Resin coating device

Abstract

To provide a resin coating apparatus capable of suppressing thickness deviation when coating a thin layer of a resin on glass fiber.SOLUTION: A resin coating apparatus comprises: a die having a point and a first die hole that is disposed directly below the point and through which a first alignment part, a second alignment part, and glass fiber are inserted; and a first resin supply path connected to an entrance of the first die hole, the second alignment part is disposed below the first alignment part in a traveling direction of the glass fiber, and the first alignment part comprises a first reduced diameter part whose diameter becomes narrower as it goes downward from the inlet, and a first land part which is connected directly below the first reduced diameter part and has a constant diameter, and the second alignment part has a second reduced diameter part whose diameter becomes narrower as it goes downward from the entrance, and a second land part which is connected directly below the second reduced diameter part and has a constant diameter, and the first reduced diameter part, the first land part, the second reduced diameter part, and the second land part are each a part of the first die hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a resin coating apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a resin coating apparatus for an optical fiber that forms a two-layer coating on the surface of a glass fiber.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When attempting to form a thinner coating layer, there is a risk of uneven thickness occurring more easily.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a resin coating apparatus capable of suppressing uneven thickness when thinly coating a glass fiber with resin.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The resin coating apparatus of the present disclosure is a resin coating apparatus that passes a glass fiber and applies resin to the surface of the glass fiber, a point having a point hole through which the glass fiber is inserted, a die disposed directly below the point, having a first centering portion, a second centering portion, and a first die hole through which the glass fiber is inserted, and a first resin supply path connected to the inlet of the first die hole. The second centering portion is disposed below the first centering portion in the traveling direction of the glass fiber. The first centering portion has a first diameter reduction portion whose diameter decreases as it goes downward from the entrance in the direction of travel, and a first land portion located directly below the first diameter reduction portion and connected to the first diameter reduction portion, and having a constant diameter in the direction of travel. The second centering portion has a second diameter reduction portion in which the diameter narrows as it goes downward from the entrance in the direction of travel, and a second land portion located directly below the second diameter reduction portion and connected to the second diameter reduction portion, and having a constant diameter in the direction of travel. The first diameter reduction portion, the first land portion, the second diameter reduction portion, and the second land portion are each a part of the first die hole. the law of nature, The diameter of the first land portion is larger than the diameter of the second land portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a resin coating apparatus that can suppress uneven thickness when applying a thin layer of resin to glass fibers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a resin coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Description of one form of this disclosure) First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. (1) A resin coating apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is A resin coating apparatus for applying resin to the surface of glass fibers by passing the glass fibers through them, A point having a point hole through which the glass fiber is inserted, A die positioned directly below the aforementioned point, having a first centering portion, a second centering portion, and a first die hole through which the glass fiber is inserted, It comprises a first resin supply passage connected to the inlet of the first die hole, The second centering portion is positioned below the first centering portion in the direction of travel of the glass fiber. The first centering portion has a first diameter reduction portion whose diameter decreases as it goes downward from the entrance in the direction of travel, and a first land portion located directly below the first diameter reduction portion and connected to the first diameter reduction portion, and having a constant diameter in the direction of travel. The second centering portion has a second diameter reduction portion in which the diameter narrows as it goes downward from the entrance in the direction of travel, and a second land portion located directly below the second diameter reduction portion and connected to the second diameter reduction portion, and having a constant diameter in the direction of travel. The first diameter reduction portion, the first land portion, the second diameter reduction portion, and the second land portion are each a part of the first die hole. the law of nature, The diameter of the first land portion is larger than the diameter of the second land portion.

[0010] The die of the resin coating apparatus of this disclosure has a first diameter reduction section and a second diameter reduction section, the diameter of which narrows in the direction of travel. Since the runout in the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the glass fiber is constrained at two points, the first and second diameter reduction sections, vibration of the glass fiber can be suppressed. As a result, the thickness variation can be reduced, and the resin can be applied to the glass fiber with higher dimensional accuracy. Furthermore, because the diameter of the first land section is larger than the diameter of the second land section, the glass fibers are less likely to come into contact with the points and dies at the point and die entrance, thus preventing the glass fibers from breaking. In addition, by using the second centering section as the rotation center, the entire resin coating apparatus can be slightly tilted forward, backward, left, and right, thereby reducing uneven thickness.

[0011] (2) In the above (1), the die further has an intermediate portion, The aforementioned intermediate portion is located between the first centering portion and the second centering portion and has a hole that is part of the first die hole, The diameter of the hole in the intermediate portion may be larger than either the diameter of the first land portion or the diameter of the second land portion.

[0012] Since the diameter of the hole in the intermediate portion is larger than either the diameter of the first land portion or the diameter of the second land portion, it is easier to process the hole in the intermediate portion compared to the case where the diameter of the hole in the intermediate portion is the same as or smaller than the diameter of the first land portion and the diameter of the second land portion. Further, compared to the case where the intermediate portion is not provided, the length of contact between the glass fiber and the resin can be made longer, and the vibration of the glass fiber can be suppressed by the resin.

[0013] (3) In the above (2), the resin application device may further include a second resin supply path connected to the hole in the intermediate portion.

[0014] Since the resin application device of the present disclosure includes a second resin supply path connected to the hole in the intermediate portion, resin is also supplied to the hole in the intermediate portion, and the resin pressure in the first die hole increases. Therefore, while preventing air bubbles from entering the first die hole, resin can be applied to the glass fiber.

[0015] (4) In the above (3), the second resin supply path may be connected to the upper part of the intermediate portion.

[0016] Since the second resin supply path is connected to the upper part of the intermediate portion, the resin pressure in the first die hole can be increased, the occurrence of uneven wall thickness can be suppressed, and resin can be uniformly applied in the circumferential direction of the glass fiber.

[0019] (6) In any one of the above (1) to (5), the die has a first die having the first die hole and a second die arranged directly below the first die and having a second die hole. The resin application device may further include another supply path for supplying another resin different from the resin from between the first die and the second die to the second die.

[0020] Since the resin application device of the present disclosure further includes a plurality of dies and another supply path, two resins can be applied to the glass fiber almost simultaneously.

[0021] (Details of one form of this disclosure) A specific example of a resin coating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. This disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims as shown, and equivalents thereof.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a resin coating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The resin coating apparatus 1 is configured to coat a resin onto the surface of a glass fiber G by passing the glass fiber G through it. The diameter of the glass fiber G is, for example, φ80 to φ125 μm. As illustrated in Figure 1, the resin coating apparatus 1 includes a point 10, a die 20, a first resin supply path 50, a second resin supply path 60, and a third resin supply path 70.

[0023] Point 10 is located at the inlet of the resin coating apparatus 1. Point 10 has a point hole 11 through which a glass fiber G is inserted. The cross-section of the point hole is circular in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the glass fiber G. The diameter of the point hole 11 is, for example, φ0.30 to φ0.35 mm. The length of the point hole 11 in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G is, for example, 2.0 mm.

[0024] The die 20 includes a first die 30 and a second die 40. The first die 30 is positioned directly below point 10 in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G. The first die 30 includes a first centering portion 31, a second centering portion 32, and a first die hole 39 through which the glass fiber G is inserted. Furthermore, the first die 30 has an intermediate portion 37 positioned between the first centering portion 31 and the second centering portion 32. The first centering portion 31, the intermediate portion 37, and the second centering portion 32 may be formed individually or integrally with each other. For example, the first centering portion 31, the intermediate portion 37, and the second centering portion 32 may be formed from the same material and then integrally formed by crimping.

[0025] The first centering portion 31 is located at the entrance of the first die 30. The first centering portion 31 has a first diameter reduction portion 33 and a first land portion 34. The diameter of the first diameter reduction portion 33 decreases as it goes downward from the entrance in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G. The first land portion 34 is located directly below the first diameter reduction portion 33 and is connected to the first diameter reduction portion 33, and has a constant diameter in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G. The first diameter reduction portion 33 and the first land portion 34 are each part of the first die hole 39. Preferably, a projection (not shown) is formed at the exit of the first centering portion 31 (exit of the first land portion 34) that protrudes from the exit of the first centering portion 31 in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G.

[0026] The cross-sections of the first diameter-reducing portion 33 and the first land portion 34 in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the glass fiber G are both circular. The diameter of the first diameter-reducing portion 33 at the entrance of the first centering portion 31 is, for example, φ0.48 to φ0.53 mm. The diameter D34 of the first land portion 34 is, for example, φ0.30 to φ0.35 mm. The length of the first centering portion 31 in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G (the sum of the length of the first diameter-reducing portion 33 and the length of the first land portion 34) is, for example, 4.5 mm. In this embodiment, the diameter D34 of the first land portion 34 is larger than the diameter D36 of the second land portion 36, which will be described later.

[0027] The intermediate portion 37 has a hole 37a through which the glass fiber G is inserted. The hole 37a is part of the first die hole 39. The diameter of the hole 37a is constant in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G. The cross-section of the hole 37a in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the glass fiber G is circular. The diameter D37 of the hole 37a in the intermediate portion 37 is larger than the diameter D34 of the first land portion 34 and the diameter D36 of the second land portion 36. The diameter D37 of the hole 37a is, for example, φ8.0 mm. The length of the intermediate portion 37 in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G is, for example, 18.0 mm.

[0028] The second centering portion 32 is positioned below the first centering portion 31 in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G. In this embodiment, the second centering portion 32 is located directly below the intermediate portion 37 and at the exit of the first die 30. The second centering portion 32 has a second diameter reduction portion 35 and a second land portion 36. The diameter of the second diameter reduction portion 35 decreases as it goes downward from the entrance in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G. The second land portion 36 is located directly below the second diameter reduction portion 35 and is connected to the second diameter reduction portion 35, and has a constant diameter in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G. The second diameter reduction portion 35 and the second land portion 36 are each part of the first die hole 39.

[0029] The cross-sections of the second diameter-reducing portion 35 and the second land portion 36 are both circular in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the glass fiber G. The diameter of the second diameter-reducing portion 35 at the entrance of the second centering portion 32 is, for example, φ0.28 to φ0.38 mm. The diameter D36 of the second land portion 36 is, for example, φ0.10 to φ0.20 mm. The length of the second centering portion 32 (the sum of the length of the second diameter-reducing portion 35 and the length of the second land portion 36) in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G is, for example, 4.5 mm. Preferably, a projection (not shown) is formed at the exit of the second centering portion 32 (the exit of the second land portion 36) that protrudes from the exit of the second centering portion 32 along the direction of travel of the glass fiber G.

[0030] The second die 40 is positioned directly below the first die 30. The second die 40 has a second die hole 41 through which a glass fiber G is inserted. The cross-section of the second die hole 41 in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the glass fiber G is circular. The diameter of the second die hole 41 is, for example, φ0.20 to φ0.30 mm. The length of the second die hole 41 in the direction of travel of the glass fiber G is, for example, 1.0 mm.

[0031] The first resin supply passage 50 is connected to the inlet of the first die hole 39. In this embodiment, the first resin supply passage 50 is connected to the inlet of the first diameter reduction portion 33 of the first centering portion 31. The first resin supply passage 50 is configured to supply the primary resin to be applied to the surface of the glass fiber G to the first die hole 39.

[0032] The primary resin is, for example, a urethane acrylate-based UV-curing resin. The primary resin is an example of a resin applied to the surface of the glass fiber G.

[0033] The second resin supply passage 60 is connected to the hole 37a of the intermediate section 37. Preferably, the second resin supply passage 60 is connected to the upper part of the intermediate section 37 so that the primary resin can be easily filled into the intermediate section 37. In this embodiment, the second resin supply passage 60 is connected to the inlet of the intermediate section 37. The second resin supply passage 60 is configured to supply primary resin to the hole 37a of the intermediate section 37.

[0034] The third resin supply passage 70 is located between the first die 30 and the second die 40. In this embodiment, the third resin supply passage 70 is connected to the inlet of the second die 40. The third resin supply passage 70 is configured to supply a secondary resin, different from the primary resin, to the second die hole 41 of the second die 40. The third resin supply passage 70 is an example of another supply passage.

[0035] The secondary resin is applied on top of the primary resin covering the surface of the glass fiber G. The secondary resin is, for example, a urethane acrylate-based UV-curing resin. The secondary resin is one in which the cured Young's modulus is higher than that of the cured primary resin. The secondary resin is an example of another resin applied around the primary resin.

[0036] Next, we will explain how the resin coating apparatus 1 applies the primary resin and secondary resin to the glass fiber G. First, the glass fiber G is inserted through the point hole 11 of the point 10 located at the inlet of the resin coating apparatus 1. The glass fiber G inserted through the point hole 11 is then inserted into the first die 30.

[0037] The glass fiber G inserted from point 10 passes through the first die hole 39 of the first die 30. Specifically, the glass fiber G passes through the first diameter reduction portion 33 and the first land portion 34 of the first centering portion 31, the intermediate portion 37, and the second diameter reduction portion 35 and the second land portion 36 of the second centering portion 32. At this time, primary resin is supplied to the first die hole 39 of the first die 30 from the first resin supply passage 50 and the second resin supply passage 60, and the hole is filled with primary resin. When the glass fiber G is inserted into the first die hole 39 filled with primary resin, the primary resin is applied to the surface of the glass fiber G.

[0038] First, the glass fiber G is inserted into the first diameter-reducing section 33 of the first centering section 31 of the first die 30. Since the diameter of the first diameter-reducing section 33 gradually narrows along the direction of travel of the glass fiber G, the centering force due to the resin flow of the primary resin from the inlet to the outlet is high in the first diameter-reducing section 33. As the glass fiber G passes through this first diameter-reducing section 33, the vibration of the glass fiber G in the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel is suppressed. After that, the glass fiber G is inserted into the first land section 34.

[0039] Since the diameter D34 of the first land portion 34 is relatively small within the first die hole 39, vibration of the glass fiber G inserted through the first land portion 34 is suppressed, and contact between the glass fiber G and the point hole 11 or the first die hole 39 can be prevented. The glass fiber G that has passed through the first land portion 34 is then inserted into the intermediate portion 37.

[0040] Primary resin is filled into the hole 37a of the intermediate section 37 via the second resin supply passage 60. The glass fiber G is inserted into the hole 37a filled with primary resin. Subsequently, the glass fiber G is inserted into the second centering section 32.

[0041] Since the diameter of the second diameter-reducing section 35 of the second centering section 32 gradually narrows along the direction of travel of the glass fiber G, the centering force due to the resin flow of the primary resin from the inlet to the outlet is high in the second diameter-reducing section 35. Because the glass fiber G passes through not only the first diameter-reducing section 33 but also the second diameter-reducing section 35, it is constrained at two points, the first diameter-reducing section 33 and the second diameter-reducing section 35, and the vibration of the glass fiber G in the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel is further suppressed. After that, the glass fiber G is inserted from the second diameter-reducing section 35 to the second land section 36.

[0042] The diameter of the second land portion 36 is the smallest within the first die hole 39. As the glass fiber G passes through this second land portion 36, vibration is suppressed and the diameter of the primary resin coating over the glass fiber G is determined. The glass fiber G is then inserted into the second die 40.

[0043] The glass fiber G, coated with primary resin by the first die 30, passes through the second die hole 41 of the second die 40. At this time, secondary resin is supplied to the second die hole 41 from the third resin supply passage 70, filling it with secondary resin. By inserting the glass fiber G into the second die hole 41 filled with secondary resin, the secondary resin is applied on top of the primary resin on the glass fiber G. In this way, the resin coating apparatus 1 coats the glass fiber G with both primary and secondary resin.

[0044] As described above, since the first die 30 of the resin coating apparatus 1 has a first diameter reduction section 33 and a second diameter reduction section 35, the glass fiber G is restrained at two points, the first diameter reduction section 33 and the second diameter reduction section 35. Because the runout of the glass fiber G in the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel is further suppressed, the primary resin can be applied to the glass fiber G more uniformly in the circumferential direction with higher dimensional accuracy, and uneven thickness can be reduced.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first die 30 of the resin coating apparatus 1 is equipped with an intermediate portion 37, which increases the length over which the glass fiber G contacts the primary resin. For example, when the first die 30 has an intermediate portion 37, the length over which the glass fiber G contacts the primary resin is approximately 30 mm, while when the first die 30 does not have an intermediate portion 37, the length is approximately 10 mm. By increasing the length over which the glass fiber G contacts the primary resin in this way, vibration of the glass fiber G can be suppressed by the primary resin compared to the case where the intermediate portion 37 is not provided.

[0046] Furthermore, the diameter D37 of the hole 37a in the intermediate portion 37 is larger than the diameter D34 of the first land portion 34 and the diameter D36 of the second land portion 36. Therefore, compared to the case where the diameter D37 of the hole 37a is the same as or smaller than the diameters D34 and D36, the hole 37a is easier to machine and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0047] The resin coating apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a second resin supply passage 60 connected to the hole 37a of the intermediate section 37. Primary resin is supplied not only from the first resin supply passage 50 to the first centering section 31, but also from the second resin supply passage 60 to the hole 37a of the intermediate section 37, thereby increasing the resin pressure of the primary resin in the first die hole 39. This prevents air bubbles from entering the first die hole and suppresses vibration of the glass fiber G, while allowing the primary resin to be applied to the glass fiber G.

[0048] In this embodiment, the second resin supply passage 60 is connected to the upper part of the intermediate section 37. Therefore, compared to the case where the second resin supply passage 60 is connected to another location in the intermediate section 37, the primary resin is more easily filled into the hole 37a. The resin pressure of the primary resin in the intermediate section 37 also suppresses the vibration of the glass fiber G. Thus, it is possible to prevent the inflow of air bubbles into the first die hole 39 while suppressing the occurrence of uneven wall thickness.

[0049] In this embodiment, the diameter D34 of the first land portion 34 is larger than the diameter D36 of the second land portion 36. This prevents the glass fiber G from coming into contact with the point hole 11 or the first die hole 39, thus preventing the glass fiber G from breaking. Furthermore, when fine-tuning the amount of primary resin applied, the entire resin coating apparatus 1 can be slightly tilted forward, backward, left, and right with the second centering portion 32 as the center of rotation. Such fine adjustments can further reduce uneven thickness.

[0050] The resin coating apparatus 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a second die 40 and a third resin supply path 70, so that a secondary resin different from the primary resin can also be applied to the glass fiber G. Therefore, the two resins can be applied to the glass fiber G almost simultaneously using a single apparatus.

[0051] Although this disclosure 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 this disclosure. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the components described above are not limited to the embodiments described above and can be changed to a number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for carrying out this disclosure.

[0052] For example, although the first die 30 in this embodiment has an intermediate portion 37, the intermediate portion 37 may be omitted. Even in such a case, the glass fiber G is constrained at two points, the first diameter reduction portion 33 and the second diameter reduction portion 35, so vibration of the glass fiber G is suppressed and uneven thickness can be reduced. Furthermore, the structure of the first die 30 becomes simpler, and manufacturing costs can also be reduced.

[0053] The resin coating apparatus 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a second resin supply passage 60, but the second resin supply passage 60 is not required. Even in such cases, the glass fiber G is restrained at two points, the first diameter reduction section 33 and the second diameter reduction section 35, so the glass fiber G is less prone to vibration and uneven thickness can be reduced. Furthermore, if the first die 30 is not equipped with an intermediate section 37, the primary resin can be applied to the glass fiber G by supply from the first resin supply passage 50.

[0054] The second resin supply passage 60 may be connected to the middle or lower part of the intermediate section 37. This allows the primary resin to fill the holes 37a in the intermediate section 37 and coat the glass fiber G, compared to the case where the second resin supply passage 60 is not provided.

[0055] The resin coating apparatus 1 does not necessarily need to include a second die 40 and a third resin supply path 70. These components are not required when applying only one type of resin to the glass fiber G. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1: Resin coating device 10 points 11: Pointed hole 20: Die 30: First Dive 31:First alignment part 32:Second alignment part 33:First reduced diameter part 34: First Land Department 35: Second reduced diameter part 36: Second Land Department 37: Middle section 37a: Hole 39: First die hole 40: Second Die 41: Second die hole 50: First resin supply path 60:Second resin supply path 70:Third resin supply path G: Glass fiber D34, D36, D37: Diameter

Claims

1. A resin coating apparatus for applying resin to the surface of glass fibers by passing the glass fibers through them, A point having a point hole through which the glass fiber is inserted, A die positioned directly below the aforementioned point, having a first centering portion, a second centering portion, and a first die hole through which the glass fiber is inserted, It comprises a first resin supply passage connected to the inlet of the first die hole, The second centering portion is positioned below the first centering portion in the direction of travel of the glass fiber. The first centering portion has a first diameter reduction portion whose diameter decreases as it goes downward from the entrance in the direction of travel, and a first land portion located directly below the first diameter reduction portion and connected to the first diameter reduction portion, and having a constant diameter in the direction of travel. The second centering portion has a second diameter reduction portion in which the diameter narrows as it goes downward from the entrance in the direction of travel, and a second land portion located directly below the second diameter reduction portion and connected to the second diameter reduction portion, and having a constant diameter in the direction of travel. The first diameter reduction portion, the first land portion, the second diameter reduction portion, and the second land portion are each a part of the first die hole. A resin coating apparatus in which the diameter of the first land portion is larger than the diameter of the second land portion.

2. The die further has an intermediate portion, The aforementioned intermediate portion is located between the first centering portion and the second centering portion and has a hole that is part of the first die hole, The resin coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the hole in the intermediate portion is larger than the diameter of the first land portion and the diameter of the second land portion.

3. The resin coating apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second resin supply passage connected to the hole in the intermediate portion.

4. The resin coating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second resin supply passage is connected to the upper part of the intermediate section.

5. The die comprises a first die having the first die hole, and a second die positioned directly below the first die and having a second die hole. The resin coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: another supply path for supplying a resin different from the resin to the second die from between the first die and the second die.

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