JP7044891B2 - Portable cable tie tool - Google Patents

Description

Cross-reference to related applications This application claims the priority of US Provisional Application No. 62 / 629,334 filed February 12, 2018, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Is done.

Cable ties are a type of fastener that mainly holds items such as electric cables and electric wires together. These cable ties are well known. Usually these are thin, flexible polymer strips that can be wrapped around the cable. Due to its low cost and ease of use, cable ties are used in a variety of other applications.

One of the common cable ties is made of nylon, which has a piece of flexible tape with teeth that engages the claws of the head to form a ratchet, when the free end of the piece of tape is pulled. , The cable tie is tightened to prevent it from loosening. Some ties include tabs that can be pushed down to remove the ratchet, allowing the ties to be loosened or removed and possibly reused.

Tools for applying cable ties to bundles of wires or similar articles are also well known. These tools can be manual, semi-automatic, or automatic. Many of these tools are complex multi-operation tools that provide individual cable ties, from dispensers with cartridges or reels containing multiple cable ties to transport mechanisms for provision in applicable tools.

This type of portable hand tool is possible if there is a mechanism inside the tool itself that separates the individual cable ties from the cable tie ribbon. Therefore, manageable lengths of individual cable tie ribbons are placed on the portable tool to sequentially separate, advance, and apply each cable tie. Conventional automatic cable tie installation tools utilize various reciprocating mechanisms such as push rods or carriages as cable tie forward mechanisms to transport the ties to the applicable position around the bundle. This type of tool still has its drawbacks. This is due to the need to pull the reciprocating member into place to transport the next cable tie. Therefore, simplifying the cable tie advancing mechanism significantly reduces the overall complexity of the tool. Furthermore, by eliminating the reciprocating transport mechanism, the length of the tool can be shortened and the number of moving parts used can be reduced.

The present invention is provided to solve the above problems and other problems and to provide advantages and embodiments not provided by conventional cable tie tool devices of this type. A complete discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is left to the following detailed description proceeded with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The first aspect of the present invention is an automatic cable tie device for tightening and fixing a cable tie around a bundle of cables or the like. The first motor transmits rotational movement to the first shaft separately in the first and second directions, with the first and second directions being one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, respectively. .. The cable tie delivery mechanism is operably coupled to the first motor so that when the first shaft rotates in the first direction, the cable tie delivery mechanism transfers the cable tie to the cable tie loading start position. The conveyor is operably coupled to the first motor so that when the first shaft rotates in the second direction, the conveyor transfers the cable ties from the cable tie loading start position to the cable tie pull position. ..

A first aspect of the invention may further include one or more of the following features: The first clutch may be located between the first motor and the cable tie delivery mechanism. The first clutch has an engaged state in which the rotational movement in the first direction by the first shaft drives the movement by the cable tie delivery mechanism, and the rotational movement by the first shaft in the second direction is the first. It has a disengaged state in which the shaft is freewheeled with respect to the cable tie delivery mechanism, and such rotational movement by the first shaft in the second direction does not transmit the movement to the cable tie delivery mechanism. The second clutch may be located between the first motor and the conveyor. The second clutch has an engaged state in which the rotational movement in the second direction by the first shaft drives the movement by the conveyor, and the rotational movement by the first shaft in the first direction causes the first shaft. It has a disengaged state in which it is freewheeled with respect to the conveyor, and such rotational movement by the first shaft in the first direction does not convey the movement to the conveyor.

The cable tie delivery mechanism may include a gearing assembly operably coupled to a first motor, the first gear of the gearing assembly delivering multiple cable tie cable ties to the cable tie loading start position. When the first shaft rotates in the first direction, it includes a plurality of chamfered teeth configured to frictionally engage with the cable tie carrier and transmit the movement to the cable tie carrier.

The conveyor may also include a gearing assembly operably coupled to the first motor, the first gear transmitting movement to the conveyor and pulling the cable ties from the cable tie loading start position. Carry to position.

A first aspect of the present invention is a second aspect, such that the support wall moves upward in response to the rotation of the second shaft in a direction corresponding to either the first direction or the second direction. It may further include a support wall operably coupled to the motor. The support wall may move upward to a position adjacent to the conveyor to support the cable tie as the cable tie moves from the cable tie loading start position to the cable tie pull position.

The first aspect may further include a second motor that separately transmits rotational movement to the second shaft in the first direction or the second direction. When the second shaft rotates in one of the first direction or the second direction, the cable tie supporter guides the movement of the cable tie from the cable tie loading start position to the cable tie pulling position. The cable tie supporter is operably coupled to the second motor. The cable tie tensioner operates on the second motor so that the cable tie tensioner reduces the length of the circumference of the annular shape when the second shaft rotates in either the first direction or the other in the second direction. Can be combined.

The second aspect of the present invention is intended for an automatic cable tie device for tightening and fixing a cable tie around a bundle of cables or the like. The motor transmits rotational movement to the shaft separately in the first or second direction, with the first or second direction being either clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively. The support wall may be operably coupled to the motor so that the support wall moves upward in response to the shaft rotating in the first direction. The support wall may move upward to a position adjacent to the conveyor to support the cable tie as the cable tie moves from the cable tie loading start position to the cable tie pull position.

When the shaft rotates in the first direction, the cable tie supporter is operably coupled to the motor so that the cable tie supporter guides the movement of the cable tie from the cable tie loading start position to the cable tie pulling position. The cable tie tensioner is operably coupled to the motor so that the cable tie tensioner reduces the length of the circumference of the annular shape as the shaft rotates in the second direction.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to an automatic cable tie device for tightening and fixing a cable tie around a bundle of cables or the like. Multiple mechanical functions performed sequentially deliver cable ties from multiple cable ties to the cable loading start position, form the cable ties in an annular form, pull the cable ties, and length the circumference of the annular form. Shorten the cable ties. The first motor transmits the rotational movement to the first shaft separately in the first direction and the second direction, and the first and second directions are one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The first motor may include a plurality of functions of the first device in a plurality of mechanical functions when the first shaft rotates in the first direction, and a plurality of motors when the first shaft rotates in the second direction. The power of the machine is separately supplied to the function of the second device in the mechanical function. The second motor transmits rotational movement to the second shaft separately in the third and fourth directions, with the third and fourth directions being either clockwise or counterclockwise. .. The second motor has a plurality of functions of the third device in a plurality of mechanical functions when the second shaft rotates in the third direction, and a plurality of when the second shaft rotates in the fourth direction. The power of the machine is separately supplied to the function of the fourth device in the mechanical function. The cable tie delivery mechanism is operably coupled to one of the first and second motors to perform one of multiple mechanical functions, and the cable tie delivery mechanism delivers the cable tie to the cable loading start position. do. The cable tie supporter is operably coupled to one of the first and second motors and performs one of multiple mechanical functions, the cable tie supporter guides the cable tie to the haul channel and lower jaws. Can be lifted and the tie cut from the carrier strip. The cable tie carrier is operably coupled to one of the first and second motors to perform one of multiple mechanical functions, and the cable tie carrier performs the cable tie from the cable tie loading start position. Move to the cable tie pull position and bend the cable tie into an annular shape. The cable tie is operably coupled to one of the first and second motors to perform one of multiple mechanical functions, the cable tie has a shorter circumferential length in the annular form. And remove the extra cable ties.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the details below, along with the drawings below.

In order to understand the present invention, the present invention will be described as an example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a perspective view of the hand-held cable tie tool of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a handheld cable tie tool of the present invention showing a plurality of cable ties with the housing removed and loaded therein. It is a partial perspective view of the hand-held cable tie tool loaded with a plurality of cable ties. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a handheld cable tie tool loaded with multiple cable ties, showing that the cable ties are being delivered via an auger towards the cable tie pull position. It is a partial perspective view of the hand-held cable tie tool loaded with a plurality of cable ties. It is a partial perspective view of a hand-held cable tie tool loaded with a plurality of cable ties having a support wall at an upper position, showing a cable tie at the cable loading start position. It is a left front perspective view of the upper part of the cable tie tool of this invention with a housing removed. It is a right front perspective view of the upper part of the cable tie tool of this invention with a housing removed. It is a right rear perspective view of the upper part of the cable tie tool of this invention with a housing removed. It is a left side view of the upper part of the cable tie tool of this invention with a housing removed. It is a right side view of the upper part of the cable tie tool of this invention with a housing removed. It is a right side view of the upper part of the cable tie tool of this invention which showed the drive belt, and the housing was removed. It is a front view of the upper part of the cable tie tool of this invention with a housing removed. It is a rear view of the upper part of the cable tie tool of this invention with a housing removed. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a device showing a cable tie bent into an annular shape and a rear jaw in an upper position. It is a partial cross-sectional view of a device which shows the cable tie bent into an annular shape at a cable tie pulling position, and the circumferential length of the annular shape reduced by the cable tie tensioner.

Although many different embodiments of the invention are possible, the present invention is shown in the drawings and is described in detail herein in the preferred embodiments of the invention, the disclosure of which is an illustration of the principles of the invention. It should be taken into account that it is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the illustrated embodiments.

With reference to the drawings as a whole, a portable handheld cable tie device 10 is shown. This cable tie device distributes the cable ties 14 from the cable ties 18 of the supply, winds the cable ties 14 around a plurality of cables (not shown), and tightens the cable ties 14 around the cables. Cable tie devices are advantageous for many reasons.

For example, this is completely self-contained. The cable tie 18 of the supply is outside the housing 22 of the cable tie device 10, but is easily transported when loaded in or on the cable tie device 10.

Further, the cable tie device 10 may be operated with one hand. Thus, the user is free to support the cable, lift or move the cable, and / or supply the cable to the cable tie device 10.

Further, the cable tie device 10 of the present invention is powered by a power source, that is, a DC power source such as a power supply device 26, preferably a rechargeable battery electronically connected to the device driver. Therefore, the actuation of the cable tie device 10 by manipulating the actuator 30 such as a trigger distributes the cable ties 14 and winds them around the cable without further manual intervention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the cable tie 18 used together with the cable tie device 10 may be a ratchet type cable tie. One end of each cable tie 14, typically the head 34, is attached to the carrier strip 38. The opposite end, i.e., the tapered tip 42, is a free end and is not attached to the carrier strip 38. The cable tie 18 and the carrier strip 38 enter the left side of the cable tie device 10. The pair of transfer gears 46 have teeth configured to bite into the carrier strip 38 and index each cable tie 14 to an appropriate position, eg, cut or cut the cable tie 14 from the carrier strip 38. .. The pressure bar 50 produces an upward force that ensures that the carrier strip 38 is always loaded against the transfer gear 46. This is essential for proper operation and cable tie transfer.

The first motor 55, for example a stepper motor, has a shaft coupled to a drive gear 56 that transfers rotational movement to the transfer gear 46. Thus, the shaft transmits rotational movement separately in the first and second directions, where the first and second directions are one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, respectively. The transfer gear 46 transfers the movement to a plurality of cable ties 18 attached to the carrier strip 38.

The cable delivery mechanism 52 is operably coupled to the motor 55. This mechanism delivers the cable tie 14 to the loading start position (see, eg, FIG. 6). The cable tie 14 is loaded on the left side of the device 10, and the carrier strip 38 is driven or pushed up by the carrier strip guide 54. When the carrier strip 38 reaches the transfer gear 46, the transfer gear 46 engages with and engages with the carrier strip 38 and rotates to move the cable tie 14 to the loading start position.

The tie sensor 58 is located at the end of the carrier strip guide 54 (see, eg, FIG. 7). The tie sensor 58 (FIG. 8) senses that there is a cable tie 14. The tie sensor 58 sends a signal to the first motor 55 to stop the rotation of the carrier strip 38 with the drive gear 56 and the cable tie 14, which is when the cable tie 14 is placed directly below the transfer auger 62. Stop moving forward. When the cable tie 14 is in this position, the device 10 is poised for the operator to begin applying the cable tie 14 to a bundle of cables (not shown).

The shaft of the first motor 55 is further coupled to the cable tie conveyor 60. The cable tie carrier 60 moves the cable tie 14 in a straight line from the cable tie loading start position to the cable tie pulling position. The cable tie conveyor 60 includes a second set of gears 63, 64 that drives the auger 62. The drive gear 63 transfers movement to the auger gear 64, which is attached directly to the end of the auger 62.

The cable tie delivery mechanism 52 and the cable tie conveyor 60 each have a one-way clutch 65. The drive gears 56 and 63 are equipped with a clutch 65. These clutches 65 are set to engage in one direction and disengage in the other direction. This allows the first motor 55 to enable two different functions separately with one driving force. In this case, when the shaft of the first motor 55 rotates in the first direction, the rotation of the first drive gear 56 is driven, the motion is transferred to the transfer gear 46, and the plurality of cable ties 18 are indexed. .. When the shaft of the first motor 55 rotates in the second direction, it drives the rotation of the drive gear 63, which transfers the motion to the auger gear 64, whereby the auger 62 is from the plurality of cable ties 18. The cable tie 14 is transferred outward along the entire length of the auger 62 toward the front jaw 68 and the rear jaw 70. The cable tie 14 is pushed around the cable tie supporter 66 of the front jaw 68 and the rear jaw 70 to form an annular shape around a bundle of cables (not shown).

Therefore, one clutch 65 is arranged between the first motor 55 and the cable tie delivery mechanism 52. The clutch 65 is in an engaged state in which the rotational movement in the first direction by the shaft of the first motor 55 drives the movement by the cable tie delivery mechanism 52, and the rotation in the second direction by the shaft of the first motor 55. The movement has a non-engaged state in which the cable tie delivery mechanism 52 is freewheeled with respect to the shaft of the first motor 55. Such rotational movement by the shaft of the first motor 55 in the second direction does not transmit the movement to the cable tie delivery mechanism 52.

The second clutch 65 is arranged between the first motor 55 and the cable tie conveyor 60. Further, the clutch 65 is in an engaged state in which the rotational movement in the second direction by the shaft of the first motor 55 drives the movement by the cable tie carrier 60, and the first direction by the shaft of the first motor 55. The rotational movement of the drive gear 63 has a non-engaged state in which the drive gear 63 is freewheeled with respect to the shaft of the first motor 55. Such rotational movement by the shaft of the first motor 55 in the first direction does not transmit the movement to the cable tie conveyor 60.

In addition to the transfer gear 46, each gear exhibits a modified tooth end profile (see, eg, FIG. 5). The tip of the transfer gear 46 has two small chamfers on each side of each tooth. Due to this chamfered outer shape, the end of each tooth is sharpened and bites into the carrier strip 38, so that the teeth are frictionally engaged, reliably transmitting the movement to the carrier strip 38, and indexing the cable tie 18. This contour also reduces the surface area of each tooth, whether the cable tie 18 is dry or wet, allowing it to penetrate the surface of the carrier strip 38.

The operator arranges the front jaw 68 and the rear jaw 70 around the bundle of cables and activates the device 10 by engaging the actuator 30, for example, by pressing the trigger of the device.

The second motor 74 separately transmits rotational movement to the shaft in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The cable tie supporter 66 is a second motor 74 such that when the shaft rotates in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the cable tie supporter 66 guides the tapered tip 42 of the cable tie to the cable tie head 34. Operatively coupled to (see, eg, FIG. 15). When the shaft rotates in the direction opposite to the direction in which the cable tie supporter 66 is driven, the cable tie tensioner reduces the length of the circumference of the annular shape when the tapered tip 42 is engaged with the gripper gear 122. The cable tie tensioner is also operably coupled to the second motor 74.

When activated, a second motor 74, such as a brushless motor, moves the drive belt 78. The drive belt 78 is wound around a motor pulley 82, an idler 86, a cam pulley 90, and a pulling / shutting pulley 94 attached to the second motor 74. The second motor 74 drives the motor pulley 82, and the motor pulley 82 drives the drive belt 78 to rotate the cam pulley 90 and the pulling / shutting pulley 94.

The support wall 98 operably couples to a second motor 74 to support the cable tie 14 as the cable tie 14 moves from the cable tie loading start position to the cable tie pull position. The support wall 98 moves upward to a position adjacent to the cable tie conveyor 60 in response to the shaft of the second motor 74 rotating in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. ..

Rotation of the cam pulley 90 by approximately 180 degrees causes movement of the support wall 98. The support wall 98 moves upward to a higher position (see, eg, FIGS. 4 and 6). The support wall 98 is operably coupled to the rear jaw 70 to close the rear jaw 70 (see, eg, compare FIGS. 11 and 15), to cut the cable tie 14 from the carrier strip 38, and. It comprises a feature that operates to support a cable tie 14 that is transferred from the loading start position to the pulling position by the auger 62. While the support wall 98 is moving upwards, three events occur, placing the cable tie 14 in the appropriate or desired position.

First, the support wall 98 has a second so that the support wall moves upward in response to the rotation of the second shaft in either the first direction or the direction corresponding to the second direction. It is operably coupled to the motor 74. The support wall 98 moves upward, and the resistance of the front part of the support wall 98 generated by the rear jaw linkage 99 causes the rear part of the support wall 98 to move upward first. The support wall 98 moves upward at an angle until the cutter blade 102 attached to the rear of the support wall 98 contacts the cable tie 14. This adds resistance to the rear of the support wall 98 that moves upwards, and the front of the support wall 98 rises at an angle until the front of the support wall 98 is fully raised and stopped by one or more pins 103. do.

The rear of the support wall 98 includes a cutter blade 102 that separates, releases, or cuts the cable tie 14 from the carrier strip 38. When the cutter blade 102 contacts the carrier strip connecting gate, the support wall 98 receives resistance and begins to raise the front portion of the support wall 98. This angular motion causes a sweeping operation that pulls the cable ties 14 in the plurality of cable ties 18 into the loading channel. This aligns the cable ties 14 for proper tie transfer by the auger 62.

Second, while the support wall 98 is moving upwards, the support wall 98 activates the rear jaw linkage 99 and closes the rear jaw 70 around a cable bundle or the like (see, eg, FIGS. 6 and 15). ).

Third, the support wall 98 continues to move upward until the cable tie 14 is separated from the carrier strip 38. When the cable tie 14 is separated, the cam pulley 90 is stopped and the support wall 98 is in its final position, completely above. The cam pulley 90 holds the support wall 98 in this position during the transfer of the cable ties. The support wall 98 functions as a lower guide that supports the bottom surface of the cable tie 14 when the bottom surface of the cable tie 14 moves outward along the length of the auger 62 to the pulling position.

At this point, the first motor 55 reverses direction and the auger 62 begins to rotate. As a result, the cable tie 14 moves forward toward the front jaw 68 and the rear jaw 70 until the head stop 110 is reached.

The movement of the cable tie 14 is accomplished by a tie head 34 sealed within the spiral channel 114 of the auger 62. The rotation of the auger 62 causes the tie head 34 to linearly move forward inside the spiral channel 114.

The one-way clutch 65 is arranged between the second motor 74 and the cam pulley 90. The clutch 65 has an engaged state in which the rotational movement in one direction by the shaft of the second motor 74 drives the movement by the cam pulley 90. When the shaft rotates in the opposite direction, a disengagement state occurs. In this case, the cam pulley 90 freewheels with respect to the shaft of the second motor 74 due to the rotational movement in the opposite direction by the shaft. Such rotational movement by the shaft in the opposite direction does not transmit the movement to the cam pulley 90.

Similarly, another one-way clutch 65 is located between the second motor 74 and the cable tie tensioner. The clutch 65 has an engaged state in which rotational movement in one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions by the shaft of the second motor drives the movement by the cable tie tensioner. In the disengaged state, the cable tie tensioner freewheels with respect to the shaft of the second motor 74 due to the rotational movement in the opposite direction by the shaft. Such rotational movement by the shaft in the opposite direction does not transmit the movement to the cable tie tensioner.

The tension / cutoff pulley 94 and the cam pulley 90 include a one-way clutch 65 that is pushed into the tension / cutoff pulley 94 and the cam pulley 90, respectively. An object of the one-way clutch 65 is to allow the pulley 94 and cam pulley 90 to perform functions in one direction and perform free spins in the other direction. Since the one-way clutch 65 is attached to the tension / shutoff pulley 94 and the cam pulley 90 in opposite directions, the same second motor 74 can perform two different operations simply by reversing the directions (FIG. 11). And see FIG. 12).

The final function is to tension the cable ties 14 around a bundle of cables and the like and cut the free end 42 with the tie head 34. This is Panduit Corp. It is the same function that is marketed and sold by US Pat. No. 5,595,220 and performed in the PAT1M 4.0 system described in US Pat. No. 5,595,220. The full disclosure is incorporated herein by reference and is for a particular description of the pull on the cable tie 14 around the bundle of cables and the disconnection of the cable tie 14 at the tie head 34. In the present device 10, the second motor 74 reverses the direction, the tension / cutoff pulley 94 is engaged, and the intermediate gear 115 is driven by the pull / cutoff pulley 94.

The auger 62 transfers the cable tie 14 from the loading position to the headstop 110. When the cable tie 14 is pushed forward, the free end 42 moves around the front jaw 68 and the rear jaw 70, forming an annular shape. The second motor 74 rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, moving the front jaw 68 inward and pushing the free end 42 into the tie head 34.

In this case, the free end 42 of the cable tie 14 traverses the groove 118 in the front jaw 68 and the rear jaw 70, which forms a guide through which the cable tie 14 moves. The free end 42 of 14 forms a circumferential state through the tie head 34.

The movement of the front jaw 68 passes the free end 42 through the tie head 34 and delivers the free end 42 to the gripper gear 122. When the free end 42 passes through the tie head 34, the front jaw 68 pushes the middle portion of the cable tie 14 further through the tie head 34, where the free end 42 is gripped by the gripper gear 122. As the gripper gear 122 rotates, the free end 42 moves and the cable tie 14 is pulled or tightened around the cable bundle. This process continues until a predetermined set tension is reached. The predetermined tension can be adjusted by the knob 124. At this time, the second cutter blade 126 operates to cut the intermediate portion of the cable tie 14 flush with the tie head 34.

The tension / cutoff pulley 94 has a gear 127 (see, for example, FIGS. 9 and 13) that drives the intermediate gear 115. The intermediate gear 115 is coupled to the gripper drive gear 128 by a shaft. The gripper drive gear 128 drives the gripper gear 122.

The front jaw cam roller 130 (see, eg, FIG. 13), which rotates with the gear 127, pushes the front jaw cam link 134 forward so that the front jaw 68 turns around the pivot point 138. As a result, the free end 42 of the cable tie 14 is passed through the tie head 34, and the intermediate portion of the cable tie 14 is engaged with the gripper gear 122. After the front jaw cam roller 130 is sufficiently rotated by the front jaw return extension spring 142, the front jaw 68 is returned to its normal position.

The tension adjusting assembly is mechanically coupled to the gripper gear 122 and applies a preset force to the tension retainer link 150 via a tension limiting spring 146, which is converted to a non-return camphoror 154 and the gripper gear 122 is cable tie. Pulling 14 increases the downward force applied to the gripper non-return link 158, the downward force overcomes the force applied by the tension assembly, and reaches the point where the gripper gear 122 begins to move the cable tie. As the gripper detent link 158 rotates, it pulls a cutting link on the second cutter blade 126 that cuts the extra middle portion of the cable tie 14 from the pulled tie. When the excess portion is cut, the tension limiting spring 146 pushes the gripper detent link 158 back into place and the detent cam follower 154 engages the detent or recess of the tension retention link. When the gripper detent link 158 returns, the sensor 170 is activated and the cable tie 14 is disconnected, indicating that the cycle has been successfully completed. The continuous rotation of the gripper gear 122 drives the cut portion of the cable tie 14 out of the device 10.

The tension / cutoff pulley 94 also includes a timing control cutout 178 (see, eg, FIG. 9), which is timed to complete one revolution per cycle of the tool. The rotation of the tension / cutoff pulley 94 is timed so that the motor 74 slows down when the sensor 170 first senses the timing control cutout 178. When the sensor 170 senses the end of the timing control cutout 178, it indicates that the front jaw 68 has returned to its original position and the motor 74 stops.

Therefore, when the cable tie 14 reaches a predetermined tension of the tension limiting spring 146, the tension retainer 150 is released. This causes the gripper detent link 158 to move around the main pivot shaft, which causes the second cutter blade 126 to cut the pulled cable tie 14.

The support wall 98 then descends to a descending position (see, eg, FIG. 10), assisted by the force of the spring applied by the spring 174. The cable tie 14 next to the plurality of cable ties 18 is indexed to the loading position. As a result, one cycle of the cable tie device 10 is completed.

By further rotating the cam pulley 90 by 180 degrees, the support wall 98 is lowered. The sensor 170 senses the position of the support wall 98 to ensure that it is in a fully lowered position. When the support wall 98 is lowered and the sensor 170 confirms its position, the cable tie 14 next to the plurality of cable ties 18 is indexed to the loading position.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the cable tie device 10 sequentially performs a plurality of mechanical functions. These functions are driven or powered by first and second motors 55, 74, which are actuated or controlled by a plurality of sensors 170, generally proximity sensors or optical sensors. This function delivers the cable ties 14 from multiple cable ties 18 to the cable loading start position, transports the cable ties 14 from that position to the cable tie pulling position, forms the cable ties 14 in an annular ring, and bundles the cables. Shorten the length of the circumference of the surrounding annular shape.

The first motor 55 transmits rotational movement to the shaft separately in the first direction and the second direction. The first and second directions are one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction. The first motor 55 separately supplies mechanical power to the function of the first device of the plurality of mechanical functions as the shaft rotates in the first direction. The first motor 55 separately supplies mechanical power to the function of the second device of the plurality of mechanical functions as the shaft rotates in the second direction.

The second motor 74 transmits rotational movement to the shaft separately in the third and fourth directions, with the third and fourth directions being either clockwise or counterclockwise. The second motor 74 separately supplies mechanical power to the function of the third device of the plurality of mechanical functions as its shaft rotates in the third direction. The second motor 74 separately supplies mechanical power to the function of the fourth device of the plurality of mechanical functions as its shaft rotates in the fourth direction.

The cable tie delivery mechanism is operably coupled to one of the first motor 55 and the second motor 74 to perform one of a plurality of mechanical functions, and the cable tie delivery mechanism cable the cable tie 14. Deliver to the loading start position.

The cable tie carrier is operably coupled to one of the first motor 55 and the second motor 74 to perform one of a plurality of mechanical functions, the cable tie carrier cable the cable tie 14. Move from the tie loading start position to the cable tie pull position.

The cable tie is operably coupled to one of the first motor 55 and the second motor 74 to perform one of a plurality of mechanical functions, the cable tie is an annular form of circumference. Shorten the length.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, many modifications come to mind without significant deviation from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is limited only by the appended claims.

10 Cable tie device 14 Cable tie 18 Cable tie 22 Housing 26 Power supply 30 Actuator 34 Tie head 38 Carrier strip 46 Transfer gear 52 Cable tie delivery mechanism 55 First motor 60 Cable tie carrier 65 Clutch 68 Front jaw 70 Rear jaw 74 Second motor 90 Cam pulley 94 Breaking pulley 98 Support wall

Claims (13)

An automatic cable tie device for tightening and fixing cable ties around a bundle of cables.
A first motor that transmits rotational movement to the first shaft separately in the first direction and the second direction, wherein the first and second directions are one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, respectively. The first motor and
The cable tie delivery operably coupled to the first motor so that when the first shaft rotates in the first direction, the cable tie delivery mechanism transfers the cable tie to the cable tie loading start position. Mechanism and
When the first shaft rotates in the second direction, the conveyor is operably coupled to the first motor so as to transfer the cable ties from the cable tie loading start position to the cable tie pulling position. Conveyor and
A second motor that transmits rotational movement to the second shaft separately in the first direction and the second direction, and
When the second shaft rotates in a direction corresponding to either the first direction or the second direction, the cable tie guide can operate on the second motor so as to guide the moving cable tie. Cable tie guides that are coupled to and
When the second shaft rotates in a direction opposite to the direction corresponding to one of the first direction or the second direction, the cable tie tensioner shortens the circumference of the cable tie. A cable tie tensioner operably coupled to the second motor,
The automatic cable tie device, including. In the first clutch arranged between the first motor and the cable tie delivery mechanism, the rotational movement in the first direction by the first shaft drives the movement by the cable tie delivery mechanism. The engagement state and the rotational movement by the first shaft in the second direction have a disengagement state in which the first shaft is freewheeled with respect to the cable tie delivery mechanism, and the second. The automatic cable tie device according to claim 1, further comprising the first clutch in which such rotational movement by the first shaft in the direction of is not transmitting the movement to the cable tie delivery mechanism. A second clutch arranged between the first motor and the conveyor, wherein the rotational movement of the first shaft in the second direction drives the movement of the conveyor. The rotational movement of the first shaft in the first direction has a disengagement state in which the first shaft is freewheeled with respect to the conveyor, and the first in the first direction. The automatic cable tie device according to claim 2, further comprising the second clutch in which such rotational movement by the shaft of the conveyor does not transmit the movement to the conveyor. The cable tie delivery mechanism includes a gearing assembly operably coupled to the first motor so that the first gear of the gearing assembly delivers the cable tie to the cable tie loading start position. 3. The third aspect of claim 3, comprising a plurality of chamfered teeth configured to frictionally engage the cable tie carrier and transmit movement to the cable tie carrier when the first shaft rotates in the first direction. Automatic cable tie device. The conveyor comprises a gear assembly operably coupled to the first motor, the first gear transmits the movement to the conveyor and the cable tie from the cable tie loading start position to the cable. The automatic cable tie device according to claim 4, which is carried to a tie pulling position. The carrier comprises an auger having a spiral channel in which the head of the cable tie is held to convey the linear movement of the cable tie from the cable tie loading start position to the cable tie pulling position. Automatic cable tie equipment. The automatic cable tie device of claim 6, wherein the auger pushes the cable ties forward around the cable tie supporters of the front and rear jaws to form an annular shape around the bundle of cables. A third clutch located between the second motor and the cable tie guide, the rotation of the second shaft in the direction corresponding to either the first direction or the second direction. The engagement state in which the movement drives the movement by the cable tie guide and the rotational movement by the second shaft in the direction opposite to the direction corresponding to one of the first direction or the second direction are described above. The second shaft has a disengagement state in which the second shaft is freewheeled with respect to the cable tie guide, and the second direction in the opposite direction corresponding to one of the first direction or the second direction. The automatic cable tie device according to claim 1 , further comprising the third clutch in which such rotational movement by the shaft does not transmit the movement to the cable tie guide. A fourth clutch located between the second motor and the cable tie, said in the direction corresponding to either the first direction or the second direction of the second shaft. The engagement state in which the rotational movement in the opposite direction drives the movement by the cable tie tensioner and the rotational movement by the second shaft in the direction corresponding to either the first direction or the second direction are described above. With the second shaft in the direction corresponding to either the first direction or the second direction, with the disengagement state in which the second shaft is freewheeled with respect to the cable tie tensioner. The automatic cable tie device according to claim 8 , further comprising the fourth clutch in which such rotational movement does not transmit movement to the cable tie tensioner. The cable tie including the support wall so that the support wall moves upward in response to rotation of the second shaft in the direction corresponding to either the first direction or the second direction. The automatic cable tie device according to claim 9 , wherein the guide is operably coupled to the second motor. The support wall moves upward to a position adjacent to the carrier to support the cable tie as the cable tie moves from the cable tie loading start position to the cable tie pulling position. 10. The automatic cable tie device according to 10. 10. The automatic cable tie device of claim 10 , wherein the upward movement of the support wall activates the rear jaws and closes the rear jaws around the cable bundle. The automatic cable tie device according to claim 10 , wherein the movement above the support wall cuts the cable tie from the carrier strip and pulls the cable tie into the cable tie loading start position.

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