Rotating Optical Connector Cleaning Around Guide Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connector cleaners leave unwiped areas around guide pins due to the threads being pushed apart by the pins, leading to insufficient cleaning quality.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector cleaning tool with a first cleaning element that includes thread-like members extending in the same direction, a first pressing member to press the element against the connector surface, and a rotation mechanism to rotate the pressing member, ensuring complete coverage around the guide pin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If thread-like cleaning members are used to clean around the guide pin, then the cleaning structure is simple, but unwiped areas are left on the upstream and downstream sides of the pin
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool introduces rotational movement to the pressing member, transforming it from a static component to a dynamic one. The pressing member rotates around the guide pin, allowing the cleaning element to continuously contact and wipe the entire circumferential area, thereby eliminating unwiped regions while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a rotational dimension to the cleaning action. Instead of linear or fixed-position cleaning, the pressing member rotates around the guide pin, creating circumferential coverage in a new dimensional space, ensuring complete cleaning of all areas around the pin
2Ease of operation
If the cleaning member passes around the pin, then the structure can access the pin area, but the threads are pushed apart by the pin creating unwiped areas
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is designed to rotate dynamically around the guide pin during the cleaning operation. This rotational motion allows the cleaning element to maintain continuous contact with the pin surface, preventing the threads from being pushed apart and creating unwiped areas. The dynamic rotation ensures complete circumferential coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the cleaning action with rotational movement, combining what were previously separate functions into one integrated operation. The pressing member simultaneously presses the cleaning element against the pin surface and rotates around it, ensuring continuous and complete cleaning coverage
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 effectively reduces unwiped parts on the connector surface by rotating the cleaning element, ensuring thorough cleaning and minimizing re-adhesion of contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation mechanism that rotates the first pressing member about the first direction as an axis
Implementation Method 2
a first pressing member that comprises: an insertion hole into which the guide pin is capable of being inserted along a first direction; and a first pressing surface to which the insertion hole is open and that presses the first cleaning element against the connection end surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
An optical connector cleaning tool 1 includes a first cleaning element 10 that the guide pin 112 of the optical connector 100 is capable of penetrating and that comprises a plurality of thread-like members 11 arranged to extend in a same direction, a first cleaning shaft 30 that includes an insertion hole 314 into which the guide pin 112 is capable of being inserted along a first direction and a first pressing surface 311 to which the insertion hole 314 is open and that presses the first cleaning element 10 against the connection end surface 111 of the optical connecter 100, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the first cleaning shaft 30 about the first direction as an axis.