Fishing reels

Abstract

To provide a fishing reel comprising a clutch sensor capable of detecting stable clutch ON / OFF operation without upsizing a reel body.SOLUTION: A fishing reel according to the present invention comprises: a battery box 30 for housing a replaceable battery in a side plate of a reel body on a side opposite to a handle; a holding member 45 capable of being moved integrally with a clutch operation member 15, and holding a detected part 41; and a detecting sensor 40 arranged in the battery box 30, and for detecting the detected part 41 to be moved, and determining whether a clutch mechanism is in an ON state or an OFF state. The holding member 45 is engaged with a guide part formed around the battery box 30. The detected part 41 is moved by being guided by the guide part together with the holding member 45 when the clutch operation member 15 is moved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fishing reel in which a fishing line is wound onto a spool by a reeling operation of a handle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, dual-bearing reels, in which the spool is rotatably supported between the side plates of the reel body, have been known as fishing reels, and some of these dual-bearing reels are equipped with a counter display function that displays the amount of fishing line released (water depth) when the clutch mechanism is turned off and the spool is allowed to rotate freely. Normally, the amount of fishing line released is calculated according to a predetermined program by detecting the amount of spool rotation using a magnet attached to the side of the spool, which is detected by a magnetic sensor attached to the reel body.

[0003] In the dual-bearing reels described above, it may be desirable to add new functions by detecting the movement of the actuating member in addition to detecting the rotation of the spool. In this case, it is necessary to provide a detection means (various sensors) for detecting the displacement of the actuating member, but incorporating the detection means into the side plate on the handle side would hinder efforts to reduce the size of the reel body. In particular, while miniaturization is desirable for recent manual-winding dual-bearing reels, the side plate on the handle side contains a power transmission mechanism that transmits driving force from the drive gear installed on the handle shaft, as well as a drag mechanism, which creates space constraints and makes it difficult to reduce the size by installing a detection means. As will be described later, the present invention contemplates the provision of a detection means (also called a clutch sensor) for detecting the ON / OFF state of the clutch. However, conventionally, there has been no technical idea of ​​providing such a clutch sensor in a manual winding type dual bearing reel (a dual bearing reel that is intended to be compact).

[0004] In conventional dual-bearing reels, detecting the on / off state of the clutch can be achieved by detecting the operation of the clutch operating member. Known clutch operating members are installed between left and right side plates at the rear of the spool so that they can move up and down (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The clutch operating member disclosed in Patent Document 1 has one side connected to the clutch mechanism, with convex portions formed on both sides of the clutch operating member, and is guided and supported by elongated holes formed in the left and right frames so that it can move up and down. Patent Document 2 also discloses a clutch operating member with one side connected to the clutch mechanism, a so-called cantilever support structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 3-16087 [Patent Document 2] Utility model registration No. 2594912 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The clutch operating members disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not designed to have a precise support structure, and are therefore prone to rattle and deformation. Therefore, stable detection capability cannot be ensured when detecting the displacement of the clutch operating member, which may result in erroneous detection. Furthermore, in manual winding dual-bearing reels, which aim to be compact, the technical concept of installing a clutch sensor to detect the operation of the clutch operating member does not exist, and the prior art does not include a configuration in which a detection means for stably detecting the ON / OFF operation of the clutch is disposed on the side plate on the opposite side of the handle without increasing the size of the reel body.

[0007] The present invention was made in response to the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a fishing reel equipped with a clutch sensor that can stably detect the ON / OFF operation of the clutch without increasing the size of the reel body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the fishing reel of the present invention comprises a spool rotatably supported between left and right side plates of a reel body, a handle for driving the spool to rotate, a battery box provided on the side plate opposite the handle of the left and right side plates and accommodating replaceable batteries, a clutch mechanism having a clutch operating member for switching the spool between a free rotation state and a fishing line winding state, a holding member that is movable integrally with the clutch operating member and holds a detectable part, and a detection sensor disposed within the battery box that detects the moving detectable part and determines whether the clutch mechanism is in an ON state or an OFF state, wherein the holding member engages with a guide portion formed around the periphery of the battery box, and when the clutch operating member moves, the detectable part moves together with the holding member, guided by the guide portion.

[0009] In the above configuration, when the clutch operating member moves in conjunction with the ON / OFF of the clutch mechanism, the detectable part held by the holding member moves integrally, and a detection sensor disposed in the battery box detects this movement to determine whether the clutch mechanism is in the ON or OFF state. The holding member engages with a guide portion formed on the periphery of the battery box, and when the clutch operating member moves, the detectable part moves while being guided by the guide portion together with the holding member, so that the movement of the detectable part is stable, and the detection sensor can ensure stable detection capability. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a fishing reel is provided that is capable of detecting stable ON / OFF operation of the clutch. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a fishing reel according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a side view of the fishing reel shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the side opposite the handle. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a cover member is removed from the state shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the configuration of the battery box portion, where FIG. 10A is a diagram seen from the rear side, and FIG. 10B is a diagram seen from the front side. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, showing the internal structure of the battery box. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3, showing the internal structure of the battery box. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the control board installed in the battery box, and the clutch sensor and spool sensor, as viewed from the spool side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hand-winding type dual-bearing reel (hereinafter referred to as a reel) which is a fishing reel according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of a reel, FIG. 2 is a side view seen from the side opposite the handle, and FIG. 3 is a view showing the state shown in FIG. 2 with a cover member removed.

[0013] The reel body 1A of the reel 1 according to this embodiment has left and right side plates 4A, 4B equipped with left and right covers 3a, 3b attached to left and right frames (left frame 2 is shown in FIG. 3), which are integrated via multiple supports as is well known. In addition, reel legs 5 for attachment to the reel seat of a fishing rod are integrally formed between the left and right frames.

[0014] A spool shaft is rotatably supported via bearings between the left and right side plates of the reel body 1A, and a spool 7 around which fishing line is wound is fixed to the spool shaft. The spool 7 is rotated via a known winding drive mechanism disposed within the right side plate by rotating a handle 8 provided on one of the side plates (the right side plate 4B in this embodiment).

[0015] Also, a well-known drag mechanism 12 is provided on the right side plate 4B for applying a drag force to the spool 7 when fishing line is let out from the spool 7 during fishing. This drag mechanism 12 includes a plurality of braking members that frictionally engage with the side of the drive gear of the reel drive mechanism, which is rotatably attached to the handle shaft, and a braking force adjuster (also called a star drag) 13 that applies a pressing force to the braking members. The braking force adjuster 13 is mounted on the reel body side near the handle 8 and is rotatable relative to the handle shaft. By rotating the braking force adjuster 13, a pressing force is applied to the braking members, thereby adjusting the friction (drag force) of the drive gear against the handle shaft.

[0016] The reel drive mechanism includes the drive gear rotatably mounted on the handle shaft, a pinion gear meshing with the drive gear, and the like, and has the function of transmitting the rotation of the handle shaft to the spool 7 via the drag mechanism 12, the drive gear, and the pinion gear. The pinion gear moves axially by the operation of a known clutch mechanism disposed in the right side plate, and is engaged with and disengaged from the spool shaft, thereby switching between a power transmission state (clutch ON) and a power disconnection state (clutch OFF).

[0017] The clutch mechanism includes a clutch operating member 15 disposed between the left and right side plates 4A, 4B behind the spool 7. When the clutch operating member 15 is pressed down, the spool 7 is placed in a clutch-off state, allowing it to freely rotate forward and backward. Operating the handle 8 to reel in the line in this state places the clutch in an ON state via a known automatic return mechanism, and the fishing line can be wound onto the spool 7 by operating the handle 8 in this state.

[0018] Additionally, an information display device (IC counter) 20 having a display unit 20a is disposed above the spool 7 between the left and right side plates of the reel body 1A. This information display device 20 also functions as a thumb rest, and the display unit 20a displays various information, such as information on the length of line being unwound from the spool by detecting the rotation of the spool 7 when the clutch is off, as well as shelf information and time information. The information display device 20 is also provided with an operation button 20b, which allows the user to input various setting information (although one operation button is provided in FIG. 1, multiple operation buttons may be provided).

[0019] The line length information (line payout length, payout speed, etc.) is calculated according to a predetermined calculation program based on detection signals from a detection sensor that detects the amount and direction of rotation of the spool 7. On the side plate 4A on the side opposite the handle, there are arranged components of a control device that controls various information, such as the detection sensor, a control board that processes the detection signals from the detection sensor, a cable that sends and receives signals from the control board to the information display device 20, and a power source (battery box) for operating these components.

[0020] In addition to detecting the rotation of the spool 7, the present invention adds a new function to the manual winding dual-bearing reel with an IC counter function described above by detecting the operation of the clutch operating member 15 of the clutch mechanism. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the spool 7 rotates in the fishing line release direction while the drag mechanism is operating, a function is provided to notify the rotation state with an audible alarm. In this case, the spool 7 rotates in the fishing line release direction when the clutch is OFF and the spool 7 rotates freely, or when the clutch is ON and a fish is hooked, causing the drag mechanism to operate and the spool 7 to rotate. In this embodiment, the clutch is ON when the spool 7 is detected, and an audible alarm is sounded when the spool 7 rotates in the fishing line release direction while in this state.

[0021] That is, the position of the clutch operating member 15 is detected to distinguish between the clutch ON state and the clutch OFF state, and when the spool 7 rotates in the fishing line releasing direction in the clutch ON state, the rotation is notified by sound.

[0022] A detection device (hereinafter also referred to as a clutch sensor) that performs the above-mentioned function can be provided in association with the clutch mechanism located inside the side plate on the handle side, but since the side plate on the handle side is also equipped with the winding drive mechanism, drag mechanism, automatic return mechanism, etc., as mentioned above, providing a detection device there would result in the reel body becoming larger. In particular, with a manual winding dual-bearing reel like this embodiment, and even with a small electric reel that can be operated by hand, there is a demand for the reel body to be as small as possible, and it is preferable that the detection device be configured to provide efficient and stable detection results.

[0023] In this embodiment, the clutch sensor is efficiently disposed by utilizing the battery box 30 installed on the side plate 4A opposite the handle, and is configured to provide stable detection operation. The configuration of the clutch sensor in this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows the side plate 4A on the side opposite the handle, with the left cover 3a removed from the state shown in FIG. A battery box 30 that supplies power to the information display device 20 is disposed on the side panel 4A. The battery box 30 is configured to house a battery (button battery; see FIG. 6) 80 that is about the same size as a 500-yen coin, and includes a substantially cylindrical first main body 30A, a second main body 30B that is integrated with the first main body 30A and fixed to the frame 2 of the reel body, and a lid member 30C that closes the opening of the first main body 30A. The control board (circuit board) 50 is a substantially disk-shaped board that matches the shape of the battery box, and its center is fixed to the second main body 30B with a set screw 50a. A cable 51 that transmits and receives signals to and from the information display device 20 and supplies power to the information display device is connected to the control board 50.

[0025] As described above, the battery box 30 of this embodiment has a shape with an outer peripheral surface that is approximately circular in cross section, and is fixed to the frame 2 within the left side plate 4A. As shown in FIG. 6, O-rings (sealing members) 32a, 32b are interposed between the first body 30A and the second body 30B, and between the first body 30A and the cover member 30C in the battery box 30, and the storage section 30S inside the battery box is waterproofed.

[0026] The battery box 30 is fixed to the frame 2 by a predetermined fixing structure. In this embodiment, fixing pieces 31 protruding in the radial direction are formed on the first main body 30A (or the second main body 30B), and these are fixed to fixing portions 2a provided on the frame 2. The battery box 30 is fixed, for example, by screwing screws 31a into the fixing portions 2a, and the fixing structure in this embodiment is provided in two locations approximately 180° apart (see FIG. 3).

[0027] 2, the cover member 30C is exposed on the side surface, approximately flush with the left cover 3a, and has a long groove 30a formed on its surface. Therefore, when the battery runs out, the user can insert a coin or the like into the long groove 30a to remove the cover member 30C and replace it with a new battery.

[0028] A clutch sensor 40 capable of detecting ON / OFF operation of the clutch mechanism is provided in association with the battery box 30. The clutch sensor 40 of this embodiment is configured to detect the ON / OFF operation of the clutch operating member 15, and is configured to detect the OFF state when the clutch operating member 15 is pushed down from its initial position, and the ON state when the clutch operating member 15 returns to its initial position. The clutch sensor 40 of this embodiment is configured to include a detected part (magnet 41) provided on the displacing side, and a detection sensor (Hall element 42) provided on the battery box 30 side that detects changes in the magnetic field of the displacing magnet 41, and uses a magnetic sensor with a simple structure.

[0029] The clutch operating member 15 is disposed between the left and right frames rearward of the spool 7 so as to be able to move up and down. Figures 3 to 6 show the left frame 2, which is the frame on the side opposite the handle, and an end 15a of the clutch operating member 15 is held so as to be able to move up and down in an elongated hole 2b formed in the frame 2. The other end of the clutch operating member 15 is also held so as to be able to move up and down in an elongated hole formed in the right frame (not shown), just like the left frame, which allows the clutch operating member 15 to move up and down stably.

[0030] End 15a of clutch operating member 15 is inserted through elongated hole 2b, and the portion protruding from elongated hole 2b is connected to holding member 45 having magnet 41. Specifically, holding member 45 of this embodiment includes a holding body 45A incorporating magnet 41 and an engaging portion 45B, which will be described later, and end 15a of clutch operating member 15 is fitted into a bifurcated protrusion 45a formed on holding body 45A. Therefore, when clutch operating member 15 moves up and down by operating the clutch on and off, holding member 45 can move integrally with it.

[0031] Furthermore, the holding member 45 engages with a guide portion formed around the periphery of the battery box 30, and is guided to stabilize the movement of the holding member 45. In this embodiment, the holding member 45 and the guide portion are engaged with each other in a concave-convex manner, and the holding member 45 is configured to move in this state. Specifically, the guide portion is configured as a groove 46 formed in a circular shape (or an arc shape) along the outer circumferential surface of the battery box 30 on the exposed surface side of the frame 2, and a ring-shaped (or C-ring-shaped) guide plate 45B is integrally formed with the holding member 45 so as to engage (fit) with the groove 46 (see FIGS. 4 to 6).

[0032] In the above configuration, the guide plate 45B is preferably prevented from coming off in the axial direction by the fixing piece 31 provided on the battery box 30 (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, it is preferable to provide some play in the connecting portion between the clutch operating member 15 and the holding member 45 (holding body 45A). For example, some play may be provided in the fit between the end 15a of the clutch operating member 15 and the bifurcated protrusion 45a formed on the holding body 45A.

[0033] A spool sensor 60 that detects the rotation speed (amount of rotation) and direction of rotation of the spool 7 is provided on the left side plate 4A, and this spool sensor 60 is also arranged in relation to the battery box 30. In this embodiment, the spool sensor 60 has a reed switch 61 that opens and closes in response to changes in a magnetic field, and three reed switches 61 are arranged circumferentially within the range of the side surface of the spool 7. The spool sensor 60 also has a detection target (magnet 62) that is detected by the reed switch 61, and this magnet 62 is held by a magnet holding member 7A fixed to the side surface 7a of the spool 7 (the magnet 62 may also be fixed directly to the side surface 7a of the spool 7).

[0034] The reed switches 61 arranged along the circumferential direction are mounted on the back side (frame side) of the control board 50 fixed inside the battery box 30, and the detection sensor 42, which is the clutch sensor, is mounted on the front side (left cover 3a side) of the control board 50. In other words, the clutch sensor 40 and the spool sensor 60 are mounted on both sides of the control board 50, which is installed inside the battery box 30, which has been waterproofed in advance. This eliminates the need for waterproofing to protect the sensors, and makes it possible to simplify and compact the detection sensors.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the control board 50, clutch sensor 40, and spool sensor 60 installed in the battery box 30, as viewed from the spool side. In this embodiment, as described above, since both the clutch sensor 40 and the spool sensor 60 are magnetic sensors that detect changes in a magnetic field, the placement positions of these sensors must be considered when installing these detection sensors inside the battery box 30. In this embodiment, the detection sensors 42, 61 are installed on both sides of the control board 50, which is hermetically housed inside the battery box, thereby preventing magnetic field interference. Furthermore, by installing the detection sensors 42, 61 on both sides within the range of the control board 50, rather than on the outside of the control board 50, it is possible to efficiently house them inside the battery box.

[0036] In this case, if the thickness of the control board 50 is large, the detection sensors 42, 61 are not affected by the magnetic fields of the magnets 41, 62, so the installation positions of the detection sensors 42, 61 are not particularly limited. However, if the thickness of the control board 50 is small, the magnetic fields of the magnets 41, 62 may interfere with each other. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, it is preferable to arrange the detection sensors 42, 61 so that they do not overlap in the axial direction.

[0037] In this embodiment, the clutch sensor 40 is used to emit a sound (drag sound) when the spool sensor 60 detects rotation in the fishing line release direction after determining that the clutch mechanism is in the ON state. For example, when a fish is hooked while the clutch mechanism is in the ON state, the angler can know that the drag mechanism is slipping and the fishing line is being released. Note that the sound alert in this state can be adjusted in volume or tone depending on the rotation speed of the spool, allowing the angler to know the braking state of the drag mechanism.

[0038] The above-described fishing reel provides the following advantages. By installing the clutch sensor 40 on the side plate opposite the handle, rather than on the side plate on the handle side, the reel body does not become larger and space can be used efficiently. In particular, with manual winding dual bearing reels and small handheld electric reels, it is possible to install new functions without increasing the size of the reel body.

[0039] Furthermore, by using the internal space of the battery box 30 to dispose the detection sensor 42, a waterproofing measure can be achieved using the sealing structure of the battery box 30, and there is no need to provide a separate waterproofing structure for the detection sensor, which simplifies the structure and enables miniaturization. In this case, by using a magnetic sensor as the detection sensor, the structure is simplified and the internal space of the battery box 30 can be used efficiently.

[0040] Furthermore, when the clutch operating member 15 moves in conjunction with the ON / OFF operation of the clutch mechanism, the magnet 41 held by the holding body 45A of the holding member 45 moves vertically together with the movement of the clutch operating member 15. A detection sensor 42 disposed within the battery box 30 detects changes in the magnetic field of the magnet 41 within the holding body 45A to detect the position of the clutch operating member 15 and determine whether the clutch mechanism is in the ON or OFF state. The ring-shaped guide plate 45B of the holding member 45 is engaged with a guide portion (groove 46) formed in the frame 2 so as to fit along the outer periphery of the body of the battery box 30. This allows the guide plate 45B to rotate stably, thereby stably guiding the movement of the holding body 45A holding the magnet 41. This ensures stable detection capabilities.

[0041] In particular, in this embodiment, the guide plate 45B of the holding member 45 rotates along the circumferential direction of the battery box, so that it can be set to maintain the same distance from the detection sensor 42, enabling stable detection capabilities to be achieved.

[0042] In this embodiment, guide plate 45B is prevented from coming off in the axial direction by the fixing piece 31 provided on battery box 30, so guide plate 45B will not displace in the axial direction, enabling stable detection capability to be achieved. Furthermore, by providing some play in the connecting portion between clutch operating member 15 and holding member 45 (holding body 45A), even if play occurs when the clutch operating member moves, the play can be absorbed and does not affect the rotation of guide plate 45B, ensuring stable detection capability.

[0043] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be practiced in various modified forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, a cylindrical battery box 30 is mounted, and the guide parts are circular or arc-shaped to efficiently arrange them, but if the battery box is cubic (rectangular parallelepiped) in shape, the guide parts can be modified as needed to fit the shape, such as extending in the vertical direction or the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the shape of the guide parts can be modified as needed depending on the shape of the battery and the shape of the battery box to be housed.

[0044] Furthermore, although the holding member (guide plate) and the guide portion are engaged by a concave-convex engagement, the guiding method can be modified as appropriate, for example, by forming a convex portion on the frame 2 side and a concave portion on the guide plate side. Furthermore, the detection sensor is not limited to a magnetic sensor, and can be modified as appropriate, for example, by using an optical sensor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 Fishing reel (double bearing type reel) 1A Reel body 4A,4B Left and right side plates 7 spools 15 Clutch operating member 30 Battery box 40 Clutch sensor 41 Detected part (magnet) 42 Detection sensor (Hall element) 45 Retaining member 45A Holder 45B Guide Plate 46 Groove (guide section) 50 Control board

Claims

1. a spool rotatably supported between left and right side plates of the reel body; a handle for rotating the spool; a battery box provided on the side plate opposite the handle of the left and right side plates, the battery box containing replaceable batteries; a clutch mechanism including a clutch operating member for switching the spool between a free rotation state and a fishing line winding state; a holding member that is movable integrally with the clutch operating member and holds a detection target; a detection sensor disposed in the battery box for detecting the moving detection target portion and determining whether the clutch mechanism is in an ON state or an OFF state; It has the holding member engages with a guide portion formed on the periphery of the battery box, and when the clutch operating member moves, the detected portion moves while being guided by the guide portion together with the holding member; The guide portions are formed on frames that constitute the left and right side plates, The holding member and the guide portion are engaged with each other by a concave-convex engagement. The battery box has an outer circumferential surface with a circular cross section, The guide portion is formed in a circular or arc shape along the outer circumferential surface of the battery box. A fishing reel characterized by:

2. A fishing reel as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the holding member holds the detectable portion and has a holding body connected to the clutch operating member, and a guide plate that fits into the guide portion and is integrated with the holding body.

3. The battery box has a fixing piece that protrudes radially and is fixed to a fixing part provided on the frame, 3. The fishing reel according to claim 2, wherein the guide plate is prevented from coming off by a fixing piece fixed to the frame.

4. A fishing reel as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a degree of play is provided in the connecting portion between the clutch operating member and the holder.

5. The detected part is a magnet, 2. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein the detection sensor is a Hall element sealed in the battery box.

Images