Hybrid Cable Integrating Optical and Electrical Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of multiple cables for transmitting various signals in AV technology leads to clutter and installation challenges due to space restrictions, necessitating a solution that combines multiple signal transmission capabilities into a single, efficient cable.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid cable incorporating an outer jacket, inner aluminum foil, and a variety of cable lines including optical fiber, HDMI, USB, and Toslink cables, along with a filler like Kevlar fibers, designed to transmit audio, video, internet, and control signals, with distinct extended parts to prevent tangling and clutter, and an optical transmitter for high-bandwidth data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple individual cables are used to transmit different signals (HDMI, optical fiber, USB, Toslink, etc.), then signal transmission quality is maintained, but cable clutter and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual cable types (HDMI, optical fiber, USB, Toslink, aux cables) into a single hybrid cable assembly. This merging approach maintains the signal transmission quality of each individual cable type while eliminating the clutter and installation complexity associated with managing multiple separate cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid cable serves multiple functions simultaneously by integrating different cable types into one universal cable assembly. This multi-functionality allows a single cable to handle various signal types (video, audio, data, control signals) that would traditionally require separate dedicated cables, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Power
If multiple individual cables are installed to meet high-bandwidth requirements, then signal transmission capability is sufficient, but space restrictions for cable installation are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple high-bandwidth cable types into a single hybrid cable, the patent reduces the total installation space required. Instead of routing several separate cables through constrained spaces, the integrated hybrid cable occupies less physical space while maintaining the cumulative signal transmission capability of all individual cable types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cable types are used for different functions, then signal transmission versatility is achieved, but the number of cables increases leading to clutter
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid cable embodies multi-functionality by incorporating diverse cable types (optical fiber for high-bandwidth video, HDMI for audio/video, USB for data, Toslink for digital audio, aux for analog audio) within a single cable assembly. This universal design achieves signal transmission versatility without increasing the quantity of cables, as one hybrid cable replaces what would traditionally require five or more separate cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges cable types that serve different functions into a single integrated assembly. This combining approach maintains the versatility needed for different signal types while reducing the total number of discrete cable components from five or more individual cables to one unified hybrid cable.
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 hybrid cable effectively minimizes cabling complexity by integrating multiple signal types into a single cable, reducing clutter and installation challenges while maintaining high-bandwidth data transfer without signal interference or delay.
Implementation Method 1
The optical transmitter comprising a transmitting circuitry configured for converting electrical signals into light signals for transmitting onto the at least four optical fiber lines
Implementation Method 2
at least four optical fiber lines each connected to an optical connector
Implementation Method 3
an inner shielding foil adjacent to the outer sheath, the inner shielding foil defining a hollow channel
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission system including a hybrid cable for optical and electrical data transfer. The smart cable includes an outermost sheath and an inner aluminum foil adjacent to the outermost sheath. The inner aluminum foil defining an annular space that contains a number of cable lines. A filler fills any space within the annular space. The cable lines include at least four optical fiber lines each connected to an optical connector, at least one optical fiber line connected to a Toslink connector; and at least one aux cable. Each of the cable lines can be of a different length from other cable lines.