WO2011059065A1

WO2011059065A1 - Optical fiber cable and manufacturing method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2011059065A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/070216
Authority: WO
Inventors: 健大里; 由紀子武; 直樹岡田; 次朗高田; 優征石岡
Original assignee: 株式会社フジクラ
Priority date: 2009-11-13
Filing date: 2010-11-12
Publication date: 2011-05-19
Also published as: JP2011123472A

Abstract

Disclosed is an optical fiber cable (1) provided with multiple optical units (2a). Each optical unit (2a) contains multiple optical fibers (2) and cylindrical tubes (3) bunching said optical fibers (2). The cylindrical tubes (3) are formed from a thermoplastic film tape (3e), and are formed cylindrically having an overlapping section (3d) along the length direction of the tubes.

Description

Optical fiber cable and method of manufacturing the optical fiber cable

The present invention relates to an optical fiber cable having a structure in which an optical unit in which a plurality of optical fibers are collected is assembled, and a method for manufacturing the optical fiber cable.

As a conventional optical fiber cable, a cable composed of a slot core having a slot groove for accommodating the optical fiber and a sheath covering the periphery of the slot core has been proposed.

When the optical fiber cable includes a plurality of optical fibers, these optical fibers are divided into optical units each having a predetermined number as a unit, and these optical units are accommodated in the slot grooves. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of each optical fiber in each optical unit is colored with different colors so that they can be distinguished from each other.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional optical unit 102a. The optical unit 102a in FIG. 1 has a loose tube structure including a plurality of optical fibers 102 and a cylindrical loose tube 103 that houses the optical fibers 102 therein. Patent Document 1 proposes a method for forming the loose tube 103. According to this document, the loose tube 103 is formed by bending a plastic tape into a cylindrical shape and sealing the portion where both end edges of the plastic tape are abutted with each other with an adhesive tape. The loose tube 103 is intermittently filled with an adhesive to fix the optical fiber 102 to the loose tube 103.

FIG. 2 shows another example of the conventional optical unit 102a. The optical unit 102a in FIG. 2 has a bundle structure including a plurality of optical fibers 102 and identification yarns 104 that bundle these optical fibers 102.

In addition, the structure of the optical fiber cable using these optical units is also standardized (see Non-Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-303769

When the optical fiber 102 is taken out from the loose tube 103 in order to connect the optical fiber 102 in the optical unit 102a to the optical fiber of another optical unit in the loose tube structure optical unit 102a described above, a part of the loose tube 103 is used. It is necessary to cut the loose tube 103 into a ring by cutting it with a blade or the like. In such an operation, since the loose tube 103 is thin and the inner surface of the loose tube 103 and the optical fiber 102 are almost in close contact with each other, the optical fiber 102 may be accidentally damaged or cut by a blade. is there. Further, in the intermediate post-branching operation for connecting to another optical fiber at an intermediate position of the optical fiber cable, it is necessary to expose the optical fiber 102 while thinly scraping the side surface of the loose tube 103, and it is necessary to use a special tool. there were.

On the other hand, in the optical unit 102a having the bundle structure described above, when the optical fiber 102 in the optical unit 102a is connected to the optical fiber of another optical unit, the identification yarn 104 that bundles the optical fibers 102 is unwound or cut. Thus, the optical fiber 102 can be taken out. However, in the vicinity of the end of the optical fiber cable, the identification yarn 104 is easily unwound with the removal of the sheath. When the identification yarn 104 is unwound, the optical fibers 102 constituting the optical unit 102a are separated, making it difficult to distinguish from the optical fibers constituting the other optical units.

In addition, since the optical fiber 102 is exposed in the optical unit 102a having the bundle structure, when it is necessary to run the optical unit 102a for a long time at the end of the optical fiber cable, measures such as covering with a protective tube are taken. Necessary and cumbersome.

Further, in manufacturing the bundle-structured optical unit 102a, the identification yarn 104 is directly wound around the optical fiber 102. Therefore, depending on the winding tension or winding pitch of the identification yarn 104, the transmission loss of the optical fiber 102 may be deteriorated. Therefore, it is difficult to manufacture.

Therefore, the present invention is proposed in view of the above-described circumstances, and in an optical fiber cable having a structure in which an optical unit in which a plurality of optical fibers are collected is assembled, the optical fiber in the optical unit is replaced with another optical fiber. It is easy to connect to the optical fiber of the optical unit, and the optical fiber constituting the optical unit is not separated in the vicinity of the terminal. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable.

1st aspect of this invention is an optical fiber cable, Comprising: The optical unit which has a cylindrical tube which accommodates several optical fibers and these optical fibers, The said cylindrical tube is a film tape which has thermoplasticity Is formed by bending and heating in a cylindrical shape so as to have an overlapping portion in its circumferential direction.

The film tape may have a thickness of 0.012 mm to 0.100 mm.

The optical fiber cable may include an ultraviolet curable resin that coats an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube.

The film tape may be made of a colorless and transparent material, and the ultraviolet curable resin may be colored.

A part of the cylindrical tube may be colored to identify the optical unit.

The film tape may be entirely colored to identify the optical unit.

The optical fiber cable may further include an identification tape that is vertically attached in the cylindrical tube and colored to identify the optical unit.

The optical fiber cable may further include a water-absorbing material applied to the inner surface of the cylindrical tube.

The optical fiber cable may further include a powdery water-absorbing material bonded to the inner surface of the cylindrical tube.

The water-absorbing material may be any of polyacrylic, cellulose, and starch materials.

A second aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable, in which a film tape having thermoplasticity is bent into a cylindrical shape so as to have an overlapping portion in a circumferential direction, and the bent film tape is heated. Thus, a cylindrical tube is formed, and a plurality of optical fibers are housed in the cylindrical tube to form an optical unit.

The film tape may have a thickness of 0.012 mm to 0.100 mm.

In the manufacturing method, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube may be further coated with an ultraviolet curable resin.

The manufacturing method may further include coloring a predetermined part of the cylindrical tube to identify the optical unit.

The manufacturing method may further include coloring the film tape in order to identify the optical unit before forming the cylindrical tube.

The manufacturing method may further include vertically adding a colored identification tape to identify the optical unit in the cylindrical tube.

The manufacturing method may further include applying a water-absorbing material to one surface of the film tape serving as the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube before forming the cylindrical tube.

In the manufacturing method, the formation of the cylindrical tube and the drying of the applied water-absorbing material may be performed simultaneously.

The manufacturing method may further include adhering a powdery water-absorbing material to one surface of a film tape serving as an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube before forming the cylindrical tube.

In the manufacturing method, the water-absorbing material may be any one of a polyacrylic material, a cellulose material, and a starch material.

According to the present invention, in an optical fiber cable having a structure in which an optical unit in which a plurality of optical fibers are gathered is assembled, it is easy to connect an optical fiber in an optical unit to an optical fiber in another optical unit, Moreover, the optical fiber constituting the optical unit is not separated in the vicinity of the terminal, and an optical fiber cable that can be easily manufactured and a method for manufacturing the optical fiber cable can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the optical unit of the conventional optical fiber cable. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of a structure of the optical unit of the conventional optical fiber cable. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of a structure of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the optical unit of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example (what colored a part of cylindrical tube) of the structure of the optical unit of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example (what colored the whole cylindrical tube) of the structure of the optical unit of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example (thing which attached the identification tape vertically) of the structure of the optical unit of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing which show the other example (what coated UV coating on the cylindrical tube) of the structure of the optical unit of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing which show the other example (what made cylindrical tube a double structure) of the structure of the optical unit of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the optical unit of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the optical unit of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber cable in 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the other example of a structure of the manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber cable in 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber cable in 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the optical fiber cable according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The optical fiber cable 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which a plurality of optical units 2a each including a plurality of optical fibers 2 are assembled as shown in FIG.

The plurality of optical units 2 a are accommodated in a cylindrical sheath (outer coating) 6. The sheath 6 is formed as a cylindrical tube. The sheath 6 is formed by extrusion molding so that the entire periphery of the assembled plurality of optical units 2a is covered with polyethylene resin.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the optical fiber cable perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

This optical fiber cable 1 has a slot core 4 having a C-shaped cross section having a cylindrical slot 4a. That is, the optical fiber cable 1 is configured by housing and holding a plurality of optical units 2a in the slot 4a of the slot core 4, and covering the entire slot core 4 including the opening 5 of the slot 4a with the sheath 6. Composed. The slot 4 a is formed in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber cable 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a first configuration example of the optical unit 2a according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The optical unit 2 a includes a plurality of optical fibers 2 and a cylindrical tube (hereinafter simply referred to as a tube) 3 that bundles the optical fibers 2. As the optical fiber 2, an optical fiber, an optical fiber, an optical fiber tape, or the like is used. The optical fiber strand is an optical fiber coated with an ultraviolet curable resin. The optical fiber core wire is obtained by coating a plastic resin on an optical fiber and making its diameter larger than that of the optical fiber strand. The optical fiber ribbon is made of several optical fiber strands arranged in parallel and covered with an ultraviolet curable resin.

The tube 3 is formed from a thermoplastic flat film tape (film ribbon) (hereinafter simply referred to as a film tape). Specifically, this film tape is bent into a cylindrical shape so as to have an overlapping portion 3d in the circumferential direction, and further heated so as to maintain its shape. As a result, the tube 3 is formed. As illustrated, the overlapping portion 3d extends linearly in the longitudinal direction of the optical unit 2a. The film tape is made of, for example, PET (Polyethyleneterephthalate) and has a thickness of, for example, 0.012 mm to 0.100 mm.

In order to manufacture such an optical unit 2a, first, the tube 3 is formed by folding and heating the film tape in a cylindrical shape so as to have an overlapping portion 3d in the circumferential direction. In other words, when the film tape is bent into a cylindrical shape, the tube 3 is formed by overlapping both ends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the film tape and further heating so that the overlapping portion 3d is formed. Then, a plurality of optical fibers 2 are accommodated in the tube 3, and the optical fibers 2 are bundled by the tube 3 to form an optical unit 2a.

Further, the optical unit 2a may be formed by the following procedure. That is, a film tape is arranged so as to be parallel to the plurality of optical fibers 2, the film tape is bent into a cylindrical shape so as to bundle these optical fibers 2, and then the film is bent to form the tube 3. Heat the tape.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second configuration example of the optical unit 2a according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In this optical fiber cable 1, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a colored portion colored in order to identify between the optical units 2 a at a predetermined part of the tube 3. 3a is provided. The colored portion 3 a is provided on at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the film tape forming the tube 3. In addition, when providing the colored part 3a on the inner peripheral surface of the tube 3, a transparent film tape is used.

Thus, in the optical unit 2a provided with the colored portion 3a, each optical unit 2a can be identified by the color of the colored portion 3a.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a third configuration example of the optical unit 2a according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Before the film tape is formed on the tube 3, the film tape is colored in advance to identify the optical units 2a. In this case, as shown to (a) and (b) in FIG. 7, the tube 3 is colored in order to distinguish between the optical units 2a.

In the optical unit 2a in which the tube 3 is colored in this way, each optical unit 2a can be identified by the color of the tube 3.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a fourth configuration example of the optical unit 2a according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the optical unit 2a of this example, an identification tape 3b colored for identifying between the optical units 2a is vertically attached in the tube 3 along the longitudinal direction of the cable.

In this way, in the optical unit 2a to which the identification tape 3b is vertically attached, a plurality of optical units 2a can be identified by the color of the identification tape 3b.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a fifth configuration example of the optical unit 2a according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In this optical fiber cable 1, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the outer peripheral surface of the tube 3 is coated with an ultraviolet curable resin 3c. By this coating, the rigidity of the tube 3 can be improved, and the resistance to buckling that easily occurs when the tube is bent with a relatively small radius of curvature can be improved. This radius of curvature is assumed to be about 30 mm. Further, the ultraviolet curable resin 3c can be easily broken by a human finger. Therefore, when the optical fiber 2 is taken out from the tube 3, the ultraviolet curable resin 3 c does not prevent the optical fiber 2 from being taken out. Further, the optical unit can be identified by using a transparent material for the film tape and using a colored ultraviolet curable resin for the coating material.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a sixth configuration example of the optical unit 2a according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the optical fiber cable 1 of this example, as shown in (a) and (b) in FIG. 10, the width of the overlapping portion 3 d in the circumferential direction of the film tape forming the tube 3 is equal to the circumference of the tube 3. More than twice the length. That is, the optical unit 2a of this example has a tube 3 having a double structure.

In this example, two or more film tapes are overlapped at any part of the tube 3. Therefore, the rigidity and elasticity (cushioning property) of the tube 3 can be improved. This double structure does not make it difficult to take out the optical fiber 2 from the tube 3 described later.

In this optical fiber cable 1, when the optical fiber 2 is taken out from the tube 3, the tube 3 can be opened by peeling a part of the tube 3 with a human finger or the like. Since this operation is easy, operations such as intermediate post-branching are also facilitated. And since the tube 3 is formed so that it may return to a cylindrical shape, it is also easy to store the optical fiber 2 once taken out in the tube 3 again.

In addition, the optical fiber cable 1 is easy to handle because the optical fiber 2 constituting the optical unit 2a does not fall in the vicinity of the terminal.

[Second Embodiment]
By the way, in order to give sufficient waterproof property to the optical fiber cable 1, a method of filling the tube 3 with a filler such as jelly can be considered.

However, when the tube 3 is filled with the above-described filler, the filler may flow out from the gap between the overlapping portions 3d of the film tape. It is also difficult to form a film tape in a cylindrical shape while filling the filler. Furthermore, the filler can be a factor that degrades the workability of optical fiber connection.

In view of these, it is desirable to apply a water-absorbing material to one surface of the film tape that is the inner surface of the tube 3 before forming the film tape into a cylindrical shape.

The water-absorbing material may be a powder. In this case, an adhesive is applied to one surface of the film tape serving as the inner surface of the tube 3, and the water-absorbing material is adhered to the one surface of the film tape by the adhesive.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the optical unit 2a of the optical fiber cable according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a water absorbing material 7 is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the tube 3. This water-absorbing material 7 can stop running water in the tube 3 and can also stop running water in the gaps of the overlapping portions 3d of the film tape.

In order to manufacture the optical unit 2a, the water-absorbing material 7 may be applied only to one surface of the film tape that becomes the inner surface of the tube 3 before the film tape is formed into a cylindrical shape. Therefore, the optical unit 2a can be easily manufactured using the coating apparatus in the manufacturing process. Moreover, even if the applied water-absorbing material 7 is a material that requires a drying treatment after application, the water-absorbing material 7 is also simultaneously dried by the heating device used when forming the film tape on the tube 3. Is possible.

As the water-absorbing material 7, a polyacrylic material, a cellulose material, or a starch material can be used.

Thus, the water-absorbing material 7 applied to the tube 3 does not get entangled with the optical fiber 2 unlike the linearly formed water-absorbing material, and can realize a good waterproof property. Moreover, since the density of the optical fiber 2 in the tube 3 is not affected, there is no possibility that the transmission characteristics are deteriorated. Further, the water absorbent material 7 does not cause an increase in the outer diameter of the tube 3.

Also, the tube 3 formed in a cylindrical shape can be easily taken out of the optical fiber 2 in the same manner as the tube to which the water-absorbing material 7 is not applied. Further, the optical fiber 2 can be taken out very easily as compared with a tube filled with a filler such as jelly. In other words, in the optical unit 2a, the shape of the tube 3 is maintained without performing bonding, covering, rough winding, or the like of the overlapping portion 3d of the film tape as in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the optical fiber 2 can be easily taken out by opening the tube 3 by peeling a part thereof with a finger or the like, and the taken-out optical fiber 2 can be re-stored in the tube 3. is there. Therefore, it is easy to connect the optical fiber 2 at the terminal.

Furthermore, in this optical unit 2a, as in the embodiment described above, the entire optical fiber 2 is protected by the tube 3, so that it is difficult to cause trauma even if the optical unit 2a is singly handled. In addition, since the tube 3 is formed by using a thin tape, it is possible to produce a tube that is extremely thin compared to a conventional loose tube, and in the optical fiber cable 1 in which the optical units 2a are assembled, the tube The diameter can be reduced by deforming 3. That is, the thinning of the tube 3 makes it possible to reduce the diameter and weight of the optical fiber cable 1 that is an assembly of the optical units 2a.

(Manufacturing apparatus) FIG. 13: is a side view which shows the 1st structural example of the manufacturing apparatus of the optical fiber cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.

The above-described optical fiber cable according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be manufactured by the apparatus shown in FIG. This apparatus is configured to bend a film tape 3e into a cylindrical shape to bundle a plurality of optical fibers 2, and to heat the folded film tape to form a cylindrical tube 3, and a first assembly 204a. A second collecting unit 204b that houses the optical unit 2a formed by the unit 204a in the slot core 4 is provided.

In this apparatus, the slot core 4 is supplied from the slot core supply unit 201. A plurality of optical fibers 2 are supplied from the optical fiber supply unit 202. The film tape 3e is supplied from the film tape supply unit 203. The film tape 3e and the plurality of optical fibers 2 are gathered at the first gathering portion 204a. In the first collecting portion 204a, as shown in FIG. 13B, the film tape 3e is bent into a cylindrical shape so as to bundle the optical fibers 2 and heated to form the tube 3. Since the optical fiber 2 is accommodated in the tube 3, the above-described optical unit 2a is formed. In the second collecting unit 204b, a plurality of optical units 2a are collected, and the assembled optical units 2a are accommodated in the slot core 4.

The slot core 4 pulled out from the second aggregate portion 204b is sent to a sheath extruder (crosshead) 205 in a state where a plurality of optical units 2a are housed therein. The sheath extruder 205 forms a sheath 6 around the slot core 4 by extrusion molding. The optical fiber cable covered with the sheath 6 is fed by the take-up caterpillar 207 and cooled through the water tank 206. The optical fiber cable is wound up by a winder 208.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a second configuration example of the optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the above-described optical fiber cable according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the ultraviolet curable resin 3c is applied around the tube 3 (see FIG. 9), as shown in FIG. ) It can be manufactured by a manufacturing apparatus having a supply device 211 and a UV resin coating die 212. In this apparatus as well, a plurality of optical units 2a may be accommodated in the slot core 4 using the second collecting unit 204b.

In this apparatus, a plurality of optical fibers 2 are supplied from the optical fiber supply unit 202. The film tape 3e is supplied from the film tape supply unit 203. The film tape 3e is formed in the cylindrical tube 3 which wraps the optical fiber 2 in the 1st gathering part 204a. In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, you may provide the preheating apparatus 214 between the optical fiber supply part 202 and the 1st gathering part 204a. The preheating device 214 heats the film tape 3e at a temperature lower than the heating temperature of the first collecting portion 204a, and facilitates bending at the first collecting portion 204a.

Next, the UV curable resin 3 c supplied from the UV curable resin supply device 211 is coated around the tube 3 in which the optical fiber 2 is accommodated in the UV resin application dice unit 212. The coated ultraviolet curable resin 3c is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays generated by the UV lamp 213.

The tube 3 and the plurality of optical fibers 2 are sent to a sheath extruder (crosshead) 205 via the second collecting portion 204b. The sheath extruder 205 forms the sheath 6 around the tube 3 by extrusion molding. The optical fiber cable covered with the sheath 6 is fed by the take-up caterpillar 207 and cooled through the water tank 206. The optical fiber cable is wound up by a winder 208.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing a configuration example of an optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The optical fiber cable according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above can be manufactured by the apparatus shown in FIG. This apparatus has the same configuration as the apparatus shown in FIG. 14, except for the following points. First, a water-absorbing material coating device 209 is provided between the film tape supply unit 203 and the first collecting unit 204a. Next, a heating unit 210 is provided between the first collecting unit 204a and the UV resin coating dice unit 212. In this apparatus as well, a plurality of optical units 2a may be accommodated in the slot core 4 using the second collecting unit 204b.

In this apparatus, a plurality of optical fibers 2 are supplied from the optical fiber supply unit 202. The film tape 3e is supplied from the film tape supply unit 203. The water absorbent material 7 is applied to one surface of the film tape 3e by the water absorbent material application device 209. The film tape 3e to which the water-absorbing material 7 is applied is bent into a cylindrical shape so as to wrap the optical fiber 2 at the first collecting portion 204a. And by passing through the heating part 210, the film tape 3e is formed as the tube 3 and the water-absorbing material 7 is dried.

Thereafter, in the UV coating die section 212, the ultraviolet curable resin 3c supplied from the ultraviolet curable resin supply device 211 is coated around the tube 3 housing the optical fiber 2. The coated ultraviolet curable resin 3c is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays generated by the UV lamp 213.

[Table 1] shows characteristics of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 of the optical fiber cable 1 according to the present invention. The thickness of the thermoplastic film tape forming the tube 3 in Examples 1 to 4 is 0.012 mm to 0.100 mm. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the thickness of the film tape was 0.150 mm to 0.200 mm.

As shown in [Table 1], in Example 1 to Example 4, it was easy to take out the optical fiber 2 from the tube 3 and re-store the optical fiber 2 in the tube 3. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, it was difficult to take out the optical fiber 2 from the tube 3 and re-accommodate the optical fiber 2 in the tube 3 due to the high rigidity of the film tape.

The present invention is applied to an optical fiber cable having a structure in which an optical unit in which a plurality of optical fibers are collected is assembled, and a method for manufacturing the optical fiber cable.

Claims

An optical fiber cable,
An optical unit having a plurality of optical fibers and a cylindrical tube that houses the plurality of optical fibers;
The cylindrical tube is formed by bending and heating a thermoplastic film tape in a cylindrical shape so as to have an overlapping portion in the circumferential direction.
The optical fiber cable according to claim 1,
The film tape has a thickness of 0.012 mm to 0.100 mm.
The optical fiber cable according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
An ultraviolet curable resin for coating the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube is provided.
An optical fiber cable according to claim 3,
The film tape is made of a colorless and transparent material,
The ultraviolet curable resin is colored.
An optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A part of the cylindrical tube is colored to identify the optical unit.
An optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The film tape is entirely colored in order to identify the optical unit.
The optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
It is characterized by comprising an identification tape that is vertically attached in the cylindrical tube and colored to identify the optical unit.
The optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising:
A water-absorbing material is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical tube.
The optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising:
A powdery water-absorbing material adhered to the inner surface of the cylindrical tube is provided.
An optical fiber cable according to claim 8 or 9, wherein
The water-absorbing material is any one of a polyacrylic material, a cellulose material, and a starch material.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable,
Bending the film tape having thermoplasticity into a cylindrical shape so as to have an overlapping portion in the circumferential direction,
A cylindrical tube is formed by heating the folded film tape,
An optical unit is formed by housing a plurality of optical fibers in the cylindrical tube.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to claim 11,
The film tape has a thickness of 0.012 mm to 0.100 mm.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising:
The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube is coated with an ultraviolet curable resin.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to claim 13,
The film tape is made of a colorless and transparent material,
The ultraviolet curable resin is colored.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising:
A predetermined part of the cylindrical tube is colored for identifying the optical unit.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising:
Before forming the cylindrical tube, the film tape is pre-colored in order to identify the optical unit.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising:
In the cylindrical tube, a colored identification tape is vertically attached to identify the optical unit.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising:
Before forming the cylindrical tube, a water-absorbing material is applied to one surface of the film tape that is the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to claim 18,
The formation of the cylindrical tube and the drying of the applied water-absorbing material are performed simultaneously.
A method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising:
Before forming the cylindrical tube, a powdery water-absorbing material is adhered to one surface of the film tape that is the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 18 to 20,
The water-absorbing material is any one of a polyacrylic material, a cellulose material, and a starch material.