JP2003227980A - Colored slot for optical fiber cable and method for manufacturing the slot - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a colored slot for an optical fiber cable, that enables resin of an original color to be reproduced in the recycling of resin by making it possible to surely specify an optical fiber storing groove without using a colored resin, and also to provide a method for manufacturing the colored slot. <P>SOLUTION: The resin-made colored slot 15 for an optical fiber cable has a plurality of optical fiber storing grooves I-V defined by a plurality of ribs 17 which are divided in the circumferential direction and extended along the longitudinal direction. In the slot 15, a specific rib 17 adjacent to the prescribed optical fiber storing grooves I-V that are specified for identification purpose is colored in the recess 17a, which is formed on the outer surface of the rib 17, with a coloring ink over the entire slot length. In addition, this coloring is applied to the recess in an ink coating part during the manufacturing process of the slot for an optical fiber cable or in the course of production of an optical fiber cable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a colored resin optical fiber cable having a plurality of optical fiber housing grooves which are circumferentially partitioned and are defined by a plurality of ribs extending in the longitudinal direction. The present invention relates to a slot and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional optical fiber cable having an SZ groove. In FIG. 4, an optical fiber cable 1 is provided with a tension member 2 made of a single steel wire, a steel stranded wire or the like at the center. Slot 3 made of thermoplastic resin, and five spiral grooves 4 (groove I) in which the direction of the spiral is alternately reversed at a predetermined reversal angle engraved on the outer peripheral surface of the slot 3.
~ The tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 5 accommodated in the groove V), the press winding layer 6 covering the slot 3, and the outermost sheath 7.

When this optical fiber cable 1 is used, the sheath 7 and the press-winding layer 6 are torn to expose the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 5 for wiring, and the optical fibers contained in the grooves I to V are to be wired. Since the fiber core wire 5 does not contain the same kind of optical fiber core wire 5 in all the grooves, it is necessary to immediately determine which groove contains the optical fiber core wire 5 for wiring work. It took time.

Therefore, in order to avoid such a situation,
Conventionally, of the five ribs 8-1, 8-2 to 8-5 forming the spiral groove 4 of the slot 3, a specific rib necessary for identification, for example, a part of 8-1 is used as a sheath. It was formed of a colored resin for the tracer so that it can be recognized from the outside that it is different from other ribs when the 7 and the press-winding layer 6 are torn.

[0005]

However, the optical fiber cable slot 3 having the above-described conventional optical fiber housing groove is composed of the primary color resin portion which is the original slot body and the colored resin for identification. Therefore, if you try to recycle and reuse this slot and re-pelletize it after dismantling, the primary color resin and the colored resin are mixed, and the color that has no commercial value (generally, the black colored resin for the tracer It turned into gray). In addition, if the amount of the colored resin is reduced as much as possible to prevent discoloration during recycling, the tracer becomes unclear.

Under these circumstances, the inventor of the present application
We developed a slot with colored ink applied to the outer surface of the rib as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the colored slot for an optical fiber cable developed by the inventor of the present application, and 10 is a slot for a fiber cable, which is provided at the center with a tension member 12 made of a single steel wire or a steel stranded wire. Made of thermoplastic resin, and five spiral grooves I to V are engraved on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
For example, four tape-shaped optical fiber core wires are housed in V in a laminated state. The outer surface of the rib 13 between the first storage groove I and the second storage groove II is provided with a colored portion A ′ colored (for example, black) with a color ink.

Since the colored layer of this colored ink type can be thinned, it is possible to keep the original color of the resin forming the slot from discoloring at the time of recycling, but when the slot is made into a cable, the colored ink is pressed and wound. There is a problem that the color ink is transferred to a layer and the color of the colored ink is faint so that it is difficult to discriminate during facility work.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to surely identify an optical fiber storage groove without using a colored resin, and to use the resin for recycling. An object of the present invention is to provide a colored slot for an optical fiber cable in which a resin of a primary color is reproducible and a method for manufacturing the colored slot.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the colored slot for an optical fiber cable of the present invention is defined by a plurality of ribs which are circumferentially defined and extend in the longitudinal direction. A colored slot for a resin-made optical fiber cable having a plurality of optical fiber storage grooves, a recess is formed over the entire length of the slot on the outer surface of the rib adjacent to the predetermined optical fiber storage groove specified for identification, Colored ink is colored in the depressions. According to this, since the colored ink is colored in the depression, it is not transferred by the press-winding layer, and further, when the slot is recycled, the original color of the resin forming the slot does not change color.

In the colored slot for an optical fiber cable of the present invention, it is preferable that the rib colored in the recess is two adjacent ribs sandwiching the specified optical fiber storage groove. According to this, it is easy to identify the storage groove when the optical fiber cable is used, and if the two adjacent ribs are colored with different colors, the order of the storage grooves in the rotation direction can be immediately recognized.

In the colored slot for an optical fiber cable according to the present invention, the optical fiber housing groove is preferably a spiral groove or an SZ groove. According to this, even when the groove is twisted in the length direction of the slot like the spiral groove or the SZ groove, it is easy to identify the groove.

According to the method of manufacturing a colored slot for an optical fiber cable of the present invention, the tension member is inserted into the head portion of the melting machine to which the extrusion die having the opening corresponding to the sectional shape of the slot for the optical fiber cable is attached. A slot for an optical fiber cable having a plurality of optical fiber housing grooves defined by a plurality of ribs extending in the longitudinal direction by pushing out from the die while supplying the slot molding resin to the outer periphery of the tension member In the manufacturing process of, during the resin extrusion, to form a recess on the outer surface of the specific rib over the entire length of the slot by the extrusion die, and to color the recess by the coloring ink application portion provided in the extrusion die. To do.
With this, when the optical fiber housing groove is formed, a recess is simultaneously formed on the outer surface of the rib and colored with the coloring ink, so that the coloring can be performed easily and the coloring can be performed at an accurate position.

In the method of manufacturing a colored slot for an optical fiber cable according to the present invention, it is preferable that the optical fiber housing groove be a spiral groove or an SZ groove by rotating the extrusion die. As a result, even if the extrusion die is rotated to form the spiral groove or the SZ groove, the coloring ink application portion is provided on the extrusion die, so that the rib outer surface can be accurately colored.

A method of manufacturing a colored slot for an optical fiber cable according to the present invention is made of a resin having a plurality of optical fiber housing grooves which are partitioned in a circumferential direction and are defined by a plurality of ribs extending in the longitudinal direction. In the storage groove in the slot for the optical fiber cable, in the process of storing the optical fiber to manufacture the optical fiber cable, when the resin is extruded, a recess is formed on the specific rib outer surface over the entire length of the slot by an extrusion die, At the time of assembling the optical fibers, the coloring ink application section provided in the optical fiber assembling die is used to color the recess over the entire length of the slot. According to this, the coloring ink can be colored in the recess provided on the outer surface of the rib at the same time when the optical fiber is housed in the optical fiber housing groove. it can.

In the method of manufacturing a colored slot for an optical fiber cable according to the present invention, the optical fiber assembling die follows the rotational fluctuation of the storage groove position by a rotation detection pin whose one end is inserted into several storage grooves. It is preferably rotatably supported. According to this, since the assembly die can be rotated by the rotation detection pin in synchronization with the storage groove, the accurate rib outer surface position can be colored.

In the method for manufacturing a colored slot for an optical fiber cable according to the present invention, it is preferable that the optical fiber housing groove is a spiral groove or an SZ groove. According to this, even in the case where the groove is twisted in the length direction of the slot such as the spiral groove or the SZ groove, it is colored by the assembly die when the optical fibers are assembled, so that the coloring position is not mistaken.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a colored slot for an optical fiber cable of the present invention, (a) showing a first embodiment and (b) showing a second embodiment. 2A and 2B are views for explaining a method of manufacturing a colored slot in a process of manufacturing a slot for an optical fiber cable according to the present invention. FIG. 2A is a sectional view showing a melting machine, and FIG. 2B is a front view of an extrusion die. It is a figure. Further, FIG. 3 is for explaining a method of manufacturing a colored slot in a process of manufacturing an optical fiber cable, (a) is a sectional view of an optical fiber assembling apparatus, and (b) is a part of an assembly die main body. It is an expanded sectional view.

In FIG. 1 (a), the colored slot 15 for an optical fiber cable according to the present invention is made of a thermoplastic resin having a tension member 16 made of a single steel wire, a steel stranded wire or the like at its center, and is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A storage groove V is formed from five spiral storage grooves I, and four tape-shaped optical fiber cores are stored in a stacked state, for example, from the five spiral storage grooves I to the storage groove V. To be done. A recess 17a is formed on the outer surface of the rib 17 between the storage groove V and the storage groove I, and the colored portion A in which the color ink is applied to the recess 17a.
Has been applied.

When the colored portion A is applied in this way,
During the laying operation, when the sheath surrounding the colored slot 15 for the optical fiber cable and the press winding layer are torn apart to expose the rib 17, the colored portion A is applied to the recessed portion, so the press winding is performed. The coloring ink is not transferred to the layer, and it can be recognized from the outside that the rib 17 is different from other ribs.
It is possible to identify the I or the storage groove V, and it is possible to determine which storage groove contains what kind of optical fiber with reference to these grooves.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the colored portion A is provided only at one place of the rib 17, but as another embodiment, for example, the colored portions are provided on two adjacent ribs of the storage groove I to store the ribs. More accurate identification of groove I, or Figure 1
As shown in (b), the rib 17 'has a single recess 17'a.
Is formed and colored there to form a colored part A, and two recesses 18'a and 18'b are formed in the rib 18 'and each recess is colored to form a colored part B. A to B
(Or B to A) in the direction of the groove is the storage groove II,
By setting the storage groove III ... (Storage groove V, storage groove IV ...), other storage grooves can be identified immediately.

As described above, if the recess formed on the outer surface of the specific rib is colored with the coloring ink for identifying the storage groove, the colored layer that is colored is thinly formed and the pressing winding layer is formed. Since it is not transferred, the storage groove can be easily identified during the laying work, and the color of the resin when the slot is recycled is close to the primary color, and the utility value of the resin does not drop.

Next, a manufacturing method in the manufacturing process of the optical fiber cable slot will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2 (a), 20 is a melting machine, which is a mandrel 2 for guiding and introducing a tension member 21 into the center thereof.
2, a head portion 23 is provided with a heater 24 and a thermocouple 25 for controlling the temperature of the extruded resin, and an extruding die 26 is provided at the tip end portion.

Manufacturing of the slot for the optical fiber cable
When the tension member 21 is fed into the mandrel 22 and a spiral storage groove is formed, the molten resin C is placed on the tension member 21 while rotating the extrusion die 26.
Push out.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the extrusion die 26 has a peak portion 26a and a valley portion 26b for forming a storage groove.
The opening 26c is formed, and a projection P for forming a depression is formed at the bottom of the valley 26b, and the coloring ink application section 27 is provided at the projection P. Since the coloring ink application section 27 moves integrally with the extrusion die 26, it is possible to always apply the color ink to the outer surface of the rib accurately even when forming the spiral storage groove.

Further, a manufacturing method in the process of manufacturing the optical fiber cable will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 30 denotes an optical fiber collecting device, in which a resin colored optical fiber cable coloring slot 31 having a plurality of optical fiber accommodating grooves is rotated in the optical fiber collecting die 32 in the direction of arrow D. Has been transferred.

The assembly die 32 has three guide bodies 34 (only two are shown) for aligning the widthwise positions of the tape type optical fiber 33 at the upstream end portion, and the colored slot 31 at the downstream rear end portion. It has a twisting die 35 which is loosely fitted to the outer periphery of the. Then, the assembly die main body 36 has the base 37 and the bearing 3
It is rotatably attached via 8. A coloring ink application section 39 is provided on the assembly die main body 36.

The tape type optical fibers 33 are aligned in the stacking direction by the upstream guide body 40, aligned in the width direction by the guide bodies 34, and inserted into the optical fiber accommodating groove by the twisting die 35 in the stacked state. .

As shown in FIG. 3B, the rotation detecting pin 34a projects from the tip of the guide member 34, and the tip of the rotation detecting pin 34a is fitted into the housing groove 41. The die main body 36 follows and rotates. Therefore, even if the storage groove 41 is formed with a deviation, the ink can be accurately applied from the coloring ink applying section 39 into the recess 42a of the rib 42 by following the deviation.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the depression formed on the outer surface of the rib is colored to identify the optical fiber housing groove, the coating layer can be thinned without becoming unclear. Therefore, at the time of recycling, there is no fear of changing the color of the resin, and the product value will not be reduced.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific structure is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the number and shape of the optical fiber housing grooves (spiral groove, SZ groove, etc.) can be used. ) Is not particularly limited, and the color of the ink can be selected arbitrarily. A thermoplastic resin is preferable as the resin for forming the slot, and a polyethylene resin is particularly preferable.

[0031]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(A) According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the colored ink is colored in the depressions, the resin is not transferred by the press-winding layer, and at the time of recycling the slot, the resin forming the slot is used. You don't have to change the original color.

(B) According to the second aspect of the invention, it is easy to identify the storage groove when the optical fiber cable is used, and if the two adjacent ribs are colored in different colors, the storage groove can be easily identified. The order in the direction of rotation of can be readily discerned.

(C) According to the third aspect of the invention, it is easy to identify the groove even when the groove is twisted in the length direction of the slot such as the spiral groove or the SZ groove.

(D) According to the invention of claim 4, when the optical fiber housing groove is formed, a recess is formed at the same time on the outer surface of the rib and the recess is colored with the coloring ink, so that the coloring can be performed easily. Moreover, it can be colored at the correct position.

(E) According to the invention of claim 5, even if the extrusion die is rotated for producing the spiral groove or the SZ groove, the coloring ink application portion is provided in the extrusion die. , The rib outer surface can be accurately colored.

(F) According to the invention of claim 6, at the same time when the optical fibers are housed in the optical fiber housing groove,
Since the dents formed on the outer surface of the rib can be colored with the coloring ink, coloring can be done easily, and coloring can be performed at an accurate position.

(G) According to the invention of claim 7, since the assembly die can be rotated by the rotation detecting pin in synchronization with the housing groove, the accurate rib outer surface position can be colored.

(H) According to the invention of claim 8, even when the groove is twisted in the length direction of the slot such as the spiral groove or the SZ groove, it is colored by the assembly die when the optical fibers are assembled. Therefore, the coloring position is not mistaken.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a colored slot for an optical fiber cable of the present invention, (a) showing a first embodiment, and (b).
Shows a second embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a method of manufacturing a colored slot in a manufacturing process of a colored slot for an optical fiber cable of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a melting machine,
(B) is a front view of the extrusion die.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a method of manufacturing a colored slot in a process of manufacturing an optical fiber cable,
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an optical fiber assembling apparatus, and FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged sectional view of an assembly die main body.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional optical fiber cable having an SZ groove.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a colored slot for an optical fiber cable developed by the inventor of the present application.

[Explanation of symbols]

15, 15 '... Colored slot for optical fiber cable 16, 21 ... Tension members 17, 17 '... Ribs 17a, 17'a ... hollow 18 '... rib 18'a, 18'b ... hollow 20 ... Melting machine 22 ... Mandrel 23 ... Head part 24 ... Heater 25 ... Thermocouple 26 ... Extrusion die 26a ... Yamabe 26b ... Tanibe 26c ... Opening 27 ... Coloring ink application section 30 ... Optical fiber collecting device 31 ... Colored slot for optical fiber cable 32 ... Optical fiber assembly die 33 ... Tape type optical fiber 34 ... Guide body 34a ... Rotation detection pin 35 ... twisting die 36: Assembly die main body 37 ... Base 38 ... Bearing 39 ... Coloring ink application section 40 ... Upstream guide body 41 ... Storage groove 42 ... rib 42a ... hollow A, A ', B ... Colored part C: Molten resin I to V: Storage groove P ... Projection

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Akemi Yamazaki             Fuji Co., Ltd. 1440 Rokuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture             Kura Sakura Office (72) Inventor Takashi Matsuzawa             Fuji Co., Ltd. 1440 Rokuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture             Kura Sakura Office (72) Inventor Masayoshi Yamanaka             Fuji Co., Ltd. 1440 Rokuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture             Kura Sakura Office (72) Inventor Michio Suematsu             Fuji Co., Ltd. 1440 Rokuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture             Kura Sakura Office F term (reference) 2H001 BB09 BB10 BB22 DD04 DD11                       KK02 KK06 KK12 MM01

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A colored slot for a fiber optic cable made of resin, which has a plurality of optical fiber receiving grooves which are circumferentially partitioned and which are defined by a plurality of ribs extending along the longitudinal direction, the identification slot being for identification. A colored slot for an optical fiber cable, in which a recess is formed over the entire length of the slot on the outer surface of the rib adjacent to the predetermined optical fiber housing groove specified for, and the recess is colored with a colored ink. 2. The colored slot for an optical fiber cable according to claim 1, wherein the rib colored in the recess is two adjacent ribs sandwiching the specified optical fiber storage groove. 3. The colored slot for an optical fiber cable according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber housing groove is a spiral groove or an SZ groove. 4. A tension member is inserted into a head portion of a melting machine to which an extrusion die having an opening corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of a slot for an optical fiber cable is attached, and the slot is formed on the outer periphery of the tension member. In the process of manufacturing a slot for an optical fiber cable having a plurality of optical fiber housing grooves defined by a plurality of ribs extending along the longitudinal direction by pushing out from the die while supplying resin, the resin is extruded at the time of extruding the resin. A method for producing a colored slot for an optical fiber cable, in which a recess is formed on a specific outer surface of a rib over the entire length of the slot by a molding die, and the recess is colored by a coloring ink application section provided in the extrusion die. 5. The method of manufacturing a colored slot for an optical fiber cable according to claim 4, wherein the optical fiber housing groove is a spiral groove or an SZ groove by rotating the extrusion die. 6. An accommodating groove in a resin optical fiber cable slot having a plurality of optical fiber accommodating grooves defined by a plurality of ribs that are circumferentially partitioned and extend along a longitudinal direction, In the process of housing the optical fiber and manufacturing the optical fiber cable, when the resin is extruded, a recess is formed on the outer surface of a specific rib over the entire length of the slot by the extrusion die, and when the optical fiber is assembled, it is provided in the optical fiber assembly die. A method for manufacturing a colored slot for an optical fiber cable, wherein the recess is colored by the coloring ink application section over the entire length of the slot. 7. The optical fiber assembling die is rotatably supported by a rotation detecting pin having one end inserted into some of the storage grooves so as to follow the rotational fluctuation of the storage groove position. A method for manufacturing a colored slot for an optical cable as described above. 8. The method of manufacturing a colored slot for an optical cable according to claim 6, wherein the optical fiber housing groove is a spiral groove or an SZ groove.