Reel device

Abstract

This reel device 1 comprises: a motor 7; a spool 6 which is rotatably supported and around which a fishing line is wound; and an electric shaft gear 8 capable of transmitting rotational force from the motor 7 to the spool 6 by changing speed by means of magnetic modulation.

Description

Reel device

[0001] The present invention relates to a reel device capable of electrically winding up a line using a motor.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electric reels capable of electrically winding up a fishing line using a motor are known as reel devices for winding up a fishing line (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Examples of the structure of a conventional electric reel are shown in Figures 9A and 9B. As shown in these figures, a typical electric reel is configured to transmit power to a spool that winds up the fishing line via a manual shaft gear that changes the speed of the handle (manual) input and an electric shaft gear that changes the speed of the motor output, respectively. The manual shaft gear is a gear mechanism in which spur gears are externally meshed, and the electric shaft gear is a gear mechanism such as a planetary mechanism. The difference in rotational output between the manual shaft gear and the electric shaft gear is absorbed by an adjustment gear (differential gear).

[0004] JP 2023-131681 A

[0005] The above conventional electric reels had the following problems: - They were noisy when winding up electrically. - The electric shaft gears were structurally complex and difficult to maintain.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an electric reel that is quiet and easy to maintain.

[0007] The present invention is a reel device comprising: a motor; a rotatably supported winding section around which a string-like body is wound; and a first speed change mechanism that can change the speed of the rotational force of the motor by magnetic modulation and transmit it to the winding section.

[0008] According to the present invention, an electric reel that is quiet and easy to maintain can be provided.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a reel device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a manual shaft gear (magnetic modulation gear) taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a reel device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the basic configuration and features of each embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a reel device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a reel device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a reel device according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a reel device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a conventional electric reel. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a conventional electric reel.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1. First Embodiment [1-1 Overall Configuration of Reel Device] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view that schematically illustrates a reel device 1 according to a first embodiment. As shown in this figure, the reel device 1 according to the first embodiment is a baitcasting reel for fishing, and is an electric reel that can electrically reel in fishing line using a motor. Specifically, the reel device 1 includes a handle 2 to which a user inputs a rotational force, a manual shaft gear 3 that changes the speed of the rotational force input to the handle 2, a spool 6 around which the fishing line is wound, a motor 7, an electric shaft gear 8 that changes the speed of the rotational force generated by the motor 7, and an adjustment gear 9. The handle 2, manual shaft gear 3, spool 6, motor 7, electric shaft gear 8, adjustment gear 9, etc. are supported by a frame (body) 10.

[0012] [1-2 Handle] The handle 2 has a grip 21 to be held by the user and an arm 22 having the grip 21 at one end and connected to the manual shaft gear 3 at the other end. The arm 22 is supported by the frame 10 via a one-way clutch (not shown) so as to be rotatable about the first center axis Ax1. The one-way clutch rotates the handle 2 only in one direction corresponding to the direction in which the spool 6 reels in the fishing line. In the following description, the direction along the center axis is referred to as the "axial direction," the direction perpendicular to the center axis is referred to as the "radial direction," and the direction of rotation about the center axis is referred to as the "circumferential direction." The "center axis" refers to the center axis of each component, and is any one of the first center axis Ax1 to third center axis Ax3. In addition, the axial side on which the handle 2 is disposed (the right side in FIG. 1) is referred to as the "input side," and the opposite side (the left side in FIG. 1) is referred to as the "anti-input side."

[0013] [1-3 Spool] The spool 6 is a line-winding section formed in a generally cylindrical shape along the axial direction, around which fishing line is wound. The spool 6 is supported by the frame 10 via an integrally formed spool shaft 61 so as to be rotatable about a second central axis Ax2 coaxial with the first central axis Ax1, and this rotation reels in and releases the fishing line. A brake that applies a braking force to the spool 6 may also be provided. The brake applies a braking force to the spool 6 according to its rotational speed, thereby suppressing backlash and stabilizing the cast. Conventional known technologies, such as a centrifugal brake or a magnetic brake, can be used as such a brake.

[0014] [1-4 Manual Shaft Gear (Second Speed ​​Change Mechanism)] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the schematic structure of the manual shaft gear 3, and is a cross-sectional view of the manual shaft gear 3 (magnetic modulation gear) taken along line II-II in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the manual shaft gear 3 is an example of the second speed change mechanism according to the present invention, and is disposed between the handle 2 and the spool 6, and is capable of changing the speed of rotational force input to the handle 2 and transmitting it to the spool 6. The manual shaft gear 3 of this embodiment is a magnetic modulation gear, and includes an outer pole member 31, an inner pole member 32, and a magnetic pole piece member 33.

[0015] In this embodiment, the outer pole member 31 is an input shaft, and the arm 22 of the handle 2 is connected to the end on the input side in the axial direction, so that rotational force is input from the handle 2. The outer pole member 31 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the first central axis Ax1, and has an outer pole magnet 31a. The outer pole magnet 31a is a permanent magnet such as a neodymium magnet, and multiple magnets with different polarities are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The outer pole member 31 may also have a yoke or the like that supports the outer pole magnet 31a. The outer pole magnet 31a may be an integrated ring-shaped magnet, or may be divided into segments arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0016] In this embodiment, the inner pole member 32 is an output shaft, and the spool 6 is connected to its opposite input side. The inner pole member 32 is arranged concentrically on the inner diameter side of the outer pole member 31 and includes a shaft 32a and an inner pole magnet 32b. The shaft 32a is supported so as to be rotatable around the first center axis Ax1. The inner pole magnet 32b is a permanent magnet, such as a neodymium magnet, and has fewer poles than the outer pole magnet 31a of the outer pole member 31. The inner pole magnet 32b is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 32a so that multiple magnets with different polarities are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The inner pole magnet 32b may be an integral ring-shaped magnet, or may be a shape in which segments are arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0017] The shaft 32a is coaxially connected to a spool shaft 61 of the spool 6 via a first clutch 51. The first clutch 51 switches the shaft 32a and the spool shaft 61 between a connected state in which rotational force is transmitted and a separated state in which rotational force is not transmitted, by operating a clutch lever (not shown).

[0018] The pole piece member 33 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is disposed concentrically with the outer pole member 31 and the inner pole member 32 in a radial position between them. The axial end of the pole piece member 33 is fixed to the frame (body) 10. The pole piece member 33 has pole pieces 33a disposed radially outside the inner pole magnet 32b. The pole pieces 33a are made of laminated steel plates, and multiple pole pieces 33a are disposed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of pole pieces 33a is the number of outer pole pole pairs (the number of pole pairs of the outer pole magnet 31a) ± the number of inner pole pole pairs (the number of pole pairs of the inner pole magnet 32b), and is generally the number of outer pole pole pairs + the number of inner pole pole pairs. Two circumferentially adjacent pole pieces 33a may be connected by a thin-walled connecting portion, a non-magnetic material, or no connection at all. Note that FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which two adjacent pole pieces 33a are not connected. Furthermore, the pole piece 33a does not have to be made of laminated steel plate as long as it is magnetic, and if it is simply intended to operate, it may be a block of steel material (SS material, SPCC material, etc.).

[0019] In the manual shaft gear 3 having the above configuration, when rotation is input to the outer pole member 31, the spatial magnetic flux waveform of the outer pole magnet 31a of the outer pole member 31 is modulated by the pole piece 33a of the magnetic pole piece member 33 to the same frequency as the inner pole magnet 32b of the inner pole member 32, and torque is transmitted to the inner pole member 32 using the magnetic force between the magnetic pole piece 33a and the inner pole magnet 32b. In other words, in the manual shaft gear 3, power is transmitted from the outer pole member 31 to the inner pole member 32 by the modulated magnetic flux. At this time, the gear ratio is the number of outer pole pairs / the number of inner pole pairs (rotation in the opposite direction). Note that the manual shaft gear 3 (magnetic modulation gear) can function as a differential gear, for example, using the magnetic pole piece member as a differential shaft, absorbing the difference between two rotation inputs, combining them into one rotation, and outputting it.

[0020] [1-5 Motor] As shown in FIG. 1 , the motor 7 is disposed at approximately the same axial position as the spool 6 and outputs rotational force to a motor shaft 71 that is aligned along a third central axis Ax3 that is parallel to the first central axis Ax1. The motor shaft 71 is coupled to the shaft 32a of the manual shaft gear 3 via a coupling mechanism 75. The coupling mechanism 75 transmits the rotational force of the motor 7 to the spool 6. The coupling mechanism 75 of this embodiment has two pulleys 76 fixed on two shafts that transmit the rotational force, and a belt 77 that is stretched around the two pulleys 76. However, the coupling mechanism 75 does not have to be a belt transmission mechanism as long as it can transmit the rotational force, and may be, for example, a gear mechanism in which spur gears are meshed.

[0021] [1-6 Electric Shaft Gear (First Speed ​​Change Mechanism)] The electric shaft gear 8 is an example of a first speed change mechanism according to the present invention, and is disposed between the motor 7 and the connecting mechanism 75, and is capable of changing the speed of the rotational force of the motor 7 and transmitting it to the spool 6. The electric shaft gear 8 in this embodiment is a planetary gear mechanism. However, the electric shaft gear 8 may be a mechanical speed change mechanism other than a planetary gear mechanism.

[0022] The electric shaft gear 8 is connected to the connecting mechanism 75 via the second clutch 52. By operating a clutch lever (not shown), the second clutch 52 switches the electric shaft gear 8 (and thus the motor 7) and the connecting mechanism 75 between a connected state in which rotational force is transmitted and a disconnected state in which rotational force is not transmitted.

[0023] [1-7 Adjustment Gear (Differential Gear)] The adjustment gear 9 is a differential gear (differential transmission mechanism) that absorbs the difference in rotation output between the manual shaft gear 3 and the electric shaft gear 8. The adjustment gear 9 in this embodiment is a planetary gear mechanism. However, the adjustment gear 9 may be a differential transmission mechanism other than a planetary gear mechanism.

[0024] [1-8 Operation of the Reel Device] Manual Winding When manually winding fishing line in the reel device 1, the user engages the first clutch 51 and disengages the second clutch 52 by operating a predetermined lever, etc. In this state, when the user manually rotates the handle 2, the outer pole member 31 of the manual shaft gear 3 connected to the handle 2 also rotates in the same direction. As the outer pole member 31 rotates, the spatial magnetic flux waveform of the outer pole magnet 31a is modulated by the magnetic pole piece 33a of the magnetic pole piece member 33, and rotational torque (rotational force) is transmitted to the inner pole member 32 (rotation in the reverse direction). At this time, the gear ratio is the number of outer pole pairs / the number of inner pole pairs, and in this embodiment, the speed is increased. Then, the spool 6 connected to the inner pole member 32 via the first clutch 51 also rotates in the same direction as the inner pole member 32, and the fishing line is wound up with the increased speed.

[0025] If the fishing line is forcibly pulled out of the spool 6 due to a strong pull from a fish, the spool 6 rotates in the opposite direction to the line winding direction, causing the inner pole member 32 connected to the spool 6 to rotate in the same direction. As the inner pole member 32 rotates, the outer pole member 31 also attempts to rotate in the opposite direction to the line winding direction. However, the handle 2 is constrained by, for example, a one-way clutch, preventing the outer pole member 31 connected to the handle 2 from rotating. As a result, the inner pole member 32 loses step-out and rotates independently of the outer pole member 31, initiating drag. Thus, the fishing line is pulled out of the spool 6, and dragging is initiated. Note that the out-of-step torque and therefore the drag force (the tension of the fishing line when dragging occurs) may be adjustable by axially moving at least one of the pole piece member 33, the outer pole member 31, and the inner pole member 32. Moving the pole piece member 33 is preferable in terms of generating a larger torque change with a smaller amount of movement.

[0026] During electric winding When winding fishing line using the motor 7, the user engages both the first clutch 51 and the second clutch 52 by operating a predetermined lever, etc. In this state, when the motor 7 is driven by operating a predetermined lever, for example, the rotational force output from the motor 7 is reduced, for example, through the electric shaft gear 8, and rotates the spool 6 via the connecting mechanism 75. As a result, the fishing line is wound at the changed speed. Note that the difference between the rotational force (number of rotations) input from the motor 7 to the spool shaft 61 through the connecting mechanism 75 and the rotational force of the inner pole member 32 of the manual shaft gear 3 is absorbed by the adjustment gear 9.

[0027] When releasing the line, the user disengages both the first clutch 51 and the second clutch 52 by operating a predetermined lever, etc. As a result, for example, as the fishing line is pulled out, the spool 6 rotates in the opposite direction to when the line is wound, and the fishing line is released. Note that the fishing line is released in the following embodiments in the same manner as in this embodiment.

[0028] [1-9 Technical Effects of the Present Embodiment] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the rotational force manually input to the handle 2 by the user is changed in speed by magnetic modulation in the manual shaft gear 3 and transmitted to the spool 6. This allows power (torque) to be transmitted from the handle 2 to the spool 6 without contact, thereby suppressing power loss at the contact points, mechanical noise (gear meshing noise), and changes in characteristics due to contact conditions that occur in mechanical (contact-type) torque transmission mechanisms. Furthermore, the amount of maintenance that was previously required to suppress these problems can be significantly reduced.

[0029] Furthermore, dragging (obtaining a torque limiting effect) can be achieved by desynchronization between the outer pole member 31 connected to the handle 2 and the inner pole member 32 connected to the spool 6. This allows for more suppressed changes in drag force than with a friction-type drag. Factors that generally cause fluctuations in drag force include aging and environmental factors, as well as the rotation speed of the spool 6 and frictional heat generated by the continuous unwinding of the fishing line L. Additionally, in the case of a baitcasting reel, the drag position is located farther from the spool axis due to its structure, and it is said that the drag performance is lower than that of a spinning reel. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the drag can be made to function optimally by desynchronization between the outer pole member 31 and the inner pole member 32.

[0030] 2. Second Embodiment [2-1 Configuration of Reel Device] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a reel device 1B according to a second embodiment, and Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the basic configuration and features of each embodiment. In the following embodiments, components that are the same as those in the above-described embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. In the following, the reference numerals of the components in the second to fifth embodiments may be suffixed with a capital letter "B" to "E" to distinguish them from one another.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the reel device 1B according to the second embodiment differs from the reel device 1 according to the first embodiment mainly in that the manual shaft gear 3B is a gear mechanism using spur gears, and the electric shaft gear 8B is a magnetic modulation gear.

[0032] The manual shaft gear 3B is a gear mechanism in which a plurality of spur gears are externally meshed, and transmits the rotational force input to the handle 2 to the spool 6 at a predetermined speed ratio.

[0033] The electric shaft gear 8B is a magnetic modulation gear similar to the manual shaft gear 3 in the first embodiment, and includes an outer pole member 81B, an inner pole member 82B, and a magnetic pole piece member 83B (see FIG. 2). These have the same basic structure as the outer pole member 31, inner pole member 32, and magnetic pole piece member 33 of the manual shaft gear 3 in the first embodiment. The outer pole member 81B is fixed to the frame 10. The inner pole member 82B is connected to the motor shaft 71, and torque is input from the motor shaft 71. An output shaft 84B is fixed to the magnetic pole piece member 83B. The output shaft 84B is connected to the spool shaft 61 of the spool 6 via a connecting mechanism 75. The connecting mechanism 75 is connected to the spool 6 via a second clutch 52B. The second clutch 52B switches the coupling mechanism 75 (and thus the motor 7) and the spool 6 between a coupled state in which rotational force is transmitted and a disengaged state in which rotational force is not transmitted, by operating a clutch lever (not shown). Note that in the electric shaft gear 8B, the magnetic pole piece member 83B may be fixed to the frame 10, and the outer pole member 81B may be coupled to the output shaft 84B.

[0034] Furthermore, the adjustment gear 9B in this embodiment is disposed between the first clutch 51 and the spool 6. The adjustment gear 9B absorbs the difference between the rotational force (rotational speed) input from the handle 2 via the manual shaft gear 3B and the rotational force input from the motor 7 via the electric shaft gear 8B, and aligns them. The adjustment gear 9B in this embodiment is a planetary gear mechanism. However, the adjustment gear 9B may be a mechanical speed change mechanism other than a planetary gear mechanism.

[0035] [2-2 Operation of the Reel Device] Manual Winding When manually winding the fishing line into the reel device 1B, the user operates a predetermined lever or the like to engage the first clutch 51 and disengage the second clutch 52. When the user rotates the handle 2 in this state, the rotation is accelerated, for example, by the manual shaft gear 3B connected to the handle 2. Then, the spool 6 connected to the manual shaft gear 3B rotates via the first clutch 51, and the fishing line is wound up with the accelerated rotation.

[0036] During Electric Winding: When winding fishing line using the motor 7, the user engages both the first clutch 51 and the second clutch 52 by operating a predetermined lever, etc. When the motor 7 is driven in this state, the inner pole member 82B of the electric shaft gear 8B, which is connected to the motor shaft 71, also rotates in the same direction. As the inner pole member 82B rotates, the spatial magnetic flux waveform of its inner pole magnet is modulated by the pole piece member 83B, resulting in a magnetic flux density waveform equivalent to that of the outer pole member 81B. This transmits reduced torque to the pole piece member 83B. The spool 6, which is connected to the pole piece member 83B via the connecting mechanism 75 and the second clutch 52B, also rotates, and the fishing line is wound at a modified speed. At this time, the difference between the rotational force (number of rotations) input from the motor 7 to the spool shaft 61 through the connecting mechanism 75 and the rotational force of the inner pole member 32 of the manual shaft gear 3, is absorbed by the adjustment gear 9.

[0037] [2-3 Technical Effects of the Present Embodiment] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the electric shaft gear 8B uses magnetic modulation to change the speed of the rotational force of the motor 7 and transmits it to the spool 6. This allows power (torque) to be transmitted from the motor 7 to the spool 6 without contact, thereby suppressing power loss at the contact points, mechanical noise (gear meshing noise), and changes in characteristics due to the contact state that occur in mechanical (contact-type) torque transmission mechanisms. Furthermore, the amount of maintenance that was previously required to suppress these issues can be significantly reduced. Therefore, an electric reel that is quiet and easy to maintain can be provided.

[0038] 3. Third Embodiment Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a reel unit 1C according to a third embodiment. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in the reel unit 1C according to the third embodiment, both the manual shaft gear and the electric shaft gear are magnetic modulation gears. Specifically, the reel unit 1C includes the manual shaft gear 3 similar to that of the first embodiment and the electric shaft gear 8B similar to that of the second embodiment. During operation, the manual shaft gear 3 functions during manual winding, and the electric shaft gear 8B functions during electric winding, respectively, similar to the above embodiments.

[0039] This reel device 1C can also achieve the same effects as the first and second embodiments. By using magnetic modulation gears for the manual shaft gear 3 and the electric shaft gear 8B, quietness and maintainability can be improved. Furthermore, changes in drag force can be suppressed compared to a friction-type drag.

[0040] 4. Fourth Embodiment [4-1 Configuration of Reel Device] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a reel device 1D according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a reel device 1D according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment. As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, in the reel device 1D according to the fourth embodiment, a manual shaft gear and an electric shaft gear are differentially connected so that manual winding can be assisted (supported) by the motor 7. Specifically, the reel device 1D includes a manual shaft gear 3D instead of the manual shaft gear 3 in the first embodiment, and also includes an electric shaft gear 8B similar to that in the second embodiment.

[0041] The manual shaft gear 3D is a magnetic modulation gear similar to the manual shaft gear 3 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 2 ), but the pole piece member 33D is not fixed to the frame 10 and is connected to the electric shaft gear 8B. More specifically, the pole piece member 33D is connected to the output shaft 84B of the electric shaft gear 8B via a connecting mechanism 75. The pole piece member 33D is also connected to a one-way clutch 35D. The one-way clutch 35D rotates the pole piece member 33D only in one direction, which increases the gear ratio (speed increase) of the manual shaft gear 3D. As in the first embodiment, the shaft 32a of the inner pole member 32 is connected to the spool 6 via a first clutch 51. Note that in FIG. 6 , the shaft 32a intersects with the connecting mechanism 75 for convenience of illustration, but they do not actually interfere with each other.

[0042] The reel device 1D also includes a detection unit (not shown) that detects the input torque input from the handle 2, and a control unit 73D such as a microcomputer. The detection unit may be a torque sensor, a speed sensor, or a position sensor. The control unit 73D controls the operation of the motor 7 based on the input torque detected by the detection unit, and performs ON / OFF switching and output adjustment of the motor 7, etc. This allows the operation of the motor 7 to be appropriately controlled without relying on user operation. Furthermore, in the reel device 1D, as described above, the manual shaft gear 3D and the electric shaft gear 8B are differentially coupled, allowing the difference in rotational force between them to be absorbed. Therefore, an adjustment gear that performs a similar function is not required.

[0043] [4-2 Operation of the Reel Device] Manual Winding When manually winding fishing line into the reel device 1D, the rotational force applied by the user to the handle 2 is accelerated by the manual shaft gear 3D, as in the first embodiment. The spool 6, which is connected to the manual shaft gear 3D via the first clutch 51, rotates, and the accelerated rotation reels in the fishing line. At this time, the magnetic pole piece member 33D of the manual shaft gear 3D is constrained by the one-way clutch 35D and does not rotate. In this case, a second clutch may be provided between the manual shaft gear 3D and the electric shaft gear 8B to disconnect them.

[0044] During electric assist: During manual winding, the manual torque input from the handle 2 is detected by the detection unit. If the detected torque value exceeds a preset threshold, for example, the control unit 73D drives the motor 7. As in the second embodiment, the output of the motor 7 is then decelerated via the electric shaft gear 8B. This rotational force is transmitted to the pole piece member 33D via the connecting mechanism 75, causing the pole piece member 33D to rotate in the opposite direction to the manual shaft 31D. This increases the relative rotation between the pole piece member 33D and the outer pole member 31D, reducing the shaft torque of the handle 2 connected to the outer pole member 31D.

[0045] During electric reeling When reeling in fishing line using only the motor 7, the user engages the first clutch 51 by operating a predetermined lever, etc. In this state, when the motor 7 is driven without operating the handle 2, the output of the motor 7 is decelerated via the electric shaft gear 8B, as in the second embodiment. This rotational force rotates the magnetic pole piece member 33D of the manual shaft gear 3D via the connecting mechanism 75. As the magnetic pole piece member 33D rotates, the spatial magnetic flux waveform of the magnetic pole piece 33a is modulated by the outer pole piece 31D, and the rotational torque is accelerated and transmitted to the inner pole piece 32D. The spool 6, which is connected to the inner pole piece 32D via the first clutch 51, also rotates in the same direction as the inner pole piece 32D, and the fishing line is reeled in by the changed rotation speed.

[0046] [4-3 Technical Effects of the Present Embodiment] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the manual shaft gear 3D is a differential gear, and the output shaft 84B of the electric shaft gear 8B is connected to the pole piece member 33D (differential shaft) of the manual shaft gear 3D. This allows the manual input from the handle 2 to be suitably assisted by the power of the motor 7. In other words, in conventional electric reels, the primary purpose of the motor is to wind the line electrically using only its own power. However, the reel device 1D of this embodiment makes it possible to use an electric assist mode in which the manual input from the handle 2 is assisted by the power of the motor 7. Furthermore, the manual shaft gear 3D and the electric shaft gear 8B are differentially connected, absorbing the difference in rotational force between them. This eliminates the need for an adjustment gear that performs a similar function.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, the input torque input from the handle 2 is detected by a detection unit, and the operation of the motor 7 is controlled based on the detected input torque. This allows the user to conveniently control the operation of the motor 7. In other words, with conventional electric reels, the user manually operates a lever to adjust the speed, which makes fine adjustments difficult and leads to problems such as the line breaking unexpectedly. In this regard, with this embodiment, the user can intuitively adjust the assist force by operating the handle, without relying on lever operation. Furthermore, because the operation of the motor 7 can be controlled without user operation, the motor drive operation lever (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) provided on conventional electric reels is no longer necessary. This allows the reel device 1D to be configured more simply and compactly.

[0048] In the reel unit 1D, the manual shaft gear 3D, motor 7, and electric shaft gear 8B may be arranged coaxially, as shown in FIG. 7 . In this case, the motor 7 and electric shaft gear 8B may be arranged inside the spool 6 (or on the non-input side of the spool 6) and connected to the manual shaft gear 3D or fixed to the frame 10 without interfering with the spool 6. This allows the motor 7, spool 6, electric shaft gear 8B, handle 2, and manual shaft gear 3D to be arranged with their respective rotational axes (Ax1, Ax2, Ax3) aligned on the same line. This allows for a compact reel unit 1D. Furthermore, in this case, the pole piece member 33D of the manual shaft gear 3D may be directly connected to the pole piece member 83B of the electric shaft gear 8B. This eliminates the need for the coupling mechanism 75.

[0049] 5. Fifth Embodiment Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a reel device 1E according to a fifth embodiment. As shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the reel device 1E according to the fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the electric shaft gear 8E is a mechanical speed change mechanism rather than a magnetic modulation gear. The electric shaft gear 8E is, for example, a planetary gear mechanism, but is not particularly limited thereto and does not have to be a differential gear.

[0050] With this reel device 1E, manual input from the handle 2 can be suitably assisted by the power of the motor 7, just like in the fourth embodiment.

[0051] <Others> Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments and their modifications have been described using a fishing reel device as an example. However, the reel device according to the present invention is not limited to fishing, but can be widely applied to all reel devices that wind and unwind a string-like object. The string-like object that is wound around the reel device is not limited to fishing line, but can broadly include string-like objects such as wire. The reel device according to the present invention can also be applied to electric reels.

[0052] Furthermore, it is preferable that each part of the reel device 1 (particularly the magnets and pole pieces of each part) be coated with a water-resistant coating to prevent corrosion due to water (particularly seawater).

[0053] In addition, the details shown in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0054] As described above, the present invention is useful for providing an electric reel that is quiet and easy to maintain.

[0055] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E Reel device 2 Handle (rotation input part) 3, 3B, 3D Manual shaft gear (second speed change mechanism) 31, 31D Outer pole member 32, 32D Inner pole member 33, 33D Magnetic pole piece member 6 Spool (thread winding part) 7 Motor 73D Control part 8, 8B, 8E Electric shaft gear (first speed change mechanism) 81B Outer pole member 82B Inner pole member 83B Magnetic pole piece member 84B Output shaft 9, 9B Adjustment gear (differential gear) 10 Frame (housing) 51 First clutch 52, 52B Second clutch 75 Connecting mechanism Ax1 First central axis Ax2 Second central axis Ax3 Third central axis

Claims

1. A reel device comprising: a motor; a winding unit that is rotatably supported and around which a string-like body is wound; and a first speed change mechanism that can change the speed of the rotational force of the motor by magnetic modulation and transmit it to the winding unit.

2. A reel device as described in claim 1, comprising: a rotational input section to which a user's manual rotational force is input; and a second speed change mechanism capable of changing the speed of the rotational force input to the rotational input section by magnetic modulation and transmitting it to the thread winding section.

3. The reel device according to claim 2, further comprising a differential gear that absorbs the difference in rotational output between the first speed change mechanism and the second speed change mechanism.

4. A reel device as described in claim 2, wherein each of the first speed change mechanism and the second speed change mechanism comprises: a pole piece member having a plurality of pole pieces arranged in a circumferential direction; an outer pole member arranged on the outer diameter side of the pole piece member and having a plurality of outer pole magnets arranged in the circumferential direction; and an inner pole member arranged on the inner diameter side of the pole piece member and having a plurality of inner pole magnets arranged in the circumferential direction; and wherein in the first speed change mechanism, the inner pole member is connected to the motor, and one of the outer pole member and the pole piece member is fixed to a housing; and wherein in the second speed change mechanism, the outer pole member is connected to the rotation input section, the pole piece member is connected to the other of the outer pole member and the pole piece member of the first speed change mechanism, and the inner pole member is connected to the thread winding section.

5. The reel device according to claim 4, wherein the motor, the thread winding section, the first speed change mechanism, the rotation input section and the second speed change mechanism have their respective rotation central axes positioned on the same straight line.

6. A reel device comprising: a motor; a winding unit that is rotatably supported and around which a string-like body is wound; a first speed change mechanism that can change the speed of a rotational force generated by the motor and transmit it to the winding unit; a rotation input unit to which a user's manual rotational force is input; and a second speed change mechanism that can change the speed of the rotational force input to the rotation input unit and transmit it to the winding unit, wherein the second speed change mechanism is a differential gear, and the output shaft of the first speed change mechanism is connected to the differential shaft of the second speed change mechanism.

7. The reel device according to claim 6, comprising: a detection unit that detects an input torque input from the rotation input unit; and a control unit that controls the operation of the motor based on the input torque detected by the detection unit.

8. The reel device according to claim 7, which does not have an operation unit that controls the driving of the motor based on a user operation.

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