Frequency-selective phase-shifting device and multi-frequency antenna

Abstract

The present invention provides a frequency-selective phase-shifting device and a multi-frequency antenna. A frequency-selective phase-shifting device includes a bracket, a phase-shifting mechanism, and a plurality of phase-shifting components arranged side by side. The bracket is provided with a channel for accommodating the phase-shifting components along the running direction of the phase-shifting components. The phase-shifting mechanism includes a phase-shifting gear linked to any one of the phase-shifting components. The phase-shifting component includes a phase-shifting member provided with a receiving groove and a moving rack movably provided in the receiving groove. The phase-shifting gear is movably engaged and disengaged from the moving rack, and the phase-shifting gear drives the moving rack to move linearly, so that the moving rack drives the phase-shifting member to move linearly along the channel. The phase-shifting rack of the frequency-selective phase-shifting device of the present invention can move freely in the receiving groove of the phase-shifting member. When the phase-shifting gear cuts into the phase-shifting rack, the phase-shifting gear and the phase-shifting rack will not interfere with the teeth, which facilitates the engagement of the phase-shifting gear and the phase-shifting rack, and the phase-shifting rack drives the phase-shifting member to move linearly to implement phase shifting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of mobile communications, and in particular to a frequency selection and phase shifting device and a multi-frequency antenna equipped with the frequency selection and phase shifting device. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous increase in the number of mobile communication terminal users and the popularization of 5G, the demand for network capacity of mobile cellular network sites is increasing. At the same time, the interference between different sites and even between different sectors of the same site must be minimized, that is, to maximize network capacity and minimize interference. To achieve this goal, the antenna beam downtilt angle at the site is usually adjusted to achieve this.

[0003] When the antenna is a multi-band antenna, mechanical downtilt is primarily used to adjust the beam downtilt angle. Specifically, a transmission device is built into the antenna. This transmission device is connected to the phase shift components corresponding to each frequency band of the multi-band antenna through multiple phase shifters. After the transmission device engages with any phase shifter through a phase shifting gear, the phase shifter rotates, driving the phase shifter to control the movement of the phase shifter component of the corresponding frequency band, thus implementing the phase shifting operation.

[0004] However, this method requires the phase-shifting gear to move linearly back and forth inside the transmission device to engage with any phase-shifting element. Since the phase-shifting gear moves mechanically and the phase-shifting element is fixed in the transmission device, when the phase-shifting gear cuts into the phase-shifting element, if the phase-shifting gear and the corresponding phase-shifting element are not aligned or their respective meshing teeth conflict with each other, the phase-shifting gear will be pushed off the original track under the action of the continuous driving torque, resulting in a problem in the arrangement of the phase-shifting elements, thereby rendering the transmission device inoperative. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The primary objective of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above problems and to provide a frequency-selective phase-shifting device and a multi-frequency antenna.

[0006] In order to meet the various objectives of the present invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A frequency-selective phase-shifting device is provided to meet one of the purposes of the present invention, comprising a bracket, a phase-shifting mechanism, and a plurality of phase-shifting components arranged side by side. The bracket is provided with a channel for accommodating the phase-shifting components along the running direction of the phase-shifting components. The phase-shifting mechanism includes a phase-shifting gear linked to any one of the phase-shifting components.

[0008] The phase shifting assembly includes a phase shifting member provided with a receiving groove and a moving rack movably arranged in the receiving groove. The phase shifting gear is movably engaged and disengaged with the moving rack, and the phase shifting gear drives the moving rack to move linearly, so that the moving rack drives the phase shifting member to move linearly along the channel.

[0009] Furthermore, the bracket is provided with a support extending into the accommodating groove for supporting the phase-shifting rack, and the accommodating space between the support and the channel constitutes a slideway of the phase-shifting member.

[0010] Furthermore, the slideway is provided with sliding grooves on both side walls of the bracket corresponding to the slideway, and both side walls of the accommodating groove of the phase shifter constitute sliding rails corresponding to the sliding grooves.

[0011] Furthermore, the bracket is provided with a bracket slot for accommodating the phase-shifting rack, and the bracket slot is provided through-through along the length direction thereof.

[0012] Specifically, a through hole is provided at the bottom of the bracket slot, and a flexible reset member is provided in the through hole, which is in frictional contact with the accommodating slot and the phase-shifting rack respectively.

[0013] Furthermore, fixed walls are provided at both ends of the accommodating groove in the length direction, and the movable rack is driven by the movable rack to abut against the fixed walls, thereby driving the phase shifter to move linearly.

[0014] Furthermore, the length of the accommodating groove is greater than the length of the phase-shifting rack, so that the accommodating groove is provided with a movable margin in the length direction thereof for the phase-shifting rack to move freely.

[0015] Furthermore, the length of the phase shifter is greater than the length of the channel, and limiting members are provided at both ends of the phase shifter in the longitudinal direction. The bracket is provided with limiting walls at both ends of the channel that limit each other with the limiting members.

[0016] Furthermore, the channel is in the shape of an open groove, a sliding groove is provided at the bottom of the channel, the phase shifter is provided with a sliding rail corresponding to the sliding groove, and the sliding rail is provided with an anti-slip protrusion.

[0017] Furthermore, the frequency-selective phase-shifting device is provided with two rows of phase-shifting components arranged opposite to each other, a bracket is provided for each of the two rows of phase-shifting components, and the two rows of phase-shifting components share a phase-shifting gear.

[0018] A multi-frequency antenna is provided to meet one of the purposes of the present invention, including multiple phase shifting components corresponding to multiple frequency bands, characterized in that it includes the frequency-selective phase shifting module as described in any one of the above purposes, and each of the phase shifting components has a corresponding phase shifting component in the frequency-selective phase shifting module and is arranged in linkage therewith.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0020] In one aspect, the phase-shifting rack of the frequency-selective phase-shifting device of the present invention is disposed within a receiving groove of the phase-shifting member. A space margin is provided between the phase-shifting rack and the sidewalls of the receiving groove, allowing the phase-shifting rack to freely move linearly along the length of the receiving groove. When the phase-shifting rack engages the phase-shifting rack, the meshing teeth of the phase-shifting rack, under the action of the meshing teeth of the phase-shifting rack, drive the phase-shifting rack to move linearly. The phase-shifting rack leaves space for the meshing teeth, allowing the meshing teeth of the phase-shifting gear to engage the tooth grooves of the phase-shifting rack, thereby allowing the phase-shifting gear and the phase-shifting rack to mesh with each other, thus preventing the meshing teeth of the phase-shifting gear and the meshing teeth of the phase-shifting rack from interfering with each other and causing them to become stuck.

[0021] On the other hand, the phase-shifting rack of the frequency-selective phase-shifting device of the present invention is disposed in the accommodating groove of the phase-shifting component. The phase-shifting rack abuts against the sidewall of the accommodating groove to drive the phase-shifting component to move linearly, thereby causing the phase-shifting component to drive the phase-shifting component connected thereto to perform phase shifting. This avoids the dilemma of the phase-shifting rack being directly connected to the phase-shifting component and thus being unable to move freely, and allows the phase-shifting rack to move freely to facilitate engagement of the phase-shifting gears.

[0022] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the following description, will be obvious from the following description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a frequency-selective phase shifting device according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a phase shifting component of a frequency selective phase shifting device according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the back side of the phase shifting component of the frequency selective phase shifting device according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of a bracket of a frequency-selective phase shifting device according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 It is a front view of a bracket of a frequency-selective phase shifting device according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a frequency-selective phase shifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0031] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise stated, the singular forms "a", "an", "said" and "the" used herein may also include plural forms. It should be further understood that the term "comprising" used in the description of the present invention refers to the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say that an element is "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. In addition, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein may include wireless connection or wireless coupling. The term "and / or" used herein includes all or any unit and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0032] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the art to which the present invention belongs. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be understood to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the prior art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless specifically defined as herein.

[0033] The present invention provides a frequency-selective phase-shifting device, which is provided with a phase-shifting assembly. The phase-shifting rack of the phase-shifting assembly, which is engaged with the phase-shifting gear, can move freely in the accommodating groove of the phase-shifting member, so that the phase-shifting gear moves linearly and cuts into the phase-shifting rack. When engaging with the phase-shifting rack, the phase-shifting rack can move in the accommodating groove, so that the phase-shifting gear does not conflict with the phase-shifting rack and cannot engage with each other. After the phase-shifting gear is engaged with the phase-shifting rack, the phase-shifting gear rotates to drive the phase-shifting rack to move linearly, and the phase-shifting gear drives the phase-shifting member to move linearly to implement phase shifting.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1The frequency-selective phase shifting device 10 includes a bracket 20, a phase shifting mechanism disposed on the bracket 20, and a plurality of phase shifting assemblies 30. The plurality of phase shifting assemblies 30 are arranged side by side, and each phase shifting assembly 30 is connected to an external phase shifting component for a frequency band. When the phase shifting mechanism drives the phase shifting assembly 30 to move linearly, the phase shifting assembly 30 drives the external phase shifting component to move linearly, thereby implementing phase shifting.

[0035] The phase shift mechanism includes a phase shift gear 40 . The phase shift gear 40 is driven by the phase shift mechanism to select a phase shift component 30 and drive the phase shift component 30 to move linearly to implement phase shifting.

[0036] Combine Figure 2 The phase shift assembly 30 includes a phase shifter 31 and a phase shifter rack 32. The phase shifter 31 has a receiving groove 311 along its length. The receiving groove 311 is an open groove with an opening. When the phase shifter gear 40 of the phase shifter mechanism faces the phase shifter assembly 30, the opening of the receiving groove 311 faces the direction of the phase shifter gear 40.

[0037] The phase-shifting rack 32 is arranged parallel to the phase-shifting member 31. The length of the phase-shifting rack 32 is the same as that of the phase-shifting member 31. The phase-shifting rack 32 is arranged in the receiving groove 311 of the phase-shifting member 31. The length of the phase-shifting rack 32 is less than the length of the receiving groove 311, so that there is a spatial margin between the phase-shifting rack 32 and the receiving groove 311 along the length of the receiving groove 311, so that the phase-shifting rack 32 can freely move linearly within the receiving groove 311. The surface of the phase-shifting rack 32 with the meshing teeth faces in the same direction as the opening of the receiving groove 311. Preferably, the spatial margin between the phase-shifting rack 32 and the receiving groove 311 is between 10 mm and 200 mm.

[0038] The two ends of the phase-shifting rack 32 in the longitudinal direction are called abutting ends 322, and the two side walls of the accommodating groove 311 in the longitudinal direction are called fixed walls 3111. The phase-shifting rack 32 moves linearly so that its abutting ends 322 abut against the fixed walls 3111. Then, the fixed walls 3111 can drive the phase-shifting member 31 to move linearly, so that the phase-shifting member 31 drives the external phase-shifting components to move to implement phase shifting.

[0039] In one embodiment, the phase shift assembly 30 further includes a flexible reset member disposed between the phase rack 32 and the receiving groove 311. The flexible reset member is made of flexible rubber to isolate the phase rack 32 from the receiving groove 311 and prevent direct contact between the phase rack 32 and the receiving groove 311. The flexible reset member is not fixedly connected to the phase rack 32 and the receiving groove 311 and is used to buffer the driving force between the phase rack 32 and the receiving groove 311.

[0040] When the phase-shifting gear 40 of the phase-shifting mechanism is driven to move linearly along the arrangement direction of the multiple phase-shifting components 30, the phase-shifting rack 32 moves to the area where the preselected phase-shifting component 30 is located, and the phase-shifting gear 40 cuts into the phase-shifting rack 32 of the preselected phase-shifting component 30, if the meshing teeth of the phase-shifting gear 40 conflict with the meshing teeth of the phase-shifting rack 32, the phase-shifting rack 32 arranged in the accommodating groove 311 of the phase-shifting member 31 can move slightly along the length direction of the accommodating groove 311 to make room for the meshing teeth, so that the meshing teeth of the phase-shifting gear 40 can cut into the tooth grooves of the phase-shifting rack 32, so that the phase-shifting gear 40 and the phase-shifting rack 32 engage with each other. The phase-shift rack 32 moves freely in a straight line within the accommodating groove 311 to make room for the meshing teeth of the phase-shift gear 40, so that the phase-shift gear 40 can cut into the phase-shift rack 32 and mesh with the phase-shift rack 32, thereby avoiding the meshing teeth of the phase-shift gear 40 and the meshing teeth of the phase-shift rack 32 from interfering with each other and preventing the phase-shift gear 40 and the phase-shift rack 32 from getting stuck with each other.

[0041] After the phase-shifting gear 40 is engaged with the phase-shifting rack 32, the phase-shifting gear 40 rotates to drive the phase-shifting rack 32 to move linearly, so that the abutting end 322 of the phase-shifting rack 32 abuts against the fixed wall 3111 of the corresponding accommodating groove 311. Thereafter, the phase-shifting gear 40 continues to drive the phase-shifting rack 32 to move linearly, so that the phase-shifting rack 32 drives the phase-shifting member 31 to move through the fixed wall 3111, thereby causing the phase-shifting member 31 to drive the external phase-shifting component to move to implement phase shifting.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 and Figure 5 The bracket 20 is provided with a channel 21 for accommodating the phase shifting assembly 30. The channel 21 is in the shape of an open slot, and the opening direction of the channel 21 is the same as the opening direction of the accommodating slot 311. The length of the channel 21 is shorter than the length of the phase shifter 31, and the length direction of the phase shifter 31 is parallel to the length direction of the channel 21. The phase shifter 31 is arranged on the channel 21 and is driven by the phase shifting rack 32 to move linearly along the length direction of the channel 21, thereby enabling the phase shifter 31 to drive the external phase shifting component connected to it to move along the length direction of the channel 21.

[0043] In one embodiment, combined Figure 3 and Figure 4 The channel 21 has a bottom groove 211 formed therein. The phase shifter 31 has a slide rail 312 corresponding to the slide groove 211. The slide rail 312 cooperates with the slide groove 211 to facilitate linear motion of the phase shifter 31 within the channel 21. Anti-slip protrusions 3121 are provided on the slide rail 312 to prevent the phase shifter 31 from moving too quickly within the channel 21.

[0044] Combine Figure 2 and Figure 5 A stopper 34 is provided at each end of the phase shifter 31 in the longitudinal direction. The lateral width and / or vertical height of the stopper 34 protrude beyond the phase shifter 31. The bracket 20 is provided with stopper walls 24 at both ends of the channel 21. The stopper walls 24 are configured to interfere with the stopper 34 to prevent the phase shifter 31 from leaving the channel 21.

[0045] Specifically, when the phase-shifting rack 32 drives the phase-shifting member 31 to move linearly, the phase-shifting member 31 moves linearly within the channel 21 until the limiting member 34 at one end of the phase-shifting member 31 contacts the corresponding limiting wall 24 of the bracket 20. Then, the limiting wall 24 and the limiting member 34 are mutually restrained to prevent further linear movement of the phase-shifting member 31, thereby preventing the phase-shifting member 31 from escaping from the channel 21.

[0046] The bracket 20 is further provided with a bracket 22, which is suspended in the receiving groove 311. The bracket 22 is provided with a bracket groove 221, the length of which is parallel to the length of the receiving groove 311. The bracket groove 221 is provided along the length of the receiving groove 311 and is used to accommodate the phase-shifting rack 32.

[0047] The bracket slot 221 is disposed within the accommodating slot 311, separating the phase shifting rack 32 of the phase shifting assembly 30 from the phase shifting member 31. The space between the bracket slot 221 and the channel 21 forms a slideway 23 for the phase shifting member 31. The shape of the slideway 23 corresponds to that of the accommodating slot 311, and the phase shifting member 31 is disposed on the slideway 23. The side walls of the bracket groove 221 and the side walls 312 of the channel 21 form a slide groove 231. The slide groove 231 is part of the slideway 23. The side walls of the accommodating groove 311 of the phase shifter 31 form slide rails 312 corresponding to the two slide grooves 231. The side walls 312 of the accommodating groove 311 are disposed within the two slide grooves 231 of the slideway 23, so that a stable sliding space is formed among the phase shifter 31, the phase shifter rack 32, the channel 21, and the bracket groove 221, thereby preventing the phase shifter rack 32 from contacting the accommodating groove 311 of the phase shifter 31, and allowing the phase shifter 31 to slide stably within the channel 21.

[0048] In one embodiment, a through hole is provided at the bottom of the bracket slot 221 , and the through hole is used to clamp the flexible restoring member.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6The frequency-selective phase shifting device 10 is provided with two rows of phase-shifting components 30 arranged opposite to each other. The two rows of phase-shifting components 30 are relatively staggered, and each row of phase-shifting components 30 is provided with a bracket 20. The two brackets 20 are arranged opposite to each other, and the phase-shifting gear 40 of the phase-shifting mechanism is arranged between the two brackets 20. Specifically, the phase-shifting gear 40 is arranged between the two rows of phase-shifting components 30 so as to be linked with any one of the phase-shifting components 30 in the two rows.

[0050] The present invention also provides a multi-frequency antenna, which includes multiple phase shifting components corresponding to multiple frequency bands, and each of the phase shifting components has a corresponding phase shifting component in the frequency selection and phase shifting device and is arranged in linkage therewith.

[0051] In summary, the phase-shift rack of the frequency-selective phase-shifting device of the present invention can move freely within the accommodating groove of the phase-shifting component, so that when the phase-shifting gear cuts into the phase-shifting rack, the phase-shifting gear and the phase-shifting rack will not interfere with each other's teeth, which facilitates the mutual engagement of the phase-shifting gear and the phase-shifting rack, and the phase-shifting component is driven to move linearly through the phase-shifting rack to implement phase shifting.

[0052] The above description is merely an illustration of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in this invention is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combination of the above-mentioned technical features, but also encompasses other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above-mentioned technical features or their equivalents without departing from the above-mentioned inventive concept. For example, a technical solution formed by replacing the above-mentioned features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions invented in this invention.

[0053] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological logical acts, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are merely example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A frequency-selective phase-shifting device comprising a bracket, a phase-shifting mechanism, and a plurality of phase-shifting assemblies arranged side by side, wherein the bracket is provided with a channel for accommodating the phase-shifting assemblies along the direction of operation of the phase-shifting assemblies, and the phase-shifting mechanism includes a phase-shifting gear linked to any one of the phase-shifting assemblies, characterized in that: The phase shift assembly includes a phase shifter having a receiving groove and a phase shift rack movably disposed in the receiving groove. The phase shift gear is movably engaged with the phase shift rack, and the phase shift gear drives the phase shift rack to move linearly, so that the phase shift rack drives the phase shifter to move linearly along the channel. The length of the accommodating groove is greater than the length of the phase-shifting rack, so that the accommodating groove is provided with a movable margin in its length direction for the phase-shifting rack to move freely. Fixed walls are provided at both ends of the length direction of the accommodating groove. The phase-shifting rack is driven by the phase-shifting gear to abut against the fixed walls, driving the phase-shifting member to move linearly.

2. The frequency-selective phase shifting device according to claim 1, wherein: The bracket is provided with a support extending into the accommodating groove for supporting the phase-shifting rack, and the accommodating space between the support and the channel constitutes a slideway of the phase-shifting member.

3. The frequency-selective phase shifting device according to claim 2, wherein: The slideway is provided with sliding grooves on both side walls of the bracket, and both side walls of the accommodating groove of the phase shifter constitute sliding rails corresponding to the sliding grooves.

4. The frequency-selective phase shifting device according to claim 2, wherein: The bracket is provided with a bracket slot for accommodating the phase-shifting rack, and the bracket slot is arranged through along the length direction thereof.

5. The frequency-selective phase shifting device according to claim 4, wherein: A through hole is formed at the bottom of the bracket slot, and a flexible reset member is provided in the through hole, which is in frictional contact with the accommodating slot and the phase-shifting rack respectively.

6. The frequency-selective phase shifting device according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the phase shifter is greater than that of the channel. Limiting members are provided at both ends of the phase shifter in the longitudinal direction. The bracket is provided with limiting walls at both ends of the channel for limiting each other with the limiting members.

7. The frequency-selective phase shifting device according to claim 1, wherein: The channel is in the shape of an open groove, a sliding groove is provided at the bottom of the channel, the phase shifter is provided with a sliding rail corresponding to the sliding groove, and the sliding rail is provided with an anti-slip protrusion.

8. The frequency selective phase shifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The frequency-selective phase-shifting device is provided with two rows of phase-shifting components arranged opposite to each other, a bracket is provided for each of the two rows of phase-shifting components, and the two rows of phase-shifting components share a phase-shifting gear.

9. A multi-frequency antenna comprising a plurality of phase shifting components corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands, characterized in that: It comprises the frequency-selective phase shifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and each of the phase-shifting components has a corresponding phase-shifting component in the frequency-selective phase-shifting device and is arranged in linkage therewith.

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