Optical Connector Cleaning Tool Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical connector cleaning tools are too long and require significant working space, making it difficult to perform cleaning in confined areas.
Innovation Solution
The optical connector cleaning tool features a compact design with a feeding mechanism, extension section, and biasing member that allows the cleaning body to be fed and moved, reducing the tool's length by optimizing the placement of components such as the supply reel, winding reel, and housing body, enabling effective cleaning in limited spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning tool uses a conventional feeding mechanism with supply reel and winding reel, then the cleaning function is effective, but the tool length becomes large requiring significant working space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the biasing member from a longitudinal arrangement (behind the feeding mechanism) to a transverse arrangement (at the front end of the housing body, adjacent to the extension section). This spatial reconfiguration in another dimension reduces the tool's length in the extending direction while maintaining all necessary functional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is designed to be movable relative to the housing body, allowing it to advance forward during cleaning operation and return to its initial position after cleaning. This dynamic positioning enables the biasing member to occupy front space during operation without permanently increasing the tool's stored length.
2Device complexity
If the biasing member is positioned behind the feeding mechanism, then the structure is simple, but the tool length increases requiring more working space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the biasing member from a longitudinal position (behind feeding mechanism) to a transverse position (front end of housing body adjacent to extension section). This dimensional shift consolidates components in the transverse direction, reducing overall tool length without complicating the structural arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is integrated into the front end region of the housing body, merging its positioning function with the existing housing structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate longitudinal space allocation, reducing tool length while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 tool's reduced length allows for easy cleaning in spaces where sufficient working space is not available, ensuring effective contamination removal from optical connector end faces without the need for extensive space, enhancing operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member that is located in the housing body and biases the housing body... The biasing member biases backward in the extending direction the housing body that is in a state where the housing body has relatively moved forward
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical connector cleaning tool according to the present invention includes a tool main body and an extension section that extends from the tool main body, wherein the tool main body includes a supply reel and a winding reel, which perform supply and take-up of the cleaning body, a housing body that houses the supply reel and the winding reel, and a biasing member that is located in the housing body and biases the housing body. The biasing member biases backward in the extending direction the housing body that is in a state where the housing body has relatively moved forward in the extending direction of the extension section, and a position in a front-and-back direction of the biasing member is close to the front compared to positions in a front-and-back direction of the supply reel and the winding reel.