WO2021192674A1 - Optical connector, optical harness, and vehicle-mounted communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

This optical connector is provided with: a first connecting part capable of connecting an optical fiber; a second connecting part capable of connecting the optical fiber; an optical coupler connected between the first connecting part and the second connecting part; and a fixing part that fixes a positional relation between the first connecting part and the second connecting part.

Description

Optical connectors, optical harnesses and in-vehicle communication systems

The present disclosure relates to optical connectors, optical harnesses and in-vehicle communication systems.
This application claims priority on the basis of Japanese Application Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-54406 filed on March 25, 2020 and incorporates all of its disclosures herein.

Patent Document 1 (International Publication No. 2019/11147) discloses the following in-vehicle communication system. That is, the in-vehicle communication system is an in-vehicle communication system mounted on a vehicle, and includes a master function unit and a plurality of slave function units, and the plurality of slave function units are provided via at least a common optical fiber. The uplink communication signal can be transmitted to the master function unit.

International Publication No. 2019/11147

The optical connector of the present disclosure is an optical connector that relays an optical signal between functional units mounted on a vehicle, and is a first connection portion to which an optical fiber can be connected and a second connection to which an optical fiber can be connected. An optical coupler connected between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, and a fixing portion for fixing the positional relationship between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. Be prepared.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an optical fiber cable in the in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of an optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of an optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of the optical harness according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the usage mode of the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to a modification 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to a second modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to a modification 3 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an optical connector according to a modification 4 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to a modification 4 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of the optical connector according to the modified example 4 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the in-vehicle communication system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an example of the optical harness according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Conventionally, a technology using an optical fiber for an in-vehicle communication system has been proposed in order to cope with an increase in data communication volume in a vehicle.

[Issues to be solved by this disclosure]
Beyond the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the optical coupler is used in an in-vehicle communication system, a technique capable of suppressing the breakage of the optical coupler is desired.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is an optical connector, an optical harness, and an in-vehicle device capable of suppressing breakage of the optical coupler when the optical coupler is used in an in-vehicle communication system. To provide a communication system.

[Effect of the present disclosure]
According to the present disclosure, when the optical coupler is used in an in-vehicle communication system, it is possible to suppress the breakage of the optical coupler.

[Explanation of Embodiments of the present disclosure]
First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

(1) The optical connector according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is an optical connector that relays an optical signal between functional units mounted on a vehicle, and has a first connecting portion to which an optical fiber can be connected and an optical fiber. The position of the second connection portion to which the above can be connected, the optical coupler connected between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and the positions of the first connection portion and the second connection portion. It is provided with a fixing portion for fixing the relationship.

In this way, by configuring the fixing portion to fix the positional relationship between the connecting portion and the connecting portion, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bending and twisting in the optical coupler when a load is applied to the optical connector. Therefore, the breakage of the optical coupler can be suppressed.

(2) Preferably, the first connection portion and the second connection portion have different heat resistances from each other.

In this way, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are configured to have different heat resistances so as to be able to withstand the arranged temperature environment, for example, so that the functional units arranged in different temperature environments are separated from each other. An optical connector can be used.

(3) Preferably, the second connecting portion is provided at a position other than the position facing the first connecting portion via the optical coupler.

With such a configuration, for example, each connection unit can be provided at a position corresponding to the positional relationship between the optical connector and the functional unit, so that the optical connector can be used for an in-vehicle communication system having various wiring structures.

(4) Preferably, the optical connector further includes a third connection portion to which an optical fiber can be connected, and the optical coupler further comprises between the first connection portion and the third connection portion. , And the second connection portion and the third connection portion, and the fixing portion further includes a positional relationship between the first connection portion and the third connection portion, and the second connection portion. The positional relationship between the connecting portion and the third connecting portion is fixed.

As described above, the optical connector can be used for an in-vehicle communication system having various wiring structures by the configuration including three connection portions.

(5) Preferably, the fixing portion fixes the positional relationship between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion in a state where the optical coupler is curved.

With such a configuration, the distance between the first connection portion and the second connection portion can be made shorter than the length of the optical coupler, so that the optical connector can be made compact in a vehicle having a limited wiring space. Can be done. Even when the optical coupler is connected to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion in a curved state, the positional relationship between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is fixed by the fixing portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bending and twisting in the optical coupler due to the load applied to the optical connector.

(6) Preferably, the fixing portion is provided so as to cover the periphery of the optical coupler, and the optical connector further includes a filling portion that fills the space between the optical coupler and the fixing portion.

With such a configuration, deterioration and characteristic change of the optical coupler in a high humidity environment can be suppressed, and the optical coupler can be made flame-retardant.

More preferably than (7), the filling portion is a resin.

With such a configuration, it is possible to easily and at low cost to fill the space between the optical coupler and the fixed portion without a gap. Further, for example, by using a resin having a linear expansion coefficient equivalent to that of the optical coupler, it is possible to suppress breakage of the optical coupler due to the difference in expansion coefficient between the optical coupler and the resin when the temperature changes. can.

More preferably than (8), the filling portion is a foamed resin.

With such a configuration, the heat insulating property of the filled portion can be improved, and the influence of the change in the environmental temperature on the optical coupler can be suppressed.

(9) The optical harness according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to the optical connector, the first optical fiber connected to the first connection portion, and the second connection portion. A second optical fiber is provided.

With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the breakage of the optical coupler in the optical harness provided with the optical connector.

(10) The in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes the optical connector, a first functional unit connected to the first connection portion via a first optical fiber, and a first. The optical connector includes a second functional unit connected to the second connecting portion via the optical fiber 2, and the optical connector is arranged so as to penetrate the heat insulating plate provided in the vehicle.

With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress breakage of the optical coupler in an in-vehicle communication system including an optical connector. Further, since the optical connector is arranged so as to penetrate the heat insulating plate, the optical connector functions as a member for passing wiring through the heat insulating plate, for example, an in-line connector, so that such a member can be reduced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

<First Embodiment>
[Configuration and basic operation]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 1, the in-vehicle communication system 401 includes a master function unit 201, a plurality of slave function units 211, and an optical connector 101. In the example shown in the figure, the in-vehicle communication system 401 includes a master function unit 201A as a master function unit 201 and slave function units 211A and 211B as slave function units 211. The master function unit 201 is an example of the first function unit. The slave function unit 211 is an example of the second function unit. The in-vehicle communication system 401 may be configured to include one or more slave function units 211.

The in-vehicle communication system 401 is mounted on the vehicle 1. For example, the in-vehicle communication system 401 is a PON (Passive Optical Network) system. The in-vehicle communication system 401 may be an optical communication system other than the PON system.

The master function unit 201 and the slave function unit 211 are, for example, an ECU, a sensor, or an antenna module. The ECU includes, for example, an automatic operation ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a navigation device, a TCU (Telematics Communication Unit), a gateway device, and the like. The sensor is, for example, a camera, a millimeter wave sensor, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ringing), or the like.

The master function unit 201A is connected to the optical connector 101 via the optical fiber cable 203A. Further, the slave function unit 211A is connected to the optical connector 101 via the optical fiber cable 213A, and the slave function unit 211B is connected to the optical connector 101 via the optical fiber cable 213B. The optical fiber cable 203A is an example of the optical fiber cable 203. The optical fiber cables 213A and 213B are examples of the optical fiber cables 213.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an optical fiber cable in the in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber cable 203 and the optical fiber cable 213.

With reference to FIG. 2, the optical fiber cables 203 and 213 include a tension member 51, a plurality of optical fibers 52 arranged around the tension member 51, a protective layer 53 covering the plurality of optical fibers 52, and a protective layer. A presser foot 54 covering the presser foot 53 and a sheath 55 covering the presser foot 54 are included. The optical fiber 52 is, for example, an optical fiber core wire. The number of optical fibers 52 in the optical fiber cables 203 and 213 is 12, but is not limited to 12 in the example of FIG. The optical fiber cables 203 and 213 may be configured to include one optical fiber 52. The optical fiber cables 203 and 213 are not limited to the configuration that accommodates the optical fiber 52 that is the optical fiber core wire, and may be, for example, a 0.25 mm wire, a 0.9 mm core wire, or a tape core wire. ..

The master function unit 201A is optically connected to the optical connector 101 via the optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 203A. Further, the slave function unit 211A is optically connected to the optical connector 101 via the optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 213A, and the slave function unit 211B is optically connected to the optical connector 101 via the optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 213B. Will be done.

Each of the optical connector 101, the optical fiber cable 203A, and the optical fiber cables 213A and 213B constitutes a part of the optical harness 301. More specifically, the optical harness 301 includes an optical connector 101, an optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 203A, an optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 213A, and an optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 213B.

The master function unit 201A includes an optical transceiver 202A. The slave function unit 211A includes an optical transceiver 212A. The slave function unit 211B includes an optical transceiver 212B. The optical transceiver 202A is an example of the optical transceiver 202. The optical transceivers 212A and 212B are examples of the optical transceiver 212.

The optical connector 101 relays optical signals between functional units. For example, the optical connector 101 relays an optical signal between the master function unit 201 and the slave function unit 211.

Here, the direction from the slave function unit 211 to the master function unit 201 is referred to as an up direction, and the direction from the master function unit 201 to the slave function unit 211 is referred to as a down direction. The in-vehicle communication system 401 is, for example, a TDM-PON system. Specifically, in the in-vehicle communication system 401, the uplink direction is time division multiple access (TDMA: Time Division Multiple Access), and the downlink direction is time division multiplexing (TDM: Time Division Multiple Access).

Each slave function unit 211 can transmit an uplink light signal including an uplink communication signal such as a frame to the master function unit 201 via the corresponding optical fiber cable 213, optical connector 101, and optical fiber cable 203A. Further, the master function unit 201A can transmit a downlink optical signal including a downlink communication signal such as a frame to the corresponding slave function unit 211 via the optical fiber cable 203A, the optical connector 101, and each optical fiber cable 213.

The optical transceiver 202A in the master function unit 201A is connected to the optical fiber cable 203A. For example, the optical transceiver 202A receives an uplink signal in the 1280 nm band from the optical fiber cable 203A, converts the received uplink signal into an electric signal, and outputs the received uplink signal to a processing unit (not shown). Further, the optical transceiver 202A in the master function unit 201A receives an electric signal from a processing unit (not shown), converts the received electric signal into a downlink optical signal having a different wavelength, for example, the 1570 nm band, and outputs the received electric signal to the optical fiber cable 203A. Communication between the optical transceiver 202 and the optical connector 101 is 1-core bidirectional communication when the number of optical fibers 52 included in the optical fiber cable 203A is one. Communication between the optical transceiver 202 and the optical connector 101 may be one-core bidirectional communication or two-core bidirectional communication when the number of optical fibers 52 included in the optical fiber cable 203A is a plurality of lines. It may be.

The optical transceiver 212A in the slave function unit 211A is connected to the optical fiber cable 213A, and the optical transceiver 212B in the slave function unit 211B is connected to the optical fiber cable 213B. The optical transceiver 212 receives a downlink light signal in the 1570 nm band from the optical fiber cable 213, converts the received downlink light signal into an electric signal, and outputs the received downlink light signal to a processing unit (not shown). Further, the optical transceiver 212 in the slave function unit 211 receives an electric signal from a processing unit (not shown), converts the received electric signal into, for example, an uplink optical signal in the 1280 nm band, and outputs the received electric signal to the optical fiber cable 213. The communication between the optical transceiver 212 and the optical connector 101 may be one-core bidirectional communication depending on the number of optical fibers 52 included in the optical fiber cable 213, as in the case of the master function unit 201A side. , Two-way communication by core may be used.

In the in-vehicle communication system 401, in the uplink direction, not only TDMA but also wavelength division multiplexing (WDM: Wavelength Division Multiplexing) suitable for communication with a larger amount of data may be used. In this case, the plurality of slave function units 211 transmit uplink signals having different wavelengths from each other.

Further, in the in-vehicle communication system 401, in the downlink direction, not only TDM but also WDM suitable for communication with a larger amount of data may be used. In this case, the master function unit 201 transmits downlink light signals having different wavelengths to each slave function unit 211.

Further, in the in-vehicle communication system 401, in the uplink direction, not only TDMA but also code division multiplexing (CDM: Code Division Multiplexing) suitable for communication with a larger amount of data may be used. In this case, the plurality of slave function units 211 transmit an uplink signal including a communication signal diffused by different diffusion codes.

Further, in the in-vehicle communication system 401, in the downlink direction, not only TDM but also CDM suitable for communication with a larger amount of data may be used. In this case, the master function unit 201 transmits a downlink light signal including a communication signal diffused by a different diffusion code to each slave function unit 211.

Further, in the in-vehicle communication system 401, not limited to the above method, frequency division multiplexing (FDM: Frequency Division Multiplexing), space division multiplexing (SDM: Space Division Multiplexing) or time division frequency multiplexing suitable for communication with a larger amount of data is not limited to the above method. (TWDM: Time and Wavelength Division Multiplexing) or the like may be used.

[Optical harness and optical connector]
FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of an optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of an optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the optical connector 101 includes a connecting portion 10, a connecting portion 20, a fixing portion 30, and an optical coupler 40. The connection units 10 and 20 can connect the optical fibers 52 in one or a plurality of optical fiber cables 203 and 213. The connection portion 10 is an example of the first connection portion, and the connection portion 20 is an example of the second connection portion.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the optical coupler 40 is connected between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20. The optical coupler 40 includes a film-shaped main body 41 and an optical waveguide 42 formed on the main body 41. For example, the optical coupler 40 is made of resin. More specifically, the optical coupler 40 is generated by forming an optical waveguide 42 on a main body 41 made of resin by using a photolithography technique or the like. The optical coupler 40 formed of resin is compact and flexible.

The optical waveguide 42 is formed in the main body 41 so as to extend between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20. The optical waveguide 42 has a branch portion. For example, the optical waveguide 42 includes a first end 42A connected to the connecting portion 10, a second end 42B connected to the connecting portion 20, and a third end 42C connected to the connecting portion 20.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the fixing portion 30 fixes the positional relationship between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20. More specifically, the fixing portion 30 is fixed to, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 20 by an adhesive, an adhesive, or a screw. The fixing portion 30 is formed of, for example, resin or metal.

For example, the fixing portion 30 is provided so as to cover the periphery of the optical coupler 40. More specifically, the fixing portion 30 is a tubular member having a square pillar outer shape. The inner peripheral portion of the first end of the fixed portion 30 is connected to the connecting portion 10, and the inner peripheral portion of the second end of the fixed portion 30 is connected to the connecting portion 20.

The fixing portion 30 may be a flat plate-shaped member. In this case, for example, the optical connector 101 includes a plurality of fixing portions 30. The plurality of fixing portions 30 are provided so that the periphery of the optical coupler 40 is covered by the plurality of fixing portions 30.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of the optical harness according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 7, the optical harness 301 includes an optical connector 101, an optical fiber cable 203A, and optical fiber cables 213A and 213B.

The optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 203A is connected to the connection portion 10 in the optical connector 101. The optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 213A and the optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 213B are connected to the connection portion 20 in the optical connector 101.

More specifically, the optical fiber cable 203A includes a cable portion 204A including the optical fiber 52 and a connector portion 205A provided at the first end of the cable portion 204A. The optical fiber cable 213A includes a cable portion 214A including the optical fiber 52 and a connector portion 215A provided at the first end of the cable portion 214A. The optical fiber cable 213B includes a cable portion 214B including the optical fiber 52 and a connector portion 215B provided at the first end of the cable portion 214B.

The connector portion 205A of the optical fiber cable 203A is connected to the connection portion 10 of the optical connector 101. Further, the connector portion 215A of the optical fiber cable 213A and the connector portion 215B of the optical fiber cable 213B are connected to the connection portion 20 of the optical connector 101. In addition, one or three or more optical fiber cables 213 may be connected to the connection portion 20.

For example, the second end of the cable section 204A in the optical fiber cable 203A is connected to the master function section 201A. Further, the second end of the cable portion 214A of the optical fiber cable 213A is connected to the slave function portion 211A, and the second end of the cable portion 214B of the optical fiber cable 213B is connected to the slave function portion 211B.

The connection unit 10 receives an optical signal from the optical fiber cable 203A. The optical signal received by the connection unit 10 from the optical fiber cable 203A is output to the optical fiber cables 213A and 213B via the optical waveguide 42 and the connection unit 20 in the optical coupler 40. That is, the optical signal received by the connection portion 10 from the optical fiber cable 203A is branched by the optical coupler 40 and output to the optical fiber cables 213A and 213B.

The connection unit 20 receives an optical signal from the optical fiber cables 213A and 213B. The optical signal received by the connection unit 20 from the optical fiber cable 213A is output to the optical fiber cable 203A via the optical waveguide 42 and the connection unit 10 in the optical coupler 40. Further, the optical signal received by the connecting portion 20 from the optical fiber cable 213B is output to the optical fiber cable 203A via the optical waveguide 42 in the optical coupler 40 and the connecting portion 10. That is, the optical signal received by the connecting portion 20 from the optical fiber cable 213A and the optical signal received by the connecting portion 20 from the optical fiber cable 213B are merged by the optical coupler 40 and output to the optical fiber cable 203A.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 8, for example, the master function unit 201A is arranged on the floor 2A in the vehicle 1, and the slave function units 211A and 211B are arranged in the engine room 2B in the vehicle 1. The location of the master function unit 201 and the slave function unit 211 is not limited to this, and may be arranged on the instrument panel, the floor, or the trunk, for example. good.

For example, the temperature environment in the floor 2A and the temperature environment in the engine room 2B are different from each other. More specifically, the temperature in the engine room 2B is higher than the temperature in the floor 2A. Therefore, in the vehicle 1, a heat insulating plate 3A that separates the floor 2A and the engine room 2B is provided between the floor 2A and the engine room 2B.

For example, the optical connector 101 is arranged so as to penetrate the heat insulating plate 3A. More specifically, the heat insulating plate 3A has a through hole according to the shape of the optical connector 101. The optical connector 101 is inserted into the through hole and fixed in a state where the connecting portion 10 is located in the floor 2A and the connecting portion 20 is located in the engine room 1A.

For example, the connection portion 10 and the connection portion 20 have different heat resistances from each other. More specifically, for example, the connection portion 10 arranged in the floor 2A and the connection portion 10 arranged in the engine room 2B have different required temperature specifications. Therefore, the connecting portion 10 has heat resistance that can withstand the temperature environment in the floor 2A, and the connecting portion 20 has heat resistance that can withstand the temperature environment in the engine room 2B. As an example, at least a part of each of the connecting portions 10 and 20 is formed of resin. The resin forming at least a part of the connecting portion 10 has a heat resistant temperature that can withstand the temperature environment in the floor 2A. The resin forming at least a part of the connecting portion 20 has a heat resistant temperature that can withstand the temperature environment in the engine room 2B.

Specifically, for example, the resin forming at least a part of the connecting part 10 is a thermoplastic resin whose glass transition temperature is higher than the operating temperature, that is, the temperature in the floor 2A, and forms at least a part of the connecting part 20. The resin is a thermoplastic resin in which the glass transition temperature is higher than the operating temperature, that is, the temperature in the engine room 2B. As the resin forming at least a part of the connecting portion 10 and the resin forming at least a part of the connecting portion 20, a resin other than the thermoplastic resin and suitable for each environmental temperature may be used. .. A thermoplastic resin having a high glass transition temperature is generally expensive, but due to such a configuration, the material cost is higher than when a thermoplastic resin having a high glass transition temperature is used for both the connecting portions 10 and 20. Reduction is possible.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the usage mode of the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 9, for example, the master function unit 201A is arranged in the trunk 2C in the vehicle 1, and the slave function units 211A and 211B are arranged in the engine room 2B in the vehicle 1.

For example, in vehicle 1, a heat insulating plate 3B that separates the trunk 2C and the floor 2A is provided between the trunk 2C and the floor 2A, and the floor 2A and the engine room 2B are provided between the floor 2A and the engine room 2B. A heat insulating plate 3A for partitioning is provided.

The optical connector 101 is arranged so as to penetrate the heat insulating plate 3A. Further, the cable portion 204A in the optical fiber cable 203A has a relay connector portion 206A arranged so as to penetrate the heat insulating plate 3B.

For example, the connection portion 10 has heat resistance that can withstand the temperature environment in the floor 2A, and the connection portion 20 has heat resistance that can withstand the temperature environment in the engine room 2B. As an example, at least a part of each of the connecting portions 10 and 20 is formed of resin. The resin forming at least a part of the connecting portion 10 has a heat resistant temperature that can withstand the temperature environment in the floor 2A. The resin forming at least a part of the connecting portion 20 has a heat resistant temperature that can withstand the temperature environment in the engine room 2B.

Specifically, for example, as described above, the resin forming at least a part of the connecting portion 10 and the resin forming at least a part of the connecting portion 20 are thermoplastic resins having a glass transition temperature higher than the operating temperature. be. As described above, the resin forming at least a part of the connecting portion 10 and the resin forming at least a part of the connecting portion 20 are resins other than thermoplastic resins and suitable for each environmental temperature. May be used.

(Modification example 1)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to a modification 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical connector 101A according to the first modification when the optical connector 101A is cut by the XX line in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 10, the fixing portion 30 may be fixed to the surface of the connecting portion 10 facing the connecting portion 20 and the surface of the connecting portion 20 facing the connecting portion 10.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to a second modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical connector 101B according to the second modification when the optical connector 101B is cut along the XI-XI line in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 11, the optical connector 101B includes a filling portion 50. The filling portion 50 fills between the optical coupler 40 and the fixing portion 30.

For example, the filling portion 50 is a resin. The resin constituting the filling portion 50 preferably has a linear expansion coefficient equivalent to the linear expansion coefficient of the main body portion 41 in the optical coupler 40. For example, the coefficient of linear expansion of the resin constituting the filling portion 50 is preferably 0.8 times or more and 1.2 times or less of the linear expansion coefficient of the main body 41, and more preferably the linear expansion of the main body 41. It is 0.9 times or more and 1.1 times or less of the coefficient.

Alternatively, the filling portion 50 is a foamed resin. More specifically, the filling portion 50 is an extruded polystyrene foam, a beaded polystyrene foam, a urethane foam, a highly foamed polyethylene foam or a phenolic foam.

(Modification example 3)
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to a modification 3 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical connector 101C according to the third modification when the optical connector 101C is cut along the XII-XII line in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 12, the optical coupler 40 in the optical connector 101C is connected between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20 in a curved state. For example, the optical coupler 40 is connected between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20 in a state of being curved in an S shape.

For example, the optical coupler 40 has a first end connected to the connecting portion 10 and a second end connected to the connecting portion 20. The length L from the first end to the second end of the optical coupler 40 is longer than the distance between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20. For example, the length L of the optical coupler 40 is at least twice the distance between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20.

The fixing portion 30 fixes the positional relationship between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20 in a state where the optical coupler 40 is curved.

(Modification example 4)
FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an optical connector according to a modification 4 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to a modification 4 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical connector 101D according to the modified example 4 when the optical connector 101D is cut along a cutting line corresponding to the IV-IV line in FIG.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the optical connector 101D further includes a connecting portion 21 as compared with the optical connector 101 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6. The connection unit 21 can connect one or more optical fiber cables 203 and 213. The connection unit 21 is an example of a third connection unit.

The connecting portion 21 is provided at a position facing the connecting portion 10 via the optical coupler 40. On the other hand, the connecting portion 20 is provided at a position other than the position facing the connecting portion 10 via the optical coupler 40. More specifically, the connecting portion 20 is provided at a position on a virtual line orthogonal to the virtual line connecting the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 21.

The optical coupler 40 is connected between the connection unit 10 and the connection unit 20, between the connection unit 10 and the connection unit 21, and between the connection unit 20 and the connection unit 21.

The optical waveguide 42 in the optical coupler 40 is formed in the main body 41 so as to extend between the connecting portion 10, the connecting portion 20, and the connecting portion 21. The optical waveguide 42 has a branch portion. For example, the first end 42A of the optical waveguide 42 is connected to the connection portion 10, the second end 42B of the optical waveguide 42 is connected to the connection part 20, and the third end 42C of the optical waveguide 42 is connected to the connection part 21. .. For example, the second end 42B of the optical waveguide 42 is provided at a position on a virtual line orthogonal to the virtual line connecting the first end 42A and the third end 42C.

The fixing portion 30 fixes the positional relationship between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20, the positional relationship between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 21, and the positional relationship between the connecting portion 20 and the connecting portion 21.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of the optical connector according to the modified example 4 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 15, for example, the master function unit 201A is arranged on the floor of the vehicle 1, the slave function unit 211A is arranged on the hood of the vehicle 1, and the slave function unit 211B is arranged on the roof of the vehicle 1. NS.

For example, the master function unit 201A is an advanced driver assistance (ADAS) ECU, the slave function unit 211A is a sensor, and the slave function unit 211B is a roof antenna module.

For example, the connection unit 10 is provided at a position corresponding to the positional relationship between the master function unit 201A connected to the connection unit 10 via the cable unit 204A and the connector unit 205A of the optical fiber cable 203A and the optical connector 101. Further, for example, the connection portion 20 is provided at a position corresponding to the positional relationship between the slave function portion 211B connected to the connection portion 20 via the cable portion 214B and the connector portion 215B of the optical fiber cable 213B and the optical connector 101. Be done. Further, for example, the connection portion 21 is provided at a position corresponding to the positional relationship between the slave function portion 211A connected to the connection portion 21 via the cable portion 214A and the connector portion 215A of the optical fiber cable 213A and the optical connector 101. Be done.

In the optical connector 101 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection portion 10 and the connection portion 20 are configured to have different heat resistances, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20 may have the same heat resistance to each other. In this case, the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20 have heat resistance that can withstand the higher temperature environment of the temperature environment of the connecting portion 10 and the temperature environment of the connecting portion 20.

Further, in the optical connector 101 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixing portion 30 is provided so as to cover the periphery of the optical coupler 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. The fixing portion 30 may be provided so as not to cover the periphery of the optical coupler 40. More specifically, the fixing portion 30 is, for example, one flat plate-shaped member, the first end of the fixing portion 30 is connected to the connecting portion 10, and the second end of the fixing portion 30 is connected to the connecting portion 20. May be configured.

By the way, when an optical coupler is used in an in-vehicle communication system, a technology capable of suppressing breakage of the optical coupler is desired.

For example, in the process of assembling the optical coupler to the vehicle, the optical coupler may be bent or twisted due to the load applied to the optical coupler, and as a result, the optical coupler may be broken. Further, conventionally, a technique for forming an optical coupler from a resin has been developed. Since such an optical coupler is compact and flexible, it has been applied to various fields in recent years. However, the optical coupler formed of the resin may break when assembled in the vehicle.

On the other hand, in the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection portion 10 can connect the optical fiber 52. The connection unit 20 can connect the optical fiber 52. The optical coupler 40 is connected between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20. The fixing portion 30 fixes the positional relationship between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20.

In this way, by configuring the fixing portion 30 to fix the positional relationship between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bending and twisting in the optical coupler 40 when a load is applied to the optical connector 101. ..

Therefore, in the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, breakage of the optical coupler can be suppressed.

Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

<Second Embodiment>
This embodiment relates to an in-vehicle communication system 402 having a plurality of master function units 201 as compared with the in-vehicle communication system 401 according to the first embodiment. Except for the contents described below, the same as the in-vehicle communication system 401 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the in-vehicle communication system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 16, the in-vehicle communication system 402 includes an optical connector 102 instead of the optical connector 101, and further includes a master function unit 201B, as compared with the in-vehicle communication system 401 shown in FIG. The master function unit 201B is an example of the master function unit 201. The in-vehicle communication system 402 may be configured to include three or more master function units 201, or may be configured to include one or three or more slave function units 211.

The master function unit 201B is connected to the optical connector 102 via the optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 203B. The optical fiber cable 203B is an example of the optical fiber cable 203.

Each of the optical connector 102, the optical fiber cables 203A and 203B and the optical fiber cables 213A and 213B form a part of the optical harness 302. More specifically, the optical harness 302 includes an optical connector 102, an optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 203A, an optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 203B, an optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 213A, and an optical fiber cable 213B. It includes an optical fiber 52.

The master function unit 201B includes an optical transceiver 202B. The optical transceiver 202B is an example of the optical transceiver 202. The optical transceiver 202B in the master function unit 201B is connected to the optical fiber cable 203B.

For example, in the in-vehicle communication system 402, WDM is used in the downlink direction. More specifically, the optical transceiver 202B receives, for example, an uplink signal in the 1280 nm band from the optical fiber cable 203B, converts the received uplink signal into an electric signal, and outputs the received uplink signal to a processing unit (not shown). Further, the optical transceiver 202B in the master function unit 201B receives an electric signal from a processing unit (not shown), and the received electric signal has a wavelength different from the wavelength of the received uplink optical signal, and the master function unit 201A It is converted into a downlink light signal having a wavelength different from the wavelength of the downlink light signal to be output and output to the optical fiber cable 203B.

In the in-vehicle communication system 402, TDMA, FDM, SDM, or TWDM may be used in the downlink direction.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical connector 102 when it is cut along the line XVII-XVII in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 17, the optical waveguide 42 in the optical coupler 40 is formed in the main body 41 so as to extend between the connecting portion 10 and the connecting portion 20. The optical waveguide 42 has a branch portion. For example, the optical waveguide 42 is connected to a first end 42A connected to the connecting portion 10, a second end 42B connected to the connecting portion 20, a third end 42C connected to the connecting portion 20, and the connecting portion 10. Includes a fourth end 42D to be connected.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an example of the optical harness according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 18, the optical harness 302 includes an optical connector 102, optical fiber cables 203A and 203B, and optical fiber cables 213A and 213B.

The optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 203A and the optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 203B are connected to the connection portion 10 in the optical connector 102. The optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 213A and the optical fiber 52 in the optical fiber cable 213B are connected to the connection portion 20 in the optical connector 102.

More specifically, the optical fiber cable 203A includes a cable portion 204A including the optical fiber 52 and a connector portion 205A provided at the first end of the cable portion 204A. The optical fiber cable 203B includes a cable portion 204B including the optical fiber 52 and a connector portion 205B provided at the first end of the cable portion 204B. The optical fiber cable 213A includes a cable portion 214A including the optical fiber 52 and a connector portion 215A provided at the first end of the cable portion 214A. The optical fiber cable 213B includes a cable portion 214B including the optical fiber 52 and a connector portion 215B provided at the first end of the cable portion 214B.

The connector portion 205A of the optical fiber cable 203A and the connector portion 205B of the optical fiber cable 203B are connected to the connection portion 10 of the optical connector 102. Further, the connector portion 215A of the optical fiber cable 213A and the connector portion 215B of the optical fiber cable 213B are connected to the connection portion 20 of the optical connector 102. In addition, three or more optical fiber cables 213 may be connected to the connection portion 10, and one or three or more optical fiber cables 213 may be connected to the connection portion 20.

For example, the second end of the cable unit 204A in the optical fiber cable 203A is connected to the master function unit 201A, and the second end of the cable unit 204B in the optical fiber cable 203B is connected to the master function unit 201B. Further, the second end of the cable portion 214A of the optical fiber cable 213A is connected to the slave function portion 211A, and the second end of the cable portion 214B of the optical fiber cable 213B is connected to the slave function portion 211B.

The connection unit 10 receives an optical signal from the optical fiber cables 203A and 203B. The optical signal received by the connection unit 10 from the optical fiber cable 203A is output to the optical fiber cables 213A and 213B via the optical waveguide 42 and the connection unit 20 in the optical coupler 40. Further, the optical signal received by the connecting portion 10 from the optical fiber cable 203B is output to the optical fiber cables 213A and 213B via the optical waveguide 42 and the connecting portion 20 in the optical coupler 40.

The connection unit 20 receives an optical signal from the optical fiber cables 213A and 213B. The optical signal received by the connection unit 20 from the optical fiber cable 213A is output to the optical fiber cables 203A and 203B via the optical waveguide 42 and the connection unit 10 in the optical coupler 40. Further, the optical signal received by the connecting portion 20 from the optical fiber cable 213B is output to the optical fiber cables 203A and 203B via the optical waveguide 42 in the optical coupler 40 and the connecting portion 10.

The above embodiment should be considered to be exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

The above description includes the features described below.
[Appendix 1]
An optical connector that relays optical signals between functional units mounted on a vehicle.
The first connection part to which the optical fiber can be connected and
A second connection that can connect an optical fiber,
An optical coupler connected between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion,
A fixing portion for fixing the positional relationship between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is provided.
The optical coupler
The main body made of resin and
An optical connector including an optical waveguide having a branch portion formed on the main body portion.

[Appendix 2]
An optical connector that relays optical signals between functional units mounted on a vehicle.
The first connection part to which the optical fiber can be connected and
A second connection that can connect an optical fiber,
An optical coupler connected between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion,
A fixing portion for fixing the positional relationship between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is provided.
The functional unit is an optical connector which is at least one of an ECU, a sensor, and an antenna module.

1 Vehicle 2A Floor 2B Engine Room 2C Trunk 3A, 3B Insulation Plate 10 Connection 20 Connection 21 Connection 30 Fixed 40 Optical Coupler 41 Main Body 42 Optical Fiber Optic 42A 1st End 42B 2nd End 42C 3rd End 42D 4th End 50 Filling part 51 Tension member 52 Optical fiber 53 Protective layer 54 Press winding 55 Sheath 101 Optical connector 102 Optical connector 201 Master function unit 201A Master function unit 201B Master function unit 202 Optical transceiver 202A Optical transceiver 202B Optical transceiver 203 Optical fiber cable 203A Optical fiber cable 203B Optical fiber cable 204A Cable part 204B Cable part 205A Connector part 205B Connector part 211 Slave function part 211A Slave function part 211B Slave function part 212 Optical transceiver 212A Optical transceiver 212B Optical transceiver 213 Optical fiber cable 213A Optical fiber cable 213B Optical Fiber cable 214A Cable part 214B Cable part 215A Connector part 215B Connector part 301 Optical harness 302 Optical harness 401 In-vehicle communication system 402 In-vehicle communication system

Claims (10)

1. An optical connector that relays optical signals between functional units mounted on a vehicle.
   The first connection part to which the optical fiber can be connected and
   A second connection that can connect an optical fiber,
   An optical coupler connected between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion,
   An optical connector including a fixing portion for fixing the positional relationship between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.
2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion have different heat resistances from each other.
3. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second connecting portion is provided at a position other than the position facing the first connecting portion via the optical coupler.
4. The optical connector further
   Equipped with a third connection to which an optical fiber can be connected
   The optical coupler is further connected between the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion, and between the second connecting portion and the third connecting portion.
   The fixing portion further fixes the positional relationship between the first connection portion and the third connection portion, and the positional relationship between the second connection portion and the third connection portion, according to claim 1. Item 3. The optical connector according to any one of items 3.
5. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixing portion fixes the positional relationship between the first connection portion and the second connection portion in a curved state of the optical coupler. ..
6. The fixing portion is provided so as to cover the periphery of the optical coupler.
   The optical connector further
   The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a filling portion that fills the space between the optical coupler and the fixing portion.
7. The optical connector according to claim 6, wherein the filling portion is made of resin.
8. The optical connector according to claim 6, wherein the filling portion is a foamed resin.
9. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
   The first optical fiber connected to the first connection portion and
   An optical harness including a second optical fiber connected to the second connecting portion.
10. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
    A first functional unit connected to the first connection unit via a first optical fiber, and a first functional unit.
    It is provided with a second functional unit connected to the second connection portion via a second optical fiber.
    An in-vehicle communication system in which the optical connector is arranged so as to penetrate a heat insulating plate provided in the vehicle.

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