Bundling machine

Abstract

This invention provides a bundling machine. The bundling machine includes: a wire conveying section; a bundling section for twisting the wire wound around a reinforcing bar by locking and rotating it; a coiling guide for adding a coiled portion to the conveyed wire; an induction guide for guiding the additionally coiled wire toward the bundling section; and a contact switch section that operates by being abutted against by a reinforcing bar. The contact switch section includes abutting portion for the reinforcing bar to abut against, the abutting portion being disposed between the coiling guide and the induction guide, and the axis of rotational movement of the abutting portion relative to the bundling section being disposed on at least one side in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the coiling guide and the induction guide are arranged and the direction along the axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a bundling machine for bundling steel bars and other bundled materials using wire. Prior Technology

[0002] Previously, a binding machine was proposed that uses wire to wrap two or more steel bars and twist the wire wrapped around the steel bars to bind these two or more steel bars together.

[0003] A wire bundling machine winds a wire, driven by a motor, around a reinforcing bar by passing it through a guide called a coiling guide. Using a guide called an induction guide, the wire, now with added coiling, is guided towards a wire-twisting bundling section. This bundling section then twists the wire wrapped around the reinforcing bar, thus bundling the reinforcing bar with wire.

[0004] In such a binding machine, not only is the operation of the trigger switch set in the handle detected, but also the components or reinforcing bars near the location where the reinforcing bars are placed are detected, and the binding machine system is proposed to perform the binding action.

[0005] In a structure for detecting that a contact member is abutted against a part near the location where a reinforcing bar is positioned, a portion of the contact member is provided protruding from one of the guide members that adds a coil to the wire and the guide members that guide the wire after adding the coil. Furthermore, a structure in which the contact member operates by abutting the front end of the guide member against a part near the location where a reinforcing bar is positioned is proposed (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 2949703).

[0006] Furthermore, in a structure for detecting that a contact member is pressed against a reinforcing bar, one of the guide members that adds a coiled portion to the wire and the guide members that induce the added coiled portion of the wire includes a contact member that can move toward the guide member. Moreover, a structure in which the reinforcing bar is pressed against the guide member to activate the contact member has been proposed (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 6887760).

[0007] In a structure in which the contacting component operates by abutting the front end of the guide against the part near where the reinforcing bar is located, the binding action is performed even if the distance between the binding part of the reinforcing bar and the twisted reinforcing bar is far. Therefore, gaps are easily generated between the reinforcing bar and the wire, and the binding force becomes weak.

[0008] In addition, in structures where the reinforcing bar is pressed against the guide to make the contact component work, the position of the reinforcing bar and the wire twisted by the binding part are deviated, which can easily create a gap between the reinforcing bar and the wire, and weaken the binding force.

[0009] This invention was made to solve such a problem, and its purpose is to provide a bundling machine that can ensure the strength of the bundle. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To address the aforementioned issues, the present invention provides a bundling machine, comprising: a main body; the main body including: a wire conveying section for conveying wire wound onto a bundle; a bundling section for twisting the wire wound on the bundle by locking and rotating it; a coiling guide for adding a coiled portion to the wire conveyed by the wire conveying section; an induction guide for guiding the wire with the added coiled portion from the coiling guide toward the bundling section; and a contact switch section that operates by the bundled object abutting against it. The coiling guide and the induction guide are disposed at one end of the main body along the axis of rotation of the bundling section. The contact switch section includes: A stop portion for the bundled object to abut against; the stop portion system is provided between the curling guide and the guiding guide, relative to the axis, on at least one side in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the curling guide and the guiding guide are arranged and the direction along the axis; the amount of protrusion along the axis from one end of the main body to the front end of the stop portion is configured to be shorter than at least one of the amount of protrusion along the axis from one end of the main body to the front end of the curling guide and the amount of protrusion along the axis from one end of the main body to the front end of the guiding guide; when the bundled object abuts against the stop portion and the contact switch is activated, a bundling action is performed.

[0011] In this invention, when the bundled material is pressed against the abutment part, the contact switch part is activated, thereby performing the bundling action.

[0012] In this invention, the bundling operation can be performed with the bundle located on or near the extension line of the axis of rotation of the bundling section. Furthermore, the abutment portion does not protrude beyond the curling guide and the guiding guide. Therefore, contact between the structure located further forward than the curling guide and the guiding guide and the abutment portion can be prevented from activating the switch, allowing the bundling operation to be performed with the bundle located on or near the extension line of the axis of rotation of the bundling section. This also prevents a significant deviation between the twisted position of the wire and the position of the bundle, ensuring bundling strength. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0013] Figure 1 is an internal structural diagram viewed from the side, showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment. Figure 2A is a side view showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine according to this embodiment. Figure 2B is a side view showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine according to this embodiment. Figure 2C is a front view showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine according to this embodiment. Figure 2D is a top view showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment. Figure 3A is an internal structural diagram viewed from the side, showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment. Figure 3B is a sectional view along line AA in Figure 3A. Figure 3C is a sectional view along line BB in Figure 3A. Figure 4A is a perspective view showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine according to this embodiment. Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the main part of Figure 4A along line CC. Figure 5A is a perspective view showing an example of the contact switch section of this embodiment. Figure 5B is a top view showing an example of the contact switch section of this embodiment. Figure 5C is a side view showing an example of the contact switch section of this embodiment. Figure 5D is a side view showing an example of the contact switch section of this embodiment. Figure 5E is a front view showing an example of the contact switch section of this embodiment. Figure 6A is a side view of the main part showing an example of the mounting structure of the contact switch section in this embodiment. Figure 6B is a side view of the main part showing an example of the mounting structure of the contact switch section in this embodiment. Figure 7 is a partial side view showing an example of the operation of the rebar binding machine according to this embodiment. Figure 8A is a top view of the contact switch section, showing an example of the operation of the rebar bundling machine according to this embodiment. Figure 8B is a top view of the contact switch section, showing an example of the operation of the rebar bundling machine according to this embodiment. Figure 8C is a top view of the contact switch section, showing an example of the operation of the rebar bundling machine according to this embodiment. Figure 8D is a top view of the contact switch section, showing an example of the operation of the rebar bundling machine according to this embodiment. Implementation

[0014] Hereinafter, an example of a steel bar bundling machine, which is an embodiment of the bundling machine of the present invention, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] <Structural Example of the Rebar Bundling Machine in This Embodiment> Figure 1 is an internal structural diagram viewed from the side, showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment. Figures 2A and 2B are side views showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment, Figure 2C is a front view showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment, and Figure 2D is a top view showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment.

[0016] Furthermore, Figure 3A is an internal structural view from the side, showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment. Figures 3B and 3C are sectional views from the top surface, showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment. Figure 3B is a sectional view along line AA of Figure 3A, and Figure 3C is a sectional view along line BB of Figure 3A. Additionally, Figure 4A is a perspective view showing an example of the overall structure of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment, and Figure 4B is a sectional view along line CC of the main part of Figure 4A.

[0017] The rebar bundling machine 1 feeds wire W in the positive direction indicated by arrow F0 and winds it around the rebar S, which is the bundled material. Then, it feeds the wire W wound around the rebar S in the opposite direction indicated by arrow R0 and winds it around the rebar S. After cutting it, it twists the wire W and uses the wire W to bundle the rebar S.

[0018] To achieve the above-mentioned functions, the rebar bundling machine 1 includes a box 2 for storing wire W and a wire conveying section 3 for conveying the wire W. Furthermore, the rebar bundling machine 1 includes a coiling forming section 5 that forms a path for winding the wire W conveyed by the wire conveying section 3 around the rebar S, and a cutting section 6 that cuts the wire W wound around the rebar S. Moreover, the rebar bundling machine 1 includes a bundling section 7 for twisting the wire W wound around the rebar S, and a drive section 8 for driving the bundling section 7.

[0019] In addition, the rebar bundling machine 1 is a type that is held in the hand by the operator, including a main body 10 and a handle 11.

[0020] The rebar bundling machine 1 includes a trigger switch 12 operated by a hand holding the handle 11, and a contact switch 9 operated by the rebar S against the handle. In the rebar bundling machine 1, a bundling action is performed when both the trigger switch 12 and the contact switch 9 are activated. Alternatively, in the rebar bundling machine 1, the bundling action may be performed when the contact switch 9 is activated while the trigger switch 12 is activated. Furthermore, in the rebar bundling machine 1, the bundling action may be performed when the trigger switch 12 is activated while the contact switch 9 is activated. Moreover, in the rebar bundling machine 1, the bundling action may be performed only when the contact switch 9 is activated, or the structure may not include the trigger switch 12.

[0021] Box 2 is an example of a storage unit, which stores the reel 20 on which the long strip of wire W is wound in a way that allows it to be unwound in a rotating and detachable manner. The wire W is made of a metal wire that can be plastically deformed, a metal wire coated with resin, or a stranded wire.

[0022] The wire conveying unit 3 includes a pair of conveying gears 30 that clamp and convey one or more parallel wires W, and a conveying motor (not shown) that drives the conveying gears 30. The wire conveying unit 3 is driven by the rotational motion of the conveying motor via a transmission mechanism, which causes the conveying gears 30 to rotate.

[0023] The wire conveying unit 3 conveys the wire W, which is held between a pair of conveying gears 30, along the extension direction of the wire W. In a structure that conveys multiple (e.g., two) wires W, the two wires W are conveyed in a side-by-side configuration.

[0024] In the wire conveying section 3, the rotation direction of the conveying gear 30 is switched by changing the rotation direction of the conveying motor, and the conveying direction of the wire W is set as a positive direction and an opposite direction.

[0025] The wire guide 4 is positioned at predetermined positions upstream and downstream of the wire conveying section 3 relative to the conveying direction in which the wire W is conveyed in the positive direction. In the structure for conveying two wires W, the wire guide 4 restricts the radial orientation of the two wires W and guides the two incoming wires W side by side between a pair of conveying gears 30.

[0026] The coiling forming section 5 includes a coiling guide 50 that adds a coiled portion to the wire W conveyed by the wire conveying section 3, and an induction guide 51 that guides the wire W, after being added with a coiled portion by the coiling guide 50, toward the bundling section 7. In the rebar bundling machine 1, the path of the wire W conveyed by the wire conveying section 3 is restricted by the coiling forming section 5, and the trajectory of the wire W forms a loop Ru as shown by the two-point chain line in Figure 1, with the wire W wound around the rebar S.

[0027] The cutting section 6 includes: a fixed blade section 60, a movable blade section 61 that cuts the wire W by cooperating with the fixed blade section 60, and a transmission mechanism 62 that transmits the movement of the bundling section 7 to the movable blade section 61. The cutting section 6 cuts the wire W by the rotational movement of the movable blade section 61 with the fixed blade section 60 as the fulcrum.

[0028] The bundling section 7 includes a wire locking body 70 for securing the wire W, and a rotating shaft 72 for operating the wire locking body 70. The drive section 8 includes a motor 80 and a reducer 81 for reducing speed and amplifying torque. In the bundling section 7 and the drive section 8, the rotating shaft 72 is connected to the motor 80 via the reducer 81, and the rotating shaft 72 is driven by the motor 80 via the reducer 81.

[0029] The wire locking body 70 includes: a central hook 70C connected to a rotating shaft 72, a first side hook 70R and a second side hook 70L that open and close relative to the central hook 70C, and a sleeve 71 that operates the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 72.

[0030] In the binding section 7, the side with the central hook 70C, the first side hook 70R, and the second side hook 70L is designated as the front side, and the side where the rotating shaft 72 is connected to the reducer 81 is designated as the rear side.

[0031] The central hook 70C is connected to one end (i.e. the front end) of the rotating shaft 72 via a structure that can rotate relative to the rotating shaft 72 and move axially integrally with the rotating shaft 72.

[0032] One end (i.e., the front end side) of the first side hook 70R along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72 is located on one side relative to the central hook 70C. In addition, the other end (i.e., the rear end side) of the first side hook 70R along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72 is rotatably supported on the central hook 70C by the shaft 71b.

[0033] One end (i.e., the front end side) of the second side hook 70L along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72 is located on the other side relative to the central hook 70C. In addition, the other end (i.e., the rear end side) of the second side hook 70L along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72 is rotatably supported on the central hook 70C by the shaft 71b.

[0034] Therefore, in the wire catcher 70, by rotating about the shaft 71b, the front end of the first side hook 70R opens and closes in a direction relative to the central hook 70C, moving away from or approaching it. Similarly, the front end of the second side hook 70L opens and closes in a direction relative to the central hook 70C, moving away from or approaching it.

[0035] The sleeve 71 is a cylindrical shape covering the periphery of the rotating shaft 72, and has a protrusion (not shown) protruding into the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical space into which the rotating shaft 72 is inserted. This protrusion enters a groove in a feed thread 72a formed axially along the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 72. When the rotating shaft 72 rotates, the sleeve 71 moves in the axial direction (i.e., the front-to-back direction) of the rotating shaft 72 according to the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 72 by means of the protrusion (not shown) and the feed thread 72a of the rotating shaft 72. In addition, the sleeve 71 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 72.

[0036] The sleeve 71 includes an opening and closing pin 71a for opening and closing the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L.

[0037] The opening / closing pin 71a is inserted into the opening / closing guide hole 73 provided in the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L. The opening / closing guide hole 73 extends along the moving direction of the sleeve 71 and has a shape that transforms the linear movement of the opening / closing pin 71a, which moves in conjunction with the sleeve 71, into an opening / closing action based on the rotation of the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L with the shaft 71b as the fulcrum.

[0038] In the wire clamp 70, the sleeve 71 moves in the rear direction indicated by arrow R1, thereby moving the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L away from the central hook 70C by rotating around the shaft 71b.

[0039] Thus, the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L open relative to the central hook 70C, forming a conveying path for the wire W to pass through between the first side hook 70R and the central hook 70C, and between the second side hook 70L and the central hook 70C.

[0040] When the sleeve 71 moves to the non-rotating region, and the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L are in an open state relative to the central hook 70C, the wire W conveyed by the wire conveying unit 3 passes between the central hook 70C and the first side hook 70R. The wire W passing between the central hook 70C and the first side hook 70R is induced by the coiling forming unit 5. Furthermore, the wire W, which has been added with a coil by the coiling forming unit 5 and is induced to the bundling unit 7, passes between the central hook 70C and the second side hook 70L.

[0041] In the wire clamp 70, the sleeve 71 moves forward in the direction indicated by arrow F1, thereby causing the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L to move towards the central hook 70C by rotation about the shaft 71b, based on the trajectory of the opening / closing pin 71a and the shape of the opening / closing guide hole 73. Thus, the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L are closed relative to the central hook 70C.

[0042] When the first side hook 70R is closed relative to the central hook 70C, the wire W sandwiched between the first side hook 70R and the central hook 70C is locked in a configuration that allows it to move along the extension direction between the first side hook 70R and the central hook 70C. Furthermore, when the second side hook 70L is closed relative to the central hook 70C, the wire W sandwiched between the second side hook 70L and the central hook 70C is locked in a configuration that prevents it from dislodging from between the second side hook 70L and the central hook 70C.

[0043] The wire stopper 70 includes a curved portion 71c1 that bends one end (i.e., the front end side) of the wire W in a predetermined direction to form the wire W into a predetermined shape. In addition, the wire stopper 70 includes a curved portion 71c2 that bends the other end (i.e., the terminal side) of the wire W after it has been cut by the cutting portion 6 in a predetermined direction to form the wire W into a predetermined shape.

[0044] The sleeve 71 is divided into two parts by clamping the first side hook 70R, the second side hook 70L and the central hook 70C at the front end as indicated by arrow F1. In the non-rotating region, a curved portion 71c1 is formed at the upper front end and a curved portion 71c2 is formed at the lower front end.

[0045] The sleeve 71 bends towards the reinforcing bar S by moving further forward in the direction indicated by arrow F1 after the wire W is cut by the cutting part 6, and by pressing the front end of the wire W, which is held by the central hook 70C and the second side hook 70L, with the bending part 71c1. Additionally, the sleeve 71 bends towards the reinforcing bar S by pressing the end of the wire W, which is held by the central hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and has been cut by the cutting part 6, with the bending part 71c2.

[0046] After the front end and end of the wire W are bent toward the reinforcing bar S, when the sleeve 71 moves further forward, the sleeve 71 rotates in conjunction with the rotating shaft 72, and the wire W, which is held in place by the wire locking body 70, is twisted.

[0047] In the rotating shaft 72, the other end (i.e., the rear end) is connected to the reducer 81 via a connecting part 72b having a structure that can rotate integrally with the reducer 81 and can move axially relative to the reducer 81. The connecting part 72b includes a spring 72c that applies force to the rotating shaft 72 in the direction approaching the reducer 81 (i.e., rearward) and restricts the axial position of the rotating shaft 72. Thus, the rotating shaft 72 is configured to move in the direction away from the reducer 81 (i.e., forward) while being pressed rearward by the spring 72c. Thus, when a force is applied along the axial direction to move the wire catch 70 forward during the operation of binding the reinforcing bar S with the wire W, the wire W can be bound tightly against the reinforcing bar S by the rotating shaft 72 moving forward while being pressed rearward by the spring 72c.

[0048] In the rebar bundling machine 1, the curling guide 50 and the induction guide 51 of the curling forming part 5 are provided on one side along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72 (i.e., the end of the front side of the main body part 10).

[0049] Figure 5A is a perspective view showing an example of the contact switch portion of this embodiment; Figure 5B is a top view showing an example of the contact switch portion of this embodiment; Figures 5C and 5D are side views showing an example of the contact switch portion of this embodiment; and Figure 5E is a front view showing an example of the contact switch portion of this embodiment. Furthermore, Figures 6A and 6B are side views showing the main parts of an example of the mounting structure of the contact switch portion of this embodiment.

[0050] The contact switch part 9 includes a pair of abutment parts 91 (first abutment part 91a and second abutment part 91b) for the reinforcing bar S to abut against. The abutment parts 91 are provided at the front end of the main body 10 between the reinforcing bar S entering between the coiling guide 50 and the induction guide 51, and do not protrude more than the front end position PF of the induction guide 51, which has a smaller protrusion from the main body 10.

[0051] The abutment portion 91 is positioned relative to the axis L (i.e., the extension line of the axis center of the rotation axis 72) of the bundling portion 7, which is used to lock the wire W and twist the locked wire W by rotating the wire locking body 70 to perform the bundling action. It is located in a left-right direction (i.e., at least one side in the direction of arrows L2 and R2) orthogonal to the direction in which the curling guide 50 and the guiding guide 51 are arranged. In this example, the first abutment portion 91a is provided on one side (the left side when viewed from the front) along the direction of arrows L2 and R2, and the second abutment portion 91b is provided on the other side (the right side when viewed from the front).

[0052] The first abutment portion 91a and the second abutment portion 91b extend along the direction in which the curling guide 50 and the induction guide 51 are arranged, and the steel bar S system entering the curling guide 50 and the induction guide 51 can contact at least one of the first abutment portion 91a and the second abutment portion 91b on the extension line of the axis L of the rotational action of the binding portion 7.

[0053] Furthermore, the abutment portion 91 (first abutment portion 91a, second abutment portion 91b) is configured such that the protrusion amount L11 from one end of the main body portion 10 (i.e., the front end position PF1) to the front end position PF2 protruding along the axis L is shorter than the protrusion amount L12 from the front end position PF1 of the main body portion 10 to the front end position PF of the curling guide 50 and the guiding guide 51 protruding along the axis L.

[0054] In this example, the protrusion of the guiding guide 51 from the front end position PF1 of the main body 10 is relatively small. Therefore, the abutment portion 91 (first abutment portion 91a, second abutment portion 91b) is configured such that the protrusion amount L11 from the front end position PF1 of the main body 10 to the maximum protruding portion along the axis L is shorter than the protrusion amount L12 from the front end position PF1 of the main body 10 to the front end position PF of the guiding guide 51 protruding along the axis L.

[0055] Therefore, the front end position PF2 of the abutment portion 91 (first abutment portion 91a, second abutment portion 91b) protruding along the axis L is not more prominent than the front end position PF of the guiding guide 51, which has a smaller protrusion from the main body portion 10 among the curling guide 50 and the guiding guide 51. Thus, contact between the abutment portion 91 and the structure located further forward than the front end positions of the curling guide 50 and the guiding guide 51 can be prevented, thus preventing the abutment portion 91 from functioning.

[0056] The contact switch unit 9 includes a pair of moving members 92 (first moving member 92a, second moving member 92b) that support the first abutment 91a and the second abutment 91b in a manner that allows them to move independently in the front-back direction along the axis L of the rotational movement of the binding part 7. Additionally, the contact switch unit 9 includes a pair of force-applying members 93 (first force-applying member 93a, second force-applying member 93b) that independently apply force to the first abutment 91a and the second abutment 91b in the forward direction.

[0057] The main body 10 is a structure consisting of two shells, 14L and 14R, which are divided into left and right sides when viewed from the front and assembled together by screws or the like. A first abutment 91a is mounted to one of the shells 14L constituting the main body 10 via a first moving member 92a. The front end of the shell 14L includes a support portion 16L that supports the first moving member 92a in a manner that allows it to move in the front-rear direction. The first moving member 92a, on which the first abutment 91a is mounted, is supported by the support portion 16L of the shell 14L in a state that allows it to move in the front-rear direction. Thus, the first abutment 91a is supported at the front end of the main body 10 in a linear direction that allows it to move along the axis L of the rotational movement of the binding portion 7.

[0058] The first force-applying member 93a, for example, is a coil spring, which applies a force in the forward direction to the first moving member 92a, which is supported on the support portion 16L of the housing 14L in a state that allows it to move in the front-rear direction. As a result, the first abutment portion 91a is forced in a direction that protrudes forward from the front end of the main body portion 10. In addition, when the first abutment portion 91a is subjected to a rearward pressing force, it moves rearward while compressing the first force-applying member 93a.

[0059] The first position where the first abutting part 91a protrudes forward from the front end of the main body 10 by the force applied by the first force-applying member 93a is called the initial position P1. In addition, the second position where the first abutting part 91a moves backward by a predetermined amount while compressing the first force-applying member 93a is called the binding position P2.

[0060] The second abutment 91b is mounted to another housing 14R constituting the main body 10 via the second moving member 92b. The housing 14R includes a support portion 16R at its front end that supports the second moving member 92b in a manner capable of moving in the front-rear direction. The second moving member 92b, on which the second abutment 91b is mounted, is supported by the support portion 16R of the housing 14R in a state capable of moving in the front-rear direction. Thus, the second abutment 91b is supported at the front end of the main body 10 in a manner capable of moving independently of the first abutment 91a in a linear direction.

[0061] The second force-applying member 93b, for example, is a coil spring, which applies a force in the forward direction to the second moving member 92b, which is supported on the support portion 16R of the housing 14R in a state that allows it to move in the front-rear direction. As a result, the second abutment portion 91b is forced in a direction that protrudes forward independently from the end of the front side of the main body portion 10 and the first abutment portion 91a. In addition, when the second abutment portion 91b is subjected to a rearward pressing force, it moves rearward while compressing the second force-applying member 93b.

[0062] The first position in which the second abutment 91b protrudes forward from the front end of the main body 10 by the force applied by the second force-applying member 93b is called the initial position P1. The second position in which the second abutment 91b moves rearward by a predetermined amount while compressing the second force-applying member 93b is called the binding position P2.

[0063] The contact switch unit 9 includes a detection unit 94 that detects whether the first abutment part 91a and the second abutment part 91b are in operation, and a transmission member 95 that transmits the operation of the first abutment part 91a and the second abutment part 91b to the detection unit 94.

[0064] The detection unit 94 is, for example, a switch called a microswitch, and the output changes when the movable member 94a is pressed by a predetermined amount. The detection unit 94 is mounted in a housing 14R with the direction of movement of the movable member 94a being the front-to-back direction. Alternatively, the detection unit 94 can be a switch other than a microswitch, a sensor, or a non-contact sensor such as a Hall sensor or an optical sensor.

[0065] The transmission member 95 is rotatably mounted on the first moving member 92a, which has the first abutment 91a mounted, via the shaft 95a. The transmission member 95 moves together with the first moving member 92a in the front-rear direction and is displaced relative to the first moving member 92a by rotation about the shaft 95a. The end of the transmission member 95 opposite to the end supported on the shaft 95a, which is displaced by rotation about the shaft 95a, faces the movable member 94a of the detection unit 94.

[0066] The end of the transmission member 95 opposite to the side supported on the shaft 95a is engaged with the second moving member 92b on which the second abutment 91b is mounted. The end of the transmission member 95 opposite to the side supported on the shaft 95a is subjected to force by a force-applying member 95b such as a coil spring in the direction of being pressed against the second moving member 92b.

[0067] Therefore, when the first abutment 91a is pressed backward and the first moving member 92a moves backward, the transmission member 95 moves backward together with the first moving member 92a, pressing the movable member 94a of the detection unit 94.

[0068] Furthermore, when the second abutment 91b is pressed backward and the second moving member 92b moves backward, the transmission member 95 compresses the force-applying member 95b while rotating around the axis 95a as a fulcrum, pressing the movable member 94a of the detection unit 94.

[0069] Alternatively, the structure can be configured such that the moving direction of the first abutment 91a and the second abutment 91b traces an arc in the front-back direction along the axis L of the rotational action of the binding part 7, and the first abutment 91a and the second abutment 91b move by means of rotational action.

[0070] The trigger switch unit 12 includes a trigger 13a on one side (i.e., the front side) of the handle 11 held by hand, which can be displaced in the back-and-forth direction by the movement of the fingers. In addition, the trigger switch unit 12 includes a switch 13b inside the handle 11 to detect whether the trigger 13a is active.

[0071] The rebar bundling machine 1 includes a control unit 100 that performs bundling operations based on the operation of the contact switch 9 and the trigger switch 12. When both the trigger switch 12 and the contact switch 9 are activated, the control unit 100 controls the motor 80 and a conveyor motor (not shown) that drives the conveyor gear 30 to perform the bundling operation. Alternatively, the control unit 100 may perform the bundling operation when the contact switch 9 is activated, while the contact switch 9 is activated. Furthermore, the control unit 100 may perform the bundling operation when the contact switch 9 is activated, or it may be a structure that does not include the trigger switch 12.

[0072] The handle 11 of the rebar bundling machine 1 extends downward from the main body 10. A battery 15 is detachably mounted at the lower part of the handle 11. Furthermore, in the rebar bundling machine 1, a housing 2 is located in front of the handle 11. In the rebar bundling machine 1, the aforementioned wire feeding section 3, cutting section 6, bundling section 7, drive section 8 for driving the bundling section 7, contact switch section 9, and trigger switch section 12 are housed within the main body 10.

[0073] Furthermore, in the rebar bundling machine 1, the wire conveying section 3, the coiling and forming section 5, the cutting section 6, the bundling section 7, the various elements constituting the drive section 8, the first abutment section 91a, the first moving part 92a, the first force-applying part 93a, the detection section 94 and the transmission part 95, the trigger switch section 12, and the various elements constituting the control section 100 are all mounted in a housing 14L constituting the main body section 10. Additionally, in the rebar bundling machine 1, the second abutment section 91b, the second moving part 92b, and the second force-applying part 93b constituting the contact switch section 9 are mounted in another housing 14R constituting the main body section 10. Moreover, the housing 14L and the other housing 14R are assembled together using screws or the like. Therefore, the assembly of the rebar bundling machine 1 can be easily performed.

[0074] <An example of the operation of the rebar bundling machine in this embodiment> Figure 7 is a side view of the main part showing an example of the operation of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment. Figures 8A to 8D are top views of the contact switch part showing an example of the operation of the rebar bundling machine of this embodiment. Next, referring to the figures, the operation of bundling rebar S using wire W will be described.

[0075] With the reinforcing bar S not inserted between the coiling guide 50 and the induction guide 51, as shown in Figure 8A, the first abutment 91a moves forward to an initial position P1 protruding forward from the front end of the main body 10 under the force applied by the first force-applying member 93a, and the second abutment 91b moves forward to an initial position P1 protruding forward from the front end of the main body 10 under the force applied by the second force-applying member 93b. Therefore, the movable member 94a of the detection unit 94 is not pressed, and both the first abutment 91a and the second abutment 91b are in a non-operating state.

[0076] When both the first abutment part 91a and the second abutment part 91b are not working, even if the trigger switch part 12 is working, the control part 100 will not perform the binding action.

[0077] As shown in Figure 7, during the movement of the reinforcing bar S into the coiling forming part 5 between the coiling guide 50 and the induction guide 51, the reinforcing bar S contacts at least one of the first abutting part 91a and the second abutting part 91b on or near the extension line of the axis L of the rotational movement of the binding part 7.

[0078] When the reinforcing bar S and the reinforcing bar bundling machine 1 are tilted relative to each other in the direction of the first abutment part 91a, as shown in Figure 8B, the first abutment part 91a is pressed backward by the reinforcing bar S, and the first moving part 92a moves backward.

[0079] When the first moving part 92a moves backward, the transmission part 95 moves backward together with the first moving part 92a, pressing the movable part 94a of the detection unit 94. Furthermore, by moving the first abutting part 91a from the initial position P1 to the binding position P2, the movable part 94a is pressed by a predetermined amount, causing a change in the output of the detection unit 94, and the detection unit 94 detects that the first abutting part 91a is working.

[0080] When the reinforcing bar S and the reinforcing bar bundling machine 1 are tilted relative to each other in the direction of the second abutment part 91b, as shown in Figure 8C, the second abutment part 91b is pressed backward by the reinforcing bar S, and the second moving part 92b moves backward.

[0081] When the second moving part 92b moves backward, the transmission part 95 compresses the force-applying part 95b while rotating around the axis 95a, pressing the movable part 94a of the detection part 94. Furthermore, by moving the second abutment part 91b from the initial position P1 to the binding position P2, the movable part 94a is pressed by a predetermined amount, causing a change in the output of the detection part 94, which then detects that the second abutment part 91b is in operation.

[0082] When the reinforcing bar S is approximately parallel to the first abutting part 91a and the second abutting part 91b, as shown in Figure 8D, the first abutting part 91a is pressed backward by the reinforcing bar S, the first moving part 92a moves backward, and the second abutting part 91b is pressed backward by the reinforcing bar S, and the second moving part 92b moves backward.

[0083] When the first moving part 92a and the second moving part 92b move backward, the transmission part 95 moves backward together with the first moving part 92a, pressing the movable part 94a of the detection unit 94. Furthermore, by moving the first abutting part 91a and the second abutting part 91b from the initial position P1 to the binding position P2, the movable part 94a is pressed by a predetermined amount, causing a change in the output of the detection unit 94. The detection unit 94 then detects that the first abutting part 91a and the second abutting part 91b are in operation.

[0084] When the trigger switch 12 is operational, and at least one of the first abutment part 91a and the second abutment part 91b moves backward by a predetermined amount, the output of the detection unit 94 changes, and when the contact switch 9 is detected to be operational, the control unit 100 controls the motor 80 and a conveyor motor (not shown) that drives the conveyor gear 30 to perform a binding operation. Alternatively, the control unit 100 may perform the binding operation when the trigger switch 12 is operational while the contact switch 9 is operational. Alternatively, the control unit 100 may perform the binding operation when the contact switch 9 is operational, or the structure may not include the trigger switch 12.

[0085] When the bundling action begins, the conveyor motor (not shown) is driven in the forward direction, and the wire W is conveyed by the wire conveyor section 3 in the forward direction indicated by arrow F0.

[0086] In the case of a structure that uses multiple (e.g., two) wires W to bundle the reinforcing bars S, the two wires W are conveyed side by side along the axial direction of the ring Ru formed by the wires W by means of the wire guide 4.

[0087] The wire W, being conveyed in the positive direction, is fed between the central hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and is then fed to the coiling guide 50 of the coiling forming section 5. The wire W is further coiled by passing through the coiling guide 50 in a manner that it is wound around the reinforcing bar S.

[0088] The wire W, after being wound up by the coiling guide 50, is guided towards the guiding guide 51, and further guided in the forward direction by the wire conveying section 3, and then guided by the guiding guide 51 between the central hook 70C and the second side hook 70L. Furthermore, when the leading end of the wire W is conveyed to a predetermined position, the forward conveying of the wire W stops.

[0089] After the wire W stops being fed in the forward direction, the motor 80 is driven in the forward direction. The sleeve 71 moves forward (i.e., in the direction of arrow F1) within the operating area where the wire W is stopped by the wire stopper 70.

[0090] When the sleeve 71 moves forward, the opening / closing pin 71a passes through the opening / closing guide hole 73. As a result, the first side hook 70R moves towards the central hook 70C by rotation about the shaft 71b. When the first side hook 70R is closed relative to the central hook 70C, the wire W between the first side hook 70R and the central hook 70C is locked in a configuration that allows it to move along the extension direction between the first side hook 70R and the central hook 70C.

[0091] In addition, the second side hook 70L moves toward the central hook 70C by rotating about the axis 71b. When the second side hook 70L is closed relative to the central hook 70C, the wire W between the second side hook 70L and the central hook 70C is locked in a way that prevents it from coming out of the space between the second side hook 70L and the central hook 70C.

[0092] After the sleeve 71 is advanced to the position where the wire W is stopped by the closing action of the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L, the rotation of the motor 80 is temporarily stopped, and the conveyor motor (not shown) is driven in the reverse direction.

[0093] As a result, the pair of conveying gears 30 reverse, and the wire W sandwiched between the pair of conveying gears 30 is conveyed in the opposite direction as indicated by arrow R0. Because the front end of the wire W is locked in a position where it does not disengage from the second side hook 70L and the central hook 70C, the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar S by the action of conveying the wire W in the opposite direction.

[0094] After the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar S and the reverse feeding of the wire W is stopped, the motor 80 is driven in the forward direction, thereby causing the sleeve 71 to move further in the forward direction indicated by arrow F1.

[0095] The movable blade 61 rotates as the sleeve 71 moves forward, and the wire W, which is held in place by the first side hook 70R and the central hook 70C, is cut off by the action of the fixed blade 60 and the movable blade 61.

[0096] While the sleeve 71 is moved forward in the direction indicated by arrow F1 by driving the motor 80 in the forward direction to cut the wire W, the bending portions 71c1 and 71c2 move towards the reinforcing bar S. As a result, the front end of the wire W, which is stuck between the central hook 70C and the second side hook 70L, is pressed towards the reinforcing bar S by the bending portion 71c1 and bent towards the reinforcing bar S.

[0097] In addition, the end of the wire W, which is stuck between the central hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and cut by the cutting part 6, is pressed towards the steel bar S by the bending part 71c2 and bent towards the steel bar S.

[0098] After the front and end sides of the wire W are bent toward the reinforcing bar S, it is further driven in the forward direction by the motor 80, and the sleeve 71 moves further forward. When the sleeve 71 moves to the predetermined position and reaches the action area where the wire W is locked by the wire locking body 70, the sleeve 71 rotates in conjunction with the rotating shaft 72, and the wire W locked by the wire locking body 70 is twisted.

[0099] When the load applied to the motor 80 is detected to be at its maximum by twisting the wire W, the forward rotation of the motor 80 stops. Then, the motor 80 is driven in the reverse direction, the rotating shaft 72 is reversed, and the sleeve 71 moves in the rearward direction (i.e., in the direction of arrow R1).

[0100] When the sleeve 71 moves rearward, the retention of the wire W is released. Additionally, as the sleeve 71 moves rearward, the first side hook 70R moves away from the central hook 70C, and the second side hook 70L moves away from the central hook 70C. Thus, the wire W disengages from the wire catch 70.

[0101] As explained above, during the movement of the reinforcing bar S between the coiling guide 50 and the induction guide 51 in the coiling forming section 5, the reinforcing bar S contacts at least one of the first abutting part 91a and the second abutting part 91b on or near the extension line of the axis L of the rotational movement of the binding section 7. Furthermore, when the contact switch section 9 is detected to be activated by the reinforcing bar S pressing and moving backward through at least one of the first abutting part 91a and the second abutting part 91b, the binding operation is performed.

[0102] Therefore, the binding operation can be performed with the reinforcing bar S located on or near the extension line of the axis L of the rotation of the binding part 7. In addition, since the moving direction of the first abutment part 91a and the second abutment part 91b is along the front-back direction of the axis L of the rotation of the binding part 7, even when the contact switch part 9 is activated, the position of the reinforcing bar S can be prevented from deviating significantly from or near the extension line of the axis L of the rotation of the binding part 7.

[0103] Therefore, it can prevent the position of the wire W from being twisted from deviating significantly from the position of the reinforcing bar S, thus ensuring the strength of the bundle.

[0104] 1: Rebar bundling machine 2: Box 3: Wire conveying section 4: Cable guide 5: Curl Formation Section 6: Cut-off section 7: Binding section 8: Drive Unit 9: Contact switch section 10: Main body 11: Handle 12: Trigger Switch Section 13a: Trigger 13b: Switch 14L, 14R: Housing 15: Battery 16L, 16R: Support section 20: Reel 30: Conveyor gear 50: Curling Guide 51: Guiding element 60: Fixed blade section 61: Movable cutting section 62: Transmission mechanism 70: Wire clamping body 70C: Center Hook 70L: Second side hook 70R: First side hook 71: Sleeve 71a: Opening and closing pins 71b: Shaft 71c1, 71c2: Bending section 72: Rotation axis 72a: Delivery thread 72b: Connecting part 72c: Spring 73: Opening and closing guide hole 80: Motor 81: Reducer 91: Reliance Department 91a: First anchorage section 91b: Second anchorage 92: Moving parts 92a: First moving part 92b: Second moving part 93: Force-applying components 93a: First force-applying component 93b: Second force-applying component 94: Testing Department 94a: Movable component 95: Transmission Components 95a: Shaft 95b: Force-applying component 100: Control Department F0, F1, L2, R0, R1, R2: Arrows L: Axis L11, L12: Protrusion Amount P1: Initial position P2: Bundling position PF, PF1, PF2: Front end positions Ru: Ring S: Reinforcing steel W: Wire

Claims

1. A bundling machine, comprising: Main body; The main body includes: a wire conveying section for conveying wire wound onto a bundle; a bundling section for twisting the wire wound on the bundle by locking and rotating it; a coiling guide for adding a coiled portion to the wire conveyed by the wire conveying section; an induction guide for guiding the wire with the added coiled portion by the coiling guide toward the bundle; and a contact switch section that operates by the bundle abutting against it. The coiling guide and the induction guide are disposed at one end of the main body in the direction along the axis of rotation of the bundle. The contact switch section includes an abutting portion for the bundle to abut against. The abutting portion is disposed between the coiling guide and the induction guide, relative to the axis, on at least one side in a direction orthogonal to both the direction in which the coiling guide and the induction guide are arranged and the direction along the axis. The amount of protrusion along the axis from one end of the main body to the front end of the abutment is configured to be shorter than at least one of the amount of protrusion along the axis from one end of the main body to the front end of the curling guide and the amount of protrusion along the axis from one end of the main body to the front end of the guiding guide. When the bundle abuts against the abutment and the contact switch is activated, a bundling action is performed. The abutment is movable from a first position to a second position along the axis of rotation of the bundling part. When the abutment moves to the second position, the contact switch is activated. The abutment, relative to the axis of rotation of the bundling part, includes a first abutment on one side along a direction orthogonal to the direction of arrangement of the curling guide and the guiding guide and along the axis, and a second abutment on the other side. The first abutment and the second abutment move independently. The bundling machine includes a detection unit for detecting whether the first abutment and the second abutment have moved. The bundling machine includes a transfer component that transmits the movement of the first abutment and the second abutment to a single detection unit.

2. The bundling machine as described in claim 1, wherein, The abutment is movably mounted on the housing constituting the main body.

3. The bundling machine as described in claim 1, wherein, The abutment part can move linearly along the axis of rotation of the binding part.

4. The bundling machine as described in claim 1, wherein, The abutment part can rotate and move along an arc centered on the axis of rotation of the binding part.

5. A bundling machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The amount of protrusion along the axis from one end of the main body to the front end of the abutment is configured to be shorter than either the shorter of the amount of protrusion along the axis from one end of the main body to the front end of the curling guide and the shorter of the amount of protrusion along the axis from one end of the main body to the front end of the guiding guide.

6. A bundling machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The binding machine includes: a handle protruding from the main body; and a trigger switch that operates by the operation of a hand holding the handle, wherein a binding action is performed when the trigger switch and the contact switch are both activated.

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