Tapered Dielectric Waveguide Connector for Low Return Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector-attached dielectric waveguides face challenges in achieving low transmission and return losses for high frequency signals due to rapid changes in impedance when connecting with other components, such as hollow metallic tubes, leading to inefficient signal transmission.

Innovation Solution

The connector-attached dielectric waveguide features a dielectric waveguide end with a smaller cross-sectional area than the body, which can be conical, truncated conical, pyramidal, or truncated pyramidal in shape, seamlessly monolithically formed from the same material as the body, allowing for easy connection with a hollow metallic tube and precise phase adjustment, thereby reducing impedance changes and enhancing transmission efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a dielectric waveguide is connected with a hollow metallic tube or other transmission lines, then signal transmission is enabled, but rapid impedance change causes reflection and loss of transmission efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission lossVSAvoidimpedance matching
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric waveguide incorporates a tapered section where the cross-sectional area gradually changes from the first end to the second end. This creates a gradual impedance transition in the local region where connection occurs, rather than an abrupt change. The tapered geometry allows impedance to vary continuously along the transition section, reducing signal reflection and improving transmission efficiency when connecting to hollow metallic tubes or other transmission lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If a connector is attached to a dielectric waveguide, then ease of connection is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connectionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is integrated as an integral part of the dielectric waveguide structure, forming a unified component rather than separate parts. The connector portion extends from the first end of the dielectric waveguide and includes the tapered section, creating a monolithic structure that eliminates the need for separate connector assemblies while maintaining ease of connection to hollow metallic tubes or other transmission lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If the dielectric waveguide end has a smaller cross-sectional area, then impedance transition is improved, but connection stability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereturn lossVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric waveguide features a dynamic geometry where the cross-sectional area varies along its length. The tapered section provides a gradual transition from the larger cross-section at the first end to the smaller cross-section at the second end. This dynamic shape change enables controlled impedance transformation while the overall robust structure maintains connection stability. The connector portion at the first end provides a stable interface for connection, while the tapered section manages the impedance transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3611793B1Dielectric waveguide line with connector
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3611793B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3611793B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3611793B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention provides a connector-attached dielectric waveguide that allows the dielectric waveguide to be easily connectable with an opposite component and is capable of forming a connection structure exhibiting low transmission and return losses of a high frequency signal. The connector-attached dielectric waveguide includes a dielectric waveguide and a connector. The dielectric waveguide includes a dielectric waveguide body and a dielectric waveguide end. The dielectric waveguide end has a smaller cross-sectional area than the dielectric waveguide body.