Quick connector fixing test fixture

Abstract

A fixed-base testing fixture includes an adapter, a cover plate, and at least one limiting member. The adapter has a first end and a second end opposite each other along its axial direction, the first end and the second end jointly defining an accommodating space, the second end having a first through hole. The cover plate is disposed at the second end of the adapter and has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole for a quick-release connector to pass through. The limiting member is disposed on the cover plate to engage with an annular groove on the outer edge of the quick-release connector, thereby restricting its axial movement. This effectively controls the mating depth of the quick-release connector during testing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a test fixture, and in particular, to a fixture for fixing a quick-release connector. [Previous Technology]

[0002] With the rapid development of server technology, the heat dissipation requirements inside servers are increasing. Traditional air cooling methods are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of efficient heat dissipation in some applications. Therefore, cooling plate cooling and immersion cooling technologies are gradually being adopted. These technologies rely on liquid cooling media to transfer heat, and quick-release connectors are used to connect fluids between different cooling loops, making them one of the key components.

[0003] Traditional quick-release couplings are mainly used in hydraulic systems or general liquid cooling systems, where the requirements for their sealing performance and service life are relatively low, and the replacement cost is not high. However, in server liquid cooling applications, quick-release couplings must have extremely high sealing performance to prevent coolant leakage from causing server short circuits. In addition, since server downtime leads to maintenance costs and performance losses, the reliability and durability of quick-release couplings are also crucial to avoid additional downtime caused by frequent replacements or repairs.

[0004] Quick-release connectors are typically cylindrical in shape, requiring precise axial positioning during testing to ensure the mating depth meets test requirements. However, because the two ends of the quick-release connector are functional areas and cannot be directly fixed, while the middle section lacks a suitable fixing structure, it is difficult to provide effective axial constraint during testing. Furthermore, the cylindrical shape further increases the difficulty of fixing; without a suitable fixing mechanism, the quick-release connector is prone to displacement during testing, affecting the accuracy and reliability of the test results.

[0005] Therefore, how to design a quick-release connector that can effectively fix the quick-release connector and ensure the accuracy and stability of the axial and radial positions during the test has become an urgent problem to be solved in this technical field. [Summary of the Invention]

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention discloses a fixed seat test fixture, including an adapter seat, a cover plate, and at least one limiting member. The adapter seat has a first end and a second end opposite to each other along its axial direction, which together define an accommodating space. This accommodating space is laterally open to accommodate quick-release connectors and allow pipelines to pass through. The first end of the adapter seat is provided with a first connecting hole, through which the adapter seat can be installed on an external device via a fixing member. The second end of the adapter seat is provided with a first through hole. The cover plate is fixedly disposed at the second end of the adapter seat and is provided with a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole to form a channel for the quick-release connector to pass through. The inner diameters of both the first and second through holes match the outer diameter of the middle section of the quick-release connector to restrict the radial movement of the quick-release connector when it is inserted therethrough. The limiting member is pivotally disposed on the cover plate to engage with the annular groove on the outer edge of the quick-release connector to restrict the axial movement of the quick-release connector. The cover plate has a groove with beveled side walls to limit the rotation range of the limiting member. At least one columnar structure protrudes from the bottom surface of the groove. One end of the limiting member has a through hole and is fitted onto the columnar structure through the through hole, allowing the limiting member to be pivotally mounted on the cover plate. Through this structural design, the present invention effectively secures the quick-release connector, ensuring that it does not experience axial or radial displacement or loosening during testing, thus improving the accuracy and reliability of the test. It is particularly suitable for high-precision applications such as server liquid cooling systems. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0032] Figure 1A is an exploded view of the main components of a fixed base test fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fixed base test fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of the assembly state of a fixed base test fixture and a quick-release connector disposed thereon according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a fixed base test fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a fixed base test fixture in an operating state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Implementation Method

[0037] The above-mentioned objectives of the present invention and its structural and functional characteristics will be described with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 1A to 3. The present invention provides a fixed seat test fixture 1, which includes an adapter seat 10, a cover plate 11 and two limiting members 12. By restricting the movement of the quick-release connector 2 along the axial and radial directions through these components, it can be ensured that the quick-release connector 2 is fixed in the test position when the sealing performance test is performed, so as to improve the accuracy and reliability of the test.

[0039] The adapter 10 is made of metal or non-metal and has a first end 101 and a second end 102 opposite to each other along its axial direction. The first end 101 is provided with at least one first connecting hole 101C for at least one fastener 10F to pass through, so as to fix the adapter 10 to an external device 3 (as shown in Figure 3). The second end 102 is provided with at least two second connecting holes 102C and a first through hole 1020. The inner diameter of the first through hole 1020 matches the outer diameter of the middle section of the quick-release connector 2, ensuring that the radial movement of the quick-release connector 2 is restricted when it is inserted therein. The first end 101 and the second end 102 together define an accommodating space LS. Specifically, the adapter 10 may have a longitudinal wall 10W, the two ends of which are bent and extended to form the first end 101 and the second end 102, so as to form a U-shaped structure that is open to one side.

[0040] The cover plate 11 is made of metal or non-metal and is fixedly disposed on the second end 102 of the adapter 10. Specifically, the cover plate 11 can be installed on the plane opposite to the first end 101 of the second end 102 of the adapter 10. The cover plate 11 is provided with a second through hole 110, which corresponds to (aligns with) the first through hole 1020 of the second end 102 of the adapter 10, together forming a channel for the quick-release connector 2 to pass through. The inner diameter of the second through hole 110 matches the outer diameter of the middle section of the quick-release connector 2, ensuring that the radial movement of the quick-release connector 2 is restricted when it is inserted therethrough. The cover plate 11 is also provided with at least two third connecting holes 11C corresponding to at least two second connecting holes 102C of the second end 102 of the aforementioned adapter 10. A fastener 10F (e.g., a screw) passes through and locks into these second connecting holes 102C and third connecting holes 11C to fix the cover plate 11 to the plane of the second end 102 of the adapter 10 facing away from the first end 101. The fastener is not limited to screws, but also includes bolts, rivets, or pins, and other suitable fasteners. Alternatively, the cover plate 11 and the adapter 10 can be fixed without the aforementioned fasteners; for example, welding, gluing, or other suitable joining methods can achieve the same stabilizing effect. The cover plate 11 is provided with a groove 11G, each of the two side walls 11W of which has a slope 11WI, serving as a limiting structure to restrict the rotation range of the limiting member 12. A columnar structure 11P protrudes from the bottom surface of the groove 11G to provide a pivotal positioning function for the limiting member 12.

[0041] The limiting member 12 may be a sheet-like body made of metal or non-metal material, housed in the groove 11G of the cover plate 11, and located between the cover plate 11 and the second end 102 of the adapter 10. This embodiment is described using two adjacent limiting members 12 arranged side by side as an example. One end of the limiting member 12 is provided with a through hole 120, which is sleeved on the columnar structure 11P, so that the limiting member 12 can be pivotally mounted on the cover plate 11. The pivoting method of the limiting member 12 is not limited to the combination of columnar structure and through hole, and a hinge shaft, hinge structure or other suitable pivoting mechanism may also be used to achieve the same pivoting function.

[0042] An arc-shaped notch 12N can be formed on the limiting member 12 so that it can fit more appropriately into the annular groove (e.g., color ring placement groove) 20 on the outer edge of the quick-release connector 2 through the notch 12N, so as to restrict the axial movement of the quick-release connector 2.

[0043] Please refer to Figures 1A, 1C, and 2 together. The quick-release connector 2 can be inserted into the channel formed by the first through hole 1020 and the second through hole 110. The two limiting members 12 can be closed in the groove 11G to a suitable position to clamp or secure the quick-release connector 2. At this suitable position, the limiting member 12 and the annular groove 20 of the quick-release connector 2 engage with each other to limit the axial movement of the quick-release connector 2. When the test is over and the quick-release connector 2 needs to be removed, the fixing member 10F (e.g., screw) can be loosened and the two limiting members 12 can be rotated outward to release the fixation of the quick-release connector 2. The inclined surfaces 11WI of the two side walls 11W of the groove 11G serve as a limiting structure for the rotation range of the two limiting members 12 to constrain the rotation stroke of the limiting members 12 and ensure that they move within a suitable range.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 1A and 3 together. In one operating state, the first end 101 of the fixed base test fixture 1 passes through at least one fastener (not shown) into the first connecting hole 101C, fixing the fixed base test fixture 1 to an external device 3. The external device 3 may be, for example, a device with a floating alignment function, which enables the quick-release connector 2 to have the ability to correct alignment deviation when repeatedly inserting and removing the connector (not shown) from another connector. As shown in Figure 3, the quick-release connector 2 is fixed to the fixed base test fixture 1 and connected to an external medium pressure source 5 through a pipe 4, thereby simulating the docking state of the quick-release connector 2 in the actual operating environment to test the sealing performance and reliability.

[0045] In summary, the fixed-base test fixture of this embodiment of the invention, through the adapter, cover plate, and pivotable limiting member, allows the limiting member to engage with the annular groove on the outer edge of the quick-release connector, thereby effectively limiting the axial movement of the quick-release connector. Therefore, the fixed-base test fixture of this invention can effectively control the mating depth of the quick-release connector during sealing or reliability testing, ensuring that no axial displacement or loosening occurs during the test, and avoiding the impact of positional deviation on the accuracy and reliability of the test results.

[0046] The present invention has been described in detail above. However, the above description is only one preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. That is, all equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the present invention should still fall within the patent coverage of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fixed-base test fixture, comprising: An adapter has a first end and a second end opposite to each other along its axial direction, the first end and the second end jointly defining an accommodating space, the second end having a first through hole; a cover plate is disposed at the second end of the adapter and has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole for a quick-release connector to pass through; and at least one limiting member is pivotally disposed on the cover plate for engaging with the outer edge of the quick-release connector to restrict the axial movement of the quick-release connector.

2. The fixed base test fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adapter includes a longitudinal wall, the two ends of which are bent and extended to form the first end and the second end, thereby forming a U-shaped structure that is open to one side.

3. The fixed base test fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover plate is disposed on a plane opposite to the first end of the second end of the adapter.

4. The fixed base test fixture as described in claim 1, wherein the cover plate is provided with a groove, the limiting member is pivotally disposed in the groove, and the two side walls of the groove each include an inclined surface to limit the rotation range of the limiting member.

5. The fixed base test fixture as described in claim 4, wherein at least one columnar structure is protruding from the bottom surface of the groove, and one end of the limiting member is provided with a through hole and is sleeved on the columnar structure through the through hole, so that the limiting member can be pivotally mounted on the cover plate.

6. The fixed base test fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limiting member has a notch for engaging with an annular groove on the outer edge of the quick-release connector through the notch.

7. The fixed base test fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of the adapter is provided with at least one first connecting hole for at least one fastener to pass through and lock, so as to fix the adapter to an external device.

8. The fixed base test fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end of the adapter is provided with at least two second connecting holes, the cover plate is provided with at least two third connecting holes corresponding to the second connecting holes, and at least two fasteners are inserted and locked in the second connecting holes and the third connecting holes to fix the cover plate to the second end of the adapter.

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