Phase Shifter With Protrusion-Guided Dielectric Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase shifters in triplate lines experience unstable phase shifts due to dielectric movement, leading to variations in effective permittivity and signal phase, which affects the stability of phase shifting.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design featuring dielectric members with protrusions to maintain a consistent distance from the signal line and conductor plates, supported by a moving mechanism that applies force parallel to the substrate, ensuring stable phase shifting by preventing unintended variations in dielectric position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the dielectric is moved forward or backward by the driving rod to change the phase of the signal, then the phase shift amount can be adjusted, but the phase shift becomes unstable due to vibration causing the dielectric to move closer to or away from the inner conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric is divided into multiple dielectric members that are arranged between the substrate and conductor plates. These segmented dielectric members can be moved independently or collectively by the driving rod, allowing phase adjustment while reducing the impact of vibration on any single dielectric element, thereby improving phase shift stability
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric members are pre-positioned at optimal locations between the substrate and conductor plates before operation. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the driving rod moves the dielectric members for phase adjustment, they start from a stable configuration that minimizes vibration-induced instability, maintaining reliable phase shift control
2Adaptability or versatility
If the dielectric members are moved in the thickness direction of the inner conductor to vary effective permittivity, then the phase of the signal can be changed, but the distance between the dielectric and signal line varies causing unstable phase shift
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the dielectric members solely in the thickness direction (vertical dimension) which causes distance variations, the invention enables movement in the horizontal dimension parallel to the substrate. This dimensional change allows phase adjustment by varying the horizontal position of dielectric members relative to the signal line, maintaining consistent vertical distance and improving manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The driving rod acts as an intermediary mechanism that transfers movement force to the dielectric members in a controlled manner. By using the driving rod as a mediator, the dielectric members can be moved precisely parallel to the substrate without direct contact or uncontrolled movement in the thickness direction, ensuring consistent distance between dielectric members and signal line
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 provides a stable amount of phase shift, enhancing the precision of directivity adjustment in antenna devices by maintaining a consistent distance between dielectric members and the signal line, thereby stabilizing the phase shifting process.
Implementation Method 1
varying the proportion that the dielectric occupies in the spaces between the inner conductor and the pair of outer conductors respectively. Thus, a variation in effective permittivity of the triplate line occurs, resulting in a variation in electrical line length and therefore a variation in the phase of the signal propagating in the inner conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A phase shifter includes dielectric members including facing portions facing a signal line formed on a surface of a substrate and being made of a dielectric material, a supporting member configured to support the dielectric members and receive a moving force for moving the dielectric members in a direction which is parallel to the substrate and crosses the signal line, and a moving mechanism configured to apply the moving force to the supporting member. At least either the dielectric members or the supporting member is provided with a protrusion configured to keep a distance between the facing portions of the dielectric members and the signal line.