Floating Adapter Module for Misalignment-Tolerant Water-Cooling Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current water-cooling systems face assembly challenges due to fixed connectors that require precise alignment, leading to assembly difficulties and potential damage or failure when connecting water pipes to electronic devices, especially when space is limited or obstructed.
Innovation Solution
A floating adapter module with elastic members allowing for multi-directional displacement adjustments, including radial (X, Y) and axial (Z) movements, facilitating easy assembly and connection of water-cooling components without interference from surrounding components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connectors are directly fixed on the case or circuit board, then the connection structure is simple and stable, but precise alignment is required during assembly which increases assembly difficulty and risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with floating capability through elastic members (springs) that allow the connector to dynamically adjust its position. The base can move horizontally and vertically within receiving grooves, and the elastic members provide axial floating, transforming a static fixed connection into a dynamic adjustable one that compensates for alignment errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector's position parameters are made changeable through the floating mechanism. The receiving grooves allow horizontal and vertical displacement, while the elastic members enable axial position adjustment. This changes the connector from a fixed-position component to one with adjustable position parameters, facilitating easier assembly.
2Device complexity
If connectors are fixed in preset positions, then the structural design is simple, but surrounding components may block or limit the assembly process
Solution Approach 1:
The floating mechanism with receiving grooves and elastic members allows the connector to move and adjust its position during assembly, enabling it to navigate around obstructing components and find its correct position, thus improving assembly accessibility without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If water pipes are slightly longer or shorter, then manufacturing tolerances are easier to meet, but fixed connectors cannot accommodate the length variation causing assembly failure
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members provide axial floating capability that allows the connector to adjust its position along the axial direction, accommodating variations in water pipe length within a certain range, thus maintaining connection success rate even with relaxed manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector's axial position parameter is made adjustable through the elastic members, allowing it to compensate for pipe length variations. This changes the connection system from one requiring precise pipe length control to one that can tolerate length variations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient and efficient assembly of water-cooling systems by allowing flexible adjustments, reducing the risk of damage and failure during connection, and accommodating varying component positions and spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The first elastic member is used to provide the base with horizontal and vertical (X, Y) radial floating in the receiving space
Implementation Method 2
The second elastic member is used to provide the base with axial (Z) floating in the receiving space
Data Source
AI summary
A floating adapter module includes a base having two connecting portions, a receiving groove and a shaft mounted with a limiter, two docking parts respectively assembled at the connecting portions, the first and second elastic members respectively assembled at the receiving groove and the shaft, and a housing assembled and positioned in the receiving space of the base. The first elastic member is used to provide the base with horizontal and vertical (X, Y) radial floating in the receiving space. At the same time, the second elastic member is used to provide the base with axial (Z) floating in the receiving space. This achieves the purpose of floating displacement of the base located inside the housing.