Armored Flat Fiber Optic Cable Tear Feature Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing optical fibers in armored flat fiber optic cables is cumbersome due to the armor blocking access and requiring multiple tools or complex procedures, making it difficult for field technicians to penetrate the jacket and reach the fibers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a tear feature formed from a second polymeric material co-extruded with the jacket material, which is integrated beneath the armor and yields at a lesser tearing force than the primary material, allowing for easier opening of the jacket to access the cavity and optical fibers by tearing through the jacket via the tear feature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If armor is added to protect the fiber optic cable, then strength and protection are improved, but accessibility to optical fibers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jacket is segmented into different material zones: a first polymeric material forming the bulk jacket and a second polymeric material forming the tear feature. This segmentation allows the jacket to have both protective strength (from the first material) and controlled weakness (from the second material) in different locations, enabling easy access to optical fibers while maintaining overall cable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The tear feature is located at a specific position within the jacket, creating a localized weakness that facilitates opening. The interface between the first and second polymeric materials is designed to yield at a lesser tearing force, providing a controlled failure point that enables technicians to access optical fibers without compromising the overall structural integrity and protection provided by the armor.
2Reliability
If armor is added to protect the fiber optic cable, then protection against external damage is improved, but ease of opening the jacket deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jacket material is segmented into two distinct polymeric materials with different mechanical properties. The first polymeric material provides durability and protection, while the second polymeric material in the tear feature provides controlled weakness. This segmentation allows the jacket to be difficult to penetrate generally (maintaining protection) but easy to open at specific locations (facilitating access).
Solution Approach 2:
The tearing force parameter is changed locally by introducing the second polymeric material with lower strength properties. The interface between the two materials is designed to yield at a lesser tearing force than the first polymeric material, creating a controlled failure point that enables easy opening while the overall jacket structure maintains high protection against external damage.
3Ease of operation
If traditional tools and procedures are used to access optical fibers in armored cables, then accessibility can be achieved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The jacket is designed to open itself through the tear feature when subjected to sufficient tearing force. The second polymeric material and its interface with the first material are engineered to fail at a controlled, lower force, automatically creating an opening without requiring complex external tools or procedures. This self-opening mechanism simplifies the technician's task while maintaining security.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easier and more efficient access to optical fibers by reducing the force required to open the jacket, allowing for simpler and quicker access without the need for complex tools or procedures, improving accessibility and usability for field technicians.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the second polymeric material and the interface between the first and second polymeric materials yields at a lesser tearing force than the first polymeric material
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic cable includes a jacket, strength members, armor, and a tear feature. The jacket is formed from a first polymeric material and defines an exterior of the cable. The jacket further forms an interior cavity configured to support an optical fiber. The strength members are each surrounded by the jacket, with the cavity separating the strength members from one another. The armor extends above the cavity and at least partially above the strength members, and has greater tensile strength than the first polymeric material. The tear feature is located beneath the armor and is formed from a second polymeric material co-extrudable with the first polymeric material. The tear feature forms a discontinuity of material within the jacket. At least one of the second polymeric material and the interface between the first and second polymeric materials yields at a lesser tearing force than the first polymeric material.