Floating Blind-Mate Connector for Liquid Cooling Tolerance Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blind-mate connectors for liquid cooling systems are complex to assemble and have many parts, which complicates the connection between the liquid cooling apparatus and the to-be-cooled device due to large cumulative tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A blind-mate connector with a floating support and a connector that is slidably assembled, allowing for floating in both the insertion direction and a plane perpendicular to it, to absorb tolerances and simplify assembly. The connector includes an elastic member for reliable connection and an auxiliary plate for improved structural reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional blind-mate connector is used with direct plug-in, then assembly is simpler, but assembly quality deteriorates due to large cumulative tolerances causing poor connector assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with floating capabilities in both the insertion direction (through sliding assembly on the floating support) and circumferential direction (through the protrusion-floating hole mechanism), transforming from a rigid fixed-position connector to a dynamic adaptive connector that can automatically adjust to tolerance variations, thereby maintaining high assembly quality while preserving operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameters of the connector by introducing floating degrees of freedom. The connector can move along the insertion direction and rotate circumferentially, allowing the system to absorb cumulative tolerances through parameter variations rather than requiring precise fixed positioning, thus resolving the contradiction between simple assembly and high assembly quality
2Manufacturing precision
If a floating blind-mate connector is designed to absorb tolerances, then connector assembly quality improves, but device complexity increases due to many parts and complex assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the floating support structure with the connector body, where the floating support serves dual functions as both a mounting structure and a tolerance-absorbing mechanism. The protrusion and floating hole are integrated into the existing connector components rather than being separate parts, reducing the total part count while maintaining the floating functionality needed for high assembly quality
3Device complexity
If the connector is rigidly fixed to absorb no tolerances, then structure is simpler, but connection reliability deteriorates due to poor assembly from tolerance accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic floating structure that can adapt to tolerance variations. The floating support allows movement in the insertion direction, and the protrusion-floating hole mechanism enables circumferential adjustment, ensuring reliable connection by accommodating dimensional variations without compromising structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The floating support acts as an intermediary element between the fixed mounting structure and the connector. It mediates the tolerance accumulation by providing a floating interface that absorbs dimensional variations, thereby ensuring connection reliability while maintaining overall structural simplicity through the use of basic mechanical floating mechanisms
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
The floating blind-mate connector effectively absorbs tolerances, simplifies the assembly process, ensures reliable connections, and maintains a simple structure, improving the efficiency and reliability of liquid cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member is mounted between the connector and the floating support, and is configured to apply a reset force toward the to-be-cooled device in the insertion direction to the plug-in end
Implementation Method 2
The protrusion is assembled in the floating hole, and the protrusion is circumferentially movable in the floating hole
Implementation Method 3
The connector is slidably assembled on the floating support, and a sliding direction of the connector is consistent with an insertion direction of the connector
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a blind-mate connector and a liquid cooling apparatus. The blind-mate connector includes a floating support, a connector, and a floating component. The connector includes a plug-in end, and the plug-in end is configured to be inserted into the to-be-cooled device. The connector is slidably assembled on the floating support, and a sliding direction of the connector is consistent with an insertion direction of the connector. The blind-mate connector is floatable in the insertion direction. The floating support is mounted on a fixing plate by using the floating component. The floating component includes a protrusion and a floating hole. A diameter of the floating hole is larger than that of the protrusion. The protrusion is assembled in the floating hole, and the protrusion is circumferentially movable in the floating hole. The blind-mate connector in this solution is floatable in various directions and has a simple structure.