An electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly

Abstract

An electric vehicle (EV) charging system 100 includes an EV charging cable reel assembly comprising: a rotatable reel 12 having a body 14 for storing an EV charging cable 24 around an external surface 22 of the body; and an electrical assembly 16 disposed within the body. The electrical assembly includes a power supply 20, along with a retractor controller 18 and / or an EV charger controller 48. The EV charging cable reel assembly comprises an outer housing 50, wherein a shaft 38 extends from the outer housing and mounts an internal housing 32 fixed relative to the outer housing. The rotatable reel is disposed between the internal and outer housings. A slip ring 62 may have a rotatable portion attachable to an end plate (second planar surface 60b) of the body and may be located within, and rotatable with, the rotatable reel. The slip ring may include: at least one primary slip-ring wire extending from the stationary shaft and into the electrical assembly; and at least one secondary slip-ring wire extending from a surface of the slip ring, contactable to the end plate for enabling electricity to pass from one end of the slip ring to its other end.

Description

The present invention relates to an electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly and an EV charging system. Background of the Invention Typically, EV chargers are cumbersome and can take up a considerable amount of space when installed. In some locations there is limited available space for siting a charger, for example on a pavement with crowded street furniture, and so it is preferable to use a smaller charging unit, if possible. The large size of an EV charger is attributable partly to the arrangement of the electronics within the charger and also whether or not there is a length of EV charging cable held within the unit. The EV charging cable being within the EV charger allows the user to arrive at an EV charger and charge their electric vehicle without transporting and utilising their own EV charging cable. This is highly desirable. However, publicly provided EV charging cable is usually disposed externally of the charger and hangs freely. If the cable is held within the EV charger to achieve a minimalist look and prevent the EV charging cable from being exposed to the elements or being stolen, this may result in a more bulky EV charger arrangement. The present invention seeks to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems. Statements of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly comprising a rotatable reel having a body for storing an electric vehicle charging cable around an external surface of the body; and an electrical assembly disposed within the body, the electrical assembly including a retractor controller and a power supply. The electrical assembly being stored within the rotatable reel is advantageous as this arrangement allows the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly to be compact and take up less space in a real world setting. The retractor controller also advantageously controls the movement of the rotatable reel, and is powered by the power supply. Optionally, the body is a cylindrical body and has a longitudinal axis. Having a cylindrical body allows the electric vehicle charging cable to be effectively wrapped around the external surface of the body and also allows the smooth winding and unwinding of the cable from the rotatable reel. Preferably, the electrical assembly is connectable to a mains power supply. This is advantageous as electricity is provided to the EV charging cable reel assembly which can power rotation of the EV charging cable reel as well as providing power to charge an electric vehicle via the EV charging cable. Preferably, the electrical assembly is connectable to a first end of the electric vehicle charging cable for providing electricity to the electric vehicle charging cable. This arrangement provides the apparatus with a connection between the electric vehicle charging cable and the electrical assembly to provide power to the electric vehicle charging cable. Preferably, the body further comprises at least one end plate with a cable access opening. The end plate further assists in keeping the electrical assembly within the body of the rotatable reel. The cable access opening provides a dedicated opening for the electric vehicle charging cable to enter the body and connect to the electrical assembly. Advantageously, the EV charging cable reel assembly further comprises a slip ring being located within the rotatable reel, the slip ring having a rotatable portion attachable to the end plate so that the slip ring is rotatable as the rotatable reel rotates. The slip ring is able to conduct electricity from the mains power supply from a stationary portion of the slip ring to a rotating side of the slip ring. Having a stationary and rotatable portion prevents tangling of wires as one side is permitted to rotate with the rotatable reel. Preferably, the slip ring comprises a channel extending therethrough and along the longitudinal axis for allowing at least one wire to pass from one end of the slip ring to the other end of the slip ring. Having a channel extending through the slip ring provides a passage for wires to pass from one end of the slip ring to the other end of the slip ring without getting compressed or tangled between the internal housing and the rotatable reel. Optionally, the slip ring further comprises a stationary shaft extending from the said channel. The shaft provides an extension from the channel for the wires contained within the channel to extend from the slip ring. The fact that the shaft is stationary prevents any wires entering the shaft from getting tangled as the slip ring rotates. Preferably, a side of the shaft comprises an aperture orthogonal to the longitudinal axis for guiding at least one wire from the electrical assembly into the stationary shaft. This is advantageous as the wires can be directed into the electrical assembly through the aperture at an angle to the longitudinal axis, and thus the wires are biased towards entering the electrical assembly. Furthermore, the wires are protected within the shaft. Preferably, the slip ring further comprises a stationary mounting means attachable to an outer surface of the stationary shaft. The stationary mounting means does not rotate with the rotatable portion of the slip ring. Optionally the slip ring further comprises at least one primary slip-ring wire extending from the stationary mounting means and into the electrical assembly and at least one secondary slip-ring wire extending from a surface of the slip ring contactable to the end plate for enabling electricity to pass from one end of the slip ring to the other end of the slip ring. The slip-ring wires extending from the stationary mounting means thus are prevented from tangling as they do not move with the slip ring as it rotates. The slip ring having wires extending from both ends allows electricity to pass from one end of the slip ring, through the slip ring and to the other side of the slip ring without tangling of wires to allow electricity to pass from one end to the other. Optionally, the electrical assembly is entirely within the rotatable reel, providing a compact arrangement. Preferably, the EV charging cable reel assembly further comprises an internal housing within the rotatable reel for containing the said electrical assembly. The internal housing allows the electrical assembly to be held within the internal housing and thus any wires within the electrical assembly will not be in contact with the rotatable reel. This prevents wires from becoming tangled. Optionally, the internal housing is mountable on the stationary mounting i.e., it does not rotate. This is advantageous as this allows the electrical assembly to remain stationary when the rotatable reel is rotated and minimises the risk of damage to the electrical assembly and cable connection. Tangling of the cable, for example, is prevented. Optionally, the power supply is connectable to the mains power supply. Preferably, the power supply is a 12V power supply, for example a 12V transformer. Optionally, the power supply comprises at least two 12V power supplies. Optionally, the power supply is a 24V power supply. Preferably, the power supply has a voltage of between 12V to 24V. Optionally, the power supply comprises at least two 12V to 24V power supplies. The mains power supply is stepped-down from a high voltage, usually 240V, to a low voltage of between 12V and 24V for operating the rotation of the EV charging cable, which is a safer voltage for the user. Preferably, the external surface of the rotatable reel has at least one groove for receiving a portion of the electric vehicle charging cable. The electric vehicle charging cable is advantageously able to rest within each of the grooves and thus prevents the electric vehicle charging cable from tangling with the rest of the cable as it is wound around the rotatable reel. Preferably, the electric vehicle charging cable comprises a vehicle connector at a second end of the electric vehicle charging cable for connecting to an electric vehicle. The vehicle connector provides a connection to the electric vehicle for charging the electric vehicle. Preferably, the electrical assembly further comprises an EV charger controller. This provides the EV charging cable reel assembly with a way of charging and controlling the charging of an electric vehicle. Preferably, the electrical assembly further comprises a means for measuring electricity output to the electric vehicle. The charge status of the electric vehicle can be monitored when charging. Preferably, the electrical assembly further comprises a power board for providing electricity to charge the electric vehicle. Electricity is provided to the electric vehicle from the mains power supply, through the means for measuring electricity output and subsequently through the power board, which is connected to the first end of the EV charging cable. Preferably, the EV charging cable reel assembly further comprises a fan located within the rotatable reel. Optionally, the fan is mounted onto the stationary mounting means and extends into the electrical assembly. This provides a means of cooling the electrical assembly and / or the EV charging cable reel assembly which prevents overheating of the features within the EV charging cable reel assembly, specifically the electrical assembly. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an EV charging system comprising the EV charging cable reel assembly according to the first aspect of the invention and an outer housing, the EV charging cable reel assembly being located within the outer housing. Having a housing surrounding the EV charging cable reel assembly is advantageous as the EV charging cable reel assembly, and the electrical assembly, is protected from the elements. Preferably, a motor is connected to the rotatable reel for driving rotation of the rotatable reel when the motor is activated. The motor allows the rotatable reel to automatically rotate to wind and unwind the electric vehicle charging cable from the EV charging cable reel assembly. The automatic unwinding of the electric vehicle charging cable provides a user with a sufficient length of electric vehicle charging cable to connect to their electric vehicle, and automatic winding of the electric vehicle charging cable allows the electric vehicle charging cable to be withdrawn into the EV charging system. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly comprising: a rotatable reel having a body for storing an electric vehicle charging cable around an external surface of the body; and an electrical assembly disposed within the body, the electrical assembly including an EV charger controller and a power supply. The electrical assembly being stored within the rotatable reel is advantageous as this arrangement allows the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly to be compact and take up less space in a real world setting. The electrically assembly is mounted stationary inside the reel, which rotates around it. It may be mounted on an inner housing. An outer housing may also be stationary, with a stationary support extending from the outer housing to the inner housing. The rotating reel rotates between the inner and outer housing. The EV charger controller also advantageously provides the EV charging cable reel assembly with a way of charging and controlling the charging of an electric vehicle. Preferably, the electrical assembly further comprises a means for measuring electricity output to the electric vehicle. This provides the EV charging cable reel assembly with a means of measuring the electricity output to the electric vehicle and thus monitor the charge status of the electric vehicle when charging. It also ensures that the voltage provided to the charging vehicle is sufficient enough to efficiently charge the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly of the third aspect of the invention may have any feature or combination of features of the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly of the first aspect of the invention. In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly comprising: an external housing, a shaft extending from the external housing and mounting an internal housing fixed relative to the external housing; and a rotatable reel disposed between the internal and external housing having a body for storing an electric vehicle charging cable around an external surface of the body. The control electronics may be disposed inside the inner housing. The shaft may be hollow and electrical cables may run through the shaft. Rotation of the rotatable reel may be powered. The electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly of the fourth aspect of the invention may optionally include any feature or combination of features of the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly of the earlier aspects of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly according to the first and third aspects of the invention; Figure 2 shows a front view of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an EV charging system according to the second aspect of the invention, the internal housing and a rotatable reel being shown housed within an outer housing; Figure 4 shows a front view of the EV charging system of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view through line A-A of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a simplified cross sectional view of Figure 5 omitting the outer housing; Figure 7 shows a front view of an internal housing of the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly according to the first, second and third aspects of the invention; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the internal housing of Figure 7; and Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the EV charging system of Figure 3. Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly is generally indicated at 10. The electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly 10 comprises a rotatable reel 12 having a body 14 and an electrical assembly 16 disposed within the body 14. The electrical assembly 16 includes a retractor controller 18 and a power supply 20. The rotatable reel 12 has an external surface 22 which stores an EV charging cable 24 therearound. The rotatable reel 12 rotates around and surrounds the electrical assembly 16. In other words, the electrical assembly 16 is housed stationary within the rotatable reel 12. The rotatable reel revolves around it. In use, the rotatable reel 12 is able to rotate to wind and unwind the EV charging cable 24 as required. The body 14 of the rotatable reel 12 is cylindrical having a curved surface, a first planar surface and a second planar surface (not shown). The first and second planar surfaces are end plates of the rotatable reel 12, effectively forming a drum. The first and second planar surfaces therefore provide for the containment of the electrical assembly 16 within the body 14. The body 14 extends along a longitudinal axis. The cylindrical nature allows straightforward winding and unwinding of the EV charging cable 24. The external surface 22 of the rotatable reel 12 has a helical groove (not shown) for receiving a portion of the electric vehicle charging cable 24. The EV charging cable 24 therefore has a dedicated space around the circumference of the body 14 to be held. The groove prevents the EV charging cable 24 from tangling as it is extended and retracted from the rotatable reel 12. The EV charging cable 24 surrounds the external surface 22 of the body 14 of the rotatable reel 12 and substantially fully covers the external surface 22 when the EV charging cable 24 is not in use. The EV charging cable 24 has a first end (not shown) and a second end 26, the first end being within the rotatable reel 12, and the second end 26 being connected to a vehicle connector 28. The vehicle connector 28 is able to connect to an electric vehicle and is configured for charging the electric vehicle. A gear portion 30 extends around the periphery of the rotatable reel 12 proximal to the second planar surface of the body 14. The gear portion 30 interconnects with a motor (not shown) and enables powered rotation of the rotatable reel 12. The electrical assembly 16 is shown as being disposed entirely within the body 14 of the rotatable reel 12. This provides a compact arrangement of the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly 10. An internal housing 32 is mounted inside the rotatable reel and mounts the electrical assembly 16. The electrical assembly 16 is mounted entirely within the internal housing 32 inside the rotatable reel 12. This provides the electrical assembly 16 with a dedicated space to be held in, and also prevents the electrical assembly 16 from contacting the rotatable reel 12. The internal housing 32 is dimensioned to be optimally received within the body 14 of the rotatable reel 12 and thus is provided in the shape of a cylinder. The internal housing 32 has a cylindrical protrusion 34 in the centre and a circular opening 36 in the protrusion 34, at its centre. Extending along the longitudinal extent and from the opening 36 of the protrusion 34 is a stationary tubular shaft 38. The shaft 38 is mounted, for example, to a stationary outer housing, discussed further below. The centre of the tubular shaft 38 provides an access route through which cables can be passed from outside the reel to inside the reel. It also serves to mount the internal housing 32, also discussed further below. The shaft 38 mounts a slip ring (not shown), behind the protrusion 34. A side of the stationary tubular shaft 38 comprises an aperture 40 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis for guiding at least one wire (not shown) from the electrical assembly 16 into the centre of the stationary tubular shaft 38. The stationary tubular shaft 38 also has a first opening 42 at an end of the shaft proximal to the first planar surface of the body 14. This first opening 42 provides a passage for wires to exit the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly 10. The stationary shaft 38 also has a second opening 44 (shown in Figures 5 and 6) at an end of the stationary shaft 38 proximal to the second planar surface of the body 14. The electrical assembly 16 includes a retractor controller 18, a power supply 20, a means for measuring electricity output 46 to the electric vehicle, an EV charger controller 48 and a power board 49. The retractor controller 18 is a logic board which controls when the rotatable reel 12 rotates. The retractor controller 18 is shown as being attached to the EV charger controller 48. The power supply 20 is a transformer connectable to a mains power supply (not shown) and is shown as a 12V power supply. The power supply 20 transforms or ‘steps-down’ 240V alternating current (AC) to 12V direct current (DC) and thus allows the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly 10 to function at a lower and safer voltage. The means for measuring electricity output 46 to the electric vehicle is a measuring instruments device (MID) meter. The means for measuring electricity output 46 is connected to the mains power supply. The EV charger controller 48 controls the charging procedure of the electric vehicle. The power board 49 is connected to the means for measuring electricity output 46, and the means for measuring electricity output 46 is connected to the mains power supply. The power board 49 is connected to the first end of the EV charging cable 24 and provides electricity to the car from the mains power supply in order to charge the electric vehicle. Figures 3 and 4 show the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly 10 housed within an outer housing 50. The outer housing 50 is substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners and protects the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly 10 from the elements. An electric motor 52 is positioned in a lower portion of the outer housing 50. The motor 52 mounts a gear 54 which meshes with the gear portion 30 of the rotatable reel 12. In use, when the motor 52 is activated, the motor 52 rotates and, due to the interconnection, allows the gear portion 30 and thus the rotatable reel 12 to also rotate. The EV charging cable 24 is thus retracted and extended by operation of the motor. In other words, the cable can easily be deployed for charging a vehicle and retracted after use. A restriction member 56 is attached to the outer housing 50 located around the circumference of the rotatable reel 12. The restriction member 56 comprises a cap 57a and at least one rod 57b. The at least one rod 57b extends from the outer housing 50 and is capped by the cap 57a. There are five distinct restriction members 56 shown in Figures 3 and 4, each comprising a cap 57a with two or three rods 57b. The restriction members 56 are spaced from the rotatable reel 12. The restriction members 56 restrict or limit the position of the EV charging cable 24 and hold it substantially against the reel 12. The EV charging cable 24 is thus located between the external surface 22 of the rotatable reel 12 and the restriction members 56 prevent a portion of the EV charging cable 24 from overlapping with another portion of the EV charging cable 24 as the EV charging cable 24 is retracted and extended from the rotatable reel 12. The vehicle connector 28 is also shown to be storable within the lower portion the outer housing 50, which protects it from the elements. Figures 5 and 6 show a cross sectional view of the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly 10 along line A-A of Figure 4. Figure 6 omits the outer housing 50 for clarity. The arrangement of the internal housing 32 relative to the rotatable reel 12 is clearly seen. The at least one groove 58 of the external surface 22 are also visible. The internal housing 32 extends substantially halfway into the body 14 of the rotatable reel 12. The body 14 of the rotatable reel 12 includes the second planar surface 60b, also referred to as an end plate. Attached to the second planar surface 60b and mounted on the tubular shaft 38 is a slip ring assembly 62 for transferring electrical power between the rotating reel and fixed assembly. A rotatable portion 63 of the slip ring assembly 62 is attached to the second planar surface 60b, the rotatable portion 62 also serving as a bearing, which enables the rotatable reel 12 to rotate about the stationary tubular shaft 38. The tubular shaft 38 running through the slip ring 62 has a channel 64 (the hollow centre) extending through the longitudinal extent of the slip ring 62 for allowing at least one wire to pass from one end of the slip ring 62 to the other end of the slip ring 62. Extending from the channel 64 of the slip ring 62 is the stationary shaft 38 having the first and second openings 42, 44, along with the aperture 40. The stationary shaft 38 is shown to extend from the first planar surface 60a and second planar surface 60b of the body 14 so that any wires can exit the EV charging cable reel assembly 10. The first and second openings 42, 44 of the stationary shaft 38 are clearly visible here. The stationary shaft 38 has a cylindrical shape. The shaft is also shown to extend from the opening 36 of the internal housing 32. The tubular shaft 38 being stationary prevents the tangling of any wires exiting the channel 64 into the internal housing 32 via the aperture 40. In other words, the casing 50, shaft 38 and internal housing are rigidly fixed together and cables can pass through the centre of the shaft 38 between the casing 50 and internal housing 32. Attached to an outer surface of the stationary shaft 38 is a stationary mounting means 66, also referred to as a stationary portion. The stationary mounting means 66 is part of the slip ring 62, the stationary mounting means 66 being stationary relative to the rotation of the rotatable portion 63 of the slip ring 62. The internal housing 32 is shown to be mounted on the stationary mounting means 66, which provides the internal housing 32 with an attachment point as well as preventing the internal housing 32 from rotating. The internal housing 32 is therefore lifted off or spaced from the slip ring 62 and secured to the stationary mounting means 66 via at least one fixing means, for example a bolt or screw. The slip ring 62 has at least one primary slip-ring wire 68 (shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 3) extending from the stationary mounting means 66 to connect to the EV charger controller 48, the power board 49, and at least one secondary slip-ring wire (not shown) extending from a surface of the slip ring 62 contactable to the second planar surface 60b to connect with the EV charging cable 24. The secondary slip-ring wires are therefore proximal to the second planar surface 60b. The slip ring 62 also has a series of electrical connections therein (not shown) which allows electricity to pass from one end of the slip ring 62 to the other even while the slip ring 62 rotates. In use, the at least one primary slip-ring wire 68 extends from the stationary mounting means 66, through the opening 36 of the internal housing 32 and connects to the EV charger controller 48 and the power board 49 in the electrical assembly 16. The mains power supply (not shown) is connectable to the electrical assembly 16 via a supply wire (not shown). The supply wire enters the electrical assembly 16 through the second opening 44 of the stationary shaft 38, passes through the aperture 40 and into the electrical assembly 16 to provide electricity. The supply wire is connected to the power supply 20 which transforms the 240V AC to a lower voltage, for example 12V DC. The supply wire is also connected to the power board 49 via the means for measuring electricity output 46. The power board 49 is then connected to the EV charging cable 24 to provide electricity to the electric vehicle. The power supply 20 is electrically connected to the mains power supply, the retractor controller 18 and the EV charger controller 48 via a plurality of wires (not shown). A further plurality of wires connect the EV charger controller 48 to the primary slip-ring wires 68, then the secondary slip-ring wires and thus to the first end of the EV charging cable 24. The electrical assembly 16 is therefore connectable to the first end of the electric vehicle charging cable 24 (not shown) for providing electricity to the electric vehicle charging cable 24. The protrusion 34 in the centre of the internal housing 32 is dimensioned to receive the slip ring 62 therein and for safely maximising the space available to the electrical assembly 16. The opening 36 is provided in the protrusion 34 for receiving the stationary shaft 38 of the slip ring 62 along with allowing the extension of the primary slip-ring wires 68 from the slip ring 62 into the electrical assembly 16. There are four holes surrounding the opening 36 for receiving fixing means so that the internal housing 32 can be secured to the stationary mounting means 66 of the slip ring 62. Figures 7 and 8 show the internal housing 32 in isolation from the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly 10. The opening 36 is clearly shown along with the four holes 72 surrounding the opening 36 for receiving fixing means (not shown) so that the internal housing 32 can be secured to a stationary mounting means 66 of the slip ring 62. Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the EV charging system 100. The slip ring 62 is shown in more detail here has having a cylindrical body. The stationary shaft 38 extends from the channel 64 of the said slip ring 62, and attached to the outer surface of the stationary shaft 38 is the stationary mounting means 66. The stationary mounting means 66 is also shown as having a cylindrical body. The second planar surface 60b is also exposed in Figure 9. In use, the internal housing 32 containing the electrical assembly 16 is mounted onto the stationary mounting means 66 of the slip ring 62. The internal housing 32 is secured to the stationary mounting means 66 via at least one fixing means (not shown). This keeps the internal housing 32 stationary when the rotatable reel 12 rotates and prevents the wires within the electrical assembly 16 from tangling. The rotatable reel 12 is then mounted and secured via a plurality of fixing means to the outer housing 50. Various wires, including the supply wire and a portion of the primary slip-ring wires 68, are passed into the electrical assembly 16 through the channel 64 of the slip ring 62. The supply wire and a further portion of the primary slip-ring wires 68 pass through the aperture 40 of the stationary shaft 38. The relevant wires are connected to the electrical assembly 16 to provide the electrical assembly 16 with electricity and electrical communications. The EV charging cable 24 enters the rotatable reel 12 via a cable access opening 74. The cable access opening 74 provides the EV charging cable 24 with an entry point into the rotatable reel 12 and thus the EV charging cable 24 is able to connect to the various wires extending from the electrical assembly 16. In particular, the EV charging cable 24 connects to the secondary slip-ring wires of the slip ring 62 which subsequently connects to the EV charger controller 48 via the primary slip-ring wires 68. The supply wire is also connected to the power board 49 via the means for measuring electricity output 46. The power board 49 is then connected to the EV charging cable 24 via the primary slip-ring wires 68 to provide electricity to the electric vehicle. Thus the EV charging cable 24 is provided with mains electricity to charge the electric vehicle efficiently via the power board 49, along with receiving electrical communications from the EV charger controller 48 regarding the activation or deactivation of the charging. To fully enclose the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly 10, the outer housing 50 includes a front plate (not show) which is secured in place, resulting in a complete outer housing 50. In an alternative embodiment, the electrical assembly has an EV charger controller and a power supply therein. In an alternative embodiment, the electrical assembly has an EV charger controller, a retractor controller and a power supply therein. In another alternative embodiment, the electrical assembly has a power supply therein, and the EV charger controller is external to the rotatable reel. In an alternative embodiment, the EV charger controller and the power board are one unit. In an alternative embodiment, the power supply may be a 24V power supply. In an alternative embodiment, the internal housing may have a circular, oval, square or other polygonal cross section. In an alternative embodiment, the stationary shaft may have a circular, oval, square or other polygonal cross section. In an alternative embodiment, the outer housing may have a circular, oval, square or other polygonal cross section. In an alternative embodiment, the internal housing may extend less than halfway into the body of the rotatable reel or may extend more than halfway into the body of the rotatable reel. In an alternative embodiment, the EV charging cable reel assembly may further comprise a fan located within the rotatable reel to cool the EV charging cable reel assembly. The fan may be mounted onto the stationary mounting means and may extend into the electrical assembly to cool the electrical assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the supply wire may be introduced from either side of the outer housing and thus through either the first or second opening of the stationary shaft. In an alternative embodiment, the fixing means may be any viable means for securing the internal housing to the stationary mounting means, for example welding, magnets and the like. The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly comprising:a rotatable reel having a body for storing an electric vehicle charging cable around an external surface of the body; andan electrical assembly disposed within the body, the electrical assembly including a retractor controller and a power supply.

2. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the body is a cylindrical body and extends along a longitudinal axis.

3. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical assembly is connectable to a mains power supply.

4. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the electrical assembly is connectable to a first end of the electric vehicle charging cable for providing electricity to the electric vehicle charging cable.

5. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body further comprises at least one end plate with a cable access opening.

6. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein a slip ring is located within the rotatable reel, the slip ring having a rotatable portion attachable to the end plate, the slip ring being rotatable with the rotatable reel.

7. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the slip ring comprises a channel extending therethrough and along the longitudinal axis for allowing at least one wire to pass from one end of the slip ring to the other end of the slip ring.

8. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the slip ring further comprises a stationary shaft extending from the said channel.

9. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein a side of the stationary shaft comprises an aperture orthogonal to the longitudinal axis for guiding at least one wire from the electrical assembly into the stationary shaft.

10. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the slip ring further comprises a stationary mounting means attachable to an outer surface of the stationary shaft.

11. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the slip ring further comprises at least one primary slip-ring wire extending from the stationary mounting means and into the electrical assembly and at least one secondary slip-ring wire extending from a surface of the slip ring contactable to the end plate for enabling electricity to pass from one end of the slip ring to the other end of the slip ring.

12. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical assembly is entirely within the rotatable reel.

13. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an internal housing within the rotatable reel for containing the said electrical assembly.

14. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 13 when dependent on claim 10 or 11, wherein the internal housing is mountable on the stationary mounting means.

15. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 14, wherein the power supply is connectable to the mains power supply.

16. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the power supply is a 12V power supply.

17. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the power supply comprises at least two 12V power supplies.

18. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the external surface of the rotatable reel has at least one groove for receiving a portion of the electric vehicle charging cable.

19. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric vehicle charging cable comprises a vehicle connector at a second end of the electric vehicle charging cable for connecting to an electric vehicle.

20. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical assembly further comprises an EV charger controller.

21. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical assembly further comprises a means for measuring electricity output to the electric vehicle.

22. An EV charging system comprising the EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and an outer housing, the EV charging cable reel assembly being located within the outer housing.

23. An EV charging system as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a motor connected to the rotatable reel for allowing rotation of the rotatable reel when the motor is activated.

24. An electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly comprising:a rotatable reel having a body for storing an electric vehicle charging cable around an external surface of the body; andan electrical assembly disposed within the body, the electrical assembly including an EV charger controller and a power supply.

25. An EV charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein the electrical assembly further comprises a means for measuring electricity output to the electric vehicle.

26. An electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly comprising:an external housing, a shaft extending from the external housing and mounting an internal housing fixed relative to the external housing; anda rotatable reel disposed between the internal and external housing having a body for storing an electric vehicle charging cable around an external surface of the body.

27. An electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein control electronics is disposed inside the inner housing.

28. An electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly as claimed in claim 26 or 27, wherein the shaft is hollow and electrical cables run through the shaft.

29. An electric vehicle (EV) charging cable reel assembly as claimed in anyone of claims 26 to 28, wherein rotation of the rotatable reel is powered.Application No:     GB2317523.5Examiner:Mr Gareth JohnClaims searched: 1-25Date of search: 15 May 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1-5, 12, 13, 15-21, 24 &25 WO 2022 / 122301 Al (DOPPLER) See especially paragraphs [0033], [0054], [0055], [0058]; figures 1-3. X 1-5, 12, 13 &15- 25 EP 2345555 Bl (TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK) See especially paragraphs [0011], [0013], [0014], [0035], [0037], [0038], [0041], [0042]; figures 1 &3-5. X 1-6, 12, 13 &15- 25 EP 2811610 Al (CHUO HATSUJO KK) See especially paragraphs [0010]-[0012], [0020], [0021], [0025], [0026], [0030], [0033], [0041], [0042]; figures 1-9. X 24 &25 CN 116461361 A (SHENZHEN GUANKE TECH. CO. LTD.) See especially paragraphs [0036]-[0040]; figures 1-10. X 24 &25 DE 102018210227 Al (SCHILL GmbH &CO. KG) See especially paragraphs [0024], [0028]-[0031]; figure 6. v A 24 &25 EP 2432094 Al (TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK) See especially paragraphs [0010], [0055], [0056]; figure 7. X 24 &25 EP 2763257 Al (TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK) See especially paragraphs [0043], [0044], [0048], [0053]; figures 3-6 &11-13.Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Ofncewww.gov.uk / ipoThe following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report SEARCH - PATENTInternational Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From B60L 0053 / 18 01 / 01 / 2019 H02G 0011 / 02 01 / 01 / 2006Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Ofncewww.gov.uk / ipo

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