NL2033067B1 - Vehicle charging cable guide - Google Patents

Vehicle charging cable guide Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2033067B1
NL2033067B1 NL2033067A NL2033067A NL2033067B1 NL 2033067 B1 NL2033067 B1 NL 2033067B1 NL 2033067 A NL2033067 A NL 2033067A NL 2033067 A NL2033067 A NL 2033067A NL 2033067 B1 NL2033067 B1 NL 2033067B1
Authority
NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
guide sleeve
guide
charging cable
cable
vehicle charging
Prior art date
Application number
NL2033067A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Kay Anthony
Original Assignee
Kay Anthony
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kay Anthony filed Critical Kay Anthony
Priority to NL2033067A priority Critical patent/NL2033067B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2033067B1 publication Critical patent/NL2033067B1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G11/00—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
    • H02G11/006—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts using extensible carrier for the cable, e.g. self-coiling spring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/10—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
    • B60L53/14—Conductive energy transfer
    • B60L53/18—Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/36—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables without essentially involving the use of a core or former internal to a stored package of material, e.g. with stored material housed within casing or container, or intermittently engaging a plurality of supports as in sinuous or serpentine fashion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
    • B65H2701/34—Handled filamentary material electric cords or electric power cables
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
    • H01B7/06—Extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords
    • H01B7/065—Extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords having the shape of an helix

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle charging cable guide, configured to guide a linear vehicle charging cable, comprising: 5 - a guide sleeve, extending helically about a longitudinal direction between a first end and an opposed second end, and - a retractor device, connected to the guide sleeve and configured to exert a tensile retraction force between the first end and the second end, wherein the guide sleeve comprises an elongate groove, which extends over the entire length 10 of the guide sleeve between the first end and the second end, wherein the guide sleeve is configured to receive the charging cable in the elongate groove along the entire length of the guide sleeve, and wherein the retractor device is configured to pre-tension the guide sleeve, so that the cable guide can be arranged in: - an extended state, in which the guide sleeve is extended in the longitudinal direction 15 under influence of an external pulling force, and - a retracted state, in which the guide sleeve is retracted into a coiled shape under influence of the tensile retraction force.

Description

P35887NLOO/TRE
Title: Vehicle charging cable guide
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle charging cable guide, configured to guide a linear vehicle charging cable. The invention further relates to a vehicle charging assembly, a method of guiding a linear vehicle charging assembly and the use of a vehicle charging assembly.
State of the art
It is common in present-day life to charge electric vehicles on the street, at vehicle charging devices. These devices are stationed at parking spots etc., wherein a distance between the vehicle and the charging device can vary, so that the cable with a certain length may end up lying on the ground. Likewise, charging cables on the ground are subject to typical dirty circumstances, such as puddles of water, dirt on the street, or perhaps even animals doing their business over the cables.
This is generally undesirable, so special helical, coiled cables were developed that could stretch in dependence of the distance between the vehicle and the charging device.
Although helical cables may offer a solution, it requires the owners of vehicles to buy such a coiled cable, since vehicles are still typically sold with linear cables. Charging cables are expensive, which means that the beneficial coiled cables are not bought very often.
Object of the invention
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a less expensive, or at least an alternative solution for providing a vehicle charging cable that is less, or even not prone to dirty circumstances on the street.
Detailed description
The present invention provides a vehicle charging cable guide, configured to guide a linear vehicle charging cable. The present cable guide is configured to be retrofitted on an existing, conventional charging cable, for example a charging cable sold to vehicle owners together with the vehicle itself. The cable guide serves the purpose to coil a charging cable that was not coiled originally. In other words, the present cable guide allows existing linear charging cables to be coiled and be suspended from the ground during charging of the vehicle, which prevents the cable from laying in puddles, dirt or animal waste.
The cable guide according to the present invention comprises a guide sleeve, extending helically about a longitudinal direction between a first end and an opposed second end, and a retractor device, connected to the guide sleeve and configured to exert a tensile retraction force between the first end and the second end of the guide sleeve. The guide sleeve comprises an elongate groove, which extends over the entire length of the guide sleeve between the first end and the second end, and is configured to receive the charging cable in the elongate groove along the entire length of the guide sleeve. The retractor device is configured to pre-tension the guide sleeve, so that the cable guide can be arranged in an extended state, in which the guide sleeve is extended in the longitudinal direction under influence of an external pulling force, and a retracted state, in which the guide sleeve is retracted into a coiled shape under influence of the tensile retraction force.
The guide sleeve has a helical shape, which implies that it encircles the longitudinal direction in a helical manner. Seen in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular on the longitudinal direction, windings of the guide sleeve may have an annular shape. For example, the cross-section may have a circular, oval or rectangular shape.
The longitudinal direction may be a straight, linear direction. In such a case, the helical guide sleeve extends helically about the linear longitudinal direction, to obtain a straight guide sleeve, having a substantially cylindrical overall outer shape. Alternatively, the longitudinal direction may be curved, especially when the guide sleeve were to be extended during use. In such a case, the guide sleeve would follow and encircle the curved longitudinal direction, for example having a parabolic shape.
The guide sleeve has a first end and a second end, opposite to the first end, when seen along the longitudinal direction. Seen from the first end, the guide sleeve comprises one more guide sleeve windings along the longitudinal direction, and then finally comprises the second end.
The guide sleeve alone may not be sufficient to suspend the entire charging cable, since the guide sleeve itself may be too flexible to offer sufficient strength. To this effect, the cable guide comprises a retractor device, connected to the guide sleeve and configured to exert a tensile retraction force between the first end and the second end. The retractor device may be connected between the first end and the second end of the guide sleeve, to pull the first end and the second end towards each other when it is desired to coil the guide sleeve when the external pulling force is no longer present. The retractor device may further be configured to suspend the guide sleeve and the charging cable during use for charging the vehicle.
The guide sleeve comprises an elongate groove, which extends over the entire length of the guide sleeve between the first end and the second end. The elongate groove is configured to receive the charging cable along the entire length of the guide sleeve. During use, the groove is thus filled with the cable and, so that the cable follows the helical shape of the guide sleeve. Preferably, the guide sleeve comprises interlocking means to secure the position of the cable in the groove.
The retractor device is configured to pre-tension the guide sleeve, so that the cable guide can be arranged in an extended state, in which the guide sleeve is extended in the longitudinal direction under influence of an external pulling force, and a retracted state, in which the guide sleeve is retracted into a coiled shape under influence of the tensile retraction force, i.e. in the absence of an external pulling force.
The retractor device is thus configured to pull the first end and the second end of the guide sleeve towards each other with the tensile retraction force, whereas this force can be overcome upon external pulling. This external pulling may elongate the guide sleeve, i.e. to increase the distance between the first end and the second end of the guide sleeve in the longitudinal direction.
In the extended state, the guide sleeve becomes elongated and the guide sleeve windings may be spaced at a distance from each other, whereas they may lie against each other in the retracted state. In the extended state, the guide sleeve and the charging cable may become suspended by the retractor device. As such, the guide sleeve and the charging cable no longer lie on the ground, but become, instead, suspended above the ground.
The extended state may represent different elongations of the guide sleeve, for example anywhere in between a maximum elongation and a minimum elongation, depending on the required distance that needs to be bridged between the vehicle and the vehicle charging device.
In an embodiment, the retractor device comprises: - a tensile element, attached to either one of the first end or the second end of the guide sleeve, and - a winding device, attached to the other one of the first end or the second end of the guide sleeve, wherein the tensile element is attached to the winding device, configured to be wound on the winding device in the retracted state and to be unwound from the winding device in the extended state, and wherein the winding device is configured to exert the tensile retraction force on the tensile element.
The tensile element may be wound on and unwound from the winding device in dependence of the state of the cable guide. In the retracted state, the tensile element may be wound on the winding device to the largest possible extent. This may not necessarily concern winding of the entire tensile element, since part of the tensile element should also span the distance along the guide sleeve in the longitudinal direction, between the first end and the second end.
In the extended state, the tensile element may be partly or fully unwound from the winding device, depending on the degree of extension that is needed for the cable guide. The extended state may thus be defined as any state of the cable guide, in which the tensile element should be at least partially unwound.
The winding device may be configured to exert a constant tensile retraction force on the tensile element, independent of the state of the cable guide. Hence, the tensile element may need to suspend the guide sleeve and the charging cable to a large extent in the extended state, irrespective of how far the cable guide is extended. Accordingly, the winding device may also need to pull the guide sleeve and the charging cable in as well in its entirety, to coil the guide sleeve to the retracted state.
The winding device is configured to pull the first end and the second end of the guide sleeve towards each other, to coil the guide sleeve and the charging cable inside. As soon as the external pulling force is removed, the tensile retraction force is no longer compensated.
As a result, the tensile element is wound on the winding device into the retracted state.
A first connector of the cable may be located at the first end of the guide sleeve, configured to be connected to the vehicle charging device. A second connector of the cable may be located at the second end of the guide sleeve, configured to be connected to the vehicle during charging. The winding device of the retractor device may be located at the first end of the cable guide, so that, after the second connector is disconnected from the vehicle, the second end is pulled towards the first connector and the charging device.
In a further embodiment, the tensile element is a wire. In general, wires may be beneficial in combining flexibility, to improve winding, and strength, to be strong enough to suspend the guide sleeve and the charging cable. The wire may be made from a metallic material, such as steel.
Alternatively, the tensile element may be a cord, i.e. a flexible cord, or a flat tape, that is to be wound on the winding device. These cords or tapes may be made from a plastic material, such as nylon, to obtain desired properties in view of strength, flexibility and durability, e.g. preventing corrosion.
In an alternative or further embodiment, the winding device is a spring-loaded winding device. The winding device then comprises a spring, configured to be tensioned upon unwinding of the tensile element, under influence of the external pulling force, which tensioning of the spring may result in the tensile retraction force as a result. As soon as the external pulling force is removed, for example when the cable is disconnected from the vehicle or charging device after use, the spring in the winding device may cause winding of the tensile element upon relaxation, to pull the first end and the second end of the guide sleeve towards each other.
In an embodiment, the retractor device comprises a locking element to lock the winding device in the extended state. The locking element may be configured to relieve the winding device, for example the spring thereof, when the cable guide has been brought in the extended state, for example when the charging cable were to be connected to the vehicle and the charging device. This may prevent relaxation of the winding device, e.g. the spring, since the weight of the cable sleeve and the charging cable, being suspended from the tensile element, no longer acts on the winding device, but on the locking element instead.
The locking element may involve physical interlocking of the winding device, i.e. relative to a housing of the retractor device. This may offer a geometrical interaction between the winding device and the housing, which may prevent movement and thus unwinding of the winding device.
Alternatively, the locking element may comprise a friction mechanism that selectively acts on the winding device and/or may comprise a ratchet mechanism, which does allow for (further) winding of the tensile element on the winding device, but which may prevent (further) unwinding of the tensile element from the winding device.
In an embodiment, the guide sleeve helically extends around the tensile element. The guide sleeve thereby surrounds the tensile element. This may provide that sideward movements of the guide sleeve, e.g. at least having a component perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, are confined by the tensile element. Hence, at some point, the guide sleeve may deflect so far relative to the tensile element, that it physically contacts the tensile element, which limits the sideward deflection of the guide sleeve. This confining may give the beneficial effect that the tensile element can hold the guide sleeve substantially in its helical shape.
In a further embodiment, the tensile element is configured to suspend the guide sleeve in the extended state of the cable guide. As such, the guide sleeve can rest on the tensile element in the extended state, i.e. with upper parts of its windings contacting the tensile element.
This provides the benefit that no further connection means between the guide sleeve and the tensile element are necessary and that the weight of the guide sleeve and the charging cable therein can be supported by the tensile element.
In an embodiment, the guide sleeve is made of an elastic material, preferably a polymeric material, for example a polyurethane material. The elastic material may be beneficial to deform, i.e. extend, under influence of the external pulling force. Furthermore, the elastic material may contribute in returning the guide sleeve to its original shape, e.g. to the retracted state, after the external pulling force is removed.
In an embodiment, the elongate groove is located at the radially outer perimeter of the helical guide sleeve. The charging cable is thereby inserted in the groove from the outer perimeter of the guide sleeve, which may be beneficial, since the outer perimeter is best accessible. Furthermore, the location at the outer perimeter of the guide sleeve may provide that the cable is always in contact with ambient air, to promote cooling of the charging cable during use.
In an embodiment, the elongate groove has a groove cross-section having a shape corresponding to a circle, or at least part thereof. In this way, a charging cable with a circular cable cross-section, e.g. having an outer diameter corresponding to an inner diameter of the groove cross-section may be snugly received in the elongate groove.
Furthermore, the circle part of the groove cross-section may span more than 180° of the circle’s perimeter, so that an interlocking of the charging cable in the elongate groove can be obtained, i.e. by having a shape fit of the guide sleeve surrounding the charging cable for more than 180°.
The present invention also provide a guide sleeve as is disclosed herein, for use in a vehicle charging cable guide. The present guide sleeve may comprise one or more of the features disclosed herein in relation to the cable guide according to the present invention, for example as recited in the appended claims.
According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle charging assembly, comprising: - the vehicle charging cable guide as disclosed herein, and - a linear vehicle charging cable, comprising a first connector at a first end and a second connector at an opposed second end, wherein the charging cable is arranged in the elongate groove along the entire length of the guide sleeve, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are arranged outside guide sleeve at opposite ends thereof.
The vehicle charging assembly according to the second aspect may comprise one or more of the features disclosed herein in relation to the cable guide according to the present invention, for example as recited in the appended claims.
The vehicle charging cable is substantially arranged in the cable guide in the present vehicle charging assembly. Over a large part of its length, the charging cable is helically guided in the guide sleeve, being arranged in the elongate groove. The connectors of the charging cable project out of the cable guide, so that they are accessible for users and that they can be connected to a vehicle and/or a vehicle charging device.
The length of the guide sleeve, e.g. measured helically along the elongate groove, may be selected based on the length of the linear charging cable, so that the charging cable can be accommodated in the elongate groove for the largest possible extent. Especially, the first connector of the charging cable can be arranged close to the first end of the guide sleeve and the second connector of the charging cable can be arranged close to the second end of the guide sleeve.
The charging cable may be held in the elongate groove with a friction fit. This may provide that the cable guide does not need to be connected to the connectors of the cable to support the weight of the charging cable, i.e. with the retractor device of the cable guide.
The first connector of the cable may be located at the first end of the guide sleeve, configured to be connected to the vehicle charging device. The second connector of the cable may be located at the second end of the guide sleeve, configured to be connected to the vehicle during charging. The winding device of the retractor device may be located at the first end of the cable guide, so that, after the second connector is disconnected from the vehicle, the second end is pulled towards the first connector and the charging device.
In an embodiment of the vehicle charging assembly, the charging cable has a cable cross-section, the elongate groove in the guide sleeve has a groove cross-section, and the groove cross-section is shaped to interlock with the cable cross-section to obtain a shape fit to hold the cable in the groove. The interlocking of the charging cable in the elongate groove may secure the charging cable inside the cable guide, to ensure that charging cable follows the helical cable guide upon extension thereof and to prevent the cable from falling out of the guide sleeve.
According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of guiding a linear vehicle charging cable, comprising the steps of: - providing a vehicle charging cable guide as disclosed herein, - arranging the charging cable in the elongate groove along the entire length of the guide sleeve.
The guiding method according to the third aspect may comprise one or more of the features disclosed herein in relation to the cable guide according to the present invention and/or the vehicle charging assembly according to the second aspect of the invention, for example as recited in the appended claims.
The present guiding method involves arranging the charging cable in the groove, in order to obtain the vehicle charging assembly, in which the charging cable is guided helically by the cable guide. This allows the cable to be helically extended with the cable guide to accommodate for different distances between a vehicle and a charging device.
According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides the use of the vehicle charging assembly as disclosed herein to transfer electric energy from a vehicle charging device towards a vehicle, comprising the steps of: - connecting the first connector to the vehicle and the second connector to the vehicle charging device, whilst applying an external pulling force on the cable guide to bring the cable guide into the extended state, - guiding the electric energy through the charging cable, and - disconnecting the first connector from the vehicle and/or the second connector from the vehicle charging device, whilst letting the retractor device exert a tensile retraction force on the guide sleeve, to bring the cable guide in the retracted state.
The use according to the fourth aspect may comprise one or more of the features disclosed herein in relation to the cable guide according to the present invention and/or the vehicle charging assembly according to the second aspect of the invention, for example as recited in the appended claims.
The connecting of the charging cable to the vehicle and the vehicle charging device may typically involve extending of the cable guide with the cable therein, as the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle charging device is typically larger the length of the cable guide in the retracted state. To reach the extended state, the cable guide is extended in the longitudinal direction under influence of an external pulling force, which pulling overcomes the tensile retraction force.
In the extended state, the guide sleeve and the charging cable may become suspended by the retractor device of the cable guide. As such, the guide sleeve and the charging cable no longer lie on the ground during charging of the vehicle, but that they are, instead, suspended above the ground.
Upon disconnecting, the external pulling force may be removed, which may imply that the retractor device of the cable guide is able to pull the first and second end of the guide sleeve, and thus also the first and second connector of the charging cable towards each other under influence of the tensile retraction force. This may effect coiling of the guide sleeve and the charging cable and may bring the charging assembly back into the retracted state.
Brief description of drawings
Further characteristics of the invention will be explained below, with reference to embodiments, which are displayed in the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of the vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention,
Figure 2A shows a top view on the assembly in figure 1, shown in the retracted state,
Figure 2B shows a top view on the assembly in figure 1, shown in the extended state,
Figures 3 shows the guide sleeve of the charging assembly in figure 1, and
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view on the charging assembly in figure 1.
Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to corresponding components or to components that have a corresponding function.
Detailed description of embodiments
Figure 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention, to which is referred with reference numeral 100. The charging assembly 100 comprises a vehicle charging cable guide 1 and a linear vehicle charging cable 50, comprising a first connector 51 at a first end A and a second connector 52 at an opposed second end B.
The charging cable 50 is guided in the cable guide 1, which may be retrofitted on the charging cable 50 after-market in a manner such, that the first connector 51 and the second connector 52 are arranged outside cable guide 1 sleeve at opposite ends thereof. The cable guide 1 thereby serves the purpose to coil the charging cable 50 that was not coiled originally.
The cable guide 1 thereby allows existing linear charging cables 50 to be coiled and be suspended from the ground during charging of a vehicle, which prevents the cable from laying in puddles, dirt or animal waste.
The cable guide 1 comprises a guide sleeve 10, extending helically about a longitudinal direction L between a first end a and an opposed second end b. The guide sleeve 10 comprises an elongate groove 11, which extends over the entire length of the guide sleeve 10 between the first end a and the second end b and which is best visible in figures 3 and 4. The guide sleeve 10 is configured to receive the charging cable 50 in the elongate groove 11 along its entire length. The guide sleeve 11 comprises windings 12 that have an annular shape, in particular a circular shape.
The longitudinal direction L presently is a straight, linear direction. Accordingly, the helical guide sleeve 10 extends helically about the linear longitudinal direction L, to obtain a straight guide sleeve 10, having a substantially cylindrical overall outer shape, as is best seen in figure 3. The guide sleeve 10 is made of a polymeric material, which is beneficial as it deforms elastically, to contribute in returning the guide sleeve 10 to its original shape.
The elongate groove 11 is configured to receive the charging cable 50 along the entire length of the guide sleeve 10. During use, the groove 11 is thus filled with the cable 50 and, so that the cable 50 follows the helical shape of the guide sleeve 10. The elongate groove 11 is located at the radially outer perimeter of the helical guide sleeve 10, so that the charging cable 50 is inserted in the groove 11 from the outer perimeter of the guide sleeve 10.
The elongate groove 11 has a groove cross-section 13 having a shape corresponding to part of a circle. Similarly, the charging cable 50 has a circular cable cross-section, of which an outer diameter corresponds to an inner diameter of the groove cross-section 13. As such, the cable 50 is snugly received in the elongate groove 11. This allows the charging cable 50 to be held in the elongate groove 11 with a friction fit.
The circle part of the groove cross-section 13 spans more than 180° of the circle’s perimeter, so that an interlocking of the charging cable 50 in the elongate groove 11 is obtained, i.e. by having a shape fit of the guide sleeve 10 surrounding the charging cable 50 for more than 180°.
The cable guide 1 further comprises a retractor device 20, connected to the guide sleeve 10 and configured to exert a tensile retraction force between the first end a and the second end b of the guide sleeve 10. The retractor device 20 comprises a tensile element, embodied as a metallic wire 21, which is attached to the second end b of the guide sleeve 10.
The retractor device 20 further comprises a winding device 21, attached to the first end a of the guide sleeve 10. The wire 21 is attached to the winding device 22, configured to be wound on the winding device 22.
The retractor device 20 is configured to pre-tension the guide sleeve 10 and the cable 50. As such, the cable guide 1 can be arranged in an extended state, as shown in figure 2B, in which the guide sleeve 10 is extended in the longitudinal direction L under influence of an external pulling force, and in a retracted state, as shown in figure 2A, in which the guide sleeve 10 is retracted into a coiled shape under influence of the tensile retraction force. The winding device 22 is thereby configured to pull the second end b of the guide sleeve 10 towards it via the wire 21. In the extended state, the guide sleeve 10 becomes elongated and the guide sleeve windings 12 may be spaced at a distance d from each other, whereas they lie against each other in the retracted state.
The wire 21 is wound on and unwound from the winding device 22 in dependence of the state of the cable guide 1. In the retracted state, the wire 21 is wound on the winding device 22 to the largest possible extent. In the extended state, the wire 21 is either partly or fully unwound from the winding device 22, depending on the degree of extension that is needed for the cable guide 1. The winding device 22 is located at the first end A of the cable guide 1, so that, after the second connector 52 is disconnected from the vehicle, the second end B is pulled towards the first connector 51 and the charging device.
In the present embodiment, the winding device 22 is a spring-loaded winding device, which comprises a spring, configured to be tensioned upon unwinding of the wire 21. The spring in the winding device 22 is further configured to cause winding of the wire 21 upon relaxation, to pull the second end b of the guide sleeve 10 towards the first end a.
The retractor device 20 comprises a locking element to lock the winding device 22 in the extended state. The locking element is configured to relieve the spring of the winding device 22 when the cable guide 1 has been brought in the extended state, i.e. when the charging cable 50 were to be connected to the vehicle and the charging device. In the present embodiment, the locking element involves physical interlocking of the winding devices.
Alternatively, the locking element may comprise a friction mechanism and/or may comprise a ratchet mechanism.
It is noted that the guide sleeve 10 helically extends around the wire 21, so that the guide sleeve 10 surrounds the wire 21. This provides that sideward movements of the guide sleeve 10 are confined by the wire 21. Especially, the wire 21 is configured to suspend the guide sleeve 10 in the extended state of the cable guide 1. As such, the guide sleeve 10 with the cable 50 can rest on the wire 21 in the extended state, i.e. with upper parts of its windings 12 contacting the wire 21.

Claims (13)

CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS 1. Voertuiglaadkabelgeleider, ingericht om een lineaire voertuiglaadkabel te geleiden, omvattend: - een geleidingshuls, die zich spiraalvormig rond een lengterichting uitstrekt tussen een eerste uiteinde en een tegenoverliggend tweede uiteinde, en - een terugtrekinrichting, verbonden met de geleidingshuls en ingericht om een terugtrekkracht uit te oefenen tussen het eerste uiteinde en het tweede uiteinde, waarbij de geleidingshuls een langwerpige groef omvat, die zich over de gehele lengte van de geleidingshuls uitstrekt tussen het eerste uiteinde en het tweede uiteinde, waarbij de geleidingshuls is ingericht om de laadkabel te ontvangen in de langwerpige groef over de gehele lengte van de geleidingshuls, en waarbij de oprolinrichting is ingericht om de geleidingshuls voor te spannen, zodat de kabelgeleider kan worden gebracht in: - een uitgetrokken toestand, waarbij de geleidingshuls onder invloed van een externe trekkracht in de lengterichting wordt uitgetrokken, en - een teruggetrokken toestand, waarbij de geleidingshuls onder invloed van de terugtrekkracht wordt teruggetrokken in een spiraalvorm.1. Vehicle charging cable guide, adapted to guide a linear vehicle charging cable, comprising: - a guide sleeve, which extends spirally around a longitudinal direction between a first end and an opposite second end, and - a retraction device, connected to the guide sleeve and adapted to exert a retracting force between the first end and the second end, the guide sleeve comprising an elongated groove extending over the entire length of the guide sleeve between the first end and the second end, the guide sleeve being adapted to receive the charging cable in the elongated groove over the entire length of the guide sleeve, and wherein the winding device is designed to pretension the guide sleeve, so that the cable guide can be brought into: - an extended position, wherein the guide sleeve is pulled out in the longitudinal direction under the influence of an external pulling force , and - a retracted state, in which the guide sleeve is retracted into a spiral shape under the influence of the retracting force. 2. Voertuiglaadkabelgeleider volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de terugtrekinrichting omvat: - een trekelement, bevestigd aan een van het eerste uiteinde of het tweede uiteinde van de geleidingshuls, en - een oprolinrichting, bevestigd aan het andere van het eerste uiteinde of het tweede uiteinde van de geleidingshuls, waarbij het trekelement is bevestigd aan de oprolinrichting, ingericht om in de teruggetrokken toestand op de oprolinrichting te worden gewikkeld en in de uitgetrokken toestand van de oprolinrichting te worden afgewikkeld, en waarbij de oprolinrichting is ingericht om de terugtrekkracht uit te oefenen op het trekelement.2. Vehicle charging cable guide according to claim 1, wherein the retraction device comprises: - a pulling element, attached to one of the first end or the second end of the guide sleeve, and - a winding device, attached to the other of the first end or the second end of the guide sleeve. guide sleeve, wherein the pulling element is attached to the winding device, adapted to be wound onto the winding device in the retracted state and to be unwound from the winding device in the extended state, and wherein the winding device is designed to exert the retracting force on the pulling element . 3. Voertuiglaadkabelgeleider volgens conclusie 2, waarbij het trekelement een draad, een koord of een platte band is.3. Vehicle charging cable guide according to claim 2, wherein the pulling element is a wire, a cord or a flat band. 4. Voertuiglaadkabelgeleider volgens conclusie 2 of 3, waarbij de oprolinrichting een veerbelaste oprolinrichting is.4. Vehicle charging cable guide according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the winding device is a spring-loaded winding device. 5. Voertuiglaadkabelgeleider volgens een van de conclusies 2 — 4, waarbij de terugtrekinrichting een vergrendelingselement omvat om de oprolinrichting in de uitgetrokken toestand te vergrendelen.5. Vehicle charging cable guide according to any one of claims 2 - 4, wherein the retraction device comprises a locking element to lock the retractor in the extended position. 6. Voertuiglaadkabelgeleider volgens een van de conclusies 2 — 5, waarbij de geleidingshuls zich spiraalvormig uitstrekt om het trekelement.6. Vehicle charging cable guide as claimed in any of the claims 2 - 5, wherein the guide sleeve extends spirally around the tensile element. 7. Voertuiglaadkabelgeleider volgens conclusie 8, waarbij het trekelement is ingericht om de geleidingshuls in uitgetrokken toestand te ondersteunen.7. Vehicle charging cable guide according to claim 8, wherein the pulling element is designed to support the guide sleeve in the extended position. 8. Voertuiglaadkabelgeleider volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de geleidingshuls is vervaardigd uit een elastisch materiaal, bij voorkeur een polymeer- materiaal, bijvoorbeeld een polyurethaan-materiaal.8. Vehicle charging cable guide according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guide sleeve is made of an elastic material, preferably a polymer material, for example a polyurethane material. 9. Voertuiglaadkabelgeleider volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de langwerpige groef zich bevindt aan de radiaal buitenste omtrek van de spiraalvormige geleidingshuls.9. Vehicle charging cable guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated groove is located on the radially outer periphery of the spiral guide sleeve. 10. Voertuiglaadsamenstel, omvattend: - de voertuiglaadkabelgeleider volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, en - een lineaire voertuiglaadkabel, omvattend een eerste connector aan een eerste uiteinde en een tweede connector aan een tegenoverliggend tweede uiteinde, waarbij de laadkabel over de gehele lengte van de geleidingshuls is aangebracht in de langwerpige groef, en waarbij de eerste connector en de tweede connector zijn aangebracht buiten de geleidingshuls aan tegenover elkaar liggende uiteinden daarvan.10. Vehicle charging assembly, comprising: - the vehicle charging cable guide according to any of the preceding claims, and - a linear vehicle charging cable, comprising a first connector at a first end and a second connector at an opposite second end, wherein the charging cable extends over the entire length of the guide sleeve is mounted in the elongated groove, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are mounted outside the guide sleeve at opposite ends thereof. 11. Voertuiglaadsamenstel volgens conclusie 10, waarbij de laadkabel een kabeldwarsdoorsnede heeft, waarbij de langwerpige groef in de geleidingshuls een groefdwarsdoorsnede heeft, en waarbij de groefdwarsdoorsnede is gevormd om te vergrendelen met de groefdwarsdoorsnede om een vormpassing te verkrijgen om de kabel in de groef te houden.The vehicle charging assembly of claim 10, wherein the charging cable has a cable cross-section, wherein the elongated groove in the guide sleeve has a groove cross-section, and wherein the groove cross-section is shaped to interlock with the groove cross-section to provide a form fit to retain the cable in the groove . 12. Werkwijze voor het geleiden van een lineaire voertuiglaadkabel, omvattend de volgende stappen: - het verschaffen van een voertuiglaadkabelgeleider volgens een van de conclusies 1-9 en12. Method for guiding a linear vehicle charging cable, comprising the following steps: - providing a vehicle charging cable guide according to any one of claims 1-9 and - het in de langwerpige groef aanbrengen van de laadkabel over de gehele lengte van de geleidingshuls.- inserting the charging cable into the elongated groove over the entire length of the guide sleeve. 13. Gebruik van het voertuiglaadsamenstel volgens conclusie 10 of 11 voor het overdragen van elektrische energie van een voertuiglaadinrichting naar een voertuig, omvattend de stappen van: - het op het voertuig aansluiten van de eerste connector en op de voertuiglaadinrichting aansluiten van de tweede connector, terwijl een externe trekkracht op de kabelgeleider wordt uitgeoefend om de kabelgeleider in de uitgetrokken toestand te brengen, - het door de laadkabel geleiden van de elektrische energie, en - het van het voertuig loskoppelen van de eerste connector en/of het van de voertuiglaadinrichting loskoppelen van de tweede connector, terwijl men de terugtrekinrichting een terugtrekkracht laat uitoefenen op de geleidingshuls om de kabelgeleider in de ingetrokken toestand te brengen.13. Use of the vehicle charging assembly according to claim 10 or 11 for transferring electrical energy from a vehicle charging device to a vehicle, comprising the steps of: - connecting the first connector to the vehicle and connecting the second connector to the vehicle charging device, while an external pulling force is exerted on the cable guide to bring the cable guide into the extended position, - guiding the electrical energy through the charging cable, and - disconnecting the first connector from the vehicle and/or disconnecting the first connector from the vehicle charging device second connector, while allowing the retraction device to exert a retracting force on the guide sleeve to bring the cable guide into the retracted position.
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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2955149A (en) * 1959-02-02 1960-10-04 Gubernick Saul Cable support and retractor
DE4212207A1 (en) * 1992-04-10 1993-10-28 System Elektrotechnik Gotthold Supply system for electric vehicle esp. charging cable line with coiled conductor - fitted at free outer end with plug connector for connecting to external power source and accommodated in housing mounted at vehicle
DE102009024632A1 (en) * 2009-06-12 2010-02-11 Daimler Ag Length-adjustable, electrical connecting cable for supplying current to lamp, has length-adjustable carrier element provided between clutch and plug, and spiral-shaped electrical conductor provided at length-adjustable carrier element
WO2014084039A1 (en) * 2012-11-30 2014-06-05 中央発條株式会社 Charging device

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2955149A (en) * 1959-02-02 1960-10-04 Gubernick Saul Cable support and retractor
DE4212207A1 (en) * 1992-04-10 1993-10-28 System Elektrotechnik Gotthold Supply system for electric vehicle esp. charging cable line with coiled conductor - fitted at free outer end with plug connector for connecting to external power source and accommodated in housing mounted at vehicle
DE102009024632A1 (en) * 2009-06-12 2010-02-11 Daimler Ag Length-adjustable, electrical connecting cable for supplying current to lamp, has length-adjustable carrier element provided between clutch and plug, and spiral-shaped electrical conductor provided at length-adjustable carrier element
WO2014084039A1 (en) * 2012-11-30 2014-06-05 中央発條株式会社 Charging device

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