Optical connector cleaning implement

Abstract

This optical connection cleaning implement (1) comprises a cleaning body (2) that cleans a connection end face (311) of an optical connector (300), the optical connection cleaning implement (1) comprising: a guide cap (200) including a through-hole (201) having openings (202), (203); a cleaning head (110) that has a pressing surface (121) for pressing the cleaning body (2) against the connection end face (311) and that is inserted in the through-hole (201) through the opening (202); and a jig (250) to which the optical connector (300) is detachably fitted and which is inserted in the through-hole (201) through the opening (203).

Description

Optical connector cleaning tool

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector. For designated countries where incorporation by reference of literature is permitted, the content of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-194259 filed in Japan on December 5, 2022 is incorporated by reference into this specification and made a part of the description of this specification.

[0002] An optical connector cleaning tool equipped with a cylindrical cap is known for cleaning the connection end face of a standalone optical connector plug that is not connected to equipment (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With this optical connector cleaning tool, a pressing member holding a cleaning cloth is inserted into one opening of the cap, and a standalone optical connector plug is inserted into the other opening of the cap, and the cleaning cloth is pressed against the connection end face of the optical connector plug by the pressing member, thereby cleaning the connection end face of the optical connector plug.

[0003] International Publication No. 2014 / 141405

[0004] In the optical connector cleaning tool described above, the cleaning cloth is pressed against the connection end surface by a pressing member while the worker holds the optical connector plug inserted into the cap with his or her fingers. Therefore, depending on how the worker holds the optical connector plug, the cleaning cloth may not be pressed properly against the connection end surface, and the cleaning quality may depend on how the worker holds the optical connector plug.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical connector cleaning tool that can stabilize cleaning quality.

[0006] [1] Aspect 1 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool having a cleaning body for cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector, the optical connector cleaning tool comprising: a guide cap having a through hole with first and second openings; a cleaning head having a pressing surface for pressing the cleaning body against the connection end face and inserted into the through hole via the first opening; and a jig to which the optical connector is detachably attached and which is inserted into the through hole via the second opening.

[0007] [2] Aspect 2 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool according to Aspect 1, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool comprises a cleaning shaft equipped with the cleaning head, and a tubular member that houses the cleaning shaft so that the cleaning head protrudes, the cleaning shaft further comprising a support member that movably supports the cleaning head, and a biasing member that is interposed between the cleaning head and the support member and biases the cleaning head in a direction away from the support member, the jig has a second abutment surface that abuts against the first abutment surface of the guide cap in a first direction that is the axial direction of the guide cap, and the tubular member has a fourth abutment surface that abuts against the third abutment surface of the guide cap in the first direction, and the optical connector cleaning tool satisfies the following equations (1) and (2):

[0008] P ｍｉｎ ×A / K-C ０ ≦C １ ≦P ｍａｘ ×A / K-C ０ … (1) C １ =L ０ -L １ … (2)

[0009] However, in the above formulas (1) and (2), P ｍｉｎ is the minimum surface pressure of the cleaning head against the connecting end surface, and P ｍａｘ is the maximum surface pressure of the cleaning head against the connecting end surface, A is the area of ​​the portion to be cleaned on the connecting end surface, K is the spring constant of the biasing member, and C ０ is the compression amount of the biasing member when the cleaning head is in an unpressurized state, and L ０ is the sum of the distance from the second contact surface to the connecting end surface and the distance from the fourth contact surface to the pressing surface when the cleaning head is in a non-pressing state, and L １ is the distance between the first abutment surface and the third abutment surface of the guide cap.

[0010] [3] Aspect 3 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to aspect 2, which satisfies the following formula (3):

[0011] 0.6 mm≦C １ ≦2.3mm… (3)

[0012] [4] Aspect 4 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the jig has a fifth abutment surface that abuts against the optical connector in a second direction that is the axial direction of the jig, and the fifth abutment surface has a notch that allows an optical fiber leading out from the optical connector to pass through.

[0013] [5] A fifth aspect of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to the fourth aspect, wherein the jig has a groove for accommodating an optical fiber leading out from the optical connector, the groove being connected to the notch and extending along the second direction, and the groove having a third opening that allows the optical fiber to be inserted and removed from the groove in a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.

[0014] [6] A sixth aspect of the present invention may be the optical connector cleaning tool of the fifth aspect, wherein the third opening has a tapered surface that tapers toward the bottom surface of the groove.

[0015] [7] A seventh aspect of the present invention may be the optical connector cleaning tool of the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the groove has a portion having a width narrower than the width of the notch.

[0016] [8] Aspect 8 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 4 to 7, wherein the jig comprises a concave accommodating portion that accommodates the optical connector, and a tapered portion that is provided within the accommodating portion and guides and positions the optical connector within the accommodating portion, and the bottom surface of the accommodating portion may be the fifth abutment surface.

[0017] [9] Aspect 9 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 4 to 8, wherein the jig comprises a concave accommodating portion that accommodates the optical connector, and a first convex portion that protrudes from a side wall of the accommodating portion and can be inserted into a first concave portion of the optical connector, and the bottom surface of the accommodating portion may be the fifth abutment surface of the optical connector cleaning tool.

[0018]

[10] Aspect 10 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 4 to 9, wherein the jig has a concave accommodating portion that accommodates the optical connector, and a second convex portion that is provided within the accommodating portion and can be inserted into a second concave portion of the optical connector, the bottom surface of the accommodating portion is the fifth abutment surface, and the optical connector does not have another concave portion into which the second convex portion can be inserted, at a position point-symmetrical to the second concave portion.

[0019]

[11] Aspect 11 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool comprises: a cleaning shaft having the cleaning head, around which the cleaning body is wound so as to fold back on the pressing surface; a tubular member that houses the cleaning shaft so that the cleaning head protrudes; a feed bobbin that feeds the cleaning body to the pressing surface; a take-up bobbin that recovers the cleaning body from the pressing surface; a housing from which the cleaning shaft extends and that houses the feed bobbin and the take-up bobbin; and a drive mechanism that rotates and drives the take-up bobbin as the cleaning shaft moves relative to the housing, thereby winding the cleaning body onto the take-up bobbin, and the cleaning shaft may be an optical connector cleaning tool that is movable together with the tubular member relative to the housing.

[0020] In the present invention, the optical connector cleaning tool is provided with a jig to which the optical connector is detachably attached, and this jig is inserted into the through hole of the guide cap, so that the cleaning body can be appropriately pressed against the connection end face of the optical connector, thereby stabilizing cleaning quality.

[0021] FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are plan and front views showing an optical connector to be cleaned by an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an extension member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) are cross-sectional, front, and rear views showing a guide cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) are perspective, front, and plan views showing a jig according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the appropriate surface pressure of an optical connector cleaning tool and the average number of cleanings. FIGS. 8(a) to 8(c) are diagrams for explaining a cleaning method using an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing the state before the optical connector is attached to the jig, FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing the state in the middle of attaching the optical connector to the jig, and FIG. 8(c) is a diagram showing the state after the optical connector has been attached to the jig. 9(a) and 9(b) are diagrams for explaining a cleaning method using an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 9(a) is a diagram showing a state in which a jig with an optical connector attached is inserted into a guide cap, and Fig. 9(b) is a diagram showing a state in which a cleaning head presses a cleaning body against an optical connector. Fig. 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams for explaining a cleaning method using an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 10(a) is a diagram showing a state in which a tool body is advanced toward an extension member, and Fig. 10(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the tool body is retracted from the extension member.

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] The optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment is a cleaner that cleans the connection end faces of optical connectors that connect optical fibers together. Figures 1(a) and 1(b) are a plan view and a front view showing an optical connector 300 that is the object to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment.

[0024] The optical connector 300 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.

[0025] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the optical connector 300 includes a ferrule 310 having a flat cross-sectional shape (end face shape). The ferrule 310 is a so-called MT (Mechanical Transferable) ferrule, and has a plurality of (e.g., 16) fiber holding holes aligned along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the ferrule 310. Optical fibers 330 are inserted into each of the plurality of fiber holding holes. The optical fibers 330 are fixed to the ferrule 310 with an adhesive. The plurality of optical fibers 330 are exposed from an end face 311 of the ferrule 310.

[0026] In this embodiment, the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 is an angle-polished end face (APC) having an inclination angle. Although not particularly limited, the inclination angle of this end face 311 is, for example, 8 degrees with respect to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber 330. Note that the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 may also be a flat-polished end face (UPC) that is not inclined.

[0027] The number of optical fibers 330 held by the ferrule 310 is not particularly limited, and may be less than 16 or more than 16. The optical fibers 330 may be arranged in multiple rows (for example, two rows) along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the ferrule 310. An MT ferrule as defined in JIS C 5981 or JIS C 5982 may be used as the ferrule 310.

[0028] This optical connector 300 includes a housing 320 that holds a ferrule 310. An optical fiber 330 held in the ferrule 310 is led out rearward (in the +Y direction in the figure) from the housing 320. The housing 320 is also formed with recesses 321 and 322. The recess 321 corresponds to an example of a "first recess" in this aspect of the present invention, and the recess 322 corresponds to an example of a "second recess" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0029] The recess 321 is intended to prevent the optical connector 300 from falling off from a jig 250 (described later) of the optical connector cleaning tool 1. The recess 321 is formed on the side surface of the housing 320.

[0030] On the other hand, the recess 322 is intended to prevent the optical connector 300 from being erroneously attached to the guide cap 200 (described later). The recess 322 is formed on the side surface of the housing 320 so as to penetrate the housing 320 in the axial direction of the optical connector 300 (the Y-axis direction in the drawing).

[0031] Here, the pressing portion 120 (described later) of the cleaning head 110 of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 is pulled by the tension applied to the cleaning body 2 when the cleaning body 2 is collected. Therefore, if the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300 is inclined, the inclination direction of the pressing surface 121 will be opposite to the inclination direction of the end face 311, and it may not be possible to properly clean the end face 311 of the optical connector 300.

[0032] In contrast, in this embodiment, the recess 322 limits the direction in which the optical connector 300 can be inserted into the guide cap 200 to a specific direction, thereby making it possible to align the inclination direction of the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300 with the inclination direction of the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110. For this reason, as shown in Figure 1(b) , when the optical connector 300 is viewed from the front, no other recess into which the protrusion 266 of the jig 250 can be inserted is formed in the housing 320 at a position point-symmetrical to the recess 322 about the central axis of the optical connector 300.

[0033] When connecting the pair of optical connectors 300 described above, one optical connector 300 is inserted into one insertion port of a cylindrical adapter (not shown), and the other optical connector 300 is inserted into the other insertion port of the adapter. Then, by butting the end faces 311 of the ferrules 310 of the pair of optical connectors 300 together, the optical fibers 330 exposed from the end faces 311 of the ferrules 310 are optically connected. At this time, the guide pins 312 of one ferrule 310 are inserted into the guide holes (not shown) of the other ferrule 310, so that the optical connectors 300 are positioned with high precision.

[0034] If dirt, dust, oil, or other contaminants adhere to the end faces 311 of the ferrules 310 during this butting process, this may cause damage during connection and disconnection, an increase in transmission loss, etc. Therefore, before connecting the optical connectors 300 together, it is necessary to clean the end faces 311 of the ferrules 310 using the optical connector cleaning tool 1 described below.

[0035] 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 that it includes a guide cap 200 and a jig 250.

[0036] 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 cleaning unit 3 in this embodiment.

[0037] 2 and 3 , the optical connector cleaning tool 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "cleaning tool 1") in this embodiment includes a cleaning unit 3, a guide cap 200, and a jig 250. The cleaning unit 3 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 figure) from an opening 5a of the front cover 5. The tip portion of this extension member 100 is inserted into the guide cap 200. The jig 250 is inserted into the guide cap 200 while holding the above-mentioned optical connector 300.

[0038] The extension member 100 has a pressing surface 121 (described later) at its tip that presses the cleaning element 2 against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300 (the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 described above). When the jig 250 is inserted into the guide cap 200, the pressing surface 121 presses the cleaning element 2 against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300. 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 figures) (see FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b)). The tool body 10 also has bobbins 30, 40 (described later) that supply and collect the cleaning element 2 to and from the pressing surface 121.

[0039] As the tool body 10 and the extension member 100 move relative to each other (the tool body 10 moves forward relative to the extension member 100), the cleaning body 2 moves on the pressing surface 121, and the cleaning body 2 slides while being pressed against the connection end surface 311 of the optical connector 300. This causes the cleaning body 2 to wipe away dirt adhering to the connection end surface 311, cleaning the end surface 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300. However, if the cleaning body is adhesive, the cleaning body may simply be pressed against the connection end surface 311 without sliding. Furthermore, as the tool body 10 moves backward relative to the extension member 100, the used cleaning body 2 is collected from the pressing surface 121 onto the take-up bobbin 40, and an unused cleaning body 2 is supplied from the delivery bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121.

[0040] As described above, the optical connector 300 to be cleaned in this embodiment is a multi-fiber simultaneous connection type optical connector, and the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300 has a flat shape. Therefore, the cleaning body 2 is a continuous band-like body (tape). The width of this cleaning body 2 is large enough to simultaneously wipe the end faces of all of the optical fibers 330 exposed at the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 and their surroundings (e.g., the areas between the guide pins 312). Such a tape-like cleaning body 2 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a woven fabric of ultrafine fibers made of polyester, nylon, or the like.

[0041] The optical connector cleaning tool 1 may be used to clean an optical connector 300 inserted into an adapter, or may be used to clean an optical connector receptacle used in a plug-receptacle coupling system. In these cases, the tip of the extension member 100 is inserted into an adapter or the like without using the guide cap 200 and jig 250. At this time, to prevent the guide cap 200 from being lost, the guide cap 200 can be attached to the protrusion 5b of the front cover 5. An optical connector receptacle is a housing in which a ferrule attached to the tip of an optical fiber is incorporated into the housing into which the optical connector plug is inserted.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 .

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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 portion 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 the unused cleaning element 2 is fed from the feed bobbin 30 to the pressing surface 121.

[0046] A plurality of engagement grooves 31 are formed circumferentially on both side surfaces of the delivery bobbin 30. 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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. On the other hand, 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.

[0049] 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 support shafts 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] Each transmission member 70 includes a pinion gear 71 and a pair of leaf springs 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.

[0052] The pair of leaf springs 72 are fitted inside the inner ring portion 42 of the winding bobbin 40 with the leaf springs 72 elastically deformed inward. Therefore, a friction force acts between the friction surfaces of each leaf spring 72 and the inner ring portion 42, and these leaf springs 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.

[0053] The guide tube 51 is rotatably supported on a support shaft portion formed on the first housing 21. The guide tube 52 is also rotatably supported on another support shaft portion formed on the first housing 21. Furthermore, the roll 53 is rotatably supported on a pin held by 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.

[0054] Next, the configuration of the extension member 100 of the cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the extension member 100 in this embodiment. Note that Fig. 4 does not show the cleaning element 2.

[0055] 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 .

[0056] The cleaning shaft 105 is a member (pressing member) for pressing the cleaning element 2 against the connection end surface 311 of the optical connector 300. The cleaning shaft 105 is a long member extending along the longitudinal direction of the extension member 100 (the Y-axis direction in the figure), 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.

[0057] The cleaning head 110 is a member that forms 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. 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.

[0058] The pressing part 120 has a pressing surface 121 at its tip that presses the cleaning element 2 against the connection end surface 311 of the optical connector 300. This pressing surface 121 has a flat shape that corresponds to the shape of the end surface 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300 to be cleaned. The cleaning element 2 is wrapped around this pressing surface 121 from the top to the bottom of the pressing surface 121, with unused cleaning elements 2 being supplied from the top and used cleaning elements 2 being sent out to the bottom (see arrow B in FIGS. 3 and 10(a)). That is, the cleaning element 2 moves from the top to the bottom on this pressing surface 121 along the minor axis direction of the pressing surface 121.

[0059] 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 311 of the ferrule 310, the guide pins 312 protruding from the end face 311 enter the insertion grooves 122, thereby enabling the pressing surface 121 to bring the cleaning element 2 into close contact with the end face 311 of the ferrule 310.

[0060] The pressing portion 120 is connected to the support portion 140 via a neck portion 130. The neck portion 130 is elastically deformable in response to the pressing force from the optical connector 300 to the pressing portion 120. The neck portion 130 tilts the pressing portion 120 in accordance with the tilt of the end face 311 of the ferrule 310 of the optical connector 300.

[0061] The support part 140 has a plate-like shape with a flat cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the pressing part 120. An unused cleaning element 2 supplied from above to the pressing surface 121 of the pressing part 120 passes above the support part 140. On the other hand, a used cleaning element 2 sent downward from the pressing surface 121 passes below the support part 140.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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 is interposed between the cleaning head 110 and the rack shaft 170 in a compressed state, and the cleaning head 110 is urged forward relative to the rack shaft 170 by the second coil spring 160. This enables the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 to press the cleaning element 2 against the connection end surface 311 of the optical connector 300 with an appropriate pressing force. The second coil spring 160 corresponds to an example of a "urging member" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0064] 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). 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.

[0065] The tip 171 of the rack shaft 170 is formed with an insertion groove 171a and a window 171b. The insertion groove 171a is a groove that opens at the tip 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). The window 171b opens from the insertion groove 171a to the side of the tip 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).

[0066] The body portion 172 is a rear portion of the tip portion 171. The body portion 172 has a columnar shape and is an elongated 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).

[0067] The upper surface of the body 172 functions as a guide surface that guides an unused cleaning element 2 supplied from the tool body 10 to the cleaning head 110. On the other hand, the lower surface of the body 172 functions as a guide surface that guides a used cleaning element 2 collected from the cleaning head 110 to the roll 177. In addition, the body 172 is inserted into the first coil spring 180, and also has the function of supporting the first coil spring 180.

[0068] The pair of shoulders 173 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.

[0069] Furthermore, a protrusion 174 that protrudes laterally (in the X-axis direction in the drawing) is formed on the shoulder 173. When the shoulder 173 is disposed within the window 20b of the housings 21 and 22, the protrusion 174 protrudes from the window 20b and is fitted into a window 197 (described below) of the guide nozzle 190.

[0070] The pair of arms 175 are connected to the underside of the shoulder 173 and extend rearward (in the −Y direction in the drawing) 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.

[0071] A retaining hole 175a is formed at the front end of the pair of arms 175. A pin 178 is inserted into this retaining hole 175a, and a roll 177 is rotatably supported by this pin 178. The used cleaning element 2 guided along the underside 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 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.

[0072] A rack gear 176 is formed on the rear portion of each arm portion 175. The take-up bobbin 40 is disposed between the pair of rack gears 176, and the pinion gear 71 of the transmission member 70 meshes with the rack gear 176, thereby forming a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0073] 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 guide cap 200 when cleaning the optical connector 300, and a main body portion 195 that is connected to the rear side of the tip portion 192. The cylindrical portion 191 has a stepped surface 191a between the tip portion 192 and the main body portion 195. When the tip portion 192 of the guide nozzle 190 is inserted into the guide cap 200, the stepped surface 191a abuts against one end surface 204 of the guide cap 200 (see FIG. 5A ). The guide nozzle 190 corresponds to an example of a "cylindrical member" in this aspect of the present invention, and the stepped surface 191a corresponds to an example of a "fourth abutment surface" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0074] Furthermore, protrusions 193a to 193d are formed on the outer surfaces of the top, bottom, left, and right of the tip 192. The protrusion amount of the protrusion 193a on the left side in Fig. 4 (the +X direction side in the figure) is greater than the protrusion amount of the protrusion 193b on the right side in Fig. 4 (the -X direction side in the figure).

[0075] 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 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 4, the shoulder 173 and arm 175 of the rack shaft 170 protrude rearward (in the −Y direction in the figure) from a rear opening 195a of the main body 195 of the tubular portion 191 of the guide nozzle 190. The 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.

[0078] 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 (disposed) 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).

[0079] Next, the configuration of the guide cap 200 of the cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5(a) to 5(c). Figures 5(a) to 5(c) are cross-sectional views, front views, and rear views showing the guide cap 200 in this embodiment. Figure 5(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VA-VA in Figures 5(b) and 5(c).

[0080] 5(a) to 5(c), the guide cap 200 is a cylindrical member having a through hole 201. This through hole 201 extends along the axial direction of the guide cap 200 (the longitudinal direction of the guide cap 200) (the Y-axis direction in the figures), and has openings 202 and 203 at both ends. The opening 202 corresponds to an example of a "first opening" in this aspect of the present invention, and the opening 203 corresponds to an example of a "second opening" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0081] One opening 202 of the through hole 201 opens to one end face 204 of the guide cap 200 (the end face on the -Y direction side in the figure). The tip portion of the extension member 100 described above is inserted into this opening 202. At this time, the step surface 191a of the guide nozzle 190 of the extension member 100 abuts against this end face 204, thereby restricting the insertion of the extension member 100 into the guide cap 200 and positioning the cleaning head 110 relative to the guide cap 200 in the axial direction of the guide cap 200 (the Y-axis direction in the figure). This one end face 204 corresponds to an example of a "first abutment surface" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0082] Furthermore, grooves 202a to 202d that open to one end surface 204 described above are formed on the inner surfaces of the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the through-hole 201. These grooves 202a to 202d have shapes that correspond to the convex portions 193a to 193d of the guide nozzle 190 described above. For this reason, when the tip portion 192 of the guide nozzle 190 is inserted into the guide cap 200, the convex portions 193a to 193d of the guide nozzle 190 fit into the grooves 202a to 202d formed in the opening 202 of the guide cap 200, thereby positioning the cleaning head 110 relative to the guide cap 200 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide cap 200 (the XZ plane direction in the figure).

[0083] As described above, on the outer surface of the tip 192 of the guide nozzle 190, the protrusion amount of the convex portion 193a on the left side in Fig. 4 (the +X direction side in the figure) is greater than the protrusion amount of the convex portion 193b on the right side in Fig. 4 (the -X direction side in the figure). Corresponding to the shapes of the convex portions 193a and 193b, on the inner surface of the through-hole 201 of the guide cap 200, the depth of the groove 202a on the upper side in Fig. 5(c) (the +X direction side in the figure) is deeper than the depth of the groove 202b on the lower side in Fig. 5(c) (the -X direction side in the figure). This makes it possible to limit the orientation in which the guide nozzle 190 can be inserted into the guide cap 200 to a specific orientation.

[0084] In contrast, the other opening 203 of the through hole 201 opens to the other end face 205 of the guide cap 200 (the end face on the +Y direction side in the figure). A jig 250 with an optical connector 300 attached thereto is inserted into this opening 203. At this time, a step surface 280 (see FIGS. 6( a) to 6(c)) of the jig 250 abuts against this end face 205, thereby restricting the insertion of the jig 250 into the guide cap 200 and positioning the optical connector 300 relative to the guide cap 200 in the axial direction of the guide cap 200 (the Y-axis direction in the figure). This other end face 205 corresponds to an example of a "second abutment surface" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0085] Furthermore, a stepped surface 206 is formed inside the through hole 201 of the guide cap 200. When cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector larger than the optical connector 300 described above, the optical connector is inserted into the through hole 201 without using the jig 250. At this time, for example, the housing of the optical connector abuts against the stepped surface 206, thereby restricting the insertion of the optical connector into the guide cap 200 and positioning the optical connector relative to the guide cap 200 in the axial direction of the guide cap 200 (the Y-axis direction in the figure).

[0086] Although not shown, the guide cap 200 may be provided with a lid that closes the opening 203. When the optical connector is not to be cleaned, the tip portion of the extension member 100 is inserted into the guide cap 200, and the opening 203 is closed with this lid. This makes it possible to prevent dirt, dust, moisture, etc. from entering the through-hole 201 of the guide cap 200. Although not shown, the lid may be connected to the main body of the guide cap 200 via a hinge.

[0087] Next, the configuration of the jig 250 of the cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 6(a) to 6(c), which are a perspective view, a front view, and a plan view showing the jig 250 in this embodiment.

[0088] The jig 250 is a member that is inserted into the through-hole 201 of the guide cap 200 with the optical connector 300 attached. Although not particularly shown, the jig 250 may be connected to the guide cap 200 or the cleaning unit 3 with a string or the like to prevent the jig 250 from being lost. As shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c), the jig 250 includes a recessed accommodating portion 260 that accommodates the housing 320 of the optical connector 300, and a groove 270 that accommodates the optical fiber 330 leading out from the optical connector 300.

[0089] The accommodation section 260 is disposed at one end of the jig 250 (the -Y direction side in the figure), and has a side wall 261 that surrounds the housing 320 of the optical connector 300. A notch 263 that opens toward the -X direction in the figure is formed in a bottom surface 262 of the accommodation section 260. When the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is accommodated in the accommodation section 260, the housing 320 abuts against the bottom surface 262 of the accommodation section 260, thereby positioning the optical connector 300 relative to the jig 250 in the axial direction of the jig 250 (the Y axis direction in the figure). At this time, the optical fiber 330 leading out from the housing 320 passes through the notch 263. The bottom surface 262 corresponds to an example of a "fifth abutment surface" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0090] Tapered portions 264 are provided at the four corners of the accommodating portion 260. These four tapered portions 264 have inclined surfaces that approach each other toward the bottom surface 262 of the accommodating portion 260. When the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 260, the housing 320 is guided within the accommodating portion 260 by these four tapered portions 264, and the housing 320 is positioned relative to the jig 250 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the jig 250 (the XZ plane direction in the figure).

[0091] Furthermore, convex portions 265 and 266 are provided within this accommodation portion 260. Convex portion 265 corresponds to an example of a “first convex portion” in this aspect of the present invention, and convex portion 266 corresponds to an example of a “second convex portion” in this aspect of the present invention.

[0092] The convex portion 265 is provided on the side wall 261 so as to protrude toward the inside of the accommodating portion 260 (the +Z direction in the figure) in order to prevent the optical connector 300 from falling off from the jig 250. When the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 260, the convex portion 265 is inserted into the recess 321 of the housing 320.

[0093] On the other hand, the convex portion 266 is provided on the bottom surface 262 of the accommodating portion 260 to prevent erroneous attachment of the optical connector 300 to the jig 250. When the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 260, the convex portion 266 is inserted into the recess 322 of the housing 320.

[0094] Groove 270 extends along the longitudinal direction of jig 250 (the Y-axis direction in the figure) and penetrates jig 250. Groove 270 has an opening 271 that opens into one side surface of jig 250, and through this opening 271, optical fiber 330 can be inserted and removed from groove 270 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of jig 250 (the X-axis direction in the figure). Opening 271 has a tapered surface 272 that tapers toward the bottom surface of groove 270, making it easy to insert and remove optical fiber 330 into and from groove 270. Opening 271 corresponds to an example of a "third opening" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0095] One end 273 of this groove 270 (the -Y direction side in the drawing) communicates with the notch 263 in the bottom surface 262 of the accommodation section 260 described above. The other end 274 of this groove 270 (the +Y direction side in the drawing) opens into the other end surface of the jig 250 (the +Y direction side in the drawing). In this embodiment, the width of the groove 270 tapers from one end 273 to the other end 274, and the width w ２ is the width w of the end 273 １ It is narrower than (lol ２ <w １ ). As a result, when the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 is accommodated in the accommodation section 260, the optical fiber 330 is relatively free relative to the jig 250 at one end 273, allowing movement of the housing 320 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the jig 250 (the XZ plane direction in the figure). In contrast, the optical fiber 330 can be held by the jig 250 at the other end 274, preventing movement of the housing 320 in the axial direction of the jig 250 (the Y-axis direction in the figure).

[0096] The jig 250 also has a stepped surface 280. This stepped surface 280 is formed on a side surface of the jig 250 (a surface parallel to the YZ plane in the figure). When the jig 250 with the optical connector 300 attached thereto is inserted into the guide cap 200, this stepped surface 280 abuts against the end surface 205 of the guide cap 200, thereby positioning the optical connector 300 relative to the guide cap 200 in the axial direction of the guide cap 200 (the Y-axis direction in the figure). This stepped surface 280 corresponds to an example of a "second abutment surface" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0097] Furthermore, when the jig 250 equipped with the optical connector 300 is inserted into the guide cap 200, the upper and lower surfaces and the left and right side surfaces of the jig 250 come into contact with the inner surface of the guide cap 200, thereby positioning the optical connector 300 relative to the guide cap 200 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide cap 200 (the XZ plane direction in the figure).

[0098] In this embodiment, when the optical connector 300 is attached to the jig 250, the central axis CL of the jig 250 １ and the central axis CL of the optical connector 300 ２ are misaligned (see FIG. 8( c)), and if the jig 250 is inserted into the guide cap 200 in the wrong orientation, the optical connector 300 will come into contact with the above-mentioned stepped surface 206 inside the guide cap 200. For this reason, the orientation in which the jig 250 can be inserted into the guide cap 200 is limited to a specific orientation. Note that, as with the positioning of the guide nozzle 190 and the guide cap 200 described above, the orientation in which the jig 250 can be inserted into the guide cap 200 may be limited to a specific orientation depending on the outer shape of the jig 250 and the shape of the opening 203 of the guide cap 200.

[0099] In this embodiment, the above-described guide cap 200 and jig 250 are configured to satisfy the following expressions (4) and (5).

[0100] P ｍｉｎ ×A / K-C ０ ≦C １ ≦P ｍａｘ ×A / K-C ０ … (4) C １ =L ０ -L １ … (5)

[0101] However, in the above formulas (4) and (5), P ｍｉｎ is the minimum value of the appropriate surface pressure of the cleaning head 110 against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300, and P ｍａｘ is the maximum appropriate surface pressure of the cleaning head 110 against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300. Also, A is the effective area of ​​the portion to be cleaned on the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300, K is the spring constant of the second coil spring 160, and C ０ is the compression amount of the second coil spring 160 when the cleaning head 110 is in the non-pressed state. ０ (not shown) is the distance L from the step surface 280 of the jig 250 to the connection end surface 311 of the optical connector 300 ２and the distance L from the step surface 191 a of the guide nozzle 190 to the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 when the cleaning head 110 is not pressed. ３ is the sum of L １ is the overall length of the guide cap 200 (see FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) described below).

[0102] The "non-pressing state of the cleaning head 110" refers to a state in which the cleaning head 110 is not pressing the cleaning body 2 against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300. Furthermore, the "surface pressure" refers to the magnitude of the force (pressure) per unit area acting on an object.

[0103] Although not particularly limited, in order to satisfy the above formulas (4) and (5), for example, the distance L between the step surface 280 and the bottom surface 262 of the jig 250 may be ４ (See FIG. 9(a) described later). The above-described guide cap 200 and jig 250 are configured to satisfy the following formulas (4) and (5), so that the cleaning element 2 can be pressed against the connection end face 311 of the optical connector 300 with an appropriate surface pressure. If the surface pressure is weak, the connection end face 311 may not be sufficiently cleaned, and dust or the like may remain on the connection end face 311. On the other hand, if the surface pressure is strong, it may become impossible to move the cleaning element 2 between the pressing surface 121 of the cleaning head 110 and the connection end face 311.

[0104] Furthermore, it is preferable that the above-described guide cap 200 and jig 250 are configured to satisfy the following formula (6), and it is more preferable that they are configured to satisfy the following formula (7).

[0105] 0.6 mm≦C １ ≦2.3mm... (6) 1.1mm≦C １ ≦1.7mm… (7)

[0106] 7 is a graph showing experimental results of the relationship between the appropriate surface pressure and the average number of cleanings for a conventional optical connector cleaning tool used to clean an MPO connector. The "average number of cleanings" refers to the number of times it takes to clean the connection end face of the optical connector, specifically the number of times the tool body is pressed against the extension member. This "average number of cleanings" is a value obtained by counting the number of times it takes to visually confirm that the end face of the optical fiber is clean for all optical fibers held in the ferrules of the optical connector and calculating the average of those counts.

[0107] Based on the approximation curve AC obtained from the above graph and the fact that the average number of cleaning times for mass-produced conventional optical connector cleaning tools is 1.04 to 1.06 times, the range of surface pressure appropriate for cleaning is obtained as 0.68 to 1.51 MPa. ｍｉｎ Substitute 0.68 MPa into P ｍａｘ By substituting 1.51 MPa into the above, the above formula (6) can be obtained. Although not particularly limited, the above A in this case is 5.94 mm ２ , K is 2.789 N / mm, and C １ is 0.9 mm.

[0108] Next, an example of a method for cleaning the optical connector 300 using the optical connector cleaning tool 1 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 8(a) to 10(b).

[0109] 8(a) to 10(b) are diagrams illustrating a cleaning method using the optical connector cleaning tool 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram illustrating a state before the optical connector 300 is attached to the jig 250, FIG. 8(b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the optical connector 300 is being attached to the jig 250, and FIG. 8(c) is a diagram illustrating a state after the optical connector 300 has been attached to the jig 250. FIG. 9(a) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the jig 250 with the optical connector 300 attached is being inserted into the guide cap 200, and FIG. 9(b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cleaning head 110 is pressing the cleaning body 2 against the optical connector 300. FIG. 10(a) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the tool body 10 has been advanced toward the extension member 100, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the tool body 10 has been retracted from the extension member 100.

[0110] 8( a) and 8(b), the worker inserts the optical fiber 330 extending from the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 into the groove 270 of the jig 250. At this time, the worker moves the optical connector 300 in the +X direction in the figure while maintaining the distance D between the housing 320 and the tip of the jig 250 in the Y-axis direction in the figure, and inserts the optical fiber 330 into the groove 270 through the opening 271.

[0111] 8(b) and 8(c), the worker pulls the optical fiber 330 in the +Y direction in the figures, thereby accommodating the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 into the accommodating portion 260 of the jig 250. At this time, the housing 320 of the optical connector 300 moves in the +Y-axis direction in the figures while being guided by the tapered portion 264, and then abuts against the bottom surface 262 of the accommodating portion 260, thereby positioning the housing 320 with respect to the jig 250. Furthermore, the insertion of the convex portion 265 into the concave portion 321 of the housing 320 prevents the optical connector 300 from falling off the jig 250. Furthermore, the insertion of the convex portion 266 into the concave portion 322 of the housing 320 prevents the optical connector 300 from being erroneously attached to the jig 250.

[0112] 9( a) and 9(b), the worker inserts the jig 250 with the optical connector 300 attached into the through-hole 201 of the guide cap 200. At this time, the stepped surface 280 of the jig 250 abuts against the end surface 205 of the guide cap 200, causing the cleaning head 110 disposed inside the guide cap 200 to press the cleaning element 2 with an appropriate surface pressure against the connection end surface 311 of the optical connector 300. In this state, the optical connector 300 is not in contact with the inner surface of the guide cap 200, and is sandwiched between the cleaning head 110 and the jig 250.

[0113] The extension member 100 is inserted into the guide cap 200 in advance. When inserting the extension member 100, the worker abuts the stepped surface 191a of the guide nozzle 190 against the end surface 204 of the guide cap 200. The extension member 100 may be inserted into the guide cap 200 after the jig 250 is inserted into the guide cap 200.

[0114] 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 becomes a predetermined length L as shown in FIG. 10(a). ５ It will only become wider.

[0115] Therefore, the length of the cleaning element 2 existing between the supply-side guide tube 51 and the roll 177 is set to a predetermined length L ５ The length of the cleaning element 2 between the rolls 177 and 53 is shortened by a predetermined length L ５ As a result, the cleaning element 2 on the pressing surface 121 is pulled toward the take-up bobbin 40 (the recovery side), and the cleaning element 2 slides while being pressed against the end face 311 of the ferrule 310, wiping off dirt adhering to the end face 311.

[0116] As shown in Figure 10(a) , when the operator pushes the tool body 10 in, 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 to the winding direction (counterclockwise in Figure 10(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.

[0117] Next, when the operator releases the tool body 10 from the extension member 100, the tool body 10 retreats relative to the extension member 100 due to the elastic force of the first coil spring 180, and the distance between the roll 177 of the extension member 100 and the roll 53 of the tool body 10 becomes a predetermined length L ５ 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 leaf spring portion 72 of the transmission member 70 and the friction surface of the inner ring portion 42, causing the take-up bobbin 40 to rotate, and the used cleaning element 2 is wound onto the take-up bobbin 40.

[0118] That is, the drive mechanism that rotates the winding bobbin 40 in response to the relative movement of the extension member 100 with respect to the tool body 10 is composed of the above-mentioned rack and pinion mechanism consisting of the rack gear 176 and the pinion gear 71, and the above-mentioned friction transmission mechanism consisting of the leaf spring portion 72 and the friction surface 421.

[0119] At the same time, the length of the cleaning element 2 existing between the supply-side guide tube 51 and the roll 177 is set to a predetermined length L ５ 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 the predetermined length L ５ An unused cleaning element 2 having a length corresponding to the length of the cleaning element 2 is fed from the feed bobbin 30.

[0120] After the cleaning is completed, the worker pulls out the jig 250 from the guide cap 200. Next, the optical connector 300 is removed from the jig 250 in the reverse order of the steps shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(c) above.

[0121] As described above, in this embodiment, the optical connector cleaning tool 1 is provided with the jig 250 to which the optical connector 300 is detachably attached, and the cleaning head 110 is inserted into the through-hole 201 of the guide cap 200 via one opening 202, and the jig 250 is inserted into the through-hole 201 via the other opening 203. Therefore, in this embodiment, regardless of how the worker holds the jig 250, the cleaning body 2 can be appropriately pressed against the connection end surface 311 of the optical connector 300, and cleaning quality can be stabilized.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the optical connector 300 is small and smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 201 of the guide cap 200, the optical connector 300 can be inserted into the guide cap 200 using the jig 250, so that one guide cap 200 can be used for multiple types of optical connectors of different sizes.

[0123] 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.

[0124] For example, as disclosed in FIGS. 12A to 12C of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-35489, a predetermined length L ５ The rolls 153, 177 for supplying the cleaning element 2 may not be provided. In this case, the winding direction of the winding bobbin 40 is opposite to that of the above-described embodiment, and the ratchet mechanism consisting of the ratchet pawl 60 and the ratchet gear 411 is also installed in the opposite direction to that of the above-described embodiment.

[0125] Furthermore, an elastic body other than a spring, such as rubber, may be used instead of the above-described second coil spring 160. In this case, too, the spring constant (k) of the elastic body can be calculated based on Hooke's law by dividing the load (F) applied to the elastic body by the displacement (x) of the elastic body (k = F / x).

[0126] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment has described an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning the connection end face of a multi-fiber batch connection type optical connector, the present invention may also be applied to an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning the connection end face of a single-fiber connection type optical connector. Specific examples of cleaning tools for single-fiber connection type optical connectors include those described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2010-191465, 2010-266675, 2011-33736, 2011-75585, 2011-137872, and 2011-150083.

[0127] In this case, the cleaning element can be a thread-like woven fabric made of ultra-fine fibers such as polyester or nylon, or a narrow tape-like cleaning element.

[0128] Furthermore, the single-core connection type optical connector to be cleaned is not particularly limited, but examples include LC type optical connectors (trademark of Lucent), SC type optical connectors specified in JIS C5973, MU type optical connectors specified in JIS C5983, and SC2 type optical connectors.

[0129] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...optical connector cleaning tool 2...cleaning body 3...cleaning unit 10...tool body 30...feed bobbin 40...take-up bobbin 100...extension member 105...cleaning shaft 110...cleaning head 121...pressing surface 160...second coil spring 170...rack shaft 190...guide nozzle 191...cylindrical portion 191a...step surface 192...tip portion 193a to 193d...convex portion 200...guide cap 201...through hole 202...opening 202a to 202d...groove 203...opening 204...end surface 205...end surface 250...jig 260...accommodation portion 261...side wall 262...bottom surface 263...notch 264...tapered portion 265...convex portion 266...convex portion 270...groove 271: Opening 272: Tapered surface 273, 274: Ends 280: Step surface 300: Optical connector 310: Ferrule 311: Connection end surface 320: Housing 321: Recess 322: Recess 330: Optical fiber

Claims

1. An optical connector cleaning tool comprising a cleaning body for cleaning the connection end face of an optical connector, a guide cap having a through hole with first and second openings, a cleaning head having a pressing surface for pressing the cleaning body against the connection end face and inserted into the through hole through the first opening, and a jig to which the optical connector is detachably attached and inserted into the through hole through the second opening. An optical connector cleaning tool.

2. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool, comprises a cleaning shaft having the cleaning head, and a cylindrical member that houses the cleaning shaft such that the cleaning head protrudes, wherein the cleaning shaft, further comprises a support member that movably supports the cleaning head, and a biasing member interposed between the cleaning head and the support member and biasing the cleaning head in a direction away from the support member, wherein the jig has a second contact surface that contacts a first contact surface of the guide cap in a first direction that is the axial direction of the guide cap, wherein the cylindrical member has a fourth contact surface that contacts a third contact surface of the guide cap in the first direction, An optical connector cleaning tool that satisfies the following equations (1) and (2). P ｍｉｎ × A / K - C ０ ≤ C １ ≤ P ｍａｘ × A / K - C ０ … (1) C １ = L ０ - L １ … (2) However, in the above equations (1) and (2), P ｍｉｎ is the minimum value of the surface pressure of the cleaning head with respect to the connection end face, P ｍａｘ is the maximum value of the surface pressure of the cleaning head with respect to the connection end face, A is the area of the portion to be cleaned on the connection end face, K is the spring constant of the biasing member, C ０ is the compression amount of the biasing member in the non-pressed state of the cleaning head, L ０ is the sum of the distance from the second contact surface to the connection end surface and the distance from the fourth contact surface to the pressing surface in the non-pressing state of the cleaning head, L １ is the distance between the first contact surface and the third contact surface in the guide cap.

3. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 2, An optical connector cleaning tool that satisfies the following equation (3). 0.6 mm ≤ C １ ≤ 2.3 mm … (3)

4. The optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the jig has a fifth contact surface that contacts the optical connector in a second direction that is the axial direction of the jig, wherein the fifth contact surface has a notch for passing an optical fiber led out from the optical connector. An optical connector cleaning tool.

5. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 4, wherein the jig has a groove for housing an optical fiber led out from the optical connector, wherein the groove communicates with the notch and extends along the second direction, wherein the groove has a third opening through which the optical fiber can be inserted into and removed from the groove in a third direction that is substantially orthogonal to the second direction. An optical connector cleaning tool.

6. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 5, The third opening has a tapered surface that tapers towards the bottom surface of the groove, which is a cleaning tool for an optical connector.

7. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein the groove has a portion with a width narrower than the width of the notch, which is an optical connector cleaning tool.

8. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 4, wherein the jig has a concave housing portion for housing the optical connector, and a tapered portion provided within the housing portion for guiding and positioning the optical connector within the housing portion, and is provided with, wherein the bottom surface of the housing portion is the fifth contact surface, which is an optical connector cleaning tool.

9. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 4, wherein the jig has a concave housing portion for housing the optical connector, and a first convex portion protruding from the side wall of the housing portion and insertable into a first concave portion of the optical connector, and is provided with, wherein the bottom surface of the housing portion is the fifth contact surface, which is an optical connector cleaning tool.

10. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 4, wherein the jig has a concave housing portion for housing the optical connector, and a second convex portion provided within the housing portion and insertable into a second concave portion of the optical connector, and is provided with, wherein the bottom surface of the housing portion is the fifth contact surface, and no other concave portion into which the second convex portion can be inserted is formed at a position point-symmetrical to the second concave portion in the optical connector, which is an optical connector cleaning tool.

11. The optical connector cleaning tool according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool comprises the cleaning head, a cleaning shaft around which the cleaning body is wound so as to be folded back at the pressing surface, a cylindrical member that houses the cleaning shaft such that the cleaning head protrudes, a feeding bobbin that feeds the cleaning body to the pressing surface, a winding bobbin that winds up the cleaning body from the pressing surface, a housing that houses the feeding bobbin and the winding bobbin while the cleaning shaft extends, and a drive mechanism that rotates the winding bobbin in accordance with relative movement of the cleaning shaft with respect to the housing to wind the cleaning body around the winding bobbin, and is provided with, wherein the cleaning shaft is relatively movable with respect to the housing together with the cylindrical member, which is an optical connector cleaning tool.