JP6684446B2 - Phase shifter and antenna device including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a phase shifter capable of changing the phase of a signal, and an antenna device equipped with this phase shifter.

  Conventionally, there is known a phase shifter which is provided in a triplate line in which an inner conductor is arranged between a pair of outer conductors and which can change the phase of a signal propagating in the inner conductor (for example, Patent Document 1). 1).

  As this type of phase shifter, the dielectric disposed between the inner conductor and the outer conductor is moved in the direction intersecting with the inner conductor, and the ratio of the dielectric occupying the gap between the inner conductor and the outer conductor is increased. It is known that the effective permittivity of the triplate line is changed by changing the effective permittivity. When the effective permittivity of the triplate line changes, the length of the electric line changes with this change, so that the phase of the signal propagating through the inner conductor changes. The thickness of the dielectric is generally slightly thinner than the gap between the inner conductor and the outer conductor in consideration of the assembly tolerance.

JP, 2016-21631, A

  However, in the conventional phase shifter, the thickness of the dielectric is slightly thinner than the gap between the inner conductor and the outer conductor. There is a problem that the position) is not stable. If the position of the dielectric is not stable, the phase of the signal changes due to the dielectric approaching or separating from the inner conductor due to vibration or the like. That is, the amount of phase shift becomes unstable.

  Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a phase shifter capable of obtaining a stable amount of phase shift and an antenna device including the phase shifter.

  The present invention, for the purpose of solving the above problems, is arranged between a substrate on which a signal line is formed on the surface and a conductor plate arranged in parallel to the substrate, A plurality of dielectric members each having a facing portion facing the signal line of the substrate, the facing portions supporting the plurality of dielectric members, and the dielectric members being parallel to the substrate; A supporting member that receives a moving force that moves in a direction intersecting the signal line; and a moving mechanism that applies the moving force to the supporting member, and the supporting member is provided on the substrate side by the conductor plate. Provided is a phase shifter which is pressed and elastically deformed, and biases the plurality of dielectric members toward the substrate side by an elastic force.

  Further, the present invention, for the purpose of solving the above problems, provides an antenna device including the phase shifter and a plurality of antenna elements in which the phase difference of signals is adjusted by the phase shifter. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a phase shifter capable of obtaining a stable amount of phase shift and an antenna device including the phase shifter.

It is the schematic which shows the functional structure of the antenna device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the specific structural example of an antenna device, (a) shows an external appearance, (b) shows the arrangement | positioning state of a some antenna element, respectively. It is a perspective view showing an example of composition of a moving mechanism arranged inside a radome on the side opposite to a plurality of antenna elements. It is a perspective view which shows the board | substrate arrange | positioned between the 1st ground board and the 2nd ground board, and the signal line formed in the surface of the board | substrate. A dielectric assembly is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a rear view, (d) is a partially enlarged view of (b). The support member of a dielectric assembly is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a BB line sectional view of (a), (c) is a rear view, (d) is a partially enlarged view of (b), (E) is a partially enlarged view of (c). The 1st dielectric member is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a rear view, (d) is a C-C line sectional view of (c), (e) is (c). 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3F, and FIG. The 2nd dielectric member is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a rear view, (d) is a partially enlarged view of (c). (A) is a top view of a board | substrate which shows the signal line in the site | part where the dielectric assembly of a phase shifter is arrange | positioned, (b) and (c) is a dielectric assembly with respect to a board | substrate. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the state which moved to the edge. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line D-D of the substrate and the dielectric assembly in FIG. 9C together with the cross sections of the first and second ground plates and the drive rod. (B) is an enlarged view of part E of (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which made the support member bend.

[Embodiment]
Embodiments of a phase shifter and an antenna device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. The antenna device 1 is used as a base station antenna for a mobile phone. In the following description, the case where the antenna device 1 according to the present embodiment is used for transmitting a high frequency signal will be described, but the antenna device 1 can also be used for receiving.

(Functional configuration of antenna device)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a functional configuration of an antenna device 1 according to this embodiment. The antenna device 1 can transmit, for example, a horizontally polarized wave and a vertically polarized high frequency signal in the 1.5 to 2 GHz band.

  The antenna device 1 includes a plurality of (eight in the present embodiment) antenna elements 14 and a transmission line 100 that transmits a signal input to the input unit 10 to which coaxial cables (not shown) are connected to the plurality of antenna elements 14. And have. The transmission line 100 includes a first distribution line 11 that distributes a signal input to the input unit 10, a second distribution line 12 that further distributes a signal distributed by the first distribution line 11, and a second distribution line 12. And a third distribution line 13 for further distributing the distributed signal.

  Further, a dielectric assembly 20 of the phase shifter 2 described later is arranged between the first distribution line 11 and the second distribution line 12 and between the second distribution line 12 and the third distribution line 13. There is. By changing the phase of the signal by the phase shifter 2 including the dielectric assembly 20, the phase difference of the radio signal radiated from the plurality of antenna elements 14 is adjusted.

(Structure of antenna device)
Next, a specific configuration example of the antenna device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  2A and 2B are perspective views showing a specific configuration example of the antenna device 1, where FIG. 2A shows the appearance and FIG. 2B shows the arrangement state of the plurality of antenna elements 14. As shown in FIG. 2A, the antenna device 1 is configured by accommodating a transmission line 100, a plurality of antenna elements 14 and the like in a cylindrical radome 30.

  Both ends of the radome 30 are closed by antenna caps 301 and 302, and the radome 30 is attached to a high place such as an antenna tower by attachment fittings 303 and 304 such that the central axis direction thereof is the vertical direction. Coaxial cable adapters 305 and 306 functioning as the input unit 10 (see FIG. 1) are attached to the antenna cap 302 arranged below the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the plurality of antenna elements 14 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the radome 30 and fixed to the first ground plate 31 that is electrically grounded. Each antenna element 14 has a horizontal polarization antenna element 141 and a vertical polarization antenna element 142, which are arranged to cross each other in a cross shape. The first ground plate 31 has a function as a reflecting plate that reflects electromagnetic waves emitted from the horizontal polarization antenna element 141 and the vertical polarization antenna element 142. The first ground plate 31 and the second ground plate 32 described later are examples of the conductor plate of the present invention.

  The horizontal polarization antenna element 141 and the vertical polarization antenna element 142 are print dipole antennas each including a printed board on which a wiring pattern (not shown) that functions as a radiation element is formed on a plate-shaped dielectric. The horizontal polarization antenna element 141 and the vertical polarization antenna element 142 are provided with an unillustrated convex portion that penetrates an opening formed in the first ground plate 31, and function as a radiating element via the convex portion. The wiring pattern is electrically connected to the terminal portion of the third distribution line 13 (see FIG. 1) in the transmission line 100.

  The line lengths of the respective portions of the transmission line 100 are adjusted so that the plurality of antenna elements 14 are supplied with signals whose phases are delayed with respect to the antenna elements 14 arranged below. Thereby, the directivity (beam tilt angle) of the radio wave radiated from the antenna device 1 is directed downward from the horizontal direction. Further, the beam tilt angle can be set to a desired value by adjusting the phase difference between the signals supplied to each antenna element 14 by the plurality of phase shifters 2.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the moving mechanism 4 of the phase shifter 2 arranged inside the radome 30 on the side opposite to the plurality of antenna elements 14 side. The moving mechanism 4 is provided on a second ground plate 32 arranged in parallel with a first ground plate 31 to which the plurality of antenna elements 14 are fixed. The first ground plate 31 and the second ground plate 32 are made of a conductive metal such as stainless steel and are electrically grounded. Further, the first ground plate 31 and the second ground plate 32 are long plates whose longitudinal direction is along the central axis direction of the radome 30.

  The moving mechanism 4 is for moving a support member 22 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) of the phase shifter 2 described later along the longitudinal direction of the first ground plate 31 and the second ground plate 32. , The direct drive motor unit 41, the pair of drive rods 42 that move in the longitudinal direction of the first ground plate 31 and the second ground plate 32 by the drive force of the direct drive motor unit 41, and the movement of the pair of drive rods 42. And a pair of guide members 43 for guiding. Further, on the second ground plate 32, a tilt setting substrate 40 is arranged as a control unit that receives an instruction signal from the outside and controls the linear motor unit 41.

  A notch 32a is formed at both ends in the lateral direction of the second ground plate 32, and a horizontal polarization coaxial cable 33 and a vertical polarization coaxial cable 34 having one end inserted through the notch 32a are provided. The transmission signal is supplied to the first distribution line 11 (see FIG. 1) in the transmission line 100. The other ends of the horizontally polarized coaxial cable 33 and the vertically polarized coaxial cable 34 are connected to the coaxial cable adapters 305 and 306.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a substrate 33 arranged between the first ground plate 31 and the second ground plate 32, and a signal line 330 formed on the surface of the substrate 33. The substrate 33 is made of an electrically insulating resin (dielectric) such as glass epoxy, and is arranged in parallel with the first ground plate 31 and the second ground plate 32. Further, the substrate 33 has a rectangular shape having long sides in the longitudinal direction of the first ground plate 31 and the second ground plate 32. In FIG. 4, a part of the substrate 33 in the longitudinal direction is shown.

  The signal line 330 is formed of a metal foil such as copper provided as a wiring pattern on the surface of the substrate 33. Further, the signal line 330 is formed symmetrically on both surfaces (the first main surface 33a and the second main surface 33b) of the substrate 33. That is, for example, when the substrate 33 is viewed from the first main surface 33a side, the shape of the signal line 330 formed on the first main surface 33a is formed on the second main surface 33b which is the back surface thereof. The signal line 330 has the same shape as the signal line 330. The first to third distribution lines 11 to 13 (see FIG. 1) in the transmission line 100 are configured by the signal line 330.

  The first ground plate 31, the second ground plate 32, and the signal line 330 form a triplate line. The distance between the first ground plate 31 and the second ground plate 32 is 5.0 mm, for example. The overall thickness of the signal line 330 on the substrate 33 and both surfaces thereof is, for example, 0.8 mm, and the thickness of one signal line 330 is, for example, 0.035 mm.

  Although not shown, spacers are provided between the ground plates 31 and 32, between the first ground plate 31 and the substrate 33, and between the second ground plate 32 and the substrate 33. The two ground plates 31, 32 and the board 33 are fixed to each other by bolting the both ground plates 31, 32 and the board 33 to the spacer.

(Structure and operation of phase shifter)
Next, the configuration and operation of the phase shifter 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

5A and 5B show the dielectric assembly 20, where FIG. 5A is a front view, FIG. 5B is a side view, FIG. 5C is a rear view, and FIG. 5D is an enlarged view of part A of FIG.
6A and 6B show the support member 22 of the dielectric assembly 20, where FIG. 6A is a front view, FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6C is a rear view, and FIG. ) Is a partially enlarged view, and (e) is a partially enlarged view of (c).
7A and 7B show the first dielectric member 211. FIG. 7A is a front view, FIG. 7B is a side view, FIG. 7C is a rear view, and FIG. 7D is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 7C. () Is a partially enlarged view of (c), and (f) is a partially enlarged view of (d).
FIG. 8 shows the second dielectric member 212, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a rear view, and (d) is a partially enlarged view of (c).
FIG. 9A is a plan view of the substrate 33 showing the signal line 330 in a portion where the dielectric assembly 20 of the phase shifter 2 is arranged, and FIGS. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the dielectric assembly 20 has moved to the forward end and the backward end.
FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line DD of the substrate 33 and the dielectric assembly 20 in FIG. 9B together with the cross sections of the first and second ground plates 31 and 32 and the drive rod 42. . FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the E portion of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the dielectric assembly 20 includes a first subassembly 20A arranged on the first main surface 33a side of the substrate 33 and a second subassembly 20A arranged on the second main surface 33b side of the substrate 33. It is composed of an assembly 20B and a pair of connecting members 20C for connecting the first subassembly 20A and the second subassembly 20B. As shown in FIG. 10, the first subassembly 20A is disposed between the substrate 33 and the second ground plate 32, and the second subassembly 20B is disposed between the substrate 33 and the first ground plate 31. Will be placed.

  The first subassembly 20A and the second subassembly 20B include a plurality of first dielectric members 211 and a second dielectric member 212 and a support member 22 that supports the plurality of first dielectric members 211 and the second dielectric member 212. Have Hereinafter, the first dielectric member 211 and the second dielectric member 212 may be collectively referred to as the dielectric member 21. That is, each of the first subassembly 20A and the second subassembly 20B is an assembly in which a plurality of dielectric members 21 are assembled to the support member 22.

  In the present embodiment, each of the first subassembly 20A and the second subassembly 20B includes four dielectric members 21 (two first dielectric members 211 and two second dielectric members 212) and these four dielectric members 21. And a support member 22 that supports the.

(Structure of support member)
As shown in FIG. 6, the support member 22 is formed with first to fourth support frames 221 to 224 that respectively support the two first dielectric members 211 and the two second dielectric members 212 along the longitudinal direction thereof. It is a flat plate-like frame body, and a pair of fitting holes 225 into which the connecting member 20C is fitted and fixed are formed at both end portions sandwiching the first to fourth support frames 221 to 224 in the longitudinal direction.

  The support member 22 is made of a resin having a dielectric constant lower than that of the dielectric member 21 and more flexible than the dielectric member 21. Further, as will be described later in detail, in the present embodiment, since the ground plates 31 and 32 are pressed against the substrate 33 side to elastically deform the support member 22, the ground plates 31 and 32 and the substrate 33 are deformed at this time. As the support member 22, a member having a bending rigidity smaller than that of the substrate 33 and the ground plates 31 and 32 is used so as not to be damaged. As a resin satisfying such a condition, for example, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) can be mentioned.

  If the plane of the support member 22 on the substrate 33 side is the substrate facing surface 22a and the plane of the first ground plate 31 or the second ground plate 32 is the ground plate facing surface 22b, the first to fourth support frames 221 to 221 The thickness between the substrate facing surface 22a and the ground plate facing surface 22b in the portion where 224 is formed is 1.2 mm, for example.

  The two second dielectric members 212 are supported by a first support frame 221 and a fourth support frame 224 formed at one end and the other end of the support member 22 in the longitudinal direction. The two first dielectric members 211 are supported by the second support frame 222 and the third support frame 223 formed between the first support frame 221 and the fourth support frame 224.

  When the dielectric members 211 and 212 are supported by the support frames 221 to 224 (that is, when the dielectric member 21 is assembled to the support member 22), the dielectric members 211 and 212 project toward the substrate 33 side from the support member 22. Is provided. That is, the dielectric member 21 projects toward the substrate 33 side with respect to the substrate facing surface 22a.

  Further, in a state where the dielectric members 211 and 212 are supported by the support frames 221 to 224, the support member 22 is provided so as to project toward the ground plates 31 and 32 side from the dielectric members 211 and 212.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of (10) projections 22c are formed on the ground plate facing surface 22b side of the support member 22, and the tips of the projections 22c are located closer to the ground plates 31 and 32 than the dielectric members 211 and 212. I made it stick out. As shown in FIG. 10B, the protrusion 22c is formed so as to project from the ground plate facing surface 22b toward the first ground plate 31 or the second ground plate 32. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 22c receives a pressing force from the ground plates 31 and 32, and the supporting member 22 is elastically deformed by the pressing force.

  In the present embodiment, two first support frames 221 capable of supporting the second dielectric member 212 at one end in the longitudinal direction of the support member 22 are formed side by side in the lateral direction. The second dielectric member 212 is supported by the one first support frame 221. Similarly, the support member 22 is formed with two fourth support frames 224 capable of supporting the second dielectric member 212 at the other end portion in the longitudinal direction side by side in the lateral direction. The second dielectric member 212 is supported by the four support frame 224.

  The first support frame 221 and the fourth support frame 224 are formed so that the second dielectric member 212 of the first subassembly 20A and the second dielectric member 212 of the second subassembly 20B sandwich the substrate 33. The second dielectric member 212 is selectively arranged on one of the first support frame 221 and the second support frame 224 arranged in the direction.

  The support member 22 moves forward and backward in parallel with the substrate 33 along the longitudinal direction while supporting the four dielectric members 21.

(Signal line configuration)
As shown in FIG. 9A, in the signal line 330, a portion sandwiched between the first subassembly 20A and the second subassembly 20B meanders in a meandering shape. That is, the signal line 330 has first to fourth extending portions 331 to 334 extending in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the support member 22. In addition, the board 33 has elongated holes 335 as insertion holes for inserting the connecting member 20C that connects the first subassembly 20A and the second subassembly 20B, and the first to fourth extending portions 331 to 334. It is formed at two places to be sandwiched.

  The elongated hole 335 extends in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 33, and the first subassembly 20A and the second subassembly 20B are connected to each other via a connecting member 20C inserted in the elongated hole 335.

(Structure of the first dielectric member)
As shown in FIG. 7, the first dielectric member 211 is formed in a flat plate shape that is an isosceles triangle in a front view, and is made of a ferroelectric substance having a relative dielectric constant of, for example, 10 or more. As this ferroelectric substance, for example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) can be used.

  The first dielectric member 211 includes a body portion 211a as a facing portion that faces the substrate 33 and the signal line 330 (the second extending portion 332 and the third extending portion 333), and a collar formed on the outer edge of the body portion 211a. The portion 211b and the protrusion 211c formed so as to project from the main body portion 211a toward the substrate 33 are integrally provided.

  The plate-shaped main body portion 211 a of the first dielectric member 211 is arranged parallel to the substrate 33. The collar portion 211b is formed so as to protrude from the side surface of the main body portion 211a and surround the entire circumference of the main body portion 211a. The protrusions 211c are formed at each of the three corners of the main body 211a, and are formed so as to project from the surface of the main body 211a that faces the substrate 33 and the signal line 330.

(Structure of second dielectric member)
As shown in FIG. 8, the second dielectric member 212 is formed in a flat plate shape that is a right triangle when viewed from the front, and is made of the same ferroelectric material as the first dielectric member 211. The second dielectric member 212 is formed to have a smaller opposing area to the substrate 33 and the signal line 330 than the first dielectric member 211.

  The second dielectric member 212 includes a body portion 212a as a facing portion that faces the substrate 33 and the signal line 330 (the first extending portion 331 and the fourth extending portion 334), and a collar formed on the outer edge of the body portion 212a. The portion 212b and the projection 212c formed so as to project from the main body portion 212a toward the substrate 33 are integrally provided.

  The plate-shaped main body portion 212 a of the second dielectric member 212 is arranged parallel to the substrate 33. The flange portion 212b is formed so as to protrude from the side surface of the main body portion 212a and surround the entire circumference of the main body portion 212a. The protrusion 212c is formed at each of the three corners of the main body 212a, and is formed so as to project from the surface of the main body 212a facing the substrate 33 and the signal line 330.

(Support structure for the first dielectric member and the second dielectric member)
As shown in FIG. 6, the support member 22 is locked with the flange portions 211b and 212b of the first dielectric member 211 and the second dielectric member 212, respectively, and the first dielectric member 211 and the second dielectric member 212 are fixed. It has a locking portion 220 for supporting. The locking portion 220 is provided at each corner of the first to fourth support frames 221 to 224.

  The configuration of the locking portion 220 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6D and 6E by taking the locking portion 220 provided at one corner of the third support frame 223 as an example.

  The locking portion 220 is composed of a first locking protrusion 220a and a second locking protrusion 220b formed at different positions in the thickness direction of the support member 22. In the example shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, the first locking protrusion 220a is continuously formed on the substrate facing surface 22a of the support member 22, and the second locking protrusion 220b is continuous on the ground plate facing surface 22b. Is formed. The first locking protrusion 220a and the second locking protrusion 220b are located inside the third support frame 223 with a distance corresponding to the thickness of the flange portion 211b of the first dielectric member 211 in the thickness direction of the support member 22. It is projected toward.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, one locking portion 220 is provided with two first locking protrusions 220a and one second locking protrusion 220b. The number of the locking protrusions 220a and the second locking protrusions 220b is not limited, and one locking portion 220 is provided with at least one first locking protrusion 220a and at least one second locking protrusion 220b. Good.

  The locking portions 220 provided on the second support frame 222 and the third support frame 223 sandwich the flange portion 211b of the first dielectric member 211 between the first locking protrusion 220a and the second locking protrusion 220b. . In addition, the locking portion 220 provided on the first support frame 221 and the fourth support frame 224 includes the flange portion 212b of the second dielectric member 212 between the first locking protrusion 220a and the second locking protrusion 220b. Hold it. When fixing the first dielectric member 211 and the second dielectric member 212 to the support member 22, the support member 22 is elastically deformed, and the respective corner portions of the first dielectric member 211 and the second dielectric member 212 are locked by the locking portion 220. Lock on. As a result, the first dielectric member 211 and the second dielectric member 212 move integrally with the support member 22.

(Operation of phase shifter)
As shown in FIG. 10, the connecting member 20C that connects the first subassembly 20A and the second subassembly 20B includes an elongated hole 321 formed in the second ground plate 32 and an elongated hole formed in the substrate 33. It penetrates through 335 and is fitted in a fitting hole 421 provided in the drive rod 42. As a result, when the drive rod 42 is moved in the longitudinal direction by the linear motor unit 41 of the moving mechanism 4, the dielectric assembly 20 moves together with the drive rod 42. At this time, the support member 22 receives a moving force that moves the dielectric member 21 in parallel to the substrate 33 and in a direction intersecting the first to fourth extending portions 331 to 334 of the signal line 330. That is, the moving mechanism 4 applies a moving force to the support member 22 via the connecting member 20C.

  Since the plate-shaped main body portion 211a of the first dielectric member 211 and the plate-shaped main body portion 212a of the second dielectric member 212 are arranged in parallel to the substrate 33, they receive a moving force from the moving mechanism 4. The movement of the support member 22 changes the area of the signal line 330 that overlaps the first to fourth extending portions 331 to 334 as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C.

  More specifically, when the support member 22 moves to the left side of the drawing with respect to the substrate 33 as shown in FIG. 9B, the second dielectric member 212 supported by the first support frame 221 and the fourth support frame 224 is removed. The overlapping area overlapping with the first and fourth extending portions 331 and 334 is reduced, and the first dielectric member 211 supported by the second supporting frame 222 and the third supporting frame 223 is extended to the second and third extending portions. The overlapping area overlapping the portions 332 and 333 is reduced. On the other hand, when the support member 22 moves to the right side of the drawing with respect to the substrate 33 as shown in FIG. 9C, the second dielectric member 212 supported by the first support frame 221 and the fourth support frame 224 moves to the first and second positions. The overlapping area that overlaps with the fourth extending portions 331 and 334 increases, and the first dielectric member 211 supported by the second supporting frame 222 and the third supporting frame 223 causes the second and third extending portions 332 and 332. The overlapping area overlapping 333 increases.

  The orientations of the plurality of dielectric assemblies 20 in the transmission line 100 are different depending on the arrangement positions.

  As a result, the ratio of the volume occupied by the first dielectric member 211 and the second dielectric member 212 in the space between the signal line 330 and the first ground plate 31 and the second ground plate 32 changes, so that the signal line Since the effective permittivity of the first to fourth extending portions 331 to 334 in the tri-plate line including 330 and the first and second ground plates 31 and 32 changes, the electric line length changes accordingly. , The phase of the signal propagating through the signal line 330 changes.

(Suppression of displacement of dielectric member due to elastic force of support member)
In the phase shifter 2, when the distance (distance in the thickness direction of the substrate 33) between the signal line 330 and the body portions 211a and 212a of the first dielectric member 211 and the second dielectric member 212 changes, Even if the moving mechanism 4 does not operate, the effective dielectric constants of the first to fourth extending portions 331 to 334 change, and the electric line length changes accordingly.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, the ground plates 31 and 32 are pressed against the substrate 33 side to elastically deform the support member 22, and the elastic force is a force that the support member 22 restores. By pressing the dielectric members 211 and 212 supported by the support member 22 toward the substrate 33 side by the force, the movement (displacement) of the first dielectric member 211 and the second dielectric member 212 in the thickness direction of the substrate 33 is prevented. It's suppressed.

  That is, in the phase shifter 2 according to the present embodiment, the support member 22 is pressed against the substrate 33 side by the ground plates 31 and 32 and elastically deformed, and the elastic force causes the plurality of dielectric members 211 and 212 to move to the substrate. It is urged to the 33 side.

  In the present embodiment, the support member 22 is formed with the projection 22c so as to project toward the ground plates 31 and 32 side from the dielectric members 211 and 212, and the pressing force of the ground plates 31 and 32 is applied to the projection 22c. Granted. Further, since the dielectric members 211 and 212 are locked to the locking portion 220 of the support member 22, the reaction force by pressing the support member 22 toward the substrate 33 side is applied to the locking portion 220. Therefore, when the ground plates 31 and 32 are pressed against the substrate 33 side, the support member 22 between the protrusion 22c and the locking portion 220 is elastically deformed and bent.

  FIG. 11 shows the support member 22 in this bent state. Note that in FIG. 11, the deformation amount is made larger than it actually is in order to facilitate understanding of the deformed state of the support member 22. In addition, the arrow in FIG. 11 indicates the position where the pressing force is applied to the substrate 33 side (that is, the position of the protrusion 22c). Note that the projection 22c and the locking portion 220 are omitted in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the support member 22 is elastically deformed by pushing the protrusion 22c toward the substrate 33 side by 0.2 mm. The amount of pushing of the protrusion 22c, that is, the amount of deformation of the support member 22 is not limited to this, and the material of the support member 22, resistance to required vibrations, etc., and the dielectric assembly 20 by the moving mechanism 4. It can be set as appropriate in consideration of resistance and the like at the time of moving. Note that FIG. 11 shows a case where the amount of deformation is 30 times the amount of deformation when the protrusion 22c is pushed into the substrate 33 side by 0.2 mm.

  The position where the projection 22c is formed is not particularly limited, but in consideration of the distance from the locking portion 220, when the support members 22 are deformed by pressing the ground plates 31 and 32, the dielectric member 211 due to vibration or the like is generated. The protrusions 22c may be formed at appropriate positions so that an appropriate elastic force that can suppress the displacement of the first and second parts 212 can be obtained.

  The dielectric members 211 and 212 are pressed against the substrate 33 by the bias of the support member 22. In the present embodiment, since the protrusions 211c and 212c are formed on the dielectric members 211 and 212, the protrusions 211c and 212c keep the distance between the main body portions 211a and 212a of the dielectric members 211 and 212 and the signal line 330 constant. Will be kept at the interval.

  The pressing force that elastically deforms the support member 22 is generated by bolting the ground plates 31 and 32 to the spacer. Therefore, when the support member 22 is not deformed (the sub-assemblies 20A and 20B are not sandwiched between the ground plates 31 and 32 and the substrate 33), the dielectric members 211 and 212 from the tip of the projection 22c of the support member 22. To the tips of the protrusions 211c and 212c (distances along the opposing direction of the ground plates 31 and 32 to the substrate 33), the ground plates 31 and 32 and the substrate 33 when the ground plates 31 and 32 are bolted to the spacer. It is made slightly larger (here, 0.2 mm) than the distance (interval).

(Operation and Effect of Embodiment)
As described above, in the phase shifter 2 according to this embodiment, the support member 22 is pressed against the substrate 33 side by the ground plates 31 and 32 and elastically deformed, and the plurality of dielectric members 211 are elastically deformed. , 212 are urged toward the substrate 33 side.

  This causes the dielectric members 211 and 212 to be pressed toward the substrate 33 side, so that the vertical position of the dielectric members 211 and 212 due to vibration or the like (the position in the opposing direction of the substrate 33 and the ground plates 31 and 32) can be adjusted. It is possible to suppress fluctuations. As a result, it is possible to suppress an unintended change in the amount of phase shift and obtain a stable amount of phase shift, and it is possible to adjust the directivity of the antenna device 1 with high accuracy.

(Summary of Embodiments)
Next, the technical idea grasped from the embodiment described above will be described with reference to the reference numerals and the like in the embodiment. However, the reference numerals and the like in the following description are not intended to limit the constituent elements in the claims to the members and the like specifically shown in the embodiments.

[1] is disposed between a substrate (33) having a signal line (330) formed on its surface and a conductor plate (31, 32) disposed in parallel to the substrate (33). A plurality of dielectric members (21) each having a facing portion (211a, 212a) facing the signal line (330) of the substrate (33), the facing portion (211a, 212a) being made of a dielectric material; Support for supporting the plurality of dielectric members (21) and receiving a moving force for moving the dielectric members (21) in a direction parallel to the substrate (33) and intersecting the signal line (330). A member (22) and a moving mechanism (4) for applying the moving force to the support member (22) are provided, and the support member (22) is provided with the conductor plate (31, 32) for the substrate (31). 33) It is pressed to the side and elastically deformed. And, said plurality of dielectric members (21) are biased to the substrate (32) side by the elastic force, the phase shifter (2).

[2] The support member (22) has a plurality of protrusions (22c) protruding toward the conductor plates (31, 32) and receiving a pressing force from the conductor plates (31, 32). The phase shifter (2) according to [1].

[3] The phase shifter (1) according to [1] or [2], wherein the supporting member (22) has a bending rigidity smaller than that of the substrate (33) and the conductor plates (31, 32).

[4] The phase shifter (2) according to any one of [1] to [3], and a plurality of antenna elements (14) whose signal phase differences are adjusted by the phase shifter (2). An antenna device (1) comprising:

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above do not limit the invention according to the claims. Further, it should be noted that not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention.

  The present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the projection 22c is formed on the support member 22 so that the projection 22c receives the pressing force of the ground plates 31 and 32. , 32 may be provided with a protrusion protruding toward the support member 22 side, and the support member 22 may be pressed by the protrusion to elastically deform the support member 22.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the protrusions 211c and 212c are formed on the dielectric members 211 and 212, and the protrusions 211c and 212c make the intervals between the main body portions 211a and 212a of the dielectric members 211 and 212 and the signal line 330 constant. Although the spacing is maintained, the present invention is not limited to this, and the protrusions 211c and 212c may be omitted and a spacer separate from the dielectric members 211 and 212 may be interposed between the dielectric members 211 and 212 and the substrate 33.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Antenna device 2 ... Phase shifter 4 ... Moving mechanism 14 ... Antenna element 20 ... Dielectric assembly 21 ... Dielectric member 22 ... Support member 22c ... Protrusion 31 ... 1st ground board (conductor board)
32 ... Second ground plate (conductor plate)
33 ... Substrate 100 ... Transmission line 211 ... First dielectric member (dielectric member)
212 ... Second dielectric member (dielectric member)
211a, 212a ... Body part (opposing part)
211b, 212b ... Collar part 211c, 212c ... Protrusion 330 ... Signal line

Claims (4)

A substrate having a signal line formed on its surface and a conductor plate that is arranged in parallel to the substrate, and has a facing portion that faces the signal line of the substrate, A plurality of dielectric members in which the facing portion is made of a dielectric material,
A support member that supports the plurality of dielectric members and receives a moving force that moves the dielectric members in a direction parallel to the substrate and intersecting the signal line;
A moving mechanism that applies the moving force to the support member,
The support member is pressed against the substrate side by the conductor plate and elastically deformed, and elastically biases the plurality of dielectric members toward the substrate side.
Phase shifter. The support member has a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the conductor plate and receiving a pressing force from the conductor plate.
The phase shifter according to claim 1. The supporting member has a bending rigidity smaller than that of the substrate and the conductor plate,
The phase shifter according to claim 1 or 2. A phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A plurality of antenna elements whose phase difference of the signal is adjusted by the phase shifter,
Antenna device.

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