Optical fiber color ring printing positioning device and ink jet mechanism

Abstract

This application relates to a fiber optic color ring printing positioning device and an inkjet mechanism, belonging to the field of color ring printing technology. The fiber optic color ring printing positioning device includes two sets of fiber feeding rollers mounted on a support, which are used to transport the fiber optic component in a taut state. It also includes positioning heads mounted on the support, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the fiber optic component, with positioning blocks installed on each head. This invention, by setting positioning heads and positioning blocks symmetrically distributed on the upper and lower sides of the fiber optic component, directly provides physical limitation in the vertical direction of maximum amplitude. When the fiber optic component vibrates up and down, the positioning blocks can quickly contact and release the vibration force, suppressing the amplitude within the error band and improving the stability of color ring printing. Utilizing the elastic deformation characteristics of the support ring, combined with the air pressure support inside the fixed cylinder, a flexible buffer interface is formed, which can absorb the elastic potential energy when the fiber optic component is suddenly tightened, avoiding fiber damage caused by rigid collisions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of color ring printing technology, and in particular to a fiber optic color ring printing positioning device and inkjet mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In the process of laying and maintaining submarine cables and long-distance optical cables, in order to quickly identify the fiber optic cable, it is usually necessary to spray color rings at intervals on the surface of the fiber optic cable through inkjet printing. In existing technologies, optical fibers are typically fed through two sets of fiber feeding rollers, and the roller grooves of the fiber feeding rollers are set to a V-shape to limit the left and right sides of the optical fiber.

[0003] However, due to the extremely small diameter and certain toughness of the optical fiber structure, on high-speed production lines, the output torque of the fiber feeding roller drive system may be mismatched with the load requirements or there may be control deviations, resulting in a speed difference between the two fiber feeding rollers. This causes the optical fiber to be in a dynamic conveying state of alternating looseness and tightness between the two rollers, which can easily induce slight vibration of the optical fiber. In addition, there will be deviations in the clamping force between the front end wire feeding and the rear end wire take-up, which will also cause the optical fiber to vibrate. Although the V-groove can limit lateral displacement, it is powerless against large vertical swings. Moreover, this elastic jitter is particularly severe in the middle section of the optical fiber. Once the swing exceeds the allowable error range of inkjet printing, it will cause incomplete color rings or missing rings, affecting the recognition effect. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a fiber optic color ring printing positioning device and an inkjet mechanism to address the aforementioned technical problems.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A fiber optic color ring printing positioning device includes two sets of fiber feeding rollers on a support, which are used to transport the fiber optic component in a taut state. It also includes positioning heads mounted on the support, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the fiber optic component and have positioning blocks installed on them. When the fiber optic component vibrates significantly in the vertical direction, it will contact the positioning head in the vertical direction to release the vibration force.

[0006] Preferably, the bracket is provided with a visual detection component for detecting changes in the swing amplitude of the optical fiber component, and the bracket is provided with a driving component for driving the positioning head to slide.

[0007] Preferably, a fixed cylinder is installed on the positioning head, and the positioning block and the fixed cylinder are connected by a support ring. The upper and lower ends of the inner cavity of the fixed cylinder are respectively connected to an air supply pipe and an exhaust port. The air supply pipe is externally connected to an air inflation mechanism, and the exhaust port faces the optical fiber component.

[0008] Furthermore, the support ring is made of an elastic material.

[0009] Furthermore, the driving component is a pipe capable of delivering a fixed amount of gas into the inner cavity of the fixed cylinder.

[0010] Preferably, at least three sets of the positioning heads are arranged symmetrically in the upper and lower parts.

[0011] Furthermore, the centerline between the positioning blocks on the upper and lower positioning heads in the central position and the axis of the optical fiber are not at the same height.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a sleeve consisting of two sets of semi-circular tubes connected by bolts, wherein the positioning head is assembled on the semi-circular tubes by bolts, and the sleeve is mounted on the bracket by a mounting rod.

[0013] Preferably, the outlet of the exhaust port is inclined.

[0014] An inkjet printing mechanism for fiber optic color rings includes a fiber optic color ring printing positioning device and an inkjet printing section mounted on a bracket. The inkjet printing section is located between two sets of fiber feeding rollers, and the positioning head is located between the inkjet printing section and the fiber feeding rollers.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides an optical fiber color ring printing positioning device and an inkjet mechanism, which have the following beneficial effects: This invention uses positioning heads and positioning blocks symmetrically distributed on the upper and lower sides of the optical fiber to directly physically limit the vertical direction with the largest amplitude. When the optical fiber shakes up and down, the positioning blocks can quickly contact and release the shaking force, suppressing the swing amplitude within the error band and improving the stability of color ring printing. This invention utilizes the elastic deformation characteristics of the support ring, combined with the air pressure support inside the fixed cylinder, to form a flexible buffer interface that can absorb the elastic potential energy when the optical fiber is suddenly tightened, avoiding damage to the optical fiber caused by rigid collision. At the same time, the airflow can also carry away the contact friction heat, protect the optical fiber coating, and improve the stability of color ring printing. This invention monitors the swing amplitude in real time through a visual detection component and adjusts the position and contact force of the positioning block in conjunction with the driving component, which not only ensures printing stability but also minimizes interference with the normal transmission of optical fibers. This invention sets the centerline L of the centering positioning head to have a height difference with the optical fiber axis, which forces the optical fiber to generate a controllable slight tension when the positioning blocks come together, eliminating the shrinkage margin of the optical fiber components, effectively blocking the propagation path of elastic jitter, and preventing secondary jitter in conjunction with the slow reset function. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is the front view of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a top view of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a side view of the present invention; Figure 4 This is an isometric view of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure in this invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the semi-circular tube in this invention; Figure 7 This is a top view of the sleeve structure in this invention; Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve in this invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning head in this invention; Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the positioning head in this invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Fiber optic component; 2. Bracket; 201. Inkjet printing unit; 202. Fiber feed roller; 3. Semi-circular tube; 301. Mounting rod; 4. Positioning head; 401. Fixing cylinder; 402. Air supply tube; 403. Support ring; 404. Positioning block; 405. Exhaust port. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0019] Example 1: A fiber optic color ring printing positioning device, referring to... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4The system includes two sets of fiber feeding rollers 202, with an inkjet printing unit 201 located between them. The inkjet printing unit 201 includes a nozzle body, an ink supply pipeline connected to the nozzle body, and a control valve located on the ink supply pipeline. Both the fiber feeding rollers 202 and the inkjet printing unit 201 are mounted on a bracket 2 via a mounting structure. The two sets of fiber feeding rollers 202 are used to transport the optical fiber component 1 in a taut state to the lower end of the inkjet printing unit 201 for color ring printing, assisting operators in identifying optical fiber information through color rings during subsequent submarine cable laying. However, because the optical fiber component 1 is relatively thin, it vibrates during high-speed transport through the fiber feeding rollers 202, resulting in incomplete or missing color rings. In existing technologies, the fiber feeding rollers 202 are typically... The roller groove of 02 is set in V shape to transport the optical fiber component 1. It can limit and guide the two sides of the optical fiber. However, during the process of transporting the optical fiber by the fiber feeding roller 202, due to the mismatch between the output torque of the drive system of the fiber feeding roller 202 and the load requirements or the deviation of the feedback and control links, there may be a certain speed difference between the two fiber feeding rollers 202. In addition, there will be a deviation in the clamping force between the front end of the wire feeding and the rear end of the wire taking. This will also cause the optical fiber to shake. When the optical fiber component 1 is between the two fiber feeding rollers 202, it will be in a state of alternating looseness and tightness based on the speed difference. Under this alternation, the optical fiber component 1 will shake due to the contraction elasticity of the optical fiber component 1, that is, the shaking when the optical fiber component 1 is suddenly tightened. When the shaking is greater than a certain value, there may be incomplete color rings or missing rings. Therefore, refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 9 The present invention includes a positioning head 4 mounted on the bracket 2, the positioning head 4 being symmetrically arranged on both sides of the optical fiber component 1, and a positioning block 404 mounted on the positioning head 4, as shown in the figure. Figure 1 The optical fiber vibrates due to the change in clamping force. The vibration range of the optical fiber component 1 is large in the vertical direction and small in the front-back direction. Therefore, two positioning heads 4 are installed on the upper and lower sides of the optical fiber component 1. When the optical fiber component 1 vibrates large in the vertical direction, the optical fiber component 1 will contact the positioning head 4 in the vertical direction, release the vibration force, reduce the swing amplitude of the optical fiber component 1, and improve the stability of color ring printing. In one specific implementation, refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 9 A vision detection component is set on the bracket 2 to detect the change in the swing amplitude of the fiber optic component 1. A driving component is set on the bracket 2. When the vision detection component detects that the swing amplitude of the fiber optic component 1 increases, the driving component drives the two positioning heads 4 to move closer to each other, so that the positioning block 404 contacts the fiber optic component 1 in advance, thereby reducing the swing amplitude of the fiber optic component 1 and improving the stability of color ring printing. In one specific implementation, refer to Figure 5, Figure 10 A fixed cylinder 401 is installed on the positioning head 4. The positioning block 404 is connected to the fixed cylinder 401 by a support ring 403. The upper and lower ends of the inner cavity of the fixed cylinder 401 are respectively connected to an air supply pipe 402 and an exhaust port 405. The air supply pipe 402 is connected to an external inflation mechanism for inflating the inner cavity of the fixed cylinder 401. The exhaust port 405 faces the optical fiber component 1. The gas that is injected is discharged from the exhaust port 405. When the exhaust port 405 on the upper and lower fixed cylinders 401 is vented, the airflow is opposed and can synchronously impact the optical fiber component 1, reducing the vertical swing amplitude of the optical fiber component 1. Furthermore, when the optical fiber component 1 and the positioning block 404 are in short-term contact, there will be slight friction. When the airflow flows, it can carry away the heat generated by the friction in time, and the airflow can also carry away some of the heat from the friction of the optical fiber. In one specific implementation, refer to Figure 9 , Figure 10 The support ring 403 is made of an elastic material with a certain support strength, specifically polyurethane rubber. When the optical fiber component 1 contacts the positioning block 404, the elastic rubber can absorb the jitter force transmitted to the positioning block 404, which has a certain buffering effect and helps the optical fiber component 1 reduce jitter. Secondly, there is always gas flowing in the inner cavity of the fixed cylinder 401. When the gas enters the inner cavity, it will first support the support ring 403 and then be discharged through the exhaust port 405. That is, the gas can make the support ring 403 bulge, which is more effective in absorbing jitter force and improving the stability of color ring printing. At the same time, refer to Figure 5 , Figure 10 When the visual inspection component detects an increase in the swing amplitude of the fiber optic component 1, the driving mechanism of the drive component is to deliver a fixed amount of gas into the cavity of the fixed cylinder 401 through an additional pipe, or to increase the gas delivery efficiency of the gas supply pipe 402 within a specified time. This increases the gas volume and pressure inside the fixed cylinder 401, causing the support ring 403 to expand and push the positioning block 404 to slide towards the fiber optic component 1. To facilitate the stable sliding of the positioning block 404, a guide telescopic shaft can be set between the positioning block 404 and the positioning head 4. At the same time, the increased gas volume results in a higher exhaust pressure at the exhaust port 405, which provides a better limiting effect on the fiber optic component 1. After a single high-efficiency gas delivery is completed, normal gas supply is restored. As the gas is discharged, the cavity of the fixed cylinder 401 gradually returns to its initial pressure. In this process, the positioning block 404 can gradually and automatically reset after quickly sliding to contact the fiber optic component 1 to reduce vibration. The contact time is short, which has little impact on the normal delivery of the fiber optic component 1 and improves the stability of color ring printing. Among them, the pipe is connected to the gas supply pipe 402 as a branch pipe; In one specific implementation, refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 The positioning heads 4, symmetrically arranged vertically, should be set to at least three sets, as per reference. Figure 8 Furthermore, the centerline L between the positioning blocks 404 on the two positioning heads 4 in the middle position and the axis of the fiber optic component 1 are not at the same height. Figure 8 In the middle, when the two positioning blocks 404 at the center line L are driven to approach each other, they can guide the optical fiber 1 towards the center line L, provide a force towards L, slightly tighten the shaking optical fiber 1, and prevent the optical fiber 1 from shaking again as the positioning blocks 404 slowly reset. In one specific implementation, refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 It also includes a sleeve consisting of two sets of semi-ring tubes 3 connected by bolts. The positioning head 4 is assembled on the semi-ring tube 3 by bolts. The sleeve is installed on the bracket 2 by the mounting rod 301. The sleeve can prevent external airflow interference and assist in the installation of the positioning head 4. In one specific implementation, refer to Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 5 The exhaust port 405 is inclined and the opening of the exhaust port 405 faces away from the inkjet printing unit 201. The exhaust gas is far away from the inkjet printing unit 201 to prevent the airflow from affecting the color ring printing of the inkjet printing unit 201.

[0020] Example 2: An inkjet mechanism for printing color rings on optical fibers includes an optical fiber color ring printing positioning device. When printing color rings on an optical fiber component 1, the optical fiber component 1 to be printed is led out from the pay-off reel, passes through a protective sleeve composed of two sets of semi-ring tubes 3, and passes around two sets of fiber feed rollers 202 in sequence. The fiber feed roller 202 drive system and the entire take-up and pay-off mechanism are started, so that the optical fiber component 1 is in a taut state and is conveyed downwards to the inkjet printing section 201. At this time, the V-shaped groove of the fiber feed roller 202 initially limits the optical fiber component 1. During the conveying process, a vision inspection component such as a CCD camera installed on the bracket 2 acquires images of the fiber segment between the two sets of fiber feeding rollers 202 in real time, and analyzes and calculates the swing amplitude and frequency of the fiber component 1 in the vertical and horizontal directions and the front and back directions. When the visual inspection component detects that the swing amplitude of the fiber optic component 1 exceeds the preset threshold, the control system starts the drive component. A quantitative gas is injected into the inner cavity of the fixed cylinder 401 of the upper and lower positioning heads 4 through the gas replenishment pipe 402. The increased gas pressure pushes the support ring 403 to expand, causing the positioning block 404 to slide along the guide telescopic axis of the center of the fiber optic component 1 and move closer to each other. The positioning block 404 contacts the optical fiber component 1, releasing the large-amplitude jitter in the vertical direction and limiting the swing amplitude; at the same time, the gas in the fixed cylinder 401 is ejected from the inclined exhaust port 405, and the two airflows collide at the optical fiber, which, together with the V-shaped diverting block in the middle of the exhaust port 405, limits the micro-movement in the front and back directions. The positioning head 4, located in the center position, has a height difference between its centerline L and the optical fiber axis. When it pushes the positioning block 404 to contact the optical fiber, it provides a slight tension force to the optical fiber, eliminating the elastic vibration of the optical fiber. Under the limiting and buffering effect of the positioning head 4, the jitter amplitude of the fiber component 1 is controlled within the allowable error range. At this time, the inkjet printing unit 201 prints color rings on the stable fiber surface according to the preset coding rules to form a complete color ring. The exhaust port 405 sprays air towards the side away from the inkjet printing unit 201 to avoid airflow interfering with its inkjet printing. The minute amount of frictional heat generated by the short-term contact between the optical fiber and the positioning block 404 is promptly carried away by the continuously flowing exhaust airflow, preventing the optical fiber from overheating and deforming. As the single inflation ends, the gas in the fixed cylinder 401 is discharged, the air pressure drops, the support ring 403 retracts, and the positioning block 404 slowly resets, avoiding secondary vibration of the optical fiber due to the instantaneous release of tension. The fiber optic component 1, after completing the color ring printing, continues to be conveyed forward, and the ink is cured by UV curing lamp, and then it is wound up by take-up reel.

Claims

1. A fiber optic color ring printing positioning device, comprising two sets of fiber feeding rollers (202) mounted on a support (2), the two sets of fiber feeding rollers (202) being used to transport the fiber optic component (1) in a taut state, characterized in that, It also includes a positioning head (4) installed on the bracket (2), the positioning head (4) being symmetrically arranged on both sides of the fiber optic component (1), and a positioning block (404) being installed on the positioning head (4). When the fiber optic component (1) vibrates in the vertical direction, it will contact the positioning head (4) in the vertical direction and release the vibration force.

2. A fiber optic color ring printing and positioning apparatus as in claim 1, wherein, The bracket (2) is provided with a visual detection component for detecting changes in the swing amplitude of the fiber optic component (1), and the bracket (2) is provided with a drive component for driving the positioning head (4) to slide.

3. A fiber optic color ring printing and positioning apparatus as in claim 2, wherein, A fixed cylinder (401) is installed on the positioning head (4). The positioning block (404) is connected to the fixed cylinder (401) through a support ring (403). The upper and lower ends of the inner cavity of the fixed cylinder (401) are respectively connected to an air supply pipe (402) and an exhaust port (405). The air supply pipe (402) is connected to an external inflation mechanism. The exhaust port (405) faces the optical fiber component (1).

4. A fiber optic color ring printing and positioning apparatus as in claim 3, wherein, The support ring (403) is made of elastic material.

5. A fibre optic colour ring printing and positioning apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that, The driving component is a pipe that can deliver a fixed amount of gas into the cavity of the fixed cylinder (401).

6. A fiber optic color ring printing and positioning apparatus as in claim 1, wherein, The positioning heads (4) are arranged symmetrically on the top and bottom, with at least three sets.

7. A fiber optic color ring printing and positioning apparatus as in claim 6, wherein, The centerline between the positioning blocks (404) on the two positioning heads (4) in the center position and the axis of the fiber optic component (1) are not at the same height.

8. A fiber optic color ring printing and positioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein, It also includes a sleeve consisting of two sets of semi-circular tubes (3) connected by bolts, the positioning head (4) being assembled on the semi-circular tubes (3) by bolts, and the sleeve being mounted on the bracket (2) by a mounting rod (301).

9. A fiber optic color ring printing and positioning apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein, The outlet of the exhaust port (405) is inclined.

10. An inkjet mechanism for printing fiber optic color rings, characterized by, The fiber optic color ring printing positioning device according to claim 8 further includes an inkjet printing section (201) mounted on a bracket (2), the inkjet printing section (201) being located between two sets of fiber feeding rollers (202), and the positioning head (4) being located between the inkjet printing section (201) and the fiber feeding rollers (202). The inkjet printing unit (201) includes a nozzle body, an ink supply pipeline connected to the nozzle body, and a control valve disposed on the ink supply pipeline.

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