KR20100000036A - Optical fiber cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An optical fiber cable is provided to prevent a whitening event which is generated in a buffer tube. CONSTITUTION: An optical fiber unit(22) comprises more than one coated fibers(21). More than one buffer tubes(23) surrounds the optical fiber unit. The cis-(24) forms the outer cover while covering the outside at least more than one buffer tube. The buffer tube is formed with a thermoplastic polyester elastomer. An optical fiber cable includes a central strength component(27) having a pull strength. The optical fiber cable comprises a metal jacket(25) in the lower part inside cis.

Description

Fiber Optic Cables {OPTICAL FIBER CABLE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to fiber optic cables, and more particularly to fiber optic cables comprising a buffer tube protecting a fiber optic unit from thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEE).

As various communication services such as two-way communication and video call are implemented at home and abroad, and the spread of LAN is spreading, the demand for fiber optic cable continues to increase.

Accordingly, the demand for optical fiber cables capable of high-speed transmission of information in accordance with the provision of such various communication services has been continuously increasing in recent years.

The conventional optical fiber cable capable of high speed transmission is formed in a structure in which an optical fiber unit composed of one or more optical fiber core wires is mounted in the buffer tube, and the optical fiber unit is formed in a structure in which the optical fiber unit is mounted in the buffer tube. One or more of these elements constitute a sheath surrounded by an outer sheath.

Here, the buffer tube is a part that performs a function of directly protecting the optical fiber from external forces, which is the most important factor in determining the physical properties of the optical fiber cable.

In the conventional optical fiber cable, in consideration of the primary function of protecting the optical fiber as a material of the buffer tube, a crystalline polymer such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., which is hard and has excellent mechanical properties, is used.

However, these rigid polymer materials have very high crystallinity, so when the cable is laid, the cable is bent below a certain radius or whitening due to the tensioning of the buffer tube occurs during the dressing process. There is a problem that the mechanical properties are lowered.

That is, when bending or dressing process, a load of tensile strength or more is applied to the buffer tube so that plastic deformation of the material constituting the buffer tube occurs due to whitening and loss of restoring force.

In addition, as the buffer tube loses the restoring force as described above, the optical fibers inserted into the tube are continuously subjected to stress due to the pressing of the tube, thereby causing a problem of optical loss.

An object of the present invention for solving this problem is to provide an optical fiber cable that can prevent the whitening phenomenon occurring in the buffer tube by providing a buffer tube for protecting the optical fiber unit with a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE).

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber cable which is excellent in mechanical properties and can minimize light loss.

According to the present invention, the object is an optical fiber unit including at least one optical fiber core wire; and at least one buffer tube surrounding the optical fiber unit; In the optical fiber cable comprising a sheath surrounding the at least one buffer tube to form an outer shell, wherein the buffer tube is achieved by an optical fiber cable, characterized in that the thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) is provided.

Here, the strength of the buffer tube is a Shore hardness of 40D to 80D, the ratio of the thickness to the outer diameter of the buffer tube is formed of 0.05 to 0.2.

In addition, the optical fiber cable includes a central tension line having a tensile force, the optical fiber unit is configured to wrap around the center tension line in the form surrounded by the buffer tube, the buffer tube is 1.5mm or more and 3mm or less Formed into a range.

Here, the center tensile line may be provided with any one of Kevlar aramid yarn (Fiber glass epoxy rod), FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polyethylene), high strength fiber, steel wire, stranded wire.

Preferably, the optical fiber cable may further include a metal jacket on the inner peripheral surface of the sheath.

In addition, the optical fiber cable may further include a waterproof member inside the metal jacket.

On the other hand, the optical fiber cable includes a central tension line having a tensile force, the optical fiber unit consisting of one or more optical fiber ribbons are configured to wrap around the center tension line in the form surrounded by the buffer tube, the buffer tube has an outer diameter of 3mm It is formed in the range of 10 mm or less.

Here, the center tensile line may be provided with any one of Kevlar aramid yarn (Ever), epoxy glass rod (Fiver glass epoxy rod), FRP (Fiver Reinforced Polyethylene), high strength fiber, steel wire, stranded wire.

Preferably, the optical fiber cable may further include a metal jacket on the inner peripheral surface of the sheath.

In addition, the optical fiber cable may further include a waterproof member inside the metal jacket.

On the other hand, the optical fiber cable is configured such that one optical fiber unit is located at the center of the cable and surrounded by the one buffer tube, and the buffer tube has an outer diameter of 3 mm or more and 18 mm or less.

Here, the optical fiber unit may be provided with one or more optical fiber ribbons. In addition, the optical fiber cable may further include a plurality of tensile tension lines having a tensile force mounted to face the inside of the sheath.

Preferably, the tensile tension line may be provided by any one of Kevlar aramid yarn, epoxy glass rod, FRP (Fiver Reinforced Polyethylene), high strength fiber, steel wire, stranded wire.

In addition, the optical fiber cable may further include a metal jacket between the buffer tube and the inner surface of the sheath.

In addition, the optical fiber cable may further include a waterproof member inside the metal jacket.

Accordingly, the optical fiber cable according to the present invention may prevent the whitening phenomenon occurring in the buffer tube by providing a buffer tube protecting the optical fiber unit with a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE).

In addition, the optical fiber cable according to the present invention is excellent in mechanical properties, it is possible to minimize the light loss.

According to the present invention, the object is an optical fiber unit including at least one optical fiber core wire; and at least one buffer tube surrounding the optical fiber unit; In the optical fiber cable comprising a sheath surrounding the at least one buffer tube to form an outer shell, wherein the buffer tube is achieved by an optical fiber cable characterized in that it is provided with a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE).

Here, the strength of the buffer tube is a Shore hardness of 40D to 80D, the ratio of the thickness to the outer diameter of the buffer tube is formed of 0.05 to 0.2.

In addition, the optical fiber cable includes a central tension line having a tensile force, the optical fiber unit is configured to wrap around the center tension line in the form surrounded by the buffer tube, the buffer tube is 1.5mm or more and 3mm or less Formed into a range.

Here, the center tensile line may be provided with any one of Kevlar aramid yarn (Fiber glass epoxy rod), FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polyethylene), high strength fiber, steel wire, stranded wire.

Preferably, the optical fiber cable may further include a metal jacket on the inner peripheral surface of the sheath.

In addition, the optical fiber cable may further include a waterproof member inside the metal jacket.

On the other hand, the optical fiber cable includes a central tension line having a tensile force, the optical fiber unit consisting of one or more optical fiber ribbons are configured to wrap around the center tension line in the form surrounded by the buffer tube, the buffer tube has an outer diameter of 3mm It is formed in the range of 10 mm or less.

Here, the center tensile line may be provided with any one of Kevlar aramid yarn (Ever), epoxy glass rod (Fiver glass epoxy rod), FRP (Fiver Reinforced Polyethylene), high strength fiber, steel wire, stranded wire.

Preferably, the optical fiber cable may further include a metal jacket on the inner peripheral surface of the sheath.

In addition, the optical fiber cable may further include a waterproof member inside the metal jacket.

On the other hand, the optical fiber cable is configured such that one optical fiber unit is located at the center of the cable and surrounded by the one buffer tube, and the buffer tube has an outer diameter of 3 mm or more and 18 mm or less.

Here, the optical fiber unit may be provided with one or more optical fiber ribbons. In addition, the optical fiber cable may further include a plurality of tensile tension lines having a tensile force mounted to face the inside of the sheath.

Preferably, the tensile tension line may be provided by any one of Kevlar aramid yarn, epoxy glass rod, FRP (Fiver Reinforced Polyethylene), high strength fiber, steel wire, stranded wire.

In addition, the optical fiber cable may further include a metal jacket between the buffer tube and the inner surface of the sheath.

In addition, the optical fiber cable may further include a waterproof member inside the metal jacket.

Hereinafter, an optical fiber cable according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Prior to this, the terms used in this specification and claims should not be construed in a dictionary sense, and the inventors may properly define the concept of terms in order to explain their invention in the best way. It should be construed as meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the configurations shown in the embodiments and drawings described herein are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical idea of the present invention, and various equivalents may be substituted for them at the time of the present application. It is to be understood that water and variations may exist.

The optical cable according to the present invention basically surrounds the optical fiber unit 22, one or more buffer tubes 23 surrounding the optical fiber, and one or more buffer tubes 23 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. And a sheath 24 forming an envelope.

The optical fiber core wire 21 is a portion in which an optical signal including data is transmitted, and in general, glass fiber made of silica material having a high refractive index is used for the core part, and glass or synthetic resin made of silica material having a low refractive index is used for the clad part. In addition, it implements the role of transmitting the optical signal passing through the center by total reflection.

Preferably, the optical fiber core wire 21 may be formed by coating with a polymer resin on the outer surface of the core wire to mechanically protect the core and the cladding.

In this case, the optical fiber core wire 21 is configured by a unit of the optical fiber unit 22 included in at least one.

Here, the optical fiber unit 22, as shown in Figure 1 or 3 may be of a loose cable type (Loose Cable) in which the one or more optical fiber core wires 21 are arranged at a predetermined interval, As illustrated in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, the at least one optical fiber core wire 21 may be formed in a ribbon cable type formed by closely contacting a ribbon with a ribbon.

The optical fiber unit 22 is surrounded by a buffer tube 23 that can protect the optical fiber unit 22 seen from the outside.

Here, the buffer tube 23 performs a wide function of absorbing the external shock and the waterproof function in addition to the function of wrapping and protecting the optical fiber unit 22.

Therefore, the buffer tube 23 is preferably made of a material having waterproof and insulating properties and absorbing external shocks in order to perform the above functions.

In the conventional optical fiber cable, the material for forming the buffer tube 23 is waterproof, insulating, hard, and high mechanical properties such as high density polyethylene (PE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), and the like. A polymer resin was used.

However, in the conventional optical fiber cable using the rigid buffer tube 23 as described above, when the cable is laid due to the elasticity and strength of the material, the cable is bent to a predetermined radius or less, or the buffer tube 23 during the dressing process. Whitening occurs due to the tensile strength of the cable. As a result, the cable is not only deteriorated in mechanical properties such as bending property, but also has a problem in that optical loss occurs.

When the whitening phenomenon is applied to the buffer tube 23 with a load equal to or greater than tensile strength, plastic deformation of the material constituting the buffer tube 23 occurs. Since the deformation occurs and the restoring force is lost, the optical fiber unit 22 mounted at the portion where the whitening occurs may cause light loss due to interference by the deformed buffer tube 23.

In order to solve this problem, the optical fiber cable according to the present invention is provided with the buffer tube 23 made of thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) material.

The thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) is basically a resin having a structure combining a hard polymer material and a soft polymer material, and exhibits rubber elasticity at room temperature, and may be molded like a thermoplastic at high temperature.

Therefore, by providing the thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) having the excellent elasticity and processability as the material of the buffer tube 23, it is possible to solve the problems such as whitening that occurs in the conventional orphan fiber cable.

Here, the buffer tube 23 should be maintained in a strength suitable for protecting the optical fiber unit 22. When the buffer tube 23 is made of a high elastic resin such as the TPEE material, the strength of the suitable buffer tube 23 is Shore hardness 40D to 80D. Range.

If the strength of the buffer tube 23 is less than 40D, the optical fiber unit 22 cannot be protected. If the buffer tube 23 exceeds 80D, the flexibility of the buffer tube 23 is reduced, such as bending a cable. If a deformation is to be added, there is a problem that the deformation is not easy.

In addition, in order to form the strength range as described above, the thickness of the buffer tube 23 needs to be limited. At this time, the thickness of the buffer tube 23 depends on the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23. Therefore, in the present invention, the ratio of the thickness to the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23 is determined.

Therefore, the ratio of the thickness to the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23 suitable for the strength range forms a range of 0.05 to 0.2.

The sheath 24 forms an outer appearance of the cable and performs a mechanical protection function. The sheath 24 is made of an insulating material such as polyethylene, PVC, or an olefin-based high molecular material. Various modifications are possible within the scope of the known technical idea.

In this case, the strength of the cable can be improved, and the bending property of the cable can be improved, and in order to block alien crosstalk caused by electromagnetic waves generated from other cables or other electronic devices adjacent to each other, The metal jacket 25 may be further configured under the inner circumferential surface.

In addition, the cable may further include a waterproof member 26 to prevent moisture and foreign matter from penetrating therein.

Here, the waterproof member 26 may be formed in the sheath 24, and in the case of the cable including the metal jacket 25, the waterproof member 26 may be formed in the metal jacket 25.

The waterproof member 26 may be provided with various materials, and when the cable is not used in the cable, such as a gel, the waterproof member 26 may be provided with a waterproof tape or a waterproof yarn.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an optical fiber cable according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First embodiment

In the optical fiber cable according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a central tension line 27 having a tensile force is formed at the center of the cable, and an optical fiber unit including one or more optical fiber core wires 21 ( At least one 22 is positioned around the center tension line 27 to form an aggregate.

Here, the center tensile line 27 may be a Kevlar aramid yarn, an epoxy fiber rod, a fiber reinforced polyethylene (FRP), a high strength fiber, a stranded wire, a steel wire, etc., but is not limited thereto. .

The optical fiber unit 22 is a loose type optical fiber unit 22 in which one or more optical fiber cores 21 are spaced to some extent, and is surrounded by a buffer tube 23. ) Outer diameter is formed in the range of 7.5mm or more and 60mm or less.

In the outermost part of the optical fiber cable, a sheath 24 is formed to surround the assembly of the optical fiber unit 22 and form an outer sheath of the cable.

Preferably, the sheath 24 is provided with a metal jacket 25 capable of improving the strength of the cable and maintaining the curved shape when the cable is bent, and protecting the cable from external interference such as external electromagnetic interference. It is located under the inner circumference.

The waterproof member 26 may be further included in the metal jacket 25, and the waterproof member 26 may be provided with a waterproof tape or a waterproof yarn.

Here, the buffer tube 23 is made of thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE), the strength of the buffer tube 23 is Shore hardness of 40D to 80D, to the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23 to be formed to the strength The ratio of the thickness to the thickness is formed in the range of 0.05 to 0.2.

Here, according to the range of the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23, the thickness of the buffer tube 23 is formed in the range of 1.5mm or more and 3mm or less.

Second embodiment

In the optical fiber cable according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a central tension line 27 having a tensile force in the center of the cable is formed, and one or more optical fibers including one or more optical fiber core wires 21 are included. One or more units 22 are positioned around the center tension line 27 to form an aggregate.

Here, the center tensile line 27 may be a Kevlar aramid yarn, an epoxy fiber rod, a fiber reinforced polyethylene (FRP), a high strength fiber, a stranded wire, a steel wire, etc., but is not limited thereto. .

The optical fiber unit 22 is a ribbon type optical fiber unit 22 formed of one or more optical fiber ribbons in which a plurality of optical fiber core wires 21 are integrally bonded, and is wrapped in a buffer tube 23. The outer diameter of the buffer tube 23 is formed in the range of 15mm or more and 200mm or less.

In the outermost part of the optical fiber cable, a sheath 24 is formed to surround the assembly of the optical fiber unit 22 and form an outer sheath of the cable.

Preferably, the strength of the cable, the bent shape can be maintained when the cable is bent, the metal jacket 25 that can protect the cable from external interference such as external electromagnetic interference, the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 24 Located at the bottom

The waterproof member 26 may be further included in the metal jacket 25, and the waterproof member 26 may be provided with a waterproof tape or a waterproof yarn.

Here, the buffer tube 23 is made of thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE), the strength of the buffer tube 23 is Shore hardness of 40D to 80D, to form the strength of the buffer tube 23 The ratio of the thickness to the outer diameter is formed in the range of 0.05 to 0.2.

Here, according to the range of the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23, the thickness of the buffer tube 23 is formed in the range of 3mm or more and 10mm or less.

Third embodiment

In the optical fiber cable according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber unit 22 including one or more optical fiber core wires 21 is located at the center of the cable, and the optical fiber unit 22 is a buffer. It is wrapped in a tube (23).

Here, the optical fiber unit 22 is formed of a loose type optical fiber unit 22 in which one or more optical fiber core wires 21 are spaced to some extent, in which case the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23 is 15 mm or more. It is formed in the range of 360mm or less.

In the outermost part of the optical fiber cable, a sheath 24 is formed to surround the assembly of the optical fiber unit 22 and form an outer sheath of the cable.

Herein, the sheath 24 includes a plurality of tensile tension lines 28 having a tensile force mounted to face each other, and the tensile tension lines 28 are Kevlar aramid yarn, epoxy fiber rods (Fiber). Glass epoxy rod (FRP), Fiber Reinforced Polyethylene (FRP), high-strength fibers, strands, steel wires, etc., but is not limited thereto.

Preferably, the inner surface of the sheath 24 is provided with a metal jacket 25 that can enhance the strength of the cable, maintain the bent shape when the cable is bent, and protect the cable from external interference such as external electromagnetic interference. Located at the bottom

The waterproof member 26 may be further included in the metal jacket 25, and the waterproof member 26 may be provided with a waterproof tape or a waterproof yarn.

Here, the buffer tube 23 is made of thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE), the strength of the buffer tube 23 is Shore hardness of 40D to 80D, to the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23 to be formed to the strength The ratio of the thickness to the thickness is formed in the range of 0.05 to 0.2.

Here, according to the range of the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23, the thickness of the buffer tube 23 is formed in the range of 3mm or more and 18mm or less.

Fourth embodiment

In the optical fiber cable according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, an optical fiber unit 22 including one or more orphan fiber core wires 21 is positioned at the center of the cable, and the optical fiber unit 22 is It is wrapped in a buffer tube (23).

Here, the optical fiber unit 22 is formed of a ribbon type optical fiber unit 22 having one or more optical fiber ribbons in which a plurality of optical fiber cores 21 are integrally bonded, and in this case, the buffer tube 23 of the The outer diameter is formed in the range of 15 mm or more and 360 mm or less.

In the outermost part of the optical fiber cable, a sheath 24 is formed to surround the assembly of the optical fiber unit 22 and form an outer sheath of the cable.

Herein, the sheath 24 includes a plurality of tensile tension lines 28 having a tensile force mounted to face each other, and the tensile tension lines 28 may include Kevlar aramid yarns and epoxy fiber rods. Glass epoxy rod (FRP), Fiber Reinforced Polyethylene (FRP), high-strength fibers, strands, steel wires, etc., but is not limited thereto.

Preferably, the sheath 24 is provided with a metal jacket 25 capable of improving the strength of the cable and maintaining the curved shape when the cable is bent, and protecting the cable from external interference such as external electromagnetic interference. It is located under the inner circumference.

An antiseptic member 26 may be further included in the metal jacket 25, and the waterproof member 26 may be provided with a waterproof tape or a waterproof yarn.

Here, the buffer tube 23 is made of thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE), the strength of the buffer tube 23 is Shore hardness of 40D to 80D, to the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23 to be formed to the strength The ratio of the thickness to the thickness is formed in the range of 0.05 to 0.2.

Here, according to the range of the outer diameter of the buffer tube 23, the thickness of the buffer tube 23 is formed in the range of 3mm or more and 18mm or less.

As mentioned above, although the present invention has been described by way of limited embodiments and drawings, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited thereto, and a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, Various modifications and variations may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable according to another embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable according to another embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable according to another embodiment of the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

21: optical fiber core wire 22: optical fiber unit

23: buffer tube 24: sheath

25: metal jacket 26: waterproof member

27: center tensile line 28: tensile tension line

Claims (16)

An optical fiber unit including one or more optical fiber core wires; At least one buffer tube surrounding the optical fiber unit; An optical fiber cable comprising: a sheath surrounding the one or more buffer tubes to form an outer sheath; The buffer tube is a fiber optic cable, characterized in that provided with a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE). The method of claim 1, The strength of the buffer tube is Shore hardness 40D to 80D, the ratio of the thickness of the buffer tube to the outer diameter of the optical fiber cable, characterized in that 0.05 to 0.2. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The optical fiber cable includes a central tension line having a tensile force, and the optical fiber unit is configured to wrap around the central tension line in the form surrounded by the buffer tube, and the buffer tube has a thickness of 1.5 mm or more and 3 mm or less. Optical fiber cable, characterized in that formed. The method of claim 3, The center tensile wire is Kevlar aramid yarn (Kevlar aramid yarn) Fiber glass epoxy rod (Fiber glass epoxy rod), FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polyethylene), fiber optic cable, characterized in that any one of high strength fibers, steel wire, stranded wire is provided. The method of claim 4, wherein The optical fiber cable further comprises a metal jacket on the inner peripheral surface of the sheath. The method of claim 4, wherein The optical fiber cable further comprises a waterproof member in the metal jacket. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The optical fiber cable includes a central tension line having a tensile force, and an optical fiber unit composed of one or more optical fiber ribbons is wrapped around the central tensile line in a form surrounded by the buffer tube, and the buffer tube has an outer diameter of 3 mm or more and 10 mm. An optical fiber cable, characterized in that formed in the following range. The method of claim 7, wherein The central tensile line may be provided with any one of Kevlar aramid yarn, epoxy glass rod, FRP (Fiver Reinforced Polyethylene), high strength fiber, steel wire, and stranded wire. The method of claim 8, The optical fiber cable further comprises a metal jacket on the inner peripheral surface of the sheath. The method of claim 9, The optical fiber cable further comprises a waterproof member in the metal jacket. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The optical fiber cable is configured such that one optical fiber unit is located at the center of the cable and surrounded by the one buffer tube, and the buffer tube has an outer diameter of 3 mm or more and 18 mm or less. The method of claim 11, And the optical fiber unit is provided with one or more optical fiber ribbons. The method of claim 11, The optical fiber cable further comprises a plurality of tensile tension lines having a tensile force mounted to face the inside of the sheath. The method of claim 13, The tensile tension wire is an optical fiber cable, characterized in that it is provided with any one of Kevlar aramid yarn (Ever), epoxy glass rod (Fiver glass epoxy rod), FRP (Fiver Reinforced Polyethylene), high strength fiber, steel wire, stranded wire. The method of claim 14, And the optical fiber cable further comprises a metal jacket between the buffer tube and the inner surface of the sheath. The method of claim 15, The optical fiber cable further comprises a waterproof member in the metal jacket.

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