JP2020106734A - Method of manufacturing optical fiber unit, and optical fiber unit manufacturing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress the enlargement of a device manufacturing an optical fiber unit.SOLUTION: A method of manufacturing an optical fiber unit having a tape unit 6 binding a plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 and a bundle material 10 wound on an outer periphery of the table unit, disturbs a lamination state of at least one optical fiber tape of the plurality of optical fiber tapes by feeding a tape unit and making the tape unit pass through a unit forming portion 50 to rock the unit forming portion while using a direction in which the tape unit passes through the unit forming portion as an axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an optical fiber unit manufacturing method and an optical fiber unit manufacturing apparatus.

There is known a technique of forming an optical fiber cable by using an aggregate of optical fibers obtained by bundling a plurality of optical fibers as an optical fiber unit. At this time, a method of identifying the optical fiber unit by the color of the bundle material is generally used by winding the coarsely wound yarn (bundle material) around the bundle of optical fibers to prevent the bundle of optical fibers from being separated. Is.

In relation to such an optical fiber unit, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of forming an optical fiber unit by bundling and bundling a plurality of optical fiber tapes. The plurality of optical fiber tapes disclosed in Patent Document 1 are in a state in which the tape surfaces are overlapped with each other while aligning both widthwise ends of all the optical fiber tapes (hereinafter, “laminated state” or “laminated state”). Sometimes called) is bundled. Further, in Patent Document 2, a bundle of optical fibers is sent out, and while a bundle member is sent out from a rotating member on the outer circumference of the bundle of optical fibers, the rotating member is swung to bundle the bundle of fibers on the outer circumference of the bundle of optical fibers. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber unit that forms an intersection of materials is disclosed. At the intersection of the bundle materials, the winding direction of the bundle material with respect to the bundle of optical fibers is reversed. Further, in Patent Document 2, a heating unit is arranged on the downstream side of the rotating member, and the bundle of optical fibers and the bundle material can be passed through this heating unit to fuse the bundle materials at the intersections.

JP, 2007-233252, A JP, 2016-218267, A

When an optical fiber cable is created by assembling the optical fiber units disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the optical fiber cable is bent in one direction, a specific optical fiber among a plurality of optical fiber tapes is provided. Bending may be concentrated only on the tape. Then, the transmission loss increases for the optical fiber tape in which the bending is concentrated. Therefore, by adding a twist when bundling a plurality of optical fiber tapes, it is possible to suppress the problem that the bending is concentrated on such a specific optical fiber tape. However, like the optical fiber unit manufacturing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, by forming an intersection point of the bundle material on the outer circumference of the bundle of optical fibers and fusing the bundle materials at the intersection point to bundle the optical fibers. When manufacturing a fiber unit, it is necessary to twist a plurality of optical fiber tapes and add a device for further feeding. Therefore, there has been a problem that the manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber unit becomes large.

It is an object of the present invention to suppress an increase in the size of a device for manufacturing an optical fiber unit.

Some embodiments of the present invention are methods for manufacturing an optical fiber unit having a tape unit in which a plurality of optical fiber tapes are bundled, and a bundle material wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit, wherein the tape unit Of the plurality of optical fiber tapes, by sending the tape unit, and passing the tape unit through the unit forming unit, and swinging the unit forming unit around the direction in which the tape unit passes the unit forming unit as an axis. It is a method of manufacturing an optical fiber unit, which disturbs the laminated state of at least one optical fiber tape.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description and drawings described below.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber unit.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable 1 having an optical fiber unit 2 of this embodiment. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the optical fiber unit 2 of this embodiment. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of the intermittent fixed optical fiber tape 7. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of the bundle material 10. 3A to 3C are explanatory views for explaining how to wind the bundle material 10. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the optical fiber unit 2. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the tape unit 6 in a state where the tape units 6 are bundled (laminated) without being twisted. FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the tape unit 6 in a state where the stacked state is disturbed. FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of another example of the tape unit 6 in which the stacked state is disturbed. FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the unit forming portion 50 of the present embodiment taken along a plane parallel to the delivery direction. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the unit forming portion 50 of the present embodiment taken along a plane perpendicular to the delivery direction. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the unit forming portion 50 of the first modified example taken along a plane parallel to the delivery direction. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view when the unit forming portion 50 of the second modified example is cut along a plane perpendicular to the delivery direction. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the swing angle of the unit forming portion 50 and the maximum transmission loss increase amount of the optical fiber 8. FIG. 9A is a schematic explanatory diagram of a manufacturing apparatus 20 of the optical fiber unit 2 of the comparative example. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of the rocking/sending unit 60 in the manufacturing apparatus 20 for the optical fiber unit 2 of the comparative example. 10A and 10B are perspective views showing another configuration example of the optical fiber unit 2.

At least the following matters will be made clear from the description and drawings described below.

A method for manufacturing an optical fiber unit having a tape unit in which a plurality of optical fiber tapes are bundled, and a bundle material wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit, wherein the tape unit is sent out, and By passing the tape unit and swinging the unit forming portion around the direction in which the tape unit passes the unit forming portion as an axis, at least one optical fiber tape among the plurality of optical fiber tapes is laminated. A method of manufacturing a fiber optic unit that perturbs becomes apparent. According to such a method for manufacturing an optical fiber unit, it is possible to prevent the apparatus for manufacturing the optical fiber unit from increasing in size.

It is desirable that the at least one optical fiber tape is twisted in an SZ shape by repeatedly reversing the twisting direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the apparatus for manufacturing the optical fiber unit from increasing in size.

It is preferable that the unit forming section includes a heating section, and the bundle materials are bonded to each other at the intersection by heat fusion. As a result, it is possible to prevent the apparatus for manufacturing the optical fiber unit from increasing in size.

When swinging the unit forming portion, it is desirable that the heating portion does not swing by swinging a portion other than the heating portion. This makes it possible to fix the heating unit and the wirings connected to the heating unit.

The swing angle when swinging the unit forming portion is preferably −30° or less and 30° or more. As a result, the maximum transmission loss increase amount of the optical fibers forming the optical fiber cable can be suppressed.

It is desirable that the optical fiber tape is an intermittent fixed optical fiber tape. This makes it possible to reduce the gap between the optical fiber tapes when the stacked state of the optical fiber tapes is disturbed.

It is desirable to reverse the winding direction with respect to the tape unit at the adhesion point of at least one of the bundle materials. In such a case, it is particularly advantageous.

A device for manufacturing an optical fiber unit having a tape unit in which a plurality of optical fiber tapes are bundled and a bundle material wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit, the tape unit sending unit sending out the tape unit in a sending direction. A unit forming portion that allows the tape unit to pass therethrough, and the unit forming portion swings about a direction in which the tape unit passes the unit forming portion, so that at least one of the plurality of optical fiber tapes An optical fiber unit manufacturing apparatus characterized by disturbing the laminated state of one optical fiber tape. An optical fiber unit manufacturing apparatus characterized by disturbing the laminated state becomes clear. According to such an optical fiber unit manufacturing apparatus, it is possible to prevent the apparatus for manufacturing the optical fiber unit from increasing in size.

It has a tape unit in which a plurality of optical fiber tapes are bundled and a bundle material wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit, and at least one optical fiber tape among the plurality of optical fiber tapes has a disordered stacking state. An optical fiber unit characterized by According to such an optical fiber unit, it is possible to suppress an increase in transmission loss due to bending being concentrated only on a specific optical fiber tape 7.

=== This Embodiment ===
<Structure of the optical fiber cable 1 having the optical fiber unit 2>
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable 1 having an optical fiber unit 2 of this embodiment. The optical fiber cable 1 is a so-called slotless type optical fiber cable which does not have a slot rod in which a groove for accommodating an optical fiber is formed. The optical fiber cable 1 includes a plurality of (12 in this case) optical fiber units 2, an outer cover 3, a tensile strength member 4A, a tear string 4B, and a presser winding member 5.

The optical fiber unit 2 is a unit (aggregate) in which a plurality of (here, 12) optical fiber tapes 7 are bundled with a bundle material 10. The optical fiber unit 2 may be referred to as a "core unit" or simply "unit". As shown in FIG. 1A, in the optical fiber cable 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality (here, 12 sets) of optical fiber units 2 are covered by a press-wrap member 5, and the outside thereof is covered with a jacket 3. There is. The aggregate of the plurality of optical fiber units 2 thus covered by the press-winding member 5 may be referred to as a "core of the optical fiber cable" or simply "core".

The core of the optical fiber cable 1 of the present embodiment is covered with the press-winding member 5 in a state in which the optical fiber units 2 are twisted in the SZ shape by repeating the inversion of the twisting direction. However, the optical fiber units 2 do not have to be twisted in the SZ shape, and for example, the optical fiber units 2 may be twisted in one direction (spiral shape). Furthermore, the optical fiber units 2 do not have to be twisted together. Further, in the core of the optical fiber cable 1 of the present embodiment, an unillustrated inclusion may be arranged inside the press-winding member 5. As the inclusion, a yarn whose fineness can be freely changed can be used. For example, a yarn made of PP or a yarn containing a water-absorbing polymer can be used. However, inclusions may not be arranged inside the presser winding member 5. The detailed configuration of the other optical fiber units 2 will be described later.

The jacket 3 is a member that covers the optical fiber unit 2, the tensile strength member 4A, the tear cord 4B, and the press-winding member 5. The outer shape (cross section) of the outer cover 3 is circular. As the material of the jacket 3, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), nylon (registered trademark), fluorinated ethylene, polypropylene (PP), or other resin can be used. In the case of polyethylene (PE) As the material, high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, or the like can be used. Further, as the material of the jacket 3, a polyolefin compound containing a hydrated metal compound such as magnesium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide as a flame retardant can be used. A member other than the optical fiber unit 2, the tensile strength member 4A, the tear cord 4B, and the press winding member 5 may be embedded in the outer cover 3.

The tensile strength member 4A is a member that resists the contraction of the jacket 3 and suppresses the strain or bending applied to the optical fiber unit 2 (particularly the optical fiber 8) due to the contraction of the jacket 3. The tensile strength member 4A is a linear member and is embedded inside the outer cover 3. As the material of the strength member 4A, a non-metallic material or a metallic material can be used. As the non-metallic material, for example, glass reinforced plastic (FRP) such as glass FRP (GFRP), aramid fiber reinforced plastic (KFRP) reinforced with Kevlar (registered trademark), and polyethylene fiber reinforced plastic reinforced with polyethylene fiber can be used. is there. A metal wire such as a steel wire can be used as the metallic material. As shown in FIG. 1A, in the optical fiber cable 1 according to the present embodiment, two strength members 4A are set as one set, and two strength members 4A are arranged to face each other. However, the number of the strength members 4A is not limited to this. Further, the tensile strength member 4A is embedded inside the outer cover 3. In the region sandwiched by the two sets of the tensile strength bodies 4A, a housing portion (space) for the core of the optical fiber cable 1 is formed.

The tear string 4B is a string-shaped member used when tearing the jacket 3 of the optical fiber cable 1. The operator can tear the jacket 3 by peeling the jacket 3 by pulling the tear cord 4B and take out the optical fiber unit 2 in the optical fiber cable 1. As the material of the tear cord 4B, for example, fibers such as polyester, polyimide, aramid, etc., fiber aggregates or fibers impregnated with resin, and fiber aggregates twisted together can be used. is there. As shown in FIG. 1A, in the optical fiber cable 1 of the present embodiment, a pair of tear cords 4B are vertically attached adjacent to the periphery of a holding and winding member 5 that covers the core of the optical fiber cable 1, and are attached to the jacket 3. It is buried.

The press-winding member 5 is a tape-shaped member that covers the core of the optical fiber cable 1. By covering the core of the optical fiber cable 1 with the press-wrap member 5, the optical fiber 8 of the optical fiber unit 2 is buried inside the jacket 3 when the molten resin forming the jacket 3 is covered. (Cutting in) can be prevented. Polyimide tape, polyester tape, polypropylene tape, polyethylene tape, or the like can be used as the material of the press-wrap member 5. In addition, a non-woven fabric can be used as the presser winding member 5. In this case, as the non-woven fabric, a tape-shaped one made of polyimide, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene or the like is used. The presser winding member 5 may be a nonwoven fabric laminated with a film such as a polyester film. Further, a tape having a water-absorbent polymer can be used as the press-winding member 5.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the optical fiber unit 2 of this embodiment. As described above, the optical fiber unit 2 is a unit (aggregate) in which a plurality of (here, 12) optical fiber tapes 7 are bundled with the bundle material 10. As will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4, 5B, and 5C, in the optical fiber unit 2 of the present embodiment, the optical fiber tapes 7 are bundled by the bundle material 10 in a state where the laminated state of the optical fiber tapes 7 is disturbed. However, in FIG. 1B, in order to simplify the illustration of the configuration of the optical fiber unit 2, the state in which the laminated state of the optical fiber tape 7 is disturbed is not shown.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of the intermittent fixed optical fiber tape 7. The optical fiber tape 7 of this embodiment is an intermittent fixed optical fiber tape. That is, the optical fiber tape 7 is an optical fiber tape in which a plurality of (here, 12 cores) optical fibers 8 are arranged in parallel and intermittently connected. The adjacent two optical fibers 8 are connected by a connecting portion 9A. A plurality of connecting portions 9A are arranged intermittently in the longitudinal direction between the two adjacent optical fibers 8. The plurality of connecting portions 9A of the intermittent fixed optical fiber tape 7 are two-dimensionally arranged in the longitudinal direction and the tape width direction. The area other than the connecting portion 9A between the adjacent two optical fibers 8 is a non-connecting portion 9B. In the non-connecting portion 9B, the adjacent two optical fibers 8 are not restrained. As a result, the intermittent fixed optical fiber tape 7 can be rolled into a tubular shape (bundle shape) or folded, and a large number of optical fibers 8 can be bundled at a high density. Further, as described above, since the optical fiber tape 7 is bundled by the bundle material 10 in a state in which the laminated state of the optical fiber tape 7 is disturbed, the optical fiber tape 7 is an intermittent fixed optical fiber tape. When the stacked state of the tapes 7 is disturbed, the gap between the optical fiber tapes 7 can be reduced (described later).

The intermittent fixed optical fiber tape 7 is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 2A. For example, the arrangement of the connecting portion 9A may be changed. Further, the number of optical fibers 8 forming the intermittent fixed optical fiber tape 7 may be changed. Further, the optical fiber tape 7 does not have to be the intermittent fixed type optical fiber tape. For example, the optical fiber tape 7 may be a collective coating type optical fiber tape. However, as compared with the intermittent fixing type optical fiber tape, the collective coating type optical fiber tape 7 is less likely to be rolled into a tubular shape (bundle shape) and is more difficult to fold. Therefore, compared with the intermittent fixing type optical fiber tape 7. When the stacked state of the optical fiber tapes 7 is disturbed, the gap between the optical fiber tapes 7 becomes large (see FIG. 6C described later). Therefore, if such a gap between the optical fiber tapes 7 is allowable, a collective coating type optical fiber tape 7 can also be used as the optical fiber tape 7 of the present embodiment.

The bundle material 10 is a member that bundles a plurality of optical fiber tapes 7. The bundle material 10 of the present embodiment is a thread-shaped, string-shaped, or tape-shaped member capable of binding a plurality of optical fiber tapes 7. Further, the bundle material 10 of the present embodiment is wound around the outer circumferences of the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 so that the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 are not bundled and not separated. As described above, an assembly of a plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 bundled by the bundle material 10 may be referred to as a tape unit 6. As shown in FIG. 1B, the optical fiber unit 2 of the present embodiment bundles the tape units 6 with two bundle materials 10. However, the bundle material 10 of the optical fiber unit 2 may be at least two. As described later, two or more may be used.

The bundle material 10 is colored with a predetermined color and also functions as an identification member. The bundle material 10 of each optical fiber unit 2 is colored in a different color and is identifiable. When each optical fiber unit 2 has two bundle materials 10 as shown in FIG. 1B, each optical fiber unit 2 can be identified by a combination of colors of the bundle material 10. Instead of coloring the bundle material 10, an identification mark may be printed on the surface of the bundle material 10. The bundle material 10 may not be colored.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of the bundle material 10. The bundle material 10 has a core portion 11 and a covering portion 12. The core portion 11 is a member that extends in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 2, and the bundle material 10 has a plurality of core portions 11. The covering portion 12 is a member that covers the outer periphery of the core portion 11 and has a melting point lower than the melting point of the core portion 11. The two bundle materials 10 for bundling the optical fiber units 2 are heat-sealed at the intersections of the two due to the adhesiveness developed by heating the covering portion 12 to the melting point or higher. The difference between the melting points of the core portion 11 and the coating portion 12 is preferably 20° C. or more. The melting point of the core portion 11 is preferably 200 to 230°C, and the melting point of the coating portion 12 is preferably 150 to 180°C. Further, it is desirable that the covering portion 12 does not adhere to the optical fiber 8 even if it is heated and melted, or has a low adhesive force even when adhered, and does not deteriorate the covering layer of the optical fiber 8.

Each of the core portion 11 and the coating portion 12 has a high melting point resin such as polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polypropylene fiber, polyamide fiber (registered trademark nylon, etc.), polyester. Thermoplastic resin capable of reversibly repeating softening and solidifying by heating and cooling high melting point fibers such as fibers (PET fibers etc.) or high melting point tapes or films such as PET and PP, such as polyethylene (PE ), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene ethyl acrylate copolymer (EEA), or a thermoplastic resin or rubber as a base, softening and solidifying can be reversibly repeated by heating and cooling. It is possible to use, for example, those covered with a so-called heat melting type adhesive (hot melt).

The bundle material 10 may be made of a single material instead of a composite material of a high melting point material (core portion 11) and a low melting point material (covering portion 12) as shown in FIG. 2B. .. For example, it may be made of either a high melting point material or a low melting point material, and the materials of the two bundle materials 10 may be different.

The width of the bundle material 10 is preferably 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. If the width of the bundle material 10 is narrower than 1 mm, the bundle material 10 may be broken during fusion bonding. Further, when the width of the bundle material 10 is wider than 2 mm, heat is not sufficiently transmitted and it becomes difficult to fuse the bundle material. In this embodiment, the bundle material 10 having a width of 1.8 to 1.9 mm (thickness of 0.1 mm) is used.

3A to 3C are explanatory views for explaining how to wind the bundle material 10. Hereinafter, a method of winding the bundle material 10 around the tape unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 1B as well. The bundle material 10 is arranged so as to be wound around the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 so as to draw an arc of a half circumference (180 degrees) along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 2. Then, the two bundle members 10 are joined (fused) at the joint point 15. In addition, the two bundle materials 10 are reversed in the winding direction with respect to the tape unit 6 at the joining point 15 (fusion point). In other words, the bundle material 10 is wound around the tape unit 6 in an SZ shape.

When the optical fiber unit 2 is viewed from one side in the longitudinal direction, two joining points 15 are arranged so as to sandwich the tape unit 6. Here, for the sake of explanation, the joint point 15 on the right side of each drawing in FIG. 3 is referred to as a first joint point 15A (see FIG. 3A), and the joint point 15 on the left side is referred to as a second joint point 15B (see FIG. 3B). Further, the bundle material 10 on the upper side in each drawing of FIG. 3 is referred to as a first bundle material 10A, and the bundle material 10 on the lower side is referred to as a second bundle material 10B. The first bundle material 10A is wound clockwise on the outer periphery of the tape unit 6 (see FIG. 3A), is joined to the second bundle material 10B at the first joining point 15A (see FIG. 3A), and the winding direction is reversed. It is wound counterclockwise on the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 (see FIG. 3B), is joined to the second bundle material 10B at the second joining point 15B (see FIG. 3B), and is wound again on the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 clockwise. (See FIG. 3C (or FIG. 3A)), and this is repeated. Further, the second bundle material 10B is wound counterclockwise on the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 (see FIG. 3A), is joined to the first bundle material 10A at the first joining point 15A (see FIG. 3A), and the winding direction is The tape unit 6 is inverted and wrapped around the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 in the clockwise direction (see FIG. 3B), joined to the first bundle material 10A at the second joining point 15B (see FIG. 3B), and again on the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 in the counterclockwise direction. Wrap around (see Figure 3C (or Figure 3A)) and repeat. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1B, the two bundle materials 10 are wound around the tape unit 6 in the SZ shape.

It is desirable that the joining strength of the two bundle members 10 is such that the joining point 15 is not abruptly destroyed and, on the other hand, the operator can easily separate the joining points. This makes it possible to take out the optical fiber 8 simply by removing the junction point 15 during, for example, an intermediate branching work, which facilitates the work. If the bundle material 10 is spirally wound around the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 in one direction, it is necessary to manually twist the bundle material 10 or cut the bundle material 10. It takes time and effort to take out the optical fiber 8. That is, if the bundle material 10 is spirally wound in one direction, it takes a long time to unwind the spirally wound bundle material 10. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the optical fiber 8 can be taken out only by removing the junction point 15 during the intermediate branching work, for example, and thus the work becomes easy. That is, in the optical fiber unit 2 in which the bundle material 10 is wound in the SZ shape, the worker can easily separate each of the bundle materials 10 by pulling the bundle material 10 at the terminal. Therefore, when the bundle material 10 is spirally wound in one direction, Compared with, the work time can be shortened. Since the force required to separate the joining points 15 of the bundle material 10 is preferably smaller than the force required to cut the bundle material 10, the joining strength of the bundle material 10 is not more than the breaking strength of the bundle material 10. desirable.

It is desirable that the two bundle materials 10 can be joined again by heating with a heater or applying an adhesive after taking out the optical fiber 8 in the intermediate branching operation.

<Method of manufacturing optical fiber unit 2>
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the optical fiber unit 2. In the following description, the direction in which the tape unit 6 is delivered will be referred to as the “delivery direction”. The direction from left to right in the figure is the sending direction.

The manufacturing apparatus 20 is a manufacturing apparatus that winds the bundle material 10 (here, two bundle materials 10) around the outer periphery of the tape unit 6 to manufacture the optical fiber unit 2. In the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, when the optical fiber unit 2 is manufactured, the stacked state of the optical fiber tapes 7 forming the tape unit 6 is disturbed (broken). The manufacturing apparatus 20 includes a tape unit sending unit 30, a bundle material sending unit 40, and a unit forming unit 50.

The tape unit delivery section 30 is a member for forming a tape unit 6 by bundling (stacking) a plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 without twisting them, and further delivering the tape unit 6 in the delivery direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the optical fiber tapes 7 before being bundled are wound around a plurality of (five in this case) delivery reels 25 arranged upstream of the tape unit delivery portion 30 in the delivery direction. In addition, in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5A to 5C described later, an example in which five optical fiber tapes 7 are bundled is shown in order to simplify the illustration. However, as described above, in the optical fiber unit 2 of the present embodiment, twelve optical fiber tapes 7 are bundled, and therefore the optical fiber tapes 7 are actually fed from the twelve delivery reels 25 to the tape unit delivery section 30. Will be sent to each.

The tape unit delivery section 30 of the present embodiment has a through hole (not shown) formed in the delivery direction. The five optical fiber tapes 7 sent to the tape unit sending section 30 enter the through hole from the opening (entrance) on the upstream side in the sending direction, and are laminated when passing through the through hole to form the tape unit 6. Then, the tape unit 6 is delivered in the delivery direction from the opening (outlet) on the downstream side in the delivery direction. However, the tape unit delivery unit 30 does not need to have the through holes provided that the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 can be bundled (laminated) without twisting. For example, a pressing member may be provided that stacks the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 by pressing from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the tape surfaces of the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the tape unit 6 in a state where the tape units 6 are bundled (laminated) without being twisted. That is, it is a cross-sectional view of the tape unit 6 immediately after it is delivered from the tape unit delivery section 30. For example, a cross-sectional view of the tape unit 6 at a point indicated by the line AA in FIG. 4 is shown. In the following description, for ease of explanation, each of the five optical fiber tapes 7 forming the tape unit 6 may be referred to with a subscript. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the tape unit 6 is composed of five optical fiber tapes 7A to 7E. In the inside (through hole) of the tape unit delivery section 30 of the present embodiment, five optical fiber tapes 7 are laminated to form a tape unit 6. FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view of a tape unit 6 portion in which five optical fiber tapes 7 are laminated.

The bundle material feeding unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 is a member for feeding the bundle material 10 onto the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 fed from the tape unit feeding unit 30. The bundle material feeding unit 40 is also a member that forms an intersection of the bundle material 10 on the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 fed from the tape unit feeding unit 30. The bundle material delivery section 40 is arranged downstream of the tape unit delivery section 30 in the delivery direction. Through-holes (not shown) are formed in the bundle feeding section 40 in the feeding direction, and the tape unit 6 enters the through-holes from the opening (inlet) on the upstream side in the feeding direction, passes through the through-holes, It is delivered in the delivery direction from an opening (outlet) on the downstream side in the delivery direction. In addition, the bundle material feeding unit 40 feeds the tape unit 6 in the feeding direction and feeds the bundle material 10 while swinging about the feeding direction of the tape unit 6 so that two bundles are provided on the outer circumference of the tape unit 6. The intersection 16 of the material 10 is formed. Specifically, the bundle material feeding unit 40 includes two rotating members that respectively feed the two bundle materials 10, and the two rotating members rotate in mutually opposite directions about the feeding direction of the tape unit 6 as an axis. Rock. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, the two bundle materials 10 are wound around the tape unit 6 in the SZ shape. Further, the winding directions of the two bundle materials 10 with respect to the tape unit 6 are reversed at the intersection points 16.

The unit forming portion 50 shown in FIG. 4 is a member (heater) that heats the intersections 16 of the bundle material 10 to fuse the bundle materials 10 to each other at the intersections 16 and to the optical fiber tape 7 that constitutes the tape unit 6. It is a member that adds twist. The unit forming portion 50 is arranged downstream of the bundle material feeding portion 40 in the feeding direction. In addition, in FIG. 4, in order to illustrate the intersection 16 of the two bundle materials 10, a space is provided between the bundle material feeding portion 40 and the unit forming portion 50. However, the unit forming portion 50 is continuously arranged on the downstream side of the bundle material feeding portion 40 in the feeding direction, and the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 that have passed through the bundle material feeding portion 40 are immediately fed to the unit forming portion 50. You may

A unit passage portion 53 (through hole) for passing the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 is formed in the unit forming portion 50 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 pass through the unit passing portion 53 while the intersection 16 of the two bundle materials 10 is formed on the outer periphery of the tape unit 6. Then, the intersection 16 is fused by being heated by the heating section 51 (described later) of the unit forming section 50, and the two bundle materials 10 are bonded.

In the present embodiment, when the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 pass through the unit passing portion 53, the unit forming portion 50 swings around the feeding direction as an axis (described later). As the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 pass through the unit passing portion 53 of the swinging unit forming portion 50, the optical fiber tape 7 forming the tape unit 6 is twisted. As a result, in the optical fiber unit 2 of the present embodiment, the laminated state of the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 forming the tape unit 6 is disturbed.

As shown in FIG. 5A described above, in the tape unit 6 immediately after being sent out from the tape unit sending section 30, a plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 are bundled (laminated) without twisting. If the optical fiber unit 2 (optical fiber cable 1) is manufactured with the optical fiber tapes 7 that are stacked in this state, if the optical fiber cable 1 is bent in one direction, the specific optical fiber tape Bending may be concentrated only on 7. For example, when the tape unit 6 (optical fiber cable 1) is bent in the neutral plane N shown in FIG. 5A, tensile stress concentrates on the optical fiber tape 7A and compressive stress concentrates on the optical fiber tape 7E. Will end up. Then, since the bending stress concentrates only on the specific optical fiber tape 7 in this way, the transmission loss increases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by disturbing the laminated state of the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 shown in FIG. 5A, it is possible to suppress an increase in transmission loss due to the concentration of bending stress only in a specific optical fiber tape 7. can do.

FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the tape unit 6 in a state where the stacked state is disturbed. As shown in FIG. 5B, the laminated state is disturbed by the twisting applied to the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 forming the tape unit 6. Here, the disorder of the laminated state of the tape unit 6 means that the relative positional relationship between the optical fiber tapes 7 is different from that of the laminated state of the tape unit 6 shown in FIG. 5A. That is, in the tape unit 6 in the laminated state of FIG. 5A, the optical fiber tape 7A and the optical fiber tape 7B are stacked, whereas in the tape unit 6 in the disordered laminated state of FIG. The relative positional relationship is different because the fiber tape 7A and the optical fiber tape 7B are displaced from each other. The positional relationship of the optical fiber tape 7C has not changed when comparing FIGS. 5A and 5B. In this way, the laminated state may be disturbed only in some of the optical fiber tapes 7 constituting the tape unit 6 (here, the optical fiber tapes other than the optical fiber tape 7C). In this embodiment, the stacked state of all the optical fiber tapes 7 forming the optical fiber unit 2 may be disturbed, or one of the optical fiber tapes 7 forming the optical fiber unit 2 may be disturbed. The laminated state may be disturbed. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in transmission loss due to the concentration of bending only on the specific optical fiber tape 7. As described above, the optical fiber tape 7 is an intermittent fixed optical fiber tape. When the optical fiber tape 7 is an intermittent fixed optical fiber tape, the gap between the optical fiber tapes 7 can be reduced when the stacked state of the optical fiber tapes 7 is disturbed.

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of another example of the tape unit 6 in which the stacked state is disturbed. FIG. 5C shows an example in which a collective coating type optical fiber tape 7 is used as the optical fiber tape 7. The gap between the optical fiber tapes 7 is larger than that of the intermittent fixed optical fiber tape 7 shown in FIG. 5B. However, even in the state shown in FIG. 5C, the stacking state of at least one optical fiber tape 7 is disturbed to suppress an increase in transmission loss due to the concentration of bending only on a specific optical fiber tape 7. You can Therefore, when such a gap between the optical fiber tapes 7 is allowable, the bending is concentrated only on a specific optical fiber tape 7 as in the intermittent fixed optical fiber tape 7 shown in FIG. 5B. It is possible to suppress an increase in transmission loss.

5B and 5C are cross-sectional views of the tape unit 6 immediately after it is delivered from the unit forming section 50. For example, a cross-sectional view of the tape unit 6 at the point indicated by the line BB in FIG. 4 described above is shown. In the present embodiment, the laminated state of the optical fiber tapes 7 is disturbed in the tape unit 6 after the unit forming portion 50. That is, in each cross section in the longitudinal direction of the tape unit 6, the laminated state is disturbed as shown in FIG. 5B. In addition, the state where the stacked state is disturbed does not have to be the same in each of the longitudinal cross sections of the tape unit 6. Specifically, even if the cross section at a certain point in the longitudinal direction of the tape unit 6 is in the state of FIG. 5B, the cross section at another point in the longitudinal direction of the tape unit 6 is different from that in FIG. 5B. It may be in a disordered state. As described above, the disorder of the laminated state of the tape units 6 may be different at each point in the longitudinal direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the twist in the unit forming portion 50 may cause the disorder of the stacked state to start from the upstream of the unit forming portion 50 in the delivery direction. For example, the disorder of the stacked state may start immediately after the tape unit 6 is ejected from the tape unit delivery section 30.

In terms of the timing at which the disorder of the stacked state starts in relation to the bundle material sending unit 40 shown in FIG. 4, the disorder of the stacked state may start downstream of the bundle material sending unit 40 as shown in FIG. The disorder of the laminated state may start at the same time when the tape unit 6 passes through the bundle material feeding unit 40, or the disorder of the laminated state may start on the upstream side of the bundle material feeding unit 40. In other words, the bundle material 10 is not only wound around the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 before disturbing the laminated state of the optical fiber tape 7, but at the same time as disturbing the laminated state of the optical fiber tape 7 or The bundle material 10 may be wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit 6 after disturbing the stacked state.

In the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the optical fiber unit 2 of the present embodiment, the disorder of the laminated state of the optical fiber tape 7 caused by the swing of the unit forming portion 50 is accumulated on the upstream side of the tape unit 6 in the delivery direction. .. When viewed from the tape unit 6 fed to the unit forming section 50, the tape unit 6 in which the disorder of the stacked state is accumulated passes through the unit passing section 53 of the unit forming section 50, and the optical tape unit is rocked by the swing of the unit forming section 50. The laminated state of No. 6 will be further disturbed. In this way, it is possible to suppress an increase in transmission loss that is caused by disturbing the stacked state of the tape units 6 and concentrating bending only in a specific optical fiber tape 7.

In the present embodiment, one member of the unit forming portion 50 fuses the bundle materials 10 to each other and disturbs the laminated state of the optical fiber tapes 7 forming the tape unit 6. As described above, in the unit forming portion 50, the tape material 6 and the bundle material 10 pass to fuse the bundle materials 10 to each other, and also the laminated state of the optical fiber tapes 7 forming the tape unit 6 is changed. Can be disturbed. Therefore, the laminated state of at least one optical fiber tape 7 constituting the tape unit 6 can be disturbed without adding a device for twisting and feeding the optical fiber tape 7. That is, it is possible to prevent the manufacturing apparatus 20 from increasing in size. Even if it is desired to increase the number of cores of the optical fibers 8 of the optical fiber tape 7, it is possible to prevent the manufacturing apparatus 20 from increasing in size as compared with the case of adding a device for twisting the optical fiber tape 7 and sending it out.

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the unit forming portion 50 of the present embodiment taken along a plane parallel to the delivery direction. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the unit forming portion 50 of the present embodiment taken along a plane perpendicular to the delivery direction. The unit forming portion 50 has a swinging portion 52 in which a unit passing portion 53 is formed, and a heating portion 51 provided on the outer circumference of the swinging portion 52.

The oscillating portion 52 is a member that oscillates around the delivery direction as an axis. In FIG. 6B, the moving range of the swinging part 52 is shown. Further, in FIG. 6B, an intermediate position M of the swing portion 52 is shown. The intermediate position is a position in the middle of the moving range of the swinging part 52. It swings in the range of the angle A in the clockwise direction and in the range of the angle A in the counterclockwise direction (that is, the range of plus or minus A) about the intermediate position M. The angle A may be referred to as a swing angle.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a unit passing portion 53 is formed in the swinging portion 52. As shown in FIG. 6A, the unit passing portion 53 has a taper portion 54 and a straight portion 55. The taper portion 54 is a hollow portion whose inner diameter becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the delivery direction. The straight portion 55 is a hollow portion having a constant inner diameter provided downstream of the tapered portion 54 in the delivery direction.

The tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 sent to the unit forming portion 50 first enter the taper portion 54. Since the entrance of the taper portion 54 is wide, the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 are shaped so as to easily enter the unit forming portion 50. When the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 pass through the taper portion 54, the gap between the inner wall of the oscillating portion 52 (unit forming portion 50) and the tape unit 6 becomes gradually narrower, and the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 are formed. Gradually approaches the inner wall of the swing portion 52.

When the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 reach the straight portion 55, the bundle material 10 approaches or contacts the inner wall of the swinging portion 52 and is sufficiently heated. As a result, when the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 pass through the straight portion 55, the intersections 16 of the two bundle materials 10 are fused.

Further, when the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 reach the straight portion 55, the tape unit 6 contacts the inner wall of the swing portion 52. As described above, the swinging portion 52 (unit forming portion 50) swings about the feeding direction. Therefore, the outer peripheral portion of the tape unit 6 receives frictional force from the inner wall of the swinging portion 52 in the swinging direction of the swinging portion 52. That is, the twist is applied to at least one optical fiber tape 7 among the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 that form the tape unit 6. As a result, the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 in the stacked state enter the unit passing portion 53 (through hole) from the opening (inlet) on the upstream side in the sending direction, and when passing through the unit passing portion 53 (through hole). When the twist is added, the laminated state is disturbed, and it comes out from the opening (outlet) on the downstream side in the delivery direction in the delivery direction.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the unit passage portion 53 has a circular cross section. In this case, the diameter of the cross section of the unit passage portion 53 is, for example, 4 mm. The cross-sectional diameter of the tape unit 6 passing through the unit passing portion 53 is 0.25 mm. However, the diameter of the cross section of the unit passage portion 53 may be other than this. The cross-sectional shape of the unit passage portion 53 may be other than circular. For example, the unit passage portion 53 may have an elliptical cross section. When the cross section of the unit passing portion 53 is circular, the outer peripheral portion of the tape unit 6 receives the frictional force from the inner wall of the oscillating portion 52 as described above, whereby the twist of the optical fiber tape 7 is applied. On the other hand, when the unit passage portion 53 has an elliptical cross section, the outer wall of the tape unit 6 can be directly pressed by the inner wall of the swing portion 52, so that the optical fiber tape 7 can be easily twisted.

The heating portion 51 is a portion that heats the bundle material 10 that passes through the unit passage portion 53. The heating unit 51 is provided on the outer periphery of the swinging unit 52, and swings integrally with the swinging unit 52. The heating unit 51 heats the bundle material 10 via the swinging unit 52 to fuse the intersection points 16 of the two bundle materials 10. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the heating unit 51 may be provided in a different part from the swing unit 52, or the swing unit 52 and the heating unit 51 may be integrated.

<Modification>
FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the unit forming portion 50 of the first modified example taken along a plane parallel to the delivery direction. In the unit forming portion 50 of the present embodiment described above, it is provided on the outer periphery of the swing portion 52. However, in the unit forming portion 50 of the first modified example shown in FIG. 7A, the swinging portion 52 and the heating portion 51 are separately provided in the delivery direction. Specifically, the heating part 51 is provided continuously to the rear part of the swing part 52. Even in such a case, one member of the unit forming portion 50 fuses the bundle materials 10 to each other and disturbs the laminated state of the optical fiber tapes 7 forming the tape unit 6. As a result, it is not necessary to add an apparatus for twisting the optical fiber tape 7 and twisting the optical fiber tape 7, and it is possible to prevent the manufacturing apparatus 20 from increasing in size.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view when the unit forming portion 50 of the second modified example is cut along a plane perpendicular to the delivery direction. In the unit forming part 50 of the present embodiment described above, the swing motion is performed integrally with the swing part 52. However, in the unit forming portion 50 of the second modified example shown in FIG. 7B, the heating portion 51 can be kept fixed by swinging only the swinging portion 52. Thereby, the heating unit 51 and the wirings connected to the heating unit 51 can be fixed. Even in such a case, one member of the unit forming portion 50 fuses the bundle materials 10 to each other and disturbs the laminated state of the optical fiber tapes 7 forming the tape unit 6. As a result, it is not necessary to add an apparatus for twisting the optical fiber tape 7 and twisting the optical fiber tape 7, and it is possible to prevent the manufacturing apparatus 20 from becoming large.

<The swing angle of the unit forming portion 50>
Using the optical fiber unit 2 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 20 of this embodiment, the optical fiber cable 1 (this embodiment) shown in FIG. 1A was manufactured. In addition, in the optical fiber cable 1 of the present embodiment, the optical fiber cable 1 was manufactured with the mounting density of the optical fiber tape 7 in the range of 9 to 11 cores/square mm. Here, the packaging density of the optical fiber tape 7 is the number of cores of the optical fiber 8 per accommodation part of the core of the optical fiber cable 1. It should be noted that the core accommodating portion of the optical fiber cable 1 has a cross-sectional area of the core accommodating portion of the optical fiber cable 1 in the outer casing 3 other than the optical fiber tape 7 such as the press-winding member 5 and inclusions (not shown). It is the area obtained by subtracting the cross-sectional area of the member.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the swing angle of the unit forming portion 50 and the maximum transmission loss increase amount of the optical fiber 8. FIG. 8 shows the result of measuring the maximum transmission loss fluctuation amount by changing the swing angle of the unit forming portion 50 in the optical fiber cable 1 of the present embodiment. The results column shows A when the maximum transmission loss increase amount is 0.05 dB/km or less, B when the maximum transmission loss increase amount is 0.15 dB/km or less, C when the maximum transmission loss increase amount is 0.25 dB/km or less, and 0.25 dB/km. The larger case is shown as D.

Here, IEC 60794-1-22/Method F1 requires that the maximum transmission loss increase amount be 0.15 dB/km or less. Therefore, among the results shown in FIG. 8, it is desirable that the results are A and B. As a result, the maximum transmission loss increase amount of the optical fiber 8 constituting the optical fiber cable 1 can be suppressed. Therefore, the swing angle of the unit forming portion 50 is preferably −30° or less and 30° or more.

FIG. 9A is a schematic explanatory diagram of a manufacturing apparatus 20 of the optical fiber unit 2 of the comparative example.

In the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the comparative example shown in FIG. 9A, a swinging sending section 60 is provided in place of the tape unit sending section 30 of the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the present embodiment. The oscillating delivery section 60 is a member for oscillating about the delivery direction as an axis to apply SZ twist when bundling a plurality of optical fiber tapes and further deliver the tape unit 6 in the delivery direction. In the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the bundle forming materials 10 are fused at the intersections 16 in the unit forming portion 50 arranged downstream of the tape unit sending portion 30, and the optical fiber forming the tape unit 6 is formed. Twist is added to the tape 7. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a device for twisting a plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 while twisting the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7, such as the swinging and sending unit 60 in the manufacturing device 20 of the comparative example. Can be suppressed. Further, unlike the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the unit forming portion 50 of the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the comparative example heats the intersections 16 of the bundle materials 10 and fuses the bundle materials 10 to each other at the intersections 16, It is not a member that applies twist to the optical fiber tape 7 that constitutes the tape unit 6. That is, the unit forming portion 50 of the comparative example does not swing about the delivery direction.

In the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the comparative example, when the SZ twist is applied when bundling a plurality of optical fiber tapes to suppress the concentration of bending on a specific optical fiber tape, the rocking angle of the rocking delivery section 60 is controlled. Is preferably −180° or less and 180° or more. On the other hand, the swing angle of the unit forming portion 50 of the present embodiment may be −30° or less and 30° or more, as described above. Therefore, the swing angle of the unit forming part 50 of the present embodiment can be made smaller than that when adding the SZ twist when bundling a plurality of optical fiber tapes.

As described above, in the manufacturing apparatus 20 for the optical fiber unit 2 of the present embodiment, the optical fiber tape 7 accumulating the disorder of the laminated state passes through the unit passing portion 53 of the unit forming portion 50 and the unit forming portion 50. The rocking further disturbs the laminated state of the optical fiber tape 7. As a result, even if the swing angle of the unit forming portion 50 is small, bending is concentrated only on a specific optical fiber tape 7 as in the case where SZ twist is added when bundling a plurality of optical fiber tapes. It is possible to suppress an increase in transmission loss caused by this.

FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of the rocking/sending unit 60 in the manufacturing apparatus 20 for the optical fiber unit 2 of the comparative example.

A tape passing portion 61 is formed in the swing-out sending portion 60 in the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the optical fiber unit 2 of the comparative example. The tape passing portion 61 is a penetrating portion through which each optical fiber tape 7 passes when bundling a plurality of optical fiber tapes 7. The number (here, 5) of tape passing portions 61 corresponding to the number (here, 5) of the bundled optical fiber tapes 7 are formed. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 pass through the tape passing portion 61 one by one. Then, in the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the optical fiber unit 2 of the present comparative example, when each optical fiber tape 7 passes through the tape passing portion 61, the swing sending portion 60 as a whole swings about the sending direction, SZ twist is added when bundling a plurality of optical fiber tapes 7.

In this comparative example, since each optical fiber tape 7 passes through the tape passing portion 61, the SZ twist is added while the laminated state of the plurality of optical fiber tapes 7 is maintained. That is, the SZ twist is added while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the optical fiber tapes 7. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the tape unit 6 passes through the unit forming portion 50, the optical fiber tape 7 located on the outer peripheral portion of the tape unit 6 (for example, the optical fiber tape 7A shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C). And the optical fiber tape 7E) receives a frictional force from the inner wall of the swinging portion 52 of the unit forming portion 50 in the swinging direction of the swinging portion 52, so that the stacked state is disturbed. In addition, the optical fiber tape 7 not located on the outer peripheral portion (for example, the optical fiber tape 7B and the optical fiber tape 7D illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5C) has the oscillating portion 52 via the optical fiber tape 7 located on the outer peripheral portion. A frictional force will be applied in the direction of rocking. The frictional force that the optical fiber tape 7 constituting the tape unit 6 receives in the swinging direction of the swinging portion 52 is different from that of the optical fiber tape 7, and as a result, the optical fiber tapes 7 are displaced from each other, so that the relative positions thereof are changed. The relationship is different, and the stacked state of the tape units 6 is disturbed.

In this comparative example, due to the regular swing of the swing delivery unit 60 of the manufacturing apparatus 20, the cross-sectional state of the tape unit 6 appears regularly along the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the state where the laminated state in the cross section of the tape unit 6 in the present embodiment is disturbed appears irregularly along the longitudinal direction. As described above, the disorder of the laminated state of the tape units 6 may be randomly different at each point in the longitudinal direction.

=== Others ===
<SZ twist of the optical fiber tape 7>
In the above-described present embodiment, the tape unit 6 and the bundle material 10 pass through the unit forming portion 50, so that the laminated state of at least one optical fiber tape 7 is disturbed. However, not only the laminated state of the at least one optical fiber tape 7 is disturbed, but also the at least one optical fiber tape 7 may be twisted in the SZ shape by repeating the inversion of the twisting direction. This also makes it possible to suppress an increase in transmission loss due to the concentration of bending only on the specific optical fiber tape 7. Further, it is possible to prevent the manufacturing apparatus 20 of the optical fiber unit 2 including the tape unit 6 in which the optical fiber tape 7 is twisted from increasing in size. The twist shape applied to the optical fiber tape 7 may be a spiral shape by adding the twist direction in one direction.

<About the number of bundle materials 10>
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the number of the bundle materials 10 wound around the tape unit 6 is two has been described. However, the number of bundle materials 10 provided in one optical fiber unit 2 is not limited to this. For example, the number of bundle materials 10 wound around the tape unit 6 may be three, four, or five or more.

<About the method of winding the bundle material 10>
10A and 10B are perspective views showing another configuration example of the optical fiber unit 2. In the optical fiber unit 2 shown in FIG. 10A, one bundle material 10 is spirally wound in one direction. In the case of the optical fiber unit 2 shown in FIG. 10A, since the optical fiber unit 2 is composed of one bundle material 10, there is no intersection between the bundle materials 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, each of the two bundle materials 10 may be spirally wound in one direction. In FIG. 10B, the winding directions of the two bundle materials 10 are opposite to each other. In the case of the optical fiber unit 2 shown in FIG. 10B, the intersections 16 of the bundle material 10 may be fused or may not be fused. Therefore, when manufacturing the optical fiber unit 2 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the bundle material delivery part 40 is provided not only on the upstream side in the delivery direction of the unit forming part 50 but also integrally with the unit forming part 50. Alternatively, it may be provided on the downstream side of the unit forming portion 50 in the delivery direction. That is, before the bundle state of the optical fiber tape 7 is disturbed, the bundle material 10 is not only wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit 6, but also the stack state of the optical fiber tape 7 is disturbed, or the stack state of the optical fiber tape 7 is disturbed. The bundle material 10 may be wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit 6 after disturbing the state.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the bundle material 10 is spirally wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit 6 in one direction, when the optical fiber 8 is taken out from the optical fiber unit 2, the bundle material 10 It becomes necessary to manually twist the bundle material 10 or to cut the bundle material 10, and it takes a lot of time to take out the optical fiber 8 (it takes a long time to unwind the bundle material 10 which is spirally wound). End). On the other hand, in the above-described optical fiber unit 2 shown in FIG. 1B, the bundle material 10 is wound on the outer circumference of the tape unit 6 along the longitudinal direction of the tape unit 6 while alternately inverting the winding direction. And is joined to another bundle material 10 at a reversal position in the winding direction. By separating the splicing points at the inversion points, the bundle material 12 that covers the outer circumference of the optical fiber bundle in a net shape can be opened, and the optical fiber 1L can be easily taken out from the optical fiber unit 11.

However, even in the case of the optical fiber unit 2 of FIGS. 10A and 10B described above, one member of the unit forming portion 50 disturbs the laminated state of the optical fiber tapes 7 forming the tape unit 6. As a result, it is not necessary to add an apparatus for twisting the optical fiber tape 7 and twisting the optical fiber tape 7, and it is possible to prevent the manufacturing apparatus 20 from increasing in size.

The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof and that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

1 optical fiber cable, 2 optical fiber unit, 3 jacket,
4A tensile strength member, 4B tear string, 5 presser winding member,
6 tape units, 7 optical fiber tapes,
8 optical fiber, 9A connection part, 9B non-connection part,
10 bundle material (10A first bundle material, 10B second bundle material),
11 core parts, 12 covering parts,
15 junctions (15A first junction, 15B second junction), 16 intersections,
20 manufacturing device, 25 delivery reel, 30 tape unit delivery section,
40 bundle material sending section, 50 unit forming section, 51 heating section, 52 rocking section,
53 unit passing part, 54 taper part, 55 straight part,
60 rocking and sending section, 61 tape passing section,

Claims (9)

A tape unit that bundles multiple optical fiber tapes,
A method for manufacturing an optical fiber unit having a bundle material wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit,
Sending out the tape unit,
At least one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fiber tapes is formed by passing the tape unit through the unit forming portion and swinging the unit forming portion around a direction in which the tape unit passes the unit forming portion as an axis. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber unit that disturbs the tape stacking state.
A method of manufacturing the optical fiber unit according to claim 1,
The method for manufacturing an optical fiber unit, wherein the at least one optical fiber tape is twisted in an SZ shape by repeating inversion of a twisting direction.
It is a manufacturing method of the optical fiber unit according to claim 1 or 2,
The method for manufacturing an optical fiber unit, wherein the unit forming section includes a heating section, and the bundle materials are bonded to each other at the intersection by thermal fusion.
The method of manufacturing an optical fiber unit according to claim 3,
A method for manufacturing an optical fiber unit, wherein when the unit forming portion is swung, the heating portion does not swing by swinging a portion other than the heating portion.
It is a manufacturing method of the optical fiber unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The method of manufacturing an optical fiber unit, wherein the swing angle when swinging the unit forming portion is −30° or less and 30° or more.
It is a manufacturing method of the optical fiber unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The method for manufacturing an optical fiber unit, wherein the optical fiber tape is an intermittent fixed optical fiber tape.
It is a manufacturing method of the optical fiber unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The method for manufacturing an optical fiber unit, wherein the winding direction of the tape unit is reversed at the bonding point of at least one of the bundle materials.
A tape unit that bundles multiple optical fiber tapes,
A device for manufacturing an optical fiber unit having a bundle material wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit,
A tape unit delivery section for delivering the tape unit in the delivery direction,
A unit forming portion for passing the tape unit,
The unit forming portion swings around the direction in which the tape unit passes the unit forming portion as an axis, thereby disturbing the laminated state of at least one optical fiber tape among the plurality of optical fiber tapes. Optical fiber unit manufacturing equipment.
A tape unit that bundles multiple optical fiber tapes,
A bundle material wound around the outer periphery of the tape unit,
An optical fiber unit, wherein at least one optical fiber tape among the plurality of optical fiber tapes is disturbed in a laminated state.

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