SPOOL BRAKING DEVICE FOR FISHING REEL

• US 20100006686A1
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Yusa, Isao, Ito, Toshiaki
• Granted Patent: US 7,712,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/227
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 89/01555 using magnets

Abstract

A spool braking device and a spool braking method for increasing spool braking capability. The spool braking device includes a reel attached to a fishing rod in a detachable manner. A rotatable spool is arranged in the reel. A fishing line is wound to the spool. A brake mechanism electronically brakes rotation of the spool. An acceleration sensor detects swing acceleration produced when the fishing rod is swung and generates an acceleration signal. A brake control unit determines whether or not the spool needs to be braked based on the acceleration signal and drives the brake mechanism.

Claims

1. A spool braking device for a fishing reel attached to a fishing rod in a detachable manner for use with a fishing line, the spool braking device comprising:

a rotatable spool, arrangeable in the reel, for winding with the fishing line;

a brake mechanism for electronically braking rotation of the spool;

an acceleration sensor for detecting swing acceleration produced when the fishing rod is swung and generating an acceleration signal; and

a brake control unit which drives the brake mechanism, wherein the brake control unit determines whether or not to brake the spool based on the acceleration signal.

2. The spool braking device according to claim 1, wherein the fishing rod includes a basal portion to which the reel is attached and a distal portion opposite to the basal portion, the acceleration sensor being arrangeable on the distal portion of the fishing rod.

3. The spool braking device according to claim 1, wherein the brake control unit determines, based on the acceleration signal, an estimated casting distance from a casting point where the fishing line is cast to a landing point where the fishing line lands on water, and the brake control unit drives the brake mechanism based on the estimated casting distance.

4. The spool braking device according to claim 3, wherein the brake control unit determines, based on the acceleration signal, an estimated cast line amount of the fishing line drawn out of the spool during a casting period, and drives the brake mechanism when the estimated cast line amount becomes equal to the estimated casting distance.

5. The spool braking device according to claim 3, wherein the brake control unit determines, based on the acceleration signal, an initial speed of the fishing line when the fishing line is cast from the fishing rod as the fishing rod reaches a casting swing termination position, and the brake control unit drives the brake mechanism when the estimated casting distance is less than a minimum casting distance that corresponds to the initial speed.

6. The spool braking device according to claim 3, wherein:

the brake control unit includes a parameter setting unit for setting at least one initial parameter to change a casting condition; and

the brake control unit determines the estimated casting distance based on the at least one initial parameter and the acceleration signal.

7. The spool braking device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one initial parameter includes a height parameter indicating height of the fishing rod when the fishing line is cast from the fishing rod as the fishing rod reaches a casting swing termination position.

8. The spool braking device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one initial parameter includes:

a height parameter indicating height of the fishing rod when the fishing line is cast from the fishing rod as the fishing rod reaches a casting swing termination position; and

at least one air resistance parameter indicating air resistance during a casting period.

9. The spool braking device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one air resistance parameter includes:

a mass parameter indicating mass of a weight connected to the fishing line; and

a weather parameter indicating an air resistance coefficient corresponding to a weather condition.

10. The spool braking device according to claim 1, wherein the brake control unit determines, based on the acceleration signal, an initial speed and a projection angle of the fishing line when the fishing line is cast from the fishing rod as the fishing rod reaches a casting swing termination position, and the brake control unit drives the brake mechanism when the projection angle exceeds a maximum projection angle that corresponds to the initial speed.

11. The spool braking device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a rotation sensor for detecting rotation of the spool and generating a rotation signal;

wherein the brake control unit drives the brake mechanism based on the acceleration signal and the rotation signal.

12. The spool braking device according to claim 11, wherein the brake control unit determines rotation speed of the spool during a casting period based on the rotation signal, determines an estimated speed of the fishing line during the casting period based on the acceleration signal, and drives the brake mechanism when the rotation speed of the spool exceeds the estimated speed of the fishing line.

13. A fishing device for use with a fishing line, the fishing device comprising:

a fishing rod; and

a fishing reel attached to the fishing rod in a detachable manner;

wherein the fishing rod includes an acceleration sensor for detecting swing acceleration produced when the fishing rod is swung and generating an acceleration signal; and

the reel includes;

a spool for winding the fishing line;

a brake mechanism for electronically braking rotation of the spool; and

a brake control unit for driving the brake mechanism, the brake control unit determining whether or not the spool needs to be braked based on the acceleration signal.

14. A method for controlling braking of a rotatable spool arranged in a fishing reel, the reel being attached to a fishing rod in a detachable manner, and the reel including a brake mechanism for electronically braking rotation of the spool;

the method comprising;

generating an acceleration signal using an acceleration sensor to detect swing acceleration produced when the fishing line is swung; and

driving the brake mechanism by determining whether or not to brake the spool based on the acceleration signal.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the spool is wound with a fishing line, the method further comprising:

determining an estimated casting distance from a casting point where the fishing line is cast to a landing point where the fishing line reaches water surface based on the acceleration signal; and

driving the brake mechanism based on the estimated casting distance.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

determining an estimated cast line amount of the fishing line drawn out of the spool during a casting period based on the acceleration signal; and

driving the brake mechanism so as to equalize the estimated cast line amount and the estimated casting distance.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

determining the estimated casting distance based on the acceleration signal and at least one initial parameter that changes a casting condition.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

determining an initial speed of the fishing line when the fishing line is cast from the fishing rod as the fishing rod reaches a casting swing termination position based on the acceleration signal; and

driving the brake mechanism when the estimated casting distance is less than a minimum casting distance that corresponds to the initial speed.

19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

determining an initial speed and a projection angle of the fishing line when the fishing line is cast from the fishing rod as the fishing rod reaches a casting swing termination position based on the acceleration signal; and

driving the brake mechanism when the projection angle becomes greater than a maximum projection angle that corresponds to the initial speed.

20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

generating a rotation signal by detecting rotation of the spool with a rotation sensor; and

driving the brake mechanism based on the acceleration signal and the rotation signal.