JP3838246B2 - Method and apparatus for manufacturing self-supporting optical cable and capstan - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-supporting optical cable manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus, and a capstan, in which a gourd-shaped sheath having a cross-sectional shape is collectively extrusion coated on the outer periphery of a suspension line and an optical fiber cable.

  The self-supporting type optical cable is formed by extruding and covering a gourd-shaped sheath having a cross-sectional shape around the suspension wire and the optical fiber cable.

  A self-supporting optical cable is generally said to have an extension of about 0.2% when the cable is subjected to tension at the time of laying the cable, tension at the time of tightening, or tension due to natural phenomena such as wind pressure. .

  At this time, if the lengths of the suspension line and the optical fiber cable are the same, the optical fiber cable is also pulled by the suspension line and stretched by about 0.2%. Therefore, there has been a problem that the electrical loss of the optical fiber cable increases.

  Therefore, a self-supporting optical cable with extra length was developed. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the extra-length self-supporting optical cable 1 is formed by covering the outer circumferences of the suspension wire 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 with a gourd-shaped sheath 4 having a cross-sectional shape. The optical fiber cable 3 is formed longer than the suspension line 2 with an extra length of 0.2%. A slit 6 is formed in the neck portion 5 of the sheath 4 that connects the suspension line 2 and the optical fiber cable 3, and a meandering portion 7 in which the optical fiber cable 3 meanders is formed in the slit 6 portion to absorb the extra length. Yes.

  FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for manufacturing a self-supporting optical cable, and FIG. 7 shows a conventional capstan.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a self-supporting optical cable manufacturing apparatus includes a hanging drum 11 for feeding a hanging wire 2, an optical fiber cable drum 12 for feeding an optical fiber cable 3, and both the hanging wire 2 and the optical fiber cable 3. Extruder 14 that extrudes and coats sheath 4 on the outer periphery, extra length imparting capstan 15 that gives extra length to optical fiber cable 3, capstan portion cooling water tank 21, cooling water tank 22, and take-up machine 23 And a winding drum 24 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the surplus length imparting capstan 15 is formed in a truncated cone shape, and a half groove 16 for winding the suspension wire 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Yes. The half-grooved groove 16 has a cross-sectional shape in which the gourd type is halved, and an optical fiber cable groove portion 17 around which the optical fiber cable 3 is wound and a suspension groove portion 18 around which the suspension wire 2 is wound are formed. The optical fiber cable groove portion 17 is formed on the larger diameter side than the suspension line groove portion 18 so that the optical fiber cable 3 is drawn by the length necessary for providing an extra length from the suspension line 2 (difference in layer core diameter). It has become.

  Specifically, the layer center radius (R + G) of the optical fiber cable 3 is made larger by G than the layer center radius (R) of the suspension wire 2 wound around the half-grooved groove 16, so that the optical fiber cable 3 has a predetermined value. The extra length (0.2% of the suspension line 2 (= the extra length ratio G / R)) is included. By winding the sheath 4 around the surplus length imparting capstan 15, the optical fiber cable 3 is drawn out longer than the suspension line 2 and a surplus length is given. The extra length portion of the optical fiber cable 3 meanders at the slit 6 portion formed by the extruder 14. The suspension line 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 integrated by the sheath 4 are cooled by the capstan cooling water tank 21 in this shape, and the shape is determined. Then, the suspension line 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 integrated by the sheath 4 are wound around the winding drum 24 through the cooling water tank 22 and the take-up machine 23, and the self-supporting optical cable 1 is completed.

JP-A-8-75969

  By the way, the self-supporting optical cable 1 has a surplus length ratio with respect to the suspension line 2 of the surplus length provided to the optical fiber cable 3 (for example, 0.2%). Therefore, every time the size (diameter) of the suspension line 2 or the optical fiber cable 3 is changed, the difference in the layer center radius between the suspension line 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 is changed, so that the size (diameter) of the suspension line 2 or the optical fiber cable 3 is changed. The extra length grant capstan 15 had to be replaced.

  The extra-length imparting capstan 15 is heavy, and the replacement work must be performed in a narrow place. Therefore, it cannot be performed by a worker engaged in the production line, and a specialized supplier needs to use a UNIC car. Therefore, the time and cost required for the replacement work are great.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object thereof is to cope with a change in the size of a suspension line or an optical fiber cable without exchanging the capstan. It is an object of the present invention to provide a self-supporting optical cable manufacturing method, manufacturing apparatus, and capstan capable of providing a certain extra length ratio.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a self-supporting optical cable in which a suspension line and an optical fiber cable are arranged in parallel and sent out, and a gourd-shaped sheath having a cross-sectional shape is collectively extrusion-coated on the outer periphery thereof. In the manufacturing method, a capstan for winding a self-supporting type optical cable whose sheath is extrusion-coated is used, and a hanging portion winding surface for winding the hanging wire around the outer peripheral surface of the capstan and an optical fiber cable portion for winding the optical fiber cable The self-supporting type is formed by forming a plurality of types of surplus length providing grooves composed of a winding surface and selecting the surplus length providing grooves so as to give a predetermined surplus length ratio corresponding to the hanging line size and the optical fiber cable size. This is a method of manufacturing a self-supporting optical cable around which an optical cable is wound.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of types of the extra length providing grooves are formed along the axial direction of the capstan, and the capstan is rotatable on the spline shaft and movable in the axial direction thereof. The self-supporting optical cable is supported, and the capstan is moved in the axial direction so as to wind the self-supporting optical cable around the suspension line and the extra length-applying groove according to the diameter of the optical fiber cable.

  A third aspect of the invention is a self-supporting device having a capstan for winding a self-supporting optical cable in which a suspension wire and an optical fiber cable are arranged in parallel and fed out, and a sheath having a cross-sectional shape of gourd is extruded and coated around the outer periphery thereof. In the manufacturing apparatus of the type optical cable, an extra length imparting groove comprising a suspension portion winding surface for winding the suspension wire and an optical fiber cable portion winding surface for winding the optical fiber cable is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the capstan. This is a self-supporting type optical cable manufacturing apparatus formed in a plurality of types so as to give a predetermined extra length ratio corresponding to the optical fiber cable size.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-supporting optical cable manufacturing apparatus in which the capstan is gradually reduced in diameter along the axial direction, and the plurality of types of extra length providing grooves are formed stepwise.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the capstan is supported on the spline shaft so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction, and the capstan is provided with a moving means for moving the capstan along the spline shaft. It is a manufacturing apparatus of a support type optical cable.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a capstan that wraps a self-supporting optical cable that collectively extrudes and coats a cross-sectional gourd sheath around the outer periphery of the suspension line and the optical fiber cable, and the suspension line is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the capstan. Plural kinds of surplus length giving grooves composed of the suspension wire portion winding surface and the optical fiber cable portion winding surface for winding the optical fiber cable so as to provide a predetermined surplus length ratio corresponding to the suspension wire size and the optical fiber cable size. The capstan that was formed.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the capstan in which the main body portion of the capstan is gradually reduced in diameter along the axial direction, and the plurality of types of extra length providing grooves are formed in a step shape.

  In the invention of claim 8, the main body of the capstan is supported by the spline shaft so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction, and the capstan main body moves to move the capstan along the spline shaft. A capstan provided with means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cope with a change in the size of a hanging line or an optical fiber cable without exchanging the capstan, and to exhibit an excellent effect that a certain extra length ratio can be given to the optical fiber cable.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a self-supporting optical cable manufacturing apparatus includes a hanging drum 11 for feeding a hanging wire 2, an optical fiber cable drum 12 for feeding an optical fiber cable 3, and both the hanging wire 2 and the optical fiber cable 3. An extruder 14 that collectively extrudes and coats the sheath 4 on the outer periphery, an extra length imparting capstan (capstan) 31 that gives extra length to the optical fiber cable 3, a capstan portion cooling water tank 21, a cooling water tank 22, A take-up machine 23 and a take-up drum 24 are provided.

  The extruder 14 is disposed downstream of the hanging wire drum 11 and the optical fiber cable drum 12. The extruder 14 is provided with an extruder crosshead 25 that extrudes and coats the sheath 4 on the outer circumferences of both the hanging wire 2 and the optical fiber cable 3, and a slit forming device 26 that forms the slit 6 in the neck 5 of the sheath 4. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the surplus length imparting capstan 31 is provided in the capstan portion cooling water tank 21 on the downstream side of the extruder 14. The extra length imparting capstan 31 is formed of a material such as aluminum, gun metal, brass, and stainless steel that is easy to process, lightweight, and relatively difficult to corrode. It may be made of iron and plated. Moreover, you may manufacture with an engineering plastic and you may reinforce this with a metal. The outer diameter of the extra length imparting capstan 31 is preferably as large as possible considering the cooling efficiency of the wound self-supporting optical cable 1, but is preferably 500 to 5000 mm from the viewpoint of production, installation location, and workability.

  The surplus length imparting capstan 31 is provided with a surplus length imparting groove 35 including a hanging portion winding surface 33 for winding the hanging wire 2 and an optical fiber cable portion winding surface 34 for winding the optical fiber cable 3 on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 32. A plurality of types are formed.

  Each extra length giving groove 35 is formed in plural types so as to give a predetermined extra length ratio (0.2%) corresponding to the hanging line size (diameter + sheath thickness) and the optical fiber cable size (diameter + sheath thickness). Has been. Specifically, the suspension wire portion winding surface 33 and the optical fiber cable portion winding surface 34 are provided adjacent to each other and are formed in an annular shape. The layer core radius R2 of the suspension wire 2 wound around the suspension wire portion winding surface 33 is configured to be shorter than the layer core radius R3 of the optical fiber cable 3 wound around the optical fiber cable portion winding surface 34. . Here, the layer center radius R2 of the suspension wire 2 is a value obtained by adding the radius r1 of the suspension wire winding surface 33 and the radius of the suspension wire portion (radius of the suspension wire 2 + sheath thickness) r2, and the layer center radius of the optical fiber cable 3 R3 is a value (r3 + r4) obtained by adding the radius r3 of the optical fiber cable portion winding surface 34 and the radius of the optical fiber cable portion (radius of the optical fiber cable 3 + sheath thickness) r4. Then, the value G / R2 obtained by dividing the difference G (= R3−R2) between the layer center radius R2 of the optical fiber cable 3 and the layer center radius R2 of the suspension line 2 by the layer center radius R2 of the suspension line 2 is the excess length ratio. Become. Depending on the size of the suspension line 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 used in the self-supporting optical cable 1 and the radius r1 of the suspension part winding surface 33 and the optical fiber cable part winding so that the extra length ratio is 0.2%. A radius r3 of the abutting surface 34 is calculated, and a plurality of types of extra length giving grooves 35 are formed. A partition wall portion 36 is provided between the adjacent surplus length giving grooves 35 to partition them.

  The main body portion 32 of the surplus length imparting capstan 31 is gradually reduced in diameter along the axial direction, and the plurality of surplus length imparting grooves 35 are formed in a step shape. That is, the diameter of each suspension wire portion winding surface 33 is gradually reduced along the axial direction, and the extra length ratio is 0.2 depending on the diameter and the size of the suspension wire 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 used. %, The diameter of the optical fiber cable portion winding surface 34 is calculated, and a surplus length imparting groove 35 is formed.

  The surplus length imparting capstan 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is supported rotatably on a capstan shaft 37 provided therein via a bearing 38. The capstan shaft 37 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is supported by a spline shaft 39 provided therein along the axial direction. The capstan shaft 37 is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the spline shaft 39. Lubricating oil is applied to the surface of the spline shaft 39 to facilitate the movement of the capstan shaft 37 in the axial direction. The capstan shaft 37 is made of a strong and hardly corroded material such as stainless steel or brass. The spline shaft 39 is formed of a material that hardly corrodes, such as stainless steel, or a material that resists corrosion by plating strong steel or the like. It is preferable to use a waterproof bearing 38, or to provide a waterproof structure by providing the bearing 38 outside the water tank, and to make the bearing 38 waterproof after having a waterproof structure.

  The body portion 32 of the surplus length imparting capstan 31 is provided with a moving means 40 for moving it along the spline shaft 39. Specifically, a screw hole 41 extending in the axial direction is formed at one end of the capstan shaft 37, and the screw shaft 43 is screwed into the screw hole 41. A motor 44 is connected to the screw shaft 43, and when the screw shaft 43 is rotated by the motor 44, the extra length imparting capstan 31 pivotally supported by the capstan shaft 37 moves in the axial direction. . The movement speed of the extra length imparting capstan 31 by the motor 44 includes fast feed and fine feed, the fast feed movement speed is 50 to 500 mm / min, and the fine feed movement speed is set in the range of 5 to 50 mm / min. . The screw shaft 43 may be rotated manually through a handle instead of the motor 44.

  On the side of the capstan shaft 37, a scale 45 indicating the position of the capstan shaft 37 corresponding to the travel position of the self-supporting optical cable 1 is formed in each of the surplus length imparting grooves 35 of the surplus length imparting capstan 31. A positioning guide 46 is provided. The operator drives the motor 44 while looking at the scale 45 to move the extra length imparting capstan 31.

  When the self-supporting optical cable 1 is manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus of the self-supporting optical cable 1 having the capstan 31 having the above-described configuration, a predetermined margin is determined in advance according to the size of the suspension line 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 to be used. The surplus length imparting groove 35 for imparting the length ratio is selected, and the motor 44 is driven so that the selected surplus length imparting groove 35 is located in the traveling portion of the self-supporting optical cable 1 to thereby provide the surplus length imparting capstan. 31 is moved in the axial direction. At this time, since the capstan shaft 33 is moved so as to match the scale 45 of the positioning guide 46, the positioning can be easily performed.

  Then, the suspension wire 2 fed out from the suspension wire drum 11 and the optical fiber cable 3 fed out from the optical fiber cable drum 12 are arranged in parallel and sent out. 4 is extrusion coated all at once. At this time, the slit 6 is formed in the neck portion 5 of the sheath 4 by the slit forming device 26 provided in the extruder 14.

  Immediately thereafter, the self-supporting optical cable 1 covered with the sheath 4 is wound around the extra length-giving capstan 31. Here, the surplus length imparting capstan 31 is wound around the surplus length imparting groove 35 that is selected so that the surplus ratio is 0.2%, because the surplus length imparting groove 35 is located at the travel location of the self-supporting optical cable 1. Since the self-supporting optical cable 1 is set so that the core radius R3 of the optical fiber cable portion is 0.2% of the core radius R2 with respect to the core radius R2 of the suspension portion, The cable 3 is drawn longer than the suspension line 2 by an extra length rate of 0.2%.

  At this time, since the main body portion 32 of the surplus length imparting capstan 31 is gradually reduced in diameter along the axial direction and the plurality of surplus length imparting grooves 35 are formed in a stepped shape, the main length 32 is visually observed from the reduced diameter side in the axial direction. Thus, it is possible to confirm whether the self-supporting optical cable 1 is wound in contact with the desired extra length provision groove 35 correctly. In addition, workability such as adjustment of the position of the extra length imparting capstan 31 is improved. In this case, increasing the diameter reduction ratio of the extra length imparting capstan 31 improves the visibility, but the amount of eccentricity with respect to the core of the extruder 14 increases. Therefore, the diameter reduction ratio is determined in consideration of this point. Is done.

  Here, the extra length portion of the optical fiber cable 3 is a slit 6 portion formed in the neck portion 5 of the sheath 4, and a meandering portion 7 through which the optical fiber cable 3 meanders is formed and absorbed.

  Then, the self-supporting optical cable 1 is cooled in the capstan portion cooling water tank 21 while being wound around the extra length imparting capstan 31, and its shape is determined. Thereafter, the self-supporting optical cable 1 is wound around the winding drum 24 through the cooling water tank 22 and the take-up machine 23 to be completed.

  As described above, the surplus length imparting capstan 31 is provided with a plurality of types of surplus length imparting grooves 35 capable of imparting a predetermined surplus length ratio according to the sizes of the suspension wire 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 32. In addition, since a suitable extra length providing groove 35 is selected and the self-supporting optical cable 1 is wound, it is not necessary to perform a capstan replacement operation as in the prior art. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to cope with the size change of the suspension line 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 only by moving the extra length imparting capstan 31 in the axial direction. Can be granted. Therefore, the worker engaged in the production line can perform the above-described work, and it is not necessary to arrange a specialized trader or a unic car, and the time and cost for the replacement work can be greatly reduced.

  Moreover, according to the said structure, in addition to being able to keep a surplus length provision rate constant with respect to the size change of the suspension line 2 and the optical fiber cable 3, with respect to the suspension line 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 of fixed size, various It is also possible to set a surplus length grant rate.

  In the above embodiment, the main body portion 32 of the surplus length imparting capstan 31 is gradually reduced in diameter along the axial direction, and the plurality of surplus length imparting grooves 35 are formed in a step shape. Instead, each extra length providing groove 35 may be formed on the same surface. Even in this case, it is possible to cope with the size change of the suspension line 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 by simply moving the surplus length imparting capstan 31 in the axial direction. Can be granted.

It is the schematic block diagram which showed the manufacturing apparatus of the self-supporting type optical cable. It is sectional drawing which showed suitable embodiment of the capstan which concerns on this invention. It is the principal part top view which showed suitable embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of the self-supporting type optical cable which concerns on this invention. It is the side view which showed the self-supporting type optical cable. It is sectional drawing which showed the self-supporting type | mold optical cable. It is the perspective view which showed the self-supporting type | mold optical cable. It is sectional drawing which showed the conventional capstan.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Self-supporting type optical cable 2 Suspension line 3 Optical fiber cable 4 Sheath 31 (additional length provision) capstan 32 (capstan) main body part 33 Hanging line part winding surface 34 Optical fiber cable part winding part 35 Extra length provisioning groove 39 Spline Shaft 40 moving means

Claims (8)

  In a method for manufacturing a self-supporting optical cable in which a suspension line and an optical fiber cable are arranged in parallel and fed out, and a gourd-shaped sheath is cross-sectionally extruded around the outer periphery thereof, the self-supporting type in which the sheath is extrusion-coated Using a capstan around which the optical cable is wound, a plurality of types of extra length-giving grooves are formed, each including a hanging portion winding surface for winding the hanging wire on the outer peripheral surface of the capstan and an optical fiber cable portion winding surface for winding the optical fiber cable. A method for manufacturing a self-supporting optical cable, wherein the self-supporting optical cable is wound by selecting a surplus length providing groove so as to provide a predetermined surplus length ratio corresponding to the hanging wire size and the optical fiber cable size. .   The extra length imparting groove is formed by arranging a plurality of types along the axial direction of the capstan, and the capstan is supported by the spline shaft so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction. 2. The method of manufacturing a self-supporting optical cable according to claim 1, wherein the capstan is moved in an axial direction so as to wind the optical cable around a surplus length providing groove corresponding to the diameter of the suspension line and the optical fiber cable.   In a manufacturing apparatus of a self-supporting optical cable having a capstan for winding a self-supporting optical cable in which a suspension line and an optical fiber cable are arranged in parallel and sent out, and a self-supporting optical cable obtained by extrusion-coating a sheath of a gourd-shaped cross section is collectively wrapped around the outer periphery thereof. A surplus length providing groove comprising a suspension portion winding surface for winding the suspension wire and an optical fiber cable portion winding surface for winding the optical fiber cable on the outer peripheral surface of the capstan corresponds to the suspension line size and the optical fiber cable size. A self-supporting optical cable manufacturing apparatus, wherein a plurality of types are formed so as to provide a predetermined extra length ratio.   4. The self-supporting optical cable manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the capstan is gradually reduced in diameter along the axial direction, and the plurality of types of surplus length providing grooves are formed in a stepped shape.   5. The self according to claim 3, wherein the capstan is supported by the spline shaft so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction, and the capstan is provided with moving means for moving the capstan along the spline shaft. Support type optical cable manufacturing equipment.   In a capstan for winding a self-supporting optical cable that collectively extrudes and coats a cross-sectional shape gourd-shaped sheath around the outer periphery of the suspension line and the optical fiber cable, the suspension line winding surface for winding the suspension line on the outer peripheral surface of the capstan and the above It is characterized in that a plurality of extra length-giving grooves comprising an optical fiber cable portion winding surface for winding an optical fiber cable are formed so as to give a predetermined extra length ratio corresponding to the suspension line size and the optical fiber cable size. Capstan.   The capstan according to claim 6, wherein the main body of the capstan is gradually reduced in diameter along the axial direction, and the plurality of types of surplus length providing grooves are formed in a step shape. The main body of the capstan is supported by the spline shaft so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction, and the capstan main body is provided with moving means for moving the capstan along the spline shaft. Or the capstan of 7.

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