JP5695138B2 - Inspection method, manufacturing method, and inspection apparatus for intermittent optical fiber ribbon - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection method, a manufacturing method, and an inspection apparatus for an intermittent optical fiber ribbon.

  Recently, in order to reduce the diameter and weight of optical cables, increase the density, and improve workability, multiple single-core coated optical fibers are juxtaposed on the same plane, and two adjacent single-core coated optical fibers are used. There has been proposed an optical fiber ribbon that is called an intermittent type or an intermittently bonded type in which coupling portions that couple only one another are arranged at intervals. Such an intermittent type optical fiber ribbon has a small bending anisotropy that is difficult to bend in the width direction as in the case of a conventional batch-coated optical fiber ribbon. The cable can be stored in a small diameter, light weight, and high density. Further, it is easy to individually branch the optical fibers from the tape core wire, and when connecting the optical fibers, the optical fibers can be arranged in parallel in a predetermined arrangement, so that there is an advantage that collective connection is possible.

  However, in such an intermittent optical fiber ribbon, it is necessary to inspect the structure and dimensions in the longitudinal direction in-line (during manufacture) over the entire length. That is, since the conventional packaged optical fiber ribbon has a uniform structural dimension in the length direction, when winding the tape core on the winding drum in the final manufacturing process, By checking the structural dimensions at the end, the total length can be guaranteed. On the other hand, since the structure of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon changes in a complicated manner in the length direction, inspection over the entire length in-line is required.

  As this type of technology, for example, an optical fiber tape core wire is configured by guiding an optical fiber tape core wire in a guide groove provided with a step portion and applying an appropriate tension to the optical fiber tape core wire. The optical fiber strands are separated at locations where the optical fiber strands are not connected, and then the edge is detected by a measuring instrument, and the length of the location where the optical fiber strands are not connected, or A method for measuring the period has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the above method, there are cases where the separation is not sufficiently performed at a portion where the optical fiber strands are not connected, and this is not always satisfactory in terms of reliability and efficiency. Separation became more difficult as the number of optical fiber strands increased, as the size of the optical fiber strands increased, and as the length of the unconnected portions decreased.

  Therefore, the present applicant either sucks the traveling intermittent optical fiber ribbon from both sides in the width direction or blows air to the traveling intermittent optical fiber ribbon so that the single-core coated optical fiber is coupled. A method for confirming the expanded portion was developed by expanding a non-existing portion in the width direction and proposed previously (Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-245466). In this method, as compared with the above-described conventional method, the separability at a location where the optical fiber strands are not connected is good, and a highly reliable and efficient inspection can be performed. However, a large-scale device such as a vacuum pump or a compressor is required to suck the intermittent optical fiber ribbon or blow air, and these devices are accompanied by vibrations. In some cases, the inspection accuracy may be reduced. Further, since the inspection stage needs to be a closed system, there is a problem that the sensors that can be used for inspection are limited.

JP 2012-42354 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and is an intermittent optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel are intermittently coupled to form a tape. With regard to the intermittently coupled state of the above, inline and simple jigs can be installed to perform highly accurate inspection efficiently, and the inspection method that does not limit the sensor used for inspection, It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing an intermittent optical fiber ribbon using such an inspection method, and an inspection apparatus used for such an inspection method.

  In order to achieve the above object, an inspection method for intermittent optical fiber ribbons according to one aspect of the present invention is a method in which a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel are intermittently coupled to form a tape. A method for inspecting an intermittent connection state of an intermittent optical fiber ribbon in the production line, wherein the width is equal to or greater than the width of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon, and the depth is at or near the center of the groove. The intermittent optical fiber ribbon is run in a state where a certain tension is applied to the intermittent optical fiber ribbon in a groove formed so as to be gradually deeper toward both side edges. Then, a portion where the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers are not coupled is expanded in the width direction, and the expanded portion is detected by a sensor.

  The method for manufacturing an intermittent optical fiber ribbon according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel and the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers coupled intermittently. The tape forming step for forming a tape and the plurality of taped single-core coated optical fibers have a width that is equal to or greater than the width of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon and the depth is shallowest at or near the center of the groove. In the groove formed so as to be gradually deeper toward both side edges, the intermittent optical fiber ribbon is run in a state where a constant tension is applied to the intermittent optical fiber ribbon, By inspecting the intermittent coupling state of the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers by expanding a portion where the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers are not coupled in the width direction and detecting the expanded portion with a sensor. Having an inspection process It is an feature.

  Furthermore, an inspection apparatus for an intermittent optical fiber ribbon according to an aspect of the present invention includes an intermittent optical fiber tape core in which a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel are intermittently coupled to form a tape. A device for inspecting the intermittent coupling state of the wires in the production line, the width being equal to or greater than the width of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon, and the depth being the shallowest at or near the center of the groove. A jig having a groove formed so as to gradually become deeper toward the groove, and running the intermittent optical fiber ribbon under a constant tension in the groove of the jig. A spreading mechanism that widens a portion where the single-core coated optical fibers are not coupled in the width direction, and a sensor that is disposed in the vicinity of the jig and detects a spread portion of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon. Characterized by having A.

According to the method and apparatus for inspecting an intermittent optical fiber ribbon of the present invention, an intermittent optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel are intermittently coupled to form a tape. For the intermittently connected state, in-line and simple jigs can be installed to perform highly accurate inspections efficiently, and inspections can be performed in an open system. You can also expand your options.
Further, according to the method for manufacturing an intermittent optical fiber ribbon of the present invention, it is possible to manufacture an intermittent optical fiber tape in which the inspection of the intermittent connection state is performed with high accuracy and efficiency over the entire length. .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows typically an example of the intermittent optical fiber tape core wire which the inspection method and inspection apparatus of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon of this invention make object, (a) is a top view, (b) is the one It is a top view which expands and shows a part. It is a top view which shows the example of the arrangement | positioning pattern of the coupling | bond part in the intermittent optical fiber tape core wire which the inspection method and inspection apparatus of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon of this invention make object. It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the manufacturing apparatus of the intermittent type optical fiber ribbon based on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the test | inspection apparatus incorporated in the manufacturing apparatus of the intermittent type optical fiber tape core wire shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the jig | tool which comprises the test | inspection apparatus incorporated in the manufacturing apparatus of the intermittent type optical fiber ribbon shown in FIG. 3, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a space between two single-core coated optical fibers at the center of a four-fiber intermittent optical fiber ribbon is expanded in the jig shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a gap between each single-core coated optical fiber at both ends of a four-fiber intermittent optical fiber ribbon and a single-core coated optical fiber adjacent thereto is expanded in the jig illustrated in FIG. 5. is there.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Although the description will be made based on the drawings, the drawings are provided for illustration only, and the present invention is not limited to the drawings.

  First, the intermittent optical fiber ribbon targeted by the inspection method and inspection apparatus for the intermittent optical fiber ribbon of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1A is a plan view schematically showing an example of an intermittent optical fiber ribbon that is an object of the inspection method and inspection apparatus for an intermittent optical fiber ribbon of the present invention, and FIG. It is a top view which expands and shows a part (part shown by A in FIG. 1A).

  As shown in FIG. 1, an intermittent optical fiber ribbon 10 that is an object of the inspection method and inspection apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 11 (four in the example in the drawing), the same plane. In addition to the parallel arrangement, the coupling portions 12 that couple only the two adjacent single-core coated optical fibers 11 are arranged in the length direction and the width direction at intervals. When the number of the single-core coated optical fibers 11 is two, the coupling portions are arranged at intervals only in the length direction. In FIG. 1, 13 shows the location where the adjacent single-core coated optical fibers 11 are not coupled, that is, a non-coupled portion.

  The single-core coated optical fiber 11 has, for example, a structure in which one or a plurality of protective coatings are provided on the optical fiber with an ultraviolet curable resin, or a colored layer is further provided on the protective coating. The coupling portion 12 is formed by applying and curing an adhesive 12a such as an ultraviolet curable resin, a thermosetting resin, or a thermoplastic resin between the two single-core coated optical fibers 11 to be coupled. . The adhesive 12a may be applied in a dot shape as shown in FIG. 1 or may be applied in a linear shape. Strictly speaking, when it is applied in the form of dots, an adhesive is not applied, and a part that is not connected is generated. Here, such a part is referred to as a “joined part”. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, there may be a gap g of about 30 to 50 μm at maximum between the two single-core coated optical fibers 11 to which the adhesive 12a is applied. The length Q of each coupling portion 12 is, for example, 30 to 45 mm, preferably 37 to 43 mm, and the interval P between the coupling portions 12 that couple the same two adjacent single-core coated optical fibers is, for example, 70 to 70 mm. 130 mm, preferably 88-112 mm.

  The arrangement pattern of the coupling portions 12 in the intermittent optical fiber ribbon 10 is not particularly limited. In FIG. 2, the example of the arrangement pattern of the coupling | bond part 12 is shown.

  The example of FIG. 2 (a) has the same arrangement pattern as the intermittent optical fiber ribbon shown in FIG. 1, and the first (first core) single-core coated optical fiber 11A and the second The coupling portion 12 for coupling the (second core) single-core coated optical fiber 11B, the third (third core) single-core coated optical fiber 11C, and the fourth (fourth core) single-core coated optical fiber 11D are coupled. The coupling portions 12 are arranged at substantially the same position in the length direction of the optical fiber ribbon, with substantially the same interval, and the second single-core coated optical fiber 11B and the third single-core coated optical fiber. The coupling portion 12 that couples 11C is arranged so as to be positioned approximately in the middle in the length direction.

  In the example of FIG. 2B, the coupling unit 12 that couples the first single-core coated optical fiber 11A and the second single-core coated optical fiber 11B, the second single-core coated optical fiber 11B, and the first The coupling portion 12 for coupling the third single-core coated optical fiber 11C and the coupling portion 12 for coupling the third single-core coated optical fiber 11C and the fourth single-core coated optical fiber 11D are respectively optical fiber tapes. The positions are shifted from each other at substantially the same interval in the length direction of the core wire.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the length and arrangement interval of the coupling portion 12 that couples the first single-core coated optical fiber 11A and the second single-core coated optical fiber 11B, The length and arrangement interval of the coupling portion 12 that couples the second single-core coated optical fiber 11B and the third single-core coated optical fiber 11C, and the third single-core coated optical fiber 11C and the fourth single-core coated optical fiber 11C. The length and the arrangement interval of the coupling portion 12 that couples the core-coated optical fiber 11D may be the same or different. In the example of FIG. 2C, the length of the coupling portion 12 that couples the two single-core coated optical fibers is the same, but the second single-core coated optical fiber 11B and the third single-core. The arrangement interval of the coupling portion 12 that couples the coated optical fiber 11C is different from the others.

  Further, although not shown in the drawings, the length and the arrangement interval of the coupling portions for coupling the same two single-core coated optical fibers may be the same or different.

  The method for inspecting an intermittent optical fiber ribbon of the present invention inspects the intermittent optical fiber ribbon as described above in-line, that is, in its production line. Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for manufacturing an intermittent optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention incorporating an embodiment of an inspection method for an intermittent optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention will be described. The description will be focused on an example in which the 4-fiber intermittent optical fiber ribbon (using an ultraviolet curable resin as a material for forming the coupling portion 12) 10 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus used in the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the inspection device for the intermittent optical fiber ribbon incorporated in the manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 are views showing one member constituting an inspection device for an intermittent optical fiber ribbon incorporated in the manufacturing apparatus, wherein (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of main parts of the member shown in FIG. 5 in a use state.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber tape core manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a strand sending unit 30 that sends out four single-core coated optical fibers 11 in order from the upstream side along the production line. The guide roller 40 that guides the single-core coated optical fiber 11 delivered from the strand delivery unit 30, and the four single-core coated optical fibers 11 guided by the guide roller 40, the ultraviolet rays of the coupling portion forming material. A coating portion 50 for forming the single-core coated optical fiber 11 coated with the ultraviolet curable resin into a cross-sectional tape shape while intermittently coating the curable resin, and a single-core coated optical fiber coated with the ultraviolet curable resin 11 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the ultraviolet curable resin, and the single-core coated optical fiber 11 is intermittently coupled to form a tape by curing the ultraviolet curable resin. And a checking unit 70 constituted by the inspection apparatus for inspecting the intermittent coupling state of the optical fiber ribbon 10a.

  Although not shown, a take-up device for picking up the untested optical fiber ribbon 10a is provided upstream of the inspection unit 70, and an inspected optical fiber ribbon is provided downstream of the inspection unit 70. 10a, that is, a winding device for winding the intermittent optical fiber ribbon 10 is provided. In addition, there are manufactured guide rollers 301 and 302 for guiding the traveling single-core coated optical fiber 11, the taped optical fiber ribbon 10a, and guide rollers (not shown) for guiding the intermittent optical fiber ribbon 10. Arranged appropriately along the line.

  The strand sending section 30 includes a number of supply bobbins 31 (four in this embodiment) corresponding to the number of cores constituting the intermittent optical fiber ribbon.

  The guide roller 40 also serves as a concentrating portion for concentrating and aligning the four single-core coated optical fibers 11 so as to be substantially in contact with each other in parallel. That is, the guide roller 40 is provided with a number of guide grooves (not shown) corresponding to the number of the single-core coated optical fibers 11 on the outer peripheral surface (not shown). By inserting the four single-core coated optical fibers 11 into the respective grooves, the four single-core coated optical fibers 11 are concentrated so as to be substantially in contact with each other in parallel. As long as the four single-core coated optical fibers 11 can be concentrated in a state where they are substantially in parallel with each other, not only the guide roller 40 but also various conventional collecting jigs and collecting means can be used.

  The application unit 50 is formed by injecting and applying an ultraviolet curable resin to a predetermined position of the four single-core coated optical fibers 11 arranged in parallel, for example, an injection device for injecting and applying the liquid droplets in the form of microdroplets. It is comprised from the shaping | molding die provided with the insertion hole of the cross-sectional tape shape which penetrates the single core coating | coated optical fiber 11. As shown in FIG. The single-core coated optical fiber 11 on which the ultraviolet curable resin is injection-coated by the injection apparatus passes through the insertion hole having a cross-sectional tape shape provided in the molding die, so that the surface of the ultraviolet curable resin is molded flat. .

  For example, the application unit 50 continuously applies the ultraviolet curable resin to the four ultraviolet curable resins arranged in parallel, and then between the adjacent single-core coated optical fibers 11 with a predetermined length at a predetermined cycle. You may make it comprise with the apparatus comprised so that it might isolate | separate over this.

  The ultraviolet irradiation unit 60 is for irradiating the single-core coated optical fiber 11 coated with the ultraviolet curable resin in the application unit 50 with ultraviolet rays to cure the ultraviolet curable resin.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the inspection unit 70 includes a cylindrical or columnar jig 72 having a groove in which an optical fiber tape core wire 10a, which will be described later, runs on the outer peripheral surface, and a jig. The optical fiber tape core wire 10 a disposed so as to sandwich the 72 is pressed toward the jig 72, and the guide rollers 74 </ b> A and 74 </ b> B that guide the traveling thereof, and the light traveling on the grooves provided in the jig 72. A laser sensor 76 for irradiating the fiber tape core wire 10a with laser light and receiving the reflected light or transmitted light to detect the length of the expanded portion of the optical fiber tape core wire 10a, its interval, and the like is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the jig 72 has an outer peripheral surface with a width equal to or greater than the width of the optical fiber ribbon 10 a and a depth that is the shallowest at or near the center of the groove, preferably at the center of the groove. And an irregularly shaped groove 701 formed so as to be gradually deeper. The groove 701 is for expanding a portion of the traveling optical fiber ribbon 10 a where the single-core coated optical fiber 11 is not coupled in the width direction, and the optical fiber is inserted into the irregular groove 701. By running the tape core wire 10a in a state where a certain tension is applied, a portion where the single-core coated optical fiber 11 is not coupled can be expanded in the width direction.

  That is, FIGS. 6A and 6B show the optical fiber ribbon 10a that travels in a deformed groove 701 with a constant tension applied. In FIG. 6A, the space between each single-core coated optical fiber 10a at both ends and the single-core coated optical fiber 10a adjacent thereto is expanded, and in FIG. 6B, between the two single-core coated optical fibers 10a at the center. Is expanding. The optical fiber ribbon 10a is preferably run so that the center in the width direction passes through the substantially central portion of the groove 701.

  The jig 72 is preferably supported and fixed so as not to rotate in order to sufficiently and stably expand the single-core coated optical fiber 11. When it is supported rotatably like a guide roller, there is a possibility that the spread between the single-core coated optical fibers 11 is insufficient.

  In addition, in order to sufficiently and stably expand between the single-core coated optical fibers 11, the optical fiber tape core wire 10a is adjusted by adjusting the arrangement position of the jig 72 and the guide rollers 74A and 74B. It is preferable to run in a state where it is sufficiently pressed into the groove 701 of the jig 72. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the guide rollers 74 </ b> A and 74 </ b> B are arranged at positions separated from the jig 72 by about 100 mm, the amount of pressing against the jig 72 (indicated by L in FIG. 4). Is preferably about 2 mm or more, more preferably about 8 mm or more.

  Further, as described above, the groove 701 is formed so that the width is equal to or greater than the width of the optical fiber ribbon 10a, the depth is the shallowest at or near the center of the groove, and gradually increases toward both side edges. However, in order to sufficiently and stably expand between the single-core coated optical fibers 11, the groove 701 generally has a drop (within a range in which the single-core coated optical fiber 11 travels). It is preferable that the difference in the depth of the groove 701 (indicated by ΔD in FIG. 6A) is as large as possible. However, if the width of the groove 701 (indicated by W in FIG. 6A) is too narrow, the amount of spread in the width direction of the optical fiber ribbon 10a (herein simply referred to as the amount of spread) becomes small, and the detection accuracy May decrease. On the other hand, if the width W of the groove 701 is too wide, the travel of the optical fiber ribbon 10a is biased (for example, the single-core coated optical fiber 11 travels biased to one side of the groove 701) and is not coupled. Even if it is a part, the case where it does not expand may arise. Therefore, it is preferable to make the width W of the groove 701 as large as possible within a range in which the running of the optical fiber ribbon 10a is not biased. Specifically, in the case of the 4-core optical fiber ribbon 10a, the drop ΔD is preferably about 0.02 to 1.00 mm, and more preferably about 0.04 to 0.08 mm. Further, the width W is preferably about 1.20 to 2.00 mm, and more preferably about 1.40 to 1.80 mm.

  Furthermore, in order to prevent damage to the single-core coated optical fiber 11 and the coupling portion 12, the groove 701 is preferably subjected to chamfering processing for rounding the upper end edge and the bottom surface. In FIG. 6A, C1-C5 have shown the part to which such chamfering was given. The chamfered portion C5 provided in the center portion of the bottom surface is rounded so as to substantially match the connecting portion 12 that connects the two single-core coated optical fibers 11 in the center of the optical fiber ribbon 10a. Thus, damage to the coupling portion 12 can be prevented.

  In the case where the jig 72 is not rotatably supported and fixed, the groove 701 does not need to be formed on the entire outer peripheral surface of the jig 72, but only in a required portion where the optical fiber ribbon 10a runs. What is necessary is just to be provided. Therefore, the shape of the jig 72 is not necessarily cylindrical or columnar. For example, only the outer peripheral surface of the portion where the groove 701 is formed may be formed as an arcuate curved surface.

  The laser sensor 76 is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream side (or upstream side) of the jig 72 and travels between the jig 72 and the guide roller 74B (or the guide roller 74A). The irradiation unit for irradiating the laser beam and the light reflected by the irradiated laser beam by the optical fiber ribbon 10a or the irradiated laser beam by the optical fiber ribbon 10a. A light receiving unit that receives light transmitted without being detected, and an amount of received light at the light receiving unit or a change thereof, and a coupling unit / non-coupling unit formed intermittently of the optical fiber ribbon 10a from the detection result And a detection unit for detecting the length of the coupling part / non-coupling part, the interval between the coupling part and the non-coupling part, and the like. That is, most of the laser light applied to the coupling part is reflected, the reflected light receiving part receives a lot of reflected light, and the transmitted light receiving part receives a slightly transmitted light. On the other hand, most of the light irradiated to the non-coupled portion is transmitted, and the reflected light receiving portion receives light slightly reflected near the non-coupled portion, and the amount of received light is greatly reduced. Further, the transmitted light receiving unit receives a lot of transmitted light, and the amount of received light is greatly increased. Since the amount of light received in this way changes significantly in the light receiving part, it is possible to detect the amount of light received by the light receiving part or the change state thereof by detecting the formation state of the coupling part / non-coupling part. it can.

  The laser sensor 76 shown in FIG. 4 receives reflected light of the laser beam irradiated to the optical fiber ribbon 10a and detects the formation state of the coupling portion / non-coupling portion, and irradiates the laser beam. An irradiation / reflected light receiving unit 77 in which a light irradiation unit and a light receiving unit that receives the reflected light are integrated, and a light detection unit 78 that detects the amount of the received reflected light are provided. In the case of detecting and detecting the transmitted light, the light irradiating unit and the light receiving unit that receives the transmitted light are disposed to face each other with the optical fiber tape core wire 10a interposed therebetween.

  The laser sensor 76 is configured so that each single-core coated optical fiber 11 when the optical fiber tape core wire 10a near the downstream side (or upstream side) of the jig 72 is expanded by running through the groove 701 of the jig 72 is used. It is provided at a position corresponding to the widened portion in between. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, three laser sensors 76 are arranged in total, one at each position corresponding to the spread portion formed between the adjacent single-core coated optical fibers 11.

Next, the operation of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus will be described.
The four single-core coated optical fibers 11 sent out from the strand sending section 30 are aligned and aligned in parallel on the same plane so that adjacent single-core coated optical fibers are substantially in contact with each other through the guide roller 40. Is sent to the coating unit 50, and the ultraviolet curable resin is intermittently applied between the adjacent single-core coated optical fibers 11. The four single-core coated optical fibers 11 exiting the application unit 50 are then irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 60, and the ultraviolet curable resin is cured. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, an optical fiber tape in which coupling portions 12 that couple only two adjacent single-core coated optical fibers 11 are formed at intervals in the length direction and the width direction, respectively. A core wire 10a is formed.

Thereafter, the optical fiber ribbon 10a is sent to the inspection unit 70, and the intermittent coupling state is inspected.
In the inspection unit 70, the optical fiber ribbon 10a travels in the groove 701 of the jig 72 under a certain tension while being pressed against the jig 72 by the two guide rollers 74A and 74B. Thereby, the part (uncoupled portion) where the single-core coated optical fiber 11 is not coupled is expanded in the width direction. When the optical fiber ribbon 10 a having the expanded portion as described above passes through the jig 72, the laser beam is irradiated from the irradiation section of the laser sensor 76 disposed in the vicinity of the jig 72. Most of the irradiated laser light is transmitted through the expanded portion and most of it is reflected at the non-expanded portion. The laser sensor 76 includes a light receiving unit that receives the transmitted light or reflected light of the laser light, and a detection unit that detects the light quantity or change of the light received by the light receiving unit. The formation state of the part / non-expanded part, that is, the formation state of the non-coupled part / coupled part of the optical fiber ribbon 10a can be known.

  Thus, the optical fiber ribbon 10a in which the intermittent coupling state is inspected is wound as a intermittent optical fiber ribbon 10 on a winding device (not shown).

  In this embodiment, the width is equal to or greater than the width of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon, and the depth is the shallowest at or near the center of the groove, and the groove is formed so as to gradually become deeper toward both side edges. A portion where a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers are not coupled (uncoupled part) by running the intermittent optical fiber ribbon in a state where a certain tension is applied to the intermittent optical fiber ribbon. Therefore, highly accurate inspection can be performed efficiently by installing only a simple jig in-line. That is, there is no expansion failure as in the prior art, and the expansion state (expansion amount) does not fluctuate, and good and stable expansion is possible. In addition, when expanding by suction or air blowing, a vacuum pump or compressor is used, so there is a risk that the inspection accuracy may be reduced by vibrations of them, but in this embodiment it runs on a fixed jig. There is no fear of it. Therefore, a highly accurate inspection can be performed. In addition, unlike the method of expanding by suction or air blowing, the inspection stage does not need to be a sealed system, so the options for sensors used for inspection can be expanded and various inspections can be performed easily. It becomes.

  In the above embodiment, the laser sensor 76 is used as a sensor for detecting the expanded portion of the optical fiber ribbon 10a. However, as described above, in the present invention, the inspection can be performed in an open system. Therefore, not only the laser sensor 76 but also various sensors can be used.

  Although not shown, a tension adjusting device that adjusts the tension of the optical fiber ribbon 10a can be provided on the upstream side of the inspection unit 70 as necessary. By adjusting the tension on the optical fiber ribbon 10 a running on the jig 72 with the tension adjusting device, it is possible to always apply an appropriate tension to the optical fiber ribbon 10 a. In order to sufficiently and stably expand the space between the single-core coated optical fibers 11, it is preferable to apply a tension in the range of 40 to 400 g to the optical fiber ribbon 10a.

  Further, the inspection unit 70 has a display device for displaying the detection result of the detection unit, and when the detection result of the detection unit is different from a predetermined value (a desired intermittent coupling state is not formed due to a failure of the coating device, etc.) A warning device or the like that issues a warning in the

  Moreover, based on the detection result of a detection part, the control apparatus which controls the operation | movement of the strand sending speed (wire speed) from a strand sending part and an application | coating part can also be provided. By providing such a control device, it is possible to stably manufacture an intermittent optical fiber ribbon having a desired intermittent coupling state.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention and its modification were demonstrated, this invention is not limited to such embodiment and its modification at all, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of invention, various omissions are carried out. Can be replaced, changed. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Intermittent type optical fiber ribbon, 10a ... Tape-formed optical fiber ribbon, 11, 11A-11D ... Single core coating | coated optical fiber, 12 ... Coupling part, 13 ... Non-bonding part, 30 ... Strand sending 40: guide roller, 50 ... coating unit, 60 ... ultraviolet irradiation unit, 70 ... inspection unit, 72 ... jig, 76 ... laser sensor, 77 ... irradiation / reflected light receiving unit, 78 ... detection unit, 701 ... groove .

Claims (5)

A method of inspecting an intermittently coupled state of an intermittent type optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel are intermittently coupled to form a tape in the production line,
In the groove formed so that the width is equal to or greater than the width of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon, the depth is shallowest at or near the center of the groove, and gradually increases toward both side edges. The tape core is run in a state in which a constant tension is applied to the intermittent optical fiber ribbon, and a portion where the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers are not coupled is expanded in the width direction. A method for inspecting an intermittent optical fiber ribbon, wherein the expanded portion is detected by a sensor.   2. The intermittent optical fiber ribbon testing method according to claim 1, wherein the groove is a groove formed in a fixed jig.   3. The inspection of an intermittent optical fiber ribbon according to claim 2, wherein the jig has an arcuate curved surface, and the groove is provided in the arcuate curved surface along the bending direction. Method. A tape forming step of parallelizing a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers and intermittently coupling the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers into a tape;
The plurality of taped single-core coated optical fibers have a width that is equal to or greater than the width of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon, and the depth is shallowest at or near the center of the groove, and gradually toward both side edges. A plurality of the single-core-coated optical fibers are formed by causing the intermittent-type optical fiber ribbon to run in a groove formed so as to be deep, with a certain tension applied to the intermittent-type optical fiber ribbon. And a step of inspecting an intermittently coupled state of the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers by expanding a portion where the fibers are not coupled in the width direction and detecting the expanded portion with a sensor. A method of manufacturing an intermittent type optical fiber ribbon that is characterized. An apparatus for inspecting an intermittently coupled state of an intermittent type optical fiber tape in which a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel are intermittently coupled to form a tape in the production line,
A jig having a groove formed so that the width is equal to or greater than the width of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon, the depth is shallowest at or near the groove center, and gradually increases toward both side edges; By causing the intermittent optical fiber ribbon to run in the groove of the jig while applying a certain tension, a portion where the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers are not coupled is expanded in the width direction. A spreading mechanism;
An inspection apparatus for an intermittent optical fiber ribbon, comprising: a sensor disposed in the vicinity of the jig and detecting a spread portion of the intermittent optical fiber ribbon.

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