EP-4740264-A1 - WAVEGUIDE ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A WAVEGUIDE ELEMENT, AND ALSO RADIOFREQUENCY ARRANGEMENT AND RADAR SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a waveguide element, in particular a hollow waveguide for transmission of electromagnetic waves. The waveguide element has a cavity surrounded by an electrically conductive material. The cavity is designed so as to afford for electromagnetic waves an effective width which is larger than the actual dimension of the cavity.

Inventors

• MUELLER, MARCEL
• SCHERTLEN, RALPH

Assignees

• Robert Bosch GmbH

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240515

Claims (1)

1. claims 1. Waveguide element (1) for guiding an electromagnetic wave, comprising: a cavity (10) surrounded by an electrically conductive material (20), wherein the cavity (10) has a cross-section perpendicular to a propagation direction of the electromagnetic wave, which has an alternating regular structure along a virtual line (12) in a plane of the cross-section. 2. Waveguide element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of the cavity (10) has a periodic regular structure. 3. Waveguide element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-section comprises a plurality of overlapping circles (11) or polygons. 4. Waveguide element (1) according to claim 3, wherein the overlapping circles (11) or polygons have the same size. 5. Waveguide element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cross-section of the cavity (10) has a structure of several overlapping alternating structures (11a, 11b). 6. Waveguide element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cavity (10) is filled with a gaseous or solid dielectric. 7. Waveguide element (1), wherein the waveguide element comprises a metallic body into which the cavity (10) has been introduced by means of drilling, milling or another mechanical processing method. 8. A high frequency device comprising: a waveguide element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a high frequency circuit coupled to the waveguide element (1). 9. Radar system, comprising: a transmitting and/or receiving unit, and a waveguide element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7. 10. A method for producing a waveguide element (1), comprising the steps: Providing (S 1) a body, in particular a metallic body; Introducing (S 2) a continuous cavity (20) into the body by means of drilling, milling or another mechanical processing method, wherein the cavity (10) has a cross-section perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the electromagnetic wave, which has an alternating regular structure along a virtual line (12) in a plane of the cross-section, and wherein the cavity (10) has an electrically conductive edge.

Description

Description title Waveguide element and method for producing a waveguide element, as well as high-frequency arrangement and radar system technical field The present invention relates to a waveguide element and a method for producing a waveguide element. The present invention further relates to a high-frequency arrangement and radar system with such a waveguide element. background Waveguide elements such as hollow conductors are known for transmitting high-frequency signals. Such hollow conductors can have different geometries, for example rectangular, round or elliptical cross-sections. The minimum width of the hollow conductor should generally be slightly larger than half the wavelength of the electrical wave that can propagate in the hollow conductor. The geometry of the hollow conductor therefore results in a lower limit frequency, which is referred to as the cut-off frequency. The publication EP 3903376 A1, for example, describes a waveguide arrangement for conducting electromagnetic waves. disclosure of the invention The present invention provides a waveguide element, a method for producing a waveguide element and a high-frequency arrangement and radar system with the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent patent claims. Accordingly, it is envisaged: A waveguide element for guiding an electromagnetic wave. The waveguide element is made of an electrically conductive material that surrounds a cavity. This cavity is intended to guide the electromagnetic wave. The cavity has a cross-section that is essentially perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the electromagnetic wave. However, the cavity can also have a wave-compatible curvature. This cavity has an alternating regular structure in the direction of the cross-section along a virtual line. Furthermore, it is planned: A high-frequency arrangement with a waveguide element according to the invention and a high-frequency circuit. The high-frequency circuit is coupled to the waveguide element. Learners are provided with: A radar system with a transmitting and/or receiving unit and a waveguide element according to the invention which is coupled to the transmitting and/or receiving unit. Finally, it is planned: A method for producing a waveguide element. The method comprises a step for providing a body and a step for introducing a continuous cavity into the body. The cavity can be introduced by drilling, milling or another mechanical processing method. The body can preferably be a metallic, i.e. electrically conductive body. Alternatively, a non-electrically conductive body can be used, which is provided with an electrically conductive coating in the edge region after the cavity has been introduced. The cavity has a cross-section perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the electromagnetic wave. This cross-section has an alternating regular structure along a virtual line in the direction of the cross-section. Advantages of the invention Waveguide elements such as hollow conductors, which are intended for the transmission of high-frequency signals, generally require a minimum width in their conventional design that is slightly larger than half the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave that is to propagate in the waveguide element. The dimensions, in particular the width of such a waveguide element, therefore result in a lower limit frequency (cut-off frequency). Conversely, the minimum dimensions of the respective waveguide element result from the minimum frequency that is to be transmitted by means of the waveguide element. Based on this finding, it is an idea of the present invention to create a waveguide element in the form of a hollow guide or a dielectrically filled and metallically edged waveguide, which has improved properties with regard to the relationships between dimensions and lower limit frequency. This requirement can be achieved according to the invention by providing a special design for the interior of such a waveguide element. In particular, the cavity of such a waveguide element can be formed in the form of a geometric structure which results from an alternating regular structure along a virtual line in a cross section of the waveguide element. As will be explained in more detail below, this regular structure can be formed in a variety of ways. In particular, geometric structures can be formed for the interior of the waveguide element, which can also be implemented particularly easily using mechanical methods such as drilling or milling. The waveguide element according to the invention can therefore also be manufactured particularly easily. The edge of the cavity has an electrically conductive structure. For example, the waveguide element can be made of an electrically conductive material into which the cavity is introduced. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide only the edge area between the body and the cavity with an electrically conductive mater