An integrated antenna assembly and antenna array

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of base station antenna manufacturing, and provides an integrated antenna assembly and antenna array, wherein the integrated antenna assembly includes a feed network module and an antenna unit radiation sheet; the feed network module includes: a bracket, a feed network spring sheet and a reflector spring sheet; both sides of the reflector spring sheet are provided with isolation walls perpendicular to the reflector spring sheet; one side of the bracket is provided with a groove with the same shape as the feed network spring sheet, the feed network spring sheet is fitted in the groove, and the depth of the groove is greater than the thickness of the feed network spring sheet; the reflector spring sheet is provided on the other side of the bracket; wherein the feed network spring sheet and the reflector spring sheet are integrally formed with the bracket by injection molding. An integrated antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application requires few parts, has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, does not require welding, is easy to automate, has a low production cost, and is suitable for large-scale and efficient production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of base station antenna manufacturing, and in particular to an integrated antenna assembly and an antenna array. Background Art

[0002] With the advent of the 5G era, 4G antennas are gradually transitioning to 5G antennas. Massive MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) array antenna technology is one of the key technologies for upgrading 4G antennas to 5G antennas. In 4G antennas, MIMO antennas are generally 2T2R or 8T8R. After 5G is upgraded to Massive MIMO technology, antennas will be arranged in the form of large-scale array antennas. Currently, 64T64R or 32T32R are mainly used, which leads to a substantial increase in the demand for antenna components.

[0003] At present, 5G Massive MIMO antennas usually adopt the following two structural solutions. The first is that PCB vibrators or sheet metal stamping vibrators are welded on the feed network board made of high-frequency PCB. The antenna components made by this welding method have more solder joints on each vibrator, resulting in unstable consistency of each port after array formation. At the same time, the welding process takes a long time, resulting in low production efficiency of antenna components. The second is to perform selective electroplating or laser direct forming technology on the plastic injection molding structure to obtain an antenna solution with an integrated vibrator and feed network. However, the antenna line of this method requires a large amount of laser engraving or electroplating, the process is difficult, the yield is uneven, and the equipment cost investment is large. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to provide an antenna with few parts, simple structure, easy assembly, no need for welding, easy automation and low cost, the present application provides an integrated antenna assembly and antenna array.

[0005] A first aspect of the present application provides an integrated antenna assembly, the integrated antenna assembly comprising a feed network module and an antenna unit radiation sheet;

[0006] The feed network module comprises: a bracket, a feed network spring and a reflector spring; the feed network spring is a metal sheet formed by precision stamping, and isolation walls perpendicular to the reflector spring are arranged on both sides of the reflector spring;

[0007] One side of the bracket is provided with a groove having the same shape as that of the feed network spring piece, the feed network spring piece is fitted in the groove, and the depth of the groove is greater than the thickness of the feed network spring piece; the reflector spring piece is provided on the other side of the bracket;

[0008] The feed network spring sheet and the reflector spring sheet are integrally formed with the bracket by injection molding, and the antenna unit radiation sheet is arranged on the feed network module and is located on the side where the feed network spring sheet is located.

[0009] Optionally, a boss is further provided on one side of the bracket located on the reflector spring sheet, and the boss is connected to the edge of the bracket and wraps the edge of the reflector spring sheet.

[0010] Optionally, a first feeding network pin hole is provided on the reflector spring sheet;

[0011] So that during the injection molding process, the feed network ejector pin arranged on the mold passes through the first feed network ejector pin hole and fixes the feed network spring piece; and after the bracket is injection molded, a second feed network ejector pin hole is formed on the bracket.

[0012] Optionally, the bracket is further provided with a first reflector plate spring pinhole.

[0013] Optionally, a positioning boss and a buckle are further provided on the bracket, the positioning boss is used to position the antenna unit radiation piece, and the buckle is used to clamp the antenna unit radiation piece.

[0014] Optionally, the feed network spring sheet may also be a metal sheet formed by laser cutting or etching.

[0015] Optionally, a plurality of fixing holes are respectively provided on the feed network spring piece and the reflector spring piece. After the bracket is injection molded, a fixing boss penetrating the fixing holes is formed on the bracket to fix the feed network spring piece and the reflector spring piece respectively.

[0016] Optionally, the thickness of the feed network spring is 0.15mm-0.3mm, and the surface is electroplated for corrosion protection.

[0017] Optionally, the bracket is made of engineering plastic.

[0018] The second aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides an integrated antenna array, which includes multiple integrated antenna assemblies provided in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application. The integrated antenna array also includes a large reflector, and the large reflector is also provided with multiple mounting holes to place the protrusions on the integrated antenna assembly to ensure that the reflector spring of the integrated antenna assembly fits the large reflector.

[0019] It can be seen from the above technical scheme that the present application provides an integrated antenna assembly and an antenna array, wherein the integrated antenna assembly includes a feed network module and an antenna unit radiating sheet; the feed network module includes: a bracket, a feed network spring sheet and a reflector spring sheet; the feed network spring sheet is a metal sheet formed by precision stamping, and isolation walls perpendicular to the reflector spring sheet are arranged on both sides of the reflector spring sheet; one side of the bracket is provided with a groove with the same shape as the feed network spring sheet, and the feed network spring sheet is fitted in the groove, and the depth of the groove is greater than the thickness of the feed network spring sheet; the reflector spring sheet is arranged on the other side of the bracket; wherein the feed network spring sheet and the reflector spring sheet are integrally formed with the bracket by injection molding, and the antenna unit radiating sheet is arranged on the feed network module and is on the side where the feed network spring sheet is located.

[0020] In actual application, the feed network spring sheet and the reflector spring sheet are respectively installed on two front and rear molds that fit each other by using a suction cup tool. When the front and rear molds are joined, the feed network spring sheet and the reflector spring sheet are fixed and flat, and then the injection molding process is performed to integrally form the bracket, and at the same time, the feed network spring sheet and the reflector spring sheet are respectively attached to the two sides of the bracket, and then the antenna unit radiation sheet is set on the feed network module, and is on the side where the feed network spring sheet is located. An integrated antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application requires few parts, has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, does not require welding, is easy to automate, has a low production cost, and is suitable for large-scale and efficient production. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments are briefly introduced below. Obviously, for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of an integrated antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the front structure of a feed network module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the reverse structure of the feeding network module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 4 A front exploded view of a feed network module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 5 An exploded view of the back side of the feed network module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the front structure of an integrated antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the front structure of an integrated antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] In the figure: 1-feeding network module, 11-bracket, 111-groove, 112-boss, 113-second feed network pinhole, 114-first reflector plate spring pinhole, 115-positioning boss, 116-clip, 117-fixing boss, 12-feeding network spring, 13-reflector plate spring, 131-isolation wall, 132-first feed network pinhole, 14-fixing hole, 2-antenna unit radiation plate, 3-large reflector, 31-mounting hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to provide an antenna with few parts, simple structure, easy assembly, no need for welding, easy automation and low cost, the present application provides an integrated antenna assembly and antenna array.

[0031] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides an integrated antenna assembly, such as Figure 1 , which is a front structural schematic diagram of an integrated antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the integrated antenna assembly includes a feed network module 1 and an antenna unit radiation plate 2 .

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, it is a front structural diagram of the feeding network module provided in the embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 3 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the reverse structure of the feed network module provided in an embodiment of the present application; the feed network module 1 includes: a bracket 11, a feed network spring 12 and a reflector spring 13; the feed network spring 12 is a metal sheet formed by precision stamping, and isolation walls 131 perpendicular to the reflector spring 13 are arranged on both sides of the reflector spring 13.

[0033] The feed network spring piece 12 is not limited to being formed by precision stamping, and can also be made by other methods, for example, by laser cutting or etching. The reflector spring piece 13 is generally formed by precision stamping.

[0034] One side of the bracket 11 is provided with a groove 111 having the same shape as the feed network spring piece 12, and the feed network spring piece is fitted in the groove 111, and the depth of the groove 111 is greater than the thickness of the feed network spring piece 12; the reflector spring piece 13 is provided on the other side of the bracket; wherein the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13 are integrally formed with the bracket 11 by injection molding, and the antenna unit radiation sheet 2 is provided on the feed network module 1, and is located on the side where the feed network spring piece 12 is located.

[0035] Through the design of the groove 111, a plastic support material thickness is formed on the bracket 11 around the edge of the feed network spring 12, and a thickness higher than the edge thickness of the feed network spring 12 is set. On the one hand, when the bracket 11 and the feed network spring 12 are made flat, it is difficult for the mold to embed the feed network spring 12 into the mold groove, thereby avoiding the difficulty of molding and assembly, and solving the problem of injection molding overflow. At the same time, the edging structure formed by the groove 111 around the feed network spring 12 can improve the bonding force between the bracket 11 and the feed network spring 12, and ensure the plane accuracy of the feed network spring 12.

[0036] In the actual production process, the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13 are respectively installed on two front and rear molds that fit each other by using a suction cup tool. When the front and rear molds are combined, the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13 are fixed and flat, and then the injection molding process is performed to integrally mold the bracket 11, and at the same time, the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13 are respectively attached to the two surface surfaces of the bracket 11, and then the antenna unit radiation piece 2 is set on the feed network module 1, and is on the side where the feed network spring piece 12 is located. An integrated antenna assembly provided in the embodiment of the present application requires few parts, has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, does not require welding, is easy to automate, has a low production cost, and is suitable for large-scale and efficient production.

[0037] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the reflector spring 13 is more closely attached to the bracket 11 and avoid welding or screwing, as Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments of the present application, a boss 112 is further provided on one side of the bracket 11 on which the reflector spring piece 13 is located, and the boss 112 is connected to the edge of the bracket 11 and wraps the edge of the reflector spring piece 13. It should be noted that the boss 112 is integrally formed with the body of the bracket 11 through an injection molding process, so that after the bracket 11 is injection molded, the reflector spring piece 13 has been installed, and welding or screwing is avoided.

[0038] Furthermore, in order to prevent the feed network spring 12 from being deformed during the injection molding process of the bracket 11, Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4This is a front exploded view of the feeding network module provided in an embodiment of the present application; in some embodiments of the present application, a first feeding network pin hole 132 is provided on the reflector spring 13.

[0039] During the injection molding process, the feed network ejector pin arranged on the mold passes through the first feed network ejector pin hole 132 and fixes the feed network spring 12 ; and after the bracket 11 is injection molded, a second feed network ejector pin hole 113 is formed on the bracket 11 .

[0040] It should be noted that, since the feed network spring piece 12 is arranged in the groove 111, the second feed network pin hole 113 formed on the bracket 11 must be in the groove 111, and the position of the first feed network pin hole 132 corresponds to the position of the second feed network pin hole 113, that is, in the direction of the surface of one side of the vertical bracket 11, the position of the first feed network pin hole 132 coincides with the position of the second feed network pin hole 113.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to prevent the reflector spring 13 from being deformed during the injection molding process of the bracket 11, Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 A front exploded view of the feed network module provided in an embodiment of the present application; in some embodiments of the present application, the bracket 11 is also provided with a first reflector plate spring pin hole 114. It should be noted that the first reflector plate spring pin hole 114 is a pin hole left at the ejector position during the injection molding process of the bracket 11; since there are many gaps on the body of the feed network spring 12, it is not necessary to open an ejector hole for fixing the reflector plate spring in the feed network spring 12, and it is only necessary to open the ejector position in the gap of the feed network spring 12.

[0042] In order to avoid the use of welding or screwing to install the antenna unit radiation plate 2, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of the present application, a positioning boss 115 and a buckle 116 are further provided on the bracket 11, and the positioning boss 115 is used to position the antenna unit radiating plate 2, and the buckle 116 is used to clamp the antenna unit radiating plate 2. By directly injection-molding the positioning boss 115 for positioning the antenna unit radiating plate 2 and the buckle 116 for clamping the antenna unit radiating plate 2 at the same time as the bracket 11, the need for repositioning or welding is avoided when the antenna unit radiating plate 2 is subsequently assembled.

[0043] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13 can fit the bracket 11 as a whole and avoid the situation where the edge fixation may cause a gap in the middle part, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments of the present application, a plurality of fixing holes 14 are respectively provided on the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13. After the bracket 11 is injection molded, a fixing boss 117 penetrating the fixing holes is formed on the bracket 11 so as to fix the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13 respectively. It should be noted that the diameter of the part of the fixing boss 117 that passes through the fixing hole 14 is the same as the diameter of the fixing hole 14, but the size of the end protrusion for fixing the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13 needs to be larger than the diameter of the fixing hole 14, and the shape of the end protrusion of the fixing boss 117 can be circular, square or other shapes that are easy to fix.

[0044] Furthermore, the raw material of the feed network shrapnel 12 can be a coil or sheet of stainless steel, nickel silver or the like, with a thickness of 0.15mm-0.3mm, and the surface of the feed network shrapnel 12 is electroplated for anti-corrosion treatment. On the one hand, the feed network shrapnel 12 of each frequency band of the current 5G can be stamped as a whole, while ensuring that the stamped feed network shrapnel 12 has a certain rigidity and flatness.

[0045] It should be noted that the material of the bracket 11 provided in the embodiment of the present application is an engineering plastic with a long-term use temperature above 120 degrees, for example, a base material or a modified material thereof such as PPO polyphenylene ether b, a thermoplastic engineering plastic containing phenylthio groups on the main chain of the PPS molecule.

[0046] The second aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides an integrated antenna array, wherein the integrated antenna array includes a plurality of integrated antenna components provided in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 As shown, it is a front structural schematic diagram of an integrated antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 A front structural schematic diagram of an integrated antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application; the integrated antenna array also includes a large reflector 3, and a plurality of mounting holes 31 are provided on the large reflector 3 to accommodate the protrusions on the integrated antenna assembly, thereby ensuring that the reflector spring of the integrated antenna assembly fits the large reflector 3.

[0047] It can be seen from the above technical scheme that the embodiment of the present application provides an integrated antenna assembly and an antenna array, wherein the integrated antenna assembly includes a feed network module 1 and an antenna unit radiating piece 2; the feed network module 1 includes: a bracket 11, a feed network spring 12 and a reflector spring 13; the feed network spring 12 is a metal sheet formed by precision stamping, and isolation walls 131 perpendicular to the reflector spring 13 are arranged on both sides of the reflector spring 13; one side of the bracket 11 is provided with a groove 111 having the same shape as the feed network spring 12, the feed network spring is fitted in the groove 111, and the depth of the groove 111 is greater than the thickness of the feed network spring 12; the reflector spring 13 is arranged on the other side of the bracket; wherein the feed network spring 12 and the reflector spring 13 are integrally formed with the bracket 11 by injection molding, and the antenna unit radiating piece 2 is arranged on the feed network module 1, and is located on the side where the feed network spring 12 is located.

[0048] In actual application, the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13 are respectively installed on two front and rear molds that fit each other by using a suction cup tool. When the front and rear molds are combined, the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13 are fixed and flat, and then the injection molding process is performed to integrally form the bracket 11, and at the same time, the feed network spring piece 12 and the reflector spring piece 13 are respectively attached to the two sides of the bracket, and then the antenna unit radiation piece 2 is set on the feed network module 1, and is on the side where the feed network spring piece 12 is located. An integrated antenna assembly provided in the embodiment of the present application requires few parts, has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, does not require welding, is easy to automate, has a low production cost, and is suitable for large-scale and efficient production.

[0049] The present application is described in detail above in conjunction with specific implementation methods and exemplary examples, but these descriptions cannot be understood as limiting the present application. Those skilled in the art understand that, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, a variety of equivalent replacements, modifications or improvements can be made to the technical solution of the present application and its implementation methods, all of which fall within the scope of the present application. The scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. An integrated antenna assembly, characterized in that: The integrated antenna assembly comprises a feed network module (1) and an antenna unit radiation sheet (2); The feed network module (1) comprises: a bracket (11), a feed network spring sheet (12) and a reflector spring sheet (13); the feed network spring sheet (12) is a metal sheet formed by precision stamping, and isolation walls (131) perpendicular to the reflector spring sheet (13) are arranged on both sides of the reflector spring sheet (13); One side of the bracket (11) is provided with a groove (111) having the same shape as the feed network spring piece (12); the feed network spring piece is arranged in the groove (111) in a close fit; and the depth of the groove (111) is greater than the thickness of the feed network spring piece (12), so as to ensure the flatness of the feed network spring piece (12) during the injection molding process and avoid injection molding overflow; the reflector spring piece (13) is arranged on the other side of the bracket; After the feed network spring sheet (12) and the reflector spring sheet (13) are fixed and leveled, an injection molding process is performed to integrally mold the bracket (11), and the antenna unit radiation sheet (2) is arranged on the feed network module (1) and is located on the side where the feed network spring sheet (12) is located; A boss (112) is also provided on one side of the bracket (11) on which the reflector spring sheet (13) is located. The boss (112) is connected to the edge of the bracket (11) and wraps around the edge of the reflector spring sheet (13). The boss (112) is integrally formed with the bracket (11) through an injection molding process to ensure that the reflector spring sheet (13) and the bracket (11) are tightly fitted.

2. The integrated antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reflector plate spring sheet (13) is provided with a first feed network pin hole (132); So that during the injection molding process, a feed network ejector pin arranged on the mold passes through the first feed network ejector pin hole (132) and fixes the feed network spring sheet (12); and after the bracket (11) is injection molded, a second feed network ejector pin hole (113) is formed on the bracket (11).

3. The integrated antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bracket (11) is also provided with a first reflector plate spring pinhole (114).

4. The integrated antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bracket (11) is also provided with a positioning boss (115) and a buckle (116), wherein the positioning boss (115) is used to position the antenna unit radiation sheet (2), and the buckle (116) is engaged with the antenna unit radiation sheet (2).

5. The integrated antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feed network spring sheet (12) may also be a metal sheet formed by laser cutting or etching.

6. The integrated antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of fixing holes (14) are respectively provided on the feed network spring piece (12) and the reflector plate spring piece (13); after the bracket (11) is injection-molded, a fixing boss (117) penetrating the fixing holes is formed on the bracket (11) so as to fix the feed network spring piece (12) and the reflector plate spring piece (13) respectively.

7. The integrated antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feed network spring sheet (12) has a thickness of 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm, and its surface is subjected to electroplating anti-corrosion treatment.

8. The integrated antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the bracket (11) is engineering plastic.

9. An integrated antenna array, characterized in that: The integrated antenna array comprises an integrated antenna assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; The integrated antenna array further comprises a large reflector (3), and a plurality of mounting holes (31) are provided on the large reflector (3) for accommodating protrusions on the integrated antenna assembly, thereby ensuring that the reflector springs of the integrated antenna assembly are arranged in close contact with the large reflector (3).

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