Optical Cable Asymmetric Ribbon Arrangement Reduces Transmission Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber cables formed by bundling optical fiber ribbons in a stacked manner tend to concentrate load at particular optical fibers, leading to increased transmission loss when subjected to bends or temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
The optical cable comprises a plurality of optical fiber units with intermittently-coupled optical fiber ribbons, where the length of the resultant vector GU is shorter than the largest length of vectors MG, distributing stress more evenly across the fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optical fiber ribbons are bundled together in a stacked manner, then the optical fiber unit structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but load concentration occurs at particular optical fibers leading to increased transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally creating an irregular stacking arrangement where optical fiber ribbons are positioned at different heights and orientations rather than in a uniform stacked pattern. This asymmetric configuration ensures that when external loads are applied, the stress is distributed across multiple ribbons rather than concentrating at specific locations, thereby reducing transmission loss while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the positioning and orientation of individual optical fiber ribbons within the bundle. Each ribbon is placed in a specific location with particular characteristics (different heights, angles, and positions) to create localized variations in load distribution. This ensures that no single ribbon bears excessive stress, improving overall reliability while keeping the manufacturing process straightforward
2Volume of moving object
If optical fiber ribbons are bundled together in a stacked manner, then the cable structure is compact, but load concentration occurs when the cable receives bends or temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry to arrange optical fiber ribbons in an irregular pattern within the cable cross-section. Instead of uniform stacking, ribbons are positioned at varying heights and orientations, creating an asymmetric structure that maintains compactness while distributing mechanical loads and thermal stresses more evenly across all ribbons, preventing load concentration during bends or temperature changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional uniform stacking to a multi-dimensional irregular arrangement. Ribbons are positioned not only in layers but also at different heights, angles, and radial positions within the cable cross-section. This dimensional diversification allows the cable to maintain compact volume while distributing external loads across multiple spatial dimensions, preventing stress concentration
3Reliability
If optical fiber ribbons are arranged irregularly to distribute load, then transmission loss is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and arrangement control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing only the minimum necessary irregularity in ribbon arrangement to achieve load distribution. Rather than completely random placement, the system uses controlled variations in positioning with specific parameters (such as maintaining certain distance ranges or angle variations), providing just enough irregularity to prevent load concentration while keeping manufacturing control feasible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying specific arrangement parameters of optical fiber ribbons such as position coordinates, orientation angles, and spacing distances within defined ranges. This controlled variation of parameters creates the necessary irregularity for load distribution while maintaining manufacturability, as the variations stay within tolerances that standard manufacturing processes can accommodate
Data Source
AI summary
An optical cable includes optical fiber units each of which includes intermittently-coupled optical fiber ribbons. In at least one of the optical fiber units, in a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the at least one of the optical fiber units, a length of a vector GU is shorter than a largest length of vectors MG of the intermittently-coupled optical fiber ribbons forming the at least one of the optical fiber units, where, in each of the intermittently-coupled optical fiber ribbons, each of the vectors MG is a vector starting from M and ending at G, M is a midpoint between optical fibers at both ends of the each of the intermittently-coupled optical fiber ribbons, and G is a center of gravity of the each of the intermittently-coupled optical fiber ribbons, and the vector GU is a resultant vector of the vectors MG.