Optical fiber coating apparatus

Abstract

An optical fiber coating apparatus, comprising a feeding unit (10), an optical fiber movement control unit (20), a coating unit (30), and an air drying unit (40), wherein the coating unit (30) comprises a guide wheel mechanism used for conveying optical fibers, and a solution tank accommodating a suspension, particles are contained in the suspension, and the guide wheel mechanism is located below the liquid level of the solution tank; the optical fiber movement control unit (20) comprises a controller and a driving device, the controller is used for controlling the driving device to pull the optical fibers on a feeding pallet to sequentially pass through the coating unit (30) and the air drying unit (40) at a preset optical fiber movement linear speed; in the coating unit (30), the optical fibers are immersed into the solution tank along the guide wheel mechanism and move along with the guide wheel mechanism, so that the surfaces of the optical fibers are coated with the particles; the air drying unit (40) is used for drying the coated optical fibers; the controller regulates and controls a coating quality parameter of the surfaces of the optical fibers by adjusting the optical fiber movement linear speed. The optical fiber coating apparatus can automatically regulate and control the coating quality parameter of the optical fibers.

Description

Fiber coating equipment Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of optical fiber preparation, and more specifically, to an optical fiber coating device. Background Art

[0002] Photocatalysts are light-sensitive particles that can be used in a wide range of applications, including but not limited to environmental purification, medical antimicrobial materials, photocatalytic reactors, material analysis and detection probes, and fiber-optic clothing. Photocatalyst particles need to be fixed to a support material to expand their applications in various fields.

[0003] Currently, photocatalytic fiber technology has been developed and applied on a considerable scale. There are various methods for preparing photocatalytic fibers. One commonly used method for preparing particle-coated fibers includes the following steps: first, stripping the polymer outer coating of the fiber, then immersing the fiber core in a particle suspension, and finally drying the impregnated fiber in an oven. Before coating, the original polymer protective film on the fiber surface needs to be removed through pretreatment. Then, the photocatalyst is coated on the quartz fiber through three steps of impregnation, air drying, and heat treatment. This process allows the particles coated on the fiber to form a dense and non-porous coating, but the quartz fiber photocatalyst coating material is limited, and the side emission of the quartz fiber is not strong enough, resulting in less activation of the photocatalyst by irradiation, thereby reducing both the mass transfer rate and the number of reaction sites.

[0004] Related art also provides a method for preparing an optical fiber, which includes: preparing a coating suspension by dispersing one or more particles in an organic solvent system; immersing the optical fiber in the coating suspension, causing the polymer outer coating to be dissolved by the organic solvent and the particles to diffuse into the polymer outer coating; and removing the optical fiber from the coating suspension and drying it to form an optical fiber having a porous structure and a porous polymer outer coating coated with particles. However, this method also faces the problems of cumbersome operation, difficulty in precise control, and difficulty in industrialization.

[0005] In summary, the current optical fiber coating process or the preparation process of photocatalytic optical fiber still requires frequent manual intervention or complex control operations, which are not only cumbersome and time-consuming, but also often cannot achieve precise control. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical solution provided in this application at least partially solves the above technical problems.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present application, a fiber optic coating device is provided, which may include a feeding unit for supplying optical fibers to be processed; a coating unit, including a guide wheel mechanism for conveying optical fibers and a solution pool containing a suspension containing particles, the guide wheel mechanism being located below the liquid surface of the solution pool; an air-drying unit; and an optical fiber operation control unit, including a controller and a drive device, the controller being used to control the drive device to pull the optical fiber on the feeding tray through the coating unit and the air-drying unit in sequence at a preset optical fiber operation line speed, wherein, in the coating unit, the optical fiber is immersed in the solution pool along the guide wheel mechanism and operates along with the guide wheel mechanism, so that the particles in the suspension are coated on the surface of the optical fiber, and the air-drying unit is used to dry the coated optical fiber; and wherein, the controller regulates the coating quality parameters on the optical fiber surface by adjusting the optical fiber operation line speed, and the coating quality parameters include at least one of the following parameters: the load of particles, the coating thickness, and the amount of solvent evaporation on the optical fiber surface.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber coating equipment further includes a lifting mechanism for adjusting the height of the guide wheel mechanism; the controller controls the particle loading and / or coating thickness by adjusting the optical fiber running speed and the maximum depth of the optical fiber immersed in the solution pool.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber coating equipment further includes a solution control device for adjusting the liquid level in the solution pool; the controller controls the particle loading and / or coating thickness by adjusting the optical fiber running speed and the liquid level in the solution pool.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber coating apparatus further includes an air volume setting module.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the particle loading ranges from 0.01 mg / cm2 to 1.20 mg / cm2; and the coating thickness ranges from 0 to 80 μm.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber operation control unit further includes: a linear speed sensor for sensing the linear speed of the optical fiber operation and feeding back the linear speed to the controller, and the controller controls the linear speed of the driving device pulling the optical fiber according to the fed-back linear speed.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the feeding unit includes a feeding tray and a tensioning mechanism, and the tensioning mechanism is used to generate tension on the optical fiber to be processed wound on the feeding tray.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber coating equipment also includes a post-processing unit, which includes a threading hole, a screw drive mechanism and a receiving tray, wherein the optical fiber that has undergone drying treatment passes through the threading hole to the receiving tray, and as the receiving tray rotates, the screw drive mechanism synchronously performs linear reciprocating motion, so that the optical fiber is evenly wound on the receiving tray.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the post-processing unit further includes: a cutting device for cutting the optical fiber according to a predetermined cutting length.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber coating equipment includes a plurality of cascaded coating units and air-drying units; each coating unit and air-drying unit is connected to an optical fiber operation control unit.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the coating unit further includes: a liquid level sensor configured to monitor the liquid level in the solution tank; and an automatic liquid replenishing device configured to replenish the suspension into the solution tank in response to monitoring that the liquid level is lower than a first liquid level threshold.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the coating unit further includes a paddle stirring device disposed in the solution pool, and a material of a paddle of the paddle stirring device is selected from one of polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, and metal.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the air-drying unit includes a cross-flow blower.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the air-drying unit further includes a temperature sensor and a heating device.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber coating equipment further includes: a human-computer interaction module, including a parameter setting unit, for setting the initial value of a control parameter or adjusting the control parameter, wherein the control parameter includes at least one of the following parameters: optical fiber operating line speed, coating time, immersion depth, fan air volume, drying temperature, and take-up length.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the human-computer interaction module includes a touch terminal.

[0023] The optical fiber coating equipment provided in accordance with the embodiment of the present application can automatically and industrially control coating quality parameters such as the loading amount of photocatalyst particles or other particles, coating thickness and / or solvent evaporation amount on the optical fiber surface according to the optical fibers for different purposes, which is conducive to reducing frequent manual intervention and complex control operations; and can achieve precise control of the optical fiber coating process, thereby improving the uniformity and stability of the photocatalyst particles or other particles formed on the optical fiber surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Other features, objects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0025] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical fiber coating device according to an embodiment of the present application; and

[0026] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a coating unit of an optical fiber coating device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] For a better understanding of the present application, various aspects of the present application will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these detailed descriptions are merely descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The expression "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0028] It should also be understood that expressions such as "comprises," "including," "having," "includes," and / or "comprising" are open rather than closed expressions in this specification, indicating the presence of the stated features, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. In addition, when expressions such as "at least one of..." appear after a list of listed features, they modify the entire list of features rather than just the individual elements in the list. In addition, when describing embodiments of the present application, "may" is used to mean "one or more embodiments of the present application." And, the term "exemplary" is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all words used herein (including engineering terms and scientific and technological terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. It should also be understood that, unless otherwise specified in this application, words defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as they do in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0030] It should be noted that, unless there is a conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application may be combined with each other. Any one or more embodiments or elements thereof, or the arrangement or combination of some or all embodiments or elements thereof described herein are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0031] The features, principles and other aspects of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with specific implementations.

[0032] FIG1 illustrates an optical fiber coating apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The optical fiber coating apparatus 100 can be used, for example, to coat photocatalyst particles or non-catalyst particles (e.g., metal particles) onto the surface of an optical fiber having a polymer outer coating. The polymer outer coating can include, but is not limited to, one or more of polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyperfluoroethylene propylene, and polychlorotrifluoroethylene. The optical fiber core can be made of, but is not limited to, quartz or glass fiber.

[0033] As shown in FIG1 , the optical fiber coating apparatus 100 may include: a feeding unit 10 , an optical fiber operation control unit 20 , a coating unit 30 , and an air drying unit 40 . In some embodiments, the optical fiber coating apparatus 100 may further include a post-processing unit 50 .

[0034] The feed unit 10 is used to supply optical fibers to be processed. In some embodiments, the feed unit 10 may include a feed tray and a tensioning mechanism. The pre-processed optical fibers to be processed can be wound onto the feed tray through threading holes. The tensioning mechanism generates a constant tension on the optical fibers wound onto the feed tray. In an exemplary embodiment, the tensioning mechanism may include a stepper motor that drives the feed tray in forward and reverse rotation, thereby generating a constant tensioning torque.

[0035] In some embodiments, the optical fiber operation control unit 20 may include a controller and a drive device. The controller may utilize a pre-set control algorithm or, based on input parameters (described in further detail below), control the drive device to pull the optical fiber on the supply tray at a predetermined optical fiber operation speed, sequentially passing through the coating unit 30 and the air drying unit 40, and then to the post-processing unit 50. For example, the tensioning mechanism of the supply unit 10 reverses the supply tray to generate a constant tensioning force, while the drive device, under the control of the controller, overcomes the tensioning force of the supply tray and pulls the optical fiber at the predetermined optical fiber operation speed.

[0036] As an exemplary embodiment, the controller of the optical fiber operation control unit 20 can precisely control the coating quality parameters on the optical fiber surface by adjusting the optical fiber's linear speed. The coating quality parameters may include at least one of the following: particle loading, coating thickness, and solvent evaporation from the optical fiber surface. In some embodiments, the optical fiber operation control unit 20 may also include a linear speed sensor that senses the actual linear speed of the optical fiber and provides feedback to the controller. The controller can control the linear speed of the optical fiber pulled by the drive device based on the actual linear speed of the optical fiber fed back by the linear speed sensor.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the driving device may include a brushless motor or a stepper motor, and a pulley assembly. Driven by the motor, the pulley assembly is used to transfer the optical fiber on the supply tray to the coating unit 30 for coating. It should be noted that those skilled in the art should understand that although the supply unit 10 and the optical fiber operation control unit 20 are located above the coating unit 30 in Figure 1, the supply unit 10 and the optical fiber operation control unit 20 can also be located on one side of the coating unit 30. The present application does not impose any specific restrictions on the relative positions or relative heights of the various components or units.

[0038] As shown in conjunction with Figures 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the coating unit 30 may include a guide wheel mechanism and a solution pool, wherein the solution pool contains a suspension. The suspension can be prepared by dispersing photocatalyst particles or other particles into an organic solvent system. The guide wheel mechanism for conveying the optical fiber is located below the liquid surface of the solution pool. The guide wheel mechanism is used to drive the optical fiber to pass smoothly through the solution pool of the coating unit at a constant linear speed to ensure the uniformity and stability of the optical fiber coating. Under the traction of the driving device, the optical fiber is immersed in the solution pool along the guide wheel mechanism and operates together with the guide wheel mechanism, so that in the process of the optical fiber passing through the solution pool, the organic solvent as a component of the suspension can remove the polymer outer coating of the optical fiber and enable the particles in the suspension to be evenly coated on the surface of the optical fiber. That is, the outer coating of the optical fiber will be removed and the coating treatment of the optical fiber will be performed in the coating unit 30.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the coating unit 30 may further include a lifting mechanism for adjusting the height of the guide wheel mechanism, thereby controlling the maximum depth of the optical fiber immersed in the solution pool. For example, as shown in FIG2 , the coating unit 30 may have a coating control column 31 , and the lifting mechanism may be disposed on the coating control column 31 , and the maximum depth of the optical fiber immersed in the solution pool may be controlled by adjusting the lifting height of the guide wheel mechanism. By adjusting the maximum depth of the optical fiber immersed in the solution pool, the length of the optical fiber's travel in the solution pool can be adjusted, and thus the coating time of the optical fiber can be adjusted. That is, as an exemplary embodiment, the coating time of the optical fiber, as well as coating quality parameters such as the particle load and coating thickness, can be determined by the linear speed of the optical fiber and the maximum depth of immersion in the solution pool.

[0040] In other exemplary embodiments, the optical fiber coating apparatus may further include a solution control device for adjusting the liquid level in the solution pool. The controller of the optical fiber operation control unit 20 can control the optical fiber coating duration, particle loading, coating thickness, and other coating quality parameters by adjusting the optical fiber operating speed and the liquid level in the solution pool. For example, the solution control device may include a liquid level sensor, a liquid replenishment device, and a liquid discharge device, thereby adjusting the liquid level in the solution pool by replenishing or draining a portion of the suspension.

[0041] According to the optical fiber coating equipment of the above exemplary embodiment of the present application, by adjusting the maximum depth of the optical fiber immersed in the suspension or the liquid level in the solution pool, combined with the setting of the optical fiber operation linear speed, precise control of the coating quality parameters on the optical fiber surface can be achieved.

[0042] Among them, the coating quality parameters of the optical fiber surface may include the loading amount of photocatalyst particles, coating thickness, film pore size and porosity, etc. Specifically, the coating quality parameters of the optical fiber surface depend on the properties of the coating solution, such as the concentration of the coating solution and the characteristics of the photocatalytic material contained in the coating solution, which can achieve the control of the film pore size (the pore particle size can be nanometer-level controlled and characterized by electron microscopy) and porosity (characterized by the density of the coating layer); on the other hand, they are related to controllable parameters such as the linear speed of the optical fiber operation and the coating time. Different linear speeds and different coating times will result in significant differences in the coating effects such as the particle loading amount and coating thickness on the optical fiber surface.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the particle loading on the surface of the optical fiber after being treated by the coating unit of the optical fiber coating equipment of the present application can range from 0.01 mg / cm2 to 1.20 mg / cm2, and the control accuracy can reach 0.025 mg / cm2; the coating thickness can range from 0 to 80 μm, and the control accuracy of the coating thickness can reach 2 μm.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the coating unit 30 may further include a liquid level sensor 32 and an automatic liquid replenishing device 33. The liquid level sensor 32 may monitor the liquid level in the solution pool and provide feedback to the automatic liquid replenishing device 33 when it detects that the liquid level in the solution pool is lower than a first liquid level threshold. The automatic liquid replenishing device 33 may add suspension to the solution pool based on the signal fed back by the liquid level sensor 32. In addition, the liquid level sensor 32 may also issue a low liquid level alarm when it detects that the liquid level is lower than a warning liquid level threshold. Exemplarily, the automatic liquid replenishing device 33 may include a stepper peristaltic pump, which is connected to a liquid reservoir (containing a configured suspension) to achieve automatic liquid replenishment of the solution pool.

[0045] In some embodiments, the coating unit 30 may further include a concentration monitor, which feeds back to the automatic liquid replenishing device 33 when it detects that the concentration of the suspension is lower than the first concentration threshold. The automatic liquid replenishing device 33 may adjust the concentration of the suspension according to the received feedback signal.

[0046] The air-drying unit 40 is used to dry the optical fiber that has undergone the above-mentioned coating treatment. The air-drying unit 40 may include an air-drying channel of a certain length, which can ensure that the air-drying time is not less than 10 seconds under a certain linear speed. In addition, while ensuring the drying effect, the air-drying channel can also protect the optical fiber that has undergone the coating treatment, preventing the optical fiber from contacting the outside world and causing instability or contamination of the particles coated on the optical fiber surface. The air-drying unit 40 can use a cross-flow fan, and the air volume of the fan can be adjusted. In an exemplary embodiment, the air-drying unit 40 may also have a temperature sensor and a heating device to meet different process requirements.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber coating apparatus may further include an air volume setting module for setting the air volume, thereby achieving controllable air volume in the air drying unit. The optical fiber coating apparatus may also control the air drying effect of the optical fiber surface coating by adjusting the optical fiber operating speed, air volume, and / or air drying time, thereby optimizing the coating quality on the optical fiber surface. For the air drying unit, excessive air volume may result in unstable coating on the optical fiber surface, while insufficient air volume may result in prolonged air drying and incomplete drying.

[0048] Exemplarily, optical fiber coating quality parameters also include the amount of solvent evaporated from the optical fiber surface, me. This parameter, me, characterizes the air-drying effect of the optical fiber coating and can be expressed by the following formula: me = mt - m0, where m0 is the initial coated optical fiber mass after coating, and mt is the coated optical fiber mass after air-drying time t. The difference between the two is the amount of solvent evaporated from the optical fiber surface, me. Specifically, a greater amount of solvent evaporated from the optical fiber surface (me) indicates better coating quality.

[0049] In one example, the air drying unit is operated at standard atmospheric pressure without heating conditions and with a fixed wind speed. The air drying effect is controlled by adjusting the air drying time as follows: When the air drying time t = 5s, the me can reach 80% me max When the air drying time is t=10s, the me can reach 98%me max When the air drying time is t=20s, the me can reach 99%me max When the air drying time is t=1d, me can reach 100%me max Among them, me max The amount of solvent evaporated after complete air drying.

[0050] The post-processing unit 50 is used to collect, cut, or perform subsequent post-processing such as coating on the optical fiber that has undergone the drying process.

[0051] In some embodiments, post-processing includes a receiving process, and the post-processing unit may include a threading hole, a screw drive mechanism, and a receiving tray 51. The receiving tray 51 has a certain thickness in the axial direction. The dried optical fiber passes from the outlet of the air drying unit 40 through the threading hole to the receiving tray 51. As the receiving tray 51 rotates, the screw drive mechanism synchronously performs a linear reciprocating motion parallel to the thickness direction of the receiving tray 51, so that the optical fiber is evenly wound on the receiving tray 51.

[0052] In other embodiments, the optical fiber after the collection process may be cut, or the optical fiber after the drying process may be cut directly without collection. The post-processing unit may include a cutting device that processes the dried optical fiber into a semi-finished optical fiber or a finished optical fiber of a predetermined length according to a predetermined cutting length.

[0053] In other embodiments, depending on different optical fiber processing requirements, post-processing may further include a secondary coating process (or more times) on the optical fiber. The post-processing unit may further include at least a second coating unit for performing a subsequent second coating process or other treatments on the optical fiber. The second coating process may be a coating of other particles different from the aforementioned coating process, or a process for forming other coatings on the optical fiber surface.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber coating apparatus may include multiple cascaded coating units and air-drying units. Each coating unit and air-drying unit is connected to a fiber operation control unit, and is independently regulated and controlled by a controller of the fiber operation control unit. Each coating unit may be a replica, with different coating units having different coating solution characteristics, different maximum fiber immersion depths, or different linear speeds, thereby achieving different coating effects.

[0055] Furthermore, the optical fiber coating equipment provided according to embodiments of the present application may further include a human-computer interaction module, which may include a parameter setting unit. This parameter setting unit allows for setting initial values ​​for certain control parameters or adjusting the set control parameters. For example, the control parameters may include any one or more of the following: optical fiber operating speed, coating duration, immersion depth, fan air volume, drying temperature, and take-up length. Exemplarily, the human-computer interaction module may be a touchscreen terminal.

[0056] According to the optical fiber coating equipment of the above-mentioned embodiment of the present application, the optical fiber coating equipment can be controlled according to the control parameters set or adjusted by the parameter setting unit. For example, the controller in the optical fiber operation control unit can control the driving device according to the set optical fiber operation line speed; or the automatic lifting mechanism of the coating control column can be controlled to control the lifting height according to the set immersion depth; and the heating device can be started according to the set drying temperature, etc.

[0057] It should be understood that, according to the optical fiber coating equipment of the above-described embodiments of the present application, the human-computer interaction module can also pre-set corresponding control algorithms based on the different materials, applications, and process requirements of the optical fiber, including the pulling line speed, coating time, fan air volume, drying temperature, take-up length, etc., and only need to execute the corresponding control according to the control algorithm. In addition, it is also possible to add a preset control algorithm or update the current control algorithm based on process adjustment requirements through the human-computer interaction module. In some exemplary embodiments, the human-computer interaction module of the optical fiber coating equipment can also be a software system or application platform.

[0058] In order to facilitate a better understanding of the above-mentioned optical fiber coating equipment provided by this application, it will be further described below in conjunction with specific applications.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, the steps of coating an optical fiber using the optical fiber coating apparatus provided herein may include: dispersing particles into an organic solvent system to prepare a suspension; immersing an optical fiber coated with a polymer outer coating into the suspension, so that the polymer outer coating is dissolved by the organic solvent and the particles diffuse into the polymer outer coating; removing the optical fiber from the suspension; and drying the optical fiber to prepare an optical fiber having a porous structure and coated with a porous polymer outer coating of particles.

[0060] As an exemplary embodiment, the polymer outer coating layer is an outer coating layer formed of one or more materials selected from polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyperfluoroethylene propylene, and polychlorotrifluoroethylene.

[0061] Exemplarily, the organic solvent system of the suspension may include one or more selected from acetone, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, hexane, n-pentane, diethyl ether, and methyl tert-butyl ether. The particles in the suspension may include photocatalyst particles that are insoluble in the organic solvent system, for example, one or more selected from g-C3N4 particles, TiO2 particles, and Fe2O3 particles; or, non-photocatalyst particles may also be included, for example, one or more selected from Al powder, Cu powder, activated carbon particles, and zeolite particles. Exemplarily, the particle size of the particles is 1 nm to 100 μm, and the concentration of the particles in the suspension is 1 g / L to 1200 g / L, and optionally 50 g / L, 80 g / L, 100 g / L, 200 g / L, 300 g / L, 800 g / L, or 1200 g / L. The loading of the particles is 0.01 mg / cm3 to 1.23 mg / cm3, further 0.07 mg / cm3 to 0.2 mg / cm3.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, the main material of the solution pool and the liquid reservoir of the coating unit 30 can be glass; other components (such as the lid, the guide wheel mechanism for immersion in the solution, and the pipe joints) can be made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PP (polypropylene), metal, or other acetone-resistant materials. Both the solution pool and the liquid reservoir can be equipped with paddle stirring devices, and the stirring speed of the paddle stirring devices in the solution pool and the liquid reservoir can be independently adjusted. The paddle stirring device can be made of a material selected from polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, metal, and other acetone-resistant materials.

[0063] Table 1 below shows some control parameters for optical fibers of different uses and types.

[0064] According to process verification, the optical fiber coating equipment provided in this application can automatically perform industrial control on, for example, the loading amount of photocatalyst particles or other particles, coating thickness, air-drying effect, etc. according to the optical fibers for different purposes, which is conducive to reducing frequent manual intervention and complex control operations; and, through precise control of control parameters such as pulling line speed, immersion depth, air-drying volume and drying temperature, precise control of the optical fiber coating process can be achieved, thereby improving the uniformity and stability of the photocatalyst particles formed on the surface of the optical fiber.

[0065] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present application and an illustration of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of protection involved in this application is not limited to the technical solutions formed by a specific combination of the above-mentioned technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above-mentioned technical features or their equivalents without departing from the technical concept. For example, a technical solution formed by replacing the above-mentioned features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in this application.

Claims

1. Optical fiber coating equipment, characterized in that, include: A feeding unit, used for supplying optical fibers to be processed; a coating unit comprising a guide wheel mechanism for conveying the optical fiber and a solution pool containing a suspension containing particles, wherein the guide wheel mechanism is located below the liquid surface of the solution pool; Air drying unit; as well as The optical fiber operation control unit includes a controller and a driving device, wherein the controller is used to control the driving device to pull the optical fiber on the supply tray through the coating unit and the air drying unit in sequence at a preset optical fiber operation linear speed. Wherein, in the coating unit, the optical fiber is immersed in the solution pool along the guide wheel mechanism and rotates along with the guide wheel mechanism, so that the particles are coated on the surface of the optical fiber. The air drying unit is used to dry the optical fiber after the coating process; And wherein, the controller regulates the coating quality parameters on the surface of the optical fiber by adjusting the linear speed of the optical fiber operation, and the coating quality parameters include at least one of the following parameters: the loading amount of the particles, the coating thickness, and the amount of solvent evaporation on the surface of the optical fiber.

2. The optical fiber coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The optical fiber coating equipment further includes a lifting mechanism for adjusting the height of the guide wheel mechanism; The controller controls the particle loading amount and / or the coating thickness by adjusting the optical fiber running speed and the maximum depth of the optical fiber immersed in the solution pool.

3. The optical fiber coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The optical fiber coating equipment further includes a solution regulating device for regulating the liquid level in the solution pool; The controller controls the particle loading amount and / or the coating thickness by adjusting the optical fiber running speed and the liquid level in the solution pool.

4. The optical fiber coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The optical fiber coating equipment further includes an air volume setting module.

5. The optical fiber coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The loading amount of the particles ranges from 0.01 mg / cm3 to 1.20 mg / cm3; and the thickness of the coating ranges from 0 to 80 μm.

6. The optical fiber coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The optical fiber operation control unit further includes: The linear velocity sensor is used to sense the linear velocity of the optical fiber and feed back the sensed linear velocity to the controller. The controller controls the linear velocity of the optical fiber pulled by the driving device according to the fed-back linear velocity.

7. The optical fiber coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The feeding unit includes a feeding tray and a tensioning mechanism, and the tensioning mechanism is used to generate tensioning force on the optical fiber to be processed wound on the feeding tray.

8. The optical fiber coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The optical fiber coating equipment also includes a post-processing unit, which includes a threading hole, a screw drive mechanism and a receiving tray, wherein the optical fiber that has been dried passes through the threading hole to the receiving tray. As the receiving tray rotates, the screw drive mechanism synchronously performs linear reciprocating motion, so that the optical fiber is evenly wound on the receiving tray.

9. The optical fiber coating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: The post-processing unit further includes: A cutting device is used to cut the optical fiber according to a predetermined cutting length.

10. The optical fiber coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The optical fiber coating equipment includes a plurality of cascaded coating units and air-drying units; each of the coating units and the air-drying units is connected to the optical fiber operation control unit.

11. The optical fiber coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The coating unit further includes a paddle stirring device disposed in the solution pool, wherein the paddle material of the paddle stirring device is selected from one of polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene and metal.

12. The optical fiber coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The optical fiber coating equipment also includes: The human-computer interaction module includes a parameter setting unit for setting the initial value of the control parameter or adjusting the control parameter, wherein the control parameter includes at least one of the following parameters: optical fiber operating speed, coating time, immersion depth, fan air volume, drying temperature, and take-up length.

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