JPS5828704A - Production of reinforced optical transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set accurately an optical fiber into a coat, by producing a reinforcing member having a storing groove and putting the optical fiber and then a filler into the storing groove. CONSTITUTION:The reinforced fibers 2 are supplied from a fiber feeder 1. The fiber 2 receives the supply of the thermosetting resin 3 from a resin impregnating machine 4 and then passes through the inside of a cylindrical heat molding machine 5 to be formed into a reinforced member 6 having a storing groove on its outer circumference. An optical fiber 9 is stored into the storing groove and moved toward the center hole of a butt strap 11. On the other hand, a fiber material 14 similar to the fiber 2 is led into a resin tank 18 and then impregnated with the liquid thermosetting resin 19. Thus a filler 12 is obtained. The filler 12 reaches the strap 11 and then goes into the storing groove of the member 6 to block the groove.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body composed of an optical fiber and a reinforcing member.

Fiber H1 reinforced resin (FR) is used as a means to strengthen optical fibers.
Coating with P) has already been carried out, and this method not only significantly improves the strength of the optical fiber, but also improves the strength of the optical fiber.
Since the linear expansion coefficients of the P coating and the optical fiber are also similar, the effect of good temperature characteristics can also be obtained.

Reinforced coating means that can achieve the above effects are used not only for manufacturing single-core coated optical fibers, but also for multi-core coated optical fibers, optical cords, optical cable units, optical cables, etc.
Although it is widely used in manufacturing various optical transmission bodies, the following problems have been pointed out in the conventional method of simultaneously coating a plurality of optical fibers with FRP.

In other words, in the case of the conventional method, reinforcing fibers (multiple fibers) made of glass or the like in a roving state and optical fibers (multiple fibers) are
Reinforcing fibers are attached vertically around each optical fiber while being fed in the force direction, and at this time, each reinforcing fiber is immersed in a resin liquid bath in advance to impregnate it with liquid thermosetting resin. Or, after the vertical splicing, each reinforcing fiber is impregnated with a liquid thermosetting resin from a resin droplet dripping device, and each optical fiber and each reinforcing paper impregnated with resin are
Before entering the thermoforming machine, these are passed through a batten to adjust their relative positions, and then each optical fiber and each reinforcing fiber impregnated with resin is introduced into the thermoforming machine and the resin is heated. However, the positioning means using the above-mentioned batten is only 9 or 1, and unlike the case of a single fiber, the number of optical fibers and reinforcing fibers are large, so each optical fiber in the FRP coating has to be placed in a predetermined position. The position is not exactly fixed, and the positional deviation itself is not constant, so there is no reproducibility.
Therefore, it has been more difficult than impossible to obtain an accurate position of the coating on the optical fiber.

Of course, if the optical fiber position is not determined as above,
In practical use, the work of connecting optical fibers becomes troublesome, and when the speed of the production line is increased in the above-mentioned manner, the positional deviation of the optical fibers becomes larger, and therefore the production efficiency inevitably decreases.゛The present invention does not vertically attach resin-impregnated reinforcing fibers to the outer periphery of the optical fiber, but instead inserts the optical fiber into a predetermined storage groove formed in advance on the reinforcing member, and fills the storage groove. This is an attempt to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional example, with the main feature being a means of blocking with a material.

The method of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

In Fig. 1, ill (1) Fill... are fiber feeding machines, and these fiber feeding machines ill (]1
(11... are respectively reinforcing fibers (2) (21
(2)... is wound so that it can be unwound and supplied freely.

Each of the reinforcing fibers (21(2) F2+...) here consists of glass fibers, carbon fibers, metal fibers, fused silica fibers, ceramic fibers, etc. in a roving state.

Each of the above reinforcing fibers (21 (21 (2)... is the first
The fiber is fed in a predetermined direction while being unwound from the fiber feed shown in the figure, and is impregnated with a thermosetting resin (3) such as polyester, epoxy, silicone, etc. by the next resin impregnating means.

The resin impregnation means is a resin injection type or a resin flowing type (dropping type) from a resin impregnation machine (4) shown in the figure. (3) or each reinforcing fiber +2
1 (21(2)...) is immersed in a resin liquid tank (not shown) and passed through it.

Each reinforcing fiber (21(2) (2
)... will pass through a cylindrical heating forming machine (5) that has a predetermined molding shape inside, and each of these reinforcing fibers (21 (21! 2)...) The reinforcing member (6) having the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 2 is obtained by thermosetting molding in the thermoforming machine (5).

As is clear with reference to FIG. 2, the reinforced plastic member (6) molded by the thermoforming machine (5)
) has a plurality of storage grooves (force t71) in the longitudinal direction of its surface.
+71... is formed.

At this time, the storage groove (71+71 I force...) may be linear, meandering (the larger the meandering curvature is, the better), or even spiral (the spiral pitch may be arbitrary). In any of these cases, each storage groove (7
1+7+ +71... is formed in the long plane direction of the reinforced raid (6).

The reinforcing member (6) is still running even after being molded, and the surface of the old reinforcing part (6) in this state is covered with light from the optical fiber feeder +81 (81 [81...). Fiber F9) +91 (9)... is arranged.

This optical fiber supply machine +81 (81FB+...
An optical fiber +9) +9119+... having a primary coating or a coating with a higher coating is unwound thereon, and each optical fiber 19+ +91 +91... is unwound from this. ... is guided to the surface of the reinforcing member (6), and these respective fibers +91
+9) +91... is the guide roller 00) (
10) 00)... is inserted into the storage groove t7) +71 +71... of the reinforcing member (6).

Each storage groove (7) (Optical fiber i9 in 71+7+...) +9+(9)...The reinforced part (6) after being inserted one by one is in its traveling direction. It passes through the central hole (not shown) of the batten (11) located at
121F+2) (+2)... is being sent.

In Figure 1, the reinforcing fibers (2+ (21 (2+...) The fiber material 04) 04)... is wound up, and each fiber unwound from there is a guide roller 051 Q51 Q5)... ..., and is introduced into the resin liquid tank α ink pad through the force of the guide roller a, and inside the same type Q8), the liquid thermosetting resin such as epoxy, polyester, silicone, etc. The above-mentioned filler (1ri(12)(+21...) is made by impregnating the fiber material Q4JσI9a<..., and each filling month θ21 (12+
(+21... reaches the batten (1υ) via the guide roller, and passes through each through hole (not shown) around the batten center hole.

Here, as a means for impregnating each fiber material σ4a αΦ... with resin, the above-mentioned resin impregnation m (41) may be used.

In the above, the reinforcing part (6) passing through the central hole of the batten (11), the through holes around it, and each filler (+7I (12
+ (Ia...) will merge after passing through the batten, and at the time of this merger, each filler (Ia (+21
(+21... is the storage groove (7) of the reinforcing member (6)
1+7) +7)...Go inside and block them.

Then, the reinforcing member (6) that has obtained the closed state passes through a cylindrical heat curing machine 21) located after the batten Ql), where each filler material a'a aa oa...
... is heated and hardened and integrated with the reinforcing member (6), thereby! An optical transmission body (a) having the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 3 is obtained.

Next, embodiments other than the above that can be adopted by the method of the present invention will be described.

First, regarding the optical fibers f9) (9) +91..., it is best to use fibers with coating layers of different colors.
This makes it easier to identify the optical fiber after it has been made.

In addition, in place of the optical fiber (9), a filament such as a copper wire, aluminum wire, or steel wire may be used in any position of the storage groove (71) described above. In addition, an optical fiber (9) may be inserted into the storage groove.
In some cases, both the striatum and the striatum (other than optical fibers) are included.

These filaments may be inserted by the same means as for inserting the optical fiber (9) into the storage groove (7). , each @+71 (71+71...
The relative position of the optical fiber +91 (91[91...] can be distinguished from the cape without the coloring means,
Furthermore, if this filament is an electrically conductive film, power can be supplied. On the other hand, the filling material (12) Pl (+21...
...The binding material may be made of resin, or it may be made of liquid thermosetting resin mixed with short fibers (of the same quality as the reinforcing fibers (2)). is applied to each storage groove (force (7)) using the same method as the resin impregnation machine (4).
(7) ... can be filled inside, and these filling i'
(12) (12) (+2) '...... makes any one of them a different color from the others, makes each filler a different color, and even makes the reinforcing member (6) a different color. Sometimes.

Further, when each of the storage grooves (71+7) (7)... is spiral, the reinforcing member (6) is preferably rotated about its elongated axis; t
7+ +7) (7) When... is meandering, it is sufficient to rotate the reinforcing member (6) in forward and reverse directions within a rotation angle of 360° (the center of rotation is the same as above). ,
Even if the groove has the shape described above, it is difficult for the optical fiber (2) or the filament to fit into the groove, and the groove can be easily filled without filling material.

In addition, the reinforcing member (6) is heated to a semi-hardened state with i+51, and then heat-cured with fJ! AI2! It may be completely hardened with a sword.

Furthermore, to explain the cross-sectional shape of the optical transmission body (A) obtained by the method of the present invention, the one shown in FIG.
1... and a single deep storage groove (7)' are formed, and in the trench shown in Fig. 5, a plurality of shallow storage grooves (7+ +7+ +71) are formed on the surface of the reinforcing member (6). ...
...and multiple deep storage grooves t7+'+7)' (7
1'... are provided alternately.

In these cases, the deep storage groove t7+'17)' (7
1'...There are multiple optical fibers (2) (2),
Alternatively, the optical fiber (2) and the filament can be accommodated.

Of course, all the storage grooves (71+71)...
, (force ′(force ′(7)′ ...) may be inserted into the optical fiber +91 +9) +91...
Although the filament body may be placed in the shallow storage groove (7) at any location, in these FIGS. 4 and 5, the deep storage groove (71)
'+71'+7+' . . . In this example, the optical fiber (9) and the filament (c) are housed.

In addition, there are multiple optical fibers inside the deep storage groove (7)′.
9) When storing t9Lt or the optical fiber (9) and the filament (c), after storing the first fiber, add the first filling material, and after storing the second fiber, add the first filling material. Second filling 41
Add these fillers, such as adding 1'+13.
It is better to put 'a' separately.

Next, each specific example will be explained.

Specific example 1 The reinforcing fiber (2) (2) (2)... is any one selected from glass fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber (trade name Kepler), and thermosetting resin (
3) is any one selected from polyester, epoxy, silicone, etc., and outer diameter = 2.
Oran, number of storage grooves (7) = 4, each storage groove (7)
) depth = 1.0 mn reinforcement system (6) was created.

Optical fibers +9) (9) +91... are made of quartz-based material with an outer diameter of 125 μm, the outer periphery of which is primarily coated with silicone resin, and these optical fibers +91 +91191...・Each storage groove t71 +71 of the reinforcing member (6) for which thermosetting molding has been completed
+71...0 filler material HH (13... is the fiber material U41 inserted one by one)
Uaa
) (7) ... At this time, any one filling material (12) is colored at an appropriate time before being put into the storage groove (7), and after the above prescribed filling, these Filler (
12) The optical transmitter (a) obtained by curing Hα resin by heating and integrating it with the reinforcing member (6) has excellent mechanical strength and temperature characteristics, as expected. shi, each optical fiber +91
+91 +9+... was secured at a predetermined position without being displaced.

Especially since one of the fillers (121 (12) (+2)...) was colored, each optical fiber +9 (9
) +9)... I was able to grasp the relative position of... without difficulty.

Of course, the production line speed is 20 to 30% faster than the conventional example.

Concrete Example 2 A reinforced part (6) with the same specifications as Concrete Example 1 was made except that the number of storage grooves (7) was changed to 6.

Furthermore, each of the above storage grooves (71+71 +71...
Of these, 5 have the same optical fiber 191 + as in Example 1.
91 +9)... was inserted, and the remaining 1 piece was filled with a striatum (c) made of copper wire.

Filling (+2) (121 (Concrete example 1 for 12+)
It is the same as (tatashi, neither filling system is colored),
Thereafter, the same process as in Example 1 was carried out to obtain a predetermined optical transmission body (c).

The optical transmission body (a) obtained in this specific example 2 also gave the same good results as in the specific example].

-5, filling U' (121(Iri(12)...
There is no coloring for optical fiber +9) +9
Since a striatal body (G) different from 1191... is interposed, the position of each optical fiber can be determined based on this striatal body (C). Power supply and telecommunications were also possible.

Concrete Example 3 In the above Concrete Example 1.2, a series of tandem processes were carried out from processing the reinforcing part @ (6) to manufacturing the optical transmission body (a), but in this Concrete Example 3, Concrete Example 1 Only the reinforcing member (6) in step 2 is made in advance in a separate process, and while feeding the reinforcing member (6) in one direction, each of its storage strips @ (force t7) (7)... Nine Fu 7 Iha (9)
i3N4) ..., filling (12) (12)
Q2) After putting −−−= −, filling + J' (12
) (+21 (+2)... A predetermined optical transmission body (2) was obtained only by heat treatment.

In this specific example 3, the same good results as on each side were obtained, and
Because the reinforcement system (6) was created in advance, line speed was significantly increased.

The optical transmission body (a) obtained as described above can be used as a multi-core coated optical fiber, an optical cord, an optical cable unit, an optical cable, etc.

As explained above, in the method of the present invention, a reinforced part having longitudinal storage grooves on the surface is made of reinforced plastic, and an optical fiber, a wire or an optical fiber is placed in the storage groove of the reinforced part. The striatum other than the fibers is stored, and then,
Since the storage groove is characterized in that a filling material is placed in the storage groove to close the storage groove, the storage groove can prevent the optical fiber from shifting, and the hardening of the reinforcing member and the filling can be prevented. The production line speed can be increased by being able to process the fibers separately, and since the filler material is placed inside the storage groove, the member that holds the optical fiber does not protrude to the outside, and the outer diameter of the optical fiber to be obtained can therefore be reduced. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the method of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a reinforcing member made by the method, and FIG.
The figure is a sectional view showing an example of an optical transmission body manufactured by the same method, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views showing the other side of the optical transmission body manufactured by the same method. (1)...Fiber feeder (2)...Reinforcement fiber (3)...Thermosetting resin (4)...Resin impregnation machine (5)... ...Thermoforming machine (6) ...Reinforcement member (7) ...Storage groove (8) ...Optical fiber supply machine (9) ...Optical fiber 17-
^^ (1ri...Filling system 03...Fiber feeder (14J...Fiber material 08)...Resin liquid tank 09)...Thermosetting Resin Qυ...Heating curing machine (A)...Light transmission body (C)...Striated body 18-

Claims (1)

[Claims] +11 A reinforcing member having a longitudinal storage groove on its surface is made of reinforced plastic, and the reinforcing member has an optical fiber, or an optical fiber and a filament other than the optical fiber, in the storage groove of the reinforcing member. 1. A method for manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body, which comprises storing the fibers in the storage groove, and then filling the storage groove to close the storage groove. (2) A method for manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member having a plurality of storage grooves is made of reinforced plastic. (3) The method for manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing member has two deep and shallow storage grooves. (4) The method for manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is colored. (5) The method for manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body according to claim 1, wherein the filamentous body other than the optical fiber is made of metal. (6) The method for manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the filamentous body other than the optical fiber is made of an electric groove body. (7) The method for manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body according to claim 1, wherein the filling system is made of the same plastic as that of the reinforcing member. (8) The method for manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body according to claim 1, wherein the filler is made of the same reinforced plastic as the reinforcing member. (9) The method for manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body according to claim 1, 7, or 8, wherein at least one of the fillers is colored. 00) A step of making a reinforcing member, a step of storing the optical fiber in the storage groove of the reinforcing member, a step of inserting a filling material into the storage groove, and further hardening the reinforcing member made of reinforced plastic and the filler. A method for manufacturing a reinforced optical transmission body according to claim 1, wherein the steps are arranged in tandem and each step is performed continuously.