Optical Fiber Bundle With Interwoven Yarn For Mass Splicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical fiber bundles face challenges with complex and fragile connecting elements, which complicate manufacturing, are prone to breakage, and limit adjustable fiber spacing, making mass fusion splicing difficult.

Innovation Solution

An optical communication bundle with interwoven weft yarns that hold optical fibers together, allowing for easy transition between rolled and unrolled positions, enabling precise alignment and adjustable fiber spacing for efficient mass fusion splicing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If connecting elements made of acrylate resin adhesive are used to hold optical fibers together, then the optical fibers can be kept together in a layer structure, but the connecting elements are mechanically fragile and can break during implementation or upon exposure to high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber layer unityVSAvoidconnecting element durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from acrylate resin adhesive to aramid yarn, which has superior thermal and mechanical stability. The aramid yarn maintains fiber layer unity while resisting breakage under high temperature and mechanical stress conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite construction by interweaving aramid yarn with optical fibers to create a hybrid structure. This composite approach combines the flexibility of yarn with the precision of fiber arrangement, achieving both structural integrity and functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If connecting elements are used to hold optical fibers together, then the optical fibers can be maintained in position, but the connecting elements are complex to attach to the optical fibers, generating significant overhead in manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber positioningVSAvoidmanufacturing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fiber positioning function with the structural support function by using aramid yarn that is interwoven directly with the optical fibers during manufacturing. This eliminates the need for separate connecting elements and reduces manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The aramid yarn is incorporated into the fiber layer structure during the initial manufacturing process, establishing fiber positioning and structural integrity simultaneously. This preliminary integration avoids subsequent complex attachment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If connecting elements are used to hold optical fibers together, then the optical fibers can be kept in a fixed arrangement, but the connecting elements do not make it possible to easily vary the distance separating two adjacent optical fibers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber arrangementVSAvoidfiber spacing adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The aramid yarn interweaving structure provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the distance between adjacent optical fibers to be varied by adjusting the yarn tension or configuration. This maintains stable fiber arrangement while enabling flexibility for different groove dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Volume of moving object

If the layer is rolled up to form a compact roll, then the optical fibers are non-coplanar and the structure is compact, but the layer cannot be easily transitioned to an unrolled position for mass fusion splicing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebundle compactnessVSAvoidposition transition ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The aramid yarn interweaving creates a flexible yet structured envelope that maintains compactness when rolled while allowing easy unrolling. The yarn structure acts as a flexible constraint that guides the fiber layer through position transitions without damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20240369788A1Optical communication bundle and associated optical cable

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 ACOME SA

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical communication bundle (10) comprising one layer (1), said layer (1) including at least three parallel optical fibers (2) which together define a first side of the layer (1) and a second side of the layer (1) opposite the first side, and a weft yarn (3) interlaced with the optical fibers (2) in order to maintain the optical fibers (2) relative to one another, said weft yarn (3) extending alternately on the first side and on the second side of the layer (1), passing through the layer (1) from the first side to the second side and from the second side to the first side. According to the invention, the layer (1) has a position in which it is wound about itself so as to form a bundle in which the optical fibers (2) are non coplanar; and the interlacing between the weft yarn (3) and the optical fibers (2) is adapted to allow the sheet (1) to pass from the wound position into an unwound position in which the optical fibers (2) are coplanar.