Optical connector cleaning tool

Abstract

The present invention attempts to solve the problem of providing an optical connector cleaning tool that makes it possible to reduce the occurrence of unwiped areas on a connection end face of an optical connector.　An optical connector cleaning tool (1) comprises: first cleaning shafts (30) including a first cleaning body (10) equipped with a plurality of thread-like members (11) arranged extending in the same direction, and through which a guide pin (112) of an optical connector (100) can pass, an insertion hole (314) into which the guide pin (112) can be inserted along a first direction, and a pressing surface (311) that has the insertion hole (314) opening therein and serves to press the first cleaning body (10) against a connection end face (111) of the optical connector; and a rotation mechanism that rotates the first cleaning shafts (30) using a first direction as an axis.

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. 2023-19026 filed in Japan on February 10, 2023 are incorporated by reference into this specification and made a part of the description of this specification. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Optical connector end face cleaners are known that clean an area around a pin on the end face of an optical connector by bringing a filament-like cleaning member into contact with the area (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-159304 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned cleaner, when the cleaning element passes around the pin, the threads that make up the cleaning element are pushed apart by the pin, which inevitably creates areas upstream and downstream of the pin where the cleaning element cannot face the end face of the optical connector. This causes the problem that areas around the pin are left unwiped, making it difficult to ensure sufficient cleaning quality.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical connector cleaning tool that can reduce the amount of unwiped residue on the connection end face of an optical connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] Aspect 1 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning a connection end face of an optical connector having a connection end face and a guide pin provided on the connection end face, the optical connector cleaning tool comprising: a first cleaning body having a plurality of thread-like members arranged to extend in the same direction and through which the guide pin can pass; a first pressing member having an insertion hole into which the guide pin can be inserted along a first direction, and a first pressing surface into which the insertion hole is open and which presses the first cleaning body against the connection end face; and a rotation mechanism for rotating the first pressing member around an axis in the first direction.

[0007] [2] A second aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the first aspect, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool is provided with a supply and recovery mechanism that supplies the first cleaning body to the first pressing surface and recovers the first cleaning body from the first pressing surface.

[0008] [3] A third aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the first or second aspect, which includes two first pressing members into which two guide pins of the optical connector can be inserted, each of which has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, and the rotation mechanism may rotate the first pressing members while the cross-sectional shapes have mutually different attitudes relative to the connection end face.

[0009] [4] A fourth aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the third aspect, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool has a second pressing surface that presses a second cleaning body against the connection end face, and the second pressing member is disposed between the first pressing members.

[0010] [5] A fifth aspect of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool according to the fourth aspect, which may be an optical connector cleaning tool including a moving mechanism that moves the second pressing member between the first pressing members along the arrangement direction of the first pressing members.

[0011] [6] A sixth aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the fifth aspect, wherein the moving mechanism moves the second pressing member toward the first pressing member whose short-side direction of the cross-sectional shape coincides with the arrangement direction in conjunction with the rotation of the first pressing member by the rotation mechanism.

[0012] [7] A seventh aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the moving mechanism moves the second pressing member toward the other first pressing member by pressing the second pressing member in the arrangement direction with one of the first pressing members as the first pressing member is rotated by the rotation mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In the present invention, the first pressing member that presses the first cleaning body against the area around the guide pin on the connecting end face of the optical connector is rotated by a rotation mechanism, thereby making it possible to bring the first cleaning body into contact with the entire circumferential area around the guide pin on the connecting end face of the optical connector, thereby reducing areas left unwiped on the connecting end face. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an optical connector to be cleaned by an optical connector cleaning tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a plan view showing a first cleaning element in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3(b) is a plan view showing a state in which a guide pin penetrates the first cleaning element. [Figure 4] 4(a) and 4(b) are a front view and a plan view showing the tip portions of the first and second cleaning shafts in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first supply and recovery mechanism and a rotation mechanism provided in the optical connector cleaning tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second supply and recovery mechanism provided in the optical connector cleaning tool in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 7(a) and 7(b) are a front view and a plan view showing the tip portions of the first and second cleaning shafts in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7(a). [Figure 9] 9(a) and 9(b) are a front view and a plan view showing a state in which the first cleaning shaft is rotated 45 degrees from the state shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). [Figure 10] 10(a) and 10(b) are a front view and a plan view showing a state in which the first cleaning shaft is rotated an additional 45 degrees from the state shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <<First Embodiment>> An optical connector cleaning tool 1 in a first embodiment of the present invention is a cleaner that cleans the connection end faces of optical connectors that connect optical fibers together. Fig. 1 is a front view showing an optical connector 100 that is the object to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment.

[0017] The optical connector 100 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.

[0018] Specifically, the optical connector 100 includes a ferrule 110 having a flat (rectangular) cross-sectional shape (end face shape), as shown in Fig. 1. The ferrule 110 is a so-called MT (Mechanical Transferable) ferrule, and the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the ferrule 110 is The ferrule 110 has a plurality of (for example, 12) fiber holding holes arranged in the direction of the optical fiber 110. An optical fiber 120 is inserted into each of the plurality of fiber holding holes, and the optical fiber 120 is fixed to the ferrule 110 with an adhesive. The plurality of optical fibers 120 are exposed from an end face 111 of the ferrule 110. The ferrule 110 is held in a housing 130.

[0019] The number of optical fibers 120 held by the ferrule 110 is not particularly limited, and may be less than 12 or more than 12. The optical fibers 120 may be arranged in multiple rows (for example, two rows) along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the ferrule 110. The ferrule 110 may be an MT ferrule as defined in JIS C 5981 or JIS C 5982.

[0020] When connecting a pair of optical connectors 100 each having the above-described ferrules 110, the pair of optical connectors 100 are inserted into insertion ports 141 on both sides of a sleeve-shaped adapter 140. Then, by butting the end faces 111 of the ferrules 110 of the pair of optical connectors 100 together, the optical fibers 120 exposed from the end faces 111 of the ferrules 110 are optically connected to each other. At this time, a guide pin 112 of one ferrule 110 is inserted into a guide hole (not shown) of the other ferrule 110, thereby positioning the optical connectors 100 with high precision. The guide pin 112 is a cylindrical pin with a tapered tip to facilitate insertion into the guide hole (see FIG. 2).

[0021] If dirt, dust, oil, or other contaminants adhere to the end face 111 of the ferrule 110 during this butting, it may cause damage during connection and disconnection, or an increase in transmission loss. Therefore, before connecting the optical connector 100, the end face 111 of the ferrule 110 is cleaned using an optical connector cleaning tool 1 described below. During this cleaning, the optical connector 100 to be cleaned is inserted into one insertion port 141 of an adapter 140, and the optical connector cleaning tool 1 is inserted into the other insertion port 141 of the adapter 140, thereby cleaning the end face 111 of the ferrule 110 of the optical connector 100 (see FIG. 2).

[0022] The optical connector 100 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment. Fig. 3(a) is a plan view showing the first cleaning element 10 in this embodiment, and Fig. 3(b) is a plan view showing the state in which the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100 penetrates the first cleaning element 10. Figs. 4(a) and 4(b) are a front view and a plan view showing the tip portions of the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 in this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the first supply and recovery mechanism and the rotation mechanism provided in the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the second supply and recovery mechanism provided in the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment.

[0026] 2, 5, and 6 are diagrams that schematically show the configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool 1, and therefore the movement directions of the cleaning elements 10, 20 relative to the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 in these figures do not match the actual movement directions. The actual movement directions of the cleaning elements 10, 20 relative to the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 are as shown by the straight arrows in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b).

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, the optical connector cleaning tool 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "cleaner 1") in this embodiment cleans the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 using two types of cleaning elements 10 and 20. The first cleaning element 10 is responsible for cleaning the area AR1 around the guide pins 112 on the connection end face 111 (see the dashed-dotted line frame in Fig. 1). On the other hand, the second cleaning element 20 is responsible for cleaning the area AR2 between the two guide pins 112 on the connection end face 111 (see the dashed-dotted line frame in Fig. 1).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3( a), the first cleaning element 10 is composed of a plurality of filamentary members 11 arranged to extend in the same direction (vertical direction in the figure). While not particularly limited, specific examples of the filamentary members 11 include ultrafine fibers made of polyester, nylon, or the like. The first cleaning element 10 does not have any other filamentary members intersecting with the plurality of filamentary members 11. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3( b), even when the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100 penetrates the first cleaning element 10, the first cleaning element 10 can move relative to the guide pin 112 in the same direction as the extension direction of the filamentary members 11 (vertical direction in the figure). The plurality of filamentary members 11 are arranged at equal intervals, and the interval (pitch) between them is smaller than the diameter of the guide pin 112. Although not particularly limited, the interval (pitch) between the plurality of filamentary members 11 is preferably one-fifth or less of the outer diameter of the guide pin 112. Furthermore, the interval (pitch) between the multiple thread-like members 11 may be the same as the thickness of the thread-like members 11, and the thread-like members 11 may be arranged in contact with one another without any gaps.

[0029] 4(a) and 4(b), the second cleaning element 20 is made of a wide strip of tape, and is capable of wiping at once the area AR2 between the guide pins 112 on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100. Although not particularly limited, a specific example of such a tape-like second cleaning element 20 is a woven fabric made of polyester, nylon, or the like.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaner 1 in this embodiment includes a pair of first cleaning shafts 30, a second cleaning shaft 40, delivery bobbins 51 and 52, take-up bobbins 53 and 54, a guide nozzle 60, a support body 70, a housing 80, and a biasing member 90.

[0031] 2 and 5, the first cleaning shaft 30 has a pressing surface 311 at its tip that presses the first cleaning element 10 against the connection end surface 111 of the optical connector 100. The first cleaning element 10 is wound around this first cleaning shaft 30 so as to bend back at the pressing surface 311. Unused first cleaning elements 10 are supplied to this first cleaning shaft 30 from a delivery bobbin 51. The first cleaning elements 10 used on the pressing surface 311 are then collected in a take-up bobbin 53. The optical connector cleaning tool 1 of this embodiment has two first cleaning shafts 30 corresponding to the number of guide pins 112 that the optical connector 100 has, and both of the two first cleaning shafts 30 have the same configuration.

[0032] Specifically, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the first cleaning shaft 30 has a tip portion with a circular cross section. The first cleaning element 10 can pass through the inside of the first cleaning shaft 30, and a pair of guide holes 312, 313 are formed in the pressing surface 311. As shown in Figures 4(a) to 5, an unused first cleaning element 10 fed from the feed bobbin 51 passes through the inside of the first cleaning shaft 30 and one of the guide holes 312, and is supplied to the pressing surface 311. Then, a used first cleaning element 10 passes from the pressing surface 311, through the other guide hole 313, and the inside of the first cleaning shaft 30, and is taken up onto the take-up bobbin 53.

[0033] An insertion hole 314 is formed in the pressing surface 311. The insertion hole 314 has a circular cross section and opens at the center of the pressing surface 311. A guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100 can be inserted into the insertion hole 314. The center of the insertion hole 314 substantially coincides with the rotation axis of the first cleaning shaft 30, which will be described later.

[0034] The first cleaning shaft 30 may be made up of multiple components. For example, as in a second embodiment described below, the first cleaning shaft 30 may include a cleaning head having a pressing surface and a shaft body that supports the cleaning head. The first cleaning shaft 30 may also include a biasing member (e.g., a coil spring) that biases the cleaning head forward.

[0035] 2 and 6, the second cleaning shaft 40 also has a pressing surface 411 at its tip that presses the second cleaning element 20 against the connection end surface 111 of the optical connector 100. The second cleaning element 20 is wound around the second cleaning shaft 40 so as to bend back at the pressing surface 411. An unused second cleaning element 20 is supplied to the second cleaning shaft 40 from a delivery bobbin 52. The second cleaning element 20 used on the pressing surface 411 is then collected into a take-up bobbin 54.

[0036] 4(a) and 4(b), the second cleaning shaft 40 has a tip portion with a flat rectangular cross section, allowing the second cleaning element 20 supplied to and collected from the pressing surface 411 to pass above and below the second cleaning shaft 40. As shown in FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), and 6, an unused second cleaning element 20 fed from the feed bobbin 52 passes below the second cleaning shaft 40 and is fed to the pressing surface 311. Then, a used first cleaning element 10 passes from the pressing surface 411 above the second cleaning shaft 40 and is taken up onto the take-up bobbin 54.

[0037] Note that, like the first cleaning shaft 30 described above, the second cleaning shaft 40 may be configured so that the second cleaning element 20 passes through the inside of the second cleaning shaft 40. The second cleaning shaft 40 may also be made up of multiple components. For example, the second cleaning shaft 40 may include a cleaning head having a pressing surface and a shaft body that supports the cleaning head. The second cleaning shaft 40 may also include a biasing member (e.g., a coil spring) that biases the cleaning head forward.

[0038] The second cleaning shaft 40 is disposed between the pair of first cleaning shafts 30 so as to correspond to the arrangement of the above-mentioned areas AR1 and AR2 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 are housed in the guide nozzle 60 so that the tip portions of the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 protrude.

[0039] The tip portion of this guide nozzle 60 has an outer shape that can be fitted into the insertion port 141 of the adapter 140 of the optical connector 100. When the tip portion of the guide nozzle 60 is fitted into the insertion port 141 of the adapter 140, the pressing surfaces 311, 411 of the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 are positioned relative to the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, and the insertion hole 314 of the first cleaning shaft 30 is positioned relative to the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100.

[0040] The guide nozzle 60 is connected to a support 70, and the rear end portions of the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 extend into the support 70. The pair of first cleaning shafts 30 are each supported by the support 70 so as to be rotatable about an axis in the first direction. In contrast, the second cleaning shaft 40 is fixed to the support 70 and is unable to rotate relative to the support 70. Here, the first direction refers to the direction in which the cleaner 1 is inserted into or removed from the adapter 140 when cleaning the optical connector 100, and is also the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the first cleaning shaft 30. Furthermore, the first direction is also the pressing direction in which the pressing surface 311 or 411 presses the connection end face 111.

[0041] The above-mentioned supply bobbins 51, 52 and take-up bobbins 53, 54 are also housed in the support body 70. These bobbins 51 to 54 are rotatably supported by the support body 70. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, each of the bobbins 51 to 54 is rotatable only clockwise in the figures, with counterclockwise rotation being restricted by a ratchet mechanism (not shown). The bobbins 51 to 54 only need to be able to rotate in one direction, and contrary to this embodiment, the bobbins 51 to 54 may be rotatable only counterclockwise, with clockwise rotation being restricted.

[0042] The support 70 is accommodated in a housing 80 so as to be relatively movable along a first direction. An opening 81 is formed in the housing 80, and the guide nozzle 60 protrudes forward from the housing 80 through this opening 81.

[0043] Furthermore, a biasing member 90 is interposed between the support body 70 and the housing 80. This biasing member 90 biases the support body 70 forward relative to the housing 80. A specific example of such a biasing member 90 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a coil spring.

[0044] 5, the take-up bobbin 53 supported by the support body 70 has a pinion gear 55. The housing 80 has a rack gear 82 meshing with the pinion gear 55. Therefore, when the support body 70 moves relative to the housing 80 in the first direction, the rack gear 82 and the pinion gear 55 convert the linear motion into rotational motion, causing the take-up bobbin 53 to rotate, and the first cleaning element 10 used on the pressing surface 311 of the first cleaning shaft 30 is taken up onto the take-up bobbin 53. In addition, a tensile force acts on the first cleaning element 10 in conjunction with this winding operation, causing the delivery bobbin 51 to rotate, and an unused first cleaning element 10 is delivered from the delivery bobbin 51 to the pressing surface 311 of the first cleaning shaft 30.

[0045] That is, in this embodiment, the "first supply and recovery mechanism" that supplies and recovers the first cleaning element 10 to and from the pressing surface 311 of the first cleaning shaft 30 is realized by the two bobbins 51, 53, a rack and pinion mechanism consisting of the rack gear 82 and the pinion gear 55, and the relative movement of the support body 70 with respect to the housing 80. Note that the configuration of this first supply and recovery mechanism is not particularly limited to the above, as long as it has the function of supplying the first cleaning element 10 to the pressing surface 311 of the first cleaning shaft 30 and recovering the first cleaning element 10 from the pressing surface 311.

[0046] 6, the take-up bobbin 54 held by the support body 70 has a pinion gear 56. The housing 80 has a rack gear 83 that meshes with the pinion gear 56. Therefore, when the support body 70 moves relative to the housing 80, the rack gear 83 and the pinion gear 56 convert the linear motion into rotational motion, causing the take-up bobbin 54 to rotate, and the second cleaning element 20 that was used on the pressing surface 311 of the first cleaning shaft 30 is taken up onto the take-up bobbin 54. In addition, a tensile force acts on the second cleaning element 20 in conjunction with this take-up operation, causing the delivery bobbin 52 to rotate, and the second cleaning element 20 is delivered from the delivery bobbin 52 to the pressing surface 411 of the second cleaning shaft 40.

[0047] That is, in this embodiment, the "second supply and recovery mechanism" that supplies and recovers the second cleaning element 20 to and from the pressing surface 411 of the second cleaning shaft 40 is realized by the two bobbins 53, 54, a rack and pinion mechanism consisting of the rack gear 83 and the pinion gear 56, and the relative movement of the support body 70 with respect to the housing 80. Note that the configuration of this second supply and recovery mechanism is not particularly limited to the above, as long as it has the function of supplying the second cleaning element 20 to the pressing surface 411 of the second cleaning shaft 40 and recovering the second cleaning element 20 from the pressing surface 411.

[0048] 5, a spiral cam groove 321 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the first cleaning shaft 30. The housing 80 has a cam pin 84 inserted into this cam groove 321. Therefore, when the support body 70 moves relative to the housing 80 in the first direction, the cam pin 84 slides relatively within the cam groove 321, causing the first cleaning shaft 30 to rotate around an axis centered in the first direction. In other words, the first cleaning shaft 30 rotates around an imaginary axis extending parallel to the first direction.

[0049] That is, in this embodiment, the "rotation mechanism" that rotates the first cleaning shaft 30 about an axis in the first direction is realized by a cam mechanism consisting of the cam pin 84 and the cam groove 321, and the relative movement of the support body 70 with respect to the housing 80. Note that the configuration of this rotation mechanism is not particularly limited to the above, as long as it has the function of rotating the first cleaning shaft 30 about an axis in the first direction.

[0050] Next, an example of how to use the optical connector cleaning tool 1 described above will be described.

[0051] 2, when cleaning the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 using the optical connector cleaning tool 1, the worker first inserts the tip portion of the cleaner 1 into the insertion opening 141 of the adapter 140. At this time, the tip portion of the guide nozzle 60 fits into the insertion opening 141, so that the pressing surfaces 311, 411 of the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 are positioned relative to the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, and the insertion hole 314 of the first cleaning shaft 30 is positioned relative to the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100.

[0052] Then, when the operator further inserts the tip portion of the cleaner 1 into the insertion port 141 of the adapter 140, the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100 penetrates the first cleaning body 10 and is inserted into the insertion hole 314 of the first cleaning shaft 30, and the pressing surfaces 311, 411 of the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 press the first and second cleaning bodies 10, 20 against the connection end surface 111 of the optical connector 100, respectively.

[0053] Next, when the operator pushes the housing 80 against the guide nozzle 60 in the first direction, the biasing member 90 contracts, and the rack gear 82 and pinion gear 55 rotate the take-up bobbin 53. As a result, the used first cleaning element 10 is collected from the pressing surface 311 onto the take-up bobbin 53, and an unused first cleaning element 10 is supplied from the delivery bobbin 51 to the pressing surface 311 of the first cleaning shaft 30. As a result, the first cleaning element 10 slides while being pressed against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, and wipes off dirt adhering to the area AR1 around the guide pin 112 at the connection end face 111.

[0054] At this time, in this embodiment, the cam pin 84 of the housing 80 slides relatively within the cam groove 321 of the first cleaning shaft 30 as a result of the operator pushing the housing 80 into the guide nozzle 60, causing the first cleaning shaft 30 to rotate around the first direction as a rotation axis (rotation center). This rotation of the rotation mechanism causes the first cleaning element 10, which is pressed against the connection end face 111 by the first cleaning shaft 30, to rotate around the guide pin 112 as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3(b). Therefore, even if the first cleaning element 10 is pushed apart by the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100, no area is created around the guide pin 112 that the first cleaning element 10 does not face, and dirt can be wiped off from the entire circumferential area around the guide pin 112 on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100. In FIG. 3(b), the first cleaning element 10 is rotated by 90 degrees by the rotation mechanism, but the angle of rotation of the first cleaning shaft 30 by the rotation mechanism is not limited to 90 degrees.

[0055] Furthermore, as the operator pushes the housing 80 into the guide nozzle 60, the rack gear 83 and pinion gear 56 rotate the take-up bobbin 54, so that the used second cleaning element 20 is collected from the pressing surface 411 onto the take-up bobbin 54, and an unused second cleaning element 20 is supplied from the delivery bobbin 52 to the pressing surface 411 of the second cleaning shaft 40. As a result, the second cleaning element 20 slides while being pressed against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, and wipes off dirt adhering to the area AR2 between the two guide pins 112 on the end face 111.

[0056] Next, when the operator releases the pushing of the housing 80 against the guide nozzle 60, the elastic force of the biasing member 90 causes the housing 80 to move back relative to the guide nozzle 60. At this time, the bobbins 51 to 54 do not rotate because their counterclockwise rotation in the drawing is restricted by a ratchet mechanism (not shown).

[0057] On the other hand, this release action by the operator causes the cam pin 84 of the housing 80 to slide relatively within the cam groove 321 of the first cleaning shaft 30, causing the first cleaning shaft 30 to rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation direction during the above-mentioned pushing action.

[0058] When cleaning is completed, the worker removes the cleaner 1 from the adapter 140 by pulling out the tip portion of the cleaner 1 from the insertion opening 141 of the adapter 140.

[0059] As described above, in this embodiment, the first cleaning shaft 30, which presses the first cleaning element 10 against the area AR1 around the guide pin 112 on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, is rotated by the rotation mechanism shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first cleaning element 10 can be brought into contact with the entire circumferential area around the guide pin 112 on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, thereby reducing areas left unwiped on the connection end face 111.

[0060] In addition, in this embodiment, the first cleaning body 10 pressed against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 is rotated by a rotation mechanism, while the first supply and recovery mechanism causes the first cleaning body 10 to slide on the connection end face 111, thereby reducing the re-adhesion of dirt.

[0061] <<Second embodiment>> 7(a) and 7(b) are a front view and a plan view showing the tip portions of the first and second cleaning shafts 30A, 30B, 40 in the second embodiment of the present invention, and correspond to the above-mentioned FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7(a). Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are a front view and a plan view showing a state in which the first cleaning shafts 30A and 30B are rotated 45 degrees from the state shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), and Figures 10(a) and 10(b) are a front view and a plan view showing a state in which the first cleaning shafts 30A and 30B are rotated another 45 degrees from the state shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b).

[0062] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that (1) the cross-sectional shape of the tip portion of the first cleaning shaft is elliptical, and (2) the cleaner is equipped with a movement mechanism that moves the cleaning head of the second cleaning shaft laterally, but other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Below, only the differences between the cleaner in the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described, and parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the first cleaning shaft 30A includes a cleaning head 31 having a pressing surface 311 at its tip and a shaft body 32 that supports the cleaning head 31. The cleaning head 31 has an elliptical cross-sectional shape, unlike the cross-sectional shape of the tip portion of the first cleaning shaft 30 of the first embodiment described above. Guide holes 312 and 313 formed in the pressing surface 311 of the cleaning head 31 are located near both ends of the long axis of the ellipse. An insertion hole 314 opens at the center of the pressing surface 311 of the cleaning head 31. The center of the insertion hole 314 substantially coincides with the rotation axis of the first cleaning shaft 30A, which will be described later. Although not specifically shown, a cam groove 321 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the shaft body 32. The other first cleaning shaft 30B has a configuration similar to that of the first cleaning shaft 30A.

[0064] The cross-sectional shape of the cleaning head 31 of the first cleaning shaft 30A, 30B is not limited to the above as long as it is a non-circular shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the cleaning head 31 of the first cleaning shaft 30A, 30B may be an oval (a shape formed by connecting two semicircles with a pair of straight lines), a polygon, or a polygon with arc-shaped corners. Furthermore, although not specifically shown, the first cleaning shaft 30A, 30B may be provided with a biasing member (e.g., a coil spring) that biases the cleaning head 31 forward.

[0065] Similar to the first cleaning shaft 30 of the first embodiment described above, the pair of first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B are supported by the support 70 so as to be rotatable around the axis in the first direction, but in this embodiment, the two first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B are supported by the support 70 in such a manner that the long axes of the ellipses are in different directions.

[0066] 7(a) and 7(b), one of the first cleaning shafts 30A is supported by the support body 70 with its long axis oriented in the left-right direction in the figure. In contrast, the other first cleaning shaft 30B is supported by the support body 70 with its long axis oriented in the up-down direction in the figure. In other words, the two first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B are supported by the support body 70 with their long axes oriented 90 degrees apart.

[0067] The two first cleaning shafts 30, 40 can be rotated by a rotation mechanism similar to that of the first embodiment while maintaining a state in which the directions of their long axes are shifted by 90 degrees from each other. That is, in this embodiment, the rotation mechanism can rotate the first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B while the attitudes of the cleaning heads 31 relative to the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 are different from each other. Note that the angle of deviation between the directions of the long axes of the two first cleaning shafts 30, 40 is not particularly limited to the above angle, as long as they are shifted from each other.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 7(a) to 8, the second cleaning shaft 40 includes a cleaning head 41 having a pressing surface 411 at its tip, and a shaft body 42 that supports the cleaning head 41. The cleaning head 41 has an engagement protrusion 412 at its rear end, extending in the width direction of the cleaning head 41. The shaft body 42 also has an engagement groove 421 at its tip, extending in the width direction of the shaft body 42. The engagement protrusion 412 engages with the engagement groove 421, allowing the cleaning head 41 to slide relative to the shaft body 42 in the second direction. In other words, the engagement protrusion 412 and the engagement groove 421 form a "slide mechanism" that allows the cleaning head 41 to slide relative to the shaft body 42 in the second direction. Here, the second direction is the arrangement direction of the pair of first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B. The second cleaning shaft 40 may be provided with a biasing member (such as a coil spring) that biases the cleaning head 41 forward.

[0069] 7(a) and 7(b), the second cleaning shaft 40 is disposed between the pair of first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B. Because the cross-sectional shapes of the cleaning heads 31 of the first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B are non-circular, the cleaning head 41 of the second cleaning shaft 40 can move in the second direction relative to the shaft body 42 as the pair of first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B rotate.

[0070] Specifically, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), when the direction of the long axis (longitudinal direction) of one first cleaning shaft 30A and the direction of the short axis (shortitudinal direction) of the other cleaning shaft 30B are aligned in the second direction (left-right direction in the figure), the cleaning head 41 of the second cleaning shaft 40 is pressed to the left in the figure by one first cleaning shaft 30A, and the cleaning head 41 is positioned on the side of the other first cleaning shaft 30B in the second direction.

[0071] 9(a) and 9(b), when the support body 70 moves relative to the housing 80, the cleaning heads 31 of the two first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B rotate 45 degrees counterclockwise in the figures. This rotation causes one of the first cleaning shafts 30A to assume a position in which its long axis is tilted 45 degrees to the right with respect to the vertical direction in the figures. In contrast, the other cleaning shaft 30B assumes a position in which its long axis is tilted 45 degrees to the left with respect to the vertical direction in the figures.

[0072] In addition, as the first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B rotate, the cleaning head 41 of the second cleaning shaft 40 is pushed to the right in the figure by the other first cleaning shaft 30B, and the cleaning head 41 moves in the second direction toward one of the first cleaning shafts 30A.

[0073] 9(a) and 9(b), the cleaning heads 31 of the two first cleaning shafts 30A and 30B rotate an additional 45 degrees counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). This rotation causes the first cleaning shaft 30A to assume a position such that its long axis is aligned vertically in the figure. In contrast, the other cleaning shaft 30B assumes a position such that its long axis is aligned horizontally in the figure.

[0074] Furthermore, as the first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B rotate, the cleaning head 41 of the second cleaning shaft 40 is pushed further to the right in the figure by the other first cleaning shaft 30B, and the cleaning head 41 moves further toward one of the first cleaning shafts 30A in the second direction.

[0075] That is, in this embodiment, the "moving mechanism" that moves the cleaning head 41 of the second cleaning shaft 40 along the second direction between the pair of first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B is realized by the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B, a sliding mechanism consisting of the engagement protrusion 412 and engagement groove 421 of the second cleaning shaft 40, and the rotational action of the above-mentioned rotation mechanism.

[0076] As described above, in this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the first cleaning shaft 30, which presses the first cleaning element 10 against the area AR1 around the guide pin 112 on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, is rotated by a rotation mechanism. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first cleaning element 10 can be brought into contact with the entire circumferential area around the guide pin 112 on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, and the amount of unwiped area on the connection end face 111 can be reduced.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first cleaning body 10 pressed against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 is rotated while the first supply and recovery mechanism causes the first cleaning body 10 to slide on the connection end face 111, thereby reducing the re-adhesion of dirt.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning heads 31 of the first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B have a non-circular cross-sectional shape, and the cleaning head 41 of the second cleaning shaft 40 is movable in the second direction by a movement mechanism. As a result, in this embodiment, the area AR1 cleaned by the first cleaning element 10 and the area AR2 cleaned by the second cleaning element 20 overlap, further reducing areas left unwiped on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100.

[0079] 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.

[0080] Although the above-described cleaner includes the second cleaning shaft 40 interposed between the pair of first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B, the cleaner does not necessarily have to include the second cleaning shaft 40. For example, if the tip portions of the first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B have non-circular cross-sectional shapes and the first cleaning shafts 30A, 30B are rotatable with the cross-sectional shapes in different orientations, the two areas AR1 that the first cleaning element 10 is responsible for cleaning may overlap each other.

[0081] In the second embodiment described above, the moving mechanism moves the cleaning head 41 of the second cleaning shaft 40 by using the rotational movement of the rotation mechanism, but the moving mechanism may move the cleaning head 41 by using an operation other than the rotational movement of the rotation mechanism. Alternatively, the moving mechanism may be provided with its own actuator for moving the cleaning head 41 of the second cleaning shaft 40.

[0082] Furthermore, the object to be cleaned by the above-described cleaner 1 is not limited to the optical connector 100 having the guide pin 112. The above-described cleaner 1 may be used to clean the connection end surface of an optical connector having, instead of the guide pin, a guide hole into which the guide pin can be inserted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1...Optical connector cleaning tool 10...First cleaning body 11...Thread-like member 20...Second cleaning body 30, 30A, 30B...First cleaning shaft 31...Cleaning head 311...Pressure surface 312, 313...Guide holes 314...insertion hole 32...Shaft body 321...Cam groove 40...First cleaning shaft 41...Cleaning head 411...Pressure surface 412…Engagement protrusion 42...Shaft body 421...Engagement groove 51, 52... Delivery bobbin 53, 54...Winding bobbin 55,56...Pinion gear 60...Guide nozzle 70...Support 80…Housing 81…Aperture 82, 83...Rack gear 84...Campin 90... Urging member 100...Optical connector 110...Ferrule 111...Connection end face 112...Guide pin 120...Optical fiber 130…Housing 140...Adapter 141...insertion slot

Claims

1. An optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning a connection end surface of an optical connector having a connection end surface and a guide pin provided on the connection end surface, a first cleaning body including a plurality of thread-like members arranged to extend in the same direction, through which the guide pin can pass; a first pressing member having an insertion hole into which the guide pin can be inserted along a first direction, and a first pressing surface that opens into the insertion hole and presses the first cleaning body against the connection end surface; a rotation mechanism that rotates the first pressing member about an axis in the first direction.

2. 2. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, The optical connector cleaning tool includes a supply and recovery mechanism that supplies the first cleaning body to the first pressing surface and recovers the first cleaning body from the first pressing surface.

3. 3. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, the optical connector cleaning tool includes two first pressing members into which two guide pins of the optical connector can be inserted, respectively; The first pressing members each have a non-circular cross-sectional shape, The rotation mechanism rotates the first pressing member while the cross-sectional shape has a mutually different attitude relative to the connection end face.

4. 4. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 3, The optical connector cleaning tool has a second pressing surface that presses a second cleaning body against the connection end face, and is equipped with a second pressing member disposed between the first pressing members.

5. 5. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 4, The optical connector cleaning tool includes a movement mechanism that moves the second pressing member between the first pressing members along the arrangement direction of the first pressing members.

6. 6. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 5, The moving mechanism moves the second pressing member toward the first pressing member whose short side direction of the cross-sectional shape coincides with the arrangement direction in conjunction with the rotation of the first pressing member by the rotation mechanism.

7. 6. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 5, The moving mechanism is an optical connector cleaning tool that moves the second pressing member toward the other first pressing member by pressing the second pressing member in the arrangement direction with one of the first pressing members as the first pressing member is rotated by the rotation mechanism.

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