Optical Fiber Coating Resin Layer Color Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical fiber ribbons with an ink layer as the outermost layer often experience adhesiveness deterioration leading to 'color peeling' during ribbon material removal, and coloring the protective coating layer results in color change over time due to resin yellowing.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber with a coating resin layer of 10 μm or more, where the change rate of the yellow index after aging under 85° C. and 85% RH for 30 days is 5 or less per day, eliminating the need for an ink layer and preventing color peeling by integrating color into the resin layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If an ink layer is used as the outermost layer for distinction, then the optical fiber can be distinguished, but adhesiveness between the ink layer and secondary resin layer deteriorates over time causing color peeling

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedistinguishabilityVSAvoidadhesiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the distinction function into the secondary resin layer itself by coloring it, eliminating the separate ink layer. This integration ensures that the colored layer and secondary resin layer become a single unified structure, preventing peeling while maintaining distinguishability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the ink layer from the structure and extracts its distinction function, transferring it to the secondary resin layer. This extraction eliminates the adhesive interface between the ink layer and secondary resin layer, thereby preventing color peeling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the protective coating layer is colored to prevent color peeling, then color peeling is prevented, but the color of the optical fiber changes over time due to resin yellowing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor stabilityVSAvoidcolor consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the secondary resin layer by incorporating specific pigments and adjusting the resin type to achieve both color stability and resistance to yellowing. This parameter optimization allows the colored layer to maintain its color while preventing the resin from yellowing over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the ink layer is made thinner to reduce material usage, then material cost is reduced, but adhesiveness deteriorates faster leading to peeling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidadhesiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the distinction function into the secondary resin layer, the patent eliminates the need for a separate thin ink layer. The secondary resin layer itself becomes the colored layer, ensuring sufficient thickness and adhesion without material waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10197724B2Optical fiber core and optical fiber ribbon core

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

An optical fiber comprises a glass fiber having a core and a cladding with which the core is covered, and a coating resin layer with which the glass fiber is covered, the coating resin layer having a colored layer of a thickness of 10 μm or more, wherein a change rate of a yellow index of the coating resin layer after aging due to temperature and humidity under an environment of 85° C. and 85% RH for 30 days is 5 or less per day.