JP2023110387A - Optical fiber unit and optical fiber cable - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an optical fiber unit which can be reliably identified when taking out optical fiber core wires from the optical fiber unit.SOLUTION: An optical fiber unit 1 is provided, comprising multiple optical fiber core wires, one or more identification members 6a, 6b for identifying the optical fiber unit 1 extending in a longitudinal direction (z-axis direction) of the optical fiber unit 1, and a transparent tube 2 covering the multiple optical fiber core wires 3 and the one or more identification members 6a, 6b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to fiber optic units and fiber optic cables.

Patent Literature 1 discloses an optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of optical fiber units each having a plurality of optical fiber core wires. In the optical fiber cable disclosed in Patent Document 1, a colored bundle material for bundling a plurality of optical fiber core wires is used as an identification material for identifying each optical fiber unit.

JP 2011-169939 A

By the way, in the optical fiber cable of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to cut the colored bundle material when taking out the optical fiber core wire from the optical fiber unit. In such a structure, when cutting the colored bundle material, the colored bundle material tightens the optical fiber core wire, and there is a possibility that the optical fiber core wire is damaged. In addition, after the colored bundle material is cut, the colored bundle material, which was used to distinguish the bundle material, disappears. The colored bundle material makes it difficult to reliably identify the optical fiber units. From the above point of view, there is room for further improvement in the structure of the optical fiber unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical fiber unit that can prevent the optical fiber core wire from being damaged when the optical fiber core wire is taken out from the optical fiber unit and that can be reliably identified. In addition, the present disclosure is an optical fiber cable that can prevent the optical fiber core wire from being damaged when the optical fiber core wire is taken out from each optical fiber unit and can reliably identify each optical fiber unit. intended to provide

An optical fiber unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes:
a plurality of optical fiber core wires;
one or more identifiers extending along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit and identifying the optical fiber unit;
a transparent tube covering the plurality of optical fiber core wires and the one or more identification materials;
Prepare.

A fiber optic cable according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes:
a plurality of optical fiber units;
a cable jacket covering the plurality of optical fiber units;
Prepare.
each of the plurality of optical fiber units,
a plurality of optical fiber core wires;
one or more identifiers extending along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit and identifying the optical fiber unit;
a transparent tube covering the plurality of optical fiber core wires and the one or more identification materials;
Prepare.
Visual aspects of the one or more identifiers provided on each of the plurality of optical fiber units are different among the plurality of optical fiber units.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an optical fiber unit that can prevent the optical fiber core wire from being damaged when the optical fiber core wire is taken out from the optical fiber unit and that can be reliably identified. Further, to provide an optical fiber cable capable of preventing the optical fiber core wire from being damaged when the optical fiber core wire is taken out from each optical fiber unit and capable of reliably identifying each optical fiber unit. can be done.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an optical fiber unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. It is the figure which showed the side surface of an optical fiber unit typically. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a fiber optic cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.

[Description of Embodiment]
An outline of the embodiment will be described.
(1) An optical fiber unit,
a plurality of optical fiber core wires;
one or more identifiers extending along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit and identifying the optical fiber unit;
a transparent tube covering the plurality of optical fiber core wires and the one or more identification materials;
An optical fiber unit with

According to the above configuration, since the identification member extending along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit is provided inside the transparent tube, the optical fiber unit can be reliably identified. Further, even when the operator takes out the optical fiber core wire from the transparent tube, the visibility of the identification material does not deteriorate because the identification material is present. In addition, since the tube is transparent, the identifier placed inside the tube can be clearly seen from the outside. In this way, the operator can reliably identify the optical fiber unit by visually recognizing the identification material through the transparent tube. Furthermore, in the above configuration, unlike the conventional optical fiber unit, the plurality of optical fiber core wires are not wound with the colored bundle material, so the situation where the colored bundle material damages the optical fiber core wires does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to provide an optical fiber unit that can prevent the optical fiber core wire from being damaged even when the optical fiber core wire is taken out from the optical fiber unit and that can be reliably identified.

(2) The transparent tube has a thickness of 0.05 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less.
An optical fiber unit according to item (1).

According to the above configuration, the thickness of the transparent tube is preferably in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm from the viewpoint of the durability of the transparent tube and the viewpoint of mounting the optical fiber core wires in the optical fiber cable at high density. That is, when the thickness of the transparent tube is less than 0.05 mm, the durability of the transparent tube is lowered. On the other hand, if the thickness of the transparent tube exceeds 0.2 mm, it becomes difficult to mount the optical fiber core wires in the optical fiber cable at a high density, and at the same time, the discriminator placed in the transparent tube becomes difficult. The visibility of the material is also reduced.

(3) The transparent tube is made of nylon resin,
The optical fiber unit according to item (1) or item (2).

According to the above configuration, the transparency of the transparent tube can be sufficiently ensured, so that the visibility of the identification material through the transparent tube can be improved.

(4) the one or more identification materials have a first identification material and a second identification material,
The visual aspect of the first identification material is different from the visual aspect of the second identification material,
The optical fiber unit according to any one of items (1) to (3).

According to the above configuration, it is possible to identify the optical fiber unit by using two identification materials that are visually different from each other. That is, it is possible to identify more optical fiber units with two identification materials. In this respect, even when many optical fiber units are mounted in the optical fiber cable, the two identification materials can reliably identify each optical fiber unit mounted in the optical fiber cable. .

(5) the first identification material is colored with a first color;
The second identification material is colored with a second color different from the first color,
The optical fiber unit according to item (4).

According to the above configuration, the optical fiber unit can be reliably identified by the two identification materials colored with different colors. That is, it is possible to identify more fiber optic units by combining two different colors.

(6) The one or more identification materials are colored glass threads or colored resin tapes,
The optical fiber unit according to any one of items (1) to (5).

According to the above configuration, the operator can reliably identify the optical fiber unit by visually recognizing the identification material, which is the colored glass thread or the colored resin tape, through the transparent tube.

(7) a plurality of optical fiber units;
a cable jacket covering the plurality of optical fiber units;
An optical fiber cable comprising
each of the plurality of optical fiber units,
a plurality of optical fiber core wires;
one or more identifiers extending along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit and identifying the optical fiber unit;
a transparent tube covering the plurality of optical fiber core wires and the one or more identification materials;
with
The one or more identification materials provided in each of the plurality of optical fiber units have different visual aspects among the plurality of optical fiber units,
fiber optic cable.

According to the above configuration, the identification material is provided in the transparent tube of each optical fiber unit, and the visual aspect of the one or more identification materials provided in each of the plurality of optical fiber units is the same as that of the plurality of optical fiber units. Since the optical fiber units are different from each other, each optical fiber unit can be reliably identified by the identification material. Thus, an optical fiber cable that can prevent the optical fiber core wire from being damaged even when the optical fiber core wire is taken out from each optical fiber unit and can reliably identify each optical fiber unit is provided. can provide.

[Details of embodiment]
An optical fiber unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) will be described below with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, the dimensions of each member shown in each drawing may differ from the actual dimensions of each member. Further, in this embodiment, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction set for the optical fiber unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 are appropriately referred to. Each of the X, Y, and Z directions is perpendicular to the other two directions. For example, the X-axis direction is perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the optical fiber unit 1 .

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical fiber unit 1 according to this embodiment. The cross section of the optical fiber unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a cross section perpendicular to the Z-axis direction of the optical fiber unit 1 . As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber unit 1 includes a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 4, identification materials 6a and 6b, and a transparent tube 2. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the two identification materials 6a, 6 are provided on the optical fiber unit 1, but the number of identification materials provided on the optical fiber unit 1 is not particularly specified. For example, the optical fiber unit 1 may be provided with one identification material.

Each of the plurality of optical fiber tape core wires 4 has a plurality of (12 in this example) optical fiber core wires 3 arranged in parallel. The optical fiber tape core wire 4 is, for example, an intermittent bonding type optical fiber in which adjacent optical fiber core wires 3 among a plurality of optical fiber core wires 3 arranged in parallel are intermittently bonded along the Z-axis direction. It may be a tape cord. In the case of the intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbons, the manufacturing method is not particularly limited as long as the adjacent optical fiber ribbons 3 are intermittently bonded in the longitudinal direction. Further, in the optical fiber unit 1, a plurality of optical fiber tape core wires 4 may be helically twisted along the Z-axis direction.

The optical fiber cable 3 has a glass fiber and a resin coating covering the glass fiber. A glass fiber has at least one core through which signal light propagates and a clad covering the core. The refractive index of the core is greater than that of the cladding. In this example, a plurality of optical fiber tape core wires 4 are accommodated in the optical fiber unit 1, but instead of the optical fiber tape core wires 4, a plurality of mutually separated single-core optical fiber core wires 3 are used as the optical fibers. It may be housed within the fiber unit 1 .

Each of the identifiers 6a and 6b extends straight along the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the optical fiber unit 1. As shown in FIG. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of optical fiber ribbons 4 are twisted along the Z-axis direction, while the identifiers 6a and 6b are not twisted along the Z-axis direction. Identification materials 6 a and 6 b are used to identify the optical fiber unit 1 . The visual aspect of the identification material 6a (an example of the first identification material) is different from the visual aspect of the identification material 6b (an example of the second identification material). Specifically, the identification material 6a is colored with a first color, while the identification material 6b is colored with a second color different from the first color. In this regard, each identification material 6a, 6b may be colored in a single color. For example, if the identification materials 6a and 6b have 12 types of coloring, it is possible to realize 66 types of color combinations with the two identification materials 6a and 6b. In such a case, it is possible to mutually identify 66 optical fiber units 1 by the two identification materials 6a and 6b. In the case where the optical fiber unit 1 is provided with one identification material, the 12 optical fiber units 1 can be identified from each other if the identification material has 12 kinds of coloring.

The identification materials 6a and 6b are, for example, colored glass threads or colored resin tapes. For example, polyethylene terephthalate may be used as the resin material forming the colored resin tape.

The transparent tube 2 covers a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 4 and identifiers 6a and 6b. The transparent tube 2 is made of nylon resin, for example. In this regard, when the transparent tube 2 is made of nylon resin, the transparency of the transparent tube 2 (transmittance to visible light) can be sufficiently ensured, so that the identification materials 6a and 6b can be clearly identified through the transparent tube 2. can be visually recognized. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the cross-sectional shape of the transparent tube 2 is substantially annular, but the cross-sectional shape of the transparent tube 2 is not particularly limited.

The thickness of the transparent tube 2 may be 0.05 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less from the viewpoint of the durability of the transparent tube 2 and the viewpoint of mounting the optical fiber core wires 3 in the optical fiber cable 100 at high density. More preferably, the thickness of the transparent tube 2 may be 0.1 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less. In this regard, if the thickness of the transparent tube 2 is less than 0.05 mm, the durability of the transparent tube 2 is reduced. On the other hand, if the thickness of the transparent tube 2 exceeds 0.2 mm, it becomes difficult to mount the optical fiber core wires 3 in the optical fiber cable 100 at high density, The visibility of the arranged identification materials 6a and 6b is also lowered.

The transparent tube 2 can be formed by extrusion molding, for example. In particular, by inserting an assembly composed of a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 4 twisted along the Z-axis direction and two identification materials 6a and 6b into an extruder, a transparent tube covering the assembly 2 can be formed by extrusion.

According to this embodiment, since the identification members 6a and 6b extending along the Z-axis direction are provided inside the transparent tube 2, the optical fiber unit 1 can be reliably identified. Further, even when the operator takes out the optical fiber core wire 3 from the transparent tube 2, the identification materials 6a and 6b are present in the transparent tube 2, so the visibility of the identification materials 6a and 6b is not lowered. Further, since the transparent tube 2 is used as the tube of the optical fiber unit 1, the identification materials 6a and 6b arranged inside the transparent tube 2 can be clearly visually recognized from the outside. In this manner, the operator can identify and identify the optical fiber unit 1 with certainty by viewing the identification materials 6a and 6b through the transparent tube 2. FIG. Therefore, when taking out the optical fiber core wire 3 from the optical fiber unit 1, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber core wire from being damaged and to provide the optical fiber unit 1 which can be reliably identified.

Next, the optical fiber cable 100 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the optical fiber cable 100 according to this embodiment. The cross section of the optical fiber cable 100 shown in FIG. 3 is a cross section perpendicular to the Z-axis direction (longitudinal direction) of the optical fiber cable 100 . As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber cable 100 includes a spacer 20, a plurality of optical fiber units 1, a non-woven fabric tape 30, and a cable sheath 40. As shown in FIG.

The spacer 20 has a spacer body 21 and a tension member 22 embedded in the spacer body 21 . The spacer main body 21 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin of polycarbonate (PC) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or a hard resin material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). The spacer body 21 has a plurality of (four in this example) ribs 23 extending in the radial direction of the optical fiber cable 100 . The tension member 22 is made of a high-tensile material (for example, copper wire, FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics), etc.) having resistance to tension and compression.

Between the adjacent ribs 23, grooves are defined in which the optical fiber units 1 are accommodated. In this example, four ribs 23 define four grooves S1 to S4. Each of the grooves S1 to S4 is helically twisted along the Z-axis direction of the spacer 20, for example. As the type of twist for each of the grooves S1 to S4, S twist, Z twist, or SZ twist in which S twist and Z twist are alternately used may be employed. Since the grooves S1 to S4 are helically twisted along the Z-axis direction of the spacer 20, the optical fiber units 1 housed in the grooves S1 to S4 are also helically twisted along the Z-axis direction. ing.

Each of the plurality of optical fiber units 1 accommodated in the optical fiber cable 100 includes the plurality of optical fiber tape core wires 4, the identification materials 6a and 6b, and the transparent tube 2, as described above. On the other hand, the visual aspects (such as coloring) of the identification materials 6a and 6b provided on one of the plurality of optical fiber units 1 are different from those of the identification materials 6a and 6b provided on the remaining optical fiber units 1. is different from the visual aspects (coloring, etc.) of For example, a combination of two colors of the identification materials 6a and 6b provided on the optical fiber unit 1A is different from a combination of two colors of the identification materials 6a and 6b provided on the optical fiber unit 1B. Incidentally, each optical fiber unit 1 may be provided with one identification member. In that case, the visual aspect (coloration, etc.) of the identification material provided on the optical fiber unit 1A is different from the visual aspect (coloration, etc.) of the identification material provided on the optical fiber unit 1B.

The non-woven fabric tape 30 is wound from the outside of the bundle of the plurality of optical fiber units 1 accommodated in the respective grooves S1 to S4, and functions as a pressure winding tape. Also, although not shown in FIG. 3, a roving thread may be wound from the outside of the bundle of the plurality of optical fiber units 1. FIG. The cable jacket 40 constitutes the outer surface of the optical fiber cable 100 and covers the spacer 20 , the plurality of optical fiber units 1 and the non-woven fabric tape 30 . The cable jacket 40 is made of, for example, a resin material such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, and functions as a protective layer that imparts weather resistance, heat resistance, and water resistance to the optical fiber cable 100 .

According to the optical fiber cable 100 according to this embodiment, the identification materials 6a and 6b are provided in the transparent tube 2 of each optical fiber unit 1, and the identification materials 6a and 6b provided in the plurality of optical fiber units 1 Since the visual aspects of 6b are different from each other, each optical fiber unit 1 can be reliably specified and identified by the identification materials 6a and 6b. In this way, even when the optical fiber core wires 3 are extracted from each optical fiber unit 1, the optical fiber core wires can be prevented from being damaged, and each optical fiber unit 1 can be reliably identified. A fiber cable 100 can be provided.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the two identification materials 6a and 6b are accommodated in the optical fiber unit 1, it is possible to identify more optical fiber units 1 with the two identification materials 6a and 6b. Become. For example, when the identification materials 6a and 6b have 12 types of coloring, one identification material can identify 12 optical fiber units 1, while two identification materials can identify 66 optical fibers. Unit 1 can be identified.

Although two identification materials are provided in the optical fiber unit 1 in this embodiment, the number of identification materials provided in the optical fiber unit 1 is not particularly limited. In this respect, depending on the number of optical fiber units 1 accommodated in the optical fiber cable 100, the number of identification materials provided in the optical fiber unit 1 can be appropriately determined.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention should not be limitedly interpreted by the description of the embodiment. It is understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is merely an example, and that various modifications of the embodiment are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. Thus, the technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

1, 1A, 1B: Optical fiber unit 2: Transparent tube 3: Optical fiber core wire 4: Optical fiber tape core wire 6a, 6b: Identification material 20: Spacer 21: Spacer body 22: Tension member 23: Rib 30: Non-woven fabric tape 40: Cable jacket 100: Optical fiber cables S1 to S4: Grooves

Claims (7)

An optical fiber unit,
a plurality of optical fiber core wires;
one or more identifiers extending along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit and identifying the optical fiber unit;
a transparent tube covering the plurality of optical fiber core wires and the one or more identification materials;
An optical fiber unit with The transparent tube has a thickness of 0.05 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less.
The optical fiber unit according to claim 1. The transparent tube is made of nylon resin,
The optical fiber unit according to claim 1 or 2. The one or more identification materials have a first identification material and a second identification material,
The visual aspect of the first identification material is different from the visual aspect of the second identification material,
The optical fiber unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The first identification material is colored with a first color,
The second identification material is colored with a second color different from the first color,
The optical fiber unit according to claim 4. The one or more identification materials are colored glass threads or colored resin tapes,
The optical fiber unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5. a plurality of optical fiber units;
a cable jacket covering the plurality of optical fiber units;
An optical fiber cable comprising
each of the plurality of optical fiber units,
a plurality of optical fiber core wires;
one or more identifiers extending along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit and identifying the optical fiber unit;
a transparent tube covering the plurality of optical fiber core wires and the one or more identification materials;
with
The one or more identification materials provided in each of the plurality of optical fiber units have different visual aspects among the plurality of optical fiber units,
fiber optic cable.

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