Fiber optic ribbon

Abstract

To make it possible to detect positional deviation of coating agents for coupling together a plurality of coated optical fibers to each other, and to prevent degradation in distinguishability and visibility of the coated optical fibers.SOLUTION: An optical fiber ribbon comprises: a plurality of coated optical fibers; and coupling members that intermittently couple the plurality of coated optical fibers adjacent to each other. The coupling members are transparent and colorless with respect to visible light and are opaque with respect to light having a specific wavelength band other than the visible light region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber ribbon.

[0002] Conventionally, optical fiber ribbons having a plurality of optical fiber cores have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an intermittent type optical fiber ribbon in which four or more optical fiber cores are arranged in parallel in a row, and connecting portions and non-connecting portions are intermittently formed between adjacent optical fiber cores.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an intermittent type optical fiber ribbon as described in Patent Document 1, an adhesive or a coating agent such as an ultraviolet curable resin is used to connect a plurality of optical fiber cores. Such a coating agent may be applied at a position deviated from an accurate position during application to the optical fiber core, and it is conceivable that the optical fiber ribbon cannot maintain a normal structure due to the deviation of the position of the coating agent.

[0005] However, even if one attempts to detect displacement of the coating agent, it is difficult to do so because the coating agent is generally colorless and transparent. On the other hand, if a colored coating agent is used, displacement of the coating agent can be detected visually, but since optical fiber cores are generally colored, the color of the optical fiber core and the color of the coating agent can become confusing, potentially impairing the visibility of the optical fiber core. Furthermore, optical fiber cores are sometimes marked on their surface to identify them. In such cases, if a colored coating agent is used, the markings may be hidden by the coating agent and become invisible, potentially impairing the identification of the optical fiber core.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide an optical fiber ribbon that can detect misalignment of coating agents used to connect multiple optical fiber cores, and that can prevent a decrease in the identifiability and visibility of the optical fiber cores. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The optical fiber ribbon of this disclosure comprises a plurality of optical fiber cores and a connecting member that intermittently connects a plurality of adjacent optical fiber cores, wherein the connecting member is oriented toward visible light. , printed The identifiability of the optical fiber core and The colored optical fiber core The connecting member is colorless and transparent to the extent that it does not impede visibility, and is opaque to light in a specific wavelength range other than the visible light region. The connecting member is an adhesive or UV-curable resin that is opaque to infrared light in the band from 780 nm to 1500 nm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to detect misalignment of the coating agent used to connect multiple optical fiber cores, and to prevent a decrease in the identifiability and visibility of the optical fiber cores. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]Figure 1 shows an example of an optical fiber ribbon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a comparative example of optical fiber ribbons. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a state where the coating position of a part of the connecting member of the optical fiber ribbon shown in Figure 2 is misaligned. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a state where the coating position of a part of the connecting member of the optical fiber ribbon shown in Figure 2 is misaligned. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure> First, embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The optical fiber ribbon according to the embodiment of this disclosure is (1) Multiple optical fiber cores, The device comprises a connecting member that intermittently connects a plurality of adjacent optical fiber cores, The aforementioned connecting member is, with respect to visible light , printed The identifiability of the optical fiber core and The colored optical fiber core The connecting member is colorless and transparent to the extent that it does not impede visibility, and is opaque to light in a specific wavelength range other than the visible light region. The connecting member is an adhesive or UV-curable resin that is opaque to infrared light in the band from 780 nm to 1500 nm.

[0011] With this configuration, for example, the misalignment of the connecting member can be detected by irradiating it with light in a specific wavelength band. Furthermore, when light in a specific wavelength band is not irradiated, the connecting member is colorless and transparent, thus forming an optical fiber ribbon. Colored This prevents a decrease in the visibility of the optical fiber core. Furthermore, even when the connecting material is applied to areas with printing (markings), the printed characters can still be confirmed, thus preventing a decrease in the identifiability of the optical fiber core. Additionally, by irradiating the optical fiber ribbon with infrared light after the connecting material has been applied, any misalignment of the connecting material can be detected.

[0012] (2) In the optical fiber ribbon of (1) above, The connecting member may be an adhesive or an ultraviolet curable resin that is opaque to ultraviolet rays.

[0013] With such a configuration, by irradiating ultraviolet rays on the optical fiber ribbon after applying the connecting member, displacement of the position of the connecting member can be detected.

[0014] (3) In the optical fiber ribbon of (2) above, The connecting member may be an acrylic resin.

[0015] With such a configuration, an optical fiber ribbon provided with a connecting member that is opaque to ultraviolet rays and excellent in transparency and durability can be realized.

[0018] ( 4 ) In the optical fiber ribbon of ( 1 ) above, The connecting member may be a resin containing polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0019] With such a configuration, a connecting member that is opaque to infrared rays can be provided at a low cost.

[0020] <Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> Specific examples of the optical fiber ribbon of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0021] [Overall Configuration of Optical Fiber Ribbon] Figure 1 shows an example of an optical fiber ribbon 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, the optical fiber ribbon 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of optical fiber cores 10 and a connecting member 20 that connects these plurality of optical fiber cores 10. Hereinafter, the direction in which the optical fiber cores 10 extend will be referred to as the Y direction, and the direction in which the plurality of optical fiber cores 10 are aligned will be referred to as the X direction.

[0022] Each optical fiber core 10 is, for example, a single-core fiber (SCF), and includes one core 11, a cladding 12 covering the core 11, and a covering layer 14 covering the cladding 12. The outer diameter of each optical fiber core 10 is, for example, 160 μm to 255 μm.

[0023] The core 11 has a higher refractive index than the cladding 12 and can guide light. The coating layer 14 includes, for example, two UV-curable resin layers and a colored layer.

[0024] The connecting member 20 is applied so as to intermittently connect adjacent optical fiber cores 10 arranged in parallel. The connecting member 20 is applied and cured, for example, in recesses formed between the outer circumferences of adjacent optical fiber cores 10. Specifically, the connecting member 20 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, with a length in the longitudinal direction of approximately 10 mm to 40 mm and a length in the transverse direction of approximately 0.10 mm to 0.25 mm.

[0025] Furthermore, the connecting member 20 is applied so as to extend along the Y direction. In the example shown in Figure 1, the optical fiber ribbon 1 comprises four optical fiber cores 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d as optical fiber cores 10. The optical fiber ribbon 1 also comprises five connecting members 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e as connecting members 20.

[0026] The connecting members 20a and 20b intermittently connect the optical fiber core 10a and the optical fiber core 10b. The connecting member 20c intermittently connects the optical fiber core 10b and the optical fiber core 10c. The connecting members 20d and 20e intermittently connect the optical fiber core 10c and the optical fiber core 10d. Furthermore, the connecting members 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are colorless and transparent to visible light, and opaque to light in specific wavelength bands outside the visible light region.

[0027] Connecting members 20a and 20b are coated so as to be aligned in the Y direction, and connecting members 20d and 20e are similarly coated so as to be aligned in the Y direction. Furthermore, connecting members 20a and 20d are coated so as to be aligned, for example, in the X direction, and connecting members 20b and 20e are similarly coated so as to be aligned, for example, in the X direction. In addition, connecting member 20c is coated at a position between connecting member 20a and connecting member 20d in the X direction and between connecting member 20a and connecting member 20b in the Y direction.

[0028] Note that the position and size of the connecting member 20 shown in Figure 1 are examples only, and the position and size of the connecting member 20 are not limited to those shown in Figure 1.

[0029] Furthermore, the optical fiber ribbon 1 is not limited to a configuration comprising four optical fiber cores 10, but may also comprise other numbers of optical fiber cores 10, such as eight, twelve, or twenty-four.

[0030] Furthermore, the optical fiber core 10 is not limited to SCF as shown in Figure 1, but may also be a multi-core fiber (MCF (Multi Core Fiber)), for example.

[0031] [Description of the task] Figure 2 shows a comparative example of an optical fiber ribbon. Referring to Figure 2, the optical fiber ribbon 51 in the comparative example has four optical fiber cores 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, similar to the optical fiber ribbon 1 shown in Figure 1. In addition, the optical fiber ribbon 51 has five connecting members 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, and 60e instead of the five connecting members 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e shown in Figure 1. Hereinafter, each of the connecting members 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, and 60e will also be referred to as "connecting member 60".

[0032] The connecting member 60 is applied so as to intermittently connect adjacent optical fiber cores 10 arranged in parallel. More specifically, the application positions of connecting members 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, and 60e are the same as the application positions of connecting members 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the connecting member 60 has the same size and shape as the connecting member 20 shown in Figure 1. However, unlike the connecting member 20, the connecting member 60 is a colorless and transparent adhesive or UV-curing resin that is resistant to visible light, infrared light, and ultraviolet light.

[0033] Incidentally, when the connecting member 60 is applied to the optical fiber core 10, it may be applied to a position that is off from the correct position. Figures 3 and 4 show a state in which the application position of some of the connecting members of the optical fiber ribbon shown in Figure 2 is off. Here, we assume that the position of each connecting member 60 shown in Figure 2 is the correct application position.

[0034] For example, in Figure 3, compared to Figure 2, the coating position of the connecting member 60a is shifted in the X direction, as indicated by frame A, so that it is closer to the connecting member 60b. Also, for example, in Figure 4, compared to Figure 2, the coating position of the connecting member 60a is shifted in the Y direction, as indicated by frame B, so that the connecting member 60a and the connecting member 60c overlap. In addition, a part of the connecting member 60a may be shifted so as to curve along the Y direction.

[0035] Thus, if the coating position of the connecting member 60 is misaligned, the overall unity and flexibility of the optical fiber ribbon 1 may be impaired. If the unity is lost, handling problems may arise, such as difficulty in aligning the multiple optical fiber cores 10 contained in the optical fiber ribbon 1 in a straight line during fusion splicing. If the flexibility is impaired, adverse effects such as increased transmission loss may occur. However, since the connecting member 60 is colorless and transparent, it is difficult to detect the misalignment of the connecting member 60 even if one attempts to detect it using an image of the optical fiber ribbon 1 or the sensor results of a color discrimination sensor applied to the optical fiber ribbon 1.

[0036] On the other hand, it is conceivable to use a colored connecting member instead of the colorless and transparent connecting member 60. In this case, it would be possible to detect if the position of the connecting member is misaligned, but the color of the colored layer in the coating layer 14 of the optical fiber core 10 and the color of the connecting member may become confusing, potentially impairing the visibility of the optical fiber core 10.

[0037] Furthermore, the surface of the optical fiber core 10 may be marked with printing or other markings to identify the optical fiber core 10. In such cases, using a colored connecting member may obscure the markings, potentially impairing the identifiability of the optical fiber core 10.

[0038] To address the above-mentioned problems, the optical fiber ribbon 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, with the configuration described below, can detect misalignment of the connecting member 20 and prevent a decrease in the identifiability and visibility of the optical fiber core 10.

[0039] [Details of connecting members] (Example 1) Referring again to Figure 1, the connecting member 20 is colorless and transparent to visible light, and opaque to light in a specific wavelength band outside the visible light region. That is, while the connecting member 60 in the comparative examples shown in Figures 2 to 4 is colorless and transparent regardless of the wavelength band of the irradiated light, the connecting member 20 shown in Figure 1 is opaque to light in a specific wavelength band.

[0040] The specific wavelength band is, for example, the ultraviolet wavelength band from 10 nm to 400 nm, preferably from 315 nm to 400 nm.

[0041] The colorless transparency of the connecting member 20 includes a colored transparency that does not impede the identifiability and visibility of the optical fiber core 10 to which the connecting member 20 is coated. Furthermore, the connecting member 20 only needs to have a light transmittance sufficient to allow its position to be confirmed when irradiated with light in a specific wavelength band, and is not limited to completely blocking light transmission.

[0042] The connecting member 20 is molded from an adhesive or UV-curing resin that is opaque to light in a specific wavelength range. Specifically, the connecting member 20 is molded from an acrylic resin (e.g., urethane acrylate resin) that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light.

[0043] With this configuration, for example, the optical fiber ribbon 1 after the connecting members 20 have been applied can be imaged with an ultraviolet camera, and any misalignment of the connecting members 20 can be detected based on the image. Specifically, an image of the optical fiber ribbon 1 in which all connecting members 20 have been applied in the correct positions (hereinafter referred to as the "reference image") is acquired in advance, and by performing image processing that compares the image of the optical fiber ribbon 1 to be detected with the reference image, it is possible to detect whether the position of each connecting member 20 applied to the optical fiber ribbon 1 is in the correct position.

[0044] (Example 2) The specific wavelength band is not limited to the ultraviolet wavelength band described in Example 1, but may also be, for example, the infrared wavelength band of 780 nm or higher. Preferably, the specific wavelength band is the band from 780 nm to 1500 nm.

[0045] If the specific wavelength band is one of the bands described above, the connecting member 20 is molded from an adhesive or UV-curing resin that is opaque to light in that specific wavelength band. Specifically, the connecting member 20 is a resin containing molten polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0046] With this configuration, for example, the optical fiber ribbon 1 after the connecting members 20 have been applied can be imaged with an infrared camera, and any misalignment of the connecting members 20 can be detected based on the image. Specifically, by performing image processing that compares the image of the optical fiber ribbon 1 to be detected with a reference image, it is possible to detect whether the position of each connecting member 20 applied to the optical fiber ribbon 1 is in the correct position.

[0047] Furthermore, when using a connecting member 20 as in Example 1 or Example 2 above, even if the connecting member 20 is placed on the same side as the side of the optical fiber ribbon 1 that has the identification markings, visible light will pass through the connecting member 20, allowing the markings to be identified. In other words, there is no need to position the connecting member 20 so as not to cover the markings, which is advantageous in the manufacturing process.

[0048] Furthermore, the connecting member 20 is not limited to being opaque to ultraviolet or infrared light; it may be transparent to visible light and opaque to light in a specific wavelength range other than the visible light region. In addition, the connecting member 20 may be colored to be opaque to light in a specific wavelength range.

[0049] Although the present disclosure has been described above based on specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to be expressed by the claims, with all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims being included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1.51 Fiber Optic Ribbon 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d optical fiber core 11 cores 12 clad 14 Covering layer 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e Connecting members 60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e Connecting members Frames A and B

Claims

1. Multiple optical fiber cores, The device comprises a connecting member that intermittently connects a plurality of adjacent optical fiber cores, The connecting member is colorless and transparent to the extent that it does not impede the identifiability of the printed optical fiber cores and the visibility of the colored optical fiber cores with respect to visible light, and is opaque to light in a specific wavelength band other than the visible light region. The connecting member is an optical fiber ribbon, which is an adhesive or UV-curable resin that is opaque to infrared light in the 780 nm to 1500 nm band.

2. The optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is an adhesive or UV-curable resin that is opaque to ultraviolet light.

3. The optical fiber ribbon according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member is made of acrylic resin.

4. The optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is a resin containing polypropylene or polyethylene.

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