Optical fiber coating curing device and method

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical fiber coating curing device and method, which belongs to the technical field of optical fiber manufacturing. The optical fiber coating curing device includes a reflective tile, which is cylindrical; the axis of the reflective tile is used to place the optical fiber so as to cure the optical fiber coating; an ultraviolet lamp, which is arranged in the reflective area inside the reflective tile; multiple ultraviolet lamps are provided and arranged around the axis of the reflective tile; a bracket, which is arranged in the reflective area inside the reflective tile; and at least two adjustment mechanisms, which are arranged in the reflective area inside the reflective tile; at least two adjustment mechanisms are respectively arranged on both sides of the axis of the reflective tile; ultraviolet lamps are arranged on the adjustment mechanisms, and the adjustment mechanisms are used to adjust the position of the ultraviolet lamps to adjust the ultraviolet intensity at each position of the reflective area. The optical fiber coating curing device provided by the present invention makes the ultraviolet intensity distribution in the area around the optical fiber uniform, reduces the influence of the air inlet and exhaust port on the reflective tile on the ultraviolet intensity, and thus makes the optical fiber coating more uniform during the curing process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of optical fiber manufacturing, and more specifically, relates to an optical fiber coating curing device and method. Background Art

[0002] In the optical fiber production process, a curing furnace is usually used to cure the coating layer on the outside of the optical fiber. An elliptical reflective tile is set in the curing furnace, and an ultraviolet lamp is set at one focus of the reflective tile. The optical fiber is placed at another focus of the reflective tile. During the coating curing process, the back of the optical fiber is set through the reflective cover of the reflective tile to cure the coating layer of the optical fiber.

[0003] In the prior art, since the curing furnace can only control the simultaneous curing of various areas of the optical fiber coating, it is unable to adjust the curing degree of each area of ​​the optical fiber coating, and cannot meet the requirements of special optical fibers for different curing degrees in different areas of the coating. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber coating curing device and method, aiming to solve the problem of uneven coating curing caused by uneven distribution of ultraviolet light intensity in the reflective tiles of the curing furnace in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] In a first aspect, a device for curing optical fiber coating is provided, comprising: a reflective tile in a cylindrical shape; an optical fiber is placed at the axis of the reflective tile to cure the optical fiber coating; an ultraviolet lamp is arranged in a reflective area inside the reflective tile; a plurality of ultraviolet lamps are provided and arranged around the axis of the reflective tile;

[0007] A bracket is arranged in the reflective area inside the reflective tile; and at least two adjustment mechanisms are arranged in the reflective area inside the reflective tile; at least two of the adjustment mechanisms are respectively arranged on both sides of the axis of the reflective tile; the ultraviolet lamp is arranged on each of the adjustment mechanisms, and the adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the position of the ultraviolet lamp to adjust the ultraviolet intensity at each position of the reflective area.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the adjustment mechanism includes:

[0009] A guide rail is arranged on the bracket, and the guide rail is arranged toward the axis of the reflective tile;

[0010] A sliding seat is slidably connected to the guide rail, and the ultraviolet lamp is arranged on the guide rail through the sliding seat and slides on the guide rail; and

[0011] A driving assembly is arranged on the bracket or the guide rail and connected to the sliding seat; the driving assembly is used to drive the sliding seat to move so as to adjust the distance between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the driving assembly is a cylinder.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the driving component includes:

[0014] A motor connected to the guide rail or bracket; and

[0015] The lead screw is connected to the guide rail or the bracket and is parallel to the guide rail; the lead screw is threadedly matched with the sliding seat.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the adjustment mechanism is an electric push rod.

[0017] In a possible implementation, a control system for adjusting the distance between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber is further included, and the control system includes:

[0018] A distance measuring sensor, disposed on the ultraviolet lamp, for detecting and outputting distance information; and

[0019] A controller is connected to the distance measuring sensor for communication and receives the distance information; after obtaining the optical fiber type information, the controller controls the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and / or the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis to operate according to the distance information.

[0020] The beneficial effect of the optical fiber coating curing device provided by the present invention is that: compared with the prior art, the optical fiber coating curing device of the present invention arranges a circle of ultraviolet lamps around the optical fiber, so that the ultraviolet intensity distribution in the area around the optical fiber is uniform, reducing the influence of the air inlet and exhaust port on the reflective tile on the ultraviolet intensity, thereby making the optical fiber coating more uniform during the curing process.

[0021] In a second aspect, a method for curing an optical fiber coating is provided, which is applied to the method for curing an optical fiber coating as described in the first aspect, comprising the following steps:

[0022] Get fiber type information and distance information;

[0023] The adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and / or the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis is controlled to operate according to the optical fiber type information and the distance information.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, the optical fiber type information includes: conventional optical fiber information, D-type optical fiber information, and vector sensing optical fiber information.

[0025] In a possible implementation, controlling the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and / or the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis to operate according to the optical fiber type information and the distance information includes:

[0026] If the optical fiber type information is conventional optical fiber information, the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis are controlled to work so that the ultraviolet lamps on the left and right sides of the reflective tile axis are fixed in the first position;

[0027] In a possible implementation, if the optical fiber type information is D-type optical fiber information, the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis or the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis is controlled to work so that the ultraviolet lamp on one side or the other side of the reflective tile axis is fixed in the second position;

[0028] If the optical fiber type information is vector sensing optical fiber information, the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis are controlled to work so that the ultraviolet lamps on one side and the other side of the reflective tile axis are fixed in the second position.

[0029] The optical fiber coating curing method provided by the present invention has the beneficial effect that: compared with the prior art, the method provided by the present invention adjusts the position of each ultraviolet lamp according to the type of optical fiber after obtaining the optical fiber information, changes the ultraviolet intensity of the area around the optical fiber, and thus controls the curing speed of each area of ​​the optical fiber coating. When the optical fiber is an ordinary optical fiber, the ultraviolet lamp is controlled to be distributed along the circumference so that the coating is uniformly cured. When the optical fiber is a special optical fiber, the position of the ultraviolet lamp is adjusted so that the coating can adjust the curing uniformity of the coating as required. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an optical fiber coating curing device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a driving mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of another driving mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the position of the ultraviolet lamp when the optical fiber is a vector sensing optical fiber;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the position of the ultraviolet lamp when the optical fiber is a D-type optical fiber;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the position of the ultraviolet lamp when the optical fiber is a conventional optical fiber;

[0037] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the main steps of the optical fiber coating curing method provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Description of reference numerals:

[0039] 1. Reflective tile; 2. Ultraviolet lamp; 3. Adjustment mechanism; 4. Sliding seat; 5. Bracket; 32. Guide rail; 33. Drive assembly; 35. Motor; 332. Screw. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 7 , the optical fiber coating curing device and method provided by the present invention are now described.

[0042] In the first aspect, the optical fiber coating curing device provided in this embodiment includes a reflective tile 1, an ultraviolet lamp 2 arranged in the reflective area inside the reflective tile 1, and at least two adjustment mechanisms 3. The adjustment mechanism 3 is used to adjust the position of the ultraviolet lamp so as to adjust the distance between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber. The reflective tile 1 is cylindrical, and the axis thereof is used to place the optical fiber so as to cure the coating of the optical fiber. A plurality of ultraviolet lamps 2 are arranged and arranged around the optical fiber. At least two adjustment mechanisms 3 are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the axis of the reflective tile. An ultraviolet lamp 2 is installed on the adjustment mechanism 3.

[0043] Compared with the prior art, the optical fiber coating curing device provided by the present invention sets a circle of ultraviolet lamps around the optical fiber, so that the ultraviolet intensity distribution in the area around the optical fiber is uniform, reducing the influence of the air inlet and exhaust port on the reflective tile 1 on the ultraviolet intensity, thereby making the optical fiber coating more uniform during the curing process.

[0044] The optical fiber coating curing device provided in this embodiment also includes a frame for fixing the reflective tile 1 and a traction mechanism for traction of the optical fiber to move along the center line of the reflective tile 1. The cross-sectional shape of the reflective tile 1 is circular, and the optical fiber is arranged at the center line of the reflective tile 1 and moves along the center line. An air inlet and an air outlet are provided on the reflective tile 1, and the air inlet and the air outlet are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the optical fiber. There are two air inlets and two air outlets, and the two air inlets are respectively arranged on the upper and lower sides of the optical fiber, and the two air outlets are respectively arranged on the upper and lower sides of the optical fiber.

[0045] Two of the ultraviolet lamps 2 are respectively arranged on the upper and lower sides of the axis of the reflective tile 1, and a part of the remaining ultraviolet lamps 2 are arranged on one side of the axis of the reflective tile 1, and the other part is arranged on the other side of the axis of the reflective tile 1.

[0046] Optionally, the adjustment mechanism 3 includes a bracket 5 fixed on the frame, a guide rail 32 fixed on the bracket 5, and a driving assembly 33 fixedly mounted on the bracket 5 or the guide rail 32. The guide rail 32 is arranged along the diameter direction of the reflective tile 1. The ultraviolet lamp is mounted on the guide rail 32 through a sliding seat 4. The driving assembly 33 is connected to the ultraviolet lamp and drives the ultraviolet lamp to move to adjust the distance between the ultraviolet lamp 2 and the optical fiber.

[0047] Optionally, the driving assembly 33 is a cylinder. The base of the cylinder is fixed on the guide rail 32 or the bracket 5, and the piston of the cylinder is fixed on the sliding seat 4 of the ultraviolet lamp. When the distance between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber needs to be adjusted, the piston rod of the cylinder is extended or retracted as required.

[0048] Optionally, the driving assembly 33 includes a motor 35 mounted on the guide rail 32 or the bracket 5 and a lead screw 332 rotatably mounted on the guide rail 32 or the bracket 5. The lead screw 332 is parallel to the guide rail 32, and one end of the lead screw 332 is connected to the power output shaft of the motor 35 through a coupling. The lead screw 332 is threadedly matched with the sliding seat 4. When adjusting the position of the ultraviolet lamp, the motor 35 works to drive the lead screw 332 to rotate, thereby driving the sliding seat 4 to slide on the guide rail 32.

[0049] Optionally, the adjustment mechanism 3 is an electric push rod. The electric push rod is fixed on the guide rail 32 or the bracket 5, and the push rod is fixed on the sliding seat 4 of the ultraviolet lamp. When the distance between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber needs to be adjusted, the push rod of the electric push rod is extended or retracted as required.

[0050] Optionally, the optical fiber coating curing device provided in this embodiment also includes a control system for adjusting the distance between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber. The control system includes a distance sensor and a controller. The distance sensor is installed on the ultraviolet lamp, and is used to detect the distance between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber and output distance information. The controller is connected to the distance sensor for communication. After the controller obtains the optical fiber type information, it controls the adjustment mechanism 3 located on one side of the reflective tile axis and / or the adjustment mechanism 3 located on the other side of the reflective tile axis to work according to the distance information.

[0051] The controller can receive the optical fiber type information input by the user. When curing the coating layer of the optical fiber, the user inputs the optical fiber type information to the controller, and after receiving the optical fiber type information and distance information, the controller controls the adjustment mechanism 3 located on one side of the reflective tile axis and / or the adjustment mechanism 3 located on the other side of the reflective tile axis to work.

[0052] Optionally, the optical fiber type information includes: conventional optical fiber information, vector sensing optical fiber information and D-type optical fiber information; after the controller obtains the optical fiber type information, it controls the adjustment mechanism 3 located on one side of the reflective tile axis and / or the adjustment mechanism 3 located on the other side of the reflective tile axis according to the distance information, including:

[0053] After the controller obtains the conventional optical fiber information, it controls the adjustment mechanism 3 located on one side of the reflective tile axis and the adjustment mechanism 3 located on the other side of the reflective tile axis to work according to the distance information, so that the ultraviolet lamp 2 is arranged along the circumference;

[0054] After the controller obtains the vector sensing optical fiber information, it controls the adjustment mechanism 3 located on one side of the reflective tile axis and the adjustment mechanism 3 located on the other side of the reflective tile axis to work according to the distance information, so that the ultraviolet lamps 2 on the left and right sides of the reflective tile axis are close to the reflective tile axis;

[0055] After the controller obtains the D-type optical fiber information, it controls the adjustment mechanism 3 located on one side of the reflective tile axis or the adjustment mechanism 3 located on the other side of the reflective tile axis to work according to the distance information, so that the ultraviolet lamp 2 on one side or the other side of the reflective tile axis is close to the reflective tile axis.

[0056] The positions of the ultraviolet lamps on both sides of the axis of the reflective tile 1 are fixed, and the distance between the two ultraviolet lamps and the optical fiber is the first position. The controller is connected to the drive assembly 33 for communication. After receiving the conventional optical fiber information, the controller outputs a first instruction. The drive assembly 33 responds to the first instruction and controls all the drive assemblies 33 to work, so that the ultraviolet lamps on both sides of the axis of the reflective tile 1 are fixed in the first position. At this time, all the ultraviolet lamps are distributed on the same circumference, and the distance between all the ultraviolet lamps and the optical fiber is the same.

[0057] After the controller receives the vector sensing optical fiber information, the controller outputs a second instruction. The drive component 33 responds to the second instruction and drives the ultraviolet lamps on the left and right sides of the axis of the reflective tile 1 to be fixed at the second position. The distance between the second position and the optical fiber is smaller than the first position. During this process, the distance measuring sensor measures the real-time distance information between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber in real time, and the controller compares the real-time distance information with the second position. If the real-time distance information is greater than the second position, the drive component 33 is controlled to continue to drive the ultraviolet lamp close to the optical fiber. If the real-time distance information is equal to the second position, the drive component 33 is controlled to fix the position of the ultraviolet lamp. If the real-time distance information is less than the second position, the drive component 33 is controlled to drive the ultraviolet lamp away from the optical fiber.

[0058] After receiving the D-type optical fiber information, the controller outputs a third instruction, and the driving component 33 responds to the third instruction to drive the ultraviolet lamp on one side or the other side of the axis of the reflective tile to be fixed at the second position.

[0059] When curing the coating of the optical fiber, the optical fiber coating curing device provided in this embodiment distributes the ultraviolet lamps around the optical fiber in a circular manner, so that the ultraviolet light inside the reflective tile 1 is evenly distributed, and the optical fiber coating is evenly cured. When curing the coating of the vector sensing optical fiber and the D-type optical fiber, the positions of the ultraviolet lamps on the left and right sides of the reflective tile axis are adjusted, and the ultraviolet light intensity distribution inside the reflective tile 1 is adjusted, so as to adjust the uniformity of coating curing as required.

[0060] In a second aspect, this embodiment provides a method for curing an optical fiber coating, which is applied to the optical fiber coating device as described in the first aspect, and comprises the following steps:

[0061] S1. Obtain optical fiber type information and distance information. The optical fiber type information includes: conventional optical fiber information, vector sensing optical fiber information, and D-type optical fiber information.

[0062] S2. Control the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and / or the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis to work according to the optical fiber type information and the distance information.

[0063] If the fiber type information is conventional fiber information, the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis are controlled to work so that the ultraviolet lamps on the left and right sides of the reflective tile axis are fixed in the first position;

[0064] If the fiber type information is D-type fiber information, the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis or the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis is controlled to work so that the ultraviolet lamp on one side or the other side of the reflective tile axis is fixed in the second position;

[0065] If the fiber type information is vector sensing fiber information, the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis are controlled to work so that the ultraviolet lamps on one side and the other side of the reflective tile axis are fixed in the second position.

[0066] The positions of the ultraviolet lamps on both sides of the axis of the reflective tile are fixed, and the distance between the two ultraviolet lamps and the optical fiber is the first position. The controller is connected to the drive component for communication. After receiving the conventional optical fiber information, the controller outputs the first instruction. The drive component responds to the first instruction and controls all the drive components to work, so that the ultraviolet lamps on both sides of the axis of the reflective tile 1 are fixed in the first position. At this time, all the ultraviolet lamps are distributed on the same circumference, and the distance between all the ultraviolet lamps and the optical fiber is the same.

[0067] After the controller receives the vector sensing optical fiber information, the controller outputs a second instruction. The drive component responds to the second instruction and drives the ultraviolet lamps on the left and right sides of the reflective tile axis to be fixed at the second position. The distance between the second position and the optical fiber is less than the first position. During this process, the distance sensor measures the real-time distance information between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber in real time. The controller compares the real-time distance information with the second position. If the real-time distance information is greater than the second position, the drive component is controlled to continue to drive the ultraviolet lamp close to the optical fiber. If the real-time distance information is equal to the second position, the drive component is controlled to fix the position of the ultraviolet lamp. If the real-time distance information is less than the second position, the drive component is controlled to drive the ultraviolet lamp away from the optical fiber.

[0068] After receiving the D-type optical fiber information, the controller outputs a third instruction, and the driving component responds to the third instruction to drive the ultraviolet lamp on one side or the other side of the axis of the reflective tile to be fixed at the second position.

[0069] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical fiber coating curing device, characterized in that: include: The reflective tile (1) is cylindrical; The axis of the reflective tile (1) is used to place an optical fiber so as to solidify the optical fiber coating layer; An ultraviolet lamp (2) is arranged in the reflective area inside the reflective tile (1); a plurality of ultraviolet lamps (2) are provided and arranged around the axis of the reflective tile (1); A bracket (5) is arranged in the reflective area inside the reflective tile (1); At least two adjustment mechanisms (3) are arranged in the reflective area inside the reflective tile (1); at least two of the adjustment mechanisms (3) are respectively arranged on both sides of the axis of the reflective tile (1); the ultraviolet lamp (2) is arranged on each of the adjustment mechanisms (3), and the adjustment mechanism (3) is used to adjust the position of the ultraviolet lamp (2) so as to adjust the ultraviolet intensity at various positions in the reflective area; and A control system, used to adjust the distance between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber; the control system comprises: A distance measuring sensor, disposed on the ultraviolet lamp, for detecting and outputting distance information; and A controller is connected to the distance measuring sensor for communication and receives the distance information; after acquiring the optical fiber type information, the controller controls the adjustment mechanism (3) located on one side of the reflective tile axis and / or the adjustment mechanism (3) located on the other side of the reflective tile axis to operate according to the distance information.

2. The optical fiber coating curing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The regulating mechanism (3) comprises: A guide rail (32) is arranged on the bracket (5), and the guide rail (32) is arranged toward the axis of the reflective tile (1); A sliding seat (4) is slidably connected to the guide rail (32); the ultraviolet lamp (2) is arranged on the guide rail (32) through the sliding seat (4) and slides on the guide rail (32); and A driving assembly (33) is arranged on the bracket (5) or the guide rail (32) and connected to the sliding seat (4); the driving assembly (33) is used to drive the sliding seat (4) to move so as to adjust the distance between the ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber.

3. The optical fiber coating curing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving component (33) is a cylinder.

4. The optical fiber coating curing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving assembly (33) comprises: A motor (35) connected to the guide rail (32) or the bracket (5); and The lead screw (332) is connected to the guide rail (32) or the bracket (5) and is parallel to the guide rail (32); the lead screw (332) is threadedly matched with the sliding seat (4).

5. The optical fiber coating curing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjusting mechanism (3) is an electric push rod.

6. A method for curing an optical fiber coating, applied to the optical fiber coating curing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Get fiber type information and distance information; According to the optical fiber type information and distance information, the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and / or the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis is controlled to adjust the position of some ultraviolet lamps to facilitate adjusting the ultraviolet intensity of the area around the optical fiber.

7. The optical fiber coating curing method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The optical fiber type information includes: conventional optical fiber information, D-type optical fiber information and vector sensing optical fiber information.

8. The optical fiber coating curing method according to claim 7, characterized in that: Controlling the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and / or the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis to work according to the optical fiber type information and the distance information, comprising: If the optical fiber type information is conventional optical fiber information, the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis are controlled to work so that the ultraviolet lamps on the left and right sides of the reflective tile axis are fixed in the first position so that all the ultraviolet lamps are located on the same circumference.

9. The method for curing the optical fiber coating layer according to claim 7, characterized in that If the optical fiber type information is D-type optical fiber information, the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis or the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis is controlled to work so that the ultraviolet lamp on one side or the other side of the reflective tile axis is fixed at a second position; the second position is between the first position and the optical fiber; If the optical fiber type information is vector sensing optical fiber information, the adjustment mechanism located on one side of the reflective tile axis and the adjustment mechanism located on the other side of the reflective tile axis are controlled to work so that the ultraviolet lamps on one side and the other side of the reflective tile axis are fixed in the second position.

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