Server Water Cooling Metal Hose Silicon Casing Leakage Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current water cooling modules in servers experience water leakage or spray at the silicon hose connections between the radiator and cold plate, posing a risk to electronic components due to the use of clips, which are ineffective in preventing damage.

Innovation Solution

The system employs metal hoses connected to the radiator using silicon casings only at the ends, with a waterproof spray plate to deflect water spray and a tray to collect any leakage, directing it outside the chassis to prevent damage to electronic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If clips are used to affix silicon hoses to the radiator or cold plate, then the hoses are secured in place, but water leakage or water spray occurs at the joint

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose attachment strengthVSAvoidwaterproof reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the clip component entirely from the hose attachment system. Instead of using clips that create leakage points, the invention uses silicon casings that directly enclose and seal the metal hose ends to the radiator or cold plate, eliminating the source of water leakage while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction by combining metal hoses with silicon casings. The silicon casing material provides sealing and waterproofing properties that complement the metal hose, creating a joint that is both mechanically strong and leak-free. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between attachment strength and waterproof reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If silicon hoses are used to connect radiator and cold plate, then flexibility is provided, but water leakage or spray occurs at the connection points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection flexibilityVSAvoidwater spray damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses silicon casings that function as flexible sealing shells. These casings maintain the flexibility needed for thermal expansion and vibration while providing a sealed enclosure around the hose connections. The flexible silicon material prevents water spray escape while accommodating mechanical movements, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and harmful water spray.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If metal hoses are used instead of silicon hoses, then structural integrity is improved, but water leakage risk increases at connection points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose structural integrityVSAvoidconnection waterproof reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the silicon casing encloses the metal hose end and the connection interface. The silicon casing acts as an outer protective layer that seals the metal hose connection, preventing water leakage while allowing the metal hose to maintain its structural integrity. This nested configuration resolves the contradiction by combining the strengths of both materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3518640B1Server water cooling modules prevent water leakage device
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 QUANTA COMPUTER INC
  • EP3518640B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3518640B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3518640B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This disclosure relates to connecting a metal hose between a radiator and a cold plate that cools a CPU, or similar electronic heat generating component, whereby the metal hose is connected to the radiator with silicon casings. Waterproof spray plates are also provided to direct any water spray away from the electronic components. A water tray beneath the waterproof spray plates collects any water and directs it to a location outside the chassis.