Patent ID: 12219943

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1to5are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment (a dual-bearing reel) of a fishing reel according to the present disclosure.

A reel body1of the dual-bearing reel according to the present embodiment comprises a left-hand side plate1A, a right-hand side plate1B, and a spool3that is rotatably supported between both side plates1A and1B. In the present embodiment, a handle5is provided on a side of the right-hand side plate1B. A winding-up operation is performed on the handle5, and therefore the spool3is driven to rotate by using a publicly known winding-up driving mechanism (a right-hand handle type).

The reel body1comprises a frame7that forms the left-hand and right-hand side plates1A and1B. This frame7is integrally formed by using, for example, a metal material of an aluminum alloy, a left-hand frame7A forms the left-hand side plate1A as it is, and a right-hand frame7B mounted with a cover body15forms the right-hand side plate1B.

The frame7comprises a coupler that couples the left-hand side plate1A and the right-hand side plate1B. In the present embodiment, a front coupler7C is provided on a front side of the spool3, a rear coupler7D is provided on a rear side of the spool3, and a lower coupler7E is provided on a lower side of the spool. These couplers are formed integrally with the left-hand frame7A and the right-hand frame7B. Note that a reel leg8is integrally mounted on the lower coupler7E (the reel leg may be formed integrally with the frame). The reel leg8is mounted on a reel seat of a fishing rod.

The left-hand side plate1A comprises an annular recessed portion7athat houses a flange3aof the spool3. Furthermore, in a center region of the left-hand side plate1A, a recessed portion7bis disposed. In the recessed portion7b, a bearing10is arranged, and rotatably supports a left-hand side end of a driving shaft3A of the spool3. Moreover, in the left-hand side plate1A, a publicly known spool stopper12is provided. The spool stopper12prevents the spool3from rotating in a fishing line sending-out direction. This spool stopper12comprises a slide lever12athat protrudes from an outside face of the left-hand side plate1A. An operation is performed to slide the slide lever12a, and therefore switching can be performed between a state where the spool3is prevented from rotating in the fishing line sending-out direction and a state where the spool3is allowed to rotate in the fishing line sending-out direction.

The right-hand frame7B has a ring shape including a circular opening7dthat enables the spool3to be detached to a handle side. As described above, the right-hand frame7B mounted with the cover body15forms the right-hand side plate1B. This right-hand side plate1B houses various function parts (component members), such as the winding-up mechanism, a drag mechanism, or a clutch mechanism, that transmit a rotation driving force of the handle5to the spool.

In a center of the spool3, the driving shaft3A is inserted and fixed, and the left-hand side end is rotatably supported on the left-hand side plate1A (the left-hand frame7A), by using the bearing10. Furthermore, on a right-hand side of the spool3in the driving shaft3A, a bearing3C is arranged, and a pin3D that a pinion gear23is engaged with or disengaged from is provided on an outside of a radial direction of the bearing3C. The pinion gear23slides in the radial direction by using the clutch mechanism. The diameter of the driving shaft3A decreases on an outside in the radial direction of a position where the pin3D is provided, and the driving shaft3A is inserted into the pinion gear23.

The cover body15is attachably/detachably fixed to the right-hand frame7B, and the right-hand frame7B and the cover body15form the right-hand side plate1B of the reel body1. This cover body15has a recessed shape in such a way that a housing space S is generated between the cover body15and the right-hand frame7B, and the various function parts described above are arranged in the housing space S.

The various function parts that are arranged in the housing space S are described below with reference to the drawings together withFIG.6. As described above, in the housing space S, a winding-up driving mechanism20, a drag mechanism50, a clutch mechanism70, and the like are arranged. The winding-up driving mechanism20transmits a rotation driving force of the handle5to the spool3. The drag mechanism50applies a desired braking force to a fishing line that is sent out from the spool3. The clutch mechanism70switches the spool between a winding-up state and a free rotation state.

In the present embodiment, the housing space S is disposed between the cover body15and a set plate16mounted on the cover body15, and the various mechanisms described above are arranged in this housing space S. Stated another way, when the cover body15is removed from the right-hand frame7B, the winding-up driving mechanism20, the drag mechanism50, and the clutch mechanism70are located on a side closer to the cover body15than the set plate16, and component members of each of the mechanisms are not exposed (even if the cover body15is removed from the right-hand frame7B, the component members are not scattered).

The set plate16has a roughly cylindrical shape including a support portion16ahaving a circular plate shape, and an annular support portion16bthat is disposed at an outer peripheral end of the support portion16a, and protrudes to a spool side. On the support portion16a, a flange16cis integrally formed from the annular support portion16bto an outside in the radially direction. A plurality of fixing screws17is screwed into the flange16ctoward a side of the cover body, and therefore the set plate16is fastened with screws, and is fixed to a side of an inner face of the cover body15(seeFIG.6). Furthermore, the annular support portion16bis fitted into an inner face of the circular opening7dthat is disposed in the right-hand frame7B.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the flange16cincludes a plurality of partial cutouts16dalong a circumferential direction, and a fixing portion15athat is disposed in the cover body15is located in the cutouts. A plurality of fixing portions15ais disposed from an annular surface of the cover body15toward an inside in the radial direction, and each includes a screw hole for fixing. Furthermore, on a side face of the right-hand frame7B, a fixing hole is disposed in a position that corresponds to the screw hole. Therefore, the screw hole of the cover body15is aligned with the fixing hole of the right-hand frame7B, and a locking screw19is screwed from an outside, and thus the cover body15is fixed to the right-hand frame7B.

In a center portion of the support portion16aof the set plate16, a through-hole16eis disposed. Around the through-hole16e, a support portion (an annular wall160is disposed to protrude toward the spool side. Furthermore, in a portion on an outer peripheral side of the support portion16a, a recessed portion16gis disposed, and is open toward a side of the cover body. In the through-hole16e, the pinion gear23included in the winding-up driving mechanism20is arranged, and in the recessed portion16g, a proximal end of a handle shaft5A included in the winding-up driving mechanism20is arranged.

Here, a configuration of the winding-up driving mechanism20is described. As described above, in the present embodiment, the handle5that drives and rotates the spool3is provided on a side of the right-hand side plate1B, and the winding-up driving mechanism20is arranged in the housing space S between the set plate16and the cover body15. The winding-up driving mechanism20comprises the handle shaft5A mounted with the handle5, a drive gear21that is rotatably mounted on this handle shaft5A, and the pinion gear23that is meshed with the drive gear21.

The handle5on which a winding-up operation is performed is mounted on an end of the handle shaft5A, and the handle shaft is rotatably supported in the right-hand side plate by a bearing25and a bearing26. The bearing25is arranged between the handle shaft5A and the cover body15, and the bearing26is arranged between the handle shaft5A and the recessed portion16gthat is disposed in the right-hand frame7B. The driving shaft3A of the spool is inserted into the pinion gear23that is meshed with the drive gear21, and the pinion gear23is supported to be slidable in the axial direction relative to the driving shaft3A. In the present embodiment, both sides of the pinion gear23are rotatably supported by bearings27and28, respectively. In this case, the bearing27is arranged in a portion of the through-hole16eof the set plate16, and the bearing28is arranged in a publicly known braking device29that is mounted on the cover body15, abuts onto an end face of the driving shaft3A of the spool, and applies a braking force to rotation of the spool.

On the handle shaft5A, a publicly known one-way clutch30is arranged between the handle shaft5A and the cover body15, and the one-way clutch30allows the handle5to rotate in the fishing line winding-up direction, and prevents the handle5from reversely rotate. Furthermore, on a portion of the handle shaft5A, a publicly known drag mechanism50is arranged, and the drag mechanism50applies a desired braking force to the fishing line that is sent out from the spool3. This drag mechanism50includes a plurality of braking plates51, a ratchet gear52, and an operation knob55. The plurality of braking plates51is arranged in an annular recessed portion21athat is disposed in the drive gear21. The ratchet gear52is whirl-stopped and fixed to the handle shaft5A to be immoveable in the axial direction, and comes in plane contact with the drive gear21. The operation knob55is disposed on the handle shaft5A. An operation is performed to rotate the operation knob55, and the operation knob55moves in the axial direction. Therefore, if an operation is performed to rotate the operation knob55, the braking plates51are pressed by using an inner ring of the one-way clutch30, and a desired pressing force acts between the drive gear21and the handle shaft5A. Stated another way, an operation is performed to rotate the operation knob55, and therefore a pressing force to be applied to the braking plates51is adjusted, and a desired drag force can act on the fishing line that is sent out from the spool3.

Note that a latching claw (not illustrated) can be engaged with the ratchet gear52. This can reliably prevent the handle shaft5A from reversely rotating, when a reverse rotation avoiding function of the one-way clutch30has slipped.

On the set plate16, a publicly known clutch mechanism70is arranged, and the clutch mechanism70switches the spool3between the winding-up state and the free rotation state. This clutch mechanism70comprises an operation member71, a clutch plate72, and an engagement member74. The operation member71is arranged on the right-hand side plate1B, and is supported to be rotationally movable along an outer peripheral face. The clutch plate72is supported by the set plate16to be rotationally movable, and rotationally moves in accordance with an operation performed on the operation member71. The engagement member74engages with a circumferential groove that is disposed on an outer peripheral face of the pinion gear23. An operation is performed to rotationally move the clutch plate72, and the pinion gear23is caused to slide in the axial direction. Stated another way, an operation is performed on the operation member71, and therefore the pinion gear23is caused to slide in the axial direction, an end23bhaving a noncircular cross section of the pinion gear23is engaged with or disengaged from the pin3D that is provided in the driving shaft3A of the spool3, and switching can be performed between a power transmission state (a clutch ON state) and a power cutoff state (a clutch OFF state). In this case, the ratchet gear52and the set plate16are provided with a returning mechanism that automatically causes the clutch mechanism to return from the OFF state to the ON state when a winding-up operation has been performed on the handle.

The cover body15comprises a swelling portion15A that swells in a roughly semicircular shape to partially house the drive gear21mounted on the handle shaft5A. This swelling portion is attached to the right-hand frame7B by using a screw, and is closed by a closing member61that is disposed in a roughly semicircular shape. Stated another way, as described above, if the cover body15on which the set plate16has been installed is installed on the right-hand frame7B, the swelling portion15A is closed by the closing member61that has been attached to the right-hand frame7B, as it is.

As described above, in the right-hand side plate of the reel body1, a large number of component members (function parts) are housed, and these are supported by the set plate16, as described above. In this case, the large number of component members comprise different types of materials that are different in a raw material, and are arranged in a contact state or a proximity state. Therefore, if conductive liquid such as seawater or water adheres to the large number of component members, or the large number of component members are exposed to such an atmosphere, a flow of electrons is generated due to a potential difference, and this causes corrosion. For example, in a portion of the through-hole16eof the set plate16, corrosion is likely to be generated in a portion of the bearing27or the like that is arranged between the support portion (the annular wall160that protrudes toward the spool side and a side portion of the pinion gear23(such corrosion decreases rotation performance).

In the present embodiment, a corrosion member100is attachably/detachably arranged on the set plate16in a conductive state. The corrosion member100has a potential difference that is greater than a potential difference between the set plate16and the component members comprising different types of materials (components of the winding-up driving mechanism20or the clutch mechanism70, an installation member such as a fixing screw, or the like). The corrosion member100comprises a material having a great ionization tendency, such as zinc, titanium, aluminum, or magnesium, and the material is selected and used according to the materials of the component members described above.

Such a corrosion member that comprises a material having a great ionization tendency is brought into contact with the component members (the set plate16). Therefore, even if conductive liquid such as seawater or water enters, and a flow of electrons is generated, the flow of electrons is generated in the corrosion member100with priority, and corrodes the corrosion member100. This can effectively avoid corrosion of other component members.

The corrosion member100according to the present embodiment comprises a plate-shaped member (for example, a zinc plate), and is attachably/detachably attached on a side of a spool facing face of the set plate16. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.6, the corrosion member100is attachably/detachably attached to a flat face of the support portion16aof the set plate16, by using fixing means (a plurality of screws102), and the corrosion member100comes into conductivity between the set plate16and the screws102. Furthermore, the corrosion member100is arranged inside the right-hand side plate (a position that fails to be visually recognized from the outside). Therefore, a corroded member is not exposed, and appearance does not deteriorate. Furthermore, the corrosion member is not damaged due to falling or hitting against another object, and functions of the corrosion member can be exhibited. Moreover, the cover body15is removed from the right-hand frame7B, and the set plate16is exposed. Therefore, a corrosion status of the corrosion member100can be checked (a maintenance timing is grasped).

As described above, in the present embodiment, in contrast to a conventional structure in which component members are not caused to corrode as much as possible by adopting corrosion avoiding measures in the component members themselves, or arranging a sealing structure in order to not cause seawater or water to enter from the outside, the corrosion member100that proactively promotes corrosion is arranged. This avoids corrosion of component members of a fishing reel (corrosion of principal component members), improves corrosion resistance, and avoids a deterioration of motion performance. Furthermore, a configuration in which the corrosion member100is provided, and is proactively caused to corrode is employed. This also enables a user to grasp a maintenance timing of the fishing reel to a certain extent in accordance with a corrosion status of the corrosion member100.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the corrosion member100has a plate shape. Therefore, a space is saved, and the corrosion member can be efficiently arranged. In particular, a ring shape is employed in such a way that the support portion (the annular wall160of the set plate16protrudes. This can effectively avoid corrosion that is likely to be generated in a portion of the bearing27that is arranged in a center region of the set plate16. Furthermore, a fishing line that seawater or water adheres to is wound around the spool3, and this causes moisture to easily enter an inside of the side plate from a flange portion that is an edge of the spool. However, the corrosion member100is arranged on a side of the spool facing face of the set plate16. This enables the corrosion member100to effectively corrode, and can avoid corrosion of principal component members.

Moreover, if an operation is performed to rotate the locking screw19, and the cover body15is removed from the right-hand frame7B, the set plate16has been fixed on a side of the cover body15. Therefore, only the corrosion member100can be easily exchanged without exposing respective component members of the winding-up driving mechanism20, the drag mechanism50, and the clutch mechanism70that are installed inside the cover body15, and maintainability can be improved.

FIG.7is a diagram illustrating a variation of the configuration described above. This variation indicates an example where the corrosion member100is formed into a plate-shaped member, and is attached to a surface of the support portion on the spool side of the set plate16. In such a configuration, the corrosion member100can be exchanged together with the set plate16. Furthermore, a configuration may be employed where the corrosion member100is caused to adhere to the support portion16ain a peelable manner, and is peeled at the time of exchange.

FIG.8is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a second embodiment (a spinning reel) of a fishing reel according to the present disclosure. It is sufficient if the corrosion member100, as described above, is formed to have a great potential difference from a component member on which the corrosion member100is to be installed, and specifically, a potential difference that is greater than a potential difference between the component member and another component member that is in contact with or in the proximity of the component member, and corrosion of the other component member can be effectively avoided regardless of an installation position.

A reel body202of the fishing spinning reel200illustrated inFIG.8comprises a reel leg202A that is mounted on a fishing rod. In the reel body, a handle shaft is rotatably supported by using a bearing, and a handle203is mounted at an end of the handle shaft. A winding-up operation is performed on the handle203. This handle203comprises a handle arm203A, and a handle knob203B that is located at a distal end. The handle knob203B is grasped, and a winding-up operation can be performed on the handle203. Furthermore, the handle shaft is coupled to a publicly known driving force transmission mechanism, a rotor210is driven to rotate in accordance with an operation to rotate the handle203, and a spool205is moved forward or backward by using a publicly known oscillating mechanism.

The spool205comprises, for example, metal having a small specific gravity, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or a magnesium alloy, or a synthetic resin material, and comprises a fishing line winding drum205a, a front flange205b, and a rear flange (a skirt)205c. A fishing line is wound around the fishing line winding drum205a. The front flange205band the rear flange205cregulate a line winding amount of the fishing line winding drum205ain a forward/backward direction.

The rotor210comprises a pair of support arms211and212at intervals of roughly 180°, and the pair of support arms211and212extend to a front side in the axial direction to face each other. The spool205is located between the pair of support arms, and is driven to move back and forth in the forward/backward direction. At respective distal ends of the support arms211and212, bail support members214and215are supported to be rotationally movable between a fishing line winding-up position and a fishing line releasing position. Furthermore, a proximal end of a bail217having a semi-annular shape is attached to each of the bail support members214and215, and the bail217is rotationally movable together with the bail support members214and215. At a distal end of the bail support member214, a fishing line guiding device (a line roller)250is arranged, and the fishing line guiding device250guides a fishing line to the spool.

In the spinning reel having the configuration described above, if an operation is performed to rotate the handle203, the rotor210is driven to rotate by using a driving force transmission mechanism, and the spool205is driven to move back and forth in the forward/backward direction by using the oscillating mechanism. This causes the fishing line to be evenly wound around the fishing line winding drum205aof the spool205via the fishing line guiding device250of the bail support member215that rotates together with the rotor210.

In the spinning reel, as described above, similarly, the corrosion member100can be attachably/detachably provided in various places.

For example, as illustrated inFIG.9, the corrosion member100can be attachably/detachably mounted on an upper face of the rotor210that is driven to rotate, by using screws110. Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG.10, the corrosion member100may be attachably/detachably mounted on a knob cap203C of the handle knob203B that is provided at a distal end of the handle arm203A, by using the screws110. Alternatively, the corrosion member100can be attachably/detachably mounted in an arbitrary position inside the handle arm203A (a position that is difficult to visually recognize from the outside), but this is not illustrated. Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG.11, a publicly known rear cap230that is installed at a rear end of the reel body202is removed, and the corrosion member100can be attachably/detachably mounted in the reel body in an open portion (inside of the rear cap). Moreover, the corrosion member may be attached to an inner face of the rear cap230(inside the rear cap), and the rear cap230may be exchanged.

Moreover, the corrosion member100may be attachably/detachably mounted on a sole of the reel leg202A that is mounted on a reel leg fixing portion of a fishing rod, or the reel leg8of the dual-bearing reel illustrated inFIGS.2to4.

As described above, the corrosion member100can be provided in various places, such as an inside of the reel body, the handle, the reel leg, or the fishing line guiding device, and a shape or a mounting direction of the corrosion member can be variously modified depending on a provision position of the corrosion member.

As described above, a corrosion member is mounted on any component member of a reel, and this can effectively avoid corrosion that occurs between the component member and another component member that has a contact relationship (including a proximity relationship) with the component member. For example, corrosion can be effectively avoided in a portion of various function parts that are included in a driving force transmission mechanism or an oscillating mechanism, or a fixing member (a screw, a rivet, or the like) that connects component members.

An experiment was conducted to check a change status of a component member at the time of continuously immersing a fishing reel mounted with the corrosion member described above in seawater. A result of the experiment is described next.

FIG.12is a photograph indicating a change status of a state where a corrosion member (a portion that includes a ZDC plate, which is a zinc alloy for die casting, and is surrounded with a circle) was fastened with screws and was mounted on a surface on the spool side of the set plate, and was immersed in seawater. The corrosion member was continuously immersed for one hour, and this was repeated seven times. On a surface of the ZDC plate that is the corrosion member, the appearance of white precipitate (unevenness) was discovered, and corrosion occurred.

FIGS.13A and13Bare photographs that indicate component members that are in contact with the set plate, and indicate a protrusion portion region of a handle shaft made of SUS, as is conventionally, and a drag knob after anodized aluminum treatment that is mounted on the protrusion portion region.FIG.13Aillustrates a configuration in which the corrosion member illustrated inFIG.12has not been arranged in the set plate, andFIG.13Billustrates a configuration in which the corrosion member illustrated inFIG.12has been mounted on the set plate. Both diagrams illustrate a state at a time when the configuration was continuously immersed in seawater for one hour, and this was repeated seven times, similarly toFIG.12.

As is apparent from these comparative photographs, a result indicates that if the corrosion member is mounted on the set plate, the corrosion member corrodes, but corrosion is not worsened in principal component members.

FIGS.14A and14Bare photographs indicating a result of an experiment conducted to compare a case where the corrosion member has been mounted inside a proximal end (a portion that is installed on the handle shaft) of the handle arm, and a case where the corrosion member has not been mounted. The handle arm was obtained by performing anodized aluminum treatment on an aluminum alloy (A6061), and a handle knob was caulked with rivets made of SUS, and was fixed to a distal end of the handle arm.

A left-hand side portion ofFIG.14Aindicates a case where an aluminum plate (black) after anodized aluminum treatment is interposed at a proximal end in order to prevent a nut from loosening, and the aluminum plate has been interposed. A right-hand side portion ofFIG.14Aindicates a case where a zinc plate (white) having the same shape is interposed. Seawater was sprayed onto these two handle arms for three weeks. In a case where the aluminum plate is interposed, corrosion occurred around a rivet made of SUS (a left-hand side portion ofFIG.14B). In a case where the zinc plate is interposed, corrosion was not observed around the rivet made of SUS (a right-hand side portion ofFIG.14B).

Aluminum has a great ionization tendency than zinc, but it can be considered that a conductive area decreases if anodized aluminum treatment has been performed, as described above. It can be considered that an effect was achieved even if the zinc plate described above was mounted.

According to the present disclosure, as described above in the embodiment, a corrosion member can be attached or detached inside a reel body of a fishing reel or on a surface (a position that fails to be visually recognized is preferable) of a component member that is exposed to an outside of the reel body. In a case where corrosion has been worsened, a maintenance task can be performed to exchange the corrosion member for a dedicated corrosion member. Therefore, the present disclosure comprises a corrosion member that can be attached to or detached from a portion where component members comprising different types of materials are arranged in a contact state or a proximity state, and that comprises a material having a potential difference that is greater than a potential difference between the component members comprising the different types of materials. Such a corrosion member can be manufactured and sold as an exchange part (a dedicated product), and a shape may be specified depending on an installation position or an installation method, a block shape may be employed rather than a plate shape, or a shape that achieve some functions may be employed.

Furthermore, such a corrosion member is formed in a zinc plate shape, and this enables a satisfactory processability and a reduction in a cost.

The embodiment according to the present disclosure has been described above. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made. The present disclosure can be applied to a variety of fishing reels, such as an electric reel or a single-bearing reel, in addition to the type described above of reel, and a mounting position of the fishing reel can also be variously changed. Furthermore, corrosion does not only occur in contact between metal members, but also occurs, for example, in the case of different types of materials such as carbon and aluminum. Therefore, an optimal corrosion member may be mounted in consideration of a potential difference generated between component members.