JPH0545526A - Optical fiber unit - Google Patents
Optical fiber unitInfo
- Publication number
- JPH0545526A JPH0545526A JP3205183A JP20518391A JPH0545526A JP H0545526 A JPH0545526 A JP H0545526A JP 3205183 A JP3205183 A JP 3205183A JP 20518391 A JP20518391 A JP 20518391A JP H0545526 A JPH0545526 A JP H0545526A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- microballoons
- coating
- optical fiber
- coating layer
- fiber unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 239000011247 coating layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 abstract description 11
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 abstract description 7
- 239000006223 plastic coating Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000003746 surface roughness Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 4
- NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N isobutane Chemical compound CC(C)C NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000498 cooling water Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001282 iso-butane Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003094 microcapsule Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000323 aluminium silicate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007765 extrusion coating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007788 roughening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910000859 α-Fe Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、光ファイバユニットを
空気の流圧を利用して圧送する方式（以下、エアブロー
ファイバシステムという。）における光ファイバユニッ
トに係り、特に圧送特性の優れた光ファイバユニットに
関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber unit in a system for pressure-feeding an optical fiber unit by utilizing air pressure (hereinafter referred to as an air blow fiber system), and more particularly to an optical fiber having excellent pressure-feeding characteristics. Regarding the unit.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】近年、すでに布設された長いポリエチレ
ン（PE）等のパイプの中に空気圧にて光ファイバユニッ
トを挿通する方式、いわゆるエアブローファイバシステ
ムが提案され、光ファイバの損傷が少ない布設方法とし
て採用されつつある。2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called air blow fiber system has been proposed in which an optical fiber unit is pneumatically inserted into a long pipe such as polyethylene (PE) which has already been laid. It is being adopted.
【０００３】このようなエアブローファイバシステムに
おいては、光ファイバユニットは空気の流れに沿ってパ
イプ中を圧送するため、できるだけ軽くかつ空気の流れ
抵抗を大きくすることが好ましい。In such an air blow fiber system, since the optical fiber unit is pressure-fed in the pipe along the air flow, it is preferable that the optical fiber unit be as light as possible and have a large air flow resistance.
【０００４】したがって、これまで、光ファイバユニッ
トの外側被覆層を発泡率の高い発泡プラスチックで形成
することにより、光ファイバユニットの比重を軽くする
とともに外側被覆層の表面に凹凸をつけて空気の流れ抵
抗を大きくする試みがなされてきた。なお、被覆層の表
面を粗くすることは帯電防止効果もある。Therefore, up to now, by forming the outer coating layer of the optical fiber unit with foamed plastic having a high foaming rate, the specific gravity of the optical fiber unit is reduced and the surface of the outer coating layer is made uneven so that the air flow. Attempts have been made to increase resistance. In addition, roughening the surface of the coating layer also has an antistatic effect.
【０００５】[0005]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、従来、
上述したような発泡層は単に化学発泡によって形成され
ており、発泡による外形のコントロールが困難で、表面
の均一な凹凸形成には勘と経験が必要であった。特に長
いケーブルを製造する場合には条件の安定化が難しく、
生産性が低いという問題があった。[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the past,
Since the foamed layer as described above is simply formed by chemical foaming, it is difficult to control the outer shape by foaming, and it takes some experience and experience to form uniform unevenness on the surface. Especially when manufacturing long cables, it is difficult to stabilize the conditions.
There was a problem of low productivity.
【０００６】さらに、通常電線等に使用される発泡プラ
スチック組成物は、エアブローファイバシステムとは異
なった要求から表面が滑らかになるようにそれ自体開発
されており、このような例えば発泡ポリエチレン組成物
などの発泡組成物を光ファイバユニットに使用しても発
泡率は高いが、外観が滑らかで圧送時に空気抵抗を受け
にくい。Further, the foamed plastic composition usually used for electric wires and the like has been developed by itself so as to have a smooth surface due to the requirements different from those of the air blow fiber system, and such a foamed polyethylene composition etc. Even if the foaming composition is used in an optical fiber unit, the foaming rate is high, but the appearance is smooth and it is less susceptible to air resistance during pressure feeding.
【０００７】本発明はこのような点に対処してなされた
もので、比重が小さく外観表面が均一に荒れた被覆層を
安定して生産性よく形成することができ、プラスチック
パイプ中に空気圧にて挿通するのに好適な圧送特性の優
れた光ファイバユニットを提供することを目的とする。The present invention has been made in consideration of such a point, and a coating layer having a small specific gravity and a uniformly rough outer surface can be stably formed with good productivity. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber unit having excellent pumping characteristics that is suitable for being inserted through.
【０００８】[0008]
【課題を解決するための手段】すなわち、本発明の光フ
ァイバユニットは、単数または複数の光ファイバ心線を
被覆するプラスチック層の上に、マイクロバルーン組成
物からなる被覆層または外周にマイクロバルーンを付着
させた発泡プラスチック層を設けることを特徴とする。That is, an optical fiber unit of the present invention comprises a plastic layer for coating a single or a plurality of optical fiber cores, a coating layer made of a microballoon composition or a microballoon on the outer periphery. It is characterized in that an attached foamed plastic layer is provided.
【０００９】[0009]
【作用】本発明においては、外側被覆層にマイクロバル
ーンを付着もしくは含有させたものであり、用途に応じ
て各種のマイクロバルーンを使い分けることにより、容
易に所望の表面粗さの均一な発泡被覆層もしくはマイク
ロバルーン層を安定して形成することができ、圧送特性
の向上したエアブローファイバシステム用光ファイバユ
ニットを得ることができる。In the present invention, a microballoon is attached to or contained in the outer coating layer, and various types of microballoons can be used properly according to the application, so that the foamed coating layer having a uniform surface roughness can be easily obtained. Alternatively, the microballoon layer can be stably formed, and an optical fiber unit for an air blow fiber system with improved pumping characteristics can be obtained.
【００１０】また、被覆層の表面の凹凸はマイクロバル
ーンによって形成されるため、従来の電線等に使用され
てきた発泡組成物をそのまま改良することなく使用する
ことができる。Further, since the irregularities on the surface of the coating layer are formed by microballoons, the foamed composition which has been used for the conventional electric wire or the like can be used as it is without improvement.
【００１１】[0011]
【実施例】以下、図面に基づいて本発明の実施例を説明
する。 実施例１ 図１に本発明の一実施例の光ファイバユニットの構造を
示す。図中、符号１は光フアイバ心線であり、複数の光
フアイバ心線１を撚り合わせものにナイロン樹脂等によ
る被覆が施され、この共通被覆層２の上にポリエチレン
(PE) などのプラスチック材料を発泡させた発泡被覆層
３が形成され、さらにその外周にマイクロバルーン４が
付着されている。Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Example 1 FIG. 1 shows the structure of an optical fiber unit according to an example of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is an optical fiber core wire, and a plurality of optical fiber core wires 1 twisted together are coated with nylon resin or the like, and polyethylene is formed on the common coating layer 2.
A foam coating layer 3 formed by foaming a plastic material such as (PE) is formed, and a microballoon 4 is attached to the outer periphery thereof.
【００１２】このような光ファイバユニットは、図２に
示すように、共通被覆層２を形成した光ファイバ１１の
上に押出し機１２により発泡プラスチック被覆材料を押
出し被覆し、その直後にマイクロバルーン４を溶融プラ
スチック材料と接触させて付着させ、これを押出しの余
熱で発泡させることによって得られる。なお、発泡を十
分に行わせるためにさらに加熱してもよい。発泡後は、
冷却水１３により冷却され外測計１４により外径が計測
され、引取り機１５により送られつつ巻取ドラム１６に
巻き取られる。In such an optical fiber unit, as shown in FIG. 2, an optical fiber 11 on which a common coating layer 2 is formed is extrusion-coated with a foam plastic coating material by an extruder 12, and immediately after that, a microballoon 4 is formed. Is brought into contact with a molten plastic material to be adhered thereto, and is foamed by the residual heat of extrusion. In addition, you may heat further in order to fully perform foaming. After foaming,
It is cooled by the cooling water 13, the outer diameter is measured by the outer measuring device 14, and is wound by the winding drum 16 while being sent by the take-up machine 15.
【００１３】マイクロバルーンとしては、押出し時の熱
で発泡してマイクロバルーンとなるような、80℃〜200
℃の範囲で膨脹するマイクロカプセル型のものが好適に
用いられる。このようなものとしては、日本フェライト
社製のエクスパンセルがあり、これは塩化ビニリデンと
アクリロニトリルのコーポリマーを殻とし、内部に膨脹
剤としてイソブタンを内包したマイクロカプセルで、加
熱により外殻のポリマーが軟化しイソブタンの気化に伴
って膨脹してマイクロバーンとなる。またこの外にも、
圧送用パイプ内の滑り性向上を目的として、アルミノシ
リケート系マイクロバルーンを使用することもできる。
さらには、マイクロバルーンには各種のものがあり、滑
性や帯電性等の特性面から必要に応じて混合または単体
で使用される。The microballoons have a temperature of 80 ° C. to 200 ° C., which can be foamed by heat during extrusion to form microballoons.
A microcapsule type that expands in the range of ° C is preferably used. As such, there is an Expancel manufactured by Nippon Ferrite Co., which is a microcapsule containing a vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer as a shell and isobutane as an expanding agent inside, and a polymer of an outer shell by heating. Softens and expands with the vaporization of isobutane to become microburns. In addition to this,
Aluminosilicate-based microballoons can also be used for the purpose of improving the slipperiness in the pressure-feeding pipe.
Further, there are various types of microballoons, and they may be mixed or used alone as required from the viewpoint of characteristics such as lubricity and chargeability.
【００１４】上記工程でマイクロバルーンを溶融プラス
チック材料と接触させて付着させる方法としては、単に
粉体状のマイクロバルーンをふりかけることもできる
が、好適には粉体状のマイクロバルーンを空気のような
ガスを用いて吹付けて付着させるか、あるいはバインダ
ーとなる液体にマイクロバルーンを分散させた分散液を
吹付ける方法が用いられる。As a method of contacting and adhering the microballoons with the molten plastic material in the above step, it is possible to simply sprinkle the powdery microballoons, but preferably the powdery microballoons like air. There is used a method of spraying with a gas for adhesion or a spray of a dispersion liquid in which microballoons are dispersed in a liquid serving as a binder.
【００１５】また、上述したような押出し直後の溶融状
態の被覆層にマイクロバルーンを吹付ける方法の外に
は、液状バインダーにマイクロバルーンを分散させたも
のをダイス等で発泡被覆層の上に均一にコーティング
し、これを加熱炉で加熱し、発泡性のものは発泡させ硬
化させて、図１の光ファイバユニットを形成することも
できる。In addition to the method of spraying the microballoons onto the molten coating layer immediately after extrusion as described above, a solution in which the microballoons are dispersed in a liquid binder is uniformly applied onto the foam coating layer with a die or the like. It is also possible to form the optical fiber unit of FIG. 1 by coating it on a substrate and heating it in a heating furnace to foam and cure the foamable one.
【００１６】以上説明したように、本実施例は、発泡プ
ラスチック被覆材料を押出した後にマイクロバルーンを
付着させるものであり、粉体径のそろったマイクロバル
ーンを外周に均一に付着させることにより、発泡プラス
チック被覆材料の発泡特性にかかわらず表面凹凸の均一
な外観を安定して形成することができる。また、従来の
被覆材料の発泡のみで所望の外観を得る方法では、低速
で十分被覆材料を発泡させる必要があったが、本実施例
においては通常の速度で通常の押出し被覆工程を組むこ
とができるため、生産コストを低減させることができ
る。As described above, in the present embodiment, the microballoons are attached after the foamed plastic coating material is extruded, and the microballoons having a uniform powder diameter are evenly attached to the outer periphery to form a foam. A uniform appearance of surface irregularities can be stably formed regardless of the foaming characteristics of the plastic coating material. Further, in the conventional method of obtaining the desired appearance only by foaming the coating material, it was necessary to sufficiently foam the coating material at a low speed, but in the present embodiment, a usual extrusion coating step may be carried out at a normal speed. Therefore, the production cost can be reduced.
【００１７】実施例２ 図３は本発明の他の実施例の光ファイバユニットの構造
を示すもので、共通被覆層２の上にバインダーとマイク
ロバルーンからなるマイクロバルーン層５が形成されて
いる。Embodiment 2 FIG. 3 shows the structure of an optical fiber unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a microballoon layer 5 composed of a binder and microballoons is formed on the common coating layer 2.
【００１８】上記構成の光ファイバユニットは、高粘度
の液状のバインダーにマイクロバルーンを分散させたも
のを、ダイス等で共通被覆層２の上に均一にコーティン
グし予備乾燥した後加熱し、発泡性のマイクロバルーン
の場合はこれにより発泡させてマイクロバルーンからな
る被覆層を形成する。The optical fiber unit having the above-mentioned structure is obtained by uniformly dispersing the microballoons in a high-viscosity liquid binder on the common coating layer 2 with a die or the like, predrying it, and then heating it to form a foam. In the case of the above microballoons, the microballoons are thereby foamed to form a coating layer composed of the microballoons.
【００１９】この構成ではマイクロバルーン層５が従来
の発泡被覆層３に相当するが、比重が軽く外観が均一な
凹凸表面を有する光ファイバユニットが得られる。In this structure, the microballoon layer 5 corresponds to the conventional foam coating layer 3, but an optical fiber unit having a roughened surface with a light specific gravity and a uniform appearance can be obtained.
【００２０】[0020]
【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明によれば、
比重が軽く均一な表面粗さを有する外側被覆層を通常の
押出し条件で安定して形成することができ、圧送特性お
よび生産性に優れたエアブローファイバシステム用光フ
ァイバユニットを提供することができる。As described above, according to the present invention,
An outer coating layer having a low specific gravity and a uniform surface roughness can be stably formed under normal extrusion conditions, and an optical fiber unit for an air blow fiber system having excellent pumping characteristics and productivity can be provided.
【図１】本発明の実施例１の光ファイバユニットを示す
断面図である。FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an optical fiber unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】本発明の実施例１の製造工程例を示す図であ
る。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the manufacturing process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
【図３】本発明の実施例２の光ファイバユニットを示す
断面図である。FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an optical fiber unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
１………光ファイバ心線 ２………共通被覆層 ３………発泡被覆層 ４………マイクロバルーン １１………光ファイバ １３………冷却水 １４………外測計 １５………引取り機 ２１………マイクロバルーン層 1 ... Optical fiber core 2 Common coating layer 3 Foam coating layer 4 Microballoon 11 Optical fiber 13 Cooling water 14 External measuring device 15 … Take-up machine 21 ……… Micro balloon layer
Claims (1)
するプラスチック層の上に、マイクロバルーン組成物か
らなる被覆層もしくは外周にマイクロバルーンを付着さ
せた発泡プラスチック層を設けてなることを特徴とする
光ファイバユニット。1. A coating layer made of a microballoon composition or a foamed plastic layer having microballoons adhered to the outer periphery thereof is provided on a plastic layer coating one or more optical fiber cores. Optical fiber unit.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3205183A JPH0545526A (en) | 1991-08-15 | 1991-08-15 | Optical fiber unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3205183A JPH0545526A (en) | 1991-08-15 | 1991-08-15 | Optical fiber unit |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH0545526A true JPH0545526A (en) | 1993-02-23 |
Family
ID=16502788
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3205183A Pending JPH0545526A (en) | 1991-08-15 | 1991-08-15 | Optical fiber unit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0545526A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH09178992A (en) * | 1995-12-25 | 1997-07-11 | Mitsubishi Cable Ind Ltd | Optical fiber unit for air shoot and production of the same |
| JP2002289046A (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2002-10-04 | Lucent Technol Inc | Communication cable and method of installing same |
-
1991
- 1991-08-15 JP JP3205183A patent/JPH0545526A/en active Pending
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH09178992A (en) * | 1995-12-25 | 1997-07-11 | Mitsubishi Cable Ind Ltd | Optical fiber unit for air shoot and production of the same |
| JP2002289046A (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2002-10-04 | Lucent Technol Inc | Communication cable and method of installing same |
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