Optical fiber packaging system

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of optical fibers, in particular to an optical fiber packaging system; the system comprises a paying-off unit, a sleeve forming unit, a winding unit and a force applying unit, the paying-off unit can pay off the optical fiber, the sleeve forming unit is located on one side of the paying-off unit, the sleeve forming unit can form a sleeve in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber paid off by the paying-off unit; the winding unit is located on one side of the sleeve forming unit, the winding unit winds the sleeve formed by the sleeve forming unit, realizes the packaging of the optical fiber, the force applying unit is arranged between the paying-off unit and the sleeve forming unit, the force applying unit can apply a force in the direction of the sleeve forming unit to the optical fiber between the paying-off unit and the sleeve forming unit, thereby effectively reducing the tension acting on the optical fiber during the winding of the sleeve, thereby making the optical fiber form redundancy and form a bending state in the interior of the sleeve, effectively avoiding the stretching of the optical fiber after the sleeve is unfolded, and effectively protecting the optical fiber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical fiber technology, and in particular to an optical fiber packaging system. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of IoT application technologies, the demand for sensor networks with "large capacity, high precision, long distance, and high reliability" is becoming increasingly urgent: the number of units in a single sensor link can reach thousands or even tens of thousands, the monitoring accuracy and spatial resolution requirements can reach the meter level, the monitoring range can be tens or even hundreds of kilometers long, and at the same time, it must be able to meet the requirements of long-term reliable operation in harsh engineering sites.

[0003] To facilitate the laying of optical fibers, an encapsulation system is needed to encapsulate the sensing optical fibers with sleeves. Existing encapsulation systems mainly include a pay-off frame, an extrusion device, and a traction device arranged in sequence. The pay-off frame lays the optical fiber to the forming device, the extrusion device forms a sleeve in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber through extrusion, and the traction device pulls the sleeve by continuously winding it, thereby achieving the encapsulation of the optical fiber.

[0004] Although existing encapsulation setups can encapsulate optical fibers, the fiber remains taut and in close contact with the inner wall of the sleeve during the winding process of the traction device. This results in the fiber length being even shorter than the sleeve length, creating a negative excess length in the fiber. Consequently, when the sleeve is unwound, the light inside will be stretched by the sleeve, causing the sensing to fail. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and propose an optical fiber packaging system that solves the technical problem that in the process of packaging optical fibers, the optical fiber packaging system in the prior art is prone to generating negative excess length in the optical fiber, which leads to the failure of the optical fiber due to the stretching of the sleeve.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention provides an optical fiber packaging system, comprising:

[0007] A wire-laying unit, which is used to lay out optical fibers;

[0008] A sleeve forming unit is located on one side of the wire feeding unit and is used to form a sleeve in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber fed by the wire feeding unit.

[0009] A winding unit is located on one side of the sleeve forming unit and is used to wind the sleeve formed by the sleeve forming unit.

[0010] A force-applying unit is disposed between the wire-laying unit and the sleeve-forming unit, and is used to apply a force toward the sleeve-forming unit to the optical fiber between the wire-laying unit and the sleeve-forming unit.

[0011] Optionally, the force application unit includes an air blowing module, which is disposed between the wire feeding unit and the sleeve forming unit, and is used to blow air onto the optical fiber between the wire feeding unit and the sleeve forming unit toward the sleeve forming unit.

[0012] Optionally, the air blowing module includes an air compressor, an air pipe, and an air nozzle. The air nozzle is located between the wire feeding unit and the sleeve forming unit and in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber. The air compressor is located on one side of the air nozzle. The two ends of the air pipe are connected to the air compressor and the air nozzle, respectively. The air compressor is used to generate compressed gas and blow the compressed gas through the air pipe to the air nozzle. The air nozzle is used to blow the compressed gas into the optical fiber toward the sleeve forming unit.

[0013] Optionally, the air blowing module further includes a pressure regulating valve, which is installed on the air pipe and used to regulate the air pressure in the air pipe.

[0014] Optionally, the air blowing module further includes a flow regulating valve, which is installed on the air pipe and used to regulate the flow rate of the air pipe.

[0015] Optionally, the cable feeding unit includes a cable reel and a transition module. The transition module is located on the side of the force application unit away from the sleeve forming unit, and the cable reel is located on one side of the transition module. The cable reel is used to wind the optical fiber and feed the optical fiber to the transition module. The transition module is used to transition the optical fiber fed by the cable reel to the force application unit.

[0016] Optionally, the transition module includes an adjusting wheel and an adjusting spring. The adjusting wheel is located on the side of the force application unit away from the sleeve forming unit. One end of the adjusting spring is fixedly connected to the adjusting wheel, and the other end of the adjusting spring is fixed to the frame. The adjusting wheel is used to provide winding for the optical fiber of the winding frame.

[0017] Optionally, the transition module further includes a connecting wheel located on one side of the force-applying unit for winding the optical fiber entering the force-applying unit.

[0018] Optionally, the transition module further includes a receiving wheel located on one side of the winding frame and above the adjusting wheel.

[0019] Optionally, the sleeve forming unit includes an extrusion molding module and a cooling module. The extrusion molding module is disposed between the force application unit and the winding unit, and is used to form a sheath by extruding the optical fiber laid to the extrusion molding module in the circumferential direction. The cooling module is disposed between the extrusion molding module and the winding unit, and is used to cool the sheath formed by the extrusion molding module.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the optical fiber packaging system provided by the present invention include: by setting up a pay-off unit, a sleeve forming unit, and a winding unit, the pay-off unit can pay off the optical fiber, the sleeve forming unit is located on one side of the pay-off unit, and the sleeve forming unit can form a sleeve in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber paid off by the pay-off unit; the winding unit is located on one side of the sleeve forming unit, and the winding unit winds the sleeve formed by the sleeve forming unit to realize the packaging of the optical fiber. Since the optical fiber packaging system is also provided with a force application unit, which is set between the pay-off unit and the sleeve forming unit, the force application unit can apply a force towards the sleeve forming unit to the optical fiber between the pay-off unit and the sleeve forming unit, thereby effectively reducing the tension acting on the light during the sleeve winding process, thereby making the optical fiber redundant and forming a bent state inside the sleeve, effectively avoiding the stretching of the optical fiber after the sleeve is unrolled, and effectively protecting the optical fiber. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the optical fiber packaging system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The following are the labeling elements in the figure:

[0023] 10—Wire feeding unit; 11—Wire reel; 12—Transition module

[0024] 20—Sleeve forming unit; 21—Extrusion molding module; 22—Cooling module

[0025] 30—Winding unit; 40—Force application unit; 41—Air blowing module

[0026] 121—Adjusting wheel; 122—Adjusting spring; 123—Connecting wheel

[0027] 124—Receiving wheel; 411—Air compressor; 412—Air pipe

[0028] 413—Air nozzle; 414—Pressure regulating valve; 415—Regulating valve

[0029] 10a—Fiber optic cable; 20a—Sheath. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0031] This invention provides an optical fiber packaging system, including a pay-off unit 10, a sleeve forming unit 20, a winding unit 30, and a force application unit 40. The pay-off unit 10 is used to pay off optical fibers 10a. The sleeve forming unit 20 is located on one side of the pay-off unit 10 and is used to form a sleeve 20a in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber 10a paid off by the pay-off unit 10. The winding unit 30 is located on one side of the sleeve forming unit 20 and is used to wind the sleeve 20a formed by the sleeve forming unit 20. The force application unit 40 is disposed between the pay-off unit 10 and the sleeve forming unit 20 and is used to apply a force toward the sleeve forming unit 20 to the optical fiber 10a between the pay-off unit 10 and the sleeve forming unit 20.

[0032] Specifically, the fiber optic encapsulation system comprises a pay-off unit 10, a sleeve forming unit 20, and a winding unit 30. The pay-off unit 10 pays off the optical fiber 10a. The sleeve forming unit 20 is located on one side of the pay-off unit 10 and forms a sleeve 20a circumferentially around the optical fiber 10a paid off by the pay-off unit 10. The winding unit 30 is located on one side of the sleeve forming unit 20 and winds the sleeve 20a formed by the sleeve forming unit 20, thereby encapsulating the optical fiber 10a. The system is also equipped with a force application unit 40, which is located between the wire feeding unit 10 and the sleeve forming unit 20. The force application unit 40 can apply a force towards the sleeve forming unit 20 to the optical fiber 10a between the wire feeding unit 10 and the sleeve forming unit 20, thereby effectively reducing the tension acting on the light during the winding of the sleeve 20a, thereby making the optical fiber 10a redundant and forming a bent state inside the sleeve 20a, effectively preventing the sleeve 20a from stretching the optical fiber 10a after it is unfolded, and effectively protecting the optical fiber 10a.

[0033] Understandably, the pay-off unit 10 is an arbitrary frame structure that can realize the winding of the optical fiber 10a. The pay-off unit 10 can actively pay off the fiber through its own drive, or it can passively pay off the fiber by the winding unit 30 winding the sleeve 20a, so that the sleeve 20a generates tension acting on the optical fiber 10a.

[0034] In this embodiment, the cable feeding unit 10 includes a cable winding frame 11 and a transition module 12. The transition module 12 is located on the side of the force application unit 40 away from the sleeve forming unit 20, and the cable winding frame 11 is located on the side of the transition module 12. The cable winding frame 11 is used to wind the optical fiber 10a and feed the optical fiber 10a to the transition module 12. The transition module 12 is used to transition the optical fiber 10a fed by the cable winding frame 11 to the force application unit 40. Specifically, the cable winding frame 11 can provide winding for the optical fiber 10a. When the winding unit 30 drives the sleeve 20a to wind, the sleeve 20a generates a traction force acting on the optical fiber 10a. Under the combined action of this traction force and the traction force of the force application unit, tension is generated to feed the cable winding frame 11, thereby driving the cable winding frame 11 to feed the cable. The transition module 12 can provide a transition for the optical fiber 10a towards the sleeve forming unit 20, so that the cable winding frame 11 can stably feed the cable towards the sleeve forming unit 20.

[0035] In this embodiment, the transition module 12 further includes an adjusting wheel 121 and an adjusting spring 122. The adjusting wheel 121 is located on the side of the force application unit 40 away from the sleeve forming unit 20. One end of the adjusting spring 122 is fixedly connected to the adjusting wheel 121, and the other end of the adjusting spring 122 is fixed to the frame. The adjusting wheel 121 is used to provide winding for the optical fiber 10a that is laid out by the winding frame 11. Specifically, after the wire is laid out by the wire-laying frame, the light passes around the adjusting wheel 121 and then enters the force-applying unit 40. Since the adjusting wheel 121 is also connected to the adjusting spring 122, when the traction force exerted on the optical fiber 10a by the force-applying unit 40 and the sleeve 20a is too large, the optical fiber 10a will drive the adjusting wheel 121 to move towards the force-applying unit 40 against the spring force. When the traction force exerted on the optical fiber 10a by the force-applying unit 40 and the sleeve 20a is too small, the adjusting spring 122 will drive the adjusting wheel 121 to move away from the force-applying unit 40, thereby keeping the tension of the optical fiber 10a constant when the wire-laying frame lays out the wire, so that the wire-laying frame lays out the wire at a constant speed.

[0036] In this embodiment, the transition module 12 further includes a connecting wheel 123, which is located on one side of the force application unit 40 and is used to provide winding for the optical fiber 10a entering the force application unit 40. Specifically, after the optical fiber 10a passes around the adjusting wheel 121, it will pass around the connecting wheel 123, and then enter the force application unit 40 after passing through the connecting wheel 123, so that the optical fiber 10a enters the force application unit 40 stably.

[0037] In this embodiment, the transition module 12 further includes a receiving wheel 124, which is located on one side of the winding frame 11 and above the adjusting wheel 121. Specifically, after the optical fiber 10a is released from the wire feeding frame, it will be wound around the receiving wheel 124 and then enter the adjusting wheel 121. The receiving wheel 124 can provide a transition from the wire feeding frame to the adjusting wheel 121, and at the same time, it can also provide a vertical upward pulling force to the adjusting wheel 121 through the optical fiber 10a, thereby balancing the forces on the adjusting wheel 121 and improving the stability of the adjusting wheel 121.

[0038] Understandably, the sleeve forming unit 20 can form a sleeve 20a surrounding the optical fiber 10a through existing forming processes such as extrusion molding and injection molding.

[0039] In this embodiment, the sleeve forming unit 20 includes an extrusion molding module 21 and a cooling module 22. The extrusion molding module 21 is disposed between the force application unit 40 and the winding unit 30, and is used to form a sheath by extruding the fiber 10a that is laid to the extrusion molding module 21 in the circumferential direction. The cooling module 22 is disposed between the extrusion molding module 21 and the winding unit 30, and is used to cool the sheath formed by the extrusion molding module 21. Specifically, after the laying unit 10 lays the fiber 10a to the extrusion molding module 21, the extrusion molding module 21 forms a sheath in the circumferential direction of the fiber 10a by extrusion. The sheath is then cooled by the cooling module 22 to stabilize the structure, thereby encapsulating the fiber 10a.

[0040] Understandably, the cooling module 22 can cool the optical fiber 10a through methods such as air cooling.

[0041] Understandably, the force application unit 40 can be two opposing clamping wheels. The two clamping wheels clamp the light between the fiber 10a feeding unit 10 and the sleeve forming unit 20, and then the force towards the sleeve forming unit 20 can be applied to the fiber 10a by rotating the clamping wheels.

[0042] In this embodiment, the force application unit 40 includes an air blowing module 41, which is disposed between the pay-off unit 10 and the sleeve forming unit 20. The air blowing module 41 is used to blow air onto the optical fiber 10a between the pay-off unit 10 and the sleeve forming unit 20 towards the sleeve forming unit 20. Specifically, in this embodiment, the air blowing action of the air blowing module 41 onto the optical fiber 10a towards the sleeve forming unit 20 not only provides a force to the optical fiber 10a towards the sleeve forming unit 20, but also, through the flow of gas, continuously applies this force to the optical fiber 10a of the winding unit 30, effectively preventing the optical fiber 10a from becoming taut inside the sleeve 20a. Furthermore, the air blowing action of the air blowing module 41 does not damage the structure of the optical fiber 10a, thus protecting the optical fiber 10a. The airflow can also be directed towards the sleeve forming unit 20, accelerating the cooling of the sleeve 20a.

[0043] In this embodiment, the air-blowing module 41 further includes an air compressor 411, an air pipe 412, and an air nozzle 413. The air nozzle 413 is located between the wire-laying unit 10 and the sleeve-forming unit 20 and is located in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber 10a. The air compressor 411 is located on one side of the air nozzle 413. The two ends of the air pipe 412 are connected to the air compressor 411 and the air nozzle 413, respectively. The air compressor 411 is used to generate compressed gas and blow the compressed gas through the air pipe 412 to the air nozzle 413. The air nozzle 413 is used to blow compressed gas onto the optical fiber 10a towards the sleeve-forming unit 20. Specifically, the air compressor 411 can effectively provide high-pressure gas to the air nozzle 413 by compressing the air. By enclosing the optical fiber 10a with the air nozzle 413, the compressed gas entering the air nozzle 413 can act entirely on the surface of the optical fiber 10a, achieving stable air blowing onto the optical fiber 10a and increasing the wind force acting on the optical fiber 10a.

[0044] In this embodiment, the air blowing module 41 further includes a pressure regulating valve 414, which is installed in the air pipe 412 and used to regulate the air pressure in the air pipe 412. Specifically, the pressure regulating valve 414 regulates the air pressure in the air pipe 412, thereby regulating the airflow force of the gas acting on the optical fiber 10a, so as to regulate the margin of the optical fiber 10a in the sleeve 20a.

[0045] In this embodiment, the air blowing module 41 further includes a flow regulating valve 415, which is installed in the air pipe 412 and used to regulate the flow rate of the air pipe 412. Specifically, the flow regulating valve 415 regulates the flow rate of the gas in the air pipe 412, thereby regulating the flow rate of the gas acting on the optical fiber 10a. With the cooperation of the pressure regulating valve 414, the remaining amount of the optical fiber 10a in the sleeve 20a can be precisely adjusted.

[0046] The specific embodiments of the present invention described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made in accordance with the technical concept of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical fiber packaging system, characterized in that, include: A wire-laying unit, which is used to lay out optical fibers; A sleeve forming unit is located on one side of the wire feeding unit and is used to form a sleeve in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber fed by the wire feeding unit. A winding unit is located on one side of the sleeve forming unit and is used to wind the sleeve formed by the sleeve forming unit. A force-applying unit is disposed between the wire-feeding unit and the sleeve-forming unit, and is used to apply a force toward the sleeve-forming unit to the optical fiber between the wire-feeding unit and the sleeve-forming unit. The force application unit includes an air blowing module, which is disposed between the wire feeding unit and the sleeve forming unit, and is used to blow air onto the optical fiber between the wire feeding unit and the sleeve forming unit toward the sleeve forming unit. The air blowing module includes an air compressor, an air pipe, and an air nozzle. The air nozzle is located between the wire feeding unit and the sleeve forming unit and is located in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber. The air compressor is located on one side of the air nozzle. The two ends of the air pipe are connected to the air compressor and the air nozzle, respectively. The air compressor is used to generate compressed gas and blow the compressed gas through the air pipe to the air nozzle. The air nozzle is used to blow the compressed gas into the optical fiber towards the sleeve forming unit.

2. The optical fiber packaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air blowing module also includes a pressure regulating valve, which is installed in the air pipe and is used to regulate the air pressure in the air pipe.

3. The optical fiber packaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air blowing module also includes a flow regulating valve, which is installed in the air pipe and is used to regulate the flow rate of the air pipe.

4. The optical fiber packaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The cable feeding unit includes a cable reel and a transition module. The transition module is located on the side of the force application unit away from the sleeve forming unit. The cable reel is located on one side of the transition module. The cable reel is used to wind the optical fiber and feed the optical fiber to the transition module. The transition module is used to transition the optical fiber fed by the cable reel to the force application unit.

5. The optical fiber packaging system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The transition module includes an adjusting wheel and an adjusting spring. The adjusting wheel is located on the side of the force application unit away from the sleeve forming unit. One end of the adjusting spring is fixedly connected to the adjusting wheel, and the other end of the adjusting spring is fixed to the frame. The adjusting wheel is used to provide winding for the optical fiber of the winding frame.

6. The optical fiber packaging system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transition module also includes a connecting wheel located on one side of the force application unit, which is used to provide winding for the optical fiber entering the force application unit.

7. The optical fiber packaging system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transition module also includes a receiving wheel, which is located on one side of the winding frame and above the adjusting wheel.

8. The optical fiber packaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The sleeve forming unit includes an extrusion molding module and a cooling module. The extrusion molding module is disposed between the force application unit and the winding unit, and is used to form a sheath by extruding the optical fiber laid to the extrusion molding module in the circumferential direction. The cooling module is disposed between the extrusion molding module and the winding unit, and is used to cool the sheath formed by the extrusion molding module.

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