JP4015140B2 - Method for manufacturing self-supporting optical fiber cable with extra length - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a self-supporting optical fiber cable with a surplus length, and mainly relates to a manufacturing method for efficiently cooling a batch coating of a self-supporting cable with a surplus length.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a self-supporting cable with extra length. As shown in FIG. 7, the extra-length self-supporting cable 13 is such that the cable 14 is longer than the support wire 2, that is, the extra length is inserted, and both are connected by an intermittent portion called a neck portion 15.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a self-supporting cable. As a manufacturing method of a self-supporting cable with a surplus length, first, when the support wire 2 and the cable 14 are collectively coated 16 with a coating machine, a self-supporting cable 17 as shown in FIG. Is done.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a surplus length imparting sheave. Grooves 18 and 19 in which the support wire 2 of the self-supporting cable 17 and the cable 14 are accommodated are provided on the peripheral surface of the surplus length giving sheave shown in FIG. If the radius of the circle passing through the center of the support line 2 of the self-supporting cable 17 in contact with the circumference of the surplus length imparting sheave 11 is R and the radius of the circle passing through the center of the cable 14 is (R + α), the geometric Scientifically, (R / (R + α)) × 100% is the extra length ratio.

Using the surplus length imparting sheave 11 shown in FIG. 9, the cable side is pulled at a higher speed than the support line side of the self-supporting cable 17, and the support line is determined by the difference in circumferential length between R and (R + α) of the surplus length imparting sheave 11. For example, a method of adding an extra length to the cable 14 with respect to 2 is known.

  In this method, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-7-230028 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-8-75969 (Patent Document 2), a cable is wound around a capstan having an extra length providing function. It is a method of taking out and cooling a cable by a water tank containing the capstan.

  Also, in another example different from Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, for example, using three surplus length imparting sheaves 11, the cable 14 is brought into contact with each surplus length imparting sheave 11 by approximately 90 degrees and taken up. There is a method in which the cable 14 is cooled by a water tank in which the extra length imparting sheave 11 is incorporated. After the contact between the cable 14 and the surplus length imparting sheave 11 (or capstan), when the collective covering that covers the cable 14 and the support wire 2 is uncured in the surplus length imparting sheave 11 (or capstan), It will be crushed by the compression by contact with the surplus length imparting sheave 11. For this reason, a cooling device such as a water tank is required. As means for increasing the cooling capacity, adjustment of the length of the water tank and the water temperature is known.

  As another cooling means, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-266678 (Patent Document 4) blows out a bubble that causes a fountain flow with a nozzle in a direction perpendicular to a cable in a cooling water tank, impedes cooling, and causes appearance defects. Means are disclosed. Moreover, this patent document 4 discloses a means for applying a water flow from a water-cooled nozzle alternately one side at a time as a means for blowing bubbles.

The flow rate in the water tank and the distance in the longitudinal direction are greatly related to the cooling effect of the water tank. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-207146 (Patent Document 5) discloses adjusting the length of a cooling section by expanding and contracting a nested movable water tank. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-305093 (Patent Document 3) discloses that the damming side surfaces before and after the water tank are translated in the longitudinal direction to keep the cross-sectional area distribution constant.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-230028 JP-A-8-75969 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-305093 JP 2001-266678 A JP 2002-207146 A

However, the above method has the following problems.

First of all, when performing surplus length using surplus length imparting sheaves, in order to prevent the collective coating from being crushed or flattened at the contact point with the surplus length imparting sheave, the collective covering is performed just before the contact point with the surplus length imparting sheave. The temperature must be below the curing temperature.

After the contact with the surplus length imparting sheave, the surplus length imparting sheave must be pulled with a difference in wire speed between the cable and the support wire, and the surplus length must be increased by raising the collective coating surface temperature to some extent.

However, in the conventional cooling device by adjusting the length of the water tank or the water temperature, the cooling capacity is constant in the longitudinal direction, so that the collective coating surface temperature has a decay curve distribution in the longitudinal direction. Even if the average cooling function force can be adjusted, the temperature setting of the surplus contact sheave contact and the subsequent portions cannot be freely performed.

  In the conventional apparatus, if the cooling capacity is insufficient, the collective coating is crushed by contact with the contact with the surplus length imparting sheave. Conversely, if the cooling capacity is excessive by increasing the cooling length or lowering the water temperature, the surplus length cannot be stably controlled after the surplus length imparting sheave.

  Furthermore, since the cross-sectional area is uniform in the conventional water tank, the water flow flows regularly and uniformly, and the heat of the collective coating accumulates in the cooling water around the cable, resulting in poor cooling efficiency.

  And in the combination of the movable tank and the non-movable tank where the cross-sectional area of the conventional aquarium is switched, in order to change the flow rate at the aquarium boundary surface and to discharge water from both sides, The direction becomes unstable.

  Finally, in the conventional bubble blowing nozzle, the water flow is applied to each side, so there is a risk that the bubbles escape to the opposite side.

In order to solve the conventional problems, the inventors have conducted intensive research. The first aspect of the method for manufacturing a self-supporting fiber cable with surplus length according to the present invention is such that a surplus length imparting sheave on the coating machine exit side is brought into contact with the support line and the cable to make a difference in transaction speed, A method of manufacturing a self-supporting type optical fiber cable with a surplus length that coats the cable with a coater and gives a surplus length, wherein the support wire and the cable after the collective coating are provided on the exit side of the coater The water flows in one direction toward the cable inlet , and passes through a water tank in which a partition that sharply squeezes the cross-sectional area of the water flow path is provided. The surface temperature of the collective coating is given the extra length. Before the contact with the sheave, the cable is locally cooled to a temperature equal to or lower than the curing temperature, and after the contact with the surplus length sheave, the cable is cooled so as to have a positive temperature gradient in the longitudinal direction of the support line and the cable. With features That. The outlet here also serves as a cable inlet described later. The cable may be an optical fiber cable or the like.

According to a second aspect of the method for producing a self-supporting fiber cable with surplus length according to the present invention, the collective coating is cooled by a refrigerant jetted by a cooling nozzle immediately before contacting the surplus length imparting sheave. .

According to a third aspect of the method for manufacturing a self-supporting fiber cable with surplus length according to the present invention, the surplus length imparting sheave is provided in the water tank, and the cable introduction port is provided on the surface of the water tank on the coating machine side. The support line and the cable are inserted into the water tank and brought into contact with the extra length-giving sheave, and at least a portion immediately before the extra length-giving sheave in the water tank is cooled by flowing water in a direction opposite to the cable travel. The surface where the cable inlet is provided is translated in the longitudinal direction without changing the cross-sectional area of the water tank, thereby adjusting the temperature by adjusting the start position of cooling with water.

A fourth aspect of the method for manufacturing a self-supporting fiber cable with extra length according to the present invention is characterized in that a water flow is simultaneously applied to the cable by a bubble blowing nozzle in the water layer.

  By the manufacturing method of the self-supporting type optical fiber cable with extra length according to the present invention, the core is cured at the time of contact with the first extra length-giving sheave due to the increase in the cooling effect by the water-cooled nozzle or partition, so that the flatness does not occur. Get smaller. Further, the surplus length can be stably provided after the surplus length providing sheave that comes into contact first.

In addition, the cable manufacturing method of the present invention allowed the flatness of the cable cross section to fall within the range of 6% to less than 3%. Moreover, the surplus length could be controlled to the target value by adjusting the water cooling section with these and the surface. Furthermore, it was possible to prevent the appearance defect by blowing off bubbles adhering to the cable by the jets of the nozzles mounted on the top and bottom, and preventing the cooling of the self-supporting cable with extra length. In addition, it has become possible to increase the line speed of the self-supporting cable with extra length.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view for schematically explaining the main part of a self-supporting cable manufacturing apparatus with extra length according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a self-supporting cable manufacturing apparatus with a surplus length in this form includes an optical fiber cable 1, a support wire 2, a self-supporting optical fiber cable 3, a coating machine 4, water tanks 5 and 6, a surface 7, It consists of a partition 8, a bubble blowing nozzle 9, a water cooling nozzle 10, and extra length imparting sheaves 111 to 113.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a self-supporting cable. In the coating machine 4, the optical fiber cable 1 and the support wire 2 are collectively covered with a thermoplastic resin 16 or the like, and the cross section of the portion where the optical fiber cable 1 and the support wire 2 are coupled is a saddle shape as shown in FIG. Such a self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 is formed. However, immediately after leaving the coating machine 4, the batch coating 16 is in an uncured state. For this reason, the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 is cooled by passing through the water tank 5 and the water tank 6.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a bubble blowing nozzle. As shown in FIG. 4, when the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 enters the water tank 5, bubbles 12 are attached to the surface of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3. The bubbles 12 interfere with cooling of the collective coating with the cooling water and cause appearance defects. Therefore, the bubbles 12 are removed by the jets of the bubble blowing nozzles 9 attached to the upper and lower sides of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3. . The bubble blowing nozzle 9 is provided above and below the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 and applies a water flow at the same time on the front and back, so that bubbles can be effectively removed by suppressing the escape of bubbles to the opposite side. The bubble blowing nozzle 9 removes bubbles by a jet to improve cooling characteristics, suppresses poor appearance, and, together with a water cooling nozzle 10 described later, a self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 comes into contact with the sheave 11 before the self-supporting optical fiber. The cable 3 is locally cooled, and the surface temperature of the collective coating is set to be equal to or lower than the curing temperature before contacting the surplus length imparting sheave, and after contacting with the surplus length imparting sheave, the longitudinal direction of the support wire and the cable in contributes to Taseru lifting a positive temperature gradient.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a surface of the water tank 5 that can move in the longitudinal direction. X indicates the movement range of the surface. This water tank 5 is constituted by a side wall and a surface 7 on the coating machine side where an inlet to the water tank 5 of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 is provided. The surface 7 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. It is possible to translate the range of X with respect to the longitudinal direction. That is, the surface 7 can adjust the water cooling section shown in FIG. 1 while keeping the cross-sectional area of the water tank 5 uniform in the longitudinal direction.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram regarding the partition 8 of the water tank 5 and the flow of water in the water tank. As shown in FIG. 5, in the water tank 5, a regular water flow can be generated in one direction, but the water flow is disturbed by abruptly changing the cross-sectional area by attaching several partitions 8 in the middle of the water tank. Heat exchange from the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 to the cooling water is improved by stirring the cooling water around the supporting optical fiber cable 3.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the water cooling nozzle 10 in the water tank 6. The water-cooling nozzle 10 locally cools the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 before the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 comes into contact with the extra-length-providing sheave 11, and changes the surface temperature of the collective coating to the extra-length- providing sheave. short of contacting the following curing temperatures and, after contact with the extra length imparting sheave in the longitudinal direction of the support wire and cable, in which Taseru lifting a positive temperature gradient. By the way, in this embodiment, since the aquarium 6 accommodates the extra-length-giving sheave 11, the bottom is deeper and wider than the aquarium 5, so the cross-sectional area is very large, and the cooling water in the aquarium is almost stopped. It becomes a state. In this state, heat accumulates in the cooling water around the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 and the cooling effect is reduced. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the water-cooling nozzle 10 faces the entire self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 and before the surplus length imparting sheave 11. , And the water jets are reflected and interfered with the aquarium wall and the water surface, and the momentum of the jet is held to a long distance in the front, so the cooling water moves over the longitudinal direction of the aquarium, The cooling effect on the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 in front of the sheave 11 that is in contact with the surplus length imparting sheave 11 is enhanced and effectively
The surface temperature of the bulk coating, the excess length granted sheave just before contacting to below the curing temperature and, after contact with the extra length imparting sheave in the longitudinal direction of the support wire and cable, Taseru lifting a positive temperature gradient This is preferable. Even if a plurality of water-cooling nozzles 10 are arranged, it is effective.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a surplus length imparting sheave. By biting the optical fiber cable 1 and the support line 2 of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 with a surplus length providing sheave 11 as shown in FIG. An extra length is generated between the optical fiber cable 1 and the support wire 2. As shown in FIG. 1, after the surplus length giving sheave 111, there is no water cooling nozzle 10, the cooling capacity around the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 is relatively weak, and the amount of heat in the batch coating gradually increases on the surface. As it is transmitted, the temperature of the coating surface rises and softens again.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing changes in the surface temperature of the collective coating 16 from immediately before the water tank of the present invention and Comparative Example 1 to after the surplus-length imparting sheave 113. As shown in FIG. 2A, the present invention is a graph showing a concave temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction. That is, the surface temperature of the collective coating is set to be equal to or lower than the curing temperature before coming into contact with the surplus length imparting sheave, and after the contact with the surplus length imparting sheave, a positive temperature gradient is formed in the longitudinal direction of the support wire and the cable. It has come to have. The range surrounded by the pitch lines shown in FIG. 2 represents a contact section from the surplus length imparting sheave 111 to the surplus length imparting sheave 113.

表 ２

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to comparative examples described in Tables 1 and 2 below.
Table 1

Table 2

  In Comparative Example 1, the partition 8 and the water cooling nozzle 10 are removed from the embodiment of the present invention, and the water temperature is set to 10 ° C. in the water tank 5 and the water tank 6 as in the present invention. If the surface temperature of the collective coating of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 at the time of extrusion is 180 ° C., the surface temperature of the collective coating 16 of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 hardly decreases in the air-cooling section immediately before the water tank. .

However, when the surface temperature of the collective coating 16 of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 enters the water tank 5, as shown in the graph of FIG. If the surface temperature of the collective coating 16 of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 is not less than 30 ° C. at the position of the extra length imparting sheave 111, the collective coating surface is not sufficiently cured. The self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 is flattened.

  In Comparative Example 2, the water temperature is 2 ° C. in the water tank 5 and the water tank 6 in the embodiment of the present invention. As in Comparative Example 1, when the surface temperature of the collective coating 16 of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 at the time of extrusion is 180 ° C., the collective of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 is almost in the air-cooling section immediately before the water tank. The surface temperature of the coating 16 does not decrease. However, when the surface temperature of the collective covering 16 of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 enters the water tank 5, it decreases in an attenuation curve.

  This is because the cooling capacity is increased on average by setting the water temperature to 2 ° C. in the water tank 5 and the water tank 6. Therefore, the surface of the collective coating 16 of the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 is sufficiently cured, and the self-supporting optical fiber cable 3 can be prevented from being flattened by contact with the surplus length imparting sheave 111.

  However, since the heat conductivity of the material (generally polyethylene) is small inside the collective coating, there is almost no difference in the internal temperature drop of the collective coating 16. At the position of the surplus length imparting sheave 111, the internal temperature of the collective coating is 160 ° C., and at the position of the surplus length imparting sheave 113, it is about 140 ° C. Thus, if the temperature difference between the internal temperature and the surface temperature of the collective coating 16 is too large, the difference between the internal hardness of the collective coating 16 and the hardness of the surface portion becomes large. In the section where the extra-length-provided sheave 11 is pulling the extra-length self-supporting optical fiber cable 3, the uncured portion of the collective coating 16 is deformed, but strain is accumulated in the cured portion of the collective coating 16.

  When the tension is released after leaving the surplus length imparting sheave 113, the hardened portion of the collective coating 16 is shrunk by the restoring force, resulting in a smaller surplus length ratio. Furthermore, when the difference between the hardness of the inside of the collective coating 16 and the hardness of the surface portion becomes large, the appearance of the wrinkles and dents in the collective coating 16 due to the shrinkage of only the surface of the collective coating 16 results.

  In the present invention, the surface temperature of the collective coating 16 is controlled from 20 ° C. to 30 ° C., and the temperature difference between the surface and the inside of the collective coating 16 is maintained appropriately, so that there is no flatness and the extra length is sufficient.

  In addition, although it was used when odd-numbered (for example, three) extra-length-giving sheaves were arranged in a staggered manner as in the present embodiment, it is preferable because the cable inlet and outlet can be arranged in a straight line. The number of sheaves may be other than three. When the groove is formed in the sheave, the position where the cable contacts the sheave is stable and preferable, but it is not always necessary. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, one extra length imparting capstan 115 may be used, and the self-indicating optical fiber cable 3 may be wound around the extra length imparting capstan 115 and pulled. In addition to water, various gases and liquids can be used as the refrigerant, but it is preferable to apply water in consideration of cooling efficiency, economy, and safety.

  By the method for manufacturing a self-supporting optical fiber cable with extra length according to the present invention, the cooling effect is increased by a water-cooled nozzle or a partition, so that the cable is cured at the time of contact with the extra length-giving sheave, so that the flattening is reduced. . In addition, the surplus length can be stably provided after the surplus length giving sheave.

In addition, the cable manufacturing method of the present invention allowed the flatness of the cross section of the optical fiber cable to fall from 6% to less than 3%. Moreover, the surplus length could be controlled to the target value by adjusting the water cooling section with these and the surface. Furthermore, the bubble adhering to the cable was blown off by the jets of the bubble blowing nozzles installed on the top and bottom, and the hindrance to the cooling of the cable was eliminated, thereby preventing appearance defects. In addition, the cable production speed can be increased. As described above, the industrial utility value is high.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating a main part of a self-supporting cable manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, (a) is a graph showing the surface temperature of the collective coating of the self-supporting optical fiber cable by the manufacturing method of the present invention. 2B is a graph showing the surface temperature of the collective coating of the self-supporting optical fiber cable of Comparative Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a surface movable in the longitudinal direction of the front water tank. X indicates the movement range of the surface. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a bubble blowing nozzle. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram relating to the partition 8 of the water tank 5 and the flow of water in the water tank 5. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the water cooling nozzle 10 in the water tank 6. FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a self-supporting cable with extra length. FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a self-supporting cable. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the surplus length imparting sheave. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment schematically illustrating the main part of the self-supporting cable manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber cable 2 Support line 3 Self-supporting type optical fiber cable 4 Coating machine 5, 6 Water tank 7 Surface 8 Partition 9 Bubble blowing nozzle 10 Water cooling nozzle 11 111-113 Extra length grant sheave 115 Extra length grant capstan 12 Foam 13 Extra Long self-supporting cable 14 Cable 15 Neck 16 Batch coating 17 Self-supporting cable 18, 19 Groove

Claims (4)

A self-supporting type with surplus length that gives a surplus length by applying a surplus length to the sheave on the exit side of the coating machine by contacting the support wire and the cable to make a difference in transaction speed, and coating the support wire and cable with a coating machine. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable,
A support wire and cable after the collective coating are provided on the outlet side of the coating machine, and a partition is installed to rapidly reduce the cross-sectional area of the water flow path in the middle of the flow of water toward the cable inlet. Passed through the aquarium,
The surface temperature of the collective coating is locally cooled before the contact with the surplus length imparting sheave to a curing temperature or less, and after contact with the surplus length imparting sheave, the longitudinal direction of the support wire and the cable The method of manufacturing a self-supporting optical fiber cable with a surplus length, wherein the cooling is performed so as to have a positive temperature gradient. 2. The method of manufacturing a self-supporting optical fiber cable with a surplus length according to claim 1, wherein the collective coating is cooled by a refrigerant jetted by a cooling nozzle immediately before contacting the surplus length imparting sheave. The surplus length imparting sheave is provided in the water tank, and the support wire and the cable are inserted into the water tank from a cable introduction port provided on the surface of the water tank on the coating machine side, and are brought into contact with the surplus length imparting sheave. The water tank is cooled by flowing water in a direction opposite to the cable travel at least immediately before the sheave giving sheave, and the surface provided with the cable inlet is elongated without changing the cross-sectional area of the water tank. The method for manufacturing a self-supporting optical fiber cable with extra length according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature is adjusted by adjusting the start position of cooling with water by translating in the direction. 4. The method of manufacturing a self-supporting optical fiber cable with extra length according to claim 1, wherein a water flow is simultaneously applied to the cable by a bubble blowing nozzle in the water layer. 5.

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