Bundled Optical Fiber Cable with Pre-attached Drop Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process of splicing optical fiber cables is time-consuming and risky, requiring precise placement and involving the risk of cutting the wrong fibers, especially when subdividing large distribution cables into smaller sections for network nodes.
Innovation Solution
A bundled optical fiber cable design where drop cables are wound around a central cable unit, running in parallel until they reach their predetermined drop points, eliminating the need to splice into the central cable unit and allowing for easier installation and higher fiber density without accessing the cable interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional splicing methods are used to subdivide distribution cables at network nodes, then cable subdivisions can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and risky with precise placement requirements and risks of cutting wrong fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The drop cables are pre-attached to the central cable unit at specific locations along its length before deployment. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for time-consuming field splicing operations, as the cables are already prepared and positioned correctly for immediate installation at network nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system is segmented into a central distribution cable unit with multiple attached drop cables, each designed to reach specific network nodes. This segmentation allows the main cable to be deployed as a single unit while providing predetermined access points, eliminating the need to splice the entire cable at each node
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional splicing methods are used to subdivide distribution cables, then cable subdivisions can be achieved, but the process involves risks of cutting wrong fibers and environmental exposure to cable interior
Solution Approach 1:
Drop cables are pre-attached and pre-positioned at the factory with precise alignment to the central cable unit. This preliminary preparation eliminates field splicing operations that expose the cable interior to environmental contaminants and human error, ensuring fiber integrity is maintained throughout the cable lifecycle
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system is designed to be self-contained with all necessary connections pre-established. The pre-attached drop cables provide direct access to network nodes without requiring external splicing equipment or techniques, eliminating the need for operators to cut or manipulate fibers in the field
3Quantity of substance
If more optical fibers are packed into distribution cables to support more access points, then network capacity increases, but the cable cross-sectional footprint increases requiring larger ducts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing cable diameter to accommodate more fibers, the invention extends the cable system in the longitudinal dimension by attaching multiple drop cables at different positions along the central cable unit's length. This allows high fiber count to be achieved through increased cable length utilization rather than increased cross-sectional area
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a bundled optical fiber cable are provided. Included therein is a central cable unit spanning a first length from a first end to a second end. The central cable unit has a first plurality of optical fibers disposed within a cable jacket. The bundled optical fiber cable also includes at least one optical fiber drop cable wound around the cable jacket of the central cable unit. Each optical fiber drop cable spans a second length from a first end to a second end. Further, each optical fiber drop cable includes one or more optical fibers disposed within a buffer tube. The first end of each optical fiber drop cable is substantially coterminal with the first end of the central cable unit, and the first length spanned by the central cable unit is longer than the second length spanned by each of the optical fiber drop cables.