JP2012103341A - Device and method for manufacturing optical fiber ribbon, optical fiber ribbon, and optical fiber cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber ribbon which can be easily separated into individual fibers at the time of fiber lead-in and which is not inadvertently separated into individual fibers at the time of being stored in an optical fiber cable.SOLUTION: In an optical fiber ribbon 1, a plurality of optical fiber strands 2A-2D are arranged in line at a predetermined pitch P and a resin 3 which is made of an ultraviolet curing resin and bonds the optical fiber strands 2 with each other is applied and supplied between each of the optical fiber strands 2. When the resin 3 is applied and supplied between each of gaps S of the in-line optical fiber strands 2, the gaps S are vacuumed and the resin 3 is formed by being let wrap around from a coating surface side 1a to an opposite surface side 1b.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, a manufacturing apparatus, an optical fiber ribbon, and an optical fiber cable.

  In recent years, broadbandization has been promoted due to the rapid spread of the Internet and the increase in transmission and reception of large-capacity data, and optical fibers have come to be used as communication lines that meet these requirements. For example, in order to draw an optical fiber into a subscriber's house from an optical fiber cable installed on a utility pole, an optical fiber tape core having a plurality of optical fiber strands in a tape shape is used.

  An optical fiber ribbon is a tape in which a plurality of optical fiber strands are arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch, a resin is applied between the optical fiber strands, and the optical fiber strands are joined and integrated. (For example, described in Patent Document 1). In addition, the taped resin is disposed on the tape-shaped surface and both side surfaces, and the taped resin is disposed in the vicinity of the adjacent portion of the optical fiber on the back surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber. A line structure has also been proposed (for example, described in Patent Document 2).

  To draw an optical fiber strand from the optical fiber cable into the subscriber premises, take out the optical fiber ribbon from the optical fiber cable, and select a predetermined optical fiber strand from the plurality of fibers in the middle of the optical fiber ribbon. It is necessary to separate the single core. For this reason, optical fiber tape cores can be easily separated from multi-core (many) optical fiber strands, and when the optical fiber tape cores are housed in cables, they are separated. Difficult things are required.

JP 2010-44336 A (FIGS. 1-4, etc.) JP 2010-91730 A (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, etc.)

  In the optical fiber ribbon described in Patent Document 1, the structure in which the entire circumference of a plurality of optical fiber strands is covered with a taped resin is the highest, and the taped resin is the highest between the optical fiber strands arranged in a row. The structure is integrated by protruding.

  For this reason, the strength between the optical fiber strands depends on the contact area between the taped resin and the optical fiber strand. For example, if the contact area between the taped resin and the optical fiber is large, the strength of the tape core is too strong, making it difficult to separate the single core. If the contact area is small, the strength of the tape core is too weak. In some cases, a single core may be separated when a tape core is manufactured or when a tape core is stored in a cable.

  On the other hand, in the optical fiber ribbon described in Patent Document 2, since the taped resin exists continuously from the tape surface to both side surfaces, the contact area between the taped resin and the optical fiber is large, and the tape core The intensity of the line is too strong, making single-core separation difficult.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a manufacturing method and a manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon having an appropriate bonding strength that can be easily separated when a fiber is drawn and that is not carelessly separated when accommodated in a cable. An object is to provide an apparatus, an optical fiber ribbon, and an optical fiber cable.

  The manufacturing method of the optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1 is an arraying step in which a plurality of optical fiber strands fed from the delivery side are arranged in a row by forming a gap between the optical fiber strands at a predetermined pitch. And when applying and supplying a resin for bonding the optical fiber strands to the gaps of the optical fiber strands arranged in a row, the gap is evacuated and the resin is applied to the opposite surface from the coating surface side. It is characterized by comprising a resin coating process for wrapping around to the side and a curing process for curing the resin.

  An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 2 includes: a feeding unit that feeds a plurality of optical fiber strands; and an optical fiber strand that is fed by the feeding unit and travels at a predetermined pitch. Applying and supplying resin for bonding the optical fiber strands to the gap between the optical fiber strands arranged in a row by forming a gap between the wires and the optical fiber strands arranged in a row by the arrangement means A resin coating supply unit, a resin drawing unit that evacuates the gap of each of the optical fiber strands and turns the resin from the coating surface side to the opposite surface side, a curing unit that cures the resin after coating, And winding means for winding the optical fiber ribbon formed by curing.

  Invention of Claim 3 is a manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber ribbon of Claim 2, Comprising: The said arrangement | positioning means, the said resin drawing-in means, and the said resin application | coating supply means are integrated into one apparatus. It is characterized by that.

  Invention of Claim 4 is an optical fiber tape cable manufacturing apparatus of Claim 3, Comprising: The said apparatus is arranged in order of the said arrangement | positioning means, the said resin drawing-in means, and the said resin application supply means. It is characterized by that.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the resin wraps around from the coated surface side to the opposite surface side. It has a wrapping length adjusting means for detecting the wrapping length and adjusting the degree of evacuation according to the wrapping length.

  In the optical fiber ribbon according to claim 6, a resin for arranging a plurality of optical fiber strands in a line at a predetermined pitch and bonding the optical fiber strands between the optical fiber strands is applied and supplied. In the optical fiber ribbon, the resin to be applied and supplied between the optical fiber strands is opposite to the application surface side from the application side resin portion and the gap formed between the optical fiber strands. A coating-side resin portion for adhering two adjacent optical fiber strands, and a coating-side resin portion for adhering the adjacent optical fiber strand and a wrap-around The length L1 in the resin flow direction of the application-side resin portion without being in contact with the resin portion is larger than the radius R of the optical fiber strand, and the length L2 of the wrapping resin portion in the resin flow direction is Smaller than the radius R of the optical fiber It is characterized in that the.

  Invention of Claim 7 is an optical fiber tape cable core of Claim 6, Comprising: The said application side resin parts and the said application side resin part and the said wraparound resin part are all non-contact. It is characterized by that.

  The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that the optical fiber ribbon according to claim 7 is housed in a slot core and covered with a sheath.

  According to the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, when the resin is applied and supplied to each gap of the optical fiber, the gap is evacuated to cause the resin to wrap around from the coated surface side to the opposite surface side. Since the contact area between the resin and the optical fiber strand that wraps around to the opposite surface side increases, the strength of the tape core wire can be increased. By adjusting the wraparound length of this resin, it is possible to easily separate the single fiber when drawing the fiber, and to form an optical fiber ribbon having an appropriate bonding strength that does not inadvertently separate the single fiber when stored in the cable. Can be manufactured.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the optical fiber ribbon of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber ribbon of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the optical fiber ribbon of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an array resin drawing and coating apparatus in the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the array resin drawing and coating apparatus of FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of each part of FIG. 5, (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 5, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 5, and (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C of FIG. FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the concentrating roller in the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the wrapping width necessary to calculate the wrapping length of the resin that wraps around from the coated surface side to the opposite surface side. FIG. 9 shows a comparative example of the present embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber ribbon in which the resin does not flow from the coated surface side to the opposite surface side. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the optical fiber ribbon used in another experimental example. FIG. 11 shows a straightening portion for arranging optical fiber strands in a row in the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 10, and FIG. 11A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main portion of the straightening portion when the arrangement pitch of optical fiber strands is 250 μm FIG. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the wire-shaping portion when the arrangement pitch of the optical fiber strands is 300 μm. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber ribbon manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Structure explanation of optical fiber ribbon]
First, an optical fiber tape core manufactured by a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the optical fiber ribbon of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber ribbon of this embodiment.

  The optical fiber ribbon 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of optical fiber strands 2 (2A to 2D) arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch P, and the optical fiber strands 2 between the optical fiber strands 2. A resin 3 for adhering each other is applied and supplied.

  The optical fiber 2 includes a quartz glass fiber 4 provided in the center, and an outer layer 5 formed by coating the ultraviolet light curable resin around the quartz glass fiber 4. As for the optical fiber 2, the outer diameter of the quartz glass fiber 4 is 0.125 mm and the entire outer diameter is 0.25 mm in terms of the standard. In order to identify which of the plurality of optical fiber strands 2A to 2D is the optical fiber strand 2, the jacket layer 5 is colored (including colorless).

  The resin 3 is applied and supplied from the coating surface side 1a between the optical fiber strands 2A to 2D, and the opposite surface side 1b of the coating surface side 1a from the gap S formed between the optical fiber strands 2A to 2D. It goes around. The resin 3 is continuously provided along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 2.

  Of the resin 3, the resin 3 a on the application surface side 1 a (hereinafter referred to as application-side resin portion 3 a) has a length L1 in the resin flow direction X (the position of the optical fiber strand 2 from the most protruding position of the application-side resin portion 3 a). The vertical length L1) to the center position is made larger (longer) than the radius R of the optical fiber 2. From another point of view, the application-side resin portion 3a is raised so as to protrude upward from a recess formed between the optical fiber strands 2. On the other hand, a resin 3b (hereinafter referred to as a wraparound resin portion 3b) that wraps around the opposite surface 1b of the resin 3 has a length L2 in the resin flow direction X (the wraparound resin portion from the center position of the optical fiber 2). The vertical length L2) up to the most protruding position of 3b is made smaller than the radius R of the optical fiber 2. From another viewpoint, the wrapping resin portion 3b is in a state of being retracted into a recess formed between the optical fiber strands 2.

  If the length L2 of the wrapping resin portion 3b in the resin flow direction X is made larger than the radius R of the optical fiber strand 2, the contact area between the optical fiber strand 2 and the resin 3 becomes too large, and intermediate separation is performed. Sometimes it becomes difficult to separate single cores. Therefore, if the length L2 of the wrapping resin portion 3b in the resin flow direction X is made smaller than the radius R of the optical fiber strand 2, the contact area between the optical fiber strand 2 and the resin 3 becomes too large. Can be prevented, and single-core separation is facilitated during intermediate separation. The minimum value of the length L2 of the wrapping resin portion 3b in the resin flow direction X is set to a value that does not cause separation when the tape core is manufactured or when the tape core is stored in the cable.

  Moreover, in the said coating surface side 1a, each application | coating side resin part 3a which adhere | attaches two cores of the adjacent optical fiber strand 2 is made non-contact without contacting. On the other hand, on the opposite surface side 1b, similarly, the wrapping resin portions 3b that adhere the two cores of the adjacent optical fiber 2 are not in contact with each other. When the application-side resin portions 3a or the wrap-around resin portions 3b are in contact with each other, the contact area between the optical fiber 2 and the resin 3 is increased, and the strength of the optical fiber ribbon 1 is increased by the bonding of the resins. It becomes higher than necessary, and single core separation becomes impossible.

  The optical fiber ribbon 1 of the present embodiment is not a structure in which the resin 3 (application side resin portion 3a) is provided only on the application surface side 1a, and the resin 3 supplied from the application surface side 1a is the opposite surface. A resin 3 (wrapping resin portion 3b) is formed around the side 1b, and each optical fiber 2 is joined and integrated with the resin 3 on both sides. In the optical fiber tape core wire in which the resin 3 is provided only on the coated surface side 1a, depending on the contact area between the optical fiber strand 2 and the resin 3, the tape core wire is accommodated when the tape core wire is manufactured or in the cable. In some cases, single-core separation or single-core separation cannot be performed during intermediate separation.

  However, in the optical fiber ribbon 1 of the present embodiment, the resin 3 wraps around not only the coating surface side 1a but also the opposite side surface 1b as described above, and the wrapping resin portion 3b is formed. Since the contact area between the optical fiber 2 on the side 1b and the resin 3 increases, single-core separation does not occur when the tape core is manufactured or when the tape core is stored in the optical fiber cable, and it is easily separated at the time of intermediate separation. The mind can be separated. Thus, according to the optical fiber ribbon 1 of the present embodiment, an appropriate adhesive strength can be ensured.

  Further, according to the optical fiber ribbon 1 of the present embodiment, the length L2 of the wrapping resin portion 3b in the resin flow direction X is smaller than the radius R of the optical fiber 2, so that the strength is high. Single-core separation can be easily performed during intermediate separation without becoming too much.

  Further, according to the optical fiber ribbon 1 of the present embodiment, the application side resin portions 3a on the application surface side 1a and the wrapping resin portions 3b on the opposite surface side 1b are not in contact with each other. By increasing the contact area between the wire 2 and the resin 3, it is possible to avoid the problem that single-core separation cannot be performed during intermediate separation.

[About optical fiber cable]
In the present embodiment, the optical fiber cable of the present invention can be obtained by housing the optical fiber ribbon 1 configured as described above in a slot groove formed in a slot core and covering with a sheath. . In the optical fiber cable in which the optical fiber ribbon 1 having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is accommodated in the slot groove and covered with the sheath, the optical fiber tape is not separated when the tape is accommodated. 1 is accommodated, and when a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 1 are stacked, the optical fiber ribbons 1 can be accommodated properly aligned in the slot grooves.

  Further, in the optical fiber cable of the present invention, a single core can be easily separated at the time of intermediate separation in which a part of the sheath is cut and the optical fiber ribbon 1 is taken out from the slot groove and the desired optical fiber 2 is taken out. It is possible to improve the workability of the operator.

[Description of manufacturing equipment structure]
Next, the structure of the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment will be described. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire manufacturing apparatus, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the array resin drawing and coating apparatus of the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the array resin drawing and coating apparatus of FIG. 5 shows a cross section of each part of FIG. 5, (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5, and (C) is a CC line in FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the concentrating roller in the manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon has a delivery drum 10 that is a delivery means for delivering a plurality of optical fiber strands 2 (2A to 2D), and an optical fiber strand 2 having a predetermined pitch P. The alignment unit 11 is an arrangement unit that forms a gap S between the optical fiber strands 2 and arranges them in a row, and a resin application supply unit that applies and applies the resin 3 to the gap S between the optical fiber strands 2. A resin application supply unit 12, a vacuum drawing unit 13 which is a resin drawing means for drawing the resin 3 from the coating surface side 1a to the opposite surface side 1b by vacuuming the gap S of the optical fiber 2; An ultraviolet lamp 14 that is a curing unit that cures the subsequent resin 3 and a winding drum 15 that is a winding unit that winds the optical fiber tape core wire 1 formed by curing are provided. The straightening unit 11, the resin coating supply unit 12, and the vacuum drawing unit 13 are integrated to form an array resin drawing coating device 17 which is one device.

  In the manufacturing apparatus, when the delivery drum 10 disposed on the rightmost side in FIG. 3 is the fiber delivery side of the optical fiber 2 and the winding drum 15 disposed on the leftmost side is the fiber winding side. In addition, the optical fiber 2 travels in the direction indicated by the arrow Y from the fiber sending side to the fiber winding side. With this arrow Y as the fiber travel direction, the device component (winding drum 15) arranged on the fiber winding side is ahead of the device component (for example, the sending drum 10) arranged on the fiber sending side. It is defined as a device component. In the traveling path of the optical fiber 2, a guide roller 16, an array resin drawing / coating device 17, and an ultraviolet ray are sequentially provided from the fiber delivery side to the fiber take-up side between the delivery drum 10 and the take-up drum 15. A lamp 14, a concentrator roller 32, and a dancer 34 are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the delivery drum 10 has an optical fiber 2 wound around a drum peripheral surface. The delivery drum 10 is arranged according to the number of the optical fiber strands 2. In this embodiment, since the optical fiber tape core wire in which the four optical fiber strands 2 are arranged in a row is manufactured, the four delivery drums 10 are arranged.

  A plurality of guide rollers 16 for guiding the travel of the optical fiber 2 are arranged in front of the delivery drum 10 as shown in FIG. In front of the guide roller 16, as shown in FIG. 3, an array resin drawing and coating device 17 is arranged. The array resin drawing and coating apparatus 17 includes a straightening section 11, a resin coating supply section 12, and a vacuum drawing section 13 which will be described later, and these are integrated into one apparatus. FIG. 4 shows the overall configuration of the array resin pull-in coating device 17.

  As shown in FIG. 5 which is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the array resin drawing and coating device 17 is arranged in order from the right fiber sending side toward the left fiber winding side toward FIG. 5. 13 and resin coating and supplying section 12 are arranged in one casing 18 in this order.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 (A), the wire-straightening section 11 forms a gap S between the optical fiber strands 2 at a predetermined pitch P and arranges them in a row. To function. The straightening portion 11 has four through-holes 19 for running the optical fiber 2 along the longitudinal direction in the central portion in the thickness direction of the casing 18. These through-holes 19 are provided at a predetermined pitch P so that a gap S is formed between the optical fiber strands 2 to allow the resin 3 to wrap around when the four optical fiber strands 2 are inserted. Yes. For example, when the outer diameter of the optical fiber 2 is 0.25 mm, the pitch between the optical fibers is 0.30 mm (300 μm).

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 (B), the vacuum evacuation unit 13 includes a vacuum chamber 20, a vacuum pump 21 that vacuums the vacuum chamber 20 to make it in a vacuum state, a vacuum degree adjusting means 22, and a vacuum pump. 21 and a controller 23 for controlling the degree of vacuum adjusting means 22.

  The vacuum chamber 20 is provided at a position in front of the straightening portion 11 in the optical fiber strand feeding direction Y, and is formed as a cavity having a wide internal space. The vacuum chamber 20 is connected to a vacuum hole 24 that is vertically formed from the top surface 18 a of the housing 18 toward the vacuum chamber 20. A vacuum hose 25 connected to the vacuum pump 21 is connected to the vacuum hole 24.

  The vacuum chamber 20 is measured by a vacuum gauge (not shown). The control unit 23 compares the degree of vacuum measured by the vacuum gauge with a preset degree of vacuum, and controls the operation of the vacuum pump 21 with the degree-of-vacuum adjusting means 22 so that the degree of vacuum is a predetermined degree. Further, the control unit 23 adjusts the degree of evacuation according to the wrapping length of the resin 3 from the coating surface side 1a to the opposite surface side 1b. The wrap length is detected by the wrap length measuring means 26. The wrapping length measuring means 26 is provided at a position in front of the ultraviolet lamp 14, detects the resin 3 that oozes out on the surface 1b opposite to the coating surface side 1a with a projection device, and detects between the bleed width and the optical fiber strand. The wraparound length is calculated from the gap. The calculation method will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6C, the resin application supply unit 12 is provided at a position in front of the vacuum drawing unit 13. The resin application supply unit 12 includes a resin tank 27 filled with the resin 3, a resin supply nozzle 28 that supplies and supplies the resin 3 to the gap S between the optical fiber 2 from the resin tank 27, and the resin supplied to the gap S. Resin pressure adjusting means 29 for adjusting the pressure.

  A through hole 19 for running each optical fiber 2 formed by the wire-shaping unit 11 is formed in the resin coating supply unit 12. The through-hole 19 is formed so as to penetrate from the one surface of the housing 18 to the other surface from the straightening portion 11 to the resin coating supply portion 12.

  Resin tank 27 is filled with resin 3. The resin supply nozzle 28 is connected to a resin supply hole 30 formed vertically from the top surface 18 a of the housing 18 toward the through hole 19. In the present embodiment, three resin supply nozzles 28 and resin supply holes 30 are provided in order to apply and supply the resin 3 between the four optical fiber wires 2. The resin pressure adjusting means 29 adjusts the resin pressure for supplying the resin 3 in the resin tank 25 from the resin supply nozzle 28 toward the gap S.

  The application side resin 12 is applied to the application side 12 so that the application side resin part 3a supplied to the application surface side 1a can protrude upward from the depression formed between the optical fiber strands 2. A part forming recess 31 is formed. The application-side resin part forming recess 31 is continuously formed in a region between the outlet of the resin supply hole 30 and the outlet of the through hole 19.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ultraviolet lamp 14 is provided at a position in front of the resin application supply unit 12. In the present embodiment, two ultraviolet lamps 14 are continuously arranged in series. The ultraviolet lamp 14 is capable of adjusting the intensity of illuminance in order to cure the applied resin 3 according to the traveling speed of the optical fiber 2.

  Further, in the manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a concentrating roller 32 is provided as a concentrating means for gathering the pitch P between the optical fiber strands 2 spread by applying and supplying the resin 3. It has been. The concentrating roller 32 is disposed in front of the ultraviolet lamp 14. The concentrator roller 32 arranges the four optical fiber strands 2 at the arrangement pitch in which the four optical fiber strands 2 are arranged in a line in the wire-straightening section 11.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the concentrating roller 32 has guide grooves 33 for guiding each optical fiber 2 formed on the roller surface 32a by the number of the optical fiber 2 along the length of the roller. . The concentrating rollers 32 are respectively arranged on the upper side and the lower side with the optical fiber strand 2 interposed therebetween. The optical fiber strands 2 are guided by guide grooves 33 formed in these two concentrating rollers 32, so that the optical fiber strands 2 are gathered together to have a desired arrangement pitch P.

  Moreover, in the manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the dancer 34 for adjusting the winding tension | tensile_strength of the optical fiber strand 2 is provided. The dancer 34 is arranged in front of the wrapping length measuring means 26 arranged in front of the concentrating roller 32. The dancer 34 includes a plurality of rollers 35 and applies tension to the traveling optical fiber 2.

  The winding drum 15 finally winds the optical fiber tape core wire 1 formed by curing.

  In the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment, the gap S between the optical fiber strands 2 arranged in a row is evacuated to cause the resin 3 to wrap around from the coated surface side 1a to the opposite surface side 1b. Since the vacuum drawing unit 13 serving as a resin drawing unit is provided, the resin 3 applied and supplied to the coating surface side 1a by the vacuum drawing unit 13 can be pulled around the opposite surface side 1b. As a result, the wrapping resin portion 3b that wraps around not only the coated surface side 1a but also the opposite surface side 1b comes into contact with the optical fiber 2, so that the contact area increases, so that the optical fiber ribbon 1 When the cable is stored in the cable, it will not separate.

  Further, in the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment, the alignment unit 11 that is an arrangement unit, the vacuum drawing unit 13 that is a resin drawing unit, and the resin coating supply unit 12 that is a resin coating supply unit are integrated. Since the arrangement resin drawing and coating apparatus 17 is one apparatus, the configuration of the entire manufacturing apparatus can be simplified.

  Moreover, in the manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber ribbon of this embodiment, it arranges in order of the wire-straightening part 11 which is an arrangement | positioning means, the vacuum drawing part 13 which is a resin drawing-in means, and the resin application supply part 12 which is a resin application supply means. Therefore, after arranging a plurality of optical fiber strands 2 in a line at a predetermined pitch P, the resin 3 applied and supplied to the application surface side 1a can be pulled by a vacuum to wrap around the opposite surface side 1b. .

  In the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment, the control unit 23 according to the wrapping length of the resin 3 wrapping around the opposite surface side 1b of the coating surface side 1a by the wrapping length measuring means 26. Since the degree of evacuation is adjusted, a desired wrap-around length of the resin 3 can be obtained.

[Description of manufacturing method of optical fiber ribbon]
Next, the manufacturing method of the optical fiber ribbon of this embodiment is demonstrated. The manufacturing method of the present embodiment includes an arraying step in which a plurality of optical fiber strands 2 delivered from the delivery side are formed in a row by forming a gap S between the optical fiber strands 2 at a predetermined pitch P, and When the resin 3 for bonding the optical fiber strands 2 is applied and supplied to the gaps S of the optical fiber strands 2 arranged in the above, the gap 3 is evacuated to draw the resin 3 from the coating surface side 1a. It includes a resin coating process that wraps around the opposite surface 1b and a curing process that cures the resin 3.

  Below, it demonstrates concretely in order of the process which manufactures the optical fiber tape core wire 1. FIG. First, each optical fiber 2 (2A to 2D) is sent out from the delivery drum 10. The fed optical fiber 2 is guided by a guide roller 16 and sent to an array resin drawing and coating device 17 provided in front of the sending drum 10. The optical fiber strands 2 sent to the array resin drawing / coating device 17 are first arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch P by the straightening section 11. Each optical fiber 2 is inserted into each through-hole 19 formed in the wire-straightening section 11 so as to be arranged with a predetermined gap S between adjacent optical fiber 2. become.

  The optical fiber strands 2 arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch P pass through a vacuuming section 13 provided in front of the wire-shaping section 11 and are sent to the resin coating supply section 12. In the resin application supply unit 12, the resin 3 having a predetermined viscosity is applied from the resin tank 27 through the resin supply hole 30 to the depression formed on the application surface side 1 a between the optical fiber strands 2. Supplied. As the resin 3, an ultraviolet curable resin is used. The resin pressure for supplying the resin 3 is appropriately adjusted by a resin pressure adjusting means 29 connected to the resin tank 27.

  On the other hand, in the evacuation unit 13, the vacuum pump 21 is operated and the vacuum chamber 20 is brought into a vacuum state. The degree of vacuum in the vacuum chamber 20 is measured by a vacuum gauge, and is adjusted by the control unit 23 controlling the operating state of the vacuum pump 21. Since the resin 3 applied and supplied is connected to the vacuum chamber 20 of the evacuating part 13 communicating with the through hole 19, it is pulled from the application surface side 1a through the gap S to the opposite surface side 1b. As a result, the resin 3 applied and supplied to the application surface side 1a wraps around the opposite surface side 1b through the gap S.

  The length of the resin 3 applied and supplied to the application surface side 1a of the optical fiber strands 2 arranged in a row to the opposite surface side 1b is as described above in the resin flow direction X of the wrapping resin portion 3b. The length L2 is made smaller than the radius R of the optical fiber 2. The length L2 of the wrapping resin portion 3b is determined by setting the viscosity of the resin 3, the resin pressure to be supplied, the degree of vacuum, and the like to the optimum conditions in a timely manner. The length L2 of the wrap-around resin portion 3b is detected by the wrap-around length measuring means 26, and is adjusted by changing the degree of vacuum when the control portion 23 is smaller or larger than the above-described conditions. In other words, the control unit 23 adjusts the degree of vacuuming according to the wrapping length.

  The optical fiber 2 having the resin 3 wrapping around to the opposite surface side 1 b is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by an ultraviolet lamp 14 disposed in front of the array resin drawing and coating apparatus 17. When the resin 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the resin 3 that has received the ultraviolet rays is cured. Each optical fiber 2 has a pitch P in which the pitch P is widened by the resin 3 being evacuated by a concentrating roller 32 provided in front of the ultraviolet lamp 14 and arranged in the original straightening section 11. return. For this reason, the optical fiber strands 2 can be joined and integrated with the resin 3 in the state of being arranged at the original predetermined pitch P.

  The optical fiber ribbon 1 obtained by curing the resin 3 is wound around the winding drum 15 with the winding tension adjusted by the dancer 34. By being wound around the winding drum 15, the manufacturing process for manufacturing the optical fiber ribbon 1 is completed.

  In the manufacturing method of the optical fiber ribbon of the present embodiment, the gaps S of the optical fiber 2 arranged in a row are evacuated to allow the resin 3 to wrap around from the coated surface side 1a to the opposite side surface 1b. Therefore, the resin 3 applied and supplied to the application surface side 1a by evacuation is pulled around the opposite surface side 1b and joined to the optical fiber 2 on the opposite surface side 1b. As a result, the resin 3 wraps around not only the coated surface side 1a of the optical fiber strand 2 but also the opposite surface side 1b, thereby increasing the bonding strength between the optical fiber strands 2, and the optical fiber tape core to the cable. No single-core separation occurs when the wire 1 is stored.

  In addition, according to the manufacturing method of the optical fiber ribbon of the present embodiment, the single-core separation is inadvertently performed when it is not necessary to separate the single fibers by setting the wrapping length to an appropriate length. It can be avoided.

[Experimental example]
Next, the optical fiber ribbon was manufactured under the following conditions using the manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment, and the obtained optical fiber ribbon was evaluated. The manufacturing conditions are as follows. In the straightening section 11, the arrangement pitch P of the optical fiber strands 2 is set to 300 μm, the linear velocity for running the optical fiber strands 2 is 120 m / min, and the resin pressure for applying and supplying the resin is 3.0 kgf / cm ₂ or 1 and .5kgf / cm _2, the degree of vacuum in the vacuum chamber 20 atmospheric pressure - was (minus) 60CmHg or zero (vacuuming without). Four types of optical fiber ribbons were manufactured and evaluated under these conditions.

  Evaluation was performed by the protrusion height, the wrapping length, the twist crack pitch, and the splitting property. The protruding height is a distance L1 from the center of the optical fiber 1 shown in FIG. 2 to the tip of the application side resin portion 3a. The case where the protrusion height was as intended was evaluated as ◯, and the case where the protrusion height was the target value + 30 μm or more was evaluated as ×.

  The wrapping length is a length L2 from the center of the optical fiber 2 of the wrapping resin portion 3b that wraps around from the coating surface side 1a of the resin 3 shown in FIG. . The wrapping length is measured by photographing the resin 3 that oozes from the coating surface side 1a to the opposite surface side 1b with the projection device of the wrapping length measuring means 26, as shown in FIGS. The gap S between the strands 2 and the wrapping width W are measured. By measuring the wrapping width W with the projection device, the approximate wrapping length of the wrapping resin portion 3b can be calculated. When the radius of the optical fiber 2 is R, the wraparound length is obtained by the following equation 1. The case where the wrapping length was 25 μm or more was evaluated as “◯”, the case of 5 μm or more and less than 25 μm as “Δ”, and the case of zero as “×”.

捻回割れピッチは、長さ３０ｃｍの光ファイバテープ心線１を軸線を中心として捻り、サンプル長を割れが生じたときの３６０°捻回回数で割った値である。捻回割れピッチ（単位捻回角度で割れの起こる限界テープ長）が２０ｍｍ未満の場合を○、２０ｍｍ以上２５ｍｍ未満の場合を△、２５ｍｍ以上を×として評価した。

The twisting crack pitch is a value obtained by twisting the optical fiber ribbon 1 having a length of 30 cm around the axis and dividing the sample length by the number of 360 ° twists when cracking occurs. The case where the twist crack pitch (the limit tape length at which the crack occurs at the unit twist angle) was less than 20 mm was evaluated as “◯”, the case where it was 20 mm or more and less than 25 mm was evaluated as “Δ”, and the case where 25 mm or more was evaluated as “×”.

  The splitting property was defined as easy separation of the optical fiber tape core wire 1 joined and integrated with the resin 3. The case where single-fiber separation was easily performed with a dividing tool was evaluated as ◯, the case where separation was possible but single-core separation took 30 seconds or more was evaluated as Δ, and the case where single-fiber separation was not possible was evaluated as ×.

  The experimental results are shown in Table 1.

表１の結果を見ると、樹脂圧を３．０ｋｇｆ／ｃｍ_２とした場合（テープＡ、Ｂ）は、回込み長さは十分となるが、樹脂３の吐出量が増えることにより、突出高さが狙い値を超えてしまう。樹脂圧を３．０ｋｇｆ／ｃｍ_２とすると、真空引きをした場合としない場合の何れも同じ結果となった。

From the results shown in Table 1, when the resin pressure is set to 3.0 kgf / cm ₂ (tapes A and B), the wrapping length is sufficient, but as the discharge amount of the resin 3 increases, the protrusion height increases. Will exceed the target value. When the resin pressure was 3.0 kgf / cm ₂ , the same result was obtained both when the vacuum was applied and when the vacuum was not applied.

When the resin pressure was 1.5 kgf / cm ₂ (tapes C and D), the projected height was obtained as intended. Since tape D is not evacuated, there is no wraparound length of resin 3. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber ribbon without resin wrapping. Without the wrapping of the resin 3, since the bonding strength between the optical fiber strands 2 is weakened, the twist crack pitch performance is deteriorated. Since the tape C was evacuated, the wrapping length of the resin 3 was 25 μm or more, and the twist crack pitch performance was satisfied.

Further, regarding the evaluation of the twist crack pitch and the splitting property, only the tape C passed both evaluations. In the tape C, the resin pressure is 1.5 kgf / cm ₂ and evacuation is performed.

Further, when a fiber optic cable having 100 cores was manufactured by storing the tapes C and D in an optical fiber cable (actually a slot core), the single-fiber separation state caused by the tape storage was examined. In the optical fiber cable using the tape D, single fiber separation in which each optical fiber was separated was confirmed. This is because the resin 3 is applied and supplied without evacuation, so that the resin 3 is not sufficiently wrapped, so that when the optical fiber ribbon is housed in the slot groove or the like, twisting or lateral pressure is applied to the single core. It is thought that separation occurred. On the other hand, in the tape C manufactured by applying the resin 3 with the resin pressure being 1.5 kgf / cm ₂ and applying a vacuum, no single-core separation was confirmed.

  In this experiment, the degree of vacuum was set to -60 cmHg in the atmosphere. However, in order to further increase the wrapping of the resin 3, the degree of evacuation may be further increased. On the contrary, when it is desired to reduce the wrapping of the resin 3, the degree of evacuation may be lowered. In addition, since an appropriate vacuum degree changes with the linear velocity and resin viscosity which drive the optical fiber strand 2, it is necessary to adjust a vacuum degree according to these factors.

[Other experimental examples]
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the optical fiber ribbon used in this experimental example, and FIG. 11A is a linear section when the arrangement pitch of the optical fiber strands is 250 μm. FIG. 12B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main portion of the straight line portion when the arrangement pitch of the optical fiber strands is 300 μm, and FIG. 12 is an optical fiber tape core manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing of a line.

  The manufacturing apparatus used in this experimental example is largely different from the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 used in the previous experimental example in that there is no evacuation unit 13. Further, the resin application / supply unit 12 has the first, second, third and fourth from the left of the four optical fiber wires 2 arranged in a line as shown in FIG. In the recesses between the second optical fiber strands 2 and between the third and fourth optical fiber strands 2, resin supply nozzles 28 are disposed so as to apply and supply the resin 3 from above. A resin supply nozzle 28 is disposed in the recess between the optical fiber 2 to apply the resin 3 from below.

  Further, unlike the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the wire-straightening section 11 is formed by forming arrangement grooves 37 on the block 36 for arranging the optical fiber strands 2 in a line at a pitch of 250 μm (FIG. 11 ( A)) and those formed at a pitch of 300 μm (FIG. 11B) were prepared and placed in front of the resin supply nozzle 28.

  The experimental conditions are as follows. The linear velocity for running the optical fiber 2 is 60 m / min, the viscosity of the resin 3 is 5.8 to 8.0 Pas, the illuminance of the ultraviolet lamp 14 is 180 mW / cm 2, and the arrangement grooves 37 are 250 μm pitch (hereinafter referred to as fiber). An optical fiber tape core is manufactured using the straightening section 11 having a pitch of 250 μm and the straightening section 11 having a pitch of 300 μm (hereinafter referred to as a fiber pitch of 300 μm), and a protruding height and a wrapping length are produced. The twist crack pitch and the splitting property were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2.

ファイバピッチ２５０μｍで製造したテープＥの断面を観察したところ、樹脂塗布側の反対側への樹脂３の回込みは観察されなかった。ファイバピッチ３００μｍで製造したテープＦの断面を観察したところ、樹脂３の回込みが観察された。また、樹脂３の回込みの無いテープＥは、捻回割れピッチが長く、捻れによって容易に割れてしまう。これに対して、樹脂３の回込みのあるテープＦは、捻回割れピッチが短く、また捻れに対して強くしかも分割性評価も高い。

When the cross section of the tape E manufactured with a fiber pitch of 250 μm was observed, the wrapping of the resin 3 to the side opposite to the resin coating side was not observed. When the cross section of the tape F manufactured with a fiber pitch of 300 μm was observed, entrainment of the resin 3 was observed. Further, the tape E without the wrapping of the resin 3 has a long twist cracking pitch and is easily cracked by twisting. On the other hand, the tape F with the wrapping of the resin 3 has a short twist crack pitch, is strong against torsion, and has a high splitting evaluation.

  The present invention can be used for an optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of optical fiber strands are joined and integrated with resin and arranged in a line.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber ribbon 2 (2A-2D) ... Optical fiber 3 ... Resin 3a ... Application | coating side resin part 3b ... Conveying resin part 10 ... Sending drum (sending means)
11 ... Straightening section (arrangement means)
12 ... Resin application supply unit (resin application supply means)
13 ... Vacuum drawing part (resin drawing means)
14 ... UV lamp (hardening means)
15 ... Winding drum (winding means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Array resin drawing application apparatus 20 ... Vacuum chamber 21 ... Vacuum pump 22 ... Vacuum degree adjustment means 23 ... Control part 25 ... Vacuum hose 26 ... Conveyance length measurement means 27 ... Resin tank 28 ... Resin supply nozzle 29 ... Resin pressure Adjustment means 32 ... Concentration roller (concentration means)

Claims (8)

An arrangement step of arranging a plurality of optical fiber strands sent out from the delivery side at a predetermined pitch to form a gap between the optical fiber strands in a row,
When applying and supplying a resin for bonding the optical fiber strands to the gaps of the optical fiber strands arranged in a row, the gap is evacuated and the resin is applied from the coated surface side to the opposite surface side. A resin coating process to wrap around,
And a curing step for curing the resin. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon. A delivery means for delivering a plurality of optical fiber strands;
Arrangement means for arranging the optical fiber strands sent and run by the delivery means to form a gap between the optical fiber strands at a predetermined pitch and arranged in a line;
Resin application supply means for applying and supplying a resin for bonding the optical fiber strands to the gaps between the optical fiber strands arranged in a row by the arrangement means;
A resin drawing means for evacuating the gap of each of the optical fiber strands and causing the resin to flow from the coated surface side to the opposite surface side;
Curing means for curing the resin after application;
An optical fiber tape core manufacturing apparatus comprising: winding means for winding the optical fiber tape core wire formed by curing. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 2,
An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, wherein the arrangement means, the resin drawing means, and the resin application supply means are integrated into one apparatus. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 3,
The apparatus is arranged in the order of the arrangement means, the resin drawing-in means, and the resin application / supply means. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A control unit that has a wrap length measuring means for measuring a wrap length by which the resin wraps around from the coated surface side to the opposite surface side, and adjusts the degree of evacuation according to the wrap length; An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, characterized by comprising: An optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of optical fiber strands are arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch and a resin for bonding the optical fiber strands is applied and supplied between the optical fiber strands,
The resin supplied and supplied between the optical fiber strands consists of a coating-side resin portion and a wrapping resin portion that wraps around from the gap between the optical fiber strands to the opposite surface side from the coating surface side,
The application-side resin part that bonds the two optical fiber strands adjacent to each other does not come into contact with the application-side resin portion and the wrapping resin portion for bonding the adjacent optical fiber strands.
The length L1 in the resin flow direction of the application-side resin portion is made larger than the radius R of the optical fiber strand,
A length L2 of the wrapping resin portion in the resin flow direction is smaller than a radius R of the optical fiber strand. An optical fiber ribbon. An optical fiber ribbon according to claim 6,
The application side resin parts and the wrapping resin parts are not in contact with each other.   An optical fiber cable comprising the optical fiber ribbon according to claim 7 housed in a slot core and covered with a sheath.

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