Server Circuitry for Voltage-Based Board Insertion and Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional server devices require numerous signal lines to detect the connection status and position of detachable circuit boards, leading to increased circuit area and complexity, which affects performance.
Innovation Solution
A server device design that uses a first circuit board with connectors and circuit components, a second circuit board with a controller and resistor circuits, and third circuit boards with connectors and resistors, allowing the controller to determine insertion status and position by detecting voltages on input terminals through resistor circuits and connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of signal lines are used to detect connection status and insertion position of circuit boards, then detection capability is improved, but circuit area and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions (connection status detection and insertion position detection) into a single voltage detection mechanism. By using a voltage divider circuit formed by the resistor on the circuit board and the pull-down resistor on the main board, the system simultaneously determines both whether a circuit board is connected and its insertion position through a single voltage reading, eliminating the need for separate signal lines for each detection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage detection mechanism serves multiple purposes: it detects connection status, determines insertion position, and identifies the specific slot occupied by the circuit board. This universal detection approach allows a single signal line to perform what previously required multiple dedicated signal lines, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If more signal lines are used to detect insertion position of circuit boards, then position detection accuracy is improved, but circuit area expands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using multiple signal lines in the horizontal dimension to using voltage level differentiation in the electrical dimension. By assigning different resistance values to different insertion positions, the system encodes position information in the voltage magnitude, allowing position detection without increasing the number of physical signal lines required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes in resistance values to encode position information. Each insertion position corresponds to a specific resistance value, which in turn produces a unique voltage level when connected through the voltage divider circuit. This parameter-based encoding allows accurate position detection while minimizing the physical circuit area required for signal transmission.
3Reliability
If numerous signal lines are implemented for circuit board detection, then detection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential detection information (connection status and position) and represents it through a single voltage parameter rather than multiple signal lines. This extraction simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of signal lines that need to be routed, connected, and tested, while maintaining detection reliability through the robust voltage-based detection mechanism.
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
Reduces the need for signal lines and circuit area while effectively determining the correct insertion and position of detachable circuit boards, enhancing the server device's performance.
Implementation Method 1
The third circuit boards respectively have a plurality of second connectors and a plurality of first resistors, the first resistors are respectively coupled to the second connectors... The controller determines an insertion status of each third circuit board by detecting voltages on the input terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A server device includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a plurality of third circuit boards. The first circuit board has a plurality of first connectors and a plurality of circuit components, and the circuit components are respectively coupled to the first connectors. The second circuit board has a controller and a plurality of resistor circuits, and a plurality of input terminals of the controller are respectively coupled to the resistor circuits. The third circuit boards respectively have a plurality of second connectors and a plurality of first resistors, the first resistors are respectively coupled to the second connectors, the second connectors are respectively detachably coupled to the first connectors, and the third circuit boards are respectively coupled to the input terminals of the controller. The controller determines an insertion status of each third circuit board by detecting voltages on the input terminals.