JP2010237292A - Method and apparatus for manufacturing optical fiber ribbon - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon that can facilitate manufacturing processes and reliably form a separation part and an adhesion part between adjacent optical fibers with high precision, and an apparatus for manufacturing the same. <P>SOLUTION: The optical fiber ribbon is manufactured by boring a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes 9 at intervals and communication grooves 10 communicating with the adjacent optical fiber insertion holes 9 in an exit surface 7A of a coating die 7, alternately and continuously supplying and stopping supplying uncured resin to the respective communication grooves 10 by a resin intermittent supply means 31A capable of supplying and stop supplying the uncured resin to the respective communication grooves 10 individually when supplying the resin between the plurality of optical fibers 3, irradiating with UV energy the section from the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7 to a place where optical fibers 3 are collected to be parallel with one another, and brought into contact, forming separation parts 17 between the optical fibers 3 when stopping supplying the resin, and forming adhesion parts 15 between the optical fibers 3 when supplying the resin. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon and an apparatus for manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a method for manufacturing an optical fiber tape core that is intermittently fixed between adjacent optical fibers and an apparatus for manufacturing the same.

  As a conventional manufacturing method of an optical fiber ribbon, for example, there are those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3.

  The manufacturing method of the optical fiber ribbon of patent document 1 is the resin supply which supplies the UV curable resin before hardening to the outer periphery of several optical fibers, and sends out several optical fibers in the state which aligned separately as two aggregates・ Fiber alignment step and UV curable resin at two adjacent locations of the two assemblies by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the adjacent portions of the two assemblies among the plurality of optical fibers sent out from the resin alignment and fiber alignment step A pre-curing process for pre-curing only the pre-curing process, a main curing process for irradiating the entire plurality of optical fibers with ultraviolet rays and curing the UV curable resin in the entire area of the plurality of optical fibers, It comprises a notch forming step for forming an opening in the UV curable resin cured between the two assemblies after the curing step.

  Since the UV curable resin supplied between the two aggregates is preliminarily cured in the preliminary curing step before the main curing step, the portion is formed in a constricted resin portion. Manufactures an intermittently fixed optical fiber ribbon with an adhesive part and a separating part between adjacent optical fibers by intermittently forming openings in the lengthwise direction in the constricted resin part by notch forming means To do.

  In the manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 2, a fiber alignment step for aligning a plurality of optical fibers, and a UV curable resin, for example, is supplied by discharging from a nozzle to a desired position of the plurality of optical fibers concentrated by the fiber alignment step. For example, the resin supplying step and the resin curing step of irradiating the resin discharged to the plurality of optical fibers with ultraviolet rays and curing the resin are performed after the resin supplying step.

  By supplying resin by discharging resin to a location where it is desired to bond between adjacent optical fibers in the resin supplying step, an intermittently fixed optical fiber tape core having an adhesive portion and a separating portion provided between adjacent optical fibers is provided. To manufacture.

  The manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 3 includes a fiber alignment step of aligning a plurality of optical fibers, a resin supply step of supplying a UV curable resin to the entire area of the plurality of optical fibers concentrated by the fiber alignment step, and a resin After the supplying step, a resin curing step of irradiating a desired region of the plurality of optical fibers with ultraviolet rays to cure the UV curable resin, and a resin for removing the UV curable resin that has not been irradiated with the ultraviolet rays and is not cured with a solvent And a removal step.

  By UV irradiation intermittently in the resin curing step, a cured portion of the UV curable resin and an uncured portion of the UV curable resin are formed between adjacent optical fibers, and then the uncured portion of the UV curable resin is solvent-solved. To produce an intermittently fixed optical fiber ribbon in which an adhesive portion and a separation portion are provided between adjacent optical fibers.

Japanese Patent No. 2573632 JP 2003-241041 A JP-A-64-59308

  However, in the conventional manufacturing method of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to form an opening with a cutter or the like in the notch forming process, aiming at a constricted resin portion between moving optical fibers. Since it is extremely difficult to insert a cutter between adjacent optical fibers, it is difficult to reliably and accurately form a separation portion between adjacent optical fibers.

  Further, in this manufacturing method, it is necessary to perform the curing of the UV curable resin in two steps, a preliminary curing step and a main curing step. In addition, since the preliminary curing process needs to cure only the UV curable resin in a partial region of the plurality of optical fibers, high precision is required. From the above, the manufacturing process is complicated.

  In the conventional manufacturing method of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to discharge a small amount of UV curable resin at a high speed while aiming between a plurality of aligned optical fibers, but this requires extremely advanced technology. In addition, it is described that high-speed production can be achieved by using a resin supply device that can supply the resin in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. However, in actuality, a moving optical fiber causes a blurring and the like, and it is extremely difficult to accurately aim and discharge between adjacent optical fibers. From the above, it is difficult to reliably and accurately form the separation portion between adjacent optical fibers.

  In the manufacturing method of the conventional patent document 3, since the resin removal process which removes the resin once supplied to the optical fiber is required, the manufacturing process is complicated.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, can simplify the manufacturing process, and reliably and accurately form the separation portion and the bonding portion between adjacent optical fibers. An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method and an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon.

  An optical fiber ribbon manufacturing method of the present invention is an optical fiber ribbon manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon in which adjacent optical fibers are intermittently fixed in the length direction. A plurality of optical fiber insertion holes are opened at intervals on the exit surface of the coating die, and a communication groove is opened between the adjacent optical fiber insertion holes, and a plurality of the optical fibers are inserted from the optical fiber insertion holes. A fiber alignment / resin application process in which the uncured resin is alternately and continuously supplied to and stopped from the communication groove by the resin intermittent supply means, and the light is transmitted from the exit face of the coating die. A resin curing step of irradiating the resin curing energy necessary to cure the resin, until the portions where the fibers are concentrated and contacted so that the fibers are arranged in parallel; An optical fiber tape is formed by forming a separation part that separates the optical fibers when the resin supply is stopped and an adhesive part that adheres the optical fibers when the resin is supplied. A core wire is manufactured.

  The intermittent resin supply means includes a resin discharger capable of supplying uncured resin to the communication groove, and is configured to control the drive of the resin supply machine to supply and stop the resin to each communication groove. You may do it. When there are a plurality of communication grooves, a resin discharge machine may be provided for each communication groove, and each resin discharge machine may be individually controlled.

  The intermittent resin supply means includes a resin supply path communicating with the communication groove and a shutter capable of opening and closing the resin supply path, and controlling the movement of the shutter to supply and stop the resin to each communication groove. You may comprise so that it may perform. When there are a plurality of communication grooves, a resin supply path and a shutter may be provided for each communication groove, and each shutter may be individually controlled.

  In the case where there are a plurality of communication grooves, the intermittent resin supply means has a resin supply path communicating with each communication groove and an opening, and the rotation locus passes through all of the resin supply paths. It is also possible to provide a single rotating body arranged in the above-described manner, and to supply and stop the resin to each communication groove by the rotating rotating body.

  It is preferable to irradiate resin curing energy at a plurality of locations in the length direction of the optical fiber.

  An optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is an optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon in which adjacent optical fibers are intermittently fixed in the length direction, A plurality of optical fiber insertion holes are opened at intervals on the exit surface, a communication groove is opened between the adjacent optical fiber insertion holes, and the plurality of optical fibers are aligned through the optical fiber insertion holes. A coating die that alternately feeds and stops uncured resin with respect to the communication groove by the intermittent resin supply means, and the optical fibers are arranged in parallel from the exit surface of the coating die. A resin curing energy irradiation device that irradiates the resin curing energy necessary for curing the resin between the concentrated and contacted locations, and supplying the resin An optical fiber tape core is manufactured by forming a separation part that separates the optical fibers when stopped and forming an adhesive part that bonds the optical fibers when supplying the resin. It is characterized by doing.

  The resin intermittent supply means may include a resin discharger that can supply uncured resin to the communication groove. When there are a plurality of communication grooves, a resin discharge machine may be provided for each communication groove, and each resin discharge machine may be individually controlled.

  The resin intermittent supply means may include a resin supply path communicating with the communication groove and a shutter capable of opening and closing the resin supply path. When there are a plurality of communication grooves, a resin supply path and a shutter may be provided for each communication groove, and each shutter may be individually controlled.

  The resin intermittent supply means has a resin supply path that communicates with the communication groove and an opening, and the opening is a single rotating body that is arranged in a rotation locus that passes through all the resin supply paths. The structure which has these may be sufficient.

  It is preferable to arrange the resin curing energy irradiation device at a plurality of locations in the length direction of the optical fiber.

  According to the method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon of the present invention, when uncured resin is supplied between adjacent optical fibers, the resin is intermittently supplied to and stopped from the communication groove by the resin intermittent supply means. Therefore, unlike the conventional example, it is not necessary to perform pre-curing and notching of the resin portion, and it is not necessary to remove the resin once supplied to the optical fiber, so that the manufacturing process can be simplified.

  In addition, when supplying uncured resin between adjacent optical fibers, the resin is supplied to and stopped from the communication groove by the resin intermittent supply means. Therefore, the optical fiber is stopped when the resin supply is stopped by the resin intermittent supply means. A separation part that separates the optical fibers from each other is formed, and an adhesive part that adheres between the optical fibers at the time of resin supply by the resin intermittent supply means is formed. The portion can be formed reliably and with high accuracy. As a result, the diameter of the optical fiber ribbon can be reduced, the characteristics can be improved, and the post-branching can be improved.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the 1st Embodiment of this invention and looked at the exit surface side of the coating die. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part of the coating die which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a planar perspective view of an optical fiber ribbon. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the adhesion part of the VV line of FIG. 4, (B), (C) is sectional drawing which shows the adhesion part which concerns on a modification, respectively. (A)-(C) are the perspective views of other optical fiber tape core wires. (A)-(C) are the perspective views of other optical fiber tape core wires. It is a schematic perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber ribbon which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the 2nd Embodiment of this invention and looked at the exit surface side of the coating die. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part of a coating die, showing the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber ribbon which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the 3rd Embodiment of this invention and looked at the exit surface side of the coating die. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part of a coating die, showing the third embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining operation | movement of a rotary body. It is sectional drawing explaining operation | movement of a rotary body.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
In FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the optical fiber ribbon according to the first embodiment includes, for example, a plurality of optical fibers 3 such as an optical fiber or an optical fiber in parallel in the X direction in FIG. Thus, an optical fiber ribbon (hereinafter simply referred to as “tape ribbon”) is manufactured.

  An optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a coating die 7 for aligning a plurality of optical fibers 3 and performing a fiber alignment / resin application process for applying an uncured UV curable resin, and an uncured UV curable resin. A spot UV lamp 21 which is a resin curing energy irradiation device for performing a resin curing process for curing the resin by energy irradiation, and a concentrating roll 19 for concentrating a plurality of optical fibers 3 fed from the coating die 7.

  As shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the coating die 7 is provided with a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes 9 at intervals. The plurality of optical fiber insertion holes 9 are opened at intervals on the exit surface 7 </ b> A of the coating die 7. The plurality of optical fibers 3 are aligned by passing through the respective optical fiber insertion holes 9 and fed out from the exit surface 7A.

  On the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7, communication grooves 10 are opened between adjacent optical fiber insertion holes 9, respectively. Each communication groove 10 communicates with both adjacent optical fiber insertion holes 9. Resin intermittent supply means 31 </ b> A capable of discharging uncured UV curable resin is provided in each communication groove 10. The resin intermittent supply means 31 </ b> A can supply and stop the uncured UV curable resin individually to each communication groove 10.

  The intermittent resin supply means 31 </ b> A includes a plurality of resin supply paths 32 that respectively communicate with the communication grooves 10, and a plurality of resin dischargers (dispensers) 33 that can discharge uncured UV curable resin to the resin supply paths 32. It is configured.

  Each resin discharger 33 can individually control the discharge and stop of the uncured UV curable resin. When the UV curable resin is discharged by each resin discharger 33, the UV curable resin is supplied to the communication groove 10 corresponding to each resin discharger 33, and the UV curable resin is supplied between the optical fibers 3 fed out from both sides thereof. . When the discharge of the UV curable resin by each resin discharger 33 is stopped, the UV curable resin is not discharged into the communication groove 10 corresponding to each resin discharger 33, and the UV curable resin is supplied between the optical fibers 3 fed from both sides thereof. Not.

  Therefore, by individually controlling each resin discharger 33, as shown in FIG. 4, an adhesive portion 15 and a separation portion 17 are formed between the optical fibers 3, and the optical fibers 3 are intermittently separated. The tape core wire 5 can be manufactured.

  The spot UV lamps 21 are located between the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7 and the portions where the optical fibers 3 are concentrated and contacted so that the optical fibers 3 are arranged in parallel, and are arranged at two locations in the Y direction of the length direction of the optical fibers 3. ing. The two spot UV lamps 21 irradiate resin curing energy necessary for curing the uncured UV curable resin. Hereinafter, an appropriate UV irradiation amount and an appropriate irradiation position will be described.

  As described above, when the optical fiber 3 is sent out from the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7, the UV curable resin is applied around the optical fiber 3. Therefore, when the distance between the optical fibers 3 is very narrow, Due to the surface tension of the curable resin, the optical fibers 3 coated with the UV curable resin come into contact with each other and are bonded together.

  Therefore, immediately after the UV curable resin is applied between the optical fibers 3, it is necessary to perform UV irradiation so as to cure the surface of the UV curable resin. When the UV irradiation is not sufficient, the curing of the UV curable resin on the surface of the optical fiber 3 is not complete, and thus the optical fibers 3 are bonded to each other when they are concentrated. If UV irradiation is performed at a location very far from the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7, the optical fibers 3 are bonded together by surface tension as described above, so that the optical fibers 3 are bonded to each other. Will end up.

  Accordingly, since the plurality of optical fibers 3 are bonded to each other by the surface tension of the UV curable resin after exiting from the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7, the distance from the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7 to the UV irradiation location is increased. It is necessary to irradiate at an optimal position (distance between the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7 and the UV irradiation location) and an optimal UV irradiation amount.

  Therefore, when the UV irradiation amount and the irradiation position were examined, the following results were obtained.

  In this embodiment, the optical fiber 3 has a diameter of 250 μm, and the coating dies 7 are arranged at an appropriate optical fiber pitch between the four optical fibers 3 and connected at the neck of each optical fiber 3. As described above, four optical fiber insertion holes 9 for inserting the respective optical fibers 3 are provided.

  When the four optical fibers 3 move from the four optical fiber insertion holes 9 to the front of the optical fiber forward direction in the Y direction in the length direction of the optical fiber 3 (leftward in FIG. 1), A UV curable resin is applied to the outer peripheral surface. The linear velocity at which the optical fiber 3 moves is 110 m / min.

  At this time, in the vicinity of the exit of the coating die 7, uncured UV curable resin is intermittently supplied to the three communication grooves 10 provided between the four optical fiber insertion holes 9 individually by the resin intermittent supply means 31A. The separating portion 17 and the bonding portion 15 can be formed between the optical fibers 3.

Under the conditions of this embodiment, the optical fibers 3 are concentrated at a location about 10 cm ahead of the position So of the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7 in the Y direction, and the optical fibers 3 are mutually connected by the surface tension of the resin. Contact. The portion where the optical fiber 3 come into contact with each other in parallel in the X-direction and S _G point.

  Therefore, for example, the arrangement position of the spot UV lamp 21 as the UV irradiation apparatus and the UV irradiation amount are variously changed. The spot UV lamp 21 for curing the UV curable resin uses the distance in the Y direction from the So point as position data. Furthermore, the amount of UV irradiation by the spot UV lamp 21 can be adjusted by the distance in the Z direction from the optical fiber 3 to the spot UV lamp 21.

  In this embodiment, it is performed in the following three directions (1) to (3), and the occurrence rate of separation errors in each case (the adjacent optical fibers 3 in the separation portion 17 are bonded to each other). Probability).

(1) the spot position S _L1 points of UV lamp 21 illumination is about 400 mW / cm ² at a distance H1 of up to optical fiber 3, so that the distance 15cm from So point of exit surface 7A of the coating die 7 Placed in.

(2) the spot position S _L2 point of the UV lamp 21 illumination is about 400 mW / cm ² at a distance H1 of up to optical fiber 3, so that the distance 2cm from So point of exit surface 7A of the coating die 7 Placed in.

(3) the spot position S _L2 point of the UV lamp 21 illumination is about 400 mW / cm ² at a distance H1 of up to optical fiber 3, so that the distance 2cm from So point of exit surface 7A of the coating die 7 Placed in. Further, the position of the spot UV lamp 21 where the illuminance at the distance H2 to the optical fiber 3 is about 600 mW / cm ² is such that the point S _L3 is a distance of 4 cm from the point So on the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7. Be placed.

State As a result, in the case of the above (1), the point S _L1 points are irradiated with a spot UV lamp 21 is forward of the S _G point (the left in FIG. 1), the optical fiber 3 has already Furea' Since the curing of the UV curable resin occurs, it is difficult to form the separation portion 17. The separation error occurrence probability is 100%.

Accordingly, spot UV lamp 21, it is desirable that the optical fibers 3 to each other coated with UV curable resin from the above So point is provided between the up position S _G point contact is concentrator.

In the case of the above (2), the point S _L1 irradiated with the spot UV lamp 21 is behind the S _G point in the Y-direction forward direction of the optical fiber (right side in FIG. 1), and the optical fiber 3 Although they are not touching each other, the probability that the adjacent optical fibers 3 will be bonded in the separation part 17 because the UV irradiation amount is insufficient and the curing of the UV curable resin is insufficient. The probability is 65%).

In the case of (3) above, the points S _L2 and S _L3 that are irradiated with the spot UV lamp 21 are appropriate, and the UV irradiation amount cures the surface of the UV curable resin on the outer periphery of the optical fiber 3. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the tape core wire 5 that is separated and bonded only between the target optical fibers 3. In this case, the separation error occurrence probability is 3%.

The production conditions of the fiber ribbon 5 of the, from the So point the distance to the S _G point the optical fiber 3 to each other at about 10cm in contact with each other by the surface tension of the resin, the distance the coating die 7 the outlet It varies depending on the pitch of the optical fiber 3 on the surface 7A, the viscosity of the UV curable resin, the linear velocity of the optical fiber 3, and the tension of the optical fiber 3.

Further, the above S _G point, microscopes, etc. using a magnifying glass, toward the front (left in FIG. 1) from the So point, it can be controlled by confirming the ribbon 5 from the top or bottom surface.

  In addition, at least the surface UV curable resin can be cured only by the spot UV lamp 21, but when all the UV curable resins applied to the optical fiber 3 are not completely cured, a plurality of surfaces cured only on the surface. It is possible to manufacture the tape core wire 5 by further irradiating the optical fiber 3 with UV after concentration.

  Moreover, the ratio of the length of the adhesive part 15 and the length of the separation part 17 can be changed by changing the ratio of the discharge time of the UV curable resin and the discharge stop time of the UV curable resin of the resin discharger 33. .

  In the first embodiment, there are a plurality of communication grooves 10, and the resin intermittent supply means 31 </ b> A has a number of resin dischargers 33 corresponding to the number of communication grooves 10, and controls these individually. It is configured. However, in the case where there is one communication groove 10 (when manufacturing a tape core made of two optical fibers 3), the resin intermittent supply means 31 </ b> A is configured by one resin discharge machine 33.

  From the above, the following effects are obtained.

  (1) When supplying uncured UV curable resin between adjacent optical fibers 3, each communication groove is provided by the resin intermittent supply means 31A capable of individually supplying and stopping the UV curable resin to each communication groove 10. Since the UV curable resin is supplied to and stopped from 10, it is not necessary to perform precuring and notching of the resin portion as in the conventional example, and it is not necessary to remove the resin once applied to the optical fiber 3. The process can be simplified.

  (2) Further, when uncured UV curable resin is supplied between the adjacent optical fibers 3, the resin intermittent supply means 31 </ b> A capable of individually supplying and stopping the UV curable resin to each communication groove 10. Since the UV curable resin is supplied to and stopped from the communication groove 10, the separation portion 17 that separates the optical fibers 3 from each other when the supply of the UV curable resin is stopped by the resin intermittent supply means 31 </ b> A is formed to intermittently supply the resin. In order to form the bonded portion 15 in which the optical fibers 3 are bonded to each other when the UV curable resin is supplied by the means 31A, the separating portion 17 and the bonded portion 15 between the adjacent optical fibers 3 are reliably and highly It can be formed with high accuracy. Thereby, the diameter reduction of the optical fiber tape core wire 5, the characteristic improvement, and the improvement of back branching can be aimed at.

  As an example of the tape core 5 manufactured by the method for manufacturing the optical fiber ribbon of the first embodiment described above, a plurality of optical fibers 3 are arranged in parallel as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, a total of N optical fibers 3 are configured. Of these N optical fibers 3, two adjacent optical fibers 3 are intermittently connected by an adhesive portion 15.

More specifically, a plurality of adhesive portions 15 that connect only between two adjacent optical fibers 3 are arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction over both surfaces of the tape core wire 5 as shown in FIG. Are intermittently arranged two-dimensionally. Moreover, the length of the bonding portion 15 applied to the same optical fiber 3 is shorter than the length of the separation portion 17 of the same optical fiber 3. For example, the length A of the bonding portions 15 ₁ to ₂ that connect the _first and _second optical fibers 3 is shorter than the length S of the separation portion 17 of the same optical fiber 3. Further, the separation distances B and D are provided so that the adhering portions 15 ₁ to ₂ and 15 ₂ to ₃ adjacent in the width direction of the tape core wire 5 do not contact each other.

In FIG. 4, bonding portions 15 ₁ to ₂ indicate bonding portions 15 that connect the first and second optical fibers 3, and bonding portions 15 ₂ to ₃ indicate bonding between the second and third optical fibers 3. The bonding part 15 to be connected is shown. Therefore, the bonding portions 15 _(N-2) to _(N-1) are bonding portions 15 that connect the (N-2) -th and (N-1) -th optical fibers 3, and the bonding portions 15 _{(N-1). ) To N} are adhesive portions 15 that connect the (N-1) -th and N-th optical fibers 3 to each other.

In FIG. 4, the length of the bonding portions 15 ₂ to ₃ is C, and the length S of the separation portion 17 of the same optical fiber 3 (not shown, but the same as the case of the bonding portions 15 ₁ to ₂ ) The length is shorter than the length). The lengths of the bonding portions 15 _(N-2) to _(N-1) are E, and the length of the bonding portions 15 _(N-1) to _N is G. In addition, the lengths E and G are shorter than the length S of the separating portion 17 of the same optical fiber 3. Further, the separation distances F and H are set so that the adhesive portions 15 _(N-2) to _(N-1) and 15 _(N-1) to _N adjacent to each other in the width direction of the tape core wire 5 do not contact each other. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, an optical fiber core as the optical fiber 3 includes a quartz glass fiber 25 and a soft material coated on the outer periphery of the quartz glass fiber 25. It is composed of a plastic resin 27 and, for example, a UV curable resin 29 coated on the outer periphery of the soft plastic resin 27.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the structure of each of the bonding portions 15 is a UV curable resin or a thermoplastic resin between two adjacent optical fibers 3 from above and below. It is connected by. 5A, the outer surface of the bonding portion 15 is located on the same line as the line connecting the outer circumferences of the two optical fibers 3, and in FIG. 5B, the outer diameter surface of the bonding portion 15 is two cores. It is curved inward from the line connecting the outer circumferences of the optical fibers 3, and in FIG. 5C, the outer circumference of the two optical fibers 3 is covered. Anyway, the structure of the adhesion part 15 should just connect between the two optical fibers 3 adjacent to each other.

  Moreover, the arrangement | positioning state of the adhesion part 15 in the tape core wire 5 of embodiment of this invention is not restricted to the state as FIG. 4 shows, FIG. 6 (A)-(C), FIG. ) To (C) as shown in various arrangement examples or other configurations.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 8, the optical fiber tape core manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the intermittent resin supply means 31B.

  That is, as shown in detail in FIGS. 9 and 10, the resin intermittent supply means 31 </ b> B includes a plurality of resin supply paths 32 that respectively communicate with the communication grooves 10 and a plurality of shutters that can individually open and close the resin supply paths 32. 34 and a single resin filling machine (not shown) for filling each resin supply path 32 with a UV curable resin.

  Each shutter 34 is slidably inserted in the Y direction into a shutter slide hole 40 opened on the exit surface 7A of the coating die 7. Each shutter slide hole 40 intersects each resin supply path 32. Each shutter 34 moves between a position where the resin supply path 32 is blocked and a position where the shutter 34 communicates, and the movement is individually controlled.

  When the shutter 34 is located at the blocking position, the UV curable resin is supplied to the corresponding communication groove 10, and the UV curable resin is supplied between the optical fibers 3 sent out from both sides thereof. When the shutter 34 is located at the communication position, the UV curable resin is not supplied to the corresponding communication groove 10, and the UV curable resin is not supplied between the optical fibers 3 sent out from both sides thereof.

  Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the drawings, and description thereof will be omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In this second embodiment, there are a plurality of communication grooves 10, and the resin intermittent supply means 31 </ b> B has a number of resin supply paths 32 and shutters 34 corresponding to the number of communication grooves 10, and a plurality of shutters 34. The movement of each is controlled individually. However, when the number of the communication grooves 10 is one (when manufacturing a tape core made of two optical fibers 3), the resin intermittent supply means 31B is constituted by one resin supply path 32 and a shutter 34. .

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 11, the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the intermittent resin supply means 31C.

  That is, as shown in detail in FIGS. 12 and 13, the resin intermittent supply means 31 </ b> C has a plurality of resin supply paths 32 respectively communicating with the respective communication grooves 10, and a single that can individually open and close the plurality of resin supply paths 32. And a single resin filling machine (not shown) for filling each resin supply passage 32 with a UV curable resin.

  The rotating body 35 is a disk having a notch 35a that is an opening. The rotating body 35 is disposed in a state where a part of the rotating body 35 is inserted into a rotation slit 41 that opens on the exit surface 7 </ b> A of the coating die 7. The rotation slit 41 intersects all the resin supply paths 32. The cutout portion 35 a of the rotating body 35 is set to be a rotation locus that passes through all the resin supply paths 32. The rotating body 35 is rotated by a drive source (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the rotating body 35 rotates, the notches 35 a sequentially pass through the plurality of resin supply paths 32, and when the notches 35 a pass, A curable resin is supplied, and a UV curable resin is supplied between the optical fibers 3 fed from both sides thereof. When the notch 35a has not passed, the UV curable resin is not supplied to the corresponding communication groove 10, and the UV curable resin is not supplied between the optical fibers 3 fed out from both sides thereof. In FIG. 14, the central resin supply path 32 communicates, the resin supply paths 32 on both sides thereof are blocked, and the UV curable resin is supplied only to the central communication groove 10. In FIG. 15, the left resin supply path 32 communicates, the center and right resin supply paths 32 are blocked, and the UV curable resin is supplied only to the left communication groove 10.

  Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the drawings, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the plurality of resin supply paths 32 can be blocked and communicated by the single rotating body 35, a tape core wire intermittently fixed by a simple drive system and control system can be manufactured.

  In the third embodiment, the rotating body 35 has one notch 35a, but may have a plurality of notches 35a. The opening of the rotating body 35 is the notch 35a, but may be a hole.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the three resin supply paths 32 are arranged in a straight line, but on the same rotation locus (the same as the rotation center of the rotating body 35). (Distance).

  The plurality of resin supply paths 32 are respectively arranged at different distances with respect to the rotation center of the rotator 35, and the rotator 35 is provided with an opening corresponding to the position of each resin supply path 32. The supply timing of the cured resin to each communication groove 10 may be changed.

(Other)
In the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus of the first to third embodiments, the optical fibers 3 are bonded to each other using a UV curable resin, but may be a resin that is cured by irradiating energy. For example, a thermosetting resin may be used. In this case, a heat source is used as the energy irradiation device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Manufacturing apparatus of optical fiber ribbon 3 Optical fiber 5 Optical fiber ribbon 7 Coating die 7A Outlet surface 9 Optical fiber insertion hole 10 Communication groove 15 Adhesion part 17 Separation part 21 Spot UV lamp (resin hardening energy irradiation apparatus)
31A, 31B, 31C Resin intermittent supply means 32 Resin supply path 33 Resin dispenser 34 Shutter 35 Rotating body

Claims (14)

An optical fiber ribbon manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon in which adjacent optical fibers are intermittently fixed in the length direction,
A plurality of optical fiber insertion holes are opened at intervals on the exit surface of the coating die, and a communication groove is opened between the adjacent optical fiber insertion holes, and a plurality of the optical fibers are inserted from the optical fiber insertion holes. A fiber alignment / resin supply step in which the uncured resin is supplied and stopped alternately and continuously with respect to the communication groove by the resin intermittent supply means while being sent out in an aligned state;
A resin curing step for irradiating the resin curing energy necessary for curing the resin between the exit surface of the coating die and the portion where the optical fibers are concentrated and contacted so as to be in parallel;
An optical fiber tape is formed by forming a separation part that separates the optical fibers when the supply of the resin is stopped, and an adhesive part that adheres the optical fibers when the resin is supplied. A manufacturing method of an optical fiber ribbon, characterized by manufacturing a core. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1,
The intermittent resin supply means has a resin discharger capable of supplying uncured resin to the communication groove,
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, comprising controlling the driving of the resin feeder to supply and stop the resin to the communication groove. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 2,
The communication groove is plural,
The intermittent resin supply means has a plurality of resin dischargers capable of supplying uncured resin to the communication grooves,
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, comprising: individually controlling the driving of each of the resin feeders to supply and stop the resin in the communication grooves. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1,
The intermittent resin supply means has a resin supply path communicating with the communication groove, and a shutter capable of opening and closing the resin supply path,
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, wherein the movement of the shutter is controlled to supply and stop the resin to each communication groove. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 4,
The communication groove is plural,
The intermittent resin supply means includes a plurality of resin supply paths communicating with the communication grooves, and a plurality of shutters capable of opening and closing the resin supply paths, respectively.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, wherein the movement of each shutter is individually controlled to supply and stop the resin to each communication groove. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1,
The communication groove is plural,
The intermittent resin supply means includes a plurality of resin supply paths communicating with the communication grooves and an opening, and the opening is arranged in a single rotation locus passing through all of the resin supply paths. A rotating body of
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, comprising: supplying and stopping resin to each communication groove by the rotating body. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Irradiation of resin curing energy is performed at a plurality of locations in the length direction of the optical fiber. An optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus that manufactures an optical fiber ribbon in which adjacent optical fibers are intermittently fixed in the length direction,
A plurality of optical fiber insertion holes are opened at intervals on the exit surface, a communication groove is opened between the adjacent optical fiber insertion holes, and the plurality of optical fibers are aligned through the optical fiber insertion holes. And a coating die that alternately and continuously supplies and stops uncured resin to the communication groove by intermittent resin supply means,
A resin curing energy irradiation device that irradiates the resin curing energy necessary for the resin to cure between the exit surface of the coating die and the portion where the optical fibers are concentrated and contacted so as to be in parallel with each other,
An optical fiber tape is formed by forming a separation part that separates the optical fibers when the supply of the resin is stopped, and an adhesive part that adheres the optical fibers when the resin is supplied. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, characterized by manufacturing a core. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 8,
The said intermittent resin supply means has a resin discharge machine which can supply uncured resin to the said communicating groove, The manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber tape cable core characterized by the above-mentioned. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 9,
The communication groove is plural,
The said intermittent resin supply means has the some resin discharge machine which can each supply uncured resin to each said communicating groove, The manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber tape core wire characterized by the above-mentioned. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 8,
The said intermittent resin supply means has the resin supply path connected to the said communication groove | channel, and the shutter which can open and close the said resin supply path, The manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber tape core wire characterized by the above-mentioned. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 11,
The communication groove is plural,
The apparatus for producing an optical fiber ribbon, wherein the resin intermittent supply means includes a plurality of resin supply paths communicating with the communication grooves and a plurality of shutters capable of opening and closing the resin supply paths, respectively. . An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 8,
The communication groove is plural,
The intermittent resin supply means includes a plurality of resin supply paths communicating with the communication grooves and an opening, and the opening is arranged in a single rotation locus passing through all of the resin supply paths. And an optical fiber tape core manufacturing apparatus. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to any one of claims 8 to 13,
An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, wherein resin curing energy irradiation devices are arranged at a plurality of locations in the length direction of the optical fiber.

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