Dielectric Phase Shifter Rail Guide Eliminates Circuit Wear
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art dielectric phase shifters face issues such as friction and structural reliability problems due to direct contact between the dielectric element and the feeding network, leading to performance degradation and passive inter-modulation.
Innovation Solution
A dielectric phase shifter design featuring a cavity with rails on the inner walls to prevent contact between the dielectric element and the phase shifting circuit, utilizing a sliding groove on the dielectric element to engage with the rail, ensuring the dielectric element moves without contacting the circuit, thereby enhancing structural reliability and electrical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dielectric element directly contacts the feeding network to achieve phase shifting, then the phase shifting function is realized, but friction and wear occur between the dielectric element and feeding network during long-term movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide rail structure as an intermediary component between the dielectric element and the feeding network. The guide rail receives and guides the dielectric element during movement, preventing direct contact between the dielectric element and the feeding network, thereby eliminating friction and wear while maintaining the phase shifting function
2Reliability
If the dielectric element is directly disposed on the feeding network to achieve phase shifting, then the phase shifting function is realized, but force is imposed on the feeding network which jeopardizes structural reliability and introduces passive inter-modulation product
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail acts as a mediator that supports the dielectric element during movement, preventing direct contact with the feeding network. This eliminates the harmful forces and passive inter-modulation products that would otherwise be generated by direct contact, while still enabling the dielectric element to perform its phase shifting function
3Ease of operation
If the dielectric element moves along the cavity to achieve continuous linear phase difference, then phase shifting is realized, but contact between the dielectric element and phase shifting circuit causes performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail structure serves as an intermediary that enables the dielectric element to move along the cavity for continuous linear phase difference while preventing contact with the phase shifting circuit, thus maintaining electrical performance during operation
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 prevents wear and external forces on the feeding network, improving the phase shifter's reliability, electrical performance, and reducing passive inter-modulation, while maintaining high precision and linearity of phase shifting.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric element in the form of two slabs slidably mounted in the receiving space and parallel with the phase shifting circuit
Implementation Method 2
Rails are disposed on inner side walls of the cavity and provide ways for receiving sides of the dielectric slabs such as to support and guide the dielectric slabs during movement along the cavity while preventing contact between the dielectric slabs and the phase shifting circuit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention disclosed a dielectric phase shifter, comprises a cavity having an elongated receiving space, a phase shifting circuit disposed inside the receiving space, and a dielectric element slidably mounted in the receiving space and parallel with the phase shifting circuit. A rail is disposed on an inner wall of the cavity for preventing contact between the movable dielectric element and phase shifting circuit. By providing a number of rails between the phase shifting circuit and dielectric element, direct contact between the dielectric element and feeding network is prevented, and accordingly, no additional force will be imposed on the feeding network and reliability is enhanced. Moreover, wear of the feeding network and/or dielectric element during operation of the phase shifter is eliminated.