U.S. patent application number 16/518065 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-13 for rebar tying machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAKITA CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is MAKITA CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Tadasuke MATSUNO.
Application Number | 20200047930 16/518065 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69185839 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-13 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200047930 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATSUNO; Tadasuke |
February 13, 2020 |
REBAR TYING MACHINE
Abstract
A rebar tying machine disclosed herein may include a reel having
a wire, a wheel holding the reel and rotatable integrally with the
reel, a wheel holder rotatably holding the wheel, and an elastic
body interposed between the wheel and the wheel holder. Another
rebar tying machine disclosed herein may include a reel having a
wire, a wheel holding the reel and rotatable integrally with the
reel, and a wheel holder rotatably holding the wheel. The wheel may
be movable relative to the wheel holder.
Inventors: |
MATSUNO; Tadasuke;
(Anjo-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAKITA CORPORATION |
Anjo-shi, Aichi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
MAKITA CORPORATION
Anjo-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
69185839 |
Appl. No.: |
16/518065 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 13/025 20130101;
E04G 21/123 20130101; B65H 75/14 20130101; B65B 13/285 20130101;
B65H 75/30 20130101; B65B 13/187 20130101; B65H 2701/36
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 13/28 20060101
B65B013/28; B65B 13/02 20060101 B65B013/02; B65H 75/14 20060101
B65H075/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 7, 2018 |
JP |
2018-148918 |
Claims
1. A rebar tying machine, comprising: a reel having a wire; a wheel
holding the reel and rotatable integrally with the reel; a wheel
holder rotatably holding the wheel; and an elastic body interposed
between the wheel and the wheel holder.
2. The rebar tying machine according to claim 1, wherein the reel
is provided with an opening partitioned by a partition wall, and
the wheel includes an engagement protrusion which is configured to
enter the opening and abut the partition wall in a direction in
which the reel rotates.
3. The rebar tying machine according to claim 1, wherein the
elastic body is a compression spring.
4. The rebar tying machine according to claim 1, further comprising
a pressing mechanism configured to press the reel against the
wheel.
5. The rebar tying machine according to claim 1, further comprising
a rotation detecting mechanism configured to detect rotation of the
wheel relative to the wheel holder.
6. A rebar tying machine, comprising: a reel having a wire; a wheel
holding the reel and rotatable integrally with the reel; and a
wheel holder rotatably holding the wheel, wherein the wheel is
movable relative to the wheel holder.
7. The rebar tying machine according to claim 6, wherein relative
to the wheel holder, the wheel is movable in a direction along a
rotation axis of the reel and is immovable in a direction
perpendicular to the rotation axis of the reel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2018-148918, filed on Aug. 7, 2018, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The technique disclosed herein relates to a rebar tying
machine.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-111960
describes a rebar tying machine. This rebar tying machine is
provided with a reel having a wire, a wheel holding the reel and
rotatable integrally with the reel, and a wheel holder rotatably
holding the wheel.
SUMMARY
[0004] In the technique of Japanese Patent Application Publication
No. 2018-111960, the reel and the wheel engage with each other due
to the reel being pressed against the wheel, by which the reel and
the wheel rotate integrally. In such a configuration, when the reel
is excessively pressed against the wheel due to some reason, a
resistance in rotating the reel and the wheel increases. In such a
state, excessive load may be applied to an actuator which draws out
the wire from the reel. The disclosure herein provides a technique
for smoothly rotating a reel in a rebar tying machine in which the
reel and a wheel rotate integrally. Further, the disclosure herein
provides a technique for suppressing excessive load application to
an actuator which draws out a wire from the reel.
[0005] A rebar tying machine disclosed herein may comprise a reel
having a wire, a wheel holding the reel and rotatable integrally
with the reel, a wheel holder rotatably holding the wheel, and an
elastic body interposed between the wheel and the wheel holder.
[0006] According to the above configuration, even when the reel is
excessively pressed against the wheel due to some reason, the
elastic body suppresses excessive pressing force from being applied
to the reel and the wheel. Due to this, a resistance in rotating
the reel and the wheel can be suppressed from increasing. Further,
an excessive load application to an actuator which draws out the
wire from the reel can be suppressed.
[0007] Another rebar tying machine disclosed herein may comprise a
reel having a wire, a wheel holding the reel and rotatable
integrally with the reel, and a wheel holder rotatably holding the
wheel. The wheel may be movable relative to the wheel holder.
[0008] According to the above configuration, even when the reel is
excessively pressed against the wheel due to some reason, an
excessive pressing force application to the reel and the wheel is
suppressed by the wheel moving relative to the wheel holder. A
resistance in rotating the reel and the wheel can be suppressed
from increasing. Further, an excessive load application to the
actuator which draws out the wire from the reel can be
suppressed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view seeing a rebar tying machine 2
of an embodiment from an upper left rear side.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view seeing the rebar tying machine
2 of the embodiment from an upper right rear side.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view seeing an internal structure of
a tying machine body 4 of the rebar tying machine 2 of the
embodiment from the upper right rear side.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view seeing the internal structure
of the tying machine body 4 of the rebar tying machine 2 of the
embodiment from an upper left front side.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view seeing a reel accommodating
chamber 20 of the rebar tying machine 2 of the embodiment from the
upper left rear side.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an accommodation
mechanism 36 of the rebar tying machine 2 of the embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view seeing a wire reel WR, a
turntable 60, and a magnetic sensor 66 of the rebar tying machine 2
of the embodiment from the upper right rear side.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view seeing the wire reel WR of the
rebar tying machine 2 of the embodiment from the upper right rear
side.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view seeing the turntable 60 of the
rebar tying machine 2 of the embodiment from the upper left rear
side.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the wire reel WR and
the turntable 60 of the rebar tying machine 2 of the embodiment, in
a state where engagement protrusions 60c of the turntable 60 are
riding on partition walls WRd of the wire reel WR.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the wire reel WR and
the turntable 60 of the rebar tying machine 2 of the embodiment, in
a state where the engagement protrusions 60c of the turntable 60
are in openings WRe of the wire reel WR.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a wire reel WR and a
turntable 60 of a rebar tying machine 102 of a comparative example,
in a state where engagement protrusions 60c of the turntable 60 are
riding on partition walls WRd of the wire reel WR.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view seeing a wire reel WR, a
turntable 60, and an optical sensor 90 of a rebar tying machine 2
of a variant from the upper right rear side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Representative, non-limiting examples of the present
disclosure will now be described in further detail with reference
to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely
intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for
practicing aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to
limit the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each of the
additional features and teachings disclosed below may be utilized
separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to
provide improved rebar tying machines, as well as methods for using
and manufacturing the same.
[0023] Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in
the following detailed description may not be necessary to practice
the present disclosure in the broadest sense, and are instead
taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of
the present disclosure. Furthermore, various features of the
above-described and below-described representative examples, as
well as the various independent and dependent claims, may be
combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly
enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the
present teachings.
[0024] All features disclosed in the description and/or the claims
are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each
other for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as
for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter,
independent of the compositions of the features in the embodiments
and/or the claims. In addition, all value ranges or indications of
groups of entities are intended to disclose every possible
intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of
original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of
restricting the claimed subject matter.
[0025] In one or more embodiments, a rebar tying machine may
comprise a reel having a wire, a wheel holding the reel and
rotatable integrally with the reel, a wheel holder rotatably
holding the wheel, and an elastic body interposed between the wheel
and the wheel holder.
[0026] According to the above configuration, even when the reel is
excessively pressed against the wheel due to some reason, the
elastic body suppresses excessive pressing force from being applied
to the reel and the wheel. Due to this, a resistance in rotating
the reel and the wheel can be suppressed from increasing. Further,
an excessive load application to an actuator which draws out the
wire from the reel can be suppressed.
[0027] In one or more embodiments, the reel may be provided with an
opening partitioned by a partition wall. The wheel may include an
engagement protrusion which is configured to enter the opening and
abut the partition wall in a direction in which the reel
rotates.
[0028] In the above configuration in which the partition wall of
the reel and the engagement protrusion of the wheel abut each other
in the direction in which the reel rotates, the reel and the wheel
can be ensured to rotate integrally. However, in such a
configuration, there may be an incident where the engagement
protrusion rides onto the partition wall, instead of entering the
opening, when the reel is attached to the wheel. If the engagement
protrusion rides on the partition wall, the reel is excessively
pressed against the wheel as compared to a case in which the
engagement protrusion enters the opening. According to the above
configuration, since the elastic body is interposed between the
wheel and the wheel holder, the elastic body suppresses the
excessive pressing force from being applied to the reel and the
wheel even when the engagement protrusion rides on the partition
wall. Due to this, the resistance in rotating the reel and the
wheel can be suppressed from increasing. Further, the excessive
load application to the actuator which draws out the wire from the
reel can be suppressed.
[0029] In one or more embodiments, the elastic body may be a
compression spring.
[0030] According to the above configuration, the excessive pressing
force application to the reel and the wheel can be efficiently
suppressed in the case where the reel is excessively pressed
against the wheel.
[0031] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying machine may
further comprise a pressing mechanism configured to press the reel
against the wheel.
[0032] According to the above configuration, even when the reel is
excessively pressed against the wheel by the pressing mechanism,
the elastic body interposed between the wheel and the wheel holder
suppresses the excessive pressing force from being applied to the
reel and the wheel. Due to this, the resistance in rotating the
reel and the wheel can be suppressed from increasing. Further, the
excessive load application to the actuator which draws out the wire
from the reel can be suppressed.
[0033] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying machine may
further comprise a rotation detecting mechanism configured to
detect rotation of the wheel relative to the wheel holder.
[0034] In a case of detecting rotation of the reel by using the
rotation detecting mechanism as aforementioned, the reel and the
wheel needs to be integrally rotated for sure. However, if a
configuration in which the reel is firmly pressed against the wheel
to ensure the integral rotation of the reel and the wheel is
employed, there is a risk that the reel may be excessively pressed
against the wheel. According to the above configuration, even when
the reel is excessively pressed against the wheel, the elastic body
interposed between the wheel and the wheel holder suppresses the
excessive pressing force from being applied to the reel and the
wheel. Due to this, the resistance in rotating the reel and the
wheel can be suppressed from increasing. Further, the excessive
load application to the actuator which draws out the wire from the
reel can be suppressed.
[0035] In one or more embodiments, a rebar tying machine may
comprise a reel having a wire, a wheel holding the reel and
rotatable integrally with the reel, and a wheel holder rotatably
holding the wheel. The wheel may be movable relative to the wheel
holder.
[0036] According to the above configuration, even when the reel is
excessively pressed against the wheel due to some reason, an
excessive pressing force application to the reel and the wheel is
suppressed by the wheel moving relative to the wheel holder. Due to
this, a resistance in rotating the reel and the wheel can be
suppressed from increasing. Further, an excessive load application
to an actuator which draws out the wire from the reel can be
suppressed.
[0037] In one or more embodiments, relative to the wheel holder,
the wheel may be movable in a direction along a rotation axis of
the reel and may be immovable in a direction perpendicular to the
rotation axis of the reel.
[0038] If a rotation axis of the wheel is displaced from the
rotation axis of the reel when the wheel moves relative to the
wheel holder, the resistance in integrally rotating the reel and
the wheel increases and the excessive load is applied to the
actuator which draws out the wire from the reel. According to the
above configuration, even when the wheel moves relative to the
wheel holder, the rotation axis of the wheel is not displaced from
the rotation axis of the reel, thus the resistance in integrally
rotating the reel and the wheel can be suppressed from increasing.
Further, the excessive load application to the actuator which draws
out the wire from the reel can be suppressed.
Embodiments
[0039] A rebar tying machine 2 of an embodiment will be described
with reference to the drawings. The rebar tying machine 2 shown in
FIG. 1 is a power tool for tying a plurality of rebars R by a wire
W.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rebar tying machine 2
includes a tying machine body 4, a grip 6 provided below the tying
machine body 4 for a user to hold, and a battery receiver 8
provided below the grip 6. A battery B can be detachably attached
to a lower portion of the battery receiver 8. The battery B is a
sliding-type battery which can be attached and detached by being
slid relative to the battery receiver 8. The battery B is a lithium
ion battery which is rechargeable by a charger, which is not shown,
for example. When the battery B is attached to the battery receiver
8, power is supplied from the battery B to the rebar tying machine
2.
[0041] The rebar tying machine 2 is provided with a housing 12. The
housing 12 is provided with a left housing 14, a right housing 16,
and a side cover housing 18. As shown in FIG. 1, the left housing
14 integrally configures an outer shape of a left half of the tying
machine body 4, an outer shape of a left half of the grip 6, and an
outer shape of a left half of the battery receiver 8. As shown in
FIG. 2, the right housing 16 integrally configures an outer shape
of a right half of the tying machine body 4, an outer shape of a
right half of the grip 6, and an outer shape of a right half of the
battery receiver 8. The left housing 14 is fixed to the right
housing 16 by a plurality of screws. The side cover housing 18
configures a part of the outer shape of the right half of the tying
machine body 4. The side cover housing 18 is fixed to the right
housing 16 by a plurality of screws.
[0042] A reel accommodating chamber 20 configured to accommodate a
wire reel WR (see FIG. 3) on which the wire W is wound is provided
at a rear portion of the tying machine body 4. An upper portion of
the reel accommodating chamber 20 is covered by a reel cover 22.
The reel cover 22 is pivotably supported on the tying machine body
4 via circular ring-shaped receivers 22a, 22b provided on left and
right sides. The reel cover 22 is configured to open and close the
reel accommodating chamber 20 by pivoting relative to the tying
machine body 4 with a left-right direction as its pivot axis.
[0043] An upper front portion of the grip 6 is provided with a
trigger 28 configured to be pulled by a user and a trigger lock 30
provided behind the trigger 28 and configured to switch between a
state allowing the trigger 28 to be pulled and a state prohibiting
the pull.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tying machine body 4 is
primarily provided with a control board 34, an accommodation
mechanism 36, a feed mechanism 38, a brake mechanism 40, a guide
mechanism 42, a cutting mechanism 44, and a twisting mechanism 46.
The control board 34 is disposed at a lower portion of the tying
machine body 4.
[0045] The accommodation mechanism 36 is disposed at the rear
portion of the tying machine body 4. The accommodation mechanism 36
detachably holds the wire reel WR accommodated in the reel
accommodating chamber 20. The wire reel WR is rotatably supported
by the accommodation mechanism 36 in the reel accommodating chamber
20.
[0046] The feed mechanism 38 is disposed at an upper portion of the
tying machine body 4 in a vicinity of a center thereof in a
front-rear direction. The feed mechanism 38 is configured to rotate
a feed roller 74 by driving a feed motor 72 to draw out the wire W
from the wire reel WR in the accommodation mechanism 36, and feed
out the wire W to the guide mechanism 42 provided at a front
portion of the tying machine body 4. Operation of the feed motor 72
is controlled by the control board 34.
[0047] The guide mechanism 42 is disposed at the front portion of
the tying machine body 4. The guide mechanism 42 is configured to
guide the wire W fed from the feed mechanism 38 around the
plurality of rebars R in a loop shape (see FIG. 1).
[0048] The brake mechanism 40 is disposed near the center of the
tying machine body 4 in the front-rear direction. The brake
mechanism 40 is configured to stop rotation of the wire reel WR in
accordance with a timing at which the feed mechanism 38 stops
feeding out the wire W. The wire reel WR has notches WRa provided
therein at a predetermined angular interval, and the brake
mechanism 40 stops the rotation of the wire reel WR by bringing a
brake member 78 into engagement with one of the notches WRa by
actuating a solenoid 76. Operation of the solenoid 76 is controlled
by the control board 34.
[0049] The cutting mechanism 44 is disposed at the front portion of
the tying machine body 4. The cutting mechanism 44 is configured to
cut the wire W, while the wire W is wound around the plurality of
rebars R, by a cutter (not shown) which rotates in cooperation with
the twisting mechanism 46.
[0050] The twisting mechanism 46 is disposed from the front portion
across to an intermediate portion of the tying machine body 4 in
the front-rear direction. The twisting mechanism 46 includes a hook
82 configured to advance, retreat, and rotate according to rotation
of a twisting motor 80. The twisting mechanism 46 is configured to
hold and twist the wire W wound around the plurality of rebars R
via the hook 82 to tie the plurality of rebars R by the wire W.
Operation of the twisting motor 80 is controlled by the control
board 34.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, when the user sets the rebar tying
machine 2 with respect to the plurality of rebars R and pulls the
trigger 28, the rebar tying machine 2 performs a series of
operations of winding the wire W around the plurality of rebars R
by the feed mechanism 38, the brake mechanism 40 and the guide
mechanism 42; cutting the wire W and twisting the wire W wound
around the plurality of rebars R by the cutting mechanism 44 and
the twisting mechanism 46.
[0052] Hereinbelow, the accommodation mechanism 36 will be
described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the accommodation
mechanism 36 is provided with a left supporting mechanism 48
provided on a left side of the reel accommodating chamber 20 and a
right supporting mechanism 50 provided on a right side of the reel
accommodating chamber 20.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 6, the left supporting mechanism 48 is
provided with a base member 52, a cam member 54, a shaft member 56,
and a compression spring 58. The base member 52 is fixed to the
left housing 14 by a plurality of screws. The cam member 54 is
disposed to penetrate through the base member 52 and is held by the
base member 52 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.
The cam member 54 is provided with a cylindrical cover holder 54a
protruding to outside of the reel accommodating chamber 20. The
cover holder 54a holds the receiver 22a of the reel cover 22. The
receiver 22b of the reel cover 22 is held slidably by a cylindrical
cover holder 18a provided in the side cover housing 18. As shown in
FIG. 5, a cam protrusion 54b is provided on an outer
circumferential surface of the cover holder 54a. Corresponding to
the cam protrusion 54b of the cover holder 54a, a cam protrusion
(not shown) is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the
receiver 22a of the reel cover 22. As shown in FIG. 6, the shaft
member 56 is provided with a cylindrical reel holder 56a protruding
toward inside of the reel accommodating chamber 20. The shaft
member 56 is fixed to the cam member 54 by a plurality of screws.
Due to this, the shaft member 56 can slide integrally with the cam
member 54 in the left-right direction relative to the base member
52. Further, the shaft member 56 is biased in the right direction
(that is, toward the inside of the reel accommodating chamber 20)
by the compression spring 58 held by the base member 52. In a
normal state, the cam member 54 and the shaft member 56 are located
to the right relative to the base member 52 (that is, to the inside
of the reel accommodating chamber 20) by biasing force of the
compression spring 58. In this state, the reel holder 56a is in a
shaft receiving groove WRb of the wire reel WR and the cam
protrusion 54b of the cam member 54 is pressing the cam protrusion
of the receiver 22a in a direction closing the reel cover 22, by
which the reel cover 22 is closed. In this state, the reel holder
56a slidably abuts the shaft receiving groove WRb, thus the wire
reel WR is held rotatably relative to the reel holder 56a. In this
state, the wire reel WR is pressed to the right (that is, toward
the inside of the reel accommodating chamber 20) by the reel holder
56a. Then, when the user opens the reel cover 22 against the
biasing force of the compression spring 58, the cam protrusion of
the receiver 22a of the reel cover 22 presses the cam protrusion
54b of the cover holder 54a to the left (that is, toward the
outside of the reel accommodating chamber 20) as the reel cover 22
pivots. Due to this, the cam member 54 and the shaft member 56 move
to the left relative to the base member 52 (that is, toward the
outside of the reel accommodating chamber 20), and the reel holder
56a exits from the shaft receiving groove WRb of the wire reel WR.
In this state, the user can take out the wire reel WR from the reel
accommodating chamber 20 or set the wire reel WR therein.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, the right supporting mechanism 50 is
provided with a turntable 60, an inner bearing 62, an outer bearing
64, a magnetic sensor 66 (see FIG. 3), and a compression spring 68.
The turntable 60 is held rotatably by the right housing 16 via the
inner bearing 62 and the outer bearing 64. Further, the turntable
60 is slidable in the left-right direction relative to the inner
bearing 62 and the outer bearing 64. The turntable 60 is biased to
the left (that is, toward the inside of the reel accommodating
chamber 20) by the compression spring 68 held by the outer bearing
64. In the normal state, the turntable 60 is located to the left
(that is, to the inside of the reel accommodating chamber 20)
relative to the right housing 16 by biasing force of the
compression spring 68.
[0055] The turntable 60 is provided with a cylindrical reel holder
60a protruding toward the inside of the reel accommodating chamber
20, a disk-shaped rotation detector 60b disposed along an inner
side surface of the reel accommodating chamber 20, and a plurality
of substantially triangular and flat plate-shaped engagement
protrusions 60c protruding toward the inside of the reel
accommodating chamber 20 (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 8, the wire
reel WR includes a shaft receiving groove WRc provided near its
rotation axis and a plurality of openings WRe arranged on a
radially outer side relative to the shaft receiving groove WRc and
partitioned by partition walls WRd in a circumferential direction.
The reel holder 60a is configured to enter the shaft receiving
groove WRc of the wire reel WR and slidably abut the shaft
receiving groove WRc. Further, the engagement protrusions 60c are
configured to enter the openings WRe of the wire reel WR. When the
wire reel WR rotates, static frictional force applied from the
shaft receiving groove WRc acts on the reel holder 60a and the
engagement protrusions 60c abut the partition walls WRd in the
circumferential direction, by which the turntable 60 rotates
integrally with the wire reel WR. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality
of magnets 60d is attached to the rotation detector 60b at a
predetermined angular interval. The magnetic sensor 66 is provided
with a Hall IC 66a configured to detect magnetism of the magnets
60d. As shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic sensor 66 is disposed on an
outer side of the right housing 16. The magnetic sensor 66 is
electrically connected to the control board 34. When the wire reel
WR rotates, the magnets 60d of the turntable 60 rotate integrally
with the wire reel WR and the magnetism detected by the Hall IC 66a
changes. The control board 34 is configured to detect the rotation
of the wire reel WR from the change in the magnetism of the magnets
60 detected by het Hal IC 66a of the magnetic sensor 66.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, when the wire reel WR is to be set in
the accommodation mechanism 36, distal ends of the engagement
protrusions 60c could ride on the partition walls WRd, instead of
entering the openings WRe. In such a case, the compression spring
68 is compressed and the turntable 60 moves to the right (that is,
toward the outside of the reel accommodating chamber 20). In this
state, the reel holder 60a does not abut the shaft receiving groove
WRc, the engagement protrusions 60c are not in the openings WRe,
and the distal ends of the engagement protrusions 60c abut the
partition walls WRd. In this state, although the wire reel WR is
pressed toward the turntable 60 of the right supporting mechanism
50 by the shaft member 56 of the left supporting mechanism 48, no
large pressing force is applied to the wire reel WR and the
turntable 60 since the turntable 60 has moved to the right as the
compression spring 68 is compressed. Due to this, the wire reel WR
easily rotates relative to the turntable 60 when the feed mechanism
38 draws out the wire W from the wire reel WR by driving the feed
motor 72. Thus, when the feed mechanism 38 draws out the wire W
from the wire reel WR by driving the feed motor 72, the engagement
protrusions 60c enter the openings WRe and the reel holder 60a
enters the shaft receiving groove WRc as shown in FIG. 11, which
brings the wire reel WR to be in its normally held state.
[0057] FIG. 12 shows a rebar tying machine 102 of a comparative
example in which the compression spring 68 is not provided and the
turntable 60 is not slidable in the left-right direction relative
to the inner bearing 62 and the outer bearing 64 (that is, the
turntable 60 is not movable in the left-right direction relative to
the right housing 16). In a case where the distal ends of the
engagement protrusions 60c ride on the partition walls WRd, instead
of entering the openings WRe, in the rebar tying machine 102,
significantly large pressing force is applied to the wire reel WR
and the turntable 60 since the wire reel WR is pressed toward the
turntable 60 of the right supporting mechanism 50 by the shaft
member 56 of the left supporting mechanism 48. Even when the feed
mechanism 38 attempts to draw out the wire W from the wire reel WR
by driving the feed motor 72 in this state, the wire reel WR is not
able to rotate easily relative to the turntable 60 and the
turntable 60 is not able to rotate easily relative to the right
housing 16 either, thus a significantly large load is applied to
the feed motor 72. Contrary to this, according to the rebar tying
machine 2 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the
turntable 60 is movable in the left-right direction relative to the
right housing 16 and the compression spring 68 is provided between
the turntable 60 and the right housing 16, thus the application of
significantly large load to the feed motor 72 can be suppressed
even when the engagement protrusions 60c ride on the partition
walls WRd.
[0058] In the above embodiment, the configuration is exemplified in
which the accommodation mechanism 36 is provided with the plurality
of magnets 60d provided on the turntable 60 and the magnetic sensor
66 provided on the right housing 16 for detecting the rotation of
the wire reel WR. Different from this, a configuration in which a
plurality of magnets is provided directly on the wire reel WR at a
predetermined angular interval and the magnets 60d are not provided
on the turntable 60 may be employed. In this case as well, the
rotation of the wire reel WR can be detected from a change in
magnetism from the magnets on the wire reel WR detected by the
magnetic sensor 66. In a case where the rotation of the wire reel
WR does not need to be detected, a plurality of magnets may not be
provided on the wire reel WR nor on the turntable 60, and the
magnetic sensor 66 may not be provided on the right housing 16.
[0059] In the above embodiment, the configuration is exemplified in
which the accommodation mechanism 36 is provided with the plurality
of magnets 60d provided on the turntable 60 and the magnetic sensor
66 provided on the right housing 16 for detecting the rotation of
the wire reel WR. Different from this, as shown in FIG. 13 for
example, a configuration may be employed in which the accommodation
mechanism 36 is provided with a plurality of reflection plates 60e
provided on the turntable 60 and an optical sensor 90 provided on
the right housing 16 for detecting the rotation of the wire reel
WR. In the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the optical sensor 90 is
provided with a light emitter 90a configured to emit detection
laser toward the wire reel WR and a light receiver 90b configured
to receive laser reflected on the reflection plates 60e. Each of
the light emitter 90a and the light receiver 90b of the optical
sensor 90 is electrically connected to the control board 34. The
plurality of reflection plates 60e is attached to the rotation
detector 60b of the turntable 60 at a predetermined angular
interval. The optical sensor 90 is disposed on the outer side of
the right housing 16. The right housing 16 is provided with through
holes (not shown) through which the light emitter 90a and the light
receiver 90b of the optical sensor 90 are exposed to the wire reel
WR. According to the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the control
board 34 can detect the rotation of the wire reel WR from a change
in the light detected by the light receiver 90b of the optical
sensor 90.
[0060] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the wire
reel WR is held at the rear portion of the tying machine body 4 is
exemplified, however, the wire reel WR may be held at any position
other than the above. For example, the wire reel WR and the
accommodation mechanism 36 which holds the wire reel WR may be
disposed at a position in the lower portion of the tying machine
body 4 and in front of the grip 6, such as a position between the
guide mechanism 42 and the battery receiver 8, and the feed
mechanism 38 and the brake mechanism 40 may be disposed above the
accommodation mechanism 36.
[0061] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the
rebar tying machine 2 uses one wire reel WR is exemplified,
however, a configuration in which the rebar tying machine 2 uses
two or more wire reels WR may be employed. For example, the rebar
tying machine 2 may be provided with a plurality of accommodation
mechanisms 36, a plurality of feed mechanisms 38, and a plurality
of brake mechanisms 40, hold a plurality of wire reels WR
individually, and feed out wires W to the guide mechanism 42 from
the respective wire reels WR.
[0062] As above, in one or more embodiments, the rebar tying
machine 2 includes the wire reel WR (an example of a reel) having
the wire W, the turntable 60 (an example of a wheel) holding the
wire reel WR and integrally rotatable with the wire reel WR, the
right housing 16 (an example of a wheel holder) rotatably holding
the turntable 60, and the compression spring 68 (an example of an
elastic body) interposed between the turntable 60 and the right
housing 16.
[0063] According to the above configuration, even when the wire
reel WR is excessively pressed against the turntable 60 due to some
reason, the compression spring 68 suppresses excessive pressing
force from being applied to the wire reel WR and the turntable 60.
Due to this, a resistance in rotating the wire reel WR and the
turntable 60 can be suppressed from increasing. Further, an
excessive load application to the feed motor 72, which is an
actuator that draws out the wire W from the wire reel WR, can be
suppressed.
[0064] In one or more embodiments, the wire reel WR is provided
with the openings WRe partitioned by the partition walls WRd. The
turntable 60 includes the engagement protrusions 60c which are
configured to enter the openings WRe and abut the partition walls
WRd in a direction in which the wire reel WR rotates.
[0065] As above, in the configuration in which the partition walls
WRd of the wire reel WR abut the engagement protrusions 60c of the
turntable 60 in the direction in which the wire reel WR rotates,
the wire reel WR and the turntable 60 can be ensured to rotate
integrally. However, in the configuration as above, the engagement
protrusions 60c could ride on the partition walls WRd, instead of
entering the openings WRe, when the wire reel WR is attached to the
turntable 60. If the engagement protrusions 60c ride on the
partition walls WRd, the wire reel WR is excessively pressed
against the turntable 60 as compared to the case where the
engagement protrusions 60c enter the openings WRe. Since the
compression spring 68 is interposed between the turntable 60 and
the right housing 16 in the above configuration, the compression
spring 68 suppresses excessive pressing force from being applied to
the wire reel WR and the turntable 60 even when the engagement
protrusions 60c ride on the partition walls WRd. Due to this, the
resistance in rotating the wire reel WR and the turntable 60 can be
suppressed from increasing. Further, excessive force application to
the feed motor 72, which draws out the wire W from the wire reel
WR, can be suppressed.
[0066] In one or more embodiments, an elastic body interposed
between the turntable 60 and the right housing 16 is the
compression spring 68.
[0067] According to the above configuration, when the wire reel WR
is excessively pressed against the turntable 60, excessive pressing
force application to the wire reel WR and the turntable 60 can be
effectively suppressed.
[0068] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying machine 2
further includes the left supporting mechanism 48 (an example of a
pressing mechanism) configured to press the wire reel WR against
the turntable 60.
[0069] According to the above configuration, even when the wire
reel WR is excessively pressed against the turntable 60 by the left
supporting mechanism 48, the compression spring 68 interposed
between the turntable 60 and the right housing 16 suppresses
excessive pressing force from being applied to the wire reel WR and
the turntable 60. Due to this, the resistance in rotating the wire
reel WR and the turntable 60 can be suppressed from increasing.
Further, excessive load application to the feed motor 72, which
draws out the wire W from the wire reel WR, can be suppressed.
[0070] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying machine 2
further includes a rotation detecting mechanism configured to
detect rotation of the turntable 60 relative to the right housing
16 (such as the combination of the magnets 60d and the magnetic
sensor 66, or the combination of the reflection plates 60e and the
optical sensor 90).
[0071] To detect the rotation of the wire reel WR by using such a
rotation detecting mechanism, the wire reel WR and the turntable 60
need to rotate integrally for sure. However, if the wire reel WR is
pressed firmly against the turntable 60 to ensure the integral
rotation of the wire reel WR and the turntable 60, there is a risk
that the wire reel WR might be excessively pressed against the
turntable 60. According to the above configuration, even when the
wire reel WR is excessively pressed against the turntable 60, the
compression spring 68 interposed between the turntable 60 and the
right housing 16 suppresses excessive pressing force from being
applied to the wire reel WR and the turntable 60. Due to this, the
resistance in rotating the wire reel WR and the turntable 60 can be
suppressed from increasing. Further, excessive load application to
the feed motor 72, which draws out the wire W from the wire reel
WR, can be suppressed.
[0072] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying machine 2
includes the wire reel WR (an example of a reel) having the wire W,
the turntable 60 (an example of a wheel) holding the wire reel WR
and integrally rotatable with the wire reel WR, and the right
housing 16 (an example of a wheel holder) rotatably holding the
turntable 60. The turntable 60 is movable relative to the right
housing 16.
[0073] According to the above configuration, even when the wire
reel WR is excessively pressed against the turntable 60 due to some
reason, the turntable 60 moves relative to the right housing 16,
which suppresses excessive pressing force from being applied to the
wire reel WR and the turntable 60. A resistance in rotating the
wire reel WR and the turntable 60 can be suppressed from
increasing. Further, an excessive load application to the feed
motor 72, which is an actuator drawing out the wire W from the wire
reel WR, can be suppressed.
[0074] In one or more embodiments, relative to the right housing
16, the turntable 60 is movable in a direction along the rotation
axis of the wire reel WR and is immovable in a direction
perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wire reel WR.
[0075] If a rotation axis of the turntable 60 is displaced from the
rotation axis of the wire reel WR when the turntable 60 moves
relative to the right housing 16, the resistance in integrally
rotating the wire reel WR and the turntable 60 thereby increases,
and the excessive load is applied to the feed motor 72 that draws
out the wire W from the wire reel WR. According to the above
configuration, even when the turntable 60 moves relative to the
right housing 16, the rotation axis of the turntable 60 is not
displaced from the rotation axis of the wire reel WR, thus the
resistance in integrally rotating the wire reel WR and the
turntable 60 can be suppressed from increasing. Further, the
excessive load application to the feed motor 72, which draws out
the wire W from the wire reel WR, can be suppressed.
* * * * *