Phase Shifter With Spatially Isolated Coupling Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase shifters with integrated coupling arms suffer from strong coupling between arc conductors, leading to increased size and high manufacturing costs due to the need for precise integration.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design featuring spatially isolated coupling arms that lap over arc conductors at different positions, reducing coupling strength and allowing for simpler manufacturing with separate substrates and a pivot connection, enabling effective signal transmission and phase shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling arm is designed as a physically integrated structure to lap over both arc conductors, then capacitive coupling can be formed at lapping positions, but strong coupling between arc conductors occurs causing intense signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arm is divided into two separate coupling arms (first coupling arm and second coupling arm) instead of being a single integrated structure. Each coupling arm independently laps over one arc conductor, which segments the coupling paths and reduces the strong coupling and signal interference between arc conductors while maintaining the necessary capacitive coupling for phase shifting function.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the distance between arc conductors is increased to reduce signal interference, then coupling between arc conductors decreases, but the size of the phase shifter becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the coupling arm into two separate coupling arms, each can be positioned independently to lap over its respective arc conductor. This allows the arc conductors to be placed closer together without experiencing strong coupling effects, thereby reducing the overall phase shifter size while maintaining low signal interference through the separate coupling paths.
3Reliability
If high manufacturing precision is required for the integrated coupling arm to ensure capacitive coupling at lapping positions, then phase shifter performance is ensured, but manufacture cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the coupling arm into two separate coupling arms simplifies the manufacturing process. Each coupling arm can be manufactured and positioned independently, reducing the complexity and precision requirements compared to a single integrated coupling arm that must simultaneously maintain precise capacitive coupling with both arc conductors. This segmentation lowers manufacture cost while ensuring reliable capacitive coupling.
4Volume of moving object
If a single integrated coupling arm structure is used, then the structure is compact, but the coupling arm must be coupled to two arc conductors simultaneously requiring strong coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arm is segmented into two separate coupling arms, each independently coupled to one arc conductor. This segmentation allows for compact positioning of components while preventing strong coupling between arc conductors, as each coupling arm creates its own independent capacitive coupling path without interfering with the other arc conductor.
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 design reduces signal interference, improves output signal precision, decreases the size of the phase shifter, and lowers manufacturing costs by simplifying the coupling arm structure and precision requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive coupling electrical connection is formed at a lapping position between the coupling arm and each arc conductor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present invention provides a phase shifter and an antenna. The phase shifter includes an arc conductor component and a coupling arm component that is swingably disposed along the arc conductor component. The arc conductor component includes a first arc conductor and a second arc conductor that are concentrically disposed. The coupling arm component includes a first coupling arm and a second coupling arm that are disposed in a spatially isolated manner. A first end of the first coupling arm laps over the first arc conductor, and a second end of the first coupling arm is an input end for inputting a signal. A first end of the second coupling arm laps over the first arc conductor, and a second end of the second coupling arm laps over the second arc conductor. The first coupling arm and the second coupling arm lap over the first arc conductor at different positions, and a capacitive coupling electrical connection is formed at a lapping position between each coupling arm and each arc conductor. The phase shifter provided in the embodiments of the present invention is simple in structure and convenient for manufacture, which may effectively reduce coupling between arc conductors and improve the performance of the phase shifter.