Optical-Fiber Interconnect Cable with Flexible Subunit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional interconnect cables do not support optical data transmission, which is necessary as optical communications expand into and between computers and peripheral devices.

Innovation Solution

An optical-fiber interconnect cable design featuring a flexible subunit with optical fibers enclosed in a polymeric tube, high-conductivity conductors, and an outer jacket with strength yarns to enhance mechanical properties and prevent excessive bending, allowing for self-limiting bending characteristics and reduced optical attenuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional interconnect cables are used, then electrical data transmission is supported, but optical data transmission capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical data transmission capabilityVSAvoiddata transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable combines optical fibers for optical data transmission with copper conductors for electrical data transmission and power delivery, creating a composite cable structure that supports multiple transmission modes simultaneously. This resolves the contradiction by enabling optical transmission capability while maintaining reliable data transmission through the appropriate medium for each type of data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the cable is made flexible to improve ease of operation, then bending capability is enhanced, but optical fiber damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable flexibilityVSAvoidoptical fiber integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable uses a flexible polymer jacket and internal flexible subunits that allow the cable to bend without transmitting excessive stress to the optical fibers. The flexible structure absorbs bending stresses, protecting the optical fibers from damage while maintaining cable flexibility for ease of installation and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cable incorporates strength members and flexible subunits that act as cushioning elements before bending stresses can reach the optical fibers. These protective elements absorb and distribute mechanical stresses, preventing direct transmission of bending forces to the fragile optical fibers while allowing the cable to remain flexible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If the cable structure is simplified to reduce device complexity, then manufacturing is easier, but mechanical integrity during bending is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable structure simplicityVSAvoidmechanical integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is divided into modular flexible subunits, each containing optical fibers and protective elements. This segmentation allows each subunit to be manufactured independently with optimized protective structures, then assembled into the final cable. The modular approach maintains mechanical integrity through repeated protective patterns while simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2678728B1Optical-fiber interconnect cable

Publication Date: 2018.04.18 DRAKA COMTEQ BV

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AI summary

An Optical - fiber interconnect cable (10) includes one or more optical fibres (12) and one or more electrical conductors (14) surrounded by an outer jacket. The optical fibers (12), such a multimode optical fibers, are typically enclosed within a flexible polimeric tube (13) to form a flexible subunit.