Methods for laying optical fiber cables and structures for laying optical fiber cables

Abstract

This prevents the worker's hands from touching the rotating agitator blades. [Solution] A method for laying an optical fiber cable 1 on a road R includes the steps of forming a groove 3 in the road R, laying the optical fiber cable 1 in the groove 3, filling the groove 3 with a filler material 4 and burying the optical fiber cable 1, and forming a white line 2a so as to cover the upper surface of the filler material 4 filled in the groove 3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for laying an optical fiber cable and a laying structure of an optical fiber cable.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention that detects vibrations generated by the running of vehicles on a road by means of an optical fiber buried in the road.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, when repairing or replacing the optical fiber, it is necessary to remove the road paving, which may require time and cost.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to facilitate the repair and replacement of an optical fiber cable laid on a paved road.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is a method for laying an optical fiber cable for laying an optical fiber cable on a paved road, including a step of forming a groove in the paved road, a step of laying the optical fiber cable in the groove, a step of filling a filler in the groove to embed the optical fiber cable, and a step of forming a demarcation line for demarcating a vehicle running road so as to cover the upper surface of the filler filled in the groove.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] <In this invention, when repairing or replacing an optical fiber cable, it is only necessary to remove the filler material that has been filled into the partition lines and grooves, thus making the repair and replacement of the optical fiber cable easier. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows a laying structure for an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing an example of a demarcation line according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the procedure for laying an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a table showing the components of the filler according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Figure) [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of a modified optical fiber cable laying structure. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of a modified optical fiber cable laying structure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a method for laying an optical fiber cable 1 and a laying structure 100 for the optical fiber cable 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0010] In the optical fiber cable 1 laying structure 100 of this embodiment, the optical fiber cable 1 is embedded in a road R (paved road) that is paved with asphalt or concrete, such as a main road or expressway. More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the optical fiber cable 1 is embedded directly below and along the white line 2a that demarcates the roadside among the lane markings that demarcate the vehicle lane.

[0011] In this embodiment, the white lines 2a and center line 2b that demarcate the road shoulder are formed, for example, by protruding road markings (see Figure 2). Specifically, the white lines 2a and center line 2b that demarcate the road shoulder are formed by providing protrusions approximately 5 cm long and 5 to 7 mm high along the longitudinal direction of the white line at predetermined intervals (for example, every 30 cm to 40 cm) on a white line painted on the road surface with a thickness of approximately 2 mm.

[0012] The optical fiber cable 1 is used, for example, to detect vibrations of road R when a vehicle 10 travels over it. The vibrations detected by the optical fiber cable 1 are used, for example, to estimate the traffic volume of vehicle 10. In addition, the optical fiber cable 1 can be used to detect distortions and voids in road R. The distortions and voids detected by the optical fiber cable 1 are used for the maintenance and management of road R. Furthermore, the optical fiber cable 1 can be used to detect the road surface temperature of road R. The road surface temperature detected by the optical fiber cable 1 is used to provide information such as the freezing state of the road surface.

[0013] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the method for laying the optical fiber cable 1 will be explained.

[0014] As shown in Figure 3(A), a groove 3 for embedding the optical fiber cable 1 is formed on the surface of the road R using a cutter (not shown) or the like. The groove 3 is, for example, about 100 mm to 150 mm deep and about 10 mm to 50 mm wide. In the examples shown in Figures 3(A) to 3(D), the cross-sectional shape of the groove 3 is rectangular, but the cross-sectional shape is not limited to a rectangle; for example, the bottom surface may be curved (cross-section U-shaped) or the cross-sectional shape may be triangular.

[0015] Next, using a hot air blower or the like, foreign matters such as mud and dust in the groove 3 are removed, and the surface of the groove 3 is dried. If there are foreign matters or moisture between the road R and the filling material 4, the adhesion of the filling material 4 will decrease, and the filling material 4 may peel off over time. Therefore, before laying the optical fiber cable 1 in the groove 3, foreign matters such as mud and dust in the groove 3 are removed, and the surface of the groove 3 is dried to remove moisture. Also, when the road surface temperature (temperature of the road R) is 5°C or lower, it is heated using a hot air blower, a burner, or the like so that the road surface temperature (temperature of the road R) becomes 5°C or higher. This is because at 5°C or lower, the filling material 4 may not harden, and at the same time, water droplets condensed on the surface of the groove 3 or the road surface (surface of the road R) may adhere, which may reduce the adhesion. Note that the drying and heating of the surface of the groove 3 and the road surface may be performed simultaneously.

[0016] Next, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the optical fiber cable 1 is laid in the groove 3.

[0017] Next, as shown in FIG. 3(C), the groove 3 is filled with the filling material 4, and the optical fiber cable 1 is buried. In the present embodiment, the same material as the material (section line forming material) for forming the white line 2a is used as the filling material 4. Here, referring to FIG. 4, the material for forming the white line 2a (hereinafter referred to as "white line material M") will be described.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the white line material M contains 55 to 65% by mass of calcium carbonate, 10 to 15% by mass of petroleum resin, 3 to 8% by mass of titanium oxide, and 15% by mass or more of glass beads. Also, the white line material M preferably has a density (23°C) of 2.3 g / cm3 or less. The white line material M preferably contains glass beads, specifically, those corresponding to JIS K 5665 type 3 defined by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards), but the white line material M may not contain glass beads, specifically, those corresponding to JIS K 5665 type 1 or type 2 may also be acceptable. Also, the white line material M may be made of other materials.

[0019] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3(D), a white line 2a is formed so as to cover the upper surface of the filler 4. The method of forming the white line 2a is a well-known technical matter, so the description thereof will be omitted.

[0020] In the above embodiment, the step (C) of filling the filler 4 into the groove 3 and the step (D) of forming the white line 2a are regarded as separate steps, but they may be performed simultaneously. That is, the groove 3 may be filled with the filler 4 and at the same time, the white line 2a may be formed.

[0021] Also, in the above embodiment, before the step of laying the optical fiber cable 1, foreign matters such as mud and dust in the groove 3 are removed and the surface of the groove 3 is dried. Instead, after laying the optical fiber cable 1 and before filling the filler 4 into the groove 3, that is, immediately before filling the filler 4 into the groove 3, foreign matters such as mud and dust in the groove 3 may be removed and the surface of the groove 3 may be dried. Similarly, the surface of the groove 3 may be heated immediately before filling the filler 4 into the groove 3.

[0022] In the laying structure 100 of the present embodiment, when repairing or replacing the optical fiber cable 1, it is only necessary to remove the white line 2a and the filler 4 filled in the groove 3, so that the repair and replacement of the optical fiber cable 1 are facilitated.

[0023] Further, the white line material M (filler 4) of the present embodiment melts by heating. By using such a material that melts by heating, the optical fiber cable 1 can be easily buried in the groove 3 only by pouring the melted white line material M into the groove 3.

[0024] Furthermore, when the optical fiber cable 1 is removed from the groove 3, the optical fiber cable 1 can be easily pulled out of the groove 3 by heating and melting the filler 4.

[0025] Furthermore, by standardizing the material used for the filler 4 that fills the groove 3 as the white line material M that forms the white line 2a, costs can be reduced and work efficiency can be improved.

[0026] Furthermore, even if the vehicle 10 travels on the white line 2a that demarcates the road shoulder (i.e., its tires are on the white line 2a), by adopting a structure in which the optical fiber cable 1 is buried directly beneath the white line 2a, as in this embodiment, the load from the vehicle 10 can be suppressed from acting on the optical fiber cable 1. This minimizes the possibility of damage to the optical fiber cable 1.

[0027] Furthermore, for example, if vehicle 10 automatically drives by photographing the road surface with a camera and recognizing white lines, etc., from the captured image, there is a risk that the groove 3 (filler material 4) may be mistakenly detected as a white line if the positions of the white line 2a and the groove 3 (the buried position of the optical fiber cable 1) are different. In contrast, in this embodiment, the white line 2a covers the upper surface of the filler material 4 that is filled into the groove 3, that is, the groove 3 and the filler material 4 are not exposed on the road surface. This prevents malfunctions of vehicle 10 when automatic driving as described above is performed.

[0028] Furthermore, if the white line 2a and the groove 3 are placed in different positions, there is a risk of unevenness occurring in the road surface where the groove 3 is provided (filled with filler material 4). However, as in this embodiment, by forming the white line 2a so as to cover the entire upper surface of the area where the groove 3 is provided (filled with filler material 4), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of unnecessary unevenness in the road surface.

[0029] In the above embodiment, the optical fiber cable 1 is laid along the white line 2a that demarcates the roadside, but this is not the only example. For example, the optical fiber cable 1 may be laid along the center line 2b. In this case, the center line 2b may be yellow.

[0030] Next, a modified example will be described with reference to Figure 5.

[0031] In the example shown in Figure 5, a material with a different composition from the white line material M is used as the filler 4. While there are no particular limitations on the material of the filler 4, it can be a thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, or a two-component curing material. Specifically, it can be a resin material such as epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, or polyurea resin.

[0032] By using such a resin material, the filler material 4 can be easily removed, making it easier to repair or replace the optical fiber cable 1.

[0033] Furthermore, even if the filler material 4 is made of a material with different components from the white wire material M, by burying the optical fiber cable 1 directly beneath the white wire 2a, the possibility of damage to the optical fiber cable 1 can be minimized, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0034] In the example shown in Figure 5, the filler material 4 is filled until it is flush with the surface of the road R, but this is not the only option. The upper surface of the filler material 4 may be recessed below the surface of the road R, or it may protrude above the surface of the road R.

[0035] Furthermore, in this modified example, the white line 2a is formed using the white line material M, but the white line 2a may also be of the tape type (attached to the road surface). Specifically, the white line 2a may be formed by attaching the tape material to the upper surface of the filler material 4 filled in the groove 3 using an adhesive or the like. The tape material is preferably one that has advantages in durability and brightness, for example, one that is reinforced with resin fibers is preferred.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the optical fiber cable 1 may be laid on the surface of the road R without providing grooves 3, and tape material 20 forming lane markings (white lines 2a) for vehicle traffic may be attached to the road surface so as to cover the laid optical fiber cable 1. When attaching the tape material 20 to the road surface, a sealer or adhesive should be applied to the road surface.

[0037] In this modified installation structure 200, when repairing or replacing the optical fiber cable 1, only the tape material 20 needs to be peeled off, making repair and replacement of the optical fiber cable 1 easy.

[0038] Furthermore, in this modified laying structure 200, there is no need to provide grooves 3, nor is there any need to melt the material, making it easier to lay the optical fiber cable 1.

[0039] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments only represent a part of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the case in which the white line 2a and the center line 2b are formed by protruding road markings was described as an example, but the white line 2a and the center line 2b may be road markings without protrusions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 100,200 laying structure 1. Fiber optic cable 2a white line 2b Central line 3 grooves 4 Filling material 10 vehicles 20 Tape material

Claims

1. A method for laying optical fiber cables on a paved road, The process of forming grooves in the paved road, The steps include laying the optical fiber cable in the groove, The process involves filling the groove with a filler material and burying the optical fiber cable, A method for laying optical fiber cables, comprising the step of forming demarcation lines that demarcate a vehicle road so as to cover the upper surface of the filler material filled in the groove.

2. A method for laying an optical fiber cable as described in claim 1, A method for laying optical fiber cables, wherein the filler material is the same material as the partition line forming material used to form the partition lines.

3. A method for laying an optical fiber cable as described in claim 1, A method for laying optical fiber cables, comprising forming the demarcation lines with tape material attached so as to cover the upper surface of the filler material filled in the groove.

4. A method for laying an optical fiber cable as described in claim 1, A method for laying optical fiber cables, further comprising the step of drying or heating the surface of the groove before the step of laying the optical fiber cable, or after the optical fiber cable has been laid but before filling the groove with filler material.

5. Optical fiber cables laid in grooves formed in paved roads, A filling material is provided to fill the groove and embed the optical fiber cable, A fiber optic cable laying structure comprising: a partition line formed so as to cover the upper surface of the filler material filled in the groove;

6. A method for laying optical fiber cables on a paved road, The process of laying the optical fiber cable on the paved road, A method for laying optical fiber cables, comprising the step of applying tape material to form demarcation lines that demarcate a vehicle road so as to cover the optical fiber cable.

7. Fiber optic cables laid on paved roads, A fiber optic cable laying structure comprising: a tape material that is attached so as to cover the fiber optic cable and forms a demarcation line that demarcates a vehicle roadway.

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