Worm Gear Antenna Transmission for Uniform 32-Phase-Shifter Drive
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional base station antennas require multiple remote electrical tilt actuators, leading to increased size, weight, and cost, and existing transmission mechanisms can only drive a limited number of phase shifters due to motor power constraints, resulting in uneven torque distribution and reduced adjustment accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A transmission mechanism utilizing a worm gear unit, gear pairs, and arc-shaped connecting members to amplify torque and enable simultaneous drive of at least 32 phase shifters with a single motor, ensuring uniform force distribution and improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple separate RET actuators are used for each phase shifter, then adjustment accuracy is maintained, but the size, weight, and cost of the base station antenna significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple RET actuators into a single integrated actuator that uses one motor to drive all phase shifters simultaneously through a transmission mechanism. This merging approach reduces the total number of motors from multiple separate actuators to just one, significantly decreasing the antenna's weight, size, and cost while maintaining individual phase shifter adjustment capability through the transmission mechanism.
2Device complexity
If a single motor drives multiple phase shifters via parallel connecting rods, then the number of actuators is reduced, but the motor power is insufficient to drive more than 14 phase shifters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmission mechanism as an intermediary between the single motor and the multiple phase shifters. This transmission mechanism includes a driving rod connected to the motor, multiple connecting rods spaced apart in the transverse direction, and connecting plates that fix the connecting rods together. The transmission mechanism amplifies the motor's output force and distributes it uniformly to all phase shifters, enabling a single motor to drive 32 or more phase shifters beyond its direct driving capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connecting rods are spaced apart in the transverse direction, then each phase shifter can be driven individually, but uneven torque is generated affecting adjustment accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each connecting rod have different structural characteristics tailored to its specific position. Each connecting rod is equipped with connecting plates that are specifically designed and positioned to compensate for the varying moment arms caused by their different distances from the driving rod. This localized adjustment ensures that each phase shifter receives uniform driving force despite the spatial distribution of connecting rods, maintaining adjustment accuracy while enabling individual control.
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 allows for the efficient and accurate adjustment of multiple phase shifters, reducing the size and weight of the antenna while enabling the use of a single motor to drive a larger number of phase shifters, addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a worm gear unit, which includes a worm driven by a motor and a worm gear meshed and connected with the worm
Implementation Method 2
amplify torque and enable simultaneous drive of at least 32 phase shifters with a single motor
Implementation Method 3
at least one gear pair, each gear pair including a small gear and a large gear that mesh with each other
Implementation Method 4
the large gear of each gear pair is meshed and connected with the first rack element on a corresponding connecting rod so as to axially move the connecting rod via the first rack element when the large gear of each gear pair rotates
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a transmission mechanism for a base station antenna, and a base station antenna including the transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes a motor and at least one connecting rod, wherein a gear mechanism is provided on a first end of the connecting rod, and the motor drives the connecting rod to rotate via the gear mechanism; and wherein a worm gear unit is provided on a second end of the connecting rod opposite to the first end, and the worm gear unit is configured to drive a movable element of a phase shifter when the connecting rod rotates. The transmission mechanism according to the present disclosure can generate greater driving force through the worm gear unit, and has a shorter axial length and a smaller height, and thus is particularly suitable for a more compact and thinner 5G base station antenna.