Optical Fiber Ribbon Intermittent Resin Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical fiber ribbons with a non-intermittently connected structure face challenges in achieving a folded state with a desired cross-sectional shape, and they struggle to achieve high density when mounted in optical fiber cables.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber ribbon with N pieces of optical fibers arranged in parallel, where at least some parts contact and are connected by a resin, featuring an intermittent pattern structure every multiple of 4 cores, allowing for efficient splicing and improved mounting density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If an optical fiber ribbon uses a non-intermittently connected structure, then the structure is simple and continuous, but it is difficult to achieve a folded state with a desired cross-sectional shape and cannot achieve high mounting density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidmounting density
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber ribbon is divided into multiple 12-core sections separated by non-connection parts. This segmentation allows the ribbon to be folded into desired cross-sectional shapes and enables high-density mounting in optical fiber cables while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized repeating units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the optical fiber ribbon is intermittently connected every multiple of 4 cores, then splicing efficiency is improved and mounting density increases, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesplicing efficiencyVSAvoidintermittent pattern structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber ribbon features local variations in connection structure: connection parts where adjacent optical fibers are bonded by resin, and non-connection parts where they are not. This local differentiation enables efficient splicing at connection parts while maintaining flexibility for high-density mounting, with the pattern repeating every multiple of 4 cores to balance complexity and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the optical fiber ribbon is intermittently connected, then it can be divided into 12-core sections for easier handling, but the continuous structure is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedivision into sectionsVSAvoidcontinuous structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber ribbon is segmented into standardized 12-core sections separated by non-connection parts. Each section maintains structural integrity through connection parts, while the segmentation enables easy division and handling. The repeating pattern every multiple of 4 cores provides regular intervals for division without completely disrupting the overall ribbon structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3660566B1Optical fiber ribbon and optical fiber cable
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3660566B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3660566B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3660566B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical fiber ribbon includes N pieces of optical fibers in a state of being disposed in parallel. At least some parts of the N pieces of optical fibers contact each other and are connected to each other by a resin; an outer diameter of the optical fiber is equal to or larger than 0.135 mm and equal to or smaller than 0.180 mm; a connection part connected by the resin or another resin and a non-connection part not connected by the resin or another resin are intermittently provided in a longitudinal direction between intermittently connected core wires of an optical fiber disposed at the Mth and an optical fiber disposed at the (M+1)th among the N pieces of optical fibers; the N is a multiple of 12; and the M is a multiple of 4.