A wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating small-diameter optical fibers

Abstract

This utility model discloses a wet-on-wet no-wash mold for fabricating thin-diameter optical fibers. It includes a mold base with a mold sleeve on the base. From top to bottom, the mold sleeve contains a guide mold, an inner coating mold, and an outer coating mold, with gaps between them. The gap between the guide mold and the inner coating mold forms an inner coating cavity, and the gap between the inner coating mold and the outer coating mold forms an outer coating cavity. The mold sleeve has inner coating inlets and outer coating inlets respectively communicating with the inner and outer coating cavities. Each of the guide mold, inner coating mold, and outer coating mold has an optical fiber via, and the three vias are concentrically arranged. The mold base is mounted on an inclined platform for adjusting its levelness. This wet-on-wet mold has a short thread, is less prone to clogging, requires no disassembly for cleaning, and saves coating material. The levelness of the optical fiber vias can be adjusted via the inclined platform, thereby ensuring the concentricity of the coating layer on the thin-diameter optical fiber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical fiber fabrication technology, specifically to a wet-on-wet no-wash mold for fabricating small-diameter optical fibers. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the optical communication industry, the advancement of projects such as super data centers, East-to-West data computing projects, Fiber to the Home (FTTH), and metropolitan area network construction has led to a continuous increase in demand for optical fibers and cables. Large-scale cable laying has resulted in a scarcity of cable pipeline resources, while the increasing communication demands have further exacerbated the demand for high-core-count optical cables. However, due to limitations imposed by factors such as regional location and pipeline laying, optical cable structures are gradually developing towards miniaturization and higher core counts. Due to its advantages such as small size and light weight, thin-diameter optical fiber can not only meet the development needs of miniaturization, higher core counts, and lighter weight of optical cables, but also has important application value in optical devices such as fiber optic rings and hydrophones, and is regarded as one of the important directions for the future development of optical fibers.

[0003] In the production of fine-diameter optical fibers, a wet-on-dry coating method is typically used. Traditional optical fiber production using wet-on-dry coating technology requires two independent molds (inner and outer coating), which is complex to operate and demands extremely high levels of skill and experience from personnel. It also has the following drawbacks:

[0004] 1. Difficulty in adjusting the concentricity of thin-diameter optical fibers: The risk of mold blockage is high, and the concentricity of the optical fibers cannot be adjusted online, which can easily lead to problems such as poor batch strength and uneven coating.

[0005] 2. Low efficiency: The mold needs to be disassembled and cleaned before each production run, increasing downtime and labor intensity;

[0006] 3. Material waste: The cleaning process results in significant paint loss and high costs.

[0007] Therefore, existing technologies are insufficient to meet the high-precision and high-efficiency production requirements of narrow-diameter optical fibers (such as 80-165μm), and improvements are urgently needed. Utility Model Content

[0008] To address the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art, this utility model provides a wet-on-wet no-wash mold for the fabrication of thin-diameter optical fibers, thus solving the technical problems mentioned in the background art.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0010] A wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating small-diameter optical fibers is provided, comprising a mold base, a mold sleeve disposed on the mold base, and a guide mold, an inner coating mold, and an outer coating mold arranged sequentially from top to bottom on the mold sleeve, with gaps between the guide mold, the inner coating mold, and the outer coating mold. The gap between the guide mold and the inner coating mold forms an inner coating cavity, and the gap between the inner coating mold and the outer coating mold forms an outer coating cavity. The mold sleeve is provided with an inner coating inlet and an outer coating inlet respectively communicating with the inner coating cavity and the outer coating cavity. Fiber optic vias are provided on the guide mold, the inner coating mold, and the outer coating mold, and the three fiber optic vias are concentrically arranged. The mold base is disposed on an inclined platform for adjusting its levelness.

[0011] Furthermore, the tilting platform includes a base, a first adjusting seat, and a second adjusting seat. The first end of the first adjusting seat is vertically hinged to the base, and the first end of the second adjusting seat is vertically hinged to the first adjusting seat. The horizontal rotation axes at the two vertical hinge points are perpendicular to each other. A first adjusting mechanism is provided between the second end of the first adjusting seat and the base, and a second adjusting mechanism is provided between the second end of the second adjusting seat and the first adjusting seat.

[0012] Furthermore, the first adjustment mechanism includes a horizontal screw rod disposed on one side of the base and a rotating wedge block vertically hinged to the base. A side groove is provided at the second end of the first adjustment seat. The rotating wedge block includes two contact heads that respectively abut against the inner end of the horizontal screw rod and the top surface of the side groove.

[0013] Furthermore, the second adjustment mechanism includes a horizontal screw rod disposed on one side of the first adjustment seat and a rotating wedge block vertically hinged to the first adjustment seat. A side groove is provided at the second end of the second adjustment seat, and the rotating wedge block includes two contact heads that respectively abut against the inner end of the horizontal screw rod and the top surface of the side groove.

[0014] Furthermore, tension springs are provided between the base and the first adjusting seat, and between the first adjusting seat and the second adjusting seat.

[0015] Furthermore, the mold base includes a fixed seat disposed on the second adjusting seat, the fixed seat is provided with a positioning groove, a positioning seat is limited in the positioning groove, the mold sleeve is fixed on the positioning seat, and the positioning seat is provided with an inner layer coating interface and an outer layer coating interface respectively communicating with the inner layer coating inlet and the outer layer coating inlet.

[0016] Furthermore, the outer surface of the positioning seat and the inner surface of the positioning groove are inclined surfaces that fit together and can achieve repeated positioning.

[0017] Furthermore, both the outer ends of the guide mold and the outer coating mold are provided with enlarged holes to facilitate the passage of thin-diameter optical fibers, and the enlarged holes on the guide mold and the outer coating mold are respectively connected to the optical fiber vias on the guide mold and the outer coating mold.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0019] 1. The wet-to-wet mold solution integrates the guide mold, inner coating mold, and outer coating mold into the mold sleeve. During operation, employees only need to insert the mold once. Its thread is short, making it less prone to mold blockage. It does not require disassembly and cleaning, saving paint and thus reducing the risk of glue leakage and employee misoperation.

[0020] 2. The concentricity of the first and second coating layers on the thin-diameter fiber in this scheme is entirely determined by the concentricity of the thin-diameter fiber and the fiber via. The horizontality of the fiber via can be adjusted by tilting the platform, thereby ensuring the concentricity of the coating layers on the thin-diameter fiber and improving the fabrication quality of the thin-diameter fiber.

[0021] 3. The working principle of the first and second adjustment mechanisms in the tilting platform of this scheme is the same. Both mechanisms rotate by rotating a horizontal screw, which pushes the rotating wedge to rotate. The rotating wedge can raise the height of the non-hinged end of the first or second adjustment seat, thereby tilting the first and second adjustment seats respectively. The horizontal rotation axes of the hinged ends of the first and second adjustment seats are perpendicular to each other, thereby realizing the horizontal adjustment of the second adjustment seat in two degrees of freedom, and thus realizing the adjustment of the level of the mold base. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the wet-to-wet no-wash mold in this solution.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mold base.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the inclined platform.

[0025] Among them, 1. Mold sleeve, 2. Guide mold, 3. Inner coating mold, 4. Outer coating mold, 5. Inner coating inlet, 6. Outer coating inlet, 7. Fiber optic via, 8. Inclined platform, 9. Base, 10. First adjustment seat, 11. Horizontal screw, 12. Rotating wedge, 13. Side groove, 14. Contact head, 15. Tension spring, 16. Fixed seat, 17. Positioning seat, 18. Inclined surface, 19. Inner coating interface, 20. Outer coating interface, 21. Enlarged hole, 22. Knob, 23. Clearance hole, 24. Fine diameter fiber optic cable. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The specific embodiments of this utility model are described below to enable those skilled in the art to understand this utility model. However, it should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the scope of the specific embodiments. For those skilled in the art, as long as various changes are within the spirit and scope of this utility model as defined and determined by the appended claims, these changes are obvious. All utility model creations utilizing the concept of this utility model are within the scope of protection.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating small-diameter optical fibers in this scheme includes a mold base, on which a mold sleeve 1 is provided. From top to bottom, the mold sleeve 1 is provided with a guide mold 2, an inner coating mold 3, and an outer coating mold 4, with gaps between the guide mold 2, the inner coating mold 3, and the outer coating mold 4. The gap between the guide mold 2 and the inner coating mold 3 forms the inner coating cavity, and the gap between the inner coating mold 3 and the outer coating mold 4 forms the outer coating cavity. The mold sleeve 1 is provided with an inner coating inlet 5 and an outer coating inlet 6 that communicate with the inner coating cavity and the outer coating cavity, respectively. The guide mold 2, the inner coating mold 3, and the outer coating mold 4 are all provided with optical fiber vias 7, and the three optical fiber vias 7 are concentrically arranged. The mold base is set on an inclined platform 8.

[0028] During the fabrication of the thin-diameter optical fiber 24, as the thin-diameter optical fiber 24 passes through the fiber via 7 sequentially through the guide mold 2, the inner coating mold, and the outer coating mold, the coatings in the inner and outer coating cavities can sequentially coat the surface of the thin-diameter optical fiber 24 with a first coating layer and a second coating layer, forming a first coating layer and a second coating layer of a certain thickness. Furthermore, the aperture of the fiber via 7 is small, generally reaching the micrometer level, and the coating has a certain viscosity, thus preventing the coating from flowing out of the fiber via 7. The entire coating process of this scheme only requires one mold pass, which is short, less prone to mold blockage, and does not require disassembly and cleaning, saving coatings and reducing the risk of glue overflow and employee misoperation. At the same time, the concentricity of the first coating layer and the second coating layer on the thin-diameter optical fiber 24 is entirely determined by the concentricity of the thin-diameter optical fiber 24 and the fiber via 7. The horizontality of the fiber via 7 can be adjusted by the tilting platform 8, thereby ensuring the concentricity of the coating layers of the thin-diameter optical fiber 24 and improving the fabrication quality of the thin-diameter optical fiber 24.

[0029] As an optional implementation, the tilting platform 8 includes a base 9, a first adjusting seat 10, and a second adjusting seat. The base 9, the first adjusting seat 10, and the second adjusting seat are all provided with clearance holes 23 to facilitate the passage of the thin-diameter optical fiber 24. The first end of the first adjusting seat 10 is vertically hinged to the base 9, and the first end of the second adjusting seat is vertically hinged to the first adjusting seat 10. The horizontal rotation axes at the two vertical hinge points are perpendicular to each other. A first adjusting mechanism is provided between the second end of the first adjusting seat 10 and the base 9, and a second adjusting mechanism is provided between the second end of the second adjusting seat and the first adjusting seat 10.

[0030] As shown in the figure, the first adjustment mechanism includes a horizontal screw 11 disposed on one side of the base 9 and a rotating wedge 12 vertically hinged to the base 9. The second end of the first adjustment seat 10 is provided with a side groove 13. The rotating wedge 12 includes two contact heads 14 that abut against the inner end of the horizontal screw 11 and the top surface of the side groove 13, respectively. The working principle of the second adjustment mechanism in this scheme is the same as that of the first adjustment mechanism, so its structure is not shown in the figure. The second adjustment mechanism includes a horizontal screw 11 disposed on one side of the first adjustment seat 10 and a rotating wedge 12 vertically hinged to the first adjustment seat 10. The second end of the second adjustment seat is provided with a side groove 13. The rotating wedge 12 includes two contact heads 14 that abut against the inner end of the horizontal screw 11 and the top surface of the side groove 13, respectively.

[0031] The following explanation uses the first adjustment mechanism as an example. In this scheme, by rotating the horizontal screw 11 on the base 9, the inner end of the horizontal screw 11 can push the rotating wedge 12 to rotate, so that the rotating wedge 12 can raise the height of the non-hinged end of the first adjustment seat 10, thereby adjusting the tilt of the first adjustment seat 10. Similarly, by rotating the horizontal screw 11 on the first adjustment seat 10, the second adjustment seat can be tilted. The horizontal rotation axes of the hinged ends of the first adjustment seat 10 and the second adjustment seat are perpendicular to each other, thereby realizing the horizontal adjustment of the second adjustment seat in two degrees of freedom, and thus realizing the adjustment of the level of the mold base.

[0032] As an optional implementation, tension springs 15 are provided between the base 9 and the first adjusting seat 10, and between the first adjusting seat 10 and the second adjusting seat, to increase the tension between the base 9, the first adjusting seat 10 and the second adjusting seat; a knob 22 for easy rotation can be provided on the outer end of the horizontal screw 11.

[0033] As an optional implementation, the mold base includes a fixed base 16 disposed on the second adjusting base. The fixed base 16 is provided with a positioning groove, and a positioning seat 17 is provided within the positioning groove for limiting. The mold sleeve 1 is fixed on the positioning seat 17, and the positioning seat 17 is provided with an inner layer coating interface 19 and an outer layer coating interface 20 respectively communicating with the inner layer coating inlet 5 and the outer layer coating inlet 6, so as to facilitate connecting to an external coating supply device and supplying coating to it. The outer side of the positioning seat 17 and the inner side of the positioning groove are inclined surfaces 18 that fit together to facilitate accurate and repeatable positioning.

[0034] As an optional implementation, both the outer ends of the guide mold 2 and the outer coating mold 4 are provided with enlarged holes 21 to facilitate the passage of the thin-diameter optical fiber 24, and the enlarged holes 21 on the guide mold 2 and the outer coating mold 4 are respectively connected to the optical fiber through holes 7 on the guide mold 2 and the outer coating mold 4; the enlarged holes 21 are provided to facilitate the passage of the thin-diameter optical fiber 24 through the mold, and at the same time, they help to form the thin-diameter optical fiber 24 during the transportation process.

Claims

1. A wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating thin-diameter optical fibers, characterized in that, The device includes a mold base, on which a mold sleeve is mounted. From top to bottom, the mold sleeve is provided with a guide mold, an inner coating mold, and an outer coating mold, with gaps between the guide mold, the inner coating mold, and the outer coating mold. The gap between the guide mold and the inner coating mold forms an inner coating cavity, and the gap between the inner coating mold and the outer coating mold forms an outer coating cavity. The mold sleeve is provided with an inner coating inlet and an outer coating inlet, which are respectively connected to the inner coating cavity and the outer coating cavity. Each of the guide mold, the inner coating mold, and the outer coating mold is provided with an optical fiber via, and the three optical fiber vias are concentrically arranged. The mold base is mounted on an inclined platform for adjusting its levelness.

2. The wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating thin-diameter optical fibers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inclined platform includes a base, a first adjusting seat, and a second adjusting seat. The first end of the first adjusting seat is vertically hinged to the base, and the first end of the second adjusting seat is vertically hinged to the first adjusting seat. The horizontal rotation axes at the two vertical hinge points are perpendicular to each other. A first adjusting mechanism is provided between the second end of the first adjusting seat and the base, and a second adjusting mechanism is provided between the second end of the second adjusting seat and the first adjusting seat.

3. The wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating thin-diameter optical fibers according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first adjustment mechanism includes a horizontal screw rod disposed on one side of the base and a rotating wedge block vertically hinged to the base. A side groove is provided at the second end of the first adjustment seat. The rotating wedge block includes two contact heads that respectively abut against the inner end of the horizontal screw rod and the top surface of the side groove.

4. The wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating thin-diameter optical fibers according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second adjustment mechanism includes a horizontal screw rod disposed on one side of the first adjustment seat and a rotating wedge block vertically hinged to the first adjustment seat. A side groove is provided at the second end of the second adjustment seat. The rotating wedge block includes two contact heads that abut against the inner end of the horizontal screw rod and the top surface of the side groove, respectively.

5. The wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating thin-diameter optical fibers according to claim 2, characterized in that, Tension springs are provided between the base and the first adjusting seat, and between the first adjusting seat and the second adjusting seat.

6. The wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating thin-diameter optical fibers according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mold base includes a fixed base disposed on a second adjusting base. The fixed base is provided with a positioning groove, and a positioning seat is limited and disposed in the positioning groove. The mold sleeve is fixed on the positioning seat, and the positioning seat is provided with an inner layer coating interface and an outer layer coating interface that are respectively connected to the inner layer coating inlet and the outer layer coating inlet.

7. The wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating thin-diameter optical fibers according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer surface of the positioning seat and the inner surface of the positioning groove are inclined surfaces that fit together and can achieve repeated positioning.

8. The wet-to-wet no-wash mold for fabricating thin-diameter optical fibers according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the outer ends of the guide mold and the outer coating mold are provided with enlarged holes to facilitate the passage of thin-diameter optical fibers, and the enlarged holes on the guide mold and the outer coating mold are respectively connected to the optical fiber vias on the guide mold and the outer coating mold.

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