JP2004317747A

JP2004317747A - Cleaning package of end face of optical connector and cleaning method of end face of optical connector using the same

Info

Publication number: JP2004317747A
Application number: JP2003110676A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Satoshi Takizawa; 聡滝澤; Koji Arakawa; 孝二荒川; Osamu Kamijo; 修上条
Original assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp; Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corp
Current assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp; Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corp
Priority date: 2003-04-15
Filing date: 2003-04-15
Publication date: 2004-11-11

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the cleaning package of the end face of an optical connector and the cleaning method of the end face of an optical connector using the cleaning package for easily cleaning the end face of a connector for optical cable connection which is an object of cleaning from the front face side of a rack without removing the connector for optical cable connection at the back of the rack. <P>SOLUTION: The package 3 of an optical transmission apparatus is removed from the rack 1 of the apparatus, the cleaning package 5 for cleaning the end face of the optical connector is inserted into a position where the package 3 is removed, the end face of a cleaning member attached to one end of an optical connector stick cleaner 7 is brought into contact with the end face of a package side optical connector 8, the cleaning member attachment part 17 is rotated in this contact state, and the end face of the connector 9 for optical cable connection is cleaned by rotating the end face of the cleaning member with this rotation of the part 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば光ファイバ通信網の敷設、保守にあたり、光信号を伝送している光ファイバを接続している光コネクタ端面の汚れによる光信号の損失の発生、信頼性の低下を回避するために例えば伝送装置架に取り付けられている光コネクタの端面を清掃する光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージおよび該光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを用いた光コネクタ端面清掃方法に関し、更に詳しくは、例えば伝送装置架などの装置実装架に搭載される例えば光伝送パッケージなどの光信号処理パッケージに取り付けられているパッケージ側光コネクタに接続されるように装置実装架に取り付けられた光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃するための光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージおよび該光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを用いた光コネクタ端面清掃方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
光ファイバ通信網では光コネクタ接続箇所において異常損失等が発生した場合、作業現場において光コネクタの端面を清掃する必要がある。このような光コネクタは、例えば図５（ａ）に示すように、光伝送装置架１に搭載されている複数の光伝送装置パッケージ３の各々における光回路を光伝送装置架１の背面側に配線されている複数の光ケーブルに接続するために複数の光伝送装置パッケージ３の各々の後端部と該後端部に対応して光伝送装置架１の背面に設けられている。
【０００３】
更に詳しくは、図５（ｂ）に示すように、光伝送装置架１に搭載されている光伝送装置パッケージ３の後端部（光伝送装置架１の背面側に位置する）に取り付けられているパッケージ側光コネクタ８に対して光伝送装置架１の背面１ａ側に設けられている例えばＭＵコネクタである光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９が点線で示すように接続されているが、この点線で示す光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面、すなわち光ケーブルコネクタ９のパッケージ側光コネクタ８に対向する端面を清掃する。
【０００４】
光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９は、図５（ｂ）において矢印２０１のように、光伝送装置パッケージ３のパッケージ側光コネクタ８から取り外して示すように、光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９は、光ケーブルである光ファイバ９ａに接続され、この光ファイバ９ａの、光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９を貫通した先端９ｂの端面（以下、光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面と称する）がパッケージ側光コネクタ８に面接続、すなわち光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面がパッケージ側光コネクタ８内に設けられている光ファイバなどの光部材の端面と面接続されるようになっている。
【０００５】
このような光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面を清掃するためには、従来、光伝送装置架１に搭載されている複数の光伝送装置パッケージ３のうち、端面清掃しなければならない光伝送装置パッケージ３を光伝送装置架１の前面側から確認してから、光伝送装置架１の背面１ａ側に回って、端面清掃対象の光伝送装置パッケージ３がどれであるかを特定する。
【０００６】
それから、この特定した光伝送装置パッケージ３のパッケージ側光コネクタ８に接続されている光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９を図５（ｂ）の矢印２０１で示すように光伝送装置パッケージ３のパッケージ側光コネクタ８から取り外す。このように光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９を取り外すと、図６に示すようにコネクタクリーナ１０１を用意し、このコネクタクリーナ１０１の清掃面１０１ａに対して前記取り外した光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面を手で擦り付けて、該端面を清掃している。
【０００７】
一方、光ファイバの先端面を清掃するための清掃治具も知られている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００８】
【特許文献１】
特開平７−２８７１４２号公報
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上述したように、光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面を清掃する従来の方法では、近年の光伝送装置パッケージ３の小型化および光コネクタの小型化に伴い光伝送装置パッケージ３を多数収容している光伝送装置架１の背面は光ファイバ心線が輻輳しているため、光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９を光伝送装置パッケージ３側から取り外して清掃することが困難であり、場合によっては現用の他の光ファイバ心線に影響を与えることもあるという問題がある。
【００１０】
また、光伝送装置パッケージ３や光コネクタの小型化および光伝送装置架１の背面における光ファイバ心線の輻輳などのために、前記特定した光伝送装置パッケージ３の位置から光伝送装置架１の背面における光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９または光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９に接続されている光ファイバを特定することが困難であり、他の現用の光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９や光ファイバを間違って取り外してしまうという恐れがあるという問題がある。
【００１１】
本発明は、上記に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的とするところは、架の背面で光ケーブル接続用コネクタを取り外すことなく、架の前面側から端面対象の光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を簡単に清掃することができる光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージおよび該光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを用いた光コネクタ端面清掃方法を提供することにある。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１記載の本発明は、装置実装架に搭載される光信号処理パッケージに取り付けられているパッケージ側光コネクタに接続されるように装置実装架に取り付けられた光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃するための光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージであって、装置実装架に光信号処理パッケージと同様に搭載され得るように該光信号処理パッケージと同じ大きさのパッケージ基板と、装置実装架に取り付けられた光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃するための清掃部材が一点に取り付けられ、前記パッケージ基板を装置実装架に搭載した場合、前記清掃部材の端面が光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面に当接して清掃し得るように一端がパッケージ基板の後端部に位置し、他端がパッケージ基板の前端部に露出して位置するようにパッケージ基板上に回転自在に設けられた細長い光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部とを有することを要旨とする。
【００１３】
請求項１記載の本発明にあっては、光コネクタ端面の清掃対象の光信号処理パッケージと同じ大きさのパッケージ基板上に細長い光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を回転自在に取り付け、その一端に取り付けられた清掃部材の端面を光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面に当接して清掃し得るように構成されているため、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を回転させることで清掃部材の端面を回転させ、この回転する端面に当接している光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を簡単に清掃でき、従来のように光ケーブル接続用コネクタを光伝送装置パッケージ側から取り外す必要もなく、また光ファイバが輻輳している光伝送装置架の背面から光ケーブル接続用コネクタや光ファイバを特定する必要もなく、光伝送装置架の前面側から単に光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを挿入し、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を光伝送装置架の前面側で単に回転させるだけで極めて簡単に清掃対象の光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面のみを適確に特定して清掃でき、効率化、経済化、迅速化、正確さ、他の光ファイバなどを損傷しないという安全性を向上することができる。
【００１４】
また、請求項２記載の本発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、前記清掃部材が、布織布で形成され、前記光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部が、前記清掃部材に一端が取り付けられた清掃部材取付部と、この清掃部材取付部の他端に一端が取り付けられ、他端が前記パッケージ基板の前端部に露出して位置する細長い回転伝達部と、この回転伝達部を回転自在に被覆する被覆チューブと、前記回転伝達部が回転させられた場合、この回転に応じて清掃部材取付部が回転するように清掃部材取付部と回転伝達部とを一体的に連結する連結部材と、前記被覆チューブをパッケージ基板に固定する固定部材と、前記清掃部材取付部をパッケージ基板に対して回転自在に取り付ける取付部材とを有することを要旨とする。
【００１５】
請求項２記載の本発明にあっては、清掃部材が不織布で形成され、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部は清掃部材取付部の一端に清掃部材を取り付け、この清掃部材取付部を連結部材を介して被覆チューブで被覆された回転伝達部に連結している。
【００１６】
更に、請求項３記載の本発明は、請求項１または２記載の発明において、前記光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部の他端がパッケージ基板の前端部を通過して装置実装架の前面に延出していることを要旨とする。
【００１７】
請求項３記載の本発明にあっては、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部の他端がパッケージ基板の前端部を通過して装置実装架の前面に延出しているため、この延出した他端を手で把持したり、または回転駆動装置などの機械に接続して、容易に回転させることができる。
【００１８】
請求項４記載の本発明は、請求項２記載の発明において、前記回転伝達部が、細いコイル状の弾力性のある棒状のスプリングワイヤであることを要旨とする。
【００１９】
請求項４記載の本発明にあっては、回転伝達部は細いコイル状の弾力性のある棒状のスプリングワイヤである。
【００２０】
また、請求項５記載の本発明は、請求項１乃至４のいずれか１項に記載の発明において、前記光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部が、一端に取り付けられた清掃部材として光ケーブル接続用コネクタの種類に応じて異なる種類の清掃部材を着脱自在に取り付けられるように構成されていることを要旨とする。
【００２１】
請求項５記載の本発明にあっては、光ケーブル接続用コネクタの種類に応じて異なる種類の清掃部材を着脱自在に取り付けられるため、どのような光コネクタにも適確に対応することができる。
【００２２】
更に、請求項６記載の本発明は、請求項１乃至５のいずれか１項に記載の光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを使用して、装置実装架に搭載される光信号処理パッケージに取り付けられているパッケージ側光コネクタに接続されるように装置実装架に取り付けられた光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃する光コネクタ端面清掃方法であって、前記光信号処理パッケージを装置実装架から取り外し、この取り外した位置に前記光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを挿入して、前記光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部の一端に取り付けられている清掃部材の端面を前記光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面に当接させ、このように端面同士を当接させた状態で前記光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を他端から回転させ、これにより清掃部材の端面を回転させて光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃することを要旨とする。
【００２３】
請求項６記載の本発明にあっては、光信号処理パッケージを装置実装架から取り外し、この取り外した位置に光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを挿入して、清掃部材の端面を光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面に当接させ、この端面同士の当接状態で光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を他端から回転させ、これにより清掃部材の端面を回転させて光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃するため、従来のように光ケーブル接続用コネクタを光伝送装置パッケージ側から取り外す必要もなく、また光ファイバが輻輳している光伝送装置架の背面から光ケーブル接続用コネクタや光ファイバを特定する必要もなく、光伝送装置架の前面側から単に光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを挿入し、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を光伝送装置架の前面側で単に回転させるだけで極めて簡単に清掃対象の光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃でき、効率化、経済化、迅速化、正確さ、他の光ファイバなどを損傷しないという安全性を向上することができる。
【００２４】
請求項７記載の本発明は、請求項６記載の発明において、前記光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部の回転が、この光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部の他端を手動で回転させるかまたは該他端に回転駆動装置を接続し、この回転駆動装置の回転力により該光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を機械的に回転させることにより行うことを要旨とする。
【００２５】
請求項７記載の本発明にあっては、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を手動で回転させたり、または回転駆動装置により機械的に回転させるため、例えば少数の光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃する場合には手動で行い、多数の光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃する場合には回転駆動装置を用いて迅速かつ効率的に行うことができる。
【００２６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面を用いて本発明の実施の形態を説明する。図１（ａ）、（ｂ）は、本発明の一実施形態に係わる光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージが実装されている装置実装架である光伝送装置架１の前面および該光伝送装置架１に実装されている光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５の正面をそれぞれ示す図である。
【００２７】
まず、図１（ａ）に示すように、本実施形態の光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５は、光コネクタ端面を清掃するに当って、光伝送装置架１に搭載されている複数の光伝送装置パッケージ３のうち、光コネクタ端面の清掃対象となる光信号処理パッケージである光伝送装置パッケージ３の位置に搭載される。すなわち、清掃対象となる光伝送装置パッケージ３を光伝送装置架１から引き抜いて取り除き、この取り除かれた位置に光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５を挿入などして図１（ａ）のように搭載する。なお、図１（ａ）では、複数の光伝送装置パッケージ３のうち、左から２番目の位置に光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５が搭載されている。
【００２８】
このように搭載された光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５は、図１（ｂ）にその詳細を示すように、光伝送装置パッケージ３と同様に光伝送装置架１に搭載できるように光伝送装置パッケージ３と同じ大きさで矩形のパッケージ基板で形成され、このパッケージ基板上に細長い光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部である光コネクタスティッククリーナ７が２本、後述するように回転自在に取り付けられている。
【００２９】
この各光コネクタスティッククリーナ７は、一端が光伝送装置架１の背面１ａ寄りの光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５のパッケージ基板の後端部に位置し、他端がパッケージ基板の前端部から光伝送装置架１の前面に延出している。なお、この光コネクタスティッククリーナ７の他端はパッケージ基板の前端部から光伝送装置架１の前面に延出している必要はなく、パッケージ基板の前端部に露出しているだけでもよく、要は後述するように、この他端を介して光コネクタスティッククリーナ７を手動または機械的に回転させることができればよいものである。
【００３０】
更に、各光コネクタスティッククリーナ７は、パッケージ基板の後端部に位置する一端には清掃部材取付部１７を有し、この清掃部材取付部１７は一端が光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９に接続されたパッケージ側光コネクタ８に連結している。なお、図１（ｂ）では、説明の簡単化のため、清掃部材取付部１７の一端はパッケージ側光コネクタ８に連結していると説明したが、具体的には後述するようにパッケージ側光コネクタ８の一部を構成しかつ光伝送装置パッケージ３を光伝送装置架１に装着するための装着冶具（後述する図２（ａ）では、符号８ａで図示）内に清掃部材取付部１７の一端が挿入されるように連結されている。なお、本実施形態では、光コネクタスティッククリーナ７、清掃部材取付部１７、パッケージ側光コネクタ８、光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９は、一例として、それぞれ２個ずつ設けられている場合について図示しているが、本発明はこれに限定されるものでなく、それぞれ１個でもよいし、または３個以上でもよいものである。
【００３１】
更に詳しくは、図２を参照して説明する。図２（ａ）に全体を示し、図２（ｂ）に一部を抽出して示すように、光コネクタスティッククリーナ７は、清掃部材取付部１７が一例として不織布で構成される清掃部材である清掃用不織布部１７ａとこの清掃用不織布部１７ａに一端が接続された不織布取付部１７ｂから構成され、この不織布取付部１７ｂの他端は、連結部材２１によりスプリングワイヤ２３の一端に連結されている。このスプリングワイヤ２３は、本実施形態では細いコイル状の弾力性のある棒状体で構成されているものであるが、両端を除いて、全体的に被覆チューブ２５で被覆され、他端が光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５の前端部より前方に延出している。スプリングワイヤ２３は、図２（ａ）で矢印３１で示すように他端を手動または機械的に回転させると、被覆チューブ２５内で自在に回転し、この回転は連結部材２１を介して不織布取付部１７ｂに伝達され、不織布取付部１７ｂの回転により清掃用不織布部１７ａも回転するようになっている。なお、被覆チューブ２５は、その両端を固定部材２７ａ、２７ｂでパッケージ基板に固定され、不織布取付部１７ｂは取付部材１９で回転自在にパッケージ基板に取り付けられ、位置ずれしないようになっている。
【００３２】
清掃用不織布部１７ａは、上述したようにパッケージ側光コネクタ８を構成するとともに光伝送装置パッケージ３を光伝送装置架１に装着するための装着冶具８ａ内に挿入される。更に詳しくは、装着冶具８ａ内には、図２（ｂ）に示すように、コネクタのフェルールを突き合わせるための筒状体４１が設けられていて、この筒状体４１内に清掃用不織布部１７ａが一方から挿入され、他方から光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９を貫通した光ファイバ９ａの先端９ｂが挿入され、これにより先端９ｂの端面、すなわち光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面が清掃用不織布部１７ａの端面に接触し、上述したように清掃用不織布部１７ａを回転させた場合には、その端面の回転で光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面が清掃されることになる。
【００３３】
不織布取付部１７ｂを回転自在にパッケージ基板に取り付けている取付部材１９は、図３に示すように、対向する側面に半円形の凹部の形成された２個の取付半体１９ａ、１９ｂが蝶番１９ｃで連結して、両者の中央に孔部１９ｄを形成するように構成され、図３（ｃ）に示すように蝶番１９ｃを介して両者を開くことができ、この状態で不織布取付部１７ｂを孔部１９ｄ内に回転自在に固定するようになっている。従って、この孔部１９ｄは、不織布取付部１７ｂの外径よりも若干大きな内径を有するように形成されている。
【００３４】
また、不織布取付部１７ｂとスプリングワイヤ２３を連結している連結部材２１は、図４に示すように、内部に不織布取付部１７ｂが挿入される側が大きく、スプリングワイヤ２３が挿入される側が小さくなるようにテーパ状に形成された孔を有し、このテーパ状の孔に内径の大きい方から不織布取付部１７ｂを押し込むように挿入すると、不織布取付部１７ｂに対して把持力が発生し、不織布取付部１７ｂを確実に保持し、スプリングワイヤ２３からの回転を不織布取付部１７ｂに適確に伝達することができるようになっている。
【００３５】
以上のように構成される光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５を用いて、パッケージ側光コネクタ８の端面を清掃するには、まず、光コネクタ端面の清掃対象となる光伝送装置パッケージ３を特定し、この光伝送装置パッケージ３を光伝送装置架１から取り外す。
【００３６】
それから、この取り外した光伝送装置パッケージ３の位置に光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５を挿入して光伝送装置架１に搭載する。この挿入を通常の光伝送装置パッケージ３の挿入と同様に光伝送装置架１の奥まで完全に行うと、清掃用不織布部１７ａが挿入されている装着冶具８ａの筒状体４１内に対して光伝送装置架１に取り付けられている光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９を貫通した光ファイバ９ａの先端９ｂが挿入される。この結果、先端９ｂの端面、すなわち光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面は、筒状体４１内において清掃用不織布部１７ａの端面と当接する。
【００３７】
上述したように、前記取り外した光伝送装置パッケージ３の位置に光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５を完全に挿入して光伝送装置架１に搭載することで、光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面に対して清掃用不織布部１７ａの端面が当接した状態において、すなわち端面同士の当接状態において、光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ５の前端部から前方に延出しているスプリングワイヤ２３の他端を図２（ａ）において矢印３１で示すように手動または機械的に回転させると、この回転はスプリングワイヤ２３から連結部材２１、不織布取付部１７ｂを介して清掃用不織布部１７ａに伝達されて、清掃用不織布部１７ａが回転する。清掃用不織布部１７ａが回転すると、その端面も回転し、この端面の回転により該端面に当接している光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の端面が清掃されることになる。
【００３８】
なお、スプリングワイヤ２３の他端の機械的回転は、例えばスプリングワイヤ２３の他端に図示しない回転駆動装置を接続し、この回転駆動装置の回転力によりスプリングワイヤ２３を機械的に回転させることにより行うことができる。この回転駆動装置による回転は遠隔的に行うことも容易に可能である。
【００３９】
本実施形態では、清掃部材である清掃用不織布部１７ａは、一例として不織布で構成されるものが使用されているが、これに限定されるものでなく、光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９の種類に応じて異なる種類の清掃部材を清掃部材取付部１７に対して着脱自在に取り付けられるように構成され、どのような種類の光ケーブル接続用コネクタ９にも適用し得るようになっている。
【００４０】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、光コネクタ端面の清掃対象の光信号処理パッケージと同じ大きさのパッケージ基板上に細長い光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を回転自在に取り付け、その一端に取り付けられた清掃部材の端面を光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面に当接して清掃し得るように構成されているので、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を回転させることで清掃部材の端面を回転させ、この回転する端面に当接している光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を簡単に清掃でき、従来のように光ケーブル接続用コネクタを光伝送装置パッケージ側から取り外す必要もなく、また光ファイバが輻輳している光伝送装置架の背面から光ケーブル接続用コネクタや光ファイバを特定する必要もなく、光伝送装置架の前面側から単に光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを挿入し、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を光伝送装置架の前面側で単に回転させるだけで極めて簡単に清掃対象の光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃でき、効率化、経済化、迅速化、正確さ、他の光ファイバなどを損傷しないという安全性を向上することができる。
【００４１】
また、本発明によれば、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部の他端がパッケージ基板の前端部を通過して装置実装架の前面に延出しているので、この延出した他端を手で把持したり、または回転駆動装置などの機械に接続して、容易に回転させることができる。
【００４２】
更に、本発明によれば、光ケーブル接続用コネクタの種類に応じて異なる種類の清掃部材を着脱自在に取り付けられるので、どのような光コネクタにも適確に対応することができる。
【００４３】
本発明によれば、光信号処理パッケージを装置実装架から取り外し、この取り外した位置に光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを挿入して、清掃部材の端面を光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面に当接させ、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を他端から回転させ、これにより清掃部材の端面を回転させて光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃するので、従来のように光ケーブル接続用コネクタを光伝送装置パッケージ側から取り外す必要もなく、また光ファイバが輻輳している光伝送装置架の背面から光ケーブル接続用コネクタや光ファイバを特定する必要もなく、光伝送装置架の前面側から単に光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージを挿入し、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を光伝送装置架の前面側で単に回転させるだけで極めて簡単に清掃対象の光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃でき、効率化、経済化、迅速化、正確さ、他の光ファイバなどを損傷しないという安全性を向上することができる。
【００４４】
また、本発明によれば、光コネクタ端面清掃用棒状部を手動で回転させたり、または回転駆動装置により機械的に回転させるので、例えば少数の光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃する場合には手動で行い、多数の光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面を清掃する場合には回転駆動装置を用いて迅速かつ効果的に行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態に係わる光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージが実装されている光伝送装置架の前面および光伝送装置架に実装されている光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージの正面を示す図である。
【図２】図１に示す光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージの詳細な構成および一部の詳細な構成を示す図である。
【図３】図２に示す光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージに使用されている取付部材の構成を示す図である。
【図４】図２に示す光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージに使用されている連結部材の構成を示す図である。
【図５】光伝送装置パッケージが実装されいる光伝送装置架の前面および光伝送装置架に実装されいる光伝送装置パッケージを示す図である。
【図６】図５（ｂ）に示す光伝送装置パッケージのパッケージ側光コネクタに接続されている光ケーブル接続用コネクタの端面をコネクタクリーナ１０１を用いて清掃する従来の方法を説明するための図である。
【符号の説明】
１光伝送装置架
３光伝送装置パッケージ
５光コネクタ端面清掃用パッケージ
７光コネクタスティッククリーナ
８パッケージ側光コネクタ
８ａ装着冶具
９光ケーブル接続用コネクタ
１７清掃部材取付部
１７ａ清掃用不織布
１７ｂ不織布取付部
１９取付部材
２１連結部材
２３スプリングワイヤ
２５被覆チューブ
２７ａ、２７ｂ固定部材
４１筒状体[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, for example, in laying and maintaining an optical fiber communication network, in order to avoid the occurrence of optical signal loss due to dirt on the end face of the optical connector connecting the optical fiber transmitting the optical signal, and to reduce the reliability. For example, the present invention relates to an optical connector end surface cleaning package for cleaning the end surface of an optical connector attached to a transmission device rack, and an optical connector end surface cleaning method using the optical connector end surface cleaning package. For cleaning the end face of the optical cable connection connector attached to the device mounting frame so as to be connected to the package side optical connector attached to the optical signal processing package such as the optical transmission package mounted on the device mounting frame. Optical connector end face cleaning package and optical connector end using the optical connector end face cleaning package On cleaning method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an optical fiber communication network, when an abnormal loss or the like occurs at a connection point of an optical connector, it is necessary to clean an end face of the optical connector at a work site. In such an optical connector, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, an optical circuit in each of a plurality of optical transmission device packages 3 mounted on the optical transmission device frame 1 is provided on the rear side of the optical transmission device frame 1. In order to connect to a plurality of wired optical cables, a plurality of optical transmission device packages 3 are provided on the rear end of the optical transmission device rack 1 corresponding to the rear ends.
[0003]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), it is attached to the rear end of the optical transmission device package 3 mounted on the optical transmission device frame 1 (located on the back side of the optical transmission device frame 1). The optical cable connection connector 9 which is, for example, an MU connector provided on the rear surface 1a side of the optical transmission device rack 1 is connected to the package side optical connector 8 as shown by a dotted line. The end face of the connection connector 9, that is, the end face of the optical cable connector 9 facing the package side optical connector 8 is cleaned.
[0004]
The optical cable connector 9 is detached from the package-side optical connector 8 of the optical transmission device package 3 as shown by an arrow 201 in FIG. 5B, and the optical cable connector 9 is an optical fiber 9a that is an optical cable. The end face of the tip 9b of the optical fiber 9a that penetrates the optical cable connector 9 (hereinafter referred to as the end face of the optical cable connector 9) is surface-connected to the package-side optical connector 8, that is, the optical cable connector. An end face 9 is surface-connected to an end face of an optical member such as an optical fiber provided in the package side optical connector 8.
[0005]
Conventionally, in order to clean the end face of the optical cable connection connector 9, of the plurality of optical transmission apparatus packages 3 mounted on the optical transmission apparatus frame 1, the end face of the optical transmission apparatus package 3 that needs to be cleaned. Is checked from the front side of the optical transmission device frame 1 and then turned to the rear surface 1a side of the optical transmission device frame 1 to identify which optical transmission device package 3 is to be cleaned.
[0006]
Then, the optical cable connector 9 connected to the package-side optical connector 8 of the specified optical transmission device package 3 is connected to the package-side optical connector 8 of the optical transmission device package 3 as shown by an arrow 201 in FIG. Remove from When the optical cable connector 9 is detached in this manner, a connector cleaner 101 is prepared as shown in FIG. 6, and the end face of the detached optical cable connector 9 is rubbed by hand against the cleaning surface 101a of the connector cleaner 101. Thus, the end face is cleaned.
[0007]
On the other hand, a cleaning jig for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber is also known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-287142
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, according to the conventional method for cleaning the end face of the optical cable connection connector 9, the optical transmission device package 3 is housed in a large number of optical transmission device packages 3 with the recent miniaturization of the optical transmission device package 3 and the miniaturization of the optical connector. Since the optical fiber cores are congested on the rear surface of the transmission apparatus rack 1, it is difficult to remove the optical cable connector 9 from the optical transmission apparatus package 3 and clean it. There is a problem that the cord may be affected.
[0010]
Also, due to the miniaturization of the optical transmission device package 3 and the optical connector and the congestion of the optical fiber core wires on the back surface of the optical transmission device frame 1, the optical transmission device frame 1 is moved from the specified position of the optical transmission device package 3. It is difficult to identify the optical cable connecting connector 9 or the optical fiber connected to the optical cable connecting connector 9 on the rear surface, and there is a possibility that the other existing optical cable connecting connector 9 or the optical fiber is accidentally removed. There is a problem.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to easily remove an end surface of an optical cable connection connector targeted for an end surface from the front side of the rack without removing the optical cable connection connector on the back of the rack. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector end surface cleaning package that can be cleaned and an optical connector end surface cleaning method using the optical connector end surface cleaning package.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 is mounted on a device mounting rack so as to be connected to a package side optical connector mounted on an optical signal processing package mounted on the device mounting rack. An optical connector end surface cleaning package for cleaning an end surface of an optical cable connection connector, comprising a package substrate having the same size as the optical signal processing package so that it can be mounted on an apparatus mounting frame in the same manner as the optical signal processing package. When a cleaning member for cleaning the end surface of the optical cable connection connector attached to the device mounting frame is attached at one point, and when the package substrate is mounted on the device mounting frame, the cleaning member has an end surface of the optical cable connection connector. One end is located at the rear end of the package substrate so that the end surface can be cleaned, and the other end is located at the front end of the package substrate. Having an elongated optical connector end face cleaning rod portion rotatably provided on the package substrate so as to lie exposed to the gist of the.
[0013]
According to the present invention, an elongated optical connector end surface cleaning rod is rotatably mounted on a package substrate having the same size as the optical signal processing package whose optical connector end surface is to be cleaned, and is attached to one end thereof. Since the end surface of the provided cleaning member is configured to be able to be cleaned by contacting the end surface of the optical cable connector, the end surface of the cleaning member is rotated by rotating the rod-shaped portion for cleaning the end surface of the optical connector. The end face of the optical cable connector that is in contact with the end face to be connected can be easily cleaned, there is no need to remove the optical cable connector from the optical transmission apparatus package side as in the conventional case, and the optical fiber is congested. There is no need to identify the optical cable connector or optical fiber from the back of the rack, and simply clean the end of the optical connector from the front of the optical transmission rack. By simply inserting the package and simply rotating the optical connector end surface cleaning rod on the front side of the optical transmission equipment frame, it is extremely easy to accurately identify and clean only the end surface of the optical cable connector to be cleaned, and to improve efficiency. It is possible to improve the safety of the optical fiber, such as cost, economy, speed, accuracy, and damage to other optical fibers.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the cleaning member is formed of a woven cloth, and the optical connector end surface cleaning rod-shaped portion has one end attached to the cleaning member. A cleaning member mounting portion, an elongated rotation transmitting portion having one end attached to the other end of the cleaning member mounting portion, and the other end exposed at the front end of the package substrate, and rotatably covering the rotation transmitting portion; And a connecting member that integrally connects the cleaning member mounting portion and the rotation transmitting portion such that the cleaning member mounting portion rotates in response to the rotation when the rotation transmitting portion is rotated. The gist includes a fixing member for fixing the coating tube to the package substrate, and a mounting member for rotatably mounting the cleaning member mounting portion to the package substrate.
[0015]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cleaning member is formed of a non-woven fabric, the optical connector end surface cleaning rod-shaped portion has a cleaning member attached to one end of the cleaning member attachment portion, and the cleaning member attachment portion is connected via a connecting member. To the rotation transmitting section covered with the covering tube.
[0016]
Furthermore, in the present invention according to claim 3, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the other end of the optical connector end surface cleaning rod extends through the front end of the package substrate and extends to the front surface of the device mounting frame. The gist is that
[0017]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the other end of the optical connector end surface cleaning rod extends through the front end of the package substrate and extends to the front of the device mounting frame. Can be easily rotated by holding it by hand or connecting it to a machine such as a rotary drive device.
[0018]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the rotation transmitting portion is a thin coiled elastic rod-shaped spring wire.
[0019]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the rotation transmitting portion is a thin coiled elastic rod-shaped spring wire.
[0020]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the optical connector end surface cleaning rod-like portion is a cleaning member attached to one end of the optical cable connection connector. The gist of the present invention is that different types of cleaning members can be detachably attached depending on the type.
[0021]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since different types of cleaning members can be detachably attached in accordance with the type of the optical cable connector, it is possible to appropriately cope with any optical connector.
[0022]
Further, the present invention according to claim 6 uses the optical connector end surface cleaning package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and is attached to an optical signal processing package mounted on a device mounting rack. An optical connector end face cleaning method for cleaning an end face of an optical cable connection connector attached to a device mounting rack so as to be connected to a package side optical connector, wherein the optical signal processing package is removed from the device mounting rack, The optical connector end face cleaning package is inserted at the position where the end face of the optical connector end face cleaning rod is attached to one end of the optical connector end face cleaning rod, and the end face of the optical cable connection connector is brought into contact with the end face. The optical connector end surface cleaning rod is rotated from the other end in a state where the end surfaces are in contact with each other. And summarized in that to clean the Buru end face of the connector.
[0023]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the optical signal processing package is detached from the device mounting frame, the optical connector end face cleaning package is inserted into the detached position, and the end face of the cleaning member is set to the end face of the optical cable connector. In order to clean the end face of the optical cable connection connector by rotating the end face of the cleaning member by rotating the cleaning end of the optical connector end face from the other end in this contact state of the end faces, It is not necessary to remove the optical cable connection connector from the optical transmission device package side, and it is not necessary to identify the optical cable connection connector or the optical fiber from the back of the optical transmission device rack where the optical fiber is congested. Simply insert the optical connector end cleaning package from the front side of the rack, and simply turn the optical connector end cleaning rod on the front side of the optical transmission device rack. Only can very easily clean the end face of the optical cable connector for connecting cleaned to streamline, economy, faster, it is possible to improve safety of accuracy, not to damage such as another optical fiber.
[0024]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the sixth aspect, the rotation of the optical connector end surface cleaning rod portion manually rotates the other end of the optical connector end surface cleaning rod portion or the other end. The invention is characterized in that the rotation is performed by mechanically rotating the rod-shaped portion for cleaning the end face of the optical connector by the rotational force of the rotation driving device.
[0025]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the rod-shaped portion for cleaning the end face of the optical connector is manually rotated or mechanically rotated by a rotation driving device, so that, for example, the end faces of a small number of optical cable connection connectors are cleaned. In this case, it is performed manually, and when the end faces of a large number of optical cable connectors are cleaned, it can be performed quickly and efficiently using a rotary drive device.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a front surface of an optical transmission device rack 1 which is a device mounting frame on which an optical connector end face cleaning package according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted, and the optical transmission device frame 1. It is a figure which shows the front of the package 5 for optical connector end surface cleaning mounted, respectively.
[0027]
First, as shown in FIG. 1A, an optical connector end surface cleaning package 5 according to the present embodiment is used for cleaning an optical connector end surface when a plurality of optical transmission devices mounted on an optical transmission device rack 1 are mounted. The package 3 is mounted at the position of the optical transmission device package 3 which is an optical signal processing package to be cleaned of the end face of the optical connector. That is, the optical transmission device package 3 to be cleaned is pulled out of the optical transmission device rack 1 and removed, and the optical connector end surface cleaning package 5 is inserted into the removed position and mounted as shown in FIG. . In FIG. 1A, the optical connector end face cleaning package 5 is mounted at the second position from the left among the plurality of optical transmission device packages 3.
[0028]
As shown in detail in FIG. 1B, the optical connector end surface cleaning package 5 mounted as described above is configured such that it can be mounted on the optical transmission device rack 1 similarly to the optical transmission device package 3. The optical connector stick cleaner 7, which is formed of a rectangular package substrate having the same size as 3 and is a rod-shaped portion for cleaning an end face of an elongated optical connector, is rotatably mounted on the package substrate as described later.
[0029]
One end of each of the optical connector stick cleaners 7 is located at the rear end of the package substrate of the optical connector end surface cleaning package 5 near the back surface 1a of the optical transmission device frame 1, and the other end is optically transmitted from the front end of the package substrate. It extends to the front of the device rack 1. The other end of the optical connector stick cleaner 7 does not need to extend from the front end of the package substrate to the front surface of the optical transmission device rack 1, but may be exposed only at the front end of the package substrate. As will be described later, it is only necessary that the optical connector stick cleaner 7 can be manually or mechanically rotated through the other end.
[0030]
Further, each optical connector stick cleaner 7 has a cleaning member mounting portion 17 at one end located at the rear end of the package substrate, and the cleaning member mounting portion 17 has a package having one end connected to the optical cable connection connector 9. It is connected to the side optical connector 8. In FIG. 1B, one end of the cleaning member mounting portion 17 is described as being connected to the package-side optical connector 8 for simplification of the description. The cleaning member mounting portion 17 is provided in a mounting jig (indicated by reference numeral 8a in FIG. 2A to be described later) which forms a part of the connector 8 and mounts the optical transmission device package 3 on the optical transmission device rack 1. It is connected so that one end is inserted. In the present embodiment, as an example, two optical connector stick cleaners 7, two cleaning member mounting parts 17, two package-side optical connectors 8, and two optical cable connectors 9 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each may be one or three or more.
[0031]
More details will be described with reference to FIG. 2A, the optical connector stick cleaner 7 is a cleaning member in which the cleaning member mounting portion 17 is made of a nonwoven fabric as an example. The cleaning non-woven fabric portion 17a includes a non-woven fabric attaching portion 17b having one end connected to the cleaning non-woven fabric portion 17a. The other end of the non-woven fabric attaching portion 17b is connected to one end of a spring wire 23 by a connecting member 21. . In this embodiment, the spring wire 23 is formed of a thin coiled elastic rod-shaped body, but is entirely covered with a covering tube 25 except for both ends, and the other end is an optical connector. The end surface cleaning package 5 extends forward from the front end. When the other end is manually or mechanically rotated as indicated by an arrow 31 in FIG. 2A, the spring wire 23 freely rotates within the coating tube 25, and this rotation is performed through the connecting member 21 to attach the nonwoven fabric. The cleaning non-woven fabric part 17a is also transmitted to the part 17b and rotated by rotation of the non-woven fabric mounting part 17b. The covering tube 25 has both ends fixed to the package substrate by fixing members 27a and 27b, and the nonwoven fabric mounting portion 17b is rotatably mounted on the package substrate by the mounting member 19 so as not to be displaced.
[0032]
The cleaning nonwoven fabric portion 17a constitutes the package side optical connector 8 as described above and is inserted into the mounting jig 8a for mounting the optical transmission device package 3 on the optical transmission device rack 1. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2B, a cylindrical body 41 for abutting the ferrule of the connector is provided in the mounting jig 8a. 17a is inserted from one side, and the tip 9b of the optical fiber 9a penetrating the optical cable connection connector 9 is inserted from the other end, whereby the end face of the tip 9b, that is, the end face of the optical cable connection connector 9 becomes the end face of the cleaning nonwoven fabric part 17a. When the cleaning non-woven fabric portion 17a is rotated as described above, the end surface of the optical cable connector 9 is cleaned by the rotation of the end surface.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting member 19 that rotatably mounts the nonwoven fabric mounting portion 17b to the package substrate has two mounting halves 19a and 19b having semicircular concave portions formed on opposing side surfaces. And a hole 19d is formed at the center between the two, and the two can be opened via the hinge 19c as shown in FIG. 3 (c). It is adapted to be rotatably fixed in the portion 19d. Therefore, the hole 19d is formed so as to have an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the nonwoven fabric attaching portion 17b.
[0034]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the connecting member 21 connecting the nonwoven fabric mounting portion 17b and the spring wire 23 has a large side on which the nonwoven fabric mounting portion 17b is inserted and a small side on which the spring wire 23 is inserted. When the nonwoven fabric mounting portion 17b is inserted into the tapered hole so as to push the nonwoven fabric mounting portion 17b into the tapered hole, a gripping force is generated with respect to the nonwoven fabric mounting portion 17b, and the nonwoven fabric mounting portion 17b is attached. The portion 17b is securely held, and the rotation from the spring wire 23 can be properly transmitted to the nonwoven fabric attaching portion 17b.
[0035]
In order to clean the end face of the package-side optical connector 8 using the optical connector end face cleaning package 5 configured as described above, first, the optical transmission device package 3 to be cleaned of the optical connector end face is specified. The optical transmission device package 3 is removed from the optical transmission device rack 1.
[0036]
Then, the optical connector end surface cleaning package 5 is inserted into the position of the removed optical transmission device package 3 and mounted on the optical transmission device rack 1. When this insertion is completely performed to the depth of the optical transmission device rack 1 in the same manner as the insertion of the normal optical transmission device package 3, the insertion into the cylindrical body 41 of the mounting jig 8a into which the cleaning nonwoven fabric portion 17a is inserted. The tip 9b of the optical fiber 9a penetrating the optical cable connector 9 attached to the optical transmission device rack 1 is inserted. As a result, the end face of the tip 9b, that is, the end face of the optical cable connector 9 comes into contact with the end face of the cleaning nonwoven fabric portion 17a in the tubular body 41.
[0037]
As described above, by completely inserting the optical connector end surface cleaning package 5 at the position of the removed optical transmission device package 3 and mounting it on the optical transmission device rack 1, the end surface of the optical cable connection connector 9 is removed. In the state where the end faces of the cleaning nonwoven fabric part 17a are in contact, that is, in the state where the end faces are in contact with each other, the other end of the spring wire 23 extending forward from the front end of the optical connector end face cleaning package 5 is shown in FIG. When the rotation is performed manually or mechanically as shown by an arrow 31 in a), the rotation is transmitted from the spring wire 23 to the cleaning non-woven fabric portion 17a via the connecting member 21 and the non-woven fabric mounting portion 17b, and the cleaning non-woven fabric portion 17a is rotated. 17a rotates. When the cleaning non-woven fabric portion 17a rotates, its end surface also rotates, and the rotation of this end surface cleans the end surface of the optical cable connector 9 in contact with the end surface.
[0038]
The mechanical rotation of the other end of the spring wire 23 is performed, for example, by connecting a rotation drive device (not shown) to the other end of the spring wire 23 and mechanically rotating the spring wire 23 by the rotation force of the rotation drive device. It can be carried out. The rotation by the rotation driving device can be easily performed remotely.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, the cleaning nonwoven fabric portion 17a, which is a cleaning member, is made of a nonwoven fabric as an example. However, the cleaning nonwoven fabric portion 17a is not limited thereto. Different types of cleaning members are configured to be detachably attached to the cleaning member mounting portion 17, and can be applied to any type of optical cable connector 9.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an elongated optical connector end surface cleaning rod is rotatably mounted on a package substrate of the same size as an optical signal processing package whose optical connector end surface is to be cleaned, and is attached to one end thereof. Since the end surface of the cleaning member is configured to be able to be cleaned by contacting the end surface of the optical cable connector, the end surface of the cleaning member is rotated by rotating the rod-shaped portion for cleaning the end surface of the optical connector. The end face of the optical cable connector that is in contact with the end face to be connected can be easily cleaned, there is no need to remove the optical cable connector from the optical transmission apparatus package side as in the conventional case, and the optical fiber is congested. There is no need to identify the optical cable connector or optical fiber from the back of the rack, just the end of the optical connector from the front of the optical transmission rack. By simply inserting the cleaning package and simply rotating the optical connector end surface cleaning rod on the front side of the optical transmission device frame, the end surface of the optical cable connection connector to be cleaned can be cleaned extremely easily, thus improving efficiency, economy, Speed, accuracy, and safety, such as not damaging other optical fibers, can be improved.
[0041]
Further, according to the present invention, the other end of the optical connector end surface cleaning rod extends through the front end of the package substrate and extends to the front of the device mounting frame. Or connected to a machine such as a rotary drive for easy rotation.
[0042]
Further, according to the present invention, different types of cleaning members can be detachably attached according to the type of the optical cable connector, so that it is possible to appropriately cope with any optical connector.
[0043]
According to the present invention, the optical signal processing package is detached from the device mounting frame, the optical connector end face cleaning package is inserted into the detached position, and the end face of the cleaning member is brought into contact with the end face of the optical cable connection connector. The end portion of the cleaning member is rotated from the other end, and the end surface of the cleaning member is rotated to clean the end surface of the optical cable connection connector. Therefore, the optical cable connection connector is removed from the optical transmission device package side as in the related art. There is no need, nor is it necessary to identify the optical cable connection connector or optical fiber from the back of the optical transmission equipment rack where optical fibers are congested, and simply insert the optical connector end face cleaning package from the front side of the optical transmission equipment rack. By simply rotating the rod-shaped portion for cleaning the end face of the optical connector on the front side of the optical transmission device frame, it is extremely easy to clean the optical connector to be cleaned. Can clean the end surface of the cable connector, efficiency, economy, faster, it is possible to improve safety of accuracy, not to damage such as another optical fiber.
[0044]
Further, according to the present invention, since the optical connector end surface cleaning rod is manually rotated or mechanically rotated by a rotation driving device, for example, when cleaning the end surfaces of a small number of optical cable connection connectors, manual operation is required. When cleaning the end faces of a large number of connectors for connecting optical cables, it is possible to quickly and effectively use a rotary drive device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a front surface of an optical transmission device rack on which an optical connector end surface cleaning package according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted and a front surface of an optical connector end surface cleaning package mounted on the optical transmission device rack. It is.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a detailed configuration and a part of a detailed configuration of the optical connector end surface cleaning package shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view showing a configuration of a mounting member used in the optical connector end face cleaning package shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view showing a configuration of a connecting member used in the optical connector end face cleaning package shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a front surface of an optical transmission device rack on which the optical transmission device package is mounted and an optical transmission device package mounted on the optical transmission device rack.
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a conventional method for cleaning an end face of an optical cable connection connector connected to a package side optical connector of the optical transmission device package shown in FIG. 5B using a connector cleaner 101; is there.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Optical transmission equipment rack
3 Optical transmission device package
5 Optical connector end face cleaning package
7 Optical connector stick cleaner
8 Package side optical connector
8a Mounting jig
9 Optical cable connector
17 Cleaning member mounting part
17a Non-woven fabric for cleaning
17b Non-woven fabric attachment part
19 Mounting member
21 Connecting member
23 Spring wire
25 Coated tube
27a, 27b fixing member
41 tubular body

Claims

Optical connector end surface cleaning package for cleaning an end surface of an optical cable connection connector attached to a device mounting frame so as to be connected to a package side optical connector attached to an optical signal processing package mounted on the device mounting frame. And
A package substrate having the same size as the optical signal processing package so that it can be mounted on the device mounting frame in the same manner as the optical signal processing package;
When a cleaning member for cleaning the end surface of the optical cable connection connector attached to the device mounting frame is attached at one point, and when the package substrate is mounted on the device mounting frame, the end surface of the cleaning member is the end surface of the optical cable connection connector An elongated optical connector rotatably provided on the package substrate such that one end is located at the rear end of the package substrate so that the package substrate can be cleaned by contact with the other end, and the other end is exposed at the front end of the package substrate. An optical connector end surface cleaning package, comprising: an end surface cleaning rod.

The cleaning member is formed of a nonwoven fabric,
The optical connector end surface cleaning rod-shaped portion has a cleaning member mounting portion having one end mounted to the cleaning member, one end mounted to the other end of the cleaning member mounting portion, and the other end exposed to the front end of the package substrate. An elongated rotation transmitting portion, a coating tube rotatably covering the rotation transmitting portion, and a cleaning member that rotates when the rotation transmitting portion rotates the cleaning member mounting portion in accordance with the rotation. A connecting member for integrally connecting the member mounting portion and the rotation transmitting portion; a fixing member for fixing the covering tube to the package substrate; and a mounting member for rotatably mounting the cleaning member mounting portion to the package substrate. The package for cleaning an end face of an optical connector according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The optical connector end surface cleaning package according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector end surface cleaning rod portion has the other end extending to the front surface of the device mounting rack through the front end of the package substrate. .

3. The optical connector end face cleaning package according to claim 2, wherein the rotation transmitting portion is a thin coiled elastic rod-shaped spring wire.

The optical connector end face cleaning rod-shaped portion is configured such that different types of cleaning members can be removably attached as cleaning members attached to one end in accordance with the type of the optical cable connection connector. Item 5. The package for cleaning an end face of an optical connector according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

An optical connector end surface cleaning package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the optical connector end surface cleaning package is connected to a package-side optical connector attached to an optical signal processing package mounted on a device mounting rack. An optical connector end surface cleaning method for cleaning an end surface of an optical cable connection connector attached to a device mounting rack,
Removing the optical signal processing package from the device mounting rack,
Inserting the optical connector end face cleaning package into the removed position, and bringing the end face of the cleaning member attached to one end of the optical connector end face cleaning rod into contact with the end face of the optical cable connection connector,
In this manner, the optical connector end surface cleaning rod is rotated from the other end in a state where the end surfaces are in contact with each other, whereby the end surface of the cleaning member is rotated to clean the end surface of the optical cable connection connector. Optical connector end face cleaning method.

The rotation of the optical connector end surface cleaning rod portion is performed by manually rotating the other end of the optical connector end surface cleaning rod portion or by connecting a rotation driving device to the other end, and by rotating the rotation driving device. 7. The method for cleaning an end face of an optical connector according to claim 6, wherein the method is performed by mechanically rotating a rod-shaped portion for cleaning the end face of the optical connector.