JP6440591B2 - Optical fiber ribbon, optical fiber cable - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon or the like that is not easily noticeable when laid indoors and outdoors and allows easy identification of an optical fiber.

  Usually, an indoor cable is used when drawing an optical fiber cable indoors. An indoor cable is connected to an indoor optical line terminator, and is connected to each optical device using a LAN cable or the like.

  As such an optical fiber cable, for example, it has a tension member, an optical fiber core wire provided between the tension members, and a jacket that collectively wraps them, and the outer circumference of the jacket is along the longitudinal direction. There is an optical fiber cable provided with one or more cable sheath notches (Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-65038 A

  However, when an indoor cable is laid, the indoor cable is noticeable and there is a risk of deteriorating the beauty. On the other hand, a method of directly laying an optical fiber core wire has been proposed.

  For example, when an optical fiber ribbon made of a plurality of optical fiber strands is laid, there is an advantage that it is less noticeable than a conventional indoor cable. On the other hand, since the optical fiber ribbon is composed of a plurality of optical fiber strands, the optical fiber strands are usually colored and used for identification of each optical fiber strand. Therefore, the coloring of the optical fiber may be noticeable. However, unless such coloring is performed, it becomes difficult to identify the optical fiber.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber ribbon or the like that does not impair the aesthetics when laid and can easily identify an optical fiber.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention comprises a plurality of optical fiber strands, and a resin member that is provided on the outer periphery of the optical fiber strands and connects the optical fiber strands side by side. In the case where the optical fiber strands are all the same color and the center in the width direction of the optical fiber ribbon is a center line, the aspect of the resin member is: Unlike on both sides of said center line, said optical fiber and adjacent, the intermittently bonded by a resin member, wherein the optical fiber between each adjacent to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber The length or pitch of the resin member for joining the optical fibers is not the same between the optical fiber strands, but is different on both sides of the center line .

  At least the aspect of the resin member that joins the first and second fibers from one end of the provided optical fiber strands is the aspect of the resin member that joins the other adjacent optical fiber strands. Should be different.

  According to the first invention, since the optical fiber strands are all the same color, for example, it can be the same color as wallpaper or a transparent color. For this reason, it is hard to stand out when the optical fiber ribbon is laid. Further, in the case where the center in the width direction of the optical fiber ribbon is used as the center line, the mode of the resin member for joining adjacent optical fiber strands is made different on both sides of the center line, so that the optical fiber Wires can be identified.

  Further, since the optical fiber strands are intermittently bonded to each other, for example, when laid at the corner, the optical fiber ribbon can be easily bent. Moreover, the optical fiber strands can be easily identified by changing the mode of the resin member that is intermittently arranged.

  Moreover, by changing the aspect of the resin member that joins the first and second fibers from one end of the provided optical fiber strands with the aspect of the resin member that joins other adjacent optical fiber strands, It is easier to identify the optical fiber.

  In particular, by changing the length or pitch of the resin member that joins adjacent optical fiber strands, the optical fiber strands can be more easily identified.

  A second invention is an optical fiber cable characterized in that a plurality of optical fiber ribbons according to the first invention are accommodated.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the inner optical fiber ribbon can be laid without being noticeable, and the optical fiber can be easily identified.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical fiber ribbon or the like that can easily identify an optical fiber without losing its aesthetics when laid.

The perspective view of the optical fiber tape core wire 3. FIG. (A) is a top view of optical fiber tape cable core 3, (b) is a top view of optical fiber tape cable core 3a. The top view of the optical fiber tape core wire 3b. Sectional drawing of the optical fiber tape core wire 3c. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable 1. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber ribbon 3. FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the optical fiber ribbon 3. The optical fiber ribbon 3 is configured by bonding a plurality of optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d in parallel. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, an example including four optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of optical fibers is used. Any optical fiber ribbon made of a strand can be applied.

  Adjacent optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are bonded to each other by the resin member 15 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d. That is, the resin member 15 is provided on the outer periphery of the optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, and connects the adjacent optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d together.

  The joints between the adjacent optical fiber strands are arranged in a staggered manner with respect to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon 3. That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the position of the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13b and 13c with respect to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon 3 is set between the adjacent optical fiber strands 13a and 13b and the light. The resin members 15 between the fiber strands 13c and 13d are formed at the same pitch with a substantially half-pitch shift. Therefore, the position of the resin member 15 in the longitudinal direction between the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b and the position of the resin member 15 in the longitudinal direction between the optical fiber strands 13c and 13d are overlapped in the width direction.

  The optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are all configured with the same color. For example, all can be white or transparent. By making the color of the optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d the same as the color of the wall or ceiling of the place to be laid, the laid optical fiber ribbon is less noticeable. The resin member 15 may be the same color as the optical fiber wires 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d or a transparent color.

  The outer diameters of the optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are preferably 0.45 mm or more. If the outer diameters of the optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are too thin, the visibility and handleability deteriorate. On the other hand, if the outer diameters of the optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are too large, the optical fiber strands are easily noticeable when laid. For this reason, it is desirable that the outer diameters of the optical fiber wires 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d be 1.0 mm or less.

  Here, the length of the resin member 15 between the adjacent optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon 3 is not the same. In the illustrated example, the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b has a pitch P1 and a length L1, whereas the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13b and 13c and the optical fiber strand. The resin member 15 between the lines 13c and 13d has a pitch P1 and a length L2. That is, when the center line O is the center in the width direction of the optical fiber ribbon 3 (the direction in which the optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are provided), the adjacent optical fiber strands are joined together. The mode of the resin member 15 is not the same between the optical fiber strands, but is different on both sides of the center line O (becomes asymmetric).

  In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the pitches of the resin members 15 are all the same (P1). On the other hand, the length L1 of the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b is between the length L2 of the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13b and 13c and between the optical fiber strands 13c and 13d. It is longer than the length L2 of the resin member 15. By doing in this way, it is possible to recognize which optical fiber strand is the optical fiber strand 13a in the optical fiber tape core wire 3 (which optical fiber strand is the first core wire). it can. Therefore, on the basis of the optical fiber 13a, which optical fiber is the optical fiber 13b, 13c, 13d (which optical fiber is the second core, third core, fourth core Can be recognized).

  In this case, for example, if L1 = 40 mm, L2 = 20 mm, and P1 = 80 mm, the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b and the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13b and 13c. And do not overlap each other in the width direction. Similarly, for example, if L1 = 90 mm, L2 = 10 mm, and P1 = 120 mm, the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b and the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13b and 13c. And do not overlap each other in the width direction.

  Further, L1 may be shorter than L2. For example, if L1 = 10 mm, L2 = 20 mm, and P1 = 60 mm, the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b and the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13b and 13c, There is no overlap in the width direction.

  Note that, as in the optical fiber ribbon 3a shown in FIG. 2B, the lengths of the resin members 15 may all be the same (L1), and the pitch may be changed. Further, both the length and the pitch may be changed.

  For example, the pitch P1 of the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b, the pitch P2 of the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13b and 13c, and the resin member between the optical fiber strands 13c and 13d It may be longer than 15 pitches P2. Even in this way, it is possible to recognize which optical fiber strand is the optical fiber strand 13a in the optical fiber ribbon 3. Therefore, it is possible to recognize which optical fiber strands are the optical fiber strands 13b, 13c, and 13d with reference to the optical fiber strand 13a.

  However, when the pitch is changed, there is a portion where the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b and the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13b and 13c overlap in the width direction. For this reason, there exists a possibility that the motion of optical fiber strands may be inhibited. Therefore, it is desirable that all the pitches of the resin members 15 are the same and only the length is changed.

  As described above, the number of optical fiber strands is not limited to four. For example, even when the optical fiber ribbon core wire 3b shown in FIG. 3 includes eight optical fiber strands 13a, 13b,..., 13g, 13h, both sides with respect to the center line O in the width direction. It suffices if the mode of the resin member 15 is different.

  In this case, at least the aspect of the resin member 15 that joins the first and second (in the figure, the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b) from one end in the width direction among the provided optical fiber strands is different. It is desirable that the aspect of the resin member 15 that joins adjacent optical fiber strands is different. As described above, since the joint portion between the optical fiber strands at the end is different from other joint portions (for example, the first and second from the other end in the width direction), the resin member 15 having a different aspect can be obtained. It can be easily recognized.

  In addition, the joint part between the optical fiber strands 13d and 13e is separated, and the 8-fiber optical fiber ribbon 3 may be handled as two 4-fiber ribbons. At this time, if the aspect of the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b is different from other portions, any of the optical fiber strands can be easily selected from the optical fibers in the four-fiber optical fiber ribbon after separation. It is possible to recognize whether the wire is a strand 13a (for example, the first core wire).

  On the other hand, in order to recognize which optical fiber strand is the optical fiber strand 13e in the other separated four-fiber optical fiber ribbon, as shown in the figure, the optical fiber strands 13e and 13f What is necessary is just to make the resin member 15 of the space | interval (5th and 6th from the one end of the width direction) different from the resin member of another site | part.

  Specifically, the pitch of the resin members 15 is the same (P1), the length L1 of the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13a and 13b, and the resin member 15 between the optical fiber strands 13e and 13f. The length L3 of the resin member 15 between the other optical fiber strands is set to be different from each other.

  By doing in this way, it can recognize which optical fiber strand is the optical fiber strand 13a in the optical fiber tape core wire 3b. Moreover, even when separated into four optical fiber ribbons, it is possible to recognize which optical fiber is the optical fiber 13a or 13e in each optical fiber ribbon. In addition, although L1 = L3 may be sufficient, if L1 and L3 differ, it can also be grasped which optical fiber tape core of which four cores is after separation.

  For example, L1 = 40 mm, L2 = 10 mm, L3 = 20 mm, and P1 = 90 mm. Furthermore, by changing the length of the resin member between the optical fiber strands 13d and 13e (fourth and fifth from one end in the width direction), it is separated into two four-core optical fiber ribbons. In doing so, the separation part can be easily grasped and separation is also easy.

  In the above-described example, as a method of changing the aspect of the resin member 15 that joins adjacent optical fiber strands on both sides of the center line O in the plan view, the length or pitch of the resin member 15 is changed, The example which makes the aspect of the resin member 15 not be the same between each optical fiber strand was shown. However, in the present invention, the aspect of the resin member 15 may be changed by other methods.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon 3c. The optical fiber ribbon 3c does not change the length or pitch in the longitudinal direction of the resin member 15, but changes the cross-sectional shape of the resin member 15. Even in this case, the aspect of the resin member 15 can be made different on both sides with respect to the center line O in the width direction in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon 3c.

  In this case, the optical fiber ribbon 3c may be provided with the resin member 15 intermittently in the longitudinal direction as described above, but may be provided with the resin member 15 over the entire length.

  Next, an optical fiber cable using the above-described optical fiber ribbon is described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber cable 1. In the present embodiment, an example using the optical fiber ribbon 3 is shown, but other optical fiber ribbons 3a, 3b, 3c may be used.

  The optical fiber cable 1 mainly includes an optical fiber ribbon 3, a buffer layer 5, a covering layer 7, a tension member 9, a tear string 11, and the like. A plurality of optical fiber ribbons 3 are accommodated in the optical fiber cable 1. A buffer layer 5 is provided on the outer periphery of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons 3. The buffer layer 5 protects the optical fiber ribbon 3 from an external force or the like.

  A coating layer 7 is formed on the outer periphery of the buffer layer 5. The covering layer 7 is a layer for covering and protecting the optical fiber cable 1. A tension member 9 is provided inside the coating layer 7.

  The tension member 9 bears the tension of the optical fiber cable 1. The tension member 9 is made of, for example, a steel wire or fiber reinforced plastic. Moreover, the tear string 11 is embed | buried in the coating layer 7 as needed.

  The optical fiber cable of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example. The present invention can also be applied to a loose tube type cable or a slot type optical fiber in which a tension member is arranged at the center.

  Next, a method for laying the optical fiber ribbon 3 will be described. First, a desired optical fiber ribbon 3 is taken out from the optical fiber cable 1. The extracted optical fiber ribbon 3 is laid on the wall surface, top surface, or floor surface of the place to be laid. At this time, if the optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d have the same color as the indoor / outdoor wall surface, the top surface, or the floor surface as the laying place, the optical fiber ribbon 3 is not easily noticeable.

  A desired optical fiber is branched from the optical fiber ribbon 3 and connected to a device to be connected. At this time, the optical fiber strands 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d cannot be identified by conventional coloring, but depending on the form of the resin member 15, it is possible to easily identify which optical fiber strand is. it can. Thus, the optical fiber ribbon 3 can be laid.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, since the optical fiber strands constituting the optical fiber ribbon are all the same color, it is possible to obtain an optical fiber ribbon that is not noticeable at the time of wiring. That is, since the optical fiber ribbon can be made the same color as the laid wall, top surface, floor, etc., the aesthetic appearance is not impaired.

  Moreover, since the aspect of the resin member 15 which joins the optical fiber strands which comprise the optical fiber ribbon is different on both sides of the center line O in the width direction, the optical fiber strands can be easily identified.

  In particular, the resin member 15 is intermittently provided in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon, and the length of the resin member 15 that joins predetermined optical fiber strands is changed from that of the other portions, thereby changing the optical fiber element. The wire can be easily identified and the optical fiber ribbon can be easily bent.

  Further, the aspect of the resin member 15 that joins the first and second optical fiber strands from the one end is different from the aspect of the resin member 15 that joins the other adjacent optical fiber strands. This makes it easy to identify the optical fiber.

  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, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Indoor cable 3, 3a, 3b, 3c ... Optical fiber tape core wire 5 ... Buffer layer 7 ... Cover layer 9 ... Tension member 11 ... Tear string 13a, 13b, 13c , 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h... Optical fiber 15.

Claims (3)

A plurality of optical fiber strands;
A resin member provided on an outer periphery of the optical fiber, and connecting the optical fibers together;
An optical fiber ribbon comprising:
The optical fiber strands are all the same color,
When the center in the width direction of the optical fiber ribbon is a center line,
Aspect of the resin member, depends on both sides of said center line,
The adjacent optical fiber strands are intermittently bonded by the resin member to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber strands,
The length or pitch of the resin member for joining the adjacent optical fiber strands is not the same between the optical fiber strands, but is different on both sides of the center line. Optical fiber ribbon. At least the aspect of the resin member that joins the first and second fibers from one end of the provided optical fiber strands is the aspect of the resin member that joins the other adjacent optical fiber strands. optical fiber ribbon of claim 1, wherein different from. An optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of the optical fiber ribbons according to any one of claims 1 to 2 .

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