JP2000081516A - Optical fiber with light diffusion part and its production - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber which is usable as a non-direction or directional spot light source and has ornamentality and its production. SOLUTION: This optical fiber 1 comprises an optical fiber body 11, a light diffusion part 2 and fillers 22 dispersed into this light diffusion part 2. The optical fiber 1 also comprises a light emitting surface 121 disposed at the front end 12 of the optical fiber 1 and a light receiving surface 131 disposed at the other end. The light emitting surface 121 is molded to the diameter larger than the diameter of the light receiving surface 131 and the optical fiber body 11. When such optical fiber 1 receives the light of an arbitrary light source from the light receiving surface at the other end, the light reflects in the core of the optical fiber 1 and is emitted from the light emitting surface 131 at the front end. This light is diffused by the fillers 22 in the light diffusion part 2 and may be used as the non-directional light source.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber used as a light source for lighting, display, decoration and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to an optical fiber used as a light source for lighting, display, decoration, and the like, for emitting light at a wide angle, and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Lighting used for exhibitions, decorations, and the like is required to have directing properties, and various forms are conceivable, and more forms are required. An optical fiber is one of those used for such illumination. Since the optical fiber can guide the light over a long distance, the light emitting source and the actual light emitting portion can be arranged at arbitrary positions apart from each other. For this reason, the light-emitting source, which is also a heat source, can be separated from the exhibit, or the light-emitting source can be replaced at hand even if the light-emitting portion is in a difficult place such as a high place. Further, it can be used as a spot illumination source or a line light source, and the optical fiber itself can be used as one of the decorations.

[0003]

However, the emission angle of the light emitted from the tip after passing through the optical fiber is at most 45 ° with respect to the axis of the optical fiber. For this reason, light emission cannot be confirmed from the side or the rear of the opening end face of the optical fiber, and the application is limited as compared with a point light source such as an incandescent lamp having a wide light emission range. In addition, since the diameter of an optical fiber is usually about several millimeters, it has been necessary to use a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers in order to use it as a point light source having a larger diameter and higher discrimination. The present invention solves the above problems, and provides an optical fiber having decorativeness that can be used as a non-directional or directional point light source with high discrimination, and a decorative method, and a method of manufacturing the same. The purpose is to:

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber with a light diffusing portion, comprising an optical fiber portion and a light diffusing portion provided at a tip end side of the optical fiber portion. The front end side of the portion is formed in a trumpet shape, the light scattering portion is formed so as to surround the front end side of the trumpet shape, and the light scattering portion is made of resin or glass.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber with a light diffusing section comprising an optical fiber section and a light diffusing section provided at a distal end side of the optical fiber section. The light scattering portion is formed so as to surround the front end side of the flapper shape, and the light scattering portion includes a matrix portion made of resin or glass and a filler disposed in the matrix portion. An optical fiber with a light scattering part, comprising:

A third aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber with a light scattering portion, comprising an optical fiber portion and a light scattering portion provided at the distal end of the optical fiber portion, wherein the distal end of the optical fiber portion is a wrapper. The diffused portion is formed so as to surround the front end side,
The light scattering portion is made of resin or glass.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber with a light scattering portion, comprising an optical fiber portion and a light scattering portion provided at the distal end side of the optical fiber portion, wherein the distal end side of the optical fiber portion is a wrapper. The diffused portion is formed so as to surround the front end side,
The light diffuser includes a matrix portion made of resin or glass and a filler disposed in the matrix portion.

The optical fiber used in the present invention is made of a core material (quartz glass, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)).
), Polycarbonate (also called PC), polystyrene (also called PS) and the like. ) Does not matter, and the diameter is not particularly limited.
Further, an optical fiber that emits light not only from the end face of the core but also from the side face of the clad may be used. Such a side-emitting optical fiber can provide a different performance from light emission from only the end face.

The above-mentioned "wrapper shape" indicates that the optical fiber with the light scattering portion has a pre-spread shape in which the diameter on the tip side is larger than that of other portions and becomes maximum at the end face. In other words, the planar shape of the distal end portion has a substantially reverse tapered shape having a slope that changes linearly or curvedly. By increasing the end face diameter and widening the end face, it is possible to obtain a wider angle of scattered light, and more resin material liquid adheres to the end when the end immersed in the resin material liquid is pulled up. Thereby, a larger light scattering portion can be formed. Further, an effect of an anchor for preventing the light scattering portion from coming off the optical fiber can be obtained. Furthermore,
The angle of the inclination can be set arbitrarily. Also,
The ratio (N / M) between the diameter (M) of the optical fiber portion and the diameter (N) of the end face of the tip (see, for example, FIG. 2) can be arbitrarily selected depending on the application. It is preferably in the range of more than 0 times and not more than 2.0 times (preferably more than 1.0 times and not more than 1.9 times, more preferably more than 1.1 times and not more than 1.8 times). The reason why the optical fiber is processed so as to have an end face diameter exceeding 2.0 times is that the optical fiber is unreasonably applied, causing light leakage and the like, which is not preferable. In addition, the “shape that is not expanded in a trumpet shape” is
Any shape other than the trumpet shape, such as a rod shape having the same diameter or a rod shape having a taper in an arbitrary direction, can be used.

The form of the "filler" is not particularly limited, and a powdery substance, a granulated substance and the like can be arbitrarily selected. Also,
These shapes can be selected arbitrarily according to the required light-scattering property, and are spherical, polyhedral (tetrahedral,
Or a dodecahedron).
It does not matter whether the filler is solid or hollow. In particular, the shape of the filler may be a spherical hollow body as shown in the fifth invention. Furthermore, when this spherical hollow body is selected, the diameter of one filler is 5 to 15
It is preferably 0 μm (especially preferably 8-140 μm, more preferably 10-130 μm). Such a spherical hollow body has a higher light scattering property than a solid body without a hollow portion because refraction / reflection or the like repeatedly occurs between the surface of the spherical hollow body and the inner surface thereof, and is preferably used in the present invention. be able to. Further, the light scattering portion using the filler can be reduced in weight, and the handling of the optical fiber with the light scattering portion can be facilitated. The material of the filler can be arbitrarily selected, but preferably has a refractive index different from that of the light-diffusing portion, and examples thereof include glass and resin. It may be transparent or translucent. Further, the glass may be inorganic or organic. Also,
Also for the above resin, an epoxy resin, a silicone resin, an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate or the like can be arbitrarily selected. Among these, glass can be suitably used because it has a different refractive index from that of the light scattering portion and is easy to manufacture.

The shape of the "light scattering portion" can be arbitrarily selected according to the application, and examples thereof include a spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, and a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Further, as described in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the light-diffusing portion can be formed in a spherical shape or a cylindrical shape having a spherical end surface (for example, a well-known round LED lamp shape). Further, the material of the light scattering portion is not particularly limited as long as it is translucent or semi-translucent, and glass (inorganic or organic) and resin (epoxy resin,
Silicone resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, etc. can be arbitrarily selected). Of these, it is preferable to use an epoxy resin because it is easy to form and has little shrinkage during curing.

Further, as described in a seventh aspect of the present invention, the light scattering portion may include a locking member formed integrally with the main body of the light scattering portion. This "locking member" is a member used when locking the optical fiber with the light scattering portion to an arbitrary member, and the method may be any method such as hooking with a claw, screwing, and rubbing. Can be used. Further, the locking member can be provided at an arbitrary position of the light scattering portion. Examples of the position include a base portion and a body portion of the light scattering portion, and a position extending in an arbitrary direction.

[0013] As shown in an eighth aspect of the present invention, the optical fiber with a light scattering portion according to the present invention may include an adhesive portion between the light scattering portion and the tip end. The "bonded portion" is bonded so as not to separate the distal end portion of the optical fiber and the light scattering portion, and any material may be used as long as it is translucent or semi-transparent, and glass (inorganic or organic). ) And resin (epoxy resin,
Silicone resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, etc. can be arbitrarily selected). Of these, it is preferable that the material be the same as that of the light scattering portion or be a material having the same or similar optical characteristics as those of the light scattering portion.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an optical fiber with a light diffusing portion, wherein the tip side of the optical fiber is immersed in a resin material liquid, and then the tip side of the optical fiber is pulled up from the resin material liquid. The method is characterized in that the resin material liquid adhering to the optical fiber is cured to form a substantially spherical diffused portion on the tip side of the optical fiber.

[0015] As described in the tenth aspect, the "resin material liquid" may contain a filler. In particular, when a hollow body as shown in the fifth aspect of the invention is used as the filler, if the light-scattering portion is formed by compression molding or injection molding using mold molding, the hollow body is ruptured by the pressure at the time of formation. In some cases, the filler cannot be used as a filler. For this reason, a method of forming a light scattering portion that does not require pressurization, such as a method by immersion as shown in the ninth invention, is preferable. In addition, the optical fiber, the light scattering portion, and the filler are the same as the optical fiber, the light scattering portion, and the filler described in the first to seventh aspects.

It is preferable that the resin material liquid and the filler have substantially the same specific gravity because they are uniformly dispersed. The method of mixing the resin material liquid and the filler can be selected as desired. However, it is preferable that the filler can be uniformly dispersed and no bubbles are mixed in the resin material liquid.
As an example of this, a method such as a vacuum stirring method of stirring under reduced pressure can be mentioned.

As shown in the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the resin material liquid used in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber with a light scattering portion may be a room temperature curing epoxy resin or an ultraviolet curing resin. These are preferably materials which are easy to manufacture, have little shrinkage, and are excellent in translucency. Examples of the ultraviolet curable resin include ester acrylate, epoxy acrylate, melamine acrylate, and acrylic resin acrylate.

Further, as shown in the twelfth aspect, the one end of the optical fiber may be formed in a trumpet shape. By forming the one end into a trumpet shape, more resin material liquid adheres to the one end when the one end immersed in the resin material liquid is pulled up, so that a larger light scattering portion can be formed. In addition, the diffused portion formed by such a method is in a state in which the tip of the trumpet bites into the diffused portion, so that it is difficult for the diffused portion to be detached from the optical fiber.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an optical fiber with a light scattering portion and a method of manufacturing the same according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples. [Example 1] Example 1 relates to an optical fiber with a light diffusing portion having a filler and having a spherical light diffusing portion.
Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber 1 with a light scattering portion (hereinafter abbreviated as the present optical fiber 1) includes an optical fiber portion 11, a light scattering portion 2, and a filler 22.
Consists of In addition, the present optical fiber 1 has a light emitting surface 121 provided on the distal end portion 12 and a light receiving surface 1 provided on the other end side.
31.

As shown in FIG. 2, the core 111 of the optical fiber 1 is made of polymethyl methacrylate (also referred to as PMMA).
Optical fiber (made by Toray, jacket outer diameter: 500 μm,
The cord is used to receive light from a light source from a light receiving surface 131 and emit light received from a light emitting surface 121 again. The diameter of the light emitting surface 121 is larger than that of the light receiving surface 131 and the optical fiber portion 11, and the diameter including the jacket portion is about 1.
2 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light scattering portion 2 is disposed so as to cover the tip portion 12 of the optical fiber and its light emitting surface 121, and includes a matrix portion 21 and a filler 22. The shape of the light scattering portion 2 is a substantially spherical shape that slightly hangs from the distal end portion 12 in the axial direction of the optical fiber 1. The matrix part 21 is an epoxy resin obtained by curing a two-part cold-setting epoxy resin adhesive (trade name: Crystal Resin, manufactured by Kokusai Chemical Co., Ltd.). As shown in FIG. 3, the filler 22 is a hollow sphere having an outer diameter of 5 to 100 μm (average 50 μm) for a filler (product name: X-39, manufactured by Asahi Glass; material: silica glass;
Apparent specific gravity: 0.39, weight% on 74 μm sieve: 7 wt
%), And includes a shell 221 and an internal space 222.
The filler 22 is substantially uniformly dispersed in the light scattering section 2.

The optical fiber 1 with the light diffusing section is manufactured as follows. Light scattering part 2 to optical fiber 1A before processing
It is necessary to process the tip portion 12A of the optical fiber 1A into a trumpet shape before providing the same. This processing is performed as follows. First, a hot plate 71 heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the optical fiber 1A (a hot plate for processing an end face used for connecting optical fibers can be used) is prepared. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, by pressing a surface 121A serving as a light emitting surface of the optical fiber 1A against the plate surface 711, the core and the clad of the optical fiber 1A are softened, and the tip 12A and the light emitting surface 121A are brought into contact with the plate surface. The optical fiber 1B is provided with a trumpet-shaped distal end portion 12B and a light emitting surface 121B by being pressed and expanded.

Subsequently, the tip 12 processed into a trumpet shape
A light scattering portion 2 is formed around B. This formation is performed at the tip 12
B is immersed in the resin material liquid 5 and then pulled out of the resin material liquid 5 and cured as it is. This resin material liquid 5 is a mixture of a two-part cold-setting epoxy resin adhesive (trade name: Crystal Resin, manufactured by Kokusai Chemical Co., Ltd., releasable time: 24 hours), and a filler 22 in a weight ratio. 5 to 10% and dispersed by vacuum mixing. By dispersing the filler 22 by such a method, air bubbles and the like in the resin material liquid 5 can be easily removed, and the filler 22 is uniformly dispersed in the resin material liquid 5, so that the specific portion of the light scattering portion 2 Can be prevented.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the tip 12B of the optical fiber 1B processed into a trumpet shape is immersed in the resin material liquid 5. The amount of immersion is such that when the optical fiber 1B is pulled up from the resin material liquid 5 and cured, the resin material liquid 5 hangs down and cures below the immersion position.
It is necessary to immerse it deeper than the tip 12B. afterwards,
As shown in FIG. 6, when the tip portion 12B is pulled up from the resin material liquid 5, the resin material liquid 5 attached to the tip is shaped by the surface tension, and has a slightly hanging substantially spherical shape. After that, leave it still for about 12 hours and
The resin material liquid 5 adhering to 2B was cured to form an epoxy resin, and the optical fiber 1 with a light scattering portion was obtained.

The size of the optical fiber 1 with the light scattering portion manufactured as described above is such that the diameter N of the light emitting surface 121 is about 1.2 mm.
(Approximately 1.2 times the diameter M of the optical fiber portion 11), the light scattering portion 2
Has a diameter of 3.0 mm. Also, as shown in FIG.
When light L from an arbitrary light source (white light, colored light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or the like can be arbitrarily selected) is received on the light receiving surface 131, the light L passes through the core 111 of the optical fiber 1. The light is reflected and transmitted to emit light from the light emitting surface 121 of the distal end portion 12. The light L emitted from the light emitting surface 121 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the interface F between the light emitting surface 121 and the light scattering portion 2
1, an interface F2 between the light scattering part 2 and the shell 31 of the filler 22, an interface F3 between the shell 221 of the filler 22 and the internal space 222,
Since reflection and refraction occur at the interface F4 and the like between the light scattering portion 2 and the outside air S, the light is dispersed into the light L1 to L4 and the like. As described above, the light L is scattered by the light scattering portion 2 and the filler 22, and is emitted from all surfaces of the light scattering portion 2.

The optical fiber 1 with the light diffusing section can be used as an omnidirectional light source that emits light in all directions except the area where the optical fiber section 11 itself becomes a shadow by the above-mentioned all-surface light emission. For this reason, the optical fiber 1 can be used instead of an omnidirectional light source such as an incandescent light bulb in applications where the optical fiber is used as a light source. Isolation, free coloring, etc. can be obtained.

Further, since a spherical hollow body made of glass is used as the filler 22 in the light scattering section 2, the light scattering property is high, and light can be emitted more uniformly in all directions. Further, since the filling material 22 is lightweight by the amount of the internal space, the present optical fiber 1 is lightweight and easy to handle. Further, the glass hollow body can be used as the filler 22 of the optical fiber 1 without rupture of the spherical hollow body made of glass by the method of forming the light diffusing portion 2 by dipping and drawing.

Further, by forming the distal end portion 12 of the optical fiber 1 into a trumpet shape, the diameter of the light scattering portion 2 formed by pulling up is 3.0 mm.
It can be three times as large as 1.0 mm in diameter. Furthermore, a more uniform light scattering can be obtained by increasing the diameter of the light emitting surface 121. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the flared shape of the distal end portion 12 serves as an anchor to the light scattering portion 2, so that the light scattering portion 2 does not easily come off the optical fiber portion 11, and the optical fiber 1 can be sufficiently used even in a naked body. can do.

[Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2 relates to an optical fiber with a light-scattering portion having a cylindrical light-scattering portion having one end surface of a spherical shape, and will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. Will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the optical fiber with a light scattering portion 1a (hereinafter, abbreviated as the present optical fiber 1a) is
It comprises an optical fiber section 11 and a light scattering section 2a. Further, the present optical fiber 1a is provided with a light emitting surface 121 provided on the distal end portion 12.
And a light receiving surface 131 provided on the other end side.

The optical fiber 1a is the same as the optical fiber of the first embodiment, and the core 111 is an optical fiber of PMMA (made by Toray, jacket outer diameter: 500 μm, cord outer diameter: 1.0).
mm), and is used to receive light from the light source from the light receiving surface 131 and emit light received from the light emitting surface 121 again.

As shown in FIG. 13, the light scattering portion 2a is disposed so as to cover the distal end portion 12 of the optical fiber and the light emitting surface 121 thereof. The shape of the light scattering portion 2a is a columnar shape (having the same shape as a well-known round LED lamp) having a spherical portion 20a having one end surface having a spherical shape, and an optical fiber portion 11 is provided on the other end surface side. I have. The light scattering part 2a is an epoxy resin obtained by curing a two-part cold-setting epoxy resin adhesive (trade name: Crystal Resin, manufactured by Kokusai Chemical Co., Ltd.).

The optical fiber 1a having the light scattering portion is manufactured as follows. Before providing the light diffusing portion 2a to the optical fiber 1A before processing, it is necessary to process the tip 12A of the optical fiber 1A into a trumpet shape. This processing uses a hot plate as in the manufacturing method of the first embodiment. To form an optical fiber 1B (see FIG. 4).

Subsequently, the tip 12 processed into a trumpet shape
A light scattering portion 2a is formed around B. This formation is performed by using a flexible silicone resin mold 8 having a cavity in the shape of the light scattering portion 2a as shown in FIG. That is, after filling the mold 8 with the resin material liquid 5a, the tip portion 12B is arranged so as to be immersed in the resin material liquid 5a, and then the resin material liquid 5a is hardened to form the light diffusing portion 2a. I do. afterwards,
The light scattering portion 2a is pulled out from the mold 8, and the optical fiber 1 with the light scattering portion is pulled out.
a.

The optical fiber 1a receives light from an arbitrary light source (white light, colored light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or the like can be arbitrarily selected) on the light receiving surface 131.
This light is transmitted after being reflected in the core 111 of the optical fiber 1 and emitted from the light emitting surface 121 of the distal end portion 12. This light is partially refracted and reflected on the light emitting surface 121 and the surface of the light scattering portion 2a, and is emitted from the entire light scattering portion 2a. In particular, the light diffuser 2
The light emitted from the spherical portion 20a of "a" is condensed by the refraction at this boundary portion, so that the brightness becomes higher than other portions. In addition, since there is no filler 22 like the optical fiber 1 shown in the first embodiment, it is difficult to scatter light around. For this reason, the present optical fiber 1a can be used as a directional light source having a high luminance on the spherical portion 20a side.

The trumpet shape of the tip portion 12 is
In order to serve as an anchor for a
Thus, the optical fiber 1a can be sufficiently used even in a naked body. Further, since the light scattering portion 2a of the optical fiber 1a has a cylindrical shape with one end surface being spherical, it can be used in place of a well-known round LED lamp having the same shape.

[Embodiment 3] In Embodiment 3, an optical fiber with a light-scattering portion has a cylindrical light-scattering portion having one end surface formed into a spherical shape, and the light-scattering portion is fixed to the optical fiber by an adhesive portion. This will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the optical fiber with a light scattering portion 1b (hereinafter abbreviated as the present optical fiber 1b) includes an optical fiber portion 11 and a light scattering portion 2b, and a bonding portion 3 for bonding these to each other. Further, the optical fiber 1b includes a light emitting surface 121 provided on the distal end portion 12 and a light receiving surface 131 provided on the other end side.

The optical fiber 1b is the same as the optical fiber of the first or second embodiment, and the core 111 is a PMMA optical fiber (made by Toray, jacket outer diameter: 500 μm, cord outer diameter:
1.0 mm), and is used to receive light from the light source from the light receiving surface 131 and emit light again from the light emitting surface 121.

As shown in FIG. 16, the light scattering portion 2b is disposed so as to cover the distal end portion 12 of the optical fiber and the light emitting surface 121 thereof. The shape of the light scattering portion 2b is a columnar shape (having the same shape as a well-known round LED lamp) including a spherical portion 20b having a spherical end surface. Further, a hole 23 for inserting the optical fiber portion 11 is provided on the other end surface side of the columnar shape. The material of the light scattering part 2b is an epoxy resin obtained by curing a two-part cold-setting epoxy resin adhesive (trade name: Crystal Resin, manufactured by Kokusai Chemical Co., Ltd.).

The bonding portion 3 is provided so as to fill the tip of the optical fiber inserted into the hole 23 of the light scattering portion 2b. The material of the bonding portion 3 is an epoxy resin obtained by curing the same two-liquid, room-temperature-curable epoxy resin adhesive (trade name: Crystal Resin, manufactured by Kokusai Chemical Co., Ltd.) as the light scattering portion 2a.

The optical fiber 1b with the light scattering portion is manufactured as follows. Before providing the light scattering portion 2 to the optical fiber 1A before processing, it is necessary to process the distal end portion 12A of the optical fiber 1A into a trumpet shape, but this processing uses a hot plate similarly to the manufacturing method of the first embodiment. Then, the optical fiber 1B is processed into an optical fiber 1B having a tip portion 12B processed into a trumpet shape (see FIG. 4).

The light scattering portion 2b is formed in advance into a predetermined shape using an epoxy resin. The distal end portion 12B of the optical fiber is inserted into the formed hole 23 of the light scattering portion 2b. Thereafter, a gap formed between the optical fiber and the hole 23 is filled with a cold-setting epoxy resin adhesive, and the adhesive is cured. The cured adhesive becomes the bonding portion 3 and bonds and fixes the front end portion 12B and the light scattering portion 2b.

When the optical fiber 1b receives light from an arbitrary light source (white light, colored light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or the like can be arbitrarily selected) on the light receiving surface 131,
This light is transmitted after being reflected in the core 111 of the optical fiber 1 and emitted from the light emitting surface 121 of the distal end portion 12. This light is partially refracted and reflected on the light emitting surface 121 and the surface of the light scattering portion 2b, and is emitted from the entire light scattering portion 2b. In particular, the light diffuser 2
Since the light emitted from the spherical portion 20b of b is condensed by refraction at this boundary portion, the brightness becomes higher than other portions. Further, since the filler 22 is not provided as in the optical fiber 1 shown in the first embodiment, it is hard to scatter light to the surroundings and can be used as a directional light source biased toward the spherical portion 20b. Further, since the light scattering portion 2b of the optical fiber 1b has a cylindrical shape with one end surface being spherical, a well-known round shape L having the same shape is used.
It can be used in place of an ED lamp. Furthermore,
Since the light scattering portion 2b is easily formed integrally, it is easy to manufacture.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific modes and examples shown in the above embodiments, but may be variously modified within the scope of the present invention in accordance with the purpose and application. It can be. That is, the optical fibers 1, 1a, and 1b with the light scattering portion can be used for purposes other than the use as the light source shown in the embodiment. For example, the accessory can be a plant-like accessory in which an optical fiber is used as a stem and the light scattering portion is regarded as a flower, and various accessories such as lighting for directing a chandelier or the like, guidance lighting for a road sign or the like, and lighting for annunciation. It can be used for various applications.

In addition, not only the room-temperature-curable epoxy resin used in the embodiment but also any other glass or resin can be used for the light scattering portion or the bonding portion. In particular, when an ultraviolet curable resin is used as the resin, it can be manufactured at room temperature in a short time. Further, the glass spherical hollow body used as the filler only needs to have a refractive index different from that of the light scattering portion, so that not only glass but also resin, ceramic and the like can be used. Further, whether or not the filler is hollow can also be selected according to the application.

In the optical fiber with a light scattering portion, the degree of light scattering of the optical fiber with a light scattering portion can be arbitrarily adjusted depending on the presence or absence of a filler. In other words, assuming that there is no filler 22 in the light scattering portion 2 of the optical fiber 1, the degree of light scattering can be reduced to provide directivity. Further, by providing a filler in the light scattering portion 2a of the optical fiber 1a to increase the degree of light scattering, the directivity can be reduced or the glare can be reduced. Further, in addition to these, the presence or absence of the filler can be arbitrarily selected in the scattered hole portion of the optical fiber with the scattered light portion in any form.

When the resin material liquid is cured to form a light scattering portion, by biasing the distribution of the filler in the light scattering portion, the optical fiber can be used as a light source having directivity. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, by dispersing the filler toward the front end side of the light emitting unit, the dispersed light becomes a light source that is biased forward. Also, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), the filler is biased toward the optical fiber to form the light scattering portion,
The dispersed light becomes a light source that is deviated toward the fiber body. These light sources in which light is biased to one part can be used for applications requiring their respective characteristics. Further, the surface or the inside of either the light scattering portion or the filling portion can be colored with an arbitrary color.

The size of the light scattering portion can be arbitrarily changed by appropriately changing the diameter of the light emitting surface, that is, the size of the trumpet shape. For example, by reducing the diameter of the light emitting surface (see FIG. 10) or by making the diameter equal to the optical fiber portion (that is, not processing into a tip end flapper shape, see FIGS. 11 and 17), the diameter is smaller than that of each embodiment. Can be formed. Such an optical fiber with a diffuser is
Although the degree of light scattering is smaller than that of the optical fiber with a light scattering part in each embodiment, the light is more scattered than when no light scattering part is provided, so that it can be used as a light source having more directivity than the embodiment.
Conversely, by increasing the diameter of the light emitting surface as compared to the embodiment,
It is possible to form a light scattering portion larger than the embodiment. Even if the light scattering portion becomes large, the light scattering portion is held by the larger trumpet-shaped tip portion, and the light scattering portion does not come off easily.

The shape of the light scattering portion is not limited to the spherical shape shown in the embodiment or the cylindrical shape having one end surface formed into a spherical shape.
2, or any shape such as a prism, a jewel-like polyhedron, a rectangular parallelepiped, a cone, a pyramid, and the like. Further, even when it is necessary to form a light-scattering portion having a particularly large diameter (for example, 40 mm or more), a molding method using a silicone mold as described in the production of the optical fiber with a light-scattering portion in Example 2 is used. Can be. By adopting such a shape, the light scattering portion can be given an aesthetic appearance, and the decorativeness of the present optical fiber can be improved. In addition, even when using the mold in this way, not only the mold that is difficult to pull out as described in the manufacturing method of Example 2 is used, but also it is possible to manufacture using a mold that is open and easy to pull out. it can.

Further, the present optical fiber can be used not only in the form of a naked body but also by mounting a holder for covering a light scattering portion or the like as shown in FIG. By providing such an optical fiber with such a holder,
The installation of the present optical fiber in equipment can be facilitated, and the distribution of light emission can be adjusted even after the manufacture of the present optical fiber. Further, a holder can be provided not only for the light-scattering portion shown in FIG. 15 but also for a light-scattering portion having a cylindrical shape or any other shape. Further, the shape of the holder is not limited to the substantially cylindrical shape shown in FIG. 15, but may be an arbitrary shape such as a rectangular tube or a polyhedron. Further, the holder can cover the entire surface of the light scattering portion, or can be disposed so as to expose most of the light scattering portion.

The present optical fiber may be provided with a locking member so that the fixing is easy. This locking member,
The form and arrangement method can be arbitrarily selected. As this example, a claw 24 formed integrally with the base side of the light scattering portion 2c as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 19, a light scattering unit holder 9 having a screwing projection can be used. By using such a locking member, the present optical fiber can be easily locked to an arbitrary member.

[0051]

As described above, the optical fiber with a light scattering portion of the present invention can be used as an omnidirectional light source or a directivity by providing a light scattering portion at the tip of the optical fiber, and is used for exhibition and decoration. It becomes suitable for. In particular, by forming the tip of the optical fiber into a trumpet shape, a light scattering portion that is larger and does not easily come off the optical fiber can be provided. Further, the optical fiber with the light scattering portion, in which the light scattering portion is bonded by the bonding portion, is easy to be integrally formed, so that it is easy to manufacture. Further, according to the method for manufacturing an optical fiber with a light scattering portion of the present invention, an optical fiber with a light scattering portion can be easily manufactured even with a filler that is easily ruptured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an optical fiber with a light scattering unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an optical fiber with a light-diffusing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of a filler used in the optical fiber with a light scattering portion of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the tip is pressed against a hot plate when the tip of the optical fiber with a light scattering part according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed in a trumpet shape.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a light-scattering section is provided at the tip of the optical fiber in the optical fiber with a light-scattering section according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a light-scattering portion is provided at the tip of the optical fiber in the optical fiber with a light-scattering portion according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of use in an optical fiber with a light scattering part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which light passing through the optical fiber is dispersed in the optical fiber with a light scattering part according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a modified embodiment of the optical fiber with a light scattering portion according to the present invention in which the distribution of the filler in the light scattering portion is biased.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an optical fiber with a light diffusing section in a modified embodiment of the optical fiber with a light diffusing section of the present invention, in which the diameter of the light emitting section is smaller than that of the light emitting section shown in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an optical fiber with a light diffusing portion in which a light emitting portion has the same diameter as the optical fiber portion in a modified embodiment of the optical fiber with a light diffusing portion of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an optical fiber with a light diffusing section in which a light diffusing section has a cylindrical shape in a modified example of the optical fiber with a light diffusing section of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing an optical fiber with a light diffusing section provided with a cylindrical light diffusing section having a convex lens end in a modified embodiment of the optical fiber with a light diffusing section of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a light scattering portion is formed using a silicone mold in a modified example of the optical fiber with a light scattering portion of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a holder is provided around a light scattering portion and its periphery in a modified embodiment of the optical fiber with a light scattering portion of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of an optical fiber with a light scattering portion provided with an adhesive portion.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of an optical fiber with a light scattering portion provided with an adhesive portion.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an optical fiber with a light diffusing portion provided with a fixing jig in the light diffusing portion.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of an optical fiber with a diffuser provided with a holder with a fixing jig.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a; optical fiber with light scattering part, 11; optical fiber part,
111; core, 112; clad, 12;
1; light-emitting surface, 131; light-receiving surface, 2, 2a;
1; matrix part, 22; filler, 221; shell, 2
22: internal space, 3: adhesive portion, 5: resin material liquid, 6: light source, L: light, F: interface.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber with a light-scattering portion comprising an optical fiber portion and a light-scattering portion provided at the front end side of the optical fiber portion, wherein the front end side of the optical fiber portion is formed in a trumpet shape. Is formed so as to surround the front end side of the trumpet shape, and the light diffusing portion is made of resin or glass. 2. An optical fiber with a light-scattering portion comprising an optical fiber portion and a light-scattering portion provided at the front end side of the optical fiber portion, wherein the front end side of the optical fiber portion is formed in a trumpet shape. Is formed so as to surround the tip side of the trumpet shape, and the light scattering portion includes a matrix portion made of resin or glass and a filler disposed in the matrix portion. fiber. 3. An optical fiber with a light-scattering portion comprising an optical fiber portion and a light-scattering portion provided at the front end side of the optical fiber portion, wherein the front end side of the optical fiber portion has a shape which is not expanded in a trumpet shape. An optical fiber with a light scattering part, wherein the light scattering part is formed so as to surround the distal end side, and the light scattering part is made of resin or glass. 4. An optical fiber with a light-scattering portion comprising an optical fiber portion and a light-scattering portion provided at the front end side of the optical fiber portion, wherein the front end side of the optical fiber portion has a shape which is not expanded in a trumpet shape. The light scattering portion is formed so as to surround the distal end side, and the light scattering portion includes a matrix portion made of resin or glass and a filler disposed in the matrix portion. Optical fiber. 5. The optical fiber with a light scattering part according to claim 2, wherein the filler is a spherical hollow body having a diameter of 5 to 150 μm. 6. The optical fiber with a light scattering portion according to claim 1, wherein the light scattering portion has a spherical shape or a cylindrical shape having a spherical end surface. 7. The optical fiber with a light scattering part according to claim 1, wherein the light scattering part includes a locking member formed integrally with a main body of the light scattering part. 8. The optical fiber with a light scattering part according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive part between said light scattering part and said tip part. 9. The optical fiber is immersed in a resin material liquid at a tip end thereof, and thereafter, the tip end of the optical fiber is pulled up from the resin material liquid, and then the resin material liquid attached to the optical fiber is cured. Forming a substantially spherical light-scattering portion on the distal end side of the optical fiber. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the resin material liquid contains a filler. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the resin material liquid is a cold-setting epoxy resin or a UV-curable resin. 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the one end of the optical fiber is formed in a trumpet shape.