Modular Pump Assembly with Detachable Connectors for Liquid Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current liquid cooling systems are limited by the maximum flow rate of a single pump, requiring pump replacement for enhanced efficiency, which is inflexible and increases setup costs, and lack electrical pads or guiding members for connecting multiple pumps or devices.

Innovation Solution

A pump assembly with detachable connecting members allows multiple pumps to be connected in series, featuring electrical pads for power distribution and quick connectors to enhance flow rate flexibility and ease of use, while also enabling connection to external devices like radiators or liquid storage units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single pump with larger flow rate is used to enhance liquid cooling system efficiency, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system is divided into multiple independent pump units that can be connected in series through detachable connecting members. Each pump unit has a standard flow rate, and by connecting multiple units, the total flow rate can be increased to meet different cooling requirements without using a single large complex pump.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pump units are designed with universal connecting members that allow them to be connected in series to form pump assemblies of different configurations. The same basic pump unit can serve multiple functions by being connected differently, providing both flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If pump replacement is required to enhance flow rate, then the cooling performance is improved, but the setup cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rateVSAvoidsetup cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring replacement of the entire pump system to increase flow rate, the system is segmented into multiple identical or different pump units that can be connected in series. This allows incremental increase in flow rate by adding only the necessary number of pump units rather than replacing the whole system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow rate parameter can be adjusted by changing the number of pump units connected in series rather than changing the entire pump system. This allows flexible adjustment of flow rate to match different cooling demands without incurring additional setup costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pumps are connected to achieve higher flow rate, then the flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

All pump units are equipped with identical connecting members that have standardized interfaces. This universality allows pump units to be connected in series in a straightforward manner without complex alignment or matching requirements, reducing connection complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting members are pre-designed with guiding members and electrical pads that automatically align when pump units are brought together. This preliminary design of the connection interface simplifies the actual connection process and reduces the complexity of assembling multiple pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If detachable connecting members are used to enable rapid assembly and disassembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of connection may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting members are pre-designed with guiding members that ensure proper alignment and electrical pads that ensure electrical connection. This preliminary design of the connection interface ensures that when pump units are connected, the connection is both easy to make and reliable in terms of both mechanical and electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting members act as intermediaries between pump units, providing a standardized interface that ensures reliable mechanical and electrical connection. The connecting members include guiding members for alignment and electrical pads for electrical connection, ensuring reliability while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3306083B1Pump, pump assembly and liquid cooling system
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 COOLER MASTER CO LTD
  • EP3306083B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3306083B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3306083B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pump assembly (1, 5, 6, 6') includes a plurality of pumps (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60). Each of the pumps (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) includes a pump body (100, 500), a first opening (102, 502), a second opening (104, 504), a first connecting member (106, 506) and a second connecting member (108, 508). The first opening (102, 502) and the second opening (104, 504) are located at a periphery of the pump body (100, 500). The first connecting member (106, 506) is disposed on the first opening (102, 502) and the second connecting member (108, 508) is disposed on the second opening (104, 504). The first connecting member (106, 506) of one of the pumps (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) is detachably connected to the second connecting member (108, 508) of another of the pumps (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60), such that each of the pumps (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) can be connected to any of the pumps (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60).