Rack Connector Layout for Liquid-Cooled Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid-cooled electric units require a rack that can supply both electricity and cooling liquid while preventing cooling liquid from leaking onto electric connectors during attachment/detachment, which is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The rack design features electric and fluid connectors positioned differently in the horizontal cross-section, with electric connectors on the back panel and fluid connectors on the front, and includes a central strut with a passage to direct any leaks away from the electric connectors, along with a seal member to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electric connector and fluid connector are positioned at the same location for easy attachment/detachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cooling liquid may leak onto the electric connector causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is segmented into two distinct components: an electric connector for power supply and a fluid connector for cooling liquid supply. These connectors are positioned at different locations on the rack, with the electric connector on the back panel and the fluid connector on the front or side. This spatial segmentation ensures that even if one connector experiences leakage or malfunction, it cannot directly affect the other connector, thus preventing cooling liquid from contaminating electrical components while maintaining operational ease through standardized connector designs.
2Ease of repair
If the fluid connector is positioned to allow easy access for maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the risk of cooling liquid leaking onto the electric connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack employs an asymmetric layout where the fluid connector is positioned on the front or side panel while the electric connector is located on the back panel. This asymmetric arrangement provides several advantages: the fluid connector remains easily accessible from the front for maintenance and quick connection/disconnection operations, while the electric connector is protected on the back panel away from potential leakage paths. The asymmetric design creates natural spatial separation that prevents cooling liquid from reaching electrical components during maintenance operations.
3Volume of stationary object
If the connectors are arranged to minimize rack space usage, then the volume of the rack is reduced, but the risk of liquid leakage affecting electrical components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector arrangement utilizes three-dimensional spatial optimization by positioning connectors on different panels and at different heights within the rack structure. The electric connector is mounted on the back panel while the fluid connector is positioned on the front or side panel at a different vertical level. This multi-dimensional arrangement achieves compact space utilization without requiring increased horizontal separation, as the vertical and depth dimensions provide sufficient separation between the connectors. This approach minimizes the overall rack volume while maintaining effective isolation between electrical and fluid components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention provides a rack suitable for housing a liquid-cooled electric unit. A rack 2 comprises an electric connector 12 for supplying electricity to the housed electric unit 50, and a fluid connector 14 for supplying cooling liquid to the housed electric unit 50. The fluid connector 14 and the electric connector 12 are arranged at different positions in a horizontal cross section (plane) of the rack 2. More preferably, the electric connector 12 is mounted on a back panel 6 of the rack 2, while the fluid connector 14 is mounted on the foreside of the rack 2. Such a configuration makes it less likely that the cooling liquid leaked from the fluid connector 14 drips onto the electric connector 12.