Triple Lever Drag System for Fishing Reels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lever drag mechanisms in fishing reels suffer from high wear due to a single interface for friction generation, requiring large clamping pressure, which leads to 'sideload' issues and inconsistent drag levels, especially in push-to-engage designs prone to 'drag drift'.
Innovation Solution
A pull-to-engage drag mechanism with multiple drag washers and plates that generate friction at multiple interfaces, allowing the spool to spin freely when disengaged, and adjustable resistance via a calibration knob, reducing wear and improving consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single interface drag mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the wear increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drag mechanism is segmented into multiple interfaces by using multiple drag washers (inner, center, outer) and corresponding drag plates. Each washer-plate pair creates a separate friction interface, distributing the wear across multiple locations rather than concentrating it at a single point, thereby extending the overall lifespan of the mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane friction interface to a multi-dimensional arrangement by stacking multiple drag washers and plates in sequence along the shaft axis. This creates multiple friction interfaces in series, where each interface contributes to the total drag resistance while distributing mechanical stress across different spatial layers.
2Force
If large clamping pressure is applied to generate sufficient friction, then the drag force is improved, but the sideload increases making operation burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The total drag force requirement is segmented across multiple friction interfaces. Each drag washer-plate pair contributes a portion of the total drag force, allowing the system to achieve the required total friction with lower clamping pressure at each individual interface, thereby reducing sideload on the reeling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple friction interfaces are merged in series to collectively provide the total drag force. The inner, center, and outer drag washer-plate pairs work together to sum up to the required drag resistance, distributing the mechanical load across multiple contact points rather than concentrating it at a single interface.
3Device complexity
If a push-to-engage design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but drag drift occurs making drag levels inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional push-to-engage mechanism by using a pull-to-engage design where the shaft is pulled axially outward to engage the drag washers with the drag plates. This inversion prevents unintentional engagement caused by axial thrust while maintaining consistent drag levels through controlled axial displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The drag mechanism is designed to automatically disengage when the shaft is pulled outward, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms. The self-service design allows the shaft's axial movement to naturally control the engagement and disengagement of the drag interfaces, preventing drag drift without additional complexity.
4Reliability
If multiple drag washers and plates are used, then the wear is reduced and reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drag washers and plates are nested concentrically around the shaft, with the inner drag washer positioned closest to the shaft, followed by the center drag washer and plate, and finally the outer drag washer and plate. This nested arrangement optimizes space utilization and allows multiple friction interfaces to be packed into a compact configuration, minimizing the overall increase in device complexity.
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 extends the lifespan of the drag mechanism by distributing friction across multiple interfaces, reducing wear and sideload, and providing consistent drag levels with reduced 'drag drift', enhancing the angler's control over resistance settings.
Implementation Method 1
When the drag washer and the drag plate are placed into contact with one another (e.g., by a lever), friction is developed to resist rotation of the drag plate relative to the drag washer. Thus, the drag washer and the drag plate may be placed into contact with one another to develop resistance against rotation of the spool and playing out of line.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A fishing reel (1) with a lever drag mechanism is provided. A lever on the drag mechanism may be rotated forward or backward to engage or disengage the drag mechanism respectively. When the lever is rotated forward to engage the drag mechanism, a shaft (15) may be pulled outwardly from the reel such that a plurality of drag washers (45, 50, 55) are placed into contact with a plurality of drag plates (60, 65). The drag washers may be coupled to a spool (10), and the drag plates may be coupled to a drag plate hub (115). As a result, when the drag mechanism is engaged, the drag washers may be frictionally coupled to the drag plates such that the spool is preferably coupled to the drag plate hub. When the drag mechanism is disengaged, the spool may rotate independently of the drag plate hub.