power tools

Abstract

To provide power tools that can improve operability while keeping the size down. [Solution] The power tool according to this disclosure comprises an electrical cable, a main body, and a connecting part for connecting the electrical cable and the main body, and has a ball part provided on one of the electrical cable and the main body, and a support part provided on the other of the electrical cable and the main body, wherein one of the electrical cable and the main body is configured to be rotatable relative to the other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to power tools.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a power tool that is supplied with power via an electric cable without providing a power source in the power tool main body. For example, in Patent Document 1, in a battery-powered power tool, a battery pack and a power tool main body are connected by an electric cable via a battery-side unit and a power tool-side unit, respectively, and the cable connection portion between the power tool-side unit and the electric cable is configured to be tiltable, so that the electric cable is unlikely to get in the way when using the power tool. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses restricting the rotation range of a holding member that holds an end of a cable to suppress inadvertent rotation of the cable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the technique described in Patent Document 2 above, the operability of the power tool can be improved. However, in the power tool described in Patent Document 2, since the cable is configured to be rotatable by a single-axis hinge, the cable can only move two-dimensionally. For example, by using a two-axis hinge, a configuration allowing three-dimensional movement can be achieved, but in a two-axis hinge configuration, the rotation mechanism becomes relatively large, and it may be difficult to improve the operability. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the configuration of such a power tool.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an electric power tool that can improve operability while suppressing an increase in size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electric power tool according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an electric cable, a main body, and a connecting portion for connecting the electric cable and the main body, wherein the connecting portion has a ball portion provided on one of the electric cable and the main body, and a support portion provided on the other side of the ball portion of the electric cable and the main body, and one of the electric cable and the main body is configured to be rotatable relative to the other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure provides an electric power tool that can improve operability while suppressing an increase in size. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1A] Figure 1A is a side view of a strapping machine 100 according to one embodiment, viewed from the left Y1. [Figure 1B] Figure 1B is a rear view of a strapping machine 100 according to one embodiment, as seen from the rear X2. [Figure 1C] Figure 1C is a bottom view of a binding machine 100 according to one embodiment, viewed from below Z2. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A is a side view of a binding machine 100 according to one embodiment, viewed from the left Y1. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B is a rear view of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment, as seen from the rear X2. [Figure 2C] Figure 2C is a bottom view of a binding machine 100 according to one embodiment, viewed from below Z2. [Figure 3A] Figure 3A is a side view of the comparative example, the 800A binding machine. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B is a side view of the comparative example, the 800B strapping machine. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a strapping machine 100 according to one embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional perspective view of the vicinity of the connection portion 300 of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the ball portion 310 and the cable unit 210 according to one embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the ball portion 310, the first support portion 322, and the second support portion 324 according to one embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the ball portion 310, the first support portion 322, and the second support portion 324 according to one embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a side view of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment as viewed from the left side Y1. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a rear view of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment as viewed from the rear side X2. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment as viewed from the bottom side Z2. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a side view of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment as viewed from the left side Y1. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a rear view of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment as viewed from the rear side X2. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is a bottom view of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment as viewed from the bottom side Z2. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A is a side view of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment as viewed from the left side Y1. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a rear view of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment as viewed from the rear side X2. [Figure 9C] FIG. 9C is a bottom view of the bundling machine 100 according to one embodiment as viewed from the bottom side Z2.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention only to those embodiments.

[0010] The power tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an electric cable, a main body portion, a ball portion that connects the electric cable and the main body portion and is connected to one of the electric cable and the main body portion, and a support portion that supports the ball portion, and one of the electric cable and the main body portion is configured to be rotatable with respect to the other, and includes a connecting portion. By having the above configuration, the power tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can improve the operability while suppressing the increase in size as described below.

[0011] The configuration of the power tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be used, for example, in a bundling machine that bundles binding targets such as plants, vines, branches, etc. by using staples for holding stems, vines, branches, etc. of plants and trees on guide elements such as wires, beams, strings, rods, pipes, tree branches. Hereinafter, as the power tool according to the present embodiment, the bundling machine 100 (FIG. 1 etc.) will be described as an example. Note that such a bundling machine 100 may have a configuration similar to the bundling machine disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-13317.

[0012] Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of the bundling machine 100 for bending staples will be described. However, the bundling machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided with other known configurations.

[0013] Note that, except for points where some configurations are reversed left and right (that is, points where the first displacement portion and the second displacement portion of the bundling machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-13317 etc. are reversed left and right), the basic configurations of the bundling machine disclosed in the same document etc. and the bundling machine 100 of the present embodiment are common. Therefore, those skilled in the art can appropriately omit or simplify to an extent that can be implemented based on the description of the same document, the present specification, and the technical level at the time of the present application, and will explain each configuration of the bundling machine 100.

[0014] Furthermore, for the purpose of explaining the relative directional relationships, the left direction in Figure 1A is sometimes referred to as the front X1, the opposite right direction as the rear X2, and both directions together as the front-rear direction X. As mentioned above, the front X1 corresponds to the direction in which the connected upper end staples supported by the magazine 140 (described later) separate from the other staples and move, and also coincides with the opening direction of the staples.

[0015] Furthermore, in Figure 1A, the direction upwards on the paper is sometimes referred to as upward Z1, and the opposite direction downwards on the paper is sometimes referred to as downward Z2, and both directions are sometimes collectively referred to as the up-down direction Z. In this embodiment, the up-down direction Z corresponds to the extension direction of the magazine 140 and also coincides with the connection direction (stacking direction) of the connected staples supported by the magazine 140. Furthermore, in the same figure, the direction perpendicular to the paper towards the viewer is sometimes referred to as leftward Y1, and the opposite direction perpendicular to the paper towards the depth is sometimes referred to as rightward Y2, and both directions are sometimes collectively referred to as the left-right direction Y. Furthermore, a top view (bottom view) refers to the viewpoint when the strapping machine 100, etc. is viewed from a position above Z1 (below Z2) looking downward Z2 (above Z1), a front view (rear view) refers to the viewpoint when the strapping machine 100, etc. is viewed from a position in front X1 (rear X2) looking backward X2 (front X1), and a right side view (left side view) refers to the viewpoint when the strapping machine 100, etc. is viewed from the left Y1 looking right Y2 (or from the right Y2 looking left Y1).

[0016] Figure 1A is a side view of the strapping machine 100 as seen from the left Y1. Figure 1B is a rear view of the strapping machine 100 as seen from the rear X2, and Figure 1C is a bottom view (bottom view of the strapping machine 100) as seen from below Z2.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C, the stapling machine 100 includes a grip portion 120 that extends vertically (Z-direction) so as to be grasped by the user and is equipped with a switch for driving the stapling machine 100, a magazine 140 configured to support (hold) a plurality of staples S (sometimes referred to as "connected staples S") stacked and connected vertically, and a stapling portion (first displacement portion 172 and second displacement portion 174) configured to stapling two objects (objects to be stapled) using one staple S. Here, the part of the stapling machine 100 excluding the magazine 140, including the grip portion 120 and the stapling portion, is sometimes referred to as the main body portion 150.

[0018] The bundling machine 100 further includes an electrical cable 200 and a connecting part 300 that connects the electrical cable 200 to the main body 150. The connecting part 300 has a ball portion 310 and a support portion 320. The ball portion 310 is provided on one of the electrical cable 200 and the main body 150, and the support portion 320 is provided on the other of the electrical cable 200 and the main body 150. The support portion 320 is configured to support the ball portion 310. In addition, one of the electrical cable 200 and the main body 150 (the one connected to the ball portion 310) is configured to be rotatable relative to the other.

[0019] The electrical cable 200 may include a cable body 220 and a cable unit 210. The cable body 220 may be configured to be detachable from the cable unit 210. The ball portion 310 may also be provided on the cable unit 210. With this configuration, the cable body 220 can be attached to and detached from the connection portion 300 by attaching and detaching the cable body 220 to and from the cable unit 210. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cable unit 210 is a component that makes the cable body 220 detachable from the connection portion 300. Furthermore, the cable body 220 is rotatable relative to the main body 150 of the bundling machine 100 by the cable unit 210 and the ball portion 310. The cable unit 210 may also be provided with a circuit board or the like that connects wiring from a motor provided on the main body 150, wiring from a switch on a trigger portion (trigger portion 168), etc., to the pins of a connector that electrically connects the cable body 220 to the cable unit 210. Furthermore, a power supply unit such as a battery (not shown) may be connected to the end of the electrical cable 200 opposite to the end connected to the connection part 300.

[0020] The binding machine 100 according to this embodiment can rotate the electrical cable 200 between a state in which the extension direction of the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the Z direction and a state in which it is parallel to the X direction. Figure 2A is a side view of the binding machine 100 as seen from the left Y1, similar to Figure 1A. Figure 2B is a side view of the binding machine 100 as seen from the rear X2, and Figure 2C is a bottom view (bottom view of the binding machine 100) as seen from below Z2. Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C show the case in the binding machine 100 where the extension direction of the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the Z direction, and Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C show the case where the extension direction of the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, and 2C, the bundling machine 100 according to this embodiment can take on two states: one in which the extension direction of the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the Z direction and another parallel to the X direction. This allows for improved operability, as will be explained below.

[0022] Figures 3A and 3B show side views (side views from the left (Y1 direction)) of comparative example binding machines 800A and 800B, respectively. The comparative example binding machines 800A and 800B differ from the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment in that, for example, the electrical cable 880 does not move relative to the main body 850.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3A, in the comparative example of the binding machine 800A, the electrical cable 880 is fixed to the bottom of the main body 850 (the bottom in the Z2 direction) so that its extension direction is parallel to the Z direction. Figure 3A shows the case where a user of the binding machine 800A operates the binding machine 800A with their right hand. When performing binding work using the binding machine 800A, for example, when attempting to bind over a fence F, as shown in Figure 3A, the electrical cable 880 extending in the Z2 direction may easily collide with the fence F.

[0024] Furthermore, when using the comparative example binding machine 800A, for example, when performing binding work at a binding point lower than the user's waist, or when the user is in a bent-over position while performing binding work, there is a possibility that the electrical cable 880 may collide with the ground (or the floor of the trolley, etc., if the binding work is performed while standing on a trolley).

[0025] In the comparative example binding machine 800B shown in Figure 3B, the electrical cable 880 is fixed to the rear (X2 direction) of the main body 850 so that its extension direction is in the X direction. Therefore, by using the comparative example binding machine 800B, it is possible to suppress collisions of the electrical cable 880 with the fence F, for example, even when performing binding work over the fence F. Furthermore, when using the comparative example binding machine 800B, it is considered that collisions of the electrical cable 880 with the ground or the floor of the trolley can also be suppressed, for example, even when the user is bending down to perform binding work.

[0026] However, when using the comparative example's binding machine 800B, there is a possibility that collisions between the electrical cable 880 and the user's arm may occur more easily. In particular, when using the comparative example's binding machine 800B to perform binding work at relatively high places, the electrical cable 880, which extends in the X direction, is located between the user's hand gripping the grip portion 820 of the binding machine 800B and the user's arm extended upward (in the Z1 direction) to lift the binding machine 800B higher. As a result, the user's arm and the electrical cable 880 may cross each other.

[0027] For example, by configuring the cable to be rotatable by a single-axis hinge, as in the power tool described in Patent Document 2 above, the electrical cable 880 in the comparative example binding machines 800A and 800B can be configured to rotate two-dimensionally in a plane parallel to the X and Z directions. Therefore, referring to Figures 3A and 3B, it is considered that collisions between the electrical cable 880 and the fence F or the user's arm can be suppressed.

[0028] However, when using a binding machine such as the comparative example binding machines 800A or 800B to bind multiple objects (guide strings, stems, etc.), the orientation of these objects may not be aligned. In such cases, it is preferable to be able to tilt the binding machine in multiple directions for operation. Therefore, a configuration in which the electrical cable can rotate with a single-axis hinge may not provide sufficient operability for power tools such as binding machines. For example, by replacing the single-axis hinge configuration with a two-axis hinge configuration, the electrical cable 880 can be rotated in the Y direction in addition to the X and Z directions, thus enabling three-dimensional movement. Therefore, it is thought that further improvement in operability may be possible. However, when adopting a configuration that allows rotation with a two-axis hinge, the rotation mechanism is likely to be relatively large. As a result, it is thought that the increased size of the tool may actually reduce operability.

[0029] The present inventors have found that when using a binding machine such as the binding machine 800A or binding machine 800B of the comparative example, there are still issues with operability whether the electrical cable 880 is configured to be rotatable by a single-axis hinge or by a double-axis hinge, and have come up with the binding machine 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0030] That is, as described above with reference to Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, and 2C, the bundling machine 100 according to this embodiment is provided with a connecting part 300 for connecting the electrical cable 200 and the main body 150. The connecting part 300 has a ball portion 310 provided on one of the electrical cable 200 and the main body 150 (in this embodiment, for example, the electrical cable 200), and a support portion 320 provided on the other of the electrical cable 200 and the main body 150 (in this embodiment, for example, the main body 150). One of the electrical cable 200 and the main body 150 (in this embodiment, for example, the electrical cable 200) is configured to be rotatable relative to the other (in this embodiment, for example, the main body 150). Accordingly, in the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, for example, by rotating the ball portion 310 on which the electrical cable 200 is provided relative to the support portion 320, the electrical cable 200 can transition from a state in which the extension direction is parallel to the X direction to a state in which it is parallel to the Z direction, and from a state in which the extension direction is parallel to the Z direction to a state in which it is parallel to the X direction, and it can also rotate in the Y direction. The electrical cable 200 is provided relative to the main body portion 150 by a ball joint.

[0031] Therefore, for example, when performing tying work over a fence F, aligning the electrical cable 200 parallel to the X direction can suppress collisions between the electrical cable 200 and the fence F. Also, for example, when tying at a relatively low location where the user is bending down to perform the tying work, aligning the electrical cable 200 parallel to the X direction can suppress collisions between the electrical cable 200 and the ground or the floor of the trolley. Furthermore, for example, when tying at a relatively high location, aligning the electrical cable 200 parallel to the Z direction can suppress collisions between the electrical cable 200 and the user's arm. In addition, since the electrical cable 200 can rotate three-dimensionally relative to the main body 150, it can rotate in multiple directions, including the Y direction. Therefore, for example, when tying multiple objects, even if the orientation of the objects is not aligned, the tying machine 100 can be tilted in multiple directions for operation.

[0032] Thus, the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment can improve user operability.

[0033] The configuration of the connection portion 300 of the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the binding machine 100 as seen from the right Y2. Figure 5A is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the vicinity of the connection portion 300 of the binding machine 100 enlarged from the front X1. Both Figures 4 and 5A illustrate the case in the binding machine 100 where the extension direction of the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction.

[0034] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 300 may have a restricting portion that restricts the rotational range of either the electrical cable 200 or the main body portion 150.

[0035] In this embodiment, as in the bundling machine 100, where the electrical cable 200 is connected to the main body 150 by a ball joint, if the rotational range of the electrical cable 200 relative to the main body 150 is excessive, the deformation of the electrical cable 200 will increase, potentially damaging the electrical cable 200. For example, the wiring arranged inside the electrical cable 200 may be damaged due to excessive twisting. Therefore, when connecting the electrical cable 200 by a ball joint, it is preferable to restrict the rotational range of the electrical cable 200 relative to the main body 150 to a predetermined range. In particular, it is preferable to restrict rotation in the twisting direction (for example, the Y direction in this embodiment), but it is not easy to provide a configuration that restricts the range of motion by bringing the power tool body into contact with the electrical cable body, as described in Patent Document 2 above.

[0036] In the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, a restricting portion (a protruding portion described later (a first protruding portion 312 and a second protruding portion 314)) is provided, so that, for example, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of twisting of the wiring connecting the electrical cable 200 and the main body portion 150. In the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the restricting portion may be formed in, for example, a ball portion 310.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the outer circumferential surface of the ball portion 310 is provided with two protrusions (a first protrusion 312 and a second protrusion 314). As described above, in this embodiment, the first protrusion 312 and the second protrusion 314 function as restricting portions.

[0038] Depending on the direction and angle of rotation, the ball portion 310's first projection 312 and second projection 314 come into contact with the contact portion 322c of the first support portion 322 and the contact portion 324c of the second support portion 324.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for the protrusions (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) that protrude from the surface of the ball portion 310 which functions as a restricting portion, the distance from the center of the ball portion 310 to the end of the protrusion (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) in a first direction (for example, the Z direction in Figure 4) is greater than the distance from the center of the ball portion 310 to the end of the protrusion (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) in a second direction (for example, the X direction in Figure 4) that is perpendicular to the first direction (for example, the Z direction).

[0040] In the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the first direction may be the direction in which the protrusions (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) protrude from the surface of the ball portion 310. The second direction may be the longitudinal direction of the elongated shape of the protrusions (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) if the protrusions (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) have an elongated shape in cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view parallel to the XY plane), as shown in Figures 4 and 5A. For example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5A, when the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction in the binding machine 100, the first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314, which are protrusions, protrude upward Z1 and downward Z2, respectively, from the surface of the ball portion 310. Therefore, when the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction, the first direction may be the Z direction. Furthermore, since the protrusions (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) are elongated and extend in the X direction in cross-sectional view, the longitudinal direction of the protrusions (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) is the X direction. Therefore, if the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction, the second direction may also be the X direction.

[0041] In the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the electrical cable 200 is connected to the main body 150 by a ball joint, so the electrical cable 200 can take an orientation other than parallel to the X direction relative to the main body 150. Also, since the electrical cable 200 is provided on the ball portion 310 by the cable unit 210, the orientation of the protrusions (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) provided on the surface of the ball portion 310 can change depending on the orientation of the electrical cable 200. Therefore, the first direction, which is the direction in which the protrusions (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) protrude, and the second direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the protrusions (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314), can change depending on the orientation of the electrical cable 200. For example, if the electrical cable 200 is rotated 90° from the state shown in Figures 4 and 5A and becomes parallel to the Z direction, the first direction may be the X direction and the second direction may be the Z direction.

[0042] In the bundling machine 100 according to this embodiment, for example, as shown in Figure 4, when the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction, the first projection 312 is located above Z1 of the ball portion 310, and the second projection 314 is located below Z2 of the ball portion 310. Also, as shown in Figures 4 and 5A, the first projection 312 has a plate-like shape that is provided in an arc shape (arc shape when viewed from the Y direction) in a side view along the outer circumferential surface above Z1 of the ball portion 310, and is provided on the outer circumferential surface above Z1 of the ball portion 310 so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the X direction when the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction. Similarly, the second projection 314 has a plate-like shape that is provided in an arc shape (arc shape when viewed from the Y direction) in a side view along the outer circumferential surface below Z2 of the ball portion 310, and is provided on the outer circumferential surface below Z2 of the ball portion 310 so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the X direction when the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction.

[0043] Figure 5B schematically shows the relationship between the ball portion 310 and the cable unit 210. In Figure 5B, as in Figures 4 and 5A, the ball portion 310 and the cable unit 210 are schematically illustrated when the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction. As shown in Figure 5B, in this embodiment, the distance Da2 from the center C310 of the ball portion 310 to the end 312a of the projection (first projection 312) in the first direction (for example, the Z direction in Figures 4, 5A, and 5B) is greater than the distance Db2 from the center C310 of the ball portion 310 to the end 312b1 or 312b2 of the projection (first projection 312) in the second direction (the X direction in Figures 4, 5A, and 5B) which is perpendicular to the first direction (the Z direction in Figures 4, 5A, and 5B). Similarly, for the second projection 314, the distance Da4 from the center C310 of the ball portion 310 to the end 314a of the second projection 314 in the first direction (Z direction in Figures 4 and 5B) is greater than the distance Db4 from the center C310 of the ball portion 310 to the end 314b1 or 314b2 of the second projection 314 in the second direction (X direction in Figures 4 and 5B) perpendicular to the first direction (Z direction in Figures 4 and 5B). Distances Da4 and Db2 are also illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B.

[0044] In other words, in this embodiment, the first protrusion 312 and the second protrusion 314 are rectangles whose longitudinal direction is the X direction when viewed from above (from the Z direction in Figures 4 and 5A). Furthermore, when the electrical cable 200 shown in Figures 4 and 5A is parallel to the X direction, the first protrusion and the second protrusion 314 are formed such that their longitudinal direction, which is the direction of the longer side of the rectangle in a plan view, is parallel to the extension direction (X and Z directions) of the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322 and the extension direction (X and Z directions) of the wall portion 324c of the second support portion 324. Furthermore, when the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction, the first protrusion and the second protrusion 314 are formed such that the direction of the shorter side of the rectangle in a plan view is perpendicular to the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322 and the wall portion 324c of the second support portion 324.

[0045] As mentioned above, the same applies when the extension direction of the electrical cable 200 is parallel to a direction other than the X direction. For example, when the extension direction of the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the Z direction, the first protrusion 312 and the second protrusion 314 are rotated by 90° from the directions shown in Figures 4 and 5, so that the longitudinal directions of the first protrusion 312 and the second protrusion 314 are parallel to the Z direction.

[0046] Furthermore, in the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the support portion 320 has a pair of wall portions, which are arranged parallel to a first direction (the Z direction in the case shown in Figures 4 and 5A) and a second direction (the X direction in the case shown in Figures 4 and 5A), and the protruding portions (first protruding portion 312 and second protruding portion 314) may be configured to come into contact with each other when the ball portion 310 rotates with the center C310 as the pivot point.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4 and 5A, a first support portion 322 is provided to the right of the ball portion 310, Y2. The first support portion 322 has an annular wall portion (contact portion 322c) configured to contact the right Y2 planes of the first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314 of the ball portion 310. Also, as shown in Figure 5A, a second support portion 324 is provided to the left of the ball portion 310, Y1. The second support portion 324 has an annular wall portion (contact portion 324c) configured to contact the left Y1 planes of the first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314 of the ball portion 310. Thus, the support portion 320 is provided with a pair of contact portions (wall portions), namely contact portion 322c and contact portion 324c.

[0048] In the bundling machine 100 according to this embodiment, as described above, by having protrusions (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) provided on the ball portion 310 and contact portions 322c and 324c of the support portion 320, the twisting of the electrical cable 200 can be restricted as described below.

[0049] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the ball portion 310 and the first support portion 322 and the second support portion 324 from the Z direction. Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the ball portion 310 and the first support portion 322 and the second support portion 324 from the X direction, and Figure 6B shows a cross-sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the X direction passing through the center C310 of the ball portion 310. Figures 6A and 6B show the case where the extension direction of the electrical cable 200 in the bundling machine 100 is parallel to the X direction. Furthermore, Figures 6A and 6B will be explained using the example where the first projection 312 of the ball portion 310 is rectangular when viewed from the Z direction.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6A, when the ball portion 310 rotates, for example, clockwise (Acw in Figure 6A) around the center C310 in the plane of Figure 6A, the rightmost corner 312b11 of the two corners 312b11 and corner 312b12 of the front X1 end 312b1 of the first projection 312 comes into contact with the contacted portion 322c of the first support portion 322, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 6A. In this way, the clockwise rotation of the ball portion 310 in Acw is restricted by the first projection 312 and the support portion 320.

[0051] Furthermore, in Figure 6A, of the two corners 312b21 and 312b22 of the rear X2 end 312b2 of the first projection 312, the left corner 312b22 (Y1) also contacts the contacted portion 324c of the second support portion 324. Therefore, at this time, the rotation of the ball portion 310 (rotation with an axis parallel to the Z direction as the axis of rotation) is restricted by the first projection 312 and the second support portion 324 of the support portion 320.

[0052] Furthermore, in Figure 6A, when the ball portion 310 rotates counterclockwise (Accw in Figure 6A) around the center C310, for example, the left corner 312b12 of the first projection 312 at Y1 comes into contact with the contacted portion 324c of the second support portion 324. At the same time, the right corner 312b21 of the rear X2 of the first projection 312 at Y2 comes into contact with the contacted portion 322c of the first support portion 322. Thus, the counterclockwise rotation of the ball portion 310 in Accw is restricted by the first projection 312 and the support portion 320.

[0053] Although the first protrusion 312 was used as an example in Figure 6A, the second protrusion 314 is similarly configured such that the rotation of the ball portion 310 is restricted when it comes into contact with the contact portion 322c of the first support portion 322 and the contact portion 324c of the second support portion 324 of the support portion 320.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6B, when the ball portion 310 rotates clockwise (Bcw) in the plane of Figure 6B, for example, around the center C310, the rightmost corner 312b22 of the two upper corners 312b21 and 312b22 of the first projection 312 comes into contact with the contacted portion 322c of the first support portion 322. At the same time, the leftmost corner 314b21 of the two lower corners 314b21 and 314b22 of the second projection 314 comes into contact with the contacted portion 324c of the second support portion 324.

[0055] Furthermore, when the ball portion 310 rotates counterclockwise in the plane of the paper (Bccw in Figure 6B) around the center C310 in Figure 6B, for example, the corner 312b21 of the first projection 312 comes into contact with the contacted portion 324c of the second support portion 324, and the rightmost corner 314b22 of the second projection 314 Y2 comes into contact with the contacted portion 322c of the first support portion 322.

[0056] Thus, the rotation of the ball portion 310 in the clockwise Bcw and counterclockwise Bccw directions on the plane of the paper in Figure 6B is restricted by the first protrusion 312, the second protrusion 314, and the support portion 320.

[0057] As described above, in the strapping machine 100 according to this embodiment, the first projection 312 and the second projection 314, which have a rectangular shape in a plan view from the Z direction, are provided to abut against one of the wall portions 322c of the first support portion 322 and the wall portion 324c of the second support portion 324 when they are rotated. For example, when the ball portion 310 rotates clockwise in a plan view in Figure 6B, the rotation range of the ball portion 310 is defined by the corner portion 312b21 of the first projection 312 abutting against the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322. In addition, the rotation range of the ball portion 310 may be defined by, for example, the configuration such that the corner portion 314b22 of the second projection 314 also abuts against the wall portion 324c of the second support portion 324. With this configuration, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the ball portion 310 with respect to the two axes described with reference to Figures 6A and 6B (for example, when the cable body 220 shown in Figure 6A is parallel to the X direction, rotation with respect to the axis parallel to the X direction as the central axis of rotation and rotation with respect to the axis parallel to the Z direction as the central axis of rotation), while allowing rotation of the ball portion 310 with respect to an axis perpendicular to either of the two axes whose rotation is restricted (the axis parallel to the X direction and the axis parallel to the Z direction) as the axis of rotation (the axis parallel to the Y direction).

[0058] In the above description, with reference to Figures 6A and 6B, the cases in which the electrical cable 200 is parallel to the X direction and the ball portion 310 rotates around an axis parallel to the Z direction and an axis parallel to the X direction were used as examples. However, even when the electrical cable 200 is in any other arbitrary orientation and the ball portion 310 rotates around an axis parallel to another direction, the rotation of the ball portion 310 is restricted by the same mechanism as described above. In other words, in the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the rotation range of the ball portion 310 can be restricted by providing the restricting portion (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) and the support portion 320 (first support portion 322 and second support portion 324) to come into contact with each other in accordance with the rotation of the ball portion 310.

[0059] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, at least one of the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322 of the support portion 320 and the wall portion 324c of the second support portion 324 may be a plane parallel to the X direction (for example, the second direction in this embodiment) and the Z direction (for example, the first direction in this embodiment). However, this embodiment is not limited thereto, and for example, at least one of the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322 of the support portion 320 and the wall portion 324c of the second support portion 324 may be a plane parallel to only the X direction and the Z direction, or a plane that is not parallel to either direction, or it may include multiple planes, or it may have a curved surface.

[0060] Figure 6A shows the angle θ1 at which the ball portion 310 can rotate around an axis parallel to the Z direction. Similarly, Figure 6B shows the angle θ3 at which the ball portion 310 can rotate around an axis parallel to the X direction. As will be described later with reference to Figures 7A to 9C, in the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the rotation range of the ball portion 310 around the axis parallel to the Z direction and the axis parallel to the X direction is restricted to θ1 and θ3, respectively.

[0061] The rotation of the electrical cable 200 in the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, with reference to Figures 7A to 10C, will now be described, based on the configuration that restricts rotation by the ball portion 310 and the support portion 320 described above.

[0062] Figure 7A is a side view of the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, viewed from the left Y1; Figure 7B is a rear view of the binding machine 100, viewed from the rear X2; and Figure 7C is a bottom view of the binding machine 100, viewed from below Z2. Similarly, Figures 8A, 9A, and 10A are side views of the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, viewed from the left Y1; Figures 8B, 9B, and 10B are rear views of the binding machine 100, viewed from the rear X2; and Figures 8C, 9C, and 10C are bottom views of the binding machine 100, viewed from below Z2. In Figures 7A, 8A, 9A, and 10A, the orientation of the electrical cable 200 relative to the main body 150 of the binding machine 100 is different from each other. Similarly, Figures 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B, as well as Figures 7C, 8C, 9C, and 10C, show that the orientation of the electrical cable 200 relative to the main body 150 of the bundling machine 100 is different from that of the other.

[0063] Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C show the case where the electrical cable 200 is rotated to the right (Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C) from a position where the electrical cable 200 is horizontal (X direction). As shown in Figure 7C, in this case, the electrical cable 200 is configured to rotate by an angle θ1 to the right, for example, Y2. Also, in this case, as described above with reference to Figures 6A and 6B, for example, the rotation of the ball portion 310 is restricted by the first projection 312 provided on the ball portion 310 coming into contact with the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322 and the wall portion 324c of the second support portion 324. Specifically, in the state shown in Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C, the ball portion 310 corresponds to the case where it rotates counterclockwise in Accw in Figure 6A. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 6A, the rotation range of the ball portion 310 is defined by the contact of the corner portion 312b12 of the first projection 312 with the wall portion 324c of the second support portion 324. At this time, the corner portion 312b21 of the first projection 312 also contacts the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322. Alternatively, for example, the corner portion 314b21 of the second projection 314 may also be configured to contact the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322.

[0064] Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C show the case where the electrical cable 200 is rotated to the right (Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C) from a position where the electrical cable 200 is in the vertical direction (Z direction). As shown in Figure 8B, in this case, the electrical cable 200 is configured to be able to rotate by an angle θ2 to the right, for example, Y2. In this case, the rotation of the ball portion 310 is restricted by the second projection 314 provided on the ball portion 310 coming into contact with the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322 and the wall portion 324c of the second support portion 324. Specifically, in the state shown in Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C, the corner of the second projection 314 comes into contact with the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322.

[0065] Note that the states shown in Figure 7C and Figure 8B both correspond to the rotation of the ball portion 310 described with reference to Figure 6A, one of the two rotations of the ball portion 310 described with reference to Figures 6A and 6B. Therefore, the angle θ1 at which the ball portion 310 can rotate in the state shown in Figure 7C and the angle θ2 at which the ball portion 310 can rotate in the state shown in Figure 8B are equal to each other.

[0066] Figures 9A, 9, and 9C show the case where the electrical cable 200 is rotated around its extension direction (X direction) starting from a position where the electrical cable 200 is horizontal (X direction). Figures 9A, 9B, and 9C show the case where the electrical cable 200 is rotated clockwise Ccw in Figure 9B with the extension direction as the axis of rotation. As shown in Figure 9B, in this case the electrical cable 200 is configured to be able to rotate by an angle θ3, for example, counterclockwise Cccw and clockwise Ccw in each figure. In this case, for example, the rotation of the ball portion 310 is restricted by the first projection 312 provided on the ball portion 310 coming into contact with the wall portion 324c of the second support portion 324 and the wall portion 322c of the first support portion 322, respectively. Specifically, in the state shown in Figures 9A, 9B, and 9C, the corner 312b22 of the first projection 312, as explained with reference to Figure 6B, abuts against the wall 322c of the first support 322, and the corner 314b21 of the second projection 314 abuts against the wall 324c of the second support 324.

[0067] In the bundling machine 100 according to the present embodiment, regarding the distance between the end of the first protrusion 312 and the center C310 of the ball portion 310, the relationship of Db2 < Da2 (see FIG. 5B etc.) is established. Thereby, depending on whether the axis parallel to either the X direction or the Z direction is the rotation center axis, the rotatable range of the ball portion 310 (that is, the range in which the rotation of the ball portion 310 is restricted) is different. For example, when the electric cable 200 illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B is in a direction parallel to the X direction, the rotatable range with the axis parallel to the Z direction as the rotation center axis is larger than the rotatable range with the axis parallel to the X direction as the rotation center axis. This is because in the present embodiment, the relationship of Db2 < Da2 holds, and similarly for the second protrusion 314, the relationship of Db4 < Da4 holds, and for this reason, the relationship of θ1 > θ3 holds.

[0068] In a bundling machine such as the bundling machine 100 according to the present embodiment, inside the connection portion 300, wiring for electrically connecting the main body portion 150 and the electric cable 200 is provided. When the electric cable is rotated with respect to the main body portion 150, the wiring is rotated accordingly. At this time, for example, when the electric cable 200 is configured to be rotatable 360° (or 360° or more) with respect to the main body portion 150, such wiring is also rotated 360° or more, and thus it is considered that there is a possibility that the internal wiring will be twisted and damaged.

[0069] In the bundling machine 100 according to the present embodiment, as described above, since it has a structure for restricting the rotation range of the electric cable 200 by the restricting portions (the first protrusion 312 and the second protrusion 314) and the support portion 320, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of twisting of the internal wiring of the bundling machine 100. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of damage to the wiring. <00,00276> In the bundling machine 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, an opening 310a may be provided in the ball portion 310. That is, in the present embodiment, the ball portion 310 may have an opening 310a through which the electric wire accommodated inside the electric cable 200 and inside the main body portion 150 can pass. In this way, through the opening 310a, an electrical connection between the electric cable 200 and the inside of the main body portion 150 can be formed, and even in such a case, as described above, the occurrence of damage to the electric wire can be suppressed.

[0071] Also, as described above, in the bundling machine 100 according to the present embodiment, since the first protruding portion 312 where Db2 < Da2 and the second protruding portion 314 where Db4 < Da4 are provided on the ball portion 310, from θ1 > θ3, for example, while making the regulation amount of rotation in the twisting direction (for example, rotation with an axis parallel to the X direction illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9C as the rotation center axis) relatively large, the regulation amount of rotation in the tilting direction (for example, rotation with an axis parallel to the Z direction illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C as the rotation center axis) can be made relatively small. With this configuration, it is possible to regulate in the twisting direction while improving the workability of the work using the bundling machine 100. Therefore, for example, it is possible to improve the operability while suppressing damage to the wiring provided inside the bundling machine 100.

[0072] Also, in the bundling machine 100 according to the present embodiment, since the first protruding portion 312 and the second protruding portion 314, which are regulation portions for regulating the rotation of the ball portion 310, are provided on the ball portion 310, for example, compared with a configuration in which a wall or the like is provided outside the bundling machine 100 to regulate the rotation of the electric cable 200, it is possible to miniaturize the bundling machine 100.

[0073] In the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the opening 310a provided in the ball portion 310 may be provided, for example, on the surface of the ball portion 310 in a portion opposite to the portion where the electrical cable 200 is provided (the portion X1 in front of the front in Figure 4), as shown in Figure 4. Alternatively, it may be provided in a portion perpendicular to the portion where the first protrusion 312 and the second protrusion 314 are provided. This makes it possible, for example, to rotate the wire in accordance with the rotation of the electrical cable 200, while restricting the rotation with the restricting portion (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) and the support portion 320, without the wire interfering with the rotation.

[0074] As described above, in the binding machine 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the electrical cable 200 is configured to rotate by the ball portion 310, and for example, the position of the electrical cable 200 can be changed according to the binding position, thereby improving operability by the user. Furthermore, in the binding machine 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the range of rotation of the electrical cable 200 relative to the main body 150 of the binding machine 100 can be restricted by the restricting portion (first protrusion 312 and second protrusion 314) and the support portion 320, so for example, damage to the electrical wires electrically connecting the electrical cable 200 and the inside of the main body 150 can be suppressed. In other words, in the binding machine 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the electrical cable 200 is connected to the main body 150 by a ball joint, and by restricting twisting of the wiring while enabling three-dimensional rotation, it is possible to improve operability and suppress damage to the wiring.

[0075] In the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present disclosure were described using the example of applying them to a strapping machine 100 as a power tool, but the invention is not limited to this. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to power tools such as electric screwdrivers, electric tackers, electric drills, and electric cutters.

[0076] The present invention is subject to various modifications without departing from its essence. For example, within the ordinary creative ability of those skilled in the art, some components of one embodiment can be added to other embodiments. Also, some components of one embodiment can be replaced with corresponding components of other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100 Binding machine (power tool) 150 Main body 172 First displacement section 174 Second displacement section 200 electrical cables 300 connection part 310 Ball Department 310a aperture 312 1st protrusion (regulating part) 314 Second protruding part (regulating part) 320 Support part 322 1st support part 322c Contacted part (wall part) 324 Second support part 324c Contacted part (wall part)

Claims

1. Electrical cables and The main body and It includes a connection part that connects the aforementioned electrical cable to the main body, The connecting portion comprises a ball portion provided on one of the electrical cable and the main body, and a support portion provided on the other of the electrical cable and the main body, wherein one of the electrical cable and the main body is configured to be rotatable relative to the other, in an electric power tool.

2. The power tool according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion has a restricting portion that restricts the rotation range of one of the electrical cable and the main body portion.

3. The power tool according to claim 2, wherein the regulating portion is formed on the ball portion.

4. The regulating portion has a protrusion that extends from the surface of the ball portion, The distance from the center of the ball portion to the end of the protrusion in the first direction is greater than the distance from the center of the ball portion to the end of the protrusion in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The power tool according to claim 3.

5. The support portion has a pair of wall portions configured so that the protruding portion can come into contact with the ball portion when the ball portion rotates about the center as the pivot point. The power tool according to claim 4.

6. The support portion is provided parallel to the first direction and the second direction, The power tool according to claim 5.

7. The power tool according to claim 1, wherein the ball portion has an opening through which the electric wires housed inside the electrical cable and the main body portion can pass.

8. The aforementioned electrical cable includes a cable body and a cable unit. The ball portion is provided on the cable unit, The electrical cable is configured to be rotatable relative to the main body via the ball portion. The cable body is configured to be detachable from the cable unit. The power tool according to claim 1.

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