Concentric Driveline Fishing Reel for Consistent Drag Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fishing reels lack an efficient mechanism to manage drag forces effectively, particularly when counter-torques from the fishing line are below a certain threshold, leading to inconsistent line retrieval and drag control.
Innovation Solution
A fishing reel with a concentric driveline that includes a drive mechanism and a drag mechanism, where the drag mechanism is driven by the drive mechanism to either take-up or provide drag force based on the counter-torque from the fishing line, utilizing a frictional engagement between a drag plate and a brake pad to manage line retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional drag mechanism is used in existing fishing reels, then the structure is simpler, but the drag control is inconsistent when counter-torque is below the threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The drag mechanism is segmented into multiple independent friction elements (drag washers or brake pads) arranged concentrically around the spool axis. Each friction element can independently engage with the driveline components, allowing the drag force to be distributed and controlled more consistently across different torque conditions. This segmentation enables reliable drag control even when counter-torque is below the traditional threshold.
Solution Approach 2:
The drag mechanism components are nested concentrically around the spool axis, with drag washers or brake pads positioned between the spool and the housing. This nested arrangement allows the drag mechanism to be integrated within the existing reel structure without significantly increasing external dimensions, while providing consistent drag control through the concentric friction engagement.
2Reliability
If the drive mechanism is positioned off-axis, then the drag mechanism can be integrated, but the line retrieval becomes inconsistent at low counter-torques
Solution Approach 1:
The friction elements in the drag mechanism are positioned asymmetrically relative to the driveline components, with the friction engagement surfaces oriented to maximize contact pressure during retrieval. This asymmetric positioning ensures that even small counter-torques generate sufficient friction force for consistent line retrieval, while the concentric arrangement around the spool axis maintains compact integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The drag mechanism employs dynamic friction elements that can adjust their engagement pressure with the driveline based on the instantaneous counter-torque. This dynamic adjustment ensures consistent line retrieval across the full range of counter-torques, from very low values during light bites to high values during strong fish runs, without requiring a complex off-axis driveline configuration.
3Reliability
If a friction-based drag mechanism is implemented, then precise drag control is achieved, but the energy loss increases due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The friction elements are made from materials with locally optimized properties - high friction coefficient surfaces where drag control is needed, and low friction surfaces where energy loss should be minimized. This local quality differentiation allows precise drag force control through the friction interface while reducing parasitic energy losses in other parts of the drivetrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The drag mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of the friction engagement parameters, such as the normal force between friction elements and the contact pressure, to match the actual fishing conditions. By changing these parameters in real-time, the system achieves precise drag control when needed while minimizing energy loss during casting and retrieval phases when drag is not required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides precise control over line retrieval and drag force, ensuring consistent performance even when counter-torques are below the maximum threshold, enhancing the fishing experience.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a frictional engagement between a drag plate and a brake pad to manage line retrieval
Data Source
AI summary
A fishing rod assembly includes a rod and a reel assembly. The reel assembly includes a housing, a spool positioned within the housing, the spool configured to rotate about an axis to retrieve or let out a fishing line, a drive mechanism concentric with the axis, the drive mechanism configured to receive rotational kinetic energy from a user and drive the spool to take-up fishing line when a counter-torque provided to the spool by the fishing line is less than a target torque, and a drag mechanism. The drag mechanism is drivable by the drive mechanism to (a) drive the spool to take-up the fishing line when the counter-torque provided to the spool by the fishing line is less than the target torque or (b) provide a drag force to the spool when the counter-torque provided to the spool by the fishing line is less than the target torque.