Optical connector cleaning tool

Abstract

This optical connector cleaning tool (1) is provided with a cleaning body (2) for cleaning a connection end surface (311) of an optical connector (300), and is provided with: a guide cover (200) provided with a through-hole (201) having openings (202, 203); a cleaning head (110) having a pressing surface (121) for pressing the cleaning body (2) against the connection end surface (311), the cleaning head (110) being inserted into the through hole (201) via the opening (202); and a jig (250) to which the optical connector (300) is removably mounted and which is inserted into the through-hole (201) via the opening (203).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector.

[0002] For designated states that recognize the introduction based on reference to documents, the content described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-194259 filed in Japan on December 5, 2022 is incorporated into this specification by reference as a part of the description of this specification. Background Art

[0003] In order to clean the connection end face of a single optical connector plug that is not connected to a device, an optical connector cleaning tool having a cylindrical cover is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this optical connector cleaning tool, a pressing member holding a cleaning cloth is inserted into one opening of the cover, and a single optical connector plug is inserted into the other opening of the cover. The cleaning cloth is pressed against the connection end face of the optical connector plug by the pressing member, thereby cleaning the connection end face of the optical connector plug.

[0004] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2014 / 141405

[0005] In the above optical connector cleaning tool, the cleaning cloth is pressed against the connection end face by the pressing member while the operator holds the optical connector plug inserted into the cover with a finger. Therefore, depending on the way the operator holds the optical connector plug, the cleaning cloth may not be properly pressed against the connection end face, and the cleaning quality depends on the way the operator holds the optical connector plug. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical connector cleaning tool capable of stabilizing the cleaning quality.

[0007] [1] A mode 1 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool including a cleaning body for cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector, and includes: a guiding cover having a through-hole with a first opening and a second opening; a cleaning head having a pressing surface for pressing the cleaning body against the connection end face, and being inserted into the through-hole through the first opening; and a jig for detachably mounting the optical connector and being inserted into the through-hole through the second opening.

[0008] [2]The second embodiment of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed on the basis of the optical connector cleaning tool of the first embodiment. The optical connector cleaning tool includes a cleaning shaft having the cleaning head, and a cylindrical member that houses the cleaning shaft in a manner that the cleaning head protrudes. The cleaning shaft further includes a support member that supports the cleaning head so as to be movable, and a biasing member that is interposed between the cleaning head and the support member and biases the cleaning head in a direction away from the support member. The fixture has a second contact surface that contacts the first contact surface of the guide cover in the axial direction of the guide cover, that is, the first direction. The cylindrical member has a fourth contact surface that contacts the third contact surface of the guide cover in the first direction. The optical connector cleaning tool satisfies the following equations (1) and (2).

[0009] P min ×A / K - C0 ≤ C1 ≤ P max ×A / K - C0…(1)

[0010] C1 = L0 - L1…(2)

[0011] Wherein, in the above equations (1) and (2), P min is the minimum value of the surface pressure of the cleaning head relative to the connection end face, and P max is the maximum value of the surface pressure of the cleaning head relative to the connection end face. A is the area of the cleaning target portion of the connection end face, K is the spring constant of the biasing member, C0 is the compression amount of the biasing member in the non-pressing state of the cleaning head, L0 is the sum of the distance from the second contact surface to the connection end face and the distance from the fourth contact surface to the pressing surface in the non-pressing state of the cleaning head, and L1 is the distance between the first contact surface and the third contact surface of the guide cover.

[0012] [3]The third embodiment of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed on the basis of the optical connector cleaning tool of the second embodiment, and satisfies the following equation (3).

[0013] 0.6mm ≤ C1 ≤ 2.3mm…(3)

[0014] [4]The fourth embodiment of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed on the basis of the optical connector cleaning tool of any one of the first to third embodiments. The fixture includes a fifth contact surface that contacts the optical connector in the axial direction of the fixture, that is, the second direction. The fifth contact surface has a cutout through which an optical fiber led out from the optical connector passes.

[0015] [5] Mode 5 of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed on the basis of the optical connector cleaning tool of Mode 4. Among them, the above-mentioned fixture has a groove for accommodating the optical fiber led out from the above-mentioned optical connector. The above-mentioned groove communicates with the above-mentioned notch and extends along the above-mentioned second direction. The above-mentioned groove has a third opening that enables the above-mentioned optical fiber to enter and exit the above-mentioned groove in a third direction substantially orthogonal to the above-mentioned second direction.

[0016] [6] Mode 6 of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed on the basis of the optical connector cleaning tool of Mode 5. Among them, the above-mentioned third opening has a tapered surface that tapers as it faces the bottom surface of the above-mentioned groove.

[0017] [7] Mode 7 of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed on the basis of the optical connector cleaning tool of Mode 5 or 6. Among them, the above-mentioned groove has a portion with a width narrower than the width of the above-mentioned notch.

[0018] [8] Mode 8 of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed on the basis of the optical connector cleaning tool of any one of Modes 4 to 7. Among them, the above-mentioned fixture includes: a concave accommodating portion for accommodating the above-mentioned optical connector; and a tapered portion provided inside the above-mentioned accommodating portion for guiding and positioning the above-mentioned optical connector inside the above-mentioned accommodating portion. The bottom surface of the above-mentioned accommodating portion is the above-mentioned fifth abutting surface.

[0019] [9] Mode 9 of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed on the basis of the optical connector cleaning tool of any one of Modes 4 to 8. Among them, the above-mentioned fixture includes: a concave accommodating portion for accommodating the above-mentioned optical connector; and a first convex portion protruding from the side wall of the above-mentioned accommodating portion and capable of being inserted into a first concave portion of the above-mentioned optical connector. The bottom surface of the above-mentioned accommodating portion is the above-mentioned fifth abutting surface.

[0020]

[10] Mode 10 of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed on the basis of the optical connector cleaning tool of any one of Modes 4 to 9. Among them, the above-mentioned fixture includes: a concave accommodating portion for accommodating the above-mentioned optical connector; and a second convex portion provided inside the above-mentioned accommodating portion and capable of being inserted into a second concave portion of the above-mentioned optical connector. The bottom surface of the above-mentioned accommodating portion is the above-mentioned fifth abutting surface. At a position point-symmetrical to the above-mentioned second concave portion in the above-mentioned optical connector, no other concave portion capable of inserting the above-mentioned second convex portion is formed.

[0021]

[11] Mode 11 of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed on the basis of the optical connector cleaning tool of any one of Modes 1 to 10. Among them, the above-mentioned optical connector cleaning tool includes: a cleaning shaft, which has the above-mentioned cleaning head and is wound around the above-mentioned cleaning body in a way that folds back on the above-mentioned pressing surface; a cylindrical member, which houses the above-mentioned cleaning shaft in a way that the above-mentioned cleaning head protrudes; a feeding tube, which feeds the above-mentioned cleaning body to the above-mentioned pressing surface; a winding tube, which recovers the above-mentioned cleaning body from the above-mentioned pressing surface; a housing, from which the above-mentioned cleaning shaft protrudes and which houses the above-mentioned feeding tube and the above-mentioned winding tube; and a driving mechanism, which drives the above-mentioned winding tube to rotate along with the relative movement of the above-mentioned cleaning shaft relative to the above-mentioned housing, thereby winding the above-mentioned cleaning body around the above-mentioned winding tube, and the above-mentioned cleaning shaft can move relative to the above-mentioned housing together with the above-mentioned cylindrical member.

[0022] In the present invention, the optical connector cleaning tool is provided with a jig capable of detachably mounting an optical connector. The jig is inserted into the through-hole of the guide cover, so that the cleaning body can be properly pressed against the connection end face of the optical connector, and the stability of the cleaning quality can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 (a) and Figure 1 (b) are a top view and a front view of an optical connector, which is the object to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the protruding member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 (a) to Figure 5 (c) are a sectional view, a front view and a rear view of the guide cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 (a) to Figure 6 (c) are a perspective view, a front view and a top view of the jig according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the appropriate surface pressure and the average number of cleaning times of the optical connector cleaning tool.

[0030] Figure 8 (a) to Figure 8Figure (c) is a diagram for explaining the cleaning method of the optical connector cleaning tool according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 Figure (a) is a diagram showing the state before the optical connector is installed on the jig. Figure 8 Figure (b) is a diagram showing the state during the installation of the optical connector on the jig. Figure 8 Figure (c) is a diagram showing the state where the optical connector is installed on the jig.

[0031] Figure 9 Figure (a) and Figure 9 Figure (b) are diagrams for explaining the cleaning method of the optical connector cleaning tool according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 Figure (a) is a diagram showing the state where the jig with the optical connector installed is inserted into the guide cover. Figure 9 Figure (b) is a diagram showing the state where the cleaning head presses the cleaning body against the optical connector.

[0032] Figure 10 Figure (a) and Figure 10 Figure (b) are diagrams for explaining the cleaning method of the optical connector cleaning tool according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 Figure (a) is a diagram showing the state where the tool body has advanced toward the protruding member. Figure 10 Figure (b) is a diagram showing the state where the tool body has retreated from the protruding member. Detailed Embodiment

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0034] The optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment is a cleaner for cleaning the connection end faces of optical connectors that connect optical fibers to each other. Figure 1 Figure (a) and Figure 1 Figure (b) are a top view and a front view showing the optical connector 300, which is the object to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment.

[0035] The optical connector 300, which is the object to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool 1, is not particularly limited. For example, it is a multi-core integrated connection type optical connector plug that simultaneously connects multiple optical fibers.

[0036] Specifically, as Figure 1 Figure (a) and Figure 1As shown in FIG. (b), the optical connector 300 includes a ferrule 310 having a flat cross-sectional shape (end face shape). The ferrule 310 is a so-called MT (Mechanical Transferable) ferrule and has a plurality of (e.g., 16) optical fiber holding holes arranged along the cross-sectional length direction of the ferrule 310. Optical fibers 330 are inserted into the plurality of optical fiber holding holes respectively. The optical fibers 330 are fixed to the ferrule 310 by an adhesive. The plurality of optical fibers 330 respectively protrude from the end face 311 of the ferrule 310.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 is an angled polished end face (APC) having an inclination angle. Although not particularly limited, the inclination angle of the end face 311 is, for example, 8 degrees with respect to the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical fiber 330. In addition, the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 may also be a flat polished end face (UPC) without inclination.

[0038] In addition, the number of optical fibers 330 held by the ferrule 310 is not particularly limited and may be less than 16 or more than 16. In addition, the optical fibers 330 may be arranged in multiple rows (e.g., 2 rows) along the cross-sectional length direction of the ferrule 310. As the ferrule 310, an MT ferrule specified in JIS C 5981 and JIS C 5982 may also be used.

[0039] The optical connector 300 includes a housing 320 that holds the ferrule 310. Moreover, the optical fibers 330 held by the ferrule 310 are led out from the housing 320 toward the rear (the +Y direction in the figure). In addition, recesses 321 and 322 are formed in the housing 320. The recess 321 is an example of the "first recess" in the embodiment of the present invention, and the recess 322 is an example of the "second recess" in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The recess 321 is used to prevent the optical connector 300 from falling off the clamp 250 (described later) of the optical connector cleaning tool 1. The recess 321 is formed on the side surface of the housing 320.

[0041] On the other hand, the recess 322 is used to prevent the optical connector 300 from being misinstalled on the guide cover 200 (described later). The recess 322 is formed on the side surface of the housing 320 so as to penetrate the housing 320 in the axial direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure) of the optical connector 300.

[0042] Here, the pressing portion 120 (described later) of the cleaning head 110 of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 is pulled by the tension applied to the cleaning body 2 when the cleaning body 2 is retracted. Therefore, when the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300 is inclined, the inclination direction of the pressing surface 121 becomes opposite to the inclination direction of the end face 311, and sometimes the end face 311 of the optical connector 300 cannot be properly cleaned.

[0043] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the recess 322 restricts the insertion direction of the optical connector 300 into the guide cover 200 to a specific direction, enabling the inclination direction of the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300 to be the same as the inclination direction of the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110. Therefore, as shown in (b) of Figure 1 When observing the optical connector 300 from the front, at a position point-symmetrical to the recess 322 about the central axis of the optical connector 300 in the housing 320, no other recess capable of inserting the convex portion 266 of the jig 250 is formed in the housing 320.

[0044] When connecting the pair of optical connectors 300 described above, one optical connector 300 is inserted into one insertion port of a cylindrical adapter (not shown), and the other optical connector 300 is inserted into the other insertion port of the adapter. Then, the end faces 311 of the ferrules 310 of the pair of optical connectors 300 are brought into butt contact with each other, whereby the optical fibers 330 respectively exposed from the end faces 311 of the ferrules 310 are optically connected to each other. At this time, the guide pin 312 provided on one ferrule 310 is inserted into a guide hole (not shown) of the other ferrule 310, whereby the optical connectors 300 are accurately positioned with respect to each other.

[0045] At the time of this butt contact, if dirt such as dust, dust, and oil adheres to the end face 311 of the ferrule 310, it may cause damage during disassembly and assembly, an increase in transmission loss, etc. Therefore, before connecting the optical connectors 300 to each other, it is necessary to clean the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 using the optical connector cleaning tool 1 described below.

[0046] Hereinafter, the structure of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the optical connector cleaning tool 1 described below has substantially the same structure as the optical connector cleaning tools disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-35489, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-35490, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-35491, except for including the guide cover 200 and the jig 250.

[0047] First, with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 the overall structure of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit 3 of the present embodiment.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment (hereinafter also simply referred to as "cleaning tool 1") includes a cleaning unit 3, a guide cover 200, and a jig 250. The cleaning unit 3 includes a tool body 10 and a protruding member 100 extending from the tool body 10. The tool body 10 is covered by a front cover 5 and a rear cover 6. The protruding member 100 protrudes forward (the +Y direction in the figure) from the opening 5a of the front cover 5. The front end portion of the protruding member 100 is inserted into the guide cover 200. The jig 250 is inserted into the guide cover 200 while holding the above-mentioned optical connector 300.

[0049] The protruding member 100 has a pressing surface 121 (described later) at the front end, and the pressing surface 121 presses the cleaning body 2 against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300 (the end face 311 of the above-mentioned ferrule 310). When the jig 250 is inserted into the guide cover 200, the pressing surface 121 presses the cleaning body 2 against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300. The protruding member 100 can move relative to the tool body 10 along the axial direction of the protruding member 100 (the Y-axis direction in the figure) (refer to Figure 10 of (a) and Figure 10 of (b)). In addition, the tool body 10 has tubes 30 and 40 (described later) for supplying and recovering the cleaning body 2 with respect to the pressing surface 121.

[0050] With the relative movement of the tool body 10 and the protruding member 100 (the action of the tool body 10 advancing relative to the protruding member 100), the cleaning body 2 moves on the pressing surface 121, so that the cleaning body 2 slides while being pressed against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300. Thus, the dirt attached to the connection end face 311 is wiped off by the cleaning body 2, and the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300 is cleaned. However, when the cleaning body has adhesiveness, the cleaning body may be only pressed against the connection end face 311 without sliding. In addition, with this relative movement (the action of the tool body 10 retreating relative to the protruding member 100), the used cleaning body 2 is recovered from the pressing surface 121 to the winding tube 40, and the unused cleaning body 2 is supplied from the feeding tube 30 to the pressing surface 121.

[0051] As described above, the optical connector 300 to be cleaned in the present embodiment is a multi-core parallel connection type optical connector, and the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300 has a flat shape. Therefore, the cleaning body 2 is a strip-shaped continuous body (tape). The width of the cleaning body 2 is sized to be able to wipe the end faces of all the optical fibers 330 exposed on the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 and its surroundings (for example, the area between the guide pins 312) at one time. Such a strip-shaped cleaning body 2 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a fabric made of extremely fine fibers such as polyester and nylon.

[0052] In addition, the optical connector cleaning tool 1 can be used to clean the optical connector 300 inserted into the adapter, or to clean the optical connector socket used in the plug-socket connection method. In these cases, instead of using the guide cover 200 and the jig 250, the front end of the protruding member 100 is inserted into the adapter or the like. At this time, in order to prevent the guide cover 200 from being lost, the guide cover 200 can be mounted on the protrusion 5b of the front cover 5. In addition, the optical connector socket refers to a component formed by inserting a ferrule mounted at the front end of an optical fiber into a housing into which an optical connector plug is inserted.

[0053] Next, with reference to Figure 3 the structure of the tool body 10 of the cleaning tool 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0054] As Figure 3 shown, the tool body 10 includes a housing 20, a delivery bobbin 30, a take-up bobbin 40, guide cylinders 51, 52, a roller 53, a pawl 60, and a transmission member 70.

[0055] The housing 20 is composed of a first housing 21 and a second housing 22. The housing 20 houses the delivery bobbin 30, the take-up bobbin 40, the guide cylinders 51, 52, the roller 53, the pawl 60, and the transmission member 70 inside. The first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are not particularly limited, but are formed of a resin material. A fixing pin formed on the second housing 22 is fitted into a fixing cylinder formed on the first housing 21, thereby fixing the first housing 21 and the second housing 22.

[0056] The delivery bobbin 30 is a reel (cylindrical reel holder) for supplying the cleaning body 2. The unused cleaning body 2 is wound around the delivery bobbin 30. The delivery bobbin 30 is supported by a support shaft portion formed on the first housing 21 so as to be rotatable. The delivery bobbin 30 rotates along with the backward movement of the tool body 10 relative to the protruding member 100, and thereby the unused cleaning body 2 is sent from the delivery bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121.

[0057] On both sides of the delivery bobbin 30, a plurality of engaging grooves 31 arranged in a circumferential shape are formed. In the first housing 21 and the second housing 22, a locking claw 20a whose front end abuts against the engaging groove 31 is formed. The idling of the delivery bobbin 30 is suppressed by the locking claw 20a.

[0058] The take-up bobbin 40 is a reel for taking up the used cleaning body 2. The take-up bobbin 40 is supported by a support shaft portion formed on the first housing 21 so as to be rotatable. The take-up bobbin 40 rotates along with the backward movement of the tool body 10 relative to the protruding member 100, and thereby the used cleaning body 2 used on the pressing surface 121 is taken up by the take-up bobbin 40.

[0059] On both sides of the take-up bobbin 40, an outer ring portion 41 and an inner ring portion 42 are formed. On the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 41, a ratchet wheel that meshes with the pawl 60 is formed. On the other hand, the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 42 functions as a friction surface for the leaf spring portion 72 of the transmission member 70 to contact.

[0060] The pawl 60 is disposed on both sides of the take-up bobbin 40 in a manner interposed between the outer ring portion 41 and the inner ring portion 42, and is supported by the support shaft portions formed on the housings 21 and 22, respectively, so as to be rotatable. The pawl 60 and the ratchet wheel of the outer ring portion 41 constitute a ratchet mechanism. This ratchet mechanism allows the take-up bobbin 40 to rotate in the direction of the take-up cleaning body 2 (take-up direction), but prohibits the take-up bobbin 40 from rotating in the direction opposite to the take-up direction.

[0061] The transmission members 70 are disposed inside the two inner ring portions 42 of the take-up bobbin 40. Each transmission member 70 is supported by the above-described support shaft portion of the first housing 21 that supports the take-up bobbin 40 so as to be rotatable.

[0062] Each transmission member 70 includes a pinion gear 71 and a pair of leaf spring portions 72. The pinion gear 71 meshes with a rack gear 176 (described later) of the extending member 100, and the pinion gear 71 and the rack gear 176 constitute a rack and pinion mechanism. By using this rack and pinion mechanism, the relative linear motion of the extending member 100 with respect to the tool body 10 is converted into a rotational motion.

[0063] A pair of leaf spring portions 72 are inserted inside the inner ring portion 42 of the take-up bobbin 40 in a state where the leaf spring portions 72 are elastically deformed inward. Therefore, a frictional force acts between each leaf spring portion 72 and the friction surface of the inner ring portion 42, and the leaf spring portion 72 and the inner ring portion 42 constitute a friction drive mechanism. The rotational motion converted by the above-described rack and pinion mechanism is transmitted to the take-up bobbin 40 via this friction drive mechanism.

[0064] The guide cylinder 51 is supported by the support shaft portion formed on the first housing 21 so as to be rotatable. The guide cylinder 52 is also supported by another support shaft portion formed on the first housing 21 so as to be rotatable. In addition, the roller 53 is supported by pins of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 so as to be rotatable. The unused cleaning body 2 sent out from the supply bobbin 30 is guided by the guide cylinder 51 toward the pressing surface 121 of the extending member 100. On the other hand, the used cleaning body 2 is guided by the guide cylinder 52 and the roller 53 toward the take-up bobbin 40. At this time, the cleaning body 2 is folded back at the roller 53, and the cleaning body 2 is wound around the roller 53.

[0065] Next, with reference to Figure 4 The structure of the extending member 100 of the cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the extending member 100 of the present embodiment. In addition, in thisFigure 4 In the figure, the cleaning body 2 is not shown.

[0066] As Figure 4 shown, the protruding member 100 includes a cleaning shaft 105, a first helical spring (helical spring for guiding pipe orifice) 180, and a guiding pipe orifice 190.

[0067] The cleaning shaft 105 is a member (pressing member) for pressing the cleaning body 2 against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300. The cleaning shaft 105 is a long member extending along the length direction of the protruding member 100 (Y-axis direction in the figure), and includes a cleaning head (head member) 110, a second helical spring (helical spring for cleaning head) 160, and a rack shaft (supporting member) 170.

[0068] The cleaning head 110 is a member constituting the front end portion of the cleaning shaft 105. As Figure 4 shown, the cleaning head 110 includes a pressing portion 120, a neck portion (tilting portion) 130, a supporting portion 140, and an insertion portion 150. Although not particularly limited, for example, the cleaning head 110 is made of a resin material, and the pressing portion 120, the neck portion 130, the supporting portion 140, and the insertion portion 150 are integrally formed.

[0069] The pressing portion 120 has a pressing surface 121 at its front end, and the pressing surface 121 presses the cleaning body 2 against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300. The pressing surface 121 has a flat shape corresponding to the shape of the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300 to be cleaned. The cleaning body 2 is wound around the pressing surface 121 from the upper side to the lower side of the pressing surface 121. The unused cleaning body 2 is supplied from the upper side, and the used cleaning body 2 is sent out to the lower side (refer to Figure 3 and Figure 10 arrow B in (a)). That is, the cleaning body 2 moves from the upper side to the lower side along the short axis direction of the pressing surface 121 on the pressing surface 121.

[0070] In addition, a pair of insertion grooves 122 are formed at both ends of the pressing surface 121. When the pressing surface 121 is pressed against the end face 311 of the ferrule 310, the guiding pin 312 protruding from the end face 311 enters the insertion groove 122, whereby the pressing surface 121 can make the cleaning body 2 closely adhere to the end face 311 of the ferrule 310.

[0071] Moreover, the pressing portion 120 is connected to the supporting portion 140 via the neck portion 130. The neck portion 130 can be elastically deformed with respect to the pressing force from the optical connector 300 to the pressing portion 120. The neck portion 130 tilts the pressing portion 120 corresponding to the inclination of the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300.

[0072] The support portion 140 has a plate-like shape, and the plate-like shape has a flat cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the pressing portion 120. The unused cleaning body 2 supplied to the pressing surface 121 of the pressing portion 120 from above passes above the support portion 140. On the other hand, the used cleaning body 2 sent downward from the pressing surface 121 passes below the support portion 140.

[0073] An insertion portion 150 is connected to the rear side of the support portion 140. The insertion portion 150 is a portion inserted into the front end portion 171 of the rack shaft 170, and has a plate-like shape with a width narrower than that of the support portion 140. A cylindrical shaft portion 151 protruding rearward (the -Y direction in the figure) is formed at the rear end of the insertion portion 150, and a protrusion 152 protruding laterally (the X-axis direction in the figure) is formed.

[0074] The second coil spring 160 is interposed between the cleaning head 110 and the rack shaft 170 in a state where the shaft portion 151 of the cleaning head 110 is inserted into the second coil spring 160. The second coil spring 160 is interposed between the cleaning head 110 and the rack shaft 170 in a compressed state, and the cleaning head 110 is urged forward with respect to the rack shaft 170 by the second coil spring 160. Thus, the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 can press the cleaning body 2 against the connection end surface 311 of the optical connector 300 with an appropriate pressing force. The second coil spring 160 corresponds to an example of the "urging member" in the mode of the present invention.

[0075] The rack shaft 170 is a member that supports the cleaning head 110 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure). The rack shaft 170 includes a front end portion 171, a trunk portion 172, a shoulder portion 173, and an arm portion 175. Although not particularly limited, for example, the rack shaft 170 is made of a resin material, and the front end portion 171, the trunk portion 172, the shoulder portion 173, and the arm portion 175 are integrally formed.

[0076] An insertion groove 171a and a window 171b are formed in the front end portion 171 of the rack shaft 170. The insertion groove 171a is a groove that opens at the front end of the rack shaft 170. The insertion portion 150 of the cleaning head 110 is inserted into the insertion groove 171a so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure). In addition, the window 171b opens from the insertion groove 171a to the side surface of the front end portion 171. The protrusion 152 of the insertion portion 150 of the cleaning head 110 is inserted into the window 171b. The cleaning head 110 is guided in the front-rear direction by the insertion groove 171a, and the cleaning head 110 urged by the second coil spring 160 is prevented from falling forward (the +Y direction in the figure) by the window 171b.

[0077] The trunk portion 172 is a part located at the rear side of the front end portion 171. The trunk portion 172 has a columnar shape and is an elongated portion extending along the axial direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure) of the extending member 100. A part of the rear side of the trunk portion 172 is disposed within the housing 20 of the tool body 10, but other parts of the trunk portion 172 protrude forward (the +Y direction in the figure) from the housing 20.

[0078] The upper surface of the trunk portion 172 functions as a guiding surface for guiding the unused cleaning body 2 supplied from the tool body 10 to the cleaning head 110. On the other hand, the lower surface of the trunk portion 172 functions as a guiding surface for guiding the used cleaning body 2 recovered from the cleaning head 110 to the roller 177. In addition, the trunk portion 172 is inserted into the first coil spring 180 and also has the function of supporting the first coil spring 180.

[0079] A pair of shoulders 173 are connected to the rear end of the trunk portion 172 of the rack shaft 170. Each shoulder 173 protrudes laterally (the X-axis direction in the figure) from the rear end of the trunk portion 172 and is disposed within the windows 20b of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0080] In addition, a protrusion 174 protruding laterally (the X-axis direction in the figure) is formed on the shoulder 173. In a state where the shoulder 173 is disposed within the window 20b of the housings 21 and 22, the protrusion 174 protrudes from the window 20b and is fitted into the window 197 (described later) of the guide nozzle 190.

[0081] A pair of arm portions 175 are connected to the lower side of the shoulders 173 and extend rearward (the -Y direction in the figure) from the shoulders 173. The arm portions 175 are respectively received in the receiving portions 20c of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0082] A holding hole 175a is formed at the front end of the pair of arm portions 175. A pin 178 is inserted into the holding hole 175a, and the roller 177 is supported by the pin 178 so as to be rotatable. The used cleaning body 2 guided along the lower surface of the trunk portion 172 is guided by the roller 177, the guide cylinder 52 and the roller 53 of the tool body 10 described above toward the take-up bobbin 40. At this time, the cleaning body 2 is turned back at the roller 177, and the cleaning body 2 is wound around the roller 177. As described above, the cleaning body 2 is also turned back at the roller 53 of the tool body 10, and as a result, the cleaning body 2 is spanned between the rollers 177 and 53.

[0083] In addition, a rack gear 176 is formed in a portion on the rear side of each arm portion 175. A take-up bobbin 40 is disposed between the pair of rack gears 176, and a pinion 71 of the transmission member 70 meshes with the rack gear 176, thereby constituting a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0084] The guide nozzle 190 is a cylindrical member having a cylindrical portion 191 and a plate portion 196. The cylindrical portion 191 includes a front end portion 192 that is inserted into the guide cover 200 when cleaning the optical connector 300, and a main body portion 195 that is connected to the rear side of the front end portion 192. The cylindrical portion 191 has a stepped surface 191a between the front end portion 192 and the main body portion 195. When the front end portion 192 of the guide nozzle 190 is inserted into the guide cover 200, the stepped surface 191a abuts against one end surface 204 (see Figure 5 (a) of the guide cover 200). The guide nozzle 190 corresponds to an example of the "cylindrical member" in the aspect of the present invention, and the stepped surface 191a corresponds to an example of the "fourth abutting surface" in the aspect of the present invention.

[0085] In addition, convex portions 193a to 193d are respectively formed on the upper, lower, left, and right outer side surfaces of the front end portion 192. Figure 4 The protruding amount of the convex portion 193a on the left side (the +X direction side in the figure) in Figure 4 is greater than the protruding amount of the convex portion 193b on the right side (the -X direction side in the figure) in

[0086] The cylindrical portion 191 has an inner hole penetrating in its axial direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure), and a cleaning shaft 105 and a first coil spring 180 are accommodated in the inner hole. In addition, the cylindrical portion 191 has a function of protecting the cleaning body 2 that moves along the upper and lower surfaces of the trunk portion 172 of the rack shaft 170. Although not particularly limited, for example, the guide nozzle 190 is made of a resin material, and the front end portion 192, the main body portion 195, and the plate portion 196 are integrally formed.

[0087] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 a support portion 140 of the cleaning head 110 is accommodated in the inner hole 194 of the front end portion 192 of the cylindrical portion 191. Moreover, a pressing portion 120 of the cleaning head 110 connected to the support portion 140 via the neck portion 130 protrudes forward (the +Y direction in the figure) from an opening 194a of the inner hole 194 of the front end portion 192 of the cylindrical portion 191.

[0088] In contrast, as shown in Figure 4As shown, the shoulder 173 and the arm portion 175 of the rack shaft 170 protrude rearward (in the -Y direction in the figure) from the opening 195a on the rear side of the main body portion 195 of the cylindrical portion 191 of the guide nozzle 190. Further, the protrusion 174 of the rack shaft 170 is fitted into the window 197 of the plate portion 196 formed on the guide nozzle 190, whereby the rack shaft 170 and the guide nozzle 190 are fixed to each other.

[0089] In addition, the main body portion 195 of the cylindrical portion 191 of the guide nozzle 190 has a tapered portion 195b with an increasing inner diameter at its central portion. A first coil spring 180 is interposed (arranged) between the tapered portion 195b and the front surface of the housing 20. The first coil spring 180 applies a force to the guide nozzle 190 in a direction away from the tool main body 10 (in the +Y direction in the figure).

[0090] Next, with reference to Figure 5 (a) to Figure 5 (c) of this, the structure of the guide cover 200 of the cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. Figure 5 (a) to Figure 5 (c) are a cross-sectional view, a front view, and a rear view showing the guide cover 200 of the present embodiment. Figure 5 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the VA-VA line in Figure 5 (b) and Figure 5 (c) of this.

[0091] As shown in Figure 5 (a) to Figure 5 (c) of this, the guide cover 200 is a cylindrical member having a through hole 201. The through hole 201 extends along the axial direction of the guide cover 200 (the length direction of the guide cover 200) (the Y-axis direction in the figure), and has openings 202 and 203 at both ends thereof. The opening 202 corresponds to an example of the "first opening" in the manner of the present invention, and the opening 203 corresponds to an example of the "second opening" in the manner of the present invention.

[0092] One opening 202 of the through hole 201 opens on one end face 204 of the guide cover 200 (the end face on the -Y direction side in the figure). The front end portion of the above-mentioned protruding member 100 is inserted into this opening 202. At this time, the stepped surface 191a of the guide nozzle 190 of the protruding member 100 abuts against this end face 204, whereby the insertion of the protruding member 100 into the guide cover 200 is restricted, and the cleaning head 110 is positioned relative to the guide cover 200 in the axial direction of the guide cover 200 (the Y-axis direction in the figure). This one end face 204 corresponds to an example of the "first abutting surface" in the manner of the present invention.

[0093] In addition, grooves 202a to 202d that open at one of the end faces 204 are respectively formed on the inner surfaces of the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the through hole 201. The grooves 202a to 202d have shapes corresponding to the convex portions 193a to 193d of the guiding nozzle 190. Therefore, when the front end portion 192 of the guiding nozzle 190 is inserted into the guiding cover 200, the convex portions 193a to 193d of the guiding nozzle 190 are engaged with the grooves 202a to 202d of the opening 202 formed in the guiding cover 200, whereby the cleaning head 110 is positioned relative to the guiding cover 200 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the guiding cover 200 (the XZ plane direction in the figure).

[0094] In addition, as described above, on the outer side surface of the front end portion 192 of the guiding nozzle 190, Figure 4 the protruding amount of the convex portion 193a on the left side (the +X direction side in the figure) in Figure 4 is larger than the protruding amount of the convex portion 193b on the right side (the -X direction side in the figure) in Figure 5 For the upper side (the +X direction side in the figure) of (c) in the guiding cover 200, the depth of the groove 202a is deeper than Figure 5 the depth of the groove 202b on the lower side (the -X direction side in the figure) of (c) in

[0095] On the other hand, the other opening 203 of the through hole 201 opens at the other end face 205 (the end face on the +Y direction side in the figure) of the guiding cover 200. The jig 250 on which the optical connector 300 is mounted is inserted into the opening 203. At this time, the stepped surface 280 of the jig 250 (refer to Figure 6 (a) to Figure 6 (c)) abuts against the end face 205, whereby the insertion of the jig 250 into the guiding cover 200 is restricted, and the optical connector 300 is positioned relative to the guiding cover 200 in the axial direction of the guiding cover 200 (the Y-axis direction in the figure). This other end face 205 is an example of the "second abutting surface" in the aspect of the present invention.

[0096] In addition, a stepped surface 206 is formed inside the through hole 201 of the guiding cover 200. Here, in the case of cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector larger than the above-described optical connector 300, the optical connector is inserted into the through hole 201 without using the jig 250. At this time, for example, the housing of the optical connector abuts against the stepped surface 206, whereby the insertion of the optical connector into the guiding cover 200 is restricted, and the optical connector is positioned relative to the guiding cover 200 in the axial direction of the guiding cover 200 (the Y-axis direction in the figure).

[0097] In addition, although not particularly illustrated, the guide cover 200 may also be provided with a cover for closing the opening 203. When the optical connector is not cleaned, the front end portion of the protruding member 100 is inserted into the guide cover 200, and the opening 203 is closed with this cover. Thereby, intrusion of dust, dirt, moisture, etc. into the through hole 201 of the guide cover 200 can be suppressed. Although not particularly illustrated, this cover may also be connected to the main body of the guide cover 200 via a hinge.

[0098] Next, with reference to Figure 6 (a) to Figure 6 the structure of the jig 250 of the cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to (c). Figure 6 (a) to Figure 6 (c) of FIG. are a perspective view, a front view, and a top view showing the jig 250 of the present embodiment.

[0099] The jig 250 is a member that is inserted into the through hole 201 of the guide cover 200 in a state where the optical connector 300 is installed. Although not particularly illustrated, in order to prevent the loss of the jig 250, the jig 250 may be connected to the guide cover 200 or the cleaning unit 3 with a rope or the like. As Figure 6 (a) to Figure 6 (c) shows, the jig 250 includes: a concave receiving portion 260 that receives the housing 320 of the optical connector 300; and a groove 270 that receives the optical fiber 330 led out from the optical connector 300.

[0100] The receiving portion 260 is disposed at one end (the -Y direction side in the figure) of the jig 250 and has side walls 261 that surround the periphery of the housing 320 of the optical connector 300. In addition, a cutout 263 that opens in the -X direction in the figure is formed in the bottom surface 262 of the receiving portion 260. When the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is received in the receiving portion 260, the housing 320 abuts against the bottom surface 262 of the receiving portion 260, whereby the optical connector 300 is positioned relative to the jig 250 in the axial direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure) of the jig 250. In addition, at this time, the optical fiber 330 led out from the housing 320 passes through the cutout 263. This bottom surface 262 is an example of the "fifth abutting surface" of the aspect of the present invention.

[0101] Conical portions 264 are respectively provided at the four corners of the receiving portion 260. These four conical portions 264 have inclined surfaces that approach each other as they face the bottom surface 262 of the receiving portion 260. When the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is received in the receiving portion 260, the housing 320 is guided in the receiving portion 260 by these four conical portions 264, and the housing 320 is positioned relative to the jig 250 in a direction (the XZ plane direction in the figure) that is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the jig 250.

[0102] In addition, convex portions 265 and 266 are provided in the housing portion 260. The convex portion 265 is an example of the "first convex portion" in the embodiment of the present invention, and the convex portion 266 is an example of the "second convex portion" in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] In order to prevent the optical connector 300 from falling off the fixture 250, the convex portion 265 is provided on the side wall 261 so as to protrude toward the inside of the housing portion 260 (the +Z direction in the figure). When the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is housed in the housing portion 260, the convex portion 265 is inserted into the concave portion 321 of the housing 320.

[0104] On the other hand, in order to prevent the optical connector 300 from being mis-mounted on the fixture 250, the convex portion 266 is provided on the bottom surface 262 of the housing portion 260. When the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is housed in the housing portion 260, the convex portion 266 is inserted into the concave portion 322 of the housing 320.

[0105] The groove 270 extends along the length direction of the fixture 250 (the Y-axis direction in the figure) and penetrates the fixture 250. The groove 270 has an opening 271 that opens on one side surface of the fixture 250. Through the opening 271, the optical fiber 330 can enter and exit the groove 270 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the fixture 250 (the X-axis direction in the figure). The opening 271 has a tapered surface 272 that tapers toward the bottom surface of the groove 270, making it easier for the optical fiber 330 to enter and exit the groove 270. The opening 271 is an example of the "third opening" in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] One end 273 of the groove 270 (the -Y direction side in the figure) communicates with the notch 263 on the bottom surface 262 of the housing portion 260. In addition, the other end 274 of the groove 270 opens on the end surface of the other side (the +Y direction side in the figure) of the fixture 250. In the present embodiment, the width of the groove 270 tapers from one end 273 toward the other end 274. In the groove 270, the width w2 of the end 274 is narrower than the width w1 of the end 273 (w2 < w1). Thus, when the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is housed in the housing portion 260, at one end 273, the optical fiber 330 is relatively free with respect to the fixture 250, so that movement of the housing 320 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the fixture 250 (the XZ plane direction in the figure) is allowed. In contrast, at the other end 274, the optical fiber 330 can be held by the fixture 250, so that movement of the housing 320 in the axial direction of the fixture 250 (the Y-axis direction in the figure) can be suppressed.

[0107] In addition, the fixture 250 has a stepped surface 280. The stepped surface 280 is formed on the side surface of the fixture 250 (the surface parallel to the YZ plane in the figure). When the fixture 250 with the optical connector 300 installed is inserted into the guide cover 200, the stepped surface 280 abuts against the end surface 205 of the guide cover 200, whereby the optical connector 300 is positioned relative to the guide cover 200 in the axial direction of the guide cover 200 (the Y-axis direction in the figure). The stepped surface 280 corresponds to an example of the "second abutting surface" in the manner of the present invention.

[0108] In addition, when the fixture 250 with the optical connector 300 installed is inserted into the guide cover 200, the upper and lower surfaces and the left and right side surfaces of the fixture 250 contact the inner surface of the guide cover 200, whereby the optical connector 300 is positioned relative to the guide cover 200 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the guide cover 200 (the XZ plane direction in the figure).

[0109] Here, in the present embodiment, it is configured such that in a state where the optical connector 300 is installed on the fixture 250, the central axis CL1 of the fixture 250 is offset from the central axis CL2 of the optical connector 300 (refer to Figure 8 (c)), if the fixture 250 is inserted into the guide cover 200 in the wrong orientation, the optical connector 300 contacts the above-mentioned stepped surface 206 inside the guide cover 200. Therefore, the orientation in which the fixture 250 can be inserted into the guide cover 200 is restricted to a specific orientation. In addition, as in the positioning of the above-mentioned guide pipe opening 190 and the guide cover 200, the orientation in which the fixture 250 can be inserted into the guide cover 200 can also be restricted to a specific orientation by the outer shape of the fixture 250 and the shape of the opening 203 of the guide cover 200.

[0110] In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned guide cover 200 and fixture 250 are configured to satisfy the following equations (4) and (5).

[0111] P min ×A / K - C0 ≤ C1 ≤ P max ×A / K - C0 … (4)

[0112] C1 = L0 - L1 … (5)

[0113] Wherein, in the above equations (4) and (5), P min is the minimum value of the appropriate surface pressure of the cleaning head 110 relative to the connection end surface 311 of the optical connector 300, P maxis the maximum value of the appropriate surface pressure of the cleaning head 110 relative to the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300. Additionally, A is the effective area of the portion of the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300 to be cleaned, K is the spring constant of the second coil spring 160, and C0 is the compression amount of the second coil spring 160 in the non-pressed state of the cleaning head 110. Additionally, L0 (not shown) is the sum of the distance L2 from the step face 280 of the jig 250 to the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300 and the distance L3 from the step face 191a of the guide nozzle 190 to the pressing face 121 of the cleaning head 110 in the non-pressed state of the cleaning head 110, and L1 is the overall length of the guide cover 200 (refer to (a) of Figure 9 and (b) of Figure 9 described later).

[0114] Furthermore, the "non-pressed state of the cleaning head 110" means a state where the cleaning head 110 does not press the cleaning body 2 against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300. Additionally, "surface pressure" means the magnitude of the force (pressure) acting per unit area of an object.

[0115] Although not particularly limited, in order to satisfy the above-mentioned equations (4) and (5), for example, the distance L4 between the step face 280 of the jig 250 and the bottom face 262 is adjusted (refer to (a) of Figure 9 described later). By configuring the above-mentioned guide cover 200 and jig 250 to satisfy the following equations (4) and (5), the cleaning body 2 can be pressed against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300 with an appropriate surface pressure. In addition, when the surface pressure is weak, it may not be possible to sufficiently clean the connection end face 311, resulting in dust or the like remaining on the connection end face 311. On the other hand, when the surface pressure is strong, it may not be possible to move the cleaning body 2 between the pressing face 121 of the cleaning head 110 and the connection end face 311.

[0116] Moreover, it is preferable to configure the above-mentioned guide cover 200 and jig 250 to satisfy the following equation (6), and more preferably to satisfy the following equation (7).

[0117] 0.6 mm ≤ C1 ≤ 2.3 mm... (6)

[0118] 1.1 mm ≤ C1 ≤ 1.7 mm... (7)

[0119] Here,[[]] Figure 7The graph showing the relationship between the appropriate surface pressure and the average number of cleaning times of an existing optical connector cleaning tool with an MPO connector as the cleaning target was obtained through experiments. In addition, the "average number of cleaning times" refers to the number of times required to clean the connection end face of the optical connector. Specifically, it is relative to the number of times the protruding member is pressed into the tool body. This "average number of cleaning times" is a value obtained by counting the number of times until the end face of the optical fiber is visually confirmed to be clean for all the optical fibers held by the ferrule of the optical connector and calculating the average value.

[0120] Based on the approximate curve AC obtained from the above graph and the actual value of the average number of cleaning times of the mass-produced products of the existing optical connector cleaning tool being 1.04 - 1.06 times, the range of surface pressure suitable for cleaning is obtained as 0.68 - 1.51 MPa. Then, in the above formula (4), substitute 0.68 MPa into P min and substitute 1.51 MPa into P max to obtain the above formula (6). Although not particularly limited, the above A is 5.94 mm 2 at this time, K is 2.789 N / mm, and C1 is 0.9 mm.

[0121] Next, refer to Figure 8 (a) - Figure 10 (b) to illustrate an example of the cleaning method of the optical connector 300 using the optical connector cleaning tool 1 described above.

[0122] Figure 8 (a) - Figure 10 (b) are diagrams for illustrating the cleaning method using the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment. Figure 8 (a) is a diagram showing the state before the optical connector 300 is installed on the fixture 250, Figure 8 (b) is a diagram showing the state during the installation of the optical connector 300 on the fixture 250, Figure 8 (c) is a diagram showing the state where the optical connector 300 is installed on the fixture 250. Figure 9 (a) is a diagram showing the state where the fixture 250 with the optical connector 300 installed is inserted into the guide cover 200, Figure 9 (b) is a diagram showing the state where the cleaning head 110 presses the cleaning body 2 against the optical connector 300. Figure 10 (a) is a diagram showing the state where the tool body 10 has advanced toward the protruding member 100, Figure 10 (b) is a diagram showing the state where the tool body 10 has retreated from the protruding member 100.

[0123] First, as shown in Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8As shown in (b) of

[0124] , the operator inserts the optical fiber 330 led out from the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 into the groove 270 of the jig 250. At this time, while the operator maintains the interval D between the housing 320 and the front end of the jig 250 in the Y-axis direction in the figure, the operator moves the optical connector 300 in the +X direction in the figure to insert the optical fiber 330 into the groove 270 through the opening 271. Figure 8 Next, as shown in (b) of Figure 8 and (c) of

[0125] , the operator pulls the optical fiber 330 closer in the +Y direction in the figure, whereby the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is received in the receiving portion 260 of the jig 250. At this time, after the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is guided by the tapered portion 264 and moves in the +Y-axis direction in the figure, it abuts against the bottom surface 262 of the receiving portion 260, whereby the housing 320 is positioned relative to the jig 250. In addition, the convex portion 265 is inserted into the concave portion 321 of the housing 320, whereby the optical connector 300 can be prevented from falling off the jig 250. Further, the convex portion 266 is inserted into the concave portion 322 of the housing 320, whereby the optical connector 300 can be prevented from being mis-mounted on the jig 250. Figure 9 Next, as shown in (a) of Figure 9 and (b) of

[0126] , the operator inserts the jig 250 having the optical connector 300 mounted thereon into the through-hole 201 of the guide cover 200. At this time, the stepped surface 280 of the jig 250 abuts against the end surface 205 of the guide cover 200, whereby the cleaning body 2 is pressed against the connection end surface 311 of the optical connector 300 with an appropriate surface pressure by the cleaning head 110 disposed inside the guide cover 200. In this state, the optical connector 300 does not contact the inner surface of the guide cover 200 and is clamped between the cleaning head 110 and the jig 250.

[0127] In addition, the protruding member 100 is inserted into the guide cover 200 in advance. When inserting the protruding member 100, the operator makes the stepped surface 191a of the guide pipe port 190 abut against the end surface 204 of the guide cover 200. In addition, the protruding member 100 may be inserted into the guide cover 200 after the jig 250 is inserted into the guide cover 200. Figure 10 Next, if the operator presses the tool body 10 against the protruding member 100, as shown in (a) of

[0128] , the first coil spring 180 contracts, and the interval between the roller 177 of the protruding member 100 and the roller 53 of the tool body 10 is expanded by a predetermined length L5.Therefore, the length of the cleaning body 2 between the guide cylinder 51 on the supply side and the roller 177 is shortened by a specified length L5, and the length of the cleaning body 2 between the rollers 177 and 53 is increased by the specified length L5. As a result, the cleaning body 2 on the pressing surface 121 is pulled toward the take-up bobbin tube 40 side (recovery side), and while being pressed against the end surface 311 of the ferrule 310, the cleaning body 2 slides and wipes off the dirt adhering to the end surface 311.

[0129] As Figure 10 shown in (a) of [], the rack gear 176 rotates the pinion 71 by the pressing of the tool body 10 by the operator as described above. However, the rotation of the take-up bobbin tube 40 in the direction opposite to the take-up direction (counterclockwise in Figure 10 (a)) (clockwise in Figure 10 (a)) is prohibited by the pawl 60, so that sliding occurs between the friction surface of the leaf spring portion 72 of the transmission member 70 and the inner ring portion 42. Therefore, in this case, the transmission member 70 idles and the take-up bobbin tube 40 does not rotate.

[0130] Next, if the operator releases the pressing of the tool body 10 with respect to the protruding member 100, as shown in (b) of Figure 10 (), the tool body 10 retreats with respect to the protruding member 100 by the elastic force of the first coil spring 180, the distance between the roller 177 of the protruding member 100 and the roller 53 of the tool body 10 is shortened by the specified length L5, and at the same time, the rack gear 176 rotates the pinion 71. The rotational force of the pinion 71 is transmitted to the take-up bobbin tube 40 via the friction surface of the leaf spring portion 72 and the inner ring portion 42 of the transmission member 70, and the take-up bobbin tube 40 rotates, and the used cleaning body 2 is taken up by the take-up bobbin tube 40.

[0131] That is, the drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the take-up bobbin tube 40 along with the relative movement of the protruding member 100 with respect to the tool body 10 is composed of the above-described rack and pinion mechanism and the above-described friction drive mechanism. The above-described rack and pinion mechanism is composed of a rack gear 176 and a pinion 71, and the above-described friction drive mechanism is composed of a leaf spring portion 72 and a friction surface 421.

[0132] At the same time, the length of the cleaning body 2 between the guide cylinder 51 on the supply side and the roller 177 is increased by the specified length L5. At this time, the distance between the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 and the roller 177 is constant, and the cleaning body 2 is wound around the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110, so that the unused cleaning body 2 having a length corresponding to the specified length L5 is sent out from the supply bobbin tube 30.

[0133] When the cleaning is completed, the operator pulls out the jig 250 from the guide cover 200. Next, in the same manner as the above Figure 8 (a) to Figure 8(c) In the reverse order, remove the optical connector 300 from the jig 250.

[0134] As described above, in the present embodiment, the optical connector cleaning tool 1 includes a jig 250 to which the optical connector 300 is detachably attached. The cleaning head 110 is inserted into the through hole 201 of the guide cover 200 through one opening 202, and the jig 250 is inserted into the through hole 201 through the other opening 203. Therefore, in the present embodiment, regardless of how the operator holds the jig 250, the cleaning body 2 can be appropriately pressed against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300, and the stabilization of the cleaning quality can be achieved.

[0135] In addition, in the present embodiment, even if the optical connector 300 has a small structure with an inner diameter smaller than that of the through hole 201 of the guide cover 200, the optical connector 300 can be inserted into the guide cover 200 by the jig 250. Therefore, a single guide cover 200 can be used to handle a variety of optical connectors with different sizes.

[0136] Furthermore, the embodiments described above are described for the purpose of easily understanding the present invention, and are not described for the purpose of limiting the present invention. Therefore, the gist of each element disclosed in the above embodiments also includes all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0137] For example, as disclosed in FIGS. 12A to 12C of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-35489, the rollers 153 and 177 for supplying the cleaning body 2 having a predetermined length L5 may not be provided. In this case, the winding direction of the winding bobbin 40 is opposite to that of the above embodiment, and the ratchet mechanism composed of the pawl 60 and the ratchet 411 is also provided in the direction opposite to that of the above embodiment.

[0138] In addition, an elastic body other than a spring, such as rubber, may be used instead of the above-described second spiral spring 160. In this case, the spring constant (k) of the elastic body can also be calculated by dividing the load (F) applied to the elastic body by the displacement amount (x) of the elastic body based on Hooke's law (k = F / x).

[0139] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning the connection end face of a multi-core integrated connection type optical connector has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning the connection end face of a single-core connection type optical connector. As a specific example of a cleaning tool for a single-core connection type optical connector, for example, cleaning tools described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-191465, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-266675, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-33736, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-75585, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-137872, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-150083 can be exemplified.

[0140] In this case, as the cleaning body, an article obtained by processing a fabric made of extremely fine fibers such as polyester and nylon into a filament shape can be used. Alternatively, as the cleaning body, a narrow strip-shaped article can also be used.

[0141] In addition, as the optical connector to be cleaned, that is, a single-core connection type optical connector, although not particularly limited, LC type optical connectors (trademark of Lucent Technologies), SC type optical connectors specified in JIS C5973, MU type optical connectors specified in JIS C5983, SC2 type optical connectors, etc. can be exemplified.

[0142] Description of Reference Numerals

[0143] 1... Optical connector cleaning tool; 2... Cleaning body; 3... Cleaning unit; 10... Tool main body; 30... Feeding bobbin; 40... Winding bobbin; 100... Extending member; 105... Cleaning shaft; 110... Cleaning head; 121... Pressing surface; 160... Second coil spring; 170... Rack shaft; 190... Guide nozzle; 191... Tube portion; 191a... Step surface; 192... Front end portion; 193a to 193d... Protrusions; 200... Guide cover; 201... Through hole; 202... Opening; 202a to 202d... Grooves; 203... Opening; 204... End face; 205... End face; 250... Clamp; 260... Receiving portion; 261... Side wall; 262... Bottom surface; 263... Cutout; 264... Tapered portion; 265... Protrusion; 266... Protrusion; 270... Groove; 271... Opening; 272... Tapered surface; 273, 274... End portions; 280... Step surface; 300... Optical connector; 310... Ferrule; 311... Connection end face; 320... Housing; 321... Recess; 322... Recess; 330... Optical fiber.

Claims

1. An optical connector cleaning tool, comprising a cleaning body for cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector, characterized in that, Comprising: A guiding cover having a through-hole with a first opening and a second opening; A cleaning head having a pressing surface for pressing the cleaning body against the connecting end surface and being inserted into the through-hole through the first opening; And A jig for detachably mounting the optical connector and being inserted into the through-hole through the second opening.

2. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein The optical connector cleaning tool comprises: A cleaning shaft having the cleaning head; and A cylindrical member for accommodating the cleaning shaft in a manner that the cleaning head protrudes, The cleaning shaft further comprises: A supporting member for supporting the cleaning head to be movable; and A biasing member interposed between the cleaning head and the supporting member for biasing the cleaning head in a direction away from the supporting member, The jig has a second abutting surface that abuts against a first abutting surface of the guiding cover in the axial direction of the guiding cover, i.e., the first direction, The cylindrical member has a fourth abutting surface that abuts against a third abutting surface of the guiding cover in the first direction, This optical connector cleaning tool satisfies the following formulas (1) and (2), P min × A / K - C0 ≤ C1 ≤ P max × A / K - C0 … (1) C1 = L0 - L1 … (2) Wherein, in the above formulas (1) and (2), P min is the minimum value of the surface pressure of the cleaning head relative to the connection end face, P max is the maximum value of the surface pressure of the cleaning head relative to the connection end face, A is the area of the cleaning target portion of the connecting end surface, K is the spring constant of the biasing member, C0 is the compression amount of the biasing member in the non-pressing state of the cleaning head, L0 is the sum of the distance from the second abutting surface to the connecting end surface and the distance from the fourth abutting surface to the pressing surface in the non-pressing state of the cleaning head, L1 is the distance between the first abutting surface and the third abutting surface of the guiding cover.

3. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 2, wherein The following formula (3) is satisfied, 0.6 mm ≤ C1 ≤ 2.3 mm … (3).

4. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The jig has a fifth abutting surface that abuts against the optical connector in the axial direction of the jig, i.e., the second direction, The fifth abutting surface has a cutout for the optical fiber led out from the optical connector to pass through.

5. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 4, wherein The jig has a groove for accommodating the optical fiber led out from the optical connector, The groove communicates with the cutout and extends along the second direction, The groove has a third opening that enables the optical fiber to enter and exit the groove in a third direction substantially orthogonal to the second direction.

6. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein The third opening has a tapered surface that tapers as it approaches the bottom surface of the groove.

7. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The groove has a portion with a width narrower than the width of the cutout.

8. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein The jig comprises: A concave accommodating portion for accommodating the optical connector; and The tapered portion is disposed within the receiving portion, and guides and positions the optical connector within the receiving portion. The bottom surface of the receiving portion is the fifth abutting surface.

9. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that The fixture includes: A concave receiving portion that receives the optical connector; and A first convex portion that protrudes from the side wall of the receiving portion and can be inserted into a first concave portion of the optical connector. The bottom surface of the receiving portion is the fifth abutting surface.

10. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that The fixture includes: A concave receiving portion that receives the optical connector; and A second convex portion that is disposed within the receiving portion and can be inserted into a second concave portion of the optical connector. The bottom surface of the receiving portion is the fifth abutting surface. At a position point-symmetrical to the second concave portion in the optical connector, no other concave portion capable of receiving the insertion of the second convex portion is formed.

11. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The optical connector cleaning tool includes: A cleaning shaft that has the cleaning head and is wound around the cleaning body so as to turn back at the pressing surface; A cylindrical member that houses the cleaning shaft in such a manner that the cleaning head protrudes; A feeding tube that feeds the cleaning body to the pressing surface; A winding tube that recovers the cleaning body from the pressing surface; A housing that has the cleaning shaft protruding therefrom and houses the feeding tube and the winding tube; And A drive mechanism that drives the winding tube to rotate as the cleaning shaft moves relative to the housing, thereby winding the cleaning body around the winding tube. The cleaning shaft can move relative to the housing together with the cylindrical member.

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