Liquid crystal phase shifter and antenna device

Abstract

A liquid crystal phase shifter is provided, wherein an adhesive sealant (2) is disposed between two transparent substrates (3), forming a first cavity. A first portion (11) of a metal trace layer (1) is located within the first cavity, and a second portion (12) of the metal trace layer (1) is located outside the first cavity. The second portion (12) is disposed on either a first surface or a second surface of the two transparent substrates (3). When the second portion (12) is disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates (3), a metal pad layer (4) is disposed between the adhesive sealant (2) and the first surface of the two transparent substrates (3) to make the gap between the two transparent substrates (3) more consistent. When the second portion (12) is disposed on the second surface of the two transparent substrates (3), the first portion (11) and the second portion (12) are electrically connected through metal vias opened on the transparent substrates (3), and the adhesive sealant (2) and the first surface of the two transparent substrates (3) are in contact. This ensures that the adhesive sealant (2) is coated on the same horizontal plane, and ensures that the gap between the liquid crystal layers of the liquid crystal phase shifter is consistent. An antenna device including the liquid crystal phase shifter is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of signal transmission technology, and more specifically to a liquid crystal phase shifter and an antenna device. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of mobile electronic devices, the requirements for antenna devices for signal transmission are also becoming increasingly stringent. To adapt to the use of electronic devices, antenna devices with liquid crystal phase shifters as phase shifting units are usually installed on electronic devices to reduce the weight of the antenna device and enhance signal stability.

[0003] Currently, antenna devices using liquid crystal phase shifters as phase shifting units typically include two spaced-apart transparent substrates and a metal trace layer disposed on the surface of the transparent substrates. A sealing frame needs to be applied inside the liquid crystal cell according to the panel pattern.

[0004] Then, during the application of the sealant frame, part of the sealant frame needs to be applied onto the metal trace layer. This results in a larger gap between the two transparent substrates at the sealant application point on the metal trace layer compared to the gaps between the corresponding transparent substrates at other locations on the sealant frame. This difference in gaps between the two transparent substrates prevents the liquid crystal layer gaps from remaining consistent, thus affecting the stability of the phase shift in the liquid crystal phase shifter. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a liquid crystal phase shifter and an antenna device to solve the problem in related technologies that it is impossible to keep the gap between liquid crystal layers consistent.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid crystal phase shifter, the liquid crystal phase shifter comprising a metal wiring layer, a sealing adhesive, and two transparent substrates spaced apart;

[0008] The sealing adhesive is disposed between two transparent substrates, forming a first cavity. A first portion of the metal trace layer is located inside the first cavity, and a second portion of the metal trace layer is located outside the first cavity.

[0009] The second part is disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the two transparent substrates, wherein the first surface is the surface of the two transparent substrates facing each other, and the second surface is the surface of the transparent substrate and the first surface facing each other;

[0010] When the second part is disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates, a metal pad is disposed between the sealing adhesive and the first surface of the two transparent substrates so that the gap between the two transparent substrates tends to be consistent;

[0011] When the second part is disposed on the second surface of the two transparent substrates, the first part and the second part are electrically connected through metal vias opened on the transparent substrates, and the sealing adhesive is in contact with the first surface of the two transparent substrates.

[0012] Optionally, the metal trace layer includes at least two parallel metal traces;

[0013] When the second part is disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates, the metal pad layer disposed on both sides of the metal trace includes a plurality of spaced metal pad blocks.

[0014] Optionally, the sealing adhesive includes a plurality of silicone balls;

[0015] A silicon sphere is placed between two adjacent metal pads, and the distance d between two adjacent metal pads is equal to (4m(2r-m)). 1 / 2 Where r is the radius of the silicon sphere, and m is the distance between the midpoint of the line connecting the contact points between the silicon sphere and the two adjacent metal pads and the bottom of the silicon sphere.

[0016] Optionally, the spacing d between two adjacent metal pads is greater than or equal to 0.5 micrometers and less than or equal to 1.5 micrometers.

[0017] Optionally, the dimension L of the metal pad in the second direction is equal to 2r - d, where r is the radius of the silicon sphere and d is the distance between two adjacent metal pads;

[0018] The dimension W of the metal pad in the first direction is greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 1.2 mm;

[0019] The metal pad has a dimension L in the second direction that is greater than or equal to 23.5 micrometers and less than or equal to 26 micrometers, wherein the first direction is a direction perpendicular to the plane of the transparent substrate, and the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0020] Optionally, the distance between the metal pad and the metal trace, which are arranged between the two parallel metal traces, is greater than or equal to 0.9 micrometers and less than or equal to 1.1 micrometers.

[0021] Optionally, a support component is also provided between the transparent substrates located in the first cavity, and the support component provided on one of the two transparent substrates and the support component provided on the other transparent substrate are connected in cooperation.

[0022] Optionally, the support assembly includes at least two snap-fit ​​members and at least two engagement members;

[0023] A snap-fit ​​element disposed on one of the two transparent substrates and an interlocking element disposed on the other transparent substrate are snapped together;

[0024] An interlocking member provided on one of the two transparent substrates and a snap-fit ​​member provided on the other transparent substrate are snapped together.

[0025] Optionally, the number of the snap-fit ​​members and the number of the interlocking members disposed on the same transparent substrate are equal.

[0026] Optionally, the snap-fit ​​member has a trapezoidal cross-section in the second direction, and the interlocking member has a trapezoidal groove in its cross-section in the second direction, wherein the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the plane of the transparent substrate.

[0027] Optionally, the cross-section of the snap-fit ​​member in the second direction is an isosceles trapezoidal cross-section;

[0028] The interlocking member has an isosceles trapezoidal groove in its cross-section in the second direction;

[0029] The dimension of the isosceles trapezoidal cross section in the first direction is two-thirds of the distance between the two transparent substrates.

[0030] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide an antenna device, the antenna device including the liquid crystal phase shifter described in any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0031] As can be seen from the above embodiments, in the embodiments of the present invention, when the second part of the metal wiring layer is disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates, a metal pad is disposed between the sealant and the first surface of the two transparent substrates. Therefore, the sealant layer is supported not only by the metal wiring layer but also by the metal pad, so that the gap between the two transparent substrates tends to be consistent, thereby keeping the sealant on the same horizontal plane. When the second part is disposed on the second surface of the two transparent substrates, the first part and the second part are electrically connected through metal vias opened on the transparent substrates, and the sealant contacts the first surface of the two transparent substrates. Therefore, the sealant located at the junction of the first part and the second part of the metal wiring layer directly contacts the first surface of the two transparent substrates, so that the sealant layer does not adhere to the surface of the metal wiring layer, thereby keeping the sealant on the same horizontal plane. In summary, in the liquid crystal phase shifter provided in the embodiments of the present invention, since the sealant can be coated on the same horizontal plane, the difference in the gap between the two transparent substrates caused by the setting of the metal wiring layer can be avoided, which is beneficial to ensuring the consistency of the liquid crystal layer gap and the stability of the phase shift amount of the liquid crystal phase shifter. Attached Figure Description

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the first liquid crystal phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the structure of the second type of liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the first liquid crystal phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This indicates that the first type of liquid crystal phase shifter provided in the embodiments of the present invention... Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure at point A;

[0037] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the distribution of silicon balls and metal pads in the first type of liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this embodiment of the invention.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the dimensions of a metal pad provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7 This indicates that the first type of liquid crystal phase shifter provided in the embodiments of the present invention... Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure at point B;

[0040] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the assembly of the support components provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates the installation position of the support component provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates the distribution of the support components provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 11 This describes one of the manufacturing processes of the metal pad provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 12 This illustrates a second manufacturing process for the metal pad provided in this embodiment of the invention;

[0045] Figure 13 This describes the third step in the manufacturing process of the metal pad provided in this embodiment of the invention;

[0046] Figure 14 This describes the fourth step in the manufacturing process of the metal pad provided in this embodiment of the invention.

[0047] Figure label:

[0048] 1: Metal trace layer; 2: Sealing adhesive; 3: Transparent substrate; 4: Metal pad layer; 5: Support component; 6: Seed layer; 7: Photoresist barrier; 11: First part; 12: Second part; 13: Metal trace; 21: Silicon ball; 41: Metal pad; 51: Snap-fit ​​component; 52: Engaging component. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0050] It should be understood that the phrase "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Therefore, "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0051] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid crystal phase shifter. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first liquid crystal phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the second type of liquid crystal phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the liquid crystal phase shifter includes a metal wiring layer 1, a sealant 2, and two spaced-apart transparent substrates 3. The sealant 2 is disposed between the two transparent substrates 3, forming a first cavity. A first portion 11 of the metal wiring layer 1 is located inside the first cavity, and a second portion 12 of the metal wiring layer 1 is located outside the first cavity. The second portion 12 is disposed on either the first or second surface of the two transparent substrates 3, wherein the first surface is the surface of the two transparent substrates 3 facing each other, and the second surface is the surface of the transparent substrate 3 facing the surface of the first surface. When the second portion 12 is disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3, a metal pad 4 is disposed between the sealant 2 and the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3 to make the gap between the two transparent substrates 3 tend to be uniform. When the second portion 12 is disposed on the second surface of the two transparent substrates 3, the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 are electrically connected through metal vias opened on the transparent substrates 3, and the sealant 2 is in contact with the first surfaces of the two transparent substrates 3.

[0052] The sealing adhesive 2 has a square frame structure, and its shape is the same as the shape of the liquid crystal cell projected onto the transparent substrate 3 in the liquid crystal phase shifter. The first cavity enclosed by the sealing adhesive 2 is consistent with the cavity of the liquid crystal cell, that is, the first part 11 of the metal wiring layer 1 is the metal wiring part located inside the liquid crystal cell, and the second part 12 of the metal wiring layer 1 is the metal wiring part located outside the liquid crystal cell.

[0053] It should be noted that the sealing adhesive 2 located at the junction of the first part 11 and the second part 12 of the metal trace layer 1 compresses the metal trace layer 1, causing the metal trace layer 1 in that part to deform, which in turn increases the distance between the metal trace layers 1 disposed on the two transparent substrates 3.

[0054] Based on this, in the embodiments of the present invention, a corresponding structure can be set according to the layout of the first part 11 and the second part 12 of the metal trace layer 1 to ensure that the gap between the metal trace layers 1 disposed on the two transparent substrates 3 is equal.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the second portion 12 is disposed on the first surfaces of the two transparent substrates 3, meaning the entire metal trace layer 1 is located on the two opposing surfaces of the two transparent substrates 3. In this embodiment, the sealing adhesive 2 is kept at the same horizontal plane at all locations. In embodiments of the invention, as... Figure 3 As shown, a metal pad 4 is disposed between the sealing adhesive 2 and the first surfaces of the two transparent substrates 3. That is, a ring of metal pad 4 is disposed along the laying path of the sealing adhesive 2, and the shape formed by the metal pad 4 is consistent with the shape formed by the sealing adhesive 2. In this way, the sealing adhesive 2 layer is supported not only by the metal trace layer 1, but also by the metal pad 4, thereby keeping the sealing adhesive 2 on the same horizontal plane.

[0056] It should be noted that, under this embodiment, the metal pad layer 4 can be prepared simultaneously with the metal trace layer 1, making full use of existing processes while saving metal and reducing the manufacturing cost of the metal pad layer 4. For example, Figure 11 , Figure 12 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, a seed layer 6 can be laid on the first surface of the transparent substrate 3 first, and then a photoresist barrier 7 perpendicular to the seed layer can be laid on the seed layer 6. The metal trace layer 1 and the metal pad layer are completely filled with the photoresist barrier 7. Then, metal is electroplated, and finally the photoresist barrier 7 and the seed layer 6 are removed to form the metal trace layer 1 and the metal pad layer 4.

[0057] In another possible implementation, the second portion 12 is disposed on the second surface of the two transparent substrates 3, and the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 are electrically connected through metal vias formed in the transparent substrates 3, so that the sealant 2 is in contact with the first surfaces of the two transparent substrates 3. In this way, the sealant 2 located at the junction of the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 of the metal trace layer 1 is in direct contact with the first surfaces of the two transparent substrates 3, thereby keeping the sealant 2 at the same horizontal plane.

[0058] It should be noted that in this embodiment, when the metal trace layer 1 is traced, the metal trace layer 1 in the first cavity is terminated at the edge of the first cavity. Then, the transparent substrate 3 is drilled, and the metal trace layer 1 of the second part 12 is prepared on the second surface of the transparent substrate 3. Then, metal is injected into the hole by electroplating, so that the first part 11 and the second part 12 are connected.

[0059] As can be seen from the above embodiments, in the embodiments of the present invention, since the second part 12 of the metal wiring layer 1 is disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3, a metal pad 4 is disposed between the sealant 2 and the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3. Therefore, the sealant 2 layer is supported not only by the metal wiring layer 1, but also by the metal pad 4, so that the gap between the two transparent substrates 3 tends to be consistent, thereby keeping the sealant 2 on the same horizontal plane. When the second part 12 is disposed on the second surface of the two transparent substrates 3, the first part 11 and the second part 12 are electrically connected through metal vias opened on the transparent substrates 3, and the sealant 2 contacts the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3. Therefore, the sealant 2 located at the junction of the first part 11 and the second part 12 of the metal wiring layer 1 directly contacts the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3, so that the sealant 2 layer does not adhere to the surface of the metal wiring layer 1, thereby keeping the sealant 2 on the same horizontal plane. In summary, in the liquid crystal phase shifter provided in the embodiments of the present invention, since the sealing adhesive 2 can be coated on the same horizontal plane, the difference in the gap between the two transparent substrates 3 caused by the setting of the metal trace layer 1 can be avoided, which is beneficial to ensuring the consistency of the liquid crystal layer gap and the stability of the phase shift amount of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0060] The layout and shape of the metal pad 4 will be explained in detail below, taking the second part 12 disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3 as an example:

[0061] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the metal trace layer 1 includes at least two parallel metal trace lines 13; when the second part 12 is disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3, the metal pad layer 4 disposed on both sides of the metal trace lines 13 includes a plurality of spaced metal pad blocks 41.

[0062] It should be noted that when the second part 12 is disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3, the portion of the metal pad 4 disposed on both sides of the two parallel metal traces 13 can be parallel to the extension direction of the metal traces 13 or intersect with the extension direction of the metal traces 13. This embodiment of the invention does not limit this. Since this part is used to maintain the gap between the non-working areas of the two transparent substrates 3, in order to save metal material, multiple spaced metal pads 41 can be disposed in this part to reduce the manufacturing cost of the metal pads 41.

[0063] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the dimensions of the metal pad 4 in the first direction are equal to the dimensions of the metal wiring layer 1 in the first direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the transparent substrate 3 is located. In this way, since the dimensions of the metal pad 4 in the first direction are equal to the dimensions of the metal wiring layer 1 in the first direction, it can be ensured that the sealing adhesive 2 disposed between the two transparent substrates 3 is located on the same horizontal plane.

[0064] Furthermore, the gap between any two adjacent metal pads 41 is equal. This ensures a more uniform distribution of the supporting force received by the sealing adhesive 2 from the metal pads 41, which helps the sealing adhesive 2 maintain itself on the same plane.

[0065] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the sealing adhesive 2 includes multiple silicone balls 21; one silicone ball 21 overlaps between two adjacent metal pads 41, and the distance d between two adjacent metal pads 41 is equal to (4m (2r-m)). 1 / 2 Where r is the radius of silicon sphere 21, and m is the distance between the midpoint of the line connecting the contact points between silicon sphere 21 and two adjacent metal pads 41 and the bottom of silicon sphere 21.

[0066] It should be noted that, as shown in the figure, the spacing d between two adjacent metal pads 41 forms Figure 4 The diagram shows one leg of a right triangle. Let m be the distance between the midpoint of the line connecting the contact points of the silicon sphere 21 and the two adjacent metal pads 41, and the bottom of the silicon sphere 21. Then, the length of the other leg of the triangle is r - m. According to the Pythagorean theorem, d... 2 / 4+(r-m) 2 =r 2 Then d equals (4m(2r-m)). 1 / 2 In this way, the spacing between the two metal pads 41 can be set according to the radius of the silicon ball 21 and the distance between the midpoint of the line connecting the contact point between the silicon ball 21 and the two adjacent metal pads 41 and the bottom of the silicon ball 21, so as to ensure that the silicon ball 21 does not fall into the gap between the two metal pads 41.

[0067] Optional, such as Figure 6 As shown, the distance d between two adjacent metal pads 41 is greater than or equal to 0.5 micrometers and less than or equal to 1.5 micrometers.

[0068] It should be noted that the radius of the silicon sphere 21 is typically greater than or equal to 25 micrometers and less than or equal to 30 micrometers. Therefore, the distance d between two adjacent metal pads 41 is greater than or equal to 0.5 micrometers and less than or equal to 1.5 micrometers. For example, 1 micrometer. This ensures that the distance d between two adjacent metal pads 41 is greater than or equal to 0.5 micrometers and less than or equal to 1.5 micrometers, and also helps to ensure the consistency of the gap between the two transparent substrates 3.

[0069] Optional, such as Figure 6 As shown, the dimension L of the metal pad 41 in the second direction is equal to 2r - d, where r is the radius of the silicon ball 21 and d is the distance between two adjacent metal pads 41. The dimension W of the metal pad 41 in the first direction is greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 1.5 mm; the dimension L of the metal pad 41 in the second direction is greater than or equal to 23.5 micrometers and less than or equal to 26 micrometers. The first direction is perpendicular to the plane of the transparent substrate 3, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Thus, by limiting the dimension L of the metal pad 41 in the second direction, it is ensured that the silicon balls 21 overlapping between two adjacent metal pads 41 do not contact each other, ensuring no interaction force between adjacent silicon balls 21 and maintaining the sealant 2 on the same plane. By limiting the dimension W of the metal pad 41 in the first direction, it is ensured that the silicon balls 21 overlapping between two adjacent metal pads 41 do not contact each other, while also ensuring that the dimensions of the metal pad 41 in the first direction are equal, which is beneficial for ensuring the consistency of the gap between the two transparent substrates 3.

[0070] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, the distance f between the metal pad 41 and the metal trace 13, which are arranged between the two parallel metal traces 13, is greater than or equal to 0.9 micrometers and less than or equal to 1.1 micrometers. This spacing between the metal pad 41 and the metal trace 13 avoids the influence of the metal pad 41 on the metal trace 13.

[0071] In addition, extra support is needed within the first cavity enclosed by the sealing adhesive 2 to ensure that the gap between the two transparent substrates 3 remains consistent, as detailed below:

[0072] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, a support component 5 is also provided between the transparent substrates 3 located in the first cavity, and the support component 5 provided on one of the two transparent substrates 3 and the support component 5 provided on the other transparent substrate 3 are connected in cooperation.

[0073] It should be noted that the support component 5 can be a metal snap-fit ​​connector 51 or a non-metal snap-fit ​​connector 51, and the embodiments of the present invention do not limit this. Support components 5 are provided on the opposing first surfaces of the two transparent substrates 3, and the support components 5 provided on one transparent substrate 3 correspond to the support components 5 provided on the other transparent substrate 3. This allows the support components 5 provided on one transparent substrate 3 to connect with the support components 5 provided on the other transparent substrate 3, enabling the two transparent substrates 3 to provide support force through the support components 5, thereby ensuring the consistency of the gap between the two transparent substrates 3.

[0074] Optionally, the support component 5 includes at least two snap-fit ​​members 51 and at least two interlocking members 52; the snap-fit ​​member 51 provided on one of the two transparent substrates 3 and the interlocking member 52 provided on the other transparent substrate 3 are snap-fitted; the interlocking member 52 provided on one of the two transparent substrates 3 and the snap-fit ​​member 51 provided on the other transparent substrate 3 are snap-fitted.

[0075] It should be noted that the snap-fit ​​member 51 can be a block structure with a cross-section of any shape, such as square, triangular, or trapezoidal, along the first direction. A groove with the same structure as the snap-fit ​​member 51 facing the snap-fit ​​member 52 is provided on the interlocking member 52. Thus, the two transparent substrates 3 can be snapped together by the snap-fit ​​member 51 on one transparent substrate 3 and the interlocking member 52 on the other transparent substrate 3. The two transparent substrates 3 are supported by the snap-fit ​​structure formed by the snap-fit ​​member 51 and the interlocking member 52. It should also be noted that since both transparent substrates 3 have snap-fit ​​members 51 and interlocking members 52, the forces exerted on the snap-fit ​​members 51 and the supporting members on both transparent substrates 3 are consistent, which helps to ensure the consistency of the gap between the two transparent substrates 3. Furthermore, the number of snap-fit ​​members 51 and the number of interlocking members 52 provided on the same transparent substrate 3 can be equal or unequal; this embodiment of the invention does not limit this.

[0076] In some embodiments, the number of snap-fit ​​members 51 and the number of engagement members 52 disposed on the same transparent substrate 3 are equal. This ensures that the number of snap-fit ​​members 51 and engagement members 52 on the same transparent substrate 3 is consistent, facilitating assembly and promoting structural stability between the two transparent substrates 3. Furthermore, to further enhance structural stability between the two transparent substrates 3, the snap-fit ​​members 51 and engagement members 52 on the same transparent substrate 3 can be staggered, with one engagement member 52 between two adjacent snap-fit ​​members 51. This makes the connection between the snap-fit ​​members 51 and engagement members 52 between the two transparent substrates 3 more robust and better helps maintain the consistency of the gap between the two transparent substrates 3.

[0077] Optionally, the snap-fit ​​member 51 has a trapezoidal cross-section in the second direction, and the engagement member 52 has a trapezoidal groove in its cross-section in the second direction, wherein the second direction is the direction perpendicular to the plane where the transparent substrate 3 is located.

[0078] It should be noted that, since the trapezoid has two inclined waists, the snap-fit ​​part 51 has at least two inclined surfaces that come into contact with the inclined surfaces of the engagement part 52. This ensures that after snap-fitting, there are at least two mutually limiting surfaces between the snap-fit ​​part 51 and the engagement surface, making the connection between the snap-fit ​​part 51 and the engagement part 52 more secure.

[0079] Optionally, the snap-fit ​​member 51 has an isosceles trapezoidal cross section in the second direction; the interlocking member 52 has an isosceles trapezoidal groove in its cross section in the second direction.

[0080] Specifically, the distance between the two bases of the isosceles trapezoidal groove is equal to one-third of the dimension of the engaging member 52 in the first direction. The height between the two bases of the isosceles trapezoidal cross-section can be equal to two-thirds of the distance between the two transparent substrates 3. The ratio of the lengths between the two bases is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 1.5, where the ratio is the ratio between the longer base and the wider base. In this way, the engagement between the snap-fit ​​member 51 with the isosceles trapezoidal cross-section and the engaging member 52 with the isosceles trapezoidal groove is more secure, which helps to further improve the stability of the connection between the snap-fit ​​member 51 and the engaging member 52.

[0081] Optionally, the dimension of the isosceles trapezoidal cross section in the first direction is two-thirds of the distance between the two transparent substrates 3. This ensures sufficient engagement depth between the snap-fit ​​member 51 and the engaging member 52, further enhancing the stability of the connection between them.

[0082] As can be seen from the above embodiments, in the embodiments of the present invention, since the second part 12 of the metal wiring layer 1 is disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3, a metal pad 4 is disposed between the sealant 2 and the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3. Therefore, the sealant 2 layer is supported not only by the metal wiring layer 1, but also by the metal pad 4, so that the gap between the two transparent substrates 3 tends to be consistent, thereby keeping the sealant 2 on the same horizontal plane. When the second part 12 is disposed on the second surface of the two transparent substrates 3, the first part 11 and the second part 12 are electrically connected through metal vias opened on the transparent substrates 3, and the sealant 2 contacts the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3. Therefore, the sealant 2 located at the junction of the first part 11 and the second part 12 of the metal wiring layer 1 directly contacts the first surface of the two transparent substrates 3, so that the sealant 2 layer does not adhere to the surface of the metal wiring layer 1, thereby keeping the sealant 2 on the same horizontal plane. In summary, in the liquid crystal phase shifter provided in the embodiments of the present invention, since the sealing adhesive 2 can be coated on the same horizontal plane, the difference in the gap between the two transparent substrates 3 caused by the setting of the metal trace layer 1 can be avoided, which is beneficial to ensuring the consistency of the liquid crystal layer gap and the stability of the phase shift amount of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0083] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna device comprising the liquid crystal phase shifter described in any embodiment of the first aspect. The beneficial effects of this antenna device are consistent with those of the aforementioned liquid crystal phase shifter, and will not be elaborated further in this embodiment.

[0084] It should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0085] Although alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make further changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the alternative embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0086] Finally, it should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that an article or terminal device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such an article or terminal device. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the article or terminal device that includes that element.

[0087] The technical solution provided by the present invention has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principle and implementation of the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation and application scope based on the principle and implementation of the present invention. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal phase shifter, characterized in that, The liquid crystal phase shifter includes a metal wiring layer, a sealing adhesive, and two spaced-apart transparent substrates. The sealing adhesive is disposed between two transparent substrates, forming a first cavity. A first portion of the metal trace layer is located inside the first cavity, and a second portion of the metal trace layer is located outside the first cavity. The second part is disposed on the first surface of the two transparent substrates, wherein the first surface is the surface of the two transparent substrates facing each other; A metal pad is provided between the sealing adhesive and the first surfaces of the two transparent substrates to make the gap between the two transparent substrates more consistent; The metal trace layer includes at least two parallel metal traces; The metal pads disposed on both sides of the metal traces include a plurality of spaced metal pads. The sealing adhesive includes multiple silicone balls; one silicone ball overlaps between two adjacent metal pads, and the distance d between two adjacent metal pads is equal to (4m (2r-m)). 1 / 2 Where r is the radius of the silicon sphere, and m is the distance between the midpoint of the line connecting the contact points between the silicon sphere and the two adjacent metal pads and the bottom of the silicon sphere; The dimension L of the metal pad in the second direction is equal to 2r-d; The dimension W of the metal pad in the first direction is greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 1.2 mm; The metal pad has a dimension L in the second direction that is greater than or equal to 23.5 micrometers and less than or equal to 26 micrometers, wherein the first direction is a direction perpendicular to the plane of the transparent substrate, and the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

2. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dimensions of the metal pad in the first direction are equal to the dimensions of the metal trace layer in the first direction.

3. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance d between two adjacent metal pads is greater than or equal to 0.5 micrometers and less than or equal to 1.5 micrometers.

4. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the metal pad and the metal trace, which are arranged between the two parallel metal traces, is greater than or equal to 0.9 micrometers and less than or equal to 1.1 micrometers.

5. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 1, characterized in that, A support assembly is also provided between the transparent substrates located in the first cavity, and the support assembly provided on one of the two transparent substrates and the support assembly provided on the other transparent substrate are connected in cooperation.

6. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The support assembly includes at least two snap-fit ​​elements and at least two interlocking elements; A snap-fit ​​element disposed on one of the two transparent substrates and an interlocking element disposed on the other transparent substrate are snapped together; An interlocking member disposed on one of the two transparent substrates and a snap-fit ​​member disposed on the other transparent substrate are snapped together.

7. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 6, characterized in that, The snap-fit ​​component has a trapezoidal cross-section in the second direction, and the interlocking component has a trapezoidal groove in its cross-section in the second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the plane of the transparent substrate.

8. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cross-section of the snap-fit ​​component in the second direction is an isosceles trapezoidal cross-section; The interlocking member has an isosceles trapezoidal groove in its cross-section in the second direction; The dimension of the isosceles trapezoidal cross section in the first direction is two-thirds of the distance between the two transparent substrates.

9. An antenna device, characterized in that the antenna device comprises a liquid crystal phase shifter as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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