Programmable Expansion Slot Concatenation for Variable Card Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motherboard layouts do not accommodate non-standard size expansion cards effectively, leading to underutilization of expansion slots and limited installation of various peripheral components due to space and power constraints.
Innovation Solution
A main circuit board with programmable expansion slots that can accommodate expansion cards of different sizes and dimensions, using a programmable processor to regulate power and temperature based on the size and function of the connected cards, allowing for flexible configuration and operation of secondary expansion cards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional motherboard layouts with fixed expansion slots are used, then standard size expansion cards can be installed, but non-standard size expansion cards cannot be accommodated effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The motherboard is divided into multiple expansion slot regions with different configurations - full-size slots, half-size slots, and concatenated slot pairs. This segmentation allows different regions to accommodate different card sizes appropriately, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by providing specialized zones for different card types.
Solution Approach 2:
Expansion slots are designed with multi-functional capabilities - certain slots can operate independently or be concatenated with adjacent slots to form larger continuous spaces. This universality allows the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple purposes (standard cards, non-standard cards, large cards), improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If expansion slots are spaced closely together, then more slots can fit on the motherboard, but large expansion cards cannot be properly installed
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion slot system provides dynamic configurability where adjacent slots can be concatenated to form larger continuous spaces when needed. This dynamic adjustment allows the motherboard to adapt its effective slot configuration based on the size requirements of installed cards, enabling both high quantity and high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Smaller expansion cards can be installed in individual slots within a concatenated region, while larger cards can utilize multiple concatenated slots as a unified space. This nesting approach allows flexible utilization of slot space, maximizing the number of cards that can be installed while still accommodating non-standard sizes.
3Quantity of substance
If more expansion slots are provided on the motherboard, then more peripheral components can be installed, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different expansion slot regions are assigned different power management characteristics - certain slots support higher power consumption for demanding cards, while others are optimized for low-power cards. This local quality differentiation allows the system to support multiple cards with varying power requirements without uniformly increasing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply capabilities of expansion slots are made adjustable and configurable based on the specific cards installed. The system can dynamically allocate power resources, assigning higher power budgets to slots with power-hungry cards and lower budgets to slots with energy-efficient cards, thereby supporting more cards total while optimizing overall power consumption.
4Ease of manufacture
If expansion slots are configured for standard size cards only, then the motherboard layout is simple, but non-standard size cards cannot be installed
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion slot layout employs asymmetric design patterns with different slot types (full-size, half-size) and different spacing configurations in different regions of the motherboard. This asymmetric approach provides manufacturing simplicity through standardized components while achieving adaptability through strategic placement and concatenation capabilities that accommodate various card sizes.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a main circuit board includes a plurality of expansion slots that are operative to receive a corresponding plurality of expansion cards. The plurality of expansion slots include at least one first expansion slot configured at a first position on the main circuit board, that is operative to connect to at least one corresponding first expansion card. At least one second expansion slot configured at a second position on the main circuit board, and the second expansion slot is operative to connect to at least one corresponding second expansion card. The plurality of expansion cards includes at least one secondary expansion card that is different from the main circuit board and that is configured to be operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of expansion slots. One or more particular expansion slots are selected for connecting one or more corresponding particular expansion cards, based on the size, dimensions, and/or function of the particular expansion cards to be connected. A programmable processor is operative to selectively regulate power supplied to particular expansion slots.