Fiber Optic Cable Coupling via Raised Water-Blocking Tape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic cables face issues with axial displacement and buckling of optical elements due to insufficient coupling, leading to signal attenuation and potential fiber damage, and current solutions like foam tapes increase cable diameter and material costs.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic cable design featuring a tube with a stack of fiber optic ribbons, a water-blocking tape partially around the stack, and a support that raises the tape to create an elevated portion for intermittent frictional coupling, allowing the stack to twist and maintain alignment while minimizing buckling risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If foam and special foam tapes are used to provide coupling between optical elements and surrounding structure, then coupling effectiveness is improved, but cable diameter increases and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin water-blocking tape instead of bulky foam tape to provide coupling between the optical element stack and the tube. The tape is positioned around the stack and extends into engagement with the tube interior, providing effective coupling while maintaining a compact cable diameter. This applies the principle of using thin films to achieve coupling functionality without increasing volume.
2Reliability
If foam and special foam tapes are used to provide coupling between optical elements and surrounding structure, then coupling effectiveness is improved, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive foam tape with a thin water-blocking tape that serves dual purposes: water blocking and mechanical coupling. This thin film approach reduces material quantity and cost while maintaining coupling effectiveness through its engagement with the tube interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-blocking tape performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides water blocking protection and creates frictional coupling between the optical element stack and the tube. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate coupling materials, reducing overall material costs while maintaining coupling effectiveness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the stack is fully coupled to the tube, then axial displacement is minimized, but the stack cannot accommodate cable bending and stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates localized frictional coupling at specific positions where the water-blocking tape engages with the tube interior, rather than continuous coupling along the entire length. This allows the optical element stack to remain stable at engagement points while having freedom to move in uncoupled sections, enabling accommodation of cable bending and stretching.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system transitions from a static fully-coupled design to a dynamic system with variable coupling along the cable length. The water-blocking tape creates intermittent frictional engagement that allows the stack to adapt its position dynamically in response to cable bending and stretching, while maintaining stability where tape engagement occurs.
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
This design provides efficient coupling without increasing cable diameter or material costs, mitigating buckling and signal attenuation by varying frictional contact along the cable length, enhancing the cable's bending performance and reducing the risk of optical fiber damage.
Implementation Method 1
the stack interfaces with the elevated portion to provide frictional coupling between the stack and the tube
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic cable includes a tube, a stack of fiber optic ribbons twisting along a lengthwise axis through the tube, a support, and water-blocking tape positioned at least partially around the stack, between the stack and the tube. The support and water-blocking tape provide an elevated portion of the water-blocking tape that is raised. As the stack twists along the lengthwise axis of the tube, corners of the stack interface with the elevated portion to provide intermittent frictional coupling between the stack and the tube.