Floating Joint Retainer With Rolling Assembly for Radial Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connection devices between server components in water cooling systems experience high frictional forces due to normal forces applied by springs, making it difficult for adaptor joints to displace radially and maintain a stable position relative to fixed retainers, which complicates assembly and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A floating joint and retainer connection device with a rolling assembly that reduces friction by allowing the adaptor joint to roll relative to the fixed retainer, using a spring to apply normal forces while minimizing radial friction through a rolling assembly and fixing element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a spring applies normal force to clamp the adaptor joint to the fixed retainer, then the adaptor joint can stay at a fixed position after radial displacement, but the frictional force between the adaptor joint and fixed retainer becomes too large, making it difficult to displace radially
Solution Approach 1:
A rolling assembly is introduced as an intermediary element between the adaptor joint and the fixed retainer. This rolling assembly reduces the frictional force by converting sliding friction into rolling friction, allowing the adaptor joint to be displaced radially more easily while still maintaining stable positioning when clamped by the spring's normal force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct sliding contact mechanism with a rolling contact mechanism. By substituting the traditional sliding interface with a rolling assembly, the system reduces frictional resistance and enables smoother radial displacement of the adaptor joint while maintaining the clamping function of the spring.
2Ease of operation
If the frictional force is reduced to enable radial displacement, then the adaptor joint can be assembled more easily, but the adaptor joint may not stay stably at the desired position
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the balance between friction and displacement ease. During assembly, the rolling assembly allows easy radial displacement with reduced friction. Once positioned, the spring's normal force engages with the rolling assembly to provide sufficient friction and normal force to hold the adaptor joint stably at the desired position, achieving both ease of operation and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling assembly serves as a mediator that enables both easy displacement and stable positioning. It allows the adaptor joint to move radially with minimal friction during assembly, then transitions to providing sufficient resistance to hold the joint stably when the spring applies clamping force, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and position stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If guide stem and guide block are provided to correct radial tolerance, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the guide stem and guide block components from the traditional design. Instead of using separate guiding components, the invention integrates the radial tolerance correction function into the rolling assembly and adaptor joint structure itself, thereby reducing device complexity and space occupation while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling assembly serves multiple functions: it corrects radial tolerance during assembly, enables easy radial displacement, reduces friction, and maintains stable positioning. By making the rolling assembly multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate guide stem and guide block components, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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 device enables smooth radial displacement and stable positioning of the adaptor joint relative to the fixed retainer, reducing wear and facilitating efficient assembly by minimizing frictional forces.
Implementation Method 1
a rolling assembly, which rolls to reduce a frictional force between an adaptor joint and a fixed retainer when the adaptor joint is displaced radially relative to the fixed retainer
Implementation Method 2
The normal force comes from a preloaded spring disposed between the adaptor joint and the fixed retainer
Data Source
AI summary
A floating joint and retainer connection device includes a fixed retainer internally defines a receiving space; an adaptor joint having an end extending through the receiving space to an outer side of the fixed retainer and an axially limiting section formed near another end; a fixing element fitted on the adaptor joint and located outside the fixed retainer for limiting the adaptor joint from moving axially while allowing the adaptor joint to displace radially relative to the fixed retainer; a rolling assembly disposed adjoining the fixed retainer; and a spring located in the receiving space and fitted on the adaptor joint with two ends pressed against the axially limiting section and the fixed retainer or the rolling assembly. When the rolling assembly rolls to displace radially relative to the fixed retainer, a radial frictional force produced by a normal force applied by the spring to the fixed retainer is reduced.