Coaxial Optical Cable with Core and Cladding Fibers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical cables with multiple fibers require separate connection ports for each channel, increasing space and cost due to over-engineering, while existing technologies do not efficiently address the need for compact and cost-effective bidirectional data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A coaxially arranged optical cable with two channels, where a glass optical fiber core section is surrounded by a polymer optical fiber layer, allowing for bidirectional data transmission with optimized bandwidth for each channel, reducing space requirements and enabling a single connection port.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple optical fibers are arranged parallel in the core section to transmit different data, then the signal and data transmission capability is improved, but the space requirements and device complexity increase due to needing separate connection ports for each fiber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal and data transmission capabilityVSAvoidspace requirements and connection port quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple optical fiber functions into a single concentric structure where the core fiber and cladding fiber share a common connection port. The core fiber transmits high-bandwidth data while the cladding fiber transmits control signals or auxiliary data, merging what would traditionally require separate connectors into one integrated interface, thereby reducing space requirements and device complexity while maintaining high transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single connection port serves multiple functions by accommodating both the core fiber and cladding fiber simultaneously. This universal interface handles different types of data transmission (high-bandwidth video/audio signals through the core fiber and control/auxiliary signals through the cladding fiber) through a unified connection mechanism, eliminating the need for separate specialized ports for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single optical fiber is used for bidirectional transmission, then space requirements are reduced, but transmission reliability and signal quality deteriorate due to interference between forward and backward signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirementsVSAvoidtransmission reliability and signal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single fiber structure into two distinct transmission pathways: the core fiber for forward transmission and the cladding fiber for backward transmission. This physical segmentation prevents signal interference between bidirectional communications while maintaining a compact single-fiber-cable structure, thus preserving transmission reliability and signal quality without compromising space efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The concentric cladding structure acts as an intermediary that separates and isolates the backward transmission signals from the core fiber's forward transmission path. This intermediate cladding layer prevents cross-talk and signal interference between bidirectional communications, ensuring high transmission reliability while enabling compact bidirectional communication within a single fiber structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution provides a compact, cost-efficient optical cable design with reduced space requirements and optimized channel bandwidth, preventing over-engineering by allowing high-speed data transmission in one direction and lower-speed data transmission in the other, while maintaining low interference and high reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a cladding is provided between a fiber core of the at least one optical fiber and the at least one optical fiber layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3683608B1Optical cable
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3683608B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical cable (1) comprising a core section (18) with at least one optical fiber (16), extending in a cable direction (12), forming a first channel (14) for transmitting signal and/or data, wherein the core section (18) is surrounded by at least one optical fiber layer (28), forming a second channel (26) for transmitting signal and/or data. With the inventive optical cable (1), a compact and cost efficient design of an optical cable (1), having multiple channels (14, 26), is provided. Each channel (14, 26) can be optimized for its respective application requirements. Furthermore, a coaxial arrangement of the first and second channel (14, 26) is provided, taking up less space than two separate optical fibers (16) arranged parallel to one another.