HDMI Cable Assembly Nested Electric Lines Inside Optical Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HDMI cable assemblies with both electric and optical transmission lines face structural complexities, leading to inefficiencies in signal transmission due to crossing lines and unequal optical fiber lengths, which can decrease high-definition video-audio signal transmission rates.
Innovation Solution
A cable assembly design where electric transmission lines are placed inside optical transmission lines, with optical lines positioned at the ends of the cable and connector in a width direction perpendicular to the cable's extension, maintaining compliance with the HDMI standard while minimizing dimensional differences and structural complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If optical transmission lines and electric transmission lines are arranged separately in conventional HDMI cable assemblies, then both signal types can be transmitted, but the structural complexity increases and optical fiber lengths become unequal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing electric transmission lines inside the optical transmission lines. Specifically, the electric transmission lines are positioned within the cladding region of the optical fibers, creating a nested configuration where one transmission line type is contained within the other. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for separate parallel arrangements (reducing structural complexity) while maintaining precise control over optical fiber lengths (improving manufacturing precision).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional two-dimensional parallel arrangement of optical and electric transmission lines to a three-dimensional nested configuration. By utilizing the radial dimension of the optical fiber structure (placing electric lines within the cladding region), the invention achieves more efficient space utilization and eliminates the dimensional constraints that caused unequal optical fiber lengths in conventional designs.
2Productivity
If multiple transmission lines are arranged in conventional configurations, then both electric and optical signals can be transmitted, but signal transmission efficiency decreases due to crossing lines
Solution Approach 1:
The nested arrangement eliminates line crossings by placing electric transmission lines within the optical transmission lines. This configuration allows all transmission lines to extend parallel to each other along the cable length without intersecting, thereby improving signal transmission efficiency while maintaining a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cable cross-section into distinct functional regions: the optical transmission lines occupy the outer region while electric transmission lines occupy the inner region. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each transmission line type's path, preventing interference and crossings that would reduce transmission efficiency.
3Ease of repair
If optical transmission lines are positioned at cable ends in width direction, then maintenance becomes easier, but space utilization in connector becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration allows optical transmission lines to be positioned at the cable ends in the width direction (improving maintenance accessibility) while the electric transmission lines are contained within them. This nested arrangement efficiently utilizes the connector space by eliminating wasted space between separate line bundles, resolving the apparent conflict between accessibility and space utilization.
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 signal transmission efficiency by reducing optical fiber length discrepancies and allowing for easier maintenance, while maintaining a simple structure and compliance with the HDMI standard.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical transmission lines configured to transmit an optical signal
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of electric transmission lines configured to transmit an electric signal
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a cable assembly that can transmit an electric signal and an optical signal. The cable assembly includes a cable, a connector that is provided at an end of the cable in a direction in which the cable extends, a plurality of electric transmission lines configured to transmit an electric signal, and a plurality of optical transmission lines configured to transmit an optical signal. The plurality of electric transmission lines and the plurality of optical transmission lines are provided in the cable assembly so as to extend across the cable and the connector. The plurality of optical transmission lines are provided so that at least one of the plurality of optical transmission lines is provided at each of ends of the cable assembly in a width direction perpendicular to the direction in which the cable extends. The plurality of electric transmission lines are provided inside the plurality of optical transmission lines in the width direction.