

[0011] The fulcrum structure has at least one guide ramp, which is configured to guide the joint to abut against the fulcrum structure.

[0012] The cross-section of the fulcrum structure is trapezoidal or circular arc.

[0013] The space within the front cylinder of the cavity is larger than the space within the rear cylinder of the cavity.

[0014] According to the above-mentioned objectives of the present invention, the present invention further provides a floating centering connector structure, comprising: a fixed base, a connector, a positioning sleeve, an elastic element, and a reset element. The fixed base has an open side and a closed side, and a receiving space is formed within the fixed base, the closed side having a through hole. The connector passes through the fixed base and partially extends beyond the fixed base through the through hole. The positioning sleeve is fitted over the connector and is at least partially received within the receiving space. The positioning sleeve includes a rear cylindrical portion, a front cylindrical portion, and a cavity, the rear cylindrical portion being located at one end of the positioning sleeve; a fulcrum structure is provided on the inner surface of the cavity. The front cylindrical portion is located at the other end of the positioning sleeve; the cavity extends through the rear cylindrical portion and the front cylindrical portion and allows the connector to pass through; the elastic element is fitted over the connector and is at least partially received within the cavity of the positioning sleeve. The reset element is sleeved outside the positioning sleeve and disposed within the receiving space of the fixing base, abutting against the fixing base. The rear sleeve portion has a fulcrum structure corresponding to the inner surface of the cavity, the fulcrum structure protruding from the inner surface toward the cavity. When the connector is not under force and is in a centered state, there is a gap between the connector and the fulcrum structure of the positioning sleeve, preventing contact. When the connector is pushed and displaced by an external force, the central axis of the connector undergoes radial displacement, and the connector is abutted by the fulcrum structure of the positioning sleeve to form a fulcrum, causing the connector to swing relative to the positioning sleeve with the fulcrum as the center. After the external force is removed, the reset element returns it to the centered state.

[0015] The rear sleeve portion of the positioning sleeve passes through the through hole of the fixing seat.

[0016] It further includes a nut, which is disposed on the outside of the closed side of the fixing base and screwed to the rear cylindrical part of the positioning sleeve.

[0017] The outer side of the rear cylinder is provided with a fixing structure, and the nut is screwed to the fixing structure.

[0018] The positioning sleeve further includes a radial flange portion located between the rear sleeve portion and the front sleeve portion, and abutting against the fixing seat.

[0019] The fulcrum structure is a ring-shaped protrusion.

[0020] The fulcrum structure includes a plurality of protruding support portions arranged circumferentially at intervals along the inner surface of the rear cylinder.

[0021] The fulcrum structure has at least one guide ramp, which is configured to guide the joint to abut against the fulcrum structure.

[0022] The cross-section of the fulcrum structure is trapezoidal or circular arc.

[0023] The space within the front cylinder of the cavity is larger than the space within the rear cylinder of the cavity.

[0024] The reset element is an elastic ring, and the outer edge of the elastic ring abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed base.

[0025] Based on the above, the positioning sleeve of the present invention, through the cooperation of the fulcrum structure with the connector, allows the connector to abut against the fulcrum structure when pushed by an external force, thereby enabling the connector to generate a yaw angle relative to the positioning sleeve with the contact position between the connector and the fulcrum structure as the fulcrum. In this way, the positioning sleeve provides a stable support position for the connector when it yaws under force, making the yaw action of the connector stable and controllable, reducing the alignment accuracy requirements of the quick connector during insertion, and improving the smoothness of the insertion operation. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a positioning sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of a floating centering joint structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a floating centering joint structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a floating centering joint structure in a skewed state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 10-Positioning sleeve; 11-Rear cylinder; 111-Cavity; 112-Fulcrum structure; 115-Fixing structure; 116-Inner surface; 12-Front cylinder; 13-Radial flange; 20-Joint; 21-First end; 22-Second end; 30-Fixing seat; 301-Open side; 302-Closed side; 3021-Through hole; 31-Accommodation space; 40-Elastic element; 50-Reset element; A-Central shaft; C-Snap ring; E-External element; F-External force; N-Nut; W-Washer; θ-Oblique angle. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown. Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a positioning sleeve 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 and Figure 3 These are, respectively, an exploded perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a floating centering joint structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a floating centering connector structure in a tilted state according to an embodiment of the present invention. The positioning sleeve 10 is, for example but not limited to, a variable diameter cylinder, mainly comprising a rear cylinder portion 11, a front cylinder portion 12, a radial flange portion 13, and a cavity 111 with a fulcrum structure. The rear cylinder portion 11 is located at one end of the positioning sleeve 10, the front cylinder portion 12 is located at the other end of the positioning sleeve 10, and the radial flange portion 13 is located between the rear cylinder portion 11 and the front cylinder portion 12. The cavity 111 passes through the rear cylinder portion 11 and the front cylinder portion 12 to allow a connector 20 to pass through.

[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the rear cylinder portion 11 extends axially and is hollow, having an inner surface 116 corresponding to the cavity 111. The fulcrum structure 112 is disposed on the inner surface 116 of the cavity 111 corresponding to the rear cylinder portion 11, and protrudes from the inner surface 116 toward the cavity 111. When the positioning sleeve 10 is applied to a floating centering joint structure and the joint 20 passes through the cavity 111, when the joint 20 is pushed by an external force and shifts relative to the positioning sleeve 10, the outer circumferential surface of the joint 20 is abutted by the fulcrum structure 112 of the positioning sleeve 10 to form a fulcrum. Thus, the positioning sleeve 10 can provide a support position for the joint 20 when it wobbles through the fulcrum structure 112.

[0033] In some embodiments, the fulcrum structure 112 is an annular protrusion extending circumferentially along the inner surface 116, and its side surface may be trapezoidal. Specifically, as... Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the fulcrum structure 112 may have two opposing guide ramps and a platform surface located between the two guide ramps, forming a cross-section that is approximately a stepped sloping structure. When the joint 20 is pushed and shifts towards the fulcrum structure 112, the guide ramps of the fulcrum structure 112 can guide the joint 20 to gradually come into contact with the fulcrum structure 112, and make the fulcrum structure 112 serve as a fulcrum when the joint 20 swings. The cross-section of the fulcrum structure 112 may also be arc-shaped to make the contact between the joint 20 and the fulcrum structure 112 smoother and reduce local wear when the joint 20 swings.

[0034] In other embodiments, the fulcrum structure 112 includes several protruding support portions spaced apart on the inner surface 116 of the cavity 111, such as three or four protrusions, bumps, or ribs arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically along the circumference. That is, the fulcrum structure 112 is not limited to a complete annular structure, as long as it can cooperate with the connector 20 to form a fulcrum when the connector 20 is pushed, so that the connector 20 can swing relative to the positioning sleeve 10.

[0035] In some embodiments, the fulcrum structure 112 can be selectively disposed at different positions on the inner surface 116 of the rear cylinder 11, depending on the required deflection limitation of the connector 20. For example, the fulcrum structure 112 can be disposed at a position on the rear cylinder 11 closer to the front cylinder 12, or at a position further away from the front cylinder 12 and closer to the right end opening in the figure (e.g., Figure 1 (as shown), or located in the middle section of the rear cylinder 11. When the fulcrum structure 112 is closer to the front cylinder 12, a support position closer to the front cylinder 12 can be formed. When the fulcrum structure 112 is farther away from the front cylinder 12 and closer to the right end opening (as shown), Figure 1 As shown, this allows for the formation of a support position closer to the outer side of the connector 20. This enables the adjustment of the sway range and support position of the connector 20 under stress according to product specifications.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the front cylindrical portion 12 is located at the other end of the positioning sleeve 10 relative to the rear cylindrical portion 11. The cavity 111 extends through the front cylindrical portion 12 and the rear cylindrical portion 11, and the cavity 111 is used for the connector 20 to pass through. In some embodiments, the space (inner diameter) of the cavity 111 within the front cylindrical portion 12 may be larger than the space (inner diameter) of the cavity 111 within the rear cylindrical portion 11, to provide the clearance space required when the connector 20 sways relative to the positioning sleeve 10. Figure 3 As shown, when the connector 20 is inserted into the cavity 111 of the positioning sleeve 10, the connector 20 can maintain a swingable state relative to the positioning sleeve 10.

[0037] like Figure 4As shown, when the connector 20 is pushed by an external force F and undergoes radial displacement relative to the positioning sleeve 10, the connector 20 is abutted by the fulcrum structure 112 of the positioning sleeve 10 to form a fulcrum, and thus generates a yaw angle θ relative to the positioning sleeve 10. In this way, the positioning sleeve 10 can provide a stable support position for the connector 20 when it yaws under force through the fulcrum structure 112, making the yaw action of the connector 20 more stable and controllable.

[0038] In some embodiments, the positioning sleeve 10 further includes a radial flange 13. The radial flange 13 is located between the rear sleeve portion 11 and the front sleeve portion 12. Please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 3 When the positioning sleeve 10 is assembled on the fixed base 30, the radial flange 13 can abut against one side inside the fixed base 30 to limit the axial position of the positioning sleeve 10 relative to the fixed base 30 and improve the stability of the positioning sleeve 10 when it is assembled on the fixed base 30.

[0039] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the floating centering connector structure mainly includes a fixed base 30, a connector 20, a positioning sleeve 10, an elastic element 40, and a reset element 50. The fixed base 30 has an open side 301 and a closed side 302. The closed side 302 is provided with a through hole 3021 for the connector 20 and part of the rear cylinder portion 11 of the positioning sleeve 10 to pass through. A receiving space 31 is formed inside the fixed base 30, and the receiving space 31 is located between the open side 301 and the closed side 302 to accommodate the positioning sleeve 10, the elastic element 40, and the reset element 50.

[0040] like Figure 3As shown, the connector 20 passes through the fixed base 30, and the first end 21 of the connector 20 extends out of the fixed base 30 through the through hole 3021 to connect to pipes, mating parts, and other components. The first end 21 can pass through the nut N and is limited outside the closed side 302 of the fixed base 30 by the washer W and the retaining ring C, so that the connector 20 is in a state of being able to swing or float relative to the fixed base 30. The positioning sleeve 10 is sleeved outside the connector 20 and is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space 31 of the fixed base 30. The fixing structure 115 of the rear sleeve 11 extends out from the through hole 3021 of the fixed base 30 and is screwed to the nut N provided outside the closed side 302 of the fixed base 30, so that the positioning sleeve 10 is axially limited relative to the fixed base 30 to complete the assembly positioning. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the through hole 3021 on the closed side 302 is larger than the outer diameter of the rear cylinder portion 11 of the positioning sleeve 10, forming a radial gap between the rear cylinder portion 11 and the hole wall of the through hole 3021. The positioning sleeve 10 can thus radially float relative to the fixing seat 30 within this radial gap. In some embodiments, the fixing structure 115 may be a threaded structure formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear cylinder portion 11 for screwing with the nut N; in other embodiments, the fixing structure 115 may also be a snap-fit ​​protrusion, a snap-fit ​​groove, or other snap-fit ​​structure that can engage with the fixing seat 30 or the locking fastener. The second end 22 of the connector 20 extends relative to the first end 21 along the open side 301 of the fixing seat 30 to connect to other external components E.

[0041] exist Figure 3 In this embodiment, when the connector 20 is not under force and is in a centered state, there is a gap between the connector 20 and the fulcrum structure 112 of the positioning sleeve 10, preventing them from contacting each other. By keeping the connector 20 out of contact with the fulcrum structure 112 in the centered state, the possibility of the connector 20 being rubbed or interfered with by the fulcrum structure 112 under normal conditions can be reduced, allowing the connector 20 to return to the centered state more smoothly after the external force is removed. The elastic element 40 is sleeved outside the connector 20 and located inside the cavity 111 of the positioning sleeve 10. The elastic element 40 can provide elastic resistance along the axial direction of the connector 20 to maintain the connector 20 in a predetermined axial position in the assembled state and to provide axial buffering when the connector 20 is subjected to force sway or compressive displacement. The elastic element 40 can be, for example, a telescopic spring or other elastic element with linear expansion and contraction, but this invention is not limited thereto. The reset element 50 is sleeved outside the positioning sleeve 10 and disposed within the receiving space 31 of the fixed base 30, and abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed base 30. The inner circumference of the reset element 50 may abut against or be adjacent to the outer circumference of the positioning sleeve 10, so that the reset element 50 may be compressed when the positioning sleeve 10 is radially offset relative to the fixed base 30.

[0042] like Figure 4As shown, in some embodiments, the reset element 50 is an elastic ring. For example, the reset element 50 may be an elastic ring formed of rubber, silicone, or an elastic polymer material. When the positioning sleeve 10 is pushed radially relative to the fixed seat 30 by the external force F of the connector 20, the reset element 50 may be deformed under pressure in the radial direction, and after the external force F is removed, it may release the radial rebound force by its own elasticity, thereby driving the positioning sleeve 10 and the connector 20 to return to the centered state.

[0043] Specifically, the outer edge of the reset element 50 remains in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixed seat 30. When the positioning sleeve 10 is radially offset relative to the fixed seat 30, the reset element 50 is deformed by force, and the side under compression can accumulate deformation rebound force. Once the external force F is removed, the reset element 50 can release the accumulated rebound force, so that the positioning sleeve 10 and the connector 20 return to the centered state.

[0044] However, the reset element 50 can also be a ring-shaped component with a telescopic spring surrounding it, or a wave-shaped spring sheet or other ring-shaped element that can deform in the radial direction. As long as the reset element 50 is sleeved outside the positioning sleeve 10 and can deform in the radial direction due to force, and provides a rebound force after the external force F is removed so that the positioning sleeve 10 and the connector 20 return to the centered state, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0045] exist Figure 4 In this embodiment, when the connector 20 is pushed and displaced by an external force F, the central axis A of the connector 20 can generate radial displacement, and the connector 20 is abutted by the fulcrum structure 112 of the positioning sleeve 10 to form a fulcrum, and generates a yaw angle θ relative to the positioning sleeve 10. Since the fulcrum structure 112 can provide a support position during yaw, the yaw angle θ of the connector 20 is limited, and excessive yaw and displacement are avoided. In some embodiments, such a yaw angle θ is greater than zero.

[0046] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the advantage of the present invention is that the positioning sleeve 10 of the present invention can cooperate with the connector 20 through the fulcrum structure 112, so that when the connector 20 is pushed and deflected by an external force F, it can abut against the fulcrum structure 112, thereby allowing the connector 20 to generate a swing angle θ relative to the positioning sleeve 10 with the contact point between the connector 20 and the fulcrum structure 112 as the fulcrum. In this way, the positioning sleeve 10 can provide a stable support position for the connector 20 when it is subjected to force and swings, making the swing action of the connector 20 more stable and controllable, and can compensate for the positional and angular deviations between the connector 20 and the mating parts, reducing the alignment accuracy requirements of the quick connector during insertion, and improving the smoothness of the insertion operation.

Claims

1. A positioning sleeve, characterized in that, Include: A rear cylindrical section is located at one end of the positioning sleeve; A front sleeve portion is located at the other end of the positioning sleeve; A cavity, which extends through the rear cylinder and the front cylinder, and provides a connector for insertion; The rear cylinder has a fulcrum structure on an inner surface corresponding to the cavity. The fulcrum structure protrudes from the inner surface toward the cavity. When the joint is pushed and shifted by an external force, the joint is abutted by the fulcrum structure to form a fulcrum, so that the joint can generate a swing angle relative to the positioning sleeve with the fulcrum as the center.

2. The positioning sleeve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A fixing structure is provided on the outer side of the rear cylinder.

3. The positioning sleeve as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing structure includes a threaded structure or a snap-fit ​​structure.

4. The positioning sleeve as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a radial flange portion located between the rear cylinder portion and the front cylinder portion, and protruding radially outward.

5. The positioning sleeve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fulcrum structure is a ring-shaped convex part.

6. The positioning sleeve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fulcrum structure includes a plurality of protruding support portions arranged circumferentially at intervals along the inner surface of the rear cylinder.

7. The positioning sleeve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fulcrum structure has at least one guide ramp for guiding the joint to abut against the fulcrum structure.

8. The positioning sleeve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the fulcrum structure is trapezoidal or circular.

9. The positioning sleeve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The space within the front cylindrical section of the cavity is larger than the space within the rear cylindrical section.

10. A floating centering joint structure, characterized in that, Include: A fixed base has an open side and a closed side, a receiving space is formed inside the fixed base, and a through hole is provided on the closed side; A connector is inserted into the fixing base, and partially extends out of the fixing base through the through hole; A positioning sleeve is fitted over the connector and at least partially received within the receiving space, the positioning sleeve comprising: A rear cylindrical section is located at one end of the positioning sleeve; A front sleeve portion, located at the other end of the positioning sleeve; and A cavity, which extends through the rear cylinder and the front cylinder, and provides a space for the connector to pass through; An elastic element is sleeved outside the joint and at least partially accommodated within the cavity of the positioning sleeve; and A reset element is sleeved outside the positioning sleeve and disposed within the receiving space of the fixed base, and abuts against the fixed base; The rear cylinder has a fulcrum structure on the inner surface of the cavity, and the fulcrum structure protrudes from the inner surface toward the cavity. When the connector is not under force and is in a centered state, there is a gap between the connector and the fulcrum structure of the positioning sleeve so that they do not contact each other. When the connector is pushed by an external force, a central axis of the connector generates a radial displacement, and the connector is abutted by the fulcrum structure of the positioning sleeve to form a fulcrum, so that the connector generates a sway angle relative to the positioning sleeve with the fulcrum as the center. After the external force is removed, the connector returns to the centered state by means of the reset element.

11. The floating centering joint structure as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The rear sleeve portion of the positioning sleeve passes through the through hole of the fixing seat.

12. The floating centering joint structure as described in claim 11, characterized in that, It also includes a nut disposed on the outside of the closed side of the fixing base and screwed to the rear cylindrical portion of the positioning sleeve.

13. The floating centering joint structure as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The outer side of the rear cylinder is provided with a fixing structure, and the nut is screwed to the fixing structure.

14. The floating centering joint structure as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The positioning sleeve also includes a radial flange portion located between the rear sleeve portion and the front sleeve portion, and abutting against the fixing seat.

15. The floating centering joint structure as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The fulcrum structure is a ring-shaped convex part.

16. The floating centering joint structure as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The fulcrum structure includes a plurality of protruding support portions arranged circumferentially at intervals along the inner surface of the rear cylinder.

17. The floating centering joint structure as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The fulcrum structure has at least one guide ramp that guides the joint to abut against the fulcrum structure.

18. The floating centering joint structure as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The cross-section of the fulcrum structure is trapezoidal or circular.

19. The floating centering joint structure as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The space within the front cylindrical section of the cavity is larger than the space within the rear cylindrical section.

20. The floating centering joint structure as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The reset element is an elastic ring, and the outer edge of the elastic ring abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed base.

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