Optical connector cleaning tool

Abstract

An optical connector cleaning tool (1) is provided with: a cleaning shaft (20) having a pressing surface (211) for pressing a cleaning body (5) against a connection end surface (111) of an optical connector (100); a housing (60) that holds the cleaning shaft so as to be relatively movable; a first bobbin (31) for supplying the cleaning body; a second bobbin (37) for collecting the cleaning body; first and second rollers (33, 34) that sandwich the cleaning body between the pressing surface and the second bobbin; a first rotation driving mechanism (91) which drives the first roller to rotate along with the relative movement of the cleaning shaft so as to extract the cleaning body from the first bobbin by using the first roller and the second roller; and a second rotation driving mechanism (92) which drives the second bobbin to rotate along with the relative movement of the cleaning shaft so as to recover the cleaning body pulled in by the first roller and the second roller to the second bobbin.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] For the designated countries that recognize the inclusion based on documentary reference, the contents described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-152504 filed in Japan on September 20, 2023, are incorporated into this specification by reference as part of the description in this specification. Background Technology

[0003] A known cleaning tool for optical connectors includes: a feeding mechanism that extracts a certain amount of cleaning medium from a feed-side tube in conjunction with the movement of a moving body; and a winding mechanism that winds the cleaning medium onto a winding-side tube (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The winding mechanism includes a sliding mechanism that, if the load on the drive plate pressing the engaging protrusion of the rotating body of the winding tube reaches a predetermined load, the drive plate slides relative to the rotating body.

[0004] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 170539

[0005] As the number of cleaning cycles increases, the amount of cleaning medium wound around the take-up side tube increases, thus increasing the radius of the cleaning medium and the amount of cleaning medium wound up with each cycle of the take-up mechanism. In contrast, the aforementioned sliding mechanism prevents the take-up side tube from further winding up a certain amount of cleaning medium, but fine-tuning this sliding mechanism is difficult. Therefore, the following problem exists: if the number of cleaning cycles increases, more cleaning medium than a certain amount is wound up by the take-up tube, limiting the number of times the optical connector can be cleaned. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning tool for optical connectors that can increase the number of cleaning cycles.

[0007] [1] Embodiment 1 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector, comprising: a cleaning shaft having a pressing surface for pressing a cleaning body against the connection end face, the cleaning body being wrapped around the pressing surface; a housing holding the cleaning shaft so as to be movable relative to it along the axial direction of the cleaning shaft; a first tube housed in the housing and supplying the cleaning body to the pressing surface; a second tube housed in the housing and recovering the cleaning body that has passed through the pressing surface; a first roller and a second roller housed in the housing and clamping the cleaning body between the pressing surface and the second tube; a first rotation drive mechanism that drives the first roller to rotate in conjunction with the relative movement of the cleaning shaft relative to the housing to extract the cleaning body from the first tube using the first roller and the second roller; and a second rotation drive mechanism that drives the second tube to rotate in conjunction with the relative movement of the cleaning shaft relative to the housing to recover the cleaning body pulled in by the first roller and the second roller into the second tube.

[0008] [2] Embodiment 2 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool completed based on the optical connector cleaning tool of Embodiment 1, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool is provided with a first rotation limiting mechanism, which limits the rotation of the second tube when a tension greater than a predetermined value is applied to the second tube via the cleaning body.

[0009] [3] Embodiment 3 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool completed based on the optical connector cleaning tool of Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool includes a first rotating body mounted on the first roller, and the first rotating drive mechanism includes: a first pinion portion, which is provided by the first rotating body; and a first rack, which can move relative to the first rotating body as the cleaning shaft moves relative to the housing, and engages with the first pinion portion.

[0010] [4] Embodiment 4 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool completed based on any one of the optical connector cleaning tools in Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool includes a second rotating body mounted on the second tube, and the second rotating drive mechanism includes: a second pinion portion, which is provided by the second rotating body; and a second rack, which can move relative to the second rotating body as the cleaning shaft moves relative to the outer shell, and engages with the second pinion portion.

[0011] [5] Embodiment 5 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool completed based on the optical connector cleaning tool of Embodiment 2, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool includes a second rotating body mounted on the second tube, and the first rotation limiting mechanism includes: a first engaging portion having a first inclined surface, which is provided by the second rotating body; and a second engaging portion having a second inclined surface corresponding to the first inclined surface, which is provided by the second tube. When a tension greater than the specified value is applied to the second tube via the cleaning body, the engagement between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is released, thereby allowing the rotating body to idle relative to the second tube.

[0012] [6] Embodiment 6 of the present invention can be an optical connector cleaning tool completed based on any of the optical connector cleaning tools in Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool comprises: a first rotating body mounted on the first roller; a support body supporting the first roller and the first rotating body to be rotatable; and a second rotation limiting mechanism for prohibiting the rotation of the first roller in a first direction, the second rotation limiting mechanism comprising: a third engaging portion having a third inclined surface provided by the first rotating body; a fourth engaging portion having a fourth inclined surface corresponding to the third inclined surface provided by the first roller; a fifth engaging portion provided by the first roller; and a sixth engaging portion provided by the support body, wherein when the first rotating body rotates in the first direction, the third engaging portion and the fourth engaging portion do not engage, thereby the first rotating body idling relative to the first roller, and the fifth engaging portion engages with the sixth engaging portion, thereby prohibiting the rotation of the first roller in the first direction.

[0013] [7] Embodiment 7 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool completed based on any of the optical connector cleaning tools in Embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool has a force application mechanism that applies force to the second roller toward the first roller.

[0014] [8] Embodiment 8 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool completed based on any of the optical connector cleaning tools in Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the first roller has a first contact surface that contacts the cleaning body, the second roller has a second contact surface that contacts the cleaning body, and at least one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface is made of an elastic material.

[0015] According to the present invention, the first roller and the second roller clamp the cleaning body between the pressing surface and the second tube. The first rotary drive mechanism drives the first roller to rotate along with the relative movement of the cleaning shaft relative to the outer shell, thereby using the first roller and the second roller to extract the cleaning body from the first tube. The second rotary drive mechanism drives the second tube to rotate along with the aforementioned relative movement, thereby retrieving the cleaning body pulled in by the first roller and the second roller into the second tube. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of times the optical connector cleaning tool can clean the optical connector. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a front view of the optical connector being cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention, i.e., the optical connector itself.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 (a) is a front view showing the front end portion of the cleaning head according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 (b) is along Figure 5 (a) A sectional view of the VB-VB line.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the first tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, along... Figure 3 A sectional view along line VII-VII.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing the first roller and the first rotating body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a side view showing the teeth of the first roller and the gear portion of the first rotating body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing the first rotary drive mechanism and the second rotary drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 11 This is a perspective view showing the second cylinder and the second rotating body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 12 This is a side view showing the teeth of the gear portion of the second cylinder and the second rotating body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the support body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 14 It is along Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of line XIV-XIV.

[0030] Figure 15 This is a perspective view showing the adjustment component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 16 (a) and Figure 16 (b) is a diagram illustrating the internal operation of the optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 (a) is a diagram showing the state in which the cleaning unit is pressed into the outer casing. Figure 16 (b) is a diagram showing the state where the housing has been released from the pressure relative to the cleaning unit. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] The optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the present invention is a cleaner for cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector that connects optical fibers to each other. Figure 1 This is a front view showing the object to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment, namely the optical connector 100.

[0034] The object to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool 1, namely the optical connector 100, is not particularly limited; it is a single-core connection type optical connector plug. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the optical connector 100 includes: a ferrule 110 having a cylindrical shape; and a housing 130 that stores the ferrule 110 internally. The ferrule 110 has an optical fiber retaining hole extending through it in its length direction (see reference). Figure 5 (b) An optical fiber 120 is inserted into the optical fiber holding hole and is fixed to the ferrule 110 by adhesive or the like. The optical fiber 120 protrudes from the circular connecting end face 111 of the ferrule 110.

[0035] While not particularly limited, examples of optical connector 100 may include single-core optical connectors such as the SC (Single-fiber Coupling) connector specified in JIS C5973, the FC (Fiber Connector) connector specified in JIS C5970, the MU (Miniature Universal) connector specified in JIS C 5983, and the LC connector (Lucent Connector).

[0036] When connecting a pair of optical connectors 100, each equipped with the aforementioned ferrule 110, an adapter is used. Specifically, the pair of optical connectors 100 are inserted into the openings on both sides of the adapter, and the adapter's sleeve 150 (see reference) is used. Figure 5 Insert the ferrule 110 into the openings on both sides of (b) respectively. Then, in the sleeve 150, mate the connecting end faces 111 of the pair of ferrules 110 with each other, thereby optically connecting the optical fibers 120 exposed from the connecting end faces 111 of the ferrules 110 with each other.

[0037] During the connection process, if foreign matter such as dust, dirt, or oil adheres to the connection end face 111 of the ferrule 110, it may cause damage during installation and removal, or increase transmission loss. Therefore, before connecting the optical connectors 100 to each other, use the optical connector cleaning tool 1 described below to clean the connection end face 111 of the ferrule 110.

[0038] Furthermore, while the aforementioned optical connector 100 is a plug-adapter-plug type, in the plug-receptacle type optical connector receptacle, the connection end face of the ferrule can be cleaned using the optical connector cleaning tool 1 described below. Specifically, the optical connector receptacle inserts the ferrule mounted at the front end of the optical fiber into the housing into which the optical connector plug is inserted.

[0039] Alternatively, a cover with an inner hole of the same shape as the inner hole of the adapter can be installed at the front end of the optical connector cleaning tool 1, and the optical connector plug can be inserted into the cover, thereby cleaning the connection end face of the optical connector plug individual that is not inserted into the adapter.

[0040] The following is for reference Figures 2-15 The structure of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0041] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of this embodiment. Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of this embodiment. Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit 10 of this embodiment. Figure 5 (a) is a front view showing the front end portion of the cleaning head 21 in this embodiment. Figure 5 (b) is along Figure 5 (a) A sectional view of the VB-VB line. Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the first cylinder 31 of this embodiment. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the cleaning unit 10 in this embodiment, along... Figure 3 A sectional view along line VII-VII. Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing the first roller 33 and the first rotating body 36 in this embodiment. Figure 9 This is a side view showing the teeth 336 and 362 of the gear portions 335 and 361 of the first roller 33 and the first rotating body 36 in this embodiment. Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing the first rotary drive mechanism and the second rotary drive mechanism 91, 92 of this embodiment. Figure 11 This is a perspective view showing the second cylinder 37 and the second rotating body 38 of this embodiment. Figure 12 This is a side view showing the teeth 376 and 382 of the gear portions 375 and 381 of the second cylinder 37 and the second rotating body 38 in this embodiment. Figure 13 This is a perspective view showing the support body 40 of this embodiment. Figure 14 It is along Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of line XIV-XIV. Figure 15 This is a perspective view showing the adjustment component 62 of this embodiment.

[0042] like Figures 2-4 As shown, the optical connector cleaning tool 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "cleaner 1") of this embodiment includes a cleaning unit 10, a housing 60, and a first force-applying member 70. The cleaning unit 10 is housed in the housing 60 such that it can move relative to the housing 60 along the Y-axis direction in the figure. The first force-applying member 70 is sandwiched between the cleaning unit 10 and the housing 60 and applies force to the cleaning unit 10 forward (in the +Y direction in the figure). The cleaning unit 10 includes: a cleaning shaft 20, a first tube 31, a roller unit 32, a first rotating body 36, a second tube 37, a second rotating body 38, a support body 40, and a guide port 50. The cleaner 1 cleans the optical connector 100 by pressing the cleaning body 5, which is wrapped around the cleaning shaft 20, against the connection end face 111 of the ferrule 110 of the optical connector 100 using the pressing surface 211 (described later) of the cleaning shaft 20.

[0043] The cleaning body 5 is a continuous body obtained by processing the cleaning cloth into filaments or ropes. Specific examples of the cleaning cloth include nonwoven or woven fabrics made of extremely fine fibers such as polyester or nylon. The cleaning body 5 of this embodiment has a circular cross-sectional shape, but is not particularly limited thereto; for example, the cross-sectional shape of the cleaning body 5 can also be polygonal. Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the cleaning body 5 has a diameter of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. Alternatively, a narrow strip-shaped continuous body formed by processing the cleaning cloth into a strip shape can also be used as the cleaning body 5.

[0044] The cleaning shaft 20 is an elongated component used to press the cleaning body 5 against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100. The cleaning body 5 is wound around the cleaning shaft 20 in a manner that folds back at the pressing surface 211. Unused cleaning bodies 5 are wound around a first bobbin 31. The cleaning body 5 is drawn out from the first bobbin 31 by a roller unit 32, thereby supplying unused cleaning bodies 5 to the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning shaft 20. Furthermore, the cleaning body 5 pulled in from the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning shaft 20 by the roller unit 32 is wound up and recovered by a second bobbin 37. The cleaning shaft 20 includes a cleaning head (head component) 21, a second force-applying component 22, and a shaft component 23.

[0045] The cleaning head 21 is a component that forms the front end portion of the cleaning shaft 20. For example... Figure 5 (a) and Figure 5 As shown in (b), the cleaning head 21 has a pressing surface 211 at its front end for pressing the cleaning body 5 against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100. The pressing surface 211 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the connection end face 111 of the ferrule 110 of the optical connector 100 (in this embodiment, it is a circular shape).

[0046] A pair of guide holes 212 and 213 are formed on the pressing surface 211, allowing the cleaning body 5 to pass through the interior of the cleaning shaft 20. Unused cleaning bodies 5 delivered from the first tube 31 are supplied to the pressing surface 211 through the interior of the cleaning shaft 20 and one of the guide holes 212. The cleaning bodies 5 supplied to the pressing surface 211 pass through the center of the pressing surface 211 and move towards the other guide hole 213 on the pressing surface 211. Then, the used cleaning bodies 5 pass through the other guide hole 213 and the interior of the cleaning shaft 20 and are wound up and retrieved by the second tube 37. Alternatively, instead of the aforementioned guide holes 212 and 213, a pair of guide grooves may be formed on the side of the cleaning head 21, through which the cleaning bodies 5 are supplied and retrieved relative to the pressing surface 211.

[0047] like Figure 4As shown, the shaft component 23 includes a shaft body 24 and an expanded diameter portion 25. Both the shaft body 24 and the expanded diameter portion 25 are cylindrical, and the expanded diameter portion 25 is connected to the rear end of the shaft body 24. Although not particularly limited, the shaft component 23 is, for example, made of resin material, and the shaft body 24 and the expanded diameter portion 25 are integrally formed.

[0048] The aforementioned cleaning head 21 is disposed on the front end side of the shaft body 24. The cleaning head 21 is supported by the shaft body 24 such that it can move relative to the shaft body 24 along the Y-axis direction shown in the figure. Here, the Y-axis direction refers to the insertion / removal direction of the cleaner 1 relative to the adapter during cleaning, and is also the axial direction (length direction) of the cleaning shaft 20, or the pressing direction in which the cleaning head 21 presses the pressing surface 211 against the connecting end face 111 of the insert 110 through the cleaning body 5. Furthermore, although not specifically shown, the cleaning shaft 20 has a locking mechanism that inhibits the relative rotation of the cleaning head 21 relative to the shaft body 24 about the rotation axis RA.

[0049] The second force-applying component 22 is clamped between the cleaning head 21 and the shaft body 24. The cleaning head 21 is subjected to a forward force (in the +Y direction in the figure) relative to the shaft body 24 by the second force-applying component 22, thereby enabling the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning head 21 to press the cleaning body 5 against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 with an appropriate pressing force. As a specific example of the second force-applying component 22, an elastic body such as a spring or rubber can be exemplified, and as a specific example of a spring, a coil spring can be exemplified.

[0050] A helical cam groove 251 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the expanded diameter portion 25. The cam groove 251 and the cam pin 63 of the housing 60 (described later) realize a rotation mechanism that rotates the cleaning shaft 20. This rotation mechanism, along with the relative movement of the support body 40 relative to the housing 60, causes the cleaning shaft 20 to rotate around a rotation axis RA that is parallel to the length direction of the cleaning shaft 20.

[0051] Additionally, the shaft component 23 has a passageway 26 extending along the length of the shaft component 23 (see reference). Figure 7 The cleaning body 5, fed from the first bobbin 31, passes through the passage 26 of the shaft component 23 and is supplied to the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning head 21. On the other hand, the cleaning body 5 used on the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning head 21 is wound up and recovered by the second bobbin 37 through the passage 26 of the shaft body 24. Furthermore, in Figure 7 The cleaning body 5 wound around the first tube 31 and the cleaning body 5 delivered from the first tube 31 to the passage 26 are not shown in the figure.

[0052] The first tube 31 is the tube that delivers the cleaning body 5 used on the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning head 21; it is the tube that supplies the cleaning body 5 to the pressing surface 211. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the first tube 31 has a main body 311 and a pair of flanges 312 and 313. The first tube 31 is made of, for example, resin material, and the main body 311 and the flanges 312 and 313 are integrally formed.

[0053] Unused cleaning body 5 is pre-wound onto the main body 311 of the first tube 31. The main body 311 has a cylindrical shape and a first shaft portion 43a (described later) of a support body 40 is inserted therein. A pair of flange portions 312 and 313 have a circular plate shape with an outer diameter larger than that of the main body 311 and are provided at both ends of the main body 311.

[0054] A plurality of recesses 314 are formed on the outer surface (the surface on the -Z direction side in the figure) of the flange portion 312 on the lower side (the -Z direction side in the figure). These recesses 314 are intermittently arranged along the circumference of the flange portion 312. The claw portion 411a of the support body 40, described later (see...) Figure 14 The claw 411a allows the first tube 31 to engage with the recess 314. The claw 411a allows the first tube 31 to move in one direction (in...) Figure 7 The rotation is right-handed (clockwise), and in contrast, the other direction of the first tube 31 is prohibited (in...). Figure 7 The rotation in the middle is left-handed (counter-clockwise).

[0055] The roller unit 32 is a unit that supplies the cleaning body 5 to the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning shaft 20 by drawing the cleaning body 5 from the first tube 31 along with the relative movement of the cleaning shaft 20 relative to the housing 60. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the roller unit 32 includes a first roller 33, a second roller 34, and a support member 35.

[0056] like Figure 8 As shown, the first roller 33 has a main body 331 and a pair of flanges 332 and 333. The first roller 33 is made of, for example, resin material, and the main body 331 and the flanges 332 and 333 are integrally formed. The main body 331 has a cylindrical shape and a second shaft portion 43b (described later) into which the support 40 is inserted. The pair of flanges 332 and 333 have a circular plate shape with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the main body 331 and are disposed at both ends of the main body 331. Furthermore, as... Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the structure of the first bobbin 31 is the same as that of the first roller 33, but the first bobbin 31 may not have a gear portion 335 in the flange portion 313.

[0057] Similar to the recess 314 of the first bobbin 31 described above, a plurality of recesses 334 are formed on the outer surface (the surface on the -Z direction side in the figure) of the flange portion 332 on the lower side (the side in the -Z direction in the figure) of the first roller 33 (see figure). Figure 6 The plurality of recesses 334 are intermittently arranged along the circumference of the flange 332. The claw portion 411b of the support 40, described later (see...) Figure 13 The claw 411b can engage with the recess 334. The claw 411b allows the first roller 33 to move in one direction (in...) Figure 7 The rotation of the middle roller is clockwise (right-handed), and in contrast, the other direction of the first roller 33 is prohibited (in...). Figure 7 The rotation in the middle is left-handed (counter-clockwise).

[0058] In addition, such as Figure 8 As shown, a gear portion 335 is formed on the outer surface (the surface on the +Z direction side in the figure) of the flange portion 333 on the upper side (the side on the +Z direction side in the figure) of the first roller 33. Each tooth 336 constituting the gear portion 335 has a reverse inclined surface 336a as one surface and an inclined surface 336b as another surface. Although not particularly limited, as Figure 9 As shown, the angle θ1 between the reverse inclined surface 336a and the main surface of the flange portion 333 of the first roller 33 can be 90 degrees or more and 135 degrees or less (90°≤θ1≤135°). In contrast, the angle θ2 between the inclined surface 336b and the main surface of the flange portion 333 of the first roller 33 can be greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees (0°<θ2<45°).

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the second roller 34 is a component with a cylindrical shape. Figure 7 As shown, the second roller 34 is supported by the support member 35 such that the outer peripheral surface 341 of the second roller 34 contacts the outer peripheral surface 331a of the main body portion 331 of the first roller 33. The first roller 33 and the second roller 34 are arranged on the path of the cleaning body 5 between the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning shaft 20 and the second cylinder 37, with the cleaning body 5 sandwiched between the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning shaft 20 and the second cylinder 37. By rotating the first roller 33 and the second roller 34, the cleaning body 5 is conveyed from the pressing surface 211 side to the second cylinder 37 side.

[0060] The outer peripheral surface 341 of the second roller 34 can be made of an elastic material such as rubber, or the outer peripheral surface 331a of the first roller 33 can be made of an elastic material such as rubber. Alternatively, the outer peripheral surfaces 331a and 341 of both the first roller 33 and the second roller 34 can be made of an elastic material such as rubber. This further suppresses slippage of the cleaning body 5 between the first roller 33 and the second roller 34. The outer peripheral surface 331a of the first roller 33 corresponds to an example of the "first contact surface" in the embodiment of the present invention, and the outer peripheral surface 341 of the second roller 34 corresponds to an example of the "second contact surface" in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] The support member 35 supporting the second roller 34 includes a support piece 351, an elastic piece 352, and a bending portion 353. The support piece 351 and the elastic piece 352 are connected by the bending portion 353. A support pin 44 of the support body 40 (described later) is inserted into the insertion hole 353a formed in the bending portion 353, and the support member 35 is supported by the support body 40.

[0062] The second roller 34 is inserted into the shaft portion 351a located at the front end of the support plate 351 and is supported by the support plate 351 to be rotatable. The outer peripheral surface 341 of the second roller 34 contacts the outer peripheral surface 331a of the first roller 33, and the end of the elastic piece 352 contacts the side wall 46 (described later) of the support body 40, and the elastic piece 352 elastically deforms toward the support plate 351. Therefore, the second roller 34 is subjected to force toward the first roller 33 by the support member 35. This support member 35 is an example of the "force application mechanism" in the embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, instead of the support member 35, an elastic member such as a spring or rubber can be used to apply force to the second roller 34 toward the first roller 33. Specific examples of springs include helical springs, torsion springs, etc.

[0063] like Figure 4 As shown, the first rotating body 36 is a gear component mounted on the first roller 33. Specifically, the second shaft portion 43b of the support body 40, which is inserted into the inner hole of the first roller 33, is also inserted into the inner hole of the first rotating body 36. As a result, the first rotating body 36 is adjacent to the outer surface of the first roller 33 and is coaxially arranged with the first roller 33. Figure 8 As shown, the first rotating body 36 includes a gear portion 361 and a pinion portion 363. The first rotating body 36 is made of, for example, resin material, and the gear portion 361 and the pinion portion 363 are formed integrally.

[0064] Gear portion 361 is formed on the lower surface (the surface in the -Z direction direction side in the figure) of the first rotating body 36, opposite to gear portion 335 of the first roller 33. Each tooth 362 constituting gear portion 361, like the gear portion 335 of the first roller 33, has a reverse inclined surface 362a as one surface and an inclined surface 362b as another surface. While not particularly limited, Figure 9 As shown, the angle θ3 of the reverse inclined surface 362a relative to the main surface of the first rotating body 36 can be greater than 90 degrees and less than 135 degrees (90°≤θ3≤135°). Conversely, the angle θ4 of the inclined surface 362b relative to the main surface of the first rotating body 36 can be greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees (0°<θ4<45°). The reverse inclined surface 336a of the first roller 33 is opposite to the reverse inclined surface 362a of the first rotating body 36, and the inclined surface 336b of the first roller 33 is opposite to the inclined surface 362b of the first rotating body 36.

[0065] When the first rotating body 36 moves in one direction (in) Figure 7 When the gears rotate clockwise (to the right), the reverse inclined surfaces 336a and 362a of the gear portions 335 and 361 engage, and the first roller 33 rotates together with the first rotating body 36. In contrast, as described above, the recess 334 of the first roller 33 and the claw portion 411b of the support body 40 prevent the first roller 33 from rotating in the other direction (in...). Figure 7 The rotation is left-handed (counter-clockwise). Therefore, when the first rotating body 36 moves in the other direction (in... Figure 7 When the first rotating body 36 rotates counterclockwise (to the left), the teeth 362 of the first rotating body 36 pass over the teeth 336 of the first roller 33 by means of the inclined surfaces 336b and 362b, and the first rotating body 36 rotates idly relative to the first roller 33.

[0066] The second rotation limiting mechanism 94 is realized by the gear portions 335 and 361 of the first roller 33 and the first rotating body 36, the recess 334 of the first roller 33, and the claw portion 411b of the support body 40. This second rotation limiting mechanism 94 allows the first roller 33 to rotate in one direction (in...) Figure 7 While the rotation of the middle roller is clockwise (right-handed), the other direction of the first roller 33 is prohibited (in... Figure 7 The rotation in the middle is left-handed (counter-clockwise).

[0067] The gear portion 361 of the first rotating body 36 corresponds to an example of the "third engaging portion" in the embodiment of the present invention, and the inclined surface 362b of the gear portion 361 corresponds to an example of the "third inclined surface" in the embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the gear portion 335 of the first roller 33 corresponds to an example of the "fourth engaging portion" in the embodiment of the present invention, and the inclined surface 336b of the gear portion 335 corresponds to an example of the "fourth inclined surface" in the embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, the recess 334 of the first roller 33 corresponds to an example of the "fifth engaging portion" in the embodiment of the present invention, and the claw portion 411b of the support body 40 corresponds to an example of the "sixth engaging portion" in the embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, in another direction of the first roller 33 (in... Figure 7 The left-handed (counterclockwise) direction is an example of the "first direction" in the manner of this invention.

[0068] The pinion portion 363 of the first rotating body 36 is formed on the upper surface of the first rotating body 36 (the surface on the +Z direction side in the figure). For example... Figure 10As shown, the rack portion 64 (described later) of the outer casing 60 engages with the pinion portion 363. The pinion portion 363 and the rack portion 64 form a first rotary drive mechanism 91, which rotates the first roller 33 to extract the cleaning body 5 from the first tube 31 via the first roller 33 and the second roller 34. The first rotary drive mechanism 91 drives the first roller 33 to rotate in conjunction with the relative movement of the cleaning shaft 20 relative to the outer casing 60, thereby extracting the cleaning body 5 from the first tube 31 using the first roller 33 and the second roller 34, and supplying the cleaning body 5 to the pressing surface 211. Through the first rotary drive mechanism 91 and the roller unit 32, a certain amount of cleaning body 5 can be supplied from the first tube 31 to the pressing surface 211.

[0069] The second tube 37 is the tube that winds up the cleaning body 5 used on the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning head 21, and is the tube that recovers the cleaning body 5 that has passed through the pressing surface 211. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the second tube 37 has a main body 371 and a pair of flanges 372 and 373. The second tube 37 is made of, for example, resin material, and the main body 371 and the flanges 372 and 373 are integrally formed.

[0070] The used cleaning body 5 is wound around the main body 371. The main body 371 has a cylindrical shape and a third shaft portion 43c (described later) into which the support body 40 is inserted. A pair of flange portions 372 and 373 have a circular plate shape with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the main body 371 and are provided at both ends of the main body 371. Furthermore, the second tube 37 differs from the first roller 33 in that the shape of the gear portion 375 is different from the shape of the gear portion 335.

[0071] Although not specifically illustrated, similar to the recess 314 of the first tube 31 described above, a plurality of recesses are formed on the outer surface (the surface on the -Z direction side in the figure) of the flange portion 372 on the lower side (the -Z direction side in the figure). These plurality of recesses are intermittently arranged along the circumference of the flange portion 372. The claw portion 411c of the support body 40, described later (see...) Figure 13 The claw 411c allows the second tube 37 to engage with the recess. Figure 7 The rotation of the middle tube is right-handed (clockwise), and in contrast, the other direction of the second tube 37 is prohibited (in...). Figure 7 The rotation in the middle is left-handed (counter-clockwise).

[0072] In addition, such as Figure 11As shown, a gear portion 375 is formed on the outer surface (the surface on the +Z direction side in the figure) of the flange portion 373 on the upper side (the side in the +Z direction in the figure) of the second cylinder 37. Each tooth 376 constituting the gear portion 375 has a steep slope 376a as one surface and a gentle slope 376b as another surface. Although not particularly limited, as Figure 12 As shown, the angle θ5 of the steep slope 376a relative to the main surface of the flange portion 373 of the second cylinder 37 can be 45 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees (45°≤θ5<90°). In contrast, the angle θ6 of the gentle slope 376b relative to the main surface of the flange portion 373 of the second cylinder 37 can be greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees (0°<θ6<45°).

[0073] like Figure 4 As shown, the second rotating body 38 is a gear component mounted on the second bobbin 37. Specifically, the third shaft portion 43c of the support body 40, which is inserted into the inner bore of the second bobbin 37, is also inserted into the inner bore of the second rotating body 38. As a result, the second rotating body 38 is adjacent to the outer surface of the second bobbin 37 and is coaxially arranged with the second bobbin 37. Figure 11 As shown, the second rotating body 38 includes a gear portion 381 and a pinion portion 383. The second rotating body 38 is made of, for example, resin material, and the gear portion 381 and the pinion portion 383 are integrally formed.

[0074] The gear portion 381 is formed on the lower surface (the surface in the -Z direction direction in the figure) of the second rotating body 38, opposite to the gear portion 375 of the second cylinder 37. Each tooth 382 constituting the gear portion 381, like the gear portion 375 of the second cylinder 37, has a steep slope 382a as one surface and a gentle slope 382b as the other surface. While not particularly limited, however... Figure 12 As shown, the angle θ7 of the steep slope 382a relative to the principal surface of the second rotating body 38 can be greater than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees (45°≤θ7<90°). Conversely, the angle θ8 of the gentle slope 382b relative to the principal surface of the second rotating body 38 can be greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees (0°<θ8<45°). The steep slope 376a of the second cylinder 37 is opposite to the steep slope 382a of the second rotating body 38, and the gentle slope 376b of the second cylinder 37 is opposite to the gentle slope 382b of the second rotating body 38.

[0075] When the second rotating body 38 moves in one direction (in) Figure 7When rotating clockwise (right-hand rotation), if the force transmitted from the second rotating body 38 to the second cylinder 37 is below a predetermined value, the gears 375 and 381 engage, and the second cylinder 37 rotates together with the second rotating body 38. Conversely, if the force transmitted from the second rotating body 38 to the second cylinder 37 is greater than the predetermined value, the teeth 382 of the second rotating body 38 pass over the teeth 376 of the second cylinder 37 by means of the steep inclined surfaces 376a and 382a, and the engagement of the gears 375 and 381 is released.

[0076] That is, the first rotation limiting mechanism 93 is realized by the gear portion 375 of the second tube 37 and the gear portion 381 of the second rotating body 38. When a tension greater than a predetermined value is applied to the second tube 37 via the cleaning body 5, the first rotation limiting mechanism 93 causes the second rotating body 38 to idle relative to the second tube 37 to limit the rotation of the second tube 37.

[0077] Here, in the aforementioned cleaning tool for optical connectors that does not have a roller unit, the "prescribed tension" is a tension greater than or equal to the tension at which a certain amount of cleaning body drawn from the first tube is wound onto the second tube, and is less than the tension at which the first tube is rotated by the rotation of the second tube to draw the cleaning body out of the first tube.

[0078] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the cleaning body 5 is clamped between the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning shaft 20 and the second tube 37 by the roller unit 32, thus widening the upper limit of the "prescribed tension". That is, the "prescribed tension" in this embodiment is a tension greater than the tension at which a certain amount of cleaning body 5 extracted by the first rotation drive mechanism 91 and the roller unit 32 is wound onto the second tube 37, and less than the tension at which the cleaning body 5, clamped by the first roller 33 and the second roller 34, slides relative to the first roller 33 and the second roller 34 and is extracted from the first tube 31. The upper limit of this "prescribed tension" is set, for example, based on the frictional force between the first roller 33 and the second roller 34 and the cleaning body 5, the pressing force of the second roller 34 on the first roller 33 generated by the elastic sheet 352 of the support member 35, etc. In this embodiment, the wider upper limit of the "prescribed tension" makes the design of the first rotation limiting mechanism 93 easier.

[0079] On the other hand, as described above, the claw portion 411c of the support body 40 prevents the second tube 37 from moving in another direction (in... Figure 7 The rotation is left-handed (counter-clockwise). Therefore, when the second rotating body 38 rotates in the other direction (in... Figure 7 When the second rotating body 38 rotates counterclockwise (to the left), the teeth 382 of the second rotating body 38 pass over the teeth 376 of the second cylinder 37 by means of the gentle slopes 376b and 382b, and the second rotating body 38 rotates freely relative to the second cylinder 37.

[0080] The gear portion 381 of the second rotating body 38 corresponds to an example of the "first engaging portion" in the embodiment of the present invention, and the steep slope 382a of the second rotating body 38 corresponds to an example of the "first inclined surface" in the embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the gear portion 375 of the second tube 37 corresponds to an example of the "second engaging portion" in the embodiment of the present invention, and the steep slope 376a of the second tube 37 corresponds to an example of the "second inclined surface" in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] The pinion portion 383 of the second rotating body 38 is formed on the upper surface of the second rotating body 38 (the surface on the +Z direction side in the figure). For example... Figure 10 As shown, the rack portion 64 (described later) of the outer casing 60 engages with the pinion portion 383. The pinion portion 383 and the rack portion 64 together form a second rotary drive mechanism 92, which rotates the second tube 37 to wind up the cleaning body 5 that has passed between the first roller 33 and the second roller 34. The second rotary drive mechanism 92 drives the second tube 37 to rotate in tandem with the relative movement of the cleaning shaft 20 relative to the outer casing 60, thereby winding up the cleaning body 5, which has been pulled into the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning shaft 20 by the first roller 33 and the second roller 34, into the second tube 37 for recycling.

[0082] The support body 40 is a component that supports the cleaning shaft 20, the first cylinder 31, the roller unit 32, the first rotating body 36, the second cylinder 37, and the second rotating body 38. For example... Figure 13 As shown, the support body 40 includes a base portion 41, a support wall 42, shaft portions 43a~43c, a support pin 44, a guide pin 45, a side wall 46, a cylindrical portion 47, and a protrusion 48.

[0083] The support wall 42, shaft portions 43a-43c, support pin 44, guide pin 45, and side wall 46 are supported by the base portion 41. The side wall 46 is provided on the side edge of the base portion 41 (the +X direction side in the figure), and the end of the elastic sheet 352 of the support member 35 of the roller unit 32 contacts the side wall 46. The cylindrical portion 47 protrudes from the front end side (the +Y direction side in the figure) wall of the support body 40 in the +Y direction in the figure. The protrusion 48 protrudes from the rear end side (the -Y direction side in the figure) wall of the support body 40 in the -Y direction in the figure. The support body 40 is made of resin material, for example, and the base portion 41, support wall 42, shaft portions 43a-43c, support pin 44, guide pin 45, side wall 46, cylindrical portion 47, and protrusion 48 are formed as a single unit.

[0084] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the cleaning shaft 20 is supported by the support body 40 so that it can rotate about the rotation axis RA. Specifically, as Figure 13 As shown, the plurality of support walls 42 of the support body 40 each have an arc-shaped recess corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion 25 of the cleaning shaft 20. The enlarged diameter portion 25 is held by the recess of the support wall 42, thereby enabling the cleaning shaft 20 to be rotatably supported by the support body 40. On the other hand, the shaft body 24 of the cleaning shaft 20 protrudes from the support body 40 in the +Y direction (as shown in the figure) via the cylindrical portion 47 of the support body 40.

[0085] like Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, a first shaft portion 43a is inserted into the inner hole of a first bobbin 31, which is supported by a support body 40 and is rotatable. A second shaft portion 43b is inserted into the inner hole of a first roller 33, which is also supported by the support body 40 and is rotatable. The second shaft portion 43b is also inserted into the inner hole of a first rotating body 36, which is supported by the support body 40 and is rotatable coaxially with the first roller 33. Similarly, a third shaft portion 43c is inserted into the inner hole of a second bobbin 37, which is supported by the support body 40 and is rotatable. The third shaft portion 43c is also inserted into the inner hole of a second rotating body 38, which is supported by the support body 40 and is rotatable coaxially with the second bobbin 37. Furthermore, a cleaning body 5, which enters the support body 40 through the passageway 26 of the cleaning shaft 20, is guided by a guide pin 45 to the space between the first roller 33 and the second roller 34.

[0086] like Figure 13 As shown, the base portion 41 of the support body 40 has a claw portion 411a at a position opposite to the first cylinder 31. This claw portion 411a is capable of elastic deformation along the normal direction of the base portion 41. Figure 14 As shown, the claw portion 411a has an inclined surface 412 and a vertical surface 413 at its front end. The claw portion 411a can disengage from the recess 314 by means of the inclined surface 412, so the first tube 31 can move in one direction (in Figure 7 The rotation is clockwise (right-handed). Conversely, if the vertical surface 413 abuts against the inner wall of the recess 314, the claw 411a cannot disengage from the recess 314, therefore the first tube 31 cannot rotate in the other direction (in...). Figure 7 The center rotates counterclockwise (left-handed).

[0087] In addition, such as Figure 13 As shown, the base portion 41 of the support body 40 also has a claw portion 411b at a position opposite to the first roller 33. This claw portion 411b, like the claw portion 411a described above, has an inclined surface and a vertical surface at its front end. With the aid of this claw portion 411b and the recess 334 of the first roller 33, the first roller 33 can move in one direction (in... Figure 7 The center rotates clockwise (to the right), and in contrast, it cannot rotate in the other direction (in...). Figure 7 The center rotates counterclockwise (left-handed).

[0088] Similarly, as Figure 13 As shown, the base portion 41 of the support body 40 also has a claw portion 411c at a position opposite to the second tube 37. This claw portion 411c, like the claw portion 411a described above, has an inclined surface and a vertical surface at its front end. Using this claw portion 411c and the recess of the second tube 37 (not shown), the second tube 37 can move in one direction (in... Figure 7 The center rotates clockwise (to the right), and in contrast, it cannot rotate in the other direction (in...). Figure 7 The center rotates counterclockwise (left-handed).

[0089] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the guide port 50 includes a first cylindrical body 51, a second cylindrical body 52, and a third force-applying component 53. The guide port 50 is disposed on the front end side (+Y direction side in the figure) of the support body 40. The guide port 50 is supported by the support body 40 such that the first cylindrical body 51 can move relative to the support body 40 along the Y-axis direction in the figure.

[0090] Both the first cylindrical body 51 and the second cylindrical body 52 are cylindrical in shape. The first cylindrical body 51 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the second cylindrical body 52 and is inserted into the second cylindrical body 52. ​​The first cylindrical body 51 is inserted into the second cylindrical body 52 in a manner that allows relative movement along the Y-axis direction shown in the figure. Furthermore, a stepped portion 511 located approximately at the center of the first cylindrical body 51 engages with a protrusion (not shown) formed on the inner circumference of the front end of the inner hole of the second cylindrical body 52, thereby restricting the forward movement of the first cylindrical body 51 (in the +Y direction shown in the figure).

[0091] The third force-applying component 53 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 47 of the support body 40. The rear end (-Y direction side in the figure) of the third force-applying component 53 contacts the wall of the front end (+Y direction side in the figure) of the support body 40. On the other hand, the rear end (-Y direction side in the figure) of the first cylindrical body 51 contacts the front end (+Y direction side in the figure) of the third force-applying component 53. That is, the third force-applying component 53 is sandwiched between the first cylindrical body 51 and the support body 40. As a specific example of the third force-applying component 53, an elastic body such as a spring or rubber can be exemplified, and as a specific example of a spring, a coil spring can be exemplified.

[0092] The third force-applying component 53 is inserted into the second cylinder 52 together with the first cylinder 51. Additionally, the cylindrical portion 47 of the support body 40 is also inserted into the second cylinder 52. Furthermore, a protrusion 471 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 47 of the support body 40, and a window portion 521 is formed at the rear end of the outer peripheral surface of the second cylinder 52. The protrusion 471 is inserted into the window portion 521, thereby fixing the second cylinder 52 to the support body 40. In this state, the third force-applying component 53 applies force to the first cylinder 51 forward (in the +Y direction in the figure).

[0093] The portion of the cleaning shaft 20 that protrudes from the support body 40 is inserted into the guide port 50. The portion of the cleaning shaft 20 that protrudes from the support body 40 refers to the portion of the cleaning shaft 20 that is closer to the front end (the +Y direction side in the figure) than the expanded diameter portion 25, specifically the cleaning head 21, the second force-applying component 22, and the shaft body 24.

[0094] Furthermore, in the normal state (when the cleaner 1 is not used (when the front end of the guide tube 50 is not inserted into the adapter)), the front end of the cleaning shaft 20 does not protrude from the guide tube 50 and is located within the guide tube 50. Moreover, when cleaning the optical connector 100 using the cleaner 1, the front end of the guide tube 50 is inserted into the adapter, and the front end of the guide tube 50 is aligned with the end face 151 of the sleeve 150 (refer to...). Figure 5 When (b) comes into contact, the first cylinder 51 moves backward relative to the second cylinder 52, and the front end of the cleaning shaft 20 protrudes from the guide port 50.

[0095] The outer casing 60 houses a portion of the cleaning unit 10 and the first force-applying component 70. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing 60 includes a housing body 61 and an adjustment member 62. The housing body 61 has two cutouts 612 and 613, and an opening 611 is formed at its front end. The cleaning unit 10 is housed within the housing body 61 such that its front end protrudes from the housing body 61 through the opening 611. The cleaning unit 10 is housed within the housing body 61 such that it can move relative to the housing body 61 along the Y-axis direction shown in the figure.

[0096] like Figure 15 As shown, the adjusting component 62 includes a cam pin 63 and a rack portion 64. (As indicated...) Figure 3 As shown, the adjustment member 62 covers the support 40 in such a way that the cleaning unit 10 can move relative to the adjustment member 62 along the Y-axis direction in the figure.

[0097] The cam pin 63 of the adjusting component 62 is inserted into the cam groove 251 of the shaft component 23. Therefore, if the cleaning unit 10 moves relative to the housing 60, the cleaning shaft 20 rotates around the rotation axis RA via the rotation mechanism formed by the cam pin 63 and the cam groove 251.

[0098] Furthermore, the rack portion 64 of the adjusting member 62 engages with the pinion portion 363 of the first rotating body 36. Therefore, if the cleaning unit 10 moves relative to the housing 60, the first roller 33 rotates via the first rotation drive mechanism 91 composed of the rack portion 64 and the pinion portion 363.

[0099] Specifically, if the outer casing 60 is pressed in relative to the cleaning unit 10 and moves forward (in the +Y direction in the figure) (refer to...) Figure 16 (a) Then the first rotary drive mechanism 91 converts the linear motion into rotary motion, driving the first roller 33, on which the first rotating body 36 is mounted, to rotate. Furthermore, as described above, the claw portion 411b of the support body 40 prevents the first roller 33 from rotating in another direction (in...). Figure 7 The rotation is left-handed (counter-clockwise), therefore, when the outer casing 60 moves relatively rearward (in the -Y direction in the figure) relative to the cleaning unit 10 (refer to...). Figure 16 (b) The first rotating body 36 idles relative to the first roller 33, which does not rotate.

[0100] Similarly, the rack portion 64 of the adjusting component 62 also engages with the pinion portion 383 of the second rotating body 38. Therefore, if the cleaning unit 10 moves relative to the housing 60, the second tube 37 rotates via the second rotary drive mechanism 92 composed of the rack portion 64 and the pinion portion 383.

[0101] Specifically, if the outer casing 60 is pressed in relative to the cleaning unit 10 and moves forward (in the +Y direction in the figure) (refer to...) Figure 16 (a) Then the second rotary drive mechanism 92 converts the linear motion into rotary motion, driving the second tube 37, on which the second rotating body 38 is mounted, to rotate. Furthermore, as described above, the claw portion 411c of the support body 40 prevents the second tube 37 from rotating in another direction (in...). Figure 7 The rotation is left-handed (counter-clockwise), therefore, when the outer casing 60 moves relatively rearward (in the -Y direction in the figure) relative to the cleaning unit 10 (refer to...). Figure 16 (b) The second rotating body 38 idles relative to the second cylinder 37, which does not rotate.

[0102] The rack portion 64 corresponds to an example of the "first rack portion" in the embodiment of the present invention, and also corresponds to an example of the "second rack portion" in the embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the pinion portion 363 of the first rotating body 36 corresponds to an example of the "first pinion portion" in the embodiment of the present invention, and the pinion portion 383 of the second rotating body 38 corresponds to an example of the "second pinion portion" in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pinion portions 363 and 383 of the first rotating body 36 and the second rotating body 38 are engaged with the same rack portion 64, but this is not particularly limited to this. For example, the rack portion 64 may be divided into two, and the pinion portions 363 and 383 of the first rotating body 36 and the second rotating body 38 may be engaged with each rack portion 64 respectively.

[0104] like Figure 3 As shown, the first force-applying component 70 is inserted into the protrusion 48 of the support body 40, and is sandwiched between the rear end wall (-Y direction side in the figure) of the support body 40 and the rear end wall 65 of the adjusting component 62. The first force-applying component 70 applies force to the cleaning unit 10 towards the front end (+Y direction in the figure). As a specific example of the first force-applying component 70, an elastic body such as a spring or rubber can be exemplified, and as a specific example of a spring, a coil spring can be exemplified.

[0105] The adjusting component 62 and the first force-applying component 70 are housed together with the cleaning unit 10 within the outer casing 61. The adjusting component 62 is fixed to the outer casing 61 by engaging its locking tab 66 with the cutout 612 of the outer casing 61.

[0106] Furthermore, by advancing the adjusting member 62 relative to the housing body 61, the engaging tab 66 engages with another cutout 613, thereby enabling the cleaning unit 10 to advance relative to the housing body 61. That is, by engaging the engaging tab 66 with either cutout 612 or 613, the amount of protrusion of the cleaning unit 10 from the housing body 61 can be adjusted. Moreover, this adjustment of the protrusion of the cleaning unit 10 is performed before the cleaning operation of the optical connector 100, during which the adjusting member 62 will not move relative to the housing body 61.

[0107] Reference Figure 16 (a) and Figure 16 (b) The internal operation of the cleaner 1 during the cleaning operation of the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 using the cleaner 1 described above will be explained.

[0108] Figure 16 (a) and Figure 16 (b) is a diagram showing the internal operation of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment. Figure 16 (a) is a diagram showing the state in which the outer casing 60 is pressed into the cleaning unit 10. Figure 16 (b) is a diagram showing the state where the housing 60 has been released from the pressure relative to the cleaning unit 10. Furthermore, in Figure 16 (a) and Figure 16 In (b), the cleaning body 5, which is not shown being fed from the first tube 31 to the cleaning shaft 20, is not illustrated.

[0109] First, the operator inserts the front end of the guide tube 50 of the cleaner 1 into the opening of the adapter. This causes the front end of the guide tube 50 to abut against the end face 151 of the sleeve 150. Then, if the operator presses the cleaner 1 towards the adapter, the third force-applying component 53 retracts, the first cylinder 51 retracts relative to the second cylinder 52, and the cleaning head 21 of the cleaning shaft 20 protrudes from the front end of the guide tube 50. The cleaning head 21 then enters the sleeve 150 (see reference). Figure 5 (b) The cleaning head 21 makes the cleaning body 5 contact the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100.

[0110] Next, if the operator presses the outer casing 60 into the guide tube opening 50 relative to the +Y direction side in the diagram, then as shown... Figure 16 As shown in (a), the cleaning unit 10 moves rearward (in the -Y direction in the figure) relative to the housing 60, the first force-applying member 70 retracts and the second force-applying member 22 also retracts. By the retraction of the second force-applying member 22, the cleaning head 21 presses the cleaning body 5 against the connecting end face 111 of the insert 110 with appropriate pressing force.

[0111] The linear motion of the cleaning unit 10 relative to the housing 60 is converted into the rotational motion of the first rotating body 36 by the rack portion 64 and the pinion portion 363. Furthermore, the gear portions 361 and 335 of the first rotating body 36 and the first roller 33 engage, and the rotation of the first rotating body 36 is transmitted to the first roller 33. Moreover, the first roller 33 is driven to rotate, and the second roller 34, which is in contact with the first roller 33, also rotates. Therefore, the cleaning body 5 is drawn out from the first tube 31 by the first roller 33 and the second roller 34 and supplied to the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning shaft 20. Thus, the cleaning body 5 slides while being pressed against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 to wipe away foreign matter adhering to the connection end face 111.

[0112] Through the operation of the first rotary drive mechanism 91 and the roller unit 32, a certain amount of cleaning body 5 can be supplied from the first tube 31 to the pressing surface 211 for each pressing action. The amount of cleaning body 5 can be set based on the rotation amount of the first roller 33 that accompanies the relative movement of the cleaning unit 10 relative to the outer casing 60, the radius of the main body 331 of the first roller 33, etc.

[0113] Furthermore, the linear motion of the cleaning unit 10 relative to the housing 60 is converted into the rotational motion of the second rotating body 38 by the rack portion 64 and the pinion portion 383. The gear portions 381 and 375 of the second rotating body 38 and the second tube 37 engage, and the rotation of the second rotating body 38 is transmitted to the second tube 37. Thus, the second tube 37 is driven to rotate, and the cleaning body 5, pulled in from the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning shaft 20 by the first roller 33 and the second roller 34, is wound up by the second tube 37 and retracted into the second tube 37.

[0114] At this time, as described above, when a tension greater than a predetermined value is applied to the second bobbin 37 via the cleaning body 5, the second rotating body 38 is made to idle relative to the second bobbin 37 by the first rotation limiting mechanism 93 (gear portion 375 of the second bobbin 37 and gear portion 381 of the second rotating body 38). Therefore, even if the radius of the cleaning body 5 wound around the second bobbin 37 increases with the number of cleaning cycles, it is possible to prevent the situation where a larger amount of cleaning body 5 than the certain amount extracted by the first roller 33 and the second roller 34 is extracted from the first bobbin 31 due to the rotation of the second bobbin 37 can be suppressed.

[0115] Furthermore, if the cleaning unit 10 moves rearward (in the -Y direction in the figure) relative to the housing 60, the cam pin 63 slides relative to it within the cam groove 251, thereby causing the cleaning shaft 20 to rotate around the rotation axis RA. Therefore, even if the width of the filamentous or rope-like cleaning body 5 is narrower than the connecting end face 111 that is the object to be cleaned, dirt can be wiped away from the entire area of ​​the connecting end face 111. While not particularly limited, it is preferable that the rotation angle of the cleaning shaft 20 is 180 degrees or more.

[0116] Next, if the operator releases the pressure of the outer casing 60 relative to the guide port 50, then as follows Figure 16 As shown in (b), the cleaning unit 10 moves forward relative to the housing 60 (in the +Y direction in the figure) due to the elastic force of the first force-applying member 70. At this time, as described above, the claw portion 411b of the support body 40 prevents the first roller 33 from moving in the other direction (in the... Figure 7 The rotation is counterclockwise (left-handed), so the first rotating body 36 idles relative to the first roller 33, which does not rotate. Similarly, as described above, the claw 411c of the support body 40 also prevents the second bobbin 37 from rotating in the other direction (in...). Figure 7 The rotation is left-handed (counter-clockwise), so the second rotating body 38 idles relative to the second cylinder 37, which does not rotate.

[0117] Once cleaning is complete, the operator pulls the front end of the guide port 50 of the cleaner 1 out of the optical connector 100, thereby removing the cleaner 1 from the optical connector 100.

[0118] As described above, in this embodiment, the first roller 33 and the second roller 34 clamp the cleaning body 5 between the pressing surface 211 of the cleaning shaft 20 and the second tube 37. The first rotary drive mechanism 91 drives the first roller 33 to rotate along with the relative movement of the cleaning shaft 20 relative to the outer casing 60, thereby using the first roller 33 and the second roller 34 to pull the cleaning body 5 out of the first tube 31. The second rotary drive mechanism 92 drives the second tube 37 to rotate along with the aforementioned relative movement, thereby retrieving the cleaning body 5 pulled in by the first roller 33 and the second roller 34 into the second tube 37.

[0119] That is, in this embodiment, a certain amount of cleaning body 5 can be extracted from the first tube 31 by the first roller 33, the second roller 34 and the first rotary drive mechanism 91, thus increasing the number of times the optical connector cleaning tool 1 can clean the optical connector 100. Moreover, in this embodiment, the first roller 33 and the second roller 34 clamp the cleaning body 5 to suppress the slippage of the cleaning body 5, thus preventing the situation where more than a certain amount of cleaning body 5 is extracted from the first tube 31 due to the rotation of the second tube 37.

[0120] Furthermore, the embodiments described above are provided for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, the essence of the elements disclosed in the above embodiments also includes all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0121] For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the cleaning unit 10 moves rearward (in the -Y direction in the figure) relative to the housing 60 (see reference...) Figure 16 (a) The first cylinder 31 is rotated by the first rotary drive mechanism 91, and the first roller 33 is also rotated by the second rotary drive mechanism 92. However, the direction of relative movement of the cleaning unit 10 relative to the housing 60 is not particularly limited to the relationship between the operation of the first rotary drive mechanism and the second rotary drive mechanisms 91 and 92.

[0122] For example, when the cleaning unit 10 moves rearward (in the -Y direction in the figure) relative to the housing 60, the first roller 33 can be rotated by the first rotary drive mechanism 91, and when the cleaning unit 10 moves forward (in the +Y direction in the figure) relative to the housing 60, the second cylinder 37 can also be rotated by the second rotary drive mechanism 92. In this case, for example, the rack portion 64 of the adjusting member 62 is divided into two, and the two rack portions 64 are arranged in opposite directions to each other.

[0123] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0124] 1…Optical connector cleaning tool; 5…Cleaning body; 10…Cleaning unit; 20…Cleaning shaft; 31…First bobbin; 32…Roller unit; 33…First roller; 331a…Outer peripheral surface; 334…Recess; 335…Gear section; 336b…Inclined surface; 34…Second roller; 341…Outer peripheral surface; 35…Supporting component; 36…First rotating body; 361…Gear section; 362b…Inclined surface; 363…Pinary gear section; 37…Second bobbin; 375…Gear section; 376a…Steep inclined surface; 38 …Second rotating body; 381…gear section; 382a…steep slope; 383…pinion section; 40…support body; 411a~411c…claw section; 50…guide tube opening; 60…outer shell; 61…outer shell body; 62…adjusting component; 64…rack section; 70…first force-applying component; 91…first rotation drive mechanism; 92…second rotation drive mechanism; 93…first rotation restriction mechanism; 94…second rotation restriction mechanism; 100…optical connector; 110…ferrule; 111…connecting end face.

Claims

1. A cleaning tool for optical connectors, used to clean the connection end faces of optical connectors, characterized in that, have: The cleaning shaft has a pressing surface for pressing the cleaning body against the connecting end face, and the cleaning body is wrapped around the pressing surface; The housing holds the cleaning shaft so that it can move relative to the cleaning shaft along its axial direction; The first tube is housed in the outer casing and supplies the cleaning body to the pressing surface; The second tube, housed in the outer casing, recovers the cleaning body that has passed through the pressing surface; The first roller and the second roller are housed in the outer casing, with the cleaning body sandwiched between the pressing surface and the second tube; A first rotary drive mechanism drives the first roller to rotate in conjunction with the relative movement of the cleaning shaft relative to the housing, thereby using the first roller and the second roller to extract the cleaning body from the first tube. as well as The second rotary drive mechanism drives the second tube to rotate in tandem with the relative movement of the sweeping shaft relative to the housing, thereby retrieving the sweeping body pulled in by the first and second rollers into the second tube.

2. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical connector cleaning tool has a first rotation limiting mechanism that limits the rotation of the second tube when a tension greater than a predetermined value is applied to the second tube via the cleaning body.

3. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The optical connector cleaning tool includes a first rotating body mounted on the first roller. The first rotary drive mechanism includes: The first pinion section is provided by the first rotating body; and The first rack is capable of moving relative to the first rotating body as the cleaning shaft moves relative to the housing, and engages with the first pinion.

4. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The optical connector cleaning tool includes a second rotating body mounted on the second tube. The second rotary drive mechanism includes: The second pinion section is provided by the second rotating body; and The second rack is capable of moving relative to the second rotating body as the cleaning shaft moves relative to the housing, and engages with the second pinion.

5. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, The optical connector cleaning tool includes a second rotating body mounted on the second tube. The first rotation limiting mechanism includes: The first engaging portion has a first inclined surface, which is provided by the second rotating body; and The second engaging portion, having a second inclined surface corresponding to the first inclined surface, is provided by the second tube. When the cleaning body applies a tension greater than the specified value to the second tube, the engagement between the first engaging part and the second engaging part is released, thereby allowing the rotating body to idle relative to the second tube.

6. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The optical connector cleaning tool includes: The first rotating body is mounted on the first roller; A support body that supports the first roller and the first rotating body so that they can rotate; and The second rotation limiting mechanism prevents the first roller from rotating in the first direction. The second rotation limiting mechanism includes: The third engaging portion has a third inclined surface, which is provided by the first rotating body; The fourth engaging portion has a fourth inclined surface corresponding to the third inclined surface, and is provided by the first roller; The fifth engaging portion is provided by the first roller; and The sixth engaging portion is provided by the support body. When the first rotating body rotates in the first direction, the third engaging part and the fourth engaging part do not engage, thereby allowing the first rotating body to idle relative to the first roller, and the fifth engaging part engages with the sixth engaging part, thereby preventing the first roller from rotating in the first direction.

7. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The optical connector cleaning tool has a force-applying mechanism that applies force to the second roller toward the first roller.

8. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first roller has a first contact surface that contacts the cleaning body. The second roller has a second contact surface that contacts the cleaning body. At least one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface is made of an elastic material.

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