Ferrule Cleaning Tool With Retractable Projection for Air-Trapping Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning tools for lens coupling type ferrules fail to ensure complete contact of the cleaning body with the ferrule surface due to air trapping, leading to reduced cleaned regions and potential damage from tape edges.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning tool with a retractable projection on the head that allows the cleaning body to maintain contact with the ferrule surface by adjusting its position relative to the head body, minimizing air trapping and ensuring complete coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the tape is pressed against the lens in a lens coupling type ferrule, then cleaning is performed, but air becomes trapped in the recess by the tape, causing the tape to not be pressed against the entirety of the inner surface of the recess, resulting in decreased actual cleaned region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaned region coverageVSAvoidair trapping

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The projection is positioned to make preliminary contact with the ferrule surface before the main cleaning body engages. This preliminary action creates a pathway for air to escape and ensures the cleaning body makes uniform contact with the entire recess surface, preventing air trapping and achieving complete cleaned region coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The projection acts as an intermediary element between the cleaning body and the ferrule recess. It facilitates proper positioning and contact of the cleaning body with the recess surface, ensuring uniform pressure distribution and complete coverage while preventing air entrapment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the tape edge contacts the ferrule surface first, then cleaning may occur, but the tape edge may cause damage to the end face of the ferrule

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidferrule damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The projection makes preliminary contact with the ferrule surface to establish proper positioning and pressure distribution before the cleaning body engages. This prevents the tape edge from contacting the ferrule first, eliminating the risk of edge-induced damage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The projection serves as a cushioning element that absorbs the initial contact force. By engaging first, it prevents the sharper tape edge from directly contacting the ferrule surface, thereby cushioning against potential damage while enabling effective cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12405429B2Cleaning tool

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 FUJIKURA LTD

AI summary

A cleaning tool includes: a head; and a cleaning body wrapped around the head. The head includes: a head body; and a projection that projects from the head body. The projection is retractable relative to the head body. The head may further include an elastic member that restores a positional relationship between the projection and the head body.