Optical fiber preform annealing equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of optical fiber preform rod production equipment, in particular to optical fiber preform rod annealing equipment which comprises a tower, an annealing furnace, a hook, a first direction transmission assembly, a first working table, a second direction transmission assembly, a second working table, a third direction transmission assembly and a control device, the hook is connected to the first direction transmission assembly, the first direction transmission assembly is installed on the first workbench, the first workbench is connected to the second direction transmission assembly, the second direction transmission assembly is installed on the second workbench, and the second workbench is connected to the third direction transmission assembly. The control device is in communication connection with the first direction transmission assembly, the second direction transmission assembly and the third direction transmission assembly, the control device can control the hook to move in the first direction and the second direction until the hook and the optical fiber preform are located above a furnace opening of the annealing furnace, and then the control device can control the hook to be vertically installed in the corresponding annealing furnace in the third direction. And the optical fiber preform rod loading efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of optical fiber preform production equipment, in particular to an optical fiber preform annealing device. Background Art

[0002] At present, large-size optical fiber preforms usually refer to optical fiber preforms with a diameter of more than 120 mm and a length of more than 1500 mm. Large-size optical fiber preforms are manufactured using external vapor deposition (PVD). In addition to internal stress, there will be a certain amount of hydroxyl (OH) inside the preforms, which will cause excessive attenuation and fiber breakage during the drawing process.

[0003] Patents with authorization publication numbers CN106673414B and CN106830651B disclose a method and device for annealing a large-size optical fiber preform rod. Two sets of quartz brackets are placed at both ends of multiple optical fiber preform rods in an annealing furnace, so that the optical fiber preform rods are divided into a horizontally arranged multi-layer superimposed structure, and gaps are left between each optical fiber preform rod. The preform rods are heated to the stress relief temperature by gradually increasing the temperature three times, and then kept warm, and then gradually cooled four times. The device can anneal multiple optical fiber preform rods at the same time, and avoids the generation of new thermal stress in the optical fiber preform rods during the thermal stress relief process through relatively mild temperature control. The optical fiber preform rods in the device are in a horizontal state during annealing. After the annealing is completed, the curvature of the optical fiber preform rods will increase, affecting the geometric indicators of the optical fiber preform rods. At the same time, the degree of automation of the device is not high, and tooling and manpower are required to load and transport the rods. Utility Model Content

[0004] The embodiment of the utility model aims to provide an optical fiber preform annealing device, in order to solve the technical problems in the prior art that the optical fiber preform is placed horizontally during the annealing process, resulting in an increase in the curvature of the optical fiber preform after annealing is completed and the optical fiber preform is manually loaded.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the utility model provides an optical fiber preform annealing device, comprising: a tower;

[0006] An annealing furnace, the annealing furnace is installed on the tower, and a furnace opening is opened at the top of the annealing furnace;

[0007] A hook, wherein the hook is used to hang the optical fiber preform;

[0008] A first direction transmission assembly, a first workbench, a second direction transmission assembly, a second workbench and a third direction transmission assembly, the hook is connected to the first direction transmission assembly, the first direction transmission assembly is installed on the first workbench, the first direction transmission assembly can drive the hook to slide along the first direction, the first workbench is connected to the second direction transmission assembly, the second direction transmission assembly is installed on the second workbench, the second direction transmission assembly can drive the first workbench to slide along the second direction, the second workbench is connected to the third direction transmission assembly, the third direction transmission assembly is installed on the tower, the third direction transmission assembly can drive the second workbench to slide along the third direction, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction respectively, and the third direction is arranged along the vertical direction;

[0009] A control device, wherein the control device can control the first direction transmission assembly, the second direction transmission assembly and the third direction transmission assembly to allow the hook on which the optical fiber preform is suspended to be placed into the annealing furnace from the furnace opening in a vertical direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the optical fiber preform annealing equipment also includes a furnace sealing cover plate and an opening and closing drive device, wherein the furnace sealing cover plate is slidably installed on the tower; the opening and closing drive device is connected to the furnace sealing cover plate, and the opening and closing drive device is communicatively connected to the control device; the control device can control the opening and closing drive device to drive the furnace sealing cover plate to slide to open and close the furnace mouth.

[0011] In some embodiments, the optical fiber preform annealing equipment further comprises a first guide assembly, the first guide assembly comprising a first guide rail and a first stop block, the first guide rail is connected to the tower, the length direction of the first guide rail is consistent with the third direction, the second workbench is slidably connected to the first guide rail, two groups of the first stop blocks are provided, and the two groups of the first stop blocks are respectively installed at both ends of the first guide rail, and the second workbench stops moving when it abuts against any of the first stop blocks.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first direction transmission assembly includes a first driving member, a first push rod, a first floating joint, a first connecting block and a first supporting plate, the first driving member is connected to the first workbench, the output end of the first driving member is connected to one end of the first push rod, the other end of the first push rod is installed with the first floating joint, the first floating joint is connected to the first connecting block, and the first supporting plate is connected between the first connecting block and the hook.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first workbench includes a mounting seat, a mounting plate and a frame, the first supporting plate is slidably connected to the frame, the mounting plate is connected between the frame and the mounting seat, the second direction transmission assembly is connected to the mounting seat, the mounting seat is provided with a mounting groove, the groove opening of the mounting groove faces the side away from the frame, and the second direction transmission assembly can detach the mounting seat from the groove opening of the mounting groove.

[0014] In some embodiments, the annealing furnace also includes a furnace body, a muffle tube and an insulation tube, the furnace body is provided with a receiving cavity, the insulation tube is installed at the bottom of the receiving cavity, the circumferential outer wall of the insulation tube is against the circumferential inner wall of the receiving cavity, the insulation tube includes an insulation cavity, one end of the muffle tube is received in the insulation cavity, the furnace mouth is located at the other end of the muffle tube, and the optical fiber preform can be placed in the muffle tube through the furnace mouth.

[0015] In some embodiments, the optical fiber preform annealing equipment also includes a supporting device, which includes a supporting frame and an insulating block. The supporting frame is installed on the end face of the furnace body, the supporting frame includes an installation cavity, the insulating block is installed in the installation cavity, the muffle tube is passed through the installation cavity, the insulating block is abutted between the muffle tube and the supporting frame, and the muffle tube is connected to the supporting frame.

[0016] In some embodiments, the support device further comprises a substrate, the substrate is mounted on the end surface of the support frame, the substrate is provided with a communication port, and the communication port is connected to the cavity opening of the installation cavity and the furnace opening;

[0017] The opening and closing drive device is connected to the base plate, and the opening and closing drive device includes a first sliding assembly, a second sliding assembly and an opening and closing drive assembly, the first sliding assembly includes a first sliding guide rod and a first sliding seat, the first sliding guide rod is installed on the base plate, and the first sliding seat is slidably connected to the first sliding guide rod; the second sliding assembly includes a second sliding guide rod and a second sliding seat, the second sliding guide rod is installed on the base plate, and the second sliding seat is slidably connected to the second sliding guide rod; the furnace sealing cover plate includes a first sealing plate and a second sealing plate, the first sliding seat is connected to the first sealing plate, and the second sliding seat is connected to the second sealing plate; the opposite ends of the opening and closing drive assembly are respectively connected to the first sliding seat and the second sliding seat, the first sealing plate includes a first receiving opening, the second sealing plate includes a second receiving opening, and when the first sealing plate and the second sealing plate are abutted against each other, the first receiving opening is connected to the second receiving opening to form a through hole, and the through hole allows one end of the optical fiber preform to pass through.

[0018] In some embodiments, the opening and closing drive assembly includes a sliding drive member, a sliding transmission rod and a sliding floating joint, the sliding drive member is installed on the first sliding seat, the sliding drive member is connected to one end of the sliding transmission rod, the other end of the sliding transmission rod is installed with the sliding floating joint, and the sliding floating joint is connected to the second sliding seat; the opening and closing drive assembly also includes a first heat insulation plate and a second heat insulation plate, the first heat insulation plate is located between the sliding drive member and the first sealing plate, the second heat insulation plate is located between the sliding floating joint and the second sealing plate, the first sliding seat is penetrated by the first heat insulation plate and connected to the first sealing plate, and the second sliding seat is penetrated by the second heat insulation plate and connected to the second sealing plate.

[0019] In some embodiments, the hook includes a main body and a supporting part, the main body is connected to the first direction transmission assembly, the main body is connected to the supporting part, the supporting part is provided with two groups, the two groups of supporting parts are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the main body, the supporting part is provided with a supporting groove, the opposite ends of the optical fiber preform are respectively passed through a group of the supporting grooves, a proximity switch is installed on a group of the supporting parts, the proximity switch is communicatively connected to the control device, and the proximity switch can detect whether the optical fiber preform is supported on the supporting groove.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, in the embodiment of the utility model, the control device controls the first direction transmission assembly, the second direction transmission assembly and the third direction transmission assembly to vertically load the hook with the optical fiber preform into a corresponding annealing furnace to realize automatic and precise loading. Moreover, the optical fiber preform is annealed in a vertically placed posture, thereby avoiding the squeeze interference of the adjacent optical fiber preform after the optical fiber preform is annealed, and ensuring the geometric indicators of the optical fiber preform after annealing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] One or several embodiments are exemplarily described by pictures in the corresponding drawings, and these exemplified descriptions do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0022] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an optical fiber preform annealing device provided in one embodiment of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle tower;

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle opening and closing drive device and the annealing furnace;

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the communication connection of the control device;

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the transmission assembly in the middle and third directions;

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the transmission assembly in the third direction;

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second direction transmission component;

[0029] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A partial structural schematic diagram of the second direction transmission assembly;

[0030] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the logic flow of annealing of optical fiber preform;

[0031] Fig.10 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of part A in the middle;

[0032] Fig.11 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second guide assembly;

[0033] Fig.12 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first workbench and the first direction transmission assembly;

[0034] Fig.13 yes Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the first workbench from another angle;

[0035] Fig.14 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the intermediate annealing furnace;

[0036] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the top portion of the intermediate annealing furnace;

[0037] Fig.16 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the middle opening and closing drive device closing the furnace mouth;

[0038] Fig.17 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle hook;

[0039] Fig.18 yes Fig.17 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of the middle hook.

[0040] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0041] 100. annealing equipment for optical fiber preform; 10. tower; 11. upper frame; 12. lower frame; 13. mounting plate; 20. annealing furnace; 21. furnace mouth; 22. furnace body; 221. receiving chamber; 222. upper furnace body; 223. middle furnace body; 224. lower furnace body; 23. muffle tube; 24. insulation tube; 241. insulation chamber; 30. hook; 31. main body; 32. supporting part; 321. supporting groove; 41. first direction transmission assembly; 411. first driving member; 412. first push rod; 413. first floating joint; 414. first a connecting block; 415, a first bearing plate; 42, a first workbench; 421, a mounting seat; 4211, a mounting groove; 422, a fixing plate; 423, a stand; 4231, a frame slide rail; 43, a second direction transmission assembly; 431, a second direction motor; 432, a second direction reducer; 433, a second direction coupling; 434, a second direction ball screw; 435, a second direction lead screw nut; 44, a second workbench; 45, a third direction transmission assembly; 451, a third direction motor; 452, a third direction reducer; 453, a third direction coupling axle; 454, third directional ball screw; 455, third directional lead screw nut; 46, control device; 50, furnace cover; 51, first sealing plate; 511, first receiving port; 52, second sealing plate; 521, second receiving port; 60, opening and closing drive device; 61, first sliding assembly; 611, first sliding guide rod; 612, first sliding seat; 62, second sliding assembly; 621, second sliding guide rod; 622, second sliding seat; 63, opening and closing drive assembly; 631, sliding drive member; 632, sliding transmission rod; 633, sliding Floating joint; 634, first heat insulation board; 635, second heat insulation board; 62, second sliding assembly; 70, first guide assembly; 71, first guide rail; 72, first stop block; 73, second guide assembly; 731, second guide rail; 732, second stop block; 80, supporting device; 81, supporting frame; 811, mounting cavity; 82, heat insulation block; 83, sheath; 84, substrate; 841, connecting port; 90, proximity switch; 200, optical fiber preform rod; 201, mother rod; 202, target rod; 2021, mounting hole; 300, metal rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In order to facilitate the understanding of the utility model, the utility model is described in more detail in the following in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as "connected" to another element, it can be directly on another element, or there can be one or more centered elements therebetween. The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "upper end", "lower end", "top" and "bottom" used in this specification indicate an orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, only for the convenience of describing the utility model 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 utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0044] Please also read Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an optical fiber preform annealing device provided in an embodiment of the utility model. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the transmission assembly in the middle and third directions; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle opening and closing drive device and the annealing furnace; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the communication connection of the control device.

[0045] An optical fiber preform annealing device 100 provided in an embodiment of the utility model comprises a tower 10, an annealing furnace 20, a hook 30, a first direction transmission component 41, a first workbench 42, a second direction transmission component 43, a second workbench 44, a third direction transmission component 45 and a control device 46; the annealing furnace 20 is installed on the tower 10, a furnace opening 21 is opened at the top of the annealing furnace 20, the hook 30 is used to hang the optical fiber preform 200, the hook 30 is connected to the first direction transmission component 41, the first direction transmission component 41 is installed on the first workbench 42, the first direction transmission component 41 can drive the hook 30 to slide along the first direction, the first workbench 42 is connected to the second direction transmission component 43, the second direction transmission component 44 is connected to the second direction transmission component 45, and the control device 46 is used to control the optical fiber preform 200. The driving assembly 43 is installed on the second workbench 44, and the second direction transmission assembly 43 can drive the first workbench 42 to slide along the second direction. The second workbench 44 is connected to the third direction transmission assembly 45, and the third direction transmission assembly 45 is installed on the tower 10. The third direction transmission assembly 45 can drive the second workbench 44 to slide along the third direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other, and the third direction is respectively perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction, and the third direction is arranged along the vertical direction; the control device 46 can control the first direction transmission assembly 41, the second direction transmission assembly 43 and the third direction transmission assembly 45, so that the hook 30 with the optical fiber preform rod 200 suspended thereon is placed into the annealing furnace 20 from the furnace mouth 21 along the vertical direction.

[0046] Here, it should be noted that the optical fiber preform 200 is loaded into the annealing furnace 20 for annealing treatment, the purpose of which is to eliminate thermal stress, eliminate bubbles, and remove excess hydroxyl groups in the optical fiber preform 200, so as to avoid attenuation or fiber breakage of the optical fiber preform 200 during the subsequent drawing process.

[0047] In this embodiment, the tower 10 includes an upper frame 11, a lower frame 12 and a mounting plate 13, the upper frame 11 and the lower frame 12 are welded, the mounting plate 13 is mounted on the lower frame 12 by screws, and the annealing furnace 20 is mounted on the mounting plate 13 to ensure a more stable installation of the annealing furnace 20. The annealing furnace 20 includes three groups, and the three groups of annealing furnaces 20 are evenly spaced and installed on the mounting plate 13 along the second direction, and a group of optical fiber preform rods 200 can be placed in a group of annealing furnaces 20 accordingly.

[0048] The hook 30 on which a group of optical fiber preform rods 200 are suspended is installed on the first direction transmission assembly 41, the first direction transmission assembly 41 drives the hook 30 to move in the first direction, the first direction transmission assembly 41 is installed on the first workbench 42, the first workbench 42 is connected to the second direction transmission assembly 43, the second direction transmission assembly 43 drives the first workbench 42 to move in the second direction, so that a group of optical fiber preform rods 200 are located directly above the furnace opening 21 of a group of annealing furnaces 20. The second direction transmission assembly 43 is installed on the second workbench 44, the second workbench 44 is connected to the third direction transmission assembly 45, the third direction transmission assembly 45 drives the second workbench 44 to move in the third direction, so that a group of optical fiber preform rods 200 are loaded into the annealing furnace 20 from the furnace opening 21 of the annealing furnace 20 in the vertical direction. The purpose of such a setting is to realize the automatic loading of the optical fiber preform rods 200, so as to improve the loading efficiency of the optical fiber preform rods 200. Moreover, it can ensure that each group of optical fiber preform rods 200 is placed in a corresponding group of annealing furnaces 20 in a vertical posture, so as to avoid the situation where multiple groups of optical fiber preform rods 200 are stacked together and squeezed on adjacent optical fiber preform rods 200 due to increased curvature after annealing, thereby ensuring the geometric indicators of the optical fiber preform rods after annealing.

[0049] See also Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 , Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the transmission assembly in the middle and third directions; Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the transmission assembly in the third direction; Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second direction transmission component; Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of the second direction transmission component.

[0050] In order to further accurately control the placement of the optical fiber preform 200 into the annealing furnace 20, in the present embodiment, the third directional transmission assembly 45 includes a third directional motor 451, a third directional reducer 452, a third directional coupling 453, a third directional ball screw 454 and a third directional screw nut 455. The third directional motor 451 is installed at the top of the upper frame 11, and the output end of the third directional motor 451 is connected to one end of the third directional reducer 452, and the other end of the third directional reducer 452 is connected to the third directional coupling 453. The third directional coupling 453 is transmission-connected to the third directional ball screw 454, and the third directional screw nut 455 is threadedly connected to the third directional ball screw 454. The third directional screw nut 455 is connected to the second workbench 44, and the second workbench 44 is slidably connected to the upper frame 11. The length direction of the third-direction ball screw 454 is consistent with the third direction, that is, the vertical direction; therefore, the third-direction motor 451 can drive the second workbench 44 to slide up and down on the upper frame 11 along the vertical direction.

[0051] See also Figure 4 and Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the logical flow of optical fiber preform annealing.

[0052] In this embodiment, the action sequence of the optical fiber preform rod 200 before annealing is lifting the rod → moving the rod → dropping the rod → closing the furnace → unhooking. In short, the optical fiber preform rod 200 needs to move in at least two directions. In order to control the equipment cost, the transmission structure of the second direction transmission component 43 and the third direction transmission component 45 is similar. To be more specific, the second direction transmission component 43 includes a second direction motor 431, a second direction reducer 432, a second direction coupling 433, a second direction ball screw 434 and a second direction lead screw nut 435. The second direction lead screw nut 435 is connected to the first workbench 42, and the first workbench 42 is slidably connected to the upper frame 11. The transmission effect of the second direction transmission component 43 is also similar to that of the third direction transmission component 45, and no further description is given here. In addition, the length of the second direction ball screw 434 can be set according to actual needs.

[0053] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the control device 46 includes a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), and the output of the second direction motor 431 and the third direction motor 451 are set by the control program so that the hook 30 on which the optical fiber preform 200 is suspended can accurately place the optical fiber preform 200 into a corresponding annealing furnace 20.

[0054] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 yes Figure 1Schematic diagram of the structure of the opening and closing drive device and annealing furnace.

[0055] In one embodiment, the optical fiber preform annealing equipment 100 also includes a furnace sealing cover plate 50 and an opening and closing drive device 60. The furnace sealing cover plate 50 is slidably installed on the tower 10; the opening and closing drive device 60 is connected to the furnace sealing cover plate 50, and the opening and closing drive device 60 is communicatively connected with the control device 46. The control device 46 can control the opening and closing drive device 60 to drive the furnace sealing cover plate 50 to open and close the furnace mouth 21.

[0056] Specifically, the furnace sealing cover plate 50 is slidably mounted on the mounting plate 13, and the opening and closing driving device 60 is connected to the furnace sealing cover plate 50. The opening and closing driving device 60 can drive the furnace sealing cover plate 50 to slide along the mounting plate 13. After the optical fiber preform 200 is loaded into the annealing furnace 20, the control device 46 controls the opening and closing driving device 60 to drive the furnace sealing cover plate 50 to close the furnace opening 21. After the annealing of the optical fiber preform 200 is completed, the control device 46 controls the opening and closing driving device 60 to drive the furnace sealing cover plate 50 to slide to open the furnace opening 21, so that the optical fiber preform 200 can be taken out. No human effort is required, which is safe and reliable.

[0057] See also Figure 1 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 , Fig.10 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of part A in the middle; Fig.11 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second guide component.

[0058] In one embodiment, the optical fiber preform annealing equipment 100 further includes a first guide assembly 70, the first guide assembly 70 includes a first guide rail 71 and a first stopper 72, the first guide rail 71 is connected to the tower 10, the length direction of the first guide rail 71 is consistent with the third direction, the second workbench 44 is slidably connected to the first guide rail 71, the first stopper 72 is provided with two groups, the two groups of first stoppers 72 are respectively installed at both ends of the first guide rail 71, and the second workbench 44 stops moving when it abuts against any group of first stoppers 72.

[0059] Specifically, the first guide rail 71 is installed on the upper frame 11, and the third directional transmission assembly 45 drives the second workbench 44 to slide along the first guide rail 71, and the second workbench 44 is slidably connected to the first guide rail 71. In this embodiment, the second workbench 44 is roughly rectangular, and there are two groups of first guide rails 71, which are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the upper frame 11, and the two ends of the second workbench 44 are respectively slidably connected to a group of first guide rails 71. A first stopper 72 is arranged at the opposite ends of any group of first guide rails 71, and the second workbench 44 can move back and forth between the two first stoppers 72 on a group of first guide rails 71 driven by the third directional transmission assembly 45. When the second workbench 44 abuts against any one of the first stoppers 72, the second workbench 44 stops moving, thereby preventing the second workbench 44 from derailing from the first guide rail 71.

[0060] In this embodiment, a second guide assembly 73 is installed on the side of the second workbench 44 facing the first workbench 42. The second guide assembly 73 is similar in structure to the first guide assembly 70, that is, the second guide assembly 73 includes a second guide rail 731 and a second stop block 732. The length direction of the second guide rail 731 is consistent with the second direction. Two groups of second stop blocks 732 are respectively installed at opposite ends of the second guide rail 731. The first workbench 42 is slidably connected to the second guide rail 731. When the first workbench 42 abuts against the second stop block 732, it stops moving to prevent the first workbench 42 from derailing.

[0061] See also Figure 1 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 , Fig.12 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first workbench and the first direction transmission assembly; Fig.13 yes Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the first workbench from another angle.

[0062] In one embodiment, the first direction transmission assembly 41 includes a first driving member 411, a first push rod 412, a first floating joint 413, a first connecting block 414 and a first supporting plate 415. The first driving member 411 is connected to the first workbench 42, the output end of the first driving member 411 is connected to one end of the first push rod 412, the other end of the first push rod 412 is installed with the first floating joint 413, the first floating joint 413 is connected to the first connecting block 414, and the first supporting plate 415 is connected between the first connecting block 414 and the hook 30.

[0063] Specifically, the first push rod 412 can be prevented from getting stuck during the pushing process by connecting the first floating joint 413 to the first connecting block 414. It should be briefly explained that the axis connected by the floating joint, that is, the first push rod 412, can be offset within a certain range relative to the first connecting block 414, thereby preventing the first push rod 412 from getting stuck during the pushing process.

[0064] In this embodiment, the first driving member 411 is a cylinder, which has the advantages of simple structure, fast reaction speed and low cost. In some other embodiments, the first driving member 411 can also be a driving member such as a motor.

[0065] In the specific implementation process, the first driving member 411 drives the first push rod 412 to move along the first direction, the first push rod 412 drives the first floating joint 413 to move, the first floating joint 413 drives the first connecting block 414 and the first supporting plate 415 to move along the first direction, the hook 30 moves with the movement of the first supporting plate 415, and the optical fiber preform 200 moves with the hook 30.

[0066] In one embodiment, the first workbench 42 includes a mounting seat 421, a fixed plate 422 and a stand 423, the first supporting plate 415 is slidably connected to the stand 423, the fixed plate 422 is connected between the stand 423 and the mounting seat 421, the second direction transmission assembly 43 is connected to the mounting seat 421, the mounting seat 421 is provided with a mounting groove 4211, the groove of the mounting groove 4211 is facing away from the stand 423, and the second direction transmission assembly 43 can be detached from the mounting seat 421 from the groove of the mounting groove 4211.

[0067] Specifically, a frame slide rail 4231 is installed on the stand 423, the length direction of the frame slide rail 4231 is consistent with the first direction, and the first bearing plate 415 is slidably connected to the frame slide rail 4231. The stand 423 is connected to one side of the fixed plate 422 by screws, and the mounting seat 421 is connected to the other side of the fixed plate 422 by screws; the second direction ball screw 434 is rotatably installed on the mounting seat 421 through the mounting groove 4211, and the notch of the mounting groove 4211 is away from the stand 423, so that the second direction ball screw 434 can be removed during debugging or maintenance.

[0068] See also Figure 1 and Fig.14 , Fig.14 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the intermediate annealing furnace.

[0069] In one embodiment, the annealing furnace 20 also includes a furnace body 22, a muffle tube 23 and an insulation tube 24. The furnace body 22 is provided with a receiving cavity 221. The insulation tube 24 is installed at the bottom of the receiving cavity 221. The circumferential outer wall of the insulation tube 24 is against the circumferential inner wall of the receiving cavity 221. The insulation tube 24 includes an insulation cavity 241. One end of the muffle tube 23 is received in the insulation cavity 241. The furnace mouth 21 is located at the other end of the muffle tube 23. The optical fiber preform 200 can be placed in the muffle tube 23 through the furnace mouth 21.

[0070] It should be briefly explained here that the muffle tube 23 is usually made of ceramic or metal, and the muffle tube 23 is roughly in the shape of a long tube, and a sample can be placed inside. The main function of the muffle tube 23 is to provide a closed environment to prevent the sample from being affected by the outside air during the heating process. In this embodiment, the muffle tube 23 is a high-purity quartz tube with a flange, and the optical fiber preform 200 needs to be placed in the muffle tube 23 and then placed in the annealing furnace 20 for heating together. In addition, the furnace body 22 includes an upper furnace body 222, a middle furnace body 223 and a lower furnace body 224, and the upper furnace body 222, the middle furnace body 223 and the lower furnace body 224 are connected in sequence, and the upper furnace body 222, the middle furnace body 223 and the lower furnace body 224 are all provided with thermocouples to heat the receiving cavity 221. The control device 46 includes an electric cabinet, and the upper furnace body 222, the middle furnace body 223 and the lower furnace body 224 are all communicatively connected to the electric cabinet. The electric cabinet is provided with a temperature controller and a power regulator, etc. The temperature controller can monitor the temperature in the receiving cavity 221 in real time, automatically sample and feed back to the control device 46. For example: when the temperature in the stove body 22 exceeds the preset temperature, the control device 46 will control the heating power of the corresponding thermocouples in the upper furnace body 222, the middle furnace body 223 and the lower furnace body 224.

[0071] Specifically, the insulation tube 24 is installed in the lower furnace body 224, the circumferential outer side wall of the insulation tube 24 abuts against the side wall of the lower furnace body 224, the cavity opening of the insulation cavity 241 is in the same direction as the cavity opening of the receiving cavity 221, and the muffle tube 23 can be loaded into the insulation cavity 241 through the cavity opening of the receiving cavity 221, that is, the bottom end of the muffle tube 23 is received in the insulation cavity 241. In other words, the insulation tube 24 abuts between the lower furnace body 224 and the bottom end of the muffle tube 23. The purpose of this arrangement is to eliminate the gap between the bottom end of the muffle tube 23 and the lower furnace body 224, and prevent the bottom temperature of the muffle tube 23 from fluctuating.

[0072] See also Fig.15 , Fig.15 yes Fig.14 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the top part of the intermediate annealing furnace.

[0073] In one embodiment, the optical fiber preform annealing equipment 100 also includes a supporting device 80, which includes a supporting frame 81 and an insulating block 82. The supporting frame 81 is installed on the end surface of the furnace body 22, and the supporting frame 81 includes an installation cavity 811. The insulating block 82 is installed in the installation cavity 811. The muffle tube 23 is inserted into the installation cavity 811. The insulating block 82 is located between the muffle tube 23 and the supporting frame 81, and the muffle tube 23 is connected to the supporting frame 81.

[0074] Specifically, the support frame 81 is installed at the top of the upper furnace body 222, and the support device 80 also includes a sheath 83, which abuts against the top end surface of the insulation block 82, one end of the sheath 83 is connected to the support frame 81, and the other end of the sheath 83 is connected to the other end of the muffle tube 23. In this embodiment, in order to ensure the sealing of the muffle tube 23, the sheath 83 and the muffle tube 23 are connected by a flange to fix the muffle tube 23. The insulation block 82 is roughly annular, and the insulation block 82 is accommodated in the installation cavity 811. Further, the circumferential outer side wall of the insulation block 82 abuts against the side wall of the installation cavity 811, and the insulation block 82 is located between the support frame 81 and the muffle tube 23. The purpose of this arrangement is to prevent the heat dissipated from the upper furnace body 222 to the furnace mouth 21 from radiating to the support frame 81, which can increase the service life of the support frame 81.

[0075] See also Figure 3 , Fig.15 and Fig.16 , Fig.16 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle opening and closing drive device closing the furnace mouth.

[0076] In one embodiment, the support device 80 further includes a base plate 84, which is mounted on the end surface of the support frame 81, and has a communication port 841, which is connected to the cavity opening of the installation cavity 811 and the furnace opening 21;

[0077] The opening and closing drive device 60 is connected to the base plate 84. The opening and closing drive device 60 includes a first sliding component 61, a second sliding component 62 and an opening and closing drive component 63. The first sliding component 61 includes a first sliding guide rod 611 and a first sliding seat 612. The first sliding guide rod 611 is installed on the base plate 84, and the first sliding seat 612 is slidably connected to the first sliding guide rod 611; the second sliding component 62 includes a second sliding guide rod 621 and a second sliding seat 622. The second sliding guide rod 621 is installed on the base plate 84, and the second sliding seat 622 is slidably connected to the second sliding guide rod 621; the furnace sealing cover plate 50 includes a first sealing plate 51 and a second sealing plate 52, a first sliding seat 612 is connected to the first sealing plate 51, and a second sliding seat 622 is connected to the second sealing plate 52; the opposite ends of the opening and closing drive assembly 63 are respectively connected to the first sliding seat 612 and the second sliding seat 622, the first sealing plate 51 includes a first receiving opening 511, and the second sealing plate 52 includes a second receiving opening 521, when the first sealing plate 51 and the second sealing plate 52 are abutted against each other, the first receiving opening 511 is connected to the second receiving opening 521 to form a through hole, and the through hole allows one end of the optical fiber preform rod 200 to pass through.

[0078] Specifically, the base plate 84 is arranged in contact with the mounting plate 13 so that the communication port 841 is connected to the furnace port 21, the first sliding seat 612 can slide along the first sliding guide rod 611, the second sliding seat 622 can slide along the second sliding guide rod 621, the first sliding seat 612 is connected to the first sealing plate 51, and the second sliding seat 622 is connected to the second sealing plate 52. The first sealing plate 51 and the second sealing plate 52 can slide toward each other, the first receiving port 511 and the second receiving port 521 are both roughly semicircular openings, and when the first sealing plate 51 and the second sealing plate 52 abut against each other, the first receiving port 511 and the second receiving port 521 are connected to form a through hole, and one end of the optical fiber preform 200 can be inserted into the through hole. It is understandable that the outer side wall of the optical fiber preform 200 abuts against the first sealing plate 51 and the second sealing plate 52 to ensure that the furnace port 21 is closed, reduce heat loss, and avoid excessive temperature difference between the upper end of the muffle tube 23 and the lower end of the muffle tube 23. Moreover, only one set of opening and closing drive components 63 can be used to allow the first sealing plate 51 and the second sealing plate 52 to move relative to each other, and the structure is compact.

[0079] In one embodiment, the opening and closing drive assembly 63 includes a sliding drive member 631, a sliding transmission rod 632 and a sliding floating joint 633. The sliding drive member 631 is installed on the first sliding seat 612, and the sliding drive member 631 is connected to one end of the sliding transmission rod 632. The other end of the sliding transmission rod 632 is installed with a sliding floating joint 633, and the sliding floating joint 633 is connected to the second sliding seat 622; the opening and closing drive assembly 63 also includes a first heat insulation plate 634 and a second heat insulation plate 635. The first heat insulation plate 634 is located between the sliding drive member 631 and the first sealing plate 51, and the second heat insulation plate 635 is located between the sliding floating joint 633 and the second sealing plate 52. The first sliding seat 612 is penetrated by the first heat insulation plate 634 and is connected to the first sealing plate 51, and the second sliding seat 622 is penetrated by the second heat insulation plate 635 and is connected to the second sealing plate 52.

[0080] Specifically, the sliding drive member 631 adopts a cylinder, the output end of the sliding drive member 631 is connected to one end of the sliding transmission rod 632, and the other end of the sliding transmission rod 632 is installed with a sliding floating joint 633 to prevent the sliding transmission rod 632 from getting stuck during the pushing process. When the sliding drive member 631 is started, that is, when the sliding drive member 631 drives the sliding floating joint 633 to move away from the sliding drive member 631, the corresponding first sliding seat 612 and the second sliding seat 622 also move away, and the furnace mouth 21 opens accordingly, and conversely, the furnace mouth 21 is closed. Among them, when the first sliding seat 612 slides, the first heat insulation board 634 will move with the sliding of the first sliding seat 612, and the first heat insulation board 634 can play a role in heat insulation protection for the sliding drive member 631. In addition, the first sliding seat 612 is connected to the first sliding guide rod 611 through a bearing sliding, and the first heat insulation board 634 can also play a role in heat insulation protection for the bearing, thereby increasing the service life of the bearing.

[0081] See also Fig.17 and Fig.18 , Fig.17 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle hook; Fig.18 yes Fig.17 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of the middle hook.

[0082] In one embodiment, the hook 30 includes a main body 31 and a supporting portion 32, the main body 31 is connected to the first direction transmission assembly 41, the main body 31 is connected to the supporting portion 32, the supporting portion 32 is provided with two groups, the two groups of supporting portions 32 are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the main body 31, the supporting portion 32 is provided with a supporting groove 321, the opposite ends of the optical fiber preform 200 are respectively penetrated through the supporting groove 321 on one group of supporting portions 32, a proximity switch 90 is installed on one group of supporting portions 32, the proximity switch 90 is communicatively connected to the control device 46, and the proximity switch 90 can detect whether the optical fiber preform 200 is supported on the supporting groove 321.

[0083] Specifically, the main body 31 and the supporting part 32 are an integrated structure, the top of the optical fiber preform 200 can be accommodated in the supporting groove 321, and the main body 31 is connected to the first supporting plate 415, so that when the first driving member 411 drives the first supporting plate 415 to move, the optical fiber preform 200 moves accordingly. The length direction of the supporting part 32 is consistent with the first direction, and the supporting part 32 and the main body 31 are enclosed to form a shape similar to a hook. In this embodiment, the optical fiber preform 200 includes a mother rod 201 and a target rod 202, the target rod 202 is located above the mother rod 201, the target rod 202 and the mother rod 201 are an integrated structure, the target rod 202 is provided with a mounting hole 2021, and the metal rod 300 passes through the mounting hole 2021, and the two ends of the metal rod 300 protrude from the target rod 202 and respectively abut against a group of supporting parts 32, so that the optical fiber preform 200 is suspended on the hook 30. In this embodiment, the proximity switch 90 is a position switch that can be operated without the need for direct mechanical contact between moving parts; when the optical fiber preform 200 is hung on the supporting groove 321, the proximity switch 90 can detect the presence of the optical fiber preform 200 and feed back to the control device 46.

[0084] The control device 46 then controls the first direction transmission assembly 41 , the second direction transmission assembly 43 and the third direction transmission assembly 45 to adjust the position of the optical fiber preform 200 .

[0085] For further ease of understanding, in this embodiment, the optical fiber preform 200 will go through the actions of lifting, moving, dropping, closing the furnace and unhooking in sequence before annealing. After unhooking is completed, the optical fiber preform 200 will undergo annealing.

[0086] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Under the idea of ​​the present invention, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other changes in different aspects of the present invention as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of simplicity. Although the present invention is described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, ordinary technicians in this field should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical fiber preform annealing device, characterized in that: include: Tower; An annealing furnace, the annealing furnace is installed on the tower, and a furnace opening is opened at the top of the annealing furnace; A hook, the hook being used to hang the optical fiber preform; A first direction transmission assembly, a first workbench, a second direction transmission assembly, a second workbench and a third direction transmission assembly, the hook is connected to the first direction transmission assembly, the first direction transmission assembly is installed on the first workbench, the first direction transmission assembly can drive the hook to slide along the first direction, the first workbench is connected to the second direction transmission assembly, the second direction transmission assembly is installed on the second workbench, the second direction transmission assembly can drive the first workbench to slide along the second direction, the second workbench is connected to the third direction transmission assembly, the third direction transmission assembly is installed on the tower, the third direction transmission assembly can drive the second workbench to slide along the third direction, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction respectively, and the third direction is arranged along the vertical direction; A control device, wherein the control device can control the first direction transmission assembly, the second direction transmission assembly and the third direction transmission assembly to allow the hook on which the optical fiber preform is suspended to be placed into the annealing furnace from the furnace opening in a vertical direction.

2. The optical fiber preform annealing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a furnace sealing cover plate and an opening and closing drive device, wherein the furnace sealing cover plate is slidably installed on the tower; the opening and closing drive device is connected to the furnace sealing cover plate, and the opening and closing drive device is communicatively connected with the control device; the control device can control the opening and closing drive device to drive the furnace sealing cover plate to slide to open and close the furnace mouth.

3. The optical fiber preform annealing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first guide assembly, which includes a first guide rail and a first stop block. The first guide rail is connected to the tower, and the length direction of the first guide rail is consistent with the third direction. The second workbench is slidably connected to the first guide rail. The first stop block is provided with two groups, and the two groups of the first stop blocks are respectively installed at both ends of the first guide rail. When the second workbench abuts against any of the first stop blocks, the second workbench stops moving.

4. The optical fiber preform annealing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first direction transmission assembly includes a first driving member, a first push rod, a first floating joint, a first connecting block and a first supporting plate. The first driving member is connected to the first workbench, the output end of the first driving member is connected to one end of the first push rod, the other end of the first push rod is equipped with the first floating joint, the first floating joint is connected to the first connecting block, and the first supporting plate is connected between the first connecting block and the hook.

5. The optical fiber preform annealing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first workbench includes a mounting seat, a mounting plate and a frame, the first supporting plate is slidably connected to the frame, the mounting plate is connected between the frame and the mounting seat, the second direction transmission assembly is connected to the mounting seat, the mounting seat is provided with a mounting groove, the groove opening of the mounting groove faces the side away from the frame, and the second direction transmission assembly can detach the mounting seat from the groove opening of the mounting groove.

6. The optical fiber preform annealing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The annealing furnace also includes a furnace body, a muffle tube and an insulation tube. The furnace body is provided with a receiving cavity. The insulation tube is installed at the bottom of the receiving cavity. The circumferential outer wall of the insulation tube abuts against the circumferential inner wall of the receiving cavity. The insulation tube includes an insulation cavity. One end of the muffle tube is received in the insulation cavity. The furnace mouth is located at the other end of the muffle tube. The optical fiber preform can be placed in the muffle tube through the furnace mouth.

7. The optical fiber preform annealing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a supporting device, which includes a supporting frame and an insulating block. The supporting frame is installed on the end face of the stove body, the supporting frame includes an installation cavity, the insulating block is installed in the installation cavity, the muffle tube is passed through the installation cavity, the insulating block abuts between the muffle tube and the supporting frame, and the muffle tube is connected to the supporting frame.

8. The optical fiber preform annealing equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: The supporting device further comprises a base plate, the base plate is mounted on the supporting frame, a connecting port is provided on the base plate, and the connecting port connects the cavity opening of the mounting cavity with the furnace opening; The opening and closing drive device is connected to the base plate, and the opening and closing drive device includes a first sliding assembly, a second sliding assembly and an opening and closing drive assembly, the first sliding assembly includes a first sliding guide rod and a first sliding seat, the first sliding guide rod is installed on the base plate, and the first sliding seat is slidably connected to the first sliding guide rod; the second sliding assembly includes a second sliding guide rod and a second sliding seat, the second sliding guide rod is installed on the base plate, and the second sliding seat is slidably connected to the second sliding guide rod; the furnace sealing cover plate includes a first sealing plate and a second sealing plate, the first sliding seat is connected to the first sealing plate, and the second sliding seat is connected to the second sealing plate; the opposite ends of the opening and closing drive assembly are respectively connected to the first sliding seat and the second sliding seat, the first sealing plate includes a first receiving opening, the second sealing plate includes a second receiving opening, and when the first sealing plate and the second sealing plate are abutted against each other, the first receiving opening is connected to the second receiving opening to form a through hole, and the through hole allows one end of the optical fiber preform to pass through.

9. The optical fiber preform annealing equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that: The opening and closing drive assembly includes a sliding drive member, a sliding transmission rod and a sliding floating joint, the sliding drive member is installed on the first sliding seat, the sliding drive member is connected to one end of the sliding transmission rod, the other end of the sliding transmission rod is installed with the sliding floating joint, and the sliding floating joint is connected to the second sliding seat; the opening and closing drive assembly also includes a first heat insulation plate and a second heat insulation plate, the first heat insulation plate is located between the sliding drive member and the first sealing plate, the second heat insulation plate is located between the sliding floating joint and the second sealing plate, the first sliding seat is penetrated by the first heat insulation plate and connected to the first sealing plate, and the second sliding seat is penetrated by the second heat insulation plate and connected to the second sealing plate.

10. The optical fiber preform annealing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The hook includes a main body and a supporting part, the main body is connected to the first direction transmission assembly, the main body is connected to the supporting part, the supporting part is provided with two groups, the two groups of supporting parts are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the main body, the supporting part is provided with a supporting groove, the opposite ends of the optical fiber preform are respectively penetrated through a group of the supporting grooves, a proximity switch is installed on a group of the supporting parts, the proximity switch is communicatively connected with the control device, and the proximity switch can detect whether the optical fiber preform is supported on the supporting groove.

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