A kind of repeatedly tearable splicing optical fiber ribbon, optical fiber ribbon cable, splicing device

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of repeatedly tearable splicing optical fiber ribbon, optical fiber ribbon cable, splicing device.The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of side-by-side arranged optical fiber ribbon micro units, the optical fiber ribbon micro unit is composed of one or more optical fibers and the ribbon resin layer covering the optical fiber;The ribbon resin layer has a bonding resin layer between the ribbon resin layer;The ribbon resin layer has at least one lateral protrusion and axial extension bonding platform, and the ribbon resin layer of the edge fiber has a bonding platform, and the ribbon resin layer of the middle fiber has two oppositely arranged bonding platforms;The bonding resin layer is arranged between the bonding platforms of adjacent optical fibers, and the bonding platforms of the adjacent optical fibers are arranged laterally in alignment.The optical fiber ribbon splicing device includes a UV light source light-emitting component, a splicing mold and a splicing platform;The optical fiber ribbon provided by the application can freely change the number of optical fiber cores, without damaging the overall configuration of the optical fiber ribbon, still retaining its advantages as an optical fiber ribbon.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of optical communication, and more specifically, relates to a fiber optic ribbon, fiber optic ribbon cable, and fiber optic ribbon splicing device that can be repeatedly torn and spliced. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of the optical communication industry, fiber optic ribbons are widely used in communication optical cables or terminal optical components due to their high fiber density and high splicing efficiency. Conventional fiber optic ribbons are mostly planar arrays, where multiple optical fibers are clad and connected along their length using UV-cured acrylic resin. The main advantage of fiber optic ribbons produced by this cladding method is that they are less prone to unraveling during use, resulting in minimal impact on the performance of optical fiber information transmission.

[0003] However, in this type of fiber ribbon, the number of fiber cores in the fiber ribbon cannot be changed at will. If one of the fibers in the fiber ribbon is stripped, the structure of the entire fiber ribbon will be destroyed, and it will no longer be usable as a fiber ribbon. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned deficiencies or improvement needs of existing technologies, this invention provides a repeatedly tearable and spliced ​​fiber optic ribbon, fiber optic ribbon cable, and fiber optic ribbon splicing device. Its purpose is to form a fiber optic ribbon by bonding easily tearable adhesive resin between fiber optic ribbon micro-units with parallel resin layers. This allows for repeated tearing and splicing of the fiber optic ribbon micro-units, thereby solving the technical problem that existing fiber optic ribbons have fixed core counts and widths, making it impossible to restore the fiber optic ribbon structure once damaged.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon is provided, characterized in that it comprises multiple optical fiber ribbon micro-units arranged side by side, wherein each optical fiber ribbon micro-unit is composed of one or more optical fibers and a parallel ribbon resin layer covering the optical fibers; and an adhesive resin layer is provided between the parallel ribbon resin layers.

[0006] The resin layer has at least one laterally protruding and axially extending bonding platform, the resin layer of the side fiber has one bonding platform, and the resin layer of the middle fiber has two opposing bonding platforms.

[0007] The bonding resin layer is disposed between the bonding stations of adjacent optical fibers, and the bonding stations of adjacent optical fibers are laterally aligned.

[0008] Preferably, in the repeatedly tearable splicing optical fiber ribbon, the side of the bonding platform is the bonding surface, which is either a plane or a curved surface.

[0009] Preferably, when the bonding surface of the repeatedly tearable spliced ​​optical fiber ribbon is a plane, the bonding surface is perpendicular to the side of the optical fiber ribbon or obliquely intersecting the side of the optical fiber ribbon.

[0010] Preferably, the repeatedly tearable spliced ​​optical fiber ribbon has one or more grooves on its bonding surface, and the grooves are preferably semi-circular.

[0011] Preferably, the repeatedly tearable spliced ​​optical fiber ribbon has a resin thickness of 15-30 μm and a radial thickness of 20-100 μm for the bonding stage.

[0012] Preferably, the reusable tearable splicing optical fiber ribbon is made of a photocurable acrylic resin containing 20-70 parts epoxy acrylate, 1-18 parts photoinitiator, and 0-12 parts additives.

[0013] Preferably, the adhesive resin of the repeatedly tearable spliced ​​optical fiber ribbon is a photocurable acrylate resin, and the Young's modulus of the cured resin is below 600 MPa, preferably greater than 30 MPa, more preferably between 30 and 200 MPa; and its elongation at break is ≥5%, preferably between 20% and 50%.

[0014] Preferably, the repeatedly tearable spliced ​​optical fiber ribbon has an adhesive resin layer with a width of 10-50 μm and a thickness of 50-300 μm.

[0015] Preferably, the repeatedly tearable splicing optical fiber ribbon contains, by weight, 30-60 parts of acrylate oligomer, 30-80 parts of reactive monomer diluent, 1-6 parts of photoinitiator, and 1-4 parts of additives.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, an optical fiber ribbon cable is provided, which includes the optical fiber ribbon provided by the present invention.

[0017] Preferably, the optical fiber ribbon cable is a central tube type optical cable or a skeleton type optical cable.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, an optical fiber splicing device is provided, which includes a UV light source light-emitting component, a splicing mold, and a splicing platform;

[0019] The splicing mold can be replaced and set on the splicing platform;

[0020] The UV light source emitting component is positioned directly opposite the splicing mold.

[0021] Preferably, the fiber optic splicing device includes a splicing platform comprising a platform and an arc-shaped cover on top of it, the platform having a groove for placing the splicing mold; the UV light source is positioned on the arc-shaped cover directly opposite the groove; and the splicing mold is replaceably mounted on the groove.

[0022] Preferably, in the fiber optic splicing device, the arc-shaped cover is detachably fitted to the platform or can be opened and closed.

[0023] Preferably, in the fiber optic splicing device, the relative position of the arc-shaped cover and the platform is adjustable, thereby changing the distance between the UV light source emitting component and the groove.

[0024] Preferably, the splicing mold of the fiber optic ribbon splicing device has different specifications according to the number of cores of the target fiber optic ribbon.

[0025] Preferably, the UV light source of the fiber optic splicing device can be a mercury lamp or a UV-LED light-emitting module, wherein the UV-LED light-emitting module emits ultraviolet light in the range of 260 to 400 nm.

[0026] Preferably, the fiber optic ribbon splicing device includes a handle, which is fixedly disposed below the splicing platform.

[0027] In summary, compared with the prior art, the above-described technical solutions conceived by this invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0028] Firstly, the fiber ribbon can freely change the number of fiber cores without destroying the overall configuration of the fiber ribbon, thus retaining its advantageous characteristics as a fiber ribbon.

[0029] Secondly, fiber optic ribbons are easy to use because they can be bonded using a handheld external light source splicing device, and can be widely used in outdoor, console and other operating scenarios.

[0030] Thirdly, because optical fiber ribbons can be torn and spliced, the size of the optical fiber ribbons shipped from the factory can be standardized as much as possible, reducing the types and quantities of molds and facilitating production management.

[0031] Fourthly, because it is tearable without affecting the optical fiber transmission performance, standard tapes can be torn on the production line during optical cable production to fill the gaps in the sleeve, further increasing the density of optical fibers in the sleeve. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the repeatedly tearable and spliced ​​optical fiber ribbon provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber ribbon micro-unit structure that can be repeatedly torn and spliced, provided by the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber optic ribbon cable structure provided by the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the splicing device for splicing the optical fiber ribbon provided by the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber ribbon micro-unit structure that can be repeatedly torn and spliced, provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber ribbon micro-unit structure that can be repeatedly torn and spliced, provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber ribbon micro-unit structure that can be repeatedly torn and spliced, provided in Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber ribbon micro-unit structure that can be repeatedly torn and spliced, provided in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0040] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements or structures, wherein: 1 is optical fiber, 2 is bonding platform, 3 is ribbon resin layer, 4 is optical fiber ribbon micro-unit, 5 is bonding resin layer, 6 is optical fiber ribbon, 7 is outer sheath, 8 is loose tube, 9 is aramid fiber, 10 is fiber paste, 11 is water-blocking yarn, 12 is cable opening rope, 13 is arc cover, 14 is UV light source emitting component, 15 is platform, and 16 is handle. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0042] The fiber optic ribbon that can be repeatedly torn and spliced ​​according to the present invention has the following structure: Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, it includes multiple fiber ribbon micro-units arranged side by side, preferably including 2 to 24 fiber ribbon micro-units;

[0043] The fiber optic ribbon micro-unit, such as Figure 3As shown in Figure 4, the fiber ribbon consists of one or more optical fibers and a layer of resin covering the optical fibers. The resin layer has a thickness of 15–30 μm and is used to support the fiber ribbon structure and reduce the free movement of the optical fibers within the fiber ribbon. The resin layer has at least one laterally protruding and axially extending bonding platform. The resin layer of the edge fiber has one bonding platform, and the resin layer of the middle fiber has two opposing bonding platforms to ensure the flatness of the fiber ribbon. The side of the bonding platform is the bonding surface, which can be planar or curved. When the bonding surface is planar, it is typically as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the bonding surface is perpendicular to the side of the optical fiber strip or obliquely intersecting the side of the optical fiber strip; the bonding surface preferably has one or more grooves, and the grooves are preferably semi-circular, typically as shown in the figure. Figure 3 As shown.

[0044] The resin is preferably an acrylic resin containing 20-70 parts epoxy acrylate, 1-18 parts photoinitiator and 0-12 parts additives. The resin is homogeneous and transparent and can be cured using a mercury lamp, D lamp or UV-LED light source.

[0045] An adhesive resin layer is provided between the parallel resin layers, and the adhesive resin layer is disposed between the bonding platforms of adjacent optical fibers, with the bonding platforms of adjacent optical fibers laterally aligned. The adhesive resin is preferably a photocurable acrylate resin, cured using ultraviolet light. After curing, the Young's modulus of the resin is below 600 MPa, i.e., not exceeding the Young's modulus of typical single-element optical fibers, preferably greater than 30 MPa, to ensure bonding strength, and more preferably between 30 and 200 MPa to balance tearability and bonding performance. Simultaneously, the elongation at break of the resin adhesive needs to be controlled to ≥5%, preferably between 20% and 50%, to reduce failure caused by tensile stress on the resin at the connection point. Furthermore, due to the material and structure, the adhesive resin layer is more susceptible to shear stress; therefore, when the optical fiber ribbon needs to be torn, the breakage point is concentrated in the adhesive resin layer, with less impact on the optical fiber ribbon micro-units.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the bonding resin contains, by weight, 30-60 parts of acrylate oligomer, 30-80 parts of reactive monomer diluent, 1-6 parts of photoinitiator, and 1-4 parts of additives.

[0047] To ensure the stability of the fiber optic ribbon structure, the width of the adhesive resin layer is 10–50 μm. The adhesive material width should not be too small, otherwise it will affect the bonding performance; if the adhesive resin layer is too wide, it will affect the tearability of the fiber optic ribbon. The thickness of the adhesive resin layer is generally 50–300 μm. While ensuring easy tearing, it is also necessary to guarantee the stability of the fiber optic ribbon structure during use.

[0048] Unlike traditional ribbon fiber optics, where the optical fibers are fully coated with acrylic resin, this fiber optic ribbon features adjacent fibers that are interconnected yet relatively independent, allowing for easier adjustments to the fiber core count. Specifically, in this fiber optic ribbon splicing, the bonding resin layer can be axially continuous or discontinuous, but laterally discontinuous. Unlike coated fiber optic ribbons, where damage to the resin layer significantly impacts the strength of the fiber optic ribbon structure, damage to the bonding layer does not cause the adjacent fiber to detach from the overall fiber optic ribbon structure, thus ensuring its stability. During splicing, only the bonding resin needs to be applied to the fiber optic ribbon's micro-unit platform or groove, and cured using an external UV light source to obtain fiber optic ribbons with varying core counts.

[0049] The bonding surface is perpendicular to the side of the optical fiber, facilitating position adjustment and ensuring the flatness of the spliced ​​fiber ribbon. The bonding surface is oblique to the fiber ribbon, making overlapping during splicing easy; pressure applied perpendicular to the fiber ribbon plane allows for convenient and repeated splicing. A flat bonding surface requires less precision in alignment and facilitates bonding; a grooved bonding surface ensures a strong bond after splicing and prevents detachment.

[0050] The bonding stage serves as the tear point. During tearing, the bonding resin is destroyed, but the ribbon resin still maintains the integrity of the fiber ribbon structure, allowing it to be used for subsequent splicing. The resin layer of the bonding stage has a certain radial thickness, preferably 20–100 μm, to minimize the impact on the main fiber and damage to the fiber ribbon micro-unit structure during tearing.

[0051] This invention also provides a central tube optical cable made from repeatedly tearable and spliced ​​optical fiber ribbons, with a typical structure as follows: Figure 5 As shown, an optical unit has a sleeve filled with water-blocking material. The optical unit has an outer sheath with built-in reinforcement. Multiple fiber ribbons with different core counts are placed inside the sleeve. The fiber ribbons are initially produced as a standard 12-core sample. Later, based on the sleeve size, the fiber ribbons are divided into fiber ribbons with 2 to 12 cores during the production process, filling the sleeve as much as possible. The fiber ribbons are densely arranged within the sleeve, thereby increasing the fiber density in the optical cable. Compared to other densely arranged fiber ribbon cables, this method minimizes the types and number of fiber ribbon molds, simplifying management.

[0052] This invention also provides a skeleton-type optical cable made of repeatedly tearable and spliced ​​optical fiber ribbons, having multiple such repeatedly tearable and spliced ​​optical fiber ribbons; it also has a central skeleton, a surrounding skeleton, skeleton slots, a central reinforcing member, and an outer sheath on the outside of the skeleton. Each skeleton slot is filled with multiple 2-6 core repeatedly tearable and spliced ​​optical fiber ribbons.

[0053] In order to adjust the number of cores in the optical fiber ribbon during or after installation, and to flexibly apply the optical fiber ribbon to various core count grouping requirements, this invention also provides a splicing device for splicing the optical fiber ribbon, the structure of which is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, it includes: a UV light source emitting component, a hand handle, a splicing mold, and a splicing platform.

[0054] The splicing platform includes a platform and an arc-shaped cover on top. The platform has a groove for placing the splicing mold. The UV light source is positioned on the arc-shaped cover, directly opposite the groove. The splicing mold has different specifications according to the number of cores in the target optical fiber ribbon and is replaceable and positioned on the groove. The fixing handle is located below the splicing platform. Preferably, the arc-shaped cover and the platform are detachably or openably connected. More preferably, the relative position of the arc-shaped cover and the platform is adjustable, allowing the distance between the UV light source and the groove to change.

[0055] The UV light source can be a mercury lamp or a UV-LED light-emitting module, preferably a UV-LED light-emitting module. The UV-LED light-emitting module emits ultraviolet light with a wavelength range of 260–400 nm.

[0056] During operation, the arc-shaped cover is disassembled or opened, and the fiber ribbon micro-units to be spliced ​​are placed side by side in the splicing mold. Adhesive resin is applied between the fiber ribbon micro-units and the resin-coated bonding platform. The arc-shaped cover is then installed or closed, preferably adjusted to be close to the platform, ensuring the distance between the UV light-emitting component and the groove is appropriate to prevent light leakage. The UV light-emitting component is then turned on, and the resin is cured by UV light, resulting in the bonded fiber ribbon. The arc-shaped cover is then disassembled or opened, and the fiber ribbon is removed. Continuous operation is also possible, whereby the fiber and the groove move relative to each other along the fiber direction, thereby continuously curing and forming the fiber ribbon.

[0057] The fixed handle allows for easy movement of the workpiece or can be fixed to the workbench for operation.

[0058] The following is an example:

[0059] Example 1

[0060] The repeatedly tearable and splicable fiber optic ribbon provided in this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown:

[0061] An adhesive resin layer is filled between the micro-units of the fiber ribbon. After bonding, adjacent fibers in the fiber ribbon are arranged in parallel. The overall structure of the fiber ribbon retains the advantages of dense fiber ribbon arrangement, and the number of fibers in the fiber ribbon can be adjusted without affecting the overall performance of the fiber ribbon. After tearing, no single fiber in the two parts of the fiber ribbon will detach from its respective overall structure.

[0062] Taking a 6-core repeatedly tearable spliced ​​fiber optic ribbon as an example, the fiber optic ribbon contains 6 optical fibers. First, fiber optic ribbon micro-units are made, and then the micro-units are bonded and spliced ​​to make a repeatedly tearable spliced ​​fiber optic ribbon.

[0063] The fiber ribbon uses fiber cladding with a roundness (%) ≤ 1.0%, core-cladding concentricity error (µm) ≤ 0.5%, cladding diameter of approximately 125µm, and coating diameter of approximately 250µm. Six fibers are arranged in parallel within the fiber ribbon, each fiber encased in resin to form a fiber ribbon micro-unit. An adhesive layer separates the fiber ribbon micro-units within the fiber ribbon.

[0064] A repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon is fabricated using a two-stage molding process. The bonding resin layer of the optical fiber ribbon has a width of 10–50 μm and a thickness of 50–300 μm. In this embodiment, the bonding resin layer has a width of 30 μm and a thickness of 150 μm. This ensures easy tearing while maintaining structural stability of the optical fiber ribbon during use.

[0065] The fiber optic ribbon that can be repeatedly torn and spliced ​​is manufactured by a two-stage molding process. First, fiber optic ribbon micro-units are made. The coating thickness of the fiber optic ribbon micro-unit is 20 μm, and the width of the cured resin layer on both sides of the platform is 60 μm. The bonding surface is perpendicular to the side of the fiber optic ribbon. The fiber optic ribbon micro-units are cured in a UV-LED curing oven and then wound up by a take-up frame to make standard fiber optic ribbon micro-unit parts.

[0066] Six fiber optic ribbon micro-units to be spliced ​​are passed through a splicing mold. Adhesive resin is applied between the micro-units, and they enter the splicing platform. Above the curing platform is an arc-shaped cover housing a UV-LED light-emitting module. After the fiber optic ribbon enters the splicing platform, the arc-shaped cover is lowered, and the shutter is closed. The fiber optic ribbon moves on the splicing platform, curing the adhesive resin. The fiber optic ribbon micro-units are then spliced ​​into a single 6-core fiber optic ribbon. The center width of the adhesive resin layer is 30µm.

[0067] The fiber ribbon is cured using ultraviolet light. Both the cladding layer and the bonding platform are transparent. The six optical fibers in the fiber ribbon are arranged in parallel according to the order of the national standard full spectrum.

[0068] Example 2:

[0069] Example 2 uses the same production method as Example 1, employing a two-stage molding process to fabricate a repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon. The difference lies in the fabrication of optical fiber ribbon micro-units. The micro-unit cladding layer is 20µm thick, the bonding surface is obliquely intersecting the optical fiber ribbon, and the micro-units are cured in a UV-LED curing oven. Figure 7 As shown.

[0070] These fiber ribbon micro-units are easy to lap during splicing; repeated splicing can be easily achieved by applying pressure perpendicular to the plane of the fiber ribbon. A center thickness of 15µm for the adhesive layer is sufficient to achieve good bonding results.

[0071] Example 3:

[0072] Example 3 uses the same production method as Example 1, employing a two-stage molding process to fabricate a repeatedly tearable and splicable fiber optic ribbon. The fiber optic ribbon micro-units are fabricated, with a cladding layer thickness of 20µm. The bonding surface of the micro-units exhibits an "S"-shaped curve, making it less prone to detachment during splicing. However, tearing the fiber optic ribbon carries a certain risk of damaging the resin on the splicing platform of the micro-units. Figure 8 As shown.

[0073] Example 4:

[0074] Example 4 uses the same production method as Example 1, employing a two-stage molding process to fabricate a repeatedly tearable and spliced ​​optical fiber ribbon. The fiber ribbon micro-units are fabricated, with a cladding layer thickness of 20µm. The grooved bonding surface ensures strong adhesion after splicing, and the integrity of the spliced ​​surface is well maintained after separation. Figure 9 As shown.

[0075] Example 5

[0076] The structure and manufacturing method of Example 5 are similar to those of Example 1. A repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon is produced using a two-stage molding process. The only difference is that the micro-units of the optical fiber ribbon are made in two-core units, with the structure as follows: Figure 10 As shown, it is compatible with duplex optical sockets.

[0077] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon, characterized in that, The device includes multiple fiber ribbon micro-units arranged side by side. Each fiber ribbon micro-unit consists of one or more optical fibers and a parallel ribbon resin layer covering the optical fibers. An adhesive resin layer is provided between the parallel ribbon resin layers. The resin layer has at least one laterally protruding and axially extending bonding platform, the resin layer of the side fiber has one bonding platform, and the resin layer of the middle fiber has two opposing bonding platforms. The bonding resin layer is disposed between the bonding platforms of adjacent optical fibers, and the bonding platforms of adjacent optical fibers are laterally aligned to ensure the flatness of the optical fiber ribbon; the side of the bonding platform is the bonding surface, which can be a plane or a curved surface.

2. The repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the bonding surface is a plane, the bonding surface is perpendicular to the side of the optical fiber strip or obliquely intersecting the side of the optical fiber strip.

3. The repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The bonding surface has one or more grooves.

4. The repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The groove is semi-circular.

5. The repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the resin tape is 15~30um, and the radial thickness of the bonding stage is between 20~100um.

6. The repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The resin is a light-curable acrylic resin containing 20-70 parts epoxy acrylate, 1-18 parts photoinitiator and 0-12 parts additives.

7. The repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bonding resin is a light-cured acrylate resin, and the Young's modulus of the cured resin is below 600 MPa and above 30 MPa. Its elongation at break is ≥5%.

8. The repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the adhesive resin layer is 10~50um and the thickness is between 50~300um.

9. The repeatedly tearable and splicable optical fiber ribbon as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The bonding resin contains, by weight, 30-60 parts of acrylate oligomer, 30-80 parts of reactive monomer diluent, 1-6 parts of photoinitiator, and 1-4 parts of additives.

10. An optical fiber ribbon cable, characterized in that, Includes the optical fiber strip as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The optical fiber ribbon cable as described in claim 10, characterized in that, It is either a central tube type optical cable or a skeleton type optical cable.

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