Rebar tying machine and method for tying

Abstract

To provide a rebar tying machine that allows reduction in time required to tie rebars with a wire.SOLUTION: A rebar tying machine includes: a feeding unit configured to feed a wire; a guide unit configured to guide the wire around rebars; a cutter configured to cut the wire; a clamp configured to be rotatable about a center axis and hold the wire; a main body housing supporting the feeding unit; and a bending member configured to bend an end portion of the wire toward the rebars, where the end portion of the wire is formed by the cutter cutting the wire. The bending member is configured to bend the end portion of the wire toward the rebars while the wire is twisted by rotation of the clamp.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a steel bar bundling machine. The steel bar bundling machine includes a feeding unit that feeds a wire, a guiding unit that guides the wire around the steel bar, a cutter that cuts the wire, a twisting unit, and a main body housing that supports the feeding unit. The twisting unit is rotatable around a central axis and includes a clamp that grips the wire and a bending member that is slidable along the central axis and bends the end of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the steel bar. The bending member bends the end of the wire toward the steel bar before the wire is twisted by the rotation of the clamp.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above steel bar bundling machine, after the end of the wire is bent toward the steel bar by the bending member, the wire is twisted by the rotation of the clamp. As a result, it takes time to bundle the steel bars using the wire.

[0005] Also, in the above configuration, the bending member slides along the central axis. As a result, the configuration of the steel bar bundling machine becomes complicated.

[0006] An object of the present specification is to provide at least one of a steel bar bundling machine capable of shortening the time required to bundle steel bars using a wire and a steel bar bundling machine capable of suppressing the complexity of the configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The steel bar bundling machine disclosed in the present specification includes a feeding unit for feeding a wire, a guiding unit for guiding the wire around the steel bar, a cutter for cutting the wire, a clamp that can rotate around a central axis and holds the wire, a main body housing that supports the feeding unit, and a bending member that bends the end of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the steel bar. The bending member bends the end of the wire toward the steel bar while the wire is being twisted by the rotation of the clamp.

[0008] According to the above configuration, while the wire is being twisted by the rotation of the clamp, the end of the wire is bent toward the steel bar by the bending member. Thereby, the time required to bundle the steel bars using the wire can be shortened.

[0009] The bundling method disclosed in the present specification is a method for bundling steel bars using a wire. The bundling method includes a winding step of winding the wire around the steel bar, a gripping step of gripping the tip of the wire, a cutting step of cutting the wire, a twisting step of twisting the wire around the steel bar, and a bending step of bending the end of the wire formed by cutting the wire toward the steel bar. The bending step is executed while the twisting step is being executed.

[0010] According to the above configuration, while the wire is being twisted, the end of the wire is bent toward the steel bar. Thereby, the time required to bundle the steel bars using the wire can be shortened.

[0011] The wire tying machine disclosed in this specification includes a feeding unit for feeding a wire, a guiding unit for guiding the wire around a reinforcing bar, a cutter for cutting the wire, a twisting unit for gripping and twisting the wire, a main body housing for supporting the feeding unit, and a bending member that is separate from the twisting unit and has a fixed position relative to the main body housing, and that bends the end of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the reinforcing bar. The bending member bends the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar between the time when the cutter cuts the wire and the time when the twisting unit finishes twisting the wire.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the bending member is separate from the twisting unit and has a fixed position relative to the main body housing. For this reason, the bending member with a fixed position relative to the main body housing can bend the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the configuration of the wire tying machine compared to a configuration in which the position of the bending member is not fixed relative to the main body housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, representative and non-limiting specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to show those skilled in the art the details for implementing preferred examples of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Further, the additional features and inventions disclosed below can be used separately or together with other features and inventions in order to provide a further improved reinforcing bar bundling machine, bundling method, manufacturing method thereof, and usage method.

[0015] In addition, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential for practicing the present invention in the broadest sense, and are described only for the purpose of particularly explaining representative specific examples of the present invention. Further, the various features of the above and below representative specific examples, as well as the various features described in the independent and dependent claims, are not required to be combined as described in the specific examples herein or in the order listed, in providing additional and useful embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] All features described in this specification and / or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently of each other, as limitations to the original disclosure and the claimed specific matters, apart from the configuration of the features described in the examples and / or claims. Further, all descriptions regarding numerical ranges and groups or collections are made with the intention of disclosing intermediate configurations as limitations to the original disclosure and the claimed specific matters.

[0017] The wire tying machine disclosed in this specification includes a main body housing, a feeding unit for feeding a wire, a guiding unit for guiding the wire around a reinforcing bar, a cutter for cutting the wire, a clamp that is rotatable around a central axis and grips the wire, and a bending member that bends the end of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the reinforcing bar. The bending member bends the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar while the wire is being twisted by the rotation of the clamp.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the bending member may be immovable relative to the main body housing.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the end of the wire can be bent toward the reinforcing bar by the bending member that is immovable relative to the main body housing. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the configuration of the wire tying machine as compared with a configuration in which the bending member is movable relative to the main body housing.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the central axis may extend in the front-rear direction. The clamp may be disposed on the rear side of the reinforcing bar. The bending member may be inclined with respect to the central axis in the front-rear direction and may include a contact surface against which the end of the wire abuts while the wire is being twisted by the clamp. The front end of the contact surface may be farther from the central axis than the rear end of the contact surface.

[0021] According to the above configuration, with a simple configuration for changing the distance between the front end of the contact surface and the central axis and the distance between the rear end of the contact surface and the central axis, the end of the wire can be bent toward the reinforcing bar.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the contact surface may gradually move away from the central axis from the rear end to the front end of the contact surface.

[0023] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the end of the wire from being caught by the contact surface while bending the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the contact surface may be curved.

[0025] According to the above configuration, it is possible to further prevent the end of the wire from being caught by the contact surface while bending the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the contact surface may be disposed on the front side of the cutter.

[0027] According to the above configuration, the end of the wire reliably abuts against the contact surface. Thereby, the end of the wire can be reliably bent toward the reinforcing bar.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the contact surface may be disposed closer to the central axis than the cutter.

[0029] According to the above configuration, the end of the wire reliably abuts against the abutting surface. As a result, the end of the wire can be reliably bent toward the reinforcing bar.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the bending member may be fixed to the guiding unit.

[0031] According to the above configuration, there is no need to separately provide a component for fixing the bending member. As a result, the number of components of the reinforcing bar tying machine can be reduced.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the bending member may define a part of the wire passage through which the wire passes between the bending member and the guiding unit.

[0033] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the reinforcing bar tying machine as compared with a configuration in which the guiding unit defines the entire wire passage.

[0034] The reinforcing bar tying machine disclosed in this specification includes a feeding unit that feeds a wire, a guiding unit that guides the wire around a reinforcing bar, a cutter 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 separate from the twisting unit and has a fixed position with respect to the main body housing, and that bends the end of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the reinforcing bar. The bending member bends the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar between the cutter cutting the wire and the twisting unit finishing twisting the wire.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the central axis may extend in the front-rear direction. The twisting unit may be disposed on the rear side of the reinforcing bar. The bending member may be inclined with respect to the central axis in the front-rear direction and may include an abutting surface against which the end of the wire abuts while the wire is being twisted by the twisting unit. The front end of the abutting surface may be farther from the central axis than the rear end of the abutting surface.

[0036] According to the above configuration, by a simple configuration that changes the distance between the front end of the contact surface and the central axis and the distance between the rear end of the contact surface and the central axis, the end of the wire can be bent toward the reinforcing bar.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the contact surface may gradually move away from the central axis from the rear end to the front end of the contact surface.

[0038] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the end of the wire from getting caught on the contact surface while bending the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the contact surface may be curved.

[0040] According to the above configuration, it is possible to further suppress the end of the wire from getting caught on the contact surface while bending the end of the wire toward the reinforcing bar.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the contact surface may be disposed on the front side of the cutter.

[0042] According to the above configuration, the end of the wire surely contacts the contact surface. Thereby, the end of the wire can be surely bent toward the reinforcing bar.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the contact surface may be disposed closer to the central axis than the cutter.

[0044] According to the above configuration, the end of the wire surely contacts the contact surface. Thereby, the end of the wire can be surely bent toward the reinforcing bar.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the bending member may be fixed to the guide unit.

[0046] According to the above configuration, there is no need to separately provide a component for fixing the bending member. As a result, the number of components of the steel bar tying machine can be reduced.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, the bending member may define a part of the wire passage through which the wire passes between the guide unit.

[0048] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the increase in the size of the steel bar tying machine as compared with the configuration in which the guide unit defines the entire wire passage.

[0049] (First Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, the steel bar tying machine 2 is a hand-held device. The steel bar tying machine 2 ties a plurality of steel bars R using a wire W. In the steel bar tying machine 2, wires W of various diameters (for example, diameters from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm) are used according to the diameter of the steel bars R to be tied. For example, when tying a thin-diameter steel bar R with a diameter of 16 mm or less (for example, a diameter of 16 mm), a wire W having a diameter of 1.6 mm or less (for example, 0.8 mm) is used, and when tying a thick-diameter steel bar R with a diameter greater than 16 mm (for example, a diameter of 25 mm or 32 mm), a wire W having a diameter of 1.6 mm or more (for example, 2.0 mm) is used. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the twisting unit 80 (see FIG. 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.

[0050] The steel bar tying 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.

[0051] The main body housing 4 includes a twisting unit accommodating portion 14, a grip portion 16, a battery attachment portion 18, a feeding unit accommodating portion 20, and a reel holding portion 22. The twisting unit accommodating portion 14, the grip portion 16, the battery attachment portion 18, the feeding unit accommodating portion 20, and the reel holding portion 22 are formed by the right housing 8 and the left housing 10.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, the twisting unit accommodating portion 14 extends in the front-rear direction. The grip portion 16 is disposed below the rear portion of the twisting unit accommodating portion 14. The grip portion 16 is gripped by the user.

[0053] The battery attachment portion 18 is disposed below the grip portion 16. The battery pack BP is detachably attached to the lower end of the battery attachment portion 18. The battery pack BP includes a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, for example.

[0054] The feeding unit accommodating portion 20 is disposed below the front portion of the twisting unit accommodating portion 14. The feeding unit accommodating portion 20 is disposed in front of the grip portion 16.

[0055] The reel holding portion 22 is disposed below the feeding unit accommodating portion 20. In FIG. 2, the reel holding portion 22 is illustrated by a dashed line. The reel holding portion 22 is disposed in front of the grip portion 16, the battery attachment portion 18, and the battery pack BP. The reel holding portion 22 is connected to the front end of the battery attachment portion 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the reel holding portion 22 can accommodate the reel 24. The reel 24 includes a wire W and a bobbin 26 around which the wire W is wound.

[0056] The reel holding portion 22 includes a base portion 30, a cylindrical portion 32, and a protruding portion 34. The base portion 30 has a reel accommodating space 36 inside. The left end of the base portion 30 is open.

[0057] The cylindrical portion 32 is disposed in the reel accommodating space 36. The cylindrical portion 32 extends leftward from the base portion 30. The cylindrical portion 32 is inserted into the bobbin 26. When the cylindrical portion 32 is inserted into the bobbin 26, the reel 24 is accommodated in the reel accommodating space 36. The cylindrical portion 32 rotatably holds the reel 24 around the reel rotation axis AX1. The reel rotation axis AX1 extends in the left-right direction.

[0058] The protruding portion 34 protrudes downward from the lower end of the base portion 30. The protruding portion 34 is disposed outside the reel accommodating space 36. As shown in FIG. 4, the protruding portion 34 includes a vertical surface 34a and an inclined surface 34b.

[0059] The vertical surface 34a is disposed on a surface 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.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 1, the reel cover 6 includes a cover member 40 and an operation member 42 (see FIG. 6). The cover member 40 is rotatably attached to the left housing 10. In this embodiment, the cover member 40 is attached to the feed unit accommodating portion 20. The cover member 40 is rotatable around the cover rotation axis AX2. When the cover member 40 rotates, the reel cover 6 can be switched between a prohibited state and an allowed state (see FIG. 5). The cover rotation axis AX2 is disposed above the battery attachment portion 18 and the reel rotation axis AX1 (see FIG. 2).

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, when the reel cover 6 is in the prohibited state, it is located at the first position. At this time, the reel accommodating space 36 is closed by the reel cover 6. Thereby, it is prohibited that the reel 24 comes off from the cylindrical portion 32, that is, the reel 24 comes out of the reel accommodating space 36. Further, when the reel cover 6 is located at the first position, the cover member 40 is in contact with the protruding portion 34 from the left side. Thereby, it is suppressed that the reel cover 6 rotates beyond the first position.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, when in an acceptable state, the reel cover 6 is located at the second position. At this time, the reel accommodation space 36 is opened. As a result, the reel 24 can be detached from the cylindrical portion 32 (see FIG. 3), that is, the reel 24 is allowed to come out of the reel accommodation space 36. Further, when the reel cover 6 is located at the second position, the cover member 40 abuts against the left housing 10. This suppresses the reel cover 6 from rotating beyond the second position.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, the operation member 42 is attached to 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 around the cover rotation axis AX2 as the cover member 40 rotates. The roller 44 is rotatable around 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.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 3, the steel bar bundling machine 2 further includes a reel pressing member 48, a biasing member 50, a lock lever 52, and a biasing member 54 (see FIG. 7). The reel pressing member 48 has a substantially frustum shape. The reel pressing member 48 is slidably attached to 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.

[0065] When the reel cover 6 is located at the first position, a part of the reel pressing member 48 is inserted into the bobbin 26. The reel pressing member 48 is pressed against the left end of the bobbin 26 by the biasing force of the biasing member 50. As a result, the bobbin 26 is sandwiched between the base portion 30 and the reel pressing member 48. As a result, when the reel 24 is rotating, it is possible to suppress the reel 24 from rattling in the left-right direction. When the reel 24 is rotating, the bobbin 26 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 32 and on the side surface of the reel pressing member 48.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the lock lever 52 is attached to the lower end of the cover member 40. The lock lever 52 includes a lever main body portion 56 and an engaging portion 58.

[0067] The lever main body portion 56 is rotatable around 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 in which the rear end of the lever main body portion 56 moves away from the cover member 40. Further, the distance between the cover rotation axis AX2 (see FIG. 6) and the lever main body portion 56 is longer than the distance from the cover rotation axis AX2 to the operation member 42 (see FIG. 6). Thereby, the force for the user to operate the reel cover 6 is reduced.

[0068] The engaging portion 58 is disposed on the front side of the lever rotation axis AX4. As shown in FIG. 3, the engaging portion 58 includes a vertical surface 58a and an inclined surface 58b.

[0069] The vertical surface 58a can be engaged with the vertical surface 34a of the protrusion 34 when the reel cover 6 is in the first position. When the vertical surface 58a is engaged with the vertical surface 34a, the rotation of the reel cover 6 from the first position to the second position is suppressed.

[0070] 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 contacting the inclined surface 34b of the protrusion 34. Thereby, the lock lever 52 rotates so that the engaging portion 58 moves away from the base portion 30. When the vertical surface 58a of the engaging portion 58 moves to the right side of the vertical surface 34a of the protrusion 34, the lock lever 52 rotates so that the engaging portion 58 approaches the base portion 30 by the biasing force of the biasing member 54 and returns to the initial position. Therefore, after the reel cover 6 is rotated to the first position without the lock lever 52 being operated by the user, the engaging portion 58 can be engaged with the protrusion 34.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 1, the steel bar tying machine 2 further includes a main power switch 62, a display unit 64, a tying force increasing switch 66, a tying force reducing switch 68, a trigger 70, and a trigger switch 72 (see FIG. 2).

[0072] The main power switch 62, the display unit 64, the tying force increasing switch 66, and the tying force reducing switch 68 are arranged at the rear part of the upper surface of the main body housing 4. The main power switch 62 accepts the user's operation to switch the on state and off state of the steel bar tying machine 2. The display unit 64 displays information regarding the steel bar tying machine 2. When the tying force increasing switch 66 is operated, the set value of the tying force of the wire W by the steel bar tying machine 2 increases by one step. When the tying force reducing switch 68 is operated, the set value of the tying force of the wire W by the steel bar tying machine 2 decreases by one step. 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.

[0073] The trigger 70 is detachably attached to the upper part of the front surface of the grip portion 16. The trigger 70 is operated by the user.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 2, the trigger switch 72 is housed in the grip portion 16. The trigger switch 72 is pushed by the trigger 70 when the trigger 70 is retracted. When the trigger switch 72 is pushed while the steel bar tying machine 2 is in the on state, the steel bar tying machine 2 ties the steel bar R using the wire W.

[0075] The steel bar 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.

[0076] The feed unit 74 is housed in the feed unit housing portion 20. The feed unit 74 is supported by the main body housing 4. As shown in FIG. 8, the feed unit 74 includes a feed motor 88, a fixed base 90, a feed guide 92, a transmission roller 94, a first roller 96, a second roller 98, a link member 100, and a biasing member 102 (see FIG. 6).

[0077] As shown in FIG. 2, the feed motor 88 rotates by the electric power supplied from the battery pack BP. The feed motor 88 is, for example, a brushless motor.

[0078] The fixed base 90 is fixed to the main body housing 4. As shown in FIG. 8, the fixed base 90 supports the feed motor 88.

[0079] The feed guide 92 is fixed to the fixed base 90. The feed guide 92 has a guide hole 92a that penetrates the feed guide 92 in the vertical direction. The wire W passes through the guide hole 92a.

[0080] The transmission roller 94 is disposed on the front side of the fixed base 90. The transmission roller 94 is fixed to the shaft of the feed motor 88 via a speed reducer (not shown). The transmission roller 94 rotates when the shaft (not shown) of the feed motor 88 rotates. The transmission roller 94 has teeth 94a formed on the outer peripheral surface.

[0081] The first roller 96 is rotatably supported by the fixed base 90. The first roller 96 is disposed above the cover rotation axis AX2. The first roller 96 rotates around the first roller rotation axis AX6. The first roller 96 has teeth 96a formed on the outer peripheral surface and a groove 96b recessed from the outer peripheral surface. The teeth 96a mesh with the teeth 94a of the transmission roller 94. Therefore, when the transmission 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.

[0082] The second roller 98 is disposed on the left side of the first roller 96. The second roller 98 is disposed above the cover rotation axis AX2. The second roller 98 has teeth 98a formed on the outer peripheral surface and a groove 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 while the teeth 98a are meshed with the teeth 96a, the second roller 98 rotates around the second roller rotation axis AX7. For this reason, the second roller 98 corresponds to a driven roller. The groove 98b extends around the outer peripheral surface. When the wire W is disposed between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 while the teeth 98a are meshed 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 drawn out from the bobbin 26 (see FIG. 3) and sent out toward the guide unit 76 (see FIG. 2). Also, in this state, when the first roller 96 rotates in the reverse direction, the wire W is drawn back toward the bobbin 26.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 6, the upper end of the link member 100 rotatably supports the second roller 98. The link member 100 supports the second roller 98 in the vicinity of 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 around the link rotation axis AX5. The link rotation axis AX5 is below the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 and is disposed above the cover rotation axis AX2. The link member 100 rotates between a first link position and a second link position. The link rotation axis AX5 is disposed below the first roller rotation axis AX6 and the second roller rotation axis AX7. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the link member 100 switches the second roller 98 between a first state and a second state by rotating between the first link position and the second link position.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 8, when in the first state, the second roller 98 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 within the grooves 96b and 98b. For this reason, the first state corresponds to the clamping state.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 9, when in the second state, the second roller 98 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. For this reason, 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. For this reason, 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. For this reason, 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, it is not sent out toward the guide unit 76 (see Fig. 2) and is not pulled back toward the bobbin 26 (see Fig. 3).

[0086] As shown in Fig. 6, 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.

[0087] In this embodiment, the link member 100 rotates between a first link position and a second link position when operated by the reel cover 6. As shown in FIG. 8, 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 in the first link position. When the link member 100 is biased by a biasing member 102 (see FIG. 6), the second roller 98 is pressed against the first roller 96. As shown in FIG. 9, when the reel cover 6 rotates from the first position to the second position, the roller 44 pushes 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 pushes 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. Thereby, compared with a configuration in which the distance between the position where the roller 44 pushes the link member 100 and the link rotation axis AX5 is shorter than the distance between the link rotation axis AX5 and the second roller rotation axis AX7, the force required to push the link member 100 becomes smaller.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 6, 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 applies a force to rotate the reel cover 6 toward the second position by being biased by the biasing member 102. Therefore, when the reel cover 6 exceeds the neutral position when rotating the reel cover 6 from the first position to the second position, even if the user releases their hand from the reel cover 6, the reel cover 6 automatically rotates toward the second position. Further, the reel cover 6 is maintained at the second position by the biasing force 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 overlaps with the neutral plane NP including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, when the reel cover 6 is located closer to the first position than the neutral position, the link member 100 applies a force to rotate the reel cover 6 toward the first position by being biased by the biasing member 102. Therefore, when the reel cover 6 exceeds the neutral position when rotating the reel cover 6 from the second position to the first position, even if the user releases their hand from the reel cover 6, the reel cover 6 automatically rotates toward the first position.

[0089] When replacing the reel 24, as shown in FIG. 5, the user holds the reel cover 6 by hand, pushes in the lock lever 52 with the hand holding the reel cover 6, and then rotates the reel cover 6 from the first position to the second position. As shown in FIG. 6, when the roller 44 pushes in the lower end of the link member 100, the link member 100 rotates from the first link position to the second link position. As shown in FIG. 9, the second roller 98 rotates from the first roller position to the second roller position, thereby switching from the first state to the second state. Next, the user pulls out the wire W from between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the user removes the reel 24 from the cylindrical portion 32 and then attaches a new reel 24 to the cylindrical portion 32. Next, as shown in FIG. 9, 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 shown in FIG. 8, when the roller 44 separates from the lower end of the link member 100, 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, thereby switching from the second state to the first state. As a result, the wire W is sandwiched between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 11, 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 torsion unit housing portion 14. The first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112 extend forward from the front end of the torsion unit housing portion 14. The first guide member 110 has an opening on the lower side. The first guide member 110 has a first wire passage 120 having an upwardly convex curved shape. The second guide member 112 is disposed separately below the first guide member 110. The reinforcing bar R is disposed between the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112 during bundling. The second guide member 112 has an opening on the upper side. The second guide member 112 has a second wire passage 122.

[0091] 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 disposed in the first wire passage 120. The first pin 114 is disposed near the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120. The second pin 115 is disposed near the inlet 120b of the first wire passage 120.

[0092] The wire guide 116 is fixed to the second guide member 112. The wire guide 116 is disposed between the feed unit 74 and the first guide member 110. The wire guide 116 has a guide hole 116a.

[0093] The wire W sent by the feed unit 74 passes through the guide hole 116a of the wire guide 116 and then is sent to the inlet 120b of the first wire passage 120. The wire W is guided by the first guide member 110 and passes through the first wire passage 120 from the rear to the front. When the wire W passes through the first wire passage 120, it abuts against the first pin 114 and the second pin 115. Thereby, a downward winding twist is imparted to the wire W. After passing through the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120, the wire W is sent to the inlet 122a of the second wire passage 122. The wire W is guided by the second guide member 112 and passes through the second wire passage 122 from the front to the rear. Thereafter, after passing through the outlet 122b of the second wire passage 122, the wire W moves to the upper rear side. When the loop RP of the wire W is formed, the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar R. The reinforcing bar R passes through the loop RP in the left - right direction.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting unit 78 is accommodated in the torsion unit accommodation portion 14. The cutting unit 78 is supported by the main body housing 4. The cutting unit 78 is disposed between the feeding unit 74 and the first guide member 110. The cutting unit 78 is disposed above the feeding unit 74 and the reel 24. As shown in FIG. 12, the cutting unit 78 includes a cutter guide 126, a cutter 128, a push lever 130, a support shaft 132 (see FIG. 14), and a biasing member 134 (see FIG. 14).

[0095] The cutter guide 126 is fixed to the torsion unit accommodation portion 14 (see FIG. 2). The cutter guide 126 has a cutter guide hole 136 and a wire guide hole 138. The cutter guide hole 136 penetrates the cutter guide 126 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the wire guide hole 138 is connected near the front end of the cutter guide hole 136. The wire guide hole 138 penetrates the cutter guide 126 in the vertical 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 that has passed through the guide hole 116a is sent to the inlet 120b of the first wire passage 120 after passing through the wire guide hole 138.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 12, the cutter 128 extends in the front-rear direction. The front portion of the cutter 128 is inserted into the cutter guide hole 136. The cutter 128 is slidably supported by the cutter guide 126 in the front-rear direction.

[0097] The push lever 130 is disposed on the rear side of the cutter guide 126. The push lever 130 is fixed to the cutter 128. The push lever 130 includes a first lever portion 140 and a second lever portion 142. The first lever portion 140 is located at the front end of the push lever 130. As shown in FIG. 13, when the first lever portion 140 is pushed forward by the twisting unit 80, the push lever 130 approaches the cutter guide 126. Thereby, the cutter 128 slides forward to a position in front of the wire guide hole 138. As a result, the wire W is cut by the cutter 128 and the cutter guide 126.

[0098] The second lever portion 142 is located at the rear end of the push lever 130. When the second lever portion 142 is pushed backward by the twisting unit 80, the push lever 130 moves away from the cutter guide 126.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 14, the support shaft 132 extends in the front-rear direction. The support shaft 132 is aligned with the cutter 128 in the left-right direction. The rear end of the support shaft 132 is fixed to the push lever 130. The front portion of the support shaft 132 is slidably supported by the cutter guide 126. The support shaft 132 inhibits the push lever 130 from rotating.

[0100] The biasing member 134 is sandwiched between the cutter guide 126 and the push lever 130. The support shaft 132 is inserted into the biasing member 134. The biasing member 134 biases the push lever 130 backward toward the initial position.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 2, the twisting unit 80 is accommodated in the twisting unit housing 14. The twisting unit 80 is supported by the main body housing 4. The twisting unit 80 is disposed above the cutting unit 78. In the vertical direction, the twisting unit 80 is disposed between the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112. As shown in FIG. 14, the twisting unit 80 includes a twisting motor 146, a speed reducer 148, a screw shaft 150, a sleeve unit 152, a push plate 154, and a gripping unit 156.

[0102] The twisting motor 146 is, for example, a brushless motor. The twisting motor 146 rotates around 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 twisting motor 146 is transmitted to the screw shaft 150 via the speed reducer 148. Thereby, the screw shaft 150 rotates around the central axis AX8.

[0103] 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 around the central axis AX8 by cooperating with a rotation restricting mechanism (not shown).

[0104] 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, it pushes out the first lever portion 140 forward. Also, when the push plate 154 moves backward, it pushes out the second lever portion 142 backward. The push plate 154 does not rotate even if the sleeve unit 152 rotates.

[0105] The gripping unit 156 protrudes forward from the front portion of the sleeve unit 152. The gripping unit 156 is disposed on the rear side of the reinforcing bar R (see FIG. 11). The gripping unit 156 includes a clamp shaft 160, a right clamp 162, and a left clamp 164.

[0106] The clamp shaft 160 is inserted into the sleeve unit 152 from the front side. The clamp shaft 160 is disposed on the central axis AX8.

[0107] The right clamp 162 is attached to the clamp shaft 160 so as to penetrate the clamp shaft 160 from the right side to the left side. The right clamp 162 is movable in the left-right direction with respect to the clamp shaft 160. In the initial state, the right clamp 162 is disposed on the rightmost side with respect to the clamp shaft 160. At this time, a right wire passage 165 is formed between the right clamp 162 and the clamp shaft 160. A wire W can pass through the right wire passage 165. When the sleeve unit 152 moves forward from this state, the right clamp 162 moves to the right with respect to the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the end of the wire W is sandwiched between the right clamp 162 and the clamp shaft 160.

[0108] The left clamp 164 is attached to the clamp shaft 160 so as to penetrate the clamp shaft 160 from the left side to the right side. The left clamp 164 is movable in the left-right direction with respect to the clamp shaft 160. In the initial state, the left clamp 164 is disposed on the leftmost side with respect to the clamp shaft 160. At this time, a left wire passage 166 is formed between the left clamp 164 and the clamp shaft 160. A wire W can pass through the left wire passage 166. When the sleeve unit 152 moves forward from this state, the left clamp 164 moves to the right with respect to the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the end of the wire W is sandwiched between the left clamp 164 and the clamp shaft 160.

[0109] With one end and the other end of the wire W being gripped by the gripping unit 156, when the sleeve unit 152 rotates, the gripping unit 156 rotates around the central axis AX8. Due to the wire W being twisted, the reinforcing bar R (see Fig. 2) is bundled by the wire W.

[0110] As shown in Fig. 2, 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 (see Fig. 1), the display unit 64 (see Fig. 1), the bundling force increasing switch 66 (see Fig. 1), the bundling force reducing switch 68 (see Fig. 1), the trigger switch 72, the feed motor 88, the twisting motor 146, and the battery pack BP.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 15, the reinforcing bar bundling machine 2 includes a pair of side plates 168, a pair of slide units 170, and a pair of detection sensors 172 (see Fig. 16). One slide unit 170 and one detection sensor 172 are provided for one side plate 168.

[0112] The pair of side plates 168 are attached to the front end of the twisting unit housing portion 14. The pair of side plates 168 are pressed against the reinforcing bar R when bundling the reinforcing bar R using the wire W. One side plate 168 is attached to the right housing 8 so as to be openable and closable. The other side plate 168 is attached to the left housing 10 so as to be openable and closable. As shown in Fig. 2, the side plate 168 is normally closed by the biasing force of the biasing member 174. The gripping unit 156 is disposed behind the side plate 168.

[0113] The slide unit 170 and the detection sensor 172 are disposed inside the torsion unit housing portion 14. The slide unit 170 and the detection sensor 172 are disposed above the torsion unit 80. As shown in FIG. 16, the slide unit 170 includes a slide plate 178, a magnet holding member 180, a magnet 182, and a biasing member 184.

[0114] The slide plate 178 extends in the front-rear direction. The slide plate 178 is supported by the torsion unit housing portion 14 (see FIG. 2) so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The slide plate 178 abuts against the side plate 168 from the rear side.

[0115] The magnet holding member 180 is fixed to the rear end of the slide 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. Thereby, the slide plate 178 is pressed against the side plate 168.

[0116] The detection sensor 172 is electrically connected to the control unit 82 (see FIG. 2). The detection sensor 172 includes a sensor substrate 186 and a sensor element 188. The sensor substrate 186 is fixed to the torsion unit housing portion 14 (see FIG. 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 FIG. 16, the magnet holding member 180 and the magnet 182 when the side plate 168 is open are shown by dashed lines. By the sensor element 188 detecting a change in the magnetism of the magnet 182, the detection sensor 172 detects the opening and closing of the side plate 168.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 17, the reinforcing bar bundling machine 2 further includes a bending member 192. The bending member 192 is accommodated in the twisting unit accommodating 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, for example, a metal material. The bending member 192 is separate from the twisting unit 80. The bending member 192 is fixed to the second guide member 112. Therefore, the bending member 192 is immovable with respect to the main body housing 4. The left surface of the bending member 192 defines a part of the second wire passage 122 of the second guide member 112. The bending member 192 is arranged in the vicinity of the wire guide hole 138. The bending member 192 is arranged on the left side of the wire guide hole 138. The bending member 192 is arranged on the right side 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.

[0118] The bending member 192 includes a contact surface 194. The contact surface 194 is formed on 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 toward the bending position and is constant between the bending position and the front end of the contact surface 194. The width of the contact surface 194 in the left-right direction becomes narrower toward the upward direction. The contact surface 194 extends from the upper left end of the bending member 192 toward the lower right side. The contact surface 194 faces the upper right side.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 18, the abutting surface 194 is disposed on the front side (on the side of the reinforcing bar R) of the cutter 128. The abutting surface 194 is disposed 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 the reinforcing bar bundling machine 2 is viewed 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 from the rear end toward 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.

[0120] The control unit 82 shown in FIG. 2 executes the process shown in FIG. 19 when the main power switch 62 (see FIG. 1) is first operated after the reel 24 is attached to the reel holding unit 22.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 19, in S2, the control unit 82 executes an initialization process. Specifically, the control unit 82 repeatedly executes a feeding process and a cutting process. In the feeding process, the control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 forward by a predetermined number of rotations. When the first roller 96 rotates forward, the wire W is fed toward the guide unit 76. In the cutting process, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 forward by a predetermined number of rotations, and then rotates the twisting motor 146 backward by a predetermined number of rotations. First, when the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the push plate 154 pushes the first lever portion 140 forward. As a result, the push lever 130 moves forward, and the cutter 128 slides forward to a position in front of the wire guide hole 138. Next, when the sleeve unit 152 moves backward, the push lever 130 is urged backward by the biasing member 134 and returns to the initial position. When the control unit 82 determines that the current value of the twisting motor 146 has decreased after reaching a predetermined value or more while executing the cutting process, the control unit 82 ends the initialization process after the cutting process is completed. The decrease in the current value of the twisting motor 146 after reaching a predetermined value or more corresponds to the wire W being cut by the cutter 128. When the initialization process ends, the tip W1 of the wire W is disposed within the wire guide hole 138.

[0122] In S4, the control unit 82 executes a wire pre-feeding process. Specifically, the control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 forward by a reference number of rotations. As shown in FIG. 20, when the first roller 96 rotates forward, the tip W1 of the wire W is fed from the wire guide hole 138 to the first position. The first position is disposed on the outlet 120a side of the first wire passage 120 with respect to the wire guide hole 138 and the cutter 128. The first position is disposed within the first wire passage 120. The first position is disposed at the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120. The first position is not disposed on the inlet 122a side of the second wire passage 122 with respect to the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120.

[0123] In S6, the control unit 82 sets the number of rotations of the feed motor 88 in the winding process described later to the first number of rotations. When the feed motor 88 rotates forward by the first number of rotations, the first roller 96 rotates forward, and the tip W1 of the wire W is fed from the first position to the left wire passage 166.

[0124] Also, after executing the process shown in FIG. 19, the control unit 82 executes the processes shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 21, in S20, the control unit 82 determines whether the trigger 70 has been pulled in. When the control unit 82 determines that the trigger 70 has been pulled in (YES in S20), it proceeds to S22.

[0126] In S22, the control unit 82 determines whether the trigger 70 has been pulled in for the first time after the initialization process. When the control unit 82 determines that the trigger 70 has been pulled in for the first time after the initialization process (YES in S22), it proceeds to S30 in FIG. 22. On the other hand, when the control unit 82 determines that the trigger 70 has not been pulled in for the first time after the initialization process (NO in S22), it proceeds to S24.

[0127] S24 corresponds to the processes in FIGS. 21 and 22 executed for the second and subsequent times after the initialization process. In S24, the control unit 82 determines whether the side plate 168 has opened or closed in the processes in FIGS. 21 and 22 executed one time before. When the control unit 82 determines that the side plate 168 has opened or closed (YES in S24), it proceeds to S30 in FIG. 22. On the other hand, when the control unit 82 determines that the side plate 168 has not opened or closed (NO in S24), it proceeds to S26.

[0128] In S26, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the reverse direction to return the twisting unit 80 to the initial position. Then, it proceeds to S30 in FIG. 22.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 22, in S30, the control unit 82 executes a finishing process. Specifically, the finishing 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.

[0130] (Winding process) The control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 in the forward direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, when the first roller 96 rotates in the forward direction, the tip W1 of the wire W passes through the wire guide hole 138, the right wire passage 165, the first wire passage 120, the second wire passage 122, and the left wire passage 166 in sequence. By forming a loop RP of the wire W, the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar R. At this time, the reinforcing bar R penetrates the loop RP in the left-right direction. Further, when the wire W passes through the first wire passage 120 and contacts the first pin 114 and the second pin 115, a winding twist is imparted to the wire W.

[0131] (First gripping process) The first gripping process is executed after the winding process. When the time when the finishing process starts is set to 0 seconds, the first gripping process is executed 0.10 seconds later. The control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. As the sleeve unit 152 shown in FIG. 14 moves forward, the left clamp 164 moves rightward with respect to the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the left wire passage 166 becomes narrower, and the tip W1 of the wire W is sandwiched between the left clamp 164 and the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the tip W1 of the wire W is gripped by the gripping unit 156.

[0132] (Pulling-back process) The rewinding process is executed after the first gripping process. The rewinding process is executed 0.17 seconds after the bundling process starts. The control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 in the reverse direction. As shown in FIG. 11, when the first roller 96 rotates in the reverse direction, the wire W is rewound toward the bobbin 26. As a result, the loop RP of the wire W is reduced in diameter and contacts the reinforcing bar R. In FIG. 11, the wire W with the reduced diameter is illustrated by a dashed line.

[0133] (Second Gripping Process) The second gripping process is executed after the rewinding process. The second gripping process is executed 0.24 seconds after the bundling process starts. The control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. When the sleeve unit 152 shown in FIG. 14 moves forward, the right clamp 162 moves leftward with respect to the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the right wire passage 165 becomes narrower, and the wire W is sandwiched between the right clamp 162 and the clamp shaft 160 between the wire guide hole 138 and the first wire passage 120. As a result, the wire W is gripped at two points by the gripping unit 156.

[0134] (Cutting Process) The cutting process is executed after the second gripping process. The cutting process is executed 0.27 seconds after the bundling process starts. The control unit 82 further rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. As shown in FIG. 13, when the sleeve unit 152 further moves forward, the push plate 154 pushes out the first lever portion 140 forward. As a result, the cutter 128 slides to the front side of the wire guide hole 138. As a result, the wire W is cut by the cutter 128 and the cutter guide 126 between the wire guide hole 138 and the right wire passage 165. Hereinafter, the end portion of the wire W formed by cutting the wire W by the cutter 128 may be referred to as the end W2 of the wire W.

[0135] (Twisting Process, Bending Process) The twisting process is executed after the cutting process. The twisting process is executed 0.31 seconds after the bundling process starts. The bending process is executed while the twisting process is being executed. The control unit 82 further rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. As the sleeve unit 152 and the gripping unit 156 rotate, the wire W is twisted. Thereby, the reinforcing bar R is bundled using the wire W. As shown in FIG. 18, when the wire W is being twisted, the end W2 of the wire W abuts against the abutting surface 194 and then slides on the abutting surface 194. Thereby, the end W2 of the wire W is bent toward the reinforcing bar R. In FIG. 18, the end W2 of the wire W after being bent is illustrated by a broken line, and the wire W is illustrated exaggeratedly. As shown in FIG. 23, the ear height L1 indicating the maximum distance between the reinforcing bar R and the end W2 of the wire W becomes shorter than the ear height L2 when the end W2 of the wire W is not bent.

[0136] (Wire Release Process) The wire release process is executed after the twisting process. The wire release process is executed 0.41 seconds after the bundling process starts. The control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the reverse direction. As the sleeve unit 152 moves rearward, the right clamp 162 moves to the right with respect to the clamp shaft 160, and the left clamp 164 moves to the left with respect to the clamp shaft 160. Thereby, the tip W1 and the end W2 of the wire W are no longer gripped by the gripping unit 156. The wire release process is completed 0.48 seconds after the bundling process starts.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 22, in S32, the control unit 82 determines whether the side plate 168 has opened or closed. As shown in FIG. 15, when the tying of the reinforcing bar R is completed, the user separates the bar tying machine 2 from the reinforcing bar R. At this time, when the tip W1 and the end W2 of the wire W abut against the side plate 168, after the side plate 168 opens, the tip W1 and the end W2 of the wire W leave the side plate 168, causing the side plate 168 to close. The control unit 82 determines that the side plate 168 has opened or closed when the sensor element 188 of the detection sensor 172 detects a change in the magnetism of the magnet 182. If the control unit 82 determines that the side plate 168 has not opened or closed within a predetermined period (NO in S32), it proceeds to S34. On the other hand, if the control unit 82 determines that the side plate 168 has opened or closed (YES in S32), it proceeds to S36.

[0138] 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 greater than the first number of rotations. When the feed motor 88 rotates in the forward direction by the second number of rotations, the first roller 96 rotates in the forward direction, and the tip W1 of the wire W is fed from the wire guide hole 138 to the left wire passage 166. Then, the control unit 82 returns to S20.

[0139] In S36, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the reverse direction to return the twisting unit 80 to the initial position.

[0140] In S38, the control unit 82 executes a pre-feed process for the wire. As a result, the tip W1 of the wire W is fed to the first position, that is, to the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120.

[0141] In S40, the control unit 82 determines whether the trigger 70 has been pulled in while the wire pre-feed process is being executed. If the control unit 82 determines that the trigger 70 has not been pulled in while the wire pre-feed process is being executed (NO in S40), it proceeds to S42. On the other hand, if the control unit 82 determines that the trigger 70 has been pulled in while the wire pre-feed process is being executed (YES in S40), it proceeds to S44.

[0142] In S42, the control unit 82 sets the rotation speed of the feed motor 88 to the first rotation speed. Then, the control unit 82 returns to S20.

[0143] In S44, the control unit 82 sets the rotation speed of the feed motor 88 to the first rotation speed. Then, the control unit 82 returns to S30. The control unit 82 executes the processes of S44 and S30 substantially simultaneously. As a result, after the process of S38, the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar R without the feed motor 88 stopping.

[0144] (Effect) The reinforcing bar bundling machine 2 of the present embodiment includes a main body housing 4, a feed unit 74 that feeds the wire W, a guide unit 76 that guides the wire W around the reinforcing bar R, a cutter 128 that cuts the wire W, a gripping unit 156 (an example of a clamp) that is rotatable around the central axis AX8 and grips the wire W, and a bending member 192 that bends a terminal end W2 (an example of an end portion) of the wire W formed by the cutter 128 cutting the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R. The bending member 192 bends the terminal end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R while the wire W is being twisted by the rotation of the gripping unit 156.

[0145] According to the above configuration, while the wire W is being twisted by the rotation of the gripping unit 156, the terminal end W2 of the wire W is bent toward the reinforcing bar R by the bending member 192. Thereby, the time required to bundle the reinforcing bar R using the wire W can be shortened.

[0146] Further, the bending member 192 is immovable relative to the main body housing 4.

[0147] According to the above configuration, the bending member 192, which is immovable relative to the main body housing 4, can bend the end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the complication of the configuration of the reinforcing bar bundling machine 2 as compared with a configuration in which the bending member 192 is movable relative to the main body housing 4.

[0148] Also, the central axis AX8 extends in the front-rear direction. The gripping unit 156 is disposed on the rear side of the reinforcing bar R. The bending member 192 is inclined with respect to the central axis AX8 in the front-rear direction, and includes a contact surface 194 against which the end W2 of the wire W abuts while the wire W is being twisted by the gripping unit 156. The front end of the contact surface 194 is farther from the central axis AX8 than the rear end of the contact surface 194.

[0149] According to the above configuration, by a simple configuration for 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, the end W2 of the wire W can be bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0150] Also, the contact surface 194 gradually separates from the central axis AX8 from the rear end to the front end of the contact surface 194.

[0151] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the end W2 of the wire W from being caught by the contact surface 194 while the end W2 of the wire W is being bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0152] Also, the contact surface 194 is curved.

[0153] According to the above configuration, it is possible to further suppress the end W2 of the wire W from being caught by the contact surface 194 while the end W2 of the wire W is being bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0154] Also, the abutting surface 194 is disposed on the front side of the cutter 128.

[0155] According to the above configuration, 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.

[0156] Also, the abutting surface 194 is disposed closer to the central axis AX8 than the cutter 128.

[0157] According to the above configuration, 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.

[0158] Also, the bending member 192 is fixed to the guide unit 76.

[0159] According to the above configuration, there is no need to separately provide a component for fixing the bending member 192. Thereby, the number of components of the reinforcing bar bundling machine 2 can be reduced.

[0160] Also, 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 bending member 192 and the guide unit 76.

[0161] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the reinforcing bar bundling machine 2 as compared with a configuration in which the guide unit 76 defines the entire second wire passage 122.

[0162] The bundling method of the present embodiment is a method of bundling the reinforcing bar R using the wire W. The bundling method includes a winding step of winding the wire W around the reinforcing bar R, a first gripping step (an example of a gripping step) of gripping the tip W1 of the wire W, a cutting step of cutting the wire W, a twisting step of twisting the wire W around the reinforcing bar R, and a bending step of bending the end W2 (an example of an end) of the wire W formed by cutting the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R. The bending step is executed while the twisting step is being executed.

[0163] According to the above configuration, while the wire W is being twisted, the end W2 of the wire W is bent toward the reinforcing bar R. Thereby, the time required to tie the reinforcing bar R using the wire W can be shortened.

[0164] The reinforcing bar tying machine 2 of the present embodiment includes a main body housing 4, a feeding unit 74 that feeds the wire W, a guiding unit 76 that guides the wire W around the reinforcing bar R, a cutter 128 that cuts the wire W, a twisting unit 80 that holds and twists the wire W, and a bending member 192 that is separate from the twisting unit 80 and has a fixed position with respect to the main body housing 4, and 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 reinforcing bar R. The bending member 192 bends the end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R between the time when the cutter 128 cuts the wire W and the time when the twisting unit 80 finishes twisting the wire W.

[0165] According to the above configuration, the bending member 192 is separate from the twisting unit 80 and has a fixed position with respect to the main body housing 4. For this reason, the end W2 of the wire W can be bent toward the reinforcing bar R by the bending member 192 whose position is fixed with respect to the main body housing 4. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the configuration of the reinforcing bar tying machine 2 from becoming complicated as compared with a configuration in which the position of the bending member 192 is not fixed with respect to the main body housing 4.

[0166] Also, the central axis AX8 extends in the front-rear direction. The twisting unit 80 is disposed behind the reinforcing bar R. The bending member 192 is inclined with respect to the central axis AX8 in the front-rear direction, and includes a contact surface 194 that the end W2 of the wire W contacts while the wire W is being twisted by the twisting unit 80. The front end of the contact surface 194 is farther from the central axis AX8 than the rear end of the contact surface 194.

[0167] According to the above configuration, by means of a simple configuration that changes 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, the end W2 of the wire W can be bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0168] Further, the contact surface 194 gradually moves away from the central axis AX8 from the rear end to the front end of the contact surface 194.

[0169] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the end W2 of the wire W from being caught by the contact surface 194 while bending the end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0170] Further, the contact surface 194 is curved.

[0171] According to the above configuration, it is possible to further prevent the end W2 of the wire W from being caught by the contact surface 194 while bending the end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0172] Further, the contact surface 194 is disposed on the front side of the cutter 128.

[0173] According to the above configuration, the end W2 of the wire W surely contacts the contact surface 194. Thereby, the end W2 of the wire W can be surely bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0174] Further, the contact surface 194 is disposed closer to the central axis AX8 than the cutter 128.

[0175] According to the above configuration, the end W2 of the wire W surely contacts the contact surface 194. Thereby, the end W2 of the wire W can be surely bent toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0176] Further, the bending member 192 is fixed to the guide unit 76.

[0177] According to the above configuration, there is no need to separately provide a component for fixing the bending member 192. As a result, the number of components of the steel bar tying machine 2 can be reduced.

[0178] Further, the bending member 192 defines a part of the second wire passage 122 (an example of a wire passage) through which the wire W passes between the bending member 192 and the guide unit 76.

[0179] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the steel bar tying machine 2 as compared with a configuration in which the guide unit 76 defines the entire second wire passage 122.

[0180] (Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 24, the shape of the steel bar tying machine 2 in the second embodiment is different from the shape of the steel bar tying machine 2 in the first embodiment.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 25, the control unit 82 is housed in the twisting unit housing portion 14. In FIG. 25, the reel cover 6 is open. The control unit 82 is disposed below the twisting unit 80. The cutting unit 78 is disposed above the twisting unit 80. The grip portion 16 is disposed below the twisting unit housing portion 14. The battery attachment portion 18 is disposed below the grip portion 16. The feed unit housing portion 20 is on the right side of the twisting unit housing portion 14 and is disposed above the grip portion 16. The reel holding portion 22 is behind the twisting unit housing portion 14 and the feed unit housing portion 20 and is disposed above the grip portion 16. The reel 24 is disposed behind the feed unit 74, the guide unit 76, the cutting unit 78, and the twisting unit 80. The feed unit 74 feeds the wire W drawn from the bobbin 26 forward.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 26, 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 in accordance with the operation of the twisting unit 80 (see FIG. 25).

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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 is rotated around the fixed cutter 228 by being operated by the link member 226. Thereby, the wire W is cut by the fixed cutter 228 and the movable cutter 230. The tip W1 of the wire W formed by cutting 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 tip W1 of the wire W is fed out from the first wire guide hole 234 to the outlet 120a of the first wire passage 120.

[0185] (Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. The start times of the steps of the binding process in the third embodiment are different from the start times of the steps of the binding 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. Also, 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.

[0186] The first gripping step is executed 0.09 seconds after the tying process starts. The retracting step is executed 0.14 seconds after the tying process starts. The second gripping step is executed 0.20 seconds after the tying process starts. The cutting step is executed 0.23 seconds after the tying process starts. The twisting step is executed 0.26 seconds after the tying process starts. The wire release step is executed 0.34 seconds after the tying process starts. The wire release step is completed 0.40 seconds after the tying process starts.

[0187] (Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The start times of the steps of the tying process in the fourth embodiment are different from the start times of the steps of the tying 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. Also, 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.

[0188] The first gripping step is executed 0.08 seconds after the tying process starts. The retracting step is executed 0.13 seconds after the tying process starts. The second gripping step is executed 0.18 seconds after the tying process starts. The cutting step is executed 0.20 seconds after the tying process starts. The twisting step is executed 0.23 seconds after the tying process starts. The wire release step is executed 0.30 seconds after the tying process starts. The wire release step is completed 0.35 seconds after the tying process starts.

[0189] (Fifth Embodiment) In the fifth embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The start times of the steps of the tying process in the fifth embodiment are different from the start times of the steps of the tying 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. Also, 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.

[0190] The first gripping step is executed 0.06 seconds after the tying process starts. The pulling-back step is executed 0.11 seconds after the tying process starts. The second gripping step is executed 0.15 seconds after the tying process starts. The cutting step is executed 0.17 seconds after the tying process starts. The twisting step is executed 0.19 seconds after the tying process starts. The wire release step is executed 0.26 seconds after the tying process starts. The wire release step is completed 0.30 seconds after the tying process starts.

[0191] (Sixth Embodiment) In the sixth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 27, 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.

[0192] 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 contact surface 194 is formed on a part of the upper surface of the bending member 192.

[0193] In a modification of the sixth embodiment, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 27, the bending member 192 may be arranged on the left side of the gripping unit 156. In this configuration, the contact surface 194 may be formed on a part of the lower surface of the bending member 192.

[0194] In another modification of the sixth embodiment, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 27, the bending member 192 may be arranged above the gripping unit 156. In this configuration, the contact surface 194 may be formed on a part of the lower surface of the bending member 192.

[0195] (Seventh Embodiment) In the seventh embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 28, the shape of the bending member 192 in the seventh embodiment is different from the shape of the bending member 192 in the first embodiment.

[0196] 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 on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the bending member 192.

[0197] (Eighth Embodiment) In the eighth embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 29, the feeding unit 74 includes a slide member 300, a support member 302, a biasing member 304, and an operation member 306.

[0198] The slide member 300 is slidably supported by the support member 302.

[0199] The support member 302 is fixed to the fixed base 90.

[0200] The biasing member 304 is sandwiched between the lower end of the link member 100 and the slide member 300. The biasing member 304 biases the slide member 300 in a direction away from the link member 100.

[0201] One end of the operation member 306 is connected to the operation member 42 of the reel cover 6. The other end of the operation member 306 is connected to the slide member 300. The operation member 306 slides the slide member 300 by the rotation of the reel cover 6 between the first position and the second position.

[0202] When the reel cover 6 is in the first position, the slide member 300 is disposed at the first slide position. When the reel cover 6 is in the first position, the second roller 98 is in the first state. As shown in FIG. 30, when the reel cover 6 rotates from the first position to the second position, the slide member 300 is operated by the operating member 306 and slides in a direction away from the lower end of the link member 100 from the first slide position to the second slide position. When the reel 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. The position of the link member 100 does not change even when the reel cover 6 rotates from the first position to the second position. The distance between the slide member 300 disposed at the second slide position and the lower end of the link member 100 is longer than the distance between the slide member 300 disposed at the first slide position and the lower end of the link member 100. The biasing force of the biasing member 304 when the slide member 300 is disposed at the second slide position is smaller than the biasing force of the biasing member 304 when the slide member 300 is disposed at the first slide position. The force with which the second roller 98 in the second pressing state presses against the first roller 96 is smaller than the force with which the first roller 96 in the first pressing state presses against the first roller 96. Thereby, the force for sandwiching the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the second pressing state is smaller than the force for sandwiching the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first pressing state. For this reason, 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 as compared with when the second roller 98 is in the first pressing state.

[0203] As shown in FIG. 29, when the reel cover 6 rotates from the second position to the first position, the slide member 300 is operated by the operating member 306 and slides in a direction approaching the lower end of the link member 100 from the second slide position to the first slide position. Thereby, the second roller 98 switches from the second pressing state to the first pressing state.

[0204] (Embodiment 9) In the ninth embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 31, the reinforcing bar tying machine 2 further includes a pushing member 400. The pushing member 400 is swingably supported by the main body housing 4. The pushing member 400 is disposed near the first guide member 110. The pushing member 400 can be pushed by the reinforcing bar R when the reinforcing bar R (see FIG. 11) is disposed between the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112.

[0205] When the pushing member 400 is pushed by the reinforcing bar R while the trigger 70 (see FIG. 2) is being pushed, the control unit 82 (see FIG. 2) executes the tying process of S30 in FIG. 22.

[0206] (Tenth Embodiment) In the tenth embodiment, the differences from the ninth embodiment will be described. In the tenth embodiment, the reinforcing bar tying machine 2 does not include the trigger 70 (see FIG. 2). When the pushing member 400 is pushed by the reinforcing bar R, the control unit 82 (see FIG. 2) executes the tying process of S30 in FIG. 22.

[0207] (Eleventh Embodiment) In the eleventh embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the eleventh embodiment, in the wire pre-feed processes of S4 in FIG. 19 and S38 in FIG. 22, the control unit 82 first rotates the feed motor 88 forward by the second number of rotations. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the tip W1 of the wire W is fed out to the left wire passage 166. The first position is disposed in the left wire passage 166. Thereby, a loop RP of the wire W is formed. Next, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 forward. When the sleeve unit 152 shown in FIG. 14 moves forward, the left clamp 164 moves rightward with respect to the clamp shaft 160. Thereby, the left wire passage 166 becomes narrower, and the tip W1 of the wire W is sandwiched between the left clamp 164 and the clamp shaft 160. As a result, the tip W1 of the wire W is gripped by the gripping unit 156.

[0208] As shown in Fig. 11, when the user binds the reinforcing bar R using the wire W, first, before pulling in the trigger 70, the user passes the reinforcing bar R through the loop RP of the wire W. Next, the user pulls in the trigger 70 (see Fig. 2). Thereby, the control unit 82 executes the binding process of S30 in Fig. 22. Specifically, the binding process includes a pulling-back process, a second gripping process, a cutting process, a twisting process, a bending process, and a wire release process. Since the loop RP of the wire W is formed and the tip W1 of the wire W is gripped by the gripping unit 156, the binding process does not include a winding process and a first gripping process.

[0209] (Example 12) In the 12th embodiment, the differences from the 1st embodiment will be described. In the 12th embodiment, in the wire pre-feed process of S4 in Fig. 19 and S38 in Fig. 22, the control unit 82 first rotates the feed motor 88 forward by the second rotation speed. Thereby, as shown in Fig. 11, the tip 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. Thereby, the loop RP of the wire W is formed.

[0210] When the user binds the reinforcing bar R using the wire W, first, before pulling in the trigger 70, with the tip W1 of the wire W not being gripped by the gripping unit 156, the user passes the reinforcing bar R through the loop RP of the wire W. Next, the user pulls in the trigger 70 (see Fig. 2). Thereby, the control unit 82 executes the binding process of S30 in Fig. 22. Specifically, the binding process includes a first gripping process, a pulling-back process, a second gripping process, a cutting process, a twisting process, a bending process, and a wire release process. Since the loop RP of the wire W is formed, the binding process does not include a winding process.

[0211] (Example 13) In the 13th embodiment, differences from the 2nd embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 32, the gripping unit 156 includes a hook 500. The hook 500 protrudes forward from the front portion of the sleeve unit 152. The hook 500 opens and closes according to the forward and backward movement of the sleeve unit 152. When the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the hook 500 closes to grip 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.

[0212] In the 13th embodiment, in the wire pre-feed process of S4 in FIG. 19 and S38 in FIG. 22, the control unit 82 first rotates the feed motor 88 forward by the second rotation speed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 32, the tip W1 of the wire W passes through the first wire passage 120, then through the second wire passage 122, and then through the first wire passage 120 again. Thereby, the loop RP of the wire W is formed. Next, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 forward. As the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the hook 500 closes. Thereby, the loop RP of the wire W is gripped by the hook 500.

[0213] When the user binds the steel bar R using the wire W, first, before pulling in the trigger 70, the user passes the steel bar R through the loop RP of the wire W. Next, the user pulls in the trigger 70 (see FIG. 25). Thereby, the control unit 82 executes the binding process of S30 in FIG. 22. Specifically, the binding process includes a cutting step, a twisting step, a bending step, and a wire release step. Since the loop RP of the wire W is formed and the loop RP of the wire W is gripped by the hook 500, the binding process does not include a winding step, a first gripping step, a pulling-back step, and a second gripping step.

[0214] In the wire release process, the control unit 82 rotates the torsion motor 146 in the reverse direction. As the sleeve unit 152 moves rearward, the hook 500 opens. As a result, the loop RP of the wire W is released from the hook 500. Since the cutting process, the torsion process, and the bending process have been described in the first embodiment, the descriptions of the cutting process, the torsion process, and the bending process are omitted.

[0215] (14th Embodiment) In the 14th embodiment, the differences from the 13th embodiment will be described. In the 14th embodiment, in the wire pre-feed process of S4 in FIG. 19 and S38 in FIG. 22, the control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 forward by the second number of rotations. As a result, as shown in FIG. 32, the tip W1 of the wire W passes through the first wire passage 120, then 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.

[0216] When the user binds the reinforcing bar R using the wire W, first, before pulling in the trigger 70, with the loop RP of the wire W not being gripped by the hook 500, the user passes the reinforcing bar R through the loop RP of the wire W. Next, the user pulls in the trigger 70 (see FIG. 25). Thereby, the control unit 82 executes the binding process of S30 in FIG. 22. Specifically, the binding process includes a gripping process, a cutting process, a torsion process, a bending process, and a wire release process. Since the loop RP of the wire W is formed, the binding process does not include a winding process.

[0217] In the gripping process, the control unit 82 rotates the torsion motor 146 in the forward direction. As the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the hook 500 closes. Thereby, the loop RP of the wire W is gripped by the hook 500.

[0218] (Modification) In one embodiment, the reinforcing bar tying machine 2 may be a device that autonomously moves on the reinforcing bar R.

[0219] In one embodiment, the first position may be disposed between the cutter 128 and the first wire passage 120.

[0220] In one embodiment, the bending member 192 may be fixed to the main body housing 4.

[0221] In one embodiment, the contact surface 194 may not be curved.

[0222] In one embodiment, the bending member 192 may not define the second wire passage 122.

[0223] In one embodiment, after the cutting step is performed and before the twisting step is performed, the bending member 192 may bend the end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bar R.

[0224] In one embodiment, the link member 100 may rotatably support the first roller 96. In this configuration, the first roller 96 corresponds to the "second roller", and the second roller 98 corresponds to the "first roller".

[0225] In one embodiment, when the second roller 98 is in the second state, the teeth 98a of the second roller 98 may mesh with the teeth 96a of the first roller 96. In this configuration, 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. Also, the wire W is sandwiched between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. The force for sandwiching the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the second state is weaker than the force for sandwiching the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first state.

[0226] In one embodiment, the reel holding portion 22 may not have the reel accommodation space 36. In this configuration, when the reel cover 6 is in the prohibited state, a part of the reel 24 is exposed.

[0227] In one embodiment, the operation member 42 may include a non-rotatable contact portion. In this configuration, the contact portion pushes in the lower end of the link member 100.

[0228] In one embodiment, the lock lever 52 may be attached to the reel holding portion 22.

[0229] The reinforcing bar bundling machine 2 of the second to eighth embodiments and the eleventh to fourteenth embodiments may include the pushing member 400 of the ninth embodiment. In this configuration, the control unit 82 may execute the bundling process of S30 in FIG. 22 when the pushing member 400 is pushed by the reinforcing bar R while the trigger 70 (see FIG. 2) is pushed in. Further, the control unit 82 may execute the bundling process of S30 in FIG. 22 when the pushing member 400 is pushed by the reinforcing bar R.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0230] 2: Reinforcing bar bundling machine 4: Main body housing 6: Reel cover 16: Grip portion 22: Reel holding portion 24: Reel 26: Bobbin 36: Reel accommodation space 40: Cover member 42: Operation member 44: Roller 48: Reel pressing member 50: Biasing member 52: Lock lever 70: Trigger 74: Feeding unit 76: Guide unit 78: Cutting unit 80: Twisting unit 82: Control unit 88: Feeding motor 96: First roller 98: Second roller 100: Link member 102: Biasing member 110: First guide member 112: Second guide member 120: First wire passage 120a: Outlet 120b: Inlet 122: Second wire passage 122a: Inlet 122b: Outlet 126: Cutter guide 128: Cutter 138: Wire guide hole 146: Twisting motor 156: Gripping unit 160: Clamp shaft 162: Right clamp 164: Left clamp 165: Right wire passage 166: Left wire passage 168: Side plate 170: Slide unit 172: Detection sensor 174: Biasing member 192: Bending member 194: Contact surface 228: Fixed cutter 230: Movable cutter 234: First wire guide hole 300: Slide member 302: Support member 304: Biasing member 306: Operating member 400: Pushing member 500: Hook AX1: Reel rotation axis AX2: Cover rotation axis AX3: Central axis AX4: Lever rotation axis AX5: Link rotation axis AX6: First roller rotation axis AX7: Second roller rotation axis AX8: Central axis R: Steel bar RP: Loop W: Wire W1: Tip W2: End

Claims

1. A feeding unit for feeding a wire, A guiding unit for guiding the wire around a steel bar, A cutter for cutting the wire, A clamp that is rotatable around a central axis and holds the wire, A main body housing that supports the feeding unit, A bending member that bends an end portion of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the steel bar, and is provided with: The bending member bends the end portion of the wire toward the steel bar while the wire is being twisted by the rotation of the clamp. A steel bar bundling machine.

2. The bending member is immovable relative to the main body housing. The steel bar bundling machine according to Claim 1.

3. The central axis extends in the front-rear direction, The clamp is disposed behind the steel bar, The bending member is inclined with respect to the central axis in the front-rear direction and has a contact surface against which the end portion of the wire abuts while the wire is being twisted by the twisting unit. The front end of the contact surface is farther from the central axis than the rear end of the contact surface. The steel bar bundling machine according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The contact surface gradually moves away from the central axis from the rear end to the front end of the contact surface. The steel bar bundling machine according to Claim 3.

5. The contact surface is curved. The steel bar bundling machine according to Claim 3 or 4.

6. The contact surface is disposed in front of the cutter. The steel bar bundling machine according to any one of Claims 3 to 5.

7. The contact surface is disposed closer to the central axis than the cutter. The steel bar bundling machine according to any one of Claims 3 to 6.

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

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

10. A bundling method for bundling steel bars using a wire, comprising: A winding step of winding the wire around the steel bar, A gripping step of gripping the tip of the wire, A cutting step of cutting the wire, A twisting step of twisting the wire around the steel bar, A bending step of bending an end portion of the wire formed by cutting the wire toward the steel bar. ​ The bending step is a bundling method that is executed while the twisting step is being executed. **Claim 11** A feeding unit that feeds a wire, A guiding unit that guides the wire around a reinforcing bar, A cutter that cuts the wire, A twisting unit that grips and twists the wire, A main body housing that supports the feeding unit, A bending member that is separate from the twisting unit and has a fixed position with respect to the main body housing, and that bends the end portion of the wire formed by the cutter cutting the wire toward the reinforcing bar, The bending member is a reinforcing bar bundling machine that bends the end portion of the wire toward the reinforcing bar between when the cutter cuts the wire and when the twisting unit finishes twisting the wire. **Claim 12** The central axis extends in the front-rear direction, The twisting unit is disposed behind the reinforcing bar, The bending member is inclined with respect to the central axis in the front-rear direction and has a contact surface against which the end portion of the wire abuts while the wire is being twisted by the twisting unit, The front end of the contact surface is farther from the central axis than the rear end of the contact surface. The reinforcing bar bundling machine according to claim 11. **Claim 13** The contact surface gradually moves away from the central axis from the rear end to the front end of the contact surface. The reinforcing bar bundling machine according to claim 12. **Claim 14** The contact surface is curved. The reinforcing bar bundling machine according to claim 12 or 13. **Claim 15** The contact surface is disposed in front of the cutter. The reinforcing bar bundling machine according to any one of claims 12 to 14. **Claim 16** The contact surface is disposed closer to the central axis than the cutter. The reinforcing bar bundling machine according to any one of claims 12 to 15. **Claim 17** The bending member is fixed to the guiding unit. The reinforcing bar bundling machine according to any one of claims 11 to 16. **Claim 18** The bending member defines a part of a wire passage through which the wire passes between the bending member and the guiding unit. The reinforcing bar bundling machine according to claim 17.

Images