Taper Roller Fiber Length Control in Optical Cable Loose Tube
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Solution Overview
Problem
The excess length issue between an optical cable loose tube and optical fiber arises due to internal stress and contraction during cooling and coating, affecting the transmission quality of high-frequency signals.
Innovation Solution
A device with an inverted-conical taper roller is placed between the loose tube extruder and tractor, allowing the loose tube to be wound multiple times, creating a force difference through varying circumferences to counteract contraction, thereby stabilizing the fiber length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the loose tube is directly pulled by the tractor after cooling in water trough, then the production process is simple, but the friction between water and loose tube material causes internal stress and contraction, generating excessive fiber length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transitional passive roller with tapered structure as an intermediary between the cooling water trough and the tractor. The loose tube passes through this roller which has different circumferences at top (S1) and bottom (S2), creating a force difference that compensates for the contraction caused by water friction during cooling, thereby controlling the fiber excess length without complicating the overall production process
2Manufacturing precision
If the loose tube is wound multiple times around the taper roller, then the force difference increases to offset contraction, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tapered roller with curved surface where the circumference varies from top to bottom. This curvature design creates a natural force difference as the loose tube wraps around it multiple times, with each wrap contributing to the cumulative force difference that offsets the contraction. The curved geometry achieves the desired force modulation without requiring additional complex mechanical components
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 device effectively controls fiber excess length by offsetting the contraction force, ensuring stable fiber length and improved transmission quality.
Implementation Method 1
According to the kinetic energy theorem, W=F×S, i.e., work=force×displacement in the direction of the force. It is assumed that the upper circumference of the transitional roller is S1, the lower circumference is S2, the pulling force at the S1 end is F1, the pulling force at the S2 end is F2, the work at the S1 end is W1, and the work at the S1 end is W2.
Implementation Method 2
During the cooling of the loose tube, the friction between water and the loose tube material causes an internal stress and a molecule (retraction) tendency in the loose tube
Implementation Method 3
cooling water with an appropriate temperature is sprayed over the tube on the roller
Implementation Method 4
The loose tube is wound around the taper roller at least three times from top down
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for fiber excess length stable control in an optical cable loose tube, which is disposed between a loose tube extruder and a loose tube tractor. The device forms the following structures: an extrusion section connected to the extruder, a traction section connected to the tractor, and a transition section connecting the extrusion section and the traction section, where loose tube displacement generated at the extrusion section is greater than loose tube displacement generated at the traction section. The present invention provides a device for fiber excess length stable control in optical cable loose tube with a simple structure and an excellent excess length control effect.