Optical Cable Member With Bendable Housing Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical cable towing tools face difficulties when inserting and towing optical cables through narrow or bent laying tubes, as the large outer diameter of the high-tension hose can cause the cable to get caught, leading to inefficient towing operations.

Innovation Solution

The optical cable member includes a bendable second housing tube that houses the optical fiber and a flexible first housing tube, allowing the cable to be easily inserted and towed through narrow or bent tubes by bending as necessary, along with a fixing member that secures the tensile strength member and allows the optical fiber to extend, facilitating smooth towing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a high-tension hose is used to protect the connection structure and optical fiber, then the protection reliability is improved, but the outer diameter increases causing difficulty in passing through narrow or bent laying tubes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidease of towing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is divided into two separate housing tubes (first housing tube and second housing tube) positioned on opposite sides of the fixing member, rather than using a single encircling high-tension hose. This segmentation reduces the overall outer diameter while maintaining protection of the connection structure and optical fiber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second housing tube is designed as a bendable member that can flex to accommodate narrow or bent laying tubes during towing operations. This flexibility allows the cable to pass through challenging tube environments without getting caught, while still providing protective coverage when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a high-tension hose encircles the connection structure, then comprehensive protection is achieved, but the cable cannot be easily bent or maneuvered through narrow spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to tube layouts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second housing tube is designed as a bendable member that can dynamically adjust its shape during towing operations. This allows the cable assembly to adapt to various tube layouts including narrow sections and bends, providing versatility across different installation environments while maintaining structural protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20230228962A1Optical cable member,towing member, and towing method

Publication Date: 2023.07.20 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC OPTIFRONTIER CO LTD

AI summary

A optical cable member includes an optical cable, a fixing member, a first housing tube, and a second housing tube. The optical cable includes an optical fiber and a tensile strength member. In the optical cable, a cable main body housing the optical fiber and the tensile strength member, and a cable exposure portion in which the optical fiber and the tensile strength member are exposed to an outside are provided. The fixing member fixes the tensile strength member. The first housing tube is disposed between the fixing member and the cable main body, houses the tensile strength member therein, and allows the optical fiber to extend therein. The second housing tube is disposed on a side opposite to the first housing tube of the fixing member, and houses the optical fiber of the cable exposure portion therein. The second housing tube is a bendable member.