Optical Fiber Cable Recess Waterproofing via Absorption Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber cables face issues with water ingress and leakage due to water traveling along recesses between adjacent optical fibers, which compromises their waterproofness.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber cables and units incorporate optical fiber ribbons with connecting resins having recesses and water absorption members with thicknesses smaller than the center-to-center distance between adjacent fibers, allowing the absorption members to easily enter these recesses and prevent water leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connecting resin has recesses between adjacent optical fibers to facilitate separation and installation, then ease of operation is improved, but water can travel along the recesses causing water ingress and compromising waterproofness
Solution Approach 1:
A water absorption member is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical fiber ribbon and the external environment. This member selectively absorbs water that attempts to enter through the recesses in the connecting resin, preventing water ingress while preserving the recesses' original function for ease of separation and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The water absorption member converts the harmful effect of water traveling along recesses into a beneficial process. Instead of allowing water to cause damage, the absorption member utilizes the water flow through the recesses to activate water absorption, transforming the potential harm into a protective mechanism.
2Reliability
If water absorption members are made thick to effectively block water, then waterproofness is improved, but they cannot easily enter the recesses between adjacent optical fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness parameter of the water absorption member is precisely controlled to be less than the center-to-center distance between adjacent optical fibers. This parameter change enables the absorption member to easily enter the recesses while maintaining sufficient water absorption capability to block water ingress effectively.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional waterproofing materials are used without considering the recess structure, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but water leakage occurs along the recesses reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The water absorption member is positioned specifically at the recess locations between adjacent optical fibers, where water ingress is most likely to occur. This localized approach provides enhanced waterproofness at critical points without requiring complex modifications to the entire cable structure, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving reliability.
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
This configuration enhances the waterproofness of the optical fiber cables and units by allowing water absorption members to effectively block water ingress and leakage, even in intermittent coupling type ribbons, thereby improving handling and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Water that has entered the cable may travel in the longitudinal direction along the connecting resin. In particular, when the optical fiber ribbon has a recess between the adjacent optical fibers, water may travel a longer distance along the recess.
Data Source
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AI summary
This optical fiber cable comprises, a plurality of optical fiber ribbons, a plurality of water absorbing members, and an outer covering that covers the periphery of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons and the plurality of water absorbing members. The optical fiber ribbons each have a plurality of optical fiber cores, and a connecting resin that connects together the plurality of optical fiber cores arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the plurality of optical fiber cores. The connecting resin has at least one recess between the adjacent optical fiber cores, and the thickness of each water absorbing member is less than the center-to-center distance of two adjacent optical fiber cores in the parallel arrangement direction of the optical fiber cores.