Magnesium alloy spool and fishing reel comprising same

Abstract

The invention provides a fishing reel, which is provided with a magnesium alloy spool having a coating film imparting corrosion resistance, and can accurately control the size of a gap between a fishing reel frame and a spool flange. A coating film formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment is formed on a surface of at least a portion of the wire cup including the flange.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spool made of a magnesium alloy and a fishing reel including the same, and more specifically, to a spool made of a magnesium alloy having an anti-corrosion coating film and a fishing reel including the same. Background Art

[0002] Fishing reels include rotary fishing reels, double-bearing fishing reels, and single-bearing fishing reels. In double-bearing fishing reels and single-bearing fishing reels, the spool is rotatably supported on the fishing reel body, and in rotary fishing reels, the spool is movably mounted on the fishing reel body in the front and rear directions. The spools of these fishing reels are made of synthetic resin, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, or the like.

[0003] Spools made of synthetic resin can be manufactured at low cost and can be made lightweight. However, the flexural modulus of elasticity is small, and in order to maintain rigidity, it is necessary to increase the thickness, and it is also difficult to obtain a texture and a high-class feeling.

[0004] Spools made of aluminum alloy have a larger flexural modulus of elasticity than synthetic resin, have a better texture, and are more likely to obtain a high-class feeling. However, as a metal, the flexural modulus of elasticity is not large, and in order to maintain sufficient rigidity, it is still necessary to increase the thickness, and there are limitations in terms of weight reduction.

[0005] Compared with spools made of these materials, spools made of magnesium alloy have high rigidity and can achieve a thinner thickness, and thus can be made more lightweight. On the other hand, since magnesium alloy is easily corroded, such spools require a corrosion-resistant structure.

[0006] In order to solve this problem, spools made of magnesium alloy are usually covered with a coating such as a polyurethane resin-based coating. However, the hardness of the surface of such a paint film is low, and winding marks of the fishing line sometimes remain on the surface of the spool.

[0007] In response to this, a spool (Patent Document 1) has been proposed, which has, on the surface of a spool body made of magnesium alloy, an oxide film layer formed by anodic oxidation, a low-hardness base layer formed by a cationic electrodeposition coating mainly composed of polyamine, a low-hardness intermediate layer formed by a polyurethane resin-based coating, and a high-hardness surface layer formed by an ultraviolet curable coating. Such a coating film improves the adhesion between the coating film and the spool while increasing the surface hardness.

[0008] Prior Art Documents

[0009] Patent Documents

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-14288 Summary of the Invention

[0011] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] However, for fishing reels, especially the spools of bait-casting fishing reels, in order to prevent the fishing line from entering the gap between the frame and the spool flange, it is necessary to precisely control the outer diameter of the spool. In this regard, for conventional spools with multiple layers of coating films, since the thickness of the coating films is basically large, it is difficult to precisely control the thickness of the coating films, and thus this problem cannot be solved.

[0013] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a fishing reel equipped with a spool made of magnesium alloy having a coating film imparting corrosion resistance, capable of precisely controlling the thickness of the coating film, and further, capable of precisely controlling the size of the gap between the fishing reel frame and the spool flange.

[0014] Means for Solving the Problem

[0015] In order to achieve this object, the inventors of the present invention studied various coating films and found that forming a coating film by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment can solve the above problems, thereby obtaining the present invention.

[0016] That is, the present invention provides a spool made of magnesium alloy, characterized in that its surface has a coating film formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the coating film is 15 to 25 μm, particularly preferably 17 to 23 μm.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention further provides a fishing reel equipped with the above-mentioned spool. In a preferred embodiment, the gap between the fishing reel frame and the spool flange is 0.05 to 0.25 mm.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] The coating film formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment is extremely thin and its thickness can be precisely controlled. Therefore, it is possible to precisely control the outer diameter of the spool, and it is possible to precisely control the size of the gap between the fishing reel frame and the spool flange, and the gap is repeatedly formed in such a size that the fishing line does not enter the gap between the frame and the spool flange.

[0020] In addition, the coating film formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment can make the spool a non-conductive, high-hardness, corrosion-resistant and scratch-resistant spool.

[0021] In addition, since the spool is made of magnesium alloy, a spool with high rigidity and thin walls can be made, thereby making the fishing reel lighter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A fishing reel showing an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 2 Shows according to Figure 1 The side plate, fishing reel frame and spool assembly of the fishing reel of the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a fishing reel according to Figure 1 an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 4 is an enlarged view showing the structure near the gap between the fishing reel frame and the spool flange in Figure 3 .

[0026] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the covering state of the spool surface of the fishing reel according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the following embodiments.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a fishing reel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows the side plate, the fishing reel frame, and the spool assembly of the fishing reel according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the fishing reel according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a view showing Figure 3 an enlarged view of the structure near the gap between the fishing reel frame and the spool flange in Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the covering state of the spool surface of the fishing reel according to this embodiment.

[0029] The fishing reel 1 is a double-bearing fishing reel and is a low-profile fishing reel for casting bait. As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the fishing reel 1 includes a fishing reel main body 2, a rocker arm assembly 3 provided on the side of the fishing reel main body 2, and a spool assembly 4 for winding the fishing line that is rotatably and detachably mounted inside the fishing reel main body 2. A star drag mechanism 5 for adjusting the drag is provided on the fishing reel main body 2 side of the rocker arm assembly 3.

[0030] The fishing reel main body 2 has a fishing reel frame 6, side plates 7 mounted on both sides of the fishing reel frame 6, and a front cover 8 covering the front of the fishing reel frame 6.

[0031] The spool 4a is a member made of magnesium alloy obtained by injection molding by, for example, die casting. The spool 4a has a cylindrical fishing line winding body portion 4a-1 and flange portions 4a-2 integrally formed on both sides of the fishing line winding body portion 4a-1 and protruding outward. The spool 4a is non-rotatably fixed to a spool shaft 4b made of a rod-shaped member made of, for example, stainless steel or aluminum alloy by, for example, serration coupling, thereby forming the spool assembly 4. This fixing method is not limited to fixing methods by unevenness such as serration coupling, and various coupling methods such as adhesion or insert molding can be used.

[0032] In other embodiments, the spool assembly 4 includes a spool shaft 4b, a spool 4a, and a sleeve (not shown) disposed between the spool shaft 4b and the spool 4a, wherein the spool 4a is fixed to the spool shaft 4b via the sleeve (not shown). In this spool assembly 4, for example, the spool shaft 4b is made of a stainless steel alloy or the like, and the sleeve (not shown) is made of an aluminum alloy or the like.

[0033] The spool 4a is made of a magnesium alloy. As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the spool 4a is subjected to MAO treatment to form a coating film 11 on at least a part of the flange portion 4a-2, preferably at least a part of the inner circumferential side 4c of the flange portion 4a-2 and the winding body portion 4a-1, and particularly preferably on the entire surface. The coating film 11 formed by MAO treatment varies depending on the electrolytic compound in the electrolytic bath used to form the coating film 11, and is composed of oxides such as MgO, MgAl2O4, MgSiO3, Cu3MgO4, V2O5, V2O3, VAlO4, etc., completely isolating the spool portion to be covered from the external environment. In addition, the coating film 11 is non-conductive and has a very high hardness. Therefore, the coating film 11 can prevent corrosion of the spool 4a for a long time and impart excellent scratch resistance and UV weather resistance to the spool 4a.

[0034] The coating film 11 formed by MAO treatment is also very thin and its thickness can be precisely controlled. Generally, the thickness can be 1 μm to 50 μm, preferably 5 μm to about 40 μm, more preferably 10 μm to 30 μm, further preferably 15 μm to 25 μm, and particularly preferably 17 μm to 23 μm. In addition, by keeping the treatment conditions constant, the thickness can be controlled within a range of generally ±5 μm, preferably ±3 μm. Therefore, the size of the gap 10 between the fishing reel frame 6 and the spool flange portion 4a-2 as Figure 4 shown can be precisely controlled. For example, the gap 10 can be set to a size that can prevent the line from entering the gap 10 while ensuring the smooth operation of the spool. The size of such a gap 10 is generally 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm, preferably 0.10 mm to 0.20 mm, and more preferably 0.08 mm to 0.18 mm.

[0035] In the case where the spool 4a is directly bonded to the spool shaft 4b to form the spool assembly 4, even if the spool shaft 4b is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy or a stainless steel alloy, since the non-conductive coating film 11 is present on the surface of the spool 4a, no local battery is formed when seawater enters the fishing reel, and no corrosion occurs. In a preferred embodiment, the spool shaft 4b is made of an anodized aluminum alloy. In this case, non-conductive coating films are formed on the surfaces of both the spool 4a and the spool shaft 4b, and the two are more reliably in a non-electrically contacting state.

[0036] The spool assembly 4 includes a spool shaft 4b, a spool 4a, and a sleeve (not shown) disposed between the spool 4a and the spool shaft 4b. The spool 4a is fixed to the spool shaft 4b via the sleeve (not shown). For example, the spool shaft 4b is made of a stainless steel alloy or the like, and the sleeve (not shown) is made of an aluminum alloy or the like. Even in this case, the spool 4a has a non-conductive coating 11 on its surface. Therefore, even if seawater enters the fishing reel, a local battery will not be formed with these components, and corrosion will not occur. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve is formed of an anodized aluminum alloy, so that a local battery will not be formed between the sleeve and the spool, and corrosion will not occur.

[0037] In addition, in other embodiments, the spool shaft 4b and the sleeve (not shown) are also made of a magnesium alloy, and the surfaces of the spool shaft 4b and the sleeve (not shown) have a coating 11 formed by MAO treatment. Through the coating 11, the surfaces of the components are completely changed to non-conductive, reliably preventing corrosion.

[0038] The coating 11 formed by MAO treatment can be formed by immersing the spool and other components such as the spool shaft 4b and the sleeve (not shown) as needed in an electrolytic bath, and then oxidizing Mg on the surface of the spool by microdischarge.

[0039] The electrolytic bath is usually an aqueous solution of an electrolytic compound of 5% to 30% by mass, preferably 7% to 18% by mass, and more preferably 10% to 15% by mass.

[0040] Examples of the electrolytic compound include silicates, hydroxides, fluorides, phosphates, aluminates, and combinations thereof contained in the compounds forming the coating film.

[0041] Examples of the silicate include sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), examples of the alkali metal hydroxide include sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Examples of the fluoride include sodium fluoride (NaF), examples of the phosphate include sodium phosphate (Na3PO4). Examples of the aluminate include sodium aluminate (NaAlO2), sodium tetrahydroxyaluminate (Na[Al(OH)4]). Among them, silicates, phosphates, or combinations thereof are preferred.

[0042] Microdischarge is carried out by applying a high-voltage current to a bobbin immersed in an electrolytic bath to generate plasma on the surface of the bobbin. In this process, the bobbin immersed in the electrolytic bath functions as one electrode, and the counter electrode is an electrode made of any inert metal immersed in the same electrolytic bath. The counter electrode can be, for example, a stainless-steel electrode. A DC or AC voltage is applied between the two electrodes. The voltage can generally be about 200 V or more, preferably about 200 V to about 700 V, more preferably about 300 V to about 600 V, and further preferably about 400 V to about 550 V. Regarding the temperature of the electrolytic bath, there is no particular limitation, and it is generally sufficient to be about 20°C to about 40°C, preferably about 25°C to about 35°C. However, temperatures outside these ranges can also be used.

[0043] The MAO treatment time can be about 5 minutes to 1 hour, preferably 10 - 30 minutes, and more preferably 15 - 25 minutes.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the coating film 11 formed by the MAO treatment constitutes the outer surface of the bobbin without laminating an additional layer. The coating film 11 formed by the MAO treatment has different colors depending on the type of the formed oxide. For example, a coating film presenting black or white with a unique texture can be formed by the above-mentioned oxide or a combination thereof. The unique color brought by the coating film 11 formed by such MAO treatment can directly constitute the appearance of the fishing reel, and a fishing reel with a unique texture can be obtained.

[0045] The bobbin of the present invention is made of a magnesium alloy, so it has high rigidity, can be made thinner-walled, and can make the fishing reel lighter. According to such characteristics, it is preferably applied to a low-profile fishing reel, and a low-profile fishing reel capable of simply casting even a very lightweight fishing tackle of about 3 g can be designed. However, it is not limited to this embodiment, and it can also be applied to the bobbins of other fishing reels such as lever drag type or electric double-bearing fishing reels, spinning reels, and single-bearing fishing reels.

[0046]

Examples

[0047] Hereinafter, the present invention will be further specifically described by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0048] 1. Manufacture of Bobbin

[0049] A round bar was machined, and magnesium alloy bobbins with the following dimensions were manufactured by MAO treatment.

[0050] · Bobbin flange diameter: 30 mm

[0051] · Bobbin width: 25.5 mm

[0052] Next, immerse the wire cup in electrolytes containing sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) at concentrations of 15 - 20% by mass respectively, with the pH adjusted to 9 - 13, and perform MAO treatment under the following conditions.

[0053] · Voltage - current conditions: Constant current of 10 - 15 A / dm 2 with a voltage of 500 V - 550 V

[0054] · Current supply method: DC constant current

[0055] · Frequency: 500 Hz

[0056] · Duty cycle: 20%

[0057] · Positive - negative current ratio: 3:1

[0058] · Anodization time: 15 - 25 minutes in a 25°C circulating cooling device

[0059] After the treatment, cut the wire cup and observe the cross - section with an electron microscope to confirm the thickness of the formed oxide film. It was confirmed that the thickness of the film formed on 120 wire cups was 20 ± 3 μm.

[0060] 2. UV weather resistance test

[0061] Use the wire cup with the MAO film obtained above for the UV weather resistance test. The test conditions are as follows.

[0062] (Test conditions)

[0063] The test is carried out in accordance with the SAE J1960 standard. Specifically, use "Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior Materials Using a Controlled Irradiance Water - Cooled Xenon Arc Apparatus", and cycle the wire cups manufactured above as follows, from 33 KJ / m 2 to 1000 kJ / m 2 for 14 stages of ultraviolet light quantity (33 KJ / m 2 、66 KJ / m 2 、100 KJ / m 2 、233 KJ / m 2 、300 KJ / m 2 、366 KJ / m 2 、500 KJ / m 2 、600 KJ / m 2 、700 KJ / m 2 、800 KJ / m 2 、833 KJ / m 2 、933 KJ / m 2 、966 KJ / m 2 , and 1000 KJ / m2 ) It is carried out under ultraviolet exposure.

[0064]

Table 1

[0065]

[0066] (Evaluation)

[0067] Visually observe the surface of the treated spool, and confirm whether there is discoloration, cracking, peeling, and water bubbles. Evaluate the spool with any of the above as ×, and evaluate the spool with none of them found as ○.

[0068] (Test results)

[0069] The evaluation of the spools for each test with different ultraviolet doses is as follows.

[0070]

Table 2

[0071] Ultraviolet ray amount Evaluation <![CDATA[33KJ / m 2 > ○ <![CDATA[66KJ / m 2 > ○ <![CDATA[100KJ / m 2 > ○ <![CDATA[23KJ / m 2 > ○ <![CDATA[300KJ / m 2 > ○ <![CDATA[366KJ / m 2 > ○ <![CDATA[500KJ / m 2 > ○ <![CDATA[600KJ / m 2 > ○ <![CDATA[700KJ / m 2 > × <![CDATA[800KJ / m 2 > × <![CDATA[833KJ / m 2 > × <![CDATA[933 KJ / m 2 > × <![CDATA[966KJ / m 2 > × <![CDATA[1000KJ / m 2 > ×

[0072] It is known that the anodized spool discolors at about 500 KJ / m 2 However, in the spools of this embodiment with the coating formed by MAO treatment, there is no discoloration, cracking, peeling, and water bubbles until 600 KJ, which indicates that the spool has higher UV weather resistance.

[0073] Symbol description

[0074] 1. Fishing reel

[0075] 2. Fishing reel body

[0076] 3. Rocker assembly

[0077] 4. Spool assembly

[0078] 4a. Spool

[0079] 4a-1. Line winding body part

[0080] 4a-2. Flange part

[0081] 4b. Spool shaft

[0082] 5. Star drag mechanism

[0083] 6. Fishing reel frame

[0084] 7. Side plate

[0085] 8. Front cover

[0086] 9. Sleeve

[0087] 10. Gap

[0088] 11. A coating film formed by MAO treatment.

Claims

1. The spool is made of magnesium alloy and has a coating formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment on at least the surface of the part including the flange portion.

2. The spool according to claim 1 has a coating formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment on the surface of the inner circumference of the spool including the spool body portion.

3. The spool according to claim 1 or 2 has a coating formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment on the entire surface of the spool.

4. The spool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thickness of the coating is 20 ± 3 μm.

5. The spool assembly is formed by directly or via a sleeve mounting the spool according to any one of claims 1 to 4 on a spool shaft.

6. The spool assembly according to claim 5, wherein the spool shaft is made of anodized aluminum alloy.

7. The spool assembly includes the spool, the spool shaft, and a sleeve disposed between the spool and the spool shaft as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The spool is mounted on the spool shaft via a sleeve.

8. The spool assembly according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve and / or the spool shaft is made of anodized aluminum alloy.

9. The fishing reel includes the spool according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the spool assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

10. The fishing reel according to claim 9, wherein the clearance between the fishing reel frame and the flange of the spool is 0.08 mm to 0.18 mm.

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