Annular Phase Shifter Rack for Compact Base Station Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase shifters in base station antennas have high production costs, poor consistency, and are oversized and overweight due to complex structural designs, making them difficult to assemble, debug, and repair.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifting device with a driving module, transmission rod, and annular phase shifters on a transmission rack plate, where the transmission rod drives a nut to move back and forth, rotating the rack plate and annular phase shifters for precise synchronization, enabling a reliable and simple transmission design in minimal size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional phase shifters are arranged in parallel with wide horizontal span, then the phase shifting function is achieved, but the device becomes difficult to assemble, debug, and repair, resulting in high production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple phase shifters onto a single transmission rack plate, arranging them in an annular configuration around a central transmission rod. This consolidation reduces the horizontal span and integrates multiple functions into one compact structure, making the device easier to assemble, debug, and repair while maintaining the phase shifting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional parallel linear arrangement to an annular configuration around a central axis. This dimensional change allows phase shifters to be arranged vertically and radially, reducing the horizontal footprint while maintaining functional independence, thereby simplifying the overall structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional phase shifters use transmission mechanism with angle deflection, then the phase shifting operation is enabled, but the free play is quite large which cannot guarantee the consistency of the product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical transmission mechanism with angle deflection and free play with a screw-based transmission system. The transmission rod with threads engages with nuts on the rack plate, converting rotational motion into precise linear displacement. This mechanical substitution eliminates free play and ensures consistent, repeatable positioning of phase shifters, thereby guaranteeing product consistency while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If phase shifters are installed by stacking a plurality of structural components, then the phase shifting device is assembled, but the size and mass of the products are relatively oversized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple phase shifters onto a single transmission rack plate, consolidating what would otherwise be separate stacked components into one unified structure. This merging reduces the overall number of parts, minimizes the device footprint, and decreases total mass while maintaining assembly capability through modular installation of the rack plate itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges phase shifters in an annular configuration around a central transmission rod, utilizing vertical and radial space instead of horizontal stacking. This dimensional reorganization reduces the device's horizontal footprint and overall mass by distributing components around a central axis rather than stacking them vertically, thereby achieving miniaturization and lightweight design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for precise synchronization and miniaturization of the phase shifting device, reducing production costs and improving consistency, resulting in a lightweight and compact base station antenna with enhanced performance.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission rack plate comprising a transmission nut, the transmission rack plate being pivotally connected to the transmission rod of the driving module through the transmission nut; wherein the transmission rod drives the transmission nut to move back and forth on the transmission rod
Implementation Method 2
the transmission rack plate drives the plurality of annular phase shifters to rotate as the transmission nut moves back and forth
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a phase shifting device and a base station antenna. The phase shifting device comprises a driving module, a transmission rack plate, and a plurality of annular phase shifters. The driving module comprises a transmission rod. The transmission rack plate comprises a transmission nut, through which the transmission rack plate is pivotally connected to the transmission rod of the driving module. The plurality of annular phase shifters are disposed on the periphery of the transmission rack plate at intervals and are respectively engaged with the transmission rack plate. The rotation of the transmission rod drives the transmission nut to move back and forth on the transmission rod, and along with the back and forth movement of the transmission nut, the transmission rack plate drives the plurality of annular phase shifters to rotate.