JP2006030682A - Optical fiber excess length management tool and information transmitting tool for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber excess length management tool which is capable of excess length management of an optical fiber by a simple method and allows a fiber length being an object of excess length management to be freely selected and doesn't cause such large transmission loss which commercially interferes with the optical fiber to be subjected to excess length management. <P>SOLUTION: An optical fiber excess length management tool 10a has an approximately tabular shape and is provided with an optical fiber fitting face 11 wherein a fitting groove 12 to which an optical fiber 7 is to be fitted in a lengthwise direction is formed. The fitting groove 12 has curves 12c in one or more positions, and a minimum radius of curvature out of radiuses of curvatures of curves 12c is larger than a radius of curvature which brings about light transmission loss in an optical fiber part bent by bending the optical fiber. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides an optical fiber surplus length that adjusts the length of the extra optical fiber because the fiber length of the optical fiber is longer than the designed length when a wire harness is manufactured using the optical fiber. The present invention relates to a processing tool and an information transmission tool for automobiles using the optical fiber surplus length processing tool.

  Conventionally, many electronic devices are mounted in an automobile, and the electronic devices are electrically connected to each other using a wire harness in which a plurality of electric wires made of metal conductors are bundled. By connecting using a wire harness, a signal (information) can be transmitted from one electronic device to another electronic device, and as a result, the electronic device can be automated and operated.

  When manufacturing a wire harness, set the length of the electric wire to be built in the wire harness to be slightly longer than the length of the wire harness between the electronic devices to be connected using the wire harness. Disconnect. This is because when connecting an electronic device using a wire harness, the wire harness is bent or branched. This is because the length of the electric wire differs depending on whether it passes. Therefore, assuming that the electric wire passes outside at the bending point or branching point, the length of the electric wire that has passed through the inner side at the bending point or branching point is It will remain. And the excess electric wire is wound by the smallest possible winding diameter, and is accommodated in the slight space.

  By the way, with the increase in the amount of signals transmitted between electronic devices, recently, optical fibers are sometimes used instead of electric wires made of metal conductors. In this case, the electronic devices are connected to each other using a composite harness including an optical fiber for transmitting signal light and a plurality of insulated wires. Therefore, as in the case where the electronic devices are connected to each other using the wire harness in which the above-described electric wires are bundled, the optical fibers and the insulated wires are cut longer, so that they pass through the inside at the bending points and branch points. In an optical fiber or an insulated wire, the length is excessive. When the length of the insulated conducting wire is left, as described above, the remaining insulated conducting wire can be wound in the smallest possible winding diameter and stored in a small space. However, if the length of the optical fiber is excessive, if the excess optical fiber is wound, the optical fiber is bent by being wound, so that the optical transmission loss increases at the bent portion. There is a risk of doing.

  As a method of processing an extra length of optical fiber without increasing optical transmission loss, for example, in Patent Document 1, an optical fiber core wire 60 is inserted in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. An optical fiber core wire protective material 50 having a core wire insertion groove is disclosed. The protective member 50 for the optical fiber core wire is formed in a strip shape from a flexible material, and a core wire insertion groove into which the optical fiber core wire 60 can be inserted is provided along the longitudinal direction. The core wire insertion groove has a circular shape in which the cross-sectional shape of the lower portion of the core wire is substantially equal to the cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber core wire 60. It is formed as follows. The protruding portions are detachment prevention protrusions 52 and 52 that prevent the optical fiber core wire 60 from being detached from the core wire insertion groove. As a result, the optical fiber core wire 60 is inserted into and fixed to the insertion groove, so that the side pressure and the bending deformation with a small radius of curvature exerted on the optical fiber core wire due to external factors are suppressed, and the resin layer is not damaged. Is also described as being able to be deterred. Then, one surface of the double-sided adhesive tape 53 is bonded to the lower base surface of the substantially trapezoidal cross section, and the optical fiber core wire protective material 50 is wound around the outer periphery of the wire harness, so that the fiber length It is also described that it is possible to prevent excess and deficiency.

Patent Document 2 discloses an optical fiber composite harness 70 in which an optical fiber 71 and a metal wire 72 are bundled as shown in FIG. In this optical fiber composite harness 70, the optical fiber 71 and the metal wire 72 are protected by a tube 73, and the tube 73 is provided with a guide 74 that continuously supports the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 71. And since the optical fiber 71 is supported by the guide 74, while not receiving the side pressure from the metal wire 72, since the position is being fixed by the guide 74, the excess and deficiency of the fiber length can be prevented. It is described.
JP 2003-29051 A JP 2002-372656 A

  However, in the invention of Patent Document 1, since the optical fiber core wire 60 must be wound around the protective member 50 for the optical fiber core wire wound around the outer periphery of the wire harness, the process becomes complicated. Further, the optical fiber core wire 60 is bent in order to wind the optical fiber core wire protection material 50 around the outer periphery of the wire harness and to fit the optical fiber core wire 60 into the optical fiber core wire protection material 50. Therefore, there is a possibility that an optical transmission loss may occur in the bent portion of the optical fiber 60.

  In the invention of Patent Document 2, the position of the optical fiber 71 is fixed by the guide 74, so that the extra length processing is performed on the optical fiber 71. Therefore, since the fiber length of the optical fiber 71 is determined by the length of the guide 74 in the longitudinal direction, there is a possibility that it is not possible to prevent the fiber length from being excessively insufficient. That is, there is a possibility that the extra length of the fiber length cannot be set to a desired length.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to allow an extra length processing to be performed on an optical fiber by a simple method, and to freely select a fiber length for the extra length processing. An optical fiber surplus length processing tool that does not cause a large optical transmission loss to the extent that it causes a commercial problem in an optical fiber that can be subjected to surplus length processing and the optical fiber surplus length An object of the present invention is to provide an automobile information transmission tool including a processing tool.

  The optical fiber surplus length processing tool of the present invention has a substantially flat plate shape, and includes an optical fiber insertion surface in which an insertion groove for inserting the optical fiber in the longitudinal direction is formed. It has a plurality of curves, and the minimum curvature radius among the curvature radii of the curves is larger than the bending radius at which the optical transmission loss appears in the portion of the optical fiber bent by bending the optical fiber.

  Here, the optical fiber extra length processing tool is, for example, an electronic device using an optical fiber (in particular, an optical fiber used together with an automobile wire harness) and another electronic device via a connector. When connecting, when the distance between an electronic device and another electronic device is shorter than the total length of the optical fiber, the length of the remaining optical fiber is adjusted without cutting the optical fiber. It is an instrument for. Further, the bending radius at which an optical transmission loss appears means a bending radius at which an optical transmission loss to the extent that it cannot be used commercially as an optical fiber.

  Moreover, in the optical fiber surplus length processing tool of this invention, it is preferable that the minimum curvature radius of the said curve is 15 mm or more. More preferably, the minimum curvature radius of the curve is 20 mm or more. The upper limit of the minimum curvature radius of the curve is 30 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less, although it depends on the location of installation.

  In the optical fiber surplus length processing tool of the present invention, at least one of the surface opposite to the optical fiber insertion surface and the optical fiber insertion surface is provided for cutting the optical fiber surplus length processing tool. It is preferable that the groove is formed across the fitting groove.

  Here, the fact that the split groove crosses the insertion groove means that the split groove directly crosses the insertion groove, and when the split groove is formed on the surface opposite to the optical fiber insertion surface. This also means crossing a portion facing the portion where the insertion groove is formed. That is, when the split groove is formed on the surface opposite to the optical fiber insertion surface, it means that the insertion groove and the split groove are at a mathematical twist position. Moreover, it is preferable that the depth of the split groove is 10% or more and 90% or less of the thickness of the optical fiber extra length treatment tool.

  In the optical fiber extra length processing tool of the present invention, it is preferable that the insertion groove is formed to have a minimum width at the opening of the insertion groove with respect to the depth direction of the insertion groove.

  In this case, a trapezoid is mentioned as a specific shape in the cross section of the insertion groove. Further, the shape may be a trapezoid rounded near the apex, or may be a trapezoid whose contour is rounded. Moreover, the trapezoidal shape may be sufficient as the cross-sectional shape in a part of the longitudinal direction of an insertion groove, and the trapezoidal shape may be sufficient as the cross-sectional shape over the longitudinal direction of an insertion groove.

  In the optical fiber extra length processing tool of the present invention, the insertion groove may have a narrow width or substantially the same shape with respect to the depth direction of the insertion groove.

  When the width of the insertion groove is narrow with respect to the depth direction of the insertion groove, a specific example of the shape in the cross section of the insertion groove is a substantially “V” shape or a substantially “U” shape. A letter shape is mentioned. In a part of the longitudinal direction of the insertion groove, it may be substantially “V” -shaped or substantially “U” -shaped, or substantially “V” -shaped across the longitudinal direction of the insertion groove, or A substantially “U” shape may be used.

  When the width of the insertion groove is formed substantially the same with respect to the depth direction of the insertion groove, a specific example of the shape in the cross section of the insertion groove is a rectangle. Further, the shape may be a rounded rectangle near the apex, or a rounded outline. Moreover, the shape of the cross section may be a rectangle in a part in the longitudinal direction of the insertion groove, or the shape of the cross section may be a rectangle across the longitudinal direction of the insertion groove.

  Moreover, in the optical fiber extra length processing tool of this invention, the cover member which covers the said insertion groove | channel may be provided, and the cover member which covers an optical fiber insertion surface may be provided.

  Moreover, in the optical fiber extra length treatment tool of the present invention, it is preferable that the optical fiber extra length treatment tool is made of a resin composition not containing a halogen element.

  Here, the resin composition containing no halogen element means a resin composition obtained by blending a resin containing no halogen element with a flame retardant containing no halogen element. Specific examples of the resin not containing the halogen element include polyolefin resins and epoxy resins, and specific examples of the flame retardant include aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide and the like.

  In the optical fiber surplus length processing tool of the present invention, the optical fiber inserted into the insertion groove includes a plastic core, a plastic clad covering the core, and the clad in the fiber cross section. A plastic optical fiber comprising a covering resin layer is preferred.

  Moreover, in the optical fiber surplus length processing tool of this invention, the said insertion groove | channel may insert several optical fiber.

  Moreover, in the optical fiber surplus length processing tool of this invention, the said insertion groove | channel may have a branch part.

  A plurality of insertion grooves can be formed because the insertion groove has a branch portion. For example, one insertion groove may include a plurality of branch points. Further, one insertion groove may have two branch points, and another insertion groove may be formed by connecting the two branch points.

  The information transmission tool for automobiles of the present invention is composed of an optical fiber inserted into the insertion groove of the optical fiber extra length processing tool of the present invention and an insulated conductor.

  Here, the vehicle information transmission tool is, for example, a composite harness or a wire harness.

  The insertion groove of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool of the present invention has a curve at one place or a plurality of places, and the minimum curvature radius of the curvature radius of the curve is a portion bent by bending the optical fiber. An optical transmission loss in the optical fiber is larger than the bending radius. Therefore, even if an optical fiber is inserted into the insertion groove, the optical fiber does not exhibit a large optical transmission loss that causes a commercial problem. Further, as long as the insertion groove is formed, the extra length can be applied to the optical fiber, and therefore, the extra length can be applied to the optical fiber by a very simple method.

  Moreover, the shape of the insertion groove in the optical fiber insertion surface is not limited. Therefore, by changing the shape of the insertion groove and performing the extra length process, the desired optical fiber length can be adjusted without cutting the extra optical fiber.

  The information transmission tool for automobiles of the present invention includes the above-described optical fiber extra length processing tool. Therefore, the optical fiber in the automobile information transmission tool can be adjusted to a desired optical fiber length while being subjected to extra length processing by a very simple method.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
In the first embodiment, the structure and the forming method of the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a diagram showing an optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a in the composite harness 1, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a, and FIG. 3 is an optical fiber surplus length processing tool. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the optical fiber 7 fitted in the fitting groove 12 of the tool 10a. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper mold 110 and the perspective view of the lower mold 120 used when the fitting groove 12 is formed. Indicates. Here, in order to clearly show the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a, the composite harness 1 and the insulated wires 3, 3,... Provided above the optical fiber 7 are omitted in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the composite harness 1 includes a plurality of insulated wires 3, 3... And an optical fiber 7 described later. The optical fiber 7 protrudes from one connector 5 and is inserted into the insertion groove 12 of the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10 a, whose details are shown in FIG. 2A, and enters the other connector 5. As a result, the signal output from one connector 5 is transmitted through the optical fiber 7 and input to the other connector 5. The total length of the optical fiber 7 is longer than the shortest distance in the harness connecting the two connectors 5 and 5, and the extra length of the optical fiber is processed using the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a. The Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber 7 has an optical fiber 8 having an acrylic resin core 8 a and a core 8 a covered with a fluororesin clad 8 b and an optical fiber 8 in the cross section. And a resin layer 9 made of nylon resin or polyethylene resin.

  The optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a includes an optical fiber insertion surface 11 into which the optical fiber 7 is inserted.

  Moreover, the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a is a flat plate made of a resin composition not containing a halogen element. Thus, by forming the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a from a resin composition not containing a halogen element, for example, even if the used optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a is incinerated, No harmful gas is generated, and the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a is an environmentally friendly optical fiber extra length processing tool. Further, it is more preferable that the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a is formed using a thermoplastic resin because the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a can be recycled. The resin composition not containing a halogen element is, for example, a resin such as a polyolefin resin or an epoxy resin that is difficult to add aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide or the like to a resin not containing a halogen element. It means a resin composition containing a flame retardant.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 2A, the optical fiber insertion surface 11 is formed with an insertion groove 12 that allows a part of the outer periphery of the optical fiber 7 in the fiber cross section to be inserted in the longitudinal direction. ing.

  The insertion groove 12 has a plurality of curves 12c, and the minimum curvature radius among the curvature radii of the curve 12c is a bending where an optical transmission loss occurs in the portion of the optical fiber bent by bending the optical fiber 7. Greater than radius. Therefore, even if the optical fiber 7 is inserted into the insertion groove 12, no optical transmission loss occurs in the optical fiber 7. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the connectors 5 and 5 are connected to each other using the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a, the optical fiber 7 may cause an optical transmission loss that causes trouble in optical transmission. Therefore, information can be transmitted from one connector 5 to the other connector 5.

  Specifically, the minimum curvature radius among the curvature radii of the curve 12c is preferably 15 mm or more, and more preferably 20 mm or more. The greater the minimum radius of curvature of the curvature radius of the curve 12c, the lower the risk of optical transmission loss occurring in the curve 12c. However, if the minimum radius of curvature of the curvature radius of the curve 12c is too large, the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a may become too large. Therefore, at the place where the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a is installed. However, of the curvature radii of the curve 12c, the minimum curvature radius is preferably 30 mm or less, and more preferably 25 mm or less.

  Further, the insertion groove 12 is specifically formed by being bent three times on the optical fiber insertion surface 11. Therefore, by inserting the optical fiber 7 in the insertion groove 12, the extra length of the optical fiber 7 can be processed by the entire length of the insertion groove 12. That is, since the insertion groove 12 is formed in the resin substrate and the optical fiber 7 is inserted into the insertion groove 12, the extra length processing can be performed on the optical fiber 7. If the tool 10a is used, the extra length process of the optical fiber 7 can be performed very simply. Moreover, since the shape of the insertion groove 12 in the optical fiber insertion surface 11 is not limited, the extra length of the optical fiber to be subjected to extra length processing can be freely set by selecting the shape freely. From the above, for example, if the extra length processing is performed on the optical fiber 7 in the composite harness 1 using the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10 a, the length of the optical fiber 7 in the composite harness 1 is excessive or insufficient. It does not occur.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the surface opposite to the optical fiber insertion surface 11 (the back surface of the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a) crosses the insertion groove 12 and at substantially equal intervals. Split grooves 13, 13, and 13 for cutting the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a are formed. That is, the split groove 13 is formed across the portion on the back surface of the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a that faces the portion where the fitting groove 12 is formed. Then, by cutting the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a along each split groove 13, the total length of the insertion groove 12 can be shortened, and as a result, the fiber length to be subjected to the extra length processing can be shortened. it can. In addition, in order to cut | disconnect the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a, you may cut | disconnect a cutter along the split grooves 13,13,13, or support both ends of an optical fiber surplus length processing tool, and force. In addition, it may be cut by cleaving along the split groove 13. At this time, it is preferable that the depth of the split groove 13 is 10% or more and 90% or less of the thickness of the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a. When the depth of the split groove 13 is less than 10% of the thickness of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a, as described above, a cutting jig such as a cutter is placed along the split groove 13 and the optical fiber surplus length processing tool. It tends to be difficult to cut 10a. If the depth of the split groove 13 is greater than 90% of the thickness of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a, the optical fiber 7 and the insulated wire subjected to the surplus length processing using the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a. When the composite harness 1 or the like is manufactured by combining 3, 3,..., The optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a receives stress from the insulated wires 3, 3,. There is a tendency to increase the possibility of causing the desired cutting. In addition, when the extra length of the fiber to be subjected to extra length processing is long, a plurality of optical fiber extra length processing tools 10a, 10a,... Are prepared, and the optical fibers 7 are inserted into the respective insertion grooves 12. . As described above, since the above-mentioned split groove 13 is formed in the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a, the length of the optical fiber to be subjected to the surplus length processing can be set more freely.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the above-described insertion groove 12 has a width that is substantially the same in the depth direction of the groove, as shown in FIG. That is, the shape in the cross section of the insertion groove 12 is substantially rectangular. Further, since the adhesive is applied to the side wall of the insertion groove 12, the optical fiber 7 is inserted into the insertion groove 12, and is bonded and integrated with the insertion groove 12 via the adhesive. Therefore, the optical fiber 7 is not detached from the insertion groove 12.

  Note that the optical fiber 7 inserted into the insertion groove 12 may be fixed in pressure contact with the surface of the lid member 10b shown in FIG. 2B and the bottom surface of the insertion groove. At this time, it is preferable that the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a and the lid member 10b are locked and fixed by a locking portion (not shown).

  The size of the insertion groove 12 in the cross section is determined by the number of optical fibers 7 to be inserted and the insertion method. When a plurality of optical fibers are inserted side by side in the width direction of the groove, the width of the groove may be about the product of the optical fiber diameter and the number of fibers, and the depth of the groove is about the optical fiber diameter. Good. Conversely, when a plurality of optical fibers are inserted side by side in the depth direction of the groove, the depth of the groove may be about the product of the optical fiber diameter and the number of fibers, and the width of the groove is the optical fiber diameter. Any degree is acceptable. Also, when only one optical fiber 7 is inserted into the insertion groove 12 formed to insert a plurality of optical fibers 7, several optical fibers (dummy optical fibers) that do not transmit light are prepared. In addition, this can be dealt with by inserting one optical fiber 7 for optical transmission and several optical fibers that do not transmit light into the insertion groove 12 together. From the above, the cross section of the insertion groove 12 may be provided with a size capable of inserting a plurality of optical fibers.

  The optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a is formed by injection molding using the lower mold 110 shown in FIG. 4 (a) and the upper mold 120 shown in FIG. 4 (b). In the following, the height means the length in the vertical direction of FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). Further, the surface means a surface opposite to the bottom surface in the drawings shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and the end surface means a surface extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the side surface means Means a surface other than the bottom surface, the surface, and the two end surfaces.

  The lower mold 110 has a lower resin fixing surface 110a and occupies most of the lower mold 110, a lower resin insertion portion 110b integrated on the left side of the lower main body portion, The cross section is substantially bowl-shaped and includes a lower resin insertion portion 110c integrated with the right side of the side main body. That is, the lower resin fixing surface 110 a is a concave surface of the lower mold 110. The height of each part is lowest in the lower main body, and increases in the order of the lower resin insertion portion 110b and the lower resin damming portion 110c.

  The upper mold 120 has an upper resin fixing surface 120a and occupies most of the upper mold 120, an upper resin insertion portion 120b integrated with the left side of the upper main body, and a right side of the upper main body. It has a substantially U-shaped cross section including a lower resin insertion portion 120c that is integrated. That is, the upper resin fixing surface 120 a is a concave surface of the upper mold 120. The height of each part is lower in the upper body part than the upper resin insertion part 120b and the upper resin damming part 120c, and the height of the upper resin insertion part 120b and the height of the upper resin damming part 120c are substantially the same. .

  Further, unlike the lower mold 110, a protruding band-shaped fitting groove forming member 121 is formed on the upper resin fixing surface 120 a of the upper mold 120. The fitting groove forming member 121 has a shape bent three times, and both end surfaces thereof are the side surface of the upper resin insertion portion 120b perpendicular to the upper resin fixing surface 120a and the upper side to the upper resin fixing surface 120a, respectively. It is in contact with the side surface of the resin damming portion 120c (hereinafter referred to as “both side surfaces of the concave portion of the upper mold 120”). The insertion groove forming member 121 is higher in height than the side surface of the concave portion of the upper mold 120. As a result, the upper resin insertion portion 120b and the upper resin damming portion 120c are arranged in the height direction of the upper mold 120. More protruding than.

  In order to form the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a, the upper mold 120 shown in FIG. 4B is turned upside down to cover the lower mold 110, and the upper mold 120 is positioned. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4C, the lower resin fixing surface 110a and the upper resin fixing surface 120a are opposed to each other, the upper resin insertion portion 120b and the lower resin insertion portion 110b are opposed to each other, and The resin damming portion 120c is brought into contact with the lower resin damming portion 110c. Then, the lower main body portion having the lower resin fixing surface 110a is lower than the lower resin insertion portion 110b and the lower resin damming portion 110c, and the upper main body portion having the upper resin fixing surface 120a is upper. Since it is lower than the resin insertion portion 120b and the upper resin damming portion 120c, a space is formed with the upper surface as the upper resin fixing surface 120a and the lower surface as the lower resin fixing surface 110a. Moreover, since the lower resin insertion part 110b is lower than the lower resin damming part 110c, a gap is formed between the lower resin insertion part 110b and the upper resin insertion part 120b. From this gap, the liquefied resin is inserted according to the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4C, and the above-described space is filled with the resin. After the resin is cooled, the lower and upper molds 110 and 120 are removed, whereby the optical fiber extra length processing tool 10a can be formed.

<< Embodiment 2 of the Invention >>
In the second embodiment, the structure of the optical fiber extra length processing tool 20a will be described with reference to FIGS. And in this embodiment, only the shape of the insertion groove | channel 22 in a cross section differs from the said Embodiment 1. FIG. Therefore, in this embodiment, description of the part which overlaps with the said Embodiment 1 is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the optical fiber extra length processing tool 20a in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C, the shape of the insertion groove 22 in the cross section is substantially “V”. That is, in the cross section, the insertion groove 22 is formed with a narrow width. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, as in the first embodiment, an adhesive 25 is applied to the side wall of the insertion groove 22, and the optical fiber 7 and the insertion groove 25 are bonded and integrated through the adhesive 25. Turn into. Thereby, the optical fiber 7 is inserted into the insertion groove 22 and is bonded and integrated with the insertion groove 22 via the adhesive 25. In this case as well, the optical fiber 7 may be fixed in pressure contact with the surface of the lid member 10b and the bottom surface of the fitting groove 22 shown in FIG.

  The optical fiber extra length processing tool 20 provided with such an insertion groove 22 uses a lower mold shown in FIG. 4A and an upper mold whose cross section of the insertion groove forming member is a mountain shape. It can be formed by injection molding.

<< Embodiment 3 of the Invention >>
In the third embodiment, the structure of the optical fiber extra length processing tool 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the shape of the insertion groove 32 in the optical fiber insertion surface 31 and the shape of the insertion groove 32 in the cross section are different from those in the first embodiment.

The shape of the insertion groove 32 of the optical fiber extra length processing tool 30 in this embodiment is such that the insertion groove 32 is bent three times in the optical fiber insertion surface 31 as shown in the plan view of FIG. It consists of a curve 32c and a substantially straight portion 32d. That is, both ends of the curve 32c are substantially straight portions 32d. And the insertion groove 32 is comprised by the insertion groove which branches and forms the substantially linear part 32d, and the insertion groove which branches and passes through the curve 32c, and merges with another substantially linear part 32d.
In this way, by branching the insertion groove 32 at three places, one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 7 to be inserted into the insertion groove 32 has a left branch point from one end 32a of the insertion groove. Then, it can be inserted to the center branch point, and another optical fiber can be inserted from the end 32a of the insertion groove to the right branch point through the left branch point and the center branch point. Another optical fiber can be fitted from one end 32a of the fitting groove to the other end 32b of the fitting groove. Therefore, the extra lengths of the fibers subjected to extra length processing can be made different from each other for the plurality of optical fibers 7, 7,.

  The shape of the cross section of the curve 32c is rectangular as in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the adhesive 25 is applied to the side wall of the insertion groove of the curve 32 c, and the optical fiber 7 and the insertion groove 32 are bonded and integrated via the adhesive 25. As shown in FIG. 7C, the cross-sectional shape of the substantially straight portion 32 d is formed such that the width of the insertion groove 32 is the smallest in the opening of the insertion groove 32 with respect to the depth direction of the insertion groove 32. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the fitting groove around the opening, the optical fiber 7 functions as a stopper for preventing the optical fiber 7 from being detached from the fitting groove 32. Therefore, compared with the case where the optical fiber 7 is inserted and fixed in the insertion grooves 12 and 22 of the optical fiber extra length processing tools 10a and 20a of the first and second embodiments, respectively, the optical fiber 7 is further simplified. Can be inserted into the insertion groove 32 and fixed.

  The optical fiber extra length processing tool 30 as described above is described in the first embodiment, two types of upper molds, that is, an upper mold that forms a curve 32c and an upper mold that forms a substantially linear portion 32d. It is formed by injection molding using a lower mold.

  These two types of upper molds are turned upside down, and different types of upper molds are alternately arranged to face the lower molds. Thereby, a space is formed in which the upper surface is the resin fixing surface of each upper mold and the lower surface is the lower resin fixing surface, and the liquefied resin is inserted into the space. When the resin cools, first, the upper mold that forms the curve 32c is removed, and then the upper mold that forms the substantially straight portion 32d is slid in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. . Thereby, the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 30 can be formed.

<< Other Embodiments >>
The present invention may be configured as follows for the first, second, and third embodiments.

  The number of times the fitting grooves 12, 22, 32 bend may be two times or less, or four times or more. Further, only a part of the insertion grooves 12, 22, and 32 may be bent, and the insertion grooves are not limited to meandering, and may be bent so as to draw an arc, for example.

  The shape of the cross section of the insertion groove 12 may be a trapezoid as is the shape of the cross section of the substantially straight portion 32 d of the insertion groove 32. In addition, the formation process of a trapezoidal insertion groove requires more difficulty than the formation process of a rectangular insertion groove. However, when the optical fiber is inserted into the trapezoidal insertion groove, unlike the case where the optical fiber is inserted into the rectangular insertion groove, there is no need to go through a step of applying an adhesive and it is not necessary to prepare a lid member. .

  Moreover, although the insertion grooves 12, 22, and 32 are formed by injection molding, they may be formed by cutting molding. In addition, since a cutting waste etc. will generate | occur | produce if an insertion groove is formed by cutting molding, it is more preferable to form by injection molding.

  The optical fiber insertion surfaces 11, 21, 31 are not limited to mathematically exact planes, and when the optical fiber 7 is inserted into the insertion grooves 12, 22, 32, the optical transmission loss increases. It may be a curved surface curved to such an extent that it does not streak.

  The split grooves 13 may be formed on the optical fiber insertion surfaces 11, 21, and 31, respectively. However, it is preferable that the split grooves 13 are formed on the surfaces facing the optical fiber insertion surfaces 11, 21, 31 (the back surfaces of the optical fiber extra length processing tools 10 a, 20 a, 30). This is because there is a low possibility that the insertion grooves 12, 22, and 32 are damaged compared to the case where the optical fiber insertion surfaces 11, 21, and 31 are formed.

  Further, the split groove 13 may not be formed parallel to the sides of the optical fiber insertion surfaces 11, 21, 31. What is necessary is just to form the split groove 13 so that when the optical fiber extra length processing tools 10a, 20a, 30 are cut along the split groove 13, the total length of the fitting grooves 12, 22, 32 is shortened.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the optical fiber 7 may be bonded and fixed to the insertion grooves 12, 22, and 32 using an adhesive 25, or the lid shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 5 (b). The member 10b may be used to press and fix the surface of the lid member 10b and the bottom surfaces of the fitting grooves 12, 22, and 32. If the optical fiber 7 is bonded to the insertion grooves 12 and 22 using an adhesive, the adhesive may deteriorate due to long-term use, but the optical fiber extra length processing tools 10a and 20a are covered with the insulated wires 3, 3,. In addition, the optical fiber 7 and the insulated wires 3, 3,... Processed with the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a are integrated and wound with an insulating tape and enclosed in a wire harness. The Therefore, the detachment of the optical fiber 7 due to only the deterioration of the adhesive hardly occurs. That is, the adhesive only needs to bond and fix the optical fiber 7 and the optical fiber extra length processing tools 10a and 20a until the optical fiber 7 is included in the wire harness. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider deterioration due to long-term use of the adhesive.

  Moreover, if the optical fiber extra length processing tools 10a and 20a are used over a long period of time, it is preferable to prevent the optical fiber 7 from being detached using the lid member 10b. At this time, the lid member 10b does not need to be formed so as to cover the optical fiber insertion surfaces 11 and 21, but may be formed so as to cover at least the upper portions of the insertion grooves 12 and 22. Moreover, the cover member 10b may be formed with recesses corresponding to the insertion grooves 12 and 22 provided in the optical fiber extra length processing tools 10a and 20a. The lid member 10b may be bonded and fixed to the optical fiber extra length processing tools 10a and 20a with an adhesive, or may be fixed by being tied using a string or the like.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a wire harness is manufactured using an optical fiber, the length of the optical fiber is longer than the designed length. It is useful for the optical fiber extra length processing tool to be adjusted.

It is a figure which shows the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a in the composite harness 1 in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view of the optical fiber 7 inserted in the insertion groove | channel 12 of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 10a in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower mold 110 and an upper mold 120 used when forming the insertion groove 12 in the first embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 20a in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the optical fiber 7 was inserted in the insertion groove | channel 22 of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 20a in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 30 in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the optical fiber 7 was inserted by the insertion groove | channel 32 of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool 30 in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the protective material 50 for optical fiber core wires in a prior art example. It is a figure which shows the optical fiber composite harness 70 in a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

3 Insulated wire 7 Optical fiber 10a, 20a, 30 Optical fiber extra length processing tool 11, 21, 31 Optical fiber insertion surface 12, 22, 32 Insertion groove 12c, 22c, 32c Curve 13 Split groove

Claims (8)

Having a substantially flat plate shape,
An optical fiber insertion surface in which an insertion groove for inserting the optical fiber in the longitudinal direction is formed;
The insertion groove has one or a plurality of curves,
An optical fiber surplus length processing tool, wherein a minimum curvature radius among the curvature radii of the curve is larger than a bending radius at which an optical transmission loss occurs in a portion of the optical fiber bent by bending the optical fiber. In the optical fiber surplus length processing tool described in claim 1,
An optical fiber surplus length processing tool, wherein a minimum curvature radius of the curve is 15 mm or more. In the optical fiber surplus length processing tool described in claim 1 or 2,
A split groove for cutting the optical fiber surplus length processing tool is formed across at least one of the surface opposite to the optical fiber insertion surface and the optical fiber insertion surface. An optical fiber surplus length processing tool. In the optical fiber surplus length processing tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The optical fiber surplus length processing tool, wherein the insertion groove is formed to have a minimum width at the opening of the insertion groove with respect to the depth direction of the insertion groove. In the optical fiber surplus length processing tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An optical fiber surplus length processing tool, wherein the insertion groove has a narrow width or substantially the same width with respect to the depth direction of the insertion groove. In the optical fiber surplus length processing tool described in any one of Claim 1 to 5,
The optical fiber surplus length processing tool is made of a resin composition not containing a halogen element. In the optical fiber surplus length processing tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The optical fiber inserted into the insertion groove is
In the fiber cross section, a core made of plastic,
A clad made of plastic covering the core;
An optical fiber surplus length processing tool comprising: a resin layer covering the clad.   The information transmission tool for motor vehicles which consists of an optical fiber inserted in the insertion groove | channel of the optical fiber surplus length processing tool as described in any one of Claim 1 to 7, and an insulated wire.

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