Steel bar binding machine and binding method

Abstract

The present invention provides a reinforcing steel bar binding machine and a binding method, the reinforcing steel bar binding machine comprises: a feeding unit for conveying a metal wire; a guide unit that guides the wire around the reinforcement; a cutter for cutting the wire; a jig rotatable about a central axis, the jig gripping the wire; a main body housing that supports the feeding unit; and a bending member that bends an end portion of the wire, which is formed by cutting the wire by the cutter, toward the steel bar. The bending member bends an end portion of the wire toward the reinforcing steel bar while the wire is twisted by the rotation of the jig.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to a steel bar bundling machine and a bundling method. Background Art

[0002] A steel bar bundling machine is disclosed in International Publication No. 2017 / 014268. The steel bar bundling machine includes: a feeding unit that conveys a wire; a guiding unit that guides the wire around a steel bar; a cutter that cuts the wire; a twisting unit; and a main body housing that supports the feeding unit. The twisting unit includes: a clamp that can rotate around a central axis, the clamp holding the wire; and a bending member that can slide along the central axis, the bending member bending an end portion of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the steel bar. Before twisting the wire by rotation of the clamp, the bending member bends the end portion of the wire toward the steel bar. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the above steel bar bundling machine, after the end portion of the wire is bent toward the steel bar by the bending member, the wire is twisted by rotation of the clamp. Accordingly, it takes time to bundle the steel bar using the wire.

[0004] Further, in the above structure, the bending member slides along the central axis. Accordingly, the structure of the steel bar bundling machine becomes complicated.

[0005] In this specification, an object is to provide at least one of a steel bar bundling machine that can shorten the time required to bundle a steel bar using a wire and a steel bar bundling machine that can suppress complication of the structure.

[0006] The steel bar bundling machine disclosed in this specification includes: a feeding unit that conveys a wire; a guiding unit that guides the wire around a steel bar; a cutter that cuts the wire; a clamp that can rotate around a central axis, the clamp holding the wire; a main body housing that supports the feeding unit; and a bending member that bends an end portion of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the steel bar. During twisting of the wire by rotation of the clamp, the bending member bends the end portion of the wire toward the steel bar.

[0007] According to the above structure, during twisting of the wire by rotation of the clamp, the end portion of the wire is bent toward the steel bar by the bending member. Accordingly, the time required to bundle the steel bar using the wire can be shortened.

[0008] The bundling method disclosed in this specification is a method of bundling steel bars using a wire. The bundling method includes the following steps: a winding step in which the wire is wound around the steel bar; a gripping step in which the tip of the wire is gripped; a cutting step in which the wire is cut; a twisting step in which the wires around the steel bar are twisted; and a bending step in which the end of the wire formed by cutting the wire is bent toward the steel bar. The bending step is performed during the execution of the twisting step.

[0009] According to the above structure, during the twisting of the wire, the end of the wire is bent toward the steel bar. Thus, the time required to bundle the steel bars using the wire can be shortened.

[0010] The steel bar bundling machine disclosed in this specification includes: a feeding unit that feeds the wire; a guiding unit that guides the wire around the steel bar; a cutting tool that cuts the wire; a twisting unit that grips and twists the wire; a main body housing that supports the feeding unit; and a bending member that is independent of the twisting unit and whose position relative to the main body housing is fixed, and the bending member bends the end of the wire formed by the cutting tool cutting the wire toward the steel bar. During the period from when the wire is cut by the cutting tool until the twisting unit finishes twisting the wire, the bending member bends the end of the wire toward the steel bar.

[0011] According to the above structure, the bending member is independent of the twisting unit and its position relative to the main body housing is fixed. Therefore, the end of the wire can be bent toward the steel bar using the bending member whose position relative to the main body housing is fixed. Thus, compared with a structure in which the position of the bending member is not fixed relative to the main body housing, the complexity of the structure of the steel bar bundling machine can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a left view of the state after removing the reel cover 6 and the left housing 10 from the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the reel holding portion 22 of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the locking lever 52 of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the state after opening the reel cover 6 in the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view when the reel cover 6 is in the second position in the reel cover 6 and the feeding unit 74 of the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view near the locking lever 52 of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 It is a front view when the second roller 98 is in the first state in the reel cover 6 and the feeding unit 74 of the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 9 It is a front view when the second roller 98 is in the second state in the reel cover 6 and the feeding unit 74 of the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view when the reel cover 6 is in a position closer to the first position than the neutral position in the reel cover 6 and the feeding unit 74 of the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 11 It is a cross-sectional view near the guiding unit 76 of the steel bar bundling machines 2 of the first embodiment and the tenth embodiment.

[0023] Figure 12 It is a cross-sectional view when the front end of the cutter 128 is arranged at a position behind the wire guiding hole 138 in the cutting unit 78 and the twisting unit 80 of the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 13 It is a cross-sectional view when the front end of the cutter 128 is arranged at a position in front of the wire guiding hole 138 in the cutting unit 78 and the twisting unit 80 of the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 14 It is a perspective view of the cutting unit 78 and the twisting unit 80 of the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 15 It is a top view of the state after the side plate 168 is opened in the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 16 It is a cross-sectional view of the side plate 168, the sliding unit 170 and the detection sensor 172 of the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 17 It is a perspective view near the bending member 192 of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 18 It is a cross-sectional view near the bending member 192 of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 19 It is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the control unit 82 of the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 20 It is a cross-sectional view near the guiding unit 76 of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 21 It is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the control unit 82 of the first embodiment.

[0033] Figure 22 It is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the control unit 82 of the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 23 It is a side view of the wire W and the steel bar R after the wire W is stranded in the first embodiment.

[0035] Figure 24 It is a perspective view of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the second embodiment.

[0036] Figure 25 It is a left view of the state after removing the left housing 10 from the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the second embodiment.

[0037] Figure 26 It is a cross-sectional view near the guiding unit 76 of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the second embodiment.

[0038] Figure 27 It is a front view of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the sixth embodiment.

[0039] Figure 28 It is a front view of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the seventh embodiment.

[0040] Figure 29 It is a front view when the second roller 98 is in the first state in the reel cover 6 and the feeding unit 74 of the eighth embodiment.

[0041] Figure 30 It is a front view when the second roller 98 is in the second state in the reel cover 6 and the feeding unit 74 of the eighth embodiment.

[0042] Figure 31 It is a cross-sectional view near the guiding unit 76 of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the ninth and tenth embodiments.

[0043] Figure 32 It is a side view of the guiding unit 76 and the stranding unit 80 of the steel bar bundling machine 2 of the thirteenth and fourteenth embodiments. Detailed implementation manners

[0044] Hereinafter, representative and non-limiting specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to show those skilled in the art the details of the preferred examples for implementing the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, in order to provide a further improved steel bar bundling machine, bundling method, manufacturing method and use method of the steel bar bundling machine, the additional features and technical solutions disclosed below can be used separately or in combination with other features and technical solutions.

[0045] In addition, the combination of features and processes disclosed in the following detailed description is not necessary in the broadest sense when implementing the present invention and is only described for the purpose of specifically illustrating the representative specific examples of the present invention. And when providing additional and useful embodiments of the present invention, the various features of the above and below representative specific examples and the various features described in the independent claims and dependent claims do not have to be combined as in the specific examples described herein or in the order listed.

[0046] All features described in this specification and / or claims are intended to be disclosed independently of the structure of the features described in the embodiments and / or claims, as limitations on the specific matters described in the original application disclosure and claims, and are disclosed separately and independently of each other. And the descriptions related to all numerical ranges and groups or sets are intended to disclose the structures among them as limitations on the specific matters described in the original application disclosure and claims.

[0047] The steel bar bundling machine disclosed in this specification includes: a main body housing; a feeding unit that conveys a wire; a guiding unit that guides the wire around a steel bar; a cutter that cuts the wire; a clamp that can rotate around a central axis and holds the wire; and a bending member that bends the end of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the steel bar. During the twisting of the wire by the rotation of the clamp, the bending member bends the end of the wire toward the steel bar.

[0048] In one or more embodiments, it may also be that the bending member cannot move relative to the main body housing.

[0049] According to the above structure, the end of the wire can be bent toward the steel bar by using the bending member that cannot move relative to the main body housing. Thus, compared with the structure in which the bending member can move relative to the main body housing, the structure of the steel bar bundling machine can be prevented from becoming complicated.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, alternatively, the central axis may extend in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, the clamp may be disposed at a position rearward of the reinforcing bar. Alternatively, the bending member may include an abutting surface that is inclined with respect to the central axis in the front-rear direction, and during the twisting of the wire by the clamp, the end of the wire abuts against the abutting surface. Alternatively, the front end of the abutting surface may be farther from the central axis than the rear end of the abutting surface.

[0051] According to the above structure, it is possible to bend the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar with a simple structure by changing the distance between the front end of the abutting surface and the central axis and the distance between the rear end of the abutting surface and the central axis.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, alternatively, the abutting surface may gradually move away from the central axis as it goes from the rear end to the front end of the abutting surface.

[0053] According to the above structure, it is possible to suppress the situation where the end of the wire gets caught on the abutting surface during the bending of the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, alternatively, the abutting surface may be curved.

[0055] According to the above structure, it is possible to further suppress the situation where the end of the wire gets caught on the abutting surface during the bending of the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, alternatively, the abutting surface may be disposed at a position forward of the cutting tool.

[0057] According to the above structure, the end of the wire reliably abuts against the abutting surface. Thus, it is possible to reliably bend the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, alternatively, the abutting surface may be disposed at a position closer to the central axis than the cutting tool.

[0059] According to the above structure, the end of the wire reliably abuts against the abutting surface. Thus, it is possible to reliably bend the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, alternatively, the bending member may be fixed to the guiding unit.

[0061] According to the above structure, there is no need to additionally provide a component for fixing the bending member. Thus, the number of components of the reinforcing bar bundling machine can be reduced.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, alternatively, the bending member may define a part of the wire passage for the wire to pass through between the bending member and the guiding unit.

[0063] Compared with the structure that defines the entire wire path together with the guiding unit, the wire tying machine can be prevented from being enlarged according to the above structure.

[0064] The wire tying machine disclosed in this specification includes: a feeding unit that feeds a wire; a guiding unit that guides the wire around a steel bar; a cutter that cuts the wire; a twisting unit that holds and twists the wire; a main body housing that supports the feeding unit; and a bending member that is independent of the twisting unit and has a fixed position relative to the main body housing, and the bending member bends the end portion of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the steel bar. During the period from when the cutter cuts the wire until the twisting unit finishes twisting the wire, the bending member bends the end portion of the wire toward the steel bar.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, it may be that the central axis of the twisting unit extends in the front-rear direction. It may be that the twisting unit is disposed at a position rearward of the steel bar. It may be that the bending member has an abutting surface that is inclined with respect to the central axis in the front-rear direction, and during the period when the wire is twisted by the twisting unit, the end portion of the wire abuts against the abutting surface. It may be that the front end of the abutting surface is farther from the central axis than the rear end of the abutting surface.

[0066] According to the above structure, the end portion of the wire can be bent toward the steel bar by a simple structure such as changing the distance between the front end of the abutting surface and the central axis and the distance between the rear end of the abutting surface and the central axis.

[0067] In one or more embodiments, it may be that the abutting surface gradually moves away from the central axis as it goes from the rear end to the front end of the abutting surface.

[0068] According to the above structure, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the wire from getting caught on the abutting surface during the period when the end portion of the wire is bent toward the steel bar.

[0069] In one or more embodiments, it may be that the abutting surface is curved.

[0070] According to the above structure, it is possible to further prevent the end portion of the wire from getting caught on the abutting surface during the period when the end portion of the wire is bent toward the steel bar.

[0071] In one or more embodiments, it may be that the abutting surface is disposed at a position forward of the cutter.

[0072] According to the above structure, the end portion of the wire reliably abuts against the abutting surface. Thereby, the end portion of the wire can be reliably bent toward the steel bar.

[0073] In one or more embodiments, it is also possible that the abutting surface is disposed at a position closer to the central axis than the tool.

[0074] According to the above structure, the end of the wire reliably abuts against the abutting surface. Thus, the end of the wire can be reliably bent toward the steel bar.

[0075] In one or more embodiments, it is also possible that the bending member is fixed to the guiding unit.

[0076] According to the above structure, there is no need to additionally provide a component for fixing the bending member. Thus, the number of components of the steel bar bundling machine can be reduced.

[0077] In one or more embodiments, it is also possible that the bending member delimits a part of the wire passage through which the wire passes between the guiding unit.

[0078] According to the above structure, compared with the structure in which the guiding unit delimits the entire wire passage, the enlargement of the steel bar bundling machine can be suppressed.

[0079] (First Embodiment)

[0080] As Figure 1 shown, the steel bar bundling machine 2 is a hand-held device. The steel bar bundling machine 2 uses a wire W to bundle a plurality of steel bars R. In the steel bar bundling machine 2, wires W of various diameters (for example, diameters from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm) are used corresponding to the diameter of the steel bar R to be bundled. For example, when bundling a thin-diameter steel bar R with a diameter of 16 mm or less (for example, a diameter of 16 mm), a wire W with a diameter of 1.6 mm or less (for example, 0.8 mm) is used, and when bundling a thick-diameter steel bar R with a diameter larger than 16 mm (for example, a diameter of 25 mm or 32 mm), a wire W with a diameter of 1.6 mm or more (for example, 2.0 mm) is used. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the stranding unit 80 (refer to Figure 2 ) is referred to as the front-rear direction, the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is referred to as the up-down direction, and the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is referred to as the left-right direction.

[0081] The steel bar bundling machine 2 includes a main body housing 4, a reel cover 6, and a battery pack BP. The main body housing 4 includes: a right housing 8 that defines the outer shape of the right half of the main body housing 4; and a left housing 10 that defines the outer shape of the left half of the main body housing 4.

[0082] The main body housing 4 includes a stranding unit housing portion 14, a handle portion 16, a battery mounting portion 18, a feeding unit housing portion 20, and a reel holding portion 22. The stranding unit housing portion 14, the handle portion 16, the battery mounting portion 18, the feeding unit housing portion 20, and the reel holding portion 22 are formed by the right housing 8 and the left housing 10.

[0083] As Figure 2 shown, the stranded unit storage portion 14 extends in the front - rear direction. The handle portion 16 is disposed below the rear part of the stranded unit storage portion 14. The handle portion 16 is for the user to grip.

[0084] The battery mounting portion 18 is disposed below the handle portion 16. The battery pack BP is detachably mounted at the lower end of the battery mounting portion 18. The battery pack BP includes a secondary battery such as a lithium - ion battery, for example.

[0085] The feeding unit storage portion 20 is disposed below the front part of the stranded unit storage portion 14. The feeding unit storage portion 20 is disposed in front of the handle portion 16.

[0086] The reel holding portion 22 is disposed at a position lower than the feeding unit storage portion 20. In addition, in Figure 2 it, the reel holding portion 22 is shown by a dashed line. The reel holding portion 22 is disposed in front of the handle portion 16, the battery mounting portion 18, and the battery pack BP. The reel holding portion 22 is connected to the front end of the battery mounting portion 18. As Figure 3 shown, the reel holding portion 22 can accommodate the reel 24. The reel 24 includes a wire W and a reel 26 around which the wire W is wound.

[0087] The reel holding portion 22 includes a base portion 30, a cylindrical portion 32, and a protrusion portion 34. The base portion 30 has a reel storage space 36 inside. The left end of the base portion 30 is open.

[0088] The cylindrical portion 32 is disposed in the reel storage space 36. The cylindrical portion 32 extends leftward from the base portion 30. The cylindrical portion 32 is inserted into the reel 26. By inserting the cylindrical portion 32 into the reel 26, the reel 24 is accommodated in the reel storage space 36. The cylindrical portion 32 holds the reel 24 in such a way that the reel 24 can rotate about the reel rotation axis AX1. The reel rotation axis AX1 extends in the left - right direction.

[0089] The protrusion portion 34 protrudes downward from the lower end of the base portion 30. The protrusion portion 34 is disposed outside the reel storage space 36. As Figure 4 shown, the protrusion portion 34 includes a vertical surface 34a and an inclined surface 34b.

[0090] The vertical surface 34a is disposed on a plane including the front - rear direction and the up - down direction. The inclined surface 34b is disposed on the left side of the vertical surface 34a. The inclined surface 34b is inclined with respect to the vertical surface 34a.

[0091] As Figure 1 shown, the reel cover 6 includes a cover member 40 and an operation member 42 (refer to Figure 6)。The cover member 40 is rotatably mounted on the left housing 10. In the present embodiment, the cover member 40 is mounted on the feeding unit storage portion 20. The cover member 40 can rotate about the cover rotation axis AX2. By rotating the cover member 40, the reel cover 6 can be switched between the prohibited state and the permitted state (refer to Figure 5 ). The cover rotation axis AX2 is disposed at a position above the battery mounting portion 18 and the reel rotation axis AX1 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0092] As Figure 3 shown, when the reel cover 6 is in the prohibited state, it is located at the first position. At this time, the reel storage space 36 is closed by the reel cover 6. Thereby, the detachment of the reel 24 from the cylinder portion 32 is prohibited, that is, the reel 24 is prohibited from coming out of the reel storage space 36. Further, when the reel cover 6 is located at the first position, the cover member 40 abuts against the protrusion 34 from the left side. Thereby, the rotation of the reel cover 6 beyond the first position can be suppressed.

[0093] As Figure 5 shown, when the reel cover 6 is in the permitted state, it is located at the second position. At this time, the reel storage space 36 is opened. Thereby, the detachment of the reel 24 from the cylinder portion 32 (refer to Figure 3 ) is permitted, that is, the reel 24 is permitted to come out of the reel storage space 36. Further, when the reel cover 6 is located at the second position, the cover member 40 abuts against the left housing 10. Thereby, the rotation of the reel cover 6 beyond the second position can be suppressed.

[0094] As Figure 6 shown, the operation member 42 is mounted on one end of the cover member 40. The operation member 42 is disposed near the cover rotation axis AX2. The operation member 42 includes a roller 44. The roller 44 is, for example, a bearing such as a needle bearing. The roller 44 rotates about the cover rotation axis AX2 as the cover member 40 rotates. The roller 44 can rotate about the central axis AX3. The central axis AX3 passes through the center of the operation member 42. The central axis AX3 is substantially parallel to the cover rotation axis AX2.

[0095] As Figure 3 shown, the steel bar bundling machine 2 further includes a reel pressing member 48, a biasing member 50, a locking lever 52, and a biasing member 54 (refer to Figure 7 ). The reel pressing member 48 has a substantially frustoconical shape. The reel pressing member 48 is slidably mounted on the cover member 40. The biasing member 50 is sandwiched between the reel pressing member 48 and the cover member 40. The biasing member 50 biases the reel pressing member 48 in a direction away from the cover member 40.

[0096] When the reel cover 6 is in the first position, a part of the reel pressing member 48 is inserted into the reel 26. The reel pressing member 48 is pressed against the left end of the reel 26 by the biasing force of the biasing member 50. As a result, the reel 26 is sandwiched between the base portion 30 and the reel pressing member 48. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the reel 24 from wobbling in the left - right direction when the reel 24 rotates. When the reel 24 rotates, the reel 26 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 32 and on the side surface of the reel pressing member 48.

[0097] As Figure 7 shown, the locking lever 52 is attached to the lower end of the cover member 40. The locking lever 52 includes a lever main body portion 56 and an engaging portion 58.

[0098] The lever main body portion 56 can rotate about the lever rotation axis AX4. The lever main body portion 56 is operated by the user. The biasing member 54 is sandwiched between the rear end of the lever main body portion 56 and the cover member 40. The biasing member 54 biases the lever main body portion 56 in a direction away from the cover member 40 at the rear end. In addition, the distance between the cover rotation axis AX2 (see Figure 6 ) and the lever main body portion 56 is longer than the distance from the cover rotation axis AX2 to the operating member 42 (see Figure 6 ). As a result, the force for the user to operate the reel cover 6 becomes smaller.

[0099] The engaging portion 58 is disposed at a position forward of the lever rotation axis AX4. As Figure 3 shown, the engaging portion 58 includes a vertical surface 58a and an inclined surface 58b.

[0100] When the reel cover 6 is in the first position, the vertical surface 58a can engage with the vertical surface 34a of the protrusion 34. When the vertical surface 58a engages with the vertical surface 34a, it is possible to suppress the reel cover 6 from rotating from the first position to the second position.

[0101] The inclined surface 58b is inclined with respect to the vertical surface 58a. When the reel cover 6 is rotated from the second position to the first position, the inclined surface 58b slides on the inclined surface 34b of the protrusion 34 after coming into contact with the inclined surface 34b. As a result, the locking lever 52 rotates in such a way that the engaging portion 58 moves away from the base portion 30. When the vertical surface 58a of the engaging portion 58 moves to a position on the right side of the vertical surface 34a of the protrusion 34, the locking lever 52 rotates in such a way that the engaging portion 58 approaches the base portion 30 under the biasing force of the biasing member 54 and returns to the initial position. Therefore, after the reel cover 6 rotates to the first position, the engaging portion 58 can engage with the protrusion 34 without the user operating the locking lever 52.

[0102] As Figure 1As shown, the wire tying machine 2 further includes a main power switch 62, a display unit 64, a tying force increasing switch 66, a tying force decreasing switch 68, a trigger 70, and a trigger switch 72 (see Figure 2 ).

[0103] The main power switch 62, the display unit 64, the tying force increasing switch 66, and the tying force decreasing switch 68 are arranged at the rear of the upper surface of the main body housing 4. The main power switch 62 receives an operation by the user to switch between the on state and the off state of the wire tying machine 2. The display unit 64 displays information related to the wire tying machine 2. When the tying force increasing switch 66 is operated, the set value of the tying force of the wire tying machine 2 for the wire W is increased by one level. When the tying force decreasing switch 68 is operated, the set value of the tying force of the wire tying machine 2 for the wire W is decreased by one level. The tying force of the wire W corresponds to the force for twisting the wire W, that is, the current value of the twisting motor 146 described later.

[0104] The trigger 70 is mounted in a pullable manner on the upper part of the front surface of the handle portion 16. The trigger 70 is for the user to operate.

[0105] As Figure 2 shown, the trigger switch 72 is housed in the handle portion 16. When the trigger 70 is pulled, the trigger switch 72 is pressed into by the trigger 70. When the wire tying machine 2 is in the on state, if the trigger switch 72 is pressed in, the wire tying machine 2 uses the wire W to tie the steel bar R.

[0106] The wire tying machine 2 further includes a feeding unit 74, a guiding unit 76, a cutting unit 78, a twisting unit 80, and a control unit 82.

[0107] The feeding unit 74 is housed in the feeding unit housing portion 20. The feeding unit 74 is supported by the main body housing 4. As Figure 8 shown, the feeding unit 74 includes a feeding motor 88, a fixed base 90, a feeding guide 92, a transfer roller 94, a first roller 96, a second roller 98, a link member 100, and a biasing member 102 (see Figure 6 ).

[0108] As Figure 2 shown, the feeding motor 88 rotates by the power supplied from the battery pack BP. The feeding motor 88 is, for example, a brushless motor.

[0109] The fixed base 90 is fixed to the main body housing 4. As Figure 8 shown, the fixed base 90 supports the feeding motor 88.

[0110] The feeding guide 92 is fixed to the fixed base 90. The feeding guide 92 has a guide hole 92a penetrating the feeding guide 92 in the vertical direction. The wire W passes through the guide hole 92a.

[0111] The transfer roller 94 is disposed on the front side of the fixed base 90. The transfer roller 94 is fixed to the shaft of the feed motor 88 via a speed reducer (not shown). The transfer roller 94 rotates by the rotation of the shaft (not shown) of the feed motor 88. The transfer roller 94 has teeth 94a formed on the outer peripheral surface.

[0112] The first roller 96 is rotatably supported by the fixed base 90. The first roller 96 is disposed at a position above the cover rotation axis AX2. The first roller 96 rotates about the first roller rotation axis AX6. The first roller 96 has teeth 96a formed on the outer peripheral surface and grooves 96b recessed from the outer peripheral surface. The teeth 96a mesh with the teeth 94a of the transfer roller 94. Therefore, when the transfer roller 94 rotates, the first roller 96 rotates. The first roller 96 corresponds to the driving roller. The groove 96b extends around the outer peripheral surface for one full turn.

[0113] The second roller 98 is disposed on the left side of the first roller 96. The second roller 98 is disposed at a position above the cover rotation axis AX2. The second roller 98 has teeth 98a formed on the outer peripheral surface and grooves 98b recessed from the outer peripheral surface. The teeth 98a are configured to mesh with the teeth 96a of the first roller 96. When the first roller 96 rotates in a state where the teeth 98a mesh with the teeth 96a, the second roller 98 rotates about the second roller rotation axis AX7. Therefore, the second roller 98 corresponds to the driven roller. The groove 98b extends around the outer peripheral surface for one full turn. When the wire W is disposed between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in a state where the teeth 98a mesh with the teeth 96a, the wire W is sandwiched between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 within the grooves 96b and 98b. In this state, when the first roller 96 rotates in the forward direction, the wire W is pulled out from the reel 26 (see Figure 3 ) and sent toward the guide unit 76 (see Figure 2 ). Further, in this state, when the first roller 96 rotates in the reverse direction, the wire W is pulled back toward the reel 26.

[0114] As Figure 6 shown, the upper end of the link member 100 supports the second roller 98 so as to be rotatable. The link member 100 supports the second roller 98 near the second roller rotation axis AX7 of the second roller 98. The link member 100 is rotatably supported by the fixed base 90. The link member 100 rotates about the link rotation axis AX5. The link rotation axis AX5 is disposed at a position below the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 and at a position above the cover rotation axis AX2. The link member 100 rotates between the first link position and the second link position. The link rotation axis AX5 is disposed at a position below the first roller rotation axis AX6 and the second roller rotation axis AX7. As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, the link member 100 switches the second roller 98 between the first state and the second state by rotating between the first link position and the second link position.

[0115] As Figure 8 shown, when the second roller 98 is in the first state, it is located at the first roller position. At this time, the teeth 98a of the second roller 98 mesh with the teeth 96a of the first roller 96. Thereby, the wire W is sandwiched between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the grooves 96b and 98b. Therefore, the first state corresponds to the clamping state.

[0116] As Figure 9 shown, when the second roller 98 is in the second state, it is located at the second roller position. At this time, the distance between the first roller rotation axis AX6 and the second roller rotation axis AX7 is longer than the distance between the first roller rotation axis AX6 and the second roller rotation axis AX7 in the first state. Therefore, the distance between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the second state is longer than the distance between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first state. When the second roller 98 is in the second state, the second roller 98 is separated from the first roller 96. Therefore, the teeth 98a of the second roller 98 do not mesh with the teeth 96a of the first roller 96. In this state, the wire W is not sandwiched between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. Therefore, the second state corresponds to the non-clamping state. In this state, even if the first roller 96 rotates, the second roller 98 does not rotate. Thereby, even if the wire W is disposed between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98, the wire W is not sent toward the guide unit 76 (see Figure 2 ), and is not pulled back toward the reel 26 (see Figure 3 ).

[0117] As Figure 6 shown, the biasing member 102 is sandwiched between the lower end of the link member 100 and the fixed base 90. The biasing member 102 biases the link member 100 from the second link position toward the first link position.

[0118] In the present embodiment, the link member 100 rotates between the first link position and the second link position by the operation of the reel cover 6. As Figure 8 shown, when the reel cover 6 is in the first position, the roller 44 is separated from the link member 100. Therefore, the link member 100 is located at the first link position. The link member 100 is biased by the biasing member 102 (see Figure 6 ), whereby the second roller 98 is pressed against the first roller 96. As Figure 9As shown, when the reel cover 6 rotates from the first position to the second position, the roller 44 presses the lower end of the link member 100 toward the fixed base 90. Thereby, the link member 100 rotates from the first link position to the second link position. The distance between the position where the roller 44 presses the link member 100 and the link rotation axis AX5 is longer than the distance between the link rotation axis AX5 and the second roller rotation axis AX7. Thus, compared with the structure where the distance between the position where the roller 44 presses the link member 100 and the link rotation axis AX5 is smaller than the distance between the link rotation axis AX5 and the second roller rotation axis AX7, the force required to press the link member 100 becomes smaller.

[0119] As Figure 6 shown, when the reel cover 6 is located closer to the second position than the neutral position between the first position and the second position, the link member 100 is biased by the biasing member 102, and thereby a force that causes the reel cover 6 to rotate toward the second position is applied to the reel cover 6. Therefore, if the reel cover 6 exceeds the neutral position when the reel cover 6 is rotated from the first position to the second position, the reel cover 6 will automatically rotate toward the second position even if the user's hand leaves the reel cover 6. In addition, the reel cover 6 is maintained at the second position by the biasing of the biasing member 102. When the reel cover 6 is located at the neutral position, the plane CP connecting the cover rotation axis AX2 and the central axis AX3 coincides with the neutral plane NP including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In addition, as Figure 10 shown, when the reel cover 6 is located closer to the first position than the neutral position, the link member 100 is biased by the biasing member 102, and thereby a force that causes the reel cover 6 to rotate toward the first position is applied to the reel cover 6. Therefore, if the reel cover 6 exceeds the neutral position when the reel cover 6 is rotated from the second position to the first position, the reel cover 6 will automatically rotate toward the first position even if the user's hand leaves the reel cover 6.

[0120] When replacing the reel 24, as Figure 5 shown, the user holds the reel cover 6 with a hand, and after pressing the locking lever 52 with the hand holding the reel cover 6, rotates the reel cover 6 from the first position to the second position. As Figure 6 shown, the roller 44 presses the lower end of the link member 100, and thereby the link member 100 rotates from the first link position to the second link position. As Figure 9 shown, the second roller 98 rotates from the first roller position to the second roller position, and thereby switches from the first state to the second state. Next, the user withdraws the wire W from between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. Next, as Figure 3 shown, after the user removes the reel 24 from the cylindrical portion 32, installs a new reel 24 on the cylindrical portion 32. Next, as Figure 9As shown, the user inserts the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. Finally, the user rotates the reel cover 6 from the second position to the first position. As Figure 8 shown, the roller 44 is separated from the lower end of the link member 100, whereby the link member 100 rotates from the second link position to the first link position. The second roller 98 rotates from the second roller position to the first roller position, whereby the state is switched from the second state to the first state. As a result, the wire W is clamped between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98.

[0121] As Figure 11 shown, the guide unit 76 is supported by the main body housing 4. The guide unit 76 includes a first guide member 110, a second guide member 112, a first pin 114, a second pin 115, and a wire guide 116. The first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112 are fixed to the front end of the stranding unit housing portion 14. The first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112 extend forward from the front end of the stranding unit housing portion 14. The first guide member 110 opens downward. The first guide member 110 has a first wire passage 120, and the first wire passage 120 has a curved shape that bulges upward. The second guide member 112 is arranged below the first guide member 110 so as to be separated from the first guide member 110. The reinforcing bar R is arranged between the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112 during bundling. The second guide member 112 opens upward. The second guide member 112 has a second wire passage 122.

[0122] The first pin 114 and the second pin 115 are fixed to the first guide member 110. A part of the first pin 114 and the second pin 115 are arranged in the first wire passage 120. The first pin 114 is arranged near the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120. The second pin 115 is arranged near the inlet 120b of the first wire passage 120.

[0123] The wire guide 116 is fixed to the second guide member 112. The wire guide 116 is arranged between the feeding unit 74 and the first guide member 110. The wire guide 116 has a guide hole 116a.

[0124] The wire W conveyed by the feeding unit 74 is conveyed to the inlet 120b of the first wire passage 120 after passing through the guide hole 116a of the wire guide 116. The wire W is guided by the first guide member 110 and passes through the inside of the first wire passage 120 from the rear to the front. When passing through the inside of the first wire passage 120, the wire W abuts against the first pin 114 and the second pin 115. Thereby, a downward winding tendency is imparted to the wire W. After passing through the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120, the wire W is conveyed to the inlet 122a of the wire passage 122. The wire W is guided by the second guide member 112 and passes through the inside of the second wire passage 122 from the front to the rear. After that, after passing through the outlet 122b of the second wire passage 122, the wire W moves upward to the rear. By forming a loop RP of the wire W, the wire W is wound around the steel bar R. The steel bar R penetrates the loop RP in the left-right direction.

[0125] As Figure 2 shown, the cutting unit 78 is housed in the stranding unit housing portion 14. The cutting unit 78 is supported by the main body case 4. The cutting unit 78 is disposed between the feeding unit 74 and the first guide member 110. The cutting unit 78 is disposed at a position above the feeding unit 74 and the reel 24. As Figure 12 shown, the cutting unit 78 includes a tool guide 126, a tool 128, a push rod 130, a support shaft 132 (refer to Figure 14 ) and a biasing member 134 (refer to Figure 14 ).

[0126] The tool guide 126 is fixed to the stranding unit housing portion 14 (refer to Figure 2 ). The tool guide 126 has a tool guide hole 136 and a wire guide hole 138. The tool guide hole 136 penetrates the tool guide 126 in the front-rear direction. As Figure 11 shown, the wire guide hole 138 is connected to the vicinity of the front end of the tool guide hole 136. The wire guide hole 138 penetrates the tool guide 126 in the up-down direction. The wire guide hole 138 faces the guide hole 116a of the wire guide 116. The wire guide hole 138 is disposed between the guide hole 116a and the inlet 120b of the first wire passage 120. Therefore, the wire W passing through the guide hole 116a is conveyed to the inlet 120b of the first wire passage 120 after passing through the wire guide hole 138.

[0127] As Figure 12 shown, the tool 128 extends in the front-rear direction. The front portion of the tool 128 is inserted into the tool guide hole 136. The tool 128 is supported by the tool guide 126 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

[0128] The push rod 130 is disposed at the rear side of the tool guide 126. The push rod 130 is fixed to the tool 128. The push rod 130 includes a first rod portion 140 and a second rod portion 142. The first rod portion 140 is located at the front end of the push rod 130. As Figure 13 shown, when the first rod portion 140 is pushed forward by the stranding unit 80, the push rod 130 approaches the tool guide 126. Thus, the tool 128 slides to a position forward of the wire guide hole 138. As a result, the wire W is cut by the tool 128 and the tool guide 126.

[0129] The second rod portion 142 is located at the rear end of the push rod 130. When the second rod portion 142 is pushed rearward by the stranding unit 80, the push rod 130 separates from the tool guide 126.

[0130] As Figure 14 shown, the support shaft 132 extends in the front-rear direction. The support shaft 132 and the tool 128 are arranged in the left-right direction. The rear end of the support shaft 132 is fixed to the push rod 130. The front portion of the support shaft 132 is slidably supported by the tool guide 126. The support shaft 132 inhibits the rotation of the push rod 130.

[0131] The biasing member 134 is sandwiched between the tool guide 126 and the push rod 130. The support shaft 132 is inserted into the biasing member 134. The biasing member 134 biases the push rod 130 rearward toward the initial position.

[0132] As Figure 2 shown, the stranding unit 80 is housed in the stranding unit housing portion 14. The stranding unit 80 is supported by the main body housing 4. The stranding unit 80 is disposed above the cutting unit 78. In the up-down direction, the stranding unit 80 is disposed between the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112. As Figure 14 shown, the stranding unit 80 includes a stranding motor 146, a speed reducer 148, a screw shaft 150, a sleeve unit 152, a push plate 154, and a gripping unit 156.

[0133] The stranding motor 146 is, for example, a brushless motor. The stranding motor 146 rotates about the central axis AX8 by the electric power supplied from the battery pack BP. The central axis AX8 extends in the front-rear direction. The speed reducer 148 includes a planetary gear mechanism. The rotation of the stranding motor 146 is transmitted to the screw shaft 150 via the speed reducer 148. Thus, the screw shaft 150 rotates about the central axis AX8.

[0134] The screw shaft 150 is inserted into the sleeve unit 152. When the screw shaft 150 rotates, the sleeve unit 152 moves in the front-rear direction or rotates about the central axis AX8 in cooperation with a rotation restricting mechanism (not shown).

[0135] The push plate 154 is rotatably supported by the sleeve unit 152. The push plate 154 has a substantially flat plate shape. The push plate 154 moves in the front-rear direction together with the sleeve unit 152. When the push plate 154 moves forward, the first rod portion 140 is pushed forward. In addition, when the push plate 154 moves backward, the second rod portion 142 is pushed backward. Even when the sleeve unit 152 rotates, the push plate 154 does not rotate.

[0136] The holding unit 156 projects forward from the front portion of the sleeve unit 152. The holding unit 156 is disposed at a position rearward of the steel bar R (refer to Figure 11 ). The holding unit 156 includes a jig shaft 160, a right jig 162, and a left jig 164.

[0137] The jig shaft 160 is inserted into the sleeve unit 152 from the front side. The jig shaft 160 is disposed on the central axis AX8.

[0138] The right jig 162 is mounted on the jig shaft 160 so as to penetrate the jig shaft 160 from the right side to the left side. The right jig 162 can move in the left-right direction relative to the jig shaft 160. The right jig 162 is disposed at the rightmost position relative to the jig shaft 160 in the initial state. At this time, a right wire passage 165 is formed between the right jig 162 and the jig shaft 160. The wire W can pass through the right wire passage 165. When the sleeve unit 152 moves forward from this state, the right jig 162 moves leftward relative to the jig shaft 160. Thereby, the end portion of the wire W is clamped between the right jig 162 and the jig shaft 160.

[0139] The left jig 164 is mounted on the jig shaft 160 so as to penetrate the jig shaft 160 from the left side to the right side. The left jig 164 can move in the left-right direction relative to the jig shaft 160. The left jig 164 is disposed at the leftmost position relative to the jig shaft 160 in the initial state. At this time, a left wire passage 166 is formed between the left jig 164 and the jig shaft 160. The wire W can pass through the left wire passage 166. When the sleeve unit 152 moves forward from this state, the left jig 164 moves rightward relative to the jig shaft 160. Thereby, the end portion of the wire W is clamped between the left jig 164 and the jig shaft 160.

[0140] When the sleeve unit 152 rotates while one end and the other end of the wire W are held by the holding unit 156, the holding unit 156 rotates around the central axis AX8. The wire W is twisted, and thereby the steel bar R (refer to Figure 2 ) is tied up by the wire W.

[0141] As Figure 2As shown, the control unit 82 is housed in the battery mounting portion 18. The control unit 82 includes an MCU (not shown) and a switching element (not shown). The control unit 82 is electrically connected to the main power switch 62 (refer to Figure 1 ), the display unit 64 (refer to Figure 1 ), the bundling force increasing switch 66 (refer to Figure 1 ), the bundling force decreasing switch 68 (refer to Figure 1 ), the trigger switch 72, the feeding motor 88, the stranding motor 146, and the battery pack BP.

[0142] As Figure 15 shown, the steel bar bundling machine 2 includes a pair of side plates 168, a pair of sliding units 170, and a pair of detection sensors 172 (refer to Figure 16 ). One sliding unit 170 and one detection sensor 172 are provided for one side plate 168.

[0143] The pair of side plates 168 are mounted at the front end of the stranding unit housing portion 14. When bundling the steel bar R with the wire W, the pair of side plates 168 are pressed against the steel bar R. One side plate 168 is pivotally mounted to the right housing 8. The other side plate 168 is pivotally mounted to the left housing 10. As Figure 2 shown, the side plate 168 is normally closed under the biasing force of the biasing member 174. The gripping unit 156 is disposed at a position rearward of the side plate 168.

[0144] The sliding unit 170 and the detection sensor 172 are disposed inside the stranding unit housing portion 14. The sliding unit 170 and the detection sensor 172 are disposed above the stranding unit 80. As Figure 16 shown, the sliding unit 170 includes a sliding plate 178, a magnet holding member 180, a magnet 182, and a biasing member 184.

[0145] The sliding plate 178 extends in the front-rear direction. The sliding plate 178 is supported by the stranding unit housing portion 14 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction (refer to Figure 2 ). The sliding plate 178 abuts against the side plate 168 from the rear side.

[0146] The magnet holding member 180 is fixed to the rear end of the sliding plate 178. The magnet holding member 180 holds the magnet 182. The magnet 182 is, for example, a permanent magnet. The magnet holding member 180 is biased forward by the biasing member 184. Thus, the sliding plate 178 is pressed against the side plate 168.

[0147] The detection sensor 172 is electrically connected to the control unit 82 (refer to Figure 2 ). The detection sensor 172 includes a sensor substrate 186 and a sensor element 188. The sensor substrate 186 is fixed to the stranding unit housing portion 14 (refer to Figure 2)。The sensor element 188 is mounted on the sensor substrate 186. The sensor element 188 is a magnetic sensor element. When the side plate 168 is closed, the sensor element 188 faces the magnet 182. On the other hand, when the side plate 168 is open, the sensor element 188 does not face the magnet 182. In addition, in Figure 16 , the magnet holding member 180 and the magnet 182 when the side plate 168 is open are shown by dashed lines. The magnetic change of the magnet 182 is detected by the sensor element 188, so as to detect the opening and closing of the side plate 168 by the sensor 172.

[0148] As Figure 17 shown, the steel bar bundling machine 2 further includes a bending member 192. The bending member 192 is received in the stranding unit receiving portion 14. The bending member 192 has a plate shape. The bending member 192 is arranged along a plane including the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The bending member 192 is made of a metal material, for example. The bending member 192 is independent of the stranding unit 80. The bending member 192 is fixed to the second guide member 112. Therefore, the bending member 192 cannot move relative to the main body housing 4. The left surface of the bending member 192 delimits a part of the second wire passage 122 of the second guide member 112. The bending member 192 is arranged near the wire guide hole 138. The bending member 192 is arranged at a position to the left of the wire guide hole 138. The bending member 192 is arranged at a position to the right of the second wire passage 122. Therefore, in the left-right direction, the bending member 192 is arranged between the wire guide hole 138 and the second wire passage 122.

[0149] The bending member 192 has a contact surface 194. The contact surface 194 is formed at a part of the upper surface of the bending member 192. The contact surface 194 connects the right surface and the left surface of the bending member 192. The width of the contact surface 194 in the left-right direction gradually increases from the rear end of the contact surface 194 towards the inflection point position, and is constant between the inflection point position and the front end of the contact surface 194. The width of the contact surface 194 in the left-right direction becomes narrower towards the up direction. The contact surface 194 extends from the upper left end of the bending member 192 towards the lower right. The contact surface 194 faces the upper right.

[0150] As Figure 18As shown, the abutting surface 194 is disposed at a position closer to the front side (the side of the steel bar R) than the cutting tool 128. The abutting surface 194 is disposed at a position above the wire guide hole 138 and below the gripping unit 156. Therefore, in the vertical direction, the abutting surface 194 is disposed between the wire guide hole 138 and the gripping unit 156. When observing the steel bar bundling machine 2 in a direction orthogonal to the central axis AX8, the abutting surface 194 is inclined with respect to the central axis AX8. The abutting surface 194 moves away from the central axis AX8 as it goes from the rear end to the front end. The front end of the abutting surface 194 is farther from the central axis AX8 than the rear end of the abutting surface 194. The abutting surface 194 is curved.

[0151] After the reel 24 is installed in the reel holding portion 22, when the main power switch 62 is operated for the first time (refer to Figure 1 ), Figure 2 the control unit 82 shown performs Figure 19 the processing shown.

[0152] As Figure 19 shown, in S2, the control unit 82 performs an initialization process. Specifically, the control unit 82 repeatedly performs a feeding process and a cutting process. In the feeding process, the control unit 82 rotates the feeding motor 88 in the forward direction a specified number of rotations. By rotating the first roller 96 in the forward direction, the wire W is fed toward the guiding unit 76. In the cutting process, the control unit 82 rotates the stranding motor 146 in the forward direction a specified number of rotations, and then rotates the stranding motor 146 in the reverse direction a specified number of rotations. First, when the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the push plate 154 pushes the first rod portion 140 forward. As a result, the push rod 130 moves forward, and the cutting tool 128 slides to a position closer to the front side than the wire guide hole 138. Next, when the sleeve unit 152 moves backward, the push rod 130 is biased backward by the biasing member 134 and returns to the initial position. When the control unit 82 determines that the current value of the stranding motor 146 has decreased after reaching a specified value or more during the execution of the cutting process, the control unit 82 ends the initialization process after the cutting process is completed. The situation where the current value of the stranding motor 146 has decreased after reaching a specified value or more corresponds to the wire W having been cut by the cutting tool 128. At the end of the initialization process, the front end W1 of the wire W is disposed within the wire guide hole 138.

[0153] In S4, the control unit 82 performs a wire pre-feeding process. Specifically, the control unit 82 rotates the feeding motor 88 in the forward direction by a reference number of rotations. As Figure 20As shown, by rotating the first roller 96 in the forward direction, the front end W1 of the wire W is sent out from the wire guiding hole 138 to the first position. The first position is arranged on the side of the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120, which is closer to the outlet 120a than the wire guiding hole 138 and the cutting tool 128. The first position is arranged within the first wire passage 120. The first position is arranged at the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120. The first position is not arranged on the side of the inlet 122a of the second wire passage 122, which is closer to the outlet 120a than the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120.

[0154] In S6, the control unit 82 sets the number of rotations of the feeding motor 88 in the winding process described later to the first number of rotations. When the feeding motor 88 rotates in the forward direction by the first number of rotations, the first roller 96 rotates in the forward direction, and thus the front end W1 of the wire W is sent out from the first position to the left wire passage 166.

[0155] In addition, after the control unit 82 executes Figure 19 the processing shown, it executes Figure 21 and Figure 22 the processing shown.

[0156] As Figure 21 shown, in S20, the control unit 82 determines whether the trigger 70 is pulled. When the control unit 82 determines that the trigger 70 has been pulled ("Yes" in S20), it enters S22.

[0157] In S22, the control unit 82 determines whether it is the first time the trigger 70 is pulled after the initialization process. When the control unit 82 determines that it is the first time the trigger 70 is pulled after the initialization process ("Yes" in S22), it enters Figure 22 S30. On the other hand, when the control unit 82 determines that it is not the first time the trigger 70 is pulled after the initialization process ("No" in S22), it enters S24.

[0158] S24 corresponds to the processing of Figure 21 and Figure 22 executed the second time and later after the initialization process. In S24, the control unit 82 determines whether the side plate 168 has been opened and closed in the processing of Figure 21 and Figure 22 executed last time. When the control unit 82 determines that the side plate 168 has been opened and closed ("Yes" in S24), it enters Figure 22 S30. On the other hand, when the control unit 82 determines that the side plate 168 has not been opened and closed ("No" in S24), it enters S26.

[0159] In S26, the control unit 82 rotates the stranding motor 146 in the reverse direction, thereby returning the stranding unit 80 to the initial position. After that, it entersFigure 22 of S30.

[0160] As Figure 22 shown, in S30, the control unit 82 performs a bundling process. Specifically, the bundling process includes a winding process, a first gripping process, a pulling-back process, a second gripping process, a cutting process, a twisting process, a bending process, and a wire releasing process.

[0161] (Winding Process)

[0162] The control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 in the forward direction. As a result, as Figure 11 shown, the first roller 96 rotates in the forward direction, so that the front end W1 of the wire W sequentially passes through the wire guiding hole 138, the right wire passage 165, the first wire passage 120, the second wire passage 122, and the left wire passage 166. By forming a loop RP of the wire W, the wire W is wound around the steel bar R. At this time, the steel bar R penetrates the loop RP in the left-right direction. In addition, when the wire W passes through the first wire passage 120, it abuts against the first pin 114 and the second pin 115, thereby imparting a winding tendency to the wire W.

[0163] (First Gripping Process)

[0164] The first gripping process is performed after the winding process. When the time when the bundling process starts is set to 0 seconds, the first gripping process is performed 0.10 seconds later. The control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. By Figure 14 shown, the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, so that the left clamp 164 moves to the right relative to the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the left wire passage 166 becomes narrower, and the front end W1 of the wire W is clamped between the left clamp 164 and the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the front end W1 of the wire W is gripped by the gripping unit 156.

[0165] (Pulling-back Process)

[0166] The pulling-back process is performed after the first gripping process. The pulling-back process is performed 0.17 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 in the reverse direction. As Figure 11 shown, by rotating the first roller 96 in the reverse direction, the wire W is pulled back toward the reel 26. As a result, the loop RP of the wire W is reduced in diameter and contacts the steel bar R. In addition, in Figure 11 the reduced-diameter wire W is shown by a dashed line.

[0167] (Second Gripping Process)

[0168] The second gripping process is performed after the pulling-back process. The second gripping process is performed 0.24 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The control unit 82 rotates the stranding motor 146 in the forward direction. By Figure 14 the movement of the sleeve unit 152 shown in the figure forward, the right clamp 162 moves leftward relative to the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the right wire passage 165 becomes narrower, and the wire W is clamped between the right clamp 162 and the clamp shaft 160 at the position between the wire guide hole 138 and the first wire passage 120. As a result, the wire W is gripped by the gripping unit 156 at two places.

[0169] (Cutting process)

[0170] The cutting process is performed after the second gripping process. The cutting process is performed 0.27 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The control unit 82 rotates the stranding motor 146 further in the forward direction. As Figure 13 shown, by the further forward movement of the sleeve unit 152, the push plate 154 pushes the first rod portion 140 forward. As a result, the cutting tool 128 slides to a position in front of the wire guide hole 138. As a result, the wire W is cut by the cutting tool 128 and the tool guide 126 at the position between the wire guide hole 138 and the right wire passage 165. Hereinafter, the end portion of the wire W formed by the cutting of the wire W by the cutting tool 128 is sometimes referred to as the end W2 of the wire W.

[0171] (Stranding process, bending process)

[0172] The stranding process is performed after the cutting process. The stranding process is performed 0.31 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The bending process is performed during the execution of the stranding process. The control unit 82 rotates the stranding motor 146 further in the forward direction. By the rotation of the sleeve unit 152 and the gripping unit 156, the wire W is stranded. As a result, the steel bar R is bundled using the wire W. As Figure 18 shown, when the wire W is stranded, the end W2 of the wire W slides on the abutment surface 194 after abutting against the abutment surface 194. As a result, the end W2 of the wire W is bent toward the steel bar R. In Figure 18 the end W2 of the bent wire W is shown by a dotted line, and the wire W is exaggeratedly shown. As Figure 23 shown, the ear height L1 representing the maximum distance between the steel bar R and the end W2 of the wire W is shorter than the ear height L2 when the end W2 of the wire W is not bent.

[0173] (Wire release process)

[0174] The wire release process is performed after the stranding process. The wire release process is performed 0.41 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The control unit 82 rotates the stranding motor 146 in the reverse direction. By moving rearward through the sleeve unit 152, the right clamp 162 moves to the right relative to the clamp shaft 160, and the left clamp 164 moves to the left relative to the clamp shaft 160. Thereby, the front end W1 and the end W2 of the wire W are no longer held by the holding unit 156. The wire release process is completed 0.48 seconds after the start of the bundling process.

[0175] As Figure 22 shown, in S32, the control unit 82 determines whether the side plate 168 has been opened and closed. As Figure 15 shown, after the bundling of the reinforcing bar R is completed, the user moves the reinforcing bar bundling machine 2 away from the reinforcing bar R. At this time, the side plate 168 is opened by bringing the front end W1 and the end W2 of the wire W into contact with the side plate 168, and then the front end W1 and the end W2 of the wire W are separated from the side plate 168, whereby the side plate 168 is closed. When the sensor element 188 of the detection sensor 172 detects a change in the magnetism of the magnet 182, the control unit 82 determines that the side plate 168 has been opened and closed. When the control unit 82 determines that the side plate 168 has not been opened and closed within a specified period ("No" in S32), it proceeds to S34. On the other hand, when the control unit 82 determines that the side plate 168 has been opened and closed ("Yes" in S32), it proceeds to S36.

[0176] In S34, the control unit 82 sets the number of rotations of the feed motor 88 in the subsequent winding process to the second number of rotations. The second number of rotations is larger than the first number of rotations. When the feed motor 88 rotates forward by the second number of rotations, the first roller 96 rotates forward, whereby the front end W1 of the wire W is fed out from the wire guide hole 138 to the left wire passage 166. After that, the control unit 82 returns to S20.

[0177] In S36, the control unit 82 rotates the stranding motor 146 in the reverse direction, thereby returning the stranding unit 80 to the initial position.

[0178] In S38, the control unit 82 performs a wire pre-feed process. Thereby, the front end W1 of the wire W is fed out to the first position, that is, the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120.

[0179] In S40, the control unit 82 determines whether the trigger 70 is pulled during the execution of the wire pre-feed process. When the control unit 82 determines that the trigger 70 is not pulled during the execution of the wire pre-feed process (being "No" in S40), it proceeds to S42. On the other hand, when the control unit 82 determines that the trigger 70 is pulled during the execution of the wire pre-feed process (being "Yes" in S40), it proceeds to S44.

[0180] In S42, the control unit 82 sets the number of rotations of the feed motor 88 to the first number of rotations. After that, the control unit 82 returns to S20.

[0181] In S44, the control unit 82 sets the number of rotations of the feed motor 88 to the first number of rotations. After that, the control unit 82 returns to S30. The control unit 82 executes the processes of S44 and S30 substantially simultaneously. Thus, after the process of S38, the wire W is wound around the steel bar R without the feed motor 88 stopping.

[0182] (Effect)

[0183] The steel bar bundling machine 2 of the present embodiment includes: a main body housing 4; a feed unit 74 that conveys the wire W; a guide unit 76 that guides the wire W around the steel bar R; a cutter 128 that cuts the wire W; a gripping unit 156 (an example of a clamp) that can rotate around the central axis AX8 and grips the wire W; and a bending member 192 that bends the end W2 (an example of an end portion) of the wire W formed by the cutter 128 cutting the wire W toward the steel bar R. During the period when the wire W is twisted by the rotation of the gripping unit 156, the bending member 192 bends the end W2 of the wire W toward the steel bar R.

[0184] According to the above structure, during the period when the wire W is twisted by the rotation of the gripping unit 156, the end W2 of the wire W is bent toward the steel bar R by the bending member 192. Thus, the time required to bundle the steel bar R using the wire W can be shortened.

[0185] In addition, the bending member 192 cannot move relative to the main body housing 4.

[0186] According to the above structure, the end W2 of the wire W can be bent toward the steel bar R by the bending member 192 that cannot move relative to the main body housing 4. Thus, compared with the structure in which the bending member 192 can move relative to the main body housing 4, the structure of the steel bar bundling machine 2 can be prevented from becoming complicated.

[0187] In addition, the central axis AX8 extends in the front-rear direction. The gripping unit 156 is disposed at a position rearward of the reinforcing bar R. The bending member 192 has a contact surface 194 that is inclined with respect to the central axis AX8 in the front-rear direction. During the twisting of the wire W by the gripping unit 156, the end W2 of the wire W abuts against the contact surface 194. The front end of the contact surface 194 is farther from the central axis AX8 than the rear end of the contact surface 194.

[0188] According to the above structure, the end W2 of the wire W can be bent toward the reinforcing bar R by a simple structure of changing the distance between the front end of the contact surface 194 and the central axis AX8 and the distance between the rear end of the contact surface 194 and the central axis AX8.

[0189] In addition, the contact surface 194 gradually moves away from the central axis AX8 as it goes from the rear end to the front end of the contact surface 194.

[0190] According to the above structure, it is possible to suppress the situation where the end W2 of the wire W gets caught on the contact surface 194 during the bending of the end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0191] In addition, the contact surface 194 is curved.

[0192] According to the above structure, it is possible to further suppress the situation where the end W2 of the wire W gets caught on the contact surface 194 during the bending of the end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0193] In addition, the contact surface 194 is disposed at a position forward of the cutter 128.

[0194] According to the above structure, the end W2 of the wire W reliably abuts against the contact surface 194. Thereby, the end W2 of the wire W can be reliably bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0195] In addition, the contact surface 194 is disposed at a position closer to the central axis AX8 than the cutter 128.

[0196] According to the above structure, the end W2 of the wire W reliably abuts against the contact surface 194. Thereby, the end W2 of the wire W can be reliably bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0197] In addition, the bending member 192 is fixed to the guide unit 76.

[0198] According to the above structure, there is no need to additionally provide a component for fixing the bending member 192. Thereby, the number of components of the reinforcing bar bundling machine 2 can be reduced.

[0199] In addition, the bending member 192 defines a part of a second wire passage 122 (an example of a wire passage) through which the wire W passes between the guiding unit 76.

[0200] According to the above structure, compared with the structure in which the guiding unit 76 defines the entire second wire passage 122, the enlargement of the steel bar tying machine 2 can be suppressed.

[0201] The tying method of this embodiment is a method of tying steel bars R using a wire W. The tying method includes the following steps: a winding step in which the wire W is wound around the steel bar R; a first gripping step (an example of a gripping step) in which the front end W1 of the wire W is gripped; a cutting step in which the wire W is cut; a twisting step in which the wire W around the steel bar R is twisted; and a bending step in which the end W2 (an example of an end portion) of the wire W formed by cutting the wire W is bent toward the steel bar R. The bending step is performed during the twisting step.

[0202] According to the above structure, during the twisting of the wire W, the end W2 of the wire W is bent toward the steel bar R. Thereby, the time required for tying the steel bar R using the wire W can be shortened.

[0203] The steel bar tying machine 2 of this embodiment includes: a main body housing 4; a feeding unit 74 that conveys the wire W; a guiding unit 76 that guides the wire W around the steel bar R; a cutter 128 that cuts the wire W; a twisting unit 80 that grips and twists the wire W; and a bending member 192 that is independent of the twisting unit 80 and the position of the bending member 192 relative to the main body housing 4 is fixed. The bending member 192 bends the end W2 (an example of an end portion) of the wire W formed by the cutter 128 cutting the wire W toward the steel bar R. During the period from when the cutter 128 cuts the wire W until the twisting unit 80 finishes twisting the wire W, the bending member 192 bends the end W2 of the wire W toward the steel bar R.

[0204] According to the above structure, the bending member 192 is independent of the twisting unit 80 and the position of the bending member 192 relative to the main body housing 4 is fixed. Therefore, the end W2 of the wire W can be bent toward the steel bar R by the bending member 192 whose position is fixed relative to the main body housing 4. Thereby, compared with the structure in which the position of the bending member 192 is not fixed relative to the main body housing 4, the structure of the steel bar tying machine 2 can be prevented from becoming complicated.

[0205] In addition, the central axis AX8 of the stranding unit 80 extends in the front-rear direction. The stranding unit 80 is arranged at a position rearward of the reinforcing bar R. The bending member 192 has an abutting surface 194 that is inclined with respect to the central axis AX8 in the front-rear direction. During the stranding of the wire W by the stranding unit 80, the end W2 of the wire W abuts against the abutting surface 194. The front end of the abutting surface 194 is farther from the central axis AX8 than the rear end of the abutting surface 194.

[0206] According to the above structure, by means of a simple structure of changing the distance between the front end of the abutting surface 194 and the central axis AX8 and the distance between the rear end of the abutting surface 194 and the central axis AX8, the end W2 of the wire W can be bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0207] In addition, the abutting surface 194 gradually moves away from the central axis AX8 as it goes from the rear end to the front end of the abutting surface 194.

[0208] According to the above structure, it is possible to suppress the situation where the end W2 of the wire W gets caught on the abutting surface 194 during the bending of the end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0209] In addition, the abutting surface 194 is curved.

[0210] According to the above structure, it is possible to further suppress the situation where the end W2 of the wire W gets caught on the abutting surface 194 during the bending of the end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0211] In addition, the abutting surface 194 is arranged at a position forward of the cutter 128.

[0212] According to the above structure, the end W2 of the wire W reliably abuts against the abutting surface 194. Thereby, the end W2 of the wire W can be reliably bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0213] In addition, the abutting surface 194 is arranged at a position closer to the central axis AX8 than the cutter 128.

[0214] According to the above structure, the end W2 of the wire W reliably abuts against the abutting surface 194. Thereby, the end W2 of the wire W can be reliably bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0215] In addition, the bending member 192 is fixed to the guiding unit 76.

[0216] According to the above structure, there is no need to additionally provide a component for fixing the bending member 192. Thereby, the number of components of the steel bar tying machine 2 can be reduced.

[0217] In addition, a part of a second wire passage 122 (an example of a wire passage) through which the wire W passes is defined between the bent member 192 and the guide unit 76.

[0218] According to the above structure, compared with the structure in which the entire second wire passage 122 is defined by the guide unit 76, the enlargement of the wire tying machine 2 can be suppressed.

[0219] (Second Embodiment)

[0220] In the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. As Figure 24 shown, the shape of the wire tying machine 2 in the second embodiment is different from the shape of the wire tying machine 2 in the first embodiment.

[0221] As Figure 25 shown, the control unit 82 is housed in the stranding unit housing portion 14. In addition, in Figure 25 , the reel cover 6 is opened. The control unit 82 is disposed below the stranding unit 80. The cutting unit 78 is disposed at a position above the stranding unit 80. The handle portion 16 is disposed below the stranding unit housing portion 14. The battery mounting portion 18 is disposed below the handle portion 16. The feeding unit housing portion 20 is disposed on the right side of the stranding unit housing portion 14 and above the handle portion 16. The reel holding portion 22 is disposed behind the stranding unit housing portion 14 and the feeding unit housing portion 20 and at a position above the handle portion 16. The reel 24 is disposed behind the feeding unit 74, the guide unit 76, the cutting unit 78, and the stranding unit 80. The feeding unit 74 feeds the wire W pulled out from the reel 26 forward.

[0222] As Figure 26 shown, the cutting unit 78 includes a link member 226, a fixed cutter 228, and a movable cutter 230. The link member 226 operates the movable cutter 230 as the stranding unit 80 (refer to Figure 25 ) operates.

[0223] The fixed cutter 228 is fixed to the first guide member 110. The fixed cutter 228 is disposed in the first wire passage 120. The fixed cutter 228 has a first wire guide hole 234. The first wire guide hole 234 is a through hole. The wire W passes through the first wire guide hole 234.

[0224] The movable cutter 230 is supported by the fixed cutter 228. The fixed cutter 228 is inserted into the movable cutter 230. A part of the movable cutter 230 is disposed in the first wire passage 120. The movable cutter 230 is connected to the link member 226. The movable cutter 230 rotates around the fixed cutter 228 by the operation of the link member 226. Thus, the wire W is cut by the fixed cutter 228 and the movable cutter 230. The front end W1 of the wire W formed due to the cutting of the wire W is disposed in the first wire passage 120. When the wire pre-feed process is executed by the control unit 82, the front end W1 of the wire W is sent out from the first wire guide hole 234 to the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120.

[0225] (Third Embodiment)

[0226] In the third embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The start times of the respective processes of the bundling process in the third embodiment are different from the start times of the respective processes of the bundling process in the first embodiment. The control unit 82 operates the feed motor 88 at a speed higher than the rotational speed of the feed motor 88 in the first embodiment. In addition, the control unit 82 operates the stranding motor 146 at a speed higher than the rotational speed of the stranding motor 146 in the first embodiment.

[0227] The first gripping process is executed 0.09 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The pulling-back process is executed 0.14 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The second gripping process is executed 0.20 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The cutting process is executed 0.23 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The stranding process is executed 0.26 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The wire release process is executed 0.34 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The wire release process is completed 0.40 seconds after the start of the bundling process.

[0228] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0229] In the fourth embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The start times of the respective processes of the bundling process in the fourth embodiment are different from the start times of the respective processes of the bundling process in the first embodiment. The control unit 82 operates the feed motor 88 at a speed higher than the rotational speed of the feed motor 88 in the first embodiment. In addition, the control unit 82 operates the stranding motor 146 at a speed higher than the rotational speed of the stranding motor 146 in the first embodiment.

[0230] The first gripping process is performed 0.08 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The pulling-back process is performed 0.13 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The second gripping process is performed 0.18 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The cutting process is performed 0.20 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The twisting process is performed 0.23 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The wire releasing process is performed 0.30 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The wire releasing process is completed 0.35 seconds after the start of the bundling process.

[0231] (The fifth embodiment)

[0232] In the fifth embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment are described. The start times of the respective processes of the bundling process in the fifth embodiment are different from the start times of the respective processes of the bundling process in the first embodiment. The control unit 82 operates the feeding motor 88 at a speed higher than the rotational speed of the feeding motor 88 in the first embodiment. In addition, the control unit 82 operates the twisting motor 146 at a speed higher than the rotational speed of the twisting motor 146 in the first embodiment.

[0233] The first gripping process is performed 0.06 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The pulling-back process is performed 0.11 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The second gripping process is performed 0.15 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The cutting process is performed 0.17 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The twisting process is performed 0.19 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The wire releasing process is performed 0.26 seconds after the start of the bundling process. The wire releasing process is completed 0.30 seconds after the start of the bundling process.

[0234] (The sixth embodiment)

[0235] In the sixth embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment are described. As Figure 27 shown, the arrangement of the bending member 192 in the sixth embodiment is different from the arrangement of the bending member 192 in the first embodiment.

[0236] The bending member 192 is arranged on the right side of the gripping unit 156. The bending member 192 is fixed to the main body housing 4. The abutting surface 194 is formed locally on the upper surface of the bending member 192.

[0237] In a modification of the sixth embodiment, as Figure 27 shown by the dashed line in [reference], the bending member 192 may be arranged on the left side of the gripping unit 156. In the case of this structure, the abutting surface 194 may be formed locally on the lower surface of the bending member 192.

[0238] In another modification of the sixth embodiment, as Figure 27As shown by the dashed line, the bending member 192 can be arranged above the gripping unit 156. In the case of this structure, the contact surface 194 can be formed at a part of the lower surface of the bending member 192.

[0239] (The 7th embodiment)

[0240] In the 7th embodiment, the differences from the 1st embodiment will be described. As Figure 28 shown, the shape of the bending member 192 in the 7th embodiment is different from the shape of the bending member 192 in the 1st embodiment.

[0241] The bending member 192 has a cylindrical shape. The bending member 192 is fixed to the main body housing 4. The bending member 192 surrounds the gripping unit 156. The contact surface 194 is formed at a part of the inner peripheral surface of the bending member 192.

[0242] (The 8th embodiment)

[0243] In the 8th embodiment, the differences from the 1st embodiment will be described. As Figure 29 shown, the feeding unit 74 includes a sliding member 300, a supporting member 302, a biasing member 304, and an operating member 306.

[0244] The sliding member 300 is slidably supported by the supporting member 302.

[0245] The supporting member 302 is fixed to the fixed base 90.

[0246] The biasing member 304 is sandwiched between the lower end of the link member 100 and the sliding member 300. The biasing member 304 biases the sliding member 300 in a direction away from the link member 100.

[0247] One end of the operating member 306 is connected to the operating member 42 of the reel cover 6. The other end of the operating member 306 is connected to the sliding member 300. By rotating the reel cover 6 between the first position and the second position, the operating member 306 slides the sliding member 300.

[0248] When the reel cover 6 is in the first position, the sliding member 300 is arranged at the first sliding position. When the reel cover 6 is in the first position, the second roller 98 is in the first state. As Figure 30As shown, when the bobbin cover 6 rotates from the first position to the second position, the sliding member 300 slides from the first sliding position in a direction away from the lower end of the link member 100 to the second sliding position by the operation of the operating member 306. When the bobbin cover 6 rotates from the first position to the second position, the second roller 98 switches from the first pressing state to the second pressing state. Even when the bobbin cover 6 rotates from the first position to the second position, the position of the link member 100 does not change. The distance between the sliding member 300 disposed at the second sliding position and the lower end of the link member 100 is longer than the distance between the sliding member 300 disposed at the first sliding position and the lower end of the link member 100. The biasing force of the biasing member 304 when the sliding member 300 is disposed at the second sliding position is smaller than the biasing force of the biasing member 304 when the sliding member 300 is disposed at the first sliding position. The force pressing the second roller 98 in the second pressing state against the first roller 96 is smaller than the force pressing the second roller 98 in the first pressing state against the first roller 96. Thus, the force clamping the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the second pressing state is smaller than the force clamping the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first pressing state. Therefore, when the second roller 98 is in the second pressing state, the wire W can be more easily inserted between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 than when the second roller 98 is in the first pressing state.

[0249] As Figure 29 shown, when the bobbin cover 6 rotates from the second position to the first position, the sliding member 300 slides from the second sliding position in a direction approaching the lower end of the link member 100 to the first sliding position by the operation of the operating member 306. Thereby, the second roller 98 switches from the second pressing state to the first pressing state.

[0250] (Embodiment 9)

[0251] In Embodiment 9, the differences from Embodiment 1 will be described. As Figure 31 shown, the steel bar tying machine 2 further includes a pressing member 400. The pressing member 400 is swingably supported by the main body housing 4. The pressing member 400 is disposed near the first guide member 110. The pressing member 400 can be pressed by the steel bar R when the steel bar R (see Figure 11 ) is disposed between the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112. When the pressing member 400 is pressed by the steel bar R in the state where the trigger 70 (see Figure 2 ) is pressed, the control unit 82 (see Figure 2 ) executes Figure 22 the bundling process of S30.

[0252] (Embodiment 10)

[0253] In the tenth embodiment, the differences from the ninth embodiment will be described. In the tenth embodiment, the steel bar bundling machine 2 does not have a trigger 70 (refer to Figure 2 ). When the pressing member 400 is pressed by the steel bar R, the control unit 82 (refer to Figure 2 ) executes the bundling process of Figure 22 S30.

[0254] (Effect)

[0255] In this embodiment, the steel bar bundling machine 2 further includes a pressing member 400 that can be pressed by the steel bar R. When the pressing member 400 is pressed, the steel bar bundling machine 2 executes the bundling process. In the case of the above structure, by the simple operation of pressing the steel bar R against the pressing member 400, the steel bar bundling machine 2 can be made to execute the bundling process.

[0256] (The eleventh embodiment)

[0257] In the eleventh embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the eleventh embodiment, in the wire pre-feeding processes of Figure 19 S4 and Figure 22 S38, the control unit 82 first rotates the feeding motor 88 forward by the second number of rotations. As a result, as shown in Figure 11 , the front end W1 of the wire W is fed out to the left wire passage 166. The first position is arranged in the left wire passage 166. Thus, a loop RP of the wire W is formed. Next, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 forward. By moving the sleeve unit 152 forward as shown in Figure 14 , the left clamp 164 moves to the right relative to the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the left wire passage 166 becomes narrower, and the front end W1 of the wire W is clamped between the left clamp 164 and the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the front end W1 of the wire W is held by the holding unit 156.

[0258] As shown in Figure 11 , when the user uses the wire W to bundle the steel bar R, first, before pulling the trigger 70, the steel bar R is passed through the loop RP of the wire W. Next, the user pulls the trigger 70 (refer to Figure 2 ). Thereby, the control unit 82 executes the bundling process of Figure 22 S30. Specifically, the bundling process includes a pulling-back process, a second holding process, a cutting process, a twisting process, a bending process, and a wire releasing process. Since the loop RP of the wire W is formed and the front end W1 of the wire W is held by the holding unit 156, the bundling process does not include a winding process and a first holding process.

[0259] (The twelfth embodiment)

[0260] In the 12th embodiment, the differences from the 1st embodiment will be described. In the 12th embodiment, in the wire pre-feed processing of S4 of Figure 19 and S38 of Figure 22 , the control unit 82 first rotates the feed motor 88 forward by the second number of rotations. As a result, as Figure 11 shows, the front end W1 of the wire W is fed out to the left wire passage 166. The first position is arranged in the left wire passage 166. Thus, a loop RP of the wire W is formed.

[0261] When the user uses the wire W to tie the reinforcing bar R, first, before pulling the trigger 70, the reinforcing bar R is passed through the loop RP of the wire W in a state where the front end W1 of the wire W is not held by the holding unit 156. Next, the user pulls the trigger 70 (refer to Figure 2 ). As a result, the control unit 82 executes the tying process of S30 of Figure 22 . Specifically, the tying process includes a first holding step, a pulling-back step, a second holding step, a cutting step, a twisting step, a bending step, and a wire releasing step. Since the loop RP of the wire W is formed, the tying process does not include a winding step.

[0262] (13th embodiment)

[0263] In the 13th embodiment, the differences from the 2nd embodiment will be described. As Figure 32 shows, the holding unit 156 includes a hook 500. The hook 500 projects forward from the front part of the sleeve unit 152. The hook 500 opens and closes in correspondence with the movement of the sleeve unit 152 in the front-rear direction. When the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the hook 500 closes to hold the loop RP of the wire W. When the sleeve unit 152 moves backward, the hook 500 opens to release the loop RP of the wire W.

[0264] In the 13th embodiment, in the wire pre-feed processing of S4 of Figure 19 and S38 of Figure 22 , the control unit 82 first rotates the feed motor 88 forward by the second number of rotations. As a result, as Figure 32 shows, after the front end W1 of the wire W passes through the first wire passage 120, it passes through the second wire passage 122, and then passes through the first wire passage 120 again. Thus, a loop RP of the wire W is formed. Next, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 forward. By moving the sleeve unit 152 forward, the hook 500 closes. Thus, the loop RP of the wire W is held by the hook 500.

[0265] When the user uses the wire W to tie the steel bar R, first, before pulling the trigger 70, the steel bar R is passed through the loop RP of the wire W. Next, the user pulls the trigger 70 (refer to Figure 25 ). Thereby, the control unit 82 executes the bundling process of S30 in Figure 22 . Specifically, the bundling process includes a cutting process, a stranding process, a bending process, and a wire release process. Since the loop RP of the wire W is formed and the loop RP of the wire W is held by the hook 500, the bundling process does not include a winding process, a first holding process, a retracting process, and a second holding process.

[0266] In the wire release process, the control unit 82 rotates the stranding motor 146 in the reverse direction. The sleeve unit 152 moves backward, so that the hook 500 opens. Thereby, the loop RP of the wire W is released from the hook 500. Since the cutting process, the stranding process, and the bending process are described in the first embodiment, the description of the cutting process, the stranding process, and the bending process is omitted.

[0267] (The 14th embodiment)

[0268] In the 14th embodiment, the differences from the 13th embodiment are described. In the 14th embodiment, in the wire pre-feeding process of S4 in Figure 19 and S38 in Figure 22 , the control unit 82 rotates the feeding motor 88 in the forward direction for the second rotation times. Thereby, as shown in Figure 32 , the front end W1 of the wire W passes through the first wire passage 120 and then passes through the second wire passage 122, and then passes through the first wire passage 120 again. Thereby, the loop RP of the wire W is formed.

[0269] When the user uses the wire W to tie the steel bar R, first, before pulling the trigger 70, the steel bar R is passed through the loop RP of the wire W in a state where the loop RP of the wire W is not held by the hook 500. Next, the user pulls the trigger 70 (refer to Figure 25 ). Thereby, the control unit 82 executes the bundling process of S30 in Figure 22 . Specifically, the bundling process includes a holding process, a cutting process, a stranding process, a bending process, and a wire release process. Since the loop RP of the wire W is formed, the bundling process does not include a winding process.

[0270] In the holding process, the control unit 82 rotates the stranding motor 146 in the forward direction. The sleeve unit 152 moves forward, so that the hook 500 closes. Thereby, the loop RP of the wire W is held by the hook 500.

[0271] (Variant example)

[0272] In one embodiment, the wire tying machine 2 may also be a device that moves autonomously on the reinforcing bar R.

[0273] In one embodiment, it may also be that the first position is disposed between the cutter 128 and the first wire passage 120.

[0274] In one embodiment, it may also be that the bending member 192 is fixed to the main body housing 4.

[0275] In one embodiment, it may also be that the abutting surface 194 is not bent.

[0276] In one embodiment, it may also be that the bending member 192 does not define the second wire passage 122.

[0277] In one embodiment, it may also be that after performing the cutting process and before performing the stranding process, the bending member 192 bends the end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0278] In one embodiment, it may also be that the link member 100 supports the first roller 96 so as to be rotatable. In the case of this structure, the first roller 96 corresponds to the "second roller", and the second roller 98 corresponds to the "first roller".

[0279] In one embodiment, it may also be that when the second roller 98 is in the second state, the teeth 98a of the second roller 98 engage with the teeth 96a of the first roller 96. In the case of this structure, the distance between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 is longer than the distance between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first state. In addition, the wire W is sandwiched between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. The force for clamping the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the second state is weaker than the force for clamping the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first state.

[0280] In one embodiment, it may also be that the reel holding portion 22 does not have the reel storage space 36. In the case of this structure, when the reel cover 6 is in the prohibited state, a part of the reel 24 is exposed.

[0281] In one embodiment, it may also be that the operating member 42 includes a non-rotatable abutting portion. In the case of this structure, the abutting portion is pressed into the lower end of the link member 100.

[0282] In one embodiment, it may also be that the locking lever 52 is attached to the reel holding portion 22.

[0283] It may also be that the wire tying machine 2 of the second to eighth embodiments and the eleventh to fourteenth embodiments includes the pressing member 400 of the ninth embodiment. In the case of this structure, it may also be that when the trigger 70 is pressed (refer toFigure 2 ) When the pressing member 400 is pressed by the reinforcing bar R in the state of Figure 22 the bundling process of S30. Alternatively, when the pressing member 400 is pressed by the reinforcing bar R, the control unit 82 executes Figure 22 the bundling process of S30.

Claims

1. A steel bar bundling machine, wherein, a feeding unit that conveys a wire; a guiding unit that guides the wire around a steel bar; a cutter that cuts the wire; a clamp that can rotate about a central axis and holds the wire; a main body housing that supports the feeding unit; and a bending member that bends an end portion of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the steel bar, during the period when the wire is twisted by the rotation of the clamp, the bending member bends the end portion of the wire toward the steel bar.

2. The steel bar bundling machine according to claim 1, wherein, the bending member cannot move relative to the main body housing.

3. The steel bar bundling machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the central axis extends in the front-rear direction, the clamp is disposed at a position rearward of the steel bar, the bending member has an abutting surface that is inclined with respect to the central axis in the front-rear direction, and during the period when the wire is twisted by the rotation of the clamp, the end portion of the wire abuts against this abutting surface, the front end of the abutting surface is farther from the central axis than the rear end of the abutting surface.

4. The steel bar bundling machine according to claim 3, wherein, the abutting surface gradually moves away from the central axis as it goes from the rear end of the abutting surface toward the front end.

5. The steel bar bundling machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, the abutting surface is curved.

6. The steel bar bundling machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, the abutting surface is disposed at a position forward of the cutter.

7. The steel bar bundling machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, the abutting surface is disposed at a position closer to the central axis than the cutter.

8. The steel bar bundling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, the bending member is fixed to the guiding unit.

9. The steel bar bundling machine according to claim 8, wherein, the bending member delimits a part of a wire passage through which the wire passes between the bending member and the guiding unit.

10. A bundling method that uses a wire to bundle a steel bar, wherein, this bundling method includes the following steps: a winding step in which the wire is wound around the steel bar; a holding step in which the front end of the wire is held; a cutting step in which the wire is cut; a twisting step in which the wire around the steel bar is twisted; and a bending step in which an end portion of the wire formed by cutting the wire is bent toward the steel bar, the bending step is performed during the execution of the twisting step.

11. A steel bar bundling machine, wherein, this steel bar bundling machine includes: a feeding unit that conveys a wire; a guiding unit that guides the wire around a steel bar; a cutter that cuts the wire; a twisting unit that holds and twists the wire; a main body housing that supports the feeding unit; A bent member, which is independent of the stranding unit and has a fixed position relative to the main body housing, bends the end of the wire formed by the cutting of the wire by the cutter towards the steel bar. During the period from the cutting of the wire by the cutter to the completion of the stranding of the wire by the stranding unit, the bent member bends the end of the wire towards the steel bar.

12. The steel bar tying machine according to claim 11, wherein the central axis of the stranding unit extends in the front-rear direction, the stranding unit is arranged at a position rearward of the steel bar, the bent member has a contact surface that is inclined relative to the central axis in the front-rear direction, and during the stranding of the wire by the stranding unit, the end of the wire abuts against this contact surface, the front end of the contact surface is farther from the central axis than the rear end of the contact surface.

13. The steel bar tying machine according to claim 12, wherein the contact surface gradually moves away from the central axis as it goes from the rear end to the front end of the contact surface.

14. The steel bar tying machine according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the contact surface is curved.

15. The steel bar tying machine according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the contact surface is arranged at a position forward of the cutter.

16. The steel bar tying machine according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the contact surface is arranged at a position closer to the central axis than the cutter.

17. The steel bar tying machine according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the bent member is fixed to the guiding unit.

18. The steel bar tying machine according to claim 17, wherein the bent member delimits a part of the wire passage for the wire to pass through between the bent member and the guiding unit.

Images