Method for manufacturing optical fiber ribbons and optical fiber ribbons

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon and an optical fiber ribbon that can prevent the markings from peeling off and prevent misalignment of the markings. [Solution] A method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon, comprising the steps of forming an optical fiber core by forming a marking for identifying the optical fiber ribbon on a colored layer formed around the optical fiber, and arranging a plurality of the optical fiber cores in parallel and covering the plurality of optical fiber cores with a connecting resin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon and an optical fiber ribbon.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon in which markings for identifying sub-units are provided on the surface of the optical fiber ribbon.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon in which markings for identifying an optical fiber ribbon to which single-core separated optical fiber cores belong are provided. In this method, a coloring layer is formed after forming markings on each optical fiber element wire, and these optical fiber cores are ribbonized. In order to align all the markings formed on each optical fiber core at the same position, the running lengths from the marking printing machines for all the optical fiber cores to the ribbonizing device are adjusted to the same length.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses an optical fiber ribbon in which markings for identifying a plurality of optical fiber cores are provided in addition to or instead of a coloring layer. The markings are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the coloring layer or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, if the marking ink printed on the surface of the optical fiber ribbon comes into contact with something else before it dries, the ink will adhere to the object it touches. To prevent such ink adhesion, it is necessary to provide a drying pass line in the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing equipment or to limit the optical fiber ribbon manufacturing speed.

[0007] In the method for manufacturing optical fiber ribbons described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to adjust the running length of multiple optical fiber cores before forming them into a ribbon. In the optical fiber ribbon described in Patent Document 3, optical fiber cores can be identified from each other by marking, but it is not possible to identify the optical fiber ribbon to which a single separated optical fiber core belongs.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon and an optical fiber ribbon that can prevent the markings from peeling off and prevent misalignment of the markings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present disclosure comprises the steps of forming an optical fiber core by forming a marking for identifying the optical fiber ribbon on a colored layer formed around an optical fiber, and arranging a plurality of the optical fiber cores in parallel and covering the plurality of optical fiber cores with a connecting resin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon and an optical fiber ribbon that can prevent the markings from peeling off and prevent misalignment of the markings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of an optical fiber ribbon. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the cross-section along line II-II in Figure 1, as seen from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of a manufacturing apparatus for optical fiber ribbons according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0013] (1) The method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to the present disclosure comprises the steps of forming an optical fiber core by forming a marking for identifying the optical fiber ribbon on a colored layer formed around an optical fiber, and arranging a plurality of the optical fiber cores in parallel and covering the plurality of optical fiber cores with a connecting resin.

[0014] With this method, the markings are covered by a bonding resin, so the markings do not peel off even if the optical fiber ribbon comes into contact with other objects. Furthermore, since the markings are formed after the colored layer is formed but before the bonding resin coating, it is possible to prevent misalignment of the markings without adjusting the relative position between the optical fiber cores.

[0015] (2) In (1) above, the step of forming the marking may be performed immediately before the step of covering the periphery of the optical fiber core.

[0016] With this method, the markings are covered immediately after they are formed, so it is possible to prevent misalignment of the markings without adjusting the relative positions between the optical fiber cores.

[0017] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the step of forming the marking includes applying ink onto the colored layer by a printing device, the step of coating the periphery of the optical fiber core wire includes applying the connecting resin around the optical fiber core wire by a coating device, and the distance between the coating device and the printing device may be 1 m or less.

[0018] According to such a method, the difference in the running length from the printing device to the coating device for all the optical fiber core wires can be suppressed within 1 mm, and the occurrence of misalignment of the marking can be prevented.

[0019] (4) The optical fiber ribbon of the present disclosure includes a plurality of optical fiber core wires arranged in parallel and a connecting resin that coats the periphery of the plurality of optical fiber core wires. Each of the plurality of optical fiber core wires has an optical fiber including a glass fiber and a coating layer formed around the glass fiber, a colored layer formed around the optical fiber, and a marking formed on the colored layer. In all of the plurality of optical fiber core wires, the positions of the markings in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber core wires are the same, and in all of the plurality of optical fiber core wires, the shapes and colors of the markings are the same.

[0020] According to such a configuration, since the marking is covered with the connecting resin, even if the optical fiber ribbon contacts other objects, the marking will not peel off. Also, since the positions of the markings in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber core wires are aligned, the optical fiber ribbon can be identified.

[0021] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] A method for manufacturing the optical fiber ribbon of the present disclosure and specific examples of the optical fiber ribbon will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0022] (Optical Fiber Ribbon) Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the optical fiber ribbon 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the cross section along line II-II in Figure 1, viewed from the direction of the arrow.

[0023] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the optical fiber ribbon 1 comprises multiple optical fiber cores 2. The multiple optical fiber cores 2 are arranged in parallel. In this example, four optical fiber cores 2 are arranged in parallel with adjacent optical fiber cores 2 touching each other. Note that the number of optical fiber cores 2 is not limited to four. Alternatively, the multiple optical fiber cores 2 may be arranged in parallel with adjacent optical fiber cores 2 separated from each other.

[0024] As illustrated in Figure 2, each of the multiple optical fiber cores 2 has a glass fiber 21, a coating layer 22, a colored layer 23, and markings 24. The glass fiber 21 is a glass fiber including a core and cladding. The coating layer 22 is formed around the glass fiber 21. The coating layer 22 is formed of, for example, an ultraviolet-curing resin. The optical fiber core 2 may have multiple coating layers 22. The glass fiber 21 and the coating layers 22 constitute an optical fiber 25.

[0025] The colored layer 23 is formed around the coating layer 22. The colored layer 23 functions as an indicator for identifying optical fiber cores 2 from one another. The colored layer 23 is colored differently for each optical fiber core 2, for example. The colored layer 23 is formed from a resin material, for example, an ultraviolet-curable resin mixed with a pigment.

[0026] The marking 24 is formed on the colored layer 23. The marking 24 functions as an indicator for identifying the optical fiber ribbon 1 to which the optical fiber core 2 belongs. That is, when an optical fiber core is separated from the optical fiber ribbon 1, the marking 24 can be used to determine which optical fiber ribbon 1 the separated optical fiber core 2 belongs to.

[0027] As illustrated in Figure 1, the position of the marking 24 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber core 2 is the same for all optical fiber cores 2 included in the optical fiber ribbon 1. Furthermore, in this example, the shape and color of the marking 24 are the same for all optical fiber cores 2 included in the optical fiber ribbon 1.

[0028] In this example, two elliptical markings 24 are formed on each optical fiber core 2 at a predetermined interval along its longitudinal direction. However, the shape, color, and number of markings 24 are not limited to this example, as long as their positions along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber core 2 are the same.

[0029] The optical fiber ribbon 1 includes a connecting resin 3. The connecting resin 3 covers the entire perimeter of multiple optical fiber cores 2, and adjacent optical fiber cores 2 are connected along their longitudinal direction. The connecting resin 3 is formed, for example, from a transparent ultraviolet-curing resin. Since the connecting resin 3 is transparent, the markings 24 formed beneath the connecting resin 3 can be identified.

[0030] (Manufacturing method for optical fiber ribbons) Next, a method for manufacturing the optical fiber ribbon 1 will be described using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing apparatus 10 for the optical fiber ribbon 1 according to this embodiment.

[0031] The manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a supply unit 11, a printing unit 12, a resin coating unit 13, a resin curing unit 14, and a winding unit 15.

[0032] The supply unit 11 has, for example, a plurality of supply bobbins 111 for supplying a plurality of optical fiber cores 2 contained in the optical fiber ribbon 1. Each supply bobbin 111 has an optical fiber core 2 wound around it, which has been formed in advance by a drawing device (not shown) and has a coating layer 22 and a colored layer 23 formed around it.

[0033] The printing device 12 is configured to apply ink for marking 24 onto the colored layer 23. The printing device 12 is, for example, an inkjet linter. The resin coating device 13 is configured to apply bonding resin 3 around the parallel-arranged optical fiber cores 2.

[0034] The resin curing device 14 is configured to cure the coated connecting resin 3 by, for example, irradiating it with ultraviolet light. The winding unit 15 is configured to wind up the optical fiber ribbon 1.

[0035] In the manufacturing method of the optical fiber ribbon 1, first, optical fiber cores 2, each with a colored layer 23 formed on them, are fed from the supply bobbin 111, and the fed optical fiber cores 2 are transported to the printing device 12. Guide rollers or the like may be placed between the supply unit 11 and the printing device 12.

[0036] In the printing device 12, a predetermined color ink is applied to the colored layer 23 formed around the optical fiber 25, thereby forming a marking 24 for identifying the optical fiber ribbon. This creates an optical fiber core 2 with the marking 24 applied. The optical fiber core 2 is then transported to the resin coating device 13.

[0037] In the resin coating apparatus 13, multiple optical fiber cores 2 are arranged in parallel, and the connecting resin 3 is applied around the optical fiber cores 2. The multiple optical fiber cores 2 coated with the connecting resin 3 are then transported to the resin curing apparatus 14.

[0038] In the resin curing apparatus 14, the connecting resin 3 hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. This forms the optical fiber ribbon 1.

[0039] According to the manufacturing method and the optical fiber ribbon 1 of this embodiment, the marking 24 is covered by the connecting resin 3, so the marking 24 will not peel off even if the optical fiber ribbon 1 comes into contact with something else. Furthermore, since the marking 24 is formed after the colored layer 23 is formed but before the covering with the connecting resin 3, it is possible to prevent misalignment of the marking 24 without adjusting the relative position between the optical fiber cores 2.

[0040] The process of forming the marking 24 with the printing device 12 is performed, for example, immediately before the process of applying the bonding resin 3 around the optical fiber core 2 with the resin coating device 13. As a result, the marking 24 is covered immediately after it is formed, so misalignment of the marking 24 can be prevented without adjusting the relative position between the optical fiber cores 2.

[0041] The printing device 12 and the resin coating device 13 are arranged such that the distance D between the printing device 12 and the resin coating device 13 is, for example, 1 m or less. This makes it possible to keep the difference in the travel length of all optical fiber cores 2 between the printing device 12 and the resin coating device 13 to within 1 mm, thereby preventing misalignment of the markings.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the components described above are not limited to the above embodiments and can be changed to a number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for carrying out the present invention.

[0043] In the above embodiment, adjacent optical fiber cores 2 are connected along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber cores 2 by a connecting member 3. However, adjacent optical fiber cores 2 may be formed to be intermittently connected in the longitudinal direction by forming notches at predetermined intervals in a part of the connecting member 3 located between adjacent optical fiber cores 2. For example, in the manufacturing apparatus 10 of Figure 3, a device for forming notches is arranged between the resin curing apparatus 14 and the winding section 15.

[0044] In the above embodiment, a guide member may be placed in front of the printing device 12 to guide the multiple optical fiber cores 2, each with a colored layer 23 formed on it, to align in a line. The guide member may have holes or grooves arranged at predetermined intervals, and the multiple optical fiber cores 2 are transported to the printing device 12 in a line by being carried along the holes or grooves of the guide.

[0045] In the above embodiment, no guide rollers or the like are placed between the printing device 12 and the resin coating device 13. This prevents the guide rollers from becoming dirty or the markings 24 from peeling off due to contact between the markings 24 on the optical fiber core 2 and the guide rollers or the like. However, if the markings 24 are formed on only one side of the optical fiber core 2, guide rollers or guide rods may be placed between the printing device 12 and the resin coating device 13 to guide the side of the optical fiber core 2 that does not have the markings 24. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1: Fiber optic ribbon 2: Optical fiber core 3: Linked resin 10: Manufacturing equipment 11: Supply section 111: Supply bobbin 12: Printing device 13: Resin coating device 14:Resin curing equipment 15: Winding section 21: Glass fiber 22: Covering layer 23: Colored layer 24: Marking 25: Fiber optic

Claims

1. A process of forming an optical fiber core by forming a marking for identifying an optical fiber ribbon on a colored layer formed around the optical fiber, A step of arranging multiple optical fiber cores in parallel and covering the periphery of the multiple optical fiber cores with a connecting resin, A method for manufacturing optical fiber ribbons, comprising the characteristics of an optical fiber ribbon.

2. The method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the step of forming the marking is performed immediately before the step of coating the periphery of the optical fiber core.

3. The step of forming the marking includes applying ink onto the colored layer using a printing device. The step of coating the periphery of the optical fiber core includes applying the connecting resin around the optical fiber core using a coating device, The method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the distance between the coating device and the printing device is 1 m or less.

4. Multiple optical fiber cores arranged in parallel, A connecting resin that covers the periphery of the plurality of optical fiber cores, It is equipped with, Each of the aforementioned plurality of optical fiber cores is An optical fiber comprising a glass fiber and a coating layer formed around the glass fiber, A colored layer formed around the optical fiber, A marking formed on the aforementioned colored layer, It has, In all of the aforementioned multiple optical fiber cores, the position of the marking in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber core is the same. An optical fiber ribbon in which the shape and color of the markings are the same for all of the aforementioned multiple optical fiber cores.

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