Optical Cable Ripcord Design for Simplified Sheath Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical cables for FTTH access networks require complex and cumbersome methods to open, involving multiple steps and manipulations to access the optical elements, which complicates the manufacturing process and assembly.
Innovation Solution
An optical cable design featuring a reinforcement with a longitudinal groove and tearing elements housed in separate cavities within the sheath, allowing for easy access to the optical element by tearing the sheath using the tearing elements, which are guided by parallel housings to facilitate a straightforward opening process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple cavities are used to house optical elements and rip elements separately, then the cable structure is well-organized, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the housing for optical elements and rip elements into a single common cavity rather than using separate cavities. This reduces manufacturing and assembly complexity while maintaining proper organization through internal positioning features.
2Reliability
If a complex opening method with multiple steps is used, then the cable can be opened safely, but the operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rip elements are pre-positioned within the sheath in a retracted state. When needed, they are simply pulled outward to initiate the tearing action, eliminating the need for multiple manual steps to access optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is designed to tear automatically when the rip elements are pulled outward. The sheath material itself performs the opening function through its own structural properties, requiring no additional tools or complex procedures.
3Strength
If the sheath is made robust for protection, then the cable durability is improved, but the ease of opening the cable is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath has different structural properties in different regions. The main body of the sheath is robust for protection, while specific portions are designed with tear initiation features that allow controlled opening when rip elements are activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The robust sheath material that provides protection is the same material that, when subjected to the rip elements' outward force, creates a controlled tear. The strength that protects the cable also enables the opening mechanism when properly activated.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical cable (1) comprising: a reinforcement (6) defining a longitudinal groove extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the optical cable (1); an optical element (2) received at least partially in the groove; a sheath (4) surrounding the optical element (2) and the reinforcement (6), said sheath (4) comprising a first portion (4a) facing the optical element (2) and a second portion (4b) opposite the first portion (4a) relative to the optical element (2) and the reinforcement (6); two ripcords (16, 18) designed to rip the sheath (4) when pulled outward from the optical cable (1); and two spaces (12, 14) defined by the sheath (4) and the reinforcement (6), in which the ripcords (16, 18) are housed, said spaces (12, 14) being arranged such that a tongue (20) is formed in the first portion (4a) of the sheath (4) when the ripcords (16, 18) are ripped through the sheath (4) and said tongue can be separated from the second portion (4b) of the sheath (4), such as to provide access to the optical element from outside the optical cable (1), the groove and the two spaces forming different parts of the same cavity.