Phase conversion device

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a phase conversion device including: at least one base portion provided to extend in a longitudinal direction and having a first circuit pattern formed on one surface; a pair of ground walls extending from both lateral sides of each of the at least one base portion in a direction parallel to a height direction perpendicular to the at least one base portion; a pair of pattern walls provided so as to protrude from one surface of each of the at least one base portion in a direction parallel to the height direction, at least one surface of each of the pair of pattern walls having a second circuit pattern formed thereon, the second circuit pattern being electrically connected to the first circuit pattern; and a pair of dielectrics provided to be movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, at least a portion of each of the pair of dielectrics being disposed between each of the pair of ground walls and each of the pair of pattern walls.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a phase conversion device. BACKGROUND

[0002] The contents described in this section are only for providing background information of the present disclosure and do not constitute the prior art.

[0003] An antenna device has the highest coverage efficiency when forming a beam in a horizontal direction, but in some cases, the angle of the beam needs to be adjusted to a vertical direction due to interference or loss, etc. At this time, the beam needs to be adjusted to the vertical direction of the antenna device by a mechanical beam tilting method or an electronic beam tilting method.

[0004] The mechanical beam tilting method is a method of adjusting the angle of the beam by directly tilting the antenna device downward. Although this method is relatively simple, it is somewhat inconvenient due to various reasons such as the need for on-site access by an operator and the need to cut off the power during the operation process.

[0005] The electronic beam tilting method is a method based on a multi-line phase shifter (MLPS). Specifically, the electronic beam tilting method adjusts the angle of the beam by introducing signals having different phases to a plurality of radiating elements arranged in a vertical direction.

[0006] In order to implement the electronic beam tilting method, the antenna device can have a phase conversion device. The phase conversion device generates a phase difference between an input signal and an output signal by appropriately delaying the input signal. At this time, the delay of the input signal can be achieved by changing the length of a transmission line or the signal transmission speed within the transmission line.

[0007] In addition, recently, as a base station or a repeater of a mobile communication system, a multi-band frequency antenna device capable of providing various frequency band services is widely used. However, the multi-band antenna device needs to individually adjust the phases of various frequency bands. Therefore, the antenna device needs to have more phase conversion devices, so the phase conversion device needs to be more miniaturized and lightened.

[0008] In this case, if a dielectric is placed on a pattern of a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) as in the prior art, the permittivity can be quite high, and additional materials such as ceramic elements need to be arranged, which can cause problems such as an increase in the overall cost and weight of the device. SUMMARY

[0009] (I) Technical problem to be solved

[0010] Thus, the present disclosure aims to provide a phase conversion device that minimizes the influence on antenna elements by arranging the antenna elements and dielectrics away from each other while making full use of the ground surface of the antenna elements, and that also has a benefit in terms of process, to solve the above-described problems.

[0011] (II) Technical Solution

[0012] To achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a phase conversion device is provided, including: at least one base portion provided to extend in a longitudinal direction and having a first circuit pattern formed on one face; a pair of ground walls extending from both lateral sides of each of the at least one base portion in a direction parallel to a height direction perpendicular to the at least one base portion; a pair of pattern walls provided to project from one face of each of the at least one base portion in a direction parallel to the height direction, at least one face of each of the pair of pattern walls having a second circuit pattern electrically connected to the first circuit pattern formed thereon; and a pair of dielectrics provided to be movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, at least a portion of each of the pair of dielectrics being arranged between each of the pair of ground walls and each of the pair of pattern walls.

[0013] (III) Advantageous Effects

[0014] As described above, according to the present embodiment, by arranging the antenna elements and dielectrics away from each other while making full use of the ground surface of the antenna elements, the influence on the antenna elements is minimized, and there is also a benefit in terms of process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is an assembled perspective view of a phase conversion device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and is an enlarged view of a part of the configuration.

[0016] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a part of a phase conversion device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the phase conversion device of Figure 1 cut along the A-A' direction.

[0018] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the phase conversion device of Figure 1 cut along the B-B' direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When referring to the drawings, like reference numerals will be used for like elements throughout the several embodiments. Also, it should be noted that, in the specification, known elements or functions are not described in detail since they can obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. Thus, the detailed description of such known elements is not provided herein.

[0020] In describing the elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms first, second, i), ii), a), b), etc. can be used. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another element, and do not limit the nature, order or sequence of the elements. Throughout the specification, if an element "includes" or "comprises" another element, it can be understood that the element also includes the other element, unless otherwise specified, rather than excluding the other element.

[0021] Figure 1 is an assembled perspective view of a phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and is an enlarged view of a part of the configuration.

[0022] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a part of a phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the phase shifter of Figure 1 cut along the A-A' direction.

[0024] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the phase shifter of Figure 1 cut along the B-B' direction.

[0025] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 , a phase shifter 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes all or a part of at least one base portion 100, a pair of ground walls 120, at least one radiation element 140, a pair of pattern walls 150, a pair of dielectrics 160, at least one disengagement prevention unit 180, a drive unit 200, and a pair of guide units 250.

[0026] The at least one base portion 100 is provided to extend in a longitudinal direction and one face is formed with a first circuit pattern 105. Here, the longitudinal direction can mean a direction parallel to the X-axis. Figure 1 and Figure 2 for example, a direction parallel to the X-axis.

[0027] The first circuit pattern 105 can be connected to at least one input port (not shown) and a plurality of output ports (not shown). Also, the first circuit pattern 105 can receive an antenna signal from an antenna cable for providing a mobile path of the antenna signal.

[0028] Figure 2 One example is illustrated in which one face of the at least one base portion 100 is formed with the first circuit pattern 105, but the shape of the first circuit pattern 105 is not limited to Figure 2 as shown.

[0029] Further, Figure 1 and Figure 2 It is illustrated that the at least one base portion 100 includes two base portions 100 provided to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, and the at least one base portion 100 can also be composed of one or more, for example, at least three.

[0030] Hereinafter, the at least one base portion 100 will be mainly described as one or two. However, even if the at least one base portion 100 is composed of a plurality, for example, at least three, the following contents can be applied thereto.

[0031] For example, if Figure 1 and Figure 2 the two base portions 100 illustrated are defined as a group, a plurality of groups can be arranged in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Here, the lateral direction can mean a direction parallel to the Y-axis. Figure 1 and Figure 2 for example, a direction parallel to the Y-axis.

[0032] A pair of ground walls 120 extends from both sides of the lateral direction of each of the at least one base portion 100 in a direction parallel to a height direction perpendicular to the at least one base portion 100. Here, the height direction can mean a direction parallel to the Z-axis. Figure 1 and Figure 2 for example, a direction parallel to the Z-axis.

[0033] In addition, preferably, each of the at least one base portion 100 is integrally formed with the pair of ground walls 120. At this time, the lateral thickness of the pair of ground walls 120 is the same as the thickness of the height direction of the at least one base portion 100, but is not limited thereto.

[0034] A pair of pattern walls 150 is protrusively arranged from one face of each of the at least one base portion 100 in a direction parallel to the height direction. At least one face of each of the pair of pattern walls 150 can be formed with a second circuit pattern 155 electrically connected with the first circuit pattern 105.

[0035] For example, the pair of pattern walls 150 can extend in the longitudinal direction, and be thin walls having the same lateral thickness as the lateral thickness of the pair of ground walls 120, but is not limited thereto.

[0036] Further, the second circuit pattern 155 can be formed on the faces of the pair of pattern walls 150 facing each other, and electrically connected with the first circuit pattern 105, in which case at least a portion of the second circuit pattern 155 extends in the height direction, and the other at least a portion can extend in the longitudinal direction.

[0037] In addition, preferably, each of the at least one base portion 100 and the pair of pattern walls 150 can be integrally formed. In this case, the pair of ground walls 120 and the pair of pattern walls 150 can be integrally formed with each of the at least one base portion 100 by a PEP (Plastic Electro-Plating) process.

[0038] If the PEP process is used, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) need not be additionally used, a panel of a plastic material can be formed with a circuit pattern, and injection-molded as an integral structure. Thus, it is possible to reduce the overall weight and cost of the phase conversion device 10.

[0039] The at least one radiating element 140 is fixed to one face of each of the at least one base portion 100, and arranged between the pair of pattern walls 150. The at least one radiating element 140 can emit and receive electric waves, and emit high frequency and low frequency signals.

[0040] The at least one radiating element 140 can include a plurality of radiating elements 140, in which case the plurality of radiating elements 140 are arranged in the longitudinal direction at the same pitch in each of the at least one base portion 100.

[0041] A pair of dielectrics 160 is provided to be movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, in which at least a portion of each of the pair of dielectrics 160 is arranged between each of the pair of ground walls 120 and each of the pair of pattern walls 150.

[0042] A pair of pattern walls 150 are formed on different base portions 100, and at least a portion of each of a pair of dielectrics 160 is longitudinally movable between each of a pair of ground walls 120 and each of a pair of pattern walls 150, and the contact position of the dielectric with respect to the circuit pattern can be changed. Thus, the electrical length of a transmission line that transmits an electrical signal can be shortened or lengthened, and the phase difference between signals can be adjusted.

[0043] Further, the phase adjustment can be achieved without using a mobile circuit substrate, and the overall size of the phase conversion device 10 can be reduced in terms of structure.

[0044] In addition, in order to effectively adjust the phase difference, a pair of pattern walls 150 are arranged spaced apart in a direction parallel to the lateral direction, and each of the pair of pattern walls 150 can be disposed close to each of a pair of ground walls 120.

[0045] Further, each of a pair of dielectrics 160 can be provided to wrap at least a portion of each of a pair of pattern walls 150. At this time, at least a portion of the pair of pattern walls 150 can be shielded by the pair of dielectrics 160 when viewed from above in the height direction. Here, the pair of dielectrics 160 can be arranged spaced apart from each of the at least one base portion 100 in a direction parallel to the height direction.

[0046] In the related art, when the dielectric is disposed parallel to the base surface from the ground plane, the area occupied by the dielectric becomes large, and there is a problem in that the element is affected by the dielectric. Also, if a structure in which the dielectric is placed on the pattern of the PCB is used, the permittivity is relatively high, and a substance such as a ceramic element needs to be additionally provided, which can increase the overall cost and weight of the phase conversion device.

[0047] According to the phase conversion device 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the base portion 100 and the pair of dielectrics 160 can be further arranged spaced apart, and the dielectric 160 is not disposed on the ground wall 120, and thus the problems of the related art can be overcome.

[0048] In addition, with reference to Figure 3 With reference to each of a pair of pattern walls 150, at least a portion of a first free end 162 of each of a pair of dielectrics 160 on a longitudinal side closer to each of a pair of ground walls 120 is closer to the at least one base portion 100 than a second free end 164 on the other longitudinal side.

[0049] More specifically, at least a portion of the first free end 162 is arranged at a position corresponding to a height of the second circuit pattern 155, and the second free end 164 can be arranged at an upper portion of the second circuit pattern 155 in the height direction. Thus, interference of the dielectric with respect to the contact of the circuit pattern can be prevented.

[0050] In addition, at least one anti-falling portion 180 is fixed to one face of each of the at least one base portion 100 and is arranged between the pair of dielectrics 160. At least a portion of the at least one anti-falling portion 180 is located at an upper portion of the pair of dielectrics 160 in the height direction, so that falling of the pair of dielectrics 160 in the height direction can be prevented.

[0051] Preferably, the at least one anti-falling portion 180 is fixed to one face of each of the at least one base portion 100 and does not overlap the first circuit pattern 105.

[0052] In addition, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the driving portion 200 is arranged at a longitudinal side of the at least one base portion 100, and a pair of guide portions 250 are arranged at intervals in a lateral direction and can move back and forth in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction by driving of the driving portion 200.

[0053] At this time, each of the pair of dielectrics 160 is connected to each of the pair of guide portions 250 and can move back and forth in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction by movement of the pair of guide portions 250. Thus, at least a portion of each of the pair of dielectrics 160 can stably move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction between each of the pair of ground walls 120 and the pair of pattern walls 150.

[0054] More specifically, the driving portion 200 can include a motor 202 arranged to rotate in a direction parallel to the lateral direction as a motor shaft and at least one pinion gear unit 204 arranged to rotate in a direction parallel to the motor shaft as a center axis by rotation of the motor 202.

[0055] The phase conversion device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 4 , in which a pair of guide portions 250 receive driving force transmitted from one motor 202 and move the pair of dielectrics 160. Thus, it is not necessary to perform operations such as taking out the at least one base portion 100 and the pair of ground walls 120 to secure a movement path of the pair of dielectrics 160.

[0056] Figure 2 and Figure 4The at least one pinion portion 204 is composed of two pinion portions 204 disposed transversely and spaced apart from each other, but the number of pinion portions 204 is not limited thereto and can be composed of one pinion portion 204.

[0057] Each of the pair of guide portions 250 can include a rack gear unit 254 formed at a lower portion in the height direction for converting the rotational motion of the at least one pinion portion 204 into linear motion. Accordingly, the pair of guide portions 250 can move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction along with the rotational motion of the motor 202, and thus the pair of dielectrics 160 can also move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0058] Further, in order to stably connect each of the pair of guide portions 250 to each of the pair of dielectrics 160, each of the pair of dielectrics 160 includes at least one coupling protrusion 165, and each of the pair of guide portions 250 can include at least one coupling hole 255 for coupling with the at least one coupling protrusion 165.

[0059] At this time, the at least one coupling protrusion 165 is formed at an upper portion in the height direction of each of the pair of dielectrics 160, and the at least one coupling hole 255 can be formed at at least one side in the longitudinal direction of each of the pair of guide portions 250.

[0060] Preferably, the number of the at least one coupling protrusion 165 and the number of the at least one coupling hole 255 are the same. For example, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 the at least one coupling protrusion 165 and the at least one coupling hole 255 can each be composed of three, but are not limited thereto.

[0061] In addition, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 when the at least one base portion 100 includes a plurality of base portions 100 disposed longitudinally and spaced apart from each other, the driving portion 200 can be disposed between the plurality of base portions 100. Also, the pair of guide portions 250 can be disposed spaced apart from one face of the plurality of base portions 100 in a direction parallel to the height direction in order to extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction without affecting the first circuit pattern 105.

[0062] At this time, at least a portion of the pair of guide portions 250 can be blocked by the pair of ground walls 120 included in each of the plurality of base portions 100, as viewed from the transverse side.

[0063] The pair of guide portions 250 can be disposed close to the pair of ground walls 120 without interference, and in this case, in order to secure movement of the pair of guide portions 250 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, the pair of pattern walls 150 can have a length of extension in the longitudinal direction that is smaller than a length of extension in the longitudinal direction of the pair of ground walls 120.

[0064] In addition, the pair of guide portions 250, as a member for guiding movement of the pair of dielectrics 160, preferably uses a material that does not cause any influence on the circuit pattern and the dielectric.

[0065] In addition, when the at least one base portion 100 includes a plurality of base portions 100 disposed at intervals in the longitudinal direction, the phase conversion device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can further include an upper portion connecting unit 300 disposed between the plurality of base portions 100 for connecting the plurality of base portions 100.

[0066] For example, the upper portion connecting unit 300 can be detachably connected to an upper surface in the height direction of each of the pair of guide portions 250, and when the upper portion connecting unit 300 is mounted to the upper surface in the height direction of each of the pair of guide portions 250, the plurality of base portions 100 can form a set of phase conversion devices. In this case, the components of the phase conversion device 10 can be more easily moved and replaced.

[0067] In addition, when the plurality of base portions 100 form a set, it is obvious that a plurality of sets of phase conversion devices can be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction.

[0068] For example, referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 it can be seen that even if the illustrated phase conversion device 10 is excluded, the increased phase conversion device 10 can be arranged on both sides in the lateral direction.

[0069] Among them, observing an example of the phase conversion device 10 arranged in the positive direction of the Y axis, the illustrated base portion 100 is arranged to be biased to the negative direction of the Y axis with the center of the pinion portion 204 as a reference, and the positive direction of the Y axis can be arranged with a base portion 100 different from the biased side. In this case, the number of pinion portions 204 can be increased, and the position of the motor 202 can be further moved in the positive direction of the Y axis.

[0070] In addition, when a plurality of sets of phase conversion devices are increased in the longitudinal direction, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 the longitudinal direction of both base portions 100 illustrated on one side or both sides can be increased with the driving portion 200, the pair of guide portions 250, and the upper portion connecting unit 300.

[0071] The above description is merely intended for illustrating the technical idea of the present embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Therefore, the present embodiment is intended for explaining the present disclosure, not for limiting the technical idea of the present embodiment, and the scope of the technical idea of the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope of protection of the present embodiment will be interpreted according to the claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope thereof should be interpreted as belonging to the scope of protection of the present embodiment.

[0072] [Explanation of reference numerals] 10: phase conversion device, 100: base portion, 105: first circuit pattern, 120: ground wall, 140: radiating element, 150: pattern wall, 155: second circuit pattern, 160: dielectric, 162: first free end, 164: second free end, 165: bonding protrusion, 180: anti-falling portion, 200: driving portion, 202: motor, 204: pinion portion, 250: guide portion, 254: rack and pinion portion, 255: bonding hole, 300: upper connection portion

[0073] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS]

[0074] This patent application claims priority to Patent Application No. 10-2023-0055220 filed on April 27, 2023, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. A phase conversion device, characterized by Comprising: at least one base portion provided to extend in a longitudinal direction and one side of which is formed with a first circuit pattern; a pair of ground walls extending from each of the at least one base portion in a direction parallel to a height direction perpendicular to the at least one base portion in a transverse direction; a pair of pattern walls provided to project from one side of each of the at least one base portion in a direction parallel to the height direction, at least one side of each of the pair of pattern walls being formed with a second circuit pattern electrically connected to the first circuit pattern; and a pair of dielectrics provided to be movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, at least a portion of each of the pair of dielectrics being disposed between each of the pair of ground walls and each of the pair of pattern walls.

2. The phase conversion device according to claim 1, wherein: the pair of pattern walls are disposed apart from each other in a direction parallel to the transverse direction, each of the pair of pattern walls is disposed close to each of the pair of ground walls.

3. The phase conversion device according to claim 1, wherein: the pair of dielectrics are disposed apart from each of the at least one base portion in a direction parallel to the height direction, respectively, each of the pair of dielectrics is provided to wrap at least a portion of each of the pair of pattern walls.

4. The phase conversion device according to claim 3, wherein: at least a portion of a first free end of each of the pair of dielectrics on a longitudinal one side thereof is closer to the at least one base portion than a second free end on a longitudinal other side thereof with reference to each of the pair of pattern walls, the longitudinal one side being a side of each of the pair of dielectrics close to each of the pair of ground walls.

5. The phase conversion device according to claim 4, wherein: at least a portion of the first free end is disposed at a position corresponding to a height at which the second circuit pattern is formed, in the height direction, the second free end is disposed at an upper portion of the second circuit pattern.

6. The phase conversion device according to claim 1, wherein: the pair of ground walls and the pair of pattern walls are integrally formed with each of the at least one base portion by a plastic plating process. Further comprising:

7. The phase conversion device of claim 1, wherein, a driving portion disposed on the longitudinal one side of the at least one base portion; and a pair of guide portions disposed apart from each other in the transverse direction and provided to be movable back and forth in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction with driving of the driving portion, each of the pair of dielectrics is connected to each of the pair of guide portions and provided to be movable back and forth in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction with movement of the pair of guide portions.

8. The phase conversion device according to claim 7, wherein: the driving portion includes: a motor provided to rotate with a motor shaft in a direction parallel to the transverse direction; and at least one pinion portion provided to rotate with a center axis in a direction parallel to the motor shaft with rotation of the motor, ​ ​ Each of the pair of guide portions includes a rack gear portion formed at a lower portion in the height direction for converting rotational motion of the at least one pinion gear portion into linear motion.

9. The phase conversion device according to claim 7, wherein Each of the pair of dielectrics includes at least one coupling protrusion formed at an upper portion in the height direction, Each of the pair of guide portions includes at least one coupling hole formed at at least one side in the longitudinal direction for coupling with the at least one coupling protrusion.

10. The phase conversion device according to claim 7, wherein The at least one base portion includes a plurality of base portions disposed at intervals with each other in the longitudinal direction, The driving portion is disposed between the plurality of base portions, The pair of guide portions extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction and is disposed at intervals with one face of the plurality of base portions in a direction parallel to the height direction.

11. The phase conversion device according to claim 10, further comprising an upper connecting portion detachably coupled to an upper portion in the height direction of each of the pair of guide portions for connecting the plurality of base portions.

12. The phase conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one anti-falling portion fixed to one face of each of the at least one base portion and disposed between the pair of dielectrics, At least a portion of each of the at least one anti-falling portion is disposed at an upper portion in the height direction of the pair of dielectrics to prevent the pair of dielectrics from falling in the height direction.

13. The phase conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one radiating element fixed to one face of each of the at least one base portion and disposed between the pair of pattern walls. ​ ​ ​

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