Optoelectrical Cable Asymmetric Line Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optoelectrical composite cables with unbalanced cross-sectional shapes due to differing diameters of power-supply and signal lines suffer from reliability issues, such as increased optical loss and breakage of optical fibers, and difficulty in wiring.
Innovation Solution
The cable design includes a resin inner cylinder with optical fibers, pairs of electrical lines where power-supply lines have a larger outer diameter than signal lines, arranged at opposing positions with the inner cylinder in between, and electrical lines are helically wound around the outer surface to reduce load on the inner cylinder and absorb external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the conductor cross-sectional area of power-supply lines is increased to reduce transmission loss, then the outer diameter of power-supply lines becomes larger, but the cross-sectional shape of the optoelectrical composite cable becomes unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally designing the cable with different outer diameters for power-supply lines and signal lines. The power-supply lines have larger outer diameters to reduce transmission loss, while signal lines have smaller outer diameters since they transmit small currents. This asymmetric design is made balanced through strategic arrangement of the lines around the inner cylinder.
2Ease of operation
If the cross-sectional shape becomes unbalanced due to different line diameters, then wiring flexibility is reduced, but arranging lines to balance the shape increases structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by arranging different types of electrical lines (power-supply lines and signal lines) in specific locations around the inner cylinder. Power-supply lines with larger diameters are positioned at specific locations while signal lines with smaller diameters are positioned at other locations, creating a locally optimized arrangement that achieves overall cross-sectional balance.
3Reliability
If the cross-sectional shape becomes unbalanced, then the tube is more likely to be deformed under external force, but reinforcing the tube increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging the electrical lines in a balanced cross-sectional configuration before the cable is subjected to external forces. The lines are positioned such that they naturally balance the cross-sectional shape, preventing deformation of the inner cylinder and protecting optical fibers from lateral pressure and microbending before any external stress is applied.
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectrical composite cable includes an optical fiber; a resin inner cylinder that accommodates the optical fiber; a plurality of electrical lines arranged outside the inner cylinder so as to cover a surrounding of the inner cylinder, and a tubular outer cylinder that collectively covers the plurality of electrical lines. The plurality of electrical lines include pairs of electrical lines, and the electrical lines constitute at least one of the pairs of electrical lines have a larger outer diameter than the other electrical lines and are arranged at opposing positions, with the inner cylinder being interposed therebetween.