JP2006123432A - Continuous molding machine and continuous molding process - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably convey a linear molding of a polymer and control its surface scratches. <P>SOLUTION: POF raw yarn 12 is melt-extruded in the form of a thready article, stretched into POF 11 and wound. POF 11 is conveyed by a convey means 62 having a rotating member 103. The rotating member 103 is a driving pulley with a groove 103a provided on its periphery to support POF 11. Diameter R1 of the rotating member 103 is not less than 100 times diameter D1 of POF 11 to be conveyed, which allows a stable continuous conveyance of POF 11 without causing breaking and cracking and eliminates the loss of manufacturing. As POF 11 does not slip on the convey means 62, surface scratches are prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a continuous molding apparatus and method for continuously manufacturing a columnar optical member made of a plurality of polymer materials.

  The plastic optical fiber (POF) has a refractive index distribution type POF in which the refractive index increases toward the center in the radial direction of the circular cross section. This refractive index distribution type POF is mainly an SI (step index) type. It is classified into GI (graded index) type. The former is POF in which the refractive index increases stepwise toward the center, and the latter is continuously increased and is superior to the former in that mode dispersion is suppressed.

  There are two main methods for manufacturing GI-type POF. One is a method in which a preform having a cylindrical shape is made and then heated and stretched in the longitudinal direction to form POF. The other is a POF by extruding a POF raw material polymer into a fiber by melt extrusion. It is a method. The method by melt extrusion is superior to the method of manufacturing via a preform in that the manufacturing equipment is small and simple and continuous manufacturing is easy.

Various proposals have been made for the melt extrusion production method of GI-type POF. For example, in Patent Document 1, a resin molded body having a concentric multilayer structure is diffused so that a change in refractive index occurs in a circular cross section. A method of introducing and passing through the region has been proposed. Moreover, in patent document 2, after extruding POF made into a multilayer structure concentrically with a multilayer die, the inner layer is heated by heating at a temperature not higher than the glass transition point Tg of the polymer constituting the outermost layer. A manufacturing method for diffusing the diffusible additive contained in the substrate is proposed, and in Patent Document 3, a plurality of diffusible polymers are allowed to coexist, and the die is formed so as to have a multilayer structure concentrically. Has been proposed which has a diffusion process for a predetermined time. Furthermore, in Patent Document 4, in order to form an optical transmission body, two or more kinds of polymers containing a non-polymerizable compound are caused to flow in a concentric multilayer structure inside the die, In addition, a method has been proposed in which the polymer constituting the central portion in the cross section has a higher viscosity when melted than the outermost polymer.
JP 2000-356716 A Special table 2003-531394 gazette Japanese Patent No. 3471015 JP-A-8-334635

  However, all of Patent Documents 1 to 4 are methods for converting a polymer (polymer) into POF by melt extrusion, and are problems caused by a conveying method after being extruded as a linear body and then wound up. Does not pay attention, and there is almost no suggestion.

  The polymer extruded to the linear body is not limited to the production of POF, and usually supports means and transport means are used in the process up to winding, and these support means or transport means are not driven. A pulley, a drive pulley, or the like is used. As described above, in order to reach winding, in general, a transport unit that transports while changing the transport direction or the like is necessary on the equipment. However, in the case of producing a polymer linear body including the case of POF production, the linear body breaks on the conveying means, or the linear object slips on the conveying surface of the conveying means and causes surface scratches. There are many cases. And such a phenomenon has the problem that it generate | occur | produces notably especially when conveying the linear body which has not been extended | stretched after being extruded.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention continuously melts and extrudes a columnar optical member made of a plurality of polymer materials, and then continuously conveys the optical member stably. It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous molding apparatus and method for preventing surface flaws.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the present invention, in the continuous molding apparatus in which a plurality of polymer materials are continuously discharged as a columnar optical member by melt extrusion, and the optical member is conveyed to the next step by a conveying means, the conveying means The curvature radius r1 of the conveyance path formed by the above is configured to be 50 times or more the outer diameter D1 of the optical member.

  And the said conveyance means has a rotating member which a surrounding surface contacts and rotates to the said optical member, It is preferable to make the outer diameter R1 of the said rotating member 100 times or more of the outer diameter D1 of the said optical member. .

  Further, the present invention provides a continuous molding apparatus in which a plurality of polymer materials are continuously discharged as a columnar optical member by melt extrusion, and the optical member is transported to the next process by a transporting means. The rotating member rotates in contact with the peripheral surface, and the outer diameter R1 of the rotating member is configured to be 100 times or more the outer diameter D1 of the optical member.

  In the next step of the continuous molding apparatus, it is preferable that the optical member is wound by a winding unit, and the draw ratio of the optical member when contacting the conveying unit is 1 immediately after the melt extrusion. May be less than 5 times. The polymer material preferably contains a methacrylate compound.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, in a continuous molding method in which a plurality of polymer materials are formed into a long columnar optical member by melt extrusion, and the optical member is transported to the next step by a transport unit, a transport path formed by the transport unit is provided. The optical member is conveyed so that the curvature radius r1 is 50 times or more the outer diameter D1 of the optical member.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, in a continuous molding method in which a plurality of polymer materials are formed into a long columnar optical member by melt extrusion, and the optical member is transported to the next step by a transport unit, a transport path formed by the transport unit A rotating member that rotates in contact with the optical member, and the outer diameter R1 of the rotating member is set to 100 times or more the outer diameter D1 of the optical member to convey the optical member. ing.

  According to the continuous molding apparatus and method of the present invention, after an optical member made of a plurality of polymer materials is melt-extruded, the optical member can be stably conveyed continuously without being broken or cracked. . Moreover, since the optical member does not cause surface scratches, manufacturing loss can be reduced.

  The present invention can be applied to any use in which a plurality of polymer materials are continuously formed into a columnar optical member. Here, a polymer material is a material whose main component is a polymer compound (polymer). This means that even if the main component is the same polymer, different polymer materials are used when the types and blending ratios of various compounds such as additives are different. Further, the columnar shape includes a linear shape, a columnar shape, a rectangular columnar shape, and the like, and does not include a film shape. The present invention is particularly suitable when molding a polymer having relatively low elasticity, or when the target optical member is a plastic optical fiber yarn or plastic optical fiber. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the case where a plastic optical fiber (POF) is manufactured will be described as an example, and the details of the present invention will be described below.

  The structure of the POF to be manufactured is not limited, but here, a case where a POF having a three-layer structure is manufactured is illustrated. FIG. 1 is a flowchart for manufacturing a plastic optical cable as an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the obtained POF, and FIG. 3 is a refractive index in the sectional radial direction of the POF shown in FIG. It is a graph. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis indicates the cross-sectional radial direction of the POF, and the vertical axis indicates the refractive index. The refractive index means a higher value as it goes up. The manufacturing process of the plastic optical cable consists of a melt extrusion process 13 in which each polymer forming three layers of POF 11 is melted and extruded together as a POF yarn 12 having a three-layer structure, and the POF yarn 12 is heated and drawn to a predetermined magnification. By doing so, it has a heating and stretching process 16 for making the POF 11 and a coating process 18 for obtaining a plastic optical cable 17 by providing a predetermined coating material on the POF 11.

  In the coating step 18, the primary coating is usually performed first, and the secondary coating is performed after the primary coating. However, the number of coating layers is not limited to one or two. The POF 11 that has undergone the coating step 18 is called a plastic optical fiber core or a plastic optical fiber cord (both are plastic optical code). In the present invention, this fiber core wire remains one and is further coated if necessary, and is referred to as a single fiber cable. On the other hand, a plurality of fiber core wires are combined with a tension member or the like. Those covered with a further covering material will be referred to as multi-fiber cables, and the plastic optical cable 17 includes both of these single-fiber cables and multi-fiber cables.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the POF 11 obtained by this process has a core 21 that transmits light and a cladding 22 that is an outer shell, and the cladding 22 has an outer diameter D1 (unit: μm) and an inner diameter D2. (Unit: μm) is constant in the longitudinal direction and has a uniform thickness. The core 21 has an outer core portion 24 that is in contact with the inner surface of the clad 22 and an inner core portion 25 inside the outer core portion 24. Therefore, when the diameter of the inner core portion 25 is D3 (unit: μm), the outer diameter of the outer core portion 24 is equal to the inner diameter D2 of the cladding 22, and the diameter D3 of the inner core portion 25 is equal to the inner diameter of the outer core portion 24. It has become a thing.

  In FIG. 3, the range indicated by the symbol (A) on the horizontal axis is the refractive index of the cladding 22 in FIG. 2, the range indicated by the symbol (B) is the refractive index of the outer core portion 24 in FIG. The range indicated by the symbol (C) is the refractive index of the inner core portion 25.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inner core portion 25 has a refractive index that continuously increases from the boundary with the outer core portion 24 toward the center. The clad 22 has a lower refractive index than the outer core portion 24, and the outer core portion 24 has a lower refractive index than the inner core portion 25. In the radial direction of the circular cross section, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the refractive index is preferably 0.001 or more and 0.3 or less. With the structure as described above, the POF 11 exhibits a function as a GI type optical transmitter. The POF yarn 12 has a larger diameter indicated by D1 to D3 than the POF 11, but the basic structure is the same as that of the POF 11, and the illustration is omitted. In FIG. 2, the boundary between the outer core portion 24 and the inner core portion 25 is shown for convenience of explanation, but the clarity of the boundary differs depending on manufacturing conditions and the like, and may not necessarily be confirmed.

  Further, the outer core portion 24 of the present embodiment has a substantially constant refractive index as shown in FIG. 3, but the refractive index may increase as it approaches the inner core portion 25. The change may increase stepwise as the inner core portion 25 is approached, or may increase continuously.

  In addition, the present invention is applicable even if the core 21 is not a two-layer structure of the outer core portion 24 and the inner core portion 25 as in the present embodiment, but another structure. As another structure of the core 21, for example, there is no boundary between the outer core portion and the inner core portion, and the refractive index increases continuously or stepwise from the inner periphery of the clad 22 toward the center of the core 21. Or a structure having three or more layers. In the present embodiment, the clad 22 has a single-layer structure, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the clad 22 may have a multilayer structure of two or more layers as necessary. In the POF according to the present embodiment, light may be reflected at the interface between the outer core portion 24 and the clad 22 and pass through both the outer core portion 24 and the inner core portion 25. May pass only 25. The present invention can be applied to any single mode, multimode, SI type, and GI type for the POF to be manufactured. It is possible to obtain a POF superior in optical transmission characteristics than the mold.

The core 21 and the clad 22 contain a polymer as a main component, and various substances are added as necessary. As the polymer for forming the core 21 and the clad 22, a well-known polymer preferable as POF can be used. Particularly preferably, the organic material has high light transmittance. However, the material of the clad 22 is a polymer having a refractive index lower than that of the core 21 so that light transmitted through the core 21 is totally reflected at the interface between the core 21 and the clad 22. Also, the cladding 22 and the core 21
The material is preferably an amorphous polymer so as not to cause light scattering, and is a polymer having excellent adhesion to each other, which has excellent mechanical properties such as toughness, and also has excellent heat and moisture resistance. More preferably. Furthermore, since it is preferable to prevent moisture from entering the core as much as possible, it is preferable that the material of the clad 22 has a low water absorption rate. For example, the clad 22 is preferably composed mainly of a polymer having a saturated water absorption rate of less than 1.8%. More preferably, the outer core portion 24 is formed of a polymer having a saturated water absorption rate of less than 1.5%, more preferably a saturated water absorption rate of less than 1.0%. Here, the saturated water absorption is a value based on ASTM D570, and specifically, a value obtained by measuring the water absorption when a sample is immersed in water at 23 ° C. for 1 week.

  Examples of the material of the core 21 include (meth) acrylic acid esters (fluorine-free (meth) acrylic acid ester (a), fluorine-containing (meth) acrylic acid ester (b)), styrenic compound (c), vinyl It can be polymerized using esters (d), main chain cyclic fluorinated polymer-forming monomers (e), bisphenol A, which is a raw material for polycarbonates, as a polymerizable compound. As the clad forming polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is also preferable. Examples include homopolymers obtained by polymerizing each of these as raw materials, copolymers obtained by combining two or more of these, and mixtures of various combinations of the above homopolymers and copolymers. it can. And among these, what contains (meth) acrylic acid esters or a fluorine-containing polymer as a component is more preferable when comprising an optical transmission body. Next, the above example will be described in more detail.

  Examples of (a) fluorine-free methacrylic acid ester and fluorine-free acrylic acid ester include methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, and methacrylic acid. Examples include cyclohexyl, diphenylmethyl methacrylate, tricyclo [5 · 2 · 1 · 02,6] decanyl methacrylate, adamantyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, norbornyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, acrylic acid- Examples thereof include tert-butyl and phenyl acrylate.

  In addition, (b) fluorine-containing acrylic acid ester and fluorine-containing methacrylate ester include 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate, 2,2,3,3 , 3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate, 1-trifluoromethyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate, 2,2, Examples include 3,3,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate.

  Further, (c) styrene compounds include styrene, α-methylstyrene, chlorostyrene, bromostyrene, and (d) vinyl esters include vinyl acetate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl phenyl acetate, vinyl chloroacetate. (E) The main chain cyclic fluorinated polymer-forming monomers include a polymer having a cyclic structure as a monomer or forming a fluorinated polymer having a cyclic structure in an amorphous main chain by cyclopolymerization. A monomer that forms a polymer having an alicyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring in the main chain exemplified in JP-A-8-334634, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-186199. Examples are given. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the refractive index of a polymer composed of a polymerizable compound alone or a copolymer may have a predetermined refractive index distribution in the molded body when molded into an optical transmission body. In addition, it is preferable to determine the type and composition ratio.

  Moreover, as a preferable polymer for forming the cladding, the following can be exemplified in addition to the above-mentioned various compounds. For example, a copolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and a fluorinated (meth) acrylate such as trifluoroethyl methacrylate (FMA) or hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate can be given. In addition, a copolymer of MMA and an alicyclic (meth) acrylate such as (meth) acrylate having a branch such as tert-butyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, norbornyl methacrylate, tricyclodecanyl methacrylate, etc. is there. Furthermore, polycarbonate (PC), norbornene-based resin (for example, ZEONEX (registered trademark: manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.)), functional norbornene-based resin (for example, ARTON (registered trademark: manufactured by JSR)), fluorine resin (for example, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), etc.) can also be used. In addition, a fluororesin copolymer (for example, PVDF copolymer), tetrafluoroethylene perfluoro (alkyl vinyl ether (PFA) random copolymer, chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) copolymer, or the like may be used. it can.

  In addition, when these polymers contain a hydrogen atom (H), it is preferable that the hydrogen atom is substituted with a deuterium atom (D), thereby reducing transmission loss, particularly in the near infrared region. It is possible to reduce the transmission loss at the wavelength.

  Furthermore, in order to use POF for near-infrared light, absorption loss due to the C—H bond constituting the polymer occurs, which is described in Japanese Patent No. 3332922 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-192708. By using a polymer in which C—H bond hydrogen atoms are replaced with deuterium atoms or fluorine, the wavelength range causing this transmission loss can be lengthened, and the loss of transmission signal light can be reduced. can do. Examples of such polymers include deuterated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA-d8), polytrifluoroethyl methacrylate (P3FMA), polyhexafluoroisopropyl 2-fluoroacrylate (HFIP 2-FA), and the like. it can. In addition, in order not to impair the transparency after polymerization of the compound as a raw material, it is desirable that impurities and foreign substances serving as scattering sources are sufficiently removed before polymerization.

  In addition, the polymer that forms the core and the clad is preferably extruded in a long shape, and further has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably 30,000, from the viewpoint that it is appropriately stretched thereafter. ~ 500,000. Furthermore, suitability for extrusion molding and stretching is also related to the molecular weight distribution (MWD: weight average molecular weight / number average molecular weight). If the MWD is too large, stretchability may be deteriorated when extremely high molecular weight components are mixed, and stretching may become impossible. Therefore, a preferable MWD range is 4 or less, and a more preferable range is 3 or less.

  When a polymerizable compound is polymerized to obtain a polymer, a polymerization initiator may be used. As the polymerization initiator, for example, there are various types that generate radicals. For example, benzoyl peroxide (BPO), tert-butylperoxy-2-ethylhexanate (PBO), di-tert-butyl peroxide (PBD), tert-butylperoxyisopropyl carbonate (PBI) ) And peroxide compounds such as n-butyl-4,4-bis (tert-butylperoxy) valerate (PHV). 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2′-azobis (2-methylbutyronitrile), 1,1′-azobis (cyclohexane-1-carbonitrile), 2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropane), 2,2′-azobis (2-methylbutane), 2,2′-azobis (2-methylpentane), 2,2′-azobis (2,3-dimethylbutane), 2,2 '-Azobis (2-methylhexane), 2,2'-azobis (2,4-dimethylpentane), 2,2'-azobis (2,3,3-trimethylbutane), 2,2'-azobis (2 , 4,4-trimethylpentane), 3,3′-azobis (3-methylpentane), 3,3′-azobis (3-methylhexane), 3,3′-azobis (3,4-dimethylpentane), 3,3'-azobis 3-ethylpentane), dimethyl-2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropionate), diethyl-2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropionate), di-tert-butyl-2,2 ′ -Azo compounds such as azobis (2-methylpropionate). In addition, a polymerization initiator is not limited to these, Moreover, you may use 2 or more types together.

  In order to keep various physical property values such as mechanical properties and thermophysical properties uniform when used as a polymer, it is preferable to adjust the degree of polymerization. A chain transfer agent can be used to adjust the degree of polymerization. About a chain transfer agent, according to the kind of polymeric compound used together, a kind and addition amount can be selected suitably. The chain transfer constant of the chain transfer agent for each polymerizable compound can be referred to, for example, Polymer Handbook 3rd Edition (J. BRANDRUP and EH IMMERGUT edition, published by JOHN WILEY & SON). The chain transfer constant can also be obtained by experiment with reference to Takayuki Otsu and Masaaki Kinoshita "Experimental Method for Polymer Synthesis", Kagaku Dojin, published in 1972.

  Examples of the chain transfer agent include alkyl mercaptans (for example, n-butyl mercaptan, n-pentyl mercaptan, n-octyl mercaptan, n-lauryl mercaptan, tert-dodecyl mercaptan, etc.), thiophenols (thiophenol, m-bromothio). Phenol, p-bromothiophenol, m-toluenethiol, p-toluenethiol, etc.) are preferably used. In particular, it is preferable to use an alkyl mercaptan such as n-octyl mercaptan, n-lauryl mercaptan, and tert-dodecyl mercaptan. A chain transfer agent in which a hydrogen atom of a C—H bond is substituted with a deuterium atom or a fluorine atom can also be used. Of course, the chain transfer agent is not limited to these, and two or more of these chain transfer agents may be used in combination.

  About each addition amount of the polymerization initiator mentioned above, a chain transfer agent, and a refractive index regulator, a preferable range can be suitably determined according to the kind etc. of the polymerizable compound for cores to be used. In this embodiment, the polymerization initiator is added so that it may become 0.005-0.050 mass% with respect to the polymeric compound for cores, and this addition rate is 0.010-0.020. It is more preferable to set it as the mass%. The chain transfer agent is added so as to be 0.10 to 0.40% by mass with respect to the polymerizable compound for the core, and the addition rate is 0.15 to 0.30% by mass. More preferably.

  In addition, other additives can be added to the core, the clad, or a part of them in a range that does not deteriorate the optical transmission performance. For example, a stabilizer can be added to the core or a part thereof for the purpose of improving the weather resistance and durability. Further, for the purpose of improving optical transmission performance, a stimulated emission functional compound for optical signal amplification can be added. By adding the compound, the attenuated signal light can be amplified by the pumping light, and the transmission distance is improved. For example, it can be used as a fiber amplifier in a part of the optical transmission link. These additives can also be contained in the core, the clad, or a part of them by adding to the various polymerizable compounds as the raw material and then polymerizing.

  Further, a predetermined amount of a refractive index adjusting agent (dopant) is mixed with at least one of the polymers forming the outer core portion 24 and the inner core portion 25. As this dopant, a non-polymerizable compound is preferable. When the dopant is added only to the inner core portion 25, the addition ratio is preferably 0.01 wt% or more and 25 wt% or less with respect to the polymer that is the main component of the inner core portion 25. % To 20% by weight or less is more preferable. This makes it easier to control the refractive index distribution coefficient in the radial direction of the circular cross section within the preferred range as described above.

  In this embodiment, as a dopant, a low molecular weight compound having a high refractive index, a large molecular volume, no polymerizability, and having a predetermined diffusion rate in a molten polymer is used. The refractive index in the direction is changed. The dopant is not limited to a monomer, and may be an oligomer (including a dimer, a trimer, etc.).

  Specific examples of the dopant include benzyl benzoate (BEN), diphenyl sulfide (DPS), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), benzyl-n-butyl phthalate (BBP), diphenyl phthalate (DPP), Examples include diphenyl (DP), diphenylmethane (DPM), tricresyl phosphate (TCP), and diphenyl sulfoxide (DPSO). Among these, BEN, DPS, TPP, and DPSO are preferable. By adjusting the concentration and distribution of the dopant in the core 21, the refractive index of the POF 11 can be changed to a desired value.

  Other additives can be added to the core 21 and the clad 22 as long as the optical transmission performance is not deteriorated. For example, a stabilizer can be added to the core or a part thereof for the purpose of improving the weather resistance and durability. Further, for the purpose of improving optical transmission performance, a stimulated emission functional compound for optical signal amplification can be added. By adding such a compound, the attenuated signal light can be amplified by the excitation light, and the transmission distance can be improved. For example, it can be used as a fiber amplifier in a part of the optical transmission link.

  In the following description, the polymer for the cladding 22 is the first raw material, the polymer that forms the outer core portion 24 is the second raw material, and the mixture of the polymer and the dopant that forms the inner core portion 25 is the third raw material. It is called a raw material. In addition, this invention is not limited to when each polymer contained in a 1st raw material-a 3rd raw material differs, For example, it is what makes a refractive index mutually different as a result by the kind, polymerization method, etc. of an additive, for example. Each will be chosen. Therefore, the long optical member obtained by the present invention can be used as a lens or the like. The polymer contained in the first to third raw materials may be in the form of pellets or powder, but is preferably subjected to a drying treatment before being used in the following melt extrusion process, thereby generating bubbles and cracks in the molded body. Etc. can be prevented.

  Alternatively, the polymerization step for producing each polymer from the polymerizable compound and the melt extrusion step described below may be continued, and each polymer that has been polymerized and in a molten state may be directly subjected to the melt extrusion step. In this case, the dopant may be added to the molten polymer during feeding from the polymerization process to the melt extrusion process, or at a kneading part of an extruder main body (not shown) for melt extrusion.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a continuous molding facility as one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. The continuous forming equipment 41 is driven independently from each other by a melt extrusion device 42 that melts and extrudes the first to third raw materials, and controls the conveying speed of the POF raw yarn 12, respectively. The first and second conveying devices 44 and 45 for adjusting the tension applied to the yarn 12 and changing the conveying direction of the POF raw yarn 12 and the POF 11 and the POF raw yarn 12 are drawn at a predetermined draw ratio while being heated. A stretching portion 47 and a winding device 48 for winding the POF 11. A support member 51 that supports the POF raw yarn 12 or the POF 11 is appropriately provided in the continuous forming equipment 41 in the conveyance path. As this support member, a known support member such as a support roller or a guide pulley can be used.

  The melt extrusion apparatus 42 is provided from an extruder 55 having an extruder body 53 for melting and kneading the first to third raw materials and an extrusion die 54 for extruding the melted first to third raw materials, and the extrusion die 54. A cooling means 57 for cooling the POF raw yarn 12 is provided. The first and second transport devices 44 and 45 each have two drive pulleys as the transport means 61 and 62. The conveying means 61 and 62 in this embodiment are driving pulleys, and a known method such as belt driving, chain driving, or gear driving can be used as a driving method. However, the conveying means 61 and 62 are not limited to driving pulleys, and any means can be used as long as the POF raw yarn 12 or the POF 11 can be wound around the conveying surface and conveyed while changing the conveying direction. Etc.

  A method for manufacturing POF 11 using this continuous molding equipment 41 will be described. The first to third raw materials are respectively melted by the extruder main body 53 and extruded together as the POF raw yarn 12 from the extrusion die 54. This extrusion process will be described later in detail with reference to another drawing. The extruded POF yarn 12 is conveyed by the first conveying device 44 and cooled by the cooling means 57, and then sent to the drawing unit 47. In the drawing section 47, as described later, the POF raw yarn 12 is heated and drawn at a predetermined magnification in the longitudinal direction. The second transport device 45 provided downstream of the stretching unit 47 has a mechanism similar to that of the first transport device 44 in this embodiment, and the tension applied to the POF raw yarn 12 for stretching is the first. Adjustment is performed by independently controlling the transport speeds of the first transport device 44 and the second transport device 45. In addition, a cooling means may be further provided after the stretching portion to cool the POF 11 obtained by stretching.

  In addition, a first tension measuring device 66 is provided between the cooling means 57 and the first conveying device 44, and a second tension measuring device 67 is provided between the extending portion and the second conveying device 45 to measure the tension. It is preferable. Thereby, the tension | tensile_strength provided to the POF raw yarn 12 at the time of extrusion and the extending | stretching part 47 at the POF raw yarn 12 is each detected, and each of the 1st and 2nd conveying apparatuses 44 and 45 is based on these detection results. Since the conveyance speed can be controlled, the draw ratio can be adjusted more efficiently. Further, downstream of the cooling means 57 and upstream of the first conveying device 44, a first outer diameter measuring device 68 for measuring the outer diameter of the POF raw yarn, downstream of the drawing unit 47 and upstream of the winder 48. It is preferable to provide a second outer diameter measuring device 69 and use these detection results for adjusting the draw ratio.

  The continuous forming equipment 41 and the POF manufacturing method will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a main part of the melt extrusion apparatus 42. However, the present invention does not depend on the configuration of the melt extrusion apparatus 42 and the melt extrusion method. In FIG. 5, reference numerals 73, 74, and 75 are assigned to the first, second, and third raw materials, respectively. The melt extrusion device 42 will be described in more detail. In FIG. 5, the extruder main body is not shown. The extrusion die 54 may be a well-known one that can produce a fibrous shaped product formed in a concentric multilayer, and is not particularly limited. The extrusion die 54 used in this embodiment is integrally assembled by a first die body 81, a second die body 82, and a third die body 83, and the inner core portion is formed by these die bodies 81-83. A formation passage 84, an outer core portion formation passage 85, and a clad formation passage 86 are formed. Then, the third raw material 75 is supplied to the inner core portion forming flow path 84. A plurality of supply paths 87 for the second raw material 74 are formed between the first die main body 81 and the second die main body 85, and the second raw material 74 is supplied to the outer core portion forming flow path 85. Similarly, a plurality of supply paths 88 for the first raw material 73 are formed between the second die main body 82 and the third die main body 83, and the first raw material 73 is supplied to the cladding forming flow path 86. Further, the lower end portion of the clad forming channel 86 is tapered so that the channel diameter decreases toward the lower end. In FIG. 5, the extrusion die 54 is shown so that the POF raw yarn 12 is pushed downward, but the direction of the extrusion die 54 is not limited to this state. It may be extruded at an angle such as a direction.

  A temperature control unit (not shown) including a plurality of heaters is provided on the outer periphery of the third die body 83 having the clad formation flow path 86, and a temperature gradient is generated in the flow path direction of the clad formation flow path 86. It is designed to be attached. Inside the extrusion die 54, the diffusion of the dopant gradually proceeds, and the refractive index change in the radial direction as shown in FIG.

  As the first tension measuring device 66, various known tension measuring devices can be used, but a load cell type is preferable in terms of responsiveness in detection. For example, a PLC load cell (model; PLC-1K, manufactured by Nidec Sympo Co., Ltd.) used in this embodiment can be exemplified.

  The cooling means 57 is preferably one that can continuously cool the fibrous molded body that is continuously conveyed. In this embodiment, a water tank is used in that simple and sufficient cooling can be obtained. . In addition, for example, when a pipe having a jacket through which a refrigerant can pass is used as the cooling means 57, it can be cooled by passing an object to be cooled through the pipe, A blower mechanism that blows the object to be cooled can be used as the cooling means 57. In this embodiment, the tension in the melt extrusion of the POF raw yarn 12 is adjusted by the conveyance speed control by the first conveyance device 44, but is not limited to this method, and other known tension applying means is used. May be used to adjust.

  As the first outer diameter measuring device 68, various commercially available measuring devices can be used, but those that can continuously and non-contact measure the outer diameter of what is continuously conveyed are preferable. For example, the digital dimension measuring machine (model; LS-7010 (measurement part), LS-7500 (control part), Keyence Co., Ltd. product) used by this embodiment can be mentioned.

  When the melt extrusion apparatus 42 as described above is used, the POF yarn 12 is manufactured as follows. First, the 1st-3rd raw materials 73-75 are each made into a molten state by another extruder main body (not shown), and are supply which is each opening part of the inner core part formation flow path 84 and the supply paths 87 and 88, respectively. It enters the inside of the extrusion die 54 through the ports 84a, 87a, 88a. Inside the extrusion die 54, first, a two-layer structure is formed by covering the outer periphery of the third raw material 43 with the outer core portion forming flow path 85 by the second raw material 74. The clad formation channel 86 further covers the outer periphery of the two-layer structure with the first raw material 73. And the 1st-3rd raw materials 73-75 are extruded to the exterior of the extrusion die 54 through the inside of the clad formation flow path 86 in the state which formed the 3 layer structure.

  Inside the clad forming channel 86, the dopant contained in the third raw material 75 is diffused in each layer and between each layer by controlling the temperature of the channel, and thereby, in the radial direction of the circular section of the POF yarn 12. The refractive index is as described above. The dopant can be diffused by methods other than this method. For example, in the extrusion die 54, the POF raw yarn may be simply extruded without aiming at the diffusion of the dopant, and then the extruded POF raw yarn may be heated by a heating means to diffuse the dopant. In this case, a cooling means may be provided between the extrusion die 54 and the heating means so that the extruded POF yarn is once cooled and then heated by the heating means.

  Then, the extruded POF yarn 12 is subjected to tension control by controlling the conveying speed by the first conveying device 44 according to the detection result while measuring the outer diameter by the first outer diameter measuring device 68. Thereby, the outer diameter of the POF raw yarn 12 can be controlled. Note that the diameter of the POF yarn 12 can be made constant by adjusting the position of the support member 51 instead of or in addition to the control of the conveying speed by the first conveying device 44.

  This melt-extrusion apparatus 42 and the extending | stretching part 47 demonstrated below are not divided clearly. In FIG. 6, the schematic of the extending | stretching part 47 is shown. The drawing unit 47 includes a heater 92 for heating the POF raw yarn 12, and a cooling unit 93 is appropriately provided downstream of the heater 92. The heater 92 is provided with a heater 94 that can heat the POF raw yarn 12 along its running direction, and this heater 94 changes the temperature along the conveying direction of the POF raw yarn 12. Can do.

  According to this drawing part 47, POF11 is manufactured from the POF raw yarn 12 by the following method. First, the POF raw yarn 12 produced by the melt extrusion device 42 is conveyed by the first conveying device 44 and continuously guided into the heater 92. The conveyance speed of the POF raw yarn 12 is controlled by the first conveyance device 44. When the POF raw yarn 12 enters the heater 92, it is heated by the heater 94 and conveyed by the second conveying device 45. The conveyance speed of the POF 11 after being heated is controlled by the second conveyance device 45, and by making the conveyance speed by the second conveyance device 45 larger than the conveyance speed by the first conveyance device 44, the POF raw yarn 12 is moved in the longitudinal direction. Stretched. In this way, the POF raw yarn 12 is drawn at a predetermined draw ratio to become a POF 11 having a predetermined outer diameter.

  In addition, the heating method of the POF raw yarn 12 is not limited to the method of spraying the heater 94 or heated gas. For example, a heating means such as a radiation heating type of infrared rays or near infrared rays may be used in place of the heater 92.

  The conveyance means 61 and 62 of the first and second conveyance devices 44 and 45 will be described in detail. FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic views of the conveying means 62 exemplified as one embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 7A is a schematic front view, and FIG. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. . In this embodiment, since the same transport means 61 and 62 are used, only the transport means 62 is illustrated here, and only the transport method of the POF 11 is described. A description of the method for transporting the yarn 12 is omitted. In the present embodiment, the transport unit 62 is a drive pulley as described above, and the peripheral surface of the rotating member 103 attached to the drive shaft 102 is a transport surface for transporting the POF 11. A U-shaped or V-shaped groove 103a is formed on the conveying surface, and the POF 11 is supported around the groove 103a.

  In the present invention, the curvature radius r1 of the conveyance path of the POF 11 is set to be 50 times or more the diameter D1 of the POF 11. Specifically, the radius of curvature of the contact portion of the POF 11 in the groove 103a of the conveying means 62 is set to the value r1 as shown in FIG. Although not shown, the radius of curvature of the transport path formed by the support member 51 (see FIG. 4) is also 50 times or more the diameter D1 of the POF 11. As a method for satisfying this condition, in this embodiment, the diameter R1 of the outer periphery of the conveying means 62 is set to be 100 times or more the diameter D1 of the POF 11 that is the object to be conveyed. The diameter R1 is more preferably 150 times or more than the diameter D1 of the POF 11, more preferably 200 times or more. When the groove 103a is formed on the peripheral surface as in the present embodiment, R1 is determined in consideration of the depth of the groove 103a with which the POF 11 actually contacts as shown in FIG.

  If the POF 11 is wound and transported using the transport means 62 having the outer diameter R1 set in this way, the POF 11 can be transported in a good state without being broken or cracked. When the transport unit 62 having the outer peripheral diameter R1 as described above is used, the POF 11 does not slip on the peripheral surface of the transport unit 62, so that the surface is not damaged. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce a manufacturing loss in continuous manufacturing and to increase a stable manufacturing time. Furthermore, when such a transport unit 62 is used, even when the POF 11 is not sufficiently cooled, it becomes difficult to form a mold corresponding to the peripheral curved surface of the transport unit 62, and the transport direction is changed to a predetermined angle. Even with the same wrapping angle (wrap angle) as that of the prior art, the wrapping length (wrap distance) can be made larger than that of the prior art, so that the effect of more stable conveyance can be obtained. Here, the stability of conveyance means the dropping property or looseness of POF from the conveying means 62. Further, as an effect to be obtained, it is possible to easily perform the operation of passing the extruded POF raw yarn in advance through the production line (wiring operation) when starting POF production.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the conveying unit 62 has a circular cross section is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the conveying means 62 is a belt stretched around two rollers, and the belt is running endlessly by rotation of at least one of the rollers, the POF 11 is hung on the belt on the roller. Assuming that the radius of curvature of the curve drawn by the part where the POF of the belt is passed is R2, the value of 2 × R2 is preferably 100 times or more the diameter D1 of the POF. Further, the transport unit 62 may be a non-contact transport unit that transports POF without contact. An example of the non-contact conveying means is one in which the POF is conveyed without blowing between the conveying means and the POF by blowing air onto the POF.

  By the way, when a POF is produced only by melt extrusion without being subjected to stretching treatment, the POF has a property of being fragile and easily broken because it has no molecular orientation or is gentler than that when stretched. Such a property is common to the POF raw yarn 12 before being stretched. This is particularly remarkable when the polymer constituting POF 11 is PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate). Therefore, in this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the conveyance path is set to be 50 times or more of the POF, and the conveyance means 61 has a diameter R1 of the POF yarn 11 as in the conveyance means 62 described above. The outer diameter is 100 times or more. For this reason, even with such a POF, bending stress in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction can be suppressed. Note that the POF raw yarn 12 being conveyed by the conveying means 61 may be stretched by its conveying force or the like immediately after being delivered from the extrusion die until reaching the conveying means 61. In that case, the draw ratio is within 1.5 times. That is, when the unit length immediately after drawing is L3 and the length when the POF yarn 12 corresponding to this unit length reaches the conveying means 61 is L4, the value of L4 / L3 is 1 or more and 1.5. It is as follows.

  And in this embodiment, the mechanical strength as POF is improved by providing the extending | stretching part 47 as mentioned above and extending | stretching. In this stretching step, stretching is preferably performed so that the stretching ratio is greater than 1.5 and 3.5 times or less. When the draw ratio is larger than 3.5 times, the POF raw yarn 12 may be cut off depending on the type of polymer constituting the POF raw yarn 12 and the drawing conditions, and the refractive index distribution is as shown in the graph of FIG. Sometimes it does not become a mountain shape. On the other hand, if the draw ratio is 1.5 times or less, the mechanical strength may not be improved by the drawing.

  Thus, instead of a method of forming a POF only by a melt extrusion process, a POF raw yarn 12 that is once slightly thicker than the POF is manufactured as in the present invention, and then the POF raw yarn 12 is drawn. Since the constituent molecules can be oriented, the strength can be increased. And by making the draw ratio for making the POF yarn 12 the POF 11 within the above range, the molecular orientation of the polymer can be made sufficiently and uniform, so that the strength as the POF 11 can be improved.

  POF according to the present invention is improved by bending, weather resistance, suppression of performance degradation due to moisture absorption, improvement of tensile strength, imparting stepping resistance, imparting flame retardancy, protection from chemical damage, prevention of noise by external light, coloring, etc. For the purpose of improving the commercial value, the surface is usually coated with a coating material as one or more protective layers.

  The obtained POF becomes an optical fiber core wire through the first coating step, and is coated by the second coating step in a form in which one core wire or a plurality of core wires are bundled to become an optical cable. However, when a single fiber cable is used among the optical cables, the optical fiber may be used as the optical cable with the coating layer in the first coating process being outside, without passing through the second coating process. As the form of the coating when it is used as an optical cable, the interface between the single core wire and the coating material, or the outer periphery of the bundled optical fiber core wire and the coating material are all in contact with each other. There are a close-contact type coating and a loose type coating having a gap at the interface between the coating material and the optical fiber core. In loose type coating, for example, when the coating layer is peeled off at the connection portion with the connector, moisture may enter from the gaps at the end face and diffuse in the longitudinal direction.

  However, in the loose type coating, since the coating material and the optical fiber core wire are not in close contact with each other, there is an advantage that most of damage such as stress and heat applied to the optical cable can be alleviated by the coating layer. Therefore, the loose type coating can be preferably used depending on the purpose of use. About the propagation of moisture from the connector connection part in the case of loose type coating, by filling a gel-like semi-solid or granular material having fluidity in the gap part of the interface between the optical fiber core wire and the coating material, Can be prevented. Furthermore, an optical fiber cable in which a multi-functional coating layer is formed can be manufactured by imparting other functions such as heat resistance and mechanical function improvement to these semi-solids and powders. . In order to obtain a loose-type coating, the layer having the voids can be formed by adjusting the position of the extrusion nipple of the crosshead die and adjusting the degree of pressure reduction by the pressure reducing device. The thickness of the void layer can be adjusted by pressurizing / depressurizing the nipple thickness and the void layer.

  To the coating materials provided in the first and second coating steps, flame retardants, ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, light-increasing agents, lubricants, etc. are added within a range that does not affect the light transmission characteristics. May be.

  In addition, as the flame retardant, there are halogen-containing resins and additives such as bromine, and phosphorus-containing ones. From the viewpoint of safety such as reduction of toxic gases during combustion, aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide Metal hydroxides such as are becoming mainstream. However, such a metal hydroxide has moisture as crystal water therein. This moisture is caused by the adhering water in the process of producing these metal hydroxides and cannot be completely removed. Therefore, it is desirable that the flame resistance imparted by the metal hydroxide is not contained in the coating layer in contact with the POF, but only on the coating layer that is the outer surface of the cable.

  Moreover, in order to give a plurality of other functions to the optical cable, a coating layer as a functional layer may be appropriately further laminated. For example, in addition to the flame retardant layer described above, there are a barrier layer for suppressing moisture absorption of POF, a moisture absorbing material layer for removing moisture contained in POF, and the like. As a method for applying such a hygroscopic material layer, for example, there is a method of providing a hygroscopic tape or a hygroscopic gel in a predetermined coating layer or between coating layers. As other functional layers, there are a flexible material layer for relaxing stress at the time of flexibility, a foam material layer as a buffer material for buffering external stress, and a reinforcing layer for improving rigidity. . Examples of the covering material for the plastic optical cable include, in addition to the resin, a fiber having a high elastic modulus (so-called tensile fiber) and / or a wire material such as a highly rigid metal wire contained in a thermoplastic resin. Use of such a material is preferable because the mechanical strength of the cable obtained can be reinforced.

  Examples of the tensile strength fibers include aramid fibers, polyester fibers, and polyamide fibers. Examples of the metal wires include stainless steel wires, zinc alloy wires, and copper wires, but are not limited thereto. In addition, a metal tube exterior for protection, an aerial support line, and a mechanism for improving workability during wiring can be incorporated into the outer periphery of the plastic optical cable.

  Also, depending on the type of use, the shape of the optical cable is a collective type in which optical fiber cores are concentrically arranged, a tape type in which the optical fibers are arranged in a row, and a type in which they are gathered together with a presser roll or wrap sheath. The form is selected according to

  The optical cable obtained from the POF of the present invention has a higher tolerance for axial misalignment than conventional optical cables, so it can be used by joining by butting, more preferably, it is connected to the end of the optical cable. It is preferable that the optical connector is provided and the connecting portions are securely fixed. As the connector, various commercially available connectors such as PN type, SMA type, and SMI type that are generally known can be used.

  The optical cable obtained from the POF of the present invention is suitably used in combination with various light emitting elements, light receiving elements, optical switches, optical isolators, optical integrated circuits, optical signal processing apparatuses including optical components such as optical transceiver modules, and the like. . In this case, you may combine with another optical fiber etc. as needed. Any known technique can be applied as a technique related to them. For example, the basic and actual of plastic optical fiber (published by NTS Corporation), Nikkei Electronics 2001.1.2.3, pp. 110-127 “Printed Wiring You can refer to "This time, optical components are mounted on the board." Combined with various technologies described in the above documents, internal wiring in computers and various digital devices, internal wiring in vehicles and ships, optical terminals and digital devices, optical links between digital devices, general households and housing complexes・ Suitable for optical transmission systems suitable for short distances such as high-speed, large-capacity data communications and control applications that are not affected by electromagnetic waves, including optical LANs in factories, offices, hospitals, schools, etc. Can be used.

  Further, IEICE TRANS. ELECTRON. , VOL. E84-C, No. 3, MARCH 2001, p. 339-344 “High-Uniformity Star Coupler Using Diffused Light Transmission”, Journal of Japan Institute of Electronics Packaging, Vol. 3, No. 6,2000, pages 476 to 480, which are described in “Interconnection by Optical Sheet Bus Technology”, and the arrangement of light emitting elements on the waveguide surface described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-152284; , JP-A-2002-90571, JP-A-2001-290055, and the like; JP-A-2001-74971, JP-A-2000-329962, JP-A-2001-74966, JP-A-2001-74968 , JP 2001-318263, JP 2001-31840, etc .; optical branch couplers described in JP 2000-241655 A; optical star couplers described in JP 2000-241655, etc .; Optical signal transmission devices described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2002-101044 and 2001-305395 An optical data bus system; an optical signal processing apparatus described in JP-A No. 2002-23011; an optical signal cross-connect system described in JP-A No. 2001-86537; an optical transmission system described in JP-A No. 2002-26815; Multi-function systems described in JP 2001-339554 A, JP 2001-339555 A, etc .; and various optical waveguides, optical splitters, optical couplers, optical multiplexers, optical demultiplexers, etc. Thus, a more advanced optical transmission system using multiplexed transmission / reception can be constructed. In addition to the above light transmission applications, it can also be used in the fields of illumination (light guide), energy transmission, illumination, and sensors.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention has been described in detail by taking the case of manufacturing POF as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to manufacturing other than POF. For example, the present invention is effective for a linear body manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method that require a step of forming a linear body of a polymer by melt extrusion or the like and transporting it to a winding means. In particular, the present invention is very effective when a linear polymer body having almost no molecular orientation is conveyed.

  While manufacturing POF with the manufacturing method of this invention, the conveyance state of the obtained POF and the external appearance of POF11 were observed visually.

  The first to third raw materials 73 to 75 were selected so that the inner core portion 25 was PMMA + DPS (20 wt%), the outer core portion 24 was PMMA, and the cladding 22 was PVDF. The extruder body 53 is provided with three screw melt kneading sections, and the diameter of each screw is 16 mm. Each melt-kneading part is temperature-controlled by a temperature controller (not shown) so that the temperature of the third raw material 75 is 210 ° C., the temperature of the second raw material 74 is 240 ° C., and the temperature of the first raw material 73 is 230 ° C. The Each raw material 73 to 75 was extruded from the extrusion die 54 so as to be a POF raw yarn 12 having an outer diameter of 1 mm. The extrusion die 54 has an inner diameter of 1 mm. In the extruded POF yarn 12, the outer core portion 24 has an outer diameter D2 of 952 μm and the inner core portion 25 has an outer diameter of 580 μm.

  The extruded POF yarn 12 was cooled in a water tank as a cooling means 57 whose temperature was adjusted to 15 ° C., and taken up at a speed of 5 m / min by a driving pulley (godet roll) as a conveying means 61. Then, while heating the POF raw yarn 12 with a heater 92 set at a temperature of 150 ° C., the conveying speed at the drive pulley as the conveying means 62 is set to 9 m / min, so that the POF raw yarn 12 is drawn to form POF 11 did. Then, the obtained POF 11 was wound up by a winding device 48. The outer diameter of the POF 11 is about 750 μm, the outer diameter d2 of the outer core portion 24 is about 714 μm, and the outer diameter D3 of the inner core portion 25 is 435 μm. The wound POF 11 was heated for 5 minutes at a constant temperature of 190 ° C. while being coiled, and then naturally cooled at room temperature to obtain a gradient index plastic optical fiber. The pulleys as the conveying means 61 and 62 both have a diameter R1 of 100 mm, and all the rollers, guide pulleys, etc. provided in the conveying path have a diameter of 100 mm.

  As a result of Example 1, the POF raw yarn 12 and the POF 11 were transported satisfactorily throughout the entire process, and surface damage was not generated in the obtained POF.

  This Example 2 was carried out as a comparative experiment with respect to Example 1. The same procedure as in Example 1 was performed except that the conveying means 61 and 62 were replaced with pulleys having a diameter R1 of 50 mm.

  As a result of Example 2, the POF yarn was broken by a pulley having a diameter R1 of 50 mm instead of the conveying means 61.

  In Example 1, the ratio of the radius of the pulley to the outer diameter of the POF yarn is 50, whereas the ratio in Example 2 is 25. From the above results, it is considered that in Example 2, the radius of curvature of the conveyance path by the pulley is smaller than 50, so that the bending stress applied to the POF raw yarn becomes excessively large and the POF raw yarn breaks.

  As described above, according to the present invention, after continuously melting and extruding polymer materials having different refractive indexes and the like as columnar optical members, the optical members can be stably transported continuously, so that the continuous production is further improved. The manufacturing time can be reduced because the optical member can be extended for a long time and the optical member is not damaged.

It is a flowchart which manufactures a plastic optical cable. It is sectional drawing of POF. It is a graph which shows the refractive index in the cross-sectional radial direction of POF. It is the schematic which shows a continuous shaping | molding equipment. It is the schematic which shows the principal part of a melt extrusion apparatus. It is the schematic of an extending | stretching part. It is the schematic which shows a conveyance means, (a) is a front view, (b) is sectional drawing along the BB line of (a).

Explanation of symbols

11 Plastic optical fiber (POF)
12 POF raw yarn 41 Continuous forming equipment 42 Melt extrusion device 44 1st conveying device 45 2nd conveying device 47 Drawing part 48 Winding device 61,62 Conveying means D1 Outer diameter of POF R1 Diameter of conveying means r1 Radius of curvature of conveying path

Claims (8)

In a continuous molding apparatus that continuously discharges a plurality of polymer materials as a columnar optical member by melt extrusion, and conveys the optical member to the next step by a conveying means.
A continuous molding apparatus characterized in that the radius of curvature r1 of the conveyance path formed by the conveyance means is 50 times or more the outer diameter D1 of the optical member. The transport means includes a rotating member that rotates with a peripheral surface in contact with the optical member,
The continuous molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter R1 of the rotating member is 100 times or more an outer diameter D1 of the optical member. In a continuous molding apparatus that continuously discharges a plurality of polymer materials as a columnar optical member by melt extrusion, and conveys the optical member to the next step by a conveying means.
The transport means includes a rotating member that rotates with a peripheral surface in contact with the optical member,
The continuous molding apparatus characterized in that the outer diameter R1 of the rotating member is 100 times or more the outer diameter D1 of the optical member.   The continuous molding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the next step, the optical member is wound up by a winding means.   5. The continuous molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a stretching ratio of the optical member when contacting the conveying unit is 1.5 times or less immediately after the melt extrusion. .   The continuous molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the polymer material contains a methacrylate compound. In a continuous molding method in which a plurality of polymer materials are formed into a long columnar optical member by melt extrusion, and the optical member is conveyed to the next step by a conveying means,
A continuous molding method for transporting the optical member such that a curvature radius r1 of a transport path formed by the transport means is 50 times or more of an outer diameter D1 of the optical member. In a continuous molding method in which a plurality of polymer materials are formed into a long columnar optical member by melt extrusion, and the optical member is conveyed to the next step by a conveying means,
A rotation member that rotates in contact with the optical member is provided in a conveyance path formed by the conveyance means,
The outer diameter R1 of the rotating member is set to 100 times or more the outer diameter D1 of the optical member,
A continuous molding method characterized by transporting the optical member.

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