Patent ID: 8403568

Claim:
A connector system, comprising: a first connector having a first-connector mating portion and a first-connector optical signal interface comprising a first-connector optical port, the first-connector optical port disposed on a surface of the first-connector mating portion rearward of a distal end of the first mating portion; and a second connector having a second-connector mating portion configured to mate with the first-connector mating portion, a second-connector optical interface comprising a second optical port, and a second-connector wiping cleaner, the second-connector optical port disposed on a surface of the second-connector mating portion rearward of a distal end of the second-connector mating portion, the second-connector mating portion mechanically and optically mateable with the first-connector mating portion by plugging one of the first-connector and second-connector mating portions into the other of the first-connector and second-connector mating portions, the first-connector optical port and second-connector optical port approaching alignment with one another along an approach path as the first-connector and second-connector mating portions approach a fully mated position, the first-connector optical port optically aligned with the second-connector optical port along an optical axis substantially transverse to the approach path when the first-connector and second-connector mating portions are in the fully mated position, the second-connector wiping cleaner disposed on a surface of the second-connector mating portion between the distal end of the second-connector mating portion and the second optical port along the approach path, the second-connector wiping cleaner being made of a non-metallic material and having a wiping edge oriented across the approach path, the wiping edge of the second-connector wiping cleaner being oriented to wipe the first-connector optical port as the first-connector and second-connector mating portions approach the fully mated position.