Visual inspector attachment for fiber connector cleaners

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12007297-B2
Application number	US-202318375601-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 2, 2023
Priority date	Sep 27, 2019
Publication date	Jun 11, 2024
Grant date	Jun 11, 2024

Abstract

Various implementations of visual inspector attachments for fiber connector cleaners are disclosed. The example fiber optic inspection module includes a camera to capture an image of an end-face, a light source to illuminate the end-face, and a first mirror that reflects light from the light source to the end-face and includes a fixed point that allows the first mirror to pivot. Alternatively, an example fiber optic inspection module includes a camera to capture an image of an end-face, a light source to illuminate the end-face, and a first mirror that reflects light from the light source to the end-face and the first mirror moves in an upward direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fiber optic inspection module, comprising:
a camera configured to capture an image of an end-face;
a light source configured to emit light for illuminating the end-face;
a first mirror configured to reflect the light from the light source;
a lens configured to receive and direct the light from the first mirror; and
a second mirror configured to reflect light from the lens to the end-face;
wherein the light source, the lens, the first mirror and the second mirror are configured to move out of a pathway for a cleaning device inserted into the fiber optic inspection module.

2. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 1 , wherein the light source, the first mirror, the lens, and the second mirror comprise a submodule configured to move together.

3. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 2 , wherein the submodule is configured to move utilizing mechanical means.

4. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 2 , wherein the submodule is configured to move via remote control command.

5. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 2 , wherein the submodule is configured to move via a triggering mechanism within the pathway that is activated by the cleaning device.

6. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 2 , wherein the submodule includes an angled surface configured to abut against a portion of the cleaning device to initiate a movement of the submodule out of the pathway.

7. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a processor; and
a memory configured to store machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to control the camera.

8. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 7 , wherein the memory is further configured to store machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform image analysis on the image of the end-face.

9. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a wireless communication device configured to communicate with at least one external device.

10. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a battery configured to power the camera.

11. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a visual indicator configured to provide notification of a condition of the end-face based on an analysis of the image of the end-face.

12. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 11 , wherein the condition is at least one of a pass condition or a fail condition.

13. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 11 , wherein the visual indicator is one of an LED screen and an LCD screen.

14. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 11 , wherein the visual indicator is one of an LED screen and an LCD screen.

15. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 1 , further comprising:
an absorber configured to eliminate spurious light.

16. The fiber optic inspection module of claim 1 , wherein the first mirror is tilted 45 degrees relative to an optical axis of the fiber optic inspection module.

Assignees

• Panduit Corp

Inventors

• Huang Yu
• Castro Jose M
• Chitti Babu Surendra
• Matcha Andrew R
• Sedor Thomas M

Classifications

• B08B2240/02

  Optical fibers or optical fiber connectors · CPC title

• B08B13/00

  Accessories or details of general applicability for machines or apparatus for cleaning · CPC title

• G02B6/3866

  Devices, tools or methods for cleaning connectors (cleaning in general B08B) · CPC title

• G02B6/385

  Accessories for testing or observation of connectors (means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule with auxiliary facilities for movably aligning or adjusting the fibre within its ferrule, measuring position, eccentricity G02B6/3843; mechanical features associated with the optical testing of optical fibres G01M11/088) · CPC title

• G01M11/31 Primary

  with a light emitter and a light receiver being disposed at the same side of a fibre or waveguide end-face, e.g. reflectometers · CPC title