Cable Retraction Apparatus

Abstract

A cable retraction apparatus comprises a box body, a housing disposed inside the box body, a cable reel configured to wind a cable and rotatably disposed inside the housing, and a guide portion disposed on the housing. The guide portion is configured to separate the cable into a cable outgoing section and a cable retraction section, with a first included angle formed between the cable outgoing section and the cable retraction section. The cable outgoing section extends to an outside of the box body. During cable retraction, the guide portion presses against the cable such that a connector of the cable returns to a preset position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202520315611.9, filed on Feb. 25, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of cable storage apparatus, in particular to a cable retraction apparatus.BACKGROUND

[0003] Cables such as power cords, data cables, charging cables, and earphone cables of electronic products are mostly elongated structures. These elongated cables are prone to tangling and knotting. During use, users need to spend time organizing the messy cables, which is inconvenient.

[0004] In the related art, a cable retraction apparatus can wind and retract cables. However, due to limitations on appearance, the orientation of a cable connector in the cable retraction apparatus currently on the market is usually not collinear as the cable outgoing direction. Thus, the cable may twist after being pulled out. During the retraction process, the cable retraction apparatus cannot adjust the cable retraction direction, resulting in the connector being unable to return to the correct position. As a result, the connector can twist relative to the cable, and a connection between the connector and the cable is prone to cracking due to torsion.SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure provides a cable retraction apparatus to solve the technical problem that the connector is unable to return to the correct position and the connection between the connector and the cable is prone to cracking due to torsion.

[0006] In a first aspect, the disclosure provides a cable retraction apparatus comprising: a box body; a housing disposed inside the box body; a cable reel configured to wind cable and rotatably disposed inside the housing; and a guide portion disposed on the housing and configured to separate the cable into a cable outgoing section and a cable retraction section. A first included angle can be formed between the cable outgoing section and the cable retraction section. The cable outgoing section extends to the outside of the box body. During winding of the cable, the guide portion can press against the cable, such that a connector of the cable returns to a preset position under a tension force of the cable and a winding force of the cable reel.

[0007] In an example, the housing comprises a first wall surface and a second wall surface. The first wall surface and a second wall surface are arranged opposite in a height direction of the housing. The guide portion comprises a steering shaft. The steering shaft includes a first end and a second end arranged opposite in its own axial direction. The first end of the steering shaft is rotatably connected to the first wall surface; and / or the second end of the steering shaft is rotatably connected to the second wall surface.

[0008] In an example, an outlet is disposed on the housing and the outlet configured for the cable outgoing section to pass through. The steering shaft is disposed close to the second outlet. The housing comprises a third wall surface and a fourth wall surface. The third wall surface and the fourth wall surface are arranged opposite in a width direction of the housing, and the first wall surface, the third wall surface, the second wall surface, and the fourth wall surface enclose to form the outlet.

[0009] In an example, the steering shaft is disposed at the second outlet, a first channel is formed between a peripheral side of the steering shaft and the third wall surface, and the first channel is configured for the cable outgoing section to pass through; or a second channel is formed between the peripheral side of the steering shaft and the fourth wall surface, and the second channel is configured for the cable outgoing section to pass through.

[0010] In an example, an outlet and a storage groove are disposed on the box body. The storage groove is configured to store the connector of the cable. The outlet communicates with the storage groove, and the cable outgoing section extends to the outside of the box body from the first outlet. The storage groove has a fifth wall surface, and the fifth wall surface at least partially fits the peripheral side of the connector of the cable.

[0011] In an example, a guide groove is disposed on the box body and configured to guide the connector of the cable. The guide groove has a guide inclined surface, and the guide inclined surface is connected to the fifth wall surface; and / or the guide groove has a guide curved surface, and the guide curved surface is connected to the fifth wall surface.

[0012] In an example, the housing comprises a base and a top cover. The top cover is covered on the base, a first accommodating cavity is formed between the top cover and the base, and the cable reel is disposed in the first accommodating cavity.

[0013] The cable reel comprises a fixed shaft, a first reel body and a second reel body, the first reel body and the second reel body are arranged in parallel, and a winding space for the cable is defined therebetween. A first end of the fixed shaft is connected to the first reel body, a second end of the fixed shaft penetrates through the second reel body and is rotatably connected to the base, and an end of the cable away from the connector is connected to the fixed shaft.

[0014] In an example, the cable retraction apparatus comprises a spiral spring, a first end of the spiral spring is connected to the cable reel, and a second end of the spiral spring is connected to the housing.

[0015] In an example, a protruding portion is provided on an outer side wall of the top cover, a second accommodating cavity is defined by the protruding portion and the outer side wall of the top cover, and the spiral spring is disposed in the second accommodating cavity. A first clamping portion is provided on the top cover, and the first end of the spiral spring is connected to the first clamping portion; and a second clamping portion is provided on a side of the first reel body away from the second reel body, the second clamping portion is disposed coaxial with the fixed shaft, and the clamping portion penetrates through the top cover and is connected to the second end of the spiral spring.

[0016] In an example, a first limiting portion, a second limiting portion, and a third limiting portion are provided on a side of the first reel body away from the second reel body, and the first limiting portion, the second limiting portion, and the third limiting portion are sequentially arranged from a center to an outer side of the first reel body.

[0017] A cable retraction groove is formed between the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion, and a cable outgoing groove is formed between the second limiting portion and the third limiting portion. A stopper is rotatably provided on an inner side wall of the top cover, and can swing relative to the cable reel under drive of the cable reel. A ball is disposed on the stopper, and can slide on the cable retraction groove or the cable outgoing groove, such that the cable reel has a cable retraction state or a cable outgoing state.

[0018] The technical solution provided by the example of the disclosure has at least the following advantages as compared with the related art. According to the cable retraction apparatus provided by the example of the disclosure, when the cable is pulled out, if an end of the cable away from the cable reel is subjected to an external force, a part of the cable stored in the housing rotates in a first direction, the cable is pulled out under the external force, the cable outgoing section of the cable becomes longer and longer, and the cable retraction section of the cable becomes shorter and shorter. When the cable is retracted, the cable reel rotates in an opposite direction of the first direction, and the cable rotates synchronously in the opposite direction of the first direction under the winding force of the cable reel and is quickly wound on the cable reel, so that the cable outgoing section of the cable is turned by the guide portion under the action of the guide portion, and the cable retraction section of the cable is wound on the cable reel. During a winding process of the cable, the guide portion may be always in contact with the cable. Since there is a first included angle between the cable outgoing section and the cable retraction section, the box body limits a movement direction of the cable outgoing section of the cable, the cable reel limits a movement direction of the cable retraction section of the cable, and the guide portion can always provide pressure for the cable. Therefore, the cable has a tension force itself under the pressure of the guide portion, and has a certain winding speed under the winding force of the cable reel. Under the action of the tension force of the cable and the winding force of the cable reel, the connector of the cable tends to return to a non-twisted state relative to the cable (e.g., a state in which the connector does not twist relative to the cable), thereby finally returning to the correct position. This can effectively help prevent cracking or failure at a connection between the connector and the cable due to torsion, and ensure long-term reliability of the cable retraction apparatus.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate examples according to the disclosure, which together with the specification serve to explain principles of the disclosure.

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate technical solutions in examples of the present disclosure, drawings that need to be used in description of the examples are briefly introduced below, and it will be apparent in to those of ordinary skill in the art that the drawings in the following description are only some examples of the disclosure, and other drawings can be obtained in accordance with these drawings without inventive work.

[0021] One or more examples are illustrated by figures in the corresponding drawings, which does not constitute a limitation of the examples. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same or similar elements, and the drawings do not constitute scale limitation unless otherwise specified.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a cable retraction apparatus according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cable retraction apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing and a guide portion of the cable retraction apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic diagram of part A in FIG. 3;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a box body of the cable retraction apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the box body of a cable retraction apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cable retraction apparatus according to an example of the present disclosure, in which a box body is not shown;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded structural diagram of the cable retraction apparatus shown in FIG. 7;

[0030] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a cable reel of the cable retraction apparatus shown in FIG. 8;

[0031] FIG. 10 is a top view of the cable retraction apparatus shown in FIG. 7, in which a top cover is not shown;

[0032] FIG. 11 is a top view of the cable reel shown in FIG. 9;

[0033] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a top cover of the cable retraction apparatus shown in FIG. 8;

[0034] FIG. 13 is a first schematic diagram of a working state of the cable reel shown in FIG. 11; and

[0035] FIG. 14 is a second schematic diagram of a working state of the cable reel shown in FIG. 11.DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0036] 1, Box body; 11, First outlet; 12, Storage groove; 121, Fifth wall surface; 13, Guide groove; 131, Guide curved surface; 2, Housing; 201, First wall surface; 202, Second wall surface; 203, Third wall surface; 204, Fourth wall surface; 21, Base; 22, Top cover; 221, Second outlet; 222, Protruding portion; 223, First clamping portion; 224, Sliding groove; 3, Cable reel; 31, Fixed shaft; 32, First reel body; 321, Second clamping portion; 322, First limiting portion; 323, Second limiting portion; 3231, First communication groove; 3232, Second communication groove; 324, Third limiting portion; 325, Cable retraction groove; 326, Cable outgoing groove; 327, Locking portion; 3271, Locking position; 3272, First flow guide surface; 3273, Second flow guide surface; 33, Second reel body; 4, Guide portion; 41, Steering shaft; 42, First channel; 43, Second channel; 5, Spiral spring; 6, Stopper; 61, Ball; 7, Cable; 71, Connector; 72, Cable outgoing section; 73, Cable retraction section.Detailed Description

[0037] In order to make objects, technical solutions, and advantages of examples of the disclosure clearer, the technical solutions in the examples of the disclosure will be clearly and fully described in combination with the accompanying drawings in the examples of the present disclosure. Obviously, the examples to be described are part of examples but not all examples of the disclosure. Based on the examples of the disclosure, all other examples obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without inventive work shall fall within the scope of the disclosure.

[0038] Many different examples are disclosed below to realize different structures of the disclosure. In order to simplify the disclosure, components and arrangements of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are only exemplary and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Furthermore, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and / or letters in different examples. The repetition is for simplicity and clarity, and in itself does not indicate the relationship between the various examples and / or arrangements discussed.

[0039] For the convenience of description, spatial relative relationship terms can be used herein to describe the relative positional relationship or movement status of one element or feature relative to another element or feature as shown in the drawings, such as “inside”, “outside”, “inner”, “outer”, “under”, “below”, “on”, “above”, “front” and “back”. Such spatial relative relationship terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation other than orientations depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings has a position turnover, a posture change or a movement status change, these directional indications will change accordingly, for example: elements described as “under or below other elements or features” will be subsequently oriented as “on or over other elements or features”. Thus, the term “below” may include both orientations of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated by 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatial relative relationship description used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0040] In the related art, a cable retraction apparatus can wind and retract cables. However, due to limitations on appearance, the orientation of a cable connector in the cable retraction apparatus currently on the market is usually not collinear as the cable outgoing direction. Thus, the cable may twist after being pulled out. During the retraction process, the cable retraction apparatus cannot adjust the cable retraction direction, resulting in the connector being unable to return to the correct position (e.g., a preset position). As a result, the connector may twist relative to the cable, and a connection between the connector and the cable is prone to cracking due to torsion.

[0041] In some cable retraction apparatuses, an alignment structure is provided. For example, a magnet or an iron block is wrapped inside the connector, and at the same time, a magnet needs to be assembled or pasted at a corresponding position of the shell. The magnetic attraction force of the magnet is used to attract the connector back to the correct position. This structure increases the design cost, and the magnet or iron block is likely to separate from the connector after repeated use, leading to failure of the alignment function.

[0042] In order to solve the technical problem that the cable connector in the cable retraction apparatus is unable to return to an initial state and the connection between the connector and the cable is prone to cracking due to torsion, the present disclosure provides a cable retraction apparatus. During winding of the cable, the connector returns to a correct position under the tension force of the cable itself and the winding force of the cable reel, so as to avoid the connection between the connector and the cable from cracking due to torsion and ensure the long-term use reliability of the cable retraction apparatus.

[0043] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a cable retraction apparatus provided by the present disclosure, which includes a box body 1, a housing 2, a cable reel 3, and a guide portion 4. The housing 2 is disposed inside the box body 1. The cable reel 3 is configured to wind a cable 7, and the cable reel 3 is rotatably disposed inside the housing 2. The cable 7 may be any one of a power cord, a data cable, a charging cable, an earphone cable, an audio cable, and the like.

[0044] The guide portion 4 is disposed on the housing 2, and the guide portion 4 is configured to guide to separate the cable 7 into a cable outgoing section 72 and a cable retraction section 73. A first included angle α is formed between the cable outgoing section 72 and the cable retraction section 73, and the cable outgoing section 72 extends to the outside of the box body 1. During the winding process of the cable 7, the guide portion 4 may be always pressed against the cable 7, so that a connector 71 of the cable 7 returns to a correct position (e.g., an original position, a preset position) under the tension force of the cable 7 itself and the winding force of the cable reel 3. The correct position may be the state where the connector 71 does not twist relative to the cable 7, so as to avoid the connection between the connector 71 and the cable 7 from cracking due to torsion and ensure the long-term use reliability of the cable retraction apparatus.

[0045] It can be understood that when the cable goes out, if an end of the cable 7 away from the cable reel 3 is subjected to an external force, a part of the cable 7 stored in the housing 2 rotates in a first direction, driving the cable reel 3 to rotate in the first direction at the same time. The cable 7 exits the housing 2 under the external force. The cable outgoing section 72 of the cable 7 becomes longer and longer, and the cable retraction section 73 of the cable 7 becomes shorter and shorter. When the cable is retracted, the cable reel 3 rotates in an opposite direction of the first direction, so that the cable 7 rotates synchronously in the opposite direction of the first direction under the winding force of the cable reel 3 and is quickly wound on the cable reel 3. The cable outgoing section 72 of the cable 7 becomes shorter and shorter, and the cable retraction section 73 of the cable 7 becomes longer and longer, so that the cable outgoing section 72 of the cable 7 is turned by the guide portion 4 under the action of the guide portion 4, and the cable retraction section 73 of the cable 7 is wound on the cable reel 3.

[0046] During a winding process of the cable 7, the guide portion 4 may be always pressed against the cable 7. Since there is a first included angle between the cable outgoing section 72 and the cable retraction section 73, the box body 1 limits a movement direction of the cable outgoing section 72 of the cable 7, the cable reel 3 limits a movement direction of the cable retraction section 73 of the cable 7, and the guide portion 4 can always provide pressure for the cable 7. Therefore, the cable 7 is in a tensioned state under the pressure of the guide portion, has a tension force itself, and has a certain winding speed under the winding force of the cable reel 3. Under the action of the tension force of the cable 7 itself and the winding force of the cable reel 3, the connector 71 of the cable 7 tends to return (e.g., restore) to a state where the connector 71 does not twist relative to the cable 7, thereby finally returning to the correct position. The correct position is a position where the connector 71 does not twist relative to the cable 7, so as to avoid a connection between the connector 71 and the cable 7 from cracking due to torsion and ensure a long-term use reliability of the cable retraction apparatus. Compared with the existing alignment structure using a magnet, the cable retraction apparatus provided by the present disclosure does not need to use a magnet, reduces the cost, and still has the alignment function after repeated use.

[0047] In an example, the first direction may be a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction. If the first direction is a counterclockwise direction, the opposite direction of the first direction is a clockwise direction.

[0048] It should be noted that there is a first included angle α between the cable outgoing section 72 and the cable retraction section 73. In order to avoid excessive bending stress caused by excessive bending of the cable 7, the first included angle α may not be set too small. Also, the first included angle α may not be set too large, as this may weaken the tension force of the guide portion 4 on the cable 7. Specifically, the first included angle α may be set to 120° to 170°, so that excessive bending stress caused by excessive bending of the cable 7 can be avoided, and the guide portion 4 can provide an appropriate tension force for the cable 7. For example, the first included angle α may be set to 125°, 130°, 135°, 140°, 150°, 160°, etc.

[0049] In one example, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the housing 2 includes a first wall surface 201 and a second wall surface 202, and the first wall surface 201 and the second wall surface 202 are arranged opposite in a height direction of the housing 2. The guide portion 4 may include a steering shaft 41, and the steering shaft 41 is rotatably disposed on the housing 2. In an example, the steering shaft 41 may include a first end and a second end arranged opposite in its own axial direction. The first end of the steering shaft 41 may be rotatably connected to the first wall surface 201. The second end of the steering shaft 41 may be rotatably connected to the second wall surface 202. Regardless of whether the first end of the steering shaft 41 is rotatably connected to the first wall surface 201 or the second wall surface 202, a rotatable connection between the steering shaft 41 and the housing 2 can be realized. When the cable goes out, the cable retraction section 73 of the cable 7 can be turned by the steering shaft 41 to form a cable outgoing section 72. When the cable is retracted, the steering shaft 41 may be always pressed against the cable 7, and the steering shaft 41 can always provide pressure for the cable 7. Therefore, the cable 7 is in a tensioned state under the pressure of the guide portion, and the connector 71 of the cable 7 returns to an initial state under the tension force of the cable 7 itself and the winding force of the cable reel 3. The initial state is a state where the connector 71 does not twist relative to the cable 7, so as to avoid the connection between the connector 71 and the cable 7 from cracking due to torsion and ensure the long-term use reliability of the cable retraction apparatus.

[0050] The steering shaft 41 is rotatably disposed on the housing 2. When the cable goes out or is retracted, there is friction between the steering shaft 41 and a peripheral side of the cable 7. The steering shaft 41 rotates around its own axis under the friction, thereby reducing the friction between the cable 7 and the steering shaft 41. At the same time, the steering shaft 41 may be always in contact with the cable 7, which can avoid direct contact between the cable 7 and the housing 2, reduce the friction between the cable 7 and the housing 2, and prevent an outer layer of the cable 7 from being worn after long-term use.

[0051] In an example, the guide portion 4 includes a steering block disposed on the housing, and a third channel for the cable 7 to pass through is disposed on the steering block. When the cable goes out, the cable retraction section 73 of the cable 7 passes through the third channel of the steering block and is turned to form the cable outgoing section 72. When the cable is retracted, the steering block is always pressed against the cable 7, and the steering block can always provide pressure for the cable 7. Therefore, the cable 7 is in a tensioned state under the pressure of the steering block, and the connector 71 of the cable 7 returns to a correct position under the tension force of the cable 7 itself and the winding force of the cable reel 3.

[0052] In one example, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a second outlet 221 (shown in FIG. 2) is disposed on the housing 2. The second outlet 221 is configured for the cable outgoing section 72 to pass through, and another steering shaft 41 is disposed close to the second outlet 221. The housing 2 includes a third wall surface 203 and a fourth wall surface 204. The third wall surface 203 and the fourth wall surface 204 are arranged opposite in a width direction of the housing 2, and the first wall surface 201, the third wall surface 203, the second wall surface 202, and the fourth wall surface 204 sequentially enclose to form the second outlet 221. When the cable 7 goes out, after the cable 7 is guided by the guide portion 4, and then the cable outgoing section 72 can extend from the second outlet 221. The steering shaft 41 can be disposed in an internal space of the housing 2 (e.g., a first accommodating cavity to be described below). In order to facilitate the cable outgoing section 72 to extend from the second outlet 221, the steering shaft 41 is disposed close to the second outlet 221, so as to avoid the cable outgoing section 72 being interfered by the housing 2.

[0053] In another example, as shown in FIG. 4, the steering shaft 41 is disposed at the second outlet 221, the steering shaft 41 may be disposed close to the fourth wall surface 204, and a first channel 42 is formed between the peripheral side of the steering shaft 41 and the third wall surface 203, and the first channel 42 is configured for the cable outgoing section 72 to pass through. The size of the first channel 42 may be set slightly larger than the size of a cross-section of the cable 7 to prevent the cable 7 from directly contacting the wall surface of the housing 2 during the going out or retraction process of the cable, thereby reducing the friction between the cable 7 and the housing 2 and preventing the outer layer of the cable 7 from being worn after long-term use.

[0054] In another example, as shown in FIG. 4, the steering shaft 41 is disposed at the second outlet 221 and may also be disposed close to the third wall surface 203, and a second channel 43 is formed between the peripheral side of the steering shaft 41 and the fourth wall surface 204, and the second channel 43 is configured for the cable outgoing section 72 to pass through. Similarly, the size of the second channel 43 may be set slightly larger than the size of a cross-section of the cable 7 to prevent the cable 7 from the going out or retraction process of the cable, thereby reducing the friction between the cable 7 and the housing 2 and preventing the outer layer of the cable 7 from being worn after long-term use.

[0055] In an example, as shown in FIG. 3, an arrow mark is provided on the housing 2, and a direction of the arrow indicates a first direction. In other words, when the cable reel 3 rotates around the first direction, the cable 7 can be in an outgoing state.

[0056] In one example, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, one or more first outlets 11 and one or more storage grooves 12 are disposed on the box body 1. The storage groove 12 is configured to store the connector 71 of the cable 7, the first outlet 11 communicates with the storage groove 12, and the cable outgoing section 72 extends to the outside of the box body 1 from the first outlet 11. It should be noted that the size of the first outlet 11 is configured to be smaller than a minimum size of the connector 71. For example, an end of the connector 71 close to the first outlet 11 has a first height, the first outlet 11 has a second height, and the second height of the first outlet 11 is smaller than the first height of the connector 71. Therefore, the first outlet 11 can prevent the connector 71 of the cable 7 from entering the internal space of the box body 1 during the cable retraction process.

[0057] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the storage groove 12 has a fifth wall surface 121, and the fifth wall surface 121 at least partially fits the peripheral side of the connector 71 of the cable 7 to improve the storage stability of the connector 71. The fifth wall surface 121 may be set as a plane or a curved surface, which is specifically designed according to the shape of the connector 71. For example, if the connector is set as a cuboid, the fifth wall surface 121 is correspondingly set as a plane. Further, there is a second included angle β between the fifth wall surface 121 and a horizontal direction. The size of the second included angle β is specifically designed according to aesthetics of the shape, and at the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the storage groove 12 has enough space to accommodate the connector 71 of the cable 7.

[0058] In one example, as shown in FIG. 5, a guide groove 13 is disposed on the box body 1, and the guide groove 13 communicates with the storage groove 12. Specifically, the guide groove 13 is disposed at an end of the storage groove 12 away from the first outlet 11. For example, the guide groove 13 has a guide inclined surface, and the guide inclined surface forms a third included angle with the horizontal direction. The third included angle may be larger than or equal to the second included angle. The third included angle can be larger than the second included angle to serve to guide the connector 71 of the cable 7. During the cable retraction process, the connector 71 is guided by the guide groove 13 and finally stored on the storage groove 12.

[0059] In another example, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide groove 13 has a guide curved surface 131, and a slope of the guide curved surface 131 gradually decreases along a direction close to the storage groove 12, so as to serve to guide the connector 71 of the cable 7 during the cable retraction process.

[0060] In this example, when the cable is retracted, the cable reel 3 rotates in an opposite direction of the first direction, so that the cable 7 rotates synchronously in the opposite direction of the first direction and is quickly wound on the cable reel 3. During the winding process of the cable 7, the guide groove 13 guides the cable 7 to gradually approach the storage groove 12, and the guide portion 4 may be always pressed against the cable 7, so that the cable 7 is turned from the first outlet 11 under the action of the guide portion 4, passes through the second outlet 221, and is wound on the cable reel 3. Since the guide groove 13 plays a guiding role, the connector 71 of the cable 7 is stored on the storage groove 12 of the box body 1 under the tension force of the cable 7 itself and the winding force of the cable reel 3 and returns to the correct position.

[0061] In one example, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the housing 2 includes a base 21 and a top cover 22, the top cover 22 is covered on the base 21, a first accommodating cavity is formed between the top cover 22 and the base 21, and the cable reel 3 is disposed in the first accommodating cavity. The cable reel 3 includes a fixed shaft 31, a first reel body 32 and a second reel body 33. The first reel body 32 and the second reel body 33 are arranged in parallel, and a winding space for the cable 7 is defined therebetween. The first end of the fixed shaft 31 is connected to the first reel body 32, a second end of the fixed shaft 31 penetrates through the second reel body 33 and is rotatably connected to the base 21, and an end of the cable 7 away from the connector 71 is connected to the fixed shaft 31. During the assembly process, the cable reel 3 may be first installed on the base 21, then the top cover 22 is covered on the base 21, and the top cover 22 is fixed to the base 21.

[0062] In an example, a connection mode between the top cover 22 and the base 21 includes clamping connection, fastener fixing connection, and the like, which is not specifically limited in the present disclosure.

[0063] The specific way of rotatable connection between the second end of the fixed shaft 31 and the base 21 is not limited. For example, a shaft hole is provided on the base 21, and the second end of the fixed shaft 31 is rotatably connected to the shaft hole.

[0064] In an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the first wall surface 201 may be provided on an inner wall surface of the base 21, and the second wall surface 202, the third wall surface 203, and the fourth wall surface 204 may be provided on the inner wall surface of the top cover 22. When the steering shaft 41 is disposed at the second outlet 221, a first connection hole may be provided on the first wall surface 201, the first connection hole is rotatably connected to the steering shaft 41, a second connection hole may be provided on the second wall surface 202, and the second connection hole is rotatably connected to the steering shaft 41.

[0065] The cable reel 3 may rotate relative to the housing 2 about a rotation axis, which is a central axis of the fixed shaft 31. As shown in FIG. 10, when the cable goes out, a part of the cable 7 stored in the winding space rotates in the first direction. An end of the cable 7 away from the connector 71 is fixedly connected to the fixed shaft 31, and thus can drive the cable reel 3 to rotate relative to the base 21 about the central axis of the fixed shaft 31, and the cable 7 extends via the second outlet 221 and the first outlet 11 in sequence. When the cable is retracted, the cable reel 3 rotates in the opposite direction of the first direction, so that the cable 7 rotates synchronously in the opposite direction of the first direction and is wound in the winding space of the cable reel 3 circle by circle. During the winding process of the cable 7, the guide portion 4 is always in contact with the cable 7 (e.g., the guide portion continuously applies pressure to the cable), so that the cable 7 is turned from the first outlet 11 under the action of the guide portion 4, passes through the second outlet 221, and is wound on the cable reel 3.

[0066] In an example, a plurality of first accommodating cavities may be formed between the top cover 22 and the base 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, two first accommodating cavities may be formed between the top cover 22 and the base 21. Therefore, two cable reels 3 can be accommodated in the box body 1, and two first outlets 11 are correspondingly provided on the box body 1. The top cover 22 may be provided with the second outlet 221.

[0067] In one example, as shown in FIG. 8, the cable retraction apparatus includes a spiral spring 5, a first end of the spiral spring 5 is connected to the cable reel 3, and a second end of the spiral spring 5 is connected to the housing 2. The spiral spring 5 is a volute spiral spring. The volute spiral spring undergoes elastic deformation during the cable going out process to realize energy storage of elastic potential energy; pulling the cable 7 outward is stopped, the cable reel 3 rotates in the opposite direction of the first direction under the elastic restoring force of the volute spiral spring to realize the winding of the cable 7. In other examples, the spiral spring 5 may also be a rotating motor or the like.

[0068] In one example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a protruding portion 222 is provided on an outer side wall of the top cover 22, a second accommodating cavity is defined by the protruding portion 222 and the outer side wall of the top cover 22, and the spiral spring 5 is disposed in the second accommodating cavity. A first clamping portion 223 is provided on the top cover 22, and the first end of the spiral spring 5 is connected to the first clamping portion 223. A second clamping portion 321 is provided on a side of the first reel body 32 away from the second reel body 33, the second clamping portion 321 is disposed coaxial with the fixed shaft 31, and the clamping portion penetrates through the top cover 22 and is connected to the second end of the spiral spring 5. The protruding portion 222 may be set as an annular baffle, which can play a limiting role and prevent the spiral spring 5 from shifting relative to the top cover 22 during working. The first clamping portion 223 may include a clamping plate, the first end of the spiral spring 5 is fixedly connected to the clamping plate, the second clamping portion 321 may include a clamping shaft, a clamping groove is provided on the clamping shaft, and the second end of the spiral spring 5 is clamped and connected to the clamping groove.

[0069] When the cable goes out, a part of the cable 7 stored in the winding space rotates in the first direction. An end of the cable 7 away from the connector 71 is fixedly connected to the fixed shaft 31, and thus can drive the cable reel 3 to rotate relative to the base 21 about the central axis of the fixed shaft 31, and the clamping shaft rotates accordingly, so that the spiral spring 5 undergoes elastic deformation during the cable going out process to realize energy storage of elastic potential energy; when pulling the cable 7 outward is stopped, the cable reel 3 rotates in the opposite direction of the first direction under the elastic restoring force of the volute spiral spring to realize the winding of the cable 7.

[0070] In one example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a first limiting portion 322, a second limiting portion 323, and a third limiting portion 324 are provided on a side of the first reel body 32 away from the second reel body 33, and the first limiting portion 322, the second limiting portion 323, and the third limiting portion 324 are sequentially arranged from a center of the first reel body 32 to the outer side; a cable retraction groove 325 is formed between the first limiting portion 322 and the second limiting portion 323, and a cable outgoing groove 326 is formed between the second limiting portion 323 and the third limiting portion 324; a stopper 6 is rotatably provided on an inner side wall of the top cover 22, and can swing relative to the cable reel 3 under the drive of the cable reel 3, a ball 61 is disposed on the stopper 6, and can slide on the cable retraction groove 325 or the cable outgoing groove 326, so that the cable reel 3 has a cable retraction state or a cable outgoing state.

[0071] The first limiting portion 322 may include a first annular boss, the second limiting portion 323 may include a second annular boss, the third limiting portion 324 may include a third annular boss, and the first annular boss, the second annular boss, and the third annular boss are sequentially arranged along a radial direction of the first reel body 32. The cable retraction groove 325 is formed between the first annular boss and the second annular boss, and the cable outgoing groove 326 is formed between the second annular boss and the third annular boss. The stopper 6 can swing relative to the cable reel 3 under the drive of the cable reel 3, so that the ball 61 can slide on the cable retraction groove 325 or the cable outgoing groove 326. When the ball 61 slides on the cable retraction groove 325, the cable reel 3 is in the cable outgoing state, and the cable 7 can extend outward; when the ball 61 slides on the cable outgoing groove 326, the cable reel 3 is in the cable retraction state, and the cable 7 can be wound on the cable reel 3.

[0072] The stopper 6 may include a paddle, a first end of the paddle is rotatably connected to the top cover 22 via a rotating shaft, a second end of the paddle is provided with the ball 61, and the protruding portion 222 of the ball 61 relative to the paddle is slidably embedded in the cable retraction groove 325 or the cable outgoing groove 326. A sliding groove 224 for accommodating the paddle is provided on a side of the top cover 22 facing the cable reel 3. The sliding groove 224 can form a certain limiting effect on the ball 61 in a rotation direction of the cable reel 3, so that the ball 61 cannot be displaced relatively to the housing 2 in a rotation direction of the cable reel 3. When the cable reel 3 is in the cable outgoing state or the cable retraction state, the ball 61 remains relatively fixed to the top cover 22 in the rotation direction of the cable reel 3. It should be noted that “remaining relatively fixed” means that the ball 61 and the top cover 22 are not relatively displaced in the rotation direction of the cable reel 3. During the rotation process of the cable reel 3 relative to the housing 2, the ball 61 moves in the cable retraction groove 325 or the cable outgoing groove 326.

[0073] Specifically, for the convenience of description and understanding, the first direction may be the R1 direction shown in FIG. 13, and the opposite direction of the first direction may be the R2 direction shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 13, when the cable reel 3 rotates along the first direction R1, the ball 61 can move in the cable outgoing groove 326, and at this time, the cable 7 is pulled outward to cause a cable outgoing effect; as shown in FIG. 14, when the cable reel 3 rotates along the opposite direction R2 of the first direction, the ball 61 can move in the cable retraction groove 325, and at this time, the cable 7 is wound back to cause a cable retraction effect.

[0074] In one example, as shown in FIG. 13, a first communication groove 3231 is provided on the second limiting portion 323, and the first communication groove 3231 communicates with the cable outgoing groove 326 and the cable retraction groove 325; a locking portion 327 is provided on a side of the first reel body 32 away from the second reel body 33, a locking position 3271 matching the ball 61 is provided on the locking portion 327, and is recessed and formed in the first communication groove 3231.

[0075] When the ball 61 moves to the locking position 3271, the cable reel 3 cannot continue to move along the opposite direction R2 of the first direction, thereby causing a locking effect on the cable reel 3 in the cable retraction direction, preventing the cable 7 from continuing to be wound back, and keeping the cable 7 at a corresponding length. The user can not only adjust a length of the cable 7 pulled outward by controlling the rotation direction of the cable reel 3, but also form a locking effect on the cable 7 at various different lengths, which is convenient for the user to use.

[0076] Specifically, in the locked state, as shown in FIG. 13, when the ball 61 is located at the locking position 3271, when the cable reel 3 rotates along the first direction R1, the ball 61 can continue to move from the locking position 3271 to the cable outgoing groove 326, and the ball 61 rotates by a turn in the cable outgoing groove 326, which indicates that the cable 7 is wound a circle; when pulling the cable 7 outward is stopped, the cable reel 3 rotates in the opposite direction of the first direction under the elastic restoring force of the spiral spring 5, so that the ball 61 enters the locking position 3271 from the first communication groove 3231 under the action of the locking portion 327, producing a locking effect. Therefore, after stop once, the cable 7 can be pulled outward again and released slowly. Under the cooperation of the cable reel 3, the spiral spring 5, the stopper 6, the locking portion 327, and the like, the rotation of the cable reel 3 along the opposite direction of the first direction is restricted, and the stop will continue when the length of the cable 7 is increased, realizing multi-stage stop. In this way, the cable 7 can be pulled out to multiple lengths, which is convenient for use in different scenarios. Moreover, without retracting the cable, the length of the cable 7 can be increased multiple times and the stop can be performed continuously.

[0077] In one example, as shown in FIG. 14, a second communication groove 3232 is provided on the second limiting portion 323, the second communication groove 3232 communicates with the cable outgoing groove 326 and the cable retraction groove 325, and the first communication groove 3231 and the second communication groove 3232 are respectively provided on two sides of the locking portion 327. When pulling the cable 7 outward is stopped, the cable reel 3 rotates in the opposite direction R2 of the first direction under the elastic restoring force of the spiral spring 5, and the ball 61 may enter the cable retraction groove 325 from the second communication groove 3232 to realize the cable retraction effect.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 11, a first flow guide surface 3272 is provided on the locking portion 327, and extends obliquely from the cable outgoing groove 326 toward the cable retraction groove 325 along the opposite direction of the first direction, so as to guide the ball 61 from the cable outgoing groove 326 via the second communication groove 3232 to the cable retraction groove 325.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 11, a second flow guide surface 3273 is provided on the locking portion 327, and extends obliquely from the cable outgoing groove 326 toward the locking position 3271 along the first direction, so as to guide the ball 61 to move from the cable outgoing groove 326 to the locking position 3271 during the movement process of the cable reel 3 along the first direction.

[0080] It should be understood that the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific examples and are not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” as used herein can also mean including plural forms. The terms “include”, “contain”, “comprise” and “have” are inclusive and thus indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, elements and / or components described, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, procedures, and operations described herein are not interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be executed in the specific order described, unless the execution order is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0081] Although a plurality of elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections can be described herein with the terms first, second, third, and the like, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another ones. Terms such as “first” and “second” and other numerical terms do not imply sequence or order when used herein unless clearly indicated in the context. Accordingly, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from teachings of the examples.

[0082] The foregoing description is only the detailed description of the disclosure to enable a person skilled in the art to understand or implement the disclosure. Various modifications to these examples will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, and general principles defined herein may be implemented in other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples described herein, but conforms to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel characteristics applied herein.

Claims

1. A cable retraction apparatus comprising:a box body;a housing disposed inside the box body;a cable reel configured to wind a cable, the cable reel being rotatably disposed inside the housing; anda guide portion disposed on the housing and configured to separate the cable into a cable outgoing section and a cable retraction section,wherein a first included angle is formed between the cable outgoing section and the cable retraction section,wherein the cable outgoing section extends to an outside of the box body, andwherein, during cable retraction, the guide portion is configured to press against the cable, and a connector of the cable is configured to return to a preset position.

2. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 1, wherein:the housing comprises a first wall surface and a second wall surface opposite to the first wall surface,the guide portion comprises a steering shaft, andthe steering shaft comprises a first end rotatably connected to the first wall surface and a second end rotatably connected to the second wall surface.

3. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an outlet disposed on the housing, wherein:the outlet is configured for the cable outgoing section to pass through,the housing comprises a third wall surface and a fourth wall surface, andthe first wall surface, the second wall surface, the third wall surface, and the fourth wall surface enclose to form the outlet.

4. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 3, wherein a first channel is formed between a peripheral side of the steering shaft and the third wall surface, and the first channel is configured for the cable outgoing section to pass through; ora second channel is formed between the peripheral side of the steering shaft and the fourth wall surface, and the second channel is configured for the cable outgoing section to pass through.

5. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an outlet and a storage groove disposed on the box body, wherein the storage groove is configured to store the connector of the cable.

6. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 5, wherein:the outlet communicates with the storage groove,the cable outgoing section extends to an outside of the box body from the outlet, andthe storage groove has a fifth wall surface, and the fifth wall surface at least partially fits a peripheral side of the connector of the cable.

7. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a guide groove disposed on the box body and configured to guide the connector of the cable, wherein the guide groove has at least one of a guide inclined surface or a guide curved surface, and the at least one of the guide inclined surface or the guide curved surface is connected to the fifth wall surface.

8. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 1, wherein:the housing comprises a base and a top cover,the top cover is covered on the base,an accommodating cavity is formed between the top cover and the base, andthe cable reel is disposed in the accommodating cavity.

9. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 8, wherein:the cable reel comprises a fixed shaft, a first reel body, and a second reel body,a first end of the fixed shaft is connected to the first reel body,a second end of the fixed shaft penetrates through the second reel body, andan end of the cable away from the connector is connected to the fixed shaft.

10. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a spiral spring, wherein a first end of the spiral spring is connected to the cable reel, and a second end of the spiral spring is connected to the housing.

11. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 10, wherein:a protruding portion is provided on an outer side wall of the top cover, a second accommodating cavity is defined by the protruding portion and the outer side wall of the top cover, and the spiral spring is disposed in the second accommodating cavity,a first clamping portion is provided on the top cover, and the first end of the spiral spring is connected to the first clamping portion,a second clamping portion is provided on a side of the first reel body away from the second reel body,the second clamping portion is disposed coaxial with the fixed shaft, andthe clamping portion penetrates through the top cover and is connected to the second end of the spiral spring.

12. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 9, wherein:a first limiting portion, a second limiting portion, and a third limiting portion are provided on a side of the first reel body away from the second reel body, and the first limiting portion, the second limiting portion, and the third limiting portion are sequentially arranged from a center to an outer side of the first reel body,a cable retraction groove is formed between the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion, and a cable outgoing groove is formed between the second limiting portion and the third limiting portion,a stopper is rotatably provided on an inner side wall of the top cover and configured to swing relative to the cable reel under drive of the cable reel, anda ball is disposed on the stopper and configured to slide on the cable retraction groove or the cable outgoing groove.

13. A cable retraction apparatus comprising:a box body;a first cable;a second cable;a first cable reel configured to wind the first cable;a second cable reel configured to wind the second cable;a first outlet disposed on the box body, wherein the first cable is configured to extend to an outside of the box body through the first outlet; anda second outlet disposed on the box body, wherein the second cable is configured to extend to the outside of the box body through the second outlet.

14. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 13, wherein the box body comprises:a first storage groove configured to store a connector of the first cable, anda second storage groove configured to store a connector of the second cable.

15. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a housing disposed inside the box body, wherein the first cable reel and the second cable reel are rotatably disposed inside the housing.

16. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 15, wherein the housing comprises a base and a top cover disposed on the base to form a first accommodating cavity and a second accommodating cavity, and wherein the first cable reel is disposed in the first accommodating cavity and the second cable reel is disposed in the second accommodating cavity.

17. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:a first spiral spring connected to the first cable reel; anda second spiral spring connected to the second cable reel.

18. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a steering shaft configured to separate the first cable into a cable outgoing section and a cable retraction section during cable retraction.

19. The cable retraction apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:a first guide portion configured to separate the first cable into a first cable outgoing section and a first cable retraction section; anda second guide portion configured to separate the second cable into a second cable outgoing section and a second cable retraction section.

20. A cable retraction apparatus comprising:a box body;a cable;a cable connector coupled to the cable;a cable reel configured to wind the cable; anda steering shaft configured to separate the cable into a cable outgoing section and a cable retraction section during cable retraction,wherein the cable outgoing section extends to an outside of the box body, andwherein, during cable retraction, the steering shaft is configured to apply pressure on the cable such that the cable connector returns to a preset position after the cable retraction.

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