JP2012208223A - Optical fiber unit and optical cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber unit which improves integration while assuring discriminability, and has excellent connectability of batch fusion splicing by unitizing a plurality of optical fibers.SOLUTION: An optical fiber unit 10 is constituted by connecting a plurality of optical fibers 1, has a connection part 2 which connects two adjacent optical fibers 1, for each optical fiber 1, the connection part 2 is intermittently provided in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 1, and the plurality of optical fibers 1 are circularly connected by the connection part 2. Since the optical fibers 1 are circularly connected, integration in a groove of a slot is excellent, and since the optical fiber units 10 are not tangled with one another, discriminability, an extraction property of the optical fibers are excellent. In addition, the optical fiber 10 can be made into the tape-like shape in which the optical fibers 1 are aligned in line by separating the connection part 2 at a predetermined position such that a workability of batch fusion splicing connection is excellent.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber unit in which a plurality of optical fibers are connected, and an optical cable having the optical fiber unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of optical fibers are unitized. The optical fiber ribbon 20 is formed by arranging a plurality of optical fibers 11 in parallel in a single row, for example, a four-fiber type as shown in FIG. ) There are 8 core types as shown in FIG.
In the configuration of FIG. 6A, four optical fibers 11 are arranged in parallel and the periphery thereof is covered with a tape material 12 and integrated. The optical fiber 11 is provided as an optical fiber wire in which a UV curable resin is applied to a glass fiber drawn by a heating furnace. Further, a UV curable resin is generally used for the tape material 12. In the configuration of FIG. 6B, two of the four-core type configurations are arranged side by side, and the periphery thereof is further covered with a connecting coating material 13 made of a UV curable resin and integrated.

  The optical cable using the optical fiber ribbon 20 has a configuration in which a plurality of optical fiber ribbons are accommodated in the groove of the spacer, a presser winding is wound around the periphery, and the outermost periphery is covered with a jacket. . Here, a plurality of optical fibers 11 constituting one optical fiber ribbon 20 are colored with different colors so that the optical fibers 11 can be identified. Since the optical fiber ribbon 20 has good discrimination, it is easy to handle even when it is cabled, and since the optical fibers 11 of a plurality of fibers are integrated, a batch in which the end portions of the optical fibers 11 are aligned. It can be fusion spliced and has good connection characteristics.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel and a connecting portion that connects only two adjacent optical fibers is intermittently provided in the longitudinal direction. The optical fiber ribbon can be bent in any direction because each optical fiber can freely move between the connecting portions provided intermittently.

Japanese Patent No. 4143651

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the bending characteristics of the optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon 20 is formed by arranging a plurality of optical fibers 11 in a line and covering the periphery with a tape material 12 to integrate them. Accordingly, even if the optical fiber ribbon 20 is bent in the direction H in which the optical fibers 11 are arranged, it is difficult to bend due to rigidity. On the other hand, if it is attempted to bend in the direction V perpendicular to the direction H, it can be bent relatively easily. Thus, the optical fiber ribbon 20 has anisotropy in bending characteristics.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in a groove of a conventional optical cable. The optical cable 100 includes a spacer 102 having a tension member 101 at the center. The spacer 102 is provided with a plurality of grooves 103, and the optical fiber ribbon 20 is accommodated in each of the grooves 103. A presser winding 104 is wound around the outer periphery of the spacer 102, and the outer cover 105 is covered on the outer periphery.

When the optical fiber ribbon 20 is formed into a cable, a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 20 are usually stored in the grooves 103 of the spacer 102. In this case, since the optical fiber ribbon 20 has anisotropy in bending characteristics as described above, it is necessary to align the direction in which it is easy to bend in the groove 103 when forming a cable. If the direction in which it is easy to bend is not aligned, the optical fiber ribbon 20 cannot be efficiently arranged in the space inside the groove 103, and the optical fiber integration is hindered. Therefore, in the groove 103 of the spacer 102, as shown in FIG. 8, it is necessary to stack a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 20 in the same direction in which the optical fibers 11 are arranged.
However, in the case of the optical fiber ribbon 20 having a continuous flat plate-like cross-sectional shape, it is difficult to arrange the optical fiber ribbons 20 in an orderly manner by aligning the bending directions of the optical fiber ribbons 20, and it is difficult to arrange them in the groove 103. It was difficult to improve the sex.

  When trying to improve the integration of the optical fiber ribbon 20, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical fiber 11 is arranged in a rectangular shape instead of a tape shape, and this is covered with the tape material 12 to form a unit. It is also possible to do. However, in such a shape, the accumulation property in the groove 103 can be improved, but the Young's modulus of the tape material 12 is high, it is difficult to bend in any direction, and the handleability is poor. In addition, the optical fiber unit having such a shape also has a problem that it cannot be collectively fused.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example of a state in a groove of a conventional optical cable. With respect to the above problems, for example, in the optical fiber ribbon described in Patent Document 1, the connecting portion that connects the two adjacent optical fibers 11 is in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon 20. Since they are provided intermittently, the individual optical fibers can move freely in the single core portion between the connecting portions, and the flexibility of bending as a whole is high. Therefore, the integration property of the optical fiber ribbon 20 with respect to the inside of the groove 103 can be relatively improved.
However, in this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the optical fiber ribbons 20 are easily entangled in the groove 103, and the discriminability for identifying a desired optical fiber is reduced, and the desired light When taking out the fiber tape core wire, there arises a problem that the workability of taking out is hindered by the entangled optical fiber tape core wire 20.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining still another example of a state in a groove of a conventional optical cable. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical fiber unit (corresponding to an optical fiber tape core) 21 in which a plurality of optical fibers (four cores in this example) 11 are assembled and a cotton yarn 14 is wound around them is used. . Such an optical fiber unit 21 can ensure its independence, so that entanglement between the optical fiber units 21 hardly occurs, and there is no problem in the discrimination of the optical fiber 11.
However, such a configuration is obtained by simply winding a plurality of optical fibers 11 with cotton yarns 14, and the single optical fibers 11 are not connected to each other. When the terminal portions are aligned and fusion-spliced together, it is necessary to set the single optical fibers 11 to the holders respectively, which causes a problem of poor workability due to complicated work.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an optical fiber unit that improves integration while securing discrimination by unitizing a plurality of optical fibers and has good collective fusion connectivity The purpose is to provide.

An optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention is an optical fiber unit in which a plurality of optical fibers are connected to each other, and has a connecting part that connects two adjacent optical fibers. Are intermittently provided in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. A plurality of optical fibers are connected in an annular shape by the connecting portion.
Moreover, the optical cable by this invention has said optical fiber unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the optical fiber unit which improves integration property while ensuring discrimination property by unitizing a some optical fiber, and has favorable collective fusion connection property can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the optical fiber unit which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the optical fiber unit which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the optical fiber unit which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the optical fiber unit which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the optical cable using the optical fiber unit which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the optical fiber tape core wire which unitized the some optical fiber. It is a figure explaining the bending characteristic of an optical fiber ribbon. It is a figure explaining an example of the state in the groove | channel of the conventional optical cable. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the optical fiber tape core wire considered in order to improve integration property. It is a figure explaining the other example of the state in the groove | channel of the conventional optical cable. It is a figure explaining the further another example of the state in the groove | channel of the conventional optical cable.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical fiber unit according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (A) is a perspective view showing a part of the length direction of the optical fiber unit, and FIG. 1 (B) is FIG. ) Of FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a cross section taken along the line BB in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is a diagram showing a cross section taken along the line C-C in FIG. is there.
The optical fiber unit 10 is formed by unitizing a plurality of optical fibers 1 and includes a connecting portion 2 that connects two adjacent optical fibers. Here, the optical fiber 1 is provided as an optical fiber strand in which a glass preform is drawn and an ultraviolet curable resin is coated around the glass preform. In this example, a configuration example of a four-fiber optical fiber unit is shown, but the number of optical fibers 1 may be three or more, and the number is not limited. The reason why the number is three or more is that in the present invention, the optical fiber 1 is connected in an annular shape as described below, so that the shape cannot be configured with two or less.

  The connecting portion 2 connects two adjacent optical fibers 1 among a plurality of single-core optical fibers 1. And the connection part 2 is intermittently provided in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 1 for each optical fiber 1. In this example, the connecting portion 2 connects two sets of optical fibers 1 at the same place in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10. And in the next connection part 2 which set the predetermined space | interval in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10, two sets of optical fibers 1 from which a combination differs are connected. Thus, the optical fiber 1 connected by the connecting portion 2 changes in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10. With this configuration, the connecting unit 2 connects adjacent optical fibers in a chain, and further connects the start and end of the chain to connect the plurality of optical fibers 1 in an annular shape. Yes.

  In each connecting portion 2, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D, a connecting material is filled between two adjacent optical fibers, whereby each connecting portion 2 is formed. Although it is preferable to use an ultraviolet curable resin as the connecting material, a fixing material other than the ultraviolet curable resin may be used.

  With the above configuration, the optical fiber unit 10 is configured by integrating the optical fibers 1 in an annular shape, so that the optical fiber unit 10 can be configured as a unit having a bar shape as a whole, not a flat tape shape. Moreover, since each optical fiber 1 can move individually between the connection parts 2, it can be set as a unit which is easy to bend in any direction without anisotropy. Furthermore, the conventional tape-shaped optical fiber unit is obtained by cutting the connection part 2 between two specific optical fibers out of the connection part 2 connecting the optical fibers 1. When the end portions of the optical fiber 1 are aligned and batch fusion splicing is performed, the optical fiber 1 can be made into a tape shape in which the optical fibers 1 are arranged in a row by cutting the connecting portion 2 between the predetermined optical fibers. It is not necessary to attach the optical fibers 1 to the holder one by one, and batch fusion connection is possible.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the optical fiber unit according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a part of the length direction of the optical fiber unit, and FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2 and FIG. 2E are cross-sectional views taken along the line EE of FIG.

The optical fiber unit 10 of the present example has a configuration in which a plurality of optical fibers 1 are connected in an annular shape by a connection portion 2 provided intermittently as in FIG. Is different from the configuration of FIG.
In this example, the connection part 2 is intermittently provided in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10 while shifting the optical fiber 1 to be connected. For example, it is assumed that the optical fiber 1 connected from the specific connecting portion 2 is the first and second optical fibers. In the next connecting portion 2 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10, the target optical fibers are the second and third optical fibers. Further, in the next connecting portion 2, the target optical fibers are the third and fourth optical fibers. Further, the fourth and first optical fibers are connected by the next connecting portion 2.

  In this way, the optical fiber 1 connected by the connecting portion 2 changes in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10. Also in this example, since the adjacent optical fibers 1 are sequentially connected in a chain shape, the optical fiber unit 10 has a configuration in which a plurality of single-core optical fibers 1 are connected in an annular shape.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing still another configuration example of the optical fiber unit according to the present invention, FIG. 3 (A) is a perspective view showing a part of the length direction of the optical fiber unit, and FIG. 3 (B) is a diagram. 3 (A) is a diagram showing a BB cross section, and FIG. 3 (C) is a diagram showing a CC cross section of FIG. 2 (A).

In the optical fiber unit 10 of this example, as in the configuration of FIG. 1, the connecting portion 2 connects a plurality of sets of adjacent optical fibers 1 at the same place in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10. The number of optical fiber cores is different from the configuration, and an eight-fiber unit configuration is shown.
In this example, the connecting portion 2 connects four sets of optical fibers 1 at the same place in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10. And in the next connection part 2 which set the predetermined space | interval in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10, 4 sets of optical fibers 1 from which the combination of an optical fiber differs are connected. Thus, the optical fiber connected by the connecting portion 2 changes in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10. Also in this example, since adjacent optical fibers 1 are sequentially connected in a chain shape, the optical fiber unit 10 has a configuration in which eight single-core optical fibers 1 are connected in an annular shape.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing still another configuration example of the optical fiber unit according to the present invention, FIG. 4 (A) is a perspective view showing a part of the length direction of the optical fiber unit, and FIG. 4 (B) is a diagram. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. FIG.

In the optical fiber unit 10 of this example, the connecting portion 2 is intermittently provided in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10 while shifting the optical fiber 1 to be connected as in the configuration of FIG. The number of fiber cores is different from that of FIG.
Here, it is assumed that the optical fiber 1 connected from the specific connecting portion 2 is the first and second optical fibers. In the next connecting portion 2 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10, the target optical fibers are the second and third optical fibers. Further, in the next connecting portion 2, the target optical fibers are the third and fourth optical fibers. Then, the eighth optical fiber is connected in a chain in order, and the eighth and first optical fibers are further connected.

  In this way, the optical fiber 1 connected by the connecting portion 2 changes in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10. Also in this example, since the adjacent optical fibers 1 are sequentially connected in a chain shape, the optical fiber unit 10 has a configuration in which eight optical fibers 1 are connected in an annular shape.

  In each of the above configuration examples, as a device for forming the connecting portion 2, for example, a coating device that applies a material such as an ultraviolet curable resin that becomes the connecting portion 2 between the predetermined optical fibers 1 can be used. As the coating device, a dispenser type device that applies an ultraviolet curable resin having a predetermined shape to a predetermined position of the traveling optical fiber 1 can be used. In this case, the shape of the tip nozzle of the dispenser is designed in accordance with the desired shape of the connecting portion 2. Alternatively, a desired shape of the connecting portion 2 may be obtained by a dispenser having a plurality of nozzles. Moreover, you may spray the material used as the connection part 2 between optical fibers like an inkjet head system. Also in this case, the desired shape of the connecting portion 2 is obtained by optimizing the nozzle shape of the head or arranging a plurality of nozzles.

  When the ultraviolet curable resin is intermittently supplied from a dispenser or the like, the ultraviolet curable resin can be intermittently applied to the surface of the traveling optical fiber 1. As the ultraviolet curable resin used for the connecting portion 2, for example, a urethane acrylate resin can be used.

As another apparatus for forming the connecting portion 2, a cutting blade may be used. That is, a unit composed of a plurality of optical fibers 1 that are preliminarily coated with the material of the connecting portion 2 is prepared, and a predetermined length is cut into a predetermined position using a cutting blade for the unit. The connection part 2 is comprised.
For example, in a four-fiber configuration optical fiber unit 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the four-fiber optical fiber 1 is continuously covered with the resin material of the connecting portion 2 to form a unit, and then the unit is vertically A cutting blade is inserted between the optical fibers 1 from the left and right directions at a predetermined timing. Thereby, while providing the connection part 2 intermittently in the longitudinal direction of an optical fiber, the optical fiber unit 10 connected circularly by the connection part 2 can be formed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical cable using the optical fiber unit according to the present invention. The optical cable 100 includes a spacer 102 having a tension member 101 at the center. The spacer 102 is provided with a plurality of grooves 103, and the optical fiber unit 10 is accommodated in each of the grooves 103. A presser winding 104 is wound around the outer periphery of the spacer 102, and the outer cover 105 is covered on the outer periphery.

  A connecting portion 2 for connecting adjacent optical fibers is intermittently provided in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 10, and the optical fiber unit 10 formed by connecting the optical fibers 1 in an annular shape is accommodated in the groove 103 of the spacer 102. Thus, the optical cable 100 is created. In FIG. 5, the four-fiber type optical fiber unit 10 is illustrated, but the same applies to other configurations of the number of cores.

  In this case, since the optical fiber 1 is integrated in an annular shape in the optical fiber unit 10, even when a plurality of optical fiber units 10 are integrated in the groove 103, a high integration property that efficiently uses space. Is obtained. In addition, the annular configuration does not entangle each other like the optical fiber ribbons having intermittent connection portions, and can improve the discriminability of the optical fiber and the workability of taking out the desired optical fiber. it can. Further, the optical fiber unit 10 taken out from the groove 103 can be made into a tape-like unit in which the optical fibers 1 are arranged in a line by cutting the connecting portion 2 between the specific optical fibers 1, and is fused together. It does not impede the workability of connection and has good collective fusion connection.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber, 2 ... Connection part, 10 ... Optical fiber unit, 11 ... Optical fiber, 12 ... Tape material, 13 ... Connection coating material, 14 ... Cotton thread | yarn, 20 ... Optical fiber ribbon, 21 ... Optical fiber unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Optical cable 101 ... Tension member 102 ... Spacer 103 ... Groove 104 ... Pressing winding 105 ... Outer jacket

Claims (2)

An optical fiber unit in which a plurality of optical fibers are connected,
A connecting portion that connects the two adjacent optical fibers, and for each of the optical fibers, the connecting portion is provided intermittently in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, and a plurality of the light beams are provided by the connecting portion. An optical fiber unit comprising fibers connected in a ring shape.   An optical cable comprising the optical fiber unit according to claim 1.

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