JP5823247B2 - Optical fiber unit, optical fiber unit manufacturing method, optical fiber cable - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber unit or the like excellent in branching workability.

  Conventionally, a plurality of optical fiber core wires may be used in a bundle. Such a bundle of a plurality of optical fiber core wires is referred to as an optical fiber unit. At the time of use, a necessary optical fiber core wire is taken out from such an optical fiber unit and branched.

  As such an optical fiber unit, for example, there is one in which a plurality of optical fiber core wires are formed by spirally winding two strings that are bundle materials in opposite directions (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-26534

  However, since an optical fiber unit like patent document 1 only winds a string roughly in the opposite direction, the intersection part of a string moves easily at the time of manufacture or a branch operation. For this reason, the bundle function was not sufficient. That is, since the distance between the crossing portions of the strings easily spreads, there is a possibility that the optical fiber core wire may unintentionally jump out of the optical fiber unit, resulting in an increase in optical transmission loss.

  Further, at the terminal portion of the optical fiber unit, the string as the bundle material is scattered, so that there is a possibility that it is difficult to identify each optical fiber unit.

  On the other hand, there is a method of bonding such a bundle material to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core wire. For example, there is a method in which an adhesive is applied to the bundle material, and an intersection of a pair of bundle materials is adhered.

  However, in such a method, the bundle material is bonded to the optical fiber core wire. For this reason, when the optical fiber unit is handled, the movement of the optical fiber core wire is hindered, and the optical characteristics such as the bending characteristic and temperature characteristic of the cable may be deteriorated. In addition, the take-out property of the optical fiber core is deteriorated, and there is a fear that the transmission loss and the like are increased by forcibly pulling out the optical fiber core wire.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber unit or the like that is excellent in handleability and branching workability and can reliably bundle optical fiber core wires.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first invention is an optical fiber unit in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are bundled, and a plurality of optical fiber optical fibers and spirals in opposite directions to the outer periphery of the optical fiber optical fiber. A pair of bundle materials to be wound, and provided with a release layer coated with a release agent on the outer periphery of the plurality of optical fiber core wires, at least on the inner surface side of the bundle material located on the outer layer side An adhesive layer is provided, and at an intersection of the pair of bundle materials, an adhesive portion where the bundle materials are bonded to each other is provided, and between the bundle material and the optical fiber core wire, by the release layer, The optical fiber unit is characterized in that non-bonded portions that are not bonded to each other are formed.

The adhesive layer is preferably provided only on the inner surface side of the bundle material located on the outer layer side. The release agent may be silicone or talc applied to the outer surface of the optical fiber core wire.

  According to the first invention, an adhesive portion is provided at an intersecting portion between a pair of bundle members, and the bundle members are bonded to each other. Therefore, when the optical fiber unit is handled, the position of the intersecting portion moves unintentionally, The internal optical fiber cores do not jump out, and the optical fiber core wires can be reliably bundled.

  In addition, since the non-adhesive portion is formed between the optical fiber core wire and the bundle material except for the intersection between the bundle materials, the optical fiber core wire is excessively restrained by the bundle material. In addition, the handleability of the optical fiber unit is excellent, and the optical fiber core wire is easily taken out.

Further, by forming an adhesive layer on at least the inner surface side of the bundle material located on the outer layer side, the intersecting portions can be easily bonded. Further, by applying a release agent to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core, the optical fiber core and the bundle material are not bonded even if the adhesive layer and the optical fiber core are in contact with each other.

The second invention is a method for manufacturing an optical fiber unit, wherein a plurality of optical fiber cores are sent to an assembly portion, a release agent is applied to the outer periphery of the aggregate of the optical fiber cores, and the release agent is applied. In addition, a pair of bundle materials in which an adhesive layer is formed on the inner surface side of the bundle material positioned at least on the outer layer side are spirally wound in opposite directions on the outer periphery of the assembly of the optical fiber core wires, and the bundle material is wound. In addition, the assembly of the optical fiber cores is heated in a heating furnace to bond the intersecting portions of the bundle materials to form an adhesive portion, and the release layer causes the adhesive layer to be bonded to the optical fiber core wire. An optical fiber unit manufacturing method is characterized in that non-bonding portions are formed while preventing bonding.

  According to the second invention, it is possible to reliably bond the intersecting portions of the bundle materials, and in the portions other than the intersecting portions, the optical fiber core wire and the bundle material are not bonded, and the non-bonded portions are surely formed. Can be formed.

3rd invention is an optical fiber cable, Comprising: A plurality of optical fiber core wires, a pair of bundle members spirally wound in opposite directions around the outer periphery of the optical fiber core wires, and the bundle member A coating portion formed on an outer periphery of a cable core in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are accommodated, and a release layer coated with a release agent is provided on the outer periphery of the plurality of optical fiber core wires, and at least An adhesive layer is provided on the inner surface side of the bundle material located on the outer layer side, and an adhesive part for adhering the bundle materials is provided at an intersection of the pair of bundle materials, and the bundle material and the optical fiber between the core, by the peeling layer, an optical fiber cable, characterized in that the non-adhesive portion does not adhere to each other is formed.

  According to the third invention, it is possible to obtain an optical fiber cable which is excellent in handleability and excellent in branching workability of the internal optical fiber core wire.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is excellent in handling property and branch workability | operativity, and can provide the optical fiber unit etc. which can bundle an optical fiber core wire reliably.

It is a figure which shows the optical fiber unit 1, (a) is a general view, (b) is the A section enlarged view of (a). The figure which shows the adhesion part 7 and the non-adhesion part 9. FIG. Schematic which shows the manufacturing apparatus 10 of an optical fiber unit. The figure which shows other embodiment which forms the non-bonding part 9. FIG. It is a figure which shows the optical fiber cable using the optical fiber unit 1, (a) is a figure which shows the optical fiber cable 30, (b) is a figure which shows the optical fiber cable 30a.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an optical fiber unit 1, in which FIG. 1A is an overall view, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. The optical fiber unit 1 includes an optical fiber core wire 3, bundle materials 5a, 5b, and the like.

  The optical fiber core wire 3 is, for example, a core wire having an outer diameter of 0.5 mm. Bundle materials 5a and 5b are provided on the outer periphery of a plurality (10 in the figure) of the optical fiber core wires 3. As the bundle materials 5a and 5b, for example, a resin tape such as polyester can be used.

  The bundle members 5a and 5b are spirally wound around the outer circumferences of the plurality of optical fiber cores 3 in opposite directions. Therefore, the bundle members 5a and 5b intersect at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber unit 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the intersection of the bundle materials 5 a and 5 b becomes an adhesive portion 7. That is, the bundle members 5a and 5b are bonded to each other at the intersection. On the other hand, the part other than the intersecting part of the bundle materials 5a and 5b becomes the non-bonding part 9. In the non-bonding portion 9, the bundle materials 5 a and 5 b are not bonded to the optical fiber core wire 3.

  Even in the intersection (bonding portion 7), only the bundle materials 5a and 5b are bonded, and the bundle materials 5a and 5b and the optical fiber core wire 3 are not bonded. Therefore, the bundle members 5a and 5b do not adhere to the optical fiber core wire 3 over the entire length.

  FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the bonding portion 7 and the non-bonding portion 9, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2A, the bundle material 5a is wound around the lower layer side (optical fiber core 3 side), and the bundle material 5b is wound around the outer peripheral side of the bundle material 5a.

  Under the present circumstances, the adhesive layer 21 is provided in the mutually opposing surface side with respect to the bundle material of at least one side. That is, the bundle members 5 a and 5 b are bonded to each other by the bonding layer 21, and the bonding portion 7 is formed. As the adhesive layer 21, for example, a hot-melt adhesive, a thermosetting adhesive, an emulsion adhesive, or the like can be used at the time of elastomeric adhesion.

  Here, it is desirable that the adhesive layer 21 is formed on the inner surface side of the bundle material 5b located on the outer layer side (the surface facing the bundle material 5a). If the adhesive layer 21 is not formed on the opposing surface side, the adhesive portion 7 is not formed in the first place, and the adhesive layer is formed on the outer surface side of the bundle material 5a located on the inner layer side (opposite surface side to the bundle material 5b). When 21 is formed, the adhesive layer is exposed on the outer peripheral surface (portion other than the intersection) of the optical fiber unit 1, and when the optical fiber unit is wound in a coil shape, the optical fiber units may be bonded to each other. Because there is.

  A release layer 23 is provided on the outer periphery of the optical fiber core 3. The release layer 23 may be formed on each outer peripheral surface of all the optical fiber cores 3 or may be formed on the entire outer peripheral surface in a state where a plurality of optical fiber core wires 3 are bundled. As the release layer 23, it is not necessary to adhere to the adhesive layer 21. For example, powder such as silicone or talc can be used.

  By forming the release layer 23, it is possible to prevent the adhesive layer 21 (bundle material 5b) from adhering to the optical fiber core wire 3. That is, the bundle material 5b and the optical fiber core wire 3 are not bonded, and the non-bonded portion 9 can be formed. For the bundle material 5a on the inner layer side, the adhesive layer is not formed, so that the bundle material 5a and the optical fiber core wire 3 are not bonded regardless of the presence or absence of the release layer 23, and the non-bonded portion 9 is It is formed.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the optical fiber unit 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a manufacturing apparatus 10 for manufacturing the optical fiber unit 1. The manufacturing apparatus 10 mainly includes an optical fiber core wire supply unit 11, a release agent coating unit 13, bundle material winding units 15a and 15b, a heating unit 17, a winding unit 19, and the like.

  The optical fiber core supply unit 11 is, for example, a coil around which the optical fiber core wire 3 is wound. In the example of FIG. 3, five optical fiber core wire supply units 11 are illustrated. The number of fiber cores 3 is provided.

  The plurality of optical fiber cores 3 supplied from the optical fiber core supply unit 11 are collected in a bundle by the release agent application unit 13. In the release agent application unit 13, the release agent is applied to the outer periphery of the entire bundle of optical fibers. As described above, the optical fiber cores may be bundled after applying the release agent to the outer periphery of each optical fiber core 3.

  The bundle of optical fiber core wires coated with the release agent is sent to the bundle material winding portion 15a. In the bundle material winding portion 15a, the bundle material 5a is spirally wound around the outer periphery of the optical fiber core bundle. Further, in the bundle material winding portion 15b, the bundle material 5b is spirally wound at substantially the same pitch on the outer periphery of the optical fiber core bundle in the opposite direction to the bundle material 5a.

  Note that an adhesive layer is formed in advance on one surface of the bundle material 5b. In the bundle material winding portion 15b, the bundle material 5b is wound so that the adhesive layer is on the inner surface side. That is, an adhesive layer is formed between the bundle materials 5a and 5b.

  When a hot melt adhesive or a thermosetting adhesive is used as the adhesive layer, the bundle members 5a and 5b are bonded by the adhesive layer in the subsequent heating unit 17. That is, an adhesive part is formed in the intersection part of bundle material 5a, 5b.

  On the other hand, the adhesive layer is in contact with the release agent at a portion other than the intersection of the bundle materials 5a and 5b. The release agent prevents the adhesive from adhering to the optical fiber core wire. Therefore, the contact portion between the adhesive layer and the release agent becomes a non-adhesive portion. That is, a non-bonding part is formed between the bundle members 5a and 5b and the optical fiber core wire.

  The optical fiber unit bundled by the bundle material is sent to the winding unit 19 and wound on a bobbin or the like. At this time, the adhesive layer is not exposed on the outer surface side of the optical fiber unit. Therefore, the optical fiber units wound around the bobbin are not unintentionally bonded. For this reason, when unwinding an optical fiber unit from a bobbin, excessive force is not added to an optical fiber unit.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the bundle members wound in opposite directions are bonded to each other at the crossing portion, so that the inner optical fiber core wire can be reliably held. . Therefore, the position of the intersection of the bundle materials does not move, and the optical fiber core wire does not jump out. Further, the bundle materials are not scattered at the terminal portion of the optical fiber unit.

  Moreover, since the release agent is applied to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core bundle, the bundle material and the optical fiber core are not bonded. Accordingly, the movement of the optical fiber core wire is not hindered during the handling of the optical fiber unit, and the optical characteristics and the like are not deteriorated.

  Further, by forming the adhesive layer only on the inner surface side of the outer bundle member 5b, the bundle members 5a and 5b can be reliably bonded to each other, and the adhesive layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the optical fiber unit. There is no exposure. Therefore, the optical fiber units are not unintentionally bonded to each other when wound around a bobbin or the like.

  Next, another embodiment for forming the bonded portion 7 and the non-bonded portion 9 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method for forming the non-adhesive portion 9 without using a release agent.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, only the part where the bonding part 7 is formed may be heated. That is, similarly to the above-described example, the adhesive layer is formed only on the inner surface side of the bundle material 5b on the outer layer side, and only the portion corresponding to the intersection with the bundle material 5a is used as the heating region 25. You may heat. In the case of an adhesive of a hot melt type or the like, only a heated part can be adhered, and therefore an adhesive part can be formed only at a necessary part such as an intersection.

  Further, instead of forming the adhesive layer 21 over the entire inner surface of the bundle material 5b, the adhesive layer 21 may be provided intermittently at a predetermined interval as shown in FIG. 4B. That is, an adhesive layer is formed in advance on the inner surface of the bundle material 5b at intervals at which intersections with the bundle material 5a are formed, and the bundle material 5a and 5b intersect at the position of the adhesive layer. 5b may be wound. By doing in this way, since the contact bonding layer 21 is not formed in parts other than the cross | intersection part of bundle material 5a, 5b, the non-bonding part 9 can be formed reliably.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an optical fiber cable using the optical fiber unit 1 of the present invention. The optical fiber unit of the present invention can be used, for example, as an optical fiber cable 30 as shown in FIG.

  The optical fiber cable 30 is formed as follows. First, a plurality of optical fiber units 1 are put together, and a buffer core 31 such as polypropylene yarn is provided on the outer periphery thereof to form a cable core. Further, a covering portion 33 made of polyethylene or the like is formed on the outer periphery of the obtained cable core together with a tension member 35 made of steel wire or the like and a tear string 37. Thus, the optical fiber cable 30 is formed.

  The optical fiber unit of the present invention can also be used as an optical fiber cable 30a as shown in FIG. 5B, for example. In the optical fiber cable 30 a, the optical fiber unit 1 is disposed in each of a plurality of slot grooves 41 formed on the outer periphery of the slot 39. The tension member 35 is provided substantially at the center of the slot 39, and the covering portion 33 is formed after the outer periphery of the slot 39 is pressed and wound as necessary.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, the technical scope of this invention is not influenced by embodiment mentioned above. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various modifications or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that it belongs.

  The characteristics and workability of the optical fiber unit according to the present invention and other optical fiber units were compared. The product of the present invention is an optical fiber cable using the optical fiber unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 and has substantially the same configuration as that shown in FIG. Specifically, eight optical fiber core wires of 0.5 mmφ were bundled, and a bundle material made of polyester tape having a width of 1.5 mm was wound around and manufactured. With the hot melt adhesive layer, an adhesive layer is formed only at the intersection of the bundle materials, and by applying silicone to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core bundle, the non-adhesive portion is provided between the bundle material and the optical fiber core wire. did.

  As a comparative example, an optical fiber cable that differs from the product of the present invention only in the configuration of the optical fiber unit was used. Specifically, the above-mentioned optical fiber unit was manufactured by bonding a bundle material and an optical fiber core bundle without providing a release agent.

  First, the bending test prescribed | regulated to IEC60794-1 Repeated Bending was done. The test was conducted for 10 cycles with a bending radius of 160 mm, and the maximum loss increase at this time was measured. As a result, the product of the present invention had a maximum loss fluctuation amount of 0.01 dB or less during the bending test, whereas it was 0.03 dB or more in the comparative example.

  Moreover, the temperature characteristic test of -30 degreeC-+70 degreeC x 3 cycles was implemented, and the maximum loss increase in this case was measured. As a result, the product of the present invention had a maximum loss fluctuation amount of 0.01 dB or less, whereas it was 0.03 dB or more in the comparative example. In this way, the loss variation is large in the comparative example because the movement of the optical fiber core wire is hindered by bonding with the bundle material.

  Further, for each of the inventive product and the comparative example, the optical fiber unit was taken out at the terminal portion and the intermediate portion, and it was evaluated whether or not any optical fiber core wire could be easily taken out. As a result, in the product of the present invention, an arbitrary optical fiber core wire could be easily taken out at both the terminal portion and the intermediate portion, whereas in the comparative example, it was difficult to take out any optical fiber core wire. This is because the bundle material and the optical fiber core wire are bonded, and it is necessary to peel off the bonding.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ......... Optical fiber unit 3 ... Optical fiber core wire 5a, 5b ... Bundle material 7 ... Bonding part 9 ... Non-bonding part 10 ... Manufacturing apparatus 11 ... Optical fiber core wire Supply section 13 ......... Release agent application section 15a, 15b ......... Bundle material winding section 17 ... Heating section 19 ... Winding section 21 ... ... Adhesive layer 25 ... Heating areas 30, 30a ... ... Optical fiber cable 31 ......... Buffer 33 ......... Coating part 35 ......... Tension member 37 ......... Rear string

Claims (5)

An optical fiber unit in which a plurality of fiber cores are bundled,
A plurality of optical fiber cores;
A pair of bundle members spirally wound in opposite directions around the outer periphery of the plurality of optical fiber cores;
Comprising
A release layer coated with a release agent is provided on the outer periphery of the plurality of optical fiber core wires,
An adhesive layer is provided on the inner surface side of the bundle material positioned at least on the outer layer side, and an adhesive portion where the bundle materials are bonded to each other is provided at the intersection of the pair of bundle materials,
The optical fiber unit is characterized in that a non-adhesive portion that does not adhere to each other is formed between the bundle material and the optical fiber core wire by the release layer .   The optical fiber unit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is provided only on the inner surface side of the bundle material located on the outer layer side.   3. The optical fiber unit according to claim 1, wherein the release agent is formed of silicone or talc applied to an outer surface of the optical fiber core wire. 4. An optical fiber unit manufacturing method comprising:
Sending a plurality of optical fiber cores to the assembly, applying a release agent to the outer periphery of the assembly of the optical fiber cores,
A pair of bundle materials in which an adhesive layer is formed on the inner surface side of the bundle material located on the outer layer side at least on the outer periphery of the assembly of the optical fiber cores coated with the release agent, are spirally wound in opposite directions to each other,
The assembly of the optical fiber cores around which the bundle material is wound is heated in a heating furnace to bond the intersections of the bundle materials to form an adhesive portion. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber unit, wherein the non-bonded portion is formed by preventing bonding with an optical fiber core wire. An optical fiber cable,
A plurality of optical fiber cores;
A pair of bundles spirally wound in opposite directions on the outer periphery of the optical fiber core;
A covering portion formed on the outer periphery of the cable core in which a plurality of optical fiber cores assembled with the bundle material are accommodated;
Comprising
A release layer coated with a release agent is provided on the outer periphery of the plurality of optical fiber core wires,
An adhesive layer is provided on the inner surface side of the bundle material positioned at least on the outer layer side, and an adhesive portion where the bundle materials are bonded to each other is provided at the intersection of the pair of bundle materials,
Wherein between the bundle material and said optical fiber, by the peeling layer, an optical fiber cable, characterized in that the non-adhesive portion does not adhere to each other is formed.

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