Lacing engine systems, apparatus, and methods of operation are discussed. In an example, a lacing engine apparatus can include a housing, a drivetrain, and a lace take-up mechanism for retracting a length of lace cable upon activation. The drivetrain can include various reduction gears to reduce rotational speed out of the motor and power the lace take-up mechanism. The lace take-up mechanism can include structures such as a double-yoke, a radial pulley including an outer rotating disc and an inner stationary disc, a variable take-up spool, or a zip-strip mechanism.

A management system for an EV charging cable is provided. The management system can be used to manage a charging cable in a location where an EV is charged while also allowing the charging cable to be quickly and easily removed for storage or for use when charging in a different location. The management system may be configured to retract the charging cable in a controlled manner to prevent damage to the cable, the management system, or surrounding structures.

The specification discusses various lacing engine configurations for use in an automated footwear platform. For example, lacing engines with mechanisms to detect lace cable position and/or lace cable tensions are discussed. In an example, the lacing engine can include a housing, a lace spool and a detection mechanism. The lace spool can be at least partially disposed within the housing, and be adapted to collect a portion of the lace cable in response to rotation in a first direction during tightening of the footwear platform. The detection mechanism can detect a state of the lace cable manipulated by the lacing engine.

A guiding chain carrier system (1) is configured for an installation (2), for deploying and for storing without folding said guiding chain and flexible supply cables and/or pipelines. Said guiding chain carrier system comprises a mobile workstation (6) movable over a work surface (3) and connected to the said cables and/or pipelines, at least one guiding chain (20), connected to a static connection area (7) on one end and to the mobile workstation (6) on the other end thereof, for supporting said cables and/or pipelines; characterized by at least one compensation trolley (8), comprising a compensation system. Said compensation trolley (8) is movable and the compensation system is able to generate a resistance force in order to maintain the guiding chain (20) straight while the mobile workstation (6) moves from an operation location nearest the static connection area (7) until an operation location furthest from the static connection area (7).

A cable retractor includes a housing. A motorized drive section within the housing urges at least a segment of cable past the drive section. A chamber within the housing holds at least another segment of the cable that is stored freely without a specific arrangement of the cable. The motorized drive section urges the cable in a first direction to draw the at least another segment from the chamber, then past the motorized drive section, and then through an external opening in the housing to outside. The motorized drive urges the cable in a second, opposing direction to draw the another segment through the external opening in the housing from outside, then past the motorized drive section, and then into the chamber, the another segment being urged freely into the chamber without a specific arrangement of the cable in the chamber.

Lacing engine systems, apparatus, and methods of operation are discussed. In an example, a lacing engine apparatus can include a housing, a drivetrain, and a lace take-up mechanism for retracting a length of lace cable upon activation. The drivetrain can include various reduction gears to reduce rotational speed out of the motor and power the lace take-up mechanism. The lace take-up mechanism can include structures such as a double-yoke, a radial pulley including an outer rotating disc and an inner stationary disc, a variable take-up spool, or a zip-strip mechanism.

A charging robot for charging an electrical energy store of a vehicle, includes a supporting structure, at least one wheel which is fastened rotatably to the supporting structure, a drive unit which is fastened to the supporting structure and with which the wheel can be driven, a first receiving compartment which is fastened to the supporting structure or is formed by the supporting structure, and a second receiving compartment which is fastened to the supporting structure or is formed by the supporting structure. The first receiving compartment and the second receiving compartment are arranged next to each other. A lifting device is arranged in the first receiving compartment and has a contact portion fastened thereto. The contact portion is connectable in an electrically transmitting manner to a mating contact portion of the vehicle. A charging cable is conductively connected to the contact portion.

A device for storing at least one cable, in particular a cable retractor, includes: a housing; at least one receiving piston that extends in the housing, preferably rectilinearly; at least one deflection roller that is mounted axially rotatably on the at least one receiving piston and is intended to guide cables; and at least one discharge valve for discharging air between a lower side of the at least one receiving piston and the housing into an outer region of the device. The device also includes at least one admission valve for admitting air from the outer region of the device into the region between the lower side of the at least one receiving piston and the housing.

A cord management system for a cabinet or other similar furniture, appliances, or other applications include a conduit. A cord management weight is disposed within the conduit. The cord management weight includes a cord receiving portion and a weight locking feature. The cord receiving portion is configured to receive a portion of an electrical cord of an electronic device. The weight locking feature is configured to selectively prevent translational movement of the cord management weight within the conduit. The cord management weight is configured to be selectively retracted into the conduit and locked into position within the conduit.

A microwave cooking appliance having power management. The appliance may include at least one cord positionable between at least one stowed position to at least one deployed position. The appliance may include one or more strain relief members stopping the deployment of the cord. The microwave cooking appliance may include a cord housing. The microwave cooking appliance may include a pulley engaging the cord. The microwave cooking appliance may include a biasing member engaging the pulley and/or cord. The microwave cooking appliance may include a pin and slot engagement engaging the pulley and/or cord.