JP2004066878A

JP2004066878A - Optical communication device

Info

Publication number: JP2004066878A
Application number: JP2002225861A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Haruhiro Horiuchi; 堀内　晴宏
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2002-08-02
Filing date: 2002-08-02
Publication date: 2004-03-04

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical communication device enabling infrared ray communication between a door member and a vehicle body side irrespective of a slide position of the door member. <P>SOLUTION: This optical communication device is provided with a light emitting member 30 provided in the door member 1 opening and closing by sliding on a predetermined path or a support member 2 supporting the door member 1 and a light receiving member 50 provided in the door member 1 in which the light emitting member 30 is not provided or the support member 2 to perform optical communication between a door member side and a support member side by receiving light corresponding to a signal emitted by the light emitting member 30 by the light receiving member 50. It is further provided with a light introducing member 40 which has a shape corresponding to travel locus L on which the light emitting member 30 or the light receiving member 50 moves in accordance with slide of the door member 1 and introduces light into the inside to give light emitted by the light emitting member 30 for the light receiving member 50 irrespective of a position where the door member slides. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、光通信装置に関し、より詳細には、所定経路を滑動して開閉するドア部材又は該ドア部材を支持する支持部材に設けた発光部材と、該発光部材を設けていない前記ドア部材又は前記支持部材に設けた受光部材と、を備え、前記発光部材が発光した信号に対応する光を前記受光部材で受光することにより前記ドア部材側と前記支持部材側との光通信を行う光通信装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
自動車などの車両では、車体に対して回動またはスライドして開閉するドア部材を有しており、このドア部材にはパワーウィンドやドアロックの駆動部及び制御回路などを備えたドアモジュールが設けられている。このドアモジュールと車体側の電源や制御回路との接続は、従来ワイヤハーネスなどの電線を車体からドア部材まで貫通させて電気的に直線又はコネクタを介して接続するような構造が用いられていた。
【０００３】
ところが、前記電線を用いた場合、その電線を前記ドア部材や前記車両のボディの内部等に配設する必要があり、その電線は重いため、車両の組み立ての際に、車両の組立の際に電線を張り巡らす配索作業に手間がかかってしまうという問題が生じていた。
【０００４】
そこで、赤外線通信技術を用いて前記ドア部材への信号伝達を無線化し、各種信号を非接触の形態で伝送する技術が、例えば、特開平２−１４９２０号公報「スライドドアの信号伝達装置」、特開２０００−３２４７２５号公報「電源供給装置」等によって開示されている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、スライドドアの開閉動作は円運動と直線運動との組み合わせであることから、上述した非接触の赤外線通信を可能とする装置では、車両ボディ側とスライドドア側とに一対の赤外線送受波器を配置しているが、車室内空間を伝搬経路とした場合、赤外線送受波器の光路が複雑になり、人体で光路が遮断される可能性があった。
【０００６】
また、ＬＥＤ等の赤外線発光源を送波器として用い、複数の赤外線送受波器をスライドドアの開閉経路に沿って配設する場合、赤外線送受波器を互いに接近させるには、その送波器に赤外線を広範囲に発光させるか、レンズを特別に設計しなければならないという問題が生じる。また、送波器を複数並べる場合は、近接する送波器の発光領域が重なり受光強度に斑が生じる可能性があった。
【０００７】
よって本発明は、上述した問題点に鑑み、ドア部材の滑動位置に関係なく、ドア部材と車体側との光通信を可能とする光通信装置を提供することを課題としている。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するため本発明によりなされた請求項１記載の光通信装置は、所定経路を滑動して開閉するドア部材又は該ドア部材を支持する支持部材に設けた発光部材と、該発光部材を設けていない前記ドア部材又は前記支持部材に設けた受光部材と、を備え、前記発光部材が発光した信号に対応する光を前記受光部材で受光することにより前記ドア部材側と前記支持部材側との光通信を行う光通信装置において、前記ドア部材の滑動に応じて前記発光部材又は前記受光部材が移動する移動軌跡に応じた形状を有し、前記ドア部材が滑動した位置に関係なく、前記発光部材が発光した前記光を前記受光部材に対して出射するために当該内部を導光する導光部材をさらに備えることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
上記請求項１に記載した本発明の光通信装置によれば、発光部材が発光した信号に応じた、例えば可視光線、紫外線、赤外線等の光は導光部材内を導光され、この導光部材の側面、端面等から出射した光は受光部材によって受光される。よって、導光部材をドア部材の滑動に応じて発光部材又は受光部材が移動する移動軌跡に応じた形状に形成し、ドア部材が滑動した位置に関係なく、発光部材が発光した光を受光部材に対して出射するために当該内部を導光するように設けているので、ドア部材の滑動によって発光部材と受光部材との距離が近づいたり、離れたりしても、受光部材は光を確実に受光することができる。また、光の光路が導光部材となるので、人体等によって光路が遮断される可能性もなくなる。従って、導光部材を介在させることで、一対の発光部材と受光部材とによってドア部材の滑動位置に関係なく、光通信を行うことができる。
【００１０】
上記課題を解決するためになされた請求項２記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の光通信装置において、前記ドア部材を車両のスライドドアとし、前記支持部材を車体とすることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
上記請求項２に記載した本発明の光通信装置によれば、車体に沿って滑動して開閉するスライドドア又は該スライドドアを支持する車体に設けた発光部材と、該発光部材を設けていない前記スライドドア又は前記車体に設けた受光部材と、前記スライドドアの滑動に応じて前記発光部材又は前記受光部材が移動する移動軌跡に応じた形状を有し、前記スライドドアが滑動した位置に関係なく、前記発光部材が発光した光を前記受光部材に対して出射するために当該内部を導光する導光部材と、が車両に搭載される。よって、導光部材をスライドドアの滑動に応じて発光部材又は受光部材が移動する移動軌跡に応じた形状に形成し、スライドドアが滑動した位置に関係なく、発光部材が発光した光を受光部材に対して出射するために当該内部を導光するように設けているので、スライドドアの滑動によって発光部材と受光部材との距離が近づいたり、離れたりしても、受光部材は光を確実に受光することができる。また、スライドドア内の電線を従来よりも簡単化することができるため、車両の組立作業における配索工数の削減を図ることができる。さらに、光の光路が導光部材となるので、人体等によって光路が遮断される可能性もなくなる。従って、導光部材を介在させることで、一対の発光部材と受光部材とによってスライドドアの滑動位置に関係なく、光通信を行うことができる。
【００１２】
上記課題を解決するためになされた請求項３記載の発明は、請求項１又は２に記載の光通信装置において、前記導光部材は、側面が当該内部を導光した光によって発光する光ファイバーであることを特徴とする。
【００１３】
上記請求項３に記載した本発明の光通信装置によれば、発光部材が発光した光は光ファイバーの内部を導光され、その側面から出射された光は受光部材によって受光される。よって、曲げ加工が容易な光ファイバーを導光部材として用いることで、ドア部材の滑動に応じて発光部材又は受光部材が移動する移動軌跡に応じた形状とすることが容易となる。また、側面が発光する光ファイバーを用いることで、導光した光を広範囲に亘って側面から出射させたり、側面から発光部材が出射した光を入射させることができる。従って、導光部材を容易に配設することができるため、組付作業における工数を削減することができる。
【００１４】
上記課題を解決するためになされた請求項４記載の発明は、請求項１〜３の何れかに記載の光通信装置において、前記導光部材の内部を導光した光を前記受光部材側に対して反射させる反射部材をさらに備えることを特徴とする。
【００１５】
上記請求項４に記載した本発明の光通信装置によれば、導光部材の内部を導光した光は、反射部材によって受光部材側に反射される、よって、導光部材の内部を導光した光を受光部材側に反射させる反射部材を設けることで、導光部材は受光部材に対して十分な光を出射することができる。また、反射部材を設けることで、導光部材の外部に漏れる光量を減らすことができるため、導光部材が長くなってもその先端まで光を伝達することができる。従って、導光部材から受光部材に対して十分な光を出射することができるため、光通信の精度を向上させることができる。
【００１６】
上記課題を解決するためになされた請求項５記載の発明は、請求項１〜４の何れかに記載の光通信装置において、前記発光部材が発光する光は赤外線である。
【００１７】
上記請求項５に記載した本発明の光通信装置によれば、発光部材は赤外線を発光する。よって、発光部材が赤外線を発光するようにしているので、赤外線以外の波長帯で生じる紫外線、レーザー等による人間の目への危険性や、可視光線の場合の点滅による不快感等を配慮する必要がなくなる。従って、導光部材等を様々な箇所に配置することができるため、車両内の光通信に好適である。
【００１８】
上記課題を解決するためになされた請求項６記載の発明は、請求項５に記載の光通信装置において、前記導光部材に照明用の可視光線を入射させる照明用光源をさらに備え、前記導光部材は、前記発光部材が発光した前記赤外線と前記照明用光源から入射された前記可視光線とを導光することを特徴とする。
【００１９】
上記請求項６に記載した本発明の光通信装置によれば、発光部材が発光した赤外線と照明用光源が発光した可視光線は導光部材内を導光され、この導光部材の側面、端面等から出射される。よって、導光部材の内部を通信用の赤外線と照明用の可視光線が導光するため、導光部材の側面から出射した可視光線によって導光部材を発光させることができる。従って、導光部材を赤外線通信及び照明に用いることができるため、光通信だけのために導光部材を設ける必要がなくなり、導光部材の有効利用を図ることができる。
【００２０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、スライドドアを有する車両に本発明に係る光通信装置を適用した場合の一実施の形態を、図１〜図５の図面を参照して説明する。
【００２１】
図１は本発明による光通信装置が適用される自動車の一例を示す概略斜視であり、図２は図１のＡ−Ａを通る矢印方向の断面図であり、図３は受光素子の移動軌跡を説明するための図であり、図４は本発明の赤外線による光通信の動作を説明するための図であり、図５は本発明の光通信装置の他の実施の形態を説明するための図である。
【００２２】
スライドドア（ドア部材）１は、車体（支持部材）２に形成した開口３の上下縁および車体２の後部側壁の上下方向中央にそれぞれ配設したアッパーレール４、ロアレール５およびセンターレール６に、スライドドア１の前端上部Ｂ、前端下部Ｃおよび後端中央部Ｄにそれぞれ配設したアッパーローラ部７（図２参照）、ロアローラ部（図示せず）、センターローラ（図示せず）が係合し、各レール４，５，６に案内されて、車体２に沿ってスライドするようになっている。
【００２３】
図２に示すように、アッパーローラ部７は、アッパーレール４に対してスライドするスライド部として機能するものであり、ローラ支持部材（アーム）８に設けた垂直軸９に水平ローラ１０が軸支され、このローラ支持部材８はスライドドア１に固着されている。
【００２４】
また、アッパーレール４及びロアレール５は、スライドドア１を車体２に沿って滑動させて開閉が可能なように、開口３の車体２の上方と下方にそれぞれ設けている。そして、本実施の形態では、アッパーレール４及びロアレール５がスライドドア１の滑動経路（所定経路）となっている。
【００２５】
車両に搭載される本発明に係る光通信装置は、図３に示すように、スライドドア１を支持する車体２に設けたＬＥＤ、レーザー等の発光素子（発光部材）３０と、該発光素子３０を設けていないスライドドア１に設けたフォトダイオード等の受光素子（受光部材）５０と、を備え、発光素子３０が発光した信号に対応する赤外線を受光素子５０で受光することによりスライドドア１側と車体２側との赤外線通信を行う。
【００２６】
光通信装置はさらに、スライドドア１の滑動に応じて受光素子５０が移動する移動軌跡Ｌに応じた形状を有し、スライドドア１が滑動した位置に関係なく、発光素子３０が発光した赤外線を受光素子５０に対して出射するために当該内部を導光する光ファイバー（導光部材）４０を有している。
【００２７】
発光素子３０は、光ファイバー４０の一方側の端面に対向するように設けられ、車体側制御部６０に接続している。そして、車体側制御部６０から指示に応じて発光素子３０が発光した赤外線（光）は光ファイバー４０の端面から入射される。
【００２８】
光ファイバー４０は、スライドドア１が閉状態のときにその上面が対面する車体２の端部２１に設けられた内装部材２２に、スライドドア１の滑動に応じて移動する受光素子５０及びその移動軌跡Ｌとに対向し、かつ、受光素子５０と対向する側面側が車内に露出するように設けている。
【００２９】
図４に示す光ファイバー４０は、周知であるように、コア４１と該コア４１を覆うクラッド４２を有する。そして、本実施の形態では、光ファイバー４０のコア４１とクラッド４２との界面を透過した赤外線を任意の方向に反射させる反射部材４３を、受光素子５０に対向する光ファイバー４０の側面とは反対側の反対面に設けている。
【００３０】
この反射部材４３としては、例えば、拡散反射率の高い塗装、反射板等にて実現することができる。このように反射部材４３を設けることで、コア４１とクラッド４２の界面を透過した光を反射部材４３にて光ファイバー４０の内部に反射させることができるため、受光素子５０に出射する十分な光量を得ることが可能となると共に、光ファイバー４０の全長が長くなっても、その他端側まで十分な光を伝達することができる。
【００３１】
受光素子５０は、光ファイバー４０と対向するようにスライドドア１のアーム８の上面に設け、スライドドア１におけるパワーウィンドウ、ドアロック等の各種制御を行うドア側制御部７０に接続している。そして、スライドドア１の内部に設けられたドア側制御部７０には、受光素子５０が光ファイバー４０から受光した赤外線に応じた信号が入力される。
【００３２】
なお、光ファイバー４０にプラスチックファイバーを用いて赤外線による光通信を行う場合、プラスチックファイバーの透過率を考慮すると、７８０ｎｍ付近に透過窓があるため、赤外線を発光する発光素子３０に、８２０ｎｍで発光するＧａＡｓＡｌ−ＬＥＤを用いることで、効率の良い通信を行うことができる。
【００３３】
光通信装置はさらに、光ファイバー４０を車室内の照明として用いるための照明用光源３１（図４参照）を有する。この照明用光源３１は、光ファイバー４０の一方側の端面に対向し、かつ、発光素子３０と並べて設けられ、車体側制御部６０に接続している。そして、照明用光源３１としては、ＬＥＤのように赤外線の波長領域を持たない光源、若しくは、フィルターで赤外線の波長を除去した光源等を使用することができる。なお、照明用光源３１の配置については、光ファイバー４０の他端側、側面側など種々異なる実施の形態とすることができる。
【００３４】
車体側制御部６０から指示に応じて照明用光源３１が発光した可視光線は、光ファイバー４０の端面から入射され、その内部を導光した可視光線によって光ファイバー４０の側面を発光させる。このように光ファイバー４０を発光させることで、車室内の照明として用いることが可能となり、光ファイバー４０を通信及び照明の部材として用いることができるため、光ファイバー４０を有効利用することができる。
【００３５】
次に、光通信装置の動作（作用）を説明する。
車両側制御装置６０の制御によって発光素子３０が赤外線を出射すると、その赤外線（光）は光ファイバー４０の端面からその内部に入射する。そして、光ファイバー４０のコア４１とクラッド４２の界面を反射した赤外線はその内部を導光される。また、反射部材４３が設けられたコア４１とクラッド４２の界面を透過した赤外線は、その反射部材４３で反射されて光ファイバー４０に再度入射する。
【００３６】
受光素子５０との対向する光ファイバー４０の側面から出射した赤外線は、受光素子５０にて受光される。そして、受光素子５０で受光した赤外線に応じた信号がドア側制御部７０に入力される。また、赤外線が発光素子３０から出射された状態で、スライドドア１が開閉されて受光素子５０がどの位置にあっても、受光素子５０と光ファイバー４０は対向するので、受光素子５０は必ず光ファイバー４０から出射された赤外線を受光する。
【００３７】
さらに、夜間などの車外及び車内が暗い場合にスライドドア１が開けられると、車体側制御部６０は照明用光源３１を発光させる。そして、照明用光源３１の発光に応じて出射された可視光線は、光ファイバー４０の端面からその内部に入射される。そして、コア４１とクラッド４２の界面で反射した可視光線はその内部を導光される。そして、その界面から出射された可視光線によって光ファイバー４０の側面が発光することで、光ファイバー４０は車体２の前記開口３付近の照明として機能する。
【００３８】
スライドドア１が開いた状態、かつ、照明用光源３１が発光した状態で、車体側制御部６０にスライドドア１に送信すべき信号が発生すると、その信号に応じた赤外線が発光素子３０から出射される。そして、光ファイバー４０の内部に入射した赤外線は、可視光線と共にその内部を導光され、上述したように受光素子５０にて受光される。
【００３９】
以上説明したように、光ファイバー（導光部材）４０をスライドドア１の滑動に応じて受光素子（受光部材）５０が移動する移動軌跡Ｌに応じた形状に形成し、スライドドア１が滑動した位置に関係なく、発光素子（発光部材）３０が発光した赤外線（光）を受光素子５０に対して出射するために当該内部を導光するように設けているので、スライドドア１の滑動によって発光素子３０と受光素子５０との距離が近づいたり、離れたりしても、受光素子５０は赤外線を確実に受光することができる。また、スライドドア１内の電線を簡単化することができるため、車両の組立作業における配索工数の削減を図ることができる。さらに、赤外線の光路が導光部材となるので、人体等によって光路が遮断される可能性もなくなる。従って、光ファイバー４０を介在させることで、一対の発光素子３０と受光素子５０とによってスライドドア１の滑動位置に関係なく、赤外線（光）通信を行うことができる。
【００４０】
また、光ファイバー（導光部材）４０の内部を導光した赤外線を受光素子（受光部材）５０側に反射させる反射部材４３を設けることで、光ファイバー４０は受光素子５０に対して十分な赤外線（光）を出射することができる。また、反射部材４３を設けることで、光ファイバー４０の外部に漏れる赤外線を減らすことができるため、光ファイバー４０が長くなってもその先端まで赤外線を伝達することができる。従って、光ファイバー４０から受光素子５０に対して十分な赤外線を出射することができるため、赤外線通信の精度を向上させることができる。
【００４１】
さらに、光ファイバー（導光部材）４０の内部を通信用の赤外線と照明用の可視光線が導光するため、光ファイバー４０の側面から出射した可視光線によって光ファイバー４０を発光させることができる。従って、光ファイバー４０を赤外線通信及び照明に用いることができるため、赤外線通信だけのために光ファイバー４０を設ける必要がなくなり、光ファイバー４０の有効利用を図ることができる。
【００４２】
また、発光部材３０が赤外線を発光するようにしているので、赤外線以外の波長帯で生じる紫外線、レーザー等による人間の目への危険性や、可視光線の場合の点滅による不快感等を配慮する必要がなくなる。従って、導光部材等を車内の様々な箇所に配置することができるため、車両内の光通信に好適である。
【００４３】
なお、上述した本実施の形態では、説明を簡単化するために、車体２側からスライドドア１側に対して信号を送信する場合の実施の形態について説明したが、スライドドア１側から車体２側に信号を送信する場合の他の実施の形態の一例は以下のようになる。
【００４４】
図５に示すように、上述したスライドドア１のアーム８に発光素子３０を設け、この発光素子３０が移動する移動軌跡に応じた形状を有し、スライドドア１が滑動した位置に関係なく、発光素子３０が発光した赤外線を受光部材に対して出射するために当該内部を導光する光ファイバー（導光部材）４０を車体２の内装部材２２に設けている。そして、光ファイバー４０の端面に対向するように車体２に受光素子５０を設けている。なお、光ファイバー４０については、上述した実施の形態の光ファイバー４０を共通で使用するようにしても差し支えない。
【００４５】
また、発光素子３０は光ファイバー４０の側面に対して所定の角度で赤外線を入射させるように設けており、この発光素子３０が発光した赤外線は光ファイバー４０の側面からその内部に入射する。そして、赤外線はその内部を導光されて端部から受光素子５０に対して出射されて受光素子５０にて受光される。
【００４６】
次に、スライドドア１側と車体２側とで送受信を行う場合は、上述した実施の形態（車体２からスライドドア１への送信）をスライドドア１の上部、また、上述した他の実施の形態（スライドドア１から車体２への送信）をスライドドアの下部にそれぞれ設けたり、双方の実施の形態をスライドドア１の上部に設けるなど種々異なる形態で実現することができる。
【００４７】
また、上述した本実施の形態では、本発明の導光部材を側面発光型の光ファイバーにて実現する場合について説明したが、本発明はこれに限定するものではなく、曲げ加工が可能な導光部材、前記移動軌跡Ｌに応じた形状に形成した透過性樹脂など種々異なる実施の形態とすることができる。
【００４８】
しかしながら、曲げ加工が容易な光ファイバー４０を導光部材として用いることで、スライドドア１の滑動に応じて受光素子５０が移動する移動軌跡Ｌに応じた形状とすることが容易となる。また、側面が発光する光ファイバー４０を用いることで、導光した赤外線を広範囲に亘って側面から出射させたり、側面から発光部材が出射した赤外線を入射させることができる。従って、光ファイバー４０を容易に配設することができるため、組付作業における工数を削減することができる。
【００４９】
さらに、上述した本実施の形態では、光通信装置をスライドドア１を有する車両に搭載した場合について説明したが、本発明はこれに限定するものではなく、例えば、スライド式の自動ドアを有する建物など、所定の経路を移動する移動体と固定物との間の光通信に広く適用することができる。
【００５０】
また、上述した光ファイバー４０については、側面発光型の光ファイバー４０と通常の端面発光型（通信用）の光ファイバーを組み合わせて任意の区間のみ（例えば、前記移動軌跡Ｌ上のスライドドア１に設けられた受光素子５０の移動範囲など）を側面発光させるような実施の形態とすることもできる。特に、車体２から光ファイバー４０の側面が露出する部分のみに前記側面発光型を用い、その他の部分に前記端面発光型を用いれば、車体２の内部に埋設した光ファイバー４０の側面から赤外線が漏れてしまうことを防止することができる。
【００５１】
さらに、上述した本実施の形態では、光通信を赤外線で行う場合について説明したが、本発明はこれに限定するものではなく、赤外線以外の可視光線、紫外線などによって光通信を行う実施の形態とすることもできる。
【００５２】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように請求項１に記載した本発明の光通信装置によれば、導光部材をドア部材の滑動に応じて発光部材又は受光部材が移動する移動軌跡に応じた形状に形成し、ドア部材が滑動した位置に関係なく、発光部材が発光した光を受光部材に対して出射するために当該内部を導光するように設けているので、ドア部材の滑動によって発光部材と受光部材との距離が近づいたり、離れたりしても、受光部材は光を確実に受光することができる。また、光の光路が導光部材となるので、人体等によって光路が遮断される可能性もなくなる。従って、導光部材を介在させることで、一対の発光部材と受光部材とによってドア部材の滑動位置に関係なく、光通信を行うことができるという効果を奏する。
【００５３】
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、請求項１に記載の発明の効果に加え、導光部材をスライドドアの滑動に応じて発光部材又は受光部材が移動する移動軌跡に応じた形状に形成し、スライドドアが滑動した位置に関係なく、発光部材が発光した光を受光部材に対して出射するために当該内部を導光するように設けているので、スライドドアの滑動によって発光部材と受光部材との距離が近づいたり、離れたりしても、受光部材は光を確実に受光することができる。また、スライドドア内の電線を従来よりも簡単化することができるため、車両の組立作業における配索工数の削減を図ることができる。さらに、光の光路が導光部材となるので、人体等によって光路が遮断される可能性もなくなる。従って、導光部材を介在させることで、一対の発光部材と受光部材とによってスライドドアの滑動位置に関係なく、光通信を行うことができるという効果を奏する。
【００５４】
請求項３に記載の発明によれば、請求項１又は２に記載の発明の効果に加え、曲げ加工が容易な光ファイバーを導光部材として用いることで、ドア部材の滑動に応じて発光部材又は受光部材が移動する移動軌跡に応じた形状とすることが容易となる。また、側面が発光する光ファイバーを用いることで、導光した光を広範囲に亘って側面から出射させたり、側面から発光部材が出射した光を入射させることができる。従って、導光部材を容易に配設することができるため、組付作業における工数を削減することができるという効果を奏する。
【００５５】
請求項４に記載の発明によれば、請求項１〜３の何れかに記載の発明の効果に加え、導光部材の内部を導光した光を受光部材側に反射させる反射部材を設けることで、導光部材は受光部材に対して十分な光を出射することができる。また、反射部材を設けることで、導光部材の外部に漏れる光量を減らすことができるため、導光部材が長くなってもその先端まで光を伝達することができる。従って、導光部材から受光部材に対して十分な光を出射することができるため、光通信の精度を向上させることができるという効果を奏する。
【００５６】
請求項５に記載の発明によれば、請求項１〜４の何れかに記載の発明の効果に加え、発光部材が赤外線を発光するようにしているので、赤外線以外の波長帯で生じる紫外線、レーザー等による人間の目への危険性や、可視光線の場合の点滅による不快感等を配慮する必要がなくなる。従って、導光部材等を様々な箇所に配置することができるため、車両内の光通信に好適であるという効果を奏する。
【００５７】
請求項６に記載の発明によれば、請求項５に記載の発明の効果に加え、導光部材の内部を通信用の赤外線と照明用の可視光線が導光するため、導光部材の側面から出射した可視光線によって導光部材を発光させることができる。従って、導光部材を赤外線通信及び照明に用いることができるため、光通信だけのために導光部材を設ける必要がなくなり、導光部材の有効利用を図ることができるという効果を奏する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明による光通信装置が適用される自動車の一例を示す概略斜視図である。
【図２】図１のＡ−Ａを通る矢印方向の断面図である。
【図３】受光素子の移動軌跡を説明するための図である。
【図４】本発明の赤外線による光通信の動作を説明するための図である。
【図５】本発明の光通信装置の他の実施の形態を説明するための図である。
【符号の説明】
１　　　　　　スライドドア（ドア部材）
２　　　　　　車体（支持部材）
３０　　　　　発光素子（発光部材）
４０　　　　　光ファイバー（導光部材）
４３　　　　　反射部材
５０　　　　　受光素子（受光部材）[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical communication device, and more particularly, to a door member that slides on a predetermined path to open and close, or a light-emitting member provided on a support member that supports the door member, and the door member that does not include the light-emitting member. Or a light receiving member provided on the support member, and light for performing optical communication between the door member side and the support member side by receiving light corresponding to a signal emitted by the light emitting member by the light receiving member. The present invention relates to a communication device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Vehicles such as automobiles have a door member that pivots or slides with respect to the vehicle body to open and close, and this door member is provided with a door module including a power window, a door lock driving unit, a control circuit, and the like. Have been. Conventionally, the door module is connected to a power supply and a control circuit on the vehicle body side by a structure in which an electric wire such as a wire harness is penetrated from the vehicle body to the door member and is electrically connected via a straight line or a connector. .
[0003]
However, when the electric wire is used, it is necessary to dispose the electric wire in the door member, the inside of the body of the vehicle, or the like, and since the electric wire is heavy, when assembling the vehicle, when assembling the vehicle, There has been a problem that it takes time and effort to route the wires.
[0004]
Therefore, a technique of making the signal transmission to the door member wireless by using an infrared communication technique and transmitting various signals in a non-contact manner is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-14920, "Signal Transmission Device for Sliding Door", It is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-324725, "Power Supply Device" and the like.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the opening / closing operation of the slide door is a combination of the circular motion and the linear motion, in the above-described device capable of non-contact infrared communication, a pair of infrared transducers are provided on the vehicle body side and the slide door side. However, if the vehicle interior space is used as the propagation path, the optical path of the infrared transceiver becomes complicated, and the optical path may be interrupted by the human body.
[0006]
When an infrared light emitting source such as an LED is used as a transmitter and a plurality of infrared transmitters and receivers are arranged along the opening / closing path of the sliding door, the infrared transmitter / receiver is required to be close to each other. In such a case, a problem arises in that infrared rays must be emitted in a wide range or the lens must be specially designed. Further, when a plurality of transmitters are arranged, there is a possibility that the light emitting areas of the adjacent transmitters overlap and the received light intensity becomes uneven.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical communication device that enables optical communication between a door member and a vehicle body regardless of the sliding position of the door member in view of the above-described problems.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The optical communication device according to claim 1, which is made by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem, comprises a door member that slides on a predetermined path to open and close, or a light-emitting member provided on a support member that supports the door member; A light-receiving member provided on the door member or the support member, which is not provided with the light-receiving member, the light corresponding to a signal emitted by the light-emitting member is received by the light-receiving member, so that the door member side and the support member side In the optical communication device that performs optical communication with, the light emitting member or the light receiving member has a shape according to the movement trajectory that moves according to the sliding of the door member, regardless of the position where the door member slides, The light-emitting member may further include a light-guiding member that guides the inside of the light-emitting member to emit the light emitted from the light-emitting member to the light-receiving member.
[0009]
According to the optical communication device of the present invention described in claim 1, for example, light such as visible light, ultraviolet light, or infrared light is guided in the light guide member according to the signal emitted by the light emitting member. Light emitted from a side surface, an end surface, or the like of the member is received by the light receiving member. Therefore, the light guide member is formed in a shape corresponding to the movement locus of the light emitting member or the light receiving member moving according to the sliding of the door member, and the light emitted by the light emitting member is received by the light receiving member regardless of the position where the door member slides. Is provided so as to guide the inside to emit light to the light receiving member, even if the distance between the light emitting member and the light receiving member approaches or separates due to the sliding of the door member, the light receiving member reliably emits light. Light can be received. Further, since the light path of the light serves as the light guide member, there is no possibility that the light path is blocked by a human body or the like. Therefore, by interposing the light guide member, optical communication can be performed by the pair of the light emitting member and the light receiving member regardless of the sliding position of the door member.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical communication device according to the first aspect, wherein the door member is a slide door of a vehicle, and the support member is a vehicle body. .
[0011]
According to the optical communication device of the present invention described in claim 2, the slide door that slides along the vehicle body to open and close, or the light emitting member provided on the vehicle body that supports the slide door, and the light emitting member is not provided. A light receiving member provided on the slide door or the vehicle body, and having a shape corresponding to a movement locus of the light emitting member or the light receiving member moving in accordance with the sliding of the slide door, and relating to a position where the slide door slides. In addition, a light guide member that guides the inside of the light emitting member to emit light emitted from the light emitting member to the light receiving member is mounted on a vehicle. Therefore, the light guide member is formed in a shape corresponding to the movement trajectory of the light emitting member or the light receiving member moving according to the sliding of the slide door, and the light emitted by the light emitting member is received by the light receiving member regardless of the position where the slide door slides. Is provided so as to guide the inside to emit light to the light receiving member, even if the distance between the light emitting member and the light receiving member approaches or separates due to the sliding of the slide door, the light receiving member reliably emits light. Light can be received. Further, since the electric wires in the slide door can be simplified as compared with the conventional case, it is possible to reduce the number of man-hours required for assembling the vehicle. Further, since the light path of the light serves as the light guide member, there is no possibility that the light path is blocked by a human body or the like. Therefore, by interposing the light guide member, optical communication can be performed by the pair of the light emitting member and the light receiving member regardless of the sliding position of the slide door.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical communication apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the light guide member is an optical fiber whose side surface emits light by light guided inside. There is a feature.
[0013]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting member is guided inside the optical fiber, and the light emitted from the side surface is received by the light receiving member. Therefore, by using an optical fiber that can be easily bent as the light guide member, it becomes easy to form the light guide member into a shape in accordance with the movement locus of the light emitting member or the light receiving member in accordance with the sliding of the door member. In addition, by using the optical fiber whose side surface emits light, it is possible to cause the guided light to be emitted from the side surface over a wide range or to allow the light emitted from the light emitting member to be incident from the side surface. Therefore, since the light guide member can be easily arranged, the number of steps in the assembling operation can be reduced.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical communication device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein light guided inside the light guide member is directed to the light receiving member side. It is characterized by further comprising a reflecting member for reflecting the light.
[0015]
According to the optical communication device of the present invention described in claim 4, the light guided inside the light guide member is reflected toward the light receiving member by the reflection member, and thus, the light guide inside the light guide member. By providing the reflecting member for reflecting the light to the light receiving member side, the light guide member can emit sufficient light to the light receiving member. Further, by providing the reflection member, the amount of light leaking to the outside of the light guide member can be reduced, so that light can be transmitted to the tip even if the light guide member becomes long. Therefore, since sufficient light can be emitted from the light guide member to the light receiving member, the accuracy of optical communication can be improved.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention to solve the above problem, in the optical communication device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the light emitted by the light emitting member is an infrared ray.
[0017]
According to the optical communication device of the present invention described in claim 5, the light emitting member emits infrared light. Therefore, since the light emitting member emits infrared rays, it is necessary to consider the danger to human eyes due to ultraviolet rays and lasers generated in a wavelength band other than infrared rays, and discomfort caused by blinking in the case of visible light. Disappears. Therefore, the light guide member and the like can be arranged at various places, which is suitable for optical communication in a vehicle.
[0018]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical communication device according to the fifth aspect, further comprising an illumination light source for causing a visible light beam for illumination to enter the light guide member. The light member guides the infrared light emitted by the light emitting member and the visible light incident from the illumination light source.
[0019]
According to the optical communication device of the present invention described in claim 6, the infrared light emitted by the light emitting member and the visible light emitted by the illumination light source are guided in the light guide member, and the side surface and the end surface of the light guide member And the like. Therefore, since the infrared light for communication and the visible light for illumination guide the inside of the light guide member, the light guide member can emit light by the visible light emitted from the side surface of the light guide member. Therefore, since the light guide member can be used for infrared communication and illumination, it is not necessary to provide the light guide member only for optical communication, and the light guide member can be effectively used.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the optical communication device according to the present invention is applied to a vehicle having a sliding door will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an automobile to which the optical communication device according to the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of optical communication using infrared light of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the optical communication device of the present invention. FIG.
[0022]
The sliding door (door member) 1 includes upper and lower edges of an opening 3 formed in a vehicle body (supporting member) 2 and an upper rail 4, a lower rail 5 and a center rail 6, which are respectively disposed at the vertical center of a rear side wall of the vehicle body 2. The upper roller portion 7 (see FIG. 2), the lower roller portion (not shown), and the center roller (not shown) which are respectively provided at the upper front end B, the lower front end C and the rear end center portion D of the slide door 1 are engaged. Then, the rails 4, 5, and 6 are guided to slide along the vehicle body 2.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper roller section 7 functions as a slide section that slides on the upper rail 4, and a horizontal roller 10 is supported on a vertical shaft 9 provided on a roller support member (arm) 8. The roller support member 8 is fixed to the slide door 1.
[0024]
The upper rail 4 and the lower rail 5 are provided above and below the vehicle body 2 in the opening 3 so that the slide door 1 can be opened and closed by sliding the slide door 1 along the vehicle body 2. In the present embodiment, the upper rail 4 and the lower rail 5 form a sliding path (predetermined path) of the slide door 1.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 3, an optical communication device according to the present invention mounted on a vehicle includes a light emitting element (light emitting member) 30 such as an LED or a laser provided on a vehicle body 2 supporting a sliding door 1. And a light receiving element (light receiving member) 50 such as a photodiode provided on the slide door 1 not provided with the light receiving element. And infrared communication with the vehicle body 2 side.
[0026]
The optical communication device further has a shape corresponding to the movement trajectory L in which the light receiving element 50 moves in accordance with the sliding of the slide door 1, and emits the infrared light emitted by the light emitting element 30 regardless of the position where the slide door 1 slides. An optical fiber (light guide member) 40 for guiding the inside of the light receiving element 50 to emit the light to the light receiving element 50 is provided.
[0027]
The light emitting element 30 is provided so as to face one end surface of the optical fiber 40 and is connected to the vehicle body side control unit 60. Then, the infrared light (light) emitted by the light emitting element 30 in response to the instruction from the vehicle body side control unit 60 enters from the end face of the optical fiber 40.
[0028]
The optical fiber 40 includes a light receiving element 50 that moves in accordance with the sliding of the slide door 1 and a movement locus of the light receiving element 50 on an interior member 22 provided at an end 21 of the vehicle body 2 whose upper surface faces when the slide door 1 is closed. L, and a side surface facing the light receiving element 50 is provided to be exposed inside the vehicle.
[0029]
The optical fiber 40 shown in FIG. 4 has a core 41 and a cladding 42 covering the core 41, as is well known. In the present embodiment, the reflecting member 43 that reflects the infrared light transmitted through the interface between the core 41 and the clad 42 of the optical fiber 40 in an arbitrary direction is provided on the opposite side to the side surface of the optical fiber 40 facing the light receiving element 50. It is provided on the opposite side.
[0030]
The reflection member 43 can be realized by, for example, a paint or a reflection plate having a high diffuse reflectance. By providing the reflection member 43 in this manner, light transmitted through the interface between the core 41 and the clad 42 can be reflected inside the optical fiber 40 by the reflection member 43, so that a sufficient amount of light emitted to the light receiving element 50 can be obtained. As a result, even if the entire length of the optical fiber 40 is long, sufficient light can be transmitted to the other end.
[0031]
The light receiving element 50 is provided on the upper surface of the arm 8 of the slide door 1 so as to face the optical fiber 40, and is connected to a door-side control unit 70 that performs various controls such as a power window and a door lock in the slide door 1. Then, a signal corresponding to the infrared light received by the light receiving element 50 from the optical fiber 40 is input to the door-side control unit 70 provided inside the slide door 1.
[0032]
When optical communication using infrared rays is performed using a plastic fiber as the optical fiber 40, there is a transmission window near 780 nm in consideration of the transmittance of the plastic fiber, so that the light emitting element 30 that emits infrared light has GaAsAl that emits light at 820 nm. -Efficient communication can be performed by using the LED.
[0033]
The optical communication device further has an illumination light source 31 (see FIG. 4) for using the optical fiber 40 as illumination in a vehicle interior. The illumination light source 31 is provided to face the one end face of the optical fiber 40, is provided side by side with the light emitting element 30, and is connected to the vehicle body side control unit 60. As the illumination light source 31, a light source having no infrared wavelength region, such as an LED, or a light source in which an infrared wavelength is removed by a filter can be used. It should be noted that the arrangement of the illumination light source 31 can be variously different embodiments such as the other end side and the side surface side of the optical fiber 40.
[0034]
The visible light emitted by the illumination light source 31 in response to an instruction from the vehicle body side control unit 60 enters from the end face of the optical fiber 40, and causes the side face of the optical fiber 40 to emit light by the visible light guided inside. By causing the optical fiber 40 to emit light in this manner, it becomes possible to use the optical fiber 40 as a member for communication and illumination, and thus the optical fiber 40 can be used effectively.
[0035]
Next, the operation (operation) of the optical communication device will be described.
When the light emitting element 30 emits infrared light under the control of the vehicle-side control device 60, the infrared light (light) enters the inside of the optical fiber 40 from the end face thereof. Then, the infrared light reflected at the interface between the core 41 and the clad 42 of the optical fiber 40 is guided inside. The infrared light transmitted through the interface between the core 41 and the clad 42 provided with the reflection member 43 is reflected by the reflection member 43 and enters the optical fiber 40 again.
[0036]
Infrared light emitted from the side of the optical fiber 40 facing the light receiving element 50 is received by the light receiving element 50. Then, a signal corresponding to the infrared light received by the light receiving element 50 is input to the door-side control unit 70. Also, no matter where the slide door 1 is opened and closed and the light receiving element 50 is located in a state where the infrared light is emitted from the light emitting element 30, the light receiving element 50 and the optical fiber 40 face each other. Receives the infrared light emitted from the device.
[0037]
Furthermore, when the slide door 1 is opened when the outside of the vehicle and the inside of the vehicle are dark, such as at night, the vehicle body side control unit 60 causes the illumination light source 31 to emit light. Then, the visible light emitted according to the light emission of the illumination light source 31 enters the optical fiber 40 from the end face thereof. The visible light reflected at the interface between the core 41 and the clad 42 is guided inside. Then, the side surface of the optical fiber 40 emits light by visible light emitted from the interface, so that the optical fiber 40 functions as illumination near the opening 3 of the vehicle body 2.
[0038]
When a signal to be transmitted to the slide door 1 is generated in the vehicle body side control unit 60 in a state where the slide door 1 is opened and the illumination light source 31 emits light, infrared rays corresponding to the signal are emitted from the light emitting element 30. Is done. Then, the infrared light that has entered the inside of the optical fiber 40 is guided inside the optical fiber 40 together with the visible light, and is received by the light receiving element 50 as described above.
[0039]
As described above, the optical fiber (light guide member) 40 is formed in a shape corresponding to the movement trajectory L in which the light receiving element (light receiving member) 50 moves in accordance with the sliding of the slide door 1, and the position where the slide door 1 slides. Irrespective of the above, the light emitting element (light emitting member) 30 is provided so as to guide the inside of the light receiving element 50 in order to emit the infrared light (light) emitted from the light receiving element 50. Even if the distance between 30 and light receiving element 50 approaches or separates, light receiving element 50 can reliably receive infrared rays. In addition, since the electric wires in the slide door 1 can be simplified, the number of man-hours required for assembling the vehicle can be reduced. Further, since the light path of the infrared light serves as the light guide member, there is no possibility that the light path is blocked by a human body or the like. Therefore, by interposing the optical fiber 40, infrared (light) communication can be performed by the pair of light emitting element 30 and light receiving element 50 regardless of the sliding position of the slide door 1.
[0040]
In addition, by providing the reflecting member 43 for reflecting the infrared light guided inside the optical fiber (light guiding member) 40 to the light receiving element (light receiving member) 50 side, the optical fiber 40 has sufficient infrared light (light) for the light receiving element 50. ) Can be emitted. Further, by providing the reflection member 43, infrared rays leaking to the outside of the optical fiber 40 can be reduced, so that even if the optical fiber 40 becomes long, infrared rays can be transmitted to the tip thereof. Therefore, since sufficient infrared light can be emitted from the optical fiber 40 to the light receiving element 50, the accuracy of infrared communication can be improved.
[0041]
Further, since infrared light for communication and visible light for illumination guide the inside of the optical fiber (light guide member) 40, the optical fiber 40 can emit light by visible light emitted from the side surface of the optical fiber 40. Therefore, since the optical fiber 40 can be used for infrared communication and illumination, it is not necessary to provide the optical fiber 40 only for infrared communication, and the optical fiber 40 can be effectively used.
[0042]
In addition, since the light emitting member 30 emits infrared rays, consideration is given to danger to human eyes due to ultraviolet rays and lasers generated in a wavelength band other than infrared rays, discomfort due to blinking in the case of visible light, and the like. Eliminates the need. Therefore, the light guide member and the like can be arranged at various places in the vehicle, which is suitable for optical communication in the vehicle.
[0043]
In the above-described embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the embodiment in which a signal is transmitted from the vehicle body 2 to the slide door 1 has been described. An example of another embodiment in which a signal is transmitted to the side is as follows.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 5, a light emitting element 30 is provided on the arm 8 of the above-described slide door 1, has a shape corresponding to the movement trajectory where the light emitting element 30 moves, and regardless of the position where the slide door 1 slides, An optical fiber (light guiding member) 40 for guiding the inside of the light emitting element 30 to emit the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element to the light receiving member is provided in the interior member 22 of the vehicle body 2. The light receiving element 50 is provided on the vehicle body 2 so as to face the end face of the optical fiber 40. As for the optical fiber 40, the optical fiber 40 of the above-described embodiment may be used in common.
[0045]
Further, the light emitting element 30 is provided so that infrared rays are incident on the side surface of the optical fiber 40 at a predetermined angle, and the infrared light emitted by the light emitting element 30 enters the inside from the side surface of the optical fiber 40. Then, the infrared light is guided inside, emitted from the end to the light receiving element 50, and received by the light receiving element 50.
[0046]
Next, when transmission / reception is performed between the slide door 1 side and the vehicle body 2 side, the above-described embodiment (transmission from the vehicle body 2 to the slide door 1) is described in the upper part of the slide door 1 and other embodiments described above. A mode (transmission from the sliding door 1 to the vehicle body 2) can be provided in a lower portion of the sliding door, or both embodiments can be provided in an upper portion of the sliding door 1 in various different forms.
[0047]
Further, in the present embodiment described above, the case where the light guide member of the present invention is realized by the side emission type optical fiber has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light guide that can be bent is used. Various embodiments, such as a member and a transparent resin formed in a shape corresponding to the movement trajectory L, can be adopted.
[0048]
However, by using the optical fiber 40, which can be easily bent, as the light guide member, it becomes easy to obtain a shape corresponding to the movement trajectory L where the light receiving element 50 moves in accordance with the sliding of the slide door 1. In addition, by using the optical fiber 40 whose side surface emits light, it is possible to cause the guided infrared light to be emitted from the side surface over a wide range or to allow the infrared light emitted by the light emitting member to be incident from the side surface. Therefore, since the optical fiber 40 can be easily arranged, the number of steps in the assembling operation can be reduced.
[0049]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the optical communication device is mounted on the vehicle having the sliding door 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a building having a sliding automatic door may be used. For example, the present invention can be widely applied to optical communication between a moving object moving on a predetermined route and a fixed object.
[0050]
The above-mentioned optical fiber 40 is provided only in an arbitrary section (for example, provided on the slide door 1 on the movement trajectory L) by combining the side emission type optical fiber 40 and a normal end emission type (for communication) optical fiber. It is also possible to adopt an embodiment in which the light-receiving element 50 is moved to the side. In particular, if the side emission type is used only in a portion where the side surface of the optical fiber 40 is exposed from the vehicle body 2 and the end surface emission type is used in other portions, infrared rays leak from the side surface of the optical fiber 40 embedded inside the vehicle body 2. Can be prevented.
[0051]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the optical communication is performed by infrared light is described.However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical communication is performed by visible light other than infrared light, ultraviolet light, or the like. You can also.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
According to the optical communication device of the present invention described in claim 1 as described above, the light guide member is formed in a shape corresponding to the movement locus of the light emitting member or the light receiving member moving according to the sliding of the door member, Irrespective of the position where the door member slides, the light emitting member is provided so as to guide the inside thereof to emit light emitted from the light emitting member to the light receiving member. The light receiving member can surely receive the light even if the distance between them becomes shorter or longer. Further, since the light path of the light serves as the light guide member, there is no possibility that the light path is blocked by a human body or the like. Therefore, by interposing the light guide member, there is an effect that optical communication can be performed by the pair of the light emitting member and the light receiving member regardless of the sliding position of the door member.
[0053]
According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the light guide member is formed in a shape corresponding to a movement locus of the light emitting member or the light receiving member moving according to the sliding of the slide door. Regardless of the position where the slide door slides, the light-emitting member is provided so as to guide the light emitted from the light-emitting member to the light-receiving member to emit the light to the light-receiving member. The light receiving member can reliably receive light even when the distance to the member is short or large. Further, since the electric wires in the slide door can be simplified as compared with the conventional case, it is possible to reduce the number of wiring steps in the vehicle assembling work. Further, since the light path of the light serves as the light guide member, there is no possibility that the light path is blocked by a human body or the like. Therefore, by interposing the light guide member, there is an effect that optical communication can be performed by the pair of the light emitting member and the light receiving member regardless of the sliding position of the slide door.
[0054]
According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, by using an optical fiber that can be easily bent as the light guide member, the light emitting member or It is easy to make the shape according to the movement locus of the light receiving member. In addition, by using the optical fiber whose side surface emits light, it is possible to cause the guided light to be emitted from the side surface over a wide range or to allow the light emitted from the light emitting member to be incident from the side surface. Therefore, since the light guide member can be easily arranged, it is possible to reduce the number of steps in the assembling operation.
[0055]
According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, a reflection member that reflects light guided inside the light guide member toward the light receiving member is provided. Thus, the light guide member can emit sufficient light to the light receiving member. Further, by providing the reflection member, the amount of light leaking to the outside of the light guide member can be reduced, so that light can be transmitted to the tip even if the light guide member becomes long. Therefore, since sufficient light can be emitted from the light guide member to the light receiving member, there is an effect that the accuracy of optical communication can be improved.
[0056]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, in addition to the effects of the invention as set forth in any of claims 1 to 4, since the light emitting member emits infrared light, ultraviolet light generated in a wavelength band other than infrared light, It is not necessary to consider the danger to human eyes due to a laser or the like, or the discomfort caused by blinking in the case of visible light. Therefore, since the light guide member and the like can be arranged at various places, there is an effect that the light guide member is suitable for optical communication in the vehicle.
[0057]
According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, since infrared light for communication and visible light for illumination guide the inside of the light guide member, the side surface of the light guide member The light guide member can emit light by visible light emitted from the light guide member. Therefore, since the light guide member can be used for infrared communication and illumination, it is not necessary to provide a light guide member only for optical communication, and an effect that the light guide member can be effectively used can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an automobile to which an optical communication device according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a movement locus of a light receiving element.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of optical communication using infrared light according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the optical communication device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 sliding door (door member)
2 Body (support member)
30 light emitting element (light emitting member)
40 Optical fiber (light guide member)
43 Reflecting member
50 Light receiving element (light receiving member)

Claims

A light-emitting member provided on a door member that slides and opens and closes a predetermined path or a support member that supports the door member, and a light-receiving member provided on the door member or the support member not provided with the light-emitting member, An optical communication device that performs optical communication between the door member side and the support member side by receiving light corresponding to a signal emitted by the light emitting member with the light receiving member,
The light-emitting member or the light-receiving member has a shape corresponding to a movement trajectory in which the door member slides, and receives the light emitted by the light-emitting member regardless of a position where the door member slides. An optical communication device further comprising a light guide member for guiding the inside of the member to emit light to the member.

The optical communication device according to claim 1, wherein the door member is a slide door of a vehicle, and the support member is a vehicle body.

The optical communication device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member is an optical fiber whose side surface emits light by light guided inside.

The optical communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflecting member configured to reflect light guided inside the light guiding member toward the light receiving member.

The optical communication device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitted by the light emitting member is an infrared ray.

The lighting device further includes an illumination light source that causes visible light for illumination to enter the light guide member,
The optical communication device according to claim 5, wherein the light guide member guides the infrared light emitted by the light emitting member and the visible light incident from the illumination light source.