Hinged Optical Fiber Ribbon for Compact Dense Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber cables face challenges in achieving a compact form while maintaining consistent fiber spacing for mass fusion splicing and dense packing, as well as exhibiting preferential bends due to their structural design.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber ribbon design includes multiple rows of optical fibers coupled by flexible polymer joints, allowing the ribbon to move between a collapsed and aligned position, ensuring consistent fiber spacing and facilitating dense packing without preferential bends, by using a polymer matrix to maintain fiber organization and hinges for flexible movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If optical fiber cables use a rigid structure to maintain consistent fiber spacing, then mass fusion splicing is facilitated, but the cable becomes bulky and exhibits preferential bends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing rigid structural supports with flexible polymer joints that allow the ribbon to dynamically change its configuration. The polymer joints enable the ribbon to collapse into a compact form when not in use while maintaining fiber alignment during splicing operations, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining precise fiber spacing and achieving cable compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the physical state and properties of the polymer material used in the joints. The polymer transitions between different degrees of flexibility and rigidity based on operational requirements, allowing the ribbon to maintain consistent fiber spacing during splicing while collapsing to a compact form during storage or installation, thereby eliminating preferential bends.
2Volume of moving object
If optical fiber ribbons are densely packed to reduce cable volume, then cable compactness is improved, but fiber spacing consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible polymer joints enable the ribbon to dynamically adjust its configuration, allowing dense packing during storage while maintaining precise fiber spacing during splicing operations. The joints act as flexible hinges that preserve fiber alignment regardless of the ribbon's overall position or orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the ribbon structure into segmented sections connected by flexible polymer joints. This segmentation allows each section to independently maintain fiber spacing consistency while the overall ribbon can be densely packed, resolving the contradiction between compactness and spacing precision.
3Volume of moving object
If flexible joints are used to enable ribbon movement between collapsed and aligned positions, then cable compactness is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible polymer joints that function as thin-film hinges, providing the necessary flexibility for ribbon movement while maintaining a simple, lightweight structure. These polymer joints are simpler than traditional mechanical hinges or articulated mechanisms, reducing overall structural complexity while enabling the desired compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the viscoelastic properties of polymer materials, the patent achieves flexible movement capability without complex mechanical structures. The polymer's inherent material properties provide the necessary flexibility and memory, eliminating the need for complex joints, springs, or actuators.
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 design enables a compact, densely packed optical fiber cable with consistent fiber spacing, facilitating mass fusion splicing and eliminating preferential bends, combining the organizational benefits of ribbon cables with the compactness of loose-tube cables.
Implementation Method 1
a first polymer joint coupling the first row to the second row. The first polymer joint moves such that the first and second rows rotate relative to the first polymer joint between a collapsed position and an aligned position
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber ribbon and a related cable are provided. The ribbon includes a first group of at least one optical fiber and a second group of at least two optical fibers coupled together. The ribbon includes a first hinge coupling the first group to the second group. The hinge allows movement of the first group and the second group of optical fibers relative to each other such that the ribbon is moveable between an aligned position and a collapsed position. The number of optical fibers in the first group is less than the number of optical fibers in second group.