Optical connector cleaning tool

Abstract

An optical connector cleaning tool 1 comprises: a cleaning shaft 105 that has a pressing surface 121 that is to press a cleaning body 2 onto a connection end surface 211 of an optical connector 200, the cleaning body 2 being wrapped over the pressing surface 121 so as to double back; a feed bobbin 30 that supplies the cleaning body 2 to the pressing surface 121 via a supply path SP; and a winding bobbin 40 that retrieves the cleaning body 2 from the pressing surface 121 via a retrieval path RP. The supply path SP and the retrieval path RP are arranged along upper and lower surfaces 170a, 170b of the cleaning shaft 105, and the optical connector cleaning tool 1 has an opening 172a that inverts the supply path SP and the retrieval path RP between the upper surface 170a side and the lower surface 170b side.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector. For designated states where incorporation by reference of literature is permitted, the contents of Patent Application No. 2022-091040 filed in Japan on June 3, 2022 are incorporated by reference into this specification and made a part of the description of this specification. [Background technology]

[0002] An optical connector cleaning tool that cleans the connection end face of an optical connector with cleaning tape is known, which includes a head part around which the cleaning tape is wound, and this head part includes a head plate having a tape pressing surface that presses the cleaning tape against the connection end face of the optical connector, an elastically deformable spring part, and a head support part that supports the head plate so that it can tilt via the spring part (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (paragraphs

[0007] ,

[0008] , Figures 24(a) to 24(d))). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-46218 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some connection end faces of optical connectors to be cleaned have an inclination angle (typically 8 degrees) with respect to the optical axis to suppress the incidence of reflected light. When cleaning such connection end faces with the optical connector cleaning tool described above, the head plate is pulled by the tension applied to the cleaning tape when the cleaning tape is retrieved, causing the inclination direction of the tape pressing surface to be opposite to the inclination direction of the connection end face, which may prevent the connection end face of the optical connector from being properly cleaned.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical connector cleaning tool that can properly clean the connection end face of an optical connector by switching the inclination direction of the pressing surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] Aspect 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 that presses a strip-shaped cleaning body against the connection end face, the cleaning body being wound around the pressing surface so as to fold back against the pressing surface; a supply unit that supplies the cleaning body to the pressing surface through a supply path; and a recovery unit that recovers the cleaning body from the pressing surface through a recovery path, the cleaning shaft having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface, the supply path and the recovery path being arranged along the first and second main surfaces, and the optical connector cleaning tool having a path reversal unit that reverses the supply path and the recovery path between the first main surface side and the second main surface side.

[0007] [2] A second aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the first aspect, wherein the path reversal portion penetrates between the first main surface and the second main surface and includes an opening or groove where the supply path and the recovery path intersect.

[0008] [3] A third aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the second aspect, wherein the path reversal unit reverses the supply path and the recovery path while ensuring a non-contact state between the cleaning body passing through the supply path and the cleaning body passing through the recovery path.

[0009] [4] A fourth aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the path reversal portion includes a first opening or a first groove that guides the cleaning body passing through the supply path from the first main surface side to the second main surface side, and a second opening or a second groove that guides the cleaning body passing through the recovery path from the first main surface side to the second main surface side.

[0010] [5] A fifth aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the fourth aspect, wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning shaft.

[0011] [6] A sixth aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the first opening has a shape in which the width of the first opening narrows toward the tip of the cleaning shaft, and the second opening has a shape in which the width of the second opening narrows toward the rear end of the cleaning shaft.

[0012] [7] A seventh aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the fourth aspect, wherein the first groove and the second groove include spiral grooves formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cleaning shaft.

[0013] [8] Aspect 8 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to aspect 4 or 7, wherein the cleaning shaft includes a rotating part disposed between the first groove and the second groove, and the rotating part rotates the tip end portion of the cleaning shaft relative to the rear end portion of the cleaning shaft.

[0014] [9] A ninth aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the cleaning shaft comprises a head member having the pressing surface and a support member that supports the head member, and the path reversing portion is provided on the head member.

[0015]

[10] Aspect 10 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the cleaning shaft comprises a head member having the pressing surface and a support member that supports the head member, and the path reversing portion is provided on the support member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] In the present invention, the connector cleaning tool includes a path reversing unit that reverses the supply path and the recovery path between the first principal surface side and the second principal surface side. Therefore, according to the present invention, the path reversing unit can reverse the folding direction of the cleaning body on the pressing surface, so that the inclination direction of the pressing surface can be changed and the connection end surface of the optical connector can be properly cleaned. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an optical connector to be cleaned by an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector cleaning tool according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an extension member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(a) is a plan view showing a rack shaft in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5(b) is a plan view showing a first modified example of the rack shaft in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5(c) is a plan view showing a second modified example of the rack shaft in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5(d) is a partial plan view showing a third modified example of the rack shaft in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating the supply path and recovery path of the cleaning element in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(b) is a schematic diagram illustrating the supply path and recovery path of the cleaning element in a comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view and an enlarged view of a portion VII showing a fourth modified example of a rack shaft in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view showing a first modified example of a cleaning head in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view showing a second modified example of a cleaning head in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are side views showing the use state of an optical connector cleaning tool in an embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 9(a) shows the state in which the tool body is advanced toward the extension member, and Figure 9(b) shows the state in which the tool body is retracted from the extension member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] The optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment is a cleaner that cleans the connection end face of an optical connector that connects optical fibers together. Fig. 1 is a front view showing an optical connector 200 that is the object to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment.

[0020] The optical connector 200 to be cleaned by this optical connector cleaning tool 1 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a multi-fiber simultaneous connection type optical connector plug that simultaneously connects a plurality of optical fibers.

[0021] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the optical connector 200 includes a ferrule 210 having a flat (rectangular) cross-sectional shape (end face shape). The ferrule 210 is a so-called MT (Mechanical Transferable) ferrule, and has a plurality of (e.g., 12) fiber holding holes arranged along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the ferrule 210. An optical fiber 220 is inserted into each of the plurality of fiber holding holes, and the optical fiber 220 is fixed to the ferrule 210 with an adhesive. The plurality of optical fibers 220 are exposed from an end face 211 of the ferrule 210. The ferrule 210 is held in a housing 230.

[0022] In this embodiment, the end face 211 of the ferrule 210 is an angle-polished end face (APC) having a slope (see FIG. 6(a)). Although not particularly limited, this end face 211 has a slope angle of, for example, 8 degrees with respect to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber 220. Note that the end face 211 of the ferrule 210 may also be a flat-polished end face (UPC) that is not sloped.

[0023] The number of optical fibers 220 held by the ferrule 210 is not particularly limited, and may be less than 12 or more than 12. The optical fibers 220 may be arranged in multiple rows (for example, two rows) along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the ferrule 210. The ferrule 210 may be an MT ferrule as defined in JIS C 5981 or JIS C 5982.

[0024] When connecting a pair of optical connectors 200 each having the above-described ferrules 210, the pair of optical connectors 200 are inserted into insertion openings 241 on both sides of a sleeve-shaped adapter 240. The insertion openings 241 are provided with four grooves 242. Then, by butting the end faces 211 of the ferrules 210 of the pair of optical connectors 200 together, the optical fibers 220 exposed from the end faces 211 of the ferrules 210 are optically connected to each other. At this time, the guide pins 212 of one ferrule 210 are inserted into guide holes (not shown) of the other ferrule 210, thereby positioning the optical connectors 200 with high precision.

[0025] If dirt, dust, oil, or other contaminants adhere to the end face 211 of the ferrule 210 during this butting, it may cause damage during connection and disconnection, an increase in transmission loss, and the like. Therefore, before connecting the optical connector 200, the end face 211 of the ferrule 210 is cleaned using an optical connector cleaning tool 1 described below. During this cleaning, the optical connector 200 to be cleaned is inserted into one insertion port 241 of an adapter 240, and the optical connector cleaning tool 1 is inserted into the other insertion port 241 of the adapter 240, thereby cleaning the end face 211 of the ferrule 210 of the optical connector 200.

[0026] The optical connector 200 described above is an optical connector plug used in a plug-adapter-plug coupling system, but in an optical connector receptacle used in a plug-receptacle coupling system, the end face of the ferrule may be cleaned using the optical connector cleaning tool 1 described below. Specifically, this optical connector receptacle has a ferrule attached to the tip of an optical fiber incorporated into a housing into which the optical connector plug is inserted.

[0027] Alternatively, a cap having an inner hole of the same shape as the inner hole of the adapter may be attached to the tip of the optical connector cleaning tool 1, and the optical connector plug may be inserted into the cap to clean the connection end face of the optical connector plug alone when not inserted into the adapter.

[0028] The configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The optical connector cleaning tool 1 described below has basically the same configuration as the optical connector cleaning tools disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2014-35489, 2014-35490, and 2014-35491, except for the configuration of the rack shaft 170.

[0029] First, the overall configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment, and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment.

[0030] 2 and 3, the optical connector cleaning tool 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "cleaning tool 1") in this embodiment includes a tool body 10 and an extension member 100 extending from the tool body 10. The tool body 10 is covered with a front cover 5 and a rear cover 6. The extension member 100 protrudes forward (in the +Y direction in the drawings) from an opening 5a of the front cover 5.

[0031] The extension member 100 has a pressing surface 121 (described later) at its tip that presses the cleaning element 2 against the connection end surface 211 of the optical connector 200 (the end surface 211 of the ferrule 210 described above). The tool body 10 has bobbins 30, 40 (described later) that supply and collect the cleaning element 2 to and from the pressing surface 121. The extension member 100 is capable of moving relative to the tool body 10 along the axial direction of the extension member 100 (the Y-axis direction in the figure) (see FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)).

[0032] As the cleaning element 2 moves on the pressing surface 121 in accordance with the relative movement between the tool body 10 and the extension member 100 (the movement of the tool body 10 advancing relative to the extension member 100), the cleaning element 2 slides while being pressed against the connection end face 211 of the optical connector 200, making it possible to efficiently wipe away dirt adhering to the end face 211. However, if an adhesive cleaning element is used, it is also possible to configure the cleaning element so that it is only pressed against the connection end face 211 and does not slide. Furthermore, as the tool body 10 retreats relative to the extension member 100, it is possible to recover a used cleaning element 2 from the pressing surface 121 onto the take-up bobbin 40, and to supply an unused cleaning element 2 from the delivery bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121.

[0033] As described above, the optical connector 200 to be cleaned in this embodiment is a multi-fiber simultaneous connection type optical connector, and the end face 211 of the ferrule 210 of the optical connector 200 has a flat shape. Therefore, the cleaning body 2 is a long, thin, continuous strip (tape). The width of this cleaning body 2 is large enough to simultaneously wipe the end faces of all of the optical fibers 220 exposed at the end face 211 of the ferrule 210 and their surroundings (for example, the areas between the guide pins 212). An example of such a tape-shaped cleaning body 2 is, but is not limited to, a woven fabric of ultrafine fibers made of polyester, nylon, or the like.

[0034] Next, the configuration of the tool body 10 of the cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the tool body 10 includes a housing 20, a delivery bobbin 30, a take-up bobbin 40, guide tubes 51 and 52, a roll 53, a ratchet pawl 60, and a transmission member 70.

[0036] The housing 20 is composed of a first housing 21 and a second housing 22. The housing 20 accommodates a supply bobbin 30, a take-up bobbin 40, guide tubes 51 and 52, a roll 53, a ratchet pawl 60, and a transmission member 70. The first and second housings 21 and 22 are made of, but are not limited to, a resin material. A fixing pin formed on the second housing 22 is fitted into a fixing tube formed on the first housing 21, thereby fixing the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 together.

[0037] The feed bobbin 30 is a reel (cylindrical winding frame) for supplying the cleaning element 2. An unused cleaning element 2 is wound around the feed bobbin 30. The feed bobbin 30 is rotatably supported on a support shaft formed on the first housing 21. When the tool body 10 moves backward relative to the extension member 100, the feed bobbin 30 rotates, and an unused cleaning element 2 is fed from the feed bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121. In this embodiment, the unused cleaning element 2 is also referred to as a "cleaning element 2a."

[0038] A plurality of engagement grooves 31 are formed in a circular arrangement on both side surfaces of the delivery bobbin 30. On the other hand, the first and second housings 21 and 22 are formed with locking claws 20a whose tips abut against the engagement grooves 31. The locking claws 20a prevent the delivery bobbin 30 from spinning freely.

[0039] The take-up bobbin 40 is a reel for taking up the used cleaning element 2. The take-up bobbin 40 is rotatably supported on a support shaft formed on the first housing 21. When the tool body 10 moves backward relative to the extension member 100, the take-up bobbin 40 rotates, and the used cleaning element 2 that has been used on the pressing surface 121 is taken up onto the take-up bobbin 40. In this embodiment, the used cleaning element 2 is also referred to as "cleaning element 2b."

[0040] An outer ring portion 41 and an inner ring portion 42 are formed on both side surfaces of the winding bobbin 40. A ratchet gear that meshes with the ratchet pawl 60 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 41. Meanwhile, the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 42 functions as a friction surface with which the leaf spring portion 72 of the transmission member 70 comes into contact.

[0041] The ratchet pawls 60 are provided on both side surfaces of the take-up bobbin 40 so as to be interposed between the outer ring portion 41 and the inner ring portion 42, and are rotatably supported on supports formed on the housings 21 and 22. The ratchet pawls 60 constitute a ratchet mechanism together with the ratchet gear of the outer ring portion 41. The ratchet mechanism allows the take-up bobbin 40 to rotate in the direction in which the cleaning element 2 is taken up (the take-up direction), but prohibits the take-up bobbin 40 from rotating in the direction opposite to the take-up direction.

[0042] The transmission members 70 are disposed inside both inner ring portions 42 of the winding bobbin 40. Each transmission member 70 is rotatably supported by the support shaft portion of the first housing 21 that supports the winding bobbin 40.

[0043] Each transmission member 70 includes a pinion gear 71 and a pair of leaf spring portions 72. The pinion gear 71 meshes with a rack gear 176 (described later) of the extension member 100, and the pinion gear 71 and the rack gear 176 form a rack-and-pinion mechanism. This rack-and-pinion mechanism converts the linear motion of the extension member 100 relative to the tool body 10 into rotational motion.

[0044] The pair of leaf spring portions 72 are fitted inside the inner ring portion 42 of the winding bobbin 40 with the leaf spring portions 72 elastically deformed inward. Therefore, a friction force acts between the friction surfaces of each leaf spring portion 72 and the inner ring portion 42, and these leaf spring portions 72 and the inner ring portion 42 constitute a friction transmission mechanism. The rotational motion converted by the rack and pinion mechanism is transmitted to the winding bobbin 40 via this friction transmission mechanism.

[0045] The guide tube 51 is rotatably supported by a support shaft portion formed in the first housing 21, and the guide tube 52 is rotatably supported by another support shaft portion formed in the first housing 21. Furthermore, the roll 53 is rotatably supported by a pin held in the first and second housings 21, 22. An unused cleaning element 2 fed from the feed bobbin 30 is guided by the guide tube 51 toward the pressing surface 121 of the extension member 100. On the other hand, a used cleaning element 2 is guided by the guide tube 52 and the roll 53 toward the take-up bobbin 40. At this time, the cleaning element 2 is folded back by the roll 53 and is wound around the roll 53.

[0046] Next, the configuration of the extension member 100 of the cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6(b).

[0047] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the extension member 100 in this embodiment. Fig. 5(a) is a plan view showing the rack shaft 170 in this embodiment, Figs. 5(b) and 5(c) are plan views showing first and second modified examples of the rack shaft 170 in this embodiment, and Fig. 5(d) is a partial plan view showing a third modified example of the rack shaft 170 in this embodiment. Fig. 6(a) is a schematic diagram for explaining the supply path SP and the recovery path RP of the cleaning element 2 in this embodiment, and Fig. 6(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining the supply path SP' and the supply path RP' of the cleaning element 2 in a comparative example. Note that the cleaning element 2 is not shown in Figs. 4 to 5(d).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the extension member 100 includes a cleaning shaft 105, a first coil spring (coil spring for guide nozzle) 180, and a guide nozzle 190.

[0049] The cleaning shaft 105 is a member (pressing member) for pressing the cleaning element 2 against the connection end surface 211 of the optical connector 200. The cleaning shaft 105 is a long member extending along the longitudinal axis direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure) of the extension member 100, and includes a cleaning head (head member) 110, a second coil spring (coil spring for the cleaning head) 160, and a rack shaft (support member) 170.

[0050] The cleaning head 110 is a member that constitutes the tip portion of the cleaning shaft 105. As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning head 110 includes a pressing portion 120, a neck portion (tilting portion) 130, a support portion 140, and an insertion portion 150. The pressing portion 120 is tiltably supported by the support portion 140 via the neck portion 130, and can tilt in accordance with the tilt of the end face 211 of the ferrule 210 of the optical connector 200. Although not particularly limited, for example, the cleaning head 110 is made of a resin material, and the pressing portion 120, neck portion 130, support portion 140, and insertion portion 150 are integrally formed.

[0051] The pressing part 120 has a pressing surface 121 at its tip that presses the cleaning element 2 against the connection end face of the optical connector 200. This pressing surface 121 has a flat (rectangular) shape that corresponds to the shape of the end face 211 of the ferrule 210 of the optical connector 200 to be cleaned. The cleaning element 2 that is supplied from the delivery bobbin 30 and collected into the take-up bobbin 40 is wound around the cleaning shaft 105 so as to be folded back at this pressing surface 121.

[0052] Furthermore, a pair of insertion grooves 122 are formed on both ends of the pressing surface 121. When the pressing surface 121 is pressed against the end face 211 of the ferrule 210, the guide pins 212 protruding from the end face 211 enter the insertion grooves 122, thereby enabling the pressing surface 121 to bring the cleaning element 2 into close contact with the end face 211 of the ferrule 210.

[0053] The pressing portion 120 is connected to the support portion 140 via a neck portion 130. The neck portion 130 is a leaf spring portion having a convexly curved shape, and is elastically deformable in response to the pressing force from the optical connector 200 to the pressing portion 120. The neck portion 130 tilts the pressing portion 120 in accordance with the tilt of the end face 211 of the ferrule 210 of the optical connector 200. The neck portion 130 is narrower than the pressing portion 120, whereas the support portion 140 to which the neck portion 130 is connected has a plate-like shape with a flat (rectangular) cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the pressing portion 120.

[0054] An insertion portion 150 is connected to the rear side of the support portion 140. This insertion portion 150 is a portion that is inserted into the tip portion 171 of the rack shaft 170, and has a plate-like shape that is narrower than the support portion 140. At the rear end of this insertion portion 150, a cylindrical shaft portion 151 that protrudes rearward (in the -Y direction in the figure) is formed, and a protrusion 152 that protrudes sideways (in the X-axis direction in the figure) is formed.

[0055] 4, the second coil spring 160 is interposed between the cleaning head 110 and the rack shaft 170, with the shaft 151 of the cleaning head 110 inserted into the second coil spring 160. The second coil spring 160 biases the cleaning head 110 forward relative to the rack shaft 170. This allows the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 to press the cleaning element 2 against the connection end surface 211 of the optical connector 200 with an appropriate pressing force.

[0056] The rack shaft 170 is a member that supports the cleaning head 110 so that it can move in the front-to-rear direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure). As shown in Fig. 4, the rack shaft 170 includes a tip portion 171, a body portion 172, a shoulder portion 173, and an arm portion 175. Although not particularly limited, for example, the rack shaft 170 is made of a resin material, and the tip portion 171, body portion 172, shoulder portion 173, and arm portion 175 are integrally formed.

[0057] An insertion groove 171a and a window 171b are formed in the tip end 171 of the rack shaft 170. The insertion groove 171a is a groove that opens at the tip end of the rack shaft 170. The insertion section 150 of the cleaning head 110 is inserted into this insertion groove 171a so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure). Furthermore, the window 171b opens from the insertion groove 171a to the side surface of the tip end 171. The protrusion 152 of the insertion section 150 of the cleaning head 110 is inserted into this window 171b. The cleaning head 110 is guided in the front-to-rear direction by the insertion groove 171a, and the window 171b prevents the cleaning head 110, which is biased by the second coil spring 160, from falling out forward (the +Y direction in the figure).

[0058] The body portion 172 is connected to the rear side of the tip portion 171. The body portion 172 has a columnar shape and is a long portion that extends along the axial direction of the extension member 100 (the Y-axis direction in the figure). The rear portion of the body portion 172 is disposed within the housing 20 of the tool body 10, while the other portion of the body portion 172 extends forward from the housing 20 (the +Y direction in the figure).

[0059] The upper and lower surfaces 170a, 170b of the body portion 172 are supplied to the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 and function as guide surfaces that guide the cleaning element 2 recovered from the pressing surface 121. The body portion 172 is also inserted into the first coil spring 180 and has the function of supporting the first coil spring 180.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5(a), an opening 172a is formed in the body portion 172. This opening 172a penetrates between the upper surface 170a and the lower surface 170b of the body portion 172, allowing the cleaning element 2 to pass through the opening 172a as it is supplied to and collected from the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110. The width of this opening 172a is preferably equal to or greater than the width of the cleaning element 2. By widening the width of the opening 172a, it is possible to prevent wrinkles from forming on the cleaning element 2, thereby preventing poor cleaning and malfunctions due to the cleaning element 2 getting caught. This opening 172a corresponds to an example of a "path reversal section" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0061] In this embodiment, an unused cleaning element 2a supplied from the delivery bobbin 30 to the extension member 100 via the guide tube 51 first enters the space between the cleaning shaft 105 and the guide nozzle 190 (the space above the cleaning shaft 105 in FIG. 3). Then, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the cleaning element 2a passes over the upper surface 170a of the rack shaft 170 of the cleaning shaft 105 and then enters the opening 172a. The cleaning element 2a is guided by this opening 172a from the upper surface 170a side to the lower surface 170b side of the rack shaft 170. After passing through this opening 172a, the cleaning element 2a moves along the rack shaft 170 and the lower surfaces 170b, 110b of the cleaning head 110, and reaches the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110.

[0062] Then, the cleaning element 2 moves from the lower side to the upper side on the pressing surface 121 along the minor axis direction of the pressing surface 121 (see arrow A in FIG. 3 and FIG. 9(a)).

[0063] The cleaning element 2b used on this pressing surface 121 enters from the pressing surface 121 into the space between the cleaning shaft 105 and the guide nozzle 190 (the space above the cleaning shaft 105 in FIG. 3). Then, after passing over the upper surfaces 110a, 170a of the cleaning head 110 and the rack shaft 170, it enters the opening 172a. The cleaning element 2b is guided by this opening 172a from the upper surface 170a side to the lower surface 170b side of the rack shaft 170. Having passed through this opening 172a, the cleaning element 2a moves along the lower surface 170b of the rack shaft 170 and is collected onto the take-up bobbin 40 via the guide tube 52 and the roll 53.

[0064] As described above, in this embodiment, the supply path SP that supplies the unused cleaning element 2a to the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 and the recovery path RP that recovers the used cleaning element 2b from the pressing surface 121 are arranged along the upper surface 170a and lower surface 170b of the rack shaft 170, but intersect at the opening 172a of the rack shaft 170. That is, the supply path SP switches from the upper surface 170a side to the lower surface 170b side of the rack shaft 170 at the opening 172a, and the recovery path RP also switches from the upper surface 170a side to the lower surface 170b side at the opening 172a, and this opening 172a reverses the supply path SP and the recovery path RP between the upper surface 170a side and the lower surface 170b side.

[0065] 6(b), in the optical connector cleaning tool 1' of the comparative example that does not have the opening 172a, the supply path SP' that supplies the cleaning element 2a to the pressing surface 121' is arranged only on the upper surface 170a', 110a' side of the rack shaft 170' and the cleaning head 110', and the recovery path RP' that recovers the cleaning element 2b from the pressing surface 121' is arranged only on the lower surface 110b', 170b' side of the cleaning head 110' and the rack shaft 170', and the supply path SP' and the recovery path RP' are not reversed. Therefore, in this comparative example, the cleaning element 2 moves from the upper side to the lower side on the pressing surface 121' along the minor axis direction of the pressing surface 121'.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, the supply path SP and the recovery path RP are reversed at the opening 172a, so the direction of movement of the cleaning element 2 on the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 is opposite to that in the comparative example shown in Fig. 6(b). Therefore, in the comparative example shown in Fig. 6(b), the direction of inclination of the pressing part 120' of the cleaning head 110' due to the tension generated when the cleaning element 2b is recovered is counterclockwise, whereas in this embodiment shown in Fig. 6(a), the direction of inclination of the pressing part 120 of the cleaning head 110 due to this tension is clockwise. That is, in this embodiment, by reversing the supply path SP and the recovery path RP at the opening 172a, the direction of inclination of the pressing part 120 of the cleaning head 110 is switched to the opposite direction from that in the comparative example.

[0067] The configuration of the path reversing section that reverses the supply path SP and the recovery path RP is not limited to the above-described opening 172a. Although not particularly limited, for example, the path reversing section may be configured as follows.

[0068] 5(b), two openings 172b, 172c may be formed in the body portion 172 of the rack shaft 170. Both openings 172b, 172c penetrate between the upper surface 170a and the lower surface 170b of the rack shaft 170, allowing the cleaning element 2 to pass through these openings 172b, 172c. These two openings 172b, 172c are arranged at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the rack shaft 170 (the Y direction in the figure).

[0069] An unused cleaning element 2a supplied from the delivery bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121 passes through the first opening 172b. By passing through the first opening 172b, the unused cleaning element 2a moves from the upper surface 170a side to the lower surface 170b side of the rack shaft 170.

[0070] On the other hand, the used cleaning element 2b that is collected from the pressing surface 121 into the take-up bobbin 40 passes through the second opening 172c. This used cleaning element 2b also moves from the upper surface 170a side to the lower surface 170b side of the rack shaft 170 by passing through the second opening 172c.

[0071] In this way, by passing the supply path SP and the recovery path RP through the openings 172b, 172c separately, it is possible to ensure that the cleaning bodies 2a, 2b are in a non-contact state, and it is possible to prevent the unused cleaning body 2a from being contaminated by the used cleaning body 2b.

[0072] Alternatively, the opening may have a shape as shown in FIG. 5(c).

[0073] 5(c), the two openings 172d, 172e each have a right-angled triangular shape with an acute angle. The first opening 172d is disposed so that its acute angle is located on the leading end side of the rack shaft 170 (the +Y direction in the figure), and its width narrows toward the leading end of the rack shaft 170. In contrast, the second opening 172e is disposed so that its acute angle is located on the rear end side of the rack shaft 170 (the -Y direction in the figure), and its width narrows toward the rear end of the rack shaft 170. In other words, the two openings 172d, 172e are disposed in opposite directions to each other in the longitudinal direction of the rack shaft 170.

[0074] Furthermore, the two openings 172d, 172e are arranged so that their acute angle portions (narrow portions) overlap and are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the rack shaft 170 (Y direction in the figure). That is, the two triangular openings 172d, 172e are arranged complementarily so that they partially overlap. Therefore, the two openings 172d, 172e can be arranged so that the wide portion of one opening 172d, 172e does not overlap the other opening 172e, 172d in the longitudinal direction of the rack shaft 170 (Y direction in the figure). The width of the wide portion of the openings 172e, 172d is preferably equal to or greater than the width of the cleaning element 2.

[0075] Similar to the first opening 172b described above, the first opening 172d is used by an unused cleaning element 2a supplied from the delivery bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121. On the other hand, similar to the second opening 172c described above, the second opening 172e is used by a used cleaning element 2b collected from the pressing surface 121 to the take-up bobbin 40. By passing the supply path SP and the collection path RP through the openings 172d and 172e separately in this way, it is possible to ensure that the cleaning elements 2a and 2b do not come into contact with each other, and to prevent contamination of the unused cleaning element 2a.

[0076] Furthermore, by arranging the two openings 172d, 172e so that they are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the rack shaft 170 (Y direction in the figure), the wide portions of the two openings 172d, 172e can be made as wide as possible, thereby preventing wrinkles from forming on the cleaning body 2.

[0077] Here, with regard to the front and back surfaces of the cleaning element 2, there are cases where a surface (cleaning surface) to be used for cleaning the connection end surface 211 of the optical connector 200 is specified. In this case, on the pressing surface 121, it is necessary to make the cleaning surface (front surface) of the cleaning element 2 face the connection end surface 211 and make the back surface of the cleaning element 2 face the pressing surface 121. Then, when switching the moving direction of the cleaning element 2 on the pressing part 120 to the opposite direction from the comparative example shown in Fig. 6(b) while maintaining such orientation of the front and back surfaces of the cleaning element 2, it is necessary to twist the cleaning element 2a 180 degrees on the supply path SP and twist the cleaning element 2b 180 degrees on the recovery path RP.

[0078] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the first opening 172d through which the supply path SP passes has a shape that narrows toward the tip of the rack shaft 170, so that the unused cleaning element 2a can be twisted 180 degrees smoothly by using this narrow portion (acute angle portion). Similarly, the second opening 172e through which the recovery path RP passes has a shape that narrows toward the rear end of the rack shaft 170, so that the used cleaning element 2b can be twisted 180 degrees smoothly by using this narrow portion (acute angle portion).

[0079] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5(c), by arranging the acute angle portions of the two openings 172d, 172e complementarily, the cleaning bodies 2a, 2b can pass through the first and second openings 172d, 172e with their back surfaces facing each other, thereby further suppressing contamination of the unused cleaning body 2a.

[0080] Alternatively, although not shown, instead of the above-mentioned opening, a groove (notch) may be formed in either the side surface 170c or 170d of the body part 172. This groove also penetrates between the upper surface 170a and the lower surface 170b of the body part 172, allowing the cleaning element 2 to pass through this opening 172a.

[0081] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6(d), two spiral grooves 172f and 172g may be formed in the body portion 172 of the rack shaft 170.

[0082] The first groove 172f is formed on the upper surface 170a, one side surface 170d, and lower surface 170b of the rack shaft 170, and is spirally formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rack shaft 170. On the other hand, the second groove 172g is formed on the upper surface 170a, the other side surface 170c, and lower surface 170b of the rack shaft 170, and is spirally formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rack shaft 170. Note that the spiral rotation direction of the grooves 172f, 172g is not particularly limited to the above, and may be the opposite direction to the example shown in FIG. 6(d). The two grooves 172f, 172g are complementarily arranged so as to overlap each other in the longitudinal direction of the rack shaft 170 (Y direction in the figure).

[0083] An unused cleaning element 2a supplied from the delivery bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121 passes through the first groove 172f. By passing through the first groove 172f, the unused cleaning element 2a moves from the upper surface 170a side to the lower surface 170b side of the rack shaft 170.

[0084] On the other hand, the used cleaning element 2b that is collected from the pressing surface 121 into the take-up bobbin 40 passes through the second groove 172g. This used cleaning element 2b also moves from the upper surface 170a side to the lower surface 170b side of the rack shaft 170 by passing through the second groove 172g.

[0085] The width of the grooves 172f, 172g is preferably equal to or greater than the width of the cleaning element 2. Increasing the width of the grooves 172f, 172g can prevent wrinkles from forming on the cleaning element 2. Furthermore, making the grooves 172f, 172g spiral allows the cleaning element 2 to be smoothly guided from the upper surface 170a to the lower surface 170b of the rack shaft 170. Furthermore, having the supply path SP and the recovery path RP pass through the grooves 172f, 172g separately can ensure a non-contact state between the cleaning elements 2a, 2b, thereby preventing contamination of an unused cleaning element 2a.

[0086] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 7, instead of the spiral grooves 172f, 172g, straight grooves 172h, 172i may be formed in the rack shaft 170. Fig. 7 is a perspective view and an enlarged view of portion VII showing a fourth modified example of the rack shaft 170 in this embodiment.

[0087] The first groove 172h is formed on one side surface 170c of the rack shaft 170, while the second groove 172i is formed on the other side surface 170d of the rack shaft 170. Both grooves 172h, 172i linearly penetrate between the upper surface 170a and the lower surface 170b of the rack shaft 170 along the thickness direction of the rack shaft 170, allowing the cleaning element 2 to pass through the opening 172a. These two grooves 172h, 172i are arranged at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the rack shaft 170 (Y direction in the figure). The widths of these grooves 172h, 172i are preferably equal to or greater than the width of the cleaning element 2. By widening the widths of the grooves 172h, 172i, it is possible to prevent wrinkles from forming on the cleaning element 2.

[0088] Similar to the first groove 172f described above, the first groove 172h is used by an unused cleaning element 2a supplied from the delivery bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121. On the other hand, similar to the second groove 172g described above, the second groove 172i is used by a used cleaning element 2b collected from the pressing surface 121 to the take-up bobbin 40. By passing the supply path SP and the collection path RP through the grooves 172h and 172i separately in this way, it is possible to ensure that the cleaning elements 2a and 2b do not come into contact with each other, and to prevent contamination of the unused cleaning element 2a.

[0089] 7, the rack shaft 170 may include a rotating portion 179 disposed between the first groove 172h and the second groove 172i. The rotating portion 179 is capable of relatively rotating a leading end portion 170e of the rack shaft 170 (a portion of the rack shaft 170 that is closer to the leading end than the rotating portion 179) and a rear end portion 170f of the rack shaft 170 (a portion of the rack shaft 170 that is closer to the rear end than the rotating portion 179).

[0090] For example, in a state where the cleaning element 2 is wrapped around the cleaning shaft 105 without passing through the grooves 172h, 172i (i.e., in a state where the supply path SP is arranged only on the upper surface 110a, 170a side of the cleaning shaft 105 and the recovery path RP is arranged only on the lower surface 110b, 170b side of the cleaning shaft 105), the supply path SP and the recovery path RP can be easily reversed by rotating the tip portion 170e 180 degrees relative to the rear end portion 170f using the rotating part 179. By rotating the tip portion 170e with the rotating part 179, an unused cleaning element 2a passes through the first groove 172h, and a used cleaning element 2b passes through the second groove 172i. In this way, by providing the rotating part 179 to the cleaning shaft 105, the supply path SP and the recovery path RP can be easily reversed.

[0091] Alternatively, although not specifically shown, an opening and a groove may be formed in the rack shaft 170, with one of the supply path SP or the recovery path RP passing through the opening and the other of the recovery path RP or the supply path SP passing through the groove.

[0092] Alternatively, the openings and grooves described above may be formed in the cleaning head 110 instead of the rack shaft 170. Figure 8(a) is a perspective view showing a first modified example of the cleaning head 110 in this embodiment, and Figure 8(b) is a perspective view showing a second modified example of the cleaning head 110 in this embodiment.

[0093] 8(a), an opening 140a may be formed in the support part 140 of the cleaning head 110. In this case, an unused cleaning element 2a supplied from the delivery bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121 passes through this opening 140a, and a used cleaning element 2b collected from the pressing surface 121 to the take-up bobbin 40 also passes through this opening 140a. Alternatively, although not particularly shown, two openings may be provided in the support part 140 of the cleaning head 110, and the supply path SP and the recovery path RP may pass through the two openings separately.

[0094] 8(b), two grooves 140b, 140c may be formed on the side surface of the support part 140 of the cleaning head 110. In this case, an unused cleaning element 2a supplied from the delivery bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121 passes through one groove 140b, while a used cleaning element 2b collected from the pressing surface 121 onto the take-up bobbin 40 passes through the other groove 140c.

[0095] Alternatively, although not specifically shown, an opening and a groove may be formed in the support portion 140 of the cleaning head 110, with one of the supply path SP or the return path RP passing through the opening and the other of the return path RP or the supply path SP passing through the groove.

[0096] Alternatively, although not specifically shown, the space formed between the cleaning head 110 and the rack shaft 170 may be used as a pair of grooves for passing the cleaning element 2. In this case, the above-mentioned rotating part 179 may be disposed between the cleaning head 110 and the rack shaft 170, so that the cleaning head 110 can rotate relative to the rack shaft 170.

[0097] 4, the pair of shoulders 173 of the rack shaft 170 are connected to the rear end of the body 172 of the rack shaft 170. Each shoulder 173 protrudes laterally (in the X-axis direction in the drawing) from the rear end of the body 172 and is disposed in the window 20b (see FIG. 3) of the first and second housings 21 and 22.

[0098] Furthermore, a protrusion 174 that protrudes laterally (in the X-axis direction in the drawing) is formed on the shoulder portion 173. When the shoulder portion 173 is disposed within the window 20b of the housings 21 and 22, the protrusion 174 protrudes from the window 20b and is fitted into a window 197 (described later) of the guide nozzle 190.

[0099] The pair of arms 175 are connected to the underside of the shoulder 173 and extend rearward (in the -Y direction in the figure) from the shoulder 173. The arms 175 are housed in the housing portions 20c (see FIG. 3) of the first and second housings 21 and 22, respectively.

[0100] A holding hole 175a is formed at the front end of the pair of arms 175. A pin 178 is inserted into this holding hole 175a, and a roll 177 is rotatably supported by this pin 178. The used cleaning element 2 guided along the lower surface of the body 172 is guided toward the take-up bobbin 40 by this roll 177 and the guide tube 52 and roll 53 of the tool body 10. At this time, the cleaning element 2 is folded back by this roll 177, and the cleaning element 2 is wound around the roll 177. As described above, the cleaning element 2 is also folded back by the roll 53 of the tool body 10, and as a result, the cleaning element 2 is wound between the rolls 177 and 53.

[0101] A rack gear 176 is formed on the rear portion of each arm portion 175. The winding bobbin 40 is disposed between the pair of rack gears 176, and the rack gear 176 is engaged with the pinion gear 71 of the transmission member 70, thereby forming a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0102] The guide nozzle 190 is a cylindrical member having a cylindrical portion 191 and a plate portion 196. The cylindrical portion 191 includes a tip portion 192 that is inserted into the adapter 240 when cleaning the optical connector 200, and a main body portion 195 that is connected to the rear side of the tip portion 192. Protrusions 193 are formed on the top, bottom, left, and right outer surfaces of the tip portion 192. When the tip portion 192 is inserted into the adapter 240, the protrusions 193 fit into grooves 242 formed in an insertion port 241 of the adapter 240.

[0103] The cylindrical portion 191 has an inner hole that penetrates in its axial direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure), and the cleaning shaft 105 and the first coil spring 180 are housed in the inner hole. The cylindrical portion 191 also has the function of protecting the cleaning element 2 that moves along the upper and lower surfaces 170a, 170b of the body portion 172 of the rack shaft 170. Although not particularly limited, for example, the guide nozzle 190 is made of a resin material, and the tip portion 192, main body portion 195, and plate portion 196 are integrally formed.

[0104] 2 and 3, the support part 140 of the cleaning head 110 is housed in the inner hole 194 of the tip part 192 of the tubular part 191. The pressing part 120 of the cleaning head 110, which is connected to the support part 140 via the neck part 130, protrudes forward (in the +Y direction in the figures) from the opening 194a of the inner hole 194 of the tip part 192 of the tubular part 191.

[0105] In contrast, a shoulder 173 and an arm 175 of the rack shaft 170 protrude rearward (in the -Y direction in the figure) from a rear opening 195a of a main body 195 of a cylindrical portion 191 of the guide nozzle 190. A protrusion 174 of the rack shaft 170 fits into a window 197 formed in a plate portion 196 of the guide nozzle 190, thereby fixing the rack shaft 170 and the guide nozzle 190 to each other.

[0106] Furthermore, the main body 195 of the cylindrical portion 191 of the guide nozzle 190 has a tapered portion 195b in its central portion where the inner diameter increases. A first coil spring 180 is interposed between this tapered portion 195b and the front surface of the housing 20. This first coil spring 180 biases the guide nozzle 190 in a direction away from the tool main body 10 (the +Y direction in the figure).

[0107] Next, an example of how to use the optical connector cleaning tool 1 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b).

[0108] Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are side views showing the use state of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment, where Figure 9(a) shows the state in which the tool body 10 has been advanced toward the extension member 100, and Figure 9(b) shows the state in which the tool body 10 has been retracted from the extension member 100.

[0109] When cleaning the connection end face 211 of the optical connector 200 using the optical connector cleaning tool 1, first, the worker inserts the tip of the extension member 100 of the cleaning tool 1 into the insertion opening 241 of the adapter 240. This causes the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 to press the cleaning body 2 against the end face 211 of the ferrule 210. At this time, the convex portion 193 of the tip portion 192 of the guide nozzle 190 of the extension member 100 fits into the groove 242 of the adapter 240, so that the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 is positioned relative to the ferrule 210 of the optical connector 200.

[0110] Next, when the operator pushes the tool body 10 against the extension member 100, the first coil spring 180 contracts and the gap between the roll 177 of the extension member 100 and the roll 53 of the tool body 10 widens by a predetermined length L, as shown in Figure 9(a).

[0111] Therefore, the length of the cleaning element 2 existing between the supply-side guide tube 51 and the roll 177 is shortened by the predetermined length L, while the length of the cleaning element 2 existing between the rolls 177, 53 is lengthened by the predetermined length L. As a result, the cleaning element 2 on the pressing surface 121 is pulled toward the take-up bobbin 40 side (recovery side), and the cleaning element 2 slides while being pressed against the end face 211 of the ferrule 210, wiping off dirt adhering to the end face 211.

[0112] At this time, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6(a), the supply path SP and the recovery path RP are reversed at the opening 172a, and the cleaning element 2 moves from below to above the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 on the pressing surface 121. Also, in this embodiment, the end surface 211 of the ferrule 210 to be cleaned is inclined so that the upper part protrudes more than the lower part (see Fig. 6(a)). Therefore, even if the pressing part 120 of the cleaning head 110 is pulled by the tension applied to the cleaning element 2b when the cleaning element 2b is collected, the inclination direction of the pressing part 120 matches the inclination direction of the connection end surface 211 of the optical connector 200, and therefore the connection end surface 211 can be properly cleaned.

[0113] In contrast, when the optical connector cleaning tool 1' (see Figure 6(b)) of the comparative example described above is used, the inclination direction of the pressing portion 120' due to the tension applied to the cleaning body 2 becomes opposite to the inclination direction of the connection end face 211 of the optical connector 200, and it may not be possible to properly clean the connection end face 211.

[0114] As shown in Figure 9(a), when the operator pushes the tool body 10, the rack gear 176 rotates the pinion gear 71. However, because the ratchet pawl 60 prohibits rotation of the take-up bobbin 40 in the direction opposite (clockwise in Figure 9(a)) to the winding direction (counterclockwise in Figure 9(a)), slippage occurs between the leaf spring portion 72 of the transmission member 70 and the friction surface of the inner ring portion 42. Therefore, in this case, the transmission member 70 rotates freely, and the take-up bobbin 40 does not rotate.

[0115] Next, when the operator releases the tool body 10 from the extension member 100, the elastic force of the first coil spring 180 causes the tool body 10 to retreat relative to the extension member 100, as shown in Fig. 9(b), and the distance between the roll 177 of the extension member 100 and the roll 53 of the tool body 10 is shortened by a predetermined length L, and at the same time, the rack gear 176 rotates the pinion gear 71. The rotational force of the pinion gear 71 is transmitted to the take-up bobbin 40 via the friction surfaces of the leaf spring portion 72 and the inner ring portion 42 of the transmission member 70, causing the take-up bobbin 40 to rotate, and the used cleaning element 2 is wound onto the take-up bobbin 40.

[0116] At the same time, the length of the cleaning element 2 existing between the supply-side guide tube 51 and the roll 177 increases by a predetermined length L. At this time, the distance between the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 and the roll 177 is constant, and the cleaning element 2 is wound around the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110, so that an unused cleaning element 2 of a length equivalent to the predetermined length L is fed from the feed bobbin 30.

[0117] When cleaning is completed, the worker removes the cleaning tool 1 from the adapter 240 by pulling out the extension member 100 from the insertion opening 241 of the adapter 240.

[0118] As described above, in this embodiment, by reversing the supply path SP and the recovery path RP at the opening 172a, the folding direction of the cleaning body 2 at the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning shaft 105 can be reversed, so that the inclination direction of the pressing surface 121 can be switched and the connection end surface 211 of the optical connector 200 can be properly cleaned.

[0119] For example, when manufacturing the optical connector cleaning tool 1, one may be manufactured in which the cleaning body 2 does not pass through the opening 172a, thereby moving from top to bottom on the pressing surface 121, and one may be manufactured in which the cleaning body 2 passes through the opening 172a, thereby moving from bottom to top on the pressing surface 121. In other words, the folding direction of the cleaning body 2 on the pressing surface 121 may differ depending on whether or not the cleaning body 2 passes through the opening 172a, and thus two types of optical connector cleaning tools 1 with different inclination directions of the pressing surface 121 can be manufactured using the same parts.

[0120] Alternatively, the user of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 may switch the inclination direction of the pressing surface 121 by disassembling and assembling the optical connector cleaning tool 1.

[0121] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments have been described to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, the elements disclosed in the above embodiments are intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1...Optical connector cleaning tool 2...Cleaning body 2a...Unused cleaning body 2b...Used cleaning body 10...Tool body 30...Pay-off bobbin 40...winding bobbin 100...extension member 105...Cleaning shaft 110...Cleaning head 110a…Top surface 110b…Bottom surface 120...Pressing part 121...Pressure surface 140...Support part 140a…Aperture 140b,140c…Groove 170...Rack shaft 170a…Top surface 170b…bottom surface 170c,170d…side 170e...Tip side 170f…Rear end side part 172...Torso 172a…Aperture 172b, 172d...First opening 172c, 172e...Second opening 172f, 172h...First groove 172g, 172i...Second groove 179...Rotating part 190...Guide nozzle SP…Supply route RP…Recovery Department 200...Optical connector 210...Ferrule 211...Connection end face

Claims

1. An optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning a connection end face of an optical connector, a cleaning shaft having a pressing surface that presses the strip-shaped cleaning body against the connecting end surface, the cleaning body being wound around the pressing surface so as to be folded back; a supply unit that supplies the cleaning element to the pressing surface through a supply path; a recovery section that recovers the cleaning element from the same pressing surface as the pressing surface via a recovery path, the cleaning shaft has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; the supply path and the recovery path are arranged along the first and second main surfaces, the optical connector cleaning tool includes a path reversal unit that reverses the supply path and the recovery path between the first main surface side and the second main surface side, the path reversing portion includes an opening or a groove that penetrates between the first main surface and the second main surface and where the supply path and the recovery path intersect, The path reversing unit guides the cleaning body passing through the supply path from the first main surface side to the second main surface side, and also guides the cleaning body passing through the recovery path from the first main surface side to the second main surface side.

2. 2. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, the optical connector cleaning tool includes a tool body including the supply unit and the recovery unit, The cleaning shaft is held by the tool body so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning shaft and so as not to be rotatable around the longitudinal direction of the cleaning shaft.

3. 2. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, The path reversal unit reverses the supply path and the recovery path while ensuring a non-contact state between the cleaning body passing through the supply path and the cleaning body passing through the recovery path.

4. 2. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, The path reversal unit a first opening or a first groove that guides the cleaning element passing through the supply path from the first main surface side to the second main surface side; a second opening or a second groove that guides the cleaning element passing through the recovery path from the first main surface side to the second main surface side.

5. 5. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 4, The optical connector cleaning tool, wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning shaft.

6. 5. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 4, the first opening has a shape in which the width of the first opening narrows toward the tip of the cleaning shaft, The second opening has a shape in which the width of the second opening narrows toward the rear end of the cleaning shaft.

7. 5. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 4, The optical connector cleaning tool, wherein the first groove and the second groove include spiral grooves formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cleaning shaft.

8. 5. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 4, the cleaning shaft includes a rotating portion disposed between the first groove and the second groove; The rotating part rotates a tip end portion of the cleaning shaft relative to a rear end portion of the cleaning shaft.

9. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The cleaning shaft a head member having the pressing surface; a support member for supporting the head member, The path reversing unit is provided on the head member of the optical connector cleaning tool.

10. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The cleaning shaft a head member having the pressing surface; a support member for supporting the head member, The path reversing portion is provided on the support member.

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