DEVICE FOR STORING AT LEAST ONE CABLE

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A device for storing at least one cable, in particular cable retractor, comprising: a housing, at least one receiving piston guided in the housing, preferably rectilinearly, at least one deflection roller, mounted axially rotatably on the at least one receiving piston, for guiding 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, wherein at least one admission valve is provided 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.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one receiving piston is arranged in the housing via at least one clearance fit, preferably wherein the at least one clearance fit is formed substantially fluid-tight between an inner wall of the housing and at least one lateral surface of the at least one receiving piston and/or the inner wall is formed geometrically corresponding to the at least one lateral surface and/or the at least one receiving piston is guided via at least one rail arrangement and/or at least one rolling body system in the housing and/or at least one sealing element is arranged between the inner wall and the at least one lateral surface of the at least one receiving piston and/or the housing is formed in the form of at least one shaped tube, preferably closed on an underside.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one admission valve and/or the at least one discharge valve is formed in the form of a non-return valve.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one admission valve and/or the at least one discharge valve is arranged on a lower region of the housing.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one admission valve is arranged on the lower side of the at least one receiving piston.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cable can be secured against a lowering of the receiving piston in a second position outside the housing via a cable brake.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cover is arranged on an upper side of the at least one receiving piston and/or on the device.

8. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one admission valve is arranged on the underside of the housing for admitting air substantially without resistance and the at least one admission valve seals the housing against a discharge of air.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one discharge valve is arranged on a lower region of a lateral surface of the housing for discharging air and the at least one discharge valve seals the housing against an admission of air.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein due to gravity the at least one receiving piston can be lowered in the housing, preferably with the at least one cable located therein and guided around the at least one deflection roller.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one drive is provided for lowering and/or raising the at least one receiving piston in the housing, preferably with the at least one cable located therein and guided around the at least one deflection roller and/or wherein the at least one drive is formed in the form of at least one energy storage mechanism and/or at least one air pump and/or with at least one magnet.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein a lowering of the at least one receiving piston in the housing can be slowed down via an air resistance, wherein it is preferably provided that the air resistance can be set via the at least one discharge valve.

13. The device according to claim 2, wherein the lowering of the at least one receiving piston in the housing can be slowed down by an air cushion, wherein the air cushion is formed by a volume between the underside of the housing and the lower side of the at least one receiving piston when the at least one discharge valve is concealed.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one receiving piston can be raised by a pulling on a second end of the at least one cable and/or the at least one cable is guided over the at least one deflection roller in at least one indentation, preferably in the form of a substantially semi-circular groove.

15. The device according to claim 2, wherein a sliding friction and/or a static friction of the at least one receiving piston during the lowering and/or raising and/or in a stationary position of the at least one receiving piston can be set via the at least one clearance fit of the at least one receiving piston in the housing.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the at least one deflection roller and a cable thickness lies in the range of from 5 to 50, preferably in the range of from 10 to 20.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein: a first end of the at least one cable crosses the second end of the at least one cable above the at least one deflection roller and/or the at least one cable is arranged between the at least one deflection roller and the at least one receiving piston substantially over a half circumference of the at least one deflection roller and/or the at least one cable can be detachably fastened on the housing in a first position outside the housing.

18. The device according to claim 1 with at least one, in particular electronic, cable.

19. A piece of furniture, in particular table, with at least one device according to claim 1.

20. The piece of furniture according to claim 19, wherein the at least one device is arranged in at least one recess and/or at least one foot of the piece of furniture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail in the following with the aid of the description of the figures with reference to the embodiments represented in the drawings. There are shown in:

[0085] FIG. 1a a cable retractor according to a first preferred embodiment with a cable, an admission valve arranged on a receiving piston, a discharge valve and the receiving piston in a low position, schematically represented in a view from the front and from the side with visible internal contours,

[0086] FIG. 1b a cable retractor according to a second preferred embodiment with a cable, a discharge valve, an admission valve arranged on a housing and a receiving piston in a low position, schematically represented in a view from the front and from the side with visible internal contours,

[0087] FIG. 2a the cable retractor according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a with the receiving piston in a partially raised position,

[0088] FIG. 2b the cable retractor according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1b with the receiving piston in a partially raised position,

[0089] FIG. 3a the cable retractor according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a with the receiving piston in a high position,

[0090] FIG. 3b the cable retractor according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1b with the receiving piston in a high position,

[0091] FIG. 4 a detail section of a lower region of the cable retractor according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1b,

[0092] FIG. 5 a cable retractor according to a third preferred embodiment with a cable, a discharge valve, an admission valve arranged on a housing as well as an admission valve arranged on a receiving piston in a perspective view with visible internal contours,

[0093] FIG. 6a a piece of furniture in the form of a table with two cable retractors in a perspective schematic view,

[0094] FIG. 6b a piece of furniture in the form of a modular construction insert with a cable retractor in a perspective schematic view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0095] FIG. 1a shows a device 1 in the form of a cable retractor 1, comprising a housing 2 in the form of a shaped tube 4 closed on an underside 3, a receiving piston 5 arranged in an accurately fitting manner in the housing 2 and a deflection roller 6 mounted axially rotatably in the receiving piston 5.

[0096] The cable retractor 1 is represented in two views, rotated by 90 degrees about a vertical axis.

[0097] The position of the discharge valve 11 on the housing 2 determines the size of a damping air cushion 18 in combination with the geometry of the lower side 19 of the receiving piston.

[0098] The type of the admission valve 10 and of the discharge valve 11 is generally as desired. However, a non-return valve 34 is particularly preferred as a flow of air is made possible only in one direction.

[0099] A cover 15 is arranged on the cable retractor 1 and has two openings for the cable 7 to enter into and, respectively, exit from the cable retractor 1. However, a cover 15 can also be arranged on an upper side 16 of the receiving piston 5.

[0100] The cable 7 is guided over the at least one deflection roller 6 in at least one indentation 21, wherein the indentation 21 is formed in the form of a semi-circular groove 22.

[0101] The cable 7 can be detachably fastened in a first position 12 outside the housing 2 and secured against a lowering of the receiving piston 5 in a second position 13 outside the housing 2 via a cable brake 14 (arranged to the left of a cover 15 in the representation).

[0102] The cable retractor 1 is located in a substantially completely lowered position in the shaped tube 4, wherein this corresponds substantially to the lowest position of the receiving piston 5.

[0103] The receiving piston 5 can be raised by a pulling on a second end 20 of the cable 7. The force fit is provided for example by a blocking of the cable brake 14 or a fastening of the first end 29 of the cable, wherein the deflection roller 6 is raised against gravity vertically upwards in the housing 2 by a pull on the second end 20 via the guiding of the cable 7 around the substantially half circumference 8. Through a mounting of the deflection roller 6 on the receiving piston 5, the latter is also manoeuvred in a vertical direction—guided along an inner wall 17a (not represented for the sake of clarity).

[0104] A first end 29 of the cable 7 crosses the second end 20 of the cable 7 above the deflection roller 6 and protects the cable 7 through a smaller curvature of the cable 7 during exit from the housing 2.

[0105] Once the device 1 has been put into operation, the cable 7 is guided around the deflection roller 6 into the housing 2 via the housing side opposite the entry of the cable 7. The exit of the cable 7 from the housing 2 takes place after a guiding of the cable 7 around the substantially half circumference 8 of the deflection roller 6, because the cable 7 crosses the cable length already located in the housing 2 laterally offset and exits at the side opposite the entry position of the cable 7.

[0106] Putting the device 1 into operation can be effected in a user-friendly manner with a deflection roller 6 located outside the housing 2, wherein the deflection roller 6 is then inserted into the housing 2 again.

[0107] However, an installed device 1 with cable 7 can generally also comprise a guiding of the cable 7 without crossing cable lengths or another type of cable guiding.

[0108] FIG. 1b differs from FIG. 1a only in the arrangement of the admission valve 10. The admission valve 10 is arranged not on the lower side 19 of the receiving piston 5 but on the underside 3 of the housing 2.

[0109] The first end 29 of the cable 7 points in the direction of the image plane and the second end 20 of the cable 7 points normal to the image plane.

[0110] FIG. 2a shows the cable retractor 1 according to FIG. 1a. Due to gravity the receiving piston 5 can be lowered in the housing 2 with the cable 7 located therein and guided around the deflection roller 6. The mass of the receiving piston 5, the deflection roller 6 and the cable length that is located in the cable retractor 1 or substantially free above the housing 2 is accelerated by gravity in the direction of the underside 3 of the housing 2 and slowed down by the air underneath a lower side 19 of the receiving piston 5.

[0111] During a raising process of the receiving piston 5 via a pull on the cable 7, air flows via the at least one admission valve 10 from an outer region 26 of the device 1 into the space between the lower side 19 of the receiving piston 5 and the housing 2.

[0112] In the embodiment with an admission valve 10 arranged on the receiving piston 5 it can be necessary for the outer region 26 to be connected, for example via the openings in the cover 15, to a region in the housing 2—above the receiving piston 5—for air exchange. The orientation of the admission valve 10 can be adapted to the circumstances of the cable retractor 1.

[0113] During a lowering process of the receiving piston 5 caused by gravity, wherein the cable 7 is partially pulled into the housing 2 of the cable retractor 1, air flows via the at least one discharge valve 11 from a region between a lower side 19 of the receiving piston 5 and the housing 2 into the outer region 26 of the cable retractor 1.

[0114] The outer region 26 can be connected, for example via an opening in the cover 15, to an inner region of the cable retractor 1, which is arranged above the receiving piston 5 in the usage position, in order to guarantee the air exchange to a large degree in the case of an air-tight sealed underside 3 of the shaped tube 4.

[0115] The cable 7 fixes the receiving piston 5 in the vertical direction relative to the housing 2 via the deflection roller 6.

[0116] The cable retractor 1 is represented in a partially lowered position of the receiving piston 5 with a cable 7 partially pulled in on one side.

[0117] The lowering of the receiving piston 5 in the housing 2 can be slowed down by an air cushion 18, wherein the air cushion 18 is formed by a volume between the underside 3 of the housing 2 and a lower side 19 of the receiving piston 5 when the discharge valve 11 is concealed.

[0118] The position of the lower side 19 and of the underside 3 is defined by a usage position in which the at least one receiving piston 5 can be lowered vertically.

[0119] The underside 3 of the housing 2 can here relate to the housing 2 in the form of a shaped tube 4, or can generally denote a lower seal of the housing 2.

[0120] During the lowering process of the at least one receiving piston 5 in the housing 2 air can exit via the at least one discharge valve 11 into the outer region 26 of the device 1. In the position in which the lower side 19 conceals the at least one discharge valve 11, air is prevented from exiting from the region between the lower side 19 and the underside 3, whereby the air cushion 18 is formed.

[0121] The air cushion 18 is compressed by a further lowering of the at least one receiving piston 5 and brings about, because of a compression process, a damping force directed against a downward movement of the at least one receiving piston 5 onto the at least one receiving piston 5, which brings the at least one receiving piston 5 gently to a stop.

[0122] If the at least one discharge valve 11 is arranged closer in the direction of the underside 3, an air cushion 18 with a smaller extent forms, whereby a braking process of the at least one receiving piston 5 is performed more quickly. In the case of a fixed housing length, the cable length to be stowed in the cable retractor 1 is thereby increased, as the at least one receiving piston 5 can be lowered further in the housing 2. Conversely, a discharge valve 11 arranged higher on the housing 2 makes a more harmonic braking process possible in the lowering process of the at least one receiving piston 5 through an air cushion 18 with a larger extent.

[0123] FIG. 2b differs from FIG. 2a only in the arrangement of the admission valve 10.

[0124] FIG. 3a shows the cable retractor 1 with a receiving piston 5, wherein the receiving piston 5 is arranged just short of its highest position in the housing 2.

[0125] A lowering of the at least one receiving piston 5 in the housing 2 can be slowed down via an air resistance, wherein the air resistance can be set via the discharge valve 11.

[0126] The quantity of air volume flowing out per unit of time can be adjusted via the discharge valve 11. The air resistance forming, which acts in a braking manner on the lowering movement of the receiving piston 5, can be controlled thereby.

[0127] An arrangement of the at least one discharge valve 11 on the underside 3 is likewise possible, but in this design embodiment the receiving piston 5 is slowed down in its lowering process via the air resistance of the lowering components in the housing and the delayed flow of the air out of the at least one discharge valve 11, and an air cushion 18 is not formed.

[0128] A small amount of sliding friction, which arises during a lowering process of the receiving piston 5, can likewise damp the movement of the receiving piston 5. However, the sliding friction is not to inhibit the movement of the receiving piston 5 and is not to require a large effort during the movement of the receiving piston 5.

[0129] If, in the lowering process, the receiving piston 5 interacts with the air cushion 18 forming as a result, the air cushion 18 has a damping effect on the vertical movement of the receiving piston and causes a gentle stopping of the receiving piston 5 without abrupt application of force on the components involved in the movement.

[0130] FIG. 3b differs from FIG. 3a only in the arrangement of the admission valve 10.

[0131] FIG. 4 shows a detail of the cable retractor 1 according to FIG. 1b represented enlarged.

[0132] The receiving piston 5 is guided in the housing by a suitable fit, wherein the fit is chosen such that a raising and lowering of the receiving piston 5 in the housing 2 is guaranteed without increased effort and without undesired exit and entry of air between the lower side 19 of the receiving piston 5 and the housing 2 in the direction of an outer region 26. However, the receiving piston 5 in the housing 2 can generally also be guided for example by a rail arrangement or another type of guiding system such as rolling bodies between receiving piston 5 and housing 2.

[0133] The shape of the lower side 19 is generally as desired. The lower side 19 can be designed for example concave or convex.

[0134] The lateral surface 25 of the receiving piston 5 is designed geometrically corresponding to the inner wall 17a. However, the guiding of the receiving piston 5 can also be implemented via a rail arrangement (not represented) and/or a rolling body system in the housing 2.

[0135] The at least one deflection roller 6 can be arranged completely or in regions in the at least one receiving piston 5 or outside on the at least one receiving piston 5. The at least one deflection roller 6 can be connected, for example via separate bearings, to the at least one receiving piston 5.

[0136] The embodiment in which the at least one deflection roller 6 protrudes freely from the at least one receiving piston 5 via an axial mounting in regions is particularly preferred, as the weight of the at least one receiving piston 5 can be reduced thereby.

[0137] A cable 7 is arranged between the deflection roller 6 and the receiving piston 5 substantially over a half circumference 8 of the deflection roller 6.

[0138] The type of cable 7 is generally as desired. However, it is particularly preferably an electronic cable 7 for powering electronic devices.

[0139] An admission valve 10 for admitting air and a discharge valve 11 for discharging air are arranged on a lower region 9 of the housing 2.

[0140] The side on which the at least one discharge valve 11 is arranged on the housing 2 is as desired.

[0141] The admission valve 10 on the underside 3 of the housing 2 is arranged for admitting air substantially without resistance and the admission valve 10 seals the housing 2 against a discharge of air.

[0142] The discharge valve 11 is arranged on a lower region 9 of a lateral surface 17 of the housing 2 for discharging air and the discharge valve 11 seals the housing 2 against an admission of air.

[0143] Both the admission valve 10 and the discharge valve 11 are formed as non-return valves 34.

[0144] A sliding friction and/or a static friction of the at least one receiving piston 5 during the lowering and/or raising can be set via an accuracy of fit of the receiving piston 5 in the housing 2.

[0145] The accuracy of fit indicates the lateral distance present between the receiving piston 5 and the housing 2. If the distance present is smaller, the sliding friction and static friction acting between the receiving piston 5 and the housing 2 also increases. If, on the other hand, the distance present is larger, the vertical movement of the receiving piston 5 in the housing 2 brings about a smaller sliding friction and static friction, as the interaction of the contacting surfaces turns out to be less than in the case of a smaller distance present.

[0146] It can also be provided that the sliding friction and/or the static friction of the receiving piston 5 in the housing 2 can be set via a distance between the cable 7 guided around the deflection roller 6 and the receiving piston 5 and/or a condition of a cable jacket.

[0147] The condition of the cable jacket causes, through the material-specific characteristics, a specific sliding friction coefficient and a specific static friction coefficient, which can be chosen to be larger or smaller via the material of the cable jacket.

[0148] A ratio of a diameter 27 of the at least one deflection roller 6 and a cable thickness 28 in the region is approximately 15. The ratio of approximately 15 is favourable for a cable retractor 1 with both a small mass and a cable guiding in which the cable 7 is not subjected to the risk of damage due to high deformations.

[0149] There is a clearance fit 23 which has a small lateral play between the receiving piston 5 and the inner wall 17a. This lateral play makes the vertical movement of the receiving piston 5 possible, without having to overcome a high friction force between the receiving piston 5 and the housing 2. However, the lateral play is not large enough to allow air to flow unimpeded from the lower side 19 into the outer region 26 of the device. An unimpeded air exchange can cause an undesired lowering process of the receiving piston 5.

[0150] A sealing element 24 (not represented for the sake of clarity) between the receiving piston 5 and the inner wall 17a can additionally prevent air from exiting from the region between the lower side 19 and the underside 3.

[0151] For the additional damping of the lowering process of the receiving piston 5, a damping element 30 is arranged between the lower side 19 of the receiving piston 5 and the underside 3 of the housing 2. In general, several damping elements 30 can also be present. A condition of the damping element 30 is generally as desired and can be formed for example in the form of an elastically easily deformable material and/or comprise a fluid store.

[0152] FIG. 5 shows a cable retractor 1 with two admission valves 10, wherein one admission valve 10 is arranged on the lower side 19 of the receiving piston 5 and one admission valve 10 is arranged on the underside 3 of the housing 2 in the form of a shaped tube 4 closed on the underside 3. An air exchange from an outer region 26 into the region between the underside 3 and the lower side 19 is particularly favourable as a result. Air can exit via the cover 15 into the outer region 26 from a region between the upper side 16 of the receiving piston 5, and vice versa.

[0153] The shaped tube 4 can generally be formed in one piece or composed of several shaped tube sections, as is shown in this embodiment. The shaped tube 4 can also have a convex or concave shape in regions or completely. The shaped tube 4 can have for example a rectangular, circular, ellipsoidal or polygonal cross section.

[0154] The shape of the deflection roller 6 is generally as desired. For example, the deflection roller can be provided with radial support struts or be formed continuous.

[0155] Through a rotatable mounting of the deflection roller 6, substantially no sliding friction between the cable 7 and the deflection roller 6 acts during the vertical movement of the receiving piston 5 due to a rotatability of the deflection roller 6, as a result of which the life of the cable 7 is increased.

[0156] The deflection roller 6 is arranged on the receiving piston 5 via two rotatable mountings. However, the deflection roller 6 can generally also be arranged on the receiving piston 5 for example via a pivot bearing or an axle.

[0157] The cable retractor 1 comprises a discharge valve 11 in the form of a non-return valve 34, wherein the discharge valve is arranged on a lower region 9 of the housing 2.

[0158] Through the admission valve 10 on the underside 3 of the housing 2, an adjustment of the inflowing airflow during the raising process of the receiving piston 5 in the housing 2 is also made possible in the installed state of the cable retractor 1.

[0159] As a support for the lowering process of the receiving piston 5 caused by gravity, at least one drive (not represented for the sake of clarity) can be provided in the form of at least one energy storage mechanism and/or at least one air pump and/or with at least one magnet. The at least one drive can also assist the raising process of the receiving piston 5 against gravity. A smaller effort for moving the receiving piston 5 is guaranteed thereby.

[0160] The at least one drive can also be used for a horizontal or slanting usage position of the cable retractor 1. In the horizontal usage position, it is essentially not gravity that acts during the lowering process and raising process of the receiving piston 5, but the at least one drive. In the case of a slanting usage position the lowering process and/or the raising process of the receiving piston 5 can be assisted by the at least one drive. However, a slanting usage position without a drive is also possible.

[0161] FIG. 6a shows a piece of furniture 35 in the form of a table 36 with two cable retractors 1. One cable retractor 1 is arranged in a recess 37 of the table 36. The position of the cable retractor 1 on the piece of furniture 35 is generally as desired.

[0162] The second cable retractor 1 is arranged without a recess 37 on a side of the piece of furniture 35. However, the cable retractor 1 can also be arranged in a foot 38 of the table 36 and/or replace the foot 38 of the table 36. The cable retractor 1 can be arranged concealed in the piece of furniture 35 or on the outside.

[0163] FIG. 6b shows a cable retractor 1 in a piece of furniture 35 in the form of a modular construction insert 39. Several cable retractors 1 can also be arranged on the modular construction insert 39. This piece of furniture 35 can be used individually in a furniture group in order to be able to respond to the specific needs of the space, to necessarily accessible cable lengths in the space as well as to cable lengths present in the cable retractor 1 with the position of the piece of furniture 35.

[0164] The cable retractor 1 can generally also be integrated in a wall and/or a cable channel. The cable retractor 1 can generally also be arranged for example in a standard lamp or decorative objects in the space. The cable retractor 1 can also be arranged for example in mobile implements such as a stand for a mobile microphone or be used for connection cables for mobile speakers.

[0165] The cable retractor 1 can also generally act as a pull-out for charging cables and/or USB cables in pieces of furniture 35, kitchens or further rooms. The cable retractor 1 can also be provided in charging columns for mobile phones, tablet computers, headphones, computers in the private and/or public sphere. Unneeded cable lengths can thus be stowed in the housing in an aesthetically appealing manner and a reduced safety risk for risk groups such as children or pets is additionally provided by the cable retractor 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0166] Device (1) [0167] Housing (2) [0168] Underside (3) [0169] Shaped tube (4) [0170] Receiving piston (5) [0171] Deflection roller (6) [0172] Cable (7) [0173] Half circumference (8) [0174] Lower region (9) [0175] Admission valve (10) [0176] Discharge valve (11) [0177] First position (12) [0178] Second position (13) [0179] Cable brake (14) [0180] Cover (15) [0181] Upper side (16) [0182] Lateral surface (17) of the housing [0183] Inner wall (17a) [0184] Air cushion (18) [0185] Lower side (19) [0186] Second end (20) [0187] Indentation (21) [0188] Groove (22) [0189] Clearance fit (23) [0190] Sealing element (24) [0191] Lateral surface (25) of the receiving piston [0192] Outer region (26) [0193] Diameter (27) [0194] Cable thickness (28) [0195] First end (29) [0196] Damping element (30) [0197] Non-return valve (34) [0198] Piece of furniture (35) [0199] Table (36) [0200] Recess (37) [0201] Foot (38) [0202] Modular construction insert (39)