Optical Cable Assembly Combining Power and Signal Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical cable systems require separate power cables for each apparatus, making installation in environments without power terminals difficult and compromising interior decoration aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

An optical cable system that integrates copper wires for power transmission alongside optical fibers for high-speed signal transmission, allowing power to be conveyed within the optical cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate power cables are used for each apparatus, then power supply reliability is improved, but installation complexity and interior decoration quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines power transmission and optical signal transmission into a single optical cable assembly. The cable includes both copper conductors for power and optical fibers for data, eliminating the need for separate power and data cables. This merging reduces installation complexity while maintaining reliable power supply through the integrated cable structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical cable is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits electrical power through copper conductors and optical signals through optical fibers. This multi-functional cable replaces traditional separate power cables and data cables, simplifying installation while ensuring both power supply and data transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of energy

If separate power cables are used for each apparatus, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but interior decoration quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidinterior decoration quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By merging power transmission and optical signal transmission into one cable, the patent reduces the number of visible cables and power terminals required. This integration maintains efficient power transmission through dedicated copper conductors while improving interior decoration by eliminating the need for separate power cable routing and multiple connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Power

If copper wires are added to optical cable, then power transmission capability is improved, but cable complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidcable structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical cable employs a composite structure combining copper conductors for power transmission and optical fibers for data transmission. This composite cable design integrates different materials and functions within a single unified structure, providing both power and data capabilities while managing the complexity through standardized construction and shielding arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables convenient arrangement of display apparatus with improved interior decoration effects by eliminating the need for separate power cables, ensuring safe and efficient power transfer between source devices and display apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

optical fibers for high-speed signal transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical signal transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

copper wires for power transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3685203B1Optical signal transferring apparatus, electronic apparatus, source device, and methods of operating the same
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3685203B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3685203B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3685203B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An optical signal transferring apparatus, an electronic apparatus, and a source device, and methods of operating the same include a signal transfer unit including one or more signal lines transferring a signal between a first apparatus and a second apparatus and one or more power lines transferring power between the first apparatus and the second apparatus; and a first connector connected to the first apparatus, and a second connector connected to the second apparatus, wherein the signal transfer unit is configured to transfer an optical signal to the second apparatus in response to a power-on input of the first apparatus and transfer, to the first apparatus, power and data which are received from the second apparatus in response to detection of the transferred optical signal, respectively, via the one or more power lines and the one or more signal lines.