JPH01145352A - Production of optical fiber core covered with metal and dice therein - Google Patents
Production of optical fiber core covered with metal and dice thereinInfo
- Publication number
- JPH01145352A JPH01145352A JP62301535A JP30153587A JPH01145352A JP H01145352 A JPH01145352 A JP H01145352A JP 62301535 A JP62301535 A JP 62301535A JP 30153587 A JP30153587 A JP 30153587A JP H01145352 A JPH01145352 A JP H01145352A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- metal
- optical fiber
- die
- core
- dice
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 100
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 99
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 26
- 239000011162 core material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 57
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000007711 solidification Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000008023 solidification Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 abstract description 13
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 abstract description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 229910020816 Sn Pb Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract 1
- 229910020922 Sn-Pb Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract 1
- 229910008783 Sn—Pb Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 14
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 14
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine atom Chemical compound [F] YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001315 Tool steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- KHZAWAWPXXNLGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N [Bi].[Pb].[Sn] Chemical compound [Bi].[Pb].[Sn] KHZAWAWPXXNLGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006231 aramid fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010797 grey water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009499 grossing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007790 solid phase Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- BFKJFAAPBSQJPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetrafluoroethene Chemical group FC(F)=C(F)F BFKJFAAPBSQJPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 1
Abstract
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
〈産業上の利用分野〉
本発明は、金属を二次被覆として用いた光ファイバ心線
の製造方法に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical fiber core using metal as a secondary coating.
〈従来の技術〉
光ファイバ心線に対する水や水素の浸透を阻止すると共
にこの光ファイバ心線の強度を高め、伝送特性の劣化等
を防ぐ目的で金属を二次被覆として用いることが考えら
れている。<Prior art> It has been considered to use metal as a secondary coating for the purpose of preventing water and hydrogen from penetrating into the optical fiber core, increasing the strength of the optical fiber, and preventing deterioration of transmission characteristics. There is.
この場合、光ファイバ素線と金属との熱膨張率の相違に
基づいて光ファイバ素線にマイクロベンディングが発生
するため、この光ファイバ緊線と金属被覆との間に緩衝
層を設け、光ファイバ素線に金属被覆の伸縮に伴う応力
が負荷しないようにする必要がある。In this case, microbending occurs in the optical fiber due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the optical fiber and the metal, so a buffer layer is provided between the optical fiber and the metal coating, and the optical fiber is It is necessary to prevent stress caused by expansion and contraction of the metal coating from being applied to the wire.
従来、提案されている金属被覆光ファイバ心線としては
、その断面構造の一例を表す第６図に示すように外径が
１５リメートルで内径が０．７ｉ：ＩＪメートル程度の
金属パイプ１内に例えば紫外線硬化樹脂を緩衝層として
形成した外径が０．４ｉ：ＩＪメートル程度の心線素材
２を挿入したもの゛や、製造方法の一例を表す第７図に
示すように金属テープ３をロール成形によってパイプ１
′化し、これで心線素材２を囲繞したり、或いは他の製
造方法の一例を表す第８図に示すような電カケープルの
製造等に用いる被鉛機によるもの等がある。この第８図
に示したものは融点未満に加熱された鉛やアルミニウム
等の加熱金属４をプランジャ５によってダイス６とニー
ドル７とを有するクロスヘツド８内に押出し、ニードル
７に通された心線素材２の外周をこの加熱金属４で被覆
するようにしている。As shown in FIG. 6, which shows an example of the cross-sectional structure of the metal-coated optical fiber core that has been proposed, the metal-coated optical fiber is placed inside a metal pipe 1 with an outer diameter of 15 mm and an inner diameter of about 0.7I:IJ meters. For example, a wire core material 2 with an outer diameter of about 0.4I:IJ meters formed of ultraviolet curable resin as a buffer layer is inserted, or a metal tape 3 is rolled as shown in FIG. 7, which shows an example of the manufacturing method. Pipe 1 by molding
1 and surrounding the core wire material 2, or by using a lead-covered machine for manufacturing power cables as shown in FIG. 8, which shows an example of another manufacturing method. What is shown in FIG. 8 is a heated metal 4 such as lead or aluminum heated below its melting point, which is extruded by a plunger 5 into a crosshead 8 having a die 6 and a needle 7. The outer periphery of 2 is covered with this heating metal 4.
〈発明が解決しようとする問題点〉
第６図に示した構造のものでは、可撓性の高い心線素材
２を金属パイプ１中に押し込んで行く必要があるため、
これらに発生する摩擦力の影響で長尺なものを製造する
ことができない。<Problems to be solved by the invention> In the structure shown in FIG. 6, it is necessary to push the highly flexible core material 2 into the metal pipe 1.
Due to the frictional force generated in these, it is not possible to manufacture long products.
又、第７図に示したものでは金属テープの突き合せ部９
から水や水素が内部に浸入する虞があるため、この突き
合わせ部９をシール溶接しておくことが普通である。し
かし、突き合わせ部９をシール溶接する場合には、溶接
熱による悪影響が心線素材２に及ぶのを防止するため、
心線素材２の周囲に空隙を形成する必要があり、内部結
露の防止や中水ケーブルとして使用した場合の破損に伴
う水走りを防止することが根本的に不可能となる。そこ
で、この空隙に樹脂を充填することも考えられるが、突
き合わせ部９の溶接時に乙の充ｔｉＩ樹脂が膨張するた
め、ピンホール等の溶接欠陥が突き合わせ部に形成され
て気密性を損なう虞がある上、心線素材に充填樹脂の膨
張に伴うマイクロベンディングが発生する不具合が起こ
る。しかも、ロール成形ではパイプ１′の外径寸法を１
ミリメートル程度息下にすることが極めて困難であり、
パイプ１′の外径が太くなってしまう欠点があった。Moreover, in the one shown in FIG. 7, the abutting portion 9 of the metal tape
Since there is a risk that water or hydrogen may infiltrate into the interior, this butt portion 9 is usually sealed and welded. However, when seal welding the butt portion 9, in order to prevent the adverse effects of welding heat from reaching the core wire material 2,
It is necessary to form a void around the core wire material 2, and it is fundamentally impossible to prevent internal dew condensation or water running due to breakage when used as a gray water cable. Therefore, it is possible to fill this gap with resin, but since the filled resin expands when welding the butt part 9, there is a risk that welding defects such as pinholes may be formed in the butt part and impair the airtightness. In addition, a problem occurs in which microbending occurs in the core wire material due to the expansion of the filled resin. Moreover, in roll forming, the outer diameter of pipe 1' is reduced to 1
It is extremely difficult to hold the breath down by a millimeter,
There was a drawback that the outer diameter of the pipe 1' became thick.
更に、第８図に示したものでは固相の加熱金属４をクロ
スヘツド８に押出すため、クロスヘツド８内での加熱金
属４の流動性が悪く、金属被覆の肉厚を０．６Ｅ’）メ
ートル以下にできないことが経験的に判明している。加
えて、外径１０ミリメートルの心線素材ｌに２ミリメー
トルの肉厚で鉛を被覆する場合、プランジャ５の押圧力
が千トン以上にもなり、巨大な製造設備が必要となる。Furthermore, in the case shown in FIG. 8, since the heating metal 4 in solid phase is extruded into the crosshead 8, the fluidity of the heating metal 4 within the crosshead 8 is poor, and the thickness of the metal coating is reduced to 0.6E') meters. Experience has shown that the following cannot be done. In addition, in the case where a core wire material l having an outer diameter of 10 mm is coated with lead to a thickness of 2 mm, the pressing force of the plunger 5 becomes more than 1,000 tons, which requires huge manufacturing equipment.
く問題点を解決するための手段〉
第一番目の本発明による金属被覆光ファイバ心線の製造
方法は、光ファイバ心線の外径寸法を拘束するダイス内
に溶融状態の金属を供給すると共に緩衝層が形成された
心線素材を前記ダイス内を通過させ、前記ダイスの内壁
に前記心線素材の通過方向側ほど大径となるテーパ部を
形成すると共にこのテーパ部の大径側を前記金属の融点
よりも低温に保持し、前記金属を前記テーパ部の途中で
凝固させて前記心線素材の外周に前記金属を被覆するよ
うにしたことを特徴とするものである。Means for Solving the Problems> The first method of manufacturing a metal-coated optical fiber according to the present invention includes supplying molten metal into a die that restricts the outer diameter of the optical fiber, and The core wire material on which the buffer layer has been formed is passed through the die, and a tapered portion is formed on the inner wall of the die, the diameter of which increases toward the direction in which the core wire material passes. It is characterized in that the temperature is maintained at a temperature lower than the melting point of the metal, and the metal is solidified in the middle of the tapered portion, so that the outer periphery of the core wire material is coated with the metal.
又、第二番目の本発明による金属被覆光ファイバ心線製
造用ダイスは、溶融状態の金属が供給されろと共に緩衝
層を形成した心線素材が通過する貫通孔を具え、この貫
通孔に前記心線素材の通過方向側ほど大径とな９且つ途
中で前記金属を凝固させるテーパ部を形成したことを特
徴とするものである。The die for manufacturing a metal-coated optical fiber core according to the second aspect of the present invention is provided with a through hole through which the molten metal is supplied and through which the core material forming the buffer layer passes. The present invention is characterized in that the diameter becomes larger toward the side in which the core material passes, and a tapered portion is formed in the middle to solidify the metal.
く作 用〉
本発明による被覆金属光ファイバ心線の製造方法の原理
を表す第５図に示すように、金属溶融炉１０１内の溶融
金属１０２は心線素材１０３と共にダイス１０４に供給
される。Function> As shown in FIG. 5, which shows the principle of the method for manufacturing a coated metal optical fiber core according to the present invention, molten metal 102 in a metal melting furnace 101 is supplied to a die 104 together with a core material 103.
ダイス１０４に形成されたテーパ部１０５は、その内壁
温度がテーパ部１０５の途中で溶融金属１０２の融点と
ほぼ等しく設定され、これよりも上流側は融点以上に加
熱されていると共に下流側は融点よりも低温に保持され
ている。乙の溶融金属１０２の粘度は、その材質如何に
かかわらずほぼ５ ｃｐｓ以下であるため、水と類似の
挙動を示して自重によりダイス１０４内に流入する。テ
ーパ部１０５の内壁１度は下端側ほど低く制御されてい
るため、溶融金属１０２はダイス１０４の内壁温度がこ
の溶融金属１０２の融点とほぼ等しくなっている箇所か
ら漸次固化し始める。この状態で心線素材１０３を下方
へ繰り出せば、溶融金属１０２の凝固開始位置から被覆
金＠ １０６が形成されるが、この被覆金属１０６の表
面は固化状態にあるため、ダイス１０４内に被覆金属１
０６が充満することはない。この凝固開始位置より下方
では、ダイス１０４の内壁と固化した被覆金属１０６の
表面との間に空隙が形成されるため、ダイス１０４の内
壁と被覆金属１０６との間に摩擦力を生じることはない
。従って、ダイス１０４内に固化した被覆金属１０６が
停留することなく、光ファイバ心線１０７の製造が連続
的になされろ。The inner wall temperature of the tapered part 105 formed in the die 104 is set to be approximately equal to the melting point of the molten metal 102 in the middle of the tapered part 105, and the upstream side of this is heated above the melting point and the downstream side is heated to the melting point. is kept at a lower temperature than Since the viscosity of the molten metal 102 is approximately 5 cps or less regardless of its material, it behaves similar to water and flows into the die 104 under its own weight. Since the inner wall 1 degree of the tapered portion 105 is controlled to be lower toward the lower end, the molten metal 102 gradually begins to solidify at a point where the inner wall temperature of the die 104 is approximately equal to the melting point of the molten metal 102. If the core wire material 103 is fed downward in this state, a coated metal @ 106 is formed from the solidification start position of the molten metal 102, but since the surface of the coated metal 106 is in a solidified state, the coated metal is not deposited inside the die 104. 1
06 will never be full. Below this solidification start position, a gap is formed between the inner wall of the die 104 and the surface of the solidified coating metal 106, so no frictional force is generated between the inner wall of the die 104 and the coating metal 106. . Therefore, the coated optical fiber 107 can be manufactured continuously without the solidified coating metal 106 remaining in the die 104.
く実 施 例〉
本発明による金属被覆光ファイバ心線の製造方法を実現
し得る装置の概念を表す第１図に示すように、素線送出
８１１１から繰り出される光ファイバ素線１２は、本実
施例では外径が１２５マイクロメートルのシングルモー
ド伝送用光ファイバを紫外線硬化樹脂で形成された緩衝
層で外径を０゜４ミリメートルに成形したものであり、
途中で撚線機１３によりその緩衝層の外周に本実施例で
は１９５デニールのアラミド繊維を抗張力繊維１４とし
て六本螺旋状に巻き付け、この心線素材１５が金属溶融
炉１６に送り込まれる。この金属溶融炉１６にはヒータ
１７によって融点辺上に加熱された溶融金属１８が貯留
されている。Embodiment Example As shown in FIG. 1, which shows the concept of an apparatus capable of realizing the method for manufacturing a metal-coated optical fiber according to the present invention, the optical fiber strand 12 fed out from the strand delivery 8111 is as shown in FIG. In this example, a single mode transmission optical fiber with an outer diameter of 125 micrometers is molded to an outer diameter of 0°4 mm with a buffer layer made of ultraviolet curing resin.
On the way, six aramid fibers of 195 denier in this embodiment are spirally wound as tensile strength fibers 14 around the outer periphery of the buffer layer by a twisting machine 13, and this core wire material 15 is fed into a metal melting furnace 16. In this metal melting furnace 16, molten metal 18 heated to above its melting point by a heater 17 is stored.
この溶融金属として本実施例ではビスマス−錫−鉛から
なる融点が９５℃の低融点合金を用いており、金属溶融
炉１６は素材貫通孔１９を形成した蓋２０により内部が
密閉状態となっている。そして、この金属溶融炉１６内
は空気圧縮機２１によって例えば４気圧程度の加圧状態
に保持きれ、金属溶融炉１６の下端にダイスホルダ２２
と共に設けられたダイス２３の内壁と溶融金属１８との
１＠擦力を、圧縮空気の圧力分だけ減少させ、これによ
って溶融金属１８の被覆を円滑化させると共に製造速度
を高速化させている。前記ダイスホルダ２２にもヒータ
２４が組付けられ、ダイス２３内に圧送されて来る例え
ば１１０℃程′度の温度の溶融金属１８の溶融状態を゛
保持するようになっているが、ダイス２３の下端部には
冷却液恒温循環装置２５に接続する冷却チャンバ２６が
設けられ、心線素材１５の出口を含むダイス２３の下端
部を溶融金属１８の溶点よりも低温（例えば５０℃）に
保持するようになっている。本実施例では、入口の内径
が１ミリメートルで出口の内径が１．２ミリメートル、
長さが１５０ミリメートルに設定された工具鋼製のダイ
ス２３とこのダイス２３を通過して形成される光ファイ
バ心線２７の心線巻取機２８との間に更に第二の冷却液
恒温循環装置２９に接続する冷却チャンバ３０を設けて
おり、ダイス２３を通過直後の内部余熱を持った光ファ
イバ心線２７の被覆金属３１の結晶安定化を図り、その
強度を速やかに発現させるようにしている。In this embodiment, a low melting point alloy consisting of bismuth-tin-lead having a melting point of 95° C. is used as this molten metal, and the inside of the metal melting furnace 16 is sealed by a lid 20 in which a material through hole 19 is formed. There is. The inside of this metal melting furnace 16 is maintained at a pressurized state of, for example, about 4 atmospheres by an air compressor 21, and a die holder 22 is placed at the lower end of the metal melting furnace 16.
The frictional force between the inner wall of the die 23 and the molten metal 18 provided therewith is reduced by the pressure of the compressed air, thereby smoothing the coating of the molten metal 18 and increasing the production speed. A heater 24 is also attached to the die holder 22 to maintain the molten state of the molten metal 18, which is at a temperature of, for example, about 110° C., which is force-fed into the die 23. A cooling chamber 26 connected to a coolant constant temperature circulation device 25 is provided in the section to maintain the lower end of the die 23 including the outlet of the core wire material 15 at a temperature lower than the melting point of the molten metal 18 (for example, 50° C.). It looks like this. In this example, the inner diameter of the inlet is 1 mm, the inner diameter of the outlet is 1.2 mm,
A second coolant constant temperature circulation is further provided between a die 23 made of tool steel whose length is set to 150 mm and a wire winder 28 for the optical fiber core 27 formed by passing through the die 23. A cooling chamber 30 connected to the device 29 is provided to stabilize the crystals of the coated metal 31 of the optical fiber core 27, which has internal residual heat immediately after passing through the die 23, and to quickly develop its strength. There is.
ところで、ダイス２３の内壁をステンレス鋼や銅等の金
属で形成すると、これがダイス２３内に供給される溶融
金属１８との間に強い金属結合を生じるため、ダイス２
３の内壁を溶融金属１８との結合力や摩擦力の小さい材
料、例えばＰＴＦＥ （ポリ四弗化エチレン）やポリ三
弗化エチレン、ＰＦＡ （ベルフルオロアルフキシ弗素
樹脂）、ＦＥＰ （四弗化エチレン六弗化プロピレン共
重合体）等の弗素ス２３の内壁に対する溶融金属１８の
剥離性を向上させろことも有効である。By the way, when the inner wall of the die 23 is made of metal such as stainless steel or copper, a strong metal bond is formed between the inner wall of the die 23 and the molten metal 18 supplied into the die 23.
The inner wall of 3 is made of a material with low bonding force or frictional force with the molten metal 18, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), polytrifluoroethylene, PFA (perfluoroalpoxy fluororesin), or FEP (tetrafluoroethylene). It is also effective to improve the releasability of the molten metal 18 from the inner wall of the fluorine gas 23 such as propylene hexafluoride copolymer.
又、本実施例のようにｌｌ衝層の外周に抗張方縁維１４
を添設した心線素材１５を用いた場合、これら抗張力繊
維１４の微細なフィラメントに溶融金属１８が回り込み
、心線素材１５と溶融金属１８との接触面積が大きくな
ってこれらの密着性が良くなると共に高温下で劣化し易
い緩衝層に対してこれら抗張力繊維１４が断熱層として
作用するため、より一層良好な金属被覆を行うことがで
きろ。In addition, as in this embodiment, tensile fibers 14 are provided on the outer periphery of the ll stress layer.
When using the core wire material 15 with attached fibers, the molten metal 18 wraps around the fine filaments of these tensile strength fibers 14, and the contact area between the core wire material 15 and the molten metal 18 increases, improving their adhesion. At the same time, since these tensile strength fibers 14 act as a heat insulating layer for the buffer layer, which tends to deteriorate at high temperatures, even better metal coating can be achieved.
前記金属溶融炉１６及びダイスホルダ２２及び冷却チャ
ンバ２６及びダイス２３の下端部には、それぞれヒータ
１７，２４の温度及び冷却液恒温循環装置１２９からの
冷却液の流量を制御するための制御装置３２に接続する
サーミスタ等の温度検出センサ３３が組付けられ、光フ
ァイバ心線２７が連続して円滑に製造されるように配慮
している。At the lower ends of the metal melting furnace 16, the die holder 22, the cooling chamber 26, and the die 23, a control device 32 is provided to control the temperature of the heaters 17, 24 and the flow rate of the coolant from the coolant constant temperature circulation device 129, respectively. A temperature detection sensor 33 such as a thermistor to be connected is assembled so that the optical fiber core 27 can be manufactured continuously and smoothly.
この第１図に示す製造装置を用いて第２図に示す如き断
面構造の光ファイバ心線２７を連続的に５１センチメー
トル製造した。この光ファイバ心線２７の外径は１ミリ
メートルであり、図中の符号で３４は光ファイバ、３５
は緩衝層である。この光ファイバ心線２７では１．３マ
イクロメートルの波長の光（赤外線）に対して伝送損失
が０．４９ ｄＢ／ｋｍ ｔ、かなく、金属被覆前の心
線素材１５の伝送損失とほぼ同じであった。又、８００
気圧の高水圧下においても損失増が認められず、１気圧
の水素雰囲気での損失増加も認められないことから、気
密性が高い上に強度特性や水素遮断特性が良好である。Using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, 51 cm of optical fiber core wire 27 having a cross-sectional structure as shown in FIG. 2 was continuously manufactured. The outer diameter of this optical fiber core wire 27 is 1 mm, and in the figure, 34 is an optical fiber, and 35 is an optical fiber.
is a buffer layer. This optical fiber core 27 has a transmission loss of 0.49 dB/km t for light with a wavelength of 1.3 micrometers (infrared rays), which is almost the same as the transmission loss of the core fiber 15 before metal coating. Met. Also, 800
Since no increase in loss is observed even under high water pressure, and no increase in loss is observed in a hydrogen atmosphere of 1 atm, it has high airtightness and good strength and hydrogen barrier properties.
なお、内径が１ミリメートルで一定なダイスを用いた場
合には、空気圧縮＋１１２１にて６気圧の圧力を金属溶
融炉１６内に加えても、被覆金属３１はダイス内で固着
してしまい、光ファイバ心線２７を得ることはできなか
った。そこで、このダイスの出口温度を被覆金属３１の
融点近傍まで上昇させると、溶融金属１８がダイスの出
口から噴き出し、やはり光ファイバ心線２７を得ηこと
はできなかった。Note that if a die with a constant inner diameter of 1 mm is used, even if a pressure of 6 atmospheres is applied to the metal melting furnace 16 with air compression +1121, the coated metal 31 will stick inside the die and the light will not be visible. It was not possible to obtain the fiber core 27. Therefore, when the exit temperature of this die was raised to near the melting point of the coating metal 31, the molten metal 18 spouted out from the exit of the die, and the optical fiber core 27 could not be obtained.
上述した実施例では、抗張方縁＄＠ １４を撚った心線
素材１５としたが、必ずしも緩衝層３５の外周に抗張力
繊維１４を添設する必要はない。又、溶融金属炉１６と
してはクロスヘツド型のものを採用することも可能であ
り、溶融金属１８の加圧手段として本実施例の圧縮空気
以外に流体ポンプ等を使っても良い。In the above-described embodiment, the tensile strength fibers 14 are not necessarily attached to the outer periphery of the buffer layer 35, although the tensile strength fibers 14 are used as twisted core wire materials 15. Further, it is also possible to employ a crosshead type furnace as the molten metal furnace 16, and as a means for pressurizing the molten metal 18, a fluid pump or the like may be used in addition to the compressed air of this embodiment.
このような本発明の製造方法を実現し得る装置の他の一
実施例の概略構造を表す第３図に示すように、外周に緩
衝層を形成した心線素材３６が供給されろクロスヘツド
型の金属溶融炉３７には、プランジャポンプやギヤポン
プ等の流体ポンプ３８を介して溶融金属貯槽３９が連結
されており、この流体ポンプ３８の作動によって溶融金
属貯槽３９の溶融金属。As shown in FIG. 3, which shows the schematic structure of another embodiment of the apparatus capable of realizing the manufacturing method of the present invention, a core material 36 having a buffer layer formed on the outer periphery is supplied. A molten metal storage tank 39 is connected to the metal melting furnace 37 via a fluid pump 38 such as a plunger pump or a gear pump, and when the fluid pump 38 operates, the molten metal in the molten metal storage tank 39 is removed.
１８が金属溶融炉３８からダイス２３側に圧送され、光
ファイバ心線２７の製造速度を第１図に示したものより
高めることができる。18 is fed under pressure from the metal melting furnace 38 to the die 23 side, and the manufacturing speed of the optical fiber core 27 can be increased compared to that shown in FIG.
又、本実施例では一台の冷却液恒温循環装置４０にて二
つの冷却チャンバ２６．３０内に順に冷却液を循環させ
るようにしている。なお、図中で第１図に示した部材と
同一機能の部材には、これと同一の符号を記しである。Further, in this embodiment, a single coolant constant temperature circulation device 40 is used to sequentially circulate the coolant within the two cooling chambers 26 and 30. In the drawings, members having the same functions as those shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.
ダイス２３の構造として、これら二つの実施例では第５
図に示したものとほぼ同じものを採用したが、本発明に
よるダイスの断面構造の一例をそれぞれ表す第４図（ａ
ｌ 、 （ｂ） 、 （Ｃ）に示すように、テーパ部４
１をダイス２３の中央部に形成された貫通孔４２全体に
形成したり、或いは貫通孔４２の一部に形成することも
可能であり、テーパ部４１を円錐面以外の曲面で形成す
るようにしても良い。In these two embodiments, the structure of the die 23 is
Although almost the same die as shown in the figure was adopted, FIG.
As shown in 1, (b), and (C), the taper portion 4
1 can be formed in the entire through hole 42 formed in the center of the die 23, or can be formed in a part of the through hole 42, and the tapered part 41 can be formed with a curved surface other than a conical surface. It's okay.
上述した二つの実施例では−０の心線素材１５．３６を
金属溶融炉１６．３７側へ供給するようにしたが、多心
の心線素材にも本発明を応用することができる。又、製
造速度が多少遅くはなるが溶融金属１８を加圧せずにダ
イス２３側へ自重により供給しても何ら問題はない。更
に、これらの実施例を適宜組合せて別な構造のものを採
用することも当然可能である。In the two embodiments described above, the -0 core wire material 15.36 is supplied to the metal melting furnace 16.37 side, but the present invention can also be applied to a multi-core wire material. Furthermore, there is no problem in supplying the molten metal 18 to the die 23 by its own weight without applying pressure, although the production speed is somewhat slower. Furthermore, it is naturally possible to adopt a different structure by appropriately combining these embodiments.
〈発明の効果〉
本発明の金属被覆光ファイバ心線の製造方法によると、
緩衝層が形成された心線素材を溶融金属が供給されるテ
ーパ部を具えたダイスの貫通孔に通し、均一な薄肉の金
属被覆を緩衝層や光ファイバ素線等に損傷を与えろこと
なく密に成形するようにしたので、光ファイバ心線の外
径を細径化することが可能であり、強度特性に優れ且つ
伝送特性に影響を与えるような水素や水分等の不純分子
の透過を防止できる低損失な金属被覆光ファイバ心線を
容易に実現でき、光ファイバケーブル構造の簡易化及び
ケーブル価格の低廉化に大きく貢献できると共に広範囲
な環境下での使用が可能となる。又、連続作業性にも優
れていることから長大な長さを有する光ファイバ心線の
製造にも適している。更に、ダイスの温度を制御するこ
とによりダイス内における溶融金属の固化状態をｗｌ整
し、被覆金属の結晶状態が最適となるように被覆するこ
とが可能となり、高品質の金属被覆光ファイバ心線を製
造することが可能である。<Effects of the Invention> According to the method for manufacturing a metal coated optical fiber core wire of the present invention,
The core material on which the buffer layer has been formed is passed through the through hole of the die, which has a tapered part into which molten metal is supplied, and the uniform thin metal coating is tightly sealed without damaging the buffer layer or the optical fiber strands. This makes it possible to reduce the outer diameter of the optical fiber, which has excellent strength characteristics and prevents impurity molecules such as hydrogen and moisture from permeating, which would affect transmission characteristics. It is possible to easily realize a low-loss metal-coated optical fiber core, which can greatly contribute to simplifying the optical fiber cable structure and lowering the cable price, and can be used in a wide range of environments. Furthermore, since it has excellent continuous workability, it is also suitable for manufacturing optical fiber cores having a long length. Furthermore, by controlling the temperature of the die, it is possible to adjust the solidification state of the molten metal within the die and coat the coated metal so that the crystalline state is optimal, resulting in high-quality metal-coated optical fiber cores. It is possible to manufacture
第１図及び第３図は本発明による金属被覆光ファイバ心
線の製造方法をそれぞれ実現し得ろ被覆装置の概略構造
を表す製造概念図、第２図は第１図に示した装置によっ
て製造された光ファイバ心線の断面図、第４図（ａｌ〜
（Ｃ）は本発明によるダイスの一実施例の構造をそれぞ
れ表す断面図、第５図は本発明の製造原理を表す断面図
、第６図〜第８図は従来方法による金属被覆光ファイバ
心線のそれぞれ製造手順を表す製造概念図である。
又、図中の符号で１４は抗張力ｍ維、１５゜３６は心線
素材、１６．３７は金属溶融炉、１７゜２４．３９はヒ
ータ、１８は溶融金属、２３゜１０４はダイス、２５，
２９．４０は冷却液恒温循環装置、２６，３Ｑは冷却チ
ャンバ、２７は光ファイバ心線、３１は被覆金属、３２
は制御装置、３３は温度検出センサ、３５は緩衝層、４
１．１０５はテーパ部、４２は貫通孔である。1 and 3 are manufacturing conceptual diagrams showing the schematic structure of a coating device that can realize the manufacturing method of a metal-coated optical fiber according to the present invention, respectively, and FIG. A cross-sectional view of a coated optical fiber, FIG.
(C) is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an embodiment of the die according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the manufacturing principle of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 to 8 are metal-coated optical fiber cores manufactured by the conventional method. It is a manufacturing conceptual diagram showing the manufacturing procedure of each line. Also, in the figure, 14 is a tensile strength fiber, 15°36 is a core wire material, 16.37 is a metal melting furnace, 17°24.39 is a heater, 18 is a molten metal, 23°104 is a die, 25,
29.40 is a coolant constant temperature circulation device, 26, 3Q is a cooling chamber, 27 is an optical fiber core, 31 is a coated metal, 32
is a control device, 33 is a temperature detection sensor, 35 is a buffer layer, 4
1.105 is a tapered portion, and 42 is a through hole.
Claims (2)
溶融状態の金属を供給すると共に緩衝層が形成された心
線素材を前記ダイス内を通過させ、前記ダイスの内壁に
前記心線素材の通過方向側ほど大径となるテーパ部を形
成すると共にこのテーパ部の大径側を前記金属の融点よ
りも低温に保持し、前記金属を前記テーパ部の途中で凝
固させて前記心線素材の外周に前記金属を被覆するよう
にしたことを特徴とする金属被覆光ファイバ心線の製造
方法。(1) Supplying molten metal into a die that restricts the outer diameter dimension of the optical fiber core, and passing the core material on which the buffer layer has been formed through the die, and applying the core wire to the inner wall of the die. A tapered portion is formed whose diameter becomes larger toward the side in the direction in which the material passes, and the larger diameter side of the tapered portion is held at a temperature lower than the melting point of the metal, and the metal is solidified in the middle of the tapered portion to form the core wire. 1. A method of manufacturing a metal-coated optical fiber, characterized in that the outer periphery of the material is coated with the metal.
した心線素材が通過する貫通孔を具え、この貫通孔に前
記心線素材の通過方向側ほど大径となり且つ途中で前記
金属を凝固させるテーパ部を形成したことを特徴とする
金属被覆光ファイバ心線製造用ダイス。(2) A through-hole is provided through which the molten metal is supplied and the core wire material forming the buffer layer passes through, and the diameter of the through-hole increases toward the direction in which the core wire material passes, and the metal is inserted into the through-hole along the way. A die for manufacturing a metal-coated optical fiber core, characterized by forming a tapered part for solidification.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP62301535A JPH01145352A (en) | 1987-12-01 | 1987-12-01 | Production of optical fiber core covered with metal and dice therein |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP62301535A JPH01145352A (en) | 1987-12-01 | 1987-12-01 | Production of optical fiber core covered with metal and dice therein |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH01145352A true JPH01145352A (en) | 1989-06-07 |
Family
ID=17898103
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP62301535A Pending JPH01145352A (en) | 1987-12-01 | 1987-12-01 | Production of optical fiber core covered with metal and dice therein |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH01145352A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1143028A1 (en) * | 2000-04-04 | 2001-10-10 | Yazaki Corporation | Apparatus for continuous pressure infiltration of metal fiberbundles |
| GB2367562A (en) * | 2000-08-29 | 2002-04-10 | Yazaki Corp | Pressure infiltration apparatus |
-
1987
- 1987-12-01 JP JP62301535A patent/JPH01145352A/en active Pending
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1143028A1 (en) * | 2000-04-04 | 2001-10-10 | Yazaki Corporation | Apparatus for continuous pressure infiltration of metal fiberbundles |
| US6629557B2 (en) | 2000-04-04 | 2003-10-07 | Northeastern University | Method and apparatus for manufacturing composite materials |
| US6779589B2 (en) | 2000-04-04 | 2004-08-24 | Yazaki Corporation | Method for the production of inorganic fiber-reinforced metal matrix composite wires |
| GB2367562A (en) * | 2000-08-29 | 2002-04-10 | Yazaki Corp | Pressure infiltration apparatus |
| GB2367562B (en) * | 2000-08-29 | 2002-11-13 | Yazaki Corp | Pressure infiltrating apparatus for infiltrating fiber bundle with metal |
| US6660088B2 (en) | 2000-08-29 | 2003-12-09 | Yazaki Corporation | Pressure infiltrating apparatus for infiltrating fiber bundle with metal |
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