Cable retraction device

Abstract

A cable retraction device (100) for a retractable or movable subsystem (300, 530), preferably a steering subsystem (300, 530), of a vehicle system (510) comprises a bendable towing structure (110) configured to support a cable harness (180, 180a, 180b) of the subsystem (530). The flexible towing structure (110) defines a flexible support surface (112, 112a-112e) for the cable bundle (180, 180a, 180b). Furthermore, the support surface (112, 112a-112e) comprises at least two portions (112a-112e) which extend parallel to each other in the length direction of the bendable towed structure (110) and which have different radii of curvature (R1, R2) at a given curvature of the bendable towed structure (110).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable retraction device for a retractable or movable subsystem of a vehicle system, in particular a steering subsystem, and a vehicle comprising such a cable retraction device. Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle, retractable or movable subsystems are suitable for increasing the comfort of the driver, for example, in the form of adjustable substructures, such as an adjustable passenger seat, a retractable steering column, adjustable control elements of a vehicle system, etc. Retractable or movable subsystems are also suitable for extending the functional parts of a vehicle system, for example, in the form of convertible subsystems, such as a convertible cabin, a convertible roof, a retractable trailer hitch, etc.

[0003] In the case where a retractable or movable subsystem includes or carries one or more functional parts of a vehicle system that are operatively connected to other parts of the vehicle system, the mobility of the subsystem needs to be consistent with the requirements for safeguarding the operative connection between these functional parts and other parts of the vehicle system. This applies in particular when such functions are safety-related and / or when legal constraints place higher requirements on safeguarding the operative connection between movable parts of the vehicle.

[0004] There is a continuing need for improved technology relating to retractable or moveable subsystems of vehicle systems. Summary of the invention

[0005] This problem is solved by a cable retraction device, a steering subsystem, and a vehicle according to the present application.

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a cable retraction device for a retractable or movable subsystem, preferably a steering subsystem, of a vehicle system. The cable retraction device comprises a bendable towing structure for supporting a cable harness of the subsystem. The bendable towing structure defines a bendable support surface for the cable harness. The support surface comprises at least two portions extending parallel to each other in the length direction of the bendable towing structure and having different radii of curvature at a given bend of the bendable towing structure.

[0007] By providing at least two portions of the support surface with different radii of curvature, the cable retraction device facilitates accommodating therein a cable bundle comprising a plurality of cables, such as optical and / or electrical cables, in particular for complex and / or safety-related functionalities of the vehicle system. This is achieved by enabling different cables of the cable bundle having different thicknesses to be supported adjacent to each other by different portions of the at least two portions. In other words, different portions of the at least two portions can be used to support one or more different cables of the cable bundle having different thicknesses, respectively.

[0008] By having cables of different thicknesses supported by different parts of the support surface, the tensile and / or compressive stresses applied to the cables parallel to the length direction when the bending of the towing structure changes can be reduced. Thus, the risk of breaking the operative connections through the cable bundle due to different or excessive tensile and / or compressive stresses acting on the cables causing one or more cable connections to break is reduced.

[0009] Furthermore, cable wear due to different tensile and / or compressive stresses parallel to the length direction can be avoided or reduced in the case of frequent changes in the bending of the bendable towing structure. Thus, the durability and / or reliability of the operable connection can be improved.

[0010] By reducing at least one of the tensile and / or compressive stresses acting on the cables in the cable bundle and the differences in such stresses between different cables of the cable bundle, it is also facilitated to fix the cable bundle to the flexible tow structure relative to the length direction at one or more positions along the length of the flexible tow structure. In this way, the occurrence of tensile and / or compressive stresses transmitted over a larger part of the cable bundle can be reduced, in particular on the electrical connections of the cable bundle. This applies to situations where the bending of the flexible tow structure changes and / or where tensile and / or compressive stresses act on the cable bundle due to thermomechanical expansion and / or contraction, in particular when the climatic or thermal conditions of the subsystem change. As a result, the reliability of the operable connection provided by the cable bundle can be improved over a larger temperature range.

[0011] Any of the above effects are advantageous, in particular in relation to complex and / or safety-related functions of the vehicle system, which are contained in or carried by the retractable or movable subsystem, since these functions generally require a high level of reliability and / or durability over a wide temperature range and they generally involve an operative connection via cables having different thicknesses.

[0012] At least two portions of the support surface may be configured to support different cables of at least two cables of the plurality of cables of the cable bundle having different diameters. The difference between the radii of curvature of the at least two portions of the support surface may correspond to the difference between the radii of at least two cables of the plurality of cables of the cable bundle associated with the respective portions of the support surface and having different diameters. In this way, the difference in tensile and / or compressive stress between the at least two cables may be minimized when the bend of the bendable tow structure changes.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the difference between the radii of curvature of at least two portions of the support surface may correspond to the difference between the diameters of at least two cables of the plurality of cables of the cable bundle and associated with the respective portions of the support surface, having different diameters. In this way, the fixing of the cables on the bendable towing structure with respect to the length direction is facilitated by the limiting element, in particular by the fixing pin.

[0014] In addition, or as an alternative, the difference between the radii of curvature of at least two portions of the support surface may correspond to an intermediate value between the difference between the radii and the difference between the diameters of at least two cables of the cable bundle that are associated with the respective portions of the support surface and that have different diameters. In this way, it is facilitated to reconcile the reduction of the difference in tensile and / or compressive stresses between the at least two cables when the bending of the bendable towing structure is changed, and to improve the fixing of the cables on the bendable towing structure with respect to the length direction by the limiting element, in particular by the fixing pin.

[0015] The radius and / or diameter of any of the at least two cables may correspond to the effective radius and / or effective diameter of the respective cable in a given bending area of ​​the bendable tow structure, wherein the effective radius and / or effective diameter is measured in a radial direction relative to the center of the bend. This is advantageous, in particular when the respective cable comprises an elastic material, such as an elastic insulator, and when the tensile and / or compressive forces acting on at least a portion of the cable at a given bend result in an elastic deformation of the cross section of the cable at the bend. In this way, the above-mentioned advantages with respect to reducing tensile and / or compressive stresses in the cable can be adapted to the effective geometry of the cable at the bend, in particular optimized for the effective geometry of the cable at the bend. In this connection, the radius of the cable can be defined as half the height of the cable cross section at the bend, and / or the radius can be measured relative to the height position in the cable cross section, so that the maximum of the compressive forces acting on the inward portion of the cable towards the center of the bend and the tensile forces acting on the outward portion of the cable away from the center of the bend can be minimized.

[0016] Furthermore, as described above, the radius and / or diameter of any of the at least two cables may be further defined as a function of prevailing temperatures, average temperatures and / or extreme temperatures within a temperature range in which the cable retraction device is configured. When the cable retraction device is used in a vehicle, the temperature range may be -45°C to +95°C. In this way, tensile and / or compressive stresses in the cable due to at least partly possible thermomechanical expansion and / or contraction of the cable may be further compensated, which may affect the cross-section of the cable when bent. Furthermore, in this way, the temperature dependency of one or more elastic properties of an elastic material comprised by the cable may be accounted for, in particular the dependency of the elasticity of the elastic material on variations in different climatic or thermal conditions of the subsystem.

[0017] The difference between the radii of curvature of the at least two portions of the support surface may correspond to a difference between the heights of each of the at least two portions relative to the contour of the flexible support surface.

[0018] The flexible tow structure may further comprise at least one separator contour configured to separate adjacent portions of at least two portions of the support surface in the width direction of the flexible tow structure. In this way, the risk of accidental misalignment of one or more of the cables relative to their respective portions of the support surface may be reduced, in particular due to vibrations or any other movement of the subsystem.

[0019] The bendable towing structure may further comprise at least one bend limiting contour adapted to limit the bending of the bendable towing structure. In this way, the risk of breaking the operative connection provided by the cable harness due to excessive bending of the cable harness may be further reduced.

[0020] The bendable tow structure may further comprise at least one restraining element configured to hold one or more cables of the cable bundle in the vicinity of the support surface. The at least one restraining element may comprise at least one fixing pin connectable to at least one pin connection profile of the bendable tow structure. In this way, the risk of accidental misalignment of one or more cables relative to the support surface and / or a respective part thereof, in particular due to vibrations or any other movement of the subsystem, may be further reduced. The at least one restraining element may further fix the one or more cables of the cable bundle relative to the length direction of the bendable tow structure.

[0021] The flexible tow structure may include a tow chain having a plurality of tow chain links, the tow chain links being movably connected to each other, and the plurality of tow chain links defining the support surface. The support surface may be at least partially defined as a geometric envelope surface of at least a portion of the plurality of tow chain links.

[0022] Any one of at least one separator profile, at least one bending limiting profile and / or at least one limiting element can be formed on one or more drag chain links. In particular, at least one separator profile, at least one bending limiting profile and / or at least one limiting element can be formed on each of a plurality of drag chain links.

[0023] The cable retraction device may also include a plurality of towing structure mounts adapted to connect a fixed end of the bendable towing structure to a fixed portion of a subsystem and to connect a retractable end of the bendable towing structure to a retractable or movable portion of a subsystem.

[0024] The cable retraction device may also include at least one electrical connector disposed on any of the towing structure mounts and configured to facilitate electrical connection between one or more cables of the cable harness and one or more external devices external to the cable retraction device.

[0025] The subsystem may be a steering subsystem. When a cable harness of the steering subsystem is supported by the bendable towing structure, the bendable towing structure may be adapted to be at least partially arranged in a retractable steering column of the steering subsystem.

[0026] The cable retraction device may also include a cable harness for the retractable or movable subsystem, wherein the cable harness is supported by the bendable drag structure.

[0027] According to another aspect, a steering subsystem for a vehicle system is provided. The steering subsystem comprises a cable retraction device as provided herein, at least one fixed portion, a retractable steering column having at least one retractable portion, and a steering wheel arrangement connected to the at least one retractable portion of the steering column and comprising at least one operable steering wheel function. The cable harness is connected to the at least one operable steering wheel function for operably connecting the at least one operable steering wheel function to a control unit of the vehicle.

[0028] The at least one operable steering wheel function may include a steering input detection function configured to detect a steering input provided by a vehicle user via the steering wheel arrangement. The supply unit may include a control unit configured to process a steering input signal received from the steering input detection function via the cable harness.

[0029] The at least one fixed part of the steering subsystem may comprise a fixed part of the retractable steering column. The control unit of the vehicle may comprise a control unit of the steering system, which may be arranged on, in particular in, the fixed part of the retractable steering column.

[0030] According to another aspect, a vehicle is provided, comprising the cable retraction device provided herein and / or the steering subsystem provided herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Further details, advantages and purposes of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. As shown in the figure:

[0032] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cable retraction device according to one example;

[0033] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a drag chain link according to an example;

[0034] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a retractable or movable subsystem according to one example;

[0035] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of a retractable or movable subsystem; and

[0036] Figure 5 A vehicle according to one example is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 A longitudinal cross section of a cable retraction device 100 is shown, for example, a retractable or movable subsystem for a vehicle system. The cable retraction device 100 includes a fixed towing structure mount 160 and a retractable towing structure mount 170 that are movable relative to each other. As indicated by the arrow, the retractable towing structure mount 170 is movable parallel to the towing direction E of the cable retraction device 100. Figure 1 The cable retraction device 100 is shown in a retracted position of a retractable towing structure mount 170. The flexible towing structure 110 of the cable retraction device 100 extends between a fixed towing structure mount 160 and a retractable towing structure mount 170. The flexible towing structure 110 defines a flexible support surface 112 on which a flexible cable harness 180 is disposed. The cable retraction device 100 is adapted to provide flexible support for the cable harness 180 between a fixed portion of a retractable or movable subsystem of a vehicle system to which the fixed towing structure mount 160 may be mounted and a retractable or movable portion of the subsystem to which the retractable or movable portion may be mounted.

[0038] In the example shown, the flexible tow structure 110 includes a tow chain having a plurality of tow chain links 114. The tow chain links 114 are movably connected to each other and define a support surface 112. In other examples, the flexible tow structure 110 includes a different type of flexible structure, such as a belt.

[0039] As below combined Figure 2 Discussed in more detail, the bendable towing structure 110 is formed to define a plurality of portions 112a-112e of the support surface 112. The portions 112a-112e are arranged side by side with one another in the width direction of the bendable towing structure 110 and extend substantially parallel to one another in the length direction of the bendable towing structure 110. The plurality of portions 112a-112e of the support surface 112 are configured to exhibit different radii of curvature R1, R2 when the bendable towing structure 110 is bent at any given length. The plurality of portions 112a-112e of the support surface 112 are configured to support different cables among the plurality of cables included in the cable bundle 180. The portions of the support surface 112 having different radii of curvature R1, R2 are configured to support cables of different thicknesses or diameters among the plurality of cables in the cable bundle 180.

[0040] By arranging a cable with a larger thickness on a portion of the support surface 112 with a smaller radius of curvature R1, and arranging a cable with a smaller thickness on a portion of the support surface 112 with a larger radius of curvature R2, the difference between the radius of curvature at the center of any cable is at least partially compensated, thereby reducing or avoiding the relative movement of cables of different thicknesses in the length direction when the bendable towing structure 110 is bent, and the occurrence of tensile and / or compressive stresses acting differently on different cables in the length direction.

[0041] In some examples, the difference between the radii of curvature R1, R2 of the plurality of portions of the support surface 120 corresponds to the difference between the radii of the cables of the cable bundle 180 that are arranged on the respective portions of the support surface 120. Furthermore, in some examples, the cables in the cable bundle 180 are arranged adjacent to each other on the support surface 120, i.e., no cables accidentally cross or overlap each other.

[0042] The bendable towing structure 110 includes bend limiting contours 116, 118, which are arranged in pairs on each towing chain link 114. The bend limiting contours 116, 118 of adjacent towing chain links 114 are configured to engage when a predetermined degree of bending of the bendable towing structure 110 is reached. In this case, the bend limiting contours 116, 118 prevent the bendable towing structure 110 from bending further. In this way, when the bendable towing structure 110 is bent, the maximum bending stress and the corresponding maximum tensile and / or compressive stress applied to the cable bundle 180 can be limited. In addition, in this way, when the retractable towing structure mounting seat 170 moves parallel to the towing direction E, the trajectory of the bendable towing structure 110 is substantially controllable.

[0043] The flexible tow structure 110 further comprises a restraining element in the form of a fixing pin 122, which is attached to any tow chain link 114 by a pin connection profile 124 formed on each tow chain link 114. The fixing pin 122 is provided to fix the cables of the cable harness 180 in the vicinity of the support surface 112. This is particularly applicable in areas where the flexible tow structure 110 bends, as the inherent stiffness or elasticity of the cables may push some or all of the cables away from the support surface 112.

[0044] In the example shown, bend limiting contours 116, 118 and limiting elements 122, 124 are provided on each drag chain link 114. In other examples, bend limiting contours and / or limiting elements are formed only on some drag chain links 114, or only at one or more selected locations along the length of the bendable drag structure 110.

[0045] Figure 2 A cross section of a drag chain link 114 of a flexible drag structure 110 is shown. As shown, the support surface 112 includes a plurality of portions 112a-112e arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction of the drag chain link 114. Different portions of the portions 112a-112e have different heights H1, H2 relative to the profile of the drag chain link 114. In this example, portions 112a, 112c and 112e have a first height H1, and portions 112b and 112d have a second height H2.

[0046] When the bendable drag structure 110 is bent about the center of curvature located below the drag chain link 114, the support surface 112 will have a larger radius of curvature in the portions 112b and 112d, while the support surface 112 will have a smaller radius of curvature in the portions 112a, 112c and 112e. The difference between the radii of curvature is consistent with the difference between the heights H1 and H2.

[0047] As combined Figure 1As described above, the parts 112a, 112c and 112e are provided accordingly for supporting cables having a relatively large thickness or a large diameter among the cables in the cable bundle 180. In contrast, the parts 112b and 112d are provided for supporting cables having a relatively small thickness or a small diameter.

[0048] On the upper surface of the drag chain link 114, a separator profile 120 is arranged. The separator profile 120 is used to limit the lateral movement of any cable arranged on the support surface 112. In particular, the separator profile 120 is used to limit any accidental movement of the cable (for example due to vibration or movement of the cable retraction device 100) within the respective parts 112a-112e of the support surface 112 to maintain the above-mentioned functions of the parts 112a-111e of each cable.

[0049] The securing pins 122 extend across the entire width of the support surface 112. In this way, the cables disposed in any of the portions 112a-112e are safely restrained in the vicinity of the support surface 112 during their vertical movement. In some examples, at least some of the securing pins 122 can also secure at least some of the cables relative to the length of the flexible tow structure 110. In this way, the transfer of tensile and / or compressive stresses to the longer portions of the cable bundle 180 is avoided.

[0050] In the example shown, a bending limiting contour 118 is provided at both lateral ends of the drag chain link 114 .

[0051] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a retractable subsystem 300 for a vehicle system is shown. In the example shown, the retractable subsystem 300 is a steering subsystem including a retractable steering column. The retractable steering column includes a fixed portion 310 in which a retractable portion 320 of the steering column is slidably disposed. Figure 3 The retractable subsystem 300 is shown in a retracted position of the steering column. As indicated by the arrows, the retractable portion 320 can be moved to one or more extended positions of the retractable subsystem 300 by moving the retractable portion 320 relative to the fixed portion 310 parallel to the pulling direction E, for example, to meet the needs and / or preferences of the driver. At the end of the retractable portion 310 facing the driver, components of a steering wheel arrangement including a bearing and a mounting plate 312 for the steering wheel are arranged.

[0052] The retractable subsystem 300 includes a combination of Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cable retraction device 100 is described. For illustration purposes, Figure 3In the embodiment, the upper portion of the fixed portion 310 is cut away, the upper portion covers the cable retraction device 100, and the fixed towing structure mounting seat 160 is mounted on the upper portion. The cable retraction device 100 is suitable for providing a flexible operational connection between one or more steering wheel functions and one or more devices outside the subsystem 300 (such as a control unit and / or a battery of a vehicle system) through a cable harness 180.

[0053] and Figure 2 The comparison of the subsystem 300 shows that, in the subsystem 300, the cable 180a having a larger diameter is arranged in the portions 112a, 112c, and 112e of the support surface 112 of the cable retraction device 100, because these portions define a smaller radius of curvature R1 of the support surface 112 of the bendable towing structure 110. In addition, the cable 180b having a smaller diameter is arranged in the portions 112b and 112d of the support surface 112, because these portions define a larger radius of curvature R2 of the support surface 112 of the bendable towing structure 110.

[0054] Figure 4 A perspective view of the retractable subsystem 300 is shown. The cable retractor 100 is arranged in the retractable steering columns 310, 320. In addition, the cable retractor 100 is provided with an electrical connector 340, which is arranged at the fixed towing structure mounting seat 160 and facilitates the electrical connection between the cables 180a, 180b of the cable harness 180 and an external device such as a battery and / or a control unit of a vehicle system.

[0055] Figure 5 The vehicle 500 is schematically and exemplarily shown. The vehicle 500 has a vehicle system 510, which may include any functional and / or controllable elements provided in the vehicle 500. The vehicle system 510 includes a steering system 520. The steering system 520 includes a steering gear 522 acting on any steerable wheel of the vehicle 500. The steering gear 522 is operated by an electric actuator 524, which is powered by a battery 550 of the vehicle 500 and controlled by a control unit 540 of the vehicle system 510. The control unit 540 is adapted to receive a steering input signal indicating a steering input provided by a driver of the vehicle 500 via a steering wheel arrangement 538 of the steering system 520. The steering input is sensed and detected by a steering input detection function of the steering wheel arrangement 538 and transmitted to the control unit 540.

[0056] The steering system 520 includes a retractable steering subsystem 530 having a retractable steering column, such as a Figure 3 and Figure 4The steering subsystem 530 includes a fixed portion 532 and a retractable portion 534. As shown by the double arrow, the retractable portion 534 can move relative to the fixed portion 532 in parallel with the pulling direction of the steering subsystem 530. The steering subsystem 530 also includes a cable retractor 536, for example, in combination with the above Figures 1 to 4 The cable retraction device 100 is consistent with the above.

[0057] A steering wheel arrangement 538 is attached to the retractable portion 534 and includes operable steering wheel functions. A cable retraction device 536 provides a flexible operational connection between such steering wheel functions and at least one of the control unit 540 and the battery 550. One of the steering wheel functions is a steering input detection function adapted to detect a steering input provided by a driver through a steering wheel of the steering wheel arrangement 538 and transmit a corresponding steering input signal to the control unit 540.

[0058] In the example shown, the control unit 540 is arranged on, for example, within, the fixed portion 532 of the retractable steering subsystem 530. In this context, the cable retraction device 100, 536 as described herein facilitates compact configuration of the control unit of the vehicle 500 in the steering subsystem 530.

[0059] The above examples are described in the context of retractable subsystems, particularly steering subsystems. However, it should be understood that the same or similar advantages of the cable retraction device may also be achieved in conjunction with other types of retractable or movable subsystems of vehicle systems.

Claims

1. A cable retraction device (100) for a retractable or movable subsystem (300, 530), preferably a steering subsystem (300, 530), of a vehicle system (510), the cable retraction device (100) comprising a bendable towing structure (110) configured to support a cable bundle (180, 180a, 180b) of the subsystem (530), wherein the bendable towing structure (110) defines a bendable support surface (112, 112a-112e) for the cable bundle (180, 180a, 180b), in, The support surface (112, 112a-112e) comprises at least two parts (112a-112e), the at least two parts (112a-112e) extending parallel to each other in the length direction of the bendable towing structure (110) and having different radii of curvature (R1, R2) at a given bend of the bendable towing structure (110).

2. The cable retraction device of claim 1, wherein the at least two portions (112a-112e) of the support surface (112, 112a-112e) are configured to support different cables of at least two cables (180a, 180b) having different diameters among the plurality of cables (180a, 180b) of the cable bundle (180, 180a, 180b).

3. The cable retraction device according to claim 2, wherein a difference between the radii of curvature (R1, R2) of the at least two portions (112a-112e) of the support surface (112, 112a-112e) corresponds to a difference between radii of at least two cables (180a, 180b) having different diameters among the plurality of cables (180a, 180b) of the cable bundle (180, 180a, 180b).

4. The cable retraction device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the difference between the radii of curvature (R1, R2) of the at least two portions (112a-112e) of the support surface (112, 112a-112e) corresponds to the difference between the heights (H1, H2) of each of the at least two portions (112a-112e) relative to a profile of the bendable support surface (112, 112a-112e).

5. The cable retraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bendable drag structure (110) further comprises at least one separator profile (120) configured to separate adjacent portions of the at least two portions (112a-112e) of the support surface (112, 112a-112e) in a width direction of the bendable drag structure (110).

6. The cable retraction device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bendable drag structure (110) further comprises at least one bend limiting profile (116, 118) adapted to limit the bending of the bendable drag structure (110).

7. The cable retraction device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the bendable drag structure (110) further comprises at least one restraining element (122, 124) configured to retain one or more cables (180a, 180b) of the cable bundle (180, 180a, 180b) in the vicinity of the support surface (112, 112a-112e), wherein Optionally, the at least one limiting element (122, 124) comprises at least one fixing pin (122) which can be connected to at least one pin connection profile (124) of the bendable drag structure (110).

8. The cable retraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible towing structure (110) comprises a tow chain having a plurality of tow chain links (114), the tow chain links (114) being movably connected to each other and defining the support surface (112, 112a-112e).

9. The cable retraction device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the at least one separator profile (120), the at least one bending limiting profile (116, 118) and / or the at least one limiting element (122, 124) are respectively formed on one or more of the drag chain links (114).

10. A cable retraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of towing structure mountings (160, 170) adapted to connect a fixed end of the bendable towing structure (110) to a fixed portion (310, 532) of the subsystem (300, 530) and to connect a retractable end of the bendable towing structure (110) to a retractable or movable portion (320, 534) of the subsystem (300, 530), wherein: Optionally, the cable retraction device (100) further comprises at least one electrical connector (340) disposed on any of the towing structure mounting brackets (160) and configured to facilitate electrical connection between one or more cables (180a, 180b) of the cable harness (180, 180a, 180b) and one or more external devices outside the cable retraction device (100).

11. A cable retraction device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the subsystem (300, 530) is a steering subsystem (300, 530), and when the cable bundle (180, 180a, 180b) of the steering subsystem (300, 530) is supported by the flexible towing structure (110), the flexible towing structure (110) is suitable for being at least partially arranged in a retractable steering column (310, 320) of the steering subsystem (300, 530).

12. The cable retraction device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a cable harness (180, 180a, 180b) for the retractable or movable subsystem (300, 530), wherein the cable harness (180, 180a, 180b) is supported by the bendable drag structure (110).

13. A steering subsystem (300, 530) of a vehicle system (510) for a vehicle (500), the steering subsystem (300, 530) comprising: - A cable retraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, - at least one fixing part (310, 532), - a retractable steering column (310, 320, 530) having at least one retractable portion (320, 534), and - a steering wheel arrangement (312, 538) connected to the at least one retractable portion (320, 534) of the steering column (310, 320, 530) and comprising at least one operable steering wheel function, The cable harness (180, 180a, 180b) is connected to the at least one operable steering wheel function component, and is used to operably connect the at least one operable steering wheel function component to a control unit (540) of the vehicle (500).

14. A steering subsystem according to claim 13, wherein the at least one fixed part (310, 532) of the steering subsystem (300, 530) comprises a fixed part (310, 532) of the retractable steering column (310, 320, 530), and the control unit (540) of the vehicle (500) comprises a control unit (540) of the steering system (520) of the vehicle (500), the control unit (540) being capable of being arranged on the fixed part (310, 532) of the retractable steering column (310, 320, 530), in particular in the fixed part (310, 532).

15. A vehicle (500) comprising a cable retraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and / or a steering subsystem according to claim 13 or 14.

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