JP3072645U - Optical fiber end face cleaning tool - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an inexpensive optical fiber end face cleaning tool having an easy and simple structure in which parts to be discarded are reduced as much as possible. A cleaning plate having a cleaning surface for cleaning an end face of an optical fiber is provided.
1, and a frame 53 having an accommodating portion for accommodating the cleaning plate. The frame is provided with a window 54 communicating with the accommodating portion, and the cleaning surface of the cleaning plate accommodated in the accommodating portion is exposed from the window. Cleaning tool 50. It further comprises a slidable plate 57 having a slot 58 having a width larger than the thickness of the optical fiber, and sliding means 56 and 56 'for sliding the slidable plate along the frame window. The sliding means includes means 55, 59 for intermittently sliding the slidable plate along the frame window by the width of the slot.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Field to which the invention belongs]

 The present invention is an optical fiber end cleaning tool suitable for cleaning the end of an optical fiber.

[0002]

[Problems to be solved by prior art and invention]

 An optical fiber is a thin wire having a thickness of several hundred microns made of a light-transmitting material such as glass or plastic, and is used as a transmission line for optical communication for transmitting information to a distant place by transmitting light. Excellent transmission characteristics such as loss and wideband are required. The transmission characteristics depend on the geometric structure of the optical fiber (for example, cladding diameter, optical fiber end face smoothness, etc.), the optical structure (for example, refractive index distribution, etc.), and the material. Various inspections have been performed on the chemical and optical structures.

For example, when optical fibers are connected to each other or when the optical fiber is coupled to an optical element at a transmitting / receiving end, the end face of the optical fiber needs to be sufficiently smooth. An inspection is performed to determine whether the surface is perpendicular to the surface and is sufficiently polished (for this inspection, see, for example, JP-A-51-96340). This inspection is performed for each optical fiber. If it is found that cleaning of the end face of the optical fiber is insufficient or foreign matter is attached to the end face, the end face of the optical fiber is cleaned. You.

Such cleaning of the end face of the optical fiber is performed manually for each optical fiber. Generally, a cassette tape type optical fiber end face cleaning tool 70 as shown in FIG. 4 is widely used. I have. The illustrated optical fiber end face cleaning tool 70 has a feed roller 73 and a take-up roller 74 rotatably mounted in a housing 71, and a cleaning roller previously wound around the feed roller 73 via auxiliary rollers 76 and 77. The tape 78 is wound around a take-up roller 74, and the cleaning surface 79 of the cleaning tape 78 is exposed from a window 72 provided in the housing 71. The end face of the optical fiber is cleaned by the cleaning surface 79 exposed from the window 72. The cleaning surface 79 of the cleaning tape 78 used for cleaning is wound around the winding roller 74 by turning a knob 75 provided on the winding roller 74, and the unused cleaning surface 79 is exposed from the window 72 of the housing 71. The cleaning surface 79 is used for cleaning the end face of the next optical fiber.

However, in such a conventional optical fiber end face cleaning tool, after the cleaning tape is used up, the used cleaning tape is discarded with the cleaning tape attached to the housing, and the cleaning tool is also disposed. Disposal is not only a waste of resources, but consumers also have to pay not only for the cleaning tape but also for the cost of manufacturing the housing for each purchase.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive optical fiber end face cleaning tool having an easy and simple configuration in which parts to be discarded are reduced as much as possible.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The optical fiber end face cleaning tool of the present invention that solves the above problems is a cleaning plate having a cleaning surface for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber.

[0008] The cleaning plate may be composed of a bag-shaped cleaning bag having a cleaning surface provided on an outer surface thereof, and a plate having a size corresponding to the inside size of the cleaning bag.

[0009] The cleaning bag has an opening and sealing means for sealing the opening.

[0010] The plate is removably accommodated in the cleaning bag through an opening thereof.

In this cleaning plate, when the plate is accommodated in the cleaning bag, the cleaning surfaces are arranged on both sides.

After the entire cleaning surface is used, the cleaning bag is discarded, the plate is accommodated in a new cleaning bag, and the optical fiber end surface can be cleaned on the cleaning surface of the cleaning bag.

[0013] Alternatively, the cleaning plate comprises a plate and a cleaning sheet having a cleaning surface.

The cleaning sheet may be removably adhered to one or both sides of the plate, or may be fixed to one or both sides of the plate.

After using the entire surface of the cleaning surface, the cleaning sheet is peeled off from the plate, only the cleaning sheet is discarded, a new cleaning sheet is adhered to the plate, and the end face of the optical fiber can be cleaned with the new cleaning sheet. If the cleaning sheet is fixed to the plate, discard the cleaning sheet together with the plate.

The optical fiber end face cleaning tool of the present invention further includes a frame having a housing for housing any one of the above cleaning plates and a window communicating with the housing.

The cleaning plate is inserted into the housing through the window of the frame, whereby the cleaning plate is housed in the housing of the frame so as to be removable. When the cleaning plate is housed in the housing of the frame, the cleaning surface of the cleaning plate is exposed from the window of the frame.

Further, the frame further has an insertion opening for inserting the cleaning plate into the accommodation portion, and the cleaning plate is inserted into the accommodation portion through the insertion opening of the frame, whereby the cleaning plate is removed to the accommodation portion of the frame. It may be accommodated as possible. When the cleaning plate is housed in the housing of the frame, the cleaning surface of the cleaning plate is exposed from the window of the frame.

The optical fiber end face cleaning tool of the present invention further includes a slideable plate having a slot having a width larger than the thickness of the optical fiber, and a sliding means for sliding the slideable plate along the window of the frame. Can be configured. Preferably, the sliding means is means for intermittently sliding the slideable plate along the window of the frame by the width of the slot.

[0020]

[Embodiment of the invention]

 Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows an optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown, the optical fiber end face cleaning tool 10 of the first embodiment includes a bag-shaped cleaning bag 11 provided with a cleaning surface 12 for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber on the outer surface, and an inner portion of the cleaning bag 11. The cleaning device includes a plate 15 that is housed so as to be removable and has a size that matches the size of the inside of the cleaning bag 11. The cleaning bag 11 is provided with an opening 13 communicating with the inside and a sealing means 14 for sealing the opening 13 so that the opening 13 can be opened and closed. The plate 15 is inserted into the inside of the cleaning bag 11 through the opening 13. (See the dotted arrow in the figure), the opening 13 is closed by the sealing means 14, and the cleaning bag 11 is housed inside.

As the plate 15 housed inside the cleaning bag 11, a thin plate such as cardboard or plastic is used.

The cleaning bag 11 is a woven sheet, a nonwoven sheet, a flocking sheet, a foam sheet, or the like, which is generally used for cleaning a surface of glass, plastic, or the like, or an abrasive particle on the surface of the sheet. The adhered rectangular sheet may be folded in two with its surface (this surface becomes the cleaning surface 12) outside, and three sides may be melt-bonded in a bag shape so that the opening 13 is left. . Preferably, a foam sheet having a foam layer formed on the surface of a plastic sheet is used as the cleaning bag 11, and the cleaning surface (foam layer) 12 is provided with a sealing means 14 near the opening 13. It is not provided near the opening 13. That is, a part of the plastic sheet constituting the foam sheet is exposed near the opening 13.

The sealing means 14 is preferably a plastic bag fastener generally used for sealing foods.

In the optical fiber end face cleaning tool 10 of the first embodiment, the cleaning surfaces 12 are provided on both front and back sides. After use, the sealing means 14 is opened, the plate 15 is taken out through the opening 13, this plate 15 is stored in a new cleaning bag, and the used cleaning bag is discarded.

Second Embodiment FIG. 2 shows an optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the optical fiber end face cleaning tool of the second embodiment includes a cleaning sheet 21 having a cleaning surface 22 for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber, and a plate 23 having the cleaning sheet 21 adhered to the surface. Cleaning plate 20 to be cleaned. The cleaning sheet 21 may be a foam sheet in which a foam layer such as foamed urethane is formed on the surface of a plastic sheet such as polyester, or a flocking sheet in which plastic fibers are planted on the surface of the plastic sheet.

In the illustrated example, the cleaning sheet 21 is detachably attached to one surface of the plate 23, but may be attached to both surfaces. Further, the cleaning sheet 21 may be fixed to one side or both sides of the plate 23.

After the entire surface of the cleaning surface 22 is used, the cleaning sheet 21 is peeled off from the plate 23, only the cleaning sheet 21 is discarded, a new cleaning sheet is adhered to the plate 23, and the optical fiber end face is used with this new cleaning sheet. Can be cleaned. When the cleaning sheet 21 is fixed to the plate 23, the cleaning sheet 21 is discarded together with the plate 23.

Third Embodiment FIG. 3 shows an optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the optical fiber end face cleaning tool 30 of the third embodiment includes a cleaning plate 31 having a cleaning surface 32 for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber, and a cleaning plate 31 for accommodating the cleaning plate 31 so that the cleaning plate 31 can be taken out. The frame 33 is provided with a window portion 35 which communicates with the storage portion 34. As shown in the drawing, the frame 33 is used for cleaning the cleaning plate 31 stored in the storage portion 34 of the frame 33. The surface 32 is exposed from the window 35 of the frame 33.

As the cleaning plate 31, the optical fiber end face cleaning tool 10 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) or the cleaning plate 20 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 2) can be used.

As shown, a frame 33 for accommodating the cleaning plate 31 is provided with a recess (housing portion 34) having the same shape as the cleaning plate 31, and the cleaning plate 31 is opened through an opening (window 35) of the recess. The cleaning surface 32 is removably housed in the recess, and the cleaning surface 32 is exposed from the opening of the recess, that is, the window 35. The cleaning of the end face of the optical fiber is performed on the cleaning surface 32 exposed from the window 35.

When the entire cleaning surface of the cleaning plate 31 has been used, the cleaning plate 31 is removed from the frame 33, the cleaning plate 31 (or only the cleaning sheet) is replaced, and the used cleaning plate 31 is used. Discard (or only the cleaning sheet).

Fourth Embodiment FIGS. 4A and 4B show an optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the optical fiber end face cleaning tool 40 according to the fourth embodiment includes a cleaning plate 41 having a cleaning surface 42 for cleaning the end face of the optical fiber, and a housing part for accommodating the cleaning plate 41 in a removable manner. The frame 43 is provided with a window portion 45 communicating with the housing portion 44, and as shown in the drawing, the cleaning plate 41 housed in the housing portion 44 of the frame 43 is cleaned. The surface 42 is exposed from the window 44 of the frame 43.

As the cleaning plate 41, the optical fiber end face cleaning tool 10 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) or the cleaning plate 20 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 2) can be used.

The accommodation portion 44 of the frame 43 for accommodating the cleaning plate 41 is a space portion having the same shape as the cleaning plate 41 formed by the inner wall surface of the frame 43 as shown in FIG. The space, that is, the housing portion 44 communicates with an insertion port 46 provided on one of the side surfaces of the frame 43, and the cleaning plate 41 is inserted into and removed from the storage portion 44 of the frame 43 through the insertion port 46. .

In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the frame 43 is provided with windows 45, 45 ′ on the upper and lower sides thereof, and the cleaning plate 41 is disposed on both sides of the cleaning plate 41 through the windows 45, 45 ′. Although the surfaces 42 and 42 'are exposed, a window 45 (or 45') may be provided only on one side of the frame 43, and the cleaning surface 42 (or 42 ') of the cleaning plate 41 may be exposed from one side.

The optical fiber end surface cleaning tool 40 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B includes a cleaning plate 41 having cleaning surfaces 42 and 42 ′ disposed on both sides thereof, and a housing portion 44 of the frame 43 through an insertion port 46 of the frame 43. The cleaning surfaces 42 and 42 ′ of the cleaning plate 41 are exposed from the windows 45 and 45 ′ of the frame 43, and one end of the cleaning surface 42 is used to clean the end face of the optical fiber. After the use, the optical fiber end face cleaning tool 40 is turned over, and the optical fiber end face is cleaned on the other side of the cleaning face 42 '.

When the entire cleaning surfaces 42 and 42 ′ have been used, the cleaning plate 41 is taken out through the insertion port 46 of the frame 43 and replaced with a new cleaning plate, or the cleaning plate 41 is replaced with a new one. Replace only the cleaning sheet attached with fasteners and discard the used cleaning plate or cleaning sheet only.

Fifth Embodiment FIGS. 5A and 5B show an optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the optical fiber end surface cleaning tool 50 includes a cleaning plate 51 having a cleaning surface 52 for cleaning the end surface of the optical fiber disposed on one side (or both sides), and a housing portion for accommodating the cleaning plate 51 in a removable manner. Frame 53, a slidable plate 57 having a slot 58 having a width larger than the thickness of the optical fiber, and sliding means 56, 56 'for sliding the slidable plate 57 along the window 54 of the frame 53. Is done.

The accommodation portion for accommodating the cleaning plate 51 is a recess having the same shape as the cleaning plate 51, which is slightly deeper than the thickness of the cleaning plate 51 provided on the frame 53. Are windows 54 for exposing the cleaning surface 52 of the cleaning plate 51.

The slidable plate 57 is attached to the frame 53 so as to cross the rectangular window 54, and the slidable plate 57 is provided with a slot 58 having a width larger than the thickness of the optical fiber. The cleaning surface 52 of the cleaning plate 51 is exposed through the slot 58.

The sliding means 56, 56 ′ for sliding the slideable plate 57 along the window 54 are provided on the groove rail 56 provided on the frame 53 along the window 54 and on the slideable plate 57. As shown in FIG. 3B, the protrusion 56 ′ is engaged with the groove rail 56 of the frame, and the slideable plate 57 can slide along the window 54 of the frame 53. It is as follows.

A plurality of recesses 55 having an inverted triangular cross section are formed at regular intervals along the window portion 54 of the frame 53 at the same distance as the width of the slot 58. Is provided with a hemispherical convex portion 59 fitted into the concave portion 55, so that the slideable plate 57 can be intermittently slid along the window portion 54 by the width of the slot 58. I have. The width of both sides of the slot 58 of the sliding double plate 57 is slightly smaller than the width of the slot 58, and the slidable plate 57 is moved along the window 54 by the width of the slot 58. When the slide is made, the area adjacent to the area of the cleaning surface 52 that was exposed from the slot 58 before the slide is exposed from the slot 58, so that the area of the used cleaning surface is not used again, and the cleaning is performed. The entire surface 52 can be used effectively.

Sixth Embodiment FIGS. 6A and 6B show an optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the optical fiber end surface cleaning tool 60 includes a cleaning plate 61 having cleaning surfaces 62 for cleaning the end surfaces of the optical fibers disposed on both sides, a frame 63 having an accommodating portion for accommodating the cleaning plate 61 in a removable manner, and an optical fiber end cleaning device. And a sliding means 66, 66 'for sliding the slidable plate 67 along the window portion 64 of the frame 63.

The housing portion of the frame 63 for housing the cleaning plate 61 is a space portion having the same shape as the cleaning plate 61 formed by the inner wall surface of the frame 63 as shown in FIG. This space portion, that is, the housing portion communicates with an insertion port 63 ′ provided on one of the side surfaces of the frame 63, and the cleaning plate 61 is put in and out of the housing portion of the frame 63 through the insertion port 63 ′. . When the cleaning plate 61 is accommodated in the accommodating portion of the frame 63, the cleaning surface 62 of the cleaning plate 61 is exposed from the window 64 of the frame 63.

As the cleaning plate 61, the optical fiber end face cleaning tool 10 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) or the cleaning plate 20 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 2) can be used.

The slidable plate 67 is attached to the frame 63 so as to cross the rectangular window 64, and the slidable plate 67 is provided with a slot 68 having a width larger than the thickness of the optical fiber. Through this slot 68, the cleaning surface 62 of the cleaning plate 61 is exposed.

The sliding means 66, 66 ′ for sliding the slideable plate 67 along the window 64 are provided on the groove rail 66 provided on the frame 63 along the window 64 and on the slideable plate 67. As shown in FIG. 6B, the projection 66 ′ is engaged with the groove rail 66 of the frame 63, and the slideable plate 67 is moved along the window 64 of the frame 63. You can slide.

A plurality of recesses 65 each having an inverted triangular cross section are formed at regular intervals along the window 64 of the frame 63 at the same distance as the width of the slot 68. Is provided with a hemispherical convex portion 69 that fits into the concave portion 65, so that the slideable plate 67 can be intermittently slid along the window portion 64 by the width of the slot 68. I have. The width of both sides of the slot 68 of the sliding double plate 67 is slightly smaller than the width of the slot 68, and the slidable plate 67 is moved along the window 64 by the width of the slot 68. When the slide is made, the area adjacent to the area of the cleaning surface 62 that was exposed from the slot 68 before the slide is exposed from the slot 68, so that the area of the used cleaning surface is not overlapped and the cleaning is performed. The entire surface 62 can be used effectively.

[0049]

[Effect of the invention]

 Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Only the used cleaning plate or cleaning sheet (consumable part) needs to be discarded, so that the number of discarded parts can be reduced.

(2) Since the consumer only needs to purchase the cleaning plate or the cleaning sheet (replacement part), the purchase cost can be reduced, and the optical fiber end face cleaning tool can be provided at low cost.

(3) The entire cleaning surface can be used effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line BB of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 (a) is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 4 (a).

5 (a) is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 (b) is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 5 (a).

FIG. 6 (a) is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 6 (a).

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional optical fiber end face cleaning tool.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Cleaning plate 11 ... Cleaning bag 12 ... Cleaning surface 13 ... Opening 14 ... Sealing means 15 ... Plate 20 ... Cleaning plate 21 ... Cleaning sheet 22 ... Cleaning surface 23 ・ ・ ・ Plate 30 ・ ・ ・ Optical fiber end surface cleaning tool of Embodiment 3 31 ・ ・ ・ Cleaning plate 32 ・ ・ ・ Cleaning surface 33 ・ ・ ・ Frame 34 ・ ・ ・ Accommodation 35 ・ ・ ・ Window 40 ... the optical fiber end surface cleaning tool of the fourth embodiment 41 ... cleaning plate 42, 42 '... cleaning surface 43 ... frame 44 ... insertion opening 45, 45' ... window 50 ... · Optical fiber end surface cleaning tool of Embodiment 5 ··· Cleaning plate 52 · ..Cleaning surface 53 ・ ・ ・ Frame 54 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Window 55 ・ ・ ・ Recess 56 ・ ・ ・ Groove rail 56 '・ ・ ・ Protrusion 57 ・ ・ ・ Slidable plate 58 ・ ・ ・ Slot 59 ・··· Protrusion 50 ··· Optical fiber end surface cleaning tool of Embodiment 6 61 ··· Cleaning plate 62 ··· Cleaning surface 63 ··· Frame 63 '············ Window 65 recess groove 66 groove rail 66 'protrusion 67 slideable plate 68 slot 69 protrusion 70 conventional optical fiber end face cleaning tool 71 Housing 72: Window 73: Feeding roller 74: Winding roller 75: Knobs 76, 77: Auxiliary roller 78: Cleaning tape 79: Cree Ring surface

Claims (9)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. An optical fiber end face cleaning tool comprising a cleaning plate having a cleaning surface for cleaning an end surface of an optical fiber disposed on both sides thereof, wherein the cleaning plate has a bag-shaped cleaning bag provided with the cleaning surface on an outer surface. And a plate having a size corresponding to the size of the inside of the cleaning bag, wherein the cleaning bag has an opening, and sealing means for sealing the opening, wherein the plate passes through the opening. An optical fiber end face cleaning tool removably housed inside the cleaning bag. 2. An optical fiber end surface cleaning tool comprising a cleaning plate having at least one cleaning surface for cleaning an end surface of an optical fiber, wherein the cleaning plate comprises: a plate; and a cleaning sheet having the cleaning surface. An optical fiber end face cleaning tool, wherein the cleaning sheet is detachably attached to at least one surface of the plate. 3. An optical fiber end surface cleaning tool comprising a cleaning plate having at least one cleaning surface for cleaning an end surface of an optical fiber, wherein the cleaning plate comprises: a plate; and a cleaning sheet having the cleaning surface. An optical fiber end face cleaning tool, wherein the cleaning sheet is fixed to at least one surface of the plate. 4. The optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a frame having a housing portion for housing the cleaning plate, and a window communicating with the housing portion. The cleaning plate is inserted into the housing portion through the window portion, whereby the cleaning plate is housed in the housing portion so as to be able to be taken out, and when the cleaning plate is housed in the housing portion, the cleaning surface Is an optical fiber end face cleaning tool exposed from the window. 5. An optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning plate is housed in said housing section, said cleaning plate communicates with said housing section, and said cleaning plate is inserted into said housing section. And a frame having a window communicating with the storage section, wherein the cleaning plate is inserted into the storage section through the insertion port, whereby the cleaning plate is inserted into the storage section. An optical fiber end face cleaning tool which is housed so as to be removable, and wherein the cleaning surface is exposed from the window when the cleaning plate is housed in the housing part. 6. The optical fiber end surface cleaning tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a housing for housing the cleaning plate; and a window communicating with the housing. A plate is inserted into the housing through the window, whereby the cleaning plate is removably housed in the housing, and when the cleaning plate is housed in the housing, the cleaning surface is brought into contact with the window. An optical fiber end surface cleaning tool, further comprising: a frame exposed from the frame, a slidable plate having a slot having a width larger than the thickness of the optical fiber, and sliding means for sliding the slidable plate along a window of the frame. . 7. An optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to claim 6, wherein said sliding means is means for intermittently sliding said slidable plate along said window by a width of said slot. Edge cleaning tool. 8. An optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning plate is housed in said housing, said cleaning plate communicates with said housing, and said cleaning plate is inserted into said housing. The cleaning plate is inserted into the storage section through the insertion port, whereby the cleaning plate is removably stored in the storage section. When the cleaning plate is stored in the storage unit,
A frame, wherein the cleaning surface is exposed from the window, a slidable plate having a slot having a width larger than the thickness of the optical fiber, and a sliding means for sliding the slidable plate along the window of the frame. Further comprising an optical fiber end face cleaning tool. 9. An optical fiber end face cleaning tool according to claim 8, wherein said sliding means is means for intermittently sliding said slidable plate along said window by a width of said slot. Edge cleaning tool.