JPS59166902A - Method and apparatus for manufacturing optical fiber cable element - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for manufacturing optical fiber cable elementInfo
- Publication number
- JPS59166902A JPS59166902A JP59032761A JP3276184A JPS59166902A JP S59166902 A JPS59166902 A JP S59166902A JP 59032761 A JP59032761 A JP 59032761A JP 3276184 A JP3276184 A JP 3276184A JP S59166902 A JPS59166902 A JP S59166902A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- optical cable
- cable element
- envelope
- drum
- optical fiber
- 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
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 title claims description 55
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 33
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 24
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 66
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 38
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 26
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 claims description 26
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000005496 tempering Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 10
- 230000002427 irreversible effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001747 exhibiting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010924 continuous production Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000131 polyvinylidene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011160 research Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008054 signal transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002277 temperature effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013519 translation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
- B29D11/00—Producing optical elements, e.g. lenses or prisms
- B29D11/00663—Production of light guides
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/06—Rod-shaped
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C48/88—Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling
- B29C48/885—External treatment, e.g. by using air rings for cooling tubular films
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C48/88—Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling
- B29C48/91—Heating, e.g. for cross linking
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C48/88—Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling
- B29C48/919—Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling using a bath, e.g. extruding into an open bath to coagulate or cool the material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C53/00—Shaping by bending, folding, twisting, straightening or flattening; Apparatus therefor
- B29C53/02—Bending or folding
- B29C53/12—Bending or folding helically, e.g. for making springs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
- B29C71/02—Thermal after-treatment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
- B29D11/00—Producing optical elements, e.g. lenses or prisms
- B29D11/00865—Applying coatings; tinting; colouring
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4479—Manufacturing methods of optical cables
- G02B6/4484—Manufacturing methods of optical cables with desired surplus length between fibres and protection features
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/05—Filamentary, e.g. strands
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2011/00—Optical elements, e.g. lenses, prisms
- B29L2011/0075—Light guides, optical cables
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Optical Fibers, Optical Fiber Cores, And Optical Fiber Bundles (AREA)
Abstract
(57)【要約】本公報は電子出願前の出願データであるた
め要約のデータは記録されません。(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
本発明は、光ケーブル素子の製造に当り、１本又は複数
本の光ファイバの周りに高い温度において合成樹脂外囲
体を押出し、次いで光ケーブル素子を冷却し、リール上
に巻装する光ケーブル素子の製造方法及びこの方法を実
施するための装置に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In manufacturing an optical cable element, the present invention involves extruding a synthetic resin envelope around one or more optical fibers at high temperature, then cooling the optical cable element and placing it on a reel. The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical cable element to be wrapped and an apparatus for carrying out the method.
かかる方法は西ドイツ公開特許公報第８１１１９６８号
から既知である。この既知の方法では、光ファイバの周
りにゆるい合成樹脂外囲体（コーティング）の押出しを
行った後、外囲体を常温より高い温度まで冷却し、この
温度において光ケーブル素子を巻装する。光ケーブル素
子の巻装に当り光ファイバに制動力を作用させる。従っ
て光ファイバは外囲体内に最小曲率半径で配置される。Such a method is known from DE 81 11 968 A1. In this known method, a loose synthetic resin envelope (coating) is extruded around the optical fiber, after which the envelope is cooled to a temperature above room temperature, and at this temperature the optical cable element is wound. A braking force is applied to the optical fiber when winding the optical cable element. The optical fiber is therefore placed within the envelope with a minimum radius of curvature.
従って光ファイバは外囲体に対しアンダーレングス（ｕ
ｎｄｅｒｌｅｎｇｔｈ ） ヲ有スル。Therefore, the optical fiber has an underlength (u
nderlength) Yes.
次いで光ケーブル素子を更に常温まで冷却する。Next, the optical cable element is further cooled to room temperature.
外囲体の熱収縮の結果、光ファインこの長さが外囲体の
長さに対し増大する。従って、外囲体の収縮の度合を決
定し調整することにより光フアイバ対外囲体の相対長さ
を決定し調整することができる。As a result of thermal contraction of the envelope, the length of the optical fine increases relative to the length of the envelope. Thus, by determining and adjusting the degree of shrinkage of the envelope, the relative length of the optical fiber to the envelope can be determined and adjusted.
その結果、例えば、先に調整したアンダーレングスを補
正するか又は過度に補正して、オーバーレングス（ｏｖ
ｅｒｌｅｎｇｔｈ ）を呈する光ファイバを有する光ケ
ーブル素子を得ることができる。As a result, for example, the previously adjusted underlength may be corrected or overcorrected to create an overlength (ov).
It is possible to obtain an optical cable element having an optical fiber exhibiting
光ケ−７”ル素子の光伝送特性は光ファイバのオーバー
レングス、従って光フアイバ外囲体の可逆膨張及び収縮
範囲に著しく依存することが既知である。例えば、オー
バー−レングスが過大である場合には、光ファイバは外
囲体の小さい収縮において既に外囲体の内壁に押しつけ
られ、その結果ダンピングがかなり増大する。オーバー
レングスが過小である場合には、外囲体の膨張において
同じ問題が起る。はぼ一定の光学比が生じる外囲体の膨
張及び収縮範囲も調整されたオーバーレングスによって
決まる。従って、光フアイバ素子の製造後、調整された
オーバーレングスができるだけ維持されるようにする必
要が、ある。It is known that the optical transmission properties of optical cable devices are significantly dependent on the overlength of the optical fiber and therefore on the reversible expansion and contraction range of the optical fiber envelope. For example, if the overlength is too large, In , the optical fiber is pressed against the inner wall of the envelope already in a small contraction of the envelope, resulting in a considerable increase in damping.If the overlength is too small, the same problem occurs in expansion of the envelope. The range of expansion and contraction of the envelope over which an approximately constant optical ratio occurs is also determined by the adjusted overlength.Therefore, after manufacturing the optical fiber element, the adjusted overlength should be maintained as much as possible. There is a need.
オーバーレングスを調整するため外囲体を常温まで冷却
する際可逆熱収縮を使用した光ケーブル素子においては
、実際上この要件を満足することができないことを見出
した。特に、光ケーブル素子の製造後光ケーブル素子が
、例えば、別の処理過程において、比較的高温に露され
る場合、又は野外での貯蔵に当り太陽による強い放射線
を受ける場合に、この要件を満足することができないこ
とを見出した。温度による影響の結果として、光ケーブ
ル素子の光ファイバのオーバーレングスが、最初に調整
されたオーバーレングスに比べ変化する。温度が低°下
した場合この変化は十分に補正されず、従って光伝送特
性の変化が制御可能な範囲を超えてしまう。It has been found that this requirement cannot be practically satisfied in an optical cable element that uses reversible thermal shrinkage when cooling the envelope to room temperature in order to adjust the overlength. This requirement must be met in particular if the optical cable element after its manufacture is exposed to relatively high temperatures, for example in another processing step, or if it is exposed to strong radiation from the sun during outdoor storage. I found out that it is not possible. As a result of temperature effects, the overlength of the optical fiber of the optical cable element changes compared to the originally adjusted overlength. When the temperature decreases, this change is not sufficiently compensated for, and the change in the optical transmission characteristics therefore exceeds a controllable range.
本発明の目的は、上記欠点が生ぜず、かつ光ファイバの
調整されたオーバーレングスが維持される元ケーブル素
子の製造方法を提供するにある。The object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a pre-cable element in which the above-mentioned disadvantages do not occur and in which a controlled overlength of the optical fiber is maintained.
かかる目的を達成するため本発明の製造方法は、冷却後
、光ケーブル素子を再び加熱し、ある時間にわたり加熱
温度において蓄積しく焼戻し）、最後に常温まで冷却す
ることを特徴とする。To achieve this object, the manufacturing method of the present invention is characterized in that after cooling, the optical cable element is heated again, cumulatively tempered at the heating temperature for a certain period of time, and finally cooled to room temperature.
本発明の基礎となる研究から、熱膨張及び収縮の可逆過
程は非可逆収縮と関連していることを見出し、以下この
非可逆収縮を縮み又は縮み過程と称する。この縮みは時
間の経過と共に起る容積及び長さの非可逆減少と考える
必要がある。本発明による熱処理の結果縮み過程はかな
り加速される。From the research on which the present invention is based, it has been found that the reversible processes of thermal expansion and contraction are associated with irreversible contraction, and hereinafter this irreversible contraction will be referred to as shrinkage or shrinkage process. This shrinkage must be considered as an irreversible decrease in volume and length that occurs over time. As a result of the heat treatment according to the invention, the shrinkage process is considerably accelerated.
縮み過程は本発明による熱処理の際に全て完了するか又
はその大部分が完了する。The shrinkage process is completely or largely completed during the heat treatment according to the invention.
本発明の方法は、その合成樹脂外囲体が光ファイバと係
合する光ケーブル素子の製造において使用することがで
きる。その利点は、時間の経過に際し外囲体の制御不可
能な縮みが起らず、従って光ファイバが、外囲体によっ
て制御不可能な態様で圧力負荷を受けることが最早やな
くなることである。The method of the invention can be used in the manufacture of optical cable elements whose synthetic resin envelope engages optical fibers. The advantage is that no uncontrollable shrinkage of the envelope occurs over time, so that the optical fiber is no longer subjected to pressure stress in an uncontrollable manner by the envelope.
本発明は光ファイバの周りにゆるい合成樹脂外囲体（コ
ーティング）を備える光ケーブル素子の製造に使用する
と好適である。この場合、熱処理の際に生ずる外囲体の
縮みを用いて外囲体における光ファイバのオーツく−レ
ングスを発生させる。The present invention is suitable for use in the manufacture of optical cable elements comprising a loose synthetic resin envelope (coating) around an optical fiber. In this case, the shrinkage of the envelope that occurs during the heat treatment is used to generate an automatic length of the optical fiber in the envelope.
本発明のこの実施例では、ゆるｌ／Ｘ合成樹脂外囲体を
高い温度において押出し、光ケーブル素子を冷却及び巻
装し、その際前記外囲体に対する光ファイバの初期位置
を固定し、巻装した光ケーブル素子をある時間にわたり
加熱湿度において加熱及び蓄積し、最後に冷却肱縮みの
結果前記外囲体における光ファイバのオーツ（−レング
ス力（得られるようにする０
従って縮み過程は光ケーブル素子における光ファイバの
オーバーレングスの調整Ｇこ使用するコトができる。例
えば、光ファイノくのアンダーレングススの如き、外囲
体内での光ファイノくの初期位置の調整後、所望のオー
バーレングスが調整されるまで外囲体は縮む。生ずるオ
ーツく−レンク°スの値Ｇま後述するように種々の７マ
ラメータ、例え心よ、焼戻しく加熱温度における蓄積）
時間、押出し直後の外囲体の冷却速度、光ファイノく及
び外囲体の間の初期位置等に依存している。In this embodiment of the invention, a loose l/X synthetic resin envelope is extruded at high temperature, the optical cable element is cooled and wrapped, while the initial position of the optical fiber relative to said envelope is fixed, and the The fiber optic cable element is heated and accumulated for a certain period of time in a heating humidity, and finally the shrinkage of the optical fiber in the envelope results in an oat (-length force) of the optical fiber in the envelope. Adjusting the overlength of the fiber can be used. For example, after adjusting the initial position of the optical fiber within the envelope, such as the underlength of the optical fiber, it is possible to adjust the overlength of the fiber until the desired overlength is adjusted. The envelope shrinks.The resulting oat-length value G (accumulates at different heating temperatures, e.g., tempering), as will be explained later.
It depends on the time, the cooling rate of the envelope immediately after extrusion, the initial position between the optical fiber and the envelope, etc.
本発明方法は、新たな一層高い温度の影響のため、縮み
過程の終了後外囲体の長さの大きし）非可逆変化がほぼ
生じなくなるという利点を有する。The method according to the invention has the advantage that, due to the influence of the new higher temperature, almost no irreversible changes in the length of the envelope occur after the end of the shrinkage process.
従って、種々の外囲体材料との実験から明らかＧこなっ
たように、調整されたオーツく−レンク゛スの制御不可
能、非可逆変化は最早や起らなくなる。Therefore, uncontrollable, irreversible changes in the adjusted auto-length can no longer occur, as has been evident from experiments with various envelope materials.
更に本発明方法の他の実施例では、加熱温度を合成樹脂
の軟化温度より僅かに低く選定する。合成樹脂は、比較
的大きい縮み比を有するので比較的大きいオーバーレン
グスを調整できるとｌ／八う利点を有する。合成樹脂の
軟化温度より僅かに低い加熱温度を選択することにより
縮み過程もほぼ完全に行われ、従って調整されたオーバ
ーレングスは最早や非可逆変化を呈しなくなる。In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the heating temperature is selected to be slightly lower than the softening temperature of the synthetic resin. Since synthetic resin has a relatively large shrinkage ratio, it has the advantage of being able to adjust a relatively large overlength. By selecting a heating temperature slightly below the softening temperature of the synthetic resin, the shrinkage process also takes place almost completely, so that the adjusted overlength no longer exhibits irreversible changes.
本発明方法の変形例では、外囲体内の光ファイバの初期
位置を調整するため光ファイ／く及び外囲体の間の摩擦
を適切に大きく選定して、アンダーレングスを呈するこ
と無く光ファイバを巻装するようにする。これは、光フ
ァイバが外囲体のほぼ中心に延在することを意味する。In a variant of the method of the invention, the friction between the optical fiber and the envelope is selected to be suitably large in order to adjust the initial position of the optical fiber within the envelope, so that the optical fiber can be grown without exhibiting underlength. Make sure to wrap it. This means that the optical fiber extends approximately to the center of the envelope.
光ファイノく及び外囲体の間のこのように規定された初
期位置は、外囲体の既知の縮み動作を介して所望のオー
バーレングスを調整できるようにするために必要である
。This defined initial position between the optical fiber and the envelope is necessary in order to be able to adjust the desired overlength via a known contraction movement of the envelope.
本発明方法の他の変形例では、初期位置を調整するため
、光ファイバ及び外囲体の間の摩擦を小さく選定する。In another variant of the method according to the invention, the friction between the optical fiber and the envelope is selected to be low in order to adjust the initial position.
光ケーブル素子の巻装に当り光ファイバの制動作用のた
め光ファイバは外囲体内に最小曲率で配置される。かか
る初期位置を調整するため、巻装に当り光ファイバを膨
張させることもできる。これら両方の方法は、初期位置
において光ファイバのアンダーレングスが実現されるの
で、オーバーレングスを調整するための変化範囲がかな
り増大する。During winding of the optical cable element, the optical fiber is arranged within the envelope with a minimum curvature for the purpose of braking the optical fiber. In order to adjust this initial position, the optical fiber can be expanded during winding. Both of these methods result in an underlength of the optical fiber in the initial position, which considerably increases the range of variation for adjusting the overlength.
本発明方法の他の変形例では、外井体の押出し後光ケー
ブル素子を小さい冷却速度だけにおいて冷却する。In another variant of the method according to the invention, after extrusion of the outer well body, the optical cable element is cooled only at a low cooling rate.
実際上、縮み過程は、外囲体の押出しに際しても既に部
分的に始ることを見出した。この押出しに際しての縮み
は、押出し後の光ケーブル素子の冷却速度が小さくなる
程大きくなる。従って、光ケーブル素子を緩慢に冷却す
ることにより、その後の加熱及び焼戻し処理において外
囲体の比較的小さい縮み、従って光ケーブル素子の長さ
の小さい変化しか起らない。これにより、押出し後光ケ
ーブル素子の他の処理が容易になる０更に、押出し後の
冷却速度を変えることにより、全体の縮みを調整するた
めの別のパラメータが得られる。In fact, it has been found that the shrinkage process partially begins even during extrusion of the envelope. This shrinkage during extrusion increases as the cooling rate of the optical cable element after extrusion decreases. Therefore, by slowly cooling the optical cable element, only a relatively small shrinkage of the envelope and therefore a small change in the length of the optical cable element occurs during subsequent heating and tempering treatments. This facilitates other processing of the optical cable element after extrusion.Furthermore, varying the cooling rate after extrusion provides another parameter for adjusting the overall shrinkage.
加熱及び焼戻しするため、光ケーブル素子を所望加熱温
度を有する加熱区域に導入して、再現可能な縮みを得る
ことができる。For heating and tempering, the optical cable element can be introduced into a heating zone with a desired heating temperature to obtain a reproducible shrinkage.
後続して調整される焼戻し時間は数時間の範囲が好適で
あり、この時間にすべての縮み過程は完全に終了する。The subsequently adjusted tempering time is preferably in the range of several hours, during which time all shrinkage processes have completely ended.
本発明方法の他の変形例では、光ケーブル素子をドラム
上に巻装し、該ドラムをその軸方向に加熱区域を経て移
動する。従ってこの変形例によれば中断されない連続的
製造方法が得られる。In another variant of the inventive method, the optical cable elements are wound onto a drum and the drum is moved in its axial direction through the heating zone. This variant thus provides an uninterrupted continuous manufacturing process.
実験の結果、本発明による加熱及び焼戻し過程を通常の
押出し過程と直接組合せることはできないことを見出し
た。押出し過程においては通常の製造速度は典型的には
数メートル７分から始る範凹円にある。加熱及び焼戻し
に利用できる時間は過度に短いので縮みは完了し得ない
Ｏ
しかし、最後に述べた変形例によれば、光ケーブル素子
の加熱及び焼戻しに利用できる時間を、通常の押出し及
び製造速度と組合せそかなり延長することができる。こ
れは、押出し及び冷却後光ケーブル素子の速度を、光ケ
ーブル素子を巻装したドラムを介して減速することによ
り達成される。As a result of experiments, it was found that the heating and tempering process according to the invention cannot be directly combined with the conventional extrusion process. In extrusion processes, normal production speeds are typically in the range starting from a few meters. However, according to the last mentioned variant, the time available for heating and tempering the optical cable element is too short to complete the shrinkage. The combination can be extended considerably. This is achieved by reducing the speed of the optical cable element after extrusion and cooling through the drum around which the optical cable element is wound.
この目的のためドラムを、加熱区域を通るドラム軸の方
向において移動し、加熱区域の長さを適切に選定して、
所定の製造速度、ドラム及び光ケーブル素子の寸法にお
いて、できるだけ完全な縮みを得るために必要な加熱及
び焼戻し時間が得られるようにする。光ケーブル素子の
後の冷却処理における縮み過程はドラム自体の上で行わ
れるからドラムを半径方向にたわみ得る如く構成して、
外囲体の収縮のための十分なスペースを得ることができ
、完全な縮みを達成できるようにすると好適である。ド
ラムをその長手方向に連続的に移動してドラム上の光ケ
ーブル素子の巻回部が互に一様に並置されるようにする
と好適である。For this purpose, the drum is moved in the direction of the drum axis passing through the heating zone, the length of the heating zone being selected appropriately,
At a given manufacturing speed and dimensions of the drum and optical cable elements, the necessary heating and tempering time is ensured to obtain as complete a shrinkage as possible. Since the shrinkage process in the subsequent cooling process of the optical cable element takes place on the drum itself, the drum is configured to be flexible in the radial direction.
Preferably, sufficient space for contraction of the envelope is available and complete contraction can be achieved. Preferably, the drum is moved continuously in its longitudinal direction so that the windings of the optical cable elements on the drum are uniformly juxtaposed to one another.
連続的製造に好適な方法の実施に使用するため本発明の
装置は、光ファイバのための少なくとも１個の蓄積リー
ルと、光ファイバの周りに合成樹脂外囲体を押良す押出
し装置と、押出された外囲体を冷却する冷却浴と、光ケ
ーブル素子を巻装するドラムと、加熱炉とを備え、ドラ
ムを加熱炉を経て軸方向に移動できるよう構成したこと
を特徴とする〇
次に、図面につき本発明の詳細な説明する。The apparatus of the invention for use in carrying out a method suitable for continuous manufacturing comprises: at least one storage reel for the optical fiber; an extrusion device for pressing a synthetic resin envelope around the optical fiber; It is characterized by comprising a cooling bath for cooling the extruded envelope, a drum for winding the optical cable element, and a heating furnace, and configured so that the drum can be moved in the axial direction through the heating furnace. , a detailed description of the invention is provided with reference to the drawings.
第１図は合成樹脂の外囲体を有する光信号゛伝送用光ケ
ーブル素子の製造装置を示す。この装置は外囲体を施す
べき光ファイバ２を巻装する蓄積リールｌを備えている
。光ファイバ２は押出し装置３を介して案内し、この押
出し装置は合成樹脂粉末４を充填した容器５から合成樹
脂粉末を供給されて、光ファイバに合成樹脂のゆるい外
囲体６を配設する（第２図参照）。また合成樹脂の外囲
体に数本の光ケーブル２を配置できること勿論である。FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for manufacturing an optical cable element for optical signal transmission having a synthetic resin outer shell. The device comprises a storage reel l on which the optical fiber 2 to be coated is wound. The optical fiber 2 is guided through an extrusion device 3, which is supplied with synthetic resin powder from a container 5 filled with synthetic resin powder 4 and provides the optical fiber with a loose outer envelope 6 of synthetic resin. (See Figure 2). Moreover, it is of course possible to arrange several optical cables 2 in the synthetic resin envelope.
外囲体６を形成すべき０合成樹脂は、例えば、部分的結
晶質熱可塑性剤、例えば、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレ
ン、ポリウレタン、ポリぶつ化ビニリデン又は非晶質合
成樹脂、例えばポリ塩化ビニルとする。次いで、光ファ
イバ２と、例えば光学特性を改善するためその内部にゲ
ルを適宜包含できる合成樹脂外囲体６とを備える光ケー
ブル素子７を冷却部８に供給して緩慢に冷却する０冷却
部８は、例えば、その長さを変化できる温度制御水浴と
することができる。The synthetic resin to form the envelope 6 is, for example, a partially crystalline thermoplastic, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinylidene butt, or an amorphous synthetic resin, such as polyvinyl chloride. Next, the optical cable element 7 comprising the optical fiber 2 and a synthetic resin envelope 6 in which gel can be suitably contained in order to improve the optical properties, for example, is supplied to the cooling section 8 and cooled slowly. can be, for example, a temperature-controlled water bath whose length can be varied.
次いで光ケーブル素子７を例えば案内ローダ１１を介し
て（蓄積）ドラム９上に巻装し、更にこのドラムをドラ
ム軸１２の方向に連続的に移動させる。ドラム９は加熱
炉１３内を低速で移動させて、ドラム９上に巻装した光
ケーブル素子７の焼戻しを行う。The optical cable element 7 is then wound onto a (storage) drum 9, for example via a guide loader 11, and this drum is then moved continuously in the direction of the drum axis 12. The drum 9 is moved at a low speed in the heating furnace 13 to temper the optical cable element 7 wound on the drum 9.
光ケーブル素子７をドラム９上に巻装するに当り、例え
ば、まず光ファイバ２における制動力を適切に高く選定
してこの制動力が押出し装置３及びドラム９の間の全長
にわたり光ファイバ２及び外囲体６の間の内部摩擦に打
勝ち、従って光ケーブル素子７を巻装するに当り光ファ
イノく２が外囲体６の内壁と係合するようにし、これを
第２図（こ示す。かかる態様において光ファイバ２の長
さは、特にドラム９の直径１０によっても決まりかつ１
パーセントまでの値にすることができる外囲体６に対し
アンダーレングスを得る０かかる態様において光ファイ
バ２及び外囲体６の間のある初期位置が固定され、これ
は光ファイバ２を有する光ケーブル素子７を規定された
再現可能なオーバーレングスと共に製造するために避け
ることができないものである。When winding the optical cable element 7 onto the drum 9, for example, first, the braking force on the optical fiber 2 is selected to be appropriately high, and this braking force is applied to the optical fiber 2 and the outside over the entire length between the extrusion device 3 and the drum 9. The internal friction between the enclosures 6 is overcome, so that during winding of the optical cable element 7 the optical fibers 2 engage the inner wall of the enclosure 6, as shown in FIG. In an embodiment, the length of the optical fiber 2 is also determined by the diameter 10 of the drum 9 and 1
In such an embodiment a certain initial position between the optical fiber 2 and the envelope 6 is fixed, which means that the optical cable element with the optical fiber 2 7 with defined and reproducible overlengths.
次いで、外囲体６に対し光ファイバ２の所望のオーバー
レングスを調整するための外囲体６の縮み過程を、加熱
炉１８における光ケーブル素子７の焼戻しによって導入
する。この加熱炉は合成樹脂の軟化温度より僅かに低い
加熱温度を有する。Next, a shrinking process of the outer envelope 6 for adjusting the desired overlength of the optical fiber 2 with respect to the outer envelope 6 is introduced by tempering the optical cable element 7 in the heating furnace 18 . This heating furnace has a heating temperature slightly lower than the softening temperature of the synthetic resin.
蓄積リール１から引出した光ファイバ２の速度ｖ０にお
ける並進運動をドラム９を介してかなり遅い速度ｖ２の
運動に変換する０
例えば、１０ｔｎ／分の押、出し速度Ｖ□、外囲体６の
外径１．５闘及びドラム９の直径３Ｑｃｍにおいてはド
ラム９に対しＩ Ｑ ｒｐｍの回転速度が得られる一方
、ドラム軸１２の方向におけるドラム９の速度■２は少
なくとも１５ ” ７分の値が得られる。The translational motion of the optical fiber 2 pulled out from the storage reel 1 at a speed v0 is converted through the drum 9 into a motion at a considerably slower speed v2. With a diameter of 1.5 mm and a diameter of 3 Q cm for the drum 9, a rotational speed of I Q rpm is obtained for the drum 9, while a speed of the drum 9 in the direction of the drum axis 12 of at least 15''7 is obtained. It will be done.
長さ５．４０ ｔｎの加熱炉１３の加熱区域ｌにおいて
６時間の焼戻し時間が必要になり、その場合ドラム９を
一層長くできること勿論である。従って並進速度Ｖ□は
比１：６６６にて減速される。かなり速い押出し速度■
□においても、外囲体材料の相対的に完全な縮みを・達
成できる焼戻し時間を依然として実現することができる
。従って、典型的な押出し速度■、を比１：１００乃至
約１ ： １０００に減速することができる。A tempering time of 6 hours is required in the heating section l of the heating furnace 13 with a length of 5.40 tn, in which case it is of course possible to make the drum 9 even longer. Therefore, the translation speed V□ is reduced by a ratio of 1:666. Fairly fast extrusion speed■
Even in □, it is still possible to achieve a tempering time that allows relatively complete shrinkage of the envelope material to be achieved. Thus, typical extrusion speeds, 1, can be reduced to a ratio of 1:100 to about 1:1000.
焼戻しによって導入される縮み過程も完全に行われるよ
うにするため、ドラム９の外側に圧縮可能材料例えば発
泡材料の層１４を設けて、外囲体の収縮の結果ドラム９
上の光ケーブル素子が不足した場合十分なスペースが維
持されるようにする。In order to ensure that the shrinkage process introduced by tempering is also complete, a layer 14 of compressible material, e.g.
To ensure that sufficient space is maintained in case of shortage of optical cable elements above.
第８図に示した他の好適な実施例では他の弾性層１５例
えば発泡材料層を光ケーブル素子７の個々の屡の間に配
置して、下側の光ケーブル素子７の外囲体が上側の光ケ
ーブル素子と同一態様で縮むにとができるようにする。In another preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 8, another elastic layer 15, for example a layer of foam material, is arranged between the individual layers of the optical cable elements 7, so that the outer envelope of the lower optical cable element 7 is similar to that of the upper optical cable element 7. To be able to shrink in the same manner as the optical cable element.
焼戻し過程後、光ケーブル素子７を、例えば、ドラＩム
９を加熱場所から除去することにより常温まで冷却する
。その場合に起る外囲体６の非可逆的不足に起因して、
先に調整したアンダーレングスが補正されるか又は過度
に補正されるので、光ファイバ２のオーバーレングスが
調整される。当該合成樹脂の軟化温度の近辺において焼
戻しを行う結果、後続の温度負荷の場合、例えば、被覆
構造にする場合、合成樹脂外囲体６の長さのそれ以上の
非可逆変化が最早や起り得なくなるので、例えば、ケー
ブルに対する所望のオーバーレングスの値を再現可能な
る如く調整することができる。After the tempering process, the optical cable element 7 is cooled to room temperature, for example by removing the drum I from the heating location. Due to the irreversible shortage of the outer envelope 6 that occurs in that case,
Since the previously adjusted underlength is corrected or overcorrected, the overlength of the optical fiber 2 is adjusted. As a result of tempering in the vicinity of the softening temperature of the synthetic resin, a further irreversible change in the length of the synthetic resin envelope 6 is no longer possible in the case of subsequent temperature loads, for example in the case of a covering structure. For example, the desired overlength value for the cable can be reproducibly adjusted.
例えば、空心ケーブル（ａｉｒ ｃａｂｌｅ ）におけ
る膨張可能ケーブル・コアに対しては大きいオーバーレ
ングスが必要になる。しかし、加熱温度を合成樹脂の軟
化温度より僅かに低くすることもできる。For example, large overlengths are required for expandable cable cores in air cables. However, the heating temperature can also be slightly lower than the softening temperature of the synthetic resin.
しかし、この場合には、光ケーブル素子を後で、再び前
記湿度より高い温度に加熱することがないようにする必
要がある。いずれにしても加熱温度を適切に高くして焼
戻しにより外囲体６の非可逆縮み過程が導入されるよう
にする必要がある。However, in this case, it is necessary to prevent the optical cable element from being heated to a temperature higher than the humidity level again later. In any case, it is necessary to appropriately raise the heating temperature so that an irreversible shrinkage process of the outer envelope 6 is introduced by tempering.
従って上述した方法及び装置によれば、所望のオーバー
レングスの値、特に空心ケーブルにおける膨張可能ケー
ブル・コアに対し約１％という比較的大きい値も、連続
過程即ち中断を伴なわない過程において高い製造速度■
、で製造することができる。According to the method and apparatus described above, therefore, the desired overlength values, especially relatively large values of about 1% for the expandable cable core in air-core cables, can also be achieved in a continuous process, i.e. without interruption, with high productivity. Speed■
, can be manufactured by.
第１図は中断されない（連続）製造過程において、規定
されたオーバーレングスで光ケーブル素子を製造する装
置の一例を示す路線図、第２図はドラムに単層状に巻装
した光ケーブル・素子の一例を示す断面図、
第８図はドラム上に多層状に巻装した光ケーブル素子の
一例を示す断面図である。
工・・・蓄積リール ２・・・光ファイバａ・・
・押出し装置 ４・・・合成樹脂粉末５・・・容
器 ６・・・外囲体７・°・光ケーブル素
子 ８・・・冷却部９・・・ドラム １
１・・・案内ローラ１２・・・ドラム軸 １３
・・・加熱炉１４・・・圧縮可能材料層
１５・・・弾性層。
ｅ−許ｍ願人 エヌ・ベー・フィリップス・フルーイ
ランペンファブリケンFigure 1 is a route diagram showing an example of a device that manufactures optical cable elements with a specified overlength in an uninterrupted (continuous) manufacturing process, and Figure 2 is an example of an optical cable/element wound in a single layer around a drum. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an optical cable element wound in multiple layers on a drum. Engineering...Accumulation reel 2...Optical fiber a...
・Extrusion device 4...Synthetic resin powder 5...Container 6...Outer enclosure 7・°・Optical cable element 8...Cooling section 9...Drum 1
1... Guide roller 12... Drum shaft 13
... Heating furnace 14 ... Compressible material layer 15 ... Elastic layer. e-Permission Requester N.B.Philips Fluiranpenfabriken
Claims (1)
ファイバの周りに高い温度において合成樹脂外囲体を押
出し、次いで光ケーブル業子を冷却し、リール上に巻装
する光ケープ□ ル素子の製造方法において、冷
却後、光ケーブル素子を再び加熱し、ある時間にわたり
加熱温度において蓄積しく焼戻し）、最後に常温まで冷
却することを特徴とする光ケーブル素子の製造方法。 ス ゆるい合成樹脂外囲体を高い温度において押出し、
光ケーブル素子を冷却及び巻装し、その際前記外囲体に
対する光ファイバの初期位置を固定し、巻装した光ケー
ブル素子をある時間にわたり加熱温度において加熱及び
蓄積し・最後に冷却し、縮みの結果前記外囲体における
光ファイバのオーバーレングスが得られる特許請求の範
囲第１項記載の製造方法。 ８、 加熱温度が合成樹脂の軟化温度より僅かに低い特
許請求の範囲第１又は２項記載の製造方法。 ４、 光ケーブル素子をドラム上に巻５、襞し、該ドラ
ムをその軸方向に加熱区域を特徴とする特許請求の範囲
第２又は３項記載の製造方法。 ５ 特許請求の範囲第４項記載の製造方法を実施するた
め、光ファイバのための少なくとも１個の蓄積リールと
、光ファイバの周りに合成樹脂外囲体を押出す押出し装
置と、押出された外囲体を冷却する冷却浴と、光ケーブ
ル素子を巻装するドラムと、加熱炉とを備え、ドラムを
加熱炉を経て軸方向に移動できるよう構成したことを特
徴とする光ケーブル素子製造装置。 ａ ドラムの外側に圧縮可能材料の層を備える特許請求
の範囲第５項記載の製造装置。 ７、 圧縮可能材料の層を、ドラム上に巻装した光ケー
ブル素子の種々、の層の間に配設する特許請求の範囲第
５又は６項記載の製造装置。[Claims] 1. In manufacturing an optical cable element, a synthetic resin envelope is extruded around one or more optical fibers at high temperature, then the optical cable element is cooled and wound onto a reel. □ A method for manufacturing an optical cable element, which comprises heating the optical cable element again after cooling, accumulatively tempering it at the heating temperature for a certain period of time, and finally cooling it to room temperature. Extruding a loose synthetic resin envelope at high temperature,
Cooling and winding the optical cable element, fixing the initial position of the optical fiber relative to said envelope, heating and accumulating the wound optical cable element at a heating temperature for a certain period of time, and finally cooling, resulting in shrinkage. 2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein an overlength of the optical fiber in the outer envelope is obtained. 8. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating temperature is slightly lower than the softening temperature of the synthetic resin. 4. A manufacturing method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the optical cable element is wound 5 and pleated on a drum, and the drum is characterized by heating zones in its axial direction. 5. In order to carry out the manufacturing method according to claim 4, at least one storage reel for the optical fiber, an extrusion device for extruding a synthetic resin envelope around the optical fiber, and an extruded 1. An optical cable element manufacturing apparatus comprising: a cooling bath for cooling an envelope; a drum for winding an optical cable element; and a heating furnace, the drum being configured to be movable in an axial direction through the heating furnace. 6. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, comprising: a layer of compressible material on the outside of the drum. 7. A manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein layers of compressible material are arranged between the various layers of optical cable elements wound on a drum.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE33066035 | 1983-02-25 | ||
| DE19833306603 DE3306603A1 (en) | 1983-02-25 | 1983-02-25 | Method for producing waveguide conductors with fibres of a defined excess length |
| DE33095736 | 1983-03-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS59166902A true JPS59166902A (en) | 1984-09-20 |
Family
ID=6191790
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP59032761A Pending JPS59166902A (en) | 1983-02-25 | 1984-02-24 | Method and apparatus for manufacturing optical fiber cable element |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS59166902A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3306603A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3822566A1 (en) * | 1988-07-04 | 1990-01-11 | Rheydt Kabelwerk Ag | Method for producing an optical cable |
| US6922515B2 (en) | 2000-12-20 | 2005-07-26 | Alcatel | Method and apparatus to reduce variation of excess fiber length in buffer tubes of fiber optic cables |
| CN106483617A (en) * | 2016-12-12 | 2017-03-08 | 海鹰企业集团有限责任公司 | Excess fiber length production method |
-
1983
- 1983-02-25 DE DE19833306603 patent/DE3306603A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1984
- 1984-02-24 JP JP59032761A patent/JPS59166902A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3306603A1 (en) | 1984-08-30 |
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