Fly Fishing Reel Planetary Gearing and One-Way Clutch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fly fishing reels face issues with slow line retrieval, high line tension variations, and inability to handle larger line calibers, leading to increased risk of losing the catch due to inefficient braking mechanisms and reduced maneuverability.

Innovation Solution

A fly fishing reel with a planetary gearing system, a concentric driving lever, and a free wheel mechanism that disconnects during line retrieval to reduce tension variations and enhance line speed, along with a brake system that only engages during line feed-out to prevent slipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a brake system is used to control line feed-out during casting, then line control is improved, but line retrieval speed decreases and tension variations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline controlVSAvoidline retrieval speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The brake system is designed to be dynamic, automatically engaging during line feed-out to control casting and disengaging during line retrieval to maximize speed. The one-way clutch mechanism enables the brake to selectively apply braking force only when needed, transforming the brake from a static constraint into a dynamic control element that adapts to operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful braking effect is extracted and isolated to specific operational phases. By using a one-way clutch to disconnect the brake during retrieval, the patent removes the brake's negative impact on retrieval speed while preserving its beneficial control function during casting. This separates the conflicting functions temporally and conditionally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If a conventional gearing system is used, then line retrieval is possible, but retrieval speed is slow and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline retrieval efficiencyVSAvoidline retrieval speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The gearing system incorporates a one-way clutch that enables dynamic operation modes. During retrieval, the clutch allows the spool to rotate freely without gear engagement, creating a direct-drive high-speed mode. During casting control, the clutch engages the gearing for torque multiplication. This dynamic switching resolves the speed-efficiency contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The power transmission path is segmented into two independent modes: a high-speed direct-drive path for retrieval and a low-speed geared path for controlled feed-out. The one-way clutch acts as a selector that routes power through different mechanical paths based on operational needs, allowing each path to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the brake engages during line retrieval, then line tension control is maintained, but tension variations cause rod lurching and increase risk of losing catch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline tension controlVSAvoidline tension stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The brake's tension control function is extracted and applied only during casting operations. The one-way clutch mechanism removes the brake from the power transmission path during retrieval, eliminating the source of tension variations and rod lurching while preserving braking control during feed-out operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The brake engagement follows a periodic pattern: engaged during casting/feeding out, disengaged during retrieval. This periodic action ensures tension control is applied when needed (during line payout) while avoiding it during retrieval, preventing the harmful tension fluctuations that cause rod instability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Ease of operation

If manual line retrieval by pulling is used, then brake tension conflicts are avoided, but hand injury risk increases and maneuverability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidhand injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reel system performs the retrieval function automatically through the one-way clutch mechanism. When the angler pulls the line, the clutch engages and the spool rotates freely, allowing rapid retrieval without manual handling. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for the angler to manually pull the line, removing both the injury risk and maneuverability constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 allows for faster and more efficient line retrieval with reduced tension variations, enabling anglers to react quickly to fish movements and handle larger line calibers, improving the chances of successful catches and reducing the risk of losing the fish.

Implementation Method 1

said gearing comprises at least a planetary train, said planetary train comprises a second pinion, at least three planet gears and a ring gear

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlanetary gearing: Epicyclic Gearing

Implementation Method 2

elastic recovery means for the lever rest position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Implementation Method 3

a free wheel mechanism that disconnects during line retrieval to reduce tension variations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFree wheel mechanism: Ratchet

Implementation Method 4

a brake system that only engages during line feed-out to prevent slipping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP1886558B1Fly fishing reel
Publication Date: 2011.06.29 BAWER TECHNOLOGY S L
  • EP1886558B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1886558B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1886558B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Fly fishing reel. The reel comprises a housing (2, 102, 202), a main axis (3, 103, 203), a swivel driving lever (4, 104, 204) preloaded by elastic recovery means (11, 111, 211) and a first pinion (6, 106, 206) driven by driving lever (4, 104, 204). First pinion (6, 106, 206) is coaxial to main axis (3, 103, 203). The reel also comprises a reel (8, 108, 208) for winding up line (34, 134, 234) that is coaxial to main axis (3, 103, 203) and a brake (9, 109, 209) for spool (8, 108, 208). Between first pinion (6, 106, 206) and spool (8, 108, 208) a gearing (7, 107, 207) is provided. Said gearing (7, 107, 207) comprises at least one planetary train made up of a second pinion (18, 118, 218), at least three planet gears (16, 116, 216) and a ring gear (15, 115, 215). Ring gear (15, 115, 215) is linked to first pinion (6, 106, 206) via a one-way clutch (13, 113, 213).