Intermittently Bonded Optical Fiber Ribbon for Compact Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber ribbons, especially those fully encapsulated in a ribbon matrix, face challenges such as increased cable diameter due to preferential bending, low packing efficiency, and difficulties in handling and installation. Additionally, they are inefficient at junction points and manhole installations.
Innovation Solution
An intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbon with a repeating pattern of bond lengths and gap lengths is proposed. This design enhances flexibility and robustness by intermittently connecting adjacent optical fibers, allowing the ribbon to roll on its lateral axis and increase fiber density without increasing cable diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional optical fiber ribbons are fully encapsulated in a ribbon matrix, then mass fusion splicing is enabled reducing splicing time, but the cable diameter increases due to preferential bend into one axis
Solution Approach 1:
The ribbon matrix is segmented into discrete bond portions spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, creating gaps between bonded sections. This segmentation allows the ribbon to flex and bend in multiple directions rather than being constrained to a single bending axis, thereby reducing cable diameter while maintaining splicing capability at the bonded portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermittent bonding structure provides dynamic flexibility to the ribbon, allowing it to adapt its shape and bending direction based on installation requirements. The gaps between bond portions enable the ribbon to transition from a rigid, preferential bend structure to a more flexible configuration that can be routed more compactly within the cable.
2Stability of the object's composition
If flat optical fiber ribbons are used, then structural stability is provided, but packing efficiency decreases leading to increased cable diameter
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bonding structure into discrete portions rather than continuous bonding, the ribbon maintains structural stability at the bonded sections while gaining flexibility in the gap regions. This allows multiple ribbons to be packed more efficiently in three-dimensional space without requiring excessive spacing for structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermittent bonding creates a flexible structure that can conform to compact arrangements within the cable. The ribbon behaves like a flexible film that can be routed through tight spaces and arranged in space-efficient configurations, improving packing efficiency compared to rigid flat ribbons.
3Ease of operation
If intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbons are used, then flexibility and fiber density are improved, but bonding strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding structure exhibits local quality variation, with fully bonded sections providing high strength for splicing and termination, and gap sections providing flexibility for routing and bending. Each local region of the ribbon has the bonding characteristics appropriate for its functional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of bonding the entire length of the ribbon (excessive action), bonding is applied only to specific discrete portions (partial action) where structural integrity is needed for splicing and handling. The unbonded portions provide sufficient flexibility without compromising the strength at the critical bonded sections.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber ribbon may be intermittently bonded with a repeating pattern of bond lengths and gap lengths configured to enhance flexibility and robustness of the optical fiber ribbon. The ribbon may include a plurality of optical fibers where a first adjacent two of the optical fibers may be intermittently connected together by the bond portions arranged in a longitudinal pattern which may have a constant bond length or may have a constant distance between bond portions. A second adjacent two of the optical fibers may be intermittently connected together by the bond portions arranged in the longitudinal pattern where a first bond portion of the second adjacent two of the optical fibers may be offset from the first bond portion of the first adjacent two of the optical fibers in the longitudinal direction by a first offset length (O1).