A fluid connector and liquid cooling device

Abstract

The application discloses a fluid connector and a liquid cooling device, and relates to the technical field of liquid cooling devices. The fluid connector comprises a connecting head, a valve seat and an elastic clamping piece. The connecting head and the valve seat are in plug-in cooperation. The connecting head and the valve seat are alternatively provided with an annular groove and a limiting surface and an annular clamping groove. The elastic clamping piece is arranged in the annular groove and can be switched between a compressed configuration and an extended configuration. In the process of plugging the connecting head and the valve seat, the elastic clamping piece is switched from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration under the cooperation of the limiting surface, until the elastic clamping piece moves to the annular clamping groove, the elastic clamping piece is switched from the compressed configuration to the extended configuration and clamped into the annular clamping groove, so that the connecting head and the valve seat are connected. The fluid connector improves the problems of difficult assembly and high scrap rate caused by the traditional rigid connecting piece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of liquid cooling equipment technology, and in particular to a fluid connector and a liquid cooling device. Background Technology

[0002] A fluid connector is a device used to connect fluid pipes, hoses or other fluid transfer components. Its main function is to ensure reliable fluid transfer between different components while preventing leakage.

[0003] In existing systems, fluid connectors include a valve seat and a connector for connecting pipelines. The connection between the valve seat and the connector typically involves inserting a rigid connector into the valve seat and connector using a specific tool to secure the connector within the valve seat. However, in developing this invention, the inventors discovered at least the following problems in the prior art:

[0004] In some applications, the installation space for fluid connectors is very limited, making it difficult for operators to accurately insert rigid connectors into valve seats and connectors. This makes the assembly process cumbersome and difficult. At the same time, rigid connectors usually have high rigidity, and improper operation during insertion can easily damage valve seats and connectors, increasing the difficulty and risk of assembly and potentially leading to product scrap. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a fluid connector and liquid cooling device that improves the problems of difficult assembly and high scrap rate caused by traditional rigid connectors.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a fluid connector, comprising:

[0007] The connector and valve seat are plugged into each other. One of the connector and valve seat is provided with an annular groove, and the other is provided with a limiting surface and an annular groove.

[0008] The elastic locking element is located in the annular groove. The elastic locking element can switch between the compression structure and the extension structure. During the insertion of the connector and the valve seat, the elastic locking element switches from the extension structure to the compression structure under the cooperation of the limiting surface. When the elastic locking element moves to the annular groove, it switches from the compression structure to the extension structure and locks into the annular groove to connect the connector and the valve seat.

[0009] In some embodiments, the connector is provided with an annular groove, and the valve seat is provided with a slot for the connector to be inserted. The slot is provided with a limiting surface and an annular groove in sequence along the insertion direction of the valve seat, and the limiting surface is a limiting cone surface at the insertion port of the valve seat.

[0010] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the annular groove is provided with a chamfer, and the elastic engaging member is an open engaging member. Both ends of the open engaging member are provided with radially protruding hooks, which are engaged with the chamfer when the elastic engaging member is in an extended configuration.

[0011] In some embodiments, the connector is provided with a sliding plug that slides into a slot. The outer wall of the sliding plug is provided with a guide cone surface. The annular groove and the guide cone surface are arranged at intervals along the insertion direction of the connector.

[0012] In some embodiments, the valve seat is provided with a guide column surface, which is connected to the limiting surface and is located on the side of the limiting surface away from the annular groove. The inner diameter of the guide column surface is larger than the outer diameter of the sliding plug.

[0013] In some embodiments, the slot is further provided with at least two mounting slots, and elastic seals are installed in the mounting slots. After the connector is inserted into the valve seat, at least two elastic seals are located between the annular groove and the guide cone surface.

[0014] In some embodiments, the outer wall of the connector is provided with a first protrusion, and the inner wall of the valve seat is provided with a second protrusion. The first protrusion contacts and abuts against the end face of the valve seat, and the second protrusion contacts and abuts against the end face of the connector, so as to restrict the movement of the connector relative to the valve seat.

[0015] In some embodiments, a damping silicone layer is provided at the bottom of the annular slot, and the elastic engaging member forms an interference fit with the damping silicone layer in the extended structure.

[0016] In some embodiments, the connector is provided with a first flare, the inner diameter of which gradually expands along the insertion direction of the connector, and the valve seat is provided with a second flare, the inner diameter of which gradually expands along the insertion direction of the valve seat. After the connector and the valve seat are inserted into place, the first flare and the second flare communicate with each other.

[0017] This application also provides a liquid cooling device, including the fluid connector described in any of the above claims.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided in this application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The fluid connector provided in this application includes a connector head, a valve seat, and a resilient engaging member. The connector head and valve seat are inserted into each other, with one of them having an annular groove and the other having a limiting surface and an annular slot. The resilient engaging member is located in the annular groove and can switch between a compression configuration and an extension configuration. During the insertion of the connector head and valve seat, the resilient engaging member switches from an extension configuration to a compression configuration under the cooperation of the limiting surface. When the resilient engaging member moves to the annular slot, it switches from a compression configuration to an extension configuration and engages in the annular slot, thereby connecting the connector head and valve seat.

[0020] This fluid connector design allows for connection without special tools, and the flexible locking element automatically switches its structure and engages during insertion, eliminating the need for additional steps. This simplifies installation, saves assembly time, and improves efficiency. Furthermore, after the flexible locking element engages with the annular groove, the connector can connect to the valve seat. This connection method effectively prevents the connector from loosening or detaching axially due to fluid pressure or other external forces during use, ensuring the stability and reliability of the connection between the connector and the valve seat. In addition, compared to rigid connectors, the flexible locking element prevents damage to both the connector and the valve seat during insertion, reducing product scrap rates. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the fluid connector in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the fluid connector in an embodiment of this application.

[0024] in:

[0025] 10-Connector, 11-Annular groove, 12-Sliding plug, 13-Guide cone surface, 14-First boss, 15-First flare;

[0026] 20-Valve seat, 21-Limiting surface, 22-Annular groove, 23-Slot, 24-Guide column surface, 25-Mounting groove, 26-Second boss, 27-Second flare;

[0027] 30-Flexible snap fastener;

[0028] 40 - Flexible seal. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0030] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the fluid connector in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the fluid connector in an embodiment of this application.

[0032] The fluid connector provided in this application embodiment includes a connector 10, a valve seat 20, and a resilient engaging member 30.

[0033] The connector 10 and the valve seat 20 are plugged into each other. One of the connector 10 and the valve seat 20 is provided with an annular groove 11, and the other is provided with a limiting surface 21 and an annular groove 22.

[0034] For example, the connector 10 is provided with an annular groove 11, and the valve seat 20 is provided with a limiting surface 21 and an annular groove 22.

[0035] The elastic locking member 30 is provided in the annular groove 11. During the process of connecting the connector 10 and the valve seat 20, the elastic locking member 30 can switch between the compression structure and the extension structure, so that the elastic locking member 30 can be locked into the annular groove 22 to connect the connector 10 and the valve seat 20.

[0036] Specifically, during the insertion process of the connector 10 and the valve seat 20, the elastic engaging member 30 switches from an extended structure to a compressed structure under the cooperation of the limiting surface 21. When the elastic engaging member 30 moves to the annular groove 22, the elastic engaging member 30 switches from a compressed structure to an extended structure and is engaged in the annular groove 22, so that the connector 10 is connected to the valve seat 20.

[0037] Understandably, when not in contact with the valve seat 20, the elastic engaging member 30 is in a naturally extended state. Its shape and size allow it to match the annular groove 22. At this time, the outer surface of the elastic engaging member 30 slightly protrudes from the outer surface of the connector 10. When the connector 10 begins to be inserted into the valve seat 20, the elastic engaging member 30 first contacts the limiting surface 21 of the valve seat 20. The limiting surface 21 is typically designed as a surface with a certain slope or curvature, its function being to guide the elastic engaging member 30 to gradually enter a compressed state. That is, when the elastic engaging member 30 is compressed by the limiting surface 21, it undergoes elastic deformation, gradually contracting inward, switching from an extended structure to a compressed structure. As the connector 10 continues to be inserted into the valve seat 20, the elastic locking member 30 moves along the limiting surface 21. When the elastic locking member 30 moves to the position of the annular groove 22, the external force (the compression of the limiting surface 21) gradually decreases until it is released, and the elastic locking member 30 can return to its original state, switching from the compression structure back to the extension structure. At this time, the elastic locking member 30 is locked into the annular groove 22.

[0038] The aforementioned locking method utilizes the elastic deformation capability of the elastic locking element 30 and the limiting function of the annular groove 22 to achieve the connection between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20. Specifically, after the elastic locking element 30 engages with the annular groove 22, the axial movement of the connector 10 is restricted due to the tight fit between the shape and size of the elastic locking element 30 and the annular groove 22. Furthermore, the depth and width design of the annular groove 22 effectively ensures that the elastic locking element 30 will not easily disengage, thus achieving axial locking. Even under external force, the elastic locking element 30 will not easily detach from the annular groove 22, thereby effectively ensuring the reliability of the connection.

[0039] This design uses a plug-in connection between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20, which can be completed without the need for special tools. Furthermore, the elastic locking component 30 can automatically switch structures and achieve locking during the plugging process, without the need for additional operation steps. The operation is simple and quick, which simplifies the installation process, saves assembly time, and improves assembly efficiency.

[0040] Meanwhile, after the elastic locking member 30 is engaged in the annular groove 22, the connector 10 can be connected to the valve seat 20. This connection method can effectively prevent the connector 10 from loosening or falling off along the axial direction due to fluid pressure or other external forces during use, effectively ensuring the stability and reliability of the connection between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20.

[0041] In addition, compared to rigid connectors, the elastic locking member 30 can prevent damage to the connector 10 and valve seat 20 during the insertion of the connector 10 into the valve seat 20, thereby reducing the scrap rate of the product.

[0042] Based on the annular groove 11 provided in the connector 10, the valve seat 20 is provided with a slot 23 for the connector 10 to be inserted into. The slot 23 is located along the insertion direction of the valve seat 20 (or the valve seat 20 may be referred to as...). Figure 2 As shown in the bottom-up direction, a limiting surface 21 and an annular groove 22 are provided in sequence, and the limiting surface 21 is the limiting cone surface at the insertion port of the valve seat 20.

[0043] The so-called limiting cone surface refers to the inner diameter of the limiting surface gradually decreasing in the direction away from the insertion port of the valve seat 20. In this way, the elastic engaging member 30 is gradually guided into a compressed state through the limiting surface 21. That is, when the elastic engaging member 30 is squeezed by the limiting surface 21, it will undergo elastic deformation and gradually contract inward, switching from the extended structure to the compressed structure.

[0044] To further increase the reliability of the connection between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20, the inner wall of the annular groove 22 is provided with a chamfer. The elastic locking member 30 is an open locking member, such as a snap ring. The snap ring has radially protruding hooks at both ends. This allows the hooks to engage with the chamfer when the elastic locking member 30 is in the extended position, thereby achieving further locking. Even if subjected to external force, the elastic locking member 30 will not easily disengage from the annular groove 22, ensuring the reliability of the connection between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20.

[0045] In some embodiments, the connector 10 is provided with a sliding plug 12, which slides into the slot 23. By utilizing the sliding engagement of the sliding plug 12 and the slot 23, the connector 10 can be smoothly inserted into the valve seat 20.

[0046] Furthermore, the outer wall of the sliding plug 12 is provided with a guide cone surface 13. The outer diameter of the guide cone surface 13 gradually decreases in the direction away from the annular groove 11. The annular groove 11 and the guide cone surface 13 are arranged alternately along the insertion direction of the connector 10. In this way, the assembly difficulty of the connector 10 and the valve seat 20 can be reduced by guiding the guide cone surface 13 to the insertion port of the valve seat 20.

[0047] Furthermore, the valve seat 20 is provided with a guide post 24, which is connected to the limiting surface 21. The guide post 24 is located on the side of the limiting surface 21 that is away from the annular groove 22, and the inner diameter of the guide post 24 is larger than the outer diameter of the sliding plug 12. In this way, the connector 10 can be smoothly inserted into the slot 23 of the valve seat 20.

[0048] In some embodiments, the slot 23 is further provided with at least two mounting grooves 25, and elastic seals 40 are installed in the mounting grooves 25. After the connector 10 and the valve seat 20 are inserted into place, at least two elastic seals 40 are located between the annular groove 11 and the guide cone surface 13.

[0049] By providing at least two mounting slots 25 within the slot 23 and installing an elastic seal 40 within each mounting slot 25, a multi-layer sealing structure is formed. When the connector 10 is inserted into the valve seat 20, the elastic seal 40, located between the annular groove 11 and the guide cone surface 13, effectively blocks the fluid leakage path and significantly improves the sealing performance.

[0050] It should be noted that the elastic seal 40 has good elastic deformation capability, which can tightly fit the inner wall of the mounting groove 25 and the valve seat 20. Even if there is a certain tolerance or slight unevenness between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20, the elastic seal 40 can fill these gaps through its own elastic deformation, effectively ensuring the integrity of the seal.

[0051] The elastic seal 40 not only serves a sealing function but also works in conjunction with the locking function of the elastic engaging element 30. Specifically, the elastic seal 40, located between the annular groove 11 and the guide cone surface 13, provides a certain amount of resistance, further enhancing the locking effect between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20 and preventing the connection from loosening due to external forces.

[0052] In some embodiments, the outer wall of the connector 10 is provided with a first protrusion 14, and the inner wall of the valve seat 20 is provided with a second protrusion 26. The first protrusion 14 abuts against the end face of the valve seat 20, and the second protrusion 26 abuts against the end face of the connector 10, so as to restrict the movement of the connector 10 relative to the valve seat 20.

[0053] As can be seen, the precise axial alignment of the connector 10 and the valve seat 20 is ensured by the contact and abutment between the first boss 14 and the end face of the valve seat 20, and the contact and abutment between the second boss 26 and the end face of the connector 10. During the insertion process of the connector 10 and the valve seat 20, when the two bosses contact the corresponding end faces, it indicates that the connector 10 has reached the correct position, thereby achieving axial positioning.

[0054] In this way, on the one hand, during the insertion process of the connector 10 and the valve seat 20, if the connector 10 is inserted too deeply, it will lead to unstable connection or damage to the internal structure. The first boss 14 and the second boss 26 effectively prevent over-insertion. When the two bosses contact the corresponding end faces, the insertion depth of the connector 10 has reached the design requirements, thus avoiding over-insertion. On the other hand, the bosses increase the contact area between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20, thereby improving the rigidity of the connection structure. When the fluid connector is subjected to external forces, the bosses can provide additional support, reduce the relative movement between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20, and enhance the stability of the entire connection structure.

[0055] In some embodiments, the bottom of the annular slot 22 is provided with a damping silicone layer, and the elastic engaging member 30 forms an interference fit with the damping silicone layer in the extended structure.

[0056] Because the outer surface of the elastic engaging member 30 is in close contact with the damping silicone layer, a large frictional force is generated. This frictional force can effectively prevent the connector 10 from loosening or shifting relative to the valve seat 20 when subjected to external forces (such as vibration, impact, etc.), thereby significantly enhancing the stability of the connection between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20. At the same time, the damping silicone layer has good damping characteristics and can play a buffering role between the elastic engaging member 30 and the annular groove 22. When the connector 10 is subjected to external impact, the damping silicone layer can absorb some energy, reducing the rigid collision between the elastic engaging member 30 and the annular groove 22, and further improving the reliability of the locking between the connector 10 and the valve seat 20.

[0057] In some embodiments, the connector 10 is provided with a first flare 15, the inner diameter of which gradually expands along the insertion direction of the connector 10, and the valve seat 20 is provided with a second flare 27, the inner diameter of which gradually expands along the insertion direction of the valve seat 20. After the connector 10 and the valve seat 20 are inserted into place, the first flare 15 and the second flare 27 communicate with each other.

[0058] As can be seen, the gradually expanding inner diameter design of the first flare 15 and the second flare 27 creates a trumpet-like shape, providing excellent guidance for the insertion of external components. When external components (such as pipes, plugs, etc.) are inserted, the expanding inner diameter guides them smoothly into the flare, reducing resistance and friction during insertion. Even if there is a certain angular or positional deviation in the external component during insertion, it can be gradually aligned and smoothly inserted through the guidance of the flare, significantly reducing alignment difficulty and improving the convenience of insertion operations.

[0059] The liquid cooling device provided in this application includes the fluid connector described in the above specific embodiments; other parts of the liquid cooling device can be referred to in related technologies, and will not be elaborated here.

[0060] It should be noted that in this specification, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity from several other entities, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities.

[0061] The fluid connector and liquid cooling device provided in this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the solution and core ideas of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to this application without departing from the principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A fluid connector, characterized in that, include: A connector and a valve seat are provided, wherein the connector and the valve seat are plugged into each other, and one of the connector and the valve seat is provided with an annular groove, while the other is provided with a limiting surface and an annular groove; An elastic engaging member is provided in the annular groove. The elastic engaging member can switch between a compression structure and an extension structure. During the insertion of the connector and the valve seat, the elastic engaging member switches from the extension structure to the compression structure under the cooperation of the limiting surface. When the elastic engaging member moves to the annular groove, it switches from the compression structure to the extension structure and engages in the annular groove to connect the connector and the valve seat.

2. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The connector is provided with the annular groove, and the valve seat is provided with a slot for the connector to be inserted. The slot is provided with the limiting surface and the annular groove in sequence along the insertion direction of the valve seat, and the limiting surface is the limiting cone surface at the insertion port of the valve seat.

3. The fluid connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The inner wall of the annular groove is provided with a chamfer. The elastic engaging member is an open engaging member. Both ends of the open engaging member are provided with radially protruding hooks. The hooks are embedded in the chamfer when the elastic engaging member is in the extended structure.

4. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The connector is provided with a sliding plug, which slides into the slot. The outer wall of the sliding plug is provided with a guide cone surface. The annular groove and the guide cone surface are arranged at intervals along the insertion direction of the connector.

5. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The valve seat is provided with a guide column surface, which is connected to the limiting surface. The guide column surface is located on the side of the limiting surface away from the annular groove, and the inner diameter of the guide column surface is larger than the outer diameter of the sliding plug.

6. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The slot is also provided with at least two mounting slots, and elastic seals are installed in the mounting slots. After the connector is inserted into the valve seat, at least two of the elastic seals are located between the annular groove and the guide cone surface.

7. The fluid connector according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The outer wall of the connector is provided with a first protrusion, and the inner wall of the valve seat is provided with a second protrusion. The first protrusion contacts and abuts against the end face of the valve seat, and the second protrusion contacts and abuts against the end face of the connector, so as to restrict the movement of the connector relative to the valve seat.

8. The fluid connector as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The bottom of the annular slot is provided with a damping silicone layer, and the elastic engaging member forms an interference fit with the damping silicone layer under the extension structure.

9. The fluid connector as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The connector is provided with a first flare, the inner diameter of which gradually expands along the insertion direction of the connector. The valve seat is provided with a second flare, the inner diameter of which gradually expands along the insertion direction of the valve seat. After the connector and the valve seat are inserted into place, the first flare and the second flare are connected.

10. A liquid cooling device, characterized in that, Including the fluid connector as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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