Device for winding an electric cable in the form of an 8

Abstract

The invention relates to a winding device (20) for an electric cable, in particular an electric cable for recharging an electric motor vehicle, said winding device (20) comprising a passage body (22) for a cable having four branches (24) extending so as to form a cross-shaped cable passage, each branch (24) being open along its length to allow the positioning of a cable strand along said branch (24), each branch (24) extending along a separate passage axis (A1, A2, A3, A4) between a central zone (26) merging with the center of said cross and a distal end (28) opposite the central zone (26), each distal end (28) of a branch (24) being open to allow a cable strand to extend beyond said distal end (28). Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Device for winding an electric cable in the shape of an 8 Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for winding an electric cable, in particular an electric cable for recharging an electric motor vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Electric motor vehicles or hybrid motor vehicles are equipped with one or more electric cables for recharging their electric motor. There are mainly three types of electric charging cables: a first type of transportable cable allowing the vehicle to be recharged at an individual wall socket, a second type of transportable cable allowing the vehicle to be recharged at a charging station and a third type of fixed cable directly connected to a charging station.

[0003] The present invention relates to the first and second types of cables, i.e. transportable cables.

[0004] These cables are generally stored inside the vehicle so that they are available to recharge the vehicle's engine.

[0005] It is known to wind the electric cable on itself and store it in a housing or bag provided for this purpose. The cable is for example wound on itself in the form of a circle.

[0006] However, electric cables can become tangled, which greatly hinders handling of the cable. Electric charging cables have a large diameter due to the electrical voltage required for rapid charging of the motor. This large diameter makes the cable very stiff and therefore difficult to handle and wind. In particular, it is difficult to achieve a winding with a small radius of curvature, which makes the wound cable bulky.

[0007] Furthermore, existing systems are not practical to use because the electric cable requires continuous support of the cable strands during winding or unwinding. The ergonomics of existing systems are therefore not satisfactory.

[0008] Finally, it is not possible to consider an electric winder because the magnetic field induced by the electric recharge is too strong to use an electrical device nearby.

[0009] There is therefore a need for a winding device which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0010] In particular, there is a need for a winding device that facilitates the handling pulation of the electric cable, both during the electrical recharging phase of the motor and during the winding and unwinding phases of the cable. Summary of the invention

[0011] For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for winding an electric cable, in particular an electric cable for recharging an electric motor vehicle, said device comprising a cable passage body having four branches extending so as to form a cross-shaped cable passage, each branch being open along its length to allow the positioning of a cable strand along said branch, each branch extending along a separate axis of passage between a central zone coinciding with the center of said cross and a distal end opposite the central zone, each distal end of a branch being open to allow a cable strand to extend beyond said distal end.

[0012] The passage body allows the electric cable to be wound in the shape of an 8 whose center coincides with the cross shape of the cable passage. This 8 winding shape requires less bending of the electric cable and therefore winds the electric cable with less bulk.

[0013] In addition, the fact that the cable strands overlap at the central area facilitates possible locking of the strands as well as easy access to them. This easy access is particularly useful for varying the length of the electric cable without unwinding a significant portion or the entire electric cable.

[0014] This 8 shape of the electric cable also makes it possible to form areas inside the half-loops allowing the housing of the members fixed to the end of the electric cable, namely an electric converter and / or an electric connection socket.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the winding device, each of the separate passage axes extends inside a winding plane so as to wind a plurality of cable strands parallel to this winding plane.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the winding device, each branch comprises at least one main cable support surface extending along the separate axis of passage of said branch.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the winding device, said branches form a first and a second pair of branches each comprising two adjacent branches, said at least one main bearing surface being oriented so as to face the other branch of the same pair of branches.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the winding device, each main support surface extends inside a main support plane which is transverse to the winding plane.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the winding device, each branch comprises at least one additional cable support surface extending along the separate axis of passage of said branch, each additional support surface extending inside an additional support plane parallel to the winding plane.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the winding device, each main bearing surface extends between the central zone and the distal end of a branch, the central zone forming an open space allowing the crossing and superposition of cable strands arranged along said branches.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the winding device, the central zone comprises a central pin arranged at the intersection of the separate passage axes and extending transversely to each of the branches, the open space being an annular space extending around said pin.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the winding device, the latter further comprises a member for locking a cable wound along said separate passage axes, said locking member being configured to grip a plurality of cable strands superimposed on each other along the separate passage axes.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the winding device, the locking member is arranged at the central zone and is configured to hold said cable strands against a portion of the passage body.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the winding device, the latter further comprises a holding handle arranged at the level of said central zone.

[0025] The invention also relates to a winding kit comprising a winding device as described above and an electric cable, in particular an electric cable for recharging an electric motor vehicle, said electric cable being wound along the branches of the winding device so that the electric cable describes an 8 shape, the center of the 8 shape coinciding with said cross shape of the cable passage.

[0026] The invention further provides a method of using a winding kit as described above, said electrical cable successively defining along said electrical cable a first, a second, a third and a fourth cable strand, said winding device defining a first passage segment formed by a first and a second branch and a second passage segment formed by a third and a fourth branch, the first and second segments forming the cable passage in the shape of a cross, said method comprising the following steps: - arranging the first cable strand along the first segment so as to cause the second, third and fourth cable strands to extend beyond the distal end of said second branch, - form a first half-loop with the second strand of cable and join the distal end of the third branch, - arrange the third cable strand along the second segment so as to extend the fourth cable strand beyond the distal end of the fourth branch, - form a second half-loop with the fourth strand of cable and join the distal end of the first branch to form an 8 with the electric cable, the center of the 8 shape coinciding with said cross shape of the cable passage Brief description of the figures

[0027] The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the appended figures:

[0028] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of an electric cable of motor vehicle charging;

[0029] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a top view of an electric cable winding device having a passage body defining a cross-shaped cable passage for winding an electric cable along an 8-shaped winding profile;

[0030] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows a side view of the winding device of [Fig.2] with an electric cable wound along the winding profile;

[0031] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a first sequence of winding an electric cable on the winding device of [Fig.2];

[0032] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a second sequence of winding an electric cable on the winding device of [Fig.2];

[0033] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents a third sequence of winding an electric cable on the winding device of [Fig.2];

[0034] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents a fourth sequence of winding an electric cable on the winding device of [Fig.2]; Description of embodiment(s)

[0035] The inventive concept is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, this inventive concept may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided so that this description is complete, and communicates the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

[0036] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in an embodiment" at various locations throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0037] Referring to [Fig. 1], an electrical cable 10 for recharging an electric vehicle motor is shown. The electrical cable 10 comprises a plurality of successive cable strands 12 corresponding to portions of this electrical cable. The electrical cable 10 comprises at each end an electrical member, for example an electrical transformer 14 and an electrical connector for a wall outlet 16 at one end and an electrical connector for a vehicle 18 at an opposite end. Alternatively, the electrical transformer 14 and the electrical connector for a wall outlet 16 can be replaced by an additional electrical connector for a vehicle 18.

[0038] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, a winding device 20 is configured to receive an electric cable, for example an electric cable 10. Generally, the winding device 20 can be used for any type of cable to be wound.

[0039] The winding device 20 comprises a passage body 22 for a cable. The passage body 22 has four branches 24 extending so as to form a cross-shaped cable passage. In other words, an electric cable 10 can be arranged in a passage formed by the passage body 22 in the form of a cross, i.e. with at least two cable strands 12 extending transversely and crossing each other.

[0040] The passage body 22 is configured to allow the winding of an electric cable 10 according to a winding profile 21 in the shape of an 8, the central part of which coincides with the cross shape of the cable passage. The winding profile 21 comprises a central portion in the shape of a cross coinciding with the four branches 24 and two half-loops extending between two ends of these branches 24.

[0041] Each branch 24 is open along its length to allow the positioning of a cable strand 12 along said branch 24. This opening is preferably continuous over the entire length of each branch 24 so as to be able to insert a cable strand 12 inside a branch 24. In other words, each branch 24 forms an open space on at least one of its sides so as to be able to position a cable strand 12 in the branch 24. This opening can extend along different planes along the same branch 24 so as to form cable retention zones 10.

[0042] Said four branches 24 are in the form of a first 30, a second 32, a third 34 and a fourth 36 branches.

[0043] Each branch 24 extends along a distinct axis of passage An, n defining the number of the branch 24 considered. Thus, the first, second, third and fourth branches extend respectively along the distinct axes of passage Ai, A2, A3 and A4. Thus, said opening mentioned above extends along a distinct axis of passage An

[0044] Each of the distinct passage axes An extends inside a winding plane Pe so as to wind a plurality of cable strands parallel to this winding plane. In other words, the cable strands 12 extend inside one or more planes parallel to the winding plane Pe when the electric cable 10 is wound on the passage body 22. The cable strands 12 are successively wound on one another along the winding profile 21. Once wound, the electric cable 10 is thus in the form of a plurality of 8 arranged parallel to one another.

[0045] The first 30 and second 32 branches are preferably aligned. Similarly, the third 34 and fourth 36 branches are preferably aligned. Alternatively, an angular offset may be provided between the first 30 and second 32 branches, as well as between the third 34 and fourth branches. This angular offset is less than 15°.

[0046] For example, the angle separating the first 30 and third 34 branches can be chosen to be different from the angle separating the second 32 and fourth 36 branches.

[0047] Each branch 24 extends between a central zone 26 merged with the center of said cross of the cable passage and a distal end 28 opposite the central zone 26. The passage body 22 therefore has a star shape having branches 24 extending radially from the central zone 26.

[0048] The central zone 26 is also open so as to be able to position a cable strand 12 in this central zone 26. In particular, the central zone 26 is open at an upper portion 27. This upper opening allows insertion of a cable strand 12 from above the passage body 22. In other words, the upper opening is configured to allow insertion of a cable strand 12 in an insertion direction perpendicular to the winding plane Pe. This upper opening extends, on the one hand, between the first 30 and second 32 branches and, on the other hand, between the third 34 and fourth 36 branches. It is thus possible to insert a cable strand 12 over the entire length of the first 30 and second 32 branches or the third 34 and fourth 36 branches without having to move along one of the separate passage axes An. The electric cable 12 is thus laid in the cable passage without having to slide it, push it or pull it.

[0049] The central zone 26 forms an open space allowing the crossing and superposition of cable strands 12 arranged along said branches 24. Thus, the central zone 26 forms cable passage channels from the first branch 30 to the second branch 32 as well as from the third branch 34 to the fourth branch 36. Thus the electric cable 10 is free to extend from the first branch 30 to the second branch 32 or from the third branch 34 to the fourth branch 36. These channels can be rectilinear or curvilinear.

[0050] The central zone 26 may comprise a central pin 29 arranged at the intersection of the separate passage axes An. This central pin 29 extends transversely to each of the branches 24. The open space formed by the central zone 26 is thus an annular space extending around said central pin 29. This central pin 29 makes it possible to form an obstacle to the electric cable 10, making it easier to keep it in the winding position.

[0051] Each distal end 28 of a branch 24 is also open to allow a cable strand 12 to extend beyond said distal end 28. It is thus possible to make the electrical cable 10 protrude from the distal end 28 while keeping it in the same plane. This opening extends in a plane perpendicular to the separate axis of passage An of the branch 24 in question.

[0052] Each branch 24 may further comprise a main cable support surface 40 extending along the separate passage axis An of said branch 24. This main support surface 40 makes it possible to support the tension present in the electric cable 10 when the latter is wound along the winding profile. The main support surface 40 also makes it possible to serve as a guide for the electric cable because the main support surface 40 extends along the winding profile 21.

[0053] Each branch 24 may comprise a plurality of main bearing surfaces forming a main bearing zone along the winding profile 21.

[0054] A first pair of branches is defined comprising the first 30 and third 34 branches and a second pair of branches comprising the second 32 and fourth 36 branches.

[0055] Each main bearing surface 40 is oriented so as to face the other branch of the same pair of branches. Thus the main bearing surface 40 of the first branch 30 faces the main bearing surface 40 of the third branch 34.

[0056] In other words, each main bearing surface 40 extends inside a main bearing plane which is transverse to the winding plane Pe.

[0057] This orientation of the main bearing surfaces 40 allows the electric cable 10 to rest or exert a force on these main bearing surfaces 40 when the electric cable 10 is bent to follow the half-loops of the winding profile 21. The main bearing surface 40 therefore retains the electric cable 10 and serves as a support on which the electric cable 10 is clamped.

[0058] The main bearing surfaces 40 preferably extend from the distal end 28 of a branch 24 to the central zone 26.

[0059] Each branch may comprise an additional cable support surface 42 extending along the distinct passage axis An of said branch. Each additional support surface 42 extends inside an additional support plane parallel to the winding plane Pe. The additional support surface 42 extends perpendicular to the main support surface 40 of the same branch 24. Each branch 24 may have an L-shaped transverse profile so as to form the main 40 and additional 42 support surfaces.

[0060] These additional support surfaces 42 can simplify winding by forming a support on which to rest a strand of cable 12 before tightening it along the winding profile 21.

[0061] The winding device 20 may further comprise a locking member 50 for locking a cable wound along the winding profile 21. The locking member 50 is configured to grip a plurality of cable strands 12 superimposed on each other along the separate passage axes An. The locking member 50 is arranged at the central zone 26 and configured to hold said cable strands against the passage body 22. The cable strands 12 are thus compressed against each other in the central zone 26.

[0062] This locking member 50 is for example a strap extending, in the closed position, around a plurality of cable strands 12 superimposed on one another.

[0063] The winding device 20 may also comprise a holding handle 52 arranged at said central zone 26 to allow a user to carry the winding device 20 as well as the electrical cable wound on it.

[0064] The locking member 50 and the handle 52 are preferably combined into a single member, as shown in [Fig. 2]. Thus, the handle 52 may comprise two handle portions 54 movable between them, each handle portion 54 being arranged on either side of the central zone 26. In the locked position, the two handle portions 54 are arranged in contact with each other and enclose a plurality of cable strands 12. The locking member 50 here makes it possible to keep the two handle portions 54 in contact with each other. [Fig. 2] represents the handle portions 54 in the unlocked position and [Fig. 7] represents them in the locked position.

[0065] Also provided is a winding kit comprising a winding device 20 and an electric cable 12. The electric cable 10 is wound along the branches 24 of the winding device 20 so that the electric cable 10 describes an 8 shape, the center of the 8 shape coinciding with said cross shape of the cable passage.

[0066] A method of using said winding kit 20 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0067] The electric cable 10 successively defines along the electric cable 10 a first 70, a second 72, a third 74 and a fourth 76 cable strands.

[0068] The winding device 20 defines a second passage segment 80 and a second passage segment 80 formed by the third 34 and fourth 36 branches. The first 78 and second 80 segments form the cross-shaped cable passage of the passage body.

[0069] The first cable strand 70 is arranged along the second segment 80 so as to cause the second 72, third 74 and fourth 76 cable strands to extend beyond the distal end 28 of the third branch 34. The first cable strand 70 thus extends along the separate passage axis A3 and / or the separate passage axis A4. Preferably, the first cable strand 70 extends only between the central zone 26 and the distal end 28 of the third branch 34 so that the end of the electrical cable 10 comprising an electrical member, such as the electrical transformer 14, can be arranged between the first 30 and fourth 36 branches. The bulk is thus reduced.

[0070] A first half-loop is formed with the second cable strand 72. The second cable strand 72 is moved so as to join the distal end 28 of the second branch 32.

[0071] The third cable strand 74 is arranged along the first segment 78 so as to extend the fourth cable strand 76 beyond the distal end 28 of the first branch 30.

[0072] A second half-loop is then formed with the fourth cable strand 76. The fourth cable strand 76 is moved so as to join the distal end 28 of the fourth branch 36 to form an 8 with the electrical cable 10.

[0073] The method can be repeated so as to superimpose a plurality of 8 superimposed on each other along the winding profile 21. The method is repeated until the free length of cable desired by the user is obtained. This length can correspond to a value close to 0 when the user wishes to wind the entire electrical cable 10 or greater when the user wishes to maintain a free length sufficient to connect his electric vehicle to an electrical power source.

[0074] Once the winding is complete, the locking member 50 is moved into the locked position so as to clamp the cable strands together.

Claims

Claims

1. Winding device (20) for an electric cable (10), in particular an electric cable for recharging an electric motor vehicle, said winding device (20) comprising a passage body (22) for a cable having four branches (24) extending so as to form a cross-shaped cable passage, each branch (24) being open along its length to allow the positioning of a cable strand (12) along said branch (24), each branch (24) extending along a separate passage axis (Ai, A2, A3, A4) between a central zone (26) merging with the center of said cross and a distal end (28) opposite the central zone (26), each distal end (28) of a branch (24) being open to allow a cable strand (12) to extend beyond said distal end (28), each branch (24) comprising at least a main cable support surface (40) extending along the separate passage axis (A1, A2, A3,A4) of said branch (24) to retain the electric cable (10) and serve as a support on which the electric cable (10) is clamped..,

2. Winding device (20) according to claim 1, wherein each of the separate passage axes (Ai, A2, A3, A4) extends within a winding plane (Pe) so as to wind a plurality of cable strands (12) parallel to this winding plane (Pe).

3. Winding device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said branches (24) form a first and a second pair of branches each comprising two adjacent branches, said at least one main bearing surface (40) being oriented so as to face the other branch (24) of the same pair of branches (24).

4. A winding device (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein each main bearing surface (40) extends within a main bearing plane which is transverse to the winding plane (Pe).

5. Winding device (20) according to claim 4, wherein each main bearing surface (40) extends between the central zone (26) and the distal end (28) of the branch (24) forming said main bearing surface (40).

6. A winding device (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein each leg (24) comprises at least one additional cable support surface (42) extending along the separate passage axis (Ab A2, A3, A4) of said branch (24), each additional support surface (42) extending inside an additional support plane parallel to the winding plane (Pe).

7. Winding device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the central zone (26) forms an open space allowing the crossing and superposition of cable strands (12) arranged along said branches (24).

8. Winding device (20) according to claim 7, in which the central zone (26) comprises a central pin (29) arranged at the intersection of the separate passage axes (Ab A2, A3, A4) and extending transversely to each of the branches (24), the open space being an annular space extending around said pin (29).

9. Winding device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a locking member (50) for locking a cable wound along said separate passage axes (Ab A2, A3, A4), said locking member being configured to grip a plurality of cable strands (12) superimposed on each other along the separate passage axes (Ab A2, A3, A4).

10. A winding device (20) according to claim 9, wherein the locking member (50) is disposed at the central area (26) and is configured to hold said cable strands (12) against a portion of the passage body.

11. A winding device (20) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a holding handle disposed at said central area.

12. Winding kit comprising a winding device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims and an electric cable (10), in particular an electric cable for recharging an electric motor vehicle, said electric cable being wound along the branches of the winding device so that the electric cable describes an 8 shape, the center of the 8 shape coinciding with said cross shape of the cable passage.

13. A method of using a winding kit according to claim 12, said electrical cable (10) successively defining along said electrical cable a first (70), a second (72), a third (74) and a fourth (76) cable strand, said winding device (20) defining a first passage segment (78) formed by a first (30) and a second (32) branch and a second passage segment (80) formed by a third (34) and a fourth (36) branch, the first (78) and second (80) segments forming the cross-shaped cable passage, said method comprising the following steps: - arranging the first cable strand (70) along the second segment (80) so as to cause the second (72), third (74) and fourth (76) cable strands to extend beyond the distal end (28) of the third branch (34), - form a first half-loop with the second cable strand (72) and join the distal end (28) of the second branch (32), - arrange the third cable strand (74) along the first segment (78) so as to extend the fourth cable strand (76) beyond the distal end (28) of the first branch (30), - forming a second half-loop with the fourth cable strand (76) and joining the distal end (28) of the fourth branch (36) to form an 8 with the electric cable, the center of the 8 shape coinciding with said cross shape of the cable passage.

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