JPH11231183A - Coated optical fiber ribbon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the trouble to match separated optical fibers with fitting intervals of an optical connector, etc., when a coated optical fiber ribbon is fitted to the optical connector, etc. SOLUTION: Optical fibers 2 are united in parallel to each other with a batch clad layer 3 so as not to be in contact with each other to form connection parts 3a where the optical fibers are mutually connected and optical fiber parts 3b where the optical fibers are claded, and the connection parts 3 are thicker than the optical fiber parts 3b. Consequently, extra trouble to fit jumper cords to the separated optical fibers which were done so as to match then with the fitting intervals of a photodetecting element and an optical connector can be eliminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon having a special structure suitable for internal wiring.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon 1 is formed by arranging a plurality of optical fiber wires 2 and 2 in parallel in a state where they are in contact with each other, and forming a collective coating layer 3 made of an ultraviolet curable resin or the like on the periphery thereof. Thus, they are integrated into a tape shape. In the optical fiber ribbon 1, the thickness of the collective coating layer 3 is uniformly uniform throughout. In such an optical fiber ribbon 1,
A plurality of optical fiber wires 2 can be handled collectively, and even at the time of connection, a plurality of optical fiber wires 2 can be connected collectively, so that connection time is short and work efficiency is reduced. Good. Further, since each optical fiber 2 is made compact as compared with a case where the optical fibers are separately formed into a core, there is an advantage that it is preferable to achieve high-density mounting of optical fibers when configuring an optical cable. ing.

When the above-described optical fiber ribbon is used as an optical cord for wiring between devices in an exchange or in a device, mounting of a light emitting element, a light receiving element, an optical connector, etc. installed in these devices. The interval is much wider than the distance between the optical fibers (usually 0.25 mm). For this reason, when using, it is necessary to separate the optical fiber ribbon into individual strands, and then attach a jumper cord to match the installation interval of the optical connector etc. to each separated strand. Met.

[0004]

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is easy to match the separated optical fiber wires with the mounting intervals of the light receiving element, the optical connector, etc., and no extra labor is required. Another object is to obtain an optical fiber ribbon.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of optical fiber strands are integrated in parallel and collectively by a coating layer without contacting each other. An optical fiber tape comprising: a connecting portion that connects optical fiber wires; and a wire portion coated with the optical fiber wire, wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is smaller than the thickness of the wire portion. It is a cord.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of the optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1 of the present invention. The difference between the optical fiber ribbon 4 of the present invention and the conventional optical fiber ribbon 1 shown in FIG. 2 is that a plurality of optical fibers 2 and 2 are collectively covered while being separated from each other. It has a connecting portion 3a that is covered and integrated with the layer 3 and connects the optical fiber wires, and a wire portion 3b coated with the optical fiber wires, and the thickness of the connecting portion 3a is smaller than the thickness of the wire portions 3b. Is a point.

The optical fiber 2 used in the present invention comprises:
Although not particularly limited, an optical fiber bare fiber having an outer diameter of 125 μm is generally coated with an ultraviolet-curable resin (UV resin) and cured to form a two-layer coating layer having an outer diameter of 250 μm. The number of optical fibers constituting the optical fiber ribbon 4 may be an arbitrary number of 2 or more.

If the thickness of the collective coating layer 3 is too small, the mechanical strength of the optical fiber ribbon 1 becomes low, and if it is too thick, the leadability is poor. Therefore, the thickness of the collective coating layer 3 can be appropriately set according to the use of the optical fiber ribbon 4 and the type of the resin constituting the collective coating layer 3. For example, when the optical fiber ribbon 4 is formed using four optical fiber wires 2 having an outer diameter of 250 μm, the thickness of the wire portion 3a is formed to be about 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. Is done. The Young's modulus of the resin forming the batch coating layer 3 is preferably about 10 to 100 kg / cm ² . In the optical fiber ribbon 4, the thickness of the connecting portion 3a is:
It is thinner than the thickness of the wire day 3b. The thickness ratio (3a / 3b) of the connecting portion 3a and the wire portion 3b is:
About 3/4 to 1/2 is preferable.

The spacing between the strands 2 is determined so as to match the spacing between optical connectors and the like of optical devices and the like, but is usually in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 mm. further,
The intervals between the strands 2 need not always be uniform.

In order to manufacture such an optical fiber tape core wire 4, a plurality of optical fiber strands 2 are inserted into a coating die while maintaining a predetermined interval, and uncured ultraviolet light is passed through the coating die. It is performed by a method of applying a curable resin, irradiating ultraviolet rays to cure the resin, and forming the collective coating layer 3.

In such an optical fiber ribbon 4, the intervals between the optical fibers 2 are arranged in accordance with the intervals at which the light receiving element and the optical connector are mounted, and these are integrated by the collective coating layer 3. Therefore, the optical fiber wires 2 can have an interval between the optical fibers 2 that matches the interval between the connectors. Therefore, the optical fiber ribbon 4
Is used as an optical cord for wiring between devices in an exchange or in a device, each optical fiber 2 is connected to a plurality of light-emitting elements, light-receiving elements, optical connectors, and the like installed in these devices. This eliminates the need for extra work for matching.

Also, since the optical fiber ribbon 4 has a shape in which the thickness of the connecting portion 3a is smaller than the thickness of the wire portion 3b, the surface area of the collective coating layer 3 is increased. When bonding to connectors or equipment,
The contact area with the adhesive can be increased, and the adhesive strength can be increased. Further, when each optical fiber 2 is separated, if the optical fiber 2 is cut in the vicinity of the intermediate portion of the connecting portion 3a, the cutting operation becomes easy, and the connecting portion 3a separates the optical fiber 2 from the tensile force. By providing mechanical protection, the mechanical strength is increased.

[0013]

As described above, the optical fiber ribbon of the present invention is obtained by integrating a plurality of optical fibers in parallel with each other and without contacting them with a collective coating layer. It is characterized by comprising a connecting portion for connecting each other and a wire portion covered with an optical fiber, wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is smaller than the thickness of the wire portion.

More specifically, by arranging the intervals between the optical fiber strands in accordance with the installation intervals of the light receiving element, the optical connector, and the like, the intervals between the optical fiber strands are matched to the installation intervals. An optical fiber ribbon can be obtained. From this, it is possible to reduce extra labor, such as attaching the jumper cord to each separated wire, which has conventionally been performed to match the installation interval of the light receiving element and the optical connector.

[0015] Further, the plurality of optical fiber strands are covered and integrated with the collective coating layer in a state where they are separated from each other. The cutting work was facilitated if the cutting was performed. In addition, the connecting portion mechanically protects the optical fiber from the tensile force, thereby increasing the mechanical strength.

Further, the optical fiber ribbon has a shape in which the thickness of the connecting portion is smaller than the thickness of the strand portion. For this reason, the surface area of the collective coating layer is increased as compared with the conventional one, and the effect of increasing the bonding area with the adhesive at the time of bonding to the connector or the device is obtained, and the adhesive force is reduced. Enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional optical fiber ribbon.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Optical fiber, 3 batch covering layer, 4 optical fiber tape.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber element comprising: a plurality of optical fiber strands which are integrated with a collective coating layer in parallel with each other and do not contact each other, and a connecting part for connecting the optical fiber strands and a strand part coated with the optical fiber strands; Wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is smaller than the thickness of the strand portion.