Anti-reverse pull fishing reel

Abstract

A fishing reel includes a frame, a spool connected to the frame for rotation about a rotation axis, a light source, a first optics device, a sensor, a second optics device, a controller, and a braking mechanism. The spool includes a first flange and a second flange. The first optics device is positioned such that light emitted from the light source and passing through the first optics device produces a substantially collimated light band parallel to the rotation axis. The second optics device is positioned and configured to focus the substantially collimated light band toward the sensor. The controller is electrically connected to the sensor and configured to receive a signal from the sensor and generate a braking signal. The braking mechanism is electrically connected to the controller and applies a braking force in response to the braking signal to slow the spool.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Fishing reels have a drawback called backlash. When the spool goes beyond the lead line, backlash occurs, causing the lead line to get stuck in the rotating spool and pulled back, resulting in knots and tangles, commonly known as "bird's nests".

[0002] Several patents disclose attempts to solve the tumble problem, one of which is US 7,784,724B2. US 7,784,724B2 relates to a non-contact fishing line sensor that captures image data of the tumble state of the fishing line as it travels through the tumble zone over time. Considering the components listed in this patent, the control loop for determining the tumble state results in approximately 100 milliseconds. Similarly, US 8,439,290 B2 employs a fishing line behavior sensor with means for digital imaging, wherein the sensor generates an output signal derived from a recorded image of the fishing line as it is released. In US 8,439,290 B2, a computer is associated with the sensor and compares the output signal to control a braking mechanism. US 6,045,076 B1 discloses a photoelectric emitter that emits a beam of light, a portion of which strikes a bundle of fishing line tightly wound on a spool, where it is completely reflected back to a photodetector. In US 6,045,076B1, a portion of a light beam not reflected from a tightly wound bundle of fishing line is transmitted and absorbed by an infrared-absorbing material on the opposite side of the spool, thus not affecting the detection of the reflected light.

[0003] In view of the above, the fishing reel that uses a mechanism to determine the backlash state can be improved to determine the backlash state more quickly and reduce the size of the mechanism used to determine the backlash state. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above, a fishing reel includes a frame, a spool connected to the frame for rotation about a rotation axis, a light source, a first optics device, a sensor, a second optics device, a controller, and a braking mechanism. The spool includes a first flange at or near one end of the spool and a second flange at or near the opposite end of the spool. The first optics device is positioned relative to the light source and the spool such that light emitted from the light source and passing through the first optics device produces a substantially collimated light band parallel to the rotation axis. The second optics device is positioned relative to the light source, the spool, and the sensor, and configured to focus the substantially collimated light band toward the sensor. The controller is electrically connected to the sensor and configured to receive a signal from the sensor and generate a braking signal based on the signal received from the sensor. The braking mechanism is electrically connected to the controller and applies a braking force to slow the spool in response to the braking signal from the controller.

[0005] For the fishing reel described above, each of the first flange and the second flange may include at least one corresponding flange opening extending through it, and a substantially collimated light band passing through the corresponding flange opening. More specifically, each of the first flange and the second flange may include multiple corresponding flange openings extending through it.

[0006] For the fishing reels described in the preceding paragraphs or the fishing reels described above, the light source can be a light-emitting diode (LED). More specifically, the light source can be a single LED.

[0007] For any of the fishing reels described in the preceding paragraphs, the first or second optical device may be a Fresnel lens, which is an aspherical lens.

[0008] For any of the fishing reels described in the preceding paragraphs, the first optical element may be positioned relative to the light source such that a substantially collimated light band extends outward in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation to the outside of the respective outer diameter of the first flange and the second flange.

[0009] For any of the fishing reels described in the preceding paragraphs, the second optics may be configured the same as the first optics, and rotated 180 degrees from the orientation of the first optics about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0010] For any of the fishing reels described in the preceding paragraphs, the sensor can be a PIN diode that converts optical signals into electrical signals.

[0011] For any of the fishing reels described in the preceding paragraphs, the controller can be a low-power 8-bit or 32-bit microcontroller.

[0012] For any of the fishing reels described in the preceding paragraphs, the sensor can work in conjunction with the controller to detect differences in gain.

[0013] For any of the fishing reels described in the preceding paragraphs, the controller may be configured to generate a braking signal and transmit the braking signal to the braking mechanism when a nonlinear decrease in gain is detected.

[0014] For any of the fishing reels described in the preceding paragraphs, the fishing reel may include a regenerative power source. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the relevant components of a fishing reel.

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the spool and spool shaft of the fishing reel shown. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Figure 1 An example of the components of a fishing reel 10 is depicted. The fishing reel 10 includes a frame 12, a spool 14, a light source 16, a first optics 18, a sensor 20, a second optics 22, a controller 24, and a braking mechanism 26. The fishing reel 10 may further include a power source 28 for powering the light source 16, the sensor 20, the controller 24, and the braking mechanism 26. The power source may be, for example, a battery, or a regenerative power source operatively connected to a spool drive (only a portion of which is shown). The spool drive may be conventionally known and operates in conjunction with the spool 14, a line guide (also not shown), and a hand crank (not shown). The spool drive typically includes at least one gear train and, when driven by the hand crank, rotates the spool 14 and reciprocates the line guide in a conventionally known manner to retrieve the fishing line wound on the spool 14. The spool drive may also include a clutch (also not shown), which is conventionally known and operatively coupled between the spool 14 and the spool drive in conjunction with a traction mechanism. When the clutch is engaged, the spool drive and traction mechanism are operatively connected to the spool 14. As a result, rotation of the hand crank causes the spool 14 to rotate to retrieve the fishing line. Simultaneously, the traction mechanism slows the counter-rotation of the spool 14 to release the fishing line. When the clutch is disengaged, in order to disengage the spool 14 from the spool drive and traction mechanism, the spool 14 can essentially rotate freely in the opposite direction to release the fishing line, such as during casting. During casting, unless properly braked, the spool 14 can rotate at a faster speed than the cast bait or lure and the fishing line, which may result in a backlash.

[0018] Figure 1 Only a portion of the frame 12 is depicted. The frame 12 supports the spool 14, light source 16, first optics 18, sensor 20, second optics 22, controller 24, braking mechanism 26, and other components of the fishing reel 10. The frame 12 may additionally accommodate the aforementioned components, as well as the spool drive and traction mechanism. The frame 12 can be made of various materials and has various shapes and sizes.

[0019] The spool 14 is coupled to the frame 12 for rotation about a rotation axis 30. The spool 14 is mounted to the spool shaft 32 and includes a first flange 34 at or near one end of the spool 14 and a second flange 36 at or near the opposite end of the spool 14. The spool 14 is also operatively coupled to a spool drive and a traction mechanism. The spool 14 carries fishing line (not shown), which is wound around the spool 14 between the first flange 34 and the second flange 36. In the illustrated embodiment, reference is made to... Figure 2The first flange 34 includes first flange spokes 40 that space and partially define a first flange opening 42 extending through the first flange 34. Similarly, the second flange 36 includes second flange spokes 44 that space and partially define a second flange opening 46 extending through the second flange 36. Each of the first flange 34 and the second flange 36 is shown as including six corresponding flange openings 42, 46; however, fewer or more openings may be provided in each of the flanges 34, 36. Each of the flange openings 42, 46 is offset inwardly from a corresponding outer diameter 48, 50 of each flange 34, 36.

[0020] Refer again Figure 1 The light source 16 is positioned offset outward from the outer side 54 of the first flange 34 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 30. The outer side 54 is the side of the first flange 34 opposite to the side facing the fishing line wound on the spool 14. The light source 16 can be a light-emitting diode (LED). More specifically, the light source 16 can be a single LED, which facilitates miniaturization of the anti-backlash system.

[0021] The first optical element 18 is positioned relative to the light source 16 and the spool 14 such that light emitted from the light source 16 and passing through the first optical element 18 produces a substantially collimated light band 56 parallel to the axis of rotation 30 of the spool 14. Examples of such optical elements that can be used for the first optical element 18 include lenses similar to Fresnel lenses and aspherical lenses. The light source 16 and the first optical element 18 are cooperatively designed such that the substantially collimated light band 56 passes through flange openings 42, 46 in the respective flanges 34, 36. The light source 16 and the first optical element 18 may also be cooperatively designed such that the substantially collimated light band propagates radially outward in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 30, which is perpendicular to the respective outer diameters 48, 50 of the first flange 34 and the second flange 36. The first optical element 18 is also positioned offset outward from the outer side 54 of the first flange 34 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 30 and inserted between the light source 16 and the first flange 34.

[0022] Sensor 20 is positioned offset outward from the outer side 58 of the second flange 36 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 30. Sensor 20 can be a photodiode. More specifically, sensor 20 can be a PIN diode that converts an optical signal into an electrical signal. Sensor 20 works in conjunction with controller 24 to detect differences in gain (of the received light), which can indicate that the fishing line has looped off the spool 14 just before a pullback state. During casting, the gain typically increases as the fishing line leaves the spool 14 because the diameter of the looped line gradually decreases as it is released, allowing more light from the substantially collimated light band 56 to reach sensor 20. This causes the gain to decrease linearly as casting progresses. Controller 24 can be configured to detect a non-linear decrease in gain, which can indicate a looping state. When a non-linear decrease in gain is detected, controller 24 generates a braking signal and transmits it to braking mechanism 26. Other types of optical sensors besides PIN diodes can also be used; however, the use of PIN diodes facilitates miniaturization of the anti-pullback system.

[0023] The second optics 22 is positioned relative to the light source 16, the spool 14, and the sensor 20, and configured to focus a substantially collimated light band 56 toward the sensor 20. The second optics 22 is also positioned offset outward from the outer side 58 of the second flange 36 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 30. The second optics 22 is positioned between the sensor 20 and the outer side 58 of the second flange 36. The configuration of the second optics 22 can be the same as that of the first optics 18, but the orientation of the second optics 22 differs from that of the first optics 18 because the second optics 22 is rotated 180 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis 30 from the orientation of the first optics 18. This orientation allows the second optics 22 to focus the collimated light band 56 toward the sensor 20, which allows for miniaturization of the anti-backflow system.

[0024] Controller 24 is coupled to sensor 20 and configured to receive signals from sensor 20 and generate a braking signal based on the signals received from sensor 20. Controller 24 may be, for example, a low-power 8-bit or 32-bit microcontroller. Braking mechanism 26 may be a conventional braking mechanism, such as the braking mechanism described in US 7,784,724B2 or US 6,412,722 B1, and braking mechanism 26 is coupled to controller 24. Braking mechanism 26 applies braking force to slow spool 14 in response to the braking signal received from controller 24.

[0025] The first optics 18 works in conjunction with the light source 16 to enable a single LED to (if desired) uniformly distribute light within a generally small rectangular area (e.g., a 10 mm × 2 mm area). This substantially collimated light band 56 can be received by a second optics 22, which focuses the collimated light band 56 downwards back to a small diameter received by a sensor 20, which can be a single photodiode. Providing a substantially collimated light band 56 allows the sensor 20 to “see” loops of fishing line anywhere within the rectangular area. As an example, if the spool 14 is full of fishing line and a long cast is made, the diameter of the fishing line on the spool 14 decreases as the line slips off. For a long cast, this can equate to a significant diameter change. If the first optics 18 produces a circular beam, the sensor 20 will only detect gain changes over a small area as the diameter changes during casting, and the circular beam will need to remain large so that the sensor 20 can detect possible loops. This is an even greater problem for monofilament fishing lines, as line memory prevents the formation of large loops. The generally rectangular beam, depicted as a substantially collimated light band 56, allows for the use of an LED and a photodetector, enabling miniaturization of the anti-slip detection system. Even if a small loop begins to form on the spool, it can be detected regardless of how much line remains on the spool 14 during casting. This provides an anti-slip system with significantly higher resolution compared to simply using a circular beam photodetector and highly divergent output from an LED. Using the aforementioned components and arrangement, the controlled looping result for determining a slip condition is approximately 50 microseconds, which is much faster than designs in the prior art.

[0026] It should be understood that the various features, as well as other features and functions, or alternatives or variations thereof, of the disclosed embodiments can be suitably incorporated into many other different systems or applications. Various substitutions, modifications, variations, or improvements thereof, which are not currently foreseen or anticipated, can then be made by those skilled in the art and are also intended to be included in the following claims.

Claims

1. A fishing reel, comprising: frame; A spool, which is connected to the frame to rotate about an axis of rotation, and includes a first flange at or near one end of the spool and a second flange at or near the opposite end of the spool; light source; A first optical device is positioned relative to the light source and the spool such that light emitted from the light source and passing through the first optical device produces a collimated light band parallel to the axis of rotation. sensor; A second optical device is positioned relative to the light source, the spool, and the sensor, and is configured to focus the collimated light band toward the sensor; A controller electrically connected to the sensor and configured to receive signals from the sensor and generate a braking signal based on the signals received from the sensor; as well as A braking mechanism electrically connected to the controller, wherein the braking mechanism applies braking force to slow down the spool in response to a braking signal from the controller. The first optical device and the second optical device are aspherical lenses.

2. The fishing reel as described in claim 1, wherein, Each of the first flange and the second flange includes at least one corresponding flange opening extending therethrough, and the collimated light band passes through the corresponding flange opening.

3. The fishing reel as described in claim 2, wherein, Each of the first flange and the second flange includes a plurality of respective flange openings extending therethrough.

4. The fishing reel as described in claim 1, wherein, The light source is a light-emitting diode (LED).

5. The fishing reel as described in claim 4, wherein, The light source is a single light-emitting diode.

6. The fishing reel as described in claim 1, wherein, The first optical device and / or the second optical device are Fresnel lenses.

7. The fishing reel as described in claim 1, wherein, The first optical device is positioned relative to the light source such that the collimated light strip extends outward in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation to the outside of the outer diameter of the first flange.

8. The fishing reel as described in claim 1, wherein, The first optical device is positioned relative to the light source such that the collimated light strip extends outward in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation to the outside of the corresponding outer diameter of each of the first flange and the second flange.

9. The fishing reel as described in claim 1, wherein, The second optical device is configured the same as the first optical device, and is rotated 180 degrees from the orientation of the first optical device about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

10. The fishing reel as described in claim 1, wherein, The sensor is a PIN diode that converts optical signals into electrical signals.

11. The fishing reel as described in claim 1, wherein, The controller is a low-power 8-bit or 32-bit microcontroller.

12. The fishing reel as described in claim 1, wherein, The sensor works in conjunction with the controller to detect differences in gain.

13. The fishing reel as described in claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to generate the braking signal and transmit the braking signal to the braking mechanism when a nonlinear decrease in gain is detected.

14. The fishing reel as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a regenerative power source.

15. A fishing reel, comprising: frame; A spool, the spool being coupled to the frame to rotate about an axis of rotation, and including a first flange at or near one end of the spool and a second flange at or near the opposite end of the spool, each of the first flange and the second flange including a plurality of respective flange openings extending therethrough; A single light-emitting diode, wherein the single light-emitting diode is positioned offset outward from the outside of the first flange in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation; A first optical device, which is a Fresnel lens or an aspherical lens, is positioned between the single light-emitting diode and the spool, such that light emitted from the single light-emitting diode and passing through the first optical device produces a collimated light band parallel to the axis of rotation. The collimated light band passes parallel to the respective flange opening and extends outward in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation to the outer side of the respective outer diameter of each of the first flange and the second flange. A PIN diode, wherein the PIN diode is offset outward from the outside of the second flange in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation; A second optical device, which is a Fresnel lens or an aspherical lens, is positioned relative to the single light-emitting diode between the spool and the PIN diode, and is configured to focus the collimated light band toward the PIN diode. A controller electrically connected to the PIN diode and configured to receive a signal from the PIN diode and generate a braking signal based on a detected nonlinear decrease in the gain of the PIN diode; as well as A braking mechanism electrically connected to the controller, wherein the braking mechanism applies braking force to slow down the spool in response to a braking signal from the controller.

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