RF Waveguide Interconnect With Adjustable Slider Engagement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Waveguide interconnects configured to mate with WR15 flanges are bulky and mechanically inflexible, limiting their size and functionality in electrical communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide interconnect member with a seat, slider, and biasing member that securely engages and disengages a dielectric waveguide, allowing for a variable-sized gap adjustment to facilitate secure and efficient mating with complementary interconnects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotating member is used to mate the waveguide to the flange, then the waveguide interconnect can be securely connected, but the device becomes bulky and mechanically inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnect is divided into separate components: a flange-mounted portion and a waveguide portion connected by a flexible circuit board. This segmentation eliminates the need for rotating members while maintaining secure electrical connection, reducing mechanical complexity and improving flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical rotating member connection is replaced with an electrical connection through a flexible circuit board. This substitution maintains the secure electrical connection function while eliminating the mechanical bulk and inflexibility of rotating members.
2Reliability
If a rotating member is used to mate the waveguide to the flange, then the waveguide interconnect can be securely connected, but the size of the interconnect increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the interconnect into separate components connected by a flexible circuit board, the overall volume is reduced compared to a single bulky rotating member assembly, while maintaining secure electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Replacing the mechanical rotating member with a flexible circuit board reduces the volume of the interconnect while maintaining the secure electrical connection function.
3Volume of moving object
If the waveguide interconnect is made compact, then the size efficiency improves, but the mechanical flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible circuit board is used to connect the flange-mounted portion and waveguide portion, providing mechanical flexibility in a compact form factor. This flexible film maintains ease of operation while keeping the interconnect size small.
4Ease of operation
If the waveguide interconnect is made bulky, then the mechanical flexibility improves, but the size efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit board provides the necessary mechanical flexibility without requiring a bulky structure, achieving ease of operation in a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
Segmenting the interconnect allows each component to be optimized for its function while maintaining overall compactness and flexibility through the flexible circuit board connection.
Data Source
AI summary
Radio frequency (RF) waveguides and related interconnect members are disclosed. The interconnect members can have a smaller footprint than WR15 flanges. Further, the interconnect members can be configured to mate with complementary interconnects without undergoing substantial relative rotation.