Optical connector cleaning tool

Abstract

This optical connector cleaning tool (1) comprises: a pair of first cleaning bodies (10) each of which is provided with a plurality of thread-shaped members (11) arranged so as to extend in the same direction, and through each of which a guide pin (112) of an optical connector (100) can pass; and a pair of first cleaning shafts (30) each of which has, at a front end, a pressing surface (321) that presses the first cleaning body (10) against a connection end surface (111) of the optical connector (100), and around each of which the first cleaning body (10) is wound. Each of the first cleaning shafts (30) has an insertion hole (324) which is open on the pressing surface (321) and into which the guide pin (112) can be inserted, and the relative positional relationship between the front end portions of the pair of first cleaning shafts (30) is variable in the arrangement direction of the pair of first cleaning shafts (30).

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. 2024-088899 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 that includes a thread-like cleaning member that can contact the area around the pins on the end face of the optical connector, and a receiving portion that has a hole that can accommodate the pins common to two types of optical connectors, and that can clean the end faces of two types of optical connectors with different pin spacing (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (paragraphs

[0034] to

[0036] and Figure 9)).

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

[0004] In the above-mentioned cleaner, the dimensions of the receiving hole are enlarged to include the positions of the pins of two types of optical connectors, which creates a cavity in the area around the base of the pin in the receiving part, which can cause the cleaning member to press insufficiently in some places, resulting in unstable cleaning quality.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical connector cleaning tool that can stabilize the quality of cleaning a plurality of types of optical connectors having different guide pin pitches.

[0006] [1] Aspect 1 of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning an optical connector having a connection end surface and a pair of guide pins, comprising: a pair of first cleaning bodies each having a plurality of thread-like members arranged to extend in the same direction, through which the guide pins can each pass; and a pair of first cleaning shafts each having a first pressing surface at its tip that presses the first cleaning body against the connection end surface, around which the first cleaning body is respectively wound, each of the first cleaning shafts having an insertion hole that opens to the first pressing surface and through which the guide pin can be inserted, and the relative positional relationship of the tip portions of the pair of first cleaning shafts is variable in the arrangement direction of the pair of first cleaning shafts.

[0007] [2] Aspect 2 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to aspect 1, wherein each of the first cleaning shafts includes a cleaning head having the first pressing surface and a support shaft that supports the cleaning head, and the cleaning head is tiltably supported on the support shaft.

[0008] [3] Aspect 3 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool comprises a tubular member that houses the pair of first cleaning shafts, and the optical connector cleaning tool has a gap between the tip portions of the first cleaning shafts and the tubular member, and the gap has a size that can allow for changes in the relative positional relationship of the tip portions of the first cleaning shafts.

[0009] [4] Aspect 4 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool in any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the insertion hole has a tapered surface provided at the opening of the insertion hole, and the relative positional relationship of the tip portion of the first cleaning shaft changes when the guide pin abuts against the tapered surface.

[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 each of the first cleaning shafts comprises a cleaning head having the first pressing surface and a support shaft supporting the cleaning head, the cleaning head being tiltably supported on the support shaft, and the first cleaning body having a thickness greater than the distance between the first pressing surface of the cleaning head tilted relative to the support shaft and the connection end face.

[0011] [6] Aspect 6 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, 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.

[0012] [7] A seventh aspect of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool according to the sixth 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.

[0013] [8] Aspect 8 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool is equipped with a supply and recovery mechanism that supplies the first cleaning body to the first pressing surface and recovers the first cleaning body from the first pressing surface.

[0014] [9] A ninth aspect of the present invention is an optical connector cleaning tool according to the eighth aspect, 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 to the first pressing surface in accordance with the relative movement of the support body with respect to the housing.

[0015]

[10] Aspect 10 of the present invention may be an optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the optical connector cleaning tool comprises a second cleaning body and a second cleaning shaft around which the second cleaning body is wound, the second cleaning shaft having a second pressing surface at its tip that presses the second cleaning body against the connection end face, and the second cleaning shaft is disposed between the pair of first cleaning shafts.

[0016] In the present invention, the relative positional relationship between the tip portions of a pair of first cleaning shafts can be changed in the arrangement direction of the pair of first cleaning shafts, thereby stabilizing the quality of cleaning multiple types of optical connectors with different guide pin pitches.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an optical connector to be cleaned by an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3(a) is a plan view showing a first cleaning element according to an 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 an 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. 4. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first supply and recovery mechanism and a rotation mechanism included in an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second supply and recovery mechanism included in an optical connector cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating cleaning of a first optical connector using the optical connector cleaning tool according to this embodiment. FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating cleaning of a second optical connector using the optical connector cleaning tool according to this embodiment.

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

[0019] The optical connector cleaning tool 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention is a cleaner for cleaning the connection end faces of optical connectors that connect optical fibers together. Fig. 1 is a front view showing an optical connector 100 that is the object to be cleaned by the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment. Fig. 1 shows the optical connector 100 in a state where it is inserted into an adapter 140.

[0020] 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 aligned along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the ferrule 110 (see Figs. 9(a) and 9(b)). 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 as defined in JIS C 5981 or JIS C 5982 may be used as the ferrule 110.

[0021] 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 113 to facilitate insertion into the guide hole (see FIGS. 9A and 10A). The pair of guide pins 112 are arranged on both ends of the end face 111 of the ferrule 110, and an area in which multiple optical fibers 120 are exposed on the end face 111 is interposed 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] Furthermore, the pitch (center-to-center distance) Pg between a pair of guide pins 112 can be set arbitrarily, and the outer diameter Dg of the guide pins 112 can also be set arbitrarily. Although not particularly limited, as an example, the pitch Pg between the guide pins 112 provided in the optical connector 100A (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "first optical connector 100A") (see FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)) equipped with the above-mentioned 12 optical fibers 120 is 4.6 mm (Pg = 4.6 mm), and the outer diameter Dg of the guide pins 112 is 0.699 mm or less (Dg ≦ 0.699 mm). In contrast, the optical connector 100B (hereinafter also referred to simply as the "second optical connector 100B") having 16 optical fibers 120 (see Figures 10(a) and 10(b)) has a pitch Pg between the guide pins 112 of 5.3 mm (Pg = 5.3 mm), and the outer diameter Dg of the guide pins 112 is 0.549 mm or less (Dg ≦ 0.549 mm).

[0024] These two types of optical connectors 100A and 100B basically have the same structure, although they differ in the number of optical fibers 120, the pitch Pg of the guide pins 112, and the outer diameter Dg of the guide pins 112. In this embodiment, these two types of optical connectors 100A and 100B are collectively referred to as "optical connector 100."

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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 ).

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The configuration of the optical connector cleaning tool 1 in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 8. This optical connector cleaning tool 1 is a cleaner that can clean both of the above-mentioned two types of optical connectors 100A and 100B, which have different pitches Pg of the guide pins 112.

[0030] 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, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 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. 8 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.

[0031] 2, 7, and 8 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. Also, for convenience, the guide nozzle 60 is not shown in Figure 4, and the first cleaning element 10 is not shown in Figure 5.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] This first cleaning body 10 does not have 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).

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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 of the optical connector 100. Both of these first cleaning shafts 30 have the same configuration.

[0039] 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. The shaft body 35 corresponds to an example of a "support shaft" in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] A pair of guide holes 322, 323 are formed in the pressing portion 32. The pair of guide holes 322, 323 open at the tip of the pressing portion 32 and are arranged to face each other across the pressing surface 321. The pressing surface 321 is located between the pair of guide holes 322, 323. The first cleaning element 10 can pass through the inside of the shaft main body 35 via the guide holes 322, 323.

[0043] An unused first cleaning element 10 fed from the feed bobbin 51 passes through the inside of the shaft body 35 and one of the guide holes 322, and is supplied to the pressing surface 321. The first cleaning element 10 supplied to the pressing surface 321 passes over the center of the pressing surface 321 and moves on the pressing surface 321 toward the other guide hole 323. Then, a used first cleaning element 10 passes through the other guide hole 323 and the inside of the shaft body 35, and is taken up onto the take-up bobbin 53. Note that instead of the above-described guide holes 322, 323, a pair of guide grooves may be formed on the side surface of the cleaning head 31, and the first cleaning element 10 may be supplied to and collected from the pressing surface 321 via these guide grooves.

[0044] An insertion hole 324 is formed in the pressing surface 321. The insertion hole 324 has a circular cross section and opens at the center of the pressing surface 321. The guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100 can be inserted into the insertion hole 324. The center of the insertion hole 324 substantially coincides with a rotation axis RA (see FIG. 7 ) of the first cleaning shaft 30, which will be described later.

[0045] The insertion hole 324 has a tapered surface 327 at an opening 325 of the insertion hole 324. The tapered surface 327 has an inclination that widens radially outward from the insertion hole 324 as it moves from the rear end side to the front end side of the cleaner 1. As an example, and not particularly limited thereto, in order to accommodate the first optical connector 100A (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) having a guide pin 112 with a large outer diameter Dg, when the inner diameter Di of the inner circumferential surface 326 of the insertion hole 324 is greater than 0.699 mm (Di > 0.699 mm), the outer diameter Dt of the tapered surface 327 is preferably 0.9755 mm or greater (Dt ≧ 0.9755 mm).

[0046] 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 flange portion 33 is in contact with the end portion on the tip side of the second biasing member 36.

[0047] An insertion portion 34 is connected to the rear side of the flange portion 33. The insertion portion 34 is inserted into the tip portion of the shaft body 35. A protrusion 341 that protrudes toward the side of the cleaning head 31 is formed at the rear end portion of the insertion portion 34.

[0048] 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, 40, the direction in which the cleaning shafts 30, 40 press the cleaning elements 10, 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.

[0049] 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 part 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 part 34 is inserted into this window 352.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relative positional relationship between the tip portions of the pair of first cleaning shafts 30 is variable in a second direction. Specifically, the cleaning head 31 is tiltably supported on the shaft body 35. As shown by the dashed line in Fig. 5 , the cleaning head 31 is tiltable in the second direction. Here, this second direction is the direction in which the pair of first cleaning shafts 30 are lined up (the arrangement direction of the pair of first cleaning shafts 30), and is a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

[0051] Although not particularly limited, this tilting of the cleaning head 31 relative to the shaft body 35 can be achieved, for example, by ensuring a relatively wide clearance (spacing) S1 between the insertion portion 34 of the cleaning head 31 and the shaft body 35. Note that the method for achieving tilting of the cleaning head 31 relative to the shaft body 35 is not particularly limited to the above. For example, tilting of the cleaning head 31 may be achieved by making the insertion portion 34 of the cleaning head 31 out of an elastic material. Alternatively, tilting of the cleaning head 31 may be achieved by utilizing the elasticity of the shaft body 35.

[0052] 7, the shaft main body 35 has an expanded diameter portion 353 at its rear end, and a spiral cam groove 354 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the expanded diameter portion 353. As will be described later, a cam pin 84 of the housing 80 is inserted into the cam groove 354. The cam groove 354 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 (first direction) of the first cleaning shaft 30 as the support body 70 moves relative to the housing 80.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 2 and 8 , 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. 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.

[0055] 4 and 5, the second cleaning shaft 40 has a tip portion with a rectangular cross-sectional shape, allowing the second cleaning element 20 supplied to and collected from the pressing surface 421 to pass above and below the second cleaning shaft 40. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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 to correspond to the arrangement of the above-mentioned areas AR1 and AR2 (see FIG. 1). The pair of first cleaning shafts 30 are preferably arranged so that the pitch Pi between the insertion holes 324 of the pair of first cleaning shafts 30 matches the pitch Pg (see FIG. 1) of the guide pins 112 of the first or second optical connector 100A or 100B. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the pair of first cleaning shafts 30 are arranged so that the pitch Pi between the insertion holes 324 matches the narrow pitch Pg (see FIG. 1) of the first optical connector 100A.

[0058] 2, 7, and 8, the guide nozzle 60 is a cylindrical member extending along the longitudinal direction of the cleaner 1. This guide nozzle 60 corresponds to an example of a "cylindrical member" in the aspects of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 to 8, 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.

[0059] 5, a gap S2 is formed between the guide nozzle 60 and the cleaning head 31 of the first cleaning shaft 30. As described above, the shaft body 35 supports the cleaning head 31 so that it can tilt. Therefore, the gap S2 between the guide nozzle 60 and the cleaning head 31 is sized to allow tilting of the cleaning head 31. Although not particularly limited, for example, the gap S2 is sized so that the cleaning head 31 does not come into contact with the guide nozzle 60 when the cleaning head 31 is at its maximum inclination relative to the shaft body 35.

[0060] The tip portion of this guide nozzle 60 has an outer shape that can be fitted into the insertion port 141 of the adapter 140 of the optical connector 100. When the tip portion of the guide nozzle 60 is fitted into the insertion port 141 of the adapter 140, the pressing surfaces 321, 421 of the first and second cleaning shafts 30, 40 are positioned relative to the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, and the insertion hole 324 of the first cleaning shaft 30 is positioned relative to the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100.

[0061] 2, 7, and 8, 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 (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.

[0062] 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, 7, and 8, 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.

[0063] The support body 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 7 , 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 the linear motion into rotational motion, causing the take-up bobbin 53 to rotate, and the first cleaning element 10 that has been used on the pressing surface 321 of the first cleaning shaft 30 is taken up onto the take-up bobbin 53. In addition, a tensile force acts on the first cleaning element 10 in conjunction with this winding operation, causing the delivery bobbin 51 to rotate, and an unused first cleaning element 10 is delivered from the delivery bobbin 51 to the pressing surface 321 of the first cleaning shaft 30.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 8 , 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 7, a spiral cam groove 354 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the expanded diameter portion 353 of the first cleaning shaft 30. The housing 80 has a cam pin 84 inserted into this cam groove 354. 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 354, causing the first cleaning shaft 30 to rotate about the rotation axis RA.

[0070] 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 354, 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.

[0071] Next, an example of how to use the cleaner 1 described above will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 9(a) to 10(b).

[0072] 9(a) and 9(b) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating cleaning of the first optical connector 100A using the above-described cleaner 1, where FIG. 9(a) shows the state before the cleaner 1 is pressed against the first optical connector 100A, and FIG. 9(b) shows the state after the cleaner 1 is pressed against the first optical connector 100A. Meanwhile, FIG. 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating cleaning of the second optical connector 100B using the above-described cleaner 1, where FIG. 10(a) shows the state before the cleaner 1 is pressed against the second optical connector 100B, and FIG. 10(b) shows the state after the cleaner 1 is pressed against the second optical connector 100B. For convenience, the first cleaning body 10 is not shown in FIGS. 9(a) to 10(b).

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] Here, when the object to be cleaned by the cleaner 1 is the first optical connector 100A, the pitch Pi of the insertion holes 324 of the first cleaning shaft 30 matches the pitch Pg of the guide pins 112 of the first optical connector 100A (Pi = Pg), so as shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), a pair of guide pins 112 are inserted into the insertion holes 324 without the cleaning head 31 tilting.

[0076] In contrast, the pitch Pg of the guide pins 112 of the second optical connector 100B is wider than the pitch Pi of the insertion holes 324 of the first cleaning shaft 30 (Pg>Pi). Therefore, when the object to be cleaned by the cleaner 1 is the second optical connector 100B, the guide pins 112 approaching the cleaning head 31 first come into contact with the tapered surfaces 327 of the insertion holes 324, as shown in FIG. 10( a).

[0077] 10B, when the guide pins 112 are further pressed toward the cleaning heads 31, the guide pins 112 slide relatively on the tapered surfaces 327 of the cleaning heads 31, causing the pair of guide pins 112 to spread apart the pair of cleaning heads 31 in the second direction. That is, the cleaning heads 31 tilt outward (away from the second cleaning shaft) with respect to the shaft body 35, and the guide pins 112 enter the insertion holes 324. At this time, the inner diameter Di (see FIG. 5) of the insertion holes 324 is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter Dg of the guide pins 112 of the second optical connector 100B, and sufficient clearance is ensured between the inner circumferential surface 326 of the insertion holes 324 and the side surfaces of the guide pins 112, so that insertion of the guide pins 112 into the insertion holes 324 is not obstructed.

[0078] Here, the outer diameter Ds (see FIG. 3) of the filamentous member 11 constituting the first cleaning element 10 is preferably larger than the distance S3 (see FIG. 10(b)) between the pressing surface 321 of the cleaning head 31 tilted relative to the shaft body 35 and the connection end surface 111 of the optical connector 100 (Ds>S3). Although not particularly limited, for example, this distance S3 is the maximum distance between the pressing surface 321 and the connection end surface 111 when the cleaning head 31 is at its maximum tilt relative to the shaft body 35. This allows the first cleaning element 10 to be appropriately pressed against the connection end surface 111 of the optical connector 100 even when the cleaning head 31 is tilted.

[0079] 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.

[0080] At this time, in this embodiment, when the operator pushes the housing 80 against the guide nozzle 60, the cam pin 84 of the housing 80 slides relatively within the cam groove 354 of the first cleaning shaft 30, 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 connection end face 111 by the first cleaning shaft 30, to rotate about the guide pin 112, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3B . 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 where the first cleaning element 10 does not face, and dirt can be wiped off from the entire circumferential area around the guide pin 112 on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100. In FIG. 3B, the first cleaning element 10 is rotated by 90 degrees by the rotation mechanism, but the angle of rotation of the first cleaning shaft 30 by the rotation mechanism is not limited to 90 degrees.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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).

[0083] 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 354 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.

[0084] 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 .

[0085] As described above, in this embodiment, the relative positional relationship between the tip portions of the pair of first cleaning shafts 30 is variable in the second direction. Therefore, when cleaning multiple types of optical connectors 100A, 100B having different pitches Pg of guide pins 112, it is possible to reduce the cavity that occurs around the base portions of the guide pins 112 on the pressing surface 321 of the cleaning head 31 of the first cleaning shaft 30, thereby stabilizing cleaning quality.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the insertion hole 324 has a tapered surface 327 provided at its opening 325. As a result, when the pitch Pg of the guide pins 112 differs from the pitch Pi of the insertion hole 324, the guide pins 112 come into contact with the tapered surface 327, causing the cleaning head 31 to tilt, making it easier for the guide pins 112 to enter the insertion hole 324.

[0087] 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. 7. This allows the first cleaning element 10 to come into contact with the entire area around the guide pin 112 on the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100, thereby reducing areas left unwiped on the connection end face 111.

[0088] Here, when the dimensions of the insertion hole into which the guide pin is inserted are enlarged as in the conventional technology described above, the clearance between the guide pin and the insertion hole increases, which may cause the rotation of the first cleaning shaft around the guide pin to become unstable. In contrast, in this embodiment, the cavity that occurs around the base of the guide pin 112 on the pressing surface 321 can be reduced, which stabilizes the rotation of the first cleaning shaft 30 around the guide pin 112 and stabilizes the cleaning quality when cleaning multiple types of optical connectors 100A, 100B.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first cleaning body 10 is pressed against the connection end face 111 of the optical connector 100 while sliding over the connection end face 111 by the first supply and recovery mechanism, thereby reducing the re-adhesion of dirt.

[0090] 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, each element disclosed in the above-described embodiments is intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0091] Although the above-described cleaner 1 includes the second cleaning shaft 40 interposed between the pair of first cleaning shafts 30, the cleaner 1 does not necessarily have to include the second cleaning shaft 40. In this case, the cleaning head 31 of one of the first cleaning shafts 30 may tilt inward relative to the shaft body 35 (in the direction toward the other first cleaning shaft 30).

[0092] Furthermore, although the above-described cleaner 1 is intended to clean two types of optical connectors 100A and 100B, the number of types of optical connectors that can be cleaned by the cleaner 1 is not particularly limited to this, as long as it is plural. Three or more types of optical connectors may be cleaned with one cleaner.

[0093] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Optical connector cleaning tool 10...First cleaning body 11...Thread-like member 20...Second cleaning body 30...First cleaning shaft 31...Cleaning head 321...Pressing surface 324...Insertion hole 325...Opening 327...Tapered surface 35...Shaft body 354...Cam groove 40...Second cleaning shaft 51, 52...Feed-out bobbin 53, 54...Take-up bobbin 55, 56...Pinion gear 60...Guide nozzle 70...Support body 80...Housing 82, 83...Rack gear 84...Cam pin 90...First biasing member 100...Optical connector 110...Ferrule 111...Connection end face 112...Guide pin

Claims

1. An optical connector cleaning tool for cleaning an optical connector having a connection end surface and a pair of guide pins, comprising: a pair of first cleaning bodies each having a plurality of thread-like members arranged to extend in the same direction, and through which the guide pins can each pass; and a pair of first cleaning shafts each having a first pressing surface at its tip that presses the first cleaning body against the connection end surface, and around which the first cleaning body is respectively wound, each of the first cleaning shafts opening onto the first pressing surface and having an insertion hole through which the guide pin can be inserted, and the relative positional relationship of the tip portions of the pair of first cleaning shafts is variable in the arrangement direction of the pair of first cleaning shafts.

2. An optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein each of the first cleaning shafts comprises a cleaning head having the first pressing surface and a support shaft that supports the cleaning head, and the cleaning head is tiltably supported on the support shaft.

3. An optical connector cleaning tool according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a tubular member housing the pair of first cleaning shafts, the optical connector cleaning tool having a gap between the tip portions of the first cleaning shafts and the tubular member, the gap having a size that can allow for changes in the relative positional relationship of the tip portions of the first cleaning shafts.

4. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insertion hole has a tapered surface provided at the opening of the insertion hole, and the relative positional relationship of the tip portion of the first cleaning shaft changes when the guide pin abuts against the tapered surface.

5. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the first cleaning shafts comprises a cleaning head having the first pressing surface and a support shaft that supports the cleaning head, the cleaning head being tiltably supported on the support shaft, and the first cleaning body having a thickness greater than the distance between the first pressing surface of the cleaning head tilted relative to the support shaft and the connection end face.

6. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 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.

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

8. An optical connector cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: a second cleaning body; and a second cleaning shaft around which the second cleaning body is wound, the second cleaning shaft having at its tip a second pressing surface that presses the second cleaning body against the connection end face, the second cleaning shaft being arranged between the pair of first cleaning shafts.

Images