Jig for manufacturing core, apparatus for manufacturing optical fiber cable having the jig, method for manufacturing core, and method for manufacturing optical fiber cable

Abstract

This jig (30) wraps a plurality of optical fibers (10) by means of a press-wrapping tape (11) when the plurality of optical fibers (10) and the press-wrapping tape (11) are caused to travel inside the jig (30). The jig (30) is characterized by having: a first curved part (31) for bending one portion in the width direction of the press-wrapping tape (11) so as to wrap the plurality of optical fibers (10); and a second curved part (32) for, after the plurality of optical fibers (10) are wrapped by the first curved part (31) by means of the one portion in the width direction of the press-wrapping tape (11), bending another portion in the width direction of the press-wrapping tape (11) so as to wrap the plurality of optical fibers (10) and the one portion in the width direction of the press-wrapping tape (11) which wraps the plurality of optical fibers (10).

Description

Jig for manufacturing a core, optical fiber cable manufacturing device having the jig, core manufacturing method, and optical fiber cable manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a jig for manufacturing a core, an optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus having the jig, a core manufacturing method, and an optical fiber cable manufacturing method.

[0002] Fig. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable 1. As shown in Fig. 1A, the optical fiber cable 1 has a core 1a including a plurality of optical fibers 10 and a holding and winding tape 11 that wraps around the plurality of optical fibers 10, and further has a coating member 12 that coats the core 1a. Also, as shown in Fig. 1A, the optical fiber cable 1 has a tensile strength member 13 and a tear cord 14.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the above-described optical fiber cable 1. The manufacturing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a forming tool (jig) through which a plurality of optical fibers 10 and a pressure winding tape 11 are run and passed, so that the pressure winding tape 11 can wrap the plurality of optical fibers 10. A coating member 12 is further formed by extrusion molding around the core 1a manufactured by the forming tool, thereby manufacturing the optical fiber cable 1.

[0004] Patent No. 5499228

[0005] FIG. 1B shows a cross section of the core 1a being manufactured using a molding tool (jig) 15 for manufacturing the core 1a described above.

[0006] The forming tool (jig) 15 as described above has a guide member (guide pipe) 16 for guiding the plurality of optical fibers 10 and a spiral portion 17 for wrapping the plurality of optical fibers 10 with the holding winding tape 11. As shown in FIG. 1B , the cross-sectional shape of the spiral portion 17 has an overlapping portion 18 in which one end portion on the inside overlaps the other end portion on the outside. This overlapping portion 18 is configured to gradually become longer from the upstream side to the downstream side in the running direction. As a result, when the holding winding tape 11 running along the inner surface of the spiral portion 17 passes through the forming tool 15, the holding winding tape 11 wraps around the plurality of optical fibers 10 that have run within the guide member 16 in the center portion of the spiral portion 17, and a core 1a is obtained downstream.

[0007] Here, the guide member 16 is a member that guides the multiple optical fibers 10 and prevents parts of the multiple optical fibers 10 from getting caught between overlapping portions of the holding winding tape 11. However, when such a guide member 16 is present in the forming tool 15, a clearance (gap) is necessary between the multiple optical fibers 10 and the inner diameter of the guide member 16 to allow the multiple optical fibers 10 to pass through, and the guide member 16 itself has a certain thickness. Because of these gaps and thickness, it is difficult to reduce the diameter when wrapping with the holding winding tape 11.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a jig for manufacturing a core that can reduce the diameter of the core without requiring a guide member for guiding the optical fiber, and an optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus having the jig. Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method that can manufacture a core without using a guide member, and an optical fiber cable manufacturing method using the manufacturing method.

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a jig for wrapping an optical fiber wrapping body with a pressure winding tape when the optical fiber wrapping body and the pressure winding tape are run through the jig, characterized in that it has: a first bending portion for bending one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape so as to wrap the optical fiber wrapping body; and a second bending portion for bending the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape so as to wrap the optical fiber wrapping body and the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape that wraps the optical fiber wrapping body after the optical fiber wrapping body is wrapped with the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape by the first bending portion.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus comprising the jig described above.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a core having an optical fiber sheath and a pressure winding tape that wraps around the optical fiber sheath, comprising the steps of: preparing the optical fiber sheath and the pressure winding tape; wrapping the optical fiber sheath with one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape; and, after the optical fiber sheath is wrapped with the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape, wrapping the optical fiber sheath and the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape that wraps around the optical fiber sheath with the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable having an optical fiber sheath, a pressure winding tape that wraps the optical fiber sheath, and a coating member that covers the pressure winding tape, characterized by comprising the steps of: preparing the optical fiber sheath and the pressure winding tape; wrapping the optical fiber sheath with one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape; after the optical fiber sheath is wrapped with the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape, wrapping the optical fiber sheath and the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape that wraps the optical fiber sheath with the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape; and after the optical fiber sheath is wrapped with the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape, covering the optical fiber sheath and the pressure winding tape with a coating member.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a jig for manufacturing a core that can achieve a reduced core diameter while eliminating the need for a guide member for guiding the optical fiber, and an optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus having the jig. Also, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a manufacturing method that can manufacture a core without using a guide member, and an optical fiber cable manufacturing method using the manufacturing method.

[0014]

[0013] Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable, and Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a core being manufactured using a conventional forming tool (jig) for manufacturing a core. Figure 2A is a schematic diagram showing an optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2B is a perspective view showing multiple optical fibers and a pressure winding tape. Figure 3A is a perspective view of a jig according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3B is a plan view of the jig. Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

[0016] 2A is a schematic diagram showing an optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus 20 includes a jig 30 for manufacturing the core 1 a and an extrusion molding machine 40 for covering the core 1 a with the covering member 12.

[0017] In the optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus 20, a plurality of optical fibers 10 gathered by a gathering machine 50 and a holding winding tape 11 run through a jig 30 to manufacture a core 1a. The core 1a is covered with a coating member 12 by an extrusion molding machine 40 to manufacture an optical fiber cable 1. The tensile strength member 13 and tear cord 14 are also covered with the coating member 12. The tensile strength member 13 is used to prevent the optical fiber cable 1 from being stretched more than necessary. Meanwhile, the tear cord 14 is used to tear the coating member 12 to expose the plurality of optical fibers 10 for splicing.

[0018] 2B shows an example of a plurality of optical fibers 10. In this embodiment, the plurality of optical fibers 10 is an intermittently fixed optical fiber ribbon having intermittent connection portions 10a. The plurality of optical fibers 10 that is an intermittently fixed optical fiber ribbon has a plurality (four) of optical fibers arranged in a row and is band-shaped as a whole. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A , a plurality (four) of intermittently fixed optical fibers are gathered by a gathering machine 50, run through a jig 30, and wrapped with a pressure winding tape 11. In this embodiment, the core 1a has a configuration in which a total of 16 optical fibers are wrapped with a pressure winding tape 11.

[0019] There are no particular limitations on the holding and winding tape 11 as long as it is configured to wrap a plurality of optical fibers 10. In this embodiment, the holding and winding tape 11 is a strip-shaped tape having a width greater than the width of the intermittently fixed optical fiber 10. Examples of materials for the holding and winding tape 11 include nonwoven fabric, water-absorbent nonwoven fabric, etc.

[0020] (Jig) Fig. 3A is a perspective view of jig 30 that can be used in optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus 20, and Fig. 3B is a plan view of jig 30. As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, jig 30 has an introduction portion 30a, a first curved portion 31, and a second curved portion 32. In this embodiment, jig 30 is made of metal.

[0021] The introduction section 30a is a section for introducing the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the pressure winding tape 11 into the first curved section 31 and the second curved section 32. The introduction section 30a may be configured so that the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the pressure winding tape 11 can be introduced therein. In the present embodiment, the introduction section 30a is a flat section extending in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the pressure winding tape 11. The introduction section 30a may have a configuration for positioning the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the pressure winding tape 11. For example, the introduction section 30a may have positioning sections that are arranged at both ends in the width direction of the introduction section 30a and are perpendicular to the flat section of the introduction section 30a.

[0022] The first bending portion 31 is intended to bend one portion of the pressure winding tape 11 in the width direction so as to wrap around the multiple optical fibers 10 when the multiple optical fibers 10 and the pressure winding tape 11 are run within the jig 30.

[0023] On the other hand, when the multiple optical fibers 10 and the pressure winding tape 11 are run through the jig 30, the second bending portion 32 is intended to bend the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape 11 so as to wrap around the multiple optical fibers 10 and the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape 11 that wraps around the multiple optical fibers 10, after the multiple optical fibers 10 are wrapped around one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape 11 by the first bending portion 31.

[0024] The jig 30 according to the present embodiment has the first curved portion 31 and the second curved portion 32 as described above, so that one widthwise portion of the holding winding tape 11 can wrap around the plurality of optical fibers 10 to form a state close to a bundle, and this eliminates the need for a guide member (e.g., a guide pipe) 16 for guiding the plurality of optical fibers 10. In other words, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber from being pinched between one widthwise portion and the other widthwise portion of the holding winding tape 11 without the guide member 16. As a result, use of the jig 30 makes it easier to prevent large gaps from occurring between the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the holding winding tape 11.

[0025] As long as they can perform the above-described functions, there are no particular limitations on the first curved portion 31 and the second curved portion 32. In this embodiment, the downstream end 31 b of the first curved portion 31 is disposed upstream of the downstream end 32 b of the second curved portion 32 in the running direction of the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the holding winding tape 11.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first curved portion 31 and the second curved portion 32 are curved toward the center of the jig 30, but are curved in opposite directions. In this embodiment, the shapes of the first curved portion 31 and the second curved portion 32 are mirror images of each other (they are mirror images of each other with respect to a plane perpendicular to the introduction portion 30a, including a center line L described later), and are arranged at positions shifted upstream and downstream. In this embodiment, when the jig 30 is viewed from above, with the center line L connecting the midpoints of the widthwise length of the introduction portion 30a as the reference, as shown in FIG. 3B , the widthwise end 31a of the first curved portion intersects with the center line L more upstream, and the widthwise end 32a of the second curved portion intersects with the center line L more downstream.

[0027] The first curved portion 31 and the second curved portion 32 may be configured to perform the above-described functions, and the configurations of the first curved portion 31 and the second curved portion 32 are not limited to the above example. For example, the first curved portion 31 and the second curved portion 32 may be arranged at the same position in the running direction, and the curvature of the first curved portion 31 may increase more quickly (wrap around the multiple optical fibers 10 more quickly) as the portion advances in the running direction, and the curvature of the second curved portion 32 may increase more slowly (wrap around the multiple optical fibers 10 more slowly).

[0028] (Extruder) The extruder 40 covers the core 1a, the tensile strength members 13, and the tear cord 14 manufactured by the jig 30 with the covering member 12. Examples of materials for the covering member 12 include thermoplastic resins.

[0029] <Manufacturing Method> Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable. As shown in Figure 4, the method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable includes the steps of preparing a plurality of optical fibers 10 and a winding tape 11, wrapping the plurality of optical fibers 10 with one widthwise portion of the winding tape 11, and, after the plurality of optical fibers 10 are wrapped with the one widthwise portion of the winding tape 11, wrapping the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the one widthwise portion of the winding tape 11 that wraps the plurality of optical fibers 10 with the other widthwise portion of the winding tape 11. These steps produce a core 1a.

[0030] The optical fiber cable manufacturing method further includes a step of covering the optical fibers 10 and the pressure winding tape 11 with the coating member 12 after the optical fibers 10 have been wrapped with the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape 11. This produces the optical fiber cable 1. Specifically, this manufacturing method can be performed using the optical fiber cable manufacturing apparatus 20 having the above-mentioned jig 30 and extruder 40.

[0031] In the step of preparing the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the pressure winding tape 11, the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the pressure winding tape 11 may be prepared by manufacturing them or by purchasing them.

[0032] In the process of wrapping the optical fibers 10 with one widthwise portion of the holding and winding tape 11, the optical fibers 10 can be bundled without a guide member. This process can be performed, for example, by running the holding and winding tape 11 and the optical fibers 10 through the jig 30 and passing them through the first curved portion 31.

[0033] After the plurality of optical fibers 10 are wrapped by one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape 11, the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape 11 wraps the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape 11 that wraps the plurality of optical fibers 10. In this process, the core 1a is manufactured while preventing the optical fibers from getting between the overlapping portions of the pressure winding tape 11. This process can be performed, for example, by running the pressure winding tape 11 and the plurality of optical fibers 10 through the jig 30 and passing them through the second curved portion 32.

[0034] After the optical fibers 10 are wrapped with the other widthwise portion of the tape 11, the optical fibers 10 and the tape 11 are coated with the coating member 12 to produce the optical fiber cable 1. This process can be performed using the extrusion molding machine 40.

[0035] (Effects) According to this embodiment, the plurality of optical fibers 10 are wrapped in one widthwise portion of the holding and winding tape 11, and then the plurality of optical fibers 10 are wrapped in the other widthwise portion of the holding and winding tape 11. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for a guide member, suppress the occurrence of large gaps between the plurality of optical fibers 10 and the holding and winding tape 11, and realize a reduction in the diameter of the core 1 a.

[0036] In this embodiment, the optical fiber jacket is exemplified as a plurality of optical fibers 10. The "optical fiber jacket" may refer to a plurality of optical fibers 10 (optical fiber ribbons), a mono-coated optical fiber (a single optical fiber coated with resin), or a unit in which a plurality of optical fiber ribbons are bundled together.

[0037] The jig according to the present invention is useful for manufacturing optical fiber cables.

[0038] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber cable 1a Core 10 Multiple optical fibers (optical fiber jacket) 11 Pressure winding tape 12 Coating member 13 Tensile strength member 14 Tear cord 15 Forming tool (jig) 16 Guide member (guide pipe) 17 Spiral portion 18 Overlapping portion 20 Optical fiber cable manufacturing device 30 Jig 31 First curved portion 31a End portion in width direction of first curved portion 31b Downstream end portion of first curved portion 32 Second curved portion 32a End portion in width direction of second curved portion 32b Downstream end portion of second curved portion 40 Extrusion molding machine 50 Assembling machine

Claims

1. A jig for wrapping an optical fiber wrapping body with a pressure winding tape when the optical fiber wrapping body and the pressure winding tape are run through the jig, characterized by having: a first bending portion for bending one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape so as to wrap the optical fiber wrapping body; and a second bending portion for bending the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape so as to wrap the optical fiber wrapping body and the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape that wraps the optical fiber wrapping body after the optical fiber wrapping body is wrapped with the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape by the first bending portion.

2. A jig as described in claim 1, characterized in that the downstream end of the first curved portion is positioned upstream of the downstream end of the second curved portion in the running direction of the optical fiber sheath and the pressure winding tape.

3. A jig as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the optical fiber envelopes arranged in the width direction of the pressure winding tape are bundled when wrapped in the first curved portion.

4. The jig according to claim 1, characterized in that it does not have a guide member for guiding the optical fiber envelope.

5. An optical fiber cable manufacturing device, characterized by having the jig according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for manufacturing a core having an optical fiber sheath and a pressure winding tape that wraps the optical fiber sheath, comprising the steps of: preparing the optical fiber sheath and the pressure winding tape; wrapping the optical fiber sheath with one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape; and, after the optical fiber sheath is wrapped with the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape, wrapping the optical fiber sheath and the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape that wraps the optical fiber sheath with the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape.

7. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber cable having an optical fiber sheath, a pressure winding tape that wraps the optical fiber sheath, and a coating member that covers the pressure winding tape, comprising the steps of: preparing the optical fiber sheath and the pressure winding tape; wrapping the optical fiber sheath with one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape; after the optical fiber sheath is wrapped with the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape, wrapping the optical fiber sheath and the one widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape that wraps the optical fiber sheath with the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape; and after the optical fiber sheath is wrapped with the other widthwise portion of the pressure winding tape, covering the optical fiber sheath and the pressure winding tape with a coating member.

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