Optical connector cleaning tool

Abstract

This optical connector cleaning tool 1 comprises: a first cleaning body 10 which is provided with a plurality of thread-shaped members 11 arranged so as to extend in the same direction, and through which a guide pin 112 can pass; and a first cleaning shaft 30 around which the first cleaning body 10 is wound so as to be folded back at a pressing surface 321. The first cleaning shaft 30 is provided with an insertion hole 324 which is provided with a first opening 325 that opens on the pressing surface 321 and into which the guide pin 112 can be inserted, a conveyance path 301 that guides the first cleaning body 10, and a second opening 326 that opens on an inner peripheral surface 324a of the insertion hole 324 and communicates with the conveyance path 301.

Description

Optical connector cleaning tool

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning optical connectors. For designated countries where incorporation by reference of literature is permitted, the content of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-088914 filed in Japan on May 31, 2024 is incorporated by reference into this specification and made a part of the description of this specification.

[0002] An optical connector end face cleaner is known in which, when a thread-like cleaning member interferes with a pin protruding from the end face of an optical connector, the cleaning member flexibly deforms to avoid the interference and clean dirt adhering to the side of the pin (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (paragraph

[0019] )).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-159304

[0004] In the above-mentioned cleaner, the side of the pin is cleaned by moving the pin relative to the cleaning member while a small portion of the thread-like cleaning member is in contact with the side of the pin, so it may not be possible to sufficiently wipe away dirt adhering to the side of the pin.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical connector cleaning tool that can effectively clean the side surfaces of the columnar members provided in the optical connector.

[0006] [1] Aspect 1 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning an optical connector having a columnar member, 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 columnar member can pass; and a first cleaning shaft around which the first cleaning body is wound so as to be folded back at a first tip surface, the first cleaning shaft having a first opening that opens at the first tip surface and comprising an insertion hole through which the columnar member can be inserted, a transport path that guides the first cleaning body, and a second opening that opens at the inner surface of the insertion hole and is connected to the transport path or through which the transport path passes.

[0007] [2] Aspect 2 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to aspect 1, wherein the first cleaning shaft has a wall portion interposed between the insertion hole and the transport path, the second opening penetrates the wall portion and communicates with the transport path, and the transport path has a portion exposed to the insertion hole through the second opening.

[0008] [3] Aspect 3 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to aspect 1, wherein the first cleaning shaft has a second opening that opens into the inner surface of the insertion hole and through which the transport path passes, and a third opening that opens into the inner surface of the insertion hole rearward of the second opening and through which the transport path passes, and the transport path has a portion that is located within the insertion hole via the second and third openings.

[0009] [4] Aspect 4 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to aspect 3, wherein the third opening opens to the bottom surface of the insertion hole and is positioned radially inward of the insertion hole relative to the second opening.

[0010] [5] Aspect 5 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool is an optical connector cleaning tool equipped with a rotation mechanism that rotates the first cleaning shaft around a rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first cleaning shaft.

[0011] [6] A sixth aspect of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool according to the fifth aspect, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool comprises a support body that rotatably supports the first cleaning shaft, and a housing that movably accommodates the support body, and the rotation mechanism rotates the first cleaning shaft in accordance with the relative movement of the support body with respect to the housing.

[0012] [7] Aspect 7 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool is equipped with a supply and recovery mechanism that supplies the first cleaning body to the first tip surface and recovers the first cleaning body from the first tip surface.

[0013] [8] Aspect 8 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool according to aspect 7, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool comprises a support body that supports the first cleaning shaft and a housing that movably accommodates the support body, and the supply and recovery mechanism supplies and recovers the first cleaning body from the first tip surface in accordance with the relative movement of the support body with respect to the housing.

[0014] [9] Aspect 9 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the transport path includes a supply path that guides the first cleaning body supplied to the first tip surface, and a recovery path that guides the first cleaning body recovered from the first tip surface, and the second opening may be connected to the recovery path or allow the recovery path to pass through.

[0015]

[10] Aspect 10 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the transport path comprises a supply path that guides the first cleaning body supplied to the first tip surface and a recovery path that guides the first cleaning body recovered from the first tip surface, and the first cleaning shaft comprises two second openings, one of the second openings communicating with the recovery path or allowing the recovery path to pass through, and the other second opening communicating with the supply path or allowing the supply path to pass through.

[0016]

[11] Aspect 11 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool comprises a pair of the first cleaning bodies, a pair of the first cleaning shafts, a second cleaning body, and a second cleaning shaft around which the second cleaning bodies are wound so as to fold back at a second tip surface, and the second cleaning shaft is disposed between the pair of first cleaning shafts.

[0017]

[12] Aspect 12 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool in any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the columnar member is a cylindrical guide pin provided on the connection end face of a ferrule, and the first tip surface is a pressing surface that presses the first cleaning body against the connection end face.

[0018]

[13] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention may be the optical connector cleaning tool of any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the columnar member is a cylindrical ferrule.

[0019] In the present invention, the first cleaning shaft opens onto the inner surface of the insertion hole and has a second opening that communicates with the conveying path or through which the conveying path passes, so that the side of the columnar member provided in the optical connector can be cleaned well.

[0020] 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. 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. FIG. 3(a) is a plan view showing a first cleaning element according to 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. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the tip portions of first and second cleaning shafts according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5, showing a transport path within the cleaning head of the first cleaning shaft according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) are cross-sectional views showing first to third modified examples of the cleaning head of the first cleaning shaft according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first supply and recovery mechanism and a rotation mechanism included in the optical connector cleaning tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second supply and recovery mechanism included in the optical connector cleaning tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a front view showing an optical connector to be cleaned by an optical connector cleaning tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the tip portion of the optical connector cleaning tool according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] <<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. The optical connector 100 that is the object to be cleaned by this optical connector cleaning tool 1 is a multi-fiber simultaneous connection type optical connector plug that simultaneously connects multiple optical fibers 120. Fig. 1 is a front view showing the optical connector 100 that is the object to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment. Fig. 1 shows the optical connector plug 100 in a state where it is inserted into an adapter 140.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the optical connector 100 includes a ferrule 110 having a flat (rectangular) cross-sectional shape (end face shape). The ferrule 110 is a so-called MT (Mechanical Transferable) ferrule, and has a plurality of (e.g., 12) fiber holding holes arranged along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the ferrule 110. Optical fibers 120 are inserted into the plurality of fiber holding holes, respectively, and the optical fibers 120 are 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. An MT ferrule specified in JIS C 5981 or JIS C 5982 may be used as the ferrule 110.

[0024] A pair of guide pins 112 is provided on the end face 111 of the ferrule 110. Each guide pin 112 protrudes from the end face 111 of the ferrule 110 toward the tip of the optical connector 100. Each guide pin 112 is cylindrical and has a tapered tip to facilitate insertion into the guide hole (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The pair of guide pins 112 is disposed on both ends of the end face 111 of the ferrule 110, and the area where the multiple optical fibers 120 are exposed on the end face 111 is disposed between the pair of guide pins 112. The ferrule 110 is held in a housing 130. An F13-type multi-fiber connector (MPO (Multi-fiber Push On) connector) specified in JIS C5982 may be used as the optical connector 100.

[0025] 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 also be arranged in multiple rows (for example, two rows) along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the ferrule 110.

[0026] 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 provided on one ferrule 110 is inserted into a guide hole (not shown) formed in the other ferrule 110, thereby positioning the optical connectors 100 with high precision.

[0027] If foreign matter (contamination) such as dirt, dust, or oil adheres to the end face 111 of the ferrule 110 during this butting, it may cause damage during connection and disconnection, or increase 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 ).

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3(a) is a plan view showing the first cleaning element 10 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3(b) is a plan view showing the state in which a guide pin 112 penetrates the first cleaning element 10. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the tip portions of the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the transport path 301 within the cleaning head 31 of the first cleaning shaft 30 according to this embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) are cross-sectional views showing first to third modified examples of the cleaning head 31 of the first cleaning shaft 30 according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 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 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the second supply and recovery mechanism provided in the optical connector cleaning tool 1 according to this embodiment.

[0032] 2, 8, and 9 are diagrams that schematically show the configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool 1, and therefore the movement direction of the cleaning elements 10, 20 relative to the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 in these figures does not match the actual movement direction. The actual movement direction of the cleaning elements 10, 20 relative to the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 is as shown by the arrows in Figures 4 to 6. For convenience, the guide nozzle 60 is not shown in Figures 4 and 6, and the first cleaning element 10 is not shown in Figure 5.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, the optical connector cleaning tool 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "cleaner 1") in this embodiment uses two types of cleaning elements 10 and 20 to clean the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100. The first cleaning element 10 is responsible for cleaning the area AR1 (see the dashed-dotted line frame in Fig. 1) around the guide pin 112 on the connection end face 111. On the other hand, the second cleaning element 20 is responsible for cleaning the area AR2 (see the dashed-dotted line frame in Fig. 1) between the two guide pins 112 on the connection end face 111.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 3(a) , the first cleaning element 10 is composed of a plurality of filamentary members 11 arranged so as to extend in the same direction (the up-down direction in the figure). If the number of twists per unit length is small, the first cleaning element 10 may be a twisted wire formed by twisting together a plurality of filamentary members 11. In this case, the first cleaning element 10 is flattened and spreads out into a blind shape when compressed. Although not particularly limited, examples of the filamentary members 11 include ultrafine fibers made of polyester, nylon, or the like.

[0035] This first cleaning body 10 does not include any other filamentous members that intersect with the multiple filamentous members 11. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3(b), even when the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100 penetrates the first cleaning body 10, the first cleaning body 10 can move relative to the guide pin 112 in the same direction as the extension direction of the filamentous members 11 (the up and down direction in the figure).

[0036] The multiple thread-like members 11 are arranged at equal intervals, and the pitch (center-to-center distance) Ps between the thread-like members 11 is smaller than the outer diameter Dg of the guide pin 112 (Ps<Dg). Although not particularly limited, the pitch Ps of the thread-like members 11 is preferably 1 / 5 or less of the outer diameter Dg of the guide pin 112 (Ps≦1 / 5×Dg). Although not particularly limited, it is more preferable that the pitch Ps of the thread-like members 11 is the same as the outer diameter Ds of the thread-like members 11 (Ps=Ds), which allows the thread-like members 11 to be arranged so that they come into contact with each other without any gaps.

[0037] In contrast, the second cleaning element 20 is made of a wide strip of tape, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. This second cleaning element 20 has a width corresponding to the area AR2 between the guide pins 112 on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, and is capable of wiping this area AR2 in one go. 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.

[0038] 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 first urging member 90.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2 , the first cleaning shaft 30 is a shaft-shaped member extending along the longitudinal direction of the cleaner 1. The first cleaning shaft 30 has a pressing surface 321 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 the first cleaning shaft 30 so as to be folded back at the pressing surface 321. Unused first cleaning elements 10 are supplied to the first cleaning shaft 30 from a delivery bobbin 51. The first cleaning elements 10 used on the pressing surface 321 are then collected in a take-up bobbin 53. The cleaner 1 of this embodiment includes two first cleaning shafts 30 corresponding to the number of guide pins 112 provided in the optical connector 100. Both of these first cleaning shafts 30 have the same configuration.

[0040] The first cleaning shaft 30 has a transport path 301 that guides the first cleaning element 10. The transport path 301 includes a supply path 302 that guides the first cleaning element 10 supplied from the delivery bobbin 51 to the pressing surface 321, and a recovery path 303 that guides the first cleaning element 10 that is recovered from the pressing surface 321 to the take-up bobbin 53.

[0041] An unused first cleaning element 10 fed from the feed bobbin 51 enters the supply path 302 from the rear end of the first cleaning shaft 30, passes through the supply path 302, and reaches the pressing surface 321 at the front end of the first cleaning shaft 30. Then, a used first cleaning element 10 used on the pressing surface 321 enters the recovery path 303 from the front end of the first cleaning shaft 30, passes through the recovery path 303, and reaches the rear end of the first cleaning shaft 30, where it is pulled out from the first cleaning shaft 30 and taken up onto the take-up bobbin 53. In other words, the transport path 301 including the supply path 302 and the recovery path 303 is a path through which the first cleaning element 10 passes, and is a path provided in the first cleaning shaft 30.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the first cleaning shaft 30 includes a cleaning head (head member) 31, a shaft body 35, and a second biasing member 36.

[0043] The cleaning head 31 is a member that forms the tip portion of the first cleaning shaft 30. The cleaning head 31 includes a pressing portion 32, a flange portion 33, and an insertion portion 34. Although not particularly limited, the cleaning head 31 is made of a resin material. The pressing portion 32, flange portion 33, and insertion portion 34 of the cleaning head 31 may be integrally formed.

[0044] The pressing portion 32 has a pressing surface 321 at its tip that presses the first cleaning element 10 against the connection end surface 111 of the optical connector 100. Although not particularly limited, this pressing surface 321 has a rectangular planar shape. This pressing surface 321 corresponds to an example of a "first tip surface" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0045] A pair of guide holes 322a, 322b are formed at the tip of the pressing portion 32. When the cleaning head 31 is viewed from the front as shown in Figure 4, the pair of guide holes 322a, 322b are arranged to face each other across the pressing surface 321. The pressing surface 321 is located between the pair of guide holes 322a, 322b.

[0046] 6 , one guide hole 322a (on the supply path 302 side) communicates with guide grooves 323a and 331a. Guide groove 323a is a groove formed on the side surface of pressing portion 32 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction (first direction described below) of cleaning head 31. Guide groove 331a is also a groove formed on the side surface of flange portion 33 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of cleaning head 31.

[0047] The first cleaning element 10, which is fed from the feed bobbin 51 and enters the supply path 302 from the rear end of the first cleaning shaft 30, passes through the guide grooves 331a, 323a and the guide hole 322a and reaches the pressing surface 321. In other words, a part of the supply path 302 is defined by the guide hole 322a and the guide grooves 323a, 331a.

[0048] The other guide hole 322b (on the recovery path 303 side) also communicates with the guide grooves 323b and 331b. The guide groove 323b is a groove formed on the side surface of the pressing portion 32 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning head 31. The guide groove 331b is also a groove formed on the side surface of the flange portion 33 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning head 31.

[0049] The first cleaning element 10, which has reached the pressing surface 321 via the supply path 302, passes over the center of the pressing surface 321 and moves toward the other guide hole 322b on the pressing surface 321. The first cleaning element 10, which has entered the guide hole 322b, passes through the guide grooves 323b and 331b, reaches the rear end of the first cleaning shaft 30, and is taken up onto the take-up bobbin 53. That is, a portion of the recovery path 303 is defined by the guide hole 322b and the guide grooves 323b and 331b.

[0050] Note that the means for defining the transport path 301 in the cleaning head 31 is not particularly limited to the above-mentioned guide holes and guide grooves, as long as it is possible to guide the first cleaning element 10 being supplied to and collected from the pressing surface 321. For example, the transport path 301 may be defined by a protrusion formed on the side surface of the cleaning head 31. Furthermore, as means for defining the transport path 301, any combination of guide holes, guide grooves, protrusions, etc. may be used, and the guide holes, guide grooves, protrusions, etc. may be arranged in any desired manner.

[0051] An insertion hole 324 is also formed in the pressing portion 32. This insertion hole 324 has a circular cross-sectional shape. This insertion hole 324 has a first opening 325 that opens into the pressing surface 321. This first opening 325 is located at the center of the pressing surface 321. It is possible to insert the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100 into the insertion hole 324 through this first opening 325. The center of this insertion hole 324 substantially coincides with a rotation axis RA (described later) of the first cleaning shaft 30.

[0052] The cleaning head 31 has a wall 328 that surrounds the insertion hole 324. The insertion hole 324 is defined by this wall 328. This wall 328 is interposed between the guide groove 323b and the insertion hole 324, and separates the guide groove 323b from the insertion hole 324. A second opening 326 is formed in the wall 328 in a portion that corresponds to the recovery path 303.

[0053] The second opening 326 penetrates the wall portion 328 in its thickness direction (radial direction of the insertion hole 324) and opens to the inner circumferential surface 324a of the insertion hole 324. The insertion hole 324 and the recovery path 303 are connected via the second opening 326. Therefore, the recovery path 303 is exposed to the insertion hole 324 via the second opening 326, and the transport path 301 has a portion exposed to the insertion hole 324. The first cleaning element 10 passing through the recovery path 303 can come into contact with the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 inserted into the insertion hole 324 via the second opening 326. The wider the second opening 326 is in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning head 31, the larger the contact area between the first cleaning element 10 and the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 can be secured. Furthermore, by forming the second opening 326 only in the recovery path 303 and not in the supply path 302, foreign matter wiped off by the supply path 302 can be prevented from re-adhering to the pressing surface 321.

[0054] A flange portion 33 is connected to the rear side of the pressing portion 32. The flange portion 33 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the pressing portion 32 and the diameter of the insertion portion 34. The tip end of the second biasing member 36 contacts the flange portion 33. As described above, a pair of guide grooves 331 a, 331 b are formed on the side surface of the flange portion 33. The pair of guide grooves 331 a, 331 b penetrate the flange portion 33 in its thickness direction (a first direction described below).

[0055] It should be noted that the configuration of the cleaning head 31 is not particularly limited to the above. For example, as shown in Fig. 7(a) , in addition to the second opening 326 on the recovery path 303 side, a second opening 326 may also be provided on the supply path 302 side.

[0056] Specifically, this second opening 326 is interposed between the guide groove 323a on the supply path 302 side and the insertion hole 324. This second opening 326 penetrates the wall portion 328 in its thickness direction (radial direction of the insertion hole 324), and the insertion hole 324 and the supply path 302 communicate with each other via this second opening 326. Therefore, the supply path 302 is exposed to the insertion hole 324 via this second opening 326. The first cleaning element 10 passing through this supply path 302 can come into contact with the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 inserted into the insertion hole 324 via the second opening 326, thereby enabling even better cleaning of the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112.

[0057] 7(b), instead of the guide groove 323a on the recovery path 303 side, the second opening 326 may be open to the inner circumferential surface 324a of the insertion hole 324 and communicate with the guide hole 322b on the recovery path 303 side. In this case, the closer the opening position of the second opening 326 on the inner circumferential surface 324a of the insertion hole 324 is to the tip side, the wider the contact area between the first cleaning element 10 and the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 can be ensured.

[0058] In this case, a third opening 327 is formed in the bottom surface 324b of the insertion hole 324. Furthermore, instead of the guide grooves 323b and 331b, guide holes 323d and 332b communicating with the third opening 327 are formed in the cleaning head 31 and the flange portion 33, respectively.

[0059] 7B , the recovery path 303 passes through the second opening 326 and enters the insertion hole 324, passes through the insertion hole 324, and then exits the insertion hole 324 through the third opening 327. That is, the transport path 301 has a portion that is located within the insertion hole 324 through the second and third openings 326 and 327. The first cleaning element 10 passing through this recovery path 303 moves inside the insertion hole 324, and can therefore come into contact with the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 inserted into the insertion hole 324. Furthermore, by forming the second and third openings 326 and 327 only in the recovery path 303 and not in the supply path 302, it is possible to prevent foreign matter wiped off by the supply path 302 from re-adhering to the pressing surface 321.

[0060] 7(b), the third opening 327 opens to the bottom surface 324b of the insertion hole 324, and is located more inward than the second opening 326 in the radial direction (the up-down direction in the figure) of the insertion hole 324. This allows the first cleaning element 10 moving inside the insertion hole 324 to be pressed against the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112, allowing the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 to be cleaned even more effectively.

[0061] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7( c), in addition to the second and third openings 326 and 327 on the recovery path 303 side described in FIG. 7( b), second and third openings 326 and 327 may also be provided on the supply path 302 side. In this case, instead of the guide grooves 323 a and 331 a, guide holes 323 c and 332 a communicating with the third opening 327 on the supply path 302 side are formed in the cleaning head 31 and the flange portion 33, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 7( c), the first cleaning element 10 passing through the supply path 302 also moves inside the insertion hole 324 and can come into contact with the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 inserted into the insertion hole 324. This allows for even better cleaning of the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112.

[0062] 7(b) and 7(c), if the third opening 327 is located closer to the rear end than the second opening 326, the third opening 327 may open on the inner circumferential surface 324a of the insertion hole 324 instead of on the bottom surface 324b of the insertion hole 324. In this case, the closer the opening position of the third opening 327 on the inner circumferential surface 324a of the insertion hole 324 is to the rear end, the wider the contact area between the first cleaning element 10 and the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 can be secured.

[0063] 4 to 6 , the cleaning head 31 is supported on the shaft body 35 so as to be movable relative to the shaft body 35. Specifically, the cleaning head 31 is movable along a first direction. Here, this first direction is the direction in which the cleaner 1 is inserted into or removed from the adapter 140 during cleaning, the direction in which the support body 70 moves relative to the housing 80, the longitudinal direction of the cleaning shafts 30 and 40, the direction in which the cleaning shafts 30 and 40 press the cleaning elements 10 and 20 against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, and the direction in which the guide pin 112 protrudes from the pressing surface 321.

[0064] The shaft body 35 is a cylindrical member made of, for example, a resin material. An insertion hole 351 and a window 352 are formed at the tip of the shaft body 35. The insertion hole 351 is a hole that opens at the tip of the shaft body 35, and the insertion portion 34 of the cleaning head 31 is inserted into this insertion hole 351 so as to be movable along the first direction. The window 352 opens from the insertion hole 351 to the side surface of the shaft body 35, and the protrusion 341 of the insertion portion 34 is inserted into this window 352.

[0065] 8, a pair of guide holes 353a, 353b are formed inside the shaft body 35. The pair of guide holes 353a, 353b extend along the longitudinal direction (first direction) of the shaft body 35. The first cleaning element 10 can pass through the inside of each of the guide holes 353a, 353b.

[0066] The first cleaning element 10 delivered from the delivery bobbin 51 enters one of the guide holes 353a at the rear end of the shaft body 35. After passing through this one guide hole 353a, the first cleaning shaft 30 passes through the guide grooves 331a, 323a and the guide hole 322a of the cleaning head 31 to reach the pressing surface 321. That is, a part of the supply path 302 described above is defined by the one guide hole 353a of the shaft body 35.

[0067] On the other hand, the first cleaning element 10, which is used on the pressing surface 321 and passes through the guide hole 322b and guide grooves 323b and 331b of the cleaning head 31, enters the other guide hole 353b at the tip of the shaft body 35. Then, the first cleaning element 10, which has passed through this other guide hole 353b, is taken up onto the take-up bobbin 53. In other words, a part of the recovery path 303 described above is defined by the other guide hole 353b of the shaft body 35.

[0068] As with the cleaning head 31 described above, the means for defining the transport path 301 in the shaft body 35 is not particularly limited to the guide hole described above, as long as it is possible to guide the first cleaning element 10 supplied to and collected from the pressing surface 321. For example, the transport path 301 may be defined by a guide groove or a protrusion formed on the side surface of the shaft body 35. Furthermore, as means for defining the transport path 301, any combination of guide holes, guide grooves, protrusions, etc. may be used, and the guide holes, guide grooves, protrusions, etc. may be arranged in any desired manner.

[0069] As shown in Figure 8, the shaft main body 35 has an expanded diameter portion 354 at its rear end. A spiral cam groove 355 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the expanded diameter portion 354. As will be described later, a cam pin 84 of the housing 80 is inserted into the cam groove 355. The cam groove 355 and the cam pin 84 enable the first cleaning shaft 30 to rotate about a rotation axis RA that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first cleaning shaft 30 (the above-mentioned first direction) in conjunction with relative movement of the support body 70 with respect to the housing 80.

[0070] 5 and 6 , the second biasing member 36 is interposed between the flange portion 33 of the cleaning head 31 and the shaft body 35. This second biasing member 36 biases the cleaning head 31 forward relative to the shaft body 35, allowing the pressing surface 321 of the cleaning head 31 to press the first cleaning element 10 with an appropriate pressing force against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100. Specific examples of the second biasing member 36 are not particularly limited, but include, for example, a coil spring.

[0071] As shown in Figures 2 and 9, the second cleaning shaft 40 is also a shaft-shaped member extending along the longitudinal direction of the cleaner 1. The second cleaning shaft 40 has a pressing surface 421 at its tip that presses the second cleaning element 20 against the connection end surface 111 of the optical connector 100. This pressing surface 421 corresponds to an example of a "second tip surface" in this aspect of the present invention. The second cleaning element 20 is wound around the second cleaning shaft 40 so as to be folded back at the pressing surface 421. 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 421 is then collected on a take-up bobbin 54.

[0072] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second cleaning shaft 40 has a tip portion with a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The second cleaning element 20 supplied to and collected from the pressing surface 421 can pass above and below the second cleaning shaft 40. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 9, an unused second cleaning element 20 fed from the feed bobbin 52 passes below the second cleaning shaft 40 and is supplied to the pressing surface 321. Then, the used second cleaning element 20 passes from the pressing surface 421 above the second cleaning shaft 40 and is wound onto the take-up bobbin 54.

[0073] 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 composed 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.

[0074] The pair of first cleaning shafts 30 are arranged side by side in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (first direction) of the cleaner 1, and extend parallel to each other. The second cleaning shaft 40 is arranged 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, 8, and 9, 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.

[0075] 2, 8, and 9, the guide nozzle 60 is a cylindrical member extending along the longitudinal direction of the cleaner 1. The tip portion of this guide nozzle 60 has an outer shape that can be fitted into the insertion opening 141 of the adapter 140 of the optical connector 100. When the tip portion of the guide nozzle 60 is fitted into the insertion opening 141 of the adapter 140, the pressing surfaces 321, 421 of the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 are positioned with respect to the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, and the insertion hole 324 of the first cleaning shaft 30 is positioned with respect to the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100.

[0076] The guide nozzle 60 is connected to a support body 70, and the rear end portions of the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 extend into the support body 70. The pair of first cleaning shafts 30 are each supported by the support body 70 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis RA that is parallel to the longitudinal direction (the above-mentioned first direction) of the first cleaning shaft 30. In contrast, the second cleaning shaft 40 is fixed to the support body 70 and cannot rotate relative to the support body 70.

[0077] 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 2, 8, and 9, 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 rotatable in one direction, and contrary to this embodiment, the bobbins 51 to 54 may be rotatable only counterclockwise, with clockwise rotation being restricted.

[0078] 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.

[0079] A first biasing member 90 is interposed between the support body 70 and the housing 80. This first biasing member 90 biases the support body 70 forward relative to the housing 80. A specific example of this first biasing member 90 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a coil spring.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 8 , the take-up bobbin 53 supported by the support body 70 has a pinion gear 55. The housing 80 has a rack gear 82 that meshes 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 linear motion into rotational motion, causing the take-up bobbin 53 to rotate, and the first cleaning element 10 used on the pressing surface 321 of the first cleaning shaft 30 is taken up onto the take-up bobbin 53. At this time, the first cleaning element 10 passes through the recovery path 303 of the first cleaning shaft 30 described above. Furthermore, a tensile force acts on the first cleaning element 10 in conjunction with this take-up 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 321 of the first cleaning shaft 30. At this time, the first cleaning element 10 passes through the supply path 302 of the first cleaning shaft 30 described above.

[0081] 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 321 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 321 of the first cleaning shaft 30 and recovering the first cleaning element 10 from the pressing surface 321.

[0082] 9 , 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 in the first direction, 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 used on the pressing surface 421 of the second cleaning shaft 40 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 supply bobbin 52 to rotate, and the second cleaning element 20 is delivered from the supply bobbin 52 to the pressing surface 421 of the second cleaning shaft 40.

[0083] 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 421 of the second cleaning shaft 40 is realized by the two bobbins 52, 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 421 of the second cleaning shaft 40 and recovering the second cleaning element 20 from the pressing surface 421.

[0084] 8, a spiral cam groove 355 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the expanded diameter portion 354 of the first cleaning shaft 30. The housing 80 has a cam pin 84 inserted into this cam groove 355. 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 355, causing the first cleaning shaft 30 to rotate about the rotation axis RA.

[0085] That is, in this embodiment, the "rotation mechanism" that rotates the first cleaning shaft 30 about the rotation axis RA is realized by a cam mechanism consisting of the cam pin 84 and the cam groove 355, 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 the rotation axis RA.

[0086] Next, an example of how to use the cleaner 1 described above will be described.

[0087] 2 , when cleaning the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 using the cleaner 1, the worker first inserts the tip of the cleaner 1 into the insertion opening 141 of the adapter 140. At this time, the tip of the guide nozzle 60 fits into the insertion opening 141, so that the pressing surfaces 321 and 421 of the first and second cleaning shafts 30 and 40 are positioned relative to the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, and the insertion hole 324 of the first cleaning shaft 30 is positioned relative to the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100.

[0088] 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 324 of the first cleaning shaft 30, and the pressing surfaces 321, 421 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.

[0089] Next, when the operator pushes the housing 80 against the guide nozzle 60 in the first direction, the first biasing member 90 contracts, and the rack gear 82 and the pinion gear 55 rotate the take-up bobbin 53. As a result, the used first cleaning element 10 is collected from the pressing surface 321 onto the take-up bobbin 53, and an unused first cleaning element 10 is supplied from the delivery bobbin 51 to the pressing surface 321 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 on the connection end face 111. In addition, in this embodiment, the first cleaning body 10 passing through the recovery path 303 slides through the second opening 326 while contacting the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 inserted into the insertion hole 324, so that the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 can also be cleaned.

[0090] At this time, in this embodiment, the cam pin 84 of the housing 80 slides relatively within the cam groove 355 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 about the rotation axis RA. This rotation of the rotation mechanism causes the first cleaning element 10, which is pressed against the connecting end surface 111 by the first cleaning shaft 30, to rotate about the guide pin 112, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3(b).

[0091] 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. Furthermore, as the first cleaning shaft 30 rotates, the first cleaning element 10 that is in contact with the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 through the second opening 326 also rotates around the guide pin 112, so that the entire circumferential area of ​​the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 can be cleaned. Note that although the first cleaning element 10 is rotated 90 degrees by the rotation mechanism in FIG. 3B, the rotation angle of the first cleaning shaft 30 by the rotation mechanism is not limited to 90 degrees.

[0092] 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 421 onto the take-up bobbin 54, and an unused second cleaning element 20 is supplied from the delivery bobbin 52 to the pressing surface 421 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.

[0093] Next, when the operator releases the pushing of the housing 80 against the guide nozzle 60, the elastic force of the first 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).

[0094] 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 355 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.

[0095] 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 port 141 of the adapter 140 .

[0096] As described above, in this embodiment, the first cleaning shaft 30 is provided with the second opening 326 that opens to the inner circumferential surface 324a of the insertion hole 324 and communicates with the transport path 301. This allows a wide area of ​​the first cleaning element 10 guided by the transport path 301 to come into contact with the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100 via this second opening 326, thereby enabling the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 to be cleaned well.

[0097] 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 a rotation mechanism shown in Fig. 8. This allows the first cleaning element 10 to contact the entire circumferential area around the guide pin 112 on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, thereby reducing unwiped areas on the connection end face 111. Furthermore, since the first cleaning shaft 30 is rotated by the rotation mechanism while the first cleaning element 10 is in contact with the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 through the second opening 326, the side surface 113 of the guide pin 112 can be cleaned even more effectively.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first cleaning body 10 is slid over the connection end face 111 by the first supply and recovery mechanism while being pressed against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, thereby reducing the re-adhesion of dirt. Also, the first cleaning body 10 is moved by the first supply and recovery mechanism while being in contact with the side face 113 of the guide pin 112 via the second opening 326, thereby enabling even better cleaning of the side face 113 of the guide pin 112.

[0099] Second Embodiment An optical connector 200 to be cleaned by an optical connector cleaning tool 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention is a single-fiber connection type optical connector plug. Fig. 10 is a front view showing the single-fiber connection type optical connector 200 to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool 1B according to this embodiment.

[0100] 10 , the optical connector 200 includes a cylindrical ferrule 210 and a housing 230 that houses the ferrule 210. The ferrule 210 has a fiber holding hole that penetrates the ferrule 210 in the longitudinal direction. An optical fiber 220 is inserted into the fiber holding hole, and the optical fiber 220 is fixed to the ferrule 210 with an adhesive or the like. The optical fiber 220 is exposed from a circular connection end face 211 of the ferrule 210.

[0101] Although not particularly limited, specific examples of such optical connector 200 include a single-fiber optical connector such as an SC (Single-fiber Coupling) connector defined in JIS C5973, an FC (Fiber Connector) connector defined in JIS C5970, an MU (Miniature Universal) connector defined in JIS C 5983, and an LC (Lucent Connector) connector.

[0102] When connecting a pair of optical connectors 200 each including the above-described ferrules 210, an adapter (not shown) is used. Specifically, the pair of optical connectors 200 are inserted through openings on both sides of the adapter, and the ferrules 210 are inserted into openings on both sides of a sleeve provided in the adapter. Then, by butting the connection end faces 211 of the pair of ferrules 210 together in the sleeve, the optical fibers 220 exposed from the connection end faces 211 of the ferrules 210 are optically connected to each other. Before connecting the optical connectors 200 to each other, the side faces 212 of the ferrules 210 are cleaned using an optical connector cleaning tool 1B described below to remove foreign matter adhering to the side faces 212 of the ferrules 210.

[0103] The configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool 1B in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0104] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of an optical connector cleaning tool 1B in this embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the tip portion of the optical connector cleaning tool 1B in this embodiment.

[0105] This embodiment differs from the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the first embodiment in that (1) the optical connector cleaning tool 1B has only one first cleaning shaft 30, and (2) the optical connector cleaning tool 1B does not have a second cleaning shaft 40, a feed bobbin 52, or a take-up bobbin 54, but other configurations are the same as the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the first embodiment. Below, only the differences between the optical connector cleaning tool 1B of the second embodiment and the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the first embodiment will be described, and parts that are the same as those of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0106] 11 , an optical connector cleaning tool 1B (hereinafter also simply referred to as "cleaner 1B") of this embodiment includes a first cleaning shaft 30, a delivery bobbin 51, a take-up bobbin 53, a guide nozzle 60, a support 70, a housing 80, and a first biasing member 90. As described above, this cleaner 1B includes only one first cleaning shaft 30. Furthermore, this cleaner 1B does not include a second cleaning shaft 40, a delivery bobbin 52, or a take-up bobbin 54.

[0107] Although not specifically shown, this cleaner 1B includes a first supply and recovery mechanism and a rotation mechanism, similar to the optical connector cleaning tool 1 of the first embodiment. As described above, the first supply and recovery mechanism is a mechanism that supplies and recovers the first cleaning body 10 to the pressing surface 321 of the first cleaning shaft 30. The rotation mechanism is a mechanism that rotates the first cleaning shaft 30 about the rotation axis RA.

[0108] 12, similar to the cleaner 1 of the first embodiment, an insertion hole 324 is formed in the pressing portion 32 of the cleaning head 31 of the first cleaning shaft 30. The ferrule 210 of the optical connector 200 can be inserted into this insertion hole 324. A second opening 326 is formed in a portion of a wall portion 328 surrounding the insertion hole 324 that corresponds to the recovery path 303. The insertion hole 324 and the recovery path 303 are connected via this second opening 326. Therefore, the first cleaning element 10 passing through the recovery path 303 can come into contact with the side surface 212 of the ferrule 210 inserted into the insertion hole 324 via the second opening 326. Note that the cleaning head 31 of this cleaner 1B may have the configurations shown in FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) instead of the configuration shown in FIG. 12.

[0109] Next, an example of how to use this cleaner 1B will be described.

[0110] 11 , when cleaning the side surface 212 of the ferrule 210 of the optical connector 100 using the cleaner 1B, the worker first inserts the cleaning head 31 of the first cleaning shaft 30 into the recess 231 of the housing 230 of the optical connector 200. At this time, the ferrule 210 of the optical connector 200 penetrates the first cleaning body 10, and the ferrule 210 is inserted into the insertion hole 324 of the cleaning head 31.

[0111] Next, when the operator pushes the housing 80 against the guide nozzle 60 in the first direction, the first biasing member 90 contracts, and the rack gear 82 and the pinion gear 55 (see FIG. 8 ) rotate the take-up bobbin 53. As a result, the used first cleaning element 10 is collected from the pressing surface 321 onto the take-up bobbin 53, and an unused first cleaning element 10 is supplied from the delivery bobbin 51 to the pressing surface 321 of the first cleaning shaft 30. As a result, the first cleaning element 10 passing through the collection path 303 slides in contact with the side surface 212 of the ferrule 210 inserted into the insertion hole 324 via the second opening 326, and wipes off dirt adhering to the side surface 212.

[0112] At this time, in this embodiment, when the operator pushes the housing 80 into the guide nozzle 60, the cam pin 84 of the housing 80 slides relatively within the cam groove 355 of the first cleaning shaft 30, causing the first cleaning shaft 30 to rotate about the rotation axis RA. In this way, by rotating the first cleaning shaft 30 using the rotation mechanism, the side surface 212 of the ferrule 210 can be cleaned over the entire circumference.

[0113] Next, when the operator releases the pushing of the housing 80 against the guide nozzle 60, the elastic force of the first biasing member 90 causes the housing 80 to retract relative to the guide nozzle 60. At this time, a ratchet mechanism (not shown) restricts counterclockwise rotation of either bobbin 51, 53, preventing them from rotating. Meanwhile, this release action by the operator causes the cam pin 84 of the housing 80 to slide relatively within the cam groove 355 of the first cleaning shaft 30, causing the first cleaning shaft 30 to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation direction during the above-mentioned pushing action.

[0114] When cleaning is completed, the worker removes the cleaner 1 from the optical connector 200 by pulling out the cleaning head 31 of the first cleaning shaft 30 from the recess 231 of the housing 230 of the optical connector 200 .

[0115] As described above, in this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the first cleaning shaft 30 is provided with the second opening 326 that opens to the inner circumferential surface 324a of the insertion hole 324 and communicates with the transport path 301. This allows a wide area of ​​the first cleaning element 10 guided by the transport path 301 to come into contact with the side surface 212 of the ferrule 210 of the optical connector 200 via this second opening 326, thereby enabling the side surface 212 of the ferrule 210 to be cleaned well.

[0116] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first cleaning shaft 30 is rotated by the rotation mechanism while the first cleaning body 10 is in contact with the side surface 212 of the ferrule 210 through the second opening 326, so that the side surface 212 of the ferrule 210 can be cleaned even better.

[0117] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first cleaning body 10 is moved by the first supply and recovery mechanism while being in contact with the side surface 212 of the ferrule 210 through the second opening 326, thereby enabling even better cleaning of the side surface 212 of the ferrule 210.

[0118] 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.

[0119] The cleaner 1 described in the first embodiment is provided with a second cleaning shaft 40 interposed between a pair of first cleaning shafts 30, but the cleaner 1 does not necessarily have to be provided with a second cleaning shaft 40.

[0120] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1B...optical connector cleaning tool 10...first cleaning body 11...filament-like member 20...second cleaning body 30...first cleaning shaft 301...transport path 302...supply path 303...recovery path 321...pressing surface 322a, 322b...guide holes 323a, 323b...guide grooves 323c, 323d...guide holes 324...insertion hole 324a...inner peripheral surface 324b...bottom surface 325-327...first to third openings 328...wall portion 35...shaft body 355...cam groove 40...second cleaning shaft 421...pressing surface 51, 52...feed-out bobbin 53, 54...take-up bobbin 55, 56...pinion gear 70...support body 80...housing 82, 83...rack gear 84: Cam pin 100: Optical connector 110: Ferrule 112: Guide pin 113: Side surface 200: Optical connector 210: Ferrule 212: Side surface

Claims

1. An optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning an optical connector equipped with a columnar member, comprising: a first cleaning body having a plurality of thread-like members arranged to extend in the same direction and through which the columnar member can pass; a first cleaning shaft around which the first cleaning body is wound so as to bend back at a first tip surface; the first cleaning shaft having a first opening that opens at the first tip surface and an insertion hole through which the columnar member can be inserted; a transport path that guides the first cleaning body; and a second opening that opens at the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole and that communicates with the transport path or through which the transport path passes.

2. An optical connector cleaning tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cleaning shaft has a wall portion interposed between the insertion hole and the transport path, the second opening passes through the wall portion and communicates with the transport path, and the transport path has a portion exposed to the insertion hole via the second opening.

3. An optical connector cleaning tool as described in claim 1, wherein the first cleaning shaft has: a second opening that opens into the inner surface of the insertion hole and through which the transport path passes; and a third opening that opens into the inner surface of the insertion hole at a rear end side of the second opening and through which the transport path passes; and the transport path has a portion that is located within the insertion hole via the second and third openings.

4. An optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 3, wherein the third opening opens to the bottom surface of the insertion hole and is located radially inward of the second opening.

5. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a rotation mechanism that rotates the first cleaning shaft around a rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first cleaning shaft.

6. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a supply and recovery mechanism that supplies the first cleaning body to the first tip surface and recovers the first cleaning body from the first tip surface.

7. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transport path comprises: a supply path that guides the first cleaning body supplied to the first tip surface; and a recovery path that guides the first cleaning body recovered from the first tip surface, and the second opening communicates with the recovery path or allows the recovery path to pass through.

8. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transport path comprises: a supply path that guides the first cleaning body supplied to the first tip surface; and a recovery path that guides the first cleaning body recovered from the first tip surface; the first cleaning shaft comprises two second openings, one of the second openings communicates with the recovery path or allows the recovery path to pass through, and the other second opening communicates with the supply path or allows the supply path to pass through.

9. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: a pair of said first cleaning bodies; a pair of said first cleaning shafts; a second cleaning body; and a second cleaning shaft around which said second cleaning bodies are wound so as to be folded back at a second tip surface, said second cleaning shaft being arranged between said pair of first cleaning shafts.

10. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the columnar member is a cylindrical guide pin provided on the connecting end face of a ferrule, and the first tip surface is a pressing surface that presses the first cleaning body against the connecting end face.

11. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the columnar member is a cylindrical ferrule.

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