Optical fiber manufacturing method

Abstract

This method is for manufacturing an optical fiber in which a first cladding is formed by applying a first resin to a glass fiber wire-drawn from a glass base material and curing the first resin, said method comprising: a first step for running the glass fiber at a first speed during a first period; a second step for raising the speed of the glass fiber from the first speed to a second speed during a second period that follows the first period; and a third step for maintaining the speed of the glass fiber at the second speed during a third period that follows the second period. When TB1 represents the thickness of the first cladding in the second step from the time start of the application of the first resin until the speed reaches a third speed that is faster than the first speed but slower than the second speed, and when TB2 represents the thickness of the first cladding in the third step, the ratio TB2 / TB1 is greater than 1.0 but not greater than 11.0

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2021-073480 filed on April 23, 2021, and incorporates all the descriptions set forth in the said Japanese application.

Background Art

[0003] A method for manufacturing an optical fiber generally includes drawing a preform of the optical fiber to form a glass fiber, applying a resin to the outer periphery thereof while forming the glass fiber, and then curing the resin by ultraviolet irradiation and winding it up. After the drawing is started, the speed of the glass fiber (line speed) increases, and the speed of the glass fiber is maintained at a predetermined steady manufacturing line speed. Also, the resin is applied to the glass fiber with a constant thickness. Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe an example of a method for drawing an optical fiber. For example, Patent Document 1 describes adjusting the supply pressure of the resin according to the line speed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure is a method for manufacturing an optical fiber, comprising applying a first resin to a glass fiber drawn from a glass matrix and curing the first resin to form a first coating, the method comprising: a first step of running the glass fiber at a first speed during a first period; a second step of increasing the speed of the glass fiber from the first speed to a second speed during a second period following the first period; and a third step of maintaining the speed of the glass fiber at the second speed during a third period following the second period, wherein in the second step, when the thickness of the first coating from the start of applying the first resin until reaching a third speed that is faster than the first speed and slower than the second speed is TB1, and the thickness of the first coating in the third step is TB2, TB2 / TB1 is greater than 1.0 and less than or equal to 11.0. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an optical fiber manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a resin coating apparatus. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the change in the velocity of the glass fiber and the change in the thickness of the first and second resins in the optical fiber manufacturing method according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber during the manufacturing of a good section. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the relationship between the thickness ratio and the probability of wire breakage. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] [Issues this disclosure aims to address] When laying optical fibers, the transmission characteristics tend to deviate from the predetermined good range until the glass fiber speed (linear velocity) reaches the steady-state manufacturing linear velocity. Therefore, this portion is usually removed from the good portion of the optical fiber as a defective part and discarded. As a result, the resin applied until the glass fiber speed reaches the steady-state manufacturing linear velocity is wasted. It is possible to reduce resin waste by reducing the amount of resin applied to such defective parts, but simply reducing the amount of coating will expose the glass fiber to the outside air, making it more susceptible to damage, and there is a risk of breakage during the increase in linear velocity. If breakage occurs during the increase in linear velocity, the process of cutting the optical fiber preform must be started again, and the yield will decrease significantly.

[0008] This disclosure aims to provide a method for manufacturing optical fibers that can reduce resin waste while avoiding the occurrence of wire breakage.

[0009] [Effects of this disclosure] According to this disclosure, it is possible to reduce resin waste while avoiding the occurrence of wire breakage.

[0010] The implementation methods are described below.

[0011] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0012] [1] A method for manufacturing an optical fiber according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing an optical fiber comprising applying a first resin to a glass fiber drawn from a glass matrix and curing the first resin to form a first coating, the method comprising: a first step of running the glass fiber at a first speed during a first period; a second step of increasing the speed of the glass fiber from a first speed to a second speed during a second period following the first period; and a third step of maintaining the speed of the glass fiber at the second speed during a third period following the second period, wherein in the second step, when the thickness of the first coating from the start of applying the first resin until reaching a third speed that is faster than the first speed and slower than the second speed is TB1, and the thickness of the first coating in the third step is TB2, TB2 / TB1 is greater than 1.0 and less than or equal to 11.0.

[0013] In the second step, the ratio of the thickness TB2 of the first coating applied to the glass fiber in the third step to the thickness TB1 of the first coating applied from the start of application of the first resin until reaching a third speed that is faster than the first speed but slower than the second speed is greater than 1.0. In other words, less of the first resin is applied to the glass fiber in the second step than less is applied to the glass fiber in the third step. Therefore, the amount of first resin contained in the defective parts removed from the optical fiber can be reduced, thus reducing waste. Furthermore, if the above ratio TB2 / TB1 is 11.0 or less, as is clear from experiments conducted by the inventors of this invention, the occurrence of wire breakage during the increase in glass fiber speed can be suppressed even if the amount of first resin is reduced.

[0014] [2] In [1], the thickness of the first coating may be adjusted in the second step by adjusting the pressure at which the first resin is applied to the glass fiber. In this case, the thickness of the first resin can be adjusted with high precision.

[0015] [3] In [1] or [2], the application of the first resin to the glass fiber may be started in the second step when the speed of the glass fiber is 0.2 times or less the second speed. In this case, it is easier to suppress the entrapment of air bubbles between the first resin and the glass fiber.

[0016] [4] In [1] to [3], the third speed may be 0.95 times or less of the second speed. In this case, the first resin can be applied stably between the time the glass fiber reaches the third speed and the time it reaches the second speed, and the occurrence of wire breakage can be suppressed.

[0017] [5] In [1] to [4], the amount of increase in the thickness of the first coating per 10 seconds from when the speed of the glass fiber reaches the third speed to when it reaches the second speed may be a maximum of 1.00 μm. In this case, the first resin can be applied stably and the occurrence of wire breakage can be suppressed.

[0018] [6] In [1] to [5], the first step may include a threading step of passing the tip of the glass fiber through a first die and a second die to a take-up device located downstream of the second die in the direction of travel of the glass fiber, and the second step may include a step of applying a second resin to the outside of the glass fiber using the second die, and a threading step of passing the tip of the glass fiber coated with the second resin to a winding device located downstream of the take-up device in the direction of travel of the glass fiber. In this case, the tip of the glass fiber can be passed to the take-up device and the winding device at the start of threading.

[0019] [7] In [6], the first die may be filled with the first resin before the wire threading process, and the first resin may be applied to the glass fiber during the wire threading process. In this case, it is not necessary to replace the first die each time the glass base material is changed, and even if air bubbles are mixed in the first resin in the first die, the air bubbles are more likely to escape as the speed of the glass fiber increases.

[0020] In [8], [6] or [7], before the wire winding step, the second die may be filled with the second resin, and in the wire winding step, the second resin may be applied to the glass fiber. In this case, it is not necessary to replace the second die every time the glass base material is changed, and even if air bubbles are mixed in the second resin in the second die, the air bubbles are likely to escape during the increase in the speed of the glass fiber.

[0021] 〔9〕 A method for manufacturing an optical fiber according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing an optical fiber in which a first resin is applied to a glass fiber drawn from a glass base material and the first resin is cured to form a first coating, the method including: a first step of running the glass fiber at a first speed in a first period; a second step of increasing the speed of the glass fiber from the first speed to a second speed in a second period following the first period; and a third step of maintaining the speed of the glass fiber at the second speed in a third period following the second period. In the second step, when the thickness of the first coating from the start of the application of the first resin until reaching a third speed faster than the first speed and slower than the second speed is TB1, and the thickness of the first coating in the third step is TB2, TB2 / TB1 is greater than 1.0 and less than or equal to 11.0. In the second step, the method includes a step of starting the application of the first resin when the speed of the glass fiber is 0.2 times or less of the second speed. The increase amount per 10 seconds of the thickness of the first coating from when the speed of the glass fiber reaches the third speed until it reaches the second speed is at most 1.00 μm.

[0022] The ratio TB2 / TB1 being greater than 1.0 and less than or equal to 11.0 can reduce waste of the resin while avoiding the occurrence of wire breakage. Also, it is easy to suppress the entrainment of air bubbles between the first resin and the glass fiber. Furthermore, it is easy to stably apply the first resin and suppress the occurrence of wire breakage.

[0023] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below, but the embodiments are not limited to these. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant descriptions.

[0024] First, a suitable optical fiber manufacturing apparatus for the optical fiber manufacturing method according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an optical fiber manufacturing apparatus.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, in the optical fiber manufacturing apparatus 100, first, the optical fiber base material 1 is heated in the drawing furnace 2, causing the lower end of the optical fiber base material 1 to melt and be drawn. The glass fiber G1 formed by drawing passes through the resin coating apparatus 3 via a cooling device 8 located downstream of the drawing furnace 2 in the direction of the glass fiber G1's travel (direction of arrow A in Figure 1). The outer diameter of the glass fiber G1 is adjusted to be smaller than the first die hole 31a of the first die 31 and the second die hole 32a of the second die 32, which will be described later. The optical fiber base material 1 is an example of a glass base material.

[0026] A resin supply device 10 is connected to the resin coating device 3, which supplies the resin to be applied to the glass fiber G1. As the glass fiber G1 passes through the resin coating device 3, two layers of resin are applied to the outer circumference of the glass fiber G1.

[0027] The glass fiber G1 coated with resin passes through a resin curing device 4 (e.g., an ultraviolet irradiation device) located downstream of the resin coating device 3, where the resin is cured and it becomes an optical fiber G2. The optical fiber G2 is wound onto a winding drum 7 via a guide roller 5 and a capstan 6. The capstan 6 is an example of a take-up device, and the winding drum 7 is an example of a winding device.

[0028] Next, the resin coating apparatus 3 will be described. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example resin coating apparatus.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the resin coating apparatus 3 includes a first die 31 for coating the outer circumference of the glass fiber G1 with the first resin 21, and a second die 32 for coating the outer circumference of the first resin 21 with the second resin 22. For example, the first die 31 and the second die 32 are assembled integrally. The resin coating apparatus 3 is a device that coats the glass fiber G1 with the first resin 21 and the second resin 22 at once, but the first resin 21 and the second resin 22 may be coated separately.

[0030] The first die 31 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a first die hole 31a is provided in its central part for passing the glass fiber G1 and the first resin 21 through. For example, the upstream portion of the first die hole 31a is formed in a tapered shape, while the downstream portion is formed in the same shape.

[0031] The second die 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a second die hole 32a is provided in its central part for passing a glass fiber G1 coated with the first resin 21 and the second resin 22 through. The second die hole 32a is formed in a tapered shape, for example, on the upstream side, and in the same shape on the downstream side. The second die 32 is located downstream of the first die 31. A second connecting channel 32b is formed in the upper part of the second die 32, forming part of the channel for the flow of the second resin 22. The second connecting channel 32b is formed to be continuous with the second die hole 32a.

[0032] Upstream of the first die 31, a nipple 33 is provided to guide the glass fiber G1 into the first die 31. The nipple 33 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a tapered through-hole 33a is provided in its center for the glass fiber G1 to pass through. In addition, a first connecting channel 33b is formed at the lower part of the nipple 33, forming part of the channel through which the first resin 21 flows. The first connecting channel 33b is formed to be continuous with the through-hole 33a.

[0033] A cylindrical die holder 34 is provided on the outer circumference of the nipple 33, the first die 31, and the second die 32. The nipple 33, the first die 31, and the second die 32 are housed within the die holder 34 with their respective outer surfaces fitted snugly against the inner surface of the die holder 34. In this housed state, the gap formed between the first connection channel 33b of the nipple 33 and the upper surface of the first die 31 functions as a first resin channel 35 through which the first resin 21 flows. The gap formed between the lower surface of the first die 31 and the second connection channel 32b of the second die 32 functions as a second resin channel 36 through which the second resin 22 flows. The side wall of the die holder 34 has a through hole 37 communicating with the first resin channel 35 and a through hole 38 communicating with the second resin channel 36. The second resin channel 36 is located downstream of the first resin channel 35 in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G1.

[0034] The tip end of the first resin supply pipe 39 for supplying the first resin 21 is connected to the through hole 37. The base end of this first resin supply pipe 39 is connected to the first resin supply source of the resin supply device 10 (see Figure 1). The tip end of the second resin supply pipe 40 for supplying the second resin 22 is connected to the through hole 38. The base end of this second resin supply pipe 40 is connected to the second resin supply source of the resin supply device 10. The first resin 21 is supplied from the resin supply device 10 to the first resin flow path 35 via the first resin supply pipe 39 and the through hole 37, and the second resin 22 is supplied from the resin supply device 10 to the second resin flow path 36 via the second resin supply pipe 40 and the through hole 38. Then, the first resin 21 is applied to the glass fiber G1 using the first die 31, which has the first resin channel 35 filled with the first resin 21, and the second resin 22 is applied to the glass fiber G1 using the second die 32, which has the second resin 22 filled to the second resin channel 36. The first resin 21 and the second resin 22 are, for example, ultraviolet curing resins, and are cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light after application.

[0035] Next, the details of the optical fiber manufacturing method according to the embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a good portion of the optical fiber G2 is manufactured in which a first coating with a thickness TB of TB2 is provided around the glass fiber G1, and a second coating with a thickness TC of TC1 is provided around the first coating. As mentioned above, optical fibers manufactured before reaching the steady-state manufacturing linear speed are defective. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the change in the velocity (linear speed) V of the glass fiber and the change in the thickness of the first and second coatings applied to the glass fiber in the optical fiber manufacturing method according to the embodiment. The horizontal axis in Figure 3 represents time t. The velocity V of the glass fiber G1 in Figure 3 is the velocity inside the resin coating apparatus 3. The thickness TB of the first coating and the thickness TC of the second coating in Figure 3 are the thicknesses after the resin is applied in the resin coating apparatus 3 and cured in the resin curing apparatus 4.

[0036] First, the change in the speed V of the glass fiber G1 will be explained. In this embodiment, at time t0, the tip of the glass fiber G1 is attached to the capstan 6 via the cooling device 8, resin coating device 3, resin curing device 4, and guide roller 5. The glass fiber G1 is drawn from the lower end of the optical fiber base material 1, and the speed V of the glass fiber G1 is maintained at speed V1 until time t2. Note that the speed V1 does not have to be constant and may fluctuate slightly. Time t1 is the time when the application of the second resin 22 begins, as described later. After time t1, the resin-coated optical fiber G2 is drawn from the capstan 6 to the winding drum 7 and wound onto the winding drum 7. Subsequently, between time t2 and time t5, the speed V of the glass fiber G1 increases to speed V2. Then, after time t5, the speed V of the glass fiber G1 is maintained at speed V2. Speed ​​V2 is the steady-state manufacturing speed, and after time t5, the optical fiber G2 is wound as a good portion. The speed V2 is, for example, approximately 2000 m / min to 3000 m / min. Furthermore, the optical fiber G2 wound between time t0 and time t5 is discarded as a defective portion in a later process. The period from time t0 to time t2 is an example of the first period, the period from time t2 to time t5 is an example of the second period, and the period from time t5 onwards is an example of the third period. Also, speed V1 is an example of the first speed, and speed V2 is an example of the second speed.

[0037] Next, the changes in the thickness TB of the first coating and the thickness TC of the second coating will be explained. Between time t0 and time t1, the first resin 21 and the second resin 22 are not applied. Then, at time t1, the application of the second resin 22 begins. The amount of second resin 22 applied increases from time t1 to time t5 so that at time t5, the thickness TC of the second coating reaches thickness TC1. The application of the first resin 21 does not begin at time t1, and the application of the first resin 21 begins at time t3, which is after time t2. Therefore, between time t1 and time t3, the second resin 22 is applied directly to the glass fiber G1.

[0038] Between time t3 and time t5, until time t4 when the speed V of the glass fiber G1 becomes a speed V3 that is faster than speed V1 and slower than speed V2, the coating amount of the first resin 21 is adjusted so that the thickness TB of the first coating becomes thickness TB1. A relationship of "1.0 < TB2 / TB1 ≤ 11.0" holds between thickness TB1 and thickness TB2. That is, thickness TB1 is a thickness such that the ratio to thickness TB2 is greater than 1.0 and less than or equal to 11.0. When the coating of the first resin 21 starts at time t3, the first resin 21 is directly coated on the glass fiber G1, and then the second resin 22 is coated thereon. That is, the first resin 21 and the second resin 22 are coated on the glass fiber G1 together. Note that thickness TB1 does not necessarily have to be constant and may change as long as the relationship of "1.0 < TB2 / TB1 ≤ 11.0" holds. For example, it may be controlled so that thickness TB1 gradually increases. Speed V3 is an example of the third speed.

[0039] Thereafter, the coating amount of the first resin 21 increases from time t4 to time t5 so that the thickness TB of the first coating reaches thickness TB2 at time t5.

[0040] After time t5, the speed V of the glass fiber G1 is maintained at speed V2, the thickness TB of the first coating is maintained at thickness TB2, and the thickness TC of the second coating is maintained at thickness TC1. That is, after time t5, the optical fiber G2 is manufactured with a good portion at a steady production line speed. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber G2 when manufacturing the good portion. In FIG. 4, the first coating in the good portion is indicated by the reference numeral 21X, and the second coating is indicated by the reference numeral 22X.

[0041] The first resin 21 and the second resin 22 applied to the glass fiber G1 are cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays in the resin curing device 4. Note that the first resin 21 and the second resin 22 applied between time t1 and time t5 are less in amount and thinner in thickness than the first resin 21 and the second resin 22 applied after time t5. Therefore, the power of the ultraviolet rays for curing the first resin 21 and the second resin 22 applied between time t1 and time t5 may be set lower than the power of the ultraviolet rays for curing the first resin 21 and the second resin 22 applied after time t5. By reducing the power, effects such as reduction of power consumption, extension of the life of the ultraviolet light source, and suppression of clouding of the quartz tube in the resin curing device 4 can be obtained.

[0042] In the optical fiber G2 manufactured according to this embodiment, the first resin 21 is not applied between time t0 and time t3, and since the relationship of "1.0 < TB2 / TB1" holds between the thickness TB1 and the thickness TB2 between time t3 and time t4, the application amount of the first resin 21 can be small. Therefore, the application amount of the first resin 21 included in the defective portion can be reduced. However, in order to suppress waste of the resin, it is preferable that TB2 / TB1 be greater than 2.0, and more preferably greater than 5.0. Further, as will be described later, since the relationship of "TB2 / TB1 ≦ 11.0" holds between the thickness TB1 of the first coating in the defective portion and the thickness TB2 of the first coating in the good portion, generation of disconnection can be suppressed while reducing the application amount of the first resin 21 included in the defective portion.

[0043] In the method described above, the glass fiber was passed through the die and the resin was applied before filling the die with resin. However, the wire may be passed through with the first die 31 filled with the first resin 21 and the second die 32 filled with the second resin 22. Normally, the die is replaced each time the glass base material is changed, but by doing so, it becomes unnecessary to replace the first die 31 and the second die 32 when drawing the next glass base material, and the operating rate of the optical fiber manufacturing apparatus 100 can be maintained at a high level. In addition, the first resin 21 may be thinly applied to the glass fiber G1 during wire passing. In this way, even if air bubbles are mixed in the first resin 21 in the first die 31, the bubbles are more likely to escape as the linear velocity increases. Similarly, the second resin 22 may be thinly applied to the glass fiber G1 during wire passing. In this way, even if air bubbles are mixed in the second resin 22 in the second die 32, the bubbles are more likely to escape as the linear velocity increases.

[0044] The thickness TB of the first coating can be adjusted, for example, according to the coating conditions of the first resin 21 in the resin coating apparatus 3. When adjusting the thickness TB of the first coating, it is particularly preferable to adjust the coating pressure, as this allows for easy and highly accurate adjustment of the thickness TB. Alternatively, the thickness TB of the first coating may be adjusted by changing the cooling conditions in the cooling device 8, or by changing both the cooling conditions in the cooling device 8 and the coating conditions of the first resin 21 in the resin coating apparatus 3.

[0045] Furthermore, if the speed V of the glass fiber G1 is too high when the application of the first resin 21 is started, air bubbles are more likely to be trapped between the glass fiber G1 and the first resin 21, making the glass fiber more susceptible to damage and potentially causing breakage. For example, if the speed V of the glass fiber G1 exceeds 0.2 times the speed V2 when applying the first resin 21, breakage is more likely to occur. For this reason, it is preferable that the speed Vp of the glass fiber G1 at time t3 when the application of the first resin 21 is started is 0.2 times or less the speed V2. In other words, it is preferable to start applying the first resin 21 to the glass fiber G1 when the speed V of the glass fiber G1 is 0.2 times or less the speed V2. Moreover, it is even more preferable that the speed Vp of the glass fiber G1 at time t3 when the application of the first resin 21 is started is 0.1 times or less the speed V2. The lower limit of speed Vp is speed V1.

[0046] Furthermore, if the difference between speed V3 and speed V2 is small, the time it takes for speed V to increase from speed V3 to speed V2, i.e., the time between time t4 and time t5, becomes shorter. For this reason, if the thickness TB1 of the first coating at time t4 is significantly smaller than the thickness TB2, for example, about 0.1 times, the thickness TB of the first coating will increase from thickness TB1 to thickness TB2 in a short time, which may lead to unstable coating of the first resin 21 and make wire breakage more likely. For example, if speed V3 is greater than 0.95 times speed V2, wire breakage may be more likely. For this reason, it is preferable that speed V3 is 0.95 times or less of speed V2, more preferably 0.90 times or less, and even more preferably 0.80 times or less. In order to obtain the effect of reducing resin waste, it is preferable that speed V3 is about 0.5 times or more of speed V2.

[0047] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of suppressing wire breakage, the increase in the thickness TB of the first coating per 10 seconds is preferably a maximum of 1.00 μm, more preferably 0.80 μm or less, and even more preferably 0.60 μm or less. For example, even if the first resin 21 is supplied in a step-like manner and there is a moment when the thickness TB of the first coating increases rapidly, it is preferable that the increase in the 10 seconds including that moment is 1.00 μm or less. In order to obtain the effect of reducing resin waste, it is preferable that the increase in the thickness TB of the first coating per 10 seconds is 0.10 μm or more.

[0048] In Figure 3, the thickness TB of the first coating and the thickness TC of the second coating change linearly, but the changes in the thickness TB of the first coating and the thickness TC of the second coating do not necessarily have to be linear.

[0049] Here, we will explain the experiments conducted by the present inventors.

[0050] In this experiment, optical fibers were manufactured under multiple conditions with different ratios of thickness TB2 to thickness TB1 (TB2 / TB1), following the method of the embodiment described above. The probability of disconnection was then investigated for each condition. Here, the probability of disconnection refers to the percentage of times disconnection occurred while the linear velocity was increasing. The results are shown in Figure 5. In Figure 5, the horizontal axis shows the ratio of thickness TB2 to thickness TB1 (TB2 / TB1), and the vertical axis shows the probability of disconnection.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, when the ratio (TB2 / TB1) was 11.0 or less, the probability of wire breakage was low, at 20% or less. Furthermore, when the ratio (TB2 / TB1) was 10.0 or less, the probability of wire breakage was even lower, at approximately 10% or less. Therefore, it is preferable for the ratio (TB2 / TB1) to be 10.0 or less.

[0052] Although embodiments have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1: Pre-fabricated material for optical fibers 2: Line drawing furnace 3: Resin coating device 4:Resin curing equipment 5: Guide roller 6: Capstan 7: Drums 8: Cooling device 10:Resin supply device 21: First resin 21X: First coating 22: Second resin 22X: Second coating 31: First die 31a: First die hole 32: Second die 32a: Second die hole 32b: Second connecting channel 33: Nipple 33a: Hole 33b: First connecting channel 34: Dice Holder 35: First resin channel 36: Second resin channel 37: Through hole 38: Through hole 39: 1st resin supply pipe 40:Second resin supply pipe 100: Manufacturing equipment A: Arrow G1: Glass fiber G2: Optical fiber TC1, TB1, TB2: Thickness

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber, comprising applying a first resin to a glass fiber drawn from a glass base material and curing the first resin to form a first coating, The first step is to move the glass fiber at a first speed during the first period, A second step of increasing the speed of the glass fiber from the first speed to the second speed in a second period following the first period, A third step of maintaining the speed of the glass fiber at the second speed during a third period following the second period, It has, A method for manufacturing optical fibers, wherein in the second step, when the thickness of the first coating from the start of coating the first resin until reaching a third speed that is faster than the first speed but slower than the second speed is denoted as TB1, and the thickness of the first coating in the third step is denoted as TB2, TB2 / TB1 is greater than 1.0 and less than or equal to 11.

0.

2. The method for manufacturing an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first coating is adjusted by adjusting the application pressure of the first resin to the glass fiber in the second step.

3. The method for manufacturing an optical fiber according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the second step, the application of the first resin to the glass fiber is started when the speed of the glass fiber is 0.2 times or less the second speed.

4. The method for manufacturing an optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the third speed is 0.95 times or less the second speed.

5. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the amount of increase in the thickness of the first coating per 10 seconds from when the speed of the glass fiber reaches the third speed to when it reaches the second speed is a maximum of 1.00 μm.

6. The first step includes a threading step in which the tip of the glass fiber is passed through a first die and a second die, and then through a pull-up device located downstream of the second die in the direction of travel of the glass fiber. The second step is, A step of applying the second resin to the outside of the glass fiber using the second die, A wire-hanging step in which the tip of the glass fiber coated with the second resin is hung on a winding device located downstream of the take-up device in the direction of travel of the glass fiber, A method for manufacturing an optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 5, having the following characteristics:

7. Prior to the wire application process, the first die is filled with the first resin. The method for manufacturing an optical fiber according to claim 6, wherein the first resin is applied to the glass fiber in the wire-laying step.

8. Prior to the aforementioned wire application process, the second die is filled with the second resin. The method for manufacturing an optical fiber according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the second resin is applied to the glass fiber in the wire-laying step.

9. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber, comprising applying a first resin to a glass fiber drawn from a glass base material and curing the first resin to form a first coating, The first step is to move the glass fiber at a first speed during the first period, A second step of increasing the speed of the glass fiber from the first speed to the second speed in a second period following the first period, A third step of maintaining the speed of the glass fiber at the second speed during a third period following the second period, It has, In the second step, when the thickness of the first coating from the start of coating the first resin until reaching a third speed that is faster than the first speed and slower than the second speed is denoted as TB1, and the thickness of the first coating in the third step is denoted as TB2, then TB2 / TB1 is greater than 1.0 and less than or equal to 11.

0. The second step includes a step of starting to apply the first resin to the glass fiber when the speed of the glass fiber is 0.2 times or less the second speed, A method for manufacturing an optical fiber, wherein the increase in the thickness of the first coating per 10 seconds from when the speed of the glass fiber reaches the third speed to when it reaches the second speed is a maximum of 1.00 μm.

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