JP2002090579A - Cleaning device for optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector cleaning device that can easily surely clean the end face of ferrule of an optical connector with a guide pin attached and that can also be used for a conventional type optical connector with no guide pin attached. SOLUTION: In the cleaning device, a cleaning tape 20 stretched between reels loaded on the feeding and winding sides in a case is successively delivered to an opening formed in the case, thereby the end face of the ferrule 81 of the optical connector 80 is cleaned with the new face of the cleaning tape 20. This cleaning device is characterized by the arrangement, at the opening, of a projected tape guide 30a which is situated under the cleaning tape 20 along its winding direction and which is erected higher than the length of the guide pins 83, 83 attached to the end face of the ferrule 81 of the optical connector 80.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning device for an optical connector, and more particularly, to a cleaning tape wound between a supply reel and a take-up reel mounted in a case. The present invention relates to an optical connector cleaning device for cleaning an end surface of a ferrule of an optical connector with a new cleaning tape surface by sequentially feeding the ferrule end surface to an opening formed in the case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various optical connectors have been used to easily connect and disconnect optical fibers. These optical connectors are widely used, particularly in the field of optical communication, because of their excellent connection characteristics.
Such an optical connector employs a method in which the end faces of the optical fibers are directly abutted. Therefore, if dirt or oil stains adhere to the end faces of the ferrule, the connection characteristics deteriorate. Therefore,
Before the connection work, it is necessary to clean the ferrule end face.

An example of an optical connector cleaning device for cleaning an end face of a ferrule of an optical connector is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
There is 55014. This optical connector cleaning device 110 includes:
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first case portion 111 and the second case portion 112 are roughly connected to each other by a hinge 113 so as to be openable and closable. First case part 111 and second case part 112
Is closed so that dust and the like do not enter inside, except for the opening 111a provided on the upper surface of the first case portion 111 and the arc-shaped slit 111b on the front. In the illustrated embodiment, the first case portion 111 and the second case portion 112
An opening / closing mechanism 114 provided on the side opposite to the side 13 can be opened and closed with one touch.

[0004] The first case portion 111 further includes a supply-side reel 121 on which an unused cleaning tape 120 is wound.
And a support 111g for rotatably supporting a take-up reel 122 that winds up the used cleaning tape 120. The unused cleaning tape 120 is provided by being wound on a reel 121 on the supply side. The supply-side reel 121 that has been emptied by using the cleaning tape 120 is removed from the column 111f, and is replaced with a new supply-side reel 121 around which an unused cleaning tape 120 is wound. On the other hand, the reel 122 on the winding side
Has a first reel portion 123 that is not detached from the support 111g, and a second reel portion 124 that is detachably attached to the first reel portion 123.

The cleaning tape 120 used in the optical connector cleaning apparatus 110 is a polyester or nylon ultrafine fiber of 0.1 denier or less, specifically, 0.06 denier and a thickness of about 2 microns. A tape made of a cleaning cloth woven by arranging ultra-fine fibers at high density is used. When the end face of the optical connector is cleaned using such a cleaning tape, dirt is trapped in the myriad of gaps in the cleaning tape by capillary action and is reliably wiped off.

The opening 111a of the first case portion 111
, A guide plate 130 is fitted. The guide plate 130 has an opening 130a defined according to the type of optical fiber connector to be cleaned. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a guide plate corresponding to a two-core type optical connector is fitted.

That is, the guide plate 130 has a pair of parallel openings 130a, 130a. The gaps in the width direction of the openings 130a, 130a are formed so as to match the gaps between the ferrules of the two-core type optical connector. As a result, also in the two-core type optical connector, the tip of the pair of ferrules is connected to the opening 1 of the guide plate 130.
It can be easily cleaned by inserting it into 30a and 130a and pulling it in one direction (A direction in FIG. 8).

[0008]

However, the demand for multi-core and high-density optical fiber cables has been increasing due to the recent expansion of the optical communication network. Optical fiber connectors have been developed and put into practical use. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
T connector (Mechanically Transferable Connecto
r) ". This MT connector 80 is formed by connecting the end face of a ferrule 81 in which a plurality of optical fibers 85 are housed to two.
The guide pins 83, 83 are used to precisely position and butt against the corresponding MT connector 80 'and connect them with a fixed force using a clamp spring 87 to maintain a good connection state. I do. The optical fibers 85 are arranged in one or a plurality of rows between them with reference to the insertion holes of the guide pins 83.
Specifically, a single fiber or 2 to 16 optical fibers at a pitch of 0.2 to 0.5 mm are mounted in a single-stage or multi-stage arrangement. In addition, as an optical connector having a shape connected by a guide pin, in addition to the MT connector, for example, an MPO connector, a Mini-MPO connector, an MT
-RJ connectors and the like.

However, in the above-described optical fiber cleaning apparatus, a cleaning tape can be brought into close contact with the ferrule end face if the ferrule to be cleaned has a protruding end face, such as an "SC connector". , M
In the case of a T connector or the like, since the guide pin is attached to the end face of the ferrule as described above, it is difficult to bring the cleaning tape into close contact with the end face of the ferrule to be cleaned. The shape of the optical connector to be cleaned is diversified, and there is a conventional type having no guide pin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical connector cleaning device capable of easily and reliably cleaning an end face of a ferrule of an optical connector to which a guide pin is attached. Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector cleaning apparatus which can be used for a conventional type optical connector having no guide pin.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention according to claim 1 is provided between a supply reel and a take-up reel mounted in a case. In an optical connector cleaning device for cleaning a ferrule end surface of an optical connector with a new cleaning tape surface by sequentially sending a cleaning tape to an opening formed in the case,
In the opening, a convex tape guide which is located below the cleaning tape and is erected higher than the length of the guide pin attached to the ferrule end face of the optical connector along the winding direction of the cleaning tape. Are arranged.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical connector cleaning apparatus as set forth in the first aspect, wherein at least one of the two ends of the tape guide is closer to the reel side on the supply side. Is formed in a tapered shape to prevent the cleaning tape from being caught when it is wound.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical connector cleaning apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a top surface of a tape guide in contact with the cleaning tape is formed of an elastic body. It is characterized by having.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical connector cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the tape guide is detachably attached to the opening. It is characterized by being arranged on the formed guide plate.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical connector cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the opening has an optical connector to be cleaned. And a guide member for guiding the ferrule end surface so as to be in close contact with the cleaning tape via the top surface of the tape guide.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical connector cleaning apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an optical connector cleaning device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a state where a first case portion and a second case portion are opened.

First, an optical connector cleaning device 10 according to the present invention comprises a first case portion 11 and a second case portion 12, as shown in FIGS. . First case part 11 and second case part 12
Are connected by a hinge 13 so as to be openable and closable.
In a state in which the first case portion 11 and the second case portion 12 are closed, dust and the like are present inside, except for the opening 11a on the upper surface of the first case portion 11 and the arc-shaped slit 11b on the front. It is sealed so that it cannot enter. In the illustrated embodiment, the center angle of the arc-shaped slit 11b formed on the front of the first case portion 11 is approximately 70 degrees, but other angles, for example, 50 degrees and 110 degrees. It can also be.

The first case portion 11 and the second case portion 12 take any form as long as a closed space is formed inside when combined and the two can be easily separated and accessed inside. You can also. For example, in addition to the hinge connection shown in the figure, a slide type, a fitting type, or the like can be used. In the illustrated embodiment, when the first case portion 11 and the second case portion 12 are combined, the outer shape of the optical connector cleaning device of the present invention has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the reel 22 on the take-up side, which will be described later, may be formed in an irregular shape so as to be larger than the diameter of the reel 21 on the supply side.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first case portion 11 and the second case portion 12 can be opened and closed with one touch by an opening and closing mechanism 14 provided on a side opposite to the hinge 13. ing.

The first case portion 11 includes a support 11f for rotatably pivoting a supply-side reel 21 around which an unused cleaning tape 20 is wound, and a winding-side reel for winding the used cleaning tape 20. 11g that rotatably pivots 22
Are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the unused cleaning tape 20 is provided wound on a supply-side reel 21. When the cleaning tape 20 is no longer used, the empty supply-side reel 21 is removed from the support 11f and a new supply-side reel 2 around which an unused cleaning tape 20 is wound.
Replaced with 1. On the other hand, the winding-side reel 22 includes a first reel portion 23 which is not removed from the support 11g,
And a second reel portion 24 detachably mounted on the first reel portion 23. The first reel portion 23 has teeth (not shown) for preventing reverse rotation.

The unused cleaning tape 20 is supplied by being wound on a reel 21 on the supply side, and after use, the reel 22 on the winding side is used.
It is wound up. Then, finally, only the cleaning tape 20 wound in a roll shape and the supply-side reel 21 are discarded. As the cleaning tape 20, polyester- or nylon-based ultrafine fibers having a density of 0.1 denier or less, specifically, 0.06 denier and ultra-fine fibers having a thickness of about 2 microns are woven in high density. A tape made of a cleaning cloth is used. When the end face of the optical connector is cleaned using such a cleaning tape, dirt is trapped in the myriad of gaps in the cleaning tape by capillary action and is reliably wiped off.

In the opening 11a of the first case portion 11, a guide plate 30 is located below the cleaning tape 20 and is detachably fitted and mounted. On the guide plate 30, a convex tape guide 30a formed according to the type of optical fiber to be cleaned is arranged. FIGS. 4A and 4B show an example of the tape guide 30a, and are a side view and a plan view of a guide plate 30 for cleaning an optical connector having guide pins.

The guide plate 30 is molded of a synthetic resin such as polyester, and has a plurality of engaging projections on its side surface which engage with engagement pieces (not shown) formed in the opening 11a of the first case portion 11. 30b, 30b are formed. The optical connector 8 extends substantially in the center of the guide plate 30 along the winding direction of the cleaning tape 20.
0, a guide pin 83 attached to the end face of the ferrule 81,
Convex tape guide 3 erected above the length of 83
0a is arranged. The top surface of the tape guide 30a
The cleaning tape 20 is formed of an elastic body such as silicon rubber, synthetic rubber, or natural rubber so that the cleaning tape 20 is securely brought into close contact with the end face of the ferrule 81. Incidentally, the entire tape guide 30a can be formed of an elastic body. The width of the tape guide 30a is appropriately selected to be slightly smaller than the length between the two guide pins 83 of the optical connector 80 to be cleaned. Also, since the guide plate 30 is detachable, as shown in FIG.
Opening 130 for cleaning conventional type optical connector
The guide plate 130 having a can be attached, and various new and old optical connectors can be cleaned.

At least the end 30c of the tape guide 30a which is close to the reel 21 on the supply side has a tapered shape with a smooth curved corner.
By forming the cleaning tape 20 in a tapered shape, it is possible to prevent the cleaning tape 20 from being caught on the end portion 30c of the tape guide 30a when the cleaning tape 20 is wound, making it impossible to wind up, or preventing the cleaning tape 20 from being cut. . In the illustrated embodiment, only the end 30c near the supply-side reel 21 is tapered, but the opposite end near the take-up reel 22 may also be formed in a tapered shape. By forming the top surface of the tape guide 30a against which the cleaning tape 20 is pressed against the end surface of the ferrule 81 of the optical connector 80, the surface of the ferrule 81 to be cleaned can be reliably pressed against the cleaning tape 20. It can also be shaped.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the end surface of the ferrule 81 of the optical connector 80 to be cleaned is inserted into the opening 11a through the top surface of the tape guide 30a.
A guide member 35 for guiding the body so as to be in close contact therewith is arranged detachably. The guide member 35 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polyester, and an opening 35a is formed at a substantially central portion of the guide member 35, along which the ferrule 81 of the optical connector 80 is loosely fitted. I have. The ferrule 8 of the optical connector 80 is inserted into the opening 35a.
When the ferrule 81 is cleaned by inserting it and pulling it in one direction, the guide members 35 located on both sides of the opening 35a
By contacting the side surface, the end surface of the ferrule 81 to be cleaned is guided without being shifted from the top surface of the tape guide 30a, and is reliably brought into close contact with the cleaning tape 20.

Next, the operation of the optical connector cleaning apparatus according to the present invention will be described. First, the guide plate 30 selected according to the width of the guide pins 83 of the optical connector 80 to be cleaned is fitted into the opening 11a formed in the first case portion 11, and the guide member 35 is opened. 11a. And the unused cleaning tape 20
Is attached to the support 11f of the first case portion 11 and the leading end of the cleaning tape 20 is wound around the second reel 22, and then the first case portion 11 and the second Is closed, and the reel 22 on the take-up side is rotated using the lever 25 to send out a new cleaning tape 20 to the opening 11a of the first case portion 11.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ferrule 81 of the optical connector 80 to be cleaned is loosely fitted into the opening 35a formed in the guide member 35, and the ferrule 8 to be cleaned is removed.
One end face is brought into close contact with the cleaning tape 20 via the top face of the tape guide 30a. In this state, by pulling the optical connector 80 in one direction, the ferrule 81 comes into contact with the side surfaces of the guide members 35 located on both sides of the opening 35a, so that the end surface of the ferrule 81 to be cleaned does not shift from the top surface of the tape guide 30a. The ferrule 81 is guided and the end face of the ferrule 81 is reliably cleaned.

When cleaning optical connectors having different shapes, the first case portion 11 and the second case portion 12 are opened, the guide plate 30 is replaced, and a guide plate suitable for the shape of the optical connector to be cleaned is provided. Attach 30. At this time, when cleaning the conventional type optical connector, the first case portion 11 and the second case portion 12 can be closed without mounting the guide member 35.

[0029]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cleaning tape is wound in the opening provided in the first case portion under the cleaning tape. A convex tape guide erected higher than the length of the guide pin attached to the ferrule end face of the optical connector is arranged along with the MT connector, the MPO connector having the guide pin on the ferrule end face, Even if it is an optical connector such as a Mini-MPO connector or an MT-RJ connector, there is an effect that its end face can be reliably cleaned.

Further, according to the present invention described in claim 2,
Since at least the end of the both ends of the tape guide that is closer to the reel side on the supply side is formed in a tapered shape,
There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the cleaning tape from being caught on the end of the tape guide when the cleaning tape is wound and the cleaning tape cannot be wound.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the top surface of the tape guide which is in contact with the cleaning tape is formed of an elastic body, the ferrule of the optical connector is provided through the top surface of the tape guide. Since the end face can be reliably brought into close contact with the cleaning tape, there is an effect that the cleaning can be surely performed.

According to the present invention described in claim 4,
The tape guide is arranged on a guide plate that is detachably formed in the opening, so that a guide plate suitable for the shape of the optical connector to be cleaned can be appropriately selected and mounted, and it is compatible with optical connectors of various shapes It has the effect that it can be done. Further, even in the case of a conventional type optical connector having no guide pin, there is an effect that cleaning can be performed by mounting a guide plate having a pair of parallel openings.

Further, according to the present invention described in claim 5,
The opening has a guide member for guiding the ferrule end surface of the optical connector to be cleaned so as to be in close contact with the cleaning tape via the top surface of the tape guide. Therefore, the guides in which the ferrule 81 is located on both sides of the opening 35a are provided. By contacting the side surface of the member 35, the end surface of the ferrule 81 to be cleaned is guided without being shifted from the top surface of the tape guide 30a, so that the end surface of the ferrule 81 is surely cleaned.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an optical connector cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a state where a first case portion and a second case portion are opened.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state where a first case portion and a second case portion are opened.

4A is a side view of a guide plate, and FIG. 4B is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a guide member.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a guide plate showing a clean state.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional optical connector cleaning device.

8 is a front view of the optical connector cleaning device shown in FIG. 7 with a first case portion and a second case portion opened.

9A is a perspective view illustrating an example of an optical connector having a guide pin, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view illustrating a connection state of the optical connector of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Cleaning device for optical connector 11 First case portion 11a Opening 11b Slit 11f Support 11g Support 12 Second case 13 Hinge 14 Opening / closing mechanism 20 Cleaning tape 21 Reel on supply side 22 Reel on take-up side 23 First Reel part 24 Second reel part 25 Lever 30 Guide plate 30a Tape guide 30b Engagement protrusion 30c End 35 Guide member 35a Opening

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Koji Ueno, Inventor 3-23-5 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Axis Ikebukuro Bldg.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A cleaning tape wound between a supply-side reel and a take-up reel mounted in a case is sequentially sent out to an opening formed in the case,
An optical connector cleaning apparatus for cleaning an end face of a ferrule of an optical connector with a new cleaning tape surface, wherein the opening is located below the cleaning tape and extends along a winding direction of the cleaning tape. A cleaning device for an optical connector, wherein a convex tape guide erected above a length of a guide pin attached to an end face of a ferrule is disposed. 2. The cleaning device for an optical connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two ends of the tape guide, which is closer to the supply reel, is tapered. A cleaning device for an optical connector, wherein the optical connector is prevented from being caught. 3. The optical connector cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a top surface of the tape guide in contact with the cleaning tape is formed of an elastic body. 4. The optical connector cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the tape guide is disposed on a guide plate detachably formed in the opening. Characteristic optical connector cleaning equipment. 5. The optical connector cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a ferrule end surface of the optical connector to be cleaned is provided at the opening through a top surface of the tape guide. A cleaning device for an optical connector, further comprising a guide member for guiding the cleaning connector so as to be in close contact with the cleaning tape.