Optical Cable Fiber Positioning for Bend Radius Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic cables with small footprints face challenges in maintaining optical performance and integrity when bent, as the bend radius affects the optical fiber's integrity, leading to potential cracking or fracture due to excessive curvature.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic cable design featuring a polymer jacket with a channel containing a first slot for the optical fiber and intersecting electrical conductors, allowing the optical fiber to maintain a minimum bend radius and preventing excessive strain when the cable is bent, thereby reducing attenuation and preventing cracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the cable outer diameter is reduced to less than 3.0 mm, then the cable footprint is improved, but the cable becomes more susceptible to bending-induced fiber damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the optical fiber in the center of the cable cross-section, changing its spatial arrangement from peripheral to central. This dimensional repositioning ensures that when the cable bends, the fiber maintains a larger effective bend radius relative to the cable outer diameter, reducing bending-induced attenuation and damage while maintaining a small cable footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an asymmetric stress distribution by positioning the fiber at the center rather than near the outer periphery. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that during cable bending, the fiber experiences more uniform and less extreme stress conditions compared to peripheral positioning, improving reliability in small-footprint cables.
2Loss of energy
If the optical fiber is positioned close to the outer bend periphery, then the fiber experiences lower attenuation, but the cable diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fiber's radial position from outer periphery to center of the cable cross-section. This dimensional change optimizes the balance between cable diameter and attenuation by ensuring the fiber maintains adequate distance from the bend center while keeping the overall cable compact.
3Ease of operation
If the bend radius of the optical fiber is reduced, then the cable flexibility is improved, but the fiber experiences greater delta attenuation and potential cracking
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the fiber at the center of the cable, the patent creates a dimensional buffer zone between the fiber and the outer bend periphery. This allows the cable to achieve small bend radii for flexibility while the central fiber position ensures it experiences a larger effective bend radius, preventing cracking and excessive attenuation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Methods of controlling the position of an optical fiber (48,50) having a minimum bend radius within an optical fiber channel (38) in a fiber optic cable (30) having a small footprint are disclosed. The position of the optical fibers is controlled so that the fiber is not bent at a radius below its minimum bend radius. Electrical conductors (40,42) can be included in the cable (30).