Overhead power cable management system

摘要

A power cable which connects to charge the battery power supply of an electric vehicle is suspended at a height generally above the vehicle and is automatically retractable. The operation of the power cable is automatically managed to provide a slack-free condition of the cable when the cable is moved in the extending and the retracting directions. The cable connector is easily accessible and the connector is positionable for ease of connection with the vehicle battery charging terminal. The cable management system for extending and retracting the overhead power cable employs a drive mechanism and a clutch assembly which are electronically controlled.

主权项

1. A power cable management system comprising:
a power cable; a motor which drives a shaft; a drive pulley mounted to said shaft and receiving said power cable; a clutch assembly operatively engageable with said shaft and transformable between a drive mode and a release mode; a controller which selectively controls a mode of said clutch assembly; a drive wheel operatively connected to said clutch assembly; a continuous belt driven by said drive wheel; a trolley mounting an idler pulley receiving said power cable and connected to said belt wherein said trolley is positionable by said belt; so that said power cable is moved in either an extending or retracting direction and when said clutch assembly is in a drive mode, said drive pulley, said trolley and said idler pulley are driven wherein said trolley and said idler pulley are correspondingly displaced to maintain a substantially continuous condition of said power cable when said power cable is moved in the extending and the retracting directions, and when said clutch assembly is in a release mode, said power cable can be pulled for extension.