Cleaning auxiliary accessory of optical connector cleaning tool

Abstract

The invention comprises a tubular body (41) into which a cleaning portion of an optical connector cleaning tool can be inserted. A cleaning part (43) equipped with a cleaning object is formed in one end of the tubular body (41). A space (44) within the tubular body (41) is wider than a width of the optical connector cleaning tool in a direction in which the plurality of bushings are arranged side by side. A plurality of grooves (46) are formed in the inner wall of the tubular body (41). The groove (46) is formed in such a shape that the protrusions of the cleaning member are fitted at positions corresponding to all the bushings (3). Thus, it is possible to provide a cleaning auxiliary attachment for an optical connector cleaning tool that can be applied even when the interval between the bushings is small.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a cleaning aid attachment of an optical connector cleaning tool used when cleaning an optical connector having a plurality of ferrules. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, when cleaning a connection end face of an optical connector by an optical connector cleaning tool, for example, a cleaning aid attachment (hereinafter, simply referred to as an attachment) described in Patent Literature 1 is sometimes used. The attachment shown in Patent Literature 1 is formed in a tubular shape, and adopts a configuration in which an optical connector is fitted in one end portion and an optical connector cleaning tool is fitted in the other end portion. When the optical connector and the optical connector cleaning tool are fitted in the attachment, a cleaning medium of the optical connector cleaning tool comes into contact with the connection end face of the optical connector in the attachment.

[0003] In recent years, optical connectors including a plurality of ferrules, such as ELSFP (External Laser Small Form-Factor Pluggable), which is a module that looks like a conventional pluggable optical transceiver, have been used. FIG. 20 An optical connector of this type is shown. FIG. 20 The shown optical connector 1 includes a plurality of ferrules 3 in one housing 2. The housing 2 is supported on a substrate 4, and includes an adapter 5 having a rectangular tubular shape. The adapter 5 is formed long to store a long optical module (not shown) to be connected to the optical connector 1.

[0004] Each of the ferrules 3 is provided with a plurality of optical fibers 6 arranged in a row. The plurality of ferrules 3 are arranged in parallel in the same direction as the direction in which the plurality of optical fibers 6 are arranged. No wall for partitioning the ferrules 3 from each other is provided between the ferrules 3.

[0005] For this reason, the hole in which the optical module is fitted cannot be directly used as a guide for individually guiding the optical connector cleaning tool to the ferrule end face 7 (a connection end face formed at a distal end of each of the ferrules 3 and serving as a cleaning target surface) to which the optical fibers 6 of the ferrules 3 are exposed.

[0006] When cleaning the optical connector 1, the attachment described in Patent Literature 1 is inserted into the adapter 5, and a guide (a rod-shaped cleaning unit) extending from a main body of the optical connector cleaning tool is inserted into a guide hole of the attachment. If the adapter 5 is long, the attachment and the guide of the optical connector cleaning tool are also long.

[0007] RELATED ART DOCUMENTS PATENT LITERATURE

[0008] Japanese Patent No. 3880955 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the present invention

[0010] The attachment described in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to devices including FIG. 20 The optical connector 1 shown in Patent Document 1 has multiple ferrules 3. The reason for this is as follows. The attachment shown in Patent Document 1 requires a guide hole equipped with a guide (rod-shaped cleaning unit) extending from the main body of the optical connector cleaning tool. When using the attachment to clean multiple ferrules 3, multiple guide holes are provided in the attachment. A partition wall is required between adjacent guide holes to maintain the guides of the optical connector cleaning tool. For this reason, the spacing between the guide holes needs to be larger than the width of the guide holes. If the attachment is designed to accommodate an optical connector 1 including multiple ferrules 3, the spacing between the guide holes will be smaller than the width of the guide holes, and since the holes are interconnected, a partition wall cannot be formed. Therefore, since the guides cannot be positioned in the horizontal direction, the attachment cannot be applied to an optical connector 1 including multiple ferrules 3, as described above.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning auxiliary attachment for an optical connector cleaning tool, which can be used even when the interval between ferrules is small.

[0012] Means of solving the problem

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a cleaning auxiliary accessory of an optical connector cleaning tool is provided, the cleaning auxiliary accessory comprising: A tubular body into which the cleaning unit of the optical connector cleaning tool is insertable, the optical connector cleaning tool being configured to clean a cleaning target surface exposing the optical fiber using a cleaning medium at a distal end portion of the rod-shaped cleaning unit, wherein the tubular body includes a fitting portion configured to fit on a cleaning target including a plurality of ferrules each having the cleaning target surface formed at a distal end, the fitting portion being formed at one end portion of the tubular body, the cleaning target including an outer wall on both sides in a direction in which the plurality of ferrules are arranged, and on at least one side in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ferrules are arranged and in a direction orthogonal to a direction pointed by the cleaning target surface, the fitting portion having a shape conforming to the outer wall such that the fitting portion fits on an inner side or an outer side of the outer wall, and the shape of the fitting portion is formed such that, in a state in which the fitting portion is fitted in the outer wall, movement of a portion fitted in the outer wall in a direction toward the outer wall and movement in a direction approaching the ferrules are restricted, a space in the tubular body is formed wider than a width of the cleaning unit in the direction in which the plurality of ferrules are arranged, a plurality of guide paths extending in a longitudinal direction of the tubular body are formed in an inner wall of the tubular body, and the guide paths are formed such that a guide portion formed by one of a convex portion and a concave portion formed on the cleaning unit is fitted at a position corresponding to all the ferrules.

[0014] Inventive Effects

[0015] According to the present application, a cleaning assisting accessory for an optical connector cleaning tool can be provided, which can be applied even if the interval between the ferrules is small. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning assisting accessory, an optical connector, an optical module, and an optical connector cleaning tool according to the present application; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an optical connector and an optical module; FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an optical connector cleaning tool; FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view showing a distal end portion of an optical connector cleaning tool; FIG. 4A is a plan view of an adapter accessory; FIG. 4B is a front view of an adapter accessory; FIG. 4C is a rear view of an adapter accessory; FIG. 4Dis a perspective cross-sectional view of an adapter accessory; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical module and an optical module accessory; FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an optical connector and an adapter accessory; FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an adapter accessory; FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of an adapter accessory; FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of an adapter accessory; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an optical connector and an adapter accessory; FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which an optical connector is being cleaned; FIG. 11A is a plan view of an optical module accessory; FIG. 11B is a front view of an optical module accessory; FIG. 11C is a rear view of an optical module accessory; FIG. 11D is a perspective cross-sectional view of an optical module accessory; FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an optical connector and an accessory; FIG. 12B is a perspective view of an optical connector, an accessory, and an optical connector cleaning tool; FIG. 12C is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which one ferrule is being cleaned; FIG. 13A is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which the optical connector cleaning tool is moved after cleaning; FIG. 13B is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which the optical connector cleaning tool is moved laterally; FIG. 13C is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which another ferrule is being cleaned; FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing a variant of an adapter accessory; FIG. 14B is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a variant of an adapter accessory; FIG. 15A is a perspective view showing a variant of an adapter accessory; FIG. 15B is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a variant of an adapter accessory; FIG. 16A is a perspective view showing a variant of an adapter accessory; FIG. 16Bis a perspective cross-sectional view showing a variation of the adapter accessory; FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an optical connector, an adapter accessory, and an optical connector cleaning tool; FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a use state of the adapter accessory including a protrusion; FIG. 19 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the adapter accessory; and FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the adapter accessory partially cut away. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Reference will now be made to FIG. 1 to FIG. 1 3A detailed description will be given of an embodiment of a cleaning assisting accessory of an optical connector cleaning tool according to the present application. In these drawings, the same reference characters denote the same or similar components, and detailed description thereof will be appropriately omitted. FIG. 20

[0018] (Explanation of an overview of the accessory) When cleaning the optical connector 1, the cleaning assisting accessory (hereinafter simply referred to as "accessory") 21 shown in FIG. 1 is used. In the optical connector 1, as shown in FIG. 20 , two ferrules 3 are arranged bilaterally symmetrically to each other with respect to the center of the insertion hole 5a of the adapter 5 in the left-right direction. The accessory 21 is inserted into the adapter 5 of the optical connector 1 at the time of cleaning, and the optical module 22 is inserted at the time of connecting another optical fiber cable. In this embodiment, the optical connector 1 and the optical module 22 are "cleaning targets" in the present application.

[0019] The adapter 5 forms an outer wall that is located on both sides in the direction in which the two ferrules 3 are arranged, and that is also located on both sides in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the two ferrules 3 are arranged and in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the ferrule end face 7 (cleaning target surface) is directed.

[0020] (Explanation of the optical module) As shown in FIG. 2 ​As shown, the optical module 22 includes a housing 23 that fits within the adapter 5 and two sleeves 24 disposed within the housing 23. The distal end of the housing 23 of the optical module 22 (the end closest to the optical connector 1) includes an outer wall 23a that surrounds the sleeves 24 on three sides. More specifically, the outer wall 23a is located on both sides in the direction in which the two sleeves 24 are arranged, and on one side in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the two sleeves 24 are arranged and in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sleeve end faces 26, described later, are pointed. The outer wall 23a forms the connection portion of the optical module 22. When connecting the optical module 22 to the optical connector 1, the outer wall 23a is inserted into the adapter 5 and interposed between the housing 2 of the optical connector 1 and the adapter 5. In other words, the housing 2 of the optical connector 1 is inserted into the outer wall 23a of the distal end portion of the optical module 22.

[0021] Similar to the ferrule 3 of the optical connector 1, each ferrule 24 of the optical module 22 is provided with FIG. 2 Multiple optical fibers 25 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction. Optical fibers 25 are exposed to ferrule end faces 26, which are flat connection end faces formed at the distal ends of ferrules 24. Furthermore, multiple ferrules 24 of optical module 22 are juxtaposed in the direction in which the optical fibers 25 are arranged. When optical module 22 is connected to optical connector 1, each ferrule end face 26 of optical module 22 is tightly connected to a corresponding one of the ferrule end faces 7 of optical connector 1. In optical module 22, each ferrule end face 26 serves as a cleaning target surface.

[0022] (Description of optical connector cleaning tools) To clean the ferrule end face 7 of the optical connector 1 and the ferrule end face 26 of the optical module 22, use FIG. 1 The optical connector cleaning tool 31 is shown. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B As shown, the optical connector cleaning tool 31 includes a long rod-shaped cleaning unit 33 and a main body 34. The distal end of the long rod-shaped cleaning unit 33 is exposed with a cleaning medium 32, and the main body 34 is connected to the proximal end of the cleaning unit 33. The cleaning unit 33 includes a guide 35 having a prism shape and a cleaning head 37 (see FIG. 3B ), the cleaning head 37 is supported to be freely extended and retracted from the distal end portion of the guide 35, and is supported by a spring member 36 (see FIG. 10 ) is biased in a direction away from the guide 35. The cleaning unit 33 is configured to translate relative to the main body 34 in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning unit 33.

[0023] The cleaning medium 32 according to this embodiment has a long belt shape. The cleaning medium 32 is folded back at the cleaning head 37 to extend inside the cleaning unit 33 toward the main body portion 34, and is connected to a supply spool (not shown) and a winding spool (not shown) stored in the main body portion 34. The winding spool is connected to a medium feeding mechanism (not shown) interlockingly and is driven by the medium feeding mechanism. The medium feeding mechanism is configured so that the winding spool winds the cleaning medium 32 by a predetermined length when the main body portion 34 performs one reciprocating operation of moving to the distal end side relative to the cleaning unit 33 and then returning to the initial position. The cleaning medium 32 moves so that the cleaning medium 32 is pulled out of the supply spool while being wound by the winding spool, and then is folded back at the distal end of the cleaning unit 33. When the main body portion 34 performs the reciprocating operation, as described above, the cleaning medium 32 moves in the direction along the cleaning target surface in the state where the cleaning medium 32 is in contact with the cleaning target surface (the ferrule end face 7 or 26), and the cleaning target surface is cleaned.

[0024] The cleaning head 37 protruding from the distal end of the guide 35 of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 needs to be positioned at a predetermined distance with respect to the ferrule end face 7 or 26 as the cleaning target surface.

[0025] There are roughly three positioning methods. The first method is a method of performing positioning by abutting the cleaning head 37 against the side surface of the optical connector 1 (the side surface of the optical module 22). In this case, there can be no flat surface suitable for positioning formed on the optical connector 1 or the optical module 22. The second method is a method of using the end face of the insertion port of the adapter 5. In this case, since the distance from the ferrule end face 7 or 26 is long, the positioning accuracy can be low. The third method is a method of using an accessory in which a mating surface is provided. The cleaning assisting accessory according to the present application adopts this method.

[0026] (Detailed explanation of the adapter accessory) The configuration of the cleaning assisting accessory according to the present application is as shown in FIG. 4A to 4D . The accessory 21 shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D is an adapter accessory used when cleaning the optical connector 1, and is formed of a tubular body 41 having a rectangular tubular shape and fitted in the connection portion (adapter 5) of the optical connector 1.

[0027] If the cleaning target is the optical module 22, the optical module accessory 42 shown in FIG. 5 is used. The optical module accessory 42 will be described later.

[0028] Regarding directions in the following description of accessories 21 and 42 , the direction in which the plurality of ferrules 3 or 24 in the optical connector 1 or optical module 22 are arranged is defined as the left-right direction, and the direction pointed by the ferrule end surface 7 or 26 is defined as the front.

[0029] like FIG. 6 As shown, the total length of the adapter attachment 21 (tubular body 41) is such that, when the attachment is inserted into the adapter 5 and its rear end abuts against the housing 2 of the optical connector 1, its front end protrudes forward from the adapter 5. In the tubular body 41 according to this embodiment, the outer surface of the rear end forms a fitting portion 43 that fits onto the optical connector 1 being cleaned. The fitting portion 43 has a shape that conforms to the shape of the adapter 5 so that it fits within the adapter 5. Furthermore, when the fitting portion 43 is fitted into the adapter 5, the portion fitted into the adapter 5 is restricted from moving toward the adapter 5 and from moving closer to the ferrule 3.

[0030] like FIG. 6 As shown, when the rear end of the tubular body 41 abuts against the housing 2 , the adapter attachment 21 is positioned relative to the optical connector 1 in the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and the front-rear direction.

[0031] The tubular body 41 forming the adapter attachment 21 includes a lower wall 41a, an upper wall 41b, a left side wall 41c and a right side wall 41d. FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C As shown. A space 44 is formed in tubular body 41 for inserting cleaning unit 33 of optical connector cleaning tool 31. The vertical width of space 44 in tubular body 41 (i.e., the distance between lower wall 41a and upper wall 41b) is slightly wider than the vertical width of cleaning unit 33 of optical connector cleaning tool 31 and is set to a minimum width so that cleaning unit 33 can be inserted without any gaps. The horizontal width of internal space 44 is wider than the horizontal width of cleaning unit 33, so that cleaning unit 33 can move in the left-right direction.

[0032] The inner surfaces of the upper wall 41b, the left side wall 41c and the right side wall 41d of the tubular body 41 are formed by flat surfaces. The lower wall 41a of the tubular body 41 according to this embodiment includes a notch 45 and two grooves 46, such as FIG. 7 As shown. In this embodiment, the notch 45 serves as a "common path" in the present invention and extends from the front end of the tubular body 41 (the edge on the side opposite to the end mounted on the optical connector 1) to the rear end side (toward the end mounted on the optical connector 1). The rear end of the notch 45 is located a predetermined length forward of the rear end of the tubular body 41.

[0033] Two grooves 46 linearly extend from a starting end 46a of the end of the notch 45 toward the front side of the tubular body 41 by a predetermined length until a distal end 46b on the rear side (one end side of the tubular body 41). In this embodiment, the two grooves 46 correspond to the "guide path" in the present invention. The starting end 46a of the groove 46 has an opening shape in which a protrusion 47 (see FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B ) protruding from the cleaning unit 33 of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is fitted. The protrusion 47 continuously extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the cleaning unit 33 without being interrupted. The position of the protrusion 47 in the left-right direction is the center of the cleaning unit 33 and the cleaning medium 32 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the protrusion 47 corresponds to the "guide portion" in the present invention.

[0034] When the protrusion 47 is fitted in the left groove 46 of the two grooves 46, the left side surface of the cleaning unit 33 is spaced apart from the left side wall 41c of the tubular body 41 by a predetermined gap, as shown in FIG. 8A . In addition, as shown in FIG. 8B , when the protrusion 47 is fitted in the right groove 46, the right side surface of the cleaning unit 33 is spaced apart from the right side wall 41d of the tubular body 41 by a predetermined gap. For this reason, when the protrusion 47 is inserted into the groove 46, the cleaning unit 33 is moved using the left side wall 41c or the right side wall 41d as a guide. This also contributes to the alignment of the protrusion 47 to the alignment of the starting end 46a of the groove 46 even though the starting end 46a of the groove 46 is located in the tubular body 41.

[0035] In addition, as shown in FIG. 9 , in a state in which the tubular body 41 is fitted in the adapter 5 and abuts against the housing 2, the two grooves 46 are formed at positions extending from the center of the two sleeves 3 to the front side. That is, the grooves 46 are formed at the same positions as the center of the two sleeves 3 in the left-right direction, and the grooves 46 are formed in a shape such that the protrusion 47 (guide portion) formed on the cleaning unit 3 is fitted in the groove at positions corresponding to all of the sleeves 3.

[0036] For the position of the distal end 46b of each of the two grooves 46, as shown in FIG. 10As shown, in a state where the tubular body 41 is fitted in the adapter 5 and abuts against the case 2, the cleaning medium 32 contacts the ferrule end face 7, which is a cleaning target surface of the ferrule 3, when the protrusion 47 of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 abuts against. That is, the tubular body 41 is provided with a stopper 48 that abuts against the optical connector cleaning tool 1 and restricts movement of the cleaning unit 33 in the insertion direction in a state where the cleaning unit 33 is inserted into the inner space 44, and the cleaning medium 32 contacts the cleaning target surface that is a distal end surface of the ferrule 3. Note that the stopper 48 can be omitted in a case where the cleaning unit as the optical connector cleaning tool is pressed against the cleaning target to restrict movement in the insertion direction at the time of cleaning.

[0037] Since the two grooves 46 are formed at positions matching the center of the ferrule 3 in the left-right direction, the cleaning medium 32 contacts the ferrule end face 7 in a state where the center thereof matches in the left-right direction when the protrusion 47 abuts against the distal end 46b of the groove 46.

[0038] (Explanation of optical module attachment) As FIG. 5 and 11A As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the optical module attachment 42 differs from the adapter attachment 21 in the structure of the rear end portion connected to the optical module 22, and the rest of the structure is the same.

[0039] The optical module attachment 42 according to this embodiment is formed of a tubular body 51 having a rectangular tubular shape. The tubular body 51 includes a lower wall 51a, an upper wall 51b, a left side wall 51c, and a right side wall 51d. A fitting portion 52 is provided at a rear end portion of the tubular body 51, and the optical module 22 as a cleaning target is fitted in the fitting portion 52. The fitting portion 52 is formed of a recessed portion 53 into which the outer wall 23a of the optical module 22 is inserted and fitted. More specifically, the fitting portion 52 has a shape that conforms to the outer wall 23a so that it is fitted outside the outer wall 23a of the optical module 22, and is formed in a shape such that movement of the portion fitted on the outer wall 23a in a direction of moving toward the outer wall 23a and movement in a direction approaching the ferrule 24 of the optical module 22 are restricted in a state where the fitting portion 52 is fitted in the outer wall 23a.

[0040] When the outer wall 23a of the optical module 22 is fitted in the fitting portion 52 and abuts against the bottom of the fitting portion 52, the optical module attachment 42 is positioned relative to the optical module 22 in the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and the front-rear direction.

[0041] The remaining configuration of the optical module attachment 42 is identical to that of the adapter attachment 21. For this reason, in the lower wall 51a of the tubular body 51 forming the optical module attachment 42 according to this embodiment, the notch 45 and the two grooves 46 are formed. In this case, the stopper 48 is also realized by the distal end 46b of the groove 46. When the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is inserted into the tubular body 51 in a state in which the tubular body 51 is fitted on the optical module 22, and the protrusion 47 abuts against the distal end 46b of the groove 46 to restrict movement by the stopper 48, the cleaning medium 32 comes into contact with the ferrule 24 of the optical module 22.

[0042] (Explanation of the cleaning operation) The procedure when cleaning the ferrule end face 7 or 26 of the optical connector 1 or the optical module 22 using the attachment 21 or 42 as described above will be described next. Since the cleaning procedure is not different between the case in which the optical connector 1 is cleaned and the case in which the optical module 22 is cleaned, the cleaning procedure in the case in which the optical connector 1 is cleaned will be described here with reference to FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C and FIG. 13A to FIG. 13C . In FIG. 12C and FIG. 13A to FIG. 13C , the optical connector 1 and the attachment 21 are partially cut away so that the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is exposed.

[0043] First, as shown in FIG. 12A and 12B , the adapter attachment 21 is inserted into the adapter 5 of the optical connector 1 so that the rear end of the tubular body 41 abuts against the housing 2. Note that if the optical module 22 is the cleaning target, the housing 23 of the optical module 22 is inserted into the mating portion 52 of the optical module attachment 42 and fitted at this time.

[0044] After the tubular body 41 is inserted into the adapter 5, as shown in FIG. 12B and 12C , the cleaning unit 33 of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is inserted into the tubular body 41. The insertion operation is performed while moving the cleaning unit 33 in the left-right direction along one of the inner wall surfaces of the hollow portion of the tubular body 41. For example, if the cleaning unit 33 is inserted into the tubular body 41 along the left side wall 41c of the tubular body 41, the protrusion 47 of the cleaning unit 33 enters the left groove 46.

[0045] Then, in a state where the protrusion 47 is positioned in the groove 46, the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is further moved to bring the protrusion 47 against the distal end 46b of the groove 46. When the protrusion 47 is against the distal end 46b and the movement of the cleaning unit 33 in the insertion direction is restricted by the stopper 48, the cleaning medium 32 in the positioned state is in contact with the ferrule end face 7 of the ferrule 3 on the left side. In this state, when one reciprocating operation of the medium feeding mechanism is performed to move the body portion 34 of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 toward the optical connector 1 and then return it to the initial position, the cleaning medium 32 is moved at the cleaning head 37 and folded back, and the ferrule end face 7 is cleaned.

[0046] After the cleaning of the ferrules 3 is completed, as shown in FIG. 13A , the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is pulled to the front side and held in a state where the protrusion 47 is away from the groove 46. At this time, the protrusion 47 is positioned in the notch 45. Then, as shown in Figs. 13 and 13B, the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is slid in the tubular body 41 from the left side to the right side to position the cleaning unit 33 along the right side wall 41d of the tubular body 41. After that, as shown in FIG. 13C , the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is moved to the rear side. When the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is moved to the rear side, the protrusion 47 enters the right groove 46. Then, one reciprocating operation of the medium feeding mechanism is performed to move the optical connector cleaning tool 31 until the protrusion 47 is against the distal end 46b of the groove 46 (until the movement is restricted by the stopper 48), further move the body portion 34, and then return it to the initial position. By operating the body portion 34 in this way, the ferrule end face 7 of the ferrule 3 on the right side is cleaned by the cleaning medium 32.

[0047] Therefore, when the adapter accessory 21 (optical module accessory 42) according to the present embodiment is used, the ferrule end faces 7 of a plurality of ferrules 3 can be cleaned without detaching the accessory 21 or 42 from the optical connector 1 or the optical module 22 and without pulling the optical connector cleaning tool 31 out of the accessory 21 or 42, while all the ferrules 3 are cleaned.

[0048] According to the present embodiment, since the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is moved in the left-right direction in a state where the protrusion 47 is positioned in the notch 45 during the cleaning, the cleaning work can be easily performed compared to the case where the notch 45 is not provided. If the notch 45 is not provided, it is necessary to perform the work of pulling the cleaning unit 33 formed long so as to be insertable into the long tubular body 41 out of the tubular body 41, moving it in the left-right direction, and then inserting the cleaning unit 33 into the tubular body 41. Therefore, compared to this case, the necessity of the work of inserting / removing the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is eliminated and the cleaning of a plurality of ferrules 3 is facilitated with the present embodiment.

[0049] Thus, according to this embodiment, when cleaning an optical connector or an optical module including a plurality of ferrules using an accessory, a cleaning assisting accessory of an optical connector cleaning tool can be provided, and the cleaning assisting accessory can be applied even if the interval between the ferrules is small.

[0050] In particular, in this embodiment, since the stopper 48 is realized by forming the recess 46 having the closed distal end 46b in the accessory 21 or 42, and the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is positioned with respect to the ferrule 3 or 24, it can be designed without depending on the shape of the optical connector 1 or the adapter 5, and the risk of applying an overload to the cleaning target side is small.

[0051] (Variation of the accessory) The accessory can be configured as shown in FIG. 14A , 14B , 15A, 15B, 16A, and 16B. Here, a variation of the adapter accessory will be described, and the optical module accessory can be similarly configured. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 to FIG. 1 3 indicate the same or similar members, and detailed description thereof will be appropriately omitted. FIG. 14A to FIG. 16B

[0052] In the adapter accessory 61 shown in FIG. 14A and 14B , the notch 45 is not formed in the lower wall 41a of the tubular body 41. Two recesses 46 extend from the starting end 46a leading to the front end of the tubular body 41 to the distal end 46b without being interrupted.

[0053] When using the adapter accessory 61 formed as shown in FIG. 14A and 14B , after cleaning one ferrule 3, the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is pulled out of the tubular body 41 and moved in the left-right direction. Then, the cleaning unit 33 is inserted into the tubular body 41 so that the protrusion 47 enters the other recess 46.

[0054] Even if the accessory 61 is formed as shown in FIG. 14A and 14B , a plurality of ferrules 3 can be cleaned without detaching the accessory 61 from the adapter 5.

[0055] In the adapter accessory 61 shown in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B ​In the adapter attachment 62 shown, two slits 63 are formed in the upper wall 41b, which is the other wall toward the lower wall 41a in which the two grooves 46 are formed. The slits 63 extend from the front end of the upper wall 41b (the edge on the side opposite the end portion on which the optical connector 1 is fitted) to the end portion on which the optical connector 1 is fitted (the rear side). The slits 63 correspond to the "guide path on the other end side" in the present application.

[0056] The two slits 63 are formed in such a shape that another protrusion 64 (see FIG. 17 ) protruding from the cleaning unit 33 of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 than the protrusion 47 described above is fitted. In this embodiment, the other protrusion 64 corresponds to the "other guide portion" in the present application. In addition, in a state in which the protrusion 47 on the distal end side of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 abuts against the distal end 46b of the groove 46, the two slits 63 are formed at the positions at which the other protrusion 64 is fitted, and the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is positioned at the cleaning position.

[0057] If the notch 45 and the two grooves 46 are provided in the attachment 62, the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is positioned at the distal end portion of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 by the short fitting portion between the groove 46 and the protrusion 47. The optical connector cleaning tool 31 is formed long. Therefore, in this case, the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is easily inclined in the left-right direction with respect to the fitting portion between the protrusion 47 and the groove 46 as the center.

[0058] However, as shown in this embodiment, if the other protrusion 64 of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is fitted in the slit 63 formed at the front end portion of the attachment 62, the swing of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 in the left-right direction is suppressed.

[0059] In addition, since it is possible to confirm that the protrusion 47 at the distal end portion of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 enters the groove 46 based on the position of the other protrusion 64 with respect to the slit 63, it is possible to visually confirm that the guide 35 of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is straightly inserted and abuts.

[0060] FIG. 16A and 16B The adapter attachment 65 shown in Figs. 17A and 17B includes a protruding piece 66 at the rear end portion close to the optical connector 1. The protruding piece 66 is provided on the upper wall 41b of the tubular body 41 to protrude rearward. At the distal end portion of the protruding piece 66, a protrusion 67 protruding from the side portion of the upper wall 41b toward the side portion of the lower wall 41a is formed.

[0061] As FIG. 18As shown, the protrusion 67 is formed to contact the side of the ferrule 3 from the upper side when the rear end of the tubular body 41 abuts against the housing 2 of the optical connector 1. The position where the protrusion 67 contacts the ferrule 3 is set based on the moving direction of the cleaning medium 32.

[0062] The optical connector cleaning tool 31 according to this embodiment performs cleaning by moving the cleaning medium 32 in one direction along the ferrule end surface 7 (cleaning target surface) of the ferrule 3. The direction in which the cleaning medium 32 moves along the ferrule end surface 7 is from the lower side to the upper side, as shown in FIG. FIG. 18 As shown by the arrow in . When the cleaning medium 32 contacts the sleeve end face 7 while moving in this way during cleaning, the sleeve 3 is pulled in the same direction as the cleaning medium 32 due to friction resistance. That is, the sleeve 3 is pulled in the direction in which the sleeve end face 7 moves upward.

[0063] The retaining portion of the sleeve 3, in other words, the portion of the sleeve 3 that fits within the housing 2, has a so-called fitting tolerance, and a small gap exists between the sleeve 3 and the housing 2. If this gap is maximized within the allowable range of the fitting tolerance, the sleeve 3 may tilt when pulled as described above. If cleaning is performed with the sleeve 3 tilted, the cleaning head 37 cannot achieve uniform pressing force when pressing the cleaning medium 32 against the sleeve end surface 7, and unwiped areas are likely to occur.

[0064] The protrusion 66 is located on the downstream side of the direction in which the cleaning medium 32 moves during cleaning ( FIG. 18 When the protrusion 66 abuts against the sleeve 3, the tension acting on the sleeve 3 due to friction with the cleaning medium 32 can be received by the protrusion 66. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the sleeve 3 can be suppressed from tilting during cleaning, and cleaning can be performed correctly without leaving any unwiped areas.

[0065] In the above embodiment, description has been made of an example in which two grooves 46 are formed in the lower wall 41a of the tubular body 41. However, the groove 46 may be formed in the upper wall 41b or in both the lower wall 41a and the upper wall 41b.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the two sleeves 3 are positioned symmetrically in the left-right direction relative to the center of the insertion hole 5a of the adapter 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, even if the sleeves 3 are positioned asymmetrically in the left-right direction relative to the center of the insertion hole 5a of the adapter 5 by forming the groove 46 in the attachment at a position corresponding to the left-right center of the sleeve 3, the cleaning medium 32 can be guided to the two sleeves 3 and both sleeves 3 can be properly cleaned.

[0067] In the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which the cleaning unit 33 is positioned in the left-right direction to correspond to the ferrule 3 by the two grooves 46 formed in the tubular body 41 and the protrusions 47 of the cleaning unit 33 fitted in the grooves 46. However, the present application is not limited to this. That is, the protrusions 47 can be formed on the tubular body 41 and the grooves 62 can be formed in the cleaning unit 33.

[0068] In FIG. 15A , FIG. 15B and FIG. 17 the embodiments shown, an example has been described in which a slit 63 is formed in the tubular body 41 to suppress the swing of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 and a protrusion 64 to be fitted in the slit 63 protrudes from the cleaning unit 33. However, the present application is not limited to this. That is, the protrusion 64 can be formed on the tubular body 41 and a recess in which the protrusion 64 is fitted can be formed in the cleaning unit 33.

[0069] In the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which the stopper 48 is implemented by the distal end 46b of the groove 46 formed in the tubular body 41 or 51. However, if the stopper 48 can abut against the optical connector cleaning tool 31 and restrict the movement in the insertion direction, the stopper 48 can be provided on another portion of the tubular body 41 or 51. For example, the stopper 48 can be provided at a position at which it abuts against the distal end face 71 of the guide 35, as shown in FIG. 3B , a position at which it abuts against the step portion 72 formed on the distal end side of the guide 35, as shown in FIG. 3A , or a position at which it abuts against the end face 73 of the main body portion 34.

[0070] In FIG. 4D the attachment 21 and FIG. 11D the attachment 42, the notch 45 is formed as a "common path". However, the common path can be formed by a wide groove 81, as shown in FIG. 19 . The groove 81 is formed such that a thin wall 81a that closes the opening portion of the notch 45 serves as a groove bottom. FIG. 19 The upper surface of the wall 81a is formed on the same plane as the groove bottoms of the two grooves 46.

[0071] (Supplementary Note) The features of the cleaning assisting attachment of the optical connector cleaning tool according to the above-described embodiments are as follows.

[0072] (Feature 1) The cleaning assisting attachment 21 or 42 of the optical connector cleaning tool according to the above-described embodiment is formed of a tubular body 41 or 51 into which the cleaning unit 33 of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is capable of being inserted. The optical connector cleaning tool 31 is configured to clean a cleaning target surface (ferrule end face 7 or 26) of which an optical fiber 6 or 25 is exposed using the cleaning medium 32 at the distal end portion of the rod-shaped cleaning unit 33. A fitting portion 43 or 52 is formed at one end portion of the tubular body 41 or 51, the fitting portion 43 or 52 being configured to fit on a cleaning target (optical connector 1 or optical module 22) including a plurality of ferrules 3 or 24 each having a cleaning target surface formed at a distal end, the fitting portion being formed at one end portion of the tubular body 41 or 51, the cleaning target including an outer wall (adapter 5 or outer wall 23a) that is located on both sides in a direction in which the plurality of ferrules 3 or 24 are arranged and that is located on at least one side in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ferrules 3 or 24 are arranged and in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the cleaning target surface is directed, the fitting portion having a shape that conforms to the outer wall such that the fitting portion fits inside or outside the outer wall, and the shape of the fitting portion being formed such that, in a state in which the fitting portion is fitted in the outer wall, movement of a portion that is fitted in the outer wall in a direction toward the outer wall and movement in a direction approaching the ferrule 3 or 24 are restricted, a space in the tubular body 41 or 51 is formed to be wider than a width of the cleaning unit 33 in the direction in which the plurality of ferrules 3 or 24 are arranged, a plurality of guide paths (grooves 46) extending in a longitudinal direction of the tubular body 41 or 51 are formed in an inner wall of the tubular body 41 or 51, and the guide paths are formed such that a guide portion (projection 47) formed of one of a convex portion and a concave portion formed on the cleaning unit 33 is fitted at a position corresponding to all of the ferrules 3 or 24.

[0073] (Characteristics 2) In the cleaning assisting attachment 21 (Characteristics 1) of the optical connector cleaning tool defined above, the tubular body 41 or 51 includes a common path (notch 45 or groove 81) that extends from an edge on a side opposite to the end portion fitted on the cleaning target (optical connector 1 or optical module 22) to the end portion, and the start ends 46a of the plurality of guide paths are provided at an end portion of the notch 45.

[0074] (Characteristics 3) In the cleaning aid attachment 21 or 42 (feature item 2) of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 defined above, the tubular body 41 or 51 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape, a plurality of guide paths are formed in one wall (lower wall 41a or 51a) of the tubular body 41 or 51, a plurality of guide paths (slits 63) on the other end side are formed in the other wall (upper wall 41b or 51b) facing the wall of the tubular body 41 or 51 in which the plurality of guide paths are formed, the plurality of guide paths (slits 63) on the other end side extend from the edge on the side opposite to the end portion of the tubular body 41 or 51 fitted on the cleaning target to the end portion, each of the guide paths on the other end side is formed in the shape of another guide portion (projection 64) fitted by one of a convex portion and a concave portion formed independently of the guide portion on the cleaning unit 33, and is formed at a position where the other guide portion is fitted in a state where the optical connector cleaning tool 31 is located at a cleaning position in which the cleaning target surface of the ferrule is cleaned by the cleaning medium 32.

[0075] (feature item 4) In the cleaning aid attachment 21 or 42 (any one of feature items 1 to 3) of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 defined above, the optical connector cleaning tool 31 performs cleaning by moving the cleaning medium 32 in one direction along the cleaning target surface of the ferrule, the tubular body 41 or 51 includes a protruding piece 66 configured to be in contact with the side portion of the ferrule in a state where the fitting portion is fitted on the cleaning target, and the protruding piece 66 is located on the downstream side in the direction in which the cleaning medium 32 is moved.

[0076] (feature item 5) In the cleaning aid attachment 21 or 42 (feature item 1) of the optical connector cleaning tool 31 defined above, the tubular body 41 or 51 is provided with a stopper 48 configured to abut against the optical connector cleaning tool 31 in a state where the cleaning unit 33 is inserted into the internal space 44 and the cleaning medium 32 is in contact with the cleaning target surface (ferrule end face 7 or 26) which is the distal end face of the ferrule 3 or 24, and to restrict the movement of the cleaning unit 33 in the insertion direction.

[0077] (feature item 6) In the cleaning aid attachment 21 or 42 (feature item 1) of the optical connector cleaning tool defined above, the stopper 48 is formed by the distal end 46b of the guide path (groove 46).

[0078] Explanation of reference signs and symbols

[0079] 1...Optical connector (cleaning target), 3, 24...Ferrule, 6, 25...Optical fiber, 7, 26...Ferrule end face (cleaning target surface), 21, 42, 61, 62, 65...Cleaning auxiliary attachment, 21, 22...Optical module (cleaning target), 31...Optical connector cleaning tool, 32...Cleaning medium, 33...Cleaning unit, 41, 51...Tubular body, 41a, 51a...Lower wall, 41b...Upper wall, 43...Mating portion, 44...Space, 45...Notch (common path), 46...Groove (guide path), 46a...Starting end, 46b...Distal end, 47...Protrusion (guide portion), 48...Stopper, 63...Slit (guide path on the other end side), 64...Another protrusion (other guide portion), 66...Protrusion, 81...Groove (common path).

Claims

1. A cleaning auxiliary accessory for an optical connector cleaning tool, the cleaning auxiliary accessory comprising: A tubular body into which the cleaning unit of the optical connector cleaning tool can be inserted, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool is configured to clean the cleaning target surface of the exposed optical fiber using the cleaning medium at the distal end of the rod-shaped cleaning unit, The tubular body includes a fitting portion configured to be fitted on a cleaning target, the cleaning target including a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve having the cleaning target surface formed at a distal end, the fitting portion being formed at one end of the tubular body, The cleaning target includes an outer wall located on both sides in a direction in which the plurality of sleeves are arranged, and the outer wall is located on at least one side in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of sleeves are arranged and in a direction orthogonal to a direction pointed by the cleaning target surface, The fitting portion has a shape that conforms to the outer wall so that the fitting portion is fitted inside or outside the outer wall, and the shape of the fitting portion is formed so that, when the fitting portion is fitted in the outer wall, the movement of the portion fitted in the outer wall in a direction toward the outer wall and in a direction approaching the sleeve is restricted. The space in the tubular body is formed to be wider than the width of the cleaning unit in the direction in which the plurality of sleeves are arranged, A plurality of guide paths extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular body are formed in the inner wall of the tubular body, and The guide path is shaped such that a guide portion formed of one of a convex portion and a concave portion formed on the cleaning unit is fitted at a position corresponding to all of the sleeves.

2. The cleaning auxiliary attachment of the optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein: The tubular body includes a common path extending from an edge on a side opposite to an end mounted on the cleaning target toward the end, and Starting ends of the plurality of guide paths are provided at an end of the common path.

3. The cleaning auxiliary attachment of the optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 2, wherein: The tubular body is formed into a rectangular tubular shape, The plurality of guide paths are formed in a wall of the tubular body, A plurality of guide paths on the other end side are formed in another wall, the plurality of guide paths on the other end side extending from an edge on the side opposite to the end of the tubular body fitted on the cleaning target toward the end, the other wall facing the wall of the tubular body in which the plurality of guide paths are formed, and Each of the guide paths on the other end side is formed in a shape to fit another guide portion formed of one of a convex portion and a concave portion formed on the cleaning unit independently of the guide portion, and is formed at a position to fit the other guide portion when the optical connector cleaning tool is located in a cleaning position in which the cleaning target surface of the ferrule is cleaned by the cleaning medium.

4. The cleaning auxiliary attachment of the optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The optical connector cleaning tool performs cleaning by moving the cleaning medium in one direction along the cleaning target surface of the ferrule, The tubular body includes a protrusion configured to contact a side portion of the sleeve in a state in which the fitting portion is fitted on the cleaning target, and The protrusion is located on a downstream side in a direction of moving the cleaning medium.

5. The cleaning auxiliary attachment of the optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein: The tubular body is provided with a stopper configured to abut against the optical connector cleaning tool and limit movement of the cleaning unit in the insertion direction when the cleaning unit is inserted into the internal space and the cleaning medium is in contact with the cleaning target surface which is the distal end surface of the sleeve.

6. The cleaning auxiliary attachment of the optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein: The stop is formed by a distal end of the guide path.

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