Stranded Cable Assembly with Optical Waveguides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power distribution cable arrangements require external protective structures and sheaths, which complicate installation, maintenance, and increase material costs, while also limiting direct access to power cables and fiber optics.
Innovation Solution
A cable design featuring stranded power cables and optical waveguides without external sheaths or protective structures, allowing for flexible routing and easy access to both power and fiber optic components during and after installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external protective structures and sheaths are used to protect power cables and fiber optics, then reliability and protection are improved, but device complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power cables and fiber optic cables into a single composite cable assembly, eliminating the need for separate protective structures for each type of cable. The common sheath protects both power and communication components simultaneously, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The external sheath serves multiple functions: it protects both power cables and fiber optic cables from environmental damage, provides mechanical strength to the entire cable assembly, and enables unified routing of both power and communication infrastructure through a single protective envelope.
2Reliability
If external protective structures and sheaths are used, then protection is improved, but material costs and investment outlay increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging power cables and fiber optic cables into a single composite assembly with a shared protective sheath, the total amount of protective material required is reduced compared to providing separate sheaths for each cable type. This consolidation decreases material consumption while maintaining adequate protection for all components.
3Reliability
If conventional cable routing with sheaths is used, then protection is improved, but ease of access to power cables and fiber optics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite cable assembly is designed with separable sections or access points that allow individual power cables or fiber optic cables to be accessed and connected independently. This segmentation enables maintenance workers to access specific components without having to remove or damage the entire cable assembly or its protective sheath.
4Ease of operation
If open stranding without sheaths is used, then ease of access and material savings are improved, but protection and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sheath that provides protection while allowing for easy access to internal components. The sheath can be opened or accessed at specific points without compromising the overall protective function, combining the benefits of protection with ease of maintenance access.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The arrangement has cables (3), which comprise energy-conductors that are arranged independent of each other, and empty tubes (7-9) that are arranged between the energy-conductors in an outer lying angle for holding an optical fiber. The cables are designed as high voltage current cables (4-6) and made of insulating material. The high voltage current cables and the tubes are stranded to form units, which are laid in an open strand without using a distributor or a transformer station of a power supply network.