Rotating optical fiber preparation device and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of optical fiber preparation technology, and provides a rotating optical fiber preparation device and method. The rotating optical fiber preparation device includes a feeding assembly, a heating furnace, a coating and curing assembly, a rotary drive assembly, and a fiber collection assembly, which are arranged in sequence from top to bottom; the feeding assembly is used to drive the optical fiber preform rod into the heating furnace; the optical fiber preform rod after melting and softening can be drawn into a bare fiber, and the coating and curing assembly is used to coat and cure the bare fiber to turn it into an optical fiber; the rotary drive assembly drives the optical fiber to rotate through two rotating disks; and the fiber collection assembly is used to collect the rotated optical fiber. The rotating optical fiber preparation device and method of the present invention melts and softens the optical fiber preform rod through a heating furnace, and after melting and softening, draws it into a bare fiber. After coating and curing, the bare fiber becomes an optical fiber. The two rotating disks jointly drive the optical fiber to rotate, thereby obtaining a rotated optical fiber. The rotated optical fiber is collected by the fiber collection assembly, which solves the problem in the prior art that the optical fiber is prone to shaking, resulting in substandard optical fibers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical fiber preparation, and in particular to a rotating optical fiber preparation device and method. Background Art

[0002] At present, the optical fiber used in conventional high-power fiber lasers is prone to mode instability (TMI) effects at high power due to its large core diameter, which seriously restricts the further improvement of optical fiber beam quality and output power. To solve this problem, rotated optical fiber (3C optical fiber) came into being. It is widely used in the field of high-power single-mode lasers due to its special structure and efficient high-order mode coupling capability. The reason why 3C optical fiber can achieve stable single-mode transmission at high power under large core diameter conditions is that the rotated optical fiber manufactured by this special process is unique compared to conventional optical fiber. It not only contains a central core, but also contains side cores, and the side cores are spirally wound around the central core. The spiral period introduced by the high-speed rotation of the optical fiber preform during drawing can provide effective high-order mode symmetrical selective coupling between the central core and the side cores, coupling the high-order mode of the central core to the side core and thus being lost, leaving only the fundamental mode of the central core for stable transmission.

[0003] Currently, rotated optical fibers are prepared by rotating preform rods during the drawing process. Due to the large size of the optical fiber preform rods, the centrifugal force generated during their rotation will have a very negative impact on the optical fiber preparation. First, the centrifugal force causes the melted and softened optical fiber preform rod to deviate from the drawing center line. Then, during the drawing process, the melted and softened optical fiber preform rod moves in a "circular" motion horizontally around the drawing center line in the drawing furnace, which easily causes the optical fiber to shake when drawn downward. Secondly, the rotation of the melted and softened preform rod in the drawing furnace will disturb the temperature field in the drawing furnace, causing the drawn optical fiber to be heated unevenly and the optical fiber diameter to fluctuate, affecting the optical fiber performance. Finally, the prepared rotated optical fiber cannot meet the requirements of actual use, reducing the optical fiber production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a rotating optical fiber preparation device and method, which are used to solve the problem in the prior art that the optical fiber is prone to shaking and diameter fluctuation during the drawing and rotating process, resulting in substandard optical fiber quality.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a rotating optical fiber preparation device, comprising a feeding assembly, a heating furnace, a coating and curing assembly, a rotating drive assembly, and a fiber collection assembly, which are arranged in order from top to bottom;

[0006] The feeding assembly is used to clamp the optical fiber preform and drive the lower end of the optical fiber preform to extend into the heating furnace. The heating furnace is used to heat the optical fiber preform to a molten and softened state. The optical fiber preform in the molten and softened state can be formed into a bare fiber after being drawn.

[0007] The coating and curing assembly is used to coat and cure the bare fiber to convert the bare fiber into an optical fiber; the rotary drive assembly includes two rotary drive units, each having a rotary disk, and the rotary disks corresponding to the two rotary drive units are used to rotatably clamp opposite sides of the optical fiber to drive the optical fiber to rotate and move downward at the same time, the rotation axes of the two rotary disks are arranged at an angle, and the two rotary disks rotate around their respective rotation axes in the same rotation direction;

[0008] The fiber collecting assembly is connected to an end of the optical fiber away from the optical fiber preform, and the fiber collecting assembly is used to collect the rotated optical fiber.

[0009] According to the rotary optical fiber preparation device provided by the present invention, the feeding assembly includes a clamping member and a feeding member, the clamping member is used to clamp the optical fiber preform rod, the feeding member is connected to the clamping member, and the feeding member is used to drive the clamping member to move so that one end of the optical fiber preform rod extends into the heating furnace.

[0010] According to the rotary optical fiber preparation device provided by the present invention, the rotary drive unit further includes a first drive assembly and a second drive assembly, the first drive assembly is connected to the rotary disk, and the second drive assembly is connected to the first drive assembly;

[0011] Among them, the first driving component is used to drive the rotating disk to move so that the two rotating disks corresponding to the two rotating driving units move closer to or away from each other; the second driving component is used to drive the first driving component to flip so as to change the angle between the rotating disk and the optical fiber.

[0012] According to the rotating optical fiber preparation device provided by the present invention, the first driving assembly includes a first mounting frame and a first driving member, the rotating disk is rotatably provided on the first mounting frame, the first mounting frame is connected to the first driving member, and the first driving member is used to drive the first mounting frame to drive the rotating disk to move.

[0013] According to the rotary optical fiber preparation device provided by the present invention, the second driving assembly includes a second mounting frame, a first gear, a second gear, and a second driving member;

[0014] The second mounting bracket is connected to the first driving assembly, the second mounting bracket is connected to the first gear, the output end of the second driving member is connected to the second gear, and the second gear is meshed with the first gear.

[0015] According to the rotating optical fiber preparation device provided by the present invention, the angles between the optical fiber and the two rotating disks are equal, and the angle between the rotating disk and the optical fiber ranges from 0 to 90 degrees.

[0016] According to the rotating optical fiber preparation device provided by the present invention, the rotating optical fiber preparation device further includes at least one guide assembly, the guide assembly includes two guide wheels, and the two guide wheels are clamped on opposite sides of the optical fiber.

[0017] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a method for preparing a rotated optical fiber, based on any of the above-mentioned rotating optical fiber preparation devices, comprising:

[0018] Controlling the feeding assembly to clamp the optical fiber preform and drive the lower end of the optical fiber preform into the heating furnace to melt the lower end of the optical fiber preform into a molten and softened state;

[0019] controlling the heating furnace to heat the optical fiber preform while preliminarily drawing the lower end of the optical fiber preform to obtain a bare fiber;

[0020] Controlling the coating and curing assembly to coat and cure the bare fiber to obtain an optical fiber;

[0021] Controlling the two rotating disks corresponding to the rotating drive assembly to rotate, driving the optical fiber to rotate, and pulling the optical fiber to move downward;

[0022] The fiber receiving assembly is controlled to receive the rotated optical fiber to obtain a rotated optical fiber.

[0023] According to the rotary optical fiber preparation method provided by the present invention, the feeding assembly clamps the optical fiber preform and drives the lower end of the optical fiber preform to extend into the heating furnace, comprising:

[0024] The feeding assembly is controlled to clamp the optical fiber preform, and the optical fiber preform is driven by the feeding assembly to move toward one side of the heating furnace, ensuring that the lower end of the optical fiber preform remains in the heating furnace.

[0025] The rotating optical fiber preparation device of the present invention feeds the lower end of the optical fiber preform into a heating furnace through a feeding assembly. The heating furnace can heat the optical fiber preform to a molten and softened state. The optical fiber preform in the molten and softened state can be drawn into a bare fiber and passed out of the heating furnace. The bare fiber after passing out is coated and cured by a coating and curing assembly to be converted into an optical fiber. The optical fiber passes between two rotating disks and is connected to a fiber collection assembly. The two rotating disks jointly drive the optical fiber to rotate. The spiral generated by the rotation can be transmitted upward to the intersection of the bare fiber and the optical fiber preform, causing the bare fiber to rotate. After the rotated bare fiber undergoes processes such as coating and curing, an optical fiber (rotated optical fiber) is obtained. The rotated optical fiber is collected by the fiber collection assembly. The volume and weight of the optical fiber are both small. The method of preparing a rotated optical fiber by rotating the optical fiber is not easy to cause the optical fiber to shake due to the centrifugal force during rotation. This effectively solves the problem of the existing technology that the optical fiber is prone to shaking during the drawing and rotation process and the diameter fluctuation leads to substandard optical fiber quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, a brief introduction will be given below to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0027] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a rotating optical fiber preparation device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a rotary drive assembly of a rotary optical fiber preparation device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the force acting on the optical fiber in the middle due to the force from the rotating disk on the right;

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top-down diagram of the force acting on the optical fiber in the middle section from the rotating disk on the left;

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the forces acting on the optical fiber from two rotating disks;

[0032] Figure 6 It is a schematic flow chart of a method for preparing a rotated optical fiber provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Reference numerals:

[0034] 1. Feeding assembly; 11. Clamping piece; 12. Feeding piece;

[0035] 2. Heating furnace;

[0036] 3. Coating and curing components;

[0037] 4. Rotary drive assembly; 41. Rotating disk; 42. First drive assembly; 421. First rotating shaft; 422. First mounting bracket; 423. First driving member; 424. Position-limiting guide rod; 43. Second drive assembly; 431. Second mounting bracket; 432. Second rotating shaft; 433. Third rotating shaft; 434. First gear; 435. Second gear; 436. Second driving member; 44. Third driving member;

[0038] 5. Fiber collection assembly; 51. Fourth driving member; 52. Reel;

[0039] 6. Rack;

[0040] 7. Guide assembly; 71. Guide wheel;

[0041] 8. Traction wheel;

[0042] 200. Optical fiber preform; 300. Optical fiber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0044] The following combination Figures 1 to 5 The spun optical fiber preparation apparatus of the present invention is described.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the present invention provides a rotary optical fiber preparation device, comprising a feeding assembly 1, a heating furnace 2, a coating and curing assembly 3, a rotary drive assembly 4, and a fiber collection assembly 5, which are arranged in sequence from top to bottom; the feeding assembly 1 is used to clamp the optical fiber preform 200 and drive the lower end of the optical fiber preform 200 to extend into the heating furnace 2, and the heating furnace 2 is used to heat the optical fiber preform 200 to a molten and softened state. The optical fiber preform 200 in the molten and softened state can be formed into a bare fiber after being drawn; the coating and curing assembly 3 is used to coat and cure the bare fiber, so that the bare fiber is converted into an optical fiber. 300; the rotation drive assembly 4 includes two rotation drive units, each having a rotation disk 41, and the rotation disks 41 corresponding to the two rotation drive units are used to rotatably clamp the opposite sides of the optical fiber 300 to drive the optical fiber 300 to rotate and move downward at the same time. The rotation axes of the two rotation disks 41 are set at an angle, and the two rotation disks 41 rotate in the same rotation direction around their respective rotation axes; the fiber collection assembly 5 is connected to the end of the optical fiber 300 away from the optical fiber preform rod 200, and the fiber collection assembly 5 is used to collect the rotated optical fiber 300.

[0046] Specifically, the heating furnace 2 has through holes at both ends. The feeding assembly 1 can clamp the optical fiber preform 200 and drive the optical fiber preform 200 to move vertically up and down, so that the lower end of the optical fiber preform 200 extends into the interior of the heating furnace 2 through the upper opening of the heating furnace 2. The lower end of the optical fiber preform 200 is tapered. The heating furnace 2 can melt the lower end (taper) of the optical fiber preform 200 into a molten and softened state, and then draw the molten and softened optical fiber preform 200 downward. The tapered portion of the molten and softened optical fiber preform 200 can be drawn into a bare fiber. The bare fiber passes through the lower opening of the heating furnace 2. After being coated and cured by the coating and curing assembly 3, the bare fiber is transformed into an optical fiber 300. The optical fiber 300 passes between two rotating disks 41 and is connected to the fiber take-up assembly 5. The circumferential outer walls of the two rotating disks 41 are in contact with the optical fiber 300, and the two rotating disks 41 can rotate together, thereby rotating the optical fiber 300 through friction.

[0047] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the force applied to the middle optical fiber 300 by the rotating disk 41 on the right side. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the force applied to the optical fiber 300 by the rotating disk 41 on the left. Figure 5 yes Figure 1Schematic diagram of the force applied to the optical fiber 300 from the two rotating disks 41 from a top view. When the rotating disk 41 on the right rotates, the force applied to the optical fiber 300 is F1, which includes a horizontal component X1 and a vertical downward component y1. When the rotating disk 41 on the left rotates, the force applied to the optical fiber 300 is F2, which includes a horizontal component X2 and a vertical downward component y2. When the two rotating disks 41 rotate in the same direction around their respective rotation axes, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, X1 and X2 are in opposite directions, and through the combined action of X1 and X2, the optical fiber 300 can be rotated. In addition, by controlling the rotation direction of the rotating disk 41, the directions of y1 and y2 can be made vertically downward. Through y1 and y2, the optical fiber 300 can be driven downward, thereby continuously drawing the tapered portion of the molten and softened optical fiber preform 200 into the optical fiber 300.

[0048] The spiral generated by the rotation of the optical fiber 300 can be transmitted upward to the junction of the bare fiber and the optical fiber preform rod 200, so that the optical fiber preform rod 200 can rotate as soon as it is converted into a bare fiber. The rotated bare fiber can be cooled and formed after passing through the heating furnace 2, so that the spiral generated when the bare fiber is rotated is solidified. The cooled and formed bare fiber is subjected to processes such as coating and solidification to become the optical fiber 300 (rotated optical fiber), which is stored by the fiber receiving assembly 5. The fiber receiving assembly 5 can also apply a downward pulling force to the optical fiber 300 when storing the optical fiber 300, so that the optical fiber 300 remains in a vertical state and the tapered part of the optical fiber preform rod 200 can be continuously drawn after it is converted into a molten and softened state, thereby continuously performing the drawing and rotation process of the bare fiber, so as to continuously prepare the rotated optical fiber.

[0049] The rotating optical fiber preparation device of the present invention feeds the lower end of the optical fiber preform rod 200 into the heating furnace 2 through the feeding component 1. The heating furnace 2 can melt the cone of the lower end of the optical fiber preform rod 200 into a molten and softened state. The cone of the optical fiber preform rod 200 in the molten and softened state can be drawn into a bare fiber and pass through the heating furnace 2. The bare fiber after passing through is coated and cured by the coating and curing component 3 to be transformed into an optical fiber 300. The optical fiber 300 passes between the two rotating disks 41 and is connected to the fiber collection component 5. The two rotating disks 41 jointly drive the optical fiber 300 to rotate. The spiral generated by the rotation can be transmitted upward to the junction of the bare fiber and the optical fiber preform rod 200, causing the bare fiber to rotate. The rotated bare fiber undergoes processes such as coating and curing to obtain the optical fiber 300 (rotated optical fiber), and the rotated optical fiber is collected by the fiber collection component 5. The volume and weight of the optical fiber 300 are relatively small. By rotating the optical fiber 300 to prepare a rotated optical fiber, the optical fiber 300 is not easily shaken due to the centrifugal force during rotation, which effectively solves the problem in the prior art that the optical fiber is prone to shake during the drawing rotation process, resulting in substandard optical fiber quality.

[0050] In a specific embodiment, the coating and curing component 3 includes a first coating unit, a first curing unit, a second coating unit and a second curing unit, which are arranged in sequence from top to bottom. The first coating unit and the first curing unit respectively perform the first coating process (coating of the inner coating) and the first curing process; the second coating unit and the second curing unit respectively perform the second coating process (coating of the outer coating) and the second curing process. The first coating unit and the second coating unit both use existing optical fiber coating machines to coat the bare fiber to avoid damage to the bare fiber; the first curing unit and the second curing unit both use existing ultraviolet curing lamps.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the feeding assembly 1 includes a clamping member 11 and a feeding member 12. The clamping member 11 is used to clamp the optical fiber preform 200. The feeding member 12 is connected to the clamping member 11. The feeding member 12 is used to drive the clamping member 11 to move so that one end of the optical fiber preform 200 extends into the heating furnace 2.

[0052] Specifically, the rotary optical fiber preparation apparatus also includes a frame 6, with a feeder 12 mounted on the frame 6. The feeder 12 can be a driving component such as a pneumatic cylinder or hydraulic cylinder. Specifically, it can be two pneumatic cylinders, both of which are vertically arranged, with the cylinder body and piston rod connected to the frame 6 and the clamping member 11, respectively. The clamping member 11 can be any component capable of clamping and securing a rod-shaped object, such as a clamping claw. The optical fiber preform 200 is maintained in a vertical position, with the clamping member 11 clamping the upper end of the optical fiber preform 200. The feeder 12 drives the clamping member 11 to move up and down, thereby extending the lower end of the optical fiber preform 200 into the heating furnace 2 for heating.

[0053] In some embodiments, the heating furnace 2 is a resistance furnace, such as a graphite resistance furnace, with a heating temperature of 1600-2100 degrees Celsius and is filled with an inert gas serving as a protective gas.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the rotation drive unit further includes a first drive component 42, which is connected to the rotating disk 41. The first drive component 42 is used to drive the rotating disk 41 to move so as to achieve the two rotating disks 41 corresponding to the two rotation drive units approaching or moving away from each other.

[0055] In a specific embodiment, the first drive assembly 42 includes a first rotating shaft 421, a first mounting frame 422 and a first driving member 423. The first rotating shaft 421 is perpendicular to the rotating disk 41 and passes through the middle of the rotating disk 41. Both ends of the first rotating shaft 421 are rotatably connected to the first mounting frame 422. The first driving member 423 is connected to the first mounting frame 422. The first driving member 423 can be a driving component such as a cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. The first driving member 423 drives the first mounting frame 422 to move, thereby driving the corresponding rotating disk 41 to approach or move away from the other rotating disk 41 to change the distance between the two rotating disks 41, so that the two rotating disks 41 can drive optical fibers 300 of different specifications to rotate by rotation, and can prepare rotating optical fibers of different specifications.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the rotation drive unit also includes a second drive component 43, which is connected to the first drive component 42. The second drive component 43 is used to drive the first drive component 42 to flip to change the angle between the rotating disk 41 and the optical fiber 300.

[0057] Specifically, the rotating disk 41 can drive the optical fiber 300 to rotate, causing the optical fiber 300 to generate a spiral. When the angle between the rotating disk 41 and the optical fiber 300 changes, the pitch of the spiral of the optical fiber 300 also changes accordingly. The second driving component 43 drives the first driving component 42 to drive the rotating disk 41 to flip, which can change the pitch of the spiral of the optical fiber 300, thereby obtaining a rotated optical fiber that meets the requirements.

[0058] In one specific embodiment, the angles between the optical fiber 300 and the two rotating disks 41 are equal, so that the horizontal components X1 and X2 of the forces exerted by the two rotating disks 41 on the optical fiber 300 are substantially equal, thereby preventing the optical fiber 300 from shaking horizontally. The angle between the rotating disk 41 and the optical fiber 300 ranges from 0 to 90 degrees. It should be noted that when the angle between the rotating disk 41 and the optical fiber 300 is 0 degrees, both X1 and X2 are equal to zero, and the rotating disk 41 will not be able to drive the optical fiber 300 to rotate. Therefore, the angle between the rotating disk 41 and the optical fiber 300 ranges from greater than 0 degrees to less than or equal to 90 degrees.

[0059] In a specific embodiment, the second drive assembly 43 includes a second mounting frame 431, a second rotating shaft 432, a third rotating shaft 433, a first gear 434, a second gear 435, and a second driving member 436; the third rotating shaft 433 and the first driving member 423 are both connected to the second mounting frame 431, and the first gear 434 is sleeved on the third rotating shaft 433; the second rotating shaft 432 is power-coupled with the second driving member 436, the second gear 435 is sleeved on the second rotating shaft 432, and the first gear 434 is meshed with the second gear 435.

[0060] The specific driving process is: the second driving member 436 drives the second rotating shaft 432 to rotate, the second rotating shaft 432 drives the second gear 435 to rotate, thereby driving the first gear 434 to rotate, the first gear 434 drives the third rotating shaft 433 to rotate, and then drives the second mounting bracket 431 to flip, the second mounting bracket 431 drives the first mounting bracket 422 to flip through the first driving member 423, the first mounting bracket 422 drives the first rotating shaft 421 to flip and then drives the rotating disk 41 to flip, thereby changing the angle between the rotating disk 41 and the optical fiber 300.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, in a specific embodiment, the first driving assembly 42 further includes a limiting guide rod 424 , one end of the limiting guide rod 424 is connected to the second mounting bracket 431 , and the other end of the limiting guide rod 424 is slidably connected to the first mounting bracket 422 .

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, in a specific embodiment, the rotation drive unit further includes a third drive member 44, which is disposed on the first mounting bracket 422. The third drive member 44 is connected to the first rotating shaft 421 to drive the first rotating shaft 421 to rotate, thereby driving the rotating disk 41 to rotate.

[0063] In a specific embodiment, the first driving member 423 is a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder or the like, and the second driving member 436 and the third driving member 44 are both motors.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the rotating optical fiber preparation device further includes at least one guide assembly 7 , the guide assembly 7 includes two guide wheels 71 , and the two guide wheels 71 are clamped on opposite sides of the optical fiber 300 .

[0065] Specifically, there are two guide assemblies 7, spaced apart vertically. One guide assembly 7 includes two guide wheels 71 spaced apart horizontally; the other guide assembly 7 includes two guide wheels 71 spaced apart front to back. The optical fiber 300 passes between the two guide wheels 71 of the guide assembly 7. The guide wheels 71 limit and guide the optical fiber 300, preventing it from shaking and ensuring the quality of the rotating optical fiber.

[0066] In a specific embodiment, a V-shaped groove is provided on the circumferential outer wall of the guide wheel 71 , and the optical fiber 300 passes through the V-shaped groove. The V-shaped groove better limits the optical fiber 300 and prevents the optical fiber 300 from being separated from the guide wheel 71 .

[0067] In a specific embodiment, the guide wheel 71 is made of a wear-resistant material with high polishing precision, such as stainless steel, to avoid damaging the optical fiber 300 .

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment, the fiber take-up assembly 5 includes a fourth drive member 51 and a reel 52. The fourth drive member 51 is connected to the reel 52, and the optical fiber 300 is connected to the reel 52. The first drive member 423 can drive the reel 52 to rotate, thereby winding the optical fiber 300 around the reel 52 to complete the take-up. The fourth drive member 51 can be a motor.

[0069] like Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment, a traction wheel 8 is further provided between the rotary drive assembly 4 and the fiber collection assembly 5. The traction wheel 8 is connected to a power source such as a motor, so that the traction wheel 8 can rotate. The linear speed of the edge of the traction wheel 8 is equal to the speed at which the optical fiber 300 is pulled downward by the two rotating disks 41. The optical fiber 300 can be pulled to any direction by the traction wheel 8, so that the setting position of the fiber collection assembly 5 is more flexible. For example, the optical fiber 300 is pulled to the horizontal direction by the traction wheel 8, which facilitates the fiber collection assembly 5 to collect the fiber.

[0070] In a specific embodiment, the rotating optical fiber preparation device also includes a control system, and the feeding member 12, the first driving member 423, the second driving member 436, the third driving member 44 and the fourth driving member 51 are all electrically connected to the control system, so as to flexibly control the feeding speed of the optical fiber preform rod 200, the spacing between the two rotating disks 41, the angle between the rotating disk 41 and the optical fiber 300, the rotation speed of the rotating disk 41 and the storage speed of the optical fiber 300.

[0071] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the process of preparing a rotating optical fiber provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, based on the rotating optical fiber preparation device provided in any of the above embodiments, the present invention also provides a rotating optical fiber preparation method, comprising the following steps:

[0072] Step S100, controlling the feeding assembly to clamp the optical fiber preform and drive the lower end of the optical fiber preform into a heating furnace to melt the lower end of the optical fiber preform into a molten and softened state;

[0073] Step S200, controlling the heating furnace to heat the optical fiber preform while preliminarily drawing the lower end of the optical fiber preform to obtain a bare fiber;

[0074] Step S300, controlling the coating and curing assembly to coat and cure the bare fiber to obtain an optical fiber;

[0075] Step S400, controlling the two rotating disks corresponding to the rotary drive assembly to rotate, driving the optical fiber to rotate, and pulling the optical fiber downward;

[0076] Step S500: Control the fiber receiving assembly to receive the rotated optical fiber to obtain a rotated optical fiber.

[0077] Specifically, the feeding assembly 1 clamps the optical fiber preform 200 and drives the optical fiber preform 200 to move up and down in a vertical posture, so that the lower end (cone) of the optical fiber preform 200 extends into the interior of the heating furnace 2. The heating furnace 2 heats the cone of the optical fiber preform 200 to a molten and softened state. The optical fiber preform 200 in the molten and softened state can be turned into a bare fiber after drawing. The upper end of the bare fiber is connected to the cone of the optical fiber preform 200. The lower end of the bare fiber is pulled out of the heating furnace 2. The bare fiber is coated and cured by the coating and curing assembly 3 and then converted into an optical fiber 300. The optical fiber 300 passes between the two rotating disks 41 and is then connected to the fiber collection assembly 5. The circumferential outer walls of the two rotating disks 41 are in contact with the optical fiber 300. The two rotating disks 41 can rotate together at the same speed, so that the optical fiber 300 rotates and moves downward through friction, and the spiral generated by the rotation can be transmitted upward to the junction of the bare fiber and the optical fiber preform rod 200, so that the lower end of the optical fiber preform rod 200 can rotate just as it is converted into a bare fiber. The rotated bare fiber can be cooled and formed after passing through the heating furnace 2, so that the spiral generated when the bare fiber rotates is solidified. The solidified bare fiber becomes the optical fiber 300 after the coating and curing process and is collected by the fiber collection component 5 to obtain a rotated optical fiber.

[0078] In one possible implementation, the steps of the feeding assembly 1 clamping the optical fiber preform 200 and driving the lower end of the optical fiber preform 200 to extend into the heating furnace 2 include:

[0079] Step S110: Control the feeding assembly to clamp the optical fiber preform, and drive the optical fiber preform to move toward one side of the heating furnace through the feeding assembly to ensure that the lower end of the optical fiber preform remains in the heating furnace.

[0080] Specifically, since the tapered portion of the optical fiber preform 200 is gradually heated to a molten and softened state in the heating furnace 2 and is converted into a bare fiber through drawing, in order to allow the preparation process of the rotating optical fiber to continue, the feeding assembly 1 drives the optical fiber preform 200 to move, thereby ensuring that the tapered portion of the optical fiber preform 200 is always inside the heating furnace 2 until the preparation process is completed.

[0081] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rotating optical fiber preparation device, characterized in that: It includes a feeding assembly, a heating furnace, a coating and curing assembly, a rotating drive assembly and a fiber collecting assembly arranged in sequence from top to bottom; The feeding assembly is used to clamp the optical fiber preform and drive the lower end of the optical fiber preform to extend into the heating furnace. The heating furnace is used to heat the optical fiber preform to a molten and softened state. The optical fiber preform in the molten and softened state is drawn to form a bare fiber. The coating and curing assembly is used to coat and cure the bare fiber to convert the bare fiber into an optical fiber; The rotary drive assembly includes two rotary drive units, each having a rotary disk. The rotary disks corresponding to the two rotary drive units are used to rotatably clamp opposite sides of the optical fiber to drive the optical fiber to rotate and move downward simultaneously. The rotation axes of the two rotary disks are arranged at an angle, and the two rotary disks rotate around their respective rotation axes in the same rotation direction. The fiber collection assembly is connected to the end of the optical fiber away from the optical fiber preform, and the fiber collection assembly is used to collect the rotated optical fiber; The rotary drive unit further includes a first drive assembly and a second drive assembly, wherein the first drive assembly is connected to the rotary disk, and the second drive assembly is connected to the first drive assembly; Among them, the first driving component is used to drive the rotating disk to move so that the two rotating disks corresponding to the two rotating driving units move closer to or away from each other; the second driving component is used to drive the first driving component to flip so as to change the angle between the rotating disk and the optical fiber.

2. The rotating optical fiber preparation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding assembly includes a clamping member and a feeding member, the clamping member is used to clamp the optical fiber preform rod, the feeding member is connected to the clamping member, and the feeding member is used to drive the clamping member to move so that one end of the optical fiber preform rod extends into the heating furnace.

3. The rotating optical fiber preparation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first driving assembly includes a first mounting frame and a first driving member. The rotating disk is rotatably mounted on the first mounting frame. The first mounting frame is connected to the first driving member. The first driving member is used to drive the first mounting frame to drive the rotating disk to move.

4. The rotating optical fiber preparation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second drive assembly includes a second mounting bracket, a first gear, a second gear, and a second drive member; The second mounting bracket is connected to the first driving assembly, the second mounting bracket is connected to the first gear, the output end of the second driving member is connected to the second gear, and the second gear is meshed with the first gear.

5. The rotating optical fiber preparation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The included angles between the optical fiber and the two rotating disks are equal, and the included angle between the rotating disk and the optical fiber ranges from 0 to 90 degrees.

6. The rotating optical fiber preparation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating optical fiber preparation device further includes at least one guide assembly, wherein the guide assembly includes two guide wheels, and the two guide wheels are clamped on opposite sides of the optical fiber.

7. A method for preparing a spun optical fiber, based on the spun optical fiber preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: include: Controlling the feeding assembly to clamp the optical fiber preform and drive the lower end of the optical fiber preform into the heating furnace to heat the lower end of the optical fiber preform to a molten and softened state; controlling the heating furnace to heat the optical fiber preform while preliminarily drawing the lower end of the optical fiber preform to obtain a bare fiber; Controlling the coating and curing assembly to coat and cure the bare fiber to obtain an optical fiber; Controlling the two rotating disks corresponding to the rotating drive assembly to rotate, driving the optical fiber to rotate, and pulling the optical fiber to move downward; The fiber receiving assembly is controlled to receive the rotated optical fiber to obtain a rotated optical fiber.

8. The method for preparing a spun optical fiber according to claim 7, wherein: The feeding assembly clamps the optical fiber preform and drives the lower end of the optical fiber preform to extend into the heating furnace, comprising: The feeding assembly is controlled to clamp the optical fiber preform, and the optical fiber preform is driven by the feeding assembly to move toward one side of the heating furnace, ensuring that the lower end of the optical fiber preform remains in the heating furnace.

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