Optical Fiber Cable Deformable Skeleton Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber cables face issues with uneven distribution of water-blocking and fire-retardant components, leading to mechanical and optical degradation due to water penetration and inconsistent fire-retardancy.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber cable design featuring a deformable skeleton structure made of non-woven fabric with water swellable and fire-retardant materials, forming a plurality of slots for uniform distribution of these components, with each slot potentially containing water swellable yarns and optical fibers, and embedded strength members for enhanced protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional water blocking tapes and swellable yarns are placed inside optical fiber cables, then water penetration is blocked to some extent, but the distribution of water blocking elements is uneven causing cable failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cable core is divided into multiple slots, and water blocking elements are distributed across these slots. Each slot contains water swellable yarns and water blocking tapes, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the cable core. This segmentation approach prevents localized concentration of water blocking materials while maintaining comprehensive water protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cable core (slots) are given specific local properties by placing water blocking elements within each slot. This ensures that water blocking functionality is uniformly distributed across the entire cable core, with each slot contributing to the overall water protection while maintaining its own localized water blocking capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fire retardant components are added to optical fiber cables, then fire retardancy is improved, but the distribution of fire retardant components is uneven in conventional cables
Solution Approach 1:
The cable core is segmented into multiple slots, and fire retardant components are distributed across these slots. Each slot contains fire retardant materials, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the cable core. This segmentation prevents localized concentration of fire retardant materials while maintaining comprehensive fire protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The slots serve multiple functions: they accommodate optical fibers, distribute water blocking elements uniformly, and distribute fire retardant components uniformly. This multi-functionality ensures that both water protection and fire retardancy are achieved with even distribution throughout the cable core.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional solid slots with water blocking tapes are used, then water blocking is provided, but the distribution of water blocking components is not uniform inside the cable core
Solution Approach 1:
The cable core is divided into multiple slots, and water blocking elements are distributed across these slots. Each slot contains water swellable yarns and water blocking tapes, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the cable core. This segmentation approach prevents localized concentration of water blocking materials while maintaining comprehensive water protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single solid slot structure, the design transitions to multiple discrete slots distributed throughout the cable core. This dimensional change from a single centralized structure to multiple distributed structures enables uniform distribution of water blocking components across the entire cable core volume.
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
The design ensures comprehensive and uniform protection against water penetration and fire hazards, maintaining cable integrity and safety across various environments by swelling to block water ingress and distributing fire-retardant components evenly.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable skeleton structure when exposed to water, has a swelling height of greater than 5 mm
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300, 400) comprising a plurality of optical fibers (102), a deformable skeleton structure (104), and a sheath (106) surrounding the plurality of optical fibers (102) and the deformable skeleton structure (104). In particular, the sheath (106) and the deformable skeleton structure (104) forms a plurality of slots (108) such that one or more optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers (102) are positioned inside one or more slots of the plurality of slots (108).