Flexible Tip Optical Connector Cleaning Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for optical connectors risk breaking when inserting or removing the head part from the connector due to excessive force, which can damage the device and lead to increased optical transmission loss if the terminal surface is dirty or contaminated.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a flexible tip extending part made of polyoxymethylene, which can be bent and deformed elastically, is designed to prevent breakage by accommodating movement and position changes during insertion and removal from the optical connector's insertion holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the head part is inserted into or pulled out from the insertion hole of the optical connector, then the cleaning function can be performed, but an unreasonable amount of force is applied to the head part which may cause breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The tip extending part is made flexible to allow elastic deformation during insertion and removal operations. This flexibility absorbs the unreasonable forces applied during connector engagement and disengagement, preventing breakage of the head part while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the tip extending part are changed to provide flexibility. By selecting a material with appropriate elastic characteristics, the tip can deform under load and return to its original shape, thereby withstanding the forces applied during insertion and removal without breaking.
2Reliability
If the tip extending part is made flexible to prevent breakage, then the reliability during insertion and removal is improved, but the cleaning precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The tip extending part transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic, flexible component that can adapt its shape during operation. This allows the tip to maintain contact precision while accommodating movements and forces during insertion and removal, resolving the contradiction between durability and cleaning precision.
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 flexible tip extending part effectively reduces the risk of breakage and ensures reliable cleaning of the optical connector's terminal surface without damaging the device, maintaining optical transmission quality.
Implementation Method 1
the tip tube part is energized in an extending direction with respect to the tube base part due to an urging member
Implementation Method 2
the tip extending part is flexible and can be bent and deformed elastically. As a result, when the tip extending part is inserted in or pulled out from the insertion hole of the optical connector, and a force in the bending direction is applied to the tip extending part due to a movement or position of the optical connector, the tip extending part can be prevented from breaking.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector cleaning device which cleans a connecting terminal surface formed inside an insertion hole of an optical connector, by wiping the connecting terminal surface with a cleaning body, the optical connector cleaning device including: a main body including a feeding mechanism which supplies and wraps up the cleaning body; an extending part which extends from the main body and includes an extending tube body and a head part, the head part being inserted into the insertion hole, wherein the head part includes a tip extending part which presses the cleaning body to the connecting terminal surface; the extending tube body includes a tube base part and a tip tube part, the tip tube part being energized in an extending direction with respect to the tube base part; the tip extending part protrudes from a tip of the tip tube part; and the tip extending part is flexible.