One Way Clutch Drag Release Mechanism for Fishing Reels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fishing reels fail to incrementally reduce drag force effectively under load, as existing methods do not allow for smooth adjustment of drag without releasing line tension, leading to incomplete drag force reduction when backing off the adjustment mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The fishing reel design incorporates a drag adjuster system with axial pins and radial pins that transmit drag adjustments from the star wheel to the drag stack without axially displacing the clutch sleeve, allowing for incremental drag reduction even under load by providing clearance between the clutch sleeve and gear stud, enabling the drag adjuster to displace relative to the clutch sleeve to adjust compression of the drag stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the clutch sleeve is allowed to axially displace to adjust drag, then drag force can be adjusted, but the drag cannot be reduced incrementally under load without releasing line tension
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent adjustment mechanisms: the clutch sleeve for coarse drag adjustment and the drag adjuster with axial pins for fine incremental adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, enabling drag reduction under load while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial pins and radial pins act as intermediaries between the star wheel adjustment and the drag stack compression. The axial pins transmit adjustment force without requiring axial displacement of the clutch sleeve, while the radial pins provide clearance management. This intermediary mechanism enables precise drag control under load without the limitations of direct clutch sleeve displacement.
2Force
If the star wheel is backed off to reduce drag, then drag force decreases, but line tension must be released first to achieve complete drag reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The drag adjuster system introduces dynamic capability to the drag adjustment mechanism. The axial pins can move axially relative to the clutch sleeve to accommodate drag stack compression changes, while the radial pins allow rotational movement. This dynamic design enables continuous drag adjustment under varying load conditions without requiring line tension release.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the adjustment parameter from clutch sleeve axial position to drag adjuster axial pin displacement. By measuring and controlling the drag stack compression through the axial pins rather than through clutch sleeve position, the system can accurately control drag force reduction even when line tension is present, as the axial pins can move independently to reflect actual drag stack compression.
3Reliability
If the clutch sleeve is axially fixed to enable incremental drag reduction, then drag can be adjusted under load, but the clutch sleeve cannot axially displace to adjust drag
Solution Approach 1:
The axial adjustment function is extracted from the clutch sleeve and transferred to the drag adjuster mechanism with axial pins. The clutch sleeve is axially fixed to the side plate, removing its adjustment capability, while the drag adjuster independently provides both coarse and fine adjustment functions. This extraction resolves the contradiction by giving up clutch sleeve displacement while gaining reliable incremental drag reduction under load.
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
This design enables precise and incremental adjustment of drag force without releasing line tension, allowing for effective drag reduction while maintaining rotational load, enhancing the user's control over fishing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the washers are a mix of metal washers and fiber washers that exhibit friction when in contact with each other
Implementation Method 2
a pair of Belleville washers 34
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A fishing reel (100) including: a housing with a side plate, a gear stud (152) rotatably disposed relative to the housing to rotate about a first axis, and a main gear (146) concentrically disposed relative to the gear stud. The main gear interacts with another gear (162) to rotate a spool about a second axis. The reel also includes a drag stack (140) concentrically disposed relative to the gear stud, a one way clutch (138) concentrically disposed relative to the gear stud, and a clutch sleeve (136) disposed within and engaging the one-way clutch. The clutch sleeve (136) is constrained to rotate with the gear stud (152). The reel further includes an adjustment member (128) disposed outside the housing that provides a user interface for adjusting a desired drag, and a drag adjuster (174, 176, 178) that transmits drag adjustments from the adjustment member to the drag stack (140) without axially displacing the clutch sleeve (136).