Bundling machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a strapping machine comprising: a strapping wire feeding section for feeding strapping wire; a coiling forming section for forming a feeding path for the strapping wire fed by the strapping wire feeding section to be wound around the bundled object; and a strapping section for twisting the strapping wire fed by the strapping wire feeding section and wound around the bundled object. The strapping wire feeding section comprises: a pair of feeding members for clamping the strapping wire and feeding the strapping wire by rotational action; and a feeding motor for driving the feeding members by rotational action. The rotational speed of the feeding motor changes when the strapping wire is clamped by the pair of feeding members. The feeding motor rotates at a first speed in the direction of rotation of feeding the strapping wire, and rotates at a second speed greater than the first speed in the direction of rotation when the strapping wire is clamped by the pair of feeding members.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application filed on July 30, 2021, with application number 202110869926.4 and invention title "Binding Machine". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a binding machine for binding reinforcing bars and other bundled items with binding wire. Background Technology

[0003] In concrete structures, steel bars are used to increase strength. They are tied with binding wire during concrete pouring to prevent them from shifting from their intended positions.

[0004] Previously, a binding machine called a rebar binding machine was proposed. This machine winds binding wire around two or more rebars and then twists the wire to bind the two or more rebars together. The binding machine includes: a binding wire feeding mechanism that feeds the binding wire wound on a spool and winds it around the rebar; a holding mechanism that grips the binding wire wound around the rebar; and a binding wire twisting mechanism that rotates the holding mechanism to twist the binding wire. A trigger operation causes the binding wire feeding mechanism, holding mechanism, and binding wire twisting mechanism to operate sequentially, thus performing one cycle of binding.

[0005] When using binding wire to tie reinforcing bars, if the binding becomes loose, the bars will misalign, thus requiring the bars to be held securely together. Therefore, a technique has been proposed to feed the binding wire wound around the reinforcing bars in the opposite direction to wind them (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Additionally, a technique has been proposed to feed the binding wire using a pair of rotating rollers (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-34305

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-34110 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0011] In a structure that uses a pair of rollers to hold and feed the binding wire, the binding wire is fed by the friction generated between the rollers and the binding wire.

[0012] To obtain sufficient friction to feed the binding wire, the force of the springs pressing the pair of rollers towards each other needs to be increased. However, if the force of the springs pressing the pair of rollers towards each other is increased, it becomes difficult to move the pair of rollers away manually. To discharge the binding wire between the pair of rollers, it is necessary to move the pair of rollers away manually, thus hindering the feeding of the binding wire with a stronger force.

[0013] The present invention was made to solve such a problem, and its object is to provide a strapping machine that can discharge strapping wires even when the pressing force of pressing a pair of feed parts toward each other is increased.

[0014] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0015] To address the aforementioned issues, the present invention provides a strapping machine comprising: a strapping wire feeding section for feeding strapping wire; a coiling forming section for forming a feeding path for the strapping wire fed from the strapping wire feeding section in a first direction to be wound around the bundled object; and a strapping section for twisting the strapping wire fed from the strapping wire feeding section in the first direction and wound around the bundled object. The strapping wire feeding section includes: a pair of feeding members for clamping the strapping wire and feeding the strapping wire by rotational action; and a feeding motor for driving the feeding members. The strapping machine also includes a control section for controlling the strapping wire feeding section, which controls the strapping wire feeding section so that the strapping wire clamped by the feeding members can be discharged from the feeding members.

[0016] In this invention, the binding wire held by the feeding member can be discharged by controlling the binding wire feeding section.

[0017] Invention Effects

[0018] The binding wire W can be discharged without the need for manual labor to move a pair of feed components in the separation direction. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram showing an example of the overall structure of a rebar tying machine, viewed from the side.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing an example of a binding wire feed section.

[0021] Figure 3A This is a three-dimensional diagram showing an example of a binding section.

[0022] Figure 3B This is a sectional top view showing an example of a binding section.

[0023] Figure 3C This is a sectional top view showing an example of a binding section.

[0024] Figure 4This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the control functions of a rebar tying machine.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the action of a rebar tying machine loading and discharging binding wire.

[0026] Figure 6A This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the action of a rebar tying machine loading and discharging binding wire.

[0027] Figure 6B This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the action of a rebar tying machine loading and discharging binding wire.

[0028] Figure 6C This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the action of a rebar tying machine loading and discharging binding wire.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating one example of the control function of a rebar tying machine in other embodiments.

[0030] Figure 8A This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the action of a rebar tying machine loading and discharging binding wire.

[0031] Figure 8B This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the action of a rebar tying machine loading and discharging binding wire.

[0032] Figure 9A This is a perspective view showing an example of the overall structure of a modified rebar tying machine.

[0033] Figure 9B This is a rear view showing an example of the overall structure of a modified rebar tying machine.

[0034] Figure 9C This is a side view showing an example of the overall structure of a modified rebar tying machine.

[0035] Figure 10A This is a rear view showing an example of the main structural components of a modified rebar tying machine.

[0036] Figure 10B yes Figure 10A A sectional view along line AA.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a block diagram illustrating one example of the control function of a modified rebar tying machine.

[0038] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the action of a modified rebar tying machine loading and discharging tying wires. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an example of a rebar tying machine that is an embodiment of the tying machine of the present invention will be described.

[0040] <Structural Example of a Rebar Binding Machine>

[0041] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram showing an example of the overall structure of a rebar tying machine, viewed from the side. The rebar tying machine 1A is a handheld type, consisting of a main body 10A and a handle 11A.

[0042] In addition, the rebar tying machine 1A feeds the tying wire W in the positive direction as indicated by arrow F, and winds it around the rebar S that is being tied. Then, it feeds the tying wire W around the rebar S in the opposite direction as indicated by arrow R and winds it around the rebar S again. Finally, it twists the tying wire W to tie the rebar S with the tying wire W.

[0043] To achieve the above functions, the rebar tying machine 1A includes a material box 2A for storing tying wire W and a tying wire feed section 3A for feeding the tying wire W. Furthermore, the rebar tying machine 1A includes: a coiling forming section 5A that forms a path for winding the tying wire W fed by the tying wire feed section 3A around the rebar S; and a cutting section 6A that cuts the tying wire W wound around the rebar S. The rebar tying machine 1A also includes: a binding section 7A that twists the tying wire W wound around the rebar S; and a drive section 8A that drives the binding section 7A.

[0044] In the material box 2A, a spool 20 is rotatably and removably stored, and a long strip of binding wire W is wound around the spool 20 in an unwinding manner. The binding wire W is made of metal wire that can be plastically deformed, metal wire coated with resin, or is a stranded binding wire. The spool 20 winds one or more binding wires W around a hub (not shown), and one binding wire W or multiple binding wires W can be pulled out from the spool 20 at the same time.

[0045] The binding wire feed unit 3A includes a pair of feed gears 30 (first feed gear 30L and second feed gear 30R) that feed the binding wires W by rotational action. These gears serve as a pair of feed components that clamp one or multiple binding wires W in parallel for feeding. The binding wire feed unit 3A is rotated by the rotational action of the feed motor (described later). As a result, the binding wire feed unit 3A feeds the binding wires W clamped between the pair of feed gears 30 along the extension direction of the binding wires W. In a configuration that feeds multiple binding wires, such as two, the two binding wires W are fed in a parallel configuration.

[0046] The coiling forming section 5A includes: a coiling guide 50, which is an example of a first guide that imparts a coil mark to the binding wire W fed by the binding wire feed section 3A; and an induction guide 51, which is an example of a second guide that guides the binding wire W, which has been imparted a coil mark by the coiling guide 50, to the binding section 7A. In the rebar binding machine 1A, the path of the binding wire W fed by the binding wire feed section 3A is restricted by the coiling forming section 5A, thereby causing the trajectory of the binding wire W to become as follows: Figure 1 The ring Ru shown by the dashed line has binding wire W wrapped around the reinforcing bar S.

[0047] The cutting unit 6A includes a fixed blade section 60, a movable blade section 61 that cuts the binding wire W in cooperation with the fixed blade section 60, and a transmission mechanism 62 that transmits the motion of the binding unit 7A to the movable blade section 61. The cutting unit 6A cuts the binding wire W by rotating the movable blade section 61 around the fixed blade section 60. The transmission mechanism 62 transmits the motion of the binding unit 7A to the movable blade section 61 via a moving member 83, and rotates the movable blade section 61 in conjunction with the motion of the binding unit 7A to cut the binding wire W.

[0048] The binding section 7A includes a binding wire retainer 70 for retaining the binding wire W. A detailed description of the binding section 7A will follow. The drive section 8A includes a motor 80 and a reducer 81 for speed reduction and torque amplification.

[0049] The rebar tying machine 1A has a feed restriction section 90 that abuts against the front end of the binding wire W on the feed path of the binding wire W, which is secured by the binding wire retainer 70. Furthermore, in the rebar tying machine 1A, the curling guide 50 and the guiding guide 51 of the aforementioned curling forming section 5A are provided at the front end of the main body section 10A. Moreover, the contact section 91 of the rebar tying machine 1A that abuts against the rebar S is provided between the curling guide 50 and the guiding guide 51 at the front end of the main body section 10A.

[0050] Furthermore, the handle 11A of the rebar tying machine 1A extends downward from the main body 10A. A battery 15 is detachably mounted on the lower part of the handle 11A. The material box 2A of the rebar tying machine 1A is located in front of the handle 11A. The rebar tying machine 1A houses the aforementioned binding wire feed unit 3A, cutting unit 6A, binding unit 7A, and drive unit 8A for driving the binding unit 7A within the main body 10A.

[0051] The rebar tying machine 1A has a trigger 12A on the front side of the handle 11A, and an operation switch 13A inside the handle 11A. In addition, a board 100 that forms the circuit of the control unit is installed on the main body 10A.

[0052] Figure 2This is a perspective view showing an example of a binding wire feed section. Next, the structure of the binding wire feed section 3A will be explained with reference to the figures.

[0053] The first feed gear 30L, which constitutes one of a pair of feed gears 30 and serves as a feed component, has teeth 31L for transmitting driving force. In this example, the teeth 31L are in the shape of a spur gear and are formed around the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the first feed gear 30L. Additionally, the first feed gear 30L has a groove 32L for the binding wire W to enter. In this example, the groove 32L is formed by a recess with a roughly V-shaped cross-section and is formed along the circumferential direction around the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the first feed gear 30L.

[0054] The second feed gear 30R, which constitutes another feed component in a pair of feed gears 30, has teeth 31R for transmitting driving force. In this example, the teeth 31R are in the shape of a spur gear and are formed around the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the second feed gear 30R. Additionally, the second feed gear 30R has a groove 32R for the binding wire W to enter. In this example, the groove 32R is formed by a recess with a roughly V-shaped cross-section and is formed along the circumferential direction around the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the second feed gear 30R.

[0055] The binding wire feed section 3A aligns the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L with the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R. The first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R are positioned across the feed path of the binding wire W.

[0056] When the binding wire feed unit 3A holds the binding wire W between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R, the teeth 31L of the first feed gear 30L and the teeth 31R of the second feed gear 30R mesh. Thus, a rotational driving force is transmitted between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0057] The binding wire feeding unit 3A includes: a feed motor 33 that drives one of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, in this example driving the first feed gear 30L; and a drive force transmission mechanism 34 that transmits the driving force of the feed motor 33 to the first feed gear 30L.

[0058] The drive force transmission mechanism 34 includes a pinion 33a mounted to the shaft of the feed motor 33 and a large gear 33b meshing with the pinion 33a. Additionally, the drive force transmission mechanism 34 includes a feed pinion 34a that transmits drive force from the large gear 33b and meshes with the first feed gear 30L. The pinion 33a, large gear 33b, and feed pinion 34a are all composed of spur gears.

[0059] The first feed gear 30L rotates by transmitting the rotational motion of the feed motor 33 via the drive force transmission mechanism 34. The second feed gear 30R transmits the rotational motion of the first feed gear 30L through the meshing of the teeth 31L and 31R, and rotates driven by the first feed gear 30L.

[0060] Thus, the binding wire feed unit 3A feeds the binding wire W, which is held between a pair of first feed gears 30L and second feed gears 30R, along the extension direction of the binding wire W. In the structure of feeding two binding wires W, the two binding wires W are fed in a parallel state by the frictional force generated between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and one binding wire W, the frictional force generated between the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R and another binding wire W, and the frictional force generated between one binding wire W and the other binding wire W.

[0061] The binding wire feed unit 3A switches the rotation direction of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R by switching the rotation direction of the feed motor 33, thereby switching the feed direction of the binding wire W.

[0062] The binding wire feed unit 3A, in order to clamp the binding wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, has a structure in which the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R are pressed close to each other. That is, the binding wire feed unit 3A, in order to clamp the binding wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, and to fill the space between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R with binding wire W, is configured such that the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R can move in directions of approaching and separating. In this example, the second feed gear 30R, which receives the driving force from the feed motor 33 from the first feed gear 30L and is not directly transmitted the driving force from the feed motor 33, is displaced relative to the first feed gear 30L.

[0063] Therefore, the binding wire feed unit 3A includes a first displacement member 36 that displaces the second feed gear 30R in a direction relative to the first feed gear 30L, moving it closer to and further away from the first feed gear 30L. Additionally, it includes a second displacement member 37 that displaces the first displacement member 36. The first displacement member 36 and the second displacement member 37 are examples of displacement units that displace one or both of the pair of feed gears 30 in directions that move closer to and further away from each other. In this example, as described above, the second feed gear 30R is displaced in a direction relative to the first feed gear 30L, moving it closer to and further away from the first feed gear 30L.

[0064] The second feed gear 30R is rotatably supported on one end of the first displacement member 36 by the shaft 300R. In addition, the other end of the first displacement member 36 is supported on the support member 301 of the binding wire feed section 3A in a manner that allows it to rotate about the shaft 36a as a fulcrum.

[0065] The shaft 36a of the first displacement member 36, which serves as the fulcrum for rotation, is oriented parallel to the shaft 300R of the second feed gear 30R. Thus, the first displacement member 36 is displaced by rotation with the shaft 36a as the fulcrum, causing the second feed gear 30R to approach and separate from the first feed gear 30L.

[0066] The first displacement member 36 has a pressed portion 36b at one end side that is pressed by the second displacement member 37. The pressed portion 36b is disposed on the side of the portion that supports the shaft 300R of the second feed gear 30R.

[0067] The second displacement member 37 is supported on the support member 301 of the binding wire feed section 3A in such a way that it can rotate around the shaft 37a. In addition, the second displacement member 37 has a pressing part 37b on one end side across the shaft 37a, which presses the pressed part 36b of the first displacement member 36.

[0068] The second displacement member 37 is displaced by rotating around the axis 37a, and the pressing part 37b presses the pressed part 36b of the first displacement member 36 and releases the pressing part 37b from the pressed part 36b.

[0069] The binding wire feed unit 3A includes a spring 38 that presses the second feed gear 30R against the first feed gear 30L. The spring 38 is, for example, a compression coil spring, and presses the other end of the second displacement member 37 across the shaft 37a.

[0070] The second displacement member 37 is displaced by rotating around the shaft 37a under the pressure of the spring 38, and the pressing part 37b presses the pressed part 36b of the first displacement member 36. When the pressing part 37b of the second displacement member 37 presses the pressed part 36b of the first displacement member 36, the first displacement member 36 is displaced by rotating around the shaft 36a. As a result, the second feed gear 30R is pressed towards the first feed gear 30L by the force of the spring 38.

[0071] When a binding wire W is filled between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the binding wire W is clamped between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R.

[0072] Furthermore, when the binding wire W is clamped between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R, the teeth 31L of the first feed gear 30L and the teeth 31R of the second feed gear 30R mesh.

[0073] Figure 3A This is a three-dimensional diagram showing an example of a binding section. Figure 3B , Figure 3C This is a sectional top view showing an example of the binding part. Next, the structure of the binding part will be explained with reference to the figures.

[0074] The binding section 7A includes a binding wire retainer 70 for retaining the binding wire W and a rotating shaft 72 for actuating the binding wire retainer 70. The rotating shaft 72 of the binding section 7A is connected to the motor 80 of the drive section 8A via a reducer 81, and the rotating shaft 72 is driven by the motor 80 via the reducer 81.

[0075] The binding wire clamping body 70 includes: a center 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 center hook 70C; and a sleeve 71 that actuates the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L and shapes the binding wire W into a desired shape.

[0076] In the binding section 7A, the side with the center 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.

[0077] The center hook 70C is connected to one end, or 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.

[0078] One end of the first side hook 70R along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72, namely the front end side, is located on one side relative to the center hook 70C. In addition, the other end of the first side hook 70R along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72, namely the rear end side, is rotatably supported on the center hook 70C by the shaft 71b.

[0079] One end of the second side hook 70L along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72, namely the front end side, is located on the other side relative to the center hook 70C. In addition, the other end of the second side hook 70L along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72, namely the rear end side, is rotatably supported on the center hook 70C by the shaft 71b.

[0080] Therefore, in the binding wire clamping body 70, through the rotational action with the axis 71b as the fulcrum, the front end of the first side hook 70R opens and closes laterally relative to the direction of approaching and leaving the center hook 70C. Additionally, the front end of the second side hook 70L opens and closes laterally relative to the direction of approaching and leaving the center hook 70C.

[0081] The rotating shaft 72 is connected to the reducer 81 at its other end, i.e., its rear end, via a connecting portion 72b having a structure that allows it to rotate integrally with the reducer 81 and to move axially relative to the reducer 81. The connecting portion 72b is equipped with a spring 72c that applies a force to the rotating shaft 72 in a direction approaching the reducer 81, i.e., rearward. Thus, the rotating shaft 72 is configured to move forward in a direction away from the reducer 81 while being pulled rearward by the spring 72c.

[0082] The sleeve 71 is supported by the support frame 76 in a manner that allows it to rotate and slide in the axial direction. The support frame 76 is an annular component that is mounted on the main body 10A in a manner that prevents it from rotating in the circumferential direction and from moving in the axial direction.

[0083] The sleeve 71 has a protrusion (not shown) protruding into the inner circumferential surface of the space into which the rotating shaft 72 is inserted. This protrusion enters a groove in a feed screw 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 (forward and backward) according to the direction of rotation of the rotating shaft 72, through the action of the protrusion (not shown) and the feed screw 72a. Furthermore, the sleeve 71 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 72.

[0084] The sleeve 71 has an opening and closing pin 71a for opening and closing the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L.

[0085] 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 has a shape that extends along the moving direction of the sleeve 71 and converts 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.

[0086] The binding wire clamp 70 moves in the rear direction indicated by arrow A2 through the sleeve 71, thereby moving the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L away from the center hook 70C by rotating about the axis 71b according to the trajectory of the opening and closing pin 71a and the shape of the opening and closing guide hole 73.

[0087] As a result, the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L open relative to the center hook 70C, forming a feeding path for the binding wire W to pass through between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C, and between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C.

[0088] With the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L open relative to the center hook 70C, the binding wire W fed by the binding wire feed section 3A passes between the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R. The binding wire W passing between the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R is induced to the curling forming section 5A. Furthermore, the binding wire W, which has been creased by the curling forming section 5A and induced to the binding section 7A, passes between the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L.

[0089] The binding wire clamp 70 moves forward in the direction indicated by arrow A1 via the sleeve 71, thereby causing the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L to move towards the center hook 70C through a rotational motion about the axis 71b, according to the trajectory of the opening and closing pin 71a and the shape of the opening and closing guide hole 73. Thus, the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L close relative to the center hook 70C.

[0090] When the first side hook 70R is closed relative to the center hook 70C, the binding wire W sandwiched between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C is locked in a manner that allows it to move between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C. Furthermore, when the second side hook 70L is closed relative to the center hook 70C, the binding wire W sandwiched between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C is locked in a manner that prevents it from coming loose from between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C.

[0091] The sleeve 71 includes: a bending portion 71c1, which shapes the binding wire W into a predetermined shape by bending one end, i.e. the front end, in a predetermined direction; and a bending portion 71c2, which shapes the binding wire W into a predetermined shape by bending the other end, i.e. the terminal end, of the binding wire W cut by the cutting portion 6A in a predetermined direction.

[0092] The sleeve 71 moves forward in the direction indicated by arrow A1, thereby pressing the front end of the binding wire W, which is secured by the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L, with the bending portion 71c1, causing the front end of the binding wire W to bend towards the reinforcing bar S. Additionally, the sleeve 71 moves forward in the direction indicated by arrow A1, thereby pressing the end of the binding wire W, which is secured by the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and cut by the cutting portion 6A, with the bending portion 71c2, causing the end of the binding wire W to bend towards the reinforcing bar S.

[0093] The binding part 7A includes a rotation limiting part 74, which limits the rotation of the binding wire clamping body 70 and the sleeve 71, which are linked to the rotation of the rotation shaft 72. The rotation limiting part 74 has a rotation limiting blade 74a on the sleeve 71 and a rotation limiting claw 74b on the main body 10A.

[0094] The rotation limiting blade 74a is configured to have a plurality of protrusions that protrude radially from the outer periphery of the sleeve 71 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The rotation limiting blade 74a is fixed to the sleeve 71 and moves and rotates integrally with the sleeve 71.

[0095] The rotation limiting claw 74b has a first claw portion 74b1 and a second claw portion 74b2 as a pair of claw portions facing each other at a distance through which the rotation limiting blade 74a can pass. The first claw portion 74b1 and the second claw portion 74b2 are configured to be able to retract from the trajectory of the rotation limiting blade 74a by being pushed by the rotation limiting blade 74a according to the rotation direction of the rotation limiting blade 74a.

[0096] When the rotation limiting blade 74a and the rotation limiting pawl 74b are engaged, the rotation limiting unit 74 restricts the rotation of the sleeve 71, which is rotated in conjunction with the rotation shaft 72. The sleeve 71 moves forward and backward due to the rotation of the rotation shaft 72. Conversely, when the engagement between the rotation limiting blade 74a and the rotation limiting pawl 74b is released, the sleeve 71 rotates in conjunction with the rotation shaft 72.

[0097] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the control functions of a rebar tying machine. In the rebar tying machine 1A, according to the... Figure 1 As shown, when the trigger 12A is pressed and the operation switch 13A is pressed, the control unit 14A controls the motor 80 and the feed motor 33 to perform a series of actions to bind the reinforcing bar S with binding wire W. Furthermore, the control unit 14A switches the power supply on and off via the operation of the power switch 15A. Moreover, based on the combination of operations of the operation switch 13A and the power switch 15A, the control unit 14A controls the feed motor 33 to load and discharge the binding wire W in the binding wire feed unit 3A.

[0098] <Example of the operation of a rebar tying machine>

[0099] Next, referring to the figures, the action of the rebar tying machine 1A using tying wire W to tie the rebar S will be explained.

[0100] In the rebar tying machine 1A, the state in which the binding wire W is clamped between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, and the front end of the binding wire W is located between the clamping position of the pair of feed gears 30 and the fixed blade portion 60 of the cutting section 6A, is called the standby state (standby position). Furthermore, in the standby state, the rebar tying machine 1A, such as... Figure 3A , Figure 3B As shown, the first side hook 70R is open relative to the center hook 70C, and the second side hook 70L is open relative to the center hook 70C.

[0101] The reinforcing bar S is placed between the coiling guide 50 and the induction guide 51 of the coiling forming section 5A. When the trigger 12A is operated, the control section 14A drives the feed motor 33 in the forward direction and uses the binding wire feed section 3A to feed the binding wire W in the first direction, i.e., the forward direction indicated by the arrow F.

[0102] In the case of a structure that feeds multiple, for example, two binding wires W, the two binding wires W are fed side by side along the axial direction of the ring Ru formed by the binding wires W via a binding wire guide (not shown).

[0103] The binding wire W, fed in the positive direction, passes between the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and is fed to the coiling guide 50 of the coiling forming section 5A. The binding wire W passes through the coiling guide 50, thereby being given a coiled groove around the reinforcing bar S.

[0104] The binding wire W, with curls instilled by the curling guide 50, is guided by the guiding guide 51 and further fed in the positive direction by the binding wire feed section 3A, thereby being guided by the guiding guide 51 to the space between the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L. Then, the binding wire W is fed until its tip abuts against the feed restriction section 90. When the tip of the binding wire W is fed to the position abutting against the feed restriction section 90, the control section 14A stops the drive of the feed motor 33.

[0105] After the forward feeding of the binding wire W stops, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the forward rotation direction. Within the operating area where the binding wire W is held in place by the binding wire retainer 70, the sleeve 71 is engaged with the rotation limiting pawl 74b by the rotation limiting blade 74a, thereby limiting the rotation of the sleeve 71, which is linked to the rotation of the rotation shaft 72. As a result, the rotation of the motor 80 is converted into linear movement, and the sleeve 71 moves in the direction of arrow A1, which is the forward direction.

[0106] 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 center hook 70C through a rotational motion about the shaft 71b. When the first side hook 70R is closed relative to the center hook 70C, the binding wire W between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C is locked in a position where it can move between the two hooks.

[0107] Furthermore, the second side hook 70L moves toward the center hook 70C by rotating about the axis 71b. When the second side hook 70L is closed relative to the center hook 70C, the binding wire W between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C is locked in a way that prevents it from coming out of the space between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C.

[0108] After the sleeve 71 is advanced to the position where the binding wire W is locked by the closing action of the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L, the control unit 14A temporarily stops the rotation of the motor 80 and drives the feed motor 33 in the reverse direction. As a result, the pair of feed gears 30 reverse.

[0109] Therefore, the binding wire W, held between a pair of feed gears 30, is fed in the opposite direction, i.e., the direction indicated by arrow R. Since the front end of the binding wire W is locked in a manner that prevents it from coming off between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C, the binding wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar S by the action of feeding the binding wire W in the opposite direction.

[0110] The binding wire W is pulled back to the position where it is wound around the reinforcing bar S. After stopping the reverse drive of the feed motor 33, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the forward direction, thereby moving the sleeve 71 in the forward direction as indicated by arrow A1. The forward movement of the sleeve 71 is transmitted to the cutting unit 6A by the transmission mechanism 62, thereby rotating the movable blade unit 61. The binding wire W, which is held by the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C, is cut by the movement of the fixed blade unit 60 and the movable blade unit 61.

[0111] While the binding wire W is being cut approximately, the bending portions 71c1 and 71c2 move towards the reinforcing bar S. As a result, the bending portion 71c1 pushes the front end of the binding wire W, which is held in place by the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L, towards the reinforcing bar S, causing the front end of the binding wire W to bend towards the reinforcing bar S with the holding position as a fulcrum. Further forward movement of the sleeve 71 maintains the binding wire W, held between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C, in a state clamped by the bending portion 71c1.

[0112] Furthermore, the bending portion 71c2 pushes the end side of the binding wire W, which is locked by the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and cut by the cutting portion 6A, toward the rebar S, causing the end side of the binding wire W to bend toward the rebar S with the locking position as the fulcrum. The sleeve 71 moves further forward, and the binding wire W, locked between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C, is held in a clamped state by the bending portion 71c2.

[0113] After the front and end sides of the binding wire W are bent toward the reinforcing bar S, the motor 80 is driven further in the forward direction, thereby causing the sleeve 71 to move further forward. When the sleeve 71 moves to the predetermined position and reaches the area where the binding wire W, which is held in place by the binding wire retainer 70, is twisted, the locking of the rotation limiting blade 74a and the rotation limiting claw 74b is released.

[0114] Therefore, by further driving the motor 80 in the forward direction, the binding wire clamp 70 and the rotating shaft 72 rotate in conjunction, thus twisting the binding wire W.

[0115] In the rotating area of ​​the sleeve 71, the reinforcing bar S abuts against the abutment part 91, and the movement of the reinforcing bar S in the direction of approaching the binding part 7A, i.e., backward, is restricted. Therefore, the binding part 7A applies a force to pull the binding wire clamping body 70 forward along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72 by twisting the binding wire W.

[0116] The rotating shaft 72 is configured such that when a force is applied to the binding wire retainer 70 to move forward along the axial direction, the rotating shaft 72 can move forward while being pushed backward by the spring 72c. Thus, in the operating region where the sleeve 71 rotates, the binding part 7A moves forward while the binding wire retainer 70 and the rotating shaft 72 twist the binding wire W.

[0117] Figure 5 , Figure 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of loading and discharging binding wire using a rebar tying machine. Next, the operation of loading and discharging binding wire W using rebar tying machine 1A will be explained.

[0118] In this example, the rebar tying machine 1A assigns a combination of the predetermined operation of trigger 12A and the predetermined operation of power switch 15A to the execution of automatic loading and automatic discharge of the binding wire W. In the following example, it is set that automatic loading and automatic discharge will begin when trigger 12A is operated while power switch 15A is operated simultaneously.

[0119] First of all, Figure 5 The automatic loading operation shown is explained below. The control unit 14A is in Figure 5 In step SA1, the control unit 14A determines whether the predetermined automatic loading start operation has been performed according to the operation of the power switch 15A. When the control unit 14A determines that the predetermined automatic loading start operation has been performed, in step SA2, the control unit 14A drives the feed motor 33 in the forward direction with a duty cycle (low duty cycle) such that the rotational speed of the feed motor 33 is the first speed. Alternatively, if the control unit 14A determines in step SA1 that a normal power-on operation has been performed, it performs the normal initial processing.

[0120] The user of the rebar tying machine 1A places the reel 20 into the material box 2A and guides the front end of the binding wire W pulled from the reel 20 between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R of the binding wire feed section 3A. When the front end of the binding wire W pulled from the reel 20 is clamped between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the binding wire W is fed in the positive direction, and the load applied to the feed motor 33 increases, and the current flowing through the feed motor 33 increases.

[0121] Control unit 14A in Figure 5 In step SA3, the current value flowing through the feed motor 33 is compared with a predetermined threshold value for detecting the presence of the binding wire W, to determine whether the binding wire W is caught between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. When the control unit 14A determines that the binding wire W is caught between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, in step SA4, it switches to a duty cycle (high duty cycle) that makes the rotational speed of the feed motor 33 a second speed that is greater than the first speed, and further drives the feed motor 33 in the forward direction.

[0122] Control unit 14A in Figure 5 In step SA5, the control unit 14A determines whether the feed amount of the binding wire W has reached a predetermined amount, for example, to be fed to the aforementioned standby position, based on factors such as the rotation amount of the feed motor 33. When the control unit 14A determines that the feed amount of the binding wire W has reached the predetermined amount, it stops driving the feed motor 33 in step SA6.

[0123] Alternatively, after stopping the feeding of the binding wire W in the positive direction by stopping the drive of the feed motor 33, an initialization action can be performed, in which the position of the front end of the binding wire W is positioned to a predetermined position.

[0124] That is, in Figure 5 In step SA5, based on the rotation amount of the feed motor 33, it is determined whether the tip of the binding wire W, which is being fed in the positive direction, has been fed to a position where the tip of the binding wire W can be cut by the movable blade part 61 through the cutting part 6A. When the control unit 14A determines that the feed amount of the binding wire W has reached a predetermined amount and the tip of the binding wire W has been fed to a position where the binding wire W can be cut by the movable blade part 61, the drive of the feed motor 33 is stopped in step SA6.

[0125] Next, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the forward direction, causing the sleeve 71 to move forward as indicated by arrow A1, thereby rotating the movable blade 61 and cutting the binding wire W. Then, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the reverse direction, causing the sleeve 71 to move backward as indicated by arrow A2, thereby placing the binding unit 7A into the aforementioned standby state. This results in a standby position where the binding wire W is clamped between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, with the tip of the binding wire W positioned between the clamping position of the pair of feed gears 30 and the fixed blade 60 of the cutting unit 6A.

[0126] Next, regarding Figure 6A The automatic discharge operation shown is explained below. The control unit 14A is in Figure 6A In step SB1, the control unit 14A determines whether the predetermined automatic discharge start operation has been performed according to the operation of the power switch 15A. When the control unit 14A determines that the predetermined automatic discharge start operation has been performed, in step SB2, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the forward direction, causing the sleeve 71 to move in the forward direction as shown by arrow A1, thereby performing a binding wire cutting operation that rotates the movable blade part 61. When the binding wire W is in a position that can be cut by the movable blade part 61, the binding wire W is cut, and the binding wire W located on the side closer to the binding part 7A than the cutting part 6A is separated from the binding wire W located on the side closer to the binding wire feed part 3A than the cutting part 6A. When the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the forward direction by a predetermined amount, in step SB3, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the reverse direction, causing the sleeve 71 to move in the rear direction as shown by arrow A2, thereby performing an operation that returns the binding part 7A to the aforementioned standby state. When the control unit 14A performs the aforementioned actions of rotating the movable blade section 61 and returning the binding section 7A to the standby state, in step SB4, it drives the feed motor 33 in the reverse rotation direction. Alternatively, in the automatic discharge operation, the aforementioned actions of rotating the movable blade section 61 in step SB2 and returning the binding section 7A to the standby state in step SB3 may not be performed.

[0127] By driving the feed motor 33 in the opposite direction of rotation, the binding wire W is fed in the opposite direction. When the front end of the binding wire W, which is clamped between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, comes out from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the load applied to the feed motor 33 is reduced, and the current flowing through the feed motor 33 is reduced.

[0128] Control unit 14A in Figure 6AIn step SB5, the current value flowing through the feed motor 33 is compared with a predetermined threshold value for detecting a situation where there is no binding wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, to determine whether the binding wire W has come loose from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. When the control unit 14A determines that the binding wire W has come loose from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, it stops driving the feed motor 33 in step SB6.

[0129] The above Figure 6A The automatic discharge action is performed by a predetermined automatic discharge start operation, but it can also be determined whether to start automatic discharge based on the state of the binding wire W wound on the reel 20, that is, based on the remaining amount of the binding wire W.

[0130] For example, when the binding wire W is fed in the positive direction to wind around the reinforcing bar S, and the binding wire W wound on the reel 20 disappears, there is a situation where the binding wire W cannot be pulled out from the reel 20. In this case, the load applied to the feed motor 33 increases, and the current flowing through the feed motor 33 increases.

[0131] Therefore, control unit 14A in Figure 6B In step SC1, while the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward direction during normal binding operations, the current value flowing through the feed motor 33 is compared with a predetermined threshold value for detecting the disappearance of the binding wire W. Furthermore, it is detected whether the feed motor 33 is in a predetermined overload state, and it is determined whether the binding wire W has disappeared from the reel 20. When the control unit 14A determines that the binding wire W has disappeared from the reel 20, in step SC2, it stops the binding operation, such as driving the feed motor 33 in the forward direction, and performs the aforementioned automatic discharge operation.

[0132] That is, in step SC3, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the forward direction, causing the sleeve 71 to move in the forward direction as indicated by arrow A1, thereby rotating the movable blade part 61. When the binding wire W is in a position where it can be cut by the movable blade part 61, the binding wire W is cut. After driving the motor 80 in the forward direction by a predetermined amount, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the reverse direction in step SC4, causing the sleeve 71 to move in the rear direction as indicated by arrow A2, thereby putting the binding part 7A into the aforementioned standby state. After performing the above-mentioned actions of rotating the movable blade part 61 and returning the binding part 7A to the standby state, the control unit 14A drives the feed motor 33 in the reverse direction in step SC5. Alternatively, in this automatic discharge operation, the actions of rotating the movable blade part 61 in step SC3 and returning the binding part 7A to the standby state in step SC4 may not be performed.

[0133] Control unit 14A in Figure 6B In step SC6, the current value flowing through the feed motor 33 is compared with a predetermined threshold value for detecting the absence of binding wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, to determine whether the binding wire W has come off between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. When the control unit 14A determines that the binding wire W has come off between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, it stops driving the feed motor 33 in step SC7. Furthermore, in the process of detecting the disappearance of the binding wire W from the reel 20 and initiating an automatic discharge operation, the intention of the binding wire W disappearing can be communicated before the automatic discharge operation begins.

[0134] In addition, such as Figure 6C As shown, in order to eliminate the situation where the binding wire W is clamped between a pair of feed gears 30 before performing the above-mentioned automatic loading action, the automatic loading action can also be started after the automatic discharge action has been performed.

[0135] Control unit 14A in Figure 6C In step SD1, it is determined whether a predetermined automatic loading start operation has been performed. When the control unit 14A determines that a predetermined automatic loading start operation has been performed, in step SD2, the feed motor 33 is driven in the reverse direction. In addition, in the automatic discharge operation performed before the automatic loading operation, the operation of rotating the movable blade part 61 and returning the binding part 7A to the standby state can be performed before driving the feed motor 33 in the reverse direction.

[0136] After the automatic discharge operation begins, the control unit 14A, in Figure 6C In step SD3, it is determined whether a binding wire W is present between the pair of feed gears 30. For example, if the load applied to the feed motor 33 does not change within a predetermined time and the current flowing through the feed motor 33 does not change, it is determined that the binding wire W is not held between the pair of feed gears 30, and in step SD4, the reverse drive of the feed motor 33 is stopped, and the automatic loading operation begins. Alternatively, after the automatic discharge operation begins, if the load applied to the feed motor 33 decreases and the current flowing through the feed motor 33 decreases, it is determined that the binding wire W has dislodged from between the pair of feed gears 30, and thus in step SD4, the reverse drive of the feed motor 33 is stopped, and the automatic loading operation begins.

[0137] The automatic loading action following the automatic discharge action is the same as described above. Figure 5 The automatic loading operation described herein is the same. In step SD5, the control unit 14A drives the feed motor 33 in the forward direction with a duty cycle (low duty cycle) such that the rotational speed of the feed motor 33 is the first speed.

[0138] The user of the rebar tying machine 1A places the reel 20 into the material box 2A and guides the front end of the binding wire W pulled from the reel 20 between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R of the binding wire feed section 3A. When the front end of the binding wire W pulled from the reel 20 is clamped between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the binding wire W is fed in the positive direction, and the load applied to the feed motor 33 increases, and the current flowing through the feed motor 33 increases.

[0139] Control unit 14A in Figure 6C In step SD6, the current value flowing through the feed motor 33 is compared with a predetermined threshold value for detecting the presence of the binding wire W, to determine whether the binding wire W is caught between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. When the control unit 14A determines that the binding wire W is caught between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, in step SD7, it switches to a duty cycle (high duty cycle) that makes the rotational speed of the feed motor 33 a second speed that is greater than the first speed, and further drives the feed motor 33 in the forward direction.

[0140] Control unit 14A in Figure 6C In step SD8, the control unit 14A determines whether the feed amount of the binding wire W has reached the predetermined amount required to feed it to the predetermined standby position, based on factors such as the rotation amount of the feed motor 33. When the control unit 14A determines that the feed amount of the binding wire W has reached the predetermined amount, it stops driving the feed motor 33 in step SD9.

[0141] Alternatively, after stopping the feeding of the binding wire W in the positive direction by stopping the drive of the feed motor 33, an initialization action can be performed, in which the position of the front end of the binding wire W is positioned to a predetermined position.

[0142] In addition, in the above automatic loading and automatic discharge, automatic loading and automatic discharge can be performed without installing a sensor to detect the binding wire W, but it is also possible to have a structure with a sensor to detect the binding wire W.

[0143] For example, when the binding wire W is fed in the positive direction to wind around the reinforcing bar S, and the binding wire W wound on the reel 20 disappears, there is a possibility that the rear end of the binding wire W may fall off the reel 20. In this case, by providing a sensor to detect the binding wire W on the feeding path of the binding wire W between the binding wire feed section 3A and the material box 2A, the rear end of the binding wire W can be detected.

[0144] Therefore, when the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward direction by the usual binding action, and a sensor (not shown) detects the rear end of the binding wire W, the control unit 14A determines that the binding wire W has disappeared from the reel 20, and thus performs the above-mentioned automatic discharge action from step SC2.

[0145] In addition, by using a sensor (not shown) on the feed path of the binding wire W between the binding wire feed section 3A and the material box 2A to detect the leading end of the binding wire W, the above-mentioned automatic loading start operation can be replaced by the automatic loading action performed by the sensor detecting the binding wire W.

[0146] Furthermore, by using a sensor (not shown) on the feed path of the binding wire W between the binding wire feed section 3A and the material box 2A, or a sensor (not shown) on the feed path of the binding wire W between the binding wire feed section 3A and the cutting section 6A, the leading end of the binding wire W can be detected, and it can be detected that the binding wire W has been fed to a predetermined position during the above-mentioned automatic loading operation, thereby ending the automatic loading operation.

[0147] Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating one example of the control function of a rebar tying machine according to other embodiments. The rebar tying machine 1B is equipped with... Figure 2 The second displacement member 37 described herein has a drive unit 39 for displacement. The drive unit 39 is composed of a motor, a solenoid valve, a drive force transmission mechanism, etc., and causes one or both of the pair of feed gears 30 to move in directions toward each other and toward separation. In this example, the second feed gear 30R is moved in a direction toward and toward separation relative to the first feed gear 30L. Alternatively, the drive unit 39 may directly cause the first displacement member 36 to move.

[0148] Control unit 14B according to the passage Figure 1 The operation of the trigger 12A, which presses the operation switch 13A, controls the motor 80 and the feed motor 33 to perform a series of actions to bind the reinforcing bar S with binding wire W. Furthermore, the control unit 14B switches the power supply on and off via the operation of the power switch 15A. Moreover, the control unit 14B controls the drive unit 39 based on combinations of the operations of the operation switch 13A and the power switch 15A, enabling the loading and unloading of the binding wire W.

[0149] Figure 8A , Figure 8B This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of loading and discharging binding wires using a rebar tying machine. Next, the operation of loading and discharging binding wires W using a rebar tying machine 1B will be explained.

[0150] First of all, Figure 8A The automatic loading operation shown is explained below. The control unit 14B is in... Figure 8A When it is determined in step SE1 that a predetermined automatic loading start operation has been performed, in step SE2, the drive unit 39 is driven to displace the second feed gear 30R in a direction that is separate from the first feed gear 30L.

[0151] The user of the rebar tying machine 1A places the reel 20 into the material box 2A and guides the front end of the binding wire W pulled from the reel 20 between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R of the binding wire feed unit 3A. In step SE3, the control unit 14B loads the binding wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. When the predetermined operation of clamping the binding wire W is performed, in step SE4, the drive unit 39 is driven to move the second feed gear 30R in a direction closer to the first feed gear 30L, thereby clamping the binding wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. Alternatively, a sensor can be provided to detect whether the binding wire W enters between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. When the binding wire W is detected to have entered between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the drive unit 39 is driven to control the second feed gear 30R to move in a direction that is closer to the first feed gear 30L.

[0152] When the control unit 14B displaces the second feed gear 30R in a direction approaching the first feed gear 30L, Figure 8A In step SE5, the feed motor 33 and motor 80 are driven to perform an initialization action, in which the position of the front end of the binding wire W is positioned at a predetermined position.

[0153] Next, regarding Figure 8B The automatic discharge operation shown is explained below. The control unit 14B is in... Figure 8B When the predetermined automatic discharge start operation is determined in step SF1, in step SF2, the drive unit 39 is driven to displace the second feed gear 30R in a direction relative to the first feed gear 30L. This allows the binding wire W to disengage from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0154] The control unit 14B discharges the binding wire W from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. When a predetermined operation is performed to move the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R closer together, in step SF3, the drive unit 39 is driven to move the second feed gear 30R in a direction closer to the first feed gear 30L. Alternatively, a sensor may be included to detect whether the binding wire W has come loose from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. When the sensor detects that the binding wire W has come loose from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, control is performed to drive the drive unit 39 to move the second feed gear 30R in a direction closer to the first feed gear 30L.

[0155] <Example of the effects of a rebar tying machine>

[0156] In conventional rebar tying machines, a pair of feed gears 30 are manually operated to separate them for loading and unloading the binding wire W. Alternatively, when the binding wire W is wound around the rebar S, by feeding the binding wire W in the opposite direction, increasing the force applied to the feeding binding wire W allows for reliable winding of the binding wire W around the rebar S.

[0157] In the binding wire feeding section 3A, in the structure of feeding two binding wires W, the two binding wires W are fed in a parallel state by the frictional force generated between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and one binding wire W, the frictional force generated between the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R and another binding wire W, and the frictional force generated between one binding wire W and the other binding wire W.

[0158] To obtain sufficient frictional force for feeding the binding wire W, the force of the springs pressing the pair of feed gears 30 toward each other needs to be increased. However, if the force of the springs pressing the pair of feed gears 30 toward each other is increased, it becomes difficult to move the pair of feed gears 30 toward separation by human power.

[0159] Therefore, the above-mentioned automatic loading and unloading actions can be performed in the rebar tying machine 1A. Thus, the loading and unloading of the binding wire W can be performed without manual intervention to move the pair of feed gears 30 in the separating direction. Therefore, by increasing the force of the spring 38 that presses the pair of feed gears 30 towards each other, the force of feeding the binding wire W can be increased, and the binding wire W can be reliably wound around the rebar S.

[0160] Furthermore, during the automatic loading operation, the feed motor 33 rotates at a first speed until the binding wire W is clamped by a pair of feed gears 30. Once the binding wire W is clamped by the pair of feed gears 30, the feed motor 33 rotates at a second speed, which is faster than the first speed, thereby feeding the binding wire W clamped by the pair of feed gears 30 in the positive direction to a predetermined position. This allows the binding wire W to be reliably clamped between the unseparated pair of feed gears 30, and after the binding wire W is clamped between the pair of feed gears 30, the time required to feed the binding wire W to the predetermined position can be shortened, thus reducing the time spent on the automatic loading operation.

[0161] Furthermore, in order to eliminate the situation where the binding wire W is clamped between a pair of feed gears 30 before the automatic loading operation, the automatic loading operation can also be started after the automatic discharge operation.

[0162] Alternatively, a drive unit 39, such as a motor, can perform actions to move one or both of the feed gears 30 in a direction that brings them closer together, thereby clamping the binding wire W between the feed gears 30; or to move one or both of the feed gears 30 in a direction that separates them from each other, thereby disengaging the binding wire W from between the feed gears 30. This allows for the loading and unloading of the binding wire W. In this case, it is not necessary to manually move one or both of the feed gears 30 in a direction that brings them closer together or separates them.

[0163] <Example of a modified rebar tying machine>

[0164] Figure 9A This is a perspective view illustrating an example of the overall structure of a modified rebar tying machine. Figure 9B This is a rear view illustrating an example of the overall structure of a modified rebar tying machine. Figure 9C This is a side view illustrating an example of the overall structure of a modified rebar tying machine. Additionally, Figure 10A This is a rear view showing an example of the main structural components of a modified rebar tying machine. Figure 10B yes Figure 10A A sectional view along line AA.

[0165] The modified rebar tying machine 1C includes an operation unit 16, which performs operations such as turning the power on and off, setting the binding strength of the binding wire W, and automatically loading and unloading the binding wire W. The operation unit 16 is located on the rear surface of the main body 10A and includes a binding force setting unit for setting the binding strength of the binding wire W and the aforementioned power switch 15A. As an example of the binding force setting unit, it includes a torque dial 16a for selecting the binding strength of the binding wire W. Furthermore, the operation unit 16 includes an automatic loading and unloading switch 16b for performing automatic loading and unloading, and a notification unit 16c indicating the status of the rebar tying machine 1C.

[0166] The operating unit 16 has a protrusion 16d protruding towards the rear of the main body 10A around the torque dial 16a, power switch 15A, auto-load / discharge switch 16b, and notification unit 16c, thereby making the positions of the torque dial 16a, power switch 15A, auto-load / discharge switch 16b, and notification unit 16c concave. Thus, as... Figure 9C As shown, the torque dial 16a, power switch 15A, and automatic loading / discharging switch 16b do not protrude behind the main body 10A, thereby suppressing malfunctions. Furthermore, since the discharge and loading of the binding wire W occur after the power is switched off and on, the operability is improved by placing the automatic loading / discharging switch 16b near the power switch 15A, which in this example is located in the same operating section 16.

[0167] The automatic loading and unloading switch 16b is a push-button type switch in this example, such as... Figure 10B As shown, the structure is such that the micro switch 17a is activated by pressing. The automatic loading and discharging switch 16b is forced away from the micro switch 17a by the spring 17b, thereby switching the presence or absence of operation.

[0168] Figure 11 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the control function of a modified rebar tying machine 1C. In the rebar tying machine 1C, according to... Figure 9C As shown, when the trigger 12A is pressed and the operation switch 13A is activated, the control unit 14C controls the motor 80 and the feed motor 33 to perform a series of actions to bind the reinforcing bar S with binding wire W. Furthermore, the control unit 14C switches the power supply on and off via the operation of the power switch 15A. Moreover, the control unit 14C controls the feed motor 33 based on the output of the microswitch 17a generated by the operation of the automatic loading and discharging switch 16b, thereby loading and discharging the binding wire W in the binding wire feed unit 3A.

[0169] In this example, the feed motor 33 is a brushless motor and includes a rotation detection unit 18, such as a Hall IC, for detecting the rotational position of the rotor. In the binding wire feed unit 3A, the drive force transmission mechanism 34 that transmits the driving force of the feed motor 33 to the first feed gear 30L is a spur gear. Therefore, when the front end of the binding wire W is placed between the slot 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the slot 32R of the second feed gear 30R and the binding wire W is pushed, even when the feed motor 33 is not energized and rotating, the movement (rotation) of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R allows the feed motor 33 to rotate using external force. That is, the rotation detection unit 18 constitutes a detection unit that detects the action caused by the movement of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0170] When the power switch 15A is operated and the power is turned on, the control unit 14C switches the notification unit 16c from off to on, indicating that the power is on (power ON) and the system is in a strapping standby state. When the micro switch 17a is pressed by operating the automatic loading and discharging switch 16b, the control unit 14C executes an automatic discharge mode for discharging the strapping wire W and an automatic loading mode for loading the strapping wire W. When the automatic discharge mode is executed, the control unit 14C indicates that the automatic discharge mode is being executed by switching the notification unit 16c from on to flashing. Similarly, when the automatic loading mode is executed, the control unit 14C indicates that the automatic loading mode is being executed by switching the notification unit 16c from on to flashing. Furthermore, while continuously executing the automatic discharge mode and the automatic loading mode, the control unit 14C indicates that the automatic loading and discharge mode is being executed by switching the notification unit 16c from on to flashing. The notification unit 16c is composed of LEDs or other lights, but it can also be a display unit such as a monitor. In addition, the notification unit 16c can also be a buzzer or other sound output device, which can output a buzzing sound during the execution of automatic discharge mode, automatic loading mode, and automatic loading and discharge mode.

[0171] When the automatic discharge mode in the automatic discharge mode or the automatic loading and discharge mode is executed, the control unit 14C causes the feed motor 33 to rotate in the opposite direction. When the feed motor 33 is reversed by a predetermined amount of rotation to disengage the binding wire W from the feed gear 30, the feed motor 33 is stopped.

[0172] In addition, when the automatic loading mode in the automatic loading mode and the automatic loading and discharging mode is executed, the control unit 14C, when the feed motor 33 is rotating without being powered on, detects that the feed motor 33 is rotating by the rotation detection unit 18, and causes the feed motor 33 to rotate in the positive direction. When the feed motor 33 rotates in the positive direction by a predetermined amount of rotation of the binding wire W fed from the feed gear 30, the feed motor 33 is stopped.

[0173] When the micro switch 17a is pressed by the operation of the auto-loading and discharging switch 16b, and the auto-loading mode and auto-loading and discharging mode are executed, the control unit 14C starts timing and causes the notification unit 16c to flash until the timeout period of the auto-loading mode and auto-loading and discharging mode is reached, thereby notifying that the auto-loading mode and auto-loading and discharging mode are being executed.

[0174] If, before the predetermined timeout period for reaching the automatic loading and discharging mode has elapsed, the rotation detection unit 18 detects that the feed motor 33 has rotated while it is not powered on, the control unit 14C performs the aforementioned loading operation. Conversely, if the predetermined timeout period for reaching the automatic loading and discharging mode has elapsed, the control unit 14C switches the notification unit 16c from off to on, and even if the rotation detection unit 18 detects that the feed motor 33 has rotated while it is not powered on, the aforementioned loading operation is not performed.

[0175] Furthermore, after the automatic loading and discharging switch 16b is pressed (first operation) and the automatic loading and discharging mode begins, if the automatic loading and discharging switch 16b is pressed again before the predetermined timeout period for the automatic loading and discharging mode is reached (second operation), the control unit 14C switches the notification unit 16c from flashing to on, setting it to a strapping standby state. Additionally, in the structure that uses the on, flashing, and off states of the notification unit 16c (composed of a lamp) to indicate whether the automatic loading and discharging mode is in operation, the combination of on, flashing, and off states is not limited to the examples described above. Furthermore, the flashing pattern can also be changed.

[0176] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a modified rebar tying machine loading and discharging binding wire. When the power switch 15A is operated and the power is turned on, the control unit 14C... Figure 11 In step SG1, it is determined whether trigger 12A has been operated. If trigger 12A has been operated, the above-mentioned binding action is performed in step SG2.

[0177] When trigger 12A is in a non-operating state, control unit 14C determines in step SG3 whether the automatic loading and discharging switch 16b has been operated. When the automatic loading and discharging switch 16b has been operated (loading and discharging SW operation has occurred), control unit 14C executes the automatic loading and discharging mode, and during the execution of the automatic loading and discharging mode, the notification unit 16c switches from being lit to flashing to indicate that the automatic loading and discharging mode is being executed. In addition, when the automatic loading and discharging mode is executed, control unit 14C causes feed motor 33 to rotate in the opposite direction to discharging the binding wire W in step SG4.

[0178] When the control unit 14C reverses the feed motor 33 by a predetermined amount of rotation in step SG5 to disengage the binding wire W from the feed gear 30, it stops the feed motor 33 in step SG6.

[0179] If, in step SG7, the control unit 14C operates the automatic loading and discharging switch 16b again during the execution of the automatic loading and discharging mode (there is a loading and discharging SW operation), the automatic loading and discharging mode ends, and the notification unit 16c is switched from flashing to lit. If, in step SG7, the control unit 14C does not operate the automatic loading and discharging switch 16b again during the execution of the automatic loading and discharging mode (there is no loading and discharging SW operation), and in step SG8 it is determined that the timeout period for the automatic loading and discharging mode has not been reached, then in step SG9 it is determined whether the feed motor 33 is rotating.

[0180] When the feed motor 33 is rotating without being powered on, and the rotation detection unit 18 detects that the feed motor 33 has rotated, the control unit 14C determines that the feed motor 33 has rotated due to external force. In step SG10, the feed motor 33 is rotated in the positive direction of loading the binding wire W.

[0181] When the control unit 14C causes the feed motor 33 to rotate forward by a predetermined amount of rotation from the feed gear 30 to feed a predetermined amount of binding wire W in step SG11, the feed motor 33 is stopped in step SG12.

[0182] Alternatively, after stopping the feeding of the binding wire W in the positive direction by stopping the drive of the feed motor 33, an initialization action can be performed, in which the position of the front end of the binding wire W is positioned to a predetermined position.

[0183] In addition, in this modified example, the rotation detection unit 18 is configured to make the feed motor 33 rotate forward when it detects the rotation of the feed motor 33 as a detection of the action caused by the movement of the feed member. However, it can also be configured to detect the rotation of at least one of the pair of feed gears 30, and make the feed motor 33 rotate forward when the rotation of the feed gear 30 is detected.

[0184] Furthermore, the automatic loading and discharging switch 16b is configured to be independent of other switch types in the operation unit 16, but it can also be used in conjunction with other switch types in the operation unit 16. For example, it can be a structure where the torque dial 16a can output signals based on rotation and signals based on pressing, and the automatic loading and discharging mode is executed by pressing the torque dial 16a. Alternatively, a switch for executing the automatic discharging mode and a switch for executing the automatic loading mode can be set independently.

Claims

1. A strapping machine, comprising: Binding wire feed section, feeds binding wire; The coiling forming section constitutes a feed path for the binding wire, fed by the binding wire feed section, to be wound around the bundled object; and The binding section twists the binding wires fed by the binding wire feed section and wound around the bundled object. The binding wire feed section includes: A pair of feed components clamp the binding wire and feed it by rotating; and The feed motor drives the feed component through rotational motion. The speed of the feed motor changes when the binding wire is held by the pair of feed components. The feed motor rotates at a first speed in the direction of rotation of the feed binding wire, and rotates at a second speed greater than the first speed in the direction of rotation when the binding wire is clamped by the pair of feed components.

2. The strapping machine according to claim 1, wherein, The strapping machine also includes a control unit for controlling the strapping wire feeding section. The control unit, based on the operation of the operating unit, causes the feed motor to rotate in the rotation direction, and the feed component clamps the binding wire.

3. The strapping machine according to claim 2, wherein, The control unit determines whether the binding wire is held by the pair of feed components based on the load applied to the feed motor.

4. The strapping machine according to claim 3, wherein, The control unit determines whether the binding wire is clamped by the pair of feeding components based on the current value flowing through the feed motor.

5. The strapping machine according to claim 4, wherein, The control unit compares the current value flowing through the feed motor with a predetermined threshold for detecting the presence of binding wire, and determines whether the binding wire is being held by the pair of feed components.

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