System level structure for blind mating connections
A blind mating connection structure for servers is disclosed. On the server side, a connector module has fluid connectors to be blind mated to fluid connectors on rack manifolds in a server rack. The connector module is coupled to a sliding channel on the server. The connector module slides horizontally and vertically in response to movement of a positioning slider on the connector module. On the rack manifold side, a guiding module has an opening that receives the positioning slider when the server is installed in the server rack. The guiding module tapers down to a centering point midway between each rack manifold. As the server is slid into the server rack, the positioning slider follows the guiding module to the center point, moving the connector module into alignment with the fluid connectors on the rack manifold for blind mating.
1. A blind mating structure comprising:
a connector module configured to be coupled to a sliding channel on a server, the sliding channel configured to slide the connector module in a horizontal (x-axis) direction and a vertical (y-axis) direction, the connector module having:
one or more fluid connectors coupled to the connector module, a first end of each fluid connector of the one or more fluid connectors configured to be fluidly coupled to a coolant line within the server, and a second end of each fluid connector configured to be blind mated to one of one or more corresponding fluid connectors of one or more coolant distribution manifolds in a server rack when the server is installed into the server rack, and
a positioning slider coupled to the connector module, the positioning slider configured to apply horizontal force, vertical force, or both horizontal and vertical force, to the connector module as the server is installed into the server rack; and
a guiding module, configured to be coupled to the one or more coolant distribution manifolds, the guiding module having a tapered portion with an opening at a first end of the guiding module, and the guiding module tapering from the first end to a centering point at a second end of the guiding module,
wherein the positioning slider applies the horizontal force, the vertical force, or both the horizontal and the vertical force to the connector module in response to the positioning slider contacting the tapered portion of the guiding module during installation of the server into the server rack.
2. The blind mating structure of claim 1 , wherein the centering point is located in alignment with a center of the first end, wherein the tapered portion is configured to receive the positioning slider from the connector module of the server being inserted into the server rack, and wherein the tapered portion is configured to guide the positioning slider toward the centering point at the second end of the guiding module as the server is inserted further into the server rack, thereby aligning the one or more fluid connectors on the connector module of the server with the one or more fluid connectors on the one or more coolant distribution manifolds.
3. The blind mating structure of claim 1 , further comprising a support frame that couples the sliding channel to the server.
4. The blind mating structure of claim 1 , wherein the positioning slider comprises a ball head.
5. The blind mating structure of claim 1 , wherein a head portion of the positioning slider is shaped to be received by the tapered portion of the guiding module at the centering point of the guiding module.
6. The blind mating structure of claim 1 , wherein the sliding channel comprises roller bearings or ball bearings.
7. The blind mating structure of claim 1 , wherein a length of the positioning slider is determined by a length of the one or more fluid connectors coupled to the connector module, a length of the one or more corresponding fluid connectors on the coolant distribution manifold, a depth of engagement of the one or more fluid connectors coupled to the connector module with one or more corresponding fluid connectors on the coolant distribution manifold, and a depth of the guiding module coupled to the coolant distribution manifold.
8. The blind mating structure of claim 1 , wherein the positioning slider is replaceable at the connector module, with a different length or different shape of positioning slider.
9. The blind mating structure of claim 1 , further comprising an elastic connection fitted between the guiding module and the one or more coolant distribution manifolds, such that, in response to the positioning slider of the server being in contact with the centering point while the server is being inserted further into the server rack, the elastic connection is compressed, moving the centering point further away from the first end of the guiding module.
10. The blind mating structure of claim 1 , wherein an orientation of the one or more fluid connectors upon the connector module is selectable or adjustable.
11. The blind mating structure of claim 10 , wherein a distance between a center of the positioning slider on the connector module to a location of each of the one or more fluid connectors on the connector module is adjustable.
12. The blind mating structure of claim 1 , wherein the centering point comprises a flexible detent that at least partially secures a ball head of the positioning slider to the centering point when the one or more fluid connectors on the one or more coolant distribution manifolds and corresponding fluid connectors on the connector module are blind mated.
13. An electronic rack, comprising:
a plurality of coolant distribution manifolds, each comprising one or more fluid connectors;
a server, the server including:
a cooling module having a coolant supply line, a coolant return line, and a heat transfer unit, wherein a first end of the coolant supply line and a first end of the coolant return line are coupled to the heat transfer unit;
a connector module coupled to a sliding channel that is coupled to the server, the sliding channel configured to slide the connector module in a horizontal (x-axis) direction and a vertical (y-axis) direction, the connector module having:
a plurality of fluid connectors coupled to the connector module, wherein each fluid connector of the plurality of fluid connectors is coupled to either a second end of the coolant supply line or a second end of the coolant return line, and each fluid connector is configured to blind mate to one of a plurality of corresponding fluid connectors on a coolant distribution manifold of the plurality of coolant distribution manifolds in the electronic rack, and
a positioning slider coupled to the connector module, the positioning slider configured to apply a horizontal force (x-axis), a vertical force (y-axis), or both a horizontal and a vertical force to the connector module; and
a guiding module, coupled to the plurality of coolant distribution manifolds, the guiding module having a tapered portion with an opening at a first end of the guiding module and the guiding module tapering from the first end to a centering point at a second end of the guiding module,
wherein the positioning slider applies the horizontal force, the vertical force, or both the horizontal and the vertical force to the connector module in response to the positioning slider contacting the tapered portion of the guiding module during installation of the server into the electronic rack.
14. The electronic rack of claim 13 , further comprising an elastic connection fitted between the guiding module and the plurality of coolant distribution manifolds such that, in response to the positioning slider of the server being in contact with the centering point while the server is being inserted further into the electronic rack, the elastic connection is compressed, moving the centering point further away from the first end of the guiding module.
15. The electronic rack of claim 13 , wherein the centering point is located in alignment with a center of the first end, wherein the tapered portion is configured to receive the positioning slider from the connector module of the server being inserted into the electronic rack, and wherein the tapered portion is configured to guide the positioning slider toward the centering point at the second end of the guiding module as the server is inserted further into the electronic rack, thereby sliding the connector module and aligning the plurality of fluid connectors on the connector module of the server with the plurality of corresponding fluid connectors on the plurality of coolant distribution manifolds.
16. The electronic rack of claim 13 , wherein a length of the positioning slider is determined by a length of the plurality of fluid connectors coupled to the connector module, a length of the plurality of corresponding fluid connectors on the coolant distribution manifold, and a depth of the guiding module coupled to the plurality of coolant distribution manifolds.
17. The electronic rack of claim 16 , wherein a width or diameter of the positioning slider is determined by the length of the positioning slider and a magnitude of the horizontal force and a magnitude of the vertical force imposed upon the positioning slider as the server is inserted into the electronic rack.
18. The electronic rack of claim 13 , wherein the positioning slider is replaceable at the connector module with a different length or different shape of positioning slider.
19. The electronic rack of claim 13 , wherein a head portion of the positioning slider is shaped to be received by the tapered portion of the guiding module at the centering point of the guiding module, and wherein an orientation and location of the one or more fluid connectors on the connector module is selectable or adjustable.
20. The electronic rack of claim 13 , wherein the centering point comprises a flexible detent that partially secures a ball head of the positioning slider to the centering point when the one or more fluid connectors on the plurality of coolant distribution manifolds and corresponding fluid connectors on the connector module are blind mated.