Optical Fiber Temperature Control for Coating Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of non-contact direction changers in optical fiber manufacturing leads to temperature variations in bare optical fibers, affecting the thickness and adhesion of the coating layer, as the temperature of the fibers is not consistently within the optimal range for resin application and curing.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber manufacturing method that includes a temperature adjustment step using a temperature adjusting unit downstream of the non-contact direction changer and upstream of the coating unit, ensuring the bare optical fiber is within a stable temperature range before coating, employing a cooling or heating device to maintain the fiber's temperature between 30°C to 100°C for optimal resin application and curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-contact direction changers are used to change the traveling direction of the optical fiber, then the space limitation in the height direction can be overcome and drawing speed can be increased, but the temperature of the bare optical fiber varies, causing variation in coating layer thickness and adhesion strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temperature adjusting unit that actively controls the temperature of the bare optical fiber after it passes through the non-contact direction changer. By monitoring and adjusting temperature parameters, the system maintains the fiber temperature within the optimal range for coating application, thereby ensuring consistent coating layer thickness and adhesion strength while allowing high drawing speeds and flexible spatial arrangement.
2Ease of operation
If the flow rate of gas sprayed by non-contact direction changer is changed to maintain bare optical fiber position, then the fiber position can be controlled, but the temperature of the bare optical fiber varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where temperature sensors monitor the temperature of the bare optical fiber after it passes through the non-contact direction changer. The temperature adjusting unit receives this feedback and automatically adjusts its operation to maintain the fiber temperature within the desired range, decoupling position control from temperature control functions.
3Productivity
If multiple devices are disposed downwardly along a linear pathway from the melting furnace to increase production capacity, then the number of cooling and coating curing devices can be increased, but the space in the height direction is limited in existing factory buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes non-contact direction changers to redirect the optical fiber horizontally or at angles after vertical drawing, effectively transitioning from a purely vertical linear pathway to a multi-dimensional arrangement. This allows multiple cooling and coating curing devices to be distributed across horizontal and diagonal spaces rather than being constrained to vertical stacking, enabling increased production capacity within existing factory building height limitations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for the formation of a coating layer in a desired state, ensuring consistent thickness and adhesion strength by stabilizing the temperature of the bare optical fiber before coating, thereby overcoming the limitations of temperature variations caused by non-contact direction changers.
Implementation Method 1
when the traveling direction of an optical fiber is changed using a non-contact direction changer, the flow rate of a gas to be sprayed is appropriately changed
Implementation Method 2
a temperature adjustment step of adjusting a temperature of the bare optical fiber, in a temperature adjusting unit disposed downstream of the non-contact direction changer and upstream of a coating unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an optical fiber manufacturing method including a drawing step of drawing an optical fiber preform to form a bare optical fiber; a cooling step of cooling the bare optical fiber by at least one non-contact direction changer; a temperature adjustment step of adjusting a temperature of the bare optical fiber, in a temperature adjusting unit disposed downstream of the non-contact direction changer and upstream of a coating unit; a coating step of providing an uncured coating layer containing a resin precursor on an outer periphery of the bare optical fiber, in the coating unit; and a curing step of curing the uncured coating layer in a curing unit.