End device

Abstract

To provide a binding facility capable of feeding wire by an appropriate method.SOLUTION: A binding facility 100A comprises: a reinforcement binding machine 1A that binds a reinforcement S by two wires W; a reel storage part that 21 that stores two reels 20 on which one wire W is wound; and a wire feeding mechanism 2A for pulling out the respective wires W from the two reels 20 stored in the reel storage part 21 and feeding them to the reinforcement binding machine 1A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a bundling facility that uses wire to bundle objects such as reinforcing bars, and a wire feeding mechanism that feeds the wire. [Background technology]

[0002] Steel bars are used in concrete structures to increase their strength, and are tied together with wire to prevent the bars from shifting from their designated positions when the concrete is poured.

[0003] Conventionally, a binding machine known as a rebar binding machine has been proposed, which is held by a worker and used to wrap wire around two or more rebars, twist the wire wrapped around the rebars, and bind the two or more rebars with the wire (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Furthermore, a technology has been proposed that is applied to equipment that uses a reinforcing bar binding machine (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-34405 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-35052 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] There are various methods for tying rebar using a rebar tying machine, but it was not possible to feed the wire in the appropriate way in the equipment or wire feeding mechanism depending on the tying method used by the rebar tying machine.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and has an object to provide bundling equipment that can feed wire in an appropriate manner, and a wire feeding mechanism that feeds wire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a wire feeding unit that feeds a plurality of wires, a curl forming unit that winds the plurality of wires fed by the wire feeding unit around an object to be bound, and 、 a bundling mechanism having a bundling unit that twists the multiple wires wound around an object to be bound by a curl forming unit; and a reel housing that houses multiple reels on which one wire is wound; Located between the binding mechanism and the reel housing, a wire feeding mechanism configured to feed wires from the plurality of reels accommodated in the reel accommodating section to the wire feeding section, The wire pulling-out mechanism includes a wire pulling-out mechanism that pulls out the wire from the reel, a first wire guiding unit that guides the wire between the reel housing unit and the wire pulling-out mechanism, and a second wire guiding unit that guides the wire between the bundling mechanism and the wire pulling-out mechanism. , The wire pull-out mechanism slackens the wire between the first wire guide and the second wire guide; The wire feed section is Wire withdrawal mechanism relaxation Precocious This is a bundling equipment that feeds wire.

[0009] In the present invention, in the binding equipment, a plurality of wires are fed to a binding mechanism, and objects to be bound are bound with the plurality of wires. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the present invention, in the binding equipment, a plurality of wires can be fed to the binding mechanism, and objects to be bound can be bound with the plurality of wires. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1A] 1 is a side view showing an example of the binding equipment of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 1B] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a binding facility according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1C] 1 is a side view of a main part showing an example of a binding facility according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1D] 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of a main part showing an example of a binding facility according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1E] 1 is a side view of a main part showing an example of a binding facility according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing an example of a reinforcing bar binding machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a wire feeding unit. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view showing an example of a binding portion. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view showing an example of a binding portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control function of the binding equipment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of binding reinforcing bars by a reinforcing bar binding machine in binding equipment. [Figure 6A] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation of bundling reinforcing bars with a reinforcing bar bundling machine in a bundling facility. FIG. [Figure 6B] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation of bundling reinforcing bars with a reinforcing bar bundling machine in a bundling facility. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 8A] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 8B] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 8C] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 8D] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 8E] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a binding facility according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part showing an example of a binding facility according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10A] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 10B] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 10C] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 10D] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 10E] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 is a side view showing an example of the binding equipment of the third embodiment. [Figure 11B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a binding facility according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11C] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part showing an example of a binding facility according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 13A] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 13B] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 13C] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 13D] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 13E] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 13F] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part showing an example of a binding facility according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15A] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 15B] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 15C] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 15D] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 15E] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 15F] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part showing an example of a binding facility according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 17A] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 17B] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 17C] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 17D] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 17E] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 17F] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 17G] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 18A] FIG. 13 is a side view showing an example of the binding equipment of the sixth embodiment. [Figure 18B] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a binding facility according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 18C] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 18D] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 18E] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 18F] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 18G] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control function of the binding equipment. [Figure 20]10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding device. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the binding equipment of each embodiment. [Figure 22A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another modified example of the binding equipment of each embodiment. [Figure 22B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another modified example of the binding equipment of each embodiment. [Figure 22C] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another modified example of the binding equipment of each embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing still another modified example of the binding equipment of each embodiment. [Figure 24A] FIG. 10 is a side view of the binding equipment showing a modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 24B] FIG. 10 is a top view of the binding equipment showing a modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 24C] FIG. 10 is a top view of a main part of the binding equipment showing a modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 25A] FIG. 10 is a side view of the binding equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 25B] FIG. 10 is a top view of the binding equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 25C] FIG. 10 is a top view of the main part of the binding equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 26A] FIG. 10 is a side view of the binding equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 26B] FIG. 10 is a side view of the binding equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 26C] FIG. 10 is a top view of the main part of the binding equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 27A] FIG. 10 is a top view of the binding equipment showing yet another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 27B] FIG. 10 is a top view of the main part of the binding equipment showing yet another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 27C]FIG. 10 is a top view of the main part of the binding equipment showing yet another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 27D] FIG. 10 is a top view of the main part of the binding equipment showing yet another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the binding equipment and the wire feeding mechanism for feeding the wire of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] <Configuration example of binding equipment according to the first embodiment> Figure 1A is a side view showing an example of a binding equipment of the first embodiment, Figure 1B is an oblique view showing an example of a binding equipment of the first embodiment, Figure 1C is a side view of a main part showing an example of a binding equipment of the first embodiment, Figure 1D is a plan cross-sectional view of a main part showing an example of a binding equipment of the first embodiment, and Figure 1E is a side view of a main part showing an example of a binding equipment of the first embodiment.

[0020] The binding equipment 100A of the first embodiment includes a reinforcing bar binding machine 1A that binds reinforcing bars S, which are objects to be bound, with wire W, and a wire feeding mechanism 2A that feeds wire W to the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A. The reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is attached to a lifting mechanism 111A and supported by a base part 112A so that it can move (lift) in the vertical direction, which is the direction intersecting with the arrangement surface SF of the reinforcing bars S.

[0021] 2 is a side view showing an example of a reinforcing bar binding machine according to the first embodiment. The reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is an example of a binding mechanism, in which a wire W is fed in the forward direction indicated by an arrow F to wind it around two intersecting reinforcing bars S, and the wire W wound around the reinforcing bars S is fed in the reverse direction indicated by an arrow R to wind it around the reinforcing bars S, and then the wire W is twisted and the reinforcing bars S are bound with the wire W.

[0022] To achieve the above-mentioned functions, the rebar binding machine 1A is equipped with a wire feeding unit 3A that feeds the wire W in the forward and reverse directions, and a wire guide 4A that guides the wire W fed to the wire feeding unit 3A. The rebar binding machine 1A also has a curl forming unit 5A that forms a path for winding the wire W fed by the wire feeding unit 3A around the rebar S, and a cutting unit 6A that cuts the wire W wound around the rebar S. The rebar binding machine 1A is further equipped with a binding unit 7A that twists the wire W wound around the rebar S, and a drive unit 8A that drives the binding unit 7A.

[0023] The wire feeding unit 3A includes a pair of feed gears 30 (a first feed gear 30L and a second feed gear 30R) that sandwich and feed one wire W or multiple wires W arranged in parallel. The wire feeding unit 3A rotates the feed gears 30 by transmitting the rotational motion of a feed motor (described later). As a result, the wire feeding unit 3A feeds the wire W sandwiched between the pair of feed gears 30 along the extension direction of the wire W. In a configuration in which multiple wires W, for example, two wires W, are fed, the two wires W are fed in a parallel state.

[0024] The wire guide 4A is provided at a predetermined position upstream of the wire feeding section 3A in the forward feeding direction of the wire W. In a configuration in which two wires W are fed, the wire guide 4A regulates the radial orientation of the two wires W, aligns the two incoming wires W in parallel, and guides them between a pair of feed gears 30 (a first feed gear 30L and a second feed gear 30R).

[0025] The wire guide 4A has a shape such that the opening downstream with respect to the feeding direction of the wire W fed in the forward direction restricts the radial orientation of the wire W. In contrast, the opening upstream with respect to the feeding direction of the wire W fed in the forward direction has a larger opening area than the opening downstream. For example, the wire guide 4A is configured with a tapered opening such that the opening area is largest on the introduction side of the wire W fed from the wire feeding mechanism 2A shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, and the opening area gradually decreases thereafter. This allows the wire W fed by the wire feeding mechanism 2A to be guided between the pair of feed gears 30 even if the height or orientation of the rebar binding machine 1A changes.

[0026] The curl forming unit 5A includes a curl guide 50 that curls the wire W fed by the wire feeding unit 3A, and an guiding guide 51 that guides the wire W curled by the curl guide 50 to the bundling unit 7A. In the rebar bundling machine 1A, the feed path of the wire W fed by the wire feeding unit 3A is regulated by the curl forming unit 5A, so that the trajectory of the wire W forms a loop Ru as shown by the dashed line in Figure 2, and the wire W is wound around the rebar S.

[0027] The curl forming unit 5A includes guide members 53a and 53b that guide the wire W fed in the forward direction and curl the wire W. Guide member 53a is provided on the introduction side of the curl guide 50 for the wire W fed by the wire feeding unit 3A, and is positioned radially inside the loop Ru formed by the wire W. Guide member 53b is provided on the discharge side of the curl guide 50 for the wire W fed by the wire feeding unit 3A, and is positioned radially outside the loop Ru formed by the wire W.

[0028] The curl forming unit 5A includes a guide member moving mechanism 54A that retracts the guide member 53a. After the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar S, the guide member moving mechanism 54A retracts the guide member 53a in conjunction with the operation of the binding unit 7A.

[0029] The cutting unit 6A includes a fixed blade unit 60, a movable blade unit 61 that cuts the wire W in cooperation with the fixed blade unit 60, and a transmission mechanism 62 that transmits the operation of the binding unit 7A to the movable blade unit 61. The cutting unit 6A cuts the wire W by the rotation of the movable blade unit 61 around the fixed blade unit 60 as a fulcrum axis. The transmission mechanism 62 transmits the operation of the binding unit 7A to the movable blade unit 61 via a moving member 83, and rotates the movable blade unit 61 in conjunction with the operation of the binding unit 7A to cut the wire W.

[0030] The bundling unit 7A includes a wire locking body 70 that locks the wire W. The detailed configuration of the bundling unit 7A will be described later. The driving unit 8A includes a motor 80 and a reducer 81 that reduces speed and amplifies torque.

[0031] When the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is used in a form that is held by the operator, it comprises a main body 10A and a handle 11A, and a battery 15A is detachably attached to the handle 11A.

[0032] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an example of a wire feeding unit, and the configuration of the wire feeding unit 3A will be described below with reference to each drawing.

[0033] The first feed gear 30L, which constitutes one of the pair of feed gears 30, has teeth 31L that transmit driving force. In this example, the teeth 31L have a shape that constitutes a spur gear and are formed around the entire outer periphery of the first feed gear 30L. The first feed gear 30L also has a groove 32L into which the wire W is inserted. In this example, the groove 32L is formed as a recess with a substantially V-shaped cross section and is formed along the circumferential direction around the entire outer periphery of the first feed gear 30L.

[0034] The second feed gear 30R, which constitutes the other of the pair of feed gears 30, has teeth 31R that transmit driving force. In this example, the teeth 31R have a shape that constitutes a spur gear and are formed around the entire outer periphery of the second feed gear 30R. The second feed gear 30R also has a groove 32R into which the wire W is inserted. In this example, the groove 32R is formed as a recess with a substantially V-shaped cross section and is formed along the circumferential direction around the entire outer periphery of the second feed gear 30R.

[0035] The wire feeding section 3A is arranged such that the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L faces the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R, with the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R sandwiching the feeding path of the wire W therebetween.

[0036] In the wire feed unit 3A, with the wire W sandwiched between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R, the teeth 31L of the first feed gear 30L mesh with the teeth 31R of the second feed gear 30R, thereby transmitting a rotational driving force between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R.

[0037] The wire feed unit 3A includes a feed motor 33 that drives either the first feed gear 30L or the second feed gear 30R, in this example the first feed gear 30L, and a drive force transmission mechanism 34 that transmits the drive force of the feed motor 33 to the first feed gear 30L.

[0038] The driving force transmission mechanism 34 includes a small gear 33a attached to the shaft of the feed motor 33 and a large gear 33b that meshes with the small gear 33a. The driving force transmission mechanism 34 also includes a feed small gear 34a that receives driving force from the large gear 33b and meshes with the first feed gear 30L. The small gear 33a, the large gear 33b, and the feed small gear 34a are each made up of a spur gear.

[0039] The first feed gear 30L is rotated by the rotational motion of the feed motor 33 transmitted via the driving force transmission mechanism 34. The second feed gear 30R is rotated following the rotation of the first feed gear 30L by the meshing of the toothed portion 31L with the toothed portion 31R.

[0040] As a result, the wire feeding unit 3A feeds the wire W sandwiched between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R along the extending direction of the wire W. In a configuration in which two wires W are fed, the two wires W are fed in a parallel state due to a frictional force generated between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and one wire W, a frictional force generated between the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R and the other wire W, and a frictional force generated between one wire W and the other wire W.

[0041] In the wire feeding unit 3A, by switching the rotation direction of the feed motor 33 between forward and reverse, the rotation directions of the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R are switched, and the feeding direction of the wire W is switched between forward and reverse.

[0042] The wire feeding unit 3A is configured to sandwich the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, so that the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R are pressed toward each other. That is, the wire feeding unit 3A sandwiches the wire W between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, and is configured so that the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R can be displaced toward and away from each other, so that the wire W can be loaded between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R. In this example, the driving force of the feed motor 33 is received from the first feed gear 30L, and the second feed gear 30R, to which the driving force of the feed motor 33 is not directly transmitted, is displaced relative to the first feed gear 30L.

[0043] Therefore, the wire feeding unit 3A is provided with a first displacement member 36 that displaces the second feed gear 30R in a direction that moves it closer to or away from the first feed gear 30L. It is also provided with a second displacement member 37 that displaces the first displacement member 36. The first displacement member 36 and the second displacement member 37 displace one or both of the pair of feed gears 30 in a direction that moves it closer to or away from the other. In this example, as described above, the second feed gear 30R is displaced in a direction that moves it closer to or away from the first feed gear 30L.

[0044] The first displacement member 36 has a second feed gear 30R rotatably supported by a shaft 300R at one end thereof, and the other end thereof is rotatably supported by a support member 301 of the wire feed unit 3A, with a shaft 36a as a fulcrum.

[0045] The first displacement member 36 has a shaft 36a, which serves as a fulcrum for rotation, oriented parallel to the shaft 300R of the second feed gear 30R. As a result, the first displacement member 36 is displaced by rotation about the shaft 36a, moving the second feed gear 30R toward and away from the first feed gear 30L.

[0046] The first displacement member 36 has a pressed portion 36b at one end thereof that is pressed by the second displacement member 37. The pressed portion 36b is provided on the side of the portion that supports the shaft 300R of the second feed gear 30R.

[0047] The second displacement member 37 is rotatably supported on a support member 301 of the wire feeding unit 3A around a shaft 37a as a fulcrum. The second displacement member 37 also includes a pressing portion 37b on one end side across the shaft 37a, which presses the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36.

[0048] The second displacement member 37 is displaced by rotating about the shaft 37a, and the pressing portion 37b presses the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36, and releases the pressing of the pressed portion 36b by the pressing portion 37b.

[0049] The wire feeding unit 3A includes a spring 38 that presses the second feed gear 30R against the first feed gear 30L. The spring 38 is formed, for example, by a compression coil spring, and presses the other end side of the second displacement member 37 across the shaft 37a.

[0050] The second displacement member 37 is displaced by rotating about the shaft 37a due to the pressure of the spring 38, and the pressing portion 37b presses the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36. When the pressing portion 37b of the second displacement member 37 presses the pressed portion 36b of the first displacement member 36, the first displacement member 36 is displaced by rotating about the shaft 36a. As a result, the second feed gear 30R is pressed in the direction of the first feed gear 30L by the force of the spring 38.

[0051] When the wire W is loaded between the first feed gear 30L and the second feed gear 30R, the wire W is clamped between the groove 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove 32R of the second feed gear 30R.

[0052] Furthermore, with the wire W sandwiched between the groove portion 32L of the first feed gear 30L and the groove portion 32R of the second feed gear 30R, the tooth portion 31L of the first feed gear 30L and the tooth portion 31R of the second feed gear 30R mesh with each other.

[0053] 3B and 3C are cross-sectional plan views showing an example of the binding part, and the configuration of the binding part will now be described with reference to these figures.

[0054] The bundling unit 7A includes a wire locking body 70 to which the wire W is locked, and a rotating shaft 72 that operates the wire locking body 70. The bundling unit 7A and the driving unit 8A are configured such that the rotating shaft 72 and a motor 80 are connected via a reducer 81, and the rotating shaft 72 is driven by the motor 80 via the reducer 81.

[0055] The wire locking body 70 comprises a center hook 70C connected to a rotating shaft 72, a first side hook 70R and a second side hook 70L that open and close relative to the center hook 70C, and a sleeve 71 that activates the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L and shapes the wire W into a desired shape.

[0056] The center hook 70C is connected to the tip of the rotating shaft 72, which is one end along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 72, via a structure that allows it to rotate relative to the rotating shaft 72 and move axially integrally with the rotating shaft 72.

[0057] The wire locking body 70 rotates about the shaft 71b, opening and closing the tip of the first side hook 70R in the direction of approaching and separating from the center hook 70C. Also, the tip of the second side hook 70L opens and closes in the direction of approaching and separating from the center hook 70C.

[0058] The sleeve 71 has a convex portion (not shown) that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the space into which the rotating shaft 72 is inserted, and this convex portion fits into a groove of a feed screw 72a that is formed along the axial direction on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 72. When the rotating shaft 72 rotates, the sleeve 71 moves back and forth, which is the direction along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 72, according to the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 72, due to the action of the convex portion (not shown) and the feed screw 72a of the rotating shaft 72. In addition, the sleeve 71 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 72.

[0059] The sleeve 71 includes an opening / closing pin 71a that opens and closes the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L.

[0060] The opening / closing pin 71a is inserted into an opening / closing guide hole 73 provided in the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L. The opening / closing guide hole 73 extends along the movement direction of the sleeve 71 and has a shape that converts the linear movement of the opening / closing pin 71a, which moves in conjunction with the sleeve 71, into an opening / closing operation due to rotation of the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L about the shaft 71b as a fulcrum.

[0061] As the sleeve 71 of the wire locking body 70 moves in the rearward direction indicated by the arrow A2, the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L move in a direction away from the center hook 70C by rotating around the axis 71b, depending on the trajectory of the opening / closing pin 71a and the shape of the opening / closing guide hole 73.

[0062] This causes the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L to open relative to the center hook 70C, and a feed path through which the wire W passes is formed between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C, and between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C.

[0063] When the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L are open relative to the center hook 70C, the wire W fed by the wire feeding unit 3A passes between the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R. The wire W passing between the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R is guided to the curl forming unit 5A. The wire W is curled by the curl forming unit 5A and guided to the bundling unit 7A, where it passes between the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L.

[0064] In the wire locking body 70, as the sleeve 71 moves forward as indicated by the arrow A1, the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L move in a direction approaching the center hook 70C by rotating about the shaft 71b due to the trajectory of the opening / closing pin 71a and the shape of the opening / closing guide hole 73. As a result, the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L close against the center hook 70C.

[0065] When the first side hook 70R closes relative to the center hook 70C, the wire W sandwiched between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C is locked in a manner that allows it to move between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C. Furthermore, when the second side hook 70L closes relative to the center hook 70C, the wire W sandwiched between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C is locked in a manner that prevents it from slipping out from between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C.

[0066] The sleeve 71 has a bending portion 71c1 that shapes the wire W into a predetermined shape by pushing and bending the tip side, which is one end of the wire W, in a predetermined direction, and a bending portion 71c2 that shapes the wire W into a predetermined shape by pushing and bending the terminal side, which is the other end of the wire W cut by the cutting portion 6A, in a predetermined direction.

[0067] As the sleeve 71 moves forward as indicated by arrow A1, the bending portion 71c1 pushes the tip end of the wire W, which is held by the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L, and bends it toward the reinforcing bar S. As the sleeve 71 moves forward as indicated by arrow A1, the bending portion 71c2 pushes the end end of the wire W, which is held by the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and cut at the cutting portion 6A, and bends it toward the reinforcing bar S.

[0068] The bundling unit 7A includes a rotation restricting unit 74 that restricts the rotation of the wire locking body 70 and the sleeve 71 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 72. In the bundling unit 7A, the rotation restricting unit 74 restricts the rotation of the sleeve 71 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 72 depending on the position of the sleeve 71 along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 72, and the rotation of the rotating shaft 72 causes the sleeve 71 to move back and forth. Furthermore, when the restriction on the rotation of the sleeve 71 by the rotation restricting unit 74 is released, the sleeve 71 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 72.

[0069] Next, the wire feeding mechanism 2A will be described with reference to the drawings. The wire feeding mechanism 2A includes a wire unwinding mechanism 22 that feeds the wire W between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the reel 20, a first wire guiding unit 23 that guides the wire W between the reel 20 and the wire unwinding mechanism 22, and a second wire guiding unit 24 that guides the wire W between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the wire unwinding mechanism 22.

[0070] The bundling equipment 100A includes a reel housing section 21 that houses a reel 20 around which a wire W is wound. The reel housing section 21 houses the reel 20 around which the wire W is wound so that the reel can be pulled out, in a rotatable and detachable manner. The wire W may be a wire made of a metal wire that can be plastically deformed, a metal wire coated with resin, or a twisted wire. The reel 20 has one wire W wound around a hub section (not shown) so that the wire W can be pulled out from the reel 20.

[0071] In this example, the reel storage section 21 stores two reels 20 arranged side by side along the axial direction with the axis of rotation oriented horizontally to the vertical direction, in order to use two wires W to bind reinforcing bars S in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A.

[0072] The wire pull-out mechanism 22 of the wire feed mechanism 2A includes a pull-out roller 22a that pulls the wire W between the first wire guide unit 23 and the second wire guide unit 24, and a drive unit 22b that moves the position of the pull-out roller 22a in a direction intersecting the wire W between the first wire guide unit 23 and the second wire guide unit 24. The pull-out roller 22a comes into contact with the wire W between the first wire guide unit 23 and the second wire guide unit 24, and moves in a direction intersecting the wire W between the first wire guide unit 23 and the second wire guide unit 24 between an upper limit position P1 as a first position that is a standby position, and a lower limit position P2 as a second position for pulling the wire W.

[0073] As a result, the wire pull-out mechanism 22 applies a pulling force to the wire W between the reel 20 and the first wire guide section 23 and the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24, between the first wire guide section 23 and the second wire guide section 24, by moving the pull-out roller 22a from the upper limit position to the lower limit position.

[0074] The first wire guiding unit 23 includes rollers 23a, 23b, and 23c, which are an example of wire guiding members, located upstream of the wire unwinding mechanism 22 with respect to the feeding direction of the wire W fed from the reel 20 housed in the reel housing 21 to the rebar binding machine 1A. The first wire guiding unit 23 guides the wire W unwound from the reel 20 housed in the reel housing 21 along a path toward the roller 23a using the roller 23b, and guides the wire W toward the second wire guiding unit 24 using the roller 23a. Note that the rollers 23a, 23b, and 23c are each independently configured to correspond to the two wires W, but the two wires W may be guided by a common roller 23a, 23b, and 23c. Alternatively, the two wires W may be guided by a single roller.

[0075] The second wire guide unit 24 includes a roller 24a as an example of a wire guide member downstream of the wire pull-out mechanism 22. The second wire guide unit 24 uses the roller 24a to guide the path along which the wire W is fed in the direction of the rebar binding machine 1A.

[0076] The rollers 23a, 23b of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 are provided at approximately the same height in the vertical direction and contact the wire W from below. The rollers 23a, 23b of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 are supported on an axis that intersects the vertical direction. The rollers 23a, 23b of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 are rotatably supported on an axis, for example, and the rollers 23a, 23b of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 rotate in response to the feed of the wire W. Note that the wire guide members are not limited to rotating rollers but may be non-rotating cylindrical or columnar members, and the non-rotating members are not limited to being cylindrical or columnar but may be members whose sliding surface for the wire W is formed of a curved or flat surface.

[0077] The first wire guide unit 23 includes a load applying means for applying a first load in the feed direction of the wire W. The load applying means is realized by a configuration for applying a predetermined load in the rotation direction of the rollers 23a, 23b, a configuration for varying the contact angle (length) between the rollers 23a, 23b and the wire W relative to the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24, or the like. The configuration for varying the contact angle (length) between the rollers 23a, 23b and the wire W relative to the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 can be realized by varying the diameter of the rollers, bending the feed path of the wire W, and changing the contact angle (length) of the wire W, or the like.

[0078] The second wire guide unit 24 includes a load applying means for applying a second load in the feed direction of the wire W. The load applying means is realized by a configuration for applying a predetermined load in the rotation direction of the roller 24a, a configuration for making the contact angle (length) between the roller 24a and the wire W different from that of the rollers 23a, 23b of the first wire guide unit 23, or the like. The configuration for making the contact angle (length) between the roller 24a and the wire W different from that of the rollers 23a, 23b of the first wire guide unit 23 can be realized by making the diameters of the rollers different, bending the feed path of the wire W, and changing the contact angle (length) of the wire W, or the like.

[0079] In this example, the first wire guide unit 23 includes a roller 23c between the rollers 23a and 23b as a load applying means. The roller 23c contacts the wire W from above and bends the feed path of the wire W, thereby increasing the contact angle (length) between the rollers 23a and 23b and the wire W relative to the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24. This results in a load applied to the wire W guided by the first wire guide unit 23 being greater than the load applied to the wire W guided by the second wire guide unit 24, such that the first load is greater than the second load.

[0080] In the wire pull-out mechanism 22, the pull-out roller 22a at the upper limit position P1 contacts the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 from above, opposite to the side where the rollers 23a, 24a contact. In the wire pull-out mechanism 22, the pull-out roller 22a moves from the upper limit position P1 to the lower limit position P2 in a direction intersecting the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0081] As a result, the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 is pulled downward by the pull-out roller 22a. Then, the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 and the wire W between the first wire guide unit 23 and the reel 20 stored in the reel storage unit 21 are fed between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0082] At this time, depending on the magnitude of the load on the wire W guided by the first wire guide unit 23 and the load on the wire W guided by the second wire guide unit 24, it is switched whether the wire W on the first wire guide unit 23 side or the wire W on the second wire guide unit 24 side is fed.

[0083] The wire feeding mechanism 2A includes an upper limit detection sensor 25a that detects when the pull-out roller 22a is at the upper limit position P1, and a lower limit detection sensor 25b that detects when the pull-out roller 22a is at the lower limit position P2.

[0084] The wire feeding mechanism 2A includes a guide portion 27 that restricts the position of each wire W along the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side within a predetermined range along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0085] The guide unit 27 is provided between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the first wire guide unit 23, and between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the second wire guide unit 24. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 1B, 1D, and 1E, the guide unit 27 is provided between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the first wire guide unit 23, in the vicinity of the wire pull-out mechanism 22. The guide unit 27 is also provided between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the second wire guide unit 24, in the vicinity of the wire pull-out mechanism 22. That is, the guide unit 27 is provided before and after the pull-out roller 22a along the feed direction of the wire W.

[0086] The guide portion 27 is provided on the outside of the outermost wire W of the parallel wires W in the direction in which the parallel wires W are arranged, and prevents the wire W from moving outside the feed path. The guide portion 27 is also provided between the parallel wires W to separate the feed paths of the wires W. In this example, the guide portion 27 includes a first guide portion 27a provided on the outside of each wire W in the direction in which the two wires W (W1, W2) are arranged in parallel, and a second guide portion 27b provided between the two wires W.

[0087] The first guide portion 27a extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a, and the second guide portion 27b extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0088] The guide portion 27 extends along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a on one side of the second guide portion 27b along the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, and one first guide portion 27a is provided opposite to the second guide portion 27b with a gap large enough to allow at least one wire W to pass through. The guide portion 27 has a guide portion 27c formed by the gap between the one first guide portion 27a and the second guide portion 27b.

[0089] The guide portion 27 extends along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a on the other side of the second guide portion 27b along the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, and the other first guide portion 27a is provided opposite to the second guide portion 27b with a gap large enough to allow at least one wire W to pass through. The guide portion 27 has a guide portion 27c formed in the gap between the other first guide portion 27a and the second guide portion 27b.

[0090] As a result, the guide portion 27 prevents each wire W from moving in a direction in which the two wires W are parallel to each other, in the range in which the pull-out roller 22a moves from the upper limit position to the lower limit position, in front of and behind the pull-out roller 22a along the feed direction of the wire W.

[0091] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the control function of the binding equipment. In the binding equipment 100A, a control unit 110A controls the motor 80 and the feed motor 31 of the rebar binding machine 1A. The control unit 110A controls the rotation amount of the motor 80 to control the position of the sleeve 71, and performs the operations of locking the wire W with the wire locking body 70, cutting the wire W with the cutting unit 6A, and twisting the wire W with the wire locking body 70.

[0092] In addition, the control unit 110A controls the forward and reverse rotation of the feed motor 31 to wind the wire W around the reinforcing bar S by feeding the wire W in the forward direction, and to wind the wire W around the reinforcing bar S by feeding the wire W in the reverse direction.

[0093] Furthermore, the control unit 110A controls the motor 22c of the drive unit 22b of the wire feeding mechanism 2A. Based on the position of the pull-out roller 22a detected by the upper limit detection sensor 25a and the lower limit detection sensor 25b, the control unit 110A controls the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 22c to lower or raise the pull-out roller 22a.

[0094] <Example of operation of the bundling equipment of the first embodiment> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of binding reinforcing bars using a reinforcing bar binding machine in binding equipment, and Figures 6A to 6B are operation explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of binding reinforcing bars using a reinforcing bar binding machine in binding equipment.Next, with reference to each figure, we will explain the operation of binding reinforcing bars S with wire W using a reinforcing bar binding machine 1A.

[0095] In step SA1 of Figure 5, the binding equipment 100A moves the reinforcing bars S so that the crossed points of the reinforcing bars S to be bound are positioned opposite the curl forming section 5A of the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A, and in step SA2, moves the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A so that the points of the reinforcing bars S to be bound are between the curl guide 50 and the guiding guide 51 of the curl forming section 5A.

[0096] When the control unit 110A receives a signal to bind the reinforcing bar S, in step SA3, it drives the feed motor 31 in the forward rotation direction, and causes the wire feeding unit 3A to feed the wire W in the forward direction indicated by the arrow F. In the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A, two wires W are fed in parallel along the axial direction of the loop Ru formed by the wires W.

[0097] The wire W fed in the forward direction passes between the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and is fed to the curl guide 50 of the curl forming unit 5A. By passing through the curl guide 50, the wire W is given a curl that is wound around the reinforcing bar S by the guide members 53a and 53b.

[0098] The wire W having been curled by the curl guide 50 is guided by the induction guide 51 and further fed in the forward direction by the wire feed unit 3A, whereby the wire W is guided by the induction guide 51 between the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L. The wire W is then fed until its tip abuts against the feed restricting unit 90. The feed path of the wire W fed by the wire feed unit 3A is restricted by the curl forming unit 5A, so that the trajectory of the wire W forms a loop Ru as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6A, and the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar S. When the wire W has been fed to a position where its tip abuts against the feed restricting unit 90, the control unit 110A stops driving the feed motor 31.

[0099] After stopping the forward feed of the wire W, the control unit 110A drives the motor 80 in the forward rotation direction. In the operating range where the rotation restricting unit 74 restricts the rotation of the sleeve 71 linked to the rotation of the rotary shaft 72, the rotational movement of the rotary shaft 72 is converted into linear movement, and the sleeve 71 moves forward in the direction of arrow A1.

[0100] When the sleeve 71 moves forward, the opening / closing pin 71a passes through the opening / closing guide hole 73. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3C, the first side hook 70R moves toward the center hook 70C by rotating about the shaft 71b. When the first side hook 70R closes against the center hook 70C, the wire W sandwiched between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C is locked in a manner that allows it to move between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C.

[0101] Additionally, the second side hook 70L rotates around the shaft 71b as a fulcrum, moving in a direction toward the center hook 70C. When the second side hook 70L closes against the center hook 70C, the wire W sandwiched between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C is locked in a manner that prevents it from slipping out from between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C.

[0102] After the sleeve 71 is advanced to the end position of the range of motion where the first side hook 70R and the second side hook 70L close to lock the wire W, the control unit 110A temporarily stops the rotation of the motor 80, and in step SA4 drives the feed motor 31 in the reverse rotation direction, thereby rotating the pair of feed gears 30 in the reverse direction.

[0103] Therefore, the wire W held between the pair of feed gears 30 is fed in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow R.

[0104] The wire W wound around the reinforcing bar S and locked by the wire locking body 70 is locked in a manner that the portion of the tip side sandwiched between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C does not slip out from between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C. In addition, the wire W locked by the wire locking body 70 is locked in a manner that the portion sandwiched between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C can move between the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C in the circumferential direction of the loop Ru along the feed path of the wire W.

[0105] As a result, the wire W wound around the reinforcing bar S is wound around the reinforcing bar S by feeding the wire W in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow R, as shown in Figure 6B. When the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A feeds the wire W in the reverse direction, the wire feeding mechanism 2A does not feed the wire W in the reverse direction. Therefore, when the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A feeds the wire W in the reverse direction, the wire W becomes loose between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24.

[0106] When the wire W is pulled back to a position where it can be wound around the rebar S, the control unit 110A stops the reverse rotation of the feed motor 31 and then drives the motor 80 in the forward rotation direction, thereby moving the sleeve 71 forward as indicated by the arrow A1. The forward movement of the sleeve 71 is transmitted to the cutting unit 6A, causing the movable blade unit 61 to rotate, and the wire W, which is held by the first side hook 70R and the center hook 70C, is cut by the operation of the fixed blade unit 60 and the movable blade unit 61.

[0107] When the wire W is cut, the bending portions 71c1 and 71c2 move in a direction that brings them into contact with the rebar S. As a result, the tip of the wire W, which is engaged between the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L, is pressed toward the rebar S by the bending portion 71c1, and is bent toward the rebar S using the engagement position as a fulcrum. As the sleeve 71 moves further forward, the wire W, which is engaged between the second side hook 70L and the center hook 70C, is held in a state where it is sandwiched by the bending portion 71c1.

[0108] Furthermore, the end of the wire W that is engaged between the center hook 70C and the first side hook 70R and cut at the cutting portion 6A is pressed toward the rebar S by the bending portion 71c2 and bent toward the rebar S using the engagement position as a fulcrum. As the sleeve 71 moves further forward, the wire W that is engaged between the first side hook 70R and the center hook is held in a state where it is sandwiched by the bending portion 71c2.

[0109] After the leading end and trailing end of the wire W are bent toward the rebar S, the motor 80 is further driven in the forward rotation direction, causing the sleeve 71 to move further forward. When the sleeve 71 moves to a predetermined position and reaches the operating range for twisting the wire W locked by the wire locking body 70, the restriction on the rotation of the sleeve 71 by the rotation restricting part 74 is released, and the sleeve 71 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 72.

[0110] As a result, the motor 80 is further driven in the forward rotation direction, which rotates the wire locking body 70 in conjunction with the rotary shaft 72, twisting the wire W in step SA5 and binding the reinforcing bar S with the wire Wd.

[0111] The control unit 110A detects the load on the motor 80, and when it detects that the load on the motor has reached a predetermined value, for example, the maximum load, it stops the rotation of the motor 80 in the forward direction at a predetermined timing.

[0112] After stopping the forward rotation of the motor 80, the control unit 110A rotates the motor 80 in the reverse direction, thereby moving the sleeve 71 rearward to a position where the first side hook 70R is open relative to the center hook 70C and the second side hook 70L is open relative to the center hook 70C, and returning the wire locking body 70 to the standby position. When the wire W that has bound the reinforcing bars S is released from the wire locking body 70, the control unit 110A moves the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A to the standby position in step SA6.

[0113] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of feeding a wire using a wire feeding device, and Figures 8A to 8E are operation explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of feeding a wire using a wire feeding device. Next, the operation of feeding a wire using the wire feeding mechanism 2A will be described.

[0114] During the binding operation of the rebar binding machine 1A described above, the wire feeding mechanism 2A performs an operation of pulling out a predetermined amount of wire W from the reel 20 after feeding the wire W in the reverse direction in step SA4 and before feeding the wire W in the forward direction in step SA3 in the next binding operation.

[0115] 7, the control unit 110A controls the drive unit 22b to rotate the motor 22c in the forward direction, thereby lowering the pull-out roller 22a from the upper limit position P1 in the direction of the arrow Do. In the wire pull-out mechanism 22, the pull-out roller 22a is lowered from the upper limit position P1 to the lower limit position P2 along a direction intersecting the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0116] When the pull-out roller 22a starts to descend from the upper limit position P1, the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 is pulled downward, and the wire W between the reel 20 and the first wire guide unit 23 and the wire W between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 are pulled between the first wire guide unit 23 and the second wire guide unit 24. Therefore, the wire W between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 and the wire W between the first wire guide unit 23 and the reel 20 stored in the reel storage unit 21 are fed between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0117] As described above, the load applied to the wire W guided by the first wire guide section 23 is greater than the load applied to the wire W guided by the second wire guide section 24, and is configured such that the first load is greater than the second load.

[0118] Furthermore, in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A, when binding the reinforcing bar S with the wire W, the wire W is fed in the reverse direction, so that the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar S. When the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A feeds the wire W in the reverse direction, the wire feeding mechanism 2A does not feed the wire W in the reverse direction. Therefore, when the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A feeds the wire W in the reverse direction, the wire W slackens between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24, as shown in FIG. 8A.

[0119] As a result, when the wire W is pulled by the pull-out roller 22a of the wire pull-out mechanism 22, first, as shown in step SB2 of Figure 7 and Figure 8B, since the first load is greater than the second load, the excess wire W that has slackened in the wire W feed path 26 between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 is pulled in between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24, as shown by arrow R1.

[0120] When the excess wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 is fed and the slack in the wire W is eliminated, the pair of feed gears 30 of the wire feed unit 3A is stopped and does not rotate, so the wire W cannot be fed along the feed path 26 for the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24. As a result, the feed gear 30 becomes a load, increasing the tension applied to the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24, and the load by the feed gear 30 is added to the second load, resulting in the following: second load + feed gear load > first load.

[0121] When the second load + feed gear load > the first load, as shown in step SB3 in Fig. 7 and arrow F1 in Fig. 8C, wire W is pulled out from reel 20 housed in reel housing 21 and fed between roller 23a of first wire guide unit 23 and roller 24a of second wire guide unit 24. When pull-out roller 22a moves to the lowest position, the amount of movement of pull-out roller 22a is set so that slack in wire W in feed path 26 for wire W between rebar binding machine 1A and second wire guide unit 24 is eliminated and the amount of wire W required to bind rebar S in rebar binding machine 1 can be pulled out from reel 20.

[0122] When the control unit 110A detects with the lower limit detection sensor 25b that the pull-out roller 22a has reached the lower limit position in step SB4 of Fig. 7, it switches the rotation direction of the motor 22c from forward to reverse, and raises the pull-out roller 22a in the Up arrow direction, as shown in step SB5 of Fig. 7 and Fig. 8D. When the control unit 110A detects with the upper limit detection sensor 25a that the pull-out roller 22a has reached the upper limit position in step SB6 of Fig. 7, it stops the rotation direction of the motor 22c in step SB7. As a result, the amount of wire W necessary for binding the reinforcing bar S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A becomes slack between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0123] In the next binding operation performed by the rebar binding machine 1A, the wire W is fed in the forward direction in step SA3, and the slackened wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guiding section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guiding section 24 is fed in the direction of arrow F2, as shown in Figure 8E.

[0124] In this way, depending on the magnitude of the load on the wire W guided by the first wire guide unit 23 and the load on the wire W guided by the second wire guide unit 24, it is possible to switch between feeding the wire W on the first wire guide unit 23 side or the wire W on the second wire guide unit 24 side.

[0125] As a result, when the rebar binding machine 1A feeds the wire W in the reverse direction to wind the wire W around the rebar S, any slack in the wire W that occurs in the wire W feed path 26 between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 can be eliminated by the operation of pulling out the wire W with the wire pull-out mechanism 22. Also, the amount of wire W required to bind the rebar S with the rebar binding machine 1A can be pulled out from the reel 20 by the operation of pulling out the wire W with the wire pull-out mechanism 22.

[0126] As described above, when the pull-out roller 22a moves to the lower limit position and then to the upper limit position, the amount of wire W required to bind the reinforcing bar S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A becomes slack between the roller 23a of the first wire guide section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide section 24.

[0127] The wire W wound on the reel 20 has a tendency to curl, and when it becomes loose, There is a possibility that one loose wire W may become tangled due to twisting or the like between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24. There is also a possibility that two loose wires W may move toward each other between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24 and become tangled due to twisting or the like.

[0128] Furthermore, there is a possibility that the two loose wires W may move away from each other between the first wire guiding unit 23 and the second wire guiding unit 24. In a configuration in which a plurality of bundling apparatuses 100A are used side by side, there is a possibility that the two wires W may move toward each other between adjacent bundling apparatuses 100A, and may become tangled between the adjacent bundling apparatuses 100A due to twisting or the like.

[0129] In contrast, the wire feeding mechanism 2A includes a guide portion 27 that restricts the position of each wire W along the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side within a predetermined range along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0130] The guide portions 27 are provided along the feeding direction of the wire W on the first wire guide portion 23 side and the second wire guide portion 24 side of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0131] The guide portion 27 is provided with a first guide portion 27a extending along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a, facing each other on both sides of a second guide portion 27b extending along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a, via an induction portion 27c extending along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0132] In order to absorb the excess wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24 and pull out the wire W from the reel 20, as described above, when the pull-out roller 22a moves to the lower limit position, one wire W1 of the two wires W is guided through the guide section 27c between the second guide section 27b and one of the first guide sections 27a, and the other wire W2 of the two wires W is guided through the guide section 27c between the second guide section 27b and the other of the first guide sections 27a.

[0133] When the pull-out roller 22a moves to the lower limit position and then to the upper limit position, the two wires W are slackened downward along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24. Of the two wires W slackened between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24, one wire W1 of the two wires W passes through the guide portion 27c between the second guide portion 27b and one of the first guide portions 27a, and one wire W2 of the two wires W passes through the guide portion 27c between the second guide portion 27b and one of the first guide portions 27a.

[0134] This prevents the two wires W that are loose between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24 from moving in a direction parallel to each other. Therefore, the single wire W that is loose between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24 is prevented from becoming tangled due to twisting, etc. Furthermore, the two wires W that are loose between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24 are prevented from moving in a direction approaching each other and becoming tangled due to twisting, etc.

[0135] Furthermore, the two wires W that are loose between the first wire guide section 23 and the second wire guide section 24 move in directions away from each other, thereby preventing the two wires W from becoming entangled between adjacent binding equipment 100A.

[0136] In the next bundling operation performed by the rebar binding machine 1A, the wire W is fed in the forward direction, and the wire W that has become loose between the first wire guide unit 23 and the second wire guide unit 24 is fed in the direction of arrow F2, as shown in Fig. 8E. This eliminates the slack in the wire W between the first wire guide unit 23 and the second wire guide unit 24.

[0137] In the operation of eliminating the slack in the wire W between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24, the lower end of the slack portion of the wire W1 of the two wires W is guided through the guide portion 27c between the second guide portion 27b and one of the first guide portions 27a, and moves upward along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a. In addition, the lower end of the slack portion of the wire W2 of the two wires W is guided through the guide portion 27c between the second guide portion 27b and the other first guide portion 27a, and moves upward along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0138] As a result, even when the slack in the wire W between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24 is eliminated, the two wires W between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24 are prevented from moving in a direction parallel to each other. Therefore, the single wire W that has become loose between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24 is prevented from becoming tangled due to twisting or the like. Furthermore, the two wires W that have become loose between the first wire guide portion 23 and the second wire guide portion 24 are prevented from moving in a direction toward each other and becoming tangled due to twisting or the like.

[0139] Furthermore, the two wires W that are loose between the first wire guide section 23 and the second wire guide section 24 move in directions away from each other, thereby preventing the two wires W from becoming entangled between adjacent binding equipment 100A.

[0140] <Configuration example of bundling equipment according to the second embodiment> FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing an example of the bundling equipment of the second embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a side view of a main part showing the example of the bundling equipment of the second embodiment.

[0141] The binding equipment 100B of the second embodiment includes a reinforcing bar binding machine 1A that binds reinforcing bars S, which are objects to be bound, with wire W, and a wire feeding mechanism 2B that feeds wire W to the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A. In the binding equipment 100B of the second embodiment, the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A may be the same as that of the binding equipment 100A of the first embodiment. Also, the wire feeding mechanism 2B, the wire pull-out mechanism 22, and the second wire guide unit 24 may be the same as those of the binding equipment 100A of the first embodiment.

[0142] The first wire guiding unit 23 includes a load applying means for applying a first load in the feed direction of the wire W. The load applying means is realized by a configuration for applying a predetermined load in the rotation direction of the rollers 23a and 23b. In this example, the load applying means is configured such that the roller 23a is non-rotating and the wire W slides on the outer circumferential surface of the roller 23a. In contrast, the roller 24a of the second wire guiding unit 24 is configured to rotate in response to the feed of the wire W. As a result, the load applied to the wire W guided by the first wire guiding unit 23 is greater than the load applied to the wire W guided by the second wire guiding unit 24, such that the first load is greater than the second load.

[0143] <Example of operation of the bundling equipment according to the second embodiment> 10A to 10E are operation explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of feeding a wire by a wire feeding device, and next, the operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding mechanism 2B will be described. Note that the operation of binding reinforcing bars S in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is the same as the operation explained in the flowchart of FIG. 5, etc. Also, the flow of the operation of feeding a wire by the wire feeding mechanism 2B is the same as the operation explained in the flowchart of FIG.

[0144] During the binding operation of the rebar binding machine 1A described above, the wire feeding mechanism 2B performs an operation of pulling out a predetermined amount of wire W from the reel 20 after feeding the wire W in the reverse direction in step SA4 and before feeding the wire W in the forward direction in step SA3 in the next binding operation.

[0145] 7, the control unit 110A controls the drive unit 22b to rotate the motor 22c in the forward direction, thereby lowering the pull-out roller 22a from the upper limit position P1 in the direction of the arrow Do. In the wire pull-out mechanism 22, the pull-out roller 22a is lowered from the upper limit position P1 to the lower limit position P2 along a direction intersecting the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0146] When the pull-out roller 22a starts to descend from the upper limit position P1, the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 is pulled downward, and the wire W between the reel 20 and the first wire guide unit 23 and the wire W between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 are pulled between the first wire guide unit 23 and the second wire guide unit 24. Therefore, the wire W between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 and the wire W between the first wire guide unit 23 and the reel 20 stored in the reel storage unit 21 are fed between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0147] As described above, the load applied to the wire W guided by the first wire guide section 23 is greater than the load applied to the wire W guided by the second wire guide section 24, and is configured such that the first load is greater than the second load.

[0148] Furthermore, when the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A winds the wire W around the reinforcing bar S, the wire W is sent in the reverse direction, causing the wire W to slacken between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24, as shown in FIG. 10A.

[0149] As a result, when the wire W is pulled by the pull-out roller 22a of the wire pull-out mechanism 22, first, as shown in step SB2 of Figure 7 and Figure 10B, since the first load is greater than the second load, the excess wire W that has slackened in the wire W feed path 26 between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 is pulled in between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24, as shown by arrow R1.

[0150] When the excess wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 is fed and the slack in the wire W is eliminated, the pair of feed gears 30 of the wire feed unit 3A is stopped and does not rotate, making it impossible to feed the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24. As a result, the feed gear 30 becomes a load, increasing the tension on the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24, and the load by the feed gear 30 is added to the second load, resulting in the following: second load + feed gear load > first load.

[0151] When the second load + feed gear load > the first load, as shown in step SB3 in Fig. 7 and arrow F1 in Fig. 10C, the wire W is pulled out from the reel 20 stored in the reel storage section 21 and fed between the roller 23a of the first wire guide section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide section 24. When the pull-out roller 22a moves to its lowest position, the slack in the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24 is eliminated, and the movement amount of the pull-out roller 22a is set so that the amount of wire W required to bind the rebar S with the rebar binding machine 1 can be pulled out from the reel 20.

[0152] When the control unit 110A detects with the lower limit detection sensor 25b that the pull-out roller 22a has reached the lower limit position in step SB4 of Fig. 7, it switches the rotation direction of the motor 22c from forward to reverse, and raises the pull-out roller 22a in the direction of the arrow Up, as shown in step SB5 of Fig. 7 and Fig. 10D. When the control unit 110A detects with the upper limit detection sensor 25a that the pull-out roller 22a has reached the upper limit position in step SB6 of Fig. 7, it stops the rotation direction of the motor 22c in step SB7. As a result, the amount of wire W necessary for binding the reinforcing bar S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A becomes slack between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0153] In the next binding operation performed by the rebar binding machine 1A, the wire W is fed in the forward direction in step SA3, and the slackened wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guiding section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guiding section 24 is fed in the direction of arrow F2, as shown in Figure 10E.

[0154] As a result, in the wire feeding mechanism 2B as well, the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar S, and the operation of feeding the wire W in the reverse direction in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A eliminates slack in the wire W that occurs between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 by the operation of pulling out the wire W with the wire pull-out mechanism 22. In addition, the amount of wire W required to bind the reinforcing bar S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A can be pulled out from the reel 20 by the operation of pulling out the wire W with the wire pull-out mechanism 22.

[0155] <Configuration example of bundling equipment according to the third embodiment> Figure 11A is a side view showing an example of a binding equipment of the third embodiment, Figure 11B is an oblique view showing an example of a binding equipment of the third embodiment, and Figure 11C is a side view of a main part showing an example of a binding equipment of the third embodiment.

[0156] The bundling equipment 100C of the third embodiment includes a reinforcing bar bundling machine 1A that binds reinforcing bars S, which are objects to be bound, with wire W, and a wire feeding mechanism 2C that feeds wire W to the reinforcing bar bundling machine 1A. In the bundling equipment 100C of the third embodiment, the reinforcing bar bundling machine 1A may be the same as that of the bundling equipment 100A of the first embodiment. Also, the wire feeding mechanism 2C, the wire pull-out mechanism 22, and the second wire guide unit 24 may be the same as those of the bundling equipment 100A of the first embodiment.

[0157] The first wire guiding unit 23 includes rollers 23a and 23c upstream of the wire unwinding mechanism 22 with respect to the feeding direction of the wire W fed from the reel 20 housed in the reel housing unit 21 to the rebar binding machine 1A. The first wire guiding unit 23 guides the path along which the wire W unwound from the reel 20 housed in the reel housing unit 21 is fed in the direction of roller 23a with roller 23b, and guides the path along which the wire W is fed in the direction of the second wire guiding unit 24 with roller 23a.

[0158] The first wire guide unit 23 includes a wire slack absorbing mechanism 23d that absorbs slack in the wire W. The wire slack absorbing mechanism 23d includes a slack absorbing roller 23e that is provided between the rollers 23a and 23b, and a spring 23f that biases the slack absorbing roller 23e downward in a direction that intersects with the wire W between the rollers 23a and 23b.

[0159] In first wire guide unit 23, slack absorbing roller 23e contacts wire W between rollers 23a and 23b from above, opposite the side where rollers 23a and 23b contact. Slack absorbing roller 23e is biased downward by spring 23f in a direction intersecting the wire W between rollers 23a and 23b, and its position in the height direction is determined by the balance between the biasing force of spring 23f and the tension applied to wire W.

[0160] <Operation example of the bundling equipment of the third embodiment> Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of feeding a wire with a wire feeding device, and Figs. 13A to 13F are operation explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of feeding a wire with a wire feeding device. Next, the operation of feeding a wire with the wire feeding mechanism 2C will be described. Note that the operation of binding reinforcing bars S in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is the same as the operation explained in the flowchart of Fig. 5 etc.

[0161] During the binding operation of the rebar binding machine 1A described above, the wire feeding mechanism 2C performs an operation of feeding the wire W in the reverse direction in step SA4, and then, during the next binding operation, pulling out a predetermined amount of wire W from the reel 20 before feeding the wire W in the forward direction in step SA3.

[0162] As described above, when winding the wire W around the reinforcing bar S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A, the wire W is sent in the reverse direction, causing the wire W to slacken between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24, as shown in Figure 13A.

[0163] This reduces the tension applied to the wire W in the wire feed mechanism 2C. When the tension applied to the wire W reduces, the biasing force of the spring 23f becomes greater than the tension applied to the wire W, and the slack absorbing roller 23e moves downward in the direction of arrow D1, along a direction intersecting the wire W between the rollers 23a and 23b.

[0164] When slack absorbing roller 23e descends, the wire W between roller 23a and roller 23b is pulled downward, and as shown in step SC1 of Fig. 12 and Fig. 13B, the excess portion of the slackened wire W is pulled between roller 23a and roller 23b of first wire guide unit 23 as indicated by arrow R1.

[0165] 12, the control unit 110A controls the drive unit 22b to rotate the motor 22c in the forward direction, thereby lowering the pull-out roller 22a from the upper limit position P1 in the direction of the arrow Do. In the wire pull-out mechanism 22, the pull-out roller 22a is lowered from the upper limit position P1 to the lower limit position P2 along a direction intersecting the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0166] When the pull-out roller 22a begins to descend from the upper limit position P1, the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide section 24 is pulled downward, and the wire W between the reel 20 and the first wire guide section 23 and the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24 are pulled between the first wire guide section 23 and the second wire guide section 24.

[0167] As a result, the tension applied to the wire W in the wire feed mechanism 2C increases. When the tension applied to the wire W increases, the biasing force of the spring 23f becomes relatively smaller than the tension applied to the wire W, and the slack absorbing roller 23e rises in the direction of arrow U1, along a direction intersecting the wire W between the rollers 23a and 23b. Therefore, first, as shown in step SC3 of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13C, the wire W between the rollers 23a and 23b of the first wire guide unit 23, whose slack has been absorbed by the wire slack absorbing mechanism 23d, is pulled between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24, as shown by arrow F1.

[0168] When the biasing force of spring 23f and the tension applied to wire W are balanced, as shown in step SC4 of Fig. 12 and arrow F1 in Fig. 13D, wire W is unwound from reel 20 housed in reel housing 21 and fed between roller 23a of first wire guide unit 23 and roller 24a of second wire guide unit 24. When unwound roller 22a moves to lower limit position P2, the excess amount of wire W in wire W feed path 26 between reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and second wire guide unit 24, where slack is absorbed by wire slack absorption mechanism 23d, is eliminated, and the movement amount of unwound roller 22a is set so that the amount of wire W necessary for binding reinforcing bars S in reinforcing bar binding machine 1A can be unwound from reel 20.

[0169] When the control unit 110A detects with the lower limit detection sensor 25b in step SC5 of Fig. 12 that the pull-out roller 22a has moved to the lower limit position P2, it switches the rotation direction of the motor 22c from forward to reverse, and raises the pull-out roller 22a in the direction of the arrow Up, as shown in step SC6 of Fig. 12 and Fig. 13E. When the control unit 110A detects with the upper limit detection sensor 25a in step SC7 of Fig. 12 that the pull-out roller 22a has moved to the upper limit position P1, it stops the rotation direction of the motor 22c in step SB7. As a result, the amount of wire W necessary for binding the reinforcing bar S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A becomes slack between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0170] In the next binding operation performed by the rebar binding machine 1A, the wire W is fed in the forward direction in step SA3, and the slackened wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guiding section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guiding section 24 is fed in the direction of arrow F2, as shown in Figure 13F.

[0171] Thus, in the wire feeding mechanism 2C as well, by providing the wire slack absorption mechanism 23d in the first wire guide unit 23, slack in the wire W that occurs between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 when the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A feeds the wire W in the opposite direction to wind the wire W around the reinforcing bar S can be absorbed and eliminated by the wire slack absorption mechanism 23d. Also, the amount of wire W required to bind the reinforcing bar S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A can be pulled out from the reel 20 by the operation of pulling out the wire W with the wire pull-out mechanism 22.

[0172] <Configuration example of bundling equipment according to the fourth embodiment> FIG. 14 is a side view of a main part showing an example of the binding equipment of the fourth embodiment.

[0173] The binding equipment 100D of the fourth embodiment includes a reinforcing bar binding machine 1A that binds reinforcing bars S, which are objects to be bound, with wire W, and a wire feeding mechanism 2D that feeds wire W to the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A. In the binding equipment 100D of the fourth embodiment, the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A may be the same as that of the binding equipment 100A of the first embodiment. Also, the wire feeding mechanism 2D, the wire pull-out mechanism 22, and the first wire guide unit 23 may be the same as those of the binding equipment 100A of the first embodiment or the binding equipment 100B of the second embodiment.

[0174] The second wire guiding unit 24 includes rollers 24a and 24c downstream of the wire unwinding mechanism 22 in the feeding direction of the wire W fed from the reel 20 housed in the reel housing 21 to the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A. The second wire guiding unit 24 guides the feeding path of the wire W unwound by the wire unwinding mechanism 22 in the direction of roller 24b with roller 24a and in the direction of the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A with roller 24c.

[0175] The second wire guide unit 24 includes a wire slack absorbing mechanism 24d that absorbs slack in the wire W. The wire slack absorbing mechanism 24d includes a slack absorbing roller 24e that is provided between the rollers 24a and 24b, and a spring 24f that biases the slack absorbing roller 24e downward in a direction that intersects with the wire W between the rollers 24a and 24b.

[0176] In the second wire guide unit 24, the slack absorbing roller 24e contacts the wire W between the rollers 24a and 24b from above, opposite the side where the rollers 24a and 24b contact. The slack absorbing roller 24e is biased downward by the spring 24f in a direction intersecting the wire W between the rollers 24a and 24b, and the position in the height direction is determined by the balance between the biasing force of the spring 24f and the tension applied to the wire W.

[0177] <Operation example of the binding equipment of the fourth embodiment> 15A to 15F are operation explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of feeding wire with a wire feeding device, and next, the operation of feeding wire with the wire feeding mechanism 2D will be described. Note that the operation of binding reinforcing bars S in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is the same as the operation explained in the flowchart of FIG. 5, etc. Also, the flow of the operation of feeding wire with the wire feeding mechanism 2D is the same as the operation explained in the flowchart of FIG.

[0178] During the binding operation of the rebar binding machine 1A described above, the wire feeding mechanism 2D performs an operation of feeding the wire W in the reverse direction in step SA4, and then, during the next binding operation, pulling out a predetermined amount of wire W from the reel 20 before feeding the wire W in the forward direction in step SA3.

[0179] As described above, when winding the wire W around the reinforcing bar S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A, the wire W is sent in the reverse direction, causing the wire W to slacken between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24, as shown in Figure 15A.

[0180] This reduces the tension applied to the wire W in the wire feed mechanism 2D. When the tension applied to the wire W reduces, the biasing force of the spring 24f becomes greater than the tension applied to the wire W, and the slack absorbing roller 24e moves downward in the direction of arrow D1, along a direction intersecting the wire W between the rollers 24a and 24b.

[0181] When the slack absorbing roller 24e descends, the wire W between the rollers 24a and 24b is pulled downward, and as a result, as shown in step SC1 of Fig. 12 and Fig. 15B, the excess portion of the slackened wire W is pulled between the rollers 24a and 24b of the second wire guiding unit 24, as indicated by arrow R1.

[0182] 12, the control unit 110A controls the drive unit 22b to rotate the motor 22c in the forward direction, thereby lowering the pull-out roller 22a from the upper limit position P1 in the direction of the arrow Do. In the wire pull-out mechanism 22, the pull-out roller 22a is lowered from the upper limit position P1 to the lower limit position P2 along a direction intersecting the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0183] When the pull-out roller 22a begins to descend from the upper limit position P1, the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide section 24 is pulled downward, and the wire W between the reel 20 and the first wire guide section 23 and the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24 are pulled between the first wire guide section 23 and the second wire guide section 24.

[0184] As a result, the tension applied to the wire W in the wire feed mechanism 2D increases. When the tension applied to the wire W increases, the biasing force of the spring 24f becomes relatively smaller than the tension applied to the wire W, and the slack absorbing roller 24e rises in the direction of arrow U1, along a direction intersecting the wire W between the rollers 24a and 24b. Therefore, first, as shown in step SC3 of FIG. 12 and FIG. 15C, the wire W between the rollers 24a and 24b of the second wire guide unit 24, whose slack has been absorbed by the wire slack absorbing mechanism 24d, is pulled between the rollers 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24, as shown by arrow R1.

[0185] When the biasing force of spring 24f and the tension applied to wire W are balanced, as shown in step SC4 of Fig. 12 and arrow F1 in Fig. 15D, wire W is unwound from reel 20 housed in reel housing 21 and fed between roller 23a of first wire guide unit 23 and roller 24a of second wire guide unit 24. When unwound roller 22a moves to lower limit position P2, the excess amount of wire W in wire W feed path 26 between reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and second wire guide unit 24, where slack is absorbed by wire slack absorption mechanism 24d, is eliminated, and the movement amount of unwound roller 22a is set so that the amount of wire W necessary for binding reinforcing bars S in reinforcing bar binding machine 1A can be unwound from reel 20.

[0186] When the control unit 110A detects with the lower limit detection sensor 25b that the pull-out roller 22a has moved to the lower limit position P2 in step SC5 of Fig. 12, it switches the rotation direction of the motor 22c from forward to reverse, and raises the pull-out roller 22a in the direction of the arrow Up, as shown in step SC6 of Fig. 12 and Fig. 15E. When the control unit 110A detects with the upper limit detection sensor 25a that the pull-out roller 22a has moved to the upper limit position P1 in step SC7 of Fig. 12, it stops the rotation direction of the motor 22c in step SC8. As a result, the amount of wire W necessary for binding the reinforcing bar S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A becomes slack between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0187] In the next binding operation performed by the rebar binding machine 1A, the wire W is fed in the forward direction in step SA3, and the slackened wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guiding section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guiding section 24 is fed in the direction of arrow F2, as shown in Figure 15F.

[0188] As a result, by providing the wire slack absorption mechanism 24d in the second wire guide unit 24 in the wire feeding mechanism 2D as well, slack in the wire W that occurs in the feed path 26 of the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 when the rebar binding machine 1A feeds the wire W in the reverse direction to wind the wire W around the rebar S can be absorbed and eliminated by the wire slack absorption mechanism 24d. Also, the amount of wire W required to bind the rebar S in the rebar binding machine 1A can be unwound from the reel 20 by the operation of unwrapping the wire W with the wire unwinding mechanism 22.

[0189] <Configuration example of bundling equipment according to the fifth embodiment> FIG. 16 is a side view of a main part showing an example of the binding equipment of the fifth embodiment.

[0190] The binding equipment 100E of the fifth embodiment includes a reinforcing bar binding machine 1A that binds reinforcing bars S, which are objects to be bound, with wire W, and a wire feeding mechanism 2E that feeds wire W to the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A. In the binding equipment 100E of the fifth embodiment, the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A may be the same as that of the binding equipment 100A of the first embodiment. Also, the first wire guiding unit 23 and the second wire guiding unit 24 of the wire feeding mechanism 2E may be the same as those of the binding equipment 100A of the first embodiment or the binding equipment 100B of the second embodiment.

[0191] The wire pull-out mechanism 22 includes a pull-out roller 22a that pulls the wire W between the first wire guide section 23 and the second wire guide section 24, and a drive section 22b that moves the position of the pull-out roller 22a in a direction intersecting the wire W between the first wire guide section 23 and the second wire guide section 24.

[0192] In the wire pull-out mechanism 22, the pull-out roller 22a at the upper limit position P1 contacts the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 from above, opposite to the side where the rollers 23a, 24a contact. In the wire pull-out mechanism 22, the pull-out roller 22a moves from the upper limit position to the lower limit position in a direction intersecting the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0193] The wire pull-out mechanism 22 includes a wire slack absorbing mechanism 22d that absorbs slack in the wire W. The wire slack absorbing mechanism 22d includes a pull-out roller 22a that constitutes a slack absorbing roller, and a spring 22f that urges the pull-out roller 22a downward in a direction that intersects with the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0194] The wire pull-out mechanism 22 has a pull-out roller 22a that is biased downward by a spring 22f in a direction that intersects with the wire W between rollers 23a and 24a, and the height position of the mechanism 22 is determined by the balance between the biasing force of spring 22f and the tension applied to the wire W.

[0195] <Operation example of the bundling equipment of the fifth embodiment> 17A to 17G are operation explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of feeding a wire with a wire feeding device, and next, the operation of feeding a wire with a wire feeding mechanism 2E will be described. Note that the operation of binding reinforcing bars S in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is the same as the operation explained in the flowchart of FIG. 5, etc. Also, the flow of the operation of feeding a wire with the wire feeding mechanism 2E is the same as the operation explained in the flowchart of FIG.

[0196] During the binding operation of the rebar binding machine 1A described above, the wire feeding mechanism 2E performs an operation of feeding the wire W in the reverse direction in step SA4, and then, during the next binding operation, pulling out a predetermined amount of wire W from the reel 20 before feeding the wire W in the forward direction in step SA3.

[0197] As described above, when the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is used to wind the wire W around the reinforcing bar S, the wire W is sent in the reverse direction, causing the wire W to slacken between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24, as shown in FIG. 17A.

[0198] This reduces the tension applied to the wire W in the wire feed mechanism 2E. When the tension applied to the wire W is reduced, the biasing force of the spring 22f becomes greater than the tension applied to the wire W, and the pull-out roller 22a moves down in the direction of arrow Do along a direction intersecting the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0199] When the pull-out roller 22a moves down, the wire W between the rollers 23a and 24a is pulled downward, and as shown in step SC1 of Fig. 12 and Fig. 17B, the excess of the slackened wire W is pulled between the rollers 23a and 24a as indicated by arrow R1.

[0200] 12, control unit 110A controls drive unit 22b to rotate motor 22c in the forward direction, thereby lowering pull-out roller 22a in the direction of arrow Do. When pull-out roller 22a starts to be lowered by drive unit 22b, the tension applied to wire W in wire feed mechanism 2E increases. When the tension applied to wire W increases, the biasing force of spring 22f becomes relatively smaller than the tension applied to wire W, and spring 22f is stretched against the biasing force, as shown in FIG. 17C.

[0201] When the pull-out roller 22a is further lowered by the drive unit 22b, as shown in step SC4 of Fig. 12 and arrow F1 in Fig. 17D, the wire W is pulled out from the reel 20 stored in the reel storage unit 21 and fed between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24. When the pull-out roller 22a moves to the lowermost position, the excess wire W in the wire W feed path 26 between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A, where slack is absorbed by the wire slack absorption mechanism 22d, and the second wire guide unit 24 is eliminated, and the movement amount of the pull-out roller 22a is set so that the amount of wire W necessary for binding the reinforcing bars S in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A can be pulled out from the reel 20.

[0202] When the control unit 110A detects in step SC5 of FIG. 12 that the pull-out roller 22a has reached its lowest position, it switches the rotation direction of the motor 22c from forward to reverse, and raises the pull-out roller 22a in the direction of the arrow Up, as shown in step SC6 of FIG. 12 and FIG. 17E. When the control unit 110A detects in step SC7 of FIG. 12 that the pull-out roller 22a has reached its highest position, it stops the rotation direction of the motor 22c in step SC8. As a result, the amount of wire W necessary to bind the reinforcing bars S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A becomes slack between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24. Furthermore, because tension of the wire W is not applied to the pull-out roller 22a, the pull-out roller 22a is lowered from its highest position by the amount of expansion and contraction of the spring 22f due to the biasing force of the spring 22f.

[0203] In the next binding operation performed by the rebar binding machine 1A, the wire W is fed in the forward direction in step SA3, and the slackened wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guiding section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guiding section 24 is fed in the direction of arrow F2, as shown in Figure 15F.

[0204] When the slackened wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide section 24 is fed in the direction of arrow F2, the wire W comes into contact with the lowered pull-out roller 22a by the amount of expansion and contraction of the spring 22f.

[0205] When the slackened wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide section 24 is further fed in the direction of arrow F2, as shown in Figure 17G, the tension applied to the wire W increases, the spring force of spring 22f becomes relatively smaller than the tension applied to the wire W, and the spring 22f is stretched against the spring force, causing the pull-out roller 22a to rise to the upper limit position.

[0206] As a result, by providing the wire slack absorption mechanism 22d in the wire feed mechanism 2E as well, the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar S. When the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A feeds the wire W in the reverse direction, the wire slack absorption mechanism 22d can absorb and eliminate slack in the wire W that occurs between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24. Furthermore, the amount of wire W required to bind the reinforcing bar S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A can be pulled out from the reel 20 by pulling out the wire W with the wire pull-out mechanism 22.

[0207] <Configuration example of bundling equipment according to the sixth embodiment> FIG. 18A is a side view showing an example of the bundling facility of the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 18B is a perspective view showing an example of the bundling facility of the sixth embodiment.

[0208] The binding equipment 100F of the sixth embodiment includes a reinforcing bar binding machine 1A that binds reinforcing bars S, which are objects to be bound, with wire W, and a wire feeding mechanism 2F that feeds wire W to the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A. In the binding equipment 100F of the sixth embodiment, the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A may be the same as that of the binding equipment 100A of the first embodiment. Also, the wire feeding mechanism 2F and the first wire guide unit 23 may be the same as those of the binding equipment 100A of the first embodiment.

[0209] The second wire guide unit 24 includes a wire feed restricting roller 24g that restricts the feeding of the wire W in a predetermined direction. The wire feed restricting roller 24g is an example of a wire feed restricting member that allows the wire W to be fed in the forward direction from the wire feeding mechanism 2F toward the rebar binding machine 1A and restricts the feeding of the wire W in the reverse direction from the rebar binding machine 1A toward the wire feeding mechanism 2F. As an example, the wire feed restricting roller 24g includes a non-rotating member that can be moved toward and away from the roller 24a. When feeding the wire W in the forward direction with the rebar binding machine 1A, the wire feed restricting roller 24g is moved away from the roller 24a to allow the wire W to be fed in the forward direction. On the other hand, when feeding the wire W in the reverse direction with the rebar binding machine 1A and when unwinding the wire W from the reel 20 with the wire feeding mechanism 2F, the wire W is clamped between the roller 24a and the wire feed restricting roller 24g to restrict the feeding of the wire W in the reverse direction. As another example, the wire feed restricting roller 24g is supported by a support mechanism such as a one-way bearing that allows rotation in one direction and restricts rotation in the other direction, and rotates in response to the forward feed of the wire W, thereby allowing the forward feed of the wire W. On the other hand, the roller does not rotate when the wire W is fed in the reverse direction, thereby restricting the feed of the wire W in the reverse direction.

[0210] The wire feeding mechanism 2F is equipped with a feed amount detection sensor 120 that detects the feed amount of the wire W. The feed amount detection sensor 120 is an example of a feed amount detection means, and detects the feed amount of the wire W fed in the forward and reverse directions. In a configuration in which the wire feeding mechanism 2F feeds two wires W, the feed amount detection sensor 120 is configured to be able to detect the feed amount of each wire W. The feed amount detection sensor 120 is realized by using a member that rotates in response to the movement of the wire W and detecting the amount of rotation of that member, or by detecting the weight of the wire W returned in the reverse feed, for example.

[0211] 19 is a block diagram showing an example of the control function of the binding equipment. In the binding equipment 100F, a control unit 110B controls the motor 80 and the feed motor 31 of the rebar binding machine 1A. The control unit 110B controls the amount of rotation of the motor 80 to control the position of the sleeve 71 shown in FIG. 1 etc., and performs the operations of locking the wire W with the wire locking body 70, cutting the wire W with the cutting unit 6A, and twisting the wire W with the wire locking body 70.

[0212] In addition, the control unit 110B controls the forward and reverse rotation of the feed motor 31 to wind the wire W around the reinforcing bar S by feeding the wire W in the forward direction, and to wind the wire W around the reinforcing bar S by feeding the wire W in the reverse direction.

[0213] Furthermore, the control unit 110B detects the feed amount of the wire W fed back by the rebar binding machine 1A using the feed amount detection sensor 120, and calculates the movement amount for moving (lowering) the pull-out roller 22a to the target lowering position where the amount of wire W required to bind the rebar S is pulled out by the rebar binding machine 1A.

[0214] Then, the control unit 110B controls the motor 22c of the drive unit 22b of the wire feed mechanism 2F, and controls the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 22c based on the position of the pull-out roller 22a detected by the upper limit detection sensor 25a and the amount of movement required to lower the pull-out roller 22a to the target lowered position, thereby lowering or raising the pull-out roller 22a.

[0215] <Example of operation of the binding equipment of the sixth embodiment> 18C to 18G are operation explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of feeding a wire with a wire feeding device, and Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of feeding a wire with a wire feeding device. Next, the operation of feeding a wire with the wire feeding mechanism 2F will be described. Note that the operation of binding reinforcing bars S in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is the same as the operation explained in the flowchart of Fig. 5 etc.

[0216] During the binding operation of the rebar binding machine 1A described above, the wire feeding mechanism 2F performs an operation of feeding the wire W in the reverse direction in step SA4, and then, during the next binding operation, pulling out a predetermined amount of wire W from the reel 20 before feeding the wire W in the forward direction in step SA3.

[0217] When the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is used to feed the wire W in the reverse direction to wind the wire W around the reinforcing bar S, the wire W is clamped between roller 24a and wire feed restricting roller 24g to restrict the reverse feeding of the wire W, as shown in Fig. 18C. When the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is used to feed the wire W in the reverse direction to wind the wire W around the reinforcing bar S, the control unit 110B detects the feed amount of the wire W fed in the reverse direction by the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A using the feed amount detection sensor 120 in step SD1 of Fig. 20.

[0218] In step SD2, the control unit 110B calculates the shortage of wire W required to bind the reinforcing bars S using the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A. In step SD3, the control unit 110B calculates the movement amount for moving (lowering) the reeling roller 22a to a target lowering position P21 where the amount of wire W required to bind the reinforcing bars S using the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is drawn, and calculates the rotation amount of the motor 22c for moving (lowering) the reeling roller 22a to the target lowering position P21. The target lowering position P21 changes depending on the amount of wire W fed backward by the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A. In other words, the amount of wire W required to bind the reinforcing bars S using the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is the sum of the amount of wire W fed backward by the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the amount of wire W unwound from the reel 20. Therefore, if the amount of wire W fed backward is small, the target lowering position P21 is lowered to increase the amount of wire W unwound from the reel 20. On the other hand, when the amount of wire W fed backward is large, the amount of wire W unwound from the reel 20 is reduced, so the target lowering position P21 is raised.

[0219] 20, in order to cause the wire feed mechanism 2F to unwind the wire W from the reel 20, the control unit 110B controls the drive unit 22b to rotate the motor 22c in the forward direction and lower the unwind roller 22a from the upper limit position P1 in the direction of the arrow Do. During the operation of unwinding the wire W from the reel 20 by the wire feed mechanism 2F, as shown in FIGS. 18D and 18E, the wire W is clamped between the roller 24a and the wire feed restricting roller 24g to restrict the feeding of the wire W in the reverse direction. In the wire unwind mechanism 22, the unwind roller 22a is lowered from the upper limit position P1 along a direction intersecting the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guiding unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guiding unit 24.

[0220] When the pull-out roller 22a starts to descend from the upper limit position P1, the wire W between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 is pulled downward. As a result, a pulling force is applied between the first wire guide unit 23 and the second wire guide unit 24 to the wire W between the reel 20 and the first wire guide unit 23 and the wire W between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24.

[0221] In the wire guide unit 24, the wire W is clamped between the roller 24a and the wire feed restricting roller 24g, restricting reverse feeding of the wire W. As a result, when the wire W is pulled by the pull-out roller 22a of the wire pull-out mechanism 22, the excess wire W that has become loose between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 is not pulled in between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0222] In contrast, since the wire W cannot be fed between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24, the wire W between the reel 20 and the first wire guide section 23 is pulled in between the roller 23a of the first wire guide section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide section 24.

[0223] As a result, the wire W is pulled out from the reel 20 housed in the reel housing 21 in step SD5 and fed between the roller 23a of the first wire guiding section 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guiding section 24.

[0224] When the pull-out roller 22a descends to the target lowering position P21, the wire W is pulled out from the reel 20 so that the sum of the amount of wire W fed back by the rebar binding machine 1A, i.e., the excess wire W that has slackened in the wire W feed path 26 between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide section 24, and the amount of wire W pulled out from the reel 20, is the amount required to bind the rebar S with the rebar binding machine 1.

[0225] As shown in Fig. 18E, when the control unit 110B detects from the rotation amount of the motor 22c, etc., that the pull-out roller 22a has reached the target lowered position P21 in step SD6 of Fig. 20, the control unit 110B switches the rotation direction of the motor 22c from forward to reverse and raises the pull-out roller 22a in step SD7. As shown in Fig. 18F, when the control unit 110B detects with the upper limit detection sensor 25a in step SD8 that the pull-out roller 22a has reached the upper limit position P1, the control unit 110B stops the rotation direction of the motor 22c in step SD9. As a result, the amount of wire W necessary for binding the reinforcing bars S with the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A becomes slack in the feed path 26 of the wire W between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 and between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24.

[0226] In the next binding operation performed by the rebar binding machine 1A, when the rebar binding machine 1A feeds the wire W in the forward direction, as shown in Fig. 18G, the wire feed restricting roller 24g is moved away from the roller 24a to allow the wire W to be fed in the forward direction. Therefore, by the operation of feeding the wire W in the forward direction in step SA3 of Fig. 5, the wire W that has slackened in the wire W feed path 26 between the rebar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24 and the wire W that has slackened between the roller 23a of the first wire guide unit 23 and the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 are fed in the direction of arrow F2.

[0227] As a result, in the wire feeding mechanism 2F, the feed amount of the wire W is detected by the feed amount detection sensor 120, and the reeling roller 22a is moved (lowered) to the target lowering position P21 where the amount of wire W necessary for binding the reinforcing bars S in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is drawn out, thereby winding the wire W around the reinforcing bars S. Therefore, the operation of feeding the wire W in the reverse direction in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A can eliminate slack in the wire W that occurs in the feed path 26 of the wire W between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24. Also, the amount of wire W necessary for binding the reinforcing bars S in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A can be drawn out from the reel 20 by the operation of the wire draw-out mechanism 22 to draw out the wire W, in accordance with the excess amount of wire W due to slack that occurs in the feed path 26 of the wire W between the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A and the second wire guide unit 24.

[0228] The configuration for unwinding the wire W from the reel 20 may include a configuration including a gear or roller that rotates by clamping the wire W, whose rotation can be controlled, on the feed path of the wire W, or a configuration that drives the reel 20.

[0229] <Modification of bundling equipment> When the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is used in a form that is held by the worker, it is configured to include a main body 10A and a handle 11A, with a battery 15A detachably attached to the handle 11A, as shown in Fig. 1A etc. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 11A etc., it may be configured so that the battery is not provided in the main body 10A and power is supplied from an external source. Also, as shown in Fig. 11A etc., it may be configured so that the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is attached to the tip of a robot hand 114A that can be displaced in the up-down, left-right, and rotational directions, and the robot hand 114A is attached to a lifting mechanism 111A.

[0230] Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the binding equipment of each embodiment. Fig. 21 shows a modified example of the binding equipment 100B of the second embodiment as an example of the wire feeding unit. In the binding equipment of each embodiment, the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is configured to include the wire feeding unit 3A, but the wire feeding unit 3A configured as shown in Fig. 3A may also be configured to be provided outside the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A.

[0231] 22A to 22C are perspective views showing other modified examples of the binding equipment of each embodiment. In Fig. 22A to Fig. 22C, a modified example of the binding equipment 100A of the first embodiment is shown as an example of the reel housing section.

[0232] In FIG. 22A, the reel storage section 21 stores two reels 20 arranged front to back with their axes of rotation oriented horizontally relative to the vertical direction in order to bind reinforcing bars S with two wires W in the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A. Also, in FIG. 22B, two reels 20 are stored arranged vertically with their axes of rotation oriented horizontally relative to the vertical direction. Furthermore, in FIG. 22C, two reels 20 are stored arranged left to right with their axes oriented vertically. Note that, when the axes are oriented vertically relative to the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 21C, the reels 20 do not have to be rotatable.

[0233] Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing yet another modified example of the binding equipment of each embodiment. Fig. 23 shows, as an example, a modified example of the binding equipment 100B of the second embodiment. In the binding equipment of each embodiment, the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A is configured to bind the reinforcing bars S with two wires W fed in parallel, but the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A may also be configured to bind the reinforcing bars S with a single wire W. In this case, the wire feed mechanism 2B is configured so that the reel storage section 21 stores one reel 20, the wire pull-out mechanism 22 pulls out one wire W, and the first wire guide section 23 and the second wire guide section 24 guide the single wire W.

[0234] <Modification of wire feeding mechanism> The wire feeding mechanism 2A may be provided with guide sections that regulate the position of each wire W along the direction in which the two wires W are parallel to one another at one or more locations, or at all locations, of the first wire guiding section 23, the vicinity of the first wire guiding section 23, the second wire guiding section 24, the vicinity of the second wire guiding section 24, or the vicinity of the rebar binding machine 1A.

[0235] Fig. 24A is a side view of a bundling equipment showing a modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, Fig. 24B is a top view of the bundling equipment showing a modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, and Fig. 24C is a top view of the main part of the bundling equipment showing a modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. Fig. 24C shows the first wire guiding unit 23.

[0236] The modified wire feeding mechanism 2G includes the above-mentioned guide section 27 in the wire pull-out mechanism 22, which regulates the position of each wire W along the direction in which the two wires W are parallel, and another guide section 28 in the first wire guide section 23, which regulates the position of each wire W along the direction in which the two wires W are parallel.

[0237] The guide parts 28 are provided on the wire pull-out mechanism 22 side and the roller 23b side of the roller 23a, and on the reel accommodating part 21 side and the roller 23a side of the roller 23b in the first wire guiding part 23. That is, the guide parts 28 are provided in front of and behind the roller 23a and the roller 23b of the first wire guiding part 23 along the feeding direction of the wire W.

[0238] The guide portion 28 includes a first guide portion 28a provided on the outside of each wire W in the direction in which the two wires W (W1, W2) are arranged side by side, and a second guide portion 28b provided between the two wires W.

[0239] The first guide portion 28a extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a, and the second guide portion 28b extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0240] The guide portion 28 extends along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a on one side of the second guide portion 28b along the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, and one first guide portion 28a is provided opposite to the second guide portion 28b with a gap that allows at least one wire W to pass through. The guide portion 28 has a guide portion 28c formed in the gap between the one first guide portion 28a and the second guide portion 28b.

[0241] Furthermore, guide portion 28 extends along the movement direction of pull-out roller 22a on the other side of second guide portion 28b along the direction in which two wires W are arranged side by side, and the other first guide portion 28a is provided opposite, with a gap therebetween that allows at least one wire W to pass through. Guide portion 28 has guide portion 28c formed in the gap between the other first guide portion 28a and second guide portion 28b.

[0242] As a result, the guide unit 28 prevents each wire W from moving in the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, in the range in which the pull-out roller 22a moves from the upper limit position to the lower limit position, between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the first wire guide unit 23. Furthermore, the guide unit 28 prevents each wire W from moving in the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, between the roller 23a and the roller 23b of the first wire guide unit 23 and between the roller 23b and the reel housing unit 21.

[0243] Therefore, the first wire guiding section 23 also prevents the two wires W from moving in a direction parallel to each other. This prevents one wire W from becoming entangled due to twisting, etc. Furthermore, the two wires W are prevented from moving in a direction toward each other and becoming entangled due to twisting, etc. Furthermore, the two wires W are prevented from moving in a direction away from each other and becoming entangled between adjacent binding equipment 100A.

[0244] The guide section 28 may be configured, for example, by a member that supports the rollers 23a and the like in the first wire guide section 23. The first wire guide section 23 may be provided with two members that support the rollers 23a and the like, on the outer sides of the first wire guide section 23 along the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, and extend along the direction in which the pull-out roller 22a moves, and the guide section 28 may be configured by these two members.

[0245] Fig. 25A is a side view of a bundling equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, Fig. 25B is a top view of a bundling equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, Fig. 25C is a top view of a main part of the bundling equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, and Fig. 25C shows a second wire guiding unit 24.

[0246] A wire feed mechanism 2H of another modified example includes the above-described guide unit 27, which regulates the position of each wire W along the direction in which the two wires W are parallel, in the wire pull-out mechanism 22, and the above-described other guide unit 28, which regulates the position of each wire W along the direction in which the two wires W are parallel, in the first wire guide unit 23. Furthermore, the wire feed mechanism 2H includes yet another guide unit 29, which regulates the position of each wire W along the direction in which the two wires W are parallel, in the second wire guide unit 24.

[0247] The guide units 29 are provided in the second wire guide unit 24 on the side of the roller 24a facing the wire pull-out mechanism 22, and in the vicinity of the rebar binding machine 1A between the second wire guide unit 24 and the rebar binding machine 1A. That is, the guide units 29 are provided in front of and behind the roller 24a of the second wire guide unit 24 along the feed direction of the wire W.

[0248] The guide portion 29 includes a first guide portion 29a provided on the outside of each wire W in the direction in which the two wires W (W1, W2) are arranged side by side, and a second guide portion 29b provided between the two wires W.

[0249] The first guide portion 29a extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a, and the second guide portion 29b extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0250] The guide portion 29 extends along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a on one side of the second guide portion 29b along the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, and one first guide portion 29a is provided opposite to the second guide portion 29b with a gap that allows at least one wire W to pass through. The guide portion 29 has a guide portion 29c formed by the gap between the one first guide portion 29a and the second guide portion 29b.

[0251] The guide portion 29 extends along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a on the other side of the second guide portion 29b along the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, and the other first guide portion 29a is provided opposite to the second guide portion 29b with a gap large enough to allow at least one wire W to pass through. The guide portion 29 has a guide portion 29c formed in the gap between the other first guide portion 29a and the second guide portion 29b.

[0252] As a result, the guide unit 29 prevents each wire W from moving in the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, in the range in which the pull-out roller 22a moves from the upper limit position to the lower limit position, between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the second wire guide unit 24. Furthermore, the guide unit 29 prevents each wire W from moving in the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, between the second wire guide unit 24 and the rebar binding machine 1A.

[0253] Therefore, the second wire guiding section 24 also prevents the two wires W from moving in a direction parallel to each other. This prevents one wire W from becoming entangled due to twisting, etc. Furthermore, the two wires W are prevented from moving in a direction toward each other and becoming entangled due to twisting, etc. Furthermore, the two wires W are prevented from moving in a direction away from each other and becoming entangled between the two wires W in adjacent binding equipment 100A.

[0254] The guide section 29 may be configured, for example, by a member that supports the rollers 24a and the like in the second wire guide section 24. The second wire guide section 24 may be provided with two members that support the rollers 24a and the like, on the outer sides of the two wires W in the direction in which they are parallel to each other, and that extend along the direction in which the pull-out roller 22a moves, and these two members may form the guide section 29.

[0255] 26A and 26B are side views of a bundling equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, and Fig. 26C is a top view of the main part of the bundling equipment showing another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of the present embodiment. Fig. 26C shows the first wire guiding unit 23. is.

[0256] The wire feed mechanism 2H may be configured to include a guide portion 29 between the second wire guide portion 24 and the rebar binding machine 1A near the second wire guide portion 24, as shown in FIG. 26A. Furthermore, the wire feed mechanism 2H may be configured to include a guide portion 27 between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the first wire guide portion 23 and a guide portion between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the second wire guide portion 24, as shown in FIG. 26B, without including a guide portion 27 near the wire pull-out mechanism 22, but including a guide portion 28 between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the first wire guide portion 23 near the first wire guide portion 23, and a guide portion 29 between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the second wire guide portion 24 near the second wire guide portion 24. Furthermore, the wire feed mechanism 2H may be configured to include a guide portion near either the first wire guide portion 23 or the second wire guide portion 24, without including a guide portion 27 near the wire pull-out mechanism 22.

[0257] In the wire feed mechanism 2H, the first wire guide unit 23 is configured to guide the wire W using a cylindrical roller. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 26C, the wire W may be guided by a pulley 23h having flanges 23g protruding in the circumferential direction on both axial sides. The flanges 23g of the pulley 23h can prevent the two wires W from moving in parallel directions.

[0258] Fig. 27A is a top view of a bundling equipment showing yet another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of this embodiment, and Figs. 27B to 27D are top views of the main parts of the bundling equipment showing yet another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism of this embodiment. Fig. 27B shows the first wire guiding unit 23, Fig. 27C shows the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the second wire guiding unit 24, and Fig. 27D shows the vicinity of the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A.

[0259] Another modified example of the wire feeding mechanism 2I converges the feeding paths of the two wires W drawn out from the two reels 20 housed in the reel housing 21 into the same path at the first wire guiding section 23, and divides them into separate paths between the second wire guiding section 24 and the rebar binding machine 1A.

[0260] The wire feeding mechanism 2I includes a guide section 27 in the wire pull-out mechanism 22 that regulates the position of each wire W along the direction in which the two wires W are parallel to one another, another guide section 28 in the first wire guide section 23, and further other guide sections 29D and 29E in the second wire guide section 24.

[0261] The guide parts 28 are provided on the wire pull-out mechanism 22 side and the roller 23b side of the roller 23a, and on the reel accommodating part 21 side and the roller 23a side of the roller 23b in the first wire guiding part 23. That is, the guide parts 28 are provided in front of and behind the roller 23a and the roller 23b of the first wire guiding part 23 along the feeding direction of the wire W.

[0262] The guide portion 28 includes a first guide portion 28a provided outside each wire W in the direction in which the two wires W (W1, W2) are arranged side by side. The first guide portion 28a extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0263] The guide portion 28 has a pair of first guide portions 28a that extend along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a and are provided facing each other with a gap therebetween that allows at least two wires W to pass through. The guide portion 28 has a leading portion 28c formed by the gap between the pair of first guide portions 28a. Note that the guide portion 28 may be configured such that the first guide portion 28a between the rollers 23a and 23b and the first guide portion 28a on the reel accommodating portion 21 side with respect to the rollers 23b are integrally formed.

[0264] As a result, the guide unit 28 prevents each wire W from moving in the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, in the range in which the pull-out roller 22a moves from the upper limit position to the lower limit position, between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the first wire guide unit 23. Furthermore, the guide unit 28 prevents each wire W from moving in the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, between the roller 23a and the roller 23b of the first wire guide unit 23 and between the roller 23b and the reel housing unit 21.

[0265] The guide portions 27 are provided on the first wire guide portion 23 side and the second wire guide portion 24 side of the pull-out roller 22a in the wire pull-out mechanism 22. That is, the guide portions 27 are provided in front of and behind the pull-out roller 22a of the wire feed mechanism 22 along the feeding direction of the wire W.

[0266] The guide portion 27 includes a first guide portion 27a provided outside each wire W in the direction in which the two wires W (W1, W2) are arranged side by side. The first guide portion 27a extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0267] The guide portion 27 includes a pair of first guide portions 27a extending along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a and arranged opposite each other with a gap therebetween that allows at least two wires W to pass through. The guide portion 27 includes a guide portion 27c formed by the gap between the pair of first guide portions 27a.

[0268] As a result, the guide section 27 prevents each wire W from moving in a direction in which the two wires W are parallel to each other, between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the first wire guide section 23, and between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the second wire guide section 24, in the range in which the pull-out roller 22a moves from the upper limit position to the lower limit position.

[0269] The guide portion 29D is provided in the second wire guide portion 24 on the wire unwinding mechanism 22 side of the roller 24a.

[0270] The guide portion 29D includes a first guide portion 29a provided outside each wire W in the direction in which the two wires W (W1, W2) are arranged side by side. The first guide portion 29a extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0271] The guide portion 29D has a pair of first guide portions 29a extending along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a and arranged opposite each other with a gap therebetween that allows passage of at least two wires W. The guide portion 29D has a leading portion 29c formed by the gap between the pair of first guide portions 29a.

[0272] As a result, the guide portion 29D prevents each wire W from moving in a direction in which the two wires W are parallel to each other within the range in which the pull-out roller 22a moves from the upper limit position to the lower limit position between the wire pull-out mechanism 22 and the second wire guide portion 24.

[0273] The guide portion 29E is provided in the vicinity of the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A between the second wire guide portion 24 and the reinforcing bar binding machine 1A.

[0274] The guide portion 29E includes a first guide portion 29a provided on the outside of each wire W in the direction in which the two wires W (W1, W2) are arranged side by side, and a second guide portion 29b provided between the two wires W.

[0275] The first guide portion 29a extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a, and the second guide portion 29b extends from the base portion 112A along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a.

[0276] The guide portion 29E extends along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a on one side of the second guide portion 29b along the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, and is provided opposite one of the first guide portions 29a with a gap that allows at least one wire W to pass through. The guide portion 29 has a guide portion 29c formed by the gap between the one of the first guide portion 29a and the second guide portion 29b.

[0277] The guide portion 29 extends along the movement direction of the pull-out roller 22a on the other side of the second guide portion 29b along the direction in which the two wires W are arranged side by side, and the other first guide portion 29a is provided opposite to the second guide portion 29b with a gap large enough to allow at least one wire W to pass through. The guide portion 29 has a guide portion 29c formed in the gap between the other first guide portion 29a and the second guide portion 29b.

[0278] As a result, guide unit 29E separates the feed paths of the two wires W between second wire guide unit 24 and rebar binding machine 1A, and prevents each wire W from moving in a direction in which the two wires W are parallel to each other. Note that guide unit 29E may be configured to be provided near second wire guide unit 24 between second wire guide unit 24 and rebar binding machine 1A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0279] 1A, 1B... Rebar tying machine, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2I... Wire feeding mechanism, 20... Reel, 21... Reel storage section, 22... Wire pull-out mechanism, 22a... Pull-out roller, 22b... Drive section, 22c... Motor, 22d... Wire slack absorption mechanism, 22f... Spring, 23... First wire guide section, 23a, 23b, 23c... roller, 23d wire slack absorption mechanism, 23e slack absorption roller, 23f spring, 23g flange portion, 23h pulley, 24 second wire guide portion, 24a, 24b roller, 24d wire slack absorption mechanism, 24e slack absorption roller, 24f spring, 24g wire feed restricting roller, 25a Upper limit detection sensor, 25b lower limit detection sensor, 27 guide portion, 27a first guide portion, 27b second guide portion, 27c guide portion, 28 guide portion, 28a first guide portion, 28b second guide portion, 28c guide portion, 29, 29D, 29E guide portion, 29a first guide portion, 29b second guide portion 2 guide portion, 29c guiding portion, 3A wire feeding portion, 30 feed gear, 31 feed motor, 5A curl forming portion, 6A cutting portion, 7A bundling portion, 70 wire retaining body, 8A drive portion, 80 motor, 100A, 100B control portion, 120 feed amount detection sensor (feed amount detection means), W wire

Claims

1. a bundling mechanism including a wire feeding unit that feeds a plurality of wires, a curl forming unit that winds the plurality of wires fed by the wire feeding unit around an object to be bound, and a bundling unit that twists the plurality of wires wound around the object to be bound by the curl forming unit; a reel housing section that houses a plurality of reels around which one wire is wound; a wire feeding mechanism located between the bundling mechanism and the reel housing portion, which feeds wires from the plurality of reels housed in the reel housing portion to the wire feeding portion; Equipped with The wire feeding mechanism includes a wire drawing mechanism that draws out the wire from the reel; a first wire guide unit that guides the wire between the reel housing unit and the wire pull-out mechanism; a second wire guide portion that guides the wire between the bundling mechanism and the wire pull-out mechanism, the wire pull-out mechanism slackens the wire between the first wire guide portion and the second wire guide portion; The wire feeding unit feeds the wire loosened by the wire drawing mechanism. Binding equipment.

2. The reel storage section stores the plurality of reels arranged side by side with their axes oriented horizontally relative to the vertical direction. The bundling installation according to claim 1 .

3. The reel storage section stores the plurality of reels arranged vertically with their axes aligned vertically. The bundling installation according to claim 1 .

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