JP2010153133A - Cable - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology capable of improving connection confirming efficiency of a cable. <P>SOLUTION: This cable includes a transmission line 3, an optical fiber 4 extending along the transmission line 3, and a connector 5 fixing the ends of the transmission line 3 and the optical fiber 4 and having permeability of light. The connector 5 has a latch 6, and a tag 6a which is provided at the end of the optical fiber 4 so as to intercept the optical path of the optical fiber 4 and is movable in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the optical path of the optical fiber 4 conjointly with the latch 6. Furthermore, the tag 6a includes a reflective part 7 to reflect light from the optical fiber 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cable, and more particularly to a technique effective when applied to a LAN (Local Area Network) cable.

  There are various types of LAN cables for connecting a PC (Personal Computer) to a hub (HUB), a broadband router, and the like in a computer network. The LAN cable is also referred to as a twisted pair cable, and its structure is formed by twisting two transmission lines (for example, copper wires covered with an insulator) that transmit electric signals in order to reduce the influence of noise. . For example, since the LAN cable includes eight transmission lines, the LAN cable has four twisted pair cables and a covering that covers them.

  In Patent Document 1, an optical fiber is provided in a cable, light is input from one end of the optical fiber, and a target cable is connected from a plurality of cables by light output from the other end. A technique for identifying is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 2, a cable having a transmission line and a covering covering the transmission line has a light source that emits light, and the cable is specified from an arbitrary part such as the middle of the cable from one end of the cable. A possible technique is disclosed.

JP 2005-166317 A JP 2005-166317 A

  For example, in computer networks, as the number of PCs such as information terminals increases, the number of cables connecting them increases. In a situation where a large number of cables are constructed as described above, the efficiency (connection confirmation efficiency) related to the connection to connect or disconnect the cable is reduced in the construction involving reconnection or extension of the cable.

  For example, in a state where a large number of cables are laid, it is difficult to determine whether or not the partner terminal is connected. Also, when a large number of cables are bundled or when they are drawn into the wall of a room, it is difficult to specify a desired cable.

  The objective of this invention is providing the technique which can improve the connection confirmation efficiency of a cable.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows. A cable according to the present invention includes a transmission line, an optical fiber extending along the transmission line, a connector that fixes an end of the transmission line and the optical fiber, and has a light transmission property. A connector is provided at the end of the optical fiber so as to block the optical path of the optical fiber, and a tag part that is interlocked with the latch part and movable in a direction intersecting the optical path direction of the optical fiber, The tag portion includes a reflection portion that reflects light from the optical fiber.

  When the connector is connected, the reflecting portion is in the optical path of the optical fiber, and when the connector is not connected, the reflecting portion is outside the optical path of the optical fiber. As a result, light incident on one of the connectors is reflected if the other connector is connected, and is not reflected if the other connector is not connected, so that the connection status of the other connector can be confirmed.

  Further, the connector includes a light semi-transmissive body provided in the optical path direction of the optical fiber, and the tag is a light semi-transmissive body. As a result, the light incident on one of the connectors is diffusely reflected only by the tag if the other connector is connected, and is irregularly reflected by the tag and the semi-transmissive body if not connected. Can be identified.

  The covering for covering the transmission line and the optical fiber has light transmission properties, and the optical fiber is cut. As a result, light incident on one of the connectors leaks in the middle of the cable, so that the target cable can be specified.

  If the effect obtained by the representative one of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described, the cable connection confirmation efficiency can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiments, and the repetitive description thereof may be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
In the present embodiment, description will be made by applying to a LAN cable (hereinafter referred to as a cable). FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the cable 1 is connected. FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector 5 of the cable 1, and shows (a) a non-connected state and (b) a connected state. FIG. 3 is a top view of the connector 5 of the cable 1. FIG. 4 is a front view of the connector 5 of the cable 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cable 1 (cable portion 2), and is a cross-sectional view that intersects the direction in which the cable portion 2 extends. Since the outer portion (frame portion) of the connector 5 is light transmissive, the inner portion is shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and some members are shown for ease of explanation. It is hatched.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the cable 1 includes a cable portion 2 having a plurality of transmission lines 3 (eight in FIG. 5) and transmission cores (optical fibers 4 in the present embodiment) extending along therewith. And a connector 5 fixed to both ends of the cable portion 2. The transmission line 3 and the optical fiber 4 are wrapped with a covering 2a made of, for example, polyethylene resin.

  In the present embodiment, the optical fiber 4 is applied as the transmission core, but a core formed of a material having light transmission properties may be used. Further, when the core is coated, this coating may be transparent. The transmission core may be any material that can transmit light.

  In the transmission line 3, for example, a copper wire 3 a that transmits an electric signal is covered with an insulator 3 b (for example, polyethylene resin). Two transmission lines 3 are twisted together. In addition, the transmission core is a core formed of a material having a light transmission property, and is an optical fiber 4 in the present embodiment. In the optical fiber 4, an optical fiber 4a composed of a core and a clad is covered with a covering 4b. In the present embodiment, since the optical fiber 4 is used as the core of the cable portion 2, the optical fiber 4 is arranged to be the center of the cable portion 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cable 1 has a connector 5 at one end inserted into the connection port of the hub 50 and a connector 5 at the other end inserted into the connection port of the PC 51 to connect the hub 50 and the PC 51 to each other. Connected. Thus, a computer network is configured (laid) by the plurality of cables 1, the hub 50, the PC 51, and the like. In FIG. 1, the cable 1a shows a case where the connector 5 on one end side is connected to the hub 50 and the connector 5 on the other end side is not connected.

  Once the cable 1 is laid and connected, the connection relationship becomes complicated, and it may be unclear which cable 1 is connected. For example, in a state where a large number of cables 1 are laid, it is difficult to determine whether or not a partner terminal is connected. For this reason, in a situation where a large number of cables 1 are constructed, the efficiency (connection confirmation efficiency) related to connection for connecting or disconnecting the cable 1 is reduced in construction involving reconnection or expansion of the cable 1. It is.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, for example, a connector 5 whose outer shape made of plastic has light transmission properties fixes the ends of the transmission line 3 and the optical fiber 4. The optical fiber 4 entering the inside from the back side of the connector 5 ends at a groove portion 8 formed in the connector 5 by, for example, cutting. Further, the transmission line 3 entering the inside from the back side of the connector 5 passes under the groove portion 8 in the connector 5, is supported by the support portion 9, and terminates on the front side of the connector 5. An external electrode 10 (contact point) is provided on the front side of the connector 5, and the copper wire 3 a of the transmission line 3 and the external electrode 10 are electrically connected.

  Further, the connector 5 has a latch portion 6 for performing insertion / extraction with respect to the connection port, and a tag portion 6a movable in conjunction with the latch portion 6 at the time of insertion / extraction. The tag portion 6a is provided at an end portion of the optical fiber 4 so as to block the optical path (light route) of the optical fiber 4, and in conjunction with the latch portion 6, the optical path direction of the optical fiber 4 (left and right direction in the figure) It is movable in the intersecting direction (vertical direction). The tag portion 6a is a semi-transparent material that emits light when light passes, and is made of, for example, plastic to which a fluorescent material is added.

  In a state where the connector 5 is connected, the latch portion 6 is pushed, and the tag portion 6a moves downward. On the other hand, in a disconnected state, the latch portion 6 is not pushed and the tag portion 6a moves upward. Therefore, the tag portion 6 a provided in the latch portion 6 is movable in a direction (vertical direction) intersecting the optical path direction of the optical fiber 4 in the groove portion 8 formed in the connector 5. A reflection portion 7 is formed on the tag 6a.

  The reflecting portion 7 is finished to a mirror surface, and is, for example, a metal film having transparency (for example, about 50%) or colored in a metal color, and reflects light. In a state where the connector 5 is connected (FIG. 2B), the reflecting portion 7 faces the optical path direction of the optical fiber 4, and in a state where the connector 5 is not connected (FIG. 2A), the optical fiber 4 The reflective portion 7 is provided on the tag portion 6a so that the reflective portion 7 does not face the optical path direction. As described above, the latch portion 6 has a structure in which when the connector 5 is inserted into the hub 50 or the PC 51, the reflecting portion 7 (mirror finish surface) bites into the optical fiber 4 (transmission core).

  Further, the connector 5 has a light semi-transmissive body 11 that emits light slightly when light passes in the optical path direction of the optical fiber 4. The semi-transmissive body 11 is made of, for example, a plastic to which a fluorescent material is added. The semi-transmissive body 11 is provided so as to extend from the groove 8 to the front side of the connector 5 in the optical path direction of the optical fiber 4. For this reason, the groove 8 is provided so as to block between the optical fiber 4 and the semi-transmissive body 11.

  Next, in a state where a large number of cables 1 are laid, the connector 5a on one end side (self side) is disconnected, and light is irradiated from there to connect the connector 5b on the other end side (partner side). A method for determining whether or not there is will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view when the mating connector 5b is not connected, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when the mating connector 5b is connected. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the state in which the translucent body 11 and the tag portion 6 a emit light is indicated by hatching.

  First, the case where the mating connector 5b is not connected will be described (see FIG. 6). Light from the light source 52 enters from the front side of the connector 5a, passes through the semi-transparent body 11 and the tag portion 6a, and becomes an optical path that exits to the optical fiber 4 (indicated by an arrow in the figure). By the passage of this light, the connector 5a emits light from the translucent body 11 and the tag portion 6a made of plastic to which a fluorescent material is added. For example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode) can be applied to the light source 52.

  The light from the optical fiber 4 enters from the back side of the mating connector 5b, passes through the tag portion 6a and the semi-transmissive body 11, and reaches the front side of the connector 5b. This is because when the connector 5b is not connected, the reflecting portion 7 does not face the optical path direction of the optical fiber 4. In other words, the reflecting portion 7 is located outside the optical path of the optical fiber 4. As a result of this passage of light (irregular reflection), the connector 5b emits light from the translucent body 11 and the tag portion 6a made of plastic to which a fluorescent material is added. Thus, since the mating connector 5b emits light, the target cable 1 can be specified even when a plurality of cables 1 are laid.

  Next, the case where the mating connector 5b is connected will be described (see FIG. 7). Light from the light source 52 enters from the front side of the connector 5a, passes through the semi-transparent body 11 and the tag portion 6a, and becomes an optical path that exits to the optical fiber 4 (indicated by an arrow in the figure). By the passage of this light, the connector 5a emits light from the translucent body 11 and the tag portion 6a made of plastic to which a fluorescent material is added.

  Further, the light from the optical fiber 4 enters from the back side of the mating connector 5b, is reflected by the reflecting portion 7 of the tag portion 6a, and becomes an optical path that exits from the back side of the connector 5b to the optical fiber 4. That is, it does not pass through the semipermeable body 11. This is because the reflecting portion 7 faces the optical path direction of the optical fiber 4 in a state where the connector 5b is connected. In other words, the reflecting part 7 is located in the optical path of the optical fiber 4. Due to the passage of light (irregular reflection), the connector 5b emits light only from the tag portion 6a made of plastic to which a fluorescent material is added. Thus, since the mating connector 5b emits light, the target cable 1 can be specified even when a plurality of cables 1 are laid.

  Furthermore, the light reflected from the reflection part 7 of the connector 5b (returned light) enters from the back side of the connector 5a, passes through the tag part 6a and the semi-transmissive body 11, and reaches the front side of the connector 5a. To do. For this reason, the tag part 6a and the translucent body 11 of the connector 5a shine about twice as strongly as the connector 5b by the light from the light source 52 and the light reflected from the reflection part 7 of the connector 5b.

  When the mating connector 5b is not connected (see FIG. 6) and when the mating connector 5b is connected (see FIG. 7), the lighting of the own connector 5a is different. The way of shining is stronger when it is connected than when it is not connected. Thus, since the connection status of the other party can be confirmed by the intensity of light, the connection confirmation efficiency of the cable 1 can be improved. Further, since it is possible to prevent the connected cable 1 from being accidentally disconnected, the connection reliability can be improved.

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, the case where the cable 1 described in the first embodiment is cut into the cable portion 2 will be described. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cable 21 (cable part 2), and shows a cross section that intersects the direction in which the cable part 2 extends.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the cable 21 in the present embodiment has a cut portion 4c (shown by hatching in FIG. 8) in the covering 4b so that the optical fiber 4 is cut around the fiber strand 4a. Is formed. The covering 2a that covers the optical fiber 4 and the transmission line 3 has transparency. Further, the cut portions 4 c are formed at predetermined intervals with respect to the length of the cable portion 2. If light is allowed to pass through the cable 21, the light is diffusely reflected by the cut portion 4 c, so that light leaks to the outside of the cable 1.

  Thus, since light leaks from the cut portion 4c inserted in the middle of the cable portion 21, the target cable 21 can be specified even in a laid state (see, for example, FIG. 1) (discrimination) Therefore, the connection confirmation efficiency of the cable 21 can be improved. Moreover, in this Embodiment, the optical fiber 4 which has the cut | notch part 4c is arrange | positioned so that it may become the center of the cable part 2. FIG. For this reason, when light leaks from the optical fiber 4, the light leaks isotropically from the center of the cable portion 2, and the target cable 21 can be easily specified.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the case where light is emitted from the light source 52 without connecting the connector 5a on one end side (self side) of the cable 1 has been described with reference to FIGS. The same effect can be obtained even when connected. Specifically, for example, an LED as a light source 52 and a light emitting switch thereof may be disposed at each connection port of the hub 50, and light may be emitted to the connector 5a while the connector 5a is connected. At this time, the reflection part 7 is not provided in the connector 5a on the hub 50 side. Moreover, the tag part 6a used for the connector 5a on the hub 50 side may be a highly transmissive one. This is because light is allowed to reach the connector 5 b on the other end side from the connector 5 a on one end side of the cable 1.

  Further, for example, in the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the case where the plurality of transmission lines 3 pass under the groove portion 8 has been described. However, the groove portion 8 is provided between the plurality of transmission lines 3. Also good.

  The present invention is widely used in the manufacturing technology of cables, particularly LAN cables.

It is a figure for demonstrating the state by which the cable was connected. It is a side view of the connector of the cable in one embodiment of the present invention, and shows (a) the state at the time of non-connection, and (b) the state at the time of connection. FIG. 3 is a top view of the connector of the cable of FIG. 2. It is a front view of the connector of the cable of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the cable of FIG. 2, and is sectional drawing which cross | intersects the direction where a cable part is extended. It is explanatory drawing about the case where the other party connector is unconnected. It is explanatory drawing about the case where the other party connector is connected. It is sectional drawing of the cable in other embodiment of this invention, and the cross section which cross | intersects the direction where a cable part is extended is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a Cable 2 Cable part 2a Cover 3 Transmission line 3a Copper wire 3b Insulator 4 Optical fiber (transmission core)
4a Optical fiber 4b Cover 4c Cut portion 5, 5a, 5b Connector 6 Latch portion 6a Tag portion 7 Reflection portion 8 Groove portion 9 Support portion 10 External electrode 11 Translucent body 21 Cable 50 Hub 51 PC
52 Light source

Claims (4)

A transmission line;
An optical fiber extending along the transmission line;
The transmission line and the end of the optical fiber are fixed, and a connector having light transparency,
The connector is
A latch part;
A tag portion provided at an end portion of the optical fiber so as to block the optical path of the optical fiber, interlocked with the latch portion, and movable in a direction crossing the optical path direction of the optical fiber,
The cable, wherein the tag portion includes a reflection portion that reflects light from the optical fiber. At the time of connecting the connector, the reflection portion is in the optical path of the optical fiber,
The cable according to claim 1, wherein the reflection portion is outside the optical path of the optical fiber when the connector is not connected. The connector includes a semi-transparent body of light provided in an optical path direction of the optical fiber;
The cable according to claim 2, wherein the tag portion is a light semi-transmissive body. The covering for covering the transmission line and the optical fiber has light permeability,
The cable according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is cut.

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