Braking force control device and fishing reel comprising same

Abstract

Provided are a braking force control device and a fishing reel that comprises the braking force control device that can automatically adjust braking force after an initial cast or a lure change without the need for manual adjustment. A braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a spool that is pivotally supported by a reel body and can wind a fishing line, a rotation speed detection unit that detects the rotation speed of the spool, a braking unit that generates force for braking the spool, and a braking force control unit that controls the braking force from the braking unit. The braking force control unit adjusts the braking force in accordance with the time elapsed from when casting starts or detection information from the rotation speed detection unit.

Description

Braking force control device and fishing reel equipped with same

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-084093 (filed May 23, 2024), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The present invention relates to a braking force control device, particularly a braking force control device for a dual-bearing reel that brakes a spool rotatably attached to a reel body, and a fishing reel equipped with the same.

[0002] Dual-bearing reels, particularly baitcasting reels that use a fishing line with a lure or similar attached to the end for casting, are equipped with a braking device that brakes the spool to prevent backlash during casting.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-332436

[0004] As such a braking device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fishing reel including a frame, a spool rotatably coupled to the frame, a sensor configured to generate a spool rotation signal representing the rotation of the spool over time, a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to compare the spool rotation signals to identify a peak time when the spool has a maximum rotational speed and generate a brake signal after the peak time is identified, and a brake mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to apply a brake force to the spool and slow down the rotation of the spool in response to a brake signal from a microprocessor.

[0005] However, although the brake mechanism in Patent Document 1 applies a braking force to the spool according to the rotational speed of the spool, there is a problem in that manual adjustment of the braking force (initial manual setting) is basically required after the first cast or after changing lures.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a braking force control device and a fishing reel equipped with the same that can automatically adjust the braking force without requiring manual adjustment after the first cast or after changing lures. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent by reading this entire specification.

[0007] A braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a braking force control device comprising a reel body, a spool axially supported on the reel body and capable of winding fishing line therearound, a clutch mechanism that can select between connecting and disconnecting power transmission to the spool, a clutch state detection unit that detects the connected and disconnected state of the clutch mechanism, a braking unit that generates a braking force on the spool, and a braking force control unit that controls the braking force of the braking unit, wherein when the clutch state detection unit detects the disconnected state of the clutch mechanism, the braking force control unit is configured to adjust the braking force of the braking unit.

[0008] In a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the braking force control section is configured to set the braking force to a maximum value in an initial state.

[0009] In a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the braking force control unit is configured to set a braking force value that is lower than the maximum value of the braking force in the initial state when the clutch state detection unit detects that the clutch mechanism is in a released state.

[0010] In a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the clutch state detection unit detects that the clutch mechanism is in a released state, the braking force control unit sets the braking force value to a predetermined value lower than the maximum braking force value in the initial state, and the predetermined value is configured to be set and changeable externally.

[0011] In the braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the external part refers to the fishing reel or an external device that is external to the fishing reel.

[0012] In the braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the external device is a computer, a smartphone, a wearable device, a game player, or a cloud system (cloud device).

[0013] In a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the braking force control unit is configured so that when the clutch state detection unit detects the release state of the clutch mechanism, the braking force control unit sets the braking force to a first braking force value that is lower than the maximum value of the braking force in the initial state, and then when the clutch state detection unit again detects the release state of the clutch mechanism, the braking force control unit sets the braking force to a second braking force value that is even lower than the first braking force value that is lower than the maximum value of the braking force.

[0014] In a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the braking force control unit is switchable between an automatic adjustment mode in which the braking force is changed when the clutch state detection unit detects that the clutch mechanism is in a released state, and an automatic non-adjustment mode in which the braking force is not changed even when the clutch state detection unit detects that the clutch mechanism is in a released state.

[0015] In a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the braking force control unit is configured such that when the clutch state detection unit detects the released state of the clutch mechanism and the braking force control unit changes the braking force, if the changed braking force value is lower than the minimum value of the braking force, the braking force control unit sets the changed braking force value to the maximum value of the braking force or to an automatic non-adjustment mode in which the braking force is not changed even when the clutch state detection unit detects the released state of the clutch mechanism.

[0016] In the braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the minimum value or the maximum value of the braking force can be set from the fishing reel or an external device outside the fishing reel.

[0017] A fishing reel according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to include any one of the above braking force control devices.

[0018] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to provide a braking force control device that can automatically adjust the braking force without having to manually adjust the braking force after the first cast or after changing lures, and a fishing reel equipped with the same.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure for casting and retrieving fishing gear such as a lure using a fishing reel. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the transition of spool rotation speed when casting and retrieving fishing gear such as a lure using a fishing reel. FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a fishing reel having a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a fishing reel having a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a fishing reel having a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining a flowchart related to braking force adjustment by the braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of a braking force control device and a fishing reel equipped with the same 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.

[0021] First, an example of the procedure for casting and retrieving fishing gear such as a lure using a typical fishing reel 1, including the present reel, will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. First, as shown in Figure 1(a), the lure 7 is adjusted to a predetermined length from the tip of the fishing rod 10, the clutch is turned off, and the spool is freed. At this time, the spool 3 of the fishing reel 1 is held down with the thumb to prevent the fishing line from coming out due to the lure's own weight or other factors. Next, as shown in Figures 1(b) to 1(d), the fishing rod 10 is swung to impart an initial velocity to the lure 7. Then, as shown in Figure 1(e), when the speed and release direction of the lure 7 become appropriate, the thumb is released from the spool 3, and the lure 7 can be cast.

[0022] Furthermore, after being cast, from FIG. 1(g) onward, the lure 7 begins to decelerate due to tension from the fishing line and air resistance. Meanwhile, the spool 3 begins to rotate due to tension from the fishing line. When the release speed of the fishing line matches the flight speed of the lure 7, the spool 3 reaches its maximum rotation speed and the fishing line loses tension. The lure 7 continues to lose speed due to air resistance, etc. At this time, if the spool 3 continues to rotate at high speed due to inertia, the release speed of the fishing line will exceed the flight speed of the lure 7. This will cause excess fishing line to be released, resulting in tangled line inside the fishing reel 1. To avoid this, a predetermined braking force can be applied to the spool 3 using a braking device.

[0023] Figure 2 shows the change in spool speed over time. The horizontal axis represents the elapsed time from the start of spool rotation, and the vertical axis represents the number of rotations of the spool. As shown in Figure 2, the spool 3 rapidly accelerates as soon as the cast begins, reaching its maximum speed. The maximum rotation speed is approximately 6,000 rpm to 40,000 rpm depending on the type of lure 7 being cast, the target distance, the diameter of the line wound on the spool, and other factors, and the time it takes to reach maximum speed is approximately 70 ms to 150 ms. In one embodiment of the present invention, this region is referred to as the acceleration region.

[0024] After that, when the line length is sufficiently released, the lure 7 is no longer affected by the operation of the fishing rod 10, the effect of air resistance becomes dominant, and the lure speed gradually decreases. In one embodiment of the present invention, this region is referred to as the cruising region. The boundary between the acceleration region and the cruising region often occurs approximately 100 ms to 400 ms after the start of spool rotation. After that, when the lure 7's altitude has sufficiently decreased, it lands on the water, and the lure speed rapidly decelerates. In one embodiment of the present invention, this region is referred to as the water landing region.

[0025] In each range, if the braking force of the braking device is too large, the distance that the lure 7 can be cast will be shortened. On the other hand, if the braking force of the braking device is too small, the line will become tangled, making it difficult to reel in or release the line normally. The optimum value of the braking force can vary depending on the mass of the lure 7 and air resistance. Furthermore, the optimum value of the braking force can vary depending on various influences, such as the length of the fishing rod 10, the casting method, and natural environmental factors such as wind.

[0026] Next, the component configuration of a fishing reel 1 equipped with a braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a system diagram showing the configuration of the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the component configuration of the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] A fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a frame 2, a spool 3, a braked member (inductor rotor) 4, a bearing 11, a reflector 12, a fixed magnet 5, a rotating magnet 6, a set plate 13, a locking member 14, an inner cover 15, a motor 16, a reduction gear 17, a battery 18, a circuit board 19, and an outer cover 21. For simplicity of explanation, some well-known functions of the reel body are omitted.

[0028] The spool 3 is generally cylindrical, and when rotated forward, it can wind fishing line onto its outer periphery. One of the pair of bearings 11 that guides the rotation of the spool 3 is fixed to the frame (reel body) 2, and the other is fixed to the set plate 13.

[0029] Here, the frame (reel body) 2 can be attached to a fishing rod, and the fishing reel 1, like conventional fishing reels, has an operating means (handle) (not shown), which allows the user to rotate the spool 3 in the forward direction to reel in fishing line. The rotation of the handle (not shown) is transmitted to the spool 3 by a transmission means such as a gear. The fishing reel 1 has a clutch mechanism (clutch means) 8, and the user can select whether to connect or release power transmission to the spool 3 by operating a clutch lever 9 of the clutch mechanism (clutch means) 8. In the connected state, winding is possible using the operating means. In the released state, the spool 3 can be freely rotated in the forward and reverse directions, allowing the fishing line to be released.

[0030] The fishing reel 1 may also be equipped with a drag mechanism (drag means) that prevents the fishing line from breaking by causing the spool 3 to spin freely when torque exceeding a predetermined value is applied, and a reverse rotation prevention means that prevents the operating means (handle) from rotating reversely.Furthermore, the fishing reel 1 may also be equipped with an oscillator device that reciprocates the position of a guide that guides the fishing line in response to the rotation of the spool 3, thereby winding the fishing line evenly.

[0031] The set plate 13 can be fixed to the frame 2. In one embodiment of the present invention, the spool 3 and the set plate 13 can be attached to and detached from the frame 2 by adopting a bayonet structure in which multiple claws provided on the locking member are rotated to engage with holding portions provided on the frame 2, but they may also be fixed by other methods such as screws or adhesive.

[0032] By fixing the set plate 13 to the frame 2, the spool 3 is rotatably supported. Furthermore, by holding the fixed magnet 5 and the movable magnet 6 on the set plate 13, a braking section (braking force generating section) 20 (described later) is formed. Furthermore, by integrating the set plate 13, the inner lid 15, and the outer lid 21, a side plate unit can be formed. The inner lid 15 and the outer lid 21 form a watertight chamber that houses electrical components such as a circuit board 19, a battery 18, a motor 16, and sensors.

[0033] Next, the principle of braking force generation and a method for adjusting the braking force will be described, mainly with reference to Figure 3. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of applying braking torque to the spool by eddy currents will be described, but various other methods are also possible. A braked part (induct rotor) 4, which is an annular rotating body made of a non-magnetic conductor such as aluminum or copper, is attached to the spool 3. A cylindrical rotating magnet 6 is arranged on the outer periphery of the induct rotor 4, and a cylindrical fixed magnet 5 is arranged on the inner periphery.

[0034] The outer periphery of the fixed magnet 5 is divided into N equal parts and magnetized with alternating north and south poles. The inner periphery of the rotating magnet 6 is divided into N equal parts and magnetized with alternating north and south poles. The magnetic field created by the fixed magnet 5 and the rotating magnet 6 penetrates the inductor rotor 4 (also known as an eddy current generating plate) located between them. Therefore, when the spool rotates, eddy currents are generated in the inductor rotor 4, and a braking torque corresponding to the rotational speed acts. The magnitude of the braking torque is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field and the rotational speed.

[0035] This achieves a braking force generating section (braking force generating means) 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that a mechanism may be used in which the induct rotor 4 is made movable in the axial direction by balancing the centrifugal force and the spring force, thereby changing the opposing area between the magnet and the induct rotor and adjusting the relationship between the rotational speed and the braking force.

[0036] The rotary magnet 6 is fixed to a rotary magnet holder 22 and is rotatably supported relative to the set plate 13. The rotary magnet holder 22 has a gear portion and receives force transmitted from the motor via a reduction gear 17. A position sensor 24 can transmit a voltage signal corresponding to the position of the rotary magnet 6 to the control unit. In one embodiment of the present invention, this is achieved by detecting the angular position of a portion of the gear that makes up the gear portion with a volume, but other known means may also be used, such as detecting the angle of the rotary magnet 6 with a magnetic sensor.

[0037] A clutch state detection unit (clutch state detection means) 31 is provided to detect the engaged / disengaged state of the clutch mechanism (clutch means) 8. A motor driver 25 supplies a predetermined amount of power to the motor 16 to rotate it. A braking force control unit (braking force control means) 30 controls the rotating magnet 6 to a predetermined position through feedback by rotating the motor 16 forward or backward based on a signal from the position sensor 24 using the motor driver 25. In this manner, the magnetic field acting on the braked member 4 can be set to a predetermined magnitude, thereby applying a desired braking force to the spool 3. The magnetic field acting on the braked member 4 is minimized when the rotating magnet 6 and the fixed magnet 5 face each other with the same poles and maximized when the opposite poles face each other. As the rotating magnet 6 is rotated from facing the same poles to facing the opposite poles, the magnetic field acting on the braked member 4 increases approximately in proportion to the angular movement.

[0038] Next, a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be further described with reference to Figures 3, 4, 6, and 7. As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a reel body 2, a spool 3 pivotally supported by the reel body 2 and around which fishing line can be wound, a clutch mechanism 8 that can selectively connect or disconnect power transmission to the spool 3, a clutch state detection unit 31 that detects the connected or disconnected state of the clutch mechanism 8, a braking unit 20 that generates a braking force on the spool 3, and a braking force control unit 30 that controls the braking force of the braking unit 20. When the clutch state detection unit 31 detects that the clutch mechanism 8 is disconnected, the braking force control unit 30 is configured to adjust the braking force of the braking unit 20.

[0039] According to the braking force control device 100 of one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a braking force control device that can automatically adjust the braking force without having to manually adjust the braking force after the first throw or after changing the lure.

[0040] In the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the braking force control unit 30 is configured to set the braking force to a maximum value in the initial state. In the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the braking force control unit 30 is configured to set the braking force to a value lower than the maximum value of the braking force in the initial state when the clutch state detection unit 31 detects that the clutch mechanism 8 is in a released state.

[0041] According to the braking force control device 100 of one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a braking force control device that can automatically adjust the braking force without manual adjustment after the first throw or after changing lures. More specifically, by configuring the braking force control unit 30 to automatically set the braking force from the initial state in which the braking force is set to the maximum value to a braking force lower than this when the clutch state detection unit 31 detects the release state of the clutch mechanism 8, it is possible to automatically adjust the braking force without manual adjustment after the first throw or after changing lures.

[0042] In the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the clutch state detection unit 31 detects that the clutch mechanism 8 is in a disengaged state, the braking force control unit 30 sets the braking force to a value that is lower by a predetermined value than the maximum braking force in the initial state, and the predetermined value is configured to be externally settable and changeable. The predetermined value can be, for example, 5% to 15% of the maximum braking force and is configured to be changeable as appropriate by the user. In this way, by making it possible to appropriately set the range of adjustment (change) of the braking force, it is possible to automatically and more flexibly adjust (change) the braking force without manually adjusting the braking force after the first cast or changing lures.

[0043] Here, in the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the "outside" refers to the fishing reel 1 or an external device that is external to the fishing reel 1 (this applies throughout this specification). In the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the external device may be an external information communication terminal, information processing device, information processing system, etc., such as a computer, a smartphone, a wearable device, a game player, or a cloud system (cloud device) (this applies throughout this specification).

[0044] In the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the braking force control unit 30 is configured so that, when the clutch state detection unit 31 detects the release state of the clutch mechanism 8, the braking force control unit 30 sets the braking force to a first braking force value that is lower than the maximum braking force in the initial state, and then, when the clutch state detection unit 31 again detects the release state of the clutch mechanism 8, the braking force control unit 30 sets the braking force to a second braking force value that is even lower than the first braking force value that is lower than the maximum braking force. In this way, by making it possible to adjust (change) the braking force each time the release state of the clutch mechanism is detected, it becomes possible to adjust (change) the braking force automatically and more flexibly without having to manually adjust the braking force after the first cast or changing lures.

[0045] In the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the braking force control unit 30 is switchable between an automatic adjustment mode in which the braking force is changed when the clutch state detection unit 31 detects that the clutch mechanism 8 is in a released state, and an automatic non-adjustment mode in which the braking force is not changed even when the clutch state detection unit 31 detects that the clutch mechanism 8 is in a released state. In this way, by making it possible to adjust (change) the braking force each time the released state of the clutch mechanism is detected, not only can the braking force be adjusted (changed) automatically and more flexibly without having to manually adjust the braking force after the first throw or changing lures, but such automatic adjustment can also be made unnecessary when the braking force setting is optimal, thereby further improving usability for the user.

[0046] In the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the braking force control unit 30 is configured such that, when the clutch state detection unit 31 detects the released state of the clutch mechanism 8 and the braking force control unit 30 changes the braking force, if the changed braking force value is lower than the minimum value of the braking force (a predetermined value at which the braking force is lowest or a braking force value of 0), the braking force control unit 30 sets the changed braking force value to the maximum value of the braking force or to an automatic non-adjustment mode in which the braking force is not changed even when the clutch state detection unit detects the released state of the clutch mechanism. In this way, it is possible to control the changed braking force value to be between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the braking force, or to control the changed braking force value so that it does not become lower than the minimum value of the braking force. In the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the clutch state detection unit 31 detects the release state of the clutch mechanism 8 and the braking force control unit 30 changes the braking force, if the braking force value after the change is lower than the minimum value of the braking force (a predetermined value at which the braking force is lowest or a braking force value of 0), the braking force control unit 30 may set the braking force value after the change to a braking force value greater than the braking force value immediately before the change (increase the braking force value). In this case, the braking force value greater than the braking force value immediately before the change can be set from the fishing reel or an external device external to the fishing reel.

[0047] In a braking force control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the minimum value or the maximum value of the braking force can be set from the fishing reel or an external device external to the fishing reel. In this way, it is possible to configure the device so that the maximum and minimum values ​​of the braking force are determined so that the changed braking force value is between the maximum and minimum values.

[0048] Furthermore, a fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to include the braking force control device of each of the above embodiments. According to the fishing reel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fishing reel equipped with a braking force control device that can automatically adjust the braking force without having to manually adjust the braking force after the first cast or after changing lures.

[0049] Next, referring to FIG. 6 , a flowchart related to the braking force adjustment by the braking control unit 30 of the braking force control device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be further described. As shown in the figure, the braking control unit 30 determines whether the automatic decreasing braking mode is set to ON for braking force adjustment (Step A). ​​If the determination is NO (if the automatic decreasing braking mode is not set to ON), the braking control unit 30 determines (sets) the automatic decreasing braking mode to OFF, and controls the braking control unit 30 to not automatically change the braking force (Step F). On the other hand, if the braking control unit 30 determines that the automatic decreasing braking mode is set to ON, the braking force is set to the maximum value (Step B). Next, a cast is performed (Step C), and then the clutch mechanism is engaged (Step D) and the fishing line (or fishing line with a lure attached) is wound onto the spool (Step E). If no change in braking force is required, the clutch mechanism is not disengaged and the automatic decreasing braking mode is turned OFF (Step F). On the other hand, if a change in braking force is required, the clutch mechanism is released (step G), and when the clutch state detection unit detects this (step H), the braking control unit 30 controls the braking force to be reduced by one step (a predetermined value) from the maximum value (step I). Here, the braking force being reduced by one step (a predetermined value) from the maximum value can be, for example, but is not limited to, a value between 5% and 15% of the maximum value. Then, casting (throwing) is performed again (step C). Here, casting (throwing) may be omitted (i.e., step C may be omitted). In this case, for example, the process of setting the clutch mechanism to a released state (step G) and the process of setting the clutch mechanism to a connected state (step D) are repeated, and when the clutch detection unit detects the released state of the clutch mechanism multiple times (step H), control can be performed to reduce the set value of the braking force in multiple stages (multiple times by the specified value) (this can be either a method of reducing the braking force value in one stage multiple times or a method of reducing the braking force value in multiple stages simultaneously).

[0050] According to the fishing reel 1 of one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fishing reel equipped with a braking force control device that can automatically adjust the braking force without having to manually adjust the braking force after the first cast or after changing lures.

[0051] 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. Furthermore, 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.

[0052] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fishing reel 2 Frame (reel body) 3 Spool 4 Braked member (inductor rotor) 5 Fixed magnet 6 Rotating magnet 7 Lure 8 Clutch mechanism (clutch means) 9 Clutch lever 10 Fishing rod 11 Bearing 12 Reflector 13 Set plate 14 Locking member 15 Inner cover 16 Motor 18 Battery 19 Circuit board 20 Braking section (braking force generating section) 21 Outer cover 22 Movable magnet holder 23 Reduction gear 24 Position sensor 25 Motor driver 30 Braking force control section 31 Clutch state detection section (clutch state detection means) 100 Braking force control device

Claims

1. A braking force control device comprising: a reel body; a spool axially supported on the reel body and capable of winding fishing line; a clutch mechanism that can select between connecting and disconnecting power transmission to the spool; a clutch state detection unit that detects the connected and disconnected states of the clutch mechanism; a braking unit that generates a braking force on the spool; and a braking force control unit that controls the braking force of the braking unit, wherein when the clutch state detection unit detects the disconnected state of the clutch mechanism, the braking force control unit adjusts the braking force of the braking unit.

2. The braking force control device according to claim 1, wherein the braking force control section sets the braking force to a maximum value in an initial state.

3. A braking force control device as described in claim 2, wherein the braking force control unit sets the braking force value to be lower than the maximum value of the braking force in the initial state when the clutch state detection unit detects that the clutch mechanism is in a released state.

4. A braking force control device as described in claim 2, wherein when the clutch state detection unit detects that the clutch mechanism is in a released state, the braking force control unit sets the braking force value to a predetermined value lower than the maximum braking force value in the initial state, and the predetermined value can be set or changed externally.

5. A braking force control device according to claim 4, wherein the external device is the fishing reel or an external device located outside the fishing reel.

6. The braking force control device according to claim 5, wherein the external device is a computer, a smartphone, a wearable device, a game player, or a cloud system (cloud device).

7. A braking force control device as described in claim 3, wherein when the clutch state detection unit detects the release state of the clutch mechanism, the braking force control unit sets the braking force to a first braking force value that is lower than the maximum value of the braking force in the initial state, and then when the clutch state detection unit again detects the release state of the clutch mechanism, the braking force control unit sets the braking force to a second braking force value that is even lower than the first braking force value that is lower than the maximum value of the braking force.

8. A braking force control device as described in claim 1, wherein the braking force control section is switchable between an automatic adjustment mode in which the braking force is changed when the clutch state detection section detects that the clutch mechanism is in a released state, and an automatic non-adjustment mode in which the braking force is not changed even when the clutch state detection section detects that the clutch mechanism is in a released state.

9. A braking force control device as described in claim 2, wherein when the clutch state detection unit detects the released state of the clutch mechanism and the braking force control unit changes the braking force, if the changed braking force value becomes lower than the minimum value of the braking force, the braking force control unit sets the changed braking force value to the maximum value of the braking force or to an automatic non-adjustment mode in which the braking force is not changed even if the clutch state detection unit detects the released state of the clutch mechanism.

10. The braking force control section according to claim 9, wherein the minimum value or the maximum value of the braking force can be set from the fishing reel or an external device outside the fishing reel.

11. A fishing reel having a braking force control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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