JP3940925B2 - Optical cable manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical cable manufacturing apparatus, and more particularly to an optical cable manufacturing apparatus provided with a holding mechanism (catcher).
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an optical cable manufacturing apparatus that collects slot-type optical cables, the slot member is manufactured in a state in which tension is applied between the feeding portion (supply side) and the winding portion. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical cable manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 for explaining an example of an optical cable manufacturing apparatus. 21 is a slot rod, 22 is a slot rod supply apparatus, and 23 is a supply drum. , 24 is a take-up device, 25 is a take-up device, 26 is a take-up drum, 27 is a core wire supply reel, 28 is a tape-shaped optical fiber core wire, 29 is a collecting die, 30 is a core wire supply reel, and 31 is a tape shape An optical fiber core wire, 32 is an assembly die, and 33 is a tape winding device.
[0003]
The slot rod 21 is formed with a spiral groove. The slot rod 21 is supplied from the slot rod supply device 22, and a tape-shaped optical fiber core wire is inserted into the groove and wound by the winding device 24. The slot rod supply device 22 includes a supply drum 23 and is configured as a drum twist type. The slot rod supply device 22 is rotationally driven around an axis about the central axis of the slot rod 21 that is fed. The take-up device 24 includes a take-up device 25 and a take-up drum 26 and is configured as a drum twist type. The take-up device 24 is rotationally driven around the center axis of the slot rod 21 to be wound. The slot rod supply device 22 and the winding device 24 rotate at the same rotational speed in synchronism with each other, and the supply speed and the winding speed of the slot rod 21 coincide with each other. In a state where the tension is applied between the device 22 and the winding device 24 and linearly extended, the device 22 is moved in the direction of the winding device 24 while rotating around its axis. At this time, the moving speed and the rotational speed of the slot rod 21 are arranged between the slot rod supply device 22 and the winding device 24 by matching the pitch of the spiral grooves formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slot rod 21. In theory, the phase of the groove, that is, the circumferential angular position of the groove in the slot rod of the groove becomes invariable at the insertion points of the collecting dies 29 and 32, that is, the tape-shaped optical fiber cores.
[0004]
Therefore, the plurality of tape-shaped optical fiber cores 28 supplied from the core wire supply reel 27 at the first insertion point are not changed in the circumferential angular position of the groove in the collecting die 29. The tape-shaped optical fiber core 28 is always inserted into the slot of the slot rod 21 in the same state. Similarly, at the second insertion point, the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 31 supplied from the core wire supply reel 30 is not changed in the circumferential angular position of the groove in the collecting die 32, and therefore the tape The optical fiber core 31 is always inserted into the slot of the slot rod 21 in the same state. On the slot rod 21 in which the tape-shaped optical fiber is inserted, the tape is wound by the tape winding device 33 and taken up by the winding drum 26 of the winding device 24 while being taken up by the take-up device 25.
[0005]
In the manufacturing process using such an optical cable manufacturing apparatus, an operation of replacing the winding drum is inevitably generated. When replacing the winding drum, the apparatus is stopped, the cable is cut, and the connection to the replaced drum is performed. As described above, since manufacturing is performed in a state where tension is applied between the feeding-side core wire supply reel and the take-up device of the winding device, slack is generated by cutting the cable when the drum is replaced. Sometimes.
[0006]
As a take-up device provided in the winding device, a capstan (foil-type draw mechanism) is used. Usually, a rubber lining is applied to a groove portion of the capstan, and slack is suppressed by a frictional resistance. However, a part of the tape material wound around the outer circumference of the cable adheres to the surface of the rubber lining, resulting in slipping and loosening. It has also been found that slacking occurs even when the grip force is reduced by surface hardening due to deterioration of the rubber itself. Some types of cables have high tensile strength, and slack is likely to occur in the manufacture of such cables. Furthermore, when the slack on the winding drum side is released, the gripping force of the capstan is reduced, and slack may occur. Since the position of the insertion point is shifted when the cable being manufactured loosens when stopped, the cable and the optical fiber core are damaged at the insertion point and the like, causing a defect.
[0007]
Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the tension even when the vehicle is stopped. On the site, in order to suppress the slack of the cable, the drum replacement work was performed by two workers, and the terminal was cut by one person. Some have taken measures such as gripping and preventing loosening, but improvement is desired in that it is not perfect and requires temporary human intervention.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-155249
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical cable manufacturing apparatus capable of preventing cable slack even when stopped.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to an optical cable manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical cable by inserting an optical fiber core wire into a slot of a slot rod, and the winding device by inserting the optical fiber core wire into a slot of the slot rod to which tension is applied In the optical cable manufacturing apparatus configured to be wound around, the winding device is configured to be rotatable about the central axis of the optical cable introduced into the winding device as a rotation center axis, and applies tension to the slot rod. And a cable catcher for holding and holding the optical cable on the downstream side of the take-up device. Further, the cable catcher can be constituted by a capstan and a pressing member.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part for explaining an example of an embodiment of a cable manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an optical cable, 2 is a winding device, 3 is a frame, 4 is a disk member, 4a is a window, 4b is a support arm, 5, 6 and 7 are turn rollers, 8 is a capstan, and 8a and 8b are caps. A stun wheel, 9 is a guide roller, 10 is a winding drum, 11 is a hollow shaft, 12 is a rotating device, 13 is a support roller, 14 is a cable catcher, 14a is a mounting member, 15 is an air cylinder, 15 is a valve, 16, 16 'is a hose, 16a is a hose drum, 17 is a coupler, 18 is a pressure adjusting valve, and 19 is a hose storage.
[0012]
A winding device 2 for winding the manufactured optical cable 1 is supported by a frame 3 and a disk-like member 4. On the frame 3, turn rollers 5, 6 and 7 are rotatably supported, and a capstan 8 used as a take-up device is mounted so as to be rotated by receiving a driving force from a driving source (not shown). . In this example, the capstan 8 is constituted by two rows of capstan wheels 8a and 8b. However, the take-up device is not limited to the capstan, and may be of a type using a capstan belt. A window 4a is formed in the disk member 4, and a guide roller 9 is pivotally supported. Further, the disk member 4 is formed with a support arm 4 b and supports the support shaft of the winding drum 10. The winding drum 10 is also given a rotational force by a driving source (not shown). The slot rod is tensioned by the take-up device and the supply brake wheel mechanism on the supply side of the slot rod.
[0013]
The entire winding device 2 is rotatable, and as described with reference to FIG. 2, the winding device 2 is rotationally driven around the central axis of the optical cable 1 to be wound. That is, the hollow shaft 11 attached to one end of the frame 3 is rotated by the rotating device 12, and the disk member 4 is rotatably supported by the support roller 13, so that the winding device 2 is centered on the hollow shaft 11. And an axis passing through the center of the disk member 4 as a rotation axis. Since the winding device 2 is rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the slot rod of the optical cable 1, that is, as described in FIG. 2, the slot rod has a one-way spiral. In the case of a so-called SZ slot in which the rotation direction of the groove is periodically reversed, the rotation device 2 is not rotated.
[0014]
An optical cable 1 formed by inserting an optical fiber core wire, for example, a tape-shaped optical fiber core wire or a single core wire, into the slot of the slot rod passes through the hollow shaft 11 and enters the turn roller 6. Then, the next turn roller 5 turns to enter the roller on the near side of the capstan roller 8a of the capstan 8. After turning around between the capstan rollers 8a and 8b a plurality of times, entering the lower side of the turn roller 7, turning around the turn roller 7 and exiting from the upper side, turning the turn roller 7 to guide It passes through the roller 9 and enters the take-up drum 10 to be taken up.
[0015]
The frame is arranged so that the cable catcher 14 is disposed on the downstream side of the capstan 8 between the capstan 8 and the winding drum 10, in this example, the path after the capstan 8 is turned by the turn roller 7. It is attached on the attachment member 14a fixed to the 3. The cable catcher 14 is normally urged by a spring (not shown) so as not to sandwich the optical cable 1, and operates when air pressure is supplied to the air cylinder 15. In this state, the optical cable 1 is sandwiched. Grab.
[0016]
Air pressure is supplied to the hose 16 via a valve 15 from a pump or a compressed air tank (not shown). The hose 16 is housed in the hose drum 16a so as to be freely drawn out. A coupler (not shown) is attached to the tip of the hose 16 so that it can be attached to and detached from the coupler 17 provided on the frame 3 side of the winding device 2. Since the winding device 2 may rotate, the hose 16 is normally detached from the winding device side and the tip portion is stored in the hose storage unit 19. You may make it latch using a hook etc. FIG.
[0017]
In a state where the winding device 2 is not rotating, a state in which a coupler (not shown) attached to the tip of the hose 16 is connected to the coupler 17 on the winding device 2 side is indicated by a broken line 16 '. Yes. When the valve 15 is opened, compressed air is introduced into the air cylinder 14b from the coupler 17 through the pressure adjusting valve 18 through the hose 16 ', and the cable catcher 14 operates in the closing direction to grip the optical cable 1. . The gripping force has an appropriate range depending on the type of optical cable, such as the diameter and tension of the optical cable. By adjusting the pressure adjusting valve 18 to an air pressure suitable for the optical cable being manufactured, an appropriate gripping force can be obtained. Instead of providing the pressure adjusting valve 18, the supply pressure of air supplied through the valve 15 may be adjusted.
[0018]
A stop operation by replacing the winding drum will be described. First, the optical cable manufacturing apparatus is turned off and stopped. Of course, some of the power supplies may remain on, but at least in the state where the optical cable 1 is in tension, the supply of the optical fiber core wire, the supply of the slot rod, and the movement and winding of the optical cable 1 are stopped. The hose 16 is removed from the hose storage unit 19 and connected to the coupler 17. If the pressure adjustment valve 18 is not adjusted to an appropriate pressure, adjustment is performed. When the valve 15 is opened, the cable catcher 14 is operated to hold the optical cable 1. In this state, the optical cable 1 is cut leaving a surplus length for attachment to the new winding drum 10. In the cut state, the optical cable 1 is not loosened by the gripping force of the cable catcher 14. If the cable catcher 14 is provided on the downstream side of the capstan 8, the frictional resistance of the capstan 8 can back up the gripping state of the cable catcher 14. Next, the winding drum 10 is replaced, and the end is attached to the winding drum 10 so that the optical cable coming out of the cable catcher 14 is not slackened. Finally, the valve 15 is closed, the hose 16 is removed from the coupler 17 and returned to the hose storage unit 19.
[0019]
A limit switch, a proximity switch, or the like may be provided in the hose storage unit 19 so that when the hose 16 is not in the hose storage unit 19, the optical cable manufacturing apparatus that is turned off may not be turned on. Workability and forgetting to remove the hose 16 during re-operation can be prevented. Therefore, the operation is not performed with the optical cable 1 sandwiched between the cable catchers 14. In this case, on / off of the power supply may be controlled using a signal based on an on / off state of a limit switch, a proximity switch, or the like as a control signal. By returning the hose 16 to the hose storage unit 19, the power of the optical cable manufacturing apparatus can be turned on and restarted.
As described above, the hose detection means such as a limit switch provided in the hose storage unit 19 may be used as a safety device. However, the hose detection means controls the power on / off of the optical cable manufacturing apparatus, and the hose 16 is hose. The optical cable manufacturing apparatus is stopped by a signal from the hose detection means by removing it from the storage unit 19, and the optical cable manufacturing apparatus is restarted by a signal from the hose detection means by returning the hose 16 to the hose storage unit 19. May be.
[0020]
Thus, since the cable catcher 14 is provided inside the winding device 2 configured as a rotating cage, a hose for supplying air as power for moving the cable catcher 14 after the equipment is stopped. 16 was connected to the winding device side to operate the cable catcher 14. A surface of the cable catcher 14 that holds the optical cable 1 is attached with rubber having an appropriate hardness in order to prevent the optical cable 1 from being damaged and to have a gripping force. Good.
[0021]
The cable catcher may be configured by the pressing member and the capstan wheel with the pressing member facing the capstan wheel. Also in this case, the pressing member is operated by an air cylinder. Further, the pressing member is made to face the capstan wheel on the outlet side of the capstan, so that the capstan can back up the holding of the optical cable by the friction force when the cable catcher is operated. Even in this case, it is preferable to attach rubber having an appropriate hardness to at least the inner surface of the capstan wheel facing the pressing member and the pressing surface of the pressing member. The capstan should be braked when stopped.
[0022]
In the above description, the cable catcher is operated by the air cylinder, but an electromagnetic mechanism such as an electromagnetic coil and a plunger may be used. Also in that case, the connection cable for supplying the operating power to the electromagnetic mechanism can be connected and stored in the same manner as the hose described above.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, a cable catcher that holds and holds the optical cable on the downstream side of the take-up device, or a pressing member that faces the capstan on the outlet side of the capstan, By providing a cable catcher that holds the optical cable between the capstan and the pressing member, the cable catcher can be surely prevented from loosening, and the optical cable is not damaged when the take-up drum is replaced. There is an effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part for explaining an example of an embodiment of a cable manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical cable manufacturing apparatus for explaining an example of the optical cable manufacturing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical cable, 2 ... Winding device, 3 ... Frame, 4 ... Disk member, 4a ... Window, 4b ... Support arm, 5, 6, 7 ... Turn roller, 8 ... Capstan, 8a, 8b ... Capstan wheel, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Guide roller, 10 ... Winding drum, 11 ... Hollow shaft, 12 ... Rotating device, 13 ... Support roller, 14 ... Cable catcher, 14a ... Mounting member, 15 ... Air cylinder, 15 ... Valve, 16, 16 '... Hose, 16a ... hose drum, 17 ... coupler, 18 ... pressure regulating valve, 19 ... hose storage part.

Claims (8)

An optical cable manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical cable by inserting an optical fiber core wire into a groove of a slot rod, wherein the optical fiber core wire is inserted into a groove of the slot rod to which tension is applied and wound by a winding device. In the optical cable manufacturing apparatus, the winding device is configured to be rotatable with the central axis of the optical cable introduced into the winding device as a rotation central axis, and for applying tension to the slot rod. And a cable catcher for holding and holding the optical cable on the downstream side of the take-up device. The optical cable manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein rubber is attached to a surface of the cable catcher that holds the optical cable. The optical cable manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cable catcher is urged by a spring in an opening direction and is operated by an air cylinder in a closing direction. An optical cable manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical cable by inserting an optical fiber core wire into a groove of a slot rod, wherein the optical fiber core wire is inserted into a groove of the slot rod to which tension is applied and wound by a winding device. In the optical cable manufacturing apparatus, the winding device is configured to be rotatable with the central axis of the optical cable introduced into the winding device as the rotation central axis, and for applying tension to the slot rod. And a pressing member facing the capstan on the outlet side of the capstan, and an optical cable is sandwiched and held between the capstan and the pressing member. The optical cable manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein rubber is attached to the pressing member and a surface of the capstan that faces the pressing member that grips the optical cable. 6. The optical cable manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pressing member is urged by a spring in an opening direction and is operated by an air cylinder in a closing direction. Control means for preventing hose detection means from being activated when a hose storage means for holding a hose for introducing compressed air into the air cylinder is provided, and the hose detection means is not detecting a hose. The optical cable manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 or 6, characterized by comprising: The optical cable manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 or 6, wherein an air pressure introduced into the air cylinder is adjustable.

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