JP2017134360A - Optical fiber ribbon and optical cable - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical fiber ribbon capable of easily confirming the arrangement order of the optical fibers in the optical fiber ribbon without depending on the color arrangement of the optical fiber.
An optical fiber ribbon 10 is connected to each other by a connecting resin layer 3 in a state where a plurality of optical fibers 11 having a coating layer 2 are arranged in parallel, and the plurality of optical fibers 11 has a marking 4 on the covering layer 2 or on the connecting resin layer 3 over the width direction of the arrangement of the 11, and the marking 4 is a constant amount d of a predetermined amount d in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement between the adjacent optical fiber cores 11. Has a gap.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon and an optical cable.

  A method of identifying individual optical fibers in an optical fiber ribbon such as an intermittently connected type is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a colored layer of a different color is formed for each optical fiber in order to identify individual optical fibers in the intermittently fixed tape core wire (intermittently connected optical fiber tape core wire). Is described. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses that the same ring mark is attached to the optical fiber in the same intermittently fixed tape core so that the optical unit (the optical unit in which the intermittently fixed tape core is accommodated in the tube) can be identified. An optical fiber cable is described.

International Publication No. 2013/065640 Pamphlet

  For example, when the optical fiber ribbons are fused and connected, it is necessary to align the optical fibers in the arrangement order. For this reason, it is necessary to be able to confirm the arrangement order of the optical fibers in the optical fiber ribbon.

  In order to confirm the arrangement order of the optical fibers in the optical fiber ribbon, as long as the individual optical fibers can be identified, conventionally, a colored layer of a different color is formed for each optical fiber as in Patent Document 1, for example. Were identified. However, when forming a colored layer of a different color for each optical fiber core, in order to confirm the arrangement order of the optical fiber cores, a common recognition between the user and the manufacturer regarding the rules of the color arrangement order of the optical fibers is required. It is. In addition, when the number of optical fiber ribbons is increased, the number of identifiable colors is insufficient. In addition, for example, when fusion-bonding optical fiber ribbons in a dark environment such as an underground manhole, it is difficult to visually recognize the color difference, and there is a risk of incorrect connection due to the wrong arrangement order. .

  On the other hand, since the ring mark described in Patent Document 1 forms the same ring mark for optical fibers in the same optical fiber ribbon, it cannot be used for identification of individual optical fibers. If different ring marks are formed for each optical fiber in the optical fiber cable, the number of types of ring marks increases, and the ring mark management and formation process becomes complicated, resulting in cost and practical problems.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber ribbon and an optical cable that can easily confirm the arrangement order of the optical fibers in the optical fiber ribbon without depending on the arrangement of the colors of the optical fibers.

An optical fiber ribbon according to an aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber ribbon that is connected to each other by a connecting resin layer in a state where a plurality of optical fibers having a coating layer are arranged in parallel,
A marking is provided on the coating layer or the connecting resin layer over the width direction of the array of the plurality of optical fiber cores,
The marking has a certain amount of constant deviation in the longitudinal direction of the array between adjacent optical fiber cores.

An optical cable according to an aspect of the present invention is an optical cable having a cylindrical tube and the plurality of optical fiber ribbons described above,
The plurality of optical fiber ribbons have different markings and are covered with the tube in a bundled state.

An optical cable according to another aspect of the present invention is an optical cable having a slot rod having a plurality of slot grooves and the plurality of optical fiber ribbons.
The plurality of optical fiber ribbons have different markings and are respectively stored in the slot grooves.

  According to the present invention, the arrangement order of the optical fibers in the optical fiber ribbon can be easily confirmed without depending on the arrangement of the colors of the optical fibers.

It is a top view which shows an example of the optical fiber tape cable core which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows a part of cross section of the position of A of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the part of B of FIG. It is explanatory drawing in the case of fusion-splicing the optical fiber ribbons of this embodiment. (A) is a top view which shows the modification 1 of the optical fiber ribbon based on this embodiment, (b) is a top view which shows the modification 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the slotless type optical cable using the optical fiber tape cable core which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the optical cable of a tape slot type | mold which uses the optical fiber tape cable core which concerns on this embodiment.

First, embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described.
An optical fiber ribbon according to an embodiment of the present invention,
(1) An optical fiber ribbon that is connected to each other by a connecting resin layer in a state where a plurality of optical fibers having a coating layer are arranged in parallel,
A marking is provided on the coating layer or the connecting resin layer over the width direction of the array of the plurality of optical fiber cores,
The marking has a certain amount of constant deviation in the longitudinal direction of the array between adjacent optical fiber cores.

  In the optical fiber ribbon of the above (1), when the arrangement order of the optical fiber cores is correct, the marking is in a state shifted by a certain predetermined amount in the longitudinal direction of the array between the adjacent optical fiber cores. . Thus, the arrangement order of the optical fiber cores in the optical fiber ribbon can be easily confirmed without depending on the color arrangement of the optical fiber cores.

(2) In the optical fiber ribbon of the above (1), some or all of the adjacent optical fibers are intermittently connected.
In an optical fiber ribbon in which some or all adjacent optical fibers are intermittently connected, individual optical fibers are likely to be separated. Since the arrangement order of the optical fiber cores can be easily confirmed by the above marking, it is possible to easily arrange the separated optical fiber cores without depending on the color arrangement of the optical fiber cores.

(3) In the optical fiber ribbon of the above (1) or (2), the predetermined amount is larger than 0.1 mm.
The variation (line length difference) of the optical fiber core wire when the arrangement of the plurality of optical fiber cores is actually manufactured is usually 0.1 mm / m or less. On the other hand, the markings are deviated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the array by an amount larger than 0.1 mm between the adjacent optical fibers. The deviation of the marking is larger than the manufacturing variation (line length difference) of the optical fiber core when considered with a length of 1 m, so that the deviation of the marking can be easily identified. Therefore, the accuracy of identifying the arrangement order of the optical fiber cores can be ensured more reliably.

An optical cable according to an embodiment of the present invention is
(4) An optical cable having a cylindrical tube and a plurality of optical fiber ribbons according to any one of (1) to (3),
The plurality of optical fiber ribbons have different markings and are covered with the tube in a bundled state. (5) Slot rods having a plurality of slot grooves, and (1) to (3) above An optical cable having any one of the optical fiber ribbons,
The plurality of optical fiber ribbons have different markings and are respectively stored in the plurality of slot grooves.
In the optical cables of (4) and (5), when the optical fiber ribbon is pulled out, the arrangement order of the optical fibers can be easily confirmed without depending on the arrangement of the colors of the optical fibers, and the marking can be performed. Since each optical fiber ribbon is different, it is easy to identify the optical fiber ribbon.

[Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
Specific examples of the optical fiber ribbon and the optical cable according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In addition, this invention is not limited to these illustrations, is shown by the claim, and intends that all the changes within the meaning and range equivalent to a claim are included.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of an optical fiber ribbon according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing a part of a cross section at a position A in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber tape core wire 10 has a plurality of optical fiber core wires 11 arranged in parallel. These optical fiber core wires 11 are single-core coated optical fibers having a coating layer 2 around a glass fiber 1 as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the connection resin layer 3 is provided on the outer periphery of the optical fiber core wire 11, and the optical fiber core wires 11 are connected to each other by the connection resin layer 3.

  The optical fiber ribbon 10 has a marking 4 on the connecting resin layer 3 in the width direction of the arrangement of the plurality of optical fibers 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the marking 4 has a predetermined deviation d by a predetermined amount d in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement between the adjacent optical fiber cores 11. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the marking 4 is provided in a parallelogram shape inclined obliquely with a predetermined width in the longitudinal direction of the array of the plurality of optical fiber cores 11. A plurality of the markings 4 are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon 10. The marking 4 can be formed by printing with an inkjet printer or the like, for example.

  For example, when the optical fiber tape cores 10 are fused and connected at their end faces 6 as shown in FIG. 4, it is necessary to fuse them in accordance with the arrangement order of the optical fiber tape cores. In such a case, conventionally, the color of each optical fiber core is visually confirmed, and the arrangement order of the optical fiber ribbons is confirmed by comparing with the rule of the color arrangement order of the optical fiber cores. For this reason, the operator who performs the fusion splicing needs to remember the rule of the arrangement order according to the color of the optical fiber core wire in the optical fiber tape core wire to be used. In addition, for example, in the case where the optical fiber ribbons are fusion-bonded in a dark environment such as an underground manhole, it is difficult to visually recognize the difference in color, and there is a risk of erroneous connection.

  On the other hand, in the optical fiber tape core wire 10 shown in FIG. 1, when the arrangement order of the optical fiber core wires 11 is correct, both ends 5a and 5b of the marking 4 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber tape core wire 10 are substantially omitted. As long as it is an oblique straight line, the arrangement order can be easily confirmed without depending on the color arrangement of the optical fiber cores 11. Therefore, even when it is difficult to visually recognize the color difference as described above, the arrangement order of the optical fiber ribbon 10 of the present embodiment can be easily confirmed without depending on the arrangement of the colors of the optical fibers 11. If the marking 4 is formed of a fluorescent paint, the arrangement order of the optical fiber cores 11 can be easily confirmed even in a darker environment.

  In the optical fiber ribbon 10, when some or all of the adjacent optical fibers 11 are intermittently connected, the individual optical fibers 11 are particularly likely to be separated. In the optical fiber ribbon 10 of the present embodiment, if the both ends 5a, 5b of the marking 4 are arranged so as to be substantially oblique straight lines, the correct arrangement order is obtained. It is also easy to align the array.

  When the plurality of optical fiber cores 11 in the optical fiber ribbon 10 are actually manufactured, the length of each line in the plurality of optical fiber cores 11 varies due to individual differences in the elongation of the optical fiber (line Length difference) occurs. When the present inventors examined this difference in line length, it was about 0.1 mm / m or less. Therefore, it is desirable that the predetermined amount d of deviation in the marking 4 shown in FIG. 3 is larger than 0.1 mm. Thereby, for example, when the marking interval is assumed to be 1 m, the deviation of the marking 4 becomes larger than the manufacturing variation (line length difference) of the optical fiber core wire 11, and the deviation of the marking 4 is easily identified. Therefore, the accuracy of identifying the arrangement order of the optical fiber cores 11 can be ensured more reliably.

Next, a modified example of the marking 4 is shown in FIGS.
In the optical fiber tape core 10A shown in FIG. 5A, the width of the marking 4A (the width in the longitudinal direction of the array of the plurality of optical fiber cores 11) is from both ends of the array of the plurality of optical fiber cores 11. The width is narrowed toward the center of the array.

  In the optical fiber ribbon 10B shown in FIG. 5B, the width of the marking 4B (the width in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement of the plurality of optical fibers 11) is from one end of the arrangement of the plurality of optical fibers 11. It is provided so that the width becomes wider (or narrower) toward the other end.

  The structure of the optical fiber tape cores 10A and 10B is the same as that of the optical fiber tape core 10, and the markings 4A and 4B are different from the marking 4 of the optical fiber tape core 10 only. That is, the markings 4A and 4B are also markings that have a predetermined deviation d (see FIG. 3) between the adjacent optical fiber cores 11 in the longitudinal direction of the array.

  In the above embodiment, the marking 4 (4A, 4B) is provided on the connecting resin layer 3, but on the covering layer 2 of the optical fiber core wire 11 (between the covering layer 2 and the connecting resin layer 3). You may make it provide in. When provided on the connecting resin layer 3, there is an advantage that marking is easy. On the other hand, the provision on the coating layer 2 has the advantage that the optical fiber can be identified even after single-core separation.

  Next, the optical cable according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a slotless optical cable using the optical fiber ribbon 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a tape slot type optical cable using the optical fiber ribbon 10 of the present embodiment.

  The optical cable shown in FIG. 6 is a slotless optical cable 20 having a cylindrical tube 22 and a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 10. The plurality of optical fiber ribbons 10 have different markings 4 and are bundled with interpositions 21 such as aramid fibers. If water resistance is required, a water absorbing yarn may be inserted. A plurality of optical fiber ribbons 10 that are bundled are twisted together, and a resin that becomes a tube 22 is extruded and formed around the tension member 23 and covered with a jacket 24. As resin used as the said tube 22, hard materials, such as PBT and HDPE, are used, for example. Reference numeral 25 denotes a tear string.

  The optical cable shown in FIG. 7 is a tape slot type optical cable 30 having a slot rod 34 having a plurality of slot grooves 31 and a plurality of optical fiber ribbons 10. This optical cable 30 has a structure in which a plurality of slot grooves 31 are provided radially on a slot rod 34 having a tension member 32 in the center. The plurality of optical fiber ribbons 10 have different markings 4 and are stored in a stacked state in the plurality of slot grooves 31. A jacket 33 is formed around the slot rod 34.

  The optical fiber ribbon 10 used in the optical cables 20 and 30 is the optical fiber ribbon 10A of the modification shown in FIG. 5A or the modification shown in FIG. The example optical fiber ribbon 10B may be used.

  As described above, in the optical fiber ribbon 10 (10A, 10B) according to this embodiment described in detail, when the arrangement order of the optical fibers 11 is correct, the marking 4 is arranged between the adjacent optical fibers 11. Is shifted by a predetermined amount d in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the arrangement order of the optical fiber cores in the optical fiber ribbons (10A, 10B) can be easily confirmed without depending on the color arrangement of the optical fiber cores 11.

  The optical cables 20 and 30 according to the present embodiment can easily check the arrangement order of the optical fiber cores 11 without depending on the color arrangement of the optical fiber cores 11 when the optical fiber tape cores 10 are pulled out. Further, since the marking 4 is different for each optical fiber ribbon 10, it is easy to identify the optical fiber ribbon 10.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Glass fiber 2 Coating layer 3 Connection resin layer 4, 4A, 4B Marking 5a, 5b End part of marking 6 End surface of optical fiber tape core wire 10, 10A, 10B Optical fiber tape core wire 11 Optical fiber core wire 20, 30 Optical cable 21 Interposition 22 Tube 23, 32 Tension member 24, 33 Outer sheath 25 Tear string 31 Slot groove 34 Slot rod

Claims (5)

An optical fiber ribbon that is connected to each other by a connecting resin layer in a state where a plurality of optical fibers having a coating layer are arranged in parallel,
A marking is provided on the coating layer or the connecting resin layer over the width direction of the array of the plurality of optical fiber cores,
The optical fiber tape core wire, wherein the marking has a predetermined amount of a certain shift in the longitudinal direction of the array between adjacent optical fiber core wires.   The optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1, wherein some or all of the adjacent optical fibers are intermittently connected to each other.   The optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined amount is larger than 0.1 mm. An optical cable having a cylindrical tube and a plurality of optical fiber ribbons according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The plurality of optical fiber ribbons have different markings and are covered with the tube in a bundled state. An optical cable having a slot rod having a plurality of slot grooves, and a plurality of optical fiber ribbons according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The plurality of optical fiber ribbons have different markings and are respectively accommodated in the plurality of slot grooves.

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