Optical Fiber Ribbon Intermittent Coupling for Splicer Pitch Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber ribbons face challenges in connection workability when using fusion splicers with different groove arrangements, as they require pitch conversion, leading to difficulties in handling and waste during splicing processes.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber ribbon features alternately arranged coupled and separate sections, where all adjacent cores are coupled in one section and some are not in another, allowing for adjustable spacing to match existing splicer pitches, with specific lengths and group configurations to enhance adaptability and identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all adjacent optical fiber cores are coupled by a coupling member, then the optical fiber cores can be collectively handled, but the spacing between cores cannot be adjusted to match different splicer pitches
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber ribbon is divided into multiple sections along its length, with each section having a different coupling configuration. Some sections have all cores coupled while other sections have groups of cores separated, allowing the ribbon to be handled collectively in coupled sections while providing adjustable spacing in separated sections to match different splicer groove pitches.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the optical fiber ribbon have different local coupling characteristics. Specifically, first sections have all adjacent cores coupled by the coupling member, while second sections have cores divided into groups with gaps between groups, creating locally optimized structures for different operational requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pitch conversion is performed to adapt to different splicer groove arrangements, then connection compatibility is improved, but handling difficulty and splicing waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber ribbon is pre-configured with multiple sections having different coupling patterns during manufacturing, with second sections specifically designed to provide spacing that matches common splicer groove pitches. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for waste-generating pitch conversion operations during field splicing, as the appropriate spacing is already in place.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pitch conversion is performed, then connection compatibility is improved, but handling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ribbon is pre-configured with multiple sections having different coupling patterns during manufacturing, with second sections specifically designed to provide spacing that matches common splicer groove pitches. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for waste-generating pitch conversion operations during field splicing, as the appropriate spacing is already in place.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the optical fiber ribbon have different local coupling characteristics. Specifically, first sections have all adjacent cores coupled by the coupling member, while second sections have cores divided into groups with gaps between groups, creating locally optimized structures for different operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fiber cores arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber cores, and a coupling member configured to couple the plurality of optical fiber cores. In the optical fiber ribbon, a plurality of coupled sections and a plurality of separate sections are alternately provided in the longitudinal direction. Each of the plurality of coupled sections is in a state in which all of the adjacent optical fiber cores are coupled by the coupling member. Each of the plurality of separate sections is in a state in which at least two of the optical fiber cores adjacent to each other are not coupled by the coupling member.