WO2003002931A1

WO2003002931A1 - Device for inspecting grooves of spiral spacer for carrying optical fiber

Info

Publication number: WO2003002931A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/005586
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hidenobu Nagaya
Original assignee: Ube-Nittou Kasei Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2001-06-28
Filing date: 2001-06-28
Publication date: 2003-01-09
Also published as: KR20030040428A; CN1449486A; TW508459B; JPWO2003002931A1; KR100814303B1

Abstract

A device for inspecting the grooves of a spiral spacer for carrying optical fiber having spiral grooves formed in the outer peripheral surface thereof, comprising a groove defect detection part having rotating bodies rotated according to the running of the spacer for carrying optical fiber and detecting the groove defect of the spiral grooves for slidable contact from the rotating resistance of the first rotating body and a groove pitch measuring part detecting the groove pitch of the spiral grooves from the rotating angle of the second rotating body and the running speed of the spacer for carrying optical fiber, the groove defect detection part further comprising a linearly extending guide rail, a supporting member slidably installed on the guide rail, the first rotating body rotatably supported on the supporting member, and a load detector connected to the supporting member through a magnetic attracting means moved separately from and closely to the supporting member when a force more than a specified value is applied to the supporting member.

Description

Description Groove inspection device for spiral spacer for supporting optical fiber

The present invention relates to a groove inspection device for a spiral spacer for holding an optical fiber, and in particular, manufactures a spacer for holding an optical fiber having a plurality of spiral grooves running continuously while rotating in one direction. The present invention relates to a groove inspection apparatus for continuously measuring and inspecting an inner surface abnormality of a spiral groove and a spiral pitch while continuously inspecting the spiral groove. Background art

As is well known, optical fibers have a low transmission loss and a very large transmission volume, and their practical use has been promoted over a wide range in the field of communications.When installing multiple optical fibers into a cable, Uses a spacer in which a spiral groove for supporting the optical fiber is formed on the outer periphery as a cable core wire, and inserts the optical fiber into the spiral groove to apply stresses such as tension, compression, and bending. Avoided. '

By the way, the helical groove provided in this type of spacer can stabilize the optical fiber in the groove when forming a cable if there are abnormal parts such as minute bumps on the inner peripheral surface. Even if troubles such as inability to accommodate the cable occur or the cable can be used, such abnormal parts will cause unnecessary side pressure to act on the optical fiber during use, causing transmission loss to increase, and causing the optical fiber to fail. Affects transmission characteristics.

In addition, if the spiral groove is not accurately formed at a predetermined pitch along the longitudinal direction of the spacer due to deformation of the groove or the like, as in the case of the abnormal groove shape described above, the inside of the spiral groove is This has an adverse effect on the transmission characteristics of the optical fiber housed and carried in the optical fiber.

Therefore, conventionally, a rotating body that rotates with the movement of the optical fiber supporting spacer is mounted in the middle of the manufacturing process, and based on the difference in the rotating resistance of the rotating body. Thus, an inner surface abnormality of the spiral groove was detected.

However, in such a conventional spiral groove groove abnormality inspection apparatus, when there is an abnormal portion such as a minute bump or a convex portion on the inner peripheral surface of the spiral groove, the abnormality can be detected. It was not possible to detect whether or not was accurately formed.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and in that case, an optical fiber capable of simultaneously detecting an abnormality in a groove shape and an abnormality in a helical pitch during a manufacturing process. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for inspecting a groove abnormality of a supporting spiral spacer. Disclosure of the invention

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a spiral groove inspection apparatus for an optical fiber carrying spacer in which a plurality of spiral grooves running continuously while rotating in one direction are provided on the outer periphery, A rotating body that rotates with the traveling spacer, a groove abnormality detecting unit that detects a groove abnormality of a spiral groove that is in sliding contact with the rotating resistance of the rotating body, a rotation angle of the rotating body and the optical fiber. And a groove pitch measuring unit for detecting the groove pitch of the spiral groove from the traveling speed of the spacer for supporting the fiber.

In the present invention, one of the rotating body of the groove abnormality detecting section and the rotating body of the groove pitch measuring section can be shared.

Further, in the present invention, the groove abnormality detection unit includes: a guide rail extending linearly; a support member slidably provided on the guide rail; and the rotating body rotatably supported by the support member. And a load detector coupled via magnetic attraction means that separates when a force equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the support member.

The rotator may include a through-opening through which the optical fiber-carrying spacer passes, and a plurality of protrusions protruding from an inner peripheral surface of the through-opening and slidingly contacting the inside of the spiral groove. it can.

The rotating body has a through-opening through which the spacer for holding the optical fiber passes. And a pin gauge having a tip portion fitted into the spiral groove can be protrudingly arranged around the opening.

The load detector may be constituted by a load cell in a sealed state. Further, the groove pitch measuring unit of the present invention comprises: a speed pulse generator for generating a signal corresponding to the advance amount of the spacer; and an angle pulse generator for generating an electric signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the body. Receiving an electric signal transmitted every one rotation from the angle pulse generator, counting the number of pulses of the speed pulse generator, and calculating a groove pitch of the spiral groove. be able to. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an external view of a main part of a spiral spacer to be inspected by a groove inspection device of a spiral spacer for supporting an optical fiber according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the spiral spacer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an overall layout view of a groove inspection device of the spiral spacer for supporting an optical fiber according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electric system of the groove abnormality detecting unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the processing procedure of the arithmetic display unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electric system of the groove pitch measuring section shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a processing procedure of the operation display unit shown in FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. You. In the groove detector 10 for a spiral spacer for holding an optical fiber according to the present invention, the spiral spacer A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is to be detected.

The spiral spacer A shown in these figures has a tensile strength line A 1 disposed at the center and a synthetic resin main body A 2 formed on the outer periphery thereof.

The main body portion A 2 has a plurality of concave spiral grooves A 3 having a continuous cross section while continuously rotating while rotating in one direction along the longitudinal axis direction. The spiral groove A3 is formed at a predetermined pitch P, and the inner surface abnormality of the spiral groove A3 and the groove pitch P are inspected.

In the case of the present embodiment, the groove inspection device 10 was provided in the middle of the manufacturing process of the threaded spacer A traveling in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, as shown in the overall arrangement state in FIG. It is provided between a pair of take-off machines 12, 12, and is composed of a groove abnormality detecting section 16 installed on a support base 14 and a groove pitch measuring section 18.

A pair of guide port roller devices 19 having the same configuration are provided on the support base 14 so as to sandwich the groove abnormality detection unit 16 and the groove pitch measurement unit 18. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, each guide roller device 19 supports the spiral spacer A from below, and has a large-diameter roller 19a that rotates in the vertical direction, and both sides of the spiral spacer A. A pair of small-diameter rollers 19b that abut against the surface and rotate in the horizontal direction, and a substantially U-shaped support boss 19c that rotatably supports the rollers 19a and 19b. It is composed of

The guide roller device 19 configured in this way is used to measure the vertical and horizontal vibrations when the spiral spacer A is pulled by the puller 12 by the groove abnormality detector 16 and the groove pitch detector 18. Care is taken not to appear as an error.

The groove abnormality detection unit 16 includes a first rotating body 20 which is arranged in front of the groove pitch measuring unit 18 and rotates as the optical fiber carrying spiral spacer A travels. The basic configuration is to detect the groove abnormality of the spiral groove A3 slidingly contacting from the rotation resistance of 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, the groove abnormality detecting section 16 of this embodiment is mounted on the support base 14. It is fixed and installed on a linearly extending guide rail 22. On this rail 22, a support member 24 of the first rotating body 20 is provided slidably along the longitudinal axis of the guide rail 22.

The support member 24 is fitted on the guide rail 22 and slidably provided on a slide base 26, and a vertical support plate supported on the slide base 26 and extending vertically upward. To 28.

On the upper part of the vertical support plate 28, a disc-shaped first rotating body 20 is supported via a bearing 30 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis. The first rotating body 20 is provided with a spiral spacer A running between a pair of take-off machines 12 and 12 provided in the middle of the manufacturing process at the center of the disk-shaped main body 31. A circular through-opening 32 through which is passed is formed.

On the inner periphery of the through-opening 32 of the first rotating body 20, a number of protrusions 34 corresponding to the number of the spiral grooves A 3 provided on the spiral spacer A are physically protrudingly arranged. Have been. Each protruding portion 34 is formed so that its protruding shape corresponds to the shape of the spiral groove A.

The shape relationship between the spiral groove A 3 and the projection 34 is such that the wall forming the spiral groove A 3 of the spiral spacer A and the outer surface of the projection 34 are in a state in which the spiral groove A 3 and the outer surface of the projection 34 are in close contact with each other. It is set as follows.

On the other hand, beside the guide rail 22, a sealed load cell (load detector) 36 that is located near the support member 24 and converts the magnitude of the load into an electric signal and sends it out is shown. Are located.

As is well known, a typical example of the load cell 36 is a strain gauge and a strain gauge type in which a strain-generating column connected to the strain gauge is enclosed in a case. For example, this strain gauge type is adopted.

The load cell 36 and the slide table 26 are connected by a connecting member 38. The connecting member 38 includes a first connecting portion 38a fixed to the slide table 26 and a second connecting portion 38b fixed to the load cell 36 side.

In the case of the present embodiment, a permanent magnet is built in the second The connecting portion 38a is made of a metal material that can be attracted by the magnet, and in a steady state, the first connecting portion 38a is attracted and coupled to the second connecting portion 38b. In the groove abnormality detecting section 16 configured as described above, when the spiral spacer A runs, the first rotating body 20 is fitted into the spiral groove A3,

20 is rotated in the same direction as the rotation direction of the spiral groove A3 as the spiral spacer A travels.

At this time, the first rotating body 20 is a load supporting the traveling of the spiral spacer A, and the slide supporting the first rotating body 20 with the traveling of the spacer A. The pedestal 26 tries to move backward on the guide rail 22.

The horizontal acting force at this time is transmitted to the load cell 36 via the first and second connecting portions 38a and 38b, and as a result, the spiral spacer is applied to the load cell 36. The load in the same direction as the traveling direction of A is transmitted.

At this point, the load on the slide table 26 to move it

The connecting member 38 transmitting to 36 is constituted by first and second connecting portions 38a and 38b attracted by a permanent magnet.

For this reason, the attraction force of the permanent magnet is set so that the coupling between the first and second connecting portions 38a, 38b is released when a force greater than a predetermined value acts on the rotating body 20. When the groove abnormality occurs, it is possible to prevent the detection device 16 from being damaged.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the load cell 36 is electrically connected to the operation display 42 via the amplifier 40. The operation display 42 is composed of an operation circuit (PLC) and a personal computer, and has an interface, a memory input keyboard, etc. The operation display 42 has a display 41 and an alarm. 4 and 4 are connected.

In the case of the present embodiment, the operation indicator 42 detects the groove abnormality of the spiral groove A 3 according to the procedure shown in FIG. 7 using the load detection value R sent from the load cell 36 as an input signal.

In the procedure shown in Fig. 7, first, when the procedure starts, in step 1, initialization is performed. In this initial setting, load cell 36 is detected. For the detected load value R, a danger value Rmax for determining that the spiral groove A3 is abnormal is set.

This risk value R max is derived from past empirical values and the average of actual measured values. When the setting of the dangerous value R max is completed, the load detection value R of the load cell 36 is acquired in step 2 and the value is displayed on the display 41 as a measured value.

Next, in step 3, it is determined whether the load detection value R is greater than the danger value Rmax, and if the load detection value R is less than the danger value Rmax, the groove abnormality is determined in step 4. It is determined whether or not to finish the measurement, and if the measurement has not been completed, the flow returns to step 2 and the measurement of the groove abnormality is continued.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 3 that the load detection value R is greater than the danger value Rmax, it means that an abnormality has occurred in the spiral groove A3. Is activated to warn of this, and receives the signal from the length measuring counter (no indication) to display the strip length at the abnormal point.

In the groove abnormality detecting unit 16 configured as described above, when the spiral spacer A is run in a state of passing through the through-opening 32 of the first rotating body 20, the spiral spacer A Due to the running resistance based on the sliding contact between the spiral groove A 3 and the projection 34 of the first rotating body 20 fitted into the spiral groove A 3, it is converted into the rotating force of the rotating body 20, and the slide table Along with 26, a horizontal force acts on the guide rail 22 to move it rearward.

This horizontal force is transmitted to the load cell 36 via the connecting member 38 which is attracted and connected by a magnet. The load cell 36 detects a load corresponding to the horizontal force, converts the load as a load detection value R into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the operation display 42.

The operation indicator 42 monitors the state of the spiral groove A of the threaded spacer A based on the output signal of the load cell 36, and, based on the magnitude of the detected load value R, the inner surface of the spiral groove A3. To detect abnormalities.

In this case, when the groove abnormality of the spiral groove A 3 is extremely large, the rotating body 2 In this case, the running resistance exceeds the attraction force of the permanent magnet, and as a result, the first and second connecting portions 38 a and 38 b of the connecting member 38 are connected. Therefore, the slide table 26 is allowed to move backward, so that the components such as the support member 38 and the rotating body 20 and the load cell 36 are not damaged.

In this case, when the slide table 26 moves rearward when the slide table 26 contacts the proximity switch 45, the drive of the take-off machine 12 is stopped to ensure safety. It has become.

On the other hand, the groove pitch measuring section 18 detects the groove pitch P of the spiral groove A 3 from the rotation angle of the second rotating body 20 a and the traveling speed of the spiral spacer A for holding the optical fiber. And a speed pulse generator 46 for generating a signal V corresponding to the amount of travel of the spiral spacer A, and an electric signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotor 20a. Receiving the electric signal i sent out every one rotation from the angle pulse generator 48, the number of pulses of the speed pulse generator 46 is counted, and the spiral groove A3 is generated. And a calculation indicator 50 for calculating the groove pitch P of the above.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second rotator 20a is substantially the same as the first rotator 20 that is fitted to the spiral spacer A and rotates as it travels. However, in the case of the present embodiment, like the first rotating body 20, the supporting member 24 is provided with a slide base 26, and is mounted on the guide rail 22 so as to be slidable. I have.

The slide table 26 is connected to the load cell 36 with the connecting member 38 interposed therebetween, and the connecting member 38 is connected to the first and second connecting portions 38 a, 3 separably connected by magnets. Has 7b.

In the second rotating body 20a, a through-opening 32a through which the spiral spacer A is inserted is formed at the center of the disk-shaped main body 31a. On the inner peripheral side of the through-opening 3 2 a of the second rotating body 20, instead of the projections 34 of the first rotating body 20, pin gauges 35 of the number corresponding to the number of the spiral grooves A 3 are provided. The pin gauge 35 is fixed with screws, and the tip side of each pin gauge 35 projects inward from the through-opening 32a. Each pin gauge 35 has a projecting shape corresponding to the shape of the spiral groove A. The calculation display 42 shown in FIG. 6 is connected to the load cell 36 attached to the second rotating body 20a, similarly to the first rotating body 20. By executing the control procedure as shown in FIG. 7, a function substantially similar to that of the above-described groove abnormality detection unit 16 is obtained, and the groove abnormality of the spiral groove A 3 is detected in two stages. I am doing it.

The speed pulse generator 46 is installed in the take-off machine 12 shown in FIG. 3, and is connected to the operation display 50 as shown in FIG. The signal V corresponding to the traveling speed is transmitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the angle pulse generator 48 is attached to a support 48 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the main body 31 a of the second rotating body 20 a and a support member 24. And a proximity sensor 48b.

The angle pulse generator 48 of the present embodiment is, for example, a magnetically responsive non-contact sensor, and sends out an electric signal i every time the protrusion 48 a approaches the proximity sensor 48 b. You.

As shown in FIG. 8, the angle pulse generator 48 is connected to a calculation display 50, and outputs a signal i every time the second rotating body 20a makes one rotation. To send to.

The operation display 50 is composed of an operation circuit (PLC) and a personal computer, and is equipped with an interface, a memory input keyboard, and the like. The operation display 50 includes a pitch display 52 and an alarm. Is connected to the container 54. In the case of the present embodiment, the operation display unit 50 receives signals i and V sent from the speed pulse generator 46 and the angle pulse generator 48 as input signals, and performs a spiral operation according to the procedure shown in FIG. Calculate and display the groove pitch P of groove A3.

In the procedure shown in FIG. 9, first, when the procedure starts, initial setting is performed in step 10. In this initial setting, the allowable value Δ for the helical pitch P is set.

In the following step 11, the counting power counter of the speed signal V is set to zero. Waiting for the input of the signal i sent from the pulse generator 48, and when the input is confirmed, the counting of the speed signal V is started in step 13.

Next, in step 14, the control waits until the second signal i is input, and when the input is recognized, in step 15, the counter that counts the speed signal V is stopped, and the counter of the counting power counter is stopped. Calculate the groove pitch P from the numerical value. The groove pitch P obtained in this way is sent to a pitch indicator 52 to indicate its value, and in the following step 16, the obtained groove pitch P falls within the range of the allowable value Δ. If the groove pitch P is not within the range of the allowable value Δ, it is determined in step 17 that the alarm 54 is actuated to notify the fact and the length measuring counter (not displayed). Display the length of the line at the abnormal point in response to the signal from

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 16 that the groove pitch P is in the range Δ of the allowable value Δ, the end of the measurement is determined in step 18. If not, the flow proceeds to step 11. Return, measurement of groove pitch P is continued.

According to the groove detecting device 10 of the optical spacer supporting spiral spacer A configured as described above, the groove abnormality of the spiral groove A 3 slidingly contacting is detected from the rotational resistance of the first rotating body 20. A groove pitch measuring unit that detects the groove pitch P of the spiral groove A 3 from the groove abnormality detecting unit 16 and the rotation angle of the second rotating body 20 a and the traveling speed of the optical fiber carrying spacer A. Because of the provision of (1) and (8), an abnormality in the groove shape and an abnormality in the helical pitch P can be simultaneously detected during the manufacturing process.

In the above embodiment, a load cell 36 is attached to each of the first and second rotating bodies 20 and 20a to detect a groove abnormality of the spiral groove A3 in two steps. However, any one of the rotating bodies may have the groove abnormality detecting function.

Here, if the second rotating body 20a is not provided with a groove abnormality detection function, the pin gauge 35 does not necessarily need to correspond to all the spiral grooves A3, for example, at 180 ° intervals. They may be arranged intermittently at intervals of 120 ° or 120 °.

In this case, the shape of the pin gauge 35 is the cross-sectional shape of the spiral groove A3. It is not necessary to make the shape close to the shape.

Further, the operation indicators 42, 50 shown in the above embodiment may be provided in an independent form, respectively, or one may be used for both, and the control procedure shown in FIG. The control procedure shown in FIG. 9 may be of an independent type, or the control procedure shown in FIG. 9 may be connected to the control procedure shown in FIG.

Further, in the embodiment, the non-contact type magnetically responsive type is exemplified as the angle pulse generator 48. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. Using a rotary encoder gear-coupled to 20a, it is also possible to obtain the angle signal sent from this encoder every rotation.

In this case, there is relatively no problem when the second rotating body 20a is not used also as the groove abnormality detection unit, but the method using a rotary encoder has a larger rotating load than that shown in the embodiment. Therefore, when the rotating body of the groove abnormality detecting unit and the rotating body of the groove pitch measuring unit are shared by one, the rotation load is reduced. Container 48 is more desirable. Industrial applicability

The inspection apparatus of the spiral spacer for holding an optical fiber of the present invention is installed in the course of the manufacturing process of the spiral spacer, so that the irregularity of the groove shape and the groove can be achieved over the entire length of the spiral spacer to be manufactured. Since the pitch can be measured, it is effective in maintaining the transmission performance of an optical cable in which optical fibers are densely assembled.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. In a groove detecting device of a spiral spacer for carrying an optical fiber in which a plurality of spiral grooves running continuously while rotating in one direction are provided on the outer periphery,

A groove abnormality detecting unit that includes a rotating body that rotates with the travel of the optical fiber carrying spacer and detects a groove abnormality of a spiral groove that slides from the rotational resistance of the rotating body;

A helical spacer for supporting an optical fiber, comprising: a groove pitch measuring section for detecting a groove pitch of the helical groove based on a rotation angle of the rotating body and a traveling speed of the optical fiber supporting spacer. Groove inspection equipment.

2. The spiral spacer for supporting an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein one of the rotating body of the groove abnormality detecting section and the rotating body of the groove pitch measuring section is shared by one. Groove inspection equipment.

3. The groove abnormality detection part is a guide rail that extends linearly,

A support member slidably provided on the guide rail,

The rotating body rotatably supported by the support member,

The optical fiber carrier according to claim 1, further comprising: a load detector coupled via a magnetic attraction means that separates when a force equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the support member. Inspection equipment for spiral spacers.

4. The rotating body has a through-opening through which the spacer for supporting an optical fiber is passed,

4. The optical fiber holding spiral spiral according to claim 1, wherein the spiral spiral has a plurality of protrusions projecting from an inner peripheral surface of the through-opening and slidingly contacting the spiral groove. Pisa groove inspection device.

5. The rotator includes a through-opening through which the spacer for supporting the optical fiber is passed, and a pin gauge having a tip portion fitted into the spiral groove is provided around the opening. 4. The groove inspection device for a spiral spacer for holding an optical fiber according to claim 1 or 3, wherein:

6. The screw for holding an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the load detector is constituted by a load cell in a sealed state. Groove inspection device for rotating spacers.

7. The groove pitch measuring unit includes: a speed pulse generator that generates a signal corresponding to an amount of advance of the spacer;

An angle pulse generator that generates an electric signal corresponding to a rotation angle of the rotating body;

An electric signal transmitted every one rotation from the angle pulse generator, counting the number of pulses of the speed pulse generator, and calculating a groove pitch of the spiral groove. The groove inspection device for a spiral spacer for holding an optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that: