Fiber wiring sheet and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

An optical fiber wiring sheet includes: at least one optical-fiber aligning section including a plurality of two-dimensionally aligned and wired coated optical fibers; and at least one optical-fiber branching part where at least one of the plurality of coated optical fibers branches off as a branching coated optical fiber from the remaining coated optical fibers. The coated optical fibers have ends which constitute optical input/output ports.

1 . An optical fiber wiring sheet comprising: 
 at least one optical-fiber aligning section comprising a plurality of two-dimensionally aligned and wired coated optical fibers; and    at least one optical-fiber branching part where at least one of the plurality of coated optical fibers branches off as a branching coated optical fiber from the remaining coated optical fibers,    wherein the coated optical fibers have ends which constitute optical input/output ports,    wherein only one side of the optical-fiber aligning section, or the optical-fiber aligning section and a optical-fiber branching part, is integrally covered with a covering material.    
   
   
       2 . The optical fiber wiring sheet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the optical-fiber aligning section further comprises an optical-fiber rearranging part where the alignment order of the coated optical fibers changes.  
   
   
       3 . The optical fiber wiring sheet as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the optical-fiber aligning section having the optical-fiber rearranging part forms a loop.  
   
   
       4 . The optical fiber wiring sheet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the branching coated optical fibers are placed over the optical-fiber aligning section, thereby forming plural layers of coated optical fibers.  
   
   
       5 . The optical fiber wiring sheet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the covering material is silicone rubber.  
   
   
       6 . The optical fiber wiring sheet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the covering material forms a covering layer having a tear strength of 29 kgf/cm or less.  
   
   
       7 . The optical fiber wiring sheet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the optical-fiber branching part is affixed by a protective member.  
   
   
       8 . The optical fiber wiring sheet as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the protective member is selected from the group consisting of a sheet member with an adhesive layer, a shrinkable tubular member, or other resinous member.  
   
   
       9 . The optical fiber wiring sheet as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the optical-fiber branching part is fixedly interposed between two sheet members.  
   
   
       10 . The optical fiber wiring sheet as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein one of the two sheet members is larger than the other sheet member.