Double-Layer Colored Optical Fiber Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fibers face challenges in achieving both anti-microbend property and hot-water resistance, as lowering the relaxation modulus improves hot-water resistance but compromises anti-microbend property, leading to increased transmission loss.
Innovation Solution
A double-layered colored optical fiber with a primary and secondary coating layer, where either layer is colored, and the secondary coating layer has a relaxation modulus of 410 MPa or more, ensuring equilibrium elastic moduli of 60 MPa or less, which enhances anti-microbend property and hot-water resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the relaxation modulus of the secondary coating layer is lowered to improve hot-water resistance, then hot-water resistance is improved, but the anti-microbend property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the relaxation modulus of the secondary coating layer to be 400 MPa or less, while simultaneously controlling the equilibrium elastic modulus to be 60 MPa or more. This dual parameter control resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal range that provides both hot-water resistance (through lower relaxation modulus) and anti-microbend property (through higher equilibrium elastic modulus).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the primary coating layer and secondary coating layer with different mechanical properties. The primary coating layer provides buffering function with lower modulus, while the secondary coating layer provides protection with controlled modulus characteristics. This composite structure allows the fiber to achieve both hot-water resistance and anti-microbend property through the synergistic effect of the two layers.
2Strength
If a rigid coating material is used to prevent destruction of the thin colored layer during single core separation, then the colored layer protection is improved, but the adhesion to the outer layer decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the equilibrium elastic modulus of the secondary coating layer to be 60 MPa or more, which provides sufficient rigidity to protect the thin colored layer during single core separation. At the same time, by controlling the relaxation modulus to be 400 MPa or less, the material maintains adequate adhesion to the outer layer, resolving the contradiction between protection and adhesion.
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 effectively reduces transmission loss and maintains good anti-microbend property even when immersed in hot water, outperforming triple-layered structures by minimizing delamination and osmotic pressure, thus achieving superior hot-water resistance and anti-microbend performance.
Implementation Method 1
the secondary coating layer has a relaxation modulus of 410 MPa or more; and the relaxation modulus is the elastic modulus calculated from the tensile stress on the secondary coating layer
Implementation Method 2
it has been found that, in order to attain both anti-microbend property and hot-water resistance, it is necessary to provide a double-layered coating structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a colored optical fiber that shows anti-microbend property and hot-water resistance, an optical fiber ribbon that utilizes the same, and an optical fiber cable. It is a colored optical fiber 1, which comprises two coating layers of a primary coating layer 31 and a secondary coating layer 32, wherein either one of the primary coating layer 31 or the secondary coating layer 32 is colored, both coating layers have equilibrium elastic moduli of 60 MPa or less, and the secondary coating layer 32 has a relaxation modulus of 410 MPa or more, an optical fiber ribbon 4 that utilizes it, and an optical fiber cable 8.