JPH0313903A - Wound body and method of filling wound body by optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the occurence of fixing and a knot by preparing a coil provided with first and second axis line tips and a pair of rotary posts and arranging each post in the neighborhood of each corresponding axis line tip. CONSTITUTION: This system prepares the coil provided with the first and second axis line tips and a pair of the rotary posts and arranging each post in the neighborhood of each corresponding axis line tip and is provided with a process for fixing coil to a winding device. The fiber 14 rotates around a post 26, arranged in the neighborhood of an axis tip 24 and forms a loop 34. Then both of the rotating direction and the moving direction become opposite in direction, to wind the second layer 44 of the optical fiber 14. in this case, as the size in the radial direction of the formed loop is nearly that of a fiber twist 14, ruggedness which generates 'hooking' at the time of freely development does not occur.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a method of winding an optical fiber onto a roll, and in particular, when the fiber is freely expanded from the roll, it is difficult to prevent stiffness or binding. The present invention relates to a winding method that does not generate eyes and can minimize the influence on optical signals flowing within the fiber.

Many weapons and communication systems have been developed that use optical fibers for two-way communication between two or more moving objects, or between a moving object and a fixed base. ing. In such applications, communication links are provided between aircraft, between aircraft and ships, and between projectiles such as missiles or artillery shells and control bases of launch pads. The use of optical fibers for such communications prevents blockage due to electromagnetic influences and weakening.

However, fiber optics has certain disadvantages in other forms of communication. Fibers are fragile when left in a broken state, whereas wire communication systems are strong. In addition to breakage, optical fiber communications are degraded by microcracks and microbends that occur within the fiber due to bending and other forces applied to the fiber. Such damage to the optical fiber not only shortens the long life of the fiber, but also causes losses in optical signal power and capacity.

In a typical fiber optic application, a continuous length of fiber is housed within a vehicle. In this case, one end of the fiber is attached to the vehicle's actuator and the other end is attached to the control or communication base of the launch vehicle. When the vehicle is launched, the optical fibers flow from the coils within the vehicle, allowing two-way communications to occur during flight.

The challenge is to develop a reliable and compact system for storing optical fiber in rolls that minimizes stress on the fiber, prevents adverse communications effects, and protects the fiber during vehicle flight. An object of the present invention is to provide a device that can reliably perform the expansion of the image.

A conventional method for winding optical fiber onto a spool is to move and rotate the spool while pressing the fiber. At the end of the fiber layer, the direction of movement of the winding is reversed but the winding direction is the same, after which the layer of fire is pressed.

As a result, the pitch between the layers is reversed. At each winding, the fiber intersects two windings of the underlying layer.

This is compared to a conventional winding 5 with adjacent fiber layers 6, 7.
This is schematically illustrated in FIG. The upper layer 7 intersects the lower layer 6 at points 8 on both sides of the roll, only one of which is shown in FIG.

When optical fiber is wound in this manner, small radial bends, called microbenders, occur at each intersection. The compressive stress created in the microbender's glass optical waveguide causes optical attenuation of the winding.

The jacket layer of fiber increases the compressive force of each microbend and increases the optical attenuation proportionally.

The length of the fiber and the range of the missile are limited by the optical attenuation of the fiber between the optical transmitter and receiver, which limits the range between bases.

The point at which a wound layer intersects the underlying layer is a function of the winding tension, the winding angle, and the surface friction of the fiber. Although the winding tension can be controlled within a precise error range, the other two
One factor is not easily controllable. In order to detect this winding angle, complex and expensive electronics are required. The winding process must be adjusted to account for changes in the winding angle. A change in the winding angle actually results in a change in the winding pitch. Therefore, when the pitch changes, the gaps between adjacent fibers become non-uniform. This non-uniform gap then accumulates and develops during winding after multiple layers have been wound. These gaps cause the fiber windings in a layer to mix with the windings in the underlying layer, reducing reliability as the fiber is pulled from the windings between stations during transport. The mixing at the fiber winding section is performed using slump J (slu
mp).

Due to the non-uniform crossings, the winding angle must be varied and the surface friction of the fiber can be reduced to 11! It must be done. Since surface friction is a result of the manufacturing process, the coefficient of friction varies with each manufacturing batch of fiber. This change is difficult to detect during the winding process. All these factors combine to complicate the winding process. This complexity increases manufacturing effort and reduces reliability.

The cause of this multi-aW property is the intersection with the lower layer.

Attempts have been made to wind multiple layers of optical fiber with crossed fibers onto a roll. In the method disclosed in Fukumi et al., U.S. Pat. After forming, the winding direction is reversed. Although this method reduces the optical attenuation caused by crossed fibers, the freely supported loops can cause "snagging" if the fibers are pulled away from the coil at high speeds during use. The free support loops are generally placed in a plane perpendicular to the winding surface and extend radially above the layer height. This requires a loop radius of zero. This creates an irregularity on the surface of the fiber that is rolled up, which can create a "snag" that does not catch the fiber when it is deployed.

[Structure of the invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a method and apparatus for winding a continuous length of optical fiber onto a spool without intersecting it for use in a moving or launched vehicle. It also provides a method and apparatus that does not allow the loop to be freely supported. This method of winding minimizes stress on the fiber and allows free flow of the fiber without snags from the vehicle.

As explained in the specific example corresponding to the purpose of the present invention, continuous optical fibers are wound in a compact and multi-layered manner to fill the roll, and the fibers are not crossed between each layer. A method that does not cause this is to connect the first axis end and
a second axis end and a pair of rotating posts, each rotating post is provided with a winding body disposed near each corresponding axis end, and a step of attaching the winding body to a winding device; winding a first layer of fiber in a first direction around a coil starting from a first axial end, continuing in the first axial filling direction and terminating at a second axial end; 1
When winding the optical fiber in the direction, there are two steps: a step of bringing adjacent winding parts of the optical fiber into contact with each other, a step of winding the optical fiber around a rotating post near the second axis end to form a loop end, and a step of winding the optical fiber at the end of the winding. winding a second layer of optical fiber in a second reverse winding direction of and in a second reverse axis filling direction from the second axis end to the first axis end, the step of winding the second layer of optical fiber in the second direction; When winding, there is a step of bringing adjacent winding portions of the optical fiber into contact with each other, and forming another loop end by winding the optical fiber around a rotating post near the first axis end. arranging the loop end substantially flat around the outer periphery of the roll, followed by further winding, loop forming, reverse winding, and loop forming to fill the roll with a desired level of optical fiber. , a step of removing the compactly filled roll from the winding device;

In accordance with a preferred method, the method further includes the steps of removing the rotating post from the filled roll to free the loop ends and applying adhesive material to the free loop ends.

Further according to the invention, as illustrated in the specific examples,
A roll holding a continuous strand of optical fiber in multiple layers includes a cylindrical body with opposing axial ends, and a pair of fiber rotation posts are removably attached to the cylindrical body, each post having a corresponding axis It is located near the edge.

Furthermore, another feature of the present invention is an optical fiber comprising: a cylindrical winding body having an axial end facing the outer circumferential surface; and an optical fiber wound around the winding body in a plurality of layers and disposed between the facing ends. A roll filled with continuous strands of fiber, each layer consisting of optical fibers in axial abutting relationship with adjacent windings, each layer having no intersecting fibers and a first and second A plurality of fiber twist loops are disposed near each axial end, each loop providing a winding that is substantially flat in the shape of the winding circumferential surface.

EXAMPLE In FIG. 2, a roll 10 according to the invention is shown. The winding 10 is removably attached to a winding device mandrel 12 (shown in phantom) and is adapted to be filled with a continuous strand of optical fiber 14 supplied from a fiber supply source (not shown). The fiber strand is adapted to be supported by the arm 16 of the winder.

According to the present invention, a roll holding continuous twisted optical fibers in multiple layers includes a cylindrical body having ends on opposing axes, and a pair of fiber rotation posts detachably attached to the cylindrical body. , one post is placed near the end on each axis. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the roll 10 includes a hollow cylindrical body 20 having ends 22 and 24 on opposite axes. The roll 10 is configured such that it can be attached to the mandrel 12 in a variety of ways, such as by splines or keys (not shown). The roll 10 also includes a pair of posts 26 (only one of which is shown for clarity). Each post is disposed near the ends 22, 24 on the axis. The post 26 serves as a support for rotating the optical fiber strands.1. This is to reverse the winding direction in the roll filling method described below.

Preferably, the rotation post 26 is substantially orthogonal to the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 28 of the roll 10. Post 26 is also large enough that its minimum radius 30 prevents unacceptable bending of optical fiber 14 resulting in signal degradation during use. Post 26 is
Also, as shown in FIG. 2, it can be tapered, and the radius increases as the distance from the outer circumferential surface 28 increases. Therefore, for example, as shown in the loop 34 shown in FIG. , it is possible to take the loop position of the optical fiber.

Further, it is preferable that the post 26 is removed from the cylindrical body 20 after the roll 10 is full.

Possible uses for the filled roll 10 include applications where free flow of fiber is required, as discussed above, but leaving the posts permanently would preclude such use. In one embodiment, the post 26 has a threaded portion 36 that engages a threaded hole (not shown) in the cylinder 20. Other removable post structures can be considered by those skilled in the art, such as a "destructible post." While ``fractured posts'' have cost advantages, the structure must be shaped so as not to leave jagged edges or rough surfaces that prevent the fiber strands from unfolding freely. Moreover, since such a breakable post cannot be reused, a post that can be selectively attached/detached is not advantageous.

The method of the invention will be described in relation to the embodiment shown in FIG.

According to the present invention, there is a method of filling a roll with continuous twisted optical fibers arranged in multiple layers and wound compactly, in which each layer does not intersect. and a pair of rotating posts, each post being disposed near each axis end. A step of preparing a winding body and attaching it to a winding device; winding the first layer of optical fiber in a first direction and continuing along the first axis filling direction and terminating at a second axis end.

Further, the first direction winding step includes a step of bringing the winding portion of the optical fiber closer to each other in the axial direction.

In this embodiment, the coil 10 with the post 26 slides into engagement with the mandrel 12 and the free end 14a of the optical fiber strand.
is fixed to the cylindrical body 20, for example, by wrapping it in a loop around a post (not shown) near the axial end 22.

The first layer 38 of optical fiber is then applied to the rolled cylinder 20.
is wound in a counterclockwise direction (arrow 40A). Second
As shown in the figure, the windings of the fibers constituting layer 38 abut each other along the filling direction 42A to avoid forming gaps between the windings to maximize the winding density of winding 10. It is said that Although the winding device has a mandrel 12 that rotates around an axis 18 and is movable along the axis 18, a type in which the arm 16 of the winding device is fixed is contemplated. However, the arm 16 of the winding device rotates and the mandrel 2
0 could be movable, or conversely the arm 16 of the winding device could rotate and move, and the mandrel 12 could be stationary, which would be conceivable to a person skilled in the art.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, the h method with zero intersection involves rotating the optical fiber strand around the post near the second axis end;
The method includes winding a second layer of optical fiber in a second axial packing direction around the coil in a second winding direction from the second axial end to the first axial end. The second winding direction is opposite to the first winding direction, and the second direction winding step involves bringing the winding portions of the first fiber into contact with each other along the axial direction when forming the second layer. Contains processes.

In this embodiment, the fiber 14 rotates about a post 26 located near the axial end 24 to form a loop 34. Then, the rotation direction and movement direction of the mandrel 12 are both reversed, and the second layer 44 of the optical fiber 14 is wound up. The important point is that when using the rotating post 26, each loop 34 is arranged substantially flat with respect to the shape of the outer circumferential surface 28. Since the radial size of the formed loop is approximately the size of the fiber twist 14,
There are no irregularities that would cause snagging during free unfolding. Also, as shown in FIG. It is clear that the second layer 44 is preferably disposed in the gap formed between adjacent winding portions of the second layer 44.
The windings of are also axially adjacent along direction 42B to maximize fiber density and provide zero crossing.

Further in accordance with the present invention, the method involves winding the optical fiber around a rotating post near a first axis end, followed by repeated winding, looping, and inversion until the winding is filled to the desired level; The compactly filled roll is removed from the winding device. As mentioned above, the post 26 is preferably removed after the winding operation is completely completed, for example by unscrewing the post 26 as shown. Further, as long as reused posts are used, the first step in preparing the roll 10 is to use the removable post 26.
It also includes the process of installing.

Furthermore, for example, "Norland Optical Adhesive"
Preferably, an adhesive material 48, such as .RTM.®, is applied to the loop 34 to maintain the released loop 34 in a flat orientation and position until it is deployed. Alternatively, the filled entire roll 10, including the loops 34, may be coated with an adhesive material.

Additionally, this adhesive material coating step can be performed before or after removing the roll from the mandrel 12. This method, called "zero-crossing winding," eliminates the need for crossings, thereby reducing the complexity of the winding process and the signal attenuation caused by crossings.

As described above, winding according to the present method involves rotating and moving the roll 10 at a constant speed determined by a predetermined winding pitch. Rotating posts, such as posts 26, are provided at both ends of the roll 10. There is-
When winding of the layer is completed, the fibers form a loop around the post 26 near the end of the winding, where winding is terminated and both the direction of rotation and movement of the winding are reversed. As a result, the next layer is formed at the same pitch as the underlying layer. The crossover is then removed and the fiber winding angle remains constant.

As a result of the above, the present winding method avoids the problems of providing "zero-crossing winding" in the prior art.

Eliminating crossovers reduces optical attenuation and increases tolerance between receiving and transmitting stations. This winding method does not damage the fiber due to changes in friction, and the winding pitch is uniform because there is no intersection. Finally, the winding action can be carried out rapidly and with large repetitions due to the constant winding angle.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the winding body and zero-crossing winding method according to the present invention within the scope and spirit of the claims, and these modifications and improvements will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. are within the scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional roll for winding an optical fiber by a conventional method, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an optical fiber and a roll wound by a method according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Winding body, 12... Mandrel, 14... Tip fiber, 18... Axis line, 20... Cylindrical body, 22.24.
... Axis end, 26... Rotating post, 28... Outer peripheral surface, 34... Loop, 38... First layer, 44... Second layer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. (a) A winding body having a first axis end, a second axis end, and a pair of rotating posts, and each rotating post is disposed near each corresponding axis end. (b) winding the first layer of optical fiber around the winding body in a first direction starting from the first axis end and in the first axis filling direction; (c) Near the second axis end (d) in a second reverse winding direction about the spool and from the second axis end to the first axis end; a step of winding a second layer of the optical fiber in the opposite axis filling direction, and in the case of winding in the second direction, a step of bringing adjacent winding portions of the optical fiber into contact with each other; (e) a first layer of the optical fiber; forming another loop end by winding the optical fiber around a rotating post near the axial end, and arranging the loop end and the other loop end substantially flat on the outer periphery of the roll; (f) (b) repeating the steps from to (e) to fill the roll with a desired level of optical fiber; (g) removing the compactly filled roll from the winding device; A method for filling a roll with optical fibers, which is wound in a compact manner and arranged in multiple layers, and does not cause fiber crossings between each layer. 2. The method for filling a roll according to claim 1, wherein steps (b) and (d) further include the step of rotating the roll in a direction opposite to each winding direction. 3. The roll filling method according to claim 2, wherein the winding step further includes a step of moving the roll in an axial direction opposite to each axial filling direction simultaneously with each of the rotating steps. 4. The method further comprises: removing the rotating post from the filled roll to free the loop end, and arranging the free loop end substantially flat on the outer circumferential surface of the roll. 3. The method for filling a roll according to any one of 3. 5. The method of filling a roll as claimed in claim 4, further comprising applying an adhesive material to maintain the orientation and position of the free loop ends. 6. The rotating post can be selectively attached and detached, and the preparation step further includes the step of attaching the rotating post to the roll, and the step of removing the rotating post from the roll further includes the step of removing the rotating post. The roll filling method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: 7. An optical fiber comprising a cylindrical body having opposing axial ends and an outer circumferential surface, and a pair of fiber rotation posts detachably attached to the cylindrical body and disposed near each corresponding axial end. A roll that holds multiple layers of continuous strands. 8. The roll according to claim 7, wherein each of the pair of detachable posts is arranged perpendicularly to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. 9. A cylindrical winding body having an axial end facing the outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of layers of optical fiber wound around the winding body and disposed between the opposing axial ends, each layer having an adjacent winding section. an optical fiber comprising optical fibers in axially abutting relationship and having no intersecting fibers in each layer; and a first and second plurality of fiber twisted loops disposed near each axial end; a roll filled with continuous strands of optical fiber, each loop having a substantially flat arrangement around the outer circumferential surface of the roll; 10. Claim comprising a pair of rotating posts attached to the roll, each located near a corresponding axial end, each loop being disposed around each post at the axial end. A roll filled with the continuously twisted optical fiber according to item 9. 11. A roll filled with a continuous strand of optical fiber according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the loop is held in place by an adhesive material. 12. A roll filled with continuous strands of optical fiber according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that each layer and each loop is held in place with an adhesive material. 13. Any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the fiber strand windings of each layer are arranged in gaps formed between adjacent radially adjacent fiber strand windings of the next layer. A roll filled with continuous strands of optical fiber as described in .