actuator

Abstract

This invention discloses an actuator for a multi-channel phase shifter, comprising: a drive mechanism, a shifting mechanism, a lead screw mechanism, and a base; the drive mechanism, shifting mechanism, and lead screw mechanism are all mounted on the base; the drive mechanism includes a first output shaft and a second output shaft; the shifting mechanism includes a gear support and a first transmission gear, the first transmission gear being rotatably supported on the gear support and having a rotation center extending along a first direction; the lead screw mechanism includes multiple lead screw assemblies, each including a push rod; the second output shaft is configured to drive the gear support to move along a second direction, so that the first transmission gear is in a position of transmission engagement with different lead screw assemblies; the first output shaft is configured to drive the first transmission gear to rotate around its own rotation center, thereby driving the lead screw assembly in transmission engagement with the first transmission gear to move, causing the push rod to move. The actuator disclosed in this invention has a relatively simple overall structure and occupies less space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an actuator for a multi-channel phase shifter, belonging to the field of base station antennas. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of antenna technology, base station antennas are constantly expanding their frequency bands and ports. Meanwhile, electrically tunable antennas are widely used to achieve precise coverage and reduce deployment costs. Electrically tunable antennas, through remotely controlled actuators, can change the phase of the core component, the phase shifter (changing the vibrator path), and adjust the tilt angle of the radiating beam, thereby changing the antenna's radiation coverage area. Multi-band, multi-port electrically tunable antennas are gaining increasing popularity due to their relatively low deployment costs. However, to achieve independent adjustment of the radiating surface of different frequency bands, the actuator needs to include more independent transmission mechanisms, making the actuator structure very complex and space-consuming. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an actuator with a relatively simple structure and small footprint.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an actuator for a multi-channel phase shifter, comprising: a drive mechanism, a shifting mechanism, a lead screw mechanism, and a base; the drive mechanism, the shifting mechanism, and the lead screw mechanism are all mounted on the base; the drive mechanism includes a first output shaft and a second output shaft; the shifting mechanism includes a gear support and a first transmission gear, the first transmission gear being rotatably supported on the gear support, the first transmission gear having a rotation center extending along a first direction; the lead screw mechanism includes a plurality of lead screw assemblies, each of the lead screw assemblies including a push rod; the second output shaft is configured to drive the gear support to move along a second direction, so that the first transmission gear is in a position of transmission engagement with different lead screw assemblies; the first output shaft is configured to drive the first transmission gear to rotate around its own rotation center, thereby driving the lead screw assembly in transmission engagement with the first transmission gear to move, causing the push rod to move.

[0005] As a further improvement of the present invention, the shifting mechanism further includes a coupling, one end of which is fixedly connected to the first output shaft, and the other end of which is fixedly connected to the first transmission gear.

[0006] As a further improvement of the present invention, the shifting mechanism further includes a first double-layer gear and a second double-layer gear; the first transmission gear includes a first bevel gear portion; the first double-layer gear includes a second bevel gear portion and a first spur gear portion, the first bevel gear portion meshing with the second bevel gear portion, and the first double-layer gear is configured to move synchronously with the gear support along the second direction; multiple second double-layer gears are configured, each second double-layer gear including a third bevel gear portion and a second spur gear portion, and the first spur gear portion being able to mesh and transmit power with the second spur gear portion.

[0007] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the shifting mechanism further includes a second transmission gear; each of the second double-layer gears is matched with a second transmission gear, each of the second transmission gears includes a fourth bevel gear portion, and the third bevel gear portion meshes with the fourth bevel gear portion.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, two first double-layer gears are configured; when viewed along the first direction, the two first double-layer gears are respectively configured on both sides of the first transmission gear.

[0009] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the base includes a second rod, which passes through the gear bracket along the second direction, and both of the first double-layer gears are fitted on the outer periphery of the second rod.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the plurality of second double-layer gears are divided into two groups, and the first double-layer gear is configured such that one first double-layer gear is responsible for driving one group of second double-layer gears.

[0011] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the gear bracket includes a bracket body, a first mounting hole and an arm plate, wherein the first mounting hole penetrates the bracket body along the first direction; the first transmission gear is rotatably supported by the first mounting hole; the two arm plates extend from both sides of the bracket body along the first direction; and the two first double-layer gears are located between the two arm plates.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the base includes a first rod; the first rod extends along the second direction and passes through the rotation center of a plurality of second double-layer gears, and the plurality of second double-layer gears are rotatably supported on the base.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, each lead screw assembly further includes a lead screw and a moving member; one end of the lead screw is fixedly connected to the second transmission gear, and the other end of the lead screw is rotatably supported on the base; the moving member is threadedly connected to the lead screw and can move relative to the lead screw along the first direction; the push rod is configured to move synchronously with the moving member.

[0014] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the shifting mechanism further includes a worm, a worm wheel, and a shifting screw rotatably supported on the base; one end of the worm is fixedly connected to the second output shaft, the worm meshes with the worm wheel, the worm wheel is fixed to the shifting screw, and the shifting screw is threadedly connected to the gear bracket.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, the gear bracket includes a tail portion, the tail portion having a first threaded hole extending along the second direction, and the shift screw is screwed to the first threaded hole to drive the gear bracket to move in the second direction.

[0016] Compared with related technologies, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0017] The actuator has a relatively simple overall structure and occupies little space, making it easy to miniaturize base station antennas. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the base structure in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure at one angle in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure from another angle in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the shifting mechanism at one angle in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8This is an exploded view of the shifting mechanism from another angle in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a portion of the shifting mechanism in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a portion of the shifting mechanism in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the gear support structure in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first transmission gear at one angle in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first transmission gear from another angle in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first double-layer gear in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second double-layer gear in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second transmission gear at one angle in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the second transmission gear from another angle in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the lead screw assembly in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 19 This is an exploded view of the lead screw assembly at one angle in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 20 This is an exploded view of the lead screw assembly from another angle in one embodiment of the actuator of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. If several embodiments exist, features in these embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. When the description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise stated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The descriptions in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention; rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses, products, and / or methods consistent with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

[0039] The terminology used in this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention. The singular forms “a,” “the,” or “the” as used in the specification and claims of this invention are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0040] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," and similar words used in the specification and claims of this invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish features. Similarly, the terms "an" or "a" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "before," "after," "upper," "lower," and similar words appearing in this invention are for ease of explanation only and are not limited to a specific location or spatial orientation. The terms "comprising" or "including" are an open-ended expression, meaning that the element preceding "comprising" or "including" encompasses the element following "comprising" or "including" and its equivalents, but this does not preclude the element preceding "comprising" or "including" from also including other elements. In this invention, the term "several" means two or more.

[0041] In the attached diagram, direction A1 is the first direction, and the direction pointed to by the arrow of A1 is the positive direction of A1, which is forward, and the opposite is the negative direction of A1, which is backward; direction A2 is the second direction, and the direction pointed to by the arrow of A2 is the positive direction of A2, which is right, and the opposite is the negative direction of A2, which is left; the direction pointed to by the arrow of A3 is the positive direction of A3, which is up, and the opposite is the negative direction of A3, which is down.

[0042] The present invention discloses an actuator 100, and the specific embodiments of the actuator 100 will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] The actuator 100 includes a drive mechanism 1, a shift mechanism 2, a lead screw mechanism 3, and a base 4. The drive mechanism 1, the shift mechanism 2, and the lead screw mechanism 3 are all mounted on the base 4.

[0044] See also Figures 3 to 5The base 4 includes a substrate 41, a first support plate 42, a second support plate 43, and a bracket 44. Viewed along the first direction A1, the first support plate 42, the bracket 44, and the second support plate 43 are arranged at intervals. The first support plate 42, the bracket 44, and the second support plate 43 are all fixed to the upper side of the substrate 41. In the illustrated embodiment, the second support plate 43, located at the front end of the substrate 41, is integrally bent into shape with the substrate 41.

[0045] The bracket 44 includes a base plate 441, a first side plate 442, a second side plate 443, a third side plate 444, a fourth side plate 445, a fifth side plate 446, a first rod 447, and a second rod 448.

[0046] The base plate 441 is fixed to the upper side of the substrate 41. A first side plate 442 and a second side plate 443 are fixed opposite to each other on the left and right sides of the base plate 441 along a second direction A2. A third side plate 444 extends between the first side plate 442 and the second side plate 443 and connects the first side plate 442 and the second side plate 443. A fourth side plate 445 is located between the first side plate 442 and the second side plate 443, and the first side plate 442, the second side plate 443, and the fourth side plate 445 are parallel. A fifth side plate 446 is parallel to the third side plate 444 and connects the first side plate 442 and the fourth side plate 445. A first rod 447 has a central axis extending along the second direction A2, and its two ends are fixedly connected to the first side plate 442 and the second side plate 443, respectively. A second rod 448 also has a central axis extending along the second direction A2, and its two ends are fixedly connected to the second side plate 443 and the fourth side plate 445, respectively.

[0047] A seventh mounting hole 449 is provided on the first side plate 442, the second side plate 443, and the fourth side plate 445 respectively. The seventh mounting hole 449 passes through the first side plate 442, the second side plate 443, and the fourth side plate 445 along the A2 direction.

[0048] An eighth mounting hole 4410 is provided on the first support plate 42 and the fifth side plate 446 respectively. The eighth mounting hole 4410 passes through the first support plate 42 and the fifth side plate 446 along the first direction A1.

[0049] A ninth mounting hole 4411 is provided on the third side plate 444. The ninth mounting hole 4411 penetrates the third side plate 444 along the first direction A1. In the illustrated embodiment, the third side plate 444 has four ninth mounting holes 4411.

[0050] See Figure 6In the illustrated embodiment, the drive mechanism 1 includes two motors (not shown), and the output shafts of the two motors are a first output shaft 12 and a second output shaft 13, respectively. Both the first output shaft 12 and the second output shaft 13 extend out of the housing 11 of the drive mechanism 1. Both the first output shaft 12 and the second output shaft 13 extend along a first direction A1.

[0051] See also Figures 7 to 17 The shifting mechanism 2 includes a gear bracket 21, a first transmission gear 22, a first double-layer gear 23, a second double-layer gear 24, a second transmission gear 25, and a coupling 26.

[0052] In this embodiment of the invention, the coupling 26 is a Schmidt coupling, and the input shaft of the coupling 26 (hereinafter referred to as the second input shaft 261) is fixedly connected to the first output shaft 12. The second input shaft 261 is rotatably supported on the first support plate 42. The second input shaft 261 is rotatably supported on the first support plate 42 by means including but not limited to being rotatably supported on the first support plate 42 by bearings.

[0053] The output shaft of the coupling 26 (hereinafter referred to as the second output shaft 262) is fixedly connected to the first transmission gear 22, thereby enabling the second output shaft 262 to drive the first transmission gear 22 to rotate around the first direction A1.

[0054] The coupling 26 also includes a first end face plate 263, an intermediate plate 264, a second end face plate 265, and a chain rod 266 connecting the aforementioned plates.

[0055] The second input shaft 261 is fixedly connected to the first end face plate 263, and the second end face plate 265 is fixedly connected to the second output shaft 262.

[0056] The rotation of the first output shaft 12 drives the rotation of the second input shaft 261, which in turn drives the rotation of the first end face plate 263. The two ends of the chain 266 are respectively rotatably supported on the first end face plate 263 and the intermediate plate 264. The rotation of the first end face plate 263 is transmitted to the intermediate plate 264 via the chain 266. Similarly, the rotation of the intermediate plate 264 is transmitted to the second end face plate 265 via the chain 266 connecting the intermediate plate 264 and the second end face plate 265, thereby driving the second output shaft 262 to rotate.

[0057] Schmidt couplings are couplings that can be used to precisely transmit torque across radially misaligned shafts, allowing for arbitrary changes in the misalignment of the input and output shafts within permissible limits. Their operating principle is known in the art and therefore will not be elaborated upon.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the Schmidt coupling (i.e., coupling 26) is arranged including a first end face plate 263, an intermediate plate 264, and a second end face plate 265. It should be understood that in other embodiments of the invention, coupling 26 may also include only the first end face plate 263 and the second end face plate 265, connected by a chain rod 266. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the invention, eccentric couplings of other structural forms may be used instead of the Schmidt coupling, as long as the rotation center can be moved.

[0059] See Figure 11 The gear bracket 21 includes a bracket body 211, a first mounting hole 212, an arm plate 213, a second mounting hole 214, a tail 215, and a first threaded hole 216.

[0060] The first mounting hole 212 penetrates the bracket body 211 along the first direction A1. The first transmission gear 22 is rotatably supported by the first mounting hole 212 via a bearing.

[0061] Two arm plates 213 extend forward from the left and right sides (the side pointing in the second direction A2) of the bracket body 211, respectively. A second mounting hole 214 passes through the arm plate 213 along the second direction A2. A second rod 448 passes through the second mounting hole 214, see... Figure 2 The gear support 21 is movable relative to the base 4 in the second direction A2. When the gear support 21 moves, the second rod 448 guides the gear support 21 and the first double-layer gear 23 mentioned below.

[0062] See Figure 11 The tail portion 215 extends downward from the lower side of the support body 211. The first threaded hole 216 penetrates the tail portion 215 along the second direction A2.

[0063] See Figure 12 and Figure 13 The first transmission gear 22 includes a first bevel gear portion 221 and a first mounting portion 222. The first mounting portion 222 is a shaft extending along a first direction A1, and the first bevel gear portion 221 is fixed to the front end of the first mounting portion 222 (the end pointed to by the arrow in the first direction A1).

[0064] The first transmission gear 22 also includes a third mounting hole 223. The third mounting hole 223 extends inside the first mounting portion 222. The axis of the third mounting hole 223 is collinear with the axis of the first mounting portion 222, and the third mounting hole 223 penetrates the rear end face of the first mounting portion 222.

[0065] A portion of the second output shaft 262 extends and is fixed within the third mounting hole 223. The first mounting portion 222 is rotatably supported by a bearing in the first mounting hole 212.

[0066] See Figure 14 The first double-layer gear 23 includes a second bevel gear portion 231, a first spur gear portion 232, and a fourth mounting hole 233. The second bevel gear portion 231 is fixedly connected to the first spur gear portion 232, and the rotation center of the second bevel gear portion 231 and the rotation center of the first spur gear portion 232 are collinear and both extend along the second direction A2. The fourth mounting hole 233 penetrates the first double-layer gear 23 along the second direction A2.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the shifting mechanism 2 has two first double-layer gears 23, see Figure 9 The second bevel gear portions 231 of both first double-layer gears 23 mesh with the first bevel gear portions 221 of the first transmission gear 22. Both first double-layer gears 23 are supported on the second rod 448, allowing them to rotate relative to and move along the second rod 448. (See...) Figure 2 Specifically, for example, both first double-layer gears 23 are fitted onto the outer periphery of the second rod 448.

[0068] Driven by the first transmission gear 22, both first double-layer gears 23 can rotate around their own rotation center.

[0069] The structure of the second double-layer gear 24 is similar to that of the first double-layer gear 23. (See also...) Figure 15 , Figures 7 to 9 The second double-layer gear 24 includes a third bevel gear portion 241, a second spur gear portion 242, and a fifth mounting hole 243. The third bevel gear portion 241 and the second spur gear portion 242 are fixedly connected, and the rotation center of the third bevel gear portion 241 is collinear with the rotation center of the second spur gear portion 242 and extends along the second direction A2. The fifth mounting hole 243 passes through the rotation center of the second double-layer gear 24 along the second direction A2.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the shifting mechanism 2 includes four second double-layer gears 24. A first lever 447 passes sequentially through the fifth mounting holes 243 on these four second double-layer gears 24. Each of the four second double-layer gears 24 is rotatable relative to the first lever 447 but cannot move along the first lever 447, and is supported by the first lever 447.

[0071] In other embodiments of the invention, the two ends of the first rod 447 may also be rotatably supported on the first side plate 442 and the second side plate 443, respectively. In this case, all four second double-layer gears 24 are fixedly supported on the first rod 447.

[0072] When the gear support 21 moves along the second direction A2, the first double-layer gear 23 can mesh with different second double-layer gears 24, thereby transmitting power to different second double-layer gears 24.

[0073] In the illustrated embodiment, the first double-layer gear 23 located on the left is responsible for transmitting power to the two second double-layer gears 24 located on the left. It should be understood that at any given time, the first double-layer gear 23 located on the left can only transmit power to one of the second double-layer gears 24 located on the left.

[0074] The first double-gear 23 on the right side is responsible for transmitting power to the two second double-gears 24 on the right side. It should be understood that at any given time, the first double-gear 23 on the right side can only transmit power to one of the second double-gears 24 on the right side.

[0075] When transmitting power, the first spur gear portion 232 of the first double-layer gear 23 meshes with the second spur gear portion 242 of the second double-layer gear 24.

[0076] Corresponding to the number of the second double-layer gears 24, in the illustrated embodiment, the second transmission gears 25 are also provided with 4.

[0077] The structure of the second transmission gear 25 is similar to that of the first transmission gear 22.

[0078] See Figures 16-17 The second transmission gear 25 includes a fourth bevel gear portion 251 and a second mounting portion 252. The second mounting portion 252 is a shaft extending along the first direction A1, and the fourth bevel gear portion 251 is fixed to the rear end of the second mounting portion 252.

[0079] The second transmission gear 25 also includes a sixth mounting hole 253. The sixth mounting hole 253 extends within the second mounting portion 252. The axis of the sixth mounting hole 253 is collinear with the axis of the second mounting portion 252, and the second mounting hole 253 penetrates the front end face of the second mounting portion 252.

[0080] The second mounting part 252 is rotatably supported by a bearing on the ninth mounting hole 4411, see Figure 7 .

[0081] Each second double-layer gear 24 is matched with a second transmission gear 25: the third bevel gear portion 241 of each second double-layer gear 24 meshes with the fourth bevel gear portion 251 of a second transmission gear 25.

[0082] Driven by the second double-layer gear 24, the second transmission gear 25 rotates around its own rotation center, and the rotation center of the second transmission gear 25 is collinear with the axis of the second mounting part 252.

[0083] See also Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 2The shifting mechanism 2 also includes a worm 27, a worm wheel 28, and a shift screw 29. The worm 27 has a center of rotation extending along a first direction A1. One end of the worm 27 is rotatably supported by an eighth mounting hole 4410 on a first support plate 42, and the other end is rotatably supported by an eighth mounting hole 4410 on a fifth side plate 446. One end of the worm 27 is fixedly connected to the second output shaft 13, and the other end of the worm 27 meshes with the worm wheel 28. The worm wheel 28 is fixed to the left end of the shift screw 29.

[0084] The left end of the shift screw 29 is rotatably supported by the seventh mounting hole 449 on the first side plate 442, and the right end of the shift screw 29 is rotatably supported by the seventh mounting hole 449 on the second side plate 443. The shift screw 29 passes through or is rotatably supported by the seventh mounting hole 449 on the fourth side plate 445.

[0085] The shift screw 29 has a rotation center extending along the second direction A2. The shift screw 29 passes through and is threaded into the first threaded hole 216. When the second output shaft 13 rotates, the worm 27 rotates about the first direction A1, thereby driving the worm wheel 28 to rotate. The rotation center of the worm wheel 28 is collinear with that of the shift screw 29. The worm wheel 28 drives the shift screw 29 to rotate, thereby driving the gear bracket 21 to move relative to the base 4 in the second direction A2, so that the first double-sided gear 23 can mesh with different second double-sided gears 24 for transmission.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, the lead screw mechanism 3 includes four lead screw assemblies 31. See also... Figures 18 to 20 Each lead screw assembly 31 includes a lead screw 311, a moving part 312, and a push rod 313.

[0087] The lead screw 311 has a rotation center extending along the first direction A1. The rear end of the lead screw 311 is fixed to the sixth mounting hole 253 of the second transmission gear 25, and the front end of the lead screw 311 is rotatably supported on the second support plate 43.

[0088] The movable part 312 includes a body part 3121, a second threaded hole 3122, a first holding arm 3123, a second holding arm 3124, and a positioning post 3125.

[0089] The second threaded hole 3122 penetrates the body part 3121 along the first direction A1. The lead screw 311 is screwed through the second threaded hole 3122. The lead screw 311 is threadedly engaged with the moving part 312.

[0090] The first holding arm 3123 and the second holding arm 3124 extend upward from the left and right sides of the main body 3121. The first holding arm 3123 and the second holding arm 3124 are provided with protrusions 31241 facing each other. The positioning post 3125 is fixed to the upper surface of the main body 3121.

[0091] The push rod 313 includes a rod body 3131 and a through hole 3132, with the through hole 3132 penetrating the rod body 3131 along a third direction (i.e., the vertical direction).

[0092] The push rod 313 is fitted or fixed to the positioning post 3125 through the through hole 3132. The upper surface of the body 3121 and the first holding arm 3123 and the second holding arm 3124 limit the push rod 313 so that the push rod 313 can follow the movement of the moving part 312. At the same time, the front end of the push rod 313 passes through the second support plate 43, and the second support plate 43 limits the push rod 313, thereby restricting the degree of freedom of the moving part 312 to rotate around the A1 direction. As a result, when the lead screw 311 rotates, the moving part 312 cannot rotate with it, but can only move relative to the base 4 along the rotation axis of the lead screw 311, thereby driving the push rod 313 to move along the A1 direction. Furthermore, the movement of the push rod 313 drives the movement of the internal parts of the multi-channel phase shifter, thereby changing the phase of a certain channel in the multi-channel phase shifter.

[0093] In the foregoing embodiment, the positioning post 3125 is located on the movable member 312, and the through hole 3132 is located on the push rod 313. In other embodiments of the present invention, the positioning post 3125 may be located on the push rod 313, and correspondingly, the through hole 3132 is located on the movable member 312. It should be understood that the through hole 3132 may also be configured as a blind hole.

[0094] When actuator 100 operates, please refer to the main points. Figure 2 The second output shaft 13 rotates first, driving the worm 27, worm wheel 28, and shift screw 29 to rotate. The rotation of the shift screw 29 causes the gear support 21, which is threaded to it, to move along the shift screw 29, thereby engaging a first double-layer gear 23 with a second double-layer gear 24. The first output shaft 12 then rotates, driving the first transmission gear 22 to rotate via the coupling 26. The coupling 26 ensures that the first transmission gear 22 can still accurately transmit torque after moving along the shift screw 29 with the gear support 21. The rotation of the first transmission gear 22 drives the rotation of both first double-layer gears 23, and the first double-layer gear 23 engaging with the second double-layer gear 24 transmits power to the second double-layer gear 24. It should be understood that at any given time, only one first double-layer gear 23 and one second double-layer gear 24 are engaged. The driven second double-layer gear 24 drives the meshing second transmission gear 25 to rotate, which in turn causes the lead screw 311 to rotate around its rotation center, and the moving part 312 drives the push rod 313 to move along the A1 direction.

[0095] In the aforementioned embodiment, two first double-layer gears 23 are provided, which makes the shifting mechanism 2 of the actuator 100 more compact in structure, allowing more lead screw assemblies 31 to be connected in the same space, and the structure is more stable, the gear support travels a shorter distance, and the coupling is easier to be miniaturized.

[0096] In other embodiments of the present invention, only one first double-layer gear 23 may be provided, through which power is transmitted to different downstream lead screw assemblies 31.

[0097] In the preceding embodiment, both first double-layer gears 23 are fitted onto the second rod 448, and thus move along with the gear support 21 as it moves in the second direction A2. In other embodiments of the invention, the two first double-layer gears 23 may also be rotatably supported on the two arm plates 213 of the gear support 21, and the second rod 448 passes through the support body 211 to restrict the gear support 21 and guide it.

[0098] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in the present invention. The understanding of the present invention should be based on those skilled in the art. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still make modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention. All technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An actuator (100) for a multi-channel phase shifter, characterized in that: include: Drive mechanism (1), shifting mechanism (2), lead screw mechanism (3) and base (4); The drive mechanism (1), the shifting mechanism (2), and the lead screw mechanism (3) are all mounted on the base (4); The drive mechanism (1) includes a first output shaft (12) and a second output shaft (13); The shifting mechanism (2) includes a gear support (21) and a first transmission gear (22), the first transmission gear (22) being rotatably supported on the gear support (21), and the first transmission gear (22) having a rotation center extending along a first direction (A1); The lead screw mechanism (3) includes a plurality of lead screw assemblies (31), each of which includes a push rod (313); The second output shaft (13) is configured to drive the gear carrier (21) to move along the second direction (A2) so that the first transmission gear (22) is in a position that engages with a different lead screw assembly (31); The first output shaft (12) is configured to drive the first transmission gear (22) to rotate around its own rotation center, thereby driving the lead screw assembly (31) which is in transmission engagement with the first transmission gear (22) to move, and causing the push rod (313) to move; the shifting mechanism (2) also includes a coupling (26), one end of the coupling (26) is fixedly connected to the first output shaft (12), and the other end of the coupling (26) is fixedly connected to the first transmission gear (22).

2. The actuator (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shifting mechanism (2) further includes a first double-layer gear (23) and a second double-layer gear (24); The first transmission gear (22) includes a first bevel gear section (221); The first double-layer gear (23) includes a second bevel gear portion (231) and a first straight gear portion (232), the first bevel gear portion (221) meshes with the second bevel gear portion (231), and the first double-layer gear (23) is configured to move synchronously with the gear support (21) along the second direction (A2); The second double-layer gear (24) is configured in multiple ways, and each second double-layer gear (24) includes a third bevel gear portion (241) and a second spur gear portion (242), wherein the first spur gear portion (232) is capable of meshing and transmitting power with the second spur gear portion (242).

3. The actuator (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shifting mechanism (2) further includes a second transmission gear (25); each of the second double-layer gears (24) is matched with a second transmission gear (25), and each of the second transmission gears (25) includes a fourth bevel gear section (251), and the third bevel gear section (241) meshes with the fourth bevel gear section (251).

4. The actuator (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: There are two of the first double-layer gears (23); Viewed along the first direction (A1), the two first double-layer gears (23) are respectively arranged on both sides of the first transmission gear (22).

5. The actuator (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The base (4) includes a second rod (448) that passes through the gear bracket (21) along the second direction (A2), and the two first double-layer gears (23) are both fitted around the outer periphery of the second rod (448).

6. The actuator (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of second double-layer gears (24) are divided into two groups, and the first double-layer gears (23) are configured such that one of the first double-layer gears (23) is responsible for driving one group of second double-layer gears (24).

7. The actuator (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gear bracket (21) includes a bracket body (211), a first mounting hole (212), and an arm plate (213). The first mounting hole (212) passes through the bracket body (211) along the first direction (A1); the first transmission gear (22) is rotatably supported by the first mounting hole (212); The two arm plates (213) extend from both sides of the support body (211) along the first direction (A1); The two first double-layer gears (23) are located between the two arm plates (213).

8. The actuator (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The base (4) includes a first rod (447); The first rod (447) extends along the second direction (A2) and passes through the rotation center of a plurality of second double-layer gears (24), which are rotatably supported on the base (4).

9. The actuator (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the lead screw assemblies (31) further includes a lead screw (311) and a moving part (312); One end of the lead screw (311) is fixedly connected to the second transmission gear (25), and the other end of the lead screw (311) is rotatably supported on the base (4); The movable part (312) is threadedly connected to the lead screw (311) and can move relative to the lead screw (311) along the first direction (A1); The push rod (313) is configured to move synchronously with the moving part (312).

10. The actuator (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shifting mechanism (2) also includes a worm (27), a worm wheel (28), and a shifting lead screw (29) rotatably supported on the base (4); One end of the worm (27) is fixedly connected to the second output shaft (13), the worm (27) meshes with the worm wheel (28), the worm wheel (28) is fixed to the shift screw (29), and the shift screw (29) is threadedly connected to the gear bracket (21).

11. The actuator (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The gear support (21) includes a tail (215) having a first threaded hole (216) extending along the second direction (A2), and the shift screw (29) is screwed to the first threaded hole (216) to drive the gear support (21) to move in the second direction (A2).

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