Patent Grant
6856211
The present invention relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-146279 filed on May 21, 2002, Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-153615 filed on May 28, 2002, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-157692 filed on May 30, 2002, which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coaxial type impedance matching device, in which dielectrics are housed in sliding manners in a matching device body having an external conductor and an internal conductor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A double-slug tuner disclosed in “A Communication Engineering Handbook (Maruzen Co., Ltd., 1957)” has been known as a coaxial type impedance matching device of this kind.
Here, the double-slug tuner has the following problems to be solved. In this double-slug tuner, more specifically, the impedance is matched by sliding two slugs in the matching device body. In this double-slug tuner, however, the impedance matching range retained is narrow in a range of VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) from about 1 to 10 so that its widening is desired. On the other hand, the impedance matching range can be widened by increasing the number of slugs. However, the adoption of this construction raises a problem that the position adjustment of the slugs is seriously complicated.
Also, external connectors are connected to connectors, which are provided at an input portion and an output portion of the matching device body, so that in this double-slug tuner, the matching device body is connected to an amplifier and an antenna through coaxial cables. In this case, the contact resistances exist between an external electrode and the external conductor of the double-slug tuner. The contact resistances cause slight reduction in the gain of the double-slug tuner. It is, therefore, desired to improve the gain reduction. Moreover, the connectors and the matching device body are made separate and have to be mounted on the matching device body. This results in a rise of the cost, which is preferably lowered. In this double-slug tuner, moreover, when a signal S of a high output is inputted, a spark may occur between an internal conductor and sliding fittings attached to the slugs. It is preferable to improve this point.
Furthermore, in this double-slug tuner, the electromagnetic waves may leak from a slit formed in the external conductor. It is preferred to improve this problem.
The present invention has been conceived in view of those points of improvement and has an object to provide a coaxial type impedance matching device, which can enlarge the impedance matching range with an easy adjustment.
The invention has another object to provide a coaxial type impedance matching device, which can be manufactured at a reasonable price while avoiding the drop of the gain, as might otherwise be caused by the contact resistances between the connectors and the matching device body. Further another object is to provide a coaxial type impedance matching device, which can avoid the occurrence of a spark when a signal of a high output is inputted.
The invention also has still another object to provide a coaxial type impedance matching device, which can reduce the leakage of the electromagnetic waves to the outside while making the impedance adjustment possible from the outside.
A coaxial type impedance matching device according to a first aspect of the invention, includes a matching device body including a tubular external conductor and an internal conductor arranged in the external conductor, an input side dielectric disposed in the matching device body and including a first dielectric and a second dielectric, and an output side dielectric disposed in the matching device body and including a third dielectric and a fourth dielectric. The input side dielectric and the output side dielectric are slidable between a signal input portion of the matching device body and a signal output portion of the matching device body to adjust distance between a center position between the input side dielectric and the output side dielectric and one of the signal input portion and the signal output portion, and to adjust distance between opposed surfaces of the input side dielectric and the output side dielectric. Distance between opposed surfaces of the first dielectric and the second dielectric is a predetermined distance, which is in a range of Nλ/4−λ/6 to Nλ/4−λ/6, where λ represents a guide wavelength of an input signal in the matching device body and N represents odd number. Distance between opposed surfaces of the third dielectric and the fourth dielectric is the predetermined distance.
In this case, the following construction is preferable. The first dielectric and the second dielectrics are connected by a first connecting member in a state where the first dielectric and the second dielectric are spaced at the predetermined distance. The third dielectric and the fourth dielectrics are connected by a first connecting member in a state where the first dielectric and the second dielectric are spaced at the predetermined distance. More preferably, the coaxial type impedance matching device further includes moving mechanisms for moving the first connecting member and the second connecting member, respectively.
Also, it is preferable that N is 1.
A coaxial type impedance matching device according to a second aspect of the invention, includes a matching device body including a tubular external conductor and an internal conductor arranged in the external conductor, an input side dielectric disposed in the matching device body, and an output side dielectric disposed in the matching device body. The input side dielectric and the output side dielectric are slidable between an signal input portion of the matching device body and a signal output portion of the matching device body. The matching device body includes a connector portion for connecting to an external device. The internal conductor and the external conductor protrude by a predetermined length from at least one of the signal input portion and the signal output portion to form the connector portion.
In this case, the following construction is preferable. The internal conductor and the external conductor protrude by a predetermined length from both of the signal input portion and the signal output portion to form the connector portion.
Also, the following construction is preferable. The the internal conductor form a center electrode of the connector portion at at least one of the signal input portion and the signal output portion. An inserting hole to which a center electrode of a connection object is inserted is formed at the center electrode of the connector portion at the at least one of the signal input portion and the signal output portion. The external conductor has a length not shorter than the internal conductor so that the at least one of the signal input portion and the signal output portion of the external conductor forms an external electrode of the connector portion.
In addition, it is preferable that the coaxial type impedance matching device further includes holding dielectrics disposed individually at positions corresponding to the signal input portion and the signal output portion of the matching device body, the holding dielectrics for holding the internal conductor at a predetermined position in the external conductor.
Also, it is preferable that the external conductor is formed of a cylindrical member.
In addition, the following construction is preferable the coaxial type impedance matching device further includes brackets fixed on the input side dielectric and the output side dielectric, respectively. The external conductor has a slit formed between the signal input portion and the signal output portion, the slit for allowing each of brackets to protrude and to slide to an outside of the external conductor.
Also, the following construction is preferable. The input side dielectric and the output side dielectric have fitting groove portions for fitting the brackets, respectively. Each of brackets have a pair of fitting pawl portions to be fitted in the fitting groove portions.
A coaxial type impedance matching device according to a third aspect of the invention, includes a tubular external conductor, an internal conductor disposed in the external conductor and constructing a transmission line for a signal together with the external conductor, dielectrics disposed in clearance between an inner face of the external conductor and an outer face of the internal conductor, the dielectric being movable in a longitudinal direction of the internal conductor, position changing means for changing a position of the dielectric in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor from outside of the external conductor, and a shielding mechanism for reducing leakage of electromagnetic waves caused by the signal.
In this case, the following construction is preferable the external conductor has a slit formed in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor. The position changing means includes moving brackets, one end of which are connected to the dielectrics and the other ends of which protrude to the outside of the external conductor through the slit. The shielding mechanism includes block members for blocking the slit at least partially while allowing the moving brackets to move along the slit.
Also, it is preferable that the block members are connected to the moving brackets so that the block members move integrally with the dielectrics.
Also, it is preferable that the dielectrics have fitting groove portions for fitting the moving brackets, and that each of moving brackets has a pair of fitting pawl portions to be fitted in each of fitting groove portion.
Also, the following construction is preferable. Each of block members is formed into a plate shape, and has a length so as to block the slit as a whole, and is disposed to be relatively movable with respect to the external conductor at a portion where the slit is formed. Cam grooves are formed on a surface of the block members where the block members face to the external conductor, the cam grooves into which the other ends of the moving brackets enter intersect the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor obliquely. When the block members move relative to the external conductor, the moving brackets move along the slit in a state where the moving brackets are guided by the cam grooves, to move the dielectrics in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor.
Also, the following construction is preferable. The block members are formed into a plate shape, and have a length so as to block the slit as a whole, and are disposed to be parallel to the external conductor and to be turnable at a portion where the slit is formed. Cam grooves are formed on outer surfaces of the block members so that the other ends of the moving brackets enter into the cam grooves and the cam grooves intersect the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor obliquely. When the block members turns, the moving brackets moves along the slit in a state where the moving bracket are guided by the cam grooves, to move the dielectrics in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor.
Also, the following construction is preferable. The shielding mechanism includes a dish member reserved with a liquid metal having conductivity. The external conductor is arranged in the dish member with a portion where the slit is formed faces downward so that the portion where the slit is formed is filled with the liquid metal. The moving brackets are disposed so that the one ends thereof are buried in the liquid metal and that the other ends thereof are exposed from the liquid metal. Also, it is preferable that the external conductor has through holes communicating inside and outside thereof, and that the position changing means includes rods inserted slidably into the through holes and connected to the dielectrics at inserted side leading end portions thereof.
A coaxial type impedance matching device according to a fourth aspect of the invention includes a tubular external conductor erected upright, an internal conductor disposed in the external conductor, for constructing a transmission line for a signal together with the external conductor, and a pair of cover members disposed in clearance between an inner face of the external conductor and an outer face of the internal conductor, the cover members disposed at a spacing from each other. Opposed surfaces of the cover members, the inner face of the external conductor, and the outer face of the internal conductor form a liquid chamber. The external conductor includes a liquid pumping port for pumping a liquid dielectric from a lower side of the liquid chamber into the liquid chamber, and an air hole communicating with an upper side of the liquid chamber.
Also, it is preferable that the coaxial type impedance matching device further includes a shielding case covering the coaxial type impedance matching device to reduce leakage of electromagnetic waves caused by the signal.
A preferred embodiment of a coaxial type impedance matching device according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A slug tuner 1, as shown in
The input side slug 3 corresponds to an input side dielectric in the invention and is provided with slugs 3a and 3b made of a dielectric material, and the connecting fitting 3c for mounting the slugs 3a and 3b in the connected state on the moving mechanism 5. In this case, the slugs 3a and 3b correspond to first and second dielectrics of the invention, respectively, and are formed into a circular-cylinder shape having a thickness L1 regulated to meet λ/4−λ/6≦L1≦λ/4 +λ/6 (wherein λ indicates a guide wavelength of the signal S in the matching device body 2). Preferably, L1 is equal to λ/4. Here, assuming that when L1 is equal to λ/4, a slug (for example, the slug 3a) has the reflection factor of 1. Under this assumption, when L1 =λ/4±λ/6, the reflection factor of the slug becomes 0.5 (that is, performance of the slug decreases to half). Therefore, the thickness of the slugs 3a and 3b are regulated to meetλ/4−λ/6≦L1 ≦λ/4+λ/6 as described above.
Moreover, the slugs 3a and 3b are so fixedly connected by the connecting fitting 3c that the spacing distance L2 between their opposed faces is adjusted in advance to meet Nλ/4−λ/6≦L2 ≦Nλ/4+λ/6 (wherein N: an odd number). Preferably, L2 is equal to Nλ/4. When the spacing distance L2 between the two slugs 3a and 3b is regulated to Nλ/4, therefore, the individual phases are substantially equalized among the signal S, which is reflected on the end face of the slug 3a on the side of the input end 2a and outputted to the side of the input end 2a, the signal S, which is reflected on the end face of the slug 3a on the side of the output end 2b and outputted through the slug 3a to the side of the input end 2a, the signal S, which is reflected on the end face of the slug 3b on the side of the input end 2a and outputted through the slug 3a to the side of the input end 2a, and the signal which is reflected on the end face of the slug 3b on the side of the output end 2b and outputted through the slug 3b and slug 3a to the side of the input end 2a. Therefore, the amount of reflection of the input side slug 3 as a whole to the side of the input end 2a is sufficiently larger than that of one slug 53 in the slug tuner 51.
The output side slug 4 corresponds to an output side dielectric in the invention and is provided with slugs 4a and 4b made of a dielectric material, and the connecting fitting 4c for mounting the slugs 4a and 4b in the connected state on the moving mechanism 6. In this case, the slugs 4a and 4b correspond to third and fourth dielectrics of the invention, respectively, and are formed into a circular-cylinder shape having a thickness L1 regulated to meet λ/4−λ/6≦L1 ≦λ/4+λ/6. Moreover, the slugs 4a and 4b are so fixedly connected by the connecting fitting 4c that the spacing distance L2 between their opposed faces is adjusted in advance to meet Nλ/4−λ/6≦L2 ≦Nλ/4+λ/6. When the spacing distance L2 between the two slugs 4a and 4b is regulated to Nλ/4, therefore, the individual phases are substantially equalized among the signal S, which is reflected on the end face of the slug 4a on the side of the input end 2a and outputted through the input side slug 3 to the side of the input end 2a, the signal S, which is reflected on the end face of the slug 4a on the side of the output end 2b and outputted through the slug 4a and the input side slug 3 to the side of the input end 2a, the signal S, which is reflected on the end face of the slug 4b on the side of the input end 2a and outputted through the slug 4a and the input side slug 3 to the side of the input end 2a, and the signal which is reflected on the end face of the slug 4b on the side of the output end 2b and outputted through the slug 4b and slug 4a and the input side slug 3 to the side of the input end 2a. Therefore, the amount of reflection of the output side slug 4 as a whole to the side of the input end 2a is sufficiently larger than that of one slug in the conventional double-slug tuner. Here in the embodiment, the distance L2 between the slugs 3a and 3b and the distance L2 between the slugs 4a and 4a are regulated to λ/4.
The moving mechanisms 5 and 6 slide the input side slug 3 and the output side slug 4 separately and independently of the matching device body 2, and the moving mechanism 5 slides the input side slug 3 whereas the moving mechanism 6 slides the output side slug 4. Specifically, the moving mechanism 5 is constructed to include: a wire rope 21a, on which the connecting fitting 3c of the input side slug 3 is fixed; a motor 22a for sliding the input side slug 3 by turning the wire rope 21a; and pulleys 23a and 24a, on which the wire rope 21a is made to run. On the other hand, the moving mechanism 6 is constructed to include: a wire rope 21b, on which the connecting fitting 4c of the output side slug 4 is fixed; a motor 22b for sliding the output side slug 4 by turning the wire rope 21b; and pulleys 23b and 24b, on which the wire rope 21b is made to run. In this case, stepping motors are adopted, for example, as the motors 22a and 22b to turn the wire ropes 21a and 21b under the control of the not-shown control unit.
At the time of matching the impedances using the slug tuner 1, the input side slug 3 and the output side slug 4 are slid with respect to the matching device body 2. At this time, a distance L3 of the output end 2b of the matching device body 2 from a center position 0 (as referred to
Specifically, the control unit outputs a control signal to drive the motors 22a and 22b. In this case, the wire ropes 21a and 21b are turned to slide the input side slug 3 and the output side slug 4 individually in the longitudinal direction of the matching device body 2. At this time, the slugs 3a and 3b of the input side slug 3 are connected by the connecting fitting 3c and fixed on the wire rope 21a so that both of them are simultaneously slid as the wire rope 21a turns. Moreover, the slugs 4a and 4b of the output side slug 4 are also connected by the connecting fitting 4c and fixed on the wire rope 21b so that both of them are simultaneously slid as the wire rope 21b turns. Merely by driving the two motors 22a and 22b, therefore, the four dielectrics of the slugs 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b can be moved to adjust the distances L3 and L4 individually. In the slug tuner 1 of this case, the input side slug 3 is provided with the two slugs 3a and 3b, the opposed faces of which have the distance L2 adjusted to λ/4, so that it reflects the signal S efficiently. Moreover, the output side slug 4 is provided with the two slugs 4a and 4b, the opposed faces of which have the distance L2 adjusted to λ4, so that it reflects the signal S efficiently like the input side slug 3. As compared with the slug tuner 51, therefore, the slug tuner 1 enlarges the impedance adjustable range sufficiently (i.e., two square times). Therefore, the slug tuner 51 has an impedance matching range of VSWR1 to VSWR10, for example, but the slug tuner 1 of the invention can widen the impedance matching range to VSWR1 to VSWR100.
Thus, this slug tuner 1 is provided with the input side slug 3 having two slugs 3a and 3b spaced at their opposed faces by λ/4 and the output side slug 4 having the two slugs 4a and 4b spaced at their opposed faces by λ/4, and is enabled to enlarge the impedance matching range sufficiently by adjusting the two position s of the input side slug 3 and the output side slug 4. By regulating the distances L2 between the slugs 3a and 3b and between the slugs 4a and 4b individually to λ/4, the total lengths of the input side slug 3 and the output side slug 4 can be individually shortened, as compared with the construction in which the distance L2 is regulated to 3λ/4, for example, so that the slug tuner 1 can be sufficiently small-sized as a whole.
According to this slug tuner 1, moreover, the slugs 3a and 3b of the input side slug 3 are connected at the spacing of λ/4 to each other by the connecting fitting 3c, and the slugs 4a and 4b of the output side slug 4 are connected at the spacing of λ/4 to each other by the connecting fitting 4c, so that both the slugs 3a and 3b can be simultaneously slid merely by moving the connecting fitting 3c and so that both the slugs 4a and 4b can be simultaneously slid merely by moving the connecting fitting 4c. Although the input side slug 3 and the output side slug 4 are individually provided with the two slugs (or dielectrics), therefore, the position adjustments of the two slugs 3 and 4, that is, the impedance matching performances can be easily done like the slug tuner 51. Unlike the construction in which the four slugs 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b are slid separately and independently of one another by four moving mechanisms, the four slugs 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b can be slid in this case merely by arranging the two moving mechanisms 5 and 6 so that the manufacturing cost for the slug tuner 1 as a whole can be sufficiently lowered.
Here, the invention should not be limited to the construction exemplified in the embodiment thus far described. In the embodiment of the invention, for example, the distances L2 between the slugs 3a and 3b and between the slugs 4a and 4b are individually regulated to λ/4, to which the invention is not limited but which can be adjusted to the various distances satisfying Nλ/4 exactly or substantially. Moreover, the embodiment of the invention has been described, for example, on the slug tuner 1 which is provided with the input side slug 3 having the two slugs 3a and 3b and the output side slug 4 having the two slugs 4a and 4b. However, the number of dielectrics (or slugs) constructing the input side dielectric and the output side dielectric individually in the invention should not be limited to that of the embodiment. For example, the input side dielectric and the output side dielectric can be individually constructed to include three or more dielectrics connected to each other at the spacing L, which is equal to Nλ/4 or satisfies Nλ/4−λ/6≦L≦Nλ/4+λ/6. Moreover, the aforementioned embodiment has been described on the construction, in which the input side slug 3 (or the output side slug 4) is slid by the moving mechanism 5 (or the moving mechanism 6) having the wire rope 21a (or 21b), the motor 22a (or 22b) and the pulleys 23a and 24a (or 23b and 24a). The construction for sliding the input side dielectric and the output side dielectric in the invention should not be limited to that of the embodiment but can also be exemplified by the manually sliding construction as in the slug tuner 51 which has been developed by the common applicant of the invention. Moreover, the moving mechanism in the invention can also be constructed by substituting timing belts, steel belts, V-belts, flat belts and gears (e.g., racks and pinions) for the wire ropes. Moreover, the moving mechanism can also be constructed by using not the belts but ball screws. Furthermore, the connecting fittings 3c and 4c can be replaced by the an insulating material of a resin to construct the connecting members of the invention. In addition, the embodiment of the invention has been described on the example for matching the impedance between the amplifier 41 and the antenna 42. However, the coaxial type impedance matching device according to the invention should not be limited in its application to that example but can be applied to impedance matching performances between various devices.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the first embodiment of the invention thus far described, the input side dielectric is constructed to include the first dielectric and the second dielectric, which have their opposed faces spaced at the fixed distance exactly or substantially equal to Nλ/4, and the output side dielectric is constructed to include the third dielectric and the fourth dielectric, which have their opposed faces spaced at the fixed distance, so that the impedance matching range can be sufficiently enlarged.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the first embodiment of the invention, moreover, the input side dielectric is constructed by connecting the first and second dielectrics at the predetermined spacing to each other by the connecting member, and the output side dielectric is constructed by connecting the third and fourth dielectrics at the predetermined spacing to each other by the connecting member, so that both the first and second dielectrics (or the third and fourth dielectrics) can be slid merely by moving the individual connecting members. Therefore, the impedance matching performances can be easily done, although the input side dielectric and the output side dielectric are individually provided with the two dielectrics.
Moreover, the coaxial type impedance matching device is provided with the moving mechanisms for moving the connecting members individually so that the impedance matching performances can be easily done by controlling the moving mechanisms. Unlike the construction in which the four dielectrics are slid separately and independently of one another by the four moving mechanisms, the four dielectrics can be slid in this case merely by arranging the two moving mechanisms, i.e., the moving mechanism for the input side dielectric and the moving mechanism for the output side dielectric, so that the manufacturing cost for the coaxial type impedance matching device as a whole can be sufficiently lowered.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device according to the first embodiment of the invention, moreover, the first and second dielectrics are spaced at the distance exactly or substantially equal to λ/4, and the third and fourth dielectrics are spaced at the distance exactly or substantially equal to λ/4. Therefore, the total lengths of the input side slug and the output side slug can be individually shortened, as compared with the construction in which the distance is regulated to 3λ/4, so that the coaxial type impedance matching device can be sufficiently small-sized as a whole.
A slug tuner 201, as shown in
In this case, both end portions of the external conductor 211 of the slug tuner 201 construct the external electrodes of the connector units 205 and 206. The external conductor 211 is made long by a length for functioning as the connector units 205 and 206. In the external conductor 211, as shown in
The input side slug 203 corresponds to an input side dielectric of the invention, and is provided, as shown in
When the impedance is matched by using this slug tuner 201, as shown in
Subsequently, the input side slug 203 and the output side slug 204 are slid with respect to the matching device body 202 thereby to adjust the distance between the center position between the input side slug 203 and the output side slug 204 and the output portion 202b in the matching device body 202. This adjustment adjusts the phases of the individual reflected signals, which are reflected by the two slugs 203 and 204. In this case, by adjusting the distance between the center position between the two slugs 203 and 204 and the input portion 202a in the matching device body 202, too, the adjustment can be likewise be made on the phase of the phases of the individual reflected signals, which are reflected by the two slugs 203 and 204. Moreover, the distance between the end face of the input side slug 203 on the side of the output portion 202b and the end face of the output side slug 204 on the side of the input portion 202a is adjusted to adjust the amplitude of the reflected signal, which is reflected to the side of the input portion 202a by the output side slug 204. By suitably adjusting the position s of the input side slug 203 and the output side slug 204 in the matching device body 202, therefore, the phase of the signal S reflected by the input side slug 203 to the side of the input portion 202a and the phase of the signal S reflected by the output side slug 204 to the side of the input portion 202a are inverted from each other, and the amplitude of the signal S reflected by the input side slug 203 to the side of the input portion 202a and the amplitude of the signal S reflected by the output side slug 204 to the side of the input portion 202a are equalized to each other, so that the impedance between the amplifier 241 and the antenna 242 can be completely matched. At this time, the slug tuner 201 has the bracket 222 made of the nonconductive material so that a spark between the internal conductor 212 and the bracket 222 can be even when the signal S inputted has a high output.
Thus, according to this slug tuner 201, the external conductor 211 and the internal conductor 212 are made longer than the distance between the input portion 202a and the output portion 202b, and the connector units 205 and 206 are made integral with the two end portions of the matching device body 202, so that the external electrodes (or the two end portions of the external conductor 211) in the connector units 205 and 206 and the external conductor 211 (or the central portion of the external conductor 211) in the matching device body 202 can be made of an identical conductive member. Therefore, the contact resistance between the external electrode and the external conductor 211 can be eliminated to enhance the according gain equivalently. At the same time, it is possible to lower the costs for the connectors themselves and for mounting the connectors. Moreover, the inserting hole 212a for inserting the inner 235 is formed in the internal conductor 212 to construct the center electrode of the connector units 205 and 206, and the external conductor 211 is made to have a length substantially equal to or slightly larger than that of the internal conductor 212 to construct the external electrode of the connector units 205 and 206, so that the connectors C specified by EIAJ can be reliably connected. According to this slug tuner 201, moreover, the internal conductor 212 is held at a predetermined position in the external conductor 211 by the dielectrics 213 and 213 which are arranged at the input portion 202a and the output portion 202b of the matching device body 202, so that the internal conductor 212 can be held without blocking the sliding movements of the slugs 203 and 204 between the input portion 202a and the output portion 202b.
According to this slug tuner 201, moreover, the external conductor 211 is formed of a cylindrical member. As compared with the construction in which the external electrodes of the connector units 205 and 206 are made by cutting the two end portions of a square-cylinder member into a circular-cylinder shape, for example, the cutting work can be eliminated to lower the cost for manufacturing the slug tuner 201, sufficiently. Moreover, the slit 211a is formed in the external conductor 211 between the input portion 202a and the output portion 202b. As compared with the structure in which the slit is formed throughout the longitudinal direction of the external conductor 211, therefore, the strength of the two end portions to function as the external electrodes of the connector units 205 and 206 can be improved while allowing the slugs 203 and 204 to slide between the input portion 202a and the output portion 202b. In this case, the outer 236 is fastened on the two end portions of the external conductor 211 by the bands 237, as has been described. In case the slit 211a is formed in that portion, therefore, the external conductor 211 may be deformed. According to this slug tuner 201, however, the slit 211a is not formed in the two end portions of the external conductor 211 so that the outer 236 can be fastened with a strong force by the bands 237. As a result, it is possible to connect the external conductor 211 and the outer 236 reliably.
Moreover, the dielectric 221 (i.e., the slug 203 or 204) is provided with the fitting groove portion 221b for fitting the bracket 222, and the bracket 222 is provided with the fitting pawl portions 222a to be fitted in the fitting groove portion 221b. Merely by fitting the fitting pawl portions 222a in the fitting groove portion 221b, therefore, the bracket 222 can be simply mounted on the dielectric 221 (and the collar 223). Moreover, the bracket 222 is made of the nonconductive material so that the spark between the internal conductor 212 and the bracket 222 can be reliably avoided even when the signal S of a high output is inputted to the slug tuner 201.
Here, the invention should not be limited to the construction thus far described in connection with the embodiment. For example, the second embodiment of the invention has been described on the connector unit 205 or 206 of the type, in which the external conductor 211 and the external electrode 231 are connected by connecting the internal conductor 212 and the center electrode 232 by the inner 235 and by fastening the outer 236 with the bands 237 and 237. The construction of the connector unit in the invention should not be limited to the described one but can also be modified by forming threads on the circumferences of the two end portions of the external conductor 211, for example, so that an M-type connector or an N-type connector may be connected. Moreover, it is quite natural that the connector unit can be arranged not at the two end portions but only at one end portion of the matching device body 202. Moreover, the embodiment of the invention has been described on the example, in which the impedance between the amplifier 241 and the antenna 242 is matched. However, the application of the coaxial type impedance matching device of the second embodiment of the invention should not be limited to the described one but could be extended to impedance matching performances between various devices.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the second embodiment of the invention, as has been described hereinbefore, the external conductor and the internal conductor are made longer than the distance between the signal input portion and the signal output portion, and the connector units are integrally formed on at least one end portion or on the two end portions of the matching device body. As a result, the external electrodes (i.e., the one end portion and the two end portions of the external conductor) in the connector units and the external conductor (or the central portion of the external conductor) in the matching device body can be made of an identical conductive member. Therefore, it is possible to lower the cost and to reduce the contact resistances between the external electrodes and the external conductor. As a result, the gain can be equivalently enhanced.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the second embodiment of the invention, moreover, a center electrode of the connector unit is constructed by forming the inserting hole in the internal conductor for inserting the center electrode of a connection object, and the external conductor is made as long as or longer than the internal conductor to construct the external electrode of the connector unit. Therefore, it is possible to connect the connector, as specified by EIAJ, reliably.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the second embodiment of the invention, moreover, the holding dielectrics are arranged individually at position s corresponding to the signal input portion and the signal output portion of the matching device body, so that the internal conductor is held at a predetermined position in the external conductor. Therefore, the internal conductor can be held without obstructing the sliding movements of the two dielectrics between the signal input portion and the signal output portion.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the second embodiment of the invention, moreover, the external conductor is formed of the cylindrical member. As compared with the construction in which the external electrodes of the connector units are made by cutting the two end portions of a square-cylinder member into a circular-cylinder shape, for example, the cutting work can be eliminated to lower the cost for manufacturing the coaxial type impedance matching device, sufficiently.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the second embodiment of the invention, moreover, the slit for allowing the brackets to slide is opened between the signal input portion and the signal output portion in the external conductor. As compared with the structure in which the slit is formed throughout the longitudinal direction of the external conductor, therefore, the strength of the two end portions to function as the external electrodes of the connector units can be improved while allowing the two dielectrics to slide between the signal input portion and the signal output portion of the two dielectrics. In this case, the outer is fastened on the two end portions of the external conductor by the bands, for example. In the construction, in which the slit is formed in that portion, therefore, the external conductor (or the external electrode) may be deformed. According to this coaxial type impedance matching device, however, the slit is not formed in the two end portions of the external conductor so that the outer can be fastened with a strong force by the bands. As a result, it is possible to connect the external conductor (or the external electrode) and the outer reliably.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the second embodiment of the invention, moreover, the fitting groove portion is formed in the two dielectrics for fitting the bracket, and the bracket is provided with the paired fitting pawl portions to be fitted in the fitting groove portion. Merely by fitting the fitting pawl portions in the fitting groove portion, therefore, the bracket can be easily mounted.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover, the bracket is made of the nonconductive material so that the spark between the internal conductor and the bracket can be reliably avoided even when the signal of a high output is inputted to the coaxial type impedance matching device.
A slug tuner 301, as shown in
The external conductor 302 is formed, for example, into a tubular shape (or a circular-cylinder shape) having a circular bore formed in the longitudinal direction at its central portion. In the external conductor 302, moreover, one slit SL is formed in the longitudinal direction (or in parallel with axis) for providing the communication between the outside and the inside of the external conductor 302.
The internal conductor 303 is formed into a round bar shape (or a circular-cylinder shape) and is so housed in the circular bore of the external conductor 302 that their axes may be aligned with each other (or coaxially). In this case, the internal conductor 303 constructs a signal transmission line together with the external conductor 302.
The slugs 304 and 305 are formed into a ring shape (or a circular-cylinder shape) having a smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the external conductor 302 and are so housed in the clearance formed between the inner face (or the inner circumference) of the external conductor 302 and the outer face (or the outer circumference) of the internal conductor 303 with the internal conductor 303 being inserted in their central bores that they can move in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor 303. On the outer faces (or the outer circumferences) of the individual slugs 304 and 305, moreover, there are individually mounted moving brackets 307, which are made of a nonconductive material to construct position changing device. Each moving bracket 307 is formed into a flat plate shape, for example. One end side (the lower end side of
As shown in
Thus, according to this slug tuner 301, each slug 304 or 305 housed in the external conductor 302 can be moved from the outside of the external conductor 302 by operating the other end side of the moving bracket manually or by an automatic moving mechanism, so that the impedance, for example, between an amplifier AP and an antenna AN can be matched by changing the characteristic impedance of the signal transmission line from the outside. By mounting the paired block members 306a and 306a on each slug 304 or 305, moreover, it is possible to sufficiently reduce the leakage of electromagnetic waves from the slit SL.
A slug tuner 311, as shown in
The external conductor 312 is formed, for example, into a tubular shape (or a square-cylinder shape) having a circular bore formed in the longitudinal direction at its central portion. In one (as exemplified by an upper side wall in
The internal conductor 303 is formed into a round bar shape and is so housed in the circular bore of the external conductor 312 that their axes may be aligned with each other. The slugs 304 and 305 are housed movably in the clearance formed between the inner face (or the inner circumference) of the external conductor 312 and the outer face of the internal conductor 303 with the internal conductor 303 being inserted in their central bores. On the outer faces of the individual slugs 304 and 305, moreover, there are individually mounted moving brackets 314, which are made of a nonconductive material to construct the position changing device. In this case, each moving bracket 314 is formed into a circular column shape, for example, and is connected on its one end side (or on the lower end side of
As shown in
When the impedance is to be matched by using this slug tuner 311, the block member 313a is moved individually in the X- and Y-directions by controlling the X-Y driving mechanism. When the block member 313a is then moved in the Y-direction relative to the external conductor 312, the intersecting position s between the cam grooves CG and CG and the slit SL are changed so that the individual moving brackets 314 and 314 are moved in the opposite directions of each other while being guided by the individual cam grooves CG and CG. As a result, the slugs 304 and 305 are also moved in the opposite directions in the external conductor 312 so that their distance is changed. In case the block member 313a is moved in the X-direction relative to the external conductor 312, on the other hand, the individual moving brackets 314 and 314 are moved simultaneously in the same direction in the slit SL while being guided by the individual cam grooves CG and CG. As a result, the individual slugs 304 and 305 are moved in the same direction in the external conductor 312. By controlling the X-Y driving mechanism to move the block member 313a in the X- and Y-directions, therefore, the individual slugs 304 and 305 are moved to arbitrary position s in the external conductor 312 thereby to match the impedance.
Thus, according to this slug tuner 311, the individual slugs 304 and 305 can be moved to arbitrary position s in the external conductor 312 through the individual moving brackets 314 and 314 by moving the block member 313a. In short, the impedance matching performance can be done from the outside of the external conductor 312. Moreover, the slit SL is blocked at all times by the block member 313a so that the leakage of the electromagnetic waves from the slit SL can be sufficiently prevented.
A slug tuner 321, as shown in
The external conductor 3322 is formed, for example, into a tubular shape (or a square-cylinder shape) having a circular bore formed in the longitudinal direction at its central portion. One (as exemplified by an upper side wall in
The internal conductor 303 is formed into a round bar shape and is so housed in the circular bore of the external conductor 3322 that their axes may be aligned with each other. The slugs 304 and 305 are housed movably in the clearance formed between the inner face (or the inner circumference) of the external conductor 3322 and the outer face of the internal conductor 303 with the internal conductor 303 being inserted in their central bores. On the outer faces of the individual slugs 304 and 305, moreover, there are individually mounted moving brackets 314 and 314, which construct the position changing device. These moving brackets 314 and 314 are formed into a circular-cylinder shape, for example, and are connected on their one end side to the slug 304 and 305 and protruded at their other end side to the outside of the external conductor 3322 through the slit SL.
As shown in
As shown in
When the impedance is to be matched by using this slug tuner 321, the moving mechanism 324 is controlled to turn the block member 323a or move it in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor 303. When the block member 323a is turned in this case, the individual moving brackets 314 and 314 are moved independently of each other along the slit SL while being guided by the individual cam grooves CG and CG. As a result, the distance between the individual slugs 304 and 305 in the external conductor 3322 is changed. When the block member 323a is moved in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor 303, on the other hand, the individual moving brackets 314 and 314 are simultaneously moved in the same direction in the slit SL while being guided by the individual cam grooves CG and CG. As a result, the distances of the individual slugs 304 and 305 from the end portions of the external conductor 3322 are changed. By controlling the moving mechanism 324 to turn the block member 323a or move it in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor 303, therefore, the individual slugs 304 and 305 are moved in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor 303 to arbitrary position sin the external conductor 3322 thereby to perform the impedance.
Thus, according to this slug tuner 321, the individual slugs 304 and 305 can be moved from the outside of the external conductor 3322 to arbitrary position s through the individual moving brackets 314 and 314 by moving the block member 323a. In short, the impedance matching performance can be done from the outside. Moreover, the slit SL is blocked at all times by the block member 323a so that the leakage of the electromagnetic waves from the slit SL can be sufficiently prevented.
A slug tuner 331, as shown in
The external conductor 332 is formed, for example, into a tubular shape (or a square-cylinder shape) having a circular bore formed in the longitudinal direction at its central portion. In one (as exemplified by a lower side wall in
The internal conductor 303 is formed into a round bar shape and is so housed in the circular bore of the external conductor 332 that their axes may be aligned with each other. The slugs 304 and 305 are housed movably in the clearance formed between the inner face (or the inner circumference) of the external conductor 332 and the outer face of the internal conductor 303 with the internal conductor 303 being inserted in their central bores. On the outer faces of the individual slugs 304 and 305, moreover, there are individually mounted moving brackets 334, which construct the position changing device. In this case, these moving brackets 334 and 334 are made of a nonconductive material and formed into a C-shape as a whole by having their one end side connected to the slug 304 and 305 and their other end side protruded to the outside of the external conductor 332 through the slit SL and extended along the lower side wall having the slit SL and along the other side wall (the righthand side wall in
The shielding mechanism 333 is constructed to have a dish member 333a reserved with a liquid metal (e.g., mercury) having conductivity, as shown in
When the impedance is to be matched by using this slug tuner 331, the other ends of the individual moving brackets 334 and 334 protruded from the surface of the liquid metal 333b are operated to move the individual slugs 304 and 305 in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor 303. As a result, the distance between the slugs 304 and 305 and the distances of the individual slugs 304 and 305 from the end portions of the external conductor 332 are changed to do the impedance matching performance.
Thus, according to this slug tuner 331, the individual slugs 304 and 305 can be moved from the outside of the external conductor 332 to arbitrary position s through the individual moving brackets 334 and 334. In short, the impedance matching performance can be done from the outside. Moreover, the slit SL is blocked at all times by the liquid metal 333b constructing the shielding mechanism 333 so that the leakage of the electromagnetic waves from the slit SL can be sufficiently prevented.
A slug tuner 341, as shown in
The external conductor 342 is formed, for example, into a tubular shape (or a square-cylinder shape) having a circular bore formed in the longitudinal direction at its central portion. In one (as exemplified by an upper side wall in
The internal conductor 303 is formed into a round bar shape and is so housed in the circular bore of the external conductor 342 that their axes may be aligned with each other. In this case, the slugs 304 and 305 are housed movably in the clearance formed between the inner face (or the inner circumference) of the external conductor 332 and the outer face of the internal conductor 303 with the internal conductor 303 being inserted in their central bores. Into the individual through holes HL, moreover, there are individually slidably inserted rods 344, which construct the position changing device, as shown in
When the impedance is to be matched by using this slug tuner 341, the one side ends of the individual moving brackets 44 and 44 are operated to move the individual slugs 304 and 305 in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor 303. As a result, the distance between the slugs 304 and 305 and the distances of the individual slugs 304 and 305 from the end portions of the external conductor 342 are changed to do the impedance matching performance.
Thus, according to this slug tuner 341, the slit SL is replaced by the two through holes HL formed in the external conductor 342, and the rods 344 are individually inserted into those through holes 42 to make the individual slugs 304 and 305 movable. Therefore, the effective area in the external conductor 342 can be made drastically smaller than that of the construction having the slit SL, while making it possible to adjust the position s of the individual slugs 304 and 305 from the outside. As a result, it is possible to reduce the electromagnetic waves, as might otherwise leak to the outside of the external conductor 342, drastically.
A slug tuner 351, as shown in
The external conductor 352 is formed as a whole into a cylindrical shape having a circular bore formed in the longitudinal direction at its central portion, as shown in
The internal conductor 353 is formed into a round bar shape (a circular-column shape) and is so housed in the circular bore of the external conductor 352 that their axes maybe aligned with each other. In the outer face (the outer circumference) of the internal conductor 353, moreover, a guide groove GG is formed in parallel with the axial direction to construct a portion of a turn regulating mechanism. This internal conductor 353 is so supported at its two end portions by the not-shown dielectrics arranged in the paired end external conductors 352b and 352b that it cannot turn relative to the paired end external conductors 352b and 352b, thereby to construct the signal transmission line together with the external conductor 352.
The slug 354 is formed into a ring shape (or a circular-cylinder shape) having an male threaded portion MS formed on its outer face (or its outer circumference), and is housed while being threaded in the intermediate external conductor 352a. On the inner face (or the inner circumference) of the central bore of the slug 354, moreover, there is formed a protrusion 354a, which constructs the turn regulating mechanism together with the guide groove GG. In this case, the internal conductor 353 is so inserted into the central bore of the slug 354 that the protrusion 354a is fitted in the guide groove GG. Moreover, the turn regulating mechanism, as constructed of the guide groove GG and the protrusion 354a, regulates the turns of the slug 354 relative to the internal conductor 353 while allowing the movement of the slug 354 in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor 353.
When the impedance is to be matched by using that slug tuner 351, the intermediate external conductor 352a on the side of the slug 354 (or 355) to be position-changed is turned. At this time, the slug 354 (or 355), as housed while being threaded in the intermediate external conductor 352a, is regulated from its turns by the turn regulating mechanism formed between its inner face and the outer face of the internal conductor 353, so that it turns relatively in the direction opposite to the turning direction of the intermediate external conductor 352a. As a result, the slug 354 (or 355) is moved inside of the intermediate external conductor 352a in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor 353. Therefore, the distance of the slug 354 (or 355) from the end portion of the external conductor 352 is changed to match the impedance. Thus in this slug tuner 351, the position changing device for changing the position with respect to the individual slugs 354 and 355 is constructed of: the intermediate external conductors 52a and 52a supported turnably between the paired end external conductors 352b and 352b for threading the slugs 354 and 355 therein; the internal conductor 353 inserted into the central bores of the slugs 354 and 355; and the turn regulating mechanism.
Thus, according to this slug tuner 351, the slugs 354 and 355 are so constructed by making them movable from the outside of the external conductor 352 that an opening such as the slit SL can be avoided from being formed in the external conductor 352, while allowing the impedance to be matched from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the leakage of the electromagnetic waves drastically from the external conductor 352.
A slug tuner 361, as shown in
The external conductor 362 is provided, as shown in
The internal conductor 363 is provided with an intermediate internal conductor 363a having an male threaded portion MS on its outer face (or its outer circumference), and a pair of end internal conductors 363b and 363b arranged across the intermediate internal conductor 363a for supporting the intermediate internal conductor 363a turnably. For example, the two end faces of the intermediate internal conductor 363a have projections formed to have a circular column shape. The intermediate internal conductor 363a is turnably supported between the paired end internal conductors 363b and 363b by inserting the column-shaped projections into the circular holes, which are formed in the end faces of the individual end internal conductors 363b and 363b on the side of the intermediate internal conductor 363a. Moreover, the internal conductor 363 is so housed in the circular bore of the external conductor 362 that their axes may be aligned with each other. Moreover, disc-shaped insulating plates IN are fixedly connected to the outer faces of the individual end portions of the intermediate internal conductor 363a, and the inner faces of the annular portions, as corresponding to the individual insulating plates IN, of the ring-shaped external conductors 362c are also fixedly connected to the outer faces of the individual end portions of the intermediate internal conductor 363a. Therefore, the intermediate internal conductor 363a, the individual insulating plates IN and IN, and the individual ring-shaped external conductors 362c and 362c are integrally connected to each other. In this case, the internal conductor 363 constructs the signal transmission line together with the external conductor 362.
The slug 364 is formed into the ring shape (or the circular-cylinder shape) and has a female screw portion FS formed in the inner face (or the inner circumference) of its central bore. Moreover, the slug 364 is inserted with the center internal conductor 363a being fastened in its central bore, and is housed in this state in the intermediate external conductor 362a. As shown in
When the impedance is to be matched by using this slug tuner 361, the individual ring-shaped external conductors 362c on the side of the slug 364 (or 365) to be position-changed are simultaneously turned. At this time, the two end portions of the intermediate internal conductor 363a are individually connected to the ring-shaped external conductors 362c through the insulating plates IN so that the intermediate internal conductor 363a is also simultaneously turned. On the other hand, the slug 364 (or 365), as threaded in the intermediate internal conductor 363a, is regulated from turning relative to the intermediate external conductor 362a by the turn regulating mechanism, which is constructed of the protrusion 364a and the guide groove GG, so that it relatively turns in the direction opposite to the turning direction of the intermediate internal conductor 363a. As a result, the slug 364 (or 365) is moved in the intermediate external conductor 362a in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate internal conductor 363a. As a result, the distance of the slug 364 (or 365) from the end portion of the external conductor 362 is changed to match the impedance. Thus, in this slug tuner 361, the position changing device for changing the position relative to the individual slugs 364 and 365 is constructed of the individual ring-shaped external conductors 362c, the intermediate internal conductor 363a, the insulating plates IN and the turn regulating mechanism.
Thus, according to this slug tuner 361, the slugs 364 and 365 are so constructed by making them movable from the outside of the external conductor 362 that an opening such as the slit SL can be avoided from being formed in the external conductor 362, while allowing the impedance to be matched from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the leakage of the electromagnetic waves drastically from the external conductor 362.
A slug tuner 371, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In the clearance between the inner face (or the inner circumference) of the external conductor 372 and the outer face (or the outer circumference) of the internal conductor 303, on the other hand, there are arranged a pair of cover members 376, which are made of a dielectric material and spaced from each other. In this case, the cover member 376 on the lower side is arranged slightly below the liquid pumping port LS, and the cover member 376 on the upper side is arranged slightly above the air hole AH. These cover members 376 and 376 form a liquid chamber LM with their opposed faces, the inner face of the external conductor 372 and the outer face of the internal conductor 303.
The slug 374 is formed of the liquid dielectric LD, which is fed from the pump to the inside of the liquid chamber LM via the liquid pumping port LS communicating with the lower side of the liquid chamber LM and reserved in the liquid chamber LM. In this case, the inside space of the liquid chamber LM is formed in a circular-cylinder shape so that the slug 374 to be formed with the liquid dielectric LD reserved in that liquid chamber LM is formed into the circular-cylinder shape.
When the impedance is to be matched by using this slug tuner 371, the pump is controlled to change the amount of the liquid dielectric LD to be reserved in the liquid chamber LM on the side of the slug 374 (or 375), the thickness of which is to be changed. As a result, the height (or thickness) of the slug 374 (or 375) to be formed with the liquid dielectric LD reserved in the liquid chamber LM is changed to do the impedance matching performance. In this case, the upper space of the liquid chamber LM is vented to the space outside of the external conductor 372 via the air holes AH so that the inside of the liquid chamber LM is kept at a constant pressure (or an atmospheric pressure) at all times. This makes it smooth to feed the liquid dielectric LD to the inside of the liquid chamber LM and to discharge the liquid dielectric LD from the liquid chamber LM.
Thus, according to this slug tuner 371, the slugs 374 and 375 are constructed to change their thickness from the outside of the external conductor 372 so that an opening such as the slit SL can be avoided from being formed in the external conductor 372, while allowing the impedance to be matched from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the leakage of the electromagnetic waves drastically from the external conductor 372. Unlike the foregoing other embodiments, moreover, the solid slugs slide in the external conductor so that the individual components can be prevented from being worn and degraded. As a result, it is possible to improve the durability. On the other hand, it is arbitrary that the slugs 374 and 375 could also be formed by feeding the liquid chamber LM with two or more kinds of liquid dielectrics LD of different specific gravities.
Here, the present invention should not be limited to the constructions of the foregoing embodiments. In the individual embodiments, for example, the number of slugs is two, but another construction having three or more slugs could be adopted, if necessary. In the slug tuner 301, on the other hand, the length La of each block member 6a is regulated to be equivalent to the length Lb of the individual slugs 304 and 305, with a view to reducing the electromagnetic waves the most efficiently with the shortest length and to preventing the interference between the individual block members 306a and 306a when the slugs 304 and 305 are brought close to each other, so that the slugs 304 and 305 may come into substantial contact with each other. In case the individual slugs 304 and 305 need not come into substantial contact with each other, however, the block member could be made longer. According to this construction, the effective area of the slit LS can be made smaller to further reduce the electromagnetic waves, as might otherwise leak from the slit SL.
Moreover, the structure for mounting the moving brackets 307 on the individual slugs 304 and 305 could adopt such a construction as to fix them directly by adhering means or the like. However, it is possible to adopt the construction in which the slugs 304 and 305 can be mounted by a single action, as shown in FIG. 31. The slug 304 will be described by way of example. As shown in
When the moving bracket 307 is to be mounted on the slug 4 thus constructed, the slotted portion (or the slit 307b) of the moving bracket 307 is pinched to push the side having the fitting pawl portions 307a and 307a into the fitting slit HL2. At this time, the moving bracket 307 is elastically deformed to shorten the distance between the fitting pawl portions 307a and 307a so that these fitting pawl portions 307a and 307a of the moving bracket 307 enter the fitting slit HL2 and proceed into the fitting groove portion HL1. When the individual fitting pawl portions 307a and 307a of the moving bracket 307 are completely fitted in the fitting groove portion HL1, the moving bracket 307 is caused by its elastic force to widen the distance between the fitting pawl portions 307a and 307a to the initial state. Therefore, the individual fitting pawl portions 307a and 307a take the state (or the fitting state), in which they always engage with the inner brim of the fitting slit HL2 so that the operation to mount the moving bracket 307 in the slug 304 is completed. Therefore, the moving bracket 307 can be easily mounted by the single action.
Moreover, the shape and arrangement of the individual cam grooves CG and CG in the slug tuner 311 or 321 are presented as an example, and another arbitrary shape and arrangement could be adopted. In the foregoing slug tuner 301, on the other hand, there could also be adopted a construction, in which the slug tuner 301 and the automatic moving mechanism are covered with a shielding case SC made of a conductive material, as shown in FIG. 13. In this case, the construction could also be modified by covering only the slug tuner 301 with the shielding case SC. By adopting this construction, it is possible to further reduce the electromagnetic waves, which might otherwise slightly leak from the slug tuner 301. Here, there could be adopted a construction, in which the slug tuner 311, 321, 331, 341, 351, 361 or 371 is covered like the slug tuner 301 with the shielding case SC, although not shown. In addition, the foregoing individual embodiments of the invention have been described on the example, in which the impedance between the amplifier AP and the antenna AT is matched. However, the application of the coaxial type impedance matching device according to the invention should not be limited thereto but could be used for matching the impedance between a variety of devices.
The coaxial type impedance matching device comprises: the tubular external conductor; the internal conductor arranged in the external conductor and constructing the transmission line for the signal together with the external conductor; and dielectrics arranged in the clearance between the inner face of the external conductor and the outer face of the internal conductor and made movable in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor. Therefore, the leakage of the electromagnetic waves to the outside can be sufficiently reduced while making it possible to adjust the impedance from the outside.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover: the external conductor has a slit formed in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor; the position changing device includes moving brackets having their one end sides connected to the dielectrics and their other end sides protruded to the outside of the external conductor through the slit; and the shielding mechanism includes block members for blocking the slit partially or wholly while allowing the moving brackets to move along the slit. By operating the moving brackets while preventing the leakage of the electromagnetic waves to the outside with the block members, the dielectrics can be moved from the outer side of the external conductor to match the impedance.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover, the block members are connected to the moving brackets so that they can move integrally with the dielectrics. Therefore, the vicinities of the dielectrics where the probability of leakage of the electromagnetic waves is the highest can be reliably blocked to reduce the leakage of the electromagnetic waves more reliably.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover, the block members have a length, as taken in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor, equivalent to that, as taken in the longitudinal direction, of the dielectrics. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the interference between the block members when a plurality of dielectrics are arranged in the external conductor. Therefore, the individual dielectrics can be brought so close as to contact with each other so that the range of adjustment of the impedance matching performance can be sufficiently widened.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover, the dielectrics have fitting groove portions for fitting the moving brackets, and the moving brackets have a pair of fitting pawl portions to be fitted in the fitting groove portions. Merely by fitting the fitting pawl portions in the fitting groove portions, therefore, the moving brackets can be easily mounted by a single action on the dielectrics.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover, the moving brackets are made of a nonconductive material. Even when a signal of a high output is inputted to the coaxial type impedance matching device, it is possible to avoid a spark between the internal conductor and the moving brackets reliably.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover, the moving brackets move along the slit while being guided by the cam grooves, when the plate-shaped block members for closing the slit as a whole move relative to the external conductor, thereby to move the dielectrics in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor. By moving the dielectrics in the external conductor while preventing the leakage of the electromagnetic waves from the slit, therefore, the impedance can be matched.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover, the moving brackets move along the slit while being guided by the cam grooves, when the block members having the circular-cylindrical shape for blocking the slit as a whole turn, thereby to move the dielectrics in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor. By moving the dielectrics in the external conductor while preventing the leakage of the electromagnetic waves from the slit, therefore, the impedance can be matched. Moreover, the block members do not protrude from the side of the external conductor so that the widthwise mounting are in the impedance matching device can be suppressed to the minimum.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover: the shielding mechanism includes a dish member reserved with a liquid metal having a conductivity; the external conductor is so arranged in the dish member with the portion having the slit being directed downward, that the portion having the slit may be filled with the liquid metal; and the moving brackets are so arranged that the one end sides are buried in the liquid metal and that the other end sides are exposed from the liquid metal. Therefore, the slit can be completely blocked by the liquid metal so that the leakage of the electromagnetic waves from the slit can be completely prevented. By operating the other end sides of the moving brackets exposed from the liquid metal, moreover, the dielectrics can be moved in the external conductor thereby to match the impedance from the outside of the external conductor.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover, the external conductor has through holes communicating the inside and outside thereof, and the position changing device includes rods inserted slidably into the through holes and connected at their inserted side leading end portions connected to the dielectrics. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the formation of the slit in the external conductor and to suppress the area of the opening portion to the minimum. As a result, it is possible to reduce the electromagnetic waves, as might otherwise leak from the external conductor to the outside. Moreover, the dielectrics can be moved in the external conductor merely by operating the rods so that the impedance can be matched from the outside of the external conductor.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover: the external conductor includes: an intermediate external conductor having an internally threaded portion formed in its inner face; and a pair of end external conductors arranged across the intermediate external conductor for supporting the intermediate external conductor turnably; the dielectrics are formed into a ring shape having an externally threaded portion on its outer face; and the position changing device includes: the intermediate external conductor for threading the dielectrics therein; the internal conductor inserted in the central bores of the dielectrics; and a turn regulating mechanism interposed between the inner faces of the center bores of the dielectrics and the outer face of the internal conductor, for regulating the turns of the dielectrics with respect to the internal conductor while allowing the dielectrics to move in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor. Without forming the opening such as the slit in the external conductor, therefore, the dielectrics can be moved from the outside of the external conductor. Therefore, the impedance matching performance can be done from the outside of the external conductor while reducing the electromagnetic waves, as might otherwise leak from the external conductor to the outside, far more.
According to the coaxial type impedance matching device of the invention, moreover, the external conductor includes: an intermediate external conductor; a pair of end external conductors arranged across the intermediate external conductor; and a pair of ring-shaped external conductors arranged slidably between the intermediate external conductor and the paired end external conductors, and the position changing device includes: the paired ring-shaped external conductors; the intermediate internal conductor; a pair of insulating plates for connecting the paired ring-shaped external conductors and the corresponding outer face of the intermediate internal conductor integrally; and a rotation regulating mechanism interposed between the outer faces of the dielectrics and the inner face of the intermediate external conductor, for regulating the turns of the dielectrics with respect to the intermediate external conductor while allowing the dielectrics to move in the longitudinal direction of the internal conductor. Without forming the opening portion such as the slit in the external conductor, therefore, the dielectrics can be moved from the outside of the external conductor. Therefore, the impedance matching performance can be done from the outside of the external conductor while further reducing the electromagnetic waves to leak from the external conductor to the outside.
According to the invention, moreover, the coaxial type impedance matching device comprises: a tubular external conductor erected upright; an internal conductor arranged in the external conductor for constructing a transmission line for a signal together with the external conductor; and a pair of cover members arranged in the clearance between the inner face of the external conductor and the outer face of the internal conductor and at a spacing from each other and made of a dielectric material for forming liquid chambers by their opposite faces together with the inner face of the external conductor and the outer face of the internal conductor. The external conductor includes: liquid pumping ports for pumping a liquid dielectric from the lower sides of the liquid chambers into the liquid chambers; and air holes communicating with the upper sides of the liquid chambers. Without forming the opening portion such as the slit in the external conductor, therefore, the height (or thickness) of the dielectrics can be changed from the outside of the external conductor. Therefore, the impedance matching performance can be done from the outside of the external conductor while reducing the electromagnetic waves to leak from the external conductor to the outside.
According to the invention, moreover, the coaxial type impedance matching device is covered with a shielding case. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the leakage of the electromagnetic waves from the external conductor to the outside.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-157692 | May 2002 | JP | national |
| 2002-146279 | May 2002 | JP | national |
| 2002-153615 | May 2002 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4851859 | Rappaport | Jul 1989 | A |
| 5317293 | Bacon et al. | May 1994 | A |
| 5371509 | Wallace et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
| 5945634 | Shimirak et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
| 6222500 | Koitsalu et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6369603 | Johnston et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6657601 | McLean | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040023561 A1 | Feb 2004 | US |
