Bristle-Based Fiber Optic Connector Cleaner Sub-Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic connector cleaners require multiple specialized sub-surfaces for different types of connectors, are prone to incomplete cleaning due to misalignment, and struggle with non-standard connectors, necessitating careful design and maintenance to avoid damaging guide pins.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic connector cleaner featuring a brush-like subsurface with movable bristles that create gaps, allowing for universal compatibility with various connector types without the need for protrusions or slots, using a base and cleaning material supported by these bristles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber sub-surface is used to provide support for cleaning material, then the cleaner can maintain constant contact with the connector surface, but it requires protrusions or slots that may damage or hinder guide pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a brush-like sub-surface composed of numerous flexible bristles instead of a solid rubber surface. These bristles create a porous, compliant structure that conforms to the connector surface including around guide pins, providing cleaning contact without requiring protrusions or slots that could damage the guide pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the sub-surface from rigid rubber to flexible bristles. This parameter change allows the cleaning surface to adapt its shape and compliance, enabling it to conform to various connector geometries including those with guide pins, thereby eliminating the need for specialized protrusions or slots.
2Reliability
If conventional cleaners use specialized sub-surfaces for different connector types, then each connector type can be cleaned effectively, but multiple cleaners are required and non-standard connectors are difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The brush-like sub-surface with flexible bristles is designed to be universally compatible with multiple connector types including MT, LC, SC, and non-standard connectors. The bristles' ability to conform to different geometries allows a single cleaner design to effectively clean various ferrule types without requiring specialized sub-surfaces for each connector type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic, flexible bristle structure that can adapt its configuration based on the connector geometry being cleaned. This dynamic compliance allows the same cleaner to effectively contact and clean different ferrule types and non-standard connectors, providing universal adaptability without sacrificing cleaning effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rigid sub-surface is used to support cleaning material, then manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot accommodate non-standard connectors or various ferrule designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a rigid sub-surface with a flexible brush-like structure composed of numerous thin bristles. While slightly more complex to manufacture than a simple rubber sheet, this flexible structure can be produced using standard brush-making techniques and provides the necessary adaptability to accommodate non-standard connectors and various ferrule designs that a rigid surface cannot handle.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic connector cleaner including a base, a brush-like subsurface with a top surface, including a plurality of bristles, connected to said base, and a fiber optic connector cleaning material on said top surface of said brush-line subsurface, wherein said bristles are movable to allow gaps to be created, while still maintaining a top surface.