End machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a strapping machine that allows the user to recognize that inserting the wire between a pair of rollers initiates the wire feeding operation via a motor. [Solution] The rebar tying machine 1A includes a wire feeding section 3A that feeds the wire W, a curl forming section 5A that forms a wire feeding path that winds the wire W, which is fed in the forward direction by the wire feeding section 3A, around the rebar S, a tying section 7A that twists the wire W that is fed in the reverse direction by the wire feeding section 3A and wound around the rebar S, and a control unit 14A that controls the wire feeding section 3A and the tying section 7A. The wire feeding section 3A includes a pair of feed gears 30 that grip the wire W and feed it by rotation, and when the wire W is inserted into a position where the pair of feed gears 30 can feed the wire W in the forward direction, the control unit 14A changes its state between a first state and a second state to feed the wire W in the forward direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , , , , , <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In a wire binding machine that uses a pair of rollers to grip and feed wire, a technology is conceivable that can detect when a wire has been inserted and automatically load the wire.

[0007] However, in a technology where the wire feeding operation is initiated by a motor driven when the user inserts the wire between a pair of rollers, it is difficult for the user to recognize when the wire was inserted and when the wire feeding operation began.

[0008] The present invention was made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a strapping machine that allows the user to recognize that the operation of feeding the wire by the motor is initiated when the user inserts the wire between a pair of rollers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a wire feeding unit that feeds a wire in a first direction, a curl forming unit that constitutes a wire feeding path for winding the wire fed in the first direction by the wire feeding unit around the bundled object, a binding unit that twists the wire wound around the bundled object, and a control unit that controls the wire feeding unit and the binding unit. The wire feeding unit comprises a pair of feeding members that grip the wire and feed the wire by rotational motion, and a pair of members that drive the feeding members to rotate in a first rotational direction to feed the wire in the first direction. The binding machine includes a feed motor having a detection unit for detecting the movement of a feeding member, and the control unit, when it determines that the feed motor has rotated in a first rotational direction without the control unit's drive, drives the feed motor at a first rotational speed, and when it determines that a predetermined amount of wire has been fed in the first state in which the feed motor is driven at the first rotational speed, it changes from the first state to a second state in which the feed motor is driven at a second rotational speed to feed the wire in the first direction, and the first rotational speed is lower than the second rotational speed.

[0010] In this invention, when performing the operation of feeding the wire in a first direction, the state is changed between a first state and a second state, thereby allowing the system to recognize that the wire is being fed in the first direction by the drive of the feed motor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the user of the binding machine can recognize that the wire is being fed in a first direction by the drive of the feed motor when inserting the wire between a pair of feed gears. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1A] This is a side view showing an example of a rebar tying machine. [Figure 1B] This is a side view showing an example of the internal configuration of a rebar tying machine. [Figure 1C] This is a perspective view showing an example of a rebar tying machine. [Figure 2A] This is a perspective view showing an example of a wire feeding section. [Figure 2B] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the operation of the wire feeding section during wire loading. [Figure 2C] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the operation of the wire feeding section during wire loading. [Figure 3A] This is a side view showing an example of a wire guide. [Figure 3B] This is a bottom view showing an example of a wire guide. [Figure 3C] This is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of a wire feeding section and wire guide. [Figure 3D] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of a rebar tying machine, showing the relationship between the wire guide and the wire feeding mechanism. [Figure 4A] This is a perspective view showing an example of a binding section. [Figure 4B] This is a cross-sectional plan view showing an example of a binding section. [Figure 4C] This is a cross-sectional plan view showing an example of a binding section. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing an example of the control functions of a rebar tying machine. [Figure 6]It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the automatic loading and discharging mode. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the automatic loading and discharging mode. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the automatic loading and discharging mode.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, an example of a steel bar tying machine as an embodiment of the tying machine of the present invention will be described.

[0014] <Configuration Example of Steel Bar Tying Machine> FIG. 1A is a side view showing an example of a steel bar tying machine, FIG. 1B is a side view showing an example of the internal configuration of the steel bar tying machine, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing an example of the steel bar tying machine. The steel bar tying machine 1A is in a form that can be held and used by an operator, and includes a main body portion 10A and a handle portion 11A.

[0015] Further, the steel bar tying machine 1A feeds the wire W in the positive direction which is the first direction indicated by the arrow F, winds it around the steel bar S which is the tying object, and then feeds the wire W wound around the steel bar S in the reverse direction which is the second direction indicated by the arrow R and winds it around the steel bar S. After that, the wire W is twisted to tie the steel bar S with the wire W.

[0016] The steel bar tying machine 1A includes a magazine 2A in which the wire W is accommodated, a wire feeding portion 3A that feeds the wire W, and a wire guide 4A that guides the wire W sent to the wire feeding portion 3A in order to realize the above-described functions. Further, the steel bar tying machine 1A includes a curl forming portion 5A that forms a path for winding the wire W sent by the wire feeding portion 3A around the steel bar S, and a cutting portion 6A that cuts the wire W wound around the steel bar S. Furthermore, the steel bar tying machine 1A includes a tying portion 7A that twists the wire W wound around the steel bar S, and a driving portion 8A that drives the tying portion 7A.

[0017] Magazine 2A houses a reel 20, on which a long length of wire W is wound and can be dispensed, in a rotatable and detachable manner. The wire W can be made of a metal wire that can be plastically deformed, a metal wire coated with resin, or a stranded wire. One or more wires W are wound on a bobbin (not shown) of the reel 20, and one or more wires W can be drawn out from the reel 20 simultaneously.

[0018] The wire feeding unit 3A includes a pair of feed gears 30 (a first feed gear 30L and a second feed gear 30R) that rotate to feed the wire W, serving as a pair of feed members that grip and feed one or more wires W arranged in parallel. The pair of feed gears 30 rotate in the wire feeding unit 3A when the rotational motion of a feed motor, which will be described later, is transmitted. As a result, the wire feeding unit 3A feeds the wire W, which is gripped between the pair of feed gears 30, along the direction in which the wire W extends. In a configuration that feeds multiple wires, for example, two wires W, the two wires W are fed in a parallel state.

[0019] The curl-forming section 5A includes a curl guide 50, which is an example of a first guide section that gives a curl to the wire W fed by the wire feeding section 3A, and a guide guide 51, which is an example of a second guide section that guides the wire W, which has been given a curl by the curl guide 50, to the binding section 7A. In the rebar tying machine 1A, the path of the wire W fed by the wire feeding section 3A is restricted by the curl-forming section 5A, so that the trajectory of the wire W becomes a loop Ru as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1B, and the wire W is wrapped around the rebar S.

[0020] The cutting section 6A includes a fixed blade section (not shown), a movable blade section (not shown) that cuts the wire W in cooperation with the fixed blade section, and a transmission mechanism 62 that transmits the operation of the binding section 7A to the movable blade section. The transmission mechanism 62 transmits the operation of the binding section 7A to the cutting section 6A via a movable member 83, and cuts the wire W in conjunction with the operation of the binding section 7A.

[0021] The binding section 7A includes a wire locking body 70 into which the wire W is locked. A detailed embodiment of the binding section 7A will be described later. The drive section 8A includes a motor 80 and a reduction gear 81 that performs reduction and torque amplification.

[0022] The rebar tying machine 1A is equipped with a feed restricting section 90 into which the tip of the wire W, which is locked by the wire locking body 70, abuts against in the feed path of the wire W. Furthermore, the curl guide 50 and guide guide 51 of the curl forming section 5A described above are provided at the front end of the main body 10A of the rebar tying machine 1A. In addition, the rebar tying machine 1A has a stopper section 91 into which the rebar S abuts against, provided between the curl guide 50 and the guide guide 51 at the front end of the main body 10A of the rebar tying machine 1A.

[0023] Furthermore, the rebar tying machine 1A has a handle section 11A that extends downward from the main body section 10A. In addition, a battery 15A is detachably attached to the lower part of the handle section 11A. The rebar tying machine 1A also has a magazine 2A located in front of the handle section 11A. The rebar tying machine 1A houses the wire feeding section 3A, cutting section 6A, tying section 7A, and drive section 8A that drives the tying section 7A, etc., as described above, in the main body section 10A.

[0024] The rebar tying machine 1A has a trigger 12A on the front of the handle 11A, and an operating switch 13A inside the handle 11A. In addition, the main body 10A is equipped with a circuit board 100 on which circuits that constitute the control unit 14A, which will be described later, are mounted.

[0025] The rebar tying machine 1A is equipped with an operating unit 16 that receives operations such as turning the power on and off, setting the tying strength using wire W, and automatically loading and unloading wire W. The operating unit 16 is located on the rear of the main body 10A and includes a power switch 16a for turning the power on and off, and an automatic loading and unloading switch 16b for receiving operations to activate the automatic loading and unloading mode. The operating unit 16 also includes a torque dial 16c for selecting the tying strength using wire W, as an example of a tying strength setting unit that can set the tying strength using wire W.

[0026] The operating unit 16 is equipped with protrusions 16d that project backward from the main body 10A around the power switch 16a, the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b, and the torque dial 16c, so that the positions where the power switch 16a, the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b, and the torque dial 16c are located are recessed. As a result, the power switch 16a, the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b, and the torque dial 16c do not protrude backward from the main body 10A, and malfunctions are suppressed. In addition, since the unloading and loading of the wire W are performed after the power is turned off and on, operability is improved by placing the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b near the power switch 16a, in this example on the same operating unit 16.

[0027] Figure 2A is a perspective view showing an example of a wire feeding section, and Figures 2B and 2C are cross-sectional views showing an example of the operation of the wire feeding section during wire loading. Next, the configuration of the wire feeding section 3A will be described with reference to each of these figures.

[0028] The first feed gear 30L, which is one of the feed members constituting one of a pair of feed gears 30, is rotatably supported by a shaft 300L on a support member 301 of the wire feed section 3A. The first feed gear 30L is equipped with teeth 31L that transmit driving force. In this example, the teeth 31L have the shape of a spur gear and are formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the first feed gear 30L. The first feed gear 30L is also equipped with a groove 32L into which the wire W is inserted. In this example, the groove 32L is composed of a recess with a substantially V-shaped cross-section and is formed along the circumferential direction around the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the first feed gear 30L.

[0029] The second feed gear 30R, which is the other feed member constituting the other of the pair of feed gears 30, is equipped with teeth 31R that transmit driving force. In this example, the teeth 31R have the shape of a spur gear and are formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the second feed gear 30R. The second feed gear 30R is also equipped with a groove 32R into which the wire W is inserted. In this example, the groove 32R is composed of a recess with a substantially V-shaped cross-section and is formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the second feed gear 30R along the circumferential direction.

[0030] In the wire feeding section 3A, the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R are positioned opposite each other, with the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R positioned on either side of the wire feeding path W.

[0031] In the wire feeding section 3A, the wire W is held between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R, and the teeth 31L of the first feed gear 30L and the teeth 31R of the second feed gear 30R mesh with each other. As a result, rotational driving force is transmitted between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0032] The wire feeding section 3A includes a feed motor 33 that drives one of the first feed gears 30L and the second feed gear 30R, or in this example, the first feed gear 30L, and a drive force transmission mechanism 34 that transmits the driving force of the feed motor 33 to the first feed gear 30L.

[0033] The drive force transmission mechanism 34 includes a small gear 33a attached to the shaft of the feed motor 33, and a large gear 33b that meshes with the small gear 33a. The drive force transmission mechanism 34 also includes a feed small gear 34a that receives drive force from the large gear 33b and meshes with the first feed gear 30L. The small gear 33a, the large gear 33b, and the feed small gear 34a are each composed of spur gears.

[0034] The first feed gear 30L rotates when the rotational motion of the feed motor 33 is transmitted to it via the drive force transmission mechanism 34. The second feed gear 30R rotates when the rotational motion of the first feed gear 30L is transmitted to it through the meshing of teeth 31L and teeth 31R, and it rotates in conjunction with the first feed gear 30L.

[0035] As a result, the wire feeding unit 3A feeds the wire W, which is sandwiched between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, along the direction in which the wire W extends. In a configuration that feeds two wires W, the two wires W are fed in parallel due to the frictional force generated between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and one wire W, the frictional force generated between the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R and the other wire W, and the frictional force generated between one wire W and the other wire W.

[0036] The wire feeding unit 3A switches the rotation direction of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R by switching the rotation direction of the feed motor 33, thereby switching the forward and reverse direction of the wire W being fed.

[0037] The wire feeding section 3A is configured such that the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R are pressed together in a direction toward each other in order to hold the wire W between them. In other words, the wire feeding section 3A is configured such that the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R are displaceable in a direction toward each other in order to hold the wire W between them and to load the wire W between them. In this example, the driving force of the feed motor 33 is received from the first feed gear 30L, and the second feed gear 30R, which is not directly transmitted the driving force of the feed motor 33, is displaced relative to the first feed gear 30L.

[0038] Therefore, the wire feeding section 3A includes a first displacement member 36 that displaces the second feed gear 30R in a direction that moves it closer to and further away from the first feed gear 30L. It also includes a second displacement member 37 that displaces the first displacement member 36. The first displacement member 36 and the second displacement member 37 are examples of displacement sections that displace one or both of the pair of feed gears 30 in a direction that moves them closer to and further away from each other. In this example, as described above, the second feed gear 30R is displaced in a direction that moves it closer to and further away from the first feed gear 30L.

[0039] The first displacement member 36 has a second feed gear 30R rotatably supported at one end by an axis 300R. The axis 300L of the first feed gear 30L and the axis 300R of the second feed gear 30R are parallel to each other. The other end of the first displacement member 36 is rotatably supported by the support member 301 of the wire feeding section 3A, with the axis 36a as the pivot point.

[0040] The first displacement member 36 has an axis 36a, which serves as the pivot point for its rotational movement, oriented parallel to the axis 300R of the second feed gear 30R. As a result, the first displacement member 36 is displaced by a rotational movement with the axis 36a as the pivot point, causing the second feed gear 30R to move away from the first feed gear 30L.

[0041] The first displacement member 36 has a pressed portion 36b on one end that is pressed by the second displacement member 37. The pressed portion 36b is provided to the side of the part that supports the shaft 300R of the second feed gear 30R.

[0042] The second displacement member 37 is rotatably supported by the support member 301 of the wire feeding section 3A, with its shaft 37a as the pivot point. The second displacement member 37 also has a pressing portion 37b on one end of the shaft 37a that presses against the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36.

[0043] The second displacement member 37 is displaced by a rotational movement with the shaft 37a as the pivot point, causing the pressing portion 37b to press against the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36, and then releasing the pressure on the pressed portion 36b by the pressing portion 37b.

[0044] The wire feeding section 3A includes a spring 38 that presses the second feed gear 30R against the first feed gear 30L. The spring 38 is, for example, a compression coil spring and presses the other end of the second displacement member 37 that straddles the shaft 37a.

[0045] The second displacement member 37 is displaced by a rotational movement with the shaft 37a as the pivot point due to the pressure from the spring 38, and the pressing portion 37b presses against the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36. When the pressing portion 37b of the second displacement member 37 presses against the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36, the first displacement member 36 is displaced by a rotational movement with the shaft 36a as the pivot point. As a result, the second feed gear 30R is pressed in the direction of the first feed gear 30L by the force of the spring 38.

[0046] When a wire W is loaded between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the wire W is sandwiched between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R.

[0047] Furthermore, with the wire W sandwiched between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R, the teeth 31L of the first feed gear 30L and the teeth 31R of the second feed gear 30R mesh together.

[0048] The wire feeding section 3A is equipped with an operating button 39 that displaces the second displacement member 37. The operating button 39 is an example of an operating member and is positioned opposite the spring 38 via the second displacement member 37. The operating button 39 protrudes outward from one side of the main body 10A and is supported so as to be movable in the direction of pushing relative to the main body 10A indicated by arrow T1 and in the direction of protruding from the main body 10A indicated by arrow T2. By pressing the operating button 39 in the direction of arrow T1 relative to the main body 10A, the spring 38 contracts, and the second displacement member 37, sandwiched between the operating button 39 and the spring 38, is displaced by a rotational movement with the axis 37a as the pivot point and rotates in the direction of arrow Y1.

[0049] When the second displacement member 37 rotates in the direction of arrow Y1, the pressure on the pressed portion 36b by the pressing portion 37b is released, and the second feed gear 30R, which is supported by the first displacement member 36, becomes movable in the direction of arrow U1, which is away from the first feed gear 30L.

[0050] When the force pressing the operation button 39 against the main body 10A in the direction of arrow T1 is released, the spring 38 extends, and the second displacement member 37, sandwiched between the operation button 39 and the spring 38, is displaced by a rotational movement with the axis 37a as the pivot point and rotates in the direction of arrow Y2. At the same time, the operation button 39 moves in the direction of arrow T2, which is the direction in which it protrudes from the main body 10A, pushed by the spring 38 and the second displacement member 37.

[0051] When the second displacement member 37 rotates in the direction of arrow Y2 by the force of the spring 38, the pressing portion 37b presses against the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36, and the second feed gear 30R, which is supported by the first displacement member 36, is pressed by the force of the spring 38 in the direction of arrow U2, which is the direction towards the first feed gear 30L. As a result, one wire W inserted into the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the other wire W inserted into the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R are sandwiched between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0052] The wire feeding section 3A includes a holding section 39a that ensures the distance between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R when the wire W is not inserted between them. The holding section 39a is an example of a holding member, and in this example it is provided on the operation button 39. The holding section 39a protrudes from the side of the operation button 39, and when the operation button 39 is pressed in the direction of arrow T2 by the force of the spring 38 via the second displacement member 37, the holding section 39 abuts against the inner surface of the main body section 10A where the operation button 39 is movably mounted.

[0053] As a result, the range of movement of the operating button 39, which is pressed by the spring 38 via the second displacement member 37, in the direction of arrow T2 is restricted, thereby restricting the range of movement of the second displacement member 37, which is pressed by the spring 38, due to rotational movement in the direction of arrow Y2 with the axis 37a as the pivot point.

[0054] When the holding portion 39a of the operation button 39 is abutting against the main body portion 10A, a gap G1 can be formed between the pressing portion 37b of the second displacement member 37 and the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36, as shown in Figure 2B. Therefore, the second feed gear 30R can move away from the first feed gear 30L by the amount of the gap G1 without being subjected to the force of the spring 38.

[0055] As a result, as shown in Figure 2C, a state is maintained in which a gap G2 can be formed between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R when the wire W is not inserted between them.

[0056] Figure 3A is a side view showing an example of a wire guide, Figure 3B is a bottom view showing an example of a wire guide, Figure 3C is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of a wire feeding section and wire guide, and Figure 3D is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of a rebar tying machine showing the relationship between the wire guide and the wire feeding section. Next, the configuration of the wire guide will be explained with reference to each figure.

[0057] The wire guide 4A is positioned upstream of the feed gears 30 (first feed gear 30L and second feed gear 30R) with respect to the feed direction of the wire W being fed in the forward direction. In a configuration where the rebar tying machine 1A ties rebar with two wires W, the wire guide 4A guides the two incoming wires W in parallel along the direction in which the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R are aligned, between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0058] The wire guide 4A is provided with a guide hole 40A through which the wire W passes. The guide hole 40A has an outlet opening 40A1 on the downstream side with respect to the feeding direction of the wire W being fed in the forward direction, and its longitudinal direction is aligned with the direction in which the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R are aligned.

[0059] The outlet opening 40A1 has a length in the longitudinal direction that is approximately twice the diameter of the wire W, and a length in the transverse direction that is approximately the diameter of the wire W. This restricts the parallel orientation of the two wires W that pass through the wire guide 4A and are led out from the outlet opening 40A1.

[0060] In the guide hole 40A, the upstream inlet opening 40A2 has a larger opening area than the downstream outlet opening 40A1 with respect to the feeding direction of the wire W being fed in the forward direction. As a result, part or all of the inner surface of the guide hole 40A between the inlet opening 40A2 and the outlet opening 40A1 is tapered, and the opening area of ​​the guide hole 40A is conical, gradually decreasing from the inlet opening 40A2 to the outlet opening 40A1.

[0061] The wire guide 4A includes wire guide sections 41A (41A1, 41A2) between the introduction opening 40A2 and the output opening 40A1. The guide section 41A includes a guide section 41A1 located on the outside in the winding direction of the wire W wound on the reel 20 housed in the magazine 2A, and a guide section 41A2 located on the inside in the winding direction of the wire W introduced into the wire guide 4A. Guide sections 41A1 and 41A2 are formed on the inner surface of the guide hole 40A between the introduction opening 40A2 and the output opening 40A1, and part or all of the section between the introduction opening 40A2 and the output opening 40A1 is tapered.

[0062] At the point where the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R face each other, the wire W, sandwiched between grooves 32L and 32R, passes through the center of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R along their axial directions. Therefore, the path through which the wire W passes, formed by a straight line connecting the center of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R along their axial directions where grooves 32L and 32R are provided at the point where the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R face each other, and the center of the short side of the outlet opening 40A1, is called the reference path L.

[0063] As the direction in which the wire W extends through the wire guide 4A approaches parallel to the reference path L, the success rate of the user of the rebar tying machine 1A inserting the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R increases, so that the tip of the wire W that has passed through the wire guide 4A enters the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R.

[0064] The path taken by the wire W introduced into the wire guide 4A changes depending on the amount of wire W wound on the reel 20. As the path taken by the wire W between the reel 20 stored in the magazine 2A and the wire guide 4A, the path when the amount of wire W wound on the reel 20 is large is shown as W1 in Figure 3D, and the path when the amount of wire W wound on the reel 20 is small is shown as W2 in Figure 3D.

[0065] If a large amount of wire W is wound on the reel 20, the wire W will be pulled out from near the outer circumference of the reel 20, so the path W1 through which the wire W passes when introduced into the wire guide 4A will follow the reference path L.

[0066] In the operation of loading the reel 20 into the magazine 2A and loading the wire W, the user of the rebar tying machine 1A inserts the wire W from the wire guide 4A between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. Because the new reel 20 has a large amount of wire W wound on it, the wire W is pulled out from near the outer circumference of the reel 20. As a result, the wire W inserted into the wire guide 4A from the inlet opening 40A2 is guided to the outlet opening 40A1 along the guide section 41A1 in the direction along the axial direction of the feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0067] Therefore, in order to make the direction in which the wire W extends through the wire guide 4A closer to parallel with the reference path L, it is desirable to reduce the angle α1 in the guide section 41A of the wire guide 4A with respect to the reference path L, specifically the angle along the axial direction of the feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R of the guide section 41A1.

[0068] In the wire guide 4A, the guide portion 41A (41A1, 41A2) on the side closer to the outlet opening 40A1 may be parallel to the reference path L. In this case, the angle α of the guide portion 41A (41A1, 41A2) on the side closer to the outlet opening 40A1 with respect to the reference path L is 0°.

[0069] However, in the wire guide 4A, if the angle α of the guide section 41A (41A1, 41A2) closer to the introduction opening 40A2 with respect to the reference path L becomes smaller, the axial length L1 of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R of the introduction opening 40A2 becomes smaller. If the length L1 of the introduction opening 40A2 becomes smaller, it becomes more difficult to insert the wire W into the guide hole 40A.

[0070] In contrast, as mentioned above, it is preferable to make the angle α1 of the guide section 41A1 with respect to the reference path L smaller. Therefore, the smaller the angle α1 of the guide section 41A1 with respect to the reference path L, the better. However, from the viewpoint of securing the length L1 of the introduction-side opening 40A2, the angle α1 of the guide section 41A1 with respect to the reference path L is preferably 0° or more and 17° or less, and more preferably greater than 0° and 9° or less.

[0071] On the other hand, if the amount of wire W wound on the reel 20 is small, the wire W is pulled out from near the bobbin portion 20a in the center of the reel 20, so the path W2 through which the wire W is introduced into the wire guide 4A is inclined inward in the winding direction of the wire W wound on the reel 20, relative to the reference path L.

[0072] Therefore, if the angle α2 of the guide section 41A2 along the axial direction of the feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R with respect to the reference path L of the guide section 41A is reduced, when the amount of wire W wound on the reel 20 is small, the wire W being fed during the binding operation may come into contact with the guide section 41A2, which may become a load during the wire feeding operation or cause the wire W to become kinked.

[0073] Therefore, among the angles of the guide section 41A in the wire guide 4A with respect to the reference path L, the angle α2 along the axial direction of the feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R of the guide section 41A2 is preferably 10° or more at the lower limit, and preferably less than 90° at the upper limit of angle α2. The angle α2 of the guide section 41A2 with respect to the reference path L is preferably 10° or more and 70° or less, and more preferably 10° or more and 50° or less.

[0074] Figure 4A is a perspective view showing an example of a binding section, and Figures 4B and 4C are cross-sectional plan views showing an example of a binding section. Next, the configuration of the binding section will be explained with reference to each figure.

[0075] The binding section 7A includes a wire locking body 70 into which the wire W is locked, and a rotating shaft 72 that operates the wire locking body 70. The binding section 7A and the drive section 8A are connected by a reduction gear 81 between the rotating shaft 72 and the motor 80, and the rotating shaft 72 is driven by the motor 80 via the reduction gear 81.

[0076] The wire locking body 70 includes a center hook 70C connected to the rotating shaft 72, a first side hook 70R and a second side hook 70L that open and close relative to the center hook 70C, and a sleeve 71 that operates the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L and shapes the wire W into a desired shape.

[0077] In the fastening section 7A, the side on which the center hook 70C, the first side hook 70R, and the second side hook 70L are provided is the front side, and the side on which the rotating shaft 72 is connected to the reduction gear 81 is the rear side.

[0078] The center hook 70C is connected to the front end, which is one end of the rotating shaft 72, via a configuration that allows it to rotate relative to the rotating shaft 72 and move integrally with the rotating shaft 72 in the axial direction.

[0079] The first side hook 70R has a front end, which is one end along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72, positioned on one side relative to the center hook 70C. The other end of the first side hook 70R, which is the rear end, is rotatably supported by the center hook 70C on axis 71b, along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72.

[0080] The second side hook 70L has a front end, which is one end along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72, positioned on the other side relative to the center hook 70C. The other end of the second side hook 70L, which is the rear end, is rotatably supported by the center hook 70C on axis 71b.

[0081] As a result, the wire locking body 70 rotates with the axis 71b as the pivot point, causing the tip of the first side hook 70R to open and close in a direction away from the center hook 70C. Also, the tip of the second side hook 70L opens and closes in a direction away from the center hook 70C.

[0082] The rotating shaft 72 is connected to the reduction gear 81 at its rear end via a connecting portion 72b, which is configured to rotate integrally with the reduction gear 81 and to be movable axially relative to the reduction gear 81. The connecting portion 72b includes a spring 72c that biases the rotating shaft 72 towards the reduction gear 81, in the direction of moving backward. As a result, the rotating shaft 72 is configured to be able to move forward, away from the reduction gear 81, while being pulled backward by the spring 72c.

[0083] The sleeve 71 is supported by a support frame 76 so as to be rotatable and slidable in the axial direction. The support frame 76 is an annular member and is attached to the main body 10A in a manner that prevents rotation in the circumferential direction and movement in the axial direction.

[0084] The sleeve 71 has a projection (not shown) that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the space into which the rotating shaft 72 is inserted. This projection fits into a groove in the feed screw 72a formed along the axial direction on the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 72. When the rotating shaft 72 rotates, the sleeve 71 moves in the forward and backward direction, which is along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 72, in accordance with the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 72, due to the action of the projection (not shown) and the feed screw 72a of the rotating shaft 72. The sleeve 71 also rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 72.

[0085] The sleeve 71 is equipped with an opening / closing pin 71a for opening and closing the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L.

[0086] The opening / closing pin 71a is inserted into the opening / closing guide hole 73 provided in the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L. The opening / closing guide hole 73 extends along the direction of movement of the sleeve 71 and has a shape that converts the linear movement of the opening / closing pin 71a, which moves in conjunction with the sleeve 71, into an opening / closing operation by rotation of the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L with the axis 71b as the pivot point.

[0087] As the sleeve 71 moves in the rearward direction indicated by arrow A2, the wire locking body 70 causes the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L to move away from the center hook 70C in a rotational motion with the axis 71b as the pivot point, due to the trajectory of the opening / closing pin 71a and the shape of the opening / closing guide hole 73.

[0088] As a result, the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L open relative to the center hook 70C, forming a feeding path for the wire W between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C, and between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C.

[0089] When the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L are open relative to the center hook 70C, the wire W fed by the wire feeding section 3A passes between the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R. The wire W passing between the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R is guided to the curl forming section 5A. The wire W, which has been given a curl in the curl forming section 5A and guided to the binding section 7A, passes between the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L.

[0090] As the wire locking body 70 moves forward in the direction indicated by arrow A1, the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L move toward the center hook 70C in a rotational motion with the axis 71b as the pivot point, due to the trajectory of the opening / closing pin 71a and the shape of the opening / closing guide hole 73. As a result, the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L close toward the center hook 70C.

[0091] When the first side hook 70R closes against the center hook 70C, the wire W sandwiched between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C is locked in a manner that allows it to move between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C. Also, when the second side hook 70L closes against the center hook 70C, the wire W sandwiched between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C is locked in a manner that prevents it from coming out from between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C.

[0092] The sleeve 71 includes a bending portion 71c1 that shapes the wire W into a predetermined shape by pushing and bending one end of the wire W in a predetermined direction, and a bending portion 71c2 that shapes the wire W into a predetermined shape by pushing and bending the other end of the wire W, which has been cut at the cutting portion 6A, in a predetermined direction.

[0093] As the sleeve 71 moves forward as indicated by arrow A1, it presses the tip end of the wire W, which is locked by the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L, with the bending section 71c1, bending it toward the reinforcing bar S. Also, as the sleeve 71 moves forward as indicated by arrow A1, it presses the end end of the wire W, which is locked by the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and cut at the cutting section 6A, with the bending section 71c2, bending it toward the reinforcing bar S.

[0094] The binding section 7A includes a rotation restricting section 74 that restricts the rotation of the wire locking body 70 and sleeve 71, which are linked to the rotational movement of the rotating shaft 72. The rotation restricting section 74 has a rotation restricting vane 74a on the sleeve 71 and a rotation restricting claw 74b on the main body 10A.

[0095] The rotation restricting vane 74a is constructed by providing a plurality of protrusions that project radially from the outer circumference of the sleeve 71 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the sleeve 71. The rotation restricting vane 74a is fixed to the sleeve 71 and moves and rotates integrally with the sleeve 71.

[0096] The rotation restricting claw 74b comprises a first claw portion 74b1 and a second claw portion 74b2, which are a pair of claw portions facing each other at a distance that allows the rotation restricting vane 74a to pass through. The first claw portion 74b1 and the second claw portion 74b2 are configured to be retracted from the trajectory of the rotation restricting vane 74a by being pushed by the rotation restricting vane 74a in accordance with the rotation direction of the rotation restricting vane 74a.

[0097] When the rotation restricting vane 74a is locked to the rotation restricting claw 74b, the rotation of the sleeve 71, which is linked to the rotation of the rotating shaft 72, is restricted, and the sleeve 71 moves in the forward and backward directions as the rotating shaft 72 rotates. When the locking of the rotation restricting vane 74a from the rotation restricting claw 74b is released, the sleeve 71 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 72.

[0098] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the control functions of a rebar tying machine. The rebar tying machine 1A, according to the state of the operation switch 13A pressed by the trigger 12A shown in Figures 1A and 1B, has a control unit 14A that controls the motor 80 and the feed motor 33 to perform a series of operations to tie the rebar S with wire W. The control unit 14A also switches the power on and off by operating the power switch 16a. Furthermore, the control unit 14A controls the feed motor 33 based on the output of the microswitch 17, which is activated by operating the automatic loading / discharging switch 16b, to load and discharge the wire W in the wire feeding section 3A. In this example, the automatic loading / discharging switch 16b is a push-button type switch that activates the microswitch 17 when pressed.

[0099] In this example, the feed motor 33 is a brushless motor and includes a rotation detection unit 18 such as a Hall IC for detecting the rotational position of the rotor. The wire feed unit 3A has a drive force transmission mechanism 34 that transmits the driving force of the feed motor 33 to the first feed gear 30L, which is composed of spur gears. As a result, when the tip of the wire W is inserted between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R and the wire W is pushed, the feed motor 33 can be rotated by an external force due to the behavior (rotation) of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, even when the feed motor 33 is not rotating due to energization. In other words, the rotation detection unit 18 constitutes a detection unit that detects the movement caused by the behavior of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0100] When the control unit 14A presses the microswitch 17 by operating the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b, it executes an automatic loading / unloading mode, which performs automatic unloading and loading operations of the wire W. When the automatic loading / unloading mode is executed, the control unit 14A may notify the user via the notification unit 16e that the automatic loading / unloading mode is being executed. The notification unit 16e may be a buzzer that outputs sound, or a lamp or display that outputs visible information such as light or a display. In addition, when the power switch 16a is operated and the power is turned on, the control unit 14A may notify the user via the notification unit 16e that the power is on (power ON) and that the device is in a bundling standby state.

[0101] When the automatic loading and unloading mode is activated, the control unit 14A first performs an automatic unloading operation to unload the wire W remaining in the rebar tying machine 1A. In the automatic unloading operation, the feed motor 33 is rotated in the reverse direction until it has rotated a specified amount for the unloading operation, which is enough to pull the wire W out from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. Once the feed motor 33 has rotated in the reverse direction, the feed motor 33 is stopped.

[0102] Furthermore, when the automatic loading and unloading mode is executed and the wire W remaining in the rebar tying machine 1A is discharged, the control unit 14A executes an automatic loading operation to load new wire W into the rebar tying machine 1A. In the automatic loading operation, when the control unit 14A detects that the feed motor 33 has rotated while it is not rotating due to power supply, the control unit 14A drives the feed motor 33 in the forward rotation direction and feeds the wire W in the forward direction. After driving the feed motor 33 in the forward rotation direction for a specified amount of rotation in the loading operation, which is the amount of wire W that has been fed ahead of the point where the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R mesh, the control unit 14A stops the feed motor 33.

[0103] Before executing the automatic loading operation, the control unit 14A terminates the automatic loading and unloading mode if a specified time has elapsed before the automatic loading and unloading mode has timed out. Furthermore, even if the rotation detection unit 18 detects that the feed motor 33 has rotated while the feed motor 33 is not rotating due to power supply, the control unit 14A will not execute the loading operation described above.

[0104] Furthermore, if the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b is pressed (first operation), and the automatic loading / unloading mode has started, but the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b is pressed again (second operation) before the specified time for the automatic loading / unloading mode to time out has elapsed, the control unit 14A will terminate the automatic loading / unloading mode. Even if the rotation detection unit 18 detects that the feed motor 33 has rotated while the feed motor 33 is not rotating due to power supply, the control unit 14A will not perform the loading operation described above.

[0105] During the automatic loading operation, when the feed motor 33 is not rotating due to power supply, the control unit 14A detects that the feed motor 33 has rotated using the rotation detection unit 18, and changes its state between the first and second states to feed the wire W in the forward direction.

[0106] The control unit 14A controls whether or not the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward rotation direction and the rotation speed, depending on the first state and the second state. This can be combined with the presence or absence of output of notification information from the notification unit 16e. The first state is a state in which the notification unit 16e makes a predetermined notification. It can also be a state in which the feed motor 33 is stopped, or a state in which the feed motor 33 is rotated in the forward direction at a first rotation speed lower than the second rotation speed. Furthermore, it can be a combination of a state in which the notification unit 16e makes a predetermined notification and a state in which the feed motor 33 is stopped.

[0107] <Example of rebar tying operation by a rebar tying machine> Next, referring to the figures, we will explain the operation of tying the reinforcing bars S with wire W using the reinforcing bar tying machine 1A.

[0108] In the rebar tying machine 1A, the wire W is held between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, and the tip of the wire W is positioned between the gripping position of the pair of feed gears 30 and the cutting section 6A, which is the standby state (standby position). Also, in the standby state of the rebar tying machine 1A, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the first side hook 70R is open relative to the center hook 70C, and the second side hook 70L is open relative to the center hook 70C.

[0109] When the reinforcing bar S is placed between the curl guide 50 and the guide guide 51 of the curl forming section 5A and the trigger 12A is operated, the control unit 14A drives the feed motor 33 in the first rotation direction, which is the forward rotation direction, and the wire feed section 3A feeds the wire W in the first direction, which is the forward direction indicated by the arrow F.

[0110] In a configuration where multiple wires, for example two wires W, are to be fed, the wire guide 4A ensures that the two wires W are fed in parallel along the axial direction of the loop Ru formed by the wires W.

[0111] The wire W, fed in the forward direction, passes between the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and is sent to the curl guide 50 of the curl forming section 5A. As the wire W passes through the curl guide 50, it acquires a curl that causes it to wrap around the reinforcing bar S.

[0112] The wire W, which has been coiled by the curl guide 50, is guided by the guide guide 51 and further fed in the forward direction by the wire feeding section 3A, so that it is guided by the guide guide 51 between the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L. The wire W is then fed until its tip abuts against the feed restricting section 90. When the tip of the wire W is fed to the position where it abuts against the feed restricting section 90, the control unit 14A stops driving the feed motor 33.

[0113] After stopping the forward feeding of the wire W, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the forward rotation direction. In the operating range where the wire W is locked by the wire locking body 70, the rotation restricting vane 74a is locked to the rotation restricting claw 74b, thereby restricting the rotation of the sleeve 71 which is linked to the rotation of the rotating shaft 72. As a result, the rotation of the motor 80 is converted into linear motion, and the sleeve 71 moves in the forward direction, as indicated by arrow A1.

[0114] As the sleeve 71 moves forward, the opening / closing pin 71a passes through the opening / closing guide hole 73. As a result, the first side hook 70R moves toward the center hook 70C in a rotational motion with the axis 71b as the pivot point. When the first side hook 70R closes toward the center hook 70C, the wire W sandwiched between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C is locked in a manner that allows it to move between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C.

[0115] Furthermore, the second side hook 70L moves toward the center hook 70C by a rotational motion with the axis 71b as the pivot point. When the second side hook 70L closes toward the center hook 70C, the wire W, which is sandwiched between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C, is locked in a manner that prevents it from coming out from between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C.

[0116] After the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L close, advancing the sleeve 71 to a position where the wire W is locked, the control unit 14A temporarily stops the rotation of the motor 80 and drives the feed motor 33 in the reverse rotation direction, which is the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. This causes the pair of feed gears 30 to reverse direction.

[0117] Therefore, the wire W, which is held between the pair of feed gears 30, is fed in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow R, which is the second direction. Since the tip of the wire W is locked in a manner that prevents it from coming out between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C, the wire W is wrapped around the reinforcing bar S by the motion of feeding the wire W in the reverse direction.

[0118] The wire W is pulled back to the position where it is wrapped around the reinforcing bar S. The control unit 14A stops the reverse rotation drive of the feed motor 33 and then drives the motor 80 in the forward rotation direction, moving the sleeve 71 forward as indicated by arrow A1. The forward movement of the sleeve 71 is transmitted to the cutting unit 6A by the transmission mechanism 62, causing the wire W, which is locked by the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C, to be cut.

[0119] Almost simultaneously with the cutting of the wire W, the bending sections 71c1 and 71c2 move toward the reinforcing bar S. This causes the tip of the wire W, which is locked by the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L, to be pressed toward the reinforcing bar S by the bending section 71c1, bending it toward the reinforcing bar S with the locking position as a fulcrum. As the sleeve 71 moves further forward, the wire W, which is locked between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C, is held in place by the bending section 71c1.

[0120] Furthermore, the end of the wire W, which is locked by the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and cut at the cutting section 6A, is pressed toward the reinforcing bar S by the bending section 71c2, bending it toward the reinforcing bar S with the locking position as a fulcrum. As the sleeve 71 moves further forward, the wire W, which is locked between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C, is held in a state where it is sandwiched by the bending section 71c2.

[0121] After the tip and end of the wire W are bent toward the reinforcing bar S, the motor 80 is further driven in the forward rotation direction, causing the sleeve 71 to move further forward. When the sleeve 71 moves to a predetermined position and reaches the operating range in which the wire W, which is locked by the wire locking body 70, is twisted, the locking of the rotation restricting vane 74a with the rotation restricting claw 74b is released.

[0122] As a result, the motor 80 is driven further in the forward rotation direction, causing the wire locking body 70 to rotate in conjunction with the rotating shaft 72, twisting the wire W.

[0123] In the operating range where the sleeve 71 rotates, the reinforcing bar S is brought into contact with the abutment portion 91, and the backward movement of the reinforcing bar S, which is the direction towards the binding portion 7A, is restricted. As a result, the wire W is twisted, and a force is applied that pulls the wire locking body 70 forward along the axial direction of the rotation axis 72.

[0124] The rotating shaft 72 is configured to move forward while being pushed backward by the spring 72c when a force that moves it forward along the axial direction is applied to the wire locking body 70. As a result, in the operating range in which the sleeve 71 rotates, the binding section 7A twists the wire W as the wire locking body 70 and the rotating shaft 72 move forward.

[0125] <Example of operation in automatic wire loading and unloading mode> Figures 6, 7, and 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the automatic loading and unloading mode. Next, the operation of automatically unloading and loading the wire W in the rebar tying machine 1A will be explained.

[0126] In this example, the rebar tying machine 1A assigns a combination of a predetermined operation of the trigger 12A and a predetermined operation of the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b to the execution of the automatic loading / unloading mode for the wire W. In the following example, the automatic loading / unloading mode is started when the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b is operated without operating the trigger 12A.

[0127] First, regarding the automatic loading and unloading mode shown in Figure 6, the control unit 14A determines whether the trigger 12A has been operated in step SA1 of Figure 6, and whether the automatic loading and unloading switch 16b has been operated in step SA2. In the following explanation, the operation of the trigger 12A will also be referred to as trigger ON, and the operation of the automatic loading and unloading switch 16b will also be referred to as loading and unloading switch ON.

[0128] When the trigger 12A is operated, the control unit 14A performs the binding operation described above.

[0129] The control unit 14A determines that an operation to start the automatic loading and unloading mode has been performed if the automatic loading and unloading switch 16b is operated while the trigger 12A is not being operated, and the automatic loading and unloading mode is not being executed. When the control unit 14A determines that an operation to execute the automatic loading and unloading mode has been performed, it first executes the automatic unloading operation in automatic loading and unloading mode. In the automatic unloading operation, in step SA3 of Figure 6, the feed motor 33 is driven in the reverse rotation direction, which is the unloading direction of the wire W.

[0130] When the feed motor 33 is driven in the reverse direction, causing the wire W to be fed in the reverse direction, which is the discharge direction, the tip of the wire W, which is held between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, passes between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, and the wire W separates from the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0131] In step SA4 of Figure 6, when the amount of rotation of the feed motor 33 in the reverse direction reaches the specified amount of rotation for the discharge operation in which the wire W passes between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the control unit 14A stops the rotation of the feed motor 33 in the reverse direction in step SA5.

[0132] Furthermore, by driving the feed motor 33 in the reverse direction, the wire W is fed in the reverse direction, and when the tip of the wire W, which is sandwiched between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, passes between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the load on the feed motor 33 decreases, and the current flowing through the feed motor 33 decreases.

[0133] Therefore, the control unit 14A may compare the current value flowing through the feed motor 33 with a predetermined setting threshold for detecting the absence of wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, and determine whether or not wire W has come out from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0134] Furthermore, in the automatic loading and unloading mode described above, before the wire W is fed in the reverse direction by the automatic unloading operation, the cutting unit 6A may be driven to cut the wire W, and the bundling unit 7A may be returned to the standby state. For example, when the control unit 14A determines that the operation to start the automatic loading and unloading mode described above has been performed, it drives the motor 80 in the forward rotation direction to move the sleeve 71 in the forward direction indicated by arrow A1, and the cutting unit 6A performs the wire cutting operation. If the wire W is in a position where it can be cut by the cutting unit 6A, the wire W is cut, and the wire W on the bundling unit 7A side of the cutting unit 6A and the wire W on the wire feeding unit 3A side of the cutting unit 6A are separated.

[0135] The control unit 14A drives the motor 80 by a predetermined amount in the forward rotation direction, and then drives the motor 80 in the reverse rotation direction to move the sleeve 71 in the rear direction indicated by arrow A2, thereby returning the binding unit 7A to the standby state described above. After the control unit 14A has performed the operation to activate the cutting unit 6A and the operation to return the binding unit 7A to the standby state described above, in step SA3 described above, it drives the feed motor 33 in the reverse rotation direction to perform the automatic discharge operation.

[0136] During the execution of the automatic loading and unloading mode, the control unit 14A unloads the wire W from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R in an automatic unloading operation, stops the drive of the feed motor 33, and then performs an automatic loading operation with a predetermined operation. In this example, the automatic loading operation is started when the next wire W is inserted into a position where the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R can feed the wire W in the forward direction.

[0137] However, before executing the automatic loading operation, the control unit 14A determines whether a predetermined state for ending the automatic loading and unloading mode has been reached. That is, while the automatic loading and unloading mode is in operation, after the execution of the automatic unloading operation in steps SA1 to SA5 of Figure 6 described above, the control unit 14A determines in step SA6 whether the automatic loading and unloading switch 16b has been operated again, and in step SA7 whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the execution of the automatic unloading operation for ending the automatic loading and unloading mode.

[0138] If the control unit 14A determines in step SA6 that the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b has been operated again while the automatic loading / unloading mode is being executed, it terminates the automatic loading / unloading mode and does not perform the following automatic loading operation. That is, if the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b is operated again after the wire W has been unloaded from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, but before the next wire W is inserted into a position where the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R can feed the wire W in the forward direction, the automatic loading / unloading mode is terminated.

[0139] Furthermore, if the control unit 14A determines that a predetermined operation to start the automatic loading operation has not been performed after the automatic discharge operation, and that the prescribed time for ending the automatic loading and discharge mode in step SA7 has elapsed, it will terminate the automatic loading and discharge mode and will not perform the following automatic loading operation. In other words, after the wire W is discharged from between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, if the prescribed time elapses before the wire W is inserted into a position where it can be fed in the forward direction by the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, even if the automatic loading and discharge switch 16b is not operated again, the automatic loading and discharge mode will terminate.

[0140] After the control unit 14A has performed the automatic discharge operation of the wire W, if the automatic loading / discharging switch 16b is not operated and before the prescribed time for ending the automatic loading / discharging mode has elapsed, and the wire W is inserted in a position where it can be fed in the forward direction by the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R while the wire W is separated from the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R in an insertion standby state, the control unit 14A will perform the automatic loading operation in automatic loading / discharging mode.

[0141] To initiate the automatic wire loading operation of the rebar tying machine 1A, the user inserts the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. This operation causes the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R to rotate, and the feed motor 33, which is connected to the first feed gear 30L via the drive force transmission mechanism 34, to rotate. The control unit 14A then detects that the wire W has been inserted into a position where it can be fed in the forward direction by the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. In step SA8 of Figure 6, the rotation detection unit 18 determines whether the feed motor 33 has rotated in the forward direction without being driven by the control unit 14A. Alternatively, the position of the wire W may be detected and determined by a sensor (not shown) indicating the position of the wire W.

[0142] After the control unit 14A performs the automatic wire discharge operation, if the automatic loading / discharging switch 16b is not operated and the rotation detection unit 18 determines that the feed motor 33 has rotated in the forward direction without being driven by the control unit 14A, then, as a first state, in step SA9 of Figure 6, the notification unit 16e is driven to sound a buzzer, and the output of automatic loading operation execution notification information, which is notification information that the automatic loading operation will be performed, is started.

[0143] When the control unit 14A determines in step SA10 of Figure 6 that it has output the automatic loading operation execution notification information for a predetermined time, it stops outputting the automatic loading operation execution notification information in step SA11. While the automatic loading operation execution notification information is being output as the first state, the control unit 14A does not drive the feed motor 33 and keeps it non-rotating. As a result, while the automatic loading operation execution notification information is being output, the wire W is not fed in the forward direction, resulting in a wire feeding standby time.

[0144] When the control unit 14A finishes outputting the automatic loading operation execution notification information, it enters a second state, and in step SA12 of Figure 6, it drives the feed motor 33 in the forward rotation direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W. When the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward rotation direction, the wire W is fed in the forward direction, which is the loading direction.

[0145] The control unit 14A determines whether the rotation amount of the feed motor 33 has reached a specified rotation amount that allows the wire W to be fed by a predetermined amount before the point where the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R mesh. If the control unit 14A determines in step SA13 of Figure 6 that the rotation amount of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction has reached the specified rotation amount for the loading operation, it stops the rotation of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction in step SA14.

[0146] Alternatively, after stopping the drive of the feed motor 33 and stopping the forward feeding of the wire W, an initialization operation may be performed to position the tip of the wire W to a predetermined position.

[0147] In other words, based on the amount of rotation of the feed motor 33, the control unit 14A determines whether the tip of the wire W, which is being fed in the forward direction, has passed the cutting section 6A and whether the tip of the wire W has been fed to a position where it can be cut by the cutting section 6A. When the control unit 14A determines that the amount of wire W being fed has reached a predetermined amount and that the tip of the wire W has been fed to a position where it can be cut by the cutting section 6A, it stops driving the feed motor 33.

[0148] Next, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the forward rotation direction, moving the sleeve 71 forward as indicated by arrow A1, and cutting the wire W at the cutting section 6A. Then, the control unit 14A drives the motor 80 in the reverse rotation direction, moving the sleeve 71 backward as indicated by arrow A2, and setting the binding section 7A to the standby state described above. As a result, the wire W is clamped between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, and the tip of the wire W is in a standby position located between the clamping position of the pair of feed gears 30 and the cutting section 6A.

[0149] Note that the automatic loading operation does not have to be a continuous operation from the automatic ejection operation, but may be an independent operation. In this case, if the trigger 12A is not operated and the automatic loading / ejection switch 16b is operated, it is determined that an operation to perform the automatic loading operation has been performed, and the automatic loading operation is executed in the process from step SA8 described above.

[0150] In the automatic loading and unloading mode shown in Figure 6, when the user of the rebar tying machine 1A inserts the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, and this is detected by the feed motor 33 rotating in the forward direction without being driven by the control unit 14A, the first state is activated and the output of automatic loading operation execution notification information begins. While the automatic loading operation execution notification information is being output, the feed motor 33 is not driven and remains in a non-rotating state. Then, when the output of the automatic loading operation execution notification information ends, the second state is activated and the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward rotation direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W.

[0151] This allows the user of the rebar tying machine 1A to recognize, through automatic loading operation execution notification information, that when they insert the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the feed motor 33 drives the wire W in the forward direction.

[0152] Next, the automatic loading and unloading mode shown in Figure 7 will be explained. Here, the automatic unloading operation described in steps SB1 to SB5 of Figure 7 is the same as the automatic unloading operation described in steps SA1 to SA5 of Figure 6 above. That is, in steps SB1 and SB2, if the automatic loading and unloading mode is not executed, and the automatic loading and unloading switch 16b is operated without the trigger 12A being operated, it is determined that an operation to execute the automatic loading and unloading mode has been performed.

[0153] When the control unit 14A determines that an operation to execute the automatic loading and unloading mode has been performed, it first executes the automatic unloading operation in the automatic loading and unloading mode. In the automatic unloading operation, in steps SB3, SB4, and SB5 of Figure 7, the feed motor 33 is driven in the reverse rotation direction, which is the unloading direction of the wire W. When the amount of rotation of the feed motor 33 in the reverse rotation direction reaches the specified amount of rotation for the unloading operation, the rotation of the feed motor 33 in the reverse rotation direction is stopped.

[0154] After the automatic discharge operation described in steps SB1 to SB5 of Figure 7 is performed, the control unit 14A determines in step SB6 whether the automatic loading and discharge switch 16b has been operated again, and in step SB7 whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the automatic discharge operation was performed.

[0155] If the control unit 14A determines in step SB6 that the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b has been operated again, it will terminate the automatic loading / unloading mode and will not perform the following automatic loading operation. Also, if the control unit 14A determines in step SB7 that a predetermined time has elapsed, it will terminate the automatic loading / unloading mode and will not perform the following automatic loading operation.

[0156] After the control unit 14A has performed the automatic discharge operation of the wire W, if the automatic loading / discharging switch 16b is not operated and the wire W is inserted into a position where it can be fed in the forward direction by the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R before the specified time for ending the automatic loading / discharging mode has elapsed, the control unit 14A performs the automatic loading operation in automatic loading / discharging mode.

[0157] In other words, in step SB8 of Figure 7, when the control unit 14A determines that the feed motor 33 has rotated in the forward direction without being driven by the control unit 14A, it drives the feed motor 33 in the forward direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W, at a first rotational speed V1 in step SB9, which is the first state. When the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward direction, the wire W is fed in the forward direction, which is the loading direction. The first rotational speed V1 is lower than the rotational speed that feeds the wire W in the forward direction in the binding operation described above, and the second rotational speed V2, which is the rotational speed that feeds the tip of the wire W to the standby position.

[0158] The control unit 14A determines whether the rotation amount of the feed motor 33 has reached a first specified rotation amount, which is the amount by which the wire W is fed by a first predetermined amount before the point where the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R mesh. If the control unit 14A determines in step SB10 of Figure 7 that the rotation amount of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction has reached the first specified rotation amount for the loading operation, it stops the rotation of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction in step SB11.

[0159] When the control unit 14A stops the feed motor 33 from rotating at the first rotational speed V1, it enters a first state and starts outputting automatic loading operation execution notification information in step SB12 of Figure 7. When the control unit 14A determines in step SB13 of Figure 7 that it has output the automatic loading operation execution notification information for a predetermined time, it stops outputting the automatic loading operation execution notification information in step SB14. While the automatic loading operation execution notification information is being output, the control unit 14A does not drive the feed motor 33 and keeps it non-rotating. As a result, the wire W is not fed in the forward direction while the automatic loading operation execution notification information is being output.

[0160] When the control unit 14A finishes outputting the automatic loading operation execution notification information, it enters a second state, and in step SB15 of Figure 7, it drives the feed motor 33 in the forward rotation direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W, at a second rotational speed V2. When the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward rotation direction, the wire W is fed in the forward direction, which is the loading direction.

[0161] The control unit 14A determines whether the rotation amount of the feed motor 33 has reached a second specified rotation amount, which is the amount by which the wire W, which has been fed by a first predetermined amount from the point where the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R mesh, will be fed by a second predetermined amount. If the control unit 14A determines in step SB16 of Figure 7 that the rotation amount of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction has reached the second specified rotation amount for the loading operation, it stops the rotation of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction in step SB17.

[0162] Furthermore, after the output of the automatic loading operation execution notification information has ended, in step SB15 of Figure 7, the feed motor 33 may be driven in the forward rotation direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W, at a first rotational speed V1. When it is determined that the amount of rotation of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction at the first rotational speed V1 has reached the second specified amount of rotation for the loading operation, the rotation of the feed motor 33 in the forward rotation direction may be stopped. Alternatively, after stopping the drive of the feed motor 33 and stopping the feeding of the wire W in the forward direction, a so-called initialization operation may be performed to position the tip of the wire W to a predetermined position.

[0163] Furthermore, the automatic loading operation may be an independent operation rather than a continuous operation from the automatic ejection operation. In this case, if the trigger 12A is not operated and the automatic loading / ejection switch 16b is operated, it is determined that an operation to perform the automatic loading operation has been performed, and the automatic loading operation is executed in the process from step SB8 described above.

[0164] In the automatic loading and unloading mode shown in Figure 7, when the user of the rebar tying machine 1A inserts the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, and this is detected by the feed motor 33 rotating in the forward direction without being driven by the control unit 14A, the first state is set, and the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W, at a first rotational speed V1. The first rotational speed V1 is lower than the rotational speed used to feed the wire W in the forward direction during the tying operation described above, and also lower than the second rotational speed V2, which is the rotational speed used to feed the tip of the wire W to the standby position.

[0165] When it is determined that the amount of rotation of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction at the first rotational speed V1 has reached the first specified amount of rotation for the loading operation, the rotation of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction is stopped and the output of automatic loading operation execution notification information is started. While the automatic loading operation execution notification information is being output, the feed motor 33 is not driven and remains in a non-rotating state. Then, when the output of the automatic loading operation execution notification information ends, the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward rotation direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W, at a second rotational speed V2 or the first rotational speed V1, as the second state.

[0166] This allows the user of the rebar tying machine 1A to recognize that when they insert the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the feed motor 33 drives the wire W in the forward direction, as indicated by the forward rotation of the feed motor 33 at the first rotational speed V1 and by the automatic loading operation execution notification information.

[0167] Next, the automatic loading and unloading mode shown in Figure 8 will be explained. Here, the automatic unloading operation described in steps SC1 to SC5 of Figure 8 is the same as the automatic unloading operation described in steps SA1 to SA5 of Figure 6 above. That is, in steps SC1 and SC2, if the automatic loading and unloading mode is not executed, and the automatic loading and unloading switch 16b is operated without the trigger 12A being operated, it is determined that an operation to execute the automatic loading and unloading mode has been performed.

[0168] When the control unit 14A determines that an operation to execute the automatic loading and unloading mode has been performed, it first executes the automatic unloading operation in the automatic loading and unloading mode. In the automatic unloading operation, in steps SC3, SC4, and SC5 of Figure 8, the feed motor 33 is driven in the reverse rotation direction, which is the unloading direction of the wire W. When the amount of rotation of the feed motor 33 in the reverse rotation direction reaches the specified amount of rotation for the unloading operation, the rotation of the feed motor 33 in the reverse rotation direction is stopped.

[0169] After the automatic discharge operation described in steps SC1 to SC5 of Figure 8 is performed, the control unit 14A determines in step SC6 whether the automatic loading and discharge switch 16b has been operated again, and in step SC7 whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the automatic discharge operation was performed.

[0170] If the control unit 14A determines in step SC6 that the automatic loading / unloading switch 16b has been operated again, it will terminate the automatic loading / unloading mode and will not perform the following automatic loading operations. Also, if the control unit 14A determines in step SC7 that a predetermined time has elapsed, it will terminate the automatic loading / unloading mode and will not perform the following automatic loading operations.

[0171] After the control unit 14A has performed the automatic discharge operation of the wire W, if the automatic loading / discharging switch 16b is not operated and the wire W is inserted into a position where it can be fed in the forward direction by the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R before the specified time for ending the automatic loading / discharging mode has elapsed, the control unit 14A performs the automatic loading operation in automatic loading / discharging mode.

[0172] In other words, if the control unit 14A determines in step SC8 of Figure 8 that the feed motor 33 has rotated in the forward direction without being driven by the control unit 14A, then in step SC9, as the first state, it drives the feed motor 33 in the forward direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W, at a first rotational speed V1. When the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward direction, the wire W is fed in the forward direction, which is the loading direction. The first rotational speed V1 is lower than the rotational speed that feeds the wire W in the forward direction in the binding operation described above, and the second rotational speed V2, which is the rotational speed that feeds the tip of the wire W to the standby position.

[0173] The control unit 14A determines whether the rotation amount of the feed motor 33 has reached a first specified rotation amount, which is the amount by which the wire W is fed by a first predetermined amount before the point where the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R mesh. If the control unit 14A determines in step SC10 of Figure 8 that the rotation amount of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction has reached the first specified rotation amount for the loading operation, then, as a second state, in step SC11 of Figure 8, the control unit 14A drives the feed motor 33 in the forward rotation direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W, at a second rotation speed V2.

[0174] The control unit 14A determines whether the rotation amount of the feed motor 33 has reached a second specified rotation amount, which is the amount by which the wire W, which has been fed by a first predetermined amount from the point where the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R mesh, will be fed by a second predetermined amount. If the control unit 14A determines in step SC12 of Figure 8 that the rotation amount of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction has reached the second specified rotation amount for the loading operation, it stops the rotation of the feed motor 33 in the forward direction in step SC13.

[0175] Alternatively, after stopping the drive of the feed motor 33 and stopping the forward feeding of the wire W, an initialization operation may be performed to position the tip of the wire W to a predetermined position.

[0176] Furthermore, the automatic loading operation may be an independent operation rather than a continuous operation from the automatic ejection operation. In this case, if the trigger 12A is not operated and the automatic loading / ejection switch 16b is operated, it is determined that an operation to perform the automatic loading operation has been performed, and the automatic loading operation is executed in the process from step SC8 described above.

[0177] In the automatic loading and unloading mode shown in Figure 8, when the user of the rebar tying machine 1A inserts the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, and this is detected by the feed motor 33 rotating in the forward direction without being driven by the control unit 14A, the first state is set, and the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W, at a first rotational speed V1. The first rotational speed V1 is lower than the rotational speed used to feed the wire W in the forward direction during the tying operation described above, and also lower than the second rotational speed V2, which is the rotational speed used to feed the tip of the wire W to the standby position.

[0178] When it is determined that the amount of rotation in the forward direction of the feed motor 33 at the first rotational speed V1 has reached the first specified amount of rotation for the loading operation, the feed motor 33 is driven at a second rotational speed V2 in the forward rotation direction, which is the loading direction of the wire W, as a second state.

[0179] This allows the user of the rebar tying machine 1A to recognize that when they insert the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the feed motor 33 drives the wire W in the forward direction, as indicated by the forward movement of the wire W due to the feed motor 33's rotation in the forward direction at its first rotational speed V1.

[0180] In the automatic loading and unloading mode described above, when the user of the rebar tying machine 1A inserts the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the second feed gear 30R is pushed by the wire W, generating a force that moves the second feed gear 30R away from the first feed gear 30L. As shown in Figure 2B, with the operation button 39 not pressed, the second feed gear 30R can move away from the first feed gear 30L by a gap G1 without being subjected to the force of the spring 38.

[0181] As a result, when the user of the rebar tying machine 1A inserts the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the second feed gear 30R moves away from the first feed gear 30L, and a gap G2 is formed between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, as shown in Figure 2C. Therefore, the distance between the groove 32L of the opposing first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R widens, making it easier to insert the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0182] In the automatic loading and unloading mode described above, as explained in step SA8 in Figure 6, step SB8 in Figure 7, and step SC8 in Figure 8, the automatic loading operation of the wire W is started when it is detected that the feed motor 33 has rotated in the forward direction. The feed motor 33 rotates when the wire W is inserted between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, causing the first feed gear 30L to rotate.

[0183] However, in configurations other than that of this embodiment, in which a gap G1 is formed between the pressing portion 37b of the second displacement member 37 and the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36, thereby enabling the formation of a gap G2 between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, it is necessary to move the second feed gear 30R away from the first feed gear 30L while compressing the spring 38 with the force pushing the wire W in the stretching direction. This can result in a high load on the wire W, potentially causing problems with wire loading, such as buckling of the wire W.

[0184] In contrast, by creating a gap G1 between the pressing portion 37b of the second displacement member 37 and the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36, the second feed gear 30R can move away from the first feed gear 30L without the force of the spring 38 being applied.

[0185] As a result, when a force pushing the wire W in the stretching direction is applied to the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the second feed gear 30R moves away from the first feed gear 30L while the first feed gear 30L rotates, without any force from the spring 38 acting on it. Therefore, the first feed gear 30L can be rotated while suppressing high load on the wire W, and the load caused by the pressure of the spring 38 when loading the wire W is reduced, making it easier to load the wire W to start the automatic loading operation of the automatic loading and unloading mode described above.

[0186] Furthermore, in the automatic loading operation described above, when the feed motor 33 is driven in the forward rotation direction by the control unit 14A, the wire W is fed in the forward direction between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R by the driving force of the feed motor 33.

[0187] When the wire W is fed between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R by the driving force of the feed motor 33, the thickness of the wire W causes the second feed gear 30R to move further in the direction of arrow U1 away from the first feed gear 30L. As a result, the pressing portion 37b of the second displacement member 37 is pressed against the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36, and the second displacement member 37 rotates in the direction of arrow Y1 with the shaft 37a as the pivot point. In doing so, the second displacement member 37 moves away from the operation button 39. As a result, the force that causes the spring 38 to stretch is transmitted to the second feed gear 30R via the second displacement member 37 and the first displacement member 36, causing the wire W to be sandwiched between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. Therefore, the force of the spring 38 holds the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, generating sufficient frictional force between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R and the wire W, so that the wire W can be reliably fed by the driving force of the feed motor 33.

[0188] Furthermore, in the wire guide 4A, if the angle α1 of the guide section 41A1 with respect to the reference path L is between 0° and 17°, the direction in which the wire W extends through the wire guide 4A approaches parallel to the reference path L. As a result, in the automatic loading and unloading mode described above, the success rate of the tip of the wire W passing through the wire guide 4A entering between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R when the user of the rebar tying machine 1A inserts the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R is increased.

[0189] Furthermore, in the wire guide 4A, if the angle α1 of the guide section 41A1 with respect to the reference path L is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 9°, the difficulty in inserting the wire W from the introduction opening 40A2 into the guide hole 40A is suppressed, while the success rate of the tip of the wire W entering between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R is increased. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0190] 1A... Rebar tying machine, 10A... Main unit, 12A... Trigger, 13A... Operation switch, 14A... Control unit, 16... Operation unit, 16a... Power switch, 16b... Automatic loading / unloading switch, 16e... Notification unit, 18... Rotation detection unit, 2A... Magazine, 20... Reel, 3A... Wire feeding unit, 30... Feed gear (feeding member), 30L... First feed gear (feeding member), 30R... Second feed gear (feeding member), 33... Feed motor, 36... • First displacement member (displacement part), 37... Second displacement member (displacement part), 38... Spring, 39... Operation button, 39a... Holding part, 4A... Wire guide, 40A... Guide hole, 40A1... Outlet side opening, 40A2... Inlet side opening, 41A, 41A1, 41A2... Guiding part, 5A... Curl forming part, 50... Curl guide, 51... Guiding guide, 6A... Cutting part, 7A... Binding part, 8A... Drive part, 80... Motor, 81... Reducer, W... Wire

Claims

1. A wire feeding unit that feeds the wire in a first direction, The wire feeding section comprises a curl-forming section that forms a wire feeding path for winding the wire fed in the first direction around the bundled object, A binding part that twists the wire wrapped around the bound object, The system comprises a wire feeding unit and a control unit that controls the bundling unit, The wire feeding unit is, A pair of feeding members that grip the wire and move the wire by rotation, The system includes a feed motor that rotates in a first rotational direction to drive the feed members and feed the wire in a first direction, and has a detection unit that detects the movement of a pair of the feed members, When the control unit determines that the feed motor has rotated in a first rotational direction without being driven by the control unit, it drives the feed motor at a first rotational speed, and when it determines that a predetermined amount of wire has been fed in the first state in which the feed motor is driven at the first rotational speed, it changes from the first state to a second state in which the feed motor is driven at a second rotational speed, and feeds the wire in the first direction. The first rotational speed is lower than the second rotational speed. Binding machine.

2. The control unit switches between the first state and the second state by whether or not to output notification information. The binding machine according to claim 1.

3. When the wire is inserted into a position where it can be fed in the first direction by the pair of feeding members, the control unit outputs notification information in the first state. The binding machine according to claim 2.

4. The control unit shall keep the feed motor from rotating while the notification information is being output. The binding machine according to claim 2.

5. The control unit rotates the feed motor in a second rotational direction opposite to the first direction before the first state is reached, and feeds the wire in the second direction until the wire held by the pair of feed members separates. A binding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The wire guide has a guide portion that guides the wire between a pair of feed members. A binding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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