Microwave Module Shielding Cover Diplexer Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microwave link components face challenges in achieving cost-effective and weatherproof designs due to mechanical tolerances and thermal issues caused by the mismatch of stacked components, leading to increased internal temperatures.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a diplexer and isolators into the shielding cover and printed circuit board (PCB) with a compact design, using the PCB and housing parts as shielding, and incorporating cooling flanges, O-rings for sealing, and tunable filter geometry to eliminate tolerance chains and enhance thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a diplexer is purchased as a pre-tuned part with a fixed sub-band, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the adaptability to different sub-bands is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsub-band adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The diplexer is designed with tunable filters that can be adjusted to different sub-bands using tuning screws and adjustable resonant cavities, transforming a static pre-tuned component into a dynamically adjustable one, thereby achieving both cost-effectiveness and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If PCB, shielding cover, diplexer and waveguide nose are stacked assembly, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the mechanical tolerance mismatch increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidmechanical tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The diplexer and filter are integrated directly into the shielding cover as an integral part, eliminating the separate diplexer component and reducing the number of assembly interfaces, thereby minimizing cumulative mechanical tolerance mismatches while maintaining manufacturing ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding cover serves multiple functions: it provides electromagnetic shielding, houses the integrated diplexer and filter, and acts as a structural component, thereby reducing the total number of parts and assembly steps while improving precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If PCB is positioned between housing parts with shielding cover and waveguide nose, then the signal transfer is improved, but the thermal distance to heat sink increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transferVSAvoidinternal temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Cooling flanges are positioned on the exterior surface of the housing in a radial direction, creating a new thermal pathway perpendicular to the signal path, thereby improving heat dissipation without interfering with microwave signal transfer between PCB and waveguide

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Device complexity

If multiple separate components are assembled, then the device complexity is reduced, but the weatherproofing reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidweatherproofing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple components (diplexer, filter, housing) are merged into fewer integrated structures, reducing the number of assembly interfaces and sealing points, thereby improving weatherproofing reliability while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution results in a compact, cost-effective, and weatherproof microwave module with improved thermal performance and reduced assembly complexity, ensuring efficient signal transfer and protection from environmental factors.

Implementation Method 1

The diplexer is a component that extracts a desired sub-band from a microwave signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The plated area is adapted to function as a metal cover towards the filter geometry of the second housing part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the PCB has a plated wave guide hole adapted to feed the signal in and out from the antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2609683B1Microwave module
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2609683B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2609683B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2609683B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a microwave module (1) comprising a printed circuit board (2), a first housing part (31), a second housing part (32), and a diplexer. It is specifically proposed that the first and second housing part (31, 32) are adapted to act as a shielding cover, and that the diplexer and its filter is an integrated part in the module and is made out of the shielding cover and the printed circuit board (2).