Flexible Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter for Curved Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal phase shifting devices have high rigidity, limiting their ability to achieve curved surfaces and restricting their applications due to excessive thickness and weight.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal phase shifting device composed of two flexible substrates with a microstrip line and an electrode layer, where solid-state liquid crystals are sandwiched between them, allowing for bending and reduced volume, weight, and improved alignment uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a conventional liquid crystal phase shifting device structure is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the rigidity is high making it difficult to achieve curved surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible substrates (first flexible substrate and second flexible substrate) to replace conventional rigid substrates in the liquid crystal phase shifting device. This allows the device to be bent and shaped into curved surfaces while maintaining its structural integrity and functionality. The flexible substrates enable the device to conform to curved mounting surfaces without requiring high rigidity.
2Weight of moving object
If conventional substrates are used, then the device structure is stable, but the thickness and weight are excessive restricting applications
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrates used in this invention are inherently thin-film structures that provide sufficient structural stability for the liquid crystal phase shifting device while being extremely lightweight. These thin flexible substrates maintain the necessary mechanical stability to hold the microstrip line, electrode layer, and solid-state liquid crystal in place, while dramatically reducing the overall weight and thickness of the device compared to conventional rigid substrate approaches.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is made flexible and thin, then the volume and weight are reduced, but the alignment uniformity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs solid-state liquid crystal material instead of conventional liquid crystal, which maintains its ordered molecular structure and alignment properties even in thin flexible configurations. The solid-state liquid crystal fills the space between the flexible substrates and maintains uniform alignment across the device area, ensuring consistent phase shifting performance throughout the entire device volume.
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 flexible design enables better curved surface applications, reduces thickness and weight, and enhances phase shifting accuracy by allowing the device to be folded and bonded to curved surfaces, thereby increasing its applicability.
Implementation Method 1
solid-state liquid crystal arranged between the microstrip line and the electrode layer
Implementation Method 2
a device for adjusting a phase of a wave, a phase shifter has been widely applied
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal phase shifting device, a manufacturing method for the liquid crystal phase shifting device, a liquid crystal phase shifter, and an antenna, aiming to achieve the better curved surface applications of the liquid crystal phase shifting device and thus increases the applications. The liquid crystal phase shifting device includes: a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate that are opposite to each other; a microstrip line arranged on a side of the first flexible substrate facing towards the second flexible substrate; an electrode layer arranged on a side of the second flexible substrate facing towards the first flexible substrate; and solid-state liquid crystal arranged between the microstrip line and the electrode layer. The liquid crystal phase shifting device is used for performing phase shifting on a microwave signal.