Electronic Fishing Rod Drag Sensor Using Strain Gauge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fishing reels lack a reliable mechanism to accurately measure and adjust drag settings, often relying on empirical feel, which can lead to improper settings and line breakage, and existing solutions with moving parts are prone to failure in harsh marine environments.
Innovation Solution
A strain gauge bonded to the fishing rod senses rod strain, sending data to a microprocessor for real-time digital tension measurement and display, allowing for accurate drag adjustment and integration into any fishing rod design without moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanical drag measurement device with moving parts is used, then drag measurement capability is provided, but reliability deteriorates due to corrosion and failure in marine environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical drag measurement systems with moving parts with an electronic sensing system. A strain gauge sensor bonded to the rod detects rod flexure, and a microprocessor calculates line tension from this data, eliminating mechanical moving parts that are prone to corrosion and failure in marine environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic drag sensing system can be integrated into any fishing rod design regardless of whether it has a reel seat, making it universally applicable. The system provides drag measurement functionality without requiring specific mechanical mounting features, enhancing versatility across different rod types.
2Ease of operation
If drag setting is adjusted by feel, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates leading to improper settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the angler by displaying actual line tension on an LCD screen during drag adjustment. This allows the angler to see precise measurements and make accurate adjustments to achieve the desired drag setting, combining ease of operation with measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If a drag sensor is integrated into the rod with fixed mounting, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as it cannot be mounted on rods without reel seats
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic drag sensing system is designed to be universally compatible with any fishing rod design, whether it has a reel seat or not. The strain gauge sensor bonds directly to the rod and detects flexure, providing accurate drag measurements without requiring specific mechanical mounting features, thus enhancing adaptability while maintaining precision.
4Measurement precision
If mechanical drag measurement devices are used, then drag measurement is enabled, but device complexity increases requiring maintenance and lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical moving parts by using an electronic sensing system with a strain gauge bonded to the rod. This solid-state system requires no maintenance, lubrication, or calibration, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining accurate drag measurement capability.
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 accurate, real-time line tension monitoring and adjustment, reducing the risk of line breakage and maintaining reliability in harsh environments by eliminating the need for maintenance-prone moving parts.
Implementation Method 1
A strain gauge is bonded to the fishing rod such that the strain gauge senses the degree of flex of the fishing rod
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic sensor employs a strain gauge controlled by a microprocessor on a circuit board. The processor operates software to measure electric impulses from the strain gauge and to convert them into digitally recognizable numbers. Software provides for calibration of the electronic sensor specific fishing rods. The software also controls an LCD read-out device to allow the user to preset a known drag resistance force in suitable units of measure on the fishing reel and to continually read out the amount of force pressure on the fishing line after hook-up so that a user can apply maximum pressure on a fish while fighting the fish without breaking the fishing line.