JP2010032962A - Lan cable, edge tracking device, method for forming lan cable, and method for tracking edge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow to check a position of an edge of a LAN cable and to easily form an LAN cable. <P>SOLUTION: The LAN cable includes one or more signal lines 12, a light-transmission line 11 for transmitting light, and a coating layer 13 for coating the whole signal lines 12 and the light-transmission line 11, wherein at least one light-transmission line 11 is disposed approximately at the center in a radial cross section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a LAN (Local Area Network) cable that connects a relay device such as a router and a personal computer, an end tracking device that tracks the other end of the LAN cable, and a LAN cable that forms the LAN cable. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a forming method and an end tracking method using the end tracking device, and in particular, a LAN cable having a light transmission line for transmitting light, an end tracking device using the LAN cable, a LAN cable forming method, and an end portion. Regarding the tracking method.

The LAN cable generally refers to a cable used for connecting a personal computer (PC) and a broadband router, a PC and a hub (HUB), etc. in Ethernet (registered trademark).
When the Ethernet (registered trademark) is introduced into an office, for example, the PC is installed on an employee's desk or the like, but the router or the like is placed in a place where the feet cannot be seen. The LAN cable is wired in a state where it is hidden behind the desk or inside the wall except for the periphery of the PC, and is connected to a router or the like. Also, underfloor wiring in offices or the like and high-density rack mounting may be performed.
Furthermore, a large number of LAN cables are concentrated in a router or the like. For this reason, it is difficult to determine which PC each LAN cable is connected to.

Here, as a method for confirming which PC is connected, for example, there is a method of directly following the physical wiring of the LAN cable. In other words, there is a method of tracing the wiring state sequentially by pushing or pulling the LAN cable from one side.
However, since the LAN cable is wired behind the desk or under the floor, there is a limit to follow it directly. In addition, the cable body may be damaged by pulling. Furthermore, if it is performed while the PC is in use, there is a possibility of affecting the ongoing communication. As described above, it is difficult to physically track the LAN cable because there are many obstacles.

Here, as a method of tracking the LAN cable, it is conceivable to use the topology management function of the network device.
However, this function was not supported by all devices. Moreover, since it is necessary to log in to the device again, it is troublesome. Furthermore, when the opposite end is not connected to the device, or when the connected device is not energized, it could not be confirmed.

Thus, a LAN cable having a photoconductive fiber inside has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
According to this, the light reaches the other end by passing light from one end of the photoconductive fiber. Thereby, it can be confirmed reliably to which PC the LAN cable is connected.
JP 2002-117732 A JP 2005-166317 A

However, in the techniques described in the above-mentioned patent documents, problems occur in the following points.
For example, in the cables disclosed in each patent document, the optical fiber 120 is disposed at a position shifted from the center of the radial cross section of the LAN cable 100 as shown in FIG. For this reason, it is difficult to manufacture the LAN cable 100 and the cost is high.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a LAN cable that is easy to manufacture, can reduce costs, and can easily check which device is connected. An object is to provide an end tracking device, a LAN cable forming method, and an end tracking method.

  In order to achieve this object, the LAN cable of the present invention includes one or more signal lines, a light transmission line that transmits light, and a covering layer that covers the entire signal lines and light transmission lines. And at least one light transmission line is arranged in the approximate center of the radial cross section.

  The end tracking device of the present invention includes a LAN cable having a light transmission line, a first connector attached to one end of the LAN cable, and a second connector attached to the other end of the LAN cable. The main body of the second connector is formed to be transparent or translucent, and the light transmission line has an exposed portion at the end reaching the second connector, and the light input from the first connector is exposed. It is set as the structure discharge | released by.

  Further, the LAN cable forming method of the present invention has one or more signal lines, a light transmitting member that transmits light, and a covering layer that covers the entire signal line and the light transmitting member, In this method, a light transmission member is disposed at substantially the center of the radial cross section to form a LAN cable.

  Further, the end tracking method of the present invention inputs light from the first connector attached to one end of the LAN cable, transmits the light through the light transmitting member of the LAN cable, and is attached to the other end of the LAN cable. The light transmitting member emits light inside the second connector.

According to the LAN cable, the end tracking device, the LAN cable forming method, and the end tracking method of the present invention, since the light transmission line is disposed almost at the center of the radial cross section of the LAN cable, The LAN cable can be easily manufactured as compared with the above.
Further, since the LAN cable can be easily manufactured, high cost can be suppressed.
In addition, since the light transmission line is disposed in the LAN cable, light input from one end of the LAN cable can be output from the other end. For this reason, when light is input from one end of the LAN cable connected to the router, the connector of the LAN cable connected to one of the PCs appears to shine. Thereby, the connection state of the cable can be easily traced.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a LAN cable, an end tracking device, a LAN cable forming method, and an end tracking method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment of LAN cable and end tracking device]
First, a first embodiment of a LAN cable and an end tracking device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the end tracking device of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the LAN cable of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the end tracking device 1 includes a LAN cable 10 a, a first connector 20, a second connector 30, a light emitter 40, and a light receiver 50.
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the LAN cable 10 a includes a light transmission line 11, signal lines 12 (12-1 to 12-n), and a covering layer 13.

The light transmission line 11 is a light transmission member according to the present invention, and in this embodiment, the light transmission line 11 is disposed substantially at the center of the radial cross section of the LAN cable 10a. A plurality of signal lines 12 are arranged on the outer periphery of the light transmission line 11. For this reason, the LAN cable 10a can be easily manufactured as compared with the case where the light transmission line 11 is disposed at a position far from the center of the radial section.
The light transmission line 11 can be formed using an optical cable, for example. For this reason, when light is input from one end of the light transmission line 11, the light is output from the other end.
Further, instead of the light transmission line 11, a light transmission material can be filled. Similar to the light transmission line 11, the light transmitting material has a function of transmitting light input from one end to the other end and outputting it.
In addition, in this specification including this embodiment and the embodiment described later, the light transmission line 11 and the light transmission material are collectively referred to as a “light transmission member”.

The signal line 12 is a line constituting the conductor of the cable 10a.
The signal line 12 is intended for all conductors, but can be formed of a known material such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), alloy, silver, or gold.
A plurality of signal lines 12 are arranged on the outer periphery of the light transmission line 11. And two are twisted together. For this reason, the cable 10a constitutes a twisted pair cable.
For example, the signal line 12 transmits a communication signal.
Note that each of the signal lines 12 may be a single line or a stranded line.
The coating layer 13 is a layer coated so as to cover all of the light transmission lines 11 and the plurality of signal lines 12.

The first connector 20 is, for example, a plug (jack) for connecting to a device such as a PC or a router.
As shown in FIG. 3, the first connector 20 includes a main body 21, terminals 22, and locking portions 23.
The main body 21 is formed of a transparent material. Thereby, the light irradiated from the outside can be irradiated to the light transmission line 11 of the LAN cable 10a inserted inside. Moreover, the light can be transmitted through the light transmission line 11 regardless of the angle at which the light is irradiated.
The main body 21 can be formed of, for example, a transparent plastic material.

The terminal 22 is a portion to which the signal line 12 of the LAN connector 10a is connected.
This terminal 22 is connected to a terminal (not shown) of a female connector attached to a device such as a PC, and signals are transmitted and received.
The locking portion 23 is a portion that locks when the first connector 20 is inserted into the female connector.

The second connector 30 is, for example, a plug (jack) for connecting to a device such as a PC or a router, like the first connector 20.
The second connector 30 has the same structure as the first connector 20, and has a main body 31, terminals 32, and locking portions 33.
The main body 31 is formed of a transparent material. Thereby, it can be confirmed at a glance from the outside of the connector that the light transmission line 11 of the LAN cable 10a inserted therein is shining.
The main body 31 can be formed of, for example, a transparent plastic material.

The terminal 32 is a portion to which the signal line 12 of the LAN connector 10a is connected.
The terminal 32 is connected to a terminal (not shown) of a female connector attached to a device such as a PC, and signals are transmitted and received.
The locking portion 33 is a portion that locks when the second connector 30 is inserted into the female connector.

The light emitter 40 is an instrument that emits light to the first connector 20.
The light emitting device 40 may be anything as long as it emits light, and for example, a fluorescent lamp, a lighting device that shines a light bulb, a projector, a flashlight, a penlight, or the like can be used.
In addition, in FIG. 1, the part which receives light from the light emitter 40 in the first connector 20 is a surface facing the surface to which the LAN cable 10a is connected, but is not limited to the facing surface. It can be the other side. This is because the entire main body of the first connector 20 is transparent, so that the light reaches the light transmission line 11 of the internal LAN cable 10a no matter what angle the light enters.
For this reason, even if the first connector 20 is connected to the female connector of the PC, if the light emitter 40 is applied from the side and irradiated with light, the light is transmitted through the main body 21. It reaches the light transmission line 11 and can be sent to the second connector 30.

The light receiver 50 receives light emitted from the second connector 30 or the light transmission line 11 inside the second connector 30.
The light receiver 50 only needs to have a function of detecting light. For example, a phototransistor, a photodiode, a light detection sensor including these, or the like can be used.
Further, the light from the second connector 30 can be visually confirmed without providing a device such as the light receiver 50. In this case, the light receiver 50 can be omitted.

[End tracking method]
Next, an embodiment of the end tracking method of the present invention using the LAN cable of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
The light emitter 40 outputs light. This light is applied to the first connector 20.
Since the 1st connector 20 is transparent, the light is irradiated to the light transmission line 11 of the LAN cable 10 inserted in the inside.

The light transmission line 11 transmits the received light.
Inside the second connector 30, the light transmission line 11 of the inserted LAN cable 10 shines. Since the second connector 30 is transparent, it can be visually recognized from the outside that the light transmission line 11 is shining.
The light receiver 50 detects the light of the light transmission line 11 shining inside the second connector 30.
As a result, both ends of the LAN cable 10 are confirmed.

As described above, according to the LAN cable according to the present embodiment and the end tracking method using the LAN cable, the optical signal is output at the opposite end by inputting the optical signal to one end of the LAN cable. Yes, both ends of the LAN cable can be confirmed.
This makes it easy to find the other end of the LAN cable with one end connected to a PC or router.
In addition, since an optical signal is used as the survey signal, both ends of the LAN cable can be confirmed without affecting the electrical signal used in the signal line (twisted pair line).

[Second Embodiment of LAN Cable]
Next, a second embodiment of the LAN cable of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing the configuration of the LAN cable of the present embodiment.
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the number of signal lines. That is, in the first embodiment, there is one light transmission line, whereas in the present embodiment, there are a plurality of light transmission lines. Other components are the same as those in the first embodiment.
Therefore, in FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Here, the LAN cable 10b has light transmission lines 11 (11-1 to 11-m), signal lines 12 (12-1 to 12-n), and a covering layer 13, as shown in FIG. is doing.
A plurality of light transmission lines 11 are arranged. The arrangement position is not particularly limited. However, it is desirable that at least one light transmission line 11 is disposed substantially at the center of the radial cross section of the LAN cable 10b.
The light transmission line 11 can be formed using an optical cable, for example.
Furthermore, instead of the light transmission line 11, a light transmission material can be filled in the coating layer 13. Similar to the light transmission line 11, the light transmitting material has a function of transmitting light input from one end to the other end and outputting it.

When the LAN cable has such a configuration, it is possible to easily grasp which PC each LAN cable connected to the router or the like is connected to by passing light through the light transmission line of the LAN cable.
In particular, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of light transmission lines are used, the amount of light emitted from the second connector increases, so that light can be easily found.

Furthermore, since one of the plurality of light transmission lines is arranged at the center of the radial cross section of the LAN cable, the surrounding signal lines and the like can be stably arranged, so that the LAN cable can be easily arranged. Can be formed.
Further, if the light transmission line arranged at the center of the radial cross section of the LAN cable is a central light transmission line, and the light transmission line arranged around the central light transmission line is an ambient light transmission line, this ambient light By arranging the transmission line and the signal line at a position symmetrical to the central light transmission line, the LAN cable can be formed more easily.

[Third embodiment of LAN cable]
Next, a third embodiment of the LAN cable of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the LAN cable of this embodiment.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in whether or not there is a light transmitting material between the signal line and the coating layer. That is, in the first embodiment, the space between the signal line and the coating layer is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the light transmitting material is filled. Other components are the same as those in the first embodiment.
Therefore, in FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the LAN cable 10 c includes a light transmission line 11, signal lines 12 (12-1 to 12-n), a covering layer 13, and a light transmission material 14.
The light transmissive material 14 is a light transmissive member according to the present invention, and is made of a light transmissive material that can be filled between the light transmissive line 11 and the plurality of signal lines 12 and the coating layer 13. It has a function of transmitting light. For this reason, the connection destination can be traced also by passing light through the light transmitting material 14.
Here, the light transmissive material 14 may be any member as long as it has a light transmission function and can fill the gaps between the light transmissive lines 11 and the plurality of signal lines 12 inside the coating layer 13. For example, an optical fiber similar to the light transmission line 11 or other members having a light transmission function can be used.
The light transmitting material 14 can be formed of a material such as fluorinated polyimide (FLAPI), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or quartz glass. Further, a brightening material such as a fluorescent material can be mixed.

If the LAN cable has such a configuration, since the light transmitting member is provided, it is possible to determine which PC each LAN cable connected to the router or the like is connected to by passing light through the light transmitting member. Easy to grasp.
In particular, since the light transmissive material 14 is filled inside the coating layer 13, the light transmissive material 14 enters the gap between the light transmissive line 11 and the plurality of signal lines 12. It is possible to increase the amount of light, and the light transmission can be easily visually recognized.
Moreover, since the light transmissive material 14 only needs to be injected and filled inside the coating layer 13, the LAN cable according to the present embodiment can be easily formed, and the manufacturing cost does not increase.

[Method of forming LAN cable]
Next, a method for forming a LAN cable will be described.
The LAN cables 10a to 10c in the above-described embodiments can be formed using a general extruder or the like by a method such as extrusion, wire drawing, or drawing.

Here, when the LAN cable 10 of the present invention is compared with the LAN cable 100 described in each of the above-mentioned patent documents, the present invention in which a line is arranged at the approximate center of the radial cross section of the LAN cable 10 It is easier to manufacture than the LAN cable described in the patent literature that is not arranged. This is because the surrounding signal lines 12 are stably arranged with each other due to the light transmission line 11 in the center. Thereby, cost can also be suppressed.
On the other hand, if there is no line at the center, a plurality of lines must be held in a state of being arranged on the circumference. For this reason, it becomes unstable arrangement | positioning. Here, a new technique is required for stabilization. This increases the cost.

The LAN cable forming method described here can be applied to any of the LAN cables 10a to 10c in the first, second, and third embodiments described above.
And in comparison with the LAN cable 100 described in each patent document, the LAN cables 10a to 10c of the respective embodiments have an excellent effect that they can be easily formed and the cost can be suppressed.

As described above, according to the LAN cable, the end tracking device, the LAN cable forming method, and the end tracking method of the present embodiment, the LAN cable connected to the router or the like by passing light through the light transmitting member. You can easily grasp which PC is connected to each.
In addition, since the light transmission line is disposed at substantially the center of the radial cross section of the LAN cable, the LAN cable can be easily manufactured.

The preferred embodiments of the LAN cable, the end tracking device, the LAN cable forming method, and the end tracking method of the present invention have been described above. However, the LAN cable, the end tracking device, the LAN cable forming method, and the end according to the present invention have been described. It goes without saying that the tracking method is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the technology in which the LAN cable is provided with the light transmission line has been described. However, the technology is not limited to the LAN cable, and can be applied to other cables.

  Since the present invention relates to a LAN cable having a light transmission line, the present invention can be used for apparatuses and devices using the LAN cable.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the edge part tracking apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the LAN cable in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a connector. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the LAN cable in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the LAN cable in 3rd embodiment of this invention. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of a LAN cable described in Patent Document 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 End part tracking apparatus 10a-10c LAN cable 11 Optical transmission line 12 Signal line 13 Coating layer 14 Optical transmission member 20 First connector 30 Second connector 40 Light emitter 50 Light receiver

Claims (13)

One or more signal lines;
A light transmissive member for transmitting light;
A coating layer that covers the entire signal line and the light transmission member;
The LAN cable, wherein the light transmitting member is disposed at substantially the center of a radial cross section. The LAN cable according to claim 1, wherein the light transmission member is formed of a light transmission line. A light transmissive member disposed substantially at the center of the radial cross section is a central light transmissive member, and one or more light transmissive members are disposed as ambient light transmissive members around the central light transmissive member. The LAN cable according to claim 1 or 2. The LAN cable according to claim 3, wherein the ambient light transmitting member is formed of a light transmitting line disposed at a position that is symmetrical with respect to the central light transmitting member. The LAN cable according to claim 1, further comprising a light transmitting material filled inside the covering layer. A LAN cable having a light transmitting member;
A first connector attached to one end of the LAN cable;
A second connector attached to the other end of the LAN cable;
The main body of the second connector is formed to be transparent or translucent,
The end tracking device, wherein the light transmitting member has an exposed portion at an end reaching the second connector, and emits light input from the first connector at the exposed portion. The end tracking device according to claim 6, further comprising a light emitter that transmits light to the first connector. The end tracking device according to claim 6, further comprising a light receiver that receives light emitted from the second connector. The end tracking device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the LAN cable comprises the LAN cable according to any one of claims 1 to 5. One or more signal lines;
A light transmissive member for transmitting light;
A coating layer covering the entire signal line and the light transmission member;
The light transmissive member is disposed substantially at the center of the radial cross section,
A LAN cable forming method characterized by forming a LAN cable. The LAN cable forming method according to claim 10, wherein the LAN cable is formed by filling the inside of the covering layer with a light transmitting material. Input light from the first connector attached to one end of the LAN cable,
Transmitting the light through a light transmissive member of the LAN cable;
The end tracking method, wherein the light transmitting member emits light inside a second connector attached to the other end of the LAN cable. The end tracking method according to claim 12, wherein light output from a light emitter is input from the first connector.

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