Spinning Reel Rotor Covering Screw Heads to Prevent Corrosion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spinning reel rotors have screw members exposed to the outside, leading to corrosion and water ingress, which can cause malfunctioning of internal mechanisms due to exposure to foreign substances and saltwater, and improper water washing techniques.

Innovation Solution

The rotor design incorporates mounting brackets with axial and radial flange portions to cover screw members, ensuring they are not exposed and using cover members to prevent water entry, with the brackets being disposed on opposite sides of the rear cover member to maintain rotation balance and prevent corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If screw members are used to fix the rear cover member to the rotor body, then the rear cover member can be securely fixed, but the head portions of the screw members are exposed to the outside causing corrosion and foreign substance attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidcorrosion and foreign substance attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces mounting brackets as intermediary components between the rear cover member and the rotor body. These brackets have through-holes that allow screw members to pass through and secure the rear cover member, while the brackets themselves cover the head portions of the screw members. This intermediary structure solves the contradiction by maintaining fixation strength while preventing exposure of screw member heads to harmful external factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If the opening in the rear cover member is used to dispose the flange, then the flange can be properly positioned, but water can enter the interior mechanisms through the clearance between the opening and flange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflange positioningVSAvoidwater ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting brackets serve as intermediary components that bridge the gap between the opening and the flange. By positioning the brackets forward of the rear cover member and covering them with the outer cover member, the structure creates a protective barrier that prevents water from entering through the clearance, while still allowing the flange to be properly disposed in the opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested structure where the mounting brackets are disposed within the coverage area of the outer cover member. The brackets are positioned forward of the rear cover member, and the outer cover member covers the brackets, creating multiple layers of protection. This nested arrangement prevents water ingress while maintaining the functional positioning of the flange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the outer cover member is attached to the rotor arms without clearance, then foreign substance attachment is reduced, but water washing from outside cannot effectively clean the screw member heads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign substance attachmentVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting brackets act as intermediaries that are accessible from the outside through the outer cover member. The brackets are positioned such that their surfaces can be easily accessed for cleaning, and they effectively cover the screw member heads. This intermediary structure allows water washing to reach and clean the bracket surfaces and exposed portions of screw members, while still providing protection against foreign substance attachment.

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

This design effectively prevents screw member exposure and water ingress, reducing corrosion and mechanical malfunctions, while maintaining rotation balance and facilitating easy assembly and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

The screw members are inserted into the outer cover member in an inwardly radial direction and screwed into the first and second rotor arms. The rear cover member is fixed to the rear face of the rotor body with screw members (e.g., tapping screws and round-head screws).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew threading: Screw

Implementation Method 2

The rotor is connected to a pinion gear of the spinning reel in order to rotate integrally with the pinion gear. The rotor is integrally-rotatably coupled to a part of a reel body in front of a pinion gear rotatably supported by the reel body.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical rotation:

Implementation Method 3

even if water attaches to the head portions of the screw members, the attached water will be scattered by centrifugal force to be generated in rotation of the rotor.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2248418B1Rotor for spinning reel
Publication Date: 2011.12.21 SHIMANO INC
  • EP2248418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2248418B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2248418B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotor includes a rotor body, first to third cover members, and first and second mounting brackets. The rotor body includes a tubular member and first and second rotor arms. The first and second rotor arms extend forward from first and second sides of the rear end of the tubular member. The rotor arms are also spaced apart from the outer periphery of the tubular member. The first and second cover members cover a portion of the outside of the first and second rotor arms. The third cover member is coupled to the rear ends of the first and second cover members , and covers the rear end of the tubular member. The first and second mounting brackets are disposed in front of the third cover member so as to be covered by the first and second cover members. The first and second mounting brackets are used for mounting the third cover member to the rotor body by way of screw members.