Modular Fluid Cooling Assembly With Verified Module Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid cooling systems for electronic components, such as desktop PCs, are often non-expandable and non-serviceable, limiting their utility beyond CPU cooling and restricting the installation of larger radiators due to spatial and weight constraints.
Innovation Solution
A modular fluid cooling system with a coupling device that allows for axial and lateral connection of partial housings, enabling expansion and flexibility by connecting multiple modules via fluid and signal lines, ensuring proper assembly and compatibility through communication units, and featuring a control unit that activates the cooling system only when fully coupled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fluid cooling systems are designed as encapsulated single units, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but the systems become non-serviceable and non-expandable, limiting adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into a first sub-housing and a second sub-housing that can be separately manufactured and then assembled together. This segmentation allows the cooling system to be manufactured in modular components that can be serviced, expanded, or replaced independently, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and system adaptability.
2Device complexity
If the radiator is positioned closer to the heat source, then the cooling system structure is simplified, but spatial and weight restrictions limit the radiator surface area and cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device enables the radiator to be positioned in a different spatial arrangement by providing axial and lateral connection options. This allows the radiator to be placed in orientations that were previously impossible, effectively utilizing available space in a different dimensional configuration to achieve larger surface area without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular coupling devices are designed with multiple connection options, then system expandability and flexibility are improved, but the risk of incorrect assembly and compatibility issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device employs asymmetric design features including chamfered end faces with different angles on opposite sides, and complementarily shaped projections and recesses. These asymmetric features create a unique fit that guides correct assembly and prevents incorrect configurations, thereby maintaining high reliability despite the modular flexible design.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device incorporates communication units that provide feedback signals to indicate whether modules are properly coupled. This feedback mechanism verifies assembly correctness and ensures system compatibility, allowing the system to detect and alert users to improper assembly or incompatible components.
4Reliability
If communication units and control mechanisms are added to verify proper coupling, then assembly correctness and system compatibility are ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication units are integrated into the existing modular coupling structure, serving multiple functions: verifying coupling status, ensuring system compatibility, and providing diagnostic information. By making these verification components multi-functional and integrating them into the modular architecture, the added complexity is minimized while maintaining high reliability.
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 modular design enhances cooling performance by allowing larger radiators, reduces production and maintenance costs, and ensures the use of system-compatible components, preventing leaks and incorrect assembly, while maintaining efficient heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
At the first heat exchanger, the heat loss from electronic components, for example, can be transferred to a cooling fluid. The pump conveys the heated cooling fluid through the lines to the second heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 2
The second heat exchanger is, for example, a radiator through which the heated cooling fluid flows. Here, the heat from the cooling fluid is dissipated to the ambient air via a radiator.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a first module, in particular for a fluid cooling system, comprising a control unit, a first communications unit, a pump for a cooling fluid, and a first heat exchanger, wherein the first communications unit is designed to receive signals from at least one second module, wherein the signals have an identification feature of the second module, wherein, based on the identification feature, the control unit is designed to identify the second module, check whether the second module is compatible or authorised for use with the system, and activating the pump and/or the first heat exchanger according to the presence of the system-compatible or -authorised second module. The invention also relates to a cooling fluid system comprising the first module and a second module.