Loose tube and optical cable provided with same

Abstract

A loose tube and an optical cable provided with same. The loose tube (71) comprises: a central part (10), the central part (10) comprising a first filler (11) and a plurality of first optical units (12) disposed within the first filler (11); an inner jacket layer (20), sleeved on an outer side wall of the central part (10); an intermediate layer (30), sleeved on an outer side wall of the inner jacket layer (20), the intermediate layer (30) comprising a second filler (31) and a plurality of second optical units (32) disposed within the second filler (31); an outer jacket layer (40), sleeved on an outer side wall of the intermediate layer (30); and separation parts (50), the separation parts (50) being disposed on the inner jacket layer (20) or within the intermediate layer (30), and separating the plurality of second optical units (32) into a plurality of optical unit groups.

Description

Loose tube and optical cable having the same

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 21, 2023, with application number 202311557376.8 and application name “Loose tube and optical cable having the same”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical cable communications, and in particular to a loose tube and an optical cable having the same. Background Art

[0003] Central tube optical cables, consisting of a central tube, fillers, reinforcements, and a sheath, are suitable for installation in pipelines, direct burial, and overhead. The central tube is the most important component of the cable. The optical fibers are bundled together in the central tube, which reduces the cable diameter, reduces pipeline space requirements, and improves routing resource utilization. It is also relatively lightweight and easier to install.

[0004] In the related art, when the number of optical fiber cores in a loose tube exceeds 24, 12-core full-spectrum optical fibers are bundled into a light unit using colored wires of different colors, thereby facilitating differentiation.

[0005] However, in related technologies, as the number of optical fiber cores continues to increase, the number of optical units bundled with different colored wires increases. Too many optical fibers will make it impossible to identify the optical fibers when splicing them, affecting the splicing efficiency of the optical fibers.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a loose tube and an optical cable having the same, so as to solve the problem in the related art that the more different colored wires are used to bundle an optical unit, the more optical fibers there are, which leads to the inability to identify the optical fibers when they are connected, thereby affecting the connection efficiency of the optical fibers.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a loose tube is provided, comprising: a central portion, comprising a first filler and a plurality of first optical units arranged in the first filler; an inner cladding layer, sleeved on the outer side wall of the central portion; an intermediate layer, sleeved on the outer side wall of the inner cladding layer, the intermediate layer comprising a second filler and a plurality of second optical units arranged in the second filler; an outer cladding layer, sleeved on the outer side wall of the intermediate layer; and a partition, the partition being arranged on the inner cladding layer or in the intermediate layer, the partition dividing the plurality of second optical units into a plurality of optical unit groups.

[0009] Furthermore, the partition includes a protrusion provided on the outer surface of the inner coating layer, and a groove is provided on the intermediate layer at a position corresponding to the protrusion, and the protrusion extends into the groove.

[0010] Furthermore, the partition includes a buffer column arranged in the protrusion, and the buffer column is made of elastic material.

[0011] Furthermore, the inner coating layer has a columnar outer surface, the middle layer has a columnar inner surface, the columnar outer surface and the columnar inner surface are arranged in close contact, and the partition portion includes a partition column arranged in the middle layer, and the partition column is made of elastic material.

[0012] Furthermore, each light unit group includes a plurality of second light units arranged along a radial direction.

[0013] Furthermore, the central portion, the inner coating layer and the intermediate layer constitute an optical fiber column, the multiple optical fiber columns are wrapped by the same outer coating layer, and a third filler is provided between the multiple optical fiber columns and the outer coating layer.

[0014] Furthermore, the cross-sectional dimension of the protrusion is greater than half of the cross-sectional dimension of the second light unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the hardness of the inner covering layer gradually increases in a direction from the center portion toward the outer covering layer, and the hardness of the outer covering layer is greater than that of the inner covering layer.

[0016] Furthermore, the first filler, the second filler and the third filler are all filling fiber pastes, the viscosity of the third filler is greater than the viscosity of the second filler, and the viscosity of the second filler is greater than the viscosity of the first filler.

[0017] Furthermore, the inner covering layer and the outer covering layer are both made of plastic material.

[0018] Furthermore, the loose tube includes a plurality of inner covering layers and a plurality of intermediate layers, the plurality of inner covering layers and the plurality of intermediate layers are alternately arranged, and the outer covering layer is sleeved on the outer side wall of the outermost intermediate layer.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, an optical cable is provided, comprising: a loose tube; an armor layer sleeved on the outer wall of the loose tube; and a protective layer sleeved on the outer wall of the armor layer. The loose tube is the loose tube provided above.

[0020] According to the technical solution of the present invention, the loose tube includes a central portion, an inner coating, an intermediate layer, an outer coating, and a separator. The central portion is composed of a first filler and a plurality of first optical units. Specifically, the plurality of first optical units are arranged in the first filler, so that the first filler can be used to fix the plurality of first optical units. The inner coating is sleeved on the outer wall of the central portion, so that the inner coating can support the central portion. The intermediate layer is sleeved on the outer wall of the inner coating. The intermediate layer includes a second filler and a plurality of second optical units. The outer coating is sleeved on the outer wall of the intermediate layer, so that the intermediate layer is arranged between the inner coating and the outer coating, that is, the plurality of second optical units are fixed by the second filler. A separator is provided in the inner coating or the intermediate layer, and the plurality of second optical units are separated into a plurality of optical unit groups by the separator. The plurality of second optical units on the intermediate layer can be separated by providing the separator, so that the plurality of second optical units can be easily identified, thereby ensuring the splicing efficiency of the optical fiber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of this application, are intended to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are intended to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0022] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a loose tube according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of a loose tube according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG3 shows a schematic diagram of a loose tube according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG4 shows a schematic diagram of a loose tube according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG5 shows a schematic diagram of an optical cable provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Among them, the above-mentioned drawings include the following figure marks: 10, central part; 11, first filler; 12, first optical unit; 20, inner coating; 30, intermediate layer; 31, second filler; 32, second optical unit; 33, groove; 34, optical unit group; 40, outer coating; 50, partition; 51, protrusion; 52, buffer column; 53, partition column; 61, optical fiber column; 62, third filler; 71, loose tube; 72, armor layer; 73, protective layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Batteries have the advantages of being lightweight, safe, and having high energy density, and therefore have become the first choice for most electronic devices. An electronic device includes a device body, in which a battery is assembled. The battery is electrically connected to the device body and provides an energy source for the device body.

[0029] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention and its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, an embodiment of the present invention provides a loose tube, which includes a central portion 10, an inner coating 20, an intermediate layer 30, an outer coating 40 and a separator 50. The central portion 10 includes a first filler 11 and a plurality of first light units 12 arranged in the first filler 11. The inner coating 20 is sleeved on the outer side wall of the central portion 10. The intermediate layer 30 is sleeved on the outer side wall of the inner coating 20. The intermediate layer 30 includes a second filler 31 and a plurality of second light units 32 arranged in the second filler 31. The outer coating 40 is sleeved on the outer side wall of the intermediate layer 30. The separator 50 is arranged on the inner coating 20 or in the intermediate layer 30. The separator 50 separates the plurality of second light units 32 into a plurality of light unit groups 34.

[0031] The loose tube provided by this embodiment is applied, and the loose tube includes a central portion 10, an inner coating layer 20, an intermediate layer 30, an outer coating layer 40 and a separator 50. The central portion 10 is composed of a first filler 11 and a plurality of first light units 12. Specifically, the plurality of first light units 12 are arranged in the first filler 11, and the first filler 11 can be used to fix the plurality of first light units 12. The inner coating layer 20 is sleeved on the outer side wall of the central portion 10, and the inner coating layer 20 can be used to support the central portion 10. The intermediate layer 30 is sleeved on the outer side wall of the inner coating layer 20. The intermediate layer 30 is sleeved on the outer side wall of the inner coating layer 20. The layer 30 includes a second filler 31 and a plurality of second optical units 32. The outer coating layer 40 is sleeved on the outer side wall of the intermediate layer 30, so that the intermediate layer 30 is arranged between the inner coating layer 20 and the outer coating layer 40, that is, the plurality of second optical units 32 are fixed by the second filler 31, and a partition 50 is provided in the inner coating layer 20 or the intermediate layer 30. The partition 50 is used to separate the plurality of second optical units 32 into a plurality of optical unit groups 34. By providing the partition 50, the plurality of second optical units 32 on the intermediate layer 30 can be separated, thereby facilitating the identification of the plurality of second optical units 32 and ensuring the splicing efficiency of the optical fiber.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the separator 50 includes a protrusion 51 provided on the outer surface of the inner cladding layer 20, and a groove 33 provided on the intermediate layer 30 at a position corresponding to the protrusion 51, with the protrusion 51 extending into the groove 33. With this structure, by providing the protrusion 51 on the outer surface of the inner cladding layer 20 and the groove 33 on the intermediate layer 30 at a position corresponding to the protrusion 51, the protrusion facilitates support for the intermediate layer 30. Furthermore, the protrusion 51 and the groove 33 cooperate to separate the multiple second optical units 32 on the intermediate layer 30 using the groove 33, thereby facilitating identification of the second optical units 32 within the intermediate layer 30 and facilitating optical fiber splicing.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the partition 50 includes a buffer column 52 disposed within the protrusion 51. The buffer column 52 is made of an elastic material. With the above structure, by disposing the buffer column 52 within the protrusion 51, the buffer column 52 can buffer the inner coating layer 20 and resist compression deformation.

[0034] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the elastic material is TPE, which is artificial rubber or synthetic rubber. In other embodiments, the buffer column 52 may be made of one of TPU, TPV, TPO and TPEE.

[0035] It should be noted that the buffer columns 52 can be distinguished by different colors.

[0036] The hardness of the buffer column 52 is set between 25D and 60D, so that the buffer column 52 has good flexibility and elasticity, and can resist compression deformation.

[0037] Specifically, the hardness of the buffer column 52 can be set to 25D, 30D, 35D, 40D, 45D, 50D, 55D, 60D, or any other value between 25D and 60D.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2 , the inner cladding layer 20 has a cylindrical outer surface, and the intermediate layer 30 has a cylindrical inner surface. The cylindrical outer and inner surfaces are bonded together, and the partition 50 includes a partition column 53 disposed within the intermediate layer 30. The partition column 53 is made of an elastic material. With this structure, by bonding the cylindrical inner surface of the intermediate layer 30 to the cylindrical outer surface of the inner cladding layer 20 and disposing the partition column 53 within the intermediate layer 30, the partition column 53 serves to separate the multiple second light units 32, facilitating identification of the second light units. The partition column 53 also provides support and cushioning for the intermediate layer 30.

[0039] It should be noted that the outer covering layer 40 and the inner covering layer 20 have different thicknesses. The thickness of the outer covering layer 40 is set between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, and the thickness of the inner covering layer 20 is set between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. The outer covering layer 40 mainly plays the role of bearing external forces and protecting the inner covering layer 20 and the intermediate layer 30. The thickness of the inner covering layer 20 is relatively small, which makes it easier to achieve multi-layer filling in the multi-layer structure composed of the inner covering layer 20, the intermediate layer 30 and the outer covering layer 40.

[0040] In this embodiment, the elastic material is TPE, which is artificial rubber or synthetic rubber. In other embodiments, the separator 53 may be one of TPU, TPV, TPO and TPEE.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, each optical unit group 34 includes multiple second optical units 32 arranged radially. With this structure, the multiple second optical units 32 in each optical unit group 34 are connected via a connecting piece, making it easier to secure the optical unit group 34 with the second filler 31 and identify the optical unit group 34. This facilitates assembly of the optical unit group 34 and identification of the second optical units 32 on the optical unit group 34, ensuring easy replacement.

[0042] It should be noted that the plurality of second light units 32 are arranged and fixed with the second filler 31 , and each light unit group 34 is separated by a buffer column 52 , which can identify the light unit group 34 .

[0043] As shown in FIG4 , the center portion 10, the inner coating 20, and the intermediate layer 30 constitute an optical fiber column 61. The plurality of optical fiber columns 61 are encased in the same outer coating 40, and a third filler 62 is disposed between the plurality of optical fiber columns 61 and the outer coating 40. With the above structure, the center portion 10, the inner coating 20, and the intermediate layer 30 constitute an optical fiber column 61, the outer coating 40 encases the plurality of optical fiber columns 61, and the third filler 62 fills the plurality of optical fiber columns 61. This facilitates the outer coating 40 encasing the plurality of optical fiber columns 61.

[0044] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional dimension of the protrusion 51 is larger than half the cross-sectional dimension of the second light unit 32. With the above structure, by making the cross-sectional dimension of the protrusion 51 larger than half the cross-sectional dimension of the second light unit 32, the protrusion 51 can be used to separate the second light units 32, thereby providing support for the intermediate layer 30 and facilitating identification of multiple second light units 32.

[0045] In this embodiment, the hardness of the inner cladding layer 20 gradually increases in the direction from the center portion 10 toward the outer cladding layer 40, and the hardness of the outer cladding layer 40 is greater than that of the inner cladding layer 20. With this structure, by gradually increasing the hardness of the inner cladding layer 20 in the direction from the center portion 10 toward the outer cladding layer 40, damage to the inner cladding layer 20 can be avoided. Furthermore, the hardness of the outer cladding layer 40 is greater than that of the inner cladding layer 20, thereby ensuring protection for the first optical unit 12 within the inner cladding layer 20 and the second optical unit 32 within the intermediate layer 30, and improving the compressive and tensile strengths of the outer cladding layer 40. Furthermore, the hardness of the inner cladding layer 20 is less than that of the outer cladding layer 40, which increases the flexibility of the inner cladding layer 20, improves its bending resistance, facilitates the release of its own stress, and thus achieves filling.

[0046] It should be noted that the hardness of adjacent inner covering layers 20 is different. The hardness range of the inner covering layer 20 and the outer covering layer 40 is set between 25D and 85D. The hardness gradually increases in the direction from the center portion 10 toward the outer covering layer 40, so that the hardness of the inner covering layer 20 sleeved on the center portion 10 is the smallest, the hardness of the inner covering layer 20 sleeved on the center portion 10 is set between 25D and 35D, the hardness of the outermost outer covering layer 40 is the largest, and the hardness of the outer covering layer 40 is set between 75D and 85D. The hardness of the inner covering layer 20 between the inner covering layer 20 sleeved on the center portion 10 and the outer covering layer 40 is set between 35D and 75D, so that the smaller the hardness, the better the flexibility, the better the bending resistance, the easier it is to release its own stress, and the easier it is to fill multiple inner covering layers 20. The greater the hardness, the higher the lateral pressure resistance and tensile strength.

[0047] Among them, the hardness of the inner coating layer 20 sleeved on the central portion 10 can be set to 25D, 30D, 35D, and any other value between 25D and 35D; the hardness of the outer coating layer 40 can be set to 75D, 80D, 85D, and any other value between 75D and 85D; the hardness of the inner coating layer 20 sleeved on the central portion 10 and between the outer coating layer 40 can be set to 35D, 40D, 45D, 50D, 55D, 60D, 65D, 70D, 75D, and any other value between 35D and 75D.

[0048] Specifically, each inner coating layer 20 can be marked with a color, which makes it easier to identify the optical fiber.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first filler 11, the second filler 31, and the third filler 62 are all filled with fiber paste. The viscosity of the third filler 62 is greater than that of the second filler 31, and the viscosity of the second filler 31 is greater than that of the first filler 11. The viscosity of the third filler 62 is greater than that of the second filler 31, and the viscosity of the second filler 31 is greater than that of the first filler 11. This ensures the stability of the multi-layer structure of the loose tube, prevents the outer coating layer 40, the intermediate layer 30, or the inner coating layer 20 from falling off, and also provides a water-blocking effect.

[0050] It should be noted that since there is no contact between adjacent inner covering layers 20, as the number of intermediate layers 30 and inner covering layers 20 gradually increases, when the optical cable is hung vertically, in order to avoid overflow of the inner covering layer 20 and the filled second optical unit 32 and the second filler, different viscosities are set to reduce the overflow of the inner covering layer 20 and the filled second optical unit 32 and the second filler, thereby improving the service life of the optical cable.

[0051] Among them, the viscosity of the first filler 11 in the central part 10 is set between 2000mPa·s and 3000mPa·s, the viscosity of the second filler 31 between two adjacent inner covering layers 20 is set between 3000mPa·s and 4500mPa·s, and the viscosity of the third filler 62 close to the outer covering layer 40 is set between 4500mPa·s and 6000mPa·s.

[0052] Specifically, the viscosity of the first filler in the central portion 10 can be set to 2200 mPa·s, 2400 mPa·s, 2600 mPa·s, 2800 mPa·s, 3000 mPa·s, or any other value between 2000 mPa·s and 3000 mPa·s; the viscosity of the second filler between two adjacent inner covering layers 20 can be set to 3000 mPa·s, 3300 mPa·s, 3600 mPa·s, 3900 mPa·s, 4200 mPa·s, 4500 mPa·s, or any other value between 3000 mPa·s and 4500 mPa·s; the viscosity of the third filler close to the outer covering layer 40 can be set to 4500 mPa·s, 5000 mPa·s, 5500 mPa·s, 6000 mPa·s, or any other value between 4500 mPa·s and 6000 mPa·s.

[0053] In this embodiment, the inner coating layer 20 and the outer coating layer 40 are both made of plastic. The above structure facilitates the production and processing of the inner coating layer 20 and the outer coating layer 40.

[0054] It should be noted that, in other embodiments, the material of the inner coating layer 20 and the outer coating layer 40 may be one of PP, PBT, and TPEE.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the loose tube comprises a plurality of inner coatings 20 and a plurality of intermediate layers 30, wherein the plurality of inner coatings 20 and the plurality of intermediate layers 30 are alternately arranged, and an outer coating 40 is sleeved on the outer sidewall of the intermediate layer 30 of the outermost layer. With the above structure, by arranging a plurality of inner coatings 20 and a plurality of intermediate layers 30, and arranging the plurality of inner coatings 20 and the plurality of intermediate layers 30 alternately, a plurality of second light units 32 can be provided, which is convenient for identification, and then a multi-layer structure is formed. On each inner coating 20, color is used for identification, and the colors are different, which is conducive to identifying the second light units, and the number of the second light units 32 gradually increases as the number of layers of the intermediate layer 30 increases.

[0056] It should be noted that when the first optical unit 12 or the second optical unit 32 is filled, it extends along the surface of the inner coating 20 and is spirally arranged at a certain angle to the central portion 10, ensuring that there is a certain margin in the first optical unit 12 or the second optical unit 32, which is beneficial to the stability of the optical cable transmission performance.

[0057] The relationship between the maximum total number of optical fibers F that can be accommodated on the loose tube and the number of coating layers n, the maximum number of optical fiber cores Q accommodated in each layer, and the number of optical fiber cores m in the center is as follows: Q = 2n-2*m, F = (2n-1-1)*m; where n≥3; 1≤m≤12.

[0058] It should be noted that during the manufacturing process, the loose tube is extruded from the inside out, that is, the innermost inner coating layer 20 is extruded first, and then multiple inner coating layers 20 are extruded in sequence until the outer coating layer 40 is extruded.

[0059] As shown in Figure 5, another embodiment of the present invention provides a kind of optical cable, this optical cable comprises loose tube 71, armor layer 72 and protective layer 73, armor layer 72 is sleeved on the outer side wall of loose tube 71, and protective layer 73 is sleeved on the outer side wall of armor layer 72, and loose tube 71 is the above-mentioned loose tube provided.Adopt said structure, armor layer 72 can improve the tensile strength of loose tube 71, and protective layer 73 can play the effect of protection, guarantees the structural stability of optical cable.

[0060] It should be noted that the armor layer 72 includes an armor unit and a water-blocking filler, and the armor unit is filled in the water-blocking filler, which can not only protect the loose tube 71 but also achieve a waterproof effect.

[0061] The device provided by this embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0062] (1) The outer coating layer 40 is sleeved on the outer side wall of the intermediate layer 30, so that the intermediate layer 30 is arranged between the inner coating layer 20 and the outer coating layer 40, that is, the plurality of second optical units 32 are fixed by the second filler 31, and a partition 50 is provided in the inner coating layer 20 or the intermediate layer 30, and the plurality of second optical units 32 are divided into a plurality of optical unit groups 34 by the partition 50. By providing the partition 50, the plurality of second optical units 32 on the intermediate layer 30 can be separated, thereby facilitating identification of the plurality of second optical units 32, thereby ensuring the efficiency of optical fiber splicing;

[0063] (2) By providing a protrusion 51 on the outer surface of the inner coating layer 20 and providing a groove 33 at a position corresponding to the protrusion 51 on the intermediate layer 30, the protrusion can be used to support the intermediate layer 30. In addition, by cooperating with the protrusion 51 and the groove 33, the groove 33 can be used to separate the multiple second optical units 32 on the intermediate layer 30. This facilitates the identification of the second optical units 32 in the intermediate layer 30 by using the groove 33, thereby facilitating the connection of the optical fibers.

[0064] (3) By setting the hardness of the inner cladding layer 20 to gradually increase along the radial direction, damage to the inner cladding layer 20 can be avoided, and the hardness of the outer cladding layer 40 is greater than the hardness of the inner cladding layer 20, so that the first light unit 12 in the inner cladding layer 20 and the second light unit 32 in the intermediate layer 30 can be protected, and the compressive and tensile strengths of the outer cladding layer 40 are improved. In addition, the hardness of the inner cladding layer 20 is less than that of the outer cladding layer 40, so that the flexibility of the inner cladding layer 20 is stronger, the bending resistance is improved, and the self-stress is released, thereby achieving filling.

[0065] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0066] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of the parts and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to actual proportional relationships. The technology, methods and equipment known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but in appropriate cases, the technology, methods and equipment should be considered as a part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed here, any specific value should be interpreted as being merely exemplary, rather than as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments can have different values. It should be noted that similar numbers and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in an accompanying drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0067] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention; the directional words "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0068] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature to other devices or features as shown in the figures. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figures. For example, if the device in the drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0069] In addition, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0070] The foregoing description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A loose tube, characterized in that: The loose tube comprises: A central portion (10) comprising a first filler (11) and a plurality of first light units (12) arranged in the first filler (11); An inner coating layer (20) is sleeved on the outer side wall of the central portion (10); An intermediate layer (30) is sleeved on the outer wall of the inner coating layer (20), wherein the intermediate layer (30) comprises a second filler (31) and a plurality of second light units (32) arranged in the second filler (31); An outer coating layer (40) is sleeved on the outer side wall of the middle layer (30); A partition (50) is provided on the inner cover layer (20) or in the intermediate layer (30), and the partition (50) partitions the plurality of second light units (32) into a plurality of light unit groups (34).

2. The loose tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The partition (50) comprises a protrusion (51) arranged on the outer surface of the inner coating layer (20), a groove (33) is arranged on the intermediate layer (30) at a position corresponding to the protrusion (51), and the protrusion (51) extends into the groove (33).

3. The loose tube according to claim 2, characterized in that: The partition (50) comprises a buffer column (52) arranged in the protrusion (51), and the buffer column (52) is made of elastic material.

4. The loose tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner coating layer (20) has a columnar outer surface, the middle layer (30) has a columnar inner surface, the columnar outer surface and the columnar inner surface are arranged in close contact, and the partition (50) includes a partition column (53) arranged in the middle layer (30), and the partition column (53) is made of elastic material.

5. The loose tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the light unit groups (34) includes a plurality of the second light units (32) arranged in a radial direction.

6. The loose tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central portion (10), the inner coating layer (20) and the intermediate layer (30) constitute an optical fiber column (61), a plurality of the optical fiber columns (61) are wrapped by the same outer coating layer (40), and a third filler (62) is provided between the plurality of the optical fiber columns (61) and the outer coating layer (40).

7. The loose tube according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross-sectional dimension of the protrusion (51) is greater than half of the cross-sectional dimension of the second light unit (32).

8. The loose tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hardness of the inner coating layer (20) gradually increases in a direction from the central portion (10) toward the outer coating layer (40), and the hardness of the outer coating layer (40) is greater than the hardness of the inner coating layer (20).

9. The loose tube according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first filler (11), the second filler (31) and the third filler (62) are all filling fiber pastes, the viscosity of the third filler (62) is greater than the viscosity of the second filler (31), and the viscosity of the second filler (31) is greater than the viscosity of the first filler (11).

10. The loose tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner coating layer (20) and the outer coating layer (40) are both made of plastic material.

11. The loose tube according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The loose tube comprises a plurality of inner coating layers (20) and a plurality of intermediate layers (30), wherein the plurality of inner coating layers (20) and the plurality of intermediate layers (30) are arranged alternately, and the outer coating layer (40) is sleeved on the outer side wall of the outermost intermediate layer (30).

12. An optical cable, characterized in that: The optical cable comprises: Loose tube (71); An armor layer (72) is sleeved on the outer side wall of the loose tube (71); The protective layer (73) is sleeved on the outer wall of the armor layer (72), and the loose tube (71) is the loose tube according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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