U.S. patent application number 12/135112 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for cable winding mechanism with reduced friction.
This patent application is currently assigned to DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.. Invention is credited to Wen-Ching Wu.
Application Number | 20090140093 12/135112 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40674736 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090140093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Wen-Ching |
June 4, 2009 |
CABLE WINDING MECHANISM WITH REDUCED FRICTION
Abstract
A cable winding mechanism with reduced friction includes a
cable, a case, a reel disc, a spring device, a roller and a
friction-reducing member. The case includes a first case element
and a second case element, wherein a cable locking structure is
formed in an inner surface of the second case element. The reel
disc has a confining groove. The roller is movable along the
confining groove of the reel disc. When a pulling operation of the
cable causes the roller to move in the cable locking structure of
the second case element, a desired length of the cable is pulled
out and locked. When the roller is detached from the cable locking
structure, the cable pulled outside the case is rewound on the reel
disc. The friction-reducing member is disposed on the reel disc for
reducing friction during the process of pulling out or rewinding
the cable.
Inventors: |
Wu; Wen-Ching; (Taoyuan
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIRTON AND MCCONKIE
60 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE,, SUITE 1800
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Assignee: |
DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
Taoyuan Hsien
TW
|
Family ID: |
40674736 |
Appl. No.: |
12/135112 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/371 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2701/34 20130101;
B65H 75/4434 20130101; B65H 75/4449 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/371 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/48 20060101
B65H075/48 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 4, 2007 |
TW |
096146167 |
Claims
1. A cable winding mechanism with reduced friction, said cable
winding mechanism comprising: a cable; a case including a first
case element and a second case element, wherein a cable locking
structure is formed in an inner surface of said second case
element; a reel disc disposed between said first case element and
said second case element for winding said cable thereon, wherein
said reel disc has a confining groove; a spring device arranged
between said first case element and said reel disc; a roller
movable along said confining groove of said reel disc, wherein a
desired length of said cable is pulled out and locked when a
pulling operation of said cable causes said roller to move in said
cable locking structure of said second case element, and said cable
pulled outside said case is rewound on said reel disc when said
roller is detached from said cable locking structure; and a
friction-reducing member disposed on said reel disc for reducing
friction during the process of pulling out or rewinding said
cable.
2. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said
first case element and said second case element are combined
together via an ultrasonic welding technology.
3. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 1 further
comprising two connectors respectively coupled to both ends of said
cable.
4. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 3 further
comprising: multiple first protrusion pieces formed on opposite
sides of said first case element; and multiple second protrusion
pieces formed on corresponding locations of the inner surfaces of
the second case element, wherein said first protrusion pieces and
said second protrusion pieces are partially sustained against said
connectors such that said connectors at both ends of said cable are
partially accommodated within said case.
5. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 1 further
comprising: multiple first concave portions formed on opposite
sidewall of said first case element; and multiple second concave
portions formed on opposite sidewall of said second case element
corresponding to said first concave portions, wherein said first
concave portions and said second concave portions cooperatively
define multiple depressions when said first case element and said
second case element are combined together.
6. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said
second case element further includes a channel and a curved trough,
said cable locking structure adjacent to said channel for anchoring
said roller, and said curved trough disposed adjacent to said cable
locking structure and in communication with one end of said channel
for restraining a movable range of said roller.
7. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 1 wherein a spool
is extended from an inner surface of said first case element for
securing said spring device and said reel disc thereon, a coupling
part is disposed on said spool, and a longitudinal gap is cut
through said spool.
8. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said
spring device is a spiral spring having an anchoring end engaged
with said longitudinal gap of said spool.
9. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 7 wherein a
thread aperture is formed in the center of said spool and a hole is
formed in said second case element corresponding to said thread
aperture.
10. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 9 further
comprising a tightness adjusting element, which is penetrated
through said hole of said second case element and then screwed in
said thread aperture of said spool, for controlling degree of
tightness of pulling out or rewinding said cable.
11. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 7 wherein a
retaining opening is formed in the center of said reel disc, and
said reel disc is sheathed around said spool through said retaining
opening such that said reel disc is fixed on said first case
element.
12. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 11 wherein said
friction-reducing member includes a ring-shaped article, which is
sheathed around said coupling part of said spool of said first case
element and embedded within and contacted with said retaining
opening of said reel disc, for reducing the friction between said
reel disc and said spool upon rotation of said reel disc.
13. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 12 wherein said
ring-shaped article is a metallic ring.
14. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said
reel disc further includes a top plate and a sidewall substantially
perpendicular to said top plate.
15. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 14 wherein said
reel disc further includes: a clamping part disposed on an inner
surface of said top plate and in the vicinity of said sidewall such
that said cable inside said reel disc is clamped between said
clamping part and said sidewall; and a first cable groove and a
second cable groove formed at opposite sides of said sidewall,
wherein a portion of said cable is supported in said first cable
groove and said second cable groove and received within said reel
disc, so that said cable extended outside said reel disc is wound
around an upper portion and a lower portion of said reel disc to
respectively define a first winding cable set and a second winding
cable set.
16. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 15 wherein
multiple fastening recesses are formed in said sidewall of said
reel disc, and said friction-reducing member includes a partition
plate having a hollow portion in the center thereof and multiple
protrusion pieces corresponding to said fastening recesses.
17. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 16 wherein said
partition plate is sheathed around and fixed onto said reel disc
when said protrusion pieces are engaged with said fastening
recesses, so that said first winding cable set is separated from
said second winding cable set by said partition plate.
18. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 15 wherein a
notch is formed in said sidewall of said reel disc and arranged
between said first cable groove and said second cable groove, and
said spring device has a hooking end engaged with said sidewall of
said reel disc between said notch and said first cable groove or
said second cable groove.
19. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 14 wherein said
friction-reducing member includes at least one salient, which is
arranged on said top plate of said reel disc and contacted with
said second case element, for reducing the friction between said
reel disc and said second case element upon rotation of said reel
disc.
20. The cable winding mechanism according to claim 14 wherein said
friction-reducing member includes a least one salient, which is
arranged on said a bottom periphery of said sidewall of said reel
disc and contacted with said first case element, for reducing the
friction between said reel disc and said first case element upon
rotation of said reel disc.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a cable winding mechanism,
and more particularly to a cable winding mechanism with reduced
friction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] With increasing development of high technology industries,
electronics devices such as notebook computers, phones, digital
cameras and the like are widely used in our daily lives.
Conventionally, these electronic devices are communicated with the
power source via the linkage of power cables or communicated with
other electronic devices via the linkage of signal cables. In other
words, power cables and signal cables are utilized as transmission
media for transmitting power and signals, respectively. Since these
cables have several meters in length, it is critical to gather
these cables for storage. Recently, many cable winding mechanisms
have been proposed to wind cables for storage.
[0003] For example, a USB cable adapter with a cable winding
mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,328 and the contents
thereof are hereby incorporated by reference. FIGS. 1A and 1B are
respectively schematic assembled and exploded views illustrating
the USB cable adapter disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,328. The USB
cable adapter of FIGS. 1A and 1B principally includes a USB
connector 10, a signal connector 11 and a cable winding mechanism
12. The USB connector 10 is coupled to an electronic device having
a USB interface (e.g. a computer host). The signal connector 11 is
coupled to an electronic device having a signal connecting
interface (e.g. a digital camera or a charger).
[0004] The cable winding mechanism 12 is interconnected between the
USB connector 10 and the signal connector 11. The cable winding
mechanism 12 includes a case 121, a reel disc 122, a roller 123, a
spiral spring 124 and a cable 125.
[0005] The case 121 comprises a first case element 1211 and a
second case element 1212. A spool 1213 is extended from an inner
surface of the first case element 1211 for securing the reel disc
122 thereon. A longitudinal gap 1214 is cut through the spool 1213
for anchoring the spiral spring 124 onto the spool 1213 such that
the spiral spring 124 is fixed between the first case element 1211
and the reel disc 122. In addition, a confining groove 1215 is
formed in the an inner surface of the second case element 1212 such
that the roller 123 is moveable along the confining groove 1215
after the first case element 1211 and the second case element 1212
are combined together.
[0006] The reel disc 122 is rotatable for winding the cable 125. A
channel 1221, a guiding groove 1222 and a curved trough 1223 are
formed in the outer surface of the reel disc 122. The guiding
groove 1222 is disposed adjacent to the curved trough 1223 for
anchoring the roller 123. The curved trough 1223 is disposed
adjacent to the guiding groove 1222 and in communication with one
end of the channel 1221 for restraining the movable range of the
roller 123.
[0007] One end of the cable 125 is coupled to the USB connector 10,
the other end thereof is coupled to the signal connector 11, and
the intermediate portion thereof is wound inside of the reel disc
122. In response to pulling forces exerted on the USB connector 10
and the signal connector 11, the reel disc 122 and the spiral
spring 124 are rotated counterclockwise such that the roller 123
moves in the channel 1221 toward the curved trough 1223. At the
same time, the spiral spring 124 is being deformed. A sudden
release of the pulling forces will cause the roller 123 to move in
the guiding groove 1222 such that the reel disc 122 stops rotating
and the cable 125 is locked. In other words, a user can lock the
cable 125 by releasing the cable 125 after a desired length of the
cable 125 has been pulled from the reel disc 122. Again, a
continuous pulling operation of the cable 125 from the locked
position will cause the roller 123 to move from the guiding groove
1222 to the channel 1221. Eventually, a release of the cable 125
causes the roller 123 to move in the guiding groove 1222 again for
locking.
[0008] For rewinding the cable 125, the use may slightly pull the
cable 125 to cause the roller 123 to clear from the guiding groove
1222. Next, a release of the cable 125 causes the compressed spiral
spring 124 to release its stored energy to rotate the reel disc 122
clockwise. As a consequence, the cable 125 is completely rewound on
the reel disc 122 if no stopping action is taken.
[0009] Although the cable winding mechanism 12 can wind the cable
125 for storage, there are still some drawbacks. For example,
during the process of pulling or rewinding the cable 125,
considerable friction is readily generated between the adjacent
layers of the cable 125 wound around the reel disc 122, between the
reel disc 122 and the case 121, and/or between the reel disc 122
and the spool 1213. Due to the friction, these components are
abraded. Under this circumstance, the utility of the cable winding
mechanism 12 is reduced and the touch feel of operating the cable
winding mechanism 12 is impaired. On the other hand, the adjacent
layers of the cable 125 wound around the reel disc 122 may be
entangled with each other, so that the use life of the cable
winding mechanism 12 is reduced.
[0010] To overcome the disadvantages of the prior art described
above, the present invention provides a cable winding mechanism
with reduced friction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cable
winding mechanism for reducing the friction generated between the
adjacent layers of the cable wound around the reel disc, between
the reel disc and the case, and/or between the reel disc and the
spool during the process of pulling or rewinding the cable. Due to
the reduced friction, the pulling force required to pull out the
cable is decreased and the problem of causing abrasion is
minimized.
[0012] Another object of present invention provides a power cable
winding mechanism with reduced friction, so that the utility and
the touch feel of operating the cable winding mechanism are
enhanced and the problem of causing the entangled cable is
avoided.
[0013] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a cable winding mechanism with reduced friction. The
cable winding mechanism includes a cable, a case, a reel disc, a
spring device, a roller and a friction-reducing member. The case
includes a first case element and a second case element, wherein a
cable locking structure is formed in an inner surface of the second
case element. The reel disc is disposed between the first case
element and the second case element for winding the cable thereon,
wherein the reel disc has a confining groove. The spring device is
arranged between the first case element and the reel disc. The
roller is movable along the confining groove of the reel disc. When
a pulling operation of the cable causes the roller to move in the
cable locking structure of the second case element, a desired
length of the cable is pulled out and locked. When the roller is
detached from the cable locking structure, the cable pulled outside
the case is rewound on the reel disc. The friction-reducing member
is disposed on the reel disc for reducing friction during the
process of pulling out or rewinding the cable.
[0014] The above contents of the present invention will become more
readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after
reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying
drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1A is a schematic assembled view of a conventional USB
signal cable adapter;
[0016] FIG. 1B is a schematic exploded view of the USB signal cable
adapter shown in FIG. 1A;
[0017] FIG. 2A is a schematic assembled view of a cable winding
mechanism with reduced friction according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2B is a schematic exploded view of the cable winding
mechanism shown in FIG. 2A;
[0019] FIG. 2C is a backside view illustrating the relation between
the reel disc and the cable shown in the cable winding mechanism of
FIG. 2B;
[0020] FIG. 2D is a schematic view illustrating the cable wound
around the reel disc; and
[0021] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are schematic views illustrating
operations of the cable winding mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] The present invention will now be described more
specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to
be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments
of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration
and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be
limited to the precise form disclosed.
[0023] FIGS. 2A and 2B are respectively schematic assembled and
exploded views illustrating a cable winding mechanism with reduced
friction according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The cable winding mechanism 2 can be a power cable
winding mechanism and principally includes a case 20, a cable 21, a
spring device 22, a reel disc 23, a roller 24 and friction-reducing
member 25.
[0024] An example of the cable 21 includes but is not limited to a
DC power cable. The spring device 22 is for example a spiral
spring. The cable 21 can be stored within the case 20. Both ends of
the cable 21 have respective connectors 211, which are coupled to
respective electronic devices having the identical connecting
interface.
[0025] The case 20 comprises a first case element 201 and a second
case element 202. A spool 2011 is extended from an inner surface of
the first case element 201 for securing the spring device 22 and
the reel disc 23 thereon. A coupling part 2016 is disposed on the
spool 2011. The diameter of the coupling part 2016 is smaller than
that of the spool 2011. A longitudinal gap 2012 is cut through the
spool 2011. In addition, a cable locking structure 2021, a channel
2022 and a curved trough 2023 are formed in an inner surface of the
second case element 202. The cable locking structure 2021 is
disposed adjacent to the channel 2022 for anchoring the roller 24.
The curved trough 2023 is disposed adjacent to the cable locking
structure 2021 and in communication with one end of the channel
2021 for restraining the movable range of the roller 24.
[0026] In some embodiment, the first case element 201 and the
second case element 202 are combined together via an ultrasonic
welding technology. Alternatively, the first case element 201 and
the second case element 202 are combined together by screwing or
fastening means. Moreover, two first protrusion pieces 2013 are
formed on opposite sides of the first case element 201. In
addition, two second protrusion pieces 2024 are formed on
corresponding locations of the inner surfaces of the second case
element 202. When the first case element 201 and the second case
element 202 are combined together, the first protrusion pieces 2013
of the first case element 201 are engaged with respective second
protrusion pieces 2024 of the second case element 202. Under this
circumstance, the first protrusion pieces 2013 and the second
protrusion pieces 2024 are partially sustained against the
connectors 211 such that the connectors 211 at both ends of the
cable 21 are partially accommodated within the case 20. The
assembled structure of the cable winding mechanism 2 can be seen in
FIG. 2A.
[0027] In some embodiments, two first concave portions 2014 are
formed on opposite sidewalls of the first case element 201 and
adjacent to the first protrusion pieces 2013. In addition, two
second concave portions 2025 are formed on corresponding locations
of the sidewalls of the second case element 202 and adjacent to the
second protrusion pieces 2024. When the first case element 201 and
the second case element 202 are combined together, two depressions
203 (as shown in FIG. 2A) are defined by the concave portions 2014
and 2025. By inserting a finger into the depressions 203, the user
may easily pull out the connectors 211 at both ends of the cable 21
to detach from the case 20.
[0028] For adjusting degree of tightness of pulling out or
rewinding the cable 21, the cable winding mechanism 2 further
includes a tightness adjusting element 26 (e.g. a screw). A thread
aperture 2015 is formed in the center of the longitudinal gap 2012
of the spool 2011. Corresponding to the thread aperture 2015, a
hole 2026 is formed in the second case element 202. After the first
case element 201 and the second case element 202 are combined
together via an ultrasonic welding technology, the tightness
adjusting element 26 is penetrated through the hole 2026 of the
second case element 202 and then screwed in the thread aperture
2015 of the spool 2011 of the first case element 201. Depending on
the desired degree of tightness of pulling out or rewinding the
cable 21, the degree of tightness of fastening the tightness
adjusting element 26 may be varied as required.
[0029] FIG. 2C is a backside view illustrating the relation between
the reel disc and the cable shown in the cable winding mechanism of
FIG. 2B. Please refer to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. The reel disc 23 is
arranged between the first case element 201 and the second case
element 202 for winding the cable 21 thereon. The reel disc 23 has
a receptacle for accommodating the spring device 22 therein. A
confining groove 232 is formed in the outer surface of the top
plate 231 of the reel disc 23 such that the roller 24 is moveable
along the confining groove 232 after the first case element 201 and
the second case element 202 are combined together.
[0030] Please refer to FIGS. 2B and 2C again. The reel disc 23
further includes a retaining opening 233, a first cable groove 234,
a second cable groove 235, a notch 236 and several fastening
recesses 237. The retaining opening 233 is formed in a center of
the reel disc 23 and adjacent to the confining groove 232. The reel
disc 23 is sheathed around the spool 2011 of the first case element
201 through the retaining opening 233 such that the reel disc 23 is
fixed on the first case element 201. The fastening recesses 237 are
formed in a sidewall 238 of the reel disc 23. The first cable
groove 234 and the second cable groove 235 are formed at opposite
sides of the sidewall 238 of the reel disc 23. A portion of the
cable 21 is supported in the first cable groove 234 and the second
cable groove 235 and received within the receptacle of the reel
disc 23. The first cable groove 234 is extended from the bottom
periphery 2381 of the reel disc 23 to a half thickness of the reel
disc 23 (as is shown in FIG. 3C). The width of the first cable
groove 234 is substantially equal to the thickness of the cable 21
such that the cable 21 is sustained against the first cable groove
234. The second cable groove 235 is extended from the bottom
periphery 2381 to the top plate 231 of the reel disc 23. The second
cable groove 235 is tapered from the top plate 231 to the bottom
periphery 2381. As a consequence, the cable 21 may be positioned in
the second cable groove 235 adjacent to the top plate 231 of the
reel disc 23. The cable 21 extended outside the reel disc 23
through the first cable groove 234 and the second cable groove 235
is wound around the upper portion and the lower portion of the reel
disc 23 to respectively define a first winding cable set 21a and a
second winding cable set 21b, as can be seen in FIG. 2D. The notch
236 is formed in the sidewall 238 of the reel disc 23 and arranged
between the first cable groove 234 and the second cable groove
235.
[0031] In some embodiments, the reel disc 23 further includes a
clamping part 239 within the receptacle of the reel disc 23. One
side of the clamping part 239 is connected to the top plate 231.
The clamping part 239 is arranged in the vicinity of the sidewall
238 of the reel disc 23 such that the cable 21 inside the reel disc
23 is clamped between the clamping part 239 and the sidewall 238 of
the reel disc 23.
[0032] Please refer to FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D. The spring device 22 is
accommodated within the receptacle of the reel disc 23 to provide a
retractive force required for rewinding the cable 21. The spring
device 22 has an anchoring end 221 and a hooking end 222. The
anchoring end 221 is formed as a straight piece inserted into the
longitudinal gap 2012 of the spool 2011 for anchoring the spring
device 22 onto the spool 2011. The hooking end 222 is engaged with
the sidewall 238 between the notch 236 and the first cable groove
234 or between the notch 236 and the second cable groove 235. By
means of the anchoring end 221 and the hooking end 222, the spring
device 22 is fixed between the first case element 201 and the reel
disc 23.
[0033] The roller 24 is movable along the confining groove 232 of
the reel disc 23. After the first case element 201 and the second
case element 202 are combined together, the roller 24 is confined
between the confining groove 232 of the reel disc 23 and the
channel 2022 of the second case element 202.
[0034] The friction-reducing member 25 is disposed within the case
20 and arranged on the reel disc 23. The friction-reducing member
25 is used to reduce the friction force generated when the cable 21
is pulled out or rewound. The friction-reducing member 25 is one
selected from a group consisting of a partition plate 251, multiple
salients 252, a ring-shaped article 253 and the combination
thereof.
[0035] Take the partition plate 251 as the friction-reducing member
25 for example. The partition plate 251 has a hollow portion in the
center thereof and sheathed around the reel disc 23 such that the
partition plate 251 is arranged between the first winding cable set
21a and the second winding cable set 21b. As shown in FIG. 2D,
since the first winding cable set 21a is separated from the second
winding cable set 21b by the partition plate 251, the first winding
cable set 21a and the second winding cable set 21b will not rub
against each other during the process of pulling out or rewinding
the cable 21. Under this circumstance, the first winding cable set
21a and the second winding cable set 21b will be no longer
entangled with each other, so that the use life of the cable
winding mechanism 2 is increased. Moreover, the partition plate 251
has several protrusion pieces 2511 corresponding to the fastening
recesses 237 of the reel disc 23. After the protrusion pieces 2511
are engaged with the fastening recesses 237, the partition plate
251 is fixed onto the reel disc 23.
[0036] Take the salients 252 as the friction-reducing member 25 for
example. The salients 252 are arranged on the top plate 231 of the
reel disc 23. Examples of the salients 252 include but are limited
to spherical beads. After the first case element 201 and the second
case element 202 are combined together, the inner surface of the
second case element 202 is contacted with the salients 252. Since
the contact area between the top plate 231 of the reel disc 23 and
the second case element 202 is reduced, the friction force
generated when the reel disc 23 is rotated will be decreased. The
number of the salients 252 may be varied according to the practical
requirement. It is preferred that the number of the salients 252 is
three. For example, only one salient 252 is sufficient to offer
point contact between the top plate 231 of the reel disc 23 and the
second case element 202. Alternatively, some salients 252 may be
integrated into a raised block. By reducing the friction force, the
user may smoothly pull out or rewinding the cable 21. It is noted
that, however, those skilled in the art will readily observe that
numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining
the teachings of the invention. For example, the salients 252 may
be arranged on the bottom periphery of the sidewall 238 of the reel
disc 23 in order to reduce the contact area between the reel disc
23 and the first case element 201. As a consequence, the friction
force generated when the reel disc 23 is rotated will be
decreased.
[0037] Take the ring-shaped article 253 as the friction-reducing
member 25 for example. The ring-shaped article 253 is a hollow
cylinder such as a metallic ring. After the reel disc 23 is
sheathed around the spool 2011 of the first case element 201
through the retaining opening 233, the ring-shaped article 253 is
sheathed around the coupling part 2016 and embedded within and
contacted with the retaining opening 233. Since the ring-shaped
article 253 made of metallic material has a smooth surface, the
friction force generated when the reel disc 23 is rotated will be
decreased. The ring-shaped article 253 may be made of other
material as long as the friction force generated upon rotation of
the reel disc 23 is reduced. Alternatively, the ring-shaped article
253 may have been previously formed or embedded within the
retaining opening 233 of the reel disc 23.
[0038] The friction-reducing member 25 of the cable winding
mechanism 2 may be a combination of two or more of the partition
plate 251, the salients 252 and the ring-shaped article 253.
[0039] Hereinafter, a process of assembling the cable winding
mechanism 2 will be described in more details with reference to
FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D.
[0040] First of all, the hooking end 222 of the spring device 22 is
engaged with the sidewall 238 between the notch 236 and the first
cable groove 234 of the reel disc 23 or between the notch 236 and
the second cable groove 235 of reel disc 23, so that the spring
device 22 is fixed in the receptacle of the reel disc 23. Next, the
middle portion of the cable 21 is positioned in the second cable
groove 235 adjacent to the top plate 231 of the reel disc 23. Next,
a portion of the cable 21 is clamped between the clamping part 239
and the sidewall 238 of the reel disc 23, so that the cable 21 is
fixed in the receptacle of the reel disc 23. Next, the protrusion
pieces 2511 of the partition plate 251 are engaged with the
fastening recesses 237 of the reel disc 23, so that the partition
plate 251 is sheathed around the middle portion of the reel disc
23. Next, the cable 21 is extended outside the reel disc 23 through
the first cable groove 234. Next, the cable 21 outside the reel
disc 23 is wound around the upper portion and the lower portion of
the reel disc 23 to respectively define a first winding cable set
21a and a second winding cable set 21b.
[0041] Next, the anchoring end 221 is inserted into the
longitudinal gap 2012 of the spool 2011 for anchoring the spring
device 22 onto the spool 2011. After the reel disc 23 is sheathed
around the spool 2011 of the first case element 201, the
ring-shaped article 253 is sheathed around the coupling part 2016
and embedded within the retaining opening 233. Meanwhile, the reel
disc 23, the spring device 22 and the ring-shaped article 253 are
fixed on the spool 2011 of the first case element 201. Next, the
roller 24 is placed into the confining groove 232 of the reel disc
23. Next, the second case element 202 is placed on the first case
element 201 and thus the roller 24 is received in the channel 2022
of the second case element 202. By using an ultrasonic welding
technology, the first case element 201 and the second case element
202 are coupled with each other. After the tightness adjusting
element 26 is penetrated through the hole 2026 of the second case
element 202 and then screwed in the thread aperture 2015 of the
spool 2011 of the first case element 201, a resulting structure of
the cable winding mechanism 2 is assembled, as can be seen in FIG.
2A.
[0042] Hereinafter, the operations of the cable winding mechanism 2
will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D. As
shown in FIG 3A, in response to pulling forces exerted on the two
connectors 211, the reel disc 23 and the spring device 22 are
rotated counterclockwise such that the roller 24 moves in the
channel 2022 toward the curved trough 2023. At the same time, the
spring device 22 is being deformed. A sudden release of the pulling
forces will cause the roller 24 to move in the cable locking
structure 2021 such that the reel disc 23 stops rotating and the
cable 21 is locked, as is shown in FIG. 3B. In other words, a user
can lock the cable 21 by releasing the cable 21 after a desired
length of the cable 21 has been pulled from the reel disc 23.
Again, as is shown in FIG. 3C, a continuous pulling operation of
the cable 21 from the locked position will cause the roller 24 to
move from the cable locking structure 2021 to the channel 2022.
[0043] For rewinding the cable 21, the use may slightly pull the
cable 21 to cause the roller 24 to clear from the cable locking
structure 2021. Next, a release of the cable 21 causes the
compressed spring device 22 to release its stored energy to rotate
the reel disc 23 clockwise, as can be seen in FIG. 3D. As a
consequence, the cable 21 is completely rewound on the reel disc 23
if no stopping action is taken.
[0044] From the above description, by mounting the
friction-reducing member 25 (e.g. a partition plate, multiple
salients, a ring-shaped article or the combination thereof) on the
reel disc, the friction between the reel disc and the case and/or
between the reel disc and the spool upon rotation of the reel disc
is reduced. Due to the reduced friction, the pulling force required
to pull out the cable is decreased and the problem of causing
abrasion is minimized. Furthermore, the utility and the touch feel
of operating the cable winding mechanism are enhanced. Since the
first winding cable set and the second winding cable set are
separated from each other by the partition plate, the problem of
causing the entangled cable is avoided and thus the use life of the
cable winding mechanism is extended.
[0045] While the invention has been described in terms of what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be
limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which
are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
* * * * *