Cable holders for electric cars

Abstract

Cable holder (7) comprising a grip area (8) and a holding area (9), characterized in that the handle area (8) is designed to accommodate a charging cable (3), and the holding area (9) comprises a web (10) which is connected at one end to the grip area (8), wherein the web (10) is bent or angled at the end opposite the grip area (8) such that the bent or angled hook area (13) is designed to receive a cable bundle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a (hook-shaped) cable holder comprising a gripping area and a holding area and its use.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a charging cable with a cable holder.

[0003] Electric vehicles, such as passenger cars, are typically charged using portable charging cables connected to an external charging station. These cables are very stiff because they are designed for high charging power and therefore have a large diameter. To bridge the distance between the car and the charging station, the cables are several meters long (usually between 5 and 8 m).

[0004] The rigidity and length of the charging cable lead to problems during handling. For example, when charging the vehicle, a large part of the charging cable lies on the often dirty floor. The sticky, rubbery surface of the charging cable attracts dirt, which then sticks to the charging cable. When handling and storing the charging cable, the dirt is easily transferred to the user's hands and the interior of the vehicle. An additional risk is that the dirt can contain components such as sand or earth, which can damage the vehicle's paintwork when the cable is used. Furthermore, due to its rigidity, it can sometimes be difficult to properly coil the charging cable and store it compactly in the vehicle without it risking it coming loose or becoming tangled.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device which prevents contamination of the charging cable during the charging process and facilitates the transport of the charging cable.

[0006] The problem is solved by a cable holder in which the grip area is suitable for holding a cable, and the holding area comprises a web that is connected to the grip area at one end, wherein the web is bent or angled at the end opposite the grip area such that the bent or angled hook area is designed to hold a bundle of cables. When the cable holder is in use, the charging cable does not touch the ground because excess parts of the charging cable remain wound up on the cable holder while charging. This has the advantage that the charging cable does not get dirty and can be stowed away more quickly. When the charging cable is picked up after charging the vehicle battery, the user can simply hold the charging cable by the grip area with one hand and wind the charging cable up onto the cable holder with the other hand.

[0007] The grip area preferably consists of at least two grip sections, an upper grip section and a lower grip section, which together form the cable channel. The grip sections are connected to each other by fixing means. This allows the charging cable to be firmly secured in the grip section of the cable holder.

[0008] The web is preferably curved or angled from a line running through the longitudinal axis of the handle area, which makes it easier to roll up the charging cable.

[0009] A line passing through the longitudinal axis of the grip area preferably runs at an angle α in the range of 20° to 70° to a line passing through the longitudinal axis of the holding area. This allows the end of the hook area to point upward when the charging cable is connected to a charging station, preventing the coiled portion of the charging cable from slipping off the hook area of ​​the cable holder.

[0010] A safety device is preferably arranged in the hook area to prevent the charging cable from falling out of the hook area when the charging cable is transported in the rolled-up state or is connected to or disconnected from a charging station.

[0011] The securing device is preferably a rubber band or a latch.

[0012] A holding device for hanging the cable holder is preferably arranged on the handle or holding area, so that the cable holder can be safely stored with the charging cable when not in use. This also prevents the cable holder from slipping, for example, in the trunk of a vehicle.

[0013] The cable holder is preferably used to store the portion of the charging cable that is not required for the charging process, i.e., to bridge the distance between the charging point and the vehicle charging port. This excess portion of the cable is stored in a coiled state in the hook area, with the grip area encompassing a portion of the charging cable located near a charging point-side connector.

[0014] Further details, features and advantages of embodiments of the invention emerge from the following description of embodiments with reference to the associated figures.

[0015] In detail, Fig. 1 a vehicle connected to a charging station via a charging cable, Fig. 2 a coiled charging cable held by a cable holder and connected to a charging station, Fig. 3a to 3c show three-dimensional representations of a cable holder according to the invention from different angles, Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b a design of the lower part of the grip area of ​​the cable holder from different sides, Fig. 5 a charging cable with the cable holder in the rolled up state, Fig. 6 a charging cable when the charging cable is carried by a user,

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a charging station 1 and a vehicle 2, which are connected to each other via a charging cable 3, wherein a first plug 4 of the charging cable 3 is plugged into a socket or receptacle 5 of the charging station 1 and a second plug 4 of the charging cable 3 is plugged into the designated charging receptacle 6 of the vehicle 2.

[0017] To prevent the charging cable 3 from lying on the ground and becoming contaminated during the charging process of the vehicle 2, it is held by a cable holder 7 during the charging process. The part of the charging cable 3 that is not needed is held above the ground in the rolled-up state by the cable holder 7, thus preventing contamination of the charging cable 3.

[0018] Suitably, the cable holder 7 is positioned just behind the plug 4 connected to the charging station 1, since this part of the charging cable 3 is arranged at the height of the socket 5 of the charging station 1 and therefore has a sufficient distance from the ground so that the charging cable 3 does not rest on the ground.

[0019] Suitably, the cable holder 7 is connected to the charging cable 3 in a range of 0 to 50 cm, in particular in a range of 10 to 30 cm, from the charging station-side plug 4.

[0020] This also allows the charging cable 3, as shown in the Fig. 2, in the rolled-up state at the charging station 1 without the charging cable 3 touching the ground and becoming dirty.

[0021] The Fig. 3a to 3c show a cable holder 7 from different angles. The cable holder 7 comprises a gripping area 8 and a holding area 9.

[0022] The one in the Fig. The handle area 8 shown in Figures 3a to 3c is constructed in two parts. In this embodiment, the upper handle area 8-1 is formed integrally with the web 10 of the holding area 9. A lower handle area 8-2 is constructed such that it is connected to one another by a fixing means, for example a screw (11), which is passed through the upper handle area 8-1 and the lower handle area 8-2. If the fixing means is a screw, the bore in the upper handle area 8-1 or in the lower handle area 8-2 can have a thread. However, it is also conceivable to fix the screw with a nut. By turning the screw, adaptation to different cable diameters is possible.

[0023] The gripping area 8 is wider than the web 10 of the holding area 9, so that the gripping area 8 can be grasped by a human hand. For this purpose, the gripping area 8 can be ergonomically adapted to the shape of the grasping hand (not shown in the figures).

[0024] The large width of the grip area and the resulting long length of the cable duct 12 prevent the charging cable 3 from kinking. The cable holder 7 provides the user with a natural grip for carrying the charging cable 3. The grip area 8 suitably has a length of 5 to 40 cm.

[0025] In the Fig. 3a to 3c, the gripping portion 8 is formed integrally with the holding portion 9. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the gripping portion 9 is a component that can be connected to the holding portion 9 (two-piece embodiment).

[0026] Between the upper handle area 8-1 and the lower handle area 8-2 there is a cable duct 12 which is suitable for receiving the charging cable 3.

[0027] Suitably, the cable duct 12 has a round or oval cross-section. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the charging cable 3 is clamped between the upper handle area 8-1 and the lower handle area 8-2 or is clamped by a clamp. For this purpose, the cable holder 7 has a clamp with which the cable holder 7 can be clamped to the charging cable 3.

[0028] In a two-piece embodiment of the cable holder 7, the lower grip area 8-2 can be designed as a plate that can be connected to the upper grip area 8-1 with at least one fixing means, for example, a screw. The charging cable 3 can be clamped between the upper grip area 8-1 and the plate or accommodated in a cable channel 12 arranged in the upper grip area 8-1 or the plate.

[0029] The end of the holding area 9 (or the web 10) facing away from the handle area 8 is bent or angled to form a hook. The hook area 13 of the holding area 9 forming the hook is shaped such that it can accommodate the coiled or partially coiled charging cable 3.

[0030] The web 10 is angled at a right angle from the grip area 8 and forms an arc toward the end facing away from the grip area 8. However, embodiments in which the web 10 is angled differently or is straight are also conceivable.

[0031] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3c, a line passing through the longitudinal axis a of the gripping region 8 and a line passing through the longitudinal axis b of the holding region 9 form an angle α in the range of 20° to 70°, in particular in a range of 30° to 50° and in particular at an angle of 45°.

[0032] Such a bend or an angled web 10 (asymmetrical shape) makes it easier to wind up the charging cable 3 and prevents the charging cable 3 from slipping during the charging process.

[0033] In Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b shows two representations, one in a top view ( Fig. 4b) and once with a view from below ( Fig. 4a), an embodiment of the lower grip area 8-2 of the cable holder 7 is shown, in which the lower grip area 8-2 has a groove that forms the cable channel 12. The Fig. 4a and Fig. The lower handle portion 8-2 shown in Fig. 4b can be connected to an upper handle portion 8-1 by means of a fixing means (e.g. a screw) 11 which is passed through the opening.

[0034] However, embodiments of the handle area 8 are also conceivable in which the lower handle area 8-2 and the upper handle area 8-1 have a groove which, when joined together, forms the cable duct 12, or in which only the upper handle area 8-1 or the lower handle area 8-2 has a groove.

[0035] In an embodiment in which the charging cable 3 is held merely by clamping between the upper gripping area 8-1 and the lower gripping area 8-2, the surface of the gripping areas 8-1 / 8-2 facing towards the charging cable 3 can be roughened or rubberized in order to prevent the charging cable 3 from slipping.

[0036] In the Fig. 5 shows a charging cable 3 with a cable holder 7 in the rolled up state, which is secured by a locking device.

[0037] In the Fig.6 shows a charging cable 3 being carried by a user, with the user's hand encompassing the grip area 8.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the cable holder 7 is firmly but reversibly connected to the charging cable 7 by clamping a section of the charging cable 3 between the upper gripping area 8-1 and the lower gripping area 8-2. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the cable holder 7 is firmly connected to the charging cable 3 during its manufacture, so that it cannot be removed later, for example, by having the gripping area 8 be part of the cable insulation.

[0039] A holding device can be attached to the handle area 8 or the holding area 9 of the cable holder 7, which makes it possible to fasten the cable holder 7 with or without the charging cable 3 to a designated location in the vehicle 2, to a charging station 1 or to a wall, for example in a garage, when the cable holder 7 and / or the charging cable 3 are not required.

[0040] A device can be used as a holding device that allows the cable holder to be snapped, hooked or clamped into a desired position.

[0041] The cable holder 7 is suitably made of metal, for example, aluminum, or plastic. The surface of the cable holder 7 can be completely or partially coated, such as rubber or paint, to prevent scratching of the vehicle paint when the cable holder 7 comes into contact with the vehicle 2. List of reference symbols: 1 charging station 2 vehicles 3 charging cables 4 plugs 5 socket / outlet 6 Charging socket 7 cable holders 8 Grip area 8-1 upper grip area 8-2 lower grip area 9 Holding area 10 jetty 11 Fixing devices (e.g. fastening screw) 12 cable duct 13 Hook area a Longitudinal axis (through the grip area 8) b Longitudinal axis (through the holding area 9) α angle (at which the longitudinal axis a meets the longitudinal axis b)

Claims

[1] Cable holder (7), comprising a gripping area (8) and a holding area (9), characterized by , that the handle area (8) is designed to accommodate a charging cable (3), and the holding region (9) comprises a web (10) which is connected at one end to the handle region (8), wherein the web (10) is bent or angled at the end opposite the handle region (8) such that the bent or angled hook region (13) is designed to receive a bundle of cables. [2] Cable holder (7) according to claim 1, characterized by that the handle area (8) consists of at least two handle parts which together form a cable duct (12), wherein the handle parts are connected to one another by fixing means. [3] Cable holder (7) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the web (10) is curved or angled from a line running through the longitudinal axis (a) of the handle area (8). [4] Cable holder (7) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that a line passing through the longitudinal axis (a) of the gripping area (8) runs at an angle (α) in the range of 20 ° to 70 ° to a line passing through the longitudinal axis (b) of the holding area (9). [5] Cable holder (7) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that a securing device is arranged between the grip area (8) or holding area (9) and the outer end of the hook area (13), which prevents the charging cable (3) from falling out of the hook area (13). [6] Cable holder (7) according to claim 5, characterized by that the safety device is a rubber band or a latch. [7] Cable holder (7) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the surface of the grip area (8) and / or the holding area (9) has a coating of rubber or varnish in whole or in part. [8] Cable holder (7) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that a holding device for hanging the cable holder (7) is arranged on the handle area (8) or the holding area (9). [9] Charging cable (3) in which a cable holder (7) according to one of claims 1 to 8 is arranged at the charging point end of the cable (3). [10] Use of the cable holder (7) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for holding a charging cable (3) of an electrically powered vehicle (2). [11] Use of the cable holder (7) according to claim 10, for storing the part of the charging cable which is not required for the charging process, wherein the storage of this excess part of the cable in the rolled-up state takes place in the hook region (13) of the web (10), wherein the grip region (8) comprises a piece of the charging cable (3) located near a charging point-side plug (4) of the charging cable (3).

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