Optical fiber ribbon optical cable

Abstract

The optical fiber ribbon cable comprises a cable core, a waterproof layer, a steel belt and an outer sheath which are sequentially arranged from inside to outside, the cable core comprises a flexible foaming subunit and a tight sleeve subunit. The tight sleeve subunit comprises a TPU beam tube and an optical fiber ribbon. And a gap is formed between the waterproof layer and the steel belt. The TPU beam tube is of a tight tube thin-wall structure, and the size of a tight tube subunit is small, so that the duty ratio of the optical fiber in the loose tube and the fiber density of the optical fiber in the optical cable are improved, and the TPU beam tube has a large core-diameter ratio; the cable core adopts the flexible foaming subunits, after the tight sleeve subunits and the flexible foaming subunits are stranded layer by layer, the tight sleeve subunits are protected when the optical cable is used due to the fact that the flexible foaming subunits are made of soft materials, and therefore the transmission performance of the optical cable is guaranteed. A gap is formed between the waterproof layer and the steel belt, so that a certain gap is formed in the optical cable, the optical cable is of a loose structure, the influence of optical cable outer protection shrinkage on the TPU beam tube and the optical fiber belt is reduced, and the problem of optical fiber additional attenuation in the loose winding temperature cycle process of the optical cable is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of optical fiber cables, and in particular to an optical fiber ribbon cable. Background Art

[0002] With the construction and development of 5G communication networks, large-volume data transmission urgently requires new transmission optical cables. At the same time, due to the shortage of pipeline space resources, the number of optical cables that can be installed in pipelines is limited. To improve this situation, the demand for high-density optical cables with reduced cable diameters and increased fiber core counts is increasing. Ultra-high-density and ultra-large-core optical fiber ribbon cables can effectively solve the problem of insufficient network traffic transmission capacity in core backbone networks, local area networks, access networks, computer rooms, and large data centers based on optical fiber communications. When it enters commercial applications, it is bound to significantly reduce the cost of optical cable manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.

[0003] With the demand for large-core, small-diameter, low-shrinkage optical fiber ribbon cables, it is difficult for traditional layer-twisted ribbon cable products to achieve low shrinkage in transmission solutions for central computer rooms. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiment of the present application provides an optical fiber ribbon cable to solve the problem of increased attenuation caused by a large shrinkage rate of the optical fiber ribbon cable in the related art.

[0005] The embodiment of the present application provides an optical fiber ribbon cable, the optical cable comprising a cable core, a water blocking layer, a steel belt and an outer sheath arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside along the radial direction of the optical cable;

[0006] The cable core comprises a flexible foaming subunit and a tight sleeve subunit twisted on the flexible foaming subunit, wherein the tight sleeve subunit comprises a TPU bundle tube and an optical fiber ribbon located in the TPU bundle tube;

[0007] A gap is formed between the water blocking layer and the steel belt.

[0008] The embodiment of the present application provides an optical fiber ribbon cable, which adopts a small-sized TPU bundle tube. Due to the tight-sleeved thin-wall structure, the size of the tight-sleeved sub-unit is small, thereby increasing the duty cycle of the optical fiber in the loose sleeve and the fiber density of the optical fiber in the optical cable, solving the problem of filling a large number of optical fiber cores under the same size conditions, and having a larger core-to-diameter ratio; a flexible foaming sub-unit is adopted in the center of the cable core, and after the tight-sleeved sub-unit and the flexible foaming sub-unit are twisted, the latter flexible foaming sub-unit is made of a softer material, which protects the tight-sleeved sub-unit when the optical cable is in use, thereby ensuring the transmission performance of the optical cable; at the same time, a gap is formed between the water-blocking layer and the steel belt, so that there is a certain gap inside the optical cable, which is a loose structure, reducing the influence of the contraction of the outer sheath of the optical cable on the TPU bundle tube and the optical fiber ribbon, and solving the problem of additional attenuation of the optical fiber during the loose winding temperature cycle of the optical cable.

[0009] In some embodiments, the flexible foam subunit is made of foamed PE material.

[0010] In some embodiments, the foaming degree of the PE material is 50% to 70%.

[0011] In some embodiments, the filling degree in the steel strip is 80% to 90%.

[0012] In some embodiments, the water-blocking layer includes a water-blocking tape longitudinally wrapped around the cable core, and a binding yarn located on the water-blocking tape.

[0013] In some embodiments, a water-blocking element is further provided outside the flexible foaming sub-unit, and the water-blocking element is located between the flexible foaming sub-unit and the tight sleeve sub-unit.

[0014] In some embodiments, the water-blocking element is made of water-blocking yarn.

[0015] In some embodiments, a tear cord is disposed in the gap.

[0016] In some embodiments, a reinforcement member is embedded in the outer sheath.

[0017] In some embodiments, the thickness of the water-blocking layer is 0.20 mm or 0.30 mm;

[0018] The thickness of the steel strip is 0.20mm, 0.23mm or 0.25mm;

[0019] The outer sheath is made of HDPE or MDPE;

[0020] The maximum outer diameter of the optical cable is 24.0±1mm;

[0021] The number of cores of the tight sleeve subunit is 144, and the number is 6.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by this application include:

[0023] The embodiment of the present application provides an optical fiber ribbon cable, which adopts a small-sized TPU bundle tube. Due to the tight-sleeved thin-wall structure, the size of the tight-sleeved sub-unit is small, thereby increasing the duty cycle of the optical fiber in the loose sleeve and the fiber density of the optical fiber in the optical cable, solving the problem of filling a large number of optical fiber cores under the same size conditions, and having a larger core-to-diameter ratio; a flexible foaming sub-unit is adopted in the center of the cable core, and after the tight-sleeved sub-unit and the flexible foaming sub-unit are twisted, the latter flexible foaming sub-unit is made of a softer material, which protects the tight-sleeved sub-unit when the optical cable is in use, thereby ensuring the transmission performance of the optical cable; at the same time, a gap is formed between the water-blocking layer and the steel belt, so that there is a certain gap inside the optical cable, which is a loose structure, reducing the influence of the contraction of the outer sheath of the optical cable on the TPU bundle tube and the optical fiber ribbon, and solving the problem of additional attenuation of the optical fiber during the loose winding temperature cycle of the optical cable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0025] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the optical fiber ribbon cable provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] In the figure: 1. Flexible foam subunit; 2. TPU bundle tube; 3. Optical fiber ribbon; 4. Water-blocking layer; 5. Steel belt; 6. Outer sheath; 7. Gap; 8. Water-blocking element; 9. Tear rope; 10. Reinforcement member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0028] See also Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical fiber ribbon cable, the optical cable comprising a cable core, a water blocking layer 4, a steel belt 5 and an outer sheath 6 arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside along the radial direction of the optical cable; the cable core comprises a flexible foam sub-unit 1, and a plurality of tight sleeve sub-units twisted on the flexible foam sub-unit 1 by layer twisting, the tight sleeve sub-unit comprises a TPU bundle tube 2 and an optical fiber ribbon 3 located in the TPU bundle tube 2; a gap 7 is formed between the water blocking layer 4 and the steel belt 5.

[0029] The optical fiber ribbon cable provided in the embodiment of the present application adopts a small-sized TPU bundle tube 2. Since it is a tight-fitting thin-walled structure, the size of the tight-fitting sub-unit is small, thereby increasing the duty cycle of the optical fiber in the loose tube and the fiber density of the optical fiber in the optical cable, solving the problem of filling a large number of optical fiber cores under the same size conditions, and having a larger core-to-diameter ratio; a flexible foaming sub-unit 1 is adopted in the center of the cable core, and after the tight-fitting sub-unit and the flexible foaming sub-unit 1 are twisted, since the material of the latter flexible foaming sub-unit 1 is relatively soft, it has a protective effect on the tight-fitting sub-unit when the optical cable is in use, thereby ensuring the transmission performance of the optical cable; at the same time, a gap 7 is formed between the water-blocking layer 4 and the steel belt 5, so that there is a certain gap inside the optical cable, which is a loose structure, reducing the influence of the contraction of the outer sheath of the optical cable on the TPU bundle tube 2 and the optical fiber ribbon 3, and solving the problem of additional attenuation of the optical fiber during the loose winding temperature cycle of the optical cable.

[0030] It is understandable that the flexible foam subunit 1 can protect the tight sleeve subunit by using its soft material property, and at the same time, the flexible foam subunit 1 also plays a role similar to a central reinforcement member, which can be used for layer twisting of each tight sleeve subunit, and there are many types of materials that can achieve this role. For example, as an example, the flexible foam subunit 1 is made of foamed PE material. Other existing soft materials can also be used as long as they can achieve the above role.

[0031] Furthermore, in order to play the role of protecting the tight-fitting sub-unit and serving as a central reinforcement, the embodiment of the present application also optimizes and limits the foaming degree of the PE material. As an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming sub-unit 1 is 50% to 70%.

[0032] That is to say, according to the actual product index requirements, the foaming degree can be selected from 50% to 70%. For example, as an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming subunit 1 can be selected as 50%. For example, as an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming subunit 1 can be selected as 52%. For example, as an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming subunit 1 can be selected as 55%. For example, as an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming subunit 1 can be selected as 57%. For example, as an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming subunit 1 can be selected as 57%. The foaming degree of the PE material can be selected as 60%. For example, as an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming sub-unit 1 can be selected as 62%. For example, as an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming sub-unit 1 can be selected as 64%. For example, as an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming sub-unit 1 can be selected as 66%. For example, as an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming sub-unit 1 can be selected as 68%. For example, as an example, the foaming degree of the PE material used in the flexible foaming sub-unit 1 can be selected as 70%.

[0033] The optical fiber ribbon cable provided in the embodiment of the present application forms a gap 7 between the overall structure formed by the water-blocking layer 4 and the cable core and the steel belt 5. The existence of the gap 7 makes the cable core, the steel belt 5 and the outer sheath 6 a loose structure, and the shrinkage of the outer sheath 6 has little effect on the cable core, thereby preventing the optical fiber transmission performance from being affected by the external temperature changes when the optical cable is coiled in use, and solving the problem of additional optical fiber attenuation during the loose winding temperature cycle of the optical cable.

[0034] If the gap 7 is too small, the loose structure will have limited ability to eliminate the impact of the shrinkage of the outer sheath 6 on the cable core. If the gap 7 is too large, the overall size of the optical cable will be too large. In order to take both into account, the filling degree of the steel belt 5 is limited in the embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the filling degree in the steel belt 5 is 80% to 90%.

[0035] That is to say, according to the actual product index requirements, a filling degree can be selected from 80% to 90%. For example, as an example, the filling degree of the overall structure composed of the water-blocking layer 4 and the cable core in the steel belt 5 can be selected as 80%. For another example, as an example, the filling degree of the overall structure composed of the water-blocking layer 4 and the cable core in the steel belt 5 can be selected as 82%. For another example, as an example, the filling degree of the overall structure composed of the water-blocking layer 4 and the cable core in the steel belt 5 can be selected as 84%. For another example, as an example, the filling degree of the overall structure composed of the water-blocking layer 4 and the cable core in the steel belt 5 can be selected as 86%. For another example, as an example, the filling degree of the overall structure composed of the water-blocking layer 4 and the cable core in the steel belt 5 can be selected as 88%. For another example, as an example, the filling degree of the overall structure composed of the water-blocking layer 4 and the cable core in the steel belt 5 can be selected as 90%.

[0036] In order to prevent the cable core from twisting back, in some preferred embodiments, the water-blocking layer 4 includes a water-blocking tape longitudinally wrapped around the cable core, and a binding yarn located on the water-blocking tape.

[0037] After several of the tight-sleeved sub-units are twisted on the flexible foamed sub-unit 1 in a layer-twisted manner, they are longitudinally wrapped with a water-blocking tape and then bundled with a single binding yarn to prevent the cable core from twisting back, so that the optical cable forms an orderly number of turns between the two reversing points to ensure the stability of the entire cable core structure. Finally, the cable core is placed in the steel belt-outer sheath.

[0038] See also Figure 1 As shown, in some preferred embodiments, a water-blocking element 8 is further provided outside the flexible foaming subunit 1, and the water-blocking element 8 is located between the flexible foaming subunit 1 and the tight sleeve subunit. The water-blocking element 8 is made of water-blocking yarn.

[0039] The water-blocking yarn is used to achieve water-blocking effect on the flexible foaming sub-unit 1.

[0040] Continue to see Figure 1 As shown, the number of water-blocking elements 8 in the embodiment of the present application can be determined according to actual water-blocking needs, such as Figure 1 Three water-blocking yarns are arranged in the middle.

[0041] Furthermore, one of the water-blocking yarns is spirally wound on the outer surface of the flexible foaming sub-unit 1 , and the other two water-blocking yarns are flatly placed beside the flexible foaming sub-unit 1 .

[0042] Similarly, water-blocking yarn may also be provided on the surface of the TPU bundle tube 2 of the tight sleeve subunit to block water.

[0043] See also Figure 1As shown, a tear rope 9 is arranged in the gap 7, and the steel belt 5 and the outer sheath 6 can be quickly torn apart by the tear rope 9.

[0044] In order to more conveniently tear the optical cable, the tear ropes 9 may be provided in plurality, for example, two tear ropes 9 are provided, and the two tear ropes 9 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cable core.

[0045] Manual stripping can help save installation and splicing time of optical fiber ribbons and cables and improve installation efficiency of optical cables.

[0046] See also Figure 1 As shown, a reinforcement member 10 is embedded in the outer sheath 6. The reinforcement member 10 is a non-metal reinforcement member, which is made of FRP tape or aramid yarn, and can fit more closely with the outer sheath. Compared with the reinforcement member arranged inside the outer sheath, it will not cause the thickness of the outer sheath to increase extra.

[0047] A plurality of reinforcing members 10 may be provided. For example, two reinforcing members 10 are arranged in parallel as one group. Two groups of reinforcing members 10 are provided. The two groups of reinforcing members 10 are symmetrically located on both sides of the outer sheath.

[0048] The thickness of the water blocking layer 4 is 0.20 mm or 0.30 mm.

[0049] The thickness of the steel strip 5 is 0.20 mm, 0.23 mm or 0.25 mm.

[0050] The outer sheath 6 is made of high-density polyethylene HDPE or medium-density polyethylene MDPE.

[0051] The maximum outer diameter of the optical cable is 24.0±1 mm.

[0052] The number of cores of the tight sleeve subunit is 144, and the number is 6.

[0053] When the optical fiber ribbon cable provided in the present application is manufactured, the flexible foam subunit 1 and the tight sleeve subunit are longitudinally wrapped with a water-blocking tape after being twisted, and the single yarns are bundled to prevent the cable core from twisting back, and the cable core is placed in the steel belt-outer sheath.

[0054] Embodiment 1

[0055] A tight sleeve subunit, a single TPU bundle tube 2 has a large core-to-diameter ratio, the outer diameter of the TPU bundle tube 2 is 5.4±0.2mm, the wall thickness of the TPU bundle tube 2 is 0.2mm, the total number of cores of the optical fiber ribbon in the TPU bundle tube 2 is 144 cores, the optical fiber ribbon includes 12 12-core ribbons, each optical fiber ribbon is composed of 12 colored optical fibers of 245μm±10μm, the width of the optical fiber ribbon is 2580±30μm, and the ribbon height is 250±20μm; the optical fiber ribbons are stacked in a square shape, tightly connected to the TPU bundle tube 2 without gaps, and the TPU bundle tube 2 is close to a square shape.

[0056] During manufacturing, the flexible foam subunit 1 and the tight sleeve subunit are wound together in a 1+6 structure and SZ twisting manner. The surfaces of the flexible foam subunit 1 and the tight sleeve subunit are water-blocked with water-blocking yarn. After the twist head is out, they are bundled in the form of longitudinally wrapping with water-blocking tape and then tying with yarn to prevent deformation of the casing and back-twisting of the cable core. 3-5 twisting circles are formed between the two reversing points, and finally the line is taken up onto the reel with low tension through a rocker rod.

[0057] There is a gap between the cable core and the steel belt, and the filling degree on the inside of the steel belt is 80-90%; 4 1.6mm round FRPs are embedded in the outer sheath, with 2 FRPs placed adjacent to each other and in parallel, and finally the finished product is taken up through extrusion, water tank cooling and crawler traction.

[0058] The number of cores of the optical fiber ribbon cable of this structure can reach 864, and the outer diameter of the cable is 24.0±1mm. The optical fiber ribbon in the tight sleeve subunit is in close contact with the TPU bundle tube 2, the structure is compact, the density of the optical fiber unit cross section is large, and the tight sleeve subunit can be torn and peeled manually, which is conducive to saving the installation and welding time of the optical fiber ribbon cable and improving the installation efficiency of the optical cable; at the same time, the optical cable forms an orderly number of turns between the two reversing points to ensure the stability of the entire cable core structure; and the cable core and the steel belt-outer sheath are loose structures, and the shrinkage of the outer sheath has little effect on the optical fiber ribbon, avoiding the influence of the external temperature change on the optical fiber transmission performance when the optical cable is coiled in use.

[0059] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, 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 therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. Unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be a connection between the two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0060] It should be noted that, in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0061] The above description is only a specific implementation of the present application, so that those skilled in the art can understand or implement the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest range consistent with the principles and novel features applied for herein.

Claims

1. An optical fiber ribbon cable, characterized in that: The optical cable comprises a cable core, a water blocking layer (4), a steel belt (5) and an outer sheath (6) which are arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside along the radial direction of the optical cable; The cable core comprises a flexible foam subunit (1) and a tight sleeve subunit twisted on the flexible foam subunit (1), wherein the tight sleeve subunit comprises a TPU bundle tube (2) and an optical fiber ribbon (3) located in the TPU bundle tube (2); A gap (7) is formed between the water-blocking layer (4) and the steel belt (5).

2. The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible foamed subunit (1) is made of foamed PE material.

3. The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 2, characterized in that: The foaming degree of PE material is 50% to 70%.

4. The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filling degree in the steel strip (5) is 80% to 90%.

5. The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water blocking layer (4) comprises a water blocking tape longitudinally wrapped around the cable core, and a binding yarn located on the water blocking tape.

6. The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water-blocking element (8) is also provided outside the flexible foaming sub-unit (1), and the water-blocking element (8) is located between the flexible foaming sub-unit (1) and the tight sleeve sub-unit.

7. The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water-blocking element (8) is made of water-blocking yarn.

8. The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: A tear rope (9) is arranged in the gap (7).

9. The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: A reinforcement piece (10) is embedded in the outer sheath (6).

10. The optical fiber ribbon cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the water-blocking layer (4) is 0.20 mm or 0.30 mm; The thickness of the steel strip (5) is 0.20 mm, 0.23 mm or 0.25 mm; The outer sheath (6) is made of HDPE or MDPE; The maximum outer diameter of the optical cable is 24.0±1mm; The number of cores of the tight sleeve subunit is 144, and the number is 6.

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