Aqueous Fiber Optic Cleaner with Volatile Surfactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic connector end face cleaning solutions, primarily using isopropyl alcohol, are ineffective in removing a wide range of contaminants, flammable, and hazardous, while water-based cleaners are not commonly used due to concerns about water as an impurity and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A water-based cleaning solution comprising 4% propylene glycol n-butyl ether, 2% propylene glycol methyl ether, 1.2% tripropylene glycol methyl ether, 1.5% isopropanol, and 91.3% deionized water, which is 100% volatile, effectively cleaning fiber optic end faces without redepositing contaminants and is non-flammable and economical.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If isopropyl alcohol is used to clean fiber optic end faces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but flammability and hazard risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using deionized water as the primary base (91.3%) instead of isopropyl alcohol, and selects specific volatile surfactants with appropriate HLB values (3-15) that provide cleaning effectiveness without flammability. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful flammable property while maintaining cleaning capability through scientifically selected volatile components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs volatile cleaning agents that evaporate completely after use, leaving no residue. The volatile nature ensures the cleaning solution disappears after performing its function, eliminating the need for secondary drying steps and avoiding contamination from non-volatile residues. This approach trades the permanence of non-volatile solvents for complete evaporation, resolving the flammability-hazard contradiction while maintaining reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If water-based cleaners are used, then flammability risk is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness on non-polar soils deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite cleaning solution by combining deionized water with volatile surfactants having specific HLB values (3-15). This composite formulation enables the aqueous-based product to effectively remove both polar and non-polar soils. The surfactants act as intermediaries that allow water to clean non-polar contaminants, resolving the contradiction between water-based safety and cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by selecting surfactants with specific HLB ranges (3-15) and ensuring complete volatility. These parameter specifications enable the water-based solution to achieve effectiveness comparable to organic solvents while maintaining the safety advantages of water-based formulations. The controlled volatility parameter ensures complete evaporation without residue.
3Reliability
If non-volatile surfactants and additives are used in water-based cleaners, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the volatility parameter by selecting only volatile surfactants and additives that completely evaporate. This parameter control ensures that no cleaning agents remain on the fiber optic end face after cleaning, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining effective cleaning performance. The complete volatility distinguishes this formulation from conventional water-based cleaners that leave residues.
4Ease of manufacture
If commercial grade isopropyl alcohol is used, then cost is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to water and mineral traces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using high-grade isopropyl alcohol and attempting to remove impurities, the patent inverts the approach by using deionized water as the base and adding specifically selected volatile surfactants. This inversion eliminates the water and mineral trace problems inherent in commercial IPA while achieving superior cleaning effectiveness through scientifically formulated volatile components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively removes both polar and non-polar soils, is non-flammable, and cost-effective, making it safer and easier to transport and handle, while being free from contamination risks, thus addressing the limitations of existing cleaning methods.
Implementation Method 1
formulated with volatile components that will not redeposit back onto the end face
Implementation Method 2
effectively removes both polar and non-polar soils
Data Source
AI summary
Fiber optic connector end faces are cleaned effectively by exposing the fiber optic connector end face to the disclosed predominantly aqueous solution and wiping the fiber optic end face dry. The predominantly water-based cleaning solution contains water, water soluble organic solvents, propylene glycol ethers and isopropanol. Also disclosed is a method for cleaning a fiber optic end face using an aqueous solution.