Feed system having a cable store and return block, in particular for a feed system

Abstract

The invention relates to a feed system (10) for lines, in particular for cables (20) for charging electric vehicles, comprising at least one cable store having at least two cable guides (31, 32, 33) having guide rollers (35) arranged in a deflecting bend for guiding at least one cable (20) placed on the cable guides (31, 32, 33) about a deflection axis (60) in at least one cable loop. At least one cable guide is guided on a linear guide. The invention proposes a return block (100) having a spring-loaded locking pin (110) which interacts with a groove track system (121) on the linear guide, and the groove track system (121) is designed in such a way that free displaceability in at least one groove track (122) counter to the restoring force during cable drawing is ensured, and that self-locking engagement of the locking pin (110) is provided in a multiplicity of discrete locking positions along a longitudinal extent of the linear guide.

Description

[0001] Feeding system with a cable storage and backstop, especially for a feeding system

[0002] The invention generally relates to a feed system with a retrieval function or retrieval device for lines, in particular electrical lines or cables, in particular for direct current cables for charging electric vehicles. The invention relates, on the one hand, to a novel design of the feed system and, on the other hand, to a novel non-return device that is generally suitable for a feed system, including known feed systems.

[0003] A feed system of the type described above is known, for example, from EP 3 271 983 B1. This document describes an electrical connection system for charging a motor vehicle battery, comprising a storage device for an electrical cable, comprising at least three reels arranged in two rows, and a chain of spring elements connected to the lower row and exerting a holding force that increases with the length of the cable and a restoring force that decreases with the storage of the cable, wherein spiral springs of different stiffness arranged in a row are provided as spring elements. This arrangement is intended to ensure that an increasing holding force is generated as the cable is unwound, and a decreasing restoring force is exerted as the cable is fed back.

[0004] Further prior art is known, for example, from JP 2014230298 A, which comprises a cable feed system with a cable storage device, in which rollers are arranged in two roller packages, from which the cable can be unwound under tension, wherein both roller packages are spring-mounted and can each be displaced against one another against the force of a tension spring.

[0005] Direct current fast charging stations (DC / HPC), like those found on highways and in charging parks, have charging cables with a relatively large cross-section. This is due to the fact that DC charging involves direct transfer of power from the charging station to the vehicle battery at a relatively high charging current and high charging power, possibly with additional cooling. Such fast charging stations offer a peak charging power of between 22 and 150 kW. There are also HPC charging stations with up to 350 kW charging power. HPC stands for High Power Charging.

[0006] Due to the large cable cross-section and the correspondingly high bending resistance of DC cables, feed systems in which the cable storage comprises a large number of rolls arranged in several roll packages so that a cable can be wound into the roll packages in several turns are less suitable for accommodating such cables.

[0007] In principle, it is desirable to provide a feeding system that allows for convenient retraction of a charging cable from a cable storage unit with minimal operating force, even for cables with a large cross-section, and that provides the highest possible storage capacity in terms of the length of cable that can be wound up. This is particularly desirable because, for example, at publicly accessible charging stations, the most flexible placement of multiple vehicles should be possible, which requires the provision of a greater extension length for the cable.

[0008] Finally, it is desirable to securely lock the cable at a desired extension length with minimal operating force. This is particularly desirable for cables with a large cross-section, which, due to their larger cross-section, have a greater mass.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on a first sub-object of providing a feeding system in which, on the one hand, convenient pulling out of the cable with little operating force is ensured and, on the other hand, a storage capacity that is optimized in relation thereto is ensured.

[0010] A further independent sub-object of the invention is to provide an improved backstop for a feed system, which is particularly suitable for enabling the secure winding and unwinding of charging cables. This should be suitable not only, but especially, for charging cables with a large cross-section or heavy charging cables.

[0011] The first sub-problem underlying the invention is solved by providing a feeding system with the features of claim 10.

[0012] The second sub-problem underlying the invention is solved in particular by providing a backstop with the features of claim 1.

[0013] The invention therefore concerns two aspects which are worthy of protection in themselves.

[0014] A first partial aspect of the invention relates to a feed system for cables, in particular for cables for charging electric vehicles, comprising at least one cable storage device with at least two cable guides with guide rollers arranged in a deflection curve for guiding at least one cable placed on the cable guide around a deflection axis in at least one cable loop, wherein at least two cable guides are fastened to a linearly displaceably guided carriage, the carriages are displaceable relative to one another against a restoring force and the carriages are displaceable relative to one another, preferably each against a restoring force, in opposite directions and synchronously with one another when the cable is pulled out or when tension is exerted on the cable and automatically move apart in the opposite direction when the cable tension decreases.

[0015] The configuration of the cable guides can advantageously be designed in such a way that, when the cable is pulled out, they lie against each other at approximately half the height of the arrangement, and the cable guides, which are preferably designed in the shape of a circular segment, complement each other to form an approximately closed circular arc.

[0016] This configuration has the advantage that operation is guaranteed with low operating forces despite a large cable cross-section.

[0017] An advantageous variant of the feed system according to the invention is characterized by at least one third cable guide, wherein at least two cable guides are each displaceable in a first and in a second displacement plane and the first and the second displacement plane extend parallel to one another and are arranged offset from one another in the direction of the deflection axis.

[0018] In this way, the storable cable length or the extension length for the cable can be increased without it being necessary to place the cable in several turns on roller packages in the form of roller blocks. This also ensures that the pull-out resistance is relatively low despite a high cable mass. An advantageous aspect of the invention according to the first partial aspect is that at least three-fold deflection of the cable within the cable storage is brought about by the cable guides being arranged in at least two different displacement planes which are offset from one another. According to the invention, the overall height of the feed system can be reduced while the storage capacity of the feed system is relatively high.

[0019] In the case of a vertical extension of the feed system, in which at least some deflection points or deflection axes are arranged vertically one above the other and at least two cable guides are arranged so as to be vertically and linearly displaceable relative to one another, one cable guide, for example, can be arranged at a partial height, preferably approximately halfway between two other cable guides, when the cable is retracted. This allows the cable to be pulled out approximately halfway up the feed system, which can be arranged, for example, in a correspondingly designed housing. This has the advantage that the charging cable can be provided at approximately the height of a charging connection provided on a motor vehicle.

[0020] The feed system can comprise a housing which comprises a plurality of vertically and linearly adjustable cable guides arranged side by side in columns, which are designed to accommodate a single cable or a plurality of cables in the manner described above.

[0021] In a preferred and advantageous variant of the feed system of the invention, it can be provided that at least one first and at least one second cable guide can each be displaced apart in the direction of action of the restoring force and towards one another against the direction of action of the restoring force. In this variant of the feed system, it can be provided that a first lower cable guide and a second upper cable guide are moved towards one another when the cable is pulled out due to the tension exerted on the cable and move away from one another in opposite directions when the cable is retracted due to the restoring force of a retrieval system, for example in the form of one or more spring elements, acting on the cable guide.

[0022] In a preferred variant of the feed system, at least one third cable guide can be arranged in a fixed location relative to the first and second cable guides. The third cable guide can, for example, be arranged in a fixed location at a partial height, preferably approximately halfway up the feed system. A cable inlet and a cable outlet can be provided in this area.

[0023] According to a further advantageous and particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the movably arranged cable guides are synchronously displaceable relative to and / or relative to one another. Preferably, the first and second cable guides are each synchronously displaceable relative to and / or relative to the stationary cable guide. For this purpose, means for synchronously actuating and coupling the cable guides are preferably provided.

[0024] The feed system is expediently designed such that the first and second or lower and upper cable guides are each fastened to a linearly displaceable carriage.

[0025] Preferably, a first and a second

[0026] Carriages are guided on a linear guide so as to be displaceable relative to one another, wherein preferably a common linear guide is provided for both carriages, so that the carriages can be displaced in a common guide plane. The carriages preferably each form the supports for the cable guides, which are at least partially arranged in different displacement planes and / or extend in different displacement planes.

[0027] Preferably, the carriages are connected to one another via at least one pulling system, preferably via at least one cable pulling system, which is designed to synchronize a displacement of the carriages upon actuation of the feed system, preferably via a pull exerted on the cable by a user.

[0028] The traction system preferably comprises at least a first and a second traction element, each of which is attached to the first and second carriages on opposite sides, the first traction element being guided via a first deflection and the second traction element via a second deflection. This forms two parallel trains, so that the displacement of the carriages is positively coupled and thus synchronized via the traction system. The deflections can each be provided at the end of the linear guide or on a housing enclosing it.

[0029] The first and second deflection elements are preferably each implemented via at least one, preferably at least two deflection rollers, each of which is attached to one end of the linear guide. The linear guide can, for example, be a guide profile with an approximately C-shaped or U-shaped cross-sectional profile, into which the carriages can engage via lateral guide rollers.

[0030] From a structural point of view, each of the cable guides advantageously comprises an essentially semicircular cable guide frame, with axes of the guide rollers distributed over a circular arc, which are mounted in support elements of the guide frame. The cable guide frame preferably comprises two axially opposite support elements, on which the axes are held. The guide rollers can each be provided with a circumferential groove with an approximately semicircular cross-section, the inside width of which is approximately adapted to the cable to be guided. Both the cable guide frame and the guide rollers can be made of a thermoplastic material.

[0031] Preferably, at least one of the cable guides, preferably the first lower cable guide, is designed such that it forms a guide path curved perpendicular to the direction of displacement, the pitch angle of which is adapted to the axial offset between the first and the second displacement plane in the manner of a thread of a screw, whereby it is possible to guide the cable, for example at a lower deflection point, from one displacement plane of the cable guide to the other displacement plane.

[0032] The return force for the slides can be achieved, for example, by at least one gas spring.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the restoring force is generated as a spring force by means of at least one elongate spring element, which acts on at least one of the slides to exert the restoring force. Preferably, at least one spring element acts on each of the slides. The elongate spring element can be at least one simply deflected expander cable or the like, the elasticity and length of which are dimensioned such that the flattest possible spring characteristic curve is produced.

[0034] In a particularly preferred and advantageous variant of the feed system according to the invention, this comprises at least one return stop acting against the restoring force for at least one cable guide, which acts between at least one carriage and the linear guide.

[0035] The backstop is particularly preferably achieved by positive engagement of at least one locking element on at least one carriage in correspondingly formed recesses in the linear guide.

[0036] It is particularly preferred that the backstop comprises a plurality of discrete locking positions and a plurality of discrete release positions, which can be selectively moved to or controlled by a user pulling the cable to a greater or lesser extent.

[0037] Particularly preferably, the backstop comprises at least one axially spring-loaded locking element that interacts with a grooved track system on the linear guide, preferably designed as a labyrinth. The grooved track system is preferably arranged on a linear guide profile of the linear guide or formed therein.

[0038] The groove track system is preferably designed such that a free displacement of the locking member in at least one groove track against the restoring force of the return system is ensured during cable withdrawal and that a self-locking engagement of the locking member is provided in a plurality of discrete locking positions along a longitudinal extent of the linear guide.

[0039] It may be expedient to provide that the

[0040] Locking member is attached to a preferably freely rotatable pivot arm on the carriage in such a way that the locking member can follow at least one branch of at least one groove track of the groove track system.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be provided that the grooved track system comprises at least a first and a second grooved track extending parallel to one another in the direction of displacement of the carriages, which are connected to one another via a plurality of grooved lanes spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the linear guide, wherein the grooved track system furthermore has a plurality of locking pockets spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the linear guide. The locking pockets are expediently designed such that the locking element automatically disengages when the user pulls on the cable and slides into a continuous grooved track.

[0042] The groove lanes can be designed in such a way that they connect the first groove track extending in the direction of displacement of the carriages and being essentially continuous with the second groove track extending parallel thereto.

[0043] The groove track system is preferably designed such that when the first upper slide moves downwards when the cable is pulled out in the first groove track, the locking member is guided downwards. The groove tracks can, for example, have step-shaped sliding ramps over which the locking member slides during a downward movement under axial displacement against the spring force of a compression spring. When the slide moves upwards, the locking member strikes the sliding ramps formed by the shoulders and is guided via the shoulders designed as guide bevels via a groove lane which runs at an angle to the groove tracks from the first groove track into the second groove track, in which a free upward movement of the locking member is guaranteed when the cable tension decreases, i.e. in the direction of the restoring force.

[0044] The second parallel groove track can also have step-shaped sliding ramps which rise in the opposite direction and over which the locking member slides during an upward movement with axial displacement against the spring force of a compression spring.

[0045] The sliding ramps of the parallel second groove track can form guide bevels that guide the locking element during an opposite vertical displacement back into the first groove track. During a downward movement of the carriage, the locking element strikes the sliding ramps formed by the shoulders and is guided by the shoulders designed as guide bevels via a groove path extending at an angle to the groove tracks from the second groove track into the first groove track.

[0046] The groove lanes preferably form a branch or junction of the continuous groove tracks.

[0047] A second aspect or partial aspect of the invention, which is capable of being protected in itself, relates to a backstop for a cable storage device with at least one fixed cable guide which is linearly displaceable in and against the action of a restoring force on a linear guide via at least one slide, in particular for a feed system for cables, in particular for cables for charging electric vehicles, the feed system comprising at least one cable storage device and at least two displaceable cable guides with guide rollers arranged in a deflection curve for guiding a cable placed on the cable guides around a deflection axis in at least one cable loop, wherein the cable guides are each fastened to a linearly displaceably guided slide and the slides are displaceable relative to one another against a restoring force, wherein the backstop comprises at least one axially spring-loaded locking member,which is attached to the carriage, the locking member interacts with a groove track system on the linear guide and the groove track system is designed in such a way that a free displacement of the locking member in at least one groove track against the restoring force is ensured during cable withdrawal and that a self-locking engagement of the locking member is provided in a plurality of discrete locking positions along a longitudinal extent of the linear guide.,

[0048] The locking member can be attached to a freely rotatable pivoting arm on the carriage in such a way that it can follow at least one branch of at least one groove track of the groove track system.

[0049] Preferably, the groove track system comprises at least a first and a second groove track extending parallel to one another in the direction of displacement of the carriages, which are connected to one another via a plurality of groove lanes spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the linear guide, which form branches of the groove track system, wherein the groove track system further comprises a plurality of locking pockets spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the linear guide.

[0050] The preferably labyrinth-shaped groove track system can be designed such that a groove lane and a locking pocket are arranged alternately at a distance from one another over the length of the linear guide, so that depending on the height to which a user brings the relevant carriage via a pulling force exerted on the cable, the locking member is located at the level of a groove lane or at the level of a locking pocket.

[0051] By releasing the tension on the cable at the relevant point, the locking device engages either in a groove or in a locking pocket.

[0052] The locking pockets are expediently designed in such a way that the locking element automatically disengages when the user pulls on the cable and slides into a continuous groove.

[0053] The backstop is preferably designed for a feed system for cables, in particular for use with a feed system for cables for charging electric vehicles, comprising at least one cable storage device with at least three cable guides with guide rollers arranged in a deflection arc for guiding a cable placed on the cable guides around a deflection axis in at least one cable loop, wherein at least two cable guides are each fastened to a linearly displaceably guided carriage, the carriages are displaceable relative to one another against a restoring force, at least two cable guides are each displaceable in a first and a second displacement plane and the first and the second displacement plane extend parallel to one another and are arranged offset from one another in the direction of the deflection axis, wherein the feed system can have the features described in connection with the feed system described above.The features of the backstop according to the second aspect or partial aspect of the invention may correspond completely or partially to those of the backstop of the feed system according to the first aspect of the invention and vice versa.

[0054] The features of the feed system in which the backstop according to the second aspect of the invention is preferably used may correspond entirely or partially to those of the feed system according to the first aspect of the invention. However, the backstop can generally also be advantageously applied to other types of feed systems or cable storage devices.

[0055] A variant of the backstop is characterized in that the locking member is fastened to a preferably freely rotatable pivoting arm on the slide in such a way that it can follow at least one branch of at least one groove track of the groove track system.

[0056] Preferably, the groove track system comprises at least a first and a second groove track extending parallel to one another in the direction of displacement of the carriages, which are connected to one another via a plurality of groove lanes spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the linear guide, wherein the groove track system further comprises a plurality of locking pockets spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the linear guide.

[0057] At least the first groove track can, for example, have stepped sliding ramps over which the locking member slides during a downward movement under axial displacement against the spring force. The groove lanes can be designed such that they connect the first groove track, which extends in the direction of displacement of the slides and is essentially continuous, with the second groove track extending parallel thereto.

[0058] The groove track system is preferably designed in such a way that the locking member is guided downwards in the first groove track during a downward movement of the first upper slide when the cable is pulled out.

[0059] When the carriage moves upwards, the locking member strikes the sliding ramps formed by the shoulders and is guided by the shoulders designed as guide bevels via a groove path running at an angle to the groove tracks from the first groove track into the second groove track, in which a free upward movement of the locking member is ensured when the cable tension decreases, i.e. in the direction of the restoring force. The second parallel groove track can also have step-shaped sliding ramps which rise in the opposite direction and over which the locking member slides during an upward movement under axial displacement against the spring force of a compression spring.

[0060] The sliding ramps of the parallel second groove track can form guide bevels that guide the locking element during an opposite vertical displacement back into the first groove track. During a downward movement of the carriage, the locking element strikes the sliding ramps formed by the shoulders and is guided by the shoulders designed as guide bevels via a groove path extending at an angle to the groove tracks from the second groove track into the first groove track.

[0061] The locking pockets are preferably assigned to a single groove track. The alignment of the sliding ramps and guide bevels relative to each other depends fundamentally on the direction of movement of the locking device to be blocked or the direction in which the groove track system is installed.

[0062] The groove lanes preferably form a branch or junction of the continuous groove tracks.

[0063] The groove track system can, for example, be designed in the form of a groove track profile which extends over at least a partial length over the linear guide, which is designed, for example, as a linear guide profile.

[0064] The linear guide profile and the groove track profile can alternatively be designed as a single piece or in multiple pieces.

[0065] The invention is explained below with reference to and with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. Herein:

[0066] Figure 1A is a front view of the feeding system according to the invention with a cable completely retracted therein,

[0067] Figure 1B is a sectional view along lines AA in Figure 1A,

[0068] Figure IC is a side view of the feeding system according to Figure 1A,

[0069] Figure 2A is a front view of the feeding system according to Figure 1A with the cable fully extended,

[0070] Figure 2B shows a section along lines BB in Figure 2A,

[0071] Figure 2C is a side view of the feeding system according to Figure 2A, Figure 3 is a representation of the linear guide of the feeding system according to the invention without cable guides,

[0072] Figure 4A is a schematic representation of the carriages of the linear guide and a cable pull system connecting them in a first arrangement, which corresponds to an arrangement with a retracted cable,

[0073] Figure 4B is a view corresponding to Figure 4A showing the position of the slides when the cable is fully extended,

[0074] Figure 5 is a representation of the linear guide profile with a carriage guided therein and a backstop according to the invention,

[0075] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a groove profile with a groove track system of the backstop according to the invention and

[0076] Figure 7 is a perspective and partly sectioned view of the parts of the backstop according to the invention.

[0077] A feed system 10 according to the invention is shown, for example, in Figure 1A. This comprises a linear guide profile 70 designed as a guide column, on which a first, second and third cable guide 31, 32, 33 are arranged, over which a cable 20 is guided in a cable loop, deflected several times. The cable 20 is designed, for example, as a DC charging cable for an electric vehicle. The linear guide profile 70 is preferably arranged in a housing (not shown) of a charging station for electric vehicles. The linear guide profile 70 can be designed as a self-supporting profile. Alternatively, this can be designed for mounting on a wall or other supporting structure. The cable guides 31, 32, 33 each comprise a semicircular cable guide frame 34 with guide rollers 35 distributed over a circular arc, the axes 36 of which extend between two axially opposite support elements 37.The axes 36 of the guide rollers 35 are each mounted in the support elements 37.

[0078] The guide rollers 35 are arranged on a semicircular arc around a deflection axis 60 at an angle of less than 180° and are evenly spaced from one another, defining an arc-shaped guide and deflection of the cable 20. Starting from a cable inlet at approximately the height of the third cable guide 33, the cable 20 is first deflected downwards around a central deflection axis 60. A further deflection occurs via the first cable guide 31 around a lower deflection axis 60. From the first cable guide, the cable 20 is guided under a further deflection around the upper deflection axis 60 to a stationary cable connection 38.

[0079] The first lower cable guide 31 and the second upper cable guide 32 are each attached to a carriage 41, 42 (Fig. 4) that is linearly movable in height. The carriages 41, 42 are connected to one another via guide rollers 43 in the guide profile 70, which has a C-shaped cross-section (see Figure 5), in a plane defined by the guide profile 70, via a cable pull system, and are synchronously movable relative to one another. The cable 20 stored in the feed system 10 is deflected three times, with the third cable guide 33 being fixedly arranged at the level of the cable inlet, and the first lower cable guide 31 and the second upper cable guide 32 being movable relative to the third cable guide 33 arranged between them via the carriages 41, 42.The cable guides 31, 32, 33 are arranged such that the cable 20, starting from the stationary connection 38, is first deflected in a first displacement plane 51 via the second upper cable guide 32 and then via the first lower cable guide.

[0080] 31 is transferred from the first displacement plane 51 in the direction of the respective deflection axis 60 into a second displacement plane 52. As can be seen in particular from Figures 2A, B and C, the second upper cable guide

[0081] 32 and the first lower cable guide 31 are arranged in two different displacement planes 51, 52, which are axially offset from one another, whereas the first lower cable guide 31 and the third cable guide 33 arranged therebetween are arranged in a common displacement plane 52. The support elements 37 of the first cable guide 31 are designed such that they define a guide thread for the cable 20 that is curved in three spatial axes.

[0082] In a possible configuration of the feeding system with only two cable guides in a single displacement plane, which is not shown here, a cable pull-out would have to be provided on a top or bottom of the arrangement.

[0083] By pulling on the free end of the cable 20 shown in Figure 1, a movement of the first cable guide 31 and the second cable guide 32 towards each other in the direction of the third cable guide 33 is effected, so that the feed system 10 assumes the position shown in Figure 2 when the cable 20 is fully extended. Pulling out the cable 20 causes the carriages 41, 42 to move towards each other in the direction of the stationary cable connection 38 via the forces exerted on the cable guides 31 and 32. The carriages 41, 42 are each guided via guide rollers 43 on the profile belts 71 of the C-shaped linear guide profile 70 in a twist-proof and tilt-proof manner.

[0084] As already described above, the carriages 41, 42 are connected to one another via a cable pull system, which couples the carriages 41, 42 and synchronizes the movement of the carriages 41, 42. The cable pull system is explained below with reference to Figure 4.

[0085] The cable pull system comprises a first pull cable 81 and a second pull cable 82, each of which is guided over paired pulleys 83. The first pull cable 81 is attached to opposite sides of the second carriage 42 on the one hand and the first carriage 41 on the other hand, whereas the second pull cable 82 is attached to the other parallel, opposite sides of the first carriage 41 and the second carriage 42, so that each of the carriages 41, 42 is attached to a different pull cable 81, 82 on an opposite side. In this way, a forced coupling and synchronization of the movement of the carriages 41, 42 is brought about.

[0086] The displacement of the first and second cable guides 31, 32 relative to one another occurs against the restoring force of two spring elements 90, which in the described embodiment are provided as spring-elastic cables or cable-shaped spiral springs, which are each fastened to the carriages 41, 42 on the one hand and to the upper and lower ends of the linear guide profile 70 and are each deflected via upper and lower deflection rollers 91 fastened to the linear guide profile 70. This makes it possible to use spring elements 90 that are as long as possible, for example in the form of expander cables, which have a particularly flat spring characteristic curve. The spring characteristic curve can be advantageously adjusted via the length of the spring elements 90, wherein a flat spring characteristic curve over the entire extension path is desirable, so that the user has the feeling of applying an essentially constant tensile force when pulling out the cable 20.

[0087] Alternatively, this can be achieved using one or more gas springs. Unlike traditional mechanical springs, gas springs have a flat spring characteristic, even with very long strokes. This characteristic can be easily adjusted, for example, by installing appropriate openings and / or valves within the piston or piston rod. Furthermore, a gas spring can also be used to achieve a damping effect that is easily adjustable. This dampens and / or delays the return movement when the tension on the cable decreases, thus reliably preventing acceleration of the cable end when it is returned to the cable storage.

[0088] The feed system 10 further comprises a backstop 100, which is explained below, in particular with reference to Figures 3 to 7. The backstop 100 according to the invention is designed such that the first lower cable guide 31 and the second upper cable guide 32 can be locked in several discrete positions, which are provided at equal intervals over the height of the linear guide, against a restoring force of the spring elements 90 by a metered pull on the cable 20 via the operating force of an operator.

[0089] The backstop 100 comprises an elongated profile strip 120 extending over at least a partial length of the guide profile 70, which has a labyrinth-like grooved track system 121. The grooved track system 121 interacts with an axially spring-loaded locking pin 110 as a locking member, which is freely rotatably attached to at least one carriage 41 via a pivot arm 111. As can be seen in particular from the illustration in Figure 7, the pivot arm 111 is rotatably attached to the carriage 42 via a pivot pin 114 on the side facing away from the linear guide profile 70. The locking pin 110 is attached to the end of the pivot arm 111 pointing downwards in Figure 5 and passes through an elongated hole 112 in the carriage 41 so that a leading end of the locking pin 110 engages in the groove track system 121.The locking pin 110 is held in engagement with the groove track system 121 or with the groove track labyrinth formed by it by means of a compression spring 113 under axial preload.

[0090] The groove track system 120 comprises, as can be seen in particular from the enlarged perspective view in Figure 6, two parallel, continuous, vertically extending groove tracks 122 a plurality of groove lanes 123 which form the vertically extending groove tracks

[0091] 122 and extend at an angle a to them. Each of the groove tracks is provided with a plurality of step-like steps, which form guide bevels 124 for the locking pin 110. The angle of the guide bevels 134 corresponds to the angle of the groove lanes

[0092] 123 .

[0093] The profile of the groove tracks 122 each comprises sliding ramps 125 that rise in the direction of the associated guide slopes 124, with the guide slopes 124 each forming a step. In the groove track 122 shown on the left in Figure 6, the sliding ramps 125 are each designed to rise downwards, whereas in the groove track 122 shown on the right in Figure 6, the sliding ramps 125 rise upwards.

[0094] If, for example, the second carriage 42 is moved downwards, the locking pin 110 which is pivotally connected to it is in engagement with the groove track 122 shown on the left in Figure 6. The locking pin 110 is held axially against the groove base of the groove track 122 by the compression spring 113 and slides over the sliding ramps 125 during a downward movement of the carriage 42, the locking pin undergoing an axial deflection against the compression spring 113. The locking pin 110 snaps back axially into its starting position after each sliding ramp 125 has been overcome. If the slide 42 is pulled up in the opposite direction in this position, the locking pin 110 engages with the guide bevel 124 arranged above it and slides through the relevant groove lane 123 into the groove track 122 running to the right in Figure 6.In this groove track 122, as already mentioned above, the sliding ramps 125 of the groove base are aligned so as to rise in opposite directions. If the locking pin 110 overcomes the relevant sliding ramp 125 during an upward movement of the carriage 42, it is guided through a groove channel 123 into the opposite groove track 122 during a downward movement of the carriage 42, i.e., when tension is again applied to the cable 20.

[0095] On one side of the profile strip 120, locking pockets 126 are arranged between the grooves 123. When the locking pin 110 is at the level of a locking pocket 126, an upward movement of the carriage 42 causes the locking pin 110 to be caught in the respective locking pocket and held under load. The locking pin 110 can follow the groove track system 121 or labyrinth thanks to its pivoting bearing.

[0096] In the described embodiment, the locking pockets 126 are assigned to the groove track 122 shown on the left in Figure 6, from which it follows that the groove alleys 123 rise in the direction of the parallel groove track 122 and the sliding ramps 125 of the groove track 122 shown on the left in Figure 6 rise downwards, whereas the sliding ramps 125 of the parallel groove track 122 rise upwards.

[0097] If the groove profile system or the profile strip is installed in the opposite direction, the groove track system 121 can be designed to be mirror-symmetrical.

[0098] The feeding system 10 according to the invention can have both a backstop 100 which is assigned to the second upper carriage 42 and a backstop 100 which is assigned to the first lower carriage and is designed accordingly.

[0099] List of reference symbols Feed system Cable First cable guide Second cable guide Third cable guide Cable guide frame Guide rollers Axles Support elements Stationary cable connection First carriage Second carriage Guide rollers of the carriage First displacement level Second displacement level Deflection axes Linear guide profile Profile belts First cable Second cable Deflection rollers Spring elements Deflection rollers Backstop Locking pin Swivel arm Slotted hole Compression spring Profile strip Groove track system Vertically continuous groove tracks Groove lanes Guide slopes Sliding ramps Locking pockets

Claims

Claims 1. Return stop (100) for a cable storage device with at least one fixed cable guide (31, 32, 33) which is linearly displaceable in and against the action of a restoring force on a linear guide via at least one slide (41, 42), in particular for a feed system (10) for cables, in particular for cables (20) for charging electric vehicles, the feed system (10) comprising at least one cable storage device and at least two displaceable cable guides (31, 32, 33) with guide rollers (35) arranged in a deflection curve for guiding a cable (20) placed on the cable guides (31, 32, 33) around a respective deflection axis (60) in at least one cable loop, wherein at least two cable guides (31, 32, 33) are each fastened to a linearly displaceably guided carriage (41, 42) and the carriages are displaceable relative to one another against a restoring force, wherein the return stop (100) comprises at least one locking pin (110) which is spring-loaded axially transversely to the direction of displacement of the carriage (41, 42) and which is arranged on the carriage (41, 42), the locking pin cooperates with a groove track system (121) on the linear guide and the groove track system (121) is designed such that a free displacement of the locking pin (110) in at least one groove track (122) against the restoring force is ensured during cable withdrawal and that a self-locking engagement of the locking pin (110) in a plurality of discrete locking positions along a longitudinal extension of the linear guide is provided.

2. Backstop according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking pin (110) is attached to a rotatably articulated pivot arm (111) on the carriage (41, 42) in such a way that it can follow at least one branch of at least one groove track (122) of the groove track system (121).

3. Backstop according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the groove track system (121) comprises at least a first and a second groove track extending parallel to one another in the direction of displacement of the carriages (41, 42), which are connected to one another via a plurality of groove lanes (123) spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the linear guide and furthermore has a plurality of locking pockets (126) spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the linear guide.

4. Backstop according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one groove track (122) has, preferably stepped, sliding ramps (125) which the locking pin (110) overcomes when guided in the groove track under axial displacement against the spring force, wherein the sliding ramps (125) each form guide slopes (124) in a groove alley (123) connecting the groove tracks (122).

5. Backstop according to one of claims 1 to 4 for a supply system for cables (20) for charging electric vehicles, comprising at least one Cable storage with at least two cable guides (31, 32, 33) with guide rollers (35) arranged in a deflection curve for guiding a cable (20) placed on the cable guides around a deflection axis (60) in at least one cable loop, wherein at least one of the cable guides (31, 32, 33) is fastened to a linearly displaceably guided carriage (41, 42) which can be displaced against a restoring force.

6. A feed system for cables (20) for charging electric vehicles, comprising at least one cable storage device with at least two cable guides (31, 32, 33) with guide rollers (35) arranged in a deflection curve for guiding a cable (20) placed on the cable guides around a deflection axis (60) in at least one cable loop, wherein at least one of the cable guides (31, 32, 33) is fastened to a linearly displaceably guided carriage (41, 42) which is displaceable against a restoring force, characterized by a return stop according to one of claims 1 to 4.

7. Feed system according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one carriage (41, 42) is subjected to a restoring force via at least one pulling system, preferably via at least one cable pulling system.

8. Feed system according to claim 7, characterized in that the pulling system comprises at least one pulling element which is attached to the carriage (41, 42) and is guided via a deflection.

9. Feed system according to claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the restoring force is generated as a spring force by means of at least one elongate spring element (90) which acts on at least one carriage (41, 42) to exert the restoring force, wherein the return stop (100) acting against the restoring force acts between the at least one carriage (41, 42) and the linear guide.

10. Feed system (10) for lines, in particular for cables (20) for charging electric vehicles, comprising at least one cable storage device with at least two cable guides (31, 32, 33) with guide rollers (35) arranged in a deflection arc for guiding at least one cable (20) placed on the cable guides (31, 32, 33) around a respective deflection axis (60) in at least one cable loop, wherein at least two cable guides (31, 32, 33) are fastened to two linearly displaceably guided carriages (41, 42) and the carriages (41, 42) can be displaced relative to one another in opposite directions and synchronously with one another against a restoring force.

11. Feed system (10) according to claim 10, characterized by at least one third cable guide, wherein at least two cable guides (31, 32, 33) are each displaceable in a first and a second displacement plane and the first and the second displacement plane (51, 52) extend parallel to one another and are arranged offset from one another in the direction of the deflection axis (60).

12. Feeding system according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that a first and a second Cable guide (31, 32) in the direction of action of the restoring force apart and can be moved towards each other against the direction of action of the restoring force.

13. Feed system according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that a third cable guide (33) is arranged stationary with respect to the first and the second cable guide.

14. Feed system according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the first and the second cable guide (31, 32) are each synchronously displaceable relative to one another and relative to one another relative to the third stationary cable guide (33).

15. Feeding system according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that a first and a second carriage (41, 42) are guided displaceably relative to one another in a linear guide.

16. Feeding system according to claim 15, characterized in that the carriages (41, 42) are connected to one another via at least one pulling system, preferably via at least one cable pulling system, which is designed to synchronize a displacement of the carriages upon actuation of the feeding system.

17. Feed system according to claim 16, characterized in that the pulling system comprises at least a first and a second pulling element, which are each attached to the first and the second carriage (41, 42) on opposite sides, wherein the first pulling element is guided via a first deflection and the second pulling element via a second deflection is .

18. Feed system according to one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that at least one, preferably at least two deflection rollers (83) are provided as the first and second deflection means, each of which is fastened to one end of the linear guide.

19. Feed system according to one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that the cable guides (31, 32, 33) each have a substantially semicircular cable guide frame (34) with axes (37) distributed over a circular arc defining the deflection arc, which axes each support at least one of the guide rollers (35).

20. Feed system according to one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that at least one cable guide (31, 32, 33) is formed as a guide track curved perpendicular to the direction of displacement, the angle of inclination of which corresponds to the axial offset between the first and second displacement planes (51, 52) is adjusted.

21. Feed system according to one of claims 10 to 20, characterized in that the restoring force is generated as a spring force by means of at least one elongate spring element (90) which acts on at least one carriage (41, 42) to exert the restoring force.

22. Feed system according to one of claims 10 to 21, characterized in that at least one return stop (100) acting against the restoring force for at least one cable guide (31, 32, 33) is provided which acts between at least one carriage (41, 42) and the linear guide.

23. Feeding system according to claim 22, characterized in that the backstop (100) comprises a plurality of discrete locking positions and a plurality of discrete release positions which can be selectively approached.

24. Feed system according to one of claims 22 or 23, characterized in that the backstop (100) comprises at least one axially spring-loaded locking pin (110) which is fastened to at least one carriage (41, 42), the locking pin (110) cooperates with a groove track system (121) on the linear guide and the groove track system (121) is designed such that a free displaceability of the locking pin (110) in at least one groove track (122) against the restoring force is ensured during cable withdrawal and that a self-locking engagement of the locking pin (110) is provided in a plurality of discrete locking positions along a longitudinal extent of the linear guide.

25. Feed system according to one of claims 23 or 24, characterized in that the locking pin (110) is fastened to a rotatably articulated pivot arm (111) on the carriage (41, 42) in such a way that it can follow at least one branch of at least one groove track (122) of the groove track system (121).

26. Feed system according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the groove track system (121) comprises at least a first and a second groove track (122) extending parallel to one another in the direction of displacement of the carriages, which are connected to one another via a plurality of groove lanes (123) spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the linear guide and further comprises a plurality of locking pockets (126) spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the linear guide.

27. Feed system according to one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that at least one groove track (122), preferably both groove tracks (122) have step-shaped sliding ramps (125) over which the locking pin (110) can slide under axial displacement against the spring force.

28. Feed system according to one of claims 10 to 27, characterized in that the linear guide is designed as a preferably vertically extending linear guide profile (70) which is designed as a guide frame or guide rail.

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