Optical-Electrical Cable Resin Mediator Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical-electrical composite cables either suppress microbending-induced optical loss by using high-tensile fibers, which reduce flexibility, or enhance protection with a protective tube, but compromise on cable flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An optical-electrical composite cable design featuring a tubular resin inner cover with a fibrous reinforcement member, helically wound electric wires between the inner and outer covers, and specific material properties to balance tensile strength and flexibility, reducing microbending-induced optical loss while maintaining flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-tensile fiber is filled between the optical fiber and covered conductors to disperse external force, then lateral pressure on the optical fiber is reduced, but the cable flexibility is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
A resin layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the optical fiber and the high-tensile fiber/covered conductors. This resin layer absorbs and distributes external forces, preventing direct transmission of lateral pressure to the optical fiber while maintaining cable flexibility. The resin acts as a cushioning medium that decouples the mechanical interaction between the rigid high-tensile fiber and the sensitive optical fiber.
2Reliability
If the protective tube is strengthened to prevent bending or twisting of the optical fiber, then transmission loss is reduced, but the cable flexibility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cable employs a composite structure combining a protective tube with controlled mechanical properties, high-tensile fiber for strength, and resin material for flexibility. This composite design allows the protective tube to provide sufficient protection against bending and twisting while the resin and high-tensile fiber maintain cable flexibility. The resin layer specifically prevents microbending of the optical fiber by providing a compliant interface.
3Strength
If electric wires are arranged to surround the optical fiber, then structural support is improved, but microbending of the optical fiber occurs due to external force transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The resin layer serves as a mediator between the electric wires/covered conductors and the optical fiber. When external forces are applied to the cable, the resin absorbs and distributes these forces, preventing them from being transmitted directly to the optical fiber. This eliminates the microbending effect while allowing the electric wires to provide necessary structural support.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical-electrical composite cable includes an optical fiber, a tubular resin inner cover to enclose the optical fiber, a plurality of electric wires disposed on an outside of the inner cover, and a tubular outer cover to collectively cover the plurality of electric wires. The plurality of electric wires are helically wound around an outer peripheral surface of the inner cover so as to be situated between the inner cover and the outer cover.