Optical Fiber Coating Strain Control for Winding Collapse Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to prevent winding collapse and deformation of the coating in optical fibers during manufacturing, especially when longer lengths are wound around a bobbin, which affects transmission loss and efficiency, particularly in low-temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing optical fibers is developed where the strain sensing coefficient Tε/KL is set to be higher than 0 and 973 or lower, and the one-layer strain εn is 0.01 or higher, to maintain the coating's integrity and prevent deformation, by optimizing parameters such as winding tension, thickness, and holding time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the length of optical fiber wound around one bobbin is increased to improve manufacturing efficiency, then productivity is improved, but coating deformation occurs and transmission loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the coating material by controlling the glass transition temperature (Tg) to be 0°C or lower, and adjusting the softening point and molecular weight of the polymer. These parameter changes allow the coating to maintain its integrity during extended winding operations without deformation, thus resolving the contradiction between increased productivity and maintained manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If winding tension is reduced to suppress coating deformation, then coating integrity is improved, but winding collapse is likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the mechanical parameters of the coating by adjusting the glass transition temperature and elastic modulus through polymer selection and formulation. The coating is designed to have appropriate softness and flexibility at operating temperatures, allowing it to withstand winding tensions without collapsing while preventing deformation. This resolves the contradiction between coating integrity and winding stability.
3Productivity
If the optical fiber is wound around a bobbin with longer length, then productivity is improved, but transmission loss in low-temperature environment becomes higher
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thermal parameters of the coating material by selecting polymers with glass transition temperatures of 0°C or lower and appropriate softening points. This ensures that the coating remains flexible and maintains its protective function in low-temperature environments, preventing micro-bending losses and maintaining transmission performance even when longer fiber lengths are wound on bobbins.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber, in which a coating is provided on a bare optical fiber, includes winding the optical fiber around a bobbin such that a strain sensing coefficient Tε/KL is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 973, and a one-layer strain εn is greater than or equal to 0.01.