Floating Joint Pressure Relief Structure for Low-Friction Pipe Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional floating joints with pressure relief structures for water cooling servers face issues such as requiring large radial space, significant frictional forces, instability due to skewed adapter joints, and weak points in force transmission, leading to reduced structural stability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief structure for floating joints that includes a fixed retainer, adapter joint, first and second slidable members, a spring, and a retaining ring, which reduces radial friction, allows stable sliding, and maintains structural integrity even with skew, without needing a large radial space, and enhances force transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a slidable washer extended through a diametrically smaller hole on the fixed retainer is used, then the floating joint can accommodate radial deviation, but it requires a relatively large radial space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a radial sliding mechanism (requiring large radial space) to an axial sliding mechanism. The slidable member moves along the axial direction of the adapter joint rather than radially, allowing the floating joint to accommodate radial deviation through axial displacement. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability while significantly reducing the required radial space within the fixed retainer.
2Ease of operation
If a slidable washer slides radially on the inner wall surface of the fixed retainer, then the adapter joint can be aligned, but there is a relatively large frictional force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sliding direction from radial to axial. The slidable member translates axially rather than radially along the inner wall surface, which significantly reduces the frictional force because the axial sliding path does not involve continuous contact and friction against the curved inner wall surface in the same manner as radial sliding would require.
3Area of stationary object
If the slidable washer is not extended through the fixed retainer, then the radial space is reduced, but the structure requires even stricter water tightness requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealing member as an intermediary element between the slidable member and the fixed retainer. This sealing member specifically addresses the water tightness concern by providing a dedicated sealing interface, allowing the slidable washer to remain compact (not extended through the fixed retainer) while maintaining reliable water tightness through the intermediary sealing component.
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 solution provides stable, smooth operation with reduced wear and tear, improved adaptability, and enhanced structural reliability by minimizing friction and maintaining connection integrity, even with radial deviations, thus ensuring reliable water-tight connections.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (23) fitted around an outer surface of a second section (212) of the adapter joint (21) to have an end pressed against a shoulder portion (213) formed between the first section (211) and the second section (212) of the adapter joint (21) and to have another end pressed against a second surface (2222) of the first flange portion (222) of the first slidable member (22)
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure relief structure for floating joint includes a hollow fixed retainer having an open and a holed closed side; an adapter joint having a first section partially received in the fixed retainer and a second section extended through the open side to the closed side of the fixed retainer; a first slidable member fitted around the second section and radially slidably attached to an inner wall surface of the closed side; a spring fitted around the second section to pressed against the first slidable member and a shoulder portion formed between the first and second sections; a retaining ring fixedly fitted between the second section and the first slidable member; and a second slidable member connected to the second section and radially slidably attached to an outer wall surface of the closed side. The above structure allows radially deviated pipes to connect end to end with reduced contact friction.