JP2699215B2 - Bobbin switching device for double-headed optical fiber winding machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an improvement in a bobbin switching device for a two-headed optical fiber winder. In particular, in automatic switching between the two winding bobbins of the two-head type optical fiber winding machine, switching failure can be prevented, interruption of the winding operation can be avoided, and productivity can be improved. The present invention relates to an improvement for providing a bobbin switching device for a head-type optical fiber winder.

[Conventional technology]

One of the important things about an optical fiber winder is
This is a peculiar property that when an optical fiber is tensioned to such an extent that it is considered normal in a conventional metal wire winding machine, the optical transmission loss of the optical fiber increases and the optical transmission characteristics are impaired. Furthermore, the optical fiber has a diameter of 250μ.
It is a characteristic unique to an optical fiber that it should be taken into consideration that it is extremely thin, on the order of m, so that its weight is extremely light and that it is easily broken (the resistance to bending moment is small). It is also a matter to be noted in an optical fiber winder that the optical fiber is manufactured in a clean room where forced air is blown.

By the way, the optical fiber winding machine according to the prior art,
The optical fiber is wound on a single winding bobbin, and when the winding becomes full, the operation of the winding machine is interrupted, the optical fiber is cut, replaced with another winding bobbin, the operation is resumed, and this method is repeated. The single bobbin type winder was generally used.

However, when this single bobbin type winder is used, it is necessary to interrupt the operation to replace the winding bobbin every time one winding bobbin is fully wound, thereby reducing productivity. It has to fall.

Therefore, in order to continuously wind the optical fiber in order to improve the productivity, two winding bobbins are provided, and a two-head bobbin that alternately uses these two winding bobbins is used. The present inventors have invented an optical fiber winder. However, in this two-headed optical fiber winder, even if both axes are arranged parallel to each other,
Further, both axes may be arranged on the same axis. Based on this idea, a two-head winder, which was conventionally used to wind wires other than optical fibers, such as metal wires, plastic wires, and fiber yarns, was applied as it is to wind optical fibers. FIG. 2 shows a bobbin switching device for a head type optical fiber winder.

See FIG. 2. The optical fiber capturing claw 10a is provided on the optical fiber capturing rotating body 1c driven by the same axis as the one winding bobbin 1a, and the light driven by the same axis as the other winding bobbin 1b. The fiber capturing rotator 1d is provided with an optical fiber capturing claw 10b. These two winding bobbins 1
An optical fiber traveling path moving means 3 is provided in an intermediate area between a and 1b. This optical fiber traveling path moving means 3
Normally, the optical fiber 8 is connected to the optical fiber catching claws 10a and 1a.
0b is held in a state where it cannot be engaged. However, when the switching command means 2 issues the switching command signal S, in response to the switching command signal, the optical fiber previously fixed at a position suitable for winding around the bobbin 1a (the position indicated by the broken line in the figure) The traveling direction selecting roller 7 moves to a position suitable for bobbin switching to the bobbin 1b (a position indicated by a solid line in the figure), and the optical fiber traveling path moving means 3 converts the optical fiber 8 into the optical fiber. It moves in a direction perpendicular to the drawing toward a position where it engages with the catch claw 10b. The two winding bobbins are moved by the movement of the optical fiber traveling path moving means 3.
When the optical fiber catching claw 10b corresponding to the winding bobbin 1b captures the optical fiber 8 among 1a and 1b,
The winding bobbin 1b starts winding. When the winding of the winding bobbin 1b is started, the optical fiber traveling path moving means 3 moves in the direction opposite to the previous direction and returns to the original position. Thus, the winding operation of the winding bobbin 1b proceeds. Immediately before the winding of the winding bobbin 1b is completed, the optical fiber advancing direction selecting roller 7 moves to a position suitable for winding on the bobbin 1a (a position indicated by a broken line in the drawing). When the winding of the winding bobbin 1b is completed, the same operation as described above is repeated in response to the switching command S issued by the switching command means 2. Switching of the bobbins 1a and 1b is achieved as described above. Further, a tension applying means 4 is provided along the traveling path of the optical fiber 8, and the tension applying means 4 has a so-called allowable maximum tension which is the maximum within a range not impairing the optical transmission characteristics of the optical fiber 8. And the optical fiber 8 is wound alternately and sequentially around the winding bobbins 1a and 1b.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the above-described bobbin switching device for a two-head type optical fiber winder has a drawback that the probability that an optical fiber is not captured by the optical fiber capturing claw at the time of switching is so high that it cannot be overlooked. When this capture failure occurs, the automatic switching of the bobbin also fails, so that the working efficiency is significantly reduced, and the productivity is significantly reduced. This is a serious drawback in the bobbin switching device for a two-headed optical fiber winding machine. is there.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above disadvantages,
A two-headed optical fiber that ensures that the optical fiber is caught by the above-mentioned optical fiber catching claw at the time of bobbin switching, improves the switching success efficiency, avoids interruption of the winding operation, and improves productivity. An object of the present invention is to provide a bobbin switching device for a winder.

[Means for solving the problem]

The above object is to provide two sets of winding bobbins (1a and 1b) mounted on the same shaft as the optical fiber capturing rotating body (1c and 1d) having the optical fiber capturing claws (10a and 10b), and the winding In response to a switching command means (2) for issuing a command for switching each of the bobbins (1a and 1b) to each other, and a switching command signal (S) issued by the switching command means (2),
Bobbin switching for a two-headed optical fiber winder having an optical fiber traveling path moving means (3) for moving a traveling path of an optical fiber to be wound and a tension applying means (4) for applying tension to the optical fiber. In the apparatus, a switching command signal (S) issued by the switching command means (2)
This is achieved by a bobbin switching device for a two-head optical fiber winder having an additional tension applying / releasing means (5) for applying / releasing additional tension to the tension applying means (4) in response to the presence or absence of the above.

In the above configuration, a sliding brake can be used for the tension applying means (4) and the additional tension applying / releasing means (5).

Further, the tension applying means (4) may be a sliding brake, and the additional tension applying / releasing means (5) may be a generator driven by the sliding brake.

Further, the tension applying means (4) uses a dancer roll and a winding thickening compensation system which controls the speed of the optical fiber winder driving device in response to the displacement of the dancer roll. 5) Other sliding brakes or generators can be used.

Further, it is realistic that the duration of the switching command signal (S) given by the switching command means (2) is specified using a timer.

[Action]

The present inventors have found that the optical fiber is not in a straight state with respect to its traveling direction but in a non-tension state with a maximum tension allowed within a range that does not impair the optical transmission characteristics of the optical fiber. Due to this non-tension state (the optical fiber itself is extremely thin and extremely light), the winder is usually forced into the clean room where it is installed. It is considered that the wind accompanying the rotation of the bobbin causes the optical fiber to swing easily, causing an opportunity for the optical fiber not to engage with the optical fiber catching claw, thereby causing a failure in bobbin switching. Improving the straightness of the optical fiber by slightly increasing the tension applied to the optical fiber should increase the chance of the optical fiber catching claw engaging the optical fiber.

The present invention positively utilizes the above-mentioned law of nature.

If a tension greater than the maximum tension allowed within a range that does not impair the optical transmission characteristics of the optical fiber is applied to the optical fiber, the optical transmission characteristics of the optical fiber will be reduced and the product will be unsuitable as a product. By applying a tension that can sufficiently improve the straightness of the optical fiber only for a very short time when switching the bobbin, the above-mentioned drawbacks (the optical fiber catches the optical fiber The disadvantage of not engaging with) is wiped out.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, a bobbin switching device for a two-headed optical fiber winder according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b are shown. FIG. 1a is a configuration diagram of a bobbin switching device for a two-head type optical fiber winder according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Bobbin 1a
It is a side view of the direction seen from the right to the left in the figure, a set of a set 1a and 1c of the bobbin and the optical fiber capturing rotating body, 1b and 1d
And the operation of the optical fiber advancing direction selecting roller 7 is shown.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1a denotes one winding bobbin, which is driven by one optical fiber capturing rotating body 1c. Reference numeral 1b denotes another winding bobbin whose axis is arranged in parallel with the above-described one winding bobbin 1a, and is driven by the other optical fiber capturing rotating body 1d. The above-mentioned optical fiber capturing rotating bodies 1c and 1d are driven by electric motors 9a and 9b, respectively. One winding bobbin 1a rotates clockwise, and the other winding bobbin 1b rotates counterclockwise. Reference numeral 10a denotes an optical fiber capturing claw provided on the optical fiber capturing rotator 1c, and reference numeral 10b denotes an optical fiber capturing claw provided on the optical fiber capturing rotator 1d. The tips of the optical fiber catching claws 10a and 10b are oriented in the rotation direction of the corresponding winding bobbin 1a or 1b. Reference numeral 2 denotes switching command means for commanding bobbin switching between the winding bobbins 1a and 1b, and generates a switching command signal S. 3 is an optical fiber traveling path moving means for moving in response to a switching command signal S output from the switching command means 2 and moving perpendicularly to the drawing in parallel with the axes of the winding bobbins 1a and 1b to move the traveling path of the optical fiber. It is. Reference numeral 4 denotes a tension applying means for applying a tension to the optical fiber 8, for example, a slide which comes into contact with the optical fiber 8 and is rotated by friction with the optical fiber 8 as the optical fiber 8 moves. It is a dynamic brake. 5 is the switching command means 2
Is an additional tension applying / releasing means for applying / releasing the additional tension to the tension applying means 4 in response to the switching command signal S issued by the controller. For example, the additional tension applying / releasing means is connected to the brake, driven by this brake, and It is a generator that absorbs a part of the kinetic energy based on the movement of the fiber.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a roller for selecting the traveling direction of the optical fiber, which moves in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure in response to the switching between the winding bobbins 1a and 1b, and is usually located near the winding bobbin during winding. In the optical fiber traveling direction selecting roller moving type winder, the optical fiber traveling direction selecting roller 7 is moved in parallel with the axis of the winding bobbin to realize winding. 8 is an optical fiber.

Next, the operation of the switching device according to the present embodiment will be described.

When the optical fiber 8 is wound on one of the winding bobbins 1a and winding of a predetermined length is completed, the switching command means 2
Generates a switching command signal S. When the switching command means 2 generates the switching command signal S, the optical fiber advancing direction selecting means which has been fixed to a position suitable for winding around the bobbin 1a (the position indicated by the broken line in the figure) has been correspondingly generated. The roller 7 moves to a position suitable for bobbin switching to the bobbin 1b (a position indicated by a solid line in the figure), and the optical fiber traveling path moving means 3 engages the optical fiber 8 with the optical fiber catching claw 10b. Move to the position to be merged. In other words, the optical fiber traveling path moving means 3 starts moving from the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1b, and presses the optical fiber 8 to the right in the figure while pressing the optical fiber 8 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1b. Go to
The switching command signal S generated by the switching command means 2
Is also input to the additional tension applying means 5, the additional tension applying means 5 is operated, and a part of the kinetic energy based on the movement of the optical fiber 8 is absorbed by the additional tension applying means 5, and The braking force applied to the optical fiber 8 increases, and an additional tension is applied. By applying the additional tension, the straightness of the optical fiber 8 is sufficiently improved, and the optical fiber 8 is in a tension state. The other winding bobbin 1b to be switched has already been rotated prior to the switching command of the switching means 2, and the optical fiber capturing rotator 1d corresponding to the other winding bobbin 1b is provided with the optical fiber capturing rotator 1d. The claw 10b is pushed by the optical fiber advancing path moving means 3 and moves, so that the optical fiber 8 in a tension state can be reliably captured by applying an additional tension. Note that the optical fiber advancing direction selecting roller 7 is controlled so as to be located near the winding bobbin that is being wound normally except at the time of switching.

The present invention also provides an optical fiber advancing direction selecting roller moving type winder that moves an optical fiber advancing direction selecting roller in a direction parallel to the axis of a winding bobbin, and winds the winding bobbin in the axial direction. The present invention can also be applied to a bobbin moving type winder that moves and winds.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the switching device for a two-headed optical fiber winder according to the present invention provides an additional device in response to a switching command signal issued by a switching command means for commanding a winding switch between two winding bobbins. Tension applying means,
Since an additional tension is applied to the tension applying means for applying tension to the optical fiber, a tension large enough to sufficiently improve the straightness of the optical fiber to the optical fiber only for a very short time during the winding switching. Therefore, while minimizing the disadvantage that the product yield is reduced due to the application of a large tension, the switching device for a two-head type optical fiber winder (wires other than optical fibers, such as metal wires)・ Do not use the double-head winder used for winding plastic wires and fiber yarns in the bobbin switching device for double-head optical fiber winders that is used for winding optical fibers. A difficult defect (a defect that the optical fiber is not engaged with the optical fiber catching claw at the time of bobbin switching) can be wiped out.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bobbin switching device for a two-head optical fiber winder that can effectively eliminate the operation interruption time based on the switching failure and can improve the productivity. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1a is a configuration diagram of a bobbin switching device for a two-head type optical fiber winder according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1b is a side view of the bobbin switching portion viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1a. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a bobbin switching device for a two-head type optical fiber winder according to the related art. 1a: One winding bobbin, 1b: The other winding bobbin, 1c: Optical fiber capturing rotator, 1d: Optical fiber capturing rotator, 2 ... Switching command means, 3 ... Optical fiber traveling path Moving means, 4... Tension applying means, 5... Additional tension applying means, 7... Optical fiber traveling direction selecting roller, 8... Optical fiber, 9a and 9b... Electric motor, 10a. An optical fiber catching claw provided on the other winding bobbin.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A set of winding bobbins (1a and 1b) mounted on the same shaft as an optical fiber capturing rotating body (1c and 1d) having optical fiber capturing claws (10a and 10b); A switching command means (2) for issuing a command for switching each of the bobbins (1a and 1b); and an advance of the optical fiber wound in response to the switching command signal (S) issued by the switching command means (2). A bobbin switching device for a two-headed optical fiber winder, comprising: an optical fiber traveling path moving means (3) for moving a path; and a tension applying means (4) for applying tension to the optical fiber. (2) an additional tension applying / releasing means (5) for applying / releasing an additional tension to the tension applying means (4) in response to the presence or absence of a switching command signal (S) issued by (2). Formula light Bobbin switching device for the driver winder. 2. The double-head optical fiber winding device according to claim 1, wherein said tension applying means and said additional tension applying / releasing means are sliding brakes. Machine bobbin switching device. 3. The tension applying means (4) is a sliding brake, and the additional tension applying / releasing means (5) is a generator driven by the sliding brake. Item 2. The bobbin switching device for a two-head optical fiber winder according to item [1]. 4. The tension applying means (4) is a winding thickening compensation system for controlling the speed of a drive device for an optical fiber winder in response to a dancer roll and a displacement of the dancer roll. 2. The bobbin switching device according to claim 1, wherein the releasing means is another sliding brake or a generator. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the switching command signal (S) issued by the switching command means (2) is defined by a timer. Bobbin switching device for two-headed optical fiber winder.