Spinning Reel Line Roller Waterproofing via Intermediary Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinning reel line rollers are prone to water ingress through contacting surfaces between support members and collars, compromising the waterproofing of bearings.

Innovation Solution

A line roller design featuring a cylindrical guide member with a waterproof member interposed between the collar and support member over the entire circumference, utilizing continuous grooves and O-rings or lip seals to prevent water entry into the bearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal member is used to waterproof the bearing, then water prevention is improved, but water can still enter through contacting surfaces between hard members (washer and support portion, washer and arm lever)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproofing of bearingVSAvoidwater entry through contacting surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A waterproof member (seal element) is introduced as an intermediary between the collar and support member at their contacting surface. This seal member fills the gap between hard members, preventing water from penetrating through the joint between the collar and support portion, thereby eliminating the waterproofing weakness identified in the prior art.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the seal member distal end is in sliding contact with the support portion, then sealing is improved, but water can still enter through joints between hard members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidwater entry through hard member joints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof member serves as a mediator between the collar and support member, specifically addressing the joint between these two hard members. By placing the seal at this critical interface, the invention prevents water from entering through the gap between the collar and support portion, complementing the existing seal member arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively prevents water from entering the bearing, ensuring the waterproofing and smooth operation of the line roller, even in wet environments.

Implementation Method 1

a waterproof member that is interposed between the collar and the support member at a contacting surface thereof over the entire circumference around the axis of rotation of the guide member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS11089770B2Line roller

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 SHIMANO INC

AI summary

A line roller for guiding fishing line to a spool of a spinning reel for fishing, includes a cylindrical guide member having a guide surface to guide the fishing line on an outer periphery of the spool, a bearing rotatably supporting an inner circumferential surface of the guide member, a support member supporting an inner circumferential surface of the bearing in a radial direction, a collar abutting an axial side surface of the bearing and fixing the axial position thereof, a waterproof member interposed between the collar and the support member at a contacting surface over the circumference around an axis of rotation of the guide member, and a groove disposed in the collar or the support member at the contacting surface over the entire circumference around the axis of rotation, and the waterproof member being disposed in the groove.