JP2015099314A - Slot type optical fiber cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot type optical fiber cable, capable of storing a plurality of coated optical fibers in a slot part and suppressing increase in transmission loss of the optical fibers.SOLUTION: The slot type optical fiber cable comprises: an optical fiber ribbon consisting of a plurality of coated optical fibers arranged in parallel and having coupling parts which couple two adjacent coated optical fibers and are arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the optical fiber ribbon; a press-wrapping for stacking the optical fiber ribbons in the shape of a bundle to wrap the periphery of the bundle; a slot core having slots in an outer peripheral part and storing the optical fiber ribbons stacked in the shape of the bundle in the slots; and a sheath for wrapping the outer peripheral part of the slot core so as to cover the openings of the slots.

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot type optical fiber cable.

  In an optical fiber cable having a plurality of optical fiber cores, there is a demand for reducing the diameter of the cable with high density. On the other hand, an optical fiber ribbon (also referred to as an intermittently fixed ribbon) in which the longitudinal direction and the width direction of adjacent optical fibers are intermittently connected in three or more optical fibers arranged in parallel is used. Thus, a technique for increasing the mounting density of the optical fiber cores housed in the cable has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). Moreover, in the slot type optical fiber cable in which a slot is provided in the outer peripheral portion and the optical fiber core wire is accommodated in the slot portion, the intermittently fixed tape core wires densely packed in a bundle are accommodated in the slot. Has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 3058203 JP 2011-100115 A

  In the slot type optical fiber cable, a slot (groove) surrounded by ribs is formed on the outer periphery of the slot core. In general, a bundle of intermittently fixed tape core wires is accommodated in the opened slot, and press winding is performed along the outer periphery of the slot core so as to cover the opening of the slot. However, when an impact is applied to the optical fiber cable, the single-core structure part (part consisting of a single optical fiber core) of the intermittently fixed tape core wire is sandwiched between the rib of the slot and the presser winding. Thus, the present inventors have found that the problem of increased transmission loss of the optical fiber occurs.

  An object of the present invention is to suppress an increase in transmission loss of an optical fiber in a slot type optical fiber cable in which a plurality of optical fiber core wires are accommodated in a slot portion.

  A main invention for achieving the above object is an optical fiber tape core comprising a plurality of optical fiber cores arranged in parallel, wherein a connecting portion for connecting two adjacent optical fiber cores includes the optical fiber tape. Optical fiber tape core wires intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and width direction of the core wire, the optical fiber tape core wires are bundled into a bundle, a press winding that wraps around the bundle, and a slot having a slot on the outer periphery A slot core that stores the optical fiber ribbons bundled in a bundle in the slot, and a sheath that wraps the outer periphery of the slot core so as to cover the opening of the slot. It is a slot type optical fiber cable.

  Other characteristics of the present invention will be made clear by the description and drawings described later.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the increase in the transmission loss of an optical fiber can be suppressed in the slot type optical fiber cable which accommodates a some optical fiber core wire in a slot part.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a slot-type optical fiber cable 1 in a first embodiment. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of an optical fiber cable 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an optical fiber unit 10. FIG. It is the schematic of the intermittent fixed tape core wire 11. FIG. It is a figure showing the state which wound the bundle material 13 for identification around the outer periphery of the intermittent fixed tape core wire 11. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a slot-type optical fiber cable 2 in a comparative example of the first embodiment. FIG. It is a figure explaining a mode when an impact is added to the optical fiber cable 2 of a comparative example. It is a figure which shows the result of having experimented about the transmission loss of the optical fiber in case an impact is applied on the optical fiber cable 1 and the optical fiber cable 2 on predetermined conditions. It is a figure explaining the modification of the optical fiber cable 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of the optical fiber core wire accommodated in the slot of a slot type optical fiber cable. It is a figure showing the relationship between the mounting density of a slot type optical fiber cable, and the transmission loss of an optical fiber. FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are views showing the state of the optical fiber core housed in the slot in the slot type optical fiber cable in the second embodiment. It is a figure showing the result of having evaluated the transmission characteristic about the specific Example of the slot type optical fiber cable of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the slot type optical fiber cable 1 in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure showing the result of having performed the waterproof test about two types of optical fiber cables from which press winding differs. It is a figure explaining the example in which a some optical fiber unit is accommodated in one slot.

At least the following matters will be apparent from the description and drawings described below.
An optical fiber tape core composed of a plurality of optical fiber cores arranged in parallel, and a connecting portion for connecting two adjacent optical fiber core wires intermittently in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the optical fiber tape core wire An optical fiber ribbon arranged in a bundle, a bundle of the optical fiber ribbons in a bundle, a press core that wraps around the bundle, and a slot core having a slot on the outer periphery, and bundled in a bundle A slot-type optical fiber cable comprising: a slot core that houses the optical fiber ribbon in the slot; and a sheath that wraps the outer periphery of the slot core so as to cover the opening of the slot.

  According to such a slot type optical fiber cable, an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber can be suppressed.

  In this slot-type optical fiber cable, it is preferable that a slot holding winding for wrapping the outer periphery of the slot core is provided between the slot core and the sheath.

  According to such a slot-type optical fiber cable, the sheath can be prevented from falling into the opening of the slot from the outside.

  In such a slot-type optical fiber cable, the holding winding that wraps the bundle of optical fiber ribbons is formed by a sheet having water absorption or a sheet coated with a substance having water absorption. desirable.

  According to such a slot-type optical fiber cable, it is possible to suppress the moisture that has entered the optical fiber cable from moving through the optical fiber core wire, and to suppress an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber. it can.

  In this slot-type optical fiber cable, it is preferable that the presser winding that wraps the bundle of optical fiber ribbons is a sheet-like plastic film formed in a cylindrical shape.

  According to such a slot type optical fiber cable, since the presser winding has a function as a tube for protecting the optical fiber core wire in the lead-out operation of the optical fiber cable, the single core of the optical fiber core wire is separated. It is difficult to prevent erroneous connection work from being performed.

  In such a slot-type optical fiber cable, it is desirable that the presser winding is formed in a cylindrical shape having an overlapping portion in which both end portions are overlapped.

  According to such a slot type optical fiber cable, it is possible to suppress the optical fiber core (tape core) housed inside the presser winding from spilling, and it is easy to open the overlapping portion with a finger. In addition, a single fiber core can be taken out.

  In such a slot-type optical fiber cable, ribs are provided on both sides of the slot on the outer periphery of the slot core, and a plurality of the optical fiber core wires are connected to the straight line connecting the vertices of the ribs. It is desirable that the slot core is housed in the center side and the outer peripheral side.

  According to such a slot type optical fiber cable, an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber can be suppressed while allowing more optical fiber cores to be accommodated.

  In such a slot-type optical fiber cable, a water-absorbing thread is provided along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon in the outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber ribbon bundled in a bundle. Is desirable.

  According to such a slot-type optical fiber cable, it is possible to suppress the moisture that has entered the optical fiber cable from moving through the optical fiber core wire, and to suppress an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber. it can.

=== First Embodiment ===
<Configuration of optical fiber cable>
The slot type optical fiber cable 1 will be described as an optical fiber cable capable of suppressing an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a slot-type optical fiber cable 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the optical fiber cable 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical fiber cable 1 includes an optical fiber unit 10, a slot core 20, a sheath 30, and a tension member 40. The optical fiber unit 10 has a plurality of optical fiber cores 111 and is accommodated in a plurality of slots 21 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the slot core 20. The outer periphery of the slot core 20 is covered with a sheath 30. A tension member 40 is provided at the center of the slot core 20.

(Optical fiber unit 10)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the optical fiber unit 10. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the intermittently fixed tape core wire 11.

  The optical fiber unit 10 of the present embodiment is a collection of intermittently fixed tape core wires 11 composed of a plurality of optical fiber core wires 111 packed together in a bundle shape and wound around the bundle by a presser winding 12. Is.

  The intermittently fixed tape core wire 11 includes a plurality of optical fiber core wires 111 arranged in parallel, and the two adjacent optical fiber core wires 111 are connected together by a connecting portion 115 so that the optical fiber core wire 111 is formed into a tape shape. This is a so-called optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber core 111 is obtained by coating two outer coating layers (soft / hard) on the outer periphery of a bare fiber that is a transmission path for transmitting light. The bare fiber is formed of, for example, a glass material having a diameter of 125 μm. The coating layer is formed of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin or a thermosetting resin. A colored layer is formed on the covering layer, and the plurality of optical fiber cores 111 can be identified for each color by the color of the colored layer. In this embodiment, the diameter of the optical fiber 111 including the colored layer is approximately 250 μm. In addition, you may color the hard layer itself of a coating layer, without forming a colored layer. The connecting portion 115 is a member that connects two optical fiber core wires 111 adjacent in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 4, in the intermittently fixed tape core wire 11, a plurality of connecting portions 115 are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the optical fiber core wire 111. A predetermined separation distance is provided in the width direction between two adjacent optical fiber cores 111. The intermittently fixed tape core wire 11 can be bent in the width direction at the connecting portion 115, and can be formed into a bundle shape as shown in FIG.

  The presser winding 12 is a sheet-like member formed of, for example, a nonwoven fabric or a plastic film. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber unit 10 includes an intermittently fixed tape core wire 11 in a presser winding 12 that is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to have an overlapping portion in which both end portions 12 a and 12 b are overlapped. It has a structure in which a bundle is stored. In other words, the optical fiber unit 10 has a structure in which the presser winding 12 is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the bundle of the intermittently fixed tape core wires 11. Thereby, it is suppressed that the single core of the optical fiber core wire 111 is detached from the bundle of the intermittently fixed tape core wires 11. In addition, since the shape of the bundle of the intermittent fixing tape core wire 11 is not fixed, even if the presser winding 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the shape of the entire optical fiber unit 10 is not fixed in a cylindrical shape. When the optical fiber unit 10 is housed in the slot core 20, the outer shape of the optical fiber unit 10 can be deformed according to the shape of the slot 21.

  Further, if the presser winding 12 is preliminarily formed into a cylindrical shape by a plastic film, the cylindrical shape is maintained to some extent, so that the overall shape of the optical fiber unit 10 can be obtained without rough winding or the like on the outer peripheral portion. Easy to hold. The presser winding 12 formed into a cylindrical shape with a plastic film also has a function as a tube for protecting the optical fiber core wire 111 in the lead-out operation of the optical fiber cable 1. For example, in a slot-type optical fiber cable in which a tube-shaped optical fiber unit as shown in FIG. 2 is mounted in a slot, the tube-shaped optical fiber unit is first taken out from the slot after the sheath is removed. That is, a single core of a number of optical fiber cores does not come out of the slot, but can be taken out as an optical fiber unit. Therefore, the single core of the optical fiber core wire is not easily separated, and it is easy to suppress erroneous connection work. Further, since such a tube is simply formed in a cylindrical shape so as to have an overlapping portion, a single core of the optical fiber core wire can be easily taken out by opening the overlapping portion with a finger.

  In the present embodiment, one intermittently fixed tape core wire 11 is formed by four optical fiber core wires 111 (see FIG. 4), and the optical fiber unit 10 is bundled by bundling five intermittently fixed tape core wires 11. Is formed. That is, one optical fiber unit 10 is formed by 20 optical fiber cores 111. The number of cores of the optical fiber 111 constituting the optical fiber unit 10 is not limited to this, and can be increased or decreased.

  Further, in order to make it possible to identify a desired optical fiber core 111 from among a plurality of optical fiber cores 111 included in the optical fiber unit 10, a bundle material for identification is provided on the outer periphery of the bundled intermittently fixed tape cores 11. 13 may be wound. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which a bundle material 13 for identification is wound around the outer periphery of a bundle of intermittently fixed tape core wires 11. The bundle material 13 is colored in a predetermined color with a thread-like or tape-like member. A desired optical fiber core 111 can be identified by a combination of the color of the bundle material 13 and the color of the optical fiber core 111 (colored layer). When the bundle material 13 is used, the optical fiber unit 10 is formed by binding the bundled intermittently fixed tape core wires 11 with the bundle material 13 and winding the presser winding 12 thereon.

  This method is particularly effective when the optical fiber unit 10 has a large number of optical fiber cores 111. For example, when the optical fiber unit 10 has 100 optical fiber cores 111, the optical fiber cores 111 are bundled by 20 cores and bundled with the bundle material 13 to form one unit. For convenience, this unit is called a bundle unit. In the case of a 100-fiber optical fiber unit, five bundle units are formed, and the optical fiber unit 10 is formed by winding the five bundle units into a large bundle and winding the presser winding 12 around the outer periphery. . When performing maintenance or the like of the optical fiber cable 1, when it is desired to extract a desired single optical fiber core 111 from the 100 optical fiber cores 111 constituting the optical fiber unit 10, first, the bundle material 13 The target bundle unit is specified from among the five bundle units by color, and the desired optical fiber core 111 is easily specified from the specified bundle unit by the color of the optical fiber core 111. Is possible.

(Slot core 20)
The slot core 20 is a member corresponding to the base of the optical fiber cable 1, and a plurality of slots 21 are provided on the outer periphery at predetermined intervals. In the present embodiment, five slots 21 are provided at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the slot core 20 (see FIG. 1). The slot 21 is a groove that opens toward the outer side (outer peripheral side) in the radial direction of the slot core 20, and ribs 22 are formed at both ends of the slot 21. Each slot 21 accommodates the optical fiber units 10 bundled together. In FIG. 1, the shape of the slot 21 is substantially U-shaped, and it is easy to store the optical fiber units 10 gathered in a bundle. The number and shape of the slots 21 provided in the slot core 20 are appropriately changed depending on the thickness of the optical fiber cable 1, the number of cores of the optical fiber core 111 to be accommodated, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the slot 21 is provided so as to draw a spiral in one direction with respect to the axial direction of the slot core 20 (longitudinal direction of the optical fiber cable 1). In this case, the overlapping portion of the both ends 12a and 12b of the presser winding 12 of the optical fiber unit 10 housed in the slot 21 (the sheet joint when the bundle of the intermittently fixed tape core wire 11 is wrapped by the presser winding 12) is the slot core. It is good to install so that it may face 20 radial direction outer side. By setting the overlapping portion of the presser winding 12 to the outside, it is possible to easily perform an operation of peeling the presser winding 12 and taking out the optical fiber core wire 111 during maintenance or the like.

  The slot 21 provided in the slot core 20 may draw a so-called SZ type spiral shape in which S windings and Z windings are alternately repeated periodically. In this case, the optical fiber cable 1 is also called an SZ slot type optical fiber cable.

(Sheath 30)
The sheath 30 is provided on the outer periphery of the slot core 20 and protects the optical fiber unit 10 accommodated in the slot core 20. The sheath 30 is formed of a resin such as a polyethylene resin.

(Tension member 40)
The tension member 40 is a strength member for preventing the tension applied to the optical fiber cable 1 from being directly transmitted to the optical fiber core 111. The tension member 40 is made of, for example, a steel wire.

<Characteristics when optical fiber cable is impacted>
The transmission loss of the optical fiber when the optical fiber cable 1 receives an impact when transmitting data using the optical fiber cable 1 will be described using a comparative example.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the slot-type optical fiber cable 2 in the comparative example. In the optical fiber cable 2 of the comparative example, the optical fiber unit 10 does not have the presser winding 12. That is, after the intermittently fixed tape core wire 11 is bundled, it is stored in the slot 21 of the slot core 20 as it is without winding the presser winding 12. Other structures are basically the same as those of the optical fiber cable 1 of the first embodiment.

  In the comparative example, when an impact is applied to the optical fiber cable 2 from the outside, the transmission loss of the optical fiber may increase. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state when an impact is applied to the optical fiber cable 2 of the comparative example. This figure is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 6 and shows the behavior of the optical fiber 111 when the optical fiber cable 2 receives an impact.

  In the optical fiber cable 2 in the normal state, the optical fiber units 10 housed in the slots 21 are collected into a bundle shape (see FIG. 6). However, since the optical fiber unit 10 of the comparative example does not have the presser winding 12, the unit is easily broken by receiving an impact from the outside, and the bundle shape cannot be maintained. That is, the optical fiber unit 10 is in a state of being scattered for each intermittently fixed tape core wire 11. At this time, the single core portion of the intermittently fixed tape core wire 11 (the portion that is not connected by the connecting portion 115 with the optical fiber core wire 111) may fall off from the slot 21. In other words, among the plurality of optical fiber cores 111 constituting the intermittently fixed tape core wire 11, one or more of the optical fiber core wires 111 are formed above the ribs 22 of the slot core 20 (on the outer periphery side of the slot core 20). ) And the sheath 30 in some cases. In FIG. 7, a single optical fiber core wire 111 indicated by a black circle is sandwiched between the rib 22 and the sheath 30. When the optical fiber core 111 is sandwiched between the rib 22 (slot core 20) and the sheath 30, the optical fiber core 111 may have a locally reduced radius of curvature at that portion. This causes an increase in transmission loss.

  On the other hand, in the optical fiber cable 1 (FIG. 1) in the first embodiment, the bundle of the intermittently fixed tape core wires 11 is bundled in a state of being bundled together by the presser winding 12, and thus received an impact from the outside. Even in this case, the bundle shape can be maintained. That is, the optical fiber unit 10 is not separated, and the possibility that the single core portion of the intermittently fixed tape core wire 11 falls out of the slot 21 is low. Therefore, it is easier to suppress an increase in optical fiber transmission loss than in the comparative example.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a result of an experiment on transmission loss of an optical fiber when an impact is applied to the optical fiber cable 1 and the optical fiber cable 2 under a predetermined condition. The impact test method is in accordance with JIS C 6851 clause 8 or IEC60794-1-2 (method E4), and a 1 kg weight is used for the above two types of optical fiber cables. The transmission loss was measured under the condition of a measurement wavelength of 1.55 μm. The experiment was conducted 100 times for each optical fiber cable, and the case where the increase in the optical fiber transmission loss was 0.1 dB or more before and after the experiment was rejected, and the increase in the optical fiber transmission loss was less than 0.1 dB. If it was, it was determined to pass.

  As a result of the experiment, in the optical fiber cable 2 (comparative example) having a structure in which the optical fiber unit 10 does not have the presser winding 12, about 40 times failed during 100 tests. On the other hand, in the optical fiber cable 1 (first embodiment) having a structure in which the optical fiber unit 10 has the presser winding 12, all tests were acceptable during 100 tests. Also from the experiment, in the case of a slot-type optical fiber cable containing the optical fiber unit 10 having a structure in which the intermittently fixed tape cores 11 (optical fiber tape cores) are bundled and surrounded by the presser winding 12, It has been clarified that it is easier to suppress an increase in transmission loss of an optical fiber than a slot type optical fiber cable having a structure having no twelve.

<Effects of First Embodiment>
According to the optical fiber cable of the first embodiment, even when an impact is applied from the outside, the single core of the optical fiber core wire is hardly sandwiched between the slot core and the sheath inside the optical fiber cable. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber.

  In addition, according to the optical fiber cable of the present embodiment, the press roll is a sheet-like plastic film formed into a cylindrical shape, and functions as a tube that protects the optical fiber core wire in an optical fiber cable lead-out operation or the like. Can be made.

  In addition, according to the optical fiber cable of the present embodiment, since the presser winding is formed in a cylindrical shape having an overlapping portion where both ends of the presser winding are overlapped, the optical fiber core housed inside the presser winding It is possible to suppress spilling of the wire (tape core wire). Moreover, the single core of an optical fiber core wire can be easily taken out by opening the overlapping portion with a finger.

<Modification>
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the optical fiber cable 1 according to the first embodiment. In the modification, the optical fiber cable 1 is different from the first embodiment in that a slot holding winding 25 is provided between the slot core 20 and the sheath 30. The slot presser winding 25 is a sheet-like member that covers and surrounds the outer periphery of the slot core 20, and the sheath presser 25 is provided so that the sheath 30 falls into the opening of the slot 21 from the outside. Can be suppressed.

  By the way, assuming that the bundle of intermittently fixed tape cores 11 is not bundled in FIG. 9 and is stored in the slot 21, the optical fiber cable receives an impact as described in the comparative example. In this case, the optical fiber core wire 111 is sandwiched between the upper portion of the rib 22 of the slot core 20 (the outer peripheral side of the slot core 20) and the holding coil 25 for the slot, and transmission loss of the optical fiber is likely to occur. However, in this modification, since the bundle of the intermittently fixed tape cores 11 is bundled in the optical fiber unit 10 in a state of being bundled together by the presser windings 12, even if the optical fiber cable receives an impact, the intermittently fixed tape cores are bundled. The bundle of the wires 11 is not easily separated. Therefore, the problem that the single core of the optical fiber core 111 as shown in FIG. 7 is sandwiched between the upper portion of the rib 22 and the holding presser 25 for the slot hardly occurs, and the increase in the transmission loss of the optical fiber is suppressed. It is possible.

=== Second Embodiment ===
In the second embodiment, an optical fiber cable in which the number of optical fiber cores 111 accommodated in the slots 21 is increased as much as possible to increase the mounting density of the optical fiber cores will be described.

<How to store optical fiber core in slot>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an optical fiber core housed in a slot of a slot type optical fiber cable. In the slot-type optical fiber cable shown in FIG. 10, the slot core is located on the inner side of the straight line (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 10) connecting the apexes of the ribs 22 (the upper part of the ribs 22) at both ends of the slot 21. The optical fiber core wire 111 is accommodated in the slot 21 so as to have a slight clearance on the radial center side of 20. In other words, in the slot 21, a void portion (shaded portion in FIG. 10) that is a space in which the optical fiber core wire 111 is not accommodated is formed. Conventionally, this gap has been required to prevent an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber in the slot type optical fiber cable. For example, if the optical fiber cable is bent, the optical fiber core housed inside will also bend. At that time, if there is no gap in the slot, there will be no play. It is considered that the radius of curvature of the optical fiber decreases and the transmission loss of the optical fiber increases. Accordingly, in the slot type optical fiber cable, a relatively large gap is provided in order to ensure the normal transmission characteristics of the optical fiber.

However, the transmission loss of the optical fiber is actually a ratio between the number of optical fiber cores 111 accommodated in the slot 21 and the area of the cross-sectional area of the slot 21 in which the optical fiber core 111 can be accommodated ( It was found to be influenced by the mounting density hereinafter. In the present specification, the mounting density when the optical fiber unit is accommodated in the slot = the number of optical fiber cores (number of cores) accommodated in the slot / the area of the region occupied by the optical fiber cores in the slot And the sum (mm ² ) of the area of the void area in which the optical fiber unit is not accommodated in the slot. Here, “the sum of the area of the area occupied by the optical fiber core in the slot and the area of the gap area in which the optical fiber unit is not accommodated” refers to the slot in which the optical fiber unit is accommodated. It is the value which subtracted the cross-sectional area of structural members other than an optical fiber core wire among the optical fiber units actually accommodated from this cross-sectional area. For example, in the first embodiment, the optical fiber unit 10 accommodated in the slot 21 includes the optical fiber core wire 111 (intermittent fixing tape core wire 11) and the presser winding 12 (in addition to this, the bundle material 13 is included). There is also.) Therefore, “the sum of the area of the area occupied by the optical fiber core in the slot and the area of the gap area in which the optical fiber unit is not accommodated” is accommodated from the cross-sectional area of the slot 21. It is represented by a value obtained by subtracting the cross-sectional area of the presser winding 12 and the bundle material 13 which are constituent members other than the optical fiber core wire 111 in the optical fiber unit 10.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the mounting density of the slot-type optical fiber cable and the transmission loss of the optical fiber. The vertical axis in the figure represents the magnitude of transmission loss (dB / km) of the optical fiber, and the horizontal axis represents the mounting density (number of cores / mm ² ). In the figure, the maximum value of the optical fiber transmission loss is plotted when the data transmission experiment is performed while changing the mounting density with an optical fiber cable having a multi-core (for example, 1000 cores) optical fiber. ing. The optical fiber can be a FutureGuide-SR15 (registered trademark) single mode fiber (compliant with ITU-T G.652 B) or FutureGuide-SR15E (registered trademark) single mode fiber (ITU-T G.652 D, ITU-T G.657). .A conformity) was used. In addition, an allowable upper limit value of the transmission loss of the optical fiber (hereinafter also referred to as an allowable value) is indicated by a broken line.

In the figure, it can be seen that the transmission loss of the optical fiber may increase from the allowable value (dB / km) in the range where the mounting density is larger than 11.2 cores / mm ² . Conversely, if the mounting density is in the range of 11.2 cores / mm ² or less, the transmission loss of the optical fiber becomes smaller than the allowable value (dB / km), and the optical fiber cable can maintain good transmission characteristics. I understand.

Therefore, in the optical fiber cable 1, the number of cores of the optical fiber core wire 111 (optical fiber unit 10) accommodated in the slot 21 is adjusted so that the mounting density is 11.2 cores / mm ² or less. Thus, it is possible to suppress an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber while allowing more optical fiber cores to be accommodated.

<Configuration of optical fiber cable>
The configuration of the optical fiber cable in the second embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 4). In the present embodiment, the method for housing the optical fiber core 111 in the slot 21 is different.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are views showing the state of the optical fiber core housed in the slot in the slot type optical fiber cable in the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, as many optical fiber cores as possible are stored in a range where the mounting density of the optical fiber cores housed in the slot is 11.2 cores / mm ² or less. As a result, the optical fiber core wire is also stored in the gap formed in the upper portion of the slot in FIG. In other words, the optical fiber core wire 111 is housed on the center side of the slot core 20 and the outer peripheral side (outside in the radial direction) with respect to the straight line connecting the vertices of the ribs 22. In this specification, such a structure is referred to as a “protruding structure”.

  In the case of FIG. 12B, the optical fiber core wire 111 is housed on the center side of the slot core 20 so as to be slid along a straight line connecting the vertices of the ribs 22. In the present specification, such a structure is referred to as a “grind structure”. Also in the cut-off structure, the gap is narrower than the slot type optical fiber cable as shown in FIG. 10, and the mounting density of the optical fiber core wire can be increased.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a result of evaluating transmission characteristics of a specific example of the slot-type optical fiber cable according to the second embodiment. In the figure, the transmission characteristics are shown for four types of slot type optical fiber cables A to D having different slot shapes (width, depth) and optical fiber core wire storage structures (extrusion structure, cut-off structure). I am evaluating. The “width” of the slot refers to the distance between the vertices of the ribs at both ends of the slot (corresponding to the length of the broken line in FIG. 10), and the “depth” of the slot refers to the vertices of the ribs at both ends of the slot. This is the shortest distance between the straight line connecting and the deepest part of the slot.

The cable A is a cable having a slot (referred to as a slot S1) having a predetermined width and depth. Conventionally, the mounting density of the slot S1 is about 4.1 cores / mm ² , and five conventional tape core wires each having four cores have been accommodated. That is, 20 optical fiber cores are accommodated in one slot. In addition, the conventional tape core wire which consists of four cores said here is the state in which the connection part of an optical fiber core wire is continuously provided with respect to the longitudinal direction, and the four optical fiber core wires are always on the same plane. It is a tape core wire used in. On the other hand, when the slot mounting density is 11.2 cores / mm ² or less, up to 14 intermittently fixed tape core wires (see FIG. 4) consisting of 4 cores can be stored. That is, 56 optical fiber cores can be stored in one slot. As a result of accommodating many optical fiber cores in one slot, a cable with a protruding structure as shown in FIG. 12A is obtained. At this time, the transmission loss of the cable A is less than the allowable value (dB / km) described above, and it can be evaluated that the transmission loss is good.

Similarly, the cable B is a cable having a slot (referred to as a slot S2) having a different width and depth from the slot S1. Conventionally, the mounting density of the slot S2 is about 1.4 cores / mm ² , and ten conventional optical fiber cores each having 8 cores are accommodated for a total of 80 optical fiber cores. In addition, the conventional tape core wire which consists of 8 cores here is the state in which the connection part of an optical fiber core wire is provided continuously with respect to the longitudinal direction, and the 8 optical fiber core wires are always on the same plane. It is a tape core wire used in. On the other hand, when the slot mounting density is set to 11.2 cores / mm ² or less, up to 40 intermittently fixed tape cores composed of 8 cores can be stored. That is, 320 optical fiber cores can be stored in one slot, and the cable B has a protruding structure. And the transmission loss of the cable B is also less than an allowable value (dB / km), and it can be evaluated that it has good transmission characteristics.

The cable C is a cable having a slot S1 like the cable A. On the other hand, in the slot of the cable C, 13 pieces of 4-fiber intermittently fixed tape core wires are stored. That is, 52 optical fibers are accommodated in one slot. In the cable C, the number of optical fiber cores accommodated in one slot is smaller than that in the cable A. Therefore, the mounting density of the slots is 11.2 cores / mm ² or less, and the slot is cut as shown in FIG. 12B. It becomes a structure. And the transmission loss of the cable C becomes less than an allowable value (dB / km), and it can be evaluated that it has good transmission characteristics.

Similarly to the cable B, the cable D is a cable having a slot S2. The slot of the cable D accommodates 39 pieces of 8-fiber intermittently fixed tape core wires. That is, 312 optical fiber core wires are accommodated in one slot. Even in the cable D, the mounting density of the slots is 11.2 cores / mm ² or less, and a scraped structure is formed. And the transmission loss of the cable D becomes less than an allowable value (dB / km), and it can be evaluated that it has good transmission characteristics.

  When the optical fiber core (tape core) is housed in the slot in the second embodiment, the optical fiber unit is wound by pressing and winding the intermittently fixed tape core in a bundle like the first embodiment. (See FIGS. 12A and 12B). However, in the cables A to D shown in FIG. 13, the optical fiber can be used as long as the cable is not affected by an impact even if it is housed without winding the presser winding 12 around the bundle of the intermittently fixed tape core wires 11. The transmission loss is less than the allowable value (dB / km). Further, even when the intermittently fixed tape core 11 is not stored, but a plurality of optical fiber cores 111 are each stored as a single core, the transmission loss of the optical fiber is less than an allowable value (dB / km). Become.

  In addition, in the above-described slot-type optical fiber cable of “extrusion structure” or “slip-off structure”, since the mounting density of the optical fiber core wire in each slot is high, the sheath provided at the outermost part of the cable is inside the slot. It is suppressed that it falls into. For example, in a conventional cable having a large slot gap, when a part of the sheath falls into the gap, the cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber cable may be distorted and the circular shape may not be maintained. If the shape of the cable is distorted, there is a possibility that problems such as troubles occur when the cable is laid. However, in the optical fiber cable of the present embodiment, since the gap portion of the slot 21 is small, the problem that the sheath 30 falls into the slot 21 and the cable shape is distorted hardly occurs. Further, since the sheath 30 is unlikely to fall into the slot 21, it is not necessary to provide a presser winding as shown in FIG. 9 between the slot core 20 and the sheath 30, and the sheath 30 directly on the outer periphery of the slot core 20. Can be provided. Thereby, at the time of maintenance, operations such as peeling the sheath and extracting the inner optical fiber core wire are facilitated.

<Effects of Second Embodiment>
According to the slot type optical fiber cable of the second embodiment, the mounting density of the optical fiber cores per slot can be made higher than before, and more optical fiber core wires are mounted in the optical fiber cable. We can meet the desire to do. Further, by setting the mounting density of the optical fiber core wire to a predetermined value or less, it is possible to suppress an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber while realizing multi-core.

=== Third Embodiment ===
In the third embodiment, a method for improving the water absorption characteristics of the optical fiber cable in each of the above-described embodiments will be described.

<Configuration of Third Embodiment>
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the slot-type optical fiber cable 1 in the third embodiment. In the optical fiber cable according to the third embodiment, a water absorbing tape 15 is used in place of the presser winding 12 as a member for collecting the bundle of the intermittently fixed tape core wires 11. The other basic configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1).

  The water-absorbing tape 15 is a sheet-like member having water absorption, and, like the press winding 12, forms the optical fiber unit 10 by winding it so as to wrap around the outer peripheral portion of the bundle of intermittently fixed tape core wires 11. . When moisture enters the slot in the slot type optical fiber cable, the moisture moves in the longitudinal direction in the slot along the optical fiber core wire, so that the transmission loss of the optical fiber is likely to increase. On the other hand, in the optical fiber cable of the present embodiment, the bundle of intermittently fixed tape cores 11 is wound with the water absorbing tape 15, so that even if moisture enters the slot 21, Since it is absorbed, it is suppressed that moisture moves in the slot 21 along the optical fiber core wire 111 (intermittent fixing tape core wire 11).

  The water absorbing tape 15 may be a sheet having a surface on which a water absorbing material such as water absorbing powder is applied. Further, a water absorbing yarn (not shown) may be used instead of the water absorbing tape 15. The water absorbing yarn is a thread-like member having water absorption. When a water absorbing yarn is used, the optical fiber unit 10 is configured by arranging a water absorbing yarn around the outer peripheral portion of the bundle along the longitudinal direction of the bundle of the intermittently fixed tape core wires 11 and winding the presser winding 12 thereon. . Moreover, you may make it the bundle material 13 mentioned above have absorptivity.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a result of a waterproof test performed on two types of optical fiber cables with different holding windings. The cable E is a non-woven fabric wound around the bundle of intermittently fixed tape cores 11 as a presser winding 12 having no water absorption. On the other hand, the cable F is an optical fiber cable according to the third embodiment in which a water absorbing tape 15 is wound around a bundle of intermittently fixed tape core wires 11.

  The waterproof test was conducted in accordance with JIS C 6851, paragraph 25 or IEC60794-1-2 (method F5), and a water running test was performed when water pressure of 1 m was applied from one end face of each cable. As test conditions, the case where water pressure was applied for 1 day with tap water to a cable length of 3 m was set as condition 1, and the case where water pressure was applied for 10 days with artificial seawater to a cable length of 40 m was set as condition 2. Under these conditions, the case where water did not flow out from the end surface in the direction opposite to the end surface on which water was introduced was determined to be acceptable, and the case where water flowed out was determined to be unacceptable.

  As a result of the waterproof test, in the case of either condition 1 or condition 2, in the cable E, water flowed out from the end surface opposite to the end surface into which water was introduced, and the cable E was rejected. On the other hand, in the cable F of this embodiment, in any of the condition 1 and the condition 2, water did not flow out from the end surface opposite to the end surface into which water was introduced, and passed. From this, it can be seen that a good waterproof effect can be obtained by winding the water absorbing tape 15 around the bundle of the intermittently fixed tape core wire 11.

<Effect of the third embodiment>
According to the slot type optical fiber cable of the third embodiment, the water supply tape absorbs moisture that has entered the slot by winding the outer peripheral portion of the bundle of intermittently fixed tape core wires with the water absorbing tape. Thereby, an optical fiber cable having good waterproof properties can be provided.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

<About intermittently fixed tape core wire>
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which four or eight optical fiber cores 111 are connected as the intermittently fixed tape core 11 has been described. However, the number of optical fiber cores constituting the intermittently fixed tape core 11 is not limited to this, and the number of cores may be increased or decreased. Further, the connection position and the number of connections of the connecting portions 115 that connect the two adjacent optical fiber cores 111 can be changed according to the application of the intermittently fixed tape core 11.

<About the optical fiber unit stored in the slot>
In the above-described embodiment, one optical fiber unit 10 is stored in each of the plurality of slots 21 formed in the slot core 20 (see, for example, FIG. 1). However, a plurality of optical fiber units 10 may be stored in one slot 21. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of optical fiber units are stored in one slot. In the figure, three optical fiber units 10 a, 10 b, and 10 c are accommodated in one slot 21. Moreover, the structure by which the four or more optical fiber units 10 are accommodated in the one slot 21 may be sufficient.

1 optical fiber cable,
2 Optical fiber cable,
10 optical fiber unit, 10a, 10b, 10c optical fiber unit,
11 intermittent fixing tape core wire, 111 optical fiber core wire, 115 connecting portion,
12 Presser winding, both ends of 12a and 12b,
13 Bundle material, 15 Water absorption tape,
20 slot core,
21 slots, 22 ribs, and 25 slots
30 sheath,
40 Tension member

Claims (7)

An optical fiber tape core composed of a plurality of optical fiber cores arranged in parallel, and a connecting portion for connecting two adjacent optical fiber core wires intermittently in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the optical fiber tape core wire An optical fiber ribbon arranged in
The optical fiber ribbons are bundled into a bundle, and a holding roll that wraps around the bundle,
A slot core having a slot on the outer periphery, the slot core storing the optical fiber ribbons bundled together in a bundle; and
A sheath that wraps around the outer periphery of the slot core so as to cover the opening of the slot;
A slot-type optical fiber cable comprising: The slot-type optical fiber cable according to claim 1,
A slot-type optical fiber cable comprising a slot holding wrap that encloses the outer periphery of the slot core between the slot core and the sheath. The slot-type optical fiber cable according to claim 1 or 2,
The slot-type optical fiber cable according to claim 1, wherein the presser winding that wraps the bundle of optical fiber ribbons is formed by a sheet having water absorption or a sheet coated with a substance having water absorption. The slot-type optical fiber cable according to claim 1 or 2,
The slot-type optical fiber cable, wherein the presser winding that wraps the bundle of optical fiber ribbons is a sheet-like plastic film formed into a cylindrical shape. The slot type optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The slot-type optical fiber cable is characterized in that the presser winding is formed in a cylindrical shape having an overlapping portion in which both ends are overlapped. The slot-type optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The outer periphery of the slot core is provided with ribs on both sides of the slot,
A slot-type optical fiber cable, wherein a plurality of the optical fiber core wires are housed on the center side and the outer peripheral side of the slot core with respect to a straight line connecting the vertices of the ribs. The slot-type optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A slot-type optical fiber cable, wherein a thread having water absorbability is provided along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon in the outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber ribbon bundled in a bundle.

Images