JP2001013381A - Optical fiber cable and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a loose-tube type optical fiber cable capable of preventing a coated optical fiber from moving in a longitudinal direction with lapse of time. SOLUTION: A coated optical fiber 2 is loosely stored in the internal space of a tube 1, while the void is filled with a packing material. The packing material consists of unhardened parts 3 and hardened parts 4, with the latter 4 interposed intermittently in the longitudinal direction. The coated optical fiber is intermittently bound with the hardened parts in the longitudinal direction of the cable, preventing the coated optical fiber from moving in the longitudinal direction of the cable, even if the cable is laid in an inclined or perpendicular direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a loose tube type optical fiber cable in which an optical fiber core is loosely accommodated in a tube and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a loose tube type optical fiber cable in which an optical fiber is loosely housed in a tube filled with a jelly-like admixture. FIG. 7 shows an example of this, which is described in JP-A-6-284818. In the figure, 21 is a tension member, 22 is a tube, 23 is an optical fiber core, and 24 is a jelly-like admixture. A plurality of primary coated optical fiber cores 23 are loosely accommodated in a tube 22 made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) around a tension member 21 made of steel wire or FRP (glass fiber reinforced resin). . The space inside the tube 22 is filled with a jelly-like mixture 24 containing a substance that generates heat or absorbs heat by reacting with water.

As shown in FIG. 8, there has been proposed an optical submarine cable in which an outer periphery of a metal tube into which an optical fiber core wire and a jelly-like resin is inserted is provided with armor having a predetermined structure (IWCS Proceedings 199).
6, pp8-9, New Submarine Cab
le Design for Long Hau1, H
high Bit Rate Systems). In the figure,
The same parts as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 25 is a steel wire. As the tube 22, a metal tube is used, and a steel wire 25 is twisted around the metal tube.

[0004] These loose tube type optical fiber cables are designed so that the optical fiber can move freely within the tube.
Since the optical fiber core is slightly longer than the tube length and filled with jelly-like admixture, it has a structure that does not easily increase microbend loss due to external distortion of the cable or expansion and contraction distortion in the longitudinal direction. And has very stable transmission characteristics.

[0005] However, the loose tube type optical fiber cable has a structure in which the micro-bend loss does not easily increase due to external distortion of the cable or expansion and contraction distortion in the longitudinal direction, so that the transmission characteristics are stable. When the optical fiber cable is laid obliquely or when a shock wave is applied, the optical fiber core wire gradually moves in the longitudinal direction, and the slack of the optical fiber core wire that is uniformly accommodated in the longitudinal direction becomes one place. There is a problem that not only concentration occurs and transmission loss increases, but also the optical fiber core is damaged.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a loose tube type optical fiber cable capable of preventing the longitudinal movement of an optical fiber cable causing such a problem, and a method of manufacturing the same. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least one optical fiber core wire loosely housed in a tube, and a filler is inserted into a gap in the tube. In the loose tube type optical fiber cable, the filler is intermittently semi-solid gelled or semi-solid solidified in a longitudinal direction of the cable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber cable according to the first aspect, as the filler, a filler which is not cured by itself and a curing agent which reacts by irradiation of energy rays or heating are used in advance. A mixed filler was used, and the mixed filler was inserted into the tube, and the irradiation or heating of the energy beam was performed partially and intermittently in the longitudinal direction of the cable, whereby the mixing was performed. The filled filler is intermittently gelled into a semi-solid state or solidified into a semi-solid state.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber cable according to the first aspect, as the filler, a filler which reacts by irradiation of energy rays or heating alone is used. Inserted into the tube, the irradiation or heating of the energy beam was partially and intermittently performed in the longitudinal direction of the cable, so that the filling was intermittently gelled into a semi-solid state or semi-solid state. It is characterized by being solidified.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a loose fiber in which at least one optical fiber core wire housed in a tube is loosely inserted and a filling material which is not hardened by itself is inserted into a space in the tube. In the tube-type optical fiber cable, in the filling, a curing agent that reacts by irradiation or heating of energy rays is intermittently inserted into the tube, and a portion where the curing agent is inserted by irradiation or heating of energy rays is formed. It is characterized by being semi-solid gelled or semi-solid solidified.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber cable according to the fourth aspect, the curing agent is intermittently applied on the optical fiber core and the filler is inserted into the tube. The hardener and the filler are mixed, and that the filler in the portion containing the hardener is irradiated with energy rays or heated is gelled into a semi-solid or solidified into a semi-solid. It is a feature.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber cable according to the fourth aspect, a curing agent which reacts to the filler by irradiation of energy rays or heating is intermittently mixed, and the intermittently mixing is performed. The filled filler is inserted into the tube, and the portion containing the curing agent is gelled into a semi-solid state or solidified into a semi-solid state by irradiation or heating with energy rays. It is.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a loose tube type optical fiber cable in which at least one optical fiber core housed in a tube is loosely inserted and a filler is inserted into a gap in the tube. In the manufacturing method of
The filler is intermittently gelled or solidified into a semi-solid state in the longitudinal direction of the cable.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to the seventh aspect, a curing agent which reacts with the filler which is not cured by itself by irradiating energy rays or heating as the filler. Using a pre-mixed filling, the mixed filling is inserted at the time of extrusion molding of the tube, and the tube is irradiated with energy rays or heated intermittently and intermittently in the longitudinal direction, The mixed filler is intermittently gelled into a semi-solid state or solidified into a semi-solid state.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to the seventh aspect, a filler which reacts by irradiation of energy rays or heating by itself is used as the filler. The material is inserted at the time of extrusion molding of the tube, and the irradiation or heating of the energy beam is performed intermittently and partially in the longitudinal direction from the outside of the tube, so that the filler is intermittently gelled or semi-solid into a semi-solid state. It is characterized in that it is solidified.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to the eighth or ninth aspect,
It is characterized in that the step of extruding the tube and the step of irradiating or heating the energy beam are performed simultaneously.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to the eighth or ninth aspect,
Until a protective coating is applied on the tube, the tube is isolated from energy rays or heating.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a loose body in which at least one optical fiber core housed in a tube is loosely inserted, and a filling material which is not hardened by itself is inserted into a space in the tube. In the method for producing a tube-type optical fiber cable, a curing agent that reacts by irradiation or heating of energy rays is intermittently inserted into the tube, and irradiation or heating of energy rays is performed from outside the tube. The filler in the portion containing the curing agent is gelled into a semi-solid state or solidified into a semi-solid state.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to the twelfth aspect, the curing agent is intermittently applied to an optical fiber core before extruding the tube. When the filler is inserted into the tube during the extrusion of the tube, the curing agent and the filler are mixed, and the curing agent is irradiated or heated from outside the tube by applying energy rays. It is characterized in that the filling of the contained part is gelled into a semi-solid state or solidified into a semi-solid state.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to the twelfth aspect, a curing agent which reacts by irradiating or heating with energy rays is intermittently mixed with the filler. The filled mixture is inserted into the tube at the time of extrusion molding of the tube, and energy ray irradiation or heating is performed from the outside of the tube to gel the portion containing the curing agent into a semi-solid gel. Or solidified in a semi-solid state.

[0021]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining a first embodiment of an optical fiber cable according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a tube, 2 is an optical fiber core, 3 is an uncured portion of the filling, and 4 is a cured portion of the filling.

An optical fiber core 2 is provided in the inner space of the tube 1.
Are stored in the loose and the voids are filled with the filler. The filling is the uncured part 3,
There is a hardened portion 4, and the hardened portion 4 is intermittently interposed in the longitudinal direction. In this specification, the term “cured” is used as a term meaning a state in which the filler is gelled in a semi-solid state or a state in which the filler is solidified in a semi-solid state. The optical fiber core wire 2 housed in the loose is
The cured portion 4 is intermittently bound in the longitudinal direction of the cable. In addition, the hardened portion 4 adheres or adheres to the inner wall of the tube 1 and does not move in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, even if the optical fiber cable is laid in an inclined direction or in a vertical direction, the hardened portion 4 does not move, so that the optical fiber
Does not move in the longitudinal direction of the cable.

This optical fiber cable is not limited to being used singly, but may be assembled, armored, or provided with an appropriate structure as described with reference to FIGS. May be performed.

Although the shape of the cured portion 4 is shown as a column in FIG. 1, the present invention does not require that the shape of the cured portion be a column. From the viewpoint of the manufacturing method described below, generally, a columnar shape is rare, and an irregular shape is common. In the present invention, the shape of the cured portion 4 does not matter so much, in other words, it is only necessary that the cured portion 4 be fixed to the inner wall of the tube 1 and that the optical fiber core wire 2 be bound. is there.

Various methods can be used to form the cured portion 4. One method is to use, as a filler, a filler in which a filler that cannot be cured by itself and a curing agent that reacts by irradiation of energy rays or heating are previously mixed, and the mixed filler is inserted into a tube. In this state, the mixed filler is intermittently cured by partially or intermittently irradiating or heating the energy beam in the longitudinal direction of the cable. Another method uses a filler that does not cure alone by itself as a filler, and inserts a curing agent that reacts by irradiation with energy rays or heating into the filler intermittently into a tube, thereby irradiating with energy rays or This is a method in which the portion where the curing agent is inserted is cured by heating. In this method, it is not necessary to partially perform irradiation or heating of the energy beam, and the irradiation or heating of the energy beam can be performed as a whole.

As the substance to be cured by irradiation with energy rays, an appropriate substance can be selected. A soft UV-curable resin containing a polyether or polyester as a main chain in a reaction component is one example. Further, an appropriate substance can be selected as a substance to be cured by heating. Thermal crosslinking type silicone resin is one example.

Regarding the degree of hardening, when completely fixed, when bending or vibration is applied to the optical fiber core, stress concentrates at the boundary of the hardened portion, causing breakage or scratching. I do. In addition, there is a problem that the optical fiber core wire is sharply bent at the boundary portion to cause an increase in loss. Therefore, in the hardened portion, the optical fiber core wire needs to be softly restrained. However, if it is too soft, the pulling force of the core wire is reduced, so that the expected restraining force cannot be obtained, and there is a problem that the optical fiber core wire moves.

As a test method showing the cured state, there is a test method for penetration. According to “ASTM D1403”, 1
This is a method using a / 4 cone. The cured portion in the present invention is desirably in a cured state having a penetration of 50 to 100 measured by this method. The reason is that when the penetration is smaller than 50, the cured portion is too hard, and the optical fiber core wire is sharply bent at the boundary between the cured portion and the uncured portion. If the penetration is 100, the force required for pulling out the optical fiber 100 mm long (core pulling force) is 70 g, and the restraining force is sufficient, but if the penetration exceeds 100, The core wire pulling force is greatly reduced, and when the penetration is 200, the 100 mm long core wire pulling force is 10 g or less, and when the cable is bent or tensioned, the core wire can be held at the hardened portion. This is because there are cases where it is not possible.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the optical fiber cable of the present invention together with a manufacturing method. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 is packing, 6 is crosshead, 7
Is a tube material supply unit, 8 is a filler supply unit, and 9 is a curing unit.

In this embodiment, a filler which is a mixture of a filler which does not cure alone and a curing agent is used as the filler. A filler that does not cure by itself is one that does not cure even when irradiated with energy rays or heated. A filler obtained by previously mixing a curing agent that reacts by irradiation of energy rays or heating with the filler is supplied as a filler to the crosshead 6 under the control of a controller (not shown) from the filler supply unit 8. I do. On the other hand, a thermoplastic resin as a tube material is supplied from the tube material supply unit 7 to the crosshead 6 under the control of a control device (not shown), and the optical fiber core 2 is supplied from a core supply unit (not shown) by a control device (not shown). It is supplied to the crosshead 6 under control. In the crosshead 6, the optical fiber core wire 2 is inserted into the formed tube 1 while extruding the tube material to form the tube 1, and the mixed filling 5 is filled into the gap of the tube 2. The curing unit 9 cures the mixed filler according to the mixed curing agent, and irradiates or heats energy rays. Irradiation or heating of energy rays is not always performed, but is performed intermittently for a predetermined time. As the tube 1 moves through the curing section 9, the mixed filling 5 is partially and intermittently cured in the longitudinal direction of the cable.

Therefore, the cable that has passed through the hardening section 9 has an intermittently hardened portion 4 interposed between the mixed filler 5 and the hardened portion 3, and the hardened portion 4 allows light to pass through. An optical fiber cable in which the fiber core is bound is manufactured and wound by a winding device (not shown).

The energy ray is preferably an energy ray having a high energy such as an ultraviolet ray or an electron beam. In the case of curing by irradiation with the energy ray, the curing section 9 may be an ultraviolet curing furnace or an ultraviolet curing furnace. An electron beam curing furnace is used. In this case, as the material of the tube, a material that transmits ultraviolet rays, electron beams, or the like is selected. In the case of curing by heating, a heating furnace such as a heater is used as the curing unit 9. In order to operate the curing unit 9 intermittently, a method of intermittently driving the curing unit 9 itself or a method of intermittently operating the curing unit 9 using a shielding plate or the like to intermittently operate the curing unit 9 is used. Move
A method of intermittently curing the filler by an appropriate method such as a method of intermittently applying energy rays or heat to the optical fiber cable can be used.

In the drawing, the optical fiber core 2 is not shown in the cross section of the optical fiber cable behind the crosshead. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the optical fiber core is housed in the tube 1 loosely and is housed with an extra length.

In the above-described embodiment, the filler 5 in which the filler which does not cure alone and the curing agent are mixed is used. However, in the third embodiment, the filler is used alone as the energy. A filler reacting by irradiation or heating of a line is used as the filler 5 and supplied from the filler supply unit 8 to the crosshead 6. By irradiating or heating energy beams intermittently for a predetermined time in the curing section 9, the filler 5 is partially and intermittently cured in the longitudinal direction of the cable, and the uncured portion 3 is cured.
On the other hand, an intermittently hardened portion 4 is interposed, and the hardened portion 4 produces an optical fiber cable in which the optical fiber core is bound.

In the second and third embodiments, the step of extruding the tube and the step of irradiating or heating the energy beam may be performed simultaneously. That is, the hardening unit 9 is installed near the crosshead 6, and when the tube 1 is extruded and filled with the filler, the hardening unit 9 is operated intermittently to perform hardening.

In the second and third embodiments, a sheath is provided on the tube, or a seabed is provided, in order to prevent hardening of the filler at a location where the irradiation or heating of the energy beam has not been performed. Until the next step, such as winding a steel wire like a cable, take up measures while protecting the tube with shielding tape, etc., or store in a constant temperature bath to prevent hardening of the unhardened parts. It is desirable to apply. However, when the step of curing the filler in the tube and the step of applying a sheath or winding a steel wire are performed continuously, a measure for preventing the curing is not necessarily required.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the optical fiber cable according to the present invention together with a manufacturing method. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. Reference numeral 10 denotes a curing agent supply unit, 11 denotes a filler, and 12 denotes a portion where a curing agent is mixed.

In this embodiment, the filler supplied from the filler supply unit 8 to the crosshead 6 under the control of a control device (not shown) is a filler that does not cure alone. A filler that does not cure by itself is one that does not cure even when irradiated with energy rays or heated. To the crosshead 6, a curing agent that reacts by irradiation with energy rays or heating is intermittently supplied from a curing agent supply unit 10 under the control of a controller (not shown). on the other hand,
The tube material supply unit 7 supplies a thermoplastic resin as a tube material to the crosshead 6 under the control of a control device (not shown), and supplies the optical fiber core 2 to the crosshead 6 from a core supply unit (not shown). In the crosshead 6, while extruding the tube material to form the tube 1, the optical fiber core 2 is inserted into the formed tube 1, and the filler 11 supplied from the filler supply unit 8 is supplied to the tube 2. To fill the voids. As described above, since the curing agent is intermittently introduced into the crosshead in the filler 11, a portion 12 where the curing agent is intermittently formed in the longitudinal direction of the cable is formed in the tube 1. You. In the curing section 9, the optical fiber cable is irradiated with energy rays or heated. Thereby,
The part 12 mixed with the curing agent is cured, and the filling is partially and intermittently cured in the longitudinal direction of the cable. The hardening unit 9 that is always operated is used. However,
By associating the supply of the curing agent and the operation of the curing unit 9, the curing unit 9 can be operated intermittently to save energy.

Accordingly, the cable that has passed through the hardening portion 9 has an intermittently hardened portion 4 interposed with the hardened portion 3 where the hardener is not mixed, and the hardened portion 4 causes the optical fiber An optical fiber cable in which the core is bound is manufactured and wound by a winding device (not shown).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the optical fiber cable according to the present invention together with a manufacturing method. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.

In this embodiment, the curing agent supplied from the curing agent supply unit 10 is intermittently applied onto the optical fiber 2 under the control of a controller (not shown).
The hardener supply 10 is located and activated. In the crosshead 6, when the filler is inserted into the molded tube 1, the hardener applied to the optical fiber and introduced into the tube 1 is mixed with the filler, and the portion where the hardener is mixed 12 are formed. In the curing section 9, the optical fiber cable is irradiated with energy rays or heated. Thereby, the portion 12 where the curing agent is mixed
Is cured and the filling is partially and intermittently cured in the longitudinal direction of the cable. Although the curing unit 9 is operated at all times, the application of the curing agent and the operation of the curing unit 9 can be linked to operate the curing unit 9 intermittently to save energy.

Therefore, the cable that has passed through the hardening portion 9 has an intermittently hardened portion 4 interposed with the hardened portion 3 where the hardener is not mixed, and the hardened portion 4 causes the optical fiber An optical fiber cable in which the core is bound is manufactured and wound by a winding device (not shown).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a sixth embodiment of the optical fiber cable of the present invention together with a manufacturing method. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 13 is a valve.

In this embodiment, the curing agent supplied from the curing agent supply unit 10 is intermittently mixed with the filler supplied from the filler supply unit 8 by opening and closing the valve 13.
It is introduced into the crosshead 6. In the crosshead 6, when the filler is inserted into the formed tube 1, the filler mixed with the hardener is intermittently inserted, and the portion 12 mixed with the hardener is formed. . In the curing section 9, the optical fiber cable is irradiated with energy rays or heated. Thereby, the portion 12 mixed with the curing agent is cured, and the filler is partially and intermittently cured in the longitudinal direction of the cable. Although the curing unit 9 is operated at all times, the application of the curing agent and the operation of the curing unit 9 can be linked to operate the curing unit 9 intermittently to save energy.

Therefore, the cable that has passed through the hardening section 9 has an intermittently hardened portion 4 interposed with the hardened portion 3 where the hardener is not mixed, and the hardened portion 4 causes the optical fiber An optical fiber cable in which the core is bound is manufactured and wound by a winding device (not shown).

In the fourth to sixth embodiments, when a filler which cannot be cured by itself is inserted into a tube at the time of tube extrusion molding, the curing agent is mixed with the filler which is not cured by itself. In addition, the curing reaction does not start before the filling is inserted into the tube, and the transmission loss characteristics of the optical fiber can be stabilized.

In the sixth embodiment, the curing agent is intermittently mixed with the filler continuously supplied from the filler supply section which supplies the filler which is not cured alone. However, switching is performed by using a filler supply unit that supplies a filler that does not cure alone and a filler supply unit that supplies a mixture of a filler and a curing agent that does not cure alone. You may. According to this method as well, the filler in which the curing agent is intermittently mixed can be inserted into the tube.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a specific example of the optical fiber cable of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Outer diameter 3mm, inner diameter 2mm
OD 0.25m to high density polyethylene tube 1
Eight optical fiber core wires 2 provided with a protective coating using an ultraviolet curable resin of m. Each of the eight optical fibers 2 is 0.1% slightly longer than the tube 1.
When the tube 1 is pulled or bent, the optical fiber core wire 2 is prevented from receiving the side pressure from the inner wall of the tube 1 to increase the microbend loss.

The transmission length varies depending on the inner diameter of the tube 1, the number of optical fibers, the cross-sectional area of the core of the optical fiber, the profile, and the like. Under the condition that eight optical fiber core wires having an outer diameter of 0.25 mm are accommodated in the tube 1, a segment-type optical fiber core core having a core cross-sectional area of 85 μm ² and a surplus rate of 0.3% or less are provided. It is desirable that there is no significant increase in loss and that the surplus length ratio is in the range of 0.1 to 0.3%.

The jelly used as the filler 3 is filled in the gap between the tube 1 and the eight optical fibers 2, and 99% of the entire length is filled with jelly having a viscosity of 20000 mPa · s. 0.3M bond strength at intervals
The cured jelly of Pa is filled with a length of 10 cm, and has sufficient adhesive strength to maintain the weight of the optical fiber even when the tube is laid vertically.

In addition, 0.1
Even if eight optical fiber cores with a length of more than 10% are hung, even if the optical fiber cores accumulate down over a 10 m span, large bending occurs such that transmission loss increases. It was also found that there was no problem in terms of fiber strength reliability.

The interval at which the optical fiber cores are restrained is 1 m to 10 m from the viewpoint of the transmission weight loss and the fiber strength reliability against the own weight of the optical fiber cores.
It is appropriate to keep it at 0 m.

The jelly having a viscosity of 20,000 mPa · s does not play a role of fixing the optical fiber core, but plays a role of preventing water from flowing in the longitudinal direction when it is flooded. Regarding the viscosity of the filler that is not cured, if it is too high, the transmission characteristics deteriorate, and if it is too low, it flows in the longitudinal direction of the tube.
It is appropriate to keep it in the range of 00 mPa · s.

As the filling material in the tube, a resin having a functional group such as a urethane resin, an acrylate resin, or a silicone resin, or a mixture of the resin having the functional group with a hydrocarbon-based oil or polyethylene is used in addition to the jelly compound. be able to.

The material of the tube used here is high-density polyethylene, but polypropylene resin, nylon resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polystyrene resin, AB
Plastic resin such as S resin and PBT resin may be used,
Further, a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum may be used.

When a plastic resin is used as the material of the tube, it is desirable that the tube is integrated with a steel wire or a steel strip because the coefficient of linear expansion is large and the tube shrinks with time.

The loose type optical fiber cable in which the fiber is intermittently fixed as described above is twisted around a plurality of tensile strength members, provided with a protective layer such as a jacket, and used as a ground or underground cable. A steel strip, a steel wire, a polyethylene jacket and the like are provided on a single loose type optical fiber cable and used as a submarine cable.

[0058]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, since the optical fiber is accommodated so as to be movable in the tube, it is possible to apply a side pressure directly to the optical fiber. In addition, transmission loss increase due to microbending can be avoided. In addition, since the optical fiber core and the tube are intermittently fixed, the optical fiber core may move in the longitudinal direction even if the optical cable is laid vertically or inclined, and even if a shock wave is applied. There is no effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining a first embodiment of an optical fiber cable of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the optical fiber cable of the present invention together with a manufacturing method.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the optical fiber cable of the present invention together with a manufacturing method.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the optical fiber cable of the present invention together with a manufacturing method.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a sixth embodiment of the optical fiber cable of the present invention together with a manufacturing method.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a specific example of the optical fiber cable of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a conventional loose tube type optical fiber cable.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an example of a conventional optical submarine cable using a loose tube type optical fiber cable.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tube, 2 ... Optical fiber core wire, 3 ... Uncured part of filling, 4 ... Cured part of filling, 5 ... Filling, 6 ... Crosshead, 7 ... Tube material supply part, 8 ...
Filler supply unit, 9: curing unit, 10: curing agent supply unit, 11
... filling material, 12: part mixed with curing agent, 13: valve.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeo Tsurumi 1st Tayacho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Inventor Gen Moto Morikawa 1st Tayacho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Sumitomo Electric (72) Inventor Shigeru Tanaka 1 Tayacho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Sumitomo Electric Industries Co., Ltd. Yokohama Works F-term (reference) 2H001 DD14 MM06 MM09

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A loose-tube type optical fiber cable in which a filler is inserted in a gap in the tube and at least one optical fiber core wire loosely housed in a tube, wherein the filler is a cable. An optical fiber cable which is intermittently gelled or semi-solidified in a semi-solid state in the longitudinal direction. 2. A filling material in which a filling material that is not cured by itself and a curing agent that reacts by irradiation with energy rays or heating are used in advance as the filling material, and the mixed filling material is the tube. The mixed filler is gelled or semi-solid in an intermittent semi-solid state because the irradiation or heating of the energy beam is partially and intermittently performed in the longitudinal direction of the cable. The optical fiber cable according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber cable is solidified. 3. A filler which reacts by irradiating or heating with energy rays by itself as the filler, and the filler is inserted into the tube, and irradiation or heating with energy rays is partially and partially performed. 2. The optical fiber cable according to claim 1, wherein the filler is intermittently gelled into a semi-solid state or solidified into a semi-solid state by being intermittently performed in a longitudinal direction of the cable. . 4. A loose tube type optical fiber cable in which at least one optical fiber core wire housed in a tube in a loose shape and a filling material which is not hardened by itself is inserted into a space in the tube. In the filler, a curing agent that reacts by irradiation or heating with energy rays is intermittently inserted into the tube, and the part where the curing agent is inserted by irradiation or heating with energy rays gels or becomes semi-solid. An optical fiber cable which is solidified in a semi-solid state. 5. The curing agent is intermittently applied onto an optical fiber core, and when the filler is inserted into the tube, the curing agent and the filler are mixed and irradiated with energy rays or 5. The optical fiber cable according to claim 4, wherein the filler in the portion containing the curing agent is gelled into a semi-solid state or solidified into a semi-solid state by heating. 6. A filler that reacts with the filler by irradiation or heating with energy rays is intermittently mixed, and the intermittently mixed filler is inserted into the tube.
The optical fiber cable according to claim 4, wherein the portion containing the curing agent is gelled or solidified into a semi-solid state by irradiation or heating with energy rays. 7. A method for manufacturing a loose-tube type optical fiber cable in which at least one optical fiber core housed in a tube in a loose shape and a filler is inserted into a gap in the tube. A method for producing an optical fiber cable, comprising intermittently gelling or solidifying an object into a semi-solid state in the longitudinal direction of the cable. 8. As the filler, a filler in which a filler that is not cured by itself and a curing agent that reacts by irradiation of energy rays or heating are used in advance, and the mixed filler is used as the filler of the tube. Inserted at the time of extrusion molding, partially or longitudinally irradiating or heating the tube with energy rays to intermittently solidify the mixed filling into a semi-solid state or a semi-solid state. The method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to claim 7, wherein: 9. A filler which reacts by irradiation of energy rays or heating alone as the filler,
The filler is inserted at the time of extrusion molding of the tube, and irradiation or heating of energy rays is performed partially and intermittently in the longitudinal direction from outside the tube to gel the filler intermittently into a semi-solid state. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the optical fiber cable is solidified into a semi-solid state. 10. The method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to claim 8, wherein the step of extruding the tube and the step of irradiating or heating the energy beam are performed simultaneously. 11. The method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to claim 8, wherein the tube is isolated from energy rays or heating until a protective coating is applied on the tube. . 12. Manufacture of a loose-tube type optical fiber cable in which at least one optical fiber core wire housed in a tube in a loose shape and a filling material which is not hardened by itself is inserted into a space in the tube. In the method,
The filler is intermittently inserted into the tube with a curing agent that reacts by irradiation or heating of energy rays, and is irradiated with or heated from outside the tube to contain the curing agent. A method for producing an optical fiber cable, wherein a part of the filler is gelled into a semi-solid state or solidified into a semi-solid state. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the curing agent is intermittently applied to an optical fiber before extruding the tube, and the filler is inserted into the tube when the tube is extruded. A curing agent and the filler are mixed, and irradiation or heating of energy rays is performed from the outside of the tube to gelate or solidify the filler in a portion containing the curing agent into a semi-solid state. The method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to claim 12, wherein 14. An intermittent mixing of a curing agent that reacts by irradiation of energy rays or heating with the filler, and inserting the intermittently mixed filler into the tube during extrusion molding of the tube; 13. The optical fiber according to claim 12, wherein the portion containing the curing agent is gelled into a semi-solid state or solidified into a semi-solid state by irradiating or heating an energy ray from outside the tube. Cable manufacturing method.