Indoor flexible optical cable and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of optical cable manufacturing, and discloses an indoor flexible optical cable and a preparation method thereof.The indoor flexible optical cable comprises an optical fiber unit, a high-temperature-resistant layer, an outer protective layer and a fireproof layer, the periphery of the optical fiber unit is coated with the high-temperature-resistant layer, the periphery of the high-temperature-resistant layer is coated with the outer protective layer, and the outer protective layer is provided with a spiral notch; and the fireproof layer is coated on the periphery of the outer protective layer. According to the indoor flexible optical cable, the spiral notch is formed in the outer protective layer, so that the rigidity of the outer protective layer can be effectively reduced, the indoor flexible optical cable can be more flexible when being bent, the indoor flexible optical cable cannot be damaged when being wired in a complex indoor environment and at corners, the signal transmission speed and accuracy of the indoor flexible optical cable are ensured, and the indoor flexible optical cable is more flexible. The arrangement of the spiral notch can also disperse the stress on the outer protective layer when the indoor flexible optical cable is bent, improves the bending resistance of the indoor flexible optical cable, achieves the repeated use of the indoor flexible optical cable, and prolongs the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical cable manufacturing, and particularly relates to an indoor flexible optical cable and a preparation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the communication industry, optical fiber communication has gradually become the mainstream transmission mode of modern communication networks. As the core component of optical fiber communication, the performance and reliability of optical cables are crucial for communication quality. Most of the existing optical cables are laid outdoors, and relatively more attention is paid to mechanical properties and environmental tolerance, resulting in poor flexibility of the existing optical cables.

[0003] Due to the continuous implementation of industry application scenarios and the continuous promotion of fixed network upgrade infrastructure construction, the demand for laying optical cables indoors is gradually increasing. The indoor environment is complex and there are many corners. When laying optical cables indoors, large-scale bending of the optical cables is required. Due to the poor flexibility of the existing optical cables, large-scale bending will cause damage to the optical cables, affecting the speed and accuracy of signal transmission by the optical cables. At the same time, after the existing optical cables are bent, the stress on the bent part is relatively large, which will increase the risk of cracking of the outer sheath and affect the service life of the optical cables.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an indoor flexible optical cable and a preparation method thereof to solve the above technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The first object of the present invention is to provide an indoor flexible optical cable, which can solve the problems that the existing optical cables have poor flexibility, large-scale bending is required when laying optical cables indoors, large-scale bending will cause damage to the optical cables, affecting the speed and accuracy of signal transmission by the optical cables, and at the same time, the risk of cracking of the outer sheath increases after the optical cables are bent, affecting the service life of the optical cables.

[0006] To achieve this purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] An indoor flexible optical cable, comprising:

[0008] An optical fiber unit and a high-temperature resistant layer, the high-temperature resistant layer covering the outer periphery of the optical fiber unit;

[0009] An outer sheath, the outer sheath covering the outer periphery of the high-temperature resistant layer, and the outer sheath is provided with a spiral cut;

[0010] A fireproof layer, the fireproof layer being coated on the outer periphery of the outer sheath.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of the indoor flexible optical cable, the spiral angle of the spiral cut is 30° to 60°.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution of the indoor flexible optical cable, the depth of the spiral incision is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the thickness of the outer sheath.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution of the indoor flexible optical cable, the indoor flexible optical cable further includes a reinforcing fiber layer, and the reinforcing fiber layer is located between the high-temperature resistant layer and the outer sheath.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution of the indoor flexible optical cable, the fiber density of the reinforcing fiber layer is 10 to 20 fibers / mm 2 ~20 fibers / mm 2 。

[0015] As a preferred technical solution of the indoor flexible optical cable, the material of the high-temperature resistant layer is silicone rubber or modified polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution of the indoor flexible optical cable, the thickness of the high-temperature resistant layer is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution of the indoor flexible optical cable, the thickness of the fireproof layer is 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0018] The second object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an indoor flexible optical cable for manufacturing the indoor flexible optical cable described in any one of the above.

[0019] To achieve this purpose, the present invention adopts the following manufacturing steps:

[0020] Step 1: Coat a high-temperature resistant material on the outer periphery of the optical fiber unit to form a high-temperature resistant layer;

[0021] Step 2: Extrusion coat an outer sheath material on the outer periphery of the high-temperature resistant layer to form an outer sheath;

[0022] Step 3: Form a spiral incision on the outer periphery of the outer sheath by mechanical processing;

[0023] Step 4: Coat a fireproof material on the outer periphery of the outer sheath to form a fireproof layer.

[0024] As a preferred technical solution of the method for manufacturing an indoor flexible optical cable, between Step 1 and Step 2, the following steps are further included:

[0025] Step 10: Sheath a fiber braided sheath on the outer periphery of the high-temperature resistant layer to form a reinforcing fiber layer.

[0026] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0027] The indoor flexible optical cable provided by the present invention can effectively reduce the rigidity of the outer sheath by setting spiral cuts on the outer sheath, making the indoor flexible optical cable more flexible when bending. When the indoor flexible optical cable is routed in the complex indoor environment and at corners, it will not be damaged, ensuring the transmission speed and accuracy of signals by the indoor flexible optical cable. At the same time, the setting of the spiral cuts can disperse the stress on the outer sheath when the indoor flexible optical cable bends, improve the anti-bending ability of the indoor flexible optical cable, reduce the risk of the outer sheath cracking, and extend the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable.

[0028] The preparation method of the indoor flexible optical cable provided by the present invention has a simple process and can quickly prepare the indoor flexible optical cable. The processed and formed indoor flexible optical cable has flexibility and can be used for wiring in complex indoor environments and at corners. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the indoor flexible optical cable provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the preparation method of the indoor flexible optical cable provided by the present invention.

[0031] In the figure:

[0032] 1, optical fiber unit; 2, high-temperature resistant layer; 3, reinforcing fiber layer; 4, outer sheath; 41, spiral cut. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0033] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than limiting the present invention. Additionally, it should be noted that for the sake of description, only parts related to the present invention rather than all structures are shown in the drawings.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "connected", "connected to", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two components or the interaction relationship between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0035] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may include direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the situation where the first and second features are not in direct contact but in contact through additional features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0036] In the description of this embodiment, the orientation or positional relationships such as "up", "down", "right", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of description and simplifying the operation, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be construed as a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0037] Embodiment 1

[0038] As Figure 1 shown, this embodiment provides an indoor flexible optical cable, which includes an optical fiber unit 1, a high-temperature resistant layer 2, an outer protective layer 4 and a fireproof layer. Among them, the high-temperature resistant layer 2 is coated on the outer periphery of the optical fiber unit, enabling the indoor flexible optical cable to stably transmit signals in a high-temperature environment and improving the versatility of the indoor flexible optical cable. The outer protective layer 4 is coated on the outer periphery of the high-temperature resistant layer 2. The setting of the outer protective layer 4 can ensure that the indoor flexible optical cable has abrasion resistance and anti-extrusion properties, guaranteeing the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable. The outer protective layer 4 is provided with a spiral cut 41. The setting of the spiral cut 41 reduces the rigidity of the outer protective layer 4, making the indoor flexible optical cable more flexible when bent. When the indoor flexible optical cable is routed in a complex indoor environment and at corners, it will not be damaged, ensuring the signal transmission speed and accuracy of the indoor flexible optical cable. At the same time, the setting of the spiral cut 41 can disperse the stress on the outer protective layer 4 when the indoor flexible optical cable is bent, improving the anti-bending ability of the indoor flexible optical cable, reducing the risk of cracking of the outer protective layer 4, and increasing the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable. The fireproof layer is coated on the outer periphery of the outer protective layer 4. Existing fireproof materials have certain waterproof properties while having fireproof properties. Therefore, the setting of the fireproof layer not only endows the indoor flexible optical cable with fireproof properties but also has certain waterproof properties, improving the use safety of the indoor flexible optical cable.

[0039] Furthermore, by providing the spiral cut 41 on the outer protective layer 4, the surface area of the outer protective layer 4 is increased, which is more conducive to the heat dissipation of the optical fiber unit 1, further improving the signal transmission speed and accuracy of the indoor flexible optical cable in a high-temperature environment.

[0040] Preferably, the spiral angle of the spiral cut 41 is 30° to 60°. When the spiral angle of the spiral cut 41 is less than 30°, the cuts on the outer sheath 4 are densely distributed, which is not only inconvenient for the processing of the spiral cut 41, but also when the indoor flexible optical cable is bent, the cuts will be over-stretched, increasing the risk of cracking of the outer sheath 4 and affecting the service life of the outer sheath 4. When the spiral angle of the spiral cut 41 is greater than 60°, the spiral cuts 41 are sparsely distributed, and the flexibility of the outer sheath 4 cannot be guaranteed, and thus the flexibility of the indoor flexible optical cable cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, setting the spiral angle of the spiral cut 41 on the outer sheath 4 to be 30° to 60° can enable the indoor flexible optical cable to take into account both flexibility and mechanical properties, and improve the rationality of the design of the indoor flexible optical cable.

[0041] Preferably, the depth of the spiral cut 41 is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the thickness of the outer sheath 4. When the depth of the spiral cut 41 is less than 1 / 3 of the thickness of the outer sheath 4, the improvement of the flexibility of the outer sheath 4 is limited, and the indoor flexible cable may not be able to meet the requirements of corner wiring. When the depth of the spiral cut 41 is greater than 1 / 2 of the thickness of the outer sheath 4, when the indoor flexible optical cable is bent and routed, the stress on the outer sheath 4 will be concentrated at the root of the cut, which will accelerate the aging of the outer sheath 4 and thus affect the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable. Therefore, designing the depth of the spiral cut 41 to be 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the thickness of the outer sheath 4 can ensure the flexibility of the indoor flexible optical cable, and at the same time, there will be no stress concentration at the cuts on the outer sheath 4 after the indoor flexible optical cable is routed, further ensuring the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable. Further, the cutting depth of 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 is a common industrial standard, and through numerical control cutting equipment or laser cutting equipment, the processing procedure of the spiral cut 41 can be quickly completed, realizing the improvement of the processing efficiency of the indoor flexible optical cable.

[0042] In this embodiment, the indoor flexible optical cable further includes a reinforcing fiber layer 3. The reinforcing fiber layer 3 is located between the high-temperature resistant layer 2 and the outer sheath 4. The setting of the reinforcing fiber layer 3 can improve the mechanical properties of the indoor flexible optical cable without affecting its flexibility, and further improve the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable. At the same time, when the outer protective material is coated around the reinforcing fiber layer 3 by extrusion, the outer sheath 4 and the reinforcing fiber layer 3 are bonded together, which can prevent the reinforcing fiber layer 3 from being stressed concentrated at the bending part of the indoor flexible optical cable, and further improve the mechanical properties of the indoor flexible optical cable when it is bent. Further, the braiding density of the reinforcing fiber layer 3 is 10 strands / mm 2 ~20 strands / mm 2 . If the braiding density of the reinforcing fiber layer 3 is less than 10 strands / mm 2, the improvement effect on the mechanical properties of the indoor flexible optical cable is not significant, and the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable cannot be improved. If the braiding density of the reinforcing fiber layer 3 is greater than 20 strands / mm 2 , the flexibility of the fiber layer will be reduced, which will affect the flexibility of the outer protective layer 4, and further affect the flexibility of the indoor flexible optical cable. Therefore, the braiding density of the reinforcing fiber layer 3 is designed to be 10 strands / mm 2 ~20 strands / mm 2 , which can improve the mechanical properties of the indoor flexible optical cable while taking into account the flexibility of the indoor flexible optical cable, and further improve the rationality of the design of the indoor flexible optical cable.

[0043] In this embodiment, the material of the reinforcing fiber layer 3 can be selected from glass fiber, carbon fiber or aramid fiber, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0044] In this embodiment, the material of the high-temperature resistant layer 2 is silicone rubber or modified polytetrafluoroethylene. Among them, silicone rubber has good high-temperature resistance and elasticity, so that the high-temperature resistant layer 2 can protect the optical fiber unit 1 in a high-temperature environment, and enable the indoor flexible optical cable to stably transmit signals in a high-temperature environment. At the same time, when the indoor flexible optical cable is bent, due to the good elasticity of the high-temperature resistant layer 2, the high-temperature resistant layer 2 always fits with the optical fiber unit 1 and the outer protective layer 4, making the stress distribution at the bent part of the indoor flexible optical cable uniform, and further improving the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable. Modified polytetrafluoroethylene also has good high-temperature resistance and elasticity, enabling the indoor flexible optical cable to stably transmit signals in a high-temperature environment, and when it is bent, the high-temperature resistant layer 2 always fits with the optical fiber unit 1 and the outer protective layer 4, improving the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable. Regarding the selection of the material of the high-temperature resistant layer 2, no specific limitation is made here.

[0045] In one embodiment, when the high-temperature resistant layer 2 in the indoor flexible optical cable is made of silicone rubber and the reinforcing fiber layer 3 is made of aramid fiber, the spiral angle of the spiral cut 41 on the outer protective layer 4 is 45°, and the depth of the spiral cut 41 is 1 / 2 of the thickness of the outer protective layer 4.

[0046] In another embodiment, when the high-temperature resistant layer 2 in the indoor flexible optical cable is made of modified polytetrafluoroethylene and the reinforcing fiber layer 3 is made of glass fiber, the spiral angle of the spiral cut 41 on the outer protective layer 4 is 30°, and the depth of the spiral cut 41 is 1 / 3 of the thickness of the outer protective layer 4.

[0047] Further, the thickness of the high-temperature resistant layer 2 is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. If the high-temperature resistant layer 2 is too thin, it cannot protect the optical fiber unit 1 in a high-temperature environment, which will affect the efficiency and accuracy of the transmission signal of the optical fiber unit 1. If the high-temperature resistant layer 2 is too thick, it will affect the overall flexibility of the indoor flexible optical cable, thereby affecting the use experience of the indoor flexible optical cable. The thickness of the high-temperature resistant layer 2 can be specifically selected according to the specifications and flexibility requirements of the indoor flexible optical cable, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0048] In this embodiment, the thickness of the fireproof layer is 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. Regarding the thickness of the fireproof layer, it can be specifically selected according to the specifications of the indoor flexible optical cable, and no specific limitation is made here. Among them, the fireproof coating in the fireproof layer can be selected from silicone fireproof coating, polyurethane fireproof coating or alkyd resin fireproof coating, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0049] Embodiment 2

[0050] As Figure 2 shown in , this embodiment provides a preparation method for preparing the indoor flexible optical cable in Embodiment 1. The preparation method of the indoor flexible optical cable includes the following steps:

[0051] Step 1: Coat the outer periphery of the optical fiber unit 1 with a high-temperature resistant material to form the high-temperature resistant layer 2. Specifically, a silicone rubber material or a modified polytetrafluoroethylene material is extruded and coated on the outer periphery of the optical fiber unit 1 to form the high-temperature resistant layer 2.

[0052] Step 2: Extrude and coat the outer periphery of the high-temperature resistant layer 2 with an outer protection material to form the outer protection layer 4. Specifically, the outer protection layer 4 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene. When processing the outer protection layer 4, the polytetrafluoroethylene material is extruded and coated on the outer periphery of the high-temperature resistant layer 2 to form the outer protection layer 4.

[0053] Step 3: Form a spiral incision 41 on the outer periphery of the outer protection layer 4 by mechanical processing. Specifically, a spiral incision 41 can be processed on the outer periphery of the outer protection layer 4 through a numerical control cutting device or a laser cutting device.

[0054] Step 4: Coat a fireproof material on the outer periphery of the outer protection layer 4 to form a fireproof layer. Specifically, the fireproof coating can be selected from silicone fireproof coating, polyurethane fireproof coating or alkyd resin fireproof coating.

[0055] Further, between Step 1 and Step 2, the following steps are further included:

[0056] Step 10: Sheath a fiber braided sheath on the outer periphery of the high-temperature resistant layer 2 to form a reinforcing fiber layer 3. The setting of the reinforcing fiber layer 3 can further improve the mechanical properties of the indoor flexible optical cable and further improve the service life of the indoor flexible optical cable.

[0057] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, rather than limitations on the implementation manners of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, various obvious changes, re-adjustments and substitutions can be made without departing from the protection scope of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all the implementation manners here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An indoor flexible optical cable, characterized in that: include: An optical fiber unit (1) and a high temperature resistant layer (2), wherein the high temperature resistant layer (2) is coated on the outer periphery of the optical fiber unit (1); An outer protective layer (4), the outer protective layer (4) covering the outer periphery of the high temperature resistant layer (2), the outer protective layer (4) being provided with a spiral cutout (41); A fireproof layer, the fireproof layer being coated on the outer periphery of the outer protective layer (4).

2. The indoor flexible optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spiral angle of the spiral cut (41) is 30° to 60°.

3. The indoor flexible optical cable according to claim 2, characterized in that: The depth of the spiral cut (41) is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the thickness of the outer protective layer (4).

4. The indoor flexible optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indoor flexible optical cable further comprises a reinforcing fiber layer (3), wherein the reinforcing fiber layer (3) is located between the high temperature resistant layer (2) and the outer sheath (4).

5. The indoor flexible optical cable according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fiber density of the reinforcing fiber layer (3) is 10 fibers / mm 2 ~20 roots / mm 2 .

6. The indoor flexible optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the high temperature resistant layer (2) is silicone rubber or modified polytetrafluoroethylene.

7. The indoor flexible optical cable according to claim 6, characterized in that: The thickness of the high temperature resistant layer (2) is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

8. The indoor flexible optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the fireproof layer is 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm.

9. A preparation method, characterized in that: Used to prepare the indoor flexible optical cable according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the preparation method comprising the following steps: Step 1: Wrapping a high temperature resistant material around the outer periphery of the optical fiber unit (1) to form a high temperature resistant layer (2); Step 2: Extruding and coating the outer protective material on the outer periphery of the high temperature resistant layer (2) to form an outer protective layer (4); Step 3: forming a spiral cut (41) on the outer circumference of the outer protective layer (4) by mechanical processing; Step 4: Coating a fireproof material on the periphery of the outer protective layer (4) to form a fireproof layer.

10. The preparation method according to claim 9, characterized in that: Between step 1 and step 2, the following steps are also included: Step 10: A fiber braided sheath is sheathed around the outer periphery of the high temperature resistant layer (2) to form a reinforced fiber layer (3).

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