JP4983937B2 - Apparatus and method for manufacturing SZ slot type optical fiber cable - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of an SZ slot type optical fiber cable in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are accommodated in a groove formed in an SZ shape.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, SZ slot type optical fiber cables are known in which spiral grooves that are alternately inverted are formed in a cylindrical member, and a plurality of optical fiber cores are accommodated therein.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a conventional SZ slot type optical fiber cable. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an SZ slot type optical fiber cable. This SZ slot type optical fiber cable (hereinafter, simply referred to as an optical fiber cable) 1 is composed of a plurality of strips in which a tension member 3 made of a steel wire, a steel stranded wire or the like is embedded in the center and formed in an SZ shape on the outer surface side. It is formed using an SZ slot 4 made of a resin rod having a groove.

  A plurality of optical fiber ribbons 2 are accommodated in the grooves of the SZ slot 4, and the coarse winding string 5 and the upper winding tape 6 are wound around the outer periphery of the SZ slot 4 to cover the optical fiber ribbon 2. And the thing of the shape which coat | covered the outer side of the upper winding tape 6 with the cable jacket 7 formed by extrusion molding is common (for example, refer patent document 1).

  The optical fiber cable 1 has a structure in which the groove for accommodating the optical fiber ribbon 2 is inverted at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of the SZ slot 4 as shown in the cross sections A, B, and C of FIG. As a result, it is possible to easily take out only the desired optical fiber core wire simply by removing the jacket at the intermediate portion without cutting the optical fiber cable.

JP 2007-212523 A

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a conventional SZ slot type optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus. In the figure, 10 is a supply reel of the SZ slot 4, 11 is a brake device, 12 is a supply reel of the optical fiber ribbon 2, 13 is an insertion jig such as a die, 14 is a coarse winding device, and 15 is the upper A winding tape winding device, 16 is a take-up device, and 17 is a take-up reel. The optical fiber ribbon 2 and the SZ slot 4 are prepared while being wound around the supply reels 10 and 12, respectively.

  The SZ slot 4 is supplied from the supply reel 10 via the brake device 11 to the insertion jig 13. On the other hand, the optical fiber ribbon 2 is supplied from the supply reel 12 to the insertion jig 13. Then, the optical fiber ribbon 2 is inserted into the groove of the SZ slot 4 while being pressed by the insertion jig 13, and a rough winding string such as nylon yarn is wound by the rough winding string winding device 14. As a result, the optical fiber tape core 2 is prevented from dropping out from the groove of the SZ slot 4.

  After the upper winding tape is wound around the SZ slot 4 a around which the above-described rough winding string is wound, the upper winding tape winding device 15 winds the upper winding tape, and the take-up device 16 takes it up and winds it around the take-up reel 17. The SZ slot 4b wound around the take-up reel 17 is separately covered with a cable jacket 7 to form the optical fiber cable 1.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration in the vicinity of the insertion jig shown in FIG. The optical fiber ribbon 2 is inserted into the SZ slot 4 while being pressed by the insertion jig 13. The insertion jig 13 is, for example, a ring-shaped member, and the opening diameter thereof is larger than the diameter of the SZ slot 4 so that the optical fiber ribbon 2 is not inserted into the gap between the insertion jig 13 and the SZ slot 4. Is slightly larger. For this reason, the optical fiber ribbon 2 can be appropriately inserted into the groove of the SZ slot 4. In addition, the coarsely wound string winding device 14 supplies the coarsely wound string 5 from a supply reel (not shown) and coarsely winds the SZ slot 4 immediately after the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is inserted by the winding jig 14a. Wrap the string 5.

  In the above assembly process, it is important that the optical fiber ribbon 2 is smoothly and smoothly accommodated in the groove of the SZ slot 4. For this purpose, for example, an assembly die as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is used. However, since the insertion jig 13 is always used in contact with the SZ slot 4 and the optical fiber ribbon 2, the jig itself is used. It will wear out. The worn insertion jig has a large opening diameter, and the gap between the insertion jig 13 and the SZ slot 4 is enlarged. That is, in a normal state in which the insertion jig 13 is not worn, the gap g1 is small as shown in FIG. 9A, and the optical fiber ribbon 2 is not detached from the groove of the SZ slot 4. . However, in a state where the wear of the insertion jig 13 has progressed, as shown in FIG. 9B, the insertion jig 13 spreads into the gap g2 (> gap g1), and the optical fiber ribbon 2 is detached from the groove of the SZ slot 4. .

  When the coarsely wound string 5 is wound in a state where the optical fiber ribbon 2 is removed from the groove of the SZ slot 4, as shown in FIG. 10, the optical fiber ribbon 2 is held in the off-groove state. Will be. In addition to this, the groove of the optical fiber ribbon 2 may occur even if the shape of the SZ slot 4 is poor or the tension of the coarse winding 5 is insufficient.

  In the above, the performance of optical fiber ribbons in recent years has been improved, transmission characteristics do not deteriorate at the degree of bending imparted by groove detachment, and groove detachment cannot be detected by inspection using an OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) or the like. There is. Moreover, if the optical fiber ribbon is covered with the cable jacket in a state where it is out of the groove of the SZ slot, it is difficult to find out of the groove by visual inspection or the like of the appearance. In such a case, the optical fiber cable is shipped without being aware of the occurrence of the groove detachment, and after the optical fiber cable has been laid and passed for a long time, the transmission characteristics deteriorate due to the groove detachment. There is a problem.

  In recent years, image processing techniques have been improved, and a method for detecting the detachment of the optical fiber ribbon from the image is also conceivable. However, the optical fiber ribbon is a small member having a width of 1.1 mm and a thickness of about 0.3 mm in the case of four fibers, and the SZ slot differs in the number of grooves, the inversion cycle, the groove shape, etc. depending on the type. . For this reason, even if an advanced image processing technique is used to detect that the optical fiber ribbon is out of the groove of the SZ slot, it is considered difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an SZ slot type optical fiber cable that can easily detect that an optical fiber core is disconnected from a groove of an SZ slot. The purpose is to do.

An apparatus for manufacturing an SZ slot type optical fiber cable according to the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an SZ slot type optical fiber cable in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are accommodated in a groove formed in an SZ shape. Inserting means for inserting the core wire into the groove of the SZ slot, winding means for winding the coarsely wound string around the SZ slot in which a plurality of optical fiber core wires are inserted by the inserting means, and the coarsely wound string being wound by the winding means And an external force applying means for applying an external force to the SZ slot. The external force applying means is a cylindrical coil spring, and the SZ slot around which the coarsely wound string is wound is inserted into the coil spring .

A method of manufacturing an SZ slot type optical fiber cable according to the present invention is a method of manufacturing an SZ slot type optical fiber cable in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are accommodated in a groove formed in an SZ shape. An insertion step of inserting the core wire into the groove of the SZ slot, a winding step of winding the coarse winding cord around the SZ slot in which a plurality of optical fiber core wires are inserted in the insertion step, and a rough winding cord in the winding step and a force applying step of applying an external force to the SZ slot is wound, the external force applying step, the SZ slot roughly coiled cord is wound, you inserted into the coil spring of the cylindrical shape.

  According to the present invention, the transmission characteristic of the optical fiber core wire can be intentionally deteriorated by applying an external force around the SZ slot wound with the coarse winding string. It can be easily detected by OTDR or the like that the core is disconnected.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the SZ slot type optical fiber cable by this invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the optical fiber tape core wire out of a groove | channel when external force is provided to the SZ slot with the roller shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the SZ slot type optical fiber cable by this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the external force provision means by this invention. It is a figure which shows the conventional SZ slot type | mold optical fiber cable. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional structure which reversed the groove | channel which accommodates an optical fiber tape core wire at a fixed interval along the longitudinal direction of the SZ slot with which an optical fiber cable is provided. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing apparatus of the conventional SZ slot type optical fiber cable. It is a figure which shows the structure of the insertion jig | tool vicinity shown in FIG. It is the figure which compared the normal insertion jig and the worn insertion jig. It is a figure which shows the state by which the optical fiber tape core wire removed from the groove | channel of the SZ slot, and the rough winding string was wound.

  The preferred embodiments of the SZ slot type optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus and method of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol shall be used for the part provided with the same function as the part demonstrated in FIGS. 5-10, and repeated description shall be abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an SZ slot type optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 18 denotes a roller which is an example of an external force applying means. The manufacturing apparatus shown in this example is for carrying out the assembly process of optical fiber cables, and has the same configuration as the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 7 except that the external force applying means 18 is provided. , 12, the brake device 11, the upper winding tape winding device 15, and the take-up device 16 are omitted. The insertion jig 13 corresponds to the insertion means of the present invention, and the coarsely wound string winding device 14 corresponds to the winding means of the present invention.

  The main feature of the present invention is that an external force is applied to the periphery of the SZ slot around which the coarse winding cord is wound, so that transmission characteristics are intentionally obtained with respect to the optical fiber core that is out of the groove of the SZ slot. It is intended to make it easier to detect that the optical fiber core wire is out of the groove of the SZ slot. As a configuration for this, the manufacturing apparatus includes an insertion jig 13 for inserting a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 2 into the groove of the SZ slot 4 and a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 2 inserted by the insertion jig 13. The coarse winding string winding device 14 for winding the coarse winding string around the formed SZ slot 4 and the external force applying means 18 for applying an external force to the SZ slot 4a around which the rough winding string is wound by the coarse winding string winding device 14 are provided. .

  In the above example, a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 2 are illustrated, but a configuration in which a plurality of single optical fiber cores are accommodated may be used. Further, as described above, the SZ slot 4a shows a state in which the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is inserted into the groove of the SZ slot 4 and the coarse winding string is wound, and will be described separately from the SZ slot 4.

  An external force can be applied to the SZ slot 4a by a roller which is an example of the external force applying means 18. At this time, although one roller or a pair of rollers can apply an external force to the SZ slot 4a, the portion where the external force can be applied becomes local. 2 may not bend well. For this reason, it is desirable that an external force can be applied evenly over the entire periphery of the SZ slot 4a.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the external force applying means 18 may be composed of a plurality of pairs of rollers, each of which includes a pair of rollers. Each of these plural pairs of rollers is disposed so as to sandwich the SZ slot 4a from different directions. In this example, since the roller pairs are arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, external force can be applied evenly from the vertical and horizontal directions of the SZ slot 4a. Note that it is more desirable to dispose the roller pairs in three or more directions including an oblique direction in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, because an external force can be applied to the SZ slot 4a in a wider range.

  As a result, an external force can be applied to the periphery of the SZ slot 4a, and the transmission characteristics of the optical fiber ribbon 2 can be intentionally deteriorated. It becomes possible.

  Here, the reason will be described. When the groove dislocation occurs in the SZ slot 4a, the state shown in FIG. When the external force F is applied to the SZ slot 4a in such a state by the roller shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber tape core wire 2 that is out of the groove is bent, and the state shown in FIG. 2 is obtained. That is, the optical fiber ribbon 2 out of the groove is deformed and damaged by the edge portion of the SZ slot 4 and the external force F, so that the transmission characteristics of the optical fiber are deteriorated. In this state, the upper winding tape is wound and wound on the take-up reel 17.

  Since the optical fiber core wire that has caused the detachment in the assembly process described above has deteriorated transmission characteristics due to an external force, the detachment can be easily detected by a general OTDR or the like. This OTDR can be performed at the end of the assembly process shown in FIG. That is, the OTDR is performed on the wire wound around the take-up reel 17 by winding the upper winding tape around the SZ slot 4a, thereby detecting the detachment of the groove. In this OTDR, pulsed light is incident on an optical fiber core, and the weak reflected light that returns to the incident end by the pulsed light is measured in the time domain. Is to measure. In addition, the wire material from which no detachment has been detected is covered with a cable jacket to form an optical fiber cable.

  Further, when an external force is excessively applied by the roller, the SZ slot itself is deformed, and there is a possibility that the transmission characteristics are deteriorated even for a good cable in which the optical fiber core wire is not detached. For this reason, it is desirable to apply an external force that does not deform the shape of the SZ slot 4. Actually, the value of the external force that can be applied varies depending on the material and structure of the SZ slot 4, but it is generally considered that the pressing force should be set to about several tens N to several hundreds N.

  Moreover, the position where a roller is arrange | positioned should just be the back | latter stage of the rough winding string winding apparatus 14, and before coat | covering with a cable jacket. That is, an external force may be applied by a roller to the wire (the SZ slot 4b shown in FIG. 7) in a state where the upper winding tape is wound around the SZ slot 4a. In this way, transmission characteristics are intentionally deteriorated by applying an external force with a roller to either the SZ slot 4a around which the coarsely wound string is wound or the SZ slot 4b around which the upper winding tape is wound around the SZ slot 4a. be able to. However, since the SZ slot 4a without the upper winding tape can apply a stronger external force, it is more preferable to wind the coarsely wound string.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of an SZ slot type optical fiber cable according to the present invention. The external force applying means 18 may be constituted by a belt instead of a roller. More preferably, it is configured by a plurality of pairs of belts, each of which is a pair of belts. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the plurality of pairs of belts is disposed so as to sandwich the SZ slot 4a from different directions. In this example, since the belt pairs are arranged in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, external force can be applied evenly from the up-down and left-right directions of the SZ slot 4a. In addition, it is more desirable to arrange the belt pairs in three or more directions including an oblique direction in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, because an external force can be applied to the SZ slot 4a in a wider range.

  Accordingly, as in the roller of FIG. 1, an external force can be applied around the SZ slot 4a and the transmission characteristics of the optical fiber ribbon 2 can be intentionally deteriorated. It is possible to easily detect disconnection.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the external force applying means according to the present invention. The external force applying means 18 is a cylindrical coil spring, and the SZ slot 4a around which the coarsely wound string is wound is inserted into the coil spring. The inner diameter of this coil spring is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the SZ slot 4a. The SZ slot 4a advances in the direction of the arrow in the figure, enters from the coil spring inlet 18a, and exits from the outlet 18b. The SZ slot 4a is crushed by the optical fiber tape core wire 2 that has been released from the groove due to the tightening force of the coil spring. Therefore, like the roller of FIG. Transmission characteristics can be deteriorated.

  Here, in order to smoothly insert the SZ slot 4a into the coil spring, the surface of the coil spring is subjected to Teflon (registered trademark) processing, or the diameter of the inlet 18a of the coil spring is made larger than the diameter of the outlet 18b. The inner diameter of the spring may be tapered so that it gradually decreases from the inlet 18a toward the outlet 18b.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... SZ slot type optical fiber cable (optical fiber cable), 2 ... Optical fiber ribbon, 3 ... Tension member, 4, 4a, 4b ... SZ slot, 5 ... Coarse winding string, 6 ... Top wound tape, 7 ... Cable jacket, 10, 12 ... Supply reel, 11 ... Brake device, 13 ... Inserting jig, 14 ... Coarse winding string winding device, 15 ... Upper winding tape winding device, 16 ... Take-up device, 17 ... Take-up reel 18 ... External force applying means.

Claims (2)

An apparatus for manufacturing an SZ slot type optical fiber cable in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are accommodated in a groove formed in an SZ shape,
Insertion means for inserting the plurality of optical fiber core wires into a groove of an SZ slot; and winding means for winding a coarse winding string around the SZ slot into which the plurality of optical fiber core wires are inserted by the insertion means; An external force applying means for applying an external force to the SZ slot around which the coarsely wound string is wound by the winding means ;
The apparatus for producing an SZ slot type optical fiber cable, wherein the external force applying means is a cylindrical coil spring, and the SZ slot around which the coarsely wound string is wound is inserted into the coil spring . A method of manufacturing an SZ slot type optical fiber cable in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are accommodated in a groove formed in an SZ shape,
An insertion step of inserting the plurality of optical fiber core wires into a groove of an SZ slot; and a winding step of winding a coarse winding string around the SZ slot into which the plurality of optical fiber core wires are inserted in the insertion step. An external force applying step for applying an external force to the SZ slot around which the coarsely wound string is wound in the winding step ,
In the external force applying step, the SZ slot around which the coarsely wound string is wound is inserted into a cylindrical coil spring .

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