Fishing Rod Fitting Securing With Variable Fiber Orientation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fishing rod securing methods using prepreg sheets with reinforcement fibers oriented at 0° or 90° to the axial direction either inhibit bending or fail to provide sufficient twist strength, leading to breakage and poor appearance due to wrinkles.

Innovation Solution

A fishing rod design where a prepreg sheet with plain-woven reinforcement fibers is wound and secured on the fitting with intersecting angles to the axial direction that decrease beyond the securing portion, allowing for oblique fiber orientation to enhance twist strength and prevent wrinkles, while maintaining flexibility and appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If reinforcement fibers are oriented at 0° or 90° to the axial direction, then the prepreg sheet has increased rigidity or twist strength, but this leads to inhibition of bending or fiber breakage under twist load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetwist strengthVSAvoidbending flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different fiber orientation angles at different locations along the rod section. Specifically, the fiber orientation angle varies continuously from the securing portion toward the distal end, with smaller angles near the securing portion (providing higher twist strength) and larger angles toward the distal end (providing better bending flexibility). This local variation in fiber orientation resolves the contradiction between needing high twist strength at the fitting and maintaining overall bending flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If reinforcement fibers are oriented at 0° or 90° to the axial direction, then the prepreg sheet has increased rigidity or twist strength, but this results in formation of wrinkles and deterioration of outer appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring strengthVSAvoidouter appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of fiber orientation angle continuously along the length of the rod section. By varying the angle from smaller values near the securing portion to larger values toward the distal end, the patent achieves both adequate securing strength and smooth surface appearance without wrinkles. This continuous parameter variation allows the prepreg sheet to conform smoothly to the rod section geometry while providing necessary structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design achieves a secure and flexible fishing rod with improved twist strength and outer appearance by reducing axial rigidity and preventing fiber breakage, ensuring the fitting is firmly attached without inhibiting rod section bending.

Implementation Method 1

a prepreg sheet formed of plain-woven reinforcement fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermosetting resin curing: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3520610B1Fishing rod
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 DAIWA SEIKO CORPORATION
  • EP3520610B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3520610B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3520610B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a fishing rod including a rod section and a fitting having a securing portion, the fitting being firmly secured at the securing portion to the rod section without inhibiting bending of the rod section, the securing portion having an excellent outer appearance. In the fishing rod of the present invention, on a securing portion 10a of a fishing line guide 10B placed on a surface of a molded rod section, a prepreg sheet 30 formed of plain-woven reinforcement fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin is wound to secure the fishing line guide 10B. The prepreg sheet 30 is disposed so that a group F1 of reinforcement fibers and a group F2 of reinforcement fibers are in oblique directions with respect to an axial direction X, and wound and secured so that intersecting angles of the reinforcement fibers with respect to the axial direction in a winding region on a part of the rod section located beyond a distal end 10e of the securing portion 10a are smaller than intersecting angles of the reinforcement fibers with respect to the axial direction in a winding region on the securing portion 10a.