WO2024195397A1 - 光ファイバケーブル及び光ファイバケーブルの製造方法 - Google Patents

光ファイバケーブル及び光ファイバケーブルの製造方法 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024195397A1
WO2024195397A1 PCT/JP2024/005821 JP2024005821W WO2024195397A1 WO 2024195397 A1 WO2024195397 A1 WO 2024195397A1 JP 2024005821 W JP2024005821 W JP 2024005821W WO 2024195397 A1 WO2024195397 A1 WO 2024195397A1
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Prior art keywords
optical fiber
cable
reinforcing sheet
fiber cable
cable body
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Ceased
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PCT/JP2024/005821
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
総一郎 金子
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Fujikura Ltd
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Fujikura Ltd
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Priority to JP2025508237A priority Critical patent/JPWO2024195397A1/ja
Priority to EP24774542.5A priority patent/EP4685536A1/en
Priority to AU2024241134A priority patent/AU2024241134A1/en
Publication of WO2024195397A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024195397A1/ja
Priority to MX2025010700A priority patent/MX2025010700A/es
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4401—Optical cables
    • G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
    • G02B6/443—Protective covering
    • G02B6/4431—Protective covering with provision in the protective covering, e.g. weak line, for gaining access to one or more fibres, e.g. for branching or tapping
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4401—Optical cables
    • G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
    • G02B6/443—Protective covering
    • G02B6/4432—Protective covering with fibre reinforcements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4401—Optical cables
    • G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
    • G02B6/4435—Corrugated mantle
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4479—Manufacturing methods of optical cables
    • G02B6/448—Ribbon cables
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4479—Manufacturing methods of optical cables
    • G02B6/4486—Protective covering

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an optical fiber cable and a method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable.
  • Patent Application No. 2023-044714 filed in Japan on March 20, 2023 are incorporated by reference into this specification and made a part of the description of this specification.
  • a known optical fiber cable includes a cable body, an outer sheath that houses the cable body, a reinforcing sheet provided between the cable body and the outer sheath, and a ripcord provided between the reinforcing sheet and the cable body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
  • a space is formed between the cable body and the reinforcing sheet, which extends around the entire circumference of the cable, and the ripcord is disposed in this space. Therefore, when using the ripcord to tear the reinforcing sheet, the ripcord moves within the space between the cable body and the reinforcing sheet, making the tearing process difficult.
  • the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an optical fiber cable and a method for manufacturing the optical fiber cable that can improve the workability of the tearing operation by limiting the circumferential movement of the ripcord within a certain range.
  • Aspect 1 of the present invention is an optical fiber cable comprising a cable body having an optical fiber, a protective layer that houses the cable body, and a ripcord that is disposed in a space formed between the cable body and the protective layer, the protective layer being in partial contact with the cable body while maintaining elastic deformation of the cable body toward the inside of the cable body.
  • a second aspect of the present invention may be an optical fiber cable according to the first aspect, which satisfies the following formula (1): 45° ⁇ 135°... (1)
  • ⁇ is the angle of intersection between an imaginary line passing through the center of the optical fiber cable and the rip cord and the direction of the elastic deformation.
  • Aspect 3 of the present invention may be an optical fiber cable according to aspect 1 or 2, in which the radial distance of the optical fiber cable in the space is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the ripcord.
  • Aspect 4 of the present invention may be an optical fiber cable according to aspect 1, in which the radial distance of the optical fiber cable in the space is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the ripcord, and the direction of the ripcord and the direction of the elastic deformation overlap in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable.
  • Aspect 5 of the present invention may be an optical fiber cable according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, in which, in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the optical fiber cable, a portion of the short axis on the inner circumferential surface of the protective layer is in contact with a portion of the short axis on the outer circumferential surface of the cable body.
  • Aspect 6 of the present invention is an optical fiber cable according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, in which the protective layer comprises a reinforcing sheet covering the outer periphery of the cable body and a sheath covering the outer periphery of the reinforcing sheet, and the reinforcing sheet may be in partial contact with the cable body.
  • Aspect 7 of the present invention is the optical fiber cable of aspect 6, in which the reinforcing sheet has a wrap portion in which the ends of the reinforcing sheet overlap, and the wrap portion and the ripcord may be offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable.
  • Aspect 8 of the present invention may be an optical fiber cable according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, in which the radial thickness of the contact portion of the protective layer with the cable body is greater than the radial thickness of the other portions of the protective layer.
  • a ninth aspect of the present invention may be an optical fiber cable in which, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, a deformation rate Cr of the cable main body with respect to the cable main body in an unloaded state satisfies the following formula (2): 4.1% ⁇ Cr ⁇ 16.2%... (2)
  • Aspect 10 of the present invention may be an optical fiber cable in which, in any one of aspects 1 to 9, a recovery rate Rr of the cable main body in an unloaded state with respect to the cable main body satisfies the following formula (3). 106% ⁇ Rr ⁇ 131%... (3)
  • Aspect 11 of the present invention may be an optical fiber cable according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, in which the protective layer has an inner circumferential surface on which no grooves extending along the extension direction of the optical fiber cable are formed.
  • Aspect 12 of the present invention may be an optical fiber cable according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, in which the cable body has an outer circumferential surface on which no grooves extending along the extension direction of the optical fiber cable are formed.
  • Aspect 13 of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable, comprising a first step of preparing a cable body having an optical fiber, a second step of arranging a ripcord along the outer peripheral surface of the cable body, and a third step of housing the cable body and the ripcord in the protective layer and pressing and deforming the cable body.
  • Aspect 14 of the present invention may be the method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to aspect 13, in which the protective layer comprises a reinforcing sheet covering the outer periphery of the cable body and a sheath covering the outer periphery of the reinforcing sheet, and the third step includes, after housing the cable body and the ripcord in the reinforcing sheet, pressing the reinforcing sheet in a radial direction of the optical fiber cable so as not to overlap with the ripcord, thereby deforming the cable body.
  • the protective layer is in partial contact with the cable body while maintaining the elastic deformation of the cable body toward the inside of the cable body, so that the movement of the ripcord along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable can be limited within a certain range, improving the workability of the tearing operation.
  • the cable body when manufacturing an optical fiber cable, the cable body is enclosed in a protective layer and the cable body is pressed and deformed, thereby making it possible to manufacture an optical fiber cable in which the movement of the ripcord along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable is limited within a certain range.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical fiber cable according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical fiber cable 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the optical fiber cable 1 in this embodiment includes a cable body 10, ripcords 50A and 50B, a reinforcing sheet 60, an outer sheath 70, and tension members 80A-80D.
  • the optical fiber cable 1 extends along the normal direction to the plane of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 shows a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction (axial direction) of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 and the outer sheath 70 correspond to an example of a "protective layer" in the present invention.
  • This protective layer covers the outer periphery of the cable body 10 and contains the cable body 10.
  • the optical fiber cable 1 does not have to include the reinforcing sheet 60, in which case the outer sheath 70 corresponds to an example of a "protective layer" in the present invention.
  • the cable body 10 comprises an optical fiber assembly 20, an inner sheath 30, and a pressure winding tape 40.
  • the cable body 10 does not necessarily have to comprise the pressure winding tape 40.
  • the optical fiber assembly 20 is formed by assembling a number of optical fibers 21 that extend along the axial direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the optical fiber assembly 20 of this embodiment includes a plurality of optical fiber units.
  • Each optical fiber unit is formed by bundling a plurality of optical fiber tape core wires with a bundling material.
  • Each optical fiber tape core wire is an intermittently bonded optical fiber tape in which a plurality of optical fibers (optical fiber strands) 21 are arranged in parallel and intermittently connected.
  • the bundling material is wrapped around the outer circumference of the bundle of a plurality of optical fiber tape core wires in a mesh or spiral shape.
  • multiple optical fiber units are twisted together to form an optical fiber assembly.
  • Specific examples of methods for twisting optical fiber units include SZ twisting and unidirectional twisting.
  • SZ twisting is a method of twisting multiple linear bodies while reversing the twisting direction at specified intervals.
  • Unidirectional twisting is a method of twisting multiple linear bodies in only one direction, twisting multiple linear bodies in a spiral shape.
  • the configuration of the optical fiber unit is not limited to the above.
  • the optical fiber unit may be configured by twisting together multiple optical fiber tape cores without using a bundling material.
  • the optical fiber unit instead of using an optical fiber tape core, the optical fiber unit may be configured by bundling or twisting together multiple optical fiber strands.
  • a unit intermediate may be formed by bundling or twisting together multiple optical fiber tape cores or multiple optical fiber strands, and the optical fiber unit may be configured by bundling or twisting together multiple such unit intermediates.
  • the configuration of the optical fiber assembly 20 is not particularly limited to the above.
  • the optical fiber assembly may be configured with a single optical fiber unit formed by bundling or twisting together multiple optical fiber ribbons or multiple optical fiber strands.
  • the inner sheath 30 is a cylindrical member that covers the outer circumference of the optical fiber assembly 20.
  • the inner sheath 30 is made of a material that is capable of elastic deformation.
  • specific examples of materials that make up the inner sheath 30 include resin materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), nylon, ethylene fluoride, or polypropylene (PP).
  • the holding winding tape 40 covers the outer circumference of the inner sheath 30.
  • the holding winding tape 40 is wrapped vertically around the outer circumference of the inner sheath 30.
  • the holding winding tape 40 is wrapped around the outer circumference of the inner sheath 30 so that the longitudinal direction of the holding winding tape 40 substantially coincides with the axial direction of the optical fiber cable 1, and the width direction of the holding winding tape 40 substantially coincides with the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the method of winding the holding winding tape 40 is not limited to the vertical winding described above, and may be, for example, horizontal winding (spiral winding).
  • the outer circumference of the inner sheath 30 may be covered with multiple holding winding tapes 40, or the holding winding tape 40 may have a folded-back portion.
  • the outer periphery of the optical fiber assembly 20 may be covered with a holding tape (inner holding tape) 22, and the holding tape 22 may be interposed between the optical fiber assembly 20 and the inner sheath 30.
  • the cable body 10 is provided with the holding tape 22.
  • the cable body 10 does not have to be provided with the holding tape 22.
  • a ripcord (inner ripcord) 23 may be interposed between the holding tape 22 covering the outer periphery of the optical fiber assembly 20 and the inner sheath 30.
  • the cable body 10 is provided with the ripcord 23.
  • the optical fiber 21 can be taken out from the optical fiber cable 1 by tearing the inner sheath 30 with the ripcord 23. Note that the cable body 10 does not have to be provided with the ripcord 23.
  • the holding winding tape 40 is made of a nonwoven fabric or a film.
  • the nonwoven fabric that makes up the holding winding tape 40 include, but are not limited to, nonwoven fabrics made of fibers such as polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene.
  • the film that makes up the holding winding tape 40 include, but are not limited to, films made of resins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or nylon.
  • water absorbing powder may be applied to the nonwoven fabric so that the holding winding tape 40 functions as a water absorbing layer for stopping water from entering the cable body 10.
  • the water absorbing powder swells and seals the gaps in the cable body 10, thereby stopping water from entering the cable body 10.
  • water-absorbing powders include, but are not limited to, highly absorbent materials such as starch-based, cellulose-based, polyacrylic acid-based, polyvinyl alcohol-based, and polyoxyethylene-based materials, as well as mixtures of these.
  • Water-absorbing powders can be applied to the nonwoven fabric by attaching (spraying) it onto the surface of the nonwoven fabric, or by placing it between two sheets of nonwoven fabric.
  • the cable body 10 only needs to include at least one optical fiber, and the configuration of the cable body 10 is not particularly limited to the above.
  • the cable body 10 described above has a so-called slotless type structure, but the cable body 10 may also have a loose tube type or slot type configuration.
  • the housing member that houses the optical fiber is the inner sheath 30.
  • the elastic deformation of this housing member accounts for the majority of the elastic deformation of the case body 10, which will be described later.
  • the cable body 10 has a loose tube type configuration
  • the tube that houses the optical fiber corresponds to an example of the housing member.
  • a slot rod having a groove that houses the optical fiber corresponds to an example of the housing member.
  • the pair of ripcords 50A, 50B are string-like members (tear cords) for tearing the reinforcing sheet 60 and the outer sheath 70 when removing the cable body 10 from the optical fiber cable 1 at the middle or end portion of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • Each of the ripcords 50A, 50B extends along the axial direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the pair of ripcords 50A, 50B extend substantially parallel to each other, sandwiching the cable body 10, and face each other.
  • the ripcords 50A and 50B are each made of, but are not limited to, fibers such as polyester, polyimide, aramid, glass, or an aggregate of fibers such as a twisted yarn made by twisting together such fibers.
  • the ripcords 50A and 50B may be made of the above-mentioned fibers or twisted yarns impregnated with resin.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 covers the outer periphery of the cable body 10 to protect the cable body 10. This reinforcing sheet 60 prevents the cable body 10 from being damaged, for example, when the optical fiber cable 1 is bitten by an animal.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 has a corrugated shape. Specifically, this corrugated shape is formed by arranging annular peaks and valleys along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1 alternately in the axial direction of the optical fiber cable 1. By having such a corrugated shape, the reinforcing sheet 60 is given flexibility. Note that the corrugated shape may be formed from peaks and valleys that each extend in a spiral shape. Also, the reinforcing sheet 60 does not have to have a corrugated shape.
  • the inner peripheral surface of this reinforcing sheet 60 does not have a groove that extends along the axial direction of the optical fiber cable 1 and that can accommodate the above-mentioned ripcords 50A, 50B. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the above-mentioned cable main body 10 (specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the holding winding tape 40) does not have a groove that extends along the axial direction of the optical fiber cable 1 and that can accommodate the above-mentioned ripcords 50A, 50B. For this reason, the ripcords 50A, 50B are disposed in a space 65 (described below) formed between this reinforcing sheet 60 and the cable main body 10.
  • this reinforcing sheet 60 comprises a sheet body and a resin film laminated on both sides of the sheet body.
  • the sheet body may be, for example, a metal sheet, a fiber sheet, or a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) sheet.
  • materials constituting the metal sheet include iron, iron alloys including stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper, and copper alloys.
  • materials constituting the fiber sheet include glass fiber and aramid fiber.
  • the resin film may include, for example, a hot-melt adhesive film. Note that the reinforcing sheet 60 does not necessarily have to comprise a resin film.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 is wound around the cable body 10 vertically to form a cylindrical shape. Specifically, the reinforcing sheet 60 is wound around the outer periphery of the cable body 10 so that the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing sheet 60 substantially coincides with the axial direction of the optical fiber cable 1 and the width direction of the reinforcing sheet 60 substantially coincides with the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 is bonded (thermally fused) to the outer sheath 70 by the outer resin film of the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • the first end 61 of the reinforcing sheet 60 overlaps with the second end 62 of the reinforcing sheet 60, thereby forming a lap portion 63 of the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • the outer and inner resin films of the reinforcing sheet 60 are bonded (thermally fused) to each other.
  • the wrap portion 63 of the reinforcing sheet 60 is disposed near the tension members 80A, 80B in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the wrap portion 63 may overlap the tension members 80A, 80B in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the wrap portion 63 does not overlap the ripcords 50A, 50B in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1, and the wrap portion 63 and the ripcords 50A, 50B are offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 may not have the wrap portion 53 formed thereon, and the first end 61 and the second end 62 of the reinforcing sheet 60 may be butted against each other.
  • the outer sheath 70 is a cylindrical member that covers the outer circumference of the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • materials that can be used to form the outer sheath 70 include resin materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), nylon, ethylene fluoride, polypropylene (PP), and polyolefin resins, as well as mixtures of multiple of these resin materials. Additives such as flame retardants and stabilizers may be added to the above resin materials.
  • tension members 80A-80D are embedded inside the outer sheath 70.
  • the tension members 80A-80D are linear members extending in the extension direction of the optical fiber cable 1. When stress is applied to the optical fiber cable 1 in the extension direction of the optical fiber cable 1, these tension members 80A-80D bear the stress, thereby suppressing the application of stress and strain to the optical fiber 21.
  • the optical fiber cable 1 does not need to include the tension members 80A-80D.
  • the tension members do not need to be embedded in the outer sheath 70, and may be embedded in the inner sheath 30, for example.
  • the tension members 80A and 80B are adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the tension members 80C and 80D are also adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the tension members 80A and 80B and the tension members 80C and 80D face each other with the cable body 10 in between.
  • the number of tension members provided in the optical fiber cable 1 is not particularly limited to the above.
  • the arrangement of the tension members inside the outer sheath 70 is also not particularly limited to the above.
  • multiple tension members may be arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the X-axis in FIG. 1 passes through the midpoint between the centers of the tension members 80A and 80B and the midpoint between the centers of the tension members 80C and 80D.
  • the Y-axis in FIG. 1 passes through the center of the ripcord 50A and the center of the ripcord 50B. Therefore, the opposing direction of the tension members 80A to 80D (X-direction in FIG. 1) is substantially perpendicular to the opposing direction of the ripcords 50A and 50B (Y-direction in FIG. 1). In this way, by not overlapping the ripcords 50A and 50B with the tension members 80A to 80D in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1, the workability of the tearing operation can be improved.
  • the ripcords 50A and 50B may be located within a range of ⁇ 45 degrees with respect to the direction (Y-direction in FIG. 1) that is substantially perpendicular to the opposing direction of the tension members 80A to 80D (X-direction in FIG. 1) in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • Examples of materials constituting each of the tension members 80A-80D include non-metallic materials and metallic materials.
  • Specific examples of non-metallic materials include, but are not limited to, fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs) such as glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP), aramid fiber reinforced plastic (KFRP) reinforced with Kevlar (registered trademark), polyethylene fiber reinforced plastic reinforced with polyethylene fibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) reinforced with carbon fibers.
  • FRPs fiber-reinforced plastics
  • GFRP glass fiber reinforced plastic
  • KFRP aramid fiber reinforced plastic
  • Kevlar registered trademark
  • polyethylene fiber reinforced plastic reinforced with polyethylene fibers polyethylene fibers
  • CFRP carbon fiber reinforced plastic
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 when manufacturing the optical fiber cable 1, the reinforcing sheet 60 is pressed inward to cause plastic deformation, and the cable body 10 is crushed and deformed by the reinforcing sheet 60. Therefore, the reinforcing sheet 60 is in partial contact with the cable body 10 while maintaining the elastic deformation of the cable body 10 toward the inside of the cable body 10. That is, the cable body 10 is contained in the reinforcing sheet 60 while being compressed in the X direction (short axis direction) of FIG. 1. Therefore, when the cable body 10 is removed from the reinforcing sheet 60, the cable body 10 is released from the elastic deformation, and the cross-sectional shape of the cable body 10 expands due to the elastic force. Note that the deformation occurring in the cable body 10 when the cable body 10 is crushed may include inelastic (sustained) deformation in addition to the elastic deformation described above.
  • the cable body 10 and the reinforcing sheet 60 are in contact with each other at a first contact area of the cable body 10 and a second contact area of the reinforcing sheet 60, and the cable body 10 is covered by the reinforcing sheet 60 in a state in which the cable body 10 has a stress that tends to expand in a direction from a first contact point included in the first contact portion toward a second contact point included in the second contact portion.
  • the deformation rate (crushing rate) Cr of the cable main body 10 after deformation relative to the cable main body 10 in an unloaded state (before deformation) satisfies the following formula (4), although it is not particularly limited thereto.
  • the deformation rate Cr is 4.1% or more, the workability of the tearing operation can be further improved.
  • the deformation rate Cr is 16.2% or less, the deterioration of the transmission characteristics of the optical fiber can be suppressed.
  • the deformation rate Cr may also satisfy the following formula (5). 4.1% ⁇ Cr ⁇ 16.2%... (4) 4.8% ⁇ Cr ⁇ 13.7%... (5)
  • the deformation rate Cr is a value calculated by the following formulas (6) and (7).
  • D01 is the inner diameter of the inner sheath 30 before deformation (before being crushed)
  • D02 is the outer diameter of the inner sheath 30 before deformation
  • D11 is the minor axis of the inner diameter of the inner sheath 30 after deformation (after being crushed)
  • Ca is the deformation amount (crush amount) of the cable main 10 with respect to the cable main 10 before deformation.
  • Cr Ca/D 02 ⁇ 100... (6)
  • Ca D01 - D11 ... (7)
  • the circumferential length L or the cross-sectional area S may be measured by observing the cross section of the cable main body 10 after deformation, and the inner diameter D01 of the inner sheath 30 before deformation and the outer diameter D02 of the cable main body 10 before deformation may be estimated by converting them into perfect circles using the following formulas (8) and (9).
  • D is the diameter of the circle, which is the above-mentioned D01 or D02 .
  • L ⁇ ⁇ D ... (8)
  • S ⁇ (D/2) 2 ... (9)
  • the restoration rate Rr of the cable main 10 in an unloaded state (released) after deformation satisfies the following formula (10). 106% ⁇ Rr ⁇ 131%... (10)
  • the rate of recovery Rr is a value calculated by the following formulas (11) to (13):
  • D11 is the minor axis of the inner diameter of the inner sheath 30 after deformation (after being crushed)
  • D12 is the major axis of the inner diameter of the inner sheath 30 after deformation
  • D21 is the minor axis of the inner diameter of the inner sheath 30 after release (after being removed from the reinforcing sheet 60)
  • D22 is the major axis of the inner diameter of the inner sheath 30 after release
  • A1 is the aspect ratio of the inner diameter of the inner sheath 30 after deformation
  • A2 is the aspect ratio of the inner diameter of the inner sheath 30 after release.
  • Rr A2 /A1 ⁇ 100 ... (11)
  • A1 D11 / D12 ...
  • A2 D21 / D22 ... (13)
  • the unloaded state means a state in which no load is being applied to the cable main body 10 from the outside.
  • This unloaded state is, for example, a state in which no load other than its own weight is being applied to the cable main body 10 before it is housed in the reinforcing sheet 60, or a state in which no load other than its own weight is being applied to the cable main body 10 after it is removed from the reinforcing sheet 60. More specifically, this unloaded state is, for example, a state in which no radial force is being applied to a cross section cut perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable main body 10, and also includes a state in which the inside of the cable main body 10 is filled with epoxy resin or the like to prevent the cable main body 10 from deforming.
  • the intersection angle ⁇ between a virtual straight line VL1 passing through the center 1a of the optical fiber cable 1 and the centers of the ripcords 50A, 50B and the direction of elastic deformation of the cable main body 10 satisfies the following formula (14). 45° ⁇ 135°... (14)
  • the imaginary line VL1 coincides with the Y-axis in FIG. 1
  • the imaginary line VL2 coincides with the X-axis in FIG. 1
  • the Y-axis and X-axis intersect at the center 1a of the optical fiber cable 1 in FIG.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 compresses the cable body 10 in the X direction (short axis direction) in FIG. 1, the reinforcing sheet 60 has an oval cross-sectional shape with an inner diameter Dsy on the major axis and an inner diameter Dsx on the minor axis (Dsy>Dsx).
  • the cable body 10 also has an oval cross-sectional shape with an outer diameter Dcy on the major axis and an outer diameter Dcx on the minor axis (Dcy>Dcx).
  • the major axis of the reinforcing sheet 60 and the cable body 10 coincides with the Y axis in FIG. 1, and the minor axis of the reinforcing sheet 60 and the cable body 10 coincides with the X axis in FIG.
  • the above Dsy and Dsx are the inner diameters of the inner circumferential surface at the valleys of the corrugated shape and the inner diameters of the inner circumferential surface at the apex of the portion that protrudes in a convex manner toward the inside in the radial direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the inner diameter Dsy of the long axis of the reinforcing sheet 60 is wider than the outer diameter Dcy of the long axis of the cable body 10 (Dsy>Dcy).
  • the inner diameter Dsx of the short axis of the reinforcing sheet 60 and the outer diameter Dcx of the short axis of the cable body 10 are substantially the same (Dsx ⁇ Dcx), and the inner surface of the reinforcing sheet 60 and the outer surface of the cable body 10 are in contact at the portion 66 of their short axes.
  • the ripcords 50A, 50B can be positioned within the space 65.
  • D02 is the outer diameter of the inner sheath 30 having a circular cross-sectional shape before being crushed by the reinforcing sheet 60
  • Tw is the thickness of the holding winding tape 40
  • Dr is the outer diameter of the ripcords 50A, 50B.
  • a pair of spaces 65 are formed between the outer peripheral surface of the cable main body 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the reinforcing sheet 60, separated by a contact portion 66 between the cable main body 10 and the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • the cable main body 10 is compressed in the X direction (short axis direction) in Fig. 1 , so that each space 65 has a crescent-shaped cross section.
  • the distance L1 of each space 65 along the radial direction of the optical fiber cable 1 is maximum on the major axis, but this distance L1 is equal to or less than the outer diameter Dr of the ripcords 50A, 50B ( L1 ⁇ Dr).
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 is in partial contact with the cable main body 10 while maintaining the elastic deformation of the cable main body 10 toward the inside of the cable main body 10, so that the movement of the ripcords 50A, 50B between the cable main body 10 and the reinforcing sheet 60 can be limited within a certain range.
  • the distance L1 of the space formed between the cable main body 10 and the reinforcing sheet 60 is equal to or less than the outer diameter Dr of the ripcords 50A, 50B ( L1 ⁇ Dr). This makes it possible to further prevent the ripcords 50A, 50B from moving in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1 between the cable main body 10 and the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • an area of more than 20% and less than 95% of the outer circumferential surface of the cable main body 10 is not in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the reinforcing sheet 60. That is, in the orthogonal cross section of the optical fiber cable 1, an area of 5% to 80% of the outer circumferential surface of the cable main body 10 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • the sum S1 of the lengths of a pair of contact portions 66 along the outer circumferential surface of the cable main body 10 is 5% or more and 80% or less of the total length L2 of the outer circumferential surface of the cable main body 10 ( L2 x 5% ⁇ S1 ⁇ L2 x 80%).
  • the ripcords 50A, 50B can be placed in the localized space 65 between the cable main body 10 and the reinforcing sheet 60 without forming the above-mentioned grooves on the inner peripheral surface of the reinforcing sheet 60 or the outer peripheral surface of the cable main body 10.
  • the circumferential movement of the ripcords 50A, 50B can be limited to a certain range while maintaining the design freedom and reliability of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • both the reinforcing sheet 60 and the cable body 10 have an oval cross-sectional shape, but as long as the reinforcing sheet 60 and the cable body 10 are in partial contact with each other and a space 65 is formed between the reinforcing sheet 60 and the cable body 10, the cross-sectional shapes of the reinforcing sheet 60 and the cable body 10 are not particularly limited to the above.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 may have a circular cross-sectional shape, and the cable main body 10 may have an oval cross-sectional shape.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 may have an oval cross-sectional shape, and the cable main body 10 may have a circular cross-sectional shape.
  • the above-mentioned oval shape includes not only a mathematical ellipse, but also an oval (a shape formed by connecting two semicircles with a pair of straight lines) or a polygon with arc-shaped corners.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60 may be a non-circular shape other than an ellipse, and in this case, the "minor axis” refers to the shortest linear axis that passes through the center 1a of the optical fiber cable 1 in the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the cable body 10 may be a non-circular shape other than an ellipse, and in this case, the "minor axis” refers to the shortest linear axis that passes through the center 1a of the optical fiber cable 1 in the cross-sectional shape of the cable body 10.
  • the inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath 70 also has an elliptical cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 70 has a circular cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the thickness Ty of the portion of the outer sheath 70 that corresponds to the major axis of the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60 is thinner than the thickness Tx of the portion of the outer sheath 70 that corresponds to the minor axis of the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60 (Ty ⁇ Tx).
  • the thickness Ty of the portion of the outer sheath 70 that corresponds to the major axis of the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60 is thinner than the thickness Ta (not shown) of the other portions of the outer sheath 70 (Ty ⁇ Ta). This allows the thinnest portion of the outer sheath 70 to face the ripcords 50A and 50B, improving the workability of the tearing operation.
  • the thickness Tx of the portion of the outer sheath 70 that corresponds to the minor axis of the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60 is thicker than the thickness Tb (not shown) of the other portion of the outer sheath 70 (Tx>Tb). This allows the tension members 80A-80D to be arranged only in the portion of the outer sheath 70 that corresponds to the minor axis of the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • the thicknesses Tx, Ty, Ta, and Tb of the outer sheath 70 described above are the thicknesses of the outer sheath 70 along the radial direction of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the optical fiber cable 1 does not necessarily have to include the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • a space 65 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath 70 and the outer peripheral surface of the cable body 10, and the outer sheath 70 is in partial contact with the cable body 10 while maintaining the elastic deformation of the cable body 10 toward the inside of the cable body 10.
  • the optical fiber cable 1 may not have the holding winding tape 40.
  • a space 65 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the reinforcing sheet 60 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath 30, and the reinforcing sheet 60 is in partial contact with the inner sheath 30 while maintaining the elastic deformation of the cable body 10 toward the inside of the cable body 10.
  • the optical fiber cable 1 may not include the holding winding tape 40 and the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • a space 65 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath 70 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath 30, and the outer sheath 70 is in partial contact with the inner sheath 30 while maintaining the elastic deformation of the cable body 10 toward the inside of the cable body 10.
  • the thickness Tx of the portion of the outer sheath 70 that corresponds to the minor axis of the cross-sectional shape of its inner surface is thicker than the thickness Tb (not shown) of the other portion of the outer sheath 70 (Tx>Tb), so that the outer sheath 70 can easily maintain the elastic deformation of the cable body 10 even if the optical fiber cable 1 does not have a reinforcing tape 60.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus 100 for manufacturing the optical fiber cable 1 in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • the manufacturing apparatus 100 for manufacturing the optical fiber cable 1 includes a molding machine 110, a pressing machine 120, and an extruder 130.
  • the molding machine 110 is continuously supplied with the optical fiber assembly 20 covered with the inner sheath 30, the holding and winding tape 40, the ripcords 50A and 50B, and the reinforcing sheet 60 from their respective supply machines.
  • the molding machine 110 is equipped with a die that guides the holding down winding tape 40 and the ripcords 50A, 50B. Using this die, the molding machine 110 feeds the optical fiber assembly 20 covered with the inner sheath 30 while vertically attaching the holding down winding tape 40 to the inner sheath 30 to form the cable body 10, and positions the ripcords 50A, 50B along the outer circumference of the cable body 10.
  • the molding machine 110 also includes a molding guide that forms the reinforcing sheet 60 into a cylindrical shape. Using this molding guide, the molding machine 110 forms the reinforcing sheet 60 into a cylindrical shape while covering the outer periphery of the cable main body 10 to which the ripcords 50A and 50B are attached with the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • the pressing machine 120 is equipped with a pair of pressure rollers 121 that press and deform the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • the cable body 10 covered with the reinforcing sheet 60 is supplied from the molding machine 110, and the cable body 10 covered with the reinforcing sheet 60 is passed between the pressure rollers 121. During this passage, the reinforcing sheet 60 is pressed by the pressure rollers 121, and the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60 is deformed from a circular shape to an elliptical shape.
  • the cable body 10 is also crushed in conjunction with the deformation of the reinforcing sheet 60, and the cross-sectional shape of the cable body 10 is also deformed from a circular shape to an elliptical shape.
  • the pressure roller 121 presses the reinforcing sheet 60 in a direction (the direction of the thick arrows on the left and right in FIG. 1) that does not overlap with the ripcords 50A, 50B in the radial direction of the optical fiber cable 1. In this embodiment, the pressure roller 121 presses from opposite directions toward the center 1a of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • a pair of spaces 65 is formed, separated by the contact portion 66 between the cable body 10 and the reinforcing sheet 60, and the ripcords 50A, 50B can be accommodated in the pair of spaces 65, so that the movement of the ripcords 50A, 50B along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1 can be limited within a certain range.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 When deforming the reinforcing sheet 60, the reinforcing sheet 60 is pressed by the pressure roller 121 so as to satisfy the following formula (16), thereby positioning the ripcords 50A, 50B within the space 65.
  • Ddx is the distance of a portion corresponding to the minor axis of the reinforcing sheet 60 after deformation in the space between the pair of pressure rollers 121
  • D02 is the outer diameter of the inner sheath 30 having a circular cross-sectional shape before being crushed by the reinforcing sheet 60
  • Tw is the thickness of the holding winding tape 40
  • Ts is the thickness of the reinforcing sheet 60
  • Dr is the outer diameter of the ripcords 50A, 50B.
  • the structure of the pressing machine 120 is not particularly limited to the above, so long as it has the function of pressing and deforming the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • the pressing machine 120 may be equipped with a die that presses and deforms the reinforcing sheet 60.
  • Ddx in the above formula (16) is the minor diameter of the die hole of the die.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 and the cable body 10 that have been crushed by the press machine 120 are supplied to the extruder 130.
  • the extruder 130 guides the cable body 10 covered with the reinforcing sheet 60 to a die hole using a nipple, while extruding the molten resin filled in the die from the die hole to the outer periphery of the reinforcing sheet 60, thereby forming an outer sheath 70 with a circular cross-sectional shape.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 is in partial contact with the cable body 10 while maintaining the elastic deformation of the cable body 10 toward the inside of the cable body 10, so that the movement of the ripcords 50A, 50B along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1 can be limited within a certain range, improving the workability of the tearing operation.
  • the distance L1 along the radial direction of the optical fiber cable 1 of the space 65 formed between the cable main body 10 and the reinforcing sheet 60 is less than the outer diameter Dr of the ripcords 50A, 50B ( L1 ⁇ Dr), so that the movement of the ripcords 50A, 50B along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1 can be further suppressed, further improving the workability of the tearing operation.
  • grooves for accommodating the ripcords are formed in the reinforcing sheet or the cable body, the design of the optical fiber cable 1 may be restricted by these grooves.
  • grooves for accommodating the ripcords 50A, 50B are not formed in the reinforcing sheet 60 or the cable body 10, so that the circumferential movement of the ripcords 50A, 50B can be restricted to a certain range while maintaining the freedom of design of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • grooves for accommodating the ripcords are formed in the reinforcing sheet or the cable body, stress will concentrate in the grooves, which may affect the reliability of the optical fiber cable.
  • grooves for accommodating the ripcords 50A, 50B are not formed in the reinforcing sheet 60 or the cable body 10, so the circumferential movement of the ripcords 50A, 50B can be limited to a certain range while maintaining the reliability of the optical fiber cable 1.
  • the ripcords 50A, 50B when manufacturing the optical fiber cable 1, can be restrained in the space 65 formed between the cable body 10 and the reinforcing sheet 60 simply by pressing and deforming the cable body 10, so that an optical fiber cable 1 can be easily manufactured in which the movement of the ripcords 50A, 50B is limited within a certain range.
  • the ripcords 50A, 50B and the direction of elastic deformation of the cable body 10 do not overlap in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1, but the positional relationship between the ripcords 50A, 50B and the direction of elastic deformation is not particularly limited to this.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical fiber cable in another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 is in partial contact with the cable body 10 while maintaining the elastic deformation of the cable body 10 toward the inside of the cable body 10, so that the distance at which the ripcords 50A, 50B are sandwiched can be kept constant by the elastic deformation of the cable body 10.
  • This makes it possible to limit the movement of the ripcords 50A, 50B along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber cable 1 within a certain range, improving the workability of the tearing operation.
  • the inner surface of the reinforcing sheet 60 and the outer surface of the cable body 10 are in contact with each other at their major axes, but the reinforcing sheet 60 and the cable body 10 may have cross-sectional shapes in which the inner surface of the reinforcing sheet 60 and the outer surface of the cable body 10 are in contact with each other at their minor axes.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 and the cable body 10 may have cross-sectional shapes in which the inner surface of the reinforcing sheet 60 and the outer surface of the cable body 10 are in contact with each other at their minor axes.
  • the thickness of the portion of the outer sheath 70 that corresponds to the long axis of the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60 is thinner than the thickness of the other portions of the outer sheath 70, but the thickness of the portion of the outer sheath 70 that corresponds to the long axis of the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing sheet 60 may be thicker than the thickness of the other portions of the outer sheath 70.
  • the reinforcing sheet 60 is formed into a cylindrical shape by the molding machine 110, and then the reinforcing sheet 60 is pressed and deformed by a pair of pressure rollers provided in a pressing machine 120 separate from the molding machine 110, but the timing of pressing and deforming the reinforcing sheet 60 is not particularly limited to this.
  • the guide of the molding machine 110 may have a function of pressing and deforming the reinforcing sheet 60 in addition to the function of forming the reinforcing sheet 60 into a cylindrical shape. In this case, the forming of the reinforcing sheet 60 into a cylindrical shape and the pressing and deformation of the reinforcing sheet 60 are performed almost simultaneously.
  • the optical fiber cable 1 does not include the reinforcing sheet 60, for example, the outer circumference of the cable body 10 to which the ripcords 50A, 50B are attached is covered with the outer sheath 70 by the extruder 130 in FIG. 2, and then, before the outer sheath 70 hardens, the outer sheath 70 is pressed and deformed by a pair of pressure rollers to crush the cable body 10.
  • the cable body 10 may be crushed with a nipple during the extrusion molding of the outer sheath 70. In this case, the extrusion molding of the outer sheath 70 and the pressing and deformation of the cable body 10 are carried out almost simultaneously.
  • Examples A1 to A7 optical fiber cables having a 144-core cable main body using optical fiber ribbons were produced as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the optical fibers constituting the cable main body were optical fibers having a diameter of 250 ⁇ m.
  • Example A1 to A7 the reinforcing sheet was pressed with a pressure roller to deform the cable main body from a perfect circle to an ellipse.
  • the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A 1 (see formula (12) above) of the inner diameter of the inner sheath of each of Examples A1 to A7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, or 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca (see formula (7) above) and deformation rate Cr (see formula (6) above) of the cable main body of Examples A1 to A7 became the values shown in Table 1 below.
  • the cable main body was removed from the deformed reinforcing sheet, and the cross-sectional dimensions of the cable main body were measured. Based on the dimensions, the aspect ratios A2 (see formula (13) above) of the inner diameter of the released inner sheath for Examples A1 to A7 and the recovery rates Rr (see formula (11) above) of the cable main body for Examples A1 to A7 were calculated, and the results are shown in Table 1 below.
  • Comparative Example A1 An optical fiber cable was produced having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples A1 to A7, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed (i.e., the aspect ratio A1 was set to 1).
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example A1 were the values shown in Table 1 below.
  • Examples B1 to B7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, which had a cable body with 288 cores using optical fiber ribbons. An optical fiber having a diameter of 250 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable body.
  • the cable body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A1 of each of Examples B1 to B7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples B1 to B7 were the values shown in Table 2 below.
  • Comparative Example B1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples B1 to B7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example B1 were the values shown in Table 2 below.
  • Examples C1 to C7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, each having a cable body with 864 fibers using an optical fiber ribbon. An optical fiber having a diameter of 250 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable body.
  • the cable body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A 1 of each of Examples C1 to C7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A 2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples C1 to C7 were the values shown in Table 3 below.
  • Comparative Example C1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples C1 to C7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example C1 were the values shown in Table 3 below.
  • Example D1 to D7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, each having a cable body with 144 fibers using an optical fiber ribbon. An optical fiber having a diameter of 200 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable body.
  • the cable body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A1 of each of Examples D1 to D7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples D1 to D7 were the values shown in Table 4 below.
  • Comparative Example D1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples D1 to D7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example D1 were the values shown in Table 4 below.
  • Examples E1 to E7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, which had a cable main body of 864 fibers using optical fiber ribbons. An optical fiber having a diameter of 200 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable main body.
  • the cable main body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A 1 of each of Examples E1 to E7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A 2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples E1 to E7 were the values shown in Table 5 below.
  • Comparative Example E1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples E1 to E7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example E1 were the values shown in Table 5 below.
  • Examples F1 to F7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, which had a cable body of 1,728 fibers using optical fiber ribbons. An optical fiber having a diameter of 200 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable body.
  • the cable body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A 1 of each of Examples F1 to F7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A 2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples F1 to F7 were the values shown in Table 6 below.
  • Comparative Example F1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples F1 to F7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example F1 were the values shown in Table 6 below.
  • Examples G1 to G7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, each having a cable body with 144 fibers using an optical fiber ribbon. An optical fiber having a diameter of 160 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable body.
  • the cable body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A 1 of each of Examples G1 to G7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A 2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples G1 to G7 were the values shown in Table 7 below.
  • Comparative Example G1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples G1 to G7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example G1 were the values shown in Table 7 below.
  • Example H1 to H7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, which had a cable body with 288 cores using optical fiber ribbons. An optical fiber having a diameter of 160 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable body.
  • the cable body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A1 of each of Examples H1 to H7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples H1 to H7 were the values shown in Table 8 below.
  • Comparative Example H1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples H1 to H7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example H1 were the values shown in Table 8 below.
  • Examples I1 to I7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, which had a cable body of 864 fibers using optical fiber ribbons. An optical fiber having a diameter of 160 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable body.
  • the cable body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A1 of each of Examples I1 to I7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples I1 to I7 were the values shown in Table 9 below.
  • Comparative Example I1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as in Examples I1 to I7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and recovery rate Rr of Comparative Example I1 were the values shown in Table 9 below.
  • Example J1 to J7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, which had a cable body of 1,728 fibers using optical fiber ribbons. An optical fiber having a diameter of 160 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable body.
  • the cable body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A1 of each of Examples J1 to J7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples I1 to I7 were the values shown in Table 10 below.
  • Comparative Example J1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples J1 to J7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example J1 were the values shown in Table 10 below.
  • Examples K1 to K7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, which had a 144-core cable body using optical fiber strands instead of optical fiber ribbons. An optical fiber having a diameter of 250 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable body.
  • the cable body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A 1 of each of Examples K1 to K7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A 2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples K1 to K7 were the values shown in Table 11 below.
  • Comparative Example K1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples K1 to K7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A 2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example K1 were the values shown in Table 11 below.
  • Examples L1 to L7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, which had a 288-core cable body using optical fiber strands instead of optical fiber ribbons. An optical fiber having a diameter of 250 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable body.
  • the cable body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A 1 of each of Examples L1 to L7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A 2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples L1 to L7 were the values shown in Table 12 below.
  • Comparative Example L1 an optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples L1 to L7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A 2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example L1 were the values shown in Table 12 below.
  • Examples M1 to M7 optical fiber cables as shown in FIG. 1 were produced, which had a cable main body of 864 fibers using optical fiber strands instead of optical fiber ribbons. An optical fiber having a diameter of 250 ⁇ m was used as the optical fiber constituting the cable main body.
  • the cable main body was also deformed from a perfect circle to an ellipse. At this time, the pressing force of the pressure roller was adjusted so that the aspect ratio A 1 of each of Examples M1 to M7 was 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A 2 , and restoration rate Rr of Examples M1 to M7 were the values shown in Table 13 below.
  • Comparative Example M1 An optical fiber cable having the same configuration as the above-mentioned Examples M1 to M7 was produced, except that the reinforcing sheet and the cable body were not deformed.
  • the deformation amount Ca, deformation rate Cr, aspect ratio A 2 , and recovery rate Rr of this Comparative Example M1 were the values shown in Table 13 below.
  • Example A1 to M1 where the deformation rate Cr of the cable body 10 after deformation exceeded 16.2% relative to the cable body 10 before deformation, the maximum loss variation in this transmission characteristic evaluation exceeded 0.15 dB/km. This is believed to be due to the optical fiber being compressed by squeezing the cable body. Also, in Examples A1 to M1, the recovery rate Rr of the cable body after release relative to the cable body after deformation exceeded 131%.
  • Examples A7 to M7 and Comparative Examples A1 to M1 where the deformation rate Cr of the deformed cable body 10 relative to the undeformed cable body 10 was less than 4.1%, the tearing workability was rated as "C" or "D". This is believed to be due to the ripcord moving between the cable body and the reinforcing sheet.
  • the recovery rate Rr of the cable body after release relative to the deformed cable body was less than 106%.

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PCT/JP2024/005821 2023-03-20 2024-02-19 光ファイバケーブル及び光ファイバケーブルの製造方法 Ceased WO2024195397A1 (ja)

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