Lightweight armored rodent-resistant optical cable
By using a flexible stainless steel tube to form the armor layer of the rodent-proof optical cable structure, the problems of large weight and high cost of existing rodent-proof optical cables have been solved, achieving the effects of lightweighting and convenient construction.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521662852.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-08-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing rodent-proof optical cables are difficult to achieve optimal performance, cost, and applicability. They are particularly inadequate in preventing gnaw damage in densely vegetated areas, and their heavy weight leads to high transportation and construction costs.
Flexible stainless steel tubes are used to form the armor layer, replacing the traditional phosphated steel wire. Combined with aramid yarn wrapping or laser interval welding for fixation, a lightweight armored rodent-proof optical cable structure is formed.
While ensuring rodent-proof performance, the weight of the optical cable is significantly reduced, thus lowering transportation and construction costs and improving installation efficiency and convenience.
Smart Images

Figure CN224594892U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical communication technology, and more precisely to a lightweight armored rodent-proof optical cable. Background Technology
[0002] Optical cables are a crucial component of optical communication networks, and their reliability directly impacts the stability of network operation. Rodent damage to optical cables poses a serious threat to power and communication systems, particularly in densely vegetated mountainous and forested areas. Statistics show that over 95% of overhead optical cable failures are caused by rodents such as squirrels gnawing and birds pecking; adult squirrels have a very strong bite force, which conventional overhead optical cables struggle to withstand. Currently, China's annual optical cable production exceeds 6 million core kilometers, and according to incomplete statistics, rodent damage to optical cables causes nearly 100 million yuan in losses annually across the industry. Therefore, improving the anti-gnawing performance of optical cables is a critical technical issue in this field, essential for ensuring the stable operation of optical communication networks and controlling costs.
[0003] There are various types of existing rodent-proof optical cables, mainly including GYTS04, GYXTS, GYTA43, GYTS54, etc. They generally use one or more of the physical, chemical and biological methods to achieve rodent-proof function. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but it is difficult to select the best product model in terms of comprehensive consideration of factors such as performance, cost and applicability.
[0004] In summary, there is a need in this field for a rodent-proof optical cable that is not only highly effective at preventing rodents but also lightweight and cost-effective. Utility Model Content
[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a lightweight armored rodent-proof optical cable, which uses a flexible stainless steel tube to form the armor layer, thereby reducing the weight and size of the optical cable while ensuring rodent-proof performance, thus reducing transportation and construction costs.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a lightweight armored rodent-proof optical cable, comprising a central bundled tube cable core, an armor layer, a steel strip, and an outer sheath arranged sequentially from the inside out, wherein the armor layer is formed by spirally wrapping several flexible stainless steel tubes; the flexible stainless steel tubes are special capillary stainless steel tubes.
[0007] Preferably, several of the flexible stainless steel tubes are fixed by wrapping with aramid yarn or by laser-interval welding.
[0008] Preferably, the flexible stainless steel tube has an outer diameter of 0.5-3 mm and a wall thickness of 0.1-0.5 mm.
[0009] Preferably, the flexible stainless steel tube has an outer diameter of 0.6 mm and a wall thickness of 0.1 mm.
[0010] Preferably, the flexible stainless steel tube is made of either 304 or 316L stainless steel.
[0011] Preferably, the central loose tube core includes a plurality of optical fibers and a PBT sleeve wrapped around the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the PBT sleeve is filled with a water-blocking material to form a water-blocking layer wrapping the optical fibers.
[0012] Preferably, the steel strip is a double-sided coated steel strip.
[0013] Preferably, the outer sheath is made of high-density polyethylene material.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the lightweight rodent-proof optical cable disclosed in this utility model are as follows: the lightweight armored rodent-proof optical cable uses a flexible stainless steel tube to form the armor layer, which is lighter in weight, lower in transportation cost, and more convenient and faster to construct than the original phosphated steel wire structure while ensuring rodent-proof performance. Attached Figure Description
[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0016] like Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a lightweight armored rodent-proof optical cable according to this application. Detailed Implementation
[0017] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, this application discloses a lightweight armored rodent-proof optical cable comprising, from the inside out, a central loose tube cable core, an armor layer 3, a steel strip 4, and an outer sheath 5. The armor layer 3 is formed by spirally wrapping several flexible stainless steel tubes 31. Compared to conventional phosphated steel wire, the flexible stainless steel tubes 31 significantly reduce the weight per kilometer, helping to improve production efficiency and reduce production intensity. The overall weight of the optical cable is also significantly reduced compared to traditional steel wire armored optical cables, resulting in lower transportation costs and easier construction.
[0019] The flexible stainless steel tube 31 has an outer diameter of 0.5-3mm and a wall thickness of 0.1-0.5mm. The outer diameter and wall thickness are selected according to requirements, with the wall thickness affecting its pressure resistance and flexibility. The flexible stainless steel tube 31 can be made of 304 or 316L stainless steel, with 304 being a general-purpose material and 316L offering better corrosion resistance. Depending on the wall thickness and material, the working static pressure range of the flexible stainless steel tube is 0.5-10 MPa, and the working temperature range is -50-600℃.
[0020] Taking a flexible stainless steel tube 31 with an outer diameter of 0.6 mm and a wall thickness of 0.1 mm as an example, its puncture resistance can reach over 150 N, fully meeting rodent-proof requirements, and its weight is significantly reduced. For example, a typical 24-core optical cable requires 18 steel wires. By using the same number of flexible stainless steel tubes 31 with an outer diameter of 0.6 mm to form the armor layer, the material weight of the armor layer can be reduced by up to 56%.
[0021] The flexible stainless steel tube 31 is preferably a special capillary stainless steel tube, which can be repeatedly bent without breaking, adapting to dynamic displacement or complex paths. The bending radius of the flexible stainless steel tube 31 is 5-10 times its outer diameter, making it more suitable for installation in confined spaces. Compared with rigid metal tubes or steel wires, flexible stainless steel tubes are lighter and easier to handle and install, helping to reduce installation labor intensity and improve installation efficiency.
[0022] Several flexible stainless steel tubes 31 are fixed by wrapping with aramid yarn or by laser-interval welding. When several flexible stainless steel tubes 31 are fixed by laser-interval welding, the pitch of the welding points 32 is adjusted according to different structures and process stability, and is generally 200-300mm.
[0023] Furthermore, the central loose tube cable core includes several optical fibers 1 and a PBT sleeve 2 wrapped around the optical fibers 1. The PBT sleeve 2 is filled with water-blocking material to form a water-blocking layer 20 surrounding the optical fibers 1. The optical fibers 1 can be ultra-low loss or G.654E optical fibers to meet the requirements of important trunk lines in complex environments. Preferably, the outer sheath of the optical fibers 1 is loosened by a coloring and coating machine to form several optical fibers with different outer colors.
[0024] The steel strip 4 is preferably a double-coated steel strip, and the outer sheath 5 is preferably made of high-density polyethylene material.
[0025] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A light weight armored rodent resistant optical cable characterized by, It includes a central bundled tube cable core, an armor layer, a steel strip, and an outer sheath arranged sequentially from the inside out, wherein the armor layer is formed by spirally wrapping several flexible stainless steel tubes; the flexible stainless steel tubes are special capillary stainless steel tubes.
2. The lightweight rodent-resistant cable of claim 1, wherein, Some of the flexible stainless steel tubes are fixed by wrapping with aramid yarn or by laser-interval welding.
3. The lightweight rodent-resistant cable of claim 1, wherein, The flexible stainless steel tube has an outer diameter of 0.5-3 mm and a wall thickness of 0.1-1 mm.
4. The lightweight rodent-resistant cable of claim 3, wherein, The flexible stainless steel tube has an outer diameter of 0.6 mm and a wall thickness of 0.1 mm.
5. The lightweight rodent-resistant cable of claim 1, wherein, The flexible stainless steel pipe is made of either 304 or 316L stainless steel.
6. The lightweight rodent-resistant cable of claim 1, wherein, The central loose tube cable core includes a plurality of optical fibers and a PBT sleeve wrapped around the plurality of optical fibers. The PBT sleeve is filled with a water-blocking material to form a water-blocking layer that wraps around the optical fibers.
7. The lightweight rodent-resistant cable of claim 1, wherein, The steel strip is a double-sided coated steel strip.
8. The lightweight rodent-resistant cable of claim 1, wherein, The outer sheath is made of high-density polyethylene.