Floating Liquid Cooling Connector for Misalignment-Tolerant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connectors in liquid cooling systems are sensitive to misalignments, requiring significant force for disconnection, leading to potential damage and leaks, especially in densely packed systems with frequent maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A novel connector design allowing for float tolerance in axial and angular directions, featuring a tube with grooves and O-rings for flexible movement and a clip system for secure attachment, accommodating misalignments and facilitating easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed connection between barb and port is used, then the connection is secure and fluid-tight, but the assembly is highly sensitive to misalignments during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic floating connection that allows axial and angular movement. The tube end is spaced apart from the inner wall of the housing by a gap, enabling the connector to adjust its position and orientation to accommodate misalignments while maintaining a secure fluid-tight seal through O-rings in grooves.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid connection is used, then the connection is stable, but disconnecting and reconnecting tubes during maintenance requires significant force
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct components: a housing with ports, a floating connector portion with grooves and O-rings, and tube connections. This segmentation allows the floating connector to be independently positioned and adjusted, enabling easy disconnection and reconnection during maintenance while maintaining stable operation during use.
3Strength
If a fixed barb connection is used, then the tube is securely attached, but the tube and connection experience stress from inability to accommodate movement
Solution Approach 1:
The connector changes the physical parameters of the connection by introducing axial and angular float tolerance through the gap between the tube end and housing inner wall. This allows the connection to accommodate movement and stress without compromising attachment strength, as the O-rings in grooves maintain sealing while the connector floats to absorb misalignments and vibrations.
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
Enhances durability and ease of maintenance by compensating for misalignments and mechanical stress, maintaining a reliable fluid seal without leakage, even in environments with precision challenges.
Implementation Method 1
each of the wide diameter portions are placed in the first port and the second port and include grooves with O-rings that are in close contact with the inner wall of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cooling assembly includes a first cold plate with a first port and a third port, and a second cold plate with a second port and a fourth port. An inner wall in a housing of each port surrounds a cavity. A first tube is in fluid communication with both the first port and the second port. Each of a first connector and a second connector has diameter portion and a narrow diameter portion, wherein the narrow diameter portions are coupled to opposite ends of the first tube and placed in the first port and the second port, the wide diameter portion is placed in the first port and the second port and includes grooves with O-rings, and each end of the first tube has a portion placed in the housing and spaced apart from the inner wall of the housing by a gap.