Antenna Phase-Shifter Assembly With Worm-Helical Drive Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase-shifting assemblies in base station antennas face challenges with size constraints, transmission precision, and manufacturing costs due to large translation members and manufacturing tolerance errors.
Innovation Solution
A phase-shifting assembly with an antenna phase shifter and a drive apparatus, utilizing a worm gear-helical gear transmission structure to reduce overall volume, improve precision, and lower costs, where a power mechanism drives the phase-shifter through a rotation input, and a position-limiting member ensures axial movement control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a translation member is used to drive the antenna phase shifter, then the phase shifting function is achieved, but the space occupied is large causing insufficient space for the antenna
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional translation-based mechanical transmission system with a rotation-based mechanical transmission system. The phase shifter is driven by rotational movement of the trace contact point along a circular arc trajectory, eliminating the need for linear translation members and reducing the overall volume of the transmission apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the movement dimension from linear translation to rotational movement along a circular arc. The trace contact point moves along a circular trajectory defined by the rotation center, converting one-dimensional linear motion into two-dimensional rotational motion, which achieves the same phase shifting effect with compact space.
2Ease of operation
If a translation adapter is used in the transmission apparatus, then the phase shifter can be driven, but manufacturing and matching tolerance cause output error accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the translation adapter component from the transmission system. By eliminating this intermediate component, the patent reduces the number of interfaces and contact points where manufacturing and matching tolerances could accumulate, thereby improving output precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a translation adapter to convert rotational input to linear translation, the patent inverts the approach by using a rotation mechanism where the trace contact point moves along a circular arc. This inversion eliminates the need for the translation adapter and its associated tolerance issues.
3Force
If a large translation member is used to drive the phase shifter, then the transmission force is sufficient, but the overall volume of the phase-shifting assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission mechanism from linear translation to rotation along a circular arc. The rotational movement allows the trace contact point to follow a curved trajectory with a smaller radius, achieving sufficient transmission force through the rotational mechanism while maintaining a compact overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic rotation mechanism where the trace contact point moves along a circular arc trajectory. This dynamic rotational motion allows for compact space utilization while maintaining adequate transmission force through the rotational drive mechanism and gear train.
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 reduces the size of the phase-shifting assembly, enhances transmission precision, and lowers manufacturing costs by using a worm gear-helical gear transmission to change input and output power directions and eliminate axial forces, ensuring reliable contact between phase-shifting units.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a worm gear-helical gear transmission structure to reduce overall volume, improve precision, and lower costs
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a worm gear-helical gear transmission structure to reduce overall volume, improve precision, and lower costs
Implementation Method 3
a position-limiting member configured to limit a movement of the first phase-shifting rotation mechanism in an axial direction of the first phase-shifting rotation mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a phase-shifting assembly, including an antenna phase shifter and a drive apparatus. The antenna phase shifter includes at least one first phase-shifting fixed unit, at least one first phase-shifting movable unit, and at least one first phase-shifting rotation mechanism. The drive apparatus includes a power mechanism configured to provide a drive force to the antenna phase shifter, a first rotation member connected to the power mechanism and coupled to the at least one first phase-shifting rotation mechanism, and a position-limiting member configured to limit the movement of the first phase-shifting rotation mechanism in an axial direction of the first phase-shifting rotation mechanism. The first rotation member transfers the drive force of the power mechanism to the first phase-shifting rotation mechanism through the first rotation member to control a relative movement between a fixed phase-shifting trace and a first movable phase-shifting trace.