[DESCRIPTION]
[Title of Invention] OPTICAL FIBER RIBBON, OPTICAL FIBER CABLE,
AND WIRE CONFIGURATION
[Technical Field]
[0001]
The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon
including a plurality of optical fibers which are joined in parallel
and relates to an optical fiber cable and a wire configuration which
include the optical fiber ribbons.
[Background Art]
[0002]
As described in Patent Literature 1, a conventionally
proposed optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers
which are joined in parallel. In such an optical fiber ribbon, the
plurality of optical fibers, which are arranged in parallel, are
coated with a tape material (a coating material). Each optical
fiber includes a bare optical fiber coated with an ultraviolet
curing resin. The bare optical fiber is composed of a core and a
cladding. Such an optical fiber is also called as an optical fiber
element.
[0003]
In such an optical fiber ribbon, in order to identify each
of optical fibers constituting the optical fiber ribbon, the
surfaces of the optical fibers are individually colored in different
colors. Otherwise, optical fibers constituting an optical fiber
ribbon may be differently marked to be identified.
[0004]
Alternatively, such optical fibers can be identified also by
coloring or marking the surfaces of the coating materials coating
the individual optical fibers.
[0005]
Patent Literature 2 describes a configuration in which the
surfaces of optical fibers are colored by coating the surfaces of
the optical fibers with transparent color layers.
[Citation List]
[Patent Literature]
[0006]
[PTL 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No.

2007-178883
[PTL 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No.
2004-012680
[Summary of Invention]
[Technical Problem]
[0007]
Meanwhile, in the case of coloring the surfaces of the optical
fibers of the aforementioned conventional optical fiber ribbon,
the number of usable colors is limited, and accordingly, a limited
number of optical fibers can be identified. Even if intermediate
colors are used, it is not easy to determine such intermediate colors,
and therefore identification of the optical fibers is difficult.
Moreover, even if the optical fibers are identified by combinations
of colors, such identification is also difficult. Furthermore, the
colors of the optical fibers are identified through the tape
material. This makes it difficult to provide good identification.
[0008]
In the case of providing markings for the optical fibers, the
markings could hide the colors of the optical fibers, thus degrading
the identification by the colors of the optical fibers.
[0009]
In the case of providing markings on the surfaces of the tape
materials, the markings deteriorate over time due to the temperature,
humidity, and the like, thus resulting in degradation of
identification. Moreover, in such a case, when the tape material
is removed to use the individual optical fibers, the markings are
removed together with the tape material.
[0010]
Furthermore, in the optical fiber ribbon, if the positions
of the markings are distributed in the longitudinal direction, the
combinations of the markings are difficult to distinguish, thus
degrading the identification.
[0011]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in the light
of the aforementioned circumference, and an object of the present
invention is to provide an optical fiber ribbon including a
plurality of optical fibers joined in parallel, the optical fiber
ribbon allowing good identification of a number of types of optical

fiber tape cores without degradation of identification due to
deterioration over time and allowing identification of optical
fibers when the tape material is removed to use the individual
optical fibers and to provide an optical fiber cable including the
aforementioned optical fiber ribbons, and a wire configuration.
[Solution to Problems]
[0012]
An aspect of the invention is an optical fiber ribbon,
including: a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel; and
a tape material covering the plurality of optical fibers into a
tape, in which the plurality of optical fibers are coated
respectively with translucent color layers of different colors,
and in at least two of the plurality of optical fibers, markings
for identifying the optical fiber ribbon are provided at a same
position in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon.
[0013]
A second aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber
cable including: a plurality of optical fiber ribbons, in which
each of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons includes : a plurality
of optical fibers arranged in parallel,- and a tape material covering
the plurality of optical fibers into a tape. The plurality of
optical fibers are coated respectively with translucent color
layers of different colors, and the tape material is made of a
colorless and transparent material. In at least two of the
plurality of optical fibers, markings for identifying the optical
fiber ribbon are provided at a same position in a longitudinal
direction of the optical fiber ribbon. The markings of each optical
fiber ribbon differ from those of any other one of the optical fiber
ribbons.
[0014]
. A third aspect of the invention is a wire configuration of
a plurality of optical fiber ribbons including a plurality of
optical fiber ribbons, in which each of the plurality of optical
fiber ribbons includes: a plurality of optical fibers arranged in
parallel; and a tape material covering the plurality of optical
fibers into a tape. The plurality of optical fibers are coated
respectively with translucent color layers of different colors,
and the tape material is made of a colorless and transparent material.

In at least two of the plurality of optical fibers, markings for
identifying the optical fiber ribbon are provided at a same position
in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon. The
markings of each optical fiber ribbon differ from those of any other
one of the optical fiber ribbons.
[Advantageous Effects of Invention]
[0015]
According to the present invention, it is easy to identify
the optical fiber ribbons. Moreover, by changing the colors,
arrangement, shapes, and the like due to the combinations of the
color layers and the markings provided for the optical fibers, the
types and number of optical fibers can be increased with the good
identification being maintained. Furthermore, the markings are
provided under the color layers, and the identification cannot be
therefore damaged by deterioration over time. Still furthermore,
since the markings have good visibility and distinguishability,
the color of each optical fiber {the color of each color layer)
can be easily identified. Still furthermore, even if the tape
materials are removed from the optical fibers, the markings and
color layers remain, and the optical fibers can be therefore easily
identified.
[Brief Description of Drawings]
[0016]
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of optical
fibers constituting an optical fiber ribbon according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the example of the optical fibers
constituting the optical fiber ribbon according to the embodiment
of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of the optical
fiber ribbon according to the embodiment of the.present invention.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the
optical fibers constituting the optical fiber ribbon according to
the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of
the optical fiber cable according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. G is plan views showing configurations of Examples of

the optical fiber ribbon according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 7 is plan views showing configurations of Comparative
Examples of the optical fiber ribbon.
Fig. 8 is a plan view showing examples of the types of markings
in Examples and Comparative Examples.
[Description of Embodiment]
[0017]
Hereinafter, a description is given of an embodiment of the
present invention based on the drawings.
[001,8]

An optical fiber ribbon according to an embodiment includes
a plurality of optical fibers which are arranged in parallel and
j oined to each other into a tape.
[0019]
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the optical
fibers constituting the optical fiber ribbon according to the
embodiment.
[0020]
As shown in Fig. 1, each of optical fibers 1 constituting the
optical fiber ribbon according to the embodiment includes a bare
optical fiber 2, which is coated with a fiber coating 3. The bare
optical fiber 2 is composed of a cladding and a core made of silica
glass. The fiber coating 3 is made of an ultraviolet curing resin,
for example. The optical fiber composed of the bare optical fiber
2 and the fiber coating 3 is also called as an optical fiber element.
The fiber coating 3 may have a multilayer structure to constitute
a so-called optical fiber core wire. In such a case, the outside
of the aforementioned ultraviolet curing resin is further coated
with thermoplastic resin, a different ultraviolet curing resin,
or the like. On the outer surface of the fiber coating 3, a
predetermined marking 4 is provided. Furthermore, the marking 4
is coated with a translucent color layer 5.
[0021]
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the example of the optical fiber
constituting the optical fiber ribbon according to the embodiment.
[0022]

As shown in Fig. 2, the marking 4 is provided at every
predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the optical
fiber. The markings 4 are colored in opaque color such as white
having a good light reflectivity and are visible from the outside
through the color layer 5. The color layers 5 of the optical fibers
constituting an optical fiber ribbon (described later) are colored
in different colors. The markings 4 may be colored in translucent
color. In. such a case, the markings 4 are colored in color darker
than the color of the color layer 5 so as to be visible from the
outside through the color layer 5.
[0023]
Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of the optical
fiber ribbon according to the embodiment.
[0024]
As shown in Fig. 3, in the optical fiber ribbon according to
the embodiment, a plurality of the optical fibers 1 are arranged
in parallel and are coated with a tape material 6 into a tape. The
tape material 6 is composed of a colorless transparent material.
[0025]
In this optical fiber tape core, the same markings 4 are
provided in at least two of the optical fibers l. The. markings 4
are markings for identifying the optical fiber ribbon and are
provided at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the
optical fiber ribbon. In other words, the markings 4 of the optical
fibers 1 are arranged on a line in the width direction of the optical
fiber ribbon.
[0026]
In the optical fiber ribbon, the optical fiber ribbon can be
identified according to the type of the markings 4. Moreover, each
optical fiber 1 constituting the optical fiber ribbon can be
identified by the color of the color layer 5.
[0027]
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the
optical fibers constituting the optical fiber ribbon according to
the embodiment.
[0028]
As shown in Fig. 4, each marking 4 may be provided for only
a part of the circumferential surface of the optical fiber 1.

[0029]

An optical fiber cable according to the embodiment includes
a plurality of the aforementioned optical fiber ribbons, which are
covered with a jacket made of a synthetic resin material.
[0030]
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of
the optical fiber cable according to the embodiment.
[0031]
As shown in Fig. 5, an optical fiber cable 10 according to
the embodiment is a center-tube type optical fiber cable, for
example. A plurality of optical fiber ribbons 11 are assembled and
bundled to form a cable core. In the optical fiber cable 10, on
the outer circumference of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons
11 assembled and bundled, a thermoplastic resin 8 is extruded into
a tube shape. The outer circumference of the tube is sheathed with
a j acket 9 of polyethylene or the like.
[0032]
In each of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons 11 of the
optical fiber cable 10, at least two of the optical fibers 1
constituting the optical fiber ribbon 11 are provided with the same
markings 4 at the same position in the longitudinal direction of
the optical fiber ribbons. Another optical fiber ribbon includes
a different number of marks, for example . Based on such a difference
in number of marks, the optical fiber ribbons can be distinguished.
[Examples]
[0033]

Fig. 6 is plan views showing configurations of Examples of
the optical fiber ribbon according to the embodiment.
[0034]
As Examples of the optical fiber ribbon according to the
embodiment, optical fiber ribbons were formed of the optical fibers
1 with an outer diameter of the fiber coating 3 of 250 microns.
The markings 4 had a mark length of 2 mm and a mark pitch of 50
mm and were provided intermittently in the longitudinal direction.
The markings 4 were coated with the color layers 5. Four optical
fibers 1 were arranged side by side so that the longitudinal

positions of the same markings 4 of all the optical fibers 1
correspond to each other.
[0035]
The material of the tape material 6 is an ultraviolet curing
resin. The optical fibers 1 were coated with the tape material 6
into a tape.
[0036]
Fig. 7 is plan views showing configurations of Comparative
Examples of the optical fiber ribbon.
[0037]
As Comparative Examples, the same optical fibers, as those of
Examples were used to prepare optical fiber ribbons in which the
longitudinal positions of the same markings 4 of all the optical
fibers 1 did not correspond to each other as shown in Fig. 7.
[0038]
Fig. 8 is plan views showing the types of the markings of
Examples and Comparative Examples.
[0039]
These Examples and Comparative Examples included four types
of markings 4 as shown in (a) to (d) of Fig. 8. The four types of
markings 4 were: (a) one 2 mm mark, (b) two consecutive 2 mm marks,
(c) three consecutive 2 mm marks, and (d) four consecutive 2 mm
marks.
[0040]
A comparison between the optical fiber ribbons of Examples
and Comparative Examples was made in terms of identification of
each optical fiber. It was then confirmed that identification of
the markings 4 were extremely improved in the optical fiber ribbons
of Examples, where the longitudinal positions of the markings 4
of all the optical fibers 1 corresponded to each other, compared
with the optical fiber ribbons of Comparative Examples.
[0041]
Moreover, it was confirmed that the markings 4 provided for
the respective optical fibers 1 could be visually recognized well
even when the optical fibers 1 were separated into single-core
optical fibers. The optical fibers 1 separated into single-core
optical fibers could be easily identified based on the combinations
of the markings 4 and the colors of the color layers 5.

[0042]
As for the markings, as shown in Fig. 4 described above, even
when each marking was provided for only a part of the outer
circumference of the optical fiber 1, it was confirmed that the
identification of the markings 4 could be extremely improved
compared with the optical fiber ribbons of Comparative Examples.
[0043]
The combinations of the colors of the color layers 5 and the
markings 4 can include various types and are not particularly
limited. For example, the optical fibers 1 whose color layers 5
are blue and ye 1 low; may be provided with the markings 4 while the
optical fibers 1 whose color layers 5 are green and red are not
provided with the markings 4. Alternatively, the optical fibers
1 whose color layers 5 are blue and green may be provided with the
markings 4 while the optical fibers 1 whose color layers 5 are yellow
and red are not provided with the markings 4. Furthermore, the
optical fibers 1 whose color layers 5 are blue and red may be provided
with the markings 4 while the optical fibers 1 whose color layers
5 are yellow and green are not provided with the markings 4. In
such a manner, the colors of the color layers 5 and the markings
4 can be variously combined.
[0044]
Moreover, the number of optical fibers is not limited to four
shown in Examples and may be any number.
[0045]

(1) SZ-type optical fiber cable
In this Example, 100-core SZ-type optical fiber cables were
prepared. An SZ-type optical fiber cable includes: a core
including slots on the outer circumference, the slots being
repeatedly inverted right and left; optical fiber ribbons
accommodated in the slots of the core; and a sheath covering the
cores and optical fiber ribbons. In this Example, the core included
five slots, and the slots accommodated five four-core tape core
wires. The optical fiber ribbons were four-core optical fiber
ribbons shown in Figs. 6 and 7.
[0046]
For each of the optical fiber ribbons, one to five marks

according to the embodiment are repeatedly provided. The number
of marks varies according to the numbers assigned to the optical
fiber ribbons. For example, for the optical fiber ribbon assigned
as the first optical fiber ribbon, the markings 4 including one
mark are provided at every predetermined distance along the
longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon.
[0047]
These optical fiber cables were Used to make comparison of
identification. It was confirmed that the five optical fiber
ribbons taken out from the slots were identified corresponding to
each assigned number. In the comparison of the identification, in
addition to the optical fiber cables of Examples, the confirmation
was also made for the optical fiber cables composed of optical fiber
ribbons which employed the tracer method as a conventionally-used
method to identify optical fiber ribbons for comparison.
[0048]
The tracer method is the identification method using an
optical fiber of a color different from the tracers of the other
optical fiber ribbons. The tracer method is generally used to
identify optical fiber ribbons. For example, the typical tracer
method uses four-core optical fiber ribbons each including an
optical fiber used as a tracer and white, brown, and grey optical
fibers, which are arranged side by side. The colors of the tracers
of the first to fifth optical fiber ribbons are set different to
blue, yellow, green, red, and violet for identification. Each of
the optical fiber ribbons commonly includes the white, brown, and
grey optical fibers and is identified by only the color of the tracer.
Accordingly, it is necessary to confirm the color of the tracer
instead of the entire optical fiber ribbons. In other words, it
is necessary to identify the color of the optical fiber as the tracer
among the four thin optical fibers arranged side by side.
[0049]
In a comparison between the optical fiber cable including the
optical fiber ribbons shown in Fig. 6 and the optical fiber cable
including the optical fiber ribbons shown in Fig. 7, the visibility
was much better in the case of using the optical fiber ribbons
according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 than the case of using
the optical fiber ribbons {shown in Fig. 7) in which the positions

of the markings 4 are irregular. In the case of using the optical
fiber ribbons shown in Fig. 7, in order to identify the optical
fiber ribbons similar in number of markings (for example, optical
fiber ribbons with the markings 4 of three and four marks) , it is
necessary to carefully identify the optical fibers provided with
the marks one by one. On the other hand, in the case of using the
optical fiber ribbons shown in Fig. 6, the marks are aligned at
regular positions, and it is possible to distinguish the optical
fiber ribbons, which are assemblies of the optical fibers, at a
glance without carefully observing the optical fibers one by one.
It was thus confirmed that, the optical fiber ribbons of Examples
were well identified.
[0050]
By a comparison with conventional optical fiber ribbons
including optical fibers as tracers, it was confirmed that better
identification was provided in the case of using the optical fiber
ribbons shown in Fig. 6. Specifically, as for the aforementioned
conventional optical fiber ribbons, it is necessary to specify the
colors of the optical fibers as the tracers, and it is necessary
to carefully observe the color of one of the optical fibers. However,
in the case of using the optical fiber ribbons shown in Fig. 6,
as described above, the identification of the optical fiber ribbons
can be made on a core wire-by-core wire basis. Accordingly, the
optical fiber ribbons according to the embodiment can be identified
more easily than the tracer-type optical fiber ribbons.
[0051]
(2) Center-tube Optical Fiber Cable
In this example, center-tube optical fiber cables were
prepared.
[0052]
A center-tube optical fiber cable is a cable which includes
a space on a central axis of the cable to accommodate the optical
fiber ribbons, intervening members, and the like and is covered
with a sheath around. In such a cable, the accommodation space
accommodates several to more than ten, or more than 20 optical fibers
or optical fiber ribbons. This embodiment is effective on
identifying an arbitrary optical fiber ribbon among a number of
optical fiber ribbons of such a cable structure.

[0053]
The prepared center-tube optical fiber cable produced was a
48-core optical fiber cable which accommodated 12 four-core optical
fiber ribbons in the accommodation space on the central axis. As
shown in Fig. 6, each optical fiber ribbon was provided with one
to twelve markings 4 aligned in the width direction. In comparison,
optical fiber cables including optical fiber ribbons of the tracer
method type were prepared for comparison of identification of the
optical fiber ribbons. In the tracer method, similar to Example
of the SZ optical fiber cable, the colors of the tracers needed
to be individually determined, and moreover, twelve tracer colors (
were required. The optical fibers had a number of colors, and it
is therefore difficult to distinguish red and pink or red and orange,
which are the same type of color, for example. In this Example,
accordingly, use of the optical fiber ribbons according to the
embodiment could provide better identification.
[0054]
(3) Application to Optical Fiber Coupler
The optical fiber ribbon according to the embodiment is
effective on easily distinguishing a plurality of optical fiber
ribbons of various types of cables in addition to optical fiber
cables.
[0055]
As Examples, optical fiber couplers simultaneously
connecting plural optical fiber ribbons were prepared using the
optical fiber ribbons shown in Fig. 6. In this case, similar to
the application to optical fiber cables, the optical fiber ribbons
could be well identified, and the workability was improved. Such
optical fiber couplers are included in closures, optical
termination boxes, optical termination cabinets, and the like.
Also when such an optical fiber coupler is accommodated in an optical
termination box or a closure using a splitter unit, the optical
fiber ribbons are well identified, and the workability can be
improved.
[0056]
According to the optical fiber ribbon, optical fiber cable,
and wire configuration of the embodiment, a number of types of
optical fiber ribbons are easily identified. Moreover, changing

the colors, arrangements, shape, and the like based on the
combinations of the color layers provided for the optical fibers
and the markings can increase the types and number of optical fibers
with the good identification being maintained. Furthermore, since
the markings are provided under the color layers, the identification
is not damaged due to deterioration over time. The visibility and
distinguishability of the markings are good, and the colors of the
optical fibers themselves {the colors of the color layers) can be
identified easily. Still furthermore, even if the tape material
is removed, the markings and color layers remain, and the optical
fibers can be easily identified. (
[Industrial Applicability]
[0057]
The present invention is applicable to an optical fiber ribbon
including a plurality of optical fibers joined in parallel and an
optical fiber cable including the optical fiber ribbons.

[CLAIMS]
[Claim 1] An optical fiber ribbon, comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel; and
a tape material covering the plurality of optical fibers into
a tape, wherein
the plurality of optical fibers are coated respectively with
translucent color layers of different colors, and
in at least two of the plurality of optical fibers, markings
for identifying the optical fiber ribbon are provided at a same
position in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon.
[Claim 2] An optical fiber cable, comprising:
a plurality of optical fiber ribbons, wherein
each of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons includes:
a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel, and
a tape material covering the plurality of optical
fibers into a tape, wherein
the plurality of optical fibers are coated respectively with
translucent color layers of different colors,
the tape material is made of a colorless and transparent
material,
in at least two of the plurality of optical fibers, markings
for identifying the optical fiber ribbon are provided at a same
position in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon,
and
the markings of each optical fiber ribbon differ from those
of any other one of the optical fiber ribbons.
[Claim 3] A wire configuration of a plurality of optical fiber
ribbons, comprising
a plurality of optical fiber ribbons, wherein
each of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons includes:
a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel; and
a tape material covering the plurality of optical fibers into
a tape, and
the plurality of optical fibers are coated respectively with
translucent color layers of different colors,
the tape material is made of a colorless and transparent

material,
in at least two of the plurality of optical fibers, markings
for identifying the optical fiber ribbon are provided at a same
position in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon,
and
the markings of each optical fiber ribbon differ from those
of any other one of the optical fiber ribbons.