Connecting device for connecting at least two antenna element devices, which are arranged offset with respect to one another, of an antenna arrangement

• US 20040203284A1
• Filed: 06/06/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kathrein-Werke KG. (Kathrein SE)
• Original Assignee: Kathrein-Werke KG. (Kathrein SE)
• Inventors: Stolle, Manfred, Scheyer, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 6,949,993 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0006 Particular feeding systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/29 Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q25/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/36 with variable phase-shifters
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/02 for antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/44 comprising impedance matching means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables

Abstract

An improved connecting device for producing an electrical connection between two antenna element arrangements (5) which are offset with respect to one another, distinguished by the following features:

the connecting device (19) has a housing arrangement (19′) which forms an outer conductor (19″),

the housing arrangement has a base (19a), circumferential side wall sections with two opposite longitudinal side walls (19b), and preferably two transverse side walls (19c), which are provided opposite one another at the ends,

an inner conductor holder (29) is provided in the holding area (27) which is formed by the circumferential side wall sections,

an inner conductor (33) is inserted into the inner conductor holder (29), and

the inner conductor (33) is electrically conductively separated and/or isolated from the housing arrangement and/or from the inner conductor holder (29).

Claims

1. Connecting device for producing an electrical connection between two antenna element arrangements (5) which are offset with respect to one another, having an inner conductor connection and an outer conductor connection, preferably with a different cable length to the two antenna element arrangements (5) which are arranged offset, in order to produce a different phase angle and hence a down-tilt angle which can be preselected and/or, preferably, integrated impedance matching and/or power matching for the at least two antenna element arrangements (5) which are connected, characterized by the following further features:

the connecting device (19) has a housing arrangement (19′

) which forms an outer conductor (19″

),

the housing arrangement has a base (19a), circumferential side wall sections with two opposite longitudinal side walls (19), and preferably two transverse side walls (19c), which are provided opposite one another at the ends,

an inner conductor holder (29) is provided in the holding area (27) which is formed by the circumferential side wall sections,

an inner conductor (33) is inserted into the inner conductor holder (29), and

the inner conductor (33) is electrically conductively separated and/or isolated from the housing arrangement and/or from the inner conductor holder (29).

2. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner conductor holder (29) is composed of nonconductive material, preferably of plastic.

3. Connecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner conductor (33) consists of a wire.

4. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner conductor (33) consists of an uninsulated wire.

5. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the impedance and/or the power matching can be predetermined by the configuration of the housing (19) or of the outer conductor (19″

), in particular by its shape and the configuration of the wall thicknesses.

6. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the impedance and/or power matching can be preselected by the configuration of the inner conductor holder (29).

7. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the impedance and/or power matching can be preselected by the use of a dielectric.

8. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connecting device is in the form of a double module, namely using two inner conductors (33), which are arranged with a lateral offset with respect to one another and are preferably separated from one another via a conductive central longitudinal web (19d) which is provided between the two inner conductors (33).

9. Connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the central longitudinal web (19d) is part of the housing (19′

) of the connecting device (19) and is designed to be electrically conductive.

10. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the housing (19) of the connecting device (19) is electrically conductive, using electrically conductive metal.

11. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the housing (19) is composed of nonconductive material and is provided with at least one electrically conductive surface.

12. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the connecting device (19), which is in the form of a housing, can be closed by means of a cover (19e).

13. Connecting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the cover (19e) is composed of plastic.

14. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the inner conductor holder (29) has a holding area (29b) which is preferably in the form of a groove, for retention and holding of the inner conductor (33).

15. Connecting device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, on its inner face, the cover (19e) has a projecting arrangement preferably in the form of a projecting web or a projecting rib (19e), or in the form of projections which are spaced apart from one another, which, when the cover (19e) is fitted, projects or project into the holding area (19b), which is in the form of a groove and in which the inner conductor (33) is arranged.

16. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the connecting device (19) comprises a connecting module (19′

) which can be handled in a standard manner and is in the form of a housing.

17. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, as an integrated functional part, the connecting device (19) is integrally connected to a reflector (3), and/or is produced integrally with a reflector (3), such that the base (19a) of the connecting device is part of the reflector (3), and such that the side wall sections (19b, 19c) and, preferably, a central longitudinal web (19d) which is provided are integrally and firmly connected to the reflector (3).

18. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the connecting device (19) is produced as an integrated component of the reflector using a master gauge method, preferably using a die-casting, injection-molding, stamping or forming method.

19. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the connecting device (19) is attached via at least two screws (51), either to the reflector (3) or preferably to the antenna element devices or dipole devices, preferably to their cap (5a).

20. Connecting device according to claim 18, characterized in that the connecting device (19) is arranged at least at a short distance from the reflector (3) and rests on and is attached to the antenna elements or dipole elements, preferably on or to their cap area, by means of projecting section areas (53), with the cap area being exposed in appropriate recesses in the reflector device (3).

21. Connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the connecting device (19) is mounted such that it rests directly on the reflector (19).