Slot-less Optical Cable Bending Strain via Ribbon Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density optical fiber ribbons in slotless optical cables experience deformation, affecting bending strain due to variations in coupling and non-coupling portion lengths, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber ribbon with specific length ratios between coupling and non-coupling portions, and a slotless optical cable design incorporating a press winding, jacket, tension member, and rip cord, to improve bending strain properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If optical fiber ribbons are concentrated at high density into a cable, then cable capacity increases, but bending strain of optical fibers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber ribbon is segmented into multiple sections along its length, with each section having controlled coupling and non-coupling portions. This segmentation allows the ribbon to be flexed and deformed without concentrating stress on continuous coupling portions, thereby improving bending strain properties while maintaining high cable capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the optical fiber ribbon have different coupling characteristics. The coupling portions provide structural integrity while the non-coupling portions allow for flexibility and stress relief during bending. This local differentiation of properties enables the ribbon to withstand high-density packing while maintaining acceptable bending strain
2Ease of manufacture
If coupling portion length and non-coupling portion length are not controlled, then manufacturing is simpler, but transmission property deteriorates and fusion-splicing failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
Specific parameter ranges are established for coupling portion length (A) and non-coupling portion length (C) to optimize both manufacturing ease and transmission property. The conditional expressions define acceptable parameter ranges that balance manufacturing simplicity with reliable optical performance and fusion-splicing success
3Ease of manufacture
If non-coupling portion lengths vary, then manufacturing is easier, but overlap between non-coupling portions becomes unpredictable causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The ribbon structure incorporates dynamic characteristics through controlled non-coupling portions that can accommodate varying lengths while maintaining stable overlap patterns. This allows manufacturing flexibility without compromising the structural stability needed to prevent unwanted deformation during cable assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an optical fiber ribbon (1) in which a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers (11-22) are intermittently connected or separated in a length direction and a width direction while being connected every two cores. The optical fiber ribbon (1) satisfies conditional expressions [1], [2] when the length in the longitudinal direction of a connection portion (3) is denoted by A, the length in the longitudinal direction of a non-connection portion (5) in which separation portions (4) adjacent to each other overlap when viewing the separation portions (4) in the width direction is denoted by C, and the periodic interval in the longitudinal direction between the connection portions (3) is denoted by P.P≤150 mm [2]: A:C=25-45 mm: 10-30 mm [1]: