Flexible Optical Fiber Cable Sheath for Compact Interconnects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fiber-optic cables have limited flexibility and are not suitable for compact applications due to their large cross-sectional size and inflexibility, which restricts their use in chip-to-chip interconnection.

Innovation Solution

A fiber-optic cable with a cable sheath made of laterally flexible and stretchable materials, allowing the optical fibers to move laterally and change the cross-sectional shape of the cable when bent, thereby accommodating tighter bends without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing fiber-optic cables are used with rigid cable sheaths, then the cable maintains structural stability, but the cable cannot accommodate tight bends without causing internal damage to optical fibers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebend flexibilityVSAvoidfiber protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable sheath transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can change its cross-sectional shape in response to bending forces. The sheath includes layers of laterally flexible materials that allow the cable to adapt its geometry when bent, accommodating tight bends while protecting optical fibers from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cable sheath is constructed with layers of laterally flexible materials, including at least one laterally flexible polymer layer, that can deform and change shape when the cable is bent. This flexible shell structure allows the cable to accommodate tight bends without causing internal damage to the optical fibers while maintaining protection during installation and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Shape

If the cable sheath is made rigid to maintain shape, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but the cable cross-sectional size remains large and inflexible for compact applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-sectional shape stabilityVSAvoidcable flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable sheath is designed as a dynamic structure that changes its cross-sectional shape in response to bending. When the cable is bent, the sheath transitions from a relatively stable cross-section to a deformed cross-section that accommodates the bend, allowing the cable to be flexible during installation while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cable sheath utilizes materials and structures that change their physical parameters under different conditions. The laterally flexible layers allow the sheath to change its lateral dimensions and cross-sectional shape when bent, while the overall cable structure maintains sufficient stability for handling and installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of moving object

If optical fibers are tightly bundled to reduce cable size, then the cable cross-sectional area decreases, but the cable becomes more rigid and difficult to bend without damaging fibers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable cross-sectional areaVSAvoidbend capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cable sheath provides a dynamic environment for the bundled optical fibers, allowing them to move relative to each other when the cable is bent. The flexible layers enable the cable to accommodate tight bends even with tightly bundled fibers by allowing lateral movement and redistribution of fibers within the sheath during bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The laterally flexible polymer layers in the cable sheath create a flexible containment environment for the tightly bundled optical fibers. This flexible shell allows the bundle to maintain its compact size while accommodating bending deformations through lateral movement of fibers within the flexible sheath structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 flexible and stretchable cable sheath enables the fiber-optic cable to change its cross-sectional shape in response to bending, allowing for tighter cable turns without causing internal damage to the optical fibers, thus making it suitable for compact applications.

Implementation Method 1

the cable sheath comprises a layer of a laterally flexible material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the cable sheath comprises a layer of a laterally stretchable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStretching:

Data Source

PatentUS12313893B2Optical fiber cable and raceway therefor

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 CIENA CORP

AI summary

Provided are (i) a fiber-optic cable having a cable sheath that enables significant changes in the cable's cross-sectional shape when the cable is bent and (ii) a raceway that can be used to deploy such a fiber-optic cable.