Mixed-Diameter Fiber Cable Asymmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical cables with mixed diameter fibers face challenges in handling and installation due to differences in physical performance, such as bend characteristics and strain, which existing technologies fail to adequately address, particularly in ensuring suitable performance for both large and small diameter fibers within a single cable.
Innovation Solution
The optical cable design incorporates a pattern of large and small diameter fibers within a single outer body layer, with the large diameter fibers arranged centrally and small diameter fibers positioned externally, supported by polymer ribbon bodies, to reduce strain and preferential bending, and features a cable jacket that balances stiffness and flexibility, ensuring resistance to external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large-diameter optical fibers are included in the cable, then optical transmission capacity is improved, but bending strain and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct structural zones within the cable: large-diameter fibers (400-1000 micrometers) are positioned in the central region where they experience reduced bending strain, while small-diameter fibers (125-250 micrometers) are positioned in outer regions. This spatial differentiation of fiber types based on their mechanical requirements resolves the contradiction between transmission capacity and handling ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mixed diameter fibers are placed in a single cable, then cable versatility is improved, but preferential bending characteristics worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by arranging fibers of different diameters in non-uniform positions within the cable cross-section. Large-diameter fibers are concentrated in the center while small-diameter fibers are distributed outward, creating an asymmetric configuration that balances the bending characteristics across different fiber types and eliminates preferential bending.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cable are assigned different fiber types based on their mechanical properties. The central region accommodates large-diameter fibers that require protection from bending, while outer regions accommodate small-diameter fibers. This local differentiation stabilizes the overall cable composition by ensuring each fiber type operates in its optimal mechanical environment.
3Ease of manufacture
If tubes of same diameter are used to support different fiber sizes, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but fiber protection effectiveness worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of tube diameter uniformity while compensating through positional arrangement. All tubes are manufactured with the same diameter for simplicity, but the fibers within them are positioned at different radial distances from the cable center. This parameter change maintains manufacturing ease while the positional variation ensures appropriate protection for each fiber type.
Data Source
AI summary
A large and small diameter optical fiber carrying cable is provided. The cable includes a cable body including an inner surface defining a channel within the cable body, a first group of optical fibers comprising a plurality of first optical fibers located within the channel and a second group of optical fibers comprising a plurality of second optical fibers located within the channel. The optical core diameter of the first optical fibers is larger than the optical core diameter of the second optical fibers.