Optical Fiber Ribbon Connections for Progressive Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fiber ribbons with weak connecting portions are prone to tearing when subjected to bending forces, leading to scattering of individual fibers and deterioration in handling properties.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber ribbon design includes intermittently provided connecting portions with multiple tearing stress peaks, where the first peak is 0.01 N or more and the second peak is 50% or more of the first peak, ensuring gradual tearing and minimizing fiber scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connecting portion is made weak to allow easy separation, then the handling property improves, but the fiber scattering increases and integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion is divided into multiple tearing regions (first, second, and third tearing regions) with different tearing strengths. This segmentation allows the connecting portion to tear progressively through multiple stages rather than all at once, enabling easy separation while maintaining fiber integrity. The first tearing region has the weakest strength for initial separation, the second tearing region provides intermediate resistance, and the third tearing region provides final resistance, creating a controlled progressive tearing process.
2Strength
If the connecting portion strength is increased to prevent tearing, then the fiber integrity is maintained, but the handling property deteriorates due to complete tearing when force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion is designed with dynamic, staged tearing characteristics rather than a single static strength level. When force is applied, the connecting portion transitions through multiple tearing states: first the weakest region tears, then the intermediate region, and finally the strongest region. This dynamic progressive tearing provides controlled separation that maintains handling properties while preventing sudden complete tearing and fiber scattering.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction. In at least a part of the plurality of optical fibers, a plurality of connecting portions that connect adjacent optical fibers are intermittently provided in the longitudinal direction. One of the plurality of connecting portions is configured such that, when the one connecting portion is torn in the longitudinal direction, a tearing stress has a plurality of peaks. The tearing stress has a first peak that indicates a maximum tearing stress, and a second peak that indicates a tearing stress different from the maximum tearing stress. A tearing stress of the first peak is 0.01 N or more. A tearing stress of the second peak is 50% or more of the tearing stress of the first peak.