Armored optical cable with metal thin layer and production line thereof

Abstract

The application discloses an armored optical cable with a metal thin layer and a production line thereof. The optical cable comprises an outer sheath and a metal foil, the metal foil is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the outer sheath along the extension direction of the outer sheath, and a metal film structure extending synchronously with the outer sheath in the extension direction is formed. The production line of the optical cable has an extruder, an optical cable traction system, a cooling system and a metal foil attaching system. The metal foil attaching system forms stable synchronous movement of the metal foil with a thermoplastic connecting layer close to the optical cable, and then uses a forming device to wrap the metal foil on the surface of the outer sheath. The optical cable has significant improvement in the aspects of ultraviolet resistance, water invasion resistance, rat bite resistance, fire resistance and static electricity resistance compared with traditional sheaths, and simultaneously widens the application field of the optical cable in harsh environments such as pipelines, direct burial and underwater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to armored optical cables, and more particularly to an armored optical cable with a thin metal layer and its production line. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid popularization of fiber optic communication networks, various types of optical cables have been widely used in urban and rural areas, as well as in special construction environments (such as duct laying, direct burial, and underwater cabling). Traditional optical cables use polyethylene (PE) or low-smoke halogen-free (LSZH) materials as the outer sheath, which mainly provides basic mechanical protection, chemical protection, and insulation. However, with the increasing complexity of construction environments and intensified market competition, traditional sheaths have the following shortcomings:

[0003] The color bars used to aid in identification fade easily outdoors and have a short lifespan.

[0004] Direct-buried cables are difficult to locate after construction and are prone to damage due to accidental excavation during construction.

[0005] Traditional protective sleeves have very limited printed information and are difficult to print intricate and complex patterns, such as QR codes.

[0006] Rodent damage: Due to the low hardness of the sheath material, it is easily chewed or damaged by rodents. UV aging: Prolonged exposure to outdoor sunlight can cause photodegradation and aging of PE / LSZH materials, reducing product lifespan.

[0007] Insufficient water seepage and waterproofing: In high humidity or underwater environments, traditional sheaths are prone to micro-water seepage, and long-term dampness may cause internal corrosion or unstable performance of the optical cable.

[0008] Limited fire resistance: Ordinary polymer materials burn quickly and spread rapidly in the event of a fire.

[0009] Static electricity buildup risk: The insulating sheath may cause static electricity to accumulate, posing a certain safety hazard in flammable environments. Summary of the Invention

[0010] This application provides an armored optical cable with a thin metal layer and its production line to address various risks in the prior art, such as identification, positioning, information enhancement, UV aging, waterproofing, rodent damage, fire resistance, and static electricity buildup.

[0011] The first aspect of this utility model provides an armored optical cable with a thin metal layer, comprising:

[0012] The outer sheath covers its contents and provides insulation;

[0013] A metal foil is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the outer sheath along the extension direction of the outer sheath, forming a metal film structure that extends synchronously with the outer sheath in the extension direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the area where the metal foil is attached occupies 5%-100% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath.

[0015] Furthermore, the thickness of the metal foil is 0.001mm-0.2mm.

[0016] Furthermore, a thermoplastic bonding layer exists between the metal foil and the outer sheath.

[0017] Furthermore, the metal foil includes a connecting layer located on the side where the metal foil is fixed to the outer sheath.

[0018] Furthermore, the thickness of the connecting layer is 0.0005mm-0.1mm.

[0019] Furthermore, the metal foil is one or more of aluminum foil, copper foil, tin foil, lead foil, nickel foil, titanium foil, and steel foil, or an alloy foil comprising one or more of these metal components.

[0020] A second aspect of this utility model provides a production line for armored optical cables with a thin metal layer, comprising:

[0021] An extruder is used to wrap an outer sheath around the contents and extrude it from the die head to obtain a pre-formed optical cable.

[0022] The optical cable traction system is used to pull the pre-formed optical cable obtained from the extruder to travel along the extension direction of the optical cable and into the cooling system.

[0023] A cooling system is used to cool and shape the optical cable that enters the cooling system.

[0024] A metal foil attaching system is provided between the extruder and the cooling system, and the metal foil attaching system includes:

[0025] A foil release system is used to release a rolled-up foil. It employs active unwinding, controls the foil tension at 1N-20N, and maintains the foil's travel speed consistent with the optical cable's travel speed. One side of the foil has a thermoplastic bonding layer.

[0026] A guiding traction system is used to guide the surface of the metal foil connecting layer close to the optical cable and attach it to the outer sheath of the optical cable so that the length direction of the metal foil after attachment is basically parallel to the extension direction of the optical cable. During the attachment process, the temperature of the outer sheath of the optical cable is higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic connecting layer.

[0027] An extrusion device is disposed between the cooling system and the guiding traction system. The extrusion device is equipped with at least one second through hole for the metal foil and optical cable to pass through. The shape of the second through hole is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the optical cable to cover the cross-section of the optical cable and apply pressure from the outside to the inside of the optical cable to make the metal foil adhere firmly.

[0028] Furthermore, the guiding traction system includes a plurality of first guide wheels, which guide the metal foil to approach and adhere to the outer sheath surface of the optical cable;

[0029] Preferably, the guiding system includes a plurality of second guide wheels and at least one first through hole. The second guide wheels guide the surface of the metal foil containing the connecting layer close to the optical cable, forming a pre-forming preparation state in which the length direction of the metal foil is substantially parallel to the extension direction of the optical cable. The gap between the first through hole and the optical cable is larger than the second through hole, allowing the optical cable and the metal foil in the pre-forming preparation state to pass through simultaneously through the first through hole. The shape of the first through hole is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the optical cable, so that during the process of the metal foil and the optical cable passing through the first through hole, the metal foil is bent into a shape matching the outer sheath of the optical cable by the constraint of the first through hole and the outer sheath of the optical cable, and is fused to the surface of the outer sheath by the connecting layer.

[0030] Furthermore, the pressure applied to the optical cable from the outside to the inside is 10N-50N.

[0031] Furthermore, the first through hole gradually narrows in the direction of the optical cable's travel path, wherein the outlet of the first through hole is 0.5mm-2mm larger than the outer diameter of the optical cable, and the inlet of the first through hole is at least 5mm-10mm larger than the outer diameter of the optical cable.

[0032] Beneficial effects

[0033] The utility model of this application provides an armored optical cable with a thin metal layer and its production line. The armored optical cable includes an outer sheath and a metal foil. The outer sheath is insulating and is used to cover its contents. The metal foil is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the outer sheath along the extension direction of the outer sheath, forming a metal film structure that extends synchronously with the outer sheath in the extension direction.

[0034] The production line of this invention sets up a metal foil attaching system between the extrusion equipment and the cooling equipment. The metal foil with the thermoplastic bonding layer is brought close to the optical cable to form a stable and synchronous movement. Then, the metal foil is wrapped around the surface of the outer sheath using a forming device. During this process, when the metal foil approaches and contacts the outer sheath, the high temperature on the surface of the outer sheath when it is extruded from the extrusion device can melt the thermoplastic bonding layer, thereby making the metal foil firmly attached to the outer sheath.

[0035] The armored optical cable of this utility model is highly practical and specifically includes:

[0036] In direct burial applications, this external metal foil can act as a weak signal metal reaction, facilitating future detection construction and fiber optic cable tracking. It will be detected by metal detectors, alerting construction personnel to avoid accidental excavation or breakage.

[0037] The external metal foil has a reflective, metallic odor and material hardness that has a natural sensory repulsion effect on rodents (such as squirrels and mice) and birds, which can reduce the probability of bite damage. It is particularly suitable for applications in urban-rural fringe areas, forest areas, farmland, overhead or weak current cable ducts.

[0038] The external metal foil serves as a structural marker strip, similar to the function of color strips. However, compared to the shortcomings of color strips, such as short lifespan and easy fading under sunlight, the external metal foil has a longer lifespan.

[0039] The smooth surface of the external metal foil allows for the printing of complex information, such as QR codes, which facilitates rapid identification and directional guidance during fiber optic cable installation and maintenance. Especially when multiple fiber optic cables are laid in parallel, the external metal foil provides a convenient positioning reference, making it easy to distinguish the wiring sequence or brand.

[0040] The external metal foil on the sheath surface can act as a passive reflective layer, reducing the intensity of localized ultraviolet radiation and slowing down the aging process of the sheath. Attached Figure Description

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0042] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a triangular armored optical cable according to an embodiment of this application.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a butterfly-shaped armored optical cable in an embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an armored optical cable production line with a thin metal layer in an embodiment of this application.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an extrusion device adapted to a triangular armored optical cable in an armored optical cable production line with a thin metal layer, as described in an embodiment of this application.

[0046] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an extrusion device adapted to a butterfly cable in an armored optical cable production line with a thin metal layer, as described in an embodiment of this application.

[0047] The meanings of the various reference numerals in the figure are as follows:

[0048] 1. Outer sheath of the triangular cable; 2. Tensile reinforcing rod; 3. Water-blocking tape; 4. Loose sleeve; 5. Metal foil; 6. Tear rope;

[0049] 7. Tensile reinforcement rod; 8. Butterfly cable outer sheath; 9. Tensile reinforcement rod; 10. Optical fiber;

[0050] 11. Extruder; 12. Optical cable; 13. Guide wheel; 14. First through hole; 15. Roller; 16. Cooling water tank; 17. Metal foil roll;

[0051] 15-1, First roller; 15-2, Second roller; 15-3, Circular through hole; 15-4, Third roller; 15-5, Fourth roller; 15-6, Rectangular through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0052] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0053] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0054] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0055] Armored optical cables are optical cables with an outer protective "armor" layer, primarily used to protect fiber optic cables from animal bites, moisture corrosion, or other damage. Traditional armored optical cables typically have an outer sheath, inside which are optical fibers, reinforcing components, and water-blocking components. However, such armored optical cables still have many shortcomings, including but not limited to: easy fading of color stripes, difficulty in direct burial positioning, limited printing precision of the outer sheath, susceptibility to rodent damage, insufficient waterproof and fireproof performance, and the risk of static electricity buildup.

[0056] Based on the above-mentioned shortcomings, the embodiments of this utility model provide a novel optical cable that can simultaneously improve upon the above-mentioned shortcomings. Moreover, this optical cable is simple to manufacture, low in cost, and can replace traditional optical cables and exhibit better performance.

[0057] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows two structural schematics of armored optical cables with thin metal layers in this embodiment: a triangular cable and a butterfly cable. Of course, besides the aforementioned optical cables, other common optical cables, including all-dielectric self-supporting optical cables, can also be adapted to the concepts of this embodiment to form corresponding optical cable structures. This invention is based on... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure shown is used as an example for explanation.

[0058] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the optical cable includes:

[0059] The outer sheath covers the contents and provides insulation. Specifically... Figure 1 The outer sheath described herein is a circular, triangular cable outer sheath 1. Figure 2 The outer sheath described herein is the butterfly cable outer sheath 8.

[0060] Metal foil 5 is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the outer sheath along the extension direction of the outer sheath, forming a metal film structure that extends synchronously with the outer sheath in the extension direction.

[0061] Specifically, the outer sheath can be made of PE, flame-retardant PE, or LSZH. When flame-retardant PE or LSZH is used, the optical cable has flame-retardant properties.

[0062] The contents of the outer sheath vary depending on the structure of each type of optical cable.

[0063] In such Figure 1In the triangular optical cable shown, the contents include tensile reinforcing rods 2, which can be non-metallic reinforcing rods, such as fiberglass yarn, aramid, high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, carbon fiber, or other suitable tough fibers. Metal reinforcing rods can also be used, such as phosphated or galvanized steel wire, or other suitable metal reinforcing rods. Commonly, the tensile reinforcing rods 2 are typically 0.33mm-2.8mm in size.

[0064] The contents of the outer sheath 1 of the triangular cable also include water-blocking tape 3, water-blocking yarn, or other dry components that can effectively block water. Specifically, in this embodiment, if water-blocking tape is used, the thickness of the water-blocking tape is 0.2mm, its expansion rate is ≥15mm / min, and its expansion height is ≥12mm; if water-blocking yarn is used, its expansion rate is ≥70mL / g / min, and its expansion rate is ≥70mL / g.

[0065] The contents of the outer sheath 1 of the triangular cable also include a loose tube 4 and an optical fiber located inside the loose tube 4. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the loose tube 4 is made of thermoplastic plastic such as PBT, PP, TPEE, LSZH, or TPU. Each loose tube 4 contains 12 optical fibers of the type G652D, G657A, G657B, or G654E, with the following color colors: green, yellow, white, blue, red, purple, brown, pink, black, gray, orange, light green, or other distinguishable color colors.

[0066] exist Figure 1 In this design, the metal foil 5 includes a connecting layer located on the side where the metal foil 5 is fixed to the outer sheath. The connecting layer is made of materials such as EAA, EVA, PET, and PE. The overall thickness of the metal foil 5 is 0.001mm-0.2mm, it is flexible and bendable, and it can be tightly attached to the surface of the outer sheath while maintaining a smooth surface. This integrated metal foil 5 can be customized or directly obtained from commercially available sources. The metal foil 5 and the optical cable 12 are connected by a partial longitudinal wrapping method. The area where the metal foil 5 is attached occupies 5%-100% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath. The specific proportion can be adjusted as needed, with a lower limit of A and an upper limit of B, where B is greater than A. A is at least 5 and B is at most 100. Specifically, A can be 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80, and B can be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100.

[0067] For example, when the metal foil 5 only serves the function of being detected by the metal detector, it usually only needs a small area. For example, the metal foil 5 can be set to occupy 5%-30% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath.

[0068] When the metal foil 5 is used to drive away animals and reduce bite damage, a large area is usually required. For example, the metal foil 5 can be set to occupy 30%-100% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath.

[0069] When the metal foil 5 is used for printing and rapid identification, the metal foil 5 is set to occupy 25%-60% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath;

[0070] In order to balance the functions of structural identification strips and / or detection by metal detectors, as well as the functions of repelling animals, reducing bite damage, and / or printing and rapid identification, it is preferable to set the metal foil 5 to occupy 20%-100% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath.

[0071] The contents of the outer sheath also include a tear cord 6 made of tensile-resistant fibers for quick removal of the outer sheath.

[0072] In such Figure 2 The butterfly cable shown includes tensile reinforcing bars 7 and 9. These bars can be non-metallic, such as fiberglass yarn, aramid, high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, carbon fiber, or other suitable tough fibers. Alternatively, they can be metallic, such as phosphated or galvanized steel wire. Typically, the tensile reinforcing bars 7 and 9 are 0.2mm-2.8mm in size.

[0073] Figure 2 In the process, the contents of the outer sheath 8 of the butterfly cable also include optical fibers 10, generally 1-6 fibers, of type G652D, G657A, G657B or G654E, with color chromatograms of green, yellow, white, blue, red, purple or other distinguishable color chromatograms.

[0074] Figure 2 In this design, the metal foil 5 includes a connecting layer located on the side where the metal foil 5 is fixed to the outer sheath. The connecting layer is made of materials such as EAA, EVA, PET, and PE. The metal foil 5 has an overall thickness of 0.001mm-0.2mm, is flexible and bendable, and can be tightly attached to the surface of the outer sheath while maintaining a smooth surface. This integrated metal foil 5 can be customized or directly obtained from commercial sources. The metal foil 5 and the optical cable 12 are connected by a partial longitudinal wrapping method, with the attachment area of ​​the metal foil 5 occupying 5%-100% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath; the specific proportion can be adjusted as needed.

[0075] In these embodiments, before the metal foil 5 is attached to the outer sheath, the connecting layer is attached to one side of the metal foil 5, and the connecting layer and the metal foil 5 form an integral structure. When the temperature is lower than the melting temperature of the connecting layer, the integral structure is not sticky. When the temperature is sufficient to melt the connecting layer, the integral structure becomes sticky. By contacting the integral structure with the outer sheath in the sticky state, the metal foil 5 can be attached to the outer sheath. Subsequently, when the temperature drops to the point where the connecting layer solidifies, the metal foil 5 is fixed to the outer sheath.

[0076] In these embodiments, the metal foil 5 is one or more of aluminum foil, copper foil, tin foil, lead foil, nickel foil, titanium foil, and steel foil, or an alloy foil comprising one or more of these metal components. The use of a metal foil can also effectively eliminate static electricity accumulated on the optical cable, thereby improving the cable's safety.

[0077] In these embodiments, the metal foil is one or more strips. The width, coverage area, and other parameters of each metal foil 5 can be set as needed.

[0078] In these embodiments, a colored marking layer may be coated on the outer surface of the metal foil 5 or the outer surface of the outer sheath.

[0079] Compared to optical cables without a thin metal layer on the outer sheath, the optical cables in the above embodiments have improved performance in the following aspects:

[0080] 1. Improved UV protection performance, verified by the aluminum layer reflecting UV light in the 200nm-400nm band, showing an improvement of over 30%.

[0081] 2. The water tightness is improved by more than 2 times, and there is no leakage after continuous immersion in water for 72 hours.

[0082] 3. The rodent-resistant performance was verified by the GB / T 2423.10 standard test.

[0083] 4. The surface friction coefficient of the outer sheath is reduced by 20%-30%, significantly improving the efficiency of cable threading in pipelines.

[0084] Therefore, this optical cable can be widely used in duct type, direct burial type, and overhead optical cable, and is especially suitable for complex application scenarios such as humid tropical regions, high ultraviolet radiation, high animal activity areas, field mining areas, and power communication.

[0085] In other embodiments, a production line for armored optical cables with a thin metal layer is provided, such as... Figure 3 As shown, this production line can quickly and efficiently produce the optical cables mentioned in the above embodiments. Figure 1 It is understood that the production line for the armored optical cable with a thin metal layer includes:

[0086] An extruder 11 is used to wrap the outer sheath around the contents and extrude it from the die head to obtain a pre-formed optical cable 12. In this embodiment, an extruder with a screw diameter of Φ65mm or Φ90mm is configured. The sheath material can be PE, LSZH, TPU, etc., with a temperature control accuracy of ±2℃ and an outlet temperature range of 150℃-280℃. The thermoplastic connecting layer in the above optical cable embodiment has a melting initiation temperature of approximately 70℃-110℃ and a complete melting temperature of approximately 80℃-260℃. Therefore, the surface temperature of the outer sheath of the pre-formed optical cable 12 obtained from the die head of the extruder is 150℃-280℃, which is in a thermoplastic state, just enough to melt the aforementioned thermoplastic material.

[0087] The optical cable traction system is used to pull the pre-formed optical cable 12 obtained from the extruder to travel along the extension direction of the optical cable and enter the cooling system.

[0088] The cooling system is used to cool and shape the optical cable that enters the cooling system. Specifically, the cooling system can be a cooling water tank 16 with a length of 5m-25m, equipped with a water temperature control system to keep the cooling water temperature between 15℃ and 25℃, which is used to cool the optical cable and complete the final curing and shaping.

[0089] The extruder, the optical cable traction system, and the cooling system mentioned above can all be selected from existing equipment. In this embodiment, the production line is preferably modified from the original optical cable production line. Therefore, the production line modification cost is low, the adaptability is strong, and it can be used to produce optical cables with or without an external metal thin layer.

[0090] To produce the optical cables of the aforementioned embodiments, a metal foil bonding system is provided on the production line between the extruder and the cooling system. The metal foil bonding system includes:

[0091] A foil release system is used to release the rolled foil 5. It employs an active unwinding mechanism, controlling the tensile tension of the foil 5 between 1N and 20N and maintaining it constant to ensure taut transport. The system keeps the foil 5 traveling at the same speed as the optical cable 12, typically 30m / min to 160m / min, preferably 30m / min to 80m / min. One side of the foil 5 has a thermoplastic bonding layer. The foil 5 with the bonding layer is non-sticky at room temperature. The rolled foil 17 is convenient for storage and transportation, and when needed, it can be easily unwound. Figure 3 As shown, the metal foil roll 17 is set to a state where it can rotate around the central axis, and the free end of the metal foil roll 17 is pulled to take the metal foil 5.

[0092] In some preferred embodiments, the overall thickness of the metal foil 5 is 0.001 mm to 0.2 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the overall thickness of the metal foil 5 is 0.009 mm to 0.1 mm.

[0093] In some preferred embodiments, the thickness of the connecting layer is 0.0005 mm to 0.01 mm.

[0094] In some preferred embodiments, the connecting layer is made of thermoplastic films such as EAA, EVA, PET, and PE.

[0095] In some preferred embodiments, the metal foil 5 is one or more of aluminum foil, copper foil, tin foil, lead foil, nickel foil, titanium foil, and steel foil, or an alloy foil comprising one or more of these metal components.

[0096] In some preferred embodiments, the width of the metal foil 5 is selected according to the diameter of the optical cable, and the bandwidth of the metal foil 5 can be selected to occupy 5%-100% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath. For example, when the outer diameter of the optical cable is Φ10mm, the recommended width of the metal foil 5 is about 1mm-32mm. The specific proportion of the metal foil 5 attachment area to the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath can be adjusted as needed, and its lower limit is defined as A, and its upper limit is defined as B, where B is greater than A, A is at least 5, and B is at most 100. Specifically, A can be 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and B can be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100.

[0097] For example, when the metal foil 5 only serves the function of being detected by the metal detector, it usually only needs a small area. For example, the metal foil 5 can be set to occupy 5%-30% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath.

[0098] When the metal foil 5 is used to drive away animals and reduce bite damage, a large area is usually required. For example, the metal foil 5 can be set to occupy 30%-100% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath.

[0099] When the metal foil 5 is used for printing and rapid identification, the metal foil 5 is set to occupy 25%-60% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath;

[0100] To accommodate both structural identification strips and / or metal detector detection functions, as well as animal deterrence, reduced bite damage, and / or printing and rapid identification functions, the metal foil 5 is preferably set to occupy 20%-100% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath. The metal foil attachment system also includes a guiding traction system for guiding the connecting layer of the metal foil 5 close to the optical cable and attaching it to the outer sheath of the optical cable, such that the length direction of the metal foil 5 is substantially parallel to the extension direction of the optical cable; during the attachment process, the temperature of the outer sheath of the optical cable is higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic connecting layer.

[0101] The metal foil bonding system also includes an extrusion device disposed between the cooling system and the guiding traction system. The extrusion device is equipped with at least one second through hole for the metal foil 5 and the optical cable 12 to pass through. The shape of the second through hole is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the optical cable 12 to cover the cross-section of the optical cable and apply pressure from the outside to the inside of the optical cable 12 to firmly bond the metal foil 5. The extrusion device can further compress the metal foil 5 and the outer sheath, making the connection between the two more uniform and flat.

[0102] In some preferred embodiments, when the metal foil 5 occupies less than or equal to 50% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath, and the surface of the optical cable 12 to which the metal foil 5 is attached is usually relatively flat, the conductor system can specifically guide the tensioned metal foil 5 to accurately approach and adhere to the surface of the outer sheath by setting multiple sets of heat-resistant PTFE material wheel sets as the first guide wheels, and the angle is precisely controlled.

[0103] In some preferred embodiments, when the metal foil 5 occupies more than or equal to 50% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath, the guiding traction system includes several second guide wheels and at least one first through hole 14. The second guide wheels guide the surface of the metal foil containing the connecting layer to approach the optical cable, forming a pre-forming preparation state in which the length direction of the metal foil 5 is substantially parallel to the extension direction of the optical cable, but at this time the metal foil 5 has not yet contacted the optical cable 12. The gap between the first through hole 14 and the optical cable 12 is larger than the second through hole, allowing the optical cable 12 and the metal foil 5 in the pre-forming preparation state to pass through simultaneously through the first through hole 14. The shape of the first through hole 14 is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the optical cable 12. During the passage, the temperature of the outer sheath of the optical cable 12 is higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic connecting layer, so that during the passage of the metal foil 5 and the optical cable 12 through the first through hole 14, the metal foil 5 is bent into a shape matching the outer sheath of the optical cable by the constraint of the first through hole 14 and the outer sheath of the optical cable, and is melted and attached to the surface of the outer sheath through the connecting layer.

[0104] Through the above process, the feeding speed of the metal foil 5 is consistent with the traction speed of the optical cable 12, ensuring the consistency of the metal foil 5 attachment along the length of the optical cable 12. Before the optical cable 12 is guided into the cooling system, the high surface temperature of the optical cable 12 exiting the extruder activates the connecting layer on the metal foil 5, melting and rapidly achieving thermal bonding, making the bonding process simple and efficient. Specifically, for smaller metal foil 5 sizes, initial bonding can be achieved directly through the first guide wheel; for slightly larger metal foil 5 sizes, initial bonding can be achieved through the cooperation of the second guide wheel and the first through hole 14. Regardless of the method, final compaction is achieved through the second through hole. As the optical cable 12, along with the metal foil 5, enters the cooling system, it rapidly solidifies under water cooling, forming a stable structure. After exiting the cooling system, inspection and winding are performed, completing the continuous production of the entire armored optical cable.

[0105] In some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first through-hole 14 is disposed within a molding die. The first through-hole 14 gradually narrows along the direction of the optical cable 12, i.e., it is trumpet-shaped. The outlet of the first through-hole 14 is 0.5mm-2mm larger than the outer diameter of the optical cable, and the inlet of the first through-hole 14 is at least 5mm-10mm larger than the outer diameter of the optical cable 12. The cross-sectional shape of the first through-hole 14 is consistent with the shape of the optical cable 12. Figure 1 Taking the triangular optical cable shown as an example, the first through hole 14 is a conical hole. The central axis of the optical cable 12 is coaxial with the central axis of the first through hole 14. The metal foil 5 is located near the optical cable 12. The first through hole 14 has a certain length in the travel path of the optical cable 12. As the diameter of the first through hole 14 decreases, the metal foil 5 located nearby is gradually constrained by the inner wall of the first through hole 14 and moves closer to the optical cable 12. Under the combined action of the inner wall of the first through hole 14 and the outer wall of the outer sheath of the optical cable, the foil surface of the metal foil 5 changes from the original plane to a form that is attached to the surface of the outer sheath, thereby completing the initial forming.

[0106] In some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the extrusion device includes at least two rollers that are parallel to each other on the axis and face each other. The rollers can rotate along their own central axis and the direction of the central axis is perpendicular to the extension direction of the optical cable 12. The rollers are provided with grooves on their surfaces, and the grooves on the rollers cooperate to form the second through hole.

[0107] like Figure 4 As shown, the two rollers are roller 15-1 and roller 15-2, respectively. The grooves of these two rollers are semi-circular, and the hole formed after mating is a circular through hole 15-3. Therefore, the fit is as follows: Figure 1 The optical cable shown has a circular outer diameter, such as... Figure 5As shown, the two rollers are the third roller 15-4 and the fourth roller 15-5. The grooves of these two rollers are square, and the hole formed after mating is a rectangular through hole 15-6. Therefore, it can be fitted as follows: Figure 2 The butterfly-shaped optical cable is shown. In some embodiments not shown in the figures, for elliptical optical cables, the corresponding roller groove can be semi-elliptical, thus forming a roughly elliptical through-hole after mating. To apply pressure to the optical cable 12, the inner diameter of the second through-hole is preferably 0.5mm-0.8mm smaller than the nominal outer diameter of the optical cable 12. Furthermore, the suitable shape ensures that the second through-hole can apply pressure from all directions outside the optical cable 12 into the optical cable 12. In some preferred embodiments, the pressure is approximately 10N-50N, which allows for a tighter fit between the pre-formed and attached metal foil 5 and the outer sheath.

[0108] In some preferred embodiments, the roller is made of a high-strength heat-resistant steel shaft, and the wheel is covered with a layer of nitrile rubber or silicone or aluminum alloy, with a rubber hardness of Shore A70-85.

[0109] In some preferred embodiments, to maintain the adjustable pressure, an elastic element or cylinder is provided between the central shafts of the rollers to adjust the distance between the central shafts of the two rollers. For example... Figure 3 A spring is provided between the central shafts of the two rollers shown. By adjusting the length or elastic coefficient of the spring, the pressure between the two rollers can be changed. In some other embodiments, the two ends of a cylinder can be fixed to the central shaft of one of the rollers respectively. By adjusting the length of the cylinder, the distance between the two rollers can be changed, thereby changing the pressure between the two rollers.

[0110] With the aforementioned device, the production line of this embodiment is equipped with a complete set of metal foil longitudinal wrapping forming equipment between the extruder head and the cooling water tank. During the process of pulling the optical cable 12 from the extruder head towards the cooling system while the optical cable is not cooled and its surface temperature is between 150℃ and 280℃, the metal foil 5 is wrapped and bonded to the outer sheath of the optical cable 12 via the metal foil attachment system. This process utilizes the heat of the sheath itself to activate the hot melt film to form an adhesive. The production line modification is simple and cost-effective. The metal foil 5 and the outer sheath are wrapped longitudinally rather than wound around each other, resulting in faster production and more stable product quality. This structure significantly improves upon traditional sheaths in terms of UV protection, water resistance, rodent resistance, fire resistance, and antistatic properties, while also expanding the application areas of the optical cable 12 in harsh environments such as pipelines, direct burial, and underwater installations.

[0111] The above are merely embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An armored optical cable with a thin metal layer, characterized in that, include: The outer sheath covers its contents and provides insulation; A metal foil is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the outer sheath along the extension direction of the outer sheath, forming a metal film structure that extends synchronously with the outer sheath in the extension direction.

2. The optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The area where the metal foil is attached occupies 5%-100% of the outer surface area of ​​the outer sheath.

3. The optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the metal foil is 0.001mm-0.2mm.

4. The optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal foil includes a connecting layer located on the side of the metal foil that is fixed to the outer sheath.

5. The optical cable according to claim 4, characterized in that, The thickness of the connecting layer is 0.0005mm-0.1mm.

6. The optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal foil is one of aluminum foil, copper foil, tin foil, lead foil, nickel foil, titanium foil, and steel foil, or an alloy foil that includes one of these metal components.

7. A production line for armored optical cables with a thin metal layer, characterized in that, include: An extruder is used to wrap an outer sheath around the contents and extrude it from the die head to obtain a pre-formed optical cable. The optical cable traction system is used to pull the pre-formed optical cable obtained from the extruder to travel along the extension direction of the optical cable and into the cooling system. A cooling system is used to cool and shape the optical cable that enters the cooling system. A metal foil attaching system is provided between the extruder and the cooling system, and the metal foil attaching system includes: A foil release system is used to release a rolled-up foil. It employs active unwinding, controls the foil tension at 1N-20N, and maintains the foil's travel speed consistent with the optical cable's travel speed. One side of the foil has a thermoplastic bonding layer. A guiding traction system is used to guide the surface of the metal foil connecting layer close to the optical cable and attach it to the outer sheath of the optical cable so that the length direction of the metal foil after attachment is basically parallel to the extension direction of the optical cable. During the attachment process, the temperature of the outer sheath of the optical cable is higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic connecting layer. An extrusion device is disposed between the cooling system and the guiding traction system. The extrusion device is equipped with at least one second through hole for the metal foil and optical cable to pass through. The shape of the second through hole is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the optical cable to cover the cross-section of the optical cable and apply pressure from the outside to the inside of the optical cable to make the metal foil adhere firmly.

8. The production line according to claim 7, characterized in that, The guiding traction system includes a plurality of first guide wheels, which guide the metal foil to approach and adhere to the outer sheath surface of the optical cable.

9. The production line according to claim 8, characterized in that, The guiding and traction system includes several second guide wheels and at least one first through hole. The second guide wheels guide the surface of the metal foil's connecting layer close to the optical cable, forming a pre-forming preparation state in which the length direction of the metal foil is substantially parallel to the extension direction of the optical cable. The gap between the first through hole and the optical cable is larger than the second through hole. The optical cable and the metal foil in the pre-forming preparation state pass through the first through hole simultaneously. The shape of the first through hole is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the optical cable, so that during the process of the metal foil and the optical cable passing through the first through hole, the metal foil is bent into a shape matching the outer sheath of the optical cable by the constraint of the first through hole and the outer sheath of the optical cable, and is fused to the surface of the outer sheath by the connecting layer.

10. The production line according to claim 8, characterized in that, The pressure applied to the optical cable from the outside to the inside is 10N-50N.

11. The production line according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first through hole gradually narrows in the direction of the optical cable travel path, wherein the outlet of the first through hole is 0.5mm-2mm larger than the outer diameter of the optical cable, and the inlet of the first through hole is at least 5mm-10mm larger than the outer diameter of the optical cable.

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