Tape winding device and tape feeding mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides a tape winding device and a tape feeding mechanism that can wrap tape around wires to be bundled, even in a narrow workspace where multiple wires are in close proximity. [Solution] A tape winding device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a feeding mechanism for feeding tape, a tape winding drum that is rotatable in the circumferential direction and has a notch in a part of its cylindrical peripheral wall for accommodating an object to be bound, and an opening communicating with the notch, and a pressing member, wherein the tape is introduced into the notch from the opening of the drum by the feeding mechanism, the object to be bound accommodated in the notch is pressed by the pressing member toward the leading edge of the introduced tape, and then bound by the introduced tape due to the rotation of the drum.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tape winding device capable of winding a tape around a wire to be bundled even in a narrow working space where a plurality of wires are close to each other, and a tape feeding mechanism thereof.

Background Art

[0002] A wire harness used for electrical wiring in an automobile or the like is formed by winding a plurality of wires with a tape. Generally, this tape winding operation is often performed manually, and automation thereof is desired. Regarding the automation of this tape winding operation, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a device therefor. The tape winding device of Patent Document 1 has a tip holding member that holds the tip portion of the tape. By moving this tip holding member, the held tape is pulled out from the roll around which it is wound, and is disposed between the device and a wire placed in front of the device such that the adhesive surface faces forward (toward the wire side). That is, the tape is conveyed outside the device. Next, the tape winding device advances the device and attaches the leading portion of the tape to the wire while housing the wire in the notch recess of a rotating drum provided at the front portion of the device. At this time, the tape held by the tip holding member is released in accordance with its movement. Then, when the tape is attached to the wire by this movement, the tape winding device rotates the rotating drum about the wire as the central axis to wind the remaining portion of the tape around the wire. With this tape winding device, the winding of the tape around the wire can be automatically performed in this manner.

[0003] Incidentally, this tape winding device can also handle winding tape in narrow workspaces where multiple wires are close together. Specifically, in addition to the tip holding member, the tape winding device has an intermediate holding member, which holds the roll-side end of the tape pulled out by the tip holding member as described above. This holding ensures that the tape stretched between these holding members is positioned diagonally along the outer edge of the lower front of the device, between the tape winding device and the wire to be bundled. In this case, the tape is positioned diagonally toward the lower rear of the device. Therefore, even if another object to be bundled or another wire is placed below the front of the device, the tape winding device can wind tape around the wire to be bundled without the front part of the device interfering with them. However, even with this tape winding device, depending on the arrangement of the wires and the way the wires are branched (T-branch, Y-branch, etc.), the front part of the device would interfere with the wires, making it impossible to wind the tape.

[0004] Therefore, as an example of a device that enables tape wrapping even in such cases, Patent Document 2 discloses a tape wrapping device that enables wrapping tape around the wires to be bundled from various angles, for example, from above. If tape can be wrapped around the wires to be bundled, for example from above, as with this tape wrapping device, it becomes possible to wrap tape even when the arrangement of the wires and the way the wires branch is complex, as described above. By the way, in the tape winding device described in Patent Document 2, when winding tape onto an electric wire to be bundled, the tape holder that houses the roll of tape is rotated around the electric wire to wind the tape onto it. In this case, if there is not at least twice the diameter of the tape holder in space around the electric wire to be bundled, the device cannot enter the winding area, and as a result, even with this tape winding device, it was not possible to wind tape onto the electric wire. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-67438 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-189715 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] This disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a tape winding device and tape feeding mechanism that can wind tape around wires to be bundled even in a narrow workspace where multiple wires are in close proximity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A tape winding device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a tape reel that holds a roll of tape and is rotatably supported; a feeding mechanism for feeding out the tape pulled from the tape reel, the feeding mechanism comprising a cutting mechanism for cutting the tape; a tape winding drum that is circumferentially rotatable and has a notch in a part of its cylindrical peripheral wall for accommodating an object to be bound, and an opening communicating with the notch; and a pressing member, wherein the tape is introduced into the notch from the opening of the drum by the feeding mechanism, the object to be bound accommodated in the notch is pressed by the pressing member toward the leading edge of the introduced tape, and then bound by the introduced tape due to the rotation of the drum. Furthermore, a tape feeding mechanism provided in a tape winding device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising a rotatably configured pulley as a member that contacts the adhesive surface of the tape pulled out from the tape reel, and a rotatably configured ring-shaped belt for transporting the tape fed out by the pulley toward the notch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The tape winding device according to this disclosure provides a tape winding device and a tape feeding mechanism that can wind tape around wires to be bundled even in a narrow workspace where multiple wires are in close proximity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of a tape winding device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing a belt entanglement prevention component. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the second ring belt as seen from the front of the device. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a tape winding device. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a tape winding device. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a tape winding device. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a tape winding device. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a tape winding device. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a tape winding device. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a tape winding device. [Figure 11] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a tape winding device. [Figure 12] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a tape winding device. [Figure 13] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a tape winding device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a tape winding device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1(a) is a side view of the tape winding device 1 of the present embodiment as viewed from the side, and FIG. 1(b) is a plan view (top view) of the tape winding device 1 of the present embodiment as viewed from above. Note that FIG. 1(a) shows the device in FIG. 1(b) as viewed from the right side, and for the convenience of explaining the configuration of the device, FIG. 1 shows the tape winding device 1 with the cover 1rs of the device in FIG. 1(b) removed. The tape winding device 1 of the present embodiment includes a tape holding mechanism, a tape feeding mechanism, and a tape winding mechanism. The tape holding mechanism is composed of a tape reel 11, a support shaft 12, and a tape 13. The tape feeding mechanism is composed of a first pulley 21, a second pulley 22, a first ring belt 23, a belt entrainment prevention member 24, a second ring belt a25, a second ring belt b26, an air cylinder 27, a cutter 28, a servo motor 29, and a gear 30. The tape winding mechanism is composed of a tape winding drum 41, a large gear 42, a small gear a43, a small gear b44, a toothed belt 45, a servo motor 46, a pressing member 47, an elastic member 48, a guide roller 49, and a ring member 50. Further, the tape winding device 1 of the present embodiment includes an arm attachment portion 71 for enabling an arm or the like of an industrial robot to be attached to the present device. This arm attachment portion 71 may have functions and members for electrically connecting the tape winding device 1 and the industrial robot.

[0011] <Tape holding mechanism> The tape reel 11 holds the tape 13 in a wound state in a roll shape so as to be replaceable. The support shaft 12 rotatably supports the tape reel 11 attached thereto. By the support of this support shaft 12, the wound tape held by the tape reel 11 can be pulled out therefrom.

[0012] <Tape feeding mechanism> The first pulley 21 feeds out the tape 13 drawn from the tape reel 11 in the direction of the second pulley 22 by its rotation. Hereinafter, the direction of the tape winding drum 41 of the tape winding mechanism towards which the tape 13 sent out from the first pulley 21 travels is referred to as the downstream side, and conversely, the direction from the downstream side towards the first pulley 21 is referred to as the upstream side. Here, one end of the first ring belt 23 is wound around the first pulley 21. The first ring belt 23 is an annular member having a circular (O-shaped) cross section and is used for conveying the tape 13 sent out by the first pulley 21. The other end of the first ring belt 23 is wound around the second pulley 22. The belt is wound in a parallel manner. In the present embodiment, since the first ring belt 23 is composed of three belts, the first pulley 21 is provided with recesses for accommodating the respective belts at the portions of its outer peripheral surface where the belts are wound. Further, the second pulley 22 is provided with a rotating shaft for enabling its rotation, and in this embodiment, three pulleys corresponding to the number of belts are provided on this rotating shaft so as to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft. And each pulley is provided with a recess for accommodating the belt at the portion of its outer peripheral surface where the belt is wound. The shape of these recesses for accommodating the belt may be a semi-circular shape or a V-shaped shape at the bottom, but it is preferably a V-shaped shape in order to prevent the belt and the pulley from slipping. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the shape of the recess has a V-shaped bottom.

[0013] Further, directly below the portion of the first ring belt 23 where the tape 13 abuts during conveyance, a belt entrainment prevention member 24 is provided to prevent the first ring belt 23 wound around the first pulley 21 from being entrained into the pulley as the tape 13 is fed out. Specifically, the belt entrainment prevention member 24 is provided directly below the upper first ring belt 23 in the space inside the circumferential orbit of the first ring belt 23 and at a position closer to the first pulley 21. Figure 2 shows the belt entanglement prevention member 24. In this embodiment, since the first ring belt 23 is composed of three belts, the belt entanglement prevention member 24 is provided with three corresponding protrusions. These protrusions are fitted into recesses on the outer circumference of the first pulley 21 where the first ring belt 23 is not wound, in a non-contact manner. Therefore, a part of these protrusions has a curved surface that complementarily matches the circumferential curve and shape of the groove bottom of the recess in the first pulley 21. The tips of the protrusions, together with the upper surface of the belt entanglement prevention member 24 from which they extend, are positioned to fit into the recess of the first pulley 21 so as to be substantially parallel to the inner circumferential surface of the first ring belt 23 when the ring belt 23 is taut. It is preferable that the tips of the protrusions have an R shape, and therefore, in this embodiment, the tips of the protrusions have an R shape.

[0014] The second pulley 22 feeds the tape 13 carried by the first ring belt 23 in the direction of the second ring belt a25 and the second ring belt b26 by rotation driven by the first pulley 21. Furthermore, a cutter 28, whose operation is controlled by an air cylinder 27, is provided between the second pulley 22 and the second ring belt a25 in the transport path of the tape 13. The air cylinder 27 and, in particular, the cutter 28, are positioned above the transport path of the tape 13. When the air cylinder 27 is driven to extend the cutter, the cutter 28 is pushed downward, and as a result, the tip of its blade is pressed against the tape, cutting the tape 13. When the air cylinder 27 is driven to retract the cutter, the cutter 28, having finished cutting the tape 13, is retracted upward, returning to its original position before the tape was cut. In other words, the tape feeding mechanism is provided above the transport path of the tape 13, with a cutter 28 that can move between a cutting position and a retracted position. The position where the cutter 28 is pushed out and its tip is pressed against the tape corresponds to the cutting position, and the original position before the tape was cut, where the cutter 28 is retracted in the opposite direction, corresponds to the retracted position. These air cylinders 27 and cutters 28 constitute a cutting mechanism for cutting the tape 13.

[0015] The servo motor 29 outputs power to drive the tape feeding mechanism via its rotating shaft. A first pulley 21 is connected to and fixed to the rotating shaft of the servo motor 29. Gear 30 is composed of multiple gears, and its first gear is connected to and fixed to the rotating shaft of the servo motor 29, side by side with the first pulley 21. The fifth gear of gear 30 is connected to and fixed to a rotating shaft on which a second pulley 22 is provided. The second pulley 22 is provided to rotate integrally with this rotating shaft. The final gear of gear 30 meshes with a gear connected to and fixed to a rotating shaft around which a second ring belt a25 is wound. The second ring belt a25 is wound around a pulley provided to rotate integrally with this rotating shaft. The gear on this rotating shaft meshes with a gear connected to and fixed to a rotating shaft around which a second ring belt b26 is wound. The second ring belt b26 is wrapped around a pulley that is mounted to rotate integrally with this rotating shaft.

[0016] Here, we will describe the second ring belt a25 and the second ring belt b26. The tape feeding mechanism of this device is equipped with two sets of rotating shafts to support these second ring belts. Each rotating shaft is configured to rotate itself, with both ends rotatably supported by bearings. In addition, each rotating shaft is provided with a pulley for winding the second ring belt around it, which rotates integrally with the rotating shaft. These two sets of rotating shafts are arranged so that each set overlaps in the vertical direction of the device. One end of the second ring belt a25 is wrapped around a pulley on one of the rotating shafts of the lower set. The other end of the second ring belt a25 is wrapped around a pulley on the other rotating shaft of the lower set. Similarly, each end of the second ring belt b26 is wrapped around a pulley on the rotating shafts of the upper set. The belts are mounted parallel to each other for both the second ring belt a25 and the second ring belt b26.

[0017] These second ring belts, as shown in the cross-sectional view in Figure 3, are annular members with a circular (O-shaped) cross-section, and are used to transport the tape 13, which has been fed from the upstream side, i.e., the side of the first pulley 21, to the downstream side, i.e., the tape winding mechanism side. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the second ring belt as seen from the front side of the tape winding device 1. Furthermore, each pulley on a rotating shaft around which the second ring belt is wound has a recess for accommodating the second ring belt, provided on the outer surface of the pulley where the belt is wound. In this embodiment, since the second ring belt a25 is composed of three belts and the second ring belt b26 is composed of two belts, each rotating shaft around which these are wound is provided with a corresponding number of pulleys. In other words, each rotating shaft around which the second ring belt a25 is wound has three pulleys, for a total of six, and each rotating shaft around which the second ring belt b26 is wound has two pulleys, for a total of four. In this embodiment, the recesses of these pulleys, like those of the other pulleys, have a V-shaped bottom. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, these second ring belts are arranged so that the upper and lower belts are staggered on their axis of rotation. With this arrangement, the tape 13, which is held between the upper second ring belt b26 and the lower second ring belt a25 and conveyed by their rotation, is fed downstream with pressure from above and below such that its cross-section facing downstream is roughly W-shaped. As a result, the tape winding device 1 can feed the tape 13 downstream in a straight and stable manner without any twisting of the tape.

[0018] Here, the gear fixed to the rotating shaft that feeds the tape 13 in the lower assembly around which the second ring belt is wound meshes with the final gear of gear 30, as described above. Also, the gear on the rotating shaft that feeds the tape in this lower assembly meshes with the gear fixed to the rotating shaft that feeds the tape 13 in the upper assembly. With this configuration, in the tape feeding mechanism of this device, when the servo motor 29 is driven, the first gear of gear 30 is rotated, and together with it, the first pulley 21, which is provided on the same rotating shaft, is rotated. Furthermore, this drive causes the first gear (1st stage) of gear 30, and every other gear thereafter, namely the 3rd, 5th, and 7th stages, that is, the gear corresponding to the 7th stage which meshes with the final 6th stage gear, to rotate uniformly in the same direction. The gear corresponding to the 7th stage is the gear fixed to the rotating shaft (driving shaft) that drives the second ring belt a25. This rotation in the same direction causes the second pulley 22 on the rotating shaft to which the fifth gear is fixed to rotate in the same direction as the first pulley 21. As a result, the first ring belt 23, which is wrapped around the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22, rotates around them. This rotation in the same direction also causes the pulley on the drive shaft of the second ring belt a25, to which the seventh gear is fixed, to rotate in the same direction. As a result, the second ring belt a25, which is wrapped around that pulley, rotates around the pulleys of the driven shaft (the rotating shaft on the driven side), accompanied by the rotation of the pulleys on the driven side. The gear corresponding to the seventh gear on this drive shaft meshes with the gear on the driving shaft, around which one end of the second ring belt b26 is wrapped. Therefore, when the second ring belt a25 is rotated, the outer surfaces of the a25 and the opposing second ring belt b26 rotate in such a way that the opposing portions of their surfaces move in the same direction. As a result, the tape 13, which is held between the outer surfaces of the second ring belt a25 and the second ring belt b26, is conveyed downstream in the same direction as they rotate. In this device, the tape feeding mechanism is configured in such a way that the tape 13 pulled out from the tape holding mechanism is fed out in good condition for winding toward the tape winding mechanism downstream. Furthermore, the rotating shaft of the second pulley 22 mentioned above, and the rotating shaft of the pulley around which the second ring belts a25 and b26 are wound, may be configured as an integrated unit with the pulley, or as separate units as described above.

[0019] <Tape winding mechanism> The tape winding drum 41 is a cylindrical component and is provided on the front side of the tape winding device 1 in this embodiment so as to be able to rotate in the circumferential direction. The tape winding drum 41 has a notch 41a in a part of its circumferential wall for accommodating the object to be bound 61 such as an electric wire, and an opening 41b communicating with the notch 41a is provided on the circumferential wall on the opposite side (opposite side) of the notch 41a. The notch 41a is provided in the circumferential wall portion by cutting out a section in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the tape winding drum 41 so that the cross section is approximately U-shaped. On the other hand, the opening 41b on the opposite side (opposite side) is provided in the circumferential wall portion by carving out an area that will become the opening 41b from the rotation axis of the drum to the radially outward side. The tape 13 fed out by the tape feeding mechanism described above is introduced into the notch 41a from the opening 41b of the tape winding drum 41. Subsequently, the object to be bound 61 is placed in the notch 41a, and as the tape winding drum 41 rotates, the object to be bound 61 is wrapped around the introduced tape 13 by this rotation.

[0020] Furthermore, a large gear 42 is coupled to the tape winding drum 41, and this large gear 42 and the tape winding drum 41 are configured to rotate as a single unit. This large gear 42 meshes with small gears a 43 and b 44. These small gears a 43 and b 44 mesh with two drive gears, and toothed pulleys are connected to and fixed to the fixed rotating shafts of each drive gear. A toothed belt 45 is wound around these toothed pulleys, and at the same time, this toothed belt 45 is wound around a toothed pulley that is connected to and fixed to the rotating shaft for the power output of the servo motor 46. The belts are laid parallel to each other. In this configuration, the servo motor 46 is connected to the small gears a43 and b44 via the toothed belt 45. When the servo motor 46 is driven, the toothed belt 45 rotates, which in turn rotates the small gears a43 and b44. At this time, the small gears a43 and b44 rotate in the same direction.

[0021] Here, the large gear 42 coupled to the tape winding drum 41 has a region including a part of its circumference cut out to conform to the shape of the notch 41a in order to accommodate the object to be bound 61 in the notch 41a. Therefore, the small gears a 43 and b 44 are positioned so that the tape winding drum 41 can rotate even without meshing with this cut-out portion. In other words, the small gears a 43 and b 44 are positioned so that when the large gear 42 is rotated, at least one of them will always remain meshed with the rest of the large gear 42.

[0022] Furthermore, the notch 41a of the tape winding drum 41 is provided with a pressing member 47 on the side opposite to the side where the tape 13 introduced therein is positioned within the notch 41a, which can move between a pressing position and a retracted position. The pressing member 47 can be pushed out toward the side where the tape 13 is positioned within the notch 41a, and pulled back to its original position on the opposite side, by operating an operating lever for its operation, which is driven by an air cylinder. The position where the pressing member 47 is fully pushed out corresponds to the pressing position, and the original position to which it is pulled back corresponds to the retracted position. The pressing member 47, the operating lever (not shown), and the air cylinder constitute a pressing mechanism for pressing the bundled object 61 housed in the notch 41a toward the tape 13. Furthermore, the notch 41a of the tape winding drum 41 is provided with an elastic member 48 on the inner circumferential surface on the side where the tape 13 introduced therein is positioned within the notch 41a. The elastic member 48 is made from an elastic material such as sponge or urethane.

[0023] Furthermore, multiple rotatable guide rollers 49 are provided around the outer circumference of the tape winding drum 41. In the tape winding device 1 of this embodiment, guide rollers 49 are provided at six locations around the drum. The support shaft of each guide roller 49 is arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the drum. Each guide roller 49 has a ring member 50 on its outer circumference, and the guide roller 49 and the ring member 50 are configured to rotate together. The ring members 50 of the guide rollers 49 are configured to press the tape 13, which is placed along the outer circumference of the tape winding drum 41, toward the rotation axis of the drum. Each guide roller 49 has multiple ring members 50, spaced apart on its support shaft; in the tape winding device 1 of this embodiment, there are two ring members 50.

[0024] The tape winding operation performed by the tape winding device 1 will be explained below with reference to Figures 4 to 13. In addition to explaining the tape winding operation, the characteristics of each component of the tape winding device 1 will also be explained. Furthermore, as an example of the tape winding operation, an example of using the tape winding device 1 in a vertical position will be described below. In this case, the tape winding device 1 will wind the tape onto the object to be bound 61, which is positioned below it, from above.

[0025] <Tape application> See Figure 4. First, the operator attaches the tape reel 11 to the support shaft 12 provided on the tape winding device 1. The tape reel 11 holds the tape wound in a roll. With this attachment, the tape reel 11 is supported so that it can rotate around the support shaft 12, allowing the wound tape held by the tape reel 11 to be pulled out from there.

[0026] <Tape dispenser> See Figure 5. The operator pulls the tape 13 from the tape reel 11 and attaches the adhesive side 13a of the leading edge of the tape 13 to the outer surface of the first pulley 21. The operator also starts the tape winding device 1 and drives the servo motor 29. This drive rotates the first pulley 21, which is fixed to the rotation shaft of the servo motor 29. In this case, the first pulley 21 rotates counterclockwise. As the first pulley 21 rotates, the portion of tape 13 that follows the initially attached leading edge is pulled out from the tape reel 11 and attached to the outer surface of the first pulley 21. As the first pulley 21 rotates, this pulling out and attaching process is repeated, thereby advancing the tape 13 toward the second pulley 22.

[0027] Furthermore, when feeding the tape 13, the adhesive surface 13a of the tape is attached to the outer surface of the first pulley 21. This is because, for example, if the adhesive surface of the tape were directly attached to the first ring belt 23, that is, an annular belt with a circular (O-shaped) cross-section, the adhesive force of the tape to the belt may become weak. In that case, when the annular belt rotates, the tape is more likely to slip and peel off the belt, and as a result, the tape cannot be fed. To avoid this, in the tape winding device 1 of this embodiment, the adhesive surface 13a of the tape 13 is directly attached to the outer surface of the first pulley 21 in the tape feeding mechanism, thereby suppressing a decrease in the adhesive force of the tape to the belt. Furthermore, the outer circumferential surface of the first pulley 21 is provided with a recess for accommodating the first ring belt 23. This recess is formed so that its depth is greater than the outer diameter of the first ring belt 23, preventing the adhesive surface of the tape from directly sticking to the belt. If the groove were shallower, the upper outer circumferential surface of the belt would protrude from the recess, causing the adhesive surface of the tape to come into contact with that upper outer circumferential surface. In that case, the portion of the adhesive surface that comes into contact with the belt and the surrounding portion would lift away from the outer circumferential surface of the first pulley 21, resulting in a decrease in the adhesive force of the tape to the outer circumferential surface of the first pulley 21. Therefore, the recess on the outer circumferential surface of the first pulley 21 is formed so that its depth is greater than the outer diameter of the first ring belt 23.

[0028] <Tape feed> See Figure 6. One end of the first ring belt 23 is wrapped around the first pulley 21, and the other end is wrapped around the second pulley 22. When the first pulley 21 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the second pulley 22 via the first ring belt 23, causing it to rotate. These rotations also cause the first ring belt 23 to rotate around these pulleys. Here, as the first pulley 21 rotates, the tape 13 attached to the outer surface of the first pulley 21 adheres to the upper outer surface of the first ring belt 23, starting from its tip, at the downstream end of the pulley's transport path. The tape 13 is then transported downstream while adhering to its upper outer surface, and as the first ring belt 23 moves straight toward the second pulley 22 for this transport, its adhesive surface 13a is peeled away from the outer surface of the first pulley 21. As a result, the tape 13 that has adhered to its upper outer surface is then transported downstream by the first ring belt 23.

[0029] As explained above, the tape 13, which is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the upper side of the first ring belt 23, is transported downstream by the ring belt, while the adhesive surface 13a of the tape is peeled off from the outer circumferential surface of the first pulley 21. However, in some cases, the adhesive surface 13a of the tape 13 may not peel off from the outer circumferential surface of the first pulley 21, and the tape 13 may remain attached to its outer circumferential surface. In that case, when the first pulley 21 is rotated in that state, the first pulley 21 rotates with the tape 13 trapping the first ring belt 23 within the recess on its outer circumferential surface that accommodates it. As a result of this rotation, the tape 13 pulls the first ring belt 23 downwards, pulling it towards the underside of the first pulley 21, and consequently, the first ring belt 23 may be cut by the pulling force of the tape 13. To prevent this, the tape winding device 1 is equipped with a belt entanglement prevention member 24. As previously described, this belt entanglement prevention member 24 is located directly below the upper part of the first ring belt 23 in the space inside the circular trajectory of the first ring belt 23, and closer to the first pulley 21. With this arrangement, the belt entanglement prevention member 24 avoids the first ring belt 23 being pulled in by the tape 13, i.e., entangled in the first pulley 21, while peeling off the adhesive surface 13a of the tape 13 that has adhered to the outer surface of the first pulley 21. This peeling of the tape 13 is performed by utilizing the counterforce in the opposite direction to the pulling force when the first ring belt 23 is pulled downward as described above, against the tension of the ring belt, by the downward support provided by the protruding part of the belt entanglement prevention member 24.

[0030] Incidentally, as a separate issue, if the adhesive force of the adhesive surface 13a of the tape to the first ring belt 23 is strong, the tape 13 may remain stuck to the first ring belt 23 at the downstream end on the transport path of the second pulley 22 without peeling off. This is because, unlike the first pulley 21, the outer surface of the first ring belt 23 protrudes from the outer surface of the second pulley 22 when it is housed in the recess of the second pulley 22. In this case, as the tape is transported, the tape 13, while still adhered to the first ring belt 23, folds downwards at its end on the second pulley 22 and back towards the first pulley 21. If the transport continues in this manner, the tape 13 will return to the first pulley 21 side together with the first ring belt 23, and as a result, the tape 13 will get caught in the first pulley 21, which is problematic. To prevent this, the tape winding device 1 uses an elastic material such as silicone rubber for the first ring belt 23. This allows the adhesive force of the tape 13 to the first ring belt 23 to be kept within an appropriate range. As a result, the adhesive surface 13a of the tape can be easily peeled off from the first ring belt 23 at the downstream end of the transport path in the second pulley 22, thus preventing the tape 13 from getting tangled in the first pulley 21.

[0031] Here, it has been found that, due to their configuration, the first ring belt 23 and the second pulley 22 around which one end is wound are prone to slippage, resulting in unstable rotation of the second pulley 22. To address this, the tape winding device 1 is equipped with a gear 30 in the tape feeding mechanism, specifically to stabilize the rotation of the second pulley 22. The tape feeding mechanism ensures stable rotation of the second pulley 22 by rotationally driving each rotating member via this gear 30. Furthermore, the tape 13, which is fed downstream by the first ring belt 23 that rotates along with the rotation of the second pulley 22, is clamped by the second ring belt a25 and second ring belt b26 at its destination, with pressure from above and below, as described above. Then, the tape 13, which is conveyed by the rotation of the second ring belt a25 and second ring belt b26, is fed downstream with the pressure from above and below, so that its cross-section facing downstream takes on a roughly W shape, as described above. As a result, the tape winding device 1 can stably feed the tape 13 downstream in a straight state without the tape becoming twisted.

[0032] The tape 13, which is fed downstream by the operation of this tape feeding mechanism, is introduced into the notch 41a of the tape winding drum 41 of the tape winding mechanism through an opening 41b provided in the drum. The tape feeding mechanism must feed the tape so that the fed tape 13 has a predetermined length. For this reason, a motor (a servo motor 29 in this embodiment) that can accurately adjust the amount of tape fed is used for the rotational operation of feeding the tape.

[0033] <Preparing to wrap the tape 1> See Figure 7. Once the tape 13 is introduced into the notch 41a of the tape winding drum 41, the entire tape winding device 1 is then moved (in this case, downwards) to accommodate the object to be bound 61 within the notch 41a of the drum. At this time, the object to be bound 61 is positioned within the notch 41a so as to extend parallel to the rotation axis of the drum near the rotation axis, and is positioned opposite the adhesive surface 13a of the tape 13 that has been introduced therein. Then, the pressing member 47 provided on the side of the notch 41a opposite to the tape 13 is operated as described above to push it out toward the tape 13 to the pressing position. This pushing causes the object to be bound 61, which is placed between the pressing member 47 and the tape 13, to be pressed against the adhesive surface 13a of the tape 13, thereby attaching the leading edge of the tape 13 to the object to be bound 61. In the tape winding device 1, the pressing member 47 is provided, which allows the tape 13 to be reliably attached to the object to be bound 61 without human intervention.

[0034] Here, as previously described, the notch 41a is provided with an elastic member 48 on the inner circumferential surface on the side where the introduced tape 13 is placed. The introduced tape 13 is positioned so that its non-adhesive surface 13b faces the inner circumferential surface of the notch 41a and comes into contact with the elastic member 48. As a result, the pressing member 47 presses down on the object to be bound 61, causing the tape 13 to be sandwiched between the object to be bound 61 and the elastic member 48, increasing the contact area with the object to be bound 61 compared to the case where the elastic member 48 is not provided. This allows the tape winding device 1 to better adhere the leading edge of the tape 13 to the object to be bound 61. Furthermore, once the tip of the tape 13 has been attached to the object to be bound 61, the pressing member 47 is pulled back to its original retracted position, as described above.

[0035] The tape winding device 1 may be moved by, for example, an industrial robot. In that case, the arm of the industrial robot should be attached in advance to the arm attachment section 71 provided on the tape winding device 1. Furthermore, the attachment of the leading edge of the tape 13 to the object to be bound 61 may be performed by moving the device toward the object to be bound 61 housed in the notch 41a using an industrial robot or the like, without using the pressing member 47. For example, in the example shown in Figure 7, the adhesive surface 13a of the tape 13 introduced into the notch 41a can be attached to the object to be bound 61 housed therein by moving the device to the right using an industrial robot or the like. In this case as well, the effect of the elastic member 48 in the attachment is the same as in the case where the pressing member 47 is used.

[0036] <Preparing to wrap the tape 2> See Figure 8. After attaching the leading edge of the tape 13 to the object to be bound 61, the servo motor 46 is driven to rotate the tape winding drum 41. In this case, the tape winding drum 41 rotates clockwise. This rotation of the drum causes the portion of the tape 13 following the attached portion to be wound around the object to be bound 61. At the same time, the remaining portion of the tape 13 to be wound is wound around the outer circumference of the tape winding drum 41. During this winding process, the non-adhesive surface 13b of the tape 13 comes into contact with the outer surface of the tape winding drum 41, so the tape does not stick to its outer circumference.

[0037] Here, the tape winding device 1 drives the servo motor 29 to rotate the first pulley 21 in accordance with the winding. This causes the tape 13 to be pulled out from the tape reel 11 while the remaining portion of the tape is wound around the outer circumference of the tape winding drum 41. The tape winding device 1 also controls the driving timing of the servo motor 46 of the tape winding mechanism and the servo motor 29 of the tape feeding mechanism during winding, adjusting the rotational speed of the tape winding drum 41 and the first pulley 21. This creates a state in which tension is applied to the tape 13.

[0038] <Cutting the tape> See Figure 9. When the length of the tape 13, from the tip attached to the object to be bound 61 to the remaining portion wound around the outer circumference of the tape winding drum 41, reaches a predetermined length required for winding the object to be bound 61, the servo motors 29 and 46 are stopped. At this time, it is necessary to feed out the predetermined length of tape 13 required for winding the object to be bound 61 using the first pulley 21, and the amount of rotation of the first pulley 21 corresponding to the length of tape 13 to be fed out is set in advance in the device. Similarly, the amount of rotation of the tape winding drum 41 is also set in advance in the device using the same method. Then, by driving the servo motors 29 and 46 based on these rotation amounts and controlling the rotation of the first pulley 21 and the tape winding drum 41, a constant length of tape 13 is always wound around the object to be bound 61. The length of tape 13 wound around the outer circumference of the tape winding drum 41 is less than the length of one full rotation of the drum's outer circumference.

[0039] Furthermore, when the servo motors 29 and 46 are stopped, the rotation of the first pulley 21 and the tape winding drum 41 stops, and the transport of the tape 13 by the tape feeding mechanism also stops. In this state, the tape 13 is cut by the cutter 28. As described above, the cutting of the tape 13 is performed by driving the air cylinder 27 to push the cutter out, thereby pushing the cutter 28 toward the tape 13. This causes the tip of the blade (edge) to be pressed against the tape 13, resulting in the cutting of the tape. At this time, as mentioned above, the tape 13 is under tension, so it can be easily cut by pressing the edge of the cutter against it. Furthermore, it is preferable to press the tip of the cutter blade against the non-adhesive side 13b of the tape 13. Doing so prevents adhesive from adhering to the blade tip during cutting, thus reducing the likelihood of the tape becoming wrinkled or bent, and thus allowing the cut surface of the tape to be flat after cutting. Also, in this way, the adhesive side 13a of the tape 13, when under tension, is not in contact with anything in the vicinity of the cut, so when the blade tip is pressed against the non-adhesive side 13b, the adhesive side 13a on the back will not stick to anything in the surrounding area. Once the tape cutting is complete, as previously described, the air cylinder 27 is driven to retract the cutter, causing the cutter 28 to be pulled in the opposite direction to the tape and returned to its original position before cutting.

[0040] <Wrapping with tape> See Figure 10. After the tape is cut, the servo motor 46 is driven to rotate the tape winding drum 41 again. This winds the tape 13 wound around the outer circumference of the drum 41 onto the object to be bound 61, while the remaining tape 13 downstream from the cutting point is wound around the outer circumference of the tape winding drum 41. At this time, the first pulley 21 that feeds the tape is stopped, and the tape 13 upstream from the cutting point is not transported downstream but remains in place as it will be used for the next winding.

[0041] Here, as described above, the tape 13 is under tension before cutting, but after cutting, the tension decreases. Due to this decrease in tension, the tape 13 downstream from the cutting point becomes loose when it is wound around the outer circumference of the tape winding drum 41, resulting in a defect in the winding of the tape 13 onto the bundled object 61. To avoid this, the tape winding device 1 is provided with multiple guide rollers 49, each with a ring member 50 attached, around the outer circumference of the tape winding drum 41, as previously described. The ring member 50 is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber and is configured to press the tape 13 wound around the outer circumference of the tape winding drum 41 (i.e., positioned along the outer circumference) toward the rotation axis of the drum. This ensures that after cutting, the tape 13 downstream from the cutting point is pressed against the outer surface of the tape winding drum 41, thereby applying tension to the tape. Furthermore, to prevent the tape 13 wound around the outer circumference from meandering on its outer surface due to the rotation of the tape winding drum 41 when wrapping the tape around the object to be bound, the outer surface of the tape winding drum 41 has a crown shape with a larger roll diameter in the central part. In this way, the pressing force applied by the ring member 50 of the guide roller 49, and the crown shape of the outer surface of the drum 41, allow the tape winding device 1 to reliably wind the tape 13 onto the object to be bound 61, right up to the last portion being wound.

[0042] See Figure 11. The servo motor 46 is driven to rotate the tape winding drum 41 so that all of the tape 13 wound around the outer circumference of the drum is wrapped around the object to be bound 61. Once the tape winding by the tape winding drum 41 is complete, the servo motor 46 is stopped to stop the rotation of the drum. Then, an industrial robot or the like, connected via the arm attachment part 71, moves the entire tape winding device 1 to attach the portion of the tape 13 that has not yet been wrapped to the object to be bound 61 within the notch 41a of the tape winding drum 41.

[0043] See Figure 12. Once the wrapping of the tape 13 around the object to be bound 61 is complete, the entire tape winding device 1 is moved upward by an industrial robot or the like. This movement separates the tape winding device 1 from the object to be bound 61 that has been wrapped with tape.

[0044] See Figure 13. Subsequently, for the next winding, the servo motor 46 is driven to rotate the tape winding drum 41, orienting the notch 41a downwards and the opening 41b upwards. Then, the servo motor 29 is driven to rotate the first pulley 21 again, thereby feeding out the tape 13. With this restart of feeding, the tape 13 is introduced into the notch 41a through the opening 41b of the tape winding drum 41, as described above. After this introduction of the tape, the entire tape winding device 1 is moved toward the next object to be bound by an industrial robot or the like in order to wind the tape onto that next object to be bound. After this, the process returns to the "Preparation for wrapping tape 1" described above, and the subsequent steps are repeated for another object to be bound 61.

[0045] In the tape winding device described above, the tape pulled from the tape reel is transported inside the device along the vertical axis by a tape feeding mechanism and introduced into the notch of the tape winding drum through an opening that communicates with the drum. The portion of the tape to be wound, following the introduced tape, is wound around the outer circumference of the tape winding drum. Then, by the rotation of the tape winding drum, the tape introduced into the notch and the portion of the tape to be wound on the outer circumference of the drum are wound around the object to be bound. Due to this structure and operation, the tape winding device can wind tape around an object to be bound as long as there is space around the object to be bound that is equal to the size of the tape winding drum (cylindrical outer diameter and thickness / height). Therefore, the tape winding device described above allows for tape winding in a smaller space compared to methods in which the tape reel itself rotates around the object to be bound or in which the tape is transported outside the device. Furthermore, in the tape winding device of this disclosure, the adhesive surface of the tape is brought into contact with the rotating member of the tape feeding mechanism to transport the tape, and the transported tape is introduced into the communicating notch through the opening of the tape winding drum. Therefore, with this tape winding device, tape can be wound around the object to be bound regardless of whether the device is oriented vertically or horizontally. Therefore, the tape winding device of this disclosure makes it possible to wind tape around wires to be bundled even in a narrow workspace where multiple wires are in close proximity to each other.

[0046] <Note> Several tape winding and feeding mechanisms are listed below. [1]: A tape reel that holds a roll of tape and is rotatably supported, A feeding mechanism for feeding out the tape pulled out from the tape reel, comprising a cutting mechanism for cutting the tape, A tape winding drum that is rotatable in the circumferential direction has a notch in a part of its cylindrical peripheral wall for accommodating the object to be bound, and an opening that communicates with the notch, Equipped with, The tape is introduced into the notch through the opening of the drum by the feeding mechanism, and the object to be bound, housed in the notch, is bound by the introduced tape as the drum rotates. A tape winding device characterized by the following features. [2]: In the tape winding device described in [1] above, The drum is further provided with a rotatable guide roller having a ring member that presses the tape, which is positioned along the outer circumference of the drum, toward the rotation axis side of the drum. A tape winding device characterized by the following features. [3]: In the tape winding device described in [2] above, The drum further comprises an elastic member on the inner circumferential surface of the notch on the side where the introduced tape is positioned. A tape winding device characterized by the following features. [4]: In the tape winding device described in [2] above, The drum further comprises a pressing member on the side of the notch facing the inner circumferential surface on the side where the introduced tape is placed, which is movable between a pressing position and a retracted position. A tape winding device characterized by the following features. [5]: In the tape winding device described in [4] above, The drum further comprises an elastic member on the inner circumferential surface of the notch on the side where the introduced tape is positioned. A tape winding device characterized by the following features. [6]: A tape feeding mechanism provided in the tape winding device described in any one of the above items [1] to [5], This feeding mechanism includes a rotatably configured pulley as a member that contacts the adhesive surface of the tape pulled out from the tape reel, and a rotatably configured ring-shaped belt for transporting the tape fed out by the pulley toward the notch. A feeding mechanism characterized by the following features. [7]: The feeding mechanism described in [6] above, This feeding mechanism further includes a belt entanglement prevention member provided below the belt for peeling the adhesive surface of the tape being conveyed by the rotation of the belt away from the belt. A feeding mechanism characterized by the following features. [8]: In a tape winding device equipped with the feeding mechanism described in [1] above, This device further comprises an industrial robot connected via a mounting section provided on the device. A tape winding device characterized by the following features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] Tape winding device 1, cover 1rs, tape reel 11, tape 13, adhesive surface 13a, non-adhesive surface 13b, first pulley 21, second pulley 22, first ring belt 23, belt entanglement prevention member 24, second ring belt a 25, second ring belt b 26, air cylinder 27, cutter 28, servo motor 29, gear 30, tape winding drum 41, notch 41a, opening 41b, large gear 42, small gear a 43, small gear b 44, toothed belt 45, servo motor 46, pressing member 47, elastic member 48, guide roller 49, ring member 50, bundled object 61, arm mounting part 71

Claims

1. A tape reel that holds a roll of tape and is supported so as to be rotatable, A feeding mechanism for feeding out the tape pulled out from the tape reel, comprising a cutting mechanism for cutting the tape, A tape winding drum that is rotatable in the circumferential direction has a notch in a part of its cylindrical peripheral wall for accommodating the object to be bound, and an opening that communicates with the notch, Pressing member and Equipped with, The tape is introduced into the notch from the opening of the drum by the feeding mechanism, the object to be bound, housed in the notch, is pressed down by the pressing member toward the leading edge of the introduced tape, and then bound by the introduced tape due to the rotation of the drum. A tape winding device characterized by the following features.

2. In the tape winding device according to claim 1, The elastic member provided on the inner circumferential surface of the notch is further provided, When the pressing member presses the object to be bound, which is housed in the notch, toward the tip of the tape, it presses the object to be bound and the tip of the tape toward the elastic member. A tape winding device characterized by the following features.

3. In the tape winding device according to claim 2, The elastic member is provided at an angle with respect to the direction in which the tape is fed by the feeding mechanism and has an inclined portion that tilts the leading edge of the tape from the feeding direction so as to face the pressing member. A tape winding device characterized by the following features.

4. In the tape winding device according to claim 1, The pressing member is movable between the pressing position and the retracted position. A tape winding device characterized by the following features.

5. A tape reel that holds a roll of tape and is supported so as to be rotatable, A feeding mechanism for feeding out the tape pulled out from the tape reel, comprising a cutting mechanism for cutting the tape, A tape winding drum that is rotatable in the circumferential direction has a notch in a part of its cylindrical peripheral wall for accommodating the object to be bound, and an opening that communicates with the notch, Rotatable guide rollers, Equipped with, The tape is introduced into the notch through the opening of the drum by the feeding mechanism, and the object to be bound, housed in the notch, is bound by the introduced tape as the drum rotates. The guide roller has a plurality of ring members positioned around the outer circumference of the drum, which press the tape, which is arranged along the outer circumference of the drum, toward the rotation axis side of the drum. The aforementioned multiple ring members are arranged spaced apart on the support shaft of the guide roller. A tape winding device characterized by the following features.

6. A tape feeding mechanism provided in a tape winding device, The tape winding device is A tape reel that holds a roll of tape and is supported so as to be rotatable, A feeding mechanism for feeding out the tape pulled out from the tape reel, the feeding mechanism comprising a cutting mechanism for cutting the tape, A tape winding drum that is rotatable in the circumferential direction has a notch in a part of its cylindrical peripheral wall for accommodating the object to be bound, and an opening that communicates with the notch, Equipped with, The tape is introduced into the notch through the opening of the drum by the feeding mechanism, and the object to be bound, housed in the notch, is bound by the introduced tape as the drum rotates. The feeding mechanism includes a rotatably configured pulley as a member that contacts the adhesive surface of the tape pulled out from the tape reel, and a rotatably configured ring-shaped belt for transporting the tape fed out by the pulley toward the notch. A feeding mechanism characterized by the following features.

7. The feeding mechanism according to claim 6, This feeding mechanism further includes a belt entanglement prevention member provided below the belt for peeling the adhesive surface of the tape being conveyed by the rotation of the belt away from the belt. A feeding mechanism characterized by the following features.

8. In a tape winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, This device further comprises an industrial robot connected via a mounting section provided on the device. A tape winding device characterized by the following features.

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