Rollable Optical Fiber Ribbon Matrix Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fibre ribbons have a flat surface arrangement inside buffer tubes, leading to increased cable diameter and weight, which complicates manufacturing, transportation, and installation, and the bonding material lacks flexibility, limiting the number of ribbons used.
Innovation Solution
A rollable optical fibre ribbon with a matrix material that includes optical fibres placed parallel to each other, coated with a curable ultraviolet acrylate matrix material providing high elongation, fast cure speed, and excellent flexibility, featuring a glass transition temperature of about −18°C at 1000 mega-Pascal or −28°C at 100 mega-Pascal, and characterized by specific viscosity, tensile strength, and water resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional flat surface arrangement is used, then bonding strength is improved, but cable diameter and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from a flat ribbon arrangement to a rolled/cylindrical configuration. The optical fibres are arranged in a rolled structure where the ribbon is curved around a central axis, creating a compact cylindrical cable format that reduces overall diameter and weight while maintaining bonding strength through the matrix material that adheres to the curved surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolled arrangement enables nested configuration where multiple ribbons are concentrically arranged around a central buffer tube. This nesting approach allows multiple fibre ribbons to be compactly organized in a space-efficient manner, reducing the overall cable diameter and weight compared to flat parallel arrangements.
2Strength
If conventional bonding material is used, then bonding strength is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the bonding material by specifying a matrix material with glass transition temperature of about -18°C at 1000 MPa or -28°C at 100 MPa. This low glass transition temperature ensures the material remains flexible and rubbery at operating temperatures while providing adequate bonding strength, resolving the contradiction between strength and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The matrix material is applied as a liquid coating that cures to form a flexible bonding layer. This composite approach combines the initial liquid state for easy application and penetration with the cured state providing both bonding strength and flexibility, achieving a balance between strength and ease of operation.
3Quantity of substance
If more ribbons are packed, then data transmission capacity is improved, but manufacturing and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rolled arrangement provides a systematic method for organizing multiple ribbons in a compact cylindrical format. This curvature-based organization simplifies the manufacturing process by providing a natural rolling motion for cable formation and reduces installation complexity by creating a more manageable cable structure that is easier to handle and route compared to bulky flat arrangements.
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 rollable optical fibre ribbon achieves reduced cable diameter and weight, improved flexibility, and increased ribbon density, enhancing manufacturing and installation efficiency while maintaining high data transmission capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid coating of the matrix material is cured by exposure of the matrix material to ultraviolet radiation to form a cured coating of the matrix material
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a matrix material for a rollable optical fibre ribbon. The rollable optical fibre ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibres and the matrix material. In addition, each of the plurality of optical fibres is placed parallel to other optical fibres of the plurality of optical fibres. Further, the matrix material joins the plurality of optical fibres. Furthermore, the matrix material has different glass transition temperature at different pressures.