Base Station Antenna Gearbox for Compact Drift-Free Phase Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems, particularly base station antennas, face challenges with bulky and drifting gearing mechanisms that affect the precision and flexibility of beam radiation direction adjustments, especially in multiband antennas requiring individual control of multiple phase shifters.
Innovation Solution
A gearbox system with phase shift adjustment spindles and actuators, including a rotary driving actuator and function selector actuator, allows for individual adjustment of phase shifters while preventing drifting by coupling and uncoupling mechanisms, ensuring accurate and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional gearing devices are used to adjust phase shifters, then the antenna can achieve beam direction adjustment, but the device becomes bulky and increases in size with the number of phase shifters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple phase shifter adjustment functions into a single integrated gearbox unit. The gearbox contains multiple spindles (first, second, third spindles) that can simultaneously or sequentially adjust multiple phase shifters, eliminating the need for separate gearing devices for each phase shifter and reducing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The gearbox is designed as a universal adjustment device that can control multiple phase shifters through a single unit. The coupling mechanism allows the same gearbox to adjust different phase shifters (first, second, third phase shifters) corresponding to different antenna elements, providing multi-functional capability in a compact design.
2Ease of operation
If gearing devices are used to position phase shifters, then adjustment is possible, but the position may drift unintentionally causing beam misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the control unit monitors the position of phase shifters and sends correction signals to the rotary driving actuator. The control unit receives position information and compares it with target positions, automatically compensating for any drift to maintain accurate beam alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical gearing with a combination of rotary driving actuators and spindles that offer more precise positioning. The mechanical connection between spindles and phase shifters provides stable, drift-free positioning compared to traditional gearing mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate actuators are used for each phase shifter, then individual control is achieved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuator functions into a single rotary driving actuator that controls multiple spindles within one gearbox. This single actuator can sequentially or simultaneously drive different spindles to adjust different phase shifters, reducing the total number of actuators while maintaining individual control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gearbox incorporates a dynamic coupling mechanism that can selectively engage different spindles with the drive gear. The coupling element can dynamically switch between connecting to the first, second, or third spindle, allowing one actuator to adaptively control multiple phase shifters based on operational requirements.
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 gearbox system enables precise and efficient adjustment of radiation beam directions with reduced bulk and drift, supporting multiband antennas with enhanced flexibility and accuracy in tilt and azimuth control.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary driving actuator (190), and a function selector actuator (110)... The phase shift adjustment spindles may be coupled directly or indirectly to a respective phase shifter. In case of an indirect coupling, there may be further gearing stages in the transmission path
Implementation Method 2
The gearbox comprises at least two phase shift adjustment spindles that can be coupled to a respective phase shifter of the antenna and driven for electrically adjusting a radiation beam direction
Data Source
AI summary
A gearbox for an antenna, an antenna including the gearbox as well as a mobile communication base station including the antenna. The gearbox comprises at least two phase shift adjustment spindles that can be coupled to a respective phase shifter of the antenna and driven for electrically adjusting a radiation beam direction of the antenna. A rotary driving actuator of the gearbox is adapted to rotate a coupling element. A function selector actuator includes a movable function selector element that is fixed to the coupling element and to a coupling mechanism of the gearbox, wherein the function selector element is movable from a first position to a second position thereby actuating the coupling element and the coupling mechanism to either adjust a phase shifter or to select a phase shifter to be adjusted.