Liquid cooling connector

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to a liquid cooling connector, which comprises a shell, a terminal, a cable and a liquid cooling box, a liquid cooling cavity for circulating cooling liquid is arranged in the liquid cooling box, one side of the liquid cooling box is connected with a liquid inlet pipe and a liquid return pipe which are communicated with the liquid cooling cavity, a diversion structure is arranged in the liquid cooling cavity, and the terminal is connected with the cable. The liquid cooling cavity is divided into a liquid inlet cavity and a liquid return cavity which are independent from each other by the flow guide structure, the liquid inlet cavity and the liquid return cavity are correspondingly communicated with the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe respectively, and an opening for communicating the liquid inlet cavity and the liquid return cavity is formed in the position, far away from the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe, of the flow guide structure. The heat exchange effect of the liquid cooling box provided by the utility model is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of connector technology, and more specifically, to a liquid-cooled connector. Background Technology

[0002] In existing liquid-cooled connectors, a heat-exchangeable liquid-cooled box is typically placed between two parallel terminals. This box contains a liquid-cooled cavity, which is connected to an inlet and return pipe for supplying coolant. During use, due to fluid characteristics, the coolant in the liquid-cooled cavity tends to flow mainly between the inlet and return ports, rather than throughout the cavity. For example, coolant in areas far from the inlet and return ports may stagnate, creating a "dead water effect" and negatively impacting heat exchange efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention provides a liquid-cooled connector to solve the problem of poor heat exchange effect caused by the inability of coolant to flow in all positions of the liquid-cooled cavity in the prior art.

[0004] This utility model provides a liquid-cooled connector, including a housing, terminals disposed within the housing, and a cable partially inserted into the housing and electrically connected to the terminals. The housing also includes a liquid-cooled box that is thermally connected to at least the portion of the cable connected to the terminals. The liquid-cooled box contains a liquid-cooled cavity through which coolant flows. One side of the liquid-cooled box is connected to an inlet pipe and a return pipe that communicate with the liquid-cooled cavity. The liquid-cooled cavity is provided with a flow-guiding structure that divides the liquid-cooled cavity into an independent inlet cavity and a return cavity. The inlet cavity and the return cavity are respectively connected to the inlet pipe and the return pipe. The flow-guiding structure has an opening at a position away from the inlet pipe and the return pipe that connects the inlet cavity and the return cavity.

[0005] Optionally, the liquid cooling box includes a box body and a box cover that are fixedly connected. The liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe are connected to the box cover. The flow guiding structure is a flow guiding plate disposed on the end face of the box cover facing the box body. The flow guiding plate is inserted into the liquid cooling cavity to divide the liquid cooling cavity into a liquid inlet cavity and a liquid return cavity. There is a predetermined gap between the end of the flow guiding plate away from the box cover and the end of the liquid cooling cavity away from the box cover. The predetermined gap constitutes the opening.

[0006] Optionally, the cable is a liquid-cooled cable, which has one of an inlet pipe and a return pipe inside, and the other of the inlet pipe and the return pipe extends out from the housing.

[0007] Optionally, the liquid-cooled cable includes an insulating outer sheath and a plurality of conductors located within the insulating outer sheath, one of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe being located within the insulating outer sheath and extending along the axis of the insulating outer sheath, the plurality of conductors surrounding the outer periphery of one of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe, and the insulating outer sheath being filled with insulating material.

[0008] Optionally, the housing has a plug-in end and a wire-passing end, the terminal is disposed in the plug-in end, the wire-passing end is provided with a sealing end cap, the cable passes through the sealing end cap into the housing, and the cover is located between the housing body and the sealing end cap; the side of the cover away from the housing body is provided with an extension portion whose end protrudes from the sealing end cap, the extension portion has an extension cavity communicating with the liquid cooling chamber, and the other of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe is connected to the end of the extension portion and communicates with the extension cavity.

[0009] Optionally, the side wall of the housing is provided with an elastic buckle, and the inner wall of the housing is provided with a locking platform. When the liquid cooling box is installed into the housing from the wire-through end, the elastic buckle passes over the locking platform and engages with the locking platform to limit the rear stop position of the liquid cooling box; the side wall of the housing is provided with a protrusion, and the inner wall of the housing is provided with a positioning part. When the liquid cooling box is installed into the housing from the wire-through end, the protrusion abuts against the positioning part to limit the front stop position of the liquid cooling box.

[0010] Optionally, the box body and the box cover are both made of alumina material through a die-casting process, and the box body and the box cover are connected into an integral structure by laser welding.

[0011] Optionally, at least two terminals are arranged side by side inside the housing, and the liquid cooling box is arranged between adjacent terminals. The two sides of the liquid cooling box abut against the two opposite sides of the adjacent terminals, respectively.

[0012] Optionally, a heat-conducting element is provided between the liquid cooling box and the terminal to conduct the heat of the terminal to the liquid cooling box.

[0013] Optionally, at least the liquid cooling box has a plurality of grooves and / or protrusions on the side corresponding to the heat-conducting component, and the surface corresponding to the heat-conducting component has a plurality of mating protrusions and / or grooves, wherein the protrusions and grooves are mated and inserted to increase the heat-conducting area.

[0014] This utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0015] The flow guiding structure of this utility model separates the liquid cooling cavity, forming an inlet cavity and a return cavity for the coolant to flow in a predetermined direction. The opening ensures that the coolant flows smoothly from the inlet cavity to the return cavity. Thus, the flow guiding structure can prevent the formation of dead flow angles and avoid the coolant from flowing into the liquid cooling cavity from the inlet pipe and then flowing out from the return pipe nearby, thereby improving the heat exchange effect of the liquid cooling box.

[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

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

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection status of the liquid-cooled connector and the mating connector.

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the structure after removing the housing of the liquid-cooled connector;

[0020] Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of the liquid cooling box, terminals, and heat-conducting components;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the liquid cooling box after passing through the guide plate.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid-cooled cable structure;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional diagram of a liquid-cooled connector with an elastic snap-fit ​​mechanism.

[0024] The diagram is marked as follows:

[0025] 1. Liquid-cooled connector; 11. Housing; 111. Plug end; 112. Wire threading end; 12. Sealing end cap; 13. Terminal; 14. Locking plate; 15. Positioning part;

[0026] 2. Matching connectors;

[0027] 3. Liquid cooling box; 31. Box body; 311. Elastic buckle; 312. Protrusion; 313. Groove; 32. Box cover; 33. Baffle plate; 34. Extension; 341. Extension cavity; 35. Liquid cooling cavity; 36. Liquid inlet cavity; 37. Liquid return cavity; 38. Opening; 39. Second liquid pipe;

[0028] 4. Liquid-cooled cable; 41. First liquid pipeline; 42. Insulating outer sheath; 43. Conductor; 44. Insulating material;

[0029] 5. Heat-conducting components; 51. Bumps. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0031] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or use.

[0032] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0033] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0034] like Figure 1-6 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid-cooled connector for mating with a mating connector 2. The liquid-cooled connector 1 includes a housing 11, terminals 13 disposed within the housing 11, and a cable partially inserted into the housing 11 and electrically connected to the terminals 13. The housing 11 also has a liquid-cooled box 3 that is thermally connected to at least the portion of the cable connected to the terminals 13. The liquid-cooled box 3 has a liquid-cooled cavity 35 for circulating coolant. One side of the liquid-cooled box 3 is connected to an inlet pipe and a return pipe that communicate with the liquid-cooled cavity 35.

[0035] As an improvement, the liquid cooling cavity 35 is provided with a flow guiding structure, which divides the liquid cooling cavity 35 into an independent liquid inlet cavity 36 and a liquid return cavity 37. The liquid inlet cavity 36 and the liquid return cavity 37 are respectively connected to the corresponding liquid inlet pipe and liquid return pipe. The flow guiding structure is provided with an opening 38 connecting the liquid inlet cavity 36 and the liquid return cavity 37 at a position away from the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe.

[0036] It is understood that the above-mentioned flow guiding structure separates the liquid cooling cavity 35, forming an inlet cavity 36 and a return cavity 37 for the coolant to flow in a predetermined direction. The opening 38 ensures that the coolant flows smoothly from the inlet cavity 36 to the return cavity 37. Thus, the flow guiding structure can prevent the formation of flow dead zones and avoid the coolant from flowing into the liquid cooling cavity 35 from the inlet pipe and then flowing out from the return pipe nearby, thereby improving the heat exchange effect of the liquid cooling box 3.

[0037] Furthermore, in order to facilitate processing and manufacturing, and to facilitate control of structural shape and size, such as Figure 2-4 As shown, in this embodiment, the liquid cooling box 3 includes a box body 31 and a box cover 32 that are fixedly connected. The liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe are connected to the box cover 32. The flow guiding structure is a flow guide plate 33 set on the end face of the box cover 32 facing the box body 31. The flow guide plate 33 is inserted into the liquid cooling cavity 35 to divide the liquid cooling cavity 35 into a liquid inlet cavity 36 and a liquid return cavity 37. The two sides of the flow guide plate 33 in the insertion direction need to abut against the corresponding inner wall of the liquid cooling cavity 35 to avoid leakage. There is a predetermined gap L between the end of the flow guide plate 33 away from the box cover 32 and the end of the liquid cooling cavity 35 away from the box cover 32. The predetermined gap L constitutes the opening 38 mentioned above.

[0038] In other embodiments, the flow guiding structure may also be a partition structure formed in the liquid cooling cavity. The partition structure divides the liquid cooling cavity into an inlet cavity and a return cavity. When the cover is connected to the box body, one end of the partition structure abuts against the cover, and the other end has a predetermined gap forming an opening between it and the end of the liquid cooling cavity away from the cover. This structure is understandable and obtainable by those skilled in the art, so it will not be shown or described in detail.

[0039] Furthermore, in order to improve the integration of pipes and cables, facilitate pipe and cable laying, and simplify the appearance and structure of the liquid-cooled connector 1, such as... Figure 1-3 and Figure 5-6 As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the cable is a liquid-cooled cable 4, and a first liquid pipe 41 is provided inside the liquid-cooled cable 4. The first liquid pipe 41 enters the housing 11 along with the liquid-cooled cable 4 and connects to the cover 32. The first liquid pipe 41 can serve as one of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe, while the second liquid pipe 39, which serves as the other of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe, exits from the housing 11. In the accompanying drawings of this embodiment, the first liquid pipe 41 is schematically connected to the liquid inlet chamber 36 as the liquid inlet pipe, and the second liquid pipe 39 is connected to the liquid return chamber 37 as the liquid return pipe.

[0040] Obviously, in other embodiments, the first liquid pipe can be used as a return pipe and the second liquid pipe as an inlet pipe as needed. In this case, the positions of the inlet chamber and the return chamber are interchanged compared to this embodiment. Alternatively, in the case of two or more liquid cooling chambers, some first liquid pipes can be used as return pipes, and the remaining some first liquid pipes can be used as inlet pipes, some second liquid pipes can be used as inlet pipes, and the remaining some first liquid pipes can be used as return pipes. Accordingly, the specific positions of the inlet chamber and the return chamber are determined by the liquid transport function of the corresponding first liquid pipe and second liquid pipe. In fact, they can be flexibly set according to the flow requirements of the coolant.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to protect the liquid pipeline, such as Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the liquid-cooled cable 4 includes an insulating outer sheath 42 and a plurality of conductors 43 located inside the insulating outer sheath 42. One of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe, namely the first liquid pipe 41, is located inside the insulating outer sheath 42 and extends along the axis of the insulating outer sheath 42. The plurality of conductors 43 surround the outer periphery of one of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe, namely the first liquid pipe 41. The insulating outer sheath 42 is also filled with insulating material 44. The insulating outer sheath 42, conductors 43, liquid pipe and the filled insulating material 44 can all be formed using existing technologies, so they will not be described in detail here. The liquid pipe is preferably made of Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene).

[0042] Furthermore, to prevent sealing issues when the other of the inlet and return pipes, namely the aforementioned second liquid pipe 39, extends out of the housing 11, and to improve the sealing performance of the liquid cooling connector 1, such as... Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figures 4 and 6, in this embodiment, the housing 11 has a plug-in end 111 and a wire-passing end 112. The terminal 13 is disposed in the plug-in end 111. The wire-passing end 112 is provided with a sealing end cap 12. The cable passes through the sealing end cap 12 into the housing 11. The box cover 32 is located between the box body 31 and the sealing end cap 12. The side of the box cover 32 away from the box body 31 is provided with an extension part 34 whose end extends out of the sealing end cap 12. The extension part 34 has an extension cavity 341 that communicates with the liquid cooling cavity 35. The other of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe, namely the second liquid pipe 39 mentioned above, is connected to the end of the extension part 34 and communicates with the extension cavity 341. Since the extension part 34 is a rigid structure, the sealing fit with the sealing end cap 12 is not easily deformed. Compared with the sealing fit between the liquid inlet pipe / liquid return pipe and the sealing end cap 12, which is easily deformed, the sealing effect between the extension part 34 and the sealing end cap 12 is better.

[0043] Furthermore, in order to effectively position and fix the liquid cooling box 3, such as Figure 2 , 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the side wall of the housing 31 is provided with an elastic buckle 311, and the inner wall of the housing 11 is provided with a locking platform 14. When the liquid cooling box 3 is inserted into the housing 11 from the wire end 112, the elastic buckle 311 passes over the locking platform 14 and engages with the locking platform 14 to limit the rear stop position of the liquid cooling box 3. The side wall of the housing 31 is provided with a protrusion 312, and the inner wall of the housing 11 is provided with a positioning part 15. When the liquid cooling box 3 is inserted into the housing 11 from the wire end 112, the protrusion 312 abuts against the positioning part 15 to limit the front stop position of the liquid cooling box 3.

[0044] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the liquid cooling box 3 has good formability, insulation and thermal conductivity, in this embodiment, the box body 31 and the box cover 32 are both made of alumina material by die casting process, and the box body 31 and the box cover 32 are connected into an integral structure by laser welding.

[0045] Obviously, at least two terminals 13 can be arranged side by side inside the housing 11 of the liquid-cooled connector 1 of this utility model, and a liquid-cooling box 3 is arranged between adjacent terminals 13. The two sides of the liquid-cooling box 3 respectively abut against the two opposite sides of the adjacent terminals 13. Figure 1-3 As shown, the liquid-cooled connector 1 shown in this embodiment includes two terminals 13, each terminal 13 is connected to a liquid-cooled cable 4, and the liquid-cooled box 3 has two independent liquid-cooled cavities 35 that are close to the two terminals 13 respectively. Each liquid-cooled cavity 35 has a flow guiding structure and a liquid inlet cavity 36 and a liquid return cavity 37, and the liquid inlet cavity 36 and the liquid return cavity 37 are respectively connected to a liquid inlet pipe and a liquid return pipe.

[0046] Furthermore, in order to improve thermal conductivity, such as Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, a heat-conducting element 5 is provided between the liquid cooling box 3 and the terminal 13 to conduct the heat of the terminal 13 to the liquid cooling box 3 in a good manner. The heat-conducting element 5 is preferably made of thermal grease. The thermal grease can be pre-applied on the liquid cooling box 3 before the liquid cooling box 3 is installed into the housing 11. The thermal grease is located between the liquid cooling box 3 and the terminal 13 and forms the heat-conducting element 5.

[0047] To further improve thermal conductivity, such as Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the liquid cooling box 3 and the heat-conducting component 5 are provided with a plurality of grooves 313 on their corresponding sides, and the heat-conducting component 5 is provided with a plurality of mating protrusions 51 on its corresponding surface. The protrusions 51 and the grooves 313 are mated and inserted to increase the heat conduction area between the heat-conducting component 5 and the liquid cooling box 3.

[0048] Obviously, in other embodiments, a protrusion may be provided on the side corresponding to the liquid cooling box, and a groove may be provided on the surface corresponding to the heat conductor; or, both the side corresponding to the liquid cooling box and the surface corresponding to the heat conductor may be provided with grooves and protrusions; in addition, grooves and / or protrusions may be provided on the side corresponding to the terminal and the heat conductor, and protrusions and / or grooves may also be provided on the surface of the heat conductor corresponding to the terminal, with the protrusions and grooves mating and inserting to increase the heat conduction area of ​​the heat conductor and the terminal.

[0049] The assembly method and working principle of the liquid-cooled connector 1 in this embodiment have been demonstrated in the above description of the structure, and can be understood by those skilled in the art, so they will not be repeated here.

[0050] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A liquid-cooled connector, comprising a housing, terminals disposed within the housing, and a cable partially inserted into the housing and electrically connected to the terminals, wherein the housing further comprises a liquid-cooled box thermally connected at least to a portion of the cable connected to the terminals, the liquid-cooled box comprising a liquid-cooled cavity for circulating coolant, and an inlet pipe and a return pipe communicating with the liquid-cooled cavity connected to one side of the liquid-cooled box, characterized in that, The liquid cooling cavity is provided with a flow guiding structure, which divides the liquid cooling cavity into an independent liquid inlet cavity and a liquid return cavity. The liquid inlet cavity and the liquid return cavity are respectively connected to the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe. The flow guiding structure has an opening connecting the liquid inlet cavity and the liquid return cavity at a position away from the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe.

2. A liquid-cooled connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid cooling chamber includes a chamber body and a cover that are fixedly connected. The liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe are connected to the cover. The flow guiding structure is a flow guiding plate disposed on the end face of the cover facing the chamber body. The flow guiding plate is inserted into the liquid cooling cavity to divide the liquid cooling cavity into a liquid inlet cavity and a liquid return cavity. There is a predetermined gap between the end of the flow guiding plate away from the cover and the end of the liquid cooling cavity away from the cover. The predetermined gap constitutes the opening.

3. A liquid-cooled connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The cable is a liquid-cooled cable, and the liquid-cooled cable has one of a liquid inlet pipe and a liquid return pipe inside, and the other of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe extends out from the housing.

4. A liquid-cooled connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The liquid-cooled cable includes an insulating outer sheath and a plurality of conductors located within the insulating outer sheath. One of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe is located within the insulating outer sheath and extends along the axis of the insulating outer sheath. The plurality of conductors surround the outer periphery of one of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe. The insulating outer sheath is also filled with insulating material.

5. A liquid-cooled connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The housing has a plug-in end and a wire-passing end. The terminal is disposed in the plug-in end. The wire-passing end is provided with a sealing end cap. The cable passes through the sealing end cap into the housing. The cover is located between the housing body and the sealing end cap. The side of the cover away from the housing body is provided with an extension portion whose end protrudes from the sealing end cap. The extension portion has an extension cavity that communicates with the liquid cooling chamber. The other of the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe is connected to the end of the extension portion and communicates with the extension cavity.

6. A liquid-cooled connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The side wall of the housing is provided with an elastic buckle, and the inner wall of the housing is provided with a locking platform. When the liquid cooling box is installed into the housing from the wire end, the elastic buckle passes over the locking platform and engages with the locking platform to limit the rear stop position of the liquid cooling box. The side wall of the housing is provided with a protrusion, and the inner wall of the housing is provided with a positioning part. When the liquid cooling box is installed into the housing from the wire end, the protrusion abuts against the positioning part to limit the front stop position of the liquid cooling box.

7. A liquid-cooled connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The box body and lid are both made of alumina material through die casting, and the box body and lid are connected into a single structure by laser welding.

8. A liquid-cooled connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least two terminals are arranged side by side inside the housing, and the liquid cooling box is arranged between adjacent terminals. The two sides of the liquid cooling box abut against the two opposite sides of the adjacent terminals, respectively.

9. A liquid-cooled connector as described in claim 8, characterized in that, A heat-conducting component is provided between the liquid cooling box and the terminal to conduct the heat of the terminal to the liquid cooling box.

10. A liquid-cooled connector as described in claim 9, characterized in that, At least the liquid cooling box has a plurality of grooves and / or protrusions on the side corresponding to the heat-conducting component, and the surface corresponding to the heat-conducting component has a plurality of matching protrusions and / or grooves, wherein the protrusions and grooves are matched and inserted to increase the heat-conducting area.

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