Segmented Optical Fiber Ribbon for Rolling and Easy Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber ribbons face challenges in maintaining their shape in a rolled state while allowing easy separation of individual fibers without causing damage, especially during branching or connection tasks, and there is a need for improved workability and damage prevention during separation.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber ribbon is designed with alternating bonding and non-bonding areas along its length, featuring spaced-apart bonding portions and non-bonding sections, which reduce separation strength and work required, while maintaining a bonded state under external forces, allowing for flexible rolling and easy separation of fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If optical fibers are continuously bonded along the entire length, then the bonding strength is high, but the separation work required is excessive and fiber damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding structure is segmented into discrete bonding portions spaced apart along the optical fiber ribbon, with non-bonding portions between them. This segmentation allows the ribbon to maintain bonding strength at specific locations while reducing the total bonding length, thereby decreasing the separation work required during installation without compromising overall structural integrity.
2Strength
If optical fibers are continuously bonded along the entire length, then the bonding strength is high, but the flexibility for rolling and folding is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the bonding structure into discrete portions rather than continuous bonding, the ribbon gains flexibility in the non-bonding sections. This enables the ribbon to be rolled, folded, and bent more easily during installation while maintaining adequate bonding strength at the spaced-apart bonding portions to preserve structural integrity when needed.
3Loss of time
If bonding portions are spaced apart, then the separation work is reduced, but the bonding strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding portions are designed with optimized local characteristics including specific width, length, and spacing intervals. Each bonding portion provides concentrated bonding strength at critical locations, while the non-bonding portions reduce overall separation work. The local quality of bonding is enhanced at specific points rather than distributed uniformly, achieving a balance between bonding strength and ease of separation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bonding portions are spaced apart, then the flexibility for rolling is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spaced-apart bonding portions provide structural stability at discrete intervals along the ribbon, preventing excessive deformation and maintaining structural integrity. The non-bonding portions between them allow the ribbon to flex, roll, and fold as needed during installation. This segmented approach creates a balance where the ribbon remains stable enough to handle properly while maintaining the flexibility required for routing and termination.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber ribbon which, as a component included in a high-density optical cable for building a large-capacity communication network, maintains the state in which optical fibers are bonded to each other so that the optical fiber ribbon can be rolled or folded in the width direction, and simultaneously allows the separation strength between individual optical fibers configuring the optical fiber ribbon to be adjusted, thereby improving workability when branching or connecting the optical fiber ribbon in a connection area, while preventing damage to the separated optical fibers.