Flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device and flexible optical fiber ribbon manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention discloses a flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device and a flexible optical fiber ribbon manufacturing method, the curing device comprises two curing guide wheels arranged on the two sides of N optical fibers and ultraviolet light sources arranged in the curing guide wheels, and the circumferential surface of each curing wheel is provided with a plurality of curing holes for the ultraviolet light sources to emit ultraviolet light. The position of the curing hole corresponds to the center position between the two adjacent optical fibers, in the curing process, ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light penetrates through the curing hole to irradiate the center position between the two adjacent optical fibers, so that the resin at the position is cured, the flexible optical fiber ribbon is formed, and the device is simple in structure, low in cost and high in practicability. The curing precision is high, the stable efficiency is high, and the curing device is used for curing the flexible optical fiber ribbon, so that extra additional attenuation cannot be generated on the optical fiber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of optical fibers, and in particular relates to a flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device and a flexible optical fiber ribbon manufacturing method. Background Art

[0002] Compared with traditional optical fiber ribbons, current flexible optical fiber ribbons have better flexibility, reversibility, durability, and can maintain their performance in a variety of environments while being easy to install and maintain.

[0003] The traditional method of manufacturing flexible optical fiber ribbons is to pre-apply resins of different shapes between two optical fibers by dispensing or coating, and then solidify them to form flexible optical fiber ribbons. This manufacturing method is limited by the requirements of dispensing frequency, coating method, and coating accuracy. The manufacturing equipment structure of flexible optical fiber ribbons is complex and the cost is high. At the same time, this manufacturing method requires high operating skills of technicians, is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the manufacturing processes of different technicians lack consistency, which is prone to quality problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device and a flexible optical fiber ribbon manufacturing method.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device, used for N laid optical fibers, comprises two curing guide wheels and an ultraviolet light source arranged in the curing guide wheels; the two curing guide wheels are arranged on both sides of the N optical fibers, and a plurality of curing holes for the ultraviolet light source to emit ultraviolet light are arranged on the circumferential surface of each curing guide wheel; the curing holes are evenly spaced in N-1 circles along the axial direction, the curing holes in each circle are evenly distributed in the axial direction and correspond to the center position between two adjacent optical fibers, and the curing holes in adjacent circles are staggered in the circumferential position.

[0007] Furthermore, the axial length of the curing hole is not greater than the sum of the diameter of the optical fiber and the interval between two adjacent optical fibers.

[0008] Furthermore, the curing guide wheel includes two circular side plates arranged in parallel and a wheel rim arranged between the two circular side plates and having a circumferential surface; the wheel rim is coaxial with the circular side plates and the axial cross-sectional diameter of the wheel rim is equivalent to the diameter of the circular side plates.

[0009] Furthermore, wheel axles are provided on the outer sides of the circular side plates of the two curing guide wheels.

[0010] Furthermore, limiting protrusions are respectively provided on two edges of the circumferential surface of the curing guide wheel facing the N optical fibers, and the distance between the two limiting protrusions is adapted to the width of the N optical fibers.

[0011] Furthermore, the ultraviolet light source is a point light source arranged in the curing guide wheel or a surface light source that releases ultraviolet light to the circumferential surface of the curing guide wheel.

[0012] Furthermore, the number of optical fibers N=12, and the curing holes are distributed in 11 circles.

[0013] A method for manufacturing a flexible optical fiber ribbon, comprising:

[0014] The N optical fibers coated with resin are moved in parallel through the ribbon mold to be laid flat, and then cured once through the flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device; during the once curing, when the N optical fibers being laid flat pass between two curing guide wheels, ultraviolet light emitted by ultraviolet light sources in the two curing guide wheels passes through the curing holes on the circumferential surface, irradiates both sides of the N optical fibers respectively, and cures the resin at the center position between two adjacent optical fibers;

[0015] The N optical fibers that have undergone primary curing are cleaned to remove uncured resin, and after cleaning, they are placed in a UV curing furnace for secondary curing, and then pulled to an optical fiber reel to form a flexible optical fiber ribbon.

[0016] Furthermore, the rotation speed of the curing guide wheel is controlled by a PLC controller and a belt traction device, and the rotation speed ranges from 10m / min to 500m / min.

[0017] Furthermore, a light shield is provided outside the curing guide wheel to prevent leakage of ultraviolet light.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The present invention provides a flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device, which includes two curing guide wheels arranged on both sides of N optical fibers and an ultraviolet light source arranged in the curing guide wheels. A plurality of curing holes for the ultraviolet light source to emit ultraviolet light are arranged on the circumferential surface of the curing wheel. The curing hole position corresponds to the center position between two adjacent optical fibers. During the curing process, the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light passes through the curing hole and irradiates the center position between the two adjacent optical fibers, thereby curing the resin at the position, thereby forming a flexible optical fiber ribbon. The device has a simple structure, low cost, high curing accuracy and high stable efficiency. The use of the curing device to cure the flexible optical fiber ribbon will not produce additional attenuation to the optical fiber.

[0020] The curing holes of the curing device of the present invention are evenly distributed in N-1 circles along the axial direction, and the curing holes of each circle are evenly distributed along the axial direction and correspond to the center position between two adjacent optical fibers. The curing holes of adjacent circles are staggered in the circumferential position, thereby local interval curing of N optical fibers can be performed. The curing device is easy to operate, and the length of the curing holes, as well as the axial spacing and circumferential spacing between the curing holes can be adjusted according to actual needs to form flexible optical fiber ribbons with different structures, so as to produce different mesh structures and different bonding forces to adapt to different application occasions.

[0021] The circumferential surface of the curing guide wheel of the curing device of the present invention is respectively provided with limiting protrusions on both edges facing the N optical fibers, thereby forming a curing channel / curing groove for the N optical fibers to pass through. This design can effectively fix the N moving optical fibers, reduce the displacement of the optical fibers during the moving process, make the position of the curing hole relatively aligned with the center position of the two adjacent optical fibers, and further enhance the curing accuracy and stability of the flexible optical fiber ribbon.

[0022] The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a flexible optical fiber ribbon. In one curing process of the manufacturing method, two curing guide wheels of a curing device for the flexible optical fiber ribbon rotate in opposite directions, driving the N laid optical fibers to move. When the N laid optical fibers pass between the two curing guide wheels, the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source in the two curing guide wheels passes through the curing holes on the circumferential surface, irradiates the two sides of the N optical fibers respectively, and cures the resin at the center position between two adjacent optical fibers, thereby forming a flexible optical fiber ribbon. The manufacturing method is simple and easy to implement, has low cost, high curing accuracy and high stable efficiency, and the manufacturing process does not generate additional attenuation to the optical fiber. The surface of the flexible optical fiber ribbon manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention is flat, the resin at the connection part between the two adjacent optical fibers is evenly and continuously distributed, the curing effect is firm, and it is not easy to be torn. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the curing guide wheel;

[0024] Figure 2 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the curing guide wheel;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of curing using a flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device;

[0026] Figure 4 This is one of the schematic diagrams for assembling the circular side panel and the wheel rim;

[0027] Figure 5 This is the second schematic diagram of the assembly of the circular side panel and the wheel rim;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rim;

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultraviolet light source;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing principle of flexible optical fiber ribbon;

[0031] In the figure, 1-curing guide wheel; 2-ultraviolet light source; 3-curing hole; 4-optical fiber; 5-circular side plate; 6-rim; 7-pay-off rack; 8-optical fiber guide wheel; 9-parallel mold; 10-light shield; 11-resin cleaning system; 12-ultraviolet curing furnace; 13-tension wheel; 14-take-up reel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Embodiment 1:

[0033] A flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device of the present invention is used for N optical fibers laid flat, and the curing device comprises two curing guide wheels 1 and an ultraviolet light source 2 arranged in the curing guide wheels 1; Figure 1 As shown, two curing guide wheels 1 are arranged on both sides of N optical fibers 4, and a plurality of curing holes 3 are arranged on the circumferential surface of each curing guide wheel 1 for the ultraviolet light source 2 to emit ultraviolet light; the curing holes 3 are evenly spaced in N-1 circles along the axial direction, and the curing holes 3 in each circle are evenly distributed along the axial direction and correspond to the center position between two adjacent optical fibers 4, and the curing holes 3 in adjacent circles are staggered in the circumferential position. As an optional design, a light shield is also provided outside the curing guide wheel to prevent ultraviolet light from leaking out.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, during curing, the two curing guide wheels 1 rotate in opposite directions, driving the N laid optical fibers 4 to move. When the N laid optical fibers 4 pass between the two curing guide wheels 1, the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source 2 in the two curing guide wheels 1 passes through the curing holes 3 on the circumferential surface, irradiating the two sides of the N optical fibers 4 respectively and curing the resin at the center position between two adjacent optical fibers 4, thereby forming a flexible optical fiber ribbon.

[0035] The device of the present invention has a simple structure, low cost, high curing accuracy and high stable efficiency. The curing device used to cure the flexible optical fiber ribbon will not produce additional attenuation to the optical fiber. At the same time, the curing device of the present invention is easy to operate, and the length of the curing hole, and the axial spacing and circumferential spacing between the curing holes can be adjusted according to actual needs to form flexible optical fiber ribbons with different structures, so as to produce different mesh structures and different bonding forces to adapt to different application occasions.

[0036] Embodiment 2:

[0037] This embodiment is further designed on the basis of the first embodiment in that the axial length of the curing hole in this embodiment is not greater than the sum of the diameter of the optical fiber and the interval between two adjacent optical fibers.

[0038] Embodiment three:

[0039] This embodiment is further designed on the basis of the first embodiment in that: Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in this example, the curing guide wheel 1 includes two circular side plates 5 arranged in parallel and a rim 6 arranged between the two circular side plates 5 and having a circumferential surface; the rim 6 is coaxial with the circular side plates 5 and the axial cross-sectional diameter of the rim 6 is equivalent to the diameter of the circular side plates 5.

[0040] Embodiment 4:

[0041] This embodiment is further designed on the basis of the first embodiment in that axles are provided on the outer sides of the circular side plates of the two curing guide wheels in this embodiment.

[0042] Embodiment five:

[0043] This embodiment is further designed on the basis of the first embodiment in that the circumferential surface of the curing guide wheel 1 in this embodiment is respectively provided with limiting protrusions on the two edges facing the N optical fibers, and the spacing between the two limiting protrusions is adapted to the width of the N optical fibers. This design can form a curing channel / curing groove for the N optical fibers to pass through, and this design can effectively fix the N optical fibers traveling, reduce the displacement of the optical fibers during the traveling process, make the curing hole position relatively aligned with the center position of the two adjacent optical fibers, and further enhance the curing accuracy and stability of the flexible optical fiber ribbon.

[0044] Embodiment six:

[0045] This embodiment is further designed on the basis of the first embodiment in that the ultraviolet light source in this embodiment is a point light source arranged in the curing guide wheel or a surface light source that releases ultraviolet light to the circumference of the curing guide wheel. Figure 5 As shown, in this example, an LED surface light source that releases ultraviolet light to the circumference of the curing guide wheel is used as the ultraviolet light source 2. When a point light source is used, the number of point light sources inside the curing wheel is between 6 and 18, and the specific value can also be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0046] Embodiment seven:

[0047] This embodiment is further designed on the basis of the first embodiment in that the number of optical fibers N in this embodiment is 12, and the curing holes are distributed in 11 circles.

[0048] Embodiment eight:

[0049] A method for manufacturing a flexible optical fiber ribbon of the present invention, as Figure 6 As shown, the manufacturing method comprises the following steps:

[0050] N optical fibers pass through the optical fiber pay-off frame 7 and the optical fiber guide wheel 8 for stable pay-off, and then pass through the coating mold for resin coating, so that the spaces between adjacent optical fibers are filled with UV resin.

[0051] N optical fibers coated with resin travel in parallel and pass through a tape mold 9 to be laid flat, and then undergo a primary curing through a flexible optical fiber tape curing device. During the primary curing, two curing guide wheels 1 of the flexible optical fiber tape curing device are disposed in a light shield 10 and rotate in opposite directions, driving the N laid-flat optical fibers to move. When the N laid-flat optical fibers pass between the two curing guide wheels 1, ultraviolet light emitted by ultraviolet light sources 2 in the two curing guide wheels 1 passes through the curing holes on the circumferential surface, irradiating both sides of the N optical fibers respectively and curing the resin at the center position between two adjacent optical fibers.

[0052] The N optical fibers that have undergone primary curing are cleaned by a resin cleaning system 11 to remove uncured resin, and then enter a UV curing furnace 12 for secondary curing. The secondary curing volatilizes the residual solvent after cleaning and fully cures the resin cured for the first time to increase the bonding strength. The optical fibers are then pulled by a tension wheel 13 to a take-up reel 14 to form a flexible optical fiber ribbon.

[0053] Embodiment nine:

[0054] This example is further designed on the basis of Example 8 in that the rotation speed of the curing guide wheel is controlled by a PLC controller and a parallel belt traction device, and the rotation speed range is between 10m / min and 500m / min. Due to the linkage of the equipment, the curing spacing is guaranteed to be stable at low and high speeds.

[0055] At the same time, in this example, a light shield is provided on the outside of the curing guide wheel (at the part facing away from the optical fiber ribbon) to prevent ultraviolet light from leaking out, thereby avoiding light pollution.

[0056] The manufacturing method of the present invention is simple and easy to implement, has low cost, high curing accuracy and high stable efficiency, and the manufacturing process does not produce additional attenuation to the optical fiber. The flexible optical fiber ribbon manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention has a smooth surface, the resin of the connection part between two adjacent optical fibers is evenly and continuously distributed, the curing effect is firm, and it is not easy to be torn.

Claims

1. A flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device for N optical fibers laid flat, characterized in that: It comprises two curing guide wheels and an ultraviolet light source arranged in the curing guide wheels; the two curing guide wheels are arranged on both sides of N optical fibers, and a plurality of curing holes for the ultraviolet light source to emit ultraviolet light are arranged on the circumferential surface of each curing guide wheel; the curing holes are evenly spaced in N-1 circles along the axial direction, and the curing holes in each circle are evenly distributed in the axial direction and correspond to the center position between two adjacent optical fibers, and the curing holes in adjacent circles are staggered in the circumferential position.

2. The flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The axial length of the curing hole is not greater than the sum of the diameter of the optical fiber and the interval between two adjacent optical fibers.

3. The flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The curing guide wheel comprises two circular side plates arranged in parallel and a wheel rim arranged between the two circular side plates and having a circumferential surface; the wheel rim is coaxial with the circular side plates and the axial cross-sectional diameter of the wheel rim is equivalent to the diameter of the circular side plates.

4. The flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Wheel axles are arranged on the outer sides of the circular side plates of the two curing guide wheels.

5. The flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circumferential surface of the curing guide wheel is provided with limiting protrusions at two edges facing the N optical fibers, and the distance between the two limiting protrusions is matched with the width of the N optical fibers.

6. The flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultraviolet light source is a point light source arranged in the curing guide wheel or a surface light source that releases ultraviolet light to the circumferential surface of the curing guide wheel.

7. The flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of optical fibers N=12, and the curing holes are distributed in 11 circles.

8. A method for manufacturing a flexible optical fiber ribbon, characterized in that: include: N optical fibers coated with resin are passed through a ribbon mold in parallel and laid flat, and then cured once through a flexible optical fiber ribbon curing device; In the one-time curing, when the N optical fibers laid flat pass between the two curing guide wheels, the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light sources in the two curing guide wheels passes through the curing holes on the circumferential surface, irradiates both sides of the N optical fibers respectively, and cures the resin at the center position between two adjacent optical fibers; The N optical fibers that have undergone primary curing are cleaned to remove uncured resin, and after cleaning, they are placed in a UV curing furnace for secondary curing, and then pulled to an optical fiber reel to form a flexible optical fiber ribbon.

9. The method for manufacturing a flexible optical fiber ribbon according to claim 8, characterized in that: The rotation speed of the curing guide wheel is controlled by a PLC controller and a belt traction device, and the rotation speed ranges from 10m / min to 500m / min.

10. The method for manufacturing a flexible optical fiber ribbon according to claim 8, characterized in that: The curing guide wheel is provided with a light shield outside for preventing ultraviolet light from leaking out.

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