Tool-Less Liquid Cooling Interconnect Assembly for Computing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid cooling systems for data centers require complex tool-based assembly and modification, leading to increased downtime and economic inefficiencies due to the need for specialized tools and incompatibility with air cooling components.
Innovation Solution
A tool-less liquid cooling interconnect module design that includes a housing, biasing members, and interconnect blocks with interlocking mechanisms, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without tools, and can be coupled to a mezzanine frame and fluid flow channels to form a liquid cooling assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tool-based assembly methods are used for liquid cooling systems, then assembly strength and reliability are improved, but assembly time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, bolts, clips requiring tools) with a snap-fit mechanism that uses elastic deformation and geometric interlocking. The housing includes resilient arms that deflect during assembly and snap into engagement features on the cold plate, eliminating the need for external tools while maintaining secure mechanical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly mechanism is self-contained and self-actuating. The resilient arms automatically engage with the cold plate features when components are brought together, and the interlocking geometry ensures proper alignment and secure attachment without requiring external intervention or specialized tools.
2Temperature
If liquid cooling systems are designed with specialized components, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but compatibility with existing air cooling infrastructure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing design incorporates universal mounting features and standardized connection interfaces that can accommodate both liquid cooling configurations and air cooling attachments. The resilient arms and snap-fit mechanisms can engage with different types of cooling components, allowing the same base structure to support multiple cooling methodologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arms provide dynamic adaptability, allowing the housing to adjust to slight variations in component dimensions and alignment tolerances. This flexibility enables compatibility with different cooling component types while maintaining secure mechanical and thermal connections.
3Strength
If complex assembly mechanisms are used to ensure secure connections, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from complex multi-component fastening systems and concentrates it into simple integrated resilient arms molded as part of the housing. This eliminates the need for separate fasteners, washers, and locking mechanisms, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining secure connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arms are integrated directly into the housing structure through molding, combining the support, fastening, and alignment functions into a single unified component. This merging of functions simplifies manufacturing and reduces assembly steps while ensuring strong mechanical connections.
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
Enables quick and efficient installation and replacement of cooling systems, reducing downtime and manufacturing costs while maintaining effective heat dissipation from computing components.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid flow channel extending via one or more cold plates... configured to circulate a liquid coolant in thermal contact with electronic components
Implementation Method 2
the waste-heat generated by the computing system is also increased... use liquids (i.e., liquid coolant) as a heat transfer medium
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to a liquid cooling interconnect module of a computing system, and a tool-less method of assembling the liquid cooling interconnect module having a housing, a biasing member, and an interconnect block. The housing has an interlocking member, a support assembly, and a bore extending between a first end and a second end of the housing. The biasing member is disposed within the bore such that it contacts the support assembly. The interconnect block having a pair of through openings, is configured to be slidably inserted within the bore such that it contacts the biasing member. Further, the interconnect block is configured to compress the biasing member against the support assembly to a compressed position when the interconnect block is inserted into the bore, and the interlocking member is configured to retain the interconnect block within the housing when the biasing member is in the compressed position.