Slider positioning and tension cut-off mechanism for automatic strapping tool

Abstract

The application relates to a slider positioning and tensioning and cutting mechanism of an automatic strapping tool, which comprises a slider, a guide rail, a rack, a tensioning wheel and a cutting knife; the slider is matched with the guide rail; the guide rail limits five degrees of freedom of the slider; the slider slides along the length direction of the guide rail; a strapping head is pre-positioned on the slider; the slider pushes the strapping from the pre-positioning position to a bundling working position; a convex rib or a profiled pit is designed on the slider; a hole is designed on the slider to allow a strapping tail to pass through; and the cutting knife can cut the strapping tail; the application is suitable for manual feeding, mechanical hand feeding, clip type feeding or automatic strapping tools with a connected body; the application is suitable for automatic bundling of common nylon strappings with regular head shapes, and especially solves the problem of automatic bundling of integrated fixed strappings with irregular head shapes.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a slider positioning mechanism, in particular to a slider positioning and tensioning cutting mechanism of an automatic strapping tool. BACKGROUND

[0002] The head of common nylon strapping is square, and the existing automatic strapping tools suitable for common nylon strapping are all positioned by using the square strapping head to realize automatic strapping operation. Automobiles, trains, motorcycles and other transportation tools widely use integrated fixed strapping. The integrated fixed strapping is a combination of common strapping function and additional head fixing feature. The fixing feature of the strapping head is mainly used to hold on the frame of the vehicle or the shell of the household appliance. Common types of integrated fixed strapping head features mainly include: combination type of fir tree head plus butterfly shape, or fir tree head plus wing type, combination type of arrow head plus butterfly shape, or arrow head plus wing type, flat plate type with locking hole, etc. Because the head of the integrated fixed strapping is irregular in shape and has many types of shapes, it is difficult to position and automatically feed in the automatic tool. Most of the integrated fixed strapping is neither suitable for feeding by the vibrating disc nor possible to be fed by the pipe. The design concept and method of various automatic strapping machines and tools that have been put into the market are not suitable for the automation of the integrated fixed strapping. The bundling of the wire harness of the automobile and other transportation tools is a manual operation in the world. The work efficiency is low and the labor intensity is large. According to the introduction of many large automobile wire harness industry multinational companies, in order to improve the bundling efficiency of the integrated fixed strapping and reduce the labor intensity, many automobile wire harness industry multinational companies have been trying to develop an automatic strapping tool suitable for the integrated fixed strapping on their own or jointly develop it with some well-known tool manufacturers for the past thirty years. But their efforts for more than thirty years have not been successful. Many large multinational companies in the automobile industry and well-known multinational companies in the automobile wire harness industry contacted from 2013 to 2017, requiring to develop an automatic strapping tool for the integrated fixed strapping. After years of thinking and many trials, the present inventor has developed several automatic tool design schemes that can be used for the integrated fixed strapping. But the slider positioning and tensioning cutting mechanism is involved in different design schemes. SUMMARY

[0003] The purpose of the present application is to solve the positioning and feeding problems of the integrated fixed strapping in the automatic bundling tool. After summarizing the ideas, the integrated fixed strapping tool can be designed in various structural forms according to different feeding modes: manual feeding one by one, arc-shaped or flat spring clip pre-storing multiple strapping, manually pushing one to feed one after bundling one, automatic feeding by mechanical hand, automatic feeding by wheel type spring clip, or conjoined strapping type feeding. However, no matter which design is used, the integrated fixed strapping needs to be pre-positioned in the automatic strapping tool before being pushed to the bundling working position. The present application provides a slider positioning and tensioning cutting mechanism for pre-positioning the strapping and pushing it to the bundling working position, i.e. an automatic strapping tool.

[0004] The present application is realized by the following technical scheme: a slider positioning and tensioning cutting mechanism of an automatic strapping tool, including a slider and a guide rail; the guide rail is fixed on the frame, the slider cooperates with the guide rail, the five spatial degrees of freedom of the slider are limited by the guide rail, the slider slides along the length direction of the guide rail, the head of the integrated fixed strapping is pre-positioned on the slider, and the slider slides along the length direction of the guide rail to push the integrated fixed strapping from the pre-positioning position to the bundling working position.

[0005] Further, the slider has a slider hole through which the tail of the strapping passes, i.e. the slider and the slider hole are necessary elements in the automatic bundling process of the integrated fixed strapping.

[0006] Further, a convex rib is designed on the slider, or a profiled pit is made according to the head of the integrated fixed strapping, which uses the elasticity of plastic material to tightly clamp the head of the strapping.

[0007] Further, the convex rib on the slider for fixing the head of the integrated fixed strapping: either is made as a whole with the slider, or is split into multiple parts and fixed on the slider by screws or pins.

[0008] Further, the driving of the slider is by a pneumatic cylinder, a belt, a screw nut transmission pair, a spring pushing and soft rope pulling mode, a series of four-bar mechanisms for increasing stroke, a toggle mechanism for increasing stroke, a rocker slider mechanism for increasing stroke, or a crank slider mechanism for increasing stroke.

[0009] Further, the belt, the screw nut transmission pair, the soft rope, the series of four-bar mechanisms, the toggle mechanism, the rocker slider mechanism, or the crank slider mechanism is driven by pneumatic force or electric force.

[0010] Further, the matching cross section of the slider and the guide rail is rectangular, double circular or arc, triangular, spline, or a combination of the above basic cross section shapes.

[0011] Further, the slider and the guide rail mechanism, or the automatic strapping tool for manual feeding, or the automatic tool for feeding by a mechanical hand, or the automatic strapping tool for feeding by an arc-shaped or flat plate-shaped magazine, or the automatic strapping tool for feeding by a wheel-shaped magazine, or the automatic strapping tool for feeding by a conjoined material.

[0012] In particular, the present application is not only suitable for the automatic strapping tool of the integral fixed strapping with irregular head shape, but also suitable for the automatic strapping tool of the common nylon strapping with regular head shape.

[0013] The present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] 1. Solving the positioning problem of the integral fixed strapping in the automatic strapping tool;

[0015] 2. Solving the automatic strapping operation of the integral fixed strapping and providing a design method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is the axonometric view of the present application;

[0017] Figure 2 is the axonometric view of the present application, with the state of the strapping;

[0018] Figure 3 is the top view of the present application;

[0019] Figure 4 is the front view of the present application, with the slider in the pre-positioning position;

[0020] Figure 5 is the front view of the present application, with the slider in the strapping working position, and the strapping starting;

[0021] Figure 6 is the front view of the present application, with the slider in the strapping working position, and the strapping in the process;

[0022] Figure 7 is the front view of the present application, with the slider in the strapping working position, and the strapping completed, and the slider about to exit the strapping head;

[0023] Figure 8 is the front view of the present application, with the slider driven by a screw rod;

[0024] Figure 9 is the top view of the present application, with the slider driven by a belt;

[0025] Figure 10This is the front view of the invention; the slider is driven by a belt.

[0026] Figure 11 This is a top view of the invention, showing that the slider is driven by a combination of multiple sets of 4-bar linkages to achieve range extension;

[0027] Figure 12 This is the front view of the invention, showing that the slider is driven by a combination of multiple sets of 4-bar linkages;

[0028] Figure 13 This is a top view of the present invention, showing that the slider is driven by a combination of multiple sets of 4-bar linkages, and the slider is in the binding working position;

[0029] Figure 14 This is the main view of the invention, which uses a combination of crank-connecting rod mechanism and toggle mechanism to drive the slider;

[0030] Figure 15 This is the main view of the invention, which uses a combination of a cylinder and a toggle mechanism to drive the slider;

[0031] Figure 16 This is the front view of the invention, showing that a rocker arm or crank arm extends the range of motion to drive the slider.

[0032] Figure 17 This is the front view of the invention, showing that a rocker arm or crank arm extends the range of motion to drive the slider, which is in the binding working position.

[0033] Figure 18 This is the front view of the invention, showing that the slider and guide rail are fitted with a rectangular cross-section;

[0034] Figure 19 Is with Figure 18 Corresponding BB section view;

[0035] Figure 20 This is the main view of the invention, showing that the slider and the guide rail are fitted with a double cylindrical section.

[0036] Figure 21 Is with Figure 20 The corresponding CC section view;

[0037] Figure 22 This is the front view of the invention, showing that the slider and the guide rail are fitted with a triangular cross section;

[0038] Figure 23 Is with Figure 22 Corresponding DD section view;

[0039] Figure 24 This is the front view of the invention, showing that the slider and the guide rail are fitted with a splined cross section.

[0040] Figure 25 Is with Figure 24Corresponding EE section view;

[0041] Figure 26 This is an isometric drawing of the present invention, applied to a single-piece feeding method using manual or robotic arms.

[0042] Figure 27 This is an isometric view of the present invention, applied to a feeding method using an arc-shaped or flat magazine;

[0043] Figure 28 This is an isometric view of the present invention, applied to the automatic feeding method of wheel-type magazines;

[0044] Figure 29 This is an isometric view of the present invention, applied to the automatic feeding method of one-piece cable ties;

[0045] Reference numerals: 1. Slider; 101. Rib; 102. Contour recess; 103. Slider hole; 2. Guide rail; 3. Cylinder; 4. First guide claw; 5. Second guide claw; 6. Tensioning wheel; 7. Cutting knife; 8. First guide claw center pin; 9. Second guide claw center pin; 10. Screw; 11. Pulley; 12. Belt; 13. Toggle mechanism; 14. Integrated fixing strap; 15. Mounting center shaft; 16. Crank-connecting rod mechanism; 17. Serial 4-bar linkage; 18. Rocker arm or crank; 19. Connecting rod; 20. Arc-shaped or flat clip; 21. Wheel clip; 22. Push rod; 30. Frame. Implementation

[0046] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments: Example

[0047] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the slider 1 cooperates with the guide rail 2. The five degrees of freedom of the slider 1 are restricted by the guide rail 2. The slider 1 slides along the length direction of the guide rail 2. The slider 1 is designed with protruding ribs 101 or has a contoured recess 102 made according to the head of the integrated cable tie 14. Utilizing the elasticity of the plastic material of the head of the integrated cable tie 14, the head of the integrated cable tie 14 is clamped by a micro-tight fit. The head of the integrated cable tie 14 is pre-positioned on the contoured recess 102 of the slider 1. The slider 1 slides along the length direction of the guide rail 2 to push the cable tie from the pre-positioned position to the binding position. The protruding ribs 101 on the slider 1 for fixing the head of the integrated cable tie 14 or are divided into multiple parts and fixed to the slider 1 with screws or pins. The guide rail 2 is fixed on the frame 30. Example

[0048] likeFigure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, further, a first guide claw center pin 8, a second guide claw center pin 9, a tensioning wheel 6, and a cutting blade 7 are installed on the frame 30. The first guide claw 4 can rotate around the first guide claw center pin 8, and the second guide claw 5 can rotate around the second guide claw center pin 9. The first guide claw 4 and the second guide claw 5 have guide grooves. When the slider 1 slides along the length direction of the guide rail 2 to push the cable tie from the pre-positioned position to the binding working position, the tail of the integrated fixing cable tie 14 enters the guide groove of the first guide claw 4 and the second guide claw 5. When the integrated cable tie 14 is pushed to the binding position, the tail of the integrated cable tie 14 approaches the hole at the head of the integrated cable tie 14. The first guide claw 4 rotates around the center pin 8 of the first guide claw. The tail of the integrated cable tie 14 passes through the slider hole 103 of the slider 1 and is bitten by the tension wheel 6. The tension wheel 6 rotates to tighten the integrated cable tie 14. The cutting blade 7 cuts off the tail of the integrated cable tie 14. The head of the integrated cable tie 14 exits from the slider 1, and the slider 1 retracts to the pre-positioned position. Example

[0049] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the movement of the slider 1 is directly driven by the cylinder 3;

[0050] like Figure 8 As shown, the reciprocating motion of the slider 1 is driven by the screw 10;

[0051] like Figure 9 , Figure 10 As shown, the belt 12 is driven by the pulley 11, and the belt 12 is connected to the slider 1. The belt 12 drives the slider 1 to reciprocate.

[0052] like Figure 11 , Figure 12 , Figure 13 As shown, the slider 1 is driven by a combination of multiple four-bar linkages and cylinder 3 to extend the range, or a motor-driven crank connecting rod or cam can be used instead of cylinder 3.

[0053] like Figure 14 As shown, the slider 1 is driven to slide on the guide rail 2 by a combination of a motor-driven crank-connecting rod mechanism 16 and a toggle mechanism 13.

[0054] like Figure 15As shown, the slider 1 is driven to slide on the guide rail 2 by a combination of cylinder 3 and toggle mechanism 13. Cylinder 3 is mounted on the mounting center shaft 15 and can rotate around the mounting center shaft 15.

[0055] like Figure 16 , Figure 17 As shown, the rocker arm or crank 18 and connecting rod 19 drive the slider 1. The slider 1 moves from a pre-positioned position through the dead point of the rocker arm or crank 18 to the binding working position. After binding is completed, the rocker arm or crank 18 and connecting rod 19 drive the slider 1 back to the pre-positioned position through the dead point, thus achieving a range extension effect. Example

[0056] like Figure 18 , Figure 19 , Figure 20 , Figure 21 , Figure 22 , Figure 23 , Figure 24 , Figure 25 As shown, the guide rail 2 and the slider 1 are fitted with either a rectangular cross section, a double circular cross section, a triangular cross section, a spline, or a combination of the aforementioned basic shapes; the guide rail 2 restricts the slider 1's five spatial degrees of freedom, allowing the slider 1 to move only along the length of the guide rail 2. Example

[0057] like Figure 26 As shown, this invention is applied to a single-piece feeding method using manual or robotic arms. When the slider 1 is in the pre-positioned position, the manual or robotic arm inserts the head of one of the integrated fixing straps 14 into the slider 1 each time. The slider 1 pushes the integrated fixing strap 14 to the binding position. After binding is completed, the slider 1 returns to the pre-positioned position. Example

[0058] like Figure 27 The diagram shows an automatic cable tie tool with an integrated cable tie 14 and an arc-shaped or flat magazine 20. When the slider 1 is in the pre-positioned position, one integrated cable tie 14 is manually pushed from the arc-shaped or flat magazine 20 onto the slider 1 for positioning. The slider 1 pushes the integrated cable tie 14 to the binding position. After binding is completed, the slider 1 returns to the pre-positioned position. Example

[0059] like Figure 28The diagram illustrates the application of the present invention to an automatic cable tie tool with a wheeled magazine 21. The wheeled magazine 21 has "cavities" arranged at equal intervals on its circumference. The integrated cable tie 14 is pre-positioned in the "cavities" of the wheeled magazine 21. Each time the wheeled magazine 21 rotates by one pitch and the "cavities" of the wheeled magazine 21 align with the contoured recess 102 of the slider 1, when the slider 1 is in the pre-positioned position, the push rod 22 pushes one integrated cable tie 14 from the wheeled magazine 21 onto the slider 1 for positioning. The slider 1 pushes the integrated cable tie 14 to the binding position. After binding is completed, the slider 1 returns to the pre-positioned position. Example

[0060] like Figure 29 The diagram shows the application of the present invention to an integrated automatic cable tie tool. The integrated fixed cable tie 14 is fed forward one step at a time, and the push rod 22 pushes a cut integrated fixed cable tie 14 into the contour recess 102 of the slider 1 for positioning. The slider 1 pushes the integrated fixed cable tie 14 to the binding working position. After the binding is completed, the slider 1 returns to the pre-positioned position. Example

[0061] The methods described in Examples 1-8 are applicable to the automatic binding of one-piece fixing cable ties with irregular head shapes, and the methods described in Examples 1-8 are also applicable to the automatic binding of ordinary nylon cable ties with regular head shapes.

[0062] Based on the disclosure and teachings of the foregoing specification, those skilled in the art can make appropriate changes and modifications to the above embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and described above, and some modifications and changes to the present invention should also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention. Furthermore, although some specific terms are used in this specification, these terms are only for convenience of explanation and do not constitute any limitation on the present invention.

Claims

1. A slider positioning, tensioning, and cutting mechanism for an automatic cable tie tool, characterized in that: It includes a slider and a guide rail; the slider cooperates with the guide rail, and the five spatial degrees of freedom of the slider are restricted by the guide rail. The slider slides along the length direction of the guide rail. The cable tie head is pre-positioned on the slider. The slider slides along the length direction of the guide rail to push the cable tie from the pre-positioned position to the binding position. The slider has a hole for the cable tie tail to pass through. It also includes a frame, a tensioning wheel and a cutting blade. The tensioning wheel and the cutting blade are mounted on the frame. The rotation of the tensioning wheel can tighten the cable tie, and the cutting blade can cut off the cable tie tail. The slider is designed with raised ribs or a contoured recess to fix the cable tie head in one piece. It uses the elasticity of the plastic material and a micro-tight fit to hold the cable tie head.

2. A slider positioning and tensioning cutting mechanism for the automatic cable ties tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protruding ribs on the slider for fixing the cable tie head can either be made as a whole with the slider, or be disassembled into multiple parts and fixed to the slider with screws or pins.

3. A slider positioning and tensioning / cutting mechanism for the automatic cable ties tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slider can be driven by: a cylinder, a belt, a screw and nut transmission pair, a spring-pull and rope-pull mechanism, a series four-bar linkage for stroke extension, a toggle linkage for stroke extension, a rocker-slider stroke extension mechanism, or a crank-slider stroke extension mechanism.

4. A slider positioning and tensioning cutting mechanism for the automatic cable ties tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-section of the slider and the guide rail can be rectangular, double circular or arc-shaped, triangular, spline, or a combination of the above basic cross-sectional shapes.

5. A slider positioning and tensioning cutting mechanism for the automatic cable ties tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The automatic cable tie tool may be a slider positioning and tensioning cutting mechanism, or an automatic cable tie tool for manual feeding, or an automatic tool for robotic arm feeding, or an automatic cable tie tool for feeding curved or flat magazines, or an automatic cable tie tool for feeding wheel magazines, or an automatic cable tie tool for integrated materials.

6. A slider positioning and tensioning cutting mechanism for the automatic cable ties tool according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that: The automatic cable tie tool includes a slider positioning and tensioning / cutting mechanism: either an automatic binding tool for integrated fixed cable ties with irregular head shapes, or an automatic binding tool for ordinary nylon cable ties with regular head shapes.

7. A slider positioning and tensioning / cutting mechanism for the automatic cable ties tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide rail is fixedly connected to the frame.

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