JP2002122761A - Optical fiber and optical fiber unit - Google Patents
Optical fiber and optical fiber unitInfo
- Publication number
- JP2002122761A JP2002122761A JP2000315071A JP2000315071A JP2002122761A JP 2002122761 A JP2002122761 A JP 2002122761A JP 2000315071 A JP2000315071 A JP 2000315071A JP 2000315071 A JP2000315071 A JP 2000315071A JP 2002122761 A JP2002122761 A JP 2002122761A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- optical fiber
- coating layer
- water absorption
- unit
- fiber unit
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 61
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000011247 coating layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- LFYJSSARVMHQJB-QIXNEVBVSA-N bakuchiol Chemical compound CC(C)=CCC[C@@](C)(C=C)\C=C\C1=CC=C(O)C=C1 LFYJSSARVMHQJB-QIXNEVBVSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002430 Fibre-reinforced plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002542 deteriorative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011151 fibre-reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001678 irradiating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000005022 packaging material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006255 plastic film Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000006116 polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002050 silicone resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000009281 ultraviolet germicidal irradiation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Optical Fibers, Optical Fiber Cores, And Optical Fiber Bundles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】この発明は、光ファイバユニ
ット、特に光海底ケーブル用の光ファイバユニットとこ
れに用いられる光ファイバ素線に関する。The present invention relates to an optical fiber unit, and more particularly to an optical fiber unit for an optical submarine cable and an optical fiber used therein.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】光海底ケーブルなどに用いられる光ファ
イバユニットとして、図１に示すようなタイト型構造の
ものが知られている。図１において、符号１は銅メッキ
鋼線，ガラス繊維強化プラスチック（ＦＲＰ）などから
なる中心テンションメンバを示す。この中心テンション
メンバ１の周囲には複数本の光ファイバ素線２，２…が
撚り合せられ、紫外線硬化型樹脂などからなる一体化材
３が塗布され、硬化せしめられて、中心テンションメン
バ１および光ファイバ素線２，２…を一体化した構造と
なっている。このような光ファイバユニットは、その上
に種々の被覆が設けられて、光海底ケーブルなどの光ケ
ーブルとされる。2. Description of the Related Art As an optical fiber unit used for an optical submarine cable or the like, a tight type structure as shown in FIG. 1 is known. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a center tension member made of copper-plated steel wire, glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), or the like. A plurality of optical fiber strands 2, 2... Are twisted around the center tension member 1, an integrated material 3 made of an ultraviolet curable resin or the like is applied and cured, and the center tension member 1 and The optical fibers 2, 2,... Are integrated. Such an optical fiber unit is provided with various coatings thereon to form an optical cable such as an optical submarine cable.
【０００３】また、上記光ファイバ素線２には、径１２
５μｍの光ファイバ裸線に紫外線硬化型樹脂からなる一
次および二次被覆層を設けた径２５０〜４００μｍのも
のが主に用いられる。また、一体化材３には、ケーブル
特性及びユニットの解体特性（心線口出し性）の点から
ヤング率が０．１〜５ｋｇ／ｍｍ2の軟質の紫外線硬化
型樹脂が主に使用されている。The optical fiber 2 has a diameter of 12 mm.
An optical fiber having a diameter of 250 to 400 μm, in which a 5 μm bare optical fiber is provided with primary and secondary coating layers made of an ultraviolet curable resin, is mainly used. In addition, a soft ultraviolet-curable resin having a Young's modulus of 0.1 to 5 kg / mm 2 is mainly used for the integrated material 3 from the viewpoint of cable characteristics and unit disassembly characteristics (core leadability). .
【０００４】このような光ユニットの製造は、中心テン
ションメンバ１上に複数本の光ファイバ素線２，２…を
撚り合せ、これを塗布用ダイスに送り込んで一体化材３
となる紫外線硬化型樹脂を塗布し、さらにこれを紫外線
照射装置に送り、ここで紫外線を照射し、塗布された紫
外線硬化型樹脂を硬化させる方法によって行われる。In order to manufacture such an optical unit, a plurality of optical fiber strands 2, 2... Are twisted on a central tension member 1 and sent to a coating die to form an integrated material 3.
This is performed by a method of applying an ultraviolet-curable resin to be applied, and then sending the ultraviolet-curable resin to an ultraviolet irradiation device, where it is irradiated with ultraviolet light to cure the applied ultraviolet-curable resin.
【０００５】この製造方法においては、一体化材となる
紫外線硬化型樹脂に紫外線を照射して硬化させる際に、
紫外線ランプからの熱および紫外線硬化型樹脂の重合熱
によって、内部の光ファイバ素線２，２…が急激に加温
される。この時、光ファイバ素線２，２…の被覆層に水
分が吸着されていると、この水分が加熱されて発泡し、
一体化材３中で気泡として残ることになる。一体化材３
中に気泡が存在する光ファイバユニットでは、これによ
りその水圧特性，低温特性が悪化することになる。[0005] In this manufacturing method, when irradiating an ultraviolet ray to an ultraviolet curing resin as an integrated material and curing it,
The internal optical fiber wires 2, 2,... Are rapidly heated by the heat from the ultraviolet lamp and the polymerization heat of the ultraviolet curable resin. At this time, if moisture is adsorbed on the coating layers of the optical fiber strands 2, 2, ..., the moisture is heated and foamed,
It will remain as bubbles in the integrated material 3. Integrated material 3
In an optical fiber unit in which air bubbles are present, the water pressure characteristics and the low temperature characteristics are deteriorated.
【０００６】[0006]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】よって、本発明におけ
る課題は、一体化材となる紫外線硬化型樹脂を紫外線照
射により硬化する際に、光ファイバ素線に吸着された水
分による発泡を防止し、これに起因する光ファイバユニ
ットの水圧特性，低温特性の低下を防止することにあ
る。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent foaming due to moisture adsorbed on an optical fiber when a UV-curable resin as an integrated material is cured by UV irradiation. An object of the present invention is to prevent the water pressure characteristics and the low temperature characteristics of the optical fiber unit from deteriorating.
【０００７】[0007]
【課題を解決するための手段】かかる課題は、光ファイ
バユニットをなす光ファイバ素線の被覆層の吸水率を
１．５重量％以下とすることによって解決できる。This problem can be solved by reducing the water absorption of the coating layer of the optical fiber constituting the optical fiber unit to 1.5% by weight or less.
【０００８】[0008]
【発明の実施の形態】以下、本発明を詳しく説明する。
本発明の光ファイバ素線は、その被覆層に含まれる水分
が、吸水率で１．５重量％以下としたものである。光フ
ァイバ素線の被覆層をなす材料は、主に紫外線硬化型樹
脂であり、これ以外にシリコーン樹脂が用いられてい
る。これらの樹脂からなる被覆層は、若干量ではある
が、周囲の雰囲気中の水分を吸着，吸水する性質があ
り、保管状態によっては、被覆層の水分量が変動する。DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail.
In the optical fiber of the present invention, the moisture contained in the coating layer is 1.5% by weight or less in terms of water absorption. The material forming the coating layer of the optical fiber is mainly an ultraviolet curable resin, and a silicone resin is also used. The coating layer made of these resins has a property of adsorbing and absorbing moisture in the surrounding atmosphere, although the amount is small, and the moisture content of the coating layer varies depending on the storage state.
【０００９】そのため、光ファイバ素線の被覆層の吸水
率を１．５重量％以下とするには、光ファイバ素線が吸
水しないような状態で保管すればよく、例えば製造直後
の巻き取られた光ファイバ素線をただちにプラスチック
フィルムなどの非透湿性包装材で包装，密閉する方法や
相対湿度５０％以下の低湿度に保たれた保管庫に保管す
る方法などをとればよい。Therefore, in order to reduce the water absorption of the coating layer of the optical fiber to 1.5% by weight or less, it is sufficient to store the optical fiber in a state where the optical fiber does not absorb water. The optical fiber may be immediately wrapped and sealed with a moisture-impermeable packaging material such as a plastic film, or stored in a low-humidity storage room with a relative humidity of 50% or less.
【００１０】光ファイバ素線の被覆層の吸水率が１．５
重量％以上を越えると、後述の具体例からも明らかなよ
うに、一体化材中に気泡が形成され、得られる光ファイ
バユニットの水圧特性，低温特性が悪化する。光ファイ
バ素線の被覆層の吸水率の測定は、カールフィシャー法
などによって行うことができる。[0010] The water absorption of the coating layer of the optical fiber is 1.5
If the content is more than the weight percentage, bubbles will be formed in the integrated material as will be apparent from the specific examples described later, and the water pressure characteristics and the low temperature characteristics of the obtained optical fiber unit deteriorate. The measurement of the water absorption of the coating layer of the optical fiber can be performed by the Karl Fischer method or the like.
【００１１】本発明の光ファイバユニットは、被覆層の
吸水率が１．５重量％以下の光ファイバ素線を用いたも
のである。すなわち、一体化材となる紫外線硬化型樹脂
を塗布用ダイスで塗布する直前まで、光ファイバ素線の
被覆層の吸水率を１．５重量％以下に保つようにすれば
よい。このためには、光ファイバユニットの製造にあた
っては、被覆層の吸水率が１．５重量％以下の光ファイ
バ素線を用い、この光ファイバ素線を中心テンションメ
ンバに撚り合せ、塗布用ダイスに送り込むまでの間の雰
囲気を低湿度の状態、例えば相対湿度５０％以下の状態
に保ち、この間に光ファイバ素線の被覆層が水分を吸水
しないようにすればよいことになる。An optical fiber unit according to the present invention uses an optical fiber having a coating layer having a water absorption of 1.5% by weight or less. That is, the water absorption of the coating layer of the optical fiber may be maintained at 1.5% by weight or less until immediately before the ultraviolet curing resin serving as the integral material is applied by the application die. For this purpose, in the production of an optical fiber unit, an optical fiber having a coating layer having a water absorption of 1.5% by weight or less is used, and the optical fiber is twisted to a center tension member, and is applied to a coating die. The atmosphere before the feeding is kept in a low-humidity state, for example, a state in which the relative humidity is 50% or less, and it is sufficient that the coating layer of the optical fiber does not absorb moisture during this time.
【００１２】しかし、光ファイバ素線の送り出しから塗
布用のダイスに入るまでに要する時間は、通常数十秒以
内と短時間であるので、被覆層の吸水率が十分に低い光
ファイバ素線を用いる限りでは、この間に光ファイバ素
線の被覆層の吸水率が１．５重量％を越える恐れはな
く、あえて作業雰囲気を低湿度に保つ必要はない。However, the time required from sending out the optical fiber strand to entering the coating die is short, usually within several tens of seconds, so that the optical fiber strand having a sufficiently low water absorption of the coating layer is required. As long as it is used, the water absorption of the coating layer of the optical fiber does not exceed 1.5% by weight during this time, and it is not necessary to keep the working atmosphere at low humidity.
【００１３】このような光ファイバユニットでは、これ
に集合された素線の被覆層の吸水率が低くなっているの
で、紫外線硬化型樹脂からなる一体化材の紫外線硬化の
際に、光ファイバ素線の被覆層が加熱されても、水分が
発泡するまでには至らず、硬化後の一体化材中に気泡が
形成されることがなく、光ファイバユニットの水圧特
性，低温特性が悪化することがない。[0013] In such an optical fiber unit, since the water absorption of the coating layer of the strands gathered in the optical fiber unit is low, the optical fiber unit is hardened when the integrated material made of the ultraviolet curable resin is cured by ultraviolet rays. Even if the coating layer of the wire is heated, the water does not foam, no bubbles are formed in the integrated material after curing, and the water pressure characteristics and low temperature characteristics of the optical fiber unit deteriorate. There is no.
【００１４】以下、具体例を示す。光ファイバ素線とし
て、径１２５μｍの光ファイバ裸線に紫外線硬化型樹脂
からなる一次被覆層および二次被覆層を設けた径４００
μｍのものを用意し、その巻取り後の保管状態を種々変
化させて、その被覆層の吸水率を０．８重量％から１．
８重量％に調整した５種のものを準備した。吸水率の測
定は、カールフィシャー法によって行った。A specific example will be described below. As an optical fiber, a diameter of 400 μm in which a primary coating layer and a secondary coating layer made of an ultraviolet curable resin are provided on a bare optical fiber having a diameter of 125 μm.
μm was prepared, and the storage state after winding was changed in various ways, and the water absorption of the coating layer was changed from 0.8% by weight to 1.
Five types adjusted to 8% by weight were prepared. The water absorption was measured by the Karl Fischer method.
【００１５】この光ファイバ素線を径０．７５ｍｍの銅
メッキ鋼線の中心テンションメンバの周囲に６本撚り合
せ、紫外線硬化型樹脂からなる一体化材を塗布，硬化し
て、タイト型の光ファイバユニットを作成した。Six such optical fiber strands are twisted around a center tension member of a copper-plated steel wire having a diameter of 0.75 mm, and an integrated material made of an ultraviolet curing resin is applied and cured to obtain a tight type light. A fiber unit was created.
【００１６】低温特性は、光ファイバユニットの＋１５
℃での光ファイバ素線の伝送損失と、−２０℃での伝送
損失との差によって評価し、その差が±１０ｍｄＢ／ｋ
ｍ以下のものは合格とした。伝送損失はすべて波長１．
５５μｍでの測定値である。また、水圧特性は、光ファ
イバユニットを圧力容器に沈め、１００ｋｇ／ｃｍ 2の
水圧を印加した状態での光ファイバ素線の伝送損失と、
大気圧での伝損損失との差によって評価し、その差が±
１０ｍｄＢ／ｋｍ以下のものを合格とした。結果を表１
および図２に示す。The low temperature characteristic is +15 of the optical fiber unit.
Transmission loss of optical fiber at -20 ℃ and transmission at -20 ℃
It is evaluated by the difference from the loss, and the difference is ± 10 mdB / k
m or less was judged to be acceptable. All transmission losses are at wavelength 1.
This is a measured value at 55 μm. In addition, the water pressure characteristics
100kg / cm Twoof
The transmission loss of the optical fiber with the water pressure applied,
It is evaluated by the difference between the power loss at atmospheric pressure and the difference is ±
Those of 10 mdB / km or less were accepted. Table 1 shows the results
And FIG.
【００１７】[0017]
【表１】 [Table 1]
【００１８】表１および図２の図表から、使用される光
ファイバ素線の被覆層の吸水率が１．５重量％以下とす
ることにより、光ファイバユニットの水圧特性，低温特
性の悪化を防止することができることが明らかとなっ
た。From the charts of Table 1 and FIG. 2, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the water pressure characteristic and the low temperature characteristic of the optical fiber unit by setting the water absorption of the coating layer of the used optical fiber to 1.5% by weight or less. It became clear that we could do that.
【００１９】[0019]
【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明によれば、
光ファイバユニットの一体化材中に気泡が形成されるこ
とがなくなり、この気泡に起因する光ファイバユニット
の水圧特性，低温特性の悪化を防止することができる。As described above, according to the present invention,
Air bubbles are not formed in the integrated material of the optical fiber unit, and deterioration of the water pressure characteristics and low temperature characteristics of the optical fiber unit due to the air bubbles can be prevented.
【図１】 本発明に係るタイト型光ファイバユニットの
一例を示す概略構成図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a tight-type optical fiber unit according to the present invention.
【図２】 具体例の結果を示す図表である。FIG. 2 is a chart showing the results of a specific example.
１…中心テンションメンバ、２…光ファイバ素線、３…
一体化材1: Central tension member, 2: Optical fiber strand, 3:
Integrated material
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 下道 毅 千葉県佐倉市六崎1440番地 株式会社フジ クラ佐倉事業所内 (72)発明者 大橋 圭二 千葉県佐倉市六崎1440番地 株式会社フジ クラ佐倉事業所内 Ｆターム(参考） 2H001 DD04 KK06 KK17 MM09 2H050 BB02W BB33W BC18 BD00 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Shimichi 1440, Mukurosaki, Sakura-shi, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Office (72) Inventor Keiji Ohashi 1440, Misaki, Sakura-shi, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Office F-term (reference) 2H001 DD04 KK06 KK17 MM09 2H050 BB02W BB33W BC18 BD00
Claims (2)
ることを特徴とする光ファイバ素線。1. An optical fiber, wherein the water absorption of the coating layer is 1.5% by weight or less.
る光ファイバ素線を中心テンションメンバの周囲に撚り
合せ、紫外線硬化型樹脂からなる一体化材で被覆，一体
化したことを特徴とする光ファイバユニット。2. An optical fiber having a coating layer having a water absorption of 1.5% by weight or less is twisted around a center tension member, and is covered and integrated with an integrated material made of an ultraviolet curable resin. Characteristic optical fiber unit.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000315071A JP2002122761A (en) | 2000-10-16 | 2000-10-16 | Optical fiber and optical fiber unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000315071A JP2002122761A (en) | 2000-10-16 | 2000-10-16 | Optical fiber and optical fiber unit |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2002122761A true JP2002122761A (en) | 2002-04-26 |
Family
ID=18794227
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000315071A Withdrawn JP2002122761A (en) | 2000-10-16 | 2000-10-16 | Optical fiber and optical fiber unit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2002122761A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7729564B2 (en) | 2006-07-28 | 2010-06-01 | The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. | Optical fiber provided with reliable coating layers |
-
2000
- 2000-10-16 JP JP2000315071A patent/JP2002122761A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7729564B2 (en) | 2006-07-28 | 2010-06-01 | The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. | Optical fiber provided with reliable coating layers |
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