Thread-like object detection device and fishing reel

Abstract

To provide a detection apparatus of a threaded object that can obtain sufficient reflected light even for a thin threaded detection object such as a fishing line.SOLUTION: An auxiliary apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a light emission portion 7A that irradiates a thread 50 that moves in an axial direction with light, a light reception portion 7B that receives reflected light irradiated to the thread 50 and is placed adjacent to the light emission portion 7A, guidance portions 5a and 5b that guide the thread, and a reflection plate 10 that is placed on an opposite side to the light emission portion 7A across the thread 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filamentous object detection device capable of detecting a thin filamentous object such as a fishing line, and to a fishing reel incorporating such a detection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, fishing reels are known that incorporate a line length measuring device that can measure the length of fishing line that is unwound from the spool. Usually, the line length measuring device is configured to calculate the length of the unwound line from the spool diameter, the number of rotations, the thickness of the fishing line, etc., according to the amount of line wound, and display the calculated length on a display. However, such line length measuring devices have a problem of lacking accuracy because the spool diameter, number of rotations, etc. are not stable (the setting conditions change if the line breaks, etc.).

[0003] For this reason, it is thought that it is possible to detect the fishing line and measure its exact length by using an optical sensor that shines light onto the fishing line as it is being reeled out and receives the reflected light. For example, if markings with different reflectivities are placed at regular intervals on the fishing line, it is expected that the exact length of the line can be measured by detecting the change in the amount of reflected light.

[0004] Generally, optical sensors that include a light-emitting element that irradiates light onto an object to be measured and a light-receiving element that receives light reflected by the object to be measured are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which, in addition to the light-emitting element and light-receiving element, integrated circuit components electrically connected to these elements are mounted on the surface of a substrate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-180121 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when such an optical sensor is used to detect the reflected light from a filamentary object to determine the presence or absence, color, and brightness of the object, the surface area of ​​the object is small, making it difficult to detect sufficient reflected light and difficult to obtain an accurate signal. In particular, the fishing line used in fishing reels has a small diameter (the surface area of ​​the object is small), making it difficult to detect reflected light and therefore difficult to accurately measure the line length. Furthermore, fishing reels used in harsh natural environments such as the sea have a problem in that the fishing line swings when it is released from the spool or wound up, making it difficult to obtain an accurate signal.

[0007] The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a thread-like object detection device that can obtain sufficient reflected light even when the detection object is a thin thread-like object such as a fishing line, and a fishing reel that incorporates such a thread-like object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the detection device for a thread-like object of the present invention is characterized in having an emitter that irradiates light onto a thread-like detection object moving in an axial direction, a light-receiving unit that receives reflected light of the light irradiated onto the detection object and is arranged adjacent to the emitter, a guide unit that guides the detection object, and a reflector that is arranged on the opposite side of the emitter, sandwiching the detection object between them.

[0009] The above-described configuration of the detection device for a filamentous object irradiates light from the light emitting unit onto the filamentous object to be detected, which moves in the axial direction, and directly receives the light reflected from the surface of the object by the light receiving unit. In addition, the light reflected from the surface of the filamentous object to be detected is reflected by a reflector and received by the light receiving unit. This increases the amount of light returning to the light receiving unit. This allows stable detection even for objects with a small surface area, such as threads. In addition, when the filamentous object moves in the axial direction, the movement is guided via the guide unit, which suppresses large vibrations and allows stable detection.

[0010] Such a detection device for a filamentous object can be incorporated into the body of a fishing reel, for example. That is, by attaching a mark or the like to the fishing line as it is unwound or wound from the spool, it becomes possible to accurately measure the line length. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a detection device capable of obtaining sufficient reflected light even from a filamentous detection target can be obtained. Furthermore, by incorporating such a detection device, a fishing reel capable of accurately measuring the length of the fishing line can be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a detection device for a thread-like object according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of the assembled state of the detection device for a thread-like object shown in FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 2 is a plan view showing an outline of the light path of the detection device for the thread-like object shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a first modified example of a reflecting surface. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a second modified example of the reflecting surface. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the configuration of a reflecting surface, where FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a cylindrical surface, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a spherical surface. [Figure 7]1A to 1C are diagrams showing examples of use of a detection device for a thread-like object according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a detection device for a filamentous object (hereinafter, referred to as a detection device) according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a detection device, with FIG. 1 being an exploded perspective view and FIG. 2 being a plan sectional view of the device in an assembled state.

[0014] The detection device 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 2 having a substantially cubic shape, with a rectangular opening 2a formed on one side 2A and a notch 2b formed on the other opposite side 2B. Furthermore, guide sections 5a, 5b for inserting and guiding a thread-like object (hereinafter, referred to as a thread 50) are provided on the same straight line on upper and lower sides 2C, 2D that are perpendicular to the sides 2A, 2B. The guide sections 5a, 5b of this embodiment are configured as cylindrical bodies with circular cross sections, and are press-fitted into the upper and lower sides 2C, 2D, respectively, to guide the thread 50 in the vertical direction (in the following description, the central axis of the guide sections 5a, 5b is defined as the guide axis X).

[0015] The housing 2 is formed to have a hollow portion 2E that is closed inside, and the guide portions 5a and 5b are fixed in the hollow portion 2E in a state in which they are separated in the guide axis direction. Therefore, the thread 50 is guided in an exposed state in the hollow portion 2E. The position of the thread 50 is specified by passing through the inner space of the two guide portions 5a and 5b arranged coaxially. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of each guide portion 5a and 5b is given a play with respect to the diameter of the thread 50, so that the thread 50 can move freely without load relative to the guide portions.

[0016] The line 50 in this embodiment is assumed to be a fishing line used for fishing. In this case, the line 50 is coated with paint having a different reflectance at predetermined distances (for example, 10 cm).

[0017] The optical sensor 7 is press-fitted and fixed in the opening 2a of the housing 2. The optical sensor 7 is a so-called reflective photosensor in which a light-emitting unit 7A and a light-receiving unit 7B are arranged side by side. The light-emitting unit 7A is composed of an LED and a lens, and has an optical axis Y1 perpendicular to the guide axis X. The light-receiving unit 7B is composed of a phototransistor, and outputs a signal according to the amount of light received. The light-receiving unit 7B has an optical axis Y2 perpendicular to the guide axis X. Therefore, the optical axis Y1 of the light-emitting unit 7A, the optical axis Y2 of the light-receiving unit 7B, and the guide axis X of the guide units 5a and 5b are configured and arranged in a positional relationship such that they intersect at approximately one point in the hollow portion 2E. As a result, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 7A is irradiated to the yarn 50 exposed in the hollow portion, and the reflected light is received by the light-receiving unit 7B.

[0018] The light emitting unit 7A is preferably configured so that the emitted light is directed toward the exposed yarn 50 without being scattered. For example, an optical element (collimator, condenser lens, etc.) 7a that irradiates the emitted light as parallel light or convergent light toward the exposed yarn 50 is preferably disposed on the emission surface side of the light emitting unit 7A. The light receiving unit 7B has a characteristic that it can strongly receive the wavelength of light emitted by the light emitting unit 7A, and generates a signal (reflection signal) according to the reflectance of the point where the light is incident on the yarn 50. By monitoring this reflection signal and counting the number of bright and dark points, for example, the movement distance of the yarn 50 can be detected. Specifically, the yarn 50 is coated with paint (for example, three colors, red, green, and blue) having different reflectances at predetermined distances, and the optical sensor 7 is configured as a color sensor that emits different signals for each color, so that the movement distance of the yarn 50 can be detected.

[0019] A reflector 10 is disposed in the notch 2b formed in the other side surface 2B of the housing 2. The reflector 10 is disposed on the opposite side of the optical sensor 7 across the guide axis X, and is treated, such as by aluminum deposition, on its surface to reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 7A. The reflector 10 has a cross section that forms a quadratic curve, as described below, when broken at a cross section including the optical axes of the light-emitting unit 7A and the light-receiving unit 7B (when broken at a plane perpendicular to the thread 50 and passing through the optical axis of the optical sensor; FIG. 2). The surface of the reflector 10 may be subjected to a multilayer coating that increases the reflectance of the wavelength that can be received by the optical sensor 7 and decreases the reflectance of light of other wavelengths, or an optical treatment that gives the reflecting surface an uneven structure smaller than the wavelength of light, such as a so-called moth-eye structure.

[0020] By holding the guides 5a and 5b, the optical sensor 7, and the reflector 10 in the housing 2 in the positional relationship as described above, it becomes possible to detect the yarn 50 moving in the axial direction within the closed cavity 2E. For example, the detection here is performed by processing a reflected signal from the light receiving unit 7B according to a predetermined program to calculate the moving distance and moving direction of the yarn.

[0021] The housing 2 is preferably made of a material with low transmittance so as to block disturbance light. In addition, the surface facing the space including the optical axis of the optical sensor 7 may be coated with anti-reflective paint or surface treatment. The detection device 1 configured as described above can be installed on fishing equipment, and can be configured so as to be fixed to a fishing rod 100 or the like using a connecting part 2G integrally formed with the housing 2. If the detection device 1 is to be applied to fishing equipment in this way, it is preferable that the housing 2 is provided with a packing or waterproof structure between each element to make the structure watertight.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the reflector 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The light emitted from the light-emitting unit 7A is irradiated onto the thread 50 as described above, and is diffusely reflected at that point. Therefore, the light returning to the light-receiving unit 7B is only a portion of the diffusely reflected light, and since the surface area of ​​the thread 50 is small, the amount of light returning to the light-receiving unit 7B is small. In other words, the smaller the surface area of ​​the thread 50 (the thinner the thread 50), the less light returns to the light-receiving unit 7B.

[0023] Furthermore, as described above, in order to realize smooth movement of the thread 50, the guides 5a and 5b need some play, and there is a limit to the accuracy of positioning the thread 50. In particular, when tension is lost in the thread 50, slack may occur in the thread 50, causing a misalignment between the thread 50 and the guide axis X, and in a configuration in which the light-emitting unit 7A irradiates convergent light onto the surface of the thread 50, the thread 50 moves away from the focus of the light-emitting unit 7A. This reduces the amount of light returning to the light-receiving unit 7B. If the amount of light returning to the light-receiving unit 7B is reduced, the reflected signal obtained from the light-receiving unit 7B becomes weak, and there is a risk that correct detection will not be possible.

[0024] In order to suppress the decrease in the amount of light received at the light receiving unit 7B as described above, the present invention is configured so that a portion of the light that hits the yarn 50 and is diffusely reflected is reflected by the reflecting surface 10A of the reflector 10, thereby increasing the amount of light that returns to the light receiving unit 7B. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the reflecting surface 10A of the reflector 10 is a quadratic curve, so that the light is returned to the light receiving unit 7B over a wider area than when the reflecting surface is configured to be flat.

[0025] That is, if the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 7A is irradiated onto the reflecting surface 10A without hitting the yarn 50, and the reflected light returns to the light-receiving unit 7B, the detection of the yarn 50 cannot be performed correctly. To avoid this, as described above, the optical element 7a that converts the emitted light (parallel light or convergent light) 7d toward the yarn 50 as shown in Fig. 3 is disposed on the emission surface side of the light-emitting unit 7A, thereby suppressing the reflected light from the reflecting surface of the light that is not irradiated onto the yarn 50, and increasing the reflected light 7e from the yarn 50 that enters the light-receiving unit 7B.

[0026] Furthermore, the emitted light 7d does not directly enter and be reflected by the reflective surface 10A, and although the light 7e' that is diffusely reflected by the yarn 50 enters the reflective surface 10A, the reflected light 7f therefrom (reflected light containing information about the yarn 50) becomes parallel light toward the light receiving unit, as described below, because the reflective surface 10A is formed in the shape of a quadratic curve, thereby making it possible to increase the amount of reflected light containing information about the yarn 50 that can be detected on the light receiving unit side.

[0027] Furthermore, it is preferable that the above-mentioned reflective surface 10A is not provided in the opposite region 12 of the yarn 50, which is the portion directly irradiated by the light emitting unit 7A, and that the opposite region 12 is subjected to a surface treatment to reduce the reflectance. This makes it possible to prevent the emitted light 7d from being directly incident on the reflective surface 10A.

[0028] As described above, by forming the reflecting surface 10A as a quadratic curve, paraxial approximation can be used when tracing light rays, making it easier to design and verify reflected light. Here, a quadratic curve is a quadratic equation on the (x, y) plane: ax 2 +2hxy+by 2 +2gx+2fy+c=0 This is the figure created by all the solutions (x,y) of the equation, and includes arcs, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas, as described below.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a case where the cross-sectional shape of the reflecting surface 10A is a parabola with the guide axis as the focus. When the light emitted from the light emitting unit 7A hits the thread 50, it is diffused in all directions. Among them, the light 7e' toward the reflecting surface 10A is reflected by the reflecting surface 10A and goes upward. In this case, it is generally known that the light emitted from the focus is reflected as a parallel ray (reflected light 7f having information of the thread 50) when it is incident on a parabolic surface. Therefore, when the reflecting surface 10A is made a parabola with the guide axis as the focus, the light 7e' diffused by the thread 50 becomes parallel reflected light 7f at the reflecting surface 10A. By receiving a part of this reflected light by the light receiving unit 7B, the signal emitted by the light receiving unit 7B can be strengthened even for an object with a small surface area such as a thread-like object.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a case where the cross-sectional shape of the reflecting surface 10A is a parabola with the light receiving portion 7B as the focus. It is generally known that the reflected light of parallel light incident on a parabolic surface defined by a parabola is focused at a focal point. Therefore, if the reflecting surface 10A is a parabola with the light receiving unit 7B as the focal point P, the reflected light 7f traveling in the vertical direction will always return to the light receiving unit 7B (near the light receiving unit 7B) even if the position of the thread 50 is shifted from the guide axis. In other words, by using a reflector 10 having such a reflecting surface 10A, the signal emitted by the light receiving unit 7B can be strengthened even for an object with a small surface area such as a thread-like object, and further, a detection device that can stably detect the thread 50 even if the position of the thread 50 is shifted can be obtained.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a case where the cross-sectional shape of the reflecting surface 10A is an ellipse having its foci on the guide axis and the light receiving surface. It is generally known that when light emitted from one focal point P1 is reflected by an elliptical surface, it returns to the other focal point P2. Therefore, when the reflecting surface 10A is made elliptical, the light 7e' diffused by the thread 50 is reflected by the reflecting surface 10A, and the reflected light 7f can be returned to the light receiving unit 7B. In other words, by making the reflector 10 have such a reflecting surface 10A, the signal generated by the light receiving unit 7B can be strengthened.

[0032] Furthermore, even if the reflecting surface 10A is a circle (spherical reflecting surface) centered on either the guide axis or the light receiving surface, the signal generated at the light receiving unit 7B can be strengthened compared to the case where there is no reflector 10. In this case, the center of the circle is the focal position. In this case, compared to the case of an ellipse or a parabola, the signal is affected by spherical aberration and weakened depending on the shape of the light receiving surface at the light receiving unit 7B, but it becomes possible to easily process the reflector 10.

[0033] Of the solids having the cross-sectional shapes shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 5, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape is a cylinder (the inner surface is shown by reference symbol 20A) stretched in the guide axis direction as shown in Fig. 6(a), or that the cross-sectional shape is a body of revolution (spherical; the inner surface is shown by reference symbol 20A') rotated around an axis of revolution whose central axis is the optical axis of the light-emitting unit or the light-receiving unit as shown in Fig. 6(b). In this case, if the quadratic curve is an arc shape, the reflecting surface becomes a cylindrical surface when the cross-sectional shape is stretched in the guide axis direction. Also, if the body of revolution is rotated around an axis of revolution whose central axis is the optical axis, the reflecting surface becomes a spherical surface.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6(a), by making the reflecting surface 10A cylindrical extending in the guide axis X direction, the light receiving section and the light emitting section of the optical sensor 7 can be extended in the longitudinal direction, thereby increasing the amount of light received by the light receiving section. The reflecting plate 10 in this case can be realized by forming a cylindrical section having the quadratic curve cross section in a part of the housing 2, and attaching a film-like reflecting material such as an aluminum vapor deposition sheet thereto, or by carrying out a surface treatment such as plating or painting to increase the reflectance. Furthermore, with such a configuration, the reflecting plate 10 can be made low cost and lightweight.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6(b), if the reflecting surface 10A is spherical with the light receiving part 7B of the light receiving unit as the focal point P, then by using the light emitting unit as a point light source and making the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit a shape close to a circle, such as a square, it becomes possible to return reflected light from a wider surface to the light receiving unit, enabling detection with a good S / N ratio.

[0036] The detection device 1 according to the present invention has a housing 2 disposed at a portion where the thread-like object (thread 50) slides, and thus can accurately measure information (movement amount, direction) of the sliding thread even if the thread is thin. Also, when a photosensor that can distinguish colors is used as in the above example, the color of the thread 50 can be determined. This makes it possible to calculate the amount and direction of thread release by, for example, painting the thread 50 in a specific pattern and detecting the change in color.

[0037] FIG. 7 shows an example of the case where the amount of fishing line released is calculated by attaching the above-mentioned detection device to a suitable position on a fishing tackle.

[0038] 7 shows an example in which a fishing reel 200 is attached to a fishing rod 100, and a through float (rig) 300, which floats on the sea surface 400 with the fishing line threaded through it, is attached to the end of the fishing line 50. In the figure, the detection device 1A is shown as being built into the reel body of the fishing reel 200. In this configuration, the detection device 1A is built into the part where the fishing line is let out from the spool, and the calculation results can be displayed on an image display unit (display) arranged on or between the side plates of the reel body.

[0039] By incorporating the above-mentioned detection device 1A into the reel body, it is possible to accurately measure the line length by directly detecting the sliding fishing line, rather than detecting the line length based on the spool diameter or rotation speed as in the conventional method.

[0040] Moreover, the detector 1B is shown as an example attached to any position on the fishing rod 100. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the detector 1B can be detachably fixed to the rod shaft of the fishing rod 100 by using a connecting part 2G integrally formed with the housing 2, and this makes it possible to detect the amount of fishing line being let out from the fishing reel. Furthermore, the detector 1C is an example attached to a through float 300 attached to the tip of the fishing line 50. In these detectors 1B and 1C, information on the detected amount of fishing line being let out can be transmitted to the reel 200 side by a transmitting means incorporated in the detector, or transmitted to a mobile terminal owned by the angler, and the detection result can be displayed on the image display unit.

[0041] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the detection device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified in various ways. For example, the detection method using the sensor of the detection device is not limited to a type that distinguishes the brightness of colored light, but a type that outputs a binary value indicating whether the amount of reflected light is equal to or greater than a predetermined value may be used. This makes it possible to identify the presence or absence of thread. In addition, when the thread is painted with brightness and darkness at predetermined intervals, the interval between the blinking of brightness and darkness can be measured to detect the release speed of the thread, and other known purposes. Furthermore, the configuration of the housing described above can be appropriately modified depending on the location where it is actually used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Thread-like object detection device 2. Chassis 5a,5b Information section 7. Light Sensor 7A Light emitting part 7B Light receiving section 10 Reflector 10A reflective surface 50 Thread 100 fishing rod 200 Fishing Reel 300 Tackle (through-hole float)

Claims

1. A light emitting unit that irradiates light onto a filamentous detection object moving in an axial direction; a light receiving unit that receives reflected light of the light irradiated to the detection object and is disposed adjacent to the light emitting unit; A guide unit that guides the detection object; A reflector disposed on the opposite side of the light emitting unit with the detection target therebetween; having A detection device for a thread-like object, wherein the reflector has a cross-sectional shape that is a quadratic curve.

2. 2. The device for detecting a thread-like object according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is provided with an optical element for converting emitted light into parallel light or convergent light with respect to the object to be detected.

3. 3. The device for detecting a thread-like object according to claim 1, wherein the reflector has a cylindrical reflecting surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the guide portion.

4. 3. The device for detecting a thread-like object according to claim 1, wherein the reflector has a spherical reflecting surface having a central axis coincident with the optical axis of the light-emitting portion or the light-receiving portion.

5. 5. The device for detecting a filamentous object according to claim 3, wherein the quadratic curve is a parabola having a focus at the center of the filamentous object passing through the light receiving portion or the guide portion.

6. 5. The device for detecting a thread-like object according to claim 3, wherein the quadratic curve is an ellipse having at least one of a center of the thread-like object passing through the light receiving portion and a center of the thread-like object passing through the guide portion as a focus.

7. the light-emitting unit, the light-receiving unit, the guide unit, and the reflector are assembled in a housing having a closed cavity formed therein, in which light is emitted from the light-emitting unit and light is received by the light-receiving unit; the guide portion is formed of a cylindrical body that guides the filamentous object, The detection device for a thread-like object as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cylindrical body is arranged in the housing so as to expose a portion within the hollow portion that is irradiated with the light emitted from the light-emitting portion.

8. 8. A fishing reel, comprising: a housing for detecting a thread-like object according to claim 7, which is mounted on a reel body.

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