Communications equipment filters

Abstract

A filter for a communication device is provided, which includes a tuning panel having a plurality of tuning bars arranged as a single layer in the thickness direction within a dielectric-filled space. 【Solution means】The filter for a communication device includes a filter body that opens in the thickness direction and forms a part of the dielectric-filled space inside, a filter tuning cover that is coupled in the thickness direction and opens so as to cover the filter body and forms the remaining part of the dielectric-filled space, a resonance substrate that includes a resonance frame in which a plurality of resonators are arranged to form a single layer with respect to the thickness direction within the dielectric-filled space, and a frequency tuning panel that includes a plurality of tuning bars arranged as a single layer with respect to the thickness direction within the dielectric-filled space so as to adjust the separation distance between the plurality of resonators arranged within the dielectric-filled space, and a spacer portion integrally formed with steps on any one of the filter tuning cover and the frequency tuning panel.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter for a communication device, and more particularly to a filter for a communication device that can be manufactured to have a slim thickness while achieving a reduction in weight. [Background technology]

[0002] Radio frequency devices (including all "communications devices") such as radio frequency filters are typically constructed with a structure in which multiple resonators are connected. Such resonators are circuit elements that resonate at a specific frequency by combining an inductor (L) and a capacitor (C) in an equivalent electronic circuit. Each resonator has a structure in which a dielectric resonance element (DR) or a metal resonance element is provided inside a cavity such as a metallic cylinder or rectangular parallelepiped surrounded by a conductor. As a result, each resonator has a structure in which only an electromagnetic field of a natural frequency according to the processing frequency band exists within the cavity, enabling high-frequency resonance. Typically, multiple resonant stages are formed using multiple cavities, and a multi-stage structure is formed in which multiple resonant stages are connected in sequence.

[0003] An example of a radio frequency filter having a multiple cavity structure is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2004-0100084 (title: "Radio Frequency Filter", publication date: December 2, 2004), which was filed earlier by the applicant of the present application.

[0004] However, in conventional radio frequency filters, each resonator extends in the thickness direction within the cavity, and a part of the filter tuning cover covering the cavity is deformed by punching to adjust the distance between the resonators and tune the frequency so as to have the desired bandpass characteristics. However, this has a problem of very limited reduction in the size of the completed filter in the thickness direction.

[0005] Furthermore, conventional radio frequency filters are designed to enhance the skirt characteristics between adjacent resonators or between distant resonators in multiple cavities, and require the installation of additional conductive material structures to achieve inductive coupling or capacitive coupling, which has been pointed out as a problem in that the weight of the completed filter increases significantly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and has as its object to provide a filter for a communication device that includes a tuning panel having a plurality of tuning bars arranged as a single layer in the thickness direction within a dielectric-filled space.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filter for a communication device that can perform frequency tuning by adjusting the separation distance between a plurality of resonators of a resonant substrate that is disposed as a single layer separate from a tuning panel in the thickness direction within a dielectric-filled space.

[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a filter for a communications device that includes a notch formation portion formed as the same single layer as the tuning panel.

[0009] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A filter for a communication device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a filter body that is open in its thickness direction and defines a part of a dielectric-filled space therein; a filter tuning cover that is open in its thickness direction and is coupled to the filter body so as to cover the filter body and defines the remainder of the dielectric-filled space; a resonator substrate that includes a resonator frame in which a plurality of resonators are arranged in the dielectric-filled space in a single layer in the thickness direction; a frequency tuning panel that includes a tuning frame provided with a plurality of tuning bars that are arranged in a single layer in the thickness direction in the dielectric-filled space so as to adjust a separation distance between the plurality of resonators arranged in the dielectric-filled space; and a stepped spacer portion that is integrally formed on either the filter tuning cover or the frequency tuning panel.

[0011] Here, the spacer portion may be provided to ensure the separation distance between the plurality of resonators and the plurality of tuning bars.

[0012] Furthermore, the spacer portion may be formed integrally with the filter tuning cover and may be formed as a stepped portion so that the upper surface of the edge of the frequency tuning panel is stacked at a position higher than the lower edge of the filter tuning cover stacked on the upper surface of the resonant substrate.

[0013] The spacer portion may be a different layer between the upper and lower surfaces of the filter tuning cover and may include the step portion to form a joining surface to which the upper surface of the edge of the frequency tuning panel is joined.

[0014] The outer edge of the joining surface may be formed at a position corresponding to an edge of the frequency tuning panel.

[0015] The height of the step may be a separation distance between an upper surface of the frequency tuning panel stacked in the dielectric-filled space and an upper surface of the resonator frame of the resonator substrate.

[0016] Furthermore, the upper surface of the edge of the tuning frame and the upper surfaces of the tuning bars may be formed as a single layer having the same horizontal plane.

[0017] Here, the spacer portion may be formed integrally with the frequency tuning panel and formed as a stepped portion so that the edge of the frequency tuning panel laminated on the upper edge surface of the resonant substrate is lower than the plurality of tuning bars.

[0018] The step portion may be formed with a step so that the tuning bars and the tuning frame form different layers.

[0019] The end of the filter tuning cover is in the same layer as the tuning bars and can be laminated and bonded to the upper surface of the step portion.

[0020] The height of the step may be a separation distance between a lower surface of the filter tuning cover and an upper surface of the tuning frame.

[0021] The frequency tuning panel may further include a plurality of coupling adjustment bars integrally formed with a tuning frame of the frequency tuning panel and deformed toward the dielectric-filled space to change a coupling value between adjacent resonators among the plurality of resonators.

[0022] The coupling adjustment bars may be arranged alternately with the resonators in the thickness direction of the dielectric-filled space.

[0023] The coupling adjustment bars may be arranged alternately with the tuning bars in the longitudinal direction of the tuning frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] The filter for a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention can achieve the following various effects.

[0025] First, the plurality of resonators of the resonant substrate and the plurality of tuning bars of the frequency tuning panel are arranged in separate single layers within the dielectric-filled space, which facilitates the slim manufacturing design of the product.

[0026] Second, since the notch forming portion is provided so as to form the same single layer as the multiple tuning bars of the frequency tuning panel, no additional parts for skirt characteristics are required, which prevents the product from increasing in weight and facilitates a lightweight design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a bottom perspective view showing a filter for a communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a top perspective view showing a filter for a communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] 2 is an exploded perspective view of each of the parts in FIG. 1. [Figure 3B] 3 is an exploded perspective view of each of the parts in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view partially cut away along line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a filter for a communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom of FIG. 5. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6 is an exploded top perspective view of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a perspective view taken along line BB in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, a filter for a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] When assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are assigned the same numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of such well-known configurations or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0030] When describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," and "(b)" may be used. These terms are merely used to distinguish the component from other components and do not limit the nature, order, or procedure of the components. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application.

[0031] A filter 100, 200 for a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a filter body 110, 210 and a filter tuning cover 120, 220 coupled to the filter body 110, 210 to form a dielectric-filled space 110S, 210S therebetween.

[0032] The dielectric-filled spaces 110S, 210S are filled with a dielectric having a predetermined dielectric constant, and in the embodiments of the present invention, air also corresponds to a dielectric material having a predetermined dielectric constant. Therefore, the following description will be given on the assumption that the dielectric-filled spaces 110S, 210S are filled with air as a dielectric. When air is used as a dielectric, this means that the dielectric-filled spaces 110S, 210S, which are empty spaces, will naturally be filled with air as a dielectric without a separate dielectric filling process, unless the dielectric-filled spaces 110S, 210S are sealed in a vacuum state.

[0033] Hereinafter, the filters for communication devices according to the present invention will be described in detail in order of each embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view showing a filter for a communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing a filter for a communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 3A and 3B are exploded perspective views of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, and FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a filter 100 for a communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a filter body 110, a filter tuning cover 120 coupled to the filter body 110 to form the dielectric-filled space 110S, a resonant substrate 130 including a plurality of resonators 131 arranged to form a single layer in the thickness direction within the dielectric-filled space 110S, and a frequency tuning panel 140 including a plurality of tuning bars 141 arranged to form a single layer in the thickness direction within the dielectric-filled space 110S.

[0036] The filter body 110 may be formed in a slim rectangular parallelepiped shape to form a closed dielectric-filled space 110S having a thickness t that is smaller than the dimensions of the longitudinal direction l and width direction w, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0037] Here, a part of the dielectric filling space 110S may be formed as a space on one side of the filter body 110 that is open, and the remaining part of the dielectric filling space 110S may be formed as a space on the other side of the filter tuning cover 120.

[0038] To form such a dielectric-filled space 110S, the filter body 110 may have one side to which the filter tuning cover 120 is coupled recessed to a predetermined depth in the direction facing the other side (upward and downward in the drawing), and the inner surface of the filter tuning cover 120 may also be recessed to a predetermined depth in the opposite direction (upward in the drawing).

[0039] The inside of the dielectric-filled space 110S can be filled with a dielectric having a predetermined dielectric constant, but as explained above, air is also a type of dielectric having a predetermined dielectric constant, so in the first embodiment of the present invention (the second embodiment described below is the same), the description will be given on the assumption that it is filled with a dielectric called air.

[0040] Meanwhile, the filter body 110 may have input port holes and output port holes (not shown) through which input ports and output ports (not shown) for inputting predetermined signals to one side of the resonant substrate 130 (described later) are fixed, the input port holes and output port holes being formed to penetrate the filter body 110 and communicate with the dielectric-filled space 110S.

[0041] Here, the input port and the output port can be electrically connected to the resonant substrate 130 via an input coaxial connector and an output coaxial connector (not shown), respectively, so as to maintain impedance matching. However, the electrical connection with the resonant substrate 130 is not necessarily limited to the method using the input port and the input coaxial connector and the output port and the output coaxial connector, and electrical connection can be made using any electrical connection structure, such as a pin, as long as it is a conductive medium provided on a main board (not shown).

[0042] The resonant substrate 130 is disposed as a single layer in the thickness direction t within the dielectric-filled space 110S, and may include a resonant frame 130F having rectangular edges, with multiple resonators 131 also formed as a single layer.

[0043] Here, the resonator frame 130F may be formed to have edges that substantially match the edges of the filter body 110 and the filter tuning cover 120.

[0044] For ease of understanding, the following description will be based on the assumption that the resonant frame 130F is formed by cutting a rectangle in the middle and connecting it vertically, and that it is formed into a quadrangle (rectangle) that is long from left to right in the drawings of schematic diagrams 3A and 3B.The left and right ends in the longitudinal direction will be referred to as the "short sides" because their sides are relatively short, and the front and rear ends in the width direction will be referred to as the "long sides" because their sides are relatively long.

[0045] Here, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the multiple resonators 131 can be formed to extend a predetermined length from one of the four long sides (130A) (hereinafter referred to as "one long side") of the resonant frame 130F to the other long side (130B) (hereinafter referred to as "the other long side").

[0046] However, it is preferable that the plurality of resonators 131 are formed at intervals so that their tips are not connected to the inner edge of the other long side 130B.

[0047] Furthermore, the plurality of resonators 131 may be formed so that their tips are spaced the same distance from the inner edge of the other long side 130B. However, the extension points corresponding to one long side 130A of each of the plurality of resonators 131 do not all have to be the same, and the extension points may be designed to be different based on the frequency bandpass characteristics desired by the designer. That is, the extension point of each of the plurality of resonators 131 corresponds to the inner edge of one of the long sides 130A, but may be provided in a form that is extended from the inner edge of the long side 130A to the extension point of the adjacent resonator 131.

[0048] Alternatively, the frequency tuning panel 140 may be disposed as a single layer between the resonant substrate 130 and the filter tuning cover 120, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0049] More specifically, the frequency tuning panel 140 may include a tuning frame 140F having rectangular edges and a plurality of tuning bars 141 extending from the inside of one long side 140A of the four sides (four sides) of the tuning frame 140F toward the other long side 140B.

[0050] Here, the plurality of tuning bars 141 can be formed integrally with tuning frame 140F. Preferably, the plurality of tuning bars 141 can be formed to extend integrally from the inside of one long side 140A of tuning frame 140F and to extend a predetermined length so as to form the same single layer in the thickness direction t of dielectric filled space 110S.

[0051] Such a frequency tuning panel 140 may be arranged in the dielectric-filled space 110S as a single layer separate from the multiple resonators 131 arranged in the dielectric-filled space 110S in the thickness direction t, so that the multiple tuning bars 141 adjust the separation distance from the multiple resonators 131 arranged in the dielectric-filled space 110S.

[0052] Here, the plurality of tuning bars 141 may be arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the longitudinal direction l along the inner edge surface of one long side 140A of the tuning frame 140F, and each tuning bar 141 may be arranged at a position spaced apart in the longitudinal direction l so as to match with a plurality of resonators 131 arranged at a distance in the thickness direction t within the dielectric-filled space 110S.

[0053] On the other hand, unlike the multiple resonators 131 described above, which have different extension point locations, the multiple tuning bars 141 can all be set at the inner edge of one long side 140A of the tuning frame 140F, which is on the same line, corresponding to one long side 140A of the tuning frame 140F.

[0054] Furthermore, the tips of the tuning bars 141 extend so as to have the same distance from the tips of the above-mentioned resonators 131 to the inner edge of the other long side 130B of the resonator frame 130F, but the lengths extending toward the other long side 140B can be set to be the same or different.

[0055] However, in this case, since the multiple tuning bars 141 are configured to perform fine frequency tuning by adjusting the distance between them and the multiple resonators 131 arranged as different single layers in the dielectric-filled space 110S, it is preferable that the multiple resonators 131 or the multiple tuning bars 141 are designed to be arranged so that they overlap by at least a predetermined length in the thickness direction t of the dielectric-filled space 110S.

[0056] In this case, assuming that the dielectric filled in the dielectric filled space 110S is air, there will of course be an air layer between the multiple resonators 131 of the resonant substrate 130 and the tuning bars 141 of the frequency tuning panel 140, and there may also be an air layer with the same dielectric constant between the multiple resonators 131 and the inner surface of the filter body 110. This allows for fine frequency tuning due to slight changes in the air layer caused by the amount of shape deformation of each tuning bar 141 of the frequency tuning panel 140.

[0057] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B , filter 100 for a communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a plurality of coupling adjustment bars 143 that are integrally formed with tuning frame 140F of frequency tuning panel 140 and deformed toward dielectric-filled space 110S to change the coupling value between adjacent resonators 131 among the plurality of resonators.

[0058] Here, like the above-described plurality of tuning bars 141, the plurality of coupling adjustment bars 143 can be formed so as to extend from the inside of one long side 140A of tuning frame 140F toward the other long side 140B.

[0059] In this case, the coupling adjustment bars 143 may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction l of the tuning frame 140F, and one of the tuning bars 141 may be disposed between each coupling adjustment bar 143. That is, the tuning bars 141 and the coupling adjustment bars 143 may be formed to be integrally connected to the inside of one long side 140A of the tuning frame 140F, and may be formed to be alternately disposed in the longitudinal direction l of the tuning frame 140F.

[0060] Furthermore, it is preferable that the multiple coupling adjustment bars 143 and the multiple resonators 131 are arranged alternately in the thickness direction t of the dielectric filled space 110S.

[0061] In this way, when a tuning technician (designer) pushes the tip of any one of the multiple coupling adjustment bars 143 toward the dielectric-filled space 110S using a predetermined tool so as to achieve a desired coupling value between adjacent resonators among the multiple resonators 131, the tip of the coupling adjustment bar 143 is deformed and positioned between the adjacent resonators 131, and the tuning technician can achieve a coupling value as desired by the design value depending on the specific shape of the C-notch portion 142C or the L-notch portion 142L described below.

[0062] Meanwhile, in the filter 100 for a communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the frequency tuning panel 140 may further include a notch forming portion 142 including an L-notch portion 142L that protrudes and extends from the inside of the other long side 140B of the four sides (four sides) of the tuning frame 140F toward the one long side 140A while forming a closed loop, and a C-notch portion 142C that extends to be connected to the inside of the one long side 140A without forming a closed loop.

[0063] Here, the L-notch portion 142L serves to strengthen the skirt characteristics and form an L-notch due to inductive coupling at the right end of the passband, and the C-notch portion 142C serves to strengthen the skirt characteristics and form a C-notch due to capacitive coupling at the left end of the passband.

[0064] The L-notch portion 142L may be provided extending from the inside of the other long side 140B of the frequency tuning panel 140 to form a single layer identical to the tuning bar 141 described above, while at the same time forming a closed loop that does not contact the one long side 140A.

[0065] Additionally, the C-notch portion 142C may extend from the inside of the other long side 140B of the frequency tuning panel 140 or from the above-described L-notch portion 142L to be connected to one long side 140A while forming the same single layer as the above-described tuning bar 141. Here, unlike the L-notch portion 142L, the C-notch portion 142C does not form a closed loop with respect to the other long side 140B within the same single layer.

[0066] The C-notch portion 142C and the L-notch portion 142L form an electric field (E-field) or a magnetic field (H-field) between multiple resonators 131 that are provided in a single layer and have the same shape and the same shapes of corners and bends, thereby forming the above-mentioned C-notch or L-notch on the left or right side of the passband.

[0067] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, of the C-notch portion 142C and the L-notch portion 142L, the C-notch portion 142C can be formed by extending from the inner edge of the other long side 140B of the frequency tuning panel 140, or it can be formed by extending from a portion of the pre-formed L-notch portion 142L.

[0068] In addition, as described above, the resonator 131 of the resonant substrate 130 and the tuning bar 141 of the frequency tuning panel 140 require a structural design to ensure a minimum separation distance in order to perform fine frequency tuning by adjusting the separation distance in the thickness direction t.

[0069] To this end, the filter 100 for a communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a spacer portion (not shown in the drawing) configured to ensure a separation distance between the tuning bar 141 of the frequency tuning panel 140 and the resonator 131 of the resonant substrate 130.

[0070] Here, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the spacer portion may be formed as a stepped portion 125 that is integrally formed with the filter tuning cover 120 and is laminated by joining the upper surface of the edge portion of the frequency tuning panel 140 at a position higher than the lower edge of the filter tuning cover 120 laminated on the upper surface of the resonant substrate 130.

[0071] More specifically, the spacer portion may include the step portion 125, which is a different layer between the upper and lower surfaces of the filter tuning cover 120, as shown in FIG. 4, and is configured to form a joining surface 126 to which the upper edge surface of the frequency tuning panel 140 is joined.

[0072] Here, since frequency tuning panel 140 is joined to joining surface 126, which corresponds to the horizontal surface of step portion 125, it is preferable that the size of its edge corresponds to the outer edge of joining surface 126. That is, the outer edge of joining surface 126 may be formed at a position corresponding to the edge formed by tuning frame 140F of frequency tuning panel 140.

[0073] Therefore, the height 125t of the step portion 125 may be defined as the separation distance between the upper surface of the frequency tuning panel 140 stacked in the dielectric-filled space 110S and the upper surface of the resonant frame 130F of the resonant substrate 130.

[0074] In this case, it is assumed that the upper surface of the edge of tuning frame 140F and the upper surfaces of the plurality of tuning bars 141 formed thereon are formed as a single layer having the same horizontal plane.

[0075] The step portion 125 serves to prevent direct contact between the tuning bars 141 of the frequency tuning panel 140 and the resonators 131 of the resonance substrate 130, thereby forming the air layer described above.

[0076] As another example of forming a separation space (air layer) between the tuning bars 141 and the resonators 131, a spacer panel may be fabricated separately and laminated between the frequency tuning panel 140 and the resonator substrate 130. However, the first embodiment (100) of the present invention and the second embodiment (200) described below are concepts that exclude separately fabricated embodiments such as spacer panels.

[0077] Here, the blocking of direct contact between the frequency tuning panel 140 and the resonant substrate 130 by the spacer portion merely means avoiding physical spatial contact by forming a thickness to ensure a separation distance, and does not mean blocking of electrical connection.

[0078] Such a spacer portion serves to ensure the above-mentioned separation distance so that the desired passband frequency can be tuned by finely adjusting the separation distance in the air gap that exists between the resonator 131 of the resonant substrate 130 and the tuning bar 141 of the frequency tuning panel 140.

[0079] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, dielectric-filled space 110S, which corresponds to the space between filter body 110 and filter tuning cover 120, is filled with a dielectric defined as air. A tuning designer inserts a predetermined tuning tool (not shown) into dielectric-filled space 110S through the bottom of filter body 110 or the top of filter tuning cover 120, and then pushes the tip of resonator 131 toward tuning bar 141 to change its shape in the thickness direction t, or changes the shape of the tip of tuning bar 141 toward resonator 131 in the thickness direction t, thereby performing fine frequency tuning.

[0080] Here, a plurality of bottom tuning holes (not shown) for inserting the above-mentioned tuning tools may be formed on the lower surface of filter body 110 so as to communicate with dielectric-filled space 110S, and a plurality of upper tuning holes 122 for inserting the above-mentioned tuning tools may be formed on the upper surface of filter tuning cover 120 so as to communicate with dielectric-filled space 110S.

[0081] However, it is not necessary that both the bottom tuning hole and the upper tuning hole 122 are provided on the filter body 110 and the filter tuning cover 120; it is also possible that either one of the two functions as a tuning hole into which a tuning tool is inserted, and the other functions as a tuning correction hole for use in making corrections after tuning.

[0082] 1 to 4, the filter body 110 may not be provided with a bottom tuning hole, and the filter tuning cover 120 may be provided with the upper tuning hole 122 and the tuning correction hole 121. The tuning correction hole 121 may be a hole provided so that when correction is necessary after fine frequency tuning using a tuning tool, a separate tuning correction tool (not shown) can be inserted to readjust the deformed tuning bar 141.

[0083] The filter for a communications device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, configured as described above, is formed by stacking filter body 110, resonator substrate 130, frequency tuning panel 140, and filter tuning cover 120 in this order, with the upper surface of frequency tuning panel 140 bonded to the lower surface of joining surface 126, which is the horizontal surface of step portion 125. This ensures a predetermined separation distance in the thickness direction t between resonator 131 of resonance substrate 130 and tuning bar 141 of frequency tuning panel 140.

[0084] Here, the filter body 110, the resonant substrate 130, the frequency tuning panel 140, and the filter tuning cover 120 may all be made of a metal material, or may be made of a predetermined dielectric material and then the exposed portions facing the dielectric-filled space 110S may all be coated with a metal material. As long as the exposed portions facing the dielectric-filled space 110S are coated with a metal material to form the dielectric-filled space 110S as a closed space, various bonding methods, including welding and adhesive bonding, may be used to laminate and bond the remaining components (the resonant substrate 130, the frequency tuning panel 140, and the filter tuning cover 120) to the filter body 110.

[0085] Hereinafter, a specific passband frequency filtering process of the filter 100 for a communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be briefly described. This process also applies to the filter 200 for a communication device according to the second embodiment described later, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the description of the second embodiment 200.

[0086] First, when a predetermined signal is input into the dielectric-filled space 110S through one input port, the signal is transmitted in the longitudinal direction 1 sequentially through the resonators 131 of the resonant substrate 130 connected through the input coaxial connector of the input port of the dielectric-filled space 110S, and is output through the resonator 131 of the resonant substrate 130 connected to the output coaxial connector of the output port of the dielectric-filled space 110S.

[0087] At this time, only a specific band pass frequency can be output by finely tuning the frequency by detailed design of the separation distance between each resonator 131 and tuning bar 141 in the thickness direction t.

[0088] According to filter 100 for a communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, resonators 131 are arranged so as to extend in a single layer in thickness direction t within dielectric-filled space 110S, and tuning bar 141 is also arranged so as to extend in a single layer in thickness direction t, which is different from that of resonators 131, within dielectric-filled space 110S. This allows for a slim overall product, and provides the advantages of enabling fine frequency tuning within the limits of the separation distances between the individual single layers in the different thickness directions t.

[0089] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the filter 100 for a communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a plurality of space dividing ribs 117W that do not completely divide the dielectric filled space 110S but at least partially divide the bottom portion of the dielectric filled space 110S formed by the filter body 110.

[0090] The multiple space dividing ribs 117W may be formed to extend from the bottom surface of one long side to the bottom surface of the other long side so as to divide the inner bottom surface portion formed long in the longitudinal direction l of the filter body 110 into multiple surfaces, and may be formed in the form of a rib protruding a predetermined length from at least the bottom surface of the dielectric filling space 110S toward the filter tuning cover 120.

[0091] Such a plurality of space-dividing ribs 117W occupy a portion of the dielectric-filled space 110S and separate at least the resonators 131 in a cavity form, thereby providing the advantage of enabling tuning of various passband frequencies by adjusting the amount of coupling between adjacent resonators 131 according to the size and shape of the occupied space.

[0092] In addition, the filter body 110 can be connected so that the entire bottom surface is soldered to the main board (not shown), and the plurality of space dividing ribs 117W divide the bottom surface of the filter body 110 in the longitudinal direction l, thereby also serving to disperse and eliminate thermal stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficient with the main board, which is made of PCB material.

[0093] As already explained, the communication device filter 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can include an L-notch portion 142L that realizes inductive coupling and a C-notch portion 142C that realizes capacitive coupling by utilizing the properties of the electric field and magnetic field between each resonator 131 provided inside the dielectric-filled space 110S, as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0094] Inductive coupling is a type of coupling that utilizes the properties of the magnetic field around the resonator 131 provided in the dielectric-filled space 110S, and is a coupling that is naturally formed between adjacent resonators 131 as long as there is no structure between them that affects the properties of the magnetic field. In particular, when realizing cross-coupling that skips the middle resonator among any three resonators 131, it is particularly meaningful to provide the above-mentioned L-notch portion 142L.

[0095] Here, in the case of the filter 100 for a communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the L-notch portion 142L may be provided so as not to block the space between the tips of adjacent resonators 131 in the signal transmission path direction, and may be provided so as to have a portion closer to the tip of any three resonators 131 than the middle resonator.

[0096] On the other hand, capacitive coupling is a type of coupling that utilizes the properties of the electric field around the resonator 131 provided in the dielectric-filled space 110S, and can be realized by a structure placed on the signal transmission path corresponding to the electric field of the adjacent resonator 131.

[0097] More specifically, C-notch portion 142C extends from other long side 140B to one long side 140A of frequency tuning panel 140, is connected to, and is formed to involve any three resonators 131 in dielectric-filled space 110S, and in this case, the start and end of C-notch portion 142C can be designed to be located closer to any of the three resonators 131 than the middle resonator. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a filter for a communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 6A and 6B are an exploded lower perspective view and an exploded upper perspective view of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a partially cut-away perspective view taken along line BB of Fig. 5.

[0098] The filter 200 for a communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the filter 100 for a communication device according to the first embodiment described above, except for a spacer portion for ensuring a separation distance in the thickness direction t between the resonator 231 of the resonance substrate 230 and the tuning bar 241 of the frequency tuning panel 240. Therefore, redundant explanations will be omitted and the explanation will focus on the spacer portion, which is the difference.

[0099] In filter 200 for a communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the spacer portion may be formed as a stepped portion 245 that is integrally formed with frequency tuning panel 240 and is laminated on the upper edge surface of resonant substrate 230, so that the edge of frequency tuning panel 240 (more specifically, the edge of tuning frame 240F) is positioned lower than the tuning bars 241, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 .

[0100] More specifically, in the case of filter 100 for a communication device according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, tuning frame 240F of frequency tuning panel 240 and the plurality of tuning bars 241 formed thereon are all formed on the same layer, whereas in filter 200 for a communication device according to the second embodiment, tuning frame 240F of frequency tuning panel 240 is formed with a stepped portion 245 so that it forms a different layer from the plurality of tuning bars 241.

[0101] Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the end portion of filter tuning cover 220 is in the same layer as multiple tuning bars 241 and can be laminated and bonded to the upper surface of step portion 245 .

[0102] Therefore, the height of the step 245 may be defined as the separation distance between the lower surface of the filter tuning cover 220 and the upper surface of the tuning frame 240F of the frequency tuning panel 240.

[0103] As described above, filter 200 for a communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from filter 100 in that the spacer portion is formed integrally with frequency tuning panel 240, unlike filter tuning cover 120 which is formed integrally with filter tuning cover 120 in the first embodiment. However, filter 200 performs the same function as filter 100 in that it ensures a predetermined separation distance by forming an air layer between resonators 131, 231 and tuning bars 141, 241. Furthermore, filter 200 also provides the advantage of enabling fine frequency adjustment, which not only makes it possible to manufacture slimmer products, but also enhances the skirt characteristics due to the notch-forming portion.

[0104]

[0023] The present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations within the scope of the present invention are possible by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the true scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0105] The present invention provides a filter for a communications device that includes a tuning panel having a plurality of tuning bars arranged as a single layer in the thickness direction within a dielectric-filled space, and that can perform frequency tuning by adjusting the separation distance between the tuning panel and a plurality of resonators of a resonant substrate that is arranged as a single layer different from the tuning panel in the thickness direction within the dielectric-filled space, and that includes a notch-forming portion formed as the same single layer as the tuning panel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 100, 200: Filters for communication equipment, 110S, 210S: Dielectric-filled space 110, 210: Filter body, 117W, 217W: Space dividing rib 120, 220: Filter tuning cover, 121: Tuning correction hole 122, 222: Tuning hole, 125: Step (spacer) 130, 230: Resonant substrate, 130F, 230F: Resonant frame 131, 231: Resonator, 140, 240: Frequency tuning panel 140F, 240F: Tuning frame, 141, 241: Tuning bar 142: 242: Notch forming part, 143, 243: Coupling adjustment bar 245: Step part (spacer part)

Claims

1. a filter body having an opening in a thickness direction and forming a part of a dielectric-filled space therein; a filter tuning cover coupled to the filter body through a thickness thereof and opening over the filter body to define the remainder of the dielectric filling space; a resonator substrate including a resonator frame in which a plurality of resonators are arranged in the dielectric-filled space to form a single layer in a thickness direction; a frequency tuning panel including a tuning frame having a plurality of tuning bars arranged in a single layer in a thickness direction within the dielectric-filled space so as to adjust a separation distance between the plurality of resonators arranged within the dielectric-filled space; a spacer portion formed integrally with either the filter tuning cover or the frequency tuning panel and having a step thereon.

2. 2. The filter for a communication device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer portion is provided so as to ensure the separation distance between the plurality of resonators and the plurality of tuning bars.

3. 2. The filter for a communication device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer portion is formed integrally with the filter tuning cover and is formed as a stepped portion such that an upper surface of an edge portion of the frequency tuning panel is laminated at a position higher than a lower edge of the filter tuning cover laminated on the upper surface of the resonator substrate.

4. 4. The filter for a communication device according to claim 3, wherein the spacer portion is a different layer between an upper surface and a lower surface of the filter tuning cover, and includes the step portion so as to form a joining surface to which an upper surface of an edge of the frequency tuning panel is joined.

5. 5. The filter for a communication device according to claim 4, wherein an outer edge of said joining surface is formed at a position corresponding to an edge of said frequency tuning panel.

6. 5. The filter for a communication device according to claim 4, wherein the height of the step is a separation distance between an upper surface of the frequency tuning panel laminated in the dielectric-filled space and an upper surface of the resonant frame of the resonant substrate.

7. 7. The filter for a communication device according to claim 3, wherein the upper surface of the edge of the tuning frame and the upper surfaces of the plurality of tuning bars are formed as a single layer having the same horizontal plane.

8. The spacer portion is 2. The filter for a communication device according to claim 1, wherein the frequency tuning panel is formed integrally with the frequency tuning panel and is laminated on an upper edge surface of the resonator substrate, and the edge of the frequency tuning panel is formed as a stepped portion so that the edge is positioned lower than the plurality of tuning bars.

9. 9. The filter for a communication device according to claim 8, wherein the step portion is formed with a step so that the tuning bars and the tuning frame form different layers.

10. 9. The filter for a communication device according to claim 8, wherein an end portion of the filter tuning cover is in the same layer as the plurality of tuning bars and is laminated and bonded to an upper surface of the step portion.

11. 9. The filter for a communication device according to claim 8, wherein the height of the step is a separation distance between a lower surface of the filter tuning cover and an upper surface of the tuning frame.

12. 2. The filter for a communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of coupling adjustment bars integrally formed on a tuning frame of the frequency tuning panel, deforming toward the dielectric-filled space, and changing a coupling value between adjacent resonators among the plurality of resonators.

13. 13. The filter for a communication device according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of coupling adjustment bars are arranged alternately with the plurality of resonators in the thickness direction of the dielectric-filled space.

14. 13. The filter for a communication device according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of coupling adjustment bars are arranged alternately with the plurality of tuning bars in the longitudinal direction of the tuning frame.

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