Optical Fiber Cable With Segmented Sheath for Standard Splicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber cables using small-diameter optical fibers face challenges in handling and density due to the inability to utilize splicing tools and conditions optimized for normal optical fibers, leading to inefficiencies in connection and installation processes.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber cable design incorporating small-diameter optical fibers with a cladding diameter of 120 μm or less, optically connected to normal optical fibers via a tapered splicing mechanism, and covered by a sheath that only encases the small-diameter fibers, allowing for the use of standard splicing tools and conditions, thereby increasing density and handling ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If small-diameter optical fibers are used to increase cable density, then the cable density is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to use standard splicing tools
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber cable is segmented into distinct regions: a sheath-covered region containing small-diameter optical fibers and a sheath-free region containing normal optical fibers. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system compatibility with standard tools and procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Normal optical fibers act as an intermediary between the small-diameter optical fibers and standard splicing tools. The normal optical fibers have standard dimensions that are compatible with existing splicing equipment, while being optically connected to the small-diameter fibers, thus enabling the use of standard tools without directly handling the difficult small-diameter fibers.
2Quantity of substance
If small-diameter optical fibers are used, then the cable density is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to specialized splicing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct stages: splicing normal optical fibers using standard procedures, then connecting small-diameter optical fibers to the normal fibers. This segmentation allows the majority of the manufacturing process to use standardized, well-established techniques while isolating the specialized small-diameter fiber connections to a specific stage.
Solution Approach 2:
Normal optical fibers are prepared and spliced in advance using standard tools and procedures before the small-diameter optical fibers are connected. This preliminary action creates a standardized interface that simplifies the subsequent connection of small-diameter fibers, as the normal fibers provide a familiar, standard-dimensional target for splicing.
3Ease of operation
If the sheath covers only small-diameter optical fibers, then the handling ease is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath structure is segmented to cover only specific regions containing small-diameter optical fibers, leaving other regions with normal optical fibers exposed. This selective coverage provides mechanical protection where needed while maintaining accessibility and simplicity in other areas, reducing overall structural complexity compared to a fully enclosed design.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber cable includes: a small-diameter optical fiber including a core and a cladding portion made of glass and having a cladding diameter of 120 μm or less; a normal optical fiber that is optically connected to at least one end of the small-diameter optical fiber, includes a core and a cladding portion made of glass, and has a cladding diameter conforming to a standard of 125 μm; an optical coupling mechanism provided between the small-diameter optical fiber and the normal optical fiber; and a sheath covering an outer periphery of the small-diameter optical fiber only, among the small-diameter optical fiber and the normal optical fiber. Further, the end of the small-diameter optical fiber is positioned outside the sheath.