JPS60178405A - Method and device for manufacturing continuously optical fiber sheet-shaped body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To manufacture continuously the titled optical fiber sheet-shaped body by making a fiber group pass through a width converging path having a little larger gap than a diameter of a fiber, and also having an outlet width corresponding to a width of a desired sheet-shaped body, and an inlet width which is smaller than this outlet width, and giving an adhesive agent immediately before the inlet. CONSTITUTION:An adhesive agent contained in an adhesive agent reservoir 13 is sucked up from the lower face side of a running fiber group 1, and given from a supply slit 12a to the upper face side. The fiber group 1 arranged separately is guided to the upper plane of a lower plate 10, goes into a width converging path having an outlet having a width corresponding to a width of a desired sheet- shaped body between a pair of gauge plate 11, and an inlet having a larger width than this outlet width, and when it goes out, fibers contact to each other on the whole, and become a unified sheet-shaped body. In this way, it can be executed easily, continuously and efficiently to arrange many fibers in parallel to each other on one surface, also to form a unified sheet-shaped body by making them adhere to each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for continuously manufacturing an optical fiber sort useful as a constituent unit of an image transmission body called an image guide.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for continuously manufacturing an optical fiber sheet-like body comprising a large number of optical fibers arranged parallel to each other on a plane and fixed to each other with adhesive. It is.

Technical Background Image transmission bodies called image guides using optical fibers generally have optical fibers arranged in parallel orderly so that both ends have rectangular end faces, and both ends of each optical fiber are aligned with the address of the fiber. It has a corresponding structure, whereby an image received at one end can be accurately transmitted to the other end.

To manufacture such an image transmission body, first, a large number of optical fibers are arranged parallel to each other on one surface, and these are adhesively fixed to each other to create the desired number of optical fiber sheets. Generally, a method is used in which these notebook-like bodies are laminated and adhered to each other. Therefore, in order to obtain a good quality image transmission body, it is important to know how to produce a good quality optical fiber sheet. In other words, in order to achieve accurate image transmission, each optical fiber of the optical fiber sheet in the image transmission body must correctly maintain a predetermined position at both ends, and the arrangement density of the optical fibers in the sheet must be adjusted. It is necessary to make it as high as possible.

For this purpose, it is necessary to bring the optical fibers in the sheet-like body close to each other at a density (hereinafter referred to as close-packed state density) where the optical fibers are almost in contact with each other.

Conventionally, in order to manufacture the entire optical fiber sheet as described above, it has been considered to use a warping method for weaving. In this case, a reed is used as a fiber arrangement regulating means, but this has a limit in increasing the arrangement and concealment of the fiber group.
It was not possible to arrange them so close together that they were arranged at a density where they were almost in contact with each other. Also, using conventional fiber convergence means, the fibers cross each other within the fiber group, making it difficult to hold the ends in place.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to continuously produce an optical fiber sheet in which a group of optical fibers are arranged parallel to each other on one surface and are bonded and fixed to each other at close-packed state density. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing the same.

Structure of the Invention In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the continuous production method of an optical fiber sheet of the present invention comprises: bringing a group of optical fibers which are spaced apart from each other and arranged on one surface close to each other until they almost come into contact with each other; , and in a method of manufacturing an integral sheet-like body by bonding and fixing these to each other with an adhesive, the spaced apart fiber groups have a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the fibers, and , passing the fibers through a converging passageway having an outlet corresponding to the width of the desired sheet-like body and an inlet having a width smaller than the width of the outlet, so that the fibers are brought into close contact with each other, and , applying an adhesive to the spaced apart fiber groups immediately before the entrance of the width convergence passage t1''.

The apparatus for continuously producing an optical fiber sheet of the present invention capable of carrying out the above method is characterized in that a group of optical fibers arranged on one surface at a distance from each other are brought close to each other until they almost touch each other, and , an optical fiber aligning unit for applying an adhesive thereto, and an adhesive hardening device for solidifying the adhesive to form an integrated sheet-like body, the aligning unit a lower plate having an upper flat metal that guides the fiber group; an upper plate having an upper flat surface that faces parallel to the upper plane with a gap therebetween; and a lower plate that is inserted between the upper and lower plates and that a pair of dartboards having tip ends facing each other across the fiber group path, and arranged upstream of the dartage plate with respect to the traveling direction of the fiber group, and having an opening between the upper and lower plates. and the upper and lower plate gaps are defined to be slightly larger than the diameter of the fibers, and the pair of dirge plates are arranged opposite to each other. A convergent passage having a width corresponding to the width of the desired sheet-like body and an entrance larger than the width of the outlet is formed between the leading end surfaces of the adhesive applying means. , disposed immediately in front of the entrance of the width convergence passage.

3. Detailed Description of the Invention The optical fibers used in the method and apparatus of the present invention may be of any type as long as they are used for image guides, and may be either glass-based or glass-based optical fibers. There may be. However, in terms of processing operability, glass optical fibers are more suitable for the method and apparatus of the present invention.

There is no particular limitation on the diameter of the optical fiber, but a diameter of approximately 0.05 to 3 mm is generally used.

The adhesive used in the present invention is applied to the fiber group in liquid form and is assimilated by drying and, if necessary, curing heating, and is suitable for any type of adhesive as long as it can sufficiently bond optical fibers. There are no particular limitations. Generally, a two-component curing adhesive, such as a combination of an epoxy resin and a polyamine, or a hydroxyl group-containing oligoester resin,
Preferably, a combination with I-lysocyanate or the like is fast-curing. However, liquid adhesives prepared by dissolving, emulsifying or dispersing thermoplastic resins in suitable volatile solvents, such as low-boiling solvents for acrylic resins, polyvinyl acetate, polyurethane resins, or polyurethane resins, e.g. Alternatively, a solution or emulsion with ethyl acetate can also be used.

To carry out the method of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. The fibers are arranged spaced apart from each other (so that they do not intersect with each other) on one surface through the optical fibers, and the fibers arranged at a distance are passed through supply rolls 3a and 3b, a predetermined tension is applied thereto, and then the optical fibers are pulled. It is sent to the alignment unit 4. In this alignment unit 4, the fibers in the fiber group arranged at a distance do not come into contact with each other.
t2 しζL, h 萌11) 小ス英诨1Boo抾辷 し 7 ム -? In this way, the optical fibers arranged in parallel in almost contact with each other and adhered to each other by the adhesive form an integral sheet-like body, and then the optical fibers are dried in the adhesive assimilation device 5, e.g. Pass through a container or heater. The adhesive is solidified in the adhesive hardening device 5, and the fibers are firmly adhesively fixed to each other. The optical fiber sheet 14 thus formed is pulled out from the adhesive hardening device 5 by take-up rolls 6a and 6b, passed through a guide roll 6a, and then wound into a winder 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, the alignment guide 2 includes a pace plate 8 made of a ceramic material, etc., having a through hole.
A large number of ring-shaped guides may be arranged at approximately equal intervals. However, the arrangement guide is not particularly limited in its shape as long as it can guide a large number of optical fibers on one surface at intervals and so as not to cross each other. It may have the same structure as a reed used in a warping machine for weaving.

The supply roll pulls out the fiber groups arranged apart from each other by the arrangement guide 2 and aligns them.

The rollers 4 may be supplied under a certain tension, such as two rolls 3a and 3b as shown in FIG. The set force group is inverted S
The fibers can be easily applied with the desired tension by taking a letter-shaped path. One of the supply rolls, for example roll 3b in the case of FIG. 1, may be driven at a predetermined speed by a motor or the like.

The take-off roll is, for example, one as shown in FIG.
A pair of nip rolls 6a and 6b may be used, but there is no limitation on the shape as long as the sheet-like body 14 can be pulled out at a predetermined speed. In the case of a pair of nip rolls 6a and 6b, the lower roll 6b is driven at a predetermined speed by a motor or the like.

The optical fiber alignment unit 4 used in the present invention includes, for example, a lower plate 10 having an upper plane for guiding fiber groups, and a lower plate 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. An upper plate 9 having an upper plane facing parallel to the upper plane with a gap therebetween, and a distal end surface 11 inserted between these upper and lower plates and facing each other across a predetermined path for the fiber group.
a pair of f--)f rates 11 having a and an adhesive applying means disposed upstream of the gauge plate 11 with respect to the traveling direction of the fiber group (arrow A) and opening between the upper and lower plates. It has the following.

The gap between the upper and lower plates is defined so that the diameter of the fibers is also slightly larger. At this time, if the gap is too large, the fibers may overlap or intersect with adjacent fibers while passing between the upper and lower drawing plates. Furthermore, if the gap between the upper and lower plates is too small, the fibers will come into contact with the upper and lower drawing plates, impairing the freedom of movement toward each other. Therefore, the size of the gap between the upper and lower drawing plates is preferably in the range of 1.01 to 1.1 times the fiber diameter.

A pair of gauge plates 11 are arranged across a passage in the gap between the upper and lower drawing plates of the fiber group. Between the mutually opposing tip surfaces 11a of this pair of dart grates 11,
A width converging passageway is formed having an outlet having a width corresponding to the width of the desired seven-piece body and an inlet having a width greater than the width of the outlet.

That is, the fiber groups 1 arranged at a distance are guided to the upper plane of the lower plate 10 and enter the width converging passage between the pair of r-jig grates 110, while decreasing the width (that is, the fibers do not come close to each other). When passing through this width converging passage (from 100 to 100 mm) and passing through the exit of this passage, the fibers are arranged in a close-packed density in which they almost touch each other.

It is preferable that the gap between the upper and lower drawing plates can be adjusted according to the diameter of the fiber, and the gauge plate can be replaced with one having an appropriate thickness according to this gap. Appropriate tip surface shape according to desired dimensions and shape,
It is desirable to be able to replace it with one that has the same dimensions. In particular, it is preferable that the gauge plate be able to be displaced in accordance with the desired size and shape of the width convergence passage and fixed at a desired position.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the fiber group I is supplied to the entrance of the width convergence passage formed between the pair of gauge grates 11 (FIG. 4), the pond O no. &I Poetry I
As the fiber group of i progresses through the width convergence path, its width gradually decreases and the fibers approach each other. When the fibers exit the middle convergence passage (FIG. 5), the fibers are almost in contact with each other and form an integral sheet-like body.

When a fiber group converges its width, the angle formed between the traveling axis direction of the fiber group and the traveling direction of the outermost fibers in the fiber group (hereinafter referred to as the width convergence angle) is generally 2 to 2. 10
Preferably, it is within the range of If the width convergence angle is too large, the difference in the length of the traveling path between the fibers placed in the center of the fiber group and the fibers placed on the outside will become large, resulting in the disadvantage that the difference in tension between them will become excessive. arise. Furthermore, if the width convergence angle is too small, disadvantages may arise such as the fiber groups coming into contact with each other before reaching the width convergence passage or the amount of penetration of the adhesive between the fibers being minimized.

In the present invention, the operation of applying adhesive to the fiber groups arranged at a distance is performed immediately before the fiber groups reach the entrance of the width convergence passage. That is, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adhesive applying means 12 is arranged at the upstream side (1) of the dirge spray (11) and in close proximity (1-) thereto. The adhesive applying means 12 includes an adhesive reservoir 13 that is open to the upper surface of the lower plate 10 and an adhesive supply slit 12a that is opened to the upper surface of the upper plate 9.
and an adhesive tank 12 for supplying adhesive thereto.
It is composed of b. The adhesive contained in the adhesive reservoir 13 is sucked up from the lower surface side of the traveling fiber group 1. In addition, on the upper surface side of the traveling fiber group, there is a supply sulin) 12
The adhesive flows down from a and is applied to the fiber group.

The lengths of the adhesive supply line (12a) and the adhesive reservoir 13 need to be slightly larger than the width of the fiber group running below and above each, and the width t of each is determined by the running speed of the fiber group, The setting may be made so that a desired amount of adhesive can be applied to the fiber group, taking into consideration the properties of the adhesive (viscosity, compatibility with fibers), etc.

When the traveling fibers come into contact with the adhesive, if the distance between the fibers is too large, the amount of adhesive held and taken out by the fibers will become excessive, eventually overflowing from the width convergence path, and the fibers will If the spacing is too small, the amount of adhesive carried away by the fibers will be too small, resulting in poor adhesion between the fibers. Therefore, the period or place for applying the adhesive to the traveling fiber group may be set while the width of the spaced fiber group is in the range of 1.005 to 1.2 times the width of the desired sheet. preferable.

Arranged in the width of the desired sheet-like body in the alignment unit 4,
The sheet-like fiber group to which the adhesive has been completely applied is immediately sent to the adhesive solidifying device 5. The type of assimilator 5 is selected in consideration of the solidifying mechanism of the adhesive used. For example, the first
As shown in the figure, it may be a dryer or a heater having a hot air inlet pipe 5a.

Next, the present invention will be explained by examples.

EXAMPLE A sheet-like body consisting of 100 acrylic resin optical fibers each having a diameter of 0.25 mm was manufactured using the method and apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

The main tasks of the process and equipment at this time were as follows.

Arrangement ID 2: Alumina porcelain thread guide ring 10
01 fixing interval 3 supply rolls 3a, 3b: 2 rolls made by Kingyo each diameter 100
Brittle, length 400 Drive alignment unit 4 for exit side roll 3b: Gap between upper and lower plates 9, 10 = 0.27
Thickness of dart grate (flat plate) 11: 0.26 mm, distance between contact point 13 and gonosolate 11: approximately 1O 1 Width of adhesive reservoir 13 (t): 3 Nn~ Width convergence angle = 5 [1] of the fiber group when applying the admixture agent: Approximately 28 times Adhesive solidifying device 5: Hot air dryer, hot air temperature: 65°C Drying zone length near 00 m1 Take-up rolls 6a + 6b: Nisso-style Commukin a Roll, rubber roll diameter: 100 mm and length 1150 mm, metal roll diameter 100 mm, length 150 mm Metal roll 6b drive winder 7: Driven by torque motor, winding speed for plastic bobbin winding: 10 m 7 minutes Obtained sheet-like material: Width: 25.5 tan No crossing of fibers was observed in the obtained sheet-like material, and the fibers were firmly adhered to each other.

The arrangement density of fibers in the obtained sheet-like body is 0.25X
It was 100/25.5=0.98.

Effects of the Invention By the method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily and continuously efficiently arrange a large number of optical fibers in parallel to each other on a plane and adhere them to form an integral sheet-like body. (This method can be carried out, and the resulting optical fiber sheet is useful as an element of an image guide.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view of an example of an apparatus for carrying out the continuous production method of optical fiber sorted bodies according to the method of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory vertical cross-sectional view of an example of the alignment unit of the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the front unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a vertical 1+fr plane at the entrance of the width convergence passage in the alignment unit shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory vertical cross-sectional view at the outlet of the middle convergence passage in the alignment unit shown in FIGS. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Optical fiber group, 2... Array guide, 3 a r
3b...supply roll, 4...alignment unit,
5... Adhesive assimilator, 6a+6b... Take-up roll, 7... Winding machine, 8... Array guide pace plate,
9... Upper plate, 10... Lower plate, 11... Gauge play), lla... Tip surface of darnosolate, 12...
- Adhesive applying means, 13... adhesive reservoir, 14a...
Optical fiber/adhesive solidified sorted material, 14... Optical fiber sorted material, A... Traveling direction of fiber group Patent applicant Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. Patent application agent Akira Aoki Patent attorney Kazuyuki Nishidate Patent Attorney Akira Yamaguchi Patent Attorney Masaya Nishiyama Figure 2 1 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Procedural amendment (voluntary) January 76, 1985 Manabu Shiga, Commissioner of the Patent Office 1, Display of the case Showa 1959 Patent Application No. 34369 2 Name of the invention Continuous manufacturing method and apparatus for optical fiber sheet 3 Relationship with the person making the amendment Name of patent applicant (603) Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. 4 Agent (non-author) 3 people) 5. Subject of amendment (a) "Claims" column of the specification (b) "Detailed description of the invention" column 6 of the description, Contents of the amendment (a) As per double 1 (1) Specification page 12, line 13, l'-i, 0
1~1.1'' is corrected to ``1°01~1.3''. (2) On the bottom line of page 16, "work" is corrected to "specifications." 2 Amended Claims in List of Attached Documents 1 copy 1. A group of optical fibers that are spaced apart from each other and arranged on one surface are brought close together until they almost touch each other, and are bonded to each other with an adhesive. In a method of manufacturing an integral sheet-like body by bonding and fixing the fibers, the spaced apart fiber groups have a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the fibers and correspond to the width of the desired sheet-like body. The #! A method for continuously manufacturing an optical fiber sheet, characterized in that the fibers are brought into close proximity and almost in contact with each other, and an adhesive is applied to the group of separately arranged fibers immediately before the entrance of the width convergence passage. . 2. The width of the gap between the convergent passages is 1.01 of the diameter of the fibers.
1. The method of claim 1, which is within the range of .about.1.3 times. (B) The application of the adhesive is performed while the width of the separated fiber groups is within a range of 1.005 to 1.2 times the width of the desired sheet-like body. The method described in Section 1. 4. The internal division between the traveling axis direction of the 68 groups that are approaching each other and the traveling direction of the outermost fibers in the fiber group is within the range of 2 to 10 degrees. A method according to claim 1. 5. An optical fiber alignment unit for bringing a group of optical fibers arranged on one surface at a distance from each other until they come into contact with each other and applying an adhesive thereto, and the adhesive. and an adhesive solidifying device for solidifying the adhesive to form an integral sheet-like object. The alignment unit is inserted between: a lower plate having an upper plane that guides the fiber group, an upper plate having an upper plane facing parallel to the upper plane with a gap therebetween, and the upper and lower plates. a pair of gauge plates having distal end surfaces facing each other across the path of the fiber group; disposed upstream of the gauge plate with respect to the traveling direction of the fiber group; and adhesive applying means opening between the upper and lower plates. The gap between the upper and lower plates is defined to be slightly larger than the diameter of the fiber, and there is a gap between the opposing end surfaces of the pair of gauge plates that corresponds to the width of the desired sheet-like body. a converging width passage having an outlet width of 10 mm and an inlet width four times larger than the width of the outlet, and the adhesive applying means is disposed immediately before the entrance of the converging width passage; A continuous production device for optical fiber sheet-like bodies, characterized by the following. Procedural amendment (voluntary) May 27, 1985 Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office Manabu Shiga Ze1, Indication of the case 1982 Patent Application No. 343692, Name of the invention Continuous manufacturing method and apparatus for optical fiber sheet-like bodies 3 , Relationship to the case of the person making the amendment Patent applicant name (603) Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. 4, agent address 10-5 Toranomon-8-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105
? ili Original target drawing (Figure 3) 6. Contents of correction The drawing (Figure 3) will be corrected as shown in the attached sheet. 7. Attached documents catalog correction drawing (Figure 3) 1 copy

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A group of optical fibers arranged on one surface at a distance from each other are brought close to each other until they almost touch each other, and they are bonded and fixed together with an adhesive to form a single unit. In the method for producing the entire sheet-like body, the fibers arranged at intervals are separated by a gap having Si slightly larger than the diameter of the fibers, and an exit width corresponding to the width of the desired sheet-like body; The fibers are passed through a width convergence passage having an entrance larger than the exit width to bring the fibers into close proximity and substantially contact with each other, and the fibers are brought into contact with the spaced apart fiber group immediately before the entrance of the width convergence passage. 1. A method for continuously producing an optical fiber sheet, characterized by: applying an agent thereto. 2. The width of the gap between the convergent passages is 1.01 of the diameter of the fibers.
1. The method of claim 1, which is within the range of .about.1.1 times. 3. Application of the adhesive is performed while the width of the fiber groups arranged at intervals is within a range of i,oos to 1.2 times the width of the desired sheet-like body. The method described in Section 1. 4. A claim in which the angle between the traveling axis direction of the fiber groups approaching each other and the traveling direction of the outermost fibers in the fiber group is within a range of 2 to 10 degrees. The method described in paragraph 1. 5. An optical fiber aligning unit for bringing a group of optical fibers arranged on one surface at a distance from each other until they almost come into contact with each other, and applying an adhesive thereto, and the adhesive; an adhesive solidifying device for solidifying an adhesive to form an integral sheet-like object, the aligning unit comprising: a lower plate having an upper plane for guiding the fiber group; an upper plate having upper planes facing parallel to each other with a gap therebetween; and a pair of top plates inserted between the upper and lower plates and having end surfaces facing each other across the path of the fiber group. a dirge plate; and an adhesive applying means disposed upstream of the r-zigrate with respect to the traveling direction of the fiber group and opening between the upper and lower plates, and the gap between the upper and lower plates is , is defined to be slightly larger than the diameter of the fiber, and between the mutually opposing tip surfaces of the pair of darnozolates, there is an outlet corresponding to the width of the desired sheet-like body, and an outlet corresponding to the width of the desired sheet-like body; an optical fiber sheet, characterized in that a medium convergent passage having an entrance larger than the inside is formed, and the adhesive applying means is disposed immediately before the entrance of the width convergence passage. Continuous manufacturing equipment for shaped bodies.