IP Library Granted Patent US 12686635
Granted Patent B2
US 12686635 · App. 18/536,408 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Colored optical fiber, optical fiber ribbon, optical fiber ribbon cable and method for manufacturing the same

Inventors: Kuniaki Ishizuki (Tokyo, JP); Minoru Kasahara (Tokyo, JP); Mitsuhiro Iwaya (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
C03C25/1065C03C25/105C03C2218/32
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12686635
App. No.
18/536,408
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A colored optical fiber includes a bare optical fiber, a primary layer formed of a first ultraviolet curing resin covering the bare optical fiber and a secondary layer formed of a second ultraviolet curing resin covering the primary layer. An outer diameter of the secondary layer is smaller than or equal to 210 μm. A Young's modulus of the primary layer is smaller than or equal to 88% with respect to a saturated Young's modulus of the primary layer.

Claims (34)

1 . A colored optical fiber comprising:

a bare optical fiber;

a primary layer formed of a first ultraviolet curing resin covering the bare optical fiber; and

a secondary layer formed of a second ultraviolet curing resin covering the primary layer, wherein an outer diameter of the secondary layer is smaller than or equal to 210 μm,

wherein a Young's modulus of the primary layer is smaller than or equal to 88% with respect to a saturated Young's modulus of the primary layer, and

wherein a Young's modulus of the primary layer after the colored optical fiber is additionally irradiated with ultraviolet light of 1000 mW/cm 2 and 500 mJ/cm 2 using a D bulb is larger than or equal to 25.4% and smaller than or equal to 87.9% with respect to a saturated Young's modulus of the primary layer.

2 . The colored optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein a Young's modulus of the primary layer is larger than or equal to 0.16 MPa.

3 . The colored optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein a Young's modulus of the primary layer is larger than or equal to 23% with respect to a saturated Young's modulus of the primary layer.

4 . The colored optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein a change amount of a Young's modulus before and after an additional irradiation with ultraviolet light to the colored optical fiber is smaller than or equal to 0.28 MPa.

5 . The colored optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein an adhesion force between the primary layer of 10 mm and the bare optical fiber is larger than or equal to 70 gf.

6 . An optical fiber ribbon comprising:

a plurality of the colored optical fibers according to claim 1 ; and

an adhesive layer connecting the plurality of the colored optical fibers.

7 . An optical fiber ribbon cable comprising:

the optical fiber ribbon according to claim 6 and;

a sheath accommodating the optical fiber ribbon.

8 . An assembly cable of single fibers comprising:

a plurality of the colored optical fiber according to claim 1 ; and

a sheath accommodating the plurality of the colored optical fiber.

9 . The colored optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein a Young's modulus of the primary layer after the colored optical fiber is additionally irradiated with ultraviolet light of 1000 mW/cm 2 and 500 mJ/cm 2 using a D bulb is larger than or equal to 25.4% and smaller than or equal to 67.5% with respect to a saturated Young's modulus of the primary layer.

10 . The colored optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein a Young's modulus of the primary layer is larger than or equal to 23.1% and smaller than or equal to 52.5% with respect to a saturated Young's modulus of the primary layer.

11 . A method for manufacturing a colored optical fiber comprising:

a step of drawing a bare optical fiber from an optical fiber preform;

a step of forming a primary layer by applying a first ultraviolet curing resin around the bare optical fiber; and

a step of forming a secondary layer by applying a second ultraviolet curing resin around the primary layer and irradiating the second ultraviolet curing resin with ultraviolet light,

after manufacturing the colored optical fiber,

wherein an outer diameter of the secondary layer is smaller than or equal to 210 μm, and

wherein a Young's modulus of the primary layer is smaller than or equal to 88% with respect to a saturated Young's modulus of the primary layer.

12 . The method for manufacturing a colored optical fiber according to claim 11 , wherein in the step of forming the primary layer, the first ultraviolet curing resin is irradiated with ultraviolet light.

13 . The method for manufacturing a colored optical fiber according to claim 11 further comprising a step of forming a colored layer by applying a third ultraviolet curing resin around the secondary layer and irradiating the third ultraviolet curing resin with ultraviolet light.

14 . The method for manufacturing a colored optical fiber according to claim 11 , wherein the secondary layer is colored.

15 . A method for manufacturing an optical fiber ribbon comprising:

a step of preparing a plurality of the colored optical fibers according to claim 11 ; and

a step of connecting the plurality of colored optical fibers by applying a fourth ultraviolet curing resin to the plurality of colored optical fibers and irradiating the fourth ultraviolet curing resin with ultraviolet light.