WINDING UNIT FOR A CABLE

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The invention relates to a cable drum and in particular a winding unit for a cable, which can be used, for example, for charging a vehicle.

[0002] The increasing prevalence of electric vehicles places very specific demands on the necessary infrastructure. This applies not only to a sufficiently large number of charging stations connected to an adequately sized energy grid, but also to everyday and practical issues, such as the handling of individual charging cables for individual vehicles.

[0003] Manufacturers typically supply charging cables with their vehicles, which are usually stored loosely in the trunk, garage, or other storage compartments. When the charging cable is taken out to charge the vehicle at a public charging point, one end is connected to the vehicle via the designated plug, and the other end is connected to the charging station. A large portion of the cable then typically lies on the ground – on the street, sidewalk, parking lot, or, at best, the garage floor. Especially in bad weather, such as rain, snow, or mud, the cable gets wet and dirty and then has to be wound up by hand after charging. This is not only unpleasant but also hygienically questionable, as it poses a significant risk of soiling one's clothing or hands.Manufacturers currently do not offer a truly practical and user-friendly solution for such an impractical handling of charging cables.

[0004] While there are a number of cable drums suitable for winding electrical cables, document DE 10 2009 046 327 A1 describes a device for electrically connecting an electric vehicle to a power outlet. This document also mentions a cable on a winding mechanism driven by two gears. One end of the cable is wound in a relatively wide area, as with a standard cable drum, while the other end emerges from a central section. This presents several challenges, particularly concerning the current path. Because the long end of the cable rotates the drum during winding and unwinding, special attention must be paid to the transition to a non-rotating section—that is, the part of the cable that emerges from the central point. Generally, only sliding contacts are suitable for this purpose.However, the electrical power required to charge an electric vehicle presents a number of problems with energy transmission through sliding contacts.

[0005] Another solution is described in document DE 10 2011 080 085 A1. This application also concerns a cable drum, specifically for an electric vehicle, where the cable can be wound around or unwound from a core. This avoids sliding contacts and allows the cable to be held in one piece within the drum. However, this document also stipulates that a portion of the cable exits the central area of ​​the drum. This section cannot be used for an axle or for supporting the heavy drum. Furthermore, the inner and outer parts of the cable winding must overlap, resulting in very large dimensions for the drum and a significant amount of the limited storage space available in a vehicle.

[0006] In the aforementioned context, there are also other approaches. Document DE 10 2011 080083 A1 describes a cable drum, particularly for an electric vehicle, with an electrical cable stored or storable in the cable drum, a transport device for transporting the electrical cable for storage in the cable drum, and a cable guide. Furthermore, document WO 2017 / 213 454 A1 describes a portable device from which an electrical cable leads, which is particularly suitable for charging an electric vehicle. Connectors are provided on both ends of the cable, and the cable is wound as a flat spiral.

[0007] Therefore, there remains a need for a device for winding and storing charging cables for electric vehicles that overcomes the known disadvantages of the traditionally used technology, is compact, and also enables further improvements in daily use.

[0008] The object of this invention is therefore to present a winding device which is not burdened by the disadvantages of previous charging cables for electric vehicles and in particular has an easy-to-handle, everyday-use design. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The problem described above is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described by the dependent claims.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a winding unit for a cable is presented. It can be suitable for charging an electric vehicle. The winding unit comprises a rotationally symmetrical winding unit that is rotatably mounted about an axis. Furthermore, a rotationally symmetrical inner body is provided, which is rigidly connected to the axis. Additionally, a rotationally symmetrical exit disc is provided, which is rotatably mounted about the axis. The winding unit has a first winding area of ​​a first width, such that a cable can be wound one on top of the other into the first winding area from a region near the axis.The winding unit also has a second winding area in a radial peripheral area of ​​the winding unit, wherein the second winding area is arranged adjacent to the first winding area and has a second width, so that a cable can be wound on top of each other in the second winding area in the opposite direction to a winding direction in the first winding area.

[0011] The exit disc can be rotated a predetermined number of revolutions together with the winding unit and then locked, so that a cable can be pushed out of an exit opening in a radially peripheral area of ​​the exit disc at the level of the second winding area as a result of further rotation of the winding unit.

[0012] The presented cable reel features a number of technical effects, advantages, and improvements: Compared to traditional cable reels, both the long part of the cable on one side of the winding unit and the shorter part of the cable on the other side are individually configurable and in no way dependent on the length of the other side of the cable. This is achieved through the special shape inside the winding unit and the cable routing.

[0013] Because the rotationally symmetrical exit disc can rotate partially freely together with the winding unit, but can also be locked after a certain number of rotations (or fractions thereof) of the winding unit, both units—in particular the winding unit and the exit disc—can rotate partially together and partially independently. This allows one end of the cable to be pushed out of an opening in the exit disc. This is generally the shorter end of the cable. It should also be noted that the cable does not necessarily have to exit the exit disc in a central area, but rather in a peripheral region.

[0014] This can be achieved by designing the two winding areas within the winding unit differently. The second winding area is located more peripherally within the winding unit, adjacent to the exit disc. A cable transition piece connects the first and second winding areas. This transition piece is routed inside the winding unit between the first winding area and the inner body. Furthermore, the two ends of the cable are wound in opposite directions within the winding unit.

[0015] An operator can now unwind the long end of the cable from the first winding section by simply pulling on the cable; alternatively, the optional motorized drive can be used. The exit disc rotates along with the winding unit until a predetermined number of revolutions (or fractions thereof) is reached. The exit disc is then locked – specifically against a stationary part such as the housing of the winding unit, against which the winding unit continues to rotate – so that the typically shorter cable end is automatically pushed out of the exit disc's opening. The opening in the second winding section of the exit disc extends over the entire height of the radially stacked windings of the cable. The cable exits the exit disc in a controlled manner via a guide.Orderly winding and unwinding of the cable in the second winding area is ensured by a helical guide structure, which guides the cable radially and reliably. This allows for controlled and deliberate extension of the cable, automatically making the second cable end available to the user.

[0016] Because a drive – for example an electric drive – can be located inside the winding unit, in a first winding phase both the short end is wound in the second winding area while the exit disc does not rotate with the winding unit, and the long end is wound in the first winding area.

[0017] In a second winding phase – particularly after the short end of the cable has already been wound – the exit disc rotates together with the winding unit, whereby the long end of the cable is now completely wound in the first winding area. This ensures that both cable ends are optimally and automatically wound – thanks to the electric drive inside the winding unit.

[0018] Furthermore, all elements of the winding unit can be integrated into a single housing, resulting in a very compact unit that is easily stored in a vehicle or other location. The proposed winding unit can therefore be operated both stationary and mobile.

[0019] Additionally, it is easily possible to install a cable cleaning unit both at the cable exit opening and in the area where the long cable end enters the first winding section. This ensures that the cable is always wound clean into the winding unit without the user having to touch or clean it manually. The user simply needs to unplug the connectors from both the vehicle and the charging unit and place them on the ground. The winding process can then be carried out completely autonomously by the winding unit after it has been triggered – for example, electrically.

[0020] By locking the exit disc after a configurable number of rotations, it can be ensured that the cable is almost completely unwound from the first winding section before it can be pushed out of the second. This means the cable can only be connected once its entire length has been unwound, thus preventing thermal overload of the cable.

[0021] The optional motorized drive offers the advantage that the cable reel does not need to be lifted and held at waist height, as is practical with manual crank operation. Instead, it can automatically perform the winding process with minimal effort while the user is holding the reel at arm's length.

[0022] Furthermore, by integrating all electrical / electronic components within the static inner housing, excellent protection against damage from dirt, especially water, can be ensured. It should also be mentioned that, despite its elegant design, the winding unit can be made very compact, as the cable can be wound in a single layer, one on top of the other, in both the first and second winding sections, even when viewed from the axis.

[0023] The following are further examples of the winding unit's design:

[0024] According to an extended embodiment of the winding unit, a cable with a diameter extending from the first winding area between the unit and the inner body into the second winding area and out of the outlet opening can be provided. The cable ends can be fitted with connectors. The presence of the cable makes the winding unit ready for practical use. Because the cable can be inserted into the winding unit or the two winding areas through designated slots, the winding unit and the cable can be purchased from different sources. Furthermore, an existing cable can be made more manageable and enhanced by the winding unit. It is assumed that the winding unit does not need to be supplied together with the cable. Therefore, existing charging cables for electric vehicles can also be retrofitted with the winding unit.

[0025] According to an extended embodiment of the winding unit, the cable can be wound with its first section wound in the first winding area and its second section wound in the opposite direction onto the second winding area. It should be noted that a third short section (i.e., a transition piece, which may lie below the second winding area) is located inside the winding unit between the first and second sections of the cable and thus undergoes its winding reversal.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the winding unit, the first section can be longer than the second section. In this way, for example, the winding unit can be positioned directly next to the vehicle or the vehicle's charging socket, while the long end of the cable can be connected to the charging station or charging point at a more distant location.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the winding unit, the first width – in particular of the first winding area – can correspond to the cable diameter plus a tolerance width that is smaller than the cable width. This ensures that the cable can wind itself layer by layer into the first winding area without becoming jammed. The cable turns then lie essentially on top of each other.

[0028] According to an alternative embodiment of the winding unit, the first width—in particular, the first winding area—can be wider than the cable diameter. In this case, the cable can be wound side-by-side in several cable widths within the first winding area before transitioning to the next winding level. Advantageously, however, the winding unit would be no more than two to three cable widths wide to ensure orderly winding of the cable. The cable windings would then lie both side-by-side and on top of each other. In this way, despite the compact design, a longer cable section can be wound in the first winding area, making even more distant charging points accessible.

[0029] According to a suitable embodiment of the winding unit, the second width – particularly of the second winding area – can be at least equal to the cable diameter. The second width should also not be much wider than the cable thickness, so that the cable, given a sufficient length, is forced to lie on top of itself (from an axial perspective) within the second winding area due to the spiral guide. Furthermore, the width or thickness of the helical guide must be taken into account.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the winding unit, the cable can be designed for a current rating of at least 11 kW. Furthermore, a design for a higher charging or current rating is possible. This allows various standards for electric vehicle charging cables to be wound using the proposed winding unit.

[0031] According to an extended embodiment of the winding unit, the cable diameter can be at least 11 mm or more – in particular 13 mm. Furthermore, single-phase cables with three conductors or three-phase cables with, for example, five conductors can be used.

[0032] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the winding unit, the winding unit can be rotatably mounted on the first section of the inner body. This part of the inner body thus becomes a bearing and rotation area for the winding unit. Typically, the inner body is rigidly connected to a housing.

[0033] Therefore, and according to a further embodiment of the winding unit, the inner body can be hollow and contain a rotary drive unit for the winding unit. In this way, the winding unit can be driven without manual effort. For this purpose, an electric motor and a power supply – for example, a battery or a power adapter – as well as an electrical and / or electronic control unit can be located inside the inner body.

[0034] Accordingly, and according to a further embodiment of the winding unit, the rotary drive unit can include the electric motor that drives the winding unit relative to the inner body.

[0035] Advantageously, according to a supplementary embodiment of the winding unit, the motor can be switched from outside the inner housing. This can be achieved, for example, by a switch on the housing of the winding unit, a key switch, or similar means. A key switch can also prevent unauthorized persons from starting the drive.

[0036] Furthermore, according to an additional embodiment of the winding unit, the motor can be switched remotely. This can be done via a radio remote control, an NFC (Near Field Communication) connection, a Bluetooth connection, WLAN or similar.

[0037] According to another elegant embodiment of the winding unit, a locking mechanism between the exit disc and / or the winding unit and / or the inner body can be electromagnetically released from within the inner body. In this way, the exit disc can be locked relative to the inner body or housing after a pre-configured number of rotations, so that only the winding unit can continue to rotate around the inner body, thus pushing the typically short cable end out of the second winding area through the exit opening.

[0038] Alternatively, the locking mechanism between the exit disc and the winding unit and / or the inner body can be mechanically released.

[0039] According to another practical embodiment of the winding unit, a first cleaning unit can be located in the area of ​​the outlet opening and / or a second cleaning unit can be located in the area of ​​the first winding section. The cable would then run past or through these cleaning sections, thus being cleaned. This would ensure that the cable inside the winding unit is always clean. The cleaning unit can also be combined with the guide frame.

[0040] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the winding unit, the cable with attached connectors at both ends can be inserted into the first winding area, between the first winding area and the inner body, into the second winding area, and out of the outlet opening through respective slots in the winding unit and the outlet disc. In this way, the winding unit and the cable could be sourced from different suppliers. An existing cable could also be connected to the proposed winding unit without having to remove one or both connectors.

[0041] A supplementary embodiment of the winding unit may provide an additional housing with openings for both ends of the cable, which would at least enclose the winding unit. Furthermore, the housing could ensure that the winding unit stands securely on the ground.

[0042] Another advantageous embodiment of the winding unit can provide that the exit opening in the disc extends across the entire width of the cable's overlapping turns (viewed axially) in the second winding area. Looking through the exit opening, the cable turns appear to lie side by side. This, in conjunction with a helical guide, ensures that the cable can be wound and unwound smoothly in the second winding area, preventing winding bottlenecks that would occur with an opening that is too small.

[0043] It is also advantageous if a guide unit can be located in or near the exit opening. This ensures that the cable is guided safely.

[0044] It should also be mentioned that, according to another embodiment of the winding unit, the unwinding unit consists of at least one first roller. This roller can be located at the point where the cable passes through the opening in the exit disc and pierces the plane of the exit disc. One axis of the roller would thus be approximately perpendicular or exactly perpendicular to the axis of the winding unit and located in a lateral region of the exit opening. A second roller can also be located on the opposite side of the exit opening relative to the first roller. As the cable exits the exit opening, it would therefore be guided by both the second and the first rollers, respectively, on their upper and lower sides. Ideally, the roller extends over the entire height of the exit opening in the exit disc.

[0045] An alternative and advantageous embodiment of the winding unit features a guide frame on the outer side of the outlet disc in the area of ​​the outlet opening, through which the cable extends. This also ensures clean cable guidance during unwinding and winding to and from the second winding area. The guide frame can also be designed in the form of the cleaning unit or combined with it.

[0046] Furthermore, it would be advantageous if the guide frame, according to another embodiment, could be moved in a slot in the exit disc.

[0047] Another well-functioning embodiment of the winding unit can provide that the second winding area has a helical guide in which the cable can be wound. This helical guide proves advantageous for allowing the cable to exit the opening of the exit disc in the second winding area in a targeted and controlled manner.

[0048] According to another embodiment of the winding unit, it would be elegant if a guide device of the guide frame, which extends into the second winding area, moves the guide frame through the helical guide in the slot when the second winding area is rotated.

[0049] Furthermore, according to a supplementary embodiment, the guide frame can have at least one second roller. This ensures clean cable routing. It has also proven advantageous if one or both rollers of the guide frame have a concave cross-section in their respective longitudinal direction. This also contributes to clean cable routing.

[0050] Additionally, the winding unit can have a cover that extends over the discharge opening and the guide frame. Furthermore, the guide frame can be moved in a controlled manner via an additional (upper) guide within the cover. This ensures protection for the discharge opening and the guide frame.

[0051] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary description of currently preferred embodiments. The individual figures in the drawings of this application are to be regarded merely as schematic and not to scale. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0052] The following are preferred embodiments described by way of example and with reference to the following figures: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the winding unit according to the invention for a cable in a sectional view. Fig. 2a shows the exit disc with the exit opening and the guide frame. Fig. 2b shows the guide frame in greater detail. Fig. 3 shows different views of the second winding area (in cross-section), the exit disc with the exit opening from the front and from above. Fig. 4a shows the cable routing in the second winding area. Fig. 4bshows a cross-sectional view of the cable exiting the exit opening with the sliding mechanism. Fig. 5a shows the spiral guide for the cable in the second winding area. Fig. 5b The spiral guide for the cable in the winding area is shown along the in Fig. 5a depicted section plane. Fig. 6 shows how the guide frame is guided by the helical guide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0053] The following terms and expressions are used in this document:

[0054] The term "electric vehicle" describes any vehicle equipped with an electric drive. This includes electric cars, electric vans, electric motorcycles, electric scooters, and also electric trucks, as well as electric boats, aircraft, and electric rail vehicles. Other electrically powered vehicles are not excluded.

[0055] The term "inner body" describes a rotationally symmetrical body located inside the winding unit and at least partially enclosed by it. The portion of the inner body with the smaller diameter can serve as a counter bearing for the winding unit. A ball bearing, a double ball bearing, a roller bearing, or a plain bearing can be located between the two. The inner body can be either solid or hollow. If it is hollow, it can be closed with covers on one or both sides. This allows for easy maintenance, for example, on the internal electric motor. The narrow part of the inner body can serve as the pivot point for the winding unit. The inner body can also have a pin in the center of the wider side (e.g., on the cover), allowing it to also serve as the axle for the exit disc.Other axis guides are conceivable - e.g. starting from a housing of the winding unit.

[0056] The term "winding unit" describes an essentially rotationally symmetrical element of the winding unit, which has a first winding area and a second winding area. A cable can be guided to the second winding area through an opening in a side wall of the first winding area, which points towards the inner body.

[0057] The term "exit disc" describes a ring-shaped element with an opening for the cable to exit. The exit disc should have a diameter at least equal to the size of the second winding section of the winding unit plus, for example, twice the cable diameter. The exit disc can also be designed as a circular disk or have a detachable inner section that can be mounted on a shaft. Furthermore, the exit disc can be locked to prevent rotation of the winding unit. This can be achieved, for example, by a locking pin (which can also be inserted manually) or, alternatively, electromagnetically from within the inner body. An electromagnet can advantageously actuate the locking mechanism.

[0058] The term "exit opening" describes an opening in the exit disc through which the cable can be pushed out. Typically, this pushing out occurs essentially in a nearly tangential direction to a surface of the exit disc.

[0059] The term "cable" describes a multi-core electrical cable designed for power transmission of at least 11 kW or at least 16 A at 240 V. Such cables typically have a diameter of approximately 1.5 cm (especially 1.3 cm). However, the winding unit can also be designed for cables with smaller and significantly larger diameters.

[0060] The term "rotational drive unit" describes an essentially electrically operated unit - such as an electric motor with an associated battery that can supply the motor with electrical energy - so that the winding unit can be driven relative to the inner body and set into rotation.

[0061] The term "cleaning unit" describes a device located near the exit opening of the winding cylinder, past or through which the cable can be guided. The cleaning unit consists, for example, of brushes and / or sponges to ensure the cable is cleaned during winding. The cleaning unit can be located directly on the winding cylinder or in a housing that encloses the winding unit. A cleaning unit may also be present at the first winding section. It can be combined with the guide frame.

[0062] It should be noted that features or components of different embodiments that are identical or at least functionally equivalent to the corresponding features or components of the embodiment are largely identified by the same reference numerals or by a different reference numeral that differs only in its first digit from the reference numeral of a (functionally) corresponding feature or component. To avoid unnecessary repetition, features or components already explained with reference to a previously described embodiment will not be explained in detail again later.

[0063] Furthermore, it should be noted that the embodiments described below represent only a limited selection of possible embodiments of the invention.

[0064] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the winding unit 100 according to the invention for a cable 110, e.g., for charging an electric vehicle, in a sectional view. The winding unit 100 has a rotationally symmetrical winding unit 102, which is rotatably mounted about an axis (not shown), a rotationally symmetrical inner body 104, which is fixedly connected to the axis, and a rotationally symmetrical exit disc 106, which is rotatably mounted about the axis.

[0065] The winding unit 102 has a first winding area 108 of a first width, such that a cable 110 can be wound onto the first winding area 108 from an area near the axis. The winding unit also has a second winding area 112 in a radial peripheral area of ​​the winding unit 102, wherein the second winding area 112 is arranged adjacent to the first winding area 108 and has a second width (e.g., equal to or similar to the width of the first winding area), such that the cable 110 can be wound (or unwound) onto the second winding area 112 from an area closer to the axis in the direction of the radial periphery of the exit disc 106, opposite to a winding direction in the first winding area 108.

[0066] The exit disc 106 rotates a predetermined number of revolutions (or fractions thereof) together with the winding unit 102 and can then be locked, so that the cable 110 can be pushed out of the exit opening 114 in a radially peripheral area of ​​the exit disc 106 at the level of the second winding area 112 as a result of further rotation of the winding unit 102.

[0067] Furthermore, the cross-section through the winding unit 100 clearly shows that the first winding section 108 displays the cable 110 wound in layers one on top of the other. The inner body 104 and the exit disc 106, from whose exit opening 114 the cable 110 can emerge, are also visible. The figure also shows that the cable is wound one on top of the other in the second winding section 112 if there are multiple turns. The cable 110 leaves the first winding section 108 in a lower region of the winding section 108 – that is, near 128 of the narrower part 130 of the inner body 104 – and is guided into the second winding section 112 via a short connecting piece 116 in a cavity 126 between the first winding section 108 and the inner body 104, where it is wound in the opposite direction to the first winding section.

[0068] Inside the inner body 104, an electric drive motor 118, a battery, a remote control receiver, and other control electronics (not shown) can be housed. Furthermore, the electrical components and / or electronics within the inner body 104 can be routed out via a cable connection near the schematically depicted axis 120, for example, in area 122 of the inner body 104. This applies both to the charging current for the battery (not shown) and to necessary control signals. A bearing or plain bearing 124 is also shown between the winding unit 102 and the inner body 104.

[0069] Fig. 2aA perspective view 200 shows the outlet disc 106 with the outlet opening 114 and the guide frame 202. The double arrow to the right of the guide frame 202 symbolizes that the guide frame 202 can be moved radially. This can be supported or even made possible by the helical guide 204, which is visible in the outlet opening 114. Additionally, rollers 206 (e.g., as a sliding unit, or alternatively, rounded edges of the outlet disc, Teflon-coated, etc.) can be located on the left and right sides of the outlet opening 114, extending over the entire height of the outlet opening 114, so that a cable exiting the outlet opening 114 can be guided cleanly by the rollers 206 and the guide frame 202.

[0070] Fig. 2bFigure 210 shows the guide frame 202 in greater detail. The rollers 208 can be rotatably mounted on the frame 210 by means of an axle (not shown). The cable can then be guided between the two rollers 208. In an advantageous embodiment, the rollers 208 can be concave. In the lower part of the guide frame 202, there is a further guide pin 212, which can engage in the helical guide of the second winding area (see Figure 210). Fig. 6 ), after it has pierced the exit disc through a slot.

[0071] Fig. 3Figure 300 shows various views of the second winding area (in cross-section), the exit disc 106 with the exit opening 114 from the front and from above (shown here without the rollers 206). The exit disc 106 is visible, from which the cable 110 can be pushed out in the direction of arrow 302 and also retracted in the opposite direction. The cable 110 is being pushed out of the uppermost guide groove 304 of the helical guide 204. Three windings are shown in the second winding area. However, there can be more or fewer. This can also depend on the cable thickness.

[0072] The upper left partial figure shows three more superimposed windings 306 in the second winding area. Between the windings of the cable 110 is the guide web 204 (or a helical continuous guide wall 502 or web, cf. Fig. 5 ) recognizable.

[0073] In the lower part of Fig. 3 The top view shows how the cable 110 is pushed out of the outlet opening 114 from the second winding area of ​​the outlet disc 106 (see arrow). It can be guided by a guide or guide frame 202 and / or alternatively by a cleaning unit 310 and / or the sliding unit 206 (not shown here).

[0074] It is also clearly visible how the cable 110 can be pushed out of the outlet opening 114 almost tangentially via the second winding area. The cleaning unit 310, through which the cable 110 can be passed, ensures that there is always a cleaned cable 110 inside the winding unit.

[0075] In Fig. 4ais shown (400) as the cable 110 is guided from the first winding area near 128 of the narrower part 122 of the inner body 104 in the area between the first winding area (not shown) and the second winding area, so that there is an opposite winding direction in the first winding area and the second winding area.

[0076] Fig. 4b Figure 1 shows another cross-sectional view of the cable exit through the area of ​​the exit opening 114 of the exit disc 106. The rollers 206 in the side areas of the exit opening 114 are also clearly visible; these allow the cable 110 to be guided cleanly without rubbing against the edges of the exit opening 114.

[0077] Fig. 5a shows the guide bridge (see 308) Fig. 3 ) or the wall 502 of the spiral guide structure 204 for the cable 110 (not shown) in the second winding area in a top view.

[0078] Fig. 5bshows a side section view of a section view of the helical guide structure 204 through the section plane 504 in the second winding area 108. The walls 502 are also clearly visible here.

[0079] Fig. 6Figure 600 shows a detailed view of the guide frame 202, which is displaceable in the direction of the arrow on a surface of the exit disc 106. The displacement in the direction of the arrow results from rotating the second winding section 112 relative to the exit disc 106 and from guiding the guide pin 212 of the guide frame 202 through the continuous wall 502 of the helical guide. After a complete rotation of the second winding section 112, the guide pin 212 would have to be positioned in the center of the three sections of the helical guide 204. To prevent the sliding mechanism 202 with the guide pin 212 from falling out, an additional groove can be provided in the area of ​​the guide pin 212, which slides in the exit disc 106 (or similar).

[0080] Furthermore, it should be noted that cable 110 is only shown between the rollers of the guide frame 202. A depiction of cable 110 within the spiral guide has been omitted.

[0081] The description of the various embodiments of the present invention is provided for better understanding, but does not serve to directly limit the inventive idea to these embodiments. Further modifications and variations within the scope of the claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The terminology used here has been chosen to best describe the fundamental principles of the embodiments and to make them easily accessible to those skilled in the art.

[0082] The structures, materials, processes and equivalents of all means and / or steps with associated functions described in the claims below are intended to apply all structures, materials or processes as expressed in the claims.

[0083] In summary, a cable winding unit – essentially a cable drum – is presented, the exit disc of which can be partially blocked from rotating with the winding unit, so that one cable end is pushed out of the exit opening. Simultaneously, the other end of the cable is unwound from a first winding section of the winding unit. A cleaning unit located near the exit openings, for example, in the housing of the winding unit, ensures that only clean cable is wound into the unit. Winding and unwinding can be electrically driven. Reference symbol list:

[0084] 100 Winding unit 102 Winding unit 104 Inner body 106 Exit disc 108 First winding area 110 Cable 112 Second winding area 114 Exit opening 116 Short connecting piece 118 Drive motor 120 Symbolic axis 122 Narrow area of ​​the inner body 124 Bearing or sliding bearing 126 Cavity between the first winding area and the inner body 128 Near the narrower part of the inner body 130 Narrow part of the inner body 200 Perspective view of the exit disc 202 Guide frame 204 Helical guide 206 Slide unit / roller 208 Roller of the sliding mechanism 210 Frame 212 Guide pin 300 Different views of the exit disc 302 Cable exit direction 304 Top Guide groove 306, superimposed windings 308, guide rib(s) 310, cleaning unit 400, representation of the counter-rotating winding of the cable 502, guide rib 504, section plane 600, detail view of the guide frame at the exit disc

Claims

1. A winding-up unit (100) for a cable, the winding-up unit (100) comprising - a rotationally symmetric winding unit (102) that is rotatably mounted about an axis, - a rotationally symmetric inner body (104) that is fixed to the axis, wherein the winding unit (102) includes a first winding region (108) having a first width, so that a cable (110) is windable in layers into the first winding region (108) from a region near the axis, characterized in that, that the winding-up unit (100) includes a rotationally symmetric exit roundel (106), that is rotatably mounted about the axis (120), that the winding unit (102) includes a second winding region (112) in a radially peripheral region of the winding unit (102), wherein the second winding region (112) is arranged adjacent to the first winding region (108) and has a second width, so that a cable (110) is windable in layers in the second winding region (112) from a region near the first winding region (108) counter-wound to a winding direction in the first winding region (108), and that the exit roundel (106) is rotatable for a predetermined number of revolutions together with the winding unit (102) and then lockable, so that a cable (110) as a result of further rotation of the winding unit (102) is pushable out of an exit opening (114) in a radially peripheral region of the exit roundel (106) at the level of the second winding region (112).

2. The winding-up unit (100) according to claim 1, further comprising o a cable (110) with a cable diameter, that extends from the first winding region (108) between the first winding region and the inner body into the second winding region (112) and out of the exit opening (114).

3. The winding-up unit (100) according to claim 2, wherein the cable (110) in a wound state is wound with a first section in the first winding region (102) and is counter-wound with its second section onto the second winding region (112).

4. The winding-up unit (100) according to claim 3, wherein the first section is longer than the second section is.

5. The winding-up unit (100) according to claims 2 to 4, wherein the first width corresponds to the cable diameter plus a tolerance width, that is smaller than the cable width.

6. The winding-up unit (100) according to claims 2 to 4, wherein the first width is wider than the cable diameter is.

7. The winding-up unit (100) according to claims 2 to 6, wherein the second width corresponds to at least the cable diameter.

8. The winding-up unit (100) according to claims 2 to 7, wherein the cable (110) is designed for a power of at least 11 kW, and / or wherein the cable diameter is at least 11 mm, and / or wherein the cable diameter is at least 11 mm.

9. The winding-up unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the winding unit (102) is rotatably mounted on a first region of the inner body (104).

10. The winding-up unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner body (104) is hollow and includes a rotation drive unit for the winding-up unit (100).

11. The winding-up unit (100) according to claim 10, wherein the rotation drive unit includes a motor that drives the winding unit (102) relative to the inner body (104), preferably wherein the inner body (104) houses a battery for operating the motor.

12. The winding-up unit according to claim 11, wherein the motor is switchable from outside the inner body (104), and / or wherein the motor is remotely switchable.

13. The winding-up unit (100) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a locking mechanism between the exit roundel (106) and the winding unit (108) and / or the inner body is electromagnetically triggerable from the inner body (104), and / or wherein a locking mechanism between the exit roundel (106) and the winding unit (108) and / or the inner body is mechanically triggerable.

14. The winding-up unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one run-out unit is located in the exit opening (114), preferably wherein the run-out unit (206) consists of at least a first roller.

15. The winding-up unit (100) according to one of claims 2 to 14, wherein, in the region of the exit opening (114), a guide frame (202) is provided on an outer side of the exit roundel (106), through which the cable (110) extends, preferably wherein the second winding region (112) includes a helical guide (204), in which the cable is windable, and the guide frame (202) is displaceable in a slot in the exit roundel (106), wherein a guide device of the guide frame (202), which extends into the second winding region (112), moves the guide frame (202) through the helical guide (204) in the slot upon rotation of the second winding region (112).