Abstract
A switching device for connecting coaxial cables is specified. The switching device includes: a housing with at least two coaxial connectors; a switch rotor arranged in the housing such that it can be rotated about a longitudinal axis; and a first electrical connection, which passes through the switch rotor and in a predetermined position of the switch rotor capacitively couples a first coaxial connector and a second coaxial connector, thus creating an electrical connection between the first coaxial connector and the second coaxial connector.
Claims
1. A switching device for connecting coaxial cables, said switching device comprising: a housing with at least two coaxial connectors; a switch rotor arranged in the housing and configured to be rotated about a longitudinal axis; a first electrical connection passing through the switch rotor and, in a predetermined position of the switch rotor, configured to capacitively couple a first coaxial connector and a second coaxial connector, thereby creating an electrical connection between the first coaxial connector and the second coaxial connector.
2. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the switch rotor includes a slot, the first electrical connection extending along the slot; wherein the first electrical connection has an inner conductor, the inner conductor in at least some sections in its longitudinal direction being electrically connected to the switch rotor; wherein in at least some sections the inner conductor in the slot is surrounded by an insulator and/or a dielectric.
3. The switching device according to claim 2, wherein, at each of its opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner conductor, the first electrical connection has a terminating element connected to the inner conductor, wherein the terminating elements are configured to capacitively couple to one coaxial connection each in the predetermined position of the switch rotor and thereby create the electrical connection between the first coaxial connector and the second coaxial connector.
4. The switching device according to claim 3, wherein in at least some sections the inner conductor runs between the two terminating elements in a straight line; wherein the terminating element is configured in the shape of a plate; and whereby the terminating element is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the inner conductor.
5. The switching device according to claim 2, wherein the inner conductor is electrically connected to the switch rotor over the entire length of at least one side face.
6. The switching device according to claim 3, wherein the inner conductor is configured integrally with at least one component of the switch rotor or is mechanically coupled to the switch rotor.
7. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein a second electrical connection spaced apart from the first electrical connection runs in the switch rotor.
8. The switching device according to claim 7, wherein the second electrical connection is offset with respect to the first electrical connection in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the switch rotor.
9. The switching device according to claim 7, wherein the second electrical connection runs at an angle between 0 and 90 with respect to the first electrical connection.
10. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein each coaxial connector of the switching device has a coaxial post inductively coupled to an electrical conductor of the respective coaxial connector.
11. The switching device according to claim 10, wherein the first electrical connection is configured to be capacitively coupled to the coaxial posts of the coupled coaxial connections in the predetermined position of the switch rotor.
12. The switching device according to claim 3, wherein on the switch rotor at least two radial indentations are arranged, within each of which a terminating element of the first electrical connection is located.
13. The switching device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive connected to the switch rotor such that the drive is configured to move the switch rotor into different predetermined positions around the longitudinal axis by a rotational movement.
14. The switching arrangement for selectively connecting a plurality of coaxial cables in pairs, the switching arrangement having a first switching device according to claim 1 and a second switching device according to claim 1, wherein the first switching device is coupled directly to the second switching device by a coaxial connector.
15. The switching arrangement according to claim 14, wherein at a coupling point between the first switching device and the second switching device a single coaxial post is arranged, so that an electrical connection between the first and second switching device is made via a capacitive coupling of the respective electrical connections via the individual coaxial post.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be discussed in detail based on the attached drawings. The drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. Identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements. Shown are:
[0051] FIGS. 1A-1D are schematic drawings of switching states of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0052] FIGS. 2A-2B are schematic drawings of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment in plan view and in a sectional front elevation.
[0053] FIG. 3 a schematic drawing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 4 a schematic sectional view of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 5 a schematic drawing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0056] FIG. 6 a schematic drawing of a part of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0057] FIG. 7 a schematic drawing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0058] FIG. 8 a schematic drawing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0059] FIG. 9 a schematic drawing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0060] FIG. 10 a schematic drawing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 11 a schematic drawing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0062] FIG. 12 a schematic sectional view of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0063] FIG. 13 a schematic drawing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0064] FIG. 14 a schematic drawing of a switching arrangement in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0065] FIG. 15 a schematic drawing of a switching arrangement in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0066] FIG. 16 a schematic drawing of a housing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0067] FIG. 17 a schematic drawing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0068] FIG. 18 a schematic drawing of a switching device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0069] FIG. 19 a schematic drawing of a plurality of inner conductors in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
[0070] FIG. 20 a schematic sectional view of a switching rotor in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0071] FIGS. 1A-1D show the basic principle of a switching device based on different switch positions, in which different connectors (ports) are electrically connected to each other.
[0072] The first schematic diagram (FIG. 1A) shows a simple toggle switch mechanism, in which port 1 can be connected either to port 2 or port 3. The diagrams FIGS. 2B, 2C, 2D show a switch rotor 110, which in each case is arranged between one of four ports (port 1 to port 4). The ports are matched to the coaxial connectors (for example, 50-Ohm cables). Any two of the four ports can be electrically connected to each other, which means that the ports are connected to each other in pairs. The electrical connections 116 are arranged within the switch rotor 110.
[0073] It should be noted that the electrical connections and their paths are shown schematically in FIGS. 1A-1D. The mere fact that the connections are shown here as curved or circular arc-shaped does not mean that the electrical connections within the switch rotor are actually arc-shaped.
[0074] Diagram FIG. 2B shows a switch rotor with two electrical connections, which each connect adjacent ports. As shown, port 1 is connected to port 2 and port 3 to port 4. If the switch rotor is turned clockwise or counter-clockwise by 90, a connection is created between port 1 and port 4 and between port 2 and port 3. If the switch rotor is turned from the position shown by 45, no port is connected to another.
[0075] Diagram FIG. 2C extends the switch rotor 110 from diagram FIG. 2B to include a third electrical connection, which is located between the electrical connections from diagram FIG. 2B. This third electrical connection connects two opposite ports to each other when the switch rotor is turned by 45 from the position shown. In the switching state then reached, the two connections shown in diagram FIG. 2B are not coupled to a coaxial connector.
[0076] Diagram FIG. 2D extends the switch rotor from diagram FIG. 2B to include an additional electrical connection (fourth electrical connection). The fourth electrical connection crosses over the third electrical connection. The fourth electrical connection also connects diametrically opposite coaxial connectors, in fact the two connectors which are not connected to each other by the third electrical connection. If the switch rotor in diagram FIG. 2D is rotated by 45, port 1 is connected to port 3 and port 2 is connected to port 4.
[0077] A switching device designed in such a way with coaxial connectors enables it to switch a broadband connection up to very high frequencies of 30 GHz or more and is characterized by low losses. Coaxial connectors can be integrated directly on or into the switching device. The switching device for coaxial cables has a compact and space-saving design and is suitable for medium power levels at low frequencies (for example, 100 to 150 Watts in the L, S, or C band) and low powers at low and high frequencies (for example, 1 Watt in the L, S, C, X, Ku, Ka, Q band).
[0078] FIGS. 2A, 2B show the basic structure of a switching device 100 comprising the housing 102, coaxial ports 104, 105, 106, 107 and switch rotor 110.
[0079] FIG. 2A is a plan view of the switching device. The switch rotor 110 can be a cylinder (circular in plan view). The switch rotor can be rotated about its longitudinal axis in both directions, as shown by an arrow. By this rotation the switch rotor 110 changes its angular position and also its position relative to the coaxial ports, which are arranged opposite the outer surface of the switching rotor. The coaxial connectors are arranged on the housing 102.
[0080] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the switching device from the front. In the switch rotor 110 the longitudinal axis 111 is shown. The housing has an opening on the left and right for the coaxial ports 105, 107.
[0081] On the housing 102 a drive 150 is arranged, which is connected to the switch rotor 110 such that the drive can set the switch rotor into rotation about the longitudinal axis 111 and move it into a desired angular position relative to the coaxial ports. The drive can be an electric motor, which is supplied with electrical energy (energy source and supply cables are not shown).
[0082] FIG. 3 shows a schematic isometric drawing of a switching device. Four coaxial ports 104, 105, 106, 107 emanate from the housing. The switch rotor 110 is located in the housing. An electrical connection 116 is arranged within the switch rotor 110. The electrical connection 116 couples, depending on the position of the switch rotor 110, two opposite coaxial ports 105, 107 (as shown in FIG. 3) or 104, 106 (if the switch rotor is rotated by 90 from FIG. 3).
[0083] The cross-sectional shape of the switch rotor 110 in FIG. 3 is not cylindrical, because the switch rotor has four indentations. Two of these indentations are located at the ends of the electrical connection 116. Thus, a cavity 118 is formed within which the electrical connection 116 is capacitively coupled to a coaxial connector 105, 107. The cavity can also be referred to as a resonator. In the cavity, a coaxial post 114 is arranged, which is inductively coupled to the inner conductor of the coaxial connector. At this point, therefore, an inductive input coupling 112 exists.
[0084] In FIG. 3, the longitudinal axis of the switch rotor extends in the drawing plane. The switch rotor in this diagram is therefore rotated in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The drive is used for this purpose (see FIG. 2). It is conceivable that the switch rotor can also be manually rotated. This is practical if an initial configuration of the switching device needs to be flexibly set, but does not need to be changed during the operating period.
[0085] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the front elevation of the switching device, comparable to FIG. 2B.
[0086] The coaxial ports 105, 107 extend into the housing 102 and open into a cavity. In this cavity, a coaxial post 112 is located, which is inductively coupled to the inner conductor of the corresponding coaxial connector. At one end of the coaxial post a capacitive load 120 is arranged. The switch rotor 110 is arranged between the coaxial ports 105, 107. An electrical connection 116 runs in the switch rotor, which capacitively couples the two coaxial ports depending on the angular position of the switch rotor. At the top and bottom of the switch rotor an air gap 122 can be arranged, so that the switch rotor can be rotated in the housing.
[0087] The switch rotor can also be held in the housing by means of a bearing, see FIG. 16.
[0088] FIG. 5 shows an isometric schematic drawing of a switching device 100. In the switch rotor 110 two electrical connections are arranged. In the position of the switching rotor 110 shown, the electrical connection 116A connects the coaxial ports 105 and 106 to each other. It is apparent that the electrical connection 116A runs in a straight line within the switch rotor and is arranged eccentrically with respect to a longitudinal central axis of the switch rotor.
[0089] The switch rotor also contains another electrical connection 116B. This runs through the central axis of the switch rotor and is arranged to connect opposite coaxial ports to each other. For this purpose, the switch rotor 110 must be turned by 45 from the position shown, however.
[0090] The electrical connections 116A, 116B (first and second electrical connection) are laterally offset relative to each other in the plan view. These connections can also be offset relative to each other along the longitudinal axis of the switch rotor. Even if an electrical connection along the longitudinal axis of the switch rotor is offset with respect to a second electrical connection, these electrical connections can nevertheless capacitively couple to the same coaxial connectors at the appropriate angular positions of the switch rotor if the coaxial post has a corresponding longitudinal extension.
[0091] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of a variant of the electrical connection 116A from FIG. 5. Two coaxial ports 105, 106 are shown with the assigned coaxial post 114. The terminating elements 124 are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the electrical connection 116A at an angle 125. If the switch rotor 110 is rotated in the rotation direction 126, the terminating element 124 touches the coaxial post 114. A (contactless) capacitive coupling persists at this point during all positions of the switch rotor. In this example the angle of inclination 125 is 45. Depending on the position and orientation of the electrical connection, the angle of inclination can also assume other values.
[0092] FIG. 7 shows a diagram of the switching device in which the electrical connection 116B connects two opposite coaxial ports. The electrical connection 116A, on the other hand, is not coupled to any coaxial ports. A third electrical connection 116C extends perpendicular to the electrical connection 116B in the plan view of FIG. 7 and couples the other two opposite coaxial ports.
[0093] FIG. 8 shows a switch rotor 110 having an electrical connection 116 and an associated inner conductor 117 and terminating elements 124 connected thereto. The terminating elements 124 are arranged within a radial indentation 128 in the outer surface of the switch rotor (circular arc-shaped concave recess). The indentation forms a cavity, which functionally resembles a resonator. The terminating elements 124 create a capacitive coupling to the associated coaxial post 114. The indentation 128 can be circular arc-shaped (as shown in FIG. 8) or have a different shape, such as elliptical, rectangular or triangular, wherein in the latter case the apex of the triangle points in the direction of the central axis of the switch rotor.
[0094] FIG. 9 shows a switch rotor 110 with two electrical connections. The terminating elements 124 of the upper electrical connection are capacitively coupled to the coaxial ports 105, 107. The terminating elements 124 of the lower electrical connections have no function in the switching position shown. In FIG. 9 the radial indentations have a rectangular cross-section. Some of them have rounded corners, while others, on the other hand, have no rounded corners.
[0095] FIG. 10 shows the switch rotor of FIG. 9 in a position rotated by 45 compared to FIG. 9. In FIG. 9 coaxial ports 105, 107 located opposite each other are connected to each other. In FIG. 10 the shorter electrical connection connects the adjacent coaxial ports 105, 106 at right angles.
[0096] FIG. 11 shows a switching device with three electrical connections, which are located next to each other in the radial direction of the switch rotor. These connections can also be offset relative to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the switch rotor, however. Depending on the position of the switch rotor, different coaxial ports are connected to each other by means of capacitive coupling 118. In the position shown the coaxial ports 105, 107 are connected to each other. In the case of a rotation clockwise by 45, the ports 104 and 107 on the one hand, and 105 and 106 on the other hand, are electrically connected to each other.
[0097] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional drawing of a side view of the switching device. Between the terminating elements 124, which are inductively coupled to the inner conductor 117 of the electrical connection, and the coaxial ports 105, 107 a capacitive coupling is created to transmit high-frequency signals. In FIG. 12 the slot 130 in the switch rotor for the electrical connection is easily identified. This slot runs transverse to the longitudinal axis and can be drilled or milled, for example. In the slot an insulator or dielectric 131 and the inner conductor 117 are arranged.
[0098] FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of a switch rotor 110. An inner conductor 117 of an electrical connection runs through the switch rotor. At one end of the inner conductor 117 a terminating element 124 is arranged. At the other end of the inner conductor 117 an identical terminating element can be arranged, although this is not explicitly shown in FIG. 13.
[0099] The terminating element 124 of the inner conductor in this example is shown rounded or circular. In the same way a terminating element 124 can be arranged on the inner conductor of the coaxial connector, wherein this terminating element is correspondingly curved.
[0100] FIG. 14 shows a switching arrangement 1 consisting of two switching devices 100 as shown in any of the above exemplary embodiments. The two switching devices 100 are connected to each other at a coaxial connector 135. This coaxial connector 135 is electrically connected, preferably inductively, to a coaxial port of each of the housings of the two switching devices.
[0101] FIG. 15 shows an alternative design of the switching arrangement 1. The two switching devices 100 share a common capacitive coupling 140. Between the terminating elements, facing each other, of the inner conductors of the two switching devices a single coaxial post is arranged. At these positions the switch rotors can each form a cavity.
[0102] FIG. 16 shows a housing 102 of a switching device. The coaxial ports 104, 105, 107 are located on the housing. The housing can consist of two half-shells, wherein the half-shell facing the observer has been removed. A coaxial post which runs or extends in the longitudinal direction of the switch rotor is arranged on each of the inner conductors of the coaxial ports 105, 107. A capacitive coupling between the inner conductor of the switch rotor and the coaxial post can be effected at any position in the longitudinal direction of the coaxial post. Thus, inner conductors can be arranged at different heights in the switch rotor (in the longitudinal direction).
[0103] A bearing 145, which holds the switch rotor, is arranged in the housing. The bearing can be connected to the drive 150 (see FIG. 2B) to turn the switch rotor.
[0104] FIG. 17 shows a schematic representation of a switching device 110 with a switch rotor having a plurality of electrical connections. The switch rotor is located in such a position that an electrical connection to the terminating elements 124C, 124D connects the coaxial ports 105 and 107 together. The frontal terminating element 124E of a further electrical connection can be seen, which is located centrally on the switch rotor. This electrical connection extends into the drawing plane. In addition, there is another electrical connection to the terminating elements 124A and 124B, which has a similar course to the connection 116A of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.
[0105] FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a switch rotor 110 with two electrical connections, one of which runs from left to right in the picture, and the other into the drawing plane. In terms of the basic structure, the diagram in FIG. 18 corresponds to the structure already shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 17, among others. Aspects described there are not repeated here but are nevertheless valid for this example.
[0106] From FIG. 18 it can be discerned that the inner conductor 117A in the electrical connection extending from left to right is electrically coupled to the switch rotor 110, specifically at the upper end of the slot in the switch rotor which is filled with dielectric 131. The inner conductor 117A rests with its upper side face against the switch rotor, so that the inner conductor 117A is galvanically coupled to the switch rotor. In addition, the inner conductor 117A can also be mechanically and thermally coupled to the switch rotor. It is conceivable that the inner conductor is electrically coupled to the switch rotor at certain points, for example by means of spot welding or soldering, or by means of mechanical connecting elements, such as screws, bolts, rivets or the like. If the inner conductor is connected to the switch rotor by means of mechanical connecting elements, the inner conductor can be spaced apart from the switch rotor on all its side faces. The version shown in FIG. 18, however, provides that one side face of the inner conductor is connected over its entire length electrically, and optionally mechanically and/or thermally, to the switch rotor. The high-frequency signal propagates in the longitudinal direction of the inner conductor 117A in the gap 122.
[0107] The electrical connection to the inner conductor 117B running into the drawing plane is similar in design to the electrical connection to the inner conductor 117A. However, the inner conductor 117B is arranged on the lower face of the corresponding slot in the switch rotor. This increases the distance between the inner conductors 117A and 117B. The inner conductors 117A and 117B extend at an angle of 90 relative to each other. It is possible for the inner conductors to be arranged or to extend at a different angle relative to each other.
[0108] The structure according to FIG. 18 has the advantage that the inner conductor is mechanically held in place in the slot. In addition, the inner conductors can be electrically grounded, because it is electrically connected to the switch rotor. In addition, a thermal connection can allow thermal energy to be conducted or dissipated from the inner conductor to the switch rotor. The dielectric 131 surrounds the inner conductor 117A, 117B on the side faces that are not in contact with the switch rotor. The dielectric 131 preferably fills the entire gap or the entire slot in the switch rotor.
[0109] FIG. 19 shows an isolated view of internal conductors 117 and their relative position to each other. For the sake of clarity, the switch rotor is omitted here.
[0110] In the foreground an inner conductor runs from the bottom left to the top right. In the background three inner conductors run next to each other and perpendicular to the inner conductor in the foreground. As described above, these inner conductors can be connected electrically and/or mechanically and/or thermally to the body of the switch rotor. The terminating elements 124 are connected to the inner conductor 117 by means of a connecting piece 127. The connecting piece 127 can be, for example, screwed, plugged in, or clamped into the inner conductor. The connecting piece is preferably surrounded by dielectric in the assembled state and is not directly in contact with the switch rotor, see, for example, FIG. 18.
[0111] If the inner conductors 117 are not implemented integrally with the switch rotor, the inner conductors are mounted in the switch rotor. During the installation the inner conductors 117 are pushed into corresponding recesses in the switch rotor 110 and fixed in place there, for example using screws or other mechanical connections. The dielectric is placed in the recess of the switch rotor in the same way. The dielectric can be held in position by the inner conductor. To this end the dielectric can be adapted to the shape of the inner conductor.
[0112] FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional view of a switch rotor 110 with three inner conductors 117, which are designed similar to in FIG. 1C. The inner conductors are connected to the switch rotor on their underside or are designed integrally with it. Finally, the inner conductors 117 are surrounded by dielectric 131 in the recess of the switch rotor.
[0113] It is also clear from FIG. 20 how the terminating elements 124 are fastened into the inner conductor 117 by means of a connecting piece 127 (e.g. a bolt or a threaded pin). The connecting piece extends into an opening in the inner conductor and is plugged, screwed or otherwise inserted into this opening and fixed therein.
[0114] For completeness, it is also noted that comprising does not exclude any other elements or steps, and a or an does not exclude a plurality. It should also be noted that features or steps which have been described with reference to any one of the above examples can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be regarded as restrictive.
[0115] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0116] 1 switching arrangement [0117] 100 switching device [0118] 102 housing [0119] 104 connector [0120] 105 connector [0121] 106 connector [0122] 107 connector [0123] 110 switching rotor [0124] 111 longitudinal axis [0125] 112 inductive input coupling [0126] 114 coaxial post [0127] 116 connection [0128] 117 inner conductor [0129] 118 capacitive coupling [0130] 120 capacitive load [0131] 122 gap [0132] 124 terminating element, plate [0133] 125 angle of inclination [0134] 126 direction of rotation [0135] 127 connecting piece [0136] 128 cavity [0137] 130 slot [0138] 131 insulator, dielectric [0139] 135 coaxial connector [0140] 140 common capacitive coupling [0141] 145 mounting [0142] 150 drive
