U.S. patent application number 10/660339 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for cleaning device for fiber optic connectors.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to Cox, Larry R..
Application Number | 20040088813 10/660339 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32312826 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040088813 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cox, Larry R. |
May 13, 2004 |
Cleaning device for fiber optic connectors
Abstract
A device for cleaning a polished end-face of an optical
connector is disclosed. The device comprises (a) a
three-dimensional base having at least three sides; (b) a cleaning
media disposed on at least a portion of at least one side of said
base; and (c) means for fastening said cleaning media to said base.
The device is particularly useful for cleaning the polished end
faces of ferrules that use guide pins and guide pin holes.
Inventors: |
Cox, Larry R.; (Austin,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
PO BOX 33427
ST. PAUL
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company
|
Family ID: |
32312826 |
Appl. No.: |
10/660339 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60424534 |
Nov 7, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/210.1 ;
15/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B08B 1/00 20130101; B08B
2240/02 20130101; B08B 11/00 20130101; G02B 6/385 20130101; G02B
6/3866 20130101; G02B 6/3807 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/210.1 ;
015/231 |
International
Class: |
A47L 025/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for cleaning a polished end-face of an optical
connector, said device comprising: (a) a three dimensional base
having at least three sides, said base having a polygonal
cross-section; (b) a cleaning media disposed on at least a portion
of at least one side of said base; and (c) means for fastening said
cleaning media to said base.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said polygonal cross-section is a
truncated triangle having at least one truncated angle, said
truncated angle having a projected included angle of less than
about 30.degree..
3. The device of claim 2, wherein said base is made from a material
selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer, ceramic,
wood, and combinations thereof.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein said base is polymeric and
selected from the group consisting of acetal homopolymer and
copolymer, nylon, polycarbonate, rigid polyvinyl chloride, ABS, and
combinations thereof.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein said acetal homopolymer and
copolymer is CELCON.TM. or DELRIN.TM..
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said cleaning media is a polymer
selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon,
polyethylene, polypropylene, microfiber, non-woven, and
combinations thereof.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for fastening is
selected from the group consisting of surface modifying at least
one side of said base, an adhesive, a frame, a cover, and
combinations thereof.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein said surfaced modified side was
done using sand blasting techniques.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein said sand blasting technique uses
silicone carbide as the media and uses an air pressure of about 50
psi.
10. The device of claim 7, wherein said frame or cover is selected
from the group consisting of polycarbonate, nylon, rigid PVC, and
ABS.
11. The device of claim 7, wherein said means for fastening allows
for repositioning of said cleaning media relative to said base.
12. The device of claim 7, wherein said means for fastening
protects at least one portion of said cleaning media from
contamination or damage.
13. The device of claim 7, wherein said adhesive is a
microreplicated adhesive.
14. The device of claim 7, wherein said means for fastening is
electrostatic dissipative.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein said base is selected from the
group consisting of a pyramid, a wedge, and a rhomboid.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/424,534 filed Nov. 7, 2002.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning device useful
for cleaning the optical fibers in a connector. In particular, the
present invention relates to a hand-held device suitable for
cleaning the optical fibers that have been mounted in a
ferrule.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Optical fibers have become useful for transmitting
information such as data and voice communication. For similar sized
cables, the advantage of optical fiber cables over traditional wire
cables lies in the fibers' improved transmission rate and in the
increased capacity to transmit information.
[0004] Optical fibers are often terminated and coupled to other
optical fibers or to other terminals through the use of connectors.
In some optical connectors, ferrules are used. The ferrule
typically has a plurality of fiber receiving channels where the
optical fibers are mounted. When two connectors are used to connect
two optical cables, a first connector typically contains a ferrule
that has at least one guide pin extending from its end face. A
second connector contains a mating ferrule that has at least one
guide pin hole on its end face. In this particular design,
alignment and mating of the two connectors occurs when the guide
pin is inserted in the guide pin hole. The optical fibers in mating
connectors should have intimate contact in order to minimize light
transmission loss between them. Thus, it is desirable that the
mating end faces of the ferrules be free of lint, dirt, oil, and
other debris. It is known in the art to clean the ferrule end faces
to minimize light transmission loss by minimizing the dirt.
[0005] For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,795 B1 (Sato) discloses a
cleaning tool for optical fiber connectors comprising a bar form
stem, a support, the outside of which is covered with a cleaning
cloth made of ultra fine filament bundle having a filament fiber
size of 0.1 denier or less. The stem and the support are made
integrally from resin.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,471 B1 (Childers et al.) discloses
another device for cleaning the polished end faces of fibers in an
optical connector having guide pins. The device has a surface with
at least one rail disposed on the surface. The rail has a height
above the surface sufficient to accommodate guide pins extending
from an optical connector. An overlay is disposed over the surface
of the device and functions as the cleaning cloth.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,703 (Kanayama et al.) discloses yet
another optical connector cleaner. The cleaner comprises (i) a
cleaning cloth woven with ultrafine fiber less than 0.1 denier,
(ii) a casing formed with at least one opening for protecting the
cleaning cloth from dust, and (iii) a mechanism for shifting the
cleaning cloth exposed in the opening for renewing the cloth after
ferrule end surface has been cleaned.
[0008] Although the foregoing references may provide useful
connector cleaning devices, there is a need for other easy to use
devices.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention provides a unique device useful for
cleaning fiber optic connectors. Although the device is
particularly suited to clean the polished end faces of a ferrule
that has optical fibers mounted therein and to clean the mating
surfaces of connectors, it can also be used to clean other surfaces
of the connector. The device is designed to easily accommodate the
polished end faces of a ferrule that contains no guide pins or at
least one guide pin.
[0010] In brief summary, the present invention pertains to a device
for cleaning a polished end-face of an optical connector, the
device comprising (a) a three-dimensional base having at least
three sides, the base having a polygonal cross-section (b) a
cleaning media disposed on at least a portion of at least one side
of the base; and (c) means for fastening the cleaning media to the
base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention is further described with reference to the
following drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment in
accordance with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment in
accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 3a and 3b are isometric views of another embodiment in
accordance with the present invention in the unfastened and
fastened conditions respectively;
[0015] FIGS. 4a and 4b are, respectively, side view and isometric
view of a means for fastening that can be used in accordance with
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a isometric view of another embodiment in
accordance with the present invention using the means for fastening
shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a connector.
[0018] These figures are idealized, not drawn to scale, and are
intended to be illustrative and non-limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
present invention wherein device 1 has a cleaning media 12 disposed
on at least a portion of three-dimensional base 10. In this
particular embodiment, in cross-section view, the base is a
truncated triangle having a substantially flat peak 10a and sides
10b, 10c and 10d and means for fastening cleaning media 12 to
polygonal base 10 is the roughened surface (not shown) of sides 10b
and 10c. Sand blasting the surfaces is one way to roughen them. At
least one of the angles, indicated as angle .alpha., is truncated.
When the truncated angle .alpha. is projected out, as shown by the
dashed line, the included angle measures less than about
30.degree.. Although cleaning media 12 is shown to be disposed on
sides 10b and 10c, it is within the scope of the present invention
to have it wrap around all sides of the base. And, it is within the
scope of the present invention to have a base whose cross-section
has no truncated angles, i.e., side 10a would be a true peak. Thus,
the base has a minimum of three sides. In use, an operator can
clean the polished end surface of the connector using the cleaning
media at the general area designated at peak 10a. The operator can
advance new cleaning media to the peak 10a by removing it from the
base and repositioning it on to the base.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the present invention wherein device 2 uses means for fastening 14
to fasten cleaning media 12 to at least a portion of base 10. In
this particular embodiment, the means for fastening is a tape,
e.g., a microreplicated tape having an adhesive backing that can be
laminated to sides 10b and 10c. The microreplicated tape has
protrusions extending outwardly from the backing to grab cleaning
media 12 so as to secure it. The tape allows for repositioning of
the cleaning media so that new cleaning media could be advanced to
the peak area once it has been used.
[0021] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate yet another embodiment of the
present invention in the unfastened and fastened conditions
respectively. In this particular embodiment, the means for
fastening cleaning media 12 to polygonal base 10 is frame 16 having
an opening 16a. In use, frame 16 is disposed near the peak area of
base 10 holding the cleaning media to the base while opening 16a
exposes a portion of the cleaning media for cleaning the optical
connector. If desired, means for fastening 14 (shown in FIG. 2) or
roughened sides 10b and 10c can also be used in conjunction with
frame 16.
[0022] FIGS. 4a and 4b show yet another means for fastening the
cleaning media to the polygonal base. Means for fastening 18 is a
cover with opening 18a and optional finger tab 18b. In this
embodiment, means for fastening 18 is substantially triangular in
cross-section, similar in shape to the cross-section of base 10.
FIG. 5 shows yet another device 5 having cleaning media 12
sandwiched between means for fastening 18 and base 10 with opening
18a disposed near the peak of the base thereby exposing a portion
of the cleaning media for cleaning the optical connector.
Hemispherical finger tab 18b allows for easy removal of means for
fastening 18, as a user can push upwards on the tab and remove it.
One skilled in the art will recognize that a hemispherical finger
tab is one of many possible designs that can be used. The means for
fastening 18 has a portion 18c that function to protect at least a
portion of the underlying cleaning media from contamination of
dirt. In use, while the device 5 is held in the operator's hands,
it is the portion 18c that is in contact with the hands. Any oil
from the operator's skin, one of the more common sources of
contamination, will not transfer to the cleaning media. Thus the
cover provides advantages in that it protects the cleaning media,
contains an opening for easy access to the cleaning media and
simultaneously secures it to the base. While FIG. 5 shows a means
for fastening 18 that is in a form of an open cover, it is within
the scope of the invention that the means for fastening is closed
such that it slips over the polygonal base 10 and cleaning media
12. For example, in FIG. 5, the means for fastening 18 can have up
to three cut out portions 18a, each disposed over one of the angles
of the base. In this case, the finger tabs 18b would most likely
not be used.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a terminated connector 400 comprising a housing
410, a polished ferrule 420 and guide pin holes 422. The optical
fibers 421 have been mounted in the ferrules. While not shown, in
use, there would be a mating connector similar to that shown in
FIG. 6 except that where there are guide pin holes, there would be
guide pins. When the connector 400 comes into contact with its
mating connector, the guide pins reside in the guide pin holes.
Prior to mating, it would be desirable to clean the end faces of
the connector 400 as well as the mating connector. Because the
mating connector contains guide pins, it can be difficult to clean
in the area of the mounted optical fibers, i.e., the area between
the guide pins. The present device allows for cleaning the polished
end faces of the ferrules, whether they contain guide pins or
not.
[0024] The three-dimensional base can be made of any material, so
long as it does not introduce contaminants during use. Thus,
materials that flake or chip easily are not suitable. The base
should be sturdy, i.e., firm enough so that during use it will not
move. Useful materials for the base include metals, polymers,
ceramics, and wood. Suitable polymeric materials include those
containing acetal homopolymers and copolymers (such as CELCON.TM.
from Hoechst Celanese Co. and DELRIN.TM. from Du Pont Co.), nylon,
polycarbonate, rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and ABS
(acetylene-butadiene-styrene). The base can be made by any number
of methods depending on the material used. For example, when the
base is polymeric, it can be injection molded.
[0025] As stated, in a cross-sectional view, the three-dimensional
base is polygonal. The cross-sectional view can be taken either
parallel or perpendicular to the bottom of the base, as
represented, for example, by side 10d in FIG. 1. Although a
truncated triangle is one useful cross-section, one skilled in the
art will recognize that a number of other polygons can be used as
long as at least one of the angles is less than about 30.degree..
For example, the base can have a star shaped cross-section in which
case, all five angles can be used to clean the connector. There can
be five separate means for fastening for each of the five angles or
one continuous means for fastening, e.g., one continuous cover, to
slip over the base. Wedges and rhomboids are other useful
three-dimensional bases. The three dimensional base, however, does
not contain a rail. If desired, the base can be modified to include
cut outs or notches. For example, in FIG. 3a, in another
embodiment, the base 10 contains cut outs on the peak area (i.e.,
near 10a, not shown) front and rear portion thereof. This
particular embodiment is useful in that it clearly delineates to a
user where the cleaning media should be placed.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a base has the
following dimensions. The sides 10b and 10c are rectangular and
have a length of about 3.5 inch (88.9 mm) with a width of about 1.0
to 1.25 inch (25.4 to 31.8 mm). The height of the base (i.e., the
distance from side 10d to peak 10a) is about 2.0 inches (50.8 mm).
The flat peak 10a is about 0.035 to 0.045 inch (0.89 to 1.14 mm)
with the angle .alpha. being about 30.degree..
[0027] In one embodiment, as described above in FIG. 1, the
surfaces of at least one of the sides of the base can be modified,
e.g., they can be roughened. When the base is a polymeric material,
the sides can be surface roughened by sand blasting. In particular,
when the base is CELCON.TM., one can roughen the side surfaces by
bead blasting using a Dayton Co. from Dayton, Ohio model #3Z850
with a silicone carbide media at an air pressure of about 50
psi.
[0028] The cleaning media can be a swatch that covers a portion of
the base or it can encircle the entire base. Suitable cleaning
media includes products, such as (i) TexWipe.RTM. TX304, 100%
cotton wipes, and Absorbond.RTM. TX404, hydroentangled polyester
wipes from The TexWipe Co., Upper Saddle, N.J. and at the website
www.texwipe.com; (ii) the non-woven cloth from the Fiberclean
dispenser System, Part No. FOI, from the HellermannTyton,
Milwaukee, Wis. and at the website www.hellermann.tyton.com; (iii)
the micro fiber cleaning cloth from the OPTIPOP reel cleaner from
NTT Advanced Technology Co. in Tokyo, Japan, and (iv) polyester
wipes from the Tech Spray Co. in Texas. Other types of polymeric
cleaning media, such as nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene can
be used.
[0029] As disclosed in the various embodiments above, the means for
fastening the cleaning media to the base can be selected from the
group consisting of surface roughening the sides of the base,
adhesives, frames, covers, and the like. Combinations of these
means can be used. When the means for fastening are a frame or a
cover, it can be made from a wide selection of materials, such as
metals, polymers, and ceramics. Suitable polymers include
polycarbonates, nylon, ABS, and rigid PVC. Each of the above
recited means allow for repositioning of the cleaning media. If
desired, the means for fastening can also be made static or
electrostatic dissipative.
* * * * *
References