U.S. patent application number 09/456960 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-17 for connector cleaning insert and assembly.
Invention is credited to BARKUS, LEE ANDREW, KROW, KARL DEWALD JR..
Application Number | 20020006261 09/456960 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23814853 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020006261 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KROW, KARL DEWALD JR. ; et
al. |
January 17, 2002 |
CONNECTOR CLEANING INSERT AND ASSEMBLY
Abstract
This invention is directed to a cleaning insert and cleaning
assembly to remove debris or contaminants from optical fiber
connectors including connectors attached to system backplanes. The
cleaning insert is treated with a cleaning agent such as an
adhesive. The cleaning insert is secured in a cleaning assembly
that is coupled to the connector to be cleaned. The treated
cleaning insert contacts the ferrule of the optical fiber connector
to remove the contaminants.
Inventors: |
KROW, KARL DEWALD JR.;
(HARRISBURG, PA) ; BARKUS, LEE ANDREW;
(MILLERSBURG, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DANIEL N DAISAK ESQUIRE
THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
SUITE 450
4550 NEW LINDEN HILL ROAD
WILMINGTON
DE
19808
|
Family ID: |
23814853 |
Appl. No.: |
09/456960 |
Filed: |
December 7, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3807 20130101;
G02B 6/3866 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/134 |
International
Class: |
G02B 006/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cleaning insert for use with a connector comprising: a main
body; a cleaning pad applied to a surface of the main body; a
cleaning agent applied to the cleaning pad; and, a securing
mechanism extending from the main body opposite the cleaning
pad.
2. The cleaning insert of claim 1 wherein the cleaning agent is an
adhesive.
3. The cleaning insert of claim 1 wherein the cleaning agent is a
liquid.
4. The cleaning insert of claim 1 wherein the cleaning pad is
formed of a compliant material.
5. The cleaning insert of claim 1 further comprising slits in the
cleaning pad.
6. The cleaning insert of claim 5 further comprising passageways in
the housing being aligned with the slits.
7. The cleaning insert of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism
comprises a latch having least one resilient leg.
8. The cleaning insert of claim 7 further comprising a projection
on the at least one resilient leg.
9. The cleaning insert of claim 7 further comprising a taper
extending from a free end of the at least one resilient leg toward
the main body.
10. A cleaning assembly for cleaning an end face of a complementary
connector comprising: a housing having a passageway; and a cleaning
insert disposed within the passageway and having a cleaning pad
disposed along a mating end.
11. The cleaning assembly of claim 10 wherein the housing is
matable with the complementary connector.
12. The cleaning assembly of claim 10 further comprising an insert
holder disposed within the passageway for receiving the cleaning
insert.
13. The cleaning assembly of claim 10 further comprising a spring
for biasing the insert holder toward a mating end.
14. The cleaning assembly of claim 10 wherein the cleaning insert
further comprises a main body having at least one leg extending
therefrom and into the passageway.
15. The cleaning assembly of claim 14 wherein the cleaning insert
further comprises a projection disposed along the at least one
leg.
16. The cleaning assembly of claim 14 wherein the cleaning insert
further comprises a tapered section disposed at a free end of the
at least one leg.
17. The cleaning assembly of claim 14 further comprising a cleaning
pad disposed on the main body opposite the at least one leg.
18. A cleaning card comprising: a daughter card having a coupling
housing mounted along an edge; and, a cleaning assembly mounted
within the coupling housing.
19. The cleaning card of claim 18 wherein the cleaning assembly
further comprises a housing having a passageway and a cleaning
insert disposed within the passageway.
20. The cleaning card of claim 19 wherein the cleaning insert
further comprises a cleaning pad disposed along a mating end.
21. The cleaning card of claim 18 wherein the cleaning insert is
biased toward a mating end.
22. The cleaning card of claim 21 wherein the cleaning insert
further comprises a main body having at least one leg extending
therefrom into the passageway.
23. The cleaning card of claim 22 wherein the cleaning insert
further comprises a projection disposed along the at least one
leg.
24. The cleaning card of claim 22 wherein the cleaning insert
further comprises a tapered section disposed at a free end of the
at least one leg.
25. The cleaning card of claim 19 further comprising at least one
cleaning insert being removably mounted on the daughter card.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for fiber
optic connectors.
[0002] Optical fibers are quickly replacing wires for the
transmission of data in the electronics industry. Not only are the
fibers small, but light data transmission rates are very high in
comparison to those of wire connections. Fiber optic cables may
contain one or more of these optical fibers. Connectors are used to
mate several optical fibers or cables as well as connect such
cables to backplanes and system cards of computer and
telecommunication systems.
[0003] Such optical fiber connectors are shown in PCT publication
WO/98/00741 and in FIG. 1 on the present application. Within this
connector 100, a ferrule 112 precisely positions a plurality of
optical fibers 108 for mating with fibers in a similar ferrule of a
mating connector. The ferrule end faces are finely polished to
minimize distance between the fibers on each ferrule 112. A spring
in each mating connector 100 biases the ferrules 112 together.
Optionally, one of the two mating connectors 100 may contain
alignment pins 106 on opposite sides the ferrule 112.
[0004] A problem exists with these connectors in that dust and
debris deposited between mating ferrules can contaminate the
connectors and reduce or prohibit the transmission of light
therebetween. Accordingly, there is a need to clean optical fiber
connectors, but cleaning the connectors may be difficult especially
when a cable needs to be removed from the system to perform the
cleaning procedure.
[0005] For example, in large telecommunication systems an entire
backplane supports attachment of numerous optical fiber cables.
System cards are slid on rails and then plugged into the backplane
assembly. Many of these cards contain one or more system card
optical connector housings to connect the optical fiber cables
mounted on the backplane to the system card. Not only are many of
these cables in the backplane difficult to access, but removal of a
cable is time consuming and therefore may prove financially
prohibitive.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a cleaning tool that can
remove dust and debris from a fiber optic cable connector
particularly where removal of the cable is difficult. Further,
there is a need to clean multiple optical fiber optic connectors
mounted on a backplane simultaneously. There is also a need to
clean similar fiber optic connectors on system cards.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a
cleaning tool for removing debris and dust from a connector.
[0008] It is further object of the invention to remove small pieces
of debris and dust from an optical connector using a cleaning
assembly which is a matable to a contaminated optical
connector.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning kit
to clean optical fiber cables attached to a system backplane.
[0010] These and other objects have been achieved by providing a
cleaning insert for use in a cleaning assembly. The cleaning insert
has a main body with a cleaning pad secured on one end and a
latching mechanism on the opposite end. A cleaning agent is applied
to the cleaning pad and the cleaning insert is secured in a housing
to form a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly is matable with
an optical connector to be cleaned.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the cleaning assembly and
method will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
reading the detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The invention will now be described by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a prior art optical
connector.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the cleaning assembly
and cleaning insert of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of
FIG. 2 showing the cleaning apparatus of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional view of an alternative
embodiment of the cleaning insert.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a daughter card
cleaning kit.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of an alternate daughter
card cleaning kit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to the drawing figures where like numerals represent
like elements throughout. Although the embodiment illustrates
cleaning a particular type of optical fiber connector, the present
invention is applicable to other connectors by minor
modifications.
[0020] The invention will first be described generally with
reference to FIG. 2. A cleaning assembly 10 being matable with and
having features similar to the connector 100 of FIG. 1 contains an
insert holder 20 in place of the ferrule 112. The insert holder 20
is biased toward the mating end 12. An opening 22 is formed in the
insert holder 20. A cleaning insert 30 fits within the opening
22.
[0021] Each of the major components will now be described in
greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Beginning with the
cleaning assembly 10 and referring first to FIG. 3, the major
components include an outer housing 40, and inner housing 50, an
insert holder 20, a spring 60, and a rear plug 70. Referring to
FIG. 2, the outer housing 40 features a grip portion 42 extending
from a rear end 44 toward the mating end 12. A plurality of cams 46
are positioned around a window 48. The inner housing 50 is
slidingly positioned within the outer housing 40 and projects from
the window 48 and the mating end 12. The inner housing 50 features
a first latching shoulder 52 positioned near the mating end 12 and
a second latching shoulder 54 positioned within the window 48. A
latch 56 also extends from the inner housing 50 at the mating end
12. Returning to FIG. 3, an insert stop 58 extends inward near the
mating end 12 and a pair of openings 59 are disposed near the rear
end 44.
[0022] The insert holder 20 has an opening 22 which extends
rearward from the mating end 12. As best shown in FIG. 3, a pair of
projections 24 extend inward from side walls 26 and are positioned
within the opening 22. Each projection 24 has a rear shoulder 28. A
wide portion 29 is disposed at the rear end 27 of the insert holder
20. A spring 60 is positioned against the rear end 27 of the insert
holder 20. It should be understood by those reasonably skilled in
the art that while a coil spring is shown here, other shaped
springs or biasing devices which are well-known in the art could be
substituted. The rear plug 70 features a narrow portion 72 and a
wide portion 74. An opening 76 extends through both the narrow and
wide portions 72,74. A pair of latching projections 78 extend
outward from the narrow portion 72. A shoulder 79 is positioned on
an outer surface at the transition between the wide and narrow
portions 74,72.
[0023] The cleaning insert 30 will now be described in greater
detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Projecting rearward from a
main body 31 are a pair of resilient legs 32. Each resilient leg 32
has a projection 34 extending outward near a free end 37. A taper
38 extends from the free end 37 to the projection 34. The cleaning
pad 36 is positioned on the main body 31 opposite the resilient
legs 32. The cleaning pad 36 is formed of a resilient/compliant
material to conform to the mating surface of a ferrule 112 to be
cleaned. The material selected should not apply undue pressure on
that mating surface. A suitable material for the cleaning pad 36 is
acrylic foam. Depending upon the cleaning agent 37 used, another
suitable material for the cleaning pad 36 is a low residue felt. A
cleaning agent 37 is applied to the cleaning pad 36 opposite the
main body 31 and a protective cover 39 is positioned over the
cleaning agent 37. The cleaning agent 37 is preferably a slightly
tacky adhesive material such as White PET 550 Adhesive. The
material selected should have the ability to lift debris from the
surface to be cleaned yet not leave any residue. Alternate
materials such as isopropyl alcohol with a felt cleaning pad 36
could be utilized as a cleaning agent as long as the material is
capable of capturing debris without leaving a residue.
[0024] Assembly of the major components will now be described in
greater detail again with reference to FIG. 3. First, the inner
housing 50 is inserted into the outer housing 40. Next, the insert
holder 20 is inserted into the inner housing 50 until the wide
portion 29 engages the insert stop 58. The spring 60 is inserted
against the rear end 27 of the insert holder 20. The rear plug 70
is inserted such that the latching projections 78 reside within
openings 59 and the shoulder 79 is positioned adjacent to rear end
of the inner housing 50.
[0025] The cleaning insert 30 is preferably molded such that the
main body 31 and resilient legs 32 are integral. Next, the cleaning
pad 36 is fixed to the main body 31 preferably utilizing an
adhesive. The cleaning pad 36 could be applied utilizing other
methods known to those skilled in the art such as a tongue and
grove joint. Next, the cleaning agent 37 is applied to the end of
the cleaning pad 36. The cleaning agent 37 is preferably another
adhesive which is less tacky than the adhesive utilized to fix the
cleaning pad 36 to the main body 31. Alternate cleaning agents
include fluids such as alcohol or distilled water. Those skilled in
the art will appreciate that the cleaning agent 37 should be
selected to be compatible with the material selected for the
cleaning pad 36.The completed cleaning insert 30 is then inserted
into the opening 22 of the insert holder 20 from the mating end 12.
The tapers 38 first engage the projections 24 of the insert holder
20 to urge the resilient legs 32 of the cleaning insert 30 toward
each other during insertion. The cleaning insert 30 is further
urged into opening 22 until projections 34 pass over projections 24
and lock behind rear shoulders 28.
[0026] An alternate cleaning insert 130 is shown in FIG. 4. This
cleaning insert 130 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2 except
that pin receiving passageways 132 extend through the main body 131
and slits 134 are formed in the cleaning pad 136. The slits 134 are
aligned with the pin receiving passageways 132. Each of the pin
receiving passageways 132 is preferably tapered to be larger
adjacent cleaning pad 136 and smaller adjacent the resilient
legs.
[0027] In use, either a cleaning insert 30 or an alternate cleaning
insert 130 is inserted into the insert holder 20 of a cleaning
assembly 10. The protective cover 39 is then removed from the
cleaning pad 36. Next, the cleaning assembly 10 is mated with an
optical connector 100 such as the one shown in FIG. 1. In this
particular case, an alternate cleaning insert 130 should be
utilized to receive alignment pins 106. It should be understood
however that the alternate cleaning insert 130 could be utilized to
clean either a connector with alignment pins 106 or a connector
without alignment pins 130. The cleaning pad 36 contacts the end
face of the ferrule 112. Upon unmating, any debris present on the
ferrule 112 will stick to the cleaning pad 36 and removed with the
cleaning assembly 10. It should be understood by those reasonably
skilled in the art that while the cleaning insert 30 and cleaning
assembly 10 are shown as being generally rectangular, this concept
is equally adaptable to other optical connectors. For example, a
cleaning insert utilizing the concepts of this invention could be
adapted for use in other commercially available optical connectors
such as those having round or other shaped cross sections.
[0028] The cleaning assembly 10 is adaptable for use in cleaning
optical connectors mounted within a backplane assembly. Daughter
cards are typically insertable into a backplane assembly along
guide rails. Each daughter card may be configured to mate with
several optical connectors mounted within the backplane assembly.
One example of the daughter card cleaning kit 600 is shown in FIG.
5. Here, a coupling housing 604 is mounted along an edge of a
daughter card 602. The cleaning assembly 10 is secured within the
coupling housing 604. The cleaning insert 30 is inserted into the
mating end of the cleaning assembly 10 as described above. A
plurality of spare cleaning inserts 606 are mounted to the daughter
card 602. The cleaning insert 30 may be removed and replaced by one
of the spare cleaning inserts 606.
[0029] Another example of the daughter card cleaning kit 700 is
shown in FIG. 6. This daughter card cleaning kit 700 is similar to
the one shown in FIG. 5 except that several coupling housings 704,
706, and 708 are strategically mounted along the edge of the
daughter card 702 to mate with optical connectors within a
backplane assembly. Cleaning inserts 30 are similarly mounted to
cleaning assemblies 10 which are secured within respective coupling
housings 704,706,708. Similar spare cleaning inserts 710 are
provided. In operation, either of these daughter cards 602,702 are
slid into a backplane assembly along guide rails until the cleaning
assemblies 10 are mated with complimentary optical connectors
within the backplane. The daughter cards 602,702 are then removed
and debris is removed from the complimentary optical connectors as
described above.
* * * * *