Floating Liquid Connector Structure for Blind-Mate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid connectors in water-cooling systems for server racks face significant assembly and manufacturing tolerances issues, leading to alignment problems and increased time for correct connection.
Innovation Solution
An adaptable liquid connector structure incorporating elastic elements that absorb assembly tolerances, allowing for blind mating and correct alignment through positional floating adjustment, enabling quick and secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid connectors are used to ensure precise alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but assembly time increases due to tolerance accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the connector from rigid to flexible by incorporating elastic elements. This allows the connector to dynamically adjust its position within a tolerance range, absorbing alignment errors without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances. The elastic elements enable the connector to deform elastically and accommodate positional deviations, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the connector through elastic elements that allow real-time positional adjustment during assembly. Instead of relying on fixed, rigid positioning, the connector can dynamically shift its position to match the mating connector, accommodating tolerance variations. This dynamic characteristic eliminates the need for time-consuming manual alignment adjustments.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple connectors are replaced to achieve alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing connectors to achieve alignment, the patent changes the physical characteristics of the connector by adding elastic elements. This allows a single connector design to accommodate multiple position variations through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for multiple connector variants or replacements. The elastic elements provide continuous positional adjustment within the tolerance range, simplifying the overall system configuration.
3Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerance specifications are enforced to ensure connection accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the connector from a rigid component with tight tolerance requirements to a flexible component with elastic elements. This allows the use of looser tolerance specifications in manufacturing while still achieving accurate connections through elastic adjustment during assembly. The elastic elements compensate for dimensional variations, enabling standard manufacturing processes to produce connectors that maintain high connection accuracy without requiring expensive precision machining.
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 elastic elements facilitate correct axial alignment and smooth assembly of connectors, reducing the time required for connection and ensuring reliable fluid communication between the liquid connector and adaptor connectors.
Implementation Method 1
an adaptable liquid connector structure according to the present invention includes a case, an intermediate member and a liquid connector main body... a plurality of elastic elements mounted on outer sides and a rear side of the intermediate member... the elastic elements absorb assembly tolerance of the adaptable liquid connector structure, such that the liquid connector main body mounted therein is allowed for a positional floating adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptable liquid connector structure includes a case, an intermediate member and a liquid connector main body. The case is a hollow frame. The intermediate member is located in the case and includes an opening formed at a front area thereof for mounting the liquid connector main body therein, a locating bore located below the opening, and a plurality of elastic elements mounted on outer sides and a rear side of thereof. The intermediate member is supported by the elastic elements to suspend in the case and the elastic elements absorb assembly tolerance of the adaptable liquid connector structure, such that the liquid connector main body mounted therein is allowed for a positional floating adjustment in and relative to the case upward, downward, leftward and rightward to be smoothly, correctly and securely connected to an adaptor connector.