Manufacturing apparatus for optical fiber ribbon core wire and manufacturing method for optical fiber ribbon core wire

Abstract

The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for an optical fiber ribbon core wire (10) in which a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers (20) arranged in parallel are partially connected, the manufacturing apparatus (100) for an optical fiber ribbon core wire being characterized by comprising: a coating part (110) for applying an uncured resin to the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers (20) arranged in parallel; a removing part (120) for partially removing the applied uncured resin in an atmosphere capable of suppressing generation of air bubbles in the uncured resin between the adjacent single-core coated optical fibers (20); and a curing part (130) for curing the uncured resin remaining on the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers without being removed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon core wire and a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon core wire.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, due to the spread of IoT (Internet of Things), the full-scale implementation of 5G commercial use, and the autonomous driving of automobiles, data traffic has increased exponentially. There is an increasing demand for the construction and maintenance of high-speed and large-capacity optical fiber communication networks to support this. In order to economically realize the construction and maintenance of high-speed and large-capacity optical fiber communication networks, it is important to accommodate more single-core coated optical fibers (optical fibers) in existing ducts. Thus, when accommodating a large number of single-core coated optical fibers in an existing duct, from the perspective of the workability of wiring installation work, a rollable ribbon (optical fiber ribbon core wire) in which the single-core coated optical fibers are intermittently connected is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing such an optical fiber ribbon core wire. In this manufacturing method, a UV-curable resin is applied to a plurality of parallel single-core coated optical fibers, the applied uncured UV-curable resin is partially removed, and the resin remaining on the plurality of optical fibers without being removed is cured by UV to obtain an optical fiber ribbon core wire. Here, the removal portion for partially removing the applied uncured resin has a rotating blade having a concave portion (notch). By rotating the rotating blade having the notch, the UV-curable resin can be partially removed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when removing the uncured resin as disclosed in Patent Document 1, air may enter the uncured resin and bubbles may be generated. If the uncured resin cures with bubbles generated, voids may occur in the cured resin, and the strength of the optical fiber ribbon core wire may decrease.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus for an optical fiber ribbon core wire and a manufacturing method for an optical fiber ribbon core wire that can suppress the generation of bubbles in the uncured resin when removing the applied uncured resin.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems, A manufacturing apparatus for an optical fiber ribbon core wire in which a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel are partially connected, comprising: A coating section for applying an uncured resin to a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel; A removing section for partially removing the applied uncured resin in an atmosphere that can suppress the generation of bubbles in the uncured resin between adjacent single-core coated optical fibers; A curing section for curing the uncured resin remaining on the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers without being removed; Characterized by having A manufacturing apparatus for an optical fiber ribbon core wire is provided.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, A manufacturing method for an optical fiber ribbon core wire in which a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel are partially connected, comprising: A step of applying an uncured resin to a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel; A step of partially removing the applied uncured resin in an atmosphere that can suppress the generation of bubbles in the uncured resin between adjacent single-core coated optical fibers; A step of curing the uncured resin remaining in the plurality of single-coated optical fibers without being removed; characterized by having A method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon core wire is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a manufacturing apparatus for an optical fiber ribbon core wire and a manufacturing method for an optical fiber ribbon core wire that can suppress the generation of bubbles in the uncured resin when removing the applied uncured resin.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, a manufacturing apparatus for an optical fiber ribbon core wire and a manufacturing method for an optical fiber ribbon core wire according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. In this specification, with respect to the description of "~" indicating a numerical range, the lower limit value and the upper limit value are included in the numerical range. First, after describing the optical fiber ribbon core wire to be manufactured, a manufacturing apparatus for an optical fiber ribbon core wire and a manufacturing method for an optical fiber ribbon core wire will be described.

[0012] [Configuration of Optical Fiber Ribbon Core Wire] Figure 1A is a schematic plan view of the optical fiber ribbon core 10, Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 1A, and Figure 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Figure 1A. In Figure 1, the connecting portion 30 is shown in black to make it easier to distinguish from the spaced portion 40.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1A, in the optical fiber ribbon core 10, a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 are arranged in parallel. Between the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 arranged in parallel, there intermittently exist a connecting portion 30 and a spaced portion 40. The connecting portion 30 is a portion where the UV curable resin has cured, and the spaced portion 40 is a portion where no cured resin exists. The optical fiber ribbon core 10 having the connecting portion 30 and the spaced portion 40 intermittently as shown in Figure 1A is easy to fold in the width direction and can be made into a bundle shape, which helps to increase the density of the single-core coated optical fibers 20.

[0014] Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 1A, that is, a cross-sectional view of the connecting portion 30, and Figure 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Figure 1A, that is, a cross-sectional view of the spaced portion 40.

[0015] As can be seen from Figures 1B and 1C, the single-core coated optical fiber 20 has, from its center to the outside, an optical fiber strand 21, a primary coating layer 22, and a secondary coating layer 23. As shown in Figures 1B and 1C, a cured resin 50 exists around two single-core coated optical fibers 20. The cured resin 50 functions as a tape layer 60 on the surface of the optical fiber ribbon core 10 and functions as a connecting portion 30 between two single-core coated optical fibers 20.

[0016] As can be seen from Figure 1C, in the cross-section of the spaced portion 40, a cured resin 50 exists around each of the two single-core coated optical fibers 20, but no cured resin 50 exists between the two single-core coated optical fibers 20, which forms the spaced portion 40.

[0017] [Manufacturing apparatus for optical fiber ribbon core, manufacturing method for optical fiber ribbon core] FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a manufacturing apparatus 100 for an optical fiber ribbon core wire, FIG. 2B is a partial longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon core wire.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2A, the manufacturing apparatus 100 for an optical fiber ribbon core wire includes a coating unit 110 for applying an uncured resin, a removing unit 120 for partially removing the applied uncured resin, and a curing unit 130 for curing the uncured resin that remains without being removed. In the manufacturing apparatus 100 for an optical fiber ribbon core wire, the coating unit 110, the removing unit 120, and the curing unit 130 are arranged in this order along the traveling direction of a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, a step (S110) of applying an uncured resin to the single-core coated optical fiber 20 by the coating unit 110 is performed, a step (S120) of partially removing the uncured resin by the removing unit 120 is performed, and a step (S130) of curing the uncured resin by the curing unit 130 is performed. In the present embodiment, the uncured resin is a UV curable resin before curing. Hereinafter, each will be described.

[0020] The coating unit 110 receives a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 arranged in parallel that have traveled, and applies a coating so as to coat the periphery thereof with an uncured resin. The coating unit 110 has an inlet portion 111 for receiving a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 and an outlet portion 112 for discharging the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 coated with the uncured resin. The plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 discharged from the outlet portion 112 are entirely covered with the uncured resin and are in a tape shape.

[0021] The removing unit 120 partially removes the uncured resin applied to the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 between adjacent single-core coated optical fibers 20 so as to obtain an optical fiber ribbon core wire 10 having intermittent connecting portions 30 (see FIG. 1A).

[0022] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon core wire 10 showing details of the removal portion 120. As shown in FIG. 2B, the removal portion 120 includes a dividing die 121, a rotary blade 122 disposed within the dividing die 121, a gas filling portion 123, and a gas supply portion 124 for supplying gas to the gas filling portion 123.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2A, the dividing die 121 has a plurality of rotary blades 122 arranged in the width direction of the optical fiber ribbon core wire 10, and a plurality of slits 126 arranged in the width direction of the optical fiber ribbon core wire 10 corresponding to each rotary blade 122. As shown in FIG. 2B, the rotary blade 122 has a blade portion 122a and a notch portion 122b. The blade portion 122a can protrude from the slit 126 when the rotary blade 122 rotates, but the notch portion 122b cannot protrude from the slit 126 when the rotary blade 122 rotates. Thus, when the rotary blade 122 rotates, the blade portion 122a intermittently protrudes from the slit 126, and the uncured resin between the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 traveling on the slit 126 is partially (intermittently) removed. On the other hand, when the notch portion 122b is positioned with respect to the slit 126 and the blade portion 122a does not protrude, the uncured resin remains partially (intermittently) on the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 without being removed. In the present embodiment, the rotary blade 122 rotates so as to follow the traveling direction of the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2B, in the rotary blade 122, the blade portion 122a and the notch portion 122b are arranged at the same radial distance from the rotation center of the rotary blade 122. The circumferential lengths of the blade portion 122a and the notch portion 122b are factors that determine the lengths of the connecting portion 30 and the separating portion. Note that the method of removing the uncured resin is not limited to the method using the rotary blade 122 as described above. The uncured resin may be mechanically removed, for example, by a member that moves up and down.

[0025] When removing the uncured resin as described above in the air, air may enter the uncured resin as described above, generating bubbles, and the strength of the optical fiber ribbon core wire 10 may decrease. According to the manufacturing apparatus 100 and manufacturing method of the optical fiber ribbon core wire according to the present embodiment, since the removal of the uncured resin is performed in an atmosphere suppressing bubble generation, the generation of bubbles can be suppressed.

[0026] Specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the above-described cutting die 121 is disposed in the gas filling portion 123, and the gas filling portion 123 is supplied with a gas A (hereinafter, also simply referred to as gas A) that can suppress the generation of bubbles supplied from the gas supply portion 124. Thereby, the concentration of air becomes low, and even if the uncured resin is mechanically removed by the rotary blade 122, the generation of bubbles is suppressed.

[0027] The gas filling portion 123 is preferably configured to be able to fill the gas A around a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 traveling in the cutting die 121. Further, the gas filling portion 123 is more preferably configured to be able to fill the gas A around the blade portion 122a of the rotary blade 122. For example, when the density of the gas A is higher than the density of air, the gas filling portion 123 may be a box body having an open upper portion as shown in FIG. 2B. In this case, the gas filling portion 123 is preferably configured to be able to fill the gas A up to a position higher than the uncured resin of the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers 20 traveling in the cutting die 121. Further, the gas filling portion 123 is more preferably configured to be able to fill the gas A up to a position higher than the maximum height position reachable by the blade portion 122a of the rotary blade 122.

[0028] The generation of air bubbles may occur not only when the uncured resin is removed, but also when the multiple mono-coated optical fibers 20 enter the entry portion 121a of the cutting die 121. Therefore, from the viewpoint of suppressing the generation of air bubbles, it is preferable that the gas filling portion 123 is configured so as to be able to fill the area around the entry portion 121a of the cutting die 121 with gas. When the density of the gas A is higher than the density of air, it is preferable that the gas filling portion 123 is configured so as to be able to fill the gas up to a position higher than the height of the entry portion 121a of the cutting die 121.

[0029] The gas A for forming the bubble generation suppression atmosphere is not particularly limited as long as it can suppress the generation of bubbles. If the atmosphere is air, the generation of bubbles cannot be suppressed as described above. Here, air is a gas whose main components are oxygen and nitrogen. Therefore, it is considered that gases containing a large amount of oxygen and nitrogen are likely to generate bubbles. For this reason, it is considered preferable that the gas for forming the bubble generation suppression atmosphere is a gas containing a lower concentration of oxygen or nitrogen than air.

[0030] The reason why air is likely to generate bubbles is presumed to be as follows. That is, it is presumed that oxygen and nitrogen in air have low solubility in uncured resin or low diffusivity, which makes them likely to generate bubbles. Therefore, it is considered preferable that gas A for creating an atmosphere suppressing bubble generation has a higher solubility in uncured resin than oxygen or nitrogen, or has a higher diffusibility in uncured resin than oxygen or nitrogen. As a result, it is presumed that even if gas A penetrates into the uncured resin, it dissolves in the uncured resin and does not generate bubbles, or even if it penetrates, it diffuses and is discharged to the outside of the uncured resin, so that no bubbles are generated.

[0031] Moreover, the density of gas A is preferably higher than the density of air. That is, gas A is preferably heavier than air. This makes it possible to prevent gas A from remaining in gas-filled section 123 and diffusing into the air even if the top of gas-filled section 123 is open, making it easier to maintain an atmosphere that suppresses air bubble generation. An example of such gas A includes carbon dioxide.

[0032] In this embodiment, the bubble generation suppressing atmosphere is a carbon dioxide atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is preferable because it is heavier than air and is considered to have a high solubility in the uncured resin. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide atmosphere may be any concentration that can suppress the generation of bubbles. The carbon dioxide concentration in the carbon dioxide atmosphere is, for example, a concentration with carbon dioxide as the main component, and is, for example, 90% or more.

[0033] In addition, the gas A for creating the bubble generation suppressing atmosphere is preferably one with high safety to the human body and one that is non-flammable.

[0034] Note that the method for creating the bubble generation suppressing atmosphere is not limited to the method using the gas filling portion 123 as described above. For example, in order to create a bubble generation suppressing atmosphere, the gas A may be sprayed onto the portion where the uncured resin is removed and the lead-in portion 121a of the dividing die 121.

[0035] The configuration of the gas supply unit 124 is not particularly limited as long as it can supply the gas A into the gas filling portion 123. In this embodiment, the gas supply unit 124 is disposed below the gas filling portion 123.

[0036] The curing unit 130 cures the uncured resin that remains without being removed by the removing unit 120. The curing unit 130 is not particularly limited as long as it can exhibit this function. In this embodiment, the curing unit 130 includes a first light irradiation unit 131 disposed upstream and a second light irradiation unit 132 disposed downstream. The first light irradiation unit 131 irradiates light onto the uncured resin to semi-cure the uncured resin. The second light irradiation unit 132 further irradiates light to completely cure the semi-cured resin. In this embodiment, the integrated irradiation amount of the first light irradiation unit 131 is less, and the integrated irradiation amount of the second light irradiation unit 132 is more, and the integrated irradiation amounts of each are adjusted accordingly. Note that the light irradiated is ultraviolet (UV) light.

[0037] (Effect) According to this embodiment, by reducing the air bubbles in the uncured resin, the voids in the cured resin are reduced. As a result, the adhesion strength of the connection part of the optical fiber ribbon core wire is improved. Further, according to this embodiment, the generation of blisters (invasion of water into the cured resin) is prevented during the reliability test (hot water test) of the optical fiber ribbon core wire, and the increase in optical loss during the test and the long-term reliability of the optical fiber can be improved (the disconnection of the optical fiber ribbon core wire can be suppressed).

Industrial Applicability

[0038] The manufacturing apparatus for an optical fiber ribbon core wire according to the present invention is useful, for example, in the manufacture of an optical fiber ribbon core wire used in a high-speed large-capacity optical fiber communication network.

Explanation of Signs

[0039] 10 Optical fiber ribbon core wire 20 Single-core coated optical fiber 21 Optical fiber element wire 22 Primary coating layer 23 Secondary coating layer 30 Connection part 40 Spacing part 50 Cured resin 60 Tape layer 100 Manufacturing apparatus for an optical fiber ribbon core wire 110 Coating part 111, 121a Inlet part 112 Outlet part 120 Removal part 121 Cutting die 122 Rotating blade 122a Blade part 122b Notch part 123 Gas filling part 124 Gas supply part 126 Slit 130 Curing part 131 First light irradiation part 132 Second light irradiation part

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of parallel-arranged mono-coated optical fibers are partially connected, comprising: a coating unit for applying uncured resin to a plurality of single-coated optical fibers arranged in parallel; a removing unit for partially removing the applied uncured resin between adjacent mono-coated optical fibers in an atmosphere capable of suppressing generation of bubbles in the uncured resin; a curing section for curing the uncured resin remaining on the plurality of mono-coated optical fibers without being removed; having The atmosphere is characterized in that it has a higher solubility in the uncured resin than oxygen or nitrogen, or has a higher diffusibility in the uncured resin than oxygen or nitrogen. Optical fiber ribbon manufacturing equipment.

2. 2. The optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the atmosphere has a lower oxygen or nitrogen concentration than that of air.

3. 2. The optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the atmosphere is a carbon dioxide atmosphere.

4. 2. The optical fiber ribbon manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removing unit has a rotary blade for removing the uncured resin.

5. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of parallel-arranged mono-coated optical fibers are partially connected, comprising the steps of: applying uncured resin to a plurality of mono-coated optical fibers arranged in parallel; a step of partially removing the applied uncured resin between adjacent mono-coated optical fibers in an atmosphere capable of suppressing generation of bubbles in the uncured resin; curing the uncured resin that is not removed and remains on the plurality of mono-coated optical fibers; having The atmosphere is characterized in that it has a higher solubility in the uncured resin than oxygen or nitrogen, or has a higher diffusibility in the uncured resin than oxygen or nitrogen. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon.

6. 6. The method for producing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 5, wherein the atmosphere has an oxygen or nitrogen concentration lower than that of air.

7. 6. The method for producing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 5, wherein the atmosphere is a carbon dioxide atmosphere.

8. 6. The method for producing an optical fiber ribbon according to claim 5, wherein the removing step removes the uncured resin with a rotating blade.