WO2024016387A1

WO2024016387A1 - Net-shaped optical fiber ribbon and manufacturing method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2024016387A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/110228
Authority: WO
Inventors: 王小泉; 李威; 张广平; 陈珠海; 殷鹏翔; 林海龙
Original assignee: 南京华信藤仓光通信有限公司
Priority date: 2022-07-19
Filing date: 2022-08-04
Publication date: 2024-01-25
Also published as: CN115236813A; CN115236813B

Abstract

A net-shaped optical fiber ribbon, comprising a semi-regular structure and a completely irregular structure, wherein the semi-regular structure is formed by combining a plurality of single regular optical fibers, and comprises long bonding points and short bonding points; the long bonding points and the short bonding points are alternately combined to form a net-shaped structure; the completely irregular structure is formed by means of a foaming technique; glue supply pressure fluctuates during bubble breakage to form the completely irregular structure; and all bonding points, which are connected by means of the optical fiber ribbon, in the completely irregular structure have different sizes and distances. A piezoelectric-valve-based gluing mode is used by the semi-regular structure, such that relatively low costs can be ensured; lower attenuation of the optical fiber ribbon is realized by using a long-short combination mode; additional attenuation of the optical fiber ribbon is reduced by means of spaced dotting on front and reverse sides; the completely irregular structure is formed by using the foaming technique, such that the additional attenuation is further reduced; and one-step forming is implemented, and an existing ribbon formation process is used, such that investment costs are low.

Description

A kind of mesh optical fiber ribbon and its manufacturing method

Technical field

The invention relates to the technical field of optical fiber ribbons, and in particular to a mesh optical fiber ribbon and a manufacturing method thereof.

Background technique

The mesh-wound optical fiber ribbon is a new type of optical fiber ribbon that can achieve large core count and miniaturization of optical cables. In recent years, the application forms and environments of FTTX have been diversified, and the requirements for optical cables used in access networks have become increasingly higher. The domestic demand for large-core and ultra-large-core optical cables is increasing, and the application environment is becoming more and more complex and diverse, so optical fiber ribbon cables are increasingly used. In order to realize high-density large-core optical cables, windable mesh optical fiber ribbons have emerged. Compared with conventional optical fiber ribbons, this optical fiber ribbon has good flexibility and can be used after winding without affecting the optical performance of the optical fiber. It can realize the development of high-density optical cables with the same volume.

Judging from the existing literature and patent search results, the earliest mesh-shaped optical fiber ribbon was proposed by Japan's NTT, followed by Japan's Sumitomo and Japan's Fujikura. It is basically a spider web-like structure. Its structure is like a spider web. It has a regularly arranged mesh structure. This structure places high requirements on equipment and the processing environment is relatively complex, resulting in high production costs and difficulty in being accepted by the market.

technical problem

In addition, if the current existing technology uses short bonding points, the winding performance of the mesh fiber ribbon will be better, and the additional attenuation of the fiber ribbon will also be small. However, if the optical fiber shakes during the point processing, some bonding points will not stick. It is strong and easy to form loose fibers during production and subsequent processing. If long bonding points are completely used, the structure of the mesh fiber ribbon will be more stable, but the winding performance will be worse, and the additional attenuation of the fiber ribbon may also be increased.

Technical solutions

In response to the above-mentioned problems, the present invention proposes a mesh-shaped optical fiber ribbon and a manufacturing method thereof. Although this structure is a mesh-like structure, its arrangement is not very standardized, so it has better performance and lower processing costs.

A mesh optical fiber ribbon, including an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a semi-regular structure and a completely irregular structure. The semi-regular structure is composed of multiple single regular optical fibers combined together. The semi-regular structure includes long bonding points and short Bonding points, long bonding points and short bonding points are alternately combined to form a network structure; the completely irregular structure is formed through foaming technology, and the glue supply pressure will fluctuate when the bubble bursts to form a completely irregular structure; the completely irregular structure Each bonding point connected to the fiber optic ribbon can have different sizes and distances.

Preferably, the length of the long bonding points of the semi-regular structure ranges from 10mm to 15mm, and the length of the short bonding points ranges from 5mm to 13mm.

Preferably, the distance between two adjacent bonding points is 40mm-60mm.

Preferably, the front and back sides of the optical fiber ribbon are dotted and glued at intervals.

Preferably, the optical fiber ribbon is coated with resin on the arranged optical fibers through a piezoelectric valve glue coating method or an intermittently connected optical fiber ribbon coating method.

A method for manufacturing a meshed optical fiber ribbon, which uses foaming technology to manufacture a completely irregular meshed optical fiber ribbon, and is characterized by including the following steps:

Step 1: Put the resin into a 35° heat preservation device, fill a certain amount of nitrogen from the bottom of the resin tank according to the calculated foaming degree, and use a special mixer to stir for 10 minutes to form a resin with uniform bubbles;

Step 2: Release the optical fibers from the optical fiber pay-off rack, arrange them according to the set colors, and put them into the coating mold 1 after removing static electricity;

Step 3: Fill the resin in the resin tank into the coating mold 1 through pressure;

Step 4: After the optical fiber comes out of the coating mold 1, it passes through the coating mold 2. A certain negative pressure is applied inside the coating mold 2 to remove the bubbles in the resin and remove the excess resin to complete the optical fiber shaping;

Step 5: After the optical fiber comes out of the coating mold 2, it is cured in a UV curing oven and then wound up to form an optical fiber ribbon.

Preferably, the temperature of the resin in step one is 35°C ± 1°C, and the viscosity range of the resin is 2500mpa.s-4000mpa.s.

Preferably, the number of cores of the optical fiber in step 2 is 8 to 24 cores.

Preferably, the foaming degree of the resin in step three is 35% to 65%.

Preferably, the size of the resin bubbles ranges from 15 to 18 mm.

beneficial effects

Compared with the closest existing technology, the technical solution provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

1. The semi-regular structure mesh optical fiber ribbon of the present invention adopts the piezoelectric valve glue coating method or the intermittent connection optical fiber ribbon coating method, which can ensure that the cost is relatively low;

2. The semi-regular structure mesh optical fiber ribbon of the present invention adopts one long and one short bonding point, adopts the method of combining long and short, and breaks the original regular design method to ensure that the comprehensive performance of the optical fiber ribbon of this technology is optimal, and the attenuation of the optical fiber ribbon is more Small, no cracking at the bonding point and no damage to the optical fiber when the bonding point is separated;

3. The optical fiber ribbon of the present invention is dotted and coated with glue on both front and back sides at intervals, which can ensure that the stress received by the optical fiber ribbon is minimal and reduce the additional attenuation of the optical fiber ribbon;

4. The distance between bonding points in the present invention is 40mm-60mm. This design length is based on comprehensive consideration of the length of the bonding points. Too short will affect the additional attenuation of the optical fiber ribbon, and too long will affect subsequent welding;

5. Completely irregular structure mesh optical fiber is mainly formed by foaming technology. Although the foaming technology is as stable as possible, because the glue supply pressure will fluctuate when the bubble bursts, it is impossible to form a regular and completely regular mesh structure. , therefore a completely irregular network structure will be formed. The bonding points connected to the completely irregular structure optical fiber ribbons are different in size and distance. However, since it is only the resin interval bonding formed by the rupture of the resin bubble, the bonding points The density is relatively high, the distance between bonding points is relatively small, but the flexibility is also relatively good, and compared with the dispensing method, the stress is smaller and the additional attenuation is better;

6. The production method of completely irregular structure mesh optical fiber ribbons adopts foaming technology, and the size of the bubbles is between 15-8mm; this method is mainly used for optical fiber ribbons with large core numbers such as 8-core, 12-core, 24-core optical fiber ribbons, etc. . This method is used for one-time molding, using the existing tape forming process, and has low investment cost.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a semi-regular structure mesh optical fiber ribbon of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a completely irregular structure mesh optical fiber ribbon of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a flow chart of the manufacturing method of a completely irregular structure mesh optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention.

Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. The present invention provides a mesh optical fiber ribbon, which includes an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a semi-regular structure and a completely irregular structure. The semi-regular structure is composed of multiple single regular optical fibers combined together. , the semi-regular structure includes long bonding points and short bonding points, which are alternately combined to form a network structure; the completely irregular structure is formed through foaming technology, and the glue supply pressure will increase when the bubbles burst. The waves form a completely irregular structure; in the completely irregular structure, the size of each bonding point connected to the optical fiber ribbon can be different, and the distance can also be different. Since it is only the resin interval bonding formed by the rupture of the resin bubble, the density of the bonding points is relatively large. The semi-regular structure mesh fiber ribbon has been experimentally tested to reduce fiber attenuation. There is no cracking at multiple bonding points, and the fiber will not be damaged when the bonding points are separated.

Furthermore, the length range of the long bonding points of the semi-regular structure is 10mm-15mm, and the length range of the short bonding points is 5mm-13mm; a combination of long and short lengths is adopted, and the original regular design is broken to ensure the comprehensive performance of the optical fiber ribbon Optimal.

Furthermore, the distance between two adjacent bonding points is 40mm-60mm; this design length is comprehensively considered based on the length of the bonding points. Too short will affect the additional attenuation of the optical fiber ribbon, and too long will affect subsequent welding.

Furthermore, the front and back sides of the optical fiber ribbon are dotted and coated with glue at intervals to ensure that the stress received by the optical fiber ribbon is minimal and reduce the additional attenuation of the optical fiber ribbon.

Furthermore, the optical fiber ribbon is coated with resin on the arranged optical fibers through the piezoelectric valve glue coating method or the intermittent connection optical fiber ribbon coating method, which can ensure that the cost is relatively low.

Step 5: After the optical fiber comes out of the coating mold 2, it is cured in a UV curing furnace, and then wound up to form an optical fiber ribbon;

Further, in step one, the temperature of the resin is 35°C ± 1°C, and the viscosity range of the resin is 2500mpa.s-4000mpa.s.

Further, the number of cores of the optical fiber in step 2 is 8 to 24 cores.

Furthermore, the foaming degree of the resin in step three is 35% to 65%.

Furthermore, the size range of the resin inner bubble is between 15-18mm. This method is mainly used for optical fiber ribbons with large core counts, such as 8-core, 12-core, 24-core optical fiber ribbons, etc. One-time molding, using existing tape forming technology, with low investment cost.

The manufacturing method of completely irregular mesh optical fiber ribbons is mainly formed by foaming technology. Although the foaming technology is as stable as possible, because the glue supply pressure will fluctuate when the bubbles burst, it is impossible to form a regular and completely regular mesh structure. , so a completely irregular network structure will be formed. The bonding points connected to the completely irregular structure optical fiber ribbons are different in size and distance. However, since it is only the resin interval bonding formed by the rupture of the resin bubble, the bonding points The density is relatively high, the distance between bonding points is relatively small, but the flexibility is also relatively good, and compared with the dispensing method, the stress is smaller and the additional attenuation is better.

In order to better illustrate the beneficial effects of the present invention, the following experiments were performed

1) Fiber ribbon attenuation:

In the embodiment of the present invention, the optical fiber attenuation data before and after tape formation is tested and shown in Table 1 below: it can be seen that the optical fiber attenuation is significantly reduced after tape formation.

Table 1 Fiber attenuation data before and after banding

(2) Torsion experiment:

Comply with the requirements of industry standards, that is, the optical fiber rotates 180° clockwise on a length of 30cm, returns to the initial position, then rotates 180° counterclockwise, and then returns to the initial position to form a cycle. The number of twisting cycles should be no less than 20 The results showed that there was no cracking at the fiber bonding point.

(3) Separation experiment:

Separate the optical fiber, and it is detected that the optical fiber will not be damaged when the optical fiber bonding point is separated.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention but not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art can still make modifications or equivalent substitutions to the specific embodiments of the present invention. , any modifications or equivalent substitutions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are within the scope of the claims of the pending invention.

Claims

A mesh-shaped optical fiber ribbon, including an optical fiber ribbon, characterized in that: the optical fiber ribbon includes a semi-regular structure and a completely irregular structure, and the semi-regular structure is composed of multiple single regular optical fibers combined together, and the The semi-regular structure includes long bonding points and short bonding points, which are alternately combined to form a network structure; the completely irregular structure is formed through foaming technology, and the glue supply pressure will increase when the bubbles burst. There are fluctuations to form a completely irregular structure; in the completely irregular structure, the bonding points connected to the optical fiber ribbons are different in size and distance.
The mesh optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the length range of the long bonding points of the semi-regular structure is 10mm-15mm, and the length range of the short bonding points is 5mm-13mm.
The mesh optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance between two adjacent bonding points is 40mm-60mm.
The meshed optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1, characterized in that: the front and back sides of the optical fiber ribbon are dotted and glued at intervals.
The meshed optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical fiber ribbon is coated with resin on the arranged optical fibers through a piezoelectric valve glue coating method or an intermittent connection optical fiber ribbon coating method.
A method for manufacturing a meshed optical fiber ribbon as shown in claim 1. The method for manufacturing a completely irregular meshed optical fiber ribbon adopts foaming technology, and is characterized in that it includes the following steps:

Step 1: Put the resin into a 35° heat preservation device, fill a certain amount of nitrogen from the bottom of the resin tank according to the calculated foaming degree, and use a special mixer to stir for 10 minutes to form a resin with uniform bubbles;

Step 2: Release the optical fibers from the optical fiber pay-off rack, arrange them according to the set colors, and put them into the coating mold 1 after removing static electricity;

Step 3: Fill the resin in the resin tank into the coating mold 1 through pressure;

Step 4: After the optical fiber comes out of the coating mold 1, it passes through the coating mold 2. A certain negative pressure is applied inside the coating mold 2 to remove the bubbles in the resin and remove the excess resin to complete the optical fiber shaping;

Step 5: After the optical fiber comes out of the coating mold 2, it is cured in a UV curing oven and then wound up to form an optical fiber ribbon.
A method for manufacturing a meshed optical fiber ribbon according to claim 6, characterized in that in the step one, the temperature of the resin is 35°C ± 1°C, and the viscosity range of the resin is 2500mpa.s-4000mpa.s.
The method for manufacturing a meshed optical fiber ribbon according to claim 6, wherein the number of optical fiber cores in step two is 8 to 24 cores.
The method for manufacturing a meshed optical fiber ribbon according to claim 6, wherein the foaming degree of the resin in step three is 35% to 65%.
A method for manufacturing a meshed optical fiber ribbon according to claim 6, characterized in that the size range of the resin inner bubble is between 15-18 mm.