Optical Connector Cable Dual Adhesive Bending Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connector cables are prone to breakage due to bending, as the stress from bending can cause scratches and further damage to the exposed optical fibers, especially when the cable is repeatedly bent upward and downward.
Innovation Solution
The optical connector cable incorporates a dual adhesive system, where a softer acrylic-based adhesive is used near the tip ends for environmental resistance and a harder epoxy-based adhesive with a Young's modulus of 400 MPa or more is used behind it to block compressive and tensile stresses, ensuring the optical fibers are securely fixed and protected from bending-induced damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single adhesive is used to fix optical fibers, then the structure is simple, but the cable is prone to bending-induced breakage and scratches
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive structure is segmented into two distinct portions: a first adhesive portion with lower Young's modulus near the tip ends, and a second adhesive portion with higher Young's modulus behind it. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function - the first provides environmental resistance and flexibility, while the second provides mechanical strength and stress blocking, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different adhesive properties are applied to different locations along the optical fiber. The first adhesive portion (near tip ends) uses softer material for environmental resistance, while the second adhesive portion (behind) uses harder material for stress blocking. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both protection and structural integrity without requiring complex overall design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the adhesive is too soft, then environmental resistance is improved, but mechanical strength and stress blocking capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different adhesive hardness levels at different locations: softer adhesive (lower Young's modulus) at the first portion for environmental resistance, and harder adhesive (higher Young's modulus ≥400 MPa) at the second portion for stress blocking. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between softness for environmental protection and hardness for mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive structure functions as a composite system combining two adhesive materials with different mechanical properties. The first adhesive portion provides flexibility and environmental resistance, while the second adhesive portion provides rigidity and stress blocking capability. This composite approach allows both soft and hard properties to coexist in the same adhesive system, resolving the contradiction between environmental resistance and mechanical strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly enhances the cable's resistance to bending by preventing scratches and breakage of the optical fibers, providing both environmental resistance and mechanical strength, thus ensuring the longevity of the connector cable.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive portion fixes the plurality of optical fibers to the placement structure with an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an optical connector cable including a plurality of optical fibers, a lens module, and an adhesive portion. Each of the plurality of optical fibers extends in a first direction. The lens module includes a placement structure configured to place the plurality of optical fibers thereon in order in a second direction intersecting the first direction and a plurality of lenses optically coupled to tip ends of the plurality of optical fibers. The adhesive portion fixes the plurality of optical fibers to the placement structure with an adhesive. The adhesive portion includes a first adhesive portion located near the tip ends of the plurality of optical fibers and a second adhesive portion located behind the first adhesive portion in the first direction. The second adhesive portion has a Young's modulus higher than that of the first adhesive portion.