Optical cable and optical cable assembly having the same

• US 10,545,303 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2017
• Issued: 01/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Jung-hwa, Bae, Chang-hun, Ko, Young-ki, Kwak, Byung-ju, Kim, Sun-woo, Bang, Woo-sub, Son, Sung-ki
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Chad H
• Application Number:
  US15/831,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20180188461A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3826 characterised by form or shape
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4204 the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208, H01L33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 comprising arrays of active devices and fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4277 Protection against electromagnetic interference [EMI], e.g. shielding means shielding of electric apparatus H05K9/00, of instruments G12B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/428 containing printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4401 Optical cables glass fibres with a protective coating G02B6/02395
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4411 Matrix structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4415 Cables for special applications G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4431 with provision in the protective covering, e.g. weak line, for gaining access to one or more fibres, e.g. for branching or tapping break-out terminations G02B6/4471
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4433 Double reinforcement laying in straight line with optical transmission element
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4436 Heat resistant

Abstract

An optical cable and an optical cable assembly having the same are provided. The optical cable includes a plurality of optical fibers each of which includes a core, a clad arranged on an outside of the core, and a coating layer arranged on an outside of the clad; a substantially transparent sheath in which the plurality of optical fibers are arranged; and a substantially transparent filler configured to fill a space between the sheath and the plurality of optical fibers.

Claims

1. An optical cable for transmitting video and audio data, comprising:

a plurality of optical fibers each of which includes a core, a clad arranged on an outside of the core, and a coating layer arranged on an outside of the clad, the optical fibers configured for transmitting video and audio data;

a sheath in which the plurality of optical fibers are arranged, wherein the optical fibers are loosely disposed relative to each other in the sheath so as to be irregularly disposed in the sheath; and

a filler configured to fill a space between the inner surface of the sheath and the outer surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers so that the filler contacts both the inner surface of the sheath and the outer surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers;

wherein the sheath and the filler are substantially transparent to visible light so as to reduce any visibility of the optical cable to a user'"'"'s eye.

2. The optical cable as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tensile line inserted into the filler.

3. The optical cable as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tensile line is substantially transparent to visible light.

4. An optical cable assembly comprising:

first and second photoelectric converters; and

an optical cable configured to connect the first and second photoelectric converters to each other,

wherein the optical cable includes;

a plurality of optical fibers each of which includes a core, a clad arranged on an outside of the core, and a coating layer arranged on an outside of the clad;

a sheath in which the plurality of optical fibers are arranged, wherein the optical fibers are loosely disposed relative to each other in the sheath so as to be irregularly disposed in the sheath; and

a filler configured to fill a space between the inner surface of the sheath and the outer surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers so that the filler contacts both the inner surface of the sheath and the outer surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers;

wherein the sheath and the filler are substantially transparent to visible light so as to reduce any visibility of the optical cable to a user'"'"'s eye.

5. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the first and second photoelectric converters comprises:

a circuit board;

a shield can configured to surround the circuit board; and

a housing in which the shield can is disposed.

6. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the housing is formed to be penetrated by the light.

7. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plug that projects from one end of the housing to an outside is formed to extend from the shield can.

8. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein a trumpet-shaped guide, of which the width is gradually narrowed toward an inside of the housing, is formed on another end of the housing.

9. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein an inner circumferential surface of the trumpet-shaped guide is a curved surface.

10. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the circuit board is mounted with:

a lens system configured to connect the optical cable and the circuit board to each other;

an optical element system configured to emit and/or absorb light; and

an optical drive IC configured to operate using an optical signal.

11. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are branched from opposite ends of the optical cable inserted into the first and second photoelectric converters.

12. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are fixed to lenses of the lens system.

13. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the lens system is disposed between the optical cable and the optical element system.

14. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the first and second photoelectric converters further comprises:

a first support disposed in the shield can to support the circuit board; and

a second support disposed outside of the shield can to guide the optical cable into the shield can.

15. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first support comprises left and right support pieces, and

surfaces of the left and right support pieces in the shield can, the surfaces facing each other, gradually go away from each other moving in a direction in which the optical cable is to be inserted into the lens system.

16. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second support is formed of a transparent material.

17. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein a vent hole is formed on the housing to dissipate heat generated from the optical drive IC.

18. The optical cable assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein anti-skid projections are formed on an outer surface of the housing.