Device for winding up and unwinding an elongated flexible element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12195299-B2
Application number	US-202218075675-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 6, 2022
Priority date	Dec 6, 2021
Publication date	Jan 14, 2025
Grant date	Jan 14, 2025

Abstract

A device for winding up and unwinding an elongated flexible element having a free end and a spatially fixed end. The elongated flexible element is divided over its length at least into a use portion and a compensation portion, wherein the use portion has the free end and the compensation portion has the spatially fixed end. The device includes a rotatable drum configured on its circumference to wind up and unwind at least the use portion in a first winding plane, wherein the end of the compensation portion is spatially fixed relative to the drum. The elongated flexible element in the transition from the use portion to the compensation portion is fixed at a fastening point to the drum, and when the drum is rotated the compensation portion is coiled up and uncoiled in the form of at least one looped portion in a second winding plane.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for winding up and unwinding an elongated flexible element having a free end and a spatially fixed end, wherein the elongated flexible element is divided over its length at least into a use portion and a compensation portion, wherein the use portion has the free end and the compensation portion has the spatially fixed end of the elongated flexible element, the device comprising:
a rotatable drum configured on its circumference to wind up and unwind at least the use portion in a first winding plane, wherein the spatially fixed end of the compensation portion is spatially fixed relative to the drum and the elongated flexible element in the transition from the use portion to the compensation portion is fixed at a fastening point to the drum, wherein when the drum is rotated the compensation portion is coiled up and uncoiled in the form of at least one looped portion in a second winding plane, wherein the second winding plane runs parallel to the first winding plane, and wherein starting from the fastening point, the use portion in the first winding plane and the compensation portion in the second winding plane have opposing winding directions.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible element is an electrical cable or a hose.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the elongated flexible element is greater than 1 cm.

4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the outer diameter of the elongated flexible element is greater than 2 cm.

5. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a winding aid in the second winding plane, the at least one looped portion of the compensation portion being coiled up about the winding aid when the use portion is unwound from the circumference of the drum.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the second winding plane has an outer boundary which holds the compensation portion inside the second winding plane.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening point is located on the circumference of the drum.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is integrated in an electric vehicle or a stationary electric charging station for charging the electric vehicle.

9. A device for winding up and unwinding an elongated flexible element having a free end and a spatially fixed end, wherein the elongated flexible element is divided over its length at least into a use portion and a compensation portion, wherein the use portion has the free end and the compensation portion has the spatially fixed end of the elongated flexible element, the device comprising:
a rotatable drum configured on its circumference to wind up and unwind at least the use portion in a first winding plane, wherein the spatially fixed end of the compensation portion is spatially fixed relative to the drum and the elongated flexible element in the transition from the use portion to the compensation portion is fixed at a fastening point to the drum, and wherein when the drum is rotated the compensation portion is coiled up and uncoiled in the form of at least one looped portion in a second winding plane;
and at least one guide, wherein the elongated flexible element runs in the at least one guide, the elongated flexible element being guided therethrough in the transition between the first winding plane and the second winding plane.

10. A device for winding up and unwinding an elongated flexible element having a free end and a spatially fixed end, wherein the elongated flexible element is divided over its length at least into a use portion and a compensation portion, wherein the use portion has the free end and the compensation portion has the spatially fixed end of the elongated flexible element, the device comprising:
a rotatable drum configured on its circumference to wind up and unwind at least the use portion in a first winding plane, wherein the spatially fixed end of the compensation portion is spatially fixed relative to the drum and the elongated flexible element in the transition from the use portion to the compensation portion is fixed at a fastening point to the drum, wherein when the drum is rotated the compensation portion is coiled up and uncoiled in the form of at least one looped portion in a second winding plane, wherein the elongated flexible element is an electrical cable or a hose, wherein the second winding plane runs parallel to the first winding plane, wherein starting from the fastening point, the use portion in the first winding plane and the compensation portion in the second winding plane have opposing winding directions; and
a winding aid in the second winding plane, the at least one looped portion of the compensation portion being coiled up about the winding aid when the use portion is unwound from the circumference of the drum.

11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the second winding plane has an outer boundary which holds the compensation portion inside the second winding plane.

12. The device according to claim 10 further comprising at least one guide, wherein the elongated flexible element runs in the at least one guide, the elongated flexible element being guided therethrough in the transition between the first winding plane and the second winding plane.

13. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the fastening point is located on the circumference of the drum.

14. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the device is integrated in an electric vehicle or a stationary electric charging station for charging the electric vehicle.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Grymel Stephan A
• Alves Bruno
• Pulheim Thomas
• Werner Lieven
• Jakobs Werner

Classifications

• B60L53/18

  Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles · CPC title

• B65H2701/33

  Hollow or hose-like material · CPC title

• B65H2701/34

  electric cords or electric power cables · CPC title

• B65H75/4402

  Guiding arrangements to control paying-out and re-storing of the material (guides per se B65H57/00) · CPC title

• H02G11/02

  using take-up reel or drum · CPC title