JPS5949505A - Laminated optical fiber ribbon cable - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fiber optic cables, particularly of the type that incorporate axial strength members to enhance structural integrity.
The present invention relates to a laminated optical fiber ribbon cable and a method for manufacturing the same.

The increased use of optics in data transmission has been hampered by the unavailability of economical optical cable configurations that are mechanically sound and easy to terminate. In particular, there has long been a need in the industry for a flat fiber optic ribbon configuration with multiple optical waveguides in the same plane. This kind of cable is vulnerable to optical wave kites.
As a result, it is necessary to have a structure that limits the cable bends (Lf) and effectively insulates the optical transmission medium from external mechanical stresses such as compressive or tensile forces applied to the cable. Any proposed cable design must be able to easily achieve +71° fm. This requirement naturally means that the wave kites should be kept in a relatively constant and therefore easy to find arrangement. In addition, the wave kite for this type of cable must be easily accessible during termination operations.Finally, the cable has a cost-effective optical system that reduces the cost of the cable used compared to rigid single-wire systems. It must be economical to produce and easy to manufacture.

An optical waveguide flat cable that satisfies all of the above design conditions has been realized to date.

One process disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,265 is to use oversized strength members and optical fibers.
An optical cable having a bundle embedded in an outer sheath and an outer oversheath in a predetermined configuration arrangement is taught. Although this cable configuration works well, it is relatively expensive to produce. Also, removing multiple sheath layers by stripping is complicated and uncertain due to variations in sheath thickness, and cable termination is relatively difficult. U.S. Patent No. 4,089,585
Another cable configuration disclosed in the '999 patent embeds a strength member within an extruded sheath with a through hole that loosely receives an optical waveguide.

However, such an extrusion arrangement is still relatively expensive and there is no guarantee that accurate locating of the wave kite within the hole will occur with sufficient reliability.

Disclosed herein is a set of flat optical fiber ribbon cables and a method for manufacturing the same, which includes at least two elongated strength members and a plurality of small optical wave kites on a lower one of two sheath layers. Precise placement is the key. The upper sheath layer is loaded with relatively large strength members, and the insulation material provided between the upper source layer and the lower sheath mechanically cushions the optical waveguide within the cable. If desired, the cable can be configured such that the optical wave kite is floatingly installed within the one-color border.

The upper and lower layers of the sheath are joined at their longitudinal ends to each other on both sides of the cable to create a longitudinal gap along each side of the cable between the joined sheath side edges and the two strength members. define.

The cable is prepared for termination by notching the longitudinal gap and peeling off the upper north layer to expose the underlying wave chi and strength members.

The optical waveguide cable manufacturing method of the present invention proceeds as follows in the order shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

First, in FIG. 1, the lower sheath layer (2) is made of polyester material ("Mylar"), to which is bonded a metal plate 43 of tin-plated copper. Although these materials are preferred, the use of other alternative materials apparent to those skilled in the art are within the scope of this invention.

A longitudinal notch is made in the metal plate along the axial length of the cable, and a plurality of elongated reinforcing members, that is, strength strips t6) (Fig. i! 2) are defined on the lower sheath layer (2). to be accomplished. Next, every other strength strip 161 is peeled off to leave a plurality of strips arranged in parallel at a distance f on the lower sheath layer (2). under sheath) @ t
The outer strength sleeve 1111 on 21 is removed to expose the outer 1111 edge of the lower sheath layer. The purpose and utility will be explained in detail later.

The manufacturing process of the present invention further progresses as shown in FIG.
A layer (8) of enclosing agent (e.g. epoxy)) is then introduced (FIG. 4), whereupon the original waveguide 't101 consisting of a light transmitting material of glass or plastic is coated with longitudinal strength strips (61). The epoxy adhesive (8) is cured to fix the optical wave kite 1ltl in a permanent position i1 on the lower sheath layer (2).Then, as shown in FIG. and then over the optical waveguide uO) between the longitudinal strips (6) e f
& materials +121 are introduced. The insulating material [21] can be any one of several foam materials, such as silicone foam filler or a suitable insulating phase. , as shown in FIG. 6, four epoxy contact layers h1] and u4I are applied.

Next (Figure 87), a peelable overlay U61 made of a polyester material such as "Mylar" is progressively applied onto the sheath bottom layer (2). Top cover or sheath top layer tt
6+ and lower sheath layer (2) with epoxy ilu edge u
At step 81, they are joined by pressure. Figure 87 showing the cable cross section
As is clear from 1), there is a longitudinal gap extending along the entire length of the cable along the side edge of the cable between the longitudinal strength strip (61 and both the upper and lower layers U61 of the sheath, and the side wire portion 18 in (2)). (20) is defined. These side wire gaps make it easy to prepare the cable for termination in the next step. The sheath upper layer 116) and the sheath lower layer +21 are the lateral line part U
Since they are joined only by the marks, if you make a vertical cut C14 into the outer edge gap 1201 through the upper layer of the sheath, the upper layer of the sheath will be cut from the lower layer of the sheath, so peel it off to an appropriate length and make the strength strip (6). The upper surface of the optical waveguide enclosure can be exposed and the optical waveguide enclosure can be accessed. The position of the optical waveguide Uω, which is kept in position, can be confirmed with a high degree of certainty, which significantly improves the termination properties of the present cable. Additionally, the elongated strength tube t6J structurally reinforces the cable geometry and serves to resiliently resist excessive bending of the cable without causing damage to the optical waveguide. In addition, the strength of the long shape) IJ knob (
6) may, but need not, be of metallic composition and serve an additional function as a bus for powering remote electro-optic electronic coupling circuits along the cable.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. As shown, the elongated reinforcement or strength member Q41 can have a circular cross-section depending on the user's wishes.

Otherwise, this cable is fully detailed and can be constructed in a sequential manner. In addition, in the present invention, the ninth
The strength member u41 shown in the figure (or t6J shown in Fig. 3) may be constructed of a dielectric material if the cable user does not need or require a metal member. The manufacturing method can be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.For example, the strength member can be placed on the lower sheath layer using the cut-and-peel method described above, or alternatively, the strength member can be rolled onto the lower sheath layer. Additionally, although the cable embodiments described above have the waveguide fixed on the lower sheath layer, it could also be left floating freely in the insulating filler if desired. The free-floating condition is advantageous if the fixed position of the waveguide is not particularly critical, and the waveguide is completely surrounded by the insulating filling and is optimally protected.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of its essential characteristics. Accordingly, the above-described embodiments should be understood to be illustrative of the invention and not to limit its scope.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The first □□□ is a perspective view of the lower layer of the cable sheath with the metal plates joined at the beginning of the cable manufacturing process, showing the metal plates having been selectively cut in the longitudinal direction according to the teachings of the present invention. . FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cable sheath and metal plate of 41(2), showing the condition in which a 1.1" incision is made and every other vertically long piece of the metal plate is peeled off from the lower layer of the sheath. Figure 43 is a perspective view following the first and second figures of the cable sheath lower layer and the metal reinforcing material, that is, the strength member joined thereto. According to the teachings of the invention, a bonding material is attached to the first, second, and second beams. This is a perspective view following Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view following Figure 4, showing a state in which an insulating material layer is placed between the longitudinal strength members and overlying the elongated optical waveguide. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a layering agent is introduced to the outer edge surface of the lower sheath layer as shown in Fig. 5 during cable manufacturing.
The figure is a perspective view of FIG. 6d showing a state in which the sheath upper layer is mounted on the longitudinal strength member and the sheath lower layer. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the optical waveguide cable showing the position where the cut for cable peeling is made. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention, showing a cable embodiment with longitudinal strength members of circular cross-section. 2... Sheath lower layer 4... Crowning sheet 6...
Counterfeit strip (strength member) 12... Insulating material 18... Side edge with epoxy 20... Side edge 1 @ 22... Vertical cut 24... Strength member with circular cross section

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (υ In an optical fiber ribbon cable of a type in which a strength member (6, 24) and an optical transmission member 001 are disposed within a sheath (2, 16), the strength member (6, 24) are fixed in the sheath (2, 16) at intervals along the sheath, and the light transmission member t101 is attached to the strength member (2, 16) together with an insulating material circle covering the light transmission part paulownia (lOl). 6,2
4) An optical fiber ribbon cable characterized in that it is disposed between. +21 Optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the strength member (6) has a rectangular cross section. (The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the strength member 4 has a circular cross section. (4) The optical transmission member uOj is the sheath (2, 16)
2. The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber ribbon cable is arranged and fixed at the same time, and the insulating material t12+ extends along the optical transmission member u01. (5) The side of the sheath (2, 16) (the trapping part and the strength member whose houses are layered and glued together (6, 2=1
) The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, characterized in that a gap (201) is defined between the fiber optic ribbon cable and the sheath lower layer +21. a step of joining the light transmitting member (uO) along the source lower layer with a gap between them, a step of arranging the optical transmission member (uO) between the strength members (6, 24) together with an insulator 021, and a step of arranging the strength member (6, 24) along the source lower layer;
6, 24) In addition, the step of covering the optical transmission member UO+ and the insulation layer 1I21 with the sheath upper layer 1.161, and the step of covering the side edges of the lower layer (2) and upper layer t1610 of the self
- A method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon cable, characterized in that it includes a step of contacting the light transmission member u01 with the lower layer of the sheath (2).
), and the insulating material L12+ is arranged on the light transmission member. (8) The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the optical transmission member uQl is placed within an insulating gel. (9) A patent claim characterized in that a gap (20) is provided between the mutually joined side 1 portion of the sheath lower layer and upper layer (2, 16) and the strength member (6, 24). The method according to item 46.