Optical fiber manufacturing apparatus, optical fiber manufacturing method

Abstract

A manufacturing apparatus of an optical fiber has a guide roller mechanism that guides an advancing optical fiber by bringing the optical fiber into contact with a prescribed groove. The guide roller mechanism has a plurality of guide roller bodies (illustrated by a lower roller (18), a pressing roller (18a), a twist adjustment roller (18b), guide rollers (18c, 18d)) that are rotatably configured to respectively guide the advancing optical fiber, and a guide roller rotation axis fixing mechanism that respectively freely rotatably supports rotation axes of at least two of the guide roller bodies. The guide roller rotation axis fixing mechanism has a position adjustment mechanism that adjusts horizontal 2-axis positions of the respective rotation axes including horizontal planes of the axes, and an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts inclination angles of the respective rotation axes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing optical fibers and a method for manufacturing optical fibers.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2021-072767, filed on April 22, 2021, and incorporates all the contents set forth in the aforementioned Japanese application. Background Technology

[0003] Optical fiber is manufactured by heating and melting the glass matrix used for optical fiber in a furnace, and then drawing it from below the furnace. The glass fibers drawn from the furnace undergo cooling, outer diameter measurement, and resin coating processes to become optical fibers. They are then guided and transported by rollers and wound onto a spool.

[0004] Glass fibers drawn from a heating furnace sometimes become slightly elliptical or deformed circular shapes. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a swing roller that oscillates about a predetermined vertical axis is provided on the downstream side of the lower roller. If the swing roller is oscillated to twist the optical fiber conveyed from the lower roller, the optical fiber can be made to approach a perfect circle.

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2000 / 044680 Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to an optical fiber manufacturing apparatus having a guide roller mechanism that guides a traveling optical fiber by contacting it with a predetermined groove. In this optical fiber manufacturing apparatus, the guide roller mechanism comprises: a plurality of guide roller bodies rotatably configured to guide the traveling optical fiber respectively; and a guide roller rotation axis fixing mechanism that rotatably supports the rotation axes of at least two of the plurality of guide roller bodies. The guide roller rotation axis fixing mechanism has a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the horizontal position of each rotation axis on a horizontal plane including the axial direction, and an angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle of each rotation axis.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical fiber using a guide roller mechanism having a plurality of guide roller bodies respectively guiding a traveling optical fiber, and a measuring instrument having a distance sensor disposed opposite to the guide roller mechanism for measuring the distance to the guide roller bodies. The method adjusts the mounting position of the plurality of guide roller bodies relative to the guide roller mechanism. The method includes the following steps: moving the distance sensor toward a predetermined measuring point disposed on the side of a first guide roller body; measuring the distance from the predetermined measuring point on the side of the first guide roller body to a predetermined measuring reference surface disposed on the measuring instrument using the distance sensor; moving the distance sensor toward other measuring points different from the predetermined measuring point disposed on the side of the first guide roller body; measuring the distance from the other measuring points to the predetermined measuring reference surface using the distance sensor; and based on these measurement results... The installation position of the first guide roller body is adjusted so that the side of the first guide roller body is parallel to the predetermined measurement reference plane; the distance sensor is moved to face a predetermined measurement point set on the side of the second guide roller body, which is located downstream of the first guide roller body; the distance sensor is used to measure the distance from the predetermined measurement point on the side of the second guide roller body to the predetermined measurement reference plane set on the measuring instrument; the distance sensor is moved to face other measurement points on the side of the second guide roller body that are different from the predetermined measurement point; the distance sensor is used to measure the distance from the other measurement points on the side of the second guide roller body to the predetermined measurement reference plane; and based on these measurement results, the installation position of the second guide roller body is adjusted so that the side of the second guide roller body is parallel to the side of the first guide roller body. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical fiber manufacturing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the guide roller mechanism and measuring instruments.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the guide roller mechanism.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of the operation that includes adjusting the installation position of the rotating shaft.

[0012] Figure 5A This is a diagram illustrating distance measurement.

[0013] Figure 5B This is a diagram illustrating the measurement site. Detailed Implementation

[0014] [The problem to be solved by this invention]

[0015] The optical fiber is guided downstream by guide rollers, such as the lower guide roller. When the position and orientation of the guide rollers do not align with the fiber's trajectory, the fiber may experience surface damage or twisting due to the fiber crossing the grooves of the guide rollers. Therefore, it is desirable to precisely center the guide rollers together.

[0016] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and its object is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber and a method for manufacturing an optical fiber capable of precisely cored guide roller bodies together.

[0017] [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, the guide roller bodies can be centered with high precision.

[0019] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention]

[0020] First, the embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0021] The optical fiber manufacturing apparatus of the present invention (1) has a guide roller mechanism that guides the traveling optical fiber by contacting it with a predetermined groove. In the optical fiber manufacturing apparatus, the guide roller mechanism has: a plurality of guide roller bodies rotatably configured to guide the traveling optical fiber respectively; and a guide roller rotation shaft fixing mechanism that rotatably supports the rotation shafts of at least two of the plurality of guide roller bodies. The guide roller rotation shaft fixing mechanism has a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the horizontal two-axis position of each rotation shaft including the axial direction and an angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle of each rotation shaft.

[0022] The guide roller rotation axis fixing mechanism supports the rotation axis of each guide roller body and adjusts the horizontal two-axis position (also known as translation position) and tilt angle of each guide roller body. Therefore, it can manage the translation position of each guide roller body, or keep the translation position of each guide roller constant while managing only the tilt angle of each guide roller. As a result, the guide roller bodies can be centered with high precision.

[0023] (2) In one embodiment of the optical fiber manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the guide roller rotation shaft fixing mechanism has an adjustment reference surface for adjusting the horizontal 2-axis position of each of the rotation shafts and for adjusting the tilt angle of each of the rotation shafts.

[0024] If an adjustment reference plane is used, the horizontal position and tilt angle of each rotation axis can be easily adjusted.

[0025] (3) In one embodiment of the optical fiber manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of guide roller bodies include: a lower roller, which is rotatably configured below a predetermined furnace to guide an optical fiber drawn from the furnace and traveling in a vertical direction; a pressing roller, which is rotatably configured on the downstream side of the lower roller and disposed on the opposite side with respect to the optical fiber guided by the lower roller, to guide the optical fiber guided by the lower roller; a torsion adjusting roller, which is rotatably configured on the downstream side of the pressing roller and disposed on the opposite side with respect to the optical fiber guided by the pressing roller, to guide the optical fiber guided by the pressing roller; and a plurality of guide rollers, which are rotatably configured on the downstream side of the torsion adjusting roller to guide the optical fiber guided by the torsion adjusting roller toward a predetermined winch, respectively.

[0026] If a guide roller mechanism is used, the horizontal position and tilt angle of each rotation axis can be easily adjusted even when there are many guide roller bodies.

[0027] (4) In one embodiment of the optical fiber manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the specified furnace is a heating furnace for heating and melting the glass matrix for optical fiber.

[0028] When the lower roller guides an optical fiber that is pulled from the heating furnace and traveling vertically, the eccentricity of the lower roller can cause the optical fiber to twist due to the movement of the inner wall of the roller along the groove. However, if a guide roller mechanism is used, the lower roller and the surrounding rollers can be centered with high precision, preventing the twisting of the optical fiber that accompanies the movement of the inner wall of the lower roller along the groove.

[0029] (5) The optical fiber manufacturing method of the present invention uses a guide roller mechanism having a plurality of guide roller bodies respectively guiding the traveling optical fiber, and a measuring instrument having a distance sensor disposed opposite to the guide roller mechanism to measure the distance to the guide roller bodies. The method adjusts the mounting position of the plurality of guide roller bodies relative to the guide roller mechanism. The optical fiber manufacturing method includes the following steps: moving the distance sensor to face a predetermined measuring point disposed on the side of a first guide roller body; measuring the distance from the predetermined measuring point disposed on the side of the first guide roller body to a predetermined measuring reference surface disposed on the measuring instrument using the distance sensor; moving the distance sensor to face other measuring points different from the predetermined measuring point disposed on the side of the first guide roller body; measuring the distance from the other measuring points to the predetermined measuring reference surface using the distance sensor; and based on these measurement results, The mounting position of the first guide roller body is adjusted so that the side of the first guide roller body is parallel to the predetermined measurement reference plane; the distance sensor is moved to face a predetermined measurement point set on the side of the second guide roller body, which is located downstream of the first guide roller body; the distance sensor is used to measure the distance from the predetermined measurement point on the side of the second guide roller body to the predetermined measurement reference plane set on the measuring instrument; the distance sensor is moved to face other measurement points on the side of the second guide roller body that are different from the predetermined measurement point; the distance sensor is used to measure the distance from the other measurement points on the side of the second guide roller body to the predetermined measurement reference plane; and based on these measurement results, the mounting position of the second guide roller body is adjusted so that the side of the second guide roller body is parallel to the side of the first guide roller body.

[0030] By measuring the distances between multiple parts on the side of each guide roller body and adjusting the installation position of each guide roller body, the guide roller bodies can be precisely centered to each other, preventing the twisting of optical fibers that accompanies the movement of the inner wall surface of each guide roller body along the groove.

[0031] (6) In one embodiment of the optical fiber manufacturing method of the present invention, the second guide roller body comprises four or more.

[0032] If the mounting position of each guide roller body is adjusted so that the side of each guide roller body is parallel to the guide roller mechanism, the mounting position of each guide roller body can be easily adjusted even when there are more than four guide roller bodies.

[0033] [Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention]

[0034] Hereinafter, specific examples of the optical fiber manufacturing apparatus and optical fiber manufacturing method involved in the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical fiber manufacturing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the optical fiber manufacturing apparatus 10 has a heating furnace 11 at the upstream position for heating the glass matrix G used for optical fibers to soften the glass matrix G.

[0036] The heating furnace 11 has: a cylindrical furnace core tube 12, the inner side of which is supplied with glass matrix G; a heating element 13, which surrounds the furnace core tube 12; and a gas supply section 14, which supplies purified gas to the furnace core tube 12.

[0037] The upper part of the glass matrix G is held by the matrix conveying unit F, and the glass matrix G is conveyed into the furnace core tube 12 using the matrix conveying unit F. If the lower part of the glass matrix G is heated by the heating element 13 and pulled downward, it forms the glass fiber G1, which becomes the central part of the optical fiber G2.

[0038] The optical fiber manufacturing apparatus 10 has a cooling unit 15 downstream of the heating furnace 11. A cooling gas, such as helium, is supplied to the cooling unit 15, and the glass fiber G1 drawn downward from the heating furnace 11 is cooled by the cooling unit 15. Furthermore, the cooling unit 15 can also use a cooling gas other than helium, as long as the glass fiber G1 can be cooled in a non-contact manner.

[0039] The optical fiber manufacturing apparatus 10 has an outer diameter measuring unit 16 downstream of the cooling unit 15. The outer diameter measuring unit 16 is configured to, for example, measure the outer diameter of the glass fiber G1 using a laser. The cooled glass fiber G1 is then conveyed downwards by measuring its outer diameter using the outer diameter measuring unit 16. Furthermore, the outer diameter measuring unit 16 can be any method other than laser measurement, as long as the outer diameter of the glass fiber G1 can be measured non-contactly.

[0040] The optical fiber manufacturing apparatus 10 has a cladding unit 17 downstream of the outer diameter measuring unit 16. For example, a polyurethane acrylate resin, which is a UV-curable resin, is coated onto the glass fiber G1 whose outer diameter has been measured. This polyurethane acrylate is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light. Thus, an optical fiber G2 with a resin layer formed around the glass fiber G1 is formed.

[0041] The optical fiber manufacturing apparatus 10 has a guide roller mechanism 50 downstream of the cladding unit 17. The guide roller mechanism 50 includes, for example, a lower roller 18, a pressing roller 18a, a torsion adjusting roller 18b, and guide rollers 18c and 18d. The lower roller 18, the pressing roller 18a, the torsion adjusting roller 18b, the guide rollers 18c and 18d are provided with grooves of a predetermined shape, such as optical fiber travel grooves with a V-shaped cross-section. The optical fiber G2 is guided by contacting the inner wall surface of the groove.

[0042] Furthermore, the lower roller 18, the pressing roller 18a, the torsion adjusting roller 18b, and the guide rollers 18c and 18d correspond to the guide roller body of the present invention. Specifically, the lower roller 18 corresponds to the first guide roller body of the present invention, and the pressing roller 18a, the torsion adjusting roller 18b, and the guide rollers 18c and 18d correspond to the second guide roller body of the present invention. However, the second guide roller body may also consist of four or more rollers (e.g., six).

[0043] The lower roller 18 is positioned directly below the heating furnace 11 to guide the optical fiber G2, which is pulled out of the heating furnace 11 and travels vertically. The pressing roller 18a is positioned downstream of the lower roller 18 and opposite to the lower roller 18, across the optical fiber G2 guided by the lower roller 18, and guides the optical fiber G2 by pressing it.

[0044] Furthermore, an oscillating roller 19 may be provided between the pressing roller 18a and the torsion adjusting roller 18b. The oscillating roller 19 is configured to oscillate freely about a predetermined vertical axis. In addition, the oscillating roller 19 is configured to rotate on the downstream side of the pressing roller 18a, thereby changing the travel direction of the optical fiber G2 from the vertical direction to, for example, the horizontal direction.

[0045] The torsion adjustment roller 18b is disposed downstream of, for example, the swing roller 19, and is located on the opposite side of the pressing roller 18a (on the same side as the lower roller 18) across the optical fiber G2 guided by the pressing roller 18a, thereby restricting the torsion of the optical fiber G2 guided by the pressing roller 18a. Guide rollers 18c and 18d are disposed downstream of the torsion adjustment roller 18b, respectively guiding the optical fiber G2 guided by the torsion adjustment roller 18b toward the designated winch 20.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the guide roller mechanism 50 has a guide roller rotation shaft fixing mechanism 52. The guide roller rotation shaft fixing mechanism 52 is as follows... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the device has a fixed mechanism body 53, a position adjustment mechanism 55, and an angle adjustment mechanism 56. The rotating shafts 51 of the lower roller 18, pressing roller 18a, torsion adjustment roller 18b, guide rollers 18c, and 18d are rotatably supported on a wrist 57 that appears L-shaped when viewed from above.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is given in which all the rotation axes 51 of the lower roller 18, pressing roller 18a, torsion adjusting roller 18b, guide rollers 18c, and 18d are supported by a wrist 57 provided on the fixing mechanism body 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, at least two of the rotation axes 51 of the lower roller 18, pressing roller 18a, torsion adjusting roller 18b, guide rollers 18c, and 18d may be provided on the wrist 57. In addition, the fixing mechanism body 53 may be constructed from a single metal plate, or it may be a structure in which multiple metal plates are fixed together by bolts or the like.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the position adjustment mechanism 55 is mounted on the adjustment reference surface 54 of the fixed mechanism body 53 via the support column 58. The angle adjustment mechanism 56 is mounted on the position adjustment mechanism 55. Furthermore, the wrist 57 is mounted on the angle adjustment mechanism 56.

[0049] Furthermore, the position adjustment mechanism 55 and the angle adjustment mechanism 56 are configured using multiple adjusting screws, for example, by changing the tightness of each adjusting screw, thereby adjusting the position and angle of the rotating shaft 51. The adjustment reference surface 54 of the fixing mechanism body 53 is used as a reference when adjusting the horizontal two-axis position of the rotating shaft 51 and when adjusting the tilt angle.

[0050] Furthermore, the position adjustment mechanism 55 and the angle adjustment mechanism 56 can replace multiple adjusting screws by having a worktable. Specifically, the position adjustment mechanism 55 is, for example, an XY worktable that adjusts the horizontal position (also called the translation position) of a horizontal plane that includes the axial direction, with the vertical direction of the rotation axis 51 as the normal. On the other hand, the angle adjustment mechanism 56 is, for example, a goniometer worktable that enables the rotation axis 51 to rotate vertically, and a horizontal rotary worktable that enables the rotation axis 51 to rotate horizontally.

[0051] On the other hand, a measuring instrument 60 is provided at a position relative to the guide roller mechanism 50. The measuring instrument 60 includes a distance sensor 62, a moving mechanism 63, and a control unit 64. The distance sensor 62 is configured, for example, by laser or IR (Infrared) methods, and the measurement result is output to the control unit 64. The measuring instrument 60 has an imaginary measurement reference surface 61, which is used as a reference when the distance sensor 62 performs measurements. The moving mechanism 63 is configured to move the distance sensor 62, for example, in the horizontal direction, based on a drive signal from the control unit 64. Figure 5A , Figure 5B The X-axis direction and vertical direction are shown. Figure 5A , Figure 5B (Move in the Z-axis direction shown).

[0052] The control unit 64 consists of a CPU, memory, etc., and downloads various programs and data stored in ROM to RAM and executes the programs. Thus, the operation of the measuring instrument 60 can be controlled based on the program.

[0053] Furthermore, when using a position adjustment mechanism (e.g., an XY worktable) 55 and an angle adjustment mechanism (e.g., a goniometer worktable or a horizontal rotary worktable) 56 to quantitatively adjust each rotating axis 51, a control unit 59 may also be provided in the guide roller mechanism 50.

[0054] Return to Figure 1 The optical fiber G2, guided by guide rollers 18c and 18d, changes its direction of travel from horizontal to, for example, diagonally upward via guide roller 18d.

[0055] The optical fiber manufacturing apparatus 10 also includes a winch 20, a screening unit 21, and a tension adjusting roller 22 on the downstream side of the guide roller 18d. The optical fiber G2 is picked up by the winch 20 at a specified speed, and under a specified tension applied by the tension adjusting roller 22, and after being given a specified tensile strain by the screening unit 21, it is wound onto the spool B.

[0056] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of the operation that includes adjusting the installation position of the rotating shaft.

[0057] As shown above, imagine a scenario where the guide roller rotation shaft fixing mechanism 52 is equipped with a total of six rollers: a lower roller 18, a pressing roller 18a, a torsion adjusting roller 18b, and guide rollers 18c and 18d. First, in order to adjust the installation position of the lower roller 18, the distance sensor 62 is moved.

[0058] More specifically, such as Figure 5A , Figure 5B As shown, four measuring points X1, X2, Z1, and Z2 are provided on the side of the lower roller 18. Measuring points X1 and X2 are respectively positioned on the X-axis (shown in the figure) at equidistant locations from the center of the rotation axis 51. Measuring points Z1 and Z2 are respectively positioned on the Z-axis (shown in the figure) at equidistant locations from the center of the rotation axis 51. Furthermore, the distance sensor 62 moves, for example, towards a predetermined measuring point Z2 provided on the side of the lower roller 18. Figure 4 Step S10).

[0059] Next, the distance sensor 62 measures the distance from the measurement point Z2 to the measurement reference surface 61 of the measuring instrument 60 (step S11). The measurement result is stored in the memory of the control unit 64.

[0060] Next, proceeding to step S12, the control unit 64 determines whether measurements have been performed on the four measurement points X1, X2, Z1, and Z2 of the lower roller 18. If the measurement of all measurement points has not been completed (NO in step S12), the process returns to step S10, and the distance sensor 62 moves along the Z-axis, for example, towards another measurement point Z1 that is different from the measurement point Z2.

[0061] Furthermore, the distance sensor 62 measures the distance from the measurement point Z1 to the measurement reference surface 61 (step S11) and stores the measurement result.

[0062] Next, since the measurement of all measurement points is not yet complete (step S12 NO), the distance sensor 62 moves along the Z-axis and X-axis, for example, towards another measurement point X1 that is different from measurement points Z1 and Z2 (step S10). The distance sensor 62 measures the distance from the measurement point X1 to the measurement reference surface 61 (step S11) and stores the measurement result.

[0063] Then, since the measurement of all measurement points has not ended (NO in step S12), the process returns to step S10, and the distance sensor 62 moves along the X-axis, for example, towards another measurement point X2 different from measurement point X1. The distance sensor 62 measures the distance from the measurement point X2 to the measurement reference surface 61 (step S11) and also stores the measurement result.

[0064] Regarding the lower roller 18, after all measurement points have been measured (YES in step S12), proceed to step S13.

[0065] In step S13, based on the measurement results of measurement points X1, X2, Z1, and Z2, the installation position of the rotation shaft 51 of the lower roller 18 is adjusted by the position adjustment mechanism 55 and the angle adjustment mechanism 56 so that the side of the lower roller 18 is parallel to the adjustment reference surface 54 of the main body of the fixing mechanism 53 (step S13).

[0066] Next, proceeding to step S14, the control unit 64 determines whether measurements have been taken regarding the lower roller 18, pressing roller 18a, torsion adjusting roller 18b, guide rollers 18c, and 18d. If the measurements of pressing roller 18a, torsion adjusting roller 18b, guide rollers 18c, and 18d have not been completed (step S14 NO), the process returns to step S10, where the distance sensor 62 is moved to adjust the mounting position of pressing roller 18a.

[0067] On the sides of the pressing roller 18a, the torsion adjusting roller 18b, and the guide rollers 18c and 18d, there are also measuring points X1, X2, Z1, and Z2 at four locations. Figure 5A , Figure 5B ).

[0068] Furthermore, the distance sensor 62 moves, for example, toward the measuring point Z2 of the pressure roller 18a ( Figure 4 In step S10), the distance from the measurement point Z2 to the measurement reference surface 61 is measured (step S11) and stored.

[0069] Afterwards, the movement and measurement of distance sensor 62 are repeated (step S12 NO, step S10, step S11). When the measurement of all measurement points with respect to the pressing roller 18a is completed (step S12 YES), the process proceeds to step S13. Based on the measurement results of measurement points X1, X2, Z1, and Z2, the installation position of the rotation axis 51 of the pressing roller 18a is adjusted by the position adjustment mechanism 55 and the angle adjustment mechanism 56 so that the side of the pressing roller 18a is parallel to the side of the lower roller 18 (and thus the reference surface 54 is adjusted).

[0070] Next, in order to adjust the installation position of the torsion adjustment roller 18b (step S14 NO), the distance sensor 62 is moved, for example, toward the measuring point Z2 of the torsion adjustment roller 18b (step S10), and the distance from the measuring point Z2 to the measuring reference surface 61 is measured (step S11) and stored.

[0071] Until the measurement of all measurement points of the torsion adjustment roller 18b is completed (YES in step S12), the movement and measurement of the distance sensor 62 are repeated (NO, S10, and S11 in step S12). When the measurement of all measurement points is completed (YES in step S12), based on the measurement results of measurement points X1, X2, Z1, and Z2, the installation position of the rotation shaft 51 of the torsion adjustment roller 18b is adjusted by the position adjustment mechanism 55 and the angle adjustment mechanism 56 so that the side of the torsion adjustment roller 18b is parallel to the side of the lower roller 18 (step S13).

[0072] Then, regarding the guide rollers 18c and 18d, the movement and measurement of the distance sensor 62 are repeated in the same manner as above (step S12 NO, step S10, step S11). Based on the measurement results of measurement points X1, X2, Z1, Z2, the installation position of the rotation axis 51 of the guide rollers 18c and 18d is adjusted by the position adjustment mechanism 55 and the angle adjustment mechanism 56 so that each side of the guide rollers 18c and 18d is parallel to the side of the lower roller 18 (step S13).

[0073] Furthermore, once the measurements of the lower roller 18, pressing roller 18a, torsion adjusting roller 18b, guide rollers 18c and 18d are completed (YES in step S14), the series of routines are exited.

[0074] As described above, the distances to four locations—the lower roller 18, the pressing roller 18a, the torsion adjusting roller 18b, and the guide rollers 18c and 18d—are measured on each side. The installation positions of these rollers are then adjusted, allowing for high-precision centering of each other. More specifically, the lower roller 18, which was previously configured with a distance of 29.5mm to 30.2mm, can be configured with a precision of 29.95mm to 30.03mm. As a result, twisting of the optical fiber that moves along the inner wall of each groove in the lower roller 18, the pressing roller 18a, the torsion adjusting roller 18b, and the guide rollers 18c and 18d can be prevented.

[0075] It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the invention is not as described above, but is defined by the claims, including all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0076] For example, it can also be set up in the following way, that is, in Figure 4 After step S12 in the flowchart, the step of determining the accuracy of the centering of the roller is set. If the specified accuracy is met, step 13 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S14. If the specified accuracy is not met, the process proceeds to step 13 and then back to step 10. The adjustment and measurement of the installation position are repeated until the specified accuracy is met.

[0077] Explanation of the label

[0078] 10… Optical fiber manufacturing apparatus, 11… Heating furnace, 12… Furnace core tube, 13… Heating element, 14… Gas supply unit, 15… Cooling unit, 16… Outer diameter measuring unit, 17… Coating unit, 18… Lower roller (guide roller body), 18a… Pressing roller (guide roller body), 18b… Torsion adjusting roller (guide roller body), 18c, 18d… Guide roller (guide roller body), 19… Swing roller, 20… Winch, 21… Screening unit, 22… Tension adjusting roller, 50… Guide roller mechanism. 51… Rotating shaft, 52… Guide roller rotating shaft fixing mechanism, 53… Fixing mechanism body, 54… Adjusting reference surface, 55… Position adjustment mechanism, 56… Angle adjustment mechanism, 57… Wrist, 58… Support column, 59… Control unit, 60… Measuring instrument, 61… Measuring reference surface, 62… Distance sensor, 63… Moving mechanism, 64… Control unit, F… Mother material conveying unit, G… Glass mother material, G1… Glass fiber, G2… Optical fiber, B… Spool, X1, X2, Z1, Z2… Measuring points.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing optical fibers, comprising a guide roller mechanism that guides the traveling optical fiber by contacting it with a predetermined groove. In the optical fiber manufacturing apparatus, The guide roller mechanism comprises: a plurality of guide roller bodies rotatably configured to guide the traveling optical fiber; and a guide roller rotation shaft fixing mechanism that rotatably supports the rotation shafts of at least two of the plurality of guide roller bodies. The guide roller rotation shaft fixing mechanism includes a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the horizontal two-axis position of each rotation shaft on a horizontal plane including the axial direction, and an angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle of each rotation shaft. The plurality of guide roller bodies include a first guide roller body and a second guide roller body located downstream of the first guide roller body. The position adjustment mechanism and the angle adjustment mechanism adjust the installation position of the rotation shaft of the first guide roller body so that the side of the first guide roller body is parallel to the adjustment reference plane of the guide roller rotation shaft fixing mechanism. The position adjustment mechanism and the angle adjustment mechanism adjust the installation position of the rotation shaft of the second guide roller body so that the side of the second guide roller body is parallel to the side of the first guide roller body.

2. The optical fiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The guide roller rotation shaft fixing mechanism has an adjustment reference surface, which is used to adjust the horizontal axis position of each of the rotation shafts and to adjust the tilt angle of each of the rotation shafts.

3. The optical fiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of guide roller bodies have: The lower roller, which is rotatably configured below the furnace, guides the optical fiber that is pulled out of the furnace and travels in a vertical direction. A pressing roller, which is rotatably configured on the downstream side of the lower roller, is disposed on the opposite side across the optical fiber guided by the lower roller, and guides the optical fiber guided by the lower roller. A torsion adjustment roller, which is rotatably configured on the downstream side of the pressing roller, is disposed on the opposite side across the optical fiber guided by the pressing roller, and guides the optical fiber guided by the pressing roller. as well as Multiple guide rollers, rotatably configured downstream of the torsion adjustment roller, guide the optical fibers guided by the torsion adjustment roller toward a designated winch.

4. The optical fiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The furnace specified is a heating furnace used to heat and melt the glass matrix for optical fibers.

5. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber, comprising using a guide roller mechanism having a plurality of guide roller bodies respectively guiding a traveling optical fiber, and a measuring instrument having a distance sensor disposed opposite to the guide roller mechanism to measure the distance to the guide roller bodies, wherein the mounting positions of the plurality of guide roller bodies relative to the guide roller mechanism are adjusted. The method for manufacturing this optical fiber includes the following steps: Move the distance sensor so that it faces a predetermined measuring point set on the side of the first guide roller body; The distance sensor measures the distance from a predetermined measuring point set on the side of the first guide roller body to a predetermined measuring reference surface set on the measuring instrument. Move the distance sensor toward other measuring points that are different from the predetermined measuring points set on the side of the first guide roller body; The distance is measured from the other measurement points to the specified measurement reference surface using the distance sensor; Based on these measurement results, the installation position of the first guide roller body is adjusted so that the side of the first guide roller body is parallel to the specified measurement reference plane; The distance sensor is moved to face a predetermined measuring point located on the side of the second guide roller body, which is positioned downstream of the first guide roller body. The distance sensor measures the distance from a predetermined measuring point set on the side of the second guide roller body to a predetermined measuring reference surface set on the measuring instrument. Move the distance sensor to face other measuring points that are different from the specified measuring points, which are set on the side of the second guide roller body; The distance is measured by the distance sensor from the other measuring points set on the side of the second guide roller body to the specified measuring reference surface; as well as Based on these measurement results, the installation position of the second guide roller body is adjusted so that the side of the second guide roller body is parallel to the side of the first guide roller body.

6. The method for manufacturing optical fiber according to claim 5, wherein, The second guide roller body consists of four or more components.

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