Colored Optical Fiber Core Strand Surface Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-layer structure colored optical fibers have high surface tackiness, leading to poor slippage and collectability issues during manufacturing and installation, and high adhesiveness results in poor separability of individual fibers from optical fiber ribbons.
Innovation Solution
A two-layer structure colored optical fiber with a glass optical fiber coated by a primary layer and a colored secondary layer, where the surface cure percentage of the secondary coating is 99% or more at an infrared absorption peak of 1407 cm^-1, with a difference in cure percentage between surface and interface of 3.0% or less, and a surface kinetic friction force of less than 0.075 N, achieved through the use of ultraviolet curing resins and specific photoinitiators, reducing surface friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the secondary coating layer is colored to eliminate the need for a separate colored layer, then the diameter of the optical fiber is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the surface tackiness increases leading to poor slippage and collectability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the cure percentage of the colored secondary coating layer to 99% or more at the infrared absorption peak of 1407 cm^-1. This high degree of curing reduces the surface tackiness while maintaining the colored appearance, thereby improving slippage and collectability during manufacturing without requiring a separate colored layer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by formulating the colored secondary coating layer with specific ultraviolet curing resins and photoinitiators that achieve both coloration and high cure percentage. This composite formulation allows the single layer to simultaneously provide mechanical protection, color identification, and reduced surface tackiness
2Ease of operation
If the surface tackiness of the colored optical fiber is high, then the fibers are easily handled and positioned, but the separability of individual fibers from optical fiber ribbons deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the cure percentage parameter to 99% or more, which reduces surface tackiness to an optimal level. This allows fibers to be easily handled during installation while maintaining sufficient separability from ribbons, as the reduced tackiness prevents excessive adhesion between adjacent fibers
3Productivity
If the colored secondary coating layer is highly cured to reduce surface friction, then collectability and separability improve, but the adhesiveness may affect bonding strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cure percentage parameter to 99% or more, which reduces surface friction to improve collectability and separability. The specific formulation of ultraviolet curing resins and photoinitiators ensures that this high cure level is achieved without compromising the bonding strength required for protective functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring the colored secondary coating layer has different properties at different locations: the surface is highly cured (99% or more) to reduce friction and improve manufacturability, while the inner portion maintains adequate adhesiveness for bonding and protection
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 enhances collectability and separability of optical fibers, improving manufacturing efficiency and workability, while maintaining excellent warm water resistance and transmission properties.
Implementation Method 1
The primary coating layer 103, the uncolored secondary coating layer 905, and the colored layer 907 are made of ultraviolet curing resin and formed around the glass optical fiber 101 in this order
Implementation Method 2
a surface cure percentage of the colored secondary coating layer being 99% or more at an infrared absorption peak of a wave number of 1407 cm -1
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a two-layer structure colored optical fiber which includes a colored secondary coating layer improved in collectability and separability. The two-layer structure colored optical fiber in an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass optical fiber, a primary coating layer coating the glass optical fiber, and a colored secondary coating layer coating the primary coating layer. The secondary coating layer has such characteristics that a surface cure percentage is 99% or more at an infrared absorption peak of a wave number of 1407 cm-1 and a surface kinetic friction force in Knot Test is less than 0.075 N.