Fishing reels

Abstract

To provide a fishing reel which includes a connection terminal that can be electrically connected to the outside and can have a waterproof component while avoiding increase in the size of a device.SOLUTION: A fishing reel comprises: a circuit board which has a printed circuit on the surface; a plurality of electrical components which are electrically connected to the circuit board and include a microcomputer that controls the finishing reel by means of a control program; an external device connection unit which is electrically connected to the circuit board for connecting an external device; and a watertight structure which stores the circuit board. The external device connection unit comprises: an external connection part which is arranged outside the watertight structure and can be electrically connected to the connector of the external device; an internal connection part which is arranged inside the watertight structure and can be electrically connected to the circuit board and the external connection part; an inner side waterproof part which performs waterproofing between the external connection part and the internal connection part; a housing part which holds the external connection part, the internal connection part and the inner side waterproof part; and an outer side waterproof part which performs waterproofing between the housing part and the watertight structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fishing reel having an electronic board. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, some fishing double-axis reels use an electric circuit having a microcomputer for the purpose of controlling a motor for winding up the fishing line, displaying the line length, operating the casting brake, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a fishing reel having an external device connection section for electrically connecting such an electric circuit to an external device such as a personal computer.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic circuit device for fishing equipment used for fishing, comprising: a circuit board having a printed circuit at least on its surface; a plurality of electrical components including a microcomputer that controls the fishing equipment using a control program and arranged on the circuit board so as to be electrically connected to the printed circuit; an external device connection portion for connecting an external device and arranged on the circuit board so as to be electrically connected to the printed circuit; and an insulating coating that covers at least a portion of the circuit board together with the electrical components, except for the external device connection portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-357601 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the fishing reel of Patent Document 1, an external device connection portion ofIn this method, the circuit board is covered with an insulating film except for the circuit board, thereby making it waterproof. However, since there is no watertight structure around the circuit board, in order to waterproof the external device connection and other electrical parts, each component part must be waterproofed separately, which limits how small the device can be made. In addition, since the terminals are arranged in the thickness direction of the board, the device becomes larger in the thickness direction, which limits how small the device can be made.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fishing reel that is provided with a connection terminal for electrical connection to the outside, while avoiding an increase in size of the device and making the components waterproof. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent by reading the entire specification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a circuit board having a printed circuit on its surface, a plurality of electrical components electrically connected to the circuit board and including a microcomputer that controls the fishing reel via a control program, an external device connection portion electrically connected to the circuit board for connecting an external device, and a watertight structure that houses the circuit board, the external device connection portion comprising: an external connection portion disposed outside the watertight structure and electrically connectable to a connector of the external device; an internal connection portion disposed inside the watertight structure and electrically connectable to the circuit board and the external connection portion; an inner waterproof portion that provides waterproofing between the external connection portion and the internal connection portion; a housing portion that holds the external connection portion, the internal connection portion, and the inner waterproof portion; and an outer waterproof portion that provides waterproofing between the housing portion and the watertight structure.

[0008] A fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a spool capable of winding a fishing line by operation of an operating unit, a first side plate having the operating unit and supporting the spool, a second side plate arranged opposite the first side plate in the axial direction of the spool and supporting the spool, and an anti-operation unit side cover covering the second side plate on the opposite side to the operating unit, the anti-operation unit side cover being included as part of the watertight structure, the anti-operation unit side cover having a through hole opening in the axial direction of the spool, the external device connection unit being inserted into the through hole and held by a retaining member fixed to the anti-operation unit side cover.

[0009] In a fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board and the external device connection portion are arranged side by side in an extension direction of the circuit board.

[0010] In a fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention, the watertight structure is configured to house a rechargeable secondary battery and to enable power to be supplied to or charging the secondary battery through the external device connection portion to which the external device is connected.

[0011] In a fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention, the secondary battery and the external device connection portion are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the spool.

[0012] In a fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention, a recess is provided in the cover on the anti-operation side, and a cover member for protecting the external device connection portion from dust is provided outside the watertight structure and in a detachable manner in the recess of the cover on the anti-operation side. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the above embodiment, not only can an external device be connected, but the external device connection portion also functions as part of the watertight structure, so that even when an external device connection portion is provided, electrical components can be stored within the watertight structure, making it possible to accurately and reliably provide a waterproof structure while avoiding an increase in the size of the entire device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a fishing reel 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a braking device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an outer surface of a cover 13 on the side opposite to the operating portion of a fishing reel 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an external device connection section 14 in a fishing reel 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a method for fixing (attaching) an external device connection portion 14 to a fishing reel 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fishing reel according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Components common to multiple drawings are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the multiple drawings. Please note that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale for the sake of convenience.

[0016] A fishing reel and a braking device provided therein according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Note that, for the sake of simplicity, some of the well-known functions of the fishing reel 1 will not be shown or described.

[0017] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fishing reel 1, showing a cross section passing through a central axis of a reduction gear train described later. For the sake of simplicity, some of the well-known functions of the fishing reel 1 are not shown or described.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a fishing reel 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a frame (reel body) 2, a spool 3, a braked portion (brakeable means) 4, a bearing 5, a braking portion (brake means) 6, a set plate 7, an inner lid 8, a motor 9, a speed reduction mechanism (speed reduction gear train) 10, a battery 11, a circuit board (control board) 12, a cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation portion, an external device connection portion 14, a holding member 15, a cap 16, and a waterproof joint. Department The material 17 is configured to include the above-mentioned components. However, the material 17 may include components other than these.

[0019] The frame (reel body) 2 is formed so as to be attachable to a fishing rod (not shown). Like conventional fishing reels, the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has an operating part or operating means (e.g., a handle) (not shown), and the user can operate it to rotate the spool 3 in the forward direction to reel in the fishing line. The rotation of the operating part or operating means (hereinafter referred to as the operating part) is transmitted to the spool 3 by a transmission means such as a gear (not shown).

[0020] Furthermore, the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a clutch section (clutch means) (not shown), and a user can select whether to connect or disconnect the power transmission to the spool 3 by operating the clutch section (clutch means). When the power transmission to the spool 3 is connected, winding is possible by the operating section. On the other hand, when the power transmission to the spool 3 is released, the spool can be freely rotated in both forward and reverse directions, allowing the fishing line to be released.

[0021] The fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may also include a drag section or drag means (not shown) that prevents the fishing line from breaking by causing the spool 3 to spin freely when a torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value is generated, and a reverse rotation prevention section or reverse rotation prevention means (not shown) that prevents the operating section from rotating in the reverse direction. Furthermore, an oscillator device (not shown) may also be provided that evenly winds up the fishing line by reciprocating the position of a fishing line guide that guides the fishing line in response to the rotation of the spool 3.

[0022] The spool 3 is supported by the reel body 2 so as to be rotatable relative to the reel body 2, and the fishing line can be wound around the outer periphery of the spool 3 by rotating the spool 3 in the forward direction. On the other hand, when casting a lure or the like, the spool 3 rotates in the reverse direction to release the wound fishing line. In this case, if the amount of fishing line released is greater than the amount of movement of the lure or the like, the excess fishing line may cause line tangles called backlash, which may hinder normal use of the fishing reel 1. For this reason, such backlash may be prevented by applying an appropriate braking force to the spool 3 using a braking device 10, which will be described later.

[0023] The braked part 4 is fixed to the spool 3 and receives a braking force from the braking part 6. In the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, an eddy current brake system is used as the braking part 6, in which an eddy current is generated by applying a magnetic field to a conductor plate by a permanent magnet. The braking force generated on the braked part 4 by the braking part 6 can be adjusted by the motor 9.

[0024] Next, referring to FIG. 2, the structure of the braking unit 6 in the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in the figure, the braking unit 6 is composed of a rotary magnet 61 rotatably supported on a set plate 7 (not shown) and a fixed magnet 62 fixed to the set plate 7 (not shown). The rotary magnet 61 and the fixed magnet 62 form a magnetic circuit, and the magnetic field generated by the magnetic circuit is formed so as to penetrate the braked unit 4 made of a conductor. In this way, the braked unit 4 generates a braking force proportional to the strength of the magnetic field and the rotation speed of the spool 3. In addition, the rotary magnet 61 can be rotated by transmitting the power generated by the motor 9 to the rotary magnet 61 via gears or the like. In this way, the rotary magnet 61 is moved to a predetermined position (moved from the state of FIG. 2(A) to the state of FIG. 2(B) by the rotation of the rotary magnet 61) and the braking force applied to the braked unit 4 fixed to the spool 3 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the rotation speed of the spool 3.

[0025] In the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the method of adjusting the braking force is not limited to a specific embodiment. As a method of adjusting the braking force, any known braking method can be appropriately used, such as, for example, a friction method that applies frictional force to the braked part 4, or a dynamic braking method that generates a braking force by a coil on a permanent magnet attached to the spool 3, but is not limited to these. In addition, as described below, such braking means are not essential functions of the present invention, and the control circuit can be used for purposes other than adjusting the braking means.

[0026] Further, the frame 2, as viewed in the axial direction of the spool 3, comprises a first portion of the frame 2 on the side having the above-mentioned operating unit, and a second portion of the frame 2 on the opposite side to the side having the operating unit, and is configured so that a set plate 7 can be attached to the second portion of the frame 2. The first portion has a surface (called a first surface) perpendicular to the rotation axis of the spool 3, and a second surface (called a second surface) parallel to the first surface. N The second portion having a surface holds the spool shaft together with the first surface. As a result, one end of the spool 3 is supported by the first portion of the frame 2 and the other end is supported by the set plate 7 via bearings 5. In the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first portion of the frame 2 is referred to as a first side plate 21 of the frame 2, and the second portion of the frame 2 is referred to as a first side plate 22 of the frame 2. 2 The second portion is referred to as a second side plate 22 of the frame 2. The second side plate may include a set plate or other components, but is not limited to a specific embodiment.

[0027] In the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, in order to reduce weight, reduce costs, and ensure strength, the set plate 7 and the inner lid 8 are formed from different materials and then fixed together with screws or the like. This makes it possible to store other parts between the set plate 7 and the inner lid 8. On the other hand, the set plate 7 and the inner lid 8 may be formed as an integrated part to reduce the number of parts.

[0028] The inner lid 8 is fixed to the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation part in a sealed manner to prevent water and other substances from entering the components stored inside. A waterproof joint member (waterproof joint means) 17 realized by a packing member such as an O-ring, a waterproof sponge such as urethane foam, a waterproof double-sided tape, a laser welded part, a spigot structure, waterproof grease, or the like may be provided as a closed loop around the entire circumference of the connection part between the inner lid 8 and the cover 13 on the opposite side to prevent water and foreign substances from entering the space (internal space) formed by the inner lid 8 and the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation part from the outside. By storing the motor 9, the reduction mechanism (reduction gear train) 10, the battery 11, the circuit board (control board) 12, and a part of the external device connection part 14 in the internal space formed in this way, these components can be made waterproof.

[0029] Here, the watertight structure basically refers to a structure composed of the inner lid 8, the anti-operation part side cover 13, and a waterproof joint member at the connection between them, but in the area where the external device connection part 14 described later is provided, a waterproof loop is formed to connect the anti-operation part side cover 13, the outer waterproof part 146, the left side part of the housing 141, the inner waterproof part 145, the right side part of the housing 141, the outer waterproof part 146, and the anti-operation part side cover 13 in that order, when viewed from left to right in the left-right direction of the paper of the cross-sectional view in Figure 4 described later, and it should be noted that this plays a part of the watertight structure in that area.

[0030] Next, as shown in Fig. 3, a palming portion 23 is formed on the outer surface of the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation unit. The palming portion 23 is formed in a convex shape in the outer direction of the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation unit 24 when viewed from the second side plate 22) so that the user can place his / her hand on it and grip it. For example, the palming portion 23 is formed in a convex shape in the outer direction of the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation unit 24 when viewed from the second side plate 22. 24The convex shape can be formed in a roughly spherical shape in the opposite direction to the palm direction (the direction opposite to the palm direction), but various convex shapes are possible in consideration of palming, and are not limited to a specific shape. Here, the convex shape is, for example, a part of a roughly spherical surface or an ellipsoid having a curvature radius similar to that of a typical user's rounded palm, and is easy to grip when the user places the palm on it, and does not have a large protruding shape or a sharp angle shape so that it does not cause discomfort. (The same applies below.) This allows the user to hold the fishing reel stably while casting or operating the operating section.

[0031] Also, the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation unit itself may be formed in a convex shape toward the outside of the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation unit when viewed from the second side plate 22. In this way, it is possible to achieve both palming properties of the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation unit and ease of manufacture.

[0032] A fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a circuit board having a printed circuit on its surface, a plurality of electrical components electrically connected to the circuit board and including a microcomputer that controls the fishing reel via a control program, an external device connection portion electrically connected to the circuit board for connecting an external device, and a watertight structure that houses the circuit board, the external device connection portion comprising: an external connection portion disposed outside the watertight structure and electrically connectable to a connector of the external device; an internal connection portion disposed inside the watertight structure and electrically connectable to the circuit board and the external connection portion; an inner waterproof portion that provides waterproofing between the external connection portion and the internal connection portion; a housing portion that holds the external connection portion, the internal connection portion, and the inner waterproof portion; and an outer waterproof portion that provides waterproofing between the housing portion and the watertight structure.

[0033] According to the fishing reel of one embodiment of the present invention, not only can an external device be connected, but the external device connection portion also functions as part of the watertight structure, so that even when an external device connection portion is provided, electrical components can be stored within the watertight structure, making it possible to accurately and reliably provide a waterproof structure while avoiding an increase in the size of the entire device.

[0034] A fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a spool capable of winding a fishing line by operation of an operating unit, a first side plate having the operating unit and supporting the spool, a second side plate arranged opposite the first side plate in the axial direction of the spool and supporting the spool, and an anti-operation unit side cover covering the second side plate on the opposite side to the operating unit, and the second side plate and the anti-operation unit side cover are included as part of the watertight structure, the anti-operation unit side cover has a through hole opening in the axial direction of the spool, and the external device connection unit is inserted into the through hole and held by a retaining member fixed to the anti-operation unit side cover.

[0035] According to the fishing reel of the embodiment of the present invention, the external device connection portion can be accessed without disassembling the reel, improving usability in applications where frequent insertion and removal are required. In addition, when the cover on the side opposite the operation portion is molded, an opening can be provided in the direction in which the mold is pulled out (removed), which makes it possible to achieve both waterproofing and cost reduction, and to form a mechanical structure that can withstand frequent insertion and removal operations.

[0036] In the fishing reel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board and the external device connection portion are arranged side by side in the extending direction of the circuit board, which prevents the inside of the watertight structure from becoming large in the thickness direction, leading to a miniaturization of the entire device.

[0037] In a fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention, the watertight structure is configured to house a rechargeable secondary battery and to be able to supply power to or charge the secondary battery through the external device connection portion to which the external device is connected. This allows the external device connection portion to be connected from outside the device, making it possible to charge the battery without disassembling the fishing reel. Also, in a fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention, the secondary battery and the external device connection portion are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the spool. This prevents the inside of the watertight structure from becoming large in the thickness direction, leading to a reduction in the size of the entire device.

[0038] In a fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention, a recess is provided in the cover on the opposite side to the operation unit, and a cover member for protecting the external device connection unit from dust is provided outside the watertight structure and detachably in the recess of the cover on the opposite side to the operation unit, thereby maintaining palming properties, preventing the device from becoming larger, and preventing the intrusion of foreign matter such as water and dust from the outside, and when the external device connection unit is to be used, the cover member can be removed to use it for connecting to an external device.

[0039] Here, the circuit board (control board) 12 is composed of a printed circuit board on which a conductor wiring pattern is provided by printing or the like, and a control circuit such as a microcomputer. The circuit board (control board) 12 may have various detection means such as a temperature sensor or a motion sensor, input means such as a button, output means such as an LED, communication means such as a wireless communication module, storage means such as a flash memory, and the like.

[0040] This allows the state of the fishing reel 1 to be detected, the information to be stored, and the information to be transmitted or output to the outside. Furthermore, the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a motor driver, which allows the motor 9 to be controlled. This allows the braking force of the braking device to be adjusted according to the state of the fishing reel 1. Note that the role of the circuit board (control board) 12 in the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to controlling the braking device. It may also be used to control various motors, such as the winding motor of the fishing reel 1, the motor for setting the drag force, and the motor for switching between engaging and disengaging the clutch.

[0041] Next, the external device connection unit 14 in the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The external device connection unit 14 includes a housing 141 as shown in Fig. 4, for example, and the housing 141 includes an external device (the fishing reel 1's anti The operation unit side cover 13 has an opening 142 that opens on the outside thereof and into which a connector of an external device can be inserted. Inside the opening 142 is an external connection part 143 that can be electrically connected to the connector of the external device. The external connection part (external connection part) 143 can be electrically connected to an internal connection part (internal connection part) 144, and the space between the external connection part 143 and the internal connection part 144 is sealed with an electrically insulating resin or the like to form an inner waterproof part 145, which can prevent the intrusion of water or the like.

[0042] As described above, in the region where the external device connection part 14 is provided, the watertight structure in the region is formed by connecting the opposite operation part side cover 13, the outer waterproof part 146, the left side part of the housing 141, the inner waterproof part 145, the right side part of the housing 141, the outer waterproof part 146, and the opposite operation part side cover 13 in this order from left to right in the left-right direction of the paper surface of the cross-sectional view in Fig. 4, so that the external connection part (external side connection part) 143 in the external device connection part 14 is arranged outside (outside) the watertight structure and can be electrically connected to the connector of the external device, while the internal connection part (internal side connection part) 144 is arranged inside (inside) the watertight structure and can be electrically connected to the circuit board and the external connection part. In this way, even when the external device connection part 14 is provided on the fishing reel 1, it is possible to accurately and reliably maintain the watertight structure.

[0043] 4, the housing 141 is inserted into a through hole, which will be described later, formed in the opposite-operation-part cover 13, and an outer waterproof part 146 is formed between the end of the opening side of the housing and the end of the opposite-operation-part cover 13 along the periphery of the opening 142 by a packing member such as an elastomer, thereby realizing waterproofing with the structural member (opposite-operation-part cover) supporting the housing 141. Note that the outer waterproof part 146 may be a packing member such as an elastomer, a waterproof sponge such as urethane foam, a waterproof double-sided tape, a laser welded part, a spigot structure, waterproof grease, or the like, but is not limited to these.

[0044] With a fishing reel 1 equipped with such an external device connection part 14, even if water seeps into the opening 142, the inner waterproof part prevents water from entering the watertight structure, and once the water that has entered the opening disappears due to evaporation or the like, the reel can be normally connected to the connector of the external device again. By applying an appropriate water-repellent treatment to the inside and surrounding areas of the opening, the amount of water entering the opening can be reduced. Furthermore, by providing an appropriate water drainage part around the opening, water that has entered the opening can be quickly discharged.

[0045] The internal connection part 144 of the external device connection part 14 is electrically connected to the circuit board (control board) 12. The external connection part 143 of the external device connection part 14 is connected to a connector of an external device. The external device connection part 14 is, for example, a USB connector, and can be used when supplying power to the circuit board (control board) 12, supplying power to and charging a secondary battery, and communicating between the circuit board (control board) 12 and an external device. This makes it possible to rewrite the programs and setting values ​​of the microcomputer in the circuit board (control board) 12, and to read information written in the flash memory from outside.

[0046] Next, a method for fixing (attaching) the external device connection part 14 in the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation part and the external device connection part 14.

[0047] In the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cover 13 opposite to the operation unit is provided with a through hole 130 that opens in the direction of the cover 13 opposite to the operation unit (upward in the vertical direction of the paper of FIG. 1) in the axial direction of the spool (vertical direction of the paper of FIG. 1). The through hole 130 is formed to be slightly larger than the housing of the external device connection part 14. The size and location of the through hole 130 can be flexibly selected according to the size and installation location of the external device connection part 14, and are not limited to a specific embodiment. By inserting the external device connection part 14 into the through hole 130, the action of the outer waterproof part described above can prevent water from entering between the cover 13 opposite to the operation unit and the external device connection part 14, so that the watertight structure can be maintained even if the cover 13 opposite to the operation unit is provided with a through hole.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, a retaining member 15 made of sheet metal or the like is disposed on the opposite side (the upper side in the vertical direction of the paper in FIG. 4) to the opening (opening 142 in FIG. 4) of the external device connection portion 14. antiThe external device connection part 14 can be attached to the opposite-side cover 13 by fixing it to the operation part side cover 13 with a screw or the like. The retaining member 15 can be made of a resin molded material, but is not limited to this. In addition, the retaining member 15 can be fixed to the opposite-side cover 13 by a joining means such as press-fitting, adhesion, or welding, but is not limited to this. By fixing the retaining member 15 to the cover 13, the area where a reaction force is generated when an external force is applied to the external device connection part 14 can be reduced, so that the effect on the entire device when the connector is inserted or removed can be reduced. In addition, the external device connection part 14 can be arranged side by side with the circuit board (control board) 12 and the battery 11 in the radial direction of the spool or in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the spool (for example, the left-right direction of the paper in FIG. 1).

[0049] By covering the through hole 130 of the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation unit with the cap 16 from the outside, it is possible to prevent water and dust from entering the external device connection unit 14 from the outside. When connecting the connector of the external device, the cap 16 can be removed from the external device connection unit 14, and when not connecting the connector of the external device, the cap 16 can be attached to the external device connection unit 14. Covering with the cap 16 also has the effect of making it easier for the user to grip the palming unit 23.

[0050] The cap 16 has a retaining portion 161. The retaining portion 161 can be press-fitted into a cap fixing hole 131 provided in the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation unit. This prevents the cap 16 from falling off or being lost when the cap 16 is removed. The cap fixing hole 131 can be provided so as to penetrate to the outside of the closed loop (waterproof loop) formed by the waterproof joining means 17. In this way, the cap 16 can be accurately and reliably prevented from falling off without impeding the function of the watertight structure.

[0051] As described with reference to Figures 1, 4 and 5, in the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the external device connection part 14 can be made a part of the watertight structure. This allows the internal connection part 144, the control board (circuit board) 12, the battery, and the like to be included in the watertight structure. 11, Motor 9 Components such as the above can be stored in the watertight structure. Also, various sensors for grasping the state of the fishing reel, such as the rotation of the spool 3, the temperature inside the fishing reel, the clutch state, etc., may be stored in the watertight structure. In this way, even with the external device connection part 14 to which an external device can be connected, the watertight structure can be maintained, and various components (electrical components) can be arranged inside the watertight structure. In this way, the fishing reel can be made less expensive and smaller in size than when each component (electrical component) is waterproofed individually. Also, since the external device connection part 14 that constitutes a part of the watertight structure is provided, communication with an external device, power supply from the outside, and power supply and charging when the battery is a rechargeable secondary battery can be performed, so that the functionality and usability of the fishing reel can be improved.

[0052] Also, for example, when the external device connection unit 14 is configured to be USB connectable, in the method according to the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the external device connection unit 14 becomes larger in the inserting / removing direction, whereas in the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the external device connection unit 14, the control board, and the battery are arranged in the radial direction of the spool, thereby reducing the size of the watertight structure in the thickness direction (axial direction of the spool). This makes it possible to avoid an increase in size of the entire device (in the axial direction of the spool).

[0053] In addition, the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operating part needs to have a convex palming portion, and in order to reduce costs and ensure design, it is preferable to mold it by resin molding. In that case, since the mold is removed in the radial direction of the spool, by orienting the through hole 130 in the above-mentioned direction, the shape of the mold can be simplified, which also leads to cost reduction of the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operating part.

[0054] Furthermore, since the connector of the external device can be inserted into the through hole 130 of the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation unit having the palming portion 23, the connector of the external device can be connected in normal use without disassembling the reel, and the operability of the connection operation can be improved. In particular, when the purpose of connecting with the connector of the external device is relatively high frequency of use such as power supply and charging of a secondary battery, it is convenient for the user if the connection operation with the mating connector is easy in normal use. Also, when the connector of the external device is frequently inserted and removed, the external device connection part 14 is required to have a mechanical structure that can withstand repeated use. Therefore, the strength of holding the external device connection part 14 can be ensured by providing the through hole 130 in the cover 13 on the opposite side to the operation unit, inserting the external device connection part 14 into the hole, and holding the external device connection part 14 with a stopper member.

[0055] The dimensions, materials, and arrangement of each component described in this specification are not limited to those explicitly described in the embodiments, and each component can be modified to have any dimensions, materials, and arrangement that can be included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, components not explicitly described in this specification can be added to the described embodiments, and some of the components described in each embodiment can be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Fishing reel 2 Frame (reel body) 3 Spools 4 Braked part (braked means) 5 Bearings 6 Braking part (braking means) 7 Set Plates 8 Inner lid 9. Motor 10 Reduction mechanism (reduction gear train) 11 Batteries 12 Circuit board (control board) 13 Cover opposite to the operation unit 14 External device connection 21 First side panel 22 Second side panel 23 Palming section 24 Control section 61 Rotating Magnet 62 Fixed Magnet 130 Through hole 131 Cap fixing hole 141 Case 142 Opening 143 External connection part (external connection part) 144 Internal connection part (internal connection part) 145 Inner waterproof part 146 Outer waterproof part

Claims

1. A fishing reel comprising: a circuit board having a printed circuit on a surface thereof; a plurality of electrical components including a microcomputer electrically connected to the circuit board and configured to control the fishing reel by a control program; an external device connection section electrically connected to the circuit board for connecting an external device; and a watertight structure for housing the circuit board therein, the external device connection section being: an external connection part arranged outside the watertight structure and electrically connectable to a connector of the external device; an internal connection part arranged inside the watertight structure and electrically connectable to the circuit board and the external connection part; an inner waterproof part that provides waterproofing between the external connection part and the internal connection part; a housing part that holds the external connection part, the internal connection part and the inner waterproof part; and an outer waterproof part that provides waterproofing between the housing part and the watertight structure. The fishing reel comprises a spool capable of winding a fishing line by operation of an operating part, a first side plate having the operating part and supporting the spool, a second side plate opposed to the first side plate in the axial direction of the spool and supporting the spool, and an anti-operating part side cover covering the second side plate on the opposite side to the operating part, A fishing reel including the anti-operation part side cover as part of the watertight structure, the anti-operation part side cover having a through hole opening in the axial direction of the spool, the external device connection part being inserted into the through hole and held by a retaining member fixed to the anti-operation part side cover.

2. 2. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board and the external device connection portion are disposed adjacent to each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to a height direction of the anti-operation portion side cover, which is an axial direction of the spool.

3. 3. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein the watertight structure houses a rechargeable secondary battery, and the secondary battery can be powered or charged through the external device connection portion to which the external device is connected.

4. 4. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein the secondary battery and the external device connector are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the spool.

5. 5. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein a recess is provided in the cover on the opposite side to the operating part, and a cover member for protecting the external device connection part from dust is provided outside the watertight structure and removably in the recess of the cover on the opposite side to the operating part.

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