EP3783736A1 - Directional coupler and microwave heating device provided with same - Google Patents
Directional coupler and microwave heating device provided with same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3783736A1 EP3783736A1 EP19788616.1A EP19788616A EP3783736A1 EP 3783736 A1 EP3783736 A1 EP 3783736A1 EP 19788616 A EP19788616 A EP 19788616A EP 3783736 A1 EP3783736 A1 EP 3783736A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- line
- opening
- elongated hole
- tube axis
- microwave
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 title claims description 32
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 98
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 96
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 96
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 96
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 description 22
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 19
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 7
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000011889 copper foil Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009499 grossing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000644 propagated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
- H01P5/00—Coupling devices of the waveguide type
- H01P5/08—Coupling devices of the waveguide type for linking dissimilar lines or devices
- H01P5/10—Coupling devices of the waveguide type for linking dissimilar lines or devices for coupling balanced lines or devices with unbalanced lines or devices
- H01P5/107—Hollow-waveguide/strip-line transitions
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
- H01P5/00—Coupling devices of the waveguide type
- H01P5/12—Coupling devices having more than two ports
- H01P5/16—Conjugate devices, i.e. devices having at least one port decoupled from one other port
- H01P5/18—Conjugate devices, i.e. devices having at least one port decoupled from one other port consisting of two coupled guides, e.g. directional couplers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
- H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
- H05B6/70—Feed lines
- H05B6/707—Feed lines using waveguides
- H05B6/708—Feed lines using waveguides in particular slotted waveguides
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to directional couplers which each detect the power level of a microwave propagating through a waveguide, and microwave heaters provided with the directional couplers.
- a directional coupler is known as a device intended to detect the power level of a microwave propagating through a waveguide.
- the directional coupler separately and individually detects a traveling wave and a reflected wave which each propagate through a waveguide.
- the directional coupler described in Patent Literature 1 is known.
- the directional coupler described in Patent Literature 1 is provided with an opening disposed in a wall surface of a waveguide, and a coupling line disposed on the outside of the waveguide.
- the opening is disposed at a position failing to intersect the tube axis of the waveguide, and configured to emit circularly polarized microwaves.
- the coupling line includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line which each intersect the opening in a plan view.
- the first transmission line and the second transmission line are disposed so as to face each other with a central portion of the opening being interposed between them, and coupled to each other at a position out of the region vertically above the opening.
- the rotation direction of a circularly polarized wave emitted from the opening fed by the traveling wave is opposite to that of a circularly polarized wave emitted from the opening fed by the reflected wave.
- the conventional directional coupler described above still has room for improvement in view of achieving higher accuracy in separately detecting traveling waves and reflecting waves.
- an object of the present disclosure is to provide a directional coupler capable of separately detecting traveling waves and reflecting waves with high accuracy, and to provide a microwave heating device equipped with the directional coupler.
- a directional coupler includes: an opening disposed in a wall surface of a waveguide, and a coupling line disposed outside the waveguide, and separately detects a traveling wave and a reflecting wave which both propagate through the waveguide.
- the opening includes a first elongated hole and a second elongated hole which cross each other and are disposed at a position that fails to intersect the tube axis of the waveguide, in a plan view.
- the coupling line includes: a first transmission line, and a second transmission line.
- the first transmission line includes a first intersecting-line portion.
- the first intersecting-line portion extends, from one end of the tube axis, away from the tube axis as approaching a perpendicular line, and intersects the first elongated hole at a position farther away from the tube axis than the opening-cross portion is, the perpendicular line being orthogonal to the tube axis and passing through the opening-cross portion at which the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole intersect each other, in a plan view.
- the second transmission line includes a second intersecting-line portion.
- the second intersecting-line portion extends, from another end of the tube axis, away from the tube axis as approaching the perpendicular line, and intersects the second elongated hole at a position farther away from the tube axis than the opening-cross portion is, in a plan view.
- One end of the first transmission line is coupled to one end of the second transmission line at a position, in a plan view, out of a region in which the opening is disposed.
- the directional coupler according to the aspect is capable of separately detecting a traveling wave and a reflecting wave with higher accuracy.
- the present inventors have earnestly studied how to separately detect traveling waves and reflected waves with higher accuracy, and have obtained the following findings.
- a coupling line is configured as one line by coupling, at right angles, a plurality of lines parallel to the tube axis in a plan view to a plurality of lines perpendicular to the tube axis in a plan view.
- the present inventors have found that the conventional directional coupler includes many bent portions at each of which the coupling line is bent at a right angle, and that these portions have great influences on the separation between a traveling wave and a reflected wave.
- the present inventors have found that the impeding of flowing of the electric current in the coupling line is reduced by keeping such bent portions of the coupling line away from a region in the vertical direction of the opening where influence of the magnetic field is strong.
- the present inventors have found the following inventions.
- the present inventors have confirmed that these inventions improve the directivity (the degree of separation between a traveling wave and a reflected wave) by 5 dB or more (approximately 3 times or more) as compared with that of the conventional directional coupler.
- a directional coupler includes an opening disposed in a wall surface of a waveguide, and an coupling line disposed outside the waveguide, for separately detecting a traveling wave and a reflected wave that propagate through the waveguide.
- the opening includes a first elongated hole and a second elongated hole that, in a plan view, cross each other and are disposed at a position that fails to intersect the tube axis of the waveguide.
- the coupling line includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line.
- the first transmission line includes a first intersecting-line portion.
- the first intersecting-line portion is configured, in a plan view, to: pass from one end of the tube axis through an opening-cross portion where the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole cross each other, extend away from the tube axis as approaching a perpendicular line orthogonal to the tube axis, and intersect the first elongated hole at a position farther away from the tube axis than the opening-cross portion is.
- the second transmission line includes a second intersecting-line portion.
- the second intersecting-line portion is configured, in a plan view, to: extend from another end of the tube axis so as to be away from the tube axis as approaching the perpendicular line, and intersect the second elongated hole at a position farther away from the tube axis than the opening-cross portion is.
- One end of the first transmission line is coupled to one end of the second transmission line at a position out of the region of the opening, in a plan view.
- the first transmission line and the second transmission line are coupled to each other at a position that is out of a rectangular region circumscribing the opening and that is farther away from the tube axis than the rectangular region, in a plan view.
- At least one of the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion intersects a corresponding one of the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole at a position closer to an opening-end portion of the opening than the opening-cross portion is, in a plan view.
- At least one of the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion is orthogonal to a corresponding one of the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole, in a plan view.
- the coupling line includes a plurality of straight-line portions that includes the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion. Of the plurality of straight-line portions, two straight-line portions adjacent to each other are coupled so as to make an obtuse angle.
- the plurality of straight-line portions includes: a straight-line portion coupling the other end of the first intersecting-line portion to a first output part, and a straight-line portion coupling the second intersecting-line portion to a second output part.
- the first intersecting-line portion intersects the first elongated hole at a first coupling point
- the second intersecting-line portion intersects the second elongated hole at a second coupling point, with a virtual line passing through the first coupling point and the second coupling point.
- the sum of a line distance of the first transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than the virtual line and a line distance of the second transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than the virtual line is set equal to 1/4 of an effective length.
- the sum of a line distance of the first transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than a parallel line that passes through the opening-cross portion and parallels the tube axis and a line distance of the second transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than the parallel line is set equal to 1/2 of an effective length.
- a microwave heating device includes a directional coupler according to the first aspect.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of directional coupler 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of directional coupler 5 in the state in which printed circuit board 12 has been removed.
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of waveguide 3.
- FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram of printed circuit board 12 mounted on directional coupler 5.
- directional coupler 5 is disposed on a wall surface of waveguide 3 that transmits microwaves.
- Waveguide 3 is a rectangular waveguide.
- the cross section, orthogonal to tube axis L1, of waveguide 3 has a rectangular shape.
- Tube axis L1 is the center axis of waveguide 3, in the direction of the width.
- Directional coupler 5 includes cross opening 11, printed circuit board 12, and support part 14.
- Cross opening 11 is an X-shaped opening disposed in a wide plane (Wide Plane) 3a of waveguide 3.
- Printed circuit board 12 is disposed outside waveguide 3 so as to face cross opening 11.
- Support part 14 supports printed circuit board 12 on an outer surface of waveguide 3.
- cross opening 11 is disposed at a position failing to intersect tube axis L1 of waveguide 3, in a plan view. Opening-center portion 11c of cross opening 11 is disposed away from tube axis L1 of waveguide 3 by dimension D1 in a plan view. Dimension D1 is, for example, 1/4 of the width of waveguide 3.
- Cross opening 11 emits microwaves propagating through waveguide 3, as circularly polarized microwaves, toward printed circuit board 12.
- the opening shape of cross opening 11 is determined in accordance with conditions including: the width and height of waveguide 3, the power levels and frequency bands of microwaves propagating through waveguide 3, and the power levels of circularly polarized microwaves emitted from cross opening 11.
- the width and height of waveguide 3 are respectively 100 mm and 30 mm
- the wall thickness of waveguide 3 is 0.6 mm
- the maximum power level of the microwave propagating through waveguide 3 is 1000 W
- the frequency band is 2450 MHz
- the maximum power level of the circularly polarized microwave emitted from cross opening 11 is approximately 10 mW
- length 11w and width 11d of cross opening 11 are set to 20 mm and 2 mm, respectively.
- cross opening 11 includes: first elongated hole 11e, and second elongated hole 11f which cross each other. Opening-center portion 11c of cross opening 11 coincides with an opening-cross portion where first elongated hole 11e crosses second elongated hole 11f.
- Cross opening 11 is formed to have line symmetry with respect to perpendicular line L2. Perpendicular line L2 is orthogonal to tube axis L1, and passes through opening-center portion 11c.
- first elongated hole 11e and second elongated hole 11f cross each other at an angle of 90 degrees.
- First elongated hole 11e and second elongated hole 11f may cross each other at an angle of either 60 degrees or 120 degrees.
- cross opening 11 In the case where opening-center portion 11c of cross opening 11 is disposed at a position at which it is superposed on tube axis L1 in a plan view, the electric field reciprocates along the transmission direction of the microwave, without rotating. In this case, cross opening 11 emits a linearly polarized microwave.
- opening-center portion 11c In the case where opening-center portion 11c is even slightly out of tube axis L1, the electric field will rotate. However, in the case where opening-center portion 11c is close to tube axis L1 (as dimension D1 is closer to 0 [zero] mm), a distorted rotating electric field is generated. In this case, cross opening 11 emits an elliptically polarized microwave.
- dimension D1 is set equal to approximately 1/4 of the width of waveguide 3.
- an substantially-perfect circular rotating electric field is generated.
- Cross opening 11 emits an substantially-perfect circularly polarized microwave. This allows the rotation direction of the circularly polarized microwave to be more distinct. As a result, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with high accuracy.
- Printed circuit board 12 has board rear surface 12b facing cross opening 11, and board front surface 12a opposite to board rear surface 12b.
- Board front surface 12a includes a copper foil (not shown), an example of a microwave reflecting member, that is formed to cover the whole of board front surface 12a. It is the copper foil that prevents the circularly polarized microwaves emitted from cross opening 11 from passing through printed circuit board 12.
- microstrip line 13 an example of a coupling line, is disposed on board rear surface 12b.
- Microstrip line 13 is configured with a transmission line with a characteristic impedance of approximately 50 ⁇ , for example.
- Microstrip line 13 is disposed so as to surround opening-center portion 11c of cross opening 11.
- Effective length ⁇ re of microstrip line 13 is expressed as the following equation, where "w” is the width of microstrip line 13, “h” is the thickness of printed circuit board 12, “c” is the velocity of light, “f' is the frequency of an electromagnetic wave, and “ ⁇ r " is the relative permittivity of the printed circuit board. Effective length ⁇ re equals the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave propagating through microstrip line 13.
- microstrip line 13 includes: first transmission line 13a, and second transmission line 13b.
- First transmission line 13a has first straight-line portion 13aa which is an example of a first intersecting-line portion.
- First straight-line portion 13aa intersects first elongated hole 11e at a position farther away from tube axis L1 than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view.
- First straight-line portion 13aa extends away from tube axis L1 as approaching perpendicular line L2.
- Second transmission line 13b has second straight-line portion 13ba which is an example of a second intersecting-line portion.
- Second straight-line portion 13ba intersects second elongated hole 11f at a position farther away from tube axis L1 than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view.
- Second straight-line portion 13ba extends away from tube axis L1 as approaching perpendicular line L2.
- First straight-line portion 13aa and second straight-line portion 13ba are disposed to have line symmetry with respect to perpendicular line L2.
- First transmission line 13a and second transmission line 13b are coupled to each other at a position that is outside rectangular region E1 and is farther away from tube axis L1 than rectangular region E1, in a plan view.
- First straight-line portion 13aa intersects first elongated hole 11e at a position that is closer to opening-end portion 11ea than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view.
- First straight-line portion 13aa is orthogonal to first elongated hole 11e in a plan view.
- Second straight-line portion 13ba intersects second elongated hole 11f at a position that is closer to opening-end portion 11fa than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view.
- Second straight-line portion 13ba is orthogonal to second elongated hole 11f in a plan view.
- first transmission line 13a and one end of second transmission line 13b are coupled to each other at outside the region that is superposed on cross opening 11, in a plan view.
- One end of first straight-line portion 13aa is coupled to one end of second straight-line portion 13ba at outside rectangular region E1 that circumscribes cross opening 11.
- First coupling point P1 is a point where first straight-line portion 13aa and first elongated hole 11e intersect each other in a plan view.
- Second coupling point P2 is a point where second straight-line portion 13ba and second elongated hole 11f intersect each other in a plan view.
- a straight line that connects first coupling point P1 and second coupling point P2 is defined as virtual straight line L3.
- the sum of a line distance of first transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3 and a line distance of second transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3, is set equal to 1/4 of effective length ⁇ re .
- a line that passes through opening-center portion 11c and is parallel to tube axis L1 is defined as parallel line L4.
- the sum of a line distance of first transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 and a line distance of second transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 is set equal to 1/2 of effective length ⁇ re .
- First transmission line 13a includes third straight-line portion 13ab that couples the other end of first straight-line portion 13aa to first output part 131.
- First straight-line portion 13aa and third straight-line portion 13ab are coupled to each other so as to make an obtuse angle (e.g. 135 degrees).
- Second transmission line 13b includes fourth straight-line portion 13bb that couples the other end of second straight-line portion 13ba to second output part 132.
- Second straight-line portion 13ba and fourth straight-line portion 13bb are coupled to each other so as to make an obtuse angle (e.g. 135 degrees).
- Third straight-line portion 13ab and fourth straight-line portion 13bb are disposed in parallel with perpendicular line L2.
- First output part 131 and second output part 132 are disposed outside support part 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) in a plan view.
- first detector circuit 15 is coupled to first output part 131.
- First detector circuit 15 detects the level of a microwave signal, and outputs the detected level of the microwave signal as a control signal.
- second detector circuit 16 is coupled to second output part 132.
- Second detector circuit 16 detects the level of a microwave signal, and outputs the detected level of the microwave signal as a control signal.
- each of first detector circuit 15 and second detector circuit 16 includes a smoothing circuit (not shown) that is configured including a chip resistor and a Schottky diode.
- First detector circuit 15 rectifies a microwave signal fed from first output part 131, and converts the rectified microwave signal into a direct-current voltage. The thus-converted direct-current voltage is fed to first detection output unit 18.
- second detector circuit 16 rectifies a microwave signal fed from second output part 132, and converts the rectified microwave signal into a direct-current voltage. The thus-converted direct-current voltage is fed to second detection output part 19.
- Printed circuit board 12 includes four holes (holes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d) for attaching printed circuit board 12 to waveguide 3.
- holes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d On board rear surface 12b, copper foils each for serving as a ground are formed at portions around holes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. The portions on which the copper foils are formed have the same voltage as that of board front surface 12a.
- Printed circuit board 12 is fixed to waveguide 3, with screws 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d (see FIG. 1 ) being screwed through respective holes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d into support part 14.
- support part 14 is provided with screw portions 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d into which screws 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d are screwed, respectively.
- Screw portions 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d are formed in a flange part disposed in support part 14.
- Support part 14 has conductivity, and is disposed so as to surround cross opening 11 in a plan view. Support part 14 functions as a shield that prevents circularly polarized microwaves emitted from cross opening 11 from leaking out of support part 14.
- Support part 14 is provided with groove 141 and groove 142 through which third straight-line portion 13ab and fourth straight-line portion 13bb of microstrip line 13 pass, respectively.
- both first output part 131 and second output part 132 of microstrip line 13 are allowed to be disposed outside support part 14.
- Grooves 141 and 142 function as extraction parts for extracting the microwave signals that propagate through microstrip line 13 to the outside of support part 14.
- Grooves 141 and 142 can be formed by recessing the flange part of support part 14 so as to be away from printed circuit board 12.
- connector 18a and connector 19a that are respectively coupled to first detection output part 18 and second detection output part 19 shown in FIG. 4 .
- magnetic field distribution 3d that appears inside waveguide 3 is illustrated by concentric ellipses depicted with the dotted lines.
- the directions of magnetic fields in magnetic field distribution 3d are indicated by the arrows.
- Magnetic field distribution 3d travels through inside waveguide 3 in transmission direction Al of the microwave with a lapse of time.
- magnetic field distribution 3d is formed.
- the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B1 excites first elongated hole 11e of cross opening 11.
- the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B2 excites second elongated hole 11f of cross opening 11.
- the microwave propagating along arrow 30 shown in FIG. 3 is a traveling wave and that the microwave propagating along arrow 31 is a reflected wave
- the traveling wave then travels in the same direction as transmission direction Al shown in FIG. 5 .
- the reflected wave propagates in the direction opposite to transmission direction Al shown in FIG. 5 .
- the circularly polarized microwave emitted to the outside of the waveguide 3 is coupled to microstrip line 13 that faces cross opening 11.
- Microstrip line 13 outputs, to first output prat 131, most of the microwave that is fed by the traveling wave propagating along arrow 30 and is emitted from cross opening 11.
- microstrip line 13 outputs, to second output prat 132, most of the microwave that is fed by the reflected wave that propagates along arrow 31 and is emitted from cross opening 11. This allows the traveling wave and the reflected wave to be separately detected with higher accuracy. Regarding this, a more detailed description is made with reference to FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating the direction and amount of a microwave that propagates through microstrip line 13 and varies with a lapse of time. There is a gap between microstrip line 13 and cross opening 11. In general, the time required for a microwave to arrive at microstrip line 13 is delayed by the time during which the microwave propagates across the gap. However, for convenience, it is assumed that there is no time delay here.
- First coupling point P1 locates at an approximate center of the coupling region in which first elongated hole 11e intersects microstrip line 13.
- Second coupling point P2 locates at an approximate center of the coupling region in which second elongated hole 11f intersects microstrip line 13.
- the amount (observed as an electric current that flows due to interlinkage of a magnetic field) of the microwave propagating through microstrip line 13 is represented by the thickness of the solid line arrow. That is, when the amount of the microwave propagating through microstrip line 13 is large, it is indicated by the thick arrow; when the amount of the microwave propagating through microstrip line 13 is small, it is indicated by the thin arrow.
- the microwave generated at first coupling point P1 at the time shown in (a) of FIG. 6 propagates to second coupling point P2 at the time shown in (b) of FIG. 6 . That is, at the time shown in (b) of FIG. 6 , both the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M1 and the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M2 occur at second coupling point P2.
- the two microwaves are added and propagate through microstrip line 13 toward second output part 132, and are then fed to second output part 132 after a lapse of a predetermined time.
- the sum of a line distance of first transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3 and a line distance of second transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3, is set equal to 1/4 of effective length ⁇ re .
- This configuration allows easy designing of microstrip line 13.
- the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B3 excites first elongated hole 11e of cross opening 11, and a microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M3 is generated at first coupling point P1.
- the microwave propagates through microstrip line 13 toward first output part 131, and is fed to first output part 131 after a lapse of a predetermined time.
- the microwave generated at first coupling point P1 indicated by solid line arrow M3 propagates in a direction substantially opposite to the rotation direction of the microwave emitted from cross opening 11. For this reason, the energy of the combined microwave is reduced. Accordingly, the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M3 is smaller than the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M1.
- the microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M4 propagates in the direction opposite to the microwave indicated by thick solid arrow M1. Therefore, the microwave indicated by solid arrow M4 is canceled and disappears, and is not fed to first output part 131.
- microstrip line 13 outputs, to second output prat 132, most of the microwave rotating counterclockwise that is fed by the reflected wave propagating along arrow 31 and is emitted from cross opening 11.
- microstrip line 13 outputs, to first output prat 131, most of the microwave rotating clockwise that is fed by the traveling wave propagating along arrow 30 and is emitted from cross opening 11.
- the amount of the microwave emitted from cross opening 11 with respect to the amount of the microwave propagating through waveguide 3 is determined by the shapes and dimensions of waveguide 3 and cross opening 11. For example, in the case where the shapes and dimensions are set to ones described above, the amount of the microwave emitted from cross opening 11 is approximately 1/100000 (approximately -50 dB) times the amount of the microwave propagating through waveguide 3.
- the sum of a line distance of first transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 and a line distance of second transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4, is set equal to 1/2 of effective length ⁇ re .
- FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating the direction and amount of a microwave that propagates through microstrip line 13 and varies with a lapse of time.
- the states of (a) to (d) of FIG. 6 after a lapse of time t1/2 are respectively illustrated.
- magnetic field distribution 3d travels through inside waveguide 3 in transmission direction Al of the microwave with a lapse of time. Therefore, as shown in (a) to (d) of FIG. 7 , the magnetic fields indicated by broken line arrows B12, B23, B34, and B41 excite first elongated hole 11e and second elongated hole 11f. This causes circularly polarized microwaves emitted to the outside of waveguide 3 to be coupled to microstrip line 13.
- a region in which perpendicular line L2 and parallel line L4 intersect microstrip line 13 is referred to as a coupling region.
- Third coupling point P3 locates at an approximate center of the coupling region in which perpendicular line L2 intersects microstrip line 13.
- Fourth coupling point P4 locates at an approximate center of the coupling region in which parallel line L4 intersects first transmission line 13a.
- Fifth coupling point P5 locates at an approximate center of the coupling region in which parallel line L4 intersects second transmission line 13b.
- the microwave generated at third coupling point P3 at the time shown in (a) of FIG. 7 propagates to fifth coupling point P5 at the time shown in (b) of FIG. 7 . That is, at the time shown in (b) of FIG. 7 , both the microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M11 and the microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M12a occur at fifth coupling point P5.
- the two microwaves are added and propagate through microstrip line 13 toward second output part 132, thereby being fed to second output part 132 after a lapse of a predetermined time.
- the line distance of first transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 is set equal to 1/4 of effective length ⁇ re .
- the microwave generated at fourth coupling point P4 and indicated by thin solid line arrow M12b propagates through microstrip line 13 toward first output part 131, and is fed to first output part 131 after a lapse of a predetermined time.
- the microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M14a propagates through microstrip line 13 toward third coupling point P3.
- the microwave generated at third coupling point P3 at the time shown in (c) of FIG. 7 propagates to fourth coupling point P4 at the time shown in (d) of FIG. 7 .
- both the microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M13b and the microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M14a occur at fourth coupling point P4.
- the line distance of second transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 is set equal to 1/4 of effective length ⁇ re .
- the sum of a line distance of first transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 and a line distance of second transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4, is set equal to 1/2 of effective length ⁇ re .
- the microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M13b propagates in the direction opposite to the microwave indicated by thick solid arrow M14a. Therefore, the microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M13b is canceled and disappears, and is not fed to first output part 131.
- the microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M14b propagates to third coupling point P3.
- the microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M14b propagates in the direction opposite to the microwaves indicated by thick solid arrow M11 and thick solid arrow M14a. Therefore, the microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M14b is canceled and disappears, and is not fed to first output part 131.
- the amount of the microwave propagating from third coupling point P3 is equal to the amount (M11 + M14a - M14b) that is obtained by subtracting the amount of the microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M14b from the amount of the microwaves indicated by thick solid arrows M11 and M14a. Accordingly, the amount of the microwave fed to second output part 132 is equal to the amount (M11 + M12a + M14a - M14b) that is obtained by adding the amount of the microwave indicated by thick solid arrow M12a to the amount of the microwave propagating from third coupling point P3.
- microstrip line 13 outputs, to second output prat 132, most of the microwave rotating counterclockwise that is fed by the reflected wave propagating along arrow 31 and is emitted from cross opening 11.
- microstrip line 13 outputs, to first output prat 131, most of the microwave rotating clockwise that is fed by the traveling wave propagating along arrow 30 and is emitted from cross opening 11.
- Directional coupler 5 includes cross opening 11 that is disposed at a position failing to intersect tube axis L1 of waveguide 3 in a plan view, and that emits circularly polarized microwaves.
- the rotation directions of the circularly polarized microwaves emitted from cross opening 11 are opposite to each other between the traveling wave and the reflected wave.
- first transmission line 13a includes first straight-line portion 13aa and second transmission line 13b includes second straight-line portion 13ba.
- first transmission line 13a and second transmission line 13b are coupled to each other at a position, in a plan view, that is outside rectangular region E1 and is away from tube axis L1.
- This configuration allows the bent portions, at each of which microstrip line 13 is bent, to be separated farther away from the region in the vertical direction of cross opening 11.
- This allows both first straight-line portion 13aa and second straight-line portion 13ba to be made longer, thereby reducing the impeding of flowing of the electric current in microstrip line 13.
- the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy.
- first straight-line portion 13aa intersects first elongated hole 11e at a position that is closer to opening-end portion 11ea than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view.
- Second straight-line portion 13ba intersects second elongated hole 11f at a position that is closer to opening-end portion 11fa than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view.
- the magnetic field generated around opening-end portions 11ea and 11fa is stronger than that generated around opening-center portion 11c.
- This configuration allows a stronger magnetic field to be coupled to microstrip line 13.
- the amount of the electric current flowing in microstrip line 13 is larger.
- the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy.
- first straight-line portion 13aa is orthogonal to first elongated hole 11e in a plan view.
- the transmission direction of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M1 generated at first coupling point P1 is made identical, in direction, to rotation direction 32 of the microwave emitted from cross opening 11.
- This configuration results in a further increase in the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M1.
- the transmission direction of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M3 generated at first coupling point P1 is made opposite, in direction, to rotation direction 32 of the microwave emitted from cross opening 11. This configuration results in a further decrease in the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M3. As a result, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy.
- second straight-line portion 13ba is orthogonal to second elongated hole 11f in a plan view.
- the transmission direction of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M2 generated at second coupling point P2 is made identical, in direction, to rotation direction 32 of the microwave emitted from cross opening 11.
- This configuration results in a further increase in the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M2.
- the transmission direction of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M4 generated at second coupling point P2 is made opposite, in direction, to rotation direction 32 of the microwave emitted from cross opening 11. This configuration results in a further decrease in the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M4. As a result, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy.
- microstrip line 13 includes: first straight-line portion 13aa, second straight-line portion 13ba, third straight-line portion 13ab, and fourth straight-line portion 13bb.
- First straight-line portion 13aa and third straight-line portion 13ab are adjacent to and coupled to each other so as to make an obtuse angle.
- Second straight-line portion 13ba and fourth straight-line portion 13bb are adjacent to and coupled to each other so as to make an obtuse angle.
- the number of the bent portions at each of which microstrip line 13 is bent can be reduced. This allows a reduction in the impeding of flowing of the electric current in the coupling line. As a result, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy.
- the sum of a line distance of first transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3 and a line distance of second transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3, is set equal to 1/4 of effective length ⁇ re .
- the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy. It is sufficient for the sum of line distances described above to be set equal to approximately 1/4 of effective length ⁇ re ; the sum is not necessarily set strictly equal to 1/4 of effective length ⁇ re .
- the sum of a line distance of first transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 and a line distance of second transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4, is set equal to 1/2 of effective length ⁇ re .
- the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy. It is sufficient for the sum of line distances described above to be set equal to approximately 1/2 of effective length ⁇ re ; the sum is not necessarily set strictly equal to 1/2 of effective length ⁇ re .
- first transmission line 13a and one end of second transmission line 13b are coupled so as to make a right angle.
- present disclosure is not limited to this. It is sufficient if one end of first transmission line 13a is coupled to one end of second transmission line 13b at a position out of the region of cross opening 11, in a plan view. In the region, there exists a large influence of the magnetic field.
- FIGS. 8A to 8D are plan views respectively showing examples of first to sixth modifications of microstrip line 13. As shown in FIG. 8A , both first transmission line 13a and second transmission line 13b may be bent such that the coupling point between one end of first transmission line 13a and one end of second transmission line 13b is separated from opening-center portion 11c.
- both first transmission line 13a and second transmission line 13b may be bent such that the coupling point between one end of first transmission line 13a and one end of second transmission line 13b becomes closer to opening-center portion 11c.
- first transmission line 13a and second transmission line 13b may be curved such that the coupling point between one end of first transmission line 13a and one end of second transmission line 13b becomes closer to opening-center portion 11c.
- first straight-line portion 13aa and second straight-line portion 13ba respectively correspond to the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion.
- first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion may be respectively circular-arc portion 13ac and circular-arc portion 13bc.
- both third straight-line portion 13ab and fourth straight-line portion 13bb are parallel to perpendicular line L2.
- the present disclosure is not limited to this.
- both third straight-line portion 13ab and fourth straight-line portion 13bb may be parallel to parallel line L4.
- first transmission line 13a and second transmission line 13b each include a plurality of the straight-line portions.
- the present disclosure is not limited to this.
- each of first transmission line 13a and second transmission line 13b may be configured with one straight-line portion.
- cross opening 11 is formed to have line symmetry with respect to perpendicular line L2.
- Perpendicular line L2 is orthogonal to tube axis L1, and passes through opening-center portion 11c.
- Cross opening 11 may not be formed to have line symmetry with respect to perpendicular line L2.
- first elongated hole 11e and second elongated hole 11f may cross each other at a position out of each of their own center portions in the longitudinal direction. The length of first elongated hole 11e and the length of second elongated hole 11f may be different from each other.
- Cross opening 11 may be formed to have line symmetry with respect to a line that slightly inclines relative to perpendicular line L2, in a plan view.
- microwave heating device 10 includes: heating chamber 1, microwave generating unit 2, waveguide 3, and microwave emitting part 4.
- Heating chamber 1 accommodates a heating target object.
- Microwave generating unit 2 generates a microwave.
- Waveguide 3 causes the microwave generated by microwave generating unit 2 to propagate.
- Microwave emitting part 4 is disposed below bottom surface 1a of heating chamber 1, and emits the microwave, which has propagated through waveguide 3, to heating chamber 1.
- Directional coupler 5 is disposed on wide plane 3a (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of waveguide 3, between microwave generating unit 2 and microwave emitting part 4.
- Directional coupler 5 detects detection signal 5a in accordance with a traveling wave that propagates through waveguide 3 from microwave generating unit 2 toward microwave emitting part 4.
- Directional coupler 5 detects detection signal 5b in accordance with a reflected wave that propagates through waveguide 3 from microwave emitting part 4 toward microwave generating unit 2.
- Directional coupler 5 transmits detection signals 5a and 5b to controller 6.
- Controller 6 receives signal 8 in addition to detection signals 5a and 5b.
- Signal 8 includes signals regarding: a heating condition that is set by means of an input unit (not shown) of microwave heating device 10, and the weight and vapor-amount of the heating target object that are detected with sensors (not shown).
- Controller 6 controls drive power supply 7 and motor 9 in accordance with signal 8 and detection signals 5a and 5b.
- Drive power supply 7 supplies, to microwave generating unit 2, electric power for generating microwaves.
- Motor 9 rotates microwave emitting part 4. In this way, microwave heating device 10 heats the heating target object accommodated in heating chamber 1, by means of the microwave supplied to heating chamber 1.
- the heating target object As the heating target object is heated, the heating target object physically changes. In accordance with such physical changes, the amount of the reflected wave changes. Detecting of the changes in the amount of the reflected wave through use of directional coupler 5, allows microwave heating device 10 to grasp the progress of heating of the heating target object. Microwave heating device 10 can also grasp the changes in state of the inside of the heating target object, and the kind and amount of the heating target object. Therefore, the present embodiment can provide the highly convenient microwave heating device.
- the directional couplers according to the present disclosure are applicable to microwave heating devices for consumer or industrial use.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Waveguide Aerials (AREA)
- Constitution Of High-Frequency Heating (AREA)
- Waveguide Switches, Polarizers, And Phase Shifters (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates to directional couplers which each detect the power level of a microwave propagating through a waveguide, and microwave heaters provided with the directional couplers.
- A directional coupler is known as a device intended to detect the power level of a microwave propagating through a waveguide. The directional coupler separately and individually detects a traveling wave and a reflected wave which each propagate through a waveguide.
- As a conventional directional coupler, for example, the directional coupler described in
Patent Literature 1 is known. The directional coupler described inPatent Literature 1 is provided with an opening disposed in a wall surface of a waveguide, and a coupling line disposed on the outside of the waveguide. The opening is disposed at a position failing to intersect the tube axis of the waveguide, and configured to emit circularly polarized microwaves. The coupling line includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line which each intersect the opening in a plan view. The first transmission line and the second transmission line are disposed so as to face each other with a central portion of the opening being interposed between them, and coupled to each other at a position out of the region vertically above the opening. - With the directional coupler according to
Patent Literature 1, the rotation direction of a circularly polarized wave emitted from the opening fed by the traveling wave, is opposite to that of a circularly polarized wave emitted from the opening fed by the reflected wave. By utilizing such a difference in rotation direction between the circularly polarized microwaves, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately and individually detected. - PTL 1: Japanese Patent No.
6176540 - The conventional directional coupler described above, however, still has room for improvement in view of achieving higher accuracy in separately detecting traveling waves and reflecting waves.
- Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a directional coupler capable of separately detecting traveling waves and reflecting waves with high accuracy, and to provide a microwave heating device equipped with the directional coupler.
- A directional coupler according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an opening disposed in a wall surface of a waveguide, and a coupling line disposed outside the waveguide, and separately detects a traveling wave and a reflecting wave which both propagate through the waveguide.
- The opening includes a first elongated hole and a second elongated hole which cross each other and are disposed at a position that fails to intersect the tube axis of the waveguide, in a plan view. The coupling line includes: a first transmission line, and a second transmission line.
- The first transmission line includes a first intersecting-line portion. The first intersecting-line portion extends, from one end of the tube axis, away from the tube axis as approaching a perpendicular line, and intersects the first elongated hole at a position farther away from the tube axis than the opening-cross portion is, the perpendicular line being orthogonal to the tube axis and passing through the opening-cross portion at which the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole intersect each other, in a plan view.
- The second transmission line includes a second intersecting-line portion. The second intersecting-line portion extends, from another end of the tube axis, away from the tube axis as approaching the perpendicular line, and intersects the second elongated hole at a position farther away from the tube axis than the opening-cross portion is, in a plan view.
- One end of the first transmission line is coupled to one end of the second transmission line at a position, in a plan view, out of a region in which the opening is disposed.
- The directional coupler according to the aspect is capable of separately detecting a traveling wave and a reflecting wave with higher accuracy.
-
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a directional coupler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the directional coupler according to the embodiment, in the state in which a printed circuit board has been removed. -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a waveguide according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram of the printed circuit board mounted on the directional coupler according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating the principle that a cross opening emits a circularly polarized microwave. -
FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating the direction and amount of a microwave that propagates through a microstrip line and varies with a lapse of time. -
FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating the direction and amount of a microwave that propagates through the microstrip line and varies with a lapse of time. -
FIG. 8A is a plan view showing an example of a first modification of the microstrip line. -
FIG. 8B is a plan view showing an example of a second modification of the microstrip line. -
FIG. 8C is a plan view showing an example of a third modification of the microstrip line. -
FIG. 8D is a plan view showing an example of a fourth modification of the microstrip line. -
FIG. 8E is a plan view showing an example of a fifth modification of the microstrip line. -
FIG. 8F is a plan view showing an example of a sixth modification of the microstrip line. -
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a microwave heating device according to an embodiment. - The present inventors have earnestly studied how to separately detect traveling waves and reflected waves with higher accuracy, and have obtained the following findings.
- In a conventional directional coupler, a coupling line is configured as one line by coupling, at right angles, a plurality of lines parallel to the tube axis in a plan view to a plurality of lines perpendicular to the tube axis in a plan view. With this configuration, the influence of impedance of a load that is coupled to a waveguide is reduced, which allows accurate separation between a traveling wave and a reflected wave.
- The present inventors have obtained the following finding: A magnetic field concentrates where the coupling line is bent at a right angle (or an acute angle), which impedes the flowing of electric current (microwave) in the coupling line, leading to an influence on the separation between a traveling wave and a reflected wave. The present inventors have found that the conventional directional coupler includes many bent portions at each of which the coupling line is bent at a right angle, and that these portions have great influences on the separation between a traveling wave and a reflected wave. The present inventors have found that the impeding of flowing of the electric current in the coupling line is reduced by keeping such bent portions of the coupling line away from a region in the vertical direction of the opening where influence of the magnetic field is strong.
- On the basis of these findings, the present inventors have found the following inventions. The present inventors have confirmed that these inventions improve the directivity (the degree of separation between a traveling wave and a reflected wave) by 5 dB or more (approximately 3 times or more) as compared with that of the conventional directional coupler.
- A directional coupler according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes an opening disposed in a wall surface of a waveguide, and an coupling line disposed outside the waveguide, for separately detecting a traveling wave and a reflected wave that propagate through the waveguide.
- The opening includes a first elongated hole and a second elongated hole that, in a plan view, cross each other and are disposed at a position that fails to intersect the tube axis of the waveguide. The coupling line includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line.
- The first transmission line includes a first intersecting-line portion. The first intersecting-line portion is configured, in a plan view, to: pass from one end of the tube axis through an opening-cross portion where the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole cross each other, extend away from the tube axis as approaching a perpendicular line orthogonal to the tube axis, and intersect the first elongated hole at a position farther away from the tube axis than the opening-cross portion is.
- The second transmission line includes a second intersecting-line portion. The second intersecting-line portion is configured, in a plan view, to: extend from another end of the tube axis so as to be away from the tube axis as approaching the perpendicular line, and intersect the second elongated hole at a position farther away from the tube axis than the opening-cross portion is.
- One end of the first transmission line is coupled to one end of the second transmission line at a position out of the region of the opening, in a plan view.
- In the directional coupler according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the first aspect, the first transmission line and the second transmission line are coupled to each other at a position that is out of a rectangular region circumscribing the opening and that is farther away from the tube axis than the rectangular region, in a plan view.
- In the directional coupler according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the first aspect, at least one of the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion intersects a corresponding one of the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole at a position closer to an opening-end portion of the opening than the opening-cross portion is, in a plan view.
- In the directional coupler according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the first aspect, at least one of the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion is orthogonal to a corresponding one of the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole, in a plan view.
- In the directional coupler according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the first aspect, the coupling line includes a plurality of straight-line portions that includes the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion. Of the plurality of straight-line portions, two straight-line portions adjacent to each other are coupled so as to make an obtuse angle.
- In the directional coupler according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the fifth aspect, the plurality of straight-line portions includes: a straight-line portion coupling the other end of the first intersecting-line portion to a first output part, and a straight-line portion coupling the second intersecting-line portion to a second output part.
- In the directional coupler according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the first aspect, the first intersecting-line portion intersects the first elongated hole at a first coupling point, and the second intersecting-line portion intersects the second elongated hole at a second coupling point, with a virtual line passing through the first coupling point and the second coupling point. In a plan view, the sum of a line distance of the first transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than the virtual line and a line distance of the second transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than the virtual line, is set equal to 1/4 of an effective length.
- In the directional coupler according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the first aspect, in a plan view, the sum of a line distance of the first transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than a parallel line that passes through the opening-cross portion and parallels the tube axis and a line distance of the second transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than the parallel line, is set equal to 1/2 of an effective length.
- A microwave heating device according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure includes a directional coupler according to the first aspect.
- Hereinafter, descriptions will be made regarding a directional coupler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a microwave heating device including the directional coupler, with reference to the drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofdirectional coupler 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofdirectional coupler 5 in the state in which printedcircuit board 12 has been removed.FIG. 3 is a plan view ofwaveguide 3.FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram of printedcircuit board 12 mounted ondirectional coupler 5. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 to 3 ,directional coupler 5 is disposed on a wall surface ofwaveguide 3 that transmits microwaves.Waveguide 3 is a rectangular waveguide. The cross section, orthogonal to tube axis L1, ofwaveguide 3 has a rectangular shape. Tube axis L1 is the center axis ofwaveguide 3, in the direction of the width. -
Directional coupler 5 includescross opening 11, printedcircuit board 12, and supportpart 14.Cross opening 11 is an X-shaped opening disposed in a wide plane (Wide Plane) 3a ofwaveguide 3. Printedcircuit board 12 is disposed outsidewaveguide 3 so as to facecross opening 11.Support part 14 supports printedcircuit board 12 on an outer surface ofwaveguide 3. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , crossopening 11 is disposed at a position failing to intersect tube axis L1 ofwaveguide 3, in a plan view. Opening-center portion 11c of cross opening 11 is disposed away from tube axis L1 ofwaveguide 3 by dimension D1 in a plan view. Dimension D1 is, for example, 1/4 of the width ofwaveguide 3.Cross opening 11 emits microwaves propagating throughwaveguide 3, as circularly polarized microwaves, toward printedcircuit board 12. - The opening shape of cross opening 11 is determined in accordance with conditions including: the width and height of
waveguide 3, the power levels and frequency bands of microwaves propagating throughwaveguide 3, and the power levels of circularly polarized microwaves emitted fromcross opening 11. - For example, in the case where the width and height of
waveguide 3 are respectively 100 mm and 30 mm, the wall thickness ofwaveguide 3 is 0.6 mm, the maximum power level of the microwave propagating throughwaveguide 3 is 1000 W, the frequency band is 2450 MHz, and the maximum power level of the circularly polarized microwave emitted from cross opening 11 is approximately 10 mW,length 11w andwidth 11d of cross opening 11 are set to 20 mm and 2 mm, respectively. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , crossopening 11 includes: firstelongated hole 11e, and secondelongated hole 11f which cross each other. Opening-center portion 11c of cross opening 11 coincides with an opening-cross portion where firstelongated hole 11e crosses secondelongated hole 11f.Cross opening 11 is formed to have line symmetry with respect to perpendicular line L2. Perpendicular line L2 is orthogonal to tube axis L1, and passes through opening-center portion 11c. - In the embodiment, first
elongated hole 11e and secondelongated hole 11f cross each other at an angle of 90 degrees. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. Firstelongated hole 11e and secondelongated hole 11f may cross each other at an angle of either 60 degrees or 120 degrees. - In the case where opening-
center portion 11c of cross opening 11 is disposed at a position at which it is superposed on tube axis L1 in a plan view, the electric field reciprocates along the transmission direction of the microwave, without rotating. In this case, crossopening 11 emits a linearly polarized microwave. - In the case where opening-
center portion 11c is even slightly out of tube axis L1, the electric field will rotate. However, in the case where opening-center portion 11c is close to tube axis L1 (as dimension D1 is closer to 0 [zero] mm), a distorted rotating electric field is generated. In this case, crossopening 11 emits an elliptically polarized microwave. - According to the embodiment, dimension D1 is set equal to approximately 1/4 of the width of
waveguide 3. In this case, an substantially-perfect circular rotating electric field is generated.Cross opening 11 emits an substantially-perfect circularly polarized microwave. This allows the rotation direction of the circularly polarized microwave to be more distinct. As a result, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with high accuracy. - Printed
circuit board 12 has boardrear surface 12b facing cross opening 11, and boardfront surface 12a opposite to boardrear surface 12b. Boardfront surface 12a includes a copper foil (not shown), an example of a microwave reflecting member, that is formed to cover the whole ofboard front surface 12a. It is the copper foil that prevents the circularly polarized microwaves emitted from cross opening 11 from passing through printedcircuit board 12. - As shown in
FIG. 4 ,microstrip line 13, an example of a coupling line, is disposed on boardrear surface 12b.Microstrip line 13 is configured with a transmission line with a characteristic impedance of approximately 50 Ω, for example.Microstrip line 13 is disposed so as to surround opening-center portion 11c ofcross opening 11. - Hereinafter, effective length λre of
microstrip line 13 will be described. Effective length λre ofmicrostrip line 13 is expressed as the following equation, where "w" is the width ofmicrostrip line 13, "h" is the thickness of printedcircuit board 12, "c" is the velocity of light, "f' is the frequency of an electromagnetic wave, and "εr" is the relative permittivity of the printed circuit board. Effective length λre equals the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave propagating throughmicrostrip line 13. - Specifically,
microstrip line 13 includes:first transmission line 13a, andsecond transmission line 13b.First transmission line 13a has first straight-line portion 13aa which is an example of a first intersecting-line portion. First straight-line portion 13aa intersects firstelongated hole 11e at a position farther away from tube axis L1 than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view. First straight-line portion 13aa extends away from tube axis L1 as approaching perpendicular line L2. -
Second transmission line 13b has second straight-line portion 13ba which is an example of a second intersecting-line portion. Second straight-line portion 13ba intersects secondelongated hole 11f at a position farther away from tube axis L1 than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view. Second straight-line portion 13ba extends away from tube axis L1 as approaching perpendicular line L2. First straight-line portion 13aa and second straight-line portion 13ba are disposed to have line symmetry with respect to perpendicular line L2. -
First transmission line 13a andsecond transmission line 13b are coupled to each other at a position that is outside rectangular region E1 and is farther away from tube axis L1 than rectangular region E1, in a plan view. First straight-line portion 13aa intersects firstelongated hole 11e at a position that is closer to opening-end portion 11ea than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view. - First straight-line portion 13aa is orthogonal to first
elongated hole 11e in a plan view. Second straight-line portion 13ba intersects secondelongated hole 11f at a position that is closer to opening-end portion 11fa than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view. Second straight-line portion 13ba is orthogonal to secondelongated hole 11f in a plan view. - One end of
first transmission line 13a and one end ofsecond transmission line 13b are coupled to each other at outside the region that is superposed oncross opening 11, in a plan view. One end of first straight-line portion 13aa is coupled to one end of second straight-line portion 13ba at outside rectangular region E1 that circumscribescross opening 11. - First coupling point P1 is a point where first straight-line portion 13aa and first
elongated hole 11e intersect each other in a plan view. Second coupling point P2 is a point where second straight-line portion 13ba and secondelongated hole 11f intersect each other in a plan view. A straight line that connects first coupling point P1 and second coupling point P2 is defined as virtual straight line L3. In the present embodiment, the sum of a line distance offirst transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3 and a line distance ofsecond transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3, is set equal to 1/4 of effective length λre. - In a plan view, a line that passes through opening-
center portion 11c and is parallel to tube axis L1 is defined as parallel line L4. In the present embodiment, the sum of a line distance offirst transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 and a line distance ofsecond transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4, is set equal to 1/2 of effective length λre. -
First transmission line 13a includes third straight-line portion 13ab that couples the other end of first straight-line portion 13aa tofirst output part 131. First straight-line portion 13aa and third straight-line portion 13ab are coupled to each other so as to make an obtuse angle (e.g. 135 degrees). -
Second transmission line 13b includes fourth straight-line portion 13bb that couples the other end of second straight-line portion 13ba tosecond output part 132. Second straight-line portion 13ba and fourth straight-line portion 13bb are coupled to each other so as to make an obtuse angle (e.g. 135 degrees). Third straight-line portion 13ab and fourth straight-line portion 13bb are disposed in parallel with perpendicular line L2. -
First output part 131 andsecond output part 132 are disposed outside support part 14 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2 ) in a plan view. Tofirst output part 131,first detector circuit 15 is coupled.First detector circuit 15 detects the level of a microwave signal, and outputs the detected level of the microwave signal as a control signal. Tosecond output part 132,second detector circuit 16 is coupled.Second detector circuit 16 detects the level of a microwave signal, and outputs the detected level of the microwave signal as a control signal. - In the present embodiment, each of
first detector circuit 15 andsecond detector circuit 16 includes a smoothing circuit (not shown) that is configured including a chip resistor and a Schottky diode.First detector circuit 15 rectifies a microwave signal fed fromfirst output part 131, and converts the rectified microwave signal into a direct-current voltage. The thus-converted direct-current voltage is fed to firstdetection output unit 18. - Likewise,
second detector circuit 16 rectifies a microwave signal fed fromsecond output part 132, and converts the rectified microwave signal into a direct-current voltage. The thus-converted direct-current voltage is fed to seconddetection output part 19. - Printed
circuit board 12 includes four holes (holes circuit board 12 towaveguide 3. On boardrear surface 12b, copper foils each for serving as a ground are formed at portions aroundholes board front surface 12a. - Printed
circuit board 12 is fixed towaveguide 3, withscrews FIG. 1 ) being screwed throughrespective holes support part 14. - As shown in
FIG. 2 ,support part 14 is provided withscrew portions screws Screw portions support part 14. -
Support part 14 has conductivity, and is disposed so as to surround cross opening 11 in a plan view.Support part 14 functions as a shield that prevents circularly polarized microwaves emitted from cross opening 11 from leaking out ofsupport part 14. -
Support part 14 is provided withgroove 141 and groove 142 through which third straight-line portion 13ab and fourth straight-line portion 13bb ofmicrostrip line 13 pass, respectively. With this configuration, bothfirst output part 131 andsecond output part 132 ofmicrostrip line 13 are allowed to be disposed outsidesupport part 14.Grooves microstrip line 13 to the outside ofsupport part 14.Grooves support part 14 so as to be away from printedcircuit board 12. - In
FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrated areconnector 18a andconnector 19a that are respectively coupled to firstdetection output part 18 and seconddetection output part 19 shown inFIG. 4 . - Next, the operation and action of
directional coupler 5 will be described. - First, with reference to
FIG. 5 , a description will be made regarding the principle that a circularly polarized microwave is emitted fromcross opening 11. InFIG. 5 ,magnetic field distribution 3d that appears insidewaveguide 3 is illustrated by concentric ellipses depicted with the dotted lines. The directions of magnetic fields inmagnetic field distribution 3d are indicated by the arrows.Magnetic field distribution 3d travels throughinside waveguide 3 in transmission direction Al of the microwave with a lapse of time. - At time t = t0 shown in (a) of
FIG. 5 ,magnetic field distribution 3d is formed. At this time, the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B1 excites firstelongated hole 11e ofcross opening 11. At time t = t0 + t1 shown in (b) ofFIG. 5 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B2 excites secondelongated hole 11f ofcross opening 11. - At time t = t0 + T/2 (where T is the period of the in-tube wavelength of the microwave) shown in (c) of
FIG. 5 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B3 excites firstelongated hole 11e ofcross opening 11. At time t = t0 + T/2 + t1 shown in (d) ofFIG. 5 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B4 excites secondelongated hole 11f ofcross opening 11. At time t = t0 + T, as in the case at t = t0, the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B1 excites firstelongated hole 11e ofcross opening 11. - By repeating these states sequentially, a circularly polarized microwave that rotates counterclockwise (in
rotation direction 32 of the microwave) is emitted from cross opening 11 to the outside ofwaveguide 3. - Here, assuming that the microwave propagating along
arrow 30 shown inFIG. 3 is a traveling wave and that the microwave propagating alongarrow 31 is a reflected wave, the traveling wave then travels in the same direction as transmission direction Al shown inFIG. 5 . This causes, as described above, the circularly polarized microwave that rotates counterclockwise to be emitted from cross opening 11 to the outside ofwaveguide 3. - On the other hand, the reflected wave propagates in the direction opposite to transmission direction Al shown in
FIG. 5 . This causes the circularly polarized microwave that rotates clockwise to be emitted from cross opening 11 to the outside ofwaveguide 3. - The circularly polarized microwave emitted to the outside of the
waveguide 3 is coupled tomicrostrip line 13 that facescross opening 11.Microstrip line 13 outputs, tofirst output prat 131, most of the microwave that is fed by the traveling wave propagating alongarrow 30 and is emitted fromcross opening 11. - On the other hand,
microstrip line 13 outputs, tosecond output prat 132, most of the microwave that is fed by the reflected wave that propagates alongarrow 31 and is emitted fromcross opening 11. This allows the traveling wave and the reflected wave to be separately detected with higher accuracy. Regarding this, a more detailed description is made with reference toFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating the direction and amount of a microwave that propagates throughmicrostrip line 13 and varies with a lapse of time. There is a gap betweenmicrostrip line 13 and crossopening 11. In general, the time required for a microwave to arrive atmicrostrip line 13 is delayed by the time during which the microwave propagates across the gap. However, for convenience, it is assumed that there is no time delay here. - Here, regions at each of which cross opening 11 intersects
microstrip line 13 in a plan view are referred to as coupling regions. First coupling point P1 locates at an approximate center of the coupling region in which first elongatedhole 11e intersectsmicrostrip line 13. Second coupling point P2 locates at an approximate center of the coupling region in which second elongatedhole 11f intersectsmicrostrip line 13. - In
FIG. 6 , the amount (observed as an electric current that flows due to interlinkage of a magnetic field) of the microwave propagating throughmicrostrip line 13 is represented by the thickness of the solid line arrow. That is, when the amount of the microwave propagating throughmicrostrip line 13 is large, it is indicated by the thick arrow; when the amount of the microwave propagating throughmicrostrip line 13 is small, it is indicated by the thin arrow. - At time t = t0 shown in (a) of
FIG. 6 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B1 excites firstelongated hole 11e ofcross opening 11, and a microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M1 is generated at first coupling point P1. The microwave propagates throughmicrostrip line 13 toward second coupling point P2. - At time t = t0 + t1 shown in (b) of
FIG. 6 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B2 excites secondelongated hole 11f ofcross opening 11, and a microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M2 is generated at second coupling point P2. - In the case where the effective propagation time of the microwave between first coupling point P1 and second coupling point P2 through
microstrip line 13 is set to time t1, the microwave generated at first coupling point P1 at the time shown in (a) ofFIG. 6 propagates to second coupling point P2 at the time shown in (b) ofFIG. 6 . That is, at the time shown in (b) ofFIG. 6 , both the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M1 and the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M2 occur at second coupling point P2. - Accordingly, the two microwaves are added and propagate through
microstrip line 13 towardsecond output part 132, and are then fed tosecond output part 132 after a lapse of a predetermined time. In the present embodiment, in order to set the effective propagation time described above equal to time tl, the sum of a line distance offirst transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3 and a line distance ofsecond transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3, is set equal to 1/4 of effective length λre. This configuration allows easy designing ofmicrostrip line 13. - At time t = t0 + T/2 shown in (c) of
FIG. 6 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B3 excites firstelongated hole 11e ofcross opening 11, and a microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M3 is generated at first coupling point P1. The microwave propagates throughmicrostrip line 13 towardfirst output part 131, and is fed tofirst output part 131 after a lapse of a predetermined time. - The reason why the thickness of solid line arrow M3 is made thinner than that of solid line arrow M1 is as follows: From
cross opening 11, a circularly polarized microwave that rotates counterclockwise (inrotation direction 32 of the microwave) is emitted as described above. - At the time shown in (a) of
FIG. 6 , the microwave generated at first coupling point P1 indicated by solid line arrow M1 propagates in a direction substantially the same as the rotation direction of the microwave emitted fromcross opening 11. For this reason, the energy of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M1 is not reduced. - In contrast, at the time shown in (c) of
FIG. 6 , the microwave generated at first coupling point P1 indicated by solid line arrow M3 propagates in a direction substantially opposite to the rotation direction of the microwave emitted fromcross opening 11. For this reason, the energy of the combined microwave is reduced. Accordingly, the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M3 is smaller than the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M1. - At time t = t0 + T/2 + t1 shown in (d) of
FIG. 6 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B4 excites secondelongated hole 11f ofcross opening 11, and a microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M4 is generated at second coupling point P2. The microwave propagates toward first coupling point P1. The reason why the thickness of solid arrow M4 is made thin is the same as the reason why the thickness of solid arrow M3 is made thin as described above. - At time t = t0 + T, as in the case at time t = t0 shown in (a) of
FIG. 6 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B1 excites firstelongated hole 11e ofcross opening 11. In this case, although having not been described in the case at the time shown in (a) ofFIG. 6 , there exists a microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M4 onmicrostrip line 13. - The microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M4 propagates to first coupling point P1 at time t = t0 + T (that is, t = t0). The microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M4 propagates in the direction opposite to the microwave indicated by thick solid arrow M1. Therefore, the microwave indicated by solid arrow M4 is canceled and disappears, and is not fed to
first output part 131. - Strictly speaking, the amount of the microwave propagating from first coupling point P1 at time t = t0 is equal to the amount (M1 - M4) that is obtained by subtracting the amount of the microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M4 from the amount of the microwave indicated by thick solid arrow M1. Accordingly, the amount of the microwave fed to
second output part 132 is equal to the amount (M1 + M2 - M4) that is obtained by adding the amount of the microwave indicated by thick solid arrow M2 to the amount of the microwave propagating from second coupling point P2. - In consideration of this, the amount (M1 + M2 - M4) of the microwave fed to
second output part 132 is much larger than the amount (M3) of the microwave fed tofirst output part 131. Therefore,microstrip line 13 outputs, tosecond output prat 132, most of the microwave rotating counterclockwise that is fed by the reflected wave propagating alongarrow 31 and is emitted fromcross opening 11. On the other hand,microstrip line 13 outputs, tofirst output prat 131, most of the microwave rotating clockwise that is fed by the traveling wave propagating alongarrow 30 and is emitted fromcross opening 11. - The amount of the microwave emitted from cross opening 11 with respect to the amount of the microwave propagating through
waveguide 3 is determined by the shapes and dimensions ofwaveguide 3 and crossopening 11. For example, in the case where the shapes and dimensions are set to ones described above, the amount of the microwave emitted from cross opening 11 is approximately 1/100000 (approximately -50 dB) times the amount of the microwave propagating throughwaveguide 3. - Next, a description will be made regarding the reason why, in the present embodiment, the sum of a line distance of
first transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 and a line distance ofsecond transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4, is set equal to 1/2 of effective length λre. -
FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating the direction and amount of a microwave that propagates throughmicrostrip line 13 and varies with a lapse of time. In (a) to (d) ofFIG. 7 , the states of (a) to (d) ofFIG. 6 after a lapse of time t1/2 are respectively illustrated. - Although the description is omitted above,
magnetic field distribution 3d travels throughinside waveguide 3 in transmission direction Al of the microwave with a lapse of time. Therefore, as shown in (a) to (d) ofFIG. 7 , the magnetic fields indicated by broken line arrows B12, B23, B34, and B41 excite firstelongated hole 11e and secondelongated hole 11f. This causes circularly polarized microwaves emitted to the outside ofwaveguide 3 to be coupled tomicrostrip line 13. - Here, in a plan view, a region in which perpendicular line L2 and parallel line L4 intersect
microstrip line 13 is referred to as a coupling region. Third coupling point P3 locates at an approximate center of the coupling region in which perpendicular line L2 intersectsmicrostrip line 13. Fourth coupling point P4 locates at an approximate center of the coupling region in which parallel line L4 intersectsfirst transmission line 13a. Fifth coupling point P5 locates at an approximate center of the coupling region in which parallel line L4 intersectssecond transmission line 13b. - At time t = t0 + t1/2 shown in (a) of
FIG. 7 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B12 excitescross opening 11, and a microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M11 is generated at third coupling point P3. The microwave propagates throughmicrostrip line 13 toward fifth coupling point P5. - At time t = t0 + t1 + t1/2 shown in (b) of
FIG. 7 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B23 excitescross opening 11. At fifth coupling point P5, a microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M12a is generated. At fourth coupling point P4, a microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M12b is generated. The reason why solid line arrow M12b is made thin is the same as the reason why solid line arrow M3 is made thin as described above. - In the case where the effective propagation time of the microwave between third coupling point P3 and fifth coupling point P5 through
microstrip line 13 is set to time tl, the microwave generated at third coupling point P3 at the time shown in (a) ofFIG. 7 propagates to fifth coupling point P5 at the time shown in (b) ofFIG. 7 . That is, at the time shown in (b) ofFIG. 7 , both the microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M11 and the microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M12a occur at fifth coupling point P5. - Accordingly, the two microwaves are added and propagate through
microstrip line 13 towardsecond output part 132, thereby being fed tosecond output part 132 after a lapse of a predetermined time. In the present embodiment, in order to set the effective propagation time described above equal to time t1, the line distance offirst transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 is set equal to 1/4 of effective length λre. The microwave generated at fourth coupling point P4 and indicated by thin solid line arrow M12b, propagates throughmicrostrip line 13 towardfirst output part 131, and is fed tofirst output part 131 after a lapse of a predetermined time. - At time t = t0 + T/2 + t1/2 shown in (c) of
FIG. 7 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B34 excitescross opening 11. At third coupling point P3, a microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M13b is generated. The microwave propagates throughmicrostrip line 13 towardfirst output part 131. The reason why solid line arrow M13b is made thin is the same as the reason why solid line arrow M3 is made thin as described above. - At time t = t0 + T/2 + t1 + t1/2 shown in (d) of
FIG. 7 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B41 excitescross opening 11. At fifth coupling point P5, a microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M14b is generated. At fourth coupling point P4, a microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M14a is generated. The microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M14b propagates throughmicrostrip line 13 toward third coupling point P3. The reason why solid line arrow M14b is made thin is the same as the reason why solid line arrow M3 is made thin as described above. - The microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M14a propagates through
microstrip line 13 toward third coupling point P3. In the case where the effective propagation time of the microwave between third coupling point P3 and fourth coupling point P4 throughmicrostrip line 13 is set to time tl, the microwave generated at third coupling point P3 at the time shown in (c) ofFIG. 7 propagates to fourth coupling point P4 at the time shown in (d) ofFIG. 7 . - That is, at the time shown in (d) of
FIG. 7 , both the microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M13b and the microwave indicated by thick solid line arrow M14a occur at fourth coupling point P4. In the present embodiment, in order to set the effective propagation time described above equal to time tl, the line distance ofsecond transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 is set equal to 1/4 of effective length λre. - That is, the sum of a line distance of
first transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 and a line distance ofsecond transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4, is set equal to 1/2 of effective length λre. The microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M13b propagates in the direction opposite to the microwave indicated by thick solid arrow M14a. Therefore, the microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M13b is canceled and disappears, and is not fed tofirst output part 131. - At time t = t0 + T + t1/2, as in the case at time t = t0 + t1/2 shown in (a) of
FIG. 7 , the magnetic field indicated by broken line arrow B12 excitescross opening 11. In this case, although having not been described in the case at the time shown in (a) ofFIG. 7 , there exists a microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M14b onmicrostrip line 13. - At time t = t0 + T + t1/2, the microwave indicated by thin solid line arrow M14b propagates to third coupling point P3. The microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M14b propagates in the direction opposite to the microwaves indicated by thick solid arrow M11 and thick solid arrow M14a. Therefore, the microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M14b is canceled and disappears, and is not fed to
first output part 131. - Strictly speaking, at time t = t0 + t1/2, the amount of the microwave propagating from third coupling point P3 is equal to the amount (M11 + M14a - M14b) that is obtained by subtracting the amount of the microwave indicated by thin solid arrow M14b from the amount of the microwaves indicated by thick solid arrows M11 and M14a. Accordingly, the amount of the microwave fed to
second output part 132 is equal to the amount (M11 + M12a + M14a - M14b) that is obtained by adding the amount of the microwave indicated by thick solid arrow M12a to the amount of the microwave propagating from third coupling point P3. - In consideration of this, the amount (M11 + M12a + M14a - M14b) of the microwave fed to
second output part 132 is much larger than the amount (M12b) of the microwave fed tofirst output part 131. Therefore,microstrip line 13 outputs, tosecond output prat 132, most of the microwave rotating counterclockwise that is fed by the reflected wave propagating alongarrow 31 and is emitted fromcross opening 11. On the other hand,microstrip line 13 outputs, tofirst output prat 131, most of the microwave rotating clockwise that is fed by the traveling wave propagating alongarrow 30 and is emitted fromcross opening 11. -
Directional coupler 5 includes cross opening 11 that is disposed at a position failing to intersect tube axis L1 ofwaveguide 3 in a plan view, and that emits circularly polarized microwaves. With this configuration, the rotation directions of the circularly polarized microwaves emitted from cross opening 11 are opposite to each other between the traveling wave and the reflected wave. By utilizing such a difference in rotation direction between the circularly polarized microwaves, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected. - With
directional coupler 5,first transmission line 13a includes first straight-line portion 13aa andsecond transmission line 13b includes second straight-line portion 13ba. With this configuration, the number of bent portions at each of which microstripline 13 is bent can be reduced as compared with conventional ones. The need for bendingmicrostrip line 13 at a right angle can be eliminated. It is possible to keep the bent portions, at each of which microstripline 13 is bent, away from a region in the vertical direction ofcross opening 11. This allows the traveling wave and the reflected wave to be separately detected with higher accuracy. - With
directional coupler 5,first transmission line 13a andsecond transmission line 13b are coupled to each other at a position, in a plan view, that is outside rectangular region E1 and is away from tube axis L1. This configuration allows the bent portions, at each of which microstripline 13 is bent, to be separated farther away from the region in the vertical direction ofcross opening 11. This allows both first straight-line portion 13aa and second straight-line portion 13ba to be made longer, thereby reducing the impeding of flowing of the electric current inmicrostrip line 13. As a result, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy. - With
directional coupler 5, first straight-line portion 13aa intersects firstelongated hole 11e at a position that is closer to opening-end portion 11ea than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view. Second straight-line portion 13ba intersects secondelongated hole 11f at a position that is closer to opening-end portion 11fa than opening-center portion 11c, in a plan view. In general, the magnetic field generated around opening-end portions 11ea and 11fa is stronger than that generated around opening-center portion 11c. This configuration allows a stronger magnetic field to be coupled tomicrostrip line 13. Thus, the amount of the electric current flowing inmicrostrip line 13 is larger. As a result, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy. - With
directional coupler 5, first straight-line portion 13aa is orthogonal to firstelongated hole 11e in a plan view. With this configuration, the transmission direction of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M1 generated at first coupling point P1 is made identical, in direction, torotation direction 32 of the microwave emitted fromcross opening 11. This configuration results in a further increase in the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M1. - The transmission direction of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M3 generated at first coupling point P1 is made opposite, in direction, to
rotation direction 32 of the microwave emitted fromcross opening 11. This configuration results in a further decrease in the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M3. As a result, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy. - With
directional coupler 5, second straight-line portion 13ba is orthogonal to secondelongated hole 11f in a plan view. With this configuration, the transmission direction of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M2 generated at second coupling point P2 is made identical, in direction, torotation direction 32 of the microwave emitted fromcross opening 11. This configuration results in a further increase in the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M2. - The transmission direction of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M4 generated at second coupling point P2 is made opposite, in direction, to
rotation direction 32 of the microwave emitted fromcross opening 11. This configuration results in a further decrease in the amount of the microwave indicated by solid line arrow M4. As a result, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy. - With
directional coupler 5,microstrip line 13 includes: first straight-line portion 13aa, second straight-line portion 13ba, third straight-line portion 13ab, and fourth straight-line portion 13bb. First straight-line portion 13aa and third straight-line portion 13ab are adjacent to and coupled to each other so as to make an obtuse angle. Second straight-line portion 13ba and fourth straight-line portion 13bb are adjacent to and coupled to each other so as to make an obtuse angle. - With this configuration, the number of the bent portions at each of which microstrip
line 13 is bent can be reduced. This allows a reduction in the impeding of flowing of the electric current in the coupling line. As a result, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy. - With
directional coupler 5, the sum of a line distance offirst transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3 and a line distance ofsecond transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than virtual straight line L3, is set equal to 1/4 of effective length λre. With this configuration, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy. It is sufficient for the sum of line distances described above to be set equal to approximately 1/4 of effective length λre; the sum is not necessarily set strictly equal to 1/4 of effective length λre. - With
directional coupler 5, the sum of a line distance offirst transmission line 13a further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4 and a line distance ofsecond transmission line 13b further away from tube axis L1 than parallel line L4, is set equal to 1/2 of effective length λre. With this configuration, the traveling wave and the reflected wave can be separately detected with much higher accuracy. It is sufficient for the sum of line distances described above to be set equal to approximately 1/2 of effective length λre; the sum is not necessarily set strictly equal to 1/2 of effective length λre. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , in the present embodiment, one end offirst transmission line 13a and one end ofsecond transmission line 13b are coupled so as to make a right angle. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. It is sufficient if one end offirst transmission line 13a is coupled to one end ofsecond transmission line 13b at a position out of the region ofcross opening 11, in a plan view. In the region, there exists a large influence of the magnetic field. -
FIGS. 8A to 8D are plan views respectively showing examples of first to sixth modifications ofmicrostrip line 13. As shown inFIG. 8A , bothfirst transmission line 13a andsecond transmission line 13b may be bent such that the coupling point between one end offirst transmission line 13a and one end ofsecond transmission line 13b is separated from opening-center portion 11c. - As shown in
FIG. 8B , bothfirst transmission line 13a andsecond transmission line 13b may be bent such that the coupling point between one end offirst transmission line 13a and one end ofsecond transmission line 13b becomes closer to opening-center portion 11c. As shown inFIG. 8C ,first transmission line 13a andsecond transmission line 13b may be curved such that the coupling point between one end offirst transmission line 13a and one end ofsecond transmission line 13b becomes closer to opening-center portion 11c. - In the present embodiment, first straight-line portion 13aa and second straight-line portion 13ba respectively correspond to the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. As shown in
FIG. 8D , the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion may be respectively circular-arc portion 13ac and circular-arc portion 13bc. - In the present embodiment, both third straight-line portion 13ab and fourth straight-line portion 13bb are parallel to perpendicular line L2. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. As shown in
FIG. 8E , both third straight-line portion 13ab and fourth straight-line portion 13bb may be parallel to parallel line L4. - In the present embodiment,
first transmission line 13a andsecond transmission line 13b each include a plurality of the straight-line portions. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. As shown inFIG. 8F , each offirst transmission line 13a andsecond transmission line 13b may be configured with one straight-line portion. - In the present embodiment, cross
opening 11 is formed to have line symmetry with respect to perpendicular line L2. Perpendicular line L2 is orthogonal to tube axis L1, and passes through opening-center portion 11c. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.Cross opening 11 may not be formed to have line symmetry with respect to perpendicular line L2. For example, firstelongated hole 11e and secondelongated hole 11f may cross each other at a position out of each of their own center portions in the longitudinal direction. The length of firstelongated hole 11e and the length of secondelongated hole 11f may be different from each other. - In these cases, the opening-cross portion at which first elongated
hole 11e and secondelongated hole 11f cross each other is out of opening-center portion 11c.Cross opening 11 may be formed to have line symmetry with respect to a line that slightly inclines relative to perpendicular line L2, in a plan view. - Hereinafter, with reference to
FIG. 9 , a description will be made regarding the configuration ofmicrowave heating device 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 9 ,microwave heating device 10 includes:heating chamber 1,microwave generating unit 2,waveguide 3, andmicrowave emitting part 4. -
Heating chamber 1 accommodates a heating target object.Microwave generating unit 2 generates a microwave.Waveguide 3 causes the microwave generated bymicrowave generating unit 2 to propagate.Microwave emitting part 4 is disposed belowbottom surface 1a ofheating chamber 1, and emits the microwave, which has propagated throughwaveguide 3, toheating chamber 1.Directional coupler 5 is disposed onwide plane 3a (seeFIGS. 1 and 2 ) ofwaveguide 3, betweenmicrowave generating unit 2 andmicrowave emitting part 4. -
Directional coupler 5 detects detection signal 5a in accordance with a traveling wave that propagates throughwaveguide 3 frommicrowave generating unit 2 towardmicrowave emitting part 4.Directional coupler 5 detects detection signal 5b in accordance with a reflected wave that propagates throughwaveguide 3 frommicrowave emitting part 4 towardmicrowave generating unit 2.Directional coupler 5 transmits detection signals 5a and 5b tocontroller 6. -
Controller 6 receivessignal 8 in addition to detection signals 5a and 5b.Signal 8 includes signals regarding: a heating condition that is set by means of an input unit (not shown) ofmicrowave heating device 10, and the weight and vapor-amount of the heating target object that are detected with sensors (not shown).Controller 6 controls drivepower supply 7 andmotor 9 in accordance withsignal 8 and detection signals 5a and 5b. Drivepower supply 7 supplies, tomicrowave generating unit 2, electric power for generating microwaves.Motor 9 rotatesmicrowave emitting part 4. In this way,microwave heating device 10 heats the heating target object accommodated inheating chamber 1, by means of the microwave supplied toheating chamber 1. - As the heating target object is heated, the heating target object physically changes. In accordance with such physical changes, the amount of the reflected wave changes. Detecting of the changes in the amount of the reflected wave through use of
directional coupler 5, allowsmicrowave heating device 10 to grasp the progress of heating of the heating target object.Microwave heating device 10 can also grasp the changes in state of the inside of the heating target object, and the kind and amount of the heating target object. Therefore, the present embodiment can provide the highly convenient microwave heating device. - The directional couplers according to the present disclosure are applicable to
microwave heating devices for consumer or industrial use. -
- 1
- heating chamber
- 1a
- bottom surface
- 2
- microwave generating unit
- 3
- waveguide
- 3a
- wide plane
- 3d
- magnetic field distribution
- 4
- microwave emitting part
- 5
- directional coupler
- 5a, 5b
- detection signal
- 6
- controller
- 7
- drive power supply
- 8
- signal
- 9
- motor
- 10
- microwave heating device
- 11
- cross opening
- 11c
- opening-center portion
- 11d
- width
- 11e
- first elongated hole
- 11ea, 11fa
- opening-end portion
- 11f
- second elongated hole
- 11w
- length
- 12
- printed circuit board
- 12a
- board front surface
- 12b
- board rear surface
- 13
- microstrip line
- 13a
- first transmission line
- 13aa
- first straight-line portion
- 13ab
- third straight-line portion
- 13ac, 13bc
- circular-arc portion
- 13b
- second transmission line
- 13ba
- second straight-line portion
- 13bb
- fourth straight-line portion
- 14
- support part
- 15
- first detector circuit
- 16
- second detector circuit
- 18
- first detection output part
- 18a,
- 19a connector
- 19
- second detection output part
- 20a
- hole
- 30
- arrow
- 31
- arrow
- 131
- first output part
- 132
- second output part
- 141, 142
- groove
- 201a
- screw
- 202a
- screw portion
- E1
- rectangular region
- L1
- tube axis
- L2
- perpendicular line
- L3
- virtual straight line
- L4
- parallel line
- P1
- first coupling point
- P2
- second coupling point
- P3
- third coupling point
- P4
- fourth coupling point
- P5
- fifth coupling point
Claims (9)
- A directional coupler for separately detecting a travelling wave and a reflected wave that both propagate in a waveguide having a wall surface and a tube axis, the directional coupler comprising:an opening disposed in the wall surface of the waveguide and including:a first elongated hole; anda second elongated hole, the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole being disposed at a position that fails to intersect the tube axis of the waveguide in a plan view, the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole crossing each other at an opening-cross portion; anda coupling line disposed outside the waveguide and including:a first transmission line having one end and including
a first intersecting-line portion; anda second transmission line having one end and including
a second intersecting-line portion,wherein, in a plan view, the first intersecting-line portion extends, from one end of the tube axis, away from the tube axis as approaching a perpendicular line, and intersects the first elongated hole at a position farther away from the tube axis than the opening-cross portion is, the perpendicular line being orthogonal to the tube axis and passing through the opening-cross portion at which the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole intersect each other;in a plan view, the second intersecting-line portion extends, from another end of the tube axis, away from the tube axis as approaching the perpendicular line, and intersects the second elongated hole at a position farther away from the tube axis than the opening-cross portion is; andthe one end of the first transmission line is coupled to the one end of the second transmission line at a position, in a plan view, out of a region in which the opening is disposed. - The directional coupler according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission line and the second transmission line are coupled to each other at a position that is outside a rectangular region circumscribing the opening and is farther away from the tube axis than the rectangular region, in a plan view.
- The directional coupler according to claim 1,
wherein the opening has an opening-end portion; and,
in a plan view, at least one of the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion intersects a corresponding one of the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole at a position closer to the opening-end portion than the opening-cross portion is. - The directional coupler according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first intersecting-line portion and the second intersecting-line portion is orthogonal to a corresponding one of the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole, in a plan view.
- The directional coupler according to claim 1,
wherein the coupling line includes
a plurality of straight-line portions including:the first intersecting-line portion; andthe second intersecting-line portion; and,of the plurality of straight-line portions, two straight-line portions adjacent to each other are coupled so as to make an obtuse angle. - The directional coupler according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of straight-line portions includes:a straight-line portion configured to couple another end of the first intersecting-line portion to a first output part; anda straight-line portion configured to couple the second intersecting-line portion to a second output part.
- The directional coupler according to claim 1,
wherein, in a plan view, the first intersecting-line portion intersects the first elongated hole at a first coupling point, and the second intersecting-line portion intersects the second elongated hole at a second coupling point, a virtual line passing through the first coupling point and the second coupling point; and
a sum of a line distance of the first transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than the virtual line and a line distance of the second transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than the virtual line is set equal to 1/4 of an effective length. - The directional coupler according to claim 1,
wherein, in a plan view, a parallel line passes through the opening-cross portion and parallels the tube axis; and
a sum of a line distance of the first transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than the parallel line and a line distance of the second transmission line locating further away from the tube axis than the parallel line is set equal to 1/2 of an effective length. - A microwave heating device, comprising a directional coupler according to claim 1.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2018081499 | 2018-04-20 | ||
PCT/JP2019/016074 WO2019203170A1 (en) | 2018-04-20 | 2019-04-15 | Directional coupler and microwave heating device provided with same |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3783736A1 true EP3783736A1 (en) | 2021-02-24 |
EP3783736A4 EP3783736A4 (en) | 2021-06-16 |
EP3783736B1 EP3783736B1 (en) | 2023-11-22 |
Family
ID=68239453
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19788616.1A Active EP3783736B1 (en) | 2018-04-20 | 2019-04-15 | Directional coupler and microwave heating device provided with same |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3783736B1 (en) |
JP (2) | JP7178563B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN111033889B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019203170A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP7474930B2 (en) * | 2019-02-22 | 2024-04-26 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Microwave Heating Equipment |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4848362A (en) * | 1986-12-15 | 1989-07-18 | Larsen Lawrence E | Apparatus and method for diathermy treatment and control |
SU1548818A1 (en) * | 1987-12-03 | 1990-03-07 | Предприятие П/Я А-1845 | Directional coupler |
KR0140601B1 (en) * | 1995-03-31 | 1998-07-01 | 배순훈 | Polarization receiver |
DE10202824A1 (en) * | 2002-01-24 | 2003-07-31 | Marconi Comm Gmbh | Waveguide coupling device |
CN102315507B (en) * | 2011-07-07 | 2014-08-13 | 中国科学院等离子体物理研究所 | High-power waveguide directional coupler |
CN102773055B (en) * | 2012-05-22 | 2015-01-07 | 北京众诚汇微能源科技有限公司 | Microwave heating device and application thereof |
JP6176540B2 (en) | 2013-01-31 | 2017-08-09 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Directional coupler and microwave heating apparatus including the same |
CN104676670A (en) * | 2014-05-28 | 2015-06-03 | 广东美的厨房电器制造有限公司 | Semiconductor microwave oven and semiconductor microwave source thereof |
US10176431B2 (en) * | 2016-03-02 | 2019-01-08 | University Of Maryland, College Park | Low-noise, ultra-low temperature dissipative devices |
JP7386398B2 (en) | 2018-04-20 | 2023-11-27 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | microwave heating device |
-
2019
- 2019-04-15 CN CN201980003790.XA patent/CN111033889B/en active Active
- 2019-04-15 EP EP19788616.1A patent/EP3783736B1/en active Active
- 2019-04-15 JP JP2020514361A patent/JP7178563B2/en active Active
- 2019-04-15 WO PCT/JP2019/016074 patent/WO2019203170A1/en active Application Filing
-
2022
- 2022-10-24 JP JP2022169563A patent/JP7454770B2/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP7178563B2 (en) | 2022-11-28 |
JPWO2019203170A1 (en) | 2021-05-13 |
CN111033889A (en) | 2020-04-17 |
EP3783736A4 (en) | 2021-06-16 |
JP2022189917A (en) | 2022-12-22 |
CN111033889B (en) | 2021-10-08 |
JP7454770B2 (en) | 2024-03-25 |
EP3783736B1 (en) | 2023-11-22 |
WO2019203170A1 (en) | 2019-10-24 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6362795B2 (en) | Antenna apparatus and transmission and receiving apparatus using the same | |
US8723616B2 (en) | Waveguide-microstrip line converter having connection conductors spaced apart by different distances | |
EP2953204B1 (en) | Directional coupler and microwave heater provided with the same | |
US20200266544A1 (en) | Iris Matched PCB to Waveguide Transition | |
EP3783736B1 (en) | Directional coupler and microwave heating device provided with same | |
EP3930095B1 (en) | Microwave heating device | |
EP3784002B1 (en) | Microwave heating device | |
EP3784003B1 (en) | Microwave heating device | |
US11047951B2 (en) | Surface mount assembled waveguide transition | |
WO2016103588A1 (en) | Microwave heating device | |
JP2006101286A (en) | Microstrip-line coupler | |
US20240012102A1 (en) | Radar system with adhesive layer for isolation of vertical feed lines |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20201016 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20210517 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: H01P 5/18 20060101AFI20210510BHEP Ipc: H05B 6/70 20060101ALI20210510BHEP Ipc: H01P 5/107 20060101ALI20210510BHEP |
|
DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20230628 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602019041959 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG9D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20231122 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240223 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240322 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231122 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1634705 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20231122 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231122 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231122 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231122 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231122 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231122 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240322 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240223 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231122 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240222 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231122 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240322 |