Optical Fiber Coating with Titanium Oxide for High-Density Cable Identifiability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density optical fiber cables require reduced outer diameters, which complicates the identification of optical fibers due to thinner coating resin layers, making it difficult to maintain identifiability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first resin layer with a cured product of a photopolymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator, and titanium oxide particles, with surface-treated titanium oxide particles for improved dispersibility and weather resistance, to enhance the identifiability of optical fibers while maintaining a suitable outer diameter for cable densification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the outer diameter of optical fiber is reduced to achieve high-density cable packing, then cable packing density is improved, but identifiability of optical fiber deteriorates due to thinner coating resin layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating a colored resin layer containing titanium oxide particles that provide strong coloration and identification capability. The colored resin layer is specifically designed to maintain visual identifiability even when the overall fiber diameter is reduced for high-density packing, directly resolving the contradiction between compactness and detectability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple resin layers with different functions: a protective clear resin layer and a colored resin layer with titanium oxide particles. This composite structure allows the outer diameter to be minimized while the colored layer maintains identifiability, solving the contradiction between reduced size and detection difficulty
2Length of stationary object
If the thickness of coating resin layer is reduced to minimize outer diameter, then outer diameter is improved, but identifiability and color retention deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the coloration and identification function in a specific colored resin layer rather than distributing it throughout the entire coating. This localized approach allows the colored layer to maintain strong identifiability even when the overall coating thickness is minimized for reduced outer diameter
Solution Approach 2:
The colored resin layer with titanium oxide particles provides intense coloration that maintains identifiability despite reduced thickness. The high pigment concentration in this localized layer compensates for the reduced overall coating thickness, resolving the contradiction between small size and detection capability
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If titanium oxide particles are added to resin layer, then identifiability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to dispersibility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the particle size of titanium oxide within a specific range (0.1-10 μm) and adjusting the concentration (1-20 parts by mass per 100 parts of resin). These parameter optimizations ensure good dispersibility and reduce manufacturing complexity while maintaining strong coloration and identifiability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent concentrates titanium oxide particles specifically in the colored resin layer rather than distributing them throughout all coating layers. This localized placement maximizes identifiability while minimizing the overall complexity of the manufacturing process, as only the colored layer requires particle incorporation
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 optical fiber and ribbon exhibit improved identifiability and uniform thickness, ensuring effective color retention under environmental stress, thus addressing the challenge of reduced outer diameters and maintaining optical fiber visibility in high-density applications.
Implementation Method 1
The first resin layer includes a cured product of a resin composition containing a photopolymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber according to the present disclosure includes a glass fiber including a core and a cladding, and a first resin layer covering the glass fiber so as to be in contact with the glass fiber. The first resin layer includes a cured product of a resin composition containing a photopolymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator, and titanium oxide particles, and a content of the titanium oxide particles is 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass based on a total amount of the resin composition.