Optical Connector Cleaning Head With Cap-Free Relative Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of cleaning optical connectors is hindered by the need to attach and detach a cap during the cleaning process, affecting the overall working efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector cleaning tool with a cleaning unit that includes a cleaning head, shaft member, and a supplying and collecting unit, allowing for relative movement with respect to a tubular member, eliminating the need for cap attachment and detachment, and enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cap is attached to the cleaning tool for direct cleaning, then the cleaning tool can clean optical connector plugs directly, but the attaching and detaching of the cap reduces working efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool is designed with a universal cleaning head that can perform both direct cleaning of optical connector plugs and cleaning of plugs attached to adapters through a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate cap configurations. The cleaning head incorporates a flexible cleaning element that adapts to different cleaning scenarios without requiring attachment or detachment of additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element is extracted from a separate cap structure and integrated directly into the cleaning head, allowing the cleaning function to be performed without requiring a detachable cap. This extraction eliminates the unnecessary attachment and detachment steps while maintaining the ability to clean both direct and adapter-mounted connectors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning head projects further from the tubular member, then it can clean connectors in both direct and attached states, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning head is designed with relative movement capability with respect to the tubular member, allowing it to dynamically adjust its projection distance. This dynamic adjustment enables the cleaning head to reach different positions for cleaning both direct and adapter-mounted connectors without requiring a permanently extended complex structure. The cleaning element can extend and retract as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning head is nested within the tubular member structure, allowing it to be compact when not in use and extend when needed. This nesting arrangement enables the cleaning tool to maintain a compact form factor while still achieving the necessary projection distance for versatile cleaning operations, avoiding the need for a permanently extended complex structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The optical connector cleaning tool 1 includes a cleaning unit 10 including: a cleaning head 21 that includes a pressing surface 221 and that holds a cleaning element 5 so that the cleaning element 5 is turned back at the pressing surface 221 that presses the cleaning element 5 against a connection end surface 811 of the optical connector 80; a shaft member 26 that supports the cleaning head 21 so that the cleaning head 21 is relatively movable with respect to the shaft member 26; and bobbins 31 and 32 that supplies and collects the cleaning element 5 to and from the pressing surface 221, a guide nozzle 50 that accommodates the cleaning unit 10 so that the cleaning unit 10 is relatively movable with respect to the guide nozzle 50 and that has a front end portion 51 through which the cleaning head 21 can protrude and retract, and a rack gear 52 and a pinion gear 23 that drives the bobbins 31 and 32 in accordance with a relative movement of the cleaning unit 10 with respect to the guide nozzle 50.