JP2004163634A - Method for manufacturing coated optical fiber tape - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing coated optical fiber tape capable of covering a plurality of coated optical fibers en bloc with a simple method. <P>SOLUTION: In the method for manufacturing coated optical fiber tape, a plurality of the optical fibers 1a∼1d are manufactured by en bloc covering. Therein, one or more nozzles 2 are allowed to get near the surface of a plurality of the optical fibers which are two-dimensionally aligned in parallel, subsequently, the nozzles are relatively moved in the axial direction of the optical fibers while emitting covering material 3 from the nozzles and a plurality of the optical fibers are covered collectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon by coating a plurality of optical fibers at a time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[0003]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-5-203850.
[Patent Document 2] JP-A-6-123826.
[0004]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are arranged in parallel, and these are coated to integrate a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers. This optical fiber ribbon is widely used as an optical transmission medium of an optical communication system because of its advantages that a large number of optical fibers can be collectively handled and that a plurality of optical fibers can be connected together. It is used. Also, when installing an optical component such as an optical coupler or a multiplexer / demultiplexer or an optical connector to which a plurality of optical fiber cores are connected in the apparatus, each optical fiber core is connected to another in the apparatus. Since the optical fiber core may be damaged by being hooked on a component or being sharply bent, batch coating of a plurality of optical fiber cores has been considered.
[0005]
The production of an optical fiber ribbon used for such an application is generally performed by an apparatus shown in FIG. That is, the plurality of optical fiber cores 1 a to 1 h are guided from the core supply device 16 to the core aligner 17 to arrange the respective optical fiber cores in parallel and in a line, and the aligned optical fiber cores are placed in the coating jig 18. The coating jig 18 is filled with the coating material, and the coating material is collectively coated around the optical fiber core, extruded from the hole of the coating jig 18, and then the coating material is cured by an ultraviolet irradiator or the like. It is cured by means 19 to produce an optical fiber ribbon.
[0006]
However, in this method, the coating jig needs to be constantly filled with the coating material, which causes a problem that the material yield is deteriorated. In addition, in order to change the thickness and width of the optical fiber tape, the optical fiber core is required. A new coating jig having a different hole for passing the wire is required, and there is a problem that the thickness and width of the optical fiber tape cannot be easily changed.
[0007]
In addition, it is necessary to increase the coating thickness of the optical fiber tape core wire or to increase the coating width in order to make the optical fiber tape core fiber of short distance or only necessary portions into a fiber tape, or to partially reinforce it. However, there is a strong demand especially for the protection of the optical fiber wired in the device, but the above-mentioned conventional method cannot cope with such demand at all or is difficult.
[0008]
Further, it is strongly required that an optical fiber drawn from an optical connector or an optical component be converted into a fiber tape from the viewpoint of protection. However, it is difficult to convert the optical fiber into a fiber tape by the above-mentioned conventional method. When wiring is performed in a very narrow place, there has been a problem that it is impossible to make a fiber tape.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an optical fiber tape, which can cover a plurality of optical fibers at a time by a simple method. Another object of the present invention is to provide a required amount of the coating material to the optical fiber core, and to supply the coating material even if the coating range is short or partial. The coating material can be supplied even if the optical fiber core is wired in a very narrow place, and the coating material can be supplied to the optical fiber core while controlling the coating thickness and width of the tape. Provided is a method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon that can be converted into a fiber tape.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the method for producing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention, one or more nozzles are brought close to the surface of a plurality of optical fibers aligned two-dimensionally in parallel, and then the coating material is discharged from the nozzles. While the nozzle is relatively moved in the axial direction of the optical fiber, a plurality of optical fibers are collectively covered. The nozzle may be cylindrical. In the above method, the relative movement speed of the nozzle may be controlled, the relative movement distance of the nozzle may be controlled, and the discharge amount of the coating material discharged from the nozzle may be controlled.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a process diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a nozzle used in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention. It is. In the method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention, first, the nozzle 2 is moved to the vicinity of the surface of the coating material application start position 4 of the plurality of optical fibers 1a to 1d arranged in parallel on the secondary plane. (FIG. 1 (a)). Next, the nozzle 2 is moved in the axial direction of the optical fiber while discharging the coating material 3 from the hole 6 at the tip of the nozzle (FIG. 1B). After moving the nozzle 2 to the coating end position 5, the discharge of the coating material from the hole at the nozzle tip is stopped, and the coating of the coating material onto the optical fiber is completed (FIG. 1 (c)). At this time, by controlling the moving speed of the nozzle 2 and the discharge amount of the coating material to predetermined values, it is possible to produce a tape ribbon having a uniform shape. Furthermore, by changing the moving speed and discharge amount of the nozzle during coating, it is possible to change the coating shape, and it is also possible to improve the mechanical strength by partially thickening the optical fiber ribbon. is there. Further, by controlling the moving distance, it is possible to produce an optical fiber ribbon having a desired length, and thus it is possible to produce a fiber tape having a predetermined length.
[0012]
In the present invention, the movement of the nozzle 2 may be performed using any means, for example, it may be manual or automatic, but it is possible to control the movement speed and to move and stop at a constant speed. It is preferable to use The movement of the nozzle in the present invention may be relative, and any one of the nozzle and the optical fiber may move. Further, according to the present invention, since the coating material is applied by the nozzle, if there is a space into which the nozzle enters, it is possible to convert the optical fiber core wire wired in a very narrow space into a fiber tape.
[0013]
The nozzle referred to in the present invention is a member that discharges a coating material from a hole at the tip, and preferably has a cylindrical shape. The material of the nozzle is not particularly limited, but is preferably a material that does not corrode, such as stainless steel and fluorinated resin, or has low reactivity to chemical substances. The nozzle is used in connection with a coating material supply device. As the material supply method of the material supply device, any means can be used. For example, the material supply method may be manual or automatic, but it is preferable that the supply amount of the coating material can be controlled. The shape of the tip hole 6 of the nozzle may be any shape, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, or the like. Further, any processing such as attaching a spatula-shaped component to the tip of the nozzle may be performed. Further, the diameter of the hole is not particularly limited as long as the coating material can be discharged and the hole can be discharged onto the optical fiber.
[0014]
In the present invention, the number of nozzles used for applying the coating material does not need to be one, and a plurality of nozzles may be present. FIG. 3 illustrates a case where there are two nozzles (2a, 2b). In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of nozzles may be integrated, or a single nozzle may be provided with a plurality of holes. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the nozzle may be installed at an inclined angle with respect to the stage surface.
[0015]
6A and 6B illustrate another example of the method of manufacturing the optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention. FIG. 6A is a side view, and FIG. 6B is a front view. In the case shown in FIG. 6, unlike the case of FIG. 1, the coating material is applied from both sides of a plurality of optical fiber core wires arranged in parallel. That is, the nozzles 2 and 2 'are made to approach the upper and lower surfaces of a plurality of optical fiber core wires arranged in parallel, and each nozzle is moved in the optical fiber axial direction while discharging the coating material 3 from the hole at the tip of each nozzle. As a result, the plurality of optical fibers are coated with the coating material 3 on both sides. In FIG. 6, the coating is performed from both the upper and lower surfaces of the optical fiber core. However, the coating may be performed from both the left and right surfaces by arranging the optical fiber cores in parallel in the vertical and vertical directions.
[0016]
FIG. 7 is a process diagram illustrating still another example of the method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention. First, a coating material 3a for the back surface of an optical fiber was previously applied in a planar shape on a peelable substrate (FIG. 7A), and the optical fiber core wires 1a to 1h were aligned and fixed thereon. Thereafter (FIG. 7 (b)), the coating material 3 is applied to the surfaces of the optical fiber ribbons arranged in parallel by the method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention to obtain a double-sided coated structure (FIG. 7 (b)). 7 (c)).
[0017]
In the present invention, the optical fibers used for the batch coating are not limited at all. For example, an optical fiber core made of a material such as quartz or plastic can be used. The number of cores of the optical fiber cores to be collectively covered is not limited at all, and two cores, four cores, six cores, eight cores, and 16 cores are used. It is possible to produce a core tape and the like. Also, the outer diameter of the optical fiber core is not limited at all.
[0018]
Further, the coating material used in the method for producing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the method can be used, but a rubber-like resin material, a thermosetting resin, an ultraviolet-curing resin, It is preferable to use a curable resin such as an electron beam curable resin having flexibility, a thermoplastic resin having flexibility, or the like. More specifically, examples of the rubber-like resin material include silicone-based rubber, urethane-based rubber, fluorine-based rubber, acrylic-based rubber, ethylene-acryl-based rubber, SBR, BR, NBR, and chloroprene-based rubber. Examples of the plastic curable resin include an epoxy resin, an ultraviolet curable adhesive, and a silicone resin. In addition, any thermoplastic resin may be used as long as it has flexibility, and examples thereof include resins constituting a hot melt adhesive such as polyvinyl acetate and ethyl methacrylate.
[0019]
The method for arranging and fixing the optical fibers according to the present invention is not particularly limited. That is, when the coating material is applied, any method can be used as long as the position of the optical fiber is fixed while the optical fibers are aligned. As an example of a fixing method, an optical fiber core may be aligned and fixed on an adhesive sheet.
[0020]
In the case where the coating material is applied to the optical fiber cores, the position of the nozzle with respect to the plurality of optical fiber cores may be such that the coating material can be applied to all the optical fiber cores. The distance between the nozzle and the optical fiber may be appropriately selected so that the shape and the thickness of the coating material become desired. Further, in the present invention, it is possible to change the conditions of the application operation during the application operation. That is, the moving speed of the nozzle, the interval between the nozzle and the optical fiber core wire, and the discharge amount of the coating material can be appropriately changed, and may be appropriately selected depending on, for example, the purpose of use and the device structure. Stopping of the discharge of the coating material from the nozzle at the application end position and movement of the nozzle may be appropriately selected according to the tape shape and the purpose of use.For example, the discharge of the coating material from the moving nozzle is stopped at the application end position. Alternatively, the nozzle may be moved as it is to pass the coating end position.
[0021]
The coating material applied as described above is dried and / or cured as necessary. The curing method may be appropriately selected and performed depending on the type of the coating material. For example, when an ultraviolet curable resin is used, it may be cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays after application, and when a thermosetting resin is used, it may be cured by a heater such as a dryer.
[0022]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Example 1
Using four optical fiber cores 1a to 1d having a length of 25 cm (Furukawa Electric, quartz single mode optical fiber, outer diameter 0.25 mm), a coating device shown in FIG. An optical fiber ribbon having a length of 4 mm and a width of 1.1 mm was produced.
[0023]
The coating device used includes a single-axis control robot and a material supply device for supplying a coating material to a nozzle. The single-axis control robot 9 has a substrate 10 on which an optical fiber is placed. Further, a ball screw shaft 11 is arranged along the longitudinal direction, a drive motor 14 is provided at one end, and the other end is supported by a bearing 15, and a movable unit 12 is screwed into the ball screw. The movable unit 12 has the nozzle 2 installed perpendicular to the stage surface. In the movable unit, the nozzle is movable in the vertical and horizontal directions, and is configured to be fixed at a predetermined position. Further, a flexible pipe 13 is connected to the nozzle, and a coating material is supplied from the dispenser 8. As the nozzle 2, a stainless steel dispenser needle (outer diameter 1.2 mm, inner diameter 0.9 mm) was used.
[0024]
First, four optical fiber cores are aligned in parallel on the substrate 10 along the line along which the movable unit of the single-axis control robot 9 moves, and both ends of the optical fiber are applied so that a constant tension is applied to each optical fiber. The uncoated portion was fixed with an adhesive tape 7.
[0025]
A thermosetting silicone rubber resin (TSE392, manufactured by Toshiba Silicone) was used as the coating material, and the dispenser 8 was used as a material supply device for supplying the coating material to the nozzle.
[0026]
Next, the movable unit 12 of the uniaxial control robot 9 was controlled to move the nozzle 2 to the coating material application start position 4 of the aligned four optical fiber core wires (FIG. 8A). The movable unit 12 of the single-axis control robot 9 was adjusted so that the center of the nozzle became the center of the four optical fiber cores, and the distance between the optical fiber core and the tip of the nozzle 2 was set to 0.15 mm.
[0027]
Next, the moving speed of the movable unit 12 of the single-axis control robot 9 was set to 50 mm / sec, and the discharge pressure of the dispenser 8 was set to 5.0 kg / cm ² . The discharge of the coating material 3 was started at the same time as the movement of the nozzle 2 was started. The coating material was applied onto the optical fiber by moving the nozzle 2 in the optical fiber axial direction (FIG. 8B). When the nozzle 2 moved to the coating material application end position 5, the discharge of the coating material was stopped (FIG. 8C). Thereafter, the coating material was cured by leaving the optical fiber ribbon at room temperature for 1 hour.
[0028]
By coating and curing the coating material by the above operation, the coating could be applied collectively to the surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers.
[0029]
Further, according to the above-mentioned method, it is possible to produce an optical fiber ribbon having a tape width of 1.1 mm and a thickness of 0.4 mm or less, and there was no problem. In addition, by moving the nozzle 2 while discharging the coating material at a constant pressure, only the material necessary for coating could be discharged, so that the yield was good and the cost of the coating material could be reduced. .
[0030]
Example 2
An ultraviolet curable resin (Visco Tac PM-654, manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry) was used as the coating material, the discharge pressure of the dispenser was set to 2.0 kg / cm ^2, and the coating material was placed on the optical fiber core in the same manner as in Example 1. Applied. The optical fiber ribbon to be manufactured had a thickness of 0.35 mm and a width of 1.1 mm. Thereafter, the coating material was subjected to ultraviolet curing treatment (irradiation intensity: 20 mW / cm ² , 2 minutes) by an ultraviolet irradiation device to cure the coating material.
[0031]
By coating and curing the coating material by the above operation, the coating could be applied collectively to the surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers.
[0032]
Further, according to the above-mentioned method, it is possible to produce an optical fiber ribbon having a tape width of 1.1 mm and a thickness of 0.35 mm or less, without causing any problem. In addition, by moving the nozzle 2 while discharging the coating material at a constant pressure, only the material necessary for coating can be used, so that the yield is good and the cost of the coating material can be reduced. did it.
[0033]
Example 3
An optical fiber ribbon was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the moving speed between the optical fiber central portions 10 cm was changed to 35 mm / sec. The obtained optical fiber ribbon had a central portion having a width of 1.2 mm and a thickness of 0.55 mm, which was larger than the other portions (1 mm in width and 0.4 mm in thickness). The strength of the optical fiber ribbon was increased, and the optical fiber ribbon was not damaged by sudden bending or the like, and had sufficient strength.
[0034]
Example 4
Four 25 cm long optical fiber cores having a MU connector attached to one end were prepared. The center part 15 cm of each of the four optical fiber cores with MU connectors was formed into a fiber tape in the same manner as in Example 1.
[0035]
According to this method, the optical fiber ribbon can be formed at a predetermined position of the optical fiber with the MU connector at one end, and the optical fiber is integrated by the use of the fiber tape, and the strength is increased. The handling of the optical fiber inside became easy, and the workability was improved.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
According to the method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon of the present invention, a required amount of coating material can be applied by using a nozzle, so that an optical fiber ribbon can be manufactured with a good material yield. Further, since the relative moving speed and the relative moving distance of the nozzle can be controlled, it is possible to supply the coating material even at a partial portion or a short distance portion of the optical fiber core wire. The material can be collectively coated at a desired distance with a desired tape width and thickness, and therefore, there is an effect that a fiber tape can be formed at a portion required for strength, handling, and the like. Furthermore, in the present invention, in order to use a nozzle which is a very small coating jig, a plurality of optical fiber core wires drawn out of an optical component or an optical connector or a plurality of optical wires wired in a narrow place. Even in the case of a fiber core, the coating can be performed collectively.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a process diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a nozzle used in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of a nozzle used in the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing another example of the nozzle used in the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing still another example of the nozzle used in the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating another example of the method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a process diagram illustrating still another example of the method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a process diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing the optical fiber ribbon of Example 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a conventional method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 1a-1h: optical fiber core, 2, 2 ', 2a, 2b: nozzle, 3, 3a: coating material, 4: coating start position, 5: coating end position, 6: nozzle tip hole, 7: adhesion Tape, 8: Dispenser, 9: Single-axis control robot, 10: Substrate, 11: Ball screw shaft, 12: Movable unit, 13: Pipe, 16: Core wire supply device, 17: Core wire aligner, 18: Coating jig, 19 ... curing means.

Claims (5)

In a method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon by coating a plurality of optical fibers at a time, one or more nozzles are brought close to the surfaces of a plurality of optical fibers aligned two-dimensionally in parallel. Then, the nozzle is relatively moved in the axial direction of the optical fiber while discharging the coating material from the nozzle, thereby coating a plurality of optical fibers at once, wherein the optical fiber ribbon is manufactured. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle has a cylindrical shape. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relative movement speed of the nozzle is controlled. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a relative movement distance of the nozzle is controlled. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an amount of the coating material discharged from the nozzle is controlled.

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