Molding apparatus for a reinforcement resin coating of glass optical fiber exposing portion of an optical fiber junction, method for molding reinforcement resin coating of a glass optical fiber exposing portion of an optical fiber junction, and optical fiber cable

Abstract

A molding dieis constituted by an upper dieand a lower diewhich are made of a material transparent to an ultraviolet light, and has a cavityconstituted by grooves, whereas a resin injection gateand a resin exit gateare provided so as to communicate with the cavity. A junction of an optical fiberis inserted into the cavity. A UV-curable resin is injected into the cavitysurrounding an exposing portion of the glass optical fiberfrom the resin injection gatepositioned at one of coating ends of the optical fiber, whereas a part thereof is discharged from the resin exit gatepositioned at the other coating end. The ultraviolet light is emitted through the lower dieso as to cure the resin, thereby forming a reinforcement resin coating. As a consequence, bubbles can be prevented from occurring due to the residual air within the reinforcement resin coating in the junction of the optical fiber