JP6705226B2 - Interior parts for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector and an interior part using the same, and more specifically, to an optical fiber connector for holding an end portion of an optical fiber woven fabric in which an optical fiber is woven as a weaving thread and mounting it on a light source or the like. The present invention relates to interior parts using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional optical fiber woven fabric, there is known an optical fiber woven fabric which includes an optical fiber as a warp or a weft and is woven with ordinary yarn. Such an optical fiber woven fabric can be used as, for example, a lighting device, a lighting device, or the like. In order to emit light from the optical fiber forming the optical fiber fabric, it is necessary to attach a light source using, for example, an LED to the end of the optical fiber. Therefore, in Patent Document 1 below, a light guide cylinder that is arranged to face the LED light source is proposed. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, a cylindrical light guiding cylinder for fixing an optical fiber is disclosed. It is disclosed that the end portion of the optical fiber woven as a warp is bundled and press-fitted to the light guide cylinder to be fixed.

JP, 2010-267573, A

As a specific procedure for fixing the above-mentioned optical fiber to the light guide cylinder, for example, the following procedure can be considered. That is, the weft yarn at the end of the optical fiber woven fabric is removed to prepare the optical fiber length at the end, and after that, the end of the optical fiber is constrained and passed through the light guiding cylinder, and then the light guiding After masking the cylindrical body and applying an adhesive, after curing the adhesive, unnecessary ends are cut to align the end faces of the optical fibers, and the end faces of the optical fibers are polished to complete the process.
However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to attach the optical fiber to the light guiding cylinder, the steps of restraining the end portion of the optical fiber, the step of adhering with an adhesive, and the end surfaces of the optical fiber are aligned. A step of cutting the end is necessary. For this reason, there are many work processes, and particularly when the work is performed manually, there are many complicated works. Therefore, the stability of the product quality may be insufficient, and the cost may increase.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and improves the workability of mounting an optical fiber, stabilizes the quality, and reduces the cost, and the optical fiber connector. The present invention aims to provide an interior part mounted on an optical fiber fabric.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is as follows.
The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber connector is for performing light distribution, and an incident part to which light is incident from the outside and a direction different from the incident direction of the light incident from the incident part. A main body having a reflecting portion that reflects light and an emitting portion that emits the light reflected by the reflecting portion; and a holding portion that collectively holds a plurality of optical fibers, and the holding portion is the main body. A first holding part that is integrated on the side of the emitting part, and is attached to the first holding part, and a plurality of optical fibers are emitted from the emitting part between the first holding part. And a second holding unit that holds the light so that the light is distributed and is incident on the plurality of optical fibers.
The optical fiber connector according to a second aspect is the optical fiber connector according to the first aspect, wherein the first holding portion is located between the first holding portion and the second holding portion. The gist of the present invention is that an engaging portion for mounting the two holding portions by engagement is formed.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber connector according to the first or second aspect, the holding portion is configured to hold the tip portions of the plurality of optical fibers held in parallel. Use as a summary.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the optical fiber connector according to any one of the first to third aspects, the optical axis of the incident part and the optical axis of the output part are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other. The main point is that.
An optical fiber connector according to a fifth aspect is the optical fiber connector according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the reflecting portion emits the light incident from the incident portion once for each of the emitting portions. The gist of the present invention is to have a plurality of reflecting surfaces that exit from.
An optical fiber connector according to a sixth aspect is the optical fiber connector according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the reflecting section reflects the light incident from the incident section a plurality of times, and outputs the light. The gist of the present invention is to have a plurality of reflecting surfaces that exit from.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the optical fiber connector according to the sixth aspect, the plurality of reflecting surfaces are outer surfaces of the main body, and a reflecting film is formed on the outer surfaces. Use as a summary.
The interior component according to claim 8, a woven fabric including a plurality of side-light-emitting optical fibers as warp yarns and/or weft yarns,
An optical fiber connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The gist is that the end portions of the plurality of optical fibers are collectively held by the holding portion of the optical fiber connector.

The optical fiber connector of the present invention is an optical fiber connector for distributing light, and includes an incident part on which light is incident from the outside and a reflection that reflects the light incident from the incident part in a direction different from the incident direction. And a holding unit that holds a plurality of optical fibers collectively, and the holding unit is integrated on the emitting unit side of the main body. The plurality of optical fibers mounted between the first holding portion and the first holding portion, and the plurality of optical fibers are distributed between the first holding portion, and the light emitted from the light emitting portion is distributed to the plurality of optical fibers. And a second holding portion that holds the sheet as described above.
As a result, in the optical fiber connector of the present invention, the workability of mounting the optical fiber can be improved, and the quality can be stabilized and the cost can be reduced. That is, a plurality of optical fibers can be collectively held by mounting the second holding part on the first holding part. Therefore, compared to the case where the steps of restraining the ends of the optical fibers, the step of bonding with an adhesive, the steps of cutting the ends to align the end faces of the optical fibers, etc. It is possible to significantly improve the quality, stabilize the quality, and reduce the cost.
In addition, when an engaging portion for mounting the second holding portion by engaging with the first holding portion is formed between the first holding portion and the second holding portion, It is possible to simplify the workability when mounting the second holding portion to the holding portion, and further stabilize the quality and reduce the cost.
Furthermore, when the holding unit is configured to hold the tips of the plurality of optical fibers held in parallel to each other, compared to the case of performing the step of cutting the ends to align the end faces of the optical fibers, It is possible to improve workability when mounting a plurality of optical fibers, and further stabilize quality and reduce costs.
Also, when the optical axis of the incident part and the optical axis of the emitting part are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other, when the optical axis of the incident part and the optical axis of the emitting part are arranged linearly or in parallel. Compared with, it is possible to improve the mountability of the optical fiber connector at the use location.
Further, in the case where the reflecting portion has a plurality of reflecting surfaces that respectively emit the light incident from the incident portion from the emitting portion with one reflection, the incident light is emitted with almost no attenuation, so that the loss of the light amount is caused. Can be suppressed.
Further, in the case where the reflecting portion has a plurality of reflecting surfaces which respectively emit the light incident from the incident portion from the emitting portion by a plurality of reflections, when only the reflecting surface which emits the incident light by one reflection is provided. Compared with, the configuration can be simplified and the cost increase of the optical fiber connector can be suppressed.
Further, when the plurality of reflecting surfaces are the outer surface of the main body and the outer surface is provided with the reflecting film, the configuration can be further simplified, and the cost increase of the optical fiber connector can be suppressed. it can.
The interior component of the present invention includes the above-mentioned optical fiber connector. Therefore, the effects of the above-described optical fiber connector can be similarly obtained.

The present invention is further explained in the following detailed description with reference to the several drawings referred to, by way of non-limiting examples of typical embodiments according to the present invention, wherein like reference numerals are used in the drawings. Similar parts are shown through several figures.
It is an exploded perspective view explaining an example (Example 1) of an optical fiber connector of the present invention. It is an exploded perspective view explaining other examples (Example 2) of the connector for optical fibers of the present invention. It is an exploded perspective view explaining other examples (Example 3) of an optical fiber connector of the present invention. It is a perspective view explaining an example (Examples 1-3) of an optical fiber connector of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining an example (Examples 1-3) of the connector for optical fibers of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view explaining other examples (Example 4) of an optical fiber connector of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining other examples (Example 4) of the connector for optical fibers of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view explaining other examples (Example 5) of an optical fiber connector of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining other examples (Example 5) of the connector for optical fibers of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view explaining other examples (Example 6) of an optical fiber connector of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining other examples (Example 6) of the connector for optical fibers of this invention. It is a perspective view explaining an example of the interior member of the present invention.

The matters shown here are for the purpose of exemplifying the description of the exemplary embodiments and the embodiments of the present invention, and are the explanations by which the principle and conceptual features of the present invention can be most effectively and effortlessly understood. It is mentioned for the purpose of providing what you think. In this respect, it is not intended to present the structural details of the invention more than to the extent necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, and the description taken in conjunction with the drawings may explain some aspects of the invention. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how it is actually implemented.

<Optical fiber connector>
The optical fiber connector according to the present embodiment is an optical fiber connector (1) for performing light distribution, and includes a main body (10) and a holding portion (40) (see, for example, FIGS. 1 to 3 ). ).
The main body (10) has an incident part (12) on which light is incident from the outside, a reflection part (13) that reflects the light incident from the incident part (12) in a direction different from the incident direction, and a reflection part ( And an emission part (14) for emitting the light reflected by 13).
The holding part (40) holds a plurality of optical fibers (3a) collectively, and a first holding part (20) integrated on the side of the emitting part (14) of the main body (10) and a first holding part. The plurality of optical fibers (3a) are attached to the part (20), and the plurality of optical fibers (3a) are distributed between the first holding part (20) and the light emitted from the emitting part (14). And a second holding part (30) for holding the second holding part (30).

In the case of the above-mentioned form, for example, between the first holding part (20) and the second holding part (30), the second holding part (30) with respect to the first holding part (20). ) Is formed by engagement (see, for example, FIGS. 1 to 3).

In the case of the above-mentioned form, for example, the holding portion (40) can be configured to hold the leading end portions of the plurality of optical fibers (3a) held in parallel.

As the optical fiber connector according to the present embodiment, for example, the optical axis (12x) of the incident part (12) and the optical axis (14x) of the output part (14) are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other. it can.

In the optical fiber connector according to the present embodiment, for example, the reflection part (13) has a plurality of reflection surfaces (e.g., a plurality of reflection surfaces that emit the light incident from the incidence part (12) from the emission part (14) with one reflection. 13a).

In the optical fiber connector according to the present embodiment, for example, the reflection part (13) has a plurality of reflection surfaces (e.g. 13b).

In the case of the above-mentioned form, for example, the plurality of reflecting surfaces (13b) can be configured to be the outer surface of the main body (10) and the reflecting film (13b) is formed on the outer surface.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described by way of examples with reference to the drawings.
(1) Configuration of optical fiber connector [Example 1]
1, 4, and 5 show an optical fiber connector 1 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “connector”) according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second holding portion 30 is engaged with the first holding portion 20. FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a light guide state in the first embodiment.

The connector 1 according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1, 4, and 5) is a connector 1 that performs light distribution. The connector 1 has a main body 10 and a holding portion 40. In the first embodiment, the main body 10 and the first holding portion 20 are integrally formed.
The main body 10 has a function of taking in a light beam emitted from the light source 2 (for example, an LED light source) and adjusting the direction of the optical axis so that the light can be incident from the ends of the plurality of optical fibers 3a held by the holding unit 40. Is a part having.
The holding portion 40 is a portion that holds the plurality of optical fibers 3a of the optical fiber fabric 3 collectively, and is a portion that guides the light from the light source 2 to each optical fiber 3a via the main body 10. The holding unit 40 includes a first holding unit 20 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “first holding unit”) and a second holding unit 30 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “second holding unit”). ing.

The main body 10 can be formed using a translucent material. As a matter of course, the portion that does not need the light-transmitting property can be formed using a non-light-transmitting material.
The type of the translucent material is not limited, and may be an organic material, an inorganic material, or a composite material thereof. As the organic material, a translucent resin, a translucent elastomer or the like can be used. Glass or the like can be used as the inorganic material. Among these, a translucent resin is preferable, and for example, polycarbonate, acrylic resin (translucent acrylic resin) or the like can be preferably used.

Although the specific shape of the main body 10 is not limited, in the first embodiment, the main body 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the horizontal direction, and has a plurality of concave portions 11 cut out in a mountain shape (triangular prism shape) on the back side thereof. By having the plurality of recesses 11, the plurality of prism-shaped protrusions 15 protruding in the rearward direction are formed in a mountain shape (triangular prism shape) so as to be sandwiched between the recesses 11. The convex portion 15 formed by the notch of the concave portion 11 is a cut lens, and the inclined surface inside the convex portion 15 can be made to function as the reflecting surface 13a, and the rear surface side of the main body 10 as a whole can emit light. It functions as a reflecting portion 13 for reflecting.
Further, in addition to the above-mentioned reflection portion 13, the main body 10 has an incident portion 12 and an emission portion 14, and when light is incident on the incident portion 12 from the outside, the reflection portion 13 has a direction different from the incident direction. It is configured so that the light is reflected to the head and the light reflected by the reflecting portion 13 can be emitted from the emitting portion 14.

The incident part 12 is formed on one end face of the main body 10 in the longitudinal direction, and the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction is the optical axis direction of the incident light. The incident part 12 has an incident surface 12a that is orthogonal to the optical axis 12x of the incident light. The light source 2 is provided facing the incident surface 12a, and the light beam emitted from the light source 2 can enter the incident surface 12a. ing.

It is provided in the longitudinal direction of the reflecting portion 13 and the main body 10 in the same range as the emitting portion 14 or in a range wider than the emitting portion 14.
Each convex portion 15 has a reflecting surface 13a as an inner inclined surface, and is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis incident from the incident portion 12 so that light can be easily taken into the convex portion 15. And the light-transmitting surface 15a arranged as described above. The reflecting surface 13a is provided so as to be inclined (for example, 45 degrees) with respect to the optical axis 12x of the incident light (see FIGS. 1 and 5) and the optical axis 14x of the emitted light (see FIG. 5). The optical axis 12x can be changed to the optical axis 14x of the emitted light by reflection. Therefore, a part of the incident light incident from the incident part 12 is reflected by the reflecting surface 13a toward the emitting part 14, and the unreflected incident light passes through the reflecting surface 13a and the light transmitting surface 15a to be adjacent to each other. It is incident on the reflecting surface 13 a of the convex portion 15. In the convex portion 15 as well, a part of the incident light is similarly reflected toward the emitting portion 14 at the reflecting surface 13 a, and the incident light that is not reflected is guided to the next convex portion 15. ing.

The emission part 14 is arranged such that the optical axis 12x of the incidence part 12 (see FIG. 5) and the optical axis 14x of the emission part 14 (see FIG. 5) are substantially orthogonal to each other. The end surface of the optical fiber 3a is arranged to face the emitting portion 14 as described later. The end surface of the optical fiber 3a and the surface of the emitting portion 14 are provided substantially parallel to each other, and the optical axis 14x of the emitting portion 14 and the optical axis 3x of the optical fiber 3a are arranged in a straight line. At this time, as the light ray that can be incident from the end face of the optical fiber 3a, the emitted light of the optical axis that is inclined up to about 55 degrees with respect to the optical axis 3x of the optical fiber 3a around the light ray that coincides with the optical axis 3x of the optical fiber 3a. Can be incident.
In the embodiment, one emitting unit 14 irradiates a plurality of optical fibers 3a with emitted light. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the emitting units 14 and the optical fibers 3a are provided in the same number in a one-to-one correspondence. You may be allowed to.

The first holding portion 20 of the holding portion 40 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the horizontal direction along the body 10, and is integrally formed on the emitting portion 14 side of the body 10 by being integrally formed. The first holding unit 20 has a holding surface 21 facing upward so as to hold the plurality of optical fibers 3a, and support walls 22 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The holding surface 21 is provided so as to be able to hold the side surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers 3 a that are provided in parallel facing the emitting portion 14 from below.
The material forming the main body 10 is usually a light-transmitting material, whereas the material forming the first holding unit 20 may or may not have a light-transmitting property. However, from the viewpoint that the main body 10 and the first holding unit 20 are integrally formed, the same material as the material forming the first holding unit 20 and the translucent material forming the main body 10 can be used.

The second holding part 30 of the holding part 40 is a part that opposes the first holding part 10 and holds the plurality of optical fibers 3a placed on the holding surface 21 together (see FIG. 4). Specifically, it is flat and elongated and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Engagement protrusions 31 that are engageable with the engagement grooves 22 a of the first holding portion 20 are formed at both ends of the second holding portion 30 in the longitudinal direction. There is. By engaging the engaging projections 31 with the engaging grooves 22a, the second holding unit 30 is engaged with the first holding unit 20 and collectively collects the plurality of optical fibers 3a placed on the holding surface 21. The first holding portion 20 and the second holding portion 30 are sandwiched and held. Accordingly, the holding unit 40 can hold the plurality of optical fibers 3a so that the light emitted from the emitting unit 14 is distributed and incident on the plurality of optical fibers 3a.
The engagement protrusion 31 and the engagement groove 22a form the engagement portion 50 of the present invention. That is, the engaging portion 50 is formed between the first holding portion 20 and the second holding portion 30 so as to attach the second holding portion 30 to the first holding portion 20 by engagement. ..

The material forming the second holding unit 30 may or may not be translucent. Further, in the first embodiment, from the viewpoint of being formed separately from the main body 10 and the first holding portion 20, the material forming the second holding portion 30, the light transmitting material forming the main body 10 and the first holding portion 20. A material different from the conductive material can be used. That is, specifically, a non-translucent material can be used. Furthermore, since the second holding unit 30 has a configuration in which the optical fiber 3a is sandwiched between the second holding unit 30 and the first holding unit 20, a softer material (elastic material) than the first holding unit 20 can be used. Specifically, an elastomer and rubber (hard rubber) can be used. That is, as the material forming the second holding unit 30, a non-translucent elastomer, a non-translucent rubber, or the like can be used. When a non-translucent elastomer, a non-translucent rubber, or the like is used as the second holding portion 30, the frictional resistance with respect to the held optical fiber 3a becomes large, and the optical fiber 3a can be prevented from coming off.
In the first embodiment, an adhesive material may be interposed between these members in order to more firmly fix the first holding unit 20, the second holding unit 30, and the optical fiber 3a.

In the first embodiment, the concave portion 11 and the convex portion 15 forming the reflecting portion 13 are formed on the back surface of the main body 10. Therefore, the mold structure and the mold release for obtaining the main body 10 are easy, and in this respect, it is advantageous as compared with Examples 4 and 5 described later. Further, although Example 6 is further excellent in that the mold structure and mold release are easy, it is advantageous as compared with Example 6 in that light parallel to the optical fiber 3a can be efficiently formed. This advantage is also common to Examples 2 and 3 described later.

[Example 2]
2, 4 and 5 show a connector 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second holding portion 30 is engaged with the first holding portion 20. FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a light guide state in the second embodiment.

The connector 1 of the second embodiment differs from the connector 1 of the first embodiment in that the holding surface 21 has a holding groove 21a.
That is, the connector 1 of the second embodiment has the holding groove 21a on the holding surface 21 for individually engaging and holding the plurality of optical fibers 3a. This makes it possible to easily hold the optical axis 14x of the emitted light and the plurality of optical fibers 3a in parallel. That is, by providing the holding groove 21a, the light can be more surely incident on the end portion of each optical fiber 3a.
Except for the points described above, the connector 1 of the second embodiment can employ the configuration of the connector 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[Example 3]
3, 4, and 5 show a connector 1 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second holding portion 30 is engaged with the first holding portion 20. FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a light guide state in the third embodiment.

The connector 1 of the third embodiment differs from the connectors 1 of the first and second embodiments in that the second holding portion 30 is integrally formed with the first holding portion 20 via a hinge 41. ..
That is, in the connector 1 of the third embodiment, it is not necessary to separately prepare the second holding portion 30, and the connector 1 itself is integrally provided with the second holding portion 30. Therefore, there is no need to manage each part individually, which is convenient.

[Example 4]
6 and 7 show the connector 1 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light guide state in the fourth embodiment.

The connector 1 of Examples 1 to 3 includes the concave portion 11 and the convex portion 15 on the back surface side of the main body 10, whereas the connector 1 of the fourth exemplary embodiment includes the concave portion 11 and the convex portion on the first holding portion 20 side. The difference is that the unit 15 is provided. Even in such a form, the light from the light source 2 can be guided to the optical fiber 3a.
Further, according to this aspect, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the reflective film 13b can be provided. Specifically, the back surface of the main body 10 (rear surface with respect to the light emission direction), the side surface (side surface with respect to the light emission direction), the front surface of the support wall 22 of the first holding portion 20 (light emission direction). The front surface), the side surface of the support wall 22 of the first holding portion 20 (side surface with respect to the light emission direction), and the like can be provided with the reflection film 13b. When the reflection film 13b is provided, the reflection film 13b is, of course, provided on the side surface of the main body 10 that does not interfere with the incidence from the light source 2.
In this way, by providing the reflective film 13b, it is possible to prevent light taken from the light source 2 into the main body 10 from leaking to the outside of the main body 10 (leakage to the outside from the back surface and the side surface of the main body 10). Thus, the light can be confined in the main body 10, and the light can be effectively collected to the emitting portion 14.

The reflection film 13b may be formed by any method, but for example, a coating film formed by applying a white or silver paint can be used as the reflection film 13b. Further, a metal thin film formed by metal vapor deposition can be used as the reflective film 13b.

[Example 5]
8 and 9 show a connector 1 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a light guide state in the fifth embodiment.

The connector 1 of the fifth embodiment is different from the connector 1 of the fourth embodiment in that an emitting wall 141 is provided as a part of the emitting portion 14.
By providing the emission wall 141, the end face of the optical fiber 3a can be brought into contact with the emission wall 141, and the end faces can be aligned and easily held.
Further, the emission wall 141 can give a light diffusion effect to the emission section 14. In particular, by blending a light diffusing substance (for example, silica filler) in the emission wall 141, more effective light diffusion can be performed. That is, the light of the optical axis 12x that is incident from the light source 2 is reflected by the reflecting surface 13a, so that it can be made to travel to the optical axis 14x. Then, by diffusing the light having the optical axis 14x at the exit wall 141, it is possible to reduce the unevenness of the intensity of the light and to make an equal amount of light incident on each optical fiber 3a.

[Example 6]
10 and 11 show a connector 1 according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating a light guide state in the sixth embodiment.

The connector 1 of the sixth embodiment is different from the connector 1 of the other embodiments in that it does not have the concave portion 11 and the convex portion 15. The connector 1 of the sixth embodiment can be provided with the reflection film 13b. Specifically, the back surface of the main body 10 (rear surface with respect to the light emission direction), the side surface (side surface with respect to the light emission direction), the front surface of the support wall 22 of the first holding portion 20 (light emission direction). The front surface), the side surface of the support wall 22 of the first holding portion 20 (side surface with respect to the light emission direction), and the like can be provided with the reflection film 13b. When the reflection film 13b is provided, the reflection film 13b is, of course, provided on the side surface of the main body 10 that does not interfere with the incidence from the light source 2.
In this way, by providing the reflective film 13b, it is possible to prevent light taken from the light source 2 into the main body 10 from leaking to the outside of the main body 10 (leakage to the outside from the back surface and the side surface of the main body 10). Thus, the light can be effectively condensed by confining the light in the main body 10 and scattering the light.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention depending on the purpose and application. That is, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the reflecting surface 13a provided facing the incident portion 12 and the emitting portion 14 side has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the opposite side of the incident portion 12 and the emitting portion 14 side. The reflecting surface 13a may be provided so as to face it. Even in this case, the light beam emitted from the light source 2 can be reflected by the reflection surface 13 a and emitted from the emission unit 14. Further, the light reflected by the reflecting surface 13a to the side opposite to the emitting portion 14 is reflected by the reflecting film 13b and can finally be emitted from the emitting portion 14.

<Interior parts>
The interior component (5) according to the present embodiment comprises a woven fabric (3) including a plurality of side-light-emission optical fibers (3a) as warp and/or wefts, and the above-described optical fiber connector (1) of the present invention. Have.
The ends of the plurality of optical fibers (3a) are collectively held by the holding portion (40) of the optical fiber connector (1).

In the interior component 5 of the present invention, the form of the optical fiber connector 1 and the form of connection between the optical fiber 3a and the optical fiber connector 1 are as described above.
On the other hand, the woven fabric 3 is a fabric woven using warp yarns and weft yarns. Of these constituent yarns, the optical fiber 3a is used as part or all of the warp yarns and/or part or all of the weft yarns. In other words, in other words, the optical fiber 3a may be included as a part of the warp, may be the entire warp, may be included as a part of the weft, or may be the entire weft. When the optical fiber 3a is used as a part of the warp/weft, the ratio of the optical fiber 3a to the number of warps or the number of wefts is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 20% or more and 80% or less, 30% or more and 70% or less is more preferable.

The optical fiber 3a is a yarn that can enter light from one end of the yarn, can guide the incident light in the fiber, and can reach the other end of the fiber, and is a component yarn of the fabric 3. In addition, the optical fiber 3a used for the fabric 3 is an optical fiber capable of emitting side light. That is, it is an optical fiber that can emit light from its side surface while guiding light from one end to the other end. Specifically, various optical fiber yarns having a core-sheath structure (two-layer structure) including a core and a sheath (clad), and having different refractive indices between the core and the sheath can be used. The optical fiber 3a used for the woven fabric 3 is preferably a resin-made optical fiber 3a from the viewpoint of obtaining the characteristic that it can be woven. Specifically, for example, an optical fiber 3a having a core material mixed with a light scattering substance can be used. That is, the optical fiber 3a capable of emitting side light has a structure in which the scattered light is not totally reflected at the core-sheath interface and the scattered light leaks out from the side surface of the optical fiber 3a due to the mixing of the scattering substance. In such an optical fiber 3a, the side emission brightness can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of the light scattering substance mixed in the core material.
Although the diameter of the optical fiber 3a is not particularly limited, it may be, for example, 0.01 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, preferably 0.05 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and 0.1 mm or more, from the viewpoint of appropriately obtaining the weaving property. 1.0 mm or less is more preferable.

The other constituent threads other than the optical fiber forming the woven fabric 3 are not particularly limited, and an appropriate thread can be used. The material forming the yarn is not limited, and may be natural fiber or synthetic fiber. In the case of synthetic fibers, as the constituent resin, polyamide resins such as nylon 6 and nylon 66, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate and polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, polyacrylic resins Resin etc. are mentioned. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The fineness of the other constituent yarns is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 100 dtex or more and 1000 dtex or less, preferably 200 dtex or more and 700 dtex or less, and more preferably 300 dtex or more and 500 dtex or less.

The above examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the phraseology used in the description and illustration of the invention is explanatory and exemplary rather than limiting. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as set forth herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention in its form. Although specific structures, materials and examples have been referred to herein for the purpose of describing the invention, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the disclosure herein, but rather the invention is claimed in the appended claims. Within the scope of, all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses shall be covered.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The optical fiber connector and interior parts of the present invention are widely used as interior parts in various fields such as vehicles (automobiles, railroad vehicles, etc.), aircraft, ships, and construction.
Specifically, trim parts such as automobile door trims, armrests, upper trims, decorative panels, ornament panels, lower trims, pockets (door trim pockets) and quarter trims; pillar garnish; cowl side garnish (cowl side trim); side. Seat system parts such as airbag peripheral parts; center cluster, register, center box (door), grab door, instrument panel related parts such as airbag peripheral parts; center console; overhead console; sun visor; deck board (luggage board) Interior trays, package trays, CRS covers, seat side garnishes, assist grips, passing light levers and other interior parts. The optical fiber connector of the present invention is used for connecting an optical fiber fabric and a light source when the optical fiber fabric is used for the above various interior parts.

1; optical fiber connector,
2; light source,
3; optical fiber fabric, 3a; optical fiber,
5; Interior parts,
10; body, 11; recess,
12: incident part, 12a; incident surface, 12x: optical axis,
13; reflection part, 13a; reflection surface, 13b; reflection film (reflection surface),
14: emission part, 141: emission wall, 14x: optical axis,
15: convex portion, 15a: translucent surface,
20; the first holding portion,
21; holding surface, 21a; holding groove,
22; support wall, 22a; engagement groove,
30; the second holding portion,
31; engagement protrusion,
3x; optical axis,
40; holding part, 41; hinge,
50; Engagement part.

Claims (6)

A woven fabric including a plurality of optical fibers capable of emitting side light as warp yarns and/or weft yarns,
An optical fiber connector for distributing light to the plurality of optical fibers,
The optical fiber connector includes an incident portion to which light is incident from the outside, a reflecting portion that reflects the light incident from the incident portion in a direction different from the incident direction, and emits the light reflected by the reflecting portion. A main body integrally including an emission part, and
A holding unit for holding the plurality of optical fibers collectively,
The optical axis of the incident part and the optical axis of the emission part are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other,
The holding part is attached to the first holding part integrated with the emitting part side of the main body and the first holding part, and a plurality of optical fibers are provided between the first holding part and the first holding part. A second holding unit that holds the light emitted from the emitting unit so as to be distributed and incident on the plurality of optical fibers,
The first holding portion has a holding surface facing upward, which is orthogonal to both the optical axis of the incident portion and the optical axis of the emitting portion so as to hold the plurality of optical fibers,
The holding surface has a plurality of holding grooves for individually engaging and holding the plurality of optical fibers,
The reflecting portion has a plurality of reflecting surfaces corresponding to the holding groove,
An interior part for a vehicle, wherein ends of the plurality of optical fibers are individually held in the holding groove of the optical fiber connector to be held collectively by the holding portion. An engaging portion for mounting the second holding portion by engaging with the first holding portion is formed between the first holding portion and the second holding portion. The vehicle interior part described in 1. The vehicle interior component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding portion is configured to hold the front end portions of the plurality of optical fibers held in parallel with each other. The vehicle interior component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reflecting portion has a plurality of reflecting surfaces that respectively emit the light incident from the incident portion from the emitting portion with a single reflection. The vehicle interior component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reflecting portion has a plurality of reflecting surfaces that emit the light incident from the incident portion a plurality of times and emit the light from the emitting portion. The vehicle interior component according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are outer surfaces of the main body, and a reflective film is formed on the outer surfaces.

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