Auto-Aligning Joint Module for Server Coolant Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Misalignment of plug connectors on servers and rack plugs due to manufacturing tolerances prevents proper coolant circulation, leading to failed connections.
Innovation Solution
A joint module with movable and rotatable joints and elastic components that auto-calibrate the plug connector to align with the rack plug, ensuring connection by resetting the joint positions upon contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid plug connectors are used to ensure manufacturing precision, then connection reliability deteriorates due to misalignment from tolerance accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The plug connector is designed with a movable joint mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the connector's position and orientation. The joint includes multiple degrees of freedom (rotational and translational) enabling the connector to automatically adapt to misalignment caused by manufacturing tolerances, thus maintaining connection reliability without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of the plug connector through the joint mechanism. The connector can shift position and rotate angles to compensate for misalignment, transforming a static rigid connection into a dynamically adjustable connection that accommodates tolerance variations
2Reliability
If movable joint mechanism is added to enable auto-alignment, then device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: an outer joint for rotational movement, an inner joint for translational movement, and elastic pieces for resetting. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, simplifying the overall design and manufacturing while achieving the desired auto-alignment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic pieces automatically reset the joint mechanism to its initial position after each connection operation without requiring external intervention. The system serves itself by using the connection force to compress the elastic pieces, which then naturally push the joints back to their starting positions, reducing operational complexity
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
Ensures reliable coolant circulation by automatically aligning plug connectors with rack plugs, overcoming misalignment issues caused by manufacturing tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
a reset component, which includes a plurality of elastic pieces, is arranged between the outer joint, the middle joint and the inner joint. The reset component is used to reset the middle joint and the inner joint
Data Source
AI summary
A joint module for offsetting manufacturing tolerance comprises an outer joint, a middle joint, an inner joint, a plug connector, and a reset component. The middle joint is movable in radial directions of an axis of the outer joint. The inner joint is rotatable around radial directions of an axis of the middle joint, and the axis of the middle joint is parallel to the axis of the outer joint. The plug connector is fixed to the inner joint. The reset component is placed between the outer joint, the middle joint, and the inner joint, to reset the middle joint and the inner joint until the axis of the plug connector, the outer joint, and the middle joint are coincided. A server system with the joint module is also disclosed.