Lever Drag Reel Spool Gap Design for Liquid Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lever drag type dual-bearing fishing reels face issues where seawater or liquid accumulation in the gap between the flange portions inhibits the spool's free rotation, reducing casting distance and depth control during fishing.
Innovation Solution
The design features a spool with first and second cylindrical flange portions of varying diameters, where the gap between the opening and external circumferential surface is minimized to prevent liquid accumulation, and includes escape portions and a cover member to facilitate liquid drainage, ensuring smooth spool rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gap between the opening and external circumferential surface of the flange portion is made very small to prevent the fishing line from entering, then the fishing line is prevented from becoming tangled, but liquid accumulation in the gap generates friction that inhibits spool rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The gap is segmented into two functional zones: an first gap portion with small axial length to prevent fishing line entry, and a second gap portion with larger axial length to facilitate liquid drainage. This segmentation allows the gap to simultaneously prevent line tangling while enabling liquid escape paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the gap have different axial lengths tailored to their specific functions. The first gap portion (near the opening) has smaller axial length for line prevention, while the second gap portion (toward the escape portion) has larger axial length for liquid drainage. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between line prevention and rotation freedom.
2Device complexity
If the external circumferential surface of the flange portion is made longer to provide storage space for the friction disk, then the drag mechanism can be housed, but the gap length increases making liquid entry more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The escape portion is positioned in the radial direction (another dimension) rather than extending the axial length of the entire gap. This allows liquid to escape laterally through the escape portion while maintaining a controlled axial gap length, preventing liquid accumulation without compromising drag mechanism integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The escape portion extracts liquid from the gap system through a dedicated lateral exit. This separates the liquid drainage function from the main gap structure, allowing the gap to maintain its drag mechanism storage function while providing a separate liquid escape path that prevents accumulation.
3Device complexity
If the gap axial length is increased to accommodate the friction disk storage space, then the drag mechanism components can be housed, but friction from accumulated liquid increases resistance to spool rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The gap is divided into a first gap portion for line prevention and a second gap portion for liquid drainage. This segmentation allows the gap to provide necessary storage space while creating escape paths that prevent liquid accumulation and the associated friction resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The larger gap portion that would normally trap liquid and create friction is converted into a beneficial liquid drainage channel. The escape portion transforms the potential harm of liquid accumulation into a benefit by providing a controlled escape route, reducing friction and enabling free spool rotation.
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 configuration effectively prevents liquid from inhibiting spool rotation, enhancing casting distance and depth control by minimizing liquid accumulation and ensuring the spool can rotate freely, even when exposed to seawater or other liquids.
Implementation Method 1
surface tension occurring at both the opening and the external circumferential surface of the flange portion
Data Source
AI summary
A reel unit of the dual-bearing reel is configured to support a spool, a spool shaft, a drag mechanism, and a drag adjusting lever. The reel unit has a first end member with a first opening and a first escape portion. The first opening accommodates a first flange portion and has an edge surface with a first facing portion facing towards the outer peripheral surface of the first flange portion. The first facing portion and the outer peripheral surface of the first flange portion define a gap with an axial length shorter than the axial length of the outer peripheral surface of the first flange portion. The first escape portion is arranged within the inner peripheral surface of the first end member and has a diameter larger than that of the first facing portion.