Optical Cable Assembly Ribbonized Non-Flat Fiber Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multifiber cable assemblies are inflexible and prone to micro-bending due to ribbonization, which restricts bending and increases insertion loss, and existing protection methods like furcation tubing cannot be directly terminated to MT ferrules without transitions.
Innovation Solution
Configuring fiber assemblies with both ribbonized and non-ribbonized portions, allowing axial bending and protection of non-ribbonized sections with sheathing, enabling flexible cable assemblies that can bend freely and reducing the length of flat portions required behind the MT ferrule.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fibers are ribbonized for termination to MT ferrules, then connectorization is facilitated, but the cable assembly becomes rigid and cannot bend in plane
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly is divided into distinct segments: a ribbonized portion for connectorization and a non-ribbonized flexible portion for bending. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cable assembly have different structural qualities - the ribbonized portion provides rigidity for termination while the non-ribbonized portion provides flexibility for routing. Each local region is optimized for its specific requirement.
2Ease of operation
If ribbonized portions are made short to improve flexibility, then bending capability increases, but the portions become weak and roll up when heat shrink protection is added
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is segmented into a short ribbonized portion for connectorization and a longer non-ribbonized flexible portion. The ribbonized portion can be kept short without compromising strength because the non-ribbonized portion provides the necessary flexibility and structural support.
3Strength
If ribbonized portions are made long to prevent roll-up, then structural strength improves, but the cable assembly becomes rigid and insertion loss increases due to micro-bending
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cable into ribbonized and non-ribbonized portions, the minimum length requirement for preventing roll-up is eliminated. The non-ribbonized flexible portion provides the necessary length and structural support, allowing the ribbonized portion to be short without causing micro-bending or strength issues.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If furcation tubing is used for protection, then protection is provided, but it cannot be terminated directly to MT ferrule without transition to ribbon fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The non-ribbonized flexible portion acts as an intermediary between the heat shrink sheathing and the ribbonized connectorized portion, enabling direct termination of protection to the ferrule without requiring additional transition components.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical cable assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of fibers; (b) a connector; (c) at least a first flat ribbonized portion comprising at least a first portion of the plurality of fibers, the first flat ribbonized portion being terminated to the connector; and (d) at least a first non-flat portion comprising at least a second portion of the plurality of fibers.