Liquid crystal antenna and electronic device

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid crystal antenna and electronic equipment. The liquid crystal antenna includes: a phase shifter structure; the first substrate is positioned on one side of the phase shifter structure; one side, facing the phase shifter structure, of the first substrate is provided with a power divider wire; the first substrate and the phase shifter structure are attached to form a box. According to the technical scheme, the stability of radio frequency signal transmission is improved, and the signal transmission loss is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of liquid crystal antennas, and in particular to a liquid crystal antenna and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Liquid crystal antenna is a new type of array antenna made by combining conventional patch antenna with liquid crystal phase shifter, in which the liquid crystal phase shifter controls the deflection of liquid crystal molecules to achieve phase adjustment of radio frequency signals. Liquid crystal antenna has broad application prospects in satellite receiving antenna, vehicle-mounted radar, 5G base station antenna and other fields.

[0003] In the prior art, when a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is used as a substrate, a power divider line is set on the substrate and fits with a phase shifter structure to achieve transmission of radio frequency signals. However, the material of the PCB is relatively soft, and the middle or four sides of the PCB are prone to warping, resulting in poor uniformity of the spacing between the PCB as the substrate and the phase shifter structure, and there is a risk of adhesion, which leads to inconsistent transmission of radio frequency signals. In addition, when the PCB board and the phase shifter structure are fitted, the aligned PCB and the phase shifter structure are fitted under a CCD (charge coupled device) lens by a robotic arm gripping method. The fitting error is large, resulting in low fitting accuracy, affecting the coupling efficiency of antenna signal transmission, and causing a reduction in antenna gain. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a liquid crystal antenna and an electronic device to improve the stability of radio frequency signal transmission and reduce signal transmission loss.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid crystal antenna, comprising:

[0006] substrate;

[0007] an organic layer located above the substrate;

[0008] a metal layer located on a side of the organic layer facing away from the substrate and in contact with the organic layer;

[0009] The metal layer includes a plurality of first openings, and the first openings penetrate the metal layer in a direction perpendicular to the substrate; the width of the first opening at one end of the vertical projection pattern of the substrate is greater than the width at the other end.

[0010] In a second aspect, the present disclosure further provides an electronic device, comprising the liquid crystal antenna as described in the first aspect.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by the present invention has the following advantages:

[0012] The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal antenna and an electronic device, wherein the liquid crystal antenna comprises: a phase shifter structure; a first substrate, located on one side of the phase shifter structure; a power divider wiring is arranged on the side of the first substrate facing the phase shifter structure; and the first substrate and the phase shifter structure are bonded into a box. By bonding the phase shifter structure and the first substrate into a box through a panel process, the distance between the first substrate and the phase shifter structure is made uniform, thereby improving the stability of radio frequency signal transmission, and the distance control between the first substrate and the phase shifter structure is more precise, thereby improving the accuracy of the relative position of the first substrate and the phase shifter structure. In addition, the spacing between the phase shifter structure and the first substrate bonded through the panel process is smaller, which can improve the efficiency of antenna coupling, shorten the distance of radio frequency signal transmission, and reduce signal loss. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a top view structure of a liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure along the AA' direction;

[0017] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a top view structure of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure along the BB' direction;

[0019] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure along the CC' direction;

[0020] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a top view structure of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the DD' direction;

[0022] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a top view structure of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the EE' direction;

[0024] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a top view structure of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Fig.11 for Fig.10 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the FF' direction;

[0026] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of the present disclosure, the scheme of the present disclosure will be further described below. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0028] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein; it is obvious that the embodiments in the specification are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0029] In the related art, when PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is used as the base substrate in the prior art, a power divider line is set on the base substrate and fits with the phase shifter structure to realize the transmission of radio frequency signals. However, the material of PCB is relatively soft, and the middle or four sides of PCB are prone to warping, resulting in poor uniformity of the spacing between PCB as the base substrate and the phase shifter structure, and there is a risk of adhesion, which leads to inconsistent transmission of radio frequency signals. In addition, when the PCB board and the phase shifter structure are fitted, the aligned PCB and the phase shifter structure are fitted under the CCD (charge coupled device) lens by using a robotic arm to grasp the lens. The fitting error is large, resulting in low fitting accuracy, affecting the coupling efficiency of antenna signal transmission, and causing a reduction in antenna gain.

[0030] In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a liquid crystal antenna, which includes: a phase shifter structure; a first substrate, located on one side of the phase shifter structure; a power divider line is provided on the side of the first substrate facing the phase shifter structure; and the first substrate is bonded to the phase shifter structure to form a box. Thus, by bonding the phase shifter structure and the first substrate to form a box through a panel process, the distance between the first substrate and the phase shifter structure is made uniform, the stability of the RF signal transmission is improved, and the distance control between the first substrate and the phase shifter structure is more precise, which improves the accuracy of the relative position of the first substrate and the phase shifter structure. In addition, the spacing between the phase shifter structure and the first substrate bonded through the panel process is smaller, which can improve the efficiency of antenna coupling, shorten the distance of RF signal transmission, and reduce signal loss.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a top view of a liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure along the AA' direction. Figure 1 The power divider formed by the power divider wiring 11 is exemplarily shown as, for example, a sixteen-power divider, but not limited to this. The power divider may also be, for example, a two-power divider, a four-power divider or an eight-power divider, etc., and is set according to the actual use of the liquid crystal antenna. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0032] Figure 2 The figure exemplarily shows that the power divider line 11 is coupled to the phase shifter structure 4. The power divider line 11 is used to access the RF signal and transmit the RF signal to the phase shifter structure 4. The phase shifter structure 4 is used to change the potential of the accessed RF signal and transmit the RF signal after the potential is changed to the outside, and the RF signal is received by an external receiver.

[0033] The first base substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 used in the embodiment of the present disclosure are bonded into a box. For example, a metal layer can be formed on the first base substrate 1, and a patterned power divider wiring 11 can be formed by exposure, development and etching. A pattern of a sealant is applied on the side of the first base substrate 1 facing the phase shifter structure 4, and the first base substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 are bonded by the sealant and the sealant is cured.

[0034] It should be noted that the first base substrate 1 may be, for example, a glass substrate, or a substrate of other materials, as long as it can be assembled with the phase shifter structure 4 through a panel process. The material of the first base substrate 1 is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the phase shifter structure 4 and the first substrate 1 are bonded into a box through a panel process. The bonding accuracy of the panel process is higher, so that the distance between the first substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 is uniform, the stability of RF signal transmission is improved, and the distance control between the first substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 is more precise, thereby improving the accuracy of the relative position of the first substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4.

[0036] Alternatively, if Figure 2 As shown, the distance H between the first substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 is 3-60 μm.

[0037] In the related art, the power divider wiring is set on the PCB, and the distance between the PCB and the phase shifter structure can reach about 300μm. The loss of the RF signal coupled from the power divider wiring to the phase shifter structure 4 is large, and the transmission efficiency is low.

[0038] In order to ensure the transmission efficiency of the RF signal, the embodiment of the present disclosure shortens the distance H between the first substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 through a panel box forming process, for example, it can be less than or equal to 60μm, which can reduce the loss of the RF signal transmitted from the first substrate 1 to the phase shifter structure 4, improve the efficiency of antenna coupling, and reduce signal loss.

[0039] In addition, the distance H between the first substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 is set to be greater than or equal to 3 μm, which can meet the wiring space requirement for accommodating the power divider wiring 11 and other wirings.

[0040] Alternatively, if Figure 2 As shown, the phase shifter structure 4 includes: a second substrate 2 and a third substrate 3 arranged opposite to each other; a dielectric functional layer 5, the dielectric functional layer 5 is located between the second substrate 2 and the third substrate 3; a phase shifter trace 41 and a first conductive layer 42, the phase shifter trace 41 is located on the side of the second substrate 2 facing the dielectric functional layer 5, and the first conductive layer 42 is located on the side of the third substrate 3 facing the dielectric functional layer 5; the first conductive layer 42 is connected to a first fixed potential; and the first substrate 1 is located on the side of the second substrate 2 facing away from the third substrate 3.

[0041] Specifically, Figure 2As shown, the second base substrate 2 and the third base substrate 3 are bonded to form a box shape, which plays a supporting and protective role. The dielectric functional layer 5 will undergo a change in dielectric constant after being affected by the electric field, so as to shift the phase of the radio frequency signal transmitted on the phase shifter trace 41 and change the phase of the radio frequency signal. The material of the dielectric functional layer 5 can be set by a person skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and is not limited here. Exemplarily, the dielectric functional layer 5 may include an electro-dielectric variable material, such as liquid crystal. When the dielectric functional layer 30 is liquid crystal, a polyimide layer (not shown in the drawings) is usually required to be provided on the side of the first conductive layer 42 facing the second base substrate 2 to achieve the initial alignment of the liquid crystal.

[0042] The first conductive layer 42 is used to receive a first fixed potential, such as a ground signal. The material of the first conductive layer 42 can be set by a person skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and is not limited here. For example, the material of the first conductive layer 42 may include copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), or alloys containing the aforementioned materials.

[0043] The phase shifter trace 41 is used to transmit radio frequency signals, and is also used to change the electric field according to the change of the bias voltage applied thereto, thereby changing the dielectric constant of the dielectric functional layer 5. The shape and material of the phase shifter trace 41 can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and are not limited here. Exemplarily, the shape of the phase shifter trace 41 may include a spiral or a serpentine shape; the material of the phase shifter trace 41 may include copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au) or alloys containing the foregoing materials, etc.

[0044] Exemplarily, the power divider line 11 is connected to the RF signal and couples the RF signal to the phase shifter line 41. The bias voltage is connected to the phase shifter line 41 through the bias voltage signal line 23. The bias voltage signal line 23 is electrically connected to the phase shifter line 41 through the via hole on the fifth insulating layer 105. The fifth insulating layer 105 is used to protect the phase shifter line 41 from oxidation. The first conductive layer 42 is connected to a fixed potential, so that an electric field is formed between the phase shifter line 41 and the first conductive layer 42. The electric field can drive the material in the dielectric functional layer 5, such as liquid crystal molecules, to deflect, thereby changing the dielectric constant of the dielectric functional layer 5. Due to the change in the dielectric constant of the dielectric functional layer 5, the RF signal transmitted on the phase shifter line 41 will be phase shifted, thereby changing the phase of the RF signal, realizing the phase shifting function of the RF signal, and the RF signal after phase shifting is transmitted outward and received by the receiver.

[0045] Among them, the second base substrate 2 and the third base substrate 3 can be, for example, glass substrates. Since the glass substrate has good light transmittance, when the second base substrate 2 and the third base substrate 3 are aligned into a box, it is beneficial to accurately align the second base substrate 2 and the third base substrate 3, thereby ensuring the phase shift performance of the liquid crystal antenna. It should be noted that the second base substrate 2 and the third base substrate 3 can also be substrates of other materials, as long as they can be bonded to the first base substrate 1 to form a box, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0046] Alternatively, if Figure 2 As shown, the liquid crystal antenna further includes a second conductive layer 12; the second conductive layer 12 is located on a side of the phase shifter structure 4 facing the first substrate 1; and the second conductive layer 12 is connected to a second fixed potential.

[0047] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the second conductive layer 12 can be, for example, a power divider grounding layer, and the second conductive layer 12 is connected to a second fixed potential, for example, a ground signal. An electric field is formed between the power divider wiring 11 and the second conductive layer 12, so that the radio frequency signal is coupled and transmitted to the phase shifter structure 4. In addition, the second conductive layer 12 is arranged on the side of the phase shifter structure 4 facing the first substrate 1, and the power divider wiring 11 is arranged on the side of the first substrate 1 facing the phase shifter structure 4. The preparation of the power divider wiring 11 and the second conductive layer 12 can be realized without the need for a double-sided patterning process, and the process flow is simple, the consumable loss is low, the cost is low, the yield is high, and it is easy to mass produce.

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a top view of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 As shown, the liquid crystal antenna also includes an RF connector 6, which is used to feed the RF signal; the side of the first substrate 1 facing the phase shifter structure 4 includes a first binding area 10; the RF connector 6 is electrically connected to the power divider wiring 11 in the first binding area 10.

[0049] Specifically, Figure 3 As shown, the RF connector 6 is used to feed the RF signal to the power divider wiring 11, and the RF signal can be transmitted to the phase shifter structure 4 through the RF connector 6 and the power divider wiring 11. A first binding area 10 is provided on the side of the first substrate 1 facing the phase shifter structure 4. Exemplarily, the RF connector 6 may include a RF signal end, and the RF signal end of the RF connector 6 is electrically connected to the power divider wiring 11 in the first binding area 10.

[0050] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure along the BB' direction. Figure 4As shown, the first base substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 are bonded into a box through a first glue frame 43; a first connecting line 21 is arranged on the first base substrate 1; a first conductive structure 431 is arranged in the first glue frame 43, and the second conductive layer 12 is electrically connected to the first connecting line 21 through the first conductive structure 431; the first connecting line 21 is electrically connected to the RF connector 6 in the first binding area 10.

[0051] For example, Figure 4 As shown, the pattern of the first glue frame 43 can be coated on the side of the first base substrate 1 facing the phase shifter structure 4 or the side of the phase shifter structure 4 facing the first base substrate 1, and then the first base substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 are attached through the first glue frame 43 and the first glue frame 43 is cured.

[0052] Figure 4 exemplarily shows that the liquid crystal antenna further includes a first insulating layer 101 and a second insulating layer 102, the first insulating layer 101 is located on the side of the first substrate 1 facing the second substrate 2, the second insulating layer 102 is located on the side of the second substrate 2 facing the first substrate 1, and the first insulating layer 101 and the second insulating layer 102 are used to protect the first conductive layer 42 to prevent the first conductive layer 42 from being oxidized. The third conductive structure 433 and the fourth conductive structure 434, the third conductive structure 433 is located on the side of the first insulating layer 101 facing the second substrate 2, the third conductive structure 433 is connected to the first connecting line 21 through the via hole of the first insulating layer 101, the fourth conductive structure 434 is located on the side of the second insulating layer 102 facing the first substrate 1, and the fourth conductive structure 434 is connected to the second conductive layer 12 through the via hole of the second insulating layer 102.

[0053] The first connecting line 21 is electrically connected to the RF ground terminal 61 of the RF connector 6 , and the ground signal received from the first substrate 1 is transmitted to the second conductive layer 12 on the second substrate 2 through the third conductive structure 433 , the first conductive structure 431 , and the fourth conductive structure 434 .

[0054] The material of the first connecting wire 21 can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and is not limited here. For example, the material of the first connecting wire 21 can include copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au) or alloys containing the above materials.

[0055] The first conductive structure 431 is, for example, a conductive glue containing metal balls, that is, metal balls are doped in the first glue frame 43 to have conductive properties. The materials of the metal balls and the glue can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and are not limited here. For example, the material of the metal balls can be selected from Cu, Al, Ti, or Mo, etc.; the material of the glue can be selected from AU glue, etc.

[0056] The materials of the first insulating layer 101 and the second insulating layer 102 can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and are not limited here. Exemplarily, the materials of the first insulating layer 101 and the second insulating layer 102 may include inorganic layer materials, for example, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide or zinc oxide, etc.; they may also include organic materials, for example, polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene or polyacrylate, etc.

[0057] The materials of the third conductive structure 433 and the fourth conductive structure 434 can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and are not limited here. Exemplarily, the materials of the third conductive structure 433 and the fourth conductive structure 434 may include copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), molybdenum (Mo), indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc.

[0058] Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a binding area on the second base substrate 2 to electrically connect the binding area to the RF ground terminal of the RF connector 6 , thereby saving the wiring space of the liquid crystal antenna.

[0059] Alternatively, if Figure 3 As shown, the liquid crystal antenna further includes a flexible circuit board 7 ; the second base substrate 2 includes a second binding area 20 on one side facing the third base substrate 3 ; and the flexible circuit board 7 is electrically connected to the phase shifter trace 41 in the second binding area 20 .

[0060] Specifically, Figure 3 As shown, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) 7 is used to bind a driver chip or to bind to a printed circuit board provided with a driver chip, the driver chip is used to generate a bias voltage signal, and the second substrate 2 is provided with a second binding area 20, for example, on a side facing the third substrate 3, and the flexible printed circuit 7 is electrically connected to the phase shifter trace 41 in the second binding area 20 so that the phase shifter trace 41 is connected to the bias voltage signal.

[0061] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure along the CC' direction. Figure 5 As shown, the third base substrate 3 and the second base substrate 2 are bonded into a box through a second glue frame 44; a second connecting line 22 is arranged on the second base substrate 2; a second conductive structure 441 is arranged in the second glue frame 44, and the first conductive layer 42 is electrically connected to the second connecting line 22 through the second conductive structure 441; the second connecting line 22 is electrically connected to the flexible circuit board 7 in the second binding area 20.

[0062] Exemplarily, the second glue frame 44 can be coated on the side of the second base substrate 2 facing the third base substrate 3 or on the side of the third base substrate 3 facing the second base substrate 2, and then the second base substrate 2 and the third base substrate 3 are bonded together through the second glue frame 44 and the second glue frame 44 is cured.

[0063] A second connecting line 22 is provided on the second base substrate 2. For example, the second connecting line 22 may be provided on a side of the second base substrate 2 facing the third base substrate 3. For example, a grounding terminal 71 may be provided on the flexible circuit board 7. Figure 5 The liquid crystal antenna further includes a third insulating layer 103 and a fourth insulating layer 104, wherein the third insulating layer 103 is located on the side of the second substrate 2 facing the third substrate 3, and the fourth insulating layer 104 is located on the side of the second substrate 2 facing the first substrate 1. The third insulating layer 103 and the fourth insulating layer 104 are used to protect the first conductive layer 12 and prevent the first conductive layer 12 from being oxidized. The fifth conductive structure 435 and the sixth conductive structure 436 are shown in the figure. The fifth conductive structure 435 is located on the side of the third insulating layer 103 facing the third substrate 3, and the fifth conductive structure 435 is connected to the second connecting line 22 through the via hole of the third insulating layer 103. The sixth conductive structure 436 is located on the side of the fourth insulating layer 104 facing the second substrate 2, and the sixth conductive structure 436 is connected to the first conductive layer 42 through the via hole of the fourth insulating layer 104.

[0064] The second connection line 22 is electrically connected to the ground terminal 71 in the second binding area 20 , and the ground signal received from the second base substrate 2 is transmitted to the first conductive layer 42 on the third base substrate 3 through the fifth conductive structure 435 , the second conductive structure 441 , and the sixth conductive structure 436 .

[0065] The material of the second connecting wire 22 can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and is not limited here. For example, the material of the second connecting wire 22 may include copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au) or alloys containing the above materials.

[0066] The second conductive structure 441 is, for example, a conductive glue containing metal balls, that is, metal balls are doped in the second glue frame 44 to have conductive properties. The materials of the metal balls and the glue can be set by a person skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and are not limited here. For example, the material of the metal balls can be selected from Cu, Al, Ti, or Mo, etc.; the material of the glue can be selected from AU glue, etc.

[0067] The materials of the third insulating layer 103 and the fourth insulating layer 104 can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and are not limited here. Exemplarily, the materials of the third insulating layer 103 and the fourth insulating layer 104 may include inorganic layer materials, for example, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide or zinc oxide, etc.; they may also include organic materials, for example, polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene or polyacrylate, etc.

[0068] The materials of the fifth conductive structure 435 and the sixth conductive structure 436 can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions, and are not limited here. Exemplarily, the materials of the fifth conductive structure 435 and the sixth conductive structure 436 may include copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), molybdenum (Mo), indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc.

[0069] Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a binding area on the third base substrate 3 to be electrically connected to the flexible circuit board 7 to achieve access to the ground signal, thereby saving the wiring space of the liquid crystal antenna.

[0070] Alternatively, if Figure 3 As shown, along the direction parallel to the third base substrate 3, the shortest distance between the edge of the vertical projection of the first base substrate 1 on the third base substrate 3 and the edge of the third base substrate 3 is D1, and the shortest distance between the edge of the vertical projection of the second base substrate 2 on the third base substrate 3 and the edge of the third base substrate 3 is D2, wherein D1 is greater than or equal to 5 mm, and D2 is greater than or equal to 2 mm.

[0071] Specifically, Figure 3 As shown, in a direction parallel to the plane where the third base substrate 3 is located, the third base substrate 3 exceeds the first base substrate by at least 5 mm to ensure the contact area between the RF connector 6 and the third base substrate 3, thereby ensuring the connection firmness between the RF connector 6 and the third base substrate 3.

[0072] In a direction parallel to the plane where the third base substrate 3 is located, the second base substrate 2 exceeds the first base substrate by at least 2 mm, so as to ensure the contact area between the flexible circuit board and the second base substrate 2, thereby ensuring the connection firmness between the flexible circuit board and the second base substrate 2.

[0073] Preferably, D1=5 mm and D2=2 mm can be set, so that the overall size of the liquid crystal antenna can be reduced while satisfying the connection between the RF connector 6 and the first substrate 1 and the connection between the flexible circuit board and the second substrate 2 .

[0074] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a top view of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 7 for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the DD' direction. Optionally, combined with Figure 6 and Figure 7 The liquid crystal antenna also includes an RF connector 6, which is used to feed an RF signal; the side of the second substrate substrate 2 facing the phase shifter structure 4 includes a third binding area 30; the second substrate substrate 2 is provided with a connecting through hole 31 in the third binding area 30; the second conductive layer 12 extends to the side of the second substrate substrate 2 facing the first substrate substrate 1 through the connecting through hole 31; the RF connector 6 is electrically connected to the second conductive layer 12 in the third binding area 30, and is electrically connected to the power divider wiring 11 through the connecting through hole 31.

[0075] Specifically, combined Figure 6 and Figure 7 A third binding area 30 is provided on the side of the second substrate 2 facing the phase shifter structure 4, and a connecting through hole 31 is provided in the third binding area 30. The cross-sectional shape of the connecting through hole 31 may include a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, or a quadrilateral, etc., which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure; the aperture size of the connecting through hole 31 may be set according to actual factors such as the punching technology used, the preparation technology and size of the RF connector 6. When the material of the second substrate 2 is glass, the connecting through hole 31 may be formed on the second substrate 2 by a through glass via (TGV) technology.

[0076] The second conductive layer 12 extends through the connecting through hole 31 to the side of the second substrate 2 facing the first substrate 1, that is, the second conductive layer 12 extends from the side of the second substrate 2 facing the first substrate 1 through the side wall of the connecting through hole 31 to the side of the second substrate 2 facing the third substrate.

[0077] The RF connector 6 may be, for example, a plug-in RF connector, and the RF connector 6 includes an RF signal terminal 62 and an RF ground terminal 61, the RF signal terminal 62 is electrically connected to the power divider wiring 11 through the connecting through hole 31, for example, by welding, and the RF ground terminal 61 is electrically connected to the second conductive layer 12 in the third binding area 30. Figure 8 Two radio frequency ground terminals 61 are exemplarily shown, which are electrically connected to the second conductive layer 12 at both sides of the connecting through hole 31 respectively.

[0078] in addition, Figure 6 It is also shown that the flexible circuit board 7 is electrically connected to the phase shifter trace 41 in the second binding area 20 located on the second base substrate 2. Therefore, only by setting the second binding area 20 and the third binding area 30 on the second base substrate 2, the binding of the flexible circuit board 7 and the RF connector 6 can be achieved, which can further reduce the size of the liquid crystal antenna.

[0079] Figure 8A schematic diagram of a top view of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 9 for Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the EE' direction. Optionally, combined with Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The liquid crystal antenna further includes: a radiation electrode 8, which is located on a side of the third base substrate 3 away from the second base substrate 2, and a vertical projection of the radiation electrode 8 on the second base substrate 2 at least partially overlaps with a vertical projection of the phase shifter trace 41 on the second base substrate 2.

[0080] For example, in combination Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the radiation electrode 8 is located on the side of the third substrate 3 away from the second substrate 2, and the vertical projection of the radiation electrode 8 on the second substrate 2 at least partially overlaps with the vertical projection of the phase shifter trace 41 on the second substrate 2, and the radiation electrode 8 is used to send the radio frequency signal after the phase shifter structure 4 is phase-shifted to the outside. Therefore, by setting the radiation electrode 8 on the third substrate 3, the radio frequency signal after the phase shift can be transmitted to the radiation electrode 8 through a layer of the third substrate 3, which reduces the coupling loss of the radio frequency signal and improves the antenna coupling efficiency.

[0081] It should be noted that the material of the radiation electrode 8 can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions and is not limited here. For example, the material of the radiation electrode 8 may include copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au) or alloys containing the above materials.

[0082] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a top view of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.11 for Fig.10 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the FF' direction. Optionally, combined with Fig.10 and Fig.11 The liquid crystal antenna further includes: a fourth substrate plate 9, located on a side of the third substrate plate 3 away from the second substrate plate 2; a radiation electrode 8; the radiation electrode 8 is located on a side of the fourth substrate plate 9 away from the third substrate plate 3; a vertical projection of the radiation electrode 8 on the second substrate plate 2 at least partially overlaps with a vertical projection of the phase shifter trace 41 on the second substrate plate 2.

[0083] For example, when the radiation electrode and the first conductive layer are both arranged on the same substrate, a double-sided copper plating process is required for preparation. The double-sided copper plating process involves a single-sided protection and double-sided patterning process. Not only does the process consumables extremely large, but the product yield is also low, which greatly increases the manufacturing cost and difficulty, and is likely to have an adverse impact on the commercial promotion of subsequent products.

[0084] In order to solve the above problems, the embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fourth base substrate 9, which is located on the side of the third base substrate 3 away from the second base substrate 2, and the radiation electrode 8 is arranged on the side of the fourth base substrate 9 away from the third base substrate 3. Therefore, the radiation electrode 8 can be prepared without a double-sided patterning process, and the process flow is simple, the material loss is low, the cost is low, the yield is high, and it is easy to mass produce.

[0085] Optionally, combined Fig. 9 and Fig.11 The first conductive layer 42 includes a plurality of first hollow portions 201, and the vertical projection of the first hollow portions 201 on the third substrate 3 at least partially overlaps with the vertical projection of the radiation electrode 8 on the third substrate 3; the second conductive layer 12 includes a plurality of second hollow portions 202, and the vertical projection of the second hollow portions 202 on the second substrate 2 at least partially overlaps with the vertical projection of the phase shifter trace 41 on the second substrate 2.

[0086] Fig. 9 exemplarily shows the vertical projection of the radiation electrode 8 on the third substrate 3, the vertical projection of the first hollow portion area on the first conductive layer 42 on the third substrate 3, and the vertical projection of the phase shifter trace 41 on the third substrate 3, any two of which at least partially overlap. In this way, the phase-shifted RF signal can be coupled to the radiation electrode 8 through the first hollow portion on the first conductive layer 42 and emitted from the radiation electrode 8.

[0087] Fig.11 exemplarily shows the vertical projection of the radiation electrode 8 on the fourth substrate 9, the vertical projection of the first hollow portion 201 on the first conductive layer 42 on the fourth substrate 9, and the vertical projection of the phase shifter trace 41 on the fourth substrate 9, any two of which at least partially overlap. In this way, the phase-shifted RF signal can be coupled to the radiation electrode 8 through the first hollow portion 201 on the first conductive layer 42 and emitted from the radiation electrode 8.

[0088] A plurality of second hollow portions 202 are also provided on the second conductive layer 12. A vertical projection of the second hollow portion 202 on the second substrate substrate 2 and a vertical projection of the phase shifter trace 41 on the second substrate substrate 2 at least partially overlap. In this way, the RF signal connected to the power divider trace 11 can be coupled to the phase shifter trace 41 through the second hollow portion on the second conductive layer 12.

[0089] It should be noted that the cross-sectional shape and size relationship between the first hollow portion 201 and the second hollow portion 202 can be set according to the actual preparation requirements of the liquid crystal antenna, and the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0090] Optionally, combined Figure 4 and Figure 5 A plurality of supporting structures 301 are also included between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 , and / or between the second substrate 2 and the third substrate 3 .

[0091] Figure 4 It is exemplarily shown that a plurality of support structures 301 are arranged between the first base substrate 1 and the second base substrate 2. By setting the support structure 301, the first base substrate 1 and the second base substrate 2 can be supported, so that during the box forming process, the consistent size of the support structure 301 can be utilized to maintain the consistent box thickness at each position, thereby improving the stability of the liquid crystal antenna.

[0092] Figure 5 It is exemplarily shown that a plurality of support structures 301 are arranged between the second base substrate 2 and the third base substrate 3. By arranging the support structures 301, the second base substrate 2 and the third base substrate 3 can be supported, so that during the box forming process, the consistent size of the support structures 301 is utilized to maintain the consistent box thickness at each position, thereby improving the stability of the liquid crystal antenna.

[0093] It should be noted that the support structure includes columnar supports (Photo Spacer, PS), and spherical supports can be spread on the first substrate 1 or the second substrate 2 by spraying. In other embodiments, the support structure can also adopt spherical supports (Ball Space, BS). Those skilled in the art can set the shape, quantity, position and preparation process of the support structure according to actual needs, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0094] It should be noted that, multiple supporting structures 301 can be set only between the first base substrate 1 and the second base substrate 2, or can be set only between the second base substrate 2 and the third base substrate 3, or can be set between the first base substrate 1 and the second base substrate 2 and between the second base substrate 2 and the third base substrate 3. The setting can be carried out according to the actual preparation process of the liquid crystal antenna, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0095] Figure 5 It is exemplarily shown that a first auxiliary conductive layer 401 is arranged between the first conductive layer 42 and the third base substrate 3, and the resistance of the first auxiliary conductive layer 401 arranged close to the third base substrate 3 is greater than the resistance of the first conductive layer 42. Since the resistance is generally proportional to the adhesion, the adhesion of the first auxiliary conductive layer 401 close to the third base substrate 3 is better, which improves the adhesion performance between the first conductive layer 42 and the third base substrate 3, and no serious peeling problem will occur.

[0096] The first conductive layer 42 may include, but is not limited to, a copper layer (Cu). Copper has excellent conductivity and can effectively reduce energy loss caused by excessive resistance, thereby improving the performance of the liquid crystal antenna. The first auxiliary conductive layer 401 may include, but is not limited to, an aluminum layer (Al), a titanium layer (Ti) or a molybdenum layer (Mo), thereby having good adhesion performance.

[0097] A second auxiliary conductive layer 402 is arranged between the phase shifter trace 41 and the second base substrate 2. The resistance of the second auxiliary conductive layer 402 close to the second base substrate 2 is greater than the resistance of the phase shifter trace 41. Since the resistance is generally proportional to the adhesion, the adhesion of the second auxiliary conductive layer 402 close to the second base substrate 2 is better, thereby improving the adhesion performance between the phase shifter trace 41 and the second base substrate 2, and no serious peeling problem will occur.

[0098] The phase shifter trace 41 may include, but is not limited to, a copper layer (Cu). Copper has excellent conductivity and can effectively reduce energy loss caused by excessive resistance, thereby improving the performance of the liquid crystal antenna. The second auxiliary conductive layer 402 may include, but is not limited to, an aluminum layer (Al), a titanium layer (Ti) or a molybdenum layer (Mo), thereby having better adhesion performance.

[0099] The liquid crystal antenna provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a phase shifter structure 4; a first substrate 1, located on one side of the phase shifter structure 4; a power divider wiring 11 is provided on the side of the first substrate 1 facing the phase shifter structure 4; the first substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 are bonded into a box. Thus, by bonding the phase shifter structure 4 and the first substrate 1 into a box through a panel process, the distance between the first substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 is made uniform, the stability of the RF signal transmission is improved, and the distance control between the first substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4 is more precise, which improves the accuracy of the relative position of the first substrate 1 and the phase shifter structure 4. In addition, the spacing between the phase shifter structure 4 and the first substrate 1 bonded through the panel process is smaller, which can improve the efficiency of antenna coupling, shorten the distance of RF signal transmission, and reduce signal loss.

[0100] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an electronic device, including a liquid crystal antenna as in any one of the above liquid crystal antenna embodiments. Therefore, the electronic device has the technical features of the liquid crystal antenna provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and can achieve the beneficial effects of the liquid crystal antenna provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The similarities can be referred to the above description of the liquid crystal antenna provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and will not be repeated here.

[0101] For example, Fig.12 The structure diagram of an electronic device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. Fig.12As shown, the electronic device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the liquid crystal antenna 100 provided by any of the above embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig.12 The embodiments only take mobile phones as an example to illustrate electronic devices. It can be understood that the electronic devices provided in the embodiments of the present application can be any electronic products with display functions, including but not limited to the following categories: mobile phones, televisions, laptops, desktop displays, tablet computers, digital cameras, smart bracelets, smart glasses, car displays, medical equipment, industrial control equipment, touch interactive terminals, etc. The embodiments of the present invention do not make special limitations on this.

[0102] The electronic device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned liquid crystal antenna, and thus can also solve the same technical problems as the above-mentioned liquid crystal antenna embodiment and achieve the same technical effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0103] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0104] The above are only specific embodiments of the present disclosure, so that those skilled in the art can understand or implement the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure will not be limited to these embodiments herein, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal antenna, characterized in that: include: Phase shifter structure; A first substrate, located on one side of the phase shifter structure; A power divider wiring is arranged on a side of the first substrate facing the phase shifter structure; and the first substrate and the phase shifter structure are bonded to form a box.

2. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the first substrate and the phase shifter structure is 3-60 μm.

3. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase shifter structure comprises: A second substrate and a third substrate are arranged opposite to each other; a dielectric functional layer, the dielectric functional layer being located between the second substrate and the third substrate; A phase shifter line and a first conductive layer, wherein the phase shifter line is located on a side of the second substrate facing the dielectric functional layer, and the first conductive layer is located on a side of the third substrate facing the dielectric functional layer; the first conductive layer is connected to a first fixed potential; and the first substrate is located on a side of the second substrate facing away from the third substrate.

4. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a second conductive layer; the second conductive layer is located on a side of the phase shifter structure facing the first substrate; the second conductive layer is connected to a second fixed potential.

5. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a radio frequency connector, which is used to feed a radio frequency signal; the first substrate substrate includes a first binding area on the side facing the phase shifter structure; the radio frequency connector is electrically connected to the power divider wiring in the first binding area.

6. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first substrate and the phase shifter structure are bonded to form a box by a first glue frame; A first connecting line is arranged on the first substrate; The first rubber frame is provided with a first conductive structure, and the second conductive layer is electrically connected to the first connecting line through the first conductive structure; the first connecting line is electrically connected to the RF connector in the first binding area.

7. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a flexible circuit board; the second substrate substrate includes a second binding area on one side facing the third substrate substrate; and the flexible circuit board is electrically connected to the phase shifter wiring in the second binding area.

8. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 7, characterized in that: The third base substrate and the second base substrate are bonded together into a box by a second glue frame; A second connecting line is arranged on the second substrate; The second rubber frame is provided with a second conductive structure, the first conductive layer is electrically connected to the second connecting line through the second conductive structure; the second connecting line is electrically connected to the flexible circuit board in the second binding area.

9. The liquid crystal antenna according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that: Along a direction parallel to the third substrate, the shortest distance between an edge of a vertical projection of the first substrate on the third substrate and an edge of the third substrate is D1, and the shortest distance between an edge of a vertical projection of the second substrate on the third substrate and an edge of the third substrate is D2, where D1 is greater than or equal to 5 mm, and D2 is greater than or equal to 2 mm.

10. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes an RF connector, which is used to feed an RF signal; the second substrate substrate includes a third binding area on the side facing the phase shifter structure; the second substrate substrate is provided with a connecting through hole in the third binding area; the second conductive layer extends to the side of the second substrate substrate facing the first substrate substrate through the connecting through hole; the RF connector is electrically connected to the second conductive layer in the third binding area, and is electrically connected to the power divider wiring through the connecting through hole.

11. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: Also includes: The radiation electrode is located on a side of the third substrate away from the second substrate, and a vertical projection of the radiation electrode on the second substrate at least partially overlaps with a vertical projection of the phase shifter trace on the second substrate.

12. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: Also includes: a fourth substrate, located on a side of the third substrate facing away from the second substrate; Radiating electrodes; The radiation electrode is located on a side of the fourth substrate away from the third substrate; a vertical projection of the radiation electrode on the second substrate at least partially overlaps a vertical projection of the phase shifter trace on the second substrate.

13. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The first conductive layer includes a plurality of first hollow portions, and a vertical projection of the first hollow portions on the third substrate at least partially overlaps with a vertical projection of the radiation electrode on the third substrate; The second conductive layer includes a plurality of second hollow portions, and a vertical projection of the second hollow portions on the second substrate at least partially overlaps with a vertical projection of the phase shifter trace on the second substrate.

14. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: A plurality of supporting structures are further provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and / or between the second substrate and the third substrate.

15. An electronic device, characterized in that: Comprising the liquid crystal antenna as described in any one of claims 1-14.

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